Zami took a slow step forward, each movement labored, his body aching with every inch gained. The silence of Void Deux stretched endlessly, its emptiness seeming eternal. But then, something changed.
Before him, the air rippled and twisted, a distortion in the fabric of reality. In a blink, an enormous portal materialized, its edges shimmering with an unreal glow that radiated power unlike anything Zami had ever seen. It pulsated, an unspoken promise of freedom and a world beyond this desolate existence.
Zami froze, his silver eyes narrowing as he regarded the phenomenon. His grip on his katana tightened instinctively, though he knew it was no threat.
From deep within his mind, Karesh's voice emerged, calm yet carrying a weight it had never held before.
"Zami," Karesh began, his tone softer than usual. "The entities have given you a choice."
Zami's gaze didn't waver from the portal, but his lips tightened. He remained silent, waiting for Karesh to continue.
"You've done what no one else could," Karesh said. "You climbed the Withering Spire. You slew the Eternal Hunger, the strongest vessel ever created. You've endured countless deaths, forged unbreakable techniques, and defied every expectation."
The voice hesitated for a moment before resuming, its tone almost regretful. "The entities... they adore you now, Zami. They've seen your will, your strength, and your resolve. And they've decided to grant you freedom."
Zami blinked, his silver eyes narrowing slightly.
"You can escape this colony," Karesh continued. "You can walk through that portal and live freely in the world outside. No more vessels. No more endless battles. No more testing."
The weight of the words hung heavy in the air. Zami's battered body seemed to grow heavier under the weight of the decision.
Karesh's voice softened further, almost apologetic. "I know you, Zami. I've seen what drives you—the anger, the purpose, the longing to destroy the vessels, to reach the entities themselves, to collect every shard and piece of power this world has to offer. I know I was cruel to you at first, dismissive of your resolve. But now... I can't deny it. You've become something extraordinary."
Zami remained silent, his expression unreadable as he stared into the swirling light of the portal.
Karesh sighed, his tone bittersweet. "You don't have to keep fighting. You've already proven everything. You've done more than anyone could have imagined. You could step through that portal, leave all of this behind, and live the life you've never had the chance to experience. You've earned it, Zami."
For a long moment, Zami said nothing. The portal pulsed, its glow casting strange shadows on his bloodied form. His fingers twitched around the hilt of his katana, the familiar weight grounding him as his thoughts swirled.
Finally, he spoke, his voice low and steady. "Freedom..." He tilted his head slightly, his silver eyes reflecting the portal's light. "What would that even look like?"
Karesh hesitated. "A life where you're not bound by this colony. A life where you can forge your own path, free from the shadow of the entities."
Zami's lips twitched, forming a faint smirk. "You think I'm done?" His voice was quiet but carried an edge of determination. "You think I've come this far just to walk away?"
Karesh's voice faltered. "Zami, you've done enough. You don't have to keep going."
Zami shook his head slowly, his smirk fading into a calm, resolute expression. "I didn't survive this long, die this many times, and push myself beyond every limit just to stop now. The entities are watching. They think they've seen everything I have to offer."
He raised his katana, the blade gleaming faintly despite its wear. "But they haven't seen the end."
Karesh was silent, his presence in Zami's mind quiet as he processed the warrior's resolve.
Zami stepped closer to the portal, his gaze unwavering. He stopped just short of its shimmering edge, letting the energy wash over him. "I'll give them their answer," he said, his voice steady. "But it's not going to be the one they're expecting."
Karesh spoke again, his tone softer. "Then this is your choice, Zami. To stay, to fight, to defy even the entities themselves..."
Zami nodded, his silver eyes glinting. "It's not over yet."
The portal pulsed one final time before vanishing, leaving Zami standing alone in the void. The silence returned, but this time it was different—charged with purpose and determination.
Zami gripped his katana tighter, his bloodied form turning toward the unknown. His next steps were unsteady but filled with unwavering resolve.
"I won't fall yet," he murmured, walking forward into the darkness, ready for whatever awaited him next.