"Why? Why did you do that…?"
Vitaria's voice trembled as she clung to Light, her arms wrapped tightly around him in the grand halls of the Celestial Palace. Her golden eyes burned with emotion—anger, sorrow, relief—all swirling into a storm she couldn't control.
"Everyone wanted you to live. How could you…? Why did you…?" Her voice broke, unable to finish the sentence.
Light, resting in her embrace, let out a soft chuckle.
"It was necessary," he said calmly.
Then, with a teasing smirk, he added, "And if I knew I'd get a hug from a beautiful goddess like this… I would've died much sooner."
He laughed lightly, the sound warm and effortless.
Vistria pulled away from the hug, her golden eyes filled with frustration.
"This isn't a joke, Light," she said, her voice trembling with both anger and sorrow.
"You were the hope of millions. The one they admired, the one they believed in."
She clenched her fists.
"And yet, you ran away from everything."
Her words cut deep, sharper than any blade.
"Despite everything… despite the fact that they saw you as a god—"
She stopped, her breath unsteady.
Light's expression shifted. The confident facade he had worn cracked, revealing something deeper—something raw.
His gaze dropped to the floor, his shoulders tensing as if the weight of her words had finally settled in.
"A god, huh…" he murmured, his voice hollow.
Without another word, he turned away, walking toward the steps of the celestial palace. His movements were slow, deliberate—each step carrying the weight of countless memories.
He sat down, resting his arms on his knees.
"The only thing I was… was a weakling. An ordinary human who tried to change the world."
"A stupid human who tried to refine the world… and as a result of my foolishness, millions died—because a fool dared to dream of change."
She could hear the pain in his voice.
"But in their eyes, you were a true hero," Vistria countered, as if trying to win an argument.
Light let out a hollow chuckle, shaking his head.
"You know what it truly means to be a hero, goddess?" he asked, his voice laced with bitterness.
"It's suffering."
"Pain."
"Despair."
He stared into the emptiness before him, his golden eyes dull, as if recalling memories too heavy to bear.
"Everyone you love… will be gone. And their blood will be on your hands."
"You won't even have the right to mourn. The only thing you can do is move forward—because you're a hero, and that's what heroes do."
His voice grew quieter, yet it carried the weight of a thousand regrets.
"It's a responsibility."
"A responsibility that eats you alive."
He continued, his voice quieter now.
"I tried to save millions… I don't know if I did."
His fingers curled into fists.
"But I couldn't even save my own."
His golden eyes, once filled with fire, now held only exhaustion.
"If I could live another life…" he murmured, almost to himself.
"I wouldn't be a hero. I wouldn't chase change."
He exhaled, a bitter smile tugging at his lips.
"I'd just live. An ordinary life. With them."
His gaze lifted slightly, as if looking at something far beyond the celestial palace.
"For Ray. For Elena."
A pause. A fleeting moment of longing.
"I just wanted to live with them."
Vistria took a slow step toward Light, her golden eyes softening.
"Is that what you truly want, Light?" she asked.
Light didn't answer immediately. His fingers tightened against his knees, his breath slow and measured.
"If that's what you wish for," she continued, "then I can make it come true."
Light's head lifted slightly.
"I could give you another chance," Vistria said, her gaze steady. "A life where you can be with Ray and Elena again. But… not in your world. It would be in another world. A world where magic exists."
Light remained silent, slowly lifting his head to meet Vistria's gaze.
She smiled—not a mocking smile, nor one filled with pity, but something gentle, something understanding.
"If you don't want to fight for others," she said softly, "then fight for yourself. Fight for the people you love"
Her golden eyes shimmered as she took a step closer.
"Because no matter where you go, no matter what life you live… the fight is in your fate."
Light smiled at Vistria— knowing she was right.
She could read his answer in that smile, the silent approval, the acceptance of his new fate.
"So, as you wish, Light," Vistria said gently, her voice carrying both warmth and sorrow. "I will be waiting for you."
She extended her hand, and suddenly, the space around them shifted. A portal, swirling with ethereal light, emerged before them.
"Here, Light… live the life you always wanted."
Before he could say anything, the portal pulled him in.
And just like that—
Light disappeared into nothingness.
******** Reincarnation successful ********