Dune's golden light dimmed steadily as they pressed forward, the radiance that had blazed like A sun reducing to something closer to candlelight.

His spectral form grew increasingly translucent, edges blurring until distinguishing his outline from the surrounding air required focused attention.

The great sword in his hands flickered, appearing and disappearing in rapid succession as if struggling to maintain existence.

A root-humanoid rushed from the left.

Dune's sword swept through it, but the shockwave barely traveled ten feet before dissipating completely. The construct shattered, but only from direct contact with the blade rather than the energy wave that had been obliterating enemies from hundreds of feet away.

Another attack came from above, a thick tendril dropping like a falling tree. Dune raised his blade to intercept, and the sword connected, cutting through wood, but his arms trembled from the impact.

No shockwave erupted.

Just the physical contact of blade meeting root, the shockwave that had enhanced every strike was now absent.

His golden light became only a faint glow, barely bright. The radiance that had pushed back against the forest's oppressive darkness now struggled to illuminate even his immediate surroundings.

Dune paused mid-stride, his boots stopping on packed earth scattered with wood fragments and scorched roots. His gaze dropped to his hand, the one not gripping the great sword. He held it up, fingers spreading, watching as golden light flickered weakly between them.

The translucence had progressed to the point where trees behind him were visible through his palm.

His expression shifted, the constant smile that had carried him through endless reformation and destruction cracked slightly. Regret flickered across his spectral face, not for fighting, not for answering the summons, but for what he couldn't finish.

Dune sighed. "But alas, it isn't my place to defeat you now, is it?"

Dune's smile returned, but fainter. He turned toward Reinhard, his dimming gaze finding the young man through the chaos of ongoing combat. "It's the place of the Future!"

Roots continued emerging from the ground around them.

Root-humanoids materialized from tree lines while Night Terrors rushed from shadows. The forest pressed its assault, sensing weakness, seeking to exploit the dying light.

"Reinhard!" Dune's voice carried above the sounds of battle, resonating despite his fading form. "You have seen my memories, and so I only ask you this, call upon them! Call upon my fellow brethren to act as your legion and pave the path forward!"

The great sword in his hands flickered more rapidly, threatening to disperse entirely. But his gaze remained locked on Reinhard, carrying absolute certainty.

"You have this ability, so believe in yourself to do this!"

The forest reacted instantly, as if the words themselves represented a threat that needed immediate elimination. Roots erupted from every direction simultaneously, above, below, from, and all sides.

Dozens became hundreds, all converging on a single target. They rushed toward Reinhard with speed that suggested desperation, trying to pierce, crush, bind, and destroy before he could follow Dune's instruction.

Dune moved.

His translucent form blurred despite its diminished state, positioning himself directly in front of Reinhard. His arms spread wide, with a greatsword floating in front, and then his spectral figure burst outward with golden light. Not the blazing radiance from before, but every remaining fragment of power he possessed.

A barrier appeared around them.

Golden walls erupt from Dune's position, expanding to create a protective sphere. Roots struck the barrier from all angles, smashing against the golden surface with impacts that sent vibrations through the air.

Root-humanoids threw themselves at the walls, wooden claws raking across the light, trying to tear through to the target within.

The barrier held.

Dune stood at its center, or what remained of him. His form was barely visible now, but his position never wavered, his arms never lowered, his determination never faltered.

Inside the protective sphere, Reinhard closed his eyes.

The Star Jewel rested in his palm, its metal pieces cold against his skin despite the golden light swirling within the sphere. He blocked out the sounds of impact, the forest's desperate assault, his companions' shouts as they fought to protect the barrier's perimeter.

He thought about the people he'd seen in Dune's memories. The faces flashed through his consciousness, warriors who'd fought alongside their commander, civilians who'd rebuilt after every attack, children who'd learned to smile again despite living in constant danger.

Golden light rushed through his mind.

…

The scene shifted violently, wrenching forward through time.

The Phantasm Beast King towered above everything, its body covered in fur that glowed with unnatural lightning. Multiple spikes protruded from its back, each one crackling with blue, crimson, and white lightning that arced between the points.

Blue veins glow beneath its hide, but are visible through the fur. Four eyes glowing that began to dim before losing their shining amber light.

The Beast King fell to the ground, and lightning still crackled weakly along its spikes as residual energy was discharged into the ground.

Dune fell to his knees before the corpse, his great sword slipping from nerveless fingers to clang against stone. His armor was shattered with plates torn away, the golden surface scratched and dented beyond recognition.

Blood seeped from wounds across his body, pooling beneath him.

But he didn't care as his gaze swept the battlefield, cataloguing what his mind already knew but his heart refused to accept.

He saw the countless bodies of his comrades. The guards who'd fought beside him through numerous battles lay scattered across the ground. Some had fallen protecting him during the final assault, while others had sacrificed themselves, creating openings for his attacks to land.

All of them died so the King wouldn't reach the city, wouldn't slaughter the civilians who'd learned to rebuild and laugh again.

Dune's vision blurred. His hands trembled, fingers twitching without conscious direction. A thought formed that almost broke him. Was it worth it? Was it really right to sacrifice my comrades and friends for duty and the city's safety?

The question had no immediate answer, only bodies providing silent testimony to the cost of victory.

Couldn't I have sacrificed the city and rebuilt everything? W-Was this the right choice?

Dune rose on unsteady legs, each movement sending fresh waves of pain through damaged muscles. His boots carried him forward automatically, following the path back to Melo City without conscious navigation.

His gaze remained distant, lost, seeing nothing of the landscape passing by.

They trusted me, and followed my orders… But in the end, they ended up dying because I led them into battle against something too powerful. How many families will mourn tonight? How many children have lost their parents? How many people will break from this?

The thoughts spiraled, each one adding weight until breathing became difficult.

Dune stopped as he stared ahead in a daze.

Before the city gates stood a massive crowd. Civilians, workers, the few guards who'd remained behind to protect the walls, all of them standing together.

W-Why are they-

As one, they erupted into cheers when they saw him.

"Commander Dune!"

"He's alive!"

"The King is dead!"

The crowd rushed forward, surrounding him before he could process their movement. Hands reached out, not grabbing but supporting, steadying his wounded form while cheerful and concerned voices overlapped.

"You did it!"

"The city is safe!"

"Where are the others?"

That last question created ripples of silence. Dune's expression must have answered, because understanding spread through the crowd like wildfire.

People's expressions shifted while tears formed in their eyes, and all of them trembled.

But then someone spoke, an elderly woman whose son had been among the fallen. "They were all heroes."

The declaration sparked agreement as voices rose again, different now but no less passionate.

"They won't be forgotten!"

"We'll make paintings! Books! Their names will live forever!"

"The children will learn their stories!"

"They saved us all!"

The words washed over Dune like waves against cliffs.

Each declaration chipped away at the guilt, the doubt, the crushing weight that his decisions had burdened him with. He trembled, armor rattling with the motion as tears flowed down his face, through the dirt and blood.

His knees weakened again, but the crowd held him upright.

They surrounded him with their presence, their gratitude, and their determination to honor the sacrifice that had purchased their safety.

Maybe. Dune thought as the tears continued falling. Maybe it was worth it after all.

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