Chapter 22

Kifo walked slowly toward the group, his tribal adornments swaying gently with each step. From beneath his cloak, he produced a jagged fragment—deep black, veined with eerie violet patterns pulsing like a slowed heartbeat.

Kifo (solemn):
This… is the Sigil Fragment of Darkness.
Kifo’s breath left his lips like a whisper of smoke.
Carved from the void of an ancient era. The last heartbeat of my domain’s soul.

He placed it in a containment shell that shimmered with layered warding spells, and handed it directly to Shizuku.

Kifo (grinning):
I trust you'll put this one where it belongs, Emperor.

Shizuku (bowing slightly):
We will. Thank you, Kifo… truly.

As the captains prepared to board the ark once more, Kifo turned toward Lily.

Kifo (calling):
Universal Princess.

Lily blinked, tilting her head before stepping forward. Kifo knelt and placed a small wrapped box in her hands—woven with star-wool and sealed by a thorned, violet ribbon.

Kifo:
For you.

Lily (raising a brow):
Is it another skull?

Kifo (laughing):
No. But you’ll grow into it.

He placed one hand on her shoulder. For a brief moment, the energy around them shifted—darkness not as despair, but as depth.

Kifo:
In five years, you'll hold a position of power that will rival even the prowess of Astera.

Lily (confused):
Wait, what? What kind of position?

Kifo (grinning wider):
You’ll see. The dusk is watching.

Alto (from behind):
Oh great. More riddles.

Eris:
This one's more fun than Putrefacci at least.

Astera (whispering to Berwick):
Do you think the box actually has a skull in it?

Berwick (deadpan):
Knowing Kifo? It’s either a relic of ancient truth… or marshmallows.

As the ark doors opened with a soft hiss, bathing the landing field in light, Shizuku turned back one final time to face Kifo.

Shizuku:
Thank you… for trusting us.

Kifo (nodding once):
Thank you… for giving the dusk a reason to hope.

The Universal Guard stepped aboard.

The ark rose slowly into the black sky.

Below, Kifo remained still—just a tribal silhouette wearing a dragon’s skull—until the vessel vanished among the stars.