Overseer

There was nothing inside the space. Just Touma, standing in front of him. He was confused.

“Yes. It's me. And I'm here to have a small talk with you.” The god said in a calm voice.

“What talk? And is the trial complete?!”

“So… Vorain told you about it?”

“Yeah. He told me everything. The reason why the world is dying, and… the only way to save it.”

“So… will you accept this fate?”

“What else am I supposed to do? I died in the alley that day. You gave me a second chance, another life. But what even was its point? When you were going to send me to a dying world in the end.”

The god was silent. Touma's voice echoed in the space.

“I knew something was off from the start. You just used me as a sacrificial lamb, and nothing more.”

“That is why… I called you here today. I wanted to talk to you, to apologise to you. Because, I actually felt bad that day. I'm sorry for doing this to you.”

“Another one of your acts, huh?”

“No. I'm telling the truth. You see, Celestra was a friend of mine. I knew him. I was with him in his last moments.”

“So what's that got to do with me?!”

“That day… he requested me. He asked me to take care of his world after his death. But it was impossible for me. I'm the god of Earth. It was not possible for me to take up on his role.”

“So that's why you approached me, acting like you've cared for me ever since I was born. It was all an act after all!”

“No. That was the truth. I look after all the beings on Earth. I'm always watching everyone. I care for all of you, this is the truth.”

“So why don't you care for me too?! Where the hell were you at when those kids bullied me?! What were you doing when that man stabbed that poor woman in the alley?!” Touma's words were filled with sorrow, tears dropped from his eyes. “Why did you never come to my help when I needed it the most?!” He was crying.

“I'm sorry for that. I cannot get directly involved with the world, for this is the rule that every God must follow. We cannot interfere with the lives of our people. We can only help them indirectly, by using another person as a medium.”

“Bullshit! You're just putting up a facade! Using someone as a medium? What the hell is that?! Why didn't that medium ever come to me then?! Or why didn't you send any medium in that alley that day?!” 

“I did. I did send a person as a medium to help that day. For that woman, it was you. But for you, it was… your father. He was coming from work when he saw a man running outside of an alley. It was the same man that stabbed you in the alley. He was the first person that found you in that alley. But it was too late.”

“My… Dad? He was there?!”

“Yes. He was the one who cried the most. He tried everything to find that man, but could not succeed.”

“So, my Dad… he came for me that day.” His knees buckled on the floor beneath him. Touma broke into tears, bawling like a baby.

“You know, time cannot be turned back anymore. I'm saddened by your loss. But I had my reasons too.” The god ducked, rubbing Touma's back.

“I… don't care anymore. I don't know anything. I've lost everything. I don't have any energy left. Just please… don't burden me anymore.”

“You see, the real reason I sent you to Sereneth. You still haven't gotten it.” 

“Huh? What… what do you mean?”

“Actually, Sereneth was a lively world. But in the last 15 years, it completely changed. Everyone there lost hopes. They put up a mask to hide their sadness, they have given up on everything. You understand what I mean. After all, this is just what you did too.”

“Huh?” Touma's eyes widened. 

“Yes. I could have sent the woman here too… but she would not have been able to save it. You were the only one I was able to trust regarding this. You must have seen there by now, the children that have lost their families, the Hollowborns, people who got abandoned by their families. You have gone through this too, your life was similar to them. That was the reason why I sent you there.”

Touma was speechless. The memories of Sereneth flashed before his eyes. The sights he saw, the people who turned into Hollowborns, the children who lost their families, the people who lost their kin. 

“That's why it was like that… the reason I felt sympathy for the world. It was because I saw a version of myself in them.”

“Yes. You were the only person I could have entrusted this task to.”

Touma started to get back on his feet. His legs were trembling, but he managed to stand up. Looking at the god right in his eyes. “You never see this whole thing from my perspective, do you?”

“I get what you mean. As a god, I have never felt any emotions. But when Celestra died, it was the first time in my life… that I felt emotions welling up inside me. My chest felt heavy, I wanted to scream, I felt sad. But there was nothing I could do.”

Touma stood frozen in his spot – speechless. 

“That is why, Touma… on my honour as a god, I bow to you. Please – save Sereneth. Please save the world that my old friend left behind.” 

The god didn't feel majestic anymore. Touma felt like he was talking to a man who had lost all hope, begging before him.

“Okay. I will save Sereneth. I will fulfil your request. So please get up now.”

“Thank you very much.” The god lifted his body.

“Send me back now.” Touma said.

“I will. But remember, the trial is completed. So when you get back to reality, you might have to be prepared for combat.”

“Don't worry about it. I'll handle it. Cenoth isn't evil, he only comes to test the courage of those before him. The calamities caused by him… they were just accidents.”

“So… the ruin keeper has told you about this too?”

“Yeah. Didn't I say. I know everything now.”

“You sure did. I think it is time for you to go back now. Take care out there. I will always be watching over you.”

“Got it.” Touma answered with a faint smile.

The space turned black. The god was gone, the sound of thunder reached Touma's ears. He was back to reality.

Opening his eyes, Touma found himself standing before Cenoth. Only Vorain stood alongside him. Everyone else had collapsed.

“So… you managed to pass the trial?” A deep voice echoed in the space around him. 

The thunder stopped, everyone stood still. Time froze. Only Touma stood before Cenoth in this space.

“You can talk?!” Touma was surprised.

“No need to be surprised, mortal. For I mean no harm. It is you humans that think of me as calamity.”

“Yeah. Vorain said that too.” 

“It seems the ruin keeper told you everything.”

“What?! You know him too?”

“Do not be a fool. He is the only one that has seen Lord Celestra, only he had the vision of his death. It is obvious that I know him.”

“Makes sense. So, why did you call me to this space?”

“I think you know the answer. After all, you have completed the trial.”

“So, do you think I can do it?”

“Absolutely! I have seen your memories, I know everything about you. You are just like Lord Celestra. You are the one who is worthy of succeeding him.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes.”

“Well then, there's no point in arguing about it. But before we start, I want you to turn everyone back to normal. I want you to get us out of this space.”

“That is possible. If it is your request, then I will gladly comply.”

The space started to become normal. Time was flowing again, the thunder roared in the sky once more. 

“Why aren't they waking up?” Touma asked Cenoth as he pointed towards Lyra and others.

“The spell has worn off. So they will wake up in a few minutes.” Cenoth answered.

“Well then, I'm ready.” Touma looked Cenoth in the eyes.

“Do you not want to bid your farewell to your friends over there?” He asked.

“I think explaining them would be more troublesome. And I… don't have the courage to tell them.” Touma replied. “Vorain! Please tell them about this in my stead.” He turned to Vorain.

“I will. After all, I'm indebted to you. You saved us.” Vorain got on his knees, with huge respect for Touma.

“If that is your choice, then I will commence your succession.” Cenoth's voice echoed in the whole Fernleigh Grove, shaking the ground beneath. Waking everyone up.

In an instant, a bright light surrounded the area, with Touma being in the middle of it. The thunder had stopped. A bird landed in the distance, it was Liraen, the watcher bird.

“That bird… it's been following me ever since I've gotten here.” Touma thought.

“O great human! Are you ready to become the successor of Lord Celestra?” Cenoth's voice made the space tremble. His presence was heavy.

“Wait… you can't be serious right?” Alaric interrupted. “Why must it always be you?! Why do you have to sacrifice yourself – for strangers?!”

Touma turned behind, looking Alaric in the eyes.

“You know, I thought like that too. I didn't want to do it before. But I think you all are just like me… you people needed help but no one came for you.” Touma smiled gently. “That God sent me here, to help you all.” He said.

“But… Why do you always have to take the burden on yourself?” Lyra broke into tears. “You came to help me in that cave… even though you were injured. You didn't back down from anything if it meant to help someone. So why… why do you always have to suffer?!” 

“I get what you mean. But you see, this is a choice I made. After all, if I hadn't come here… I'd have died a long time ago in that alley.” Touma's eyes were gentle, his words were filled with affection. He had accepted his fate.

“Please don't go, Touma. Stay with us. We'll find another way to save the world. You don't have to do this.” Dain was crying.

“There is no other way. This is the only way. He has to succeed Lord Celestra.” Cenoth finally spoke.

“No. I will not be succeeding him.” Touma words hung in the air.

“What do you mean?!” Vorain was startled by Touma's words.

“Celestra died a long time ago. There's no point in me becoming another god like him. If I become a God, nothing will change. That's why I'll become something else. Something that will save you all, but not a god.” Touma's words hung in the air.

The bright light turned into a radiant glow, everything was happening quickly. Touma was standing in the middle of the light, with a gentle smile on his face.

“Goodbye, everyone! This is the farewell. I swear on my name that this Kisaragi Touma will fix everything.”

Winds started blowing, the ashes in the sky swirled in a spiral, the thunder started roaring. Hollowborns arose on the field, bowing before Touma. 

Liraen disappeared from its place. “So this is your choice, huh?” The time stopped, a familiar voice echoed.

“So it was you all along, following me everywhere, in the form of Liraen.” Touma spoke to the God that once again stood before him.

“Yes. Did I not say that I have always watched over you? In your world, and in Sereneth too. I have always been by your side.” The voice was humble, filled with gratitude. “Are you sure that you will be choosing this path?” He said.

“Yeah. You know, being someone like you… it's impossible for me. I can't see people suffering in front of me. That's why… I won't be a god. I'll be something else – an overseer. Not above the world, but within it. Watching, protecting, keeping it alive.” Touma's reply was filled with confidence.

“Well then, I respect your choice.” He backed away. "Thank you very much, Kisaragi Touma… the overseer of Sereneth. May we cross paths again.” He said, before disappearing into the void.

The time started flowing. The sky started to clear, Touma was disappearing. Everyone watched it, without saying a word. They were silent, suppressing their sadness.

“Thank you… everyone. And at long last – Goodbye.” Touma smiled gently as his body started to crumble.

He radiated warmth, his body was disappearing. Vorain got onto his knees, tears dropping from his eyes. “Thank you.” He whispered.

A warm wind blew, blowing away the ashes, the Hollowborns… and Touma. The volcano had calmed down, lava had frozen. Sereneth had been saved.

“He's gone… forever.” Tears flowed from Dain’s eyes as the words left his mouth.

“Y– yeah.” Lyra was bawling.

“In the end, we couldn't do anything.” Alaric dropped his sword. “Knights of the Kingdom, huh? I'm not worthy of being one. In the end, I never changed.” He looked at the sky, mourning for the loss of a friend.

“He was… a great man.” Vorain spoke up. 

“He was.” Alaric said.

Silence surrounded the area. Nobody spoke anything.

“I have a request.” Vorain broke the silence.

“What request?” Lyra asked in confusion.

“Can you look after the ruins after I'm gone?” Vorain answered, in a hesitant manner.

“What do you mean?” Alaric turned to him. 

“I think… my time has come.” Vorain's hand crumbled, his face started to crack.

“No. Not you too!” Dain shouted.

“It seems my purpose has been completed. The gods… they are calling me.” His knees gave up. “It was… a long, long life. At last… it's over.”

A tear dropped from his eyes as his voice was silenced. He too had crumbled to dust. The last Hollowborn, Vorain – dead.