The air was cool as a figure scaled the mind-boggling amount of stairs up. They were cracked, showing years of wear and tear as plants slowly grew through them. The stairs led up to a large stone archway, and a door in a mountainside. The door was the only thing that stuff out, it was made out of a thick dark brown wood. The figure stood at the door for a moment before she spoke.

"It's time."

Anahella opened the door and walked into the darker room, a small breeze pushing past her as she entered. The room was big, bigger than she remembered. The rum was in the shape of a circle, a spiral path leading around the room. On that path, there were statues of previous heroes and weapons used then. She sighed at the memories that she had with some of these people. She only dwelled on it for a moment before returning to reality and searching for what she was looking for. Before long, her eyes snapped onto something, and smiled as she approached it.

It was a statue like the rest, except that it had a much different weapon than the rest: a mask. This mask, as she remembered, was a Japanese-style mask with a blue and red color and a creepy and toothy smile. This new mask, however, was now a circular shape with a simple drawn-on face: two dots for eyes and a curved line for a mouth. Anahella smiled at the sight.

"The first of many." She turned in time to see multiple other weapons transform into different things, such as articles of clothing or real weapons like gloves or swords. Her smile only increased as she looked up to the right of the room, seeing the sunlight returning to the room through the green leaves and vines above. Still, there was a shadow covering the green life that was there. She sighed as she kept her eyes on the sky.

"Let there be hope."


The water was calm and flat, almost something like a natural mirror of nature. It was calm, the wind was near nonexistent, and there were no leaves or anything plaguing the surface. It all seemed calm and peaceful, until a single ripple appeared in the water, followed by another. And another. And another. The ripples came from small tin cups, inside of which were candles. After a moment, over twenty flames lit up the lake. Their flames danced along with their movement in the water. Then, a soft sound of voices was heard: mixtures of singing, soft sobbing, and sniffles. Finally, a voice speaking near a whisper said:

"To the Divines, wherever they may be, may you pay close attention today. For a good person has died and we are here to allow her to rest. Colinne Jasmine Emerson: a woman of science, pure intentions, and a friend to many people here today. We ask that you guide her to her new home alongside the other people that stand beside you as heroes of our world. In the names of Decoza and Mendilza, life and death, we ask you welcome here with open arms."

Mat finished the small prayer Anahella had prepared for him. He tried his best to hold his sobs of sadness, but freely letting the tears fall down his face. He looked back, seeing his System Breaker friends as well as other faces such as Krystal, Mario, Markus, the crew of mercenaries from TF2, and more faces. He turned back to a large wooden coffin and placed a hand on it before shakily inhaling.

"If you have any last words," Mat said, "Please come up and say them one at a time."

The System Breakers went first, Felix thanking her for believing in them and motivating them, Skye tried to speak but failed as she sobbed more, and Steph came up and whispered something under her breath that Mat didn't hear.

Next came Markus, who gave a solemn apology and goodbye. He constantly said that he didn't want forgiveness, saying that he didn't deserve it and that he would redeem himself by making sure the Crystalites will never succeed. He swore on it. He took his hand off the coffin and slowly walked away.

Finally, the group silently nodded towards Mat as he looked around for anyone else. After a moment, he sighed as he knew the ceremony must continue on. The coffin was put on to the water, a small flotation device below it helping it stay a float. With a final push, it drifted off into the dark water and slowly they watched as it got further and further away from the shore. After a moment, Steph walked forward next to Mat and placed a hand on his shoulder. They stood and watched it for a moment before Steph grabbed one arrow from her quiver and whispered something in a foreign tongue, causing the tip to go up in flames. She placed it onto the bow string and pulled back far, aiming just to where the arrow would hit it and not break the coffin open. The arrow slipped from her fingers and it whistled off over the water, echoing across the lake. After a moment, the flame hit the coffin and it began to set it ablaze. A moment later, a soft light gave off from the coffin before it disintegrated into small particles and smoke. A silence fell upon the group before one by one, each person took their leave, leaving the System Breakers and Skye still staring out into the water before Mat sighed.

"Alright," he said, "We should get going, everyone."

Everyone silently agreed as one by one, the group each teleported away before finally leaving Skye alone for a split second and looked back over the water before sighing.

"I won't let you down."


A few days later…

Kegan sat down, able to rest as sweat drenched his skin. He looked around and saw a look of something that was so similar to World Zero that he smiled at the sight of it: New York City. If he remembered correctly, he was in a live-action movie of some kind. He forgot it midway through his jog through Central Park. He was excited when he got the idea as he had never been to New York before. It was one hell of an experience: the weather, the sounds, the trees, and so much more.

His normal attire was now a dry-fit shirt with a pair of sunglasses and shorts with white stripes down the side. His shirt had a picture of a football helmet with the famous Under-Armor logo plaster on it. His was now disguised as a smart watch with blue modifiers. Finally, he wore gray shoes with white bottoms and a black tongue, and dark blue laces. He thought his attire was decent enough for the task at hand and he felt accomplished at how well he blended in his slightly higher than average speed.

Then, his phone began to vibrate and he reached for it and looked at the caller ID, smiling at the sight of the Discord logo. He pressed accept and put the phone to his ear.

"Hello hello?" he said, knowing the voice replying back.

"Kegan? Is that you?" a familiar voice asked.

"Yeah, Ed," he replied, "It's me."

"Thank gosh your mom told me about it," he said, "When the news ran about you guys, I was so worried."

"Don't be," Kegan chuckled, "But I thank you for your care."

"Anyways," he said, "When will you be back?"

Kegan thought for a moment, "No clue, sorry."

"Okay," he said, "I was just checking in on you."

"Thanks for that, Kairo," Kegan jokingly said.

"Look, man," Ed said, "I've been getting back into the jig of things with streaming and I think I may get somewhere if I try. Don't joke like that."

"Understood," Ex said, "I gotta go. Talk to you later."

"Okay," he said, "See you later."

He hung up and sighed as the funeral was stained into his thoughts. It has been a few days, and he felt that it should've passed by now. As he was thinking, another pair of footsteps came up next to him and sat down next to him. He sighed again.

"Hey, Bill," he said, turning to look up at … her? Next to him instead sat Skye, wearing a white tank top and black shorts with gray accents. She also wore gray sport shoes with bright yellow accents.

"Oh," Kegan said, "Sorry, Skye. 'Thought you were still, um, a little closed after-"

"The funeral?" she finished, "I still feel that, but I'm starting to get over it."

Kegan nodded as she continued, "You're a pretty fast runner. I had to pull a shortcut to catch up."

Kegan snorted, "I'll take that as a compliment."

Skye smiled, "I'll accept that."

They stayed silent for a moment, enjoying the sights before Skye looked at Kegan again.

"Quick question, 'cause it's on my mind," Skye said, "What were those letters Colinne had signed with Andy and such?"

"Oh, those?" Kegan asked, "Well, from what Anahella told us, World Zero people may have two consciousnesses: one in World Zero, the one I remember now, and the other in the Vortex, whatever that may be. I guess that's how I was a badass vigilante before this and now I'm a System Breaker."

"Strange," Skye said, "Anyways, what happened to those letters?"

"Markus took 'em for examination," he replied, "Said something about a new project he was coming up with."

Skye nodded and they sat for a moment, enjoying the view once again before Skye continued.

"Okay, changing topics," she said, "About the whole finding me a home thing?"

"What about it?" Kegan asked, suddenly interested in the conversation. Skye seemed to falter on her next words as she tried to put her thoughts into words.

"I… I…" she said, "I think I'd like to have a mixture of this life and a normal one."

"Um, in layman's terms?" Kegan asked for clarification.

"I mean I want to have a normal life," she said, "Going to school, making friends, you know? But I also want to be with you guys. Going on wild adventures and saving the lives of people. Do…you think that could work?"

Kegan thought for a moment before smiling, "Only one way to find out."

He held out a hand for a fist bump from her. It took a second for her mind to process his words before she smiled and fist-bumped him back. Then, his eyes looked out to the sidewalk then back to her.

"What was their reaction to you?" Kegan asked, referring to the pedestrians passing by. Skye felt her face flush.

"May have forgotten about that," she chuckled. Kegan smiled as the two began to softly laugh as suddenly a figure landed in front of them. Both immediately stood in a defensive stance as the figure spoke.

"You two need to come with me," Anahella said. The two relaxed and Kegan sighed.

"What's the issue?"

Anahella sighed as she spoke, "I believe that Omi is still alive."


The land was barren and gray, the explosion causing all life on it to die near instantly. The island center was nearly submerged as small river ravines led into the center. But that wasn't what they were here for. They were here for something near the edge of the island. It was a large pile of debris and near the top sat a white mask. That same mask Omi wore during that battle to save everyone. Now it seems to be more sour than sweet. The System Breakers, along with a surprise guest of Wraith joined in as she had forgotten to return the watch Kegan had given her on that train. She quickly returned it while also admiring the nearly destroyed island.

"So, wait," Felix said, "What makes you think Omi is still alive?"

"The mask," she said, holding up and showing a small carving into the back of it. It looked like a Japanese or Chinese character on the inside of the helmet. Anahella sighed.

"In my culture," she said, "We were taught that certain items could be enchanted with abilities. All they needed was a carving of a symbol and a prayer heard by the Divines and there you have an ability."

"And this one is?" Wraith asked. Anahella sighed.

"This symbol is a symbol that gives the item its on the ability to hold the wearer's soul. If it is on other items with the same inscription, it can contain their soul in those too. Simply put: wherever this inscription is-"

"Omi can use it as a body," Mat finished. Anahella nodded.

"The only way to reverse it is to use a different inscription," she said, "Put it on a weapon of some kind and stab it through one of his bodies and he will return to having one life."

"Well, shit!" Mark yelled, "We just spent weeks trying to kill him, and now he's back again?!"

"The epitome of a second stage boss battle," Kegan said, "What do we do about it?"

"I'm afraid nothing at the moment," she said, "As long as he is in hiding, he will be building up the strength to do this again."

"So our best bet is to get prepared," Felix groaned, "To make sure we are ready for what happens next."

"Yes, I'm afraid you cannot return to your normal lives just yet," Anahella said sadly. Kegan looked to everyone around him: friends, allies, partners. They had neutral faces plastered on them before it changed. Changed to the same face: a face of determination. Kegan smiled and turned to Anahella.

"I can live with that. Who else?" he asked. The group all unanimously agreed with him and they all began talking to each other.

Ian started: "I agree, but I need some help with this magic book."

Then Crainer: "My powers need more refining, but they are great."

Joe: "I know I can do better, I just need time and practice."

Bill: "I wanna kick some Crystalite evil ass!"

Delirious: "I'm ready, who else?"

Brian: "I guess a few more bouts wouldn't hurt."

Anahella was shocked as the group continued on and on about improving themselves before Ex cut in.

"And whatever we all can't achieve," Kegan said, "We just ask for help and I can help build it."

Anahella's face turned to worry, "W-What about returning to World Zero?"

"Already ahead of all of you on that," Wraith answered, "We all understand that you desperately need a way back home, and we are willing to help you get there. Engineers, builders, technicians, you name it. The Vortex is willing to help. Most of us, at least."

Anahella smiled and looked at the group, including Skye, who looked as if she was about to piss herself in excitement. Felix stepped forward and turned to the group.

"It's game time, everyone!"


Across the Vortex, millions of voices cheered as loved ones returned, families were reunited, and many more were finally able to rest peacefully at night. Though most knew that the worst was yet to come, it was best if they simply became well-rested for what was to eventually come. They knew that someone benevolent was watching over them, like a parent watching over a child. No matter the sudden threat, there was an even quicker response. No matter the villain, heroes stood ready for the challenge. Whatever evil threw at them, good always caught it and threw it back ten times harder. In this case, the Crystalites and Omiteksiu were evil, ready to destroy everything and everyone people had loved and cared for. And then, there were the System Breakers: the embodiment of good, ready to fight back in a moment's notice. Were they the heroes the Vortex deserved? Absolutely not.

But they were the heroes the Vortex so desperately needed.


A/N: AND THAT IS IT! This is the final chapter of the System Breakers! Hope y'all have enjoyed it and I hope that you guys can share this with others. If there was anything I could've improved upon, let me know and I will use that for another story. Again, thanks for the reads and support, and I'll hopefully see you all later!