Secret Ending

The 13th Cycle

The waves rippled as they touched the deserted throne in Order's Sanctuary. Suddenly, orbs of light gathered on the throne, and formed into Cosmos. Her eyes were half-closed, and she looked weak and lethargic.

"Has my power…waned so greatly?" she said softly. She sat in silence. "No, I can still…sense it somehow. What could this mean?"

"Goddess of Harmony. I see you have returned."

Cosmos looked up. Lucia sat on a boulder, looking down at her.

"And…you are?" Cosmos said.

"I am an ally of Chaos. However, I have come bearing you a message and nothing more." Lucia said.

"A message?" Cosmos closed her eyes. "Very well…let us hear your words."

Lucia raised an eyebrow. "You don't doubt my intentions?"

"My warriors…have yet to rise from…their slumber. The first blow…in this new war…has not yet been struck. You have been deliberate…in the timing…of your arrival. I assume that before my…chosen awake, and the battle begins,…there is something you feel I should know." Cosmos said.

Lucia leaped off the boulder. "In the previous battle, you fell before your minions were defeated. By the rules of this conflict, the heroes of harmony should have been destroyed along with you. However, they remained upon this world, and received purification. All but seven. They are lost, returned to their original worlds." Lucia said.

"They did?" Cosmos said weakly, smiling softly.

"With the divine energy that maintains this ream, you unleashed your power—set it free for the sake of your chosen." Lucia explained.

"Ah… This explains much—why I feel so weakened." Cosmos said.

"You are weakened, and the reason why is that your minions yet bear the power you surrendered." Lucia informed.

Cosmos closed her eyes again. "Yes. I sense it. I feel my energy burning brightly…within them, as well as…it's purpose."

"However, have you considered the consequences should you again decide to share your divine strength in this diminished state…" Lucia said.

"I choose my path…knowing what may come. Knowing what…the future may hold…and what's at stake." Cosmos said.

Lucia chuckled, and turned away. "IF you have indeed embarked upon this course, then I shall depart—there is nothing left for me to say. The depth of your resolve is…admirable." Lucia said, and left.

Cosmos shook her head. "My resolve… If only I had…discovered it…so much sooner."

Far away in Sanctuary, far from Cosmos's throne, Luffy stirred, opening his eyes.