The hall felt emptier with the farewell given. A hollowness opened in his chest, one he couldn't afford to dwell on—not yet. His shoulders slumped as he closed the door behind him, leaving Kirby and Dedede in the infirmary. A heavy sigh escaped him.

Dark leaned against the wall by the door, his cape pulled close around him. He gazed at the ceiling, avoiding direct eye contact with Meta.

"So, it's happening, hm?" Dark asked, his tone indifferent.

"Yes. The time has arrived…" Meta replied solemnly. The Knights marched to the Halberd in silence, each step bringing them closer to certain doom. They knew the risks, yet they were determined to face them head-on.

They approached the helm, Magolor and Marx awaiting them to see them off. Magolor's ears and shoulders drooped, his eyes silently pleading for them to reconsider. The decision was not made lightly and wouldn't be wavered so easily.

"I sent the directions to Halberd's computer," Magolor said in a weak voice.

"Thank you. You've been a great help," Meta said. He couldn't blame Magolor for taking the parting hard. If Captain Vul were there, he'd ask Magolor to join them on their mission. More warriors would make their chances somewhat better. But no one else is able to fly the Starcutter.

Marx balanced on his colorful ball, seemingly unaware of the gravity hanging over the rest of the trio. That was fine. As long as he remained to help protect the Cappies, Meta didn't ask anything more from him.

"Once we leave…" Magolor started, unable to finish his thought. Meta simply nodded, clapped his shoulder, and turned to leave. Dark gave them similar and followed behind him.

The doors sealed with a final, resonant thud, severing their connection. The faint hum of machinery indicated the ships were beginning to disengage. Metal groaned and shuddered as the vessels drifted apart, their once intertwined fates now diverging.

Meta watched from the observation deck, his eyes fixed on the Lor. A sense of profound finality washed over him. The oared starship hovered momentarily, its engines flaring to life. The shimmering portal of a star-shaped rift opened, its edges crackling with energy.

For a brief moment, the Lor hesitated at the threshold of the rift, as if saying its own silent goodbye. Meta's heart ached at the gesture. The unspoken words shared between them then and now were enough to break him, a shudder of sorrow rippling through him. He balled his fists to keep himself sturdy.

With a sudden burst of light, the Lor sailed into the rift, its form dissolving into a trail of luminescent particles. The portal closed behind it, leaving nothing but empty space in its wake. It vanished without a trace, taking with it the hopes and dreams of those aboard.

Meta stood there, the silence of the void pressing in on him. The enormity of their mission and the sacrifices yet to come loomed large in his mind. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the battles ahead.

Turning away from the windows, he walked towards the command center of the Halberd. It was just the two of them now. NME far outnumbered them. Their chances were solidified and there was no turning back. The Halberd shakily came to life and started for the journey ahead.

The closer they got, the tighter the knot wound in his stomach. Everything unanswered, all the people lost, he would regret everything he should have done better. He wasn't as diligent as he should have been. If he had been smarter, faster, maybe his crew would have survived. Maybe the Cappies would never have needed to evacuate.

He didn't do anything right…

The trek was slow. The Halberd could only do so much in her condition, yet she carted them along diligently. Meta Knight brushed a hand over the top of her control panel. If she could hold out until they got closer to NME's ship, they could manage the rest on their own.

It was a Knight's duty to protect their kingdom through any means necessary… this sacrifice would not be in vain.

"We're going to encounter Arcta Knight again," Dark broke the silence, arms crossed over his chest. The name made Meta's jaw tighten.

Meta took a deep breath, his eyes narrowing. "And this will be the last time. We are going to defeat her, I swear it," he said, nodding sharply.

Dark agreed with a determined snort, his eyes reflecting the same resolve. "We've learned from our past encounters. This time, we'll be ready."

Meta's gaze drifted to the star-filled void outside the viewport. Memories of his previous battles with Arcta Knight flashed through his mind. She had always been a formidable opponent, her icy demeanor and relentless attacks leaving a trail of devastation. He had long accepted that he'd never get his answers. He didn't care about them now.

As long as she was dead, that was all he needed.

"We can't afford any mistakes," Meta continued, his voice steeled. "Every move must be precise. We've lost too much already."

Dark uncrossed his arms and stepped closer, his voice low but firm. "Our strategy is sound. We're prepared. We'll strike her down and put an end to her destruction."

Meta nodded, appreciating Dark's unwavering confidence. "And once we're through with her… we move on to Nightmare."

His thoughts were heavy. Arcta Knight was more than just an enemy; she was a symbol of their greatest failures and their deepest fears. But this time, it would be different. This time, they would triumph. They had to. She wouldn't have the chance to flee. If she struck him, she had better kill him. No more questions. No more wounds left behind.

His eyes flickered, tearing away from the stars and void, turning to his companion. "This day could be our last, Dark."

"I know."

Meta hesitated, searching for the right words. "Arcta isn't your enemy. You don't have to-"

"What? Trying to kick me out now? After all of this you think I'd run away now?" Dark's expression hardened, his eyes meeting Meta's with unwavering resolve. "If you die, there's no point, right? I can't get revenge on a corpse."

Meta felt a mix of gratitude and concern. "I understand, but this battle is personal for me. You have no obligation to risk your life."

Dark stepped closer, placing a firm hand on Meta's shoulder. "We're in this together. I've made my choice. We finish this fight side by side."

Meta nodded, a sense of camaraderie and determination strengthening his resolve. "Then I'll make sure we both come out of this alive."

Dark smirked, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. "Agreed. We'll show Arcta the strength of a true Knight."

The tension of the upcoming battle hung in the air, but the bond between Meta and Dark was unbreakable. As they prepared for the final confrontation, they knew that together, they could overcome any obstacle.

With a final look at the stars, Meta took a deep breath and hit the Halberd's accelerator. The sooner they arrived, the sooner they could get the battle won.

They will win. They must.