Chapter 191 – Morning's Rude Awakening

Everything's set up.

"Gah!" Angelo squeaked, tripping over himself mid-Tailwind. Drawn gusts flowed around him haphazardly, kicking up real debris, leaving him in a dusty heap.

"It's ready?" Owen asked, kicking off the ground and gliding to the edge of the Chasm.

In the crater's center, just as wide as the original Tree of Life had been, there was a comparatively minuscule tree anchored in the center. Zena frowned thoughtfully. "Will that be enough?" she asked.

"No. Now comes my part," Owen said. "Zena, you'll be needed for the start of this. It's not necessary, but it'll be a boost."

"Right, I remember." She then glanced at Nate. "And you'll be…"

Returning home. I can't wait to see how it feels to be back in a Tree again.

The strange, many-eyed blob of darkness swirled in the crater, surrounding this tiny, tiny Sapling of Life. Tiny compared to what the real Tree would be, at least. Owen called for Angelo to return to Kilo Village for more practice and then slid down to the bottom of the Chasm.

"Let's get this started. Most of the day before Alexander wakes up will be on this…"

At least, that was the hope. They needed time to go over everything, but one step at a time for now. They couldn't force this part.

"Owen," Zena said. "Do you think getting Dialga to help us might speed this along?"

"Dialga?" Owen asked. "No. Not this time."

"What? But it's the same thing, isn't it?"

"Sorry, I mean—yes, it would help. But I want to save Dialga for something else. He's one of my contingencies." Owen gestured to Nate pooled around the sides of the crater. "He'll be enough. The Worldcore can help accelerate all this power. We just need to channel what we can to help Nate."

It will help if you draw out your Hands for this part, Nate added.

"Oh, I can do that. Should we also get one of the gods to help?" Zena asked.

"Let them save their energy," Owen said. "Beating Alexander's going to need almost everything we have. I don't want to sacrifice more than we need to for this."

Perhaps just a kilo earlier, Owen would have agreed, though. But Hecto's words had affected him. Yes, he had to try a different path, but total defiance might have been an overcorrection. Enough to set things up. He had to trust Nate to handle the rest.

Satisfied with this, Zena nodded and melted into the ground. Her presence expanded across the crater in a thin layer of water up to Owen's ankles. The water glowed with Mystic energy, seeping into the soil. Nate and his many Dark spirits guided that water toward the tree's roots, which Owen had started to manipulate.

His scales shifted to green, leafy feathers. The flame on his tail made way for that same grand, white daffodil. As he closed his eyes, his feet melted into the ground as vines, coalescing temporarily with the new Tree of Life.

Thanks for the help, Forrest, Owen said to the remnant energy within the Torterra's former trunk. It's time we take over.

Slowly at first, and eventually enough that Owen was pressed against the trunk, the Tree of Life began its ascent into the heavens.

"There's really no way for you to clear up the sky, is there?" Nevren hummed, looking at the red atmosphere above them. "It's all very depressing."

Alexander growled irritably as they exited Fae Fae Forest. "No. Shut up about it. This will be the landscape of Kilo under my rule."

"I suppose you are comfortable under it," Nevren said idly.

On Alexander's other side was a canine Zygarde tinged with Shadows. He didn't speak. Instead, darkness infested him so thoroughly that he'd been reduced to an obedient little drone, just one step away from a Void Shadow.

Nevren supposed it would do, though he doubted any sabotaging words would throw off Kilo's forces. It was still worth a shot, though, and Nevren had instructed Hecto to send false information mixed with real information at random. Unfortunately, knowing the results of that strategy was beyond the scope of his Revisor. But it would have to do.

"Now, about moving forward," Alexander said. "Tell me everything about Kilo Village as it stands."

"Well, based on your description of your 'internal' forces, it should be trivial to defeat them," Nevren said. "Unfortunately, the typically best strategy—that is, surrounding the mountain and squeezing their resources—will not work too well. The village does not rely on physical pathways to go from place to place."

"Their Waypoints, yes…"

"So, a war of attrition is not on the cards for someone like you," Nevren said. "Additionally, I imagine you do not want to bother with hopping Dungeons. They have already largely cut off most other Dungeons… and unfortunately, the realms are bleeding together, making travel unpredictable."

"Then a front assault is best. What are their forces?"

"Their elites are conveniently numbered at exactly one thousand. Their best fighters, individually, will lose to you. Their top ten, together, would prove a threat… if you were alone."

"But with my personal army…"

"By way of capable fighters, with my estimates, you outnumber them a hundred to one," Nevren said, nodding. "Even greater if you include the countless inexperienced fighters that you may simply throw at them as a thrall."

Alexander smirked. "Their only hope is the Radiance of the sun. Even now…" Alexander raised his head, closing his eyes. "…It's weakening me. I'll admit that. But I will hold out long enough that when the sun sets, they will hold no chance."

"It's the miasma, isn't it?" Nevren asked.

Even though they'd long since exited the forest, it still felt like they were walking through the Voidlands. Nevren concluded that a more accurate description was that the Voidlands was following Alexander.

"Yes. Naturally, if I don't want to deal with the sun, I bring the dark with me."

"Simple enough, I suppose," Nevren humored. He wasn't weak to the sun. He could harness this dark power without its drawbacks when the time came. The only requirement was waiting for Alexander in a moment of weakness.

It was odd, though. Nevren was sure he'd have to reapply his control over Alexander now and then if his psyche destabilized. Yet, so far, Alexander had been perfectly obedient. Alexander seemed to think Nevren had always been by his side.

Perhaps without a true Dark Matter to resist things, Nevren had an easier time with Alexander than Anam? Nevren didn't care about the theory behind it. Perhaps after Anam, Alexander was simply easier due to practice.

Whatever the case, Nevren saw colorful dots on the horizon. Pokémon. "The forces of Kilo seem to be on their way," Nevren said. "Why not speak to them for a surrender first?"

"Yes. A good idea. That way, when they refuse… they will only have themselves to blame."

Fine enough. "Hecto, if you may," Nevren said. "Tell your other copies that we wish to discuss things before battle. I'm sure they would love any extra time to prepare."

"Understood."

Nevren chuckled. "And now, we wait…"

To a casual observer, Kilo Village was in chaos. To anyone properly within the cacophony of activity, it was anything but.

Hecto had given "the" signal. Alexander was awake, and he'd emerged from Fae Fae Forest. He was on his way to Kilo Village.

Everyone at Heart HQ instantly dropped what they were doing and mobilized. Phol led the medical division with a small but specialized group of healers, while several more procured their healing supplies.

Jerry led the utilities branch, scouring Nevren's old materials within Heart HQ's storage room to grab his latest inventions before he'd gone—wands imbued with Anam's blessings, and strange metal bracelets that did the same. More traditional equipment like Orbs and Seeds were quickly distributed.

However, according to Hecto, Owen was busy with another task, leaving Anam fidgeting in his office, pacing left and right. Amid all of this, he hadn't expected to be placed in the leadership role again. Why couldn't Barky do it, or… anyone else?

Knock knock.

"Y-yes?" Anam called.

"Just me!" It was Demitri. "Anam, is everything alright?"

"Yes! Just fine!"

"Anam, I can sense emotions…"

"…Um, maybe it's broken?"

Demitri sighed. Suddenly, the door broke off its hinges, though Demitri was still holding the knob.

"Ah! Oh, I'm sorry!" Demitri winced, trying to place it back. It was no use. "Oh, maybe… after this is over, we can fix that," he mumbled.

Anam nervously glanced around his office: Books stacked and finally cleaned on the shelves; a map with several important markings and crosses to indicate inspected territory; his crystal-clear hydration pond in the back… Everything was perfectly organized thanks to James' help, but… that also meant he couldn't have an excuse for what had occupied him.

"We need someone to lead Kilo Village," Demitri urged. "They know you best."

Anam squeezed his eyes shut. "I know," he said quietly. "I just… What if I'm…"

He could still see it in his mind's eye. Anam and his ten best, the very beginning of the Thousand Hearts, marching into a Dungeon plagued by Shadows. The swarms of wraiths that tried to kill them all at once, with Anam forcing his allies out. Taking the burden of Dark Matter's blight and becoming his vessel.

But this time, it wasn't a demon flailing for oblivion. It was Alexander, intelligent and purposeful, controlling that same darkness with pure malice. The Usurper of Shadows. The Void King.

Not to mention… Nevren would be there, too.

Scaly claws gently touched Anam's shoulder. "It's okay," Demitri said quietly. "Listen, it's almost time. Everyone's getting mobilized, Owen should be here soon, like… If they see you looking like this, imagine how demoralized they will be! We've got your back, too!"

Part of Anam wanted to leap out the window, roll down the mountain, and run into the woods. He didn't want to march everyone to their deaths again. It might be even worse this time.

"…Do you need a hug?" Demitri asked.

Anam flinched. "Wh-what?"

"Uh—sorry." Demitri cleared his throat. "Just… had a feeling you might need some assurance. And sometimes, when I'm stressed, I—"

Anam lunged for Demitri, squeezing him as if in a vice. First, he used his arms, then his antennae, careful to avoid the blades on the Haxorus' face.

It had been too long. Everyone avoided him for that, everyone was too busy and too serious for any kind of affection. It burned Diyem and everyone else probably wouldn't enjoy it…

Gently, Demitri hugged back. "Oh, one second…" Demitri pulled away and reached for his tusks, popping them off. He set them on the table and pressed again, leaning his face against Anam's neck.

"There, see?" Demitri said.

Gently, Demitri patted Anam's back, trailing thin strands of slime that he quietly ignored. Anam studied the way the scales on his back reflected the morning light.

"I… I'm just so scared," Anam said, melting into Demitri's hold. "I wasn't meant for this… I just wanted a world where everyone could be happy, so Diyem could be happy! He gave me power, so I wouldn't have to worry about all the danger… and in return, I'd help everyone. That's how it was for centuries! A-and now, there are people even stronger than me, a-and I don't know how to deal with that… I don't know, I don't know…"

"That's how we are every day, Anam," Demitri said gently. "There's always someone or some group stronger than us individually. I know being weaker is scary to someone who used to take on whole armies alone, but… you have us to rely on now. And we still rely on you. You're still strong, Anam! And you can face Alexander with the rest of us. Even Nevren—no, especially Nevren. Don't you want to confront him after all he did?"

Demitri pulled back, looking Anam in the eyes. Trails of slime connected the two.

Nevren… Anam did want to confront him. But with Alexander by his side? It was starting to creep in just what that would entail. What all of that meant.

But he had to.

"After this," Demitri said, "it'll all be over. You won't have to lead the whole world again. You can leave it to others. But right now? Kilo Village needs their Heart of Hearts."

Demitri repositioned, bringing his arm over Anam's shoulder. He struggled a bit with that one. Anam was still much larger, and now that he was standing more upright, that height difference was all the more pronounced.

"If you're ever scared," Demitri said, "go to someone you trust and fight by their side. Your parents, or us, Owen, even Diyem. How's that sound?"

"Won't I look scared?" Anam asked.

"We all are," Demitri said. "Set an example. Fight by them. That's the best way to dispel the Shadows anyway, right?"

"Right." Anam took a sharp breath, held it, and exhaled. "Okay. I'm ready. Sorry. A-are people waiting for me?"

"They will be soon. Let's go!"

Anam followed Demitri out, though the Haxorus abruptly stopped and he slammed into Demitri's back at the doorway. Demitri was so solid that Anam practically splashed over him, the Haxorus not even moving from his spot.

"Mispy! What's wrong?" Demitri asked.

The mutant Meganium's vines wrapped around Demitri and spun him around. "Your tusks."

"Oh!" He'd left them on the table. As Demitri scrambled to get them, Mispy nodded at Anam and said, "Everything's ready. We're marching west and scouts took a Waypoint closer."

"Thanks." Anam breathed out. "Team Alloy… You guys were some of the newest Hearts, huh?"

Mispy smiled wryly.

"I-if there's still a need for us after," Anam said, "I'm definitely making you guys Elites!"

"Does that come with good food?"

"Uh—sure! I mean, you could probably buy the best food on the planet with your pay!"

Mispy looked like she was seriously considering this.

"Alright, all set!" Demitri said, ax-tusks back in place.

Demitri, Mispy, and Anam marched out of the Heart HQ—among the last to do so. And they had no plans to return until the world was saved. The great building, red and vibrant near the southern border of Kilo Village's caldera, reminded everyone that no matter how chaotic the world became, their hearts would beat as one.

When Hecto had given the alert, Owen was one with the Tree. It took Zena and three Hectos to pull Owen out in that meditative stance, and once he was back to flesh rather than wood, Owen grunted and said it wasn't ready yet. But it would have to do. Nate would need to work double-time to get the Tree the rest of the way.

So far, it had grown to cover half the crater's area. To be at its full potential, it had to cover all of it, rise high into the sky, and its roots had to go deep into the earth.

"Can you do that?" Owen asked Nate.

I can. I'll give everything for it.

Something about that seemed… No. Owen had no time to question it. "Thank you, Nate," he said. "I'll see you later, okay?"

Good luck!

Such a casual line for the fate of the world. Owen smiled faintly and took to the skies.

But only a few seconds later, he saw a Hydreigon flying his way. At first, Owen was ready for a fight—but the lack of Shadows or encroaching feelings of doom suggested it wasn't Alexander, but Owen's father.

…Which was also strange.

Soon, Alex entered Owen's Perceive range and Owen then sensed Amia's daintier figure riding on Alex's back.

"Dad?" Owen sped up. "Mom? What's going on? I'm already on my way."

"Owen, I…"

It was the start of a speech but Alex couldn't find the words to finish. Owen waited patiently for his father to gather himself…

Owen flexed his wings to remain in a glide, conjuring updraft to maintain his altitude. Alex had a much easier time, floating with some strange force Hydreigon naturally controlled. Alex nervously eyed the growing Tree of Life behind Owen, while Owen eyed Kilo Mountain over the horizon.

Amia smiled, leaning to the side to make eye contact. She hopped off Alex and floated on her own. "Hello, dear."

"Hey, Mom. Feeling alright?"

"A little better every day," she said, tense. "…But today's going to be a hard one for all of us."

"Yeah. Uh, you aren't… fighting with us?"

"I was planning to," Amia said. "But I wanted to be with Alex for something. We were going to talk to Nate about it. Is he busy?"

Owen glanced at the Tree.

"…Kinda. What's it going to be for?" It seemed like everyone had their own idea on what to do about Alexander, but for it to be Alex driving this one…

"There isn't a lot of time to explain," Amia said. "But Alex and I talked this morning after we noticed you already went out. Hecto told us about, um… earlier."

"O-oh. Yeah…"

"Everything you're doing, Owen… made me decide," Alex said, "I need to help, too. In a way only I can."

"Wait, what's this about?" Owen asked.

"Owen!" Zena called. She had doubled back after realizing Owen had gotten distracted.

"Go ahead!" Owen called. "Need to sort something out!"

Zena twisted in the sky, looking conflicted, but sighed sharply and continued to the Waypoint.

"I really can't talk, yeah," Owen admitted. "But—will you be okay? Dad? Mom?"

"We'll be okay," Amia said. "But after this is over, there will be some… life changes."

Owen's mind raced to piece together the puzzle. He knew they were being vague because if they went over the specifics, he'd be there all day. And they did not have all day. They hardly had a kilo to spare. Alexander was coming now.

"Will I talk to you again?" Owen asked. Straight to the point. That's what mattered.

"Yes," Alex said. "I don't know how long this'll take me out… but you will one day. I'm sorry—I wish I could've told you sooner, with more time, with—with anything, but—"

Owen swooped in and draped his arms over Alex's neck. He spread his wings and managed to pull Amia in with them. Vaguely, he felt the presence of countless Fire Spirits listening in from Amia's Guardian realm.

"I'm coming to see you as soon as I can," Owen said. "Wait for me, alright?"

He squeezed a little tighter, Amber's claw lightly pressing against his chest and Alex's, before he pulled away.

Alex looked like he was going to cry. Amia smiled gently. For a moment, Owen thought she was truly back.

"See you," Owen said, ducking below them to catch up with Zena.

Owen puzzled together enough with a bit of educated guessing. He had an idea of what was going to happen. If Alex was willing to go to such lengths for the world… then Owen had to follow through with his match.

"I see them."

The miasma was thick. Even though Nevren took care to make sure it didn't corrode his body or aura, he couldn't help but compare how different this was to Dark Matter's Dungeon so many centuries ago.

"Do you intend to make a full assault from a distance?" Nevren asked.

"At first. But… I want to see their forces up close."

"Hmm. Perhaps, to save us the trouble, we can send a message to them first." Nevren fished around in his bag and pulled out a Communicator. "This will send a message right to them if necessary. Perhaps they will surrender."

Alexander looked at it skeptically.

"If I'm also by your side," Nevren explained, "perhaps they will."

"Hmm… I don't need that." Alexander stared at the mountain. "I'll send my own messenger."

The Shadowy Hydreigon raised his left head and pointed diagonally upward. He charged an attack, dark mist coalescing in an ever-brightening maw.

"Wait—"

And he fired, the blast's recoil enough that Nevren heard Alexander's shoulder dislocate and the jaws of his arm's head snap. But rather than wince in pain, Alexander's eyes widened with pleasure. Nevren suppressed his disgust and eyed the trailing blast. A thin rope, like a thread, remained in Alexander's grasp, connecting him to the blast that arced in the air with weight.

Alexander's wounds healed. Replacing parts of his body that had ruptured were cracks and black ichor in place of blood, looking like dried mud over a tar pit.

"And now," Alexander said, "we will see how they react to a mere messenger."

The world around them darkened. That long thread radiated a black mist that condensed unevenly in front of them. Nevren kept his senses alert, ready to use his Revisor at a moment's notice. But instead of an attack, Nevren saw… dark clouds rushing past him harmlessly. He saw distant, dark figures scrambling, getting larger.

"A visual," Nevren whispered.

"We won't be able to talk in person. They wouldn't ever allow me that close without a fight. So, some Shadow projection will have to do. Reach into that darkness to do the same."

Nevren steeled himself. It wasn't ideal, but this confrontation would have to do.

Long, drawn-out conversations made Nevren nervous. It was harder to Revise those moments. But… did it really matter? He already had Alexander perfectly under his control. Yes, he'd let Alexander have his little speech. Then, when the time was right… Nevren would assume authority.

And then, finally, they would all listen and see him as the world's true hero.

"Sorry! Sorry!" Anam shouted, squeezing past formation.

Sunrise painted the western sky just brightly enough to see the incoming dark star Alexander had fired. The Thousand Hearts' army had made it only a few kilometers out from Kilo Mountain, readying for a full-speed assault, when Alexander had fired the first volley. They hadn't expected it, but they reacted quickly.

Anam knew Shadows well enough by now. As he tripped over well-trodden dirt, he felt little urgency. There was no power behind those Shadows. Combined with Hecto's report of wanting to speak with Alexander first, this was a means of communication and little more. But he was so focused on getting to the front that he'd forgotten to call for everyone to stand down.

Shields came in first. Protect users atop fliers braced themselves for the incoming blast. Reinforcers came next, ready to heal the stamina of all the shielders. But then, it seemed that the blast's arc was… taking an unexpected, downward turn.

"D-do we move ahead?" shouted a braced Bastiodon.

"Let it miss!" Phol ordered. "Blasters! Squad A! Shoot it down!"

A Thunderbolt guided by an Ice Beam crackled through the air but phased right through the blast.

"What?" Phol muttered.

As the electrified mist settled, the Shadowy aura spread across the ground, coalescing into a familiar shape, though it seemed to be an illusion.

"Wait! Wait, I'm coming!" Anam called.

Phol grunted. "Finally," he muttered. "Heart of Hearts. The front was organized, but we have an unexpected visitor."

Word spread through Communicators. The whole line halted, remaining on guard. It was a whole army on Kilo Village's side and just Alexander and Nevren on the other, backed up by an incoming storm. Between them was an empty field nearly two kilometers wide. And now, spreading in front of them, a harmless Shadow miasma twisted to depict a repeating pattern of Alexander's form.

Anam pressed until he was in front, thanking the others as they stepped aside, mostly to avoid his slime.

"Ah—"

"Hello. So… you're Anam. The Heart of Hearts."

And suddenly, it no longer felt like an illusion. Logically, Anam knew it was one. But his senses filled in the gaps. The flickering, black projection filled with color in Anam's mind's eye.

"You don't have to do this," Anam said. "I'm t-told that the Voidlands is—"

"Shut up. What was that? A stutter? When we aren't even face to face? What are you?"

Alexander leaned closer. Even with just an illusion, Anam found himself taking a step back.

"Is this really the leader that united Kilo for five centuries?"

Anam wished Diyem had been here. He was leading another front.

"I—"

"Oh, that's right. You were never their leader. You merely followed Dark Matter's advice to minimize suffering. Now I remember. Without his power fueling you, you're nothing more than the world's strongest child."

"Stop!" Anam shouted. "I'm—"

"Do any of you truly believe he's worthy to lead you?" He turned his head to face the others. Left, then right, making eye contact with so many at once. "Perhaps you should let someone else lead this world. Someone who actually knows how to run a kingdom."

Then came a new voice that sank Anam's heart into his stomach.

"Someone like me."

The projection expanded, revealing Nevren standing beside Alexander. The Hydreigon glanced at him and went silent.

"Nevren," Anam whispered. "How could you?"

"…Nevren," the Alakazam repeated. "Not… Nev-Nev, this time?" Nevren tilted his head. "I'm surprised. You've grown up. Albeit, only slightly."

Anam didn't know what to say.

Nevren paced around Alexander, standing in front of him. "Anam," he said, "for a time, I intended to control you and subtly alter your psyche to be subservient to me. Ultimately, you would become a figurehead while I manage things quietly, undisturbed. Make sure every institution is operating as it should. Every little detail is in its proper place. It would have worked swimmingly. No problems. No sacrifices. And really, Anam, from what I've learned about you…

"You'd love to simply follow orders and not think about it. Wouldn't you?"

"That's not true!" Anam said. "I—I took advice, but I never obeyed Diyem's commands!"

"Oh? And what were those commands?" Nevren asked. "And remember: the world is listening to this. Your communicators are open. Even if they aren't, Alexander's Shadow Storm is reverberating this very conversation for everyone to hear. Now, tell everyone the commands your partner, Dark Matter, told you."

Anam glanced at the storm. He saw faded reflections of all the other squadrons staring at him. No matter where he looked, eyes stared back at him like a twisted version of Nate's spirits.

Answering was the only option. "…Dark Matter was in constant pain from every single negative emotion the rest of the world felt. Even to this day, he feels that. The only difference is he's learned how to deal with it. Sometimes, he wanted that pain to go away… b-by any means necessary. He wanted the world to be destroyed completely so there would never be pain again. He wanted to be free from that suffering, and the only way to have that was to kill everyone else.

"But people like me, and Owen, and our friends convinced him to make the world a better place instead. He would tell us where the most suffering in the world happened, and we'd step in to make it better. And that's what I did… for hundreds of years. I wanted to make the world a better place! And I used that power to do it! A-and… and things have gotten better, haven't they?"

"Have they?" Nevren repeated.

"You have only drawn out the world's suffering and displaced it," Alexander said, shoving Nevren aside to take over. Nevren rolled his eyes and gestured for Alexander to go ahead. "All those villages and the kingdoms that refused your word were instead taken over by force. No, it was not always brute force. Sometimes by economics. Social unrest. Dazzling the masses with your technology, subtly reminding them that their rulers are depriving them of the next step in civilization.

"You are a tempter. You are selling an easy answer with your divine might. And for those that refuse you even after that? You simply came in… and usurped their king. Just as you did to my homeland, the South. Just as you did… to the last southern king."

"Face it, 'Heart of Hearts.' Behind the kind eyes and gentle façade, you are a warlord like any other. The only difference is you won and got to tell the story how you wished."

"Th… that can't… that can't be right at all!" Anam said. "I never… forced, I… I mean, that's not…"

The illusion rippled again. Alexander looked briefly confused. Was someone, or many someones, trying to disrupt it?

The eyes were all staring at him. He didn't have Diyem to tell him what it meant. They loomed over him like jeering ghouls in his nightmares. Was Alexander right? Was he just another warlord?

"Do you know what the difference truly is between us?" Alexander said. "Whereas you, in the light, blind yourself to the truth, Shadows do not allow you to suppress your true emotions. To properly coexist with Shadows, you must obey the Shadows and unleash your truth, your inner, savage self. The only difference between you and I… is that I chose not to lie. I chose to conquer with full and complete… honesty."

Another voice chimed in before silence could settle. "Yeah, that's enough."

Anam flinched. "Huh?!"

"What?!" Alexander hissed. "Who is hijacking my projections—"

A new figure appeared, dissolving Alexander's. An Aerodactyl. Jerry, the Broken Heart, the outlaw, the disgraced Southern Prince.

"You…" Alexander's voice hissed. "Shadows were ripped from you. How are you controlling this?!"

"Can't say I know either," Jerry said with an amused smirk. "I'm just a normal Aerodactyl now," Jerry said. "I'll chalk it up to experience. I know how this ticks. Mortals aren't as helpless as you think, buddy."

The illusions rumbled and distorted. Alexander wrested control back. It was like he and Jerry were competing for a speaker. "Enough! YOU are one that Anam had crushed to complete his vision! You have no reason to defend him. Revolt! See the truth!"

"The truth," Jerry interjected, his illusion appearing instead, "is that you're both terrible, but I hate you more. Yeah, Anam crushed my kingdom and all my livelihood. Yeah, he forgot about me while trying to put the world together. Yeah, he made mistakes. But you know what you got wrong?

"He hosted Dark Matter. He had more Shadows than you. So, guess what, buddy—Anam had to face the truth, too! The difference between you? Right down to the core, his truth is that he wanted to help. You wanted to conquer."

"And y'know what? If I had to pick between you, him, and whatever star-head is doing there?" He gestured vaguely to Nevren. "It's Anam. And I'll pick Anam every time."

Alexander seethed. Nevren pushed Alexander aside, and for a moment, while Nevren wasn't paying attention, the Hydreigon looked livid. Alexander drifted back as Nevren took center stage again.

"Oh, hey. The traitor," Jerry greeted. "What's the matter? Couldn't find a good ninety seconds to retry over and over?"

"There's no need for that anymore," Nevren replied plainly. "Congratulations on figuring it out. I'm proud of you." He didn't clap. "While I'm always up for a rousing debate, there's far too much pathos flying around and so little ethos and logos. You can speak all you want about feelings and hopes and wants, but what matters in the end is implementation and experience. I have both. Anam merely followed the schematics of others.

"And to demonstrate that, I will make an ultimatum. If you retreat now—any individual, not a judgment of you as a whole—you will be spared. If you press on, you will be… converted into something more useful for the new world. Something more obedient. I will allow half an hour—sorry, approximately two kilos for you to make your decisions. We shall see how unified your forces truly are at the face of death.

"That will be all."

"Seriously?" Jerry said.

Anam puffed out his chest. "We've already unified. Nobody will back out now! We know what we're facing!" Anam shouted, this time more resolute. "Your mind games won't work anymore, Nevren. This time… no amount of rewinding will save you from justice!"

"Oh, my. And how long have you practiced that one?" Nevren sighed. "I'm the real person who saved Kilo. My logistics are unparalleled. I will run Kilo into a new and permanent era of order and prosperity where darkness and light may coexist. All you have to do… is listen and cooperate. Simple, yes?"

At first, there was silence. Then, Anam heard murmurs in the illusory veil. Something was disturbing the Shadows. It seemed that others were trying to usurp its control, and in the process, everyone could hear everyone else.

"What's going on? Why is Nevren talking for that demon?"

"Didn't know Alexander was his pet, too…"

"He's got a punchable face."

"'Unparalleled logistics'? Who says that?"

"Poor Anam…"

Alexander looked like he was about to explode.

"Hear that?" Anam asked. "Everyone afraid to fight is already waiting in reserves. Everyone ready to die to save this world is fighting here. We aren't afraid, Nevren."

He stood to his full height, looming over Nevren's projection.

"Because the Thousand Hearts goes way beyond the ones doing the fighting. When the whole world is facing a threat… the whole world's heart will beat as one! And this time, that threat is you. You might've beaten me, but you can't beat the world. I reject you, Nevren… and the world rejects you both!"

The murmurs were getting louder. Morale was rising. Anam's chest fluttered with hope. Were they believing him? He was hardly believing in himself for a bit there. But… maybe he was okay after all.

Among all the murmurs, Jerry sighed and rubbed his forehead. He opened his mouth to say something, then stopped. Opened it again, gritted his teeth, and then relaxed.

"Yeah," Jerry muttered. "Y'know what? Screw it. Let's show our unity right now. Everyone!"

Jerry raised a wing.

"Say it with me!"

Anam squinted, confused. Say what?

"A thousand hands / a single heart…"

Anam's heart skipped a beat. A united voice followed:

"…Working and beating as one!"

Jerry continued, "Unite the lands / from worlds apart…"

"Until our battles are done!"

There was no hesitation now. Anam joined in, his eyes full of tears and his chest full of thanks.

"We serve Kilo and all its parts! Under one name: The Thousand Hearts!"

The roar shook the miasma. Alexander and Nevren were barely visible amid the countless souls that dared interfere with his message. Anam only vaguely saw Alexander's form looming over Nevren's from behind.

"This is such a waste of time," Nevren's blurry form said, shrugging. "To ever have faith they would be smart enough to understand… Alexander, prepare the—"

Alexander lunged at Nevren, narrowly missing some part of his body. Nevren vanished. And then the connection died, dispelling the miasma.

Some of the roars quieted as they noticed the odd behavior—Anam did, too—but that was dwarfed by everyone else rallying for their final push. Anam, swept up in the momentum, led the charge.

They had much of the day left, with Kilo's future on the line. With light in their eyes, the Thousand Hearts and beyond marched into the abyss.