Third Person POV
The wind stilled.
The sky, once endless, darkened.
And then—
"He's here," Jiggs whispered, breath catching in his throat. "The one we've been waiting for."
A rupture in the heavens cracked open like glass, and from its burning center, a figure descended—falling like judgment itself.
Then—impact.
The ground shook as the being landed at the heart of the battlefield, kicking up clouds of ash and light. Silence strangled the moment.
And when the dust cleared...
It was him.
Zenith.
Wearing Champ's body like a cursed crown.
"The last remnants of this world..." Zenith said, voice low, lips curled into a smile too calm to be sane. "How quaint."
Time fractured.
No one moved.
No one breathed.
Zenith stepped forward, his presence a gravitational pull that made reality itself feel thinner.
"Once you're gone, the new world begins," he declared coldly. "A world without sin. Without ideology. This time... it won't fall like the last. This time, I will get it right."
Then it started.
A tremor surged through the ground, snapping cracks beneath their feet. The earth groaned, opening its mouth beneath them like it wanted to swallow all remnants of rebellion.
When the quake ceased, Jiggs gasped.
His hands were fading.
Ash.
His skin was turning to ash.
"No..." he muttered, horrified. "This... this isn't happening."
Silver stared at his own dissolving form, voice steady even in fear. "Our bodies... they're disappearing."
One by one—Alaric. Voder. Melior. Theron. Henry.
All gone.
Dissolved into nothing but drifting gray memories.
Even Silver couldn't outrun it. He vanished, mid-breath.
"Deux!" Jiggs shouted with everything left in him. "You're the last one—save Champ!"
And then, in a blink of light and dust—
Jiggs was gone.
Now, only one figure remained.
Deux.
Alone, standing tall in front of a god.
He locked eyes with Zenith.
Zenith stared back—calm, amused, monstrous.
"The last Alpha male," Zenith murmured, circling him slowly. "Of course it would come down to you."
Then, he smiled.
"There's no mistaking it... your aura—it's the same as his. Cervix—the first Alpha male I ever created. I see him in you."
Zenith stopped, gaze sharpening.
"But your kind ends with you. The Alpha legacy dies here. I will build the next age with my own hands."
And just like that—
Deux's body began to break apart. Not in pain. Not in fear.
But with quiet resolve.
As he disintegrated, a streak of white energy burst forth—streaming like a comet—diving straight into Zenith's chest.
Zenith flinched. His eyes widened.
He tried to grin again, but something had shifted.
"...No," he whispered. "No, not again."
He looked around, but there was no one left.
Only silence.
"I'm alone again," he said, his voice almost mournful. "My creations... all of them... sinners. Traitors. If only they had remained loyal. If only they weren't so greedy... so broken..."
But somewhere deep within his mind—
Deux had already begun his mission.
To find Champ.
To wake him.
And to end this god's twisted dream from within.
...
...
...
Deux's POV
I blinked—and the world shifted.
I wasn't in Aurivelle anymore. I wasn't anywhere.
Around me, reality rippled like oil on water. Colors bled into each other. Memories flashed like shards of broken glass suspended in midair. The air was dense—not with oxygen, but with thoughts. They pressed against my skin like static.
Regret. Rage. Grief.
A labyrinth formed from everything Zenith had ever known, everything he had lost, everything he had tried to bury.
I took a step forward. My boots didn't touch ground—they sank into it, like the floor wasn't solid, but a memory trying to forget itself.
Then came the darkness.
And then—light. Cascading down like liquid silver, like falling water in reverse. My body floated, weightless, drifting in a liminal space where gravity and time held no power.
At first, there was silence.
Then the silence began screaming.
I opened my eyes, breath caught in my throat. I wasn't dreaming. I hadn't been transported—I had entered him.
Zenith's mind.
Not through blood or bone, but through soul.
Around me, fractured memories floated like broken mirror pieces. Voices argued in languages I didn't recognize, their tones ancient, filled with fury and sorrow.
"Champ!" I screamed, but my voice didn't echo. It was swallowed whole, devoured by the mindscape.
Then—gravity returned.
I fell.
And then suddenly, my body stopped falling. Suspended midair, I turned—and all around me played the memory reels of Zenith himself.
His isolation. His endless walk through a world he once ruled but no longer recognized.
I saw how he created them—the Alphas, the Betas, the Omegas, and the Sigmas.
And I saw how they loved him, and betrayed him.
How they feared him. How they sealed him.
How they locked him away in chains made from the very love and loyalty he once gave them.
And now I understood his fury. I could feel it pulsing in the marrow of my bones.
But I didn't come here to watch. I didn't come here to relive his pain.
I came for Champ.
So I pressed on, even though every step felt like it dragged me deeper into an unknown hell.
Then—I saw it. A warped memory of Champ's childhood. A white forest tinged with the faintest red, like spilled blood on snow. Everything was still. Too still.
And there—at the base of a twisted tree—sat a boy.
Blonde hair. Small frame. Familiar.
"Champ?" I called, running toward him.
But the closer I got, the more the trees breathed. Bark pulsed like skin. The shadows whispered my name with hunger.
Then the boy turned.
His face—
Was not Champ's.
It was Zenith's.
"Looking for someone?" he grinned, his voice fracturing into a dozen others—children, men, women, all overlapping. "You're too late! He's dead!"
And then—
Everything shattered again.
The forest dissolved, and in its place stood a hallway that stretched on forever. Lined with dozens—hundreds—of doors. Each one whispered Champ's name, but each in a different tone: a child's laugh. A warrior's scream. A lover's sob. A god's fury.
I passed the first door—Champ, as a child, running free under a golden sky.
The second—he was behind bars, screaming, Omega runes burning across his skin like veins of fire.
The third—he held me, whispering that no matter what happens, he'd protect me.
I reached for that one.
It burned the moment I touched it.
"You don't get to touch that one," came a voice behind me.
I turned.
And froze.
It was me.
Or... what used to be me.
Twisted. Mangled. Eyes bleeding ink. A version corrupted by doubt and guilt and fear.
"Only Zenith decides what parts of him stay remembered!" it hissed.
It lunged—but before it could reach me, the illusion shattered again.
Everything was made to drive me insane. Designed to break intruders.
If I didn't hold onto my purpose—if I let go of my anchor—I'd be lost here forever.
So I forced myself to move. Step after step, breath after breath, until—
I arrived.
At a field.
No—not a field. A procession.
Dozens of Champs. All identical. All wearing the face I knew before Nihilex twisted it. They walked in one direction. Silent. Unaware of me.
"Champ!" I called.
No response.
They didn't even flinch.
They just kept walking.
So I followed them, unsure of where they were going—until the path ended.
And what I saw next stole the breath from my lungs.
A chamber—bathed in flickering gold light.
And at the center—
Champ.
Curled up inside a floating cage, wrapped in chains of light. Suspended over a yawning void that pulsed like a heart made of shadow.
"Champ!" I cried out.
His eyes fluttered open—empty. Hollow. Dead.
"You shouldn't have come here," he said softly, voice barely audible. Cold.
"I had to," I replied. "He's inside you now. Every part of him. But you're still in there too. I know it."
Champ looked down at his trembling hands. "I can't tell which memories are mine anymore... I don't know who I am..."
"Then let me remind you," I said, stepping forward. My voice steadied. "Let me anchor you. I'm not leaving you here, Champ. Never."
He looked at me.
And then—
He whispered my name.
"...Deux..."
And for one aching, suspended moment—my heart beat again.
Because that voice... was his.
For a moment, I stood alone—until suddenly, they appeared.
All of them.
Jiggs. Silver. Melior. Mr. Voder. My father, Alaric, Doctor Henry, And even Kali.
They surrounded me in a silent circle, eyes black and void of light—lifeless, soulless. Their bodies moved like puppets on strings.
Then, without warning—Alaric lunged at me, fury in his eyes, his fists aimed to kill.
I dodged instinctively—only to find Mr. Voder behind me, fist cocked back and ready to strike.
I slipped past him, but Silver came next, cold and relentless.
It was as if they were no longer themselves—just shells, vessels manipulated by Zenith. He wore their faces like masks to break me. To destroy me from the inside out.
"Give up..."
"There's no point in fighting anymore..."
"We were all born of sin—creations of Zenith destined to fall..."
Their voices echoed as I dodged blow after blow. Familiar faces twisted by despair and shadows. It wasn't them—it couldn't be.
But how long could I keep this up?
Forever?
There has to be another way...
There had to be a way out of this.
So when Mr. Voder raised his fist again, I moved—not to dodge this time, but to strike.
"I'm sorry for what I'm about to do," I whispered, and drove my fist into his gut.
His form shattered—dissolving into smoke, vanishing into the ether.
One by one, I struck the others. Alaric. My father. Doctor Henry. Melior, and the others. They disappeared with each hit, illusions breaking like glass.
Only two remained.
Jiggs.
And Silver.
"Give up, Deux," Jiggs said, his voice soft, cold. "There's nothing left. No more future."
"Everything will burn... Everything will turn to ash," Silver added. "Join us. Let it end."
"I won't!" I shouted, fists clenched, heart on fire. "I'll fight until my last breath—not just for Champ, but for all of you!"
And then—
The world around me trembled.
The air cracked with lightning, jagged bolts lashing out from an empty sky, hunting me like wrathful gods.
"You trusted me to finish this mission," I said, raising my voice to the heavens. "I won't let you down. Not you, Jiggs. Not you, Silver. And especially not you, Champ. I will save you."
I looked toward him—still trapped, still curled in that cage of light. His eyes vacant, his soul still lost.
Then—
Jiggs and Silver lunged, blades in hand. Real, shimmering with dark light.
I couldn't stop them in time.
Their blades cut deep.
I staggered back, stunned by the pain. This isn't just an illusion... The wounds were real. My blood spilled across their hands, splattering their faces.
And then—
They froze.
Like statues. Unmoving.
"Jiggs? Silver?" I gasped, blood dripping down my side.
They didn't answer.
"Kill them, Deux," came the voice.
Zenith.
"End them. Free yourself from their chains... and you'll end your suffering."
"No," I growled through gritted teeth. "I won't follow your rules."
"You impress me," Zenith's voice coiled like smoke in the air. "To still hold your consciousness within my mind... You're truly like Cervix, your ancestor. You refuse to fall. Admirable—but foolish."
"You're wrong," I said.
"Wrong?" Zenith snapped, voice crackling with anger. "What do you mean?!"
"I got here because of my friends," I said, standing tall. "Because of the ones I love. I didn't come here to fight you. I came here to save Champ—the one I love most."
Zenith laughed. A horrible, echoing laugh.
"Love? You speak of love?" he sneered. "You're an Alpha. You were never built to love. Alphas only take. Your ancestors destroyed everything I created! I made you to protect this world—and instead, you drowned it in power-hungry ruin!"
"The sins of the past don't have to define the future," I replied. "Mistakes can be corrected. People can change. Through love, through friendship. Through choice. And that—is what woke me up from everything I thought everything it was supposed to be."
"Foolish Alpha! You cannot rewrite your fate!" Zenith roared.
Suddenly—chains erupted from the ground. They coiled around my wrists, dragging me backward, then shot toward my neck, tightening like iron serpents.
"Feel my wrath, Alpha," Zenith thundered. "Because of you, my world shattered. Because of you—my creations turned against me! This is the end. You'll vanish into nothing... along with every last one of your kind!"
Choking, I turned—barely able to lift my head.
My eyes locked on Champ. Still trapped. Still unseeing.
This is not how it ends.
I refuse to die like this.
"Champ!" I cried, my voice raw, my throat bleeding against the chains. "Open your eyes! You promised—we promised—we'd build a peaceful world together! Just the two of us... with our child! I haven't forgotten. I'll never forget! I want to live that future with you... with all our friends!"
Then—
His eyes widened.
"Deux..." Champ gasped, breath shallow, heart racing.
He heard me.
He stood. Clutched the bars of his cage.
"No—Deux, you can't!" he screamed, trying to break free. "You can't die!"
I smiled weakly through the agony, chains digging deeper. "I'm just... happy I woke you up. Even if this is my last moment."
"Don't give up!" Champ yelled, tears spilling down his cheeks. "Please! Don't leave me!"
He reached out—but the distance between us was too great.
He was caged. I was bound. Both punished by Zenith's cruelty.
"Champ..." I whispered, barely clinging to consciousness. "Always remember..."
"I love you."
His lips moved with mine—saying the same words. Tears falling.
And then—
A surge of power jolted through the air. The chains rattled.
"Silver? Jiggs?" Champ gasped.
"I don't know what happened," Silver coughed, eyes blinking back to life. "It's like we just... woke up from a nightmare."
"I'm just as confused! It maybe from your blood that spilled on our body. The neural virus infected us as well." Jiggs shouted, struggling against the coils. "But I swear this isn't how this story ends! I've invested too much for us to end as ashes!"
They grabbed the chains around my neck, pulling with all their strength.
"This one's tight," Jiggs groaned, "but we won't let go!"
"You're not stealing all the glory, Deux," Silver added with a strained grin. "He's my brother too, and you—my cousin! We save each other!"
The chains began to loosen—but just when we thought we were winning—
More chains exploded from the ground, wrapping around Jiggs and Silver.
"No!" Silver shouted, thrashing.
"Please, Zenith! Stop this!" Champ cried, his heart breaking. "Haven't we suffered enough?!"
But Zenith was done listening.
Science couldn't save us now. Even Jiggs knew that.
"I'm not letting everyone die," I whispered.
I focused.
Summoned every drop of power I had left.
(Smash!)
The chains on my arms shattered, light bursting like a nova.
But the one around my throat still held.
I looked to Jiggs—already fading. Silver, suffocating.
I didn't hesitate.
Instead of saving myself first, I walked—slowly, painfully—toward Jiggs.
And I broke his chains.
"Deux... thank you..." he gasped.
"Now Silver," I said.
Together, we freed him.
Then—both of them turned to me. And together, we broke the final chain around my throat.
We collapsed.
Breathing.
Alive.
"Deux! Silver! Jiggs!"
We turned—just in time.
Champ's cage—was shrinking. Tightening. Seconds from crushing him.
"CHAMP!" I screamed.
We ran.
All three of us.
Hands on glowing bars. Fingers burning.
"I don't care how weak I am," Jiggs cried, straining. "I'm not leaving you behind, Champ!"
"We won't give up! We're bringing you home!" Silver roared.
"And I—" I said, breath ragged, "won't let the most important person in my life die here. Not today."
Champ took a deep breath, the sound shaky as it left his lungs. Then, without hesitation, he reached for the cold iron bars that caged him.
His fingers trembled as they gripped the steel—yet even as tears welled in his eyes, he managed a weak, determined smile.
"I won't let your efforts go to waste. I won't let this end without seeing you—without being with you all again," he said, his voice raw but resolute.
And with what little strength he had left, he began to pull—no, to try and break the bars.
That was all the spark we needed.
Without a word, the four of us—Champ, Jiggs, Silver, and myself—threw everything we had into freeing him. Fists bled, muscles strained, and our breath came in harsh bursts. No matter how different we were—our temperaments, our races, our bloodlines, our destinies—there was one thing we all screamed in unison, louder than pain, louder than fear:
"We want to live!"
And then—just as we pulled with the fury of the desperate, of the damned—
A blinding light exploded before us.
It was so bright, so overwhelming, it devoured our senses. Our arms froze in place. The heat of battle, the strain in our bodies—all halted in that instant, as if the universe had hit pause.
We could do nothing but close our eyes.
...
...
...
When I opened mine again, everything had changed.
I blinked, stunned. Before me stood Champ, Jiggs, and Silver—each of them visibly shaken, their gazes sweeping over the scenery with disbelief.
It was... serene.
An endless expanse of crystalline sky, soft winds laced with scents we couldn't name, and earth that seemed to hum with life itself. It was unlike anything we'd ever known.
"A paradise?" Champ muttered, brows furrowed.
"Are we... are we dead?" Jiggs asked, his voice cracking slightly.
Silver, ever the skeptic, glanced down at his arm and bit into it hard. A red trail trickled from the bite.
"Nope. Definitely not dead," he grumbled. "I'm bleeding."
I took a step forward, my voice hushed. "Then... where are we?"
We scanned our surroundings, confusion knotting in our chests. Every breath felt lighter, yet every beat of our hearts heavier with questions.
And then—we saw him.
A lone figure emerged from the distant light. He walked slowly, wrapped in a long white cloak that fluttered without wind. Every step he took was deliberate, as if the world beneath his feet was sacred.
And when he finally stood before us, he reached up and pulled back his hood.
The man beneath it was beautiful—but not in the way of mortals. His smile was gentle, serene, and his eyes remained closed as if he had no need for sight. Yet the joy radiating from his expression was unmistakably genuine.
"Who are you? The Grim Reaper?" Jiggs said with a nervous chuckle, trying to mask the tension.
"Jiggs—seriously? You're still joking?" Champ sighed.
Silver, of course, was having none of it. "You better introduce yourself, or I swear I'm going to punch that smile off your face. I'm warning you, I'm not in the mood."
I raised a hand. "Please. Who are you? And where are we? The four of us... we're completely lost."
The man took a deep breath—his presence calming yet oddly commanding. There was a softness in his features, like the calm after a storm, but when he finally opened his eyes...
We froze.
There was strength in them. Power. A timeless, terrifying clarity.
And then we saw the markings. Glowing sigils ran across his face, down his arms, coiling like ancient scripture that glowed beneath his skin—etched down to his knees, to his very soles.
"My creations..." he whispered, voice echoing not just in sound, but in soul.
The air went still.
A chill crept down my spine.
I swallowed hard and dared to speak the name that had haunted us all.
"...Zenith?"
Suddenly, his expression changed.
The softness in his smile faded. The air around him thickened.
"I am," Zenith said quietly—yet the weight behind his words echoed louder than thunder.
And in that moment... we saw him.
Not the cloaked, mysterious figure before us moments ago, but him. His true form. His presence shifted, no longer shrouded or distant. He stood before us as he was meant to be—raw, ancient, powerful. There was no mistaking it now.
"You trying to kill us again?!" Silver growled, stepping forward, body tensed in attack stance, his aura flaring like wildfire ready to ignite.
"Silver!" Jiggs hissed in a frantic whisper, grabbing his arm. "Can you not pick a fight right now? What if—what if this is our second chance?! This could be it!"
Zenith laughed.
Not a laugh laced with cruelty or malice, but soft. Warm. As if amused at the absurdity of it all. As if he wasn't the same godlike entity who once unleashed chaos and threatened to rewrite the entire fabric of the world.
"Are you really... Zenith?" Champ asked, cautiously, still unsure whether to trust what stood before us.
"The one and only," Zenith answered with a smile that carried lifetimes of sorrow and joy.
"But... what is this place?" I asked, unable to hide the confusion that clouded my thoughts. "Why are we here? What's happening? None of this makes sense."
Zenith turned his gaze toward us—one by one.
His eyes locked with mine first. I froze under the intensity of his stare.
"The Alpha," he said solemnly, "brave protector of the pack."
He turned to Champ.
"The Omega... bearer of love, and the giver of life."
Then to Jiggs.
"The Beta... follower, yet the true balancer of all things."
Finally, his gaze landed on Silver.
"And the Sigma... the lone soul. Independent, yes—but capable of loving and protecting more fiercely than any other."
Silence fell.
We stood there, breathless, struck speechless by the weight of his words. It felt as if our entire existence had just been named—defined and dignified by the very being who created us.
"I created you," Zenith continued, his voice low, but carrying across the vastness of this place like wind through the trees. "The four of you—Alpha, Omega, Beta, Sigma. My fragments of my power. My gifts to this world. I gave you form not for war... but for balance. So I could share in joy, live alongside nature, and—most of all—ease the aching loneliness of my eternal solitude."
He paused, the glint in his eyes softening to something far more vulnerable.
"I gave each of you strength," he whispered, "and each of you weakness. So that no one would dominate. So that harmony would reign. But what I failed to see—what I was blind to—was that love, no matter how pure, can be twisted. And the trust I gave so freely... became the source of my undoing."
His voice cracked slightly at the end.
Then, without another word, Zenith turned his back on us.
His white cloak billowed like mist trailing behind a ghost.
He began to walk, slowly, each step echoing with a sorrow that pulled at the core of our being.
None of us spoke.
We just looked at each other once—and followed.
All four of us.
Drawn not by fear... but by a truth too heavy to ignore.
As he walked ahead of us, something strange—something beautiful—began to unfold.
Every step Zenith took brought the world around him to life. Tiny buds pushed through the earth, sprouting into vibrant flowers that glowed like stardust. Leaves unfurled, vines stretched toward the light, and the once-barren ground shimmered with color. It was as if the very earth recognized him—welcomed him—and he, in return, breathed life into it with every motion.
"I created you all," Zenith began, his voice calm, almost wistful. "So you could experience the beauty of this world. So you could feel what I feel. Because I wanted to share my joy. But... with whom, if not you?" His gaze stayed forward, yet his words weighed heavy, sinking deep into our chests. "That's why you're here now."
He stopped walking.
"I am not a wicked being," he said, turning slowly to face us. His eyes, now open, gleamed with a divine clarity. "But I am not good, either. When I see wrong—I correct it. And when I see the chance for something to be made right... I grant it."
We held our breath as he stepped toward us. The petals around his feet bent in reverence.
"I was angry with my creations," Zenith continued, his voice tightening with emotion. "Because they grew greedy with the power I gifted them. They wanted to rule. They sought to reshape the path I had carved for them. And in that hunger... they destroyed the unity I once dreamed of."
He paused, inhaling deeply as though steadying the storm within.
"But what I saw today—what I witnessed from you—was something different."
His eyes scanned across us, one by one. There was no judgment in them now—only a glimmer of hope.
"In your unity... in the way you fought, side by side... I saw it. I saw your will to survive. I saw your desire to be whole."
I turned to look at everyone—Champ, Jiggs, Silver—and they looked back. No words were needed. Just a smile. A silent recognition of everything we had endured... and everything we were willing to fight for.
Zenith stepped closer, gaze landing on me.
"And you, Deux... I saw in you the unity I always longed for. You were willing to give your life for your Omega—for Champ, and for everyone. This time, you weren't the cause of your group's fall. No. You proved that you are their protector. That your love, your loyalty, your will to save—it burns brighter than ever."
My chest ached. Not from pain—but from something deeper. Something earned.
I smiled back at Zenith, eyes burning with unshed tears.
Finally... finally, I understood.
Zenith's voice dropped to something gentler—almost reverent—as he turned to Jiggs.
"And you, Jiggs... my ever joyful Beta," he began. "Even without power—without strength—you used your mind and heart to lead them all. You, of all of them, were the one I least expected. And yet, you showed me that being a Beta doesn't mean being a weakling, a follower. You proved that you could lead. That you could save them with your wit alone."
Jiggs let out a shaky breath, his lips trembling as he laughed through the welling tears. "Please... I'm running out of tears over here," he whispered, overwhelmed, clutching his chest as if to contain the joy that threatened to break him.
Zenith turned next to Silver, his tone sharpening with awe.
"And you, Silver—the Sigma. The lone wolf. You stood by Jiggs. You protected the Beta—those born without strength, without abilities. You became his sword. His shield. You took the power born from solitude and shaped it into something selfless. You once lived only for yourself... and now, you've learned to love. To feel. You proved that you are not a monster. You are not some heartless beast labeled by your rank. No—you are human. A soul with a heart capable of compassion."
Silver didn't flinch. He stood tall, expression blank—but I saw it. The quiver in his lip, the way his jaw tensed as he fought against the sting behind his eyes. He wouldn't let the tears fall... but they were there. Threatening.
Finally, Zenith turned to Champ.
"And you... Champ. The Omega."
There was a silence that followed, heavy with reverence.
"You became their light. Their bridge. Through you, unity was restored. The love you carried reconnected the four bloodlines I had once forged in harmony—Alpha, Beta, Omega, and Sigma. It was through you that they came together once more. Even when the Omegas had fallen... even when the world saw you as broken... you never gave up. You led with your heart. You fought not with violence, but with empathy. You reminded them all that peace is not built through dominance—but through understanding. You are a true Enigmatic Omega male."
There was silence for a breath.
And then Champ smiled—softly, humbly, but with the quiet strength of someone who had finally found his place.
"I wasn't the only bridge, Zenith," he said, voice steady. "We all were. Each of us bore the weight. Each of us laid the pieces down. Together, we built that bridge."
Zenith's lips curved into a radiant smile—warm, light, and so deeply content that you could feel the air shift with it. The heaviness in his shoulders seemed to lift, the tension in his form dissolving like mist at sunrise.
For the first time... I saw him at peace.
"It all began with the greed of Cervix—the first Alpha male—his insatiable hunger for power," Zenith said, his voice echoing like thunder wrapped in sorrow. "And Helix... he was caught in the storm. The two of them became the root of my downfall. But today... you and Champ proved something to me."
He looked directly at us now, no longer as a god towering over his creations, but as a man—stripped bare, vulnerable, yet filled with hope.
"You showed me that an Alpha and an Omega can love without seeking dominance. That they can exist together—equal, without robbing one another of strength." His voice trembled. "You, Deux... you changed everything I believed."
I blinked, stunned. "I did?"
Zenith nodded solemnly. "You shattered the image I once had. You showed me that an Alpha can change. That he can love. That he can be a protector again. And I saw it, not in words... but in the trial I placed before you."
"Trial?" I asked, breath caught in my throat.
"When I unchained your wrists," he explained, "you had the chance to save yourself first. You had the opportunity to escape before anyone else. But you didn't. You turned to Jiggs and Silver. You made them your priority. That single act... was what changed my decision. That was the moment I no longer wanted to erase the world I created."
A silence fell around us, thick with the weight of that revelation. And all I could do was nod, slowly... then smile, lips trembling.
"I returned to this realm filled with wrath," Zenith admitted, his voice softening. "I came back ready to rewrite everything—to burn it all down. But you—all of you—forced me to confront my mistake. You proved to me that you are not like the flawed creations of my past. You are not doomed to repeat history."
He turned his back to us once more.
"You are capable of guiding the next generations. You are worthy of carrying on my dream—to witness a world that lives in balance, in unity... and in love. Finally, I can rest knowing that my four creations are now back together, as one."
The words struck like lightning through my chest.
Then, Zenith raised his hand.
"I want you all to close your eyes," he said, voice like wind brushing through the trees.
One by one, I saw them obey. Champ. Silver. Jiggs. Each of them slowly shut their eyes, trusting... believing.
But I didn't.
I stayed still—eyes wide open—watching him.
He didn't turn. He didn't have to. Somehow, he knew.
Zenith glanced over his shoulder, the corner of his mouth tugging into a knowing smile. "You're still watching, aren't you, Deux?"
I swallowed. Caught.
"Keep protecting them," he said, voice rich with pride. "Be the Alpha this world needs. You've become something I never imagined. And for that... I thank you."
Then he faced forward again, slowly raising his hood, his white cloak lifting with an unseen breeze.
"And if ever things get messy again, remember, I will appear, and this time, no more second chances."
He began to walk away—silent, steady, like a fading dream returning to the stars.
Suddenly, Champ elbowed me hard in the ribs.
I turned, startled. "What was that for?!"
"Close your damn eyes already," he muttered, rolling his eyes—but the grin on his face betrayed the emotion behind his words.
"Yes, my love," I said with a smirk, voice teasing but soft. "We'll see each other again... won't we?"
Champ looked at me—and in his smile, I saw the whole universe.
"Yes, my love," he answered.
And that was all I needed.
My heart, once frayed by guilt and rage, felt whole again. I smiled—wide, free—and drew in a deep, steadying breath.
Then, I closed my eyes and gently reached for Champ's hand.
And together... we waited for the world to begin again.
...
...
...
Champ's POV
The first thing that returned to me... was the scent.
A delicious, soul-stirring aroma drifted through the air, cradling my senses like a warm memory. Something was cooking—something magical. Slowly, my consciousness stirred.
And as my eyes fluttered open, confusion hit me like a soft punch to the chest.
"Wait... Is this... my room?" I murmured aloud, my voice raspy from sleep as I sat up with a start.
Everything looked pristine. The curtains swayed gently. My pillows were fluffed. The floor was spotless—no trace of the chaos, the war, the burning. It was like stepping into a forgotten chapter of my life.
I stared at my arms, my hands, and instinctively ran my fingers over my face.
No cracks. No scars. No strange glow. I looked... normal.
Still holding my breath, I scrambled to the mirror like a man possessed.
There it was—my reflection. Clear. Whole. Human. Familiar.
"I... was dreaming?" I whispered, my breath fogging the mirror for a moment. But I didn't move.
Not yet.
I narrowed my eyes and took a step back. "There's... one more thing I have to check."
Slowly, dramatically, I closed my eyes and reached down with trembling fingers.
Gently, cautiously... I slid the waistband of my shorts down—
Then opened my eyes.
And stared.
...
Disappointment.
"Still small," I muttered with a frown. "How touching."
The sarcasm practically dripped from my lips. I sighed, dragging a palm down my face.
But was it all really just a dream? That whole whirlwind—Verilios, Zenith, the missions, the fighting, the loss?
Or did I just have one hell of a nap?
(Sniff!)
The smell from earlier returned with vengeance, tugging at my nose like an impatient child.
Food. Glorious food.
Drawn like a moth to flame, I stormed out of the room and straight to the kitchen.
And the moment I stepped in—
"Champ! You're awake. How was your sleep?"
"It's almost done, Champ. Sit down. I'll plate up your favorite."
I froze.
"Father... Mother..." I choked, eyes landing on the two figures standing side by side, cooking together like they hadn't disappeared from my life.
I didn't speak.
I ran.
I rushed to them and threw my arms around them both, the sob catching in my throat as my chest caved in.
My heart burst.
"I missed you... I missed you both so much..." I cried, holding them like I feared they would vanish again.
"Why are you crying, my son?" my mother asked softly, caressing the back of my head as I buried myself in his shoulder.
"Did someone hurt you? Who? Tell me, I'll punch them in the face," my father growled with playful bravado.
I laughed through the tears, shaking my head. "No one. I'm just... happy. I... Am I dreaming? Can you slap me just to be sure?"
"We're happy too, Champ," my mother said, his voice gentle. "We thought... we'd never see you again."
His words made me pull back. I stared at them, stunned.
"Wait, wait—what? So it's not a dream? Everything happened? The missions... the fall of Verilios... Zenith? All of it?"
My father nodded, a calm smile playing on his lips.
"For some reason we can't explain, yes. It was real. Your mother and I woke up here, in your house. And you were sleeping peacefully in your room. We didn't want to wake you."
"And we saw everything," my mother added. "You. Deux. Silver. Jiggs. We saw it all... like it was a story playing before our eyes."
I couldn't speak.
I couldn't breathe.
Tears welled up again—not from pain, but from relief. From a happiness so overwhelming it made my knees weak.
"Wait—my stew!" my mother gasped, rushing back to the stove. "You boys wash up after this. Especially you, Champ. Your clothes are ready in the bathroom."
"Clothes? For what?" I asked, still dazed.
My father turned to me with a grin and a knowing look in his eyes. "Don't tell me you forgot."
"Forgot what?"
"That you are the rightful heir to the throne, Champ."
"Throne? What throne?"
"Here," he said, handing me an envelope.
I took it with trembling hands.
Broke the seal.
And began to read.
"For you, Champ..."
The moment I read the opening line, I felt a weight press against my chest. My fingers gripped the letter tighter, my heart already starting to race.
"This letter is an invitation, to summon you to a ceremony taking place today—where you shall be crowned as the Omega King, the true heir to the throne."
My breath hitched.
I blinked twice, my eyes tracing the words as if reading them might change their meaning. But they remained the same. Omega King. Me.
"Deux has already prepared the outfit you'll be wearing for the occasion. Hopefully, it has already reached you. Now, let me confess... he wanted you to wear a silver gown with an extravagant long skirt—but I stopped him before he could get too carried away. So don't worry—you won't be humiliated."
I couldn't help it.
I let out a snort.
Even through the tension building in my chest, even through the hurricane of emotion, that line cracked through the fog like a beam of sunlight.
"And most of all..." I read on, my throat tightening, "...I want to sincerely apologize—for everything I've done to you and your family. I only hope that we can start anew. A future not defined by pain, but by joy."
"With love,
Theron Vaughn."
I didn't realize I had stopped breathing.
The words blurred, my hands trembled slightly as I folded the letter back into its envelope, my chest heavy with something that felt both unfamiliar and long overdue—closure.
Tears welled in the corners of my eyes, threatening to spill as a strange warmth bloomed inside me. This wasn't just an invitation. This wasn't just a ceremony.
It was a second chance.
A crown I didn't expect.
A peace offering wrapped in paper and sealed with sincerity.
And beneath it all... the ghost of the past was finally, finally beginning to lift.
"Omega King, huh?" I whispered, eyes glinting with both disbelief and wonder. "What kind of king trips over his own cape?"
And despite myself—
I laughed.
A small, cracked, grateful laugh.
Because for the first time in a long, long while... it finally felt like the world was no longer tearing me apart.
It was offering to make me whole.
"Deux... he's alive." I breathed the words out with a joy that gripped my chest like sunlight bursting through clouds. My hand instinctively flew to my neck, as if confirming I could still feel the bond that connected us.
"And I know... he can't wait to see you again," my mother said softly, a knowing twinkle in his eyes.
"I can feel it too, Mother," I said with a smile that threatened to split my face in two.
But just as I basked in that warmth—
WHAM!
A vivid image slammed into my head like an unexpected punch from the universe.
Me.
Wearing a shimmering, body-hugging silver gown.
Spinning. Dancing.
Twinkling.
I gasped, practically shrieking, "DEUX! Stop thinking such filthy things right now!"
My mother burst out laughing.
My father, however, did not find it amusing. His eyes widened to the size of dinner plates.
"WHERE IS THAT MAN?! I'm going to knock his hormonal skull clean off for fantasizing about you like that!" he thundered, already rolling up his sleeves like he was preparing for war.
"Voder!" my mother scolded with a chuckle. "You still don't think Deux is good enough for Champ?"
My father paused, exhaled dramatically, and gave a reluctant shrug.
"He's proven himself," he grumbled, scratching the back of his head. "I just... I don't want him lusting after our son. That's all. Respect is non-negotiable. Otherwise—hell hath no fury like a father scorned!"
"Alright, alright, let's put the pitchfork down," my mother said, ushering us all toward the table. "Come eat, Champ. I don't want you to be late for your own coronation."
"You're both coming with me, right?" I asked, pausing mid-step.
My father grinned, standing tall like a knight in shining armor. "Of course we are. I wouldn't miss it for the world."
I sighed deeply, both comforted and nervous, a wave of bittersweet thoughts swirling in my head. And then... a name slipped from my lips before I even realized it.
"Mother..." I looked at him, heart suddenly heavy. "Is... is Nihilex still alive?"
He froze. His expression turned solemn.
"My brother?" He echoed. "I don't know, Champ. I'm sorry."
"I see..." I said quietly, worry clinging to my words.
Because even after everything he had done to me...
Even after the suffering, the betrayal, and the fall of Verilios...
A part of me still longed to know him.
Truly know him.
Because deep down, I believed—no one is born broken.
He must have once been kind. Someone who simply stumbled... and lost his way.
Someone whose pain festered until it twisted into hatred.
Just like my brother, Silver.
And maybe... just maybe, if he's still out there—
There might still be time to bring him back.
Not for revenge.
But for healing.
...
...
...
Third Person POV
A vibrant, opulent celebration was unfolding at the once-feared Alpha King Estate—now reborn and renamed the Estate of the Ruler.
The new name was more than symbolic. It marked the end of an era where only Alpha males ruled, ushering in a new age of equality—where Omega males, too, could rise, lead, and reign.
At the heart of the estate stood a grand stage, adorned with silks of silver and sapphire, shimmering under the afternoon sun. A pedestal was raised at its center, prepared for one purpose—to crown Champ as the Omega King. The sound system was already humming to life, its speakers echoing soft feedback as final adjustments were made.
Below the stage, a sea of people gathered in anticipation. All eyes searched the curtains, waiting for Champ's entrance.
At the front of the crowd was Jiggs—already impossible to ignore—bouncing with excitement. Right beside him stood Silver, trying very hard to pretend he didn't want to stuff cotton in his ears.
"Where is he?! Show us Champ already!" Jiggs bellowed like a drunken bard at a royal feast. "We've been waiting forever! Can we just finish the ceremony so we can drink?! I'm dying for a drink over here!"
Silver's eyes widened in pure alarm.
"Drink?! Are you out of your mind? You can't drink alcohol! Or did you forget that you're pregnant?" he hissed through gritted teeth. "And as Melior made very, very clear—you're carrying that baby for nine whole months. So suck it up, sweetheart. I'll drink for you."
Jiggs groaned, arms flailing in defeat. "Ugh, nine months?! Why can't it be five like the Omegas? Or—better yet—one week! Let's just speedrun the suffering!"
"If it only took a week," Silver said with a wicked grin, "we'd probably be popping out four kids every month."
Jiggs gasped dramatically, clutching his lower abdomen in mock terror. "Oh gods, have mercy on my birth canal!"
Meanwhile, across the seating area, Henry and Theron sat side by side—though their posture screamed anything but comfortable. They hadn't spoken since sitting down, and both men avoided each other's gaze like two shy teenagers on a first date. Henry's hands fidgeted in his lap, and a light blush bloomed on his cheeks.
"Umm... would you like something to drink, Henry?" Theron offered, voice a little too casual.
"No, no, I'm alright," Henry replied quickly, his words soft and awkward.
A silence settled between them again. A heavy, hesitant kind of silence—one that tiptoed between tension and longing.
Then finally, with a shaky breath, Theron tried again.
"Henry..."
"Hm?"
"I heard... about the gene-altering formula Melior and Jiggs created. The one where physical transformation isn't required... and pregnancy is still possible." Theron shifted nervously. "And... I also heard Jiggs is the first Beta male to ever carry a child. Silver's the father."
Henry froze.
His eyes went wide.
His ears flushed bright red.
"What exactly... are you implying?" he asked cautiously.
Theron cleared his throat, looking straight ahead. "I'm saying... only if you're ready... I would be honored to take responsibility. To become the father... of our child."
Henry looked away quickly, his breath caught in his throat.
After a long pause, he whispered, barely audible, "The truth is... I've already received the injection. From Melior."
Theron whipped around to face him, grabbing Henry's hands with eyes full of stunned joy.
"You mean—" he gasped, "—you're okay with us... having a child together?"
Henry sighed and muttered shyly under his breath, "Tonight... my place... the room's already prepared."
Theron's face broke into a beaming, boyish smile, and he looked like he could float off the ground. He was already counting down the seconds.
Just then—
A voice piped up behind them.
"If you ever need a babysitter, just call me."
Both men jumped in their seats, whipping around to see Kali sitting directly behind them, casually sipping juice with a smug little grin.
Henry and Theron blinked at her, eyes wide as saucers.
She simply raised her cup and winked. "I'm very good with kids."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the open plaza, Voder and Alaric sat together in quiet anticipation, their eyes fixed on the grand stage where the Omega King was soon to emerge.
"Voder, here—have some more," Alaric said warmly, extending a large tub of popcorn in his direction.
Voder stared at the overflowing snack like it had personally offended him. "I feel like I'm going to explode. You've been feeding me nonstop, Alaric!" he groaned, eyes welling up dramatically as if betrayed.
"Eat it or don't—your choice," Alaric replied with a cheeky grin.
"Oh, fine. I'll eat it," Voder huffed, grabbing another handful in defeat, chewing with theatrical resignation.
Then, suddenly—
A blare of trumpets echoed through the air, loud and ceremonial, slicing through the buzz of the crowd like a blade of anticipation.
Everyone jolted to attention.
They all thought this was the moment. That Champ would emerge, cloaked in splendor, ready to ascend as Omega King.
But he didn't.
Instead, murmurs spread through the audience like wildfire as heads turned—not to the stage—but behind them.
From the rear of the crowd, a parade was forming.
Voder and Alaric stood up instinctively, craning their necks.
Marching down the central aisle were rows of Verilios soldiers.
But something had changed.
Gone were the color-coded uniforms and oppressive helmets that once symbolized control and division. In their place were sleek white bio-tech suits—clean, minimalist, unified. It was as if the entire army had been reborn.
And then...
Emerging from the center like a ripple in calm water—
A figure in a white suit and tie. Tailored to perfection. Every step calculated, every breath deliberate.
Alaric's breath caught in his throat.
"Nihilex?" he whispered, stunned.
Behind him followed familiar faces—Hart, Elexa, Melior, and Nixon—walking in solemn unity.
The group approached steadily, until they stood directly before Alaric and Voder.
Nihilex stepped forward.
"My brother," he said softly, addressing Alaric.
Voder narrowed his eyes. "What are you planning, Nihilex? You didn't come here to stop Champ's ceremony, did you?"
Tension rippled in the air.
Jiggs and the others arrived on the scene just in time to catch the final steps of the procession. Their eyes widened, and their bodies stiffened, ready for anything.
But Nihilex simply smiled.
A calm, weary smile.
And exhaled.
"Relax," he said, his voice smooth and firm. "I didn't come here to cause trouble. I came here to deliver a message."
He glanced at the gathering crowd.
"There is no more Verilios," he declared. "That kingdom no longer exists. It has been dissolved—by choice. From this day forward, there is only one kingdom: Aurivelle."
Gasps rippled through the audience.
Nihilex continued, voice unwavering. "Our only purpose now is to right the wrongs we once committed. To rebuild what we destroyed. We are no longer conquerors. We are peacekeepers. A new organization—one that will uphold harmony, enforce justice, and protect the future. If chaos returns, and if others fail to stand... we will rise to defend."
For a long moment, no one spoke.
Then Alaric stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of disbelief and pride.
"That's... good to hear, Nihilex," he said softly. "I'm glad... I'm truly glad to hear it from you."
And for the first time in a long time—
There was no war between brothers.
Only peace.
And the first fragile breath of something new.
"And I want to say... I'm sorry, Alaric," Nihilex said softly, his voice almost trembling. Without another word, he pulled Alaric into a firm, heartfelt hug.
"I forgave you a long time ago, Nihilex," Alaric whispered back with a warm smile, eyes glistening.
Nihilex nodded, clearing his throat as he looked toward the stage. "I'm here to witness the ceremony of my nephew. I want to see him become king with my own eyes."
"Then come," Alaric said, patting him on the back. "Sit with us."
Nihilex smiled gratefully, and together they returned to their seats. Now seated beside Alaric, Nihilex found himself next to—of all people—Jiggs.
"I want us to play chess after the ceremony, Jiggs," Nihilex said with a smirk. "This time... fair and square."
"S-sure! Hehe..." Jiggs stammered nervously, forcing a laugh that came out more like a dying bird.
"I'll be watching," Elexa chimed in from behind them, her tone mischievous. "Whoever loses gets whipped. On the butt."
Jiggs' eyes widened like saucers. He stopped breathing for a full second as the color drained from his face, and then—
"Just kidding," Elexa added casually.
Jiggs clutched his chest. "I almost went into premature labor from the shock!"
"But I do want to witness how a Beta gets pregnant," Elexa said, nudging Hart beside her. "Hart and I plan to observe the entire process."
"Are you turning me into a science documentary?!" Jiggs cried in horror.
"Wait—who's going to handle Jiggs' delivery?" Silver asked, raising a curious brow.
"Henry and I will," Melior replied calmly. "We want to study the full birthing cycle of a Beta."
"I swear, I've become a research subject!" Jiggs wailed. "And for the record—my talent fee is not cheap! I demand royalties!"
Laughter rippled through their section of the crowd just as Council Jude and the other councils stepped onto the stage.
"There! There they are! Everyone shut up!" Jiggs cried out excitedly.
"You're the only loud one here," Silver muttered, rolling his eyes.
Council Jude stepped forward and raised a hand for silence.
"I thank you all for your presence at this historic ceremony," he began, his voice deep and ceremonial. "Apologies for the wait—but now, we begin."
Thunderous applause broke out from every corner of the estate.
Backstage, Champ stood frozen, heart hammering in his chest.
He wore an elegant royal blue ensemble designed for a ruler—sleek, majestic, embroidered with silver threads that shimmered like starlight. Beside him stood Deux, dressed in a deep crimson version of the same royal garb, equally regal.
"Don't be nervous, Champ," Deux said gently, reaching out to hold his hand.
"I—I don't even know what to say, Deux. What if I mess up? What if I forget everything or say something dumb or—" Champ's words tumbled over one another until—
Deux placed a hand behind his head and kissed him.
Soft. Sweet. Steady.
Champ blinked up at him, stunned.
"Deux..." he whispered, eyes wide.
"I'm right here," Deux said with a smile. "You're not alone."
Champ took a deep breath and pulled him into a tight hug. "I just... needed that."
Deux rubbed his back gently. "It's going to be fine. It'll be over in a blink. Council Jude will place the crown on your head, and then it's done."
Champ stepped back, nodding slowly, inhaling again for courage.
"And now," Jude's voice rang out over the crowd, "we welcome the new King of Aurivelle... Champ!"
"Champ," Deux said with a grin, "that's your cue. I'll be right behind you."
Champ nodded.
With his heart pounding and his steps steady, he allowed Deux to escort him out onto the stage.
The moment he appeared, the crowd erupted.
"That's my son!" Voder bellowed, voice cracking with pride.
Champ immediately slapped a hand over his face. Mortification Level: Maximum.
"That's my best friend!" Jiggs shouted, waving his arms like a maniac.
"That's our Master Champ!" The four Beta males, Marsh, Gem, Daryl, and Martin screamed in unison.
"That's my brother!" Silver joined in with a teasing smirk.
"Ack! Would you all shut up already?!" Champ snapped, his face flushed bright red with embarrassment.
The crowd laughed joyfully as he took his place beside Council Jude.
"It's good to see you again, Champ," Jude said warmly, his hand resting on the crown. "And this time, you return not as a student of history—but as the one who will make history. The new King of Aurivelle."
"I'm happy to see you again too," Champ replied with a smile, his voice steady at last.
"Then let us begin."
Jude held the crown high.
"By the power entrusted to us as the Council of Aurivelle... I, Council Jude, hereby proclaim and crown the new sovereign ruler of Aurivelle... Omega King Champ."
The crown descended.
The crowd exploded into cheers and applause that shook the heavens.
Tears streamed down faces. Flags waved. Voices cried his name in chorus.
And in the center of it all, with a crown now resting on his head—
Champ stood tall.
No longer a runaway.
No longer a broken soul.
But a king reborn.
A wave of applause, cheers, and tears surged like a tide of joy through the grand estate. It was a gesture not just of celebration, but of honor—respect for the Omega who had defied fate itself.
"I'm crying... for Champ..." Jiggs sniffled, overwhelmed, tears streaming down his cheeks as he grabbed the nearest fabric to wipe his nose.
Which, unfortunately, happened to be the sleeve of Silver's royal robe.
"Ugh—seriously?! Have some dignity!" Silver snapped, swatting Jiggs' hand away with a scowl.
"Our son, Voder..." Alaric said softly, eyes never leaving the stage. "He looks magnificent. That crown suits him."
"There's no doubt in my mind," Voder replied, pride thick in his voice. "He's exactly who we needed."
Onstage, Champ stepped forward to the center.
The light struck him just right—his regal blue garments catching the golden hue of the setting sun. He looked out into the crowd and saw not strangers, not soldiers, not divided factions—but family. Allies. Former enemies turned friends. Beings who had once doubted him, now rising to applaud him.
From a broken Omega pretending to be an Alpha...
To a true Omega who now stood crowned before the world.
A King. Their King.
Council Jude approached with a calm, respectful tone. "Omega King Champ, as the new sovereign ruler of Aurivelle... what is your first decree?"
Champ drew in a long, steady breath.
His gaze swept over the crowd. Then, it found Deux.
They locked eyes.
Deux smiled, a knowing warmth in his expression, and nodded.
There were no words exchanged—but something unspoken passed between them. A decision. A truth.
Champ turned back to the crowd and lifted his chin with quiet confidence.
"As the newly crowned Omega King of Aurivelle," he began, his voice echoing across the estate, "I, Champ..."
He smiled.
"...am stepping down from my position as King of Aurivelle. This is my first... and final decree."
Gasps rippled like thunder through the audience.
Murmurs. Shock. Disbelief.
Even Alaric and Voder sat frozen, exchanging glances of confusion. The crowd, once roaring with celebration, now fell into a stunned silence.
Council Jude, wide-eyed, blinked at him. "Omega King Champ, is this... some sort of jest?"
"No," Champ replied calmly. "I'm not joking. I am abdicating."
Jude's brows furrowed. "Then... to whom do you pass the throne? To Deux?"
All eyes shifted to Deux, who stepped beside Champ, unwavering.
"I do not accept the throne," Deux said gently.
Now the crowd was truly bewildered. The two most likely heirs—both rejecting the crown?
Council Jude stepped forward. "Then what is it you desire, King Champ?"
Champ slowly removed the crown from his head.
He held it in both hands, staring down at it—not with contempt, but with deep reflection.
"In my eyes," he said, voice steady and soft, "this crown and throne deserve someone better suited. Someone who has shown bravery, loyalty, and selflessness... even if he's loud, annoying, and constantly getting on everyone's nerves."
The crowd chuckled nervously, unsure where this was going.
"But behind that noise," Champ continued, smiling fondly, "is a being who is intelligent, dependable, and most of all—never leaves your side. That... is what a true king should be."
He looked up from the crown.
And locked eyes with someone in the front row.
The crowd followed his gaze.
Every single head turned...
...to Jiggs.
Jiggs—who had a half-eaten popcorn in one hand and Silver's drooled-on sleeve in the other—froze in place, his eyes wide and his mouth slowly dropping open.
He pointed to himself with trembling fingers.
"What are you lookin' at people? I am not the star of the show. Go back and look at Champ." he squeaked like he didn't know what was happening and just wanted some drama stirring up.
And the entire kingdom... held its breath.
"And so," Champ declared, his voice unwavering, his smile soft yet triumphant, "I hereby pass the throne... to a being named Jiggs—also known as the Mysterious Man, the Beta Legend of Aurivelle."
A collective gasp echoed through the crowd like a thunderclap in the sky.
Jiggs, who had just stuffed a handful of popcorn into his mouth, shot up from his seat like he'd been struck by lightning. His eyes bulged, his hand pointed to his own chest in disbelief.
"M-me?" he stammered. "Wait—me?!"
He looked around, as if expecting someone to jump out and yell 'prank!'
"No, no, no—there's been a mistake! I can't be king! I'm a Beta, Champ! This has to be a joke, right? Haha, classic you!" he laughed nervously, voice climbing an octave.
But Champ only chuckled, stepping forward, eyes shining with affection.
"Is there a rule in the book that says Betas can't be king?" he asked with a mischievous grin. "And if there is—then I'll burn that damn book myself."
Laughter rippled through the crowd, but Champ's expression soon shifted to something deeper. Something raw. Real.
"Because the truth is... it doesn't matter if you're a Beta, an Alpha, an Omega, or a Sigma. What matters—what has always mattered—is your heart."
The crowd fell into a hush again.
"You, Jiggs," Champ continued, voice trembling with emotion, "have shown a kind of bravery that defies every expectation. You never had powers like ours. You didn't have enhanced strength, or feral instincts, or any grand transformation. But still... you stood beside us. You fought with is with what you have."
Champ's voice cracked slightly, but he powered through.
"You saved me—when I was weak. You saved Deux. You even saved Silver. When all of us were ready to give up, you stayed strong. When the world turned cold, you were the warmth. When darkness fell, you were the light that made us laugh again. You carried all of us—even when you were struggling yourself."
Jiggs stood frozen, tears forming in his wide, glistening eyes.
"And more than that..." Champ continued, now looking straight at him, "from the moment we were kids, from the day I pretended to be an Alpha, to the day I finally accepted that I was an Omega... you were there. You stood by me. You kept my secret when you found out. You protected it—protected me—with your life. You shielded me when I couldn't defend myself. You carried the weight I didn't even know I was holding. You... were my anchor."
A heavy silence blanketed the courtyard.
Even the wind seemed to pause for breath.
Champ stepped down from the stage, crown still in hand, and walked toward Jiggs.
"This crown belongs to someone who never stopped believing," he said. "And that someone... is you."
Jiggs, now openly crying, could only whisper through trembling lips—
"But... I'm just me."
And Champ smiled.
"Exactly. And that's more than enough."
"Champ... please, stop... I don't think I have any tears left!" Jiggs cried, nose running, voice trembling with laughter and sobs.
Champ turned to him with the softest smile. "Then from this day forward, I declare peace, equality, and respect among all beings. And starting today, Betas will finally have a voice after so long in silence." His smile grew wider. "Come, my best-friend. It's time for you to take your throne... Beta King Jiggs."
Jiggs froze. His knees wobbled. His mouth opened—but nothing came out.
He didn't move. Couldn't move.
His eyes darted across the crowd, his heart pounding.
Would they accept him?
Could a Beta really be King?
Then—
A single clap echoed through the silence.
Jiggs turned, eyes wide.
"Silver?" he whispered.
Silver gave a small, proud smile... and continued clapping.
Then Voder joined in.
"I approve," he said, voice full of conviction. "You'll make a fine King, Jiggs."
Then Alaric.
Then Nihilex—his old rival from the Human Chess match—nodded solemnly and applauded.
Then Henry. Theron. Elexa. Hart.
And like a spark igniting a wildfire...
The entire courtyard rose in applause.
Jiggs trembled. But this time, not from fear.
He stood.
He walked—still unsure if his legs were moving or if the world was carrying him—to the center of the stage where Champ, Deux, and the Council awaited.
When he reached the platform, he paused, overwhelmed, staring out at the sea of smiling faces. He blinked rapidly, as if trying to wake up from a dream.
"Council Jude," Champ said gently, "Would you mind... repeating the ceremony?"
Jude smiled warmly and took the crown once more.
"From this day forward," Jude began, voice ringing with pride, "by the power of the Ten Councils of Aurivelle, we name you—Jiggs, a.k.a. Umm—"
"Mysterious Man," Champ whispered, winking.
Jude smirked.
"—a.k.a. Mysterious Man, as the newly crowned ruler of Aurivelle. The very first Beta King."
The crown lowered.
And rested gently upon Jiggs' head.
The first Beta.
The first of his kind to rule.
The crowd erupted in thunderous cheers.
Jiggs turned in slow motion, taking in the joy in every smile, the hope in every tear, the warmth in every cheer. For the first time, he didn't feel like the odd one out. For the first time, he wasn't just the comedic sidekick, the tech genius in the background, or the Beta trying to keep up with stronger beings.
He was King.
He was no longer a support, a side character, but he became the hero of Aurivelle.
Not because of his strength. But because of his heart. His mind. His loyalty.
He had fought not with fists—but with strategy, with wisdom, with compassion.
And somewhere at the far back of the crowd, hidden in the shadows of the cheering masses—
A figure in a white cloak clapped quietly, a smile on his lips.
Champ saw him.
So did Deux.
"Zenith..." Champ whispered.
Deux squeezed his hand gently.
Zenith beamed like a child seeing a dream come true. He clapped once more... then turned and walked away.
He didn't need recognition. He didn't need praise.
Seeing the peace restored... was enough.
Champ and Deux exchanged a look, a knowing smile.
They had done it.
"Long live the Beta King, Jiggs!" Deux cried.
The people echoed, louder and louder, until the sky itself seemed to sing.
A new era had begun.
One of color, laughter, and unity.
An era led by Jiggs—brilliant, emotional, chaotic, comedic, loud, brave Jiggs.
Aurivelle would never be the same again.
"He really did it..." Nihilex whispered in awe. "Who would've thought... a Beta. And not just any Beta—Jiggs."
"He's a genius," Melior said with a chuckle. "No doubt about it. And he tried to became the number one, in being pregnant as a Beta and making a history as the first Beta King."
"He's loud, he's dramatic, and he's always scared—but that's what makes him as 'Jiggs'," Voder added with pride.
"I'm happy for them all," Alaric said warmly, eyes soft. "Aurivelle won't be quiet anymore... but it will be beautifully loud."
In the middle of it all, Silver stood back, smiling quietly.
He didn't say anything.
He didn't need to.
He clapped, heart full, proud of the one who had once been his chaotic partner-in-crime—and now, his king.
"Silver!" Champ called out. "Come up here!"
"Me?" Silver blinked, startled.
"Yes! The new king needs a first kiss!" Champ teased with a devilish grin.
Silver's eyes widened as his entire face turned beet red. He waved his arms in panic.
"NOPE. Nope nope nope. I'm not doing this. No thank you. Goodnight!" Silver huffed, storming off in embarrassment as the entire crowd burst into laughter.
Even Jiggs—now crowned, now crying again—couldn't help but wheeze through his tears.
And so it began.
Not just the reign of a new King...
But the reign of Beta King Jiggs—a leader who would rule not with power, but with love, wit, courage, and the most contagious laugh the kingdom had ever heard.
...
...
...
The celebration had long spilled into the night—laughter echoing through marble corridors, the air pulsing with music and light, fireworks splitting open the heavens like blooming stars.
But far above the noise, high on a secluded balcony bathed in moonlight, stood Deux.
He leaned quietly against the railing, the cold marble grounding him as he stared out into the vast horizon. The sky was shifting from fiery gold to a deep, hushed indigo. The wind up here was gentler—cooler. It carried the scent of jasmine, old metal, and distant memories.
Behind him, the faintest footsteps.
He didn't need to turn.
"I thought you'd be down there," Deux murmured, his voice soft like the wind. "Dancing. Laughing. Being the hero of the story."
Champ's chuckle came warm and familiar, though still hoarse from all the cheers and shouting earlier. "And miss the part where you sulk like a brooding love interest from a tragic novel? No way."
A smile tugged at the corner of Deux's lips. "You always find me."
"And you always try to hide," Champ replied, stepping up beside him, their shoulders nearly touching.
Silence settled between them—but not the kind that demanded to be broken.
Then, after a moment—
"Do you regret it?" Deux asked quietly, almost as if afraid of the answer. "Everything. The pain. The chaos. What I did... just to bring you back?"
Champ didn't answer right away. Instead, he leaned forward on the railing beside him, eyes scanning the starlit horizon.
"I don't regret a single step that led me back to this moment," he said gently.
"But everything we lost. Zenith..."
Champ turned to face him. "You didn't just save me, Deux. You chose me—over and over. Even when I wasn't myself. Even when I was a monster. Even when I was unlovable."
Deux swallowed hard, his breath shaky.
Then—quietly, slowly—Champ reached out.
Their fingers met.
And laced.
No hesitation. No drama.
Just steady, sure connection.
"I was so afraid I'd lost you," Deux whispered.
"You never did," Champ said, his voice thick with warmth. "I was just waiting... for you to find me again."
A breeze passed between them, carrying with it the scent of hope—like the first rain after a dry season, or the calm after a long storm.
"I don't know what we are now," Deux admitted, his voice as tender as the night itself.
Champ leaned in, resting his forehead against Deux's.
"Then let's figure it out. Together. No thrones. No wars. No fates." He grinned softly. "Just... us. And our soon-to-be kids."
And for a moment, wrapped in starlight and silence, nothing more needed to be said.
Because for the first time in a long, long while...
They weren't trying to save each other.
They were simply being together.
Finally.
After all the chaos. After all the grief.
It was just the two of them now.
And the peaceful world they had dreamed of?
It had finally arrived.
"Champ," Deux whispered, eyes still closed. "Are you ready?"
Champ blinked. "Ready for what?"
Deux grinned and nodded toward Champ's belly with a smug flick of his chin.
Champ inhaled sharply and laughed. "Ah. That."
He smiled, placing a hand over his stomach. "Let's go," he said, soft and sure. "I'm ready. I'm finally ready to bring life into this world, knowing... it's safe now."
Without warning—like a playful villain—Deux swept him off his feet.
"Deux! Put me down!" Champ squealed, laughing as he flailed like a noodle. "I can walk, you overdramatic musclehead!"
"You're not walking anywhere," Deux said smugly, cradling him like a sack of potatoes. "I'm parading you. First stop—your parents. Gotta let them know."
"What?! Why?!"
"Remember what I told you?" Deux grinned like a troublemaker. "Once all of this is over, say goodbye to the outside world. Because you, my love, are not going to be leaving the bedroom for a very long time. I'm about to give you a tour of heaven."
Champ's face turned crimson. "You menace! This really is my farewell to the outside world!"
And yet—despite his dramatic kicking and flustered shouting—
He didn't struggle.
He laughed.
He held on.
Because deep down... he wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
And so, the chaos was over.
The thrones were broken and remade. The rules rewritten. The futures reshaped.
And in their place bloomed a new era—not ruled by bloodlines or power...
But by love, laughter, healing, and a king who once thought he'd never be enough.
Under Jiggs' reign, Aurivelle would grow—wild, weird, and wonderfully alive.
Guided by his chaotic brilliance, the city would become vibrant, equal, advanced—loved.
And somewhere high above the noise of the kingdom, a pair of souls who had survived every kind of storm...
Finally—
finally—
Found peace.
Together.
End of Chapter 53.
AUTHOR's NOTE:
Before we close this chapter, I just want to say—thank you.
Thank you for walking beside me through every twist, every heartbreak, every chaotic laugh and tender moment. Creating this world, and sharing it with you, has been one of the most meaningful adventures of my life.
But this isn't goodbye just yet.
There's still one more final chapter to the story—the epilogue—waiting for you just beyond the horizon.
So take a breath, hold your heart close, and I'll meet you there.
With love and endless gratitude,
– Gonzo