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The sky was collapsing. Faint trails of light from the shattered sky drifted down like falling stars, painting the battlefield in an eerie glow. The world felt like it was holding its breath — waiting to see how it would all end.

Lucian stood in the center, his mask cracked and bleeding red light. Shadows twisted around him, wrapping him like a cursed crown. His voice echoed through the emptiness, cold and hollow. "So… after all this, you’re still standing."

Aiden stood tall, his dark eyes steady. The other versions of him were scattered, bruised and bloodied, but still breathing. Broken Aiden knelt nearby, panting heavily, his cracked mask barely holding together. Kind Aiden leaned against a ruined wall, his soft eyes dim. Cold and Ruthless were silent, exhausted from the fight.

Emily stood closest to Aiden, trembling but refusing to back away. Her eyes never left Lucian. "This is over… we’re ending this," she whispered.

Lucian laughed, but it sounded more like a sob. "You think you’ve won? You think some half-broken copies and a human girl can stop me?" His shadow flared up, dark tendrils whipping through the air. "I am everything you threw away, Aiden! I’m the rage, the hatred, the loneliness… you left behind."

Aiden’s grip tightened. "I know," he said quietly. "That’s why… I have to end this."

Lucian lunged first, his shadow exploding toward them. Aiden moved without hesitation, meeting him midair, fists clashing hard enough to send shockwaves across the sky. For a moment, it was just the two of them — two versions of the same soul, fighting for their right to exist.

The others could only watch.

Lucian screamed, shadows lashing wildly. "Why do you get to live?! Why do you get to be loved?!"

Aiden didn’t answer. He just kept pushing forward, eyes locked on Lucian’s.

Emily’s chest ached. She could feel it — Aiden was fading. Every hit, every strike — it wasn’t just physical. They were breaking each other down, soul against soul.

"You were me once," Aiden finally spoke, his voice steady. "But I chose to move forward. You didn’t."

Lucian froze — just for a second — and that was all Aiden needed.

With one last push, Aiden drove his fist into Lucian’s chest. Light burst out, swallowing the shadows.

Lucian’s eyes widened, and for the first time, he looked… human. "I… I didn’t want to be alone…" he whispered, his voice breaking.

"I know," Aiden whispered back. "I’m sorry."

Lucian’s form shattered like glass, scattering into the wind. The sky slowly began to heal, cracks mending, the darkness fading.

Silence fell.

Aiden dropped to his knees, breathing heavily. The others stared, too exhausted to speak. Broken Aiden looked away, hiding the cracks spreading further across his mask.

Emily didn’t wait. She ran — her heart pounding — until she collapsed into Aiden’s arms.

"You did it…" she whispered, tears streaming down her face. "You came back…"

Aiden’s arms wrapped around her tightly, his body trembling. "I promised… I’d protect you."

"You idiot… I hate you… I love you…" Emily sobbed against him.

Aiden smiled weakly. "I know."

She pulled back, staring into his eyes. "Say it. Say it properly this time."

For the first time, Aiden’s eyes softened. "I love you, Emily. More than anything."

And before she could cry again, he leaned in — gently, hesitantly — and kissed her.

The world around them fell quiet, as if even the stars paused to watch.

It wasn’t passionate. It wasn’t rushed.

It was everything they never got to say — a promise, a goodbye, and a new beginning all at once.

When they finally broke apart, Emily smiled through her tears. "Don’t leave me again."

"I won’t," Aiden whispered. "Not this time."

The other Aidens watched from afar. Broken Aiden gave a small, bittersweet smile before turning away. Protector Aiden nodded once. Ruthless just scoffed, while Kind Aiden wiped his eyes quietly.

The sky cleared completely, sunlight pouring down like a blessing.

For the first time, it truly felt like the end.

Aiden took Emily’s hand, fingers intertwining.

"Let’s go home," he whispered.

And together… they walked forward — toward whatever future awaited them.

The story of Aiden Kurose… finally found its ending.