Mikhail''s smile deepend, softening yet proud.

    It gave the image of a father watching his son take his first steps – even if those steps were heavier than he could handle.

    "Come," he said, keeping his voice gentle, lowering his back to the grass.

    His old bones practically groaned from the motion.

    "Bring the sword."

    Alex''s limbs felt like they were weighed down by a thousand tonnes, as every step toward Mikhail felt like dragging mountains behind him.

    Virtue''s Edge seemed to mimic the same sensations, as if it too sensed what was about toe.

    He stopped just before Mikhail, staring down at the man who had put him in this very situation, silently guiding the course of his actions until he ended up here this day.

    This was the man who had seen the potential in him ever since he had awakened, even if he had never even sensed it or knew about it until today.

    A man who had forged his own path without the guidance of anyone else, someone who demanded respect no matter one''s status.

    And now… Alex was about to put an end to his legend.

    "Take a deep breath," Mikhail said, with his tone still oddly calm, like they were simply about to share a lesson in smithing rather than orchestrate the death of a Universal God.

    Still, Mikhail had probably long prepared himself for this day, so his calm demeanour wasn''t too unexpected.

    Alex felt pathetic being gentle parented by Mikhail, as he, the one behind what was essentially an execution, received constion from the one being executed.

    Still, he knew that Mikhail was only doing this for his own good.

    Alex obeyed Mikhail''s words, drawing in a trembling breath.

    "Virtue''s Edge is already bound to you, so it already knows what to do through your connection."

    He tapped the t of the de gently.

    "This sword has been made with a soul in mind, Alex. My soul. Even unfinished, it has been waiting for this moment. Now, your Soulforge will do the rest. Just follow your instincts — try not to follow the limitations the System had ced on you. Let your own instincts guide you."

    Alex looked at the de. The previously calm, dormant metal vibrated and shook more and more intensely as more moments passed.

    "I… I still don''t understand... How do I know it''s working!? How do I even know when to—?"

    "You''ll know, trust me." Mikhail cut in with a grin.

    "Just trust yourself. Trust your talent. You''ve done it a thousand times with lesser things. This is no different."

    "But… it is different." Alex muttered.

    "You''re not some material. Not just some… beast."

    "No," Mikhail said quietly with his voice filled with peace.

    "I am not, but that still doesn''t change this situation. I am ready, and this is my final gift to you – to this universe. Let it be used well."

    Alex looked away, blinking hard. He didn''t want Mikhail to see the silent tears flowing down his face.

    He never thought he could feel so deeply saddened over someone he had only just met, but he couldn''t help but feel intense emotions due to the weight of the situation.

    Mikhail was a man who deserved all the glory the universe had to offer, and yet he was reduced to such a state.

    He deserved, no, demanded respect from all sentient beings alive – as he was willing to give up his life so that they had a fighting chance against the System''s oppression.

    He didn''t want to see the final smile of the old man who''d done more for the universe than anyone ever could.

    But he couldn''t dy this any longer.

    And worse, deep inside of him, beneath the pain and turmoil, there was another feeling.

    Anticipation.

    He almost felt angered that he felt such an emotion, knowing what he was about to do.

    But most of all…

    Soulforge.

    He hadn''t even noticed it until Mikhail had brought it up, but it truly felt overwhelmingly strong after entering this sealed off dimension.

    With no connection to the System, and hence no way for it to ce its limitations on him, its full potential was revealed.

    Soulforge, the mysterious talent that had long eluded even Alex''s understanding, pulsed deep within his soul like a second heartbeat.

    And for the first time ever, it wasn''t restrained.

    Not held back.

    Not smothered by the System''s ever watching eyes.

    It felt… alive.

    It felt right.

    Like it had been waiting for this moment all along.

    Alex stepped forward, kneeling before Mikhail, with Virtue''s Edge trembling in his grip.

    The old god looked at him with unfaltering eyes.

    "I''ve dropped my defences now. You wouldn''t be able to put a scratch on me in a million years if I didn''t." he said with a short, smugugh.

    Alex tried to chuckle – he wanted to, but nothing came out.

    Instead, he pressed his forehead against Mikhail''s.

    "Thank you…"

    He whispered, voice cracking.

    Mikhail only nodded, then leaned back, exposing his chest.

    "Do it."

    Alex raised the de.

    It weighed more now than it ever had before.

    His hands shook, but he gritted his teeth, forcing them still.

    He could feel it now.

    Soulforge could feel it.

    He didn''t hesitate any longer.

    With a soulwrenching scream of sadness, part rage, part sorrow, Alex drove Virtue''s Edge straight into Mikhail''s chest, right where his heart was located.

    There was no spurt of blood.

    No scream of pain from Mikhail.

    No gore.

    Only light.

    Blinding, white hot light that burst out from the point of impact, engulfing the both of the,

    The fragment of space trembled around them, warping, bending and folding in on itself like paper caught in a me.

    Alex staggered back, shielding his eyes, but the de in his hand pulled him forward, locking his fingers tightly around it as if they were no longer in control.

    And then – he felt it.

    Just as Mikhail said, he knew, instinctively, when to act.

    Mikhail let out a final, gratified smile.

    "Goodbye, Alex."

    The light left his eyes.

    He was dead.

    The universe''sst Universal God, had died.