Fragment 2: The Pain of a Mother

"What?!"

Turning his head, the Overlord saw something impossible—the Hero had stood up.

"No! This is impossible! I destroyed your Destiny! There's no way you can still be alive!"

The Overlord was right; what makes a Hero strong is their nearly indestructible Destiny, relying on the world to create miracles. To prevent any surprises, the Overlord had severed all external forces.

But now, seeing him stand, a shiver ran down the Overlord's spine, contemplating a single possibility.

[Not only will I survive,

You'll see me thrive.

I'll write my story,

I'll surpass the limits.]

Opening his eyes in shock, the Overlord's body trembled; his greatest fear was coming true—the Hero, in his death, had broken his limits.

His body was glowing, simultaneously, a Crown began to form on his head.

[I won't just survive,

No matter how you shake my core,

Because my roots run deep.]

Listening to this chant, his group cried; this chant was the end, and they also understood—the Hero was dead, only his body was still fighting, refusing to fall before finishing his enemy, while his soul had long reached eternal rest.

[Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh,

Oh, you of little faith!

Don't doubt!

Victory flows in my veins!

I know!

And I won't negotiate!

I'll fight!

I will transform!]

Watching the Hero rise and perform this chant, lost hope surged like a storm. The soldiers, in desperation, once again raised their weapons, unafraid to die; victory was within their reach; they just had to keep fighting.

[When the fire is

At my feet again,

And the vultures

All begin to circle,

They're whispering,

"You're out of time,"

But still, I'll rise.

This is not a mistake.

It's not an accident.

When you think it's the end,

Think again.

Don't be surprised

I will rise.]

"You're not a Hero! No! No! No! You lie! You can't be a Champion!"

Launching a desperate struggle, the Overlord unleashed his most powerful attack, but it's a pity— the Hero's companions didn't let his efforts go to waste.

"Don't stop, Zeon! We've got you covered!"

Using his body as a shield, the group's mage didn't hesitate to leap forward.

"Damn it! Don't interfere, ants!"

Waving his hand, the Overlord created a shockwave, sending the group flying, but it was already too late—the Hero's Chant was about to end.

[Don't doubt

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh,

You know

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh,

Just fight

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh,

Don't be surprised

I will rise.]

Looking at his body glowing at the same time as several black lines started emerging from the Hero's heart, a Goddess wept.

This Goddess had been watching since the beginning, and seeing his spell almost complete, she knew everything was lost, so she screamed in pain.

"No!"

[And I'll give my heart in the glory of the world...]

With those last words, the Hero ripped out his heart, offering it as a sacrifice. This caused his heart to disperse into thousands of particles that entered his sword.

With his spell complete, the Hero raised his sword towards the sky.

[Human Bomb!]

---

"Then what happened next?"

Looking at her mother with bright eyes, the little girl really enjoyed this story.

"That day, the world was covered in light. The Hero's final attack was successful, destroying the evil."

Smiling tenderly, the woman concluded the story.

"Mom, what else happened? What about Hero-sama?"

"The Hero, by performing the forbidden spell of the Human Race, became petrified, with only a hole where his heart should be... That's why they call him the 'Hero of the Void,' as he offered his heart to the world."

Sighing, the woman shook her head at this tragic ending. The Hero had already died, but his body could still fight, performing a simple yet forbidden spell.

"But Mom, is that spell an F-Rank? How could it defeat the Lord of the Eternal Abyss?"

"You're right, sweetheart. Even though it's an F-Rank spell, it's a forbidden one. Not many people dare to use it. Besides, the Hero had already died when he used it. His spell was amplified by his incredible magic and tenacity."

She was right; the Hero, in his death, still managed to activate this spell, which was amplified by all the resentment, hatred, love, and the world itself—a full-blown attack from a newly born Champion. So, his spell covered the entire planet, leaving no chance for the Overlord to escape.

"That was a day engraved in Zero's history as the day of the 'Hero of the Void,' as well as the day the Goddess's painful cry was heard."

Millions of lives were saved that day, as well as the entire world.

"What happened to the Goddess-sama?"

"No one knows."

Shaking her head, the woman looked at her daughter and continued.

"But since that day, no one has seen her. Many say she accompanied her beloved to the afterlife; others claim her pain was so great that she's no longer in this world, while some say she's sealed, recovering her divine power."

That day was painful; the Goddess cried, and the world wept. Since then, every year, the world would pay tribute to its newly born Champion, gifting him white snow in honor of his platinum hair.

"That's very sad."

With small tears welling up in the corners of her eyes, the little girl lowered her head.

"It is, but even though it's sad, we're still alive to tell the tale."

(After all, we won.)

Murmuring to herself, the woman also had tears in her eyes. They had indeed won, but the price to pay was very high—the Hero died with his body petrified.

Fortunately, the Alliance built a sanctuary where he is now revered as the greatest miracle of the world.

His groupmates also became great sages and warriors, holding important positions.

The world also regained its vigor, and the dispersed energy is now used for nature and the environment. The world was at peace.

(But... Why do I feel like we didn't win at all? Why? ... Even though I should be proud... Why?... Why do I feel so sad?... Why did it have to be my son who had to die?)

"Mom?"

Looking at her mother, who now hugged her tightly while tears streamed down her face, the confused girl asked.

"It's nothing, sweetheart... It's nothing."

Trying to reassure her daughter, her voice was trembling.

After all, her heart clenched tightly, remembering her son's face.

['I won't let anything happen to you, Mom. I'll protect the village, prevent more people from dying like Dad. I promise.']

At that moment, she was pregnant, so she could only watch with sadness as her young son lifted the sword to protect her.

['Mother, I fulfilled my promise. The village is safe, but I still have work to do. There are many lives that need help.']

Smiling joyfully, Zeon looked at his mother, who now had a bulging stomach. The village was safe, and Zeon wanted his sister to grow up in a world without war.

['Mom, the Alliance has decided to train me. They... The world needs my help.']

She was right; Zeon, in his death, still managed to activate this spell, which was amplified by all the resentment, hatred, love, and the world itself—a full-blown attack from a newly born Champion. So, his spell covered the entire planet, leaving no chance for the Overlord to escape.

['Mom, I've received the Blessing of the Gods. We can win this. Mom, I can end this war.']

Two years had passed, and the baby had grown into a very beautiful girl. So, touching her tender cheeks, Zeon looked at his mother with enthusiasm.

['Mom, the final battle is approaching. I've become strong. Don't worry; I'll come back. I promise I'll win, so please wait for me and take care of little Cyrene. I'll bring her many gifts when I return.']

Remembering each of his promises, tears ran faster. Her son had strived, strived more than anyone, so that nothing would happen to her and his sister. Yet, like his father, he had left them.

(Zeon, you kept all your promises, except one. But don't worry, Mom will take good care of Cyrene. She'll grow up strong and sturdy like her brother. This I promise you, Zeon.)

---

**Song: State Of Mine - Rise**

This fragment gave me ideas for creating a spin-off in this world with the MC's sister as the protagonist.

P.S. The Goddess is in Danmachi, guess who she is?

TN: Alright last one for today make sure to leave a review!!!

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