—Kazimir's POV—
Rain began to fall.
A light drizzle at first. Then heavy, like the sky itself mourned. Like the heavens tried to cleanse what could not be washed away.
Kazimir stood just behind the shimmering barrier—a veil of translucent light separating him from the roaring mass of protestors outside HQ. Hundreds of voices, unified in hatred. Their banners whipped in the wind.
"Murderer!""Tyrant of Nullity!""Monster in a crown!""Send him back to the stars!"
They didn't see the blood in his lungs.
They didn't see the weight in his spine.
Only the shadow they believed he cast.
Kazimir slowly stepped forward. The barrier rippled, sensing his presence. Behind him, the Prismic Gathering—Neve, Riah, Tyrone, Jessie, Lihanna,Felicia, even Raijin and Kamaki—stood in tense silence. Watching.
He raised his hand. The barrier shimmered, then parted… just enough for him to step through. Alone.
Gasps rippled through the crowd like a wave.
He walked out into the open courtyard, no armor. No blade. Rain soaked his black shirt.
People moved back instinctively. Not out of fear—out of disbelief.
He stopped in the center of the square.
And knelt.
Not in weakness.
In mourning.
In acceptance.
His voice cut through the thunder.
"You're right."
A hush fell over the mob.
"You're right to hate me. I have failed. Again and again."
He looked up, eyes glazed with grief but not regret.
"I killed my own kind. I allowed people I loved to die. I shattered worlds under the name of justice… and sometimes, it was just vengeance. I became what I was supposed to stop."
He looked to the people, then to his own hands—calloused, scarred, trembling.
"I don't ask for your forgiveness. I don't deserve it. All I ask… is that you remember."
"Remember the silence before your children could sleep again. Remember the nights when monsters vanished. Remember the ones who fought beside me—who still believe peace is worth the pain."
His voice broke—but he didn't.
"If you want me gone… I will go. I won't fight. I won't argue. I've already lost too much to make anyone stay."
From the steps behind him, Neve whispered, "Kazimir…"
He kept going.
"But know this."He stood. Not defiant. Not proud. Just resolute.
"This was never about one man. This was about protecting what little light we have left in a world being swallowed by oblivion. And that fight…"
He turned, looking back at the Gathering—his team.
"…is not over."
A single protestor lowered their sign. Another stepped forward—conflicted. Some still jeered. Others watched, uncertain.
Then Jessie's voice rang out from the HQ steps:
"We're leaving Earth."
The crowd stirred, confused.
Jessie stepped beside Kazimir, her arms crossed.
"We're heading to Vrasnia. A world. A place Kazimir once called home.
Riah stepped beside her, flames simmering under her damp cloak.
"You don't want us? Fine. But don't say we never gave everything."
Tyrone stepped out, cracked a broken grin. "Damn right."
The barrier glowed brighter behind them. The gateway to another world shimmered open like a scar through the sky.
Kazimir looked one last time at the crowd. Then spoke:
"I'm not your hero."
And with that—
He turned.
And walked toward Vrasnia.
Not to escape the hatred.
But to build a future.
Even if Earth never saw it.