The Yarkhzaer event didn't just destroy the swarm; the pulse also killed all the creatures in the Dark Galaxy.
The Dark Galaxy was at last free from all the abominations that had ravaged it for millennia.
The IC Alliance attacked the Thelarian fortress with full force and completely destroyed it. Eve Andromeda, was not part of the battle.
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She flew to the Sanctum and met Primethean in the orbit, on top of a spaceship she had never seen before.
She wore a helm, but Primethean did not. Nor did Carlista.
She was there too, now a fully grown teenager, dressed in a queen's attire with a beautiful cap. Her long bluish-white silvery hair floated in zero gravity. She looked exactly like Eve, only much younger.
She ran and hugged Eve. "You did it!"
"And now you know your full story?"
"In the way I can understand. It doesn't matter now; we are both free to be ourselves."
"I'm glad we are."
"I still have a favor to ask."
"Ask me anything you want."
"Synthia. May I take her memories? For her to be with me, as a friend."
"Of course you can. I know we both love her very much," Eve smiled.
Carlista placed her hand on Eve's chest, and a spark formed into an orb. "Done. I'm going to give her a body. She'd love that."
"She is going to love that. So you're taking her with you to the Sanctum?"
"Yes, you've seen my world."
She was talking about the heaven she had created.
"I don't just mean the simulation, I mean the whole thing."
"You can do that now, can't you?"
"You are a human, if you want I could give you powers."
"I'm actually beginning to enjoy being... just human."
"You can come with us if you like. I would love it if you do."
"I have something else planned for me, but I'm happy for you."
"Then, I guess I'll see you soon."
A portal appeared.
Carlista hugged and kissed her on the cheek, then walked to the porta. Then Primethean came forward.
"I'll be damned. None of us expected this. You finally broke the pattern."
"I was chasing the silver lining; I guess I finally caught it."
"And you did much, much more," he said, smiling as he looked at Carlista.
"How did that happen?"
"We always knew she could do things we couldn't imagine or predict. Hence, we're walking out here."
"So you're free from the Sanctum?"
"Not entirely. Let's say Carlista pulled a few strings for us, so at least we can stroll about."
"So she's really powerful now."
"True. She's the manifestation of the Monobeacon. But instead of changing the universe, she chose this—to let things take their natural course. And frankly, we are proud of her."
Eve was quiet for a moment, then spoke.
"What will become of the Sanctum? What's the rest of the story?"
"I don't know how, but Carlista found a way to jump the Sanctum across cycles without the need for any key artifacts. Much less, will there be any key artifacts at all. Instead of reshaping the universe, she has focused her energies on reshaping the cycles. For the first time in eternity, we are free from having to decide things. Carlista has all the power, and we trust her. We believe she'll become the true master of the universes she's meant to be."
Eve nodded.
"If you want, Carlista might be able to give you some powers."
"I think I'll let the universe take its natural course."
He smiled.
"A wise decision."
Eve walked backwards and off the edge, floating away as she them them disappear into the portal. The ship vanished and the entire Maze was encapsulated in glowing fractures of time and space.
The Sanctum disappeared.
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A year later, Eve and Cetra strolled on the beach.
"Do you know where you're headed?"
"I have a planet I can call home, good loyal friends. A galaxy that calls me its daughter. What else could I ask for? I am enjoying being mortal."
"And..?"
"Only sometimes. Feels like I've lost a purpose! Five centuries. All that times, that journey. Sometimes, I just don't know how to feel… normal."
"It's only been a year. Give it time. You'll get there."
"I know. I'm just saying."
"Or I can upload you to my servers, and we could design civilizations together."
"That's not who I am. That's you."
"I just want your to remember Andromeda... you're still part of a love story—of all of our love stories. The love story of the man you fell in love with, of your friends, of the people you rule, of everyone you met, of all the lives you changed."
"Then maybe, love was the purpose all along."
They kept talking as the sun was setting in the simulation.
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The wider universe was finally purged of the Thelarian threat. The remaining scattered outposts were systematically tracked and dismantled. After the fall of their fortress, most of their leaders and ships had surrendered.
The Dark Galaxy was renamed Sanctriam. It became home to inspiring explorers. New species were slowly colonizing its vast horizons. The Intergalactic Committee had full control, but the Alliance voted for a free zone as a gesture of goodwill to all factions, including the Syndicate.
Razmos returned to Almira. He introduced new laws, showed more leniency to criminals, and organized a general body that began acting as a government. Though he remained the undisputed leader, but he was committed to seeing his galaxy evolve autonomously.
Sal Parlos, as usual, became a sanctuary for inspiring young people who wanted to carve their path and make their names known. It became the new headquarters of the Hunter's Clad. A huge city was built and operated by a Clad-funded company, Mario Inc.
Eve Andromeda opened the castle for gifted children, where they were educated and raised as future innovators, explorers. The funding came from the government and outside from Andromeda Security Council.
Saiyarans never left her side, even after her she became human and could no longer guard the planet like before. They still loved and cherished her, told her stories and tales. They kept her honorary throne.
Eve walked with Sappherine along the shoreline, just where she once walked with the first Mira.
It just bugs me. What am I still doing as a space commander?"
"I guess, raising the next generation of hot cyber babes."
"I think what we need…"
"What YOU need Eve, and what you need is to start dating again before you age out those hot curves."
"Or… I could go back being a Deep Space Archaeologist... since Sanctriam is open season."
Sappherine's daughter came running to her and wrapped her arms around her legs.
"Look at this pretty angel... who named you Oceana," Eve asked playfully and affectionately tending to her tresses.
She replied making cute faces, "you did!"
Eve kissed and carried her as they kept walking and talking, enjoying the pleasant breeze on the shore.