Abyssal Sovereign: The Demon's Dominion

Shera felt her soul returning as she slowly opened her eyes.

What she saw left her stunned.

In front of her stood familiar faces. Memories surged through her mind—fighting side by side for humanity, watching comrades fall, remembering the sacrifices of those who laid down their lives so she could break through.

Some had died for her, for humanity.

Some were left scarred and broken.

But all of them here—these were the strongest powerhouses of humanity.

Tears welled up and spilled down Shera's face as she broke into sobs.

The sight shocked everyone present. To see her—the strongest human, their unshakable pillar—crying so openly left them speechless.

They had gathered here believing Shera would break through, ready to congratulate her and protect her if needed. Yet, instead of triumph, they were watching her weep.

Everyone's eyes turned to Meka. But before they could even ask, Meka had already moved. He crouched before Shera, gently wiping her tears away.

"It's okay…" he whispered.

Shera collapsed into his arms, hugging him tightly.

For over a thousand years, Meka had confessed his love to her. For over a thousand years, she had ignored it, never even letting him hold her hand. Yet now, here she was—crying in his embrace.

Meka's heart should have been racing with joy, but instead it hurt.

The sight of Shera breaking down shattered him inside.

"Let it all out. It's okay," Meka said softly, holding her closer.

"Meka…" Shera sobbed, her voice trembling like that of a lost child.

The strongest of humanity looked on, heartbroken. After all, this was the same woman who had given everything for them—her strength, her sacrifices, her very life—never asking for anything in return.

If Shera were asked to lay down her life for humanity once more, she would do it without hesitation.

"Look… I'm sorry. For everything. For ignoring you—for a thousand years. How did you endure it? How did you keep loving me all this time? How could I be so cruel?" Shera's body trembled as tears streamed down her face.

Meka's own eyes welled with tears. His breath shook as he spoke, his voice breaking.

"I have died every day waiting for you. Please don't cry. Every time I see you, I find a new reason to love you, to care for you, to miss you. What's a thousand years, Shera? What couldn't I give up for you?

My heart bleeds when you're hurt. I can't breathe when you're sad. And yet when you smile, I feel blessed—like the world is perfect again. Everything feels right, like the sunrise, like the sunset, beautiful and complete.

My existence was created for you. And to the very end, I will love you. Even if it takes a million years, even if it means waiting through eternity.

For now, Shera… I love you. For a thousand years."

The words shook everyone present. No matter how strong they were, their hearts trembled at Meka's sincerity.

"…Meka."

Shera's voice cracked as her heart tore. How could she have been so cold to the man who had loved her unconditionally? How many times had Meka risked his life for her? How many times had he bled in her place?

"Meka… I'm selfish. I'm not worth this. I ignored you. I ignored everyone. I didn't want love, didn't want ties. I only wanted to grow stronger. I thought if I became the strongest, I would finally be happy. That survival of the fittest was the only truth of this universe."

Her voice was low, heavy with regret.

But Meka shook his head.

"My love… you are worth all this, and more. You are the most amazing being I have ever met. Do you know how many times you've fallen into comas just to save us? Look around you. Look at how many have gathered to protect you. Hundreds came—and if the rest of humanity knew, countless more would stand here too.

That's because of you. Because of the person you are.

Yes, it was selfish to ignore me. To never acknowledge my love. But that selfishness kept humanity alive. It kept us thriving.

And I understand you, Shera. I always have."

Shera's lips trembled. She leaned forward and pressed them against his.

A deep kiss.

Time seemed to slow as the world disappeared, leaving only the two of them in that moment.

The onlookers smiled warmly, their hearts melting at the sight.

Finally, Shera pulled away, her voice soft but clear.

"…I love you."

The strongest powerhouses—all sharp of hearing—heard her words.

Meka froze. The kiss alone had stunned him, but her words left him trembling with joy.

"I waited a thousand years to hear that. And it was worth every moment. I would do it all again, over and over, just to hear those words. I love you too."

Shera laughed through her tears, hugging him tightly.

In that moment, the flame of their bond, long thought extinguished, was rekindled.

But soon, Shera pulled away, her expression turning serious.

"There's something important I need to say."

Everyone leaned closer.

"It's about our universe. Do you remember those beings on Earth? Void and Kalu… their battle destroyed the very foundation of our reality. That's why none of us can move past the sovereign realm. That's why… in fifty years, the universe itself will collapse."

Silence fell. Heavy, suffocating silence.

Fifty years. That was all they had left.

Everyone's hearts turned heavy. Why must they suffer for a battle that was never theirs? Why must the innocent pay the price? Was this fair?

Minutes passed before someone finally spoke.

"…If I only have fifty years left, then I'll return to my hometown. Find a girl. Get married. Live like a normal man."

His words struck a chord. One by one, the others spoke too.

They all wanted the same. To spend their last fifty years as humans—not warriors, not powerhouses, just people.

For them, fifty years was like five. It would pass in a snap, like a long dream.

"But… what about everyone else? They should know," someone said, tears filling their eyes.

"Yes. You're right," Meka answered bitterly. "They should. After everything… we can't save humanity this time."

A sad, broken laughter spread among the powerhouses.

Meka was right. Countless times they had saved humanity from destruction. But this time… there was nothing they could do. This was the end.

"Thankfully… I brought this."

One of the powerhouses pulled out a mirror.

The Divine Mirror of Truth.

It could not only reveal the truth, but also communicate with the entire universe.

With it, Shera could speak to everyone.

She nodded firmly, wiping away her tears, as the others stood by her side.

The mirror began to glow as they poured their energy into it.

Across planets, across galaxies, everyone suddenly saw a giant screen appear in the skies. On it were the world's most famous powerhouses.

Their faces were heavy with sorrow, and across the universe, people could feel that something was deeply wrong.

"Ah… I hope this is working." Shera's voice broke the silence as she let out a small laugh.

"Hello, everyone. This is Shera, the universe's strongest being… and with me are the other powerhouses of the universe. We all greet you.

I… I don't really know how to say this, but I want to be honest with you all."

She paused for a long moment. Then her voice grew firm.

"This universe is dying. In fifty years, everything will be gone.

I'm sorry, but this is the truth. And we cannot change it. Not this time. For once, humanity will not overcome its trial. Not because we didn't try, but because we are simply too weak. Too powerless to change anything.

This time… humanity has lost. And we will all be erased.

I know this is heavy on you, just as it is on us. But I am telling you so that you can live these fifty years fully. Do what you were always afraid to do. Confess your love to the one you've been hiding it from. Reconcile with your brothers. Make peace with your enemies.

For these fifty years, let us set aside hate and bitterness, because when the universe collapses, we will all be gone together.

So, if I don't see you again… good morning, good afternoon, and good evening."

Shera ended her words, and silence blanketed the cosmos.

The powerhouses sat together on the massive tree branch. For a long moment, no one spoke.

Then Meka suddenly stood, dropping to one knee before Shera.

"This is a tradition we've all seemed to forget," Meka said, his voice steady.

He opened a small box, and inside was a shining ring.

"Shera… will you make me the happiest man in the universe, and marry me?"

Gasps rang out. One of the powerhouses exclaimed in shock:

"This… this is forged from the Twig of Hope! But it was lost for ages—did you enter the forbidden zone just to retrieve it and craft this ring?"

Meka only smiled.

"The things we do for love."

Shera's hands flew to her mouth, her eyes wide.

She stood, trembling, before whispering through her tears:

"Yes… yes, Meka. I will marry you."

Cheers erupted as Meka slid the ring onto her finger. The two embraced tightly as the gathered powerhouses clapped, their eyes moist.

They had witnessed a love story that endured a thousand years.

That day, for the first time in countless millennia, the powerhouses let go of their burdens. They laughed, they drank, they dined like friends. No longer protectors of humanity—just people, cherishing their last years together.

On that ancient tree, Shera and Meka were wed before their comrades.

When the celebrations ended the next day, everyone departed to pursue happiness rather than endless struggle.

And on the quiet branch where they had stood, a small squirrel climbed to the tip and gazed at the sunrise.

"…There's always hope."

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So am curious, if you guys have 5 years left, what will you do with those 5 years ?