SSS Class Mythic Beast Master

"Then from the Seekers." Reinhard continued. "It was passed to the Luminous Knight who wished to also end you."

The Knights appeared in memory.

Casseo and Veryn explain how Saint Lucian wanted to help end the Dark Silence. The Saint was willing to sneak into the continent and communicate with Vlad to help the Eastern Hesod people.

The Luminos Knights sacrificed themselves to keep the attention of the roots while helping the Seekers out. Their determination to help despite no obligation, and the fact that they were from different continents.

It wasn't just because the Saint came, it's also because they believed in ending the Dark Silence and not giving up Eastern Hesod.

"And then from the Luminous Knight it was passed to my friends and me." Reinhard said, his smile widening. "And even if we were to fall, it would be passed to Memento Mori Academy."

Janus wanted to help create a new future for his town and his father. Amiya wants to end the Dark Silence, so the Precursor people can return to their peak.

Reinhard, Marie, and Joseph stayed to help their friends out while also falling under the hope of the Forerunners.

Somehow, little by little, they even began carrying the belief of the Forerunners to finish what they started. Even if everyone died, others would come to finish what they started.

Because that's what the light meant, a collective will to finish what was started and a refusal to surrender.

"No matter what you do." Reinhard declared. "The beautiful light that gave people hope and pushed you back will never be snuffed out. It will only glow brighter and continue burning."

His grin transformed into something fierce, carrying absolute certainty. "Do you understand now? I am not alone. I can feel the Forerunners pushing against my back."

He felt it literally as the Star Jewel shine in his pocket. The pressure against his spine, as if invisible hands were supporting him. Dune's presence, Bargest's strength, and the golden Melo warriors' determination.

All of them were there despite being dead, despite being trapped, despite everything suggesting he should feel isolated.

"I can feel my friends right next to me, helping pull me along."

Marie's warmth appeared to his right as if she was holding his arm. Joseph's steady presence on his left, ready to protect and help him out. Janus, Amiya, Casseo, and Veryn were here supporting him.

"And I can see my Beast Spirits cutting and devouring the way forward as they beckon me onward!"

Odin glanced at him and demanded that he use wisdom and trickery to overcome obstacles. Fenrir appeared beside them, the wolf glaring in disgust at the thing that wished to confine them.

The root's voice erupted. Don't be ridiculous! You have no one here! There is nothing around you! You are alone, and that is the reality of things!

"I am not alone." Reinhard countered with a grin. "I have the belief and strength of those who came before. I will burn you down and return the Golden Age of the Forerunners back to Eastern Hesod."

His Beast Symbol glowed beneath his glove. The golden cape Dune had bequeathed him began glowing, radiating light that pushed back against the pale interior's dimness.

"This is a will that has been passed on for hundreds of years." Reinhard declared, his eyes shifting as Fenrir's power surged through him. Three diamond pupils expanded in a triangle formation, blazing with golden light that matched the cape. "And now I will make sure it will be fulfilled!"

The golden cape burst into brilliant radiance, not just reflecting light but generating it. As if Dune's final gift was responding to Reinhard's conviction. His eyes shone with Fenrir's power, no longer hidden, the transformation on full display.

"You!" Reinhard roared, his voice carrying fury that held the accumulated rage of centuries, of every person who'd suffered under the Dark Silence. "A mere tree dares to stop us? The will of the Forerunners... No! The belief of everyone will not be ended by a parasite like you!"

The roots shook violently, terror transmitting through the physical connection. You are too dangerous! You must die-

Reinhard released a roar that shook the entire interior. "Ursa Suppression!"

Visible sound waves erupted from his mouth, spreading in expanding circles. Where they struck the roots binding him, the wood trembled violently.

Cracks appeared before spreading rapidly, connecting, and widening into fissures. The roots shattered completely, exploding into fragments that scattered across the platform.

Reinhard dropped to the ground, landing in a crouch.

Mimir remained on his shoulder, the crow's claws gripping firmly. The golden cape billowed behind him despite no wind, blazing with light that illuminated the entire hollow interior.

He looked up, seeing what approached.

Hundreds of roots descended from above. No thousands, or perhaps tens of thousands. They moved with coordinated intent, rushing down on his position from every direction.

The tree was throwing everything at him, recognizing the existential threat he represented.

But Reinhard showed no fear. His expression carried only determination mixed with something approaching joy.

He held out his arms, the gesture welcoming rather than defensive.

"Forerunners and Precursors!" Reinhard shouted, his voice carrying to every corner of the hollow interior, reaching the sleeping victims wrapped in parasitic growth. "Is this fine with you? Living in this eternal void? Letting this parasite devour your home and your people?"

The descending roots paused slightly but still continued rushing.

"Is this dream that traps you so well that you're willing to become sinners to your own descendants?" Reinhard continued, each word striking as hammer blows. "Sinners to the people you promised to protect? Is this how you wished for those in history to see you?"

The descending roots trembled as they descended but slowed down a bit.

"As cowards who'd rather fall to a dream that will destroy everything they care about instead of brave people who would stand up? If not, then wake up! Wake up and show this thing that it cannot stop your will, belief, and wishes!"

The roots rushing toward Reinhard trembled even more. Not from his power but from something else, something the Dark Silence couldn't understand or control.

In the next moment, they paused mid-descent, frozen despite no external force restraining them.

The Dark Silence's voice erupted in shock. What… What is this? What is happening? Why won't they move…

The Star Jewel shined, leading Reinhard to see.

Deep within the cocoons, behind closed eyes and peaceful expressions, something stirred.

The deepest desire of all humans awakened, the will to protect, to take on burdens for future generations, and to sacrifice self for others.

Not because they were forced but because they chose to.

Parents thought of the children they'd left behind while Warriors recalled comrades they'd fought beside. Scholars remembered students they'd taught, workers envisioned people who might appreciate their work someday.

And the rest thought of their homes that held bad memories but also held some very good ones.

Every person trapped in eternal sleep felt the call, understood what was at stake, and chose.

The roots trembled violently, held in place by countless invisible hands. The sleepers weren't awake, but their wills had responded, their deepest convictions asserting themselves despite the dream's attempt to suppress them.

They would not let this thing use them to destroy what they held dear, and hope would continue to exist.