"I pity her because she was saved by her savior, transforming from a tragic being destined for corruption and deformity back to normal," Malin said. "I pity her because I understand that for the sake of many innocents’ survival, I must kill her and her companions. I was moved by the purest friendship between them, touched by the most flawless care they showed each other. I’m ashamed that I must kill two pitiable children to save tens of thousands of innocents, because I’ve said that all lives are equal. Yet, on that day, I had to break my vow. I am ashamed of my words and actions, even though I went through with it, even though I told myself that sacrificing two is better than sacrificing tens of thousands... But I still can’t forgive myself for the choice I made that day. For I broke my promise, and my actions brought shame to my words. That’s why I pity them... Because I can’t pity myself."
Malin paused, looking at the mother entity before him, which had already arched its body: "But you are different from them. They were living people, while you are nothing but puppets knitted from memories stolen by Magic Carpet from my mind. You are not life, merely different kinds fighting amongst themselves for survival..."
Speaking continuously made Malin catch his breath slightly. He shook his head at the mother entity: "As you said, let’s end this now."
The mother entity lunged at Malin with a speed that even Fio couldn’t lock onto. Lorrin dropped the shotgun and morphed into a shield on Malin’s left forearm. The mother entity’s sharp claws struck the shield, and the unexpected happened. The wooden shield didn’t shatter from the blow, and the mother entity was thrown off balance by the rebound force from the target. Malin sidestepped the creature’s other claw’s sweep, and his Psychic Sword plunged into its arm joint, dismembering its claw. As he ducked, the mother entity’s tail swept over his head. Then, it howled in pain, and its tail was gripped by Malin, who could hear the sound of the carapace cracking, feel the toughness of the flesh being deformed in his grip, and see the green viscous liquid spurting out after being cut open by the Psychic Sword.
"You were never the mightiest hunter in my memories. Magic Carpet created you, but it didn’t endow you with the prowess of your heyday, because it’s too weak and you... are far more powerful than the strength you’ve been granted." Malin retreated again, dodging another swiping claw, holding the Psychic Sword upright, watching its feet smash into a bloodied mess against the blade.
The mother entity howled in agony, falling to the ground, losing its balance, only able to watch as Malin slowly approached.
This time, Lorrin pinned it to the floor. It screeched, trying to stand, but without its legs and tail, it couldn’t even maintain the most basic balance.
Eventually, Fio joined in. It yanked the mother entity’s head back while a branch pierced its mouth.
Malin stood before it.
"You are not her, not even yourself; you’re just a pathetic duplicate created by Magic Carpet. Your so-called ’her’ is just a figment of a dream for me, yet ironically, she said she would not want a time that stood still." Malin finished speaking, bent down, took the shotgun that Bippo had dragged over, and tucked it into the hood of his jacket.
After checking the ammunition in the shotgun, Malin raised the gun, its muzzle against its eye.
Lorrin held the creature’s head, restraining its wild struggles.
"Goodnight," Malin said and pulled the trigger.
Fio was the first to release the branch, followed by Lorrin, and two World Tree Saplings wrapped themselves around Malin’s arms again.
Only then, from the giant brain, where perhaps radio waves still flickered, came the final whisper from the Alien mother entity.
Malin took a deep breath, approached the clutch of eggs, which had a diabolical beauty in the gloomy corner. At Malin’s command, Fio and Lorrin began their work with Blood Roar and Hammer.
Each egg was smashed open, and everything inside was killed.
No mercy, no regrets, only the greatest sense of responsibility to the world.
There came footsteps from behind. Malin turned and saw Faye standing at the top of the steps, watching him: "I think someone should give you a hug, whether it’s for a boy whose heart has been deeply wounded or for a hero who has once again saved this city."
Malin looked at her and finally opened his arms to embrace the girl.
"The person standing before you is never a hero. What you see is just a mortal who understands what he is," Malin said, feeling tears fall on his face, letting go of the girl in front of him, who looked sad but managed to ask with a smile.
"How many more secrets do you have that you can’t tell us?"
"Many, but I’m sorry... I..." Malin found himself struggling, not just a little, but completely at a loss for words.
How could he explain to them that he came from a godless world, and how to make Faye’s mother understand that her mentor’s child was dead, with the body now home to a lone soul from a different world?