Idle Mage: Humanity's Strongest Backer
chapter-421

As the life force faded from Amen, the fallen Celestial God, a palpable shift resonated through the hearts of Alice, Blake, and Mary. The weight of their victory settled upon their weary shoulders, and a mix of emotions flooded their beings.

Relief washed over Alice, her weary body trembling with the release of tension. The burden she had carried for so long, the fear and anguish that had consumed her, now began to dissipate. The Blue Marble Planet, their cherished home, had weathered the storm of the Abyss and emerged victorious. Yet, amidst her relief, a sense of emptiness lingered, for the enemy they had fought so fiercely against had become a part of their lives, defining their purpose and driving them forward. Now that the battle was won, she wondered what lay ahead for her and her comrades.

Blake, the mighty Titan, stood amidst the wreckage, his gaze fixed upon the fallen form of Amen. The weight of the Celestial God's power no longer loomed over him, and he felt a strange mix of triumph and unease. The battles he had fought, the lives he had laid down, had all been for this moment. But with the threat extinguished, he couldn't shake the question of what purpose his immense strength would serve now. He had become so accustomed to the struggle, the constant need to protect and fight, that the absence of an enemy left him disoriented, adrift in a sea of uncertainty.

Mary, the Oracle Sage, stood silently, her eyes fixed upon the lifeless body of Amen. The visions that had haunted her, the whispers of the future, had ceased. The burden of her prophetic abilities lifted, leaving her feeling strangely unmoored. The battles they had fought had shaped her, tested her resolve, and now that they had come to an end, she wondered who she was without the weight of her visions. The clarity she had sought for so long now felt disorienting, as she grappled with her own identity in the aftermath of their victory.

Together, they stood on the precipice of a new chapter, a world no longer under the shadow of the Abyss. The complex tapestry of emotions weaved within them, a blend of triumph, relief, and uncertainty. The victory was hard-fought, the sacrifices immense, but as they gazed upon the fallen Celestial God, they couldn't help but wonder what lay ahead.

The Blue Marble Planet had been scarred by the relentless assaults of Amen and his minions, and the process of healing would take time. As they surveyed the ravaged landscape, a sense of responsibility settled upon their hearts. The Grand Commanders understood that their duty was not yet complete. They would need to rebuild, nurture hope, and guide their people toward a brighter future.

In the midst of the mixed emotions, one thing remained clear: the legacy of their struggle would endure. The memories of the battles fought, the lives lost, and the strength of their unity would become a beacon of inspiration for generations to come. The Grand Commanders would ensure that the sacrifices made would never be forgotten and that the lessons learned in the crucible of war would shape a better world.

With determination in their eyes, they turned towards the horizon, ready to lead their people into a new era of healing and rebuilding. The fall of the Celestial God marked the end of this era of conflict.

***

The exhausted warriors wept hot tears the moment their aircraft landed on the familiar soil. No words could explain the relief they felt the moment they returned home.

They received a warm welcome from those they left behind who already knew the outcome of the war. They were treated with utmost respect and gratitude for their service, because thanks to their efforts, the era of fear and conflict was finally over.

The Blue Marble Planet vibrated in sheer glee upon receiving news of their victory. It's as if a heavy burden was finally lifted from their hearts. Everybody felt light and free. No more threats, peace was finally an option.

Those who participated in the war were just happy to be back. In this familiar soil and atmosphere, they could finally be at ease.

They had spent months fighting on foreign lands, nerves always stretched taut in alert for any possible developments. The soldiers had been exhausted far more than they could imagine. It wasn't until they arrived here that they could finally relax and lower down their guard. And that's when the exhaustion caught up to them.

It hasn't been easy for anybody, but at least it's over now...

With the seal firmly in place, the Abyss lay dormant, its once ferocious power contained within its depths. The nightmare incarnates that had terrorized the world was no more, they'll be reduced to mere memories of a time when chaos reigned supreme. The forces that had threatened humanity's existence were vanquished, leaving behind a sense of relief and a newfound hope for a brighter future.

The world will slowly emerge from the shadows of war, weary but determined to rebuild. The scars left by the Abyss's onslaught served as a reminder of the battles fought and the sacrifices made. But now, with the threat of invasion extinguished, humanity could finally breathe a sigh of relief and lay down their weapons.

The era of peace and prosperity that had eluded them for so long was finally within reach. Communities will begin to flourish once more, their foundations strengthened by the unity forged in the crucible of conflict. The resources once devoted to warfare were now redirected towards education, infrastructure, and the betterment of society. Science and technology advanced at an unprecedented pace, paving the way for new discoveries and advancements that would shape the future.

But even in this era of peace, the memory of the Abyss lingered in the collective consciousness. Its dark presence had tested the resilience and ingenuity of humanity, leaving an indelible mark on their history. The lessons learned from the struggle against the Abyss served as a guidepost for the future, a reminder to remain vigilant and prepared for any potential threats that may arise.

In the years that will pass, stories of the Abyss and the valiant efforts of the Grand Commanders became legends, passed down through generations. They were revered as heroes who had safeguarded the Blue Marble Planet from the brink of destruction. Monuments were erected in their honor, and their names were etched into the annals of history.

Humanity will embrace the peace that had been hard-earned, cherishing the newfound stability and harmony. They reveled in the simple joys of life, cultivating their passions, and nurturing the bonds of family and friendship. The scars of war slowly faded, replaced by the blossoming beauty of a world renewed.

Yet, in the quiet corners of their hearts, the echoes of the Abyss's malevolence remained. They were reminders of the darkness that once threatened to engulf them, and a constant reminder to never take their newfound peace for granted. The seal that Ashton had placed upon the Abyss was a testament to the triumph of humanity's resilience and determination, a beacon of hope that reassured them that they could overcome any adversity.

This is, of course, a story for another time...

"You did great," Ashton told his friends the moment they returned home.

Nobody saw them return because Ashton wasn't that much of a fan of theatrics. He just opened a tunnel that lead to the Mystic Guild's headquarters and before they knew it, they were already back.

Blake, Mary, and Alice were still digesting the fact that everything was over. It was only when they heard Ashton's words that it finally sunk in.

Alice collapsed on the nearby chair, tears streaming down her face as she laughed upon the realization of it all. Her entire being drown in exhaustion but she didn't mind. After all, she could take a long rest now that everything was over.

Seeing her act like this, Blake, and Mary also couldn't help but laugh while crying. It may seem that they're turning mad but this is just because of the overwhelming relief they felt.

"We couldn't have possibly done this without you." Alice turned to Ashton after recovering slightly. "Thank you for everything, Ash. Seriously, thank you."

"Our world's finally a better place and that's because of your ceaseless effort of helping us, so thank you, Ashton." Mary thanked him as well.

"We can finally rest. We finally achieved our ultimate goal." Blake felt emotional, after all, he had longed for this moment and spent lifetimes, literally, trying to achieve it. "You're the best, Ash."

"Oh, pfft. Stop." Ashton waved his hand, "It's just a matter of time anyway. But yeah, I'm glad we were able to achieve this in our era. With this, we can focus on what we do best. Peace is finally at hand, so thank you for trusting me as well."

"..."

All of them fell silent after that, still digesting everything that has happened so far. It's all a little hard to believe that this is really it. They finally achieve their goals.

"...I have to go. Aria's waiting for me." Ashton said, which the Grand Commanders understood.

He disappeared from the hall and appeared right outside the doorstep of his home. He twisted the door open and silently entered his house. Taking a deep breath, he made his way towards the balcony on the second floor where Aria was at.

She was on her rocking chair, humming a tune while caressing her bulging stomach with a serene smile on her face. Seeing her made Ashton's heart race.

As if sensing his presence, Aria looked over in his direction. And this time, Ashton finally couldn't hold it in. Tears streamed down his face as he slowly made his way towards her, kneeling and pressing his face on her tummy, muttering:

"I'm home."

"Welcome back."