Ythogtha.
In the far future, Yu Zhou had once gathered seven Giants of Light to destroy this being. Based on speculation, it was either Gatanozoa's elder kin or Cthulhu's firstborn.
Whether or not it truly shared blood ties with Gatanozoa or Cthulhu hardly mattered.
One thing was certain—this creature was no benevolent existence.
Along with Ythogtha's descent came swarms of flat, worm-like monsters. These were Yugg, Ythogtha's dark kin brought from the Zoss Nebula of Darkness.
These Yugg creatures bore similarities to Zoiger—both were deeply entwined with the influence of Cthulhu, the King of Darkness.
However, Yu Zhou did not spare them even a second glance.
"So, this one is also a Ruler of Darkness…"
Yuzare frowned as she watched the monsters continuously emerge in the sky.
"It's fine. You all stay here—I'll end this quickly."
Yu Zhou had no intention of dragging this battle out.
His thoughts were already drifting toward the future—toward Camearra. He wished nothing more than to return as soon as possible and bring her back into the light.
But wishing was pointless.
Who knew whether Charija had even appeared in this era yet?
"Huh?"
Everyone froze at Yu Zhou's words.
Achilles and Herau—who had been ready to charge into battle—were completely dumbfounded.
Tiga… was going alone?
Could he really handle it by himself?
Then again, when Gatanozoa had appeared earlier… it had been Tiga who did all the real work.
Before anyone could process it further, Yu Zhou was already airborne.
Bathed in radiant light, he naturally drew Ythogtha's attention.
The grotesque deity opened its massive maw and unleashed a sonic roar, violent enough to whip the skies into a raging storm.
Woooooom—!
Yu Zhou merely raised one hand.
Light blossomed from his palm, and in the next instant, the roaring storm vanished—as though it had never existed.
Complete silence.
Ythogtha was stunned.
Just as it prepared to lash out with the countless tentacles sprouting from its head, it suddenly realized—
It could not move.
"Light Restraint."
At Yu Zhou's command, streams of light burst forth from his Colour Timer, forming golden chains of radiance that wrapped tightly around Ythogtha's colossal body.
No matter how violently it struggled, the chains did not loosen.
Then—
Ythogtha plummeted.
Like a falling meteor, it dropped straight into the ocean.
BOOOOM—!
Its massive body smashed into the sea, sending towering waves crashing outward.
Dragged by gravity and bound by light, Ythogtha sank deeper and deeper—until it disappeared into a vast ocean trench.
Meanwhile, the Yugg swarms that had followed Ythogtha screamed and surged toward Yu Zhou, intent on a suicidal assault.
Yu Zhou casually flicked several blades of light.
Entire clusters of Yugg detonated instantly, reduced to ash.
Still, their numbers were overwhelming—and Yu Zhou had no patience for this.
A single beam of light spread from his hand, transforming into a golden net that enveloped the entire sky.
In one sweep, the Yugg swarm was captured.
With a dismissive gesture, Yu Zhou hurled them all into the same trench where Ythogtha lay imprisoned.
He then descended to the ocean's surface.
Golden chains erupted once more, plunging deep into the trench and crisscrossing in every direction—sealing it completely, ensuring no trace of darkness could ever escape.
Only after finishing everything did Yu Zhou return to the others.
"…That's it?"
Anmon scratched his head, feeling more like a bystander than a participant.
"Uh… I guess we really weren't needed?"
Achilles and Herau exchanged glances.
"Yes," Yu Zhou replied calmly.
"It's over."
Sunlight streamed down from the clearing sky.
This time, there would be no more surprises.
Earth slowly emerged from the darkness. Plants that had withered under endless night began to awaken, spreading life once more.
Only—
Nearly all ancient humans had perished in the catastrophe. The only survivors were those Yuzare mentioned—sheltered within the Moon Base.
"To die within the bliss of Gijera…"
Yu Zhou shook his head softly.
"Whether that's fortune or tragedy—I can't say."
He pushed those thoughts aside.
His task here was complete. It was time to return to the future.
Yet Charija still had not appeared.
"…Don't tell me I'm going to be stranded thirty million years in the past?"
The thought alone made Yu Zhou uneasy.
"Please don't…"
Nearby, Yuzare and the others spoke with Anmon. The return of light filled everyone with relief—yet the near extinction of humanity left a heavy ache in their hearts.
Anmon explained why he had not appeared earlier, leaving everyone momentarily speechless.
"I chased Melba… all the way into space," he said simply.
"When I finally returned, Earth had already changed completely."
Yuzare: "..."
Achilles and Herau: "..."
They had heard rumours of a "wild" Giant of Light relentlessly hunting Melba. It seemed Anmon and Melba truly shared a deep, irreconcilable hatred.
Ironically, had Anmon not left Earth, he might have perished along with everyone else.
Yu Zhou recalled the Giants of Light and Giants of Darkness he had fought alongside—and against.
Their appearances were, without exception, reminiscent of Dyna.
It was as though the Giants of the Ultra-Ancient era had all been carved from Dyna's Mold.
"What do you plan to do next?"
Yuzare asked after a moment.
"I want to explore the universe," Anmon replied first.
"When I chased Melba into space, I realized how vast it truly is—how much remains unknown."
"I want to understand this world. To explore it."
After a pause, he added:
"I'll leave behind a fragment of my origin light to wander the Milky Way. Over time, it will gather cosmic light—serving as a safeguard for Earth."
Earth was rebuilding from ruin, yet Anmon's heart yearned for the stars.
This was his compromise.
Yuzare nodded in agreement. Leaving protection behind was, indeed, a wise choice.
"As for us…"
After a brief discussion, Achilles and Herau spoke together.
"We wish to follow Tiga."
"We once said that if Tiga eliminated the darkness, we would follow him. Now is the time to honour that vow."
"Only… we don't know if you'd be willing to take along two burdens like us."