It was a time in the now-fading past, back when the woman who recently introduced herself to Kaito as Jane Doe still went by the true name she has since abandoned.
How many years had passed if one were to measure it in numbers? Hundreds of millions, trillions... it was a memory from an unfathomably distant day, yet one that remained vivid, never losing its color in the slightest.
"No! Not for me... for someone like me... You, Lady Nebula, shouldn't have to face the end!! Please, return me to my original world!!"
The God of Destruction of the End—a monster that was the very phenomenon of 'the end' itself. It was an irresistible despair that had snuffed out countless gods and worlds without effort, and no one possessed the means to oppose it.
When that despair appeared in the world she had created, she resigned herself to her own demise. She went to offer her final farewell to the one she revered above all else—the ultimate god, in name and reality, who stood at the absolute pinnacle of all world creators.
But the ultimate god, Nebula, would not permit it. Using the power that encompassed all existence, Nebula transferred the title of 'world creator' from Jane to herself. She moved every living soul in that world to other realms under her subordinates' care, rewriting history so that they had been born and raised in those new homes. Then, she declared that she alone would face the God of Destruction of the End—Shallow Vernal.
Nebula was the strongest existence, the undisputed summit of all gods of world creation. Jane, too, believed in Nebula's invincibility with all her heart.
Why then did Jane scream and cling to her mistress, tears streaming down her face? She should have simply trusted in the victory of the one she adored, who smiled with such absolute confidence, and waited for her return.
But deep down, she knew the truth.
Why had Nebula usurped her role as creator? If it were merely a matter of defeating Shallow Vernal, such a step was unnecessary.
Why move the world's inhabitants and alter their very pasts? If they were merely obstacles in the coming battle, there were far simpler ways to move them.
She was certain of the reason. The master she loved and trusted implicitly was convinced that she could not withstand Shallow Vernal—the Epilogue. Knowing she could not win, Nebula intended to face the end alone in Jane's place.
"You fool. I am the Absolute One. It is fundamentally impossible for those under my protection to precede me—even into oblivion. Understand this: even if the difference is a mere few seconds, your end will come only after mine."
After speaking those characteristically Nebula-like words, she smiled and gently stroked Jane's head.
"However, there was one remark I cannot let slide, so let me correct just that part."
"A remark... you couldn't let slide?"
"You are my subordinates, my servants, the very pieces that make me the Absolute One. There is no such thing as someone of 'low value' among you. Each and every one of you is my pride. Therefore, refrain from making remarks that belittle that pride—even if you are speaking of yourself."
To Nebula, who spoke as a matter of course of her being her pride and a part of herself—her, who was merely a servant under her protection—Jane could do nothing but nod while her tears fell without ceasing.
Nebula took the faintly glowing necklace from her own neck and pressed it into Jane's hands.
"I am leaving this in your care."
"This is... the one you always wear, Lady Nebula..."
"It is no great treasure. It was simply the first thing I crafted after gaining self-awareness. I wore it for no particular reason. A fragment of my power seems to have seeped into it, as it always gives off a faint light, but it has no other function. Still, I have grown fond of it over the eons. It would be a nuisance if it were destroyed, so I am leaving it with you. Hold onto it and wait for my return."
"Yes... I will... keep it safe."
"Good. I'm counting on you. Farewell..."
By entrusting her with a 'precious item that must not be broken,' Nebula ensured that Jane could not follow her. It was the final order of the being she worshipped. She had been told to wait, so she had no choice but to do so.
After seeing Nebula vanish, Jane held the necklace tightly in both hands and prayed desperately. She prayed for a miracle... but at that time, her prayer was not heard.
How much time passed? Eventually, the soft glow of the necklace Nebula had left behind... silently flickered and died.
"Ah... Aah... Uaaah... Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!?!?"
The meaning was clear. The light of the fragment was gone. The great Ultimate God, the one to whom Jane had sworn absolute loyalty, had met her end. She had perished as a shield, ensuring Jane lived on.
???: "Wait, is this a sudden serious turn? ...Huh? Where's Senpai?"
Machina: "She said something like, 'I'll take a nap since it'll probably be heartwarming developments for a while,' and left."
???: "...I see..."