My heart stopped when I heard Arceus''s heart-wrenching scream. Through the cloud of dust, I could see his body contracting in pain, his face distorted in an expression of agony that chilled my blood to the bones.


    ?No! The ability he was using... has a time limit... and it ran out...?


    Understanding hit me like a punch to the stomach. After all that incredible display of power... had it not been enough? Despair began to take over me as I watched Enigma approach a now defenseless Arceus.


    I tried to scream, warn him, say something, anything, but all that came out of my throat was a pathetic wet gurgle. Helplessness consumed me as I watched the scene unfold before my eyes, unable to do anything to help.


    I laughed, but it was a disturbed laugh that escaped from my throat. Frustration consumed me from within as I felt tears building up in my eyes. How ironic! I was laughing at my own powerlessness, at only being able to watch as my family died before my eyes.


    I had tried so hard, so hard to never have to experience something like this... but in the end, I found myself completely paralyzed. I couldn''t do anything while watching Arceus dying in front of me.


    ''Punishment...'', I thought bitterly. Cornered in this pocket of despair, I couldn''t help but think that this was a form of divine punishment. Yes, it had to be that. It was the only way to justify something so horrible happening. This was the price we had to pay because my family decided to protect me instead of handing me over to Enigma as ordered.


    ''It''s my fault... It''s all my fault. Each of these things happened because I was too weak. If only I had been stronger...'', the thoughts tormented me endlessly.


    I wondered if I would find salvation at the end of this dark tunnel, but before this overwhelming power, this colossal force, I was forced to kneel, powerless and defeated.


    The truth hit me like a slap: I had failed. No matter how much I had fought, how much I had tried, the cruel reality remained unchangeable. My actions had been worthless.


    Tears began to flow freely down my cheeks. That horrible feeling of helplessness that I had so feared experiencing was taking over my body again. I let my head drop in silence, as my emotions transitioned from discouragement to sadness, from sadness to despair, and finally... to acceptance.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    ''Instead of living like this...'', I thought, ''it''s better to die''. Why keep trying the impossible? Why try to break a rock with an egg? Instead of running away like a coward and being tormented by guilt for the rest of my life... yes, it was better to end it all.


    When my thoughts reached that dark point, I felt a strange calm in my chest. With trembling hand, I grabbed my frozen dagger. I raised it slowly, holding it in reverse and pointing it at my neck. A sad smile drew itself on my face. No one was forcing me to do this. It was my own choice.


    Just when I was about to gather the necessary strength in my hand...


    [More than anyone in the world you will shine, fly child, become a legend]


    Adelaide''s melodious voice resonated in my ears. My eyes, which I had kept half-closed, shot open.


    Clang!


    The dagger escaped from my hands and fell to the ground. I looked frantically around, but she was still unconscious in the same place. It had just been a memory, the melody my mother used to sing to me when I was little.


    [With burning passion you will rise again! Don''t let yourself be defeated by your memories!]


    Then I wondered: ''What... what can I really do?''


    To be honest with myself, I was terrified. And I understood something fundamental: what I was about to do wasn''t a real choice. It was a decision born from fear and desperation.


    Reflecting on my life, I realized it had always been like this. I had blindly trusted others, following their instructions almost out of habit before thinking for myself. Atlas had told me to run. Adelaide had ordered me to protect Arceus. But I... I didn''t want to do any of those things.


    Why had I always allowed others to decide for me? Who said they were always right? Just because someone else said it, did it mean I had to follow that path without questioning it?


    The revelation hit me like lightning: even a predetermined destiny could be changed with an insignificant choice. It was up to me to make my own decisions, act according to my convictions, and fight for my goals.


    The answer had been there all along. When this realization reached me, I was completely stunned. A deafening buzz began to resonate in my ears, blocking out all other sounds. I couldn''t hear squeals, or howls, or screams. An electrifying sensation ran through my entire body while a new emotion, which I had never experienced before, sprouted from the depths of my heart, making my frozen veins boil with renewed determination.


    I slowly stood up. ''I will protect them...'', I promised myself. ''Yes, I will take care of protecting them all. No matter what happens, regardless of the cost.''


    For the first time in my life, I wanted to do what my heart dictated. I knew that perhaps it was too late, that changing destiny wouldn''t be easy. I had no idea how far I could go, but for once, as long as I remained alive, I wanted to trust in my own decisions.


    ''Please, Dragon''s awakening'', I pleaded inside. ''Grant me a bit of your power, a power that allows me to protect everyone and that doesn''t let anyone die''.


    Even if I fell, even if I crumbled again, I refused to let others keep making decisions for me. At that moment, a light brighter than a thousand suns enveloped my body.