Geno spent the entire day preparing the stone for use in Dektaria’s secret weapon, considered the most dangerous invention ever created by a Kovkonian mind. By nightfall, efforts in the launch chamber had intensified in preparation for its deployment. Milish was present, guarding the room, watching all the technicians and scientists as they meticulously followed Geno’s trembling but precise instructions. The emperor himself was there, eager to claim the honor of giving the order for the weapon’s first strike.

  Geno gave the command to open the ceiling, and the weapon launched like a missile into space, taking its position on the designated trajectory, ready for activation. Geno checked the time and whispered to himself: “Seven minutes, and it’ll be over... Yes, yes!”

  Meanwhile, on the far side of the empire, in a land away from all conflicts, Dukken lay on his bed, his pregnant wife sitting asleep beside him. They were in a shelter deep underground, equipped with everything they needed to survive for years, even a small farm and livestock that Geno himself had arranged for them. Sleep continued to evade Dukken as he remained restless, haunted by the memory of the woman he had killed, and the child who was butchered in front of him. He looked at his wife, smiling sadly, and vowed to save every life he could to atone for his sin.

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  Geno, with a frightening grin, informed the emperor that the weapon was ready. The ruler strutted forward with excitement, ordering his men to target the capital of the Kingdom of Tanania, a nation he despised with all his being. The command was executed, and the space weapon positioned itself over the intended city, firing its white beam with a button’s press by the emperor.

  In seconds, the city and everyone within it were obliterated. A light emanated from the site, expanding outward in a disc that annihilated everything in its path in the blink of an eye. The disc continued to grow, engulfing the entire enemy kingdom, then spreading to neighboring nations.

  The deadly light quickly reached the Dektaria Empire itself, visible to the terrified citizens of its capital and the workers in the weapon’s launch chamber. Chaos erupted in the room as scientists frantically attempted to stop the destructive weapon, but their efforts were futile. Questions rained down on Geno, who only laughed hysterically, in victory and joy. In his final moments, he murmured to himself: “Don’t repeat the past...”

  The light consumed the entire Kovkon planet, erasing all traces of civilization and life, bringing an end to the Seventh Grand War by the close of the seventh day...

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  Time later, Dukken and his wife emerged, her carrying their infant son, to find before them a flat, barren land... Laima clung to her husband in terror, while he calmly said: “It’s over...”