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1. (Lenore)
[Not long after the mission is over, Lenore is by an untouched patch of land on Gloster Foundation property, burying what looks like parts of the Gatekeeper that she had retrieved from the battle in the fashion of graves. She even places tombstones on each buried piece.
Carina had finally been defeated, and Seta had returned. But to Lenore, this was the most important matter that she had to settle immediately.]
It's over... It's finally over, everyone. Carina isn't going to trouble anyone anymore.
This is the most that I can do for you now, but I'll get them to make it official for you. So, rest well.
-
2. (Seta)
[The Empress of The Kijin Realm - that is what Seta referred to herself as. It's no lie.
For those looking for an explanation, she stands by the tree that holds her last message outside Alhambra Base - the shadow she casts on the ground looks like her new, dragon-like Craft instead of a human. Speaking of ominous things, the armor she was in is no longer there, at least - she instead wears a flowing, regal-looking dark blue coat.]
You wish to know what happened...so I will tell you.
I survived because of Madame's intervention...even though she was already gone. The keepsake she gave to me drew in Invicta's soul, and that is what you destroyed on that day. Invicta is no more, and you were the ones who finished it.
When I awoke, I was alone, with no way to return. My real form had been crippled by the battles I fought, and the only way I could survive was to fuse it with the remains of RB. The result of that is Union.
I eventually recovered through the Kijin Realm's influence, and as I traveled, I discovered that it was in a state of chaos after Invicta's death.
Following your examples, I made new allies, new friends - my own Unity Group - and I continued to fight...this time to unite my kin.
[She falls silent for a while. And one can tell that while she appears the same physically, there is something very different about her - she seems very tired, aged.]
I do not know how long it has been since the last time I saw Earth. Time passes differently in the Kijin Realm, but the amount was not small.
After all, even on Earth, cities and civilizations do not become what they are overnight.
As for Lenore...
[She crouches down to touch some flowers that are growing.]
She came to me in a dream. I heard her calling for help...for power that she could use to right what was wrong; I could not say no to that. And in time, it became clear that she met all of you. She was my only link to Earth, until the Gate opened again. Through her, I could sometimes hear your voices...and that reassured me.
...I do not understand how it happened, but I know that I am one of her genetic templates.
Perhaps... I was communicating with part of myself, through the boundary of dimensions.
-
3. - (Both)
[Some time later, Seta and Lenore are on one of the docks by Sakihama City, looking out at the ocean.
There's no conversation at first. It's more like the two are awkwardly standing there together. No one can blame them given the circumstances they met in...for Lenore, it's like finding out your fairy godmother is real, and not just stories told by others.
But Lenore is the one who eventually breaks the silence.]
You know...I've been thinking about something.
Y-yes...?
It's something Astara said to me - to not look at the past anymore. I couldn't do it back then, but now...
You can finally put it aside, is that right?
...Yeah. All I've been doing is fighting ever since I escaped Carina. Fighting for that...it almost made me go against everything I stood for.
That's why...I want to stop for a while. I want to go out there and see... no, remind myself why I'm really doing this- Erk!
[Despite being taller, Lenore suddenly finds the other Kijin's hand resting atop her head.]
I agree. You are a good person, Lenore. But all you have ever known is fighting.
If you truly feel that way...that fighting is what you want to do...then I will not stop you. But you should experience the world first, and then decide.
My teacher would not have agreed with me - yet I feel that this is necessary for all of us.
...But what about them? The Unity Group's fight isn't over yet...I can't just...
Do not worry about the Unity Group. I will stay until their battles are done.
The Kijin Realm is in good hands. I have informed those in charge - my most trusted friends - and they were already prepared. They know how much this means to me.
Moreover, I started our relationship as a species with the Unity Group. So it is only right that I see it through to the end.
[While they speak to each other, neither seem to have noticed you yet. But if you have anything to say about this, now is the best time.]
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And I really thought you were...
[Izuru won't cry again. But he will come up close and give Seta a large hug - almost trying to lift her up, but he abandons the idea before the two of them collapse into a flailing mess.]
I missed you so much.
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...Izuru...
...I missed you too.
[Although she returns the embrace, she's quiet for a long while. It's only after that when she says something again...]
I heard it, on that day.
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That you...
[She tries very hard, but its very difficult for her to say it too.]
...
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[Despite his usual derping, Izuru now has a somewhat pained smile on his face. He sighs.]
Yeah... I remember.
And it was true. I'm sorry Seta... I made stuff really complicated again.
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I... felt the same way. But...
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What makes you say that?
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But, someone you love should be able to share - to understand your troubles and your hopes at all times...
[She puts a hand against Izuru's cheek.]
I cannot do that. I will look this way even when you are old. And I will be here even after you are gone.
Being away for so long already hurts this much. If I devoted myself to you...how do you think I would feel?
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A lot of things have happened while you were gone. And... what you said is true. But even if it wasn't, I don't think we could get together. It wouldn't be fair to Kei. And it'd feel like, like I'm abandoning the present for what happened in the past, or something like that.
[Izuru takes a deep breath.]
It makes sense, doesn't it?
But it still hurts to admit. I guess there's no way to do it in a way that doesn't.
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[Seta does not look surprised at all by the mention of Kei, and what Izuru said. Even when she was around, there was something there between them that she couldn't quite catch.]
...Yes. The two of you are far better suited for each other. I truly wish you the best...
But, I ask you to forgive me for what I am about to do - both of you.
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It doesn't last long, though. When she lets him go, she looks ashamed of herself.]
...Please allow me that one selfish act.
It took me many years to realize that...I may be a Kijin, but I am a woman too.
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[Though surprised - no, shocked, Izuru does not push Seta away.]
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...
It's alright.
It's just this one time. It's alright.
Hey, Seta...
I don't know how much time you spent in the Kijin realm. But it sounds like an awful lot of time, and even more to come... even after I'm gone, Kei's gone, and everyone else is gone, you will still be around.
But, let me ask you one thing.
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...What would that be?
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We still want to have fun. We still want to make dear memories. Because... we're all friends here!
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[Seta takes a step back from the rabbit.]
And for now, I have said and done everything I wanted to. I prepared myself for a very long time...not knowing if I could even reach this point.
In fact...I cannot believe that I...
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She traces her lips with her finger as her face grows redder...and redder from the realization of what just happened.]
...that I...
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[And like a kettle whose contents just reached boiling point, she shuts down mentally, and falls over backwards.
The Kijin Empress is now out cold.]
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[Izuru kneels down.]
You're okay, right? Anyone... I could use a hand, maybe?