Ray of Hope

[holdthefuture]

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.]

Comments

[rekindletheflame]

[As she takes in the reunion with her best friend she can feel the fragments of RB she kept with her resonating.]

Your soul...it's still fractured.

[Astara begins to glow with a white light that should be all too familiar to Seta.]

...I should return this at least.

[caressedthedarkness]

...There is no need for that.

I am glad that you kept it with you...and I would be happy if you continued to do so. After all...

[She turns around to look at that tree, and the message inscribed on it - saying that her soul would always be there.]

Because of you and Lenore, this turned out to be the truth.

[rekindletheflame]

But...

[She resigns in defeat, and deep in her heart she was relieved she was sure that this really was Seta and yet...]

There's one more thing...

[With a small tinge of hesitation Astara closed her eyes before drawing upon on the power of the shattered remains of the former Kijin Emperor Invicta's soul, bringing time around her to a stand still.

If her theory was correct with only a portion of Seta's soul broken it meant that Invicta's soul was the one that she shattered in the Kijin Realm. Which would mean the one who was carrying his soul was...]

Just me...

[caressedthedarkness]

[As expected... nothing happens on Seta's part while time is frozen. She just continues to look at the message on the tree with a smile on her face.]

[rekindletheflame]

...if I had hesitated that time... What were you thinking Fortuna?

[And with a snap of her finger time resumes, even if she was frozen in time Astara was sure Seta would be able to feel her use of Invicta's soul.]

[caressedthedarkness]

So...you were able to harness it.

No, not just his soul...but others' too.

[rekindletheflame]

[A slow nod.]

Including yours...