Our fight may yet one day be over

[star_of_sad]

(BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_lpRXzjSwA)
[The Chimera are no more. Their massive force is beaten, Asakim has finally been killed for real, and the driving force behind it all - Jii Edel, has been cast out. And now, the one pilot who was in the epicenter of it all, constantly harassed and tormented just to awaken her Sphere... Setsuko Ohara has no more strength to do anything but sit under the Virgola, staring up at the peaceful night sky.]

It's over, it's finally over. Jii Edel mentioned so much, Black History... it looks like alternate universes weren't faring much better than this one. And, it looks like I played right into Asakim Dowen's hands all along. To think all he really wanted was to die...

But...


But it's all over now. That... that's all that matters.

[Unable to control herself, Setsuko cries tears of relief.]

Comments

[majestic_keiki]

Hi.

[Kei moves over to join Setsuko under the Virgola, quietly lending a shoulder to show that she's there.]

[star_of_sad]

Hello Kei.

[Setsuko smiles in an embarassed way.]

Sorry, I promised myself not to cry, but...

[majestic_keiki]

It's fine...Especially after everything that happened before this point. Buy...You're free now.

[star_of_sad]

I am. I really am - that's why I can afford to cry. Just this one time.

[majestic_keiki]

Yes.

Got any plans for using that freedom?

[prismphantom]

That's right.

[Selena was pre-occupied on another front, but with the chaos over and done with she made her way back to the Virgola and Setsuko as soon as she could.]

And now, he won't be able to hurt anyone ever again. And the same with that... "Jii" Edel.

[star_of_sad]

I'd never suspect Chimera was being manipulated... and by that kind of person, to that.

I don't know what he was hoping to achieve, but I'm glad it's over with.

[prismphantom]

Chimera was just one surprise after another for all of us, wasn't it? Lowen, Xine, Edel herself when you take into account Jii...

If the Captain were still alive, he'd probably have something poetic to say about a man like that. Oh, something like... "Some men want to burn down the world... some men want to watch others burn it down for them."

And Jii wanted to burn down more than just one.

[star_of_sad]

He made it sound like there's more than one of him out there. If there are infinite universes... does it mean there are infinite Jiis as well?

[What a terrifying idea.]

[prismphantom]

... I suppose there would be then. Or maybe there were.

Our Jii's gone though thanks to you, and he was trying to merge worlds. Maybe what happened to him got copied over to all the others.

But even if they weren't... we're still all here, aren't we? And we wouldn't be if even one of them would've gotten his way.

[a_linear_mind]

...I think I still owe you an apology but this doesn't seem like the best time.

[Unexpectedly, to himself especially, Willis came out of the final fight against Chimera alive and in one piece thanks to Setsuko and in a strange twist of fate, her Sphere.

It didn't take him too long to find Setsuko and take a seat next to her under the Virgola.]

[star_of_sad]

Willis...

You know, even after you said I shouldn't worry - I should be really mad right now.

[a_linear_mind]

You have every reason to be...to be honest I really didn't want you to worry about me.

[star_of_sad]

Then stop doing such dangerous things!

I... I really thought I lost another person close to me out there...

It worked out fine, but!

[a_linear_mind]

Setsuko...

[A flash...something about this seemed familiar but the nostalgic feeling left him as soon as he felt it.]

...that's just who I am. I'm supposed to give my life to protect others...to protect you. That's how it should be...

[caressedthedarkness]

...

[Seta fumbles for a bit while trying to put one of her earrings back on.

She recognizes the relief in Setsuko's tone, and she's glad, but after all that...]

...What will you do about the Sphere?

If these other worlds are involved...would others besides Jii be looking for them as well?

[star_of_sad]

It'd be too optimistic to hope it's over for the Sphere. I'm sure there are others... especially since, there must be a lot of universes.

But, a long time ago - I mean, what feels like a long time ago, I had to make a choice...

[caressedthedarkness]

A choice...?

[It is indeed a long time ago for her, but she doesn't mention that.]

What choice is that?

[star_of_sad]

I could escape it all and live a peaceful life. Away from all the Sphere business, just spend the rest of my years in a new life, making new memories and not remembering old ones...

No. I chose not to. I won't run away, even if the worst comes.

Jii is gone, the Chimera and Asakim are gone - but there must be someone out there who knows more about the Sphere. And I need to know, too. I'll find out, somehow.

[caressedthedarkness]

[Seta pauses as she thinks back...]

...I remember now...there was a time before such decisions were made - when both of us were very doubtful of ourselves...

But...I should also apologize. Worried as I am, this is a moment not to think of such things...

[mistaken_for_monster]

Setsuko...

[The feeling of something like that finally ending... he actually knew how it felt, anxiously reaching out to hold her hand. Of course before he could, Interitus hugged the Glory Star pilot with a small smile on her face.]

"...Things can be better now... yes?"

[There was a soft sigh from her partner, but he couldn't help but smile just a little.]

Yeah... what Interitus said... now that Chimera, Asakim and Jii are gone... its not going to be easier but... its one big weight gone. Right?

[star_of_sad]

Yes... oof!

[Stsuko was reaching out as well, only to get interrupted by a plant hug.]

Ha ha... yes. That's exactly it.

[mistaken_for_monster]

So... what are you going to do now? I mean... well... we-

"Volyah! Still need to stop Loni, Creepy Lady thing and other bad guys!"

I know that but... well... what happens after?

[star_of_sad]

I still have my job to do, don't I? I didn't become a test pilot as part of Unity Group or as a response to something that happened.

It was my choice. And I didn't change my mind yet.

[mistaken_for_monster]

I almost forgot... the test part kind of slipped away after everything...

[After all... everything Setsuko did went beyond mere test-piloting and then some.]

"Volyah always said he bad at tests. No wonder forget."

Shush!