The last days of President Vinzer Deling drifted by in a confused haze. Pounding headaches came and went with increasing frequency. Eating and sleeping were an immense struggle, and concentrating on his work had become an impossibility. He hadn't seen Edea since the night of their dinner, and the endlessly repeating memories of his failure were the worst torture of all.

He sat in a dressing room adjacent to his bedchamber, staring into a mirror ringed by warm globe lightbulbs. His hands moved over the deepening wrinkles on his cheeks, tousled his hair to reveal just how many greys there were. He tugged at the knot of his tie, unfashionably wide and coloured in banal G-Army blue. He seemed to be the very picture of aging mediocrity, and imaginary voices jeered at him for ever thinking he had something to offer the magnificent sorceress.

An intercom buzzed. He glanced at his watch and hauled himself to his feet. It was time for the ceremony. At least he still had a place there.

Vinzer left the dressing room and began his walk to the podium outside. Suddenly, a young girl rounded the corner ahead. She met his gaze, and reacted with utter shock, throwing herself against the opposite wall as if physically repelled. Her long black hair fell aside to reveal wide, guilty eyes. She wore a blue duster sweater and was clutching an ornate golden bracelet. She had grown up considerably, but her features were unmistakable.

"Miss Rinoa? Little Rinoa Caraway?" Vinzer managed to smile at the absurdity as old memories stirred. "I'm President Deling... your father's friend. You used to come to dinners here, when you were little. Do you remember?"

"Okay...?" Rinoa stammered, noncommittal. Her eyes were darting madly between him and the hallway, searching for an escape route. He stepped forward, babbling some misguided comment about her father, and she lashed out. Her swift knee connected with his gut, and the old man crumpled to the floor. Filled with adrenaline, she waved the golden bracelet in his face, years of simmering hatred erupting as the president retched.

"D'you know what this is, you bastard? It's an Odine Bangle! It'll seal up her powers for good! Both of you are gonna be finished!"

Vinzer blinked up at her in wonder. Disembodied voices screamed to get up and stop her, but he was suddenly far away, his mind filled with unlikely alternate timelines and impossible happy endings. There was something inspiring in the girl's energy, some inscrutable potential. She faced him with loathing and disgust, but in her heart Vinzer imagined peaceful blue fields and breezy, unpretentious love. For the last time in his life, the president felt a spark of hope. "Do you... do you promise? Can you really help her?"

Rinoa squinted. "What?" She was looking past him, watching the hall impatiently. Was the despicable old man just trying to distract her? She reminded herself that he wasn't actually the target this time, but in her excitement she'd revealed far too much. There didn't seem to be any option. Breathing hard, she glanced down at the blaster edge on her wrist. Vinzer followed her gaze, and lunged. He didn't catch the weapon, but she was forced to pull it back, giving him a few precious seconds to plead.

"No, please don't! I need to speak before the ceremony. If I don't, she'll know something is wrong. You're almost there, her chamber is just upstairs. I have to go a different way, I'm not allowed to see her." Vinzer's voice caught pitifully, and Rinoa cringed. He searched his addled mind for words of encouragement, something that would resonate with a young girl. It wasn't his style. "I believe in you," he offered lamely.

Rinoa looked nauseous.

Below the Presidential Residence, the sorceress' celebration was starting. Cactus Jack had been omitted, of course. Instead, dancers who would soon lead the parade were already performing in front of the gate, limbs thrashing with bizarre abandon. Their exuberant, thumping music pervaded the air and made Vinzer Deling feel claustrophobic, even far above the street on the dais. Some among the crowd were beginning to sway and reel in clumsy imitation of the dancers, and anxious lines of G-Soldiers gradually lost ground to the swelling mass of people. He could hear incomprehensible chanting, but couldn't be sure if it was coming from the performers below, or from somewhere beyond.

Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec

The idea that Vinzer could deliver a speech in the midst of this chaos was a cruel joke. Even if they bothered to listen to him above the din, what could he say? Admit his failure, tell them how they'd all been doomed to the wrath of a sorceress for the sake of an old man's hopeless crush? That he'd squandered his legacy for a fleeting moment of tenderness with a stranger, before his jealous rage had ruined his only chance to save her?

Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec

As he cursed himself, Edea appeared from her meditation chamber, and the crowd roared. Her unleashed power overwhelmed his mind like a fearsome avalanche. Doubts and regrets and insecurities were swept away as Vinzer took in her radiance and embraced pure terror. He found himself obediently applauding along with the commoners, and beckoned her to the podium. Rinoa shambled along behind the sorceress, dazed and defeated, and Vinzer felt relieved to be free of the pesky notion of hope.

The sorceress strode past him without a glance and took in the view from the podium. The crowd fell into a rapt silence and the music cut, though Vinzer realized that the beat persisted in his throbbing headache. His broken mind marvelled at the scope of her power, and willingly submitted to the icy currents of her will. She began to speak.

(...?)

At the appointed time, Vinzer felt her call. Edea was openly gloating, promising to slaughter men and destroy nations as she mocked the crowd for their weakness, and he realized that he had been chosen as an example. He stepped forward, feeling a twisted pride to be at her side for one last moment. Her left hand pulsed with dark energy and he'd never felt so cold. His cracking, bleeding lips began to move of their own accord, producing pathetic, moaning concern for the fearsome sorceress, a scornful dismissal of everything he'd felt for her.

"E-Edea... Are you alright...? Ede...!"

The End.