Chapter 21
Finale – Where Were You When It All Ended?
Rena
"…dead?! What do you mean they're all dead?! How can that be?!" She snapped at the messenger.
"I… I don't know all the details, but when I got back to the forest, the whole thing was lit ablaze, the golden color of the fire and the black of the smoke clouding out everything else. Instinctively, I ran to the tree, where I found the general lying on the ground, nearly dead. He… he asked me to give you this." He handed her a set of neatly folded clothes with a message written on it on top.
"This is…" she opened the letter and a frown came across her face.
"What's it say?" Aisha questioned.
"It's a promotion. As the last elf, I'm…" tears welled up in her eyes and began to fall down her cheek. "I'm being promoted to the rank of Erendil, named after the power of Eldrasil."
"But isn't that messenger also an elf?" Rose pointed out.
She shook her head. "Most of our messengers are humans who were abandoned at birth."
"What about the other agents sent out? Surely some of them are still out." Rose commented.
"They were all called beck to fight against the demons, and all the ones they sent out to Feita have been killed. That makes me the last elf."
"I'm… I'm sorry, Rena. I can't imagine the kind of weight you have to carry now." Rose walked over to her to comfort her.
"I can." Aisha said. The others looked at her surprised. "I'm the last member of the Landar family, which means that I'm expected to hold onto the family legacy. If I don't meet expectations, then our family's name might become lost to history. I imagine it's the same for you, Rena."
"I guess… now would probably be the best time to tell you all, and Aisha, you already know." Eve hesitated before talking. "I'm… I'm a Nasod."
She exchanged glances with the other two. "Eve… we already know."
"W-what?" She had a surprised look on her face.
"Well, I don't know about the others, but I figured it out when I slapped my hand over your mouth that one time." Rena recalled.
Eve then looked over to Rose. "You never ate and avoided water at all costs."
She looked down. "I guess… I am just a Nasod after all…"
"Hey, none of us thought any different about you when we figured it out. You had your reasons for hiding it, and we respected that. Besides, I'm willing to bet that you only came out because you were going to try and comfort me with the fact that you're the last one, right?" Rena went up to her.
"How did you…"
"Nasods really only existed on Altera, and when the island was destroyed, well…"
"Oh, right. Well, in any case, I'm here if you need me."
"Thanks, Eve. All of you. I appreciate you trying to help me get through this."
"You know, it's almost fitting that something like this happens today." Rose spoke out.
"What do you mean? What's so special about today?"
"Haven't you been looking up? Today's the day of the solar eclipse."
Rose
"There's going to be a solar eclipse today? Why didn't you say anything earlier?" Aisha called out.
"Well, I didn't really think it would be a big deal. I mean, all it is is a blocking of the sun by the moon, right?"
"Well, yes, but at least here, the power of the El becomes stronger. The sun and moon are both extremely powerful sources of El energy, so during an eclipse, that power is greatly enhanced, which is why it's a major event here."
"I… see. I didn't realize, else I would have told you all earlier. Is there… anything we can do during the eclipse?"
"Well," Rena started, "it depends on how long we have before it starts."
She looked out the window. "Looks like we have about an hour."
"Hm… I don't know that we could get anywhere of importance before it would start and pass. If we had known it was coming sooner, we might have been able to have planned to be somewhere we could make use of it."
"I'm sorry. I really didn't think much of it…"
"It's okay, Rose. We can't fault you for not knowing about a place you're not from." Aisha walked over to her.
"But it is! I should have learned more about your culture before I came here!"
"We've all made mistakes, Rose. We've all not had the information we needed to make the right choice. I'm proof of that." Eve spoke up.
"Besides, it's not like we had planned to do anything, so it's not really going to change what we do." Aisha pointed out.
"You guys…" Rose tilted her head down.
Rena then walked over to her and tilted her head back up with her index finger. "Cheer up, Rose! You still have us as friends!"
Tears began to well up in her eyes as she took Rena in an embrace. "Friends… I still have… friends!"
Elsword
The girls had been gone for quite a while, so he decided to go back to the smith to see how his armor was going.
On the way, he began to really see how many had taken the journey. Nearly every place he had gone to before was closed, and he only saw a handful of people walking through the streets at all, none of which he recognized. He could almost see the ghosts of the people who once lived there. The packed streets that were difficult to navigate, the loud calls of street vendors trying to attract customers. It was unsettling to see those same places abandoned, with only light coatings of dust to be seen.
It was at that thought that he came across the forge with similar conditions, but the dust had yet to settle. It was odd, seeing a forge that had only recently been alive with the roaring fires required to work metal dark, and cold. As the smith said he would, the armor was placed next to the forge.
Picking it up, he then looked up at the sky, which began to darken as the moon approached the sun.
"I guess it's about that time. We're in the end game now."
Raven
They had made it back to the camp without much resistance, and the elves had all sat or lied down, exhausted from the day's happenings. That captain came up and sat down next to him.
"Hey, as much as this hurts my pride, I… wanted to thank you. For saving us, I mean. N-not… me specifically! I mean… ah…"
"You know, you don't have to hide the fact that you're grateful." He placed a hand on her shoulder and gave her a look of understanding.
"W-well, it's n-not like I like being saved by a hot guy like you! I mean, good-looking! I mean…"
"In shape?"
"Y-yeah, that."
"Well if it helps, you could think of it as I was just passing by and helped people in need."
"Look, I just… as the captain, I can't afford any… distractions… on the battle field. I'm sure you understand."
"Perfectly. In any case, does this captain have a name? Other than captain, that is."
"…Rena. B-but not the talented one! We just… happen to have the same name, is all… Everyone usually calls me Ren because of that."
"Talented one?"
"Yeah. She came in and cleared all the training in only a couple days, immediately getting sent out for field work. It was really irritating for those of us who had to work hard to clear that same training, and then were put on a wait list to go and do field work."
"I see. Well, I don't know this… other person, so to me, that makes you Rena."
She let out a light sigh. "You can call me Ren. Really, you don't just have to be nice to me."
"And what if I prefer Rena?"
She giggled softly. "Well, if you're going to be stubborn about it. By the way, I never caught your name."
"I'm Raven."
She looked over to his Nasod arm. "If you don't mind my asking, Raven, how did you get that arm?"
He looked down. "I was betrayed by my best friend, and left for dead. When I next awoke, I had this arm. Didn't know how, why, or even who I was. I… I've done horrible things with it. That's why I'm here. To set things straight. To make them right."
"Oh. I … I hadn't realized." She paused for a moment. "I can't imagine the pain it's caused you."
"It's alright, Rena. There's no way you could have known."
"I… I can't really say anything to relate. I've had a pretty good life so far. Nothing ever really challenged me, until training. I'm even living the dream I've had since I was a child!"
"Having a life like that… I can't even imagine it." He looked over to her. "You should keep living out this dream of yours, no matter what. You're lucky to have a life like this."
"Thanks. And I will. I-" She stopped when she noticed the area around growing darker, then looked up at the sky. "What? An eclipse?! I thought… it wasn't supposed to happen for another couple years?!"
"This doesn't seem right. It's almost… too random."
"I probably shouldn't say this but… I'm scared."
"Don't be. I'll protect you."
Ara
"Hurry and close the gate! If we don't get it done in time, then we're just as dead as the rest of them!"
"Sir, we have a bigger problem at the moment!"
"What?! What could be bigger than the eclipse?!"
"That girl you warned us about-she's worse! She's a monster! If we don't get this gate closed, we might not live to see the eclipse!"
"But the others! We're waiting for the others!"
"They're dead! Close it now!"
"What's this? Debating about what to do about someone? Now who might that be?" She had appeared to have disrupted their conversation.
"Y-you!"
"Me."
"Kill her! Do it now!"
"I don't think so!" She swung her spear with force enough to cut through the ones standing around her, including the one who seemed to be their leader. She didn't hesitate for a moment to jump from one demon to another, stabbing and cutting her way through all the demons in the room until only one remained.
"You. Go back and tell whoever's in charge that I'm not letting this gate close just yet. I have some business to attend to, first."
"And what makes you think that I'll do that?"
"Because if you don't, I'll hunt down every last person you know and make them suffer in your name before finally killing them. Even as a demon, is that really something you want on your conscience?"
Without another word, the demon ran off through the other part of the portal, sending him in full to the demon world.
She had told Master Gaia of Glave's message, to which she simply shrugged it off, though she did say that she would forward it to the other Masters as well. She then disappeared, telling her to ensure that the portal stayed open.
There was only one thing that bothered her about the whole ordeal. Gaia had told Glave 'Not yet.' That implied to her that at some point, he would be able to kill her. What exactly did she mean, and why did she step in? She had a feeling that she would soon find out, as from outside the portal, she could see the moon begin to eclipse the sun, and darkness filled everything.
Ain
He had received a summon from Henir to return to Elrianode, and found Glave waiting near the center where the moondail had once been.
"Pretty convincing, eh? After being around Henir for longer than imaginable, you get pretty good at replicating summons."
"What do you want, Glave?"
"What, no 'how were you able to do that' or 'I can imagine as far back as time goes'?"
"I'm very busy, Glave. Get to the point."
"Hmm… This is a first. But very well. I need the fragments of the El shard you have."
"…what?"
"You know what I mean. Now, hand them over."
"I can't do that. If I wish to see my dreams come true, then I must collect the shards."
"But you won't. And you can't. Collecting the shards is someone else's destiny. Your trial doesn't begin until the eclipse."
"Eclipse? You mean the one in a few years?"
"No. I mean the one today."
"There is no eclipse today. I would know that better than anyone."
"How wrong you are. You need only look into the sky to see how close the moon is to eclipsing the sun."
"I'm telling you, there is no-" he looked up. "…Great Elria…"
"Now do you believe me? Hand over the fragments. If you do so willingly, I can personally guarantee that you will have the chance to make your dreams come true in the near future."
He hesitated. "Very well. I do not trust you, but I can see when I am outmatched. You clearly have more information than I do, and therefore will defeat me in any sort of combat we face in."
"Thank you for your cooperation this time, Ain. We may meet again."
As he vanished, Ain couldn't help but be left with a question. What did he mean by 'this time'?
Eve
The combined power of the El she had collected thus far was enough for her to reach Elysion, a paradise far above the rest of the land. At least, that was what Anduran had told her.
"You are certain there is another El shard here?"
"Well… yes, but… I don't know where 'here' is. My mother never showed me any part of Elysion that looked like this. But I know it's here. I can feel its energy."
"Very well. See if you can pinpoint its location. I will search around and see what I can find."
"O-okay, I'll do my best!"
After a few hours, Anduran found her way back to Eve.
"I think I found it, but there's a problem."
"Oh? And what might that be?"
"It's sealed in some large ball, and I can't get it open."
"Show me."
She took her to a mostly empty, large room, containing only a few platforms and a large ball in the center as the girl had described.
"Impressive. Whichever El shard this is must be absolutely massive."
"Well… I did hear that the Light El never found its way into a relic."
"Is that so? Well, then we will just have to find something to contain it. Now." She closed her eyes and focused. "You will open for me!"
The device then slowly opened with a large, mechanical sound as it slowly revealed not an El fragment, but rather a large collection of Diceon.
"Anduran…"
"I-I'm sorry! I-I really thought it was! Th-the energy felt just as strong, and I didn't know that anything else could have the same kind of energy so I just… Please, don't kill me!"
She sighed, then turned her head away. "It is… alright, Anduran. You… only made a mistake. It is nothing worth killing over."
"…Ms. Eve? Are you okay?"
"I am fine, why do you ask?"
"You're… being nicer than usual. I just… wanted to make sure you're not being affected by the El or… whatever this is."
"I… see. I do not understand it myself. It seems as if… I do not want to part ways with you."
"Well… If I had to guess… I'd say that it's because you're starting to like me."
"Like you… yes, I suppose that would be a logical explanation."
"Then, I guess I'll have to make my vegetable stew for you sometime!"
"…Anduran… I cannot eat, but I appreciate the gesture. Though, perhaps someday, that will change."
A voice called out from behind them. "Excuse me, but who are you, and how did you get here?!"
She quickly turned around to see a man with black hair wearing red and black clothing.
"That jewel in your forehead… and that outfit… I suppose that makes you the Assassin, then?"
A surprised look took her face. "How did you know that?! Only myself and Warrior know of that!"
"Hernia… She remembers."
"Remembers? From when, exactly?"
"Well… the easiest way to put it would be the future, from this point."
"The future? Who are you to make that claim?"
"I am Solace, Master of the Sun. I retained some memories from my… past… life as well. In any case, I suspect you'll leave once you have these." He pulled a pair of necklaces out from his coat. "These are the Twin Necklaces, the vessels of the Light El."
"What?" Anduran looked confused.
"You are right about one thing," Eve continued, "if you give me those necklaces, I will leave this place."
"Good." He handed them over to her. "I will tell you one thing about these necklaces, however. Using one, you can locate the other. If it's the same two people, then they can gain back memories that they've lost might come back."
"I doubt that will be useful, but I will store that information in case a use ever arises. Come, Anduran. We have three more vessels to locate, and I have a feeling I know where they will be."
Solace then teleported them out to a location in front of a large set of doors.
"Well, well. Took you long enough." A man she didn't recognize leaned against a wall next to the gates.
"And you are?"
"The administer of Henir's Time and Space. Search your databanks. I'm sure you'll find me."
"…" She began to look through the databanks she had. "You could have just said Glave."
"And you could have figured it out if you didn't search your databanks."
"Why are you here?" She put on an aggressive face.
"Oh, there's no need for that. I came to help you complete your task."
"…and what do you mean by that?"
Several shards began spinning around him as he pulled out a staff and a disc. "By bringing you most of what you need. Otherwise, you wouldn't be able to get them all in time. After all, you only have a few minutes left."
"You know about the early eclipse?"
"Of course I do. I know everything Henir knows. In any case, you should take these before you waste all of your time. Now, the Fire El will meet you at a place called the Celestial Crossroads."
"Why there?"
"Because that place is a crossroad for more than just the stars."
"…what do you mean?"
"You will know when you get there. Oh, and you may want to hurry. Little Anduran is having trouble breathing this high up."
"Anduran!" She ran over to the girl, who was visibly dizzy. "Anduran, are you okay?"
"It's… a little… hard to… breathe…"
"Hold on! I'll get you down quickly!"
She picked up the barely conscious girl and began swiftly moving down the platform and moving downwards whenever possible, paying more attention to how far down she was than if the path she was taking lead to the Crossroads. She eventually reached the lowest point she could find, that being a platform with a large tube descending farther than her eyes could see.
"Hey, Anduran. The air's thick enough down here. You should be fine now."
She slowly opened up her eyes. "Ms. Eve. I think… you might like me more than just as a companion or even a friend."
"Anduran…" She began hugging her. "I promise, when this all over, we'll enjoy some of your stew together, okay?"
She let out a soft giggle. "It's a promise, Ms. Eve. Now go get that last shard. The eclipse is starting."
She smiled softly and set down the girl before heading to the doors, waiting for them to open. After a couple of minutes, she heard a whirring sound from below followed by the doors opening.
"So, you're finally here, user of the Fire El."
"Are you here to stop me?" The girl was wearing all red, and had an empty look in her eyes.
"I should start off by saying: Welcome to the Crossroads of Destiny."
"…where did you hear that phrase?"
"Why does it matter?"
"…my father told me "We will meet again at the Crossroads of Destiny." Is this that place?"
"I can't say for sure whether or not your father is here, but this is the place where everyone's destinies come together. Now, if we could skip the idle chatter, I'll be needing the Fire El now."
She looked down at her sword. "I don't need the El anyway. You can take the El as long as I have the sword."
She thought for a moment. "There should be a seal on the sword."
She immediately grabbed it off the cross guard and handed it to her.
"Thank you. You may go as you please now."
She walked off, starting up the path as Eve began to combine the fragments of the El into a singular, large crystal, forming it into the shape of a prism.
"Now, at the peak of the eclipse, I shall use the power of the El to attain all the power I could desire, and destroying everything else in the process!"
?
It wasn't supposed to end like this
It was supposed to be a peaceful viewing of the candidates
There was never supposed to be violence
There was never supposed to be death
There was never supposed to be an invasion
Or revival
Or false hope
Or destruction of any kind
They were all supposed to meet
They were all supposed to become friends
They were all supposed to share laughs
And tears
And experiences
And struggles
But none of that happened
And now it never will
Because the perpetrator of the worlds destruction
Combined the sun, the moon, and the prism
And used the power to destroy everything
And now that the world's end has been brought about
In the end, who is it that will survive?
~0|Part 1 End|0~