They found Lady Haruna locked away inside a cramped, dusty cabinet. She was scrawny, dirty, her hair a grey mess, her fingernails blackened as if they were rotting. She stank of her own filth, and looked at her rescuers sadly, full of embarrassment. Love turned to Westar and Soular with anger and demanded to know how they dared treat her this way, and Hibiki helped her up and supported Haruna as she tried to walk.
Hibiki shared some of her food with the desperate woman, and she almost didn't chew, just swallowing it all whole.
"Haruna," Hibiki said. "I have good news for you," the woman looked at her as if she had forgotten what good news are. "Your daughter is safe. Yuri is at the Palace of Smiles now."
When she heard that, she seemed to become twenty years younger as she smiled and cried and embraced whoever was closest to her. It was then that Hibiki noticed that Setsuna avoided to even look at Haruna's direction. No wonder, if the woman's suffering was indeed her fault.
March spoke of leaving as soon as they could, but the other Precures chose to rest before heading out, arguing they deserved a moment of repose after such a tiring battle. They all seemed exhausted, Love and Setsuna most of all.
Hibiki sat by the Altar, Kanade and Ellen by her side. Her body was sore all over, her face full of wounds where Northa's vines had whipped her. Even now they still hurt. Kanade moaned in pain as well, but one look at Ellen and they could see that she was the one who suffered the most. Hibiki lightly touched her leg to ask where it hurt, and Ellen screamed.
"Please don't," Ellen said, closing her eyes. "It really hurts a lot when touch it like this. Just… Just let me rest for a bit and then we'll go back to the Palace."
"We aren't," Kanade said. Wait, what? Hibiki did not understand it at all. "We're going back to Majorland now. That's where we belong."
"But Kanade, all our things are at the Palace, and-"
"No," she smiled. "Before we set out I asked the Musketeers to get our belongings and meet us at Calmtide."
"But we promised Beauty-"
"Damn that promise!" Kanade muttered. "Please, Hibiki, listen to me just this time. It's not safe for us to be here. Who knows what ill intentions Happy and Beauty might have. I now have no doubts that they conspired to keep us apart, and as such we cannot trust them."
Hibiki sighed, suddenly sad. Kanade was right in that, and leaving was indeed the wisest choice. Yet Hibiki did not want to leave, and it hurt her heart to think that she might not return to such a wonderful place, not with Kanade. The Precure Kingdom was not the wonderland that she once believed it to be, but even though she was forced to see its rotten side, she still had sympathy for it and for its inhabitants. There was still so much of the Kingdom she had never visited, lands she often heard of but would never see if she returned to Majorland and did as Kanade desired. And she had grown fond of Miki, of Buki, Tsubomi and Yuri, and even Reika, even though her wits told her not to.
"Kanade is right," said Ellen. "We should go. We have just been used here. Majorland is our home, and there are amends I must make with Hummy once we're there."
"I'm sure she'll want to sing the Melody of Happiness with you," said Hibiki.
"But it's hers to sing," Ellen said. Still, she smiled.
"Hummy won't tire until you agree to sing by her side," Kanade said. "She doesn't change her mind once she decides something, and she decided you are her most precious friend."
"Yes," Ellen wiped some tears. "I only hope that once I'm there I might be able to become a fairy once again. Ever since I was not chosen to be the Songstress, I've been stuck like this in my sadness."
Hibiki and Kanade nodded. They knew Ellen to be one of the few fairies with the gift of changing her shape, an ability held only by those who had the blood of Märchenland running in their veins, and even so, only one in a million of those fairies would manifest such powers in their lives.
Setsuna and Love dragged the two men in chains, Soular and Westar. They looked ashamed, nothing like Northa and Klein, who had been slain in battle. Klein's corpse still had the ghost of a smile, and Northa cackled as she burned to death, swearing that Hibiki and Kanade would suffer. She was a terrible foe to the end, unharmed by their blows and relentless in her attacks, and only the fire of a nearby torch could harm her, and it devoured her body as if she herself was made of the vines she used against her enemies.
"So you truly were a traitor in the end, Eas?" Soular asked her.
"The only one I had betrayed was myself," she said, yet she looked doubtful. "Labyrinth would betray us all in the end. Northa would get rid of me after we had used Infinity's power, so why do you think your fate would be any different?"
"But why, Eas?" Westar asked, crying. "Why would you abandon us and choose the Precure instead? Am I not your friend?"
"You are, Westar, and I have not abandoned you. If you wish, you may still find penance for your crimes. And you must do it, for your own sake. As must I…"
And then they were gone, disappearing outside the Precure Palace. Close to the now open exit, Nao stared at Hibiki and Kanade and then at Miki. She had never brought them any harm, yet she consorted with Reika and Miyuki, and as such, surely she knew of their schemes, and even if she took no part in them, she stood by and watched. Hibiki wondered if that made her guilty as well.
When Ellen got up and said she could walk without pain again, all the Cures set out on their way. All of them, however, avoided Setsuna. All of them but Love, of course. Hibiki knew of her suffering, Ellen had said that already, and it was not hatred that she felt for Setsuna, only mistrust. Hibiki wished she could trust her as easily as Love did, but she just couldn't. Neither could Kanade, for that matter, although Ellen disagreed with them.
"I feel that she deserves another chance," Ellen said, the three of them far enough that none of the other Cures could hear them.
"Does she?" Kanade was not convinced. "Second chances are a luxury that few deserve."
"Do I deserve it, Kanade?" Ellen asked, eyes piercing. Kanade stuttered before she could answer.
"I think you do. You had your reasons and your regrets."
"Eas did as well. If I deserve, does she not as well?"
"Fine," Kanade said. "Maybe she does. But not from me, not yet. If she expects forgiveness from everyone because she is now a Precure, she's a fool. Setsuna must know that many won't be able to look past her sins, that she might not be able to wash away all the black that taints her soul. Yuri might not forgive her, and we have no right to judge Moonlight if she chooses not to."
"But that's sad," Hibiki said. "She deserves a chance to try and earn that forgiveness!"
"True, but having a chance does not mean she will be forgiven," Kanade said with sadness. "She will have to find out if what she truly wants is to make the right choices from now on, to redeem herself, or if she merely wants forgiveness, to be told that the past is forgotten. You must decide that as well, Ellen, all of us must when we do something we regret," she held Hibiki's hand. Kanade's fingers were warm and soft, and they made Hibiki feel safe. "This is the most important thing I learned when we got over our issues, Hibiki, and I hope Setsuna learns that as well, in time. To move on."
Moving on. Hibiki hadn't been able to think about her relationship with Kanade ever since Labyrinth's attack. It felt as if everything was right between them now, but now that this moment of tranquility set in, Hibiki knew they'd still have much to fight for, and for long. They would still argue, and they would still have to deal with their differences. Kanade herself had said it: they could not erase the past, and all they could do was to keep performing. Hibiki knew that if they were weak again, if they allowed all the coldness and cruelties they inflicted on one another turn them bitter, there was no way they would endure, and their harmony would grow weak and die.
But that was alright. Hibiki quickly kissed Kanade's forehead, turning her face red. There was much fighting to do, yes, but as long as Kanade was by her side, they could fight together.
The night winds were cold harsh when they reached Solaris again, and there was much explaining to be done. Akane listened to it all carefully, never interrupting with her judgment. For that, Hibiki was grateful, and so were the others. Would Reika have been so friendly towards Setsuna, so unquestioning? Most likely not. Hibiki did not know what to think of Reika. She could be nice and kind and strong, but she was also cruel at times, and manipulative, as if she wasn't the same person all the time.
They could have continued their journey during the night, but all the Cures agreed they deserved some sleep. Hibiki and Kanade chose a large bed to lay on together. They both missed that feeling, being so close. Thought it was a cold night, the fires of Solaris and its suns kept the castle always warm. Not warm enough, though, Hibiki concluded as she made herself snug by holding Kanade as the two of them fell asleep together. One night, perhaps, they would dream together, but it was not this night.
It was hard to tell sunrise from the blazing towers of Solaris, so it was the sounds of commotion outside that woke up Hibiki. Kanade, of course, was already up, dressed and kempt.
"Hello, Hibiki. You should get ready soon, we're about to leave."
"Kanade, why didn't you wake me up sooner? What time is it?"
"You looked so cute when you were sleeping," Kanade smiled. "And don't worry, we have plenty of time. We are not going the same way they are, remember? They will head east to the Palace of Smiles, and once we are out of the Iron Mountains, we'll turn southeast towards Calmtide. Then to Majorland, to our home."
Hibiki nodded. She wished she could stay, yet at the same time she wanted to be back at Majorland, to return to her hometown, Kanon, to see her family, to see Ako. Maybe she could return to the Precure Kingdom someday, when times weren't so troubled.
"Come now," Kanade said as she finished brushing Hibiki's hair. "We must get going. And soon we must say our goodbyes."
Hibiki nodded, still not quite grasping what it meant. They would leave the Precure Kingdom behind for who knows how long, and all the friends they had met.
Hibiki had never liked goodbyes, nor was she ever good at them. When she saw her fellow Precures just outside Solaris, chatting, smiling, she did not want to leave. Yet she had to, and Miki was the first one she approached.
"Has Kanade told you?"
"Yes," Miki said, a bit melancholic. "Must you truly go?"
"You know it is for the better," Hibiki said, but she herself did not know. "I will send you a letter as soon as I get to Majorland, I promise you."
"Then I will be counting on that promise," Miki smiled. "And I want you to come back here someday, and play at Calmtide, at Lapis. Did you know that Lapis has a great concert hall? I think it would be perfect for you and Kanade."
"We'll see," said Hibiki, hugging her friend. Next was Love.
"Hey, Love," she waved. "I'm afraid we won't accompany you to the Palace of Smiles. We're going back to Majorland."
"That's the wisest choice, yes," Love agreed. "I will miss you dearly, though. Your songs truly brightened my day, and Miki's and Setsuna's as well. Will you write?"
"Of course. As much as I can. To you, to Miki, to Buki. Speaking of Buki, please tell her that me and Kanade will miss her, and that we'd love to be able to stay, but…"
"I understand," Love said. She had little love for the Queen as well, Hibiki knew. "I will tell her. I guess this is it?"
"Yes," Hibiki said, awkwardly.
"Yeah," Love hugged her. "I'm really sorry. I'm bad at this. Always been."
"You and me both, Love. But it is not truly goodbye, is it? We can still see one another again."
"Yes! I'll look forward to that. Even if it takes years."
"It's a promise, then," the two of them smiled as they embraced.
And then they were gone. Hibiki and Kanade stayed behind for a while to eat and get more supplies to reach their destination, more distant than the Palace of Smiles. Solaris was empty after everyone left, as even Akane went with them to the Palace. Soon enough it was their time to head to the road, towards Calmtide.
Compared to the noises of all the Cures together, the journey was calm and uneventful. Ellen discovered that as a Cure, she could use her Cure Module to summon instruments of all kinds, and so she eased Hibiki's troubled mind with the gentle cries of her guitar. Hibiki and Kanade sang together, and though they often got the lyrics wrong, Kanade would not complain anymore. She would just laugh at their mistakes, and when they tried again, she would do her best.
They did not take the main road to Calmtide; if they did, they would need to pass by Iceclaw and the frozen lands of House Aoki, and Hibiki had enough of the cold for now. They took a dirt road that passed between trees of a great, old forest, and it had its own song. Not just of birds chirping and critters walking around, but of leaves rustling with the wind, of branches brushing against each other, of a stream peacefully flowing in the distance. Hibiki could smell the water from afar, a pleasant smell. They could spent a long time here, Hibiki thought, watch the days go by peacefully. Hibiki sighed: there were few such sights in Majorland. Her homeland had its own beauty, true, but Hibiki had gotten used to it, while everything in the Precure Kingdom was so new, so unique, so full of wonders.
When she looked through the trees and saw that enormous city in the horizon, its skies full of smoke, there was no mistaking it. It was Calmtide, jewel of the south, pride of the seas. The only harbor whose enormity could compare with that of Calmtide was Operetta's, but it was close. The three of them made their way to Calmtide's walls, and they got in with no difficulty. Kanade had spoken of the troubles she had when she reached Calmtide, but the city's officers were only so strict when dealing with coming ships. From the land, one could simply step inside without being bothered by anyone.
Calmtide seemed even larger than the last time Hibiki had been there, the smell of the sea clinging to the sea even more than it did before. Finding Hummy and the Musketeers was easy enough: they awaited for Hibiki and Kanade by the city's entrance, a great gate that was always open and well manned. They carried a great amount of luggage, mostly Hibiki's and Ellen's, as Kanade and the Musketeers travelled light when they got there.
"Siren," Hummy said when she saw Ellen, and jumped on her shoulder. "I'm so thankful you're safe. I knew you could do it!"
"Thank you, Hummy," Ellen said. "When I was afraid, I thought of you cheering me on, and I feel like that gave me strength."
"That's because I was cheering you on, thinking of all the songs we still have to sing!" Hummy sang a few notes, and Ellen laughed.
"We should board the Songship and take her back to Operetta," Baritone said.
"I dread the journey, though," Falsetto complained. "Too fast, too much sea… Too much sky, too. When we came here, I was a sweaty mess when we got out of the Songship. Tell me, how could I feel so dirty and disgusting despite being surrounded by water for so long?"
"Stop complaining," Bassdrum slapped him in the back of his head. "If you had a better diet you wouldn't get sick so easily."
"Better diet?" Falsetto said. "So that I can throw up more? No, thank you."
Hibiki laughed. To the people of Majorland, the Musketeers were great heroes who showed great valor and bravery during the Bad End War. Would they ever imagine them bickering like fools the way they did?
"Well," Hummy said. "Did you get to say goodbye to the other Cures? I wish I could have talked to Buki before I left, but she was asleep. I liked Buki, she always gave me sweets. If only you'd do that more often, Kanade!"
"Maybe Buki should have told you that I was the one who baked those sweets," Kanade said.
"O-Oh," Hummy was suddenly scared. She knew how terrifying Kanade could be when annoyed. "W-Well, I guess that's why they were so tasty, haha. Ha."
They all laughed, except Falsetto, who was probably hatching another scheme to offend Bassdrum.
"Will we come back someday?" Hummy asked.
"Yes," Hibiki said.
"I don't know," Kanade said while Hibiki spoke. Their harmony still failed them from time to time.
"I hope we do," Hummy said. "Goodbyes are sad, aren't they? You shouldn't have said goodbye, you should have just said see you later, that way it doesn't sound like a goodbye…"
"Hummy, the point of saying goodbye is to make it sound like goodbye," Ellen said.
"Yes, but goodbyes don't have to be goodbyes to be goodbyes, do you understand what I mean?"
"Not really…"
"Well, I can explain it on our way to Majorland," Hummy said, as if she had some great realization, an understanding that the others lacked.
They made their way through the docks, through the crowded marketplace, but something was strange. It seemed far more crowded the last time. Hibiki looked into the distance, and saw many people rushing towards the docks, rich merchants and poor beggars, children and old men, all gathering near the waters to look at something that Hibiki couldn't quite see yet.
"Are those flags?" Baritone asked, pointing at something.
They were definitely flags. Majorland's flags, notes of all kinds on a yellow background.
"What are they doing here?" Ellen asked.
"Maybe it's the project that Beauty mentioned a while ago," Hibiki said, covering the sun with her hands to take a better look at the ships approaching.
"What project?" Bassdrum asked.
"Oh, I don't know, she never told us. She just said she needed us, so I assumed she'd want us to play something, so maybe her big project is a party?" Hibiki smiled. Ako would be here, for sure, and maybe Queen Aphrodite too. "A party!" She laughed. "Kanade, we'll get to stay here for a little longer with our friends. It must be some ceremony to celebrate our kingdom's union, I'm sure of it, it'll be great, and-"
Kanade did not share her enthusiasm, though. When Hibiki saw the worry in Kanade's face, her own smile turned into a frown.
"What is it?"
"Hibiki," Kanade turned to Hibiki, and she looked as if she had just seen a ghost in the distance. "Those are warships."