"Derf!!!" Saito woke up with a start, lurching up from the bed he was in and looking around wildly. "DW-what happened!? Where am I!?" Louise, who'd been sitting at his side immediately rushed over and embraced the boy to keep him from thrashing around, "Saito, calm down! It's alright! We're safe at the Palace." Getting his bearings, Saito settled back, breathing heavily. "Sorry Louise," he said, his hand clutching his head. "Last thing I remember was falling, I thought I was dead for sure..." He could see now that he was laying in a bedroom, a bowl of fruit sat on the nightstand.
As if on cue, the door burst open as Tiffa and Illococoo rushed in. "Oh, thank goodness you're awake, Saito," the half-elf sighed with relief. Louise let got of the boy, "You scared us back there, thankfully Sylphid was able to catch you." "It was a close one, but I got you just in time," said Illococoo proudly. "I'd never let anything happen to you, Big Brother!" Saito smiled weakly, "Thanks, you were great." He gasped suddenly, "The Dragon! What happened with it!?"
"It's alright for now," assured Louise. "It actually stopped advancing." Saito blinked, "It stopped?" "Yeah!" Said Illococoo excitedly, "It curled up, into a giant boulder!" Saito looked at Tiffa and Louise, "Do you think the Pope's power was able to kill it?" Tiffa shook her head, "I'm afraid not. At one point, Julio got close and was able to hear its heartbeat. So right now, it's likely recovering." Saito sighed, "I see. Is there another plan? What's the Pope have in mind?"
Louise and Tiffa got pained expressions on their faces. "What?" Asked Saito, concerned. "His Holiness perished last night, he was consumed by the Ancient Dragon," said Louise sadly. Saito's eyes widened at the news. "It happened just after you fell," Tiffa added. "He and Julio were too close to the Dragon's mouth, then he pushed Julio off to save him. And then..."
Illococoo took a chomp out of an apple she picked from the fruit bowl, the loud crunching noise getting everyone's attention. "What?" She asked, "I'm hungry. I did a lot of flying last night!" Tiffa gently led Illococoo towards the door, "I think maybe we should let Saito rest a bit. Isn't Tabitha looking for you?" The blue haired girl perked up, "Oh right, I was supposed to go back to her after I checked on him!" She turned and waved back at the boy as she walked out with Tiffa.
Louise sighed, "I swear, that girl." She looked back to Saito, who was staring at his own opened hand. "Derf... He's gone, right?" He asked. Louise nodded, "I'm sorry." Saito made a fist, took a deep breath, and after a moment climbed out of bed. "Saito, shouldn't you-" "We can't afford to mourn now," he replied with resolve. A fire burned in his eyes, one Louise had previously seen when Saito went off to rescue Tabitha. "That thing's still out there," he continued. "And it could wake up any second. This is no time to be laying around."
Saito noticed his knife sitting on the nightstand. "As least I still have one good blade," he muttered, picking it up and strapping it onto his waist. The boy struggled slightly to keep balance as he walked towards the bedroom door. Saito nearly fell over before Louise caught him. "See? You used too much power last night and your body hasn't fully recovered," she said, putting his arm around her shoulders.
"I knew what could happen," said Saito, looking serious. "But it was our only chance, for all the good it did." "And why did you go along with it anyway?" Louise asked. "Usually you're questioning everything and telling me not to get in over my head!" "Because this is bigger than either of us," he said, then gave a slight chuckle. "Maybe I'm finally coming around to your way of thinking." "It's still not your fight," Louise replied, her expression one of worry. "Something else could go horribly wrong and I'd lose you just like back in Albion. I'm not going to let that happen again! Let me use the World Door and send you back home. It's what you've always wanted, right?"
"Are you nuts!?" The boy was incredulous at Louise's suggestion, breaking away from her. "There's no way I'm leaving you to face this without me! I'm your Partner, remember? Besides, I really like this world." "But this isn't your world," Louise argued. "Ever since you got here, you've been through so much pain and heartache! You've fought countless battles! You died! And you lost the one person you loved. What other reason could you have to want to stay in this world!?"
"Because there's still someone I love in this world!" Saito yelled back. Louise froze, her eyes widening slightly as the boy continued. "Because you're in this world, and I would do anything to keep you safe!!!" The boy realized how much he was pouring out his heart and stopped, blushing furiously. The mage's eyes started to fill with tears, "You mean..?" Saito looked at her, knowing for certain now he could say it. Giving a little smile, he finally said, "I love you, Louise." A soft smile formed on Louise's face. "Saito..." She ran over to the boy and wrapped her arms around his torso. The two came together for a passionate kiss, falling back onto the bed. Presently, they separated, looking lovingly into each other's eyes.
"Well it's about time!" Said a voice. Saito sighed, "Derf could you give us a- wait, DERF!?" Saito and Louise looked around, in search of the voice. "Down here!" It said again. Saito looked down at his knife, which poked up out of the sheath, "Hey Partner! How ya doin'?" Saito whipped out the blade, incredulous at the situation. "What do you mean, 'how ya doin'?' How are you still here!? You shattered into a million pieces!"
"Yeah, that wasn't too pleasant," it replied. "But at the last second, I think my essence went up into your runes, waiting for another weapon to inhabit. You touched the knife, and now here I am!" "How does it feel?" Asked Louise, looking at the blade curiously. "Eh, it's a bit cramped for my liking," it admitted. "I won't be much use against that Ancient Dragon either." "Yeah, that's true..." Saito pondered. "What we need is another fighter plane."
"That could work, it was extremely effective against dragons before," Louise agreed. "But the Zero was destroyed, and the one in Luctiana's Oasis is already beyond repair, right?" "Yeah, that's true," the boy acquiesced. Suddenly, his eyes widened, "Wait, that's it!!" "What's up?" Asked Derf. "Louise, you can get me a new plane!" He said excitedly. "What?" The girl was confused. "How am I supposed to-" Then she caught his meaning, a smile spread across her face. "Of course!! The World Door!!!" Saito took Louise's hand, "Come on! We've gotta tell everyone!!!" With renewed resolve, the two rushed out the door and towards the inner chambers.