Scene Theme: Sakuzyo — 0 (feat. Katali)

I had sacrificed everything in selflessness. I had even created a new world that consequently put Taku—...the Obsidian Lord, to sleep.

Higher and farther skywards they ploughed. Ever suspended, ever endangered; their sacrificial journey remaining undisturbed. Not by the HiME, Searrs, District One, the SLAVES… nor by Earth itself.

The pressure of being so high intensified its merciless grip upon Mai. The atmosphere's freezing chill digging into the pores of her flesh horrifically. It was clear she would not survive.

Kagutsuchi's wings engulfed the air, jettisoning flames within the sky. Arching her head, Mai clung onto her CHILD desperately. Soundlessly, they broke through the canopy of clouds. The brilliant hue of azure greeted her, leaving Mai in awe. Though she had flown by aeroplane, a sight like this was…? It was a sight to behold; one she could not describe.

I knew that only I could destroy the HiME Star and end this wretched Carnival.

Her CHILD motioned a soundless coo, turning his head to fixate upon Mai. The human was stiffly pressed against his metallic body. The impact of entering space likely shattered her eardrums. The intense negative temperatures and lack of oxygen had been inhuman within the atmosphere. Her chances were now null as they slothfully voyage through the vacuum of space.

I hadn't been a HiME, but in fact a QUEEN. Perhaps just because of this… I failed.

From Earth, the following collision was witnessed by all. A silence of colour streaked across the sky in fading vermilion. The death of a HIME—no, a QUEEN was set into motion. One lonesome pillar rising within the darkest recesses of Fuuka, clanking to a halt.

Instead, I recreated the Earth.

LACHRYMOSE CRUX
Chapter I — Fading Vermillion
Scene Theme: Sakuzyo — Grief

A lungful of oxygen tore through Mai. Heaving, she lay flat against the ground, pitfalls of fire surrounding her. Staring into the empyrean ocean-blue sky, confusion clouded her senses. What had…? Arms splayed outwards, unbeknownst to her, students dumbfoundedly observed her behind the fire. Consequently, fire which she had created.

Hadn't she died…?

Ears ringing, she winced before angling her head towards the students.

Fuuka Academy… daytime… Eyes leaping skywards, she spotted the Moon still present within the azure sea. T-the… the HiME Star… is gone? The QUEEN lay like this for a few minutes, her mind unable to comprehend the feat which had occurred. Until, it washed away any clear logic.

"A-ah…" Mai's teeth chattered, violet gaze welling with tears. "I-I… failed…"

Her world faded, stars woozily littering the back of her eyes. Returning her head skywards, her consciousness faded as noisy commotion proceeded to illuminate around her. When Mai came to after an unspecified time, her gaze unceremoniously greeted grey tiling. Above her, the fluorescent light blinded her temporarily, causing her to strain and blink in pain.

W-where is she…? All at once, the memories came spiralling within her mind like a tsunami. Again, it flooded away any logic she had once occupied. Instead, scenarios poured within her mind. Why… How was she alive? Like before, all those months ago, Kagutsuchi had brought her to Fuuka. Yet somehow, here she was as if she hadn't died in space. Raising her hands, she touched along her ears delicately. Nor were her eardrums destro—

"—What do you think you were doing?!"

Yet, this outburst from an unknown occupant of this ward room didn't register. Mai's mind instead wandered: Was this… the new world she had created? Finally, after a moment, she glanced beside her bed towards a blonde. The older student stood beside her, arms crossed.

...Suzushiro Haruka?

"You could've set Fuuka on fire!" Haruka lamented, the door behind her creaking open. Another student—Kikukawa Yukino entered, books hugged against her chest. "It isn't even your first day!"

"...Haruka." Yukino murmured quietly, pausing as Haruka shot her a pointed look. "Shizuru has informed me tha—"

"—That damned tea drinker!" Without another word, the blonde stormed out the room. Mai remained inattentive to the drama, though Yukino threw her a sympathetic look who took chase.

"Ah, Haruka! Wait!" The mousy student's voice dulled as the door slammed shut. A clatter and loud chatter followed afterwards.

Left alone, Mai sighed. What's happening? Everything was exactly the same when she first arrived in Fuuka. The events of the HiME Carnival hadn't been a dream. Nor could it be possible she had somehow survived that explosion. It was clear Kagutsuchi had returned her to Fuuka, but how? The HiME Star was no longer orbiting the Moon.

Abruptly, the memory of her CHILD flashed before her. Mai was holding Kagutsuchi's head against her chest gently, the dragon responding with a delicate coo. It felt as though he was still present within her.

Is… is this an alternative universe? What had happened to everyone? Haruka and Yukino didn't seem to have a clue who she was.

Anxiety, anger, depression, loneliness, shock: They all melded together into a toxic blend. The pressure invaded her body, making it feel like the weight of the world encompassed her. What on Earth?! Rolling around in bed, she crammed her face against the pillow. Wrapping her arms around herself, her nails dug against the orange of her blazer.

What senseless cruelty is this? To die, yet to be brought back and forgotten? This hadn't… been… what she had wanted. What about everybody else?! What about Takumi, Kagutsuchi, t-the others?

...Even herself? It was like she was a ghost.

Uncaring, Mai reached inside of her blazer. Shoving her hands beneath her shirt, her nails trekked along her sides, dragging them down pale skin with damaging purchase. Trading mental pain for physical, a dark thought clouded her mind. Should she just give up then and there? Slowly, her eyes lifted to the window, her illogical mind desperately making its conclusion.

"You're fortunate." Mai jumped, looking over her shoulder. Sagisawa Youko had opened the door, unaware of Mai's mental crusade. The nurse stuffed her hands into her pockets, approaching as she carefully observed her. "Truly, what a way to make an entrance." She chuckled. "I'll check on you later, so please don't leave?" Youko seemed to read her mood, smiling as the student hesitantly nodded. Spinning on her heel, she left silently.

Left once more, the bottled emotions within Mai leaked. Without the strength to even care nor cry, Mai sighed brokenly. Why is…

.

. .

. . .

Thunder rumbled, followed by flashes of lightning piercing the skies. The HiME speechlessly stared into the sky, a tropical storm heading their ways.

"She's… dead…?" Natsuki whispered, the crimson star shrinking before expanding beside the Moon. It exploded soundlessly as it was warped into vermilion along the night sky.

"Mai's not dead!" Mikoto lashed out, twisting around to regard the biker angrily. "Mai can't die!"

"But, the Carnival is over…" Midori murmured, her gaze locked upon the pouring colour. The vermilion and crimson didn't blend together, instead dancing around one another. Sweeping closer, the hues smashed together at the apex. It almost looked like a nebula; a cluster of dead stars deep within space. "This is going to be here forever, isn't it?"

Through the act of a supernova, stars will die and form nebulae. It is through these monumental gas clouds that one day, they form into millions of stars.

Lachrymose Crux's Theme: Amberian Dawn — Universe