Since the moment Milisandia wished Gaius farewell, the unnerving thoughts have still plagued her mind. She was in control when piloting the Ruby Weapon, as traumatic as that was, and heard of Alfonse's demise after it had been over. Now, the uncertainty crawled around her like a swarm of infectious insects. One of her siblings was there, in the Castrum, and whatever Gaius and his allies would do to save them, she couldn't deny that her sibling could perish at any moment. What if those were her last hours, last breaths before hearing news of another tragedy? Nothing could take her mind away from it.

And so the young au ra has decided to do something that would allow her to think of something else, as well as face the phantoms she so far avoided. She traveled back to Ala Mhigo as the sun fell beneath the horizon. It had been lost two weeks since she visited the city, and the panic must have been quenched.

But instead of it, the grief rose.

Milisandia witnessed a city as dark and quiet as the encroaching night's sky. Its people were wrought with tiredness, wishing for their struggle to finally be over, praying for a temporary moment of peace, all while getting nothing of it. She needed to share their grief, to feel this loss on herself, to look them in the eyes. That's what she deserved.

Since the Ruby Weapon left, it left behind ruins of a wide plaza, to which people have flocked in recent days. They didn't fear entering that part of the city anymore, and so they would venture there to pay their respects. They believed it to be the place where the souls of their friends and loved ones have left them, but also the place where their last connections could be maintained.

To her own shame, Milisandia decided to put up a coat with a cape wide enough to fit her horn. She hoped this would cover her face in case she was to encounter some of the more "eager" Ala Mhigans. Perhaps she will be recognized anyway, and if so, Milisandia swore to meet this reckoning with dignity.

She walked across the shattered streets, seeing mourning citizens all around her. Some held each other's hand to seek some comfort in these dreadful times; others could not hold their pain and wept for the losses they had suffered. Others tried to return to their ruined homes, desperately attempting to maintain a sense of normalcy, as impossible as it was. And all of them brought tribute…The plaza's ruins have become a memorial. One after another, they placed something on the ground in memories of their dead. Be it flowers, old trinkets, or letters written for the spirits to see, all were placed on the plaza in the memorial.

It was easy to blame Valens for this, but Milisandia knew that she had made a choice herself. A choice for which many paid with their lives. Milisandia stood in front of this pile, looking at what they had brought. Toys covered in ash, torn pieces of clothes…An old man walked past her, placing a coeurl plush toy in there. He stood and looked down in silence, unable to turn away. Milisandia saw the grief and pain in his eyes, but he managed to contain them.

"I'm sorry…" - Milisandia accidentally let out, causing the man to look at her. He didn't seem to notice her nervousness and gazed at the au ra with sympathy.

"Each one of us has lost someone here, don't apologize…" - He replied before looking back at the plaza. His voice was weak and broken as if he had no resolve left at all. He held no malice in his voice, however.

"Who…Who did you lose?" - Milisandia naively believed that she could offer some sympathy and understanding; perhaps this could bring some peace to the old man.

"It was my daughter." - He responded quietly, almost in a whisper. "My brave, beautiful daughter…" - He spoke louder, making the pain in his voice even more evident. "Fought in the resistance, you know. Did everything she could to free our home. That was her dream…To see Ala Mhigo in its glory that she never knew." - He recounted with pride and remarkable resistance towards painful memories. "And she did. Rhalgr knows she did." - He looked up at the pale moon and smiled, thinking of her. Milisandia's heart ached as she listened, especially due to the realization of inevitability. She could not go back, could not change time or history. These sins are something she will bear for the rest of her life, just as those people will have to bear the grief. "If only she could've stayed for longer…" - Few tears fell off his face, and Milisandia remained at a loss.

She already apologized and would do so again, but all of it was hollow. There was no way to repay them, not while she could not bring back those lost souls. The man turned towards her, examining the au ra's face. Soon his expression changed to one of suspicion.

"I know who you are." - Those words had her shake as his eyes changed once again. This time they brimmed with pure spite. "Not many au ra in these lands, much less those with a single horn." - He noted, looking at the girl carefully. "Why are you here?" - He asked with judgment; Milisandia decided not to lie.

"I came…To see it for myself. To see what I've done, to see what I must do to repay…"

"There is nothing." - He shook his head. "You made your choice; there are only so many monsters we can forgive and allow to walk among us…Remember that when others come for you." - He turned away and left, leaving Milisandia alone once again. She knew she would hear those words, just didn't expect it to happen so soon…They remembered. They might have not been furious yet, but they remembered.

She didn't know what life awaited her and Gaius after the war was over. Would it be the life of repentance? Of constant service and toiling only for the sake of earning their trust? A path as long as Fordola said? Perhaps…But at least they will walk there together, as a family.

It wasn't long before Milisandia saw the Ruby Weapon emerge from beyond the clouds, followed closely by an Alliance airship. They have returned…

…

He could not save her.

Gaius had the firmest belief that this was within his powers, that he and others were ready for whatever was waiting within. He was preparing to reunite with his child and triumphantly end the Emerald Weapon…He should have known better. Now, Allie's last words were forever stuck in Gaius's head. After separation, after so many failures on Gaius's part, she still loved him. If only he could be worthy of this love.

As their airship flew over Gyr Abania with the Ruby Weapon beside it, Gaius did not think of Valens or his revenge. He watched over the desert beneath him, but no memories of his Legion have emerged, even with him recently fighting one of them. All he wanted to was to see Allie and Alfonse and see his family again. To see them smile just one more time.

"Hey." - Gaius soon heard steps behind him, followed by a quiet voice. Fordola stood beside him, with Estinien remaining nearby.

"Are you feeling alright?" - The Shadowhunter asked monotonously.

"What, me? A few scars won't hold me back." - The woman said confidently. "You're the one we should be concerned about." - She switched her tone to a more caring one, as much as she could. It wasn't easy for Fordola, she hadn't shown any open sympathy to anyone for a long time now, and she certainly didn't expect it to be for the former Black Wolf. "I know she was close to you, and I know how much it hurts…When your family's lives are in the hands of bastards. We'll get him, and we'll make him pay."

"If only that would change anything…But thank you, Fordola. You didn't have to, but I appreciate it."

"I was sick of doing "what I have to" ever since serving Zenos. You'd better believe that I want to say this." - Fordola responded sharply before looking away. Gaius could feel it in her voice that she cared.

"There is something else." - Estinien's grim tone echoed in Gaius's ears; the garlean turned around and saw the dragoon standing behind him.

"Yes?"

"About the weapon." - Estinien began. "I don't know for sure, but I can't stop thinking of it ever since it has gone into oversoul. When I opened the cockpit and saw your daughter, she didn't move, didn't give out commands…Just looked at me."

"I guessed as much when she has gone into oversoul…Valens made his protocol automatic." - Gaius responded with pain.

Was this even possible? Gaius would hardly be surprised after learning of the four newly created weapons. Valens made some changes in this one…It would make sense to prevent what happened to Milisandia. The primal rage has emerged on Gaius's face as he clenched his fist, but he didn't say a word. Words would do nothing but exhaust him. The battle was still far from over, and there was a chance to save his remaining children. All of his strength was needed there.

"I'm sorry, Gaius. I should've found another way."

"No, you did everything you could…Even I couldn't have predicted this."

His daughter was stripped of any choice. Used as fuel for a feeble attempt to destroy Gaius and his allies. All of this in an attempt to mock, to show Valens's power…But perhaps all wasn't lost yet.

As Gaius looked over Ala Mhigo, the Ruby Weapon was landed outside the walls, and their airship had gone to the nearest tower. Another thought entered the Shadowhunter's mind. Valens must have wanted to use this weapon to bait Gaius and his allies and destroy all of them in one swift blow. He failed miserably on that front. Now, their "war" has entered its final stage, and Gaius was not intent on losing. The moments of respite would be brief, for Valens must have already prepared something.

"Gaius." - He heard Valdeaulin's voice from behind. Gaius discerned that the elezen wasn't quite sure whether he should speak but proceeded nonetheless. "Not sure if this is the right time, but…"

"No need to hold it in yourself." - Gaius replied, giving his follower some confidence.

"Very well…Remember the promise I gave back in Praetorium?"

"How could I forget?"

"All that kept me alive for years was hate for the Empire and then yourself…But I don't think I want it to be this way anymore. They wouldn't want it, after all." - Valdeaulin said with a grieving smile. Gaius looked at the elezen, surprised to see him admit to this so readily.

"You would go back on your oath? Give up your disdain?"

"Not entirely. It's impossible to just forget what you and yours have done over those years…" - Valdeaulin looked at Gaius with a gaze full of both pride and sorrow. "But when we fought in the Castrum, I saw you fighting for the most precious treasure of our lives, for family. You did everything to save your daughter no matter the odds; that's what I tried to do. That's what I would do every time, again and again. Perhaps you've changed, perhaps I've misjudged you…But my vendetta holds little weight anymore." - Valdeaulin said before extending his hand to Gaius. "I've witnessed the Black Wolf's demise back in the Castrum, so why not call us even?"

Gaius smiled and shook his hand shortly before the airship landed. The elezen spoke from his heart, and Gaius respected that. Perhaps one day, they would build a brighter future together.

But soon after Gaius stepped onto the platform, he noticed a familiar face among the soldiers that met him. Milisandia was there, walking around impatiently and fixing her hopeful gaze on her father. So the moment was now…She rushed towards him and looked at Gaius with fear.

"What happened there? Have you…" - But as she looked over the returning warriors, she realized that there was no one with them.

"I'm sorry, we tried our best…It was Allie." - Gaius responded quietly, only to have Milisandia look up in silence. Her tormented gaze said everything. She didn't want to hear it, and Gaius did not want to tell it, but they had to endure. There were no words, just a pair of pierced hearts longing for what little comfort they could find in each other. Gaius hugged Milisandia and immediately felt her returning the embrace.

They needed time.

…

Estinien knew Gaius would not hold his attempt to break his daughter out of that machine against him, but the battle still left a sour taste in the dragoon's mouth. It shouldn't have, they managed to destroy another weapon and sink a full-fledged imperial Castrum, but it could have gone better. The girl could have been with them.

Now all of them needed some time to themselves, but Estinien didn't want it to go to waste. As soon as he separated from the others, he walked to the conference room to seek out Raubahn. The flame general would certainly want to know about their progress; perhaps he would tell Estinien more about Ala Mhigo's current state.

The general was as busy as always. Many soldiers would turn to him when they needed advice or new orders. Raubahn tried to relay as much as he could. He would still not leave the building too often, however. His scars from the battle with the Ruby Weapon still ran deep. He was glad to finally see Estinien and others return and very eager to hear their stories. And so the dragoon has recounted all of it.

"…And then the Castrum sunk, along with the weapon." - The dragoon finished his story.

"A victory, then…Despite all the doubts I had about using the Ruby Weapon, it seems like it has proven invaluable." - The general said, impressed.

"You could say that, but we never intended to use it. I should've saved that girl…But I was too rash in my actions." - Estinien said, unable to stop thinking of it.

"We all make mistakes; I'd say let go of it if you can."

"Mistakes, huh?" - Yes, he wasn't wrong. None of those who fought Valens now were free of mistakes. This is why Gaius understood Estinien better than anyone else and held no anger, despite this being his child. They did all they could; that was true…But for some reason, the thought that they could do just a little more persisted.

"If only I got the same treatment when I got scolded." - A sarcastic voice rang from behind as Nero entered the room. The engineer seemed to wander relatively aimlessly but was quite eager to take part in their discussion.

"Finally, the man himself." - Raubahn looked at Nero with suspicion. "What was unclear about our orders last time?"

"Nothing, I understand every order perfectly, just don't make a habit of following them." - Nero replied and sat near them. He still spoke confidently and with his usual arrogance, but Estinien saw that he was a little shook as well.

"Don't you have to talk to your magitek team? I imagine they worry." - Estinien suggested, only for Nero to shake his head.

"Oh, no need. I wouldn't be able to bear another lecture from Garlond. Even politics are more entertaining than that prospect. And besides, you people seem much more understanding of "mistakes."" - Nero sighed with slight shame.

"So you admit that you've made a mistake?" - Estinien was surprised to hear this after Nero's adamant refusal to admit any fault before.

"I have been too rash, yes… Should've waited for a report. I had some time to think about and see how it went when all of us worked together; way smoother, I have to say." - Was that a shade of humility? This experience seemed to have a profound effect on all of its participants. "So, yes, from a certain point of view…I have made a mistake."

"Well, you aren't alone in that." - Estinien smirked.

"I wish you a warm welcome to the team." - Nero joked.

"What's done is done; too late to waste any time thinking of it now." - Raubahn was eager to get back to the important discussion. "Better tell me about Terncliff. Are its people loyal to the Empire? What do they think about Alliance's presence?"

"Better than one could hope for." - Nero began, preparing to tell an entire story. "You see, my perfect and bloodless capture was, in many ways, due to how cooperative they proved to be, and now…"

Estinien had heard this many times already and saw the town with his own eyes. He had to admit that he understood Nero a little better now when the bitter taste of failure had been so fresh in his mouth. Alas, there was something else…Estinien felt it again. The chilling unease forced shivers into his essence. They were not alone; something else had been very close…Someone. Estinien couldn't shake off this sense, and it drove him insane. The Royal Menagerie, the Ruins of the city, this was unmistakable.

"I'll take my leave for now…" - He said quietly and ventured to the corridor, as this dark disturbance had come from there.

At first, Estinien saw nothing in the grand hall, but it wasn't long before his eyes caught a lone figure before him. He was dressed in old dark robes, different from the ones Estinien saw last time. But it was the same person. He was sure of it.

This time, the dragoon did not wait. He charged at him with his spear prepared, only for the stranger to mysteriously disappear.

"Your senses are sharp as ever…Wonderful, all the more entertaining for me." - The voice rang out from behind. Estinien turned around and saw this stranger emerge from the dark portal, still not showing his face. He spoke with pleasure and a sense of anticipation.

"Who are you?" - Estinien spoke with fury.

"Soon, soon…It is hardly my pleasure to hold you in the dark for so long, but I had to make this moment the most grandiose!" - He raised his hands upwards and exclaimed. "Be prepared…" - Those were the last words the stranger said before disappearing and leaving a trail of his presence.

Estinien clearly heard the maniacal menace in his voice, and those teleportation abilities were ones of the ascians…Something was coming. The dragoon would follow this trail as closely as he could.

This time, he will find out the truth.

…

He should have gone with her, should have made the right decision, the decision worthy of a truly courageous man…But Ricon has once again succumbed to his doubts and uncertainties, relegating his duties to someone else. The four siblings made a promise to each other to protect Allie. Whatever happens, they lived by this code over those years. Even if any of them were to die, Allie had to see the future they created for her and others.

Ricon's tearful eyes were turned upon Rex as the big brother clenched his fist, hitting the nearby table with pure ferocity. He wasn't just angry; he was fuming with rage. Not at Ricon, but at the miserable situation, they found themselves in, at the monster who has forced them to serve at his demand.

"The bastard, the son of a bitch!" - The time had already passed, yet Rex still shouted from time to time.

"Please, they can hear us…" - Ricon warned cautiously.

"I don't give a damn!" - Rex snapped at him. "He took Allie, don't you understand? He took her for the Emerald Weapon…Because of me!" - The first tear has fallen from Rex's face. "Because I was a bloody idiot, that's why!"

"What are you talking about?" - Ricon said with patience, desperately trying to calm down the last sibling he had left here. He couldn't lose Rex too, and with every scream and shout, he was endangering both of them. There had to be another way.

"I couldn't hold it anymore…I told Valens what I thought, right in his face. I told him about my hatred, about my admiration for father, all in a moment of idiotic fury…I mentioned Milisandia. The secret we swore to keep, I blew it! And this was when he changed his mind about the pilot; it must have been. I hate him…I HATE HIM!" - Rex let out a screech before falling on his bed and taking a deep breath. Both brothers were hurt, they thought they found some hope after Alfonse's sacrifice, but it was swiftly crushed. Ricon wanted to suggest that perhaps Allie was still alive, but they had no strength left in them. No strength left to hope or even think positively.

"I'm sorry, I should've convinced her to stay." - Ricon sat beside Rex.

"Wouldn't have changed anything. Valens has his ways…" - He responded in a calm tone, having no rage left in him. "Ricon, we can't wait anymore."

"What do you mean?"

"I know where the Diamond Weapon is, and I know how to reach it." - The big brother sighed. "I won't force you to go, but we both know it's safer than staying at that maniac's mercy."

"Go where? You aren't…" - Ricon noticed that spark in Rex's eyes. It was similar to that he had when preparing to pilot a training terminal, ready to perform. But this one was much stronger, holding no emotions back. "You want to take the weapon."

"Yes. Take control, blow the bastard up along with his Legion, then find Mili and father…Whatever Eorzeans might want to do with us for payback doesn't matter; with Diamond Weapon at our family's side, they won't even say a word."

"Do you know how risky it is? We will probably be killed before even reach the…"

"Always the optimist…" - Rex smirked in an almost maniacal fashion. "Yes, we might die, but it's better to die in a blaze of glory than patiently wait and be a plaything for Valens."

"But the Alliance is fighting to rescue us, don't you remember? They have the Ruby Weapon and many heroes at their side; we still have a chance!" - Ricon tried to convince his brother to stop. This was suicide, but Rex seemed more than willing to go through with it.

"Ricon, Ricon… Haven't you learned during all those years? You can only rely on yourself." - Rex shook his head.

"But that's not true! We relied on each other for so many years, relied on our father, and all those children here rely on us. That's what Alfonse always told us; how could you forget?"

"And where is Alfonse now?" - Rex retorted grimly, forcing Ricon to be at a loss for words. "It's either him or us…Him or me, if you're staying."

He was forcing Ricon into a difficult decision, but if there could be no convincing…

Suddenly, they heard steps from outside their room. Rex and Ricon swiftly got up, only to be faced with opening doors and armed imperial soldiers blocking the exit.

"What's going on?" - Ricon asked with worry.

"You are under arrest. Get to the floor, hands behind your head."

"Are you s…" - Rex began.

"Now!"

Their plan was never destined to come to fruition. Once again, Valens was one step ahead.