Start Date: April 18, 2022
Windwillow
Final Fantasy IV
Chapter Twenty-One
All that remained was to defeat Zemus. So, uh... Yeah. They're going to.
Scene One
The interior of the moon was monstrously large. Just as many caves lined its inside as it did its outer skin, and along with all that came dangerous hazards. After navigating a couple cave-ins and fighting a few dozen mudmen and beholders, the party entered a new area.
"Incredible!" breathed Edge. "The whole floor's a crystal room!"
Indeed, the lower levels were sterling silver with crystal walls and floors just like the crystal rooms of Earth. Its mirrored halls glimmered with soft light, with nothing but gleaming splendor standing between their location and their destination.
"The moon's too quiet..." remarked Kain as he lifted his lance and swung it to and fro. "I doubt Zemus left this place unguarded..."
As he twirled the spear, Kain caught it with a sharp grip.
"I sense something!" he shouted.
What appeared was as bizarre as anything they'd seen on the moon, if not moreso. It resembled a beholder, but it wore a huge mask of solid glass, twisted into a sinister sneer. There were no limbs or tentacles, but as it hovered Cecil drew his sword cautiously.
Cecil nudged his way forward as he carefully examined the creature. He sensed no malice, but its face didn't suggest it came in peace.
"I want to say we nuke it," said Rydia as she lashed her whip. "But I don't like the look on that thing's face..."
Rosa shook her head. She lowered her bow.
"That doesn't sound wise..."
Edge drew his daggers.
"Easy pickings!" he chuckled. "It ain't gonna fight back!"
As he lunged, Kain grabbed him by the collar and dragged him back. It came just in time for two vicious eyes to open on the mask and glow with a menacing light. The eyes shot beams at the party, and they quickly dodged (Edge less than gracefully).
Kain grinned at Edge, who glared at him with fury. The told-you-so attitude pissed him off. He slid his foot along the floor and assumed a defensive stance, as the mask's eyes dotted back and forth seemingly without rhyme or reason.
The mask's eyes gleamed and two barriers briefly appeared, one on its body and the other on Edge's. Edge cocked his head.
"The hell?"
Rydia extended her hand out.
"I don't like this!" she groaned. "Whatever it is, I'm gonna fry it."
She flicked her palm out and created a series of fireballs, and hurled them at the mask.
"Don't be rash!" shouted Rosa.
The fireballs struck the mask, but quickly bounded off and flew in all directions. While they evaded most, Edge was struck with several blasts and quickly zapped by the evil mask's eye laser. He screamed and dropped his daggers, clutching the shoulder that had been hit.
Rosa quickly rushed over to Edge, but as she laid her hands on him the light reflected her healing towards the mask. The energy filled the mask with light, and the shining power ran through to its eyes like blood flowing into an organ.
As the mask's eye glowed, several more barriers formed at seemingly random places around the room. Cecil drew his sword, and Kain launched himself at the mask; he carefully assessed the eyes' trajectories as he lunged. He would easily evade the beams if he was cautious enough.
Light filled the evil mask's eyes and it fired two beams at Kain, who dodged them. As he twirled his lance and readied to strike, though, he was struck in the back and crashed to the floor.
"What the devil?!" he gasped. He narrowly whirled his body to avoid another beam, and another series flew past him. Before he could gather himself the beams reflected off the barriers behind him, striking him three times in quick succession. Kain slumped to the floor with a scream.
Another volley was launched by the evil mask, flying past the party and bouncing around the barriers like gleaming pinballs. As they dodged the party was struck several times, mostly grazed, but one nailed Cecil and blew Excalibur out of his hand.
Rydia's eyes narrowed, darting across the room. The volleys would keep coming until they killed them unless she found a solution. A thought popped in her head and she formed several Flares in both hands. She hurled them at Edge, who stared in shock.
"Holy-"
Before he could react the orbs bounced from his body and imploded onto the mask, destroying it. Rydia sunk to her knees in relief; her stupid idea actually worked! Not that Edge liked it.
"Rydia, what in the HELL!" he shouted, stomping his foot. "I thought you were gonna kill me!"
Rydia wiped the sweat from her brow and smiled.
"I figured that if it bounced everything off its barriers, I could use the one that it made on you to blow it up."
Edge staggered to his feet, but just as quickly dropped back to his seat. He was still sizzling from the rays he'd been struck with. Kain drove his lance into the ground and dragged himself up with it, slowly rising to his feet.
Cecil swiftly snatched Excalibur from the ground and sheathed it. He turned to Edge and lifted both hands.
"I want to try something..."
Soft blue light coated his hands, and with a flash the energy flew into Edge's body. The ninja flinched, but instead of pain a wave of relief coursed through his body. He could feel his wounds mending, but it felt different than when Rosa did it...
"Here," said Cecil as he laid his hands on Kain. The same light covered Kain and began to heal his body.
"Benefits of a being a paladin?" said Kain, wide-eyed. "It's about time you did something useful!"
Cecil grinned as he continued to heal Kain. Rosa finished treating Rydia and herself, and turned to Cecil with a soft smile. She nodded and gave him a wink, and when the healing was finished the party continued onwards.
Scene Two
They passed several more crystal floors, but soon the party reached a dark area dotted with stars. It almost looked like they'd drifted into outer space! As they continued on they heard an explosion. Cecil drew his sword and hastened his pace, followed by his friends.
The party flew up a flight of stairs and found themselves in a wide area with three people: Golbez, Fusoya, and a cloaked figure they assumed was Zemus. The warlock and Lunarian slung spells at Zemus, all elements from fire to thunder dancing around the room.
Fusoya lifted his hands and froze Zemus in place.
"Give your energy to Meteor!" he shouted.
With a nod, Golbez threw his hands up and lifted them above his head. A dark void formed between them, and a series of meteors flew from the void towards Zemus. Fusoya followed suit, releasing more flying stars at the Lunarian.
Zemus made no effort to evade, and he was pummeled by meteor after meteor until he staggered to his feet around a pockmarked landscape. He glared at the two, but softly smiled.
"The body dies," he gasped. "But the soul lives on!"
He dropped facefirst onto the ground as Golbez lowered his hands. He wiped his brow.
"We did it!" said Golbez.
Fusoya shrugged his shoulders.
"What a waste. It is a shame Zemus used your power for evil ends..."
Edge dashed towards the pair waving his arms and the rest of the party followed behind.
"Hey!" he shouted as he skidded to a stop. "I wanted to kick his ass! Why did you have to steal the fun?"
Surprise covered Fusoya's face. He turned his gaze from person to person with a smile.
"So you came!" he laughed.
Cecil stepped up to face Golbez, who turned to him and lowered his head. The warlock lifted it just enough to look him in the eye through his mask.
"Cecil..."
The paladin nodded and smiled. The battle was done!
Well, except for the fact that it wasn't.
A huge mass of darkness ripped from Zemus's corpse, heavy pressure staggering the party. It zoomed upwards to form a giant tower of black emptiness.
"I am the wellspring of darkness!" rasped a voice. "Fed by Zemus's unbridled hate..."
As Cecil drew his sword, the darkness coalesced into a vaguely humanoid form. It gathered itself into a cloaked, faded shadow.
"I am he who is called Zeromus... I am he who knows naught but..."
The pressure intensified.
"HATE!"
With a burst of energy everyone was pushed back, knocking all but Fusoya and Golbez to their seats. They flinched and covered their faces with their arms, slowly skidding to a stop.
"Death only fuled the hate within him!" yelled Fusoya.
Golbez staggered, but righted himself and stood with his cape fluttering in the wind.
"Zemus... No. Zeromus... I shall end your second life just as I did your first!"
The warlock threw up his arms and conjured a Meteor spell as Fusoya followed suit.
"Zeromus, BEGONE!" screamed Fusoya as they both launched the spells.
Amazingly, the meteors flew right through the shadowy figure. They crashed against the wall and demolished it, but as they continued to strike the spells began to implode. Slowly, the meteors faded away to dust.
Fusoya stared in horror. The mightiest spell in existence did NOTHING?
"Golbez, the crystal!" said Fusoya. "It's our only chance!"
Golbez nodded and lifted a crystal from his belt. To his and Fusoya's shock, nothing happened. The crystal stayed as dark as night.
"You tread the path of darkness..." hissed Zeromus. "That crystal shall shed no light for you..."
From behind Zeromus a large number of portals opened, lined up all in a row. It was as the meteors passed through that Cecil drove Excalibur into the ground and closed his eyes...
Scene Three
When he opened his eyes, Cecil found himself the only one left standing. He'd dragged Excalibur through the crystalline floor and slid to a stop, then turned to find the rest of the party laying in a mass of craters. They twitched, but couldn't even groan; the wind had been knocked from them.
"NO!" Cecil screamed. "Stand up, please! Everyone!"
Hearing a soft hiss, he whirled around to see Zeromus float through the air on a cloud of darkness.
"You will know suffering!" rasped the demon. "You will know death! You shall be next... Come... Vanish into the darkness I have wrought!"
Cecil swallowed hard. If Zeromus launched another Meteor, there was no way to dodge it. With everyone knocked out cold, another round would destroy their bodies completely. Even worse, Cecil felt his strength fade.
He sagged to his knees, holding tightly to Excalibur's grip with all he had left. And that was about all he could manage. Cecil's left hand clutched the pommel and he managed to keep himself from falling.
"Damn!" he cursed. Was this it?
Shaking his head furiously, he tightened his grip but fell to his knees again. He had no reserves left.
"D-damn..."
Scene Four
All of this had been seen back on Earth, at the Tower of Prayer, where the Mysidian Elder and the others were watching the battle. They'd seen Zemus die and Zeromus be born, and watched as the meteors decimated the party.
Porom covered her mouth with her hands in shock, shaking her head furiously.
"Elder!" she gasped. She turned back to the sphere and began to sob. "Cecil and the others... will they...?!"
The Elder shook his head and turned back to those who had gathered.
"This is the time!" he whispered. "The time when all of Earth prays for its salvation..."
Edward placed his hands together in prayer.
"Cecil, hang on! We're all counting on you!"
Yang bowed his head.
"Cecil, my friend... You have our confidence!"
The Epopts bowed their heads and began to pray.
"You've done so much, but we..."
Cid fumed. He tightened his fist and grit his teeth.
"Get your acts together!"
Cid's engineers bowed their heads.
"Come back safely!"
King Giott nodded.
"Now is the time..."
His daughter Luca clasped her hands.
"For the sake of the Earth, rise up...!"
Palom pumped his fist.
"We're with you, guys! Give 'em hell!"
Porom nodded.
"Cecil... Please..."
The Elder turned his eyes to the moon above. He clasped his hands in prayer and fell to his knees.
"O moon divine! Heed our prayers..."
Scene Five
"You're telling ME to wake up...?" groaned Edge as his eye twitched. "After your wife dragged your sorry ass outta bed... You guys have a lot of nerve..."
Rosa rolled onto her back and gasped.
"I can hear them ...!" she gasped. "I can hear them all ...!"
Rydia lifted her head weakly.
"They're counting on us...!"
Kain slammed his fist to the ground.
"I can't let it end like this...!" he snarled. They even prayed for a wretch like him, after all he'd done?
With a gasp, Cecil forced himself back awake. He gripped Excalibur tightly, and tried to lift himself up again.
"I won't let it end...! But... Can I find the strength...?"
He felt a hand slap his face. Shocked, he lifted his head to see Tellah and Anna standing above him in spectral form. Though they were white as sheets, Tellah's eyes burned with resolve.
"Are you going to go back on your promise?" he roared. "You said that you'd give the man responsible for all this the justice he deserves!"
Anna smiled.
"Even if that man isn't Golbez, but the puppeteer who guided his hand..."
Tellah knelt down at Cecil's side and gripped his hand.
"Do you really need a dead old man to pull your chestnuts out of the fire, or will you show some backbone?!"
The ghostly hand faded, and Cecil's fist tightened. He dragged himself to his feet, feeling the strength within him return. His companions did so as well, lifting themselves to meet Zeromus's sneer. Though they staggered, as they rose they felt their heartbeats quicken.
Out of the corner of his eye, Cecil saw an object fly towards him. Catching it, he realized it was a crystal. He whirled around to find Golbez with his hand extended, his mask cracked.
"Cecil..." Golbez rasped. "It has to be you..."
Cecil forced a smile and gripped Excalibur, ripping it from the broken crystalline floor. He turned to Zeromus as the images of everyone on Earth flashed past his eyes. Rosa and Rydia saw the same, and as Edge did he grinned weakly.
"Looks like we're not done..." gasped Edge.
Kain wearily shouldered his lance, a smile crossing his face.
"That we aren't."
Cecil lifted his sword, all the strength in his body replenished, and pointed it at Zeromus. His eyes narrowed, and a thin smile crossed his lips. They weren't fighting alone after all...
"This isn't the end for us!" he shouted. He palmed the crystal. "But it is for you, Zeromus!"
As they gave a cheer, the party charged with Cecil taking point. He gripped Golbez's crystal and hurled it, the relic giving off a bright light. The crystal glowed with all the colors of the rainbow, and flashed brilliantly for a final time.
The air around Zeromus began to collapse into itself. Cracks began to form, small at first but expanding quickly. The demon's sneer tightened as his form started to warp, before the area broke open.
Where Zeromus hovered, a hideous beast broke through the cracks and snarled. It was a disgusting abomination, with a frame that reflected his madness. The new body had lost all semblance of humanity, now a warped creature with no real body.
Its spectral limbs were held by threads of shimmering light stitched onto a mutated torso, with what could loosely be called a head. The head was covered with scales and sores, eyes opening from its face with blood-red sclera and a sheen of black slime.
As Zeromus lifted its head, the party quickened their pace. As its head ripped open to reveal orbs of blue energy, Cecil coated Excalibur in light and gripped it with both hands. He tightened his grip, and the longsword's blade doubled in size to a broadsword.
"I'm gonna kick your sorry ass!" shouted Edge as he twirled his daggers.
Rydia crossed her hands across her chest and threw them open, and from behind her Bahamut emerged with his fangs bared. Rosa lifted her hand and was covered in a sheen of light, and Kain crouched briefly to the ground.
Kain launched himself high into the air, soaring high above Zeromus. He stopped in midair, twisted his body, and his legs blasted him lance-first at the abomination with a crack of lightning.
Edge crossed his daggers, tossed them above his hands, and clapped both hands together. As he caught the blades, they changed into a series of throwing stars the size of the daggers themselves. He clutched them between his fingers, almost like claws.
One of Zeromus's arms detached at the shoulder and flew forward. Cecil jumped high and stepped onto it, slashed it in half, and bounded forward. He slung Excalibur and a massive wave of light broke from its blade, hurtling towards Zeromus.
Kain's body was covered in light; he dropped like a stone, bursts of air signaling his fall, and he crashed through Zeromus's neck with a shattering crack. As Zeromus reeled and swung at him he pushed off and launched himself back to where he started where he slid to a stop.
Zeromus's head retreated back into its torso, and light began to collapse around its eyes like Bahamut's breath. Its bloody eyes broke open and a colossal blast of energy ripped from them towards the party. Bahamut echoed the gesture, propelling a wave of his lightning breath that met Zeromus's and clashed with it.
As Bahamut fought it, Edge started forward towards Kain. Cecil readied another swing, and Kain ran at Edge with his lance extended. Bahamut's blast canceled out Zeromus's, and both Rosa and Rydia launched Holy and Flare through the smokescreen it created.
Edge leapt onto Kain's spear and, with a strong throw, was pushed forward with lightning speed. He swiftly charged his throwing stars with energy and hurled them, sending the stars forward as razor-sharp discs of light that cut through Zeromus's body and diced it open.
Zeromus's torso broke open to reveal a mass of black blood and gnarled sinew. Rosa's Holy spells struck and dissolved part of it, and Rydia's Flares imploded to decimate what remained. The tattered remnants twisted in the wind, each forming fangs and whirling forward.
Cecil clutched Excalibur tightly with both hands high above his head, and with one mighty swing he released a shockwave of light that broke through Zeromus's body parts and struck the main body.
The torso cracked open and briefly spewed darkness before collapsing into itself like a black hole. Cecil pushed off against the air and, with all his might, he cleaved Zeromus's remains in half.
Zeromus's remaining body convulsed, broke into motes of light, and with a brilliant flash evaporated into a misty nothingness. The air around them began to quake, and finally cracked open to reveal the place where they had started.
The party landed deftly and turned to the black hole that had formed. Zeromus's face appeared in the darkness, sneered, and bore its fangs.
"So long as hate exists, so shall I!" it roared.
As it dissolved into nothing, Cecil sheathed his sword and stepped forward. He looked at the chaos before him and narrowed his eyes before smiling.
"And so long as you exist, humans will continue to send you back to the darkness whence you came!"
Scene Six
In the aftermath the party was left with Golbez and Fusoya. The Lunarian rose to his feet and smiled.
"The people of the blue planet are, perhaps," he chuckled. "more evolved than we thought."
He turned to the party and bowed his head.
"But Zeromus is right: hate will always exist. However, light will always rise up and conquer it just as it did here and now!"
Fusoya raised his head.
"But for now, my task is done. I must return to sleep with my brethren."
Before he could turn to leave Golbez gripped his shoulder and turned him around. Through the crack in his mask a smile formed.
"May I join you?" he asked. "I have no one to return to on Earth. Perhaps in slumber I can find my peace..."
Fusoya frowned.
"There is no telling how long we will sleep. Are you okay with that?"
Golbez nodded. He turned back to the party and bowed his head.
"I cannot beg your forgiveness after all I've done. I accept my shame..."
He turned to leave. As he did Kain tapped Cecil on the shoulder.
"Hey!" he snapped. "Is that how you'll part?"
Rydia nodded.
"He's your brother. You... may never see him again. Are you okay with leaving it at this?"
Rosa held Cecil's hand and gripped it tightly. She smiled, and was met in turn with a grin. Cecil dashed forward and grasped Golbez's arm. Tightening it, he gave a soft smile towards Golbez.
"Till we meet next..." he said. Smiling, he met Golbez's eyes. "Brother."
Golbez paused, and swept off Cecil's hand. He slowly removed his helmet to reveal a handsome, silver-haired man's face. Lowering his eyes, he shook his head.
"Very well," he smirked. "Brother."
Scene Seven
And thus one born of a dragon, bearing darkness and light, rose from the still lands to the heavens above. Golbez joined Fusoya in slumber with the Lunarians, and the moon began to drift away from Earth. Slowly, the people of Earth began to piece together what remained into a shining future for themselves.
The eight crystals were returned to their resting places, all left to bear their light from here till eternity. The peoples of the under and overworlds now lived united, and war seemed a distant nightmare that would never return.
In a chamber of the Tower of Prayer, the Lightbringer reposed. Porom met the Elder in its foyer, dressed in beautiful lavender and silver robes holding a green amulet. Their lessons would recommence. But...
"Elder, I don't see Palom," she said. "I can't find him anywhere!"
The Elder shook his head.
"That boy... needs some discipline."
In the town of Troia, Palom stood above a group of children. He was now dressed in a green tunic with blue robes, wearing a bright red amulet.
"And THEN!" he exclaimed with a flourish as he created a small spark. "I told those rats what's-what and gave Zemus the thrashing he deserved!"
One of the children, a young blonde girl, stood mesmerized as Palom boasted. As he did so he never saw Porom sneak behind him and smack him hard on the head.
"The Elder's angry!" she snarled. "Now we have TWICE the homework to do!"
Palom nursed his wound and groaned.
"Aw, man! That old fart's a beast!"
The children broke out in laughter, and the lone blonde gave a nervous smile. Someday, she was going to be as great as he was!
Scene Eight
Edge returned to Eblan as its King, and began restoring the kingdom to what it once was. In the refurbished throne room of Eblan's castle, the Seneschal paced up and down the halls.
"From here on, I am sworn to serve you! But, milord, I must say: You MUST do some WORK! The kingdom won't rebuild itself!"
On the throne, Edge reclined in new royal robes.
"Yeah, yeah, I know!" he muttered as he picked his nose. "With great power comes... somethin'. I dunno."
The Seneschal sighed and bowed his head.
"Great responsibility! With great power comes-"
Edge shook his head.
"Okay, I get it!"
The Seneschal groaned and held his head.
"Somehow I don't think you do..."
Edge sighed.
"What a buncha crap. But I can't help but wonder how Rydia's doing..."
As the king swooned, the Seneschal just gave up.
Scene Nine
Rydia had returned to the Feymarch, where she met with Leviathan and Asura. She was now considered a noble there, ruling along with the monarchs as one of their advisors.
"You are quite remarkable!" chortled Leviathan. "I didn't think I'd live to see the day Bahamut humbled himself."
"Nor I!" Asura laughed. "You've grown so much, little lady. I didn't know if you'd even bother returning!"
Rydia smiled.
"This is my home!" she said. "Of course I'd come back here!"
From behind her a small Eidolon entered the hall.
"Miss Rydia! Miss Rydia!" said the young Eidolon. "Why don't I look like you?"
With a smile, Rydia knelt and hugged the Eidolon.
"We're all just who we are! Everyone is beautiful in their own way!"
Leviathan leaned in by Asura's ear.
"I can't wait to see what kind of beautiful young woman our Rydia becomes!"
Asura snickered.
"I never knew my husband was so naughty!"
The Eidolon King sighed.
"That isn't what I meant and you know it!" he hissed.
Rydia giggled and stuck out her tongue.
"Even if we're different on the outside, what matters is that we're all the same on the inside. Right, Cecil...?"
Scene Ten
In Fabul, the King abdicated in favor of Yang and his wife. He said that he had been surpassed, and that only a true hero ought to rule his kingdom.
"You've done it now, honey!" chuckled Sheila. "Everyone loves you!"
Yang shook his head.
"Can you not call me King, rather than honey? It is... uncouth."
Sheila smiled.
"Oh, don't be so stuffy."
With a laugh, Yang rose from his throne.
"I can't go without training! Ten thousand punches and a thousand prayers! I have much work to do!"
"Please, pace yourself!" The former king laughed.
Scene Eleven
Damcyan now came under the capable leadership of King Edward Chris von Muir. Standing at Anna's grave as the castle's children played, he bowed his head in prayer.
"Anna, I... I'll never forget you. I can only hope you watch over me, as I rebuild our kingdom. OUR kingdom. I pray you rest in peace... and Tellah, too! I can only hope he's found room in his heart to forgive me..."
From behind him, Edward felt a soft slap to his cheek. He whirled around, but saw no one. He smiled, and began to laugh.
Perhaps he'd forgiven him after all!
Scene Twelve
The Dwarven Castle was abuzz with activity. Several dwarves ran about the castle making repairs from the damage dealt during the war.
"Lali-ho!" chortled one. "There are a lot of things to repair!"
King Giott laughed.
"Dismantle the tanks if you need! We don't need weapons of war anymore! Hah!"
His daughter Luca wandered up to him, with the refurbished Calca and Brina beside her.
"Father! I wanna know how Cecil and the others are doing!"
Giott patted her on the head.
"You can ask him yourself! We've been invited to his wedding... and coronation!"
Scene Thirteen
Kain took his leave of Baron, hoping to find his own kind of peace. Atop Mt. Ordeals, he watched the world below go by as it was.
"Cecil, Rosa... I can't face you yet. Someday... when I become worthy... I will see you again!"
He turned towards KluYa's monument with a smile. He'd set up camp near the magic circle on the mountain.
"I'll be a much different man by then!"
Scene Fourteen
Baron was now ruled by a new King: Cecil Harvey. The Red Wings were being transformed into a self-defense force designed to police the world and act as its military, in case some threat arose. Soon, his wedding would begin; and in marrying Rosa, he would ascend to the throne of Baron!
In his old chambers, Cecil lay in bed with Rosa. They had spent the night together, passionately enjoying each other's company. As they laid with his lover, Cecil turned his eyes to the ceiling.
"I think I can hear him..."
Rosa cocked her head.
"Him?"
Cecil nodded. He narrowed his eyes.
"I can hear my brother laughing with us... He is at peace, and soon we shall be as well."
Rosa smiled.
"Yes... Soon, a new life will begin."
A bang at the door signalled Cid, who entered in a fancy tuxedo.
"It's almost time, lovebirds!"
He paused as he watched Cecil and Rosa lay together.
"Aw, hell. Forget I was ever here."
As he left, Rosa gave a soft giggle. Cecil returned with a smile, and they set about readying for the wedding.
Scene Fifteen
The wedding had already begun by the time Edge dashed into the throne room. Breathless, he gave a wave and a nod.
"Hey, newlyweds!" he laughed. "I came as soon as..."
He paused as he watched Rydia take a sip of wine at her table, along with Edward, Yang, and the other party members.
"Hey there!" he laughed. "Fancy meeting you guys here! Great to see ya, Ry... everyone!"
Rydia scowled and shook her head, but began to laugh with the rest of her friends. Cecil and Rosa were atop their thrones, looking out at the gathering of dozens from around the world. The whole Earth really had come together: dwarves, mages, priests... There were representatives from every country there to celebrate.
Cecil turned to his bride and smiled.
"Now," he said softly, "we can begin anew."
Rosa nodded and caressed his face.
"We can begin together..."
As they kissed, the room broke out in cheers. Edge tried to cozy up to Rydia, but she shoved him away and gave a standing ovation with everyone there. Whatever came next, they would always have each other.
It was time for the dragon to rest his wings...