(Trails of Cold Steel IV ost - To the Future)
When we were all rested up, we made our way back to the core area and passed through the doorway which was now open and we took the elevator that brought us down further. We were now in the very depths of the core area.
"Even when Levi defeated Mcburn, the darkness seem even deeper." Sara said
"It's not your imagination. We're getting close to the twisted heart of this cursed empire." Musse nodded
"Hey, brighten up, you guys! We can do this!" Millium stated
"Yeah, you're right!" Rean nodded
"We come this far. We will not give up so easily either. It's time to save this world as a team!" I added.
We had a little more to go until we reached the very end. After a few struggles, we finally reached the archway that would bring us to the very heart of the core.
We stood near the door in the sanctum area, our final battle was beyond this door.
"So this is really it, huh?" Juna asked.
"Yes...our final opponent awaits us just beyond this door." Kurt replied.
"Yeah." Rean nodded
Sara looked at us. "Before we go, I wanna say how proud I am of each and every one of you for making it this far."
We turned to face her.
"Instructor..." Rean look confused
"Sara?" Fie also look confused
(Trails of Cold Steel ost - Class VII)
I nodded with a smile. "She's right, we all came a long way and each of us had overcome so much."
"You know, Class VII started out as just a social experiment. It was made up of students from a number of diverse backgrounds who were all highly compatible with the ARCUS units. But we didn't expect any of you would have backgrounds as crazy as Rean's, Emma's, and even yours, Levi."
I chuckled a bit. "Well, I can't deny that."
"This class far exceeds every expectation. I'm sure Prince Olivert and Principal Vandyck couldn't have imagined you'd come this far. What's more, you guys became the closest group I've ever seen. You're all irreplaceable to each other. And even though they both had ulterior motives, when Millium and Crow joined, they fit right in, too. But it didn't end there. We got a new generation of members under Rean's guidance. The final pieces of Class VII. Juna, Kurt, Altina, Venti, Ash, and Musse. As your guys' former homeroom teacher, I guess what I want to say is...Class VII is the best there is. Not that there was any doubt."
"Aww." Rean smiled as Crow chuckled
"Man...I wasn't ready for that." Alisa said.
"The best there is, huh?" Machias asked. "I seem to recall a certain someone saying that before the trial at the Old Schoolhouse."
"And yet, the words carry so much more weight now." Laura added.
"W-wait, seriously?!" Sara responded. "I thought I was being original there."
I laughed. "It's okay, Sara. We've all gone through countless situations since the first day we met. Back then, I never even dream that I would enroll in a school life, and have such close and cherished friends, and I never would've imagined that I would fall in love along the way in the end. But I'm so happy with the life I have now. And I'm thankful for Liam too. Being with all of you for the past few years and all the way up to now, and discovering my identity, my only family aside from Mcburn, those are the moments I will forever cherish. As I'm sure you all cherish the moments that we've all spent together."
"Aww, brother." Venti smiled as he hug me.
"Yeah, that was well said, Levi." Juna added.
"Even to those outsides of Class VII. I felt like I will always be part of Class VII." Cedric smiled
"It has been a long, long journey." Venti added.
"Yeah, each and every one of us is part of Class VII, and always will be." Rean agreed.
"Oh yeah. That reminds me. When a certain someone said that. There was that one time you didn't come with us, Sara." Millium said to Sara
"Heck, even I was there for that one." Crow said. "Wait a sec… if you weren't there, how'd you become a secondary constructor with the rest of us?"
"That's a fair point, actually. You never took part in the trial." Emma replied.
"And somehow you've been linked to Valimar this whole time." Celine added
"Hm… how perplexing." Jusis replied.
"H-Hey! Is that your guys' whole takeaway?!" Sara exclaimed
Juna laugh. "Well, when you think about it, the six of us are the same."
"Maybe the important part is the feeling that you belong in Class VII." Kurt said.
"And most of all, the way the Awakener- Instructor Rean- thinks of you." Altina added
"Yep. The bond between teacher and student." Venti nodded
"As far as I am concerned, Instructor Sara's always been one of us." Rean replied
"Heh. So you're saying she's no different from a bunch of high schoolers." Ash smirked
"Now now. Maybe it just means she bonds so well with her students, she starts acting like one." Musse teases.
"Gh… I try to give an uplifting speech and this is the thanks I get?" Sara complained. "Come ooooon! I guess you just can't help it, can you?"
"Hehe. We're just joking." Elliot smile.
"But seriously, we owe so much to you as well, Sara." I said.
"Indeed. Your words were just what we needed to hear." Gaius added.
Rean nodded. "Agreed. Thank you, Instructor. It truly means a lot."
"Glad to hear it." Sara replied. "All right, Rean. You know what to do."
(Trails of Cold Steel IV ost - To the Future)
"Yeah." Rean cleared his throat. "I'll keep this short. All we have left to do is prove our strength and determination. What awaits us beyond this door is the cause of everything. The source of the curse, and its Final Rivalry. And with it, Erebonia's most influential chancellor, the reincarnation of a legendary emperor. Shouldering the fate of the continent would be daunting to almost anyone, but we're Class VII, the best there is. We can do this! It's time! Let's destroy this curse once and for all. And light the way to a brighter future for the whole world!"
"RIGHT!" We all replied together.
"Oh yeah. I want you to promise me… no… all of us something Rean." I said.
"What is it?" Rean asked
"Promise me… or us… that you won't do anything like sacrificing yourself."
"Ah.."
"If you do. I'll never forgive you. Promise me that."
"Of course. I promise."
We turned to the large door and it opened, all of us went through except for Rean and Crow. I guess they had a last-minute word since they're in for the most important battle of their lives. We walked into what was like a massive throne room, and at the end was the core of the fortress itself, along with Osborne, and the Ebon Knight Ishmelga.
"So...you've come." Osborne said.
(Trails of Cold Steel IV ost - In the Darkness of Ignorance)
"I suppose I should commend you for making it this far. You defeated my Ironbloods, the Anguis, Liam Randolph, the Almighty Conflagration. And moreover, acquired the powers of the other Knights. Those were no small feats."
"It's true. Each battle pushed us to our very limit." Rean replied. "I should've expected no less of those you chose to serve you."
Osborne walked down the steps. "Hah. Perhaps I may have gone a little overboard in my quest to fuel this fortress. But no matter. All the conditions have been met. The beginning of the end is at hand. However, before that...Valimar! Lianne! To me! Bring the sword with you!"
Juna gasped. "What?!"
"Oh, right...he was Valimar's previous Awakener, wasn't he?" Celine remembered.
"Rean, what shall I do?" Valimar asked.
"It's fine, you can come." Rean replied.
Valimar then appeared with the sword. And Lianne appeared next to me.
"It's been a long time, Dreichels." Valimar said. "Ah, my mistake. In this life, you are known as Giliath Osborne, correct?"
"Call me by any name you like." Osborne replied. "You have my thanks for looking after Rean. Moreover, it seems you've recovered your memories."
"Indeed. I owe that to Liam."
"And I owe Liam as well. For allowing me to speak to you once more." Lianne added
Millium then appeared. "Yeah, and it's thanks to him, I can do this now."
"Ah, Millium. I'm glad we were able to talk like this once more." Osborne said. " And Lianne, I'm so glad to see you are alright. Even if it a short amount of time. You're still grown beautiful as you were all those years ago."
"Flattery won't get you anywhere Dreichels. But you're right. I am also happy to see you have your iron will as well." Lianne replied "Liam save me before your Ironblood Rufus who was going to kill me and take the Argent's Knight's power."
"Yeah, he is a pretty incredible person. I'm glad to see you too, Gramps."
"Haha… he truly is. Speaking of which. I know you're here listening Lord Liam." Osborne said.
"Hehe. I shouldn't be surprised." And then Liam appeared. "You don't have to thank me for all the things I've done. I'm glad to see how things play out.
"Of course. I welcome you as well, other members of Class VII. And you as well Your Highness. Alisa, Machias, Jusis, Elliot, Emma, Fie, Gaius, 'Musse', Celine, Miss Valestein, Laura, Kurt, Venti. Black Rabbit, Juna and Ash. I must apologize to you three. But you especially, Armbrust."
I'm guessing for both Crossbell and using Ash as a sacrifice
"Ugh, where's this coming from?" Crow asked in disgust. "All I ever wanted was to settle the score for my grandfather. I might've taken it a bit too far, but then again, so did you."
"Hehe, most definitely."
"How can he be so calm?" Elliot asked.
"He seems so composed and confident." Kurt added.
Laura nodded. "This is the kind of iron will that belongs to the greatest chancellor and the Lionheart Emperor."
"Not only that, but this man is also the Awakener of the Ebon Knight... and Instructor Rean's father." Altina added
"Giliath Osborne. Even though I've known you're my father for some time, it didn't feel real until now." Rean said. "That's not to say I don't still consider Teo Schwarzer my father, after all he did for me."
"Haha, I'm sure Teo would be happy to hear that. You are his son just as much as you are mine. In the same way, you are both Lucia's and Kasia's son. Perhaps you could even be considered Lianne's son, as well."
"Drechiels…" Lianne smiled
"I suppose you may be right. We've finally learned the truth about you, the glimpses of your past in the reflecting pool." Rean nodded "We saw what the curse did to you. How you fell into Ishmelga's grasp. You became one with the Ebon Knight, yet you managed to retain your personality thanks to your iron will. In the end, you were the one who chose to become the Empire's enemy, the world's enemy...our enemy."
"We knew you'd stop at nothing to reach your goal." Alisa said. "If we didn't step in to stop you, you would've destroyed the world without the slightest hesitation."
"But I'm sure you didn't expect us to fight back so successfully with Millie Mirage and the Radiant Wings." Sara added. "No matter how the Rivalries play out, we still have a chance of stopping the end."
Musse nodded. "Agreed. Radiant Wings, in particular, was a surprise even to me."
"Yes, indeed. You've done well." Osborne replied. "In the last moments of my life as Dreichels, I despaired for the future the curse would bring. Because of that, Lianne felt an unnecessary obligation to take everything into her own hands. But seeing all of you here before me, it would seem my fears were unfounded."
Osborne then drew out that cursed blade from the workshop.
"We saw that blade at the Black Workshop" Jusis said
"It's as if it was forged with all the malice in the world." Machias trailed off.
"Sorta reminds me of the sword Millim turned into, but at the same time, it's completely different." Fie nodded
"That sword. I thought I felt a familiar darkness coming from that blade. That sword is from the Ebon Knight, isn't it?" I asked
"You are correct, Levi. This is another Sword of the End, belonging to the Ebon Knight itself." Osborne replied. "Due to certain circumstances, however, it was unable to be used to slay the Holy Beast. Nonetheless, its power far surpasses any weapon this world has ever seen. Now then, shall we begin the final preparations?"
(Trails of Cold Steel IV ost - Majestic Roar)
Osborne ready to fight. "I command you as Dreichels Reise Arnor, he who built your foundation. Strike at me with everything you have! Show me the depth of your will, Thors' Class VII!"
"Yes, Sir/Yes your majesty!" Class VII and Cedric
We all begin to charge in and then strike in together. Osborne ready himself as he clash with all of us. As I fight and combat link with Rean. We begin to slash together with Osborne as he strikes and push us back as we evade his attacks and return the favor. Our classmates begin to fight him next. And after a few classing blows from everyone. He came at us with all he had. We all begin to use our crafts onto him and his craft undo us. But as we did. We also buff ourselves as well as Prince Cedric buff. And then we begin to counter Osborne hard. And then in a few moments where he use his dark Crafts onto us. We either evade or taken damage. I return the favor and then launched a powerful Spiral Pillar. Everyone had done their powerful crafts while Venti and I buff the group. Then use Juna's Brave order to break Osborne quickly. And soon Osborne use his S craft onto us. And then we all did the same. Soon we begin to break him and then me and Rean power up and with Alisa and Venti's craft heal us and boost us. We begin to follow up and then we begin to unleash our S craft onto Osborne. I use my Aether's Salvation. And Rean's Luminous Abyss.
(Trails of Cold Steel IV ost - Celestial Coalescence)
We scraped out a win and the swirl around us appeared, but it was much, much bigger than before. In fact, it was now surrounding the entire fortress, the final Rivalry was upon us.
"It's ready...the time has come." Gaius said.
"The time for the seven fragments of power to clash and become whole again." Emma added.
Celine nodded. "Now, they will vie for control over the reformed Great One, the being which holds the infinite power of two Sept-Terrions."
"And when Ishmelga shows itself, I will be the one to defeat it." I stated.
"Come, Ordine!" Crow called out his Divine Knight.
"To me. Testa-Rossa!" Cedric called forth his Divine Knight.
Ordine, Testa Rossa, Argent and the Soldats appeared
"Master, wait!"
Just then, Alberich showed up.
"Father!" Alisa exclaimed
"We had planned for the final Rivalry to take place once the war below had reached its climax! It's too early! We must wait another day at the very least! Otherwise, there won't be enough energy. The reformation will be incomplete!" Alberich stated
"It's fine, Alberich. There is more than enough strife in the world to suit our needs." Osborne assured. "Some battles begin long before any blood is shed, and this is no different."
"You're exactly right!" Rean agreed.
"Let's get this over with." Crow added.
"I will fight with everything I had!" Cedric stated
"Dreicials. I will help set you free!" Lianne added
"Right behind you!" Juna nodded
"Go on, Rean, Cedric, Crow, and Lianne." I supported. "This battle is yours to win!"
"We'll provide support!" Altina added
"Thanks guys!" Millium cheered as she enter the sword
Those of us who can use Soldots begin to enter and pilot it.
Osborne went into his Divine Knight and the final Rivalry had begun.
"Now for the grand showdown of this story. Who will win…" Liam said as he look serious.
"Hold nothing back. You must face me with all the strength you can bring to bear! All your determination! The entirety of your potential!" Obsorne spoke. "If you do not, I, Giliath Osborne, will bring all you know to ruin!"
"As you wish!" Cedric respond
"Understood!" Lianne added
"Sure! You asked for it!" Crow replied.
"I promise I'll fight you with every last fiber of my being!" Rean added.
And so the epic battle begin. The Divine Knights begin their clash as we soldat users begin to support them. The Ebon Knight is the most powerful and dangerous of all the Divine Knights. And with Osborne form. This will also be their most difficult battle. Rean and the others clash with Osborne into one epic battle, far surpassing my expectation. Each side launches powerful crafts. Osborne's powers as well as the Ebon Knight is incredible. But with Rean with all the Divine Knights power, along with four Divine Knights at his side. Things are becoming an equal battle. Osborne launched a powerful attack onto them and launched a deadly follow-up. Soon Rean and the others counter-attack with a union craft. Dealing equally damage. Testa-Rossa thousand weapons attack, Lianne powerful lance attacks. Crow's Duel-saber strikes. And Rean Tachi strikes. I was in awe of it all. Osborne, and the Ebon Knight, its power was incredible, but we were much stronger at the end. I was this close to merging with them but Rean told me to wait.
Now a huge surge of power was now zooming around the Divine Knights.
"So this is..." Emma paused.
"The power of the final Rivalry." Gaius finished.
"Kh...so this is it, then." Crow said.
Then, from up above, a portal appeared and both Osborne, Rean, and their Divine Knights went through it.
"Instructor!" Juna shout
"Rean!" Alisa also shouted
Then they vanished
"They vanished!" Laura added
"Screw the Rivalry! Let's go after 'em!" Ash stated
"Ordine! Let's fly!" Crow said.
"As you command!" Ordine replied.
"Testa Rosta, let's follow him as well!" Cedric nodded
"At once!" Test-Rossa replied
"Argelion!" Lianne called out
"Understood!" Aregrion replied
We then teleported outside of the fortress and the portal from up above was still open.
"What the- we're outside!" Venti exclaimed
"And the portal is still there." I added
"Did they go inside there?" Kurt asked.
"Yes. But is it possible for us to go after them?" Laura added.
"The portal seems to only follow one way." Gaius answered. "I fear it may not be possible for us."
I then nodded. "Then it's up to me..."
"Levi? What do you mean?" Celine asked.
"I'm gonna go in there and help Rean."
"But how?" Sara asked. "That portal may not stay open forever!"
"You may be right, but do you all remember what I said back at Eryn Village? Like it or not, Rean's fate and my fate have been intertwined, I was created to protect him, and I will fulfill that role. He needs me and I won't stop helping him overcome his fate!"
I then flew upwards to the portal.
"Don't worry, we'll be back in one piece." I smiled at them. "It's my destiny to protect the lives of those I care the most. You can always be sure of that!"
I zoomed through the portal.
(Trails of Cold Steel IV ost - One Thought)
As I arrived from the portal, I found myself in some kind of void, and Rean and Osborne were at a stand-off.
"Now, Rean. This is where it all ends." Osborne said. "There is no turning back for you any longer."
"That's where you're wrong, Osborne." I replied as I reappeared next to Valimar.
"Hm? So you're here as well. Could it be, that your fate was intertwined with Rean's?"
"That's right! And there's no way I'm gonna bail on him. I was created to protect him. And I am doing just that! "
"Levi, how did you get here?" Rean asked.
"Did you remember what I told you before? I said that whether you like it or not, our fates have been intertwined. We're sticking with each other to the very bitter end, no matter the size of the burden you have!"
"He's right." Millium said. "So we'll give this everything we got for you."
Then I begin to merge with Valimar and he glow with radiant his armor was golden. And then I was in my astral form and see Rean. Rean was surrounded by miasma and his eyes were glowing yellow. The miasma was beginning to be purged, returning him to where he was in. Though not completely.
Osborne chuckled. "I can feel the miasma being purified. Even from here. Liam. You truly are kind. So in a way, you two have bonded together as if you were brothers, yes?"
"Lovers actually. But yeah, we have." Rean nodded. "I'm also aware that my role as the Sacrifice was nothing more than a backup plan. Even so, I will put everything I am into this sword!"
"The Eight Leaves One Blade and Hundred-form Military Combat. A clash between swordsmen, and our final act as father and son. Truth be told, I regret never having the opportunity to train you myself."
"Well...maybe we'll get the chance another time...Someday. Somewhere. Maybe in another life. But for now, prepare yourself, Giliath Osborne!"
I nodded. "We're coming for you, and we'll set you free from Ishmelga!"
"Then come- Rean Schwarzer. Levi Sullivan." Osborne respond.
The two of them began their final clash, and Millium and I were with Rean right all the way to the very end of the battle. When it was finally over, that was when it happened. The Ebon Knight fell and Rean had Valimar catch it. Then, a massive surge of darkness began to leave the Ebon Knight, turning into a massive dark soul with several eyes around it. Then my Astral form got in front of Valimar, confronting Ishmelga.
"Ishmelga...At long last we meet." I said, sternly with a glare.
"AVATAR." It spoke. "DO YOU STAND IN MY WAY?!"
"I am. I will not allow you to possess him. And I won't allow your evil and miasma to effect this world! I am created to protect the Awakeners from you! And I will end your life!"
NO! I WILL NOT LET YOU! BUT FIRST! AWAKENER! RELINQUISH YOUR SOUL TO ME!"
"He will not! Prepare yourself Ishmelga!" I forward my hand and my power awaken. "BE WIPE FROM THIS WORLD!"
"CURSE YOUR EXISTENCE!"
And the final battle is over. However, the true battle will begin next chapter!