42. Bittersweet Hope

Arganan never thought he'd live a life where he might fall off an airship. Apparently, today decided to be the day that such a thing would happen.

The former Count knew that there were two things that could happen in these few moments.

First, he could die. If he hit the ground falling from a bloody airship, he was more than sure that he'd die on impact.

Secondly, he wasn't about to let himself die. Not now, and especially not like this. Using the Outsider's power, his right arm outstretched towards the ground below, he could only hope that the power would come into effect. Stop his fall, in some way, and hopefully not die in the process.

His Outsider's mark glowed, much to his joy, and he felt his fall…slow down.

"What!?" Ethelberd's roar made Arganan flinch, but the former Count refused to lose focus on getting to the ground safely. "How is that possible!?"

"Thank goodness." Arganan thought he heard Therius mutter, just as the former Count managed to land on the ground on mostly-solid footing. He had to take a step back, briefly, to keep his balance, but he steadied himself, taking a deep breath as he looked towards Frey and the others.

"I suppose I'm stuck fighting with you." He managed, before looking up where the airship once was. He noticed it still on the descent, Dylas and Doug working frantically to try to make sure they landed safely as they spiraled down towards Selphia.

Frey simply smiled back at him. "I'm glad to have the help." She managed, before her gaze snapped towards Ethelberd. "Let's free Venti and get rid of Ethelberd!"

"FOOLISH HUMANS!" Ethelberd roared. With a flap of Ventuswill's wings he soon hovered above the group, roaring again at them. "You think you can beat a god!? I'll make sure all of you burn!"

Columns of wind headed towards the group. Arthur and Arganan both managed to sidestep the attacks, but Therius, Frey and Zael all got blown back, having no chance to dodge. Arganan winced as he heard Therius groan upon hitting the ground, while pained cries left Frey from the blast. Looking around, Arganan noticed a column of wind headed towards him, and he quickly held up his hands in front of him. The magical shield he summoned time and time again did not fail to appear, blocking and even deflecting the wind back towards Ethelberd. It hit its target, and Ethelberd hissed in pain, directing his glare towards Arganan before breathing fire at him.

"No!" Frey shot out a ray of water magic, clashing with the fire and putting it out instantly. Arganan thanked Frey for backing him up, before he looked towards Zael, who just got up from theg round. The former Count's nephew-in-law rushed over to Arganan, dodging another column of wind.

"Do you have any idea how to bring down Ethelberd?" Zael asked. Another column of wind came towards him and Arganan, butt his time, Zael managed to deflect it by first taking the brunt of the attack while his Outsider's power was activated, and then countering. Ethelberd's movements slowed as he hovered in the air, still mostly well, but it was clear that Zael's attack put a damper on his movement for now. As Ethelberd tried to attack Arthur, Arthur managed to dodge fast enough, even helping Therius get out of the way.

"I don't know." Arganan breathed back, looking between Zael and Ethelberd. Obviously, Ethelberd had a lot of power, given that he was fused with Ventuswill at this point. But Frey had fought dragons before. Ventuswill was another one, even if she was the Divine Wind. And if Ethelberd was so intent on flying, then…

Arganan vaguely recalled the Sentinel Beast Mitra, and how he watched Zael and the others defeat it. He remembered stories, rumors, of how Zael, Calista and their companions eventually fought the Sentinel Beast Atar, which came from the Gurak Continent's half of the Outsider at the time. Calista used a spell…what was it? He remembered reading back on those dragons when learning about the Outsider's power, when first using it for the Lazulis Cannon.

Maybe he could use the same spell as his niece did…if he could remember it. "Zael?"

"Yeah?" His nephew-in-law turned to face him, and Arganan took a deep breath before speaking.

"I need to summon Mitra. The same beast that nearly drained my life. You were there when Calista used the spell, so…do you remember how it goes?"

"What?!" Zael's eyes widened. "If you do that, you could die!"

"I don't care!" The former Count snapped back. "It's me or all of Selphia at this point. Calista did it before and survived, too. She's told me about that time before, back when you lot fought the Gurak after I was out of commission. I know there's a spell to summon Mitra. I have the Outsider's power, and I assume I got it while Mitra tried to kill me back then, so…why not try it out?"

"But…" Zael frowned, shaking his head. "What if it doesn't work? You've already psised it off once before."

Arganan simply sighed. "It's a risk I have to take, then. If this works, I can disable Ethelberd from flying, at least temporarily. That way, you and the others can strike Ethelberd while he's on the ground. Okay?"

"Well…" Zael glanced towards Ethelberd, frowning, and then towards Arganan, whispering the spell in his ear. Arganan did his best to remember the words, just as Zael pulled back to properly face him. "Okay. I trust you. Good luck."

"Keep him busy for me." Arganan breathed. "Let the others know."

"Will do!" Zael rushed off to help Therius guard against some more of Ethelberd's attacks. Arganan tried to hide from Ethelberd's sight, hoping to buy time to prepare the spell.

"Arganan?" Arganan turned his head to see Frey, brows furrowing with confusion. "What are you doing?"

"Something that'll ground him." Arganan called back. "Keep him busy for me! I need time to prepare!"

"Okay!"

Arganan watched as Frey fired several fireballs at Ethelberd, following it up with a few wind attacks. The wind attacks had no effect, and Arganan guessed that would be the case, since Ventuswill was a Wind Dragon. However, the fire attacks did give Ethelberd some burns, and the dragon hissed, swiping at Frey with his large claws. Frey fell, and Arganan thought he saw blood seeping from her side.

"Frey!" Arthur ran to reach her, but Ethelberd knocked him over with a wind attack, followed by a light magic attack. The former Prince had no chance to dodge the attack, hitting the ground and struggling to get up.

Ethelberd turned his attention to Zael and Therius next, breathing fire at both of them. Both men dodged, but then Ethelberd swiped his claws at both fo them. Zael dodged, but Therius' armor tore open, cutting deep enough to see obvious wounds.

"Therius!" Zael looked up at Ethelberd. It was clear that he looked beaten, but he was still standing. Arganan tried to think of the spell, tried to remember the words, but it was hard to focus.

"So it's just you left?" Ethelberd smirked, before laughing as he looked down at Zael with malicious glee. "Say goodbye to your life!"

Arganan knew he had two choices, in that moment:

The first one: Focus on the spell that Zael just told him about. He might not have enough time to save Zael before he got hit by Ethelberd's next attack, but at least Arganan would have enough time to prepare the attack and strike Ethelberd.

The second: Take the attack in Zael's place. Arganan was close enough that he could run over and push Zael aside.

He took the latter choice.

All Arganan remembered, in that moment was being hit with searing pain, even worse than what he remembered from Mitra. He remembered screaming as the impact rippled across his body, making his bones shake as he hit the ground. He heard Zael scream his name,

"What were you doing!?" Zael's eyes, a mixture of shock and worry, looked into Arganan's working eye. "I could have dodged that attack!"

Arganan tried to speak, coughing, before managing a few words. "Didn't want you dead…" He started, but he grimaced as his ribs stung. His vision swirled for a moment, then another. "Calista…would be angry…you're all she has left."

"That's not true." Zael shook his head, trying to help Arganan get up. The younger man's brows furrowed, and he helped Arganan get into a sitting position. "Calista still considers you family, you know. She'd be devastated if she lost you."

She would be…devastated? Arganan never thought his niece would think of him in that way. He thought she would have scorn, towards him, for all that he did to her. Then again, her most recent letters did ask for reconciliation. To talk things out. And even if her latest letter bordered on being a reflection of how he acted towards her, he also knew that she meant well.

"I'll try not to die." He finally conceded, getting to his feet with Zael's help. He saw Therius scramble for safety as Ethelberd launched a wind attack at him, and he grimaced at the sight. "But…we have to help the others."

But how? As far as Arganan knew, there was no way that he could simply have Therius and Zael distract Ethelberd alone while he summoned Mitra. Frey seemed to be down for the count, still trying to struggle to her feet, and Arthur didn't look much better, either.

What could they do? Arganan tried to think. Was there any way to power everyone up enough so they could get up and distract Ethelberd?

Before he could do a thing, he heard Frey gasp, suddenly sitting up. A soft glow surrounded her, as well as Arthur, Therius, Zael and, now that Arganan looked down at himself, Arganan, too.

"Frey? Everyone? Can you hear me!?" It was Vishnal's voice that Arganan heard, seemingly out of nowhere. "The voice of Lady Ventuswill came to us through her charm! She told us to gather our power and send it to you through the Rune Spots!"

"What!?" Zael looked down at himself, eyes widening. Frey got to her feet, and Arganan noticed that the wounds she previously sustained were…fading.

"I'm not sure how it works, but…" Vishnal cleared his throat, before continuing. "Give it your all, everyone! You can do this!"

"If a detective gives up, the case remains unsolved!" Illuminata's shouts made Arganan jump a bit. "Don't give up, everybody!"

"Rr…can't hold this much longer!" Amber was heard yelling. A soft hum left her, before she continued speaking. "Are you hearing our thoughts!? Take them! Make them a part of you and use them! Don't forget! Frey –!"

The voices suddenly vanished, but the glowing surrounding Arganan and the others did not. Ethelberd himself seemed shocked, withdrawing to observe them as voices soon sounded through the air, seemingly out of nowhere.

"I LOVE YOU!" Porcoline's booming voice was something that Arganan thought he'd never hear from the sky, but apparently that was what was happening right now.

"Porco!" Margaret was heard gasping, just as Bado's chuckles were heard. "Clorica? You awake?"

"Mm…" Clorica hummed, obviously sleepy, just as Margaret groaned.

"Come on, guys, we have to focus! This is for our friends!"

"I'm praying." Clorica finally managed.

"Oh, really? Well…since you can hear us, do your best, then!" Bado called.

"With the power of my love," Porcoline was heard yelling, "Frey will succeed!"

"Ugh…" Dylas was heard groaning next. He sounded worn out, likely from the chaos on the airship earlier, but Arganan was relieved to hear him. He and Doug must've survived their airship failing... "I'm gonna send the power now!"

"Don't give up, Frey!" Margaret called. "Same with everyone up there right now! You're not alone!"

Arganan wasn't sure how to describe the sensation he felt. As the glowing continued, a multitude of voices began expressing their hopes, their determination, for Frey and the others to succeed in defeating Ethelberd. He looked towards Therius and Arthur to see their bodies healing, any wounds they had vanishing, and even Arganan himself realized that he no longer felt any pain.

"I can feel everyone's power!" Frey gasped, looking down at herself. Her whole body glowed white and blue for a moment, before it faded. She looked towards Arganan, taking a deep breath. "Their…support? Is this how we're powered up?"

"I don't know what else to call it, other than support." Arganan couldn't help but smile back at her. "You have my support, too, Frey. Go kick that emperor's arse."

"I will." She smiled back. "But you'll help, I presume?"

He couldn't help but laugh. "You know I will."

"Arganan? Princess?" The two turned to see Zael, Therius and Arthur approach them, with Therius speaking up. "Are you both okay?"

"We're fine." Arganan reassured the white knight. "It seems the rest of you are fine, too."

"Yes…" Arthur took a deep breath, nodding to confirm. "Let's defeat Ethelberd while we have this renewed strength, from our friends."

"Quite the dreamer, eh, Earthmate!?" The group looked up to see Ethelberd sneering at them. "I'll just have to break your spirits all over again…just as mine were broken and left for dead!"

"Dream on!" Frey yelled back at Ethelberd, brandishing her dual blades with a renewed vigor in her eyes. "We're not going to let you win!"

Arganan thought of the spell Zael told him about, and turned to face Frey. "Buy me time."

She blinked, looking towards him with a perplexed frown. "What?"

"I told Zael earlier to tell you and the others, but…I need to summon Mitra. It's a way we can get Ethelberd grounded so all of you can better attack him. I need time to use the spell, though." He looked Frey in the eye. "Can you do that for me?"

"Yeah." She nodded. "I'm ready! Go summon Mitra!" She turned, dashing on her heels towards Ethelberd and firing several fire spells. Ethelberd tried to strike back with a wind attack, but Zael sent it right back at him by countering and using his Outsider's power to slow down the dragon.

Therius and Arthur, meanwhile, took the chance to find a good position to flank Ethelberd as best as they could. Arthur sent several light spells at Ethelberd, forcing the fused emperor to lower himself a few feet. It made him low enough for Therius to swipe his rapier at Ethelberd's heels, causing the other to hiss in pain.

Arganan, meanwhile, took the chance to take a deep breath and focus, doing his best to remember the words of the spell Zael told him. This was his chance to make things right. He couldn't screw this up. Chanting the words underneath his breath, light flashed before his sight–

Just in time for him to open his eye and see a white space around him, and the Sentinel Beast, Mitra, looming over him. Its blue and white figure, furry and feathered, looked majestic in the light of the space around them, and it didn't roar at Arganan as it stood on its four paws. The very sight of the beast made Arganan wince, forcing him to remember what happened last time they saw each other like this.

Last time, it was a painful encounter. Arganan remembered the life being sucked out of him, forced to do nothing but watch Zael and the others fight Mitra for him. This time, it was different. It felt like they were on equal footing…mostly. At least he wasn't getting the life sucked out of him this time, right?

"I must be the last person you expect, for me to summon you." Arganan managed, looking up at Mitra. Mitra didn't respond, surveying him with its large eyes. The former Count didn't move away from Mitra, nor did he try to get any closer to him. A sigh left him as he did his best to look into Mitra's face, despite how huge and intimidating it was. "I would apologize, but I imagine apologies won't be enough for pissing you off last time."

Mitra seemed to half-purr, half-growl, still staring at Arganan. It was as if it tested him, judged him just by looking at him. Arganan didn't like that feeling, but he had to take a chance.

"You probably don't want to help me. I understand that. But…" He took a deep breath, maintaining his gaze on the beast, "There are people out there, right now, that need help. There is a tyrannical sorcerer we have to stop. One that's taken over…one of you dragons, assuming you're a dragon. You and Ventuswill might not be beings from the same space, but…you're both divine beings worthy of respect. And I'm sure that you're probably pissed that Ethelberd is taking over her body." The last statement was a gamble he was willing to take. He was sure that if he was Mitra and saw a fellow divine being get possessed by a power-hungry sorcerer, he would probably be pissed on behalf of said divine being, especially if they were dragon-like in nature.

Mitra leaned forwards, lowering its head to meet Arganan's gaze better. The former Count took a chance and extended his right hand towards it, slowly stroking it between the eyes. Mitra hummed, blinking, and Arganan dared to look it in the eye.

"Will you help me?" He asked. "Please?"

Mitra pulled its head back, before letting out a mighty roar…

Arganan opened his eye, the roar echoing through the clearing. He looked up, just in time to see Sentinel Beast Mitra descend from the heavens with a mighty flap of its wings, before soaring towards Ethelberd. The sorcerer-fused-dragon had no chance to dodge, hit with Mitra's full force. Mitra soared back into the air after colliding with Ethelberd, but the sorcerer-dragon hit the ground with a groan.

"Now's your chance!" Arganan yelled to the others. "Attack him, now!"

Zael, Therius and Frey didn't hesitate to run at Ethelberd, swiping at him with their blades and spells alike, now that they could reach him better. Mitra, meanwhile, swooped down low enough, letting out a loud roar that shook the air. It then looked at Arganan, before it turned its head quickly towards its back.

Arganan stared back at Mitra. "Are you saying you want me to ride you?" He finally asked, after a moment.

Mitra simply nodded. Arganan took a deep breath, and carefully (but quickly) moved to get onto Mitra's back. The Sentinel Beast was kind enough to lower itself so he could climb on easier. There was no warning for Arganna before Mitra took off, flying into the air. The former Count did his best to hold onto Mitra's back with his left metal hand as the beast flew high, before charging downwards towards Ehtelberd, intending to strike.

Arganan looked towards Ethelberd, who blasted a wind attack his way. He summoned the shield in time, deflecting it right back at him. As the wind attack hit, Ethelberd had no chance to move away from Mitra slamming itself into him. A pained scream left Ethelberd, and Arganan saw flashes of white. As he and Mitra pulled away from Ethelberd, he saw the large dragon-sorcerer collapse to the ground. White light surrounded him once, then twice. The third flash of light, after that, was so bright that Arganan had no choice but to close his good eye.

As the light faded, the former Count soon was aware of Mitra landing on the ground with a soft purr. He opened his eye, realizing that he was still seated on Mitra, but they were grounded now. As he carefully slid off, he turned to see Ventuswill, laying on the ground. Ethelberd was a few feet away from her, slowly regaining consciousness, but surely weakened.

It worked. Arganan realized. We defeated Ethelberd and his hold on her…

"Uncle!"

It was Zael that ran to Arganan's side, just as Arganan felt himself stumble. Zael caught him in his arms, with Therius rushing over to help Zael keep the former Count standing. "Are you all right?" Sir Therius asked Arganan, who nodded.

"I-I'm…fine." Arganan cleared his throat, looking between both the white knight and his nephew-in-law. Both of them looked tired, and likely bruised, but otherwise fine. Frey and Arthur were both occupied with running over to Ventuswill to check on her. He heard a soft purr, and he looked up to face Mitra, who gazed back at him.

The former Count offered Mitra a soft smile. "Thank you." He breathed. "For helping us."

Mitra let out another roar, head raised. With a flap of its wings, it rose into the air once more, before vanishing instantly from view, another flash of light surrounding it as it departed.

"Venti!" Arganan's gaze snapped down towards Frey. Ventuswill just got up, smiling at Frey.

"Look at your face. You're a mess!" A soft laugh escaped the dragon. She looked tired, but at least she seemed mostly well. "I told you before, remember? Nothing's impossible…"

"Venti…."

Arthur offered Ventuswill a smile. "I'm glad that you're safe, Lady Ventuswill."

Before anyone could speak up, Arganan heard a cough. He turned to see Ethelberd, struggling to get to his feet. He looked on the verge of collapsing entirely, like the life was sucked out of him. Arganan couldn't help but wonder if that was what he looked like when Mitra first tried to take away his life, all that time ago during the war with the Gurak.

"I-I don't understand….this cannot be!" Ethelberd tried to take a step towards the group, then another, but he limped with every step. "How could a god lose to a mere human!? I had divine power on my side! And...a body…" He fell to a knee, coughing.

Frey turned to face him, taking a deep breath. "You had nothing. None of that amounted to anything at all. Not where it counts." Frey spoke with a certainty that Arganan wasn't sure he heard before, from her. "You never actually had control over the power of a Native Dragon, or an Earthmate. You pulled the strings for a dark moment…but the power was always ours."

"No!" Ethelberd tried to get up. "I had…everything! You destroyed it all again! Just like before!"

Arganan just wished Ethelberd would shut up for a moment. "You weren't even defeated by an Earthmate." Arganan managed, glaring at him with enough power he could muster. "You were defeated by ordinary humans."

"Impossible-!"

Ventuswill looked Ethelberd in the eye, a scoff leaving her. "Do you even realize how I managed to get all of Selphia's help, Ethelberd? Power is from the heart. It's not something tangible or measurable. You can't ever possess someone else's heart unless they give it willingly. Which is why I did just that. I handed my heart to many others. I gave them my heart and passions…to ordinary humans."

Ethelberd stilled, staring at the group with wide, disbelieving eyes. "Can't be…I was defeated by humans? No! I can't accept this! I can never accept this! Never…never…never…NEVER!"

White light started appearing around him, slowly, and gradually as he kept speaking. Arganan's good eye widened as he stared at the man.

"What's happening to him?" Therius asked, his gaze snapping towards Ethelberd, and then up at Ventuswill.

Ventuswill grimaced. "His runes are being dragged into the Forest of Beginnings…"

"That means…" Frey started, but Ventuswill simply nodded.

"Yes. He used too much of the Rune Spheres' power for his human body to contain it. He's on the verge of collapse."

White light appeared around Ethelberd, consuming more and more of his body. The fallen emperor stared down at himself, and began to laugh.

"I knew it!" Ethelberd laughed weakly, ever as the light continued to surround him. "I'm no longer human…this is proof…look at this! Earthmate! I'm going back to the forest as a god! Admit it, Earthmate! My existence…my dignity…I am…a dying...god! Admit it! Admit it, Earthmate! Admit..it…"

Ethelberd faded completely as the white light consumed him. The light faded, after a few more moments, and no one would've known he was there if not for the remaining Rune Spheres left behind.

"He died believing in his delusion to the very end. A pity." Ventuswill remarked, shaking her head. She suddenly paused, before one of her legs shakily collapsed underneath her. She stumbled forwards, only to catch herself.

Frey gasped, looking up at Ventuswill. "Venti!? Are you all right!?"

Ventuswill nodded quickly, steadying herself. "Yes…somehow…"

"Thank goodness!" Frey smiled back at Ventuswill. Arganan turned to face them, to offer both of them warm words, but that was when his vision failed him. He only heard Zael and Therius yell out in shock or panic, followed by everything going silent.

Arganan opened his eye, trying to sit up, only for two hands to push him down.

"Hey, hey! Easy." Illuminata gazed back down at Arganan, swallowing a bit. "You got seriously banged up in the last battle. You gotta rest. Doctor's orders!"

"Lumie?" He croaked, before trying to swallow. His throat felt dry, and he tried his best to look down at himself, realizing he was in bed. The soreness of his own body made him wince. "I'm…back at the Clinic?"

"Yeah. You are. Arthur used the Escape spell to teleport you, him, Therius and Zael back to Selphia." Illuminata sighed, adjusting her monocle before pushing a few bangs out of Arganan's face, before wincing mildly. "Ah. No wonder you kept that eyepatch on. That must've been nasty. Jones took it off earlier while checking you for any head damage."

Arganan put his metal hand over his face, before trying to look around from where he lay. "Can I have my eyepatch back, please?"

"Yeah, sure. Gimme a sec." She handed the eyepatch back to him, helping him put it back on before adjusting the pillows so he could sit up properly. "You okay?"

"I'm alive. Need a lot of rest. His head sank into the pillow behind him as best as he could. "Is everyone else also here?"

"Uh…" The detective shrugged. "Jones is tending to Sir Therius and Zael downstairs. Arthur, too. As far as I heard from them, Frey left the Sechs Empire while riding Lady Ventuswill back to Selphia, but they're not back yet."

He frowned at that. "They went back by themselves? Will they be okay?"

"I think so. Besides," A soft laugh left her, "I heard the whole story from the others. You're so reckless, you know? Throwing yourself in the way of Ethelberd attacking your nephew, and then you rode on Mitra's back to strike that emperor out of commission! That's amazing!"

"Lumie?" Arganan heard Amber call from outside. "Is Arganan okay?"

"Yeah!" Lumie turned her head to call towards outside of Arganan's room. "He's awake if you wanna see him!"

"Arganan!" Amber dashed in, all smiles and nothing but joy on her face. "You're okay!"

"Mostly." Arganan managed, just before Amber pulled him into a hug. He did his best to hug her back, but he winced at the pain in his ribs. "Er…let go? Please? Too tight."

"Oh! Sorry." Amber pulled back, eyes wide. "Dolce told me to give you a hug for her, since she's busy attending to the others. And to remind you that you need LOTS of rest."

The former Count couldn't help but chuckle. "That sounds like Dolce to say that. I'll keep that in mind. Speaking of rest…" He looked towards Illuminata, then down at himself, "Did I break anything?"

"Your metal leg got banged up with a lot of dents. Same with your arm." Arganan looked towards his left, realizing that Illuminata was right. "Bado's repairing them now. You also cracked your ribs. And you sprained your right ankle, but that was fixed fast with healing magic. We were worried you got a concussion, too, but turns out you didn't. But using up all that magic took a toll on your stamina."

"Hence why I passed out at the end?" Arganan asked.

She nodded. "Exactly. Nancy told me that you probably can't come back to work for at least a week."

A groan left him at that, closing his good eye. "At least all of Selphia is saved." He muttered. "I can live with it." It wouldn't be the first time he was stuck in the Clinic for such a period of time, after all. Unfortunately, this also meant he couldn't pay back the debt as fast as he hoped.

At least he was alive to pay it. Thank goodness for that, or else Sir Therius and Calista would certainly be unamused at having to pay the remainder of it.

"Just rest, okay?" Illuminata offered Arganan a soft grin. "I'm just glad you and everyone got back safely."

"Thank you." Arganan managed.

"No, thank you. For saving all of us." Illuminata stood up from her seat, before she looked towards Amber. 'We should probably let him rest."

"Please visit me." Arganan chimed in, offering both of them a smile as best as he could. "It'll be awfully lonely in recovery, otherwise."

"We will!" Amber beamed back at him. Before she and Illuminata could leave, however, Forte suddenly burst in.

"Arganan? Illuminata? Amber?"

"Forte?" Arganan noticed the knight's tense face, frowning. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just…" The knight took a deep breath, before speaking. "Frey and Lady Ventuswill just returned."

"Yayyy!" Amber cheered, hopping on the back of her heels. "We can go visit them next!"

"Well…" Forte hesitated, swallowing, "About that…"

"What?" Illuminata frowned, tilting her head. "What's wrong?"

Forte looked up to meet the detective's gaze. "I was there when the two landed in the castle, and..Frey is fine, but…Lady Ventuswill is gone."

"What?" The words ripped out of Arganan's throat before he thought them. "How? She seemed fine when I last saw her…" He remembered seeing Ventuswill look tired, but at least she was alive at the time and smiling, right? How could she be gone?

"Her runes were used up in the last battle, unfortunately. Even with the Rune Spheres restored to her, it wasn't enough." Forte shook her head, bowing it slightly. "Only moments after she and Frey landed back in the castle, Lady Ventuswill collapsed and lost her life, entirely. She's gone…for good."

Author note: Thank you to everyone for reading this fic so far! It's with this chapter that Arc 2 ends. It's a bittersweet ending for this arc, I admit, but don't lose hope: I will be heading into Arc 3 within the next chapters, so stay tuned for that! Thank you for reading so far, as well as your supportive comments!