It was is if all the pressure that had been taken from the world had been condensed into that singular spot possessed by the goddess of order herself. The warriors' weapons sagged in their hands as if replaced by lead, and the feet of even the lightest archsage pounded the stone floor like a hammer to the anvil. Driven by the unquenchable desire to live, the troops advanced, pregnant with their armor and robes and burden, slinging blunted arrows and dull swords to Ike's deadened roars of command. The goddess gave no ground, granting judgment upon those whose blasphemous attacks yielded little effect. Eyes glowed red as the heavy sweat ran into them. Burns and cuts appeared, seemingly randomly, on the warriors, but they fought regardless as they lost their fear of becoming stone and focused only to eliminate that power that had brought them their fate. In time, their weapons swung more freely, the sweat ceased to run, and cool wind blew in their faces as the swords and arrows and magic began to reach the goddess herself and then Ike defeated her and then the battle was over.

Tanith sighed in relief. The empress was alive and, except for a ripped robe and small cut on her forearm, unharmed. Tanith herself had held back during the battle, focusing on protecting Sanaki from any spirits that might have tried to harm her, but none came. The two sat on the stone floor with the rest of those who had climbed the tower, talking and resting while Ike spoke with Yune. After a while, Tanith stood up and looked for Volke. Spotting him talking with Soren, she waited until the two had finished, then approached the assassin.

"Volke, are you unharmed?"

"It's nothing."

Tanith sat herself down next to him. Glancing from the side, she could see that his clothes were torn and burnt. The cloth on his upper right thigh had completely burned away, displaying the charred skin underneath. She offered him an elixir, which he used without protest, healing the wounds. Tanith edged closer to him.

"So," she began, "What will you do now?"

"Well, I was thinking I could take you up on your offer."

"Which one?"

"Working for the Empress."

"Well," the 2nd Lieutenant said, "you wouldn't get paid as well as you do now."

"I understand," Volke said, "but it's worth the lower pay."

"What's worth the lower pay?"

"You'll see, but I'm sure of it."

At that point, Ike had finished talking to Yune and was walking back to the group. They headed back down the tower, past Sephiran's lifeless body, past the carcass of the dragon king, the hollow shell of Zelgius's armor, and the remains of the ill-fated senators and their disciples who had chosen the wrong side. Walking out of the tower, the company was met by those who had been defending the entrance to the tower. With the help of several newly-freed citizens, a banquet was hurriedly set up.

Tanith gathered her food from the main table and hinted at Volke to walk with her back to the tent. He followed her, though making sure not to be too noticeable. As Volke entered her tent, Tanith's stoic face broke into a smile. She set her own plate down and grabbed Volke's, motioning for him to sit down. With a raised eyebrow and a cocky smile beginning to mark his face, the assassin sat down on her bed.

"I talked to Sanaki," Tanith said as she set his plate down. "She said she would pay you this much."

"That sounds good," Volke said without looking at the sheet Tanith handed him. "Tell her I'll do it."

Tanith's smile grew wider.

"Oh and also, you can live in my quarters since you don't have a place to stay," she said.

"Sorry," Volke said, standing up. "I don't know how else to say this." He leaned over and hugged Tanith, cradling her head into his shoulder and burying his face into her hair.

"Thank you, Tanith, for everything."

Volke agreed to Sanaki's proposal and became the Empress's personal agent, allowing him to spend ample time with Tanith, who was feared by her subordinates in the Holy Guard for her strictness and guarded Sanaki all her life. The two never officially married and their close relationship was suspected by few and known by fewer.