Chapter 9:For the Future
The group see Ren's figure in the light but something is different as they are awestruck at what they are seeing. Once the light dies down, Ren opens her eyes but they are dull as the three Chaos Choir leaders are all combined into a singular weapon.
"Ren." Cou calls.
"How could this happen? Ren-chan has been Reacted." Rowen says.
"But look at her expression. It's not like the Ren we know." Kuea says.
"You people will choose not to hurt Reverie Metherlence-sama." Orfus says as her figure appears behind Ren. "Therefore, you're as good as finished."
"Resorting to dirty tricks now?!" Cisqua questions.
"Say what you wish."
Ren jumps down and lifts her right arm causing the blue blade to stab Cou, but he dodges is as tentacles come out of the blade to him which Cou dodges them. Once Ren lands on the ground, she lifts her left arm as the pink cannon shoots at the others, but they jump away as Cisqua takes out her gun and both Rowen and Takeshi holds their Edel Raid partners.
"Ro!" Kuea calls.
"Takeshi." Mizuki calls.
"Right!" Rowen and Takeshi reply as Kuea and Mizuki transform into their weapon form on their respected Pleasures.
"Damn." Cou curses.
"I'm sure you realize this, Cou-san! Rowen! Kuea! Takeshi-san! Mizuki-san!" Cisqua calls out. "We have no choice to contain Ren's weapon! We must destroy the weapon without harming Ren, and dissolve the React!"
Ren then lifts both of her arms causing the sword and cannon to fly towards them. The sword shoots out the tentacles at Cisqua causing her to lift her gun, but Rowen rushes in front of her, cutting the tentacles. The sword stops flying as it faces Rowen before it shoots more tentacles at Rowen before he jumps up and slices the tentacles. However, one of the tentacle grabs Rowen's right leg in mid-air before the sword shoots the tentacle. Then Cisqua shoots her gun at the tentacles, saving Rowen and shoots at the sword. Subsequently, the cannon gets in front of the sword and fires itself at Cisqua, when Takeshi gets in front of her and summons a wave of water, blocking the blast and crotches down as Cisqua fires missiles at it.
Meanwhile, Cou gets closer to Ren as she is being distracted by the others.
"Ren!" Cou shouts when Ren turns her head, Cou widens his eyes and Ren turns to him as a barrier appears shocking to Cou.
"This girl is awesome!" Aljenna says as the pink cannon returns to Ren. "A far cry from the Sting Raids!"
Then the blue sword return to her. "Yeah, I feel infinite power flowing within me." Jilltail says.
"I suggest you refrain from doing anything meaningless."
"Now that the Shichiko-hoju is on our side, there is no way you can win."
The group glares at the three leaders as Cou is on the ground.
"Let's quickly finish them off." Orfus says then Cou grits his teeth.
"You think you can finish us off?!" Cou questions and suddenly throws his hook and wraps itself around the cannon before Cou pulls the rope. "Ren told me, that she wants to be with me. So I'm not about to let you put an end to that!" He shouts and runs towards Ren.
As Cou runs towards her, Ren swings her right arm causing the blue sword to be in front of her and multiple tentacles appear and wrap themselves around Cou in the air. Ren then lifts her left arm as the pink cannon points at Cou as it charges the blast, but got interrupted by Cisqua shooting her gun at the tentacles and Rowen throws the blades at the blue sword and the cannon causing it to fire upward to the ceiling.
"Cou!" Rowen calls as he catches him.
"Cou-san!" Cisqua calls.
"Retaliating won't get you anywhere." Jilltail says and Ren charges towards Cisqua causing her to gasp at Ren's speed as she bocks Ren's attack.
"Ren-san." Cisqua thought.
Senpai!" Rowen calls out after he lies Cou down on the ground and charges towards her.
At that moment, Ren points her left arm at Rowen as the cannon fires a blast causing him to block the blast. As Cisqua holds the blades from the cannon, she puts out her missiles but stab by both the sword and cannon causing them to detach from Cisqua and she jumps forward away from the explosion as Ren jumps away. As she about to get up and touches her gun, the gun was cut clean in half.
"Senpai!" Rowen calls out as she rushes to her.
"Cisqua!" Takeshi calls out as he joins Rowen.
"We Edel Raids, will put an end to the pathetic history you Guardians have built." Orfus says. "In order to create a world with no battles."
"You say you'll have no battles, but you have no intention of living together with Guardians in the first place!" Rowen says.
"Not necessarily. As long as you people do not retaliate, we will guarantee your rights to live among us as our tools." Aljenna says.
"Wha…!" Cisqua says.
"If you wish not to fight, that's the only option, right?" Jilltail questions.
"According to ancient scriptures, long ago, Edel Garden used to be situated on ground level." Orfus says. "And Edel Raids lived together with Guardians. Back then, everyone sang chants, and thank to the power of language, things proceeded in a positive direction. Over time, Guardians would forget their chants, conflict emerged, and Guardians using Edel Raids as their tools. The waves of harmony surrounding the world were disrupted and Edel Garden became separated from the ground, floating into the sky. Having out Shichiko-hoju taken away by Guardians, we were forced to choose the most powerful Edel Raid among us to become queen. We have to survived to this day buy consuming her powers. However, that will all change today."
"Now that it's come to this, we have no choice." Cisqua says causing Rowen to turn to her.
"Senpai?" He calls.
"We must do it to Ren." She says and takes out the sealing talisman. "We must apply this seal on her!"
"Senpai!"
"Oi!" Takeshi calls.
It's our only option!" Cisqua exclaims causing Rowen to take a back and stare at Ren.
"Kuea." He calls and him and Kuea begin to chant.
"Violent waves show sublime anger. In an attempt to glean hope… Among dire conditions… we hereby offer this song to the vast ocean."
Rowen opens his eyes and lifts a blade up that is combined with both blades
"Steel Vengeance!" Rowen shouts as he gathers a ball of energy on the tip of the blade as Cou's finger twitches. "GO!" Rowen shouts as he shoots the blast at Ren causing her to jump upwards as Rowen stares at her. "Now!" The blades from his back shoot towards Ren and wraps themselves around her.
"Senpai!" Rowen calls out and Cisqua jumps off and runs on the chains which lead to Ren.
"I'm sorry, Ren-san!" Cisqua thought and takes out the talisman and jumps to her, but Orfus appears before Cisqua and pushes her away from Ren as well breaking the talisman.
"What you are trying to do is prove that different races are not able to live together!" Jilltail says and Ren breaks the chains.
"No way…!" Cisqua says as Ren lands on the ground.
"You shall be sent on your eternal journey by the one you loved." Orfus says and then Ren lifts both of her arms at them as both the sword and cannon follow the same motion and begins to charge the electricity. Away from them, Cou grunts as he begins to regain his consciousness causing Ren's will to lower her arms stopping the electricity.
"Ren-san." Cisqua thought. "You're fighting desperately too, aren't you?"
Cou then lifts his head and looks at Ren. "Ren."
"Please stop retaliating, Reverie Metherlence-sama." Orfus says.
"Should you side with the Guardians, we'll have to battle against them all over again." Aljenna says.
"We must expel Guardians, and create a world for Edel Raids!" Jilltail says.
"Will that really bring us all happiness?!" Kuea questions. "At the least, I don't believe it will!"
"Some of us have met Guardians… humans… React with them, and sense happiness through that." Mizuki says. "You must understand that there are Edel Raids like that as well!"
"They're clinging to an illusion created by the humans who control their power!" Orfus says.
"It's no illusion!" Rowen retorts. "Guardians and Edel Raids both share the same heart! We most certainly can understand each other!"
"Then why is there an Arc Aile?" Orfus asks causing the Arc Aile members to gasp. "You tell us that you wish to protect us. However, we never asked to be protected in the first place! Yet, you people use the pretty word, 'protection' to cleverly isolate us!"
"That' simply because in the end, you only saw us as dangerous weapons!" Jilltail adds.
"We have the same heart? That's a lie!" Aljenna says.
"I admit we may have made some mistakes. However that's…"
"This isn't something we can simply forgive and forget!" Orfus cuts Cisqua off.
"But does that give you the right to kidnap Guardians and make them Sting Raids?!" Kuea questions.
"We only unto you what you did unto us!" Jilltail retorts.
"That's why we must all put an end to this nonsense!" Rowen says.
"You're the ones who have repeated a history of nothing but fighting!" Aljenna says.
"Not all Guardians are like that! At least we wish to work together with…" Cisqua trails off.
"We cannot entrust a future to Guardians who will repeat retort to fighting no matter how often they plead not to make the same mistakes!" Orfus exclaims when Ren's arms are pointing at them as electricity is being charged as the others are getting ready to fight again.
"STOP IT!" Cou voice shouts out making everyone in the room look at Cou who is standing up. "Stop it, already. Stop it!" When Cou stands up, tears fall from his face. "What good will it do us?" He questions as he walks in front of the others. "To quibble over what Edel Raids have done or what humans have done?!"
From hearing Cou's voice Ren opens her mouth.
"I… love Ren. Not because Ren is an Edel Raid. Because Ren is Ren. I love her because she's Ren, that's why I want always be with her!" Cou confesses. "Is that not enough?" Cou lifts his head showing the tears are still coming down. "Is that reason not good enough?"
Ren also cries for the same reason as Cou's.
"Guardian who have lost the ability to chant are not worth keeping alive!" Orfus exclaims as the electricity finishes charging.
"Cou!" Rowen calls out.
"Cou-san! Run away!"
"Get out of there!" Takeshi shouts.
Suddenly, Cou's body pulses and grabs his neck. "B-Born… Born in the…"
"Do not be afraid. It is something trying to come out from within you. Now, gently let those words come out. It's all right, you can do it. Because of your feeling for that girl." Eve's voice ring out in Cou's minds and he begins to calm down and wipes off the tears.
"Born in the beginning… was not human, not land…" Cou's chant echoes to Ren "But the words of someone. Ancient words to guide us." Ren then lifts her head to Cou as he slowly approaches her. "Within words are the thoughts and strengths… of the one saying it. Which will someday serve… Serve as an example."
"Cou's chant is entering my mind." Ren thought.
"Now, you and I shall communicate with words…Now, you and I shall combine our words." Ren close her eyes and opens again as they are back to normal as she joins Cou chant.
"In order to give birth to something greater… You and I are different… But the words we use are the same…" Ren dissolves the React between the three leaders. You and I are different… But the dreams we wish to fulfill are the same."
Orfus comes out of Ren's body and appears behind her.
"Wh-What's going on?!" Orfus questions as she begins dissolve the react as Jilltail and Aljenna stand behind her.
"What?!" Jilltail says.
"No way!" Aljenna exclaims.
"What's happening?" Rowen asks.
"Could this be the forgotten chant?" Cisqua wonders and both Kuea and Mizuki dissolve the React as they stand next to their Pleasures as they look at their bodies.
"Mountains will shine… Rivers will become clear, people will shine… And birds will sing." Cou's body then glows as both of them continue to chant and Ren holds out her hand to Cou as he walks to her. "We pray that such a beautiful nation… will continue forever. Even If you and I shall part…" When Cou is near Ren, her body also glows and both of them hold their hands. "Let us keep with us… The same words. I shall never, ever forget that."
From where they stand, the throne room become brighter and Orfus drops her book.
"The lost… legendary chant. Could it be?" Orfus says and tears begin to gather on her eyes. "I never imagined I'd see this time come. I can see now, I was mistaken." Orfus looks up and sees Ren and Cou looking at her.
"Please, do not dislike Guardians… humans." Ren pleads. "I was able to change. I believe you all can change too."
"Reverie Metherlence-sama." Orfus calls and collapses to her knees as Jilltail and Aljenna go to her.
"Orfus." Jilltail calls. "Have we lost our battle?"
"Yes. But strangely, I don't feel a sense of defeat."
Cou, thank you." Ren says as she turns to him causing Cou to be confused. "I was so glad to hear your words."
"W-well, what can I say?" Cou says as he blushes.
"Let me say a few words to you too. I want to be with you forever too. Because you are Cou!"
"Ren."
Both of them get closer to each other and kiss.
"I'm so glad for those two." Kuea says.
"Yep." Mizuki agrees and suddenly, Cisqua covers her face making Rowen, Kuea, Mizuki, and Takeshi to look at her.
"Senpai?" Rowen calls.
"What's wrong, Cisqua?" Kuea asks.
"Cisqua-san?" Mizuki calls.
Just then, a tremor occurs as the crystals breaks apart revealing windows as outside, Edel Garden descends into the ground as the Arc Aile members watch this.
~May days later~
Takeshi and Mizuki part ways from Cou and the others as they resume their journey but hoped to see them again one day. Now, Takeshi is lazing around in the room that both of them are staying at an inn and Mizuki comes in in a rush as she takes her breath.
"What's wrong, Mizuki?" Takeshi asks as he sees her.
"Takeshi! Look at this!" Mizuki shows a letter that addresses to Takeshi and Mizuki.
"A letter?" Takeshi asks.
"Yeah. And it's from Cisqua-san."
"What?!" Takeshi jumps off from the bed and quickly comes near her. "Did you read it yet?"
"Not yet. I want the both of us to read it." Mizuki says and opens the letter.
"So, what does it say?"
"Let see…"
"'How are you doing, everybody? I hope you're well, and I'm sure all of you are working hard in your respective daily lives. There's no guarantee that this ideal situation will continue forever. But the purpose of an ideal is to try and bring closer to it so we shall continue trying our best to achieve that. For the sake of those who have sacrificed his and her life. We don't want to repeat this sad history, after all.'" Mizuki and Takeshi look down remembering the deceased Viro before Mizuki continues. "'Discussions are taking place at the Arc Aile Headquarters to ensure we never fight one another again. Peaceful days will someday become reality. I believe that to be true. By the way, I should tell you how everyone's doing. Rasati was so relieved that she doesn't have to fight any more. Lately her bigger concerns have to do with Lillia forcing her to wear women's clothes.'"
"Oh my." Mizuki says as Takeshi scratches behind his head.
"'I understand Wolx is presently serving Arc Aile. And for us, Rowen, Kuea, and I decided to take another journey with Cou and Ren for the future.'"
"Sounds like they are having fun." Mizuki says.
"Yeah." Takeshi agrees.
"For the future, huh? I wonder how our future will be like?" Mizuki says.
"Who knows, but as long as we are together, it will be a bright one." Takeshi says as he looks out the window and Mizuki joins him.
A/N: This is it for The Water Edel Raid! But for those who read my profile, there is going to be sequel and it's called Into the World of Kings! I hope you enjoyed this story and looking forward the sequel.