Chapter 9: To A Happier Life
Edea really outdone herself.
The headquarters of the Crystal Orthodoxy was bombarded with various flower arrangements, either hung from the ceiling, nesting comfortably in vases, or sticking out from the edge of the benches. White banners connected the sides of the room. People filed in with excited, hushed tones, whispering tidbits about their retired pope and her husband-to-be. Members of the Orthodox Knights lined the path to the decorated room. Normally, the floor would proudly display a complicated, yet intricate design, but today, it was covered up by a red carpet, something Edea made adamantly sure it was there. On the altar laid a thick, but small book, its appearance as elegant as the hall it found itself in.
Personally, Edea wanted to paint the whole place white, but she was stopped by her father, the old priestesses, and Agnès.
Nikolah stood with the old book, gripping his staff with a firmness never seen before. Jean scoffed at his older comrade's blatant attempt to compose himself.
"Get a hold of yourself, Nikolah. This is a happy event, not a funeral!" Jean exclaimed, his exasperation evident. The older man weakly protested, "But Jean, this is something I thought I would never experience. I have thought that, after joining the Empire, I would never enjoy such an opportunity. To think they want me to be the officiant!"
Jean shook his head, but he couldn't hide the small smile on his face. "Yes, I do agree with you on that. You've better not mess up!"
At that moment, the door was heaved open, and the groom, Tiz Arrior, nervously strolled in with his best man. His hands were twitching, his face wore the most anxious frown, and his hair was just as bad as he first woke up in Eternian Central Command. His white suit, picked from the extensive collection of Alfred's tuxedos, blended him well enough with the ceremony decoration.
"Yu, I'm not so sure anymore."
"Tiz, you don't need to feel this nervous. Agnès loves you, yes? Even I'm not that much of a blockhead to not know that."
Yu's comment did nothing to alleviate his mood. Even as they took their place at the altar, Tiz still fiddled with his fingers. He couldn't bear to look up at the audience, remaining motionless and stiff.
The heir of Zeneolsia huffed out a breathy sigh. Muttering under his breath, he said, "And here I thought I was a blundering fool when it comes to women…"
Party Chat: Tiz's Big Day
Tiz: Man, I can't seem to stop this nervousness of mine.
Yu: Everything will be okay, Tiz. I'm sure Agnès isn't the type of person to walk out of her own wedding.
Tiz: I know that but still…
Yu: Tiz, you have come a long way for this. Don't let last minute doubts get in the way of your happiness.
Tiz: It's funny...I can't help but think about when I first met Agnès. I was doubting myself then, doubting whether or not I should have been alive. But then, Agnès came and gave me a purpose. She became a ray of hope for me. Even now, she is still my reason to live, albeit in a literal sense. To have her by my side for the rest of my life...wow...I can hardly believe it.
Yu: Marriage must be nice huh...I'm really happy for you, honest...
Tiz: Yu, is there something bothering you?
Yu: N-no! Nothing at all.
Tiz: Are you feeling jealous by any chance?
Yu: Me?! Jealous of your important day?! Tiz, surely you jest!
Tiz: It's not uncommon. While most people are excited and happy for the couple, there are a few who look on and think about what might happen when they stand up here. Plus, throughout this past year, you were constantly bombarded with the notion of marriage. Personally, I sort of feel bad for you, getting pushed by the ladies to pick one of them. At least I had the luxury of being a blockhead for one person.
Yu: Yeah, you're right...but that doesn't excuse the fact that this is your day. I shouldn't do something to ruin the mood.
Tiz: And for that, I thank you. I knew it was the right choice to pick you as my best man. I feel so much better now.
Yu: Thank you! Just doing what I need to do. If only I can gather the courage to ask her…
…
"Mrgrgr! Agnès, it's time to go! Why are you still cooped up in the dressing room?!" The sound of Edea's knocks on her door snapped the bride from her thoughts. It cracked open, and Agnès looked up from her lap to look at her friend.
"Don't tell me you're having doubts now! I know Tiz, and he's super crazy about you. I bet he's sweating buckets because you're taking so long!"
The former pope smiled softly at Edea's assurance. Her hands brushed the skirt of her dress, and she marveled at the fabric beneath her fingertips. "Can you send Tiz my apologies? I'm just getting used to all this. Just a few years ago, I never thought of anything but being a vestal. To now experience marriage and eventually end up in open land for the rest of my life...it's a bit much."
The bride stood up and attempted to fix the rose brooch on her dress, but Edea immediately walked up to her and adjusted it.
"You know, I have to be honest. I felt a little bitter when you asked me to be your maid of honor."
"Why is that? I hope I did not offend you by asking."
"No, you didn't. It's just…" Edea hesitated, her hands now fumbling through silky brown tresses. "In my journey to save you, I was confronted with my true feelings. Feelings of envy, jealousy, and loneliness that were caused by the happy couples around me. I realized that if I continue with these feelings, I would do something that may be unforgivable."
The woman in white placed her hand on Edea's shoulder as the Eternian continued. "I just felt...hopeless. The person I want can't be with me for a long while, and while I'm happy to see you and Tiz finally get together…"
"I wished I could be like that with Ringabel."
Agnès only maintained her gentle smile and squeezed her maid of honor's shoulder. "Edea, I'm sure Ringabel is thinking the same thing. Wherever he is, I bet you're always on his mind. As long as you have faith that he will return to you, just like with Tiz, everything will work out in its own way." She then embraced her, gripping tightly to her back.
"I'm sorry that this is all I can do, but I feel like that is the only thing I can say."
A few tears trickled onto Agnès's shoulder, but she paid it no mind. Light sniffs from the blonde began to overflow as they continued their close contact. "T-thank you, Agnès. Please, live out your life with Tiz with everything you got, okay?"
"Of course, Edea. Thank you."
In the corridor of the Zeneolsia manor, Magnolia looked on with teary eyes.
"Edea, Agnès, I'm glad that the friendship you share is as valuable as your love for your loved ones."
The flower girl walked in and handed Agnès a simple bouquet of red and white roses.
"Shall we go? There's someone waiting for you."
…
The sound of heavy doors opening again grabbed the attention of everyone in the ceremony. Edea Lee, in a very uncharacteristic manner, slowly walked to the altar, keeping a calm and professional expression. Tiz looked better, but he still gave a shaky smile when Edea joined them.
"So, how's Agnès?"
"Oh, you know, acting just as nervous as you are. Seriously, she closed the door on me and Magnolia for half an hour! It took me forever to get her out."
Tiz hummed at her complaint. "I see...I'm glad I'm not the only one getting the jitters." Yu then gasped, his face reaching boiling red in record time.
"Wait...Magnolia's the flower girl?!" the knight blurted out.
"Well, yeah. She wanted to be the flower girl so much, we would argue for hours over it. Honestly, I feel like her stubbornness can rival mine at times," groaned out Edea.
Magnolia was the definition of a person in bliss. She didn't walk; she skipped and flounced her way to the front. Her basket of white rose petals was quickly depleted as she tossed the petals with a carefree jerk of her arm. The audience members hid their slight disapproval at her unprofessional display, but they, in turn, couldn't help but smile at the joyous grin on her face.
If Yu hadn't been captivated by her yet, he was now.
"She's having a good time," Tiz noted. Edea, upon looking at Yu's hypnotized stare, had to hold back her laugh. "Yu, save that look for when you're actually the groom!" she teased. Tiz's best man turned to glare at Edea. "H-hey! I wasn't staring or anything like that!"
"Oh, Yu, this is the best! I never knew weddings in Luxendarc can be so much fun!" Magnolia gleefully hugged her lover, almost sending them to the ground.
"M-Magnolia! Behave yourself!"
Edea and Tiz giggled at their display of affection. "They are so getting engaged soon," Tiz offhandedly suggested. Upon hearing the groom's teasing comment, the young lovers broke apart, avoiding each other's gazes.
The room's many whispers suddenly vaporized, with everyone's attention now facing the altar. A familiar clanking of metal armor vibrated into the audience's ears. The former Grand Marshal of Eternia extended his arm to the bride. "If you may," he gestured. Agnès lightly perched her hand onto his elbow.
"I feel like I need to apologize for asking this of you."
"You shouldn't. It's the least I could do for an ally. Think of it as a display of the bond between the duchy and the Orthodoxy." Agnès looked up, her face unreadable. The retired Grand Marshall saw her dubious expression and nervously cleared his throat.
"Of course, that's what outsiders might think. For me, however, I believe I'm merely clearing my debt to you. For you to work so tirelessly to bring peace to our world...I cannot thank you enough. And besides, I'm sure my daughter would throw a fit if I wasn't the one to send you off." The bride smiled then. Braev was a devoted father and ruler, stalwart and firm until the end. And just like Edea, she could not think of a better person for this occasion.
"Thank you, Templar Braev. Let us head forward."
The pair took their time to the altar. As they walked by, the seated attendees exchanged warm smiles. They looked as if they were going to burst into hushed whispers, but keeping the serenity of the moment reign supreme over all. Agnès kept his focus onto her soon-to-be husband, never losing eye contact, as if the sight of him in front of her was enough for her to keep moving forward without hesitation.
When Tiz locked eyes with his bride, his nervousness was banished to the farthest reaches of the world.
She was bathed in untainted white. The wedding veil only served to make her auburn hair stand out even more. Her dress, pure as the Eternian snow, did a wonderful job of accenting Agnès's figure; the skirt, down to the floor, filled half of the narrow walkway with its soft fabric. Her delicate appearance clashed with the heavy armor of the Templar, but to Tiz, there were no flaws. It was the perfect image.
The retired Grand Marshal handed Agnès over to the groom. Magnolia, Edea, and Yu all gave bright smiles to Tiz, and the groom returned the gesture before holding onto Agnès's hand. The pair faced forward to the bishop, and he cleared his throat, finally able to regain composure.
"Today, friends and family, we celebrate a most joyous union. These two young souls have experienced countless trials and tribulations in an attempt to save our world from dangers beyond our own. Today, we see that their union is true and eternal. Let us hear the vows that will bind them together for the rest of their lives."
Tiz clasped his lover's hand, pulling her in closer to stare into her eyes. "Agnès...this day, and here on forward, will always be treasured. Do you remember when we first met? How I nearly fell to despair after seeing Norende engulfed by the Great Chasm? You became a symbol of hope for me. You had given me a purpose. And as we traveled together, I discovered more about you as a person." His hand slowly rubbed her ring finger, sending small tremors up her body. She felt her heart block the halls of her ears with its repeated thumps. She was floating, and Tiz's words only made her feel lighter.
"Now, I cannot imagine life without you. You have done so much to change my life for the better. And so, Agnès, I vow to grant you the best life I can possibly give you. I vow to be by your side forever. I vow to love you until the end of our days."
"Tiz…"
"Agnès, will you promise me the same?"
The hall dropped dead silent at his question. Magnolia could feel the anticipation grow, even if the extent of their feelings were clear from the start. Then, the bride graced the room with increasingly bright joy, and she threw herself against Tiz.
"Yes, of course. Anything for you, Tiz. I love you. I will love you until death do us part."
"Agnès…"
Nikolah's grip on his staff increased, and Jean could physically see that the bishop was trying even harder to retain his calm demeanor. Tiz slid the simple pendant-transformed ring onto Agnes's ring finger, clasping her hand after it was properly secure. Seeing that the exchange was finished, the minister proclaimed in a strong, resolute voice, "I now pronounce you man and wife! You may now kiss the bride."
Magnolia stumbled back, shocked over the bishop's words. "K-kiss?!" she almost shouted out...if it weren't for her hand on her mouth.
Feeling a sudden pressure in her arms, Agnès only had time to gasp before her mouth was sealed by a rough and passionate kiss. Her heart sporadically pounded against her chest, leaving her body flowing with shivers and tingling blood. The mouth covering her lips breathed vigor inside of her, but as soon as she could fully reciprocate, Tiz let go.
"Ahh...sorry for catching you off guard, Agnès. I couldn't-" Tiz was cut off by his suddenly assertive wife. Magnolia's face was bright red as she continued to watch the couple. Her thoughts drifted to when she told Yu her real name and could only wrap her mind around one thing.
"Just how...passionate people on Luxendarc are?! I've never seen anything like this before!"
Edea, taking full advantage of Magnolia's embarrassment, dragged Yu into the same spiral of discomfort, and by the time the wedded pair finally stopped displaying their affections, Magnolia and Yu faced away from each other, their cheeks burning.
"Agnès, throw the bouquet!" reminded Edea.
The bride gasped and turned around, closing her eyes. With one fell swoop, the bundle of flowers soared through the air. Young and eager girls in the audience trampled each other for the flowers, but it eventually landed into Magnolia's unknowing arms.
"Eh? What's this?" Magnolia questioned. Edea was full out laughing, having seen Yu on the brink of fainting after seeing his beloved catch the bouquet. Her laughter didn't cease, but she managed to let out an explanation.
"On Luxendarc, if a girl catches the bride's bouquet, she's likely the next person to get married!"
Magnolia was silent at first, but after a few seconds, a loud shout drew everyone's attention.
"W-what?!"
The crowd failed to hold in their own laughter, and the sounds that rang out only served to boost the amount of mortification the pair faced. Amidst his own chuckles, Tiz couldn't think of a better moment to store within him.
He finally got the happy ending he looked forward to for so long. And he would do anything to keep it close to him.
Party Chat: The Art of Blackmailing
Denny: Ah, what a wonderful wedding.
Nikolah: Oh, a glorious day it is! I could hardly prevent the tears from falling.
Yu: I'm so happy for Tiz and Agnès. Finally, the hero of Norende can live peacefully with the one he loves by his side.
Jean: Hopefully that's the last one Edea will plan for a while. For crystal's sake, who would make someone travel around the world to deliver invites personally?! That's ludicrous!
Denny: Oh Jean, I've been meaning to ask about that exchange with Edea the other day about you handing out all of the invites to the guests. I heard something...very interesting.
Jean: You heard that? Damn, I thought we were alone.
Nikolah: Well, enlighten us, Jean. Did she have information on the strange incident with Magnolia like you suspected?
Jean: Actually, it was far from that.
Yu: Eh? So what did she tell you?
Jean: Apparently, it was a tip on how to blackmail someone. A certain someone that's very close to me, in fact.
Yu: W-what?!
Nikolah: Does that person happen to be...a certain leader of ours?
Jean: Man, back then, it would have been such great information to hold, but now that I've already know...what a waste.
Yu: W-wait! I need to know now! No doubt Edea must have said something horrible about me!
Jean: Well...she did tell me that whenever Yu is not willing to do something, I just have to drag Magnolia into the issue, and then you fall like putty into my hands.
Magnolia: Hmm? What are you guys talking about?
Denny: Magnolia, good timing. About that day in the hot springs, I'm afraid that we were-
Yu: N-N-N-Nii-san! It's nothing, Magnolia! Please ignore that! (Curse you, Nii-san! Fine, I'll do it later, before the end of tonight!)
Denny: (Good. It's about time.)
Magnolia: Yu, what's wrong? You know you can tell me anything.
Yu: A-a-ah! I just realized I have to go attend to the guests. See you around, everyone!
Magnolia: Wait, Yu! Are you hiding something from me?!
Jean and Nikolah: Edea wasn't kidding when she said that this is the ultimate bribe for Yu. To use blackmail as blackmail...that woman is formidable…
…
The reception party pushed Alfred's cooking skills to its limits. Chicken dishes, pasta dishes, beef dishes, vegetable dishes...all piled high on the lengthy glass table occupying the Zeneolsia dining room. Edea lunged for the delectable dishes the moment she stepped into the manor. This time, no one stopped her from eating to her heart's content.
While everyone was socializing and congratulating the newly wedded couple, one lone girl remained at the chapel, once again fixing her gaze at her former home.
"So...that was a Luxendarc wedding. How wonderful...I could feel the joy and love in the air."
Magnolia stood staring up, lost in thoughts all alone. She once again reflected on her choice to break her ties with her home, the one she had fought so hard to avenge. She knew that after fulfilling her mission, she must return home. She had a duty to her town to rebuild it with Blackberry. By leaving the people who needed her for her own happiness, was she the one at fault? Blackberry didn't think so. Severing the one connection she had to the Moon baffled her incessantly. Did Blackberry value happiness over duty? Or was his actions his way of repaying some sort of debt? Magnolia couldn't figure it out, and her thoughts shifted to the president. He wanted to kill her and her friends, but for what reason? What were the president's motives? Why did he make her mission to Luxendarc one of secrecy? None of it made sense, but she hoped that if she could never get those answers in her lifetime, then at least give them to Blackberry.
Her reverie was cut out by an awkward cough behind her.
"Good evening, Magnolia."
"Jean, what brings you here?"
The fencer, having changed out of his suit into his knightly garb, rummaged through his pockets, pulling out a small piece of paper. "I came to fulfill a request. Here, this is for you." She was handed the folded message, but she didn't open it right away.
"Thank you, Jean. I'll read it later. But more importantly, are you going out to patrol?" asked Magnolia.
"Just going for a stroll. I needed to clear my head and think about everything that's changed in these past few months. On top of dealing with Edea's nonsensical tasks, I'd have my hands full trying to reform the Orthodox Knights with Yu and Nikolah." Jean joined Magnolia in staring at the moon, sadly smirking at the crater-filled surface.
"You know, I feel like we have gotten closer, Magnolia. At first, I thought you were some lovesick fool going after our poor Yu."
"Jean! That was uncalled for!" The knight snickered into his palm, unable to hide his amusement at her flustered face. "Of course, I don't think of you in that way anymore, not after we crossed blades on the battlefield so many times. If anything, you're the only person I can trust when it comes to Yu."
Jean extended a hand to the Ba'al Buster. She looked at it confused, as if the gesture was something unknown to her. "Magnolia, can I leave Yu in your care?" Jean watched as she staggered back. "What brought this on, Jean? I don't understand." Smirking at her confusion, he only mysteriously answered, "You'll see. Anyway, will you? I feel better if I have someone reliable keeping him from trouble."
Magnolia tentatively stretched her hand out to grab his. "Of course. Although, his sense of recklessness is something that rubbed off on me." She winked at Jean, who groaned at her response.
"Jean, may I ask you something as well?"
One of his eyebrows lifted up. "Okay, shoot then," he obliged.
"Would you choose your own happiness over duty? Or would you pick duty over being happy?"
"Is this about the incident over our memories and the Ba'al?"
She gasped, stepping back in recoil. How did he figure that out? The fencer chuckled at her reaction. "I thought so. To be fair, it's something that everyone will have to deal with at some point. Even our former pope."
Of course, Magnolia thought. Agnès did not instantly bind herself with Tiz after she resurrected him. Finishing the reforms of the Orthodoxy was her duty since the end of her journey. And knowing Tiz, he wouldn't let her be with him until her dream was accomplished.
So, the question for her was whether or not her duty was something she can achieve at this moment. Her duty of rebuilding her homeland was snatched away by Blackberry…
"If you ask me, Magnolia, I'm more of a duty person. Especially now. I have crimes to atone for and a vow to keep. But, if it's you, I think you should pursue what makes you happy. I don't think your commander gave you your freedom just for you to feel guilty about it." He then pointed to the note he gave her. "I would read that now if I were you," he said.
"Ah, right."
As she unwrapped the note, Jean thought back to when he got the request, still thinking that he should have given the note to her.
"Jean, can you do me a favor?"
"Huh? What is it?"
"Can you give this to Magnolia?"
"Umm...Couldn't you do it yourself?"
"I would, but I need to head to Eternia now."
"And why are you going to Eternia?"
"I need to prepare myself for what I'm going to do."
"Oh? Mind telling your friend what are you up to?"
"Jean, he's going to need all the help he can get. I suggest you do this for him."
"Nii-san!"
"Emper-Denny. I see. I guess I'll do it, just this once."
"Thank you, Jean! Oh, and umm...please don't read it until she opens it."
"No promises, Yu."
"Jean!"
A small gasp caught Jean's attention, and he snapped his head to her. He took the note out of her hands and began to read aloud.
To my forgotten Magnolia,
Come find me at the place of the magnolia tree.
I will be waiting for you.
The Ba'al Buster only dumbly stared at Jean, her cheeks flustered and her hands twitching. Jean chuckled some more, finding her reaction to be mildly amusing.
"I suggest you get going, Magnolia. We wouldn't want Yu to freeze himself out there."
…
Ringabel surveyed the developing city with stern eyes. The damage from the Ba'al was evident in the holes blasted into multiple buildings. The center of the city, symbolized by the large, thin tower, suffered the least damage. He approached the structure, pausing only once to sneak a peek at the tip. Walking in, he took careful observations about its design.
"Moonfort is an impressive city. No doubt it must have prospered greatly over the last few centuries. I have to thank Magnolia for giving me her ship, though it makes me wonder why she did. Well...nonetheless, I'm grateful for her kind action. Now...what did the vice-president want me to do?" The dark knight pressed a few buttons, and the floor shook slightly before dropping down to the depths.
When the elevator stopped, Ringabel found himself staring at a table overrun with leather belts. A screen to the right flickered with static, while multiple handwritten notes are attached messily to the wall. Connected to the dilapidated technology were multiple cords that all converged to a curious helmet, to then more cords, spawned from the headgear, entered a hole in the far left wall. Their final destination was a small storage container in the next room over.
"What is this?"
"That...is a machine to convert memories into SP."
Jumping with a start, the Planeswarden grabbed his crimson blade and pointed it at the stranger. The rugged red coat and matching hat threw him off, however, and he took a step back in alarm.
"You're…!"
"Yes, we have met many times, Planeswarden."
Deneb crossed her arms as she glanced over the wrecked technology. Ringabel followed her gaze and began to bombard her with questions. "What exactly happened here? Why was I sent here? Why are you here?"
"For the first question, it is a lengthy tale. As for the second question, that is not within my place to answer. And for the third question...I'm merely finishing a task I've started."
Ringabel did not budge at her answers. The adventurer uncrossed her arms, choosing to place them at her hip. "The president of Moonfort was a corrupt man. Even before elected, he was associated with a number of bribes and illegal deals. Your superiors could not do much to stop him permanently, but they were able to lower his chances of gaining more power. Then, one day, the Ba'al Diamante appeared and razed the fort to the ground. What the people didn't know was that Diamante's attack was led by him, bounded with a contract with that fairy. He seized power after Diamante left and began to make radical reforms. This city was slowly turned into an authoritarian rule, but the real turning point was when he sent a Ba'al Buster, No. 10345 Arch, to eliminate a Ba'al that escaped his domain. While she had done her job beautifully, she disobeyed the president's order of secrecy. However, this was a set-up from the beginning, as he knew that Arch will not succeed without asking for help. When she returned, she was immediately apprehended. The president's loyal guards strapped her to this machine and sapped her of her memories of that mission."
The dimensional warden was visibly shaken at the new knowledge he had just learned. Deneb paid no mind to his discomfort and continued with her explanation. "The motive for going through all of this trouble? It's quite simple. To establish his authority once and for all. If the people of Moonfort learns that their memories be erased should one misstep occurred, well...I believe that's enough fear to control them."
Ringabel, already reading the various remains of notes on the wall, quietly mused to himself. "So how did an entire city forget these same memories when Magnolia was the only one to get them extracted out of her?" For once, the adventurer bore a thoughtful grin.
"Who knows? This machine is capable of many things…"
He looked around some more, eventually landing his sights on the SP storage tank in the room over. Deneb took this as a sign to continue. "After removing her memories, the fairy that made the contract with the president decided to experiment. Manipulating a celestial being's memories was easy work for her master, but she wanted to know whether she herself could convert a human's memories into a Ba'al. The result was that monstrous Ba'al that flew to Luxendarc before your comrades invaded Moonfort. Granted it wasn't as strong as Diamante, and it took a longer time to manipulate, but she somehow achieved it. Of course, that fairy didn't toy with the idea of making a Ba'al anymore when her master sent her to serve the kaiser, so the Ba'al was left under the president's care. The creature slept in the depths of this tower under the watchful eye of the president's most trusted guards. And for several months, everything remained unchanged."
"This is until Arch was sent to Luxendarc again to find Diamante, but it was under the command of Blackberry, not the president."
At the mention of his superior, Ringabel turned to face Deneb, shock written on his face. "How was he able to sway the president?! That man wouldn't listen to reason at this point, yes?" The woman in red shrugged her shoulders. "That's something you can ask yourself."
"I've explained this machine's history to an extent. Many people fell victim to the president's method, and the SP generated from their memories fueled the monster sleeping down below. Eventually, the collection of memories inside the Ba'al blended together to the point where one memory was indistinguishable from another. I'm sure your superiors would want to make sure this machine is never used again..."
"So, I'm to assume that my job here is to assess this machine and give a detailed report on it, is that right…?" Ringabel noted, taking out his journal to sketch the design of the machine. As he drew, Deneb started to explain her side of the story.
"The new warriors of light, Yu and Magnolia, reminded me so much of Altair and Vega. In exchange for fulfilling Altair's and Vega's wishes, I would restore their memories of their very first meeting. After all, manipulating a person's memories can bring dire consequences, and I did not want the same thing that happened to Vega to happen to either Yu or Magnolia."
"And how, pray tell, did you restore these memories?"
Deneb grew silent, now glaring at the SP storage tank with unforeseen contempt. "The Ba'al that was created was incomplete. It needed a constant stream of SP to sustain it, hence the president's incessant purges. You know how cells work, yes? They create new copies of each other using energy that it receives. When a cell dies, it is converted into a waste product and forced out of an organism's body, having served its purpose. The same with the Ba'al. Magnolia's memories weren't enough to keep the Ba'al alive, and normally, in a long process, her memories would be converted to time energy and released from the Ba'al. What I did was merely decrease the time needed for the transformation to happen. Eventually, the time energy was converted to SP and found its way back to Magnolia's hourglass. It was then only a matter of waiting for them to activate Bravely Second and recover the memories within."
Ringabel finished his investigation, and Deneb directed him to the elevator. "Shall we head out? I do not plan to stay her for much longer," she invited. The dark knight accepted, and together, they rode out of the abandoned lab.
Once they were outside, Ringabel was able to see the pristine blue of Luxendarc's oceans below him. Ringabel headed to his ship, turning around to say his departures. "Deneb, where are you heading off to?" She putted back on her hat. "Who knows? Until we meet again, Planeswarden."
The two take their leave. Ringabel turned on his communication device and suddenly remembered another objective he needed to finish. He dialed a number and began to speak.
"I have returned, Vice President. Just as expected, it really does exist. The blade that cuts all...and the third key…"
"Bravely Sword…"