Epilogue

A pale blue sea, reaching out as far as the eye can see, so still some might mistake it for a mirror.

Above that, the sky – the blackness of limitless space interspersed with the twinkling lights of innumerable stars and faraway galaxies.

Sky folds and sea extends and melds together to create a dome of incalculable volume.

The peace is disturbed.

A black cloud materializes and expands in a spherical fashion. It reaches a critical mass and finally coalesces to into a recognizable form.

An auburn-haired girl wearing a familiar black uniform.

With the grace of a dancer, the girl lands first with her right then her left. Perfectly circular ripples radiate concentrically from under each foot.

As the surface returns to equilibrium, the girl opens her eyes to reveal irises as yellow as the Moon.

"Nyx."

The girl turns her head in the direction of the sound, and she sees a boy wearing the same uniform. Blue hair covering one of a pair of equally blue eyes, slim build, hands in his pockets. She closes the distance.

"We finally meet."

The boy catches himself and laughs, then adds, "Though I can't say it's nice to meet you."

The Night Mother smiles gently in response.

Then, a disturbance in the air. The pair look up to see another boy suspended by two pairs of jet black wings, yellow scarf fluttering in the draft.

"Hey."

The boy glides down, and the wings contract and disappear.

"I knew you would come."

"Ryoji."

The boy nods in acknowledgement, and the girl speaks.

"You achieved the means to save humanity by using the power of the Universe, but that as you would have probably realized by now, has landed you in a prison from which there is no escape."

She shakes her head ruefully.

"This prison will steal you from your friends, your loved ones, and all who are important to you."

Silence.

"Was it worth it?" Nyx finally asks. "This world is too good for the likes of you. Nobody will know or care about the sacrifices you and your friends have made, and people will go on wishing for the Fall as before."

The blue-haired boy looks up, and the corners of his lips rise ever so slightly.

"This is the path I chose. I would have it no other way."

There is a quiet determination in the boy's eyes.

"I made a promise, after all."

I accept full responsibility for my actions.

There is another silence, then Ryoji breaks it.

"Don't worry," he smiles.

"Normal days will return to this universe. For you, and for them."

He turns to face Nyx, who wears an ironic smile. "The Night Mother will sleep again."

He turns back and continues. "The Dark Hour will soon vanish from the world, and all will truly be relinquished from its dominion. The legacy of life will continue, thanks to you."

At that he reveals two even rows of gleaming white teeth. "And you and your friends will meet again. I know it."

Blue eyes meet blue and they lock. The other boy replicates the smile.

"Someday."

He breaks the gaze and stares into infinity. Somewhere out there, he knew, they were waiting for him.

"Someday."

-THE END (?)-

Hey.

I've been wanting to get this off my chest for quite a while actually. Two years to be exact. It's been floating around in my head all this time, I just never got the courage or the mood to write it.

Until now of course.

So what's next?

Well, there's something else I've been itching to write for a long time.

A is for Angst, Anguish and Anarchy.

P4A is the new Answer.

Stay tuned. :)