When the flash faded, the spectators saw that the two warriors were still closely embraced a few feet above the floor, and Akane's motionless head was slumped over Arika's shoulder. Akane had stabbed with her left arm at the moment of impact and missed her target, and the Sword of Akatsuki had eagerly plunged through her soft midsection to punish her for her mistake. As the resounding echo from the impact faded, Arika suddenly felt two warm tears drip onto her shoulder and heard Akane's voice painfully whisper her beloved master's name.
"Kazu..."
Akane's eyes had closed and her levitating body had already begun to disappear in an evaporating mist of green embers by the time the crowd was able to see the result of the battle. In the end, Akane was only a modest Otome, and she proved to be no match for the revered Blue Sky Sapphire.
Arika calmly landed on the throne room floor before easing her GEM's power and changing back to her formal Meister dress. She then turned to face the throne with Mashiro, and both girls donned a silent expression of regret. King Kazuya watched these events unfold in great sorrow and, before long, he briefly spasmed in pain before his body fell lifeless on the throne and disappeared in the same fashion as his defeated Otome. The puppet ruler's reign was over.
With the matter settled, Arika and the queen decided to leave the kingdom again to resume their diplomatic efforts. This battle had reaffirmed Mashiro's title, and she and Arika had sent a message to the Columns not to challenge the issue again. The Columns' forces had seen their first major defeat, and Mashiro would soon be able to organize a full scale invasion under her revived leadership. This moment marked the beginning of the downfall of the Columns and led to their defeat in the war.
When Queen Mashiro restored the world to its original state and reopened Garderobe Academy under new administration, Akane was remembered only by a gravestone that was respectfully placed in the Otome Catacombs. It chronicled how she had given her life in devotion to Kazuya Krau-xeku, the temporary King of Windbloom.
THE END.