[ Belkan ruins vicinity, Walder / September 20, 0078 08:00 ]
"Major Lanster! Lieutenant Nakajima! Please respond!"
The Claudia operator's voice was tense and panicky. Teana tried turning her face to the projection screen, but it was difficult since she was still being held up.
"This is Major Lanster, Claudia. We made it out of the temple before it collapsed."
"What about Professor Schwanstein?"
"The Professor and his two aides… were dead when found them," Teana's faced darkened. "We didn't have time to retrieve the bodies. I am sorry."
"Affirmative. We will send another team." The officer's face became puzzled. "On another topic, Major, why are you…"
"I will file in a full report later," Teana interrupted, blushing. "For now, let us get to the evac point."
"Uh, roger that. Claudia out."
Teana didn't want to look up just yet. Over the distant hills, the sun lost its red morning tint and became the bright golden day color. A gentle breeze rustled through the leaves of the lone tree on the hilltop they landed on.
"Tea…"
"What is it, baka Subaru?"
She checked on her wound. It almost closed up.
"I realized something, Tea."
She finally raised her eyes to meet Subaru's, green like the sun-lit leaves above them.
"Tea, the last three years… I wallowed in despair and self-pity. I thought I was worthless because I couldn't protect Nanoha-san or anyone… But you know what, Tea? I was wrong."
Subaru's bright confident smile mesmerized her.
"I realized just now that Nanoha-san wasn't the only person I looked up to… That other person was you, Tea! You are beautiful, and smart, and determined… All these years, you never gave up on me, even when I gave up on myself."
Treacherous moisture built up at the corners of her eyes.
"So thank you, Tea, thank you so much. I am OK now. From now on, I will never give up on you, either. No matter what happens, I will definitely protect you."
Her warm smile. Her green eyes, so bright with certainty. Her strong hands under her knees and shoulders. These hands would never grow tired of holding her, would never push her away, would never caress anyone else. It was too much.
Teana buried her face in Subaru's chest and cried, her tears mixing with her drying blood.
"Subaru, you baka, baka, baka…"
Above them, the golden sun was rising into the crystal clear blue sky.
END OF PART I — RUINS