… None of this was happening. It couldn't, nay, shouldn't even exist.
But they were all dead. All except for Elaine and Aurora. Not even any Targent soldier brought here were alive.
Elaine should be dead like them. She should be laying where Descole was laying. Not showing signs of…
… Maybe Aurora was wrong to use the word dead? They might simply be… Unconscious?
Yes… Yes! That's it! They were all just unconscious! Hell, Descole would probably fake to continue to be unconscious even when he came to. Just to wind her up! Hehehe…
"D-Descole?" Elaine started to pull herself over to his side. "Descole." She began to shake his shoulder. "Descole?" Elaine moved her hand to his neck, where his pulse should be and froze.
There was none.
"D-Dessy?"
They… They were all dead. Elaine and Aurora were alone… Johanna was an orphan with no grandfather and uncle… The Tritons and Laytons lost sons…
They were all gone. The Professor… Luke… Emmy… D-Descole… Even Bronev…
Elaine tried to blink away the tears in her eyes, but it was useless. Regardless of what she tried, they just kept dropping down and down. The pain had body had been experience had almost faded away at this point, now replaced with a worse pain.
"No…" Elaine choked out, holding back a sob as tears started leaking out. "No, I… No!"
Elaine turned Descole onto his back and began slapping his cheek lightly.
"Wake up, damn it!" Elaine muttered. "The world is safe now. We can do that idea you suggested! I want it! I want it all with you!"
There was no response, and Elaine gritted her teeth as she slapped harder.
"I said, 'wake up'! That means, you wake! So stop this a-already!" Elaine choked back a sob. She tried one last slap. Almost as hard as the backhand she gave Bronev.
"WAKE UP!" Elaine nearly screamed. "WAKE UP NOW, YOU STUPID BASTARD!" Lightly panting, Elaine waited.
But as before, there was nothing.
Elaine couldn't fight it anymore.
"You stupid man…" Elaine whimpered before throwing her arms around his torso, pulling him up with some difficulty until his chin rested on her shoulder, gently rocking back and forth. Finally, she broke the restraints on her sobs. Crying freely into Descole's shoulder as she broke down. A mixture of sobs and wails escaped her throat.
"You stupid man!" Elaine gripped onto his shoulder as she slapped his chest. "You stupid, stupid man!" Two more slaps. "You 'ad Johanna! You could 'ave just let me go and 'ave your daughter! Lived 'appily ever after with 'er! Now who does she 'ave, you stupid, stupid, stupid man?!"
"He didn't want you to die." Elaine looked up see Aurora. There were tears brimming the girl's eyes as she looked at Elaine. "Why else would he sacrifice himself for you?"
"I didn't want 'im to die either," Elaine sniffed. "I didn't want to myself, but if my family would live, and Descole could continue 'is life with 'is daughter…"
"Maybe he assumed you would take responsibility of her," Aurora suggested. "Maybe he felt you desired motherhood, and thought that if he was going to die, he could at least give you the one person he cares for. Other then you."
"I do..." Elaine trailed off. "We actually talked about it at one point. 'E seemed to like the idea of children between the two of us, siblings for Johanna…"
"What is love like?" Elaine looked up at Aurora, a little stunned by the sudden question.
"P-pardon moi?"
"Love." Aurora looked to be thinking back. "In Hoogland, Julien was so willing and passionate to rescue Romilda. And when we first met, Professor Sycamore looked so determined to rescue his daughter." Aurora frowned. "They're clearly different types of love. I don't think I felt anything like that before. The closest was perhaps the fondness I grew for all of you."
"I'm not sure if I could really answer that questioned," Elaine replied. "Love is… confusing. It can make people react in different ways depending on their personality."
"Like… Sacrifice?"
"I'm not…"
"You still had family, and you love them and Descole. You nearly sacrificed yourself for them."
"… Okay, maybe you 'ave a point," Elaine grumbled, burying her face in Descole's boa. She wanted to enjoy what warmth was left in him before he became as cold as this country. That and enjoy his sweet smelling cologne. While she appreciated some of Aurora's words, she felt that Descole would have been the only one to comfort her for this situation. Even if it was things she had to try and find herself.
Elaine tensed when she felt Aurora wrap her arms around her in a hug.
"I apologise, but… This is a good way to try and comfort a grieving person, isn't it?"
"… It 'elps," Elaine murmured.
"… I want to be human," Aurora whispered. "I… If I could be reborn, after all of this, I want to be a human. Like you, like Emmy, like the Professor, all of you!" Elaine looked to Aurora and gave a sad smile before putting an arm around her.
"I'm sure you would be an excellent human," Elaine told her softly. "Not that it would make a difference. You're still the good, amazing, wonderful girl we first met. But… I guess it's just you and me now. Johanna too, if Raymond is okay with it." Elaine paused. "We could move to a more secluded place. I'm not sure if we could use Desmond's 'ome since the deed and such are all in 'is name. As far as I know at least.
"But I 'ave money. I 'ave the means. We'll find a good school for you and Johanna." Elaine thought more into it. "It might be a bit tricky fitting in at first since most girl your age aren't usually so… formal, as you tend to be. But you're intelligent and cute, and once they get to know you I'm certain you'll become popular really quickly."
"You would adopt us?" Aurora looked surprise.
"Someone 'as to keep the two of you safe and fed," Elaine said. "Why not me? I did want to 'ave at least one daughter. I would 'ave liked a baby, but I could still look after you and Johanna. Either as a mother figure, older sister, or just simply someone who cares."
Aurora stared at her. She looked a mixture of confusion, shock, touched and… sad?
"That… is a most kind offer from you, Elaine," Aurora said as she let go of the Frenchwoman and stood up. "An offer I would probably have accepted if circumstances were different."
"What do you mean?"
"This isn't fair," Aurora explained as she shuck her head. "None of them deserved to die. I knew that the moment they… fell. But I wanted to comfort you first. In case the spirits of the Azran people don't accept my plea."
"You… Why?" Not that Elaine was ungrateful, she just had to ask.
"It's not fair, to anyone. Not to you, not to all of your families, not to them. They deserve to come back after their sacrifice."
"… Merci," Elaine said, forcing back another sob. "Merci! Merci, donc très bien!" Aurora nodded and turned around before she looked up and held her arms out.
"O light of the Azran! I beg you! Look upon this scene! The people of today are not foolish or selfish beings! They think of others! They strive for a better future. They are a great people! I cannot even imagine what they might achieve if they only lived!"
Elaine griped onto Desmond tighter. She would put her hope into the girl.
"… Please… S'il vous plait…" Elaine murmured as she pressed her forehead against Descole's shoulder. After a moment of silence, she heard Aurora walking away.
"What did they say?"
"I must solve a puzzle. If I do, they might grant our wish." Elaine twitched a smile. Holding onto Descole tighter still. She just had to wait for Aurora to do what had to be done.
She waited patiently. Elaine did not move from her spot or position. She would be the waiter. Still she did wonder where everyone was now since they weren't… With them. Currently. Could they be in a limbo? Or had they fully crossed over to the other side? Looking at Descole, he seemed so… peaceful. That was what she wanted him to be, wherever he was. In someplace peaceful. Maybe if it could mimic locations, the library back home? Or the parlour? Elaine always felt that they were the most comfortable, somehow.
Grinding sounded out, and Elaine looked up to see the prism just as it finished its turn. A burst of energy was felt in the chamber, and after a flash of light, the prism shun like gold. Hitting each stone of the pedestal, and nearly blinding Elaine when it shun in her eyes.
"They're granting our wish!" Aurora exclaimed excitedly.
"R-really?!"
Elaine almost didn't believe it. But then she felt movement in her arms as Descole shifted. A quick look around the room, and Elaine saw everyone was slowly rising up. It… It was a miracle! The best thing to happen today!
"Elaine?"
Elaine looked to Descole. He sounded a little confused as he shifted out of Elaine's grip as said woman smiled at him.
"Wha-?"
Smack!
Descole gripped his cheek after Elaine slapped him, scowling towards Elaine.
"What was that for, woman?!"
"For getting yourself killed!" Elaine snapped. "I… I thought I lost you! You stupid man!" Descole's face softened before he stood, helping Elaine up.
"I'm sorry, but… I couldn't let you die. Not when I knew you could still live."
"But 'ow did you…?"
"I was in the hall when Aurora explained everything," Descole explained. "I waited until the last second to take your place. So there would be less chance of you being able to push me out."
"…" Elaine threw her arms around Descole.
"Just… Please. Don't do anything idiotic like that again. Ever." Descole gave a low chuckle as he let one arm go around her waist.
"That's one of the things I can't exactly promise you, I'm afraid." Elaine scowled and slapped his chest.
"Not funny!"
Elaine was still happy though. Everyone was alive. The golms were gone almost as quickly as they had first appeared. Everything surely had to go right now?
But, the faint tremors were felt. Everything shuck, and collapsing stone could be heard echoing throughout the sanctuary. What had happened? Did something malfunction? Azran or not, it was at least a million years old.
"The Azran sanctuary has fulfilled its purpose," Aurora explained to the startled people, frowning with a sorrowful look. "And so too have I." On those words, she began to glow a golden hue. "I thank you all." Slowly, to much upset, Aurora began to disappear, golden strands pulling away from her body like she was made of sand.
"Aurora!"
"I must fade into obscurity along with the Azran," Aurora went on despite Luke's cry. This is my fate. I am the last of the Azran golms. My body will soon cease to function."
Elaine couldn't believe this. After everything… Aurora couldn't… She couldn't just leave them now. Not after everything they've been through. Luke went to try and grab onto her, but what he grabbed just disappeared from his hands. Aurora could only look at all of them sadly, before saying her last words to them.
"You must go quickly."
"Goodbye," Elaine murmured, just before Descole grabbed her hand, refusing to let go as they broke into a run, along with Bronev before the rest followed. The trembling got worse and soon, pieces of the ceiling began to fall, aiming to crush any who stayed beneath them.
They were close to the exit. Sunlight guiding their way out. From there it would be more difficult, but they would manage somehow.
Just as the others were close to the exit though, Descole had stopped and tugged her back.
"Descole-!"
"Run away with me."
"Pardo-?"
"Run away with me." Descole repeated. Holding both of her hands as he looked at her with no definite expression.
"You're asking me now?! Now is 'ardly the time!"
"I feel like taking risk right now." Elaine frowned. She thought over everything that had happened in such a short space of time. The pain, the joy… Was she really going to take what could be the biggest gamble ever and stay by Descole's side?
…
Elaine had to smile and squeezed his hands.
"I feel like taking a risk too," she murmured. "Steal me away?" Descole chuckled lightly.
"After a quick farewell that must be given, I shall, darling."
"Alright, but… 'Ow are we going to get down safely?" Descole briefly frowned but gave a reassuring smile.
"I can't say I have a clear plan, but I'll get us down in one piece," he said as they left the sanctuary. One of his arms moving around her waist. Elaine putting hers around his shoulder.
Outside, everything was slowly breaking away, and crumbling to the earth below. The others were ahead, managing to get across the unstable platform. They would be safe. Elaine just knew it. Bronev would go to prison of course (she doubted even the Professor would let him go, even if he was his own… father), but everything was working out for the best.
The pair turned to look one last time as the ruins of the sanctuary behind them began to collapse more and more. Technology forever lost, but possibly for the best. They would still have the Azran in memory at least though.
"Elaine! Descole!" Elaine could hear the Professor call to them. She contemplated whether or not to look back but, after sliding her arm to Descole's waist, she decided she would look back to them. The people whom she wanted to consider friends, and gave them a wave to their surprised faces. She couldn't promise she'd see them again in the future.
But the future was never set in stone, was it? They may have the fortune to meet once more.
"Farewell, Layton," bade Descole, before rubble fell to block their view as the piece of platform Professor Layton and the others stood on began to fall (hopefully they would land safely. Probably would).
"Do you never plan to meet 'im again?"
"… Maybe in the future, we can reconcile." Descole lightly sighed before he swept Elaine off her feet and carried her. He threw her a smirk. "But right now, I believe I'm in the middle of stealing away a Miss Hawthorne, no?"
"I suppose you are," Elaine replied back, wrapping her arms around his neck. Smiling in a teasing manner. "Though I do 'ope you 'ave an actually plan on 'ow we're making our little escape."
"For the moment," Descole muttered as he glanced around. "We wait until we find the right piece of stone, and then we…" Noticing a shadow coming down from below, Descole ran out of the way of the rock that could have easily crush them into a bloody and gory mess.
"I'm not sure if we 'ave time just to find that right piece," Elaine said quickly, beginning to frown in concern.
"You may be right." Elaine felt Descole's grip on her tighten. "Just… Close your eyes for the moment. We'll be safe, I promise."
Elaine complied and hid her face in his neck. It… It wouldn't be THAT much different from what happened at the Nest. They were just higher now. And on a collapsing structure. And really depending more on luck now than anything else. More and more, Elaine found herself all but digging her nails into him. But she had to stay calm. Panicking and screaming would be of no help to them here.
Descole began to run, and Elaine braced herself just as he jumped. The following fall didn't last long since they landed on falling stone. This process repeated itself, again and again. The falls varying between brief or so long Elaine almost felt that they were going to fall to their deaths, until landing onto another stone. Sometimes there were sharp turns and once or twice they had to move to avoid being crushed. Elaine dared to look or twice, but the rush and seeing how they were still high from the ground just felt a little nauseous.
Even if this entire thing was a little exciting.
After what felt like ages, they were on the last stone as it began falling through a forest of tall, tall trees. Descole had tightened his hold around Elaine's waist as he ran towards the edge, jumping from it and letting go of Elaine's legs to grab onto a tree branch. After a moment or two of gentle swaying, he let go to fall a little before grabbing another branch and repeating. Simply staying pieces of the collapsing sanctuary didn't seem like a totally good idea when the pieces they had been on were landing on solid ground. Had they gone with the others, they would have been on pieces landing in the water.
Finally, after letting go of the final tree branch, they were back on solid earth once more. They walked a little further on until they were safe from falling sanctuary parts.
"That was… Would intense be the word?" Elaine asked.
"Perhaps. But I think it's best we keep moving now."
"But 'ow are we going to find Johanna and Raymond?" Elaine asked as they began to walk.
"I think I saw a town some distance from here. There might be a radio there we can use to try and reach the Bostonius, and if not there, the plane we arrived here in," Descole answered. "If we keep moving and try not to stop, we might make it there before it get dark. I know Froenburg's technically closer but I think it's safe to say that that place isn't an ideal place to be exactly, for the time being."
"At least we 'ave each other."
"I'm glad to hear you say that, because that's all it's going to be until Raymond finds us," Descole said as he linked their arms. Elaine smiled and lightly leaned against him as they continued on.
"Let's just 'ope this nature walk doesn't end with us being rained on."
"We'll find shelter. As long as it isn't a storm, we should be fine." Reaching up and removing his mask, Desmond placed it inside his suit jacket. "Now, I think a little rest at home for a week or two is well deserved, don't you think? After that, we can try and find any places of interest to look into."
"Will we randomly pick a country to narrow it down?"
"I suppose it would make it more interesting. Maybe skin a globe and see where we point, or stick up some names on a dart board and see which we hit."
"Or maybe let Johanna randomly pick a country."
"We'll certainly have a way to find our adventure," Desmond mused. "Then stick the country on a dart board and see what we get."
"We'll never be short on fun I guess."
"Not at all," Desmond agreed before he stopped. The faint sound of engines could be heard. Looking up, Desmond barked out a laugh. "It's the Bostonius! Good to know those fools didn't do any permanent damage to it as far as I can see." The airship was lowering, going over the trees Elaine and Desmond stood under. "Raymond must be landing close by. Come, hurry!"
Elaine rushed along with Descole as they followed the direction the Bostonius went in. The kept having to switch from looking at what they could see of the Bostonius to what was in their pathway. Was there really a need to rush? Well, given how good things were starting to go, it was best not to dawdle and get back to the ship and leave.
They soon found the ship in a small clearing, and running towards them was Johanna who instantly hugged onto Desmond tightly.
"Papa!" Desmond winced when Johanna's hand went over the burn on his back, but he ignored it to pick Johanna up.
"Sorry if I scared you, honey bunch."
"What happened to the others?"
"They're going their own way." Johanna frowned at that.
"Oh. I was hoping to see Luke and Aurora some more."
… They would tell her of Aurora's fate later. Now, it was time to leave.
"Are you okay, Elaine?" Johanna asked the Frenchwoman, looking to the slightly bloody bandage around her arm.
"Oh, this? It's nothing to worry about. Really."
"And you're okay, papa?"
"I have a little burn on my back, but Raymond will take a look at it," Desmond explained. Johanna didn't seem too convinced that everything was just fine, but she didn't push too much on the matter of everyone's health.
"What were those things flying around the town, blowing things up?"
"Just some… leftover mistakes of the Azran." Desmond wasn't really lying since the golms were mistakes of the Azran. Aurora would be an exception but other than that, complete mistakes. "But we managed to shut them off, and they won't be hurting anyone."
"So, what happens now?" Johanna asked.
"First, we're going home to rest for a bit," Desmond said as they began walking towards the Bostonius. "After that, we're going to look for another adventure."
"Can I come?"
"Yes, of course," Desmond chuckled. "Though I can't say you can come everywhere depending on what it is we're doing exactly."
Elaine smiled to herself as they walked towards the Bostonius. This felt right. She was certain she made the right choice. She wanted to be with Desmond, and seeing him with Johanna, more relaxed than usual…
Everything felt perfect at that moment.
"So, did Raymond 'ave any idea 'ow bad the damage was?" Elaine asked Desmond's as they sat on his bed. After Raymond had looked over Elaine's bullet wound injury and did or more proper medical treatment for it he went to look at the burn on Desmond's back. Elaine had waited outside patiently. The ship was on autopilot for home, and Johanna was in her as they didn't want to worry her.
"He doesn't think I'll need a skin graph at least," Desmond shrugged. He was currently shirtless, with bandages wrapped around his torso to keep the gel rubbed on his wound from smearing off easily in bed tonight. "Though I'm planning to see a doctor just to make sure. There's on living not too far from me that knows to keep quiet about things."
"That's good," Elaine said as she nodded her head. "But, aren't you going to put your shirt back on now? You must be getting cold."
"It's warm enough for me. Besides," a teasing tone came to his voice. "I would think you would love to get any possible glimpse of my body~."
"You 'ave a very…" Elaine glanced down. "Very, lovely chest. But I can't enjoy all of it if some of it is covered, can I?"
"Maybe, but you will get to see everything, eventually." He leaned over to peck her lips. "Want to go look outside the windscreen? The sun is still setting, I think."
"I'd love to," Elaine replied. Already on her feet and walking ahead as Descole followed behind.
The peach sky just made the room feel warmer. It was a bit like when she and Desmond first travelled to Froenburg. She and Desmond stood in the main area in silence.
"… Aurora told me she wanted to be 'uman before she asked for you all to come back," Elaine brought up. "She said if she could be reborn, that's what she would like to be."
"Well, if Melina was possibly the reincarnated queen of Ambrosia, I don't see why the girl shouldn't get her wish." Desmond put an arm around Elaine's shoulders. "She deserves it," he spoke gently.
"Ah, so you were fond of 'er."
"So were you, apparently." Desmond looked to Elaine. "You don't regret this?"
"No," Elaine shuck her head. "I want this. Your idea, us… I want that."
"And you never will regret it," Descole murmured before kissing her forehead.
"And so far, you're doing a good job of that," Elaine said with a smile. "Just, remember that I 'ave to introduce you to my parents."
"I suppose if they don't like me, they can't be any worse than Patricia and Daniel." Elaine guessed they were Lucy's parents.
"It's hard to imagine after so long, it's now all over," Desmond then spoke. "So long… Those dreams of revenge have been fulfilled today. Even if not in the way I had originally imagined."
"And now, we 'ave adventure to find," Elaine said as she leaned against Desmond. Enjoying his warmth and comfort, as she watched the sun slowly give way to night. "I'm already excited for it all."
"So am I." Elaine looked down to see Johanna, holding onto her hand as she smiled. Elaine smiled back and bent down to pick the girl up.
"Would any of you like some tea?" Raymond asked as he walked out of the kitchen.
"I would like some. Johanna?" Elaine looked to the young girl who nodded.
"And some brioche, please."
"You're going to turn into a brioche with the amount you eat," Desmond teased.
This felt… Like it was meant to be. It was perfect. The world was their oyster now, and nothing was going to hold them or the Bostonius down.
If all of them here made Desmond happy, Elaine hopped that it would stay like this for a long time.
Sorry about this being a little later then expected. I had some internet difficulties. Anyway, just want to say, I plan to do an epilogue before this ends! Prepare for it!