As Velvet marched to the top of the staircase, up to the openness of the Empyrean's Throne, she still couldn't breathe. Her hand at her mouth, trembling. She brought her other hand to stop but could not. It would not.

Her throat burned as much as she fought to keep it down. Turning and turning before she stumbled onto the Throne's flight of stair to the top as she coughed, finally taking the moment to gasp. Stuttered words and frustrated groans echoed but at least they were alone.

As she looked up the stairs, she could feel the water on her hands. Her tears and more falling off her face as she gripped tighter. The dream she wished for, a world of no pain and free of strife, had ended. Even with her brother promising that he will return, what promise was that to make it before her eyes.

The same result, but different circumstances. Was it the same or something different? Even when he told her the news, it still hurt. Her happiness even considered.

In the end, Velvet turned herself to rest against the stairs, staring off into the blue skies. A hand slowly raised up, shielding part of her eyes.

"What am I even doing?" she whispered to the wind.

A shadow loomed over her as Velvet barely moved to recognize it. Her eyes readjusting to the light to see a familiar green hue in their eyes.

"I'm glad you didn't just run off." She relaxed, slowly taking a seat besides her.

The two of them just sitting besides one another, barely a sound besides their passive breathing. When did they have a moment to finally just talk?

"It's not like I have a place to run off." Velvet finally said, heavily sighing. She remembered. Years ago, she would've vented her frustration on the nearest daemon they came across. Whether it was personal frustrations or dealing with the chaos of the group, there was always an end-goal for them all.

While she knew Eleanor had one in sight, there was none for her.

"There's always the capital or the fields out there. Let some steam off. Plenty of wild animals and some feral daemons."

"After that dreamscape, I'm not in the mood."

Eleanor slowly let herself rest on the steps. How in the world Velvet was comfortable with this was beyond her.

"What you found, wasn't exactly what you were looking for, was it?"

Velvet shut her eyes. So easily readable, or was Eleanor's perspective better than she was years ago?

"It wasn't. I thought, when I sealed myself with Laphicet, it would be the end of it all. Just us two, our powers eating at each other. Stop the world from breaking." She pulled her hand to the side. "Guess not."

Velvet shook her head, continuing. "I remember when I finally saw Artorius's face again. Standing above the people of with a pledge to the people, to the land. If I had the chance, I would've rushed him there and then.

"But now, when I think about, after everything. Those words he said, were they for the people? Or for himself?"

"It's strange, isn't it?" Eleanor looked over. "Depending on what perspective, who's events, and how they saw it, you'd get different answers. Hell, you'd get different reasons and logical ends."

The former therion looked back at her. "Hmph. Looks like you've matured up over the seven years."

"Had to. Taking charge, leading people, all the political intrigue." The redhead sighed. "Sorry, I don't want to bore you with all the stuff you've never dealt with."

"I don't mind." Eleanor gave her a befuddled look. "Seriously, I don't mind at all."

"You were never one to think about stuff like this."

"Yeah but now's different." All the muscles in her shoulder dropped. While the weight of her grudges and griefs were gone, they still left their phantoms. "Don't even have a home to go to."

"W-wait, you mean that Aball is?"

"Burned, last time I checked. The Morrigan Wings burned while I was escaping with Amelia."

"I-I'm sorry to hear that."

Velvet turned to face Eleanor as the redhead also laid down besides her. "This is super uncomfortable, you know."

She rolled her eyes. "Fine, fine, let's go over to the grass and under the shade you crybaby."

The pair got up, brushing their clothes, and headed over to the closest patch of grass with a tree providing shade. As Velvet looked on, she could see the smaller valleys and grasslands beyond. Despite coming here and seeing the view before, she never got the real chance to take it all in. Green as far as the eye can see, somebody could set up a small village here.

Looking back at the Throne, she wondered if Artorius had planned something like that.

Out of the sun and into the shade, the two women laid down, just looking skywards.

"Even then." Velvet started again. "I have no home. Just another wanderer, in one way or another."

Eleanor fidgeted with her fingers. "Then, how about staying with me? Until you found something?"

"And what about you? About us?" Velvet turned over to see the redhead. "How long have you had feelings for me? Even after… everything?"

The new Shepherd looked over. If it had been seven years ago, she might have been fumbling with her words, looking cautious and nervous about what she wanted to say. But now, there was a certain air about her. Poised, but kind. Focused, but could be approached. Even then, there was a certain sadness in her eyes, one for the people as she carried the weight and hopes of people, looking and yearning for a brighter tomorrow, even if it may not come so quick.

"I want to say, around the time after we made a base in Titania."

"Even after I yelled at you? Are you secretly a masochist?"

"Hey, I'm being honest!" Eleanor huffed. And there was the Eleanor she knew. "Just then, you showed me what was going on with the Abbey, its members. Even if logic would dictate one thing, doesn't make it morally correct. My first steps of just seeing the world for myself.

"You were, and kinda still are, a bright beacon for people to start living to what they believe in, away from learned words by another person. The birds will fly because they want to, not by any force besides their own."

In fact, Velvet could feel her cheeks warm up as she bit her own lip. Her heart pounded. The crybaby Exorcist had grown over the years. "… You're putting me on too much of a pedestal. I just wanted my revenge. And for Laphicet to be back. That's all."

"And what happens after that?"

Again, she found herself without words. She knew, perhaps deep down, she always knew. Once her revenge was complete, even if she lived and stayed in the world, seven years later, what would she even be doing? Perhaps, she was counting on it. That a world without the rage and thoughts of her own, wouldn't be passed on.

In some ways, Eleanor was just that person to pass on those thoughts.

In some ways, Eleanor inspired her back.

"I don't know. Yet." Velvet finally answered her. "Maybe I'll start a bakery or something."

A stifled laugh escaped the redhead's lips. "Would you mind if I stopped in every day, asking for the freshest loaf?"

"Is that your attempt at a pick-up line?" The former therion raised an eyebrow. But she too barely suppressed a laugh herself. "Because that's the worst I've ever heard."

Just as the two laughed at their weak bits of small talk, they couldn't help but realize just how close they were to one another. It was strange, Velvet thought. They were near opposites of each other. At times, they hated each other's guts, their attitudes, the way they carried themselves.

But now, once all the fires had burned, the moments ago long gone, and debts lessened.

She could feel it, hear it. The sounds of Eleanor's breathing, the light nervousness in the air. Her heart throbbed harder.

Her eyes slowly shut. Scooting closer and closer.

Until she felt the warmth of Eleanor's lips on hers.

"The roads are at least nicer." Amelia commented as they trekked back to the port.

"It'd be easier to leave the port back by Londinium than leaving from Zekrom."

"You just want to say hi to your sister before we head off again." The brunette chuckled. "It hasn't been that long since you've seen her."

"Besides the concert? I'd say it was a few months since we've started this 'Shepherds Trial', as Eleanor calls it."

"Yeah, I know. Blessings for all four Elemental Empyreans for combatting a Lord of Calamity, all that fancy talk." Still, seeing that roads were clear of rampant wildlife from attacking unprovoked brought a bit of disappointment in her eyes. One that Alex immediately caught on.

"Your hands have been on your spears this entire time."

"Well, if somebody's gonna ambush us."

Alex waved her hand before them. "We're in uniform. Even after Eleanor issued the Exodus order, the rough and tumble know who we are."

"Yeah, but…" The blonde eyed her before Amelia finally backed down. "Fine, fine. Once Eleanor and Velvet are done with their business, we'll head over to your home.

"We are staying in your house right?"

The leader of Ala Grisa looked onwards; her gaze transfixed on whatever was beyond the next hill. "… it'll only be for a day or two." She mumbled to herself.

"Ya know, bottling that shit up, especially with your dad isn't gonna help anybody."

"Words hit him like arrows against a stone castle. And blades? I've seen him fight. Taking out a few bandits camped in the forest." She clutched her chest. Small tuffs of malevolence seemed to roll off hand. "Heads rolled. Man didn't even flinch."

"And not a single bit of malevolence off of him, eh?"

Alex looked up at Amelia before nodding.

"Explains why so many other nobles aren't exactly on speaking terms with your family. Your dad's an asshole."

"As unmoving as a mountain."

"And as blunt as rusted knife." Amelia scratched the back of her head. "Ya think you made the right choice? Doing this thing again. But unlike before, you're ordering the hits."

"I ask that ever since I became Legate. Just second-guesses and what not."

The taller brunette patted Alex's shoulder. "Second-guesses aren't really great, especially with things you're doing. Fucking hell, I've seen you just smash people if they ticked you off. But, you're good at doing this shit right?"

"A bit too good for it."

"I mean, that's also kinda your dad's duty isn't it? Rubbed off on you, no?"

She bit her inner lips, glaring at Amelia. Small shimmers of purple haze radiated off her shoulders, but she sighed. "Just because you're good at something doesn't mean you should be proud of it."

"But I thought you had your complaints to Eleanor?"

"I did." She relented. "But, if not me, then who?"

The brunette looped herself around Alex, massaging her shoulders, despite the other's minor protest.

"You're a good friend, you know that?"

"Maybe. We would've been captured or killed at the volcano if you hadn't shown up."

"That's just luck talking. Coincidences happen you know?"

A reddish hue glowed on the blonde's face. This has happened time and time again. Whenever missions were far and in-between, when paperwork needed to be completed, and the days dragged on, Amelia always seemed to float around. Playful banter or the ramblings of obnoxious members to be culled in, this little getaway from Eleanor felt just like the old days.

It was hard to believe all of that started about five years ago.

"Do you remember what you said after you beat me?" Alex asked as they could see the route to the throne.

"After I knocked you on your ass?"

"Yes, just after that. You said you liked how I fought with my blade."

"I said, 'You're pretty good'."

"You did. It's been on my mind for a while."

"What? You looking for a rematch?"

"Something like that. After our adventure, let's have that, ok?"

"Then it's a date~."

Just around the corner, the pair noticed a small team of Imperial soldiers standing watch. They seemed to be minding their own business as they got closer until one of them looked on.

"H-hey… Hey Amelia!" One of them waved as the others looked over as well.

"Milady Alexandra!"
"Commander!"
"You two are still kicking about?"

The young women looked at one another as the Imperial soldiers lifted their helmet visors. All of them were former Exorcists of the reformed Abbey. Their former subordinates, regular soldiers, proud warriors, and general logistics people.

A smile spread from Alex's face as she remembered those under her command. From the smaller group actions, and members of support, they were clad in the usual Imperial armors and uniforms. "Glad to see you didn't turn to banditry."

More than a few of them feigned clutched chests. "What, and have you hunt us down? We've seen you fight before Commander. Wouldn't wish that on anybody."

The blonde remained silent as they continued. "But yeah, the Abbey may be gone but what we've been taught, what we've been trying to do. Kinda works better in smaller stuff."

"So you guys are just patrolling on the Empire's pretty gald, eh?" Amelia giggled.

More than half bobbed their heads. "We've got families to feed. Sure, we could try solo, but not everybody is like you, Commander. We can't all be Legatus. Hell, almost all of us don't have our malakhim friends either.

"We've still got our artes. And our hearts. Having a soon-to-be Emperor also helps too."

Amelia played with a lock of her hair. "Pays to have somebody up top. But I'm glad you guys are all doing fine."

They saluted to the pair. "Just remember. If the Exodus Order is repealed, we'll be right back at your sides. You can count on it."

Whether it be fear for the future, or the dread of the past, The Shadow of the Day passes

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