AUTHOR'S NOTE (9/23/23):
Before I begin, all I want to say is thank you. Thank you ALL for joining me on this journey for Festival of Fate, and thank you for believing in me. All of you readers are my hope, and I will forever cherish that. It was a long journey, but it's finally over. With that being said, I won't keep you from the end. Enjoy!
Pale, innocent winds kissed a face with frigid, soothing lips. Their touch masked between knotted locks of hair, uncoiling spiraled mountains of bitterness and transforming it into nothing more than pockets of relief, to which planted themselves across an unassuming body that has been buried under a blanket of bristling sand. It seeped in between each cut and crack, running opposite to the blithe of peaceful hymns from the clouds above. Their conniving heat taught them what it means to be dead, for any man who be without fortune to rest here forever would not be able to tell the difference between the clashing forces. Azure hands reached out towards purple feet, yearning to awaken the restless dreamer as they warped themselves to suit their every need. Though honest with intentions, their timidness kept them reeling back, but bravery kept them moving forward. Perhaps, it was a need to snatch them into the grand blue mystery, to share its secrets with them and only them. Forever, as one.
But the sun had different plans. He awakened, amber eyes gazing into the sky. It was orange, like a burning forest beat into the ground and smeared across a blank canvas – careful to leave obtuse patches of its original shade to fill in the blanks that such a radiant, fantabulous colour could not hope to perfect. Yet, perfect it was. Even if it hurts to stare Has morning always been so bright? Try as he might to move in order for a better chance at savoring this corner of paradise, he was no match for primal strain, and sighed as he kept his head confined to the ground.
"Rise and shine." Haruto Soma said. Genichiro, for what he could, turned his neck and glanced over at him. He wasn't exactly in great shape. Clothes half torn to shreds, covered in bruises and a few cuts here and there. Nothing that wouldn't disappear within a week, but combine them together and it didn't paint a pretty picture. However, in spite of that, he continued to smile.
"Why…" He started, speaking with a hoarse, weary voice. "Why did you… save me?"
"Back then, you looked like you wanted it." Haruto answered, as though it was obvious. "Besides, what kind of show doesn't let its actors see the credits?" He pursed his lips, staring off into the ocean.
"Our fates are intertwined." Genichiro said. "One of us is supposed to die. You're delaying the inevitable."
"Don't tell me you still believe in that." He joked, chuckling at the thought of them reducing each other to nothing over this beach. It would stain its beauty, and neither Haruto nor Genichiro were really in any shape to be doing something so careless. "A story like that does nothing but drive people into despair. If we let that control us, a lot more people than you and I get hurt. Whether you like it or not, you're someone's hope – and I won't be the one to rob them of that."
"So, you had this planned from the start?" Genichiro asked.
"Something like that." Haruto said, nodding his head. "But don't be mistaken, I gave it my all out there. It was definitely the most challenging fight of my life. You brought your best too, yeah?"
"That's all I could do." As Genichiro reminisced on his journey, one thing became clearer: he had no idea what he was going to do moving forward. With his luck, and for what he felt he deserved, he would spend the rest of his life in confinement for his crimes. So, he best bask in the kindness of the morning sun.
Suddenly, Genichiro laughed.
"What's so funny?" Haruto asked.
"It's nothing."
"Come on, tell me." He nudged Genichiro, who writhed in pain, and to which Haruto quickly apologized for.
"F-fine… I suppose you are the only one who could understand it, anyhow." Through his injuries, Genichiro managed to scrape up the strength for a little bit of humor. "Ever since I could remember, I've dedicated my life to fighting against our fated fable. For years, all I thought about was beheading a dragon. Now, with you before me at your weakest…"
"What is it?"
"I'd rather sit here." Together, the two of them laughed. "In my heart, you are no longer my enemy."
"Then maybe we could be friends." Haruto asked. A hand reached out to Genichiro, beckoning him to take it. Without another word, he accepted the offer and working as one, they recovered to a standing position. "Where to?"
"Here is fine." He admitted. "I'd like to stay here a little longer."
Just as the two of them watched the sunrise, arm locked around the other, the trees began to bristle as crowds slowly emerged.
"There they are!" Shouted a familiar voice. It was Rinko, joined together with Shunpei and Koyomi.
"Haruto!" Koyomi shouted with glee. Though before she could run over to embrace him, it was Shunpei, screaming all the same, who made his way towards him. "You're alive." Tears sweltered in her eyes.
"Yeah, I am." However, his group of friends weren't the only ones who arrived to see both warriors of legend still standing. The mages, who had helped them escape the prison, joined alongside Kalium and Gorou, who was hesitant to step forward. Fiore, standing beside them and unable to contain her emotions. Then, hundreds of Celestice villagers who had came from the colosseum. Everyone was here. All eyes on them.
"What do we do now?" Rinko whispered.
"We wait." Genichiro answered. "It's their island, after all." He watched as the former emperor struggled to meet him. "What are you waiting for, old man? Has a cat stolen the snake's tongue? Speak, and I will heed your call."
"Yes, very well." Kalium nodded, stepping forward, away from the mob and faced a thousand men and women who were exhausted to the highest degree. Bitter glares, cursing mouths that sought shelter and hateful bodies gathered as one glob of impending doom upon them. "Celestians, the time of chaos is over. By some miracle, we have been spared of certain destruction. Chaos that once stood upon this very soil, now nothing more than a memory." A natural salesman, he paced around with calming words. "What have we done to deserve this new dawn? Moreover, what did we do to deserve such fear to begin with? Could it be that our sins, may they rest in silence, be the reason that our world screamed back at us? In the wake of destiny, I now recognize my error."
Kalium turned towards his daughter. "I sought control, and in the end it drove us all to despair. I am the one who raised the kirin, I am the one who discarded it's peace for the sake of our own, and in turn created the monster of Celestice. It is my responsibility that we all suffer right now. I was wrong, and I cannot go forward leading you. For that, I apologize."
"Hold on!" A faceless voice shouted. "What's going to happen to him?! Our island is ruined!"
"I will not kill him." Kalium stated. "Don't you see it?! Our hatred has left us barely standing! I cannot…" He found it difficult to speak past this point, his knees shaking as rivers streamed down his face. An overwhelming sense of guilt consumed him. "I will not… Subject him to any more cruelty… For the sake… of a sound soul."
"My son and his actions are not his alone to bear." Gorou said, stepping in front of Genichiro, who for the first time in ten years properly acknowledged him. "He is not an innocent man, and neither am I. As the Emperor stated, we were swindled into believing this tale. So much so, that it cost us what was important! Look at each other and say you have no part in this. Say that not once did you all remain silent, just as we did while we let a story control our lives! We are responsible for the blood of Genichiro, as Haruto Soma, the one we begged to save us."
"This is our penance." Kalium declared. "From the days where our ancestors responded only with violence and hate, our island is built upon it. The cycle must be broken."
"Father…" Fiore muttered.
"To you, I entrust this island, as it's new – and deserved Emperor, my daughter Fiore." Just as he was about to dethrone himself, several exploding geysers burst into the air. With great terror, the crowd jumbled and tripped over themselves. Standing in the center of this mess, and not alone, was Rinko.
"Hold it!" She sheathed her weapon. "I won't allow this."
"Have you, too, gone mad?" Kalium smirked.
"No, in fact I'm seeing things a lot more clearly now." Rinko shook her head. "You want to move forward from the mistakes of this island, and here you are choosing to take the easy way out! Putting all the responsibility onto someone else, someone who will take the same position you were in and thinking that they know better is what's crazy!" She glanced over towards the crowd. "As you said, it was your choices that drove someone like Genichiro into a violent man! All it took was one person to make that decision, and the rest followed! Who do you think will be next? For a community who wants to share magic, you still aren't willing to share that duty!"
As Rinko spoke, the three of them couldn't help but to feel proud of their friend. "One person shouldn't have all the say for the fate of this island. If you continue that, then we haven't learned anything from tonight! It can't be done alone, you can't decide what's best for Celestice!"
"Then what do you suggest?" Kalium laughed. "We're waiting, and we can't wait forever."
"... You should divide that power." Rinko stated. "Celestice is a gorgeous, gigantic place where people come once a year to share their gifts, right? Well, gifts don't just extend to magic. There are people here who know what's best for this island, more than some of you may have ever considered. This isn't just your home, it's theirs too, so they ought to have a say in what happens to it."
"I agree." Fiore said, much to everyone's surprise as she relinquished her newfound power. "It was because of this title – Emperor, that we twisted the very things we once stood for. If one person chooses, the rest have no choice but to follow. I alone cannot see what is best for you all. That is impossible." As her first and last decree, Emperor Fiore cast her hand towards the waves, as to show them that she alone cannot control the tides. If not the tides, then what of the island? "Going forth, the title of Emperor shall cease. If we want to build a better Celestice, then we must do it together! I refuse to carry our burdens. We must do it together, so long as we want to live!"
The crowd was silent. Say for one, lone man clapping their hands together, she thought that her attempt to restructure their government, her proposal for a council going forward with the reconstruction of this island, was all in vain. It takes one person to burn down a forest, but another to replant a tree. But together, through the inspiration of one, a new hope can begin, and a greener valley can grow. The citizens cheered in spite of the uncertainty going forward. Be it perhaps her words, or their exhaustion catching up to them, Celestice in this moment refused to turn back to the island it once was.
Still, it was not met without questions. "But how long will it take to rebuild?" One farmer asked. "My home is in ruins, and so are the rest of ours." Then, Genichiro stepped forward.
"It will not take forever." Releasing himself from Haruto, Genichiro finally addressed the crowd with his own voice. "Please, I beg of you." He got to his knees. "The destruction to your homes was caused by none other than me. Your anger, your sorrow, your fear… They are mine to carry if I wish to repent, and I won't allow you to suffer any greater tragedy than what I have already wrought upon this country." Raising his head, he found his purpose. "My freedom is my desire, but it will not be bought easily. I owe you a millennium of service for gratitude, and because I am the one who ignited the flames, I shall be the one to extinguish them – and bring about a time of peace."
Standing to his feet, Genichiro faced them with the eyes not of a monster, but of a man who was willing to stand against his own fate and carve them a path to new beginnings through the strength of his heart. "Take my hand," He said, extending his arm. "Allow me to take yours, and I will be your monster no more. I will be your hope."
"I said I'd bring back hope to this island." Haruto said, joining Genichiro once more. "It's not just his fault, it's mine too. Together, we will rebuild." He smiled, and the rest of his friends stood by his side. "After all, I'm sure we could spare another week, right?"
Later that night, a communion had formed by the beachside. The Celestians banded together and have decided to put forth a celebration towards their new age for the island. It wasn't going to be easy to let bygones be bygones, not for anyone, but somewhere a brave foot has to be set forward in order to turn the clock. Many gathered by the ocean, a great bonfire with a blazing flame of light rests in the center of their crowd. A feast, free to one and to all, with dozens of delicious dishes both native to the island and foreign, set forth through the aid of generous sufferers, heralded with a mountain of praise by the ex-monarchy, found its way to their time of celebration. A celebration it was indeed, to make up for their interrupted festival. People erupted into merry songs and dance as others simply enjoyed their meal underneath the stars. Tomorrow was going to be a busy day, so why spend the last bits of peace in a sour mood?
"This is delicious!" Haruto exclaimed, unable to control himself as he chowed down on his plate. Who could have thought fighting for your life worked up quite the appetite? Just the mere mention of food was enough to make his stomach grumble to the sound of a dragon calling its name out to the world.
"Tastier than a plain sugar donut?" Shunpei asked, raising his eyebrows where he sat adjacent to the fire.
"Let's not go that far." Koyomi laughed. She knew that there was nothing else in this world that could capture Haruto's heart more than a scrumptious, plain sugar donut. At least, nothing that she knew, but people can surprise you. That's what she's learned throughout this whole ordeal. Nonetheless, she was glad it was over!
"So, are you sure I can't keep this?" Rinko asked with pouty lips, holding up the firearm with its barrel raised to the sky. The three of them backed away in fear, causing her to break out into a hearty chuckle. "Don't worry, don't worry!" She said in a less than reassuring voice. "The safety is on!"
"Are you sure it's OK that we stay another week?" Koyomi said, turning to Haruto. "After all, phantoms could appear…"
"We can't tell." Haruto grinned. She still hated hearing that phrase, but everytime he said it, Koyomi figured that it would turn out right. "Besides, I owe it to them to lend a hand. Our friend back home won't mind." In fact, their special friend back home was the one who suggested he stay out a little longer; a vacation doesn't come every so often, and if he wanted to put in the good work as a Kamen Rider, then he needed to put in a good bit of relaxation once in a while! Anything for his buddy, because he knew Haruto would do the same. Plus, he owed him maybe once or twice for a little assist.
Just then, parts of the crowd towards the ocean, and erupted in surprise. All eyes were towards the sea, a hundred questions plaguing their minds. Our heroes too became entranced by all this hysteria and watched as a new mystery captured their attention. It was a boat! In pretty rough shape, mind you, with at least three people gathered in the center. There was never a greater sense of relief in this world than to what was plastered across the castaways faces as they finally touched ground.
"We… we survived!" The woman, who was seemingly the captain, though not by her disgruntled – and frankly a little off-putting in the crazy way, drew tears as she rolled around like a maniac in the sand. If she leaped, perhaps she would awaken from this dream and her feet would forget the safety of a beach once more. So, instead she just decided to make sand sculptures with her body; burying herself from head to toe, with only her head being visible as it gazed up towards the night sky.
"Ah, wonderful!" A handsome, yet rugged man with a suit and a briefcase full of nothing shot the crowd a grin as he glanced around at the waves of eager faces. "So many clients… I must start work immediately, and I bid you farewell, Captain!"
"It's just as I said." Oh, no. That voice… A chill ran down our heroes' backs. Their face was obscured, but there was no doubt about it! "Bringing you home was nothing we couldn't handle. A little rocky, but with danger comes opportunity!"
"NITOH?!" The four of them screamed. Emerging from the crowd, their worst fears became a reality. Sporting a strange (much stranger than what he usually wore), almost pirate looking attire, Kosuke Nitoh made his way towards the group; giving not a single care towards anyone else.
"Ah, as I figured." Kosuke smirked. "Here you are, Haruto!" He gave no attention in regards to the fairly obvious torn clothes of our hero, nor the bandages wrapped around his head. "No coincidence you're at a feast, huh? My suspicions are correct, you're out here trying to swipe all the food that you can. Is that right?!"
"No, you have it all–" Koyomi interjected, but Kosuke wasn't hearing it.
"DON'T SAY IT!"
"Why are you here?" Haruto asked.
"What do you mean, 'Why am I here?'" Kosuke held up his invitation. It was soggy, and torn to shreds. In fact, it wasn't even legible, but it was an invitation. That he was certain of due to the strange crest that remained as the only discernible feature on the envelope. "Heh, might be a little late to the party, but it seems to me that I'm 'fashionably' late."
"Certainly fashionable." He muttered in response.
On the other side of their camp, Fiore sat alone. No one bothered to look over at her, and she understood why. Repairing this island was going to take a lot more than a simple feast, especially since she had a hand in being the reason so much destruction was set forth. Quietly, she watched the fire crackle as others danced around to the beat of their connected hearts. It was a lovely sight, and one that she wished she could join in on.
"Out here alone?" It was Genichiro who stood in front of her.
"You really shouldn't be walking around." She sighed. "Forget the fact that you are somehow still alive–"
"I am." Genichiro smiled. "Quite the surprise?"
"No." Fiore shook her head. "I figured you would be here." He sat next to her, a few inches apart. "I'm glad you are here."
"As am I." Hands apart, though wanting to be close.
"Going forward, it won't be easy." Fiore spoke in a soft voice. "It will take a long time for them to see us as something more than monsters."
"I am aware." He nodded, understanding full well the burden of the responsibility he owed to the island. "These people will hate me, no matter what I do. They have every right, but… I have hope that someday it will be different."
"But not tomorrow." Fiore lowered her head back to the ground. No, not tomorrow, but some day. It was strange, this was the first time she ever heard Genichiro speak of things like hope, and uncertainty. Although, it provided a nice change, and somewhere down in her heart she believed in him – as she always has.
"After all you did, I shouldn't be so selfish to ask, but I have a request."
"What is it?" Before he could ask, a polka-dotted bird landed in the middle of them! It was a beast unlike any other that the two have ever seen, and it squawked at them – not to scare, but to gather their sympathies and closeness for its own to share.
"How cute!" Fiore squealed, picking up the bird. "You've come to join the festivities, haven't you, little one?" She ran a hand along its tiny head, brushing their feathers back. Although it had no means to do so, it was as if the bird was smiling back at them. Fiore became so entranced with this small creature, to which she vowed to keep, that she had almost forgotten where she was. "Oh, my apologies. What were you going to ask?"
It was now or never.
"Would you care to dance?" He asked, extending his hand.
"Certainly."
About two weeks passed by since that night. Kamen Rider: Wizard, the Ancient Wizard: Beast, and the Legendary Wizard: Emperor, as he was now known, had managed to help the island of Celestice repair most of the damage caused by the events of the solstice festival. With the help of their powerful magic, the process mostly proceeded smoothly and with great haste! What, did you think that this would take months?! Not in the world of magic, no! But even so, Rome was not built in a day, and neither was Celestice. A new Celestice, one born from the ashes of despair to rise as a new hope – a place where magic could gather and to be shared, forever and fairly. It wasn't going to be easy, but if there was one thing Haruto Soma had learned about Celestians, is that for better or worse they were determined to the very end when their sights were set on a new prospect!
In that regard, Haruto was certain that their hope would remain. Speaking of Haruto, he was in deep sleep, snoring up a storm back in the hotel. It was the first decent sleep he'd gotten in weeks. It sure beat the jagged walls of a prison cell a few hundred feet beneath the ground. Perhaps, he was too deep in sleep…
BRRRRRNNNG!
BRRRRRNNG!
Suddenly, Haruto fell out of bed! A loud, blaring alarm shot its way throughout his now empty room. Just as he started to search for the source of the noise, clambering around in confusion, his door opened. Standing there was Koyomi, with a smile.
"Koyomi?!" She wandered into his room and switched off the alarm. It was hidden in a closet.
"Haruto, come on!" Koyomi said with great enthusiasm. "Our boat is here, we're going to miss it if you don't get up!" Scrambling to his feet, Haruto gathered his rings and followed her, taking one last look at their room to ensure nothing was missing before shutting the door. What a journey.
Hand in hand, Haruto and Koyomi headed home.
AUTHOR'S NOTE 9/23/23:
Down the line, I'll probably add a little bonus chapter or two - consider it like an extra feature, haha. But for the time being, Kamen Rider Wizard: Festival of Fate is complete. Thank you all, and have a great day.
Remember, so long as you keep the magic in your heart alive, then you can do anything going forward. Cherish that hope, and keep on writing. Until the very end, fight for a future you want. After all, when it comes to seeing down the road, we can't tell, but we can believe. Keep believing.
Life is showtime!