Epilogue: Sweet Moments of Reprise
In the final moments within the world, the group helped close the portal between other worlds, but at the very least, the Emblems were still around to see much happier times begin to play out for Elyos. First and foremost, Siege and Magina booked Richard a trip back to the Gensokyo he just came out of, due to the fact he needed to be there in a pivotal moment: The birth of his child by that Gensokyo's Reisen.
As soon as Richard landed down on Gensokyo, he noticed that the land felt much more peaceful than it was before, as he began to fly towards Eientei, as he kept himself hidden in a cloak to hide his identity from others.
It did not take him long to reach Eientei, as there were two moon-rabbit guards who were waiting outside the gate, as they immediately turned alert when Richard walked up to them.
"Halt! Who are you?" One of the guards demanded from Richard.
"I'm looking for Reisen Udongein Inaba." Richard told them calmly. "She's someone close to me, and I want to see her, after being away from her so long."
"Reisen is currently undergoing labor, and is currently delivering. It doesn't matter who you are, visiting her is not allowed!" The guard exclaimed, as Richard was shocked.
"What!?" Richard exclaimed. "Then I have to-"
"Unless he was perhaps her husband?" A voice called out as Magina descended down to greet the guards. "Richard, why do you intend to have your disguise on? People herald you a hero for what you've done, you know."
"Sorry, but I didn't want to break the news yet. If there is one person who deserves to see me back first, it's both Eirin and Reisen, as well as Tewi." Richard answered back, before he then undid his hood, as the guards were shocked. "Yeah, I expected this to happen. Look, I know that this sounds like an asshole of me, coming back right at this time, but there isn't any more opportune time. She needs me to help have the strength to carry her child. Eirin told me that she needs all the support she can get, and my touch will remind her that I still am here."
"R-Right away!" The guard exclaimed, as the two guards moved aside, and closely escorted the group. "Come with us! The maternal ward is just a few doors ahead!"
Richard and Magina went towards the maternal ward, as the guards immediately told the nurse guarding the door, that the one before them was Richard indeed, as the nurse quickly moved aside.
"Hold her steady! We need to make sure that the child doesn't come out stuck!" Eirin remarked, as Reisen was whining in pain, as the strain of birthing her child was hurting her, as Richard was slightly melancholic seeing the scene, watching as the staff worked their hardest to safely deliver the child.
"What are you waiting for?" Magina asked, placing a soft hand on Richard's shoulder. "Go, and be with her. It's been your utmost wish from the beginning to me. Consider it your just reward for doing everything back in Elyos to help those people."
Richard looked back at Magina, before he then nodded, and walked forward, as Eirin saw him, as she almost dropped her tool out of shock on seeing Richard.
"You're…!" Eirin exclaimed.
"No time to explain!" Richard remarked "Let me hold her hand at the least! She needs me by her side, even if she doesn't know I'm there truly!"
"Richard… Alright, move over quickly, she's about to push hard." Eirin stated, with an accepting nod.
Richard quickly sat beside Reisen, before clasping her hand in his own, as Eirin began to shout orders for the staff to prepare for the final push.
"Reisen, it's alright. It's alright…" Richard softly whispered to her. "Everything is going to be fine. Our child is going to be delivered safe and sound, and you'll get up to a surprise that will make you feel so much better."
Reisen slowly calmed down, as her own grunts of pain became softer, and her panting became gentler, before she then let out a cry, as there was the sound of a loud pop, as Eirin managed to get the child out, as there was small nubs on their head, to indicate the infantile stage of their rabbit ears, as they cried loudly upon their head coming out into open air. It did not take so long, until the rest of the baby came out.
"It's a boy!" One of the staff cried, upon seeing the complete form of Reisen's and Richard's baby, complete with his first bawling cry to signify the start of his life.
Reisen continued to huff gently, as the umbilical cord was tied up, before being cut, as the child was checked all over, as Eirin gave the all green sign to Richard, who smiled in response.
"I'm glad everything went well." Richard remarked, as he gently stroked Reisen's head. "Reisen, open your eyes up, you'll be truly surprised about what you're going to see…"
Reisen's breathing returned to normal, before she then slowly blinked her eyes, as she woke up, and turned around to see who was holding her hand, as her eyes widened with shock and surprise.
"R-Richard!?" Reisen exclaimed, her tone shaking with disbelief and shock.
"I'm back, Reisen." Richard smiled back, as tears of relief leaked down his eyes. "...And this time, I'm not going anywhere. This time, we'll be together, until age separates us."
Reisen could only blubber, as tears spilled from her eyes, before she then hugged Richard tightly, and bawled into his chest, as he gently patted her on her back to comfort her, as Richard gently sobbed himself.
After the two of them let out their tears, the two of them let go of each other, both wiping and blinking their tears away.
"I'm so glad that… you really did come back…" Reisen sniffled. "I thought that I would be truly alone without you, the only one to raise our child."
"It was something that I had no choice in, as my letter told you." Richard answered back softly. "But I still feel horrible for making you feel like you lost me forever. If you want to slap this fool across the face a hundred times for breaking a promise, then I shall grin and bear it like the man I am."
Reisen looked like she was going to come through on Richard's request, before she then gently smacked her hand onto Richard's cheek.
"You stupid idiot… Of course you'd say that." Reisen remarked softly, before leaning closer to Richard. "I don't care about hurting you for leaving me. All I care about is that we're together again. Please, don't leave me again. I don't want to lose you again…"
"And you won't." Richard remarked, before one of the staff came over. "Come on, give your child some of your patented milk. He'll grow healthy and strong from the genes he inherited from both me and you."
Reisen could only chuckle, before she pressed their child against her teat, as it took a while for the boy to gently suck on it, as Reisen feel a soothing sensation on feeding her child for the first time by breast.
After a while, the staff eased the boy off Reisen's chest, before handing it to Richard, who felt the hot and soft warmth of his child in his arms.
"Such warmth…" Richard remarked, before a new bout of tears dripped down his eyes, as he gently held his child to his own chest. "Just by holding him close to me… I can feel my own sins and sorrows wash away under this tide of fatherly love and warmth. With this child in my arms, I feel like I'm truly at the pinnacle of euphoria itself, as if I have attained enlightenment. I feel truly free."
Magina smiled, seeing how happy Richard and Reisen were, before Tewi came in.
"Hey, Reisen, have you heard? Richard's back-" Tewi shouted with excitement in her voice, before she froze, seeing Richard and Reisen. "Holy sh-"
"Don't you finish." Reisen remarked, giving a death glare that made Tewi clam up.
"Sorry, sorry." Tewi exclaimed, before she regained her composure. "Still, can't believe that everything is going to end well. See, not so terrible after all! He came back, and everything is happy as it has been!"
Kaguya then entered the room, as she walked towards Richard.
"Richard." Kaguya remarked.
"Kaguya Houraisen." Richard remarked, before he then bowed. "I am truly sorry to have left Reisen alone for a while. It is unbefitting of a loyal husband. Whatever you ask of me as punishment, I shall-"
Kaguya then immediately fell into a dogeza position, which shocked Richard and Reisen.
"Wha wha wha…!?" Reisen frantically exclaimed.
"Richard Liu, for everything you have done…" Kaguya remarked. "I issue you a formal apology from my mouth, for ever doubting that you were loyal to Reisen Inaba, and that you were lacking any character. You are truly the greatest husband to grace Reisen's life, and I am truly thankful that you have done so much for Eientei, that my own prejudices towards you are what deserve punishment. I therefore shall name you a part of my own court as what I believe would be sufficient reparations and reward for your deeds."
"I… I humbly accept. But please, don't lower yourself before me." Richard answered back. "It is unfitting for a princess to be kneeling in such a manner before a man like me. I do not seek to challenge your legitimacy as a Lunarian princess."
Kaguya then rose up, before she then brushed herself off.
"Alright then, now that has been dealt with…" Kaguya remarked, before she gave a warm smile. "Welcome back, Richard Liu. It's so nice to have you here again."
"The same to you." Richard answered back with warmth as well.
"I believe that I should leave, since my work here is done." Magina stated. "I might have a few things to discuss with the new Sage of Gensokyo herself. Take a few months off here, Richard. Be with Reisen. I promised that you would have the time to catch up with her."
"I'm thankful." Richard nodded back, before Magina then warped out.
"Richard… May I ask something of you?" Reisen asked. "I heard that you fight so much in the other worlds, and that your duty involves having to fight across so many worlds to protect them from evil."
"Well, that is true. But for now, I can-" Richard stated with an awkward tone.
"Take me." Reisen remarked with determination in her eyes, as Richard was shocked. "I want to help you, as you have helped me. I might not be as strong as those allies that you have fought with… but I promise that I'll do everything so that one day I can be even at least half as useful as them on whatever you may face."
"Now, now, Reisen. There is no need to push yourself." Richard remarked hastily. "You're perfect the way you are, you shouldn't focus on being a soldier first, we have a child to take care of, so we have to be parents first, and soldiers second. We can't afford to neglect him, can we?"
"I… I suppose you're right." Reisen remarked. "Sorry, I just…"
"Shh, shh…" Richard remarked, pressing a finger to Reisen's lips. "I understand how you feel. Don't worry, you'll become a proper member of the team in time. There's even another you that can help give you pointers on becoming better yourself. She might not be a danmaku specialist like you, but her combat skills are peer to very few. She'll train you to be better than you've ever been."
"I suppose that we don't have a choice, do we?" Eirin remarked, shrugging with a smile on her face. "Well then, I suppose that Udongein's mind is set on this. Just make sure you bring her back in one piece, won't you, Richard?"
"I would not let her be harmed in any way." Richard declared with fire in his eyes.
"Wow, now that's some real passion! I almost thought that you inherited that fire from Mokou herself!" Kaguya laughed.
Richard and Reisen turned to each other, as the staff took their child from their hands, placed in a nearby makeshift cot, to allow their child to rest for the time being.
"That leaves only what our child will be called." Richard remarked. "But I suppose that we know only one name will suit this boy of ours."
"Tenmei…" Reisen muttered softly, looking at their resting child. "Our rewritten destinies. All because we were lucky to have such a child for ourselves, and his presence made our lives better."
"I suppose so… After all, I got to meet you." Richard smiled back.
"Come here, you." Reisen remarked, as there was a blush on her cheeks, as she wrapped her arms around Richard's neck, dragging him closer.
Richard merely shrugged, before he then let himself be dragged in, as the two of them shared a deep long kiss, as Tewi chuckled at the scene, while Eirin watched with a hand to her chest and a smile at her own protege finding true love, and Kaguya nodding in approval.
Richard even brought his own beloved and their child to see another beautiful sight. By the time Richard was back from his month-long break with Reisen, a few months had passed even in the world of Elyos, as wedding bells were ringing and a festive setting was being set up. A marriage, a proper marriage, was being held today, and even the kingdom of Gradlon, led by Queen Kezaniah and the Four Hounds, with Veyle as Gradlon's commander of the army, was present for such a time. It was a good thing Richard had come back when he did as well, as Siege had asked him to be his best man.
"Well, did you enjoy your vacation back home with your wife?" Siege asked as he was dressed in a proper suit, fixing his tie slightly as he looked to his best man.
"Of course." Richard smiled back, before he then dragged Reisen over, who let out a startled cry, as their child was in her arms, gently sleeping, wrapped in a blanket, with only a tuft of his purple hair poking under the top of the blanket. "My child is worth everything that I have gone through. I literally cried hard the moment I embraced him. It was that heart-wrenching to me. And the fact that Reisen was willing to come with me in the end, after I spent a few months rebuilding our severed relationship, and Kaguya even said that she was willing to share me with her. So I guess I might be the only member here with two wives. But that doesn't mean I love either of them any less. They get along well, and they complement each other well."
"Mou… Richard!" Reisen pouted. "I thought that you wouldn't try to say that openly to anyone!"
"Haha!" Siege chuckled as he looked at Geina and Nihilister. "I doubt it. I think Geina and Nihilister are going to be gunning for a wedding ceremony of their own in private. In any case, glad you made it back in time for the ceremony." Siege smiled as things were almost ready for his bride to come down the aisle. "You probably should go find a seat for your wife and kid."
"Of course. Of course." Richard answered back, before he then took a seat towards the front, as Reisen sat beside them, with their child on their lap.
It was then that Mauvier began to play the instrument to the all familiar tune of Here Comes the Bride, as everyone stood up, turning to watch the moment, as they watched a white dress with blue and red adornments come into view, a blue veil hiding Alear's face as she held the bridal bouquet as well, as Siege smiled wider, watching her come down the aisle. He wasn't nervous about this before… Now he couldn't help but BE nervous!
"What's the matter, Radiant Saviour? Marriage got you nervous?" Marni slyly smirked, watching Alear come down the aisle.
"I have to admit… yeah…" Siege gulped as Alear approached the altar, where they would face one another, as Siege was now permitted to remove the veil, as Alear's face was now seen in full as Siege smiled at her. "You… look amazing, Alear." He said with a smile.
"Thank you." Alear remarked, before a light blush appeared on her cheeks. "To be fair, you're not the only one nervous. But I think that having Mother around to prepare me for this put me on a better footing than you are. So I guess I cheated a little on that, heh heh…"
"Hah. I guess." Siege chuckled before the person delegated to marry them, Marni, came to the stands, as she even dressed herself in ceremonial robes to fit her role as the priest of the wedding.
"Okie dokie! Let's get this show on the road!" Marni exclaimed as she cleared her throat. "Today we are- whoa, I gotta read all that before we get to the good part? Bah, who needs it! We all know why we're here!"
The crowd couldn't help but laugh a bit, as Siege and Alear chuckled slightly.
"You two got the rings?" Marni asked Siege and Alear, as their ring bearers, Framme and Clanne, soon came forward.
"Of course!" Framme declared. "Congratulations, both of you, Divine One and Radiant Saviour! It is a once in a lifetime occasion, even for Divine Dragons to bear witness to such a divine union between a hero and a Divine Dragon!"
Siege smiled as he took the ring Framme had on her ring bearer carrier, which was Alear's Emblem ring, polished up properly from the events of war, as Alear would take the one Clanne had, which was a custom ring she had made for Siege, a silver banded ring with a light blue oval gem on top, as they exchanged their rings onto the other's finger.
"This is the best part~!" Marni giggled, clearing her throat again. "Divine One, do you take Siege Sukui, the Radiant Savior, to be your lawful, wedded husband?"
"I certainly do." Alear smiled back.
"Radiant Savior, do you take Alear, the Divine Dragon, to be your lawful, wedded wife?" Marni asked.
"I do." Siege smiled.
"Then I officially pronounce you two husband and wife!" Marni cheerfully announced. "Go ahead and kiss up!" She playfully added.
Alear immediately lunged herself right towards Siege, which surprised the soldier, going for a deep and long kiss, as Siege wrapped his arms around her, and held himself with an arched back, as everyone began to clap at the successful ceremony.
"It brings a tear to my eye to see my child so happy with her husband." Lumera remarked with a gentle sniffle, using a handkerchief to wipe her tears away. "I can see that their relationship will bless many worlds indeed."
The celebrations were held only for a few moments more, before time moved on a little more in the world, as Magina established an outpost for the operations of the O.I.M., Origin Intergalactic Militia, as it was placed in a connecting area between Lythos and Gradlon, allowing not only free passage between countries, but anyone who wished to help the O.I.M. from those countries could partake in battles for them from said countries.
"With this, we'll be able to see each other more often than we ever were before, Lumera." Magina stated with pride and joy.
"Of course." Lumera answered back. "Should there be a need for us to fight for the sake of peace again, you need only call upon me, and I shall answer."
The scene soon changes, as it is only a few moments later. The sun sets over Elyos, and Siege, all by himself at the moment, was seen sitting in the very spot he woke up when Cataclysm sent him here, as he looked at the beautiful scenery around him, taking in the air of peace that was finally over the land. He soon heard footsteps, turning to see Richard approaching him as he smiled.
"Come to enjoy the view?" Siege asked Richard.
"More or less." Richard remarked, before plopping himself down beside Siege. "What a wild trip this is…"
"Yeah… all thanks to you." Siege remarked, looking at Richard.
"How's that?" Richard asked.
"Well, look what you did. Sacrificed yourself to save a world, drove me insane so I get exiled here, and in turn you, yes, you, reunited me with my first family." Siege remarked with a smile. "And in turn, you got one of your own. How sweet of a deal is that?"
"Truly something brilliant." Richard remarked, as he leaned back slightly.
"Hey." A voice called out as they looked to see Alear, Mirai, and Reisen, holding Tenmei, looking at them, as Alear was the one who spoke. "Can we join you?"
"Absolutely." Siege smiled. "Nothing like two families sitting together to enjoy a wonderful sunset."
"Couldn't agree more." Reisen remarked, holding Tenmei, who gurgled happily, touching the air and the rays of the sun with his small fingers.
As the families sat down together to enjoy the sunset, there was another family watching from afar enjoying the sight, as Kezaniah smiled, before looking back at Zephia and Veyle.
"It's a beautiful thing, for sure." Kezaniah smiled, before she placed a hand on Zephia. "And I'm glad you finally found the family and desire you wanted. After a thousand years of waiting."
"I never thought that I would end up finding it like this." Zephia remarked, placing a hand on Veyle's head, who smiled warmly. "I don't think that I would trade it for anything else in this world. This is what I've been looking for, and at long last, I have it. Perhaps things have a way of clicking into place when those two are there."
"It seems so, Zephia." Kezaniah smiled. "It definitely seems so…"
The moment of reprise spent in those months was a refreshing time for all who experienced it. Even to the point Siege and Richard agreed, and got houses built in that time, to come to Elyos with their families when they needed down time the most.
Heroic New Era: Engaging with Emblems
END