"GET OUT!" Lantis screamed wildly. He was thrown back again but rose to fight once more. The door remained unmoved. Exhausted and frustrated, Lantis no longer cared about himself... If it had to end like this, so be it. He wouldn't stop. He didn't want to regret again. He feared regretting again...
"Stop, Lantis!" Clef halted him with his firm voice. With him appeared Umi and Fuu, wide-eyed in surprise to see Lantis there. Lantis glared back at them fiercely.
"No more... You can't stop me!"
Fuu acted swiftly, immediately binding Lantis with her power. "Forgive me... You're only hurting yourself..." The air spun fiercely around Lantis, binding him. Lantis, off balance, fell to the ground.
"Damn!"
"No!" Primera shouted. She moved to attack Fuu, but Umi stopped her by freezing both of her wings. Primera slowly fell to the ground and groaned. "Release him! Release Lord Lantis!"
"Enough, Lantis! There's nothing you can do... The selection chamber won't open until a new Pillar is chosen..."
"It's not over. They're not finished. I have to stop them!" Lantis struggled defiantly.
"Son... No human can change what has been destined. What is meant to happen will happen. We cannot stop them... All we can do is trust whoever is chosen. He is the last... I swear by my soul. He will be the last!"
"How can you be so calm as if this is just another thing?" Lantis turned his face away from Clef. He wanted to hide his tears. "After all the vows you've broken, after all your failures, I can't trust you!"
Clef was taken aback. "Lantis..."
Umi and Fuu looked at the two of them, unable to do anything. They couldn't think of anything else except Hikaru. What has happened to her? Whatever her choice, none are good! The door remained closed, the process still not finished...
"WATER DRAGON!" Umi suddenly shouted.
"Umi!" Clef exclaimed in surprise.
"Lantis is right! I can't let this happen! I can't!" Umi's tears broke free. "Hikaru... She's our friend! Our sister! We can't just stand by!" The door shook violently as Umi's water dragon struck it.
Lantis was startled. Fuu stepped forward...
"There's still a chance..." Fuu truly hoped. High-pressure wind struck the door. The energy produced completely destroyed the pillars in the room. Some stones were lifted by the tremendous wind. Glass shattered into pieces...
Clef and Lantis quickly formed mental shields around themselves. The room was destroyed as if it had been bombed. Unbelievably, the gateway to the selection dimension was dented in several places. Fuu struggled hard to break through.
"Hikaru knows what she's doing! She must be fighting to stop this in there! How can you give up on believing in her, Master?" Umi shouted. "HIKARU, COME OUT!" The water dragon slammed into the door with all its might... a small crack appeared. High-pressure air leaked out from inside. Everyone shielded themselves.
Clef realized it too... the Magic Knights had tremendous power. If they could kill the Pillar, surely they could also stop the selection process. But the selection room was in another dimension. This door was just the barrier to an empty space. Nothing would change about this...
Suddenly, from inside, a large flame shot out. Bright light burst forth from within. The door opened by itself, widening more and more. The light showed no signs of stopping...
"What's happening?" Fuu cried out.
"NO!" Lantis screamed loudly. He couldn't accept this. He freed himself from his bonds and ran towards the room. He readied his sword. Lantis was about to kill whoever the chosen Pillar was!
"Don't!" Clef raised his staff. Instantly, a blue light appeared. A mental shield enveloped Lantis, imprisoning him inside.
Primera trembled violently. "Release Lord Lantis, Old Man!" she shouted.
"Stay quiet!" Clef also trapped Primera. Primera pounded on the transparent barrier, trying to free herself.
The light vanished. The tumult that had swept through the room subsided as if it had never happened. It was eerily quiet; their hearts were pounding. Who was it? They waited, seconds ticking by in tension. No one emerged...
Clef was panting heavily. He hurried inside. The light now shining from outside illuminated something inside. Two figures were visible, one embracing the other who lay down. Both were so still, like statues surrounded by darkness.
Long red hair draped over the face of the one who bowed deeply. "Forgive me... I failed..." Hikaru whispered softly, lifting her tear-streaked face. "Master Clef..."
"Hikaru..."
"Forgive me... But, I... managed to save his life. Eagle Vision..." Hikaru forced herself to smile.
Clef snapped out of his surprise. He lowered himself, kneeling before her. "Pillar of Cephiro..."
"What are you saying, Master?" Hikaru's voice choked. "I promised, there will be no more Pillar..." At that moment, three other figures appeared. Umi, Fuu, and Lantis, who had managed to free himself. Hikaru looked at Umi and, especially, Fuu with immense relief.
"Hikaru..." Umi and Fuu, for some reason, hesitated to approach. They saw Master Clef kneeling before Hikaru, and Hikaru herself with the young man, Eagle Vision, both covered in blood.
"Fuu..." Hikaru called out, her voice trembling as she held back tears. Her heart was in turmoil. She dared not look at one person there, Lantis. "Please check on Eagle Vision... Is he alright?"
Fuu approached, passing by Master Clef, then knelt in front of Hikaru, checking Eagle Vision who lay in her arms. She felt his pulse and breath. "He's unconscious... But he's alive."
"Thank goodness..." Hikaru wiped her tears. "I managed to stop him... I brought him out... Your friend."
Lantis remained silent.
"Forgive my failure," Hikaru said as she stood up, having entrusted Eagle Vision to Fuu. "But... I know... what I wanted to do."
Hikaru staggered as she walked, and Umi came to support her. "You're injured..." Hikaru didn't respond, continuing to walk towards the exit. "Hikaru..."
"I will guide you to meet the people of Cephiro," Clef said.
"Okay..." Hikaru passed by the frozen Lantis. "There's something I need to tell them." Clef reached for Hikaru's other hand.
The three of them left, leaving Lantis and Fuu in the dim room with Eagle Vision. Lantis gazed at the motionless body. Eagle seemed like he was sleeping, his face serene and showing happiness. Lantis slowly approached him...
Inevitably, a calmness filled part of his heart. It wasn't about Eagle, but the girl. Hikaru. That was her name. Lantis kneeled down, then took Eagle's blood-stained hand and held it tightly, feeling its warmth. "Eagle, you're alive..." He was incredibly thankful. He pulled Eagle into an embrace. Fuu watched them both, deeply moved.
Then, a voiceless calling of a man reached his mind. "Lantis..."
There it was, the sun... and her freedom as a human with a heart and hope. "From now on, I will be able to see the true Cephiro," Hikaru said softly. "Indeed, this land is like a fairy tale..."
Clef heard her with his head bowed. He held Hikaru's cold right hand. "You have the chance to make three wishes..."
"In that case, now there are only two left."
"You decided to save Eagle Vision?" Clef said, surprised.
"His life and also the future of his country..." Hikaru added.
The three of them continued walking down the stairs, out of the Selection Tower until they met the world. A vast space stretched before them. Below were hundreds of steps. Far ahead lay the land of Cephiro where many people had gathered, awaiting the outcome of the Pillar selection. Everyone now hurried towards the tower.
In one sweep, the clouds parted, and the blue sky adorned the vast land of Cephiro. Slowly but surely, greenery and flowers began to cover the land, dew shimmering on every leaf, grass, and tree that grew. Water refilled the springs, rivers gurgled again, and waves crashed in the lakes, restored to their former glory. The sun shone brilliantly, warming the earth and all those who had endured too long in cold and darkness.
" A new day has arrived in Cephiro... With this, only one remains."
"I will put your crown..." Clef said.
Hikaru paid no attention to Clef. She closed her eyes and prayed wholeheartedly, "May peace, safety, and beauty always be preserved in Cephiro... May hope always be preserved in the hearts of all... May strength be in the hands and feet of those who wish to rebuild Cephiro... May Cephiro shine in the future as a strong and friendly country with other nations..."
"Hikaru, I will…" Clef said again with a sense of urgency.
"Today... I end it," Hikaru said quietly. She was certain of this, and Clef was startled. "I abolish The Pillar System."
Hikaru opened her eyes and looked at everyone. Thousands of pairs of eyes stared back at her intently. They were silent, listening to what the Pillar said from the depths of her heart. Hikaru withdrew her hand from Clef's and stepped forward.
"Hikaru..." Tears streamed down Clef's face. The figure of Hikaru seemed to glow in his eyes... He couldn't believe that day would come in his life. This dream had consumed almost his entire life; indeed, a long time had he slept and dreamed of that day. Now he had awakened, at last!
Fuu arrived and took her place next to Umi. Lantis joined with Eagle Vision in his back. Primera floated nearby, deeply moved by witnessing these events.
The wind played with her messy long red hair. Before her, rose the gleaming Pillar Tower, reflecting sunlight. Silhouettes of Bravada and Dome appeared in the distance, as did the wreckage of NSX... Debris and remaining towers looked mystical under the morning mist, the sun rising higher, revealing a vision for the future to everyone. There was no longer a need for that giant protector as every nation began to join hands and build friendships. Chizeta and Fahren, as well as Autozam...
Hikaru took a breath. "Today, I abolish the Pillar System in the land of Cephiro..." This was the long-awaited victory for her. Her face brightened knowing there were no more barriers for her. The people were stunned. The world seemed shaken once again by the explosion of surprise. Finally, they were freed from something that had bound them for hundreds of years. Cephiro followed in the footsteps of other nations that had freed themselves from the Pillar System!
"Today, we begin a new chapter, moving forward as free people. Cephiro belongs to you. This land belongs to all who love it. Through difficult times, we have seen that everyone has become a pillar upholding Cephiro. It doesn't matter if you are male or female, young or old, rich or poor, healthy or sick... whether you are an ordinary human or a magic user... or a fairy... I believe in all of you. I release you to embark on a path that will unite you with the destiny of a great nation with your own strength!"
Hikaru took another breath, tears of happiness flowing as she spoke these words... The people also shed tears, moved that such a dream-like day had come to life in their lives. No longer would there be stories of them being separated from their families and beloved ones to be sacrificed as Pillars. No longer would there be threats of destruction following the deaths of the Pillars. Never again would what happened in the past happen... They were free from that terrible fate!
Hikaru turned and spoke to those near her. "Life has taught us. Suffering will make us more responsible. There's no need for anyone to feel alone or guilty anymore. There's no more reason to remain silent in suffering and the inability to forgive oneself."
Hikaru smiled at Umi, Fuu, and Guru Clef, then at Lantis... She had returned to her former self, bright and warm like the sun, lively and cheerful like water, soothing and calming like the wind... "Raise your head, Guru..." Clef wiped his face. "Today is a gift for you."
Clef couldn't feel anything but his heart lightening. Hikaru had freed him from an incredibly heavy burden. He still found it hard to believe that everything could end like this...
"Umi, Fuu... We fought for something right. We did the right thing..."
"Hikaru!" Umi and Fuu exclaimed simultaneously. They quickly approached and supported her suddenly limp body.
Fuu wanted to heal her with her restorative powers, but Hikaru declined and just hugged her two friends. "Let me hug you... I love you both. I love you so much..." she said weakly.
"I know you won't give up fighting for what you believe in..." Umi patted Hikaru's back, feeling her shaking body. Umi's tears started flowing.
"Hikaru, you found that path..." Fuu whispered in her ear. "You're amazing."
"No," Hikaru shook her head. "Without you two, I would never have known what to do. I just want you both to no longer wipe tears of sadness. I just want us to be able to laugh together... We can be happy... again."
Umi and Fuu restrained themselves from asking about what Hikaru experienced in the Selection Room. Without waiting for Hikaru's approval, Fuu recited a healing spell and began treating Hikaru's wounds. Meanwhile, in Umi's embrace, Hikaru fell asleep...
Clef, witnessing them, was deeply moved. It was a historic day for him. Hikaru had achieved what neither Pillar Emeraude nor Pillar Kana before her could. She had surpassed her predecessors. Indeed, all Pillars could make decisions like Hikaru did. But the courage to decide, the belief in Cephiro and its people, had never been present... and they ended up choosing death, allowing the system to continue and claim more victims. Instead of sacrificing herself, Hikaru chose to stop the system. Therefore, from this day forth, Cephiro no longer had a way to retreat. There was only one path—to fight with all their might to move forward and write a new chapter in history.
Clef cast his gaze towards the Pillar Tower. From today onwards, he no longer needed to go there. There would be no more searching for candidates and Pillar selections. He was finally liberated from this duty, feeling a freedom he hadn't felt in a long time as a Magic Guru. With his heart, he shared this news with many, including those who were no longer by his side, in this world... Cephiro had chosen the right path. Their tasks in life would not be easier, but everything became possible when faced together.
"Thank you, Magic Knights... Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu. Your presence has taught us all this."
Umi and Fuu nodded to Clef. "With this, we can return to our world... peacefully."
