"This world does not desire your existence. As long as you live, true power and freedom will never belong to humanity. We desire power, and we are making it happen. We will erase the Pillar forever and start a new era, a new world without a Pillar."
"If you refuse, we won't hesitate to attack Cephiro. By tomorrow, Cephiro will no longer exist on this earth. I know this is hard. Decide calmly. Go to the Pillar Tower tomorrow after sunrise. We know you will choose to die for them."
Did Cephiro choose me so that I would surrender in the end? Hikaru felt a slap across her cheek. The sound was loud, and the pain was sharp. Before she could wipe the blood from the corner of her mouth, Princess Aska grabbed her hand tightly, ready to deliver another slap...
"Why must you be the cause of all this?!" Hikaru staggered and fell. "I won't forgive you until you die!" Aska screamed hysterically.
Umi stopped her from slapping Hikaru again. "Princess Aska!"
"My father and mother... My people... My country... Can you bring them back to me?!" Princess Aska collapsed on the floor, crying out loud. "Don't you feel anything? The suffering we should never have endured... ALL BECAUSE OF YOU!"
"Hikaru..." Eagle turned away, unable to watch Hikaru in such a situation, trying to appear strong and calm despite her fragility. Being treated like this by Aska, Hikaru didn't fight back. He wished Hikaru would at least say something.
Hikaru tried to rise. She stood up straight again, her back to everyone. Her eyes stared blankly at the screen that no longer showed Albatross.
"Do you know we lost our country? Just die for the sake of those who still want to live!" Princess Tarta shouted as well.
"No, sister..." Tatra tried to calm her.
"How can you defend her?!" Tarta brushed Tatra's hand away.
"There's no use for us to act like this. Besides, it's because of her that we were freed..."
"Every moment, I wish for death! What's the point of freeing us if we're going to die tomorrow?!" Tarta stormed out of the room in anger. "This meeting is rubbish!"
Hikaru turned around and stared sharply at Tarta. "None of us will die. We will fight, and I will not give up on protecting you!" Hikaru declared. Tarta halted. "Even if it costs me my life, I will fight. That's better than surrendering! I will not let the people of Cephiro, or you suffer as slaves to Autozam! I will not let you give up your freedom to the people of Autozam!"
Tarta looked away and walked out of the room. Princess Aska followed her.
"I need all your strength. We will survive if we are together..." she said desperately as she watched people one by one turned their backs and walked away.
"There was never an 'us,'" Ferio suddenly said, cutting Hikaru off with a cold edge that left her speechless. "You were the first to abandon the battle. You have no right to ask that." Hikaru flinched, her eyes meeting Ferio's, filled with hatred and anger.
"Ferio!" Master Clef warned him.
But Ferio ignored Clef and continued. "Can't you feel it? You're the Pillar of Cephiro! Why didn't you return when Cephiro needed you? Why did you close the portal so the Magic Knights couldn't return? Why didn't you fight with us from the beginning? Were you waiting for the perfect moment to become a hero? Were you protecting yourself? Now, it's too late!"
"That's not how it is…" Umi tried to defend Hikaru. She didn't want everyone to fight in the middle of such a dire situation over a misunderstanding. Disintegration would only weaken them further.
"Watch your mouth," Lantis growled threateningly as he grabbed Ferio by the collar.
But Ferio didn't back down. "You've always protected her… Are you also turning a blind eye to the destruction outside?" he shouted. "Let go of me!" Ferio pushed Lantis away. "This is my country she's toying with through her foolish idealism and decision!" Fuu stood silently behind Ferio. "Do you see my people who've died? This land is ruined! Her death will solve everything!"
"Don't talk like that!" Umi cut in, defending Hikaru again. "You don't understand what happened to us in our world! You don't understand what Hikaru has been through all this time!"
Master Clef lowered his head in anguish. He understood why Hikaru could have made that decision. "Please, stop you all," he said, trying to mediate. "Her departure from Cephiro was at my request. Don't blame her. I'm the one who asked her not to return…"
"You're defending her too, Master Clef?!" Ferio asked in disbelief.
"I WILL NOT GIVE UP!" Hikaru's voice rang out once more, silencing everyone. "Cephiro can get through all this because there will be a new day. There will be a better world. Peace for all nations will be achieved!"
"That's nonsense. How will you bring about peace? After everyone is dead?" Ferio turned to leave the room. "There will be no more fighting."
"I will fight alongside her," LaFarga challenged Ferio.
"And who is your king that you defy me?" Ferio shot back.
"I stand with those who refuse to surrender and won't be cowards," LaFarga declared firmly.
"Then there won't be a single soldier for you." Ferio stormed out of the room, Fuu following closely behind him. "Not a single soldier under your command after tonight."
Umi stared at Fuu in disbelief and called after her, "Fuu! Why..."
"Think, Umi. This is what's best for everyone, for Cephiro."
Umi began to cry. "But she's our friend!"
"She's the Pillar of Cephiro. This is her duty. She knows what she must do." Fuu left without looking back.
Fuu's words felt like a sharp rebuke, and Hikaru watched as Fuu, too, walked away from her. In silence, Hikaru looked at those who remained, the people she loved, the people she always wanted to protect. How was she supposed to fight under these circumstances? She had been holding back her tears, but now they began to fall. Her hands trembled as she wiped them away.
Eagle approached her and asked, "What will you do?"
The question pierced her because she didn't know the answer. The harsh reality of the situation weighed on her, and she bowed her head, feeling utterly powerless. She slowly walked out of the room. Her steps were heavy with despair.
"Hikaru..." Eagle called out, reaching for her hand, which felt cold as ice. He couldn't bear to let her face this alone, but he was at a loss for words that could comfort her or ease the burden she was carrying. "I'm with you..."
"Leave me alone..." Hikaru pulled her hand away, not even glancing at Eagle.
Everyone in the room stood frozen, unsure of what to do. Ascot moved closer and held Umi, who was sobbing uncontrollably. He couldn't bring himself to tell her that everything would be alright.
"You won't give up, right?" Umi cried out to Hikaru, her tears streaming down her face. "I'll fight with you! Don't say you're going to give up!" But Hikaru didn't turn back; she just kept walking while searching for solitude.
