In the girls' room
"Fuu, how is she?" Umi asked anxiously, looking at Hikaru, who still hadn't regained consciousness.
"The burns on her hands have been treated. She's just exhausted. Let her rest."
"Just exhausted? I've never seen such power before," Umi said, taking Hikaru's bandaged hand and gazing sadly at her pained face. "She's still the same as always. Always thinking of others without caring for herself." Umi turned to Fuu. "Was coming back to Cephiro really the right decision?" she asked, her worry evident as she realized the dire situation.
Fuu showed no interest in discussing it. "I don't know."
"Fuu..." Umi didn't understand why Fuu was so cold. "Are you okay?"
Fuu rose silently and left the room. She leaned against the door, sighing. She felt a tumult of emotions, a storm of fire and pain. She wanted to let Hikaru suffer more for a while. She wanted to avenge the pain she had endured.
Fuu walked through the long corridors, looking outside. She saw the devastation. She didn't understand what was happening. People from Chizeta, Fahren, and Autozam were also in the castle. Refugees? This war wasn't just about Cephiro.
Someone suddenly appeared before Fuu. "Have you seen it?"
"Ferio!" She immediately hugged him, and Ferio embraced her in return. Fuu found Ferio looking different. He had cut his hair short and wore the royal attire of a ruling member of Cephiro. Fuu sensed maturity and steadfastness, but she saw Ferio suffering just as much in his eyes as she was.
"I missed you so much," Ferio whispered in her ear, seeking her lips and kissing her. Tears streamed down her cheeks, a testament to the weight of their separation. For a lingering moment, they stayed entwined, savoring their reunion with a tenderness that felt both familiar and new.
"You've been gone for so long," Ferio murmured, his fingers gently caressing Fuu's cheek. He grasped her hand, his gaze lingering on the ring he had given her, still nestled on her finger.
"I'm sorry," Fuu said. "I'm sorry I didn't come back. I just couldn't…" Fuu seemed about to cry again.
"I understand," Ferio remembered when Master Clef had told him that Hikaru had closed the portal and wouldn't return. "I am sorry I can't show you the beautiful Cephiro this time. I am a failed king..."
"King?"
"On the day you left, I was crowned in a state meeting." Ferio sat on the edge of a fountain, playing with the water. "It was sudden, but it was where I should have been when the Pillar no longer ruled this land. I am the crown prince of this country." Ferio looked at Fuu. "I want to apologize. There is no longer the peaceful life I promised you." Ferio smiled sadly, bowing, "There will never be… in this soon-to-be destroyed land."
"Knowing you're safe is enough for me. We'll be able to resolve this. Cephiro will not perish. The war will end."
"It will not end." Ferio looked out the castle window at the warships hovering in the sky. "The entire world has been destroyed. Chizeta and Fahren have been wiped off the face of the earth... They," Ferio pointed to Autozam, "show no mercy. They annihilate everything."
"Why Autozam..."
"From what I know, one of their generals led a coup to seize power. President of Autozam, Eagle Vision's father, was killed along with his family, and some of their people who opposed the new ruler fled to Cephiro. This is Cephiro, the last stronghold for everyone trying to survive. But how long can we hold out? As king, I don't know what to do. I am a weak king..."
"Ferio, we will fight. I will battle alongside you. I will help defend Cephiro."
Ferio shook his head. "It's too dangerous for you to stay here. Please return to your world..."
"No! I can't live alone there... I want to be with you."
"You are the person I want to protect the most."
Fuu shook her head. She had already decided to stay.