Part 3
The aftermath of the clash between Nova and Clef had left a gaping hole surrounding the Dragon Tower. Kotori knew precisely where she needed to go. The hidden prison was deep within, nestled in one of the most labyrinthine tunnels. Kotori fondly remembered playing there with Ryuuki and Dyna when they were children. Dyna, their caretaker-like guardian, would always lose track of them. But, whenever Aunt Umi found them, her rage was fearsome, threatening to lock them away in this very place.
Clutching a bundle packed with food and medicine to cover her true intention, Kotori moved carefully, glancing behind her occasionally to ensure no one followed. The remnants of the battle were everywhere. This is a perilous place, she thought. No wonder guards were stationed at nearly every turn. She had managed to outwit most of them, but the last one wasn't a guard—it was one of Uncle Ascot's monsters.
"No way," she whispered, cursing her misfortune.
"You can't fool a monster," came a voice behind her, startling her to the core.
"Ah!" Kotori screamed as she turned around, only to find Eagle there, quickly covering her mouth.
"Ssh!" But it was too late; the monster stirred awake. "Forgive me, Ascot," Eagle muttered as he fired a dart with enough dose of sleep poison, putting the beast into a deep sleep. It collapsed to the floor with a thud, like a felled tree.
"Thank you, Uncle." But Kotori noticed Eagle's stern gaze, making her shift uneasily. "U-Uncle..."
"I certainly didn't expect to find you here. What are you doing?" Eagle interrogated her.
"And what about you, Uncle?" Kotori retorted with newfound defiance. The two then exchanged looks at the iron door before them. They knew they had come for the same reason. "All right. I'll tell the truth. I want to see the young man inside," Kotori admitted, carefully guarding the fact she had eavesdropped on Eagle's conversation with Alba.
"Why do you want to see him?" Eagle questioned further.
Kotori's mind raced, and she came up with a lie. "Mother sent me."
"Fuu sent you? For what purpose?"
"To check on his wounds. Mother was supposed to come herself, but she couldn't." Kotori forced a smile, trying to convince him.
"Do you know how to open this door?"
"Eh?"
"I thought so. You didn't plan this through, including your lie." Eagle smiled faintly, almost laughing. "You couldn't possibly open it or be allowed entry. Only five people in Cephiro know the way: me, your father, your mother, Master Clef, and Umi." Kotori's heart raced in panic. "Your mother didn't instruct you to go here. You can't deceive me."
"I'm sorry," Kotori immediately bowed, an apology spilling from her lips. "I know it was wrong to sneak in like this."
Eagle pressed a series of intricate buttons and entered a complex code. A hissing sound followed as the iron door slid open, revealing its immense thickness—nearly two meters. When the door was fully ajar, lights flickered on inside, illuminating a wide, empty chamber.
"So, why?" Eagle pressed again.
"I won't lie this time. I overheard your conversation with Albatross Vision, Uncle." Eagle's expression turned sharply shocked.
"Who else knows?" He suddenly stepped closer, intimidating Kotori.
"R-Ryuuki," she stammered. "Only him. Initially, I was going to tell Father..."
"Don't!" Eagle's firm tone startled her further. His face was so severe it made Kotori shrink back.
"Ryuuki said the same thing. I haven't told anyone. I needed to confirm it myself, which is why I came here alone. But why can't I tell Father?"
Eagle fell silent, exhaling deeply. "Your father's relationship with Pillar Hikaru is complex. So much happened between them in the past... but I can't explain it to you now. How about we go in together?" As soon as they stepped through, the door sealed behind them. "I also need to confirm something, just as you do." They walked side by side.
They reached a small chamber. Eagle, with the same intricate codes, opened the door. What lay inside left Kotori stunned.
Behind the bar, a young man sat on the corner of his cell, knees hugged to his chest. A chain bounded him. His long black hair, characteristic of those from Runes, fell over his swollen, pale face. He showed no reaction outside the cell, even with their presence there. This cell was protected with a special spell, so no magic user could use their power here.
Kotori approached the bar that separated them. "H-how are you?" she asked politely, trying to break the silence. He did not reply or look at her. "Do you remember me? Are you alright?"
Still, he remained mute, pretending not to hear.
"Kotori," Eagle said, placing a calming hand on her shoulder. "He's not listening. Stay behind me," and opened the door.
"Okay."
Eagle entered the cell and approached him closer. Eagle studied his face, searching for recognition, hoping the young man would look back. But he continued ignoring Eagle.
Kotori tried to hide her nervousness. She had forgotten the food and medicine. A small part of her felt apprehensive around that young man.
"You may already know her. She is Kotori. She, along with Fuu and Dyna, has been caring for you. I am Eagle Vision," Eagle introduced himself. "What is your name?" he asked, waiting for him to respond, but silence followed. "You're so young, yet your strength and bravery were remarkable on the battlefield. How old are you? You seem to be around Kotori's age. Maybe you two could be friends…"
Eagle spoke warmly, attempting to thaw the icy atmosphere with a touch of praise, but he still didn't respond. Frustrated, he drew up one knee and curled further, hiding his face from Eagle even more.
"You won't answer?" Eagle sighed, recognizing the boy's impenetrable demeanor. "For everything you hold dear, wouldn't you do anything? I believe you magic swordsmen attacked us for a reason. What were you trying to protect by destroying Cephiro?"
"Does my answer matter?" Finally, he answered, startling them. His voice was low and hoarse, laden with grief. "After all that has happened, does it still matter?"
Kotori straightened. This was the first time Shinre had spoken. She carefully listened.
"I will die. I know it. I even deserve to die. So, does my answer still matter?" He continued, his voice rising in intensity. "End this. Just kill me–"
"No. Killing you won't solve anything; it might only ignite another war. Did you know? Someone from Runes has come to Cephiro. He's trying to free you and the others. Albatross Vision of Runes, your leader."
His eyes were wide as he stared at Eagle. "Brother… H-he's here?"
Brother? Eagle was stunned by the revelation of Shinre's relationship with Alba. "Yes, he's here to rescue you."
"Impossible..."
Memories of the photograph at the Nexus residence flashed through Eagle's mind—Alba holding a young boy close. Was this the one Alba and the Magic Guru had been searching for all this time? Shinre?
"It's true. He is negotiating with our leader, Ferio. That's why I need you to cooperate with us. I need answers from you. Your answers that will determine your fate tonight."
His gaze locked onto Eagle's, intense and curious.
"Do you know why Fuu has fought so hard to save you?" Eagle's question hung in the air as his silence spoke of understanding. "It's because you remind us of someone who has disappeared long ago from our lives." Eagle touched Shinre's bandaged hands. Instantly, he recoiled, pulling back with sharp discomfort. "Your flame. Who gave you that power?"
His expression grew taut.
"To us, only one could wield fire like that." Eagle paused, the gravity of his words sinking in. "Hikaru, the Pillar of Cephiro."
Hearing that name, Shinre tensed. Painful memories resurfaced, clouding his mind. He couldn't hold himself together. Lowering his head, he hugged his knees tighter as his body trembled. He hoped Eagle would understand and simply fall silent. "Don't ask about her…"
But Eagle continued, his voice insistent. "Alba spoke of what happened in Runes, about you and the other magic swordsmen who would give anything to protect her. What happened to her that drove you all to do this to us?!"
Lantis stared into the fire he'd kindled for hours, his gaze empty. Its warmth radiated through the darkness enveloping him, but it did nothing to ease his mind.
Once again, he was too late. The wounds he had suffered in the battle had cost him precious time, and when he finally reached Runes, days had already passed. By the time he found the Iron Palace, all that remained was a ruin. There was nothing, no one—not even Hikaru. He had lost her once more, just when he was so close to reaching her. He had failed to save her again.
Thoughts of Nair inevitably filled his mind—of him taking Hikaru away to some unknown place. If this war had indeed been fought for her life, he could only hope that Hikaru was alive and safe now. He even hoped that Nair was protecting and caring for her wherever they were now.
His body weakened; he dragged himself through the reaches of Runes and across distant lands, but all of it was in vain. Exhausted and unwilling to return to Cephiro, Lantis sought refuge in his late brother Zagato's place, collapsing in a condition near death. He thought he might die there, yet when he opened his eyes the next day, he found Primera by his side. His wounds were already healed. And Mokona was with her! What a journey they had to go on to find him!
"Why did you look for me? Why did you save me?" Lantis asked Primera, his voice hoarse. His eyes were still fixed on the fire.
"Why do you even ask? You know I promised Hikaru I'd always watch over you. I won't betray my promise to her whether you like it or not!"
Lantis raised his hand and opened his palm, gazing at the object within it—his darkened talismanic pendant.
"Lord Lantis..." Primera's voice wavered with sadness. It pained her to see him so consumed by despair. She had hoped that saving his life would have brought him a flicker of peace, a reason to rise above the shadow of grief.
"How did you come by this?" Lantis asked, now staring at the pendant in his palm.
"Eagle Vision asked me to return it to you. He believed it must have fallen during your battle…"
"Fallen?" It was impossible. There was no way he could have dropped it somewhere in Cephiro. It shouldn't have returned to him, not after he had given it to Hikaru seventeen years ago. If it was no longer his, someone must have retrieved it—from Hikaru. And the blackened crystal… Whose life had it even protected?!
"Yes, it fell near the body of a magic swordsman."
Near the body of a magic swordsman? Who had borne this talisman? "I have to return to Cephiro," Lantis said abruptly, determination sparking in his eyes. "I must see Eagle."
A glimmer of purpose returned to Lantis, igniting a fire that had long been smothered within him. It felt like a miracle, Hikaru's presence lingering just out of sight, close enough to sense yet still beyond his reach. This pendant, dark as night, seemed to guide him forward after so long lost in the void. But what awaited him ahead? Would it be answers or yet another hollow echo of nothingness?