The meeting room was heavy with tension. Every seat was filled, and this time, Guru Clef stood among them, his presence asserting his support for Nova. With calm authority, he made it known to Ferio that Nova was under his protection. The revelation that Nova was the Magic Guru of Runes drew astonished murmurs from those present. Alba's solitary appearance made Ferio curious about Eagle's absence.
"Have you come to a decision? Do we agree to the exchange?" Ferio questioned; his voice was even but probing. "I am prepared to release your father, General Albatross Vision, in return for the intelligence on the Pillar of Runes."
At these words, Nova's eyes darted toward Alba, her concern palpable. She sensed the immense weight of the decision on him and wanted to intervene. But Alba spoke first.
"Your Majesty, I expect nothing—not even his freedom," Alba declared, each word steady and defiant.
Ferio's eyes widened in disbelief. "You care nothing for him? He is your father!"
"He has committed grave errors in the past and accepted his punishment," Alba continued resolutely. "If you wish me to speak, I will only share what I choose."
"You're reneging on the agreement?" Ferio's disbelief gave way to anger, as if he were being trifled with.
"I will not make a deal that I know will bring more suffering. I have resolved to see this through on my own terms. I won't barter anyone's freedom to protect what I hold dear," Alba's voice rang out, leaving the room stunned.
"What do you mean by that?" Ferio pressed.
"Alba, let me—" Nova began, her voice strained with urgency.
"No, Maestra!" Alba stopped her.
"I involved you in this! Nair entrusted you to watch over your people in Runes! I beg you, take your father and go back."
"Then you too are one of my people, Maestra," Alba said, his voice softening as he looked at her with kindness.
"Albatross..." Nova implored once more, but Alba paid her no heed. Determination was etched across his face. Nova bowed her head deeply. She knew she could not overpower Alba's resolve.
"Then, what do you plan to do if you step away from the agreement?" Ferio demanded.
"I wish to address you all and deliver the message of the Pillar of Cephiro to the leaders of every nation!"
The room fell into stunned silence. No one expected Albatross to utter such a thing. To deliver a message from the Pillar of Cephiro? Did this mean he knew about Hikaru?
"The Pillar of Cephiro?" Ferio's voice rang with disbelief.
"You claimed not to know Hikaru's whereabouts..." Umi's eyes narrowed, realization dawning on her. "You lied to us?" Alba stood silent, unwavering.
"Yes, I know her," he admitted. "But my aim is to remind you of the things you have all forgotten!" Alba drew a deep breath.
"Albatross Vision!" Ferio shouted, anger blazing in his eyes. "What kind of trickery is this? To present to us the ghost of a woman long dead?"
"Ferio!" Fuu's voice cut through the tension, urgent and pleading. "Stop, I beg you..."
"This is no trick!" Alba's voice surged with an intensity that commanded the room's attention. "This moment is always meant to happen. Fate has brought us all here. Do you not see? For the first time, Cephiro, Chizeta, Fahren, Autozam, and Runes are gathered together."
All eyes turned toward Alba. The five nations united? It was a truth they had not realized until he spoke. An astonishing coincidence laden with profound meaning. Princess Aska, who had long abandoned any thought of who she indeed was, suddenly felt the weight of her lineage as heir to the Fahren throne. Princess Tarta and Tatra, who had wandered as if their homeland had been lost, remembered their roots in Chizeta. Ferio, too, saw himself not as a singular ruler but one among five, equal in the eyes of the world.
Nova watched Alba, wondering. How could Alba possibly stand as Hikaru's voice here? Though their time together was brief, it seemed Hikaru had left an indelible mark on Alba.
"He's right. All five nations are present here," Clef whispered, an unexpected light dawning in his mind. He had never imagined that the door to the future would be opened this way—by a young man, scarcely older than a boy, taking his first steps as a leader.
Clef watched the scene unfold, pondering what might come next. He observed seasoned leaders, their gazes fixed intently on this youthful figure who had barely stepped into his role. He glanced at Nova, wondering what had driven Nair to choose this young man as his successor.
"I will listen," Princess Tatra of Chizeta declared.
"Sister?" Tarta looked at her, bewildered.
"My dear sister, I believe this moment holds the key to the well-being of all nations. We must listen to him and rediscover the path that lies ahead for us all."
"San Yung..." Princess Aska whispered to her husband while her eyes locked on Alba. "I don't know what to do. This man makes me feel..." A strange, unnamable sadness overcame her, and her mind drifted to the past, to a moment when Hikaru had said something remarkably similar.
"Let's listen to him…"
Alba's voice rang out, filled with determination. "It feels as if fate has led us here. Everything we have endured—wars and suffering—has brought us to this point. I will speak the truth behind my coming here, for I come not just as a leader of Autozam and Runes, but as a bearer of the Pillar of Cephiro's wish.
"Pillar Hikaru is still alive, although I no longer know her whereabouts. Seventeen years ago, she came to us amid a great war. Her presence reshaped our lives and our future. She made peace between Runes and Autozam, becoming our guardian, and in return, we vowed to protect her!
"Coming to Cephiro has given me a new understanding—that she made an immeasurable effort for the survival and rebirth of all of you, too. You know what has happened, what has shaped you into who you are now. Today, you seek retribution against Runes for the destruction of your homeland. But what of her life, which you shattered in the process?
"In truth, she has the greatest right to seek vengeance! Yet you did not see her unable to harbor hatred in her heart. She could not do so because she believed in you and every nation's willingness to make peace. She trusted that you could bring her dream of a new era to life. She has done too much for us all. The last I heard of her is… she is on the brink of death." Alba's voice quivered.
"Don't say that..." Clef's eyes widened as he looked at Alba, his heart shaken by the revelation. The bond between Hikaru and Cephiro. He turned his gaze to Nova, realizing his suspicion was correct: The magic swordsmen had fought to protect her soul and prevent her agonizing death.
"Even if death is her fate, I want to defend her. I cannot let her die with that kind of sorrow without witnessing the future she fought so hard for..." Alba's voice trembled with a deep-seated regret. "And yet, what fills my heart is only guilt for my weakness. She always hoped I would help her realize her dream before it was too late, but I could not do it alone. That is why..." Suddenly, Alba dropped to his knees before the assembly. "I beg of you, please! Grant her last wish. Help her in achieving a better world! Let go of your vendettas. Heal your wounds by fulfilling her final desire! We have always had the power to destroy one another, but this time, we can use that power to create a different future. She has sacrificed herself for us, and now it's our turn to make sacrifices... I beg you all. I beg you! Forgive the magic swordsmen. Forgive Runes and Autozam. For the world unity, let us make peace!"
Tears welled in his young eyes, but he kept his face hidden. In a voice so low it was almost a whisper, he murmured, "She will die... If we don't sever her bond with Cephiro, she will die..." He squeezed his eyes shut, struggling to contain his emotions.
"Is that why you destroyed Cephiro? So that she could live?" Eagle asked.
It was insane! Sacrificing an entire land for the life of one person, one Pillar?! Who could have chosen such a path? Yet Eagle knew that this was not the choice of just one person. It was the decision of a thousand magic swordsmen. How could they willingly die for the life of one? Hikaru must have truly done something extraordinary, and it wasn't only Runes; even Autozam stood behind her.
"I don't want her to die. I want to save her..."
"Who is she to all the magic swordsmen? Who is she to you?"
It was difficult to articulate. His voice strained as he replied, "My mother."
Kotori clasped her hands over her mouth. She did not expect this is the truth. She felt sadness for a woman she had never known. Her mind recalled the gentle face of the Pillar in the grand hall. The person her mother, Fuu, and Aunt Umi had said was so precious... was that young man's mother.
"Shinre..." Eagle reached out his trembling hand and gently stroked Shinre's head. "Isn't that your name?"
Shinre lifted his gaze to meet Eagle's. His face was streaked with tears... Like someone who had rediscovered a long-lost treasure, Eagle looked into Shinre's red eyes with deep affection. Now I know whose eyes are looking at me, he thought. These are Hikaru's eyes... Eagle pulled Shinre into an embrace. "You are Hikaru's son..."
Shinre sobbed in Eagle's arms. He couldn't breathe properly. The weight of his sorrow filled his chest and consumed him since he became aware and opened his eyes. He wanted to strike himself, to torment and punish. He was so exhausted that he couldn't close his eyes and forget the reality, even for a moment. He missed her mother so much.
The clanking of chains binding Shinre's hands and feet echoed in the air. Eagle was reminded of the jangle of the golden chains of Lantis's pendant that had fallen from Shinre's body. It felt as if a knife had pierced his heart. "Are you... a Cail?"
Shine did not respond; only a whimper escaped his lips. Yet, Eagle understood completely. Tears streamed down his face as he shuddered, knowing there was a story this sorrowful! He closed his eyes, fervently wishing for a miracle to happen again, hoping his message would reach its destination: Lantis, where are you? You must come back soon! He pleaded in his heart. Your son is here!