Ferio stood frozen, unsure of how to react to the young man kneeling before him. All he felt was anger, knowing that Hikaru was once again behind all of this.
"This is madness! Why should we heed the wishes of someone who has destroyed us? Look at how many have died because of her again! Are we to stand idly by and let these criminals live?"
"Ferio," Princess Tarta interjected quickly, "since I lost my homeland and have lived in Cephiro, I have always looked up to you. But may I be myself from now on? I want to believe in what he believes. It's too late, but better late than never." Hearing this, Ferio was taken aback. "Chizeta will stand with Albatross from Runes." His sister nodded in agreement.
"I have always enjoyed the blessings of Cephiro, but..." Aska stepped forward and knelt beside Alba. "Your Majesty, I cannot find peace knowing that my happiness came at the cost of someone's life. I can't close my eyes to this any longer. My people and I from Fahren beseech you, let us fulfill the Pillar's hope." Seeing the princess kneel, San Yung also knelt beside her, bowing his head. "I want her to be as happy as we are. I want her back."
Fuu joined them, "I have always felt guilty for my past decisions. Now the chance to make amends has come. Can you not feel it? What is it that prevents you from understanding?" she urged.
"Ferio, you are our leader. I have never asked for anything before, but I ask you to grant this request," Umi said firmly. "Let's end this. Let's forget the past and move forward together—"
"Do you not realize how many have perished?! Can you so easily forgive those who have killed your families and your people?! Princess Aska, have you forgotten your parents who the people of Autozam, the father of this boy slew? Princess Chizeta, do you not remember your homeland, which now lies in ruins?! I cannot forgive those who have destroyed Cephiro, be they in the past or present, even if she is a Pillar!"
"Ferio..." Fuu pleaded. "Hikaru has protected Cephiro! Didn't you see it?!"
"What has she protected except for the bitter suffering plaguing this land? I will not spare anyone! I will punish those who deserve punishment!" Ferio abruptly withdrew from the room, followed by several attendants. "I cannot accept this, including the war you call a means to save her! I will not forgive it! She has only destroyed this country once again! There is nothing left to discuss! This is all nonsense!"
"Is the power you wield merely for vengeance? Ferio! The people are tired of all this," Umi shouted. "I cannot believe you have become this way…"
"There will be no peace! Arrest this woman!" Ferio commanded Seville to take Nova away. "Seville!"
"Your Majesty, you're seemingly not in your right mind…" Seville hesitated, looking uncertain.
"No!" Master Clef interjected. "She is under my protection." He approached Ferio, looking him in the eye. "I never taught you to be a leader who refuses to listen."
"Are you defying the king you yourself appointed, Master Clef?" Ferio replied cynically. He casted a sour glance at everyone present, who returned his glare with equal bitterness. No one moved to comply with him. Ferio turned away from them and left alone.
Realizing the situation was deteriorating, LaFarga quickly exited the room. Outside, he encountered Ryuuki and a few soldiers, who appeared confused.
"Uncle, have you seen Kotori? She said she would join the meeting, but she's nowhere to be found…"
"That's not important right now," LaFarga called to his soldiers. "Relay this to the people; I hope they can petition Ferio." He recounted what had transpired inside. "Hurry!"
"Uncle, you sound like you're planning a coup…" Ryuuki said hesitantly, struggling to believe that was the reality inside.
"You don't understand? This is the true hope of the entire populace after all these years. It's just that Ferio…"
From behind them, Caldina appeared, gently placing a hand on LaFarga's shoulder. "You seem to be betraying Ferio, but in truth, you're betraying no one. I believe this is the right decision. I will join them. Let's hope there's no more bloodshed."
"I will too, Mother." Dyna said, rushing after her.
Ryuuki was left standing alone. "So, what about Kotori?"
Meanwhile, inside the room...
"It feels like a dream…" Umi broke the silence among those grappling with their own thoughts. "Albatross, wake up." Umi tugged on Alba's arm, bringing him to his feet.
"I can't convince him…" Alba filled with powerlessness.
Fuu rose as well. "What should we do?"
"Give Ferio time," Master Clef said. Everyone turned to him. "This is all difficult for him. Indeed, after years of struggling to bring Cephiro back to life, all his efforts had collapsed in an instant… This was indeed hard to bear."
"Let me surrender…" Nova suddenly said, bowing even deeper. "The death of the magic swordsman that caused all this will resolve everything, right?"
"No. This isn't your fault, nor the fault of the other magic swordsmen," Clef replied. "This is the fault of a system we could not stop years ago. You can't surrender…"
"We deserve to die, and I acknowledge it!" Nova insisted, tears spilling down her cheeks.
"Nova…" Clef reached out to pull her up, but she refused.
"The lives of the magic swordsmen are filled with evil. All of this was our plan! Albatross, you have every reason to want me dead! Twenty years ago, we manipulated and incited your father to gather an army and attack Cephiro to avenge Runes. Haven't we destroyed you?"
Alba shook his head, listening to Nova's words. Nova was reopening old wounds, yet none of it made him want to kill Nova. His father was still alive, Hikaru had protected them all, and Nova had once saved his life. Lord Nair had treated him kindly… Moreover, it was Autozam that had first destroyed Runes in the past. Everything was indeed even. No hatred remained. There was absolutely none.
"Stop, Nova…" Clef urged, but Nova would not relent.
Nova turned to the people of Cephiro. "Know the truth of what we have done to the Pillar of Cephiro. We trapped her to make her willing to join us and destroy Autozam. We exploited her, then we attempted to kill her…"
Umi and Fuu heard all of this. Tears streamed down their faces. Everyone felt the emotions but could express nothing except unleash them upon themselves. They all recognized their roles in creating the mistakes of the past and the destruction of the present.
"But… she survived, and she changed everything… She gave us a chance to also wish for peace in the future. We want to protect her… and her dreams… If peace and unity can be achieved through our deaths, we are willing to die!"
"There will be no more sacrifices for peace!" Master Clef countered. "Don't speak of such foolishness. We will resolve this. Presea, please take her away from here."
"Yes, Master Clef…" Presea pulled Nova to her feet to lead her away, but Nova resisted.
"You must not protect me, Clef," Nova said weakly. She was determined to say everything. "Let us atone for our sins…" Nova bowed deeply to everyone, pleading. "Do it… just kill me, but please, let that child live. They asked me… to protect him… I beg you… Please, release Shinre…"
Nova's voice grew faint. Overwhelmed by her sorrow, the Magic Guru finally fainted. Clef caught her before she fell, then looked at everyone who stared at him with tears in their eyes. The truth… how would everyone deal with the truth? There was a grudge there, but something held them back from seeking vengeance, from blaming others. They had all swallowed the bitter pill of life and gained a clearer view of their existence.