Hikaru passed through the gate after gate of the city's protective walls, walking as fast as she could, dragging her feet. Her head hung low, staring at the grey path that would take her away. Neo Cephiro was behind her, growing smaller as she left it farther behind. A cold wind blew against her. Facing the rising sun, she left the city.

She moved against the flow and stumbled several times, bumping into bodies lost in the joy of the night. She ignored the curious looks from those who noticed her and the suspicious yet pitying glances from some patrolling soldiers.

"Sir," said a guard to his commander. "That woman..."

"We can't take care of everyone. We must ensure the city's safety. Last night's commotion must not be repeated..." The man turned and left to continue the inspection.

The guard watched as Hikaru finally disappeared. "She looked so sad on this happy day..."

"Hold back your tears..." Umi said to Fuu, embracing her tightly. "Our long-awaited moment has finally come." But even as she spoke, her own tears flowed. "We will get her back." Umi laughed softly. "Soon, we'll see her... and her daughter, too."

Fuu wiped her face, nodding.

"Tell Ferio this: I'm heading out with my quick-response unit."

Umi turned and saw Senna eating hurriedly. The boy was so hungry. He would lead them to Hikaru. Umi couldn't blame him for not speaking sooner. She understood Senna's fear of them.

"Hey, eat properly..." Umi said fondly. Knowing that the boy was Hikaru's son and not a stranger had completely shifted her attitude toward him.

"I'll prepare a place for her," Fuu said. "The Inn is 20 km from here. We must hurry... Eagle?" Fuu addressed Eagle, who had been silent. Eagle wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.

"This is truly good news... I can't wait to tell Lantis..."

Clef stood, bowing his head as he stared at the floor. He felt immense gratitude. If so, they were not too late. There was still time to save Hikaru, to save her life. He felt relieved.

"Umi, I entrust the rescue mission to you," Eagle said, then turned and left. For him, one big problem remained. He didn't know where Lantis was.

Meanwhile, at LaFarga's office…

"My dear, eat slowly or you might choke," LaFarga said, watching Serena with a curious expression. He decided to wait until she calmed down to ask more questions.

LaFarga looked up and asked the nearby guard, "Is there any news from Umi? Why haven't I received a reply?"

"I'm sorry, Sir. I suspect Lady Umi hasn't returned to her residence since yesterday. So, she might not have read your message yet."

"Is that also the case with Eagle?" The guard hesitated, then nodded—it was possible. "This is tiring and frustrating." LaFarga looked at Serena again, who was eating eagerly. "After this, we'll see your brother..." LaFarga said to comfort her.

Only Fuu, Clef, and Nova remained. Fuu sat, feeling her heart race. She was anxious. Silence enveloped them. She wondered what she would do when she met Hikaru later. Her past mistakes haunted her, and once again, she asked herself if Hikaru had truly forgiven them.

Fuu looked at the two Magic Gurus... "Master Clef... Maestra Nova..."

Tears still streamed down her face. "Nair..." she mourned.

"He... is the Pillar of Runes... He is very precious to you, isn't he?" Fuu asked. "That man and Hikaru..." A sharp pain pricked Fuu's heart as she asked. "You never told us anything about them, about what happened between them..." Fuu knew Nova had never been able to share that. "Was Hikaru happy in Runes? Was she happy with that man?"

Nova couldn't answer. Hikaru's life hadn't been all good. Despite that, she had happy moments with them. How could she tell these people that?

"Do they love each other?" Fuu asked bitterly, concluding it for herself.

"Yes." Nova lifted her head. "They love each other."

Fuu looked Nova directly in the eyes. "I see." If so, there would be those who would not easily accept Hikaru's return. Over time, things could not be expected to remain the same as they once were.

"Sir!" A soldier burst into LaFarga's quarters, visibly anxious. "Lady Umi has arrived, and she brought soldiers with her!"

LaFarga's eyes widened. He hadn't summoned Umi, let alone requested she come with an armed force. Rising quickly, he left his quarters, hoping Umi wouldn't take drastic measures with the girl…

"Umi!"

"I'm leaving now. Open the gates!" Umi called out.

"You're leaving? For what?" LaFarga was baffled. He turned to see a young boy on horseback beside Umi, and was startled by the child's familiar face. "We must go retrieve Hikaru! This boy is her son!" Umi's voice was laced with joy, and LaFarga could only stare in astonishment.

"Open the gate!" LaFarga shouted before turning back to Umi. "Did you not get my message?"

"Message?"

"A young girl came by, claiming she's related to him…" LaFarga pointed at Senna. "It appears she spoke the truth…"

"What?" Umi's eyes widened, as did Senna's surprise etched on his face.

"She's here, with me…"

"WHAT?!" Senna cried out. LaFarga returned inside briefly, and soon re-emerged with Serena in tow. "H-how are you here?!" he exclaimed, shaking her shoulders.

Serena looked back at her brother, her gaze timid yet resolute. She understood his anger, but… "I was worried about you!" she shouted. "You didn't come back! I feared you might be dead! What was I supposed to do but look for you?!"

"You…" Senna groaned in exasperation.

Umi couldn't help but notice the girl's striking resemblance to Senna; they were twins, she realized.

"I had no choice… I was terrified when everyone said you'd been captured. I came to save you!" Serena replied, brushing tears from her eyes.

"Save me? And what about Mother? WHAT ABOUT HER?!" Serena lowered her gaze, unable to answer. Senna could yell no longer; anger would solve nothing, he knew… but this was a bitter turn of events.

"I left her…"

"What?! Why are you so reckless?!"

"Hey, don't argue," Umi intervened, her tone gentle. "Come with us, and let's go to see your mother together." She turned to the young girl, offering a reassuring smile. The past few hours must have been heavy on them both. "Let's go! She must be waiting for you. What are we waiting for?"

The landscape changed dramatically beyond the protective walls of the last city they passed. Habitations fell away, giving way to hushed yet vibrant forests. Trees began to bloom, their budding leaves standing out in the stillness, broken only by the songs of wild birds. The scene was serene and enchanting, shrouded in mist as if from a fairy tale.

It was as if the world itself welcomed her. As the Pillar, she could hear their voices—the land around her seemed alive. Flowers turned their heads toward her, and curious animals peeked out, chittering in delight. Trees swayed, keeping time with the dancing wind… The ground softened to ease her passage, and the humble wind joined her journey, gently avoiding its usual chill.

"Oh, noble Pillar, where are you headed?"

Hikaru ignored their questions but smiled bitterly, and sadness rippled through them. She gazed at the sun, watching it rise higher in the sky, even as the air clung to its coldness. The whispers of the wind were mournful and lonely.

"A beautiful world lies behind you, while before you lie only emptiness… Behind you is the future, but before you are only the past… Behind you, hard-won happiness and peace; ahead, only a hollow promise you still cling to… Why is it worth more?"

"Why is it worth more?" Hikaru echoed. "Because there lies the answer… and with that answer, I will find a cure for my soul."

Hikaru stumbled forward, moving in the only direction she could find, dragging her frozen body along. She didn't know where this choice would lead, only that she wished to be far away from a world that no longer felt like her own, toward the place her memory held onto, the one she still knew.

"Let me show you the way…" A blue butterfly fluttered around her, guiding her in a single direction.

Other bright-colored butterflies flitted around, trying to comfort her, and even the wind seemed to play its tune in harmony with the rustling grass. The sky contributed its own, painting beautiful scenes as a balm to her heart. The wind whispered, "Ride with me… I will carry you…" It lightened her steps toward the desired place, clearing stones and parting grass along her path.

Hikaru couldn't say if she agreed. She thought of nothing but the visions that played in her mind, another solace, a silent premonition of her end. At last, she understood that everything she had seen in the beginning foretold this day, its bittersweet conclusion… when all became real. Her only role was to accept it, leaving the stage of life as something unremarkable, fading as the last Pillar, all alone.

Nair walked alongside her in spirit, his gentle hand holding hers. Nair was there with the winter, with the wind's embrace and the snow's slow fall. His figure appeared by her side, guiding her… and Hikaru spoke to him, "You gave me a land, a people… a home, a family… You loved me so deeply I could almost forget my past… You gave me a reason to live… something I am endlessly grateful for… You promised me the future, and now I have seen it…"

Hikaru smiled as she looked up at the midday sun. She steadied herself with a single thought to keep her going.

"Nair, you know… there is a place I long for you to take me, where you are now, in that other world… But before that, may I do one last thing? I want to honor a promise that has long slipped from my memory… Let me fulfill it. That way, my heart will be at peace… and I can celebrate my freedom from the binds of this world with a light heart."