As dusk approached, its crimson glow streamed into the room where they were gathered. Ryuuki and Kotori kept company with Senna, who watched over his sleeping sister. Both observed the two wounded siblings before them and could not help but think of Shinre. In this way, they concluded that Shinre was their elder brother. But they were nothing alike except for their rosy eyes.
Senna gently stroked Serena's hair, which fell long against her side. Like a princess from a storybook, thought Kotori. She imagined the lives of these two in Runes. Alba had once told them the story of the Iron Palace that stood magnificently in the heart of Rune's capital. Indeed, that place had been their home. So, what must they be feeling now? Kotori's heart ached for them. They had lost so much.
"You two look so much alike," Ryuuki broke the silence, gazing at the faces of the two siblings in awe. Before him stood two magic swordsmen.
Senna looked up in surprise, "Um, yes, we're twins."
"Your eyes are the same..." Ryuuki continued. Kotori nudged him to stop speaking, but he ignored her. "Just like Shinre's eyes."
Senna's eyes widened. "You know my brother?"
"Yes, he stayed with us for a while before he left with Uncle Lantis..."
"Lantis? The Cail?"
"His father..."
"Is that man still alive?" Senna asked, startled. Ryuuki nodded. Senna fell silent, then spoke softly, "My brother is so fortunate." He bowed his head slightly as if absorbing the weight of his mother's past. "I... I'm happy my brother managed to find that person. He always searched for him."
"You care for Shinre very much..."
Senna nodded. "He's the brother we finally have," he said, looking at Serena. "I always worry about him, always hope he is still alive and we can be reunited with him. Back then, I couldn't believe our father sent him off to the war..."
"He's a brave knight..." Ryuuki mused. "Magic swordsmen are brave people." Ryuuki pulled something from around his neck. It was his necklace: the East Tower. "I got this on the battlefield..." He handed it to Senna.
Senna looked at it.
"That woman fought fiercely too..."
Senna recognized it and returned it to Ryuuki. "It belonged to Zonda."
"Zonda?" Finally, Ryuuki understood who the woman was. "Zonda..." He would remember her.
Speaking of the necklace made Kotori recall something. "How about this?" She showed a pendant that she recognized as similar to Shinre's. "This crystal…" Kotori showed them a silver chain necklace with a cracked crystal shaped like a snowflake.
Ryuuki gasped. That was the most valuable item they had ever given to Kotori.
"How did you get this?" Senna looked delighted. "That... is my father's pendant!"
"Ryuuki gifted it to me. He bought it at an antique shop. Right, Ryuuki?" Kotori asked, uncertain as she sought his confirmation. Meanwhile, Ryuuki felt unfortunate. Why was Kotori doing this to him? What would she do with that item?
"I gave it to someone in exchange for travel expenses to get here. An antique hunter from Fahren."
"Why would you hand over something so valuable to someone else?" Kotori took off the necklace and handed it to Senna.
"No, it's yours," Senna refused. "It's not mine anymore. I don't want it..."
But Kotori insisted on pressing the item into Senna's hand, firmly clasping Senna's fingers around it. "This is yours. As for protection, I already have Ryuuki," she stated. "Right?"
Ryuuki couldn't believe what he was hearing. His cheeks flushed. "I-It's true."
Senna finally put on the necklace. "I don't have anything else to give that woman. There's something more important than this." Senna reached into their bag and pulled out a recorder.
"Alba gave this to us a long time ago. It holds many memories," Senna said as he activated it. A transparent screen appeared in the air, glowing with soft white light. Senna said before the device, "We have arrived in Cephiro. We are waiting for our mother." Senna wiped his eyes again. "Do you want to try it?"
Kotori and Ryuuki realized it was a recorder Senna and his sister used to document their daily lives. Ryuuki took the device and attempted to use it himself. However, it seemed he pressed the wrong button, and in his growing confusion, he pressed the buttons incorrectly again. He unintentionally pulled up the earliest recording. Everyone was startled as a younger Serena appeared against a night sky backdrop. Her hair and cloak fluttered in the wind. In the background was the devastated landscape of Runes's palace. All were destroyed to the ground instantly. Ryuuki and Kotori were stunned by the view and the echoing rumbling sounds.
"First day. Goodbye, Runes... Maestra Nova, Albatross..." she said softly, choking back tears. "Shinre, I'm leaving with Senna, Father and Mother—" Ryuuki panicked. He felt guilty for accidentally playing such as a personal recording that might evoke painful memories. "Will we meet again? I hope Maestra Nova succeeds in finding you and bringing you to us. Brother... We've learned everything about you. It's sad but also joyful. I hope you are well..."
Ryuuki tried to turn it off, but Senna stopped him, saying, "It's okay. I want to see it again, too... Our father and mother are in there. I miss them. I want to see them again." Indeed, the screen later showed the backs of their parents, the two Pillars sitting side by side, holding to each other before the recording ended.
From the gap of the slightly opened door, Fuu watched the children. She listened to everything they discussed and saw all that they saw. She held back her tears. She felt shaken after catching a glimpse of Hikaru, even though only from behind. Her dearest friend... she long lost her now appeared before her. She wanted to hug her so badly. She wished to care for her like before. She wanted to be happy again and have everything in harmony. She wanted to be pardoned for the awful thing she had done.
"… All this time, I never liked that Serena made this. But now, it's all we have. This memory is far more precious than anything."
Fuu thought to herself. No one wasn't bound by the past, by the things that had happened and passed. Some people felt regretful and guilty, wishing for a better life. But what would that be? Fate always finds its way to teach us something before we take a new, different step forward. I have always wished I could forget all the painful things that had happened. But now, the painful things allow me to view the future in a better light, hoping I can do better.
Hikaru... It is not just me; everyone feels the same. Everyone wants to live with you again, but why did you choose to leave? What do you feel that we cannot understand? Did we hurt you so much that you punished us like this?
Fuu heard someone approaching and she hurriedly wiped her eyes.
Albatross Vision greeted her. "I've heard what's happening..." he said.
Fuu "They are inside. Please, accompany them..."
Alba nodded and walked inside.