Part 4

A month later

The morning sun spilled through the window, casting a serene light over the room, signaling the end of a long, tumultuous night. Ferio, before retreating for a much-needed rest, issued a command through Seville: release all prisoners and captives, allowing them to return to their homelands and loved ones. It was time to close that chapter.

Prisons that had stood closed for years finally opened. General Albatross Vision stepped outside for the first time in 17 years, accompanied by his son, Alba. Days later, Alba led the people of Autozam, the followers of Vision family, back home aboard the NX-2, assisted by Robin's additional ship. Before leaving, Alba shared the NX-2's technology and the secrets behind the sentinels with the eager Zazu Torque and Geo Metro, who were astonished to learn that Shinre had created them.

"That boy is remarkable," Zazu said. "He's already skilled enough as a magic swordsman—he doesn't need to be a robotics genius, too. We wouldn't stand a chance against him. He's a true Autozam…"

Nova, without a place to return to, found refuge in one of the towers under Guru Clef's protection. Clef invited her to join him in teaching the children residing at the Tower of Learning, and Nova accepted with gratitude. For Clef, it was a new beginning; he felt that, in her way, Nova had forgiven him. If she couldn't love him back, at least she didn't despise him, bringing him peace.

Meanwhile, Ryuuki had grown restless seeing Kotori spending time with Shinre.

"Are you jealous?" Kotori teased playfully.

"Don't you mind if I am?" Ryuuki blurted out, revealing his feelings. Both turned crimson, embarrassed.

Umi and Fuu, watching from a distance, exchanged knowing smiles and giggled at how silly and charming their son and daughter were. That day, they laughed freely, the weight on their hearts lifting bit by bit. A new hope blossomed in them; soon, they believed, Hikaru would be with them again soon.

Ferio dispatched two sizable search parties to scour the land for any sign of Hikaru. Every day they waited, holding on to hope for good news. Ferio also reminded Alba of his promise to aid in rebuilding Cephiro in exchange for Shinre's release. Reconstruction soon began, and Ferio's enthusiasm returned.

With Shinre's arrival, everyone expected Lantis to find some joy. Yet, the distance between father and son remained palpable. Days passed with neither seeking the other out, leaving Eagle puzzled over what kept them apart.

"It's true that not all knowledge makes us whole," Shinre had once said.

"Shinre... the first thing you must understand about your father is that sometimes he acts like a fool. He is really blind to what he should do for you." Eagle muttered to himself, watching as Shinre sat by the lakeside, staring into the distance while Dyna, Kotori, and Ryuuki played nearby. Each time they invited him to join, Shinre declined as if he considered himself too old for such frivolities. Eagle chuckled; Shinre was only 16, still a boy.

Eagle's eyes wandered, and he noticed something that made him pause. Atop one of the castle's towers stood a figure cloaked in black. "Lantis?" Eagle whispered. What was he doing there? Realization dawned as he saw where Lantis's gaze was fixed—on Shinre. A happy smile tugged at Eagle's lips.

"Watching him secretly, huh?" Eagle greeted Lantis, who chose to ignore him. Eagle moved closer, resting a hand on Lantis's shoulder. "What would he say if he knows? You're quite a coward, aren't you?"

"What do you want?" Lantis replied coldly. "Leave me alone."

"To do what any friend would do," Eagle shot back. "To help you face this." They both fell silent for a moment before Eagle continued, "Hikaru… She has given you an extraordinary blessing. You should be grateful." Lantis turned his gaze away, unwilling to discuss it. "I understand something when Maestra Nova asked you to forgive her–"

"Forgive?" Lantis scoffed. "There are no everlasting bonds in this world. She didn't wrong me. So, there's nothing to forgive. I just hoped too much, and I'm tired of being like this…"

Eagle felt a surge of anger. "Lantis, you know? Hearing you say that makes me want to hit you." Lantis merely looked at him, challenging him. "If she knew you are like this…"

"Damn it. She has lived her own way. I should start living mine. My business in Cephiro is done. Today is my last day here; after this, I'm leaving." Lantis turned his gaze back to Shinre. "I'm only here to make sure. He'll be fine here."

"Even if you never thought he existed or wanted him, he's still your family. He's your blood. You can't abandon him. At the very least, talk to him. He's been hoping for it…"

"No. I don't know him—"

Eagle interrupted, shocked. "Don't say you don't know him! You know him very well!" Eagle punched him. Lantis staggered back, feeling the sting in his cheek, but he remained silent, not even wiping a drip of blood from his lip.

"How can Hikaru trust herself to a man as cold as you?! How come you become this way?!"

"Why am I this way? Because I know our bond has long been severed! I should have realized that when she chose to leave and gave me a promise that meant nothing! Now, I'm rational enough to decide there's nothing left between us! To her, I'm dead. It's not hard for me to believe she's dead too…"

"She isn't dead… She isn't dead!" Lantis turned to walk away quickly, but Eagle stopped him. "Are you really going to leave Shinre behind?"

"I don't need to answer twice." Lantis resumed his steps.

Eagle pressed on. "You have no idea how Hikaru almost died so that boy could live! You don't know how they lived in Runes!" Lantis halted. "To protect him, that man separated that boy from Hikaru, making them unaware of each other's existence. You have no idea how he searched for his parents! Long before he even knew his mother, long before the war began, he sought a way to come to Cephiro. Do you know why?"

Lantis remained silent.

"He wanted to find you! When the last fight broke out, he was terrified you would die. Didn't you aware he was protecting you? How can you abandon him who said he could understand your choice to ignore him without a single complaint?" Eagle exclaimed. "Answer me! Do you have ears? Why are you silent?"

"Be quiet."

"Oh my God… How could he be so foolish as to love a father like you?" Eagle shook his head in disbelief.

"Please, stop…" Lantis's voice trembled. He lowered his head, struggling to calm the storm of emotions swirling within him.

Shinre's scream during the second Chronos echoed in Lantis's mind. He couldn't deny that his boy had truly protected him. Shinre had become his living shield against that destructive light and saved him from death. He reminded Lantis of Hikaru long ago.

"Don't say anything more…" When Lantis opened his eyes, he was startled to find Shinre standing before him, looking at him with a scowl. He thought Shinre would speak to him, but the boy walked right past him.

"Shinre?" Eagle exclaimed, equally surprised. "What are you doing here? Why do you suddenly—"

"I should be the one asking that. Uncle, what are you doing here?" he yelled angrily at Eagle. Eagle was taken aback. "Why are you yelling like that? I didn't tell you my story for you to dramatize it like this."

"Dramatize?" Eagle tilted his head, bewildered by Shinre's reaction.

"I'm not that tragic. You're really embarrassing me. Your shouting is loud enough for everyone to hear. I will settle the score with you for tarnishing my name…" Eagle was left speechless. Shinre extended a hand, demanding something. "Give it to me now, and I'll forgive you."

"What?" Eagle replied, puzzled.

"Centaur," Shinre stated, a mischievous glint in his eye.

"I already gave you my last one!" Eagle protested.

"You're lying. I saw that thing spying on me by the lake as if I were a celebrity," Shinre countered.

He knows?! What if I don't want to give it to you?"

"I've already devised a plan to dismantle your beloved FTO, to create something new from it," Shinre threatened with a smirk.

"You! Zazu really shouldn't be friends with you!" Eagle exclaimed, reaching into his cloak. He pulled out the centaur and, with a frustrated sigh, handed it over to Shinre. "You little brat... Now I understand why Alba calls you outrageous! You also know how to rob me, huh?"

"Thank you!" Shinre beamed and immediately took off running, but then he stopped and turned back. "I don't owe you anything." With that, he walked away, laughing triumphantly.