Part 8

The room was bright and filled with soft, colorful hues. The flowers arranged within it released a fragrant aroma. Hikaru lay in a beauty that felt hauntingly quiet. Her body had been cleaned and was wrapped in a death gown. Her once-white face was now turning ashen, almost blue. She lay still like a statue. There remained a semblance of elegance, but it was so ironic that it only drew tears from those who gazed upon her.

As the people who had cared for her body dispersed, only two Magic Gurus remained in the room—Clef and Nova. They sat on either side of Hikaru, gazing at her face. A profound sadness was etched on Clef's features while Nova was silent.

"We, the Magic Gurus, are witnesses to the life and death of our Pillar..." Nova lamented. She placed her hand on her chest, feeling the ache within. "How will we continue to live after this?"

Clef bowed his head. This moment felt reminiscent of the past, when Sienna and Emeraude were lost, leaving only tragedy for Cephiro. Now, the system had ended, and the missions of the Pillars were complete. He should have felt happiness, but there was none to be found. He listened to Nova.

"Almost a century and a half, and we are all that remains from everyone we have known, including our Pillars. We have witnessed and experienced history. We have touched those who directed the course of this world... We were accustomed to fighting for it... Now, we don't know what to do upon finally reaching our destination."

Clef gazed at Hikaru's face, realizing this was the end of their time together, reminiscing about their first meeting. Long ago, he had never imagined that the spirited, cheerful girl would become such an important and influential figure, the last Pillar of Cephiro. She had strengthened Cephiro during its darkest times, rebuilding it from the ground up. Even when the structures were destroyed, the land rose again, just like herself. After being knocked down repeatedly, she never gave up her beliefs. Thus, today, she had triumphed, and the only thing that had finally defeated her was her unavoidable death.

"I never protected her as a Magic Guru..." Clef said softly. "On the day she was chosen, she relinquished her status and powers as the Pillar of Cephiro. On the day she became the Pillar, she left Cephiro..." Nova lifted her head to look at Clef. "I'm very grateful that you took good care of her when we, the people of Cephiro, could not."

"Clef..." Nova bowed her head again and shook it. "With us, she endured so much suffering. She was truly in despair… yet she survived. With Cephiro's freedom, she wished for her own death. But now, with this second chance to live and return, why must she go?"

"Nova, she had long been ready to face it. Death was a path to freedom. The one who has left now is the proof of her dreams for this world. She is the last Pillar foretold. We both know that." Clef rose from his seat and approached Nova. "Let's leave..."

But Nova only gripped Hikaru's hand tighter. She caressed Hikaru's head and kissed her forehead. "I know you loved Shinre dearly. I'm sorry I couldn't bring Shinre to you. I'm sorry... I have miscalculated things..."

"Nova..." Clef's heart ached to see Nova like this. He touched Nova's shoulder, hoping she could find strength despite the guilt. "Stop this mourning..."

"This isn't right, Clef! I can't accept that she is truly gone. She always fought, and she has always survived. This can't be her..." Nova shook Hikaru's body. "Wake up! Hikaru... open your eyes... Shinre is here. Cail Lantis is here. Your friends are all here... You can't leave... Hikaru..."

"Don't do this. She is gone! She is a human, Nova! She is just like everyone else!"

"Hikaru..." Nova called out.

"Face the reality! The Pillar has gone and left us a better world. Our task now is to protect it until our last breath. Steady yourself. There are many other things we must do after this instead of mourning!"

"Isn't there anything I can do to save her life once more?"

"What do you want to do?" Clef asked in surprise. Nova suddenly straightened her body and spoke a spell. Light emanated from her hands. Clef was astonished. "Nova, this is pointless. Spells cannot undo death. There is no cure for death!"

"If she must die, she cannot die like this! Nair wouldn't want this to be the end!" The light in Nova's hands grew ever brighter. She closed her eyes. "Not like this..." Nova was lost in the incantation she was weaving, fully concentrating, no longer wanting to hear Clef's voice. She carefully examined every tiny remnant of Hikaru's life, wishing for a chance to reverse the course of time that had slowly destroyed the physical body.

"Nova!"

Now, light enveloped the entire room, radiant and warm. Waves of energy stirred the air, pulsating with life. Initially, it was a spell she had trained herself to master, intended to resurrect Nair Shin-Re from the abyss. Yet fate had another plan—it would now be used for Hikaru. Clef watched as the curtains fluttered and the window glass trembled gently. He could feel the immense power radiating from Nova, but nonetheless...

"That's right, Clef," still with her eyes closed, which took Clef by surprise. "She is strong."

"What do you mean?" Clef asked, startled and confused. "Don't waste your efforts! Even if you master resurrection spells, you won't be able to–"

"It's not a matter of whether I can or cannot!" Nova opened her eyes, squinting against the blinding light that surrounded her. "She is not dead yet!" Clef was taken aback. "She's exhausted all her mental energy. Her life force is completely fading, but she is still here! She is holding on in this world. She's still trying to survive! Clef, help me! Give her our strength so we can awaken her consciousness!" Clef looked hesitant... "This is our duty!" Nova urged, trying to convince Clef.

"No..." Clef understood that doing this risked death. This spell worked by reversing the damage done to the body, temporarily shielding it until it could sustain itself. It would completely drain their mental energy. "This would be our end..." he refused. "We parted ways in the past, and now we have the chance to meet again... and be together…"

"Please, don't speak so sadly..." Nova implored. "We are the Magic Gurus..."

Clef fell silent. Magic Guru, chosen to protect and support the Pillar in carrying out her mission. Clef gazed at Nova, who looked back at him with tear-filled eyes. He knew that Nova was determined, and nothing could change her mind. He closed his eyes, accepting the decision.

Clef recalled Umi's question. "Do you love her?" Yes, he loved her so much. The last three years spent with Nova had been the happiest of his life. Since Cephiro had appointed Emeraude after Sienna's death, since Runes had been destroyed, and the magic swordsman had vanished a hundred years ago... Clef knew that Nova's hatred toward him was akin to Runes' hatred toward Cephiro. Nova returning to him was a miracle, thanks to Hikaru.

Clef looked at Hikaru and whispered to her with his heart. You are the last Pillar; you allowed me to experience things that were once mere dreams. Is there something you still wish to do that makes you hold on and continue to fight against death? Awakening you is truly the only way I can repay your kindness.

"Clef..." Nova saw him step slowly to the other side of Hikaru and take her hand. There was doubt, but he began to do what Nova was doing. The light appeared, and the energy produced was far greater.

"Eventually, everything comes to an end in time. Indeed, we are the Magic Gurus." Clef and Nova exchanged glances, their vision hazy from the brilliance of the light surrounding them. "You give me the chance and courage to do the greatest thing in my life..." Clef continued. "Nova, do you love me?" he asked.

Nova gave him a questioning look and laughed. "What are you asking? You know the answer..." she said with tears welling in her eyes. She remembered their tumultuous past, how she had been engulfed in misunderstandings and hatred, but their togetherness had replaced all of that in the past few years.

Clef smiled. He paused for a moment. "You know... I've always loved you..."

Nova looked straight into Clef's eyes, tears of happiness streaming down her face. They were now completely enveloped by the blinding white light. Nova closed her eyes, hoping Clef would understand more about her heart. "Clef... You know my heart, too."

Clef focused on the spell. He focused more intently, feeling Hikaru's cold hand, hoping to make it warm. He could sense the flow of Nova's mental energy through Hikaru's veins, slowly feeling her pulse, which was extremely weak. "For the first time, life felt extraordinary, no longer something ordinary. To exist was a remarkable gift. My only regret is that I could never truly serve you, Hikaru..." Clef reflected.

He closed his eyes, allowing the visions to wash over him.

"I have seen it—the manifestation of your dreams, the dreams of all the Pillars come to fruition. A radiant Earth, peace and unity among nations, people finally facing a brighter future... Live... and be free... Please, wake up... for the sake of those you love and those who love you. It is not yet for you to go. Please, wake up, my Pillar."