"Father!" That faint voice of a boy called out over and over. But there was no reply—only the image of his father's back, growing distant. His military uniform with golden insignia gleamed brightly, and his warship loomed magnificently. Two hundred thousand men had gone with him. And they never come back.
"You'll be as strong as your father; do you hear me?" A woman's voice echoed louder and louder. "You'll reclaim the honor that was stolen from us!"
"Mother..." Alba remembered his past with a flutter of sorrow. He could see his mother standing there, getting smaller and smaller. "Mother, don't leave me! I'll be as strong as Father. I'll rule the world as I promise. Please, come back!"
But...
"So, you want to rule the world?" That voice was so light-hearted. Alba turned to find Hikaru the first time they met. "That's wonderful! You could build a grand city and protect the people you care about… make them happy…"
"My father is the leader of this land. I'll be like him! I'll be as strong as he is!" he sobbed, recalling the memory.
"I met him once," Hikaru nodded reassuringly. "He was so gallant on the battlefield and terrifying. Everyone trembled before him. He had eyes as sharp as yours and a voice as firm as you. He must have wanted to see you grow up and become a general as great as he was…"
"But he's dead..."
Hikaru placed her hand gently on his head. "No, he's right here," she said, pointing to his chest. "He lives in your heart, even if you don't remember his face."
Alba woke abruptly, sitting upright. He had been dreaming. But there was no time to dwell on it—he was immediately reminded of the dire reality.
"You're awake?" Eagle asked, standing beside Alba, examining the sentinel robots in his hands. Alba looked up at him. "This robot is impressive. Do you create them? It's extraordinary," Eagle said, admiring the sentinel as it split into separate parts.
"Uncle," Alba murmured, "I... I'm sorry for..."
"I know what you want to say," Eagle replied with a gentle smile. "I don't hold it against you. Your bond with them is naturally stronger than your bond with me. Given our countries and loyalties, I understand that you might even see me as an enemy. But I am still your uncle. Blood is thicker than water, as they say. Besides, you're still young; it's only fair that I protect you. Ferio won't harm you."
They fell silent for a moment.
"Are you prepared for today?" Eagle asked. "I know how difficult it is to choose between two things that mean so much to you. But I believe you've thought it through."
For Alba, it wasn't just a heavy choice but also a painful one. The man he had thought gone forever was alive and standing before him. That should have been a joyous revelation, but the price demanded for this knowledge... he couldn't accept it.
"He should have stayed dead," Alba muttered.
"The reality is otherwise. We could have sentenced him to death for his crimes of invading the world twenty years ago. But we let him live out of respect for one person's wish: Cephiro's Pillar. She was seemingly aware of our blood tie and didn't want to see either of us fall by the other's hand. She could have won the war if she hadn't given her own life instead to protect all of us."
Eagle stilled the sentinel's motion and took a deep breath. "She always saved me, but I could never return the favor. Do you really believe, as you told Fuu, that she forgave us all for letting her go? Every time I see her smiling face through the grand hall, I wish she wore anger and resentment instead."
Lady Hikaru saved my father? Alba thought, his heart moved by the realization. He bowed his head, deeply torn. What can I do for her now? Shinre, too, is in grave danger. They've captured him, Maestra Nova, Schwan, and Gannet...
"Before the meeting resumes, would you like to see him?" Eagle asked, his voice unexpectedly gentle. "I can take you to your father."
Alba raised his head, astonished by the offer. He nodded.
Eagle led Alba through a hidden part of the castle, deep underground beneath the Blue Tower. The tower had survived the wrath of the magic swordsmen during the war but now bore severe damage. They marveled at the enormous hole in the ground as they descended a staircase leading far into the earth. The prison lay in the depths, grim and shadowy even under the bright fire globes illuminating the space.
"Ferio granted me permission to bring you here," Eagle explained. "Not only is your father here, but also other Autozam survivors who are considered war criminals. They've been here for twenty years, never seeing the sun."
Eagle entered a series of codes, and with an ear-piercing screech, the iron door slid open, revealing a row of cells down a long corridor. They walked to the end of the hallway, where someone sat inside, looking utterly worn. The man didn't react as Eagle and Alba approached.
"Albatross," Eagle called. The figure remained still. "Albatross," he called again, and only then did the man raise his head.
"Eagle, you came… Did you bring me something?" the man asked, his appearance disheveled, his hair long and tangled, covering part of his face. Yet he looked healthy, even spirited.
"I'm out of books for you," Eagle chuckled, kneeling by the cell. "I'm not here for that. I brought someone with me. You'll be surprised."
"Who is it?" Albatross asked, nodding his chin in Alba's direction.
"Don't you recognize him? He's your son!"
Albatross froze, slowly lifting his head to see Alba's face fully. "My son?" he asked, disbelief heavy in his voice. "How is this possible?" He looked Alba over from head to toe, astonished and uncomprehending. "He's grown…"
"You even share the same name. Did you know he's now the leader of Autozam? Well, not quite—he's the leader of Runes now. Autozam and Runes have united."
Albatross immediately stood, pressing close to the bars separating him from the outside world. Alba stepped closer, reaching for his father's outstretched hands. Tears streamed down Albatross's face.
"Tell me this is just a dream… How could this be?"
"This isn't a dream, Father…"
"I… I've always feared that… my actions in the past… would harm my children," he said haltingly. "I've lived with regret every day, wondering… what happened to all of you. I asked many times, but… no one could ever tell me…" He embraced Alba, pulling him tightly. "Are you okay? Do you live well?"
"I'm alive, Father. So far, I've lived well and safe. A kind person protected me, and His Majesty Nair has freed Autozam. Now, he's entrusted me with the nation and given me the responsibility of protecting everyone…"
"Thank God… He made such a choice?"
Sadness filled Alba's heart. He found himself torn in ways he never anticipated. True, he desperately wanted to protect everyone, but how could he achieve it all without sacrificing anyone else? He hugged his father tightly, reluctant to let go. It was a miracle they were together. He wanted to free him.
"Will you free my father?" Alba asked. He sat on the edge of a broken fountain in one of the castle's destroyed gardens. Eagle sat beside him.
"I didn't bring you here to force you to change your mind. Nor do I expect you to decide right away. Think it over," Eagle said, resting a hand on Alba's shoulder.
"Is King Ferio truly intent on exacting revenge on the magic swordsmen?" Alba asked, his tone now serious. "I can't allow that if that's his wish."
"Once again, the choice is yours to make."
It's true, everything depends on me. Alba closed his eyes. I have to make a decision. I no longer care what might happen to me. I want to save everyone I wish to protect. The people of Runes, Father… Shinre, Lady Hikaru, and her dream…
"Uncle… There's something I've been keeping secret. I'll reveal it, but first, there's something I need to know, something I need you to confirm." Eagle turned to him, sensing the gravity of Alba's words. Alba looked at him intensely. "Tell me… what happened to Cephiro's Pillar that made her leave you all?"
This time, Eagle was visibly shaken by the question. "Why would you…"
"Answer me if you truly love her and wish for her return!"
