Chapter Text
How did we end up like this, Vildred?
In the ruined hall, Vildred was lying there, eyes closed off to the world. Mercedes had already asleep, and so Ras didn't want to disturb the two of them from their peaceful slumber. Since they must have been exhausted from all the battles, there was no need for them to worry too much about other things. Because Ras will give them the future they've always been looking for.
Ras gently hugged the bloody body, helping the sleeping person find a more comfortable position. His heavy arms used what little strength he had left to lift the man up, letting him rest his head on his shoulder.
"Vildred, I'm sleepy too."
Ras gently stroked his scratched face, whispering. The world around him was covered with a mist, his eyes were heavy, any sound in his ears was buzzing, only the sound of Arky crying outside the barrier reached Ras's ears.
But Ras was no longer able to calm that cry, lips moving in empty apologies.
He had failed so many people. He couldn't protect everyone during the 6 worlds that repeated in vain. He couldn't say even a proper goodbye to his guardian who accompanied him all the way, regardless of his choice.
He made his most treasured person let go of his hand, headed to the path of doom.
Vildred hated Ras and suffers because of Ras.
So at the very moment when the Archdemon fell, when Ras had fulfilled his responsibility after the 7 worlds, he chose selfishness. Even when knowing that everyone will suffer in his lost, he wanted to put on a perfect play, an ideal ending in the hearts of the people, ending the legend of the Archdemon and the Heir of the Goddess.
"VIildred, if this is what you want. Then in this world, there will be no more Goddesses or Archdemons..."
Ras rarely cries. But today, he wish to just let himself weak, as his shoulders no longer carry the responsibility. For he will
no longer be able to witness the world, nor will he see the people he love again.
"And also the Heir of the Covenant"
His body fades away, like dust that blowed out by the wind. The soul that endured the pain was broken like a pitiful piece of glass, fragments by fragments erasing the bloody wound where Vildred heart is. They reassembled together into a complete form.
The sound of heart beating became clearer. Ras gritted his teeth and let out a scream of pain.
Its hurts. Its hurt so much.
But it would always worth it. That warmth, steady beat makes it all worth it.
So Ras didn't stop, even though all of his broken, beyond repair.
Closing his eyes, he gave the man a kiss on the forehead.
A simple blessing.
(Vildred, did you see? Even in the ruins, the starlight still shines so brightly)
The night sky beyond those shattered windows, Orbis' night sky with thousands of shining stars. There were times when the two of them lied down under the same blanket, shared warmth, and fell asleep under the starry sky.
But his hand couldn't reach up, to try and catch those stars like he used to.
(So I pray, that even if one day you lost your way in the dark, all the stars of Orbis shall be your guide )
...
Outside, the sound of firecrackers howled, columns of black smoke rose up, overpowering the clanking sound of swords and spears. There were screams resounded in the sky to raise morale.
"The enemy has almost retreated, charge ahead with full speed! Victory is ours!"
The soldiers followed Iseria's instructions and charged, with morale that matches the height of clouds, swords tearing through the wind, rushing to the remaining enemy troops.
The light that signaled the victory of the Heir made everyone recharged all their mental energy and run with utmost enthusiasm. The unknown monsters had disappeared, leaving only the acolytes, homunculus and elite soldiers who were still fighting like there was no tomorrow.
During the tumultuous battle, Yuna's voice was completely drowned out, she could only worriedly ask the people around her:
"What's that barrier over there, and that explosion too? Is Ras all okay!?"
"I don't know..." Ludwig hummed, eyes fixed on the dome-shaped barrier that partially covered the castle. Apparently he sensed Ras' energy from that barrier, but his instincts told him that something bad had happened.
"He should be safe," Ludwig murmured "or I won't let him hear the end of this."
Yuna also saw the uneasiness in Ludwig's eyes, she raised her voice so as not to be drowned out by the noisy background: "Should we send someone to check?"
"For the time being, that barrier will get in our way for a while, we have to quickly deal with the remnants of the enemy..."
Even though the results were clear, they still had to maintain their formation. It seems that Charles's side sent several people to look at the situation, but they were all blocked by the strange curtain of light, everything else could not be seen clearly.
The longer they drag, the more impatient they become, Krau swings his shield, increasing his attack speed. They can only believe in Ras for now.
...
"Look, Ras, your friends are coming. Will this play able to fool them all?"
No one answered.
Arkasus looked up at the figure of the goddess Diche, as beautiful as the blazing sun. She reached out her soft hand to wrap the weak soul with little life left, so fragile.
"I wonder if your ability to understand human affection is a blessing or a curse of misfortune."
If her successor didn't understand that sentiment, he wouldn't fall apart. But if he didn't understand it, he would never have fulfilled his responsibilities today.
"Is it worth it?"
She asked, her voice full of sorrow
Is it worth it, to turn into this kind of shape, not able to live nor die peacefully?
But this question doesn't need an answer, she knows it better than anyone. The moment the link between her and Ras was cut off, all that is left to her is just conflicted feelings of unwillingness, and a request: He begged her to leave Orbis, and put an end to this long journey.
She wanted to stop him, but then realized in a daze that she couldn't say a word before the link was completely broken.
What rights does she have? When facing Ras's despair, Diche chooses to let go.
She descended upon Orbis with the remaining strength of her power, gathering the faint fragments of Ras's soul. She carefully wrapped them in a soft light, their remaining energy swayed like candle facing the wind, but fortunately hasn't extinguished yet.
The soul fragments flickered, wanting to express something.
"Both of them are fine. That girl needs some help, I'll leave instructions for Arkasus, you can rest in peace. I'll go right away, as promised."
This Orbis, no longer needed their goddess. The beings she thought were weak and needed protection, now strong enough to walk their own path.
Ilryos, our pointless war is finally over.
She waved her sleeve, and a meteor-like rays of light flew over the back of the swordsman's hand, forming a four-pointed star mark.
"This is my last blessing, Ras."
Her figure disappeared into the void.
...
When Vildred regained consciousness, his brain slowly swallowing the fact that he was breathing and alive.
He struggled to open his eyes, his body still numb, but strangely he did not feel pain. All the wounds on the body were miraculously missing.
Before he could even be surprised, there was a sobbing sound beside him.
It was Arkasus.
Vildred had never seen Arkasus in such pitiful state, crying till his eyes were swollen. His voice hoarse, and his appearance as disheveled as a small abandoned animal, eyes never leaving his hand, where the four-star mark is.
Where did that imprint come from? Why did Arkasus become like this?...Where is Ras?
Wait...Ras?
Vildred tried to follow his memory, recalling passages one at a time. He was trying to reach out to Ras...then Mercedes was controlled by the Archdemon and attacked him.
Then what happened after that?
Vildred glanced around. Mercedes was leaning on a stone pillar, no longer conscious, and the hall was damaged terribly.
So Ras definitely won, why can't anyone else be found?
Thud. Thud. Thud.
He sat up in panic, immediately all insecurity and terror fell down as if some invisible threads are wrapping around his legs, pulling him down into the abyss, all the struggles he made are in vain.
He could hear his own heartbeat, resounding steadily, where the Archdemon's attack had already pierced and torn it apart. That steady heartbeat wanted to reveal the naked truth to him, which he couldn't accept no matter how much he thought about it.
"Ras?"
He called the person's name one more time. The messy white hair didn't appear, nor did the turquoise eyes that always shined so brightly.
In Vildred's tumultuous memory, the final image was Ras's pale, panicked face, then comes a pained scream.
The mark on the back of his left hand was burning on his flesh, forcing him to face the cruel truth.
In all hundreds of times he thought of the possibilities of the final battle, the end of his chosen path in the 7th world, he had never thought of this possibility. Vildred refused to accept that from now on, Ras would not return, and the Heir of the Covenant would be nothing but a legend told by the people with a faked happy ending.
He lied down the cold floor, his face was a wet mess. Vildred cried silently, no longer having the strength to scream, even if he wanted to release it all. Like a dead man, a broken puppet, he just lay there, motionless.
At this point, Arkasus stopped crying. It looked at the dumbfounded swordsman, neither of them facing each other, there were so many things that could never be erased.
Still, Arkasus spoke up to remind:
"This is a barrier made by the Goddess, it will take a while to disappear. Arky thinks you should run fast..."
Vildred stared blankly into space, not even moving his finger.
Arkasus now ran to Mercedes' side, continuing to urge:
"Hurry, Arky will take care of Meru. Master...was very happy. If master is happy, Arky will be happy too"
Is it really so? His voice sounded like he was about to cry again. A clumsy lie, but Vildred made no comment.
He sighed, closing his eyes. The warmth on the forehead is still there, with the harmonious feeling of two merged soul, warm but painful to his heart.
(Your tears burn on my skin. It hurts, Ras)
Beside him, two swords quietly laying there side by side. Vildred struggled to his feet, carefully taking them both. He dug his fingernails into his palm so tightly that it bled, the pain helps ease the fog in his mind. He took one last look at Arkasus, then ran as fast as he could toward the exit. Arkasus says he has time to get out of here, he should hurry up.
Outside the hall, the sky was at dawn. The horizon of Ritania glittered, always the same no matter how many worlds and wars have passed.
"Vildred, hurry up"
The noises outside did not reach his ears. At the end of the horizon, Ras turned his head and called, his smile blooming under the stars.
Vildred footsteps went faster and faster, striving through the mist covering the forest.
"Slow down, Ras. Wait for me"