Chapter Text
She wore a smile, even until her death. And why wouldn't she? Her plan had worked: Delling Rembran was dead, GUND Format would finally be recognized by the world, and Cathedra was in shambles, ready to be reformed.
All because of one Witch.
Suletta lowered the gun with a shuddering breath. Her mother didn't even beg for her life, didn't even curse Suletta for betraying her. She just smiled and told her that no matter what happened, she had to keep moving forward.
Move forward, gain two. For most of her life, that drove Suletta toward her dreams, her goals. It had been her strength, even when doubt threatened to overwhelm her. Even when she had to fight her friends and the woman she loved.
But now, what was her goal? She doubted if she could still return to Mercury and found a school. Not after everything she had done. There was only one choice left for her.
She looked at her mother again. The bullet had pierced clean through her forehead. Suletta could still hear the ringing shot, that soft thud as her mother’s lifeless body collapsed onto the floor.
But there were no tears, no shred of grief. No joy, either. Her chest simply felt empty, hollow.
“Goodbye, Mom. Thank you for everything,” Suletta murmured.
She walked away and didn’t look back. She looked ahead, where Aerial knelt silently, waiting for her.
When she got into the cockpit, the display around her pulsed. A question.
Where to?
Suletta sighed as she settled into the pilot seat. Where would they go next? She didn’t know, really. Mercury was out of the list, and neither was Asticassia.
Another pulse. “Earth?” Suletta repeated, frowning. It was big, sure. And they could avoid the hunt. But what were they supposed to do there? Even if she worked in a factory, her face was bound to show up in major cities soon, if it hadn’t already. And then the Witch Hunters would find her.
Still, it was the only option left. Maybe they could settle in an isolated place, one that was left untouched by the war.
“All right. Earth it is.” She gripped the controls, but didn’t move. There was still something she needed to do.
“Hey, Aerial? I’m sorry… for doing that to your mother.”
The pulse was strong and fiercer this time. “Our mother, huh?” Suletta smiled faintly. “But I’m not even—“
The cockpit shook gently, and the next pulse was slow and gentle. Suletta fell silent, her lips trembling as she held back the tears.
“Thank you, Big Sis.” She sniffed, and her smile returned. “Let’s go, Aerial.”
With a rumble, Aerial rose. The right arm was gone, obliterated by the Lfrith Thorn. But the flight unit was still functional. She wouldn’t be able to repair most of the damages anytime soon, however, so they had to avoid any skirmishes in the future.
It was going to be a thirty-minute flight from the moon to the Earth. Most of the Dominicus ships had already left, so the route was clear. But Suletta didn’t want to lower her guard yet, not until they broke through the atmosphere.
They had not gone more than a hundred miles when the radar blared a warning. Suletta glanced at the readings, and promptly stiffened.
It was the Darilbalde.
Aerial was faster; they could outfly it. But Suletta maintained their speed and course. The Darilbalde didn’t seem intent on attacking them judging by its flight trajectory.
Sure enough, the crimson mobile suit shot past before twisting around and blocking their path. It kept a safe distance, hovering in front of them. None of its weapons were active, so Suletta had Aerial stop. Nevertheless, she kept the GUND Bits ready.
Neither of them moved. Suletta drummed her fingers on the control sticks, but when nothing happened after a minute, she sighed and spoke through the radio.
“Out of my way, Guel.”
It was another five seconds before there was a response. “Where are you going?”
“That’s none of your concern.” Suletta knew why Guel was here, of course. She had been expecting him even before she went after her mother. But she didn’t need this now. Not right now.
“Yes, it is. And I’m staying here until you tell me.”
Suletta sighed again. If she stayed longer, the others would find her. Miorine would find her. She could try breaking past Guel, but she was sure it would end in a fight. She didn’t want another fight.
“I’m going… anywhere.” She hoped it was a good enough answer.
A moment of silence passed. Then: “The Suletta I know wouldn’t run away.”
“The Suletta you knew is already dead, Guel,” Suletta responded softly. “She died on Plant Quetta.”
She died protecting Miorine. She was dead the moment she killed that man.
“Do you think Miorine cares about that anymore?” Guel’s voice rose. “ Do you think we still care about that after all that happened?”
“I can’t return to her side.” The tears were threatening to break free again, but Suletta held them back. “Not anymore. I don’t want to remind her of what I did to save her. Of the blood in my hands.”
“ Cut the bullshit, will you?” Guel snapped. The Darilbalde drifted closer, but quickly stopped when the GUND Bits hummed in warning. “I accidentally killed my father, Suletta. I even had to kill one of the few people I considered my friend because of that! You think you’re the only one with blood on your hands?”
He paused. Suletta could hear his breaths, short and ragged. In a steadier voice, he said, “You don’t have to run away. Please.”
A part of her wanted not to. A part of her wanted to simply return to her friends. To laugh with them. To enjoy this peaceful life they had finally built.
She wanted to return to Miorine and build a life together with her. A family.
But… “I can’t.” Her voice broke, and the tears spilled at last. “I can’t be with everyone. I can’t be with her. I’m…” A murderer. A monster.
A Witch.
She had killed, and killed, and killed. She had slaughtered, and exterminated. But there was nothing. No guilt or remorse. No joy or delight. There was just a void.
Aerial’s gentle voice snapped Suletta back into the present. “I’m sorry, Guel. Please take care of Miorine for me.”
And with a burst of speed, Aerial shot onwards. Past Guel. Past everything Suletta knew and loved.
She was done moving forward. She was done gaining something, only to lose everything in the end.
But Miorine… Miorine could move forward at last, even without her.