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“Now, let us follow the music and dance with our partners! May we all have a wonderful evening!”
A warm swell of orchestral music rises from the grand ballroom below, its elegant melody drifting upwards through the open rafters, accompanied by the gentle scrape of polished shoes across the marble floor and the soft murmur of delighted conversation.
Hidden high above the festivities, Remielle and Belle stand atop the glass roof, concealed by the darkness of the night. From their vantage point, they have an uninterrupted view of the celebration unfolding beneath them.
Couples glide effortlessly across the dance floor, their colourful gowns and immaculate suits swirling beneath the golden glow of countless chandeliers. Crystal ornaments shimmer overhead like stars, while ribbons and flowers adorn every corner of the magnificent hall. Laughter fills the air, blending seamlessly with the orchestra's enchanting performance.
The sight draws a faint, wistful smile from Remielle.
It reminds her of another celebration.
Another ballroom.
Another dance.
Another night she wishes she could relive.
Oh, Beli...
For a fleeting moment, her thoughts drift back to the past before she quietly returns her attention to the present.
Beside her, Belle is unusually tense.
Gone is the calm composure she usually wears. Instead, she sits with rigid shoulders, her gaze repeatedly flicking towards the ballroom below as though expecting someone to glance upwards at any second.
Remielle tilts her head, studying her companion with curiosity.
"Hey," she asks softly, a small smile playing on her lips, "what's on your mind?"
Belle startles slightly before leaning closer, keeping her voice to an anxious whisper.
"Remielle, stay down!" She hisses, hurriedly reaching out to tug lightly at the sleeve of Remielle's dress. "What if someone sees you from down there?"
Remielle blinks in mild surprise before letting out a soft, musical giggle.
"Why would they?" She replies, sounding amused by the suggestion.
She glances back towards the dance floor.
"On such a beautiful night, with lovely music..." Her eyes wander across the sea of dancing couples, warmth settling in her expression. "Surely everyone's attention is on their dance partner."
She turns back to Belle, the corners of her lips curling into a playful smile. "And you? You were perfectly calm just a moment ago." She raises a teasing eyebrow. "Why are you so nervous now, Miss Honour Student?"
Belle lets out a quiet sigh as she steals another cautious glance at the ballroom below. "No matter how we frame it... what we're about to do could be considered an assassination."
A quiet laugh escapes Remielle's lips. "Hehe."
She lowers her gaze to the unsuspecting guests, watching the couples continue their elegant waltz, blissfully unaware of the two girls perched high above.
"To the unsuspecting crowd below, we must look like a pair of unforgivable criminals."
For a brief moment, she simply watches the dancers, the orchestra's melody drifting through the cool night air. Then she turns back to Belle, placing a hand lightly against her chest, her expression calm and reassuring.
"Relax. I've witnessed spectacles far grander than this."
Belle cannot help but stare at her. How can she possibly stay this calm?
Remielle blinks as another thought crosses her mind.
"Oh, right." She pauses, listening to the music drifting upwards from below. "The music won't end for a while yet. So, to settle those nerves..." She extends her hand towards Belle with effortless elegance. "Shall we share a dance of our own?"
Belle's eyes immediately widen.
"Huh? Dancing?" Both of her hands shoot into the air in flustered protest. "Right now? Right here? Isn't this kind of a bad time?"
Remielle simply raises a single finger, a playful smile dancing across her lips.
"You're already my 'partner in crime'." She tilts her head ever so slightly. "It's a little late to worry about propriety."
Belle opens her mouth to protest before letting out a defeated sigh.
"Just so we're clear..." She says, rubbing the back of her neck awkwardly. "I've never really danced before... If I step on your foot, don't blame me!"
A soft laugh escapes Remielle. Without a moment's hesitation, she slips her hand into Belle's. Her touch is warm and reassuring. She gives Belle a light tug, pulling her to her feet until they stand together atop the glass roof.
Remielle offers Belle an encouraging smile. "Just follow my lead."
She gives Belle's hand a gentle squeeze before taking the first step.
The two begin to dance.
Guided by the distant orchestra, Remielle leads Belle through the rhythm of the waltz. Every step is light and precise, years of experience evident in the effortless fluidity of her movements.
Belle, meanwhile, follows as best she can.
Though she lacks Remielle's refined technique, she quickly finds herself matching the rhythm. Remielle naturally takes on the more elaborate movements, gliding through sweeping leaps, elegant spins and graceful twirls, while Belle supports her through the simpler steps, keeping the dance steady despite her inexperience.
Before long, they move together with surprising harmony.
High above the ballroom, beneath a sky scattered with countless stars, they waltz as though they are the only people in the world.
The cool night breeze stirs their hair and clothes, while silver moonlight bathes them and the music drifting upwards seems to exist solely for the two of them.
Remielle smiles warmly at Belle. And Belle returns the smile without hesitation.
Looking into those dark aqua eyes of hers, Remielle cannot help but feel a pang of guilt tighten within her chest.
You know, Belle...
As the melody reaches its next phrase, Remielle performs a graceful spin before coming to stop against Belle's chest, her hands resting within Belle's as she tilts her head up to meet her gaze.
I've actually been keeping something from you...
The next beat carries her away once more.
She steps backwards with practised poise. Their joined hands remain the only connection between them as they face one another, each extending a free arm outwards, their silhouettes mirroring one another beneath the starlit sky.
And you're definitely gonna be mad once you know the truth.
Now far more comfortable with the dance than before, Belle instinctively guides Remielle into another elegant twirl. Her skirt fans out beautifully around her before the spin comes to an end.
Without missing a beat, Belle catches her. Remielle lands securely in Belle's arms, the movement so smooth it almost appears rehearsed.
She looks up at Belle with a faintly apologetic expression.
But what can you do when your partner turns out to be a liar?
Just then, the grand doors below swing open.
"Lady Dracaene is here!"
The dancing throughout the ballroom gradually comes to a halt as every head turns towards the entrance.
Dracaene enters with composed confidence, flanked by four heavily armed soldiers. Their measured footsteps echo across the marble floor as they escort her towards the centre of the ballroom.
One of the soldiers raises a hand, his commanding voice echoing throughout the hall. "Everyone, stay right where you are."
A quiet murmur spreads amongst the guests.
"It's time for her speech."
Another soldier steps forwards before respectfully bowing his head towards Dracaene. "After you, Lady Dracaene."
High above the ballroom, Remielle's expression remains perfectly composed.
Without breaking the rhythm of the waltz, she guides Belle smoothly across the glass roof with a sweeping turn, carefully positioning her so her gaze aligns with the tiny spherical device Sigrid had placed there earlier.
Belle's eyes narrow slightly, a faint golden glow radiates from her ocular implants.
Far below, the tiny device responds instantly. With a barely audible hum, it activates, and a singularity leakage begins to form.
Without wasting another second, Remielle moves. In one fluid motion, one of her wings unfurls and wraps securely around Belle's waist.
Before anyone below has the chance to react, the glass roof explodes outwards in a deafening shower of glittering shards.
A powerful gust of wind tears through the ballroom as Remielle bursts through the opening with Belle held safely against her.
A startled chorus of gasps erupts from the stunned guests.
Remielle performs a graceful aerial spin, her wings sweeping through the air with breathtaking elegance. The movement sends a storm of radiant feathers cascading throughout the ballroom like freshly fallen snow.
The feathers drift gently amongst the crowd.
The very instant they make contact... Everything stops.
The entire ballroom falls silent. Every guest freezes exactly where they stand, expressions of shock remain forever etched upon every face.
Time itself comes to a standstill.
Just as Belle begins to think everything is going according to plan, a strange sensation suddenly washes over her.
She tries to move, but her body refuses to respond. The smile on her face slowly disappears.
Her eyes widen as she attempts to move her arm, her fingers, anything at all.
Nothing.
Confusion quickly gives way to disbelief. Slowly, her gaze lifts towards Remielle.
"...Remie?"
The single word barely leaves her lips as realisation crashes over her.
She is frozen too.
Disbelief fills her eyes as she stares at Remielle, silently searching for an explanation she already fears she knows.
Remielle descends from the air before landing heavily upon the marble floor.
Crash!
The impact sends fragments of shattered glass skidding across the ballroom as dust and smoke billow outwards, momentarily obscuring her from view.
As the haze slowly begins to settle, Remielle stands alone amidst the drifting smoke before gently lowering Belle onto the floor.
I'm sorry, Belle.
Her gaze lingers on Belle one final time. A bittersweet smile graces her lips, while quiet sorrow lingers within her eyes.
As this dance draws to a close...
Slowly, almost reluctantly, she slips her hand free from Belle's frozen waltz hold.
Their fingertips remain connected for the briefest of moments before they finally part.
Without another word, Remielle turns away.
Ahead of her stands the frozen Dracaene. Beyond her, the singularity leakage tears through the air, its fractured edges shimmering with unstable energy.
It's time for us to say goodbye.
Remielle bursts into motion, dashing forwards. Behind her, Belle can do nothing but watch. A thin band of golden light sweeps smoothly across her pupils.
Remielle accelerates straight towards the frozen Dracaene. In the blink of an eye, she closes the distance, seizes her, and drives forwards with all her strength.
The two of them hurtle directly into the singularity leakage.
You know, Belle...
The unstable tear in space shatters around them.
Reality splinters into countless shimmering fragments before swallowing them whole.
The world vanishes.
Colours twist together.
Space folds in upon itself.
For a single, endless moment, everything becomes weightless.
Then gravity returns.
The instant they emerge from the singularity leakage, they are sent plummeting through the open air.
Wind howls past as ruined buildings stretch endlessly beneath them, the unfamiliar landscape rushing up to meet them.
You almost made me forget that I no longer belong to this era.
Remielle twists gracefully through the air before driving Dracaene away with a powerful strike.
As Dracaene hurtles through the ruins, her body begins to distort. Ethereal energy erupts across her form as she slowly transforms into the monstrous Girtablullu.
I almost forgot... that I was meant to fly into the abyss alone.
Remielle’s wings sweep outwards. A storm of radiant feathers erupts around her before shooting towards Girtablullu like countless blades, followed by a beam of energy that tears across the air.
There's still a place for you to go back to.
The barrage slams into Girtablullu with overwhelming force, launching the massive Ethereal through the crumbling remains of a ruined structure as shattered stone and clouds of dust explode into the air.
For a moment, everything disappears behind the smoke. Then as the dust clears, Remielle hovers silently overhead, hundreds of luminous feathers suspended around her, every sharpened tip aimed directly at the Ethereal below.
So from here on...
She slowly raises her blade. Its gleaming edge points directly at Girtablullu.
At her command, the countless feathers surge forwards all at once, filling the sky with streaks of brilliant light.
Let me handle this on my own.
Girtablullu slowly lifts its head, its eyes locking onto the storm of radiant feathers racing towards it.
"If you're that eager to die... then so be it!"
A deafening roar tears through the air as an enormous surge of brilliant blue energy erupts from the Ethereal, swallowing the surroundings before crashing head-on into Remielle.
The impact sends her hurling backwards through the air with overwhelming force.
Because... you and I are different.
Her body tumbles helplessly through the sky, yet her wings remain still.
She makes no attempt to steady herself.
No attempt to fight against it.
Instead, she simply allows the force of the blast to carry her towards the endless abyss below.
You still have somewhere to return to.
The world drifts farther and farther away beneath the mournful whistle of the wind.
A faint, wistful smile touches her lips.
But, I... I do not.
Slowly, she raises a hand towards the heavens above.
Her fingers reach for the distant stars glittering across the night sky, as though trying to grasp a world forever beyond her reach.
The era I knew... the people I loved... those memories... they are long gone.
Her hand lingers for just a moment before her fingers gently curl inwards. Then, with quiet acceptance, her arm falls limply back to her side.
She closes her eyes as the wind continues to carry her into the darkness below.
I killed her... with my own hands...
ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ ₊˚⊹ ꒰ঌ·♡·໒꒱ ⊹˚₊ ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ
"...Why didn't you let me finish back then?"
The warm glow of crystal chandeliers and the gentle melody of an orchestra drifted through the grand ballroom.
It was the night of the celebratory ball.
Remielle and Beliora sat together upon an elegant velvet sofa tucked away from the bustling dance floor. Around them, guests laughed and mingled beneath shimmering lights, their conversations blending softly with the music filling the hall.
Remielle wore a flowing light purple ballgown that pooled elegantly around her feet. Her arms remained firmly crossed, and the faint pout upon her face made it abundantly clear she had been holding onto this complaint for quite some time.
Beside her, Beliora appeared considerably more composed. Dressed in a dark purple ballgown, she calmly read the evening newspaper, her long dark hair gathered into her signature high ponytail and secured with a matching ribbon.
"Also, tell me why they put your name on the project team without asking me?"
Beliora let out a quiet sigh. She neatly folded the newspaper closed before offering it to Remielle. "We still don't know enough about Void Hunter weapons. I'm not comfortable letting you go alone."
Remielle barely glanced at it. Instead, she gently pushed Beliora's hand away, refusing the newspaper with an exaggerated huff. "You worry way too much, Mom."
With that, she rose from the sofa, smoothing the folds of her gown as she did.
Beliora watched her for a moment before the corners of her lips curled into an amused smile. "What, worried I'll upstage you?"
"'Upstage?'" Remielle echoed with an incredulous laugh.
She took a few graceful steps forwards before turning back towards Beliora, extending an open palm with theatrical flourish.
"You're funny." A playful grin spread across her face. "As a reward, I'll humour you with a dance."
Beliora looked at her in surprise. After a brief pause, she set the folded newspaper neatly upon the sofa before placing her hand into Remielle's waiting palm and rising to her feet.
"Don't you even try to step on my feet."
Before she could fully stand, Remielle suddenly gave her hand a playful tug.
A flurry of soft feathers scattered into the air around them as Beliora was pulled forwards.
She stumbled with a startled gasp, the distance between them disappearing in an instant until only a few inches remained.
Their faces were so close that Beliora could feel the warmth of Remielle's breath.
Remielle leaned in with a teasing smile. "That's my line."
With a smooth pivot, she spun Beliora towards the dance floor.
"Huh?" Beliora hastily tried to regain her footing after the unexpected turn, barely managing to keep her balance.
At that very moment, the world around them fell silent.
The music continued to play, yet every guest throughout the ballroom stood perfectly motionless, frozen where they were as delicate white feathers drifted quietly through the hall.
Remielle let out a quiet giggle. Sliding her hand into Beliora's once more, she stepped to her side with effortless familiarity.
"Dance-obsessed worrywart."
Without waiting for an answer, she gently led Beliora onto the empty dance floor.
Remielle guided every movement with effortless confidence, her steps light and elegant as she led Beliora through the waltz. Every turn flowed seamlessly into the next beneath her careful guidance.
Beliora, by comparison, was noticeably less experienced, occasionally hesitating before each movement as she tried to anticipate what came next.
Whenever she began to lose the rhythm, Remielle subtly adjusted her own steps to guide her back into place, never once allowing her to stumble.
Of course, Remielle had done all of this on purpose.
She knew Beliora had never been as comfortable on the dance floor as she was. The last thing Beliora wanted was to embarrass herself before an entire ballroom filled with distinguished guests.
So she froze every guest with her feathers.
Just for a little while. Long enough for the two of them to have the dance floor entirely to themselves.
As they continued to waltz together, a fond smile tugged at Remielle's lips.
She still remembered when they were children.
Back then, it had been Beliora who first asked her to teach her how to dance.
ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ ₊˚⊹ ꒰ঌ·♡·໒꒱ ⊹˚₊ ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ
She had just finished another dance competition. The performance hall, once filled with applause and celebration, now lay completely silent.
Everyone had already gone home. Only rows of empty seats remained, stretching into the darkness beneath the soft glow of the moon.
Remielle sat alone amongst the audience. Her first-place certificate rested quietly on the seat beside her.
With a weary sigh, she slipped off her tap shoes. The moment her feet touched the cool wooden floor, she winced.
Fresh blisters covered her feet, while countless hours of practice left every muscle aching.
She gently rubbed one foot, letting out a quiet breath.
Was all this pain really worth getting first place?
"I knew I'd find you here."
Remielle looked up. Beliora walked towards her, the soft sound of her footsteps echoing through the empty hall.
Without another word, she sat beside her. Her eyes soon fell upon the certificate resting on the seat between them.
"First place again?" She picked it up, raising it slightly to read the writing more clearly. A small smile appeared on her face.
For a brief moment, she quietly admired it before carefully placing it back where she found it and rising to her feet. "Could you teach me to dance?"
She made a few awkward movements with her hands, clearly trying to imitate a dancer despite having no idea what she was doing.
Remielle couldn't help but giggle. She pushed herself to her feet before gently grabbing Beliora by the arm. "Some things can only be done by people with talent."
Even so, she still tried to teach Beliora.
Looking back on it now, Remielle could not help but smile.
Beliora never really was cut out for dancing.
ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ ₊˚⊹ ꒰ঌ·♡·໒꒱ ⊹˚₊ ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ
They had been childhood friends.
The very best of friends.
From the moment they first met, they had been almost inseparable. Whether they were studying, training, exploring the city, or simply spending entire afternoons together, one was rarely seen without the other.
Their lives had always seemed destined to intertwine.
So when they both became Void Hunters, it had simply felt... inevitable.
Through every triumph, every setback, and every moment when the rest of the world had turned its back on her, Beliora had remained by Remielle's side without hesitation.
Remielle could never have asked for a better friend.
As they continued to dance, they gradually settled into the rhythm of the waltz. Around them, the white feathers dissolved into countless shimmering motes of light as the guests slowly stirred back to life.
One by one, conversations resumed. Laughter once again filled the ballroom, and couples continued dancing as though time itself had never stopped.
The two of them slowly came to a stop in the centre of the dance floor.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Remielle rested her forehead gently against Beliora's.
"If this works..." She murmured, her voice barely louder than the music. "Humanity would be one step closer to conquering the Hollows." She slowly closed her eyes. "Someone has to do it."
"I know." Beliora replied softly.
She intertwined their fingers. "So let me be there with you. Like I always have." A gentle smile touched her lips. "We'll do this together."
She gave Remielle's hand a reassuring squeeze. "You and me. Me and you. Two by two."
"Beli..."
Beliora lifted her free hand and gently cupped Remielle's cheek, her thumb slowly brushing across her skin.
"You are the light that has guided me through every darkness." She whispered. "The place my heart has always returned to. No matter what tomorrow brought... I would choose you. Again and again."
She held Remielle's gaze with quiet certainty. "You're my one and only, Remielle. My dearest friend. My greatest love."
She leaned forwards and closed the remaining distance between them.
Their lips met in a slow, lingering kiss.
It was neither hurried nor desperate, only filled with years of trust, quiet devotion, and every unspoken feeling they had carried together.
When they finally parted, neither of them moved away. Their foreheads remained resting together as they shared the same quiet breath.
"Don't you ever forget that."
ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ ₊˚⊹ ꒰ঌ·♡·໒꒱ ⊹˚₊ ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ
The grand doors of the ballroom slowly swung shut behind them.
Cool night air greeted them as they stepped outside.
Moonlight bathed the marble staircase in silver, while the lively music from within became little more than a distant murmur behind the closed doors.
For a while, neither of them said anything. They simply walked side by side down the broad flight of steps, enjoying the quiet after an evening of dancing.
Then, halfway down, Remielle came to a stop. She stood in silence for a moment, her gaze drifting towards the city lights stretching across the horizon.
"If you want in on this experiment..." She said at last. "Then come."
Beliora stopped a few steps below her and turned back. A small, amused smile spread across her face. "Not worried about me upstaging you anymore?"
A faint blush crept across Remielle's cheeks. She looked away with a quiet huff, the corners of her mouth threatening to curl upwards.
"Someone's optimistic."
Beliora let out a soft laugh. Then, as though suddenly remembering something, her eyes widened slightly.
"Oh." She quickly rummaged through her shoulder bag. "Right."
After a few moments of searching, she finally pulled out a small white sphere and held it out towards Remielle.
"Here's your gift." A warm smile spread across her face. "I promised, didn't I?"
She gently pressed the little white sphere against Remielle's chest.
Instinctively, Remielle wrapped her hand around it. She tilted her head curiously before carefully flipping it open.
With a soft click, the sphere unfolded. Nestled inside was a beautifully crafted blue bird. Its delicate wings slowly fluttered to life as the tiny mechanism awakened, and a gentle melody drifted into the night air.
It was a music box.
Remielle stared at it in quiet surprise, the familiar tune washing over her as the tiny bird continued to flap its wings in perfect time with the music.
For a long moment, she just listened. The melody echoed softly through the quiet night as moonlight glimmered across the bird's delicate blue feathers.
Beliora watched her in silence, a small, hopeful smile resting on her face.
"Well then..." She folded her hands behind her back. "Here's hoping everything goes smoothly."
ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ ₊˚⊹ ꒰ঌ·♡·໒꒱ ⊹˚₊ ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ
"To leave your partner like this..."
A shaky laugh escaped Remielle's lips.
"...You were never much of a dancer."
Silence answered her.
Remielle lay curled upon the shattered stone floor, her once-pristine dress stained with dust and blood.
Beside her lay the broken music box. Its white shell had cracked apart, its delicate mechanisms scattered amongst the rubble. The melody that had once filled the night with warmth had long since fallen silent.
On her other side lay Beliora.
Motionless.
As though she had merely fallen asleep.
Remielle wished that were true.
The experiment had failed.
Before she had realised what was happening, the Ether corruption had consumed Beliora, transforming her into an Enchainer.
In the end...
Remielle had been forced to do the one thing she had sworn she never would.
She had killed the person she loved most with her own hands.
With trembling fingers, she reached out and gently took Beliora's hand. It was already growing cold.
The moment their fingers intertwined, the last of Remielle's composure shattered.
A broken sob escaped her lips as she bowed her head, pressing their joined hands against her forehead before slowly curling against Beliora's still body.
"...I'm sorry."
Her voice cracked beneath the weight of every regret she could no longer change.
"I should've noticed sooner..."
She held her as gently as she had during their final dance.
A faint smile appeared through her tears. "Good night, Beli."
Resting her forehead against Beliora's one last time, she whispered the words she had never found the courage to say.
"...I loved you."
ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ ₊˚⊹ ꒰ঌ·♡·໒꒱ ⊹˚₊ ʚ˚̣̣̣͙ɞ
Back then, we all thought... this would be the beginning of another miracle.
But in the end, all we got... were nothing but lies that come at the cost of life.
I really would've loved to dance with you again.
Just... one more time.
...
But I suppose... it's too late now.
If you were still here... life would've meant so much more.
We could've grown old together.
We could've lived the future we dreamed of.
...
So... how am I supposed to usher in a new era... when my heart is still trapped in the old one?
You never should've died that day.
I'm sorry... It's all my fault.
...
I'll make things right.
And when it's finally over... I'll find my way back to you.
When we meet again... will you save me one last dance?
...Beli.
This really is...