Roland and Tsubasa passed through the veil of light on the heels of her Sensei. The mountains of Fujitoshi vanished, and the world opened up. Before them now stretched rolling hills of snow, glittering beneath a shimmering aurora. No stars, no sun, no moon lit the sky; only painterly strokes of blue and purple and green, beautiful and mysterious.
Far across the snowfield was a great tree, a tree greater in size than even the tallest and mightiest of mountains. Yet its gigantic branches were somehow delicate, too, bearing snow-dusted wisteria blossoms.
And intertwining within the branches was an incredible white serpent, a coiling Dragon large enough to swallow a city, its many clawed limbs tending to the branches with tender affection. Dozens of wings unfurled from its spine, and a silver crest topped its great brow, shining above huge ice-blue eyes. Those eyes held such gentle, loving affection — until they looked up, and spied the intruders. When Fujiryuu’s gaze landed on Lacie, approaching him across the snowfield, they flared with anger.
“It’s been too long, hasn’t it?” Lacie asked, smiling up at the Dragon Deva. “But that’s no reason to be angry.”
The Dragon opened his huge mouth — and terrifying power crackled in the air, sucking light and warmth from the world. Roland’s heart was overcome by the incredible power before him, insurmountable, unassailable. The Dragon Deva was a force of nature, ancient and powerful beyond compare. Nothing could stand if the Dragon turned his fury upon them.
A lancing bolt of white lightning arced forth, a blast that would shatter mountains, boil oceans. It struck Lacie dead-on, and exploded with a fury that knocked Roland and Tsubasa to their knees. Heat burst forth, scorching fury, not melting the snow but crystallizing it like sand, turning it into shards of molten glass.
When the heat and the light subsided, smoke rose from a crater, an ugly scar in the Dragon Deva’s beautiful domain.
And standing in the center of the crater, unharmed, stood Lacie. She didn’t stand at its bottom, but right where she’d been left, standing on the air. There was light, a faint fluttering in the air at her back, and Roland realized that there were ghostly wings sprouting from her back. Wings like those of a black butterfly.
Lacie gave a sigh, clucking her tongue in disapproval. “Absence is supposed to make the heart grow fonder,” she said. “Is this any way to treat your master after so long apart from her?”
The Dragon opened his huge mouth, and a song emerged from it, deep and resonant and achingly beautiful. Roland’s legs were weak at the Dragon’s voice, his heart overcome by the majesty of this being, powerful beyond compare.
And he understood the song, he realized. The Dragon’s words, a song in Elysian, filled the Dragon’s domain: “You dare come before me with a smile? You, who shattered the harmony of the world?”
“I didn’t do it,” Lacie said, pouting. “Why does everyone think it was my fault? If I’d gotten my way, none of this would have happened.”
“What do you want from me, oathbreaker?” Fujiryuu sang.
“Name-calling isn’t very nice,” Lacie said. “I’m just here for a song. You know the one. You said you’d keep it safe for me, and now I’m here to claim it.”
“You cannot have it!” Fujiryuu sang, eyes flashing with fury.
Lacie’s eyes narrowed. “It belonged to me in the first place, Dragon,” she said. Her voice was cold, now, lacking its usual mirth. “You kept it safe for me, and I’m grateful. Hand it over. Now.” She held out her hand expectantly.
In response, the Dragon opened his mouth wide, and the air crackled and hummed. The skies darkened. The temperature dropped so suddenly that even Tsubasa shivered, her breath misting the air.
“Really?” Lacie asked, her voice a mingling of confusion and anger. She raised her hand, pressing middle finger against thumb. Just as the energy of the Dragon’s rage coalesced, ready to let loose, Lacie snapped her fingers.
A horrible, discordant chord rang out. The glassed snow was blasted apart to dust. Roland fell onto his side, clutching his ears, screaming in pain. The aurora overhead went pitch-black — and the power burning in the Dragon’s mouth winked out. The Dragon roared, a desperate cry of pain, and fell from his sacred tree, crashing to the ground with such force that a cloud of snow burst up into the sky.
Lacie sighed, lowering her hand. Light returned to normal. “Why are you so mad at me?” she asked, and there was surprising pain in her voice, in her eyes. “Why won’t you just do what I ask? You made me a promise. All I’m asking is you come through on it. Be angry with me if you wish, but at least give me what’s rightfully mine.”
The Dragon opened his mouth, singing in pain — but still defiant anger. “You’ve forsaken who you were, left behind what was right. You are not the Lacie I knew — and what you plan, I will not allow to come to pass!”
And he lifted himself up, wings beating once, powerfully, to send him soaring into the sky, until he was the aurora, shining with all its brilliant colors.
“If you’d just listen, you’d be free,” Lacie said, glaring up at him. He roared, collecting his power once again — but Lacie raised her hand and snapped her fingers. Discord consumed the world, and Roland could barely keep conscious, only faintly saw the Dragon fall from his height, crashing into a heap in the snow just beyond the crater Lacie stood above.
Discord faded, and Roland gasped, savoring every breath, fighting to get back on his feet. He knew something had to be done. But what? What hope did he have against the powers on display here?
Lacie walked across the crater, wings fluttering, walking on the air. She came to the edge of the crater and stood in the snow, tiny and insignificant in front of Fujiryuu’s huge head, one great eye the size of a lake, ready to swallow her in its color. Yet the Dragon had no power that could contend with this little girl.
“The song,” Lacie said, holding out her hand. “Give it back, and we can end this stupid little quarrel. I’ll walk away, and you don’t have to ever see me again… if that’s really what you want.”
She spoke those last words softly, sadly.
But when the Dragon began to growl, to gather his power once more, Lacie’s eyes narrowed in an icy glare, and she raised her hand, ready to snap once more.
“No, stop!” Tsubasa cried. “You’ll kill him!”
“He’s not giving me much of a choice,” Lacie said. And yet she didn’t snap her fingers just yet.
“Fujiryuu, onegai!” Tsubasa cried, falling to her knees, tears falling down her face. She spoke in Kisetsugo, a desperate plea.
The growing energy and fury slowly subsided. The Dragon growled weakly, and then sang a soft melody. The air shimmered over Lacie’s hand, a glittering miniature aurora that hummed with its own song. Lacie grasped it, and it twinkled out of existence. “Thank you,” she said, offering a deep, respectful bow. She turned on her heel, and strode away, back across the crater. On the other side, she met Tsubasa’s Sensei, and he fell in step behind her without a word.
“Please,” Tsubasa said, eyes fixed on Lacie. “Don’t harm the other Devas.”
“I have no need of them,” Lacie said. “He was the only one I’d made a promise with. Thank you — for keeping him from wasting his life. This land needs him.” She took in a breath, and seemed to collect herself, before letting it out and affecting her usual smile. “And your precious mockingbirds need him, too. They’ve never seen their ‘songbird’ in the metaphorical flesh, have they? I wish I could stick around to see their reaction. Oh, well.” She gave a little wave, with a little giggle. And then she walked past them.
Roland had a brief, fleeting thought that he should stop her. That he should fight her. But the song of his Fantasians died in his throat. Fujiryuu was completely helpless against her — and his power made Roland’s look like dust in the wind.
Tsubasa’s Sensei continued with her, not looking at his former student. Tsubasa looked at him, and she seemed to struggle for words.
In the end, she said nothing.
Lacie and her guardian stepped through the Dragon’s Gate, and vanished from sight.
“I’m sorry,” Tsubasa said, sobbing. “I couldn’t… I couldn’t let him die. Whatever Lacie took from him… it wasn’t worth his life. It couldn’t be.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Roland said. He took his first step since the awesome power struggle began, and it was wobbly, his legs almost failing him. Tsubasa stepped to meet him, and she was just as weak, just as unsteady. They embraced, and she leaned into him, crying into his chest. “I couldn’t do anything. You at least saved his life.”
“I hope so,” Tsubasa said. She pulled away from Roland and turned towards the Dragon, who was still collapsed beyond the crater. His great body still rose and fell with breaths, but they were weak, unsteady.
Tsubasa took her first step alone, but nearly fell. Roland caught her, and then, holding onto each other, the pair walked step by unsteady step across the snow, snow which turned to dust as they reached the crater. Down one side they walked, then up the other side, and finally, they stood before the Dragon.
Roland craned his neck back as far as he could, and he still couldn’t see all the way up the Dragon’s head. Its eye was half-lidded, its once lovely icy-blue color pale and washed out.
“Fujiryuu,” Tsubasa said, swallowing a sob. She spoke in Kisetsugo, and the Dragon sang a soft response.
“I will survive. Rest will heal me. I… thank you. You are right — this land needs me. Lacie must be stopped, but… it is not in my power to do so.” There was so much pain and shame in those last few words it broke Roland’s heart.
“If Nagisa is finished healing her grandfather,” Fujiryuu continued, “please ask her to see me. She can help. And bring the twins to me, please. I can bring light to what lives inside them.”
“We will,” Tsubasa said, nodding. Together, she and Roland turned, and started their weary march back towards the Dragon’s Gate.
By the time they reached the Gate, they were beginning to find their footing. Strength was returning, the awe and majesty of the terrible clash growing more distant with every step.
Through the veil of light, they returned to the Kuraoka estate. In the snow before the Gate, Nagisa’s grandfather was sitting up against a tree trunk. His wounds were closed, his breathing more even. Several doctors were seeing to him, and to the beaten guardsmen, while Nagisa stood directing them. At the sight of Roland and Tsubasa, she raced over to them, and asked a question in Kisetsugo. Tsubasa responded, and Nagisa’s expression turned to one of grim determination. She nodded, and then headed through the Dragon’s Gate to begin healing Fujiryuu.
Roland and Tsubasa walked the path back to where Muirrach sat with the twins, who looked like they were still reeling from having found and lost their parents again so quickly. Roland and Tsubasa explained what had happened, and then relayed Fujiryuu’s request to them.
“Bring light to what lives inside us?” Enrique asked. He was more composed than Erika, who still struggled to find her voice. “What could that be?” He shook his head. “No. We don’t need to speculate. We can find out right now.” He took his sister’s hand, and she looked at him like an anchor in a storm, like she was barely holding on — and he was all that kept her going. Slowly, she nodded, and let him lift her to her feet.
Together, Roland, Tsubasa, the twins, and Muirrach walked back to the Dragon’s Gate, and passed through the veil of light to the Dragon Deva’s domain. Those who hadn’t been before gasped and gazed in awe, and even Roland and Tsubasa paused at the majesty of this place and its lone inhabitant.
On the other side of the crater, Fujiryuu breathed easier, but still lay in the snow, while Nagisa, so tiny before him, knelt at his side and sang a soft song, motes of light floating from her hands to the Dragon like glittering snowflakes.
The Dragon watched the new arrivals, but did not speak until they had crossed the crater and stood before him. “Welcome, Erika, Enrique,” he sang. “I regret that I could not meet your parents and aid them in their quest. But I have aid to provide you — and this will likely grant you some of the answers you seek.”
“You… can awaken the song inside of us?” Enrique asked.
“I can, and I will,” Fujiryuu sang. “Do not be afraid. What lives inside you is a beautiful thing, made to serve and protect you and your people. Are you ready?”
Enrique looked at his sister, and Erika returned his gaze, drawing herself up with an effort. She nodded, and both twins turned their attention to the great Dragon. “Yes,” Enrique said.
Fujiryuu seemed to nod, a tiny incline of his enormous head. Closing his great eyes, he sang, a melody with a power and meaning words could not convey. Roland found himself stepping back, and Tsubasa and Muirrach with him, until the twins were closest to the Dragon.
This was their moment.
Suddenly, both Erika and Enrique gasped. Light blossomed from both their chests, vibrant scarlet. Scattered wisps of color spread outward from them, and Roland realized what they were.
Feathers. Tiny glowing scarlet feathers danced in the air in front of the twins, coming forth from somewhere deep within Erika and Enrique. Fujiryuu’s song reached a climax, and the light grew brighter, the feathers coming together in a sphere of light the size of a clenched fist.
And then, the song ended. The sphere of light spread its wings, and emerging from the feathery cocoon…
Was a six-inch tall girl made of scarlet light. A girl with scarlet wings whose features were unmistakable, eerily familiar.
“Lacie?” Erika asked, taking a step back, fear flickering in her eyes. Enrique stepped in front of her protectively.
The little girl of light opened her eyes, and regarded the twins with gentle intelligence. “I am not her,” she said. Her voice was a song that was so much like Lacie’s, but in a different accent, something like Erika and Enrique’s and the others from New Elysia. It had many similarities to the straightforward pronunciations of the Cyril Republic, like Tsubasa’s accent, but had little curiosities, subtle differences that set it apart. “I am Songbird, arbiter for the people of New Elysia. Hello, Erika, Enrique. It has been a long time. I see you have both grown quite a lot since our last meeting.”
“You’re… Songbird?” Enrique asked, gaping.
“Yes,” said the little girl of light. She wore a curious expression — there was a smile in her voice, but it wasn’t reflected on her face. She didn’t emote much at all, Roland realized, maintaining a gentle, calm expression at all times.
“But why do you look like Lacie?” Erika asked.
“I was made in the image of my creator,” Songbird said, “the Lady of the Nexus, Ciela.”
“Ciela…” Erika said softly. “Is she… Lacie’s sister?”
“Correct,” Songbird said.
“Why were you living inside of us?” Enrique asked.
“Because of your parents,” Songbird said. “They saw the evil of Athos and Rylance, their plot to cage me and, while they could not save me entirely, they were able to safeguard two aspects of me. One, they carry with them. The other, they placed within their children, the miracle of New Elysia — the two of you.”
“Mother and Father… placed you inside of us?” Erika asked. “How… why…. I guess you explained that, but… I still don’t understand. What… are you?”
“I am a sentient construct,” Songbird said, “created to serve the people of New Elysia, and guide them in their exile. I am not like the people of this world. I am a being of light, and sound, and data. I was created that way so I could exist within the machinery that kept New Elysia running — and so that I could exist in the hearts of the people, if such a thing were desired. Your hearts carried me, and kept me safe. For that, I am grateful.” The little girl of light bowed to the twins.
“But we didn’t even know,” Erika said. “And, well… we’ve almost been captured multiple times. We’ve faced so much danger, and never even realized that we were putting you in danger. I’m… I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to apologize for, Erika,” said Songbird. “Your ignorance was necessary — for if you did not know you carried me within you, then my enemies could not know, either. I was a secret your parents kept very well. Even now, Athos has departed, without realizing where I am. And so long as you remain with your valiant protectors, I am confident in my continued safety.” She bowed to Roland, Tsubasa, and Muirrach. “And your soul resonance crystals provide a great safety for me, as well. You needn’t fear for my sake. I have every confidence in all of you.”
“How come you couldn’t speak to us before?” Enrique asked. “I… suppose it was to keep us in the dark, to keep the secret safe. But if that’s the case… why did our parents tell us to meet with Fujiryuu? Why did they want him to awaken you inside of us?”
“Awaken is the operative word,” Songbird said. She turned to Fujiryuu. “Thank you, Great Dragon, for awakening me. It is an honor to make your acquaintance.”
“The honor is mine, little bird,” sang Fujiryuu. “I am glad that your long sleep has finally come to an end.”
“As am I,” Songbird said. She turned back to the twins. “I was put to sleep inside of your hearts to keep me safe from the corruption that took hold of my other aspects. The Great Dragon has not just awakened me — his song inoculates me against the virus. That was what your parents hoped to gain for the aspect they are protecting. It is unfortunate that they failed. But they will get another chance. As for why your parents decided that now was the time to put an end to secrets… I do not know. I can guess at their intentions, and considering they also came here to heal the aspect of me that they carry, it is likely they hoped to unite two aspects back into one. I believe they hoped that the aspect they carry would join me in your hearts. Together, I am stronger than I am apart.”
“You’re… split,” Erika said. She reached out a hand, tentatively, stopping halfway to the floating girl of light. “Does it hurt?”
“I do not feel pain,” Songbird said. “But it is… distressing.” The slightest hint of worry creased her brow. “I am incomplete. This is not how things should be. But much went wrong that should have gone right. I worked with your parents to protect New Elysia, to prevent the rise of Reunion… and we failed. Athos and Rylance were too clever, too subtle. We did not realize what they planned to do, and how they planned to do it… until it was already done. The virus was planted, and when I was split to protect myself, they caged one aspect of me. Thankfully, Alfred and Isadora rescued the other two, and even kept this aspect of me safe from the infection, putting me into a slumber within your hearts. But New Elysia is dark. We failed.”
A silence followed that statement, punctuated only by the faint, healing song of Nagisa as she continued to work on Fujiryuu’s wounds.
“What… do we do now?” Erika finally asked. “Our parents are gone, not even in this world, somewhere we can’t reach them. We have no idea when or where they’ll appear again. Athos is gone, and he’s taken Lairah with him. This is all… it’s just… it’s too big.”
“Your parents are safe,” Songbird said, “and in that, we can find hope. In you, also, there is hope.” She turned her attention to Roland. “Your Path takes you to New Elysia.”
Roland was confused, but only for a moment. “Zexal,” he said, understanding dawning in him. “He was part of New Elysia, wasn’t he?”
“And he remains so,” Songbird said, inclining her head. “I was the administrator. He was the beating heart, the pulse of that refuge. Something has gone wrong with him, as well. But you can set it right, Summoner.”
“I will,” Roland said. “But… how do we get to him?”
“Aula Fantasia,” Songbird said. “You must face the Trial of the First Quartet. Passing that, the path to the Second Quartet will be opened to you. The Lady of Light will guide your way.”
Luna… Roland thought the name of the Lord of the Second Quartet, and all four Fantasians within him seemed to shine brighter and glow warmer just at the mention of her name.
“So… we stay the course,” Enrique said. “We follow the Path of the Eight — and it will take us…” He hesitated.
“Home,” Erika finished. “We’re… going home.”
“Yes,” Songbird said. “And I will go with you. Together, we will make right what was gone wrong. But our journey does not end there.” She smiled then — it was a small, subtle expression, but a noticeable change. “I am with you, Erika, Enrique. All the way to your ultimate destination.”
“Elysia,” Erika said, in a soft voice full of wonder. “But you’re part of New Elysia. Why would you accompany us further?”
“I am a part of you, now,” Songbird said. “And I have seen through your eyes, even in my slumber, the state of the world. New Elysia’s darkening is only a symptom of the greater truth you discovered in Aîrchal: the heart of the world is broken. You seek to mend it. I have the same wish.”
“So you’ll… remain with us, then?” Erika asked.
“Of course,” Songbird said. “I am still in your hearts. Now that I am awake, I can speak to you like this. But you still carry me in your hearts. I cannot exist on my own — I must exist within something, or someone. I hope this does not distress you.”
“No!” Erika said. “We’re grateful to meet you — and glad to carry you. Aren’t we?” She looked to Enrique, who nodded without hesitation.
“Please, help us find our way,” Enrique said. “We’ll help you, too.”
“I am grateful, and honored,” Songbird said, bowing. “Now, for my safety, I will return to my refuge in your hearts. But, when it is safe, and you are in need of me, call — I will answer.” She gave a little smile, more noticeable than the last. And then, in a flurry of glowing feathers…
She vanished.
“I still have so many questions,” Erika said in a tiny voice.
“You’ll get to ask them,” Tsubasa said, resting a hand on her shoulder. “You’ve got a lot to process already. Let’s take some time and deal with that — and start moving forward again. Speaking of which…” She looked up at the great Dragon. “Fujiryuu… who is Lacie?”
“She was my master… and my friend,” Fujiryuu sang. “She swore to uphold the peace of this world, and I made the same promise to her. But she broke her oath, and the world suffers because of her. I… am sorry. I could not stop her.”
“Then who can?” Tsubasa asked, despair creeping into her voice. “What power can stop her, if not yours?”
“Elysia holds the power to contain her,” Fujiryuu sang. “The Lady of the Nexus… if anyone can stop Lacie’s wickedness from continuing, it is her.”
“Ciela,” Roland murmured. “Lacie’s sister. So she resides in Elysia?”
Fujiryuu inclined his great head. “Go to her,” he sang. “Convince her of the world’s need of her, and she will not fail to respond. The only hope this world has rests in Elysia.”
“Then we continue,” Roland said, turning to his companions. The twins looked up at him, clearly still struggling with the enormity of all that had happened in the short time they’d been here. “To Aula Fantasia.”