Kenta's Point Of View

"Rudder..."

Mike's pained voice speaks out next to me. He isn't injured anymore, since the disrespectful and inappropriate woman already healed his injuries, but to see his dead friend die again in such a way... to see him slowly flake away into nothingness bit by bit.

"Your legs... what happened?"

As Mike wakes up properly he takes note of how Rudder's legs are gone. They've flaked away up till his waist in a golden glimmer.

"Apparently I'm dying for good this time, but at least you won't have to clean my blood off my armor this time."

As always Rudder is the calm and collected type. He has made peace with his fate already... though, for these people that never believed in reincarnation I guess it is merely making things the way that they expected it in the first place.

Mike crumbles at Rudder's words. Any mask or self-control crumbles instantly.

"Don't..."

Mike swallows up the rest of that sentence with a gulp and grits his teeth like he's trying not to cry. Of course he fails, but Rudder merely smiles.

"I decided to do this myself. I had a chance to stop someone from killing children and to do something right. Once I heard that I just couldn't stand back... and Erica would be in danger if I did nothing."

Mike's tears flow faster as he hears Rudders words, but his final response is... a smile...

He gives Rudder's shoulder a light punch.

"You always did want to be a hero when we were kids."

Mike is crying like a kid, but his smile is sincere.

Rudder's eyes widen at bit at the words. He looks shocked. I would be too if I was given a confusing smile like that by Rei.

Mike's voice cracks as he continues to speak, but though the words and topic his happy the tears keep rolling as Rudder's stomach flakes into pieces.

"I remember when you defended Tony when we were small. Honestly I thought you were a bit too mean before that, but after that I really admired you."

He pauses and gulps down again while his eyes scrunch together, sending teardrops rolling in heavy streams.

"If not for you I'd never become a knight! I was happy to stay by your side..."

Mike gives a loud sniffle.

"The day I found out you and Erica were in love I was so happy for both of you. I wanted to see the two of you grow old together. I knew you'd spoil her whenever Marie and I weren't looking."

Mike gives another smile, and there's kindness in his eyes mixed in with the sorrow. Rudder begins to tear up as well though.

"You did pester me the entire day when you found out. I've never had such a bad hangover before either," Rudder responds.

Mike gives a choked and teary laugh.

"I couldn't help it."

They both laugh weakly, before a pained silence spreads between them. Mike lowers his head and clenches his hand into is clothes as he breaks the silence.

"What am I going to tell Erica?"

...ah, the curse and blessing of true love haunts people even in death.

This time Rudder is the one to crumble into tears and another silence spreads as Rudder contemplates his answer with quivering lips.

Had Rei and I ever been in love, would my last words to her have been different from what I'd say now?

How many get to tell their closest friends or their lover their final words? One last message to the person that means the most to you.

It's... likely invaluable.

"Tell Erica..."

Rudder pauses to swallow before he looks directly at Mike again.

"Tell her that she was the only thing on my mind when I died. That she was my courage, and the warmth that keep... the warmth that kept me going... tell her that I am sorry I couldn't make her happy..."

He pauses and then looks down while shaking his head.

"No... tell her that I did everything I could to protect the home that she will have, and that I'm sorry I cannot make that home with her."

Rudder's fragmenting begins to speed up and starts approaching his chest.

Mike crumbles into tears again. That brave face of his crumbles too easily.

I put my hand over my stomach to somewhat cover the golden glow as I begin to fall apart like Rudder. It's like I'm burning up from the inside, and flakes burn off like bits and pieces of rice paper.

My own time is running out as well.

Yet, I feel peaceful.

All at once the area around us changes without warning. The cold marble ceiling above us is replaced by an endless blue sky. The cold marble floor with tall meadow grass caressed by the summer sun. When a gentle breeze caresses my skin it feels real.

A shadow moves over me, and next to me Rei kneels down.

It's probably Magdalin.

For a diplomat, that girl really is determined to stay by Rei's side.

I glance back to Mike and Rudder that seem mesmerized by the sudden illusion and finally seem to remember where they are.

The gap lets Rudder regain composure as a smile spreads on his lips again.

"I wish I could share one last drink with you before its over, Mike, but I'll stick with messing with you for this once instead."

Rudder reaches over and ruffles Mike's hair roughly enough to make Mike give a choked huff for a laugh and tries to cover his head.

"I guess even you have your soft spots... though I'll always remember you for picking a fight with the geese all proudly like they were an enemy army."

Their eyes shine with a moment of happiness and tears.

"I don't want to hear that from someone that tried to attack a bully with a sword of bark. It broke quite magnificently though," Mike chokes out between the tears. He grasps Rudders hand tightly.

His lips tremble.

"Could I... have made a difference? If I had fought harder, could I have saved you?" Guilt choked words escape Mike who loses composure all over again.

Rudder only smiles.

"It's time to move on, Mike. When you go drink, drink an extra one for me. When your mourn for me, remember the good times instead of the regrets... but never, ever, doubt that I want you to be happy. Live a life of happiness for me, Mike."

Rudder leans in, wrapping his arms around Mike tightly, holding him close like a brother.

"I'm sorry, Mike, I... can't hold on anymore."

Mike grips around Rudder tightly.

"Please live! Live and watch over her!" Mike gasps out between sobs.

Rudder can only caress Mike's back.

"...I'll try," Rudder replies weakly, tears dripping from his cheeks into Mike's clothes with a golden glimmer as his figure dissolves in Mike's arms.

Mike's voice echoes into the beautiful landscape, a voice as though his heart was crushed inside him, as he reaches for whatever golden glimmer remains of Rudder, and clutches it tight though it fades between his fingers.

Once again he's alone.

܀

"Ken-chan," Rei calls me softly and draws my eyes to her.

I have always been ready to die, especially for Rei. She needn't even give the word. That is the kind of person she was to me.

It was never something like true love or sexual desire. My feelings for her have always been purer than that. I wanted her to be happy. I wanted to stand by her side and make sure that she was safe, but when it mattered the most I failed.

I could never touch her heart... but that man could.

So when I saw her worried expression towards that man I knew what had to be done. I had to give her that last little push on the back and listen to her heart... so I sent her to him. I sent her to Lionel.

My time at her side has long since passed, and other people stand by her side. She is no longer alone, and even if only slowly she is opening up.

That man dropped everything for her to ensure that she would land safely. If that man becomes Rei's then there may truly grow true love between the two of them.

"Rei-chan," I whisper back, quietly enough that only Rei would hear... hopefully.

She's clutching the pendant Lionel gave her so very closely, but I know what that pendant means.

I cannot help but to smile as I raise a hand and put it around the one holding the pendant.

"I'm happy I got to protect you one last time when you truly needed it..."

I give her hand a little squeeze and watch her blue eyes seem to tremble and narrow softly.

I sit up a bit and lean to her ear.

"When you're ready one day, show him your smile. He won't be able to resist your charm. If you want to defeat him entirely then use the ears too."

I lie back down and see Rei's fully flushed face at my words. She's gaping in pure shock at my words.

I've never won a verbal discussion with Rei. Ever.

At least till now.

I don't know why, but seeing that innocent shocked expression at my words made my chest warm and bubbly.

Before I knew it I ended up laughing.

She actually got redder at my laughter, but I just couldn't stop.

I am happy for her.

I am relieved for her.

"Kenta," she says with a grumble while trying to maintain somewhat elegant manners.

I try to choke my laughter a bit, but when I look up at her properly again there's still hints of a smile tugging at her lips.

I can't feel my legs anymore.

I'm falling apart from the middle.

A last message... what is my last message to her?

I look back up into her eyes.

"Rei... I am happy I met you."

I have but a single worry left.

"Did I... manage to make up for my failure?"

I feel my throat knot up at my own words. It's such a foolish and selfish question that I regret asking it the moment it leaves my lips... but Rei just smiles at me weakly.

"You shone brilliantly, Kenta. You can rest," Rei answers with a gentle voice. There's no hate in her eyes. No anger either.

"You are forgiven, Ken-chan," she speaks so softly that I only barely hear it...

My heavy chest and shoulders suddenly feel lighter, and my pained heart seems to let out a sigh.

The pain that lingered for so long leaves my body with a last breath, and at once the air above me fills with hundreds... thousands of glimmering, golden fragments.

I see Rei's eyes fill with tears as the fragments of me reflect in her eyes, and around me Haruki and everyone else gathers and kneels down around me.

...it's like being home on the golden plains...

I close my eyes and feel my body become light and warm as though the sunshine of heaven shone down on me.

Lionel's Point of View

I stare down at what was once a marble floor covered in bloody footprints, and once again feel my stomach sink at the thought of what I've done, and that last spiteful look in Alstair's eyes.

I came back briefly earlier to check up on everything, but ended up leaving immediately. The sight... the sight of father's body...

I push back the burning knot in my chest as once again.

I have killed the person I swore on my life to protect. I've drenched my hands in his blood and my clothes too as a carried his lifeless body away... the feeling of killing him still reverberates through my hands.

The smile I wished to protect is long gone, and the heart I wished to shield no longer beats... even if my wishes began to change when I found out who he really was, I still... I still wanted him to live happily.

I'd hoped he'd get exiled and stay safe and happy somewhere... but it wouldn't be enough. He'd fight to return here and in his eyes protect everything that has been built... but even that is going to be torn down.

I just wanted to secure the princesses... when they spoke of Alstair's plan of killing Augustus my heart dropped like glass on the ground. The best and closest friend I've ever had wished... wished the girl... he wished Augustus dead.

Even then I never planned to have anyone die... I just wanted to split them apart at first, perhaps work out a compromise... but when Alstair spoke of their reasons for doing what they have I... I couldn't let things continue any further. For my own family, and for everyone else that had been hurt.

They never would have stopped, is the pathetic excuse I use to justify my betrayal.

They would have tried to come back, I argue.

They would never let go and listen to a punishment of exile... is what I now desperately hope.

Because if not, then the blood on my hands becomes meaningless.

I lift my gaze to watch the ghosts fade into nothingness. Despite how beautiful it looks, they do not go to heaven. They fall apart and become one with the nature around them.

Without warning the sky fills with golden specks of mana as Rei's bodyguard... lets go.

Lily stands up and stares up at his essence with teary eyes.

Her soldiers speak up as their comrade's essence swirls around in the air like stars from the night sky... and bow...

Lily's tears overflow and start pouring down her cheeks, but she still bows back. With that they disappear into a beautiful blue glimmer that surrounds the golden one and fade along with it.

Lily straightens back up, but still looks down as though to cover the tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Goodbye, Mike," I hear and turn to the two soldiers... Mike's sobs becomes the only sound in the great hall for a moment as he grasps for his friend's essence...

I know that they know this, but in some ways they were blessed. They have been able to speak their last words and release the knots in their hearts just a little.

Though the pain will remain, this is something that will become a pure and precious memory to them...

I wish I'd tried harder to convince father of the truth.

I wish I'd said goodbye.

[AN: I've concluded that emotion and endings are truly the most difficult things to write. I ended up rewriting it so many times, so I'm sorry it ended up taking so long to get it out. I hope you guys had a great weekend though =)]