"What fools we were... To think that we would believe that somehow, a creature that bid its time for eons just to fulfill its vision for the world, would somehow have benevolent intentions for us within that vision. In the end, it really is the truth that those who are fooled are those that end up regretting everything."
- Miyazono Himari
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
As the entire world momentarily held its silence, hailing the beginning of the battle that would decide the fate of this world, the vessel bearing the last Seer of Death who still exists and holds control over their own sanity, and Spirit Law, arrived over the mansion where Ephraim and the others are located.
Right when they peered down to the mansion rife from within and without in sights of battle, both the Seer of Death and Spirit Law froze in shock with what they sensed and saw.
Outside is the unmoving body of Imamura Kirin, Vessel of Justice, dead after using more of Justice's power and authority than what her mortal body and soul can handle... and inside lay nearing death both Hannah Chronia and Catherine Chronia, Ephraim's sister and mother.
"Kh! We have to help—"
"Hold on, Seer!"
Mirai was about to jump out of the ship to help out when Law took her by the arm and covered her within his torso. Half a second later, a wave of force that nearly ripped her soul from her artificial body swept in all directions.
"W-W-W-W-W-What was... that!?"
"...He... No, They have descended."
"...They?"
Law looked down and with his eyes, he saw a presence that he has not seen for the past few eons ever since he trapped himself within the space where he kept and fought against the Malignances that was left after the War of Heaven and Earth.
"...Cecilia... You have kept your promise..."
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Inside of the room where that force originated, what would've happened to the Seer if she was not protected by Law was fully received by the being that caused all of this pain and death.
"Haa—Haa—Haa—Haa—Haa—Haa—!"
Like the rapid panting of a stray dog, Keiji's racing breath came from the shock of what he was just subjected.
In not even a single second, the body that was stolen from him by a piece of Babel was returned after Babel was literally ripped from within him and eviscerated from existence.
But that was not all that is causing him to be afraid to the point that he is barely remaining sane...
"...!"
There was also the horrifying aura that surrounded the awakened Ephraim. A glowing light that covered him with enough power and authority to wipe anyone and anything he deems to.
"Ah.... Ahhh! AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!"
With all of his courage and desire to resist drained from his mind and soul, Keiji tried to runaway but was stopped on his tracks by a psychic power.
"You abomination of man...Where do you think you're going?"
"AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
The voice that came from Ephraim's lips was not his own. It sounded female, but with a tone and force that exuded extreme power.
"You will pay for your existence... with it being taken from you."
"NO! NO! NOOOOOOOOOOOOO—!!!!!"
With those words from him, Keiji's already deteriorating body began to bulge and form thick boils and calluses until with the snap of a finger, all of his blood vessels imploded within his body, causing bloody death with not even a drop of blood pouring out.
"Eph...raim.... Son..."
Hearing that voice, the persona that took over his body disappeared and returned the control of half of it to Ephraim. He turned and saw both his sister and mother laying on the floor in their respective pools of blood.
"HANNAH! MOTHER!!!"
"Ku...ya... You're... back... Kah!"
"Shut up and preserve your strength! Gih!
Ephraim used his power and directed it towards both his sister and mother, trying to close their wounds and reform the organs that was hit by their injuries.
"Come on...! COME ON!!!"
"...It's futile, my child."
"—!!!"
Cecilia, being in control of the other half of his body, spoke those words which caused his shock.
"Both your mother and sister do not have Astra energy. The attacks they sustained from that wretch struck not only their bodies but their spirits. You can treat their body but their spirits would not—"
"That is not up to you to decide!!!"
Ephraim shouted against his ancestor, not wanting to believe that there is no hope left for his loved ones.
"As I said, it is futile. You do not have the capability to—"
"With my authority as the Vessel of Law, Spirit of Law and Order! I command the primordial powers of life and death to hearken my demand to—"
"!!!"
In a turn of fate that she did not expect Ephraim to dare imagine no less attempt, Cecilia barely managed to stop Ephraim from making use of his authority as a Spirit Vessel to command the rules of reality to bend for the sake of saving his mother and sister.
"What are... you doing—?! Do not... stop me—!!!"
"Cease with your obstinance! You are meddling with things you barely understand! Do not bend the rules governing life and death lest you—"
"I know that! But I can't let them die! I CANNOT LET MY FAMILY DIE!!!"
Ephraim's shout made it clear that he will not back down from saving his family members... even if it means breaking the rules that he is meant to uphold.
Seeing this, one of the two held Ephraim's hand and spoke from her heart.
"Anak... There's no need to do it for both of our sakes..."
"M-Mama...!"
Catherine turned her head to her side and saw Hannah looking at her with eyes that immediately understood what she is thinking about.
"Mom... No... Don't. Please don't—!"
"...Madame Cecilia. As a mother yourself, I believe you would understand... Such is my request..."
"..."
Right when Catherine looked at the half of her son's body that Cecilia is controlling, Ephraim understood what she is trying to ask for.
"Mama! Don't! I won't allow it! I won't let you sacrifice yourself when I can—"
"...I understand. I will allow it."
Before Ephraim can finish begging for his mother to not go through with her idea, Cecilia nodded and accepted the request.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Outside, a request following the same purpose was asked from Mirai, the Seer of Death, by someone who believes that her "borrowed time" is bound to serve someone else better that she could.
"By the rules of this world, I should already be dead. It's only because of the Authority of Knowledge that I still exist right now."
"..."
"I beg you, Seer of Death. With your authority and acceptance, this is all that I ask for. In exchange for mine, give back the breath and life of Imamura Kirin."
Kaede firmly spoke, gaining the gasp of her student and the disapproving yet understanding gaze of her comrade.
"No! Kaede-sensei! Don't do this!"
"...You're wasting the life that I gave you, Kaede."
Both of them did not like what Kaede is asking for... and yet, it did not break her resolve.
"Please, Seer of Death. Give her my life. She deserves it more than I do."
After Kaede said those words, she received the following from Mirai:
"...You are a peculiar being. You once lived for the sake of a man who has forgotten you in his pursuit of strength, and you now demand death just to escape the guilt of rejecting a man who pursued strength for the sake of loving you."
"I..."
"You were a fool to the wiles of your heart... and when it was broken by the subject of your infatuation, you now lost all reason to live if it's not alongside him."
"T-That is not the entire tru—"
"But it is a piece of it... is it not?"
When pressed for an answer to that by Mirai, Kaede bit her lip as she nodded an answer to her.
"...It is futile to hide the truth from me, mortal. While you did see it the life of Kirin as more important than yours, you used it to coat your desire to not face the man who has asked for nothing but your acceptance and love, and still rejected in favor of a man who has repeatedly proven that he shares with you nothing of your desire to be together."
"..."
"You failed in all of this... and you now desire to bow out from the theater of life with what little grace and esteem you are left with."
Mirai's harsh words of observation that came from a mature side of her personality that is a total opposite of her usual childish side, hit Kaede straight at the heart.
"You are right, Seer..."
"..."
"I loved William... and I would be lying if I said that the feeling is no longer there despite what happened before..."
Tears began to form around her eyes as she admitted all of this.
"Lucas loved me enough to go against his values and try to trick me, even when he knows that it would hurt me once the truth comes to light... and yet, I never truly rejected him because I feared that no one would be left caring for me if I failed to convince William to return to our side."
All of the ugly things she did in pursuit of love, she spoke about as if she's someone on her deathbed, confessing all of her misdeeds in a fruitless attempt to relieve her guilt before everything ends.
"I am a filthy and heartless woman who made all of these mistakes... and yet, as I stare at my inevitable end, I wish to at least aid my companions with what little I am still left with."
"..."
"Please, Seer of Death. This is my final wish for the sake of those that I hold dear."
As Mirai raised her face, these words met her request.
"I understand... Prepare yourself and your affairs, mortal. For after I reform Kirin's body, I will do as you ask from me."
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Before, I believed that I can make it in life by my lonesome... that through my effort and brilliance, I can make a difference in the world and throughout my life, I would life for myself and for no one else.
I will enjoy every pleasure and wiles that this world has to offer as a reward for my efforts and in turn, I will live and die happy because of all of it.
But all of it changed when I, in my naivety and ignorance of the darkness of this world, faced the end of all of my aspirations in the hands of people whose brand of pleasure comes from the pain and shame of others.
At that moment, I lost all hope and desire to fight back...
"This is what I deserve for being stupid and naive.", I told myself in submission to the consequences of my choices...
And yet, I was saved by that man. A man who barely knew me, but knew me enough to know that I regretted my choices and are ready to change myself.
He saved me back then... and he saved me for the rest of my life.
"You are never alone, Catherine. I will be here with you and for you always. Never forget that."
He loved me, cherished me, gave a new meaning and value to my life... and in our joy and love, you were born.
"Ephraim... Let's name him Ephraim. A child of bounty and plenty, one who will do and achieve many things."
Every day since you were born was the most precious moments of my life... You filled our home with your cries for attention and laughs of joy.
You grew and even when your father left to provide for us, I did all that I can to give you all the love that I can give... and yet, there are many times when I failed you.
I was not there when those who sought to abuse and take your innocence haunted you even beyond your nightmares...
I was not there when you faced opposition from those who envied your brilliance despite your tender age...
But most of all...
"I was not there when the people you loved, cared for and wished to grow up with had their lives taken right in front of you."
Yet even when you faced great pain and condemnation, you held strong and grew stronger.
You achieved great things not only for our sake but also for yours'.
And because of that...
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"I am at peace, my son... My dear baby boy..." I spoke while caressing the cheek of my son.
"Mama..."
"I am proud of you... So, so proud of the great young man that you turned out to become!"
As slowly, I felt the warmth of my body slowly grow colder and colder as the hand of my daughter grew warmer, I held no regrets... no ill feelings.
"I mean... my son will save the world! No mother can ever best that whenever we boast about it."
"Stop... joking like that for once... Mommy...!"
Hannah protested as her eyes formed tears while witnessing my act of selflessness.
"It's time, Catherine..." Lady Cecilia spoke within my mind, telling me to say what I wish to speak before my end comes.
"Take care of everyone, Ephraim... Listen to your brother and look after him for my sake, Hannah. Once I'm gone... it would only be the two of your left to look after each other..."
"Mama...!"
"Please... mommy...! Don't go yet... Don't go—!"
As the light left my eyes and my strength failed me, I spoke one last time as I saw my husband's face.
"We love you, Ephraim, Hannah... Fulfill your fate, just as Jonah and I have."
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"Don't do this, Sensei! Please... I beg you—!"
My borrowed life and time is not mine to keep... I have done what I wanted to do and paid dearly for it.
"...Mana."
And what little time I still have, I want to give it to someone who can still make a difference in this world and our fight against it.
"This is the end of it, Mana. I have chosen that this is where I want it to end."
"Don't be ridiculous! I don't care if you did wrong things or whatnot! You are here! You exist! Don't throw it away!"
"Someone far more deserving of life has thrown it away for all of our sakes! Kirin-sama gave up her very life just to save us and give us a fighting chance!"
"That is her choice!"
"And this is mine!"
Hearing that, Mana staggered with her mouth left speechless and her eyes showing that she can barely believe that I have made this decision and will not give up on it.
"I'm sorry for disappointing you like this, Mana... I am supposed to be your teacher and yet, I made more stupid choices than you and had to be saved many times by all of you. So for once... for once, I want to be a good example and serve the purpose that I have always disregarded for the sake of what I wanted to do.
"Sensei...Khh! Kaede-sensei!"
"...It's alright to cry, Mana. At least once, you should let your tears flow out."
I embraced my student as she shed tears that I never deserved.
I, someone who hopelessly and pointlessly loved a traitor, should not be given such genuine tears of sadness out of love... and yet, Mana gave it to me nonetheless.
"You're right, Kaede... You don't deserve those tears."
"Renjiro-san..."
As I comforted and covered Mana's crying face in an embrace, Renjiro approached us and spoke those words that were in my mind.
"...But who said that you cannot receive something you don't deserve when it has been graciously given to you?"
"..."
"I was an unnamed, faulty and worthless Replicant until you Imamuras saved and sheltered me. I didn't deserve any of it, not even living past the time that I should've been living. And yet, when I was given a choice between living to fight and dying as I was fated to, I chose to stand up and fight. Not because I deserve it or someone else wanted me to do it, but because I wanted to."
Renjiro placed his hand on my head and gave me a rare, wide smile as he continued to speak.
"It might not be ideal, nor is it palatable to accept that this is how you chose to end it, but as your friend, mentor and comrade, I have to respect this choice that you made. Thank you for everything, Kaede... and I will see you again once that time comes."
Hearing those words gave me peace of mind... Maybe he knew that in some corner of my heart and mind, I still had fear...
But between those words and the love-filled tears that Mana shed for me, my choice has been made and my will strengthened...
"It is time, Imamura Kaede."
"Right..."
As I held Mana in an embrace for one last time, I whispered these words to her and gave her something that made her cry again.
"Thank you for being my best student, Mana... In your fight ahead, you will be the only normal human left, so... I want you to have this."
"—!!! Sensei—!"
"Goodbye, Mana... Promise me that you will win for us!"
"—! Yes, Sensei!!!"
Those words echoed in my mind as my strength left me and my eyes went dark after the Seer fulfilled my wish.
"I will pray for your success always, Mana... Everyone!"
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
In the aftermath of the battle of the Higuchi manor, many of the defenders were left wounded, but with the protection of the Psychics, no one died... except for two women who willingly gave up their lives for those who the loved and believed in.
Catherine Chronia and Imamura Kaede... two women of different ages, lives and beliefs... but shared the love and hope that their loved ones would succeed and see a better tomorrow.
As the injured treated their wounds and those who are unscathed reformed their defenses and rearmed their positions in case of another attack, the two leaders of the defunct S.S.S looked up at the object that loomed above them which seemed to them as something that came straight out of a science fiction movie.
"What... is that?"
"My family's greatest secret... something that I have only learned about just recently. A spaceship that brought my kin here when they were searching for a home... and now, it is our way out of this world that will inevitably head to ruin."
Ephraim spoke as he raised his hand towards the ship and a beam of light from it shot towards him, scanning his hand and eyes before disappearing and slowly landing towards the forest beside the manor's courtyard that was flattened by the fighting earlier.
"You should all ride it. It will bring you to an orbit outside of the world, away from all the fighting and destruction that will happen."
"No way! We're going to stay here and—"
"Don't make this about your pursuit of vengeance, Yuri!" Ephraim shouted in response to the former director's protest.
"He's right, Yuri... This isn't our battle to fight anymore. Normal people like us can't handle this. Even Mana said that she'll be risking her life by staying here... Let's just go and do what we can do."
"..."
"Please, Yuri... I know that you feel like everything we did to get to this point would be for the naught, but this is completely out of our league."
After a short silence, Yuri gave her answer with a defeated but satisfied tone.
"Yes... I guess you're right. This isn't the time to be stuck-up. This is where our part ends."
After hearing that, Ephraim smiled and spoke to his former superior.
"...Thank you for understanding that, Yurippe."
"Ephraim..."
"I'll leave taking care of everyone to your hands. Lead them out to safety and wait for us as we end this."
"Yes. We'll be waiting!" After giving that reply, she sighed deeply and after perking herself up, shouted to her subordinates. "Pack up, everyone! We're getting the hell out of this place!"
After giving Yuri and the S.S.S the task of bringing every survivor to the ship, Ephraim talked with those who chose to stay and welcome their coming end.
"I'm too old, boy. There's no point in holding onto life by flying out there to wherever you're planning to bring them."
"..."
"This is where I was born, found the love of my life and lost her... and this is where I chpose to die. Plain and simple... No regrets."
Higuchi Sora, the elderly man who sheltered them, spoke those words as he sat on a wheelchair. Behind him was Azusagawa Maya, who had the same decision as the old man.
"I've made the same decision. I failed to find justice for what the Sumeragis did to Hiro and Chi-chan... I'll fall here just as they did."
"Knowing Hiro, he'd likely never want you to do this, Maya."
"I know... and this is my revenge to him for involving me with his hare-brained attempt to save Chi-chan, only to end up dying and making me take on the job of avenging them."
"Heh... You're so petty."
"Sure am. I'll make sure to keep that in the next life."
Ephraim then walked towards the hangar where professor Mizuki Takeshi is on a frenzy to prepare the rocket he insists on using to save his daughter.
"I kindly refuse, young man..."
"Why?"
"You said it yourself when you told us about the story of how your family stumbled here in those ancient times... Trouble and danger always followed you. I know that we would be safe if we joined the others in your ship... but for how long? And in exchange for what?"
The professor rightly deduced the downside of riding the ship that Ephraim kept from the knowledge of the others.
Save for those who was recognized by the ship as official passengers such as him, everyone else that would ride it and head to a certain place through a certain way would have all of their memories rewrote to fit the reality of their destination.
"It's to avoid making them carry whatever awful memories they have from where they came from... letting them assimilate better in wherever world they would end up in."
"A new beginning... free from the horrors of the past."
"...Right."
With his suspicion proven, Professor Mizuki's decision became stronger.
"It's a sweet-sounding thing. Probably for the best for my child and I... but no. If that is what it will take from us in exchange for salvation, I'd rather do this my way."
"...Your wife and Rin's mother must've been a very good woman that you'd rather choose this fate than forget her."
After a short pause, both because he did not expect Ephraim to know his true reason for doing so and understanding that Ephraim empathized with his reason after his recent loss of a loved one, Professor Mizuki gave a short reply.
"She is... my one and only. So I don't want to forget her, nor do I want Rin to ever forget her. Because if we do, we will betray the love that she gave us until her last moments."
"...Well then, let me give her a better chance of surviving and having a good life."
"What... do you mean?"
Ephraim approached the spaceship that the professor made and touched its glass. He mumbled some words that the professor did not understand before his hand glowed slightly.
"...With that, little Rin is bound to find a world where she can live her best life."
"What did you do?"
"I gave it a little something that would lead it to a world where she can find the happiness that she deserves. I guess you can consider it as directions to a place where I know she can find a new home and life."
After a short pause, the professor approached Ephraim and extended his hand towards him which Ephraim took and shook.
"Thank you, Ephraim-kun. As a father willing to do these things for the sake of my child, those words comforts me."
"Our children are our pride and joy. Their safety shouldn't be put up to chance."
After talking to those who would leave to safety and those who would stay to face their fate, Ephraim faced the three people who will join him in the final battle.
"I was too late to talk to her for the last time... but I will honor her decision. Vessel of Law—no, Ephraim! I'm ready for battle..."
Imamura Akari, who arrived mere moments after her daughter's sacrifice, gave her last goodbyes to Kaede and prepared herself for the fight ahead.
"I've stuck my nose in this mess by my own volition. I'll stick with it till the end. Lead the way, Ephraim! I'm ready for everything..."
Furuta Renjiro, steeling his resolve to see all of this through, stood and lent his power to Ephraim's leading.
"I'll fulfill the final promise that I gave to Kaede-sensei and Kirin-sensei... I don't care if I'm the only mortal left fighting among all of you Vessels in this world. I'll show them that I'm not to be underestimated!"
Fujikawa Mana, having received Kaede's weapon Momotaro, stood beside the three Vessels, ready to trade blows with those above her level of strength or die trying.
"By the way, why isn't my elder sister here to fight with us if Kaede revived her?" Akari asked to Ephraim, to which he replied.
"Kirin-sensei has already done her part in our fight... She deserves to rest now. Besides, she will be helpful in another way."
"How?"
Renjiro asked, influenced by both his instincts as the Vessel of Knowledge and his own curiosity.
"Although Law already took Justice's Authority, she is still the Vessel of Justice... and because of that..."
"Oh... I understand now. I guess you avoided saying it outright since "they" might be listening."
"Indeed."
As Ephraim was about to leave with the four to head back to New Tokyo and confront their enemies, he stopped for a moment which made the other three to look back and wonder what's wrong.
"Ephraim? Do you still have something to settle before we go?"
"...Yes. Let me talk to the kids for one last time before we leave."
Ephraim walked towards the ship where Hinata was about to take the three children inside.
"Hinata-san. Can you give me a moment with the kids?"
"Sure... Mio, Yukari. Go ahead and wish your dad we—"
Before Hinata can even finish his words, the two children, with the older one carrying the toddler Rea, ran towards Ephraim and wrapped their arms around his shoulders.
"...Don't cry now, you two. I'll be alright. I won't take long to return."
"Hik! Khh..."
"Rai-nii... papa...!"
In between their sniffling and tears, Ephraim embraced and comforted them, wanting to tell them that everything will be alright and to patiently wait for him to return to their side.
"I promise you that we will win and we will find a new home... So please don't cry, you make me feel sad too, y'know?"
"Please don't go..."
Those words came from Mio, which cut deep in Ephraim's heart.
"We... No, I don't want want you to go, Rai-san... papa!"
"..."
Of all people, Ephraim knew how many heartbreaks Mio faced throughout her life... From losing her parents to losing their only sibling left to care for them, he knew that what he must do to end this war would be something that he shouldn't do for her sake.
"I'm sorry, Mio... I know that I promised that I would never leave your side again, but this time... This time, please understand that I can only do that by breaking that promise."
Ephraim's request for Mio to understand their current circumstances was understandable... but for the child who has faced nothing from those promises other than having them broken, she was fed up with it all.
"Just leave! Leave with us! All of us that you care for is already coming with us! What's the point?! What's the point of staying here to fight?!!"
"MIO-NEE!!!"
To their surprise, Yukari was the one who shook her sister and shouted at her.
"Rai-nii... Rai-nii is doing this for everyone left! You're right! All of us that he cares about is going to leave! But everyone else left here, what would happen to them?!"
"Who cares about them?! They chose this life and fate! They deserve it!"
"They're human too!!!"
Yukari's exclamation caught everyone within earshot in surprise.
"..they're human too... It doesn't matter whether they'll come with us or will stay here... they're human too... I... hik!"
"It's unfair to say that they... deserve to stay suffering and die here because of what they chose to do... Even if it sounds unfair... they still deserve to know peace. They still deserve to die as human beings."
Upon hearing those words, Ephraim felt happy that despite her young age, Yukari understood and cared enough about those who would be left to know what he is meant to do by staying and fighting here.
"Listen here, Mio, Yukari, even you Rea..." he spoke and took the three of them in an embrace. "Thank you for reminding me what I am here for... and making all of this worth it in the end."
"Rai-nii..."
"...Papa."
After a short pause, he kissed the three on their foreheads and spoke.
"I... No, we will win. We will win this time and I will come back to your side. I promise you three."
As he stood up and gave Hinata a look that meant that he's entrusting his children to him, Hinata took the three away and into the ship.
"Was that everything you wanted to say?" Mana asked with a smile.
"No... I'll say the rest once this is over. For now..."
Ephraim wiped his moistened eyes, turned around and conjured his weapon.
"...Come forth, Primordial Blood Oath!"
The pressure and gusts of wind that came from bringing out the Divine Weapon was incredibly strong. Enough for both Akari and Renjiro who are both Vessels as well, to feel that something has changed with it.
"What... happened to that?"
"This aura... this feeling...!"
The answer to their questions was given by a voice that came from Ephraim, but not by him.
"The requirements has been met, the conditions has been fulfilled..."
"""—!!!"""
All three of them froze up as they heard that voice that exuded ancient and unknown might.
"The laws of this world will either be claimed by the hand of the usurpers, or preserved by mine."
The final battle for the fate of this world is now set to begin...
And at the end of it, the world would either be destroyed by mankind, or mankind destroyed by the world.