Chapter 103: The Crimson Ring Beckons

A cradle... What's it doing in a place like this?

Could this be one of the fragments of resolve?

...ahh...wahh...

A baby, and... Is that Madoka?

What?!

What is it, Ashtear?

Back then, she...

Madoka? What are you doing here? You didn't tell me you were coming.

Ashtear, I've made a terrible mistake. I should have never made that promise to Chronos. I never imagined it would come to this, how it would change him.

I don't understand. What's wrong, Madoka?

Ashtear... When this child is born, please... take him away from this place!

I don't have long left... On that, the visions are clear.

Madoka! What's gotten into you all of a sudden?!

This is no place for Kamlanage! I beg of you, Ashtear!

But how? Where would we even go?

I'm sure you're already aware that the versions of us in the outer time layer are planning to traverse spacetime. When they do, the seal on the Hollow will be temporarily weakened by the winds of time. I want you to use that chance to escape our world!

Escape the time layer?! Just me and a newborn?

Forgive me, Ashtear... I never wanted to put this kind of burden on you. But no matter how many futures I envision, this is the only one where we have a chance.

Save my child, Ashtear! You're my only hope!

There's still time. Please... Think it over.

......

......

Ashtear?

That vision just now... Was that from before I was born?

Yes... That was a conversation Madoka and I had a long time ago...

So the fragment of resolve took the form of a cradle? And then it showed us the memories of the person who had the deepest personal connection to it?

I guess this must be the "nourishment" the miu in Izolpha told us about.

Yes, but this is only one of them.

There must be more of them out here in the Gardens of Bliss. I can feel them calling to me...

Then let's get crackin'. We don't have time to be dawdlin' around here. That spiteful pest Sebastia isn't gonna leave us alone for long.

Yeah. Let's go find the next one.

This is it. The second fragment of resolve.

It's a ring this time.

A ring? Is it enchanted? Perhaps it's a ward against powerful magics, or a talisman ensuring victory in battle!

Sensors indicate that it is a wedding band, an object that guarantees eternal love between two contractually obligated parties. Its effective properties are not backed up by science.

......

A wedding band... So it's like a promise?

I've made a terrible mistake. I should have never made that promise to Chronos. I never imagined it would come to this...

Professor Madoka...

Listen well Madoka. I will revive the Chronos Empire, cross the vast reaches of time and space, and liberate the Hollow Time Layer. It has to be done if this world is to have any future, and I'm willing to go to any lengths to realize this ambition. Even if it means putting all of spacetime at risk...I will overthrow the Goddess of Time! Would you join me in this task? Would you put your faith in me?

Wherever you go, so too do I.

Then from this day on and for an eternity to follow we are bonded as family, Madoka. With your powers and my scientific intellect, nothing is impossible! We can change the world!

And we WILL change it! I swear it!

Did you know of this, Ashtear?

I did... I didn't witness it myself, but I heard about it from Madoka.

And then the professor gave birth to me, but she... And what of Emperor Chronos?

What happened to Madoka wasn't your fault, She always had a weak constitution. I would imagine her powers had something to do with it. As for Chronos, he'd always been planning to liberate the Hollow. But Madoka told me something...

She said that before you were born Chronos's personality started to change. She didn't know why...

We should get back to the fragments of resolve. Was that the last one?

No. I can still hear another one out there somewhere, calling to me.

Then let's go and find it.

It's a necklace this time. I wonder what determines their shape?

The miu in Izolpha said that the people became ill after coming into contact with the red stones. Maybe they're trying to tell us something? Some message that was lost to time...

But what exactly? And whose message is it?

A necklace... I've worn that necklace since I was a baby...

Listen, Kamlanage. I want you to have this pendant. It's very special, something that was passed down to me from my own mother. There are so many things I wanted to give you, but I'm afraid this pendant is all I have for you now. That...and a mother's eternal love.

Remember. Your blood is not a curse. You cannot let your lineage become a chain that binds and determines your fate. You have to choose your own path, and live the life you think is right. You deserve to experience the joys of friendship, music...and so many other things you can never have here.

One day I'm sure you'll find it... A new family... A real family.

My beautiful, precious, Kamla... I love you.

That necklace was a gift from your mother.

......

This world's Madoka... My mother. I wish I could have met her...

Yeah... Me, too.

We should get back to Izolpha. This is the last one, right Kamlanage?

Huh? Oh, uh...yeah. I don't sense any more of them. Hey, Ashtear...

Hmm? Somethin' sappy's about to happen... I can feel it... Hrmmgrnnng...

What is it?

Thanks... Thank you for always being there for Professor Madoka...for Mom.

You're welcome. It's me who should be thanking her for bringing the two of us together, Kamlanage. Thanks for being you.

......

Right. Off we go then! Izolpha awaits!

We've found the fragments of resolve... but where will they lead us?

You've found them... Our hopes and dreams from days gone by...

You knew, didn't you? You wanted us to see those visions of the past.

If you saw something when you touched the fragments of resolve, it was your own soul that chose to see it. I thank you for making my people whole again.

As promised, it is now our turn to help you. Go forth, to the sea of stars!

Are we...in space?

This must be the Blood Ring. It flows like a river of crimson sand... It's uncanny.

It is. And it's here that we'll find the force that drives the miu to extinction.

If there's anything we can do to change their future...then we have to try!

I dunno if there's anything we can do for the miu, but there's definitely somethin' hidden here. An archeologist's intuition is never wrong!

Then let's find it.