Chapter 122: The Final Battle, Time's Lament

What has he done to the capital...

He turned it into a living breathing fortress of red rock...

He thinks he can get away with messin' up the capital, eh? No way.

Chronos...Sabbath is in there waiting. Come on guys.

Chronos!

You've come just in time to watch as we merge with the red meteor, Aldo. With this, the dimensional fortress will be complete! And then the world, time, and all living things will be devoured.

But you, Aldo, are first on my list. Find me at the top of the fortress. And do take your time, it would be such a pity for you to die before I get the chance to kill you.

I'll be waiting! Heh heh heh... AAAHAHAHAHA!

What the...

Eeep!

Chronos Sabbath!

Is everyone all right?

Talk about a jump scare...

A preview of what's to come, I see... I'm not impressed.

And now he's up there biding his time...

We gotta climb to the top before he's able to finish the fortress! Come on guys, let's go!

I had a feeling you'd come...

Sebastia?! Why are you here?

The Riftbreaker was absorbed into Sabbath, so it wasn't like I had much choice in the matter... There are still people in the places that haven't been completely absorbed yet.

Did you know this is what he was planning the whole time?

Of course not. Had I known, I would have stopped him before we ever got to this point.

Yes, I believe anyone not named Chronos would have done the same.

Do you intend to stop the emperor? Or, should I say, that thing that used to be the emperor... If so, do you mind if I join you? I would like to help.

Why should we trust you, though?

This all started out as a simple research project. Totally above board. Then, as things progressed he started to become more and more obsessed. It started to consume him. I knew him before he became this thing. So I want to save the man I knew, and save the empire and all who lived in it.

And if he doesn't want to be saved?

Then I will just have to accept that fact, and do what has to be done.

You sure you're up to the task?

I am.

This is a big gamble for us, I hope you know that, Sebastia. We have little reason to trust you, but we need all the help we can get...

Fine, you can come with us. But if you dare try to betray us, once we're done with Sabbath, we're coming after you.

Fine with me.

Okay, then let's press on. Sebastia, you ride in Guilty Hades with Kam.

Kamlanage... I will do all I can to save the emperor...

And I believe you. Let's do this.

I was beginning to think you weren't going to make it, Aldo.

You have to stop this, your Highness! Look at what you've done to the capital! Look at what they've made you do?! Please, you must wake up! Stop listening to those alien voices!

Alien voices? Sebastia, this is MY will! What you see here is JUST the beginning. Soon all of time and space will be MINE!

If you would just join me, become part of me, you would understand. All those fears you have will quickly disappear. For with me you will have eternal life.

Please! Your Highness! If the Emperor I knew is still in there, it is not too late to stop all this!

Enough.

Mom!

What you see before you is not the man you once knew. He is not even human. Nothing you say will reach him now.

But...

Aldo, Feinne, Kamlanage, please... Release him...

That's exactly what we plan to do. We're going to stop you here and now, you twisted monster!

You really think you stand a chance? Don't make me laugh.

It's time, everybody. Let's go!

It's time, everybody. Let's go!

Gyah!

Sebastia?

I know... It's up to us to do something!

Guilty Hades, looks like we're up. Father, we're going to stop you!

Aaah!

...Ngh!

Madoka?!

I won't let you do this, Chronos! Kamlanage, Sebastia, NOW!

RRRAAAAHH!

Kamlanage?!

Don't worry, Feinne, we're fine...

All right! We can win this!

Interesting...

I'll play with you for a little while longer. Time can wait, so why not have a little fun before it all comes crashing down?

Come, Madoka.

Aldo! Feinne!

Madoka!

Mom!

Damn you Chronos! He's playing with us!

If he wants to play, then let's play... To the death.

I can do this all day.

This is it guys, it's now or never!

Yes, let us finish this so I can begin devouring the planet and all of spacetime.

That all you got to say, Chronos? Hope you're ready to lose!

Cause this is a fight we're going to win!

Well then... Children of the Goddess of Time... Friends of Eden... The fate of the universe, the whole of time and space is now on the line.

Will this be how it ends? ...Or how it begins?

It's time's last supper! Have at you!

Will this be how it ends? ...Or how it begins?

It's time's last supper! Have at you!

Wakey wakey, Big Bro! Aldo... Wake up, Aldo!

Ngh... Wha...

C'mon, Aldo, it's morning! Get up already!

*yawn* I guess you're right. Mornin', Feinne.

You can go back to sleep if you want, you know! You deserve it!

You have official kid sister permission!

But...don't sleep too long! Everyone's waiting to see you, Aldo! ...To see Eden.

Well, when you put it like that it makes it seem like I DON'T have a choice. Fine, I'll get up!

What is that sound? Is that...the Goddess of Time?!

The Tree of Time is regenerating?!

Now, Aldo.

Kamlanage... Grant us... Peace... In time...

Goodbye, Father...

Our fight with the Chronos Empire is finally over...

It was a hard fight, but we made it out alive... That is all that matters.

Now that there is nothing left for them to fight for, I guess the imperial soldiers will all just go home.

Home to what? Is there a capital still left to return to?

Surely it'll all return to normal now that we've gotten rid of Sabbath, and the hollow has been released, right?

It'll all be back to normal, but this time it'll be a free city, and a free world.

Thank you, everyone!

Aldo, Feinne, everyone... Thank you so much... I know it was no small feat... I have decided to give Eden another chance at life...

What?! You mean Eden can come home?!

Are you sure, Madoka?

Yes. Before, it would have greatly altered our timeline, but now... Now that the empire is gone, and we no longer have to fear an alien attack... I can finally send him home.

Rise, Eden...

That's...

The sins you committed as Menas are no longer yours to bear... Now, go save the world, Eden. Your world, with your own hands... As the true Eden... Another Eden...

Journey beyond time and space... To those who love you...

Eden, wait.

Don't you even dare thinking about doing it alone. Always remember, you got friends who are there to help you.

Believe in us. Now, go...

We'll always be by your side.

It all starts from here.

It's not a goodbye! It's a...see you later! Right, Eden?

We'll always be together... Forever!

Don't be afraid, Eden! You got this! Fly! Beyond time and space. I did it, and you're me. So don't worry.

Meow...

Where did you send him, Madoka?

Where it all began...

Hm? Where did you come from? Are you lost?

Meeeoww...

I know, why don't you come with me? We can be friends!

Meow.

What's your name? Kronos! Ehhh... Sonork!

Sorik! That's it!

From today your name is now Sorik! What do ya think, Sorik? Like it?

Meow!

Okay, Sorik. Let's go! I've gotta get you a new collar!

You came at just the right time you know! We had a cat, he was really old, but one day he just kinda disappeared on us... We looked all over and couldn't find him anywhere. It made me so sad! I cried and cried and cried... I even swore I'd never have another kitty ever again! But you wanna know a secret? After a while I asked the gods if they would send me a new friend...

Meeooow...

Are you lost? Let me see... Hm... this says your name is... Ky...ros? Kyros? Is that your name? Kyros?

I'm Eden! Nice to meet you!

Meowww...

Oh no! Look at the time!

Hey, if you're looking for a home, why not come home with me? We can go on all sorts of fun adventures together! Like you've never even dreamed!

So then that day in the Moonlight Forest, when Feinne turned that black cat into a young boy...a young me... It wasn't just Feinne turning a normal cat into a human... It was her turning me back into Eden!

I believe it is time you all went back home. Back to your space in time...

Aldo... Eden, take this with you.

That clock is an heirloom passed down through generations of the Chronos family...and now it's yours.

What about you?

Cecile, I'm sorry. But I still have work here to do...

I am so proud of you...

I love you.

Mom!

Now go...and safe travels...