Ray of Light in the Dark

Thanks, Aldo for coming along with me.

Sure. But what's the deal? You want to check the Holy Sanctuary?

Well, it's a bit hard to explain...

But I feel this voice calling for help deep within there.

I got ya. I can't hear anything now though...

At any rate, let's check out the inside.

Are you sure? I might be just imagining things!

Even if it is, you don't want to let this go until you know for yourself. Right?

...Yeah. I mean, this is the place where mom was.

I don't know what's waiting inside, so you have to stick by me.

Thanks!

All right! Let's get inside and be careful.

Looks like the darkness is encroaching pretty far. Should we go a little further?

Feinne?

...I wonder how mom felt spending her time here. Watching over us with Tsubura's Gems, but never being able to come see us.

It must've felt like an eternity...

Yeah... I bet it did.

How did she endure the loneliness? I wonder if the day will come when we and Eden can meet again without being swallowed up in despair.

Feinne...

...Huh?

Feinne? Something wrong?

I sensed someone here just now. Further that way.

You think someone is left here? Guess we'd better check it out for now.

Yeah!

Ah, why is this happening... Oh, goddess. Please give me your protection...

Hey! You're the girl from the chapel of time!

Oh, it's you. I thought I'd never see anyone again... After the chapel was eaten by the darkness and the irregularities spread...

Have you been in here all this time?

Yes. I just couldn't find it in myself to let this place go.

Even if it's swallowed by the darkness... This place is the last stop for those who wander the river of time. I couldn't afford to lose it. I just couldn't ...

Ngh...

H-Hey, are you all right?

Yes... I've managed to withstand it now. But after being separated from the other Daughters of Time due to the transformation of the chapel... With the power of the barrier weakening... I'm doing everything I can to keep myself from being swallowed by the darkness.

Is there anything we can do?

My hope is running thin... If anyone else remains in the chapel, combining their power of prayer may strengthen the barrier.

Then we should look for the other Daughters of Time, right?

Yes. Perhaps the fact that the chapel is still in shape somewhat is evidence that there are still others fighting the darkness...

They are somewhere here... And they may still be trapped. As I have lost the power wander this place, would you search for them in my stead?

No problem. Just leave it to us!

......

S-Something wrong?

No... I just felt a little nostalgic. I sensed the shadow of that person inside of you.

My mother...?

Yes... She never lost hope no matter the circumstances. Oh how the light that shone deep in her eyes gave me so much courage...

I see. That makes me really happy. That she and I are alike in a way.

I had half given up, thinking that life was only waiting for time to run out till I could meet you...

But now I feel like a light of hope shining again in my heart. Let us keep fighting until the end with allies who may still remain here.

Yeah, just hang on a little longer. We'll be sure to find your friends!

Thank you. And please take care...

Ngh...!

You're here! Just hold on and it'll be all right!

Oh... And who might you be? You're not swallowed up by the darkness?

Nope! We're here to rescue you!

Oh, thank goodness...

I can finally speak to someone before I die.

What did you say?

I've reached the end. After being exposed to darkness endlessly, I cannot stay consciousness anymore.

No... Don't say that...

I've managed to endure this far so that the chapel won't sink into the darkness...

Wait! There's someone still waiting for you! Someone here who's resisting the darkness just like you.

There are others left still...?

Yeah! And I'm sure they want to see you! So please hold on.

Ah, and just when I was just about to give up... But I would've regretted being swallowed by the darkness the moment I realized there were others with the same desire as I.

We won't let you be taken by the darkness! Now come with us!

B-But...

Is there something wrong?

I am now to weak to have the power to resist it. And if my body becomes their feast, inviting more to nest in the chapel, it will bring danger to you as well.

You don't need to worry about that.

But still...

I can save you because I want to. If danger awaits ahead, I can't just leave you here suffering!

...!

It's all right. Just stay awake. We're here with you. If you can't walk, then just lean on me...

Oh... Suddenly your mother comes to mind.

Huh...?

She was also a loving person. She felt the pain of others as if it were her own. If there was someone suffering, she never abandoned them. Much like you now...

Like me?

I cannot tell you how many people were encouraged just from seeing her figure. Thanks to you, I am able to feel once again the desire to reach my allies.

...Do you mind if I lean on you just a bit?

Oh, of course! And don't worry. If anything happens, Aldo here will protect us.

Right, Aldo?

Yep! I've got this! I'll make sure you find your way there!

I never thought I would see you again...

You were alive as well! So I wasn't alone...

So? Do you think you can strengthen the barrier now?

Our power alone is still not enough. But if there are others still...

Got it. We'll keep looking!

With just one more, if we can bundle our prayers, it should be possible to rival the darkness and power surrounding the chapel.

One more? I know we can find them.

...Ahh!

What is this aura...?

It is the aura of ominous things gathering there... Perhaps our allies have exhausted themselves and are succumbing to the darkness.

That can't be good! Let's hurry that way, Feinne!

Should be around here, right?

Nghh... Urgh...

Aldo! I hear a voice from up ahead!

That's...

Is this...the end for me? I don't think I can take the encroaching darkness any more...!

You okay?!

Who are you...?

We came to rescue you. Now hurry...

Stay back!

Huh...?

The darkness has practically swallowed my heart.

My body will soon become feed for what nests in the chapel, further spreading the power of darkness. If you come any closer, you will be caught up as well!

No...!

I can't...

I won't let it happen!

Feinne!

You must listen to reason! Even if you are able to fight back the enemy, I am already...

You don't yet know that! You are still here. I can feel you holding on to life. And if even if I no longer see hope, I will not abandon you... I won't give up on you!

That's right! We can still fight this! There will always be time to give up. But now is the time to keep trying!

...!

Please! You must find a way to resist until the end. And I will surely save you!

We've finally got everyone here!

Urgh...

Hold on!

My apologies... It is because I have been in contact for so long with the darkness consuming the chapel...

...!

But even still... You have taught me to never let go of hope. Even if your fate is to be swallowed by the dark.

I...

Huh...?

Has the darkness subsided?

It would seem we made it just in time!

You're here! But why?

The two of us combined our powers of prayer... And by strengthening the barrier, we were able to come this far. We will share our power. Now, regain your hope.

Thank you. To think you would deign to rescue me...

If we had come a moment too late, the situation would have been quite dire. It is thanks to you for holding on so long.

But...it isn't only my power.

They never choose to give up fighting, or to let go of hope. So seeing them gave me the strength to live. The flames alight in those eyes are just like hers...

Could you mean...my mother?

Yes, but how did you know?

Hee hee, Aldo... I knew I was just like mom is some way.

It sure seems that way.

Now we are able to further strengthen the barrier. Let us move to a safe place and prepare to bundle our prayers.

It seems this place in the chapel is still in shape compared to other places. Let us offer our prayers to strengthen the barrier here.

Will this really work...?

Yes, most likely. We cannot draw the power to save the chapel from the darkness. But... It should be possible to halt it moving any deeper.

I see. It'd be great if the people remaining didn't have to work so hard to withstand it.

Yes. And it all be thanks to you.

But why did you come so far to help us? So far as to put yourself in danger of being swallowed by the darkness....

Well...

I think it's because we're a lot like all of you.

Feinne...

I just couldn't stand the thought of it. The thought of someone waiting in tremendous darkness to be saved...

Someone who desperately endures loneliness for only the hope of meeting someone else. I know it must be similar to the restlessness I felt. My mother and father felt. And Eden too...

I believe you are right...

Truthfully, I feel restless even now.

I wonder if our family can ever meet again. And I think, we can't be always be separated, right...? Sometimes I feel like I'm being crushed. But I know I can't be so weak.

No, there is no weakness within you.

And surely you will meet them someday. As long as you do not lose the light of hope burning deep within your eyes.

Yes. And your deep affection for all creatures with the will to live shall surely save you when the time comes.

I agree... You, with a heart that never gives up no matter when... You, with strong faith just as she had, may be able to make it happen.

Oh, you're way to kind to say that!

Ah, I see now... Hope, affection, and a heart that never gives up... It is because your mother never forgot those things that she was able to reach us even after all that time.

In that case, I know it'll happen for us...

Indeed. You shall meet again someday.

That's right, brother...