Side Episode: Aki Chapter 4: Last Flame

That's not right, Aki.

Listening to the foul maiden who covered Ezera in darkness...

Aren't you ashamed, as an Heir who protects Orbis?

Your act is sickening. Stop pretending to be Saria.

The World Tree... Tree of Genesis... Sacred Tree... Tree of Omniscience... You have so many names. What should I call you?

...

...You may call me the World Tree. That is the name I am known by in Ritania.

It seems Noias has finally spouted their distorted information about me. I was so careful to prevent this from happening.

You secretly orchestrated endless wars on Erasia and carried out selective breeding on humans. What part of that is "distorted"?

Have you not distorted my actions as having some sort of malicious intent?

...What?

By the will of the Great Light...

...living beings of Orbis... no, the Children of the Sacred had to become stronger to prepare for the Great War to come.

I simply gifted power and knowledge to those who were worthy, and showed them the path.

And the suffering and sacrifice of countless beings in this land... You're saying that is the will of the Great Light?

What a clown. Do you think you're any different? Look at what you have become.

Wearing the skin of the dead, slaughtering the very people you were "supposed to protect" to get here.

Is there truly any great cause in your actions? By your own standards, how many acceptable losses are there for your great cause?

...!

Now, Inheritor of the Flame. It is time to choose.

I believe the answer is obvious... but I will ask as a courtesy.

Between the sacred cause and the fate of humankind on Orbis. Which side will you choose?

...

Well, well. Giving me the opportunity to choose... I'm truly honored.

But what a shame. I don't plan on picking a side.

...?

What is that supposed to mean?

It means that you and Noias are both the same. Just a pair of bastards.

FWOOSH

I'm tired of listening to the nonsense you all spout while looking down on me.

Stop talking and bring it on. I'll burn you all to ash.

...I believed my explanation was perfectly clear. You make a foolish choice.

Very well. Extinguishing the Otherworldly Flame here and now... will be an unexpected harvest.

...I won't let you. The Inheritor of the Flame is still needed in this world.

Your courage is admirable, for a dog with its tail between its legs...

Iseria.

Yes... my Eminence.

My apologies, but we must settle this here. Draw your sword.

I... will obey.

*rumbling*

Urgh...

You're forcing her to draw out that horrific power... again!

At this rate, her soul might be indelibly scarred!

Why are you committing such an atrocity against those who obey you without question?

I don't understand why you're so outraged.

Iseria is one of my most prized pieces, it's true... but that is all she is.

Everything in Dun Blyraia, except for the Ritual Sword, is merely a replaceable, expendable tool.

...What?

Hmm... Come to think of it, Goddess Diche also restored this world many times.

Do you wish to place value on Iseria's life... because you, too, are just as replaceable?

How dare...!

...I am grateful for the grace of my Eminence, the omnipotent World Tree.

All forces, advance.

*cracking*

Ugh... Krgh...

Firepower exceeding my predictions... As expected, the Otherworldly Flame is dangerous.

To have this much power without even releasing your true strength...

You know that quite well. Guess you were spying on me while I was going through hell in the last Restored World.

Why don't you surrender before I get serious about incinerating you?

You're bluffing. I know that your flame burns your health as fuel.

And from what I know, your reserves are running quite low...

To get "serious" now... wouldn't that require you to sacrifice your very life?

...! How did you...?

...Hmph. We've never even met, and you act like you know everything.

You seem pretty confident in your spy's report. Want to make a bet?

Haha... Is this an attempt to look intimidating? It's almost pathetic.

In contrast... my piece is still perfectly sound. The power stored in the Ritual Sword is still more than enough.

The "offering" acting as its vessel is shattering... but I have more than enough replacements.

Gwoo...

Kkgh... Arghhhh!!!

CRACK... CRUNCH!

Iseria!

...Iseria?

*panting*

Urgh...!

*whooshing*

Wait. What are you doing? Why are you increasing the Ritual Sword's output without permission?

My... Eminence...

Perhaps it's because I overused this power on your command... My body is a wreck, but my mind... is becoming clear.

*rumbling*

Kgh... ugh...!

CRACK...

Ah... AAARGH...!!!

The nearby shadow monsters... they're being destroyed on contact with the light.

A massive amount of divine power is gathering in the Elbris Ritual Sword. There's no way a mortal body can withstand such terrifying power...

It can't be...!

...From the sea of unconsciousness, pushed aside by the Ritual Sword, I have waited for this very moment.

The Elbris Ritual Sword is, in itself, a mass of immense divine power.

No one in this land could ever control or destroy this sword...

But to my body, now filled with that same divine power, it is nothing but an ornate ceremonial ritual sword.

GRASP!

Kergh...

If I were to break the Elbris Ritual Sword while all this power is gathered... what do you think would happen?

Wait, stop! Iseria!

Why would you abandon your power in the face of the enemy?

When this is over, I will regenerate your body, good as new. So for now...

...For now, you want me to be the sword that annihilates those who are fighting for Orbis's future?

...!

When I was first chosen by the Ritual Sword, I knew the power flowing into me would shatter my body and turn it to dust... but even so...

I made a vow.

That with this power, I would fight against all evil that encroaches upon this land... and protect those precious to me.

My Eminence.

You, who would use my dearest friend's body to wage war upon this land...

...to me, you are a monster, no different from that Dark Spirit Lord.

I can... no longer stand by... and watch my people, my family... be manipulated as your puppets.

Y-You... No!!!

CRACK...!

Saria... please. Even if I'm gone... you must...

...protect everyone in Dun Blyraia...

Iseria...?

AHHH!

A... Aki!

...

...

...

We're... alive?

How did we survive an explosion like that unscathed?

At the last moment... Iseria diverted most of the power toward the Shadow Army.

Even as she sacrificed her life to break the Ritual Sword, she eliminated the threat to the Dun Blyraia army.

Y-You... Why... Why would you do something so foolish?!

Wasting the Ritual Sword's power like that! Unlike you, it can't just be regenerated!

Now I won't be able to exert my influence in future Restored Worlds...

...Iseria! Iseria!

U-Ugh... Be still, Saria!

Iseria!!!

...Dammit. All forces, reform your ranks! We are retreating!

Things have turned out rather conveniently.

I believe you call this "reaping the windfall."

Glad you're not taking credit. This didn't happen because of you.

You have no justice, no cause... Are you still not going to stop this charade?

...Just because you've noticed the contradictions in my actions, the truth cannot be covered up.

Besides, now that the World Tree's scion is gone, this is the perfect...

Grrr...

Graaah!

Even after the sword's explosion destroyed so many...

...they're still swarming in. Just how many people did they sacrifice?

I must learn the truth that the World Tree is hiding.

This is my final offer, Inheritor of the Flame. Join me, and let us seize the World Tree.

Do so, and I will help you reach the next Restored World with that "flame" of yours intact.

I will not harm Diene or Mayer Village. Everything will be restored to how it was.

...Hah.

So, you'll "fix everything later," and in return, I just look the other way while you raise hell?

...You have a talent for twisting my words into something unpleasant.

Cut the crap and come at me.

There is no "next time." We're ending this, right here.

*panting*

Your flames are weakening. You seem quite tired.

Pant... phew... Hey, Noias... In case you forgot, all it takes is one good swing from the princess's scythe, and this is over.

You don't really think you have the upper hand just because I'm a little tired, do you?

Of course. As you say... this is what I would call having the upper hand.

SHING-

...What do you think you're doing, princess?

I'm sorry, Aki. But... I cannot let this chance slip away.

Chance?

I now remember everything. My original death... and the many lives that followed.

As a minion of the Sacred Tree, I was reborn on countless planets, carried out my mission, and was laid to rest again.

My pride as royalty of Tartarus... the power of the Sigurd Scythe... It was all just memories and power granted to me by the Tree.

This rage and despair I feel right now... The "me" that is regenerated next time won't even have it.

This may be my last and only chance to end the Sacred Tree's atrocities with my own hands.

Hecate...

So you're siding with the one you were just chasing? When did you two even strike a deal?

Speaking with one's mind isn't an art exclusive to you two, you know.

My apologies for pretending I didn't know.

What...!

You heard us from the beginning?!

A cruel fate, isn't it? To be aided at the last moment by the very Reaper who has hindered me for so long.

Well? What is your answer, Inheritor of the Flame? Has this not changed your mind?

If I were the type to back down just because I'm at a disadvantage, I never would have gotten this far. Don't you think?

...If you believe I will show you mercy simply because I need your power, you are gravely mistaken.

If I must, I will tear your soul from your body and put you to use. After all, I have just acquired the perfect instrument.

...

Hah. To say something like that with that little girl's face.

I'm the one who'll be tearing you out of that body and burning you away. So... let's finish this. Bring it on!

Arghhhh!

Aki!

"Tear soul from body"... They weren't joking.

Just a few scratches from that scythe, and my mind is already getting hazy.

...It seems the Inheritor of the Flame is losing.

I cannot allow Noias to win. All forces, advan, Hm?

My hand... it's moving on its own? What is this, Saria! You dare defy my command?!

...I will no longer obey your orders. I cannot let any more Elves be sacrificed.

Foolish... If you let Noias go, Dun Blyraia will be next... No. Don't tell me.

Yes. I will abandon Dun Blyraia. And I will abandon you.

Right now... Iseria's final wish is more important to me.

...Is this also the effect of the mana barrier?

The Elves, designed to offer unconditional loyalty to the will of the Great Light... are defying me, one after another...

...Very well. Do as you please. I find myself... curious... to see what results this change will bring.

Dammit... What am I even hesitating for?

If I can't make it out of here alive anyway...

...then there's no choice but to unleash the last of my flames, the ones I was saving for the Archdemon War.

But...

...to burn that little girl, who's just been Noias's puppet... to burn a comrade I've fought alongside...

Get a grip, Aki!

Huh...?

SHING-

SLASH!

Ack!

Is this really the time to be letting your mind wander?

It seems I underestimated your capabilities.

Hecate...!

Kgh... ugh...

Aki... Stay with me, Aki!

Dammit... I can't move. I'm sorry, Hanien.

Our journey... I think this is the end.

Aki...

...So you won't use the Otherworldly Flame?

*sighing*... That's right.

How could I just burn up the little girl and the princess?

After all this time as an Heir, I thought I'd grown numb to this stuff... Guess not.

Instead... just make sure you keep that promise you made.

What promise is that?

You said you wouldn't lay a hand on Diene... in the next Restored World.

...Have you already forgotten the condition? That it was if you joined me and did not stand against me?

Ah, but it makes no difference. Once I've accomplished my objective, I'll have no further need of Diene.

I shall honor that promise.

Hehe... Hahahaha!

The World Tree's scion has stepped down from the stage, and the Inheritor of the Flame has fallen...

Now, nothing stands in my way.

At last, the World Tree's...

Uh...ugh!

I was waiting for this moment. You let your guard down, Noias.

H-Hecate?

It can't be...!

Did you really think... that I, the Princess of Tartarus and the last Reaper...

...would ignore the soul of a girl, bound and suffering even in death?

Urrgh...!

Get out... of that body, blasphemer!

SLASH...

SLICE!

Arghhhh!!!

Ugh... Ahh...

They're separated! Diene and Noias!

Princess! So you didn't betray us!

...Princess of Tartarus? Last Reaper? You fool!

I so graciously taught you how to escape your servitude to the Tree of Genesis, and you put the leash back on yourself?

Why can't you let go of the meaningless values of a ruined world?!

You are the one spouting foolish nonsense, Spirit Lord.

Even if everything that makes up my body is fake...

...I would never betray a comrade who trusted me and called me "princess."

This cannot be...

Revealing the World Tree's truth and banishing it... it was for the sake of every living being in this land...

And now, because of a ghost from a ruined world, it all comes to nothing?

...I won't allow it. Do you really think... I would permit such a thing?!

Graaah! Krgh!

Krrrrrrr...!

Ah... Ahh...! Kyaaaaaaa!

How?! I'm sure I severed the contract between Noias and Diene...

...The spirit contract is broken, but they're making the dark power left in Diene's body go berserk.

That's got to be affecting your true form. Are you really trying to end it all here?

...You will pay the price for insulting the last Acolyte of a slumbering god.

I will trap your pathetic souls and bodies in eternal darkness, and make you writhe in despair in the next world as well!

Aah, AAAAAAH!!!

A final, desperate struggle?

This is the last battle of our alliance. Are you ready?

...Yeah. It's time to end this long fight.

Aah... Aa-urk...!

Krrraaaaaah!

*thud*

Hundreds of years of effort... all turned to dust...

Ah, Father...

*fades*...

Krrk...

Kraah...

The shadow monsters are all falling.

Is it over...?

No... Not yet.

Aah... Aaaah...!

Why... What's happening? All the other shadow monsters are down, but Diene is...

A contract with Spirits leaves a deep mark on the soul... for better or worse.

If Noias had ended the contract with a clear mind, it might have been fine, but...

The contract was broken while they were rampaging. The aftereffects are still inside Diene.

Aah... Mister... A... ki...

...

Save... me...

Tears...

...

She's in pain. Just like the Alfr who wielded the Ritual Sword.

...So what do we do?

I can't control the output, so you two will be caught in it as well...

But before it's too late, I can use my flames... my Otherworldly Flame... to burn away only the rampaging mana of the Spirit Lord.

That way, it won't carry over into the next Restored World.

What?

You struggled so hard not to use your Otherworldly Flame on Hecate and Diene, and now that it's all over, you're going to use it?

The inferno for destruction and the flame for purification are two very different things.

...In this completely broken Restored World, if I can save even one person... it's a good trade, isn't it?

But... if you use it, this time... your power really will be completely gone.

Giving up your duty, your life, just to save a single soul...

Do you have no regrets, ending your long life in a place like this?

Heh... Of course I do.

But... what point is there in me protecting "tomorrow" when I ignored the tears of that child?

...

Right. I knew you'd say that. Stubborn, right to the very end.

...I've put you through a lot, Hanien. I'm sorry.

If you were sorry, you should have treated me better.

...In the next Restored World, I'm never making a contract with a stubborn Heir like you again.

Well then... Diene.

It's late... but I'll set you free now.

Just enough to incinerate them in inferno!

...

A vision scorching with high heat... My own private view of everything burning white.

This is the last time I'll ever see this. I used up every last drop of my flame and my health...

I'll finally be able to join you, Foinyx.

...Just wait a little longer. We'll have all the time in the world to talk.

You... You're always muttering that name with such sad eyes. Is Foinyx your ex-girlfriend or something?

Gaaah! You scared me!

Princess? How are you alive?!

Are you joking? How could I possibly be alive after being caught in such a flame?

I left behind a thought construct at the last second. A little Reaper trick to say goodbye.

...Is that so. Good. I wanted to thank you as well.

I'm the one who should be thankful. Because of you, I've been freed from the Sacred Tree's chains.

What do you mean? Freed from its chains?

That Otherworldly Flame you unleashed at the end...

I'm told the Sacred Tree cannot re-read the record of a soul that has been extinguished by that flame.

Thanks to you, I can finally return to the cycle of life.

Who in the world told you that?

The Sacred Tree. They told me, saying they wanted to borrow my power.

Hmm...

...It seems my time is up.

Let's meet again, Aki. In another life, someday.

Yeah... Farewell, princess.

If I hadn't formed an alliance with you, I never would have made it this far.

...Thanks for helping me free Diene at the end.

...

In the end, it has come to what I feared.

Heir who holds the Otherworldly Flame... Your existence has always been an annoyance.

In this closed world of Orbis, your actions were the only ones that consistently defied my predictions.

Yeah, well. Sorry about that.

...To be rid of you is an unexpected harvest.

I almost feel I should thank Noias for their outburst.

...What happens to Noias?

The alter ego Noias left on Ritania... the one you just incinerated... was their last.

They are now trapped in a small garden in Skuggiheim. They will not be able to escape my dominion and cause harm again.

...

Enough with the nonsense. So... what did you want to say?

You came all this way to find me, even though I'm about to fade away... You here to silence me?

...

I knew I should have burned you, too. You shady bastard.

Mark my words.

If you inform the Heir of the Covenant about any of this... I will simply raise the Elbris Ritual Sword once more.

You will not be in the next Restored World. So the Heir of the Covenant will kneel before my army, not even knowing why.

You're bluffing. It doesn't seem like Iseria or Saria will be following your orders so blindly anymore.

They are not the only pieces I have to play. Do you wish to test me?

...

...

...Fine. I won't tell Ras a single thing about you.

I made this choice precisely because I trust my comrades to handle the next Restored World.

They'll figure things out on their own.

So...

I've lived as an Heir for hundreds of years. I'd like to spend my last moments in peace, you know?

So stop mumbling in my ear and get lost.

...As you wish.

Argh!

*panting*

Is it all... over?

...

I put on such a damn show, gave it everything I had... To still be breathing after all that... it's just painful.

Still... the residual heat will keep anyone from getting close for a while...

I guess I get to spend my last moments alone, without anyone seeing me in this pathetic state.

Oh... You want to be alone?

*sighing*... I said I'd shut up. Why are you still bothering...

Huh?

I've already seen you looking pathetic, so I can't un-see it... but, should I leave?

Diene... How are you... You're not even a Reaper, are you...?

I was a Spirit Lord Inheritor too, just like you. So maybe there was something special between us?

Or... maybe I'm just an illusion. Something you wish was here.

Diene... I... I'm... I'm so sorry.

For failing to save you... For letting you... hurt all those people...

Well... I can't say I don't blame you at all.

But after... becoming this... I started to vaguely remember the past world.

In those memories... you always saved me. And when you couldn't... you made the same face you're making right now.

That ugly face you make when you're trying to hold back tears.

So, I'll forgive you. And... thank you.

For always saving me... saving us. For protecting this world.

Diene...

Ahh... It's such a shame.

I became a Spirit Lord Inheritor, just like I always wanted... but instead of becoming a hero who saved the world, I just caused all this trouble.

Diene.

I never made a contract with a Spirit Lord, like people say.

I was just a common thief in Natalon, about to be executed for stealing a Spirit-infused gauntlet.

Even a guy like me... became this "Inheritor of the Flame" that people look up to.

So someone like you, with a much kinder and stronger heart than me... I know you can become a hero greater than I ever was.

Heh. Even if you're just saying it, that's nice to hear.

Okay. Someday... in the next Restored World... I promise I'll become someone who saves the world in your place, Mister Aki.

So... you can rest now.

Yeah... Thanks for saying that.

...

The sky is rumbling... Is it going to rain?

No, that's not thunder... That sounds like the steps of Arkasus.

...So many visitors, just when I wanted to be alone.

Here we go...

CRASH!!!

Aki.

You got here in a hurry. You okay, Arkasus?

Bleargh!

*sprinting away*

...Pushing so hard to the point of puking. That's just animal abuse, isn't it?

...Aki!

Unleashing your power here, reducing Dun Blyraia to ashes... Are you out of your mind?

The Archdemon War... your duty as an Heir... Did you just decide to throw it all away?

Say something, Aki!

...

Heh... Live long enough and you see everything. Even you, getting all worked up.

Still...

You're not a very good actor, Ras. It's obvious you're just pretending to be angry.

...!

You're not annoyed or angry about this. You just came here to assess the situation.

To figure out a counter-strategy, now that you have one less piece to play in the next Restored World.

...You're right, Aki.

I've been advised to correct my... inhuman nature, so I was trying. It didn't work well.

That's harsh. I'm just an empty shell, since I've used up all my power...

This might be the last chance we ever get to talk like this.

It might not feel like a long time to you...

But your comrade, who you've fought alongside with for literally hundreds of years, is about to disappear. Do you feel no sense of loss?

You'll just give me the obvious answer, "Of course I feel a loss."

After all... you're a being superior to humans.

You can't understand these irrational, selfish human emotions.

You never have, and you never will. You're fated to just keep fighting, self-righteously saving humanity, forever.

Maybe it'd be better if I just... ended you, right here, with my own hands...

...I don't know.

Yeah... just as I... huh, wha, what?

The "me" of the past would have answered without hesitation, "Of course I am sad to see you go."

Because offering comfort to beings destined to fade away is the proper thing for the Heir of the Covenant to do.

But... my power has its limits. I grow weaker with each restoration.

I'm in a situation where I can't even guarantee victory in the next war, and now you're disappearing...

A strange emotion is welling up inside me.

It's resentment and anxiety... toward you, for irresponsibly abandoning your duty and fading away alone.

...Huh.

...Okay. I'm prepared. You can do it.

Huh? Do what?

Aren't you angry because of my inappropriate remarks?

That... in your hand. You gathered that to strike me, didn't you?

As this is your final moment... I can endure a single blow.

...

...

Pfft... Hah...

Ahahaha!

...Why are you laughing?

*sighing*... You really have changed. Is it because of that brat?

...?

Don't look at me like that. I'm not going to explain.

Ask Vildred next time.

...This is why I said it's a problem when you don't explain. Why would you use your power...

They're probably preparing for the final battle in Breezy Plain by now.

...Correct. The sudden appearance of the Shadow Army caused some trouble, but the Ritanian Allied Forces are gathering at the Stronghold of Sacrifice.

Good. Let's go. If I scrape together what's left of my power, I can at least clear a path.

Are you sure? You could just wait for the restoration and serve as an advisor in the next world.

Hmm. Nice to know I'm still considered a useful card. ...But no. It's time to give the next generation a chance.

It's a shame I'll disappear without seeing the end of this war...

But I have no regrets about using my power to save that little girl at the end.

...

And who knows? Maybe you and that brat can actually save this Restored World.

I'll clear the path ahead... so let's go, with everything we've got. No regrets.

...Yeah. Understood.

I'm counting on you, Aki.

All right. Watch closely. This is the final, glorious stand of Aki, the Inheritor of the Flame!

That is all of the record from that day, which you do not know.

Do you wish to view the records that follow?

...

No, this is enough.

Thank you, World Tree.

You are shedding tears, Heir of the Covenant.

Ah, this is...

As the Heir of the Covenant, I remember everything I've experienced...

But to look back on those days now, as a human, with human emotions... It's an incredibly painful thing.

Mortal emotions... they are intense because they are finite.

Your choice to abandon your divinity was interesting, but from a broader perspective, I can only call it foolish.

Think what you want. I didn't make this choice to win others' approval.

Is there anything else I can help you with?

...I have two questions.

SHING...

Why did you show me this hidden record?

After learning the entire truth... did you really think I would just let you be?

Very well. I will answer in order.

First... the answer to your first question is simple. It is because you asked.

After you entered the Audience Chamber, you asked me what the "Traces of the Primal Light" was.

This memory was the clearest example to explain that. I merely showed it to you.

A secret you would have told me if I just... asked? You've kept this hidden all this time?

Of course, had the request come from one without the proper access rights, I would not have complied.

But you are a part of divinity, and a wielder of the Knowledge Seed. As such, you are granted Level 2 Access.

Knowledge Seed...? I don't have anything like that.

You must be mistaken... Nngh!

This sensation... I've felt this somewhere...

If either of you gets the Monolith, it'll surely affect all of Orbis. Then...

M-Mr. Blobfish...? What are you doing with the Monolith...?

Get your grubby hands off of it! That's mine!

*rumbling*

...Monolith?

It has been known by that name, yes.

Heir of the Covenant. Did you acquire that qualification in Notos's Pyramid?

I don't know... A fragmented image just flashed in my mind. It's strange. To think I have memories I can't recall.

...Improper succession? You did not acquire the full rights, then.

I believe I understand the cause of this incomplete dialogue.

The more we talk, the more confused I get...

...I will answer your second question.

It is because even if I tell you the truth, a truth that makes you bear ill will toward me, you can do me no harm.

What do you mean...

...Huh?

Just like the inside of Notos's Pyramid...

...this Audience Chamber also interferes with its visitors' memories.

...

The audience is over. Return to your home, Heir of the Covenant.

I expect you to return with full authority next time.