One Day, At the Beyond

...There you are! It's about time we finally got a decent connection!

Right then! This is Goredolf Musik, commander and pilot of the Storm Border!

Do you read me, Fujimaru!? You do read me, yes!?

I'm just going to assume you can and tell you all what I have to say!

We've just finished making emergency repairs to the Border, and are on our way to rendezvous with you at top speed!

We're all caught up on your situation thanks to our video feed!

We know that the Tree of Emptiness was burned down from the inside, that a mysterious light came down from the sky, and that the Foreign God appeared from inside Atlas and claimed to be Olga Marie Animusphere!

I'm still trying to make sense of it all, but never mind that for now!

Which building are you all in right now!? The great shrine? The Cronus Crown!?

The Cronus Crown is starting to fall apart quickly, so if you're there, hurry over to the great shrine immediately!

We should be able to fly in and extract you from there! What's that? I'm asking the impossible? Never mind that! Just get it done!

Not to worry, Director Goredolf. We've already managed to escape to the great shrine.

Once we've made our way through the Machina Corridor and reached the Hanging Gardens...

...we intend to try and make our way down to the city.

You can't! The great shrine's crumbling from the bottom up! You'll never make it down to the city!

Quick! Does anyone know where the most stable point in the shrine is!?

If it's stability you seek, I suggest you make your way to the altar.

It's in the very middle of the shrine, and it was a holy zone used to receive Lord Zeus's revelations right to the very end. It will not be quick to fall apart.

It should take us about twenty minutes to make it to Olympian airspace, so try to evacuate to the altar by then.

Understood. Then we'd better be on our way, before the Machina Corridor starts to collapse as well!

Fou, fooou!

Hmm, I see the furry little breakfast thief is safe, too!

At any rate, hang in there until we come rescue you in the Border!

Administrative Advisor! Mash! Fujimaru!

Macarios! Adele! Queen Europa!

You had all better hang in there until Captain arrives! Which he will! Guaranteed!

The floor is fracturing! Everything's falling down to the city below!

We can't use this route anymore, either! Come on, let's head back to that intersection andLook out!

Fou fo, foooooou!

Don't just watch your step! Keep an eye on what's above you, too!

You guys are flesh and blood humans, so even a little falling debris could end up killing you!

R-right. I'll be fine, but Senpai is

That goes for you too, Mash.

With the Ortinax's output so low right now, you're not much more durable than an ordinary human. So please, be careful.

...Right. I will.

The situation seems dire. While we do have some floating Mystic Codes prepared, we simply no longer have enough magical energy to make use of them.

We could never make them last long enough for the Storm Border to reach us, and there's no guarantee that we wouldn't end up hurtling to our deaths!

... ...

I'm afraid I don't have much magical energy remaining either...but there may still be something I can do.

Adele. Macarios. I'm going to use the last of my magical energy to provide the children of Chaldea with a defensive Bounded Field and a floating spell.

While I would be very grateful if you would help me...

...whether you do so or not is entirely up to you.

Fou...

Europa?

Of course we will, Lady Europa.

What Adele said.

W-wait. A Bounded Field and floating spell would be a huge help, but why stop at just us? Can't we all

Operation God Destroyer is complete now. Even the Tree of Emptiness is finally gone from this Lostbelt.

This is our new futurethe one we've been dreaming of for a long time.

Right. Today is finally different from yesterday. I'm sure our cells are growing again for the first time in forever.

We can finally pick up from where we left off ten thousand years ago.

...That's all we need.

Besides, we're not as weak as you guys, so we can get down from the shrine on our own.

What Macarios said.

Even if this Lostbelt does soon return to its original form...our time is only just beginning.

Take care, everyone. ...Take care, Mash and Fujimaru.

And thank you...for everything.

This time we spent together may have gone by in the blink of an eye...

...but I enjoyed every second of it.

？！

Haha, come on, don't look at us like that. We all accomplished what we set out to do, right?

I'll admit...there were a number of times when I thought it might be hopeless.

I mean, I could tell from the first time I saw you guys that you weren't bad people...

...but I thought we might be screwed when it came to the operation.

But you really came through... You gave us the tomorrow we were hoping for.

I can feel it right now, at this very moment.

We're in a different day now than we were yesterday. We're finally growing again.

This Lostbelt may end up disappearing, but even so...

...I still feel as though anything could happen today.

This is what I wanted... What I've long since hoped to feel.

So, thanks.

I know most Olympians would probably consider you guys and us to be the most evil people ever, but...

Yes. Most Olympians may very well think that.

But we don't. Not one bit. And isn't that enough?

We'll never forget you guys...even if this world was never meant to exist.

So as long as you guys remember us proudly...

...that's plenty meaningful right there.

We'd much rather you remember us like that than to keep on living aimlessly forever.

...Yes. You're right.

Thank you both so much for helping us get this far.

Fou fou!

...That's very sweet of you, Fujimaru. But, no, I'm afraid we can't.

Our end's not gonna be the same as yours. Even Kirschtaria said so.

So don't worry. We're okay going our separate ways here.

？！

I'd like to thank you all as well.

Thank you for watching over Lord Zeus's loving heart, and over Olympus's pride.

May you all live on, children of Chaldea.

O beloved Zeus in heaven, send your winds from the far reaches of humanity to aid these travelers.

And may your protection keep them safe from all manner of disaster that may befall them.

It worked... We now have a defensive Bounded Field, and a flight spell...

Bye, Mash! Bye, Holmes! Bye, Fou! Bye, Fujimaru!

You Proper Human History humans might be weak, but you were still a great Master anyway!

You proved that beyond a doubt when you faced off with that other Master Zeus himself called a friend and won!

C'mon, what're you crying for!? You're supposed to be proud about that!

Oh come on, you're lumping us both together like that!?

You could at least try to compliment us more individually! Ahaha!

？！

Fly away, Chaldea. Fly away.

And make sure you land somewhere far from here!

Give our best to everyone on the Border! And to all the other people in the world once you've saved them!

...Man, you're amazing, Queen Europa. They're already so high up I can't even see them anymore.

Do you think they'll be okay? I hope they don't get hit by any debris or anything.

Not to worry. The gods will surely protect them.

Yes. I have no doubt that all the gods who fell here...

...and the gods from Proper Human History, will keep them safe.

Indeed. That would be lovely.

Hey, Macarios?

What is it, Sister?

Remember how you said we can get down from the shrine on our own?

You weren't very convincing.

Aw man, I can't believe even you could tell I was lying!

I'm so sorry, you two

There's nothing to apologize for, Your Majesty. We wanted them to take to the sky, and they did! That's all we need!

...Proper Human History, huh? They never did tell us much about it. I wonder what it's like?

It must be a wonderful world if it managed to produce people like them.

Yeah. Definitely.

...Then we really did do the right thing. This has gotta be what's best for Olympus.

Macarios.

I'm not regretting this. I've been dreaming of this day since forever.

This is exactly what we wanted. Now, everything's gonna go...

... ...

Don't do this, Macarios.

...

I'm sorry, Sister, but...I've gotta say this.

...You know what?

...What?

Don't get me wrong. I really do think this was for the best.

I'm not just saying that; I really mean it. It's why I've been able to keep fighting for so long.

But...all that said...

All that said...

I know we've killed all the gods and betrayed all the other Olympians, but...

If there was a chanceeven a tiny, one in a billion possibility of having just one wish granted...

Macarios.

I don't even know who could possibly grant it now that all the gods are gone, but...

There's a tiny, tiny part of me that feels like...

...if, somehow, I could have one wish granted, then...

...just once...I wish I could've seen beyond tomorrow.

And, especially...

...I wish I could've seen what you were like when you were all grown up.

Oh silly.

You didn't have to tell me that. I've always felt the same way...

I can see everyone's Spirit Origins! It looks like they're floating, but I'll go ahead and guide them to the deck!

Meunière, switch the Border over to thruster mode.

Maintain airborne altitude until Fujimaru's team is safely inside the ship.

Roger that! No problemo! Okay, let's see, where were the thruster controls again...?

Grr, I thought I told them to wait at the altar! Why did they have to go to the extra risk of using flying magecraft!?

Well, nothing to be done for it now. Open the deck hatch!

As soon as we've collected the field team, we're getting out of this airspace faster than you can say "skeddadle"!

Hi, yes, sorry, I'm afraid I have an emergency report to make before we get to that.

A powerful Spirit Origin signal is headed towards us from the Dodona palace. It will reach the ship in ten...nine...eight...

So we're STILL not out of the woods!? What in the world do we have to deal with now!?

？！

Right. Though it looks like Europa's defensive Bounded Field is gone now...

Indeed. It was an absolutely perfect spell while it lasted. No question as to why she was queen of the gods.

If not for her delicate magecraft, I rather doubt we could have flown this far in safety.

What are you just standing around for!? Get in the hatch already!

There's an unidentified Spirit Origin headed your way right now! It'll be there in three...two...oneAah!

Hey there. So, you punks really did make it out of there alive. Good. Wouldn't be any fun otherwise.

But weaseling out of tight spots is one of the things you lot do best, right? Knew flying here was the right choice.

So where're the twins and Europa?

Aha. So they're dead. Well hey, that figures. No point in saving their lives now, right?

So you went around pulling all the shit you wanted and decided to scram before it got real, huh? I like that. Hell of a lot less cleanup that way.

Only problem is...

You assholes got no business being the only ones to make it out of this scot-free.

Don't you think, Chaldea?

？！

...

Caenis? As in Caenis, the Divine Spirit!? So she managed to survive too? Well, that's just grand!

Go ahead and invite her to celebrate this victory with Hm?

Hold on. Are you sure that's really Caenis? That Spirit Origin pattern doesn't match the one in our records at all.

While Caenis did have some Divinity mixed in previously, now there's divine aura emanating out of the Spirit Origin's every pore! It's almost like a purely Divine Spirit!

...That's precisely it, Goredolf. I don't know how this happened, Caenis as she appears now is quite clearly a god in her own right.

In fact, at this moment, it would be no exaggeration to call her a direct proxy of the sea-god himself.

...Keep the hatch closed for now, Goredolf. There's about to be a battle up here.

Huh!? But why!? Our battle here is ov

Shut up. You shoulda hung up on Mustache a while ago, Detective. Perceptive as always though, I'll give you that...

...but we don't need a peanut gallery getting in our way during our fight to the death.

Caenis, there's no reason to fight us anymore.

You've already lost your Master, and any reason you may have had to protect this Lostbelt.

And despite all that, you still want to fight us?

...You done?

So, now we know what your Servant thinks, Fujimaru.

How about you? Got anything to say?

？！

？！

Hell no. This unfinished business ain't gonna finish itself.

You punks brought down freaking Olympus. That's huge. I couldn't ask for more worthy opponents.

And hey, I might not be your typical Greek Heroic Spirit, but it's still what I am. And if there's one thing we all know Greek heroes are about, it's revenge, ain't it?

It sounds almost farcical hearing that from you, Caenis, given how much you despised Olympus...

But I can't deny that your will to fight, your drive, and your spirit are more united than ever before.

This must be your final destinationthe one you failed to reach in your lifetime It seems you've finally arrived at your answer, Caenis.

Then as such, we are obligated to respond accordingly, even if this battle is entirely unnecessary.

Fujimaru, I'm aware your magical energy has also long reached its limits, but...can you still do this?

？！

...

...Ha. Well, look at you...a goddamn weakling of a Master glaring at me like you actually know your shit!

Fine, then let's go. When we're done, all that's left of you and your Servants will be dangling from my spear!

One last thing: remember my name.

I am the one who made Poseidon pay for violating me, and took his place as a god in recompense.

I am the foolish king who lost himself to the vices of killing, violence, anger, and pride.

But right now, all that I do, I do for my contracted Master!

I am Caenis, the Divine Spirit!

And I am the only Servant who Kirschtaria Wodime truly trusted!

Damm, so you wanna bring every human up to the gods' level, huh?

That explains a hell of a lot, Kirschtaria. No wonder you're so desperate to get things moving.

I dunno what the hell you did to yourself, but it's pretty clear you could drop dead any second.

But, if this plan of yours works, you'll be set for a nice, long life. Typical human thinkin

Ah, my apologies. I clearly didn't explain myself well. My plan is to make every human besides myself into gods.

So this revolution won't include me. Even if my plan works flawlessly, I'll still be an ordinary human.

...Huh?

Well, you might say it is similar to how a doctor can treat anyone except themself.

This revolutionary rain of meteors I'm envisioning requires a central spellcaster to work. One can't turn both the central axle and the world that turns around it at the same time.

Really, if I'm being completely honest, my plan isn't entirely foolproof...

But when I shared it with Atlas, warts and all, he also reluctantly agreed to it.

That being said, I have no intention of dying anytime soon. I plan to keep on living for as long as I'm able.

Besides, if my plan goes well, then it will be everyone else's turn to shine.

And who knows? I may end up living for quite some time yet, since I plan on taking it nice and easy in my retirement.

...

Your twisted nature couldn't be more plain, Caenis. Both your heart and your mind are warped beyond redemption.

Even becoming a god has done nothing to fix that.

You were never anything more than a recipient of the sea-god's love. How could you possibly begin to match us?

You never even understood Lord Kirschtaria's vision for bringing about a new Age of Gods.

All you ever did was flail about in anger, curse the gods, and think of nothing but yourself.

...Ha. Well, this is pathetic. Can't believe I picked a fight then went and lost it.

But you know, it's okay. At least I got to go out swinging.

This'll tie a nice little bow on my stupid summoning. Now I don't have to worry about you punks or him anymore.

All right, assholes! This is where I'm getting off!

See you all in helOn second thought, guess you won't be going to our hell, huh, Fujimaru?

Well, whatever. Point is, I'll be waiting for you on the other side! Make sure you stop by once you're all done with everything here!

I'll have a few words of praise for you 'bout how you pulled off a hell of a thing. Especially for a human!

...We have confirmed...Caenis is gone.

This Lostbelt's last remaining threat has now been completely neutralized.

？！

...

Uh, old man? You know we're back online now, right?

W-we are!? Dammit, Spinach, why didn't you say so sooner!? You've got to communicate!

Ahem. Testing, testing! I trust you can all hear me!?

Once I open the hatch, which I'm about to do in a moment, I want you all to get inside the Border double quick!

As soon as we've confirmed your safe return, we'll be getting out of this airspace immediately!

You can make your report to me after you've had a good, long rest!

However...there is just one thing I would like to say first.

Well done, Fujimaru. Well done, Mash. Well done, Administrative Advisor.

Now that you have returned, I am officially marking the following mission complete:

Order Lostbelt No. 5, and its Sub-Order, Those Who Cross the Sea of Stars.

I daresay your performance deserves full marks across the board. I advise you all to look forward to your next bonus, for I think you'll be pleasantly surprised!

？！

Right. Congratulations on a job well done, Master.