Fate/Grand Order story · Events, Christmas 2021
Epilogue: To You, Who Was Left Behind
Christmas 2021. Christmas2021_To Display at Chaldea Gate
1 scenes, 68 lines
1. Before the battle
68 lines...I don't remember when I lost my sight.
I told myself it wouldn't be a problem, but it turned out to be just as limiting as you'd expect.
But even with my sight gone, my body continued to breathe.
Spring turned to summer, summer turned to autumn, and before I knew it, winter had arrived.
I can hear children buzzing with excitement, "Christmas" constantly on the tips of their tongues. I sigh.
Christmas used to be just another holiday. Now it's a great event, with every family holding huge celebrations.
I wonder if the people I saved got to celebrate Christmas. Did they thank Santa Claus for their new lease on life?
Thoughts like that flit in and out of my mind, never staying long enough for me to dwell on them.
I can tell that my own life will soon be coming to an end.
I probably won't die today, or tomorrow, but I can tell I won't live to see the next winter.
What about regrets? Is there anything I wish I'd done, but didn't?
I feel like I have many such things...and, simultaneously, that I did everything I could ever have wanted to do.
Regret and contentment seem like two sides of the same coin. I can't tell which of them I ought to feel.
As I close my eyes and think about it further, I feel my body as it's gradually wrapped by something warm and cozy.
...Is this a dream? Am I dreaming?
It's Christmas, Florence. Today is Christmas.
You might not care about it anymore now that you're a grown-up...
...but you'd still be doing her a terrible disservice if you didn't celebrate it.
Who are you, little girl?
And who exactly would I be doing a disservice?
You, of course.
You're a wonderful person, Florence. And you accomplished some amazing things.
I doubt there's a person anywhere in the world who doesn't hold your name in the highest regard.
But I also doubt that means anything to you.
This is exactly why nobody has noticed that poor little child!
Do you know how painful it is to be forgotten?
I bet you have no idea what it's li
No, Nursery Rhyme. I do know what it's like.
... ...
I finally found the courage to face you. You've been admonishing me for a long time now, haven't you?
Yes, I have.
I'm a hero of children everywhere.
So I have no mercy for anyone who mistreats children.
Not even if that child
Is myself.
Exactly!
Then I suppose that makes me Scrooge from "A Christmas Carol."
He was miserly, while I had other goals I cared about more.
But whatever our excuses, the result was the same. He mistreated others' children, while I mistreated myself.
That's right. But as long as you understand that now, that's enough for me.
Although, in that case...
Does this mean you, Astolfo, and Master were my three Christmas spirits?
Oh my. I hadn't thought of it that way, but I love it! What a wonderful interpretation!
Though of course, I doubt Astolfo and Master had any idea of the roles they were playing.
I'm the only one who was consciously testing you.
I see...
I would never dream of saying anything to you as your usual self.
I can't even count how many lives you must have saved, after all.
But once I knew you were going to be Santa Claus...
...I thought it was time you finally faced who you were as a child.
That's why I tormented you by showing you this dream over and over.
I'm sorry, Florence.
That's quite all right. In fact, I'm grateful to you.
I wouldn't be here now if it wasn't for you.
So thank you, White Knight, hero of children everywhere.
You're welcome, Ms. Nightingale! You know, you really are as pretty as the bird you're named for!
Anyway, that's all I had to say, so now it's time to say goodbye.
Besides, I have to wake up early to see what you brought me, Santa!
... ...
Um...
I pick my former self up and hold her tight, marveling at how tiny I used to be...
...and say something I may or may not have once said long, long ago.
Happy wordsSomething every child deserves to hear.
Merry Christmas, Florence Nightingale.
(Gasp)...!
Merry Christmas, Florence Nightingale.
Merry... Merry Christmas, Florence Nightingale!