From the remains of Edna's shattered body, a form of spirit slowly emerged, materializing like a wisp of mist weaving through the tranquil night air. Her face came into focus, framed by shimmering silver hair that cascaded like moonlight reflecting on the calm sea. Her eyes, profound and sorrowful, radiated a depth reminiscent of an endless abyss. She stood amidst the ruins of cracked and broken ice, her form gradually fading yet revealing a more tangible shape—like a shadow lingering just beyond the reach of reality, concealed by the veil of time.
Fitran approached with hesitant steps, his eyes fixed on the ethereal figure of the female spirit, torn between curiosity and a lingering sorrow. There was an uncanny familiarity about her, a connection that reached deep into the recesses of his long-forgotten past, echoing beyond the recent battle they had just endured.
The spirit of Edna gazed at Fitran with a mixture of sadness and recognition, her memories seemingly fractured amidst the chaos engulfing her. "Who... are you?" she asked, her voice soft yet resolute, slicing through the night's silence with an almost haunting clarity. "Why do I feel... like I know you?"
Fitran, unable to suppress the warmth of nostalgia coursing through his veins, reached into his pocket and revealed a glimmering silver locket, its polished surface catching the silvery glow of the moonlight. The locket, though simply designed, radiated an extraordinary allure, as if every delicate engraving held within it countless untold stories, beckoning forth memories long buried beneath the weight of time.
"This…" Fitran began, his voice soft yet resonant, as if he were breathing life back into a lost past. "This is the locket she once carried. Thousands of years ago."
Edna's spirit fixed her gaze upon the locket with a profound longing, her ethereal eyes seeming to penetrate through the very fabric of time and space. In an instant, dormant memories surged to the surface, swirling in her mind like leaves caught in a gentle autumn breeze. "That man…" she spoke, her voice hoarse and trembling, echoing the fragility of her awakening memories. "He always came to me… every day, waiting by the tranquil lake, his heartfelt smile illuminating the surrounding darkness. We… promised to meet again, but…" Edna's voice faltered, cracking under the weight of unspoken grief, and for a moment, she lapsed into silence, ensnared in a whirlpool of long-buried memories—those sweet recollections now mere elusive shadows dancing just out of reach.
Fitran gently grasped the locket, his fingers gliding over its smooth, cool surface as if he were caressing the very essence of the stories trapped within. His eyes, deep and introspective, remained fixed on the locket, which shimmered subtly with the weight of cherished memories. "This was given to me by the first person who ever cared for me. They offered it with unwavering hope, a hope that has endured despite the relentless passage of time," he revealed, his voice tinged with reverence.
Edna nodded slowly, her gentle gaze filled with profound understanding, recognizing a lost connection mirrored in Fitran's words. "I have been waiting for him… here, by this tranquil lake, where the water's surface reflects the fleeting colors of the sky. I've hoped that one day he would return… yet I find myself trapped between this world and the next, like a delicate fog that dances just out of reach."
Fitran's emotions swelled as he touched the locket, feeling as if a pulse from his own soul echoed within the small object. With great tenderness, he then gently handed it to Edna. "This belongs to you. It will serve as a timeless reminder of the promise you once made, of a love that never fades, even after centuries have passed, much like the moonlight that softly illuminates a darkened night."
Edna accepted the locket with both hands, her fingers enveloping it warmly, as if drawing strength from its presence. "Thank you..." she whispered, her voice a delicate thread that seemed to weave through the fabric of time. "I can't quite express my feelings, but I can sense it... there's a profound peace that envelops me after meeting you again, like a cool breeze caressing my weary soul amidst the heat of uncertainty."
Edna averted her gaze, her eyes drifting into the horizon as if she were wandering through the echoing corridors of a cherished past. "Before I leave... there is one thing I must tell you, Fitran," she murmured, her tone heavy with unspoken weight.
Fitran watched Edna intently, his soul seemingly tethered to each word poised to escape her lips, as if they carried the secrets of the universe.
With a graceful gesture, Edna's spirit reached out, extending a glowing hand toward Fitran. From within her essence, she unveiled a mesmerizing artifact—a shimmering blue gemstone ensconced in a circle of gentle light. This radiant orb symbolized a deep connection to nature's strength and vitality, vibrating with a harmonious energy that resonated in the air around them. "This is the Ahtohallan Artifact, the source of power from the sacred lake that has shielded this world for ages. Use it wisely, Fitran. For now, the world will be tested once more, like the relentless waves that crash before the tempest arrives," she warned, her voice both enchanting and grave.
Fitran accepted the artifact with utmost care, feeling its cool facade transform into a weighty mantle of responsibility, as though distant thunder rumbled ominously on the horizon. "Thank you, Edna. I will guard this with all my strength," he pledged solemnly.
Edna smiled gently, her expression radiating warmth even as the light from her form began to fade, reminiscent of a star dimming against the backdrop of a darkening sky. "I will always wait... in the same place," she promised, her voice a soft whisper that lingered in the air. With those final words, her figure slowly dissolved, retreating into the realm of spirits, untethered by the constraints of time and space, resembling morning dew disappearing with the dawn's arrival.
Fitran stood motionless, cradling the Ahtohallan artifact in both hands, feeling its warmth envelop him like the gentle embrace of morning sunlight piercing through a blanket of thick fog. A profound sense of responsibility surged within him, as if the weight of an entire world rested upon his shoulders, entrusted to him for safekeeping. This world, still shrouded in uncertainty and threatened by unseen forces, demanded protection more urgently than ever before, as if the very fabric of the universe held its breath, eagerly awaiting his next move.
From a distance, Rinoa observed the moment, her heart quickening with curiosity that bubbled up within her. Each cautious step she took was laced with the desire to uncover the secrets swirling around them. "What happened, Fitran?" she whispered, her voice soft and delicate, like a breeze rustling through leaves, inquiring about the mysteries of nature.
Fitran met her gaze, his eyes ablaze with determination that sliced through the darkness like a bolt of lightning illuminating the night sky. "This is not the end, Rinoa. This is just the beginning of a struggle," he declared, his voice resonating with fierce conviction.
Then, Fitran turned back to Rinoa, his heavy gaze reflecting the hues of twilight that bathed his face in soft light, unveiling a rare glimpse of emotion beneath his typically calculating exterior. Within him stirred a turbulent heart, burdened by an emptiness that could only be filled by the bitter truths he had long sought to evade. In that fleeting moment, the walls he had carefully constructed began to crumble, leaving no room to conceal the painful reality.
With a voice strained and somewhat hoarse, as if choked by the weight of his anguish, Fitran revealed what had remained buried deep within him—a truth that had clawed at his conscience, demanding to be acknowledged. "Rinoa... I won't be able to hold on much longer," he confessed, his words heavy with impending despair.
Rinoa fell silent, her mouth agape in disbelief at the harrowing revelation, as if the very fabric of reality had momentarily unraveled before her. "What do you mean?" Her voice trembled, arching with a tension that unveiled the deep-seated fear lurking in her heart, as if some monstrous truth had just emerged from the shadows, clawing its way into the light.
Fitran inhaled deeply, the air thick with unspoken words and unrelenting silence, then turned his gaze toward the lake. Its waters, once tumultuous, now lay eerily calm, shimmering like a polished mirror that reflected the suffocating sorrow hanging heavily between them. "I've sensed the ominous signs for a long time. Every step I take, every battle I wage, pulls me inexorably closer to the inevitable end. The power I've seized from the Void, from Beelzebub… each fragment comes with its own harrowing consequences. And the cost of this power is that I will vanish... before ever achieving anything meaningful."
Stepping closer, Rinoa's eyes shimmered with disbelief and an unbearable pain she could not conceal. "Fitran, please... Don't say that." With gentle urgency, she clasped Fitran's arm, holding it tightly as if her touch could anchor him against the tide of fate. "We still have time. There is so much more we must accomplish together."
Fitran responded with a faint smile—a frail gesture attempting to veil the profound love and sorrow gnawing at his heart. "I know, Rinoa. I know we should still have ample time, but the harsh reality is working against us. This power—the power I've claimed at such a grave cost—will demand its tithe."
Rinoa bit her lip, struggling to hold back the tears welling in her eyes, glimmering like morning dew on the brink of dawn. She longed to express her feelings, but the words felt too heavy, trapped like butterflies caught in a jar. Each passing second heightened her awareness of their fragile time together, like a candle's flame flickering in a gentle breeze.
Fitran bowed his head, enveloped in a moment of silence that hung heavily in the air. The gentle rustling of the wind danced around them, and the soft trickle of water from the tranquil lake created a soothing melody. "I want to spend the remaining time I have with you, Rinoa. I want us to craft more unforgettable memories and fight for our love until the last moment," he declared, his voice rich with emotion.
Despite the weight of sorrow in her heart, Rinoa struggled to muster a smile, a simple curl of her lips that felt as delicate as a wilting flower caught in a relentless storm. "Fitran, regardless of what lies ahead, we will face it side by side. I refuse to let you endure this alone," she promised, her determination shining through the cracks of her heartbreak.
Fitran took Rinoa's hand in his, gripping it tightly as if it were a lifeline amidst the relentless tide of despair threatening to consume him. "I know... and that reassurance is more than enough for me," he replied, gratitude lacing his every word.
Rinoa gazed intently into Fitran's eyes, her own shimmering with unshed tears, each one a testament to her unwavering commitment. "You will never be alone, Fitran. I will always be by your side, until the end," she declared, her voice steady and resolute.
By the tranquil lake, where the moonlight shimmered like liquid silver across the rippling surface, they stood gazing at each other, enveloped in a silence that was thick with hope and determination. Though the uncertainty of the future loomed before them, one thing was resolute: they would face every trial that came their way, hand in hand.
Suddenly,
Fitran extended his right hand, revealing a magical seal that radiated a gentle luminescence, a poignant reminder of a past woven with struggle and sacrifice. This seal, conjured by Iris during the fierce battle against the leviathan, was a gateway to the power he now held—an artifact that granted him access to the ancient Voidwright magic, a profound and mystical sorcery long believed to be lost to the shadows of time.
"Rinoa..." Fitran called out, his voice heavy with the weight of unspoken burdens. "Take a look at this."
The seal began to shimmer softly, pulling light as if from the depths of the abyss, before gradually fading into a luminous glow. It felt as though he were shedding the very power that opened the door to the enigmatic Void realm. Rinoa gazed at him with anxious curiosity, her heart racing with anticipation. "What is that?" she inquired, her voice quivering between intrigue and tension.
"Cryo-Signet of Lost Thrones," Fitran replied, his tone imbued with reverence, as if acknowledging the gravity of its existence.
The seal was a magnificent circular ring emblem, meticulously crafted from eternal ice that shimmered like a thousand stars, radiating a silvery-blue glow that danced gracefully in the air. At the heart of this emblem, seven empty thrones were delicately engraved, haunting symbols of emptiness and loss. Each time Fitran invoked high-level Voidwright magic, the ethereal thrones would dissolve into the surrounding darkness, leaving only a single throne behind, a poignant reminder of what had been lost.
"Why didn't you say that?!" Rinoa exclaimed, her voice sharp with frustration, her cheeks burning with a mix of anger and concern. "You shouldn't have to fight for such foolish reasons," Fitran responded, his voice quivering as he tried to bridge the growing chasm of tension between them.
"Foolish?" Fitran echoed, his gaze lowering slightly, becoming absorbed in the tranquil, shimmering surface of the lake, as if seeking solace in its depths. "I've never considered my actions foolish; you are the only one who truly matters in my life, Rinoa!"
"I would do anything for you. You are my heart, my soul, and my breath of life," Fitran declared with unwavering conviction, his voice steady and resolute, echoing the depths of his emotions.
"The moment I met you, my frozen heart melted instantly..." Fitran continued, his tone soft yet heavy with emotion, reflecting the profound transformation Rinoa had wrought in his life. It was as if the very air around them shimmered with the warmth of his sincerity.
"I will use this power to protect you, even if this magic fades away..." Fitran promised, the gravity of his commitment resonating in every word he spoke, leaving no doubt about the depth of his dedication.
Rinoa felt a deep fear engulf her heart, a dark shadow creeping in after hearing Fitran's heartfelt declarations. Turmoil churned within her, threatening to spill over, yet she desperately fought to stifle the torrent of emotions. "But... does that mean... if the seal disappears..." she murmured, biting her lip as if trying to hold back the words that loomed unspoken, words that bore the weight of her greatest dread.
Fitran regarded her with a gaze full of understanding, his eyes reflecting the unspoken thoughts swirling in her mind. "I will vanish, Rinoa. Without this seal, I won't be able to survive," he said, his voice steady yet heavy with resignation. "The power I gained from the Voidwright isn't something that can endure without the constraints of a seal like this. I... I can only last as long as this seal holds."
Rinoa's heart felt as though it were shattering into countless pieces, like a flame extinguished in an instant, leaving behind a chilling emptiness. "But... Fitran, you can't just leave like this. We've only just begun together," she implored, her voice trembling with anguish. "I can't lose you."
(In Fitran's heart: We have always been connected, longer than the life of this planet itself.)
Fitran took a deep breath, a mix of bitter-sweet emotions swirling tumultuously in his chest, trying to quell the storm of uncertainty that threatened to consume him. "We cannot stop what has happened, Rinoa," he acknowledged, his tone grave yet tender. "This power, though extraordinary, always comes with a price. I have known this since the very beginning, and I am prepared to face it."
Rinoa approached with a sense of urgency, her heart a whirlpool of emotions as she gently reached for Fitran's hand, seeking to offer him strength through her reassuring touch. "Fitran... you are not alone," she declared, her voice steady yet filled with warmth. "I will fight this fate alongside you. Together, we will discover a way to uphold the seal—or whatever it takes to ensure you remain here with us."
Fitran steeled his heart, yet a soft, genuine smile broke through the tension on his lips, a flicker of hope amidst the chaos surrounding them. "You know, Rinoa, I have always considered myself fortunate. Since the very first moment our paths crossed, I felt a sense of companionship that banished my loneliness. Even when the shadows loom large, you've been my unwavering beacon. And that is more than enough to carry me forward."
Rinoa tightened her grip on Fitran's hand, feeling the warmth radiate between them, a tangible bond that seemed to dim the world's noise. In that moment, it felt as if the entire universe faded away, leaving just the two of them in their shared resolve. "No matter how long it takes," she vowed, her eyes shimmering with determination, "I will always be here, Fitran. Whatever challenges lay ahead, I will stand by your side, facing them together."
Fitran nodded slowly, his deep, soulful eyes mirroring the awareness of an inevitable reality. As he stood there, engulfed by an overwhelming sense of fate—one that loomed like a heavy storm cloud—he felt Rinoa's warm presence beside him. It was a gentle light piercing through the shadows that had long enveloped him. In the profound silence surrounding them, he began to grasp that he was no longer ensnared in his painful solitude. Rinoa's love surged within him, a radiant source of strength more precious than anything he had ever known. Despite the looming specter of painful loss, he found solace in the certainty that the love they shared—a bond that was both sincere and deep—would forever linger in his memories, fortifying him against despair.
"Thank you, Rinoa. I couldn't ask for more than what we have right now."
In that heavy silence, thick with both hope and vulnerability, one undeniable truth emerged: even though their time might be fleeting, the love they cultivated would never fade. It would continue to shine like a resilient star, unwavering in the vast, dark tapestry of the night sky.