[Music Recommendation: “Melodies of Life” – Final Fantasy IX OST – available in Spotify or Youtube]

“Everyone, thank you for coming here to celebrate the Restoration Festival with us,” King Elliot said as he stood in front of the guests. “Exactly one year ago, the whole planet was on the verge of dying. We, Magi, were all supposed to die and not survive the tragedy. Truly, we deserve such an ending for all the sins we committed.”

Everyone fell silent from the truth of his words. They were reminded once more of the things of the past, and gratefulness filled their hearts.

“But the Supreme, who loves us so dearly, shed His grace towards us. Instead of destruction, He sent us salvation. Thus, He chose a maiden of pure heart who was willing and did not hesitate to sacrifice her life for the salvation of people, not even her own. The Chosen Maiden, the Vessel of the Supreme, our Heroine, and Saintess… Rania Caeles.”

Some shed tears for the Saintess, bowing their heads as they clenched on the Verus Amor flower in their hands.

Lifting up the flower, King Elliot continued, “Let us all remember this great, indescribable sacrifice. Today, tomorrow, and for the generations to come. Let us not forget the Supreme’s kindness and grace. And let us not forget, the one who saved us all.”

Such immense longing and sadness reflected on Elliot’s eyes as he stared at the Verus Amor flower he lifted. He was reminded of the time he offered that same flower to cheer her up and how beautiful her smile was after.

Oh, how broken he was. If it was possible to cry without tears, that was precisely what Elliot was doing at that very moment.

After that, the Oracle came and led the prayer of thankfulness and worship to the Supreme. Everyone sang their hearts out and revered the Most High, for He was worthy of all praises.

***

On the other hand, Rania successfully sneaked inside the palace. The Generals were alerted of the person who teleported, but they couldn’t find her!

“To be able to do such a thing and surpass our security,” one of the Generals said, “just how formidable is this enemy?”

“The King is busy with the celebration,” another one said towards her subordinates, “make sure to inform the Judges instead. Also, inform Servus, the king’s aide, to be wary of anyone who seems suspicious. No one must get near the king and the guests!”

Too bad for them, they would never find her—she teleported inside the Forbidden Chamber, which still was a place only the king could enter. It was Ducis’ abode, and only the king was allowed to meet with the Guardians.

“The Forbidden Chamber… how nostalgic,” Rania said to herself. “It still looks the same. I guess Ducis was not fond of redecorating, huh? Or maybe, he’s too busy flirting with Luna?” She chuckled at the thought of it.

She then looked around, hoping to see them, but no one was around. The place was dark and empty, only the moon’s light illuminated the place. Shrugging, she touched the doors of the chamber and went outside. No one was around as well, so she continued walking, still wearing the white cloak she had on, with the white dress underneath, and went towards the banquet hall.

On her way, she saw little kids playing around the pavilion—the place where she first met Elliot.

Rania’s eyes lit up when she saw the pavilion. It was such a precious place for her—so many important memories happened there, and remembering them at that moment, her heart squeezed tight, and her eyes formed tears on its corners.

Wanting to get a closer look, she walked nearer and saw that the whole area was covered with different flower bouquets. The children, too, were putting flowers and praying—kind of like the thing humans do when they go to cemeteries.

“Haah… I feel so sorry for the king,” the little girl said after she was done praying.

“Huh? Why?” the other asked.

“Didn’t you know? The Saintess is also the King’s Beloved. But she had to sacrifice her life to save us.”

“What?! Is that true? Where did you hear that?”

“Apparently, my sister confessed to the king a week ago. She got turned down, though. The king said his heart already belonged to someone, and he already had his Beloved, which was the Saintess, so he can’t return her feelings.”

“Woah! I didn’t know that.”

“So that’s why the king hasn’t married!” said another.

“Yeah. But… the Saintess is dead,” the other pouted. “Does that mean he will never be happy?”

“That’s why I feel sorry for the king.”

“We should pray for him to find happiness!”

“Yes! Let’s do that! Maybe the Supreme will hear us.”

And so, the children prayed once more.

Rania’s heart squeezed again. This time, in a mixture of sadness, pain, and happiness. She was sad to hear about Elliot’s suffering but happy and excited to see him again. A surge of yearning spread through her heart. She shouldn’t delay anymore. She wanted to see him right at that moment.

And so, Rania ran towards the banquet hall, lifting up the hem of her dress and cloak. As if she was invisible, the palace knights didn’t even notice her despite their weariness of the intruder. Perhaps it was a little help from the Supreme.

Soon enough, she arrived at the banquet hall, where everyone was already busy dancing, eating, and celebrating merrily.

Rania froze up the moment she stepped inside the hall. She was still by the huge door where the ushers were surprised at her late arrival and kept asking who she was.

But Rania didn’t hear them. Her gaze was fixed unto the king sitting on the throne.

Rivers of tears fell from her eyes.

“Elliot…,” she whispered his name.

Oh, how she missed him so much. But she shouldn’t cry. It was a joyous occasion! She should be smiling! So, she wiped her tears and smiled brightly.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

She walked and walked and walked towards the throne.

The ushers tried to stop her, but the overflowing guest became a barrier for her.

She continued on, walking slowly towards him, trying to contain the extreme emotions she was feeling at that moment.

  When she was but a few meters away from the throne, Servus took notice of her. He immediately went towards her and stopped her from proceeding any further.

“Excuse me, miss,” Servus interrupted her. “But… may I know who you are? You cannot simply approach his majesty as you please.” 

Seeing the king’s aide wary of someone, the guest couldn’t help but look at what was happening. The music died down, and everyone turned to a halt. The palace knights alerted themselves, waiting for an order to attack the possible intruder.

Rania, who was then still cloaked in white, smiled towards Servus.

“I seem to have gained a lot of names lately,” she answered him.

Her voice exuded kindness, gentleness, and warmth.

Hearing her voice in a surrounding that turned silent, Elliot’s eyes widened. The life and brilliance that his eyes once lost suddenly returned.

‘… That voice!’ he thought as he lifted his gaze to see the cloaked woman.

With much anticipation, he even jolted from his seat, wanting to go near her, but his knees didn’t cooperate for some reason. Instead, he stood fixed on his position, unable to move or even utter a single thing.

The cloaked woman continued her words. Now, with everyone’s eyes on her.

“Some said I was the Chosen Maiden. While some said, I am the Vessel, the Heroine, or Saintess who saved everyone.” 

“Oh my goodness!” Selena, who was sitting two seats beside the king, recognized her immediately and yelped. Her lips trembled, and her eyes cried out in great joy.

Clavis, Calum, and Azalea realized it as well and gestured to Servus not to stop her.

The cloaked woman then continued walking towards Elliot.

“But out of all of them, my most favorite was… The King’s Beloved.”

At last, she laid down her hood and took off her cloak, revealing the pure white Pandora dress she was wearing.

With the most beautiful smile she could give, she smiled dearly at Elliot.

And Elliot, who couldn’t believe his eyes, trembled greatly and cried.

Yes… for the very first time in a long while, he finally cried.

Rania spread out her arms sideways, and Elliot ran towards her in a flash.

Tightly—very tightly—he embraced her.

“Rania!” he shouted as his emotions burst out from his chest.

All the misery…

Grief…

Pain…

Frustration…

Depression…

And all the longing…

They faded away with just a simple embrace from her.

Rania was back. She was alive. And he was hugging her right at that moment.

Solid, real, and not a clone or a fragment of his imagination—it was her!

That same warmth, that same scent, and her same aura…

Once more, no words were uttered… only their extreme feelings etched out in their tear-stained faces.

Overcome by emotions, Selena and Azalea came running towards her as well and hugged her, followed by Clavis and Calum, who bowed their heads in thankfulness.

The guests, officials, knights, and Generals, who were not stupid enough to not understand the situation, bowed their heads in reverence and awe.

And that’s not all.

The Guardians… who felt her presence from the moment she entered Gaia once more, also appeared before everyone, crying their eyes out seeing her before them. Everyone ran towards her, making the group hug even bigger.

“The Saintess is alive!” the guests shouted.

And soon, even the people on the streets heard of the great, great news.

Indeed, the Supreme was the God of the living, and there was nothing He couldn’t do.