-Break-
Location: Soarele Blestemat; Guest Room
Φ As the sunlight fades within Blestemate, leaving room for the moon, the citizens within the country head to bed to rest their weary souls and hearts, with not a single one, with the exception of the Queen.
Walking through the halls, the Queen with a cut against her wrist spills out a purple mist that flies throughout the city, and as it flies in through the orifices of each citizen, their rest becomes far more pleasant than before.
Yet in the entire city, 3 people are left untouched.
Walking into a room, Dumitra stares at Cyrus and Suzuka on a bed, with Orb gripping them tightly as they all sleep. Walking over to them, Dumitra squeezes Orb's cheeks and says, "Just like a pillow."
In an instant, Orb's hair completely turns silver, and both his eyes turn golden, as he awakens and grabs her hand, saying, "Do you not understand the concept of consent, you mound of vile flesh that isn't worthy of becoming the muck on my spear."
A scowl appears on her face as she says, "And a cute little pillow has switched with the dumb elderly dog."
She falls backwards and snaps her fingers, forming a chair out of the air, which she sits on. Looking forward, Dumitra says, "I know the other Lux siblings are also awake, so don't keep me waiting."
Zahhak quickly switches with Cyrus, jumping up as he says, "REUNITED AT LAST!"
As he lands upwards, his body falls to the floor in pain, causing Dumitra to ask while trying to hold back her laughter, "What's going on with that one?"
Struggling in pain, Zahhak says, "Cyrus challenged Orlok to spar, and it seems he took out his anger from earlier on me."
Sighing, Setanta says, "It seems discipline still has very little effect on you?"
"Hey, that's not a nice thing to say to your little brother."
Stepping on Zahhak's face, Setanta says, "Doing things you know have guarantee negative conclusion is a form of stupidity that needs to be beaten out, vigorously."
Glaring at Setanta, Dumitra says, "Do you really want to have a conversation about doing actions with guaranteed negative conclusion-."
Grabbing her face, Zahhak extends it into a smile, and says, "You're prettier that way."
She smacks him in the face, knocking him to the ground, and says, "You know what, I'll just kill you and heal Cyrus later."
"I think that's a smart idea," Setanta says.
"Don't damage Cyrus. He is trying to better himself, and I plan on aiding him."
"Why is that? Are you trying to craft him into some kind of perfect vessel?"
"Not a chance. I've been with this boy ever since he was young and have seen him grow and surpass the person he was. When I feel his happiness and see his progress, I can't help but want to push him forward; in a way, I kind of see him like my son."
With a slight smile, Dumitra says, "2000 years have passed, but it seems you're still the same Zahhak, if only your trashy manwhore of a son ended up like you."
Hugging Dumitra, Zahhak says, "It's normal for kids to pick different paths. Your daughter has a strong will and a powerful personality, unlike you."
Choking him, Dumitra says, "You keep insulting me, like I can't rip you to shreds."
She throws him onto the ground and then says, "Well, at the very least, he seems to be doing his job as a Legacy correctly, Setanta?"
Scowling at her, he says, "I didn't enjoy you probing Orb for answers today, Dumi."
"I didn't even have to try; the boy seems rather delighted to talk about whenever he can. And from that, I can tell you haven't been a good Legacy Setanta."
"There is no point in helping out; all it does is encourage the foolish children to dive headfirst into danger. If anything, we should restrain our powers and limit their capabilities."
Walking over to Setanta, Zahhak says, "That isn't right, brother. They have a right to paint their own path forward as we have; all we should do is support them on their journey."
With anger bursting onto Setanta's face, he says, "BUT THE CHALLENGES THEY FACE ARE NOT THEIR OWN! They are the results of our mistakes, the battles they face from now till the day they die; we have a responsibility to limit the inheritance of their suffering. You've already seen how the descendants of Lux have suffered in Jedidiah, haven't you, Zahhak?"
Zahhak grips his fist, then says, "Ahmed's suffering was something I wish I could've prevented, yet I still believe that we can't restrain them. It's the natural instinct of the young to try and reshape the world around them, no matter how much you restrain them, it will change, and all you can do is be a bystander or a helper."
They both glare at each other until Zahhak sits down and says, "Yet to do such a thing, I need to become a better helper. I died quite a bit earlier than all of you given what I saw in Seirei, so would you please tell me how our family came to ruin Setanta, and what has happened since then Dumitra?"
Dumitra, looking at Zahhak, says, "Do you really think I have kept track of your family's entire nonsensical bloodline over the millennia?"
"Yes, because you're a good person."
"I am many things now Zahhak, but I wouldn't call myself a good person anymore. I am merely the matriarch of this country; that's the limits of who I have set myself to be."
"That's who the Queen of Blestemate might be, but to me you'll always be my sister Dumit-." Zahhak fall to his side, and his eyes fall as he reverts back to Cyrus.
Staring past Setanta, Dumitra looks at Suzuka with pink hair, whose back is turned to them all. "So you're awake, Tamamo the court lady."
"I told you not to call me by that annoying nickname, didn't I, aunty?"
"Sorry, I just think it's a rather app name given that you have a girl's body now?"
"And I would like to not possess it for longer than I have to. Subjecting this girl to my presence more than I already have is too great a sin for me to carry."
"I was wondering why she hasn't used the true ability of your Regalia yet, but this confirms it. She must despise you, not unfairly, I might add. The curse you left on Seirei has destroyed the true path her life should've taken."
The head of Tamamo drops lower, causing Setanta to say, "Is there a reason you feel the need to speak what we all know?"
"Yes, I feel that it needs to be said that only the intentional mass murders are present for this discussion. Thank you for putting Zahhak asleep within Cyrus."
"He would've shared all this information with Cyrus. It was for everyone in Niflheim's own good."
Fixing her posture, Dumitra says, "I still don't full understand what happen over those few days at the end of the 2nd cycle, many don't even remember how close the events of the fall of Dá, the formation of Fimbulwinter, the curse of Seirei, and the enrapturing of Jedidah were to each other with the exception of me and that man. Yet I don't know everything, as well as some important information like why Orb ended up in Fimbulwinter despite his family being alive?"
Setanta says, "I can tell you why that is from his memories, yet I need something in return."
"Doesn't family share secrets?"
"Your eyes are no longer those of Dumitra, but of the Queen of Blestemate. I understand your love and devotion more than anyone around you; that's why I can't trust you with information without any returns."
"I see, it makes me want to puke to admit this. But the current me happens to like you more than Zahhak, a hellish reality to be sure. Fine then, I will answer any question that has taken place regarding events that have happened after your death, and in return you'll fill in any blanks I have as well."
Setanta nods, with Tamamo gripping his fists.
-The Next Morning-
Location: Cursed Sky District of Căderea-Dracului; Zenitas Barracks
Standing in front of Wave Sweeper, with all his allies, Orb stares at their send-off party, and runs up before jumping and hugging Dumitra, saying, "I don't want to leave you yet, you're so adorable and cute!"
Hugging him back, she says, "I know, I don't want to lose such a comfy pillow. Would you be willing to turn yourself into cotton for me?"
They both rub their cheeks against each other, and Orb eventually lets go, saying, "Maybe when I die, but for now I need to head back and begin preparations for our new guests."
Flicking him on his head, Dumitra says, "A word of advice to you, a true king should strive to always be naked."
"Didn't I say I am not the king?"
Dumitra smacks him directly on his head and says, "A king isn't some great being or one who deserves to rule and lead; it's merely the person who bears the responsibility for everyone around themselves, and if you choose to do that, you will bear the responsibilities of a king, so please heed my words."
Nodding, Orb says, "I will."
Walking past him, Elia says, "Some king you'll be."
Turning around, Orb says, "I don't want to hear that from a woman who goes on a date with a married man," with his head burning red.
"Is the pervert talking about restraint?" She says, glaring at him with her eyes fully open.
The two of them start manically laughing at each other, causing Dumitra to say, "Should I be concerned?"
To the right of them, Willow is held against the side of the Wave Sweeper by Iancu and Suzuka as he screams, "Please, please don't do this!"
Maple, cracking her knuckles, says, "You've brought this on yourself, you piece of shit!"
"I didn't cheat, I was merely fulfilling my end of the contract, I promised her I was allowed to go see that giant ship, and I would take her so that should be help during the Queen's resuscitation!"
Iancu, turning to Maple, says, "That does sound like something Elia would do?"
"YOU COULDN'T INVITE ME!" Maple shouts. "I WON'T FORGIVE YOU NO MATTER WHAT!"
Pointing to his chin, Suzuka says, "If you hit him right here, it will do extra damage."
"SUZUKA, WHYYYYYYY!!!"
"Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! Did you guys know that Orb and Elia went on a date?"
"Date?" Maple rushes over to Willow and, with stars in her eyes, she says, "TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED!"
Staring at the sight of Willow being freed from a distance, Abbán says, "It seems I don't need to step in."
Turning his head, Dumnorix says, "Is something wrong?"
"Nothing of any importance."
Facing Žudrė and her siblings, Dumnorix says, "Happy to be alive?"
"No, I am happy I eventually get to squash your face in."
"Try as you may, but the time will never come. Still, I would be happy to train you when you arrive. The Morrigan Squadron is in need of more young talent."
"Then I'll apply and take your role as leader."
"Hope to see it."
On top of Wave Sweeper, Abbán stares down at everyone and says, "It seems like this was a good idea after all."
Stelara, beside him, says, "I say the same thing every time I look at you."
"Stop pretending saving a genius like me could have been a bad idea."
"Oh, I thought about it after your eighth arson attack."
"So I was cute enough to survive through 7 arson attacks without any regret."
Punching his head, Stelara says, "Stop being cheeky, you're an old man."
"You're right about that, I am an old man with a son, a wife, and a job. I will barely ever get to act like a child again in my life. I enjoyed being back here, because when you were always watching me, I think that's when I could've been the most free in my life."
Rubbing the back of his head, Stelara says, "You still have around 100 years left, don't act like your entrapped in a cage."
Laughing, Avram says, "I could say the same words to you, but you'd just tell me it isn't a cage but a home, and I might understand that."
Smiling, Stelara says, "You're a real man now."
"Yeah, yeah, you antediluvian crone."
Choking Avram, she says, "Saying it fancier doesn't change its meaning." Stopping, she grabs and hugs Avram, saying, "Make sure to visit again."
"Of course I will."
Standing behind them, Dumitra with Elia and Orb buried into each side of her neck, with Orb rubbing his forehead against it and Elia taking deep sniffs, says, "Don't worry about that, since Stelara is who is going to be my emissary to Nifilheim."
"HUH!!!!!" She shouts. "You didn't even ask. I don't want to leave Blestemate."
"You need a vacation, besides if you don't start making new friends, you're going to turn into Orlok and become far too obsessed with me."
"I am over 600 years old, I can't make new friends my age!"
Orb, turning his head, says, "I'll be your friend."
Placing her hands against her head, she shouts, "NOOOOOOOO!!!"
Hearing the screams of Stelara strike her ears, Ivana, whose head hangs low, whispers, "Is that my future self-yelling back at me?"
Raising her head, she sees Gheorghe and Wadim at her sides with the three ministers standing in front of them. A deafening silence moves through the area around the six of them, until Wadim clicks his tongue and says, "If you have nothing to say to us, then let us go, or are you here to complain that we didn't use our gifts from the Queen for something more useful?"
Annoyed, Vėja says, "Watch you're big mo-." A blast of white energy slams against the back of her head, and turning around, she sees her husband Šviesis along with the rest of the extended family, who all make X's with their arms.
Turning to face him, she clears her throat and says, "You managed to do we-. No, Wadim, I have judged you a failure; you were never able to do what I asked you to do like I wanted it done, and for that, I saw you as a failure. Yet that failure did fight through the hell that was Elpída with Avram, that failure brought great success onto Blestemate with his struggles, that failure saved us in our darkest moment. And to that I was wrong, as a mother I failed to understand that, and not only do I ask for you to forgive, I wish to thank you, for moving past my evils and truly being someone who this country is happy to have sired. I am glad you're you."
Wadim turns around and says, "As if those words are going to make me feel anything, dumbass, it's way too late for an apology now after all the misdirection and change of blame that has gone on long enough. I think I almost hate all women because of you. So, so, so....oh my god!" Tears burst forth from Wadim's eyes, and walking up to his back, she hugs him from behind.
Veekeeris, seeing this, says, "FUCK! Gheorghe the weakling. A true man of the seas supports his crew as each plays a role in guiding the group through the chaos of the world. Only the strongest and toughest can keep everyone sane as death looms over their heads, being a calm base for their pressure, and a guiding voice showing them the path forward. You were both of those things during a period of time, and I feel nothing but pride in the strong man you have become. I apologise for being too stupid to see that all this time."
With tears rushing down his face, Gheorge grabs his tiny father and says, "DADDY!" Begrudgingly, Veekeeris accepts the hug.
Staring at Ivana, Stiprais says, "I only ever thought there were 2 paths a woman could take to truly be perfect. That of a true lady like your Mother, or that of a kind goddess like the Queen, yet you are neither of those two things. You do not have the class to be like your mother, or the presence to dominate like the Queen. Yet there is strength within you, a strength that nurtured Iancu when he lost his mother, a strength that guided you through a hellish amount of pain to save our Queen. You are beyond what I could've ever imagined, and for that, I dub a new path forward. The path of Ivana, one in which someone can be anything they want to be, to great success."
Walking forward and wrapping his arms around the girl, barely holding in her tears, Stiprais says, "I am proud of you, my Queen."
-Break-
Slamming his foot into Wave Sweeper, Iancu activates his Legacy, and in a moment, the entire ship transforms and starts to take off. Hanging off the deck of Wave Sweeper, Orb and everyone else wave downwards, shouting their goodbyes, as the Dumitra yells, "BLESTEMATE LET YOUR HEROES HEAR IT!"
Through the entire city, all those who hear the Queen's voice yell, "THANK YOU FOR COMING TO BLESTEMATE, AND WE HOPE YOU RETURN ONE DAY!"
Their yells and roars reach into the depths of everyone's ears, and with a smile, Orb and co leave riding on the emotions of those who wish them the world.