Chapter 181 - Tenth Gate: Frost Of Bruma (Part 1)

~ [Music Recommendation: "Hollow Skies" by Nobuo Uematsu (Final Fantasy 7 Remake OST - instrumental only - available in Youtube] ~ Please listen to it in loop while you read this part to experience the utmost beauty of this chapter ~

After finishing the Ninth Gate, the team returned to the Forbidden Chambers. As soon as they arrived, Rania quickly surveyed the area, checking all the rooms starting from the kitchen, living area, unto the bedroom, balcony and other places. She peeked at every corner, each time giving her goosebumps from anticipation only to find disappointment as she longed for that familiar silhouette but failed to see it. It was morning and the light shined brightly inside the chambers ... bright enough for Rania to see the sad truth before her eyes.

Yes, she prayed and hoped so much for her fairy friend to be back yet she was still nowhere to be found.

"Luna …," Rania whispered dejectedly. Her eyes lowered down to the floor, and her hands gripped tight on the sides of her dress. She sighed deeply as her mind tried to think again of the different things that could have happened to Luna, drowning herself in worry once more. Though the last gate kept her busy leaving no time for such thoughts, going back to the Forbidden Chambers only made her remember her missing friend.

Elliot and Ducis took notice of it. Deep inside, they began to worry as well. They all recalled the last moments they saw her - at Ignis' bedchambers during his final moments. Rania could still vividly remember how Luna's tears didn't stop falling from her eyes even after everyone already wiped theirs.

"Luna, are you alright?" Rania recalled asking her that question.

"Y-yes! I'm good! I'm sorry, my tears just won't stop, he he he," Luna laughed awkwardly. "I think … I think I need some fresh air. I'll … go out for a bit".

All she could do that time was to sigh. She understood her though, so she let her friend have some time of her own to sort out her feelings.

"Alright. Be careful. Let me know if there's something I can help you with".

"Uhm!" Luna nodded. Then, she spread her wings and flew outside the window.

That sight of her back with her beautiful wings flapping itself and her long silver hair being blown by the wind … was the last moment she saw her.

"If only I asked for more," Rania blamed herself. "Maybe if I pestered her to tell me what's wrong, she'd tell me and she wouldn't have had to wonder alone". Regret started to fill her heart.

"Rania, don't blame yourself," Elliot interrupted her, stopping her from sinking deeper into her remorse. "No one could have predicted that she would be missing that moment. If you're going to blame yourself, might as well blame us for doing the same".

" - I," she was taken aback. She sighed afterwards and shook her head, trying to shake off her negative thoughts within her. "I'm sorry. You're right. It's no use blaming myself or anyone for the matter. But do you think maybe we could, you know, look for her? Or at least one of us? Just for the next gate?"

Elliot turned to Ducis and Ducis looked him in the eye, as if the two were communicating to each other. Then Ducis stopped for a moment to think. He knew what the next gate's trial would be. In fact, he knew it too well to be able to judge that Rania and Elliot shouldn't go there with just the two of them. If it's going to be him and Elliot, they should be able to pass the next gate with a little difficulty. But they can't just let Rania fend for herself and look for Luna alone. Elliot was out of the questions for he's the one who should be undergoing the trials. And they don't have much time to go all together looking for Luna before proceeding to the next gate.

It was either Rania and Elliot proceed to the next gate without Ducis, having less than 50% chance of overcoming the trial; or having Ducis and Elliot go which will up the stakes to a 70% or 80% but will risk Rania's safety to 50:50 for they knew nothing of what could have happened to Luna. Or it could also be less than 50, who could tell?

Rania waited eagerly for Ducis' answer. Either of the two options involved high risks. Should they prioritize passing the trials or Rania's safety? Or should they all just continue their journey and simply wait for Luna to come back? But what if something bad already happened to her? 

What road to choose? ...

Trials, Rania, or Luna? 

Which should be prioritized? 

The answer was obvious for Ducis, though it was with a heavy heart that he had to admit it to himself. 

Noticing Ducis couldn't decide for himself, Elliot, who had an entirely opposite opinion on the matter, took over.

"You go look for Luna, Ducis. And I'll go with Rania to the next gate".

"But master, that's -"

"You're not allowed to help in the trials anyway, so let us handle it".

"I can help from time to time! And the coming trial is really dangerous so I can't just leave you two alone!"

"Rania's strong too, you know. And I've got many other guardians with me in case you forgot," Elliot smirked, reassuring him.

"You don't understand, the next trial is …," Ducis paused. As the guide, he couldn't reveal the truth to him or it will spoil the trial. He could only sigh from his helplessness.

"Ducis, don't worry about us. We can do this!" Rania added, tapping him by the shoulders with a smile. "I'm sure the Supreme will help us should it be too much for us to bear".

Ducis gazed into Rania's eyes then to Elliot's, pleading them to change their minds. Alas, with the last sigh, he closed his eyes and nodded.

"If that's what you both want …"

And so, the team prepared for their separate journey. 

Ducis and Rania helped Elliot to train with Bronte's powers in the Forbidden Forest before going. Afterwards, they went back to Anguis Solum and parted ways. Rania and Elliot went to the Tenth Gate, while Ducis set forth to the dimension where he thought Luna might be in.