Chapter 228 - It's Time To Go Home

[Music Recommendation: "Zanarkand" by Nobuo Uematsu (Final Fantasy IX OST) - available in Youtube or Spotify] ~ Please listen to it in a loop while you read this part to experience the true atmosphere of this scene ~

Rania and Elliot were at a loss of what to feel or think at that moment. They could only look at each other and ponder on everything that just happened.

"That woman… could she be… Vindicta?" Rania mumbled. "Her hair had a dark tinge of red if I'm not mistaken. But she's supposed to be in Gaia. Could it be a part of her spirit or a clone?"

"It's highly possible. Or maybe she's the embodiment of the curse," Elliot answered her. "And that black hole she created, it's a timeless dimension. It means… Avarus will have to suffer there for eternity with the Curse of Hatred torturing him like that. Unless someone frees him. But seeing that the woman followed her, she's probably gonna make sure that he stays there forever."

"I see. That's very unfortunate of him. But then perhaps, this was justice for all the people he killed and used for his own greed. Especially the dead bodies lying in here."

Rania's eyes turned sad as she looked at all the lifeless bodies and the spiritual cores trapped inside the magical weapons. So many innocent lives, so many unfulfilled potentials, so many could-have-beens—if only they weren't caught in Avarus' evil schemes. Now, all she could do was bow her head to show deep respect.

Elliot and his parents felt the same. The king and queen even blamed themselves for being unable to stop Avarus from the beginning. But then again, there's no turning back. They had to face reality. And moving forward, they would have to bear the consequences of all that's happened—bearing its weight in their hearts.

"We should bury them with great honour," Elliot said firmly. "It's the very least we could do for them."

"Uhm… And as for the spiritual cores, they need to be guided back."

The king and queen nodded. "Yes. And that… includes us, too."

Elliot quickly turned towards the king and queen with a wretched face. They just met again after all those years and to think they had to separate again! His heart was shaken terribly.

"C-Can't you stay?" he said with trembling lips. "D-Do you really need to go back?"

King Eli and Queen Alice were heartbroken just as he was. But having no physical body, they were as good as ghosts. They were merely spirits lingering in the living world when they shouldn't be. If they continued to stay, it would affect the balance of life. They couldn't possibly risk another disaster to happen just so they could stay with their beloved son even if they badly wanted to be with him.

"Elliot," Queen Alice called him dearly as she patted his head and wiped his tears. "I want you to know that we are SO proud of you. Of what you've become despite everything that life threw at you. Despite growing without us to care for you… sniff… and guide you. Still, you've grown so strong and I'm sure you continually will. You will make a very great king. Greater than any king the world has ever known." Despite her warm smile, tears flooded from her eyes.

King Eli, on the other hand, embraced his dear son tightly. He, too, cried, but more than the tears, he was happy. And like the queen, he was very proud of his own son.

"My dear son," King Eli said, "meeting you again like this… I will cherish it forever. And even if we're not here anymore, always remember that we are thinking of you, and continually loving you with all our hearts. How I wish I could have seen you grow. But that's okay. Perhaps, when we're in heaven with the Supreme, I could ask Him if we can watch over you together. Ha-ha! And I will beg Him until He agrees."

At these words, Elliot chuckled. "I think you don't need to beg Him."

"Right? I thought so, too. So don't worry. Even if you can't see us anymore, we will always be watching over you. You are our son and forever will be our beloved son. Well maybe except when you get married and—"

"My dear king!" Queen Alice exclaimed. "Watch your words, please!"

"Pft! Ha-ha-ha-ha!"

"Ha-ha-ha-ha!"

And so, they ended up laughing together. Rania didn't want to ruin the moment but when King Eli and Queen Alice bid their last farewell and embraced their son, Elliot reached out to Rania, asking her to join them. Rania smiled back and took Elliot's hands. Together, they all wrapped each other in their warm and heartfelt embraces.

Afterwards, Rania offered a song for the dead while she guided the spiritual cores to the other side. With her angelic voice, she sang:

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost, but now am found

Was blind but now I see."

The spiritual cores from the weapons started to gather around her like the little stars in the night sky. The once gloomy and ominous cave started to shimmer with gentle lights that danced in the air. 

"Through many dangers, toils and snares

We have already come

T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far

And Grace will lead us home

And Grace will lead us home."

Elliot, Queen Alice, and King Eli smiled despite the tears on their faces, along with the spiritual cores that seemed to cry with them.

Alas, Rania commanded all the spiritual cores.

"Everyone," she said, "It's time to go home."

And as she said, the spiritual cores began to disintegrate in the air. Little by little, they turned into tiny sparkles and fluttered in the wind. Up and up they went until they could see them no longer. Along with them, was the king and queen.

Elliot, though very saddened, gave his parents his warmest smile as a farewell gift. He didn't want them to see his crying face as the last memory they had with him. Rania bowed her head and smiled the same towards them. With her magic, she created beautiful flowers that flew together with each glowing particle. 

Roses that signified love…

Lilies that signified hope…

And irises that signified faith…

Rania and Elliot waited until the very last speck of the spiritual cores were gone. When it did, they sobbed and lamented for each one of them. Solemnly, they offered a prayer to the Supreme.

"May they now find their rest with you, Most High."