October 13, 2025•9,437 words

Their journey had been smooth for so long. So long that they thought their victory could continue on. But some obstacles are just beyond their capacity; no matter how hard they tried, no matter how optimistic they are, the wall stretches so high they could not see any means of climbing over it, tunneling through it, evading it by getting through from the side.

But someone will be willing to sacrifice; "for the greater good", they said. The road to victory is not without sacrifices; after all, save and reload only happen in games, while probability is not a dice that you can roll again and again until it becomes a certainty of what you want it to be.

If only sacrifices would work. But what about those that sacrificed but failed to?

Oh, too bad... You were so close...

Feeling glad? Perhaps relationship is more important than causes? If you finally achieve something and no one is there to celebrate with you, what have you been aiming for all this time? What's the use except for reminiscence? Perhaps you finally realized that the journey had been more nourishing than the goal? Or do your greed for power blind you to all, and you sat on the throne, "happily ever after"?

I just thought of one wonderful little amusement...

She whom understood him most already knew what he was going to do to her, if not wholly, at least in partial.

The guard shoved the last of them into the musty dark room. The metal joints creaked as the bars slammed into position; he turned the key and walked away. Where was the girl? In another room on her own; but relative to her teammates?

It's not like he'll give up easily. As long as there's chance, as long as there's time, even if he couldn't summon his weapons, he'll try his best to break through. But the bars stayed static, unmoved by his puny effort. Even constantly dripping water take years, decades, centuries, even millenniums to put a whole in the rock; do you think you can do it in a few hours?

It starts with anger, when hope was still high, and time was still abundant. Surely there'll be a loophole somewhere for them to take advantage of? But where?

His friend, though, wasn't that optimistic.

Cool it, Noah. They've stripped us of our powers. There's no way for us to break it. Just give it a rest.

But he won't give up.

Morning goes, evening came. The guy whom plotted all of this came to visit. After all, it's his amusement; if he don't come to see it, how can it amuses him? But although he seemed amuse on the outside, the darkness in his eyes, the lack of hope... perhaps what he hated most is not the person, but a person full of hope. It's unfair for someone to have hope when he doesn't; and he, the stronger one, cannot help but extinguish the little hopes that trickled his envy out.

*The girl, you see, is in the cell beside you... Oh, I see, you still cling to a sliver of hope. *

Is that it? Is this the only reason you came here for? If you think you can break our hope that easily, you would've missed the point. Surely he wouldn't do something so pointless, would he?

You remember I wanted to stage a little show... It's the Homecoming... I'm glad you catch on quick. With the Eclipse, one month from now, the girl will meet her long awaited end. Why don't we honor it at the Castle? Make it a day to remember? Well, does that not *please** you? What a magnificent side show it will be! HURGHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!*

Using his dearest as a puppet to be manipulated, seeing his rage burst as he slammed at the metal grates. Luckily, our dear Noah is a highly civilized person, or the large metallic holes, though not big enough to squeeze their body through (unless they know how to soften and rearrange their bones like some rare people do), at least their saliva and phlegm can get through.

Oh yes. I forgot to tell you something. You're now aware of the cycle of the *Rebirth*, yes? There's an exception.

The guy walked closer to him and whispered into his ear,

Those whose flames snuffed out during the Homecoming... will not return.

As if that's not enough, he added some more mockeries. But what he really wanted to convey is this:

*You feel the anguish? Crippling despair? That's the hubris. Of fools who cling blindly to their hopes, only to find them dashed on the rocks, of dreams crushed under the sheer weight of reality. Of abject failures. *

So that's how he felt; and how he wanted him to feel. But will he feel the same? At least for the time being, anger was still the strongest emotion he felt. He wasn't put into this situation by reality; he whom put him into a jail isn't reality itself.

The room is quiet once more. Even though his friends were by his side, all that Noah could hear were his inner voices. That he was now given a goal to work towards to, all his strength he used to punch the metal grates until blood seep through his knuckles, then dried down and form a layer of 'protective', only to be broken down again and again.

Lanz caught and gripped tight on his wrist, forcing Noah to face him. He shook it off; his words couldn't convince him.

I don't care. I'll shatter every bones in my body if that's what it takes.

But he could not not care for her words.

Just stop, please.

Her voice echoed from the other side of the room along the corridor. He quickly gripped onto the metal gratings, pushing his head as far as he could, trying to see the figure, or even just the shadow, of the person that he'd been working towards.

But she was nowhere near the door, her back lying onto the walls facing him some distance from the gratings, pulling in her feet together as if that could keep her warm, or at least dampen the nervousness she currently felt. But however she felt, she wouldn't want someone she loved share her agony.

Don't worry about me. I'm... totally fine. I've made... my peace. Even if I can never leave here, I'm content. I'll live on in others. Knowing that is enough for me. Please, don't worry...

But she curled her head towards her legs and quiet her tears after finishing, so quiet no one on the other side could hear. But how could they not felt her? If that's what she said, what could they say more? What other things could they do except taking a seat and curled up themselves, hearing the time trickles in the quietness, feeling the cold wind that circulated the prison? Did he now... give up hope?

Mio...

That doesn't prevent Manana from feeling sad. As a chef that not only love cooking, what's more uplifting than having a bite? Of course their torturer aren't going to let them starve for a whole month! Food was fine, not even bland, occupied with 3 plates of mix vegetables and meat, and a cup of soup, plus a small loaf of bread. What could you expect more in a world filled with wars but lacking hands for agriculture? She put up the brightest smile she could and dispense the food to each of them; but they just sat quietly and look hopelessly into her eyes, shook their heads. Well except Riku.

Then came the discussion of why their torturer looked like Noah and Mio, then moving on to the toying of their lives, and Eunie concluding that they enjoy taking people's life. But Riku wasn't satisfied with such premature conclusion, questioned,

That really true? It seem natural to laugh when happy. And yet... N had sadness in eyes, it seemed.

That put Noah thinking. But he had been thinking for long. Someone whom had been brainwashed, someone whom see the world as black and white, someone who refuse to see the world as complex, stood up and confirm his belief,

_Like spark he did. He's Moebius. Our sworn enemy.

Was there even any point in all this? In everything we've done?

Sena started questioning. Getting stuck too long behind metal grates with all their enemy's attention on them, without a chance of escaping. She started to question whether hope was really viable.

Ironically, Noah was the one whom stood up and walked towards the wall under the window that could look out at the stars.

Of course there was... At least... We gave them hope.

Then he collapsed into tears, punched hard on the walls. The meaning he provided for himself couldn't lessen the pain he felt when it came to sacrifice the one he cherished most.

The moon outside the window kept track of time; how much it lights up, how much it stayed in the darkness. It marked how much time she had left.

Meanwhile, the rest wasn't giving up. All of them joined in, using their physical strength against the metal grates. But however hard they tried, no avail. They even get Sena up onto the giant window, onto to drop down and get caught. The moon, meanwhile, turned from half to full. Then it started swallowing from the other side. At the very last, only Lanz and Noah was still not giving up; until they went exhausted and he was the only one, with the neighboring girl his motivation to continue despite the pain and swelling and fatigue.

But they hurt much less compared to the hopelessness in saving her.

And Manana, delivering food, no longer get any reaction. No eye contact, no sound, no movement. She put it down anyway and waddle back to her seat.

Riku, meanwhile, had been watching him. He watched him grew ever since they were sent to the colony, and he helped brought his dreams alive. He passed on his wisdom, but even though they had been useful and strong in the days when they were free, his mind, fully occupied on Mio, had pushed everything else outside the boundaries he could consider. But Riku had patience. When will he hold only the string of hope once more, perhaps the only hope he could hold to and change the situation they were in? Can he do it in time?

It was so obvious, looking back. I knew that something was off about her. I knew deep down. I just... I didn't want to believe that we were the same...

The girl that betrayed their ranks and put them in their current situation, Sena mocked herself for not raising alarms earlier. What's left was regret for ignoring the warnings.

You're not the same!

Mio's reinforcing voice echoed from the other side. She quickly rushed toward the bars.

I was watching you, trying so hard. You saved us so many times... never giving up. You helped us get here. Sometimes... you can be really hard on yourself. I think... that's why you've always been so hungry, always striving for more.

All that she wanted was for recognition. And her recognition was more than enough.

Come now. I know you've touched so many lives. I think... we've all seen that.

Yeah... Hrngh... Yeah, I know. I see it now... I'm sorry...

Come on. You really need to stop saying that you're sorry.

Yeah... Sorry!

It's all right. Don't give up.

And she look outside at the half-swallowed moon.

Because time... is still on our side.

Taion played with his Mondo, pressing against its body and brushing against the cold cement surface. Eunie curled up with her forehead pressed against the side of her palms, themselves crossed and forming a triangle, supported by her knees.

So, then... tomorrow...

At last, time ran out. He had been thinking all this time whilst trying to jail break. His anger had already died down earlier; all that was left was melancholy, a thin waft of despair. Perhaps Taion's words started his sharing.

Do you think an off-seer... can ever reach others? You know, I thought... our lives were like our music... always in our hands, under our control... I wasn't facing the truth... Even if I could reach people, I wouldn't be able to save them. I should've known that. Hnfff...

He clenched his fist tight, gritted his teeth, used all the muscles he could still muster despite the lack of food intake from how many eons ago.

It's unbearable, seeing lives slip away from you... Even though they're right there... What am I even doing...

The others looked away, trying not to look at him. The one most optimistic in their group, they couldn't bear looking at him in such state. They couldn't help him. Even Master Riku had to watch him transform; but will he?

If there's someone's voice that could soothe him right now, it must be her. The calmness she emanated resonates even just a little. Or at least, his attention shifted.

It's dark out, huh? No moon... But... the starlight... It's so nice and warm...

Mio...

Hey... When the two of us first met... You asked me if I wanted to survive.

Yeah.

I replied... I didn't mind either way.

Yeah.

There was a moment of silence before her voice echoed over again more confidently.

I'll correct that. Now I... want to live. *To live, and learn, a whole lot more...** Noah... There's so much for us to see.*

His eyes widened; what he'd waited for so long, so long since they were put into depression; finally, the small feeling that kept nimbling his heart was satisfied.

Huh... Finally... You called me by my name.

She was utterly surprised by the change of topic; or rather, it was like a soft hammer that hit into her heart chamber.

Oh, yeah... sorry... I guess I felt that... if I did, my heart would downright break... Because... I'd be admitting the truth...

Mio...

But you know, these feelings that grew within me, they're thanks to you... That's why... you're not allowed to say... it's been for nothing. You've enriched my life, Noah. That's clear now.

Mio...

Eunie and Sena could no longer hold onto their tears. Taion bit his tongue, punching hard on the floor next to him. Lanz vibrating eyelids gave himself away, closed his eyes thereafter.

You know... I don't want this to be it. If I were given the chance... If this road I have walked... were to keep going... I'd like to spend that time... with my Noah.

And he collapsed into tears. Only she stayed calm, the total eclipse will be tomorrow morning.

As the morning sun caressed along the walls and her figure from beyond the horizon, she picked up her notebook and turned it to the final page, wrote whatever she wanted in it, then crossed off the last of the diamonds, arranged 30 per page, softly brushing against the paper thereafter, feeling the last of its texture, before softly closing it off, marking the end of its journey.

And hers.

There's still some time before the last part became covered by the annular eclipse. Agnus soldiers gathered before the stage where the throne was mounted, stood in columns and rows quietly. Some soldiers pressed Noah and the others along the lowest platform, shoving them down to face the stage, their backs facing the soldiers. Noah kept looking on the floor until the others refusantly knelt beside him; then he looked up. There was the Moebius and the girl Shania; there were the soldiers responsible for playing the Homecoming melody standing in a row beside Her Majesty's throne; and on the other side, N and M.

Even such ceremony there were a thousand emotions. Her smirk, his hopelessness, hers unreadable...

The round of applause pulled their attention to the center as the soldiers cheered, "My Queen!" "Your Majesty!" She appeared from behind the door of the throne and opened her hand, as if to embrace her children. They started chanting, "Queen Nia! Queen Nia! Queen Nia!" Until she rose her hand and stopped them, starting her speech.

M lowered her glance onto the ground.

The group started chatting about the fake Queen, unleashing what rage they had left, then Eunie changed the topic to their execution, wishing they had gone a little further, and that they had passed the torch. Then the soldier instructed them to shut up while the Queen finished the last of her sentence; then the off seers on stage raised their flutes to their lips, playing the melody with full heart.

Noah looked onto the ground. His jittery eyes and shaky breathe showed he wasn't as calm as he'd thought he would be. Riku, chained behind him, whom had been watching him all this time, waiting for the time to come, did not see any change expected in him. But time is nigh; he needed to give it just a little push, to act as a catalyst and see if he could start the reaction. He needed to try.

Noah giving up? Now of all time?

I don't want to give up. But we're... trapped here. Our Blades... Tchhh I hope at least... she can... go in peace...

Riku sighed.

Of course Noah trapped. Noah still not tried to draw Lucky Seven!

Huh?

Remember? Back when Riku give wisdom? When need of true power, sword will appear.

Yeah... I remember.

Today is day of need. Even at edge, facing sheer drop, must never give up.

They didn't give him the time to think. He heard the heavy door which they came out of earlier creaked open, and behind was two soldiers pressing against the girl that he had been missing for a whole long month. Felt like forever. The soldiers cheered as they welcomed the girl that "finally reached her Homecoming."

When Noah saw her, his heart broke. All of the mental preparations he'd done, all the meanings he used to convince himself; they're gone the moment he saw her. They watched as she walked in front of them, oblivious to their callings, turning towards the Queen without looking back, slowly going up the stage.

Miooooo.... Mioooooooo!!!

Noah went after her; the solders immediately pressed him onto the ground. She stopped at the top of the stage, hearing his cries. The accompanying soldiers went ahead and pressed her to the ground.

Meanwhile, while he was struggling against the soldiers, N had descended the stairs and walked in front of him, signaling the soldiers to release while he released the shackles on his hand. He slowly climbed up while N threw the Kevesi flute, originally his before he exchanged it with Mio some 2 months ago, and rolled in front of him. Then he ordered.

*Pick it up... You're an off-seer. So send her. *

But Noah didn't act.

What's wrong? Go on, send her. Isn't that your role? Isn't she *your** Mio?*

He slowly climbed forward, shiveringly took the cold flute into both his arms, putting his fingers into position, covering the holes. But when he looked up and saw yellow motes evaporating from his loved ones, he lost control of every single inch of his muscles, dropping the flute onto the floor. The annular eclipse was finally complete.

Her motes brushed over their skin. She slowly turned her head around while he straightened his backbone, hoping that would get even just a little bit closer to her. Their eyes met for the final time. She saw the tears in his eyes, his uncertainty and facing loss. She smiled.

It's been fun, Noah.

Mio...

She closed her eyes; she was lost. Only her shirt and her white flute was left on the ground. The group held their tears quietly while his shrieking scream for "Mioooooo" echoed the square. M looked away, closing her eyes. The Queen embraced her return with wide opened arms.

Immediately after, the annular eclipse gave up quickly as the sun returned to its full brilliance.

N don't know what is the significance of the act he had put up with. He had been in his place again and again in the past; and losing hope too many times he could see no way out, he joined their ranks. Was his lost of hope not his in the past? Suddenly, he felt that the whole joy disappeared; there was no joy, only bereaved memories. It's time to end this quickly.

The two soldiers pulled up both his arms; he walked to the side of his head, drew out his sword, aimed for his neck, then chopped.

His soul saw his corpse laid dead on the ground. The surrounding quickly turned cloudy as a male child's voice echoed.

Well then, you've made your choice. Are you happy with how it turned out? Is this... how you wanted the future to be?

He looked for the source of the voice. The hooded figure stood in front of him. He looked around. There were people, figures, silhouettes, fighting all around him in the distance, like looking at cinematics being replayed.

*Where am I? *

All this time, you've been repeating the same *aimless** actions. All to keep the world this way. And yourself.*

Huh...

*Once more today, you've lost the one you cherished most... *

He closed his eyes for a moment, then turned his attention to the hooded figure.

Are you sad? If you could, would you try again? Or would you rather... linger in the 'endless now'...?

Noah! Noah! Noah!

Someone was calling for him. He opened his eyes and saw a guy wearing Lost Numbers' vest, along with a female standing behind, her back lying on the walls. The guy whom called him out continued excitedly,

Look at this! We've finally managed to activate the Ouroboros Stone! Though we don't understand it fully... Some functions may still remain hidden. But still, even in its current state, the power it's releasing is more than enough. With this in hand, we can fulfill the wish entrusted to us by the Queen!

All this while, Mio stood beside him, looking at his face. She don't really care about the Ouroboros stone. All she wished was to accompany him longer. She watched his reactions. He was still trying to figure out what was happening; he was focusing on the guy making the speech.

You mean... take back the world from Moebius?

Yes! Definitely!

Three more months... That's all we need.

He turned to her; that's the amount of time she had left. He looked at her in her eyes, she smilingly looked at him, appreciating their time together, supporting him for what he was to carry out, nodded in return.

Mio...

His shaky voice reverberated as her weakening eyes closed while she was in his hands. Motes evaporated from her soon-to-be corpse. Fire ravaged the battlefield, polluting the air with a thick layer of black soot, covering even the sunlight. Levnises and soldiers littered the ground.

The head of all Moebius, Z, walked towards him after she had disappeared.

So impotent. Did you really think you could... stem the tide? With the *paltry power** that you possess?*

He looked at him like looking at someone with much lower status than him, instructed,

O you who floats in the currents. You must yield. Abandon all you are.

Then he ended his pitiful life.

He jump-woke up gasping for breathe in a tent. He looked around him. Empty beds. He walked out of the tent. The ground was dark, perhaps previously a battlefield. He walked emotionlessly, stopped and saw the pot of soup cooking on the stove to his right. Then her voice pulled his attention to his left where she was preparing the plates.

Morning! You really should've dozed a while longer.

Oh... Good morning.

She smilingly invited,

Wanna eat? Wait... I forgot you don't like to eat right after waking.

But not today, not after having "a bad dream".

N-No, I'll have some.

The he joined in. Seated at the table, she was biting onto her black bread. Then she commented while he put down his bread,

Tomorrow's the day. The final battle against Moebius. We've come a long way to get here. Now it'll finally be over.

His eyes turned and fixated on her term symbol by her neck; she instinctively covered it, cheerily reassured,

It's fine! I've got 3 whole days. 3 days is plenty. I'm sure we'll be golden.

He don't know what to say. Always sacrificial for his goal. Always readily supported him.

She dropped to the ground, blue motes rising from her soon-to-be corpse. Z walked slowly towards him; the fear-ridden Lost Numbers lost their lives, evaporating into red motes, as he walked past, instructed,

O you who floats in the currents. *You must yield.** Did I not tell you?*

Yield what?

How many times has it been now?

He protected her dying corpse. He knelt to the ground after losing his sword in front of Z, blue motes evaporating from his own body. He turned his head to his left; suddenly, what he really wanted awashed him. Seeing her disappearing before his eyes, he could no longer hold his emotions.

Mio... Please no... I can't... I won't...

Then he joined her.

Seen the memories, Noah concluded, back in the cloud room.

The world... I wanted to change it.

The child asked,

For whose sake?

I did it for her...

But you... ran away.

Snow and blizzard. He and she kept panting and panting, but he held on to her hands, while dragging her behind. She was dead tired, on the brink of collapse, but for his sake, she kept running. His head echoed the muffled voice of those Lost Numbers that treated him as their leaders even at the poles of the world, even when they were at places where no one else would have came.

Noah! How can you betray us like this?

You're just gonna abandon us? We have the Ouroboros Stone now! What the spark are you thinking?

We trusted you! We followed you for all this time!

Noah! Noah! Where did you go? Noah!

But he kept running, disappearing behind the blizzard.

He found a rock where she laid her head on his shoulder while he was catching his breathe, the giant rock shielding them from the blizzard wind; but it could not shield her from the cold. Her breathe was trembling, but it was getting nigh. While his mind raced through those voices, he finally turned his attention to her, put his hand around her shoulder and pulled her in, hoping his paltry body heat could keep her warm. But he himself was losing consciousness, the scene getting blurrier and blurrier, until his eyes closed forever. The blizzard kept blowing.

Are you sure it wasn't for yourself?

In a moment of desperation, he clung tight.

No! This isn't me!

You only cared... about yourself.

The child repeated with conviction.

No! I was... I-I didn't...

But he don't know how to rebut. Words were weak when truth were laid bare. But the child continued.

But... with time, you changed.

Baby crying inside a room. The metallic door slid open, and Noah came in with brimming smile. He waded his way to Mio, hugging a baby in her hands. He knelt beside her bed.

Strong lungs on that one. Heard him all the way outside.

Mio gently caressed her child.

He looks just like Daddy.

I would've said Mummy.

She giggled, looked deeply into the baby's eyes.

Our hopes and dreams made into a little person. You'll lead the way to a new world. A new way of life.

Yeah.

While they were enjoying the time together, Noah suddenly came up with a question.

What about... his name? I don't think we ever agreed on one.

Ahah, it's your call. You're good at naming, aren't you?

He looked to the side, quietly spoken,

Uh? N-no, I don't think that's a good idea... It's probably best... if I don't...

He looked down on his sword stuck to his left. Bring back memories the last time he tried to came up with a name for his sword... Mio giggled.

I thought you'd say that... Right, I'll do it. 'Kay?

Mhm...

She looked at the baby's eyes for a while, said,

Here's what we'll call him then...

They continued to have conversations while the morning sun rise outside, bringing in refreshing breeze, like the start of a new hope, like congratulating the start of a new life together. Noah played with the baby, eager on gently touching his face.

But the morning sun cannot last. A beginning always have an end. As the sun sets in the horizon, casting an orange hue on the walls and their figures, she laid on her death bed with Noah sitting on the chair beside her, their child, now a few years old, quietly sat in his laps.

Her mom's fingers moved a little bit, and both noticed. She effetely turned to look at him, slowly raising up her left hand, trying to reach out for him. Noah sat a bit forward, allowing his child to reach out his hand for hers. They gently held together. He doesn't yet know what that means, but those last words would have left an impression within him forever.

I hope... I hope that... the future will be... kinder to you...

Noah softly called out.

Mio...

As if her time had came, a golden hue cast on her figure while motes started to rise. She felt her end had came, leave the final smile she wanted him to remember before disappearing before him. He immediately missed the hand he caught only. While he was wondering what happened, Noah's tears dripped onto his head and shoulders. He turned and hoped that he would explain where had mummy gone to, but Noah was too deeply in tears he could only hug tight onto his son.

Even the evening sun couldn't cast its light forever, and when it fell past the horizon and darkness took over the world, the gloomy clouds raising the humidity of the atmosphere with some soft cold drizzles, Noah took his son for a walk deep into the forest, stopped when he felt golden motes starting to rise from his hand, one by one. His son had saw that just a year ago, stopped and looked at him.

He knelt down and looked into his eyes, calmly passed on the final wisdom that he wished to pass on more slowly and thoroughly if only he had more time,

Daddy will have to go soon... All right?

He nodded; he felt a twitch in his heart, but he let him continued.

But you know, your Daddy's and Mommy's love, our life, will always be within you. You'll never... be alone.

Noah put his hands on his shoulders, gripped strongly,

Things will get tough, you'll get hurt. You've a whole host of things to go through... as you head into the future. A time might come... when you'll be on the verge of giving up...

Noah gently took both of his hands and raised them.

But you have to keep going. Make friends. Keep them close to you, always. That's what... Daddy and Mummy did.

Tears aggregated on his eyes as he cried and slightly nodded. He felt his heart twisted like a year ago; but this time, he's the one that's to go. How he wished he wouldn't have to do this to him. But without him, he'll have to learn to be strong himself. He don't know what to say. He released his arms and took his son into his hug strongly, his tears started rolling down his cheeks as motes started to evaporate faster and faster, then pushed himself aside, looking into his eyes, and left his last words,

We're with you... now and forever...

As he put his arms down and closed his eyes to embrace the unknown, his motes brushed through his child's figure and floated into heaven. Finally he'll go after his mommy, leaving only his shirt and other belongings behind. He looked up onto the sky to embrace the still-felt warmth he left while the morning sun casted its first hue on the top of the forests.

Why... Why am I crying? Why do I look like that?

Noah looked on the cinematic screen replaying history, asked. The child replied,

That's another you. That's how *he** was.*

Another me?

You from the past.

Me from the past?

He didn't explain.

And then, you made your choice.

Noah looked up and saw his past being replayed in a dark cinematic room on the projector. Rebirth and died. Rebirth and died. Again and again. Quietly it changed into a Y-forked road. The voice of Z from his left thus attracted his attention,

There are 2 roads set before every individual: the left, the right. What lies down the road you choose? Is it hope? Or despair? It repeats, and repeats, as you make countless, endless choices. You too, like everyone, have been making them all along.

Then he seemed to notice something not right inside the room. There was the hooded figure, standing on the balcony on the first floor of the room, looking at him. Z seemed to not notice the figure; perhaps only he could see him. Then his attention returned to his speech and the accompanying cinematics on the screen.

If the results satisfy, that is well and good. *But... if they do not satisfy, what then?* *Will you weep, battered by grief? Or howl, seething with rage? Have you never prayed... that time would simply stop? Have you wished the 'now' would last forever? Your two lives, **thriving and persisting far beyond Homecoming, surpassing the system of the world, I was fascinated, even beguiled by you. *

Then Z looked to Noah, introduced himself,

My name... is Z, the ruler of this world. I shall grant... your desire.

Noah's eyes widened, then found himself standing at the beginning of the forked road, just behind the screen on top of the stage. Z's voice echoed from behind,

So you have chosen, then... The 'endless now'.

He looked onto the screen with conviction as the Moebius icon glowed in his right eye; his leather padded shirt transformed into a gold-plated armor; his young-looking face turned into an experienced matured person with long hair that covered his forehead and nose and ears. He had became the guy that forgets his name, and as a replacement, was given a new alphabet just like all other Moebius had, 'N'.

He stepped into the cinematic scene. On the left of the road was nothing that awaits; while on the right, the figure of M stood at the top of the hill quietly. Looking at her, he did not hesitated, didn't even take a look onto the left, walked towards her, and together, they walked down the road further and further, never returning to the other forked road. Z watched his choice without emotions.

And so, you became Moebius. So that... you could live an eternal *now** together.*

The child's voice echoed from behind him as he reawakened inside the cloud bed environment. The child's voice had became more anguished, the scene redirected at Mio's last moments during Homecoming, her smile.

Is this still your wish? Do you want... to ask one more time, for time to stop?

He looked down with quivering breathe, unable to answer. Perhaps that's what he wanted; if he had not cared for her, if she was not his dearest one, he wouldn't have felt so sad for the past month.

Why is it... that you're here? Why did you split from your other self? Why is it... that you exist?

He looked up without turning around.

I thought I... wanted to know.

Know what?

I became an off-seer... because... I wanted to know the meaning behind the smile.

Tell me.

I had a friend, as important to me as... as Lanz and Eunie, or Joran.

The cinematic screen started playing the blond hair male playing his flute during the first Homecoming he went to when he was way younger.

Kevesi soldiers were marching toward the Agnians. One by one, they dropped dead, while the blond guy, only a year left before his Homecoming, accompanied by Noah, watched from a hill behind a rock. He asked,

Noah, will you keep moving?

Huh?

What did he meant by that? He didn't explain.

Me, I'm good here.

Crys, what do you mean, you're good...?

Crys turned around and said "Thank you." before something happened to him that made Noah gasped.

After the battle ended, Kevesi soldiers dragged their tired bodies back to where they should be, leaving the corpses lying around on the battlefield to rot. The young Noah found the black flute lying on the ground on the battlefield and picked it up, took it in his hands and put it close to his heart. The loss of someone most dear to him, he couldn't yet contain.

Crys... I wondered... why he smiled back then. And not just him, Joran too. I wanted to know why.

That's why? Why you continued as an off-seer?

He nodded.

For the longest time, I thought they pitied those of us left behind. 'Sucks to be you.' 'Sorry, guys.' 'I'm checking out early.' 'It'll be tough, but keep your chins up.' I figured... that's what the smile said.

But now... Mio, too... was smiling. I think I get it now... the meaning behind the smile. I think they were all content... with the way it ended. Like they were putting us in charge... of the future... telling us to make a world where... everyone... can smile...

He looked down on the term symbol carved on the back of his arm.

But it just breaks my heart, that... that was the only smile they could choose. And it really shouldn't have been...

He clenched his fist tight.

*The world we have now, it doesn't give us the choice to smile. If the world won't let us choose outside these narrow bounds... I want nothing more... than to rip this world apart. *

His conviction is never stronger. He turned around and looked at the hooded figure, now that he is confident.

I want to repay those smiles. That's why I'm here.

And you won't choose... the same path as your other?

Who can tell? I may end up doing that. But... I'll change it, no matter what... because... *that** is the legacy that Mio left me.*

Even if you're left alone?

This time, his eyes didn't flickered a bit, focused strongly on the hooded figure, nodded and replied,

Even if I'm alone.

As if the voice of 2 person had mingled, the echoes under the hooded figure changed,

In that case...

The hooded figure threw away her hood and revealed herself. The girl that he thought had left him earlier stood animated before him with a brimming smile, holding out her hand towards him, looking into his shivering eyes, and invited,

Let us walk together.

Brightness engulfed the fog and took them back to reality.

N walked to the side of Noah's head, aimed for the neck, raised his sword high above his head, and chopped.

As his teammates widened their eyes to see their leader met his fate, a purple dome grew and brushed past all of them, highlighting Noah's figure, stopping his sword. N turned his head to his left, looking at the girl that accompanied him since he had made that decision. All others, Shania, X, stuck their eyes on her, wondering why did she stopped his execution. She said not a word, quietly picked up the flute dropped on the ground beside Mio's shirt, turned around, and slowly descended the stairs. N put his sword down, softly called out,

M...

She didn't reply; but if that's what she wanted to pay a favor, he'll let her have it. He stepped back a few steps, leaving some space between her and him, ordering the soldiers to release him. She pressed a button behind her neck and sheathed her mask, took the black flute that he dropped earlier, looked at both of them, tucked the black one in her pocket, and knelt before him, whom still had both hands on the ground, while handling over the white flute in both hands.

Noah raised his head; if she was M, she wouldn't have figured out he and she had exchanged flutes from earlier; surely they'd know, but it wasn't in their attention to remember such pity details. And her words.

*I'm sorry. *

He swiftly tilted his head up and fixated on the figure. Is she whom he think she is?

My hair, it's gotten kinda long. Will you still... walk alongside me? Noah?

He couldn't believe what he'd heard; tears rolled down his cheek as he carefully ask, hoping that it wasn't an illusion, a dream,

Mio...

She smiled and nodded. He rubbed his tears, softly grabbed on the white flute and tucked it into his pocket. Then softly put his hand on hers, their eyes fixated onto each other, oblivious of the one whom iris dimmed to extreme fear, and whose sword vibrate as he failed to keep himself composed. One step by another, he rolled back, fearfully,

Wh-what... Impossible... You're...

She turned to look at him with a stern face, showing the symbol on her eyes, something that looked like Tai Chi.

Ouroboros?! Huh!

He recalled when the purple dome was launched a month earlier when she was fighting them. He pointed at her with vibrating fingers, then pressed hard on his forehead,

Does that mean... back then, the two of you... So, the one who died is...

He shook his head. No, it cannot be. No, no, no... Step by step, he walked toward the stage; but all that she left was a piece of shirt; even the motes had evaporated long time ago. From the depth of his heart, his shrieking scream echoed the square; the pain that he did so much to avoid, he finally swallowed the pill himself. The names that he had long forgotten, in the depth of desperation, he finally cried out, slashing his sword mid-air,

Why, Mio?! Why would you do this to me? You said you'd be by my side! Mio! All I did, I did it for you!

You must've know.

He snapped his attention onto her.

The other me... she couldn't follow you any more, she couldn't go on!

When the purple dome first brushed against her, they were brought into a memory space while time stopped outside. There, Mio was shown the various memories between Noah and Mio. M appeared behind her and explained,

What you see... those are our memories, continuing uninterrupted since the world was taken captive a long time ago. Memories of me and him.

Why are you showing me this?

You are...

She shook her head.

No, all of you are my repentance.

Repentance?

How I wanted us to be. You embody all our hopes... Our dreams of how this world should be. Even though you and your friends should never have existed, the fact that you are here is proof enough.

So you'll... let me live? But, if you go through with this, you'll be...

To my Noah, the time with me is everything. *I** just want it to... end.*

Huh...

She angrily spoke,

Moebius like me, we can exist only by taking the souls of those... that grace this world. Nobody pays the slightest mind to the thoughts... and dreams those many lives espouse. We gorge ourselves, covet every ember, just to delay our inevitable ruin.

That's why you wanted to disappear?

If I die, maybe he'll see... maybe he could somehow... realize what it is that I wish. That would be enough... Afterwards, it'll be up to you two... to walk the path *we** ought to have walked, he and I.*

The sadness in her eyes couldn't be covered.

Taion and the others, hearing the story, were shocked as well. Mio turned to N, hopefully convincing him,

The other me... she passed all of her memories on to me, so that I could share... everything with you.

Share everything...

Then Noah questioned his motivation to become Moebius. When his soul descended and went through the memories they had given birth to their son, he felt elation. How could that not anchored him? But N cut him off,

Feelings, you say? You dare... My feelings have never changed, they're the same as they always been!

He crazily laughed, frantically pointed his sword at Mio.

They're for you, Mio! The time I had with you meant everything to me! But now... it's all gone... If she truly is gone, I'll have to redo it all! Watch me! Rewind our clocks, back to the start!

Mio felt a strong pin pressing on her heart.

Noah, my long shadow. You have stolen her away from me. I will extinguish you, and take her back! Mio is mine! She's not yours, she's mine. You are nothing. She belongs only to me!

Then he prepared to attack. Words won't get through to him. Noah signaled to Mio, whom released the shackles on their friends, and immediately they turned around and punched and kicked and smashed onto those soldiers behind them, knocking them off the stage. Taion and Sena quickly dashed towards Mio, Sena can't believe it,

Are you... are you really my Mimi?

I'm sorry... I worried you. This was the only way.

Sena gave her a short hug while Taion stood in front of them, protecting them while they were having a short reunion. When he felt her eyes landed on him, he turned around and smiled, nodded in return. When Lanz and Eunie caught up, the former thought it's logical to

might wanna leave the teary reunion till later. The mudder's glaring and he looks pissed off.

Taion also wanted more answers later. Noah agreed. Exchanging glance with Mio, they interlinked while X was baffled,

They're Interlinking? No way!

But however she tried, she couldn't cancel their Interlink. Mio took control and jumped in front of her, grabbed onto the crystal ball and crushed it. The others found their powers returned and started Interlinking. Noah regained control, gave up on X, and join in to fight their main enemy.

N and the others had escaped after the Lost Numbers had reinforced them, taking over the Castle. The fake Queen had been destroyed during the fight. The plan established between the City and Mio had worked out right. When Ghondor reappeared before Shania, she had already given up hope. All her desperation went to drawing out her weapon and shot it right in her temple, ending her pitiful life. Despite what she had done to them, Sena still felt sad at someone she thought would have shared her feelings, and though they went on different roads, she couldn't help but weep over her loss.

While the Agnus soldiers, now released from their flame clocks, were under the command of the Lost Numbers to clean up the mess on the Castle, they climbed onto a short ledge that overlooked the operation. Noah now had the time to went back to destiny.

I can't help but wonder... Would I have been able to save you? I wanted time to stand still... more than anything. I felt completely powerless. I wished time would stop. If the moment could have lasted forever, we... I wished for the unthinkable, just like N. I proved to be just like him.

As if he just realized about it, he desperately told Mio while the others listened. She waited for him to finish before carefully taking his left palm with both of hers, caressing the blood-drained knuckles that revealed his pain while they were back in there.

For my part, *this** is all I need.*

He redirected the question to when they had changed bodies, and that no one had suspected they had changed bodies back there.

I did try my best. I couldn't afford to fail. If anyone suspected me, you'd have all been executed on the spot. But her feelings... I couldn't simply let them go to waste.

M's... feelings?

She wanted to give you everything that she knew about N, to help us escape... to break this never-ending Moebius curse... To lose, and lose, and still stand back up, even in the depths of despair, she wanted you to have the strength to defeat those at the root of that despair.

She sure had a lot of faith in me. Ohff...

She believed... that if anyone in the world could make it possible, it would be you. That's why, she merged our wills so we could act, to further our goal.

He recalled her dreams, "To live, and learn, a whole lot more." and her final words, "It's been fun, Noah!"

Earlier, you said 'it was fun'... But it wasn't you, it was M...

I really think she meant it. It was brief, but... being who I am now... passing my thoughts along on to you, and receiving yours in return... she was... grateful.

I see...

From that moment, M's words were my words, and my words were now hers. Her life was scattered on the breeze, but her memories, and her will, live on inside my heart... Come! I have something to show you.

Then she lead the way. They met Ghondor at the bottom of the elevated platform whom decided to tag along.

They walked to the edge of a protruded cliff and looked at the sea below. There laid some rusty remains of what used to be buildings, some protruding out of the sea surface.

M was still unsure to the very last... whether to show you the memory of this place... but... I think it would be best. This place... it was everything to N.

Wh-what do you mean?

Well you see... this is where the City once stood.

He was surprised. It was more prosperous than the City nowadays. But...

In her memories, Mio's corpse laid on a bed in the cinematic room, a beam of light shining upon her. Noah jumped up from his seat the moment she was revealed. Z, seated still, commented,

There it lies before you: your heart's desire. There is no life within; you must breathe it into her *yourself*.

He gasped after Z told him the method to reanimate Mio. He angrily shouted out,

Life from the people of the City?! You want me to end every one of them?!

Why the hesitation? Existing in 'this place'... is by itself a result of your own choices. You are the one who chose the 'endless now', are you not? Your response should already be predetermined.

He looked at Mio's corpse for a while, but he couldn't make up his decision. Z had not the time to wait for him too long.

Such a shame.

With the flicker of his eyes, Mio's body began to deteriorate. He started to panic, reached out for her while shouting,

Wait, please!!!

When the Y-forked road appeared before him, he turned immediately to the right where Mio was waiting for him, never looking to the left. Why would he had did otherwise now? He knew the location of the City, it being founded by his son, along with a few others. Mio explained,

The City's inhabitants were the descendants of M, N, and others who became Ouroboros in the past. In exchange for the lease on life they would get as Moebius, Z ordered N to kil the City's people.

Eventually, he ended almost every one of them; those that did escape were protected by another power; while his son died in his hands. But that's another long story to be retold. When the flame raged every inch of the City, Mio had already been resurrected as M, was told where N was, and when she arrived behind him, her heart collapsed. She angrily lashed out at him,

Oh no... Tell me! Tell me why!

He emotionlessly answered,

I didn't... want to lose anymore.

What do you mean, 'any more'?! Everything we held dear is gone! You took them all away, and you dare talk about your feelings of loss?!

He hid it all away, emotionlessly turned his eye to her,

Now you... will continue to exist as Moebius. The same... as myself.

She was utterly disappointed.

So you did it, sealed our fate... Now we can live forever, but this future's been stamped out before its time.

And with tears in her eyes, she quietly spoke to herself,

And... I can't even disappear.

The group listened to the story awestruck. Noah shakily raised both of his palm,

Only 2 things were important to him... impossible... How could one ever choose between them? Surely he couldn't... do it...

And yet... he did make a choice... No one can truly judge him... for the things he did.

Repentance...

She nodded.

The intentions they left behind, they turned into us...

She agreed.

Of course it's heartbreaking, but...

But still, she was smiling...

We have to change things.

Yeah, and this time, we'll succeed.

They both turned to the others, he voiced it for them,

So it's set, our new goal. Agreed?

Why would they be disagreeing? They came so far, they'll go on. And one would stop the storytelling here. The most desolate part had been laid out once more after one wrote the book on it. The earlier part of the journey, and the rest of the journey, it's for you to continue on, reading or watching. It's surely a great movie to watch and rewatch again and again. Every time one watches it, one realized something different; as one think more about it, one noticed something different from a different perspective each time, based on how one had changed. Even nowadays, it soothes one's heart.

So let us walk together down the path into the uncertain future. We won't know what lies ahead until we walk it, and if we only stay within our circle of comfort, we would never know what possibilities are out there that we can achieve. Are we lively enough? How lively are you? One wanted to know. Will you... walk alongside me?

October 13, 2025•9,437 words

Their journey had been smooth for so long. So long that they thought their victory could continue on. But some obstacles are just beyond their capacity; no matter how hard they tried, no matter how optimistic they are, the wall stretches so high they could not see any means of climbing over it, tunneling through it, evading it by getting through from the side.

But someone will be willing to sacrifice; "for the greater good", they said. The road to victory is not without sacrifices; after all, save and reload only happen in games, while probability is not a dice that you can roll again and again until it becomes a certainty of what you want it to be.

If only sacrifices would work. But what about those that sacrificed but failed to?

Oh, too bad... You were so close...

Feeling glad? Perhaps relationship is more important than causes? If you finally achieve something and no one is there to celebrate with you, what have you been aiming for all this time? What's the use except for reminiscence? Perhaps you finally realized that the journey had been more nourishing than the goal? Or do your greed for power blind you to all, and you sat on the throne, "happily ever after"?

I just thought of one wonderful little amusement...

She whom understood him most already knew what he was going to do to her, if not wholly, at least in partial.

The guard shoved the last of them into the musty dark room. The metal joints creaked as the bars slammed into position; he turned the key and walked away. Where was the girl? In another room on her own; but relative to her teammates?

It's not like he'll give up easily. As long as there's chance, as long as there's time, even if he couldn't summon his weapons, he'll try his best to break through. But the bars stayed static, unmoved by his puny effort. Even constantly dripping water take years, decades, centuries, even millenniums to put a whole in the rock; do you think you can do it in a few hours?

It starts with anger, when hope was still high, and time was still abundant. Surely there'll be a loophole somewhere for them to take advantage of? But where?

His friend, though, wasn't that optimistic.

Cool it, Noah. They've stripped us of our powers. There's no way for us to break it. Just give it a rest.

But he won't give up.

Morning goes, evening came. The guy whom plotted all of this came to visit. After all, it's his amusement; if he don't come to see it, how can it amuses him? But although he seemed amuse on the outside, the darkness in his eyes, the lack of hope... perhaps what he hated most is not the person, but a person full of hope. It's unfair for someone to have hope when he doesn't; and he, the stronger one, cannot help but extinguish the little hopes that trickled his envy out.

*The girl, you see, is in the cell beside you... Oh, I see, you still cling to a sliver of hope. *

Is that it? Is this the only reason you came here for? If you think you can break our hope that easily, you would've missed the point. Surely he wouldn't do something so pointless, would he?

You remember I wanted to stage a little show... It's the Homecoming... I'm glad you catch on quick. With the Eclipse, one month from now, the girl will meet her long awaited end. Why don't we honor it at the Castle? Make it a day to remember? Well, does that not *please** you? What a magnificent side show it will be! HURGHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!*

Using his dearest as a puppet to be manipulated, seeing his rage burst as he slammed at the metal grates. Luckily, our dear Noah is a highly civilized person, or the large metallic holes, though not big enough to squeeze their body through (unless they know how to soften and rearrange their bones like some rare people do), at least their saliva and phlegm can get through.

Oh yes. I forgot to tell you something. You're now aware of the cycle of the *Rebirth*, yes? There's an exception.

The guy walked closer to him and whispered into his ear,

Those whose flames snuffed out during the Homecoming... will not return.

As if that's not enough, he added some more mockeries. But what he really wanted to convey is this:

*You feel the anguish? Crippling despair? That's the hubris. Of fools who cling blindly to their hopes, only to find them dashed on the rocks, of dreams crushed under the sheer weight of reality. Of abject failures. *

So that's how he felt; and how he wanted him to feel. But will he feel the same? At least for the time being, anger was still the strongest emotion he felt. He wasn't put into this situation by reality; he whom put him into a jail isn't reality itself.

The room is quiet once more. Even though his friends were by his side, all that Noah could hear were his inner voices. That he was now given a goal to work towards to, all his strength he used to punch the metal grates until blood seep through his knuckles, then dried down and form a layer of 'protective', only to be broken down again and again.

Lanz caught and gripped tight on his wrist, forcing Noah to face him. He shook it off; his words couldn't convince him.

I don't care. I'll shatter every bones in my body if that's what it takes.

But he could not not care for her words.

Just stop, please.

Her voice echoed from the other side of the room along the corridor. He quickly gripped onto the metal gratings, pushing his head as far as he could, trying to see the figure, or even just the shadow, of the person that he'd been working towards.

But she was nowhere near the door, her back lying onto the walls facing him some distance from the gratings, pulling in her feet together as if that could keep her warm, or at least dampen the nervousness she currently felt. But however she felt, she wouldn't want someone she loved share her agony.

Don't worry about me. I'm... totally fine. I've made... my peace. Even if I can never leave here, I'm content. I'll live on in others. Knowing that is enough for me. Please, don't worry...

But she curled her head towards her legs and quiet her tears after finishing, so quiet no one on the other side could hear. But how could they not felt her? If that's what she said, what could they say more? What other things could they do except taking a seat and curled up themselves, hearing the time trickles in the quietness, feeling the cold wind that circulated the prison? Did he now... give up hope?

Mio...

That doesn't prevent Manana from feeling sad. As a chef that not only love cooking, what's more uplifting than having a bite? Of course their torturer aren't going to let them starve for a whole month! Food was fine, not even bland, occupied with 3 plates of mix vegetables and meat, and a cup of soup, plus a small loaf of bread. What could you expect more in a world filled with wars but lacking hands for agriculture? She put up the brightest smile she could and dispense the food to each of them; but they just sat quietly and look hopelessly into her eyes, shook their heads. Well except Riku.

Then came the discussion of why their torturer looked like Noah and Mio, then moving on to the toying of their lives, and Eunie concluding that they enjoy taking people's life. But Riku wasn't satisfied with such premature conclusion, questioned,

That really true? It seem natural to laugh when happy. And yet... N had sadness in eyes, it seemed.

That put Noah thinking. But he had been thinking for long. Someone whom had been brainwashed, someone whom see the world as black and white, someone who refuse to see the world as complex, stood up and confirm his belief,

_Like spark he did. He's Moebius. Our sworn enemy.

Was there even any point in all this? In everything we've done?

Sena started questioning. Getting stuck too long behind metal grates with all their enemy's attention on them, without a chance of escaping. She started to question whether hope was really viable.

Ironically, Noah was the one whom stood up and walked towards the wall under the window that could look out at the stars.

Of course there was... At least... We gave them hope.

Then he collapsed into tears, punched hard on the walls. The meaning he provided for himself couldn't lessen the pain he felt when it came to sacrifice the one he cherished most.

The moon outside the window kept track of time; how much it lights up, how much it stayed in the darkness. It marked how much time she had left.

Meanwhile, the rest wasn't giving up. All of them joined in, using their physical strength against the metal grates. But however hard they tried, no avail. They even get Sena up onto the giant window, onto to drop down and get caught. The moon, meanwhile, turned from half to full. Then it started swallowing from the other side. At the very last, only Lanz and Noah was still not giving up; until they went exhausted and he was the only one, with the neighboring girl his motivation to continue despite the pain and swelling and fatigue.

But they hurt much less compared to the hopelessness in saving her.

And Manana, delivering food, no longer get any reaction. No eye contact, no sound, no movement. She put it down anyway and waddle back to her seat.

Riku, meanwhile, had been watching him. He watched him grew ever since they were sent to the colony, and he helped brought his dreams alive. He passed on his wisdom, but even though they had been useful and strong in the days when they were free, his mind, fully occupied on Mio, had pushed everything else outside the boundaries he could consider. But Riku had patience. When will he hold only the string of hope once more, perhaps the only hope he could hold to and change the situation they were in? Can he do it in time?

It was so obvious, looking back. I knew that something was off about her. I knew deep down. I just... I didn't want to believe that we were the same...

The girl that betrayed their ranks and put them in their current situation, Sena mocked herself for not raising alarms earlier. What's left was regret for ignoring the warnings.

You're not the same!

Mio's reinforcing voice echoed from the other side. She quickly rushed toward the bars.

I was watching you, trying so hard. You saved us so many times... never giving up. You helped us get here. Sometimes... you can be really hard on yourself. I think... that's why you've always been so hungry, always striving for more.

All that she wanted was for recognition. And her recognition was more than enough.

Come now. I know you've touched so many lives. I think... we've all seen that.

Yeah... Hrngh... Yeah, I know. I see it now... I'm sorry...

Come on. You really need to stop saying that you're sorry.

Yeah... Sorry!

It's all right. Don't give up.

And she look outside at the half-swallowed moon.

Because time... is still on our side.

Taion played with his Mondo, pressing against its body and brushing against the cold cement surface. Eunie curled up with her forehead pressed against the side of her palms, themselves crossed and forming a triangle, supported by her knees.

So, then... tomorrow...

At last, time ran out. He had been thinking all this time whilst trying to jail break. His anger had already died down earlier; all that was left was melancholy, a thin waft of despair. Perhaps Taion's words started his sharing.

Do you think an off-seer... can ever reach others? You know, I thought... our lives were like our music... always in our hands, under our control... I wasn't facing the truth... Even if I could reach people, I wouldn't be able to save them. I should've known that. Hnfff...

He clenched his fist tight, gritted his teeth, used all the muscles he could still muster despite the lack of food intake from how many eons ago.

It's unbearable, seeing lives slip away from you... Even though they're right there... What am I even doing...

The others looked away, trying not to look at him. The one most optimistic in their group, they couldn't bear looking at him in such state. They couldn't help him. Even Master Riku had to watch him transform; but will he?

If there's someone's voice that could soothe him right now, it must be her. The calmness she emanated resonates even just a little. Or at least, his attention shifted.

It's dark out, huh? No moon... But... the starlight... It's so nice and warm...

Mio...

Hey... When the two of us first met... You asked me if I wanted to survive.

Yeah.

I replied... I didn't mind either way.

Yeah.

There was a moment of silence before her voice echoed over again more confidently.

I'll correct that. Now I... want to live. *To live, and learn, a whole lot more...** Noah... There's so much for us to see.*

His eyes widened; what he'd waited for so long, so long since they were put into depression; finally, the small feeling that kept nimbling his heart was satisfied.

Huh... Finally... You called me by my name.

She was utterly surprised by the change of topic; or rather, it was like a soft hammer that hit into her heart chamber.

Oh, yeah... sorry... I guess I felt that... if I did, my heart would downright break... Because... I'd be admitting the truth...

Mio...

But you know, these feelings that grew within me, they're thanks to you... That's why... you're not allowed to say... it's been for nothing. You've enriched my life, Noah. That's clear now.

Mio...

Eunie and Sena could no longer hold onto their tears. Taion bit his tongue, punching hard on the floor next to him. Lanz vibrating eyelids gave himself away, closed his eyes thereafter.

You know... I don't want this to be it. If I were given the chance... If this road I have walked... were to keep going... I'd like to spend that time... with my Noah.

And he collapsed into tears. Only she stayed calm, the total eclipse will be tomorrow morning.

As the morning sun caressed along the walls and her figure from beyond the horizon, she picked up her notebook and turned it to the final page, wrote whatever she wanted in it, then crossed off the last of the diamonds, arranged 30 per page, softly brushing against the paper thereafter, feeling the last of its texture, before softly closing it off, marking the end of its journey.

And hers.

There's still some time before the last part became covered by the annular eclipse. Agnus soldiers gathered before the stage where the throne was mounted, stood in columns and rows quietly. Some soldiers pressed Noah and the others along the lowest platform, shoving them down to face the stage, their backs facing the soldiers. Noah kept looking on the floor until the others refusantly knelt beside him; then he looked up. There was the Moebius and the girl Shania; there were the soldiers responsible for playing the Homecoming melody standing in a row beside Her Majesty's throne; and on the other side, N and M.

Even such ceremony there were a thousand emotions. Her smirk, his hopelessness, hers unreadable...

The round of applause pulled their attention to the center as the soldiers cheered, "My Queen!" "Your Majesty!" She appeared from behind the door of the throne and opened her hand, as if to embrace her children. They started chanting, "Queen Nia! Queen Nia! Queen Nia!" Until she rose her hand and stopped them, starting her speech.

M lowered her glance onto the ground.

The group started chatting about the fake Queen, unleashing what rage they had left, then Eunie changed the topic to their execution, wishing they had gone a little further, and that they had passed the torch. Then the soldier instructed them to shut up while the Queen finished the last of her sentence; then the off seers on stage raised their flutes to their lips, playing the melody with full heart.

Noah looked onto the ground. His jittery eyes and shaky breathe showed he wasn't as calm as he'd thought he would be. Riku, chained behind him, whom had been watching him all this time, waiting for the time to come, did not see any change expected in him. But time is nigh; he needed to give it just a little push, to act as a catalyst and see if he could start the reaction. He needed to try.

Noah giving up? Now of all time?

I don't want to give up. But we're... trapped here. Our Blades... Tchhh I hope at least... she can... go in peace...

Riku sighed.

Of course Noah trapped. Noah still not tried to draw Lucky Seven!

Huh?

Remember? Back when Riku give wisdom? When need of true power, sword will appear.

Yeah... I remember.

Today is day of need. Even at edge, facing sheer drop, must never give up.

They didn't give him the time to think. He heard the heavy door which they came out of earlier creaked open, and behind was two soldiers pressing against the girl that he had been missing for a whole long month. Felt like forever. The soldiers cheered as they welcomed the girl that "finally reached her Homecoming."

When Noah saw her, his heart broke. All of the mental preparations he'd done, all the meanings he used to convince himself; they're gone the moment he saw her. They watched as she walked in front of them, oblivious to their callings, turning towards the Queen without looking back, slowly going up the stage.

Miooooo.... Mioooooooo!!!

Noah went after her; the solders immediately pressed him onto the ground. She stopped at the top of the stage, hearing his cries. The accompanying soldiers went ahead and pressed her to the ground.

Meanwhile, while he was struggling against the soldiers, N had descended the stairs and walked in front of him, signaling the soldiers to release while he released the shackles on his hand. He slowly climbed up while N threw the Kevesi flute, originally his before he exchanged it with Mio some 2 months ago, and rolled in front of him. Then he ordered.

*Pick it up... You're an off-seer. So send her. *

But Noah didn't act.

What's wrong? Go on, send her. Isn't that your role? Isn't she *your** Mio?*

He slowly climbed forward, shiveringly took the cold flute into both his arms, putting his fingers into position, covering the holes. But when he looked up and saw yellow motes evaporating from his loved ones, he lost control of every single inch of his muscles, dropping the flute onto the floor. The annular eclipse was finally complete.

Her motes brushed over their skin. She slowly turned her head around while he straightened his backbone, hoping that would get even just a little bit closer to her. Their eyes met for the final time. She saw the tears in his eyes, his uncertainty and facing loss. She smiled.

It's been fun, Noah.

Mio...

She closed her eyes; she was lost. Only her shirt and her white flute was left on the ground. The group held their tears quietly while his shrieking scream for "Mioooooo" echoed the square. M looked away, closing her eyes. The Queen embraced her return with wide opened arms.

Immediately after, the annular eclipse gave up quickly as the sun returned to its full brilliance.

N don't know what is the significance of the act he had put up with. He had been in his place again and again in the past; and losing hope too many times he could see no way out, he joined their ranks. Was his lost of hope not his in the past? Suddenly, he felt that the whole joy disappeared; there was no joy, only bereaved memories. It's time to end this quickly.

The two soldiers pulled up both his arms; he walked to the side of his head, drew out his sword, aimed for his neck, then chopped.

His soul saw his corpse laid dead on the ground. The surrounding quickly turned cloudy as a male child's voice echoed.

Well then, you've made your choice. Are you happy with how it turned out? Is this... how you wanted the future to be?

He looked for the source of the voice. The hooded figure stood in front of him. He looked around. There were people, figures, silhouettes, fighting all around him in the distance, like looking at cinematics being replayed.

*Where am I? *

All this time, you've been repeating the same *aimless** actions. All to keep the world this way. And yourself.*

Huh...

*Once more today, you've lost the one you cherished most... *

He closed his eyes for a moment, then turned his attention to the hooded figure.

Are you sad? If you could, would you try again? Or would you rather... linger in the 'endless now'...?

Noah! Noah! Noah!

Someone was calling for him. He opened his eyes and saw a guy wearing Lost Numbers' vest, along with a female standing behind, her back lying on the walls. The guy whom called him out continued excitedly,

Look at this! We've finally managed to activate the Ouroboros Stone! Though we don't understand it fully... Some functions may still remain hidden. But still, even in its current state, the power it's releasing is more than enough. With this in hand, we can fulfill the wish entrusted to us by the Queen!

All this while, Mio stood beside him, looking at his face. She don't really care about the Ouroboros stone. All she wished was to accompany him longer. She watched his reactions. He was still trying to figure out what was happening; he was focusing on the guy making the speech.

You mean... take back the world from Moebius?

Yes! Definitely!

Three more months... That's all we need.

He turned to her; that's the amount of time she had left. He looked at her in her eyes, she smilingly looked at him, appreciating their time together, supporting him for what he was to carry out, nodded in return.

Mio...

His shaky voice reverberated as her weakening eyes closed while she was in his hands. Motes evaporated from her soon-to-be corpse. Fire ravaged the battlefield, polluting the air with a thick layer of black soot, covering even the sunlight. Levnises and soldiers littered the ground.

The head of all Moebius, Z, walked towards him after she had disappeared.

So impotent. Did you really think you could... stem the tide? With the *paltry power** that you possess?*

He looked at him like looking at someone with much lower status than him, instructed,

O you who floats in the currents. You must yield. Abandon all you are.

Then he ended his pitiful life.

He jump-woke up gasping for breathe in a tent. He looked around him. Empty beds. He walked out of the tent. The ground was dark, perhaps previously a battlefield. He walked emotionlessly, stopped and saw the pot of soup cooking on the stove to his right. Then her voice pulled his attention to his left where she was preparing the plates.

Morning! You really should've dozed a while longer.

Oh... Good morning.

She smilingly invited,

Wanna eat? Wait... I forgot you don't like to eat right after waking.

But not today, not after having "a bad dream".

N-No, I'll have some.

The he joined in. Seated at the table, she was biting onto her black bread. Then she commented while he put down his bread,

Tomorrow's the day. The final battle against Moebius. We've come a long way to get here. Now it'll finally be over.

His eyes turned and fixated on her term symbol by her neck; she instinctively covered it, cheerily reassured,

It's fine! I've got 3 whole days. 3 days is plenty. I'm sure we'll be golden.

He don't know what to say. Always sacrificial for his goal. Always readily supported him.

She dropped to the ground, blue motes rising from her soon-to-be corpse. Z walked slowly towards him; the fear-ridden Lost Numbers lost their lives, evaporating into red motes, as he walked past, instructed,

O you who floats in the currents. *You must yield.** Did I not tell you?*

Yield what?

How many times has it been now?

He protected her dying corpse. He knelt to the ground after losing his sword in front of Z, blue motes evaporating from his own body. He turned his head to his left; suddenly, what he really wanted awashed him. Seeing her disappearing before his eyes, he could no longer hold his emotions.

Mio... Please no... I can't... I won't...

Then he joined her.

Seen the memories, Noah concluded, back in the cloud room.

The world... I wanted to change it.

The child asked,

For whose sake?

I did it for her...

But you... ran away.

Snow and blizzard. He and she kept panting and panting, but he held on to her hands, while dragging her behind. She was dead tired, on the brink of collapse, but for his sake, she kept running. His head echoed the muffled voice of those Lost Numbers that treated him as their leaders even at the poles of the world, even when they were at places where no one else would have came.

Noah! How can you betray us like this?

You're just gonna abandon us? We have the Ouroboros Stone now! What the spark are you thinking?

We trusted you! We followed you for all this time!

Noah! Noah! Where did you go? Noah!

But he kept running, disappearing behind the blizzard.

He found a rock where she laid her head on his shoulder while he was catching his breathe, the giant rock shielding them from the blizzard wind; but it could not shield her from the cold. Her breathe was trembling, but it was getting nigh. While his mind raced through those voices, he finally turned his attention to her, put his hand around her shoulder and pulled her in, hoping his paltry body heat could keep her warm. But he himself was losing consciousness, the scene getting blurrier and blurrier, until his eyes closed forever. The blizzard kept blowing.

Are you sure it wasn't for yourself?

In a moment of desperation, he clung tight.

No! This isn't me!

You only cared... about yourself.

The child repeated with conviction.

No! I was... I-I didn't...

But he don't know how to rebut. Words were weak when truth were laid bare. But the child continued.

But... with time, you changed.

Baby crying inside a room. The metallic door slid open, and Noah came in with brimming smile. He waded his way to Mio, hugging a baby in her hands. He knelt beside her bed.

Strong lungs on that one. Heard him all the way outside.

Mio gently caressed her child.

He looks just like Daddy.

I would've said Mummy.

She giggled, looked deeply into the baby's eyes.

Our hopes and dreams made into a little person. You'll lead the way to a new world. A new way of life.

Yeah.

While they were enjoying the time together, Noah suddenly came up with a question.

What about... his name? I don't think we ever agreed on one.

Ahah, it's your call. You're good at naming, aren't you?

He looked to the side, quietly spoken,

Uh? N-no, I don't think that's a good idea... It's probably best... if I don't...

He looked down on his sword stuck to his left. Bring back memories the last time he tried to came up with a name for his sword... Mio giggled.

I thought you'd say that... Right, I'll do it. 'Kay?

Mhm...

She looked at the baby's eyes for a while, said,

Here's what we'll call him then...

They continued to have conversations while the morning sun rise outside, bringing in refreshing breeze, like the start of a new hope, like congratulating the start of a new life together. Noah played with the baby, eager on gently touching his face.

But the morning sun cannot last. A beginning always have an end. As the sun sets in the horizon, casting an orange hue on the walls and their figures, she laid on her death bed with Noah sitting on the chair beside her, their child, now a few years old, quietly sat in his laps.

Her mom's fingers moved a little bit, and both noticed. She effetely turned to look at him, slowly raising up her left hand, trying to reach out for him. Noah sat a bit forward, allowing his child to reach out his hand for hers. They gently held together. He doesn't yet know what that means, but those last words would have left an impression within him forever.

I hope... I hope that... the future will be... kinder to you...

Noah softly called out.

Mio...

As if her time had came, a golden hue cast on her figure while motes started to rise. She felt her end had came, leave the final smile she wanted him to remember before disappearing before him. He immediately missed the hand he caught only. While he was wondering what happened, Noah's tears dripped onto his head and shoulders. He turned and hoped that he would explain where had mummy gone to, but Noah was too deeply in tears he could only hug tight onto his son.

Even the evening sun couldn't cast its light forever, and when it fell past the horizon and darkness took over the world, the gloomy clouds raising the humidity of the atmosphere with some soft cold drizzles, Noah took his son for a walk deep into the forest, stopped when he felt golden motes starting to rise from his hand, one by one. His son had saw that just a year ago, stopped and looked at him.

He knelt down and looked into his eyes, calmly passed on the final wisdom that he wished to pass on more slowly and thoroughly if only he had more time,

Daddy will have to go soon... All right?

He nodded; he felt a twitch in his heart, but he let him continued.

But you know, your Daddy's and Mommy's love, our life, will always be within you. You'll never... be alone.

Noah put his hands on his shoulders, gripped strongly,

Things will get tough, you'll get hurt. You've a whole host of things to go through... as you head into the future. A time might come... when you'll be on the verge of giving up...

Noah gently took both of his hands and raised them.

But you have to keep going. Make friends. Keep them close to you, always. That's what... Daddy and Mummy did.

Tears aggregated on his eyes as he cried and slightly nodded. He felt his heart twisted like a year ago; but this time, he's the one that's to go. How he wished he wouldn't have to do this to him. But without him, he'll have to learn to be strong himself. He don't know what to say. He released his arms and took his son into his hug strongly, his tears started rolling down his cheeks as motes started to evaporate faster and faster, then pushed himself aside, looking into his eyes, and left his last words,

We're with you... now and forever...

As he put his arms down and closed his eyes to embrace the unknown, his motes brushed through his child's figure and floated into heaven. Finally he'll go after his mommy, leaving only his shirt and other belongings behind. He looked up onto the sky to embrace the still-felt warmth he left while the morning sun casted its first hue on the top of the forests.

Why... Why am I crying? Why do I look like that?

Noah looked on the cinematic screen replaying history, asked. The child replied,

That's another you. That's how *he** was.*

Another me?

You from the past.

Me from the past?

He didn't explain.

And then, you made your choice.

Noah looked up and saw his past being replayed in a dark cinematic room on the projector. Rebirth and died. Rebirth and died. Again and again. Quietly it changed into a Y-forked road. The voice of Z from his left thus attracted his attention,

There are 2 roads set before every individual: the left, the right. What lies down the road you choose? Is it hope? Or despair? It repeats, and repeats, as you make countless, endless choices. You too, like everyone, have been making them all along.

Then he seemed to notice something not right inside the room. There was the hooded figure, standing on the balcony on the first floor of the room, looking at him. Z seemed to not notice the figure; perhaps only he could see him. Then his attention returned to his speech and the accompanying cinematics on the screen.

If the results satisfy, that is well and good. *But... if they do not satisfy, what then?* *Will you weep, battered by grief? Or howl, seething with rage? Have you never prayed... that time would simply stop? Have you wished the 'now' would last forever? Your two lives, **thriving and persisting far beyond Homecoming, surpassing the system of the world, I was fascinated, even beguiled by you. *

Then Z looked to Noah, introduced himself,

My name... is Z, the ruler of this world. I shall grant... your desire.

Noah's eyes widened, then found himself standing at the beginning of the forked road, just behind the screen on top of the stage. Z's voice echoed from behind,

So you have chosen, then... The 'endless now'.

He looked onto the screen with conviction as the Moebius icon glowed in his right eye; his leather padded shirt transformed into a gold-plated armor; his young-looking face turned into an experienced matured person with long hair that covered his forehead and nose and ears. He had became the guy that forgets his name, and as a replacement, was given a new alphabet just like all other Moebius had, 'N'.

He stepped into the cinematic scene. On the left of the road was nothing that awaits; while on the right, the figure of M stood at the top of the hill quietly. Looking at her, he did not hesitated, didn't even take a look onto the left, walked towards her, and together, they walked down the road further and further, never returning to the other forked road. Z watched his choice without emotions.

And so, you became Moebius. So that... you could live an eternal *now** together.*

The child's voice echoed from behind him as he reawakened inside the cloud bed environment. The child's voice had became more anguished, the scene redirected at Mio's last moments during Homecoming, her smile.

Is this still your wish? Do you want... to ask one more time, for time to stop?

He looked down with quivering breathe, unable to answer. Perhaps that's what he wanted; if he had not cared for her, if she was not his dearest one, he wouldn't have felt so sad for the past month.

Why is it... that you're here? Why did you split from your other self? Why is it... that you exist?

He looked up without turning around.

I thought I... wanted to know.

Know what?

I became an off-seer... because... I wanted to know the meaning behind the smile.

Tell me.

I had a friend, as important to me as... as Lanz and Eunie, or Joran.

The cinematic screen started playing the blond hair male playing his flute during the first Homecoming he went to when he was way younger.

Kevesi soldiers were marching toward the Agnians. One by one, they dropped dead, while the blond guy, only a year left before his Homecoming, accompanied by Noah, watched from a hill behind a rock. He asked,

Noah, will you keep moving?

Huh?

What did he meant by that? He didn't explain.

Me, I'm good here.

Crys, what do you mean, you're good...?

Crys turned around and said "Thank you." before something happened to him that made Noah gasped.

After the battle ended, Kevesi soldiers dragged their tired bodies back to where they should be, leaving the corpses lying around on the battlefield to rot. The young Noah found the black flute lying on the ground on the battlefield and picked it up, took it in his hands and put it close to his heart. The loss of someone most dear to him, he couldn't yet contain.

Crys... I wondered... why he smiled back then. And not just him, Joran too. I wanted to know why.

That's why? Why you continued as an off-seer?

He nodded.

For the longest time, I thought they pitied those of us left behind. 'Sucks to be you.' 'Sorry, guys.' 'I'm checking out early.' 'It'll be tough, but keep your chins up.' I figured... that's what the smile said.

But now... Mio, too... was smiling. I think I get it now... the meaning behind the smile. I think they were all content... with the way it ended. Like they were putting us in charge... of the future... telling us to make a world where... everyone... can smile...

He looked down on the term symbol carved on the back of his arm.

But it just breaks my heart, that... that was the only smile they could choose. And it really shouldn't have been...

He clenched his fist tight.

*The world we have now, it doesn't give us the choice to smile. If the world won't let us choose outside these narrow bounds... I want nothing more... than to rip this world apart. *

His conviction is never stronger. He turned around and looked at the hooded figure, now that he is confident.

I want to repay those smiles. That's why I'm here.

And you won't choose... the same path as your other?

Who can tell? I may end up doing that. But... I'll change it, no matter what... because... *that** is the legacy that Mio left me.*

Even if you're left alone?

This time, his eyes didn't flickered a bit, focused strongly on the hooded figure, nodded and replied,

Even if I'm alone.

As if the voice of 2 person had mingled, the echoes under the hooded figure changed,

In that case...

The hooded figure threw away her hood and revealed herself. The girl that he thought had left him earlier stood animated before him with a brimming smile, holding out her hand towards him, looking into his shivering eyes, and invited,

Let us walk together.

Brightness engulfed the fog and took them back to reality.

N walked to the side of Noah's head, aimed for the neck, raised his sword high above his head, and chopped.

As his teammates widened their eyes to see their leader met his fate, a purple dome grew and brushed past all of them, highlighting Noah's figure, stopping his sword. N turned his head to his left, looking at the girl that accompanied him since he had made that decision. All others, Shania, X, stuck their eyes on her, wondering why did she stopped his execution. She said not a word, quietly picked up the flute dropped on the ground beside Mio's shirt, turned around, and slowly descended the stairs. N put his sword down, softly called out,

M...

She didn't reply; but if that's what she wanted to pay a favor, he'll let her have it. He stepped back a few steps, leaving some space between her and him, ordering the soldiers to release him. She pressed a button behind her neck and sheathed her mask, took the black flute that he dropped earlier, looked at both of them, tucked the black one in her pocket, and knelt before him, whom still had both hands on the ground, while handling over the white flute in both hands.

Noah raised his head; if she was M, she wouldn't have figured out he and she had exchanged flutes from earlier; surely they'd know, but it wasn't in their attention to remember such pity details. And her words.

*I'm sorry. *

He swiftly tilted his head up and fixated on the figure. Is she whom he think she is?

My hair, it's gotten kinda long. Will you still... walk alongside me? Noah?

He couldn't believe what he'd heard; tears rolled down his cheek as he carefully ask, hoping that it wasn't an illusion, a dream,

Mio...

She smiled and nodded. He rubbed his tears, softly grabbed on the white flute and tucked it into his pocket. Then softly put his hand on hers, their eyes fixated onto each other, oblivious of the one whom iris dimmed to extreme fear, and whose sword vibrate as he failed to keep himself composed. One step by another, he rolled back, fearfully,

Wh-what... Impossible... You're...

She turned to look at him with a stern face, showing the symbol on her eyes, something that looked like Tai Chi.

Ouroboros?! Huh!

He recalled when the purple dome was launched a month earlier when she was fighting them. He pointed at her with vibrating fingers, then pressed hard on his forehead,

Does that mean... back then, the two of you... So, the one who died is...

He shook his head. No, it cannot be. No, no, no... Step by step, he walked toward the stage; but all that she left was a piece of shirt; even the motes had evaporated long time ago. From the depth of his heart, his shrieking scream echoed the square; the pain that he did so much to avoid, he finally swallowed the pill himself. The names that he had long forgotten, in the depth of desperation, he finally cried out, slashing his sword mid-air,

Why, Mio?! Why would you do this to me? You said you'd be by my side! Mio! All I did, I did it for you!

You must've know.

He snapped his attention onto her.

The other me... she couldn't follow you any more, she couldn't go on!

When the purple dome first brushed against her, they were brought into a memory space while time stopped outside. There, Mio was shown the various memories between Noah and Mio. M appeared behind her and explained,

What you see... those are our memories, continuing uninterrupted since the world was taken captive a long time ago. Memories of me and him.

Why are you showing me this?

You are...

She shook her head.

No, all of you are my repentance.

Repentance?

How I wanted us to be. You embody all our hopes... Our dreams of how this world should be. Even though you and your friends should never have existed, the fact that you are here is proof enough.

So you'll... let me live? But, if you go through with this, you'll be...

To my Noah, the time with me is everything. *I** just want it to... end.*

Huh...

She angrily spoke,

Moebius like me, we can exist only by taking the souls of those... that grace this world. Nobody pays the slightest mind to the thoughts... and dreams those many lives espouse. We gorge ourselves, covet every ember, just to delay our inevitable ruin.

That's why you wanted to disappear?

If I die, maybe he'll see... maybe he could somehow... realize what it is that I wish. That would be enough... Afterwards, it'll be up to you two... to walk the path *we** ought to have walked, he and I.*

The sadness in her eyes couldn't be covered.

Taion and the others, hearing the story, were shocked as well. Mio turned to N, hopefully convincing him,

The other me... she passed all of her memories on to me, so that I could share... everything with you.

Share everything...

Then Noah questioned his motivation to become Moebius. When his soul descended and went through the memories they had given birth to their son, he felt elation. How could that not anchored him? But N cut him off,

Feelings, you say? You dare... My feelings have never changed, they're the same as they always been!

He crazily laughed, frantically pointed his sword at Mio.

They're for you, Mio! The time I had with you meant everything to me! But now... it's all gone... If she truly is gone, I'll have to redo it all! Watch me! Rewind our clocks, back to the start!

Mio felt a strong pin pressing on her heart.

Noah, my long shadow. You have stolen her away from me. I will extinguish you, and take her back! Mio is mine! She's not yours, she's mine. You are nothing. She belongs only to me!

Then he prepared to attack. Words won't get through to him. Noah signaled to Mio, whom released the shackles on their friends, and immediately they turned around and punched and kicked and smashed onto those soldiers behind them, knocking them off the stage. Taion and Sena quickly dashed towards Mio, Sena can't believe it,

Are you... are you really my Mimi?

I'm sorry... I worried you. This was the only way.

Sena gave her a short hug while Taion stood in front of them, protecting them while they were having a short reunion. When he felt her eyes landed on him, he turned around and smiled, nodded in return. When Lanz and Eunie caught up, the former thought it's logical to

might wanna leave the teary reunion till later. The mudder's glaring and he looks pissed off.

Taion also wanted more answers later. Noah agreed. Exchanging glance with Mio, they interlinked while X was baffled,

They're Interlinking? No way!

But however she tried, she couldn't cancel their Interlink. Mio took control and jumped in front of her, grabbed onto the crystal ball and crushed it. The others found their powers returned and started Interlinking. Noah regained control, gave up on X, and join in to fight their main enemy.

N and the others had escaped after the Lost Numbers had reinforced them, taking over the Castle. The fake Queen had been destroyed during the fight. The plan established between the City and Mio had worked out right. When Ghondor reappeared before Shania, she had already given up hope. All her desperation went to drawing out her weapon and shot it right in her temple, ending her pitiful life. Despite what she had done to them, Sena still felt sad at someone she thought would have shared her feelings, and though they went on different roads, she couldn't help but weep over her loss.

While the Agnus soldiers, now released from their flame clocks, were under the command of the Lost Numbers to clean up the mess on the Castle, they climbed onto a short ledge that overlooked the operation. Noah now had the time to went back to destiny.

I can't help but wonder... Would I have been able to save you? I wanted time to stand still... more than anything. I felt completely powerless. I wished time would stop. If the moment could have lasted forever, we... I wished for the unthinkable, just like N. I proved to be just like him.

As if he just realized about it, he desperately told Mio while the others listened. She waited for him to finish before carefully taking his left palm with both of hers, caressing the blood-drained knuckles that revealed his pain while they were back in there.

For my part, *this** is all I need.*

He redirected the question to when they had changed bodies, and that no one had suspected they had changed bodies back there.

I did try my best. I couldn't afford to fail. If anyone suspected me, you'd have all been executed on the spot. But her feelings... I couldn't simply let them go to waste.

M's... feelings?

She wanted to give you everything that she knew about N, to help us escape... to break this never-ending Moebius curse... To lose, and lose, and still stand back up, even in the depths of despair, she wanted you to have the strength to defeat those at the root of that despair.

She sure had a lot of faith in me. Ohff...

She believed... that if anyone in the world could make it possible, it would be you. That's why, she merged our wills so we could act, to further our goal.

He recalled her dreams, "To live, and learn, a whole lot more." and her final words, "It's been fun, Noah!"

Earlier, you said 'it was fun'... But it wasn't you, it was M...

I really think she meant it. It was brief, but... being who I am now... passing my thoughts along on to you, and receiving yours in return... she was... grateful.

I see...

From that moment, M's words were my words, and my words were now hers. Her life was scattered on the breeze, but her memories, and her will, live on inside my heart... Come! I have something to show you.

Then she lead the way. They met Ghondor at the bottom of the elevated platform whom decided to tag along.

They walked to the edge of a protruded cliff and looked at the sea below. There laid some rusty remains of what used to be buildings, some protruding out of the sea surface.

M was still unsure to the very last... whether to show you the memory of this place... but... I think it would be best. This place... it was everything to N.

Wh-what do you mean?

Well you see... this is where the City once stood.

He was surprised. It was more prosperous than the City nowadays. But...

In her memories, Mio's corpse laid on a bed in the cinematic room, a beam of light shining upon her. Noah jumped up from his seat the moment she was revealed. Z, seated still, commented,

There it lies before you: your heart's desire. There is no life within; you must breathe it into her *yourself*.

He gasped after Z told him the method to reanimate Mio. He angrily shouted out,

Life from the people of the City?! You want me to end every one of them?!

Why the hesitation? Existing in 'this place'... is by itself a result of your own choices. You are the one who chose the 'endless now', are you not? Your response should already be predetermined.

He looked at Mio's corpse for a while, but he couldn't make up his decision. Z had not the time to wait for him too long.

Such a shame.

With the flicker of his eyes, Mio's body began to deteriorate. He started to panic, reached out for her while shouting,

Wait, please!!!

When the Y-forked road appeared before him, he turned immediately to the right where Mio was waiting for him, never looking to the left. Why would he had did otherwise now? He knew the location of the City, it being founded by his son, along with a few others. Mio explained,

The City's inhabitants were the descendants of M, N, and others who became Ouroboros in the past. In exchange for the lease on life they would get as Moebius, Z ordered N to kil the City's people.

Eventually, he ended almost every one of them; those that did escape were protected by another power; while his son died in his hands. But that's another long story to be retold. When the flame raged every inch of the City, Mio had already been resurrected as M, was told where N was, and when she arrived behind him, her heart collapsed. She angrily lashed out at him,

Oh no... Tell me! Tell me why!

He emotionlessly answered,

I didn't... want to lose anymore.

What do you mean, 'any more'?! Everything we held dear is gone! You took them all away, and you dare talk about your feelings of loss?!

He hid it all away, emotionlessly turned his eye to her,

Now you... will continue to exist as Moebius. The same... as myself.

She was utterly disappointed.

So you did it, sealed our fate... Now we can live forever, but this future's been stamped out before its time.

And with tears in her eyes, she quietly spoke to herself,

And... I can't even disappear.

The group listened to the story awestruck. Noah shakily raised both of his palm,

Only 2 things were important to him... impossible... How could one ever choose between them? Surely he couldn't... do it...

And yet... he did make a choice... No one can truly judge him... for the things he did.

Repentance...

She nodded.

The intentions they left behind, they turned into us...

She agreed.

Of course it's heartbreaking, but...

But still, she was smiling...

We have to change things.

Yeah, and this time, we'll succeed.

They both turned to the others, he voiced it for them,

So it's set, our new goal. Agreed?

Why would they be disagreeing? They came so far, they'll go on. And one would stop the storytelling here. The most desolate part had been laid out once more after one wrote the book on it. The earlier part of the journey, and the rest of the journey, it's for you to continue on, reading or watching. It's surely a great movie to watch and rewatch again and again. Every time one watches it, one realized something different; as one think more about it, one noticed something different from a different perspective each time, based on how one had changed. Even nowadays, it soothes one's heart.

So let us walk together down the path into the uncertain future. We won't know what lies ahead until we walk it, and if we only stay within our circle of comfort, we would never know what possibilities are out there that we can achieve. Are we lively enough? How lively are you? One wanted to know. Will you... walk alongside me?