Quickly, the dragon fell, crashing back into the peak. Asahi and Aletha held on tight as it came stumbling over.
They clutched the dragon's skin, seeing Phthonus and the others, along with spider-like devices surrounding the peak.
As Asahi and Aletha arose from the crashing dragon, abruptly,
"I got this," Phthonus said as he extended his hand down into the earth.
He ripped one of the roots anchored in the ground, tore up the grass, and spilled it all out, revealing strange geometric constructs.
This, with its shiny surface, only hinted to the wanderers that…
"The Prism?"
It was the Prism that caused his magic to shine.
Suddenly, THE DRAGON's shriek of agony echoed across the expanse. Asahi and Aletha returned to the peak, revealing a flurry of individuals and spiders encircling the shattered summit.
"What are they?" Aletha said, screaming as she crashed back down to the castle.
"The Promise!" Phthonus yelled as his hand was engulfed in luminance, "They're using their cannons to attack you!"
"The Promise?"
A green luminance shone behind them. Kali, who had been healing Aedline, grabbed onto a green strand. But just as they finally got up,
(PEW)
Another beam of magenta light shot and sabotaged the group. The explosion's luminance rattled the very soil.
"Again?"
Alai, who looked healed, supported them by forming red blossoms all over the field. Ubel tried all that he could, and Kali, who showed her healing powers, grabbed Asahi and Aletha and pulled them upward.
"The battle is not over."
She informed the wanderers as the loud guttural voice of THE DRAGON echoed across the fields.
"Zeru has secured the establishment in Clearstar. Our magic is coming back. Get aboard on Aedline. I have healed her. GO!"
Feeling the sense of urgency ripple from their actions, Asahi and Aletha expressed with sweat droplets.
As they saw the colossal being emerge from the horizon, they noticed the sun had been covered, revealing what looked like lesser creatures of that same breed fleeing in the water.
The hum grew in intensity, a discordant chord that tore at the senses, thickening and warping the air.
The wind blew furiously, the tension of the battle slipping.
"Be careful of Wrailezan Soldiers and devices." Kali and Phthonus said to Asahi and Aletha as Aedline flew upward.
And so, they pursued THE DRAGON once more.
. . .
After evading blows with the devices, Asahi and Aletha looked down and saw that the entire population of Linuxinia was fighting the Wrailezan Soldiers.
A bright and vivid array of colors showered the spectacle, with Aedline dodging beams of radiance left and right.
"Magic. Their magic is back!" Aletha said as Aedline soared down the blanket of clouds.
Due to the emergence of the massive size of THE DRAGON, it formed yet another gigantic tidal wave.
But Kendra and Toivo, who had looked exhausted, decided to merge their powers to block the tidal wave from hitting Linuxinia City, protecting its people.
As they soared away from the docks and into the sky, Aedline mumbled beneath her breath.
"Asahi, Aletha, Owners of this world…" She said as she dodged beam after beam of purple lethal luminance. "Prepare your wits. Prepare your skills. We are going to take an ascent."
Nodding their heads, Asahi and Aletha braced themselves on Aedline.
But just like before, beyond the ripples of smoke and debris, emerged glowing white cracks that spread across every corner of Gincad.
Just like in the past, Asahi's vision narrows to the memories of the calamity.
Glowing pink cracks, white luminance, and the engulfing ceiling of light; it festered deep into Asahi's mind.
And now, it has come to this. If he and Aletha allowed the cracks to expand, the world as they knew it would cease to exist.
Luckily, from the peak several thousand meters away from Asahi and Aletha, he said the following,
"Let's do it."
His fingers touched the Prism of Creation, and with it, molded his very existence into it, extending out to Asahi and Aletha.
"I shall sacrifice myself."
Alai, who had appreciated Phthonus' actions, started to question his motives.
"Phthonus, is this really necessary?"
An earthquake of giant magnitude shook the mountain in protest. Phthonus gave a nod to everyone and requested.
"For Asahi and Aletha…" Another orange strand shot up to Asahi. "For everyone."
But then, just as that wasn't enough, a red luminance shot out to the wanderers. Alai, having held her hand on The Prism, decided to lend Asahi and Aletha her powers.
Following that, Ubel shot up his cyan beam at the wanderers and Aedline, mustering up a gargantuan cluster of energy. Then a green luminance, from both Isa and Kali, came into being.
Soon, even more people lend their powers to Asahi and Aletha. It started with Kendra, Toivo, Pridia, Joshilyn, Emine, Chloe, Jesica, Zildian, Canyon, Rinnea, Aurelia, Dina, and even more, all with their respective colors and shades.
A massive circle of colors surrounded Asahi and Aletha, representing the convergence of all powers from every member of Linuxinia.
In this kaleidoscope of unity, Asahi and Aletha felt an overwhelming surge of emotions flood their hearts.
They stood at the center of this vibrant array, their souls buoyed by the warmth and strength of each individual contributing.
Never before had they felt such a profound connection to the world and its people, each color symbolizing a bond, each hue a promise of solidarity.
The duo, touched by this outpouring of support, exchanged glances filled with unspoken gratitude, their eyes brimming with tears of appreciation and renewed hope.
Yet, amid the vibrant display and the fierce determination of others, new emotions stirred within them.
Asahi felt a sharp pang of responsibility, realizing the stakes were higher than ever, with so many people depending on his actions.
Aletha, too, grappled with a renewed sense of resolve, her previous doubts dissolving as she absorbed the collective courage.
But alongside hope, fear lingered, whispering the question of 'What if we fail?'
Despite this, they both found a flame of resilience igniting in their spirits.
This unity had transformed them, steeling their nerves and fortifying their hearts for the battle ahead.
The world watched in anticipation as Asahi and Aletha got back up on Aedline, pursuing THE DRAGON.
It was at this point that Wraileza and The Ending were no longer tolerating their flight. As soon as they knew it, they sent all their forces at Asahi and Aletha, in hopes of stopping them from reaching THE DRAGON.
But with all their combined magic, Asahi and Aletha, with all the power they had, took them all down as they yanked Aedline's ear. Quickly, she shot blue beams of light from its maw, shooting at the cannons firing from the shoreline.
The world cheered as Asahi and Aletha defeated the invaders. But suddenly,
(PEW)
Yet another light shot at the wanderers. Asahi and Aletha, having all the help in the world, felt a sudden shudder boom inside their very bones.
"Aletha," said a soft, masculine voice. "Remember my tale. Remember my life. Remember…"
As the sight of a green-haired man came into her vision, Aletha's mouth suddenly flew open.
"Sergil…"
And then, another deep feminine voice echoed across both their minds.
"You can do it, Buttons! I know you can." This voice, this deep, yet friendly voice…
"DRIMI!"
Phantoms of both characters blended into the scene, with both Aedline and the DRAGON coming into view.
But the power wasn't enough. The two were still falling, getting pummeled by the mechanisms and creatures of both The Ending and The Promise.
Just as they thought it was over,
Arriving at the peak, the sight of a green-haired man emerged from the pulsating heart-like object, The Sealed Beatific.
He had a brilliant crown and round golden eyes, a vast presentation of power and weakness.
"For the future of Linuxinia," Sergil said as cracks emerged in the corner.
"For the future of Linuxinia."
Everyone said as their magic focused on this one spot.
Following this encounter with the man, out of the blue, a green luminance shot forth from the peak, razing all creatures from below.
This led Asahi and Aletha to smile, knowing that the whole world has their back.
. . .
Using the blue beams of light and their blade, the two unleashed storms of energy out to the wretched group of individuals and beasts.
Everyone was fighting for their grasp on the wanderers; both The Promise and The Ending.
Mountains slowly started to sink. The purple flames were imminent, but that never stopped them.
"You two, clutch onto me tight," Said Aedline as she prepared her wings to soar. "We are going to make a remarkable ascent."
"Understood." Aletha and Asahi nodded in agreement, holding onto their blades.
As Aedline flew up and dodged incoming debris, they soon passed beyond the ceiling of thick storming gray clouds, chasing the sky up above.
The speed of such an ascent was almost dizzying, almost trans mutating. But before Asahi had given up, the voice of Telos echoed in his mind.
(Don't falter now, young one. Remember your past.) Clenching tightly onto the dragon, during their rapid ascension, Asahi and Aletha were provided with visions; flickers of recollections.
. . .
Tiny magenta eyes, soft white scales.
She was, at the time, a small dragon, a pet for the Adtraic family.
Asahi recollected the memories of young Aletha and him finding this rare specimen. Then, rushing to their parents, they were all fulfilled with the promise of this dragon that it shall thrive.
Over time, she grew and became intelligent, loving everyone and helping people, including Acheros and Achlys… bringing prosperity to several kingdoms.
But as time expanded, Alaunus lost control and nearly destroyed Gincad.
Instead of killing her, they put her into slumber, a millennia-old sleep. It was only now that they realized this colossal dragon was.
"Alaunus!"
. . .
As the prophecies said, Asahi, Aletha, and Aedline soared upward, piercing above the blanket of clouds, and they saw the white skin of THE DRAGON climbing seemingly endlessly. But that was just the size —it's the neck.
Noticing how close they were to the creature, Aedline took a detour and soared a little bit further away.
"Where are you going?" Aletha asked.
"We have to breach inside this mighty being," Aedline replied. "...and destroy the core of her heart. Only then may she finally rest in peace and transform back."
"Heart?" Asahi and Aletha said as their hands clutched onto the clouds. "You mean we have to go inside the beast?"
Finally, after all the turmoil, the wanderers reached the top of the clouds. The winds blew roughly.
"Alaunus." She said as her black wings extended. "Alaunus Adtraic will soon end the world if we can't reach the heart."
The situation escalated, and their eyes turned upward to the sky.
Every single star in the sky shone with the same luminance, as if affected by the world. All sparkling colors, all nebulae, everything in the cosmos shone equally, behind the colossal wings of Alaunus.
They were at her limit, and if they were ever to reach further, they would be out of the atmosphere.
After having looked heavenward, Asahi and Aletha saw even more cracks emerge in the world.
This was their first and only chance to do it, to climb on the dragon and enter her insides. Or else all shall perish.
As they witnessed Alaunus lift her dragon head and release a world-trembling roar, Aedline dashed to her light-speed, beyond the atmosphere of Gincad.
They reeled back in shock as they saw a floating cyan ball of light gaze at the world below.
Furthermore, they watched in awe at several luminescent strands intertwined on each equalized star.
It was almost as if the entire universe were connected to the world.
(TICK)
(TICK)
The clock of this world's demise began to tick.
(TICK)
(TOCK)
All the world could do now was watch and hope for Asahi and Aletha to reach the heart.
(TICK)
Even The Promise and Ending and enemies couldn't do anything about it.
(TOCK)
All watched and prayed for Asahi and Aletha, as the white shimmering stars in the sky glimmered violently; all creatures watched as well.
The world fell silent.
The hum of silence turned into a roar.
The winds picked up, all heading straight through Alaunus' throat.
Then, climbing downward, Asahi and Aletha reached the heart of the creature. They unsheathed their blades and stared at it, their minds flooded with memories of all they had endured together.
Uncertainty gnawed at them as they hesitated, questioning if this was truly the right moment.
What if this heart held untold secrets of Alaunus that they were yet to uncover?
What if the world wasn't ready for the change this strike would bring? Their hearts were heavy with the moral dilemma of destroying a creature they had only come to understand.
In those tense moments, they pondered the actual cost of peace and whether there was another path.
The echoes of their shared journey and the faces of their allies flashed before them, reminding them of their purpose and the trust the world placed in them.
Despite the weight of their decision pressing heavily upon them, they approached the pulsating heart with determination.
With newfound hope and determination, they swung their swords in unison, piercing through Alaunus' heart at the same time.
A white luminance matching the intensity of a supernova shone afterward. Rays emerged through Alaunus' crumbling and breaking body, before finally...…
(BOOM!)
The glow on all the stars slowly returned to normal. The lethal luminance sank back into the depths, and the cracks in the world began to fade.
Although they were finished, Asahi and Aletha noticed a silver-haired, magenta-eyed, blue-eyed girl staring at them with tears in her eyes.
Without any explanation, a smile formed on her face, and a soft magenta glow enveloped her, hinting at a mysterious power yet to unfold.
As she descended with the wanderers back into the world, a faint whisper echoed in the wind, "The beginning has just begun," unheard by all, save the dragon above.
Although Asahi and Aletha landed safely, the mysterious girl plunged through the waters, never to be seen again… for now.
Yet, an aura lingered where she disappeared, leaving a tantalizing hint of her significance for those attuned to hidden truths.
The clouds rolled back, the sun shone vibrantly, and the world celebrated and cheered at Asahi and Aletha's success.
All members of The Ending in Linuxinia mysteriously vanished, while The Promise teleported and phased out, enduring and accepting of their defeat.
The Battle for Linuxinia ended with victory.