FINAL WISH
Mr. and Mrs. Noctis didn't want to leave a bad taste for the end of the year, so they decided that they wanted to have a celebration on their mansion. This party is to honor Amy's heroic deeds as a Gate Guardian, as well as a jolly evening's party to start the new year.
I think this is the first time I've seen their mansion so lively. Colorful chandeliers bring brightness to the night, a suave orchestra music, and a red-carpeted hall. This is like a royal wedding, except that the main focus is Jeannette Amiella Fontaine von Noctis. She even had an adorable portrait at the stage of the hall.
The whole Aether Crusade and the Kozukata Shrine Maidens helped to revitalize this half-dead mansion. The Black Cross Legion also gave financial assistance to pull this celebration off. And now, we are enjoying the fruits of our labor.
This party has a formal theme. There are colorful girls in gowns all over the way, as well as men in tuxedos.
But only one of them stands out. It was Tiara, on her white dress… which reveals her cleavage. Darn, she's so appealing right now. Even if I turn my eyes upward, her adorable face would make my heart race.
"Um...Rikkun." Tiara poked her index fingers together, over and over. She bowed as she noticed that her face is blushing… same as mine. "I-I just want to tell you that you look so handsome in that American suit…"
"T-Thanks… Y-You too. You're so gorgeous right now…"
"T-Thank you too… T-Thank you for thanking me too…" Tiara now has this hot steam coming from her ears.
Then there was silence. The awkward one.
Good thing the party is about to start. Sister Amanda Cryst went on the stage and made his announcement.
"Ladies and Gentlemen. Welcome to this New Year's Eve party. I would like to thank you all for attending this humble party. This night is dedicated for the heroic deeds of all Gate Guardians who fought well in the battle against the New Order, especially our real heroine, Jeannette Amiella Fontaine von Noctis!"
Then Mr. Noctis had his turn on the podium.
"My daughter Jeannette said that she doesn't want us all to be sad. She said that we should always move forward with a smile on our face. So to honor her final wish, we will cast all sorrow away and happily yearn for a brighter tomorrow! So let's start the countdown!"
Ten!!!
Nine!!!
Eight!!!
Seven!!!
Six!!!
Five!!!
Four!!!
Three!!!
Two!!!
One!!!
"Happy New Year!"
Suddenly, the mansion hall roof opened up, and revealed the dark skies! What witchcraft is this!? I never took this house as a transformer!
Colorful fireworks surged to the location of the stars and exploded, giving rainbow lights that brightened our faces. All of our hearts are filled with joy and hope as we enjoy this beautiful scenery.
Suddenly, I felt a warm touch on my hand.
It was Tiara, with her face completely red. She mustered all the courage she got to make a natural smile at me.
"It's like the fireworks when we first met, right?" Tiara said.
"Yeah. It's still as beautiful as ever." I replied back with a smile. "I now remember...Toujours et a Jamais…"
She pulled my hand gently. "Hey, hey. Necchan and I have a gift for you. Come with me!"
<>
We're now at the wide backyard of the Noctis household. The fireworks continue to explode as we went into a position on the grassy riverbank. This place makes it the best place to view the fireworks, but something is telling me that Tiara drove me here not because of this.
She held my left hand tight, and I felt warm prana flowing towards my veins.
"Open a Gate, Rikkun."
"Is there an Eidolon nearby?"
"No! Geez, you're ruining our secret surprise! Just open it already!"
"Fine," I said wearingly. I swiped my finger on the thin air, and then in the blink of an eye, we are in a different dimension.
Not Yami.
I am here in pure white nothingness. It's like the dimension of the Brightmore Witch.
"You're right, Rikkun. This is indeed the dimension where Shirayuki has omnipotence. Normally, I wouldn't have the capacity to create this dimension, but… One of Necchan's wish is for me to create this place, in order for you to meet them…"
I felt sounds of footsteps from behind. As I turn around, I saw the most precious people I have lost.
"Yo!" Chrisprel waved his hand.
"Looking good, eh?" Ranley smiled.
"This is Sugoi!" Daughty laughed.
Warm droplets crawled on my cheeks.
"...You guys… You came back..."
"No! Your childhood friend tried to wish for our revival, but we three refused." Ranley smiled. "We're still fully booked in heaven, you know."
"B-But why?" My voice is trembling and I'm about to holler. "Why am I able to see you!?"
"Jeannette's final wish… is for us to see and talk to you again. She said that we three should beat the shit out of you so that you will never be consumed by your hatred." Ranley said.
"Darn that girl, she really loves you so much. And you even have Tiara. You lucky bastard!" Chrisprel said.
Suddenly, all three of them ganged up on me. Ranley gave me an armlock, Chrisprel gripped on my feet, and Daughty is the one who drilled his fist on my forehead.
"Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! It hurts!" I cried. But I know that Daughty only understands weabonese so I screamed this phrase instead: "Yamete oniichan!!!"
"Hahaha! You idiot Ric! Stop being so sentimental about our deaths! We don't care a crap about vengeance." Chrisprel said as he punched my toes.
"It's not Diadem's fault for being cursed. We have finally accepted our deaths. There's no need for you to feel bitter and salty." Ranley said as his lock tightens.
"Everything is daijobu, my Nakama." Daughty said as he tried to strangle me.
"Fine! Fine" I cried. "Stop it! You guys are killing me! I don't have any slightest intention of joining you this early!"
"Hahaha!" All of them laughed as they released me. "Why don't you turn into the God of Kings and fight us?"
"You three knew!?"
"Of course!" Daughty exclaimed. "That final battle was so sugoi! We had the VIP seats during your battle!"
<>
In this realm, the flow of time is completely stopped. We four had the best conversation ever. I told them the stories of my battles against Diadem, how Heushac became an awesome lolicon, and how we won the last war.
Heck, I also bragged about them having lots of funny and romantic moments with the girls. Those dirty ecchi moments of 'accidentally' seeing a girl naked, that chaotic hot spring war between the boys and the girls, and the holy Cutie Poll.
I even told them the entire Gate Guardian lore I've read from the bible. I demonstrated them how to cast awesome spells like <Snowflake Shuriken> and <Moonlight Slash>.
Everything is always better when you're around with your homies.
It took us about four hours in this dimension until their time is finally up.
<>
"It seems like we have to go now, Alaric," Chrisprel said.
"Don't be so sad. We will be watching you from afar." Ranley said.
"Sayonara Arigatou!" Daughty smiled.
"Chrisprel… Ranley… Daughty…" I cried with a smile. "Thank you…"
All three of them talked in sync.
"Alaric. If you ever feel that your world will collapse, just remember… Someone will be there by your side… Stand strong, and everything will be okay."
"R...Right…" I clenched my right fist and slowly put it on my chest.
As they turn and walked away, their bodies slowly faded as they reached the horizon of emptiness.
I held my heart with my right and wiped my tears with my left. But as I turn my back to return to my true love, I was fazed as I saw my dearest.
A petite build with golden hair. She is wearing cute white ribbons on her twin ponytails. Her purple eyes gave a lovely glow in this universe.
"I'm still here, you know?"
"A...Amy…" I muttered.
I immediately rushed to her and hugged her tight. I stick my ears to her beating chest as I cried out loud.
"Thank you! Thank you for doing this! Thank you for giving me a chance to talk to them… Thank you…"
As the dimension of white nothingness collapses, I realized that it was not Amy. Her golden hair turned to black, and her purple eyes turned to sky blue.
It was Tiara.
The glow of her eyes and the warmth of their identical soul must have confused me. But still, I know that Amy resides on Tiara.
"I'm here, Rikkun. I will be here by your side. Forever." Tiara made a genuine smile as she continues to cradle me on her chest. "Toujours et a Jamais."
"...Tiara… Thank you… Thank you... Thank you..."
I hollered out loud, but the song of my sorrow and happiness was outsounded by the colorful exploding stars in the middle of the darkest night.
Go to youtube and play "Ai no Melody" by Kokia.
And close your eyes.
Feel the warmth of love.
...
Anyway, thanks for reading Gate Guardian: Song of the Frozen Soul!
Please leave a review if you like it!
Special thanks to those commenters who hated me and rants on the comment section instead! I appreciate all of it! Special mention to Kuro and GN00! Thanks for always commenting!
...
Tell me if you want a Season 2 by leaving a review below.
I shall return on Christmas!
LAST PRESAGE
Here am I again, in this world full of ice.
For some reason, the realm of the Frozen Soul is no longer having any blizzards. The skies revealed its true form: a clear blue twilight. Sun is now peeking on the horizon. The ice rocks are now in the merge of melting, and the normally frozen floor is now a lake in which I can walk on without getting soaked.
I slowly approached the Frozen Soul.
I gazed in front and noticed a singularity. The ice crystal, which kept the Frozen Soul frozen is now much thinner. Water droplets started to race downwards. It's on the verge of melting. Climate change is real.
"I'm sorry for calling you."
When I turned around, I saw a silver-haired man with red eyes. There's no malicious intent on him even though he is a Cursed Guardian, for he was the Outsider.
"Why did you send me here?" I asked.
"I have to warn you. This is an urgent matter." The Outsider's face is giving of wariness. It's rare for him to give that expression. "The Frozen Soul is on the verge of awakening. That ice crystal is estimated to melt in one year."
"What happens if the Frozen Soul wakes?"
"See for yourself." The Outsider welcomed me to approach the frozen crystal which contains the woman who is endlessly singing for all eternity.
Soft ripples echoed as I take a step forward. The moment I was just a half meter away from the Frozen Soul, I saw a faint glow on her heart.
It was a dark Quintessence…
No…
It was a God Core far more powerful than anything in existence.
My God Core glowed, and information went through my brain.
The Frozen Soul….
She wields the power of the strongest god.
OUTER GOD CORE: AZATHOTH
Reality shattered.
<<<>>>
It was pure pitch black. I couldn't see, hear, feel, touch, smell, or taste anything. Not even my magical senses work in this place. Everything is so quiet and empty.
<<<>>>
When I blinked, I was already back in the realm of the Frozen Soul. I glanced at the Outsider with the most confused face I can ever give.
"You saw it, didn't you?" The Outsider smiled.
"I saw nothing."
"Precisely… It must be clear to you now. The Frozen Soul have the power of the <Outer God Azathoth>. She is singing a lullaby for herself, just to keep her from waking up."
"What's the deal with her waking up?" Now we're having this infinite loop of conversation.
His crimson glare at me, together with his words, gave a chill down on my spine.
"It's what your <Presage> saw. Once the Frozen Soul stops singing, everything will blink out of existence. Good and evil, sins and justice, hope and despair, dreams and reality. Everything will be gone. What will be left after, is an infinite void of darkness."
"That's…" My whole body trembled. My hands and feet are shaky. To make my fear worse, the Outsider continued talking.
"If the Frozen Soul wakes up, we don't."
"What should we do? How can we prevent her from waking up?"
"There is only one way. An omnipotent wish." The Outsider said. "There is one more person who can sing the <Song of Salvation>."
Hearing those words already made me conclude one thing...
All those event setups…
All those interference by this one man…
I know who is he pertaining to.
"...Tiara…" I muttered.
He suddenly jumped to another topic as he talked about his vague philosophy of his.
"Regrets and wishes. They are complete opposites. Regrets are the things that you avoid that already happened in the past, while wishes are the things that you wanted to happen in the future. The two songs are the same thing. The Brightmore Witch's <Song of Time> gives you a chance to see your regret once more, while the Fragment of the Frozen Soul's <Song of Salvation> makes your wishes come true. Now that the Brightmore Witch and the Fragment of the Frozen Soul are now one and the same person, who knows what Tiara Hikari's powers can do?"
I clenched my fist. "I… I don't want to sacrifice a dear person… Not anymore. I won't let her use the <Song of Salvation> if it means erasing her own existence."
"Don't be so sad, my dear 'Rikkun'..." The Outsider mimicked Tiara's accent that made me a lot more annoyed. "There is a safe way where Tiara can stay alive after singing the <Song of Salvation>."
"Love?" I said. Well, he's always talking about love so love is definitely the answer.
"Love…" The Outsider nodded. It looks like I won the million dollar question until he added more. "...And the power of twelve God Cores, to be precise. You already have the God Core of Freyr, and you can just borrow the God Core of Neptune from your Legionmaster. But still, you have 10 God Cores to go. My Fake God Cores won't do, only the original powerful ones. One year is not that much of a time, so best of luck, Prophet-King."
I clenched my fist as I gathered my determination. "I must hurry…" I said. I ran away from the Outsider and the Frozen Soul, looking for the exit.
But as I rush towards the edge of white nothingness, I heard the Outsider mutter these words.
"Rejoice, Alaric Eisenhower. This is just the start of your love story."