Liaison Staff II: We've got signal. Zeno has restored communications with Team Timekeeper.
Assistant Simone: Very well. We will leave you to it.
She sighs with relief.
But before she hangs up, she has one more question.
Assistant Simone: Just to confirm before we go—the operation Zeno is currently undertaking has been approved by the Pax Security Council, right?
The internal call falls silent, as if the question is too absurd to answer.
???: Certainly, Miss.
???: We are soldiers. Soldiers act on orders.
This is the only part of the island untouched by war.
Where the foliage is thriving and the view is stunning.
Arcana: I am most pleased to see you.
Arcana: Had you a pleasant stay on this island, Ms. Vertin?
Vertin: ...
She turns around, a smile gracing her face.
Arcana: Are they not an intriguing flock of people?
Arcana: Their wise ones drew a circle at their feet and declared themselves apart from this realm.
Arcana: For generations untold, they toiled as diligent ants in service of the circle, adoring and venerating it while shielding themselves from insanity's call.
Arcana: I take immense pleasure in admiring this wondrous figure—the primordial, eternal, immaculate circle.
Arcana: The more pity that it was etched upon sand.
Below, the bombed-out beach is in a state of disarray.
Vertin: I disagree.
Vertin: The fragility and impermanence of sand is precisely why people strive for something eternal. Believing in perfection is not a flaw.
Vertin: I noticed the human aircraft were loaded with weapons not from this era.
Vertin: Did Manus Vindictae provide them with the technology?
Arcana smiles, the silence confirming the disturbing revelation.
Vertin: I can't fathom your motives.
Vertin: If you came here to incite hatred and recruit the pure-blood arcanists on this island, you may now walk away with satisfaction.
Vertin: If you wanted to take the island as one of your bases, you could have done so after the cleansing ceremony failed.
Vertin: But you did nothing. You just stood there. Why?
Arcana: chuckle
Without rhyme or reason, she laughs.
Arcana: Do you struggle to comprehend, sweet Vertin?
Arcana: I was waiting for you.
Vertin: ...!
Sonetto and Lilya take a step forward.
Lilya: Enough talk, Vertin. It's time for action.
Sonetto: Mind your distance. Arcana has power over people's minds at a close range.
Arcana: A pity.
She raises her arm, the stone bangle still intact on her wrist.
The next moment, it slides off and falls to the grass, dissolving into thin air.
Arcana: I didst wish to keep this bangle. Mine and yours, a pair in perfect match.
Arcana: How will you remove yours, Vertin?
Vertin: ...
The bangle burns, a reminder of those who still believe in the teachings of Truth and Apeiron, and those who remained until the end of the cleansing ceremony.
The symbol of faith remains true to its purpose.
The peace agreement is still in effect.
Regulus: What? The island's been blasted to smithereens. How come the bangle still has its power?
Regulus: What is it made of?
Sonetto: Don't worry, Regulus. We have foreseen this.
The chief assistant shows no signs of worry.
Sonetto: When we first arrived, I was bewildered by the rules on this island. But as I learned more about their Scriptures, things began to make sense.
Sonetto: Language is an unreliable means of communication. Information can become muddled, and vague wording can lead to mistakes and contradictions. That's why the island values math as a more precise and truthful language.
Sonetto: They mock language for its ambiguity, scorn its flaws, and ruthlessly expose its inconsistencies, like they did during that debate.
Sonetto: The pact on this bangle is of a similar nature.
Lilya: I see. It forbids us from actively attacking, but what is considered an attack?
Lilya: The rule-maker did not specify that.
Sonetto: An act without the intent to attack will not be seen as an attack.
Sonetto: That is the unspoken rule of the peace agreement.
Arcana: Heh-heh. An adorable attempt.
Arcana: Are you truly prepared to gamble the life of thy sworn companion, little pup of the Foundation?
Behind her, an unidentifiable form materializes into existence.
Sonetto shakes her head, her wand remains steady.
Sonetto: I will not make the same mistake again, Ms. Arcana.
Sonetto: I know perfectly well what I'm doing. Your provocations will not work on me.
Sonetto: For the peace of this world,
Sonetto: I will stop you.
The wand radiates an intense brilliance.
Sonetto: Regna sereno intenso ed infinito!
Final Confrontation "Beginning of the End" Sequence
The ship sways gently in the waves.
It is set for a new world, and there's no turning back.
Sophia: ...
She hasn't spoken a word since they sailed.
The situation is final and the board is set, there's nothing for her to do but to stay silent.
Manus Believer I: Ms. Sophia.
Manus Believer I: Is the Guiding One really not coming with us? She ...
Sophia: ...
She doesn't answer, absentmindedly caressing the tiny idol.
She still remembers the moment she received it.
Sophia: Are you saying ...
Arcana: Fret not, my child.
Arcana: You heard me true.
Arcana: I shall die today.
Sonetto: Timekeeper, location α is ready for the ritual!
Lilya: Location β, ready!
Regulus: Mr. APPLe and I are ready!
Vertin: Good!
This is not a preparation for an attack. At least not for an attack here.
Vertin: Requesting to use the advanced arcane skill "Aferoj Around," No. 000262603100008,
Vertin: to teleport a top priority threat to the Parmenides Base!
The glow of the ritual envelops Arcana.
Arcana: Oh?
Lilya: Loosen up and enjoy the ride.
Lilya: Goodbye.
Operator I: Launch sequence initiated. Starting countdown. 30, 29, 28 ...
Observer I: The target has not reached the designated location. I repeat, the target has ...
Operator I: 15, 14, 13 ...
Observer I: Large-scale arcane ritual detected. "Aferoj Around," verified. Life signal detected. Target is in position. Initiating detonation ...
Operator I: 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 ...
Operator I: 1!
Operator I: Vacuum bomb detonated.
Observer I: No arcane energy detected. No life signal detected.
Observer I: Target eliminated. I repeat. The target has been eliminated.
Operator I: We did it? We actually did it!
Operator I: Admiral, Hans, we made up for what we didn't do in '99.
Observer I: Did we win?
Admiral Igor: It's too early to celebrate.
Admiral Igor: But history will remember this moment and honor all that was lost in this long battle.
Operator I: Wait. Hans!
Operator I: You hear that? In your headphones.
Everyone can hear it.
A grating static.
Observer I: ...
Observer I: A-Admiral, we might have a life signal, but there's too much interference.
Admiral Igor: Give me that.
The plan was made with little time to spare, and the location chosen for the observation room is far from ideal.
But soon enough, the strange sound in the room subsides.
Admiral Igor: ...
Admiral Igor: No, it's nothing. There is no sign of life.
Admiral Igor: It was the wind.
Crowd: ...
Operator I: So, that means ...
We did it, everyone.
Operator I: A triumphant victory! A salute to you, admiral, and to the Timekeeper!
Observer I: Our efforts for peace have prevailed, and we have emerged victorious. Let us forever remember this day for its greatness!
Crowd: Glory to all who fought for this moment!
Crowd: We did it!
The observation room erupts in triumph.
Arcana, deceased.