The Burning Flowers

Chapter XVI

Since the funeral service for Clara Luz and Nium Noctis was postponed until the rest of the main family returned from Stellareid, it was decided that the memorial for Viiro Noctis, Acostav Luz, and Eko Luz would be held alongside them in what was the biggest loss of Noctalus life since the Subjugation of Nocta centuries ago. Album was the one who returned the bodies of her father and brother to her home city, and thus it fell on her to explain to Lord Nogara and Lady Ilum just what had happened. Her aunt was stunned for a few seconds before breaking down into tears while Nogara lost his temper, screaming at Album and accusing her of making things up. The man simply could not bring himself to believe that his niece and nephew had murdered his brother and joined the Kosah-Rei. A part of Album wondered if he would have physically lashed out at her had Ilum not been present to try and calm him down. Normally, she would have flinched back at such violent rage, but after what she had experienced in Stellareid, she found herself unaffected, and even a little angry herself. Album knew Nogara didn’t mean anything by it, and that he was just in denial, but she couldn’t keep her mouth shut.

“Don’t talk to me like you were there, Lord Nogara,” she snapped. “Don’t act like you understood the situation I was put in. Lunara killed Father and Eko, so I took her down as was my duty. I didn’t have time to think, so I did what I had to do. I’m sorry about your brother. I’m sorry about your niece and nephew, but I will not stand here and let you scream at me as if I have done something wrong!”

Given how timid Album was known to be, Nogara’s eyes went wide at the coldness in her tone, and before he could recover, she’d stalked from the office to go to her bedroom and rest. She was exhausted from the many days on the road and was desperate for a comfortable bed, especially given the fact that she would be on her way to Erika the following morning. She wished she could attend her family’s funeral services, but the last thing she wanted to do was be alone with her extended family in Noctalus. She wanted to go back and be with Ryokumo and Ilirianna, and she wanted to be present for Nigreos’s execution—something that would almost assuredly be happening within the week.

Normally, King Markreas would have spoken with the Noctalus rulers before executing the successor to Master of Darkness, but at the moment, the Great City lacked an official leader. Nogara and Ilum were serving as regents with the intention of turning the positions over to Album and Luna when they were old enough, but Luna was no longer an option, so it was likely Lord Nogara would be appointed the official Lord of the NightLight quite soon. However, given Nigreos’s crimes, Markreas would not wait for an agreement to be reached, so the desires of Noctalus would probably be ignored by Erika. What that would do to future relations between the Great Cities was uncertain, but Album knew that once she was in charge, she would not hold it against the Iijis. Back in Stellareid, Ilirianna had mentioned the possibility of Lunara being spared until Neah could be removed from her body, so it was likely she would at least live for a while longer.

That should be more than enough to appease Lord Nogara, and if Neah is somehow saved both from Luna and from her condition, then she would be the true successor to the city.

When Album reached her room, she collapsed onto the bed and fell asleep seconds after her head hit the pillow. She only realized just how tired she was when her rest was undisturbed by memories of the battle, and when she woke up the following morning, she had a nasty feeling she would not be getting such effective sleep again for a while. Since she had already informed Lady Ilum she was leaving that day, preparations for her departure were made overnight, so once she had enjoyed a private breakfast, Album donned her traveling gear and headed down to the stables where her carriage awaited. Lady Ilum and Lord Eldoran were there to see her off, without a sign of a Noctis. She was relieved that her uncle was present, for she had almost forgotten there was something she needed to tell him.

“Uncle Eldoran, it would be smart for you to prepare to go to Erika at a moment’s notice,” she said. “It’s a near certainty that King Markreas will want you to be the next Master of Light in Eko’s stead. In fact, a messenger may already be on their way.”

Eldoran’s features stiffened, and she wasn’t surprised. Ever since Tanna, his older sister, was forced to flee Noctalus due to her affair with Viiro’s younger brother, he had made a vow to never do anything that would adorn his father’s legacy. He had abandoned all claims to the NightLight, to the erased realm, and to the Master of Light, and while Album had always respected his mindset, she knew that they were left without much choice. He was the most ideal candidate to succeed Acostav, and he knew that, which was almost certainly why he didn’t decline despite his obvious desire to do so.

“I shall keep that in mind, Album. Thank you.”

Little else was said between the young light mage and her family before she climbed into the carriage and left the NightLight, as well as the Great City of Noctalus, behind her. A part of her wondered if she’d ever return, for even though it was her home, its association with all that she had held dear, and all she had lost, sickened her. That was the city she grew up in, alongside Eko, Nigreos, Lunara, and Neah. Despite the struggles she faced in her early life, that palace was filled with happy memories that were forever stained by the betrayal of the Noctis.

Then again, erasers aren’t really welcomed in Erika for long periods of time, so if I don’t return to Noctalus, who knows where I’ll wind up. Oh well, that’s a problem for later.

After a week on the road, Album arrived in the capital and was taken straight to the Citadel so that she could report to Ilirianna. This was the agreement they had made before splitting up, and since she knew Ryokumo would be awaiting her as well, Album was ridiculously anxious to hurry up to the royal suite as fast as she could. She was desperate to be in the presence of her friends again, for the last two weeks of travel had been the loneliest she had felt in all her life. Before the carriage driver had even made a complete stop, Album threw open the door, jumped out onto the sidewalk, and sprinted towards the gates. Once the guards had verified her identity, she rushed through the garden, into the tower itself, and was on one of the lifts ascending towards the royal suite with heavy breaths from the exertion. Anybody who saw her bolting through the Citadel must have wondered what was wrong with her, but she didn’t really care what anybody thought so long as she could finally be with the team again.

Of course, once she was standing in the golden hall of the royal levels, it suddenly occurred to her that she did not have the ability to bypass the illusion magic guarding that level, and as such, she would not be able to find her destination without the help of a designated guide. Album’s shoulders slumped, her brain finally catching up with her situation as it occurred to her she should have sent word of her arrival so Ilirianna knew she was there, but before she could turn and trudge back onto the lift so she could find someone, luck finally did her a favor when her name was called out from down the corridor.

“Album? Is that you?”

Her head snapped back over her shoulder upon hearing Markreas’s voice, and as she took in the sight of the King of Ijiria making his way towards her, she faced him fully and bent her back in a bow.

“Your Majesty, good afternoon,” she stammered. “I’m sorry, I would have sent word that I’d arrived, but I was really anxious to meet with Princess Ilirianna and forgot all about the illusion magic. I was just about to head back down…”

“Ah, yes, that’s…understandable. Please, rise.”

Album straightened her back and folded her hands in front of her as she stared back at the King’s bearded features, filled with regret and empathy. The man seemed unsure of what else to say, but knowing that it wasn’t her place to speak until given permission, she patiently waited for Markreas to gather his thoughts. When the King realized they’d been standing in silence, he grinned with embarrassment.

“Er, apologies, my mind is quite scattered right now. Come with me. I’ll take you the suite myself.”

“B-but, Your Majesty, that’s okay! I’m sure you have plenty of things to deal with! I can go back down and wait for a more ideal time!”

But Markreas was shaking his head firmly. “Nonsense. No reason to send you back, now is there? Come… It’s not a long walk.”

Since arguing with the King was unthinkable, Album thanked him once more and fell into stride behind the man as he turned, leading her in the direction he had come from. Throughout the entire walk, her mind was racing as she frantically debated whether it was polite to try and make conversation or polite to stay silent and wait for him to talk. Then, if she was supposed to interact, what was she to say to the King of Ijiria? Small talk felt pointless, but it wasn’t her business to ask about the current happenings of the country. She had been hardly thinking when the King ran into her, so she was far from a mental state to make a good decision that wouldn’t embarrass her. The internal debate was unfinished by the time Markreas announced their arrival.

“Here we are,” he stated, motioning a ring-covered hand towards the double doors before them. “And before I go, let me just say my condolences for what happened to your father and brother. Acostav and Eko were good people and talented mages. Ijiria will miss them, as will I.”

Startled by his sudden kindness, Album nevertheless managed a smile and yet another “thank you” before Markreas bid her goodbye and left her standing on the doorstep. She watched him depart for a few seconds before she rapped her knuckle against the surface. Somebody must have been in the front room, for she was answered within a couple of seconds by Princess Anna-Piura Iiji, whose already present frown only deepened when she saw it was Album who had knocked. Based on the casual attire of a loose shirt and pants that the emerald-haired woman was wearing, Album once again cursed herself for not giving them a heads-up, for if Piura had expected a visitor, she probably would have dressed more formally. Unfortunately, what was done was done, so Album bowed her head and spoke.

“Apologies for the sudden visit, Princess Piura, but Ilirianna requested I meet with her once returning to Erika and your father was gracious enough to guide me here.”

Piura’s features stiffened in an expression Album couldn’t effectively read, but the Princess gave a soft nod and stepped aside to give her entry. “Very well. Welcome back, Album.”

The young light mage quickly found out a possible source of Piura’s strange expression, for when she entered the royal suite, she found the air so tense that she was overwhelmed by an instinctual desire to run away. Ilirianna and Toranei were standing a few feet apart from one another, their heads turned towards Album and their postures indicating they had been furiously arguing about something before her arrival. Prince Reigious was sitting awkwardly on the couch, and Ryokumo was on the stairs leading to the loft overlooking the sitting room, his own features twisted in an unrestrained anger, though there was a flicker of relief when he saw Album. She was clearly interrupting something, but she got the feeling that everybody present save for Toranei was glad she had done so.

“Um…should I come back?” she stuttered, but Ilirianna instantly shook her head.

“No, you’re okay. We were finished anyway.”

“Liri—!”

“Come, Album, let’s go up to my room.”

Ilirianna’s responses were curt as she spoke over her mother, then swiftly stalked towards the stairs and made her way up with Ryokumo already in tow. Not wanting to pay any further thought to what might have been going on before her arrival, Album stumbled over her feet in an effort to pursue Ilirianna and Ryokumo up to the loft. Once the three of them entered the spacious bedroom, the Princess gently closed the door behind her then pressed her back up against it and let out a huff as she folded her arms across her chest.

“Sorry about that,” she muttered under her breath. “Things have been a bit hectic this past week, but don’t worry about it. Mother and I…are just not seeing eye-to-eye right now…and I’ve found myself a bit more short-tempered with her. That being said, she ordered me to kick Kumo out of the suite, and I was not about to stand for that.”

Ilirianna’s blue eyes flashed with a hatred that seemed almost too intense for the situation. Even if it was wholly unfair for Toranei to do that, Album had been friends with Ilirianna long enough to know she wasn’t one to get that angry at her mother. They might not have been close, and Ilirianna had certainly complained about the Queen over the years, but that look in her friend’s eyes caused Album to shiver despite herself.

Am I missing something?

She glanced back at Ryokumo, but the wind mage was already pacing the empty space dedicated to Ilirianna’s training, his head down and his lips drawn tight. Realizing that if it was her business then Ilirianna would tell her, Album opted to set the matter aside for the time being as she shifted the conversation to the reason she’d been summoned in the first place.

“I delivered the bodies to Noctalus and touched base with my family,” she said. “I would warn you to prepare for strong opposition from Lord Nogara. He was furious when I told him what became of Nigreos and Lunara, and while he calmed down after a time, I don’t think he’s just going to ignore this. He may be an obstacle for the future.”

Ilirianna sighed with resignation. “Lovely. And what of Lady Ilum? Or Lord Eldoran?”

“My aunt took things about as well as she could, and I think she understands the circumstances. As for my uncle, well, I told him to expect a summons from King Markreas regarding my father’s successor, and while he told me he’d be ready, he doesn't seem keen on the idea of being Master of Light. His tainted history with my grandfather still weighs on him.”

“I see…” To Album’s surprise, Ilirianna exchanged a knowing look with Ryokumo over the light mage’s shoulder, but before she could inquire what was wrong, the Princess told her. “Well, as it stands, Lord Eldoran’s cooperation may not be needed. Kumo, Rennigan, and I have spoken with the Masters and Kloras about potentially breaking tradition and permitting you to succeed Acostav, Album. What do you say to that?”

Her eyes went wide. She couldn’t help glancing to Ryokumo for confirmation, only to find him looking back without a hint of deceit anywhere to be found. “You’re serious?” she pressed, returning her gaze to the Princess. “I mean, if we did that, we’d still need a replacement eraser and—”

“No, you would remain the Luz eraser,” Ilirianna corrected. “You would serve as both.”

Album’s brain began running a million miles a minute, having far from expected such a thing the second after getting back. “And…the Masters are okay with this? Kloras is okay with this?”

“Glaus is pressuring him,” Ryokumo told her. “And the Masters, well, I think they’re more scared of not having a Master of Light in the aftermath of Stellareid than they are of appointing the eraser. Desperate times call for desperate measures and this would be one of them.”

“Besides, Lady Ilum can train one of her sons in the meantime,” the Princess added. “It would be a temporary arrangement, but one I fully support. I trust you, Album, and I think you’ll be an impressive Master of Light should we decide on this route.”

“R-right…” She swallowed, not even knowing what she felt about that. Being the Master of Light was never something she had slightly pondered, both because of her role as eraser and due to her lacking mana. She was better these days, but she wouldn’t say she’d reached the level of a Master. “I’ll…think about it, but if it’s what the Empire requires of me, then I’ll do it.”

Ilirianna smiled warmly, an unmissable glint of satisfaction mixing with that warmth. “Good. That’s good.”

“So…” Licking her dry lips, wanting to turn the topic away from this sudden responsibility being hoisted onto her shoulders, she forced herself to ask a question that had been on her mind for a while now. She feared the answer, but she was also desperate to know. “Is there news on Abigail? Or The Angel? Did we find either of them while I was away in Noctalus?”

Album was so worried about her friend, having been grasping onto the fact that a body was never found, wanting to believe that she was still alive out there and hadn’t become another victim of the massacre. The Angel’s disappearance coinciding with Abi’s only added to her hopes, for if the creature of Cansi had been with her, then she had to be alive. She was clever and powerful alone, but The Angel would not have fallen easily either. Together, they had to be okay.

But a singular shake of Ilirianna’s head crushed her heart. “Nothing. At this point, even I am beginning to accept that she might have been captured or killed by the Kosah-Rei, and that the evidence was destroyed.”

“W-what? N-no, Liri, come on, I—”

“We’ll keep looking,” Ilirianna assured her, stepping forward to wrap her arms around Album and give her a comforting hug. “We’ll do whatever it takes, but don’t hold your breath. It may just be the three of us now.”

Ryokumo moved to join the hug, giving Album that warmth she had been desperate for on the road, but with the increased chances of her never seeing Abi again, it didn’t provide the relief she had sought. She still felt cold, and she wished she could just shut her eyes and go back to sleep. Unfortunately, there was still more for the remnants of the royal team to discuss, so the hug lasted only so long before the three of them returned to business.

The next hour was spent with Ilirianna and Ryokumo filling her in on what had been happening in Erika. On top of the debate of Acostav’s succession, the Iijis had been working hard to send reinforcements to Stellareid, with Masters Nakoma Taurus and Sinna Cartus being deployed to the City of Starlight alongside a few battalions of Korrei-Tarr soldiers to help quell the uprising left in Keskivaara’s wake. In addition, even more resources were being poured into the hunt for the Kosah-Rei’s base of operations. Markreas believed that if they locate their hideout, they could make an attempt to exterminate them at the source, so with the threat level of the cult made clearer than it had ever been, that was the primary goal of the Citadel. There were also deployments to the Great Cities of Harunhein, Krato, and Hiriech to increase cooperation efforts and ensure no other Great City fell the way Stellareid had. Quill Tyrus’s ploy as Hakelades Omorossa showed them that every single person who entered a Great City needed to be checked for biological magic, and efforts to train every soldier they could to recognize Sartella’s residue were being made. Finally, the discussion turned to the Noctis.

As Album had thought, Lunara was being spared for the foreseeable future while they worked on a means of saving Neah, but Nigreos was to be privately executed in a few days. To appease Noctalus as best they could, they had decided that the story for the public would be that Nigreos and Lunara were killed in Stellareid as they valiantly fought the Kosah-Rei. This would allow the Noctis to save face and would make the traitors appear as heroes to the people of Noctalus. Ilirianna didn’t seem too pleased with this decision, and Album got the feeling she wanted the world to know what Nigreos and Lunara had done, but she refrained from saying as much aloud.

If it’s to keep Lord Nogara happy, I guess I can’t complain. It does feel like spitting on Father and Eko’s memories, but knowing them, they would understand. They always understood political matters like these better than me.

Once everything had been discussed, Album and Ryokumo were excused to go back to the Academy and get some proper rest, so Ilirianna led them back through the royal suite, which was thankfully free from Toranei, and took them back to the lift. However, to Album’s surprise, Ryokumo said one last thing before the two of them descended.

“Liri…? Did you decide to accept my request?”

Ilirianna grimaced, but before Album could ask what request he was referring to, the Princess nodded, reached into an inner pocket of her overcoat, then handed Ryokumo a little golden coin. “Just be quick about it. If anybody finds out, I’m in for another tongue-lashing from the Queen.”

“We will be. There’s not much to say, after all. I merely want…closure...”

With that, Ilirianna bid them goodbye, Ryokumo cast Ortumo, and they were on their way down the shaft. Album gazed at her friend curiously, waiting for him to finally explain himself, and after a few seconds of staring at the coin, Ryokumo glanced up at her with an expression so serious, and even a bit nervous, that she couldn’t help feeling worried.

“K-Kumo?” she began. “What request were you talking about?”

Ryokumo took a deep breath, and Album could very clearly make out the struggle he was internally having before he clicked his tongue and spoke. “I asked Liri if you and I could head down to the dungeons and have a word with Nigreos. Naturally, she was hesitant given the fact that we’re fellow team members and you’re the eraser, but I insisted we needed a bit of closure. I…lied.”

“W-what? To Liri?” Album pressed, stunned by such an uncharacteristic action. “Why? I mean, what else could we—?”

“Do you think we could save anybody by erasing Lunara?” he forced himself to say, appearing almost shocked by his own words. “If Lunara never existed, would the Fifth Ring have been combusted? Would your parents have died? Would Nigreos have had a reason to turn traitor? Would Glaus’s team have been killed by Tyrus? How much…do you think would be different?”

“Huh?” she breathed. “K-Kumo? Hold on a second… You can’t mean…?”

He swallowed. “I do. I do mean it… I’ve been wracking my brain ever since the battle, trying to find a way to make things right, and for the last week, I’ve been running it over in my head. Lunara was the source of much of this suffering, so if we removed the source—”

“It’s illegal,” Album snapped, already hating that her brain was beginning to fall down that same line of thought. “Kumo, if I erased somebody behind the backs of the Iijis, and somebody found out…?”

“But how would they find out? If the entire world, save for you and I, forgot Lunara Noctis ever existed, then what evidence would remain to damn us?”

“Ryokumo!” She couldn’t believe what she was hearing, for even though she knew Ryokumo Caeli lacked respect for the law, this seemed too far even for him. She knew it had to have been born out of desperation—that he wasn’t thinking straight. “Why would you hide this from Liri?”

“Because she wouldn’t agree,” he answered without hesitation. “Mind you, I didn’t directly ask her about erasure, but the way she’s been speaking of Nigreos with such hatred and disgust, I know she wants nothing more than for him to pay for what he’s done. She would never allow his crimes to be erased from the world, but if his crimes were erased, then Viiro, Acostav, Faye, Eko…they would all live. Is bringing them back to life not a fair trade for pardoning Nigreos of his sins?” He exhaled sharply as the entrance to the dungeons came into view. “It’s your call, and I understand if you agree with Liri… But I do not want this reality to remain if I have the means to get rid of it.”

As the lift slowed to a stop, Ryokumo stepped into the darkened, fire-lit dungeon without looking back at her, and as Album hurried into stride alongside him, she couldn’t stop herself from pondering his words. Nigreos had betrayed her, but if she could bring her family back to life, then the man who betrayed her would be erased with Lunara. It wouldn’t be the same person, and it was unknown whether the Kosah-Rei would have attacked Stellareid and Noctalus if Luna hadn’t been on their side, but erasure magic could give her a chance at regaining the happy life she had lost to that tragedy. Ryokumo was right that even if she could never forgive Nigreos, letting him live blissfully ignorant was a small price to pay to fix everything.

She didn’t need vengeance.

She needed her life back.

If I go rogue…then I’ll commit the very crime that makes people weary of me in the first place. This is why they don’t want the eraser to be Master of Light, and before I even get appointed, I’d be betraying Ijiria…and betraying Ilirianna. Maybe Kumo doesn’t see it that way… Maybe he thinks we’re helping them, but…

“Good afternoon, soldiers,” Ryokumo called out to a trio of guards waiting just outside one of the many cell doors lining the wall. “My name is Ryokumo Caeli, and I’ve been given permission by Princess Ilirianna to speak with the prisoner.”

The wind mage flashed the little gold coin indicating he was sent by Ilirianna, and since protocol dictated that he be allowed inside without further questioning, the cell door was unlocked, and the two of them were allowed in, though not without a quick scanning for any biological magic within them. Given that they didn’t side-eye Album, they must not have recognized who she was, but any further thought on whether or not they’d realize just who they were permitting access was swiftly destroyed the very second her foot entered the dank stone cell and she took her first look at Nigreos Noctis since the night the Battle of Stellareid began. Due to the abruptness of their trip to the dungeons, as well as Ryokumo’s proposal to erase Lunara, Album hadn’t been mentally preparing herself, so the image of her longtime friend and brother sitting slumped against the far wall, his hands chained to it and his head down, caused her chest to tighten and a feeling of nausea to build up in her throat.

Nigreos…

The young man weakly raised his head, giving her a better glimpse of his unkempt hair, sullen face, and emotionless eyes. He both looked like the man Album knew and also like a complete stranger. His disgusted, hate-filled expression made her want to turn around and flee, and the venom in his raspy voice only strengthened that terror.

“So it’s you two,” he growled. “I’m honestly shocked they let you anywhere near me, Album, but I suppose Ilirianna’s to thank for that, huh? What the fuck do you two want? Here to gloat? Here to laugh? Here to rub it in my face that I’m gonna be executed soon?”

Ryokumo snorted. “How about all of the above, you piece of shit? Don’t stare at us like that when your hands are drenched in the blood of your allies—of people that were supposed to be your friends and your family.”

“Ha!” Nigreos let out a harsh and cold chuckle. “Well, if Ryokumo Caeli is looking as serious as this, then it seems I’ve really pissed you off. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you take anything seriously, so it’s interesting to find out you can do something other than fuck around.”

The wind mage returned Nigreos’s smile with a maddened grin as he wordlessly stalked forward and grabbed the other man’s hair, pulling with more force than Album had expected as he placed his face mere inches from Nigreos to stare him dead in the eyes.

“Do you not feel any regret?” Ryokumo hissed. “You’ve been in a damn cell for the last few weeks, so I know you’ve had plenty of time to use your brain and think critically. You were an accomplice in the deaths of Album’s father and brother. You helped Lunara destroy the Fifth Ring, Fayela Rio among them! And if not for Mackia, Liri would have died by your fucking hands! And all for what? You’re going to die like an animal, and all for your stupid little bitch of a sister?”

“Kumo…?” Album muttered, but Nigreos was already spitting back a response.

“You’re lucky I’m in these chains or you’d be added to that list, Ryokumo! I regret nothing, so if you’re here to seek remorse from me, then leave! I fought for Luna and I fought for Neah. No amount of time to myself will change my mind, and I’m glad that I did what I did! Ijiria is smart to execute me, because if I were to get out, I’d bust Lunara out of her cell and slaughter anybody in my damn way!”

“Is that so?” Ryokumo whispered. “It was all for Lunara and Neah? You wouldn’t have done what you did if not for them?”

“Only for them…would I walk into the hell I have…”

Ryokumo laughed, then slowly tilted his head to stare back at the still silent Album, understanding passing between the two of them without needing to say a thing. She hadn’t been sure why they’d come to Nigreos’s cell if Ryokumo was in the dungeons to erase Lunara, but now it made perfect sense. He was making sure that Luna was the true source of his actions, because if there was a secondary reason for Nigreos to do what he did, then erasing Luna wouldn’t change the past.

“It’s your call, Album…” he said. “You’re the only one who can do it, so say the word, and you have my support.”

Is it possible…? Could I undo this? Do I have the ability? I mean, Kumo’s right… We might be able to bring everybody back! Lunara’s alliance was a huge factor in the Kosah-Rei’s decision to attack Stellareid and Noctalus! She marked my parents, and she marked Eko! Who else could have done that? If she’s gone, Nigreos doesn’t betray us, my family won’t die, maybe Abi will survive… But it’s up to me! I have to make the decision…and it’s so sudden! Why did he have to bring it up now, out of the blue?! I…?

Her thoughts drifted off as she stared into Ryokumo’s brown eyes, seeing the utmost trust and faith within them. He was confident this was the right thing to do, and he believed in her. He had always believed in her, right from the very second they met, even after she failed miserably at their orientation. Ryokumo Caeli took gambles all the time, and they normally paid off. This was yet another one of those gambles, so what if instead of running around in mental circles, she returned that trust? Why did she have to think it through in an instant when he had been running through scenarios for the last few weeks? He’d already done the thinking, so all she had to do was take action.

“Album… My uncle, the eraser that preceded your mother, once told me that should we decide somebody needs to be removed behind the Iijis’ backs, then they would be powerless to stop us—unaware that we ever betrayed them,” Acostav had told her during their erasure training sessions. ‘My uncle admitted to me that he had erased people without their knowledge, and while your mother never has, I know she would do so if it were for the benefit of the family. He said, ‘Someday, somehow, you will find yourself before a person that the Iijis don’t want gone, but that must be removed. When that day comes, you must make the right choice’. If that ever happens to you…you must be mentally prepared to do so…”

Album continued gazing at Ryokumo, her father’s words coming back to her, and she knew that she was being faced with such a choice. Acostav had said it should be done for the benefit of the family, and what would benefit them more than undoing their deaths?

Ryokumo was right.

Her father was right.

She needed to do this—to trust in them.

“Very well, Kumo,” she answered finally. “I’ll do it.”

During the silence, Nigreos had been watching them suspiciously, and perhaps his malnourished and exhausted brain and body prevented him from connecting the dots right away, but as his eyes went wide, Album knew that he had figured it out.

“Ryokumo…? Album…? You can’t mean…?”

“Ah yes,” Ryokumo sneered, aggressively letting go of Nigreos’s hair. “What would change if Lunara Noctis never existed? Should she be plunged into the depths of the erased realm, what would become of the victims of Stellareid?”

“No…” Nigreos uttered. “You can’t! It’s against the law! Album, use your fucking head!” Straining against his chains, the dark mage shouted at her, spittle flying across the ground as he did. “It’s too uncontrollable! You should know that better than anybody! Don’t do that! Don’t touch Luna!”

Ryokumo was hardly paying his screeching any mind as he stalked across the cell, motioning for Album to hurry. She spent only a second longer watching Nigreos shout before saying, “It’ll be better this way, Nigreos”.

“Guards! They’re going to—!”

“Silientos,” Ryokumo chanted, snapping his hand towards Nigreos and forming a ball of air around his mouth, muffling his screaming so that the guards outside wouldn’t hear him.

The wind mage grinned, raising his pointer finger over his mouth for one final taunt, then pushed the door open, stepped outside with Album, and closed it behind him. The spell would probably deactivate in a moment or two, and when it did, the guards would hear him screaming and investigate. Therefore, speed was a necessity, so Ryokumo and Album took off down the corridor, towards the next set of guards where he flashed the coin a second time, waited to be checked, had the soldiers open the cell, then moved inside. This time, Album was far more prepared to face the prisoner since she knew what to do. This was for the best, just as she had told Nigreos, and in some ways, it was a mercy. Lunara Noctis, and due to circumstances Neah as well, would be forgotten by the world, but the erased realm didn’t need to be a punishment. It could be a paradise, if she wished it to be, and truth be told, that was far too good for the mass murderer chained to that wall.

“Album?” Lunara muttered with narrowed eyes. “And Caeli? Didn’t think I’d ever see you two again. Especially you, Al’.” The young woman then shrugged mockingly. “Seems I’ll be living a little bit longer, so unfortunately for you, I’m not going to die yet.”

The light mage stared at her for a moment, wondering if she wanted to say anything, then decided there was no reason to speak to her. They would never see each other again after this because Lunara would never again return to the real world. She was getting mercy beyond what she deserved, but why tell her that? Why not watch her squirm a little as payment for what she did to Eko and everyone else. So, rather than respond to Lunara’s comment, Album made a curt request of her friend.

“Kumo, make her chest an easier target.”

Ryokumo nodded, then stretched out his hand and chanted, “Condite.”

Ropes of wind formed around Luna’s head and one remaining arm, yanking them back and stretching her torso so it was puffed out—an easier target for Album. Recalling everything Acostav had taught her, she drew her erasure magic to her right hand and began to approach the girl who should have been like a sister to her.

“A-Album…?” Luna stammered nervously, her amber eyes flickering between Album’s face and hand. She was a child of Noctalus, so she would know what was about to happen to her. She tried to struggle against Ryokumo’s grip, her breathing quickening. “Album, what are you doing?! Come on, say something! I’m supposed to stay in the Citadel! You’re not authorized to erase me, Album! Come on! Album, STOP!”

She cocked her hand back then shoved it straight through Lunara’s chest, filling her body with erasure mana before yanking it back out again, splattering blood across the ground in the process. Luna let out a grunt of pain, her eyes wide with horror as she gazed at the wound in her chest before she turned that defeated expression up at Album.

Don’t look at me like that, Luna. You didn’t take any mercy on me or the people I loved, so why should I take any on you? Kumo’s right, this world…will be far better off without you.

“ALBUM, PLEASE!”

“Erasurei.”

Chanting over Luna’s begging, she activated the spell, and now there was nothing anybody could do to stop it. Lunara was screaming at the top of her lungs, pulling so hard on her chains in an effort to break free from both the metal and Ryokumo’s Condite. Her eyes were bulging, her breathing cut off by the chains and ropes of wind around her neck, but she pulled and thrashed, forcing Ryokumo to cast the spell a few more times. Like she was taught, Album didn’t look away and watched as Luna’s legs began to disintegrate into dust-like particles, followed by her hips, then her stomach, then her chest and arm. Tears filled the young woman’s eyes, her head falling to the ground as everything below her neck vanished, and it was then that the screaming stopped. Instead, just before the rest of her turned to dust, she squeaked out a meek, “Please, Al’,” before Lunara and Neah Noctis were erased from reality, forever confined to the erased realm.

The room was uncomfortably quiet in the aftermath of Lunara’s erasure, with Ryokumo and Album standing there with their breath held, listening for any sign of investigating guards, but when the wind mage stuck his head out into the hall, he returned and uttered,

“Nobody’s there… Not even in front of Nigreos’s cell…”

They looked at one another, relieved smiles turning their lips as they darted from Lunara’s cell and sprinted a few over to where Nigreos had been kept mere minutes ago. Like Ryokumo said, the guards that had been posted were nowhere to be found, and when they pulled the unlocked door open, the interior was devoid of the prisoner.

“So…it worked?” Album muttered. “If Nigreos isn’t imprisoned, then he didn’t break any laws, and if he didn’t break any laws, then…?”

Ryokumo ran his fingers through his black hair with disbelief. “I think so… Come, let’s go back to the surface and find out!”

The pair was back on the silver lift and ascending the Citadel almost immediately, their destination being the residential floor where Eko, Acostav, and Viiro had been living before the battle. If they could find any of those who were supposed to be dead, they could verify what Lunara’s erasure had accomplished.

“Who remembers, by the way?” Ryokumo inquired under his breath, to which she simply answered,

“Just us. Nobody else.”

“Right… Good…”

Album could tell he was already feeling guilty about omitting Ilirianna from this scheme, but if everything worked out, she decided it wouldn’t matter. What the Princess didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her so long as they could recover from the tragedies in the City of Starlight.

Flying up the shaft faster than they ever had, Ryokumo brought them to their desired floor where they hopped off the disk and began stalking towards the apartments of the Masters of Darkness and Light. Their feet moved rapidly, the clicking of their boots against the floor echoing through the strangely vacant silver corridors, and as they rounded a corner, both of them came to an abrupt stop, their bodies tensing as they caught sight of an individual making his way towards them. Their breath caught in their throat a second time, neither having an immediate response, so it was left to the approaching mage to speak first.

“Ryokumo? Album? What’s the matter? You seem like you’re in a hurry? Did something happen?”’

It was Nigreos Noctis, dressed in a light tunic and trousers meant for traveling that resembled Album’s current attire. He no longer appeared like the angry and defeated man they had left behind in that cell. He wasn’t smiling, though, and there was a clear exhaustion in his eyes that she wasn’t sure of the reason for. However, the fact that he was freely walking about on an upper floor of the Ijirian Citadel proved one thing: He was no longer a traitor.

“Nigreos?” Ryokumo began, his tone neither friendly nor antagonistic. Instead, it was more cautious, as if he was making an attempt to test the waters. “There you are… I was wondering where you ran off to.”

The dark mage cocked an eyebrow. “What? What do you mean? We parted ways fifteen minutes ago after leaving Princess Ilirianna’s quarters? I told you I was heading to my father’s apartment to collect his things. I thought you were going to do the same for Eko and Master Acostav, Album, but then you two just ran off somewhere, and now you’re acting like I’m the one who ran off?”

Album’s body went cold as she listened to Nigreos speak, but before she could think better of it, she was already speaking the question on her mind. “Why would I…get their things? I don’t understand…”

“Why—? Huh? Album, Lord Nogara and Lady Ilum requested we send their stuff back when we were in Noctalus. Remember? I know you were mourning your family, but…did you get hurt? Is everything alright?”

Mourning my family? Wait, then…Father and Eko are still dead? Master Viiro is still dead? How?! That means the Kosah-Rei attacked Stellareid and successfully marked them, but without Lunara, how could they have done that?! Did we not save anybody? I don’t…?

“Don’t worry about it,” Ryokumo assured him with a fake grin. “Album’s tired, is all. We all are given what happened in Stellareid.”

Nigreos’s features tensed, a look of consideration coming over him as he glanced down at his feet. “Fair. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to be rude. I’ll need to get on my way now, but just know that if either of you need to talk, I’m here. We both lost a lot of family in that battle, Album, and we’re all still mourning Abi… More than anything, we need each other in the days to come, so…don’t bottle it all up. It’s not gonna help anyone. We can’t afford to be brittle right now, so keep that in mind. There’s still a lot of fighting to be done.”

Album felt like she could cry as Nigreos moved to pass them, and as she looked in his eyes, she noticed there was a distinct difference within them. He clearly meant what he said, but it was almost like he was speaking words that were expected of him, rather than ones he meant as a friend. There had always been a cheerful glint in the young man’s eyes that she could not find, rather in its place was a logical mind and a distant coldness. She didn’t want to address it, but she had a nasty feeling she knew what happened.

Is this…what he would have been like without his sisters?

“What the hell?” Ryokumo cursed under his breath. “I don’t get it… Why didn’t anything change? It doesn't make sense… She was such an integral piece, so without her…it shouldn’t be the same… And why…does he look like a damn copy of Viiro?”

Ryokumo put it to words perfectly, but there was no undoing what was done, for if they tried to correct their mistake, they would expose to the Citadel that they had gone behind their backs and committed the biggest taboo a Luz could. They were stuck with this new reality, and it was still unclear whether it was any better than the one they had just left behind or somehow far worse.

“Kumo?” Album whimpered, unbearable dread settling into her body. “What have we done?”