[85.19] The Final Goodbye

…Eight years later…

"...Prince Cyrus?"

Cyrus sat at a table overlooking a lake, his eyes were dull and bored. He was older now and the ceremony for the start of the competition was about to begin. Hearing Felix's voice, Cyrus glanced over at him. "Oh, hello Felix."

Moni sat down next to him with a stiff smile, "Have you received a letter from Reika yet?"

He shook his head glumly.

Moni looked away awkwardly. He was never good at comforting others and never knew what to say. He scratched his chin, "Maybe she just hasn't received them? I don't think Reika would ignore you."

"-Unless she hates me."

"Yes unless she hates-" Moni quickly shut his mouth. He turned to face Cyrus with a frown, "Prince Cyrus. She doesn't hate you. She saved your life on so many occasions."

"So? She would save anyone."

Moni responded feeling less confident, "I… I'm sure she wouldn't save just anyone…"

Cyrus twisted a golden bracelet on his wrist with despondent eyes, "I just wish she would tell me if she was okay or not."

Moni closed his eyes and opened a pair of orange ones in the distant shadows. He watched as Reika was being worked to the point of exhaustion before returning to Felix. He reopened his eyes, "You don't need to worry, she's safe with the Headmaster."

"You're awfully confident." A familiar voice caused Moni's smile to twitch. Hazel sauntered towards them, her gaze sharp just as it had been when she was Alora. Even though her features were now different, she was still the same person Moni had known in the past. She leaned against a pillar and crossed her arms, "It's almost as if you are watching her, Felix."

Hearing her emphasize the last word, Moni's smile trembled as he struggled to maintain it. He tilted his head, "And what about you, Hazel? Do you think she's dead?"

Hazel snickered, "There's no way she's dead."

"And how do you know?"

"Because Reika is STRONG and she has Zephyr." Hazel stuck her nose in the air, "Unlike you, I believe in her."

Moni's smile gradually started to fall, "Who said I didn't believe in her?!"

Cyrus sat in the middle looking back and forth between the two who were bickering just like siblings that could never get along. He could never understand the sudden shift in their relationship after Reika had left. Just as their fighting started awakening the birds in the trees, Moni jumped up with a huff.

"I have to go."

He turned around to leave, but Hazel had no intention of letting him do so, "Why? Where are you going? Hm?"

"Hazel, stop following me."

"Why should I? Are you going anywhere I'm not allowed?"

Moni let out an exasperated sigh, "Just stay with Prince Cyrus since you seem so bored."

Cyrus was still sitting down at the table, completely confused about the sudden appearance and disappearance of his friends. He looked at Caldwell who shrugged, just as confused as he was.

Meanwhile, Moni was walking through the Academy grounds as he was being accosted by Hazel.

"You're trying to do something nefarious again, aren't you!?"

Moni scoffed to himself as he ignored her.

"You're up to something! I know you are!!!"

Dozens of orange eyes appeared in the shadows, watching the two as they walked. Hazel was used to his power and didn't even give those eyes a second glance.

"Who are you trying to kill this time!?"

Moni suddenly stopped and turned to look at her with a derisive gaze, "Your mother."

Hazel pulled her head back and knitted her brow, "Huh?"

Moni disappeared into the shadows and reappeared in a house where a large man was reading next to a teenage girl.

"Hank. Watch Felix."

Just as quickly as he came, he disappeared, leaving behind a confused looking Felix. Hank silently held out a book to him, "Wanna read?"

On the outskirts of another Kingdom, a woman in a white robe was standing atop a cliff, gazing down at a girl who was wrestling over a piece of meat with a fox boy. The woman in the cloak created an arrow from pure white light and pulled it back.

"...I got you this time."

The arrow of light shot forward, but before it could move to it's target, it was swallowed by shadows.

She growled, "You again."

Moni stepped toward her from the shadows, "Hello. It's nice to see you again."

Vira stood up to glare at him, "You're really a distasteful thorn in my side. You're always getting in the way."

Moni grinned at her, "Thank you."

She stared at him a while longer, trying to determine whether to proceed or not. In the end, she decided it was best to avoid another fight.

Watching Vira retreat, Moni let out an exasperated sigh. He used a servant to convey a message to the King to order the Headmaster to return. Immediately, the summons landed in front of the Headmaster who had no idea how close to danger they had been.

Moni returned in front of the King who was pacing anxiously, "You want the competition to start!? But Vira is lurking around!"

"I know." He stepped out of the shadows.

"But what do you want me to do!? Let anyone win!? Try to get that boy you despise killed!?"

Moni shook his head, "No. Cyrus must be victorious."

The King paused, "I thought you hated him. Now you like him!?"

Moni scowled, "I don't like anyone. I just think he's the only suitable candidate."

The King carefully watched his expression, "But what if no one wants to be his Royal Magician?"

"Reika will do it."

"And if she doesn't?"

Moni paused, before answering in a soft voice, "...Then I will do it."

The King clicked his tongue, "The Nobles won't like that."

"Then I will eat the Nobles."

The King stared at him closely before shrugging, "Well I don't really care as long as you keep up your end of the deal."

"Don't worry…" Moni gazed into the shadows where he was always watching, "I have a plan."

Gently, so gently, he manipulated Reika and Cyrus to go with his plans. His methods were questionable, but they all had the same goal.

Use Reika to destroy the Kingdom.

Use Cyrus to save the Kingdom.

This would trigger Vira to find them weak and launch her rebellion to reclaim her land.

With Vira as the common enemy, demons would come to the aid. The people who once saw them as the enemy will fight alongside them and triumph over Vira. The kingdom would be rebuilt and there would be peace under Cyrus's reign.

But as he saw Reika in her true form, he realized how flawed his plan had been.

Couldn't there have been an easier way to unite a divided world?

An unconscious memory that had been hidden, suddenly resurfaced.

-Asmonious, be a good boy when you meet me again-

-Don't search for vengeance-

-Don't fight with your siblings-

-Be the same compassionate boy you were always like with me-

"...What did I do."

His Master had foretold her return, but if that was true…

Then why had she never remembered him?

Or maybe…

Maybe she did remember.

Did that mean she hated him?

She despised him?

Yes…

That could be the only reason.

A single tear rolled down his cheek.

He was the reason his siblings split.

He was the reason why Priscilla was now dead.

He was the reason so many died.

It was never Alora's fault…

It was him.

He appeared back at the estate and held his hand out to Lene, "...Let's go on a trip."

Lene jumped into his arms, "I like trips!!!"

He took her in his arms and disappeared with her into the shadows. They reappeared in a destroyed part of the city, in front of the only intact house.

He gave the door a few light knocks.

It was suddenly opened and a confused Hazel was standing in the doorway.

"Huh!? What are you doing here-"

He ignored her and pushed his way inside. 

Hazel ran after him, "W-What are you doing here!?!"

Lene was gently placed on the ground and quickly started using her webs. She felt Hazel's face, "Who are you?"

Moni answered her as he looked around the home, "That's Alora."

Lene pursed her lips, "Nuhuh. This face feels different."

Hazel irritatedly endured her hands, "I got a new face so get your grubby hands off."

Lene paused, "She talks like Alora."

Moni found a bed and laid on it, "Because she is Alora."

Hazel turned red, "Get out of my bed!!!"

Moni closed his eyes. A shadow suddenly poured out of Felix's body and took the shape of Moni much to Hazel's surprise. 

She looked between the two, "What are you doing!?"

He fixed the cuffs on his clothes, "I put Felix to sleep. When he wakes up, I need you to explain everything."

"Explain!? Explain what!?! I don't know what's going on!!!"

"-I killed Priscilla."

Hazel stared at him with a blank gaze.

Moni finally turned to face her. He had on a smile, but his eyes were lifeless, "I had to put him to sleep because he couldn't handle it. When he wakes up, he's going to be very upset. Calm him down and tell him not to look for me because he won't be able to find me."

Hazel met his eyes with a suspicious gaze, "Where are you going?"

"Alora." He stepped over to her and rested his large hand on top of her head, "I'm trusting you to watch Felix and Lene for me now."

Hazel stared up at him in a stupor, "Watch them!? But don't you think I killed Rose!?!"

He mustered up a smile, "I know you didn't kill Rose."

"You-You don't know that!"

"You're right, I don't know that for sure… But, I trust you."

"..."

 "Do you remember when you asked me why I let you stab me that day on the mountain?" He pulled away his hand and stepped toward the door. He paused before leaving, "Do you know the answer now?"

Her fists clenched, "Don't be a coward, Moni. Felix, Reika, Lene, Astra, and Zephyr will all be sad if you go through with it."

He turned back to face her with a broken smile, "No… They won't. They would never be sad over a person like me."

"WAIT!" She suddenly jumped over to him and grabbed onto him, "You can't do this!!"

He laughed and pushed off her hand, "What? Will you be sad too?"

She opened her mouth, but no words came out.

"...That's what I thought."

Moni disappeared into the shadows leaving them all behind for good.