(S1) EVENT FIELD: Magallanica Ruins

[Hope]

The wind is unstoppable.

Field Status

A forgotten land within the Magallanica sector of Cray.
Ruins that was once territory dominated by "Aqua Force."

[Cherry]

For the first time, Yugure witnessed the rift's power with her own eyes. The world truly did distort at Jellal's command, tearing apart the entire space around them, dragging them into an unknown location. This place is Magallanica, Yunos spoke... right next to his queen. He was real! As was Blaster Blade! All of them looked upon one another in shock, the swordsmen had been given solid form in this aquatic space. The two heard of this place specifically in Cray's history, but never understood its purpose. Initially believing it to be something Granblue uncovered, they now began to believe that this was the resting place of the "Aqua Force" Jellal was fighting for.

Who were they exactly?

Right now, that probably didn't matter. Jellal was in control of the Overlord tearing apart the Sanctuary, along with time and space. Everything should be and was now focused on him with his connection to Shadow Paladin. Yunos didn't have a single word, simply jabbing his sword into the solid ground they were all standing on. Ahmes did the same, they both steeled themselves for the conclusion of this civil war.

"... We don't need anything else, then" Yukino had long steeled herself for this. Answers weren't working anymore, so there was only one thing to do: stop him. Stop this man from achieving his mission by sacrificing the masses. Cast out as a villain, judged as evil - those thoughts didn't matter.

"Let's end this", the snow woman added, well prepared. There was nothing more to do but fulfill her duty as the Chosen Sword.

"This is the final round."

[Cherry]

Within the civil war, a miracle occurred. Yugure's differently colored sword-eyes both became yellow, shining like the most brilliant light in the world. No, not like, but was the most brilliant light. Exculpate the Blaster - Blaster Blade's transcendence in a single instance cleaved away the malicious brainwashing - the vile manipulation the Dragon of Hell had over the terrorists.

"At long last, the time has come to put an end to this war! Soldiers who possess both courage and resolve, follow me! We will co-exist! Shadow cannot thrive without the Light! And the Light cannot live on without Shadow! This mutual existence of ours is proof that we belong together! As one Sanctuary - knights to not slaughter their fellow man! Instead, to thwart the evil that threatens the home that we both yearned to grasp - the one we always had! The Dragon of Hell that drives you to kill your brother, to stain this holy land with blood that you love so dearly... I rally every warrior that bares the title 'Paladin', destroy Phantom Blaster Overlord! Then march with me to a future beyond the looming storm of time-space!"

Exculpate the Blaster - Yugure, the Chosen Sword - lifted one of its twin swords, and every last being that belonged to Shadow Paladin on Cray promptly turned their backs to the dragonic devil. Black and white united, and attacked the evil deity who destroyed their home - who killed their brothers in arms. The corrupted Guardian Dragon was effortlessly overwhelmed, and was subsequently cleaved in two by the transcended hero. Charon and Marron highfived one another, Macha and Akane hugged, jumping with glee. Mac Lir and Iseult credited one another, Elaine and Abyss Healer made up after a long, twenty year argument. Ahmes and Yunos, within Exculpate, smiled toward one another. The bonds of their swords ended the civil war.

Within the ruins that the human vanguards were sucked into, Yukino finally broke through to Jellal. Initially, she believed no answer could sway him. But when he saw Blaster Dark... when he saw Majesty Lord Blaster, the queen changed her mind. Pressing on through the battle of blasters, she finally learned the truth behind Jellal's mission. It was to revive Aqua Force, a legendary clan that ruled over Cray in the past. They vanished or died out, the actual mystery behind the detail was unknown even to them. Even so, Jellal stated that it was his true clan. Taking this as an opening, Exculpate the Blaster appeared. Tearing away the darkness that surrounded them, he landed a massively decisive blow against the Dragon of Hell. It still wasn't enough, but another miracle happened.

Jellal used Nemain to discard Phantom Blaster Overlord.

He admitted that the black beast terrified him, and the deck was only a punishment for his own weakness. As he was unable to protect a friend of his, the deck was a constant reminder. An answer was given: they didn't have to suffer anymore. Weakness gave birth to hope and happiness for Yukino. Meeting friends that truly mattered to her, bonding with her clan as their friend, seeing how much everyone in the world cared about her... Had she won against Jellal in qualifiers, this joy would have never been grasped. Believing that Jellal could find the same - she made a promise. Without sacrifice, Aqua Force would be reborn. Everything in her power would do to helping Jellal fulfill his destiny, without losing himself to the Dragon of Hell.

Finally breaking through to him, they enjoyed the rest of the fight. A game heavily leaning toward luck with both sides needing triggers. While Yukino got the one she needed - a heal. Jellal responded with the one he needed - a Critical. In the end, Yukino lost the fight. However, as far as anyone was concerned, she won the war.

A bright sun shined down on Cray, one that revitalized everyone on the battlefield. Exculpate reverted to Majesty Lord Blaster, still gazing down proudly at those who fought today the way they did.

Yukino took Jellal's hand, returning to the real world with Haruka and Satoshi. Feeling as if she finally fulfilled her duty. The Chosen Sword finally saved someone and more, feeling as if she wasn't the failure she was scared of being yesterday.

Happy was the best word to describe it, and it was a feeling she wanted to spread across both worlds.