Fire Emblem: Entering Eternity

"Only the dead have seen the end of war." A Fire Emblem themed Mutual Killing game. Mobile Links

[entering-eternity]

A Perfect Harmony || End.

Cecilia’s words make Taere frown, but she responds with a sense of resilience. “I understand… But should you ever remember, the offer shall always be present for you. It is not our demons that define us, Cecilia, but the light that shines through whilst we battle them. I wish you all the best.” 

With the final words, Taere breathes a sigh of relief. She rests her hand on her chest, looking out to the survivors of the Assembly for Peace. Seeing them all kind to each other, eyes still bright despite everything that’s happened… Her eyes seem softer, truly heartwarming, and perhaps a bit teary. 

“My heroes,” she begins. “You all truly have suffered, haven’t you…?” The tears begin to swell as she clutches her chest more. “The suffering… the despair that you all have gone through… I simply cannot begin to imagine it… And yet, here you all are… Embracing, and swearing to keep the realms resolved. I truly do yearn for your resolve.” 

“I would not entrust you with this power if I did not believe you have not earned it. The immense physical and emotional strength that you all have demonstrated is truly unparalleled… Surely it is enough to handle the responsibilities that come with this power. I have the utmost confidence that this power will be used for good.”

Taere holds her arms out, and in the valley between them, an orb of golden light begins to shine. She begins to hover, a conjuring appearing right before the Assembly’s eyes. In the light, they see it— no, they feel it:

The Fire Emblem.

A same golden light appears to shine from the hearts of every member in the Assembly, and a feeling of pure invigoration comes over each of them. This light begins to blind, bouncing off every surface in the Temple, until the only things visible are Taere and the members of the Assembly. They too, save for Cecilia, begin to hover ever so slightly before they drop to the ground. The light dissipates. 

It feels warm, to hold part of a goddess. The Assembly looks between each other, reveling in it.

Taere wipes her final tears away and continues to speak. “The time of suffering is over now. You all now hold the power… Her power. With your assistance… we shall foster in a new peace, yes? A greater peace for… for the rest of time.”

“My most cherished heroes,” She looks them all directly in the eyes, full of a new determination. 

“Together, let us enter this new eternity!”  

[entering-eternity]

gracious gift of tears | endgame

Before her eyes, she saw the return of those who were their comrades rise and fall again. She could not remember any of them. Even Sabine, whom she had held such a grudge on, is a memory already starting to fade.

She only wanted to protect what was in front of her. At least she barely managed it this time. All of them who survived to this point will leave this place... alive. That’s enough. That’s enough for her to put some pride in, no matter how long that pride could stay.

Amelia and Satine are alive, and that’s enough for her.

𝅘𝅥𝅮 𝅘𝅥𝅮 𝅘𝅥𝅮

They defeated the threat, and the fight is over. They were healed. Nathaniel found his peace. Taere has returned to being what she was always meant to be: a guardian of all their worlds.

It’s a good ending. It’s a good story. She watches as they all accept what happened, as they find their endings. She stands behind them all. She sighs, feeling an odd sense of contentment. Perhaps she’s just accepted it, too.

That a day will come when she will not remember any of this. A day when she won’t even be carrying the same name. She cannot accept Taere’s invitation. "I’m sorry, dragon. I can’t carry a goddess. I’ve got my hand full carrying something else already.”

A monster should not be a guardian. A monster does not deserve a happy ending. A monster only lashes out and hurts those around her. A monster hears an invitation from her friend, and thinks that it’s pointless.

She can’t... she can’t hold on to any of them.

“Thanks, Amelia,” she laughs softly. “I’ll come with you,” she lies, “to Ylisse.”

No, there is no ending for her. Alone, she’ll wander Ylisse forever. Her story can only begin anew... and never will it reach an ending.

Perhaps she should start writing a book.

[entering-eternity]

I Have Been Changed For Good || Jaelyn || Finale

Fear. Fear was the primary emotion racing through Jaelyn’s body during the tail-end of the assembly’s battle against Nathaniel. Aries & Kedrin where slain and on the brink of death, it seemed like no matter how much damage the group dealt, Nathaniel’s onslaught just wouldn’t end. But then, one sling of mire and...that’s it! It seemed like the battle has drawn to an end…

And as the light brought the assembly back to the Temple of Harmonia, Jaelyn couldn’t help but be awestruck by such heavenly light encircling him. And when the warm light of gratitude washes over him and the long lost feeling of peace returns to him he just...let’s out a breath of relief.

It’s...over. It's finally over.

the assembly of peace has drawn to a close and the war across worlds is coming to an end. It’s a feeling that Jaelyn figured he’d never experience again in his lifetime, but that makes it all the sweeter as he does.

And as Taere’s voice echoed throughout the temple, Jaelyn readies a guarding stance. Oh dear Elimine, they still have to battle that infernal dragon don-

...oh...since when did Taere become so… he shakes his head, clearing his mind.

That aside, he’s relieved that Taere is more jovial to the assembly. And as he listens on to Taere’s proposition, it takes little time for Jaelyn to make his decision.

“Of course. Whenever the time arises, whatever I must do to maintain this balance that” we’ve achieved, I will gladly offer my strength. It’s the entire reason I traveled to this assembly, no?”

A short chuckle escapes him, gods it felt great to let a joyous laugh leave him once again.

But of course, the reality of the situation is still there...he has to go home. He has to return back to his family. Gods, they must be worried sick with him gone for so long. And then there’s the rest of the Assembly...he really doesn’t know how to break it to th-

[ ♪♪♪ ]

As Amelia approaches and speaks to him, it’s as if she took the thoughts straight from his mind. And he’s just relieved that at least she understands his situation. He gives a small nod of confirmation to her request.

But as Amelia returns to Kedrin’s side and soon Aries joins after there’s a feeling swelling deep inside him. So many things he wants to say...he has to.

He briskly approaches the two and grabs their attention.

“Kedrin, Amelia. I...you both understand that I have to take my leave back home. To Elibe. And, I know that in doing this...we may never see each other again for what may feel like forever. So, before it’s too late and I just wanna say…”

As a tear falls, Jaelyn becomes choked up in his words...there really is just so much. But he knows how to remedy this.

The hug lasts for a short while as the tears fall. He hopes that all the appreciation, the gratitude, the love that he couldn’t say outright could be said loud and clear like this.

“...thank you…”

As Jaelyn lets go of his embrace and wipes the tears away, his gaze meets Taere’s once again. Now, he’s ready for whatever happens next…

He’s ready to live the rest of his life.

[entering-eternity]

Always gold | ARIES | Finale

The next time she opens her eyes, Aries is greeted by a hand reaching out to her, peeling her off the stone cold floor. She holds onto it for a second too long. One look at Kedrin tells her all she needs to know; that love makes you do stupid things.

She missed the end, but - who knew that two limbs had to be the final sacrifice for peace? It could have been so much worse. So much.

(She does not think of Nathaniel. He brought it onto himself, after all.)

They enter the temple and she has to grimace as a disgustingly warm feeling washes over her. Especially with the magical bullshit going on all around, it feels more like a dream than reality, or maybe a nightmare? She may not be bleeding out, but her shoulder still throbs with the pain of absence.

It puts Aries on edge. Like it's not quite over yet. There's a gnawing unrest in her, like Harmonia is going to rise again to put her down for good.

Her suspicions are correct - it is not over, she can't just leave and fuck off forever, but in a way she should be delighted by, she's pretty sure.

Finally, Aries grins. She's supposed to be fucking happy, damn it, so she grins wide and tight and horrible, even though she doesn't understand a lot of what Taere's saying. 

"So you're saying I can have some fucked up god powers too? Fine by me! You know I'm gonna use 'em for good, Lizard!"

That's the easy one. A no-brainer, really. Slowly, movement returns to her body, unable to stay still with the promise of going outside looming firmly on the horizon.

Next to the next easy decision - going home where she belongs. Back to the reason she fucking came here in first place.

Well, except. Kedrin's words inject a similar weight to what he's feeling into her chest. He's... he-- And Amelia - fucking Amelia. They're both so soggy. A person as annoying as Aries has a sixth sense for being ignored.

Kedrin's in her reach. When she goes home to her boss... would there be anything left to fix? Why does she have to make this fucking choice now? After all the injustice she's been put through, there's gonna be even more?

She stares at the ground for an awfully long time, her face scrunching up more with every passing second. No, that's right. Life isn't fair. There's the quiet thought that her boss hadn't even said goodbye when she left. That Aries herself had changed so much since she left the mansion they were squatting in, that she's not the same as she was, how they might try to laugh off what she went through, that for some fucked-up reason she'd be bothered by that and couldn't laugh with them, that-- that there's so little people who understand.

And that being understood feels good, even if it's a thing she struggles with. That she likes to feel good.

"Y'know, I've always wanted to fuck shit up in a world that's not mine."

  With that, she steps to Amelia and Kedrin, holding her head up high.

"Thought you could escape me, huh? I'm gonna inflict myself on you until I get bored, duh!"

Half-truths, half-truths, keeping it cool. Composure. She takes a deep breath, waving to the others.

"By the way, Satine! I lied to you! The Heralds split up half a year ago!"

Clearing her throat, she can't quite look at the wolfskin. 

"Now, I can't quite return with the way things ended--"

She's lying again. She's lying. But this makes it easier. So much. She wants to go back. But. She's Aries. Short-sighted, stupid Aries.

"I'd appreciate if you kept your ears open for two women. Uh, their names are Etis and Sherra? If you ever meet them, um. Tell 'em they're stupid and I l-- that. I'm thankful? And that I'm doing okay.”

An actual-ass incline of her head, something resembling respect.

“I’m sure Etis might help you guys out, so there’s something in it for you, too. I'm supposed to say please and thank you here, right? Bleh.”

Another beat. Still incapable of fucking shutting up. 

“Oh, and tell them that I'm going to be fucking bothering them again when they expect it the least! Just like they taught me!"

One upside of being Aries, if there are any, is that nothing will stop her from doing what she wants. Not even the fabric of reality.

She's gonna have her cake and eat it. She'll hold on to that. To freedom, too. To what makes her happy. To what's in her reach.

What happens to be in her reach right now are, well- you guessed it.

  She's holding onto them, too.

[entering-eternity]

done bleeding | Amelia | the end...!

Of course Amelia is the one to end it. Of course she’s just far enough away when she does it that, even coming back into herself just enough to see Nathaniel do the same, even stumbling into a run towards him, desperate— her hand closes around nothing but golden dust.

That’s it. It’s over. Ashes to ashes, dust to…

[♪♪♪]

She watches the rejuvenation on her knees. A few futile attempts to keep the dust from fleeing her hands, grasping at nothing but air, and then she just watches.

The devastation doesn’t disappear, but as she witnesses this beauty, this rebirth, it’s joined by a quiet sort of awe. The two are at war in her mind; neither will let the other sink in fully.

Until they combine into one.

Amelia killed Nathaniel. Amelia killed her closest friend. Amelia…

Harmonia’s gratitude fills her, a warmth the likes of which she’s never felt before, and fresh tears stream down her face as she realizes—

Amelia saved him.

He was grateful. She saved him.

It’s okay.

It really does sting, hearing Taere say what she’s thought from the beginning, only after all they’ve lost. But she doesn’t have time to ruminate on that, because as soon as the offer is placed, her being focuses into one single thought.

“I’ll do it.”

She scrambles to stand, looking wild and desperate.

“Let me do it. I’ll— anything. Anything I can do. I need to. Please.”

To take on his burden now that he can’t. To have a piece of him within herself, forevermore. To carry on his heart.

If she doesn’t have that... if she has to live with this weight and have it not mean anything… No. She needs this.

For once, the first time in as long as she can remember, she has a purpose.

So she accepts.

Speaking of offers. Her mouth parts a bit when she hears Satine’s. It’s tempting, for a moment, but…

Amelia shares a look with Kedrin— the kind of look that holds a whole silent conversation. A twitch of the mouth, a slight movement of the hand. That’s all they need to understand each other, and when she turns back to the group, there’s no uncertainty.

“...We’re going to Ylisse.”

Her voice is soft, and she can’t seem to look Satine in the eye.

“There’s…things we need to do.” A pause, then a whisper. “...Sorry.”

No uncertainty, but still some regret.

“If, ah… Cecilia, if you’re still looking for a way to help your condition, Ylisse would be the realm for it.”

She rubs the back of her neck, looking uncharacteristically shy.

“I meant it. When I said I would help. So, uh. Just let me know.”

...As for people who do have somewhere to go, though…

Another glance shared, and she walks over to Jaelyn, funnily enough. Puts a hand on his shoulder, which looks pretty wild with their height difference, but the look on her face is serious— earnest— as she murmurs:

“Go home.”

...Wow. Straight to the point, huh? And, as always, followed up with plain fact.

 “Your family. You still have one. If you accept Harmonia, you may see us again, but— but if you don’t go back to Elibe…”

She swallows.

“…Don’t…make them wonder. Okay?”

It’s a lot to ask of someone. Amelia’s never been one to preach, especially not about this, but… she’s learned a lot since then. (Learned a lot from someone in particular.)

She follows that up with an awkward little ‘good job, sport’ sort of shoulder pat, before returning to Kedrin’s side.

Satine and Aries… she sneaks glances, then looks away just as quickly. She clearly wants to say something, but right now, there's just too much.

So she leans into his side, and looks out upon the world before them. Exhausted, heartbroken… hopeful.

This isn’t what she desired…

...but maybe this will be okay.

[entering-eternity]

what we’ve made || kedrin || finale

♪♫♪

All he can do when Nathaniel Shepherd fades away, sitting up on that one elbow, is weep. 

His chest burns, his heart aches, his dead and living eyes burn with tears, and he's gone. Gone, just like that, in a spray of golden dust.

It aches.

But he manages to get himself up, helping drag Aries to her feet as well, before staggering on into the temple to await their shared fates. And the sights are astounding; a world on the verge of potentially eternal peace, but Kedrin has a hard time grasping it all, a man whose mind had trouble on the good days.

He enters the scene with his eyes still streaming with tears. All of this- all of this heartache, and pain, and love and loss- all for Taere to come back and say that Nathaniel was right. He was right. He knew it, and he was right.

How hollow.

Kedrin remains still as stone through the proceedings, his heart still beating, blood still flowing, and his wounds having healed over where the arm had been, above the elbow.

And it aches. 

But he came into this time knowing what he wanted. Knowing what he was willing to turn over in favor of peace and stability, even if he couldn't turn himself over in an even switch. 

The offer is placed.

"...Yes. Kedrin will do it."

He doesn't wait for an answer out of anyone else. Doesn't wait for confirmation. Doesn't stop to think, as reckless and headstrong in undeath as he was in life, a vision of desperation for this all to be done and for some kind of peace to be achieved. 

"Please," His voice wavers, his heart still raw and  wounded. "Please. Let him do this. Please. Either he goes and- and goes to- he doesn't want to live anymore. Not with this-"

Kedrin slaps his chest with one unsteady palm.

"-weight. But… if… if this mean everyone get to be safe, then...”

He turns back to Taere with that stare of absolute pleading.

”Yes.“

His choice is made, and Kedrin stands waiting for his future to unfold.

[entering-eternity]

Finally off the leash || Satine || Endgame, I suppose.

For a long while, Satine watches the divine magic course through everything, and isn't sure how to feel. A brief reunion with people close to her, before they vanished again.... Could she be happy that she got to see them again, for however short of a time? She's not sure. It also feels so..... Bizarre, to think that this could finally, finally be over. She falls to a sitting position, suddenly feeling more exhausted than she has in ages, as it hits her that yes, it looks like they all finally made it. There's only a few of them now, but..... She can go home, can't she? It's what she's been wanting all this time, to look after her people, to survive for their sake and to keep the promises she's made.....

She sits there for a long while as the temple is repaired around her, watching the glowing dust dance around and vanish with the Emblem as everything's completed. She can't help but snort a bit at that.

"So after all of that, that stupid fire emblem doesn't stick around, huh? Figures."

She stays sitting until she hears the voice of Taere again, and moves to stand, because if that dragon has more bad news--

Oh.

Oh.

Okay, she can't help it, her tail wags a bit as she sees what Taere really looks like. 

...

Anyway.

Taere's words are nice. It's... Not a bad idea, really. It's a lot more preferable than some holier-than-thou human trying to wipe out all the realms again. But at the same time..... Well, Satine's choice on whether to stay or not has always been clear. Since no one else is speaking up first--

"You know what? Sure, I suppose. I don't mind coming back here if things start breaking down again, and if that means holding a bit of power in me too, that's fine with me. If you need me, I'll come back, but uh...."

She pauses, looking at everyone else. Her gaze lingers more on Amelia and Cecilia than the others, as she looks at them all.

"I can't stay. I've got my people to look after, and that's gotta take priority for me. Plus, I've gotta check in on Miu's people as well-- They deserve to know what happened, at the very least, and where they go from there.... Well I can at least offer my help. I'm..... I'm taking Puppy with me, too. Sabine said she'd follow me if we both made it through this, so looking after Puppy is the least I can do to honor her memory.

As for the rest of you.... I know some of you don't have attachments to your home realms, or a place to go, or anything.... I guess, if you don't mind living with a bunch of wolves, you're all welcome to live with my people, if you'd like."

There is so, so much more she'd like to say, especially to Amelia, but... She can't, not right now, not in front of everyone. That conversation would need to be in private. For now..... This is good enough.

[entering-eternity]

A World Full of Dazzling Tomorrow || Endgame Part 3

“The burden of a sole individual controlling all balance in existence… it’s unsustainable. But perhaps… if it were to be a duty shared among a number of individuals who have proven themselves… we need not bother with such bloodshed again. So, then: what if the power of Harmonia were to be divided?”

A confident smile settles on Taere’s face as she looks at you all clearly once more. The sunlight streaming into the room seems to grow brighter, only for a moment.

“Rather than one Harmonia, an Order of Harmonia. Individuals gifted with-- sharing her power, tasked with maintaining the balance of light and dark in the realms… peacekeepers… well, it is worth a try, is it not? 

And there is no one I would trust to be this Order more than you, my heroes! You, who have saved the realms and restored balance once already… you, who have seen the folly of one who believed he could take things into his own hands… you, who likely wish to live peaceful, quiet lives now, yes? I believe you all should be the ones granted this power!”

She lets out a joyous laugh before turning to the statue of her goddess once more, head bowed. The Assembly is left in silence to think over this proposition. The task of maintaining balance, left in your hands. Perhaps you feel up to the task, or perhaps it’s intimidating-- after all, being granted even a fraction of the power of a goddess is no small feat. Perhaps you believe peace should fall into your hands, or perhaps not. One thing can’t be denied, however-- you all are likely the most qualified in the realms, having seen the corruption of such power on a single individual firsthand… and it seems Taere agrees. She turns to face you again.

“Well, my heroes? You may choose to deny this power, of course. Ignore its presence, if you so choose, but know that there is no one in all the realms I trust more immensely than you all to use it for good.”

The statue of the goddess looms over you all, as if her outstretched arms are showering you with this newfound gift.

“Whatever you decide is up to you. Now that the war is over, though… I cannot force you to stay here and assist if you do not wish to. So long as you remain aware of the power you now hold, and are willing to return if the need should arise, you are free to do what you wish. I can send you anywhere you wish to go.

So, my heroes. What will you do?”

[entering-eternity]

Side By Side || Endgame Part 2

The awe at the sight before the Assembly is interrupted by a soft gasp behind you. Taere, left incapacitated following her efforts to deliver you to the battlefield, stands back at the entrance to the Temple, her own claws outstretched. In them is a dragonstone you all recognize-- but it’s not quite the same. The cracks and dullness have been replaced by a whole, shining stone, now grasped in Taere’s hands.

You watch as she bows over the stone, and scales begin to fade, a curtain of purple falling around her cupped hands. Wings curl into silvery armor, the body shifts shape, and then-- with a great toss her purple hair-- the unfamiliar woman straightens to stand.

“My heroes! What a blessing you have granted me, to look upon the saviors of the realms with my own eyes once more!”

The woman’s voice is certainly familiar, though filled with a more genuine joy than you’ve ever heard it. It seems Taere, too, has had her own peace restored.

She strides forward, joining you all in front of the altar. Her eyes close for a moment as she gazes up at the statue, a smile on her face, before she turns to you all with a clear gaze. 

“I knew I was right to place my faith in you. Though the hardships were great, you have overcome… to be able to stand here, alive… does it not feel wonderful? Does the air not feel fresher? That… the feeling of peace. Of balance! How pleasant it is!”

“My goddess… she rests once more. Equilibrium has been restored. I can feel it… you have saved her.”

A grateful look crosses Taere’s face before it falls into solemnity. She looks at each of you in turn, hands clasped behind her back.

“But she must be protected, too. Balance must be maintained, lest we fall back into chaos like he would have revelled in. And yet… well. Did you not see what it did to him? The burden of shouldering the power of all the realms? The pain of forsaking one’s humanity?

It has been like this, over and over… though not as severe. Still, I have seen it. The terrible ordeal that we endured in order to upkeep that ritual for thousands of years. Perhaps… he wasn’t all wrong. Things should change.”

You all wonder at what she could mean by this. It couldn’t be that Nathaniel had been right, could it?

[entering-eternity]

A Hope Glimmers Dim || Endgame Part 1

As Nathaniel disappears from existence, the Assembly is left in the now-silent remains of the Temple, a pile of gold dust before them. The building has stopped crumbling, and though corpses litter the ground around them, the scene is rather serene. And then… the golden dust lifts into the air. 

[ ♫♫♫ ]

Around and around the Assembly it begins to twirl, following an entrancing path as it moves around the battlefield. It brushes over broken windows, shattered floors and the fallen remains of each of the allies and enemies that had been so full of life moments earlier-- and with each light touch, a soft glow envelops the signs of carnage for only a moment. It lights over your two fallen comrades, encircling their severed limbs, faintly floating past the injuries on those still standing, until the glow is so bright as to be blinding. It’s a wonder, to experience the touch of a goddess.

And then the light fades, and the Assembly finds themself standing in the bright, immaculate sanctum of the Temple of Harmonia-- as clean and undamaged as the first time you stepped foot in it. The bodies of Nathaniel’s phantom army dissolve into dust, dissipating into the air. As for the dead who’d fought on your side-- as they scatter into a now-familiar golden dust, you can almost see figures dancing in the air before they, too, disappear. Any injuries received during the battle are healed, only faint scars left in their place. The great bloodstains on the floor have been cleaned. 

All that’s left before you is a single cloud of golden dust.

It shifts in the air again, slowly taking the form of a figure. With the great statue of the goddess standing at the altar behind it, you can see the resemblance in its long hair and the vague shape of a flowing robe. Entranced, you watch as it outstretches its arms towards you. The Fire Emblem, left hovering listlessly throughout the battle, begins to descend, settling between the figure’s open hands. 

Gradually, you feel something in your mind, similar to how Taere would communicate throughout the game. It’s not words, however-- simply a feeling of immense, warm gratitude. 

Light begins to emanate from the Emblem, engulfing it and the figure-- now dust once more, curling around it in the last glimpse you can see before you’re once more blinded. And then the two are gone.

Though you lack the omniscient sight of a goddess, you can feel it:

The realms are at peace once more.

[entering-eternity]

Fallen From Grace || Final Battle End

Spurred by Nathaniel’s taunts, the Assembly moves forward together, striking out at him with everything they have. Even that seems not enough, though-- he barely staggers at the crawling darkness of Amelia’s magic, dodging Cecilia’s blade effortlessly and smiting her with heavenly light. Satine’s noble attempts at taunting him away from her friends are ignored, his cold gaze set first on Aries. Though an arrow plunges into the scar on his chest, he doesn’t react, fixing her with a blank look before knocking her back in a fire of golden light. 

Kedrin’s passionate attack, too, spurred by the warm magic of Jaelyn ever-supporting from the back, simply seems to bounce off of Nathaniel’s skin. It’s only a moment before that light of judgement is turned on Kedrin, as well, the power so great the swordmaster is barely visible. The odds, for a moment, seem insurmountable. 

Who could imagine fighting a god?

Blood, clashing of swords, screams, the crumpled forms of Aries and Kedrin. Everything finally comes to a stop when Amelia casts one final mire. Nathaniel Harmonius stumbles forward and falls to his knees, having reached the limit of what even a goddess is capable of. 

“How is this...can I truly die? I am what keeps these worlds in balance...and yet, humanity has surpassed me. Haha…”

Disbelief turns to laughter, and he looks to the woman who dealt the final blow against him with a familiar apologetic smile.

“Ha...sorry, you really couldn’t get what you desired in the end, Amelia. I suppose—if anyone had to kill me, I’m glad it’s you…”

Nathaniel’s body grows weaker, and in those last moments, his eyes flicker to a clouded gray as they were before.

“Maybe you all can manage to prove me wrong...that there’s still a chance for these realms to heal and survive...”

He gives a weak smile as his body fades into gold dust, seeming content to leave that task to the living.

“Good luck, Assembly of Peace.”

With that, the vessel of Harmonia, the man once known as Nathaniel Shepherd, vanishes from existence.

[entering-eternity]

Nathaniel Harmonius || Final Battle

As you approach the altar, Nathaniel Harmonius awaits you, staring you down with something akin to surprise and amusement.

“I see...you have managed to make it this far after all! I must say, you have a knack for betraying my expectations.”

A cold smile crosses his face as he points his sword forward.

“If you insist on continuing your futile efforts, I suppose it is my duty to deliver you into the embrace of death.”

“Now then, which of you wishes to die first?”

[entering-eternity]

To Entrust Unto Tomorrow || Battle Start Part Two

As the Assembly takes it all in, they realize that, of course, the only thing left to do is fight. However, before they begin to think of approaching, a most peculiar occurrence is brought before their eyes.

♫♫

On the platforms surrounding Nathaniel, beings begin to form— spectres, it seems, not so much unlike what the King wrote of in his diaries. They seem to be consumed by a dark energy, ready to fight alongside Nathaniel. However, upon further inspection, there is one strange caveat.

They are members of the deceased Assembly. Victim and murderer alike, they seem to possess the forms of the Assembly’s former allies. No matter the amount of emotions this brings forth, there is no time to process them as Taere speaks once more.

“My gracious heroes…” she begins, “ My goddess, my eternal idol, has been corrupted… Please, my heroes… save them! Absolve them from the hate and darkness that consume them, so that we all may live in peace again!”

DEFEAT NATHANIEL HARMONIUS.

[entering-eternity]

To Listen, To Suffer || Battle Start Part 1

With a flash of darkness, Nathaniel Harmonius disappears along with the Fire Emblem. 

A distant boom is heard from the Meeting Room. Taere, eyes widened with trauma, begins to make her way towards the Assembly. She seems to be in a trance, looking directly outwards toward the noise of the boom. She makes her way towards the center of the room, fixated on the door. 

“Harmonia…” she mutters. “They hath returned…” 

Without warning, she rears backward, and flings herself forward into flight. She flies directly out of the Meeting Room, inadvertently bading everyone to follow. 

The Assembly rushes out to follow Taere as she flies through Castle Orphanidea haphazardly, flying through the Study and into the Catacombs of the Temple of Harmonia. She stops when she reaches the end of the dark passageway, continuing to stare with glazed eyes outwards. 

However, when they arrive in the once sacred ground, something is clearly amiss.

What once was the Temple of Harmonia is clearly no more; though remnants of the Temple are present, these remnants are floating through a dark and ominous void not so much unlike what was seen in the final vision. These islands float through the void, slowly crumbling into nothingness. Even the catacombs are now a single platform that barely holds the six remaining survivors and Taere. 

Taere, who has been staring off into the distance, suddenly turns back around, hovering slightly over the Assembly to address the few that remain.

“Nathaniel’s unresolved hatred has corrupted the sacred Harmonia…” she explains. “He may believe that he is bringing forth the end to start a new beginning, but no… He is bringing forth the end to the end…”

And in the distance, you see him. Standing on what was once the Altar…

Nathaniel Harmonius.

[entering-eternity]

Bear Rapture and Sorrow || Nathaniel || Mastermind Trial End

Nathaniel doesn’t move for a while, even as Kedrin hugs him. The opportunity is right in front of him. It’s so easy, all he has to do is stab the man holding him in his arms, and the realms will be safe. He’s lost enough people, what’s one more?

Stepping back, he begins to lift the sword, ready to end this whole thing... however, halfway to Kedrin’s chest, he stops.

“I... I don’t want this.”

He doesn’t even realize that he’s crying at first. 

“I refuse to let you become the vessel, Kedrin. You’ve suffered enough because of me... I can’t see you die again…” 

Nathaniel lowers the sword, frustrated with his own weakness in the face of all of this. He’d done so well, made all the necessary sacrifices, thrown away those he cares about... and for what? To fail here? 

“Dammit... there’s really no other option, is there…”

[cw: suicide]

Then, something occurs to him, as he looks down at the sword again. There’s still another. 

“Haha, of course. I should have realized earlier... none of you are able to be Harmonia’s vessel. I’m the only person who should carry this burden.” 

A smile crosses his face, an unsettling one colored by despair, as he turns the blade towards himself.

“I’ve already given up what’s left of my life, it’s only right to fully commit to that. Besides... I always knew I wouldn’t belong in a better world.”

Taking one last breath to steel his nerves, Nathaniel runs the ceremonial sword of Harmonia through his chest. 

[cw: suicide end]

And then his body is consumed by light.

♫♫

The light dims, and Nathaniel has significantly changed in appearance, gaining similar draconic features to the corpse you all found in the mausoleum. His glowing gold eyes stare blankly at both nothing and everything, and he pulls the sword out of his chest as if he doesn’t even feel it. 

“I see... so this is the state of the realms. It truly is far more dire than I thought.”

He looks at you all, no trace of any emotion he displayed previously. Nathaniel, or rather, Harmonia, looks at you as if you’re completely insignificant.

“The reasons I wanted to preserve it all seem so meaningless. Now I understand... the only way is to wipe out the entirety of the realms and start again. There can only be balance if both light and dark are left to die.” 

An unearthly chill fills the room, as Harmonia smiles.

“Now then. Assembly of Peace, your death knell shall become the first cries of a realm reborn.”

[entering-eternity]

you’ll never know || kedrin || r.e. nathaniel

Kedrin is left watching the proceedings with an eerie sort of stillness. For the man always on the move, always biting or pacing or jiggling his leg, he's still.

As Nathaniel does approach his podium, though, having heard all else that went before him, he remains still. Quiet.

He's made up his mind. Kedrin knows that what he wants and what is needed are two vastly different beasts.

And he knows that any attempt to approach Nathaniel would result in him just getting sent back to where he had been standing. Yet again, wants and needs compete for their spot in the sunlight, but only one reigns supreme.

"...Nathaniel." 

He says it softly, voice laced with a fondness he couldn't have envisioned even hearing months before, let alone from himself.

Still. Kedrin's composure falters, the softness giving way to the weight. The weight. He could see it with everyone Nathaniel spoke to, back in the temple, back– back as far as their first time meeting in the library.

He never did get that canvas from Nathaniel.

"...How many times he have to say it? Nathaniel do bad things. But that not mean that he bad. You not think Kedrin stupid, right…? Nathaniel not go into this life thinking that it would be fun to hurt people. To have realms fall apart. To… to get… choice like this."

As he felt himself break just a little more, Kedrin had to wonder if this would be it- finally breaking in front of someone and not being able to be put back together. (As if the time for that hadn't already long since passed.)

"He not think for a bit that this what Nathaniel wants. But… it what he have to do. Save realms, or… everyone die. The choice… never should have has to be his to have to make. Cruel. Cruel." 

He keeps it together just long enough to continue. 

"Man who Kedrin fell for is still Nathaniel. Truly. Nathaniel have to pay horrible price for life he living, having to suffer things he never should have had to. Carry weight alone. Work alone. Hurt, alone. Kedrin wanted to help hold that for him. Make it not so heavy." 

If only.

"But Nathaniel still Nathaniel. Kedrin still Kedrin. And Kedrin still love Nathaniel. You do things that you not like. That others not like. But you do them for making everyone safe. Make realms… safe. And he can't be upset with him for doing what he has to do.

"What Kedrin want and what needs to happen are different. He know that. ...He just want to leave, and be happy, and have Nathaniel be safe, and… not have to hold weight, anymore. Not alone. Not at all. But he have feeling that… that… not happen, right…?"

And that's when he cracks. The injustice of it all finally settles in, running down his spine in a form that could have been righteous, indignant fury, had it not come so close to his previous demise. Tears drip down, running like water off a window pane as he stares at Nathaniel.

Ah. The ever revolving door, the cyclic process of that ever known quantity- What do I deserve? It runs through one's mind, endlessly circling the drain until someone dares to try and put the stopper back in.

"Nathaniel deserve love. Even if he not think so, he always deserved it. He… he always do. Kedrin choose to care because he love Nathaniel. And he know how cruel choices like this… How they hurt. And you suffer. And— and he not want Nathaniel to have to have that hurt anymore."

He risks it. Kedrin steps out from behind his podium, and upon realizing that it's not keeping him there, rapidly bridges the gap to pull Nathaniel into a crushing, weepy embrace.

"Please. Let him help. Let him have the weight too. Please." 

[entering-eternity]

The Swordmaster | Nathaniel | Re: Amelia | Attn: Kedrin

Nathaniel doesn't say anything for a while. More accurately, he can't say anything. Everything Amelia tells him is impossible for him to acknowledge without faltering, and he refuses to let that happen. It's too late for him to back down, not even at the words of a friend.

"...I can't give you that, Amelia."

His voice is incredibly quiet, almost regretful. Nathaniel walks over to Kedrin. It takes all he can manage to speak evenly.

“Kedrin...I can’t deny that my feelings for you are real. Despite knowing how this all would end, I allowed myself to fall in love with you. Ha...How foolish is that, to actually hope a man like me could be in your future?”

His gaze falls towards the sword in his hand, and he tries to hold it tighter to keep his hands from shaking.

“The man you fell for doesn’t exist, not in the way I lead you to believe he did. I lied to you this entire time. Gustav and Mana, people you cared for, are dead because of me. It’s my fault that you died and were forced to come back. All of your suffering here can somehow be tied back to me...yet even now, you’re willing to give yourself up. Sabine died to bring you back, and you’d throw your life away for someone responsible for killing you both.”

 “Why? Why choose to care for someone who doesn’t deserve it?”