In the dark dawn that forbids even a glimmer of light, Gaia and Oda held their breath for the first time since those bloody nights began. Above the shattered fortress of Thirtos, beneath a sky torn by the magic of war and flames, something unusual descended from the clouds: a golden light, faint yet powerful, slicing through the shadows of destruction.
The survivors of the massacre gazed at the sky with a mix of awe and fear. The conquerors of Earth, accustomed to cruelty and technology, suddenly felt a chill creep down their spines. The soldiers who had just completed their execution now stood frozen, halting the burning of houses and the rummaging of basements.
Among the clouds, Joanna floated down, her golden hair trailing like a veil of light, her eyes sharp yet filled with sorrow. Behind her, seven heavenly angels—humans with wings, clad in silver armor and white robes, wielding celestial swords and unblemished banners—followed. Among them, a strange light formed a circle of illumination, as if each of their steps could cleanse the dust and blood from the ground that had long been parched by tears.
As Joanna approached the accursed ground, the echoes of gentle voices broke through, as if whispers from wounded souls. "We have been waiting," they said, their voices tinged with longing and lost hope. "Bring us home." Every tone vibrated in the air, resonating in the space between life and death, challenging the angels to fulfill a promise yet unkept.
Joanna raised her hand, a gentle wind swirling around her, carrying the refreshing scent of damp earth. "Listen," she said, her voice soft like the flow of a river. "We come with light and justice. It is time for darkness to retreat." She stepped further, the light enveloping her growing brighter, as if summoned by an unseen power.
Around them, the shadows of war began to fade. Faces once filled with doubt were now lifted, wide-eyed, as if Joanna and her angels had brought a glimmer of hope that had long been lost. The wind picked up, swirling away dust and emptiness, replacing it with new aspirations.
But something was amiss. From the darkness, a terrifying voice echoed, filled with hatred and challenge. The voice multiplied the unease among the conquerors, causing them to fall silent for a moment. A leader of the forces, with a traditional and furious gaze, shouted, "We are not afraid of you! We have built this power with blood and sweat!"
Joanna stood unflinching, her gaze steady, radiating a profound conviction. "Your power is built on fear," she proclaimed, her voice flowing like a melodious chant. "Today, that strength shall crumble before the true light." In an instant, light enveloped the angelic forces with an awe-inspiring grace, reminding everyone that hope and courage would always be the mightiest weapons.
When Joanna first set foot on the ruins of Thirtos City, she remained silent. She walked slowly, treading over ashes and remnants of war's victims, briefly closing her eyes to feel the vibrations of sorrow that cloaked the ground. Around her, the surviving citizens knelt—some wept silently, while others bowed their heads, unable to meet the marvel that descended after all hope had seemingly vanished.
As her steps carried her away from the shadows of emptiness, a faint warmth enveloped her feet, like a gentle embrace from the earth, reminding her of the life that once thrived. The charred aroma of the ruins mingled with the nearly extinguished hope, further igniting the spirit that blazed within her. It was as if every fiber of the soil whispered to her, demanding justice and waiting for someone to end the suffering.
The first angel, Zadkiel, spread her wide wings, unfurling a golden banner over the square, halting the advance of the Earth troops who were about to execute the prisoners.
"No more blood today," her voice thundered, echoing throughout the corners of the city.
"Those who spill blood beneath the light of the sky shall perish by their own hands."
Her words struck like thunder in the darkened sky, piercing through the despair shrouding the souls of the soldiers. They looked at one another, questioning their courage to continue fighting. Some felt a turmoil in their hearts, torn between duty and the humanity entwined within the bonds of battle. The light from the banners reflected a glimmer of hope within them, as if God Himself were present there.
General Talgar, who led the Earth forces in Thirtos, held his breath, his eyes narrowing towards Joanna and the angels. He had never witnessed such a wonder, not even in the nightmares of the Earth magi.
My heart trembles at this majestic presence, Talgar thought, hidden behind my cloak and sword, a sense of fear arises when facing an angel. Then, he asked himself, can I fight against something greater than all this that is unseen by the eye, yet felt by the heart?
"Who are you, woman with golden wings?" Talgar shouted.
Joanna turned slowly, her voice clear yet filled with a frightening anger.
"I am the voice that rejects destruction. I am Joanna Fate, and I come not to save or avenge, but to end a war that should have never happened."
Each word she spoke resonated in the souls of those listening, creating a chime of hope. The crumbling walls around them, which told tales of sorrow, now seemed to hold their breath, waiting for each letter to weave into the fabric of destiny. Joanna felt a new flow of power coursing through her, like pure river water, ready to cleanse them from narcissism and greed.
In the underground corridors of Gaia, the voice of the angelic magic began to seep into the stones, creating a warm atmosphere that roused Iris from her semi-conscious state. She heard the sound of wings, a gentle whisper that strengthened her heart, as if an invisible hand was soothing the pain in her abdomen. The surroundings began to vibrate, as if the entire underground was praying, pleading with a higher power for a miracle.
Miel, who was keeping watch at the secret door, jumped as golden light crept across the stone floor, penetrating crevices in the walls and making the entire underground chamber seem to breathe again. Amidst the flickering light, shadows of familiar faces appeared to pass by, bringing memories of those who were lost.
"Queen… do you feel it? There's something… something extraordinary has arrived up there."
The air felt alive, and Iris gazed at the stony ceiling with new tears in her eyes. For the first time since the siege, she felt she was not alone. She realized that within her was a stirring strength — as if the souls of the fallen warriors had united within her, instilling a renewed vigor.
"I am not alone. Whatever happens, I will fight!" she declared in her heart.
In the underground sanctuary of Oda, Akiko felt a shift in the atmosphere. Nobuzan, barely conscious, opened her eyes; her breath became more regular, though her body remained weak. With traces of fear etched on her face, Akiko endeavored to display the confidence that had long been hidden beneath her sorrow and despair. She sensed the power of sincere love flowing between them, binding them together even in the depths of darkness.
"What is this, Akiko? Is this… death?"
Akiko shook her head, a faint smile gracing her lips. In her heart, a mantra of hope resonated, reaffirming her resolve.
"No, Princess. This is something even death fears."
A rumble nearby made Akiko's heart race faster. She recalled the face of Joanna Fate, the figure who always brought hope and light, even in the darkest of times. "Joanna must be fighting up there," she thought, "She will lead us out of this darkness." With renewed hope, Akiko envisioned the light that would illuminate their path and provide an escape from this never-ending war.
The Earth forces, trained to face magi and lesser deities, now found themselves trembling. Some attempted to shoot the angels with magitek weapons, but their arrows and bullets were deflected by an invisible wall of light. Earth magic, even the Void Eater glyph, either bounced off or vanished upon contact with the angels' wings.
In an instant, the atmosphere shifted, as if the sky and the ground were vibrating in an odd rhythm. The clamor of battle faded, replaced by soft whispers reminiscent of distant bell chimes. A breeze swept through, filling the air with the scent of flower petals, while fleeting shadows suggested that the angels were not mere beings but guardians of a throne between two realms.
Talgar ultimately commanded his troops to fall back to the outer lines of the city.
"Do not attack them! All our spells are useless beneath their light!"
As they retreated, a soldier stumbled and ran, his eyes filled with panic. The thunderous sounds of gunfire echoed again, but not a single bullet found its mark. In that panic, he tripped over a discarded stone, recalling the teachings of the elders: 'The blue sky can herald disaster, and light can dazzle.'
Some of the forces held their ground, trying to contain the captives, yet one by one, they were repelled by the angelic barricade. Not far from that location, a soft blue light from the outstretched wings formed a circle of majesty, seemingly guiding anyone brave enough to approach. Zadkiel and Remiel descended into the narrow alleys, freeing the bound people and erasing the torture glyphs on their backs.
Joanna led the angels to the heart of the ruins of Gaia's palace, standing atop an altar now reduced to rubble. She raised her hand, calling out to the voice of the entire world:
"Today, I demand the end of the war. If anyone still dares to shed innocent blood, I will personally erase their name from history."
As her words flowed like holy water, light emanated from her hands, mending the cracks in the ground and healing the wounds of the remaining soldiers, though it could not raise the dead. The light burned away the darkness, enveloping every corner with renewed hope. She closed her eyes, listening to the wails of the lost souls, and promised herself to protect the last wombs of the world, no matter the cost.
For a brief moment, time seemed to stand still. From deep within her heart, Joanna felt the turmoil of the battle between hope and fear, hinting at a future that was powerful yet fragile. In that void, the soft voices of the lost souls blended into her vow, strengthening her resolve to reshape fate into safety, even as all her resources teetered on the brink of emptiness.
However, the arrival of the angels did not instantly restore everything. The remaining guardians began to question:
"Will Joanna protect all, or will she choose between two mothers—and two worlds—that conflict with each other?"
Among the seven angels, whispers were heard:
"Fitran's blood carries two futures: one of hope, one of ruin. Joanna must choose whom she will protect when the time comes."
Miel, Akiko, and the underground guardians began to craft a new prayer, pleading that Joanna truly choose life over the wrath of the world.
Standing amidst the ruins and victims of war, Joanna gazed at the grey sky that was slowly turning to gold. In the gentle breeze, the scent of wet earth rose, stirring up hidden memories within her. In her eyes, love and the cruelty of the world intertwined with a steely resolve. She understood that not everyone would survive, and not every womb deserved to endure.
Echoing in her mind were the souls that accompanied her, a legion of loyal fighters now trapped on the threshold between life and death. In soft whispers, they sang songs of sorrow and hope, as if praying for an answer. Each note carried a burden, and every tap of her fingers on the ground served as an unspoken declaration of hope.
All around Joanna, mystical fabrics spread out, dancing with the direction of the wind, as if responding to her conflicted spirit. "This turmoil," she thought, "is part of the fate I must face." She felt a surge of energy, an invisible rhythm that moved everything around her, reminding her that she was not just one individual, but a bridge between life and darkness.
Above the gray sky, light gradually sliced through the atmosphere, radiating golden rays that harmonized with the heartbeat of a world in turmoil. Unbeknownst to her, this light brought hope, and Joanna felt herself drawn into a window connecting her to her family's destiny and the land they had been separated from. She sensed the weight of the choice before her, yet behind it all lay an unwavering desire to remain a protector.
"I will be the final judge tonight," she resolved, cold and certain.
That day, the war paused for a moment. No blood was shed, no cities burned further. Everyone waited beneath the golden light—Earth's forces, the people of Gaia and Oda, the remaining protectors, even the restless spirits haunting the ancient alleys.
Like the gentle whisper of the night wind, hope and fear mingled in the air. The scent of damp earth after the rain blended with the invisible presence of spirits, creating an almost magical atmosphere. The sun sank slowly, as if celebrating this pause with its soft rays touching the surfaces marred by sorrow.
Yet everyone knew this pause was only temporary. After the angels descended, the world would never be the same. Anyone who chose to stand between Joanna and the will of the sky would face a wrath more terrible than any war humanity had ever known.
In the dark corner, from behind the shadows, a faint voice could be heard. An old warrior, with eyes full of longing, poured her hopes into the sky. "If you are indeed a listener of prayers, hear us," she said, her voice trembling. "We seek peace, not destruction." Yet, as if the wind were responding, deeper voices filled the space: "Change is bitter, yet unavoidable." Could their prayers break down the walls built by blood and tears over time?
Below ground, two mothers—one full of wounds, the other full of vengeance—held their breath. They knew their time was very short. Oda Nobuzan had come, bringing the final decision that would change the world—whether as a liberator or as an executioner who would shut the door on hope forever.
In the silence, Joanna's footsteps resonated against the ceiling like thunder greeting the earth. A light as white as snow enveloped her, creating an indescribable aura. That glow resembled a flickering hope, appearing and disappearing, touching the souls that sensed its presence. "I am not merely an angel of change," her voice was soft, "I am the path, the light in the darkness, although every choice carries its consequences." One by one, the souls trapped in fear began to raise their heads, starting to feel a power greater than vengeance. Indeed, profound fear could ignite hope, allowing a new journey to begin.