"We lost connection with Arizona and Mezos' Librascopes," Rowynn says as the holographic screens go dark after a bright flash of light almost blinds us.

I'm sitting in a room in The Pentagon where Mr. Vahn'dien, Rowynn Thoriana, and I watch our friends as they venture through the land beyond the waygate. Colonel Simone Smithsonian is also in the room, taking notes while supervising the situation.

The Colonel rubs her chin. "Their technology is fascinating. They have modern devices like tanks, motorized transport units, firearms, and the such; yet, there are those who prefer to use the blade or even magic. That tall woman with the oversized triggerblade, for example — her blade looks so impractical, yet she makes it work with expert finesse."

Mr. Vahn'dien says as he adjusts his reading glasses, "That would be Legionnaire Rin von Hanji. She's a fae warrior. Fae warriors, especially those from the Eastern Half of The Great Tree, can display supernatural acts of strength. So her handling of such a weapon doesn't surprise me." The business man forms a smile. "Still, I suppose it's good to know my father is still around. Though I have to wonder why he's working with the VIIIth Legion."

Colonel Smithsonian asks, "He mentioned Lunarian One. Perhaps the military needs him to make that project happen."

"You have a point."

We wait a moment to see if the feed would reestablish itself, but it has been about fifteen minutes. Nothing so far.

A sudden worry clouds my head. I wonder how the other Mathilde is feeling. Just like her battle against Valis Barbariccia, she also passed out after fighting Justinio Cagnazzo.

The red-haired En'ari elf woman, Rowynn, confronts me. "I have an idea," she says as she places a plastic briefcase on the table. She opens it, revealing the Dream Recorder, a white visor-like device I can put over my eyes whenever I'm sleeping or meditating. "If I recall, you have a means to contact your counterpart through your meditations."

I nod. "Yes, I do."

"Then that's what we'll do."

A predictable plan, but it should work.

Colonel Smithsonian gasps at the device. "That's the Dream Recorder, one of CrystalCorps' strange devices. I've heard of them using things like that on their test subjects, but I didn't think they actually worked."

Rowynn says, "it is such a strange gadget, lass, but it works wonders." She takes out the device from the briefcase and gives it to me. "Put it on and let's get to work."

I strap the visor over my eyes and begin my meditative state.

—————

My vision clears and now I see a scene where I'm roaming around in the middle of a lush garden. This looks like the royal garden at the front of the Figarosa Imperial Palace.

Nearby, a group of distinguished yet familiar individuals stand at a makeshift podium. I recognize the girl with green hair and red armor as Cammy Figarosa. She's standing next to her younger brother, Alphio Figarosa, dressed in a red and white mage's robe.

I don't recognize the taller boy next to the princess, but I think he might be a royal. Maybe he's Caienne Figarosa before his transformation. His hair is white, just like Alphio's. However, it looks spiky and unkempt. Holstered on his back is a heavy broadsword, and in a holster on his left hip is a firearm. He's in the same armor Cammy Figarosa is wearing, but with the colors inverted — black with red accents.

There is also an old tall woman dressed in a red and white royal regalia with gold adornments. A gold crown of diamonds, sapphires, and rubies sits on her head. Propped upright with her left felt-gloved hand is a white staff with gold filigree trims around it and a gold winged ruby-like ornament at the top.

I see the other Mathilde standing before them at attention, facing the four. She's in her old black leotard uniform.

"Empress Hestalia," the other me says to the elder royal. "It's great to see you today. It's always an honor."

"And it's great to see you too, Mathilde rez Wairen. You are, after all, one of The Figarosa Army's top assassins. Your espionage mission in the fae town of Mudretsov has proven fruitful, and will be a boon in our war against the Nightmares."

Mudretsov. I remember that name. It's supposed to be a town full of magi. I believe it also goes by another name: Mysidia.

"It was not easy. The village's aetheric security systems proved to be a challenge for even my masterful skills in espionage."

The tall boy next to Cammy says, "But you got the job done, and that's all that matters."

"You're right, Prince Caienne," she says.

From behind my vision, a regal armored woman in red and white appears. The soldier's brown hair is long, flowing with the gentle breeze. A metal eyepatch with gold filigree accents shields her right eye. Her uniform bares similarities to Mathilde's leotard, including the belts, armor plates, and split-cape. A red scarf comforts her neck.

The Empress nods. "Legionnaire Beatra von Aldebert. I'm glad you can be here to witness the promotion of your protégé."

"Indeed," Beatra says, bowing to the Empress. "Mathilde has been a wonderful and skillful soldier to have amongst our ranks. I'm grateful to see how she has progressed after all these years. Even at her youthful times, she has demonstrated her drive to train and hone her skills."

Mathilde Wairen gasps. "My promotion?"

"Yes," Empress Hestalia says. "It is by the will of Alexander that fate has reached this moment."

Alexander. The Greater Eikon standing behind the Figarosa Imperial Palace. He resembles a tall and menacing fortress of gears and steam. Such a holy machine of glory as he watches down over his people.

"It's an honor," Mathilde says, smiling back at the Empress.

Legionnaire Aldebert stands next to the Empress and draws her ornamental blade from the scabbard on her hip and rests the flat side on Mathilde's shoulder. "Stand for today is a glorious one. From this day forth, you'll be known as Mathilde sae Wairen."

Empress Hestalia taps the ground with the bottom of her staff. "Tribunus Angusticlavius. That is your official rank amongst those serving alongside you on the battlefield with the VIth Imperial Legion. Your courage and valor are an inspiration, not only to the Royal Red Assassins Cohort, but to all the other cohorts of your legion. You should feel proud."

The assassin's smile appears weak, and a tear flows from her face. She pauses for a moment, taking a heavy breath. "It's an honor, your highness."

The Empress raises a staff. "Go forth and believe in victory, Mathilde sae Wairen."

"Believe in victory!" The three royal children say in unison, with Caienne and Cammy holding a blade high, while Alphio raises an open hard cover book.

"Yes," Legionnaire Aldebert says. "Believe in victory."

Then everyone disappears, and Mathilde is the only one left standing. The garden appears ruined with burning leaves, smoke, and broken security robots. The skies are dark, a heavy shroud of gray with explosions bursting in the air.

Mathilde turns around and notices my presence. "It's you again," she says, confronting me.

"Yes, I'm here. It looked like you were recalling an important moment in your career as a soldier."

"I was," she says, her voice soft. "Prince Caienne was there, standing alongside Princess Cammy and Prince Alphio. So was my former Legatus, Beatra von Aldebert."

"So that boy was Prince Caienne, before the Lexia Army turned him into a monster?"

"Yes, he was. He served with the IXth Legion as Tribunus Laticlavius, second-in-command to Legionnaire Eoin von Scully."

"And the woman in the red and white armor?"

"My superior and the one who raised me after my Big Sister died, Legionnaire Beatra von Aldebert. I guess she's kind of like a mother to me."

"I guess Beatra is gone too, yes?"

"Yes, she's gone. She died when The Usurper's forces invaded Castrum Tormenti Spiculum. Though I suppose I fear the worse for her afterlife. After all, if Prince Caienne suffered being a Nightmare, it should not surprise me to see Beatra reaching the same fate, as much it pains me."

"If that happens, then you would have no choice but to put her down."

The other me pauses, grits her teeth, and furrows her brows in disgust. "Correct. I don't want to, but the situation doesn't present many favorable options." She raises her head and stares at the sky. "Still, I wonder if the sun will shine at the rest of the world again."

"Perhaps you might know when you wake up. After all, when you defeated Valis Barbariccia, the sun returned to Mount Tribulation. When I witnessed your battle against Justinio Cagnazzo, a burst of light pierced the skies. That means light is shining once more."

"I hope you're right." The soldier smiles.

"I know I'm right. That's for certain." I smile back. "When you wake up, light will shine, and the people of Bektorias will understand. The Warrior of Light is real, and it is you who will bring light back to your homeland."

She takes a breath. "You're right. I guess I'm still trying to fit myself into this strange title."

"Understandable. After all, you spent most of your military career lurking in the shadows. The power of light seems so strange to wield, but I believe in you. Since you believe in victory, I believe in it as well."

"Believe in Victory — the Figarosa family always says that. Anyway, I hope to see you again sometime."

"Take care, fellow soldier. When you wake up, light will greet you. And when it greets you, everyone in the nation of Bektorias will believe in victory."

Mathilde Wairen smiles and then fades in this vision. It seems she's waking up. I hope her path remains true.

Which of course makes me ponder of my fate — the road to darkness, as I would one day become the Warrior of Darkness.