Riley rose to his feet and then paused for a second, as he stared at the foggy forest in a daze for a few seconds. He glanced down to see his hand slightly tremble and then look at his left shoulder that stopped bleeding.
Then with a soft chuckle that barely masked his feelings Riley said. "No matter what happens, I promise we'll get through this! Even if it means you're the only one I can save. My sister Alissa would give me hell if she knew I abandoned someone I could save."
Ophieus watched as the shard faded before another appeared as it displayed Riley fighting off six Black Feathers. They were attacking him in-coordination while three Beast Festival rushed at him. Riley swung his hammer all around and killed them as they came, one after another. Even as gashes, cuts, and slashes appeared on his body he continued swinging his golden hammer.
Ophieus watched as Riley rushed forward, encountering more but still roaring out and swinging his golden hammer. As he led them away from where Ophieus was until gradually they began dropping and not getting back up.
Till Riley finally the last Black Feather was killed with a giant grin on his face. He began walking back towards Ophieus, blood dripping but the grin on his face still present.
But then the golden hammer in Riley's hand dropped down with a clank, making him look at his shaking hand.
"Haha… I guess I couldn't overcome this one this time…" Riley fell back, crashing down to the ground as blood continued to leak out from the holes and gashes on his body, "am I really going to die like this? Without even being able to figure out why our memories were stolen."
Amber eyes started to dim as his vision blurred and breath grew shallow, Ophieus subconsciously clenched his fist.
The gray fog reacted, moving down on Riley's body and swirling around him. Riley furrowed his brows but said nothing, as his thoughts started to echo.
Why were… those things around…
Why did we… never notice… so many people missing…
Why couldn't… I even saved… one person…
I'm sorry… I couldn't keep my promise… with you Lacas…
I am sorry… Alissa… your big brother… is going to make you sad once more…
Ophieus could no longer hear Riley's fragmented thoughts which had all but dissipated. He could only feel the despair, sorrow, and regret that was lingering as the shard began to fade at the edge. But he wasn't focused on that as he blankly stared at the fog shining.
The fog…It's reacting like before… Don't tell me.
Then the fog parted to reveal the same bronze Abomination Ophieus had killed. Its tear-stained visage is a haunting contrast to the kind and grinning person it used to be. The familiar golden hammer laid on the ground next to it while the Bronze Regret stared down at its hands before footsteps could be heard ahead.
The Bronze Regret grabbed the golden hammer and moved ahead
Only bits of the shard remain as its voice rang out.
"Protect… I must… Protect…"
"It was you… The one you were protecting was…" Ophieus uttered softly. "You didn't deserve an end like that."
Ophieus continued rushing to the top and as he reached the last couple of steps. He found himself standing on a vast platform bathed in spiraling light from above. But his gaze was drawn to Riley who was kneeling on the radiant ground, gripping his head with tears streaming down in the middle.
"I'm sorry… I'm sorry…" Riley mumbled as his figure trembled.
"Why are you sorry?" Ophieus asked as he approached.
"I failed them… I failed them all. I was supposed to uncover the truth, save Lacas, and bring back the person I rescued… But in the end? I know nothing, I failed Lacas and died a useless death." Riley's voice cracked as he gripped his head tighter.
Ophieus inhaled deeply before releasing as he said. "That isn't true Riley, what you did wasn't useless. Your only recalling your failures and not the rest of the story-"
"What's the point! I'll only see more of my failures…" Riley interjected with a shout before sagging more and pressing his head onto the ground.
Ophieus frowned in irritation. "You didn't fail everyone. Look ahead and tell me, who do you see?"
Riley hesitated but shook his head as he closed his eyes. "I don't want to see… all I'll find are my shortcomings, dumb mistakes and-"
"But this time you'll see your success," Ophieus interjected softly. "But it will slip away unless you seize this moment and look. Just one look Riley, only one."
Ophieus watched as Riley froze before clenching his teeth and then he began moving his hand from his head. Then he gradually lifted his head, slowly turning to look at him and then Ophieus saw those amber eyes widen in disbelief.
"Y-you… you aren't dead? This isn't an illusion, right?"
"No, I am not dead or an illusion. You faced those abominations so that I could live and it gave me the chance to awake and meet you here. You made the choice to protect me, and I'm here because of you." Ophieus answered softly with a faint smile.
"Then… I actually saved you? Even after leaving you alone and dying, my actions weren't in vain?" The flicker of hope began to shine in Riley's eyes.
Ophieus pointed upwards, drawing Riley's gaze to the countless shards above and here Riley saw glimpses of the battle. Above display flashes of Riley fighting through the pain and blood loss, refusing to let a single abomination pass to reach Ophieus. Until at last he lay on the ground, bleeding out but victorious with no living monsters around.
"You didn't allow a single one pass, and I was able to wake up because of this. Your efforts weren't in vain, despite the odds and your doubts, you protected me."
Riley's breath hitched as his eyes widened. "I saved you… I actually saved you. I accomplished something… Thank you." Ophieus saw the joy appearing in Riley's eyes and the smile breaking out.
"I should be thanking you and I'm only helping you recognize what you did." Ophieus said as he stepped closer.
"But it means everything," Riley whispered as his voice trembled.
Ophieus smiled as he reached out and touched the shoulder of Riley who froze. It wasn't just him but the whole place to seem to have frozen before the spiraling light in front shattered.
And everything else began to fade away but not before Riley flashed him a grin and spoke.
"You didn't have to acknowledge me but you did. You didn't have to recognize or help me but you did… Thank you, Ophieus."