Legends of Ardonia 3: Color Balance

Chapter 22: Enlightenment

Emmilia walked alongside Optimus in a void of endless white. She noticed how the old Sendaris no longer seemed to hunch over, nor did he require the use of a walking stick. He stood tall and walked fast.

Emmilia: "So...I'm dead?"

Optimus: "It would seem that way, though I had hoped we wouldn't reunite so soon."

Emmilia: "Yeah..."

Optimus: "Tell me, Emmilia, where would you say we are?"

Once he said this, the void began to take shape into a plains biome with a few oak trees here and there. Poppies and red tulips decorated the grass nicely and the sun shone down on them. Emmilia was taken aback by the sudden change.

Emmilia: "It looks like...a plains biome, only calmer and sunnier. Not unlike Voltaria."

Optimus: "Interesting."

Emmilia walked around the place, feeling the grass on her feet and the heat from the sun on her skin. Everything felt so real. But despite the calming environment, Emmilia did not have a smile on her face.

Optimus: "Hm. Even dead, you worry."

Emmilia: "How can I not? I'm dead, Killic is attacking my friends, corrupting the kingdoms and disturbing the peace in Ardonia with those Droug suits, and one of our best students betrayed us and sided with him! How can I help them if I'm dead?!"

The sky darkened, reflecting Emmilia's distressed mood. Optimus looked up with worry.

Optimus: "Emmilia, calm yourself. Unlike in life, you can shape the world here. Your emotions can either build it up or break it down."

Emmilia stopped, the sky growing a bit lighter before a few drops fell from above.

Emmilia: "I'm scared, Optimus. I hate to admit it, but I'm worried about my friends."

Optimus: "I know, but you have to have faith in them. Your friends are stronger than you think."

Emmilia: "Can...can I still speak to Hadis? Like how I did with you?"

Optimus: "I believe that if his desire is strong enough, he'll be able to speak to you."

Emmilia: "Could I at least watch him from here? I want to know if he's okay."

Optimus showed slight hesitation in his eyes, but gestured to a little pond in the grass. Emmilia walked to it and looked in to see Hadis smash a table with Aries after Enair made it back. She saw how he ordered an attack on Incatasia and how he and the Ardoni killed every soul in the facility. She saw how lost and distressed he was. Her hand went up to her mouth as she quietly gasped in disbelief. The vision eventually showed Hadis in the present moment, waking up to the bad news of Killic's invasion with Halia, Milan, Malin, and Enair.

Emmilia: "I can't watch anymore."

Optimus: "I know this is not what you would have wanted Hadis to do, but you cannot fix his mistakes. What you can do, however, is guide him down the right path. Make sure that not only he, but everyone, is safe."

Emmilia: "But how? I need your help, Optimus."

Optimus: "And help you will get, Emmilia. Always."