Starlight Dream

Chapter 67

"We did it." Seina said, hardly believing her own words. After struggling against the impossible, they'd broken through and gained victory.

"Yes! Yes!" Colten appeared from nowhere and threw his tiny paws across her neck in a massive hug. Seina joined the jubilation and swung him around.

"Told you!" Takako said, shooting her twin pistols in the air. Massive firework-like explosions rocked them as the bullets exploded far above. "We kick ass!"

"Heh." But Seina noticed a sad tint to Charity's smile. While Kaguya's destruction had been necessary, she hadn't relished it.

"Thank goodness. It's finished," Paliah said, sheathing his sword. "Seems our desperate gambit worked."

"Paliah, you're fading!" Seina said, gasping as the knight suddenly became more transparent.

"I've lingered too long," Paliah replied. "When my Seina gave up her powers, it weakened me. I'm fading away."

"No." Seina's voice caught in her throat. This meant whatever alternate future he came from was finally disappearing for good. Her alternate self had sacrificed everything to defeat the last Devil Princess.

But Paliah didn't seem afraid of his existence disappearing. Instead, he smiled warmly. "Hey, other me. Take care of her, okay? She's a special lady."

Lost for words, Colten only nodded. He'd understood Paliah's sacrifice as much as Seina did. This person was him, after all. With a slight wave, the white knight vanished into nothing.

"Dang it!" Seina wanted to scream. They'd finally won, but it almost didn't seem worth it anymore. Gentle tears flooded her eyes, overwhelmed with grief. While she hadn't known the alternate Colten long, it seemed she'd known him forever, too.

Takako placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. No quips or snark, only gentle comfort. She accepted Seina's tearful hug, but her eyes were also wet. Colten hugged her. No tears, but she sensed his sorrow.

"Let's go," Seina finally said. There was still much to do. To honor Paliah and her other self's sacrifice, she'd tear her world free of the vampires once and for all. And nothing would stop her.

Takako smirked as she laid out her plan. "I'm for it. Let's wipe out those nasty bloodsuckers! No offense to you, Seina."

"I'm not even sure I'm really a vampire anymore." No longer did she sense any thirst. While she still had her fangs and red eyes, she'd regained her soul. The dark urges had vanished, buried by something more powerful, love.

"It's a worthy goal," Charity said. "Charity wishes you luck."

"You're not coming?" Colten said, a quizzical tilt to his head.

"No, Charity needs to find her partner. With the seal broken, she'll show up somewhere." The Wicked Queen's fairy gave a slight smile. "And she's going to be hopping mad."

"I can imagine," Seina replied. And with no bad guys left, the Wicked Queen won't have an outlet for her frustration.

"Don't worry about us. Charity knows a group of roaming pirates Arisu can play with."

"Poor them." Seina stifled a laugh. "Goodbye, Charity."

"Oh, Charity will see you again." Huh, did Charity know something? "Good hunting." The fairy vanished in a flash of light.

"Let's get going already," Takako said, lifting her twin pistols. "I'm eager for some destruction!"

"Yeah! Let's kick their butts!" Seina had a score to settle with a certain annoying ex-vampire king.