Calm. Peaceful. Beautiful. The light was everywhere, filling every hole and crevice of every living and nonliving thing alike. For a fleeting moment, as fleeting as the breathing of each soul within the room, Kain could see the splendor of this untouchable light and all the peace brought with it. It was apparent that this power that lied somewhere behind the door was meant for good and not for evil. But then why would Olvin want such a force that could destroy him with its mere touch?

Kain reached out into the infinite brightness about him, not knowing exactly what he desired to take hold of. The light felt genial to him and he curled his fingers as if to grab the warmth. The only time such comfort had befallen him was when he was around Decca. Decca... Kain gazed about the light bathed room, trying to find his allies. They were here a moment ago, but now it appeared as if only Kain resided within this room of eternal brightness. For the first time in months, the Dragoon Knight was at peace inside. He smiled, despite of what worries, both past and present, surrounded him.

“Kain!” Valzer’s voice echoed within the shrine’s empty room.

The Dragoon opened his eyes, not even aware that he had them closed. His smile faded; the light was gone and replaced with their dark reality. “I’m...over here...” He whispered, shaking his head and forcing his eyes to adjust to dimness of the new night’s moon.

Most of everyone was gathered at the bottom of the dais, where they were when the light first came through. Decca and Olvin still stood before the door, which had completely vanished, and now it finally revealed what was on the other side. But it was not a room or hallway; what lied there was a bridge to the outside, which connected over to a small tower. The stone overpass showed well its age, being nearly jade with moss and split by the storms that had come and passed. The trees of the woodland covered the bridge with their leaves, making this sight a grandeur to each one's eyes.

Olvin moved first, looking more disgruntled than shocked. This was not working out to his liking. “A passage to another building? This is making for an interesting punishment, isn’t it?” The sage backed away from the doorway, bowing slightly to Decca and outstretching his arm. “Ladies first.” He smiled snidely, not showing the faintest of curiosity in what was past the door. Damn that Akin. He knew of this...

The elf didn’t bother to regard Olvin, she was more interested by this new power than what he had to say. Olvin’s threat was no longer looming over her, for he could not touch what lied within the tower. But I can? It doesn’t make sense... She placed one foot out onto the bridge, still unsure if this force truly could not harm her. Her foot touching the stone made a distinct click sound that echoed within the little cavern the trees made round the pass.

“What now?” Cecil looked to Kain, who was retrieving the elf’s necklace from the shadows of the shrine. When he returned to where Cecil was, he gave him a swift glance and followed after Decca. “Kain, wait!”

“Cecil, I know you would like to analyze and plan out what to do next, but a well throughout strategy isn’t going to stop what’s to come. We can only face that when it finally arrives.” Kain took the platform’s steps two at a time, stopping before the entrance and turning to regard his companions. “Coming?”

Valzer didn’t need to be told for he had already starting walking after Kain, with Rydia besides him. Cecil looked upon the three before him. As impossible as it seemed, Kain had changed. Not only in his appearance, but what he stood for. It was quite obvious that his Dragoon ally was trying hard not to make the same dire mistakes as he once did. And for that, Cecil couldn’t help but to smile with pride, looking upon his dark haired friend. He has learned so much, but I’m afraid that it was all in vain. You can’t truly destroy evil, especially when you once followed it... The King of Baron watched as Decca’s image faded into the drooping leaves of the outside. Look at all of them... They’ve become so close... Cecil bowed his head, regret for having been so blind plainly strewn across his face. He shouldn’t have worried about Kain.

The three were no longer looking at him; they had already started over the bridge. Part of Cecil wished to run from the shrine and leave Kain to whatever fate he had chosen for himself, for he felt as if he was no longer needed in the warrior’s life. But Cecil could not abandon Kain then, and would chance forever just to follow the Dragoon into one more adventure. I’ll be with you, Kain, no matter what life you choose. And with that, the Paladin walked through the door and into fate’s awaiting hands.

By the time the four had reached the end of the pass, Decca had already ventured into the vacant entrance of the tower, no wooden doors blocking their way, no seals to be broken. The tower, though significantly tall, held only one small room; no windows and no source of light but that of two torches on either side of the round, curving wall.

Hollow. Cold. Dark.

An odd place for a thing of the Light to be held. But within the heedfully constructed walls and under the dim lights of the flames, there stood a podium of marble. Though the room’s craftsmanship took away from the real meaning of being within the tower, Decca couldn’t help but find herself in awe at the structure of the room. It’s elvish... She slid her hand down the podium’s side, smiling slightly. Decca could not think of any other who would be able enough to make such perfect designs.

I’m not here to ogle a damn wall. She quickly snapped out of her dreamlike stare and gave her attention to the thing of more importance, lying so innocently on top of the stand. It was a sphere. A simple ball of crystal. Nothing guarded it. No seals, no magic. It seemed strange that something of such power would be open for the taking. Though I suppose the seal upon the door was enough.

Decca's fingers glided over the clear orb and she scooped it up within her hands. A sense of peace overcame her, calming her worries and doubts. This new presence seeped through into her mind, into her body and into her very soul.

Kain stopped running once he was in front of Decca, who now turned around to watch him quietly. Slowly, he came up to her, eyeing the sphere in her hands. Within her grasp, the orb glowed a pale blue and within Kain’s, her gem did the same. “Decca?” From behind him, Valzer, Rydia, and Cecil stopped as well.

“Kid, are you all right?” Valzer reached out to her, but flinched away upon seeing her eyes. They were not her own and were no longer emerald, but purple, the void within them as deep as the Abyss itself. Valzer could feel the heat of anger rising inside him at the thought that perhaps she finally found what she had been looking for and the result would be her very self. He wanted to seize the orb from her hands and throw it onto the floor, relishing in its shattering. But he could not. The crystal was for good, and she had made the choice long ago.

Rydia watched the young elf with misty, aqua eyes. She had already known from the moment she laid eyes upon the door that Decca’s fate would be one filled with regret. And now as the young girl came towards the elf, only one question could come to her mind, “Who are you?”

As soon as the Caller whispered those words, Kain looked to her in distress, not shock, for before them was someone else, only shielding themselves in the elf’s body. Kan knew that. He just didn't want to believe it. Who are you? He still couldn’t accept the girl’s words.

The woman looked at the four before her through Decca’s eyes. When she spoke, her voice was intense, echoing within the small room. “I am the White Light, protector of the Light Crystal.”

“Protector of the Light Crystal?” Kain echoed, then nodded to the small orb in Decca’s hands. “That is the Light Crystal?”

“Yes, it is.”

Cecil placed a hand on the warrior’s shoulder, and Kain peered over to his ally. “Decca and Rydia’s captor seems to have dismissed himself.” The King of Baron, along with the rest of the four, looked back to where the bridge lied, finding it as empty as the rest of the Shrine of Amyl.

“Indeed he has left you. He fears the Light Crystal, for he cannot destroy it. That is one of the reasons why Decca was sought out by Olvin’s master, Lord Akin, for she is with the Light and can, like the rest of you, touch the crystal.” Decca bowed her head, still holding within her blue hands the Crystal of Light, which made even her skin seem pale. Then with a small smile upon the edge of her lips, “his plan has backfired, it would appear. I do not think he expected you to disobey him. Not many have.”

“Where has he gone then?” Kain asked. When Decca simply stared back with those vacant eyes, the Dragoon repeated himself with more force. “Where did Olvin go? You said he had left.”

“The only place he can go. The place where he came from. Without Decca and the Light Crystal, he cannot stay. His master will not allow it. Now, to Akin, Earth holds no purpose. That can be both a bad and a good thing.”

“Why are you in her body?” Valzer demanded, pushing past Kain in order to look upon Decca with more clarity. She appeared the same, other then her eyes and voice. “Why not one of us? You said yourself we can touch that...glass ball.”

“Decca is...special, Valzer.” The possessed elf rested a hand upon the wizard’s cheek, causing, for first time since he could remember, tears to fall down his face. “It is her purpose, my child, do not be troubled.”

“How can I not?”

“You have very little faith, wizard. Do you not believe in Decca?”

Believe in her? Valzer’s brows crossed, taking slight insult to that. “I always will.”

She nodded, her smile giving him comfort, for he knew that somewhere within her Decca was doing the same. “Good. You should have faith, for when the real war comes, you must all rely on one another.” Her hand slipped away from Valzer and she looked onto Rydia, who was now crying silently.

“Do not cry, Rydia, you are much stronger than that.” She kissed the Caller upon the forehead. Her touch was warm and gave a certain peace to Rydia. She was suddenly reminded of her dead mother and of Rosa, the always smiling, always happy Queen of Baron. The girl wiped her wet face, now clutching onto Valzer’s arm.

Before Decca had the chance to touch or to even regard Kain, he had grabbed her upper arm forcefully. “Let me talk to Decca, one last time.” His eyes were soft, as if threatening to cry, but he refused to out of his own foolish pride.

The woman was quiet for the longest time, and the group thought she had forgotten what Kain asked for. But she suddenly smiled towards the Dragoon, strands of feathery pink falling into her face, “Kain...” The elf’s voice was softer and her eyes no longer pupilless, but still bore the color of purple. He reached out and touched her face, as if he did not believe that she was truly real. Would his fingers pass through her?

He wanted to laugh like an fool when he realized that it was Decca beneath his touch, but as there was very little joy within the room, he could only frown. “Where are you going?”

“I must leave, Kain.” She looked upon him with much sorrow and regret. She herself did not understand why, but deep within, she knew it had to be done, even if her mortal body would be the sacrifice. As much as it pained her, she could not stay to comfort the family she had gained.

“You can’t. It’s not over yet.” The wind from the outside blew gently upon them, whisking through their hair and blowing it carelessly into the breeze. Kain’s hands rested upon her face once more, his fingers brushing back into pink curls.

“I know. You still need me.”

“That’s not fair, little one.” Kain grinned, despite what he felt. He knew it must have looked forced compared to his normal smile. “I will always need you.” He felt his heart sink with his own words. I didn't seem fair, it never did.

“Then you have allowed yourself to fall in love, warrior? That’s not a good thing. You always lose the ones you love.”

Kain’s fingers were bent slightly as he stroked her face. He wished to remember her as she was, smiling and beautiful. But that memory would only bring with it more pain, even though she had not yet departed. “I won’t lose you, Decca.” In his mind, he kept repeating the words, as if doing so would keep her here with him.

“Everything dies in the end, Kain. That is a fate none of us can escape, no matter how hard we fight it. And life will go on, even when it’s no longer worth living.” She placed a hand over his own, a singer tear now descending down her cheek. It shimmered slightly as it came and went, wetting their fingers.

“I have been dying, a little more of me disappearing each day. And I grief for it, for every little part of me that washes away. I know I can’t get back what I have lost and I know I can’t change all that I have done. But I will never let go of what I have found now.” His fingers traced her chin, his own eyes bright. “As long as I can feel you and as long as I can see you...” he rested his forehead upon hers, “you are alive to me. As long as you draw breath, then so will I.” He kissed her softly, his arms wrapping around her and her necklace still within his left fist.

The kiss didn't last long, but it didn't matter, not anymore. He loved and that was all she needed. Not wanting to, she broke the kiss, looking up and into his face with eyes slowly returning to the pupilless amethyst. “I’ll come back to you, Kain...”

He smiled as his hands began to slip through her and into the cold air around them. He tightened his grip upon her, but it did little good. “Come now, Decca, you say goodbye so solemn, as if it will be the last time we meet.” With every minute, her image became harder to see.

“In this world, you never know.” And she smiled, a smile that made his heart feel as if it could fly. There would always be hope, as long as she could smile.

Decca held his hand, curling his fingers around her necklace as it glowed quietly. Her touch felt like cool water, flowing over his intire body. “Keep this for me. That way you’ll always have me with you.” The cool feeling instantly left him as she backed away from him and from the small group of worried and distraught faces. Where was she going? To the White Light’s world perhaps, to the place where Olvin said she belonged. She was finally going home.

Decca stopped walking once she reached the rear of the small room. Facing her allies again, she closed her eyes, but her tears still fell down upon her cheeks. And as unbelievable as it looked, Decca's imaged shimmered and faded. “Galè tai veelem...” she whispered before she felt herself slip away, her mind being taken by someone else. A piercing light flooded the tiny room and though they did not want to, the three behind Kain were forced the close their eyes from the blinding rays. When it passed, a silent peace entered the room once more.

She’s...gone... Kain blinked hard, for he hadn’t shielded his face when the light had so suddenly appeared. Once his sight adjusted, he looked about the room. Behind him stood Valzer, placing an arm around Rydia, trying to comfort the girl. Next to him was Cecil, his eyes fixed upon Kain, but his face was blank and without answers. This can't be how it ends... Kain gazed down and into his hands, watching as the glow faded from her stone.

His fingers tightened around the gem. “I’ll be waiting...”