[Fourth Wall Finale] Day: Break

[thewatchers]

[Fourth Wall Finale] Day: Break
Log Comm | Network Comm | OOC Comm | Navigation

Suneater falls like a star’s dark mirror, crashing to the Earth in a haze of icy blackness so hard it shakes the ground for miles- but it still falls.

As the first rays of light begin to dawn on the horizon, the massive dragon raises its’ head one last time, straining to open its’ jaws in one last, hungry attempt to devour the light… and collapses completely, breaking apart into smoke and dust.

When it dissipates, only a massive skeleton is left behind, bones as clean and dry as if they had been resting there for years.

And very, very softly, so faint it almost can’t be heard, every Candle living hears the voice of something very far away- not even remotely human, but so deeply, endlessly warm:

”Thank you.”

It isn’t a voice you’ve ever heard before… but something about it makes you instinctively look up, towards the rising Sun. Somehow, the light and the voice remind you of each other.

Though the final blow doesn’t instantly destroy the various zealots and opportunists that followed in the last Herald’s wake, Suneater’s death and the knowledge that Nightfall has been lost to them is an unrecoverable blow to the enemy’s morale, and the remaining foes are fairly simple for Daybreak’s forces to finish up- those that don’t simply flee or surrender outright.

When the last of the opposition is fled, dead, or safely in custody, and none of the scouts or Seers report any further traps or tricks in store, the word goes out. The Headmistress, leaning heavily on her sword to support herself in her exhaustion, lifts her hand and calls out the signal, which is taken up and passed along:

The battle is over.

Cassandra sinks gently, carefully to one knee and plants her own massive sword in the ground, a golden grave marker for everyone lost in the struggle to stop the night... and maybe even for Suneater as well, last and lost master of a wild, primal world long gone, twisted though it was by the end.

Under her steady digital guidance, the vast construct disassembles itself and once more resumes the form of the school as you’ve known it.

...And yes, all your belongings were stored safely during the fight. (You may return to your dorms to find some particularly fragile items covered in bubble wrap. It’s unclear whether this served a practical purpose or was just a discreet little joke on Cassandra’s part.)

It’s time to lay down your weapons, treat the wounded, bury the dead. The cleanup may well take years, and those lost to the last Herald of Night may never be returned to us- but the casualties were the tiniest fraction of what the world would have suffered if the battle had been lost, and those who survived have time now. You are no longer the generation born into a world on the brink of disaster, a world running out of time. You can recover, rest, and rebuild at your leisure.

The duty of Daybreak Academy is complete.

Your job is done.

But…

Well. You’ve learned a lot, haven’t you? Part of it was just how cruel and wicked the world can be… but part of it was how beautiful and wondrous it is, too.

Even though its’ duty is done, Daybreak Academy will remain, offering guidance and knowledge to anyone who asks for it- and beyond the Academy’s doors, there’s a whole new horizon out there. Earth and the Outlands are open and free for anyone willing to brave the journey. In the world that has not died, there are endless possibilities for you to explore and discover, to find joy and sorrow and everything that you never expected until you found it.

It’s a brand new day.

Comments

[stavros]

[Immediately after, Kokoro stares, almost unbelieving, at the scene of the sun rising over the mountains and the people gathered in the aftermath. She smiles a little.]

That's twice now... It's one thing to be born for a certain duty and raised with it ever in mind. Another to find it truly achieved.

[In a bit, she'll go back to her dorm and sleep for the rest of the day. School's probably out all day, anyway.

Later, she'll find everyone she knows and wave, with a big smile on her face and leftover chicken legs from the dining hall in her hands.]

Well met once more! Tell me, how do you feel now? I must admit it's a difficult adjustment.

[shockingblue]

[Gunvolt, still bone-tired from the battle, up and about to move around to prevent himself from feeling worse, waves back and smiles brightly to her.]

It is... but I feel lighter than air. I don't know what to do next...

And it feels great.

[unpocoloco]

[It's over. Nightfall is defeated. His family's safe. His friends are safe. For the first since he died, even after reuniting with his family, he can say with certainty; he's going to have a future again.

For a moment, he wants to cry. He wants to find his family again on the battlefield and hug every one of them tight. But first, he spreads his arms wide and lets out a loud grito of victory. He doesn't hear the sun's thanks but he sends one back like that all the same. Then he declares loud;]

IMELDA AND I ARE GETTING RE-MARRIED! EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU IS INVITED!

[Maybe Imelda will talk sense into him later.]

[stavros]

Wait, everybody?

[She laughs a little, even if she's usually the awkward one.]

Regardless, well done! Your dedication has prevailed.

[improbablenotimpossible]

Congratulations!

[nor_iron_bars]

Aw, fuck yeah! [Talk sense? Well, that's definitely not coming from Jailbreak. She slings an arm around Hector's shoulders and enthusiastically raises a can of beer in a toast with her free hand.]

[It is deeply unclear where she got this beer on a battlefield.]

It'll be a party.

[hattersgonnahat]

E-everyone..?

You're gonna need a really big building for that!

[arcadianvampire]

[An equally loud and boisterous reply comes amid the din of celebration.]

I WILL BE THERE WITH BELLS ON, MY FRIEND, ANY TIME, ANYWHERE!

[hawkwardness]

[Loud enough for hawk ears to hear that halfway across the world, practically. The birdboy sounds... chill?? For the first time in two fucking years??]

< Oh yeah? Congratulations. >

[buddinghopes]

[Lia doesn't really have much to say or do in the immediate aftermath. She's standing long enough to watch Suneater go down, she manages to drag herself back to the school...

But she goes directly to the infirmary, both to have her wounds dealt with and to just, like, sleep for a day or two. Dumping all your magic into an all-or-nothing attack takes a lot out of you.

She's up before you know it, though--it's not like her to stay down for too long. She's at least taking it easy, most often found in the dorm or the library, or sitting outside. Anyone who approaches gets a smile, tired as she still is.]

... It's strange, isn't it? To not have all that hanging over us anymore.

dorm

[stavros]

I must admit you're right.

[She looks out the nearest window with a weary smile.]

It's much like the incident a year ago in that regard. When one goes their entire life with a purpose in mind, what remains after it's accomplished?

outside

[alreadyhuman]

Yeah!

It's kind of weird. I don't really know what to do now!

[ He throws up his arms and falls backwards onto the grass, reveling in the simple pleasure of being alive to see it. He'd almost thought his heart would stop anyway, or something would happen....but no, he's still here. ]

What are you gonna do, Lia?

infirmary

[lifeforced]

[Perhaps unsurprisingly, when Lia does make it to the infirmary, Becky insists on being the one to take care of things. After a bit of cleaning, bandaging, and anything else that's needed, she finds a spot to let one of her hands rest without agitating anything, so her power can do its thing.]

So, under any other circumstances I think I'd be giving you some hell over pushing yourself too hard, but I can make an exception this time.

Infirmary

[ninehilist]

[There's one person who's not searching her out or trying to find her or anything. Mostly because he's still on strict bedrest, true, but he's not even messing with her phone.]

[spelleton]

[ Ekkehardt is mostly in the infirmary in the aftermath, taking care of the wounded - and there's plenty of work for him yet. He's still walking a little unsteadily after his own little stunt, but that's what reserves are for.

When things calm down a little, however, he can be found cleaning out his room or office, ready for its next occupants - or, rarely, just taking a break. Unusually for him, he has a flask at hand that he keeps drinking from, no matter what task he's doing. ]

[nor_iron_bars]

[Jail leans against the doorframe, watching with amiable curiosity.]

Aww, you brought drinks and you aren't sharing? That hurts me, right here.

[She's smiling gently, though.]

[arcadianvampire]

[A - Immediate Aftermath]

[When the Skyeater fell, and the realization that the battle was finally over and in victory, as the forces of Darkness scattered, broken, Tyrant Valvatorez alighted back down where his peers, students, and comrades were gathered. In a puff of smoke, the daemon dismissed his greater Tyrant form, returning to normal to conserve what energy he had left. He was exhausted, feeling a brutal fatigue that sank into his very bones.

As exhausted as he was, however, he.... was not yet done. There was something left he had to do. After flicking his cape dramatically, he spoke.]

If I might have your attention! There's something important I have to say!

[He flourished his cape again, producing a strange magical device on the ground, pulsing out with light... and fully capable or producing sound. It landed on the ground beside him, and with it, he pulled out a microphone from inside of his cape... and he closed his eyes as music began to play...]

I've paid my dues,
Time after time.
I've done my sentence,
But committed no crime .
And bad mistakes
I've made a few.
I've had my share of sand kicked in my face -
But I've come through!

We are the champions, my friends
And we'll keep on fighting, till the end!
We are the champions,
We are the champions,
No time for losers,
'Cause we are the champions - of the world!!

[You best be singing along.]

[B - Later]

[After collapsing into his coffin for the better part of three days, Valvatorez emerges back on campus, wearing a smile of ease and relaxation. The daemon frequently looked intense and focused and driven, but today... no, today he looked quite happy, and relaxed unlike he had ever been. Sure, he was aware there would be much more to do. But the elation of their victory had not yet worn itself out. Today he walked to his office, still in his normal form... but he paused when he reached his door, noticing a new placard on it.

Tyrant Professor Valvatorez, Tenured.

He looked it over, reading it a few times... until he nodded with approval, stepping inside his office to be greeted with a new sight. ...A ridiculous looking portrait hanging on the wall, glaring back at him.]

What is the meaning of this?! I thought I was rid of that awful thing!

[His raised voice made the singing fish on the wall groan and play a distorted tune.]

[C - A Promise Revisited]

[It was still cold and breezy at this time of year in Germany. Better than the bite of winter itself, and the sun was quite high in the sky as he walked through the clearing in the woods, toward the white headstone in the middle of a field of flowers, only a scant few of which had begun to grow again. He carried the same bag he always did in one hand, setting it beside the gravestone as he knelt down in front of it. Producing a new brush from it, he quietly began scrubbing down the slab, removing moss, dirt, pollen, and a few months' worth of debris from it.]

And so, it is done. ...I hope you can forgive me for the choice I made. Even though... I think you would've told me long ago to make it. But while I didn't keep that promise to you... the one that mattered remains. There's still going to be more to do. Though Nightfall failed... the world will keep turning. And so long as it does, I will keep on as I have since that day.

So long as my students, past, present, and those yet to come, work hard to reach for it, the future will be bright and beautiful. ...I only wish... you were here to see it too.

A

[benedetta]

[... Is he really doing this? He's really doing this. Of course he's doing this.]

Professor.

[Why.]

[alreadyhuman]

[ Vivi is, by contrast to most people in the aftermath, brimming with cheer. He can be seen here and there, fetching and carrying and just being helpful, or trying to wholeheartedly brighten people's spirits.

Once things have calmed a little, though, he's content to flop on the grass and not move for hours at a time, just soaking in the sun. He's alive to see the future; there's no better gift anyone could give him than that. ]

grass

[stavros]

[Kokoro sits down next to him with a smile.]

Well done, Vivi. I'm glad to see you here.

[hattersgonnahat]

A.

[The Suneater was defeated, the sky was clearing up (slowly) and was turning into that familiar red shade. And as the sky did, the voice rang out, softly. Puella was not sure if she actually heard or just imagined it, especially with the rest of the noise. Other than, it just felt, off.]

[She wondered if anyone else had noticed it too, though seemed like a strange thing to bring up.]


B. Ain't no party like a bubble wrap party

[As things started to revert back to normal, and the common rooms had started to fill up with bubble wrap from unwrapping valuable belongings, it was only a matter of time until someone gathered as many scraps of it as possible and filled a whole room with it. Deep enough for a child to practically swim through and pop for days on end (Or at least until recycling day comes).]

[This was surely, one of the best days ever. Though maybe not for anyone that can't stand the ceaseless popping.]


C. Several days later...

[It will take so long to repair all the damage the Suneater had caused, but for now, once Puella caught wind that there ware priceless artifacts in the rubble she wanted at least some piece of that action. Thus it wasn't hard to find her near a few areas where the Suneater fell to search around, a pickaxe in one hand and donning a mining helmet that may look familiar to some as the one she used to find meteors.]

[It seemed pretty morbid though, in a way; digging around a giant dragon's corpse. At least most of the bones were large enough that they could be mistaken for very strange peaks, or something. Hopefully, there was no more of that blood left, or anything else to worry about.]

[nor_iron_bars]

[Jailbreak passes Puella on her way out of the giant pile of dragon bones, whistling cheerfully, fulfilling her natural mandate of stealing everything her gay little hands can carry.]

[She nods approvingly as she passes.]

Good instincts, kid.

dumb karaoke night toplevel

[spelleton]

[ Perhaps surprisingly, it's Ekkehardt who organizes this little get-together, 'for old times' sake'. The bar they'd used last time for karaoke in Soleil hasn't gone anywhere, and is more than happy to accept their patronage once again.

Ekkehardt himself doesn't seem particularly self-motivated to sing, but he seems to be basking happily in the company of people he genuinely likes. He's having plenty of fun. ]

[unpocoloco]

[Héctor is not allowed to sing. Not because of anything terrible, not because he feels any guilt. He's not allowed because he's a celebrity now and if he doesn't want this place overrun with fans or the like, he needs to wait until everyone's had their turn. It's the same reason he's not a skeleton on this night.

He doesn't need a machine anyway, just as before, he'll play on his own. The song of choice? An old classic in honor of Garcie and the rest of his time here. And his wife, of course.

He cheers all his friends on from the sidelines, and to Ekkehardt, has to say; I remember when we sang la Seinne. I think I know why you chose that now. Having been to death's river and back and all.

He finds himself laughing much of the night. And it occurs to him again, besides his primos, besides the family he's going home with, he might have made just one more family.

It's that thought that eventually has him sing and play just a snippet of an old song, one he decided he didn't want anymore... but one he thinks he can use now. With some adjustment.]

...To be here with you tonight brings me joy, que alegria
For this music is my language, and my world es mi familia
For this music is my language, and my world es mi familia
For this music is my language...

...And you guys are mi familia.

[He smiles softly into the mic.]

Goodnight, everyone.

[shockingblue]

[A - Immediate Aftermath]

[Gunvolt stared at the rising sun, the whispered, distant thanks from a voice he could scarcely place. Though it was familiar... it sounded much like the feeling he had in the darkest of hours, the one that told him to press on with all his might. Was it the same voice, though? He couldn't tell.

Either way, the sunrise cast shadows against the towering pillars of bone that was once the magnificent, imperial, and terrible Suneater.

He had never felt this tired. Somehow, he managed not to Overheat and short out through all of that... but he felt like he couldn't even make a static shock. Completely and utterly depleted, it felt like it took effort just to stand.

Morpho hung over his shoulder, the hologram looking with him to the dawn of a new day. The first day... of the rest of all of their lives.]

It's... beautiful.

And the sun will continue to rise, now and forever. ...That's what this was all for. This moment. And every one after.

[The Candle smiled brightly... and his legs promptly gave out beneath him. He collapsed onto his back, and looked up to the sky, laughing, with tears welling in his eyes.]

...We saved the world. We just saved the world and all I want is a shower and to sleep for a year.

[B - After]

[Gunvolt had been dragged off to the infirmary for fluids, rest, and treatment, and thankfully, he was released relatively quickly. A day or two after the foiling of Nightfall, he could feel his powers return, and with that a lot of his vitality. With classes still out, Gunvolt took the time... to actually not work out of a sense of obligation for the first time in forever. He sought out his friends and the faculty he respected... looking to check on them and give them his thanks.

The boy seemed to have a lighter step, back more upright and blue eyes more vibrant than ever. In his arms after stopping in the library appeared to be more books on runic artificing. Even if he wasn't 'working' right now, he clearly had some new project in mind for the future. He has those books under his arm when he finally finds you.]

Hey! How're you recovering?

[C - A New Name (Private to Ky)]

[There'd been something Gunvolt had been thinking about for some time. Something he could only ask Ky in private, after everything had happened. He'd asked the Academy to potentially look into his family history after the incident with Sumeragi, and when the data files about him as Subject Jupiter came to light. The Academy was never able to find anything in regards to his immediate family; parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, whatever else. Incomplete data and scrying failures, and even powerful Seers had a difficult time piercing the mystery of Gunvolt's heritage or lineage. For all intents and purposes, the Candle had no discernible family going back generations. Centuries.

It was a very lonely feeling. He knew he didn't pop out of the air, but that clues were so scarce that even the best struggled to find them... that was a challenge. And difficult news to swallow. That was, until finally, someone got a hit. A vision, dating back hundreds of years, to some sort of family tree... leading back to seeing a strangely familiar face. A certain knight templar, one lost to time. Best as could be put together, Gunvolt might've been descended from one of Ky's relatives.

He figured the Academy had told Ky separately, but... at this point their family bond was so distant how much of it existed by blood probably didn't even matter. But...

Gunvolt knocked on Ky's door.]

Hey, uh... can we talk? I have... something I need to ask.

[D - A Wildcard Option]

[Want something a little more personal with this guy? Hit me up here.]

B

[unlogic]

[Gunvolt bounced back from a lot of things slightly faster than most, so he was going to be released sooner than Desidera was. However, the infirmary staff decided to let her go with him instead of keeping her there, under the condition that she continue to take things easy for a bit longer, which mostly meant her usual training and tutoring sessions were being put on hold—not that there's any particularly pressing need for those now, anyway.

Eventually, after Gunvolt's done checking up on various friends, he's back in their dorm room checking on her.

So, how's she holding up?]

I'm bored. [Being removed from her usual routine certainly is a Thing.] How long did Becky say I needed to keep resting? At least two more days?

[improbablenotimpossible]

A. Breaking Day
[Light.

Light is coming, the warmth - he can't remember the last time he seen it... dawn. He doesn't say anything, casting his eyes to horizon, smiling briefly.

Before he suddenly collapses into a vampire's stupor.]

Afternoon
[Well, that was embarrassing, but he didn't care - though as he gets up, he has to get his bearings, looking around]

...Well, that was worth it - I hope I didn't alarm anyone.

afternoon

[stavros]

Ah, good to see you're well! I must admit it was somewhat of a scare.

[voidbug]

[The ground was littered with so much rock, debris, and bone as the battle end. Hard to imagine how anything could have survived and yet, after a short while a head emerged. ...What is it with this poor bug having to constantly dig themselves out of holes?]

[On the bright side, whatever they had been fighting before the Suneater's defeat was likely crushed under all the weight. Not small enough to find a safe gap to hide in until it was safe to come out.]

[bxbxbxbx]

[In the immediate aftermath, while watching the sun rise, Katida looks equal parts exhausted and lost in thought; she's played her part here with a specific future goal in mind, but the more she actually thinks about it, the less she's sure about actually doing it.


Later, she's returned to the dorms and can be found lounging about in the second floor's common room in Lumière, not doing anything in particular except for slowly working her way through an entire apple pie.]

[arcadianvampire]

[Eventually, as the sun rises Valvatorez locates one of the other students, seemingly a million miles away from the moment. Either way, he calmly walks up to stand beside her.]

It's beautiful, isn't it?

[He's well aware of the irony of a vampire calling the sunrise beautiful.]

I know that some in the Outlands may think today is an unrecoverable disaster. But in truth... I think this may have saved them from themselves.

ARCADE TIME

[buddinghopes]

[Several days later, once everyone's sufficiently rested, Lia and Gunvolt put their idea for a celebration into action. They're grabbing everyone they can to go to the arcade!!!

Also there's going to be so much goddamn pizza. So much.]

[stavros]

[Kokoro hits up the food table throughout the night. Predictably, she's probably going to try every kind they have at some point, even if she isn't sure who ordered the onions-and-anchovies pizza.]

You have my thanks! Though is this not a bit extravagant for a party? Then again, we are Daybreak...

[Regardless, it's time for games, and she's come to win! Or at least attempt. So you can find her racking up points at the shooting games, stumbling over herself at he full-body games like Swamp Stomp and DDR, and... Okay, she just scored for the other cabinet at the basketball game.]

...aim may still be an issue.

[bolderfell]

(A)ll's Well That Ends Well

[Not immediately, but a couple hours after the final battle, Therion can be found sitting wistfully in the quad, holding his healing side gingerly and nursing a mug of apple cider.

For once, it seems he's glad to bask in the morning sun rather than slip into the shadows.]

(B)ye-bye, Daybreak Academy

[That doesn't last long, though. At sunset, silhouetted against orange, purple, and the school's beautiful white stone, Therion stands before the gate with all he needs at the bottom of his backpack. His hoodie's sleeve is pushed up; he stares at the rune-engraved cuff on his wrist with an unreadable look.

Then, without ceremony, he simply moves his arm--and blinks right through the Fool's Bangle. It drops to the stone, and he watches in silence as it rolls away.]

...See you.

[He addresses that to no one and steps outside.]