[Fourth Wall Finale] Day: Break

[thewatchers]

[Fourth Wall Finale] Day: Break
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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]

Yes... Of course this is best for the world. It's what we've strived for. And evil may yet exist in this world as it always has. Perhaps that's the only thing to do.

...though I wouldn't mind doing soe more normal things on occasion, too.

[buddinghopes]

Evil may still exist in the world, but we're also still here to do something about it.

... Normal things, huh? Got anything in mind?

[stavros]

This is where I must admit that I have no idea where to start, save for perhaps going into town to that arcade again or something.

[buddinghopes]

We should do that! Maybe we could get a few of the other students and make a proper celebration out of it. We do have a new dawn to celebrate, and a whole lifetime ahead of us, after all.

[stavros]

I suspect it'll be popular -- that and everything else that lets one celebrate!

[buddinghopes]

Yeah! Once I've gotten some of my energy back, maybe I should cook for the occasion.

[Like she needs the excuse...]

[stavros]

Don't you do that regularly regardless?

[buddinghopes]

Still! Isn't now the time to go all out? I'll get the rest of the cooking club to help if they want!

[stavros]

I would be glad to help, but I must admit my home ec grades are... lacking.

[buddinghopes]

Hey, I'd definitely be happy for the help. And you know, if you ever want help with your home ec grade...

[stavros]

You have my thanks. The last time we did a project, my pickles were deemed unfit for human consumption.

[buddinghopes]

Oh dear...

[Does. Does she want to know.]

Well, you won't have to worry about that with my help, I promise!

[stavros]

[Turns out pickles are really easy to screw up!]

I'm in your debt, Lia. I swear to you.

[buddinghopes]

Don't think of it as a debt or anything! I'm just happy to help a friend.

[stavros]

I'm serious! But you have my thanks regardless. I promise you I'll do my best.

[buddinghopes]

[Fistpump! It's not as vigorous as it normally would be--she's still pretty damn tired, but it's clear she's still pretty excited.

The victory over Nightfall is still pretty damn energizing, all things considered.]

[stavros]

[yawn] At least class is cancelled today... I slept nearly the whole day, and I'm still tired.

[buddinghopes]

[And that yawn causes Lia to yawn in turn.]

Tell me about it... But we were up for a full day. Even without the fight, that'd be enough to make me want to sleep way more... And then I dumped all my magic into that fight...

[stavros]

I fear we won't be back to normal for a full week at least.

[buddinghopes]

Oh, definitely not. At least the teachers will take it easy on us for the week, since they're probably worn out too.

[stavros]

I suspect they'll be sleeping too... remember that time Mr. Gehring slept in his coffin for days on end?

[buddinghopes]

Yeah, I definitely remember that.

[stavros]

Speaking of whom, it's hard to believe he's going away after this.

[buddinghopes]

Seriously! I still can't believe it... It's gonna be weird not seeing him around all the time...

[stavros]

I know. Though surely he has business at home... him and everyone else who's leaving now that Nightfall is done.