Clari kneeled on a bluff overlooking the village of Discord, gasping for breath. He may had escaped the worst of Bass's second attack, but what little that he had absorbed felt as if he was killing him. The pain was horrible. However, it could not even compare to the pain in Clari's heart. He did not stand a chance in a fight against Bass, and neither did the people of Discord.

Gathering his strength, Clari tried to get to his feet. However, his legs gave out on him, and he collapsed to the ground. This time he did not have the strength to get up. Instead, he relaxed, allowing the soothing darkness and comforting silence of oblivion to overtake him. At last, he would be with Queen Horn.

"Clari?" a soft voice whispered, disturbing the silence. Clari opened his eyes, to find himself floating above his body. He looked to where the voice had come from, and found himself face to face with his beautiful, but dead, queen.

"Horn-sama!" Clari gasped, and was immediately faced with a dilemma. Proper manners called for him to kneel in her presence, but it was impossible to do so since he was floating in midair.

"There is not time for formalities," Queen Horn said, regarding him with serious eyes. "Clari, is it truly your wish to die?"

"Horn-sama, I am so tired. I do not think I can go on," Clari said wearily.

"It is not yet your time, Clari. However, if it is your wish to cross over, then I can do nothing to stop you," Queen Horn said. She gazed at the village below. As Clari looked, he noticed that the lights were gradually going off. "Even now, the Hell King is setting his evil plans into motion. There is no hope for the people of the village. Their fates have been written. However, the fates of others is balanced on your choice. This girl, for instance," Queen Horn gestured toward Phi. "If she awakens to find you dead, she will return to Discord to seek help. She will only find a dead village, and her own doom. If you do not survive this night, many more will die, before Bass is able to open the box and release the mazoku. Then, there will be no hope for humanity at all.

"It is not your time to die, Clari. However, if you wish it, I will show you the way to eternity. You have lead a good life, and you have earned your reward. However, if you choose to come with me, you must know that millions will soon follow. The mazoku will have won," Queen Horn's eyes flickered with sadness, as she turned to gaze at Clari again.

"Horn-sama, I..." Clari had never known pain like what he felt right now. "I...."

Meanwhile, the stillness of eternity began to fade. Once again, Clari could hear the wing in the trees and the creatures of the night as they went about their business all around them. He felt himself lowing toward his still, mortal form.

"You have made your choice," Queen Horn said softly. Clari's spirit disappeared in the body, and it once again began to breath, as if he was in nothing more than a deep sleep.

"This is not farewell forever, my friend," Queen Horn said. Sadly, she reached down and lightly touched his face with ethereal fingers. "I will be with you during this upcoming battle."

*****

Clari opened his eyes and stared up at the sky. The memory of his ordeal that had taken place a few minutes ago was already beginning to fade. Yet he could not let the mazoku win.

With a groan, he slowly got to his feet and went to the edge of the bluff. he gazed down at the city, noting with sadness that almost all of the lights had gone out. Queen Horn was right. There was no hope for them.

With a heavy sigh, he stumbled over to Phi's unconscious form and picked her up. His magic was exhausted, so there was no way that he could teleport them directly to Sforzendo. Yet he had to get her to safety, away from the village. With slow steps, he began to walk away from Discord.

*****

Queen Horn's spirit stood upon the bluff, watching as Clari walked away from the village, bearing the girl away with heavy steps to a new fate. Queen Horn lowered her head and turned to face the village. As she watched, the final light in Discord went out. Discord would sleep for eternity now, unaware of the war that would soon take place. Yet from their deaths, a new hope would spring forth. The hope was in Clari now, and in the girl, Phi Colo. May they now sow the seeds of that hope and let it grow.