The King's Beloved

~ [Music Recommendation: "The Sea of Eden" by Yasunori Mitsuda (Chrono Cross OST) - available in Spotify or Youtube] ~ Please listen to it in loop while you read this part to experience the utmost beauty of this scene ~

"La~ La~ La~ La~" the voice sang a melody without lyrics but its message reverberated to the depths of the soul of anyone who would listen. "Come, follow me," it said without words.

As everyone felt it in their hearts, they followed the enchanting voice. It led towards the ocean. When their feet touched the water, it parted into two, making the white ocean floor a pathway for them to walk on. The ocean water became walls, and the sea creatures didn't dare cross beyond it. The team followed the path which led deeper into the ocean. 

When they walked a couple of hundred meters, the ocean floor led downwards, through a staircase. From afar, they saw a dazzling temple made of different colored gems, and covered by underwater plants and corals. Upon seeing it, Luna hurried towards the door to begin deciphering the words to unlock it. Rania, Elliot, and Ducis followed her while the other guardians went back to Elliot's Zweihänder.

Like the other doors before this one, the letters carved on it were the same format. Luna could easily decipher them now. And the words on the door said:

"Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."

"Another puzzle," Luna assessed after reading the words. Then, the door opened, producing a loud tremor on the ocean floor, scattering all the nearby sea creatures.

Without further ado, they entered the temple and headed to the innermost room. To their surprise, a beautiful mermaid awaited them, sitting on the stairs towards the altar of the blue crystal. She had long, red orange hair, very much in contrast to the blue surroundings, and her mermaid tails were made of blue and white scales, combined to form a beautiful pattern. Her complexion was pale and one could easily notice she wasn't wearing anything to cover her chest, except for her long hair and necklace made of white pearls.

"You have surpassed such a great ordeal, oh Anointed King," the mermaid greeted Elliot. 

Hearing her voice, everyone thought the same thing - it was her! The one that they heard singing from the shore. Her voice was still enchanting and the way she spoke was very gentle, polite, and calm.

"I'm glad you made it," the mermaid continued, smiling towards Elliot, then, unto the others. Noticing Elliot's faintly troubled mind, she asked, "Is there anything you wish to ask me, Anointed King?"

"Yes, in fact I do have something I always wanted to ask," Elliot confessed.

"Feel free to ask".

"I've always wondered … what happens to those anointed kings that didn't surpass the trials?"

Ducis was startled by his sudden question. With a heavy sigh, he answered him, "Since they still have free will, the other anointed who failed the tests were given the opportunity to return to their homes and live as normal Magi. There were a few unlucky ones who got lured in and trapped in the other guardian's realms, and also a very few who … died trying". His voice grew softer and softer on every word he said until the last one was almost inaudible.

"It was truly heartbreaking to see an anointed fail the trials," the mermaid continued for Ducis. "But it would be more heartbreaking should we become lenient. They were anointed for a reason - to rule an entire planet - that is not a task to be taken lightly. Also, most of the reasons why they do not pass is because they lacked something. It could either be faith, or love, or hope to the Supreme, or other weaknesses they have".

Ducis nodded in agreement.

"You see, let's take faith as an example," the mermaid added. "Faith doesn't work one way, it should be two-way. The Supreme can choose and believe on people whom He sees the heart has what it takes … but then, if that person doesn't believe in himself, or have faith in himself, then it disqualifies the faith that the Supreme has placed in him, making the faith itself … not be connected.

Same goes for other qualities. The Supreme could be patient with us, but if we're not patient with ourselves, then it's all for nothing. The Supreme could be merciful to us, graceful to us, and other things, but if we don't do the same for ourselves, then it is nothing. Especially love … the Supreme could love us but if we don't love ourselves, then its changing powers won't work in our lives".

"I see …," Elliot mumbled. "In that case, can I ask that you free all those that have been trapped in the realms?"

Ducis and the mermaid were startled while Rania and Luna looked proud towards Elliot.

"T-that's … but," the mermaid was at a loss for words. Like a gentle ripple on lake water, her calm face showed a hint of shock. One could guess she never expected to hear such a request.

"Did the Supreme tell you to trap His anointed inside the realm if they fail?" Elliot asked. His words weren't only directed to the mermaid but unto all the other guardians as well. Realizing his call, the other guardians went out of the Zweihänder to face him.

"I understand what you meant master … but they failed," Caligo tried to reason out.

"I have always let go of those who failed," Terra pondered to herself, puzzled by what's happening, "So you mean, the others didn't?"

Fauna agreed with Terra, "I have never trapped anyone inside my realms".

Saburra raised his hand, "I … am guilty of trapping quite a few who failed. But they -"

"-You trapped someone?" Ventus was appalled. "And here I am, who never tested anyone but imparted lessons instead".

The guardians started discussing and arguing against each other.

"Everyone, calm down," Elliot silenced them. "I am not blaming anyone of you for your decisions. As to why you have decided to trap them in your realms, I don't care whatever reasons they are". 

The guardians trembled at his voice. They felt electricity running through their spines as they listened closely to him.

Looking at each guardian's golden eyes, Elliot continued, "One of the lessons I learned from the Supreme in this trial I just went through, is to NEVER let our past define who we are and who we will become. So for those who failed the trials - yes, they failed, but let them free. Do not contain them, do not trap them. Because that is the same as condemning them for not meeting a standard that was laid before them …

Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. But failing once doesn't mean they'll fail forever. One or two or three or even a thousand failures, doesn't define who they are as a person. After all, they were initially chosen by the Supreme - it meant that their hearts were in the right direction. Surely, they were challenged but I'm sure they have already regretted everything and blamed themselves for the amount of years that they are trapped …

But … that captivity ends here!

I ask all of you. Set them FREE!"

Every guardian was speechless. They couldn't refute any words that he said. There was this warm feeling in their chest, like a wildfire telling them to "obey" him. Never had they experienced such things … only with the Supreme himself … but somehow, Elliot gave them the exact same feeling.

Without any more rebuttal, all the guardians nodded their heads and disappeared, unto their realms, and freed all the previously anointed Magi. Finally being free of their captivity, the previously anointed ones were overjoyed and thanked the current generation's Anointed King, Elliot. The guardians helped them go back to Gaia, and unto their respective towns. Though most people in their timelines were long gone and the planet felt unfamiliar to them, the freedom gave them hope to change their way of living and let the failure be their teacher. At last, they decided to move on and forward.

Ducis and the mermaid were overjoyed by Elliot's decision. While the other guardians were busy following his command, the mermaid gave her blessings to Elliot.

"My name is Aqua,

And I am the Seventh Gate.

As the Guardian of Water,

In my heart, shines Peace.

Thou hast been tested,

And evil, I found nought.

Therefore, thou shalt receiveth mine blessings.

I shalt be with thou,

And thou shalt be with me".

And yet another power had been added to Elliot's Zweihänder.

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