.Hack//Epitaph of Twilight Volume2 Episode9

Episode 9//Twilight Dragon

The sound of the horn echoing around them was somehow both powerful and delicate at the same time. And as every race that lived in this world united to fight against a common enemy― those tones both comforted all who heard them and filled them with an intense heat that urged them to act.

“Protect the lake at all costs!”

With Apeiron’s call as the signal, the spirits all began to charge at the wave. Their goal was to prevent the waves from getting too close, so they had to strike back against them as far away from the lake as they could manage.

This was a battle with their very existence at stake. But the wave’s attack also came with a new level of ferocity. Neither spell nor sword seemed to have any effect, and both spirits and humans were swallowed up without being able to do anything at all. They fell one after another, happening so quickly that no spirit could even try to heal them.

Given no chance to counterattack, they were mercilessly swallowed up by the wave, and not even the humans’ artillery had any effect on the blubbery form of the wave.

Nevertheless, they had to fight.

Their monarchs watched from a small hill as they fought in what now amounted to a suicide charge. “Is it impossible after all……?” Apeiron muttered as the sword in his hand began to tremble. “We cannot let them fight alone any longer. Let’s move.”

Apeiron urged his aides, Fili and Papi, but Helba stopped Apeiron with a question as she watched the front lines. “Do you have a plan?”

“Not at all. Of course I don’t have a plan.” Abandoning any sense of decorum, Apeiron turned on his heels and leaned in towards Helba. “What sort of plan could repel something like that? We no longer have time to wait for the trump card known as the Twilight Dragon. And I cannot stand by any longer and watch my fellows fall.”

“And you call yourself the king of a nation…… it’s pathetic.”

“What about me is pathetic?! What is so wrong with me refusing to remain on the sidelines at a time like this?”

In response to Apeiron’s question, Helba broke character for the first time and raised her voice. “It is precisely at times like this that we must remain calm and observe! It would be pointless for you to rush in blindly; and if those below saw their king act in that way, they would lose their direction.”

“……”

“Bith, are you prepared?” Standing behind Helba as he listened to the conversation, Bith answered in affirmation. “Then go. Encourage those on the front lines.”

Without a word, Bith nodded and flew towards the front lines. “Bith!” Fili called out to him, but he did not turn or respond to him. “King Apeiron! Please let me go as well.”

“What……?”

“He is exceptional, but once he gets riled up, he loses focus. Having traveled with him up till now, I know this better than anyone. So let me go to support him.”

Meeting Fili’s determined gaze, Apeiron reluctantly agreed to his request. And in response, Fili smiled.

“Fili,” But Pleiad looked to him with concern in her eyes.

So, taking the necklace the she had given him― Fili placed it back around Pleiad’s neck instead. “You are the one who truly deserves to wear this necklace. You are not helpless.”

Growing frantic, Pleiad shook her head. “No, you’re wrong!” She said, yet Fili’s smile did not waver.

“I’m going now.” And without saying anything more than that― Fili flew out after Bith.

The front lines were already in complete disarray. Some fought, many fled, and other simply gave up and stood still…… and all looked up to the skies as they were enveloped by thick clouds.

Why had these waves appeared? If not for these waves, they may have been able to put up a real fight.



However, such wishes were not granted.



At the same time― having finally met with the Twilight Dragon, the Little Witch’s group were in despair as they spoke with them. The Twilight Dragon had told them of the long history which had been repeated without end, and how it was something that could not be overturned no matter how hard they tried.

And so, the shadow-bearers despaired. What had their journey been for? They could no longer see the purpose of it.

Before the now speechless shadow-bearers, the Twilight Dragon let out a mighty roar, and as if vaporized, the shadow-bearers disappeared.



The wave knew no retreat. Without hesitation, it swallowed up spirits and humans alike.

“Is this the end……?” Right before Apeiron’s eyes, he saw the Alba Lake – shrine to the Twilight Dragon – dried up by the wave’s corrosion.

“Don’t give up!” Yet from the hill, Helba called out to all who could still hear her. “Press on. This is the final battle……” She told them, and Magi nodded next to her.

Then, the spirit brought by Bith and Fili – who had remained silent all this time – finally began to move. Casting off the robe that covered their body, a spell staff with the shape of a key came into view.

“?” Mystified, Apeiron sensed something ominous about that staff as it produced a sharp ringing sound. “Get out of the way!”

The spirit swung the spell staff. Though it had seemed like it was aiming at the wave, its assault was unleashed on the spirits and humans instead. Suddenly caught between the wave before them and the attack from the spirit they had believed to be an ally― the panic reached a fever pitch.

Then the wave began to shimmer, and the light that came from it flew up towards the heavens. It was an incredible sight, as if those who had been swallowed up by it were ascending.

“Why……” Helba asked, but she received no answer to her question.

Everyone in this place was assaulted by the combined powers of the wave and this mysterious spirit― and then became a light and disappeared.

It truly was a magnificent sight, as one by one, the lights faded into the sky. And when they were all gone― all that was left was a dried up lake, an empty land, and a loan spirit floating in the silence.



Past this point, no more is known, as it was never written.

After discovering the Twilight Dragon, I returned to the top of the peninsula― or rather, the top of the Twilight Dragon’s head.

“What was that ringing sound?” With a look of astonishment on his face, Gendor stared out in the direction that the sound had come from. “Gendor, what is it?”

“That was the king’s horn.”

“King’s horn?” I asked, and Lilith gave me a simple explanation.

The king’s horn was an ancient instrument that the humans played when fighting spirits. It was said that the sound of it had the power to make their enemies cower while inspiring their allies.

“But why would the humans use it now?”

“I couldn’t say.”

“The king must have come to fight, too.”

“But I thought this had nothing to do with the humans.”

“I know, but I’m sure they’re fighting. Trust me.” Gendor said, then knelt down and struck the ground – or rather – the Twilight Dragon’s head.

“Hurry! ……Please, you have to hurry.” Again and again, Gendor repeated his strikes until his fists grew red with pain and he began to cry while on his knees. “Everyone will die.”

Losing his energy, Gendor dropped on the spot, unable to keep hitting it. We had just been watching Gendor in a daze for a moment, but eventually, Lilith and I came to our senses and started slapping the ground in the same way.

For a long while, we continued like that, “Has the time come……?” Until finally, I heard a voice from somewhere. I couldn’t quite tell where it was coming from though, whether from below, above, or just from inside my own head.

It was very similar to what I had experienced when hearing the voice of that frozen spirit, but this time, I wasn’t the only one who could hear it. Both Lilith and Gendor were looking around as if they had heard it too.

“Where are you?!” Lilith stood up and shouted into the air. “Show yourself!”

“It would not be possible for you and me to speak face to face, I’m afraid.” The mysterious voice answered Lilith.

“Are you the Twilight Dragon?”

“Did you all not come here searching for me?” A wry chuckle accompanied that question

“That’s right. Please, you must hurry to help everyone.”

“I cannot.”

(Huh……?)

I couldn’t believe my ears, but I was sure that I hadn’t misheard them. “I cannot do this.”

“But the legend said that you would!” Like a burning fire, Lilith quickly grew enraged.

“Lilith, is it……? Could you recount the legend once more?”

We all exchanged a look, then recalled the legend as we knew it.

When the Cursed Waves appear― three shadow-bearers will set out in search of the Twilight Dragon that will save the world of spirits.

“There, see? It says that you are going to save our world!”

“Precisely. It says that I will save the world. But it does not say that I will save you. O, little ones― do you not understand what that means?”

“What are you saying?” I looked all around me.

Saving the world wasn’t the same as saving us? I couldn’t quite piece together what the difference was supposed to be.

“I am so very tired.”

“?”

“Even so, you probably do not understand.” With that as a preamble, the Twilight Dragon continued to speak, and told us of a shocking truth. “You lot were born― as spirits, you have a long, long history. But now, there shouldn’t be a single spirit left from that beginning.

“But you know this much, don’t you?

“From the moment of your birth, you have been divided into Light and Darkness. And over countless years, you have clashed many times. Until the Cursed Waves appeared, you never tried to reach a compromise― not even once.

“You could have changed your ways while you were alive, but you did not. Your numbers did not increase, only more of the same spirits were born again. Then by chance, the powerless race of humans were born, but they were unable to change things, and the conflicts continued.

“All they need have done was evolve. What I desired was not a change to the system, but to the individuals.

“But unfortunately― it is too late to hope for that now. Once again, in order to be born anew, you must be returned to nothingness.”

Despite the Twilight Dragon’s relaxed tone of voice, their words carried an incomprehensible weight. “The world didn’t turn out the way you wanted, so you’re just going to rebuild it?”

“Precisely.”

“That isn’t funny! We are not your playthings!” Lilith’s harrowing cried echoed throughout the peninsula.

“Then why don’t you tell me. Do you think the world can improve the way it is now? No. The fighting never ends. Light and Darkness are a balance, yet they are convinced that their relationship is one of strife and conflict.”

“……”

“If it were only the battles between Light and Darkness, things could have still improved. But what is the point if you fight even among your own kind?”

Even spirits of Darkness like herself had despised Lilith. And Pleiad was left in isolation by her own sisters despite being bound by blood. The humans also persecuted those with special powers like the spirits…… knowing just how true it all was, Lilith and Gendor fell silent.

“I tire of seeing the world this way.” Then as if finally realizing something, the Twilight Dragon let out a sigh of relief. “Has it begun……?”

My heart raced. I turned to look back in the direction that Fili and Bith had flown off in.

“!” In the distance― countless golden lights were rising into the sky. Flying slowly towards thick clouds.

“There is nothing to be afraid of. They disappear with dreams of rebirth.” The thick clouds began to shimmer, and I was overwhelmed by this wholly unique sight. “O, shadow-bearers. Little heroes with whom I have spoken so many time. Please, do not come here again.”

“What are you……”

“It is as I said. History is repeating itself, you see. I have spoken with you many times now. Just before you were born anew.”

Unable to contain her pent-up anger any longer, Lilith jammed her spell wand into the Twilight Dragon’s head which spread out at her feet. “Don’t screw with me! This is the first time I’ve ever met with or spoken to you!”

“M-me too……”

“You would not remember, of course. The memories were erased.”

(Was the intent I felt in the cave the will of the Twilight Dragon, then?)

A tightening pain welled up within me, and I held a hand to my chest. There was something I needed to remember. I felt certain that I was the only one who could turn this situation around.

“The waves will soon complete their role. And you will sleep peacefully as well.”

“You were behind the waves all along, weren’t you?” Lilith realized, then grabbed my arm. “Let’s go.”

“Go…… go where?”

“To where Bith is. I’m sure that even that dogged queen will see reason once she knows the truth.”

“It is too late.”

“It is not too late!”

“―Bith. That man you love is already gone.”

“Liar! That man wouldn’t die even if you killed him. He would never just disappear on me like that.”

Placing a gentle hand against my back, Gendor spoke. “You should go.”

“Wait…… but, Gendor―”

“I know. I can’t fly, so I’d just be a burden to you and Lilith. That’s why, I’ll stay here.”

“But if you stay here……”

Gendor set his swollen hands against the ground, and dazzling light flooded out from him. “I’ll hold back the Twilight Dragon.”

“You won’t change anything just by repeating the same things you have done before.”

The Twilight Dragon said, though their voice sounded slower now than when it spoke before. So maybe that meant that Gendor’s spell was affecting. “I don’t believe a word you say.” Then after spitting out one last curse, Lilith flew out into the distant sky.

And I―

I couldn’t follow her. I didn’t know why, but I couldn’t.

“Why do you struggle? You should all just return to sleep……”

The peninsula that was the head of the Twilight Dragon shook violently. Then right before my eyes, Gendor suddenly became light and was scattered into the air. And Lilith – heading towards Bith – was disappearing in the distance as well.

“No one wants an ending like this!”

“It is what I want.”

“This world doesn’t just belong to you!” I screamed, and as I did, a string of golden ‘1’s and ‘0’s appeared around me, clinging to my body. I tried to shake them off, but I couldn’t even touch them.

(‘1’s and ‘0’s?)

I― I had heard that phrase somewhere before.

“Why don’t you disappear……?”

Ignoring the Twilight Dragon’s question, I began to think aloud. “What is the point of erasing everything? If you erase our memories, you’d be rebuilding the same spirits with no experience from 0, so wouldn’t history just repeat itself over and over again? It’s only by experiencing various things that we can accumulate knowledge…… and feel deeper emotions. No matter what happens to you, you can start over again as long as you are still alive. That’s what it means to grow.” I wondered if the Twilight Dragon was actually listening to me. “I―”

I wanted to tell them about all the things that I’d experienced since I was born, but when I tried to think back on it, I found nothing there. It wasn’t that I’d forgotten and couldn’t remember― my memory was just completely blank.

“I……”

(Who am I……?)

My mind glazed over, and the Twilight Dragon questioned me again. “Are you not the Little Witch, Saya? Who are you? Why have you not disappeared? Why do you not return to sleep? The Rebirth program should have been triggered……” Program.

‘1’s and ‘0’s.

In my head, someone’s voice echoed through me. It was a warm, gentle voice.

“’1’s and ‘0’s. Working in a world of cutting edge technology―”

A world like that. Words that I had never heard before. It felt as if all the blood in my body was flowing in reverse.

The memories that had gradually faded since I arrived in this world – and had disappeared completely when that spirit’s seal was broken – they all came rushing back to me at the Twilight Dragon’s words.

“I came from outside. I am not Saya – I am Lara Hoerwick!”

“Outside?”

“Yes.” I said, but remembered my promise to Vesper.

(I won’t say anything confusing. I promised.)

“I wandered into this world by mistake. I didn’t know why at first, but now I’m sure it was to persuade you.” The Twilight Dragon roared. “This world could be reset any number of times, but my world is different. We can’t just reset, and to lose our body and go to sleep means we die. I can’t be reborn!”

“……How peaceful that world must be.”

“Not at all. There has always been conflict, and while it might be best if it could disappear, I don’t think that will happen any time soon. And maybe…… maybe sometimes fighting is necessary for us to understand each other.”

“Then why―”

“Because as long as you’re alive, you can start over. Because you can reflect on what you’ve done and use that experience to do better. We only have one life to live― that’s why we struggle to make the most of it. The spirits of this world are like that too, aren’t they? It’s not fair for you to take that away from them because of what you want.”

“……I loved this world. That’s why it would be better to let it be reborn―”

“But you don’t know the fear of losing your memories, do you?”

“……”

I shouted at the now silenced god of this world. “Give them back!”

“……”

“I understand― conflict is awful, so I understand why you want to stop it. But not everyone feels that way. After coming to this world, I learned the importance of friends and of my memories of the past. The spirits and humans I met in this world were all full of compassion. You say you love them, but that’s just your own self-serving declaration! This world belongs to everyone!” Tears began to well up in my eyes. “What you’ve done to them is horrible……”

“Horrible? How? I am thinking of the world……”

“Thinking of the world? You’re wrong. You have to think of all those who live in this world, too. You said earlier that you wanted to see individual change, but it’s meaningless if you don’t actually see them as individuals. You’re the one who needs to change the most……”

“I need to change……?”

I nodded. “If you really love them, and if it’s that important to you, don’t you think it’s just as important for you to watch over them?”

(Just like how Mama and Papa look over me……)

“If things have really gotten out of control, you can just leave. What are you even doing here?! Tell me; don’t you think it’s overbearing to make them all start over from 0 just because they got it wrong? We’ve all been through a lot, but we’ve grown from the experience.”

For a moment, the Twilight Dragon was silent. Then, with a sound like laughter, it seemed to consider what I had said. “……Growth from experience, hm?” The Twilight Dragon muttered, like they were turning my words over in their mind. Then they continued, “I see. Then let us turn back time and allow history to move forward. Let us leave them to do what they can to repair the places that the waves have left empty.”

“Thank you. Thank you for understanding.”

“What you told me― I would like to see what it means to make the most of your experience. That is all.”

“……Right.”

“However, since you know the truth, you could get in the way.”

The moment the Twilight Dragon said that, I heard a familiar rattling sound above my head. It was the sound of typing on a keyboard. “Uncle Harald! He finally noticed.”

The dark sky brightened into twilight.

When Bith and Fili returned― they saw many lights floating around them. It was an incredible sight.

Then the light burned into my brain and my mind went blank until I couldn’t think of anything anymore. And I slowly closed my eyes.

Everything I had experienced in this world flowed through my mind like a revolving lantern. Everything had been new and strange to me.

I hoped that my interaction with this world had changed something……

And with all of that in mind, I fell asleep.

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