Then Marie smiled, leading Reinhard to blink.

Marie walked forward with confidence, her platinum hair swaying before she stopped directly in front of Dune, who looked at her with obvious interest.

"My Golden Age is being on an adventure with everyone," Marie said, her voice clear and certain. "I wasn't allowed out for a while before, but for the past six months, I have been experiencing so many new things that take my breath away."

Her light-gold eyes shined with genuine joy. "Sure, I have experienced stuff that made me shiver, that scared me, that disgusted me, and made me want to run away... But I am thankful for all of those experiences. Even now, the adventure I am on with everyone is the greatest thing in my life."

Dune tilted his head. "Are you saying there will never be anything greater than this for you?"

Marie shook her head immediately. "Who says our Golden Age must be just one thing? Or that the Golden Age can't continue to grow and evolve?" She smiled, the expression radiant. "I am sure in the future my Golden Age will grow into something more, and what I take pride in will grow even more."

Dune's laughter echoed through the chamber as he shook his head, and he nodded with a faint smile. "What a good Golden Age that is." He gestured toward the barrier. "Go ahead and claim the Star Jewel."

…

Marie nodded with a beaming smile before she walked toward the golden barrier, and her hand reached out, fingers extending.

The moment she touched the barrier, light rushed over her in a golden radiance that made her entire form glow. The barrier shone brighter, responding to something within her as she began thinking of her Golden Age.

Going on adventures with everyone has been the greatest and best thing in my life! The opportunity to visit different towns and areas was a blast, all of us working together to fulfill promises, and save a city was amazing.

And it's these feelings that continue pushing me to go on more adventures regardless of the obstacles.

The golden light shone even more on her before she felt a pat on her shoulder as if it was accepting her. Before then, multiple hands pushed her forward in recognition, leading her to move past the barrier.

Marie entered the sacred space before approaching the altar with steady steps, her boots creating soft echoes in the vast chamber.

The spectral figures kneeling around it began trembling, their golden robes began shining a light glow the closer she got.

Once Marie reaches the Star Jewel, she reaches out, and the moment her skin touches the orb, she shivers violently.

Images exploded into her mind.

The City of Melo appeared before her, it wasn't ruined or broken like the one outside, but shining under the sunlight.

The golden buildings were pristine, their surface polished, and the streets looked astounding to walk through.

It had people wearing clothes of white and gold, their faces bright with contentment.

Children ran through courtyards, laughing as they played games that had been lost to time. Elders sat on benches carved from marble, watching everyone with faint smiles or reading a book.

Marie felt their happiness like a warmth spreading through her chest.

The vision transformed before her eyes.

Streets burst with celebration, with golden banners fluttering from balconies while musicians played melodies and loud noises.

Musicians played wooden instruments at every corner while dancers moved in patterns, their bodies moving beautifully. The tables filled with fruits, steaming breads, and tender meats.

Every plate remained full, every handheld something to eat.

Marie watched strangers embrace like old friends, their faces open and unguarded. Children tugged at adults who weren't their parents but who bent down anyway, listening as if each word mattered.

A woman stumbled, and three strangers rushed to steady her, asking after her comfort long after she'd regained her balance.

When an elderly man needed to cross the busy square, the crowd parted naturally, offering support without being asked.

The vision shifted to a massive construction site. Men and women hauled stones together, their voices rising in song that seemed to make the heavy loads lighter. A young worker stumbled beneath a timber twice his size, but before he could fall.

Others rushed to shoulder the burden alongside him, their movements fluid and instinctive.

When the final beam settled into place, a collective roar of triumph echoed across the city, no single voice distinguishable from the chorus of unity.

Marie blinked back tears as she stared at the pinnacle of human cooperation, a treasure now buried beneath centuries.

Golden Warriors walked through the streets in formation while crowds lined both sides, cheering and throwing flowers. The knights waved back, smiling beneath their helms. Children ran alongside them, pretending to be warriors themselves. The knights reached the city gates, passing through toward the forest beyond.

The vision shifted to harbor. Silver-colored ships sat in water that sparkled impossibly blue.

They were magnificent vessels with people loading them with supplies, preparing for journeys. Then the ships departed, sailing toward the horizon. Marie somehow knew they were heading to the Aya continent, seeking trade and knowledge.

Then she saw those same ships returning, holds filled with special minerals and materials gleaming with exotic colors. She saw merchants trading fairly, both sides benefiting equally.

She saw craftsmen working the new materials into jewelry, tools, and art that would last centuries.

Then she saw storytellers in public squares. They wove tales that captivated audiences of all ages.

Musicians played instruments that created harmonies, historians sat in libraries, documenting everything, and preserving knowledge.

Writers creating stories and songs and tales that would echo through generations even after their civilization fell.

Marie felt overwhelming pride radiating from the vision, while these people knew they were creating something special. They knew their Golden Age deserved to be remembered.

Then the ground shook before the Vegetation burst from the earth without warning, as plants grew at impossible speeds.

Later roots began spreading through the streets, confusing the people and frightening them. They'd never seen anything like this.

Then roots rose from the ground, reaching for buildings, for people, for everything. Terror spread through the crowd like wildfire.

Wails pierced the air as mothers scooped up children mid-stride, fathers formed human shields, and elders stumbled toward any sanctuary.

But the Golden Warriors rushed forward. They charged toward the roots with weapons raised, courage blazing in their hearts. No hesitation, no retreat, and they would protect their people or die trying.

Marie felt their determination like steel in her spine.

Night fell.

Night Terrors emerged from the shadows, with there being countless shadowy forms with glowing white eyes, moving with predatory intent.

They swarmed through streets, overwhelming defenses through sheer numbers.

Yet even as roots and Night Terrors came, even as their city crumbled around them, the Golden Warriors and Forerunners didn't run.

They continued pushing back, fighting with everything they had. Their voices rose in a unified cry that echoed through collapsing buildings.

"Our Golden Age will never end! It will only be suppressed for a while before erupting out and returning!"

Marie felt their conviction. Their absolute belief that what they'd built was worth any sacrifice.

That what they had created would outlast even this cataclysm, that their light would shine again through generations yet unborn.

That future generations would carry their light forward.

Marie blinked before the visions vanished, and she stood in the chamber again with Star Jewel gripped firmly in her hands. The orb felt warm against her palms, pulsing with contained power.

She moved backward, stepping away from the altar. As she did, the golden robe figures that had been kneeling all slowly looked up at her. Through their robes, Marie saw them smiling at her with warmth and a proud smile.

Then they began fading before their voices echoed out in harmony, filling the chamber. "We wish you all luck... in finishing what we couldn't."

Marie watched in surprise as they dissolved completely, light scattering like golden snow. The barrier surrounding the altar began peeling away, layers of energy unraveling, and falling away like curtains being drawn.

The others rushed toward her immediately. Reinhard reached her first, his light blue eyes scanning for injury.

Joseph was right behind, green eyes concerned. Brunhilde moved with them, ready to heal if needed.

"Are you okay?" Multiple voices asked at once.

Marie giggled before grinning. "I am!"

Dune laughed in a delighted sound. "Congratulations! But I am curious what you want with the Star Jewel. You don't have to tell me if you-"

Marie smiled, turning to face the spectral commander. "We wished to carry on your fight, Commander Dune. We wish to carry on the gift your people left for us."

Dune raised a brow. "And what gift is that?"

Marie's smile widened, becoming radiant. "The will to never give up. And that one day, Eastern Hesod will overcome the Dark Silence."

Dune blinked before his entire form shivered, arms crossed, and a faint smile appeared on his face. "I see... How interesting!" He chuckled again. "Then, alright… Go ahead. We, the Forerunners people, will be right behind you all. If you need our help, then call us out and we shall appear once more to help out!"

Dune began fading, his form growing transparent.

But his laughter continued echoing through the chamber, then he was gone, and only silence remained.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.