PEAK

Aboard the Elmo
“Groza, have you reached the Commander?”
“No… It’s been too long. I have a bad feeling about this.”
“Wait—what’s that in the sky?!”
“!!!”

“Can’t you go any faster?!”
“I’m more anxious than you are!”
Lunasia reached out her hand—though decades had passed, she would never forget…
“Once I’m done, destroy this key.”
“Honestly, why do you all say the same thing? I already told you—I don’t care about keys or Shrikes.”
A blinding light enveloped the Commander, the Dolls, and Jefuty.
“…Thank you, everyone.”
Just before the explosion, they were teleported away from the base.

“Well well well, Father… what an ugly sight.”
The frail Lusica crushed the remaining fragments in her hand.
“No running away now. I bet you hate this… but if you die here, so will I.”

The light faded. They found themselves beside the Elmo.
“Athena, there’s no need to contact the airship anymore.”
“I don’t think we’re ever going back to the Antarctic Union.”
“That’s fine, Mendo. As long as we’re together, it doesn’t matter where we are.”
“So, sis, where do we go now?”
Mendo looked at the Elmo. Something about it felt… familiar.
“If you’re willing, the GRF welcomes you. We can even forge new identities for you.”
The Commander stepped forward.
“We don’t exactly have anywhere else to go.”
“That’s not a bad option, is it?”
“You know… you all owe me a huge favor.”
Noylu ran up to them, her outfit shifting into a pure white dress.
“First off, can I get a change of clothes? This one doesn’t suit me at all.”
“Of course, Miss Noylu.”
“Also… is there anything good to eat? I don’t even remember the last time I had a proper meal.”
“Haha, of course. Alright, everyone, let’s all get inside the Elmo.”
“Jefuty, let’s go.”
“Mm.”
Jefuty took Mendo’s hand.
“Mendo, think of a name.”
“Huh?”
“Hurry.”
…A new identity?
Mond thought for a moment, then glanced up at the sky.
“Cloud.”
“Why?” Jefuty and Lige covered their mouths, trying not to laugh.
“Didn’t you read Cloud when you were little?”
“That’s not the only reason, right? Heh… But, you know, we were thinking the same thing.”
The Commander watched them, recalling the words of someone long ago—
"There is still hope in this world."
—END—