The war intensified. Silos losing all his men now, leaving him alone surrounded by dead bodies. He just standing there silently, furious as he clutch his sword tightly. Nein simply watch at the satisfying results upon him. Silos lost all his army thinking it'll be another easy job and ended up losing.
"Hehe... hahaha. You know what...screw it."
He raise his sword and begin to swings it to clear his way. He's getting closer and closer to the altar as he vent his frustration to the trees.
"Sylva, it's fine now. You can go." He says suddenly.
She's worried but she listen to him and let go of his hand as she retreating, leaving him alone waiting for Solis. And shortly after cutting through the woods, they meet each other. Silos take a step forward, looking at the man Infront of him.
"Are you the mind behind all this?" He ask with grim.
Nein simply smile as he stood up, the chessboard dissipating as he approached slowly.
"You can say that." He says with a smile.
Hearing that, Solis begin to laugh and curses.
"Are you the one who keep interfering with our plan? Back in the Bellona and Elfen?." His voice demanding.
"No. I don't know what you're talking about."
A lie. Nein doesn't want to draw more attention to him, but only for Silos to take it as a challenge and confirmation of there's a group of people like Nein's out there and making a huge discovery.
"Haha, I see. So that's why, then I guess I should give up now." He says while sheathing his sword.
"Where do you think you're going?."
Nein chain immediately lock Solis on his spot.
"Heh, just let it go. We both losing our people in this war. How about we called it a truce this time?" His voice playful.
But Nein remain still. Shortly, the rest of Vastium soldier emerges from the bush and surrounding him with rage in their eyes.
"Tch, do you think this lousy chain can stop-" his words falter.
He's unable to use his ability and is restricted from all action. Others begin to approach making him restless and struggles to escape.
"Stop!. Don't you have shame?. Using dirty tricks is a disgrace to the war!." His voice desperate at Nein behind him.
"In war, it's all about winning."
He lift his finger to cue them to end this now. Watching every details with his own eyes to prevent any mistake.
Ava takes the first blood. Her dagger penetrate deep inside his chest, her eyes filled with anger at her losing her people. Others starting to do the same and slowly killing him with their own hand. His cries filled the forest, a song of revenge and victory.
When the news arrived the people hiding deep in the forest, they begin to cheer and celebrate for their victory setting aside the fact that some people died.
Ava fall to her knees weak and relieved. They won and that's all the matter. All because one man who guide them overcoming their fear. Without knowing the fact he decided this end intentionally.
They begin to clean the battlefield. Taking their fallen comrade to the forest and lie them down on the same empty spot before piling woods above. Sylva sinks the enemies deep into the soil, to make them pay for their destruction and become nutrition for the trees.
After everything's done. Ava walk closer to the pile of wood with a torch, she lit the pile in fire and watch the ember taking her people away with it's warm light. Everyone begin to cries and reminiscing for the lost one.
Away from crowd however, Nein and Sylva sitting on the altar floor in silence. Listening to the soft voice of nature and the amber glow in the distance. She speak first to him.
"Are you okay Nein?."
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"Are you sure."
"Hm."
She look at him, really looking at his tired feature. She move closer and lean her head against his shoulder before closing her eyes.
"You're lying."
"..."
"It's fine. I understand your reason. We both can actually end this war solely by ourselves. But that's not really the solution for this, I know that deep down, you're blaming yourself for this. I understand and that's why, you can let it out to me. I'll stay with you until you feel better."
Her voice kind and gentle beside him, reaching deep inside his heart. With a shaky voice, he begin to sob and cower. Letting out all the burden weighing on his shoulder.
Ava's watching over the distance, hiding behind the trees. Seeing him broken makes her feel bad especially when that's supposed to be her duty. She blame herself for her incompetence and returned to her people, letting him alone with Sylva.
The night goes deeper as the fire finally put. Everyone collect the ash and buries them underneath the trees. They're tired but determine to finished their action making them immediately fall asleep the moment they lay down.
Back to the altar floor, Sylva's using her lap as a pillow for Nein. Letting him lay down while running her finger on his hair, her low hums filled their surrounding with it's calming melody. Her eyes fixed on his peaceful and exhausted feature, feeling warm in her chest the more she look at him.
It's not the first time she feel this as she also had the same feelings for her creator Mundus as well. But this time, it feels different. It's not admiration she feels toward him, but something more... vulnerable. Something that she can't put her mind around it. But all she wants is clear, it's to keep him safe.
She shift slightly and rest his head against the floor before laying down beside him. She watch his side profile fondly as she smiles. Her finger clutching against his chest, feeling the steady beats of his heart. Her tails curls over his legs like a fluffy blanket.
"If...you happen to stray away and lost from your way. Just so you know, I'm here to cheer you up. To help you remember about your goal and reason. Thank you for everything you've done, my savior."
Her voice soft and low, whispering to his sleeping form as she leave a kiss on his cheek and finally closing her eyes to sleep.
The war ends with a victory. With a cost of losing their dear one. Vastium is destroyed but not gone, never were as there's still people carrying it's will. Vastium is not about the place, but about the people and they'll build a better Vastium in the future so they can protect themselves with their own ability.