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None of them know exactly what’s going to happen when Origin activates. They’ve run countless tests, looked at every possible scenario for what could happen to their two worlds. But it still feels like a shot in the dark when they press the button. Millions of people on two separate worlds still cross their fingers and hope for the best, because it still feels like anything could happen.
And then, nothing happens.
The massive machine whirs and clicks and clacks, glowing the deep red of the Ontos core, and everything is fine. Everyone who’d been holding their breaths in anticipation lets out a sigh of relief and continues on with their lives.
And yet, everything has changed.
Almost immediately some feel like they’re missing something. Others see visions of people they’ve never met when they close their eyes or in their dreams. They see these people and feel more for them than their partners and friends in their own world. Or they see visions of a horrific war, feel like they died in that moment and live now as lifeless corpses. No one comes out unscathed, no one is unchanged. Relationships are destroyed, communities become groups of strangers.
But people are strong. The people of the two worlds take their pain and longing and put it towards one goal. They know what must be done: they must join the two worlds that long to be one again.
At the forefront of this Empress of the High Entia, Melia Antiqua, and Nia, leader of the Gormotti. The two of them had been the only two from the separate worlds to be in contact before the activation of Origin, acting as messengers for their worlds’ people. Although they only knew each other as a face on a hologram, they had become close friends and confidants during Origin’s construction. Now it seemed neither of them would get a break.
This was especially true for Nia. She had been tasked with keeping the people of Alrest safe and content, and working on merging the two worlds, and would come home every night to find her previously perfect family in disarray. Whatever had happened to Rex in that ‘Endless Now’ (as people were starting to call it) had changed him. It started as nightmares, then flashbacks that would strike at random and leave him looking at Nia, Pyra, Mythra, and their children as strangers. As it went on it became clearer that he had endured some terrifying things in that other life. Unlike the rest of them he had died there, in a way. The details were fuzzy, but it seemed like he’d sacrificed himself, somehow become a part of Origin itself. He had become close to a man named Shulk, very close. They had relied on each other, and now Rex felt like something was missing when they were apart.
Nia had no idea how to help Rex in this. All she could do was make sure the children were safe and work towards bringing the worlds back together. Rex was able to make his own cross-dimensional communicator to talk with Shulk, and that helped somewhat. But as that happened he grew more distant from Nia, Pyra, and Mythra, though he still cared for his children with everything he had. Nia felt herself growing apart from all of them too, as her calls with Melia became the part of her day she looked forward to the most.
“I just don’t know what to do anymore,” she tells Melia. “He woke up in the middle of the night again, screaming and yelling about ‘Alpha,’ whatever that means. It woke up the kids, too. I’ve never heard Dirk scream like that.” Nia shakes her head. “I get memories and stuff too, sometimes, but nothing like all that. I feel like I was asleep for most of all that.
“All I can remember feeling trapped, and some sort of red energy,” Melia says. “Certainly nothing like what Shulk has been experiencing. It seems he and Fiora have been having the same troubles as you.”
“That doesn’t surprise me in the least…”
“I just wish I could do more to help you. Trying to comfort someone over a hologram is… far too difficult.” Melia looks anguished.
“Oh, don’t be like that,” Nia admonishes. “I would be in deep shite without you, I mean that. Talking to you is always the best part of my day, Melia.”
Melia smiles. “It is the same for me, as well. Dealing with High Entia politics is so very exhausting. I treasure every moment of rest I am able to find with you.”
“You’re too kind, Melia.” Nia can’t help but flush a little. “Gah, I’m sick of not being able to see you! There’s a tree on Uraya that I am dying to show you.”
“Don’t get ahead of yourself, Nia. Who knows how things are going to look once the worlds are together again.” Although her words are stern, Melia has a huge grin on her face.
“Well no matter what I’m gonna get to hear your voice without it getting all garbled.” They both laugh warmly.
One year later, there is no more Alrest or Bionis. Just one planet far more massive than either world, one that is for now unnamed. As the worlds change, people change with them.
It only takes one week after the merge, when Rex knocks on the doorway to Nia’s room.
“What’s up?” She says. He gathers everyone in the sitting room.
“There’s, ah, something I’d like to talk to everyone about…”
“It’s Shulk, isn’t it?” Nia supposes she should be upset. But she’s been expecting this. She actually feels relieved, if she’s being honest.
They’ve both changed, and that’s fine.
“Yeah.” Rex nods.
He calls the four of them together and breaks the news they were all expecting, that he loves Shulk, and Shulk loves him too. He promises to keep caring for the kids, and says that it’s nothing any of them did, he just changed during the Endless Now. Mythra is the only one who doesn’t take it especially well; she says nothing the entire time. Nia knows she’ll be okay though, as long as she has Pyra. Pyra and Nia both congratulate him, and that’s that.
Well, it’s not that simple. Nia can’t help but feel a little sad, it’s a love lost, after all. But she also feels excitement, for the future that now seems so bright and uncertain.
The people of (former) Alrest leave the Titans and settle on the new planet. The Titans still watch over them from the skies, but now are free to live their lives of their choosing without the burden of taking care of the races of Alrest. Among the ruins of a civilization long past they make their new home, learning more about this world as they comb the abandoned buildings and overgrown streets.
Nia travels to Alcamoth, which now lies surrounded by the ruins of a city that was apparently called ‘Portland’ in a time long past. She finds Melia working around the clock to help the citizens of Alcamoth adjust to their new life.
“I feel that soon the people may not need an Empress,” Melia muses. “They’re spreading out, founding their own cities where they have no such things, only the people and their collective responsibility. Even here in Alcamoth it feels like the Parliament is taking more of my duties everyday, and to keep myself busy I have to go down in the streets among the people themselves.”
“So, what you’re telling me is: you could be taking a break, but you aren't,” Nia teases. The soft glow of the sunset from atop their balcony in the Imperial Palace illumines Melia’s delicate features, and her eyes reflect a light at the end of the tunnel, the light that guides toward the future.
Melia straightens her posture in theatrical annoyance. “I have a duty to my citizens. They need my help and I am available to give it. That is all there is to it.”
“You said it yourself,” Nia continues. “Sooner or later they aren’t gonna need your help at all. So why wait? And anyway, why not let them help themselves.” Nia steps closer to Melia and grasps both her hands. Her voice is much softer now. “Besides, there’s a whole new world out there to see.” She brings her eyes up to look directly at Melia. “It’d be a hell of a lot better to see it with you , Melia.”
They hadn’t yet had a conversation about what exactly their relationship was. To Nia it seemed like they didn’t need to. It was obvious it was more than just friends, and Nia was content to just stay in this realm. When she felt content to take the plunge, she would. She’d done that just now, in fact; that was the first time the two of them had ever held hands or anything close to that. That’s how it was with Melia. Every new step for them was so far away until it happened, and never felt like the first time but instead the hundredth, like it was already a constant in her reality. Nia hadn’t realized how fast it had happened. How fast Melia had become her home, her anchor, her perfect coincidence.
“...I would quite like that, I think. Any memory I could make with you would be a cherished one.” The words leave Melia’s tongue in a whisper, and Nia has to catch them before they drift away in the evening breeze.
“Then what’s stopping us?” Nia grins.
“Nothing.” The light in Melia’s eyes is one that invites the future with open arms.
First Nia takes Melia to her family. Melia clearly isn’t used to being around children. She stumbles over herself and stutters trying to befriend them, but they still take an instant liking to her. As Shulk and Rex lay out a feast to welcome them, Mio, Glimmer, and Dirk demand to know every story Melia has to tell. Mio in particular is very interested in the inner workings of High Entia politics.
Nia finds here that her family is here to stay, though it has changed, and it has a wide open space for Melia. She finds that although the former romantic love she had for Rex, she feels a different love for him, like her long-lost brother. She sees the light in his eyes whenever he looks at Shulk and knows she wouldn’t want it any other way. She feels that same bond for Shulk, somehow, though she barely knows him. Perhaps she just senses how special he is to Rex, and is grateful to him. Nikol also fits among the rest of the children like he’s always been one of them. He is a quiet child that shows the love for his new siblings in his silent comfort.
Before they explore the new world around them, Nia takes Melia somewhere familiar. They manage to rent a Nopon mechanic and take it to Uraya. Nia dearly missed the bright pink Saffornia trees that color its landscape. The two of them take a slow journey through the Titan, stopping to admire every view.
They rest under a Saffronia tree that overlooks a lake and the land around it. Nia can spot the patch of grass that once held Vandham’s camp, though it’s empty now.
“Are you alright, Nia?”
“Oh, yeah, sorry,” Nia didn’t realize she’d been spacing out. “Just some sad memories, that’s all.”
Melia just looks at her carefully, waiting for her to continue.
“There was a man named Vandham, that Rex and I and everyone once knew. Him and his crew.” She looks at the ground sadly. “He died, right in front of us.”
“I’m sorry…” Melia says.
“Oh, don’t be like that. It was forever ago.” Nia chuckles and puts on a fake smile, though she can only keep it for a moment “It was rough, yeah, when he died. But he gave us a path forward, and the resolution to stop Torna.” She smiles. “So sure, it’s sad, but I wouldn’t be here without him, without him sacrificing himself for us.”
Melia nods. “I felt the same when my father died–”
“Your father what!?” Nia gapes. “How have I never heard this!?”
“It’s something I try to think about often.” Melia laughs, then grimaces. “That was why I ascended the throne so young. Shulk received a vision of his death, and still I was unable to prevent it.”
“Titan’s foot, Melia,” Nia reaches over and grasps her hand. “I’m so sorry…”
“Thank you,” Melia says. “It was the same for me, though. When he died I resolved to complete his life-long task, and save our people, no matter what it took.” Melia looks both determined and sad. “Still, though, I missed him so dearly…”
“Well, I think he’d be so, so proud of you, Melia.” Nia grasps her hand tighter and grins. “We’ve both lost so much, it’s true. But this future we’ve fought for is worth it all, I know.”
“You are correct. I would never have it any other way.” Melia looks hopeful.
They sit silently together for a moment, before Melia shocks both of them by darting over to give Nia a kiss. Except she misses, and instead just wacks her nose on Nia’s. They are both stunned, until Nia keels over laughing. Melia flushes in embarrassment.
“Don’t have much experience with courtly pursuits , huh?” Nia has a mock haughtiness that’s sabotaged by the tears in her eyes.
“I am quite experienced, I’ll have you know.” She can’t help but laugh.
Melia demonstrates by leaning over for a second try, this time pausing to look deep into Nia’s eyes, then slowly leaning closer. Nia finds she’s the one a bit flustered now. Melia kisses her hesitantly, a soft brush of her lips before closing the distance. They stay pressed together for a long moment, during which Nia can feel both of their heartbeats. When Melia pulls away, Nia barely lets them breathe before pulling them back together. Nia breathes her in with her lips, running her hands in Melia’s hair and feeling along her dress. Nia can’t get enough of her, and knows she never will.
The night sky is completely clear, lined with stars as far as either of them can see. When the worlds had been separated it was as if there was a film blocking the light of the universe that now bears down upon them. The millions of stars they can now see are a symbol of the future they have built together.
Nia is mesmerized by the way the light reflects off Melia’s silver hair, the way her wings twitch as she dreams. She realizes in that moment that she wants to see that sleeping face every day. She would take on the whole world to make that dream come true.
Nia absentmindedly strokes Melia’s left wing, making her twitch in her sleep.
“I love you, Melia,” Nia whispers it before she even thinks it.
“Love y-you too…” Melia murmurs, still asleep.
Nia softly laughs. Even in her dreams they were together.