Finally finished. Sorry for this long. I had to think a lot about making the story more sense than the original cutscenes. It's been a long time, more than 2 years since I first started the first chapter. I would like to thank everyone who voted this as one of their favourite, and thank you for putting up with my poor writing (I'm not a native English user). Hope you all enjoy the final chapter. ^_^

CHAPTER VIII

HEAVEN'S MIRROR

The world beyond the portal is a mess. The ground is red and cracked like it has not seen a drop of rain in centuries. The only vegetation is an occasional thorny root or the skeletal remains of trees.

'Hey,' Beat looks around. The portal has already disappeared behind. 'Where are we?'

There is nothing that moves apart from them. Expected the portal to deliver them back to Mt. Rock, no one has the foggiest idea of this unfamiliar environment. Polka, however, notices a streetlamp beside her – it has become warped and twisted.

This lamp, this landscape… she knows she has seen them somewhere…

It can't be…?

'Mum? Where're you?'

Polka calls out loud, running along searching around. Viola is startled by her reaction.

'Polka, what's the matter? Do you know this place?'

'It's the field of flowers in Tenuto…'

It is Allegretto who answers. Everyone looks at him, who grimly watches Polka turns around running to locate where once her house was.

'… her home town.'

March claps her hands over her mouth. Falsetto glances at the surroundings, looking mortified.

'How can that be? This place is supposed to be a flower field?'

Not to say a flower field, this looks more than the aftermath of a war. A week or more ago Allegretto was even here himself when he came to see Polka. Gone are the flowers and blue sky, the sea is but an empty void, as if some kind of catastrophe or massacre has happened here.

'Your mother is save, Polka.' Frédéric says suddenly. 'So do all the villagers. This is not Tenuto.'

Polka immediately turns back, looking shocked. Frédéric steps forward away from the party as he surveys the area.

'This is a parallel dimension of Tenuto I created. Tenuto is the place where it all began, where I met you, Polka, the place where this whole dream first started, which is why it's such a fitting place for the dream to come to an end.'

Everyone has not got the slightest idea why Frédéric says all this. Frédéric continues.

'I no longer have any doubt in my mind that, for me, that time has now come. I must make my choice now. Whatever happens, I'll face the challenge before me.'

He turns around, sweeping out an arm gesturing at the party.

'Don't you all understand? You're nothing more than imaginary characters I've created in my mind!'

Not only the eight of them, every tree, every rock, everything that exists in this word is merely an illusion in Frédéric's head. Ever since Polka, Allegretto and Beat has met him in Agogo Forest he has never been acting like this.

'Frédéric, what are you saying?' Beat asks. 'What's wrong with you?'

'We all have our individual thoughts.' Allegretto protests. 'We're not acting out a role in a story that somebody wrote. We've been using our own free will and judgement to act for ourselves!'

Frédéric chooses to ignore them.

'I can feel it, my life force of my physical body is fading, all because I'm convinced that this dream is the reality more and more. The moment I admit you all, I will die in the real world, but when I am defeated, an undeniable truth will be revealed, and this fleeting dream will slowly fill with colour and light.

Polka can tell from Frédéric's eyes, that he is absolutely serious.

'So then, is this the path you've chosen for yourself?'

'It is. This is my dream, and I must be the one to set things right.' Iron-hard determination radiates from him. 'This world we're in, and you, Polka, must be freed from the tangle of our twisted destinies.'

Polka lowers her head at the word. Frédéric's eyes sweep across the whole party.

'Now, let the test begin. We'll see which side is stronger, my creations in my dream or my own spirit.'

He draws out his baton wand, standing in a ready position.

'We'll see whether I'm truly such a weak human being!'

Salsa is the first one to leap out. She confronts him head-on.

'I'll be perfectly polite when I send you flying!'

Suddenly, it is like there is a flicker of something deep blue, as if Frédéric has slightly moved, only to see Salsa's Solar Rings clanged as she dropped them, mouth opened wide, then falls facedown. Her fall happens only in a blink, but skilled warriors like Jazz and Falsetto have clearly seen what exactly happened – there are four tiny red spots on Salsa's forehead, temples and philtrum. Blood is slowly permeating out, apparently punctured by Frédéric's baton wand.

'Salsa!'

March runs forward and bends over her sister, eyes widened in shock, but moves no more.

'How pitiful, you soulless creature.'

Frédéric lowers his wand as he glances at March crying over her twin sister's body. The party steps back in fear. Allegretto pulls Polka behind as he shields in front of her. The entire wasteland becomes dead silent, no one dares making a sound. Frédéric's attack just then was like thunder, like lightning, without any sign to predict. No one could see him raise his hand, and to think he even managed to deal four blows in one row.

Allegretto has his violin-sword pointing at Frédéric's chest, deciding that he is going to attack as soon as there is any tiny movement on Frédéric's limbs. Only when he strikes first that he can have the faintest chance. Once Frédéric has the initial, there will be another one following Salsa's fate. Jazz, Falsetto and Viola also stares at him without moving their eyes away.

The blue shadow flickers again, wand directs at Allegretto in great speed. Noticing Frédéric's wand-arm rising, without thinking Allegretto stabs at his throat. If Frédéric does not retreat, the sword will instantly pierce through his pharynx. However at this moment, Allegretto feels a soft pain on his left forehead, then his sword is deflected to the left.

It turns out that the rapidness of Frédéric's strikes is really beyond imagining. In that blinking flash of moment, he has already pricked Allegretto's forehead, then withdrew his arm and used his wand to flick off the sword. It was fortunate that Allegretto's attack was also extremely fast, such that Frédéric has not pricked accurately at his temple.

Stunned, Allegretto realizes that there will absolutely be no chance to survive once he holds back. Grabbing his sword in both hands he immediately deals eight slashes, all aiming at the vital parts of the opponent's body. The first six hits are relatively speedy and light, with the most powerful two hits come last. In this critical moment, the speed of Starlight Flash is even doubled than before.

Frédéric is not impressed.

'Naïve!'

Right, left, up, centre, down, centre, right, right, all the eight slashes are blocked in the most casual manner. This wand, under Frédéric's control as Allegretto sees it, does not seem to leave any weak point. At this stage, even Starlight Flash has no effect at all. In order to confuse enemies, the combination of the eight slashes is random each time, so every time it is new to Allegretto himself as well as the opponent, yet Frédéric still managed to counter them all at ease. Up till now, Frédéric has even not used any magical move – in another word he has still not unleashed his full power.

'Stay adrift in the boundaries of nothingless! Void Edge!'

Right foot kicks on the ground, Allegretto flies up as he holds the sword behind his head and chops down straight onto Frédéric's face. Combined with the ascending speed gained through gravity, this move can even slice granite apart if it is delivered in full force, only to see Frédéric holds his wand horizontally and raises it upward. The incoming sword is intercepted, unable to go down any further.

Allegretto feels his arm slightly numbed. From where the blue shadow flickers, something glowing is jabbing towards his left chest. There is no time for him to either block or duck. In the desperate moment, Allegretto also directs his sword towards Frédéric's heart – either both live, or both die. As he feels a small pain on his chest, Frédéric has already leaped away and dodged his attack.

That light cannot be mistaken, Allegretto is a hundred percent sure that the move Frédéric used was Coup de Grâce. If it had not been that Frédéric had to dodge his sword such that the wand tip had not tabbed him yet, he would now have an extra hole through his chest. Shocked and scared, Allegretto wields his sword in endless chains of Starlight Flash like mad, never allowing Frédéric any chance to counterattack. Frédéric even has the leisure to sneer 'Is that all you've got?' as he blocks every incoming sword-attack in an almost lazy manner.

'Hold on, Allegretto! We're coming!'

Jazz, Falsetto and Viola join in the battlefield. Holding the baton wand with three fingers Frédéric handle the violin-sword, the broadsword, the gauntlets and the bow altogether at the same time, advancing and retreating among the four of them in monstrous speed, with no sign of losing can be seen. Beat and March draw their weapons to help out, making it a duel of six-on-one.

'You foolish creatures!'

Much in the manner of Fugue's J'accuse, Frédéric makes an outward slash with his baton wand.

Carry them away to the waterside, to the river's edge!

'Nimbostratus!'

An azure current streams out. This is the first time the party sees Frédéric using it, but understands instantly that this new move is derived from Coup de Jârnac, differenced by making the energy stream travelling forward instead of backward. Before Beat and March can react, the stream has swallowed their bodies.

'WAAAARRRGGGHHH –!'

The clarinet-riffle and Lunar Rings falls onto the ground. Their owners roll away in summersaults as the current sweeps them away from the battlefield. They never feel the pain as they fell onto the ground.

'BEAT! MARCH!'

'You murderer! You're gonna pay for it!'

Enraged, Falsetto enters half Burst as she springs out her elbow-blades, fiercely targeting all the vital parts of Frédéric. Even so, the battle side is merely brought to stalemate combined with the attacks of Jazz and Allegretto. Seeing that Frédéric cannot spare time to pay attention to herself, Viola fires several stealthy shots through the free space among the trio's formation, but Frédéric's shadow is as quick as ghosts and phantoms, flying and floating around like thin smoke. Her arrows are always a few inches missing his body.

This entire world is my dream! I will not let you destroy it!

'There's no one else, I'm the only one here!'

Illuminating under his feet is a black magic-circle, vast and seemingly bottomless that it is like a black hole trying to suck everything in. Above the battlefield thick dark clouds cover the entire sky as though night has decided to come early. Thunder roars, heavy rain vigorously hit onto the desolate land, as though thousands of invisible hands are simultaneously applauding for this decisive duel, unknown to Forte, Baroque, Andantino, Tenuto, Ritardando and anyone living inside the dream. Ferocious wind splatters rain onto everyone's face. The iron-grey sky reflects their battle spirits. Lightning crawls among the dark clouds like dragons.

'Applaudisement Sonique!'

The evolved version of Legion Fulminante, multiple lightning bolts down from the sky to anything except from Frédéric. Areas upon impact are instantly ablaze, and are cooled down by the thick rain right away, leaving charcoal black burnt mark behind. Fully utilizing every reflective nerve, Allegretto, Jazz, Falsetto and Viola handles Frédéric and the lethal lightning that aims at their brain. Travelling at the speed of light, the bolts come down as soon as they flash. The only way to raise the chance of survival is to move around without a tiny moment staying on the same spot. Viola is soaked to her skin and bone, hardly able to distinguish the blurred figures of her comrades and her enemy. Her bow string is wet into its core that it is not suitable for firing arrows anymore, apart from that pulling an arrow will considerably slow her down, making her an easy target for the lightning overhead.

She hears a small cry of pain from Allegretto. Without long Falsetto also growls in gritted teeth – the two of them are injured by Frédéric's wand. It is so small that it is very difficult to see and block. A moment later, even Jazz has got a cut on his wrist. Both Dimensional Cut and Whirlwind require large open area to be performed or nearby allies will also be dragged into the waves. While Allegretto and Falsetto are that close to Frédéric, there is no way he can use either one of the two moves.

Even when the six of them chained attacks on Frédéric, none of them could touch any bit of his long coat while all of them have received injuries of different level. Polka's worry grows as she observes the battle goes.

Not before long an 'argh!' also comes from Viola as her throat bleeds. Fortunately at that point Allegretto was about to use Shadow Assault from behind, Frédéric's attention was drawn away that he had no time to put magic onto the wand. The duel has been going barely longer than a few minutes, but to Polka every second is like a year. Barely recovered from the battle against Legato, everyone's physical and mental strength is close to the edge of collapsing, while Frédéric's shadow is on the contrary spinning faster and faster. Allegretto, Jazz, Falsetto and Viola shout out hoarse, their voice full of anger and fear. Jazz and Falsetto have both entered full Burst, their each strike emitting loud sound of wind. Frédéric however does not emit any sound.

Polka tries to use Earth Heal on Salsa, Beat and March.

No! Don't die!

But no matter how many times that green light illuminates they remain stiff and lifeless.

Open your eyes!

Healing spells restore life force but cannot give life. They only work on living creatures.

I don't want anyone to die anymore!

PLEASE! WAKE UP!

At this time, Frédéric suddenly senses a powerful wave of magic. All the thunders and rain stop as the dark clouds clear. Applaudisement Sonique, his strongest move so far, is countered by another magic – one that is even more powerful than he, the master of this dream, can do.

Impossible! Who?

But he thinks he knows. Surely there is only one person here other than him who can do magic.

He catches a glimpse of Polka, who is surrounded by golden-yellow light instead of green. Showers of blossoms magically blow from the sky. Not only the external wounds of Beat, March and Salsa are healing in an amazing speed, but their bodies are stirring as lives are returning to them again.

Revive spell?

If she can now even raise the dead, this battle will be endless!

I'll kill you first!

A shadow of deep blue pounces at Polka, who screams and quickly gets down, not even sure whether she can really dodge his strike. Jazz's broadsword and Allegretto's violin-sword dart at Frédéric's back. Viola releases an arrow pass them at Frédéric's head, but he deflects it with a backhand. In a blink it is less than four feet between him and Polka. Determined, Frédéric is about to stab through her throat, but the moment his eyes meeting hers, the same way Emilia once looked at him, an unexplainable pain suddenly aches in his heart.

She's not your sister, kill her!

But those eyes, they look so alike Emilia's...

The two voices battle in Frédéric's brain.

Emilia is dead!

But this is my dream!

Polka is nothing more than Emilia's shadow!

What if Polka really is Emilia?

Do it!

I… I can't…!

This brief moment of hesitation, is absolutely more than enough to turn the side of the battle!

Frédéric's wand-arm is raised, but can no longer drive it down to her. At the same time the blades of Jazz, Falsetto and Allegretto all stab into Frédéric's back. Blood gushes out.

I lost.

Strangely, on the contrary he does not feel bad about it. This is perhaps better. How can he face Emilia? Can he really tell her that he killed them all in order to live?

Yes, this is for the best, perhaps. If anyone has to die, it should be him alone.

Dear Emilia…

The pain is so strong that it consumes him. With a last calm smile, he fell.

Grieved, hurt, angered, puzzled, for a very long moment, the party looks at the body of their once companion and comrade.

How has it come to this? And why?

They have once travelled and supported together, closer than any others. In their jouney together, Frédéric has proved himself a very reliable partner and valuable ally. For his believes, for those whom he regards as friends, for Polka, he was willing to do anything with his utmost effort.

But now, this friendship and mutual trust has died, died with and thier killing him with their own hands. The time Frédéric had with them was never long, but all those moments they fought and supported each other makes everyone feel that they have suddenly lost a life-long best friend.

Slowly, Polka walks to the fallen musician. Blood is still coming out from his wounds ,but the smile on that face is yet so peaceful, and alive, as if having a good dream in his sleep.

She is sure that Frédéric meant to kill her just then, but at the last moment he hesitated, and had he not hesitated he would not have been injured. No matter what, she is alive because Fredeic spared her life, even though that was a decision he made in the last second.

'Thank you, Frédéric.'

Her hand glows as it touches the bleeding wound, which immediately begins to heal. She can feel life still pounding inside the body. The green light in her hand vanishes.

That's the least I can do.

'I'm sorry.'

The party has already found it strange for Polka to try to heal someone who wanted her life. They are even more surprised when she starts to walk towards the edge of the precipice ahead.

'Polka?'

'Stay back.'

Allegretto does not know how to discribe it. Somehow the familiar voice of hers has suddenly become different. There is something more, like an authority that makes him does not dare disobey.

'Everyone, I'm sorry. Whatever you are going to see, I hope all of you can stay calm.'

A sense of dread rises in Allegretto's heart – this scene of Polka standing dangerously at the edge of a cliff, overlaps with the strange image he experienced that night in Tenuto!

'Polka, what are you doing?' March asks. 'First Frédéric and now you? What in the world is going on?'

'I've remembered everything.' Polka smiles gently at her. 'I now know the path that I have to take.'

'What the heck're you sayin?' Salsa asks, confused. 'Can somebody please explain to me what's going on?'

'Polka,' Viola says, 'what exactly is it that you're planning on doing?'

'Don't you see? Frédéric is right. All of us, this whole world we live in, are all created by him. Frédéric was born in the city of Warsaw in the country of Poland in the year 1810. This is a dream he's experiencing as he drifts over the abyss of death. He once had a sister, but she died of tuberculosis when she was fourteen.'

This is all unknown to the party as Frédéric had only mentioned this to her while they were alone on Baroque Ship. Besides, Frédéric has never talked about his family or his past to them, but the most shocking part has not come yet.

'In fact, I am the incarnation of his sister Emilia. My responsibility is to keep this dream ever looping. Emilia died at fourteen, and that's why I can never go beyond fourteen as well. When I go into the sea I will reborn, and this dream will repeat from the beginning once again.'

Polka forces a bitter smile to the shocked and perplexed expressions on the party's faces. It is certainly difficult for them to intake all these so suddenly, but time is short. Frédéric's physical life depends solely on her. She must not let him die.

'If I had any choice in the matter, I'd never want to give up those memories of this journey and the time we've spent together. I know this is hard for you to accept right now, but someday… someday we will all meet again. I'm absolutely positive.'

She feels hot tears in her eyes.

'I must do this. I know our journey didn't last very long, but really, this was the best time I've ever had in my life.'

Fear and dread flooded Allegretto's heart, like all his blood has frozen. He dashed towards the cliff.

Polka –!

Allegretto desperately reaches out his fingers. Polka's face becomes clearer and clearer. Her balance starts to fall back – the nightmarish memory of that strange vision he had that night in Tenuto flashed before his eyes.

No – Please NO –!

The next second, Polka has already vanished. The last thing Allegretto sees about her is her braises disappearing under the thick mist below the cliff.

– Everyone.

Wind rushes past her ears as she freefalls.

Thank you, everyone. I know it didn't last very long, but really, this was the best time I've ever had in my life.

This is the end. This life she has lived it straight.

There is no regret.

– Allegretto…

He must be hammering the ground, blaming his unable to do anything for her at the moment. She feels sorry for him, but this is her fate.

Darkness has consumed her, but her thoughts remained.

– My feelings… will protect you forever –

'…'s nothing you can do, Allegretto. Don't blame yourself.'

'Why couldn't I do anything? Why did her have to suffer? What did she ever do to deserve that?'

'Retto…'

'Damn it! Damn it! DAMN IT…! You! You come barging into our world without asking, and now you leave just because you feel like it! This is your dream, right! If it's your dream then do something!'

'He's dead, Allegretto. Polka wouldn't have wanted to see you like this.'

'Please… you have to do something… please…'

Someone is seizing him, pushing him very hard. He knows that voice, only that it is filled with despair.

Where am I?

He can smell dry soil beneath his cheek. The places where he was stabbed in are aching burningly that he cannot move, but the sensation of liquid flowing out his body has stopped.

Does this mean… I'm still in Tenuto? But why?

It is Polka's death and rebirth that keep the dream looping. The dream should have ended the moment he was defeated. Now that it is continuing that means…

–!

No, it can't be!

Polka…!

The pain he feels in his heart, is even greater than the physical pain on his body.

That was the first and only chance she had to escape her destiny. She could have been free from her eternal suffering had she just left him be. She was only fourteen years old. Her journey of life had hardly begun.

But she did not. She chose to die again, and this was all for him!

Tears run down his cheek, onto the ground.

The last time he actually cried, was when Emilia died.

There was nothing he could do in the real world, but in this world of his, there is one thing at least he can do. Or rather, something that he has always been wanting to do, no matter what.

I won't let you die, Polka.

He remembered the conversation he had with Polka in Heaven's Mirror Forest.

You said it was up to me whether I wanted to call them heaven's mirror or death lights.

When the sun is out, they hide in their buds, and open their blossoms only when it is truly important.

Drawing in even the faintest among of light, they embody it, and in doing so reflect something that people can never see.

They wait for the moment when the world is trapped in darkness, and then blossom with glowing light. On the grassy plain, they paint a picture of the star-filled night sky.

I'm still allowed to choose, am I not?

I shall make my definitive choice right now.

I choose to call it, Heaven's Mirror!

'I know it's hard on you, Allegretto, Beat,' says Jazz, 'but we must leave.'

Reluctantly, Beat wipes his tears off his sleeves, and got up. Allegretto does not move though.

'The best tribute to the dead is to live on, and I'm sure Polka would want you to live happily for her.' Jazz says. 'Come on, get up.'

His senses know he has to let go, but his emotions do not want to accept it. Nevertheless, Allegretto does not try to resist as Falsetto helps him at his feet. With a short final look at the body of Frédéric, the party starts making their way inland.

'I choose to call it…'

The voice does not come from behind or anyway. It is like it goes straight into everyone's head. However, this voice cannot be mistaken…

Frédéric?

The party stops and looks back. The musician's body remains still. Then it sounds again.

'Heaven's… Mirror…!'

The voice fades. The party looks around; everything around is dissolving as though they are made of smoke; the world is fading, they can see only their own bodies, all else is swirling darkness…

And then, the world returns.

It is a familiar scene.

There are flowers, seeming to blossom almost everywhere. They paint the landscape with colour as far as the eye can see. Trees and grass becomes green once more. The bright sun shines upon the blue sky and sea. From the hill that overlooks the coastline, Allegretto and Beat can make out the vague outline of a town offshore – their hometown Ritardano.

Only Allegretto knows what this means. They are in the flower field of Tenuto Village.

The two dimensions of Tenuto have combined.

They are back.

Someone is among the flower field. A young girl, whose blonde hair tied into two long braises at waist length.

'Polka!'

There is no other word to describe how Allegretto and Beat feels when they see her. Before Polka knows, she finds herself being flung around by the two of them.

'Thank goodness you're alright! Thank goodness!'

Polka looks awkward by their reactions, but she nevertheless gently pats on their back.

It's over.

It's finally over.

'Thanks for worrying about me, Allegretto, Beat, everyone.'

Except –

'Where's Frédéric?'

'Huh?'

'It's him who brings me back. I must thank him. Where's he?'

The party glances at where the fallen magic user lied. It is not exactly easy

'He's no here! The body's gone!'

'You mean,' Salsa panics, 'he's become a ghost?'

'Such things don't exist,' Jazz replies, 'this means Frédéric must be alive. Look around, he ought to be here.'

Polka watches the party spread and started to look around, calling for him. She finally can't help it, and sobs in silence.

Other people may not understand, but she knows, somehow. She can tell, that she is never going to see Frédéric again.

A cool breeze passes by. Petals of the whole flower field dance in the air. Tiny waves stir on the surface of a small puddle…

October 17, 1849 1:59 AM

No. 12 Vendôme Place

Paris, France

Tick – tock – tick – tock – …

Frédéric was awake, but he kept his eyes shut. He could tell he was lying on his bed.

It was a dream. He told himself. I dreamt I journeyed through a stunningly beautiful world. I happened to make the acquaintance of Polka, a young girl that was forced to give up her life at the age of fourteen. I gave up my life in the dream so that she could live on.

It was such a great dream.

Dong! Dong!

The grandfather clock stroke twice. It was two o'clock.

Alright, I'm getting up.

Frédéric opened his eyes. Standing beside his bed examining his eyes was an old man in white coat. At the end of the bed, Ludwika was looking anxiously at him. Frédéric remembered that this man was the doctor his elder sister fetched when he suddenly collapsed on the piano earlier this day.

The pain in his chest was gone. He did not feel coughing anymore. He was actually feeling better than ever. Strangely, the doctor did not seem to notice his awoken, instead his expression was a mix of grieve and disappointment. How come?

Frédéric got up from his bed. To his surprise, he saw himself wearing exactly the blue long coat he always wore in his dream. He quickly took a look at his both hands – vapour-like, semi-transparent.

–!

He looked behind. Lying on the bed was another him, physically solid, pale, looking fast asleep, but no longer drew breath.

The doctor, letting out a long sigh, checked the time on the grandfather clock.

'Mr. Chopin's time of death, two o'clock in the morning.'

So it's true then.

I'm dead.

Ludwika's tiny hope for her younger brother's recovery finally shattered. Frédéric watched her face in her hands, shaking with sobs. He really wanted to go and comfort her, but he knew they would not know even if he did so. The doctor made suggestions of funeral affairs as he started to pack his things when Ludwika, eyes very red and tears still running down her face, insisted to see him off at the door.

'No, no… I'm alright. Thank you, doctor. This way…'

As Luwidka closed the door after herself, Frédéric's soul was the only one left in the room.

Frédéric could not help but feel sorry for her sister. Not only them, his students, his friends, and everyone who loved his music, would surely feel lost upon hearing his death the coming morning. Without them, he could never have come to this day.

And certainly, without Emilia, he would not have dreamt a world as fibre and alive as this one was, allowing him to made a choice that took him quite a while to make it.

How he wanted to play something for them, to show his gratitude.

Frédéric strolled to the grand piano, and sat down in front of it. Looking at the consecutive black and white keys, he thought this was the most beautiful pattern in the world ever. Inspiration flooded into his mind. Frédéric raised his wrists, closed his eyes, took a breath, and lowered his fingers onto the keyboard.

If there can only be one world that he believed in, that world should definitely be the piano. Moving ever onward, a world that he truly belonged in.

All notes of the past disappeared from his mind, as if swallowed up by the darkness. In contrast, the notes that were going to be played in the future were as clearly as bells inside of his mind.

Emilia, I have never once forgotten you, not at all the time that you've been gone.

Whenever I spoke with Polka, it was as if you were with me again.

Polka was someone who insisted on walking her own path, until the very end. Emilia, she lived just as you would have, if you could be given the chance to do so.

His mind flew back to the night when he first met her in Tenuto Village.

I would depart the reality where you and I composed memories together, and make the world of dreams where Polka lived my reality.

I hope my choice does not bring you pain. You must know that I would never forget you, after all.

This was not just for Emilia, but for Ludwika as well.

Yes, for even though my form may change, this feeling is something that will never fade away.

The moment he opened his eyes he saw countless flowers bloomed in union, sparkling and glowing all over the field.

He was in the Heaven's Mirror Forest – he was back in his dream.

The piano he was still playing, the melody he was now hearing, the unearthly beauty of the scenery he saw, echoing to the eyes, brilliant to the ears, sweet to the touch. Yes, believe, above all else, proves existence.

He no longer had to worry about maintaining his living, nor had to compose music to please others. There was unlimited time ahead of him, and there were lots of melodies he wanted to play and compose.

Besides, he wants to see how everyone is going on.

With Waltz's death, the price level of necessities in Ritardando should be back to normal. Allegretto and Beat should now be able to lead a normal life…

Is Viola back at her home in Chorus Plains?

Agogo Village is finally free from the mining activity of Mt. Rock. Salsa and March should be happier than any others…

He wonders what Jazz and Falsetto will do next now that the mission of Andantino is complete. The role of civilian does not seem to fit the two of them. Joining the Baroque army sounds the perfect choice for them…

As for Polka, without mineral powder, sales of floral powder will likely be better. Besides, she is finally free from her fate, and is allowed to do whatever she wants. Perhaps after this piece, he can pay a visit to her and her mother…

But for this moment, Frédéric allows himself to put all thoughts aside, and immerses himself in the world of music where all the notes carried away by the soothing breeze far, far away.

Fin