Promise

Roisin, Syl and the others finally reached the gates of the new settlement: Sanctuary. The city towered over the wastelands that surrounded it, a beacon of light in a world that had begun to fall to dark.

As the group walked through the gates, they were greeted by a bustling city street, at the moment, most of it was constructed from prefabricated shelters, donated by Crystech, though construction had begun on actual buildings at the very far end of the settlement.

Atlas was nearby, talking to an Envoy from the Empire Remnants.

"Why is he talking to the Empire?" Roisin asked Syl.

"We've made an alliance with them, in the face of the fiend problem this continent is facing. We're hoping to send aid to Northan and Southan as soon as we can" Syl explained, as he hugged his sister. "Come with me, we can wait in the Memorial Park" Syl waved to the party, as he headed to a less dense area of the city.

As the group neared the park, they realised who it was in Memorial to. An old Hubun village sat untouched by the settlement.

"We didn't want to forget who once lived here" Syl smiled as he guided Roisin over to the park. Ariel looked at Amanda and frowned.

As Roisin stepped into the park, she suddenly felt dizzy, and fell to her knees.

"Roisin?!" Syl yelled as he ran to her side. "Are you okay?" He asked, Roisin turned to face Syl and nodded.

"I... just felt something from this place..." She smiled.

"Strange, maybe we should get you checked out?" Syl asked.

"No... it's..." She stuttered as she stood up. Light came from Roisin's eyes as she looked at the village, Syl backed away, shocked and scared for his sister. The light grew until it was blinding, then ended. Roisin fell to her knees again.

A crowd had formed nearby, when everyone's eyes readjusted to the dark, they saw before them a male Hubun, Roisin gazed up and gasped in shock.

"Dex?!" She gasped. Dex looked down slightly confused himself.

"What... is this real?" He asked. "I feel... different" He added.

"Dex, is that really you?" Ashe asked, as she stepped forward.

"I... think so?" He said, as he pinched his skin. Roisin stood up and ran to Dex and hugged him.

"I can't believe you're back!" She cried. She hadn't noticed until now, the anger she had felt since absorbing the Ice Crystal's power had disappeared.

"Am I real?" Dex asked, as he looked into Roisin's eyes. Roisin nodded back with teary eyes, and smiled. Atlas walked through the crowd, and toward Roisin and Dex.

"Well, I didn't expect to see you again, Dex" Atlas winked as he patted Dex on his shoulder.

"Gotta say, feeling is mutual" Dex chuckled, uneasily. Atlas nodded and smiled, before turning to Roisin.

"I always knew I'd see you again, kiddo" He smiled.

"Cause I'm a badass?" Roisin said as she posed.

"Cause you're a fighter, like me" Atlas smiled, as he hugged Roisin.

"Atlas, can you shed any light on how, or why Dex is back?" Ariel asked, as she stepped forward.

"Inquisitive as always, Ariel" Atlas grinned. "I'm sorry, I don't have the faintest idea" He shrugged.

"He's a Crystalla now" Lumina stated, as she made her way through the crowd, upon hearing Lumina's voice Roisin summoned her Celestial Weapons and had them at Lumina's through in seconds.

"Is this your doing? What have you done to him?!" Roisin seethed with anger, as her eyes turned Ice blue.

"On the contrary, this is your doing, Roisin" Lumina replied calmly. "You saved Dex's life the moment he merged with the Fire Crystal, and took a step toward saving Crystalla, the star, itself" Lumina nodded.

"My... doing?" Roisin said, as her weapon faded and her eyes returned to their normal colour. "What are you doing here?" Roisin asked.

"I am here... to help" Lumina stated, before looking away and taking a deep breath. "And to earn your forgiveness" She added.

"I don't trust you" Roisin replied.

"I wouldn't expect you to, I will earn it through my actions, not my words" Lumina said, as she knelt before Roisin.

"I'll see it when I believe it" Roisin said, as she backed away from Lumina without turning her back.

"Well, you guys know how to make an entrance don't you?" Atlas chuckled. "Speaking of, why didn't you land your airship here?" He added.

"We wasn't sure where 'here' was, and with the fiends on the prowl, it seemed smarted to park it near the city" Lotte explained, as she tipped her hat to Atlas.

"Lotte!" Atlas smiled, as he ran to her and embraced her. "I'm glad you got here safe"

"You too" Lotte smiled, she turned to Dex and waved. "Glad to see my little rabbit friend did too" She winked.

"Hey Lotte" Dex waved awkwardly. Roisin sneak hugged Dex while he was distracted.

The city of Sanctuary was perhaps the last real line of defence on the Eastern Continent, however, with the power of an awakened Crystalla, fiends would be deterred from attacking, creating a safe haven for lost souls.

The first of the new Crystalla may have awakened, but the Senior Partners had chosen their new tool, unsatisfied with Treleva's performance, they set their sights upon Keegan, a true rival to those who stood against them.