With Azael's passing, the chaos of the training ground slowly fades away, the place returning to its former self.
As this familiar scene unfolds, Kamui gazes upon the space, virtually unchanged from his memories. It feels as though he has slipped back into his human days, when he spent countless nights and days in this very place.
...Azael?
But no one is there to answer him.
Everything is the same, yet everyone is gone. The home he had yearned for long ago is no more.
Kamui places his hand on the device in his chest, feeling the surging solar essence within. Having reclaimed the M.I.N.D. that Azael once slashed away, his power is finally complete.
From now on, he will never forget. No important person, no crucial event will be lost, and he will no longer be trapped in nightmares by M.I.N.D. turbulence. He has, at last, become a true sun.
...But why, he wonders, does he still feel the chill?
The beam of light falling through that small opening fails to warm him. The fiery heat he had envisioned never arrived.
Kamui hesitates, or rather, he can no longer be certain. Has he truly caught up to the sun he sought? Or was the sun always like this, and his past self simply idealized it, blind to the gap between dream and reality?
He misses everyone who once ran beside him. There was friction and awkwardness between them at first, but eventually, they found their way to one another.
He had grown so accustomed to their lively companionship, both then and now. And then, suddenly, he finds himself walking alone as the world dims, everyone gone from his side.
Has he truly obtained what he wanted?
On this journey chasing the sun, those who walked by his side were either burned to ashes or scorched into ghosts.
And now, he alone has made it this far.
From behind, a hand comes to rest on his shoulder. Against his cold metal shell, the warmth is sudden and unexpected. In that moment, he feels his own heart grow a little warmer as well.
Hey, [player name]. You wanna know what I was just thinking about?
Back when I was a kid, Mom and Dad used to tell us stories. And there was this one thing I always wondered.
"The sun's just up there all alone. For billions of years, it's just been hanging in the sky by itself. Doesn't it ever get sad?"
"Anyone who gets too close just burns up. And the ones who used to keep it company all change into stuff it doesn't recognize anymore."
"When no one's watching, does it ever try to hide and cry?"
Kamui shakes his head.
I kept asking the same thing over and over. And they kept giving me different answers.
At first it was like, "That's just what the sun does. It's gotta keep going, no matter what."
Then later they'd say, "Only the sun knows how it feels. When you finally catch up to it someday, you can ask it yourself."
And finally, they just got tired of my questions and distracted me with other games. I'd play till I passed out, sleep like a rock, and by the time I woke up the next day? Totally forgot to ask again!
But just now... it all came back. Like, out of nowhere.
Guess this question's been chasing me all this time, huh? Demanding I finally face it.
Until I give it an answer it's happy with.
Children speak without restraint, with a paradoxical innocence and cruelty. Their eyes remain unclouded, allowing them to see through all the carefully wrapped facades to perceive what adults deliberately ignore or hide.
They tried to emphasize the sun's greatness, but Kamui was only concerned about whether it felt lonely.
That was the beginning of Kamui's pursuit of the sun. He has traveled far around its circular, fiery outline, from daylight to darkness, from scorching heat to cooling chill.
Even after going in circles, he still must return to this point and complete his unfinished thoughts. Only then can Kamui truly complete this arduous chase.
...Now, who else could he possibly ask for the answer he needs?
Ask... myself?
Do I get sad? Do I get lonely?
...Yeah. Probably. At least at first.
Otherwise, he wouldn't be having those nightmares.
Long-lasting love isn't always a virtue; more often, it's a shackle that only one who loves can truly understand. Humans are strange that way. People can't forget the love they've received, but they also can't let go of the bitterness and resentment love leaves behind.
Once you've known warmth, the fall into the icy abyss is unbearable.
But... maybe that cold's just temporary.
Before, I'd try not to think about them. Thought if I pretended to forget, maybe it wouldn't hurt anymore.
But I couldn't do it. Every time I close my eyes, every time I see sunlight, and in countless other beautiful moments in this world...
It all makes me remember them.
And little by little, I only remember the good stuff. The laughter. The happy times we shared. Them at their best.
And then I think... maybe they never really left. They're just... living in a different way.
Right here.
Kamui places his hand against his chest once more. This space now holds more than just the golden solar essence; they live here, forever with him.
Over billions of years, mountains crumble to flatlands, and oceans dry into fields...
But they all leave something behind for the sun. A tiny rock. A single drop of water. Anything. And the sun remembers every bit of it.
The sun carries all those traces with it, forever lighting up the world.
So they never really left. They're still out there, seeing that future they all dreamed about, right alongside the sun.
And I think... a sun like that could never be lonely!
RUMBLE—
You and Kamui never get to finish. A sudden commotion outside the building seizes your attention, and the sound sends a jolt of recognition through Kamui. He rushes to the foot of the opening, straining for a better view.
[player name]—
You heard that too, right? C'mon, let's go check it out!!
Wait, huh?! You know who's out there?
—Kamui!!
Camu leads the charge, reaching Kamui before anyone else. Close on his heels, Chrome and Wanshi rush over in the same direction.
Whoa!! Camu, Captain, Wanshi!
How'd you guys—
OWWW!! Dude, that hurts!!
Kamui also breaks into a run, instinct propelling him forward. The moment he is within arm's reach of Camu, his question still unasked, a heavy blow connects with his head.
Tch. Not bad. Guess that empty skull of yours hasn't completely rotted out yet.
Camu stands before Kamui and looks him straight in the eye, completely self-assured.
Camu, what was that for?! That seriously hurt...
It's called a combat readiness check, genius. Way more efficient than running some stupid diagnostic.
B-but you didn't have to go full power! A hit like that could crack even a normal guy's head—
Like yours needed any help cracking? Be grateful I didn't knock whatever's left loose.
Captain! Captain! You're the boss! You gotta do something about him!
Can't help you there. But now that you mention authority—
As soon as we're back at Babylonia, I'm officially requesting a full examination from Asimov as your captain.
Until those results clear you, no more off-grid adventures. Understood?
WHAT?! No way—that's cruel and unfair punishment! You can't just lock a guy up. I'll literally die of boredom!!
Then let's take Wanshi and Camu's advice. We can run the examination here and now. Once we confirm you're in one piece, you're free to bounce.
Mm... same one we gave you before you left. Ex-act-ly the same.
Huh? Ahahaha— Yeah, no thanks! I'm good! Appreciate the thought, though!
Y'know, being away this long actually made me miss Asimov! I'll just let him handle it when we get back!
Oh right! The mission! We're still in the middle of that, aren't we, [player name]?
C'mon, c'mon! Gotta find that comms device so we can link up with F.O.S. Gotta run—
No sooner does he finish speaking than Kamui races away into the distance. Camu, naturally, gives chase without a second thought.
DON'T YOU DARE RUN AWAY!! KAMUI!!
I'm not running!! I really need to find that comms device!
...I'm getting sleepy again. Camu, wake me when you've caught him.
...I'll radio the pilot. We'll reposition to a safe zone nearby.
They race toward the sunlight, a perfect echo of the past. In this very place, young boys and girls once played and laughed, their dreams woven into the joy around them.
And just as it was back then, the most spirited figure leading the charge is, unmistakably, Kamui.
Heh, nailed it!
Good thing the F.O.S. comms device wasn't busted, and Marlis totally missed it. Mission accomplished!
Huh? Wait... this looks... really familiar...
After handing the communication device to Chrome for safekeeping, Kamui's searching fingers find something else tucked away in a deeper spot.
A flicker of memory sparks, and he acts on pure instinct, his hand plunging into the darkness to claim the hidden object.
...Can you just keep this in a safe like a normal person?
Dude, where's the fun in that? C'mon, this is way more exciting, like a treasure hunt!
...It's a recording tape. There's nothing "exciting" about it.
Nah, nah, nah, you're missing the point, Azael! This is Ezette's treasure!
When one of us finally becomes a Golden Sun, this thing becomes legendary, an heirloom, man! No cap!
Catrayv! Back me up here!
Yeah. Legendary. Heirloom.
...Are we doing this or what? I'm hitting record—
Huh? [player name]? What's up?
...Yeah. Thanks. I will.
Everyone wordlessly leaves the space to Kamui
He picks up the recording tape and transfers its data to his terminal. Despite the years, the tape has been preserved well, and the message plays back smoothly without a stutter.
So we're going straight into this with no rehearsal? Who's first?
Rehearsing takes all the fun out of it! Let's just wing it. Keep it a hundred, say whatever comes out.
...You first, then.
Ahem! People of Ezette, listen up—
Uh... okay, so we don't actually know what time it is when you guys play this.
So, uh... Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, and good night! Whenever you're hearing this, what's up?!
Right now, you're listening to the three and only, the future Golden Suns of Ezette—that's us! Live and uncut!
Let's do quick intros! I'm Kamui!! Heheh, guys, you're up!
I'm, Catrayv.
...Azael. Kamui, can we skip the fluff and get to the point?
Whoa, chill, chill, we're getting there!
So, ever since Operation Solar Exodus kicked off, Ezette kinda... forgot about the Family Day tradition.
But now that we've hit the next stage and are back at HQ again, we figured—
Why not bring Family Day back? And give it a whole new meaning!
So the three of us hereby make this pact: someday, when one of us pops off and becomes a Golden Sun...
That day will be the new Family Day! Forever and no take-backs!
That's why we're only recording half this tape for now. Once one of us makes it, he'll finish the rest!
That's right! And we're using a BEEP as the divider between Part One and Part Two!
Future Golden Sun, the floor is yours. Leave your message after the beep!
Beep—
...Did you just beep with your mouth? Do you have any idea how ridiculous that looks?
No way, man! It's about the vibes! The ceremony! C'mon, Azael, do it with me! BEEEEP—
Get lost!! I'm not doing it!!
Then, Catrayv! Catrayv, you're with me! BEEEEP—
Beep.
—Beep.
Hey, everyone in Ezette! We've made it to the second half.
I'm Kamui.
Like we said back then... today's the day. Ezette's new Family Day, official and permanent.
I'll... remember this day for the rest of my life. Every year, same as the tradition, same as always—
I'll celebrate it with all of you.
And as for what else I wanted to say... well...
Sorry it took me so long. I know you've been waiting. And I want to say it again, the promise I made to all of you.
Hello, everyone. It's me. Kamui.
The promise I made to you all... I finally did it.
Now, I'm bringing you all home.
Kamui lifts his head to the sky and lets out a shout. His voice cuts through the drifting clouds, echoing into every corner of Ezette.
The scene feels deeply familiar; as a child, he always loved to sit at the highest point in Ezette, what he believed was the spot closest to the sun, and bellow toward the heavens.
Hey—! Hey, Mr. Sun up there—?!
Can you hear me—?!
Hey—! I'm here—!
I can hear you—!
Mr. Sun, you're always so far away, way up there! How am I supposed to catch up to you—?!
Easy!! You just gotta start running!!
Don't overthink it, and don't look back!! Clear your head and just run forward with everything you've got—
Then when will I catch you—?! If it takes too long, there might not be enough time for my family!!
It's never too late! START RUNNING—RIGHT NOW!!
Huh—? Right now?
YEAH!! RIGHT NOW!!
Look at me! All you gotta do is stand up and run forward! Don't stop, no matter what!!
Come on!! Follow me!! Everyone's cheering for you! Look, they're waving—!
I see them!! Wait for me, Mr. Sun—!!
I'm gonna catch up to you soon!!
That's it! I'll be waiting right here—!
Now run!!
<i><size=38>Run, Kamui.</size></i>
<i><size=38>Run beyond the training ground, beyond Ezette, beyond the iron fortress and the barren wasteland of your birth.</size></i>
<i><size=38>The wind whips at his face, a familiar enemy that has left his skin corrupted by sun and frost, his eyes stinging and raw.</size></i>
<i><size=38>But Kamui never stops because of this.</size></i>
<i><size=38>Even when exhaustion sets in, countless hands are always there behind him, pushing him forward,</size></i>
<i><size=38>making him unstoppable, urging him onward.</size></i>
<i><size=38>Then comes the flight, and the night. It is a suffocating darkness, thick as mud.</size></i>
<i><size=38>He runs through it for an eternity, so long that he's almost convinced he's lost forever.</size></i>
<i><size=38>But those hands find him again. They transform into self-igniting moths,</size></i>
<i><size=38>darting toward every spark they can grasp, continuously burning themselves.</size></i>
<i><size=38>Eventually, they merge into torches strong enough to defy the wind,</size></i>
<i><size=38>illuminating the unclear path ahead. And finally, he finds the exit.</size></i>
<i><size=38>He runs and runs until he finally breaks free from the terrifying night, but they are nowhere to be found.</size></i>
<i><size=38>The decaying mire has caught them, holding them fast.</size></i>
<i><size=38>They call to him, pleading with him not to look back, not to worry, just to keep moving forward.</size></i>
<i><size=38>But he refuses. He refuses to give up, refuses to accept it.</size></i>
<i><size=38>He turns back, digging deep to summon every ounce of strength, pulling each and every hand free.</size></i>
<i><size=38>The mire, unwilling to release its prey,</size></i>
<i><size=38>begins to climb his body, trying to drag him down with it.</size></i>
<i><size=38>Unable to break free by force, he decides to follow their example and sets himself ablaze.</size></i>
<i><size=38>The searing flames are agonizing, penetrating to his very marrow, but they are enough to burn away the mud that holds them captive.</size></i>
<i><size=38>Seizing the moment, he pulls them close and begins to run once again.</size></i>
<i><size=38>But they have already burned to ashes.</size></i>
<i><size=38>What can he do now? It doesn't matter.</size></i>
<i><size=38>He gathers the ashes and merges them into his withered wing bones.</size></i>
<i><size=38>In their place, stronger, brighter wings grow—wings that can carry him to places farther than ever before.</size></i>
<i><size=38>Through him, they witness everything together: forests and mountains, seas and fields across endless ages.</size></i>
<i><size=38>He flies because of them, and in him, they find freedom.</size></i>
<i><size=38>After flying for a very, very long time, he finally lands again.</size></i>
<i><size=38>There, waiting ahead, he sees a flock of birds just like himself. They call to him, inviting him to join them on the journey forward.</size></i>
Kamui, what are you just standing around for?! Move it!!
I'm not holding back, so don't cry when you lose!
The terrain's a bit rough here. Watch your step.
That said... do I really have to join this race?
"Last place writes the mission report." Guess that's going straight to the captain.
Or... you could assign it to me. I'll definitely write it, eventually, when I don't feel sleepy.
Why's everyone stressing? From the looks of it, Kamui's got last place locked down easy.
Huh... actually... [player name] is here too...
Oh, I hear them alright!! No way we're taking last place!
We're about to show you guys what's up!! Even if we're in last place right now, we'll definitely make an epic comeback!
Kamui looks to where they stand. The morning sun rises, its rays shimmering brilliantly across the landscape ahead.
Where is home? What makes a place home? It is with the people he loves, and in every moment he is loved.
Because he loves this wonderful world. Because his family is here, and he wants to bring them all home.
Turning, he reaches out his hand to you behind him, offering warmth just as you once offered yours to him.
C'mon, [player name]!
Let's go home!
