Young Terna promptly got up, grabbing her shattered violin as she headed backstage again. A distressed Viola was waiting for her, trying her best to calm down the river of tears rolling down her face.

"Honey, it's ok, it's fine!" Viola hugged Terna.

"I failed! They were laughing, my show was awful!" Terna struggled to find the strength to hug Viola back.

"No worries, sweetie! Let me see..."

Viola calmly let go of Terna, grabbing the broken violin off her hand and opening her palm with the other. She squealed in pain as her tears kept rolling down her face, looking away from her massive wound.

"It's...bad. But nothing that can't be treated. Sweetie, I'm telling you, it was just a bad moment. You can surely give it another go, I'll tell Maestro Gil about it-"

Viola's words were stopped by a young Terna pulling her bloody hand away from her. She then looked right at Viola, her sadness suddenly turning into anger.

"No, there won't be a second try! I hate it! I hate this stupid music and everything I spent so many years trying to learn it...I'll never play any music ever again!"

She swiftly raised her hand holding the flute and took a swing at Viola's hand that was holding the violin. The perfectly distanced slash was able to cut the broken violin in half, rendering it completely unfixable as it shattered into bits, giving in to all of its already-formed cracks. As the bits and pieces started to fall off Viola's hand and as she gazed into her surprised face, her face started to once again saddened, as it now filled with more regret.

"Terna..." Viola gazed at young Terna with awe.

She didn't say another word, and neither did Terna. Her tears once again started to roll down her face as she threw the violin away, it clinging back the long bow it had created. She then rushed out of the theater in an almost panicked state. That's all her memories could serve to show her from that day as she was almost violently shaken back into reality. She gazed around the destroyed backstage room and tried to remember the exact spots it had all transpired in. She gazed at the floor and followed what seemed to be a painted line, only to remember that it was yet another trail of blood, a part of herself, left behind. Why wasn't it cleaned after the fact? Because she knew that a mere day after she buried her dreams, this very grave would burn and collapse on itself.

She tried and successfully lifted some wooden boards off the floor, trying and finding exactly what she was looking for. That same broken violin, partially burned and turned into ashes after its cracking, the broken strings still somehow managing to withstand the burn. The kneeled before it, picking up the broken pieces of every last bit of those dreams she placed on her music. Really, was it that bad and stupid? She thought and wandered again and again. Others would remember in their memories, their muscles, and even through photographs or diaries. She knew that she would always struggle to remember even the most important faces she would meet, so combining that one passion, that one driving force in her life with her issue would only help to resolve it in the end. Wasn't it? She began doubting herself again, putting her romantic mind up on a pedestal and forcing it to repeat the same testimony again and again. She was dancing around as if she was practicing a play like the old days, now instead dancing between what she thought was a probable delusion and reality. She wanted to go forward but was unsure. She wanted to stop but didn't know if she should. Was the force driving her a cliché or genuine passion? Her thoughts were once again interrupted by a seemingly silent melody in her ears.

A calling that she was barely able to hear as she got up off the floor again, looking to her right side. Wrecks upon wrecks upon wrecks. Yet between the tiniest of cracks, it seemed that the air was forcing itself out, almost violently, trying to echo out an aria. She approached the wrecks and began tearing them down. She wasn't at all afraid to get her hands dirty...she remembered one thing vividly. That farm in the open fields. That one place where her life seemed to have begun. She dug and dug and dug through the wreckage, finally reaching the heart of the melody. That one flute. Despite every single thing around her, that same flute appeared untouched and unhinged by the fire and the elements. Just staring at it was like it activated a burst of memories, ranging from images to smells and sounds, coming from when she was around it. And she was taken aback yet again.

"Wait, Mommy, why are we leaving the farm? I...I like it here." a very young Terna said.

"I'm sorry sweetie, but we have to go. A friend of mine would like us to be with her in the big, wide city!" Viola happily said.

"A...friend?"

"Yeap. You'll see, and given how you like music so much, you'll love the city. There's a big place where everyone plays a lot of music while acting and dancing as well!"

"It sounds...good!" Terna said.

"Moreover, you can join them if you want! Remember Terna, nothing can last forever...so, what gives? There'll always be something new out there, so might as well explore it, right?!" Gaz happily said.

"Alright then! Let's go to the big city!" Terna happily said as she ran towards the car.

And then, out of nowhere, she remembered something more...something she shouldn't have.

"Man isn't it nice to be young, not a care in the world and not a worry in sight." Gaz sighed.

"Hey, we've had our cut of that, let her have it too." Viola softly punched Gaz on the shoulder.

Gaz chuckled, "The moving guys should be here rather soon. You're not leaving that thing for them by the way?" Gaz looked at Viola having the flute in her hands.

"Eh, don't feel like it. It seems way too priceless to let them have it on their hands."

"You have some pretty expensive stuff of yours in the house though."

"Key difference, that's not mine. It came with that lil' bundle of joy in that car.", Viola pointed at the car.

"So why not give it to her?" Gaz shrugged.

"Honestly...after she fell from the sky and I came into contact with both her and this flute, it felt like...too much. I don't really want to give this to her just yet, even as I'm merely holding it, I can sense it'll be too much for her."

"Do as you wish with it then. But shouldn't we at least tell her the truth? You know...about the monsters?"

"Cecilia told me that the rampant monster attacks can mean way more than what we currently think. Hey, she was my commander, remember? I'm sure she knows what she's saying. And plus, I don't want Terna coming into any contact with these monsters, physical or even optical. It'll suck having her witness this."

"It's not that bad...but I get what you mean. Although, what will we do? An old farmer soldier left from the war and a Valkyrie who's seemingly immortal?"

"Gotchu covered too. I found a job for me...a restaurant business. Sounds nice, doesn't it?"

"Your food is surely the best I've tasted. How so, I don't even know. Thousands of years of experience, I guess."

"Ehe, it was more of a necessity, to be honest. Cecilia couldn't cook without setting the world on fire, so I compromised. Had to do the same for Hikari and Naga while we were at it. Been a while since I've seen anyone from the Trail Blazers after we split, so I'm looking forward to our reunion with Ceci. And don't worry, I got you an occupation as well since I know how much of a pain you'd be, mumbling while having nothing to do. Paramilitary forces for the police department. Cecilia didn't really have to pull any strings with your portfolio, so I'm pretty certain you can snatch a chief position in a couple of years with your experience."

"Nice! I'm looking forward to it then! Though I am a bit worried for how Terna will adapt to the city...it's a complete 180 from the farm."

"She's smart, she will do just fine. Got her a little play date with Cecilia's kids. All four of them."

"Four...damn, Valkyries are that much of a-", Viola cut him off in annoyance.

"Don't say it sweetie, otherwise I'll give you a whooping. My skills with the bow and arrow have not diluted one bit and I always have them on me. They were quadruplets, despite being peculiarly different in more than physical appearances."

"Ok, ok, miss Valkyrie vice commander. Despite saving my pretty little ass when I was injured all those years ago. What a cunning plan, curing and healing me and my hurt with your relentless love, just to break it all again." Gaz playfully said in a sarcastic tone, pulling Viola in.

"Exactly. I'm a strong and independent Valkyrie, who only needs that kid to survive. Don't ever forget it.", Viola playfully answered back.

"Should I call you 'mommy' then?"

"No. 'Best mom' more like it."

A slight smile came across Terna's face as she was taken back into her kneeling stance, holding the flute under the burned backstage. She took in that familiar sight with joy, as a tear rolled down her face. She was reminded of all the good times and all the bad times altogether. She was reminded of her stepmother's smile as she was reminded of her tears when she was gone. She was reminded of her stepfather's teachings as she regretted letting him go. There was little that could be done for both of them, but what could she really do? The time allowed for her to cry for Viola's passing was not allowed for Gaz's fateful death, as she then needed to stay strong for those beside her. Now, however, when time wasn't of the essence, she reminded herself of that bullet hole that took what little she could call family that was left, shedding those tears held back. She did not know why she was able to remember things she shouldn't. It felt as if that same flute was a part of her, a whole other autonomous half that took in everything she couldn't when she wasn't around it. Time slowly passed as she was done shedding the same tears in the same place she once did again. But she couldn't keep crying. She was no longer that scared little child that failed her backstage show. She had taken in experiences, successes, and failures alike for over half a decade. She had taken that advice from the flutes memories to heart, despite not knowing it.

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It didn't matter, for it was an innate part of who she was. She wanted this. All of this. She wanted to live a life that she would regret her choices made, not the choices she didn't take. In a twisted way, she wanted to experience it all, to leave behind, as she once said, a song. A song containing every single bit of experience and emotion imaginable, describable or indescribable, interesting or boring. She could change who she was at the moment to experience it to the fullest, but she would always leave a part of her behind, to go back and do it all again in a different way. She knew who she was and wasn't afraid to trace herself back, because at her core, the connections, friendships, and family she made, she wanted them all to look and keep a true part of her behind. But now that she was reminded of all the experiences she had gone through, one thing remained for her to do...to stay as her. Her real self. She had experienced it all and wanted to experience more.

But along the path she now chose to take, she wished to change one thing. She wanted to forever stay as herself, because that's the only thing she would never experience had she kept going her way. She wanted to experience...Terna Matune. She wanted to see what she was capable of, how far she would make it, and she wanted to world to only see and remember her for what she truly was when she would inevitably leave it all behind. She caught her breath as she rose up on her feet, that same flute firmly stuck in her hand, she got up and got out of the backstage once again. So familiar...the scenario, the instrument, the fire reignited in her heart. She was about to break a promise she so eagerly wanted to. No longer would she bind her choices under another's finger. No one would point her in the direction she was supposed to go. No one would write her songs, her music, and her story anymore. It was her life that she was willingly giving into the path she chose for herself. A path following those same friends from all those years ago, not because of melancholy, pity, or need. But because she simply wanted to.

And she knew, deep down in the darkest depths of her heart, that they wanted the same. She looked at the empty, burned seats again. Silence. Not even the wind budging through the empty cracks on the walls and ceiling anymore. She took off her jacket. That disgusting jacket she looked at with pity, binding it with a time she wished to never experience again. She smiled cockily as she saw it on the floor, knowing full well what that meant. She was happy to remember all the times she had to wear it...because she had experienced what it had to give. The sadness, the lack of control...those memories would stay with her forever after, exactly as she wanted. She didn't care if she was labeled a masochist for it. Because after that, she would know to never go down that path again.

She was free. She dusted off the flute as she placed it on her lips. She began playing a melody off that flute. No instructions...no maestro to conduct her. She would do this on her own. As her intro to the song ended and she faced back the seats, she gazed upon a deeply staring crowd. It was as if she was reliving that same day again. And she liked it. Her mouth opened as she took a deep breath. Her memories held by that jacket she threw on the ground only helped to remind her of how far she's made it remembering all those dull, generic lyrics she had to recite. And so her lips began to move, to the best of an orchestra behind her, her mind projecting all that she remembered, changing at her will. The show was on.

I looked up into the sky, that one fateful night

I wondered how and why, each star could shine so bright

Among them all I wondered worlds and witnessed wonderful sights

This voyage took me far and wide, to satisfy a curious mind

But my heart will stay behind, to let you know that I'm fine

And when I take a look back

I wonder how I made it that far

My eyes filled with sparkle and tears

I fear if I'll one day disappear

She caught her breath as the music kicked up, levitating the rhythm to an all-new high she wished to make, her body moving along to the music, one hand raised in the air while the other still held on to her flute.

But even then deep down I know

You'll remember me through the rain and the snow

She raised her voice as the orchestra, now comprised of classical and even electrical instruments ranging from mere guitars to drums followed her lead.

There's many more days to come

When I'm far and I seem forever gone

But know that I'll always be with you

Through the stars and the years

This world brings me laughs and tears

I worry about what the future will take us through

But even then I'll cherish the misty darkness of something new

The music slowed back down as cheers accompanied the lowering sounds and tone of her music, encouraging her to go forward.

Again and again I will walk through the abyss

Wondering if there's anything that I will miss

The ocean never once scared me

I always wondered what was beneath

In the light we see everything so clearly

But there's need to dare to dwell into the deep

Despite all the wonderful sights, I sometimes witnessed terrible fights

I've seen the most cheerful laughs, and tears about horrible pasts

But I'll always know that there's you

Carrying a home for me to go to

The crowd yelled in excitement, as if this was a concert in a stadium than a mere classical theatre, anticipating the music kicking up again.

There's many more years to come

Where I miss you and the world we call home

Still I know you'll never let me go

In the dark, where nobody will ever see

Witness me shine brighter than the biggest galaxy

I always had my fear for the unknown

But thanks to you I left that back into those years long ago

The music persisted as she was getting ready to indulge herself and the crowd to the finale of the song.

Further up ahead

Don't stop until I see the end

Nothing lasts forever

Neither you, me or all the stars together

See it all before it's split to more than one

Leave nothing not said or undone

But I'll remember it all even when it's gone

The crowd erupted into cheers as Terna flawlessly and gracefully finished her dancing at a bowing position to the end of the song, holding her bowing stance in front of them all. The cheers then slowly started to fade away into the air as her vivid imagination started to bring her back into reality. Despite the emptiness of the stage from the imaginary band and the cheers from the empty crowd in front of her, she smiled happily, having conquered her painful memory. She relaxed her stance and brought the flute close to her chest, closing her eyes while slowly starting to feel the tingling sensation of its power running through her veins.

“Despite the things that I don’t know and don’t understand yet, I still am who I am. I can relive it all and I can experience more as I go…and it’s a cliché that I place this upon my friends and family. Despite it all, they helped me get here…but they weren’t the reason behind it all. I extend my gratitude for all the help and support they gave me, to push me over the edge for a leap of faith…” she paused and held back her words.

She squeezed the flute harder. This time, it started to rapidly emanate a powerful golden aura around her as it once again extended itself from its pipe within. It wasn’t just a bow for a violin anymore. It was a blade. A thin, silver-looking blade, bedazzling the empty void that was in front of her emanated its light outwards, now clearly taking on the form of a glorious rapier. The wind kicked behind her back, as her pink-dyed hair was flowing along it, she held her position firmly at the center of the stage. Her moment lasted but a few moments that felt like a happy forever to her, she heard groans and smashing sounds coming from beyond the auditorium in front of her. Monsters once again…Enmities, Shadowers, what did it matter? They were the same to her. Violent creatures. The wind calmed down as she was left with the glowing flute rapier reflecting light, eyes still closed on the stage. It was as if she was calmly waiting for them to arrive…and so they did. The monsters stormed in and filled the empty seats, looking and groaning at Terna. They weren’t engaging from the start, almost as if they too were bedazzled, wanting to take in the powerful sight. Impossible…they couldn’t. They were mindless monsters…and yet they did. Terna heavily exhaled before picking up her words from where she left them off. To the rhythm of her long-winded breath, the monsters then started to aggressively run towards her.

“To thank them for helping me save me from myself.”

In a flash, it took but a single sweep of her rapier to completely cut the jumping monsters in half, as she then proceeded to gracefully step around all of her attacking enemies, slashing them all down in the process as if she was performing a vivid dance.

She then stopped as she looked forward, realizing that the number of monsters coming was much greater than she initially thought. She wasn’t fazed by them regardless.

“The passion that drove me to turn my entire life into a long-winded song…that same passion will shove you into a place where not even you're most painful songs can be heard.”

She reset her stance, holding her position and calmly placing her rapier in front of her. It was as if she was welcoming them to attack her. And so they did. But as they were approaching, Terna managed to once again dance around them all, slashing some in between her moves before ending right in the middle of the hoard. Before the monsters could even realize what was going on, Terna, as if she was light as a feather, started jumping around in a circular formation, slashing all of the enemies she contained within that flawless circle. It was as if she was massless as if light itself reflected off platforms she managed to create out of nowhere, slashing through every single thing that it lit upon. She finished her move by briefly landing at the center of the hoard again. She then began to rapidly and forcefully drive herself back and forth in the middle of them all, slashing them altogether. From the lighting fast movements of her going back and forth, the powerful wind current that was rapidly changing started to forcefully drive the monsters inside the area that Terna was slashing in. She then performed a series of 3 slower but extremely powerful slashes that violently gather all of her enemies in front of her. By the end of the 3rd slash, she gracefully jumped back and in front of the entire monster hoard that was gathered on the stage.

“Disappear in depths of your empty heart’s abyss.”

She mustered all of her strength into one singular move, driving herself right through all of the monsters and disintegrating them completely. Still more were coming her way. She was tireless. She calmly held her stance again, rapier in front of her face and hand behind her back.

“The adagio has finally come to an end.” she placed her rapier horizontally in front of her chest as she changed to her right profile, “So let the intro to the final aria end along with it.”

As she was holding her rapier with her right hand on her profile position, she slowly placed and dragged along her pointer finger from her left hand on the silver blade. Then, as if she dusted off the last bits of years-long dirt from her blade, she started rapidly shifting the floor beneath her on the stage. As if she had dropped a single drop of water from the edge of her rapier onto a lake, the floor beneath them all shifted with an engulfing ray of light. The lights of the stars themselves shone bellow them all, as it now looked like they were all standing on top of space itself. Clouds of nebula passed them by from below, as stars from afar shone brightly. A miraculous sight, almost as if they were standing between two-midnight skies, the theater's broken roof separating them both.

“Allegro. The chorus of your regret will dance bellow and above the bridge of both worlds.”

Her eyes sparkled with light as they turned out not a dazzling gold before she took another glance at her enemies. Almost completely frozen through space and time, Terna started to dance around them all once again. The flash of her slashes, much like Dante’s, remained in place after she performed them. Additionally, like a snake shedding its skin, every so often she would leave behind a reflection of her body in the form of light, performing the dance move and firmly holding its place. She finally finished up her dancing around them all, and positioned herself at the center of the stage in front of them.

“I’ll put the final hiatus to this!”

All of her slashes and reflections of her dancing self-started to slowly emanate a bright light as they seemed to be reattaching themselves with all their energy back to alongside her sword. As the blade glowed forever lighter, Terna backflipped backwards and landed on two platforms she created out of nowhere directly below her feet. She had widened her stance and placed her rapier on her left side, preparing to set off her final move.