Seriously, it's been three weeks and things has been getting tighter even though it's not the end of the month yet.

Lloyd buried his face into his folded arms on the table, he was too lazy to finish his paperworks (and Alastair had to finish his tons of assignment and contracts) and it made him exhausted from completing them. He truly hates paperworks with a burning passion, no wonder Alastair kept calling him a moron for slacking off sometimes and can't even handle paperwork. Solvine couldn't care less since he always finish his paperwork before the deadline's coming, and Alastair gives Oswald his paperwork instead and asked if Solvine will cooperate with him to do all the paperwork. "Lloyd, wake up."

Alastair hated to wake Lloyd up, because one; whenever he poke him to wake him up--the Postmaster-General who woke up with a jolting surprise that can send heart attack before it would later making Lloyd falls from the chair or to the couch; and two; the grayish-purple haired leader would later complain and nag that he can't sleep with a big grin on his lips. Well, he hated the first one because he almost got the heart attack and fell from the chair as of now. "I know you need a sleep, but you can't work non-stop. We will deliver all the paperwork by our very own hands, we shall take over your paperwork for you to rest and we need you to be useful..."

"I hate office works, I hate it to the core..."

"Do you want me to start a training session with you? I won't forgive you if you dragged me into this whole thing and ruined my break time with a boring paperwork," the Vice Postmaster-General warned as Lloyd slowly raised his head before he heard what his friend had said. The Maestros are doing their work now in their respective departments or units, his 'job' is to check on them and make a better routine in their shifts and tasks. "Not now, Alastair... just let me sleep and we will review and discuss the latest plan for destroying the Artificial Light--" Lloyd sighed as he slowly raises his arm to lazily pointing the desk.

Haha, never doubted Alastair to use his wits. "As long as no one know..."

Lloyd slowly sitting up on the chair with his body swaying while he stretched his arms, he then let out a deep yawn while arching his back--not aware that he might dropped his signature bluish-black cape. "Argh... I hate it..." he whined, he was about to stand up and reach for his cane behind him until Lloyd suddenly coughed and spat some blood that landed on his palm. God, he shouldn't smoke too much pipe. "Lloyd, what's wrong? It wasn't a good sign to fall sick during the time of need..." Alastair quickly rushed to his leader's side and helped him walking into the table.

Solvine was about to look up, until he froze to see Lloyd has a blood on his palm. The three of them fell silent, finding out that Lloyd has a disease. "Fate is too cruel, one by one... we will lose someone so important... please tell me that it is only my imagination, Master Alastair..." Solvine whispered, Alastair didn't make a reply and the grayish-purple haired Postmaster-General sighed--before he smiled wistfully at them. "Let's just say... I smoke too much and I have not sleeping for a whole three weeks. Can you recall the number of times you all told me to sleep, and yet...?"

"Then I shall bring you to Dr. Chamberlain's office and for further check-up," Alastair glared, it seems like Solvine sensed something is wrong with him. He can hear the stern seriousness in his friend's tone, it must be very concerning. Solvine knew the results if they go for a check-up, he will give a special care to Lloyd and gave his medicine--although he truly hates that one. "Must I stay in the ward and not allowing me to deliver the letters? Only 7 days to recover, not bad," Lloyd chuckled. "But why do you seem worried, old friend? Something that I missed...?"

"Your presence is our best gift..."

Alastair recalled, he couldn't help but smiled. Everyone's grateful for Lloyd's presence, just like how he shines hope to his eyes and the rest of his Mail-Hunters. "Remember what did I tell all of you during my speech? 'Let's meet again in the future...'" the leader said as he bursted into a laughter, coughing again but with a grin on his lips. Now that the two Maestros understood why Lloyd was laughing, as if it was a joke that made them embarrassed before. "Actually, I have a heart disease when I was born from my maternal family. It means, my mother and my younger siblings has this disorder... and someday, when my heart can't hold it anymore--it will stop beating... 'till I would like to rest... eternally."

That wasn't a surprise, no... but Alastair was so afraid... that after that incident, Lloyd might never see the world he wanted to see. "I promise, I will see you again and take care of yourself, Lloyd..."

That's all, Lloyd knew his time was not here, not right now. "We still have one month left, before we can deliver these Melodic Scores to over fuel the Artificial Light. One by one, it is our responsibility and once we accomplished the task, then perhaps our sacrifices will serve as the fuel to repair the sun. The ultimate sacrifice given from all of the Mail-Hunters and postal workers to restore our corrupted history. We never ask for anyone's help and will become our own savior, protecting this world as one."

Alastair finally lost his emotions for several minutes--it's really worth it to prove his own loyalty and to listen to Lloyd's story, being the old friend that he would even become a martyr... and it didn't take that long for Alastair to lose it. Before he and Solvine pulled Lloyd into a tight hug, he couldn't blame him as he felt a headache and Lloyd can only smiled. "I'm glad to have you guys with me, also... tell Sonata that I'm sorry for troubling her."

His final request is not so hard, isn't it...? He sounds so happy, but... everyone made their vows not to be shaken, the vow was their undying wishes to do something... whatever it takes to save Canaria--if the Maestros were proud of anyone or for his bravery, and even Alastair would do the same thing like his friends, because after all--the Maestros had the same fate. Like they say, 'a bond as strong as a mail, a promise made from oath... will never be broken'... even after one's gone.'

Outside the office, Claude was shocked when he eavesdropped the conversation, before it went silent. He knew Lloyd was not well, but his condition is... fatal. It will be harder to hide this from his beloved sister and friends, until Lloyd let himself go... he frowned--what will Sonata think about this? Will the others accept it...? Wasn't his happiness genuine and full of life? A bright figure, like a sun that shone his smile?

He leaned against the wall, everything changes--their priorities were never for the government to control them anymore, especially they made their resolutions into another direction. "Master Lloyd... why are you like this...?"

It was heartbreaking to see Lloyd hides this burden, they never thought he hides it since he was there watching over them working as a Postmaster-General. Can this country truly move to the future...? He clenched his fists, before he walked away and went to see Oswald's place; wondering what is his next course of action.

Well, time goes by pretty fast and they have their own schedule to follow before their big one month comes.

Oswald was in his office, watching the view until he noticed Claude barged inside--making him confused. "Claude Oak, what brings you here--" he paused to see him hyperventilating, as Oswald tilted his head before sitting up on his chair. "What's going on?" He asked, while his friend walks a few steps forward. His expression was gloomy, making Oswald to guess what happened? Claude took a deep breath, before he look up at him. "Master Oswald... I think... I think we need to rush the plan to over-incubate the Artificial Light and it seems like there was something going on. If we still have few hours before midnight... we will have to invade the main facility and... even assassinate those soldiers to have the easiest way..."

Oswald blinked, then he received a vision of blood on the ground--making him knew that his friend is at his peak. If he goes through a huge emotional pressure, he would become like that--beyond his old self that loved flowers or just another kid who wants to have fun. He clenched his fists, he questioned in his stern but loud tone. "Where's Dr. Chamberlain now? I need to see him NOW!" He was suddenly in his serious mode.

"Still working at the underground, it seems like we must move the plan to midnight sooner."

Oswald knows all about this plan, because Dr. Chamberlain needed to upgrade his machine if it will work for a while and how do they supposed to complete this mission? He didn't wait, soon it will be a showdown for Canaria to gain their rights back, while they need to rush everything without making Lloyd having a hard time. "Alright, inform the others that we're going to rush them. But, keep Lloyd away from heavy workloads and activities."

"Yes, sir!"

***

Suona was sighing as she watched the Artificial Light in the sky, it flickers like a bulb but she had to keep faith--despite the conflict that she has in her mind... all of her hopes were going downhill as she has a headache. It took her a week to accept the situation, the thought of being chased because of the hatred of the government and the people who once opposed to NPS and even her personal issues about being kidnapped are plaguing her mind for too long. Why is it not going away? Her father Suiren approached her as he stood beside her before resting his back on the wall, staring at her drowsy features and unresponsiveness. "Suona, is there a problem?"

He watched her sighed while slumping on the railing of the balcony, only to responded with an exhale. "I got problems but I never thought how much tough times had gone on for some time. It was awful, seeing all of these troubles and problems coming from out of nowhere. I hate everything about the endless nightmare, it felt horrible... a conflict between the decisions, while I still can't overcome the problems that I faced everyday; I sometimes wish if this would just go away."

Suona felt his hand stroking her hair, she loves it when her father touch her hair to fix it and not to mention, it's fluffy. She looked up at her beloved father with a frown on her face, Suiren simply sighed as he glance up towards the Artificial Light--only to noticed that the nightfall remained there--no stars are visible and not to mention that the night air has a very suffocating and stifling feel. He is more concerned about the rumors of the NPS destruction to be initiated by them, there's no use to trust the government again.

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

"Suona, we may not live in Canaria anymore. But, I believe that Master Lloyd mentioned something about 'meeting again in the other side of the future'. If he left to do his own task, where is he exactly? What his next plan will be, will all of us will be moving to a different place or left Canaria forever, or perhaps... another world? I have seen too many lives turning my world upside down, Suona... so the cycle had repeated, like you said that Spiritus Husk would likely appear when their condition starts to cracked down and disappear. But, we know that... the Children of Light were able to prevent the Spiritus Husks' apocalyptic crisis, by sacrifice."

"Say, father... if the Spiritus Husk is gone, does it mean the world would returned to normal?"

Suiren scratched his chin, thinking about her question with a surprised look on his face. He realized he wanted to be honest but after witnessing Canaria government's slandering and blackmails of the citizens, he's starting to think their plan is inevitable--especially Suona had been determined to show her loyalty to Lloyd before his announcement of leaving. He wanted to talk about what does he expected but there's nothing left, ever since he knew and witnessed Suona's dedication towards her own commitment as an Emissary--his focus switched to her safety because she is his important key figure in his life that matters the most to him.

Seeing the National Postal Service, Welkin City and some of the Maestros and Postmasters destroying the government emblems while disobeying the order is... enough for them to be left to see the truth beyond the harsh fate that is left untold. "Yes," Suiren stated before staring at Suona. "Because it was too hard for anyone to bear, when we have lost our dear members and the loved ones whom sacrificed themselves just to stay alive and keeping Canaria safe..."

In Sonata's case, she was born to know the pain and hardships of a place and being cast away; that's what she suffered at young age. She slowly understood how she acted like this... she heard it from her brother, it was a new fact she'd discovered about herself. Besides that, she's very excited to hear the details of her plan with the others--not to mention that her friends are aware of the risks and they had doubts about how far they'll do this. Nevertheless, there's still something inside them that motivated her and everyone to continue her path in this organization.

Sonata looked at the three books, letters she's keeping under the table. Her father Solvine brought some books to her room along with the letter to deliver them tomorrow. 'The Artificial Light's structure... this could get me to start and find out anything, I need to try!' she thought, she was thinking of something and took out a paper that's filled with her handwritings. "Maybe I should start again..." she muttered, but her eyelids were heavier and heavier to remain awake.

"Sonata, do you need to sleep? I can help you write it down," Solvine offered, he was done helping to fix the other books that are lined up near the bookshelf as he saw a white paper on the desk. 'Today is a tough day. I want to know something, because... we need to get rid of these Husks!'

"Almost finished, father," Sonata softly answered back, yawning quietly. "Good, very well. Make sure to sleep when you're about to collapse, alright?"

Solvine reminded her, making her whined and ended up sleeping like a log on the table while sitting on the seat; her legs hanging and her eyes glued to the table. He chuckled softly at her expressions as she was in such deep sleep, before he decided to lay her down on her bed... oh this girl, she has been hiding these books since he didn't get the chance to read it until now. He didn't bother checking up her room too much unless she doesn't mind, but he was truly thankful that she is capable of studying and she has shown her importance as an Emissary to him--as her own father.

"My dream... is to reach the light in the other side, perhaps when we find the sun... every day will be exciting as it should be!"

Sonata's bright smile was like a mirror, it reminded of him as a little girl before everything fell apart into pieces. There's so many things that she might have missed in her life...

"Yes, we'll go together to reach for the last time and again, this is the last battle," he said as he planted a kiss on her forehead before he picked up the books on the desk to put them away, including the paper in the middle of the desk. Claire was preparing a dinner for the evening, while Gabriel was reading his book with her white Turkish Anggora cat Elizabeth sleeping on his lap. Things are going smoothly, but they are afraid that they might not have the next chance; they had to do something. And that something might be... destroying the current status quo. "Master Solvine, are we going to make it?" Gabriel asked.

Solvine nodded, staring at his daughter's friends. "Yes... we'll make it together."

They spent their days together before the time has come, which is why they had to do it and the moment will last forever for them.

***

Dr. Chamberlain watched the wide area of Campbell Altus was made into a musical-score like pods, he was holding a clipboard on his hand as he eyed on his assistants who are waiting in the row. Once every coords are written down--the 'incubator' device was settled and they have to finish it before Lloyd, the Director-General of Postal Service Union in Canaria and also the Postmaster-General of National Postal Service came. "Alright, how was the progress in rewiring the circuits for the pods to be installed?"

Dr. Chamberlain questioned his assistant as he watched the engineers fixing the mechanical gears and pipes, he then walked over to see several Mail-Hunters gathered outside of the 'incubator' area with the postal workers, they were trying to blend with them and pretended to be working on the system without the notice. A blonde man was adjusting one of the screws and removed the empty crystal pod, but it was slowly filled with various colors of crystals along with the grey rock. "There's twelve of us, two went to gather the citizens to be evacuated. How about you, Doctor? I expected the machine to be finished by the evening today. Some of the wires are rusted, need to adjust a little," he replied before picking the screwdriver.

"I'm in a need for tuner, can you do that for me or should I proceed to the main facility and search for the one that's locked from a week ago?"

"Search for it, and we will provide you and the other person as assistance," the engineer called Nathan said before pressing the empty one to connect the device--and only then, the color returned to the city as if it was finally dawn outside; despite it was still dark outside the artificial light protected the town and the Mail-Hunters. "Yes, the light shines bright so we'll continue working together in synchronizing everything will work at the end."

Luka was standing there, folding his arms while his hand holding his rosary. He wears a dark blue ankle-length leather trench coat with two belts around his waist and black boots, white shirt underneath and black choker with white diamond teardrops that fasten the hold--which has a cross necklace similar to the rosary.

He was closing his eyes, making sure that everything's going to be alright until the darkness disappear--at least until Canaria was prepared for the evacuation procedure. "My Lord," Dr. Chamberlain addressed him, making Luka open his eyes and turned to the scientist with a polite look. "The preparations for the major operation are underway, once all coords and magical circuits have been tuned through the Artificial Light for the entire map section has been adjusted. Of course, the incubator-like device should have the magical effect on keeping the piece of Melodic Score stable. The incubators should be here, I've told my team already and they will be assigned to monitor it along with the protection squad to prevent any attacks before it could do anything. Also, do you know how to tune the chords for the incubator and play the instrument to activate them?"

Dr. Chamberlain asked, the bishop nodded with a small smile. "Where's the pipe organ?" he asked, the doctor guided him to the pipe organ near the incubator, along with the harp... some musical score were readied and Dr. Chamberlain clapped his hands to get everyone's attention including the mechanics. "It's time to prepare the devices, please raise the sound volume in order to tune the Melodic Scores for the whole sector. However, as for my calculation... we still needed a sound of an music to complete the whole harmony."

Luka sat down on the chair in front of the pipe organ, he tune the pipes and stretched his fingers. "It's been a while since I used to play a pipe organ during Mass... last time I had to face an incident of a mob attacking the cathedral and I was nearly got lynched because of it... okay, I think I can play with it," he began, before he look at the music sheet and nodded. "Alright, this first session will require of sound of strings like those guitar and harp, you know which string to rewind. Have the incubators protected at all costs."

Everyone waited for the bishop's countdown, including Nathan as he hold the recorder and the measuring stick to confirm the measurements, the temperature must be stable as well or else it would cause a strange feedback to the Artificial Light. Luka started counting down and presses the first key for the melody, the machine-like harp started moving and the string vibrated lightly as his magic coaxed the strings and played with the tuning to make the whole melody in the range for the pods began to light up.

The music continues to play as if the bishop was guiding the melody of the pods and the string vibrated to turn the key, he slowly moves his finger away and pressed another key--with the harmonica playing its' tune. Maria was in awe to see the bishop playing the organ effortlessly, and his music echoed throughout the whole area. After six minutes and thirty-six seconds later, the music ended with the pods' color starting to turn bright before they went to its' normal tone. "There are Crimson Melody, Cerulean Cacophony, Tempest Harmony, and Terra Euphony."

Luka pointed out the four powerful Melodic Ambers, which he added. "Only the Four Fantastic Beasts has these colors and you only need to memorize the coordinates before tuning. They will give you the answers, after all. We have one minute until the energy from the pods could be use," he stated, before Dr. Chamberlain was typing the codes in every single pods. Luka stand up and listen to the sound of music as Dr. Chamberlain handed the papers for the engineers. "And..."

Luka added, turning around before he smiled at Dr. Chamberlain. "May we have a moment to talk? In private, it's something I need to talk to you in private," he reasoned calmly and he obeyed, as the both of them continued to the Cathedral and everyone is aware on what he's about to talk. "Doctor, the government was targeting the Cardinals and every church has been attacked because of it. Because of this mess, we have no more time to lose--or we'll die as a martyr."

Dr. Chamberlain learned about the bishop's findings, his frown immediately seen and it came straight to Lloyd's office; his expression changed immediately as he slumped on his chair with a rather gloomy expression. "This would be the end of National Postal Service, wasn't it? It's bad for Canaria, aren't we?" he questioned, before he laughed dryly.

Luka faced the Postmaster-General in the office, listening before he sighed softly and continued. "Next time, you need to attend the Mass because you skipped that a lot. I understand if your job interferes your prayer duty, at least give me some more explanations. It will benefit Canaria, if it goes well," he said, he clenched the hands to the fist--showing his rather disappointing tone to Lloyd who chuckled sheepishly. "My Lord, sorry about that... let's just say I have a bad procrastination problem."

Lloyd received a small smack on the head, and the bishop shakes his head. "As a priest and one of the people in our country, I'm disappointed and shocked from what the government did to this country..." he spoke calmly. The two of them knew that he can't blame them, especially that they were preparing for a battle; a battle that will change the course of history once and for all. Lloyd just can't help but smiled weakly, with his hands hanging onto the chair. "Do you have a Mass tonight?"

"Uhh... yeah?"

Luka realized that he wanted to attend the Mass, he nodded as he folded his arms. "Alright, bring your family with you and the last thing I needed is you skipping again."

When he was about to leave, the bishop heard Lloyd coughing and he can smell a metallic scent from it--he was worried something bad going on. As he walked out and close the door behind him, he saw Dr. Chamberlain approaching him and whispered--this made Luka shocked from the discovery.