Gate of Memoirs/Unbowed Legacy

Evie takes up the crown as the last monarch of House Valen, but there are some things not even time can erase.
Portrait 	Dialogue
Music: "Tree of Gaia"	Music: "Tree of Gaia"
 	
*The devastating spell unravels like unspooled thread and tears itself from the unmoving form of the Queen.
*Whatever remained of the forbidden Alethi spell burned away, leaving deep sigils etched into Miriam's broken body.
*Scars that would never heal.
*Wincing from the exertions of battle, Evie drags herself to her mother's side, and clasps her bloodstained hand.
 	
*Evie: Mother.
*Evie: Mother, can you hear me?
 	
*Miriam: ... ...
*Miriam: Evie.
*Miriam: I...
 	
*Evie: Shh.
 	
*A distant echo brings a soft, forgotten melody within earshot.
*A simple wordless tune; a promise from happier days.
 	
*Evie: Remember that?
*Evie: You used to sing that to me all the time.
 	
*Miriam: Heh... How ironic.
*Miriam: So I would die here after all. Where it all started.
*Miriam: It was all a jest, then. The jest of gods.
 	
*Miriam: Who knew it would be *you* to deliver my end...
 	
*Evie: ...Mother, were you afraid?
*Evie: Is that why you listened to that dark and horrible thing in your mind?
 	
*Evie: You don't need to be afraid anymore, now.
*Evie: I've excised it. Purged it from you...
 	
*Evie: ...So, come home, please.
*Evie: Mama...
 	
*Mother and daughter sit in silence in the phantom landscape of Eiros,
*sharing one final moment together at the beginning of the end.
 	
*As Miriam's consciousness begins to leave her, a silhouette appears at the corner of her vision, just out of sight behind Evie.
 	
*Miriam: ...You.
*Miriam: Tell me...
*Miriam: Could I have saved her? My Evie?
*Miriam: If you did not come to me...
 	
*Kranus approaches and inclines its faceless head at the dying queen.
*Kranus: Whaţ yo̸u͘ s̕ho̧ul͜d as͢k i͏s͝ ̡wh͟e͢the̕r͝ ̀śh͏ę n̸eed̸ed ͝s͝av͢ing a͏t̡ ͏al͜l̨.
 	
*Miriam: Heh...
*Miriam: So that's how it is.
 	
*Miriam: She is my daughter, after all.
Portrait	Dialogue
 	
*Miriam: Gortius...She's really grown. Hasn't she?...
Portrait 	Dialogue
Music: "Valtan Fortress"	Music: "Valtan Fortress"
 	
*—Two years later.
*With the former queen regent having vanished under mysterious circumstances,
*the ruling family of Elysia was reduced to their sole heir, coronated amid much controversy.
 	
*However, Lady Estia's appearance quelled the rampant rumors and dissent,
 	
*and along with Sir Xenon's influence over the military, Evie was able to obtain at least the begrudging support of the court.
 	
*...Thus was Evgenia Marie Valen crowned the fifteenth monarch of Elysia,
*last of her line.
Portrait 	Dialogue
Music: "Lost Ground"	Music: "Lost Ground"
 	
*—Light of the Grand, Elaina's study.
 	
*Elaina: Hello, Evie. It's been a while.
 	
*Evie nods at her bodyguards, who leave her side and close the door behind them.
*Evie: I've probably mentioned this a lot, but it feels nice to have someone use my name instead of calling me "Your Grace" all the time.
 	
*Elaina: It can't be helped. There would be a massive scandal if the common folk were to so brazenly address you like I did.
 	
*Elaina: How are Lady Estia and Sir Xenon doing? They've gone on a holiday of sorts, no?
 	
*Evie: It was about time, now that the Lightseekers have more or less disbanded. Aunt Estia says she'd like fresh air for once.
*Evie: The rest of the unruly rabble is being handled by Grandt. I'm grateful for all his help.
*Evie: If he hadn't been a voice of reason, I wouldn't be here having an idle chat with you.
 	
*Elaina: So I've heard. He has been rather busy, hasn't he?
*Elaina: He may chafe at the insinuation that he is doing the work of a royal guard, but it's true.
 	
*Evie: I let him do as he pleases. I trust in his judgement.
Portrait	Dialogue
 	
*Grandt: ...So that's that. And we'll be stepping up patrols in the evenings.
*Grandt: Don't want another repeat of that incident last month. Some people never learn.
 	
*Court Advisor: Thank...you, I suppose, er, Commander Grandt.
*Court Advisor: (How coarse to have a former rebel speaking in court...)
 	
*Grandt: I'd be much obliged if you'd *speak up* if you have any problems with my proposal.
 	
*Court Advisor: N-not at all. I shall take my leave, Your Grace.
*The court is dismissed, leaving only Grandt and Evie in the throne room.
 	
*Grandt: Tch. They could stand to get out every once in a while. At least pretend!
 	
*Evie: It's enough that they now behave like fearful children around you.
*Evie: Better than endless bickering, at any rate.
 	
*Grandt: Gotta need someone to put 'em in their place.
*Grandt: I'll have to admit you're a lot better at this than I thought.
 	
*Evie: I'll take that as a compliment.
 	
*Grandt: That remains to be seen...Your Grace.
Portrait	Dialogue
 	
*Elaina: Now...How are you?
*Elaina: Are you still having nightmares?
 	
*Evie: ...Sometimes.
*Evie: I would always hear that familiar little tune...followed by the distorted screech of—
 	
*Elaina: I can't say I'm surprised.
 	
*Elaina: If we assume my hypothesis is correct...That was a place outside of space and time.
*Elaina: Another dimension, almost, but not fully divorced from this plane.
*Elaina: My best analogy would be that it is a layer of "consciousness."
 	
*Evie: What about those visions my mother had?
*Evie: Those prophetic omens sent by that demon Kranus...
 	
*Evie: If that is all true, can there really be a separate...world...altogether?
 	
*Elaina: I cannot discount that possibility.
*Elaina: Time is known to be linear, but I also believe that there is not only a single "thread."
*Elaina: In other words, though it may flow at different speeds, time still runs parallel in the "other world." 
*Elaina: You might call it a "timeline."
 	
*Evie: ... ...
 	
*Evie: I think I've taken up enough of your time, Elaina.
 	
*Evie: Thank you for the tea.
 	
*Elaina: I am always happy to see you, Evie.
 	
*Elaina: Tell me if anything bothers you.
 	
*Evie: I will.
 	
*Evie rises from her seat, but pauses to look into Elaina's eyes.
 	
*Evie: Elaina, do you think...if the "me" in another world would have been able to change anything?
*Evie: Would my mother still have died?
 	
*Elaina: ... ...
*Elaina: If it was meant to be...
 	
*Elaina: ...Then yes. Most likely.
 	
*Evie: ...That's all I needed to know.
*Evie: Thank you.
Portrait	Dialogue
 	
— TRANSMISSION END —