Gate of Memoirs/A Memory of Love

Freed from her eternal stasis, time moves again for Aoife and her Pactbound.
Portrait 	Dialogue
Music: "Moonlit Ice"	Music: "Moonlit Ice"
 	
*—A memory of love.
 	
*・・・・・・: This is a nice spot.
 	
*Aoife: We'll come here as often as you like.
*Aoife: Hardly anyone thinks to visit.
 	
*・・・・・・: No, let's...
*・・・・・・: Save it for a special occasion.
*・・・・・・: Tell me something, Aoife?
*・・・・・・: You'll remember me all the same, even if I went away...
*・・・・・・: Won't you?
 	
*Aoife: Of course. Always.
*Aoife: I know. Here... Let me put this on for you.
 	
*・・・・・・: This...is your necklace.
 	
*Aoife: That way, wherever you go...
Portrait	Dialogue
 	
*Aoife: You'll be reminded I'm with you, too.
Portrait	Dialogue
 	
*When you come to, you feel a warm and gentle caress against your cheek.
*The sun seems to have returned to this once-damned island...
 	
*...Before you notice it was Aoife's hand, not a sunray.
*Aoife: You're alive. Good.
 	
*Aoife: I have a small request.
*Aoife: Take the necklace with you.
*Aoife: A remnant of my existence... Proof I once lived, and died.
 	
*You reach into your pocket, and the necklace seems to grow warmer in response.
 	
*Aoife: Thank you, .
 	
*Aoife: And one last thing.
*Aoife: ...Don't let that fox see it, or he'll take it. That sly scoundrel.
 	
*Aoife: This is our little secret. All right?
Portrait	Dialogue
 	
*Your world tilts, and fades to white.
*In the blinding light, Aoife's form disintegrates upon a sunlit sea.
Portrait 	Dialogue
Music: "Snowy Winds"	Music: "Snowy Winds"
 	
*You now stand upon the shores of a broken island, watching its edges fade into its own mists.
*You can't help but think about the Queen's words.
*Peace, yes... But at what price?
*Eyinhel will never be the same again, whether it still exists as you know it.
*Can such a world condemned to that world of stardust and shadow ever emerge intact from its ordeal?
*Eternally inert, trapped in a bubble of its own memory—an intricate illusion born of loss, regret, and love.
*Never to move forward nor backward, for even time has died.
 	
*Hakuzo hobbles up to you, a rather nasty smirk on his face as he looms over his felled opponent.
*Hakuzo: Well, it's *mostly* intact. I've heard a shifter's skin fetches a handsome price, but that would be such a shame.
*Hakuzo: Maybe I'll use it for a rug or something.
*Hakuzo: A fitting trophy for all these troubles.
 	
*You carefully gather up what remained of the seal maiden Aoife—her sealskin shawl.
 	
*Hakuzo: ?
*Hakuzo: Hey, where're you going?
Portrait	Dialogue
 	
*You retrace your steps up the small path, and back to the grave.
*The shawl feels strangely light in your arms, as if a mere breeze would scatter it—
*Just like Eyinhel.
*You fold it neatly and lay it at its base, and with one last parting glance,
*leave the lovers requited in the silent embrace of final death.
 	
*Hakuzo: Tch. You humans' love for sentimental piffle.
 	
*Hakuzo: But it doesn't matter. I daresay you've saved me a lot of headache in the meantime...
 	
*You tilt your head curiously.
 	
*Hakuzo: ...It's nothing.
*Hakuzo: As for you, my dear client...
 	
*Hakuzo: I would have taken that skin as adequate payment, in addition to your...timely assistance.
*Hakuzo: But alas. I'll consider this a favor out of respect for an erstwhile...ahem, *acquaintance*.
 	
*Hakuzo: Never let it be said that I, Hakuzo of the Seventh Circle Fiends, lack a generous, giving heart.
 	
*Hakuzo: Easy, . Your soul is safe.
*Hakuzo: ...For now.
 	
*You suspect that the fox-demon has other reasons for demurring his rightful payment, but now is not the time to ask.
*As you wait for your interdimensional ride home, you can't help but wonder what other places lay forgotten in the great expanse.
Portrait	Dialogue
 	
*Caught in stasis, like a butterfly in amber—
 	
*For the Queen's eternal perusal.
 	
*—I've waited for you to understand, .
*—But it seems like you've made up your mind about some things.
*—Very well.
*—I see what must be done.
*—No one will know of this.
*—Not even that meddlesome Voidling.
Portrait 	Dialogue
Music: "A God"	Music: "A God"
 	
*—A space outside of time.
 	
*The Queen levels her regal gaze upon her kingdom of dust, eyes narrowed at a figure in the distance.
*S'eljah: You will not find them here.
 	
*?: What did you do with ?
 	
*S'eljah: Nothing you should be concerned about, my dear.
 	
*S'eljah: You shouldn't be here. You know that.
 	
*Giselle: It wasn't their fault they got involved.
*Giselle: Kranus—
 	
*S'eljah: Do not speak of it in my presence.
*S'eljah: A mere Voidling has no need for a name.
 	
*Giselle: You're aware of it, at least.
*Giselle: And you're going to use to twist your knife.
*Giselle: Am I wrong?
 	
*S'eljah: Morality is a pitifully human concept.
*S'eljah: A transient one, for transient beings.
*S'eljah: They will never find peace so long as they continue to struggle.
 	
*The Queen waves her hand, and the static swells into a roar.
 	
*S'eljah: Tread carefully, my dear. You are gazing too far into the abyss.
*S'eljah: Remember: This is not yours to decide.
 	
*Giselle: Wait!
 	
*Giselle: She's gone...
 	
*As the ritual begins to fade, only one thing remains on Giselle's mind.
Portrait	Dialogue
 	
*Giselle: ...There's no other choice.
*Giselle: I'll have to find Kranus.