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I can't. Our future isn't for someone like me to decide.

Those who died for the plan, and the people right before us... don't you realize the pain they're in?

I hear them. Their screams, their laments... I will never stop hearing them, not until the day I die.

Then why do you have to be the one to change everything?

Because... I can.

That's the only reason?

Someone has to. My life never had much meaning to begin with, except for one speck of light that never fully belonged to me. And I would do anything to keep it from going out.

I can't condone your cruelty, arrogance, or irresponsibility.

And as such, I must stop you.

Of course.

Disaster has already struck, and by my hand. I've caused so much death, with even more to come.

Just stop this.

I can't. Not after what it took to get this far.

Do you know what it is about your actions I agree with the least?

You really are...

Heartless.

No—!

Viviana...

Cora, Cora!

I know, I know.

You're soft on the outside, but firm on the inside. You just can't turn your back on other people's pain.

You don't want to make things difficult for Brandt either. You're always thinking of others, even now.

And... I'm glad I got to die at the hands of the one I love the most.

...I'm sorry.

Are the clouds beautiful today?

No need to be afraid, Viviana.

It'll pass. This will all...

She embraces me.

I can feel her hand on my back, trembling.

I want to hug her and comfort her like I used to. Perhaps I did. I talked so much, even though I had already begun to go numb from blood loss.

I can imagine her lake-like eyes beginning to rain, her gentle complexion warped by torment.

She only just learned that I've never clearly seen the faces of her father and mother.

Through Werner's words, I could only imagine how they looked, how they met, and how they fell in love.

After all, I went into that dark spire the day I came to Vedunien. And the day I left it, I could no longer see.

Everything I know that's nice and beautiful, including Brandt, was brought to me by Werner and Lucinda.

Except for one thing... except this.

The day that Werner brought the girl down from the spire to me, the day that I touched her soft, timid hand, the day that I wiped away her tears...

That was the day that I became certain of it.

I loved this child, and not because she was their daughter.

But because I saw in her something that none of us had.

You deserve a better life than this, Viviana... If there really is one...

Twenty-three years ago, I heard the sound of fighting from below, and gave the resonance pipeline at the top of the Spire a little push.

Just a little push, something anyone could do.

It created the tiniest gap in Herkunftshorn's defensive Arts. He had never imagined that a humble maidservant would have the courage to betray him.

Today, I tampered with the resonance pipelines of the Twin Empresses' Spires.

All I did was restore the Witch King's tuning components, according to the Arts he left behind in the copy of the Güldenesgesatz, then activate them with my own humble Arts.

Life is too short.

Do nothing, and you leave no trace behind, like the clouds floating past the spires.

But no one should drift with the wind like that, unable to determine their own future.

Many desires change. I'm just the first to extend my hand.

I hope that after this, all good people, all the people I love...

Will have a true future.

The clouds above Zwillingstürme are... floating so freely.

Is this what you wanted to see at the end?

Ja.

Your music helped me see. Incredible. Not through my eyes, but through my mind.

I gave Viviana a few hints, as you wished.

She wanted so much to have a real family, but... she didn't follow her strongest emotions.

Nein, my dear friend.

It was her feelings for everyone that led to her decision to kill me.

Are you satisfied?

Why wouldn't I be?

I greeted death under the gaze of the one I loved.

No need to mourn for me. This is the best end a sinner like me could hope for.

Danke. Thanks to you, both Viviana and I will... go further.

Your emotions will vanish into thin air before long.

When the music ends, the strings may continue to vibrate for a while, but all sounds eventually fade into silence.

No one can keep a cloud around, Arturia.

The soul is frail. Even the most powerful emotions and the greatest desires will inevitably reach their respective ends.

Even for the strongest of souls?

Is that not what you're here for?

I'm leaving all my emotions and memories to you. Did you find what you were looking for?

Yes, perhaps... I'll know soon.

Goodbye, Arturia.

I hope you find your answer in melody.

Cora Löwenstein, my gentle and stubborn friend... I was glad to have you on this journey.

I'll work to achieve the future we sought together.

You and I...

...Will meet again in melody.

Cora is... fading away?

Get away from her!

Herr Reiner...

Cora...

There's no need to explain.

You made your decision... and put it to action.

As for the rest...

This isn't the time to speak of it, for neither of us.

The black flame took her. It was similar to what happened at Ludwigs-Universität.

They were both Herkunftshorn's Arts, but not quite the same.

The caster in that incident was an imitator who activated them by force, but this power feels almost like his own.

Red-black energy rumbles in the clouds.

It does not impatiently tear, swallow, and spread.

Instead it paces, watches and waits, on that throne in the clouds.

Do you see it?

The great Herkunftshorn has heeded our call and granted us an audience!

He has called forth the staircase leading to his eternal spire, the Genesis Horn!

The followers of the Witch King laugh.

They play the most piercing notes on their instruments, aiming them at their own chests and throats.

In response, the black clouds extend several tendrils towards them.

The dying cultists kiss the hand that their king has extended and become one with the black flame, ascending to become part of the dark cloud that now hovers above the Twin Spires.