It was a humid night within the walls of New Solstice, many of its citizens tossing and turning in their beds. For some, it was the dampness of the air that left them troubled, but for others, it was the words of war that had spread across the lands. Vile expressions of hatred for their culture, reports of massacres of their so called enemies. Many of the villagers had little experience with the Emeraldite Empire, and those that did were all too terrified at the thought of being caught within their gaze. It was a reminder of the cruelty of the world, and for many a glimpse at just how fragile life could truly be.

Still, there were many that believed in their leader, Lady Nieroi, the one who had allowed the people a second chance to flourish following each and every tragedy that had fallen before them. She had promised them all so much, and until now, they had no reason to doubt her. Her teachings had never steered them wrong on this path before, no matter what the outside world had to say of them....

Little did any of them know that such a path had reached a crossroads, a split path between a decisive victory for all that called New Solstice home, and a tragedy far greater then any the Ephalens had experienced since the shattering of the world. 

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"W-what?! You're...joking right?" Lillian's eyes widened, the damp heat that filled the meeting room evaporating almost instantly as the half elf wrestled with the words she was hearing. It wasn't as if she thought Lady Nieroi would joke about such a thing, far from it. It was simply that anything would be better then the awful truth that had just been confessed to her. 

"I'm afraid not..." The response was quiet, devoid of any energy Lillian had come to expect from Nieroi. Even her wings had changed to reflect it, Lillian had quickly noticed. Rather then the shining purple that was so very reminiscent of the dreams warmth, what could be seen now was a hollow black, the colour of an endless nightmare of which there was no waking. "In three days time, Ada is set to return. And if I am not to hand myself over, the whole of New Solstice is to be slaughtered."

"B-but that's...that's not fair!"  Lillian shouts, her hands gripping the table until her knuckles turned white. "You told her the poison was nothing to do with us! I...so then why.... Why?!" 

"She's...always hated what I stand for, Lillian." Nieroi murmurs, her eyes unable to meet her second in command.  "The dream...my hopes for the world...everything. Its either I am taken to be killed by Emeraldite hands, or everything I...everything we've all worked for is destroyed. She wins either way."

"Then we cant let her win. I-I surely you're not going to give up? I know its not much but we have the soldiers! We have you and miss Mint! Lord Ephales!" Lillian knew she sounded desperate as she began to rattle off names. In truth she'd been having her doubts with the war long before this sudden news. It was tough enough medicine to swallow that they'd be able to defeat an empire, decayed or not. But the strongest mage in all of Templehelm? With just under seventy two hours to prepare?! As much as she didn't want to believe it, the whole thing sounded impossible. 

"I'm not planning to give up Lillian, far from it." The esper shakes her head. "Ada...she won't stop her meddling until one of us dies. It's her or I at this point...."

"Then I'll help! I know I'm not the strongest fighter...I'm probably no match for her but...I have my archery skills!"  The half elf urges desperately. "You've seen them first hand. One well placed shot and I..I can save..."

"No." Her refusal is sudden and harsh, a flash of the energy Nieroi seemed to have lost flaring back up at the idea of Lillian's participation.  "I.....can't allow you to be here when she arrives. There's something much more important I have for you to do."

It was only at that moment that Lillian noticed Nieroi's shaking hands as she held out a large sheet of paper. Her eyes quickly scan it over, trying not to linger on the trembling figure sitting across from her.

"I don't understand, this is..." 

"A map of Fort Frostfall, and the path to get there through the dreams portals." Nieroi finishes for her. "I want you in charge of evacuating the citizens there. We cant allow Ada to harm them. They'll be safe there, I know they will be."

"And what about you? You wont be safe here! What if you die?! What happens then!" The half elf demands.

"I won't die. There isnt a doubt in mind." 

"Liar! Liar liar liar! I can see you're terrified! You think i don't have eyes?!" Lillian bellows, allowing all the frustrations she'd held to come spewing outward.  "I may have stayed quiet when you and Miss Mint were running around preparing for war months before I'd heard anything from the Emeraldites, nodded along as you lied that there was nothing to worry about. But I wont let you lie to me now!!" She finishes, collapsing in her seat as she takes a moment to catch her breath.  "There's a chance you won't come back alive. T-that you'll...you and Miss Mint both will be....."

"....I....there is a chance." Nieroi admits, a soft sigh escaping her lips. "All the more reason for you to be with the citizens at Fort Frostfall. Should I fail...they'll be left in your hands. I trust you with them, Lillian."

"Lady Nieroi...I...no...Lady June...please..." Lillian begs, fighting desperately against the tears as she searches her brain for some sort of answer. Some way to sway June away from something so suicidal.

"I'm not..going to run from this Lillian. I'll meet Ada when she returns, and if she cant accept my reasons for fighting against the Emeraldites...I'll fight. For the future of our people...for the future of everyone." June's words ring hollow with the subtle tremors of her body , but Lillian wonders if she'd believe them if she simply closed her eyes. If she didnt have to acknowledge the terror of the one she idolized so. 

".....Ok..I....ok...."  She finally relents, unable to find another answer for the tragedy laid out before them. "I know you won't budge...your resolve is....thats what I always admired about you, you know? That after everything thats happened, you've never given up. Not once."

"And I won't start now. I promise I'll...fight to the bitter end."

"Y-yeah." Lillian nods, her attention turning back to the map she'd been given. "And I won't stop supporting you. E-even if I think this is really stupid. I'll do it. I'll make sure everyone makes it out safe."

"Thank you." June manages a smile, the first since the dreaded appearance of Ada at the gates of the city. "I also...have this for you." The esper reaches into a dimensional pocket, retrieving from it a sealed envelope, as well as a strange looking compass. On sight alone, Lillian knew it couldnt be anything ordinary, it's entire form practically shimmering with a powerful arcane energy.

"A compass? And a letter?" She asks.

"The compass is called The Wishgazer. An Ephalen artifact I came across long ago, in a land between dream and abyss. It's power is undeniable, and I wish for you to guard it with your life. It is one of our peoples greatest treasures." June explains, her mind drifting elsewhere as she spoke of adventures past. "As for the letter...only open it should I truly...not make it back. It'll explain everything. What it is that must be done for the sake of the future, that the path of the dream may continue."

"And you truly trust me with this?" Lillian looks hesitantly to the pair of items, as if not truly believing they existed.

"Until it comes time for you to pass it to Phina." June responds, the mention of the name enough to bring further sorrow to her face, her words trembling slightly as she continued.  "There may well be a day she is forced to arrive in the waking world. I...if that is to happen...please...look after her for me?" 

"I will." Lillian can only nod, finally realizing the terrible burden she carried as she takes the compass and letter in hand. An ancient artifact, a letter for the future, and the promise to look after the child hidden from so many. It hurt her heart to think about, that June could lie so boldly. Only a few moments ago she had said there was no doubt of her survival, and now it seemed like quite the opposite. By accepting all this, it felt as if she were sending June off to die.

"G-good. Then I have another meeting to attend to." The esper speaks suddenly, as if to hurry Lillian away. "You should prepare everything for the evacuation. We have...a busy couple of days ahead."

Lillian feels her head nod, almost entirely on instinct. She rises from her spot in the meeting room, her legs carrying her to the exit before she even realizes what was happening. Quickly she turns back to face the woman she admired so much, unable to stop her tears for a moment longer.

"Lady June. Please, come home safe?" She pleads, her voice shaking with desperation. "J-just promise me you'll win ok? Even if it's another lie. Just tell me everything is going to be ok."

Her words linger in the air for a moment too long, the seconds crawling by without June even stopping to meet her eyes. Lillian can only watch as the Lady of Dawn's Reverie disappears in a cloud of Dream Dust, leaving behind a chilling silence that weighed heavily on Lillian's shoulders.

In the end, she never did get to hear her response....but that in itself, was answer enough.