Memory of Heaven:Romance Written By Fate Through Beyond Infinity Time-Chapter 433 The Return of the Sword that Defies Fate — Fitran and the Destruction of the Statues

Chapter 433 - 433 The Return of the Sword that Defies Fate — Fitran and the Destruction of the Statues

The statues opened their mouths in unison.

Not to speak.

Not to sing.

But to scream—a sound that was not a sound, but an echo of desires that had been denied, then frozen, and now found a crack to come back to life. The ground of Valdenmeer cracked, creating vibrations felt down to the pores. The air thinned, marking the presence of darkness that enveloped them. The sunlight turned a blood-red hue, even though there was no source, as if nature itself could feel the pain that occurred.

Joanna and Rui knelt, their bodies trembling not from magic... but because their souls were recognized by something too ancient to be named. An oppressive feeling surrounded them, as if every second vibrated with dark memories, with anxiety that squeezed their breaths. Joanna looked at Rui, her eyes shining not merely with fear, but also with a repressed spirit, willing to fight against all threats. "We have to fight, Rui," she whispered, her voice soft yet determined, proclaiming hope amidst despair.

"Jo... they're not just statues..."

"They are wills forced to stop... and have forgotten how to do so." A sudden cold wind blew, as if reminding them of something lost. The space between them and the statues felt denser, like an invisible web separating their world from the encroaching darkness. Rui swallowed hard, her fingers clutching the ground, as if seeking support from the most basic element.

One statue jumped—faster than could be comprehended. Its sudden movement startled Joanna, causing her to gasp and scream, her terrified voice cut off by the statue's own cry. For a moment, Rui's face reflected a shadow of tension, but in her eyes, there flickered a sincere desire to protect Joanna, regardless of the danger that lay ahead. "Don't look back! We have to move forward!" she insisted, even though uncertainty filled her, signaling that hope still existed in this darkness.

A stone hand struck the ground, creating an unknown glyph that cracked and spread in all directions.

"Resurgens Nomen: Vox Silentae."

(Name Resurrects: Voice of the Silence)

In the midst of the tension, Joanna felt her heartbeat pounding, as if the earth was speaking, coaxing her to listen more closely, seeking meaning behind every stroke emerging from the realm of dark symbols. A sense of emptiness and confusion caressed her heart, reminding her of all that had been lost in the shadows of time, as if the past demanded attention and acknowledgment.

"Resurgens Nomen: Vox Silentae."

(Rising Name: Voice from the Silence)

The spell attacked not the body, but memories. Memories that did not want to be let go, but rather sank deeper, like being trapped in a narrow labyrinth of darkness.

Joanna screamed—suddenly, she forgot Jeanne's voice. The voice that had always been warm now vanished like morning dew, leaving her lost in uncertainty. There was a torturous longing, a recollection of peaceful moments that now felt so distant.

Rui clutched her head—Rinoa's name faded from her mind, like a voice swallowed by fog. In the panic, she struggled to find a foothold in the swirling reality, as time seemed to tick slowly. Every corner of her mind battled, torn between happy memories and the darkness threatening to consume everything.

"This... is more than just magic," Rui whispered. "This... is a cancellation of past existence." In her words lay unspoken worries, a reminder that they were not only fighting against a visible enemy but also battling the arrogance of memories that refused to fade away. The only way to move forward was to break the chains of the past that bound their souls, paving the way for a brighter future.

With the remaining light of Michael, Joanna conjured a shield:

"Custodia Filii: Vow of Blood-Born Flame."

But it did not save them. As the light shimmered around her, Joanna felt a weight on her shoulders; she knew that every decision came with a burden she might never be able to bear. Yet, her determination would not fade—she was the hope they had longed for, disregarding the raging inner turmoil within her soul.

She was merely... delaying destruction. A sense of despair filled her heart, and she wondered if this act was enough to withstand the tide of encroaching darkness. Nevertheless, she chose to believe that the time she bought could be time to rediscover the strength that had been lost.

In Joanna's heart, waves of fear and despair clashed, creating a storm that shook her courage, reminding her of moments when bravery and hope had once intertwined. She recalled the small instances when she and Rui joked together, the hopes they nurtured with every step they took, now tested by the encroaching darkness.

"Because the world rejects us... we will reject the world."

Joanna had run out of magic. Drops of hot sweat began to trickle down her temples. With the last bit of strength she had left, she struggled to remember the incantation Michael had taught her, seeking a glimmer of hope amidst the relentless darkness.

Rui bled from her shoulder but remained steadfast by Joanna's side. She looked more resolute than ever, as if her spirit could uplift Joanna, who was teetering on the edge of despair. "You know," she said hoarsely, "every life we fight for here is a hope for those who are weaker."

"If this is the end..."

"Then I am happy to face it with you."

Joanna smiled. "I'm sorry... I can't protect you this time..." Her voice trembled, yet it carried warmth, as if her words became an anchor amidst the raging storm.

But just as destruction was about to strike them—

A black light descended.

It was not darkness.

But something heavier than the light itself emerged. Behind that light, Joanna saw figures she once held in reverence. Briefly, she recalled the tranquil moments when they could engage in deep discussions about the meaning of life and sacrifice.

The wind ceased. Amidst the thunder and light, her heart raced as she pondered what would happen next. The pain in her shoulder began to fade, as if Rui's fervent spirit burned brighter than the wounds. She realized this journey was not just about survival; it was about love and genuine sacrifice.

A sound of collapse echoed.

And from the rift of time and space...

Someone emerged.

Her steps were slow, yet each footprint shattered the magical structure in the air, as if the universe responded to her presence with doubt. Her black cloak was torn from battle, revealing scars hinting at the multitude of stories within. Her sword hung low—not as a threat, but as a sign that she had conquered worse than will itself, inviting the resonance of buried fear within Joanna and Rui's hearts.

Joanna gazed at her, a struggle between worry and curiosity battling inside her. Her heart trembled as dark memories began to peek from behind the curtain of recollection. Rui tensed, her body vibrating with palpable anticipation, feeling an unseen weight flowing between them.

"Who... is that?" Rui whispered, her voice barely audible, like the wind creeping through a crack. It wasn't just fear; a sense of loss gnawed at her, infiltrating her soul. Joanna trembled, feeling a fog of helplessness enveloping her hopes.

"That... is Fitran."

Fitran did not speak.

He only stared at the two of them with piercing eyes—not out of suspicion, but because he was searching for something that should exist but he never knew. In his gaze, there was a deep yearning, as if he was seeking a part of himself lost in the collision of time.

"You... resemble Sheena," he said to Joanna, his tone softening, as if recalling unspoken memories. His heart stirred, creating a thread that linked the past and the present. "And you... resemble Iris," he said to Rui, which felt like a mantra that disturbed his heart.

Then he continued, almost murmuring:

"But I never had children."

"Sheena disappeared. Iris... never said anything before she vanished."

Joanna felt a darkness, heavy and binding, enveloping her soul. Fitran's words echoed in her mind, like a prophecy etched into her own fate. Who is she really if not a shadow of anyone? Furthermore, what if the erased memories were a part of her that was lost, trapped in the space between memory and consciousness?

Fitran stepped forward to the altar, right in front of the statues that now screamed and trembled, sensing that the sins they harbored were being judged.

Without uttering a spell.

Without a chant.

Rui, who stood next to Joanna, felt her heartbeat thudding irregularly. A sense of anxiety gripped her, as if the statues were staring directly into her soul, unveiling buried fears. She struggled to find a glimmer of hope, even as the shadow of the past darkened the path ahead.

Fitran raised his sword.

And with a single swing—

"Severum Caelus: Final Null Testament."

(The Sky Breaker: The Final Null Testament)

All the statues shattered in a single line.

All the statues shattered in a single line, transforming into a collection of fragments that floated in silence. They didn't explode. They didn't melt. Instead, they were wiped away—like the ink of a mistake in a holy book that was torn and burned, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new darkness.

A moment later, Joanna's heavy sigh was heard, a sound trapped between relief and fear. She gazed at the fallen pieces of the statues, reminiscent of fleeting memories that could never be reclaimed. She envisioned the faces of Sheena and Iris in the dim light, as if their shadows were now ensnared in eternal silence.

Rui bit her lip, struggling against the tears that threatened to spill. In her heart, she prayed for a better situation; for soothing words, for an explanation. But all she found was silence, which felt more painful than the screams of death.

Joanna knelt, her breath caught. Within her heart, a tumult of emotions collided—deep longing mingled with painful loss. She tried to remember moments that should have been filled with joy, yet all of them were hidden in the shadows of vague memories, demanding recognition but remaining out of reach.

Rui trembled. She wanted to speak—utter the word "father"—but her tongue refused, for she knew... the bitter truth ran deeper than words could express. In the stifling silence, her fear clung to her heart like a dark fog that could not be dispelled.

This person... does not recognize them, as though they had been erased from their memory, left in the darkness without a glimmer of hope.

Fitran turned his body, intending to leave without looking back. Yet, his steps felt heavy, as if pulled by an unseen force that desired him to stay and confront the painfully bitter truth.

But before taking his final step, he spoke softly:

"This world is not ready to remember you."

"If you wish to exist... do not force me to remember."

Then he vanished, swallowed by the fog of time. In the encroaching silence, Joanna felt a tremor within her soul—there was something in those words, as if the universe had tasked them with holding a great secret.

Joanna closed her eyes, tears streaming down. Each drop was an expression of unvoiced sorrow, a symbol of an irreplaceable loss. She longed for the presence that had always been there, yet now had disappeared like morning dew swept away by sunlight, leaving behind a memory that was hard to forget.

"She exists... but does not know who we are."

Rui clenched her fingers tightly. In the face of the injustice she felt, her spirit ignited, as if confronting an endless challenge. Perhaps, if they united, they could fight for a civilization wiped from memory.

"Then... we will make the world remember us. Without needing acknowledgment... just by refusing to give up."

And in the ruins of the once-mighty stone altar, time seemed to pause, allowing hope to shine through the darkness. Joanna and Rui exchanged glances, as if promising not to let their names fade into emptiness.

Only two names lingered in the air.

Joanna.

Rui.