So this is where the Demon Ragruvord is...

Seems so.

......

...... Are you worried about Fadahl and the others?

...... A little.

...... Quaid, I feel the same way.

But, there's nothing we can do right now.

Except defeat Ragruvord.

Yeah...

Thanks, Diana.

Fadahl and the others most likely have faith in us too, faith that we'll defeat Ragruvord...

...and return to Grand Gaia.

We can't stop now!

What was that?

Ugh... I don't like the sound of that...

Looks like...it'll come at us from over there.

Are you two all right?

Yes, I'm a little startled, but I can't let something like that scare me away!

Yeah... It's creepy, but I can cope.

Ha ha ha, okay. I'd expect no less from you two!

But you've realized it too, right? This demon's strength is on another level.

Of course. But we have no intention of running away.

If we run away now, it will only put Grand Gaia in more danger.

And I don't think you would allow that.

You've got that right. I promise I will defeat Ragruvord.

......

So I want you two to escape while you can.

Wha...?!

We don't know the other troops whereabouts.

I don't believe they've been wiped out, but I doubt they'll be here any time soon.

Naturally, that means Fadahl and the others too.

So, at the very least you two should...

You really are selfish!

You just do what you want all the time, without considering anyone else's feelings!

Do you think we'd be happy if we just left you here to die?!

No, but...

But nothing! Just...what kind of people do you take us for?!

If we just abandoned you here, that decision would haunt us forever.

We wouldn't even be able to die because we'd have the life you sacrificed for us.

You're only cursing us to a fate more painful than death!

......

She's right. Quaid, my mind is made up.

Our divine duty is to protect those who cannot protect themselves!

Although, I probably haven't quite made up my mind as firmly as Diana has.

......

I'm...sorry.

You're right...

...I am an idiot. I couldn't even figure out something as simple as that.

It's all right now, so long as you realize that. With that settled, let's keep going.

Wait, let me say one thing before we go.

What? You're not going to say something weird again, are you?

No, just, when you were yelling at me, I realized one more thing.

What?

I...

I need you, Diana.

Wh-What?!

O-Oh... Ohh! Of course! I need you too, Quaid!

I-It's important to value your comrades!

True, I do value you as a comrade...

...but that's not all.

Until I joined the Guardians of Meirith, I had been running away...

...from all the responsibility I was burdened with from the day I was born.

And so, in order to cope with the guilt, I started helping people wherever I went.

But, that was just another form of running away from it all...

I realized this, but kept running, and lying to myself...

Quaid...

Ever since I entered the Guardians of Meirith, I found myself unable to run away any longer.

Every time I tried, you would scold me.

Wha?!

Ha ha ha, but it's true, and thinking about it now, that's how I started to have feelings for you.

You were always there to set me straight...

You kept me from running away again...

...and guided me down the right path.

You're wrong.

I was...I was just irritated by your over confident attitude.

Seeing you so full of the confidence I wished I had myself, I was just jealous.

I'm really just selfish, only ever thinking of myself.

I'm the same, Diana.

Saying I need you only feeds my own selfishness.

I'm probably not taking your feelings into account at all.

However...

...despite that, I need you. I really do.

So, Diana, I have to tell you... I lo--

Wait!

Thank you...Quaid.

But...let me hear the rest of that after we get back to Grand Gaia.

I believe...that I will be able to be honest with myself then.

I think I'll have more confidence in myself.

So...

......

Sure, I understand.

At least now, we have a good reason for why we definitely have to get back to Grand Gaia.

Yes, exactly.

Ah, but let me just say one thing.

Quaid, throughout everything, including now, I have always valued you as someone I can rely on.

Diana...

Er, ahem!

Are you two quite finished now?

You're not just keeping me waiting. I'm pretty sure Ragruvord will be getting a little impatient by now, too.

Ha ha ha, good point.

Okay! Let's go! We're definitely going to return Grand Gaia alive!