I was a wretched tool. Cursed to bring sadness to people all around me, but what could I do? It was not my fault; I just needed to grant my master’s wish. No one knew my real name; they just used me out of greed, and fear. However, it does not matter now, because it is finally all over. I looked to my left and right, Fate and Nanoha were standing there devices poised and ready. I was going to die, but it was my decision. If my mistress could be saved then I would be happy. Like the Knights, I held her dear, and therefore I could not forgive myself for being the one who is killing her, because Hayate was the first person to reach out to me, giving me a new name.
“Reinforce” she had said.
“Yes, the one who supports others with strength, the tailwind of fortune, the blessed air, Reinforce.”
Hayate’s kindness and warmth enveloped me, and I changed. Hayate gained administrator control, and with the firing of the arc-en-ciel, the defense program was destroyed. My mistress would eventually heal in time, and the four knights would be able to stay with her. Nevertheless, the total elimination of the Tome was essential, and I would be the only one going. I would go smiling even if I was alone, because Hayate’s happiness was my happiness. I was afraid, as any person would be of death, but without my existence everything can end before I corrode her body once again and kill her. After all, the duty of the Tome is to protect and eliminate dangers to her mistress.
Nanoha had asked me
“Do you really want to part like this with Hayate?”
One day Nanoha would understand, I was doing this because I loved my mistress.
[Ready to Set]
[Standby]
As they were preparing for the sealing, a voice yelled out in the silence.
“Reinforce! Everyone!” Hayate was wheeling toward them in panic.
No one moved, although Vita wanted to. The ritual had to be finished.
“Reinforce, stop!”
“Mistress Hayate, It’s fine. I lived a long life, but in the end, I received a beautiful name and heart form you. Thank you and good bye.”
I looked up at the snowy sky and disappeared with a smile on my face.
When you say “goodbye”, it is not a word of farewell, but of new beginnings.