The Rescue (血酒天牢)

Today is the once-a-year Christmas in Terrastia, isn't it? What are you doing?

I don't know.

You must've lost something important.

Can't I get it back?

How would I know?

But I can give you a present.

The line that was blurted out of his mouth caused the boy to believe in fate...

To believe in why he was born a son of Santa Claus.

Like I said, today is Christmas.

I'll give you a new start!

Arthur, although I said that,

it was you that gave me a new start.

That's why I want to bring happiness to the world you protect.

I will get you back...

...Arthur!

Now, let's go beyond the holy gate, the Divine Gate.

Let's go. That's what we came here for.

Midori?

Yeah. I want to see Elena again. I want to be her best friend again.

Akane, you want to see your dad again too, don't you?

Yeah.

And Aoto, you want to start fresh with your brother, right!?

The kids reached the Divine Gate.

I never doubted.

How long are you going to stay cooped up in here?

In this white world, all by yourself?

All by myself, huh?

Why don't you come out? Someone's here for you, after all.

Took me a while to find you!

Hey, hey. Did you forget me, the Santa Claus?

Unfortunately, he's no longer the Arthur you know.

But he's not yours, either!

I told you: Come back any time if you get tired!

Whose mark is this?

It's a recommendation letter from the World Council.

I see.

Funny how things work. I had a feeling this would happen one day.

When I saw the letter, I thought it was destined to be delivered.

I don't know why I thought that.

Is that the path you choose?

Yes.

Then go. But come back any time if you get tired.

Look at that tired look on your face.

He looks relieved to me,

Arthur actually resented this world.

This heartless world that left him alone.

So he should keep resenting it. He can even take revenge.

You don't have the right to stop him.

Even if you are Santa Claus.

Maybe, if that's what he truly wants!

This happened because he wanted this.

Everyone has a dark and light side in their hearts.

But they choose which they follow!

You took that freedom away from Arthur!

That's why I'm taking it back!

Oh? I thought Santa gave, not took.

Right back at you! Don't gods give people hearts?!

How dare they rebel against the Council?

This is becoming troublesome.

We have no choice. Let's send in the fourth boy.

Yes, gods do give people hearts.

But I gave something better to Arthur.

Not some pesky thing like a heart, but an everlasting peace.

What do you want to do?

We're finally connected.

Santa!

Hey, there. You're finally awake?

Don't worry, it's not a big deal.

So this is the world of your remaining heart? There's nothing.

I brought this for you.

You hid most of your heart in here, didn't you?

There's no way I'd give it to a god.

Then there's no need to worry now. Come home.

It can't go back to normal.

Why not?!

I've already decided. Besides, I,..

This boy...

To think that the taboo-blood would continue like this...

He'll surely bring havoc one day.

He's an enemy to our world.

I'll protect the world you bring happiness to!

You go back without me.

Is that really the path you wish to go down?

Let's go watch the remaking of the world, Arthur.

Don't worry, you won't need a heart.

You're already my puppet.

Now, whether you move forward or not is up to you guys.

That's funny, are you still unsure?

No, that's not it!

Then go on ahead. Will you rewrite your past to change your future?

Or rewrite your future to change your past?

You can choose either.

You guys have the right to choose your fate.

I'm going. I'll worry about what comes later when it comes.

I'm going, too. I'm not used to standing still.

Me, too.

Wait!

You guys!

The one that...!

Dammit.

They're...

--Pretty beat up!

They don't even have Drivers.

Damn you, Oz.

I got back the power I offered to the gods. The rest is up to them.

How dare the lowly humans decide fate?

The Divine Gate is not meant for you to use!

Gods say that every time.

If I had my Driver, I'd have this kid...

Why do you not approve of humans?

The power to change fate is too big for humans to handle!

Order will be lost, bringing chaos to the world!

Even gods make mistakes, don't they!?

The humans have the right to choose their fate, but

the gods take away their freedom to do that.

No, we take nothing! We only provide them with their life!

Everyone, don't listen to the gods. You yourself must choose your own fate.

Now, go away.

Humans, he is not your ally.

You're the one that isn't their ally. Why can't they change their fate?

These guys are real. Their true feelings pushed them this far.

"There is no god in this world".

You guys must've endured so much pain that you think that, right?

Yes.

You, too. You've been looking for your father all this time,

and as soon as you saw him, the gods took him away.

And you. You kept running, just to get your best friend back.

Elena...

Why did the gods...?!

Don't take us lightly!

We won't go down!

I won't lose either!

That's right.

Humans aren't that strong, but they wish from their heart.

That's why I lend them my hand!

Damn you, Key Spirit! How dare you take the humans' side!

I really hate humans; they're so selfish.

There's no one in your way now.

Let's go beyond the Gate!

Wait.

Ginji.

What are you doing here?

The Divine Gate shouldn't be used for your own benefit!

How else would you use it?!

The head of the world, the Council, should use it to govern the world!

Do you know what will happen if you guys go through the Gate right now?!

The Council will disappear, along with the world's order!

We aren't going to wish for—

But that's what'll happen!

Because you guys don't think we need the Council.

True, the world isn't fair.

No matter how honest you live your life, it may be unnoticed.

No matter how hard you work for it, you may not achieve it.

At the end, only the chosen ones lead the world.

But that is exactly why we need them!

We need the Council to make the chaotic world look like a normal one!

That's why they're going to change that.

Yes, "remake" is not just to grant wishes.

It can even destroy the world the gods created.

You guys can become god-like. shaping the world as you see fit.

Does that mean if I get my wish granted, Aoto and Akane can't get theirs?

Of course not. Everything will be to your desire. You can rule the world.

I didn't think it was that serious.

It's true, most wishes don't come true.

That's why I lived my life giving up on everything.

But Arthur said:

People become stronger when they have something more important than themselves.

He thought that was our alter ego.

I've changed after meeting my comrades, too.

And now I believe that what I want to do is more important than my wish.

Huh? What does that mean?

People won't change even if we rely on gods' powers.

We have to change ourselves.

Yeah, I guess if we become god-like. we won't know what we're living for.

I suppose if there's no need to run, you can't run.

You guys rebelled against the Council to come here.

They will not let that slide.

Watch out.

Alright, I've decided not to go beyond the Gate just for my wish.

I won't change the world for myself either.

I won't go beyond the Gate either.

That's too bad that you all decided that.

But it can't be helped. You guys are the ones to choose your own fate.

You've been by my side all this time, giving me lots to think about.

Thank you for everything.

That's the first time anyone has thanked me.

I shall offer you the highest of praise, you unfortunate kids.

Loki, where are you?!

Loki, what did you do to Arthur?!

You're a god! What can you possibly want?!

I just want to watch...

...the way you humans live, struggling in agony.

Why Arthur?!

Because he is the chosen one.

Let's go!

Loki.

What is it, Arthur?

No matter what you do, you can't wipe away hope from this world.

Is that so? I think you'll find despair waiting beyond hope.

That's fine, if that's the path they chose.