Flames burned and a sickening ferrous smell rose with the heat as Nephenee shook in her anguish. The evil spirit that had possessed her had left long ago, but this pain and remorse and guilt never would.

She'd done this...she'd destroyed the town with lance and Persona and demon, and all had fallen to the lance called Hopebringer, now stained and marred by the blood of those she'd loved most.

How could...she'd only wanted to help Cálice! And the alicorn had overtaken her soul, and this had been the result.

Her voice was horse from her anguished screams, and tears and smoke blurred her vision. She didn't need to see as she walked through the despair and ruin, though - the images were seared into her mind, and she went to each fallen friend and family member, punishing herself in doing so, nudging them gently and begging forgiveness that would never come. Especially of those she loved and cherished most of all. Brothers...sisters...father and mother..her love...

The lancer would make last rites for them and herself, and then confront Cálice by herself. Likely, she'd die. But she'd die trying to atone for it.

And if she lived?

She'd never take up a lance again.