Sunlight filtered through the gaps between the leaves, the sky growing brighter as a new day began.
Aeris woke up, touched by the warmth of the morning sun.
Aeris: "E-eughh… is it morning already?"
Lyra: "Good morning, sleeping princess. You looked so cute and comfortable while sleeping, we couldn't bear to wake you."
Altair was exercising some distance away and didn't hear that Aeris had woken up.
Aeris: "S-stop, don't continue. Why didn't you wake me up? (embarrassed) So… where is Brother Altair?"
Lyra: "Altair is doing a bit of exercise over there so he won't get stiff during the journey."
Aeris: "Ohh, I see."
Lyra: "So… what do you think about Altair?"
Aeris answered honestly.
Aeris: "He's very kind, and honestly the kindest person I've ever met. That makes me want to stay by his side no matter what happens, because I think he's a bit innocent."
Lyra (chuckling softly): "Haha, I agree. He's very kind and a bit innocent. He also saved me, so I'll stay by his side too."
Aeris: "Me too… he saved me last night. I'll stay by his side and help him with whatever problems he has."
Lyra got an idea.
Lyra: "How about we make a promise that we'll help Altair no matter what and always stay by his side? Deal?"
Aeris: "Deal."
And so, the two of them agreed to help Altair on his journey and never leave him behind.
Altair returned.
Altair: "Oh, Aeris is awake already. What are you two talking about? You look happy."
Lyra: "Nothing, Altair. Just talking about what your face looked like while you were sleeping."
Altair: "W-what!?"
Lyra (laughing): "Haha, just kidding, Altair, just kidding."
Altair: "Alright, enough joking. Are you both ready? We'll be leaving soon."
Aeris: "I didn't bring anything, but I'm always ready."
Lyra: "Everything should already be in the bag. I'm ready."
Altair: "Alright, let's go."
Aeris & Lyra: "Let's go!"
With a cooling breeze, a blue sky overhead, and sunlight lighting Altair's path, they continued on.
Altair: "According to the map, there should be a lake around here. I want to wash up, and maybe catch some fish, since our supply is starting to run low."
Lyra: "Ah, that sounds good. I also want to wash up and clean my hair."
Aeris: "I'll clean myself too. Oh yeah, what will you use to catch the fish, Altair?"
Altair: "I have this spear."
He showed a wooden spear.
Aeris: "Isn't it difficult to catch fish with a wooden spear?"
Lyra: "Believe me when I say he once caught 35 fish in 3–4 hours using that."
Aeris: "Woahhh, you're amazing! But four hours is crazy."
Altair (chuckling softly): "Haha, I was extremely hungry back then, and I don't give up easily."
They arrived at the lake.
Altair: "Looks like we're here."
Aeris: "Wow, this place is beautiful."
Lyra: "It really is quite beautiful."
Altair: "I'll go catch some fish and wash up over there. You two can stay here—there's a bit of privacy among those rocks. But before that, may I talk to you for a moment, Lyra?"
Aeris: "Okay, I'll go over there."
Aeris left to wash up.
Altair: "Is it okay if I leave you alone for a bit?"
Lyra: "U-uhm (swallows), I think so. B-but you have to stay within sight."
Altair: "Are you sure? I can stay here if you're still afraid. And you won't lose me—Aeris is here too."
Lyra: "O-okay, I think I'm ready. Just don't take too long."
Altair: "Alright… I won't be long."
Altair walked toward the edge of the lake to catch fish.
Watching Altair's back as he walked away, something in Lyra's heart began to loosen. She swallowed and strengthened her resolve to become stronger and no longer be afraid of being left behind.
Lyra (inner voice): "I'm ready. Yes! I'm ready."
Aeris: "Hey, Sister Lyra, the water here is pretty warm!"
Aeris shouted from afar.
Lyra: "Yeah! I'm coming now!"
Back to Altair.
Altair: "I want to try an experiment. What if I infuse this wooden spear with a little mana?"
Altair remembered something.
Altair: "Ah, right… I don't know how to do that."
He tried many things but none of them worked. Then… he got an idea.
Altair: "Ah, what if I do it like this?"
Altair closed his eyes, made peace with nature, and focused on his inner power. And then… he could see the temperature of the fish even with his eyes closed.
Altair: "It worked! (excited) T-this is amazing!"
An ancient magic thought to be extinct—the magic that allows one to see the body temperature of humans, animals, and the like.
Altair: "Let's catch those fish."
After two hours, he caught around 25 fish—faster and more than before.
Altair: "Wow, this is really useful. But now it's time to return."
Back to Aeris and Lyra.
Lyra: "So relaxing…"
Aeris: "It feels so refreshing! The water is clear and pleasantly warm."
Aeris: "Hey, Sister Lyra, may I call you 'sister'?"
Lyra: "Of course, call me whatever you like as long as it's not weird."
Aeris: "Alright. And may I ask you one more thing?"
Lyra: "Of course, go ahead."
Aeris: "What kind of person is Altair, really? I feel like he's very kind, but also a little mysterious."
Lyra: "Ah, Altair… I feel the same way. But he's not bad at all. As for being kind and mysterious, that's because there are good things only he knows."
Aeris: "W-what do you mean? Good things he knows?"
Lyra: "So, he…"
Lyra told her about Altair losing his memories, but she did not mention Caelis or Altair entering the time rift.
Aeris: "I see… so he lost his memories. I hope I can help him even more."
Lyra: "You're really a kind girl, you know?.."
Lyra began to feel cold as the wind picked up and the sky grew darker.
Lyra: "Let's stop playing in the water now. It's getting dark. Let's go back—I think Altair has already made a fire and prepared some food."
Aeris: "Let's go."
They put on their clothes and walked back to their original spot. Lyra saw Altair sitting there.
"Altair… don't worry. Aeris and I will help you…"
Cold wind brushed against their bodies, the orange sky slowly fading, and all that could be seen was Altair's figure and the fire burning behind him—and within him.