Close to the Sun

“And you do this for the whole game?”

“Yes.”

“I guess this is why you’re so good at strategizing and fighting and all that.”

The character on screen dies as Haar sighs and sets the controller down. “My wife was actually much better at it.”

Aster pauses and debates if he should continue this conversation but Haar doesn’t seem upset. “Really?”

Haar nods. “Yeah. She used to be the leader actually. I had to learn everything and take over after she died because it was so sudden.”

“What did you used to do before?”

“Stayed at home, taking care of Caecus. She was much better at everything else and it was all for our village and family. I think people thought I’d be too soft since I had no experience in governing before it was passed to me.”

“And they learned to respect you?”

“I’m not sure really, but I earned it somehow.” Haar looks down at his hand, his thumb running over the two separate marks around his ring finger. One for his wife and one for Solaris. “I think she would’ve liked to meet him.”

“Are they anything alike?”

“Caecus often says they’re pretty similar. Which is true I suppose, they both love Caecus a lot and…”

“They had a lot on their shoulders but hid it?”

Haar puffs out a fond laugh. “Yeah… Aster.”

“Yes?”

“Is it true that the Spokesperson of the Sun only lives up to a certain age?”

“Where did you hear that?”

“Aster.”

“I wouldn’t know, I’ve only known Solaris and there’s not many records of the previous Spokespersons’ lives.”

“Because they’re not supposed to be among the people much?”

“Yeah.” Aster turns back to the shelves.

“So it’s only hearsay.”

“Probably.”

“I see.”

“Besides, I think Solaris would tell you and considering I haven’t heard it either, I doubt it’s true.”

“That’s fair, I suppose.”

Aster sighs and comes down the ladder. “Hey, you’re not gonna lose him. He fought against the Sun a lot to just get here. He’ll be fine.”

“…You’re right.” Haar stands and goes to the window, looking out in the direction of the hill that’s so important to Solaris.

Going against the Sun’s wishes so much has to have consequences and he’s just waiting for the day Solaris has to answer for it.

When Aster meets him, he finds him in the middle of the ruins of a recently burned down forest. Though, he’s completely unharmed and sleeping. Aster runs off in search of help to carry the strange kid back home and nurse him back to health. Except he’s already healthy, completely untouched by the raging fire a few days ago and dangerous wildlife that roam the area. When the kid wakes up, his slim gray blue eyes somehow hold enough of a childish wonder that puts creatives to shame.

His name was Solaris.

The Sun gave it to him.

They became fast friends after that.

~

Aster didn’t know what to think about the strange fire kid.

But he knows that he didn’t have any family. No parents. No siblings. No aunts and uncles and grandparents. It was odd and Aster had never heard of anything like that, but then Aster’s parents told him about the story of the Sun. How there was always a chosen person. How they appeared human, but weren’t. How they have the power to do anything because they’re the herald of the Sun or something.

Child Aster didn’t really understand completely.

He was just happy that he had a friend.

~

“Stare!”

“Stop calling me that! It’s Aster!”

“Stareeeeee!”

“Stop!”

Solaris grins and laughs as he runs around and Aster chases after him, laughing as well. “Stare Stare Stare Stare!”

“I should call you funny names too!”

“Do it!”

As they stop running, Aster struggles trying to come up with something before saying, “S-Sully!”

Solaris giggles and jumps with his arms out. “I like it!”

Somehow, Solaris always managed to get him to smile.

~

It was fun being his friend.

Solaris puts a finger to his lips to signal Aster to stay quiet as the latter covers his mouth to keep from laughing. Coming out from his hiding spot, he sneaks around the crowd as they’re distracted by the Festival of the Sun. Once he’s close enough, he steals some snacks from a vendor before returning to Aster still in the hiding spot. They laugh and cheer once they’re out of the Festival.

“How come you never go to the Festival? It’s for you.”

Solaris hums around the ice cream bar. “Not really! It’s for the Sun, I just talk to them!”

“It is?”

“Yeah! Even the Sun tells me I don’t need to go!”

“Really?”

“Yep! Besides, I just wanna be with you! It’s really fun and I like being around you more than being with other people!”

“That doesn’t sound right though,” Aster hums as he thinks.

Solaris shrugs. “Doesn’t matter! Sun said I could skip it whenever I want!”

~

Though, sometimes, he disliked being his friend.

“It’s the Spokesperson! He’s so cute!” There was a group of people fawning over him in the middle of the town when Aster managed to find him.

Maybe it was jealousy for being so important to everyone around him.

“What will you do today, Spokesperson?”

Maybe it was because he grabbed everyone’s attention instantly no matter where he went.

“Do you want to hang out with us?”

Maybe it was because he wanted the powers he had.

“Spokesperson, will you talk to the Sun today?”

Maybe it was because he wanted to hear the Sun too.

“Spokesp—”

“Aster!” Solaris smiles when he sees him and runs over, holding his hand with both of his as his smile widens. “What should we do today?”

“Ah… I don’t…”

But just as quickly as his jealousy burns in his heart, it extinguishes immediately when Solaris always reminds him unintentionally that Aster is his only friend.

“Let’s go have fun together! Okay?”

He could be friends with anyone.

“...Okay.” Aster nods with his own smile.

Why did he choose him?

~

Especially when he was so terrible to him when they were teens.

“Astie! Let’s hang o—”

“Can you leave me alone?”

Solaris’s smile never faltered. “Is there something wrong?”

“We’re not kids anymore, Solaris. I have to focus on learning how to run the inn.”

“Then afterward?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“You’re lucky. Y’know that, Solaris? You’ve had your whole life planned out for you from the beginning. Everyone else isn’t like you. We need to learn how to live, we’re not given things all the time even if we didn’t ask for it. Your life is so easy and I hate it.”

Solaris continues smiling at him.

“What? Why are you smiling? See, that’s what I’m talking about! You can always act so carefree because you never had to live like me!”

“Okay!”

“Okay?”

“I’ll help you with the inn!”

“No, just leave me alone.” Aster turns to leave as Solaris watches him leave.

He was still smiling somehow, even as he lost his only friend.

~

It took a few years before they ever talked again. Aster saw him occasionally, but he never let him approach him. It was cruel, Aster realized later, to take Solaris’s only friend away from him because he was jealous he had it easy.

Except he didn’t.

It was never easy to be the Spokesperson of the Sun.

“...I’m sorry.” Aster says one day on the hill as Solaris stares up at the sky. It takes a few moments, but he turns to look at Aster and of course this bastard still smiles at him.

“You don’t need to apologize for anything, Aster.”

Rubbing his arm, Aster looks away. “It was wrong of me to say all of those things. You had to fill a role you were forced into and…” Aster sighs heavily and looks back to Solaris. He hates seeing this smile. He hardly ever sees it when he’s with him. “...It was a role you never wanted.”

“Pleasing everyone is my duty as Spokesperson of the Sun, and if you were pleased to no longer be my friend, I would continue to fulfill that wish of yours. I live to serve the Sun and everyone in this world.”

“But.”

For once, Solaris’s smile falls as he takes a shaky breath and attempts to hold back tears. “But… you were my only selfish want. I never wanted to lose you at my side. I never wanted to be above you—to look down on you. Aster, forever and always, I wanted to be beside you because believe it or not, I was jealous of you too. Never having to live for others. Letting nothing hold you down to one thing. Shining brightly because of your own achievements. Losing you meant I wasn’t Solaris anymore. Losing you meant I was only the Spokesperson of the Sun.”

Solaris sighs. “I don’t blame you for your hatred toward me because of my position, but if you still wish to no longer be my friend, I will adhere to it.”

Aster watches him for a little while more before running his hand through his hair. “I always hated when you spoke eloquently. It doesn’t suit you. We can be friends, just please never speak to me like that ever again.”

“Are… you sure?”

“Yes, Solaris.”

Solaris smiles finally—it’s been so long since he’s seen him honestly smile. “I think I’d rather consider us soulmates!”

“Soulmates?”

“Yes! Except we chose each other on our own, no one else did!”

“What, the Sun didn’t make me stumble upon you by pure coincidence?”

“Oh, no no no,” Solaris chuckles. “Actually, the Sun really hated you for a while because I wouldn’t focus on my duties!”

Aster pauses then sighs. “Please don’t make the Sun of all things hate me. I’m just some guy, and I would rather not get smited.”

Solaris laughs and wraps an arm around Aster’s shoulders. “Well, the Sun can’t touch you now! Soulmates?”

“...Soulmates.”

The Sun may have given him the name Solaris, but Solaris is the one who gave that name meaning past “Solaris, Spokesperson of the Sun”, and Aster is proud of him for finding his own way. He’s proud of both of them.

YES I AM SERIOUS WHEN I SAY THAT THIS CAME OUT THE MORNING AFTER I FINISHED WRITING CTTS THE NIGHT BEFORE IM STILL ????? AT IT

Chikage Utsuki

It’s been a while since we hung out, hasn’t it?

Our monthly spice endeavors had to pause for several weeks too. Still, I’m glad we could do it all again.

… I suppose I owe you an apology and I’m sure no amount of spices could make up for what I’ve done. So I’m sorry for that big scare.

But you and Mankai have taught me a lot and have done more than enough for me time and time again, which I’m very grateful for.

You’ve gone above and beyond for us—for me—and I thank you.

I promise you I’m not going anywhere again. This is my home forever and always, after all.

Chikage Utsuki and Banri Settsu

Banri: You got a lot of nerve to show up just like that after weeks of jack shit.

Chikage: … I suppose I deserve that hostility.

Banri: Honestly, I’m more mad about not actually getting souvenirs.

Chikage: …?

Banri: If I was actually pissed at you, I would’ve hit you.

Chikage: I… see…

Banri: *sigh* Chikage-san.

Chikage: Hm?

Banri: I’m not big on expressing my emotions accurately, you know that. But what you did hurt like hell, and I ain’t keen on letting ya go so easily for it.

Chikage: …

Banri: But I’d like to think I know you pretty well. You wouldn’t just leave like that if there wasn’t a good reason. So assuming ya do and assuming ya won’t say, I’ll leave it be, even though I told myself that if you pulled something again after that time with Director-chan, I’d kick your ass.

Chikage: …

Banri: But it’s different now because you’re part of Mankai. Part of our family.

Chikage: !

Banri: And whether you like it or not, you’re stuck with us.

Chikage: … Honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Banri: Hah, you say that, but like I said I’m not letting ya go that easily.

Chikage: I suppose I’ll just have to endure then, don’t I?

Banri: I’ve got a list.

Chikage: Exciting… So then, what’s first?

Banri: Escape rooms. We set record after record, just like before.

Chikage: I was expecting… a different objective.

Banri: Nah. You won’t step on any toes when it’s me. I already said I’m not great with emotions.

Chikage: I suppose you’re right, but you have every right to ask more of me after what I’ve done. You’re allowed to be angry too.

Banri: Oh, I am. But I ain’t about to fight one of my family. Even if that family member can hold his ground.

Chikage: I wouldn’t fight.

Banri: Exactly why I’m not going to. We’ll just build bridges again, Chikage-san. I’m not about to indulge you in trying to punish yourself.

Chikage: …

Banri: You’re here now and that’s what matters. So let’s enjoy every second, yeah?

Azami: What are you, an idiot?

Chikage: Oi. What was that for?

Azami: For being stupid on stage when you could’ve said something to us, instead of apologizing to us in character.

Chikage: … (I figured he’d be more mad about the other thing…) Easier said than done.

Azami: Idiot.

Izumi: Come on guys, you just got off stage. Even though he deserves to be flicked.

Chikage: Ah yes, I can always count on you to have my back, Director-san. Oi!

Izumi: Don’t be sassy when you’re in flicking range.

Sakuya: Chikage-san!

Chikage: Hey Sa—oof!

Sakuya: I’m proud of you, Chikage-san!

Chikage: ! … Thanks Sakuya.

Itaru: Senpai.

Chikage: That tone suggests I’m in trouble.

Itaru: This tone suggests that you’re an ass and are absolutely in trouble.

Chikage: Hahaha, I suppose I’ll play a game with you to make it up to you.

Itaru: Wait, seriously?

Chikage: Yeah.

Itaru: Oh… Okay, cool. What game?

Chikage: You choose.

Itaru: It’ll be a long one so you suffer.

Chikage: I suppose I deserve that.

Itaru: Be lucky that this is the only thing I’m making you do.

Chikage: Please spare me.

Juza: Chikage-san.

Chikage: … I think I owe you an apology.

Juza: It doesn’t matter, you’re here now.

Chikage: Unfortunately, my conscience won’t let it go so easily. How about we go to that one sweets shop downtown?

Juza: ! … The lines are always long.

Chikage: I think I can work some magic.

Juza: Okay.

Chikage: ? Where’s…?

Izumi: Um… He left already. He had more things to take care of.

Chikage: I see…

Izumi: Chikage-san—

Chikage: It’s alright, Director. I’ll see him at home.

Izumi: You’re staying.

Chikage: Yeah. I am.

Izumi: … Welcome home, Chikage-san.

Chikage: Glad to be home… (Home huh…)

~

Tsuzuru: Chikage-san, can I talk to you?

Chikage: Sure, I’m not doing anything overly important at the moment.

Tsuzuru: Are you… okay?

Chikage: I—

Tsuzuru: Well okay, that’s a stupid question. I know you’re not and everyone knows you’re not.

Chikage: …

Tsuzuru: I just… I want you to be okay. And I want you to know that we’re here. For you. Always.

Chikage: … I know.

Tsuzuru: I’m serious, Chikage-san—

Chikage: No, trust me. I know. … The way I was greeted back home honestly opened my eyes. And I’m grateful to you and everyone. Thank you, Tsuzuru.

Tsuzuru: You’re thanking me?

Chikage: Whether you know it or not, you helped a ton.

Tsuzuru: My script…

Chikage: I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.

Tsuzuru: It wasn’t much.

Chikage: But it was enough.

Tsuzuru: … You’re right. I’m glad you’re staying, Chikage-san.

Chikage: Me too.

~

*door opens*

Sakyo: … *sigh* Utsuki—

Chikage: You’re not avoiding me, are you?

Sakyo: No. In fact, I’ve been wanting to speak with you.

Chikage: You have…?

Sakyo: Is that so hard to believe?

Chikage: …

Sakyo: You think I hate you.

Chikage: How else was I supposed to interpret you leaving every chance you got when I came back?

Sakyo: Utsuki. You left first.

Chikage: … Right. I can't talk, I suppose.

Sakyo: *sigh* I don’t hate you. I was busy sorting things out. It was just unfortunate timing you came back when I was at my busiest because like I said, I want to speak with you.

Chikage: About what?

Sakyo: … What is this, Utsuki? What are we? What am I to you?

Chikage: Family.

Sakyo: No, I want a straight answer.

Chikage: As opposed to a gay one?

Sakyo: Utsuki—

Chikage: What do you want me to say, Sakyo-san?

Sakyo: The truth.

Chikage: The truth? The truth is that I think about you. Too much. All the time. I think about wanting to be near you. I think about wanting to see you smile and laugh. I think about getting you gifts and hell, maybe even courting you. I think about your interests and how I can indulge in them with you. I think about you every time I see something I associate you with. I think about wanting to keep you close but knowing I can’t because I didn’t want you to get hurt anymore. I think about wanting to kiss you under a starlit sky when it’s just the two of us and I can finally say the words I’ve been meaning to this whole time. And I feel like I’ve been obvious this whole time that you knew this and it didn’t help. I think about you, Sakyo-san. I can't stop thinking about you. So I want you to be something to me, but I can’t ask that of you if you don’t feel the same.

Sakyo: …

Chikage: You don’t feel the same.

Sakyo: Utsuki—

Chikage: It’s fine, Sakyo-san, really. If you don’t feel the same then that’s fine. !

Sakyo: Stop assuming things and give me some damn time to process what you just said to me. And for the love of god, stop running.

Chikage: … Sorry.

Sakyo: How long have you been keeping that in?

Chikage: I can assure you well before we started practicing for this play.

Sakyo: Implying?

Chikage: Come on, Sakyo-san, you didn’t hold my hand for too long on stage because you didn’t know how gay this play was.

Sakyo: I didn’t hold your hand because of that.

Chikage: … huh?

Sakyo: I held your hand because I wanted to. Because I hadn’t seen you in weeks and while you were away, I realized just how much I missed you. … Just how much you meant to me. And I wanted to reach out because I finally could. You were back and I had a second chance at this. I held your hand because I never wanted to let go again.

Chikage: Sakyo-san…?

Sakyo: I suppose I’m saying that I feel the same about you.

Chikage: …

Sakyo: Now who’s silent.

Chikage: Sorry, I’m just… I wasn’t expecting you to reciprocate.

Sakyo: … pfft.

Chikage: Why are you laughing?

Sakyo: Sorry sorry. I thought you knew and didn’t reciprocate as well.

Chikage: So we’re both dumb…

Sakyo: Suppose so.

Chikage: … Hahaha, I guess this end is better than I thought it’d be.

Sakyo: Both of us thinking the other would turn us down, huh.

Chikage: What a mess this was…

Sakyo: Hah yeah.

Chikage: Hey.

Sakyo: Hm?

Chikage: Can I show you something later?

Sakyo: Not now?

Chikage: I have to do something first. Will you meet me at the front in two hours?

Sakyo: … Sure.

Chikage: (I just need to give something back.)

~

Hisoka: …

Chikage: The courtyard, huh. Were you waiting for me?

Hisoka: For two weeks.

Chikage: … You waited here every night for two weeks?

Hisoka: Yeah. I talked to that guy a lot.

Chikage: … What has our dear brother said this time?

Hisoka: Cried about you leaving.

Chikage: Typical of him.

Hisoka: But…

Chikage: But?

Hisoka: … He said you’d come back one day and that I should wait until you came home.

Chikage: He said that for two weeks?

Hisoka: No, he said that before you left.

Chikage: What…?

Hisoka: He knew you’d come back home. But it was my idea to give it to you.

Chikage: I believe I’m not following.

Hisoka: …

Chikage: Oi.

Hisoka: Remember when I said you weren’t home and you asked what I meant?

Chikage: Very clearly.

Hisoka: It’s because August knew you were struggling and he told me as much. You were too focused on the other world so we considered it as “you weren’t home”.

Chikage: What a confusing way to describe that.

Hisoka: We weren’t wrong.

Chikage: *sigh* I suppose you weren’t.

Hisoka: But you’re home now. You made the decision to come back home.

Chikage: That’s because of this. Here. You can take it back.

Hisoka: …

Chikage: I ended up taking it with me on every mission, and after a while of staring at this picture one time… I knew I made a mistake.

Hisoka: … You’re not in it.

Chikage: I am the one who took the picture after all.

Hisoka: You’re in this one though.

Chikage: Huh? !! This is…

Hisoka: It’s a picture of everyone at Mankai so you don’t forget everyone.

Chikage: … And you have a picture of August so you don’t forget him…

Hisoka: Welcome home, Chikage. He’d be proud of you. Of who you became. Of who you are now.

Chikage: I hope so… Are you watching us now, August…? We’re getting better. Slowly. But we’re getting there. … I’m getting there. Thank you for leading us to Mankai. I’ll make sure you’re proud of the boy you raised from nothing.

Hisoka: … You’re dumb.

Chikage: Don’t start.

Hisoka: But like I said, Chikage.

Chikage: (He’s holding the picture of August to the sky.) (Is he… overlapping it with the moon?)

Hisoka: He’s already proud.

~

Chikage: We’re here.

Sakyo: We’re in the middle of nowhere.

Chikage: Exactly.

*car door opens*

Sakyo: …

*car door opens*

Chikage: And then just up on here.

Sakyo: … Utsuki?

Chikage: Will you stargaze with me tonight, Sakyo-san?

Sakyo: Do I have a choice at this point?

Chikage: … You don’t have to—

Sakyo: Utsuki, I want to. I was joking.

Chikage: Didn't know you knew how to do that.

Sakyo: Ha ha, very funny.

Chikage: Hahaha. Come on. Just over here.

Sakyo: Okay.

Chikage: …

Sakyo: …

Chikage: …

Sakyo: They’re brighter.

Chikage: No light pollution here. … Look there. That one star.

Sakyo: Utsuki, you’re pointing at a sky littered in stars. I won’t be able to find the one you’re looking at.

Chikage: Then let me get closer.

Sakyo: …

Chikage: See. Look. Right… there.

Sakyo: What’s special about it?

Chikage: It was the star I stared at the night before I learned about Mankai. And the night before I joined the company. And the night Sakuya stopped me from leaving.

Sakyo: …

Chikage: It’s also the star that led me here.

Sakyo: To this cliff.

Chikage: … This is where my brother died.

Sakyo: …

Chikage: And I miss him… so much. I wish I could see him again.

Sakyo: Condolences.

Chikage: Haha thanks, but that’s not the reason I brought you here.

Sakyo: ?

Chikage: … I wanted him to be the first one to know that I want to court you.

Sakyo: !! … Courting huh.

Chikage: Yup.

Sakyo: You do know what courtship usually implies.

Chikage: I do.

Sakyo: Utsuki. That means the possibility of marriage.

Chikage: Yeah.

Sakyo: … Utsuki.

Chikage: Sakyo-san, I promise you, I’ve thought about this extensively. I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t serious.

Sakyo: I know, but I don’t want you to think you have to go the extra mile—

Chikage: But I want to. I want to go the extra mile, Sakyo-san.

Sakyo: …

Chikage: If it’s a problem, it’s ok—

Sakyo: Yes.

Chikage: !!

Sakyo: You can court me.

Chikage: I…

Sakyo: You didn’t think past this, did you?

Chikage: To be honest, I didn’t think past thinking about asking to court you. I’m, unfortunately, in new territory.

Sakyo: Thought you said you thought about it extensively.

Chikage: Hey! I did!

Sakyo: Don’t worry, Utsuki, I believe you.

Chikage: That’s sarcastic and I’m feeling very attacked right now.

Sakyo: It is a yes though, Utsuki.

Chikage: Okay… I suppose I should talk to your parents at some point.

Sakyo: Both?

Chikage: I’d like to ask for your dad’s permission too. Your step father’s as well if you want, but I mainly mean your biological father.

Sakyo: … Thank you.

Chikage: Of course.

Sakyo: And I’ve been wanting to give you something.

Chikage: Oh?

Sakyo: … This.

Chikage: !!

Sakyo: If they’re a problem for you to wear, you don’t have to. But they made me think of you.

Chikage: … They’re shaped like stars…

Sakyo: Honestly, I can’t imagine you wearing earrings.

Chikage: It’s okay. I used to.

Sakyo: I see.

Chikage: I’ll wear them. Thank you.

Sakyo: (Cute bastard…)

Chikage: (He’s looking away from me. Cute…)

Sakyo: What else can you tell me about your brother?

Chikage: … A lot, actually. Do you want the short version or the long version?

Sakyo: I’m alright with everything.

Chikage: … Well then, I hope you have the time.

Sakyo: I do.

Chikage: I met him a long time ago. He was this cheerful guy, really persistent. Annoying too. But I love him a lot—

Haar: Keep moving.

Solaris: No need to shove, Nebby.

Haar: I'm not shoving, and stop calling me that.

Solaris: But that’s no fun~

Haar: We’re at the border.

???: You.

Solaris: !

Haar: What’s wrong?

Solaris: Hggh!

Haar: The headaches? Again?

???: You’re here.

Solaris: Who are you…?

Haar: What?

Solaris: You can’t hear that?

Haar: I don’t—

Night Raven: SCREE!!!

Haar: !? Down!

Solaris: Nebby—

Haar: NOW!

Night Raven: SCREE!! SCREE!!

Solaris: I thought you said the night raven only comes out at night!

Haar: It does. But it hasn’t been recently.

Night Raven: SCREE SCREE SCREE!!!

Haar: It’s circling around… Stay behind me!

Solaris: Nebby, it’s too big for you alone!

Haar: I said stay behind me damnit!

Night Raven: SCREE!!!

Haar: HAAH!

???: Free!

Solaris: AGH!!

Haar: Solaris! Stay down, I got this.

Solaris: No, wait—

Haar: Shut up!

Night Raven: SCREE SCREE!!!

*thud* *thud* *thud*

Golems: Uuuh…

Haar: Unbelievable…

Solaris: What are they…?

Haar: Golems.

Solaris: Maybe we should’ve brought a team with us too.

Haar: No.

Solaris: Nebby, we can’t handle them ourselves, even with my magic and your sword. They’re too big for us.

Haar: We’ll do it. I’ll do it.

Night Raven: SCREE!

???: Free them!

Solaris: Free…? Them…? Who’s them?

Haar: Solaris!

???: FREE THEM!

Solaris: AAGH!!

Haar: Solaris! Stay down, you can’t fight like this!

Solaris: Kh… And I can’t have you fight them alone. I won’t let you.

Haar: … Tch! Let’s go.

Solaris: Nebby—

Haar: I said, let’s go! We’re running! You said it yourself, we can’t handle them ourselves, now let’s go!

Solaris: It won’t be easy.

Haar: I know.

Night Raven: SCREE!

Solaris: Hggh…

Haar: Especially when you have these headaches. … Let me carry you again.

Solaris: What?

Haar: We don’t have time to discuss this.

Solaris: I’ll only slow you down, I can r— !!

Haar: Problem?

Solaris: Well, you’re already carrying me…

Haar: Now, keep your arms around my neck so you don’t fall.

Solaris: … Okay.

Night Raven: SCREE!!!

Haar: ?

Solaris: It’s flying away…

Haar: … We’re still not in the clear. There’s other monsters and it could always come back.

Solaris: Right… But where is it going…?

~

Solaris: Okay Nebby, I think we’re far enough away, you can put me down now. … Nebby?

Haar: … And your headaches?

Solaris: Gone. Really. … Thanks.

Haar: Why did you want to head to the hill?

Solaris: Because that’s where I told Caecus to go.

Haar: … You what?

Solaris: Right… Haah… Sometime before Ros stumbled upon me, I gave Caecus a choice: He can leave and follow the star that led to the hill, or he can stay. I didn’t tell him why, but… I think he could tell I was trying to silently tell him something. As if he could tell that the next time I saw him, something was going to happen. … I don’t know what he was thinking, but I’m glad he decided to leave.

Haar: …

Solaris: Heh, that look you have. I already told you that I consider myself a monster for what I’ve done. You don’t have to hide your disgust with me.

Haar: What changed your mind?

Solaris: You want the long answer or the short one?

Haar: I want the truth.

Solaris: … Well… I found my peace again. Some hope… As if I remembered what it was like to be the Spokesperson again. Like I could be me again…

Haar: What was your peace?

Solaris: Hahaha… … More like who. !!

Haar: Solaris?

Solaris: He’s not here. No no no no…

Solaris: Caecus!

Haar: Solaris.

Solaris: No, he’s supposed to be here, Nebby! Caecus! It’s just us, you can come out!

Haar: …

Solaris: Caecus!

Haar: Solaris.

Solaris: He’s here. He made it. I know he did, Nebby, we just need to find him and—

Haar: Solaris!

Solaris: No, you don’t get it! This was my only chance to do something for someone else after being in the dark for so long! I was selfish! I was desperate! I was scared! I am a monster! And I regret having to resort to this path and I could’ve started fixing everything and— and— And I could’ve started giving back to you and everyone else for everything I’ve done! I… … I don’t want to think it’s too late for me. It can’t be too late for me to make everything right.

Haar: …

Izumi: (... He changed the line…)

Haar: Solaris…

Solaris: …? !!! …

Izumi: (Chikage-san…)

Haar: It’s not too late.

Solaris: … I just wanted to try and do right by you.

Haar: We’ll find him.

Solaris: How can you be so sure…?

Haar: Because my son’s a fighter and he’s not weak. Now let’s find him.

Solaris: Right… ?

Haar: What is it?

Solaris: This is… I think I know where Caecus is.

Haar: …

~

*galloping*

Solaris: Since we were little, Aster used to always leave a message for me if he visited the hill while I was busy. Messages no one but us would know to look for.

Haar: And it said where Caecus was?

Solaris: Not exactly…

Haar: Then what’d it say?

Solaris: …

Haar: Solaris!

Solaris: We need to get to the inn. Good thing that other village was kind enough to house your horse and give me one. Hyah!

*faster galloping*

Haar: Solaris! Damnit… Hyah!

*faster galloping*

~

Solaris: Almost there… !!

Haar: The road’s full of people.

Solaris: The festival…

Haar: Is there another path we can take?

Solaris: …

Festival Goer A: It’s the Spokesperson of the Sun!

Festival Goer B: He showed up!

Festival Goer C: Spokesperson, will you stay for once?

Solaris: …

Haar: Solaris.

Solaris: Hyah!

Haar: Solaris! Wait!

Solaris: Please be okay, please be okay, please be okay…

Haar: Solaris, don’t just—

Solaris: Aster!

Haar: —rush in… *sigh*

*sword unsheathes*

Solaris: Aster!

*doors slam open*

Solaris: Aster!

Aster: Here…

Solaris: Aster!? !! No…

Aster: Just a scratch…

Solaris: Don’t. Please don’t. Sit still.

Aster: ...hggh! Haah, your magic’s weaker.

Solaris: … Please be quiet.

Aster: …

*door opens*

Haar: The immediate perimeter is clear. Anyone else who was here is long gone. … Which is odd since this is an inn.

Aster: The f—kh! … The festival. Luna used it as a smokescreen. I visited the hill one day to find Caecus there. I… I took him back here and he stayed here. But then Luna visited today and I told Caecus to hide while I talked to him. He came to kill Caecus…

Solaris and Haar: …

Aster: At some point, Luna stabbed me and I assume Caecus ran. … You need to find him, Rissy. Both of them.

Solaris: …

Aster: The moon’s gonna shine bright tonight. Brighter than the Sun, if you don’t stop him.

Solaris: Just rest, okay?

Aster: … Get me one of those snacks we used to steal from the festival when you come back.

Solaris: You got it.

Aster: I’ll be fine here since you healed all you could. Go.

Solaris: … Nebby.

Haar: ?

Solaris: You need to find Caecus. … I’ll head back to the hill.

Haar: I can’t agree to that, Solaris. We should stay together, especially since we don’t know what else we’re going to face.

Solaris: Your son’s safety is your top priority. You need to be there for him.

Haar: …

Solaris: He needs you, Nebby. I can’t have anyone else get hurt because of my mistakes. Please. You will find Caecus. I will survive. And I will save Caecus’s life with the cure the Sun will give me. And… I will be able to hear the Sun again.

Aster: …

Haar: … Don’t die.

Solaris: Wouldn’t dream of it.

Haar: … I’ll find you after.

Solaris: Okay. Let’s go then.

Aster: Solaris. Wait.

Solaris: I’m sorry I never told you, Aster. I promise I’ll tell you everything after this.

Aster: …

Solaris: Do you trust me?

Aster: That’s a stupid question. Of course I trust you, now go.

Solaris: I’ll come back. I promise.

Aster: …

Izumi: (Itaru-san’s pausing longer than usual…)

Aster: You better.

~

Solaris: There’s the hill… Ghh! … I think I know where the night raven went.

*distant screeching*

Solaris: Uurrghh… And of course he’s here too…

Luna: The Spokesperson of the Sun has arrived. You didn’t kill his son.

Solaris: …

Luna: I told you that it’d be the only way to hear the Sun again.

Solaris: … You used me.

Luna: I didn’t. You asked me for a solution and I gave multiple to you. The Stratusans are dangerous, Solaris. We can’t trust them. I mean look at you, you’re trying to save them, you’re even siding with them. One day, they’ll try to take our land because they’ll see us as weak.

Solaris: No. They won’t.

Luna: … You used to believe this too.

Solaris: No, I didn’t.

Luna: Yes, you did. We have to keep them in line. They would never trust in the Sun or believe in it like we do. They’re hostile. They’re sending over an army now, did you know that?

Solaris: We’re bringing them here.

Luna: … You’re betraying us?

Solaris: They’re coming here to defeat you. … But you’ll be dealt with before they even get here.

Luna: Is that so?

Solaris: I’m going to stop you, Luna.

Luna: You’re a fool, Solaris. So much so you think I was using you when it’s clear that Stratusan you grew attached to was using you this whole time.

Solaris: … … I’m not the one caging Stratus with monsters I created because of their fear of something nonexistent.

Luna: You think I’m afraid of them?

Solaris: They’re not the dangerous ones, Luna. You are.

Luna: … I’m protecting our land. I’m the one who is looking after everyone when you’re the one playing a prophet! You are nothing but a face that holds no actual power anymore. We both know the Sun left you because you weren’t worthy to receive its gift anymore.

Solaris: …

Luna: And you can’t even deny it.

Solaris: … Maybe you’re right… Maybe the Sun did leave me voluntarily. Maybe I’m not special anymore. Maybe I’m just holding onto something long gone. Something that may never come back… But I’m not going to stand back and watch you shepherd our friends and family while you destroy innocent people.

Luna: They aren’t innocent, Solaris. You’re the only one who doesn’t see that.

Solaris: You aren’t innocent either.

Luna: Neither are you.

Solaris: I know… And I’ve come to accept that.

Luna: That Stratusan’s tainted your mind.

Solaris: … Is that really so bad?

Luna: I’ve heard enough of your betrayal. Night raven. Take care of him.

Night Raven: SCREE!!!

Solaris: I assume I can’t bribe you with treats?

Solaris: —GH! Huff huff… Guess not.

Night Raven: SCREE! SCREE!

???: FREE THEM!

Solaris: AGGH!! The headaches again… They’re stronger than before. Why…?

Night Raven: SCREE!!

Solaris: Hh… wait… they only… That’s it!

???: Solaris!

Solaris: That’s not like the voice from before… Nebby?

Haar: Solaris!

Night Raven: SCREE!

Solaris: Huff huff… That idiot’s running across the field… no… if only you took longer…

Haar: Solaris!

Solaris: I’m sorry you have to watch me do this, Nebby… but this is the only way.

Night Raven: SCREE!!!

Solaris: Ghh! Huff huff… Stand. Face the night raven… And wait for it. I… I call upon the Sun…

Haar: What are you doing!?

Solaris: … to protect me and to guide me…

Night Raven: SCREE! SCREE! SCREE!

Haar: Stop!!

Solaris: … please don’t forsake me now… I know you probably can’t hear me, but… Sun, I ask you to—

Haar: SOLARIS!

Night Raven: SCREE!!!

Solaris: —free the phoenix!

~

Solaris: (...) (...?) (You…)

Phoenix: (The Spokesperson of the Sun. It’s been a long time.)

Solaris: (You were who I kept hearing…) (Where were you? How come I never knew you were…?) (... I don’t even know you.) (What happened to you…?)

Phoenix: (The same thing that happened to you.)

Solaris: (Corruption…)

Phoenix: (Embrace your calling once again, Spokesperson of the Sun.)

~

Haar: —ris! Solaris!

Solaris: … I’m okay.

Haar: Never do that again.

Solaris: You almost sound like you care.

Haar: … What did you do?

Solaris: … The night raven wanted me to free them.

Phoenix: CAW!

Solaris: So I did.

Haar: You heard it…

Solaris: Yeah…

Haar: You could’ve died if that didn’t work.

Solaris: …

Luna: You truly are the Spokesperson, huh.

Solaris: ! …

Luna: You still won’t be able to defeat me, Solaris.

Haar: He’s not the only one here now.

Luna: Ah yes. The man, desperate to save his son, who went to another land to do so. Solaris, perhaps you should remember why Haar is beside you.

Solaris: …

Haar: Yeah. You’re right, I did only take an interest in Solaris because he could save my son. But then I got to know him. I spent time with him and I realized how wrong my assumptions were of him and Solarians alike. But don’t you dare stand there acting high and mighty when you were the one who betrayed his trust.

Solaris: !

Luna: Fools… Get them.

Monsters: RAAGHH!

Haar: Are you up for this?

Solaris: … Yeah. Just need to warm up a bit.

Haar: Your body… It’s encased in fire.

Solaris: Oh, how I’ve missed this~ Hey Nixy!

Phoenix: CAW!

Haar: You’re riding that thing!?

Solaris: Hell yeah, I am! Let’s go!

Phoenix: CAW! CAW!!

Solaris: WOOOHOO!!!

Haar: Idiot… Go for the golems’ joints!

Solaris: Aye aye cap’n!

Izumi: (They continued to fight through the hordes of monsters until Luna exhausted himself of his magic.)

Luna: Huff huff… It seems you’ve won.

Solaris: …

Haar: Solaris?

Solaris: You. Why did you corrupt them?

Luna: …

Solaris: You’re the reason I couldn’t hear the Sun anymore. Because you corrupted them!

Luna: The phoenix was in a deep slumber. I simply woke it up.

Solaris: It’s a free being! You—

Haar: Hey. That’s enough.

Solaris: … When I freed them, I felt everything the phoenix felt in the span of a second, Nebby. All these years, they were… trapped… And I didn’t even know, I could’ve—

Haar: That’s not your fault. You didn’t know. There was nothing you could’ve done.

Solaris: … Right.

Luna: The Spokesperson of the Sun has chosen his side… How disappointing. You can hear the Sun again, can’t you, Solaris? Did you wish for that too?

Solaris: …

Haar: He doesn’t need to answer to you.

Luna: … Stratusan, are you aware he’s wished upon not being the Spokesperson before?

Solaris: ! …

Haar: I don’t see how that’s relevant.

Luna: It’s simple. He wished for something and it came true. Perhaps he could have wished to become the Spokesperson again this whole time. And perhaps he could have wished to save your son, but he didn’t want to.

Solaris: …

Haar: Stop.

Luna: Can you really trust each other?

Haar: You’re stalling.

Solaris: !

Luna: Found out, huh.

Solaris: Stop this, Luna. Please. You can still come back from this.

Luna: … I seem to recall your reflexes are subpar, Solaris.

Solaris: What?

Luna: Heh.

Haar: !! Solaris!

Solaris: !?

Haar: AGH!

Solaris: NO! LUNA!

Luna: If you chase me, you risk losing him to the poison.

Solaris: …

Luna: … Goodbye, Solaris. Haar. Enjoy your last moments together.

Solaris: No no no no, why did you do that? Why? I can survive the poison, Nebby… And he knew that. That’s why he… Why did you jump in front of me…?

Haar: … You should’ve chased him.

Solaris: Stop… I can’t lose you. I have to do right by you. I have to. Please keep your eyes open, Haar. Please. Haar?

Haar: …

Izumi: (Sakyo-san’s head is in Chikage-san’s lap and he’s looking up, but he’s not staring at Chikage-san. He’s supposed to be staring at—)

Solaris: The Sun… Haar—

Haar: Is this… akin to the warmth of the sun?

Solaris: No… No, I was… I was wrong! The Sun…! It… it only hurt people in the end. I…

Izumi: ? (He trailed off. Did he forget the rest of his line?)

Solaris: I only hurt people in the end…

Izumi: (He changed the line. Is this his way of acknowledging his mistakes in front of everyone?)

Solaris: I was the fool all along.

Haar: Perhaps…

Izumi: (Chikage-san’s crying… He’s supposed to during this scene, but it doesn’t look forced. It’s genuine.)

Haar: But I was a fool from the start as well. Besides… it wasn’t so bad.

Solaris: What…?

Haar: That warmth you preached about. It did give me peace.

Solaris: This isn’t the peace I was referring to…

Haar: Peace in a different form… Peace in the form of a human… Peace in the form of you… The Sun gave me you, Solaris…

Izumi: (Sakyo-san’s not looking at the sun anymore. He’s looking directly at Chikage-san who looks more relieved than anything.)

Solaris: … You’re a fool…

Haar: Happy to be one…

Izumi: (Even more adlibs…) (Okay, actually, this is starting to get really gay. Come on guys. Pack it up.) (God, I wish I could close the curtains right now…)

Phoenix: CAW!

Haar: Thank you, Solaris, for saving Caecus…

Solaris: What…?

Haar: He’s better… Slowly, but he’s been getting better.

Solaris: I haven’t been… doing anything…

Haar: …

Phoenix: CAW! CAW!

???: Free them.

Solaris: ?

Haar: I believe you have a promise to keep…

Solaris: … !!! I’ll be back, Haar, I promise. Nixy!

Phoenix: CAW!

Solaris: To Stratus!

Phoenix: CAW!!

Izumi: (And so they flew to Stratus as Solaris and the phoenix circled around the cloud covering Stratus.) (They worked together to lift the cloud to the sky, something neither of them could’ve done alone.) (And light streamed through the cloud and onto the people of Stratus.) (The cloud would remain over Stratus before slowly dissipating so the people of Stratus could adjust.) (And with the monsters defeated, the Land of Stratus was no longer afraid of traveling beyond.) (The Spokesperson fulfilled yet another calling of the Sun and the world was as it should be.)

Solaris: The longer you stand there, the more I’ll ignore you.

Caecus: It isn’t that bad.

Solaris: Oh, it is absolutely that bad.

Caecus: Sorry I’m not gifted with the patience of my ancestors.

Solaris: Don’t blame your ancestors, that’s disrespectful~

Caecus: Ugh, don’t lecture me in your Spokesperson tone.

Solaris: Come on, out out. We need to head to the inn. We’re meeting Rosey on the way.

Caecus: Even worse.

Solaris: Come on, you love Rosey.

Caecus: He reminds me too much of dad and his nagging.

Solaris: … Let’s go.

~

Ros: You’re late.

Caecus: See?

Solaris: Be nice. Any news, Rosey?

Ros: Please don’t call me that.

Solaris: You’re no fun. Never mind, Cake, we can be mean to Rosey.

Caecus: God, I hate you too…

Solaris: Haha, come on, let’s get to the inn and Rosey can tell us anything new on the way.

~

Solaris: Bright Light Sparkle Shiny Asty!

Caecus: Okay, that’s the worse one.

Aster: Hey Larry.

Caecus: …

Ros: … pfft.

Solaris: Rude~

Aster: What do you need? I’ve got a lot of guests today because of the celebrations.

Solaris: I was wondering if we could borrow two things!

Aster: Oh, this’ll be good.

Solaris: Some blankets and you.

Aster: Did you forget the part where I’m working?

Solaris: Just for a couple hours.

Aster: *sigh* Insufferable. You’re lucky I love you.

Solaris: Hehe~ love you too.

Aster: I’ll grab the blankets while I let my staff know. I’ll meet you at the front.

~

Caecus: Here again?

Ros: Why here?

Haar: Why here, indeed.

Aster: I presume this was our lovely Solaris’s idea.

Haar: Unfortunately.

Solaris: Don’t make it sound negative! Stargazing never hurt anyone.

Aster: I would hope not.

Solaris: Actually, that’s a lie.

Caecus: Not surprised.

Ros: I’m not sure I understand…

Solaris: You’re here because I wanted you to be here, despite what’s happened before.

Ros: You forgive easily.

Solaris: There’s nothing to forgive on my end. This is my peace offering to you.

Ros: You’ve already saved both Haar and Caecus’s lives, that’s enough to me.

Aster: You know what’s enough? This conversation. I only gave Solaris a couple hours of my precious time, after all.

Solaris: Oh, you love hanging out with me.

Aster: Hey Haar, what’d you call him when you first met him?

Haar: Appalling.

Aster: Yeahhh, sounds about right.

Solaris: This is beyond insulting. I gather you all here and you are all ungrateful!

Haar: Solaris, sit.

Solaris: Fine fine.

Phoenix: CAW!

Ros: !

Caecus: Still never gonna get used to that…

Solaris: Nixy! Small form, you’re taking up too much space in that form.

Phoenix: CAW!

Solaris: Well, we’re all here now, right?

Haar: Yes.

Solaris: Perfect. …

Solaris: Hey Sun—