#oc perci

The Hunter yanked her hand back before the metallic snap of her trap claimed it. It was sunset in Poteria, and Eterie Ranieri was just laying down a snare when it happened. It was a strange feeling, really, the feeling that something monumental just occurred. There were flashes of memory, no, facts that played out in her mind, yet instead of confusing, it emboldened. Rani spared but a moment for the memories, for she had work to do. If the Shining One trusted her to keep working despite this interruption, then she would.

Unlike Ranieri’s more withheld memories, Hiroshi Nolastname was permitted to remember just a little bit more. They awoke in their grove, with the image firm in their mind of a young teenager punching them in the gut!! How STUPID and RUDE!!! Don’t they know who they are?!? They’re HIROSHI! GOD of WISHES!!! 

And it was about then that Hiroshi realized, with extreme befuddlement, a pomegranate pie was sitting on the stump next to them. How it got there was anybody's guess.

***

One day, two astronomers started arguing. One argued that the stars should be shared with all people, while the other argued the stars are too dangerous to be shared so easily. The two agreed to disagree, and that was it. 

But over time, this question turned to debate, which turned to argument, which turned to conflict. Conflict fermented into fear, and from fear, mistakes grow with an unstoppable fervor.

***

Polaris snapped awake with fear gripping his heart tight, before slowly relaxing as his beloved Muenos rises to reassure him. No sooner had the one named after a star relaxed into the other's arms, did the third, Wren, raise his head to complain about his disturbed sleep.

The three varied in their memory of that night. Polaris knew the least, believing the experience on the cliffside was in some parts real, and some ways fictitious. He remembered madame, the saviors, and some of these adventures, but for his own safety, other details he remembered not.

Muenos and Pitch, due to the discovery of the latter, remembered more. The two remembered the caves, and talks, and the innermost struggles they survived. There were other memories, yes, but they were locked away by friends yet to be met, and forces yet to be discovered.

Wren, by contrast, could not have his vision clouded. The mere act of withholding such memories would spur him to seek them out, and in the process, cause more harm than good. It was for this reason he remembered what passed that night, with an understanding of subtlety imparted on him upon his awakening. 

***

In an act, regretted by all, fueled by anxiety and fear; the people of the Island wished to be isolated from the outside world. No more careless outsiders prying into their craft. No more contrarian moths trying to corrupt their Guides.

To forget and be forgotten, that was what the people wanted. Or, more truthfully, what some thought all wanted.

***

The city of lights and dreams was abuzz with activity. Despite the efforts of both Twilight and Dreams, such an event as the night of nightmares was impossible to hide from the people of the Sun. The experience was fresh in the gut of each and every follower, even if the memories were wiped clean; forgotten, yes, but the impression remains.

Of these followers, there was one who felt this theological crisis most of all. Widow, judge, jury, and executioner, knelt down in her home and looked upon the twilight sun. Was her guidance wrong? Or her dreams misinterpreted? Was her faith misplaced? Or. . . Or maybe faith had been misplaced in her.

***

In the end, the people of the stars got their wish. 

To forget and be forgotten. To throw away the outside world. 

A pity, then, that they forgot the stars along with everything else. 

***

It was with a cold sweat upon which Eden rose from sleep; the fear gripping his heart strong enough to break bone. But, his hands were now claws no longer, and his fangs were teeth once again. Humanity, it seemed, clung to him even now, despite the innermost feelings of disgust still present.

In spite of this, he was coaxed back to slumber by one who was spared the rod of the One Betwixt, Gina, and returning to his arms quickly settled both to sleep again. The doctor would not remember the night of nightmares, as would many other innocent bystanders. Even though the drug-leiden-Dragon would remember only bits and pieces, the fact that he still had a hopeless crush on a certain historian refused to leave his mind.

***

Once upon a time, there was a king.

A king who cried endlessly for a land lost to history, a home always present at the fringes of his memory. A king who wished to return home, or save another's home from the same fate. A king who refused to forget the stars like his countrymen so carelessly did, and mourned its loss every day.

***

The birth of the Twilight One was a boon to all gods; it was a chance to right wrongs that could not easily be fixed. It was a rare gift, being able to mend one's toys in such a way. But one individual, neither plaything nor player, was simply set aside. She was one that did not and never will belong to this toybox.

Vixul Pollana, the lost soul with no home of her own. She could only watch with a thinly veiled envy as the gods did their work. She shouldn’t be bitter, she knew, since this was just the cycle that she’d long ago surrendered herself to see over and over. A hero, or heroes, save the world from eternal darkness again and again, and she could only watch and wish the same could have happened to her and her home. Instead, she sat here, alone.

But she wasn’t alone, the Universe said, for she’s already done so much and saved so many people. Her journey may be long, and full of dangers yet to pass, but the Universe knew that one day she too would return home. 

***

One day, the King got his wish.

As the ground beneath him froze to the touch, he knew not the gift he’d been given. Time was in the palm of his hands; the planet's paralysis within his grasp. He could do so much, and that which he did do was simple. He would save this country from being forgotten as his home was.

What a fool he was. It was only when the chosen Housemaiden of Change reflected his own curse back at him did he realize the true gift he was given.

***

Antoine the beautiful one roused from slumber with a sleepy smile on his face. He did not awaken in the middle of the night, no, they awoke with the morning, after a night most well rested of all in Dormont. They got up, dressed, fed, and walked to the House of Change, where in the highest room of the house, sat a King. 

The Universe asked Chiron, for that was his name, if he wanted to live. Chiron answered honestly, with the full truth within his heart; He wished to return to the dream, the stasis, the frozen moment where he remembered his home.

And so, he did.

***

Once upon a time, there was a couple.

One was a historian, tempered by authority and hardened by lies, who rejected the path emplaced to forge one of his own making. A man who could not trust, a man too smart for his own good. But his story is one well told by now.

***

The ones who called themselves Knights were lucky to be returned to the fold almost unchanged. Despite the bitter enemy they had made, a God has to abide by the Rules, even now. Regardless, all memory of that night was stripped from their minds, save for the nightmarish visage of a Knight clad in Crimson. This, the Twilight One reasoned, would help curb the power these Enlightened few were massing.

However, there were two who reside here that recalled that night perfectly.

With a thud, the not-so-late Squire Aptenia fell from her bed onto the floor gasping for air. While the world may have felt numb to her, with the experience of death on her mind, she was lucky. For the full extent of her expiration was withheld for her own sanity. 

But that was not all her luck brang, for The One Betwixt had seen the reality, growth, and doubt of one within the Avalon halls, and permitted him to remember these events also. By the time the next bell had rung, a certain Knight held Aptenia close, regrets bleeding from his mouth.

***

The other was an Astronomer, loyal to the stars, yet was tilted by their peers. The words that she spoke would be twisted askew, the warnings; ignored, and faith; tested. A servant most humble, who gives guidance and knowledge, to never want in return. Tasked with Wishing where others could not, tasked with Wishing where others fear not.

Until one day came to pass, on a day ordained by chance. On a day like any other, the Astronomer left to visit a friend far from home. It was then when it struck, it happened, it vanished.

***

In a port town in Poteria, a watchman of the guard was preparing for her nightly patrol, before freezing where she stood. In a blink, Aurola had memories that did not fit before, or. . . No, not that, she had memories from a time that did not happen, a time undone, in a way. She remembered a castle, and a white haired soldier, and mint-infested knights. That memory in particular made her shudder.

One memory stuck out. Less a memory, more a promise. A promise that they would meet again, and this time, properly.

The shadow in her mind raised its head, and she continued her preparations. Aurola would have time to pursue this later. For now, she had a job to do.

Across the border, in a city not too far away, the white haired soldier known as Ark sat wide awake, staring down at her bonded partner with a mix of concern and relief. The horrible nightmare of memories was but a dream to her now, but still, it made her fear the worst for Thai. So to see them alive, safe, and oblivious, was a boon most welcome.

***

Once upon a time, there was a traveler.

A traveler, lost with no home, no memory, no one. A traveler who went from one town to the next, never remembering, always forgetting. 

Until one day, one became four, then four became five.

Then five become none.

***

The Siffrin who called themself Loop opened their eyes to white void. They blinked, and looked down at their hands, and then their body.  Their body, ever so slightly familiar, with a star mark on their chest. They wore a vest- no-sleeve shirt -and shorts. For a time, they simply stood there in awe and befuddlement. (Where am I?) They thought, (Why do I look like this?).

But their thought process was cut off by a missile in the shape of a worried little kid.

“S-Sif!!!” Squealed the kid. “You’re okay!!!”

The words died in Loops throat, and before they could try to talk again, an older, authoritative voice spoke up. “Now now, Siffrin does not like to be touched, remember?”

“Uh, isn't that the OTHER ‘Frin?”

“No, that's our Siffrin.” Said a third voice. It was familiar, strong, a Housemaidens. “But that's alright!! If you're not okay with being touched please let us know, okay??”

The absolutely befuddled Rogue was frozen like they were caught in a lie. Moments later, the strong figure of a fighter entered their vision. “Uh, Sif? You there? Everything alright?” He was followed soon after by the researcher, housemaiden, and kid.

(Wh- what is going on!?) Thought Loop. [Who-!? Who are these, t-these people?!?] thought Saffron, even though he knew very well who these people are.

“They are in shock. Just give them time.” Said the bespeckled researcher. 

The fighter, unassured, tried not to show it. “Yeah but. . . Y'know, they've gone through a lot already.”

(Am I dreaming?) Thought Loop, as saffron wished to ask [What's going on?!?]. Kyros worried <Are we dead?!?>, While Horizon, ever the logical one, spoke through tears soon to flow. “P-please touch us.”

No sooner had the words left its lips than the kid, housemaiden, and fighter embraced them in a hug. They gasped, and flinched, but held tight at the first sign one of them was going to retreat. The tears started to flow, and soon after so did the incoherent babbling. Although the flood of cries was incomprehensible, one question rang clear; are you my family? 

“Yes!!” Said the housemaiden, “Oh Change, Siffrin I'm so sorry! If only I noticed what was going on or that you needed help, then--”

“We could spend the rest of our life lamenting things we didn't do,” the researcher sighed from the sidelines, “or we could also; not.”

Loop tried to talk, and after dozens of attempts they gave up, simply surrendering to the embrace of their party. The fighters' strong hand pat their head. “There there, it's aaaaall alright, Sif.”

“Big baby.” Teased the kid, still hugging them. “Big dumb baby.”

The rogue gave up at this point, surrendering to sobs and the comforting embrace of their allies, friends. It was warm and reassuring, solidifying, even. After several moments, Loop tried to talk again.

“. . . H-- how. . . ?”

And the Universe answered. “They are remnants, Siffrin.”

Loop turned to the speaker, ready with a thousand questions more, but they found themself mute at the sight of the Universe. It was all, and nothing, and thus there is no reason to describe it. 

“When the star reached your mouth, the Everything that is Anything returned to nothing, and started again. The bodies and minds start their journey anew, with none but gods to remember them.”

“But there was an error; an oversight. You remembered. You remembered your party as they were, not as they became. While their bodies were gone, the selves they are still were. They existed, but only to you, and later, our Bladeheart.”

Loop looked back to their party. THEIR party. The people they wanted to, wanted to, wanted to. . . “

“This was one of hundreds of errors in the Everything that is Anything. With the birth of the Twilight One, we have a chance to right this and many more like it.”

Saffron felt fear, and had to ask. “B-but, are they. . .”

“When this moment has ended, you must let them rest. A life tied to one who remembers only bits and pieces is no life at all. . .”

Is was a weight both lifted, and applied with renewed fevor. Siffrin, tears welling up again, embraced their party, and held onto them for just a little but longer.

Loop won't forget their old family, of course. They would remember the family that no longer is, but with this final goodbye, they could at least let go.

***

Once upon a time, there was a traveler.

A traveler, lost with no home, no memory, no one. A traveler who went from one town to the next, never remembering, always forgetting. 

Until one day, one became four, four became five, and then eventually, five became seven. A teen, a housemaiden, a defender, a researcher, a carpenter, a trainee, and a traveler. Allies, friends, and family numbered seven.

Well, seven-ish.

***

Siffrin was roused from sleep by an anxious Suzilla shaking them like crazy.

“YOU'RE OKAY!!!” She exclaimed, before turning to yell into the woods around them. “SIF’RIN’S OKAY!! THEY'RE OKAY!!”

Siffrin was still waking up from the strangest of dreams. In it, he had been torn into pieces. His guts, bones, and muscles were all in a big pile, and a colony of rabbits were picking over it, grabbing their bits and piecing them back together. 

The rogue looked at Suzilla with a confused, half-asleep smile. Suzy smiled back, then hugged them tight, as if he was about to disappear. 

Not twenty minutes ago, The Bladeheart bolted awake fueled with the terror of not knowing the condition of their family. Despite the twisting in their gut and the bile in their throat, they didn't feel any dangers. The surge of power that felt constant not moments before was now that of a steady stream. Still, Suzy did not have time to dwell on this; she had stars to follow! The first companion I led her to was Odile, then Isabeau, then Siffrin.

As if on cue, Odile and Isabeau appeared, having sprinted to keep up with the anxious teen. The Defender cheered and whooped seeing his darling was still alive, and wasted no time in scooping the rogue up into his arms. Suzy got out of the way just in time. 

“Where to next, oh navigation master?” Odile asked, pointedly ignoring the worrying and doting Isabeau in the background. 

“Uhm. . .” Suzy closes her eyes, and looks up to the sky, a question on their lips. 

“A-are the others okay too?!? Have you seen them?!?” Isabeau asked the rogue as the Bladeheart did their thing.

“I saw Rosmarinus, a-and. . . A, few I didn't recognize.” Siffrin responded awkwardly. “I, I haven't seen Loop, or anyone else from their subsystem.”

“O-oh crab--”

“Oh dear.” Odile winced. “Do you have any idea if they are alright?”

“I think. . .” Despite the evidence clear in their mind, Siffrin had to think about this for a long, long time. “I. . . I think they’re okay.”

“What does that mean-!”

“Got it!” Suzy interrupts. “Follow me!!!”

Without a second thought, they were off.

***

Once upon a time, these stories came to a close.

Not the end, mind you, but a close. Just because this story of lovers, family, and trust has reached its conclusion, doesn’t mean there’s not more to tell; or questions that need answering. I, for one, have many questions. Where am I? Who am I? And am I real at all? Was all this real? Or not? If it’s not real, and simply a story, then how do I talk about it since it was real to me? When did this story turn from fiction, to a memory of fiction? What do we make for dinner? How will we come out to our mum? And why does my back hurt this morning?

I don’t know, and that’s okay. We are all in this together.

***

(Loop) [Saffron] <Kyros> {Horizon}

“. . . -Frin!”

(. . . Huh?)

(You’re awake?)

“Siffrin!”

[And SOMEONE is calling your name! Well, the name you USED to use, anyways. Go on, little guide, open our eyes? Pretty please~?]

(Fine! Fine. You blink open your eyes, and squint to adjust to the light. You’re laying on your back with soft grass against your skin. The sky is clear, with hints of the morning sun lighting clouds above you. You blink, and yawn. Your body is aching, but not as bad as it USUALLY does.)

(All of a sudden, that BLINDING TRAINEE pops their head into your line of vision.) “Siffy!!! You’re awake-!!”

(Without a second thought, you punch them on the nose! O-oh!)

[Whoopse!! Better cover yourself, Loop~]

(Stars above! You sit up.) “Oh Ramos I’m sorry, you scared me!”

(Ramos rubs their jaw, looking a bit hurt for a moment before those silly little eyes light up again.) “. . . L, Loop?!?”

“Yes? What, do you want a medal?!” (You roll your eye.) “Oh look, everyone! Ramos could tell who- oh come on what’s with that face?!”

“Y-you’re back!!!” (Ramos yelped, then scooped you up into a hug.) “Oh crab I was worried you- just, what happened?!?”

(You scrunch your face up, what?!? ACK!! You try to escape.) “Get off me you rat!!!”

(They let go, but still were wearing that stupid smile.) “S-sorry! Sorry! Uh, are you okay?!?”

“Stars above Yes!!” (You get to your feet properly.) “I know I was gone for a minute but really! I’m better than ever~”

(They stared at you, blinking with some expression on their face, before letting out a breath of relief.) “O-okay, okay! If, uh, if you’re sure. Just. . . A-a lot’s happened, so. . .”

 “Oh I’m sure it has~!”[What a moron! Ah you wish you could reach out and shake them~ You huff, and look around.] “Now, where is everyone?”

(You’re in a grassy clearing in the middle of the woods, and you can hear ocean waves in the distance. There was another noise, too, one that sounded almost like. . . Is that, sobbing?!?)

“I dunno, uh. . . I, think everyone got scattered around?” (Ramos rubs their head.) “I woke up nearby and found you and uh. . .”

“Me and. . .” (You squint at them.) “Who?”

(They shuffle on the spot, then turn and point across the field. You squint, having some trouble with the further blobs of shades, damn eyes. . . Stars, you can’t make the figures out. You grumble, then set off towards it.)

(As you get closer, the sounds of crying grow louder and clearer, and you start to make out other sounds alongside it; chattering and hushed reassurances. You glance to see Ramos following you, and walk a bit faster.)

<I-is, is it them?!?>

[Oh if it is, you’ll have some WORDS!!]

(You ignore them, fully focused on the source of that obnoxious wailing, until finally, you knew who it was. You grit your teeth, and clench your fists. Of course, it couldn’t have been anyone else! Of course it was Perci who was crying loud enough to wake the dead! What an idiot. He looked as he ever did, vest, dark hair, tailored pants, and. . . And. . .)

(The world shifted slightly as you got closer. The sky a bit clearer, and the ground a bit more full; Percival's body changed, too, as if a veil was lifted. Now he had a body reminiscent of your old one! A lightless body, with a head halfway between a human and stars. Planets floated around his head, and he still had a tail and scythe-like arms. He was taller than a human, but much shorter than he was not too long ago.)

[How do you know that?!]

(The other figure was. . . Was one you never would have thought to see, or remember, ever again. With a white cloak, white hair, and dark skin, the astronomer sat across from Perci, talking to him in a tone reserved for children. You slowed as you approached, halfway between disbelief, bewilderment, and annoyance.)

<S-should you, con- confront?!? N-no no you shouldn’t! Right?!>

[No!! We should let them know who’s boss, obviously! Who knows what could happen with those two around!]

{Oh Saffron dear Saffron, how silly you are! Cycle along cycles, yet you propagate? No!}

(Oh stars above shut up already!! Percival’s burying his head in Merlons arms, still crying hard enough to rival a monsoon. You cross your arms and tap your foot impatiently, and Ramos, awkwardly, waits next to you. Eventually, Percival looks up at you.)

“. . . .” (His face is. . . Surprisingly human as he wipes his tears away with an arm, then embraces Merlon yet again.) “. . . M-mimi. . .”

“It’s alright, Cici.” (Merlons voice is hoarse, distant, and disconnected. Yet, it still carried a care to it that was undeniable.) “Take your time. Loop and Ramos will still be here.”

(You sneer, tch! What does SHE know?! You could’ve been Siffrin! Or Kyros! Or maybe even Null!!  Stars, they're not even LOOKING at you! . . But it’s true that you’re not exactly leaving anytime soon.)

“I-I- I need- I-I need to---” (Perci wallows.) “S-sorry I. . . I need to, a-a, ah. . .”

(He quieted down as Merlon rubbed his hair. Or what you assume is hair, anyways. UGH, you were getting frustrated by the mushyness of it all. . . After several more seconds of waiting, Perci slowly looked up at you again.)

“. . . A-alright, okay. . .” (He gulps down a breath, then mumbles his next words.) “Just. . . Just please, a few minutes more, then you can kill me.”

“WHAT?!?”

“H-HUH!?!?”

“PERCIVAL!!!”

“B-but that’s-” (He looks back up, wide-eyed.) “That’s what you want, yes?!? A-and what I, I deserve?!?”

“Stars above can you be any more dense?!?” (You grip your hair.) “After all that work?!?”

“But-”

“I woulda’ thought you'd've gotten the message already!” (Ramos puts a hand to their head.) “Nothing’s gonna get better if we keep trying to kill eachother!”

“But I, I-I, I’ve--”

“Shhhhhh. . .” (Merlon put a finger on his lips, then turned to look at you. Their face was. . . Unchanged. You think. You’re almost sure it’s unchanged, but something about their eyes was. . . Stars you don’t know.) “Thank you, Groundskeepers, Nebulae, and. . . I’m sorry, for all the trouble we have caused.”

“Er. . .” (Nebulae?!? Is that supposed to be you?!? You cross you arms.) “Well, you’re not forgiven! Far from it!”

“Yeah, uh. . .” (Ramos sighed, arms behind their back.) “We’ll, cross that bridge later. Right now I’m just, tired.”

“I expect nothing less. Much has happened, and we have much to be held accountable for, and there are many questions too, I imagine.”

“Well I’ll start with one!” (You squint.) “How are you here?!?”

“Oh.” (Merlon smiled innocently, and closed their eyes.) “I came home.”

“. . .”

“. . .”

“. . . Oh blind it all-!!!”

“THERE THEY ARE!!!” (You jump on the spot and spin around. At the edge of the woods, was a very familiar teen pointing at you.) “I TOLD YA’ I’D FIND ‘EM!!!”

“Alright! Alright! HEY THERE!” [Petronillé follows right after, and waves to you. You wave back. Soon after, the carpenter was followed by Mirabelle, Madame Odile, Isabeau, and--]

(?!?!??!)

<O-oh. . .>

[On, Isabeau’s back, is you. The Rogue. The copycat, second fiddle, replacement. Siffrin. They were tired, yet looked the same as they ever were. He’s looking at you with the same shock you had. A beat later, Odile, Isabeau, Mirabelle, then Petronillé, start looking between the two of you, confused.]

“Ooooh Change.” (Ramos pokes your side.) “That’s- s-stars, Loop uh, are, you. . .”

“Please don’t ask me that.” (You grit your teeth with a very fake smile.) “PLEASE don’t ask me that right now!!”

“Siffrin.” (Odile looked between the two.) “Is this what you mean by ‘Loop’s okay’?”

(Siffrin nods. STARS you want to kill him!!)

“Loop!!” (Mirabelle goes right up to you and takes your hand in hers.) “I-it’s you right?? I’ve been so worried- we’ve all been so worried!!! A-are you okay?!? W-what happened-?!?”

“If I said I’m fine, would you believe me?” (You smirk, she makes a face.) “No? I thought not.”

“Let’s shelve that question, yeah?” [Nille pat Mirabelle's shoulder, then gave Ramos a hug. You try not to be jealous.] “Change it’s good to see you guys alive, though.”

“Y-yeah uh. . . Yeah.” (Ramos awkwardly glances at you, then at the Monets. Suzy’s standing over them.) “. . .”

“. . .”

“. . . You gonna do anything stupid?” (Asks Suzy. Perci shakes his head.) "Good.”

“. . .”

“. . .”

(Isabeau taps you on the shoulder. You glance at him, he’s holding out a hand. You take it. Siffrin’s still gazing at you, smiling like an idiot. After a few more moments, Isabeau speaks up.) “. . . So uh. . . Welcome back, Merlon?”

“Thank you, Isabeau.” (She responds.) 

“. . .”

“. . .”

“. . .” (Odile sighs.) “We should get going.” 

“Y-yeah.”

“M-mhm.”

“I’m exhausted, let’s go.”

(You could do with a good rest. With a moments hesitation, you turn to go. But you’d only taken a couple steps before Petronillé’s voice cut through the air.)

“Hey! What, gonna just sit around all day?”

(You turn back, as does the rest of your family. Perci and Merlon were both still sitting in the grass, the former looking at Nille, perplexed.) “I. . . W-what?”

“I was bein’ serious, Perci!” (Petronillé laughs.) “C’mon, let’s get some grub and a nap, THEN we can figure all this out.”

[Greeeeat.]

<I-it’s, probably a good idea.>

(As Merlon slowly helps Perci rise, you have to, begrudgingly, agree. You’ve had more than enough fighting for two lifetimes.)

(It’s time to move on.)

(You had arrived in Bambouche far past midnight, having pushed to get there now instead of tomorrow. You felt exhausted when Nille unlocked the little shack on the hill, you just needed to sit down for a minute. You also didn’t want to be in anyone's way, so you sat on the ground outside.)

(You were falling asleep when Isabeau, who you guess was coming to check on you, spoke up.)

(You yawn, massage your neck, and rub your eye.) “What’s wh-” (Another yawn.) “-what?”

“Over there, by the bay.” (He crouches down to your level and points towards the crescent cove that Bambouche was built upon. You shook your head, and squinted at the cove.)

(. . . . . There’s. . . . . Tiny lights. . . . On the water.)

(Strange. The ocean and night sky blended together so well here, you didn’t even notice that there were stars where there shouldn’t be. But, no. If they’re not stars then. . . What are they?)

“I have no idea. . .” 

[[Well, it looks pretty, at least.]]

(Oh yeah because looking pretty always means something’s not dangerous. You shake your head.) “Wanna check?”

“Uh. . .” (He looked down at you, then chuckled and ruffled your hair.) “In a minute, Sif, I gotta help unpack, okay?”

“O-okay. . .” 

(You watch him go, then turn back to the lights on the water. . . Hhhhh you should be in there too helping them unpack, stupid, stupid. . .)

{Forget them. You are resting.}

(H-hey! Mean!)

{. . .}

[[. . . Stars, what ARE those lights, anyways?]]

(No idea, a-and, you would like to find out, but-)

{Go down.}

(H-huh?!?)

{They will be fine. Go down and look.}

[[Ha! I’m with the antimatter on this one! Go on, Stardust~]]

(O-okay. . . You stand up and stretch, then start walking down to the cove.)

(. . . You only get a few meters away before stopping. Stupid, stupid, stupid! You’re being stupid again wandering away from your family for no reason. When will you LEARN, stupid!!!)

[[. . . . Right, now?]]

(Oh ha ha. You shake your head again and walk back up the hill to the shack. Once at the front door, you pause a second, then pop your head in.) “U-uhm. . .”

(There’s stuff EVERYWHERE. Stars, you’d be overwhelmed here anyways. Isa was chatting with Mira as they unpack. He looks up.) “Oh hey Sif! I was just telling Mirabelle about those lights.”

“W-well, I, wanted to go look.” (You smile up at him.) “Please?”

“Oh alright Siffrin. Just be careful okay?” (He blows a kiss at you.) “I love you.”

“Have fun Siffrin!!” (Mirabelle adds, waving.) 

“T-thanksloveyoutoo--!” (You quickly reply, blushing, before closing the door and speeding back down. STARS.)

[[You. Are. A. Mess.]]

(S-shuttup--)

[[No??? I shall NOT?!? Stars, you could NEVER have gotten his lips against yours without me egging you on~ HA!!!]]

{I beat you.}

[[SHUT. UP.]]

(Heheh. You take a deep breath of the cool and crisp sea air as you walk through the small town. Every light was off, and it was as silent as a cat stalking its prey. You squint, it might be getting foggy also.)

[[Ah good, fog was ALWAYS my favorite.]]

(As you walk, you eventually spot a faint light in the distance, and then a figure leaning against a post underneath it. Getting closer, it turns out to be a few lights in sequence, lighting up one of the piers. Then you start to make out the dozens, hundreds? Of lights on the water.)

{You feel a tingle on your spine. Be careful.}

(Y-yeah, you know. You keep a steady pace as you approach, your heeled boots making a soft thumping sound on the wood beneath you. Getting closer, you started to hear the snoring. It was soft, interrupted, occasional. It was the snoring of someone who was trying very, very hard to stay awake. You soften your footfalls.)

(Getting closer still, you could begin to see details. Dark pants, shirt- no, a vest and a shirt, dark hair, a glint at the ears-)

[[NO!]]

(You let out a gasp.)

“The lights are just, a part of, a part of my bondeds culture, please g-” (Percival pauses, and yawns, eyes still closed.) “G-go home, they don’t want to be interrupted, thank you.”

(And with that, he’s back to slow breathing and the occasional snore.)

{. . . . . . . . Why. Is. He. Here.}

[[You, stars you need to get the others. They have to KNOW about this!!!]]

{Stab him. It would be easy. Stab him once in the arm, sever the muscle, he cannot swing a sword then.}

(NO?!!?!?)

[[Wonderful idea! Then you could--]]

(SHUT UP BOTH OF YOU!!! You’re, you’re not going to fight!!! Y-you, you already agreed to that, alright?!?)

[[Like the void we did! Just get it over with and kill him!]]

(NO! And that’s FINAL! You squint your eyes shut, hard, then huff and look right up at your antagonist.)

“Percival.”

(The response was delayed. He grumbled, yawned, and started trying to form a sentence as he opened his eyes. Once he saw you, his eyes bolted open and he started flailing, ending with him losing balance on the post he was leaning against and falling back on the ground.)

“Wh- what are you doing here?!?” (He scrambled to his feet and put a hand on a sword.) “Did you still follow us after that?!? What part of ‘may we never meet again’ do you not-”

“Bonnie lives here.” (You respond flatly, cutting him off. For good measure, you added,) “Idiot.”

(His eyes were as wide as dinnerplates, and now that you could see him properly, the bags underneath them had only worsened. He hesitated, then released his grip on his sword.) “. . . Right, of course they do. It wouldn’t be that simple, would it. What a wonderful coincidence.”

“Don’t lie, I know you’ve seen their memories so you had to know about this!”

“Half-true.” (Perci sighed, and rubbed his eyes.) “Pétronille I only skimmed while at the inn, and I refused to look at her memories when we saved her. Ah, and we both know I can’t read Bonnie's mind.”

“Sure. I totally believe you.” (You pout, looking out over the water.) “. . . What are you doing here, anyway.”

“. . . It’s. . .” (He glanced up the pier, and bit his lip.) “. . . Blood, I suppose it’s the journey home.”

“What?” (You slump down, confused.)

“It’s the end of the hero's journey.” (Perci explains.) “Once the hero has overcome the great evil, they go back to their normal life; the journey home.”

“. . . That, still doesn’t explain anything.”

“Eugh, Blood.” (He sighs, and looks back at you.) “What I’m saying is, Siffrin, after tonight we’re leaving Vaugarde.”

“. . . Oh.” (You look back to the lights, then to him.) “. . . As well as leaving all this, island stuff too?”

“Or trying to.” (You watch his gaze go from the lights, to up the pier.) “She promised me to try, at least.”

“. . . Can I talk to them?” (You ask him, staring down at the floor.) “Please?”

(He glances back at you, looking you up and down, pauses. . . . And sighs.) “Yes, fine, as long as you don’t do anything stupid.”

“Okay.” (“No promises” was what you wanted to say, but, time and a place.)

(The wood makes soft cluncking noises as the two pairs of feet cross. Looking to each side, you could see the lights on the water, and eventually, how they float too. They’re paper boats with a tiny candle in them. There’s hundreds of small, paper boats.)

(It was a strange feeling, walking onto the foggy pier, surrounded by lights on the water and stars overhead. It made you. . . . . . . As you approach the end of the pier, you start to make out the figure that’s crouched on the floor near the water. Then you hear the folding of paper and a soft muttering.)

“. . . My love?” (Percis words get Merlon's attention. They turn.)

(If they looked surprised to see you, they hid it well. You, however, could not hide your surprise even with the best acting classes in the world! And stars knew you had a class put on by the Universe itself.)

(Merlons body was covered in writing.)

(Long, intricate, small printed sentences littered every part of her body you could see. Their fingers, arms, legs, neck, face, even their eyelids! It was a sight to see, and it left you stunned.)

(The Astronomer let out a mix between a sigh, and a huff.) “. . . Please, sit.”

“Do you need anything, my love?” (Perci cooed into her ear.)

“Only for you to go back to the inn and get some proper sleep.” (She leans up and kisses him.) “Please.”

“No, I think I’m fine right here.” (He chuckles as he responds, stepping back while keeping his eyes firmly planted on you. You didn’t need to be a mind reader to know what he was thinking.)

(After a moment's hesitation, you walk to Merlons side, and sit. At first, no words were exchanged, and you silently watched as she started folding another paper boat. Curve over curve, fold over fold, until the little ship was finished with a candle, and set on the gentle waters just a few inches away.)

“968.” (You hear them mumble.) “That makes 968, which is one more than 967. . .”

(And you watch as they start on yet another boat.) 

“. . . So. . .” (You look back out to the water.) “. . . Should I ask?”

(They paused for a moment to reply.) “If you want.”

“Okay. . .” (You glance down at one of the boats, at the flittering candle, up the water, up to Merlons arms and body and the words that adorned them, and then up and up, to the stars. . .) “. . . So, this is a wish, isn’t it.”

“Correct.” (They reply flatly, focused on folding.) “My Magnum Opus, my last great wish as an Astronomer. . .”

“Last?” (You look over at her, confused.) “Y-you’re, not going, to. . .”

“Oh no! No, I don’t plan on ending my life anytime soon.” (She doesn’t look up at you, but touches the star pendant that joins their cloak at the neck.) “. . . But if this doesn’t work, I shall throw my clasp to the sea and. . . A-and, try to move on.”

“. . . You don’t sound too sure of yourself. . .” (You look down.) “. . . Let’s just, hope it goes well?”

“Knock on wood.” (Merlon and you both knock on the wood of the pier in sync.)

(. . . You gesture to the paper.) “May I?”

“Go ahead. This is all preparation, still.” 

(You take one of the sheets of paper, and start folding it. Your fingers move faster than your brain, as if you had always known how to do origami. But you don’t know how to do origami, right? You’ve never done it before, you think. . .)

(There was something meditative about it, though. It made you feel calm.)

(After a minute of silent folding, you had a boat. Merlon handed you a lit candle, and you gingerly placed it inside.)

(You stare at the boat, and sigh.)

“Something on your mind?” (They called in a soothing tone.)

“. . . Just. . .” (You gently place the boat in the water, then turn back to Merlon.) “. . . What if. . . What if the wish doesn’t work?”

“Then I shall live with the consequences.” (They reply, flatly.)

“It might kill you, o-or trap you in some loop like it did me! It’s, it’s not that simple.”

“I know.”

“W-what about Perci?!? You might be able to live with it but-”

“We talked about it already, Siffrin.” (Percis' tone was wavering. Looking up, he had turned away from you both.) “I. . . I am, going to accept whatever happens, and try to live, even if. . .”

=You turn back to Merlon, horrified. They, they don’t care. They don’t care if it hurts her or anyone else. They, they need the island back. Stupid, of COURSE they need the island back. The King was fanatical and nearly froze the country, but Merlon was someone who devoted her entire life to the stars, to the Universe! Having all that ripped away. . .=

(But then, wouldn’t they know? Wouldn’t she know that doing this is, is just something that doesn’t work? You can’t undo a wish, so. . .)

|No. That just means she’s ready to try. She has all the tools.|

(You stand and turn to the side, refusing to look at either of them. You close your eyes, and wrap your arms around yourself. . . What. . . W-what, do we do?)

|. . . If. . . If you intend to try and stop them, they will fight. But. . . You, y-you can’t let them repeat a history that was so recently put to rest. Stop them.|

(Are you sure? They’re so devoted to going home, you don’t think you should stop them, even if you could. . . It, it hurts, but, you should just walk away.)

{No. You miss your home, you miss it. You miss it so much it burns. You wake up and think of home. Think of what you missed. But you can’t go back. You can NEVER go back. Stop them.}

+Let them make their own decisions, make their own mistakes. And when something goes wrong, we can be here to help, right? Just walk away.+

<They’re being foolish, and their actions will cause SOMEONE to suffer here. But then again, it’s not your ship, not your crew. Just walk away.>

=. . . You’re overthinking it. They don’t need someone butting in and being annoying, they need a friend. Just, just let ‘m do what they gotta. Just walk away.=

(. . . You can hear voices in the distance- oh. It's your family calling your name. Two for stopping them, four for walking away. And, Loop? What about you and the others?)

[[. . . . Stardust.]]

[[I envy you.]]

(What?)

[[I envy you for your innocence, for you confidence, for your. . . You-ness.]]

[[You don’t understand what a wish can do. Not truly, even now. You think you do, but you don’t. Stars, we’re sharing a HEAD and you still don’t know!]]

(. . . R-right. . . I’m sorry.)

[[Sure you are. You’ll be saving them from the worst mistake they’ll ever make. Stop them.]]

[(You wouldn’t wish that looping hell on anyone. Anything, anything but that. Stop them.)]

[<There’s thousands of things that can go wrong even with a small wish! Stop them.>]

[{You honestly don’t care about them at all. Stop them.}]

(. . . . . . . . Loop-)

<I change my vote.>

(NULL- stars. You, you’re right. You’re right. It, i-it doesn’t feel right, but, you’re right. You breathe in. . . And out. . .) 

(A cool wind blows past, and the voices of your family grow closer and closer with each second. You don’t dare look at either one of them.) “. . . I’m sorry.”

“. . . No, you’re not.”

(You don’t know who said it, as the next few seconds happened in a blink of an eye. You reached for your dagger and spun on your heel just as Merlon stood and waved a backhand at you. Before you could do anything, a blast of force threw you down the pier. You landed on a knee, but quickly stood.)

“SIFFRIN!?!?!” (Mirabelles voice makes you glance to the side, she, Ramos, and Isabeau were running towards you.) “W-WHAT’S GOING ON?!? ARE YOU OKAY?!?”

“It’s-” (You gulp down the words you don’t want to say, and quickly look back to the Monets.) “. . . I-I’m sorry-”

“Sorry? Why?!?” (Ramos and Mirabelle stood between you and them, brandishing their weapons as Isabeau checked on you. Then, Ramos noticed who it was.) “Why are they here?!?”

“I-I don’t know?!? Just, M-merlon she’s, t-trying to make a wish, a-and, and. . .”

“Ramos, go get the others.” (Isa commands, now sure you’re not about to pass out.)

“What?!? Why me! I can counter the mind craft you should-”

“You’re the fastest! Please, we’ll be careful.”

(Ramos blinks back at Isa, then nods, and sprints off.)

(You move to Mirabelles side, with Isabeau on the other. Up until now, the Monets had stayed at the end of the pier just looking at the two of you. But now, you see Perci turn to his bonded and place a hand to their forehead and whisper into her ear. A moment later, Merlon was back to her work, and Perci started walking towards you.)

(As he walked, the fog seemed to close in behind him. He placed a hand on his head, and you could see his walk change from an exhausted stumbling to an energised stride. He wipes his head, draws one sword, then the other.)

“Isabeau, Mirabelle.” (Percival looks at you all, then sighs.) “Blood, I can’t even trust my enemies to take their victory and walk away.”

“I can’t just walk away!” (Mirabelle grips her sword tighter.) “Not a-”

“Siffrin struck first, lady Mirabelle.” (He talks flatly and glares at you, cutting through questions before they’re even asked.) “No, I did not goad him into attacking for an excuse. No, I’d rather you all turn around and leave us alone. No, we aren’t doing anything that would harm the people of Bambouche. And yes, Siffrin was of his own mind when they attacked. In fact, they had a vote on it, as one big, happy, constellation.”

“I-” (Mirabelle was stunned by the response, and you could only look away and grit your teeth.)

“That’s, not the whole story!” (You insist.) “Merlon’s making a wish, a strong one, and-”

“-It will wind up killing her or destroying me yes you told us already” (Perci impatiently tapped his sword against the wood.) “But no. That will not happen. Merlon has been shaping this work for years, and now we have finally found the piece of the puzzle that would complete it! All thanks to the Saviors of Vaugarde no less.”

“What do you-” (Isabeau started.)

“The King remembered! He remembered the island in his last moments!” (He chuckled, and shook his head.) “I never had a chance to read a frozen person's mind, it’s like looking at a stained glass picture with an infinite level of depth. One image that contains the entirety of the person's past, present, and future. But what’s important is that he remembered!!!”

“. . .” (Mirabelle looks between you and Isabeau.) “. . . I, I don’t know. . .”

“What is there to know, Housemaiden.” (Perci lets out an exasperated breath.) “This is our life, not yours. I’m warning you, it would be better if you just run along already and watch my bonded bring your friend’s home back.”

“It won’t come back.” (You step forward, and ready your dagger.) “You can’t just fix a wish with another wish. It’s gone. Its name is gone. My name is gone. My parents' names are gone, and it, i-it hurts. But, it won’t come back.”

(Silence fills in for the words that were unsaid. The unreplied retorts, the unspoken scoldings, the unwitted insults. . . Instead, all that remained was a slow, heavy breath from the Monet.)

“Once again the wolf bites the outstretched hand. . .” (Perci crouches down, his eyes burned with passion and contempt and control.) “This is your Second warning. There won’t be a third.”

(You look to your allies, friends, family, and with a nod they were ready with their weapons.)

{This time, you don’t wait. You sprint at Perci with your dagger and slash at him relentlessly. He blocks your blows with one hand, the other looking for a time to strike.}

{Mirabelle’s next. You jump up in time for her to dash underneath you and stab at the Historian. He dodges cleanly, but you’re already coming back down with your dagger-}

(!!###############!!)

{The sound echoes in your head. You shut your eye tight and blindly slash down with your dagger. You hear a yelp and hope you hit true.}

“Siffrin!!!” {Your eye shoots open to see Mirabelle bleeding in front of you. You stand there, frozen for a second, before you feel Isabeau pull you from behind right as a blade shoots by your head.}

{In a blink, the image of a bleeding Mirabelle disappears, replaced with the reality of Percival, still perfectly healthy, rushing at Mirabelle next. Stars, how did he get into your head!}

<There’s no time to worry about that now. You feel Mal already rushing to stop his craft spread further, and your grip tightens on the dagger.> “Isabeau, strength.”

“GOT IT!!!” <Isabeau flexes triumphantly [WE! WILL! WIN!!!]. You feel energy rush through you, and in that same turn you swoop in with your dagger to force Perci to back off.> 

{You slash through the sea of grass. Where is the backdoor. Where is it. WHERE IS IT! You need to make sure he stays out of your mind. Why is it so hard to find!}

<You block a swipe with your dagger. Call Loop.>

{You make the motion with your hand, you wish to talk to Kyros.}

[<AH!!! You shake and stumble down from the tree, what, what now what’s going on what- >]

<Isabeau rushes past you and tries to uppercut Perci, he misses by an inch and the historian is able to ram his shoulder back into Isabeaus chest. He stumbles back.>

“Shield!” <You order, diving under Isabeaus arm and trying to capitalize on the opening. The clap of Mirabelles hands and the warmth that coated you made you smile.>

{Backdoor. Mind craft.}

[<H-HOW!?!? N-no time, NO TIME!!! You fly high, up, high! Where, where is it!!! Your eyes scour the surface of your mind, the grass, the waves, the sand. Where Siffrin?!?>]

(H-here still, too much noise--)

[<NEED the noise! Need the help!!!>]

<Your blade is inches from his chest when time seems to slow down for you. You see his swords coming from above. . . No, no he’s letting go of one of the swords. You divert your dagger swing into a twist to slash at his arm as he tries grabbing you.>

<Time resumes. You feel his hand grab your cloak before immediately releasing it. In a twist and a jump, you were back, and his blood was on your dagger.>

+You needed me?!?+

[<Mind craft! WHERE!?! HOW?!? He never touched us. Never, n-never got to us!!! How how HOW?!?!?>]

+I, I-I don’t--+

“SIFFRIN!!!” <Mirabelles voice, you turn, only to get a large fist in the gut for your trouble. Looking up, it was ISABEAU who struck you. You could see his face, see it contorted in anger, and then confusion, and then terror.>

“S-sif--” <He starts, but before he can say any more you’re both shoved back closer to shore. Twisting to see, Mirabelle had put herself between you and Percis blades. There was steel poking out of her side.>

“Ah.” [<Perci grimaces.>] “That, was not intentional.”

<Get BACK IN HEADSPACE! You’re needed!!!>

[<B-but, Mirabelle hurt!>]

<She’s a healer! She knows what she’s doing!! You see her wince in pain and put a shaking hand to her abdomen.> “I-it’s, it’s okay. P-pull it out on three?”

“Agreed.” <He doesn’t take his eyes off any of you. You get to your feet, but stay low as Isabeau rubs his head.>

“One, two. . . Three!” <You hold your breath as Perci retracts his sword, and you see sparkling discs of healing craft encircle the wound. She stumbles back to your side.> 

“Nothing mortal?” <Perci asks flatly.> 

“N-no.” <She glares at him harder.> “Not this time.”

<You hear the stomping of feet rush up behind you, and you turn just in time to see Ramos zoom past you and strike with both Tonfas, yelling as they ran.> “PEEERCIIIIIIII!!!!!”

<Heh, finally. You stand, and quickly join Ramos on the assault, going to strike his flank while Ramos distracted- >

<Ramos disappeared as you rounded his side. And the Historian was swinging down with his sword.>

|You feel the metal on your flesh and you yelp, staggering back, hand to your shoulder. It was another illusion, of COURSE! The strike knocked Null out of front, and thank the stars it was you who took his place.|

+THAT TEACHER!!!+

[<What?!?!?>]

+When he got into our head! He must have left a backdoor!!! Yes Merlon killed him but maybe even though he was dead the backdoor remained and that’s what Perci’s using!!!+

[<He found it and refashioned it in his own way!!! That, t-that backdoor was in- you flap your wings hard and fly up the favor tree, through the branches, and into your own little corner of the mind.>]

“I got you, Sif, I got you.” |You feel Isabeaus hands on your side. You wince, expecting a tingling of mind craft, but no. Isa turns to Perci, and practically growls!| “At least you’ve stopped pretending to play fair now!”

“I have.” |Came the reply.|

[<THERE! A hold in the canopy with some strange rabbit sitting at the edge!!! You dive down to grab at it. You need to KILL IT!!!>]

{Why are you so afraid?}

[<W-what?!? WHAT?!?!>]

“Siffrin! Isa! Mira!!!” |You turn to see Ramos and the rest of your party running up the pier. You open your mouth to ask if they’re real but before you get a word out Ramos grabs your arm.|

[Where? You land on the island headspace with a thud. Where’s the trapdoor?!]

[<UP! UP HERE! You’re a few feet in front of the rabbit, staring, strange, afraid, what is it, doing?!?>]

[You start to climb.]

{You all stare at the bird, curious. Will they attack? Will they run? No, they will cry, as they did for a world that never existed.}

[<N-NO!!! QUIET, QUIET!!!>]

“ASSHOLE!!!” |You stay unmoving, but watch with a smile as Pétronille runs down the pier with her hammer and swings it at Perci. He dodges, but not for long.|

“CRABFACE!!!” |The second sibling joins the first and catches Perci by surprise, coming in from low down and swinging up with The Tenderiser. Your ace in the hole, your wild card. Your smile graduated to a grin.|

[You get to the treetop and see immediately what’s happening. You rush in with your pen. Kyros, MOVE!!!]

[<Y-you, can’t!!!>]

{The invader runs at one of you, and you are stabbed through. No sooner had that one died than another you screamed and ran from the warren onto the tree. You dive at them, and bite.}

[STARSDAMMIT WHAT THE HELL?!?!?]

|You can’t focus on the outside. You feel something in your hand. You hear craft magic, yelling--|

“‘FRIN!!!!!” |You hear a chime and a rhythm, and a warmth flows through you as Bonnie casts their [Stardrop Inkantation]. You stumble and gasp as Ramos yanks their hand back. You open your eye just in time to see a figure flying through the air.|

|The figure landed in the water and started struggling to stay afloat, it was Bonnie! Nille, her hammer on the pier, had already jumped in after them. Your sword was in your hand, and with a clear mind you glanced over the battlefield. Mira had taken a step back, Isabeau protecting her. Perci was running past them and towards madame Odile, who’s own blast of craft had been deflected into the water.|

[[You explain the enemy. Percival, Lv.94, he will do anything to protect his bonded. You’ll have to kill him to stop him, but then there goes any talking to Merlon. And by the time you can get him in restraints that would work it may be too late! You’re in a no-win battle~]]

(There has to be SOMETHING!)

|You rush in with your sword, intercepting Perci before Odile could get hurt. After your deflect, Ramos joined with their own assault, aiming low for the legs. They got the message.|

|You and Ramos worked in tandem. They would strike with their weapons, drawing Perci’s attention, then you would look for an opening to strike low, at the legs. With his mind reading advantage now being disrupted by Ramos’ own craft, the two of you were leveling the playing field.|

|That’s when you hear a powerful whooshing and crackling noise. Odiles [Craft Break Δ] flew past you and struck Perci in the chest. The Researcher’s commanding words reached your ears.| “SIFFRIN! GO NOW!!!”

(In a blink, you dashed forward. By the time Perci recovered from his shock, you had almost closed the distance between the two of you. He tried to swing a sword to stop you, but he was sluggish, weakened, and wasn’t paying attention to Ramos, who had a fist with his name on it that collided with his gut.)

(You got past him.)

“NO!!!”

(Percis words were left in the wind, as you were confident your family could keep him from catching up. You sprinted down the pier and into the fog, slowing down to a jog, then a walk as Merlons figure, now standing, became clear.)

(You stopped a few feet behind them. The sounds of conflict echoing and fading in the distance. You tuned the chaos out, until all that was left was your breathing, her breathing, the wind, and the waves.)

(No Percival. No Ramos. No Isabeau, Mirabelle, Odile, Bonnie, or Pétronille.)

(This was between you, and her. Two orphaned children of the Universe.)

“. . . Siffrin. . .” (They don’t turn to look at you.) “. . . Why?”

“Because. . .” (You hesitate.) “. . . Because I don’t want you to die.”

“. . . That’s. . .” (She turns her head to you.) “Not the answer I was expecting.”

“It wasn’t a question I was expecting either.” (At any other time you’d be making a joke out of it. But you couldn’t, not now. You take a step.) “Listen, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for not talking to you, I’m sorry for being just so, so stupid and ignorant and ignoring you and Percis attempts to just, not fight, but. . .”

“But you’re still going to fight.” (They turn away again.) “Aren’t you?”

“. . . I’m, trying to make things right.” (Another step.) “The King froze the country because he wanted Vaugarde to never be forgotten. I. . . I trapped myself, reliving the same two days one-hundred and seventy-six times, a-and-”

[[They don’t respond. Stardust. . .]]

[[. . .]]

[[Do it.]]

“. . . A-and, and I had help.” (You look down, choking on the words as you step forward.) “I had Loop, and Loop had lost their family, friends, world, history, even their own name because of a wish. T-that’s. . . Merlon, you, y-you can’t just. . .”

“But you did it.”

(Your head bolts back up, Only a couple feet separated the two of you.) “Wh, what?”

“You did it.” (They turn and walk towards you, lean down, and put their hands on each of your shoulders.) “You did it. You saved the country. You rewound time. It hurt, but you did it. Now look where you are, with your family, your home, your people. It hurt, but it was worth it, wasn’t it?”

“. . . I-I. . .” (Oh no.)

“I know what I’m doing, Siffrin.” (Looking up into Merlons eyes, she’s crying, smiling.) “I’m ready for whatever happens. I’m ready for whatever I need to go through, and I know that whatever it is, it will be so much easier if I had help.”

(. . .)

“There’s something special about you, Siffrin.” (They take a hand and place it on your chest.) “Something no-one else has, something that makes time become your plaything, something that ensures that you’ll always have a way home.”

“. . . I-I’m. . .” (You look down at your chest.) “. . . M-my, my heart? My family?”

“What? No I don’t mean m-” (Merlon stops themself, sighs, and straightens again, hand outstretched to you.) “It doesn’t matter. Siffrin, please, will you help me go home?”

(. . . . . . . The words hit you like a truck.)

(But. . . . . Your answer stays the same. You can’t look her in the eyes.)

(. . . Their hand drops.) “. . . Fine.”

“. . . I’m so-”

(The words had no sooner left your mouth then you noticed that the stack of paper was gone. The candles were gone. Your head snapped up to see Merlon, a hand outstretched with a candle burning brightly in it.)

“N-NO!!!” (You run at them.)

“I’m going home, Siffrin.” (They turn their hand, and the candle falls.) “I’m going h-”

(Ramos) [Alex] <Altiare> |Jasmine| {Nihil}

(The sudden blast of heat and wind sends you flying down the pier. You land on your feet, but stumble onto your back a second later. What was that?!? What WAS that?!??!?!)

[Whatever experiment it was, it must have failed. Stars above your head hurt.]

“. . . ISA? SIFFRIN? MIRA?” (You shake your head clear and sit up.) “ODILE? BONNIE? NILLE?!?”

“Over here!” (You turn at Mirabelles voice to see Isabeau a few feet back, and a moment later for Mirabell to roll him onto his side and sit up.) “W-what happened?!? What WAS that?!?”

“No idea!” (Your head hurts, and you taste metal on your tongue. Change. . .) “Are you okay?”

“I am, I-isabeau’s coming round too!” 

“THE CRAB WAS THAT!?” (Nilles voice was accompanied by boots on wood.) “We were just getting back and see a crabbing EXPLOSION!?!”

“No idea-” [You bolt up, and look around. Nille had Bonnie on her shoulders, Isabeau was waking up with Mirabelle, and, and. . . There! You run to the side of the pier and start shaking Madames shoulder.] “Odile, Madame, professor wake up!”

[She lets out a grumble.] “. . . Don’t want to see me when. . . I’m cranky. . .”

[Stars. You put a hand on her head and send a sound her way; the time you helped ring the Wolworth bell when you were standing right next to it. Instantly her eyes snap open and she sits up.] “GEMS ALIVE!!!”

“Sorry Madame. You can discipline me later.” [You say with a chuckle, and stand up. No time, you start walking down the pier.] “SIFFRIN!!! HEY SIFFRIN YOU THERE?!?”

[After a few steps, you almost trip over another figure, but righten yourself. Oh, it’s Perci. You give him a-]

(NO! Come on Alex, no time to be petty!!!)

[Just one kick?]

(NO!!!)

[Fine. You keep going down the pier, the others joining in calling for Siffrin. You’re getting impatient, and nearly miss the bundle of white smashed into a crate. You rush over, it’s Siffrin.]

“FOUND THEM!!!” [You waste no time and put a hand on his head. . . Ah, completely knocked out. Possible concussion? You can deal with that. Everyone is okay, just, out right now. Nothing weird, nothing strange. You let out a sigh of relief.] “HE’S KNOCKED OUT, BUT OKAY!”

[Looking back down the pier, the fog was slowly clearing. The rest of the gang was already on their way down, Mirabelle running ahead. Isabeau was limping, Bonnie seemed out of it, but the others seemed at least okay. Perci groaned, and started to slowly move.]

“Oh thank Change.” [Mira let out a breath of relief seeing Siffrin. She quickly got to work with her healing craft.] “W-what about their mind??”

“Nothing weird that I can see.” [You shake your head.] “I guess Perci didn’t bother setting any traps.”

“I guess so. . .” 

“Is Sif okay?!?” [Isabeau had been rushing to catch up despite the limp.] “Is he dead?!? Are they in a coma?!? Are t-they-”

“They’re fine you big sap!” [You roll your eyes.] “Y’think one little explosion would kill them? I don’t think ANYTHING can at this point!”

“Change knows Perci’s tried.” [Nille joins you both, soaking wet still.] “What’s his problem anyway?”

“Better question, what happened to Bonnie?!?” [Isabeau reaches out to Bonnie to check in on them.]

“Shock, I think.” [Nille made a face.] “They have some occasional issues with water but nothing this bad. . .”

“Give them a few minutes, Pétronille.” [Odile pats her shoulder.] “We still have that historian to deal with.”

“CRAB YEAH WE DO!” [Isabeau pumps his fists together, and all of you turn back to Perci.]

[He had gotten to a knee, and had a hand on his head. You chuckled at triumphantly.] “Who knows, maybe he’ll get the message this time.”

[Isa chuckles.] “I doubt it.”

[You look down at the pathetic man who’s been your enemy. You watch him stumble to his feet, a hand on his head. His vest was tattered with tears, his pants were ripped, but his earring was as pristine as ever. He looks up at you.]

“How ‘bout it, Perci!” [You grin, arms crossed.] “One on seven rematch! Maybe you’ll win this time!”

“I’m SO ready to put you back down.” [Isabeau grinned and flexed.]

“Gems, if he’s smart, he’ll give up.” [Odile sighs, and looks at Perci as he sloppily walks forward, then looks back.] “His plan failed, and I’m sure he’s exhausted.”

“That’s what he gets for getting in other peoples business!” [Nille spits.] “HEAR THAT! NO-ONE ASKED YOU TO GET IN SIFFRINS BUISNESS!”

“It’s their home, their history, their choice.” [You shake your head.] “Maybe he should go out and ask some OTHER islanders about. . . If. . .”

[Something’s off.]

“If?” [Isa turns to you.] “If, what?”

[Before you can reply, Perci breaks into a sprint towards you. You brace for an attack until you realize he’s dropped his swords. He runs right past you all, and down the pier.]

“What’s he doing?” [Mirabelle rips herself away from her work at the noise.] “There’s nothing back there for him, right?”

[Nille shakes her head.] “Nope, I don’t think so anyway.”

“Wait.” [You rub your temple, trying to think.] “No, no there’s something, missing.”

“Huh?” [Isabeau turns to look down the dock.] “Missing how?”

“A ‘Siffrin Things’ type of missing, isn’t it?” [Odile held her glasses and closed her eyes.] “Hmm. . . No, there is something missing. Who was here?”

“You, me, Isabeau, Pétronille, Bonnie, Mirabelle, Siffrin, and Perci.” [You tap your foot.] “That’s. . . No, no we’re missing someone- wait!” [You snap your fingers and look up.] “Why didn’t Perci attack us in Wolworth?”

“Uh, just, because?”

“W-wait! No!” [Mira perked up.] “He was waiting for something! O-or, someone?”

“Oh yeah!!!” [Isabeau slammed his fist into a palm.] “And what about when we fought off that guy! Don’t you remember who beat him?”

“It was. . .” [You scrunch your face up.] “. . . Stars, it wasn’t me, it wasn’t you, and I don’t think it was Siffrin, so, who. . .”

(SNAP.)

[The loud snap made you jump. Wait, no, it wasn’t quite a sound, or a thought, or a feeling, or maybe it was all of those at once. It was like glass, cracking under pressure. A sheet of ice splitting underfoot. It sent shivers up your spine.]

(You look down the pier, the fog clearing away more and more. You start walking forward.)

“Leave.”

(You could barely make out the bundle of fabric. It took every ounce of willpower to even focus on it. Percis smile, you can’t read a thing about him except that you felt a deep pit in your stomach.)

“Now.”

(. . . You look behind you. Everyone was just standing, staring at the scene just as you were. Isabeau was carrying Siffrin, his face a painting of internal conflict. Nille stood there too shocked to do anything else. Odile had put herself between the others and Perci, and by her glare she wanted you to back away from him. And MIrabelle, she had her hands in front of her mouth, the fear clear on her face.)

(The silence continued. When you turned back to Percival, he had turned away from you. His head was down, focused on. . . On something. You didn’t dare move.)

(. . . You heard two pair of footsteps behind you walking away. After a few minutes, another pair joined them. You wait a couple minutes more before turning, and walking to who remained; Mirabelle and Isabeau. You guess Nille carried Siffrin home.)

(Once you were side by side, the two joined you in silently walking off the pier, up the boardwalk, and through the town back home.)

“. . . I. . .” (Mirabelle took a shaky breath as she tried to talk.) “What, do. . .”

“I dunno. . .” (Isabeau had lost the confidence in his voice.) “I, want to help but, how. . .”

(Any possible followup in the conversation was cut off by an agonized wail that echoed through the town.)

(Once upon a time, there was an island.)

(An island with people, culture, clothes, food, literature, history.)

(Until there wasn't.)

(You stumble through the town of Bambouche. Body weak, eyes wet, and throat bloody. Fire spreads through every limb, but you take step after step. You breathe in, and out, the warm white cloak shielding you from the cold.)

(You stand in front of the fence, you undo the latch to the gate, you walk up to the small shack.)

(A wish is a mix of willpower and ritual. You had the willpower, but a ritual. . ?)

(Once upon a time, there was a king.)

(A king who cried endlessly, who froze a country in time, who longed for a home that no longer existed.)

(Until there wasn't.)

(You open the door, slowly. You couldn't wake them up now, could you. You didn't want to disturb them. Sneaking around in the dead of night as you were, you'd cause a scene. You tiptoe, stepping around Nille, sleeping on the floor. Bonnie, wrapped in blankets. You walk past Mirabelle on the couch. You sneak past the door where behind Odile slept. You walk until you're at a door at the back of the house.)

(You pause at the door.)

(There’s folding cranes, there’s blowing into leaves, but. . . No. That won’t do.)

(Once upon a time, there was a couple.)

(A couple who loved each other. Who would die for each other. Who saved the other from a lifetime of decrepit narcissism. Who in turn saved the other from willful self destruction.)

(Until. There. Wasn't.)

(You open the door. A bedroom. Isabeau and Ramos, sleeping on the floor. And on the bed, your prize.)

(A fallen star, the brighter the better. The closer the better. The strongest, most impossible wishing ritual in history.)

(You grab the dagger on the side table. You loom over the sleeping rogue.)

(You needed a star, and, as luck would have it, you knew where to find one! You raise the knife, and-)

{What if you’re wrong.}

(. . . . . If. . . If you’re wrong? You hesitate. If you’re wrong, you’ll have killed them for nothing. Blood will be on your hands, and the only person who could have helped you would be dead. Permanently. There would be no time looping, there would be no second chances.)

(But, this is the only chance you have, and so what point is there to a second chance? No. This is your only option)

(Siffrins eye springs open as your hand clamps over their mouth. He's too slow. In a swift motion, you plunged the dagger into their chest, and your mind delved into theirs.)

(In a blink, you’re in that headspace. A tree looming above you, with endless stars beyond that. Below you, sitting at the base of the tree, was Siffrin with your sword through his chest. Hello, Siffrin. You yank your sword back out.)

(You cough up blood, w-what-- P-Perci?!? He’s, h-he’s standing in front of you, sword bloody. He looks different than before, his university uniform was in peak condition, not a wrinkle, not a hair out of place. The hundreds of scars on his body were bleeding, but he didn’t seem to have a care in the world! H-he was, smiling! Wh, w-what, why--)

(You have something I need. You step on their arm and lean down, putting a hand to their. . . . They. . . They. Don’t. Have. It. You don’t have it, then who has it.)

(W-wha, h-have, have what-!)

(LIAR!!! You kick them in the ribs. No, not a liar, oblivious. Then you’ll just have to tear this mind apart piece by piece to find it-)

[[S-STARDUST!!! You jump from your tree, aiming to land right on that stupid blinding invader, what did you DO!!!!]]

(There they are. You sidestep the attack easily, before riposting, striking the star in the arm. Tell me, Loop, do you have it?)

[[STARS- Have, have WHAT!!! You glare at him, clutching your shoulder.]]

[<BAD. DANGER. BAD!!! HEART LUNGS LIVER NERVES OUR HEART OUR HEART I-IT’S, IT’S-- >]

(The strange void of a bird was like an apparition around Loop. Subsystem. Kyros, how good to see you. So, do you know if YOU have it?)

[<N-NONONONO!!!>]

<You don’t hesitate and swing- PERCIVAL!!>

(Ah. Old friend. You block the sword swipe. You are looking quite well, you know. So, do YOU have it? You always have been privy to your own time, not the time of others.)

<You jump back and swipe again, whatever you want, we don’t have it.>

(You bend around the sword swipe like a snake, body contorting in ways it could never in the real world. Don’t be silly, Null, I’ll find out who does. You step forward into the waves of sea grass, then dash at him and strike.)

<Block, try and push him AWAY!>

{You strike, your movements a blurr.}

(You catch the blade with a sword and glare at the sadness. Haa, hahaaa. What about you, Mal? Do you have it?)

{You move past him, somethings wrong.}

<No TIME for that! You rush to the side, flank him, swipe!>

(Ha. You fall backwards into the sea grass.)

[[BLINDING-]]

(You strike the sadness from behind, and throw a hand of your inky craft at the soldier. Ametures.)

(G-get your heads stright!!! It’s, s-stars-)

<We’ve rarely truly fought in our own head. You shrug off the sting and keep low.>

+W-WHAT IN THE DEEPEST VOID IS GOING ON?!?!!+

(Aha! Memory keeper. You rush forward and reach out a hand.)

[(NO!!!! You take over, and dive into Rosmarinus. The blinding Historians blade cuts into your side, but the two of you tumble into the grass. S-stars-)]

(Annoying thing, you raise-)

|You slash at him with your claymore. He stumbles back, but shrugs off the blow like it was, was nothing!!!|

(Hello, King.)

|I AM NOT-|

{Die.}

(You twist your spine on the spot fast enough to catch the sadness at your back. You jump above Nulls strike next, and slash down at them both.)

{--!!}

<Gh- you stumble back, bastard!>

(Here you stand, in a field of grass. You breathe, as you always have, feeling the pulsing heart in your hand. Siffrin lay bleeding at the tree, Mal and Null both coming to your sides to strike. Asterion stands vigilant against you, protecting Saffron and Rosmarinus. HA! Even the cat crawled out of hiding! All scared and trying to look tough to scare you off.)

=G-GO AWAY!!!=

+Y-you try and keep Socks by your side, stop nya from attacking Perci. L-let them, fight, he’s, stars he’s dangerous!+

[(HE WILL NOT. HURT. YOU!!!)]

[<H-heart, lungs-- >]

(You can feel them collapsing already. Just give up, let me search for what I want.)

<Never. You dive at him and swipe as fast as your hand will allow. You won’t leave here in one piece!>

(No, I will. You block his sword swipe, and slash with your dark craft.)

<That’s nothing! You swing at. At. A-at.>

+N-NO!!!+

[(THAT’S FAKE, IDIOT!!!)]

|AH! NO!!|

(You slash him across the chest. Ha, it took a while, but you finally got through all that armor. . . Typical. Stupid idiotic heroes playing checkers while you play chess. Who knew that the thing to distract him and break his will was just a little girl.)

{You lunge.}

(Attacking me, are we? How very like you! You stand your ground, go on then!)

{You kill, you stab, you will kill him. You WILL!!!}

{. . .}

(Ha, it tingles.)

{Wh, what-}

(Blood, do I have to spell it out? You work on rules of the mind. And you are homesickness personified. What can you do against someone with no home to miss?)

{That’s, not-}

(You cut it in half.)

|NO!!!!!!!|

(M-mal--)

(You hear screams from the others as you step forward, dragging your swords through the sand as you approach Asterion. Silver. Didn't you know my swords have silver? Ha, no of course you don't. It never comes up in conversation, but silver banishes ghosts doesn't it? In tall tales at least.)

(Why. . . W-why, why are you doing this!?)

(. . .)

|He’s stopped moving towards you, but you don’t let your guard up.|

(. . . The mind tries to fill in the blanks, Siffrin. It tries to make things fit! If there’s a hole in reality, in logic, in what is to be, the mind will craft all sorts of fantasies to explain it away. It’ll spew reasons to why, that it never happened, that you were asleep, that you don’t know what you’re talking about. It will even try to make false memories just to make. Things. Fit.)

(And here I am! With a hole in my heart that cannot be filled by any fantasy my imagination could conceive! I can’t trust any guess I make, any action not imagined, any truth not clouded in ignorance!)

(All I know is that on my right ear I have an earring. I made this earring, a pair of this earring. I gave one away, and got one in turn; a bonding earring. I know I cannot remember what hangs from my left ear. All I know is that it’s lighter than my right. That it was given to me by someone I love. That I will never, ever take it off.)

(And I know, that no matter what I do. . . . . . . . . .)

(I. CAN’T. REMEMBER. THEIR. FACE!!!)

=!!!!!!!!!!!=

|SIFFRIN!!!!|

+WHWHAAHAA---+

(Ha. . . Ha. . . .)

(Finally. They finally stopped talking. You yank your sword back from inside Siffrins mouth and wipe it on your sleeve. Now. You turn to the remainder, surrender your mind, or die.)

|. . . . I, refuse.|

+A-Asterion. . .+

(You rush forward and clash your sword against his. You swing in with your second.)

|You block with your arm, and the shackle on your wrist keeps the blade from hitting your skin. You need to leave, Perci! T-there, there’s nothing in this place for you!|

(Ah King, still the villain pretending to be a hero. You’re trying to stop me, stop me from reaching someone lost to the wind! Give up, you lost once already.) 

|H-he swings again! Both swords in the same strike! You hold your sword in defiance--|

(It shatters under your weight. Give up.)

|N-no!!! You hold up your arms, I, I won’t let you-|

(You slice through the ‘armor’ of the metal cuffs. His face. . . It’s priceless.)

|. . . P-perci-|

(You slash at him again. . . He falls to his knees, then, to the floor.)

+N-nn-no--+

(His head follows a few seconds later. Now, are you ready to surrender?)

[(You get up. Y-you’re, NOT. GOING TO HURT THEM!!!)]

[[OUT!!!]]

[<N-NONONONONO!!!>]

+. . . . Saffron, stop. Please.+

[(NO!!! I can’t let him hurt you I can’t let him hurt you I CAN’T LET HIM!!!)]

+SAFFRON!!!+

[(. . .)]

+W-we’ve lost, okay? Just, j-just let him. I’ll, I’ll be okay and, and, you won’t get hurt.+

+. . . Right?+

(. . . . . . . .)

+. . . . . Okay. You, y-you hug Saffron, and, give them a kiss.+

[(!!!!?!?!?!!?!)]

(. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . You sigh.)

+Sorry. Just. . . T-take what you need.+

(You wordlessly reach out and grab them-)

+You’re standing in front of the favor tree. It’s finally over, two coins in your pocket, Loop is gone, but the star is there, laying on the ground. You kneel down, pick it up, put it to your mouth, and. . .+

(. . . Hah. You let her go and push her away. Of course. That’s where it is. You turn to Saffron.)

+W-wait, WAIT!!! NO!!! You, use [Memory Of-+

(You spin and slash across their chest.)

[(NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! YOU LEAP AT HIM. MUST. KILL. HIM!!!)]

(You grab Saffron out of his sloppy leap by the throat. All that bravado gone in an instant. Haaaa. . . This explains so, so much about you. And yet, you don’t care. You don’t care at all. All you know is that- Oh?)

=A-ah-=

(Hello, Socks. The cat, standing on two legs and holding that child's toy of a dagger. Trying to act brave? Come on, I’ll skin you next.)

=. . . . . . .=

[S-so, sssoo,,c,,, cks,--,]

=. . . . Y-you, you. . . .=

[,,h,, ,a,-- hh,el, p----]

=. . . . . . . . . You ran away.=

(. . . Coward. COWARD!!! At least pretend to care about your friends! You throw Saffron to the side and start storming towards where the blooded feline went. Socks, soooooocks~)

=N-NONONO PLEASE NO PLEASE NO!!! You run through the sea grass, you, n-need to get away get away away away AWAY AWAY!!! PLEASE!!! Y-YOU’RE, P-PLEASE, SAFFRON I’M SORRY I, I-I-=

(Swish~)

=AH!!! A blade reaped through the grass right over your head! NONONO!!! Water, wet? O-on your head?!? T-that’s, that’sblood, that’sbloodthat’sbloodthat’sbloodthat’sblo=

(Swosh~)

=AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHITHURTSHURTS!!!!! B-BEHIND, SWORD, BEHIND YOU AND--- Y-YOUR, TAIL- N-NONONONONONONO!!!! P-PLEASE NO NO---=

=PL  -      E A    =

(You put the beast out of its misery.)

(Ha. . . . Ha. . . . . You get up, bloody, and walk back to your prize.)

{Was it worth it?}

(. . .)

{KIlling an innocent little thing. For catharsis? Was it worth it?}

(. . . Yes. It was. Your rage fueled your footsteps as you grabbed the star trying to crawl away. Because I know this is also entirely your fault.)

[. . . P-per. . .]

(I reached out. They reached out. You know they did, you know it in your heart just as much as I know I love them. And yet you spit in the face of the person I loved, then while trying to apologize you stabbed them in the back!)

[D-diddn’t. . . . Want. . .]

(To hurt me? Hurt us?!? Please, you just want to be a hero again. To be loved again. To be “useful”, and so you rather turn us into villains instead of opening up your heart. You’re less than human. You’re less than monsters, than sadness, then even those who gave me my scars. Even nothing has some good in it, because at least nothing doesn’t plot to slit your throat.)

(You’re. A fraud.)

[. . . . . .]

(You plunge your hand into their chest.)

(You rip the heart out of their chest without a drop of blood spilling onto the bed. It's still beating despite the damage. Ha, oh Kyros you really are a miracle worker~ Your nerves are ablaze as you push your craft into it in the act of keeping it alive. You had time, but not much. You grab the dagger and hold it to the heart. . .)

(. . . Please. . . . Please work. Please work. Please work. You carve into the heart.)

(As the blade pierces the main cavity, light fills the room. You were right, no, they were right. Whoever they were, they were right! They were RIGHT!!! For the first time that night, a true smile lights your face as you reach into the heart.)

“Wh. . . What’s, what’s going on? Siffrin?”

(Your own heart starts pumping faster. That defender, Isabeau, he’s getting up! You reach in, and grab the burning ball of light. Your hands, they’re on fire, THEY’RE- N-Not! Burning! HAHA! You feel fire, but no heat! You let the heart drop back into its place. This is it. This is your only chance. This is your lifeline.)

I shudder at the thought, and glance over at the far corner of the library where a dust covered table sat. On and around it were boxes filled with dozens upon dozens of untouched books. I used to know these books; the writing style, the ornamentation, even the covers were burned into my mind. I knew them, but now I only know what everyone else does. I only know that I have forgotten. 

I am a historian who cannot write, and whose writing may one be forgotten anyways. Even now the memory of what I used to know tries its best to slip from my mind. Blood, maybe my spark had finally died after being beaten so many times. . . No, no that’s not it. I still love listening to the elderly talk all about how they grew up, and I still love tracing over faded words on forgotten gravestones. Or maybe that’s exactly what I am afraid of; being forgotten.

“Nille?” (Altiare is gently shaking your shoulder.) “Do you feel any better?”

“Huh. . . ?” (You reply drearily, blinking a few times.) “Oh, uh. . . Not really.”

“Water? 

“Please.”

(He hands you a flask of water and you need to stop yourself from gulping it down.)

“. . . Just let us know if you need anything, alright.” (They take the flask back.) “We should make landfall soon, alright?”

“Mhm, thanks. . .”

(With that, you yawn, sigh, and lean back over the side of the boat, ready to go back to that weird dream. Your hand dangled out, and your fingertips dipped into the water.)

The soft snow crunched under my boot, the sun shone through the birch trees, and the animals were grazing on the moor. The crispness in the air puts me at ease as I stand in the ruins of a watchtower, book in hand. I had been pouring over local history, and blood, it was vibrant and complex! 

Every little town had its own colorful past, with histories behind everyone and everything. It’s what one should expect from a place where the closest thing to a traditional “god” was simply a herald of stories! A bard! Humble. I could live here quite peacefully.

And yet a sour taste lingers in my mouth.

“And lo, Sir Ector stood proudly with his sword stayed, naught to bring war nay steel nay salt, but to bring mead and bread. All for Sir Ector to be struck down by a bolt sent with hatred and malice.” I quietly read the passage to myself and looked again to the crumbling ruin. “Yet no weapon of malice forged will fell the knights of Ich.”

I knew this tale well, despite it being nothing but a footnote in history. It was one tale of many which found its origin in how the colonies of Poteria broke free into independence. It was a small tale, and yet it held a potent poison. A subtle thing which, in this case, was suffocatingly insidious.

In the original tale, Sir Ector led the charge against the guardpost stationed here, which in turn caused him to get wounded. Here, Sir Ector was struck first, and then charged against the guardpost. It was incredibly small, so small that almost no-one would notice, yet-

(You jolt awake at a touch on your arm, and whip around ready to strangle whoever- oh, Isabeau. He takes a step back.)

“U-uh. . . Hey.” (He sounds terrified. Of who, you?) “We’re here.”

“We’re. . ?” (You shake your head and slap yourself clear of the daze the dream left you in.) “Crab, sorry big guy, didn’t mean to scare ya.”

“No biggie!” (He helps you to your feet.) “How do you feel?”

(The salty smell in the air helped, but you still felt like stale guano.) “‘Doing great.”

“Good! Good, because uh. . .” 

(Isabeau turned to look up the beach, as do you a second later. The beach you landed on had pale sand, and a dune blocking your view to the lower half of the castle. Odile was taking a moment to ground herself, Ramos was doing some stretches, and Mirabelle stood a bit further up the beach, staring at the distant castle.)

(You glance back up at Isabeau. Change, he looks terrified, too.) “. . . Everything alright?” 

“. . . I dunno, just. . .” (He trails off, then goes to hop off the boat.) “Things feel. . . . . Off.”

“. . . Right.” (You sigh, and hop over the side, landing in the water.)

Before he can react I’ve pinned the intruder to the ground with the flat of my blade against his throat. I had seen the quick glances, the strangers following me; I knew it was only a matter of time until my hunter strikes, so I decided it would be on my terms. 

My voice is quiet, yet stern. “One twitch, and you’re dead, are we clear?”

“C-crystal-” 

“Good.” I couldn’t stop myself from smiling. “First question, name and affiliation.”

“I-” The crook looks at me for a moment, confused, then grins. There’s something in the air. “I’m your father, obviously.”

“And I am the late Reflecting One in disguise.” I push my sword down harder, moonlight from behind me reflecting off the silver infused steel. “Now try again!”

“No, my turn.” The crook spat. “How’d you catch me!?”

“Simple. For one, the history here has been subtly edited to shift this country's ethics towards an authoritarian agenda. That is something achievable only by a group of very powerful people, which is usually dangerous for one's health.” I can’t help myself. “And two, I didn’t sleep. As soon as you approached, I was ready for you.”

“Oh look at me! I’m so smart!” The crook sneered. A shadow falls over my sword. “You’re pathetic. Really? Bragging like you’re someone important? Pah! You need a reality ch-”

I roll to the side and off the crook, swinging my sword around to the neck of the second stranger who tried to sneak up on me. He wore a student uniform, had finely kept hair, and an outstretched, ungloved hand that reached for me. He also wore the expression of someone who had just seen something impossible.

“. . . Pathetic, am I?” I cackle. “Now I wonder what that makes you~”

(You stood on the beach alongside the others, staring at the charm in your hand. . . What. . . What was that? What was any of that?! Why are you seeing these memories all of a sudden?! And why do they feel all so. . . Foreboding.)

(Was Soffice trying to tell you something? Or maybe that Saudade? You shudder at the thought. Change, maybe they’re trying to WARN you of something. Looking up and around the beach, up at the other members of your party. . . Well, thanks, lil’ buddy. You should check on the others.)

“You’ve been quiet.” (Odile first, she looks tired.) “Coin for your thoughts?”

“Hmm? Ah.” (She turns to you, no smile in sight.) “I am alright, and relieved to see you are alive.”

“Uh huh.” (You cross your arms.) “And?”

“That’s it.” (She sighs softly.) “And how are you doing, Pétronille?”

“Never better.” (You respond VERY sarcastically.) 

“. . . Good.” (Odile turns away from you and back to her book.) “That is all. I have no want to socialise right now, Petronillé, run along.”

(Geeze alright. You wave goodbye and check on Ramos next.) “Hey Rams.”

(The trainee turned to you and smiled, hair messy as ever.) “Hey Nille! What’s up?”

“Ah y’know, I’m alright.” (You shrug, and try to smile back.) “You?”

“Oh uh, I’m. . . Could be better.” (Ramos’ smile shifted to a light grimace.) “Okay, let’s try that again. Hey Nille, how are you feeling?”

(Oh come on! You REALLY don’t want to talk about it, or think about it, or anything! You cross your arms.) “I’m fine, Ramos. Not great, not terrible, just, fine.”

“. . . Okay, you don’t wanna talk about it.” (Ramos shifts on the spot uncomfortably.) “I get that, but if you need anything just, just let us know, okay?”

“Yeah, thanks, Ramos.” (You let out a huff. Really? Worrying about YOU at a time like this?!? You needed to find Bonnie! And you needed everyone to be in peak form for that! You can have another panic attack AFTER you get Bonbon to safety! So just, just--) 

“Stop that.” (You feel a spark of craft as Ramos flicks your forehead.) “You can’t go saving Bonbon if you don’t take care of yourself, okay?”

“. . . Urgh.” (You blink a few times and rub your eyes, Changedammit.) “I should slap you for that, y’know.”

“O-oh! Right, s-sorry.” (Ramos shies away.) “I, sorry i-it’s-”

“Forgiven.” (You roll your eyes.) “It’s still just, a bit too close to what that prick did to me.”

“Y-yeah, fair enough!” (They pat your side.) “We should move on soon, just make sure you’re ready.”

“Will do!” (Yeah, you’ll be ready. Time to check in on the Big Guy, you walk over to Isabeau.)

(He was standing around, thinking, and caught your eye as you approached.) “Hey ‘Nille! Feeling any better?” 

(You punch him in the shoulder.) “Who knows at this point.” 

“Haha, fair!” (He punches you back.) “Need anything?”

“Well, I was wondering about that feeling you had earlier, on the boat?”

“Oh, yeah.” (Isabeau sighed, and rapped his fingers on his arm.) “. . . Hostile.”

“Huh?”

“That’s how I’d describe it, hostile. (He made a sour face.) “Either that, or dread, or just. . .”

“Like the world’s trying to tell you something?” 

“Y-yeah yeah. . .” (He nods understandingly.) “Something like that.”

“Crabbed up. . ..” (The two of you stand in silence for a minute, then you pat him on the back.) “We’ll get through this, big guy.”

“Heh, thanks Nille.” (He smiled back at you in that way he does.) “What about you, though, you been feeling okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.” (You shrug.) “Better than before though.”

“That’s good. Well, if you need anything let me know, ‘kay?”

“Will do.” (You wave and walk away. Change, he’s right about the dread, though, you’re feeling a lot of it. . .)

(You start walking up the sand dune; up towards Mirabelle. She’s been standing here for a while now, staring daggers towards the distant castle. There’s a slight, dark shimmering around her back. Was that supposed to be Refoulement?)

“Hey, Mira.” (You put a hand on her shoulder.) “You f-”

(In a flash, Refoulement appears and grabs your wrist and glares at you!! Mirabelle jumps at the commotion before spinning around.) 

“AH-! REFOULEMENT!! Stop that, let go of her!!!” (The sadness glares at you for a second, before letting you go and slithering back to its place in Mirabelle’s shadow. She rushes over, already readying up a healing craft.) “O-oh Crab I’m so so sorry I-I, I don’t know why it did that! Are you okay??”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine.” (Your wrist hurt a little, but it was already feeling better thanks to Mira's healing.) “You gotta get your dog a leash, Mira.”

“Hehe!” (She’s giggling, but that quickly fades as she glances back at the castle.) “I. . . I’m glad you’re okay, Petronillé. . .”

“. . .” (You look down at your freshly healed wrist as you start to feel the last remnants of your plastered-on smile break apart.) “. . .Heh, yeah. . . I’m glad too.”

“. . . W-well.” (Mira puts a hand on your arm.) “If, you ever need something, you can just ask m-”

“What I need is my crabbing sibling back!!” (You snap, yanking your arm away.) “So until then, I’m gonna be feeling like shit!! And what I NEED is for you all to stop asking me if I’m alright!!!”

(. . . You knew everyone heard that, all their eyes were on you. Screw that, you want your crabbing sibling back! You want them to be SAFE!! So what if your words hurt! Bonnie might be, might be-- m-might-- Don’t you dare fucking cry now you BIG CRABBING BABY! AARGH!!)

“N-Nille. . ?” (Ramos or Isa or someone was trying to talk to you.) “. . . D-”

“Let’s just get this over with already.” (You ignore them and start stomping up the sand dune.)

(. . . Stupid.)

(Stupid big sister, stupid family, stupid Perci, stupid desert, stupid rabbits and stupid oceans and stupid everything!! Stupid, crabbin’ STUPID!!! You’re crying now, no helping that. Just, it’s, it’s all so STUPID!!! Why did you say that?!? Why are you being such an ass?!? Damnit they’re trying to HELP you!!! God, Nille, you’re always just making things WORSE!!! You should just run into the next sadness you see or turn right back around and jump into the ocean! CHANGE you’re so pathetic, an absolute terrible sister, worst person, worst EVERYTHING! They’d make such a better family for Bonbon than you ever could-)

(You trip and fall into the sand dune, and you don't even bother getting up. Stupid, stupid!! You fucking useless piece of crab! You useless crabface!!! You can't even storm away without messing it up! Change, you're making such a mess of things, and you can barely even breathe!!! Stupid, stupid, stupid!!!!! Just, AAAAAAHHH!!!!!!)

(Someone pats your shoulder, and you curl up a little bit in response.) “Just, leave me here. . .”

(They're not going away. You can hear they're not going away, and you can hear them all grouping up around you. Stupid, they're all stupid! They should just leave you to die already!)

(Someone's patting your shoulder again.) “Nille. . .”

“Just leave me alone!” (You curl up into a little ball holding onto yourself, can't they see you're a useless pile of snot!? You can't even take care of your own sibling! You can't even take care of yourself!! You keep needing to be saved!!!)

(Boniface, Bonnie, Bonbon. . . Why is it always bonnie!? Why couldn't it be you!! Bonnie doesn't deserve this, Bonnie’s only thirteen years old!! That just makes you cry harder, they're thirteen?! Just yesterday it felt like they were six years old!! Did they really grow up that fast?! That can't be right!! They already had a tough childhood, you don't want them to miss out on what little they have left!! It's not fair!!!!!)

(It's not fair!!!)

(It's not fair. . !)

(It's. Not. Fair. . .)

(It’s. . . Not. . . .)

(. . . . . . . . . .)

(. . . . . . . . .)

(. . . . . . . You’ve stopped crying.)

(. . . Are they still here?)

(You feel another touch on your shoulder. You don't bother with pulling away this time.)

“. . . Need a hankie?” 

(Whose voice is that? Androgynous, kind of suave, cheeky. . . Crab, you don't know, whatever.) “. . . Mmhm.”

(You shift to the side, and open your eyes just enough to see the handkerchief and grab it. Then you start wiping away the tears and snot from your face, urgh. . . They probably think that you're useless. . .)

“. . . . . Hey.” (There's a bit of shuffling, and that same person starts patting your back.) “You remember when Alex first showed up? Feels like ages ago now, doesn't it?”

“Mm, yeah. . .” (Was this Ramos? Ugh, like it even matters.) “Gave me a heart attack.”

“Makes two of us.” (There's a little laugh.) “Suddenly feeling so different after being gone for so long, we should have been way more confused and aggressive, especially since for us, the last person we met was Percival.”

(Snrk. Okay shit, they're making you feel better) “Hah. Oh man, yeah. . . That coulda been bad. . .”

“Oh absolutely.” (They sigh.) “I guess the Stars aligned that day because. . . Well, of all the people to wake up to it was you and Bonbon.”

“Huh. . ?” (That makes you turn over a bit more, enough to see and glare at who you're talking to.) “S’at supposed to mean?”

(It's Altiare, they're laughing.) “It means as soon as we started talking we got all relaxed! Like come on, Brave? Kind? Determined? You wanted to make sure we were okay, you didn't bat an eye when we had to run after everyone else, and I don't think losing was ever even a possibility for ya!!”

(. . . . . Wait-) “You asshole!!!”

“HAH! HAHAH!” <Could ya blame me?> 

“Get OUTTA MY HEAD!!!” (You get up and push Altiare away, laughing.) “You CRAB!!!”

“Hey I didn't use any craft on you! (He responds with his hands up in mock surrender and a cheeky grin on their face.) “Just me and my stupid mouth~”

“Oh shut UP!” (You try to be angry about it but fuck! He got you laughing!! You're BOTH laughing!!! Changedamnit!!!)

“HAHAAaaahh!” (She held a hand in front of her mouth as she laughed, before patting your cheek.) “But, really though. I couldn't just stand by and let you think about my friend like that.”

(You wince, yeah, you were pretty mean to all of th-)

“I'M TALKING ABOUT YOU YOU TWIT!!!” (Altiare grabs both of your shoulders and starts shaking you.) “You're not useless, or stupid, or pathetic! You're an incredible sister who's done an amazing job taking care of your sibling. We care about you! So don't go thinking you're worthless, okay?!?”

(. . . Looking eye to eye.) “. . . Okay.”

“Good!” (They let out a sigh, and move their hands from your shoulders to your hands.) “. . . Something's on your mind, right?”

“. . .” (You look down at your hands. You stare at them for two, three minutes at least before you finally nod.)

(You look up and around for the others. They're a few paces away, up the dune. You motion them over, and they all start making their way down. You can't look them in the eye, let alone talk, so instead, it's back to the hands. . .)

“. . .”

“. . .”

“. . .”

“. . .”

“. . . . . I. . .” (You can feel tears forming as you're about to talk. You choke them back, and try again.) “. . . I'm, afraid.”

“Anyone would be.”

“No shame in that.”

“Sure, but Bonnie. . .” (Their hushed responses was something at least, but, still you, had, trouble, talking.) “Th-they, they're. . .” 

(You feel another hand placed on yours, then another, and another, and- C-crab, stupid- you're gonna cry, you, y-you--)

“They’re my whole world. They're my whole family, my best friend, everything!! I've done all I can to make sure they'll be okay and they're not! And if anything were to happen to them then I, then I, th-then---” 

(You're sobbing.)

“T-then, I, I-I think I'd kill myself.”

(Squeezing your hand, hushed reassurances. You can't sort one sense from another right now.)

“I, I couldn't do it, I wouldn't be able to go on. I can't imagine a life with Bonnie is, is, i-is---”

(You're being hugged, you collapse into it, and wail.)

“I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry for being like this I'm so sorry. I, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, sorry, sorry I'm- i- I'm I I I'm ss-s-sorry, so-sorry, s-sorry. . .”

(. . .)

“. . . It's okay.”

(??!?!??!?!)

“You have every right to be mad.”

“Especially after all you've been through!!”

“I couldn't imagine losing a sibling. . .”

(But, you. . .)

“Y-your words did hurt, but you're still our friend, okay?”

“Yeah! We can be mad later, what's important is the here and now.”

“We’ll get Boniface back. I promise.”

“Promise.”

“Double promise.”

“Hey!!”

“Tch, Children, all of you.”

(. . . . Change. . .)

It’s not alright. It’s not alright. Breathe. Calm. The diagrams, what do they remind you of. . .

Break it down. Piece by piece.

Break it down. Piece by piece. . . A circle, which contains a triangle, which contains a square, which contains a circle. The points of the triangle had a 0 with a slash in it, maybe a gender symbol with horns, and an arrow. The corners of the square had four triangles, two upright, two inversed, and one of each had a slash in them. What are those, why are they. . .

The Body, Spirit, Soul. And Air, Earth, Fire, Water. Please, continue.

. . . There’s writing on the rim of the circle. I can’t make it out. There’s symbols that repeat on the outside. Two circles connected by a line. A silhouette of a person. A plus. But there’s so many you can’t make out. The most prominent symbols are a circle with a dot, and a crescent moon.

Arsenic, cobalt, acid, gold, and silver. Why?

It all seems so intentional. So delicate. So. . .

Wait. The diagram of a circle, triangle, square, circle, is the symbol for the Philosopher's Stone. Theoretical stone to transmit one thing to another, give eternal life, revive the dead.

How do you, how do you know all this. . .

Worry not. Continue. 

Can’t, worry, too worry, friends, family, need to, need to, find, get and, a-and, a-a-nd---

Enough of this book. Even if the dead walk, the memory will still be lost. Go back.

O-okay, okay. Think back.

(Flipping through the pages, you notice a lot of things. There's a lot of drawing of landscapes, and people, and monsters. A lot of them had notes, too. That traveler must have a vivid imagination-)

Here. Otherworldly creatures. Too specific detail. Outsider, we never were able to truly touch her mind.

Why? What’s so special?

. . . Move forward. The aspiring wishmaker. What do you remember about him? 

". . . . What's worth it, Wren."

(There is a very, very long silence.)

". . . . . . . . His name was Icarus."

(It's as if you could hear a pin drop.)

Further along.

". . . ." (You had to ask.) "What happened?"

". . . . I, I-I don't know." (He hangs his head down.) "He, h-he's dead, or dying, or somewhere in between it's, I, I can't explain it. And I don't know if I can save him, or if it's too late or if I never could and I'm just wasting my time but I have to try!"

Dead, dying, somewhere in between? The memory fades not long after this. After this, the hole in your heart is who remembers. You reach, but there’s no response. A lost memory.

Dead, dying. But yet he is remembered. This is not the answer we seek. You remember not the notes he took?

It wasn't you who remembered. . .

Understood. The potential is there. Someone willing, to make a wish. A well minded person. Yes?

Maybe. . . Hard to, judge. . .

. . . What of the guiding star?

(You turn back to the book turning pages and describing what they were. Thank you, Mal.) {It’s nothing. This page is on the death of a star, of iron, of its importance in culture. The pages after are about wishing rituals, and what happens if they are done wrong. The next few dozen pages are illegible. After that, there’s pages on reversing wishes, theoreticals, what-if scenarios.}

{The writing gets more frantic, the diagrams, sloppier. The next entries were on how to work around a wish, or how to fix a wish. The entries after you couldn’t read.} (You had, such a headache. You had to pause.)

(. . . You felt Polaris staring at you with anticipation.)

(You shake your head, and flip through the last few pages, most of it was impossible to read. The only thing you could tell was that you probably couldn’t understand it anyways. They were all scientific diagrams like the type Odile would use.)

This. This this this this this this. This has to be something. This has to be something. Wishes. Stars. A way home. Remember. Reverse. Maybe, maybe. . .

Calm yourself. Breathe. Many of the diagrams are illegible, aren’t they? Describe what you can.

There are. . . Constellations. Historical documents of constellations, and how they slowly drift in time. Ursa Major has changed in the last few hundred years. . . There’s talk of fear, of irrationality, of the effects of a split mind on making a wish. There’s an essay on the dangers of a split, unsound mind, or collection of minds and souls, and how they effect a wish. A group wish must have group thinking. . .

The idea of a wish being messed up on the scale of a whole group? Dangerous. A dangerous thing. 

What of undoing wishes.

Wishes. . . The act of, communing with the universe, asking the universe to bend to your will, to break the laws of nature. . . An oil once spilled cannot be unspilled. To splatter red across a painting is to set it in red forever. . .

But?

There are. . . Theoreticals. Not to, undo, but to, work with the wish, and, and. . .

Enough of this. The book becomes more unreadable as we go on. We will attempt to remember another time. Rest.

. . . You have been. . . . Kind to me. . .

. . .

. . . Could you please. . . Read me a, bed time story?

. . . It seems, only, fair. Ahem.

Once upon a time. . .

I looked over the prescription paper a second time as I waited. Antidepressant medication. Ha, a few years ago I would have never imagined being prescribed such a thing. But, so much has changed since then. For one, Wolworth seemed much more lively compared to when I passed through it eight years ago; it makes quite the difference, no?

A part of me fears being so close to Poteria, but if my family wishes to come after me, then so be it. I have plans for their legacy, but that can wait. I had just visited Dr. Joy, a rather nice fellow, and he had given me this  to help with my. . . Moments. Once again, my beloved was rig----I look up as the pharmacist returns.

“Sorry about the wait. If you saw my sorting system back here’d you have a heart attack~” He, Eden, says in that smooth tone of his. “Zoloft? Oh lucky boy, here’s hoping it works wonders for you.”

“Ha! Ah, trust me you’re not the only one hoping that.” I reply, trying to be equally jovial and smiling. “Thank you.”

“Welcome. . . Heeeey actually.” He pauses and squints at me. “Don’t I know you from somewhere?”

My smile falters just a bit, fearing that he may know me from my families exploits. If that’s the case, I just have to keep smiling. “Ah, maybe, why do you say that?”

“Something just. . . Oh yeah~!” He snaps his fingers. “A few years ago you were with that caravan of people! Yeaaaah I remember you now, ah back in my younger days. . .”

“Ah- what?” I’m completely taken aback, and have to think for a moment. “Blood. . . Now that you mention it, yes. I did come through here once with a group of travelers. But how did we. . .”

“Some of your friends wanted something. . . Extra strong, and I couldn’t help but notice you hanging around in the back awkwardly~” He leans on the table and looks up at you. Like a snake.

“My, I barely remember that.” I don’t remember that at all. A memory lost to the scars of, of. . .

A hand on my shoulder. I snap back to reality. A comforting voice tells me I am okay. I let out a sigh of relief. The voice says a joke, and Eden laughs. 

“Well maybe you need something extra strong.” He jokes back. He’s smiling at me so softly, His thoughts drift to me as strong as sound. (He’s adorable.) 

I cover my mouth and look away in embarrassment. “W-well, perhaps, I’ll, I-I’ll think about it.”

The voice to my side affirms something to me. Reassures something to me, but in the same breath makes me embarrassed, and sink into my shoulders. (So that’s what his real smile looks like.) More thoughts make it to my mind, only fueling my embarrassment more. (Oh to get him to smile like that more~)

“A-ah! Yes, well, I’ll take your offer another time ah.” I straighten up, and attempt to regain composure. The voice to my side is giggling, but grounding. “We must be going. Thank you, Eden, truly.”

“Oh the pleasure is all mine~” His smile softens, his eyes relax. “Take your time, deary, get settled in and relax. I’m not going anywhere anytime soon~”

“Aha, with any luck, that’s exactly what this medicine will help me with.” I say as I leave. No sooner are we out of the door when the voice talks again. Reassure me. Cares for me. Threatens to end a life for me if it is necessary.

I don’t remember who it was. I don’t remember who it was, but. . . Still. . .

I love them, still.