.Hack//Epitaph of Twilight:Volume 1

Novel Illustrations

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  Full Cover

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  Front Cover

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  Page 25

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  Page 69

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  Page 117

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  Page 155

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  Page 191

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  Page 247

Prologue//Fragment

As the curtain of night fell, a thick fog rolled in and obscured the scene. There, surrounded by a deafening silence was the Alba Lake, located at the center of the world. And at the heart of that lake, rising from still waters, stood a cathedral of unknown origins. Who built it there, and when? Why in this place, and for what purpose?

Its name was the only thing that was certain: Hulle Granz Cathedral.

And on this night – in this place rumored to have existed since ancient times – an unprecedented meeting was soon to take place. Helba, the Queen of Darkness had sent out the call. And Apeiron, the King of Light, had answered. They were leaders of the world’s two greatest powers, and their relationship with one another was one of unending conflict. 

―They shared a long history. Long before the birth of men, in the throes of twilight at the end of the tenth month, the lands and skies gave rise to spirits. That was who they were. And divided as they were between Light and Darkness, from the moment they were born, they have fought in order for one to dominate the other. It was during that conflict that humans were born with whom they could not coexist. For although they appeared the same, humans had shadows, and spirits did not. And when humans realized this difference, they began to oppress those who had no shadows. Many of their fellows were hunted down or disappeared entirely. And for a time, it seemed that this three-way war would continue on without end…… but the spirits knew that their defeat was inevitable. For while the birth of new spirits were seldom, humans could multiply constantly. And so together, the spirits established a world for themselves far away from the humans, and since then, the war between Light and Darkness entered a lull.

So why then did the leaders of Light and Darkness – even during this lull – decide to have a meeting now?

Because now the spirits were on the verge of extinction, about to be crushed by a calamity known as the Cursed Waves. Having taken on the literal form of a wave, they crashed through their world, and the spirits had no means with which to fight back. It came out of nowhere, swallowed up everything in its path, and then pull back, leaving nothing in its wake.

And it was for this reason that Helba sent these words: [I would like to discuss the Twilight Dragon and the Cursed Waves……]

If not for that, Apeiron would never have answered Helba’s summons this night.

“It could still be a trap.”

However, Apeiron’s retainer, Fili the White, was still troubled. Yet despite his fears, Apeiron prepared himself to venture out to the Hulle Granz Cathedral.

The Twilight Dragon Helba spoke of was a creature that could save them all from the Cursed Waves. Whether it truly existed or not, they had to take immediate action if they hoped to survive.

In this world, there was a legend about the Twilight Dragon. All spirits knew of it…… as did the humans. No one knew for certain if it was true, but as of now, the spirits had no choice but to believe in it.

[When the Cursed Waves appear, three shadow-bearers will set out in search of the Twilight Dragon that will save the world of spirits.]

“……ra.”

Faintly, I heard someone’s voice.

“……Lara.”

Someone was calling for me; someone with a warm and gentle voice.

Slowly, I rubbed my eyes to shake off my drowsiness.

“We’re almost there now, Lara.” I had fallen asleep in the passenger’s seat, so Papa woke me up.

“Sorry, I fell asleep.”

Papa smiled. “It’s nothing to apologize for.”

“Are you sure…… I made you bring me along, but I still fell asleep. I feel like I should apologize.”

“That’s alright. To be honest, I’m glad you tagged along with me.”

I smiled. Whenever Papa was happy, I felt happy, too.

“It’s been a so long since I’ve seen Uncle Harald.”

“A while?! But you–”

“Wait, haven’t I met him before?!”

“No, not really. I haven’t been to visit since you were very small, Lara.”

“Oh, I see.”

“So, you wouldn’t really remember him from that far back.” Papa laughed. “But I do remember him looking at you with wonder.”

“Wonder……?”

“You had just been born. I don’t think he’d ever seen a baby before.”

“But we see babies all over the place, don’t we?”

“Well, I guess so.”

I would be fourteen this year. To Papa and any other adults, I would still be considered a child, but I was already starting to feel more like a grown-up. I wasn’t an adult yet, but I wasn’t a child anymore, either; I was somewhere in the middle.

“Then, I guess I’m looking forward to meeting him properly.” I amended my earlier statement as I stretched and rolled down the car window.

The scent of grass wafted into the car with humid air. It was different from the scent of the sea breeze I was familiar with near the coastline, but it was still pleasant. I lived by the sea, so I took in a deep breath, taking in the new, unfamiliar scents of the forest and soil around me.

“By the way, did you check the boards again yesterday?” Papa asked, and I turned back to see he was still looking ahead as he drove.

One time, Papa had gotten distracted by a conversation and scrapped the car against a wall. And ever since then, he’s made sure he always has his eyes forward while driving. Even at red lights, no matter how much he talked, he wouldn’t look away. Sometimes it looked like he was talking to the windshield instead of me.

“Yeah, but I didn’t find anything new. It’s been too long since the original site went down. I’m not sure what to search for to find the full text anymore.”

“The ‘Epitaph of Twilight’, hmm?” Papa muttered while watching the road.

I had been staying up late recently to look into the ‘Epitaph of Twilight’― a web novel by a woman named Emma Wieland. She had been an amateur novelist, but the premise of the story was this:

The Epitaph of Twilight― in it, the world of shadowless spirits was being destroyed by the Cursed Waves and on the brink of extinction. The waves came suddenly, and they had no way to fight back. In desperation, the King of Light, Apeiron, and the Queen of Darkness, Helba, formed an alliance.

In their world, there was a legend that said: “When the waves appear, three shadow-bearers will set out to find the Twilight Dragon.”

The story began with one of the shadow-bearers – a girl known as the Little Witch living in a windmill shed in a wheat field – rescuing a shadowless stag.

The girl believed in the legend and set out to find the Twilight Dragon with four others. Fili, a spirit from the Lands of Light, Bith, a spirit from the Lands of Darkness, and two other shadow-bearers.

Unfortunately though, the story was left unfinished. Emma Weiland had died in an accident before she could complete her work.

And now that she was gone, the story had been swallowed up by the sea of the internet. And unfortunately, no one had thought to save the works of an unknown, hobbyist writer, so it was difficult to determine which versions of the story were original and which were edits.

The Epitaph of Twilight I had at the moment only covered the early portions of their journey, and was still missing several pieces. Some of the chapters were complete, but many only had summaries of their events.

I had begun reading this little-known novel after I heard about Emma Weiland from an online bulletin board.

Emma Weiland had led an extraordinary life, (having had a dispute over a huge inheritance while also being involved with a man 20 years older than her!) And it seemed that just before her accident, she had become obsessed with anthroposophy.

She was like the main character of some dramatic tragedy.

At least, that was what I thought when I’d read about her. It was surprising to find people like that in real life.

And because someone as extraordinary as that had written a novel, I ended up feeling compelled to look into it.

As for anthroposophy― it was a philosophical study on matters of the soul and human will that could not be explained by normal science. It also argued that things like psychic powers and reincarnation were real, but that part sounded more far-fetched to me.

“There it is.”

Papa pointed to one of the family houses built along the forest, and I followed his gaze. The one he pointed out looked abandoned. It was the only one with an unkempt lawn, and seemed somehow dark despite the sunlight.

“……Uncle Harald lives there?”

Papa gave me a placating smile when he noticed my frown.

“He does, he just isn’t taking good care of it.”

“Is that because he lives on his own……?”

“Well, I’m sure he’s busy with work.”

I took a look around. All the other houses were beautifully maintained, with perfectly mowed lawns and freshly painted fences. And even from the car, I thought I could hear laughter coming from some of them.

Compared to them, Uncle Harald’s house stood in stark contrast, sitting at the end of the road.

I knew that my uncle – Papa’s younger brother – was a famous programmer. He was an amazing engineer with connections all over the world, and apparently shared the same passion for anthroposophy that Emma had.

Once, Papa had said, “It’s amazing that he can stay on the cutting edge of technology and still make time in his life for philosophy.” But he had a bitter smile when he’d said it, so I didn’t feel like he meant it.

The truth was the Uncle Harald had been out of touch for months now. He seemed to be obsessed with something, working on it day and night.

Papa was worried, and I happened to overhear him saying that he would go see him despite living so far away. Then I felt worried about Papa driving out so far on his own (I guess Papa and I were both worrywarts) ……but I was also curious to know more about my uncle, so I decided to tag along.

“Well, let’s go.” Papa parked in front of the house and hurried me along.

I came to stand before an ivy-covered door with Papa. He reached out to press the old-fashioned doorbell, but it might have been broken, because the button got stuck and didn’t pop back out.

“Is he not home?”

Papa tilted his head, then forced the doorbell back out to press it again. Before he could however― the door opened with a creaking sound.

“……Who is it?”

For just a moment, I felt like running.

A tall, lanky man leaned out from behind the door, then looked at Papa and down at me.

“It’s you, huh……?” That man – my uncle – muttered in recognition of his brother.

“Yep. And since I’ve taken the trouble to come all the way out here, don’t go making this difficult for me, okay?”

Uncle Harald looked at me again with a look of annoyance. We obviously weren’t welcome here, but I greeted him politely anyways. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Lara Hoerwick.”

“……?” But Uncle Harald looked confused and quietly turned to Papa for an explanation.

“She’s my daughter. You came to see her when she was born.”

Uncle Harald stared at me with a blank expression like he was struggling to remember the occasion.

He had long silver hair falling over a haunted expression. Yet behind his amber eyes, his intelligence still shown through.

Papa had the same silver hair, but other than that, I wouldn’t have guessed that they were brothers. It wasn’t that he looked old, but if I had been told he was a more distant relative…… it would have been easier to believe. They were just too different from each other.

I felt like I might be staring too much, so I tried smiling up at Uncle Harald to not seem rude, though it didn’t seem to work very well.

Then Uncle Harald met my gaze as he turned away from Papa. He didn’t remember me, but that probably wasn’t surprising. I had been a baby last time he saw me, so I must look completely different now.

“……Well, alright then. Come on in.”

With that, Uncle Harald stepped back into the house. Then I caught Papa’s eye while his back was turned and whispered, “Papa, I don’t think he wants me here.”

“That’s just the kind of guy he is. You shouldn’t worry about it too much, Lara.”

“Oh…… maybe he’s upset because we showed up out of nowhere.”

“If that were the case, he wouldn’t have invited us in.”

“……Are you sure it’s okay for us to go inside?”

From what I could see from the doorway, the interior of the house was dim – like a haunted house. But Papa just smiled wryly.

“A bit late to go wait in the car, don’t you think? Come on.” He said, then stepped inside without me.

At the end of the hall, Uncle Harald looked back and I felt our eyes meet. And for another moment, I felt scared again.

(What…… what in the world does he do here?)

While my thought were still swirling, I realized Papa was moving further down the hall.

“Wait up!” I hurried after him, then, “Woah……”

Suddenly, I realized that the inside of the house was much tidier compared to the outside. I’d worried the place would be covered in dust and cobwebs, but the living room was perfectly clean and surprisingly – I saw picture up on the cupboard. Everything else in the room looked state-of-the-art, including the TV and audio setup.

“It’s surprisingly clean in here.” Papa said to Uncle Harald as he sat down on the leather sofa in the living room.

And stepping into the kitchen off the living room, Uncle Harald laughed at the comment.

“Come sit down, Lara.” Papa told me, and I did so.

(He laughed……)

That had been even more unexpected.

Suddenly, standing there in the kitchen with sunlight streaming in from the window, Uncle Harald looked like a completely different person.

(Maybe he’s a good person after all.)

I started to feel a little better about coming here.

A moment later, Uncle Harald walked back into the living room, followed by the scent of fresh coffee. “I’m afraid this is all we have to drink.”

He started placing three cups around the glass table, and I saw Papa’s cup was filled with black coffee.

(I like coffee, but not without sugar and milk……)

I decided I would just have to drink it slowly, but when Uncle Harald placed my cup down, I found it was filled with pure white milk.

“Oh!” I let out a sound of surprise.

“I figured you would prefer milk, but……” Uncle Harald noted and stood back up in front of us.

“No, that’s fine. I don’t really like black coffee, so…… thank you very much.” Uncle Harald sat back down without changing expressions. “Thank you for the drinks.” I said again and picked up the milk to take a sip.

His unexpected concern for what I would prefer raised my opinion of him again.

Next to me, Papa started talking about his recent affairs. We were supposed to be here for Uncle Harald, but Papa had started talking about his own life instead.

(Guess it can’t be helped……)

I shifted my attention from Papa to Uncle Harald. He seemed to be listening, but he still just had a blank expression as he sipped his coffee.

(This is kind of boring……)

Once I had emptied my cup, I could do nothing but wait for them to finish talking.

“Can we step outside for a minute?” Then Papa stood up with his cup of coffee.

Uncle Harald stared at him for a moment, but then stood up and walked towards the front door as if this were an annoyance to him.

“I knew it…… I shouldn’t have come, should I?” I asked Papa after he left.

“Not at all. I just think he should get some fresh air rather than talk in here.”

“Hmm……”

“We might be a while though, so you can watch some TV while we’re out.” Papa said, then walked quickly towards the front door.

The sound of the front door closing echoed through the now empty living room. “I came all the way out here just to watch TV……?”

I got up to leave the living room, then walked over to the picture frame I had noticed before. In it, a woman was standing next to Uncle Harald in a long black dress, but her face was obscured by a parasol and veiled hat.

They looked like a good couple standing in the sunlight.

(I wonder if there are any better picture of her……)

I set the photo back down and left the living room. I wanted to know more about what Uncle Harald did here all on his own.

From the sunlit living room, I stepped into another dimly lit hallway that led away from the front door. And at the end of the hall, I found one door slightly ajar with a bluish-white light leaking from inside.

“What’s that?” Quietly, I took a peek inside the room.

In one corner of the room, I could see several monitors lit up side-by-side, and starting to walk inside, I saw bookshelves along the walls that stretched from floor to ceiling. Even with those, there were so many books that many were left out in piles on the floor and a layer of dust covered the whole room.

“Is this his study room?” The monitors were blank, just glowing with that pale light, so I guessed they must have been in sleep mode. “And…… what’s this?”

On the desk with the monitors, I found what looked like a pair of thin goggles. And next to that, a controller like the ones for video game consoles.

(Uncle Harald plays video games?)

Carefully, I stepped closer while making sure not to knock over any of the books. Then, looking at the inner lining of the goggles, I could see some kind of electronic display shining through.

It wasn’t reflecting light from the monitors; it had its own built-in screen. I would have expected to hear about it from Papa if they’d come out with new video equipment like this, though.

“What is this……?” There was something displayed on the screen, but I couldn’t make it out clearly. I peeked out of the room to make sure Papa and Uncle Harald weren’t back yet. “It’ll be okay if I just take a little peek.”

I picked up the goggle-like device and peered into them with curiosity. The image on the inside of the eyecups showed a huge field of golden wheat with an overcast sky. The clouds had a strange purple hue to that made them look completely different from normal storm clouds.

(What country is this from?)

Behind the endless fields of wheat, I could just make out a small windmill shed. And when I looked closer, I realized that the windmill was turning slowly and the wheat was rustling slightly in the wind.

It was a simple landscape, but something about it seemed to draw me in. It almost felt like I was losing my balance, and if I didn’t grab onto something, I would fall in; so I reached out to steady myself against the desk.

Then I heard something fall over. It was the controller that had been next to the goggles. And it must have hit a few buttons when it fell, because letters began to appear across the desk monitors.

Fragment

It looked like the title of a game. And below the word ‘Fragment’, a login screen came into view. The same words had also appeared on the goggle’s display.

(I wonder if I have to wear this to play.)

I picked the controller up off the floor and pressed the corresponding buttons.

“!”

This time when the display changed, it showed words that I was familiar with.

[There was a legend in their world. When the Cursed Waves appear, three shadow-bearers will set out in search of the Twilight Dragon that will save the world of spirits.]

It was from the Epitaph of Twilight.

Which meant that the image of the wheat field in the goggles must be the area where the Little Witch lived. I looked through the goggles again.

(Could this be……)

Was this what Uncle Harald had become so obsessed with? Was he working day and night to make a game based on the Epitaph of Twilight? I couldn’t know for sure, but maybe through anthroposophy, Uncle Harald had come to know Emma and decided to use his programming skills to develop a game based on her works.

I had no proof that was true; but for some reason, I felt like that was the only logical conclusion.

Maybe I just wanted to believe something crazy like that. Maybe it was the strange atmosphere created by this room lit only by the light of the monitors, but I decided to go back and shut the door tight.

Then, as if something was calling me towards them, I put the goggles on my head and took hold of the controller.

(It’ll be fine if I just play for a minute.)

I logged in without hesitation, but I had no idea – no idea that this action would completely remove me from reality.

Episode 1//No Way Home

Bathed in the golden light of dusk, countless white doves slowly circled above Hulle Granz Cathedral at the center of this world called Alba. From a distance, the doves flying in a circle through the fog overhead seemed to glow like an angel’s halo.

And standing there in white robes, one person gazed intently at that fantastical scene from the lakeside.

His name was Fili.

He was a retainer to Apeiron, the King of Light, and the doves that flew above were his familiars.

Fili was certain that tonight’s meeting was a trap. However, Apeiron had refused to listen to him, so he had no choice but to have his familiars watch the cathedral in secret.

Ordinarily, he would have been there by his king’s side― but Helba, the Queen of Darkness, had made Apeiron swear that only the two of them would be allowed into the cathedral this night. Therefore, Fili watched the cathedral that was obscured by fog, and prayed that nothing would go wrong.

Back before the lull, the Lands of Darkness had always tried to catch the Lands of Light by surprise. They forced them on the defensive, and for the hundreds of years that Fili had been alive, they had never once been able to mount a counter-offensive. They drove off the attacks, but by the time their forces could recover, they were ambushed again, and again, and again…… without end.

Fili didn’t like to think about those times. But then, something shimmered in the fog behind Fili, and he knew that someone had approached him covertly.

“What are you so worried about?”

Fili turned around in an instant and held out his spell staff. But the owner of the voice was blended in with the darkness, unseen.

“……Who is there?” He said, though there was a slight tremor to his words.

“So sorry to have startled you.” The voice in the darkness chuckled. “You people of Light must be terrified of the dark.”

At those words, Fili raised his voice, and the staff in his hands shined brightly. “Show yourself!”

“Hey now, are you really that eager for another war?”

Two hands emerged from the darkness and peeled something away from them.

“You are……”

Something like a hat was pulled away, revealing a man with slanted eyes before Fili.

His name was Bith. He was a retainer to Helba, the Queen of Darkness.

“Bith of the Black Cap……?”

“That’s right, Fili of the White Robes.”

Fili tightened his grip on his staff. “What are you doing here?”

“To ask–” Bith looked up at the sight of doves circling above the cathedral. “If you could you back off, please?”

“Why?”

“This is a meeting between monarchs. Even the smallest bit of interference could cause problems, you know.”

“I don’t have to listen to you.”

But Bith just shook his head as if chastising a child. “If she wanted to, my Queen could erase your little familiars in one strike. But she hasn’t yet, has she…… do you know why that is?”

“……”

“It’s because she doesn’t want to make things any worse than they already are. I don’t know how your King will respond, but from now on, we must cooperate with each other. If we squabble now, no plan will be able to save us.”

Fili glared at Bith― but with his naturally genteel face, he had no hope of scaring him away.

“Think about it this way; do you really want to be the one that caused negotiations to break down?”

At this, Fili wilted and let his staff fall to his side. “……Very well.” He said and drew a pattern on the ground with the butt of his staff – a crest to give instructions to his familiars.

A moment later, the spiraling doves disappeared into the darkness.

Bith watched this, and then sat down beside Fili, who stared at him warily.

“Are you keeping watch on me now?”

“You fool. We’ll be called upon soon enough.”

“?”

“It’ll save us time later if we can leave together.”

“What are you talking about?”

Bith, however, did not answer Fili’s question. Instead, he just continued to stare down at the cathedral.



After confirming the Fili’s familiars had disappeared, Apeiron turned his gaze away from the cathedral windows and back to Queen Helba.

“You certainly were thorough.”

Helba smiled and brushed back her long, silky gold hair as she sat upon the empty pedestal at the back of the cathedral.

“Shall we resume our conversation, then?”

“Yes.”

The tall, hulking Apeiron leaned back against the window sill and listened to Helba’s story while pulling at his beard.

“As stated earlier, our world has been invaded. But the Cursed Waves have only just begun their encroachment, so we still have time to find a solution.”

“……It’s hard to believe.”

“But it is the truth.”

“Helba…… what is it you’re planning?”

“Just what I said in my letter. I wish to initiate the search for the Twilight Dragon.”

“When the Cursed Waves appear― three shadow-bearers will set out in search of the Twilight Dragon to save the world of spirits…… could it really be true?”

Helba laughed softly as she watched Apeiron muttering to himself.

“You’re still so skeptical.”

“I am king of these lands. It is only natural for me to remain cautious.”

“But, there is a fine line separating caution from cowardice.”

Helba’s expression was almost unreadable behind the long bangs the covered her eyes, but by the smile on her lips, it was clear that she was looking down on Apeiron.

“!”

Apeiron hardened his expression and drew the sword at his hip, pointing its tip directly at Helba.

But she held her composure well and simply tilted her head as if confused. “And just what do you intend to do with that? Killing me will not stop the Cursed Waves.”

“……”

Helba rose from the pedestal and – without her feet touching the floor – floated forward to stand in front of Apeiron’s sword. Slender and radiant before, Helba raised one finger and held it out against the blade’s edge.

For a moment, all fell silent. Neither monarch moved a muscle as crimson blood oozed from Helba’s finger touching the blade and slowly dripped onto the stone floor.

Finally realizing that this moment of tension was wasted time, Apeiron lowered his sword and sighed.

“Let us dispense with the formalities, then.” Helba licked the blood dripping from her finger and tucked it back under her sleeve. And all the while, the smile never left her lips. “Do you have someone qualified on your side to take on this quest?”

“I would not have come here without one.” Helba nodded satisfactorily at Apeiron’s response and strode back to pedestal, gazing up fondly at the empty space there. “We don’t have much time. If you are ready, we will have them set out immediately.”

“Immediately? Just a moment, but it’s going to be a long journey, won’t they need time to prep―”

Helba turned and interrupted Apeiron. “Fili is out there right now, is he not? We can use him. If he had that many familiars to spare on us, he must have even more at the ready.”

“……Even still!”

“We must act now, Apeiron!” Helba gazed again upon the pedestal. “We have no time to waste. Not to pray to God, and certainly not to run away……”



As the talks progressed― far to the north of the Hulle Granz Cathedral, a girl stepped out of a windmill shed with drowsy eyes into a vast field of wheat.

The girl straddled a broom in her hand and flew up on it towards the windmill’s blades.

“Have to get it fixed today, Saya.” A black cat called to the girl from the attic window of the windmill.

“I know already! So stop making such a fuss when I’m just waking up.”

The girl’s name was Saya, and to those that lived nearby, she was known as the Little Witch because of her short stature. She was a peace-loving girl who possessed the ability to hear the voices of plants and animals, which she loved more than anything else.

And the black cat which had called to her was Vesper. He was a wise cat who lived with Saya in the windmill shed as her companion.

For the past few days, Saya’s work had consisted not of tending the wheat, but of repairing the windmill’s blades. Afterall, if they broke, the windmill would not be able to turn. So, Saya began her work repairing the blades while straddling her broom.

And all around her, the wheat field rustled gently in the breeze.

Then, hearing the voices of the wheat field, Saya looked away from her work. “Something’s wrong!”

Saya spotted something in the wheat field, grabbed onto her broom, and quickly flew over to it. A neat, straight line of wheat had been disrupted by something crashing into them.

Saya jumped off her broom and carefully approached whatever it was with her spell wand clutched tightly in one hand. And there, she saw that the wheat which had been knocked over was slick with blood.

“Oh my god!”

There in front of her, a silver stag with six legs was lying on its side. It was injured, but lifted his head weakly to look at Saya.

“Who are you……?” Saya rushed up to the stag and began treating him. The tip of her wand glowed with a warm light, and the stag’s wounds began healing in a flash.

“My apologies…… for the wheat.”

The stag spoke with effort, then dropped his head back onto the ground. With a gentle hand, Saya patted his cheek comfortingly. “Don’t worry, the fields will manage. I’m more worried about you.”

The stag was covered in wounds that were nearly fatal, and Saya’s spellcraft could not completely close the cuts immediately, so she pressed her cloak over the larger scars.

“It’ll take a bit more time…… but a few days rest and you should be good as new.”

But upon hearing Saya’s words, the stag opened his sky-blue eyes and turned them towards her.

“?”

“I can’t wait that long. I have to get moving now.”

With that, the stag stood up on unsteady legs and looked to the sky.

“Where are you going to go? I’ve healed the wounds a little, but you can’t fly in that condition.”

“I thank you. I will pay you back for this someday, I promise.”

Stamping his hooves with trembling legs, the stag raced up into the sky.

“No, please wait.” Saya spoke with a hollow voice. “WAIT!”

Then she straddled her broom again and chased after the stag. And below her, the wheat field rustled.

As if trying to warn Saya not to leave.

I was standing in the field of wheat. The gently swaying movement of it all was unbelievably realistic. Everything in this world felt like it actually existed, from the windmill in the distance to the wind blowing across my cheeks.

I couldn’t believe I was looking at a display through a pair of goggles. I reached out to touch to wheat stalks standing tall beside me, and I could have sworn I really felt the grain of it against my fingers.

It didn’t even feel like I was using the controller. It felt like I was moving my own body and the game was responding.

“Uncle Harald is amazing.”

As far as I knew, there had never been a game that could give you a sense of touch before. Uncle Harald must really be a genius.

And if this scene was the same as the one from the prologue, then there should be a certain someone in that windmill. Maybe I had a chance to meet the main character of the Epitaph of Twilight.

With that idea spurring me on, I rushed towards the windmill shed. The wheat parted for me as if it had a will of its own, opening the path ahead of me, and I quickened my pace.

I ran out of breath quickly, though. I wasn’t much of an athlete, so as soon as I reached the windmill, I slumped over feeling a sense of fatigue as if I really had physically run all that distance.

“What is this……?”

(This is a game…… right? Why am I getting tired?)

As I muttered to myself, a black cat drew close to me. It had short fur and gave off a sweet kind of smell. And it was looking up at me with quizzical, clear blue eyes.

“What are you doing?”

“A- a talking cat!” I took a step back in surprise, but the black cat just tilted its head as it watched me. “Oh, wait……”

(This is a video game, of course it can talk.)

I remembered there being a black cat in the Epitaph of Twilight. The main character – the shadow-bearer known as the Little Witch Saya – this was her companion.

(If I recall, the cat’s name was……)

“Vesper!”

Vesper frowned when I shouted his name at him. Well, it felt like he frowned, but his expression didn’t actually change much, being a cat. But if he was here, that must mean that the Little Witch Saya was somewhere nearby, too.

I started looking around for her, but then Vesper called out to me. “Saya…… did you hit your head?”

“Huh?”

“You’re acting strange.”

“Uh……” He’d said ‘Saya’, but he was clearly talking to me. “Am I Saya?” Vesper nodded. “And you are Vesper?”

He nodded again. “Did you lose your memory?”

“W-wait a minute, are we having a real conversation right now?

“Are we…… I don’t understand what you mean by that.”

“I mean, this is a game, isn’t it?”

“Game? What is that?”

“Well…… it’s like playing in a world of make-believe.”

“Make-believe? Come now, Saya, get a hold of yourself.”

The cat was getting upset with me.

(What does this mean?)

It shouldn’t normally be possible to hold a real conversation in a game. That could only happen in online games where you connect with other players over the internet and exchange information. Beyond that, as far as I knew, there weren’t any other games where characters could respond to anything you said.

“May I pet you?”

“Very well; if that means you will go back to acting like yourself. Go ahead.”

Tentatively, I reached my hand towards Vesper’s head. “You’re so warm!”

My fingers were really touching Vesper’s soft fur. I stroked him for a long moment, wanting to make sure that I was actually feeling the texture of his fur against my own skin.

“Saya, did you fall off your broom?”

“Broom?”

“You used it to repair the fan blades didn’t you?”

Vesper looked up at the windmill at the top of the hut, and I followed his gaze. The blades of the windmill were torn up in spectacular fashion.

“Still not fixed……”

“Yeah, they’re all scratched up.”

“They shouldn’t be! You…… didn’t do the repairs.”

Vesper looked like he was ready to bite me, so I just shook my head at him. “I just got here! I’m not here to fix anything.”

“What?” Vesper gave me a suspicious glare, so I tried to explain myself in the hope that he would understand.

I wasn’t sure I’d be able to get the full picture across to a video game character, but I did my best to explain it clearly― how I had secretly started up the game in my uncle’s room thinking it must be based on the story of the Epitaph of Twilight, and since I had started in a wheat field, had thought I could progress the story by coming to the windmill shed.

“So then― you’re saying that you are a Saya from another world?”

“My real name is Lara Hoerwick. But, well…… Saya is my name in the game, I guess, so calling my Saya is fine.”

“I don’t know what this ‘game’ of yours is.”

“Like I said before, a game is……” Vesper looked very deep in thought.

(Of course……)

I decided to look myself over until Vesper said something.

I still had my wispy, strawberry blonde hair – which I actually had a bit of a complex about – and even the nail polish I’d applied earlier today was still intact. It seemed like every part of ‘Saya’ I could make out was the same as my real self, from my flat chest to my slender arms and legs.

The only difference was the clothes I wore now – a dress, cape, and tall, pointy hat – all black. And I could smell a faint trace of lavender, like a perfume.

I tried pinching my cheek. It hurt.

“Hey,” My voice was shaking, but something was wrong with this picture. I was sure of it, so I got Vesper’s attention. “What kind of girl is Saya?”

“What kind…… how do you mean?”

“What did she look like?”

“?”

“Did the Saya that you know look the same as I do now?”

Vesper looked over me with a critical eye. “I don’t think anything has changed.”

“I see.”

I took another look over my body. It felt like mine, but when I looked more closely, I realized that my hands were rougher than in real life, with callouses that suggested hard labor.

(Am I just overthinking this……?)

But it had hurt when I’d pinched myself. I had a sense of touch here.

“……Hey,” Vesper looked up at me again. “So, you believe me, right?”

“If this world is one of make-believe, like you say, then where did you come from?”

(Where?)

“From the world of the people that made this one.”

“How?”

(How?)

I mulled over Vesper’s question. The answer should have been simple, but my mind suddenly went hazy thinking about it.

(How did I get here……?)

I held a hand to my head as it started to throb. My heart started pounding uncontrollably because I couldn’t seem to remember it clearly.

“Well, I put on something like a pair of goggles and selected the login from the display with a controller. After that……”

My voice was trembling. The more I tried to remember, the more my head hurt.

“Then where are they?”

I started at Vesper’s question, cutting through my thoughts. “Where?”

I looked down at where I should have been holding a controller with my hands, but of course, it wasn’t there. I touched my face, but I couldn’t feel the goggles at all.

(Where are they?!)

I tried shaking my head, but the goggles wouldn’t come loose. I reached out for the monitors that should have been in front of me, but found only air. “Gone! They’re both gone!”

(What’s going on?)

I patted myself down, searching for anything I couldn’t see, but all I felt was the soft fabric of my clothes. I looked around for the controller in a panic, but there was no way I could have dropped it. It hadn’t felt like I was holding it since the moment I had logged in.

“Gone……” My vision blurred, my legs gave out, and I slumped to the ground. “Where am I right now? This is just a game, isn’t it?”

I watched a tear fall onto the dirt in front of me. Vesper was staring at me with a look of bewilderment, but he sat down and looked up to meet my gaze.

“……May I try to see if I grasp the situation?” I nodded silently. “You have come to this world from another one.” Another nod. “You used some kind of tools to arrive here, but you don’t have them with you anymore.”

“……Yeah, they’re gone.”

“And without them, you cannot return to your original world.”

“Probably…… not. I’m not really sure.” I shook my head uncertainly.

If I had the goggles and controller, would I be able to log out? I haven’t been able to feel either of those accessories since logging in, so I couldn’t really be sure they would work even if I had them in this world.

“Do you have memories of being Saya?”

“Of course not; I’m still me, after all.”

“Can you use spellcraft?”

“Spellcraft?”

“Saya was skilled in the usage of healing spells. Are you able to do the same?”

“I can’t do anything like that. I wouldn’t even know where to start……”

Vesper sighed as he watched me descend into melancholy.

“Then what of the voices? Can you hear them?”

“I can hear your voice, if that’s what you mean.”

“Not me, I mean the voices of the wheat.”

“The wheat?”

“You should be able to speak with animals and plants. That was another of Saya’s abilities.”

“……I don’t hear anything like that.”

“Well, normally, you wouldn’t.” Vesper said with a mock grin.

Then he got up and walked off towards the wheat field I had started in.

“Wait!” My legs were still shaking, but I stood up and followed after Vesper.

Then, Vesper came to a stop in front of the wheat. “Listen carefully.”

Standing next to Vesper, I looked out over the wheat field before me. I didn’t understand what I was supposed to do, but I was desperate to not be alone, so I as Vesper told me and slowly closed my eyes.

(Please let this just be a dream……)

The wind stopped, and the silence it left felt suddenly deafening.

(What I wouldn’t give to hear the computer fan spinning right now……)

I took a deep breath, but a different sound that ignored my silent prayers caught my ear instead. It was faint, but it sounded like someone calling for help.

“Huh?” I cupped my hands behind my ears. “What?!” In front of me, the wheat all started buzzing at once, and my eyes shot open from the shock. “Vesper! Just now, I heard something―”

“Quiet!” Sitting next to me, Vesper had fixed an intense stare at something deep within the wheat field.

The buzzing from the wheat started getting louder. Even though the wind had stopped blowing, the wheat seemed to be swaying towards the same point that Vesper was staring at.

“W-what is it?”

“Something has fallen; let’s go!”

“Fallen? ……Wait a second!” Vesper hurried through the wheat field.

I chased after him. I was worried that I would lose sight of him, but it was like the wheat was parting for us, making a path to avoid us stepping on it.

And as we made our way through, I thought I caught the scent of blood. Then Vesper came to a stop, and my breath caught.

“Vesper! This…… what is―” My legs started shaking even worse than they were already.

The wheat was stained red by blood from a fallen stag. It had cuts all over its body, and its blood was pooling onto the ground around it.

Staring at it, it felt like the blood was draining out of my own body too, and it took all of my strength not to fall over again.

“Hey, is it…… is the stag dead……?”

Vesper approached cautiously and licked at its cheek, but the stag didn’t move.

“Hey……” Vesper turned and beckoned me forward.

I was scared, but I sat down next to him anyways. Well, it may have been more accurate to say my legs gave out again than that I sat down.

“Saya, heal him.”

“Huh?”

“It’s not too late to save him.” Vesper climbed into my cloak and came back out holding a small wand in his mouth. “Use this, and pray with all your heart for him to be healed.”

“What do you mean ‘pray’? What am I supposed to say?”

Vesper pushed the wand in his mouth towards me.

(……Umm)

Vesper was glaring at me, so I took the wand. “What do I do with this?”

“What do you…… We’re in trouble. Saya could pray and heal without saying a word.”

“But that’s……”

I looked between the wand in my hand and the fallen stag. I didn’t know what to do; I couldn’t think of any way I could help.

I was Lara Hoerwick, not the Little Witch Saya who lived in this world. I couldn’t believe that any amount of prayer would heal the stag. Without the controller or any kind of in-game command system, I couldn’t imagine how I was supposed to use spellcraft.

(What is happening……)

I sighed deeply while Vesper watched me with an intense look.

(I want to go back……)

As I stared at the stag lying motionless on the ground, I fought the urge to cry.

“Saya,”

“Hmm?”

“……Pray from the bottom of your heart for him to get better, and he will be healed.”

“From the bottom of my heart?”

“Yes. You must cast all doubt aside.”

“Cast all doubt aside……”

“You must help this stag now. Then we can take our time finding a solution to your situation.”

“……”

“Saya!” Vesper raised his voice at me when I hesitated, still holding the wand in my hand. “Are you going to do nothing with a wounded stag right in front of you?”

I shook my head. It wasn’t like I was refusing to pray because I didn’t want to help.

“But…… I really don’t know what to do.”

“Haven’t I already told you? You must pray with all your heart.”

I slowly closed my eyes again. Clutching the wand I had been given, I prayed that the stag in front of me would be healed.

For a moment, I set aside my desire to return to my own world.

If I could heal this stag right now with my prayers – like Vesper said – then I would pray from the very bottom of my heart.

(……Please, let the stag’s wounds be healed.)

Then, the wand started to feel slightly warmer in my hand.

“?!” I opened my eyes in surprised.

The wand was growing even warmer now, and the tip was emitting a soft light. My body seemed to remember how to use the healing spell. Slowly, I moved the tip of the wand over the stag’s body as if I were petting him.

The stag tensed for a second. “……Um, are you okay?” In response to my voice, the stag weakly opened his eyes. They were a clear, sky blue that seemed to draw me in.

“My apologies…… for the wheat.”

The stag wheezed out those words and let his head fall back to the ground. Reaching up with my free hand, I pet the stag’s cheek.

“I’m more worried about you than the wheat.”

His wounds healed slowly. However, the blood didn’t stop flowing from the worst of the cuts. I worried that my inexperience was keeping the spell from doing better.

Placing the wand down at my feet, I took off my cloak and pressed it against the area where blood was still pouring out.

“Can’t I help him recover any faster?” I asked, but Vesper shook his head while I continued binding the wound.

“You can’t.”

“Is it because I’m not Saya?”

“No, with Saya’s abilities, this was the most you could hope for. The wound is simply too deep.”

“But…… if we don’t do something……”

(Unless that wound is closed, he might not make it……)

With all my strength, I tore my blood-soaked cloak so that I could bind his still bleeding leg. One of six legs.

“If I could just……” I tried desperately to remember. To remember the Epitaph of Twilight I loved so much which this world was based on.

“Hmm?”

“Is this the shadowless six-legged stag?”

“What’s that now? Have you met him before, Saya?” Vesper asked, but then sighed. “But wait…… right now, you aren’t Saya. So then, how do you know him?”

“Because it’s written in the story……”

“Hm…… you mean that ‘Epitaph of Twilight’ you mentioned before?”

“Yeah. At least, I think so.”

I tried to recall more clearly, but memories of the story were so hazy, it wasn’t easy.

(But……)

“If I’m right, then I think he’ll be fine now.”

Vesper shot me a skeptical look, not understanding. “Is that part of the story, too?”

“I think so. I can’t remember it clearly……”

But Vesper must have decided to trust in my vague explanations though, because he turned to the stag and said, “You’re going to be alright. But…… with that wound, you’ll have to rest for a while. Saya’s spells aren’t strong enough to heal you completely right away.”

When he heard Vesper’s explanation, however, the stag lifted his head with purpose. “I don’t have time to rest. I have to get going right away.” He declared and stood up on weak legs to look towards the sky.

“Where do you have to go? With that wound, shouldn’t be moving at all.” I rushed to my feet. “Your wound hasn’t healed yet, right?”

“Thank you for your efforts. I will pay you back for this someday, I promise.”

Stamping his hooves with trembling legs, the stag ran up into the sky.

“Wait!”

My voice sounded hollow. The stag’s outline quickly grew smaller and smaller as if he were being swallowed by the sky. And as soon as the stag was out of sight, the tip of the wand in my hand stopped glowing as it had been.

“Vesper, what do we do?”

“If he wants to leave, there’s nothing we can do to stop him.”

“How cold!”

“Well, are you going to give chase then?”

“……Can I?”

“Call for your broom. Your thoughts should be able to reach it from here.”

(Call……?)

I just tilted my head in confusion, though, so Vesper added, “Can you try to call for it?”

“Do I pray like I did for the healing before?”

“That’s correct.”

I took a deep breath and tried to call out for a broom with my heart.

(Please…… come to me.)

However― no matter how long I waited, no broom arrived.

“It didn’t work……” Vesper muttered while watching the windmill.

“I guess I can’t call it after all.”

“Did you imagine the broom properly?”

“I imagined it…… but I don’t know what it actually looks like, so how would I know?”

“Eh?” Vesper froze with wide eyes.

“What, did I say something wrong?”

“You can’t be thoughtless when you call for the broom. You have to picture it clearly in your mind!”

“But like I said, I haven’t seen the broom before!”

“Ah, this is really troublesome……”

“So, what does it look like? If you describe it to me, I might be able to picture it properly.”

“The handle is made from oak, and the bristles are fashioned from straw.”

“Right…… so I should image a golden brush; is that right?”

“And a dark brown handle.”

“Hmm……”

Rather than the wire broom we had at home for sweeping the floors, I tried to imagine the bushy kind of broom like what gets shown in anime and manga.

(Hurry now……)

I looked over at the windmill shed. “It’s coming!”

The broom that I had imagined flew straight towards me. It came to a stop, floating in front of me, and I quickly grabbed it and hopped on.

(It’ll be just like when I used the wand…… my body will remember what to do, I’m sure of it.)

I slid the wand into my belt and clasped my hands over the handle of the broom. Slowly, the broom lifted into the air, and my feet were pulled off the ground with it. Surprisingly, the broom handle didn’t bow much under my weight, and as long as I held on tight, it didn’t seem like I would fall off.

“I’ll go with you.” Vesper decided and jumped onto my shoulder. The broom swayed slightly and floated higher. It was a strange feeling, like how it felt when I used to climb trees as a little girl and sit on a branch.

“This could be dangerous…… will you be okay?”

“I think so…… let’s go.”

The broom seemed to have sensed my intent, because it flew across the sky to chase after the stag. And it flew so fast that it felt like I was driving a car down the highway with the windows down, and behind us, the windmill shed quickly disappeared from view.

“Do you think we can catch him……?”

“I doubt it…… Stags have quick feet.”

We were flying over a dense forest now, and I already couldn’t see the wheat field beyond it when I looked back.

“This forest is really big.”

It was dark and gloomy below, and it seemed to continue on forever. Somewhere in the distance, though, I thought I could hear birdsong.

“This is wrong.” Vesper muttered to himself.

“What is?”

“That stag should live in the west part of the forest…… so why is he flying this way.”

“Because there’s someplace he’s trying to get to, wasn’t it?”

Vesper considered that. “I’m not sure what place that would be, though.”

Eventually though, we made our way out passed the forest and an iridescent lake appeared in the distance, and I started to just be able to make out the silhouette of the stag.

“There he is!” Even at a distance, I could tell the stag was at his limit as he fumbled through the sky. I pulled out my wand and pointed it towards the stag to try and heal him but when I did, the broom suddenly dropped. “Aah!”

I quickly snatched the broom back up in my hand. “Saya! What are you doing?!”

“I thought I might be able to heal him from here.”

“Don’t be foolish; he’s too far away…… and if you don’t focus on flying, you’ll fall!”

“Sorry……” I tried to focus on catching up instead.

As we approached the lake, the fog gradually thickened until I had to squint through it to see. The iridescent lake before us was larger than any lake I had seen before, practically the size of an ocean. A stone bridge was built from the shore and stretched out towards the center of the lake where a structure like an old castle stood tall.

The stag then disappeared inside that building. “I wonder if someone lives there.”

“They don’t…… nobody would take up residence at that cathedral.”

“Cathedral?”

“Hulle Granz Cathedral. Well, not that there’s anything to worship there; it’s really just an old building.”

“Then why is the stag going there?”

“I don’t know. Well, what will you do?”

I brought the broom to a stop.

After a moment, I decided to wait by the lakeside for the stag to come out. Something in the air told me I shouldn’t approach. However, from there, I was so far from the building that I couldn’t know what was going on inside.

I lowered the broom slowly towards the lakeside, and Vesper jumped off my shoulder to start grooming himself as soon as we reached the ground. I hadn’t noticed as much while on the broom, but there was a strong wind blowing here. Both my hair and Vesper’s fur were getting tossed by the breeze.

Pulling my hair back, I sat down on the mist-dampened grass.

(What am I doing……?)

I made a heavy sigh.

“So, Saya, what will you do from now on? Vesper asked me once he finished grooming himself.

“I decided to wait here, didn’t I?”

“Not about that. Saya― it still feels strange to keep calling you that. What do you want to do about your situation?”

“I – well – I want to go home……”

“But?”

“I don’t know how to get back.”

“Do you need the tools you used before?”

“I don’t think I can find them. I haven’t been able to feel them since I arrived……”

I felt like I was going to cry.

All I’d wanted to do was experience what a game based on the Epitaph of Twilight would be like……

(But this is more like Alice in Wonderland, now.)

In that story, a girl named Alice had entered the world of a book. She had to follow a rabbit to try and escape― but in the end, it had all just been a dream that Alice had imagined while taking a nap.

And I could recall the contents of that story just fine, but for some reason― trying to do the same for the Epitaph of Twilight just made my head hurt.

It felt strange, like someone had put a lock inside my head.

“I wonder if you switched places?”

“?”

“You and Saya.”

“That……” I was starting to feel hopeless. If we had switched places, would that mean I had to live in this world forever? “I don’t want that!”

“It would be problematic for me, too. I’d have to reeducate you from scratch.”

Again, I sighed.

(I wonder if Papa has come back yet……)

“That’s it!” Then I realized something obvious.

If Saya had switched places with me, then Papa and Uncle Harald would notice something was wrong. And Papa aside, maybe Uncle Harald would be able to do something about this.

It was a small hope, but it was something to hang onto.

I explained as much to Vesper, and although he had seemed to understand my explanation back in the wheat field, he looked a bit more confused by this, but nodded anyways.

“So, until then, you’ll just have to do your best here.”

“Do my best?”

“Those who don’t work, don’t eat. We can go back and repair the windmill first then.”

“……After confirming that the stag is safe.”

Vesper looked at the distant, mist-laden Cathedral. “What is he doing over there, anyways…… I can’t hear anything going on inside.”

“But there is someone else in there besides the stag.”

“And who would that be?”

“I don’t know. It just feels like there has to be someone.”

“He could have collapsed……”

Vesper said callously, and the words brought back the image of the stag covered in blood among the wheat, and I hurried to stand up, broom in hand.

“Wait a second.” Vesper stopped me. “You decided to wait here because you felt a bad omen, didn’t you?”

“Yes, but……” I looked at the cathedral obscured by fog. “Now I’m worried because you went and said something ominous.”

“So, you’re going to see what’s going on?”

“Yeah……”

But the moment I thought about it― a voice called out to me from behind.

“You won’t be able to enter the cathedral if you got there now.”

I whipped around in surprise, but I didn’t see anyone who could have spoken.

“Vesper? Was that you?” I asked, but he shook his head.

“It wasn’t me.”

“But, just now, that voice……”

“Of course, how rude of me.” Suddenly, a hand appeared floating before me, presumably belonging to the owner of the voice, and peeled something back from the air. “Hello……”

The sight took my breath away. The hand looked human, but the fingernails seemed to be several inches long. And then the hand pulled back a jet-black hat.

“W-what?”

The owner of the voice appeared before me when he took off the hat, and he looked at me through narrowed eyes. “Are you the Little Witch, Saya?”

“Yes…… but, who are you?” The dark-eyed man stared at me with a skeptical look in his eyes. He definitely seemed older than me, but with how tall his was, between the jet-black coat he wore with the collar up and his bangs covering his eyes, I couldn’t really make out his features. “Are you a spirt?”

“I guess this means the stag’s story was true, after all.” But the man just continued as if I hadn’t said anything. “And you do have a shadow, so I guess we’ll have to trust him…… I can’t explain the details right now; just wait here for a minute.”

I frowned at the condescending tone in his voice that didn’t give me a chance to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

(He’s being so demanding despite having only just met me……)

I hated being forced into things. I hated when strangers talked down me. Nobody should have to endure that kind of treatment.

And without waiting for a reply, the man in the black coat flew away without assistance from a broom or anything towards the cathedral.

“What…… what was that about?!”

Vesper shook his head in disbelief as he flew away. “That was Bith the Black. What was he doing in place like this?”

“Bith the Black? Who is that?”

“A retainer to the Queen of Darkness.” Vesper answered with a sigh, like he had expected me to be confused.

“Vesper, let’s go back home.”

Intuitively, I had a feeling that I shouldn’t stay here any longer, so I decided to return to the windmill shed with Vesper.

Once we were on the broom and in the air again, though, Vesper asked, “What about making sure the stag was alright, though?”

“Well, it seemed like that man was going to protect him.”

“But the stag is a spirit of light.”

At those words, I stopped flying.

Something suddenly came back to me from the Epitaph of Twilight.

Even with the lull in the war between Light and Darkness, the spirits continued to come into conflict. And among the spirits of darkness, one of their favorite foods was the lifeblood from those of light.

I remembered frowning when I had read that part. The thought of it had just been too graphic.

“What’s wrong?” Vesper asked frantically when I stopped so suddenly despite the forest – which I learned later was called the Splintered Forest – still being below me.

“Why didn’t you mention that sooner?!”

“Stags are cautious animals; I doubt he would meet with a spirit of darkness without a good reason…… that’s why I didn’t mention it.”

“Is it really okay?”

“That one wouldn’t just up and eat him for nothing. Bith is a greater spirit, he’s not some lowly beast.”

“But that’s not the point……”

“What then? Do you want to return to the lake?”

I was worried about the stag, but I had a feeling that if I went back, I would be heading into trouble. It felt like if I did that, I would lose something important.

Then, while I stressed over what to do, Vesper nudged me back to attention. “Saya, something’s coming!”

“?” Something rushed over us before I could even react to Vesper’s warning, and without thinking, I lifted us higher to get above it. “What was……”

A flock of black birds cawed as they flew by below me. My heart was racing; I could tell something was about to happen – something bad.

The birds were all flying in the direction of the rainbow-colored lake we had just left, screaming about something the whole time.

Vesper and I watched them in a daze as they hurried away. “What’s with them?”

“Do you want to go back and check?”

“No. Let’s get back to the wheat field.” That place had felt so foreboding, I just didn’t want to go back there. I had to keep myself safe in this world until my uncle noticed what had happened.

But once we made it back to the fields, Vesper urged me to try speaking with the wheat again, saying they might know what was happening.

(Please tell me what you know……)

I tried to communicate by praying to them like with the spellcraft, but what came back was a sudden cacophony of sounds that made no sense to me and I raised my hands to cover my ears. Had I not heard them, or could I just not understand what they were trying to tell me?

Vesper watched me anxiously, looking disappointed that I couldn’t communicate with the wheat. “This is a problem.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s disconcerting, but that’s no reason that you should have to apologize. Those birds are native to this forest; however, I can’t imagine they were just migrating……”

“That what are they doing?”

“I wish I knew. I’ve been considering the question this whole time, but I can’t think of anything.”

“You don’t even a guess?”

“What I keep asking myself is why - even with the lull in the war – would a spirit of light meet with one of darkness?”

Vesper seemed to be losing himself in thought. I held my aching head, trying to remember anything from my readings of the Epitaph of Twilight. If I could just remember, there must be something from the story that could help us get out of this situation. But I just couldn’t seem to get rid of the fog clouding my mind.

“Light and Darkness are enemies, aren’t they?”

“That’s right. Why do you ask?”

“But they’re still both spirits, right?”

At that, Vesper sighed. “I’ll give you the short version.”

―The spirits of Light and Darkness had a long, sorted history. Long before the birth of men, in the throes of twilight at the end of the tenth month, the lands and skies gave rise to spirits. That was who they were. And divided as they were between Light and Darkness, from the moment they were born, they have fought in order to dominate each other. As for why they came to fight…… perhaps it was simply fate. And whether by that same fate or simple chance…… humans were born from that conflict with whom they could not coexist. For the humans had shadows. They were obviously different from spirits in this way. So, it became a three-way war…… and the spirits were losing. Because where the birth of new spirits were seldom, humans multiplied constantly. And so, the spirits created their own world far from humans, and ever since, the war between Light and Darkness had entered a lull.

“My head is spinning……”

“That’s why it doesn’t make sense for that stag to be meeting with Bith the Black.” Vesper concluded, but then while we stood in front of the wheat, I heard footsteps approach behind us.

(What now?!)

But when I turned around, the man in the black that had appeared to us by the lake was there, accompanied by a kindly-looking man in pure white robes. He was a bit taller than the man in black, but he didn’t give off the same sense of arrogance as him.

“I thought I told you to stay put.” The man in the black coat said and glared at me with obvious disdain.

“That just would have been a hassle.”

“Oh, don’t be like that!”

I couldn’t help but poke at the hornet’s nest. And next to him, the man in the white robes had a confused expression on his face. “I’m terribly sorry, but we really don’t have much time. We need to leave immediately……”

“Wait!” Vesper interjected. “What are Fili the White and Bith the Black doing together?”

“You must be Vesper the black cat; have you not heard? The legend is being realized.”

“The legend…… you can’t mean–” At that, Vesper went very quiet.

(The legend? Being realized……?)

Again, the fog that had been clouding my mind cleared a little bit and something I had read from the Epitaph of Twilight flashed through my mind.

“When the Cursed Waves appear, three shadow-bearers will set out on a journey to search for the Twilight Dragon that will save the world of spirits…… is that what you mean?”

“You know of it?” Vesper asked with surprise.

I couldn’t before, but now I remembered it clearly. Was it because I had read the phrase so many times back in the real world?

(What is about to happen……?)

I tried to remember what came after that, but my memories were still hazy. I couldn’t recall the rest of the story contents. However, that meant that my ill omen from earlier had been right.

“Well, if you understand, then we can speed this up. Let’s leave now.”

“Leave…… to find the Twilight Dragon? Me?”

“You do bear a shadow.” Bith said simply, and I looked at my feet.

There was a shadow there, but when I shifted my gaze to Bith and Fili’s feet, I saw that they didn’t have shadows.

Following my gaze, Bith raised an eyebrow and stared me. “So, that’s how it is. Let’s go.”

“Hold on a second!” I stopped Bith and Fili before they could take off. “Do I really have to go?”

“The waves are coming. If we don’t hurry now, we’ll be in danger.”

“But……”

(If I go on a dangerous journey and something happens……)

I was afraid I would never be able to return to my own world.

And then, the wheat field screamed. Without words, it was trying to warn me that something was closing in.

The blood drained from Fili’s face, and he stilled like he had been frozen in ice. “It’s already here……”

But Bith just clicked his tongue and pulled a wand out from his breast pocket. Their reacts were polar opposites, but they were looking in the same direction.

“!” I followed their gazes upwards and gasped.

It was just southeast of the wheat field – a cloud so thick it blotted out the sun was leading a translucent, blubbery mass across the horizon, engulfing everything in its path.

It seemed like it was moving slowly, but with how massive it was, it must have actually been extremely fast. Already, the wheat field was starting to erode.

“The waves……” Fili muttered under his breath.”

“That’s the Cursed Wave?”

I had always pictured them more like a tsunami, but the sight of the real deal stunned me. And now I understood why they were willing to rely on a legend to defeat them.

It couldn’t even really be called a wave. I doubted there was an appropriate word for something as dreadful as this. Even seeing a real world missile would have been a less terrifying sight. Just then, a nest of mice suddenly ran through the wheat field as they tried to escape the wave, and I got caught up in their scampering and fell.

Vesper screamed at me to run, but I just sat there and silently shook my head, stuck dumb by the terror.

“What are you doing?! Weren’t you going back to where you came from?”

(That’s right…… I have to get back home……)

I pounded on my trembling legs.

(Calm down!)

Bith and Fili wouldn’t know what we were talking about – they just wanted me to go with them on their journey – but either way, I needed to get out of here.

Vesper ran up to me. “Saya…… let’s give up here and go with them.”

“But–”

“It’s not safe here anymore.”

“Are you okay with that, Vesper?”

“You expect me to stay?”

“I mean with me.”

Vesper laughed. “I am Saya’s partner.”

“Thank you.” I stood up slowly, looking up at the wave that was making its way towards us.

(There’s no way I could stop something like this……)

“Are you coming, then?”

I nodded to Bith and mounted my broom. “There’s no point staying here any longer, so…… I’ll go.”

“Please, just one more moment.” Fili said and handed me a black cloth. “A replacement for the cloak you used to treat the stag’s injuries.”

I accepted it without a word and put on the fresh cloak. The lining was the same sky blue as the stag’s eyes.

“Let’s go.” Bith and Fili lifted into the air without even needing something to help them fly. I put Vesper up on my shoulders and followed them on my broom.

Episode 2//imbroglio

Standing tall within the darkness, four spires appeared to stretch towards the heavens themselves. And at their center was the statuesque, stalactite building that served as Helba’s Palace and gathering place for the spirits of the Lands of Darkness. The exterior walls glowed with a pale blue light and stood at different heights so that from a distance, it gave the impression of a massive hand reaching up from the depths of the earth to drag people down to hell.

And from the top floor of that central spire, Helba looked down upon those lands of darkness. In fact, she gazed upon them with such fondness that it made one wonder if the dark world she saw seemed bright to her eyes.

“The Twilight Dragon, hm……” She whispered as she recalled the legend.

The legend had been passed down from times immemorial in this world, and all those who lived here in the Lands of Darkness, in the Lands of Light, and even the humans beyond all knew well what it foretold.

“When encroached upon by the Cursed Waves, three shadow-bearers will rise to search for the Twilight Dragon that will save the spirits from the waves.”

However, although humans possessed shadows, they had no power with which to counter the waves that threatened them in the world of spirits. And though the spirits held powers, most of them did not possess shadows.

As was written before, spirits disliked not only humans, but all those who bore shadows. Even one who was a spirit of the same race as themselves. For that reason, shadow-bearing spirits were forced to live in hiding or disguised as humans. It was difficult to believe that a spirit like that would voluntarily stand up to save the world of spirits that had persecuted them. And so, she had sent Bith out to search. That initiative wasn’t part of the legend, but it had to be done.

Helba slowly pushed open the window with one finger, allowing cool, chilling air to flow into the room. “So you’ve returned.”

She did not miss the many dark shapes that entered the room along with the cool breeze. Behind Helba, dozens of bats perches themselves across the ceiling. They were Helba’s familiars.

“You’ve done well.” Helba spoke without looking back and, and with a snap of her fingers, the bats all vanished like smoke.

Then Helba leaned against the window frame, and silence filled the room. The breeze coming in through the window ruffled Helba’s silky hair. But then the pleasant silence was broken by a knock at the door.

“Enter.” Helba turned, and the door to open room opened on its own. And standing in the entrance was an ugly old woman with a hunched back.

“Excuse me,” The old woman’s name was Boa. Like Bith, she was a member of Helba’s inner circle. The old woman had once been a great serpent, but in order to protect Helba while Bith was away, she changed her appearance to take on a human form and came to stay at the Palace. Taking a seat on a soft sofa in the middle of the room, Boa spoke. “Are things going well?”

“The bats didn’t say. We will simply have to wait and see how it plays out.”

“I don’t think the people of these lands will believe it. Even if your messengers deliver the news directly…… it’s just how things are.”

“The legend…… everyone living in this world knows of it, even if they wish they didn’t. Rumors of the waves will soon spread; I doubt we’ll be able to counter them with numbers, but we must act.”

“They’ve already left, haven’t they? Are you worried about them?” Helba smiled slightly when Boa asked that question.

“You may take as many precautions as you wish.”

Boa nodded firmly and slowly closed her eyes. “A shadow-bearer…… there is one around the forest, isn’t there?” She said as if only recalling it then, and Helba gave a heavy sigh.

“You mean Lilith?”

“Was that her name; the spirit of the night?”

“It won’t work.”

“Even with Bith taking charge?”

Helba closed the window and turned to Boa. “I mean it won’t work because of Bith.”

“Even though they both come from the Lands of Darkness?”

Helba nodded silently and drew two glasses and a bottle filled with a blood-red liquid from the cupboard near the sofa. She handed one of the glasses to Boa and poured some of the liquid from the bottle into it for her.

Boa downed the liquid in one gulp and looked up at Helba standing beside her. “Tastes like stag…… very good.”

Helba smiled at Boa and took a sip of the liquid in her own glass as well. “Lilith believes that Bith betrayed her.”

“Betrayed her?” Boa questioned, but then as if remembering something, murmured to herself. “Oh, was that it?”

“Lilith came to cast a shadow after a prank went wrong. Those who have shadows always end up persecuted, but Bith begged me to help Lilith.”

“That’s not a request I would have expected you to accept back then.”

“Lilith was very gifted. I wanted to do something to help her, as well.”

“Wasn’t there someone capable of sewing up a shadow after it had been cast…… couldn’t you have asked them for assistance?”

“They died in the war with the humans. It will require much more time before they are reborn.”

“I see……”

“So I had no choice but to banish her from these lands before she could be persecuted and killed for what they were.”

“And so neither young Bith, nor the spirit of the night could know how you really felt…… such is the weight of the crown.”

Helba smiled faintly, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “It’s not so bad. It feels good to stand at the top.” She said, then with a stroke of her thumb, the glass in her hand shattered into pieces.



And as Helba spoke of her – another group approached Lilith’s lodgings on the winds.

Lilith lived in a dense forest known as the Splintered Forest. Even centuries later, not a day went by when she did not hate the person who had ousted her and gotten her banished her from her home, or herself for baring that cursed shadow that she had to live with every day.

That group banged on Lilith’s door, unaware of her current disposition.

“Who……?” Lilith’s wary expression contorted as she opened the door. Because the person who had ousted her was there, and with him was a denizen of the Lands of Light, whom she also abhorred. “What?”

But Bith did not open his mouth to speak, so Fili had no choice but to answer instead. He had not come to apologize for hurting her, but to ask for her help in saving this cruel world.

Lilith’s answer was obvious.

She did not care what happened to this world. If it was destined to be destroyed, then there was no point in trying to save it. Trying to change what had already been decided by force could only cause more trouble.

Lilith refused point blank, but Fili insisted. The waves were steadily closing in. They needed to gather allies as quickly as possible. They could not afford to lose one of the scarce few shadow-bearers in a place like this.

Lilith knew of the legend, of course. And she must have heard the rumors that the Cursed Waves had appeared. Yet despite this, her answer remained the same.

So when Fili refused to back down no matter how many time she denied him, Lilith told him of what Bith had done to her.

―She used to belong to the Lands of Darkness as a spirit of the night. One night however, in spite of her caution, she was suddenly burned by a flame. It had been meant as a prank by her friends, but by then, it was too late. The shadow that had been cast onto the ground behind her could not be taken back. And just as humans persecuted spirits simply for not having shadows, spirits in the Lands of Darkness would be persecuted simply for having one. Still, even after discovering her burden, Bith had acted as her friend and encouraged her when she felt depressed. He told her that he would do something about it, but ― in the end, she had been captured by the Queen of Darkness and banished. In all the Lands of Darkness, Bith had been the only one to accept her. He had stayed by her side for so long, even after she cast a shadow. If he just hadn’t told Helba, she could have continued living in the Lands of Darkness instead of being exiled.

Lilith shook her head as if to shake off the memory of her bitter past.

“Bith betrayed me.” In response to Lilith’s tale, Fili could say nothing. He felt disgusted at Bith for having sold out a friend to improve his standing. “Would you be able to work with the person that had ousted you?”

Fili didn’t answer. He couldn’t understand everything about Lilith’s position, but he felt that he understood enough.

“If you understand, then leave.” Having said her piece, Lilith closed the door without waiting for Fili to say anything more.

Meanwhile, Bith and Saya were waiting by the pond beside Lilith’s cabin while Fili deliberated with her. By the way he went silent after seeing her, Saya had guessed something must have happened between Bith and Lilith in the past.

Then Fili returned and silently shook his head. It seemed that the negotiations had failed.

The only shadow-bearer they had known of had been Lilith. They would need to decide what to do next before they move on. They had no time to be taking shots in the dark and hoping for a miracle; they just didn’t have enough information.

Lilith was watching them through the window.

“Is this also fate……?” Her skills had been among the best in the Lands of Darkness. That was who she was― and even though her friend’s prank had been meticulously planned, it would have impossible to cast a false shadow. “Only the three shadow-bearers will be able to find the Twilight Dragon.”

Long ago, when she had been barely more than an infant, someone had shared those words with her. But she had forgotten them until these three came here to call on her.

Perhaps her coming to cast a shadow had been an inevitability, rather than an accident. Perhaps her shadow had been cast so that she could help save the world.

“But still……” She did not want to believe that she had been forced to endure centuries of suffering because of that destiny.

Lilith recalled an argument she once had with Bith.



The knowledge that she cast a shadow had become widespread among the spirits. But as they lived in the Lands of Darkness, there weren’t any obvious signs of it.

“Why……?”

Lilith had already been in despair over simply having a shadow, so when that knowledge had been spread, she became even more despondent. In the midst of all of this, Bith had been the only one to show her kindness.

“I’ll do something about it.”

“What can you do? There’s no getting rid of a shadow once it’s been cast.”

“I’ll talk to the queen and convince her to let you stay here instead of leaving.”

“……Can I trust you?”

Bith had nodded to Lilith with certainty. And she knew Bith to be a man of his word, so she had decided to trust him. Holding onto that fleeting hope, Lilith had waited for news to come from the queen.

Instead― the next thing she knew, she was being cast out of her homeland. Worse still, it had been Bith himself who had thrown her out of the Lands of Darkness.

“But why?! You said you would do something! You told me I could trust you!”

“……”

“If you had just kept your mouth shut, I could have stayed!” But no matter how loudly Lilith shouted at him, Bith would not respond.

And shortly thereafter, Bith had been brought on as a member of the queen’s entourage― Lilith had heard the rumors on the wind. He had gained the position as a reward for reporting on her to the queen.

“You sold me out……”

Ever since then, Lilith had not been able to trust anyone. She spent each day resenting Bith and the spirits that played their tricks on her.



“Even if this was because of fate, I will never forgive you……” However, in spite of that conviction, Lilith found herself hesitating.

What should she do from here on? Bith caught her gaze as she watched them from the window, as if reading her heart and mind.

And yet, no matter how much Bith stared at her, Lilith could not become their ally. They would simply have to leave empty handed. But the moment that Bith turned to walk away, Saya turned on her heels and spoke to Lilith through the door, not yet convinced.

“The past is in the past. Surely you understand that, don’t you Lilith?”

Saya tried to persuade her, but Lilith still would not join them. Still, Saya’s words had seemed to leave an impact on Lilith.

And so Lilith gave Saya information on other shadow-bearers. “There are people with shadows in the village up ahead.”

They thanked Lilith and made their way in the direction she had indicated. And after walking through the forest for a time, the group found the village Lilith had spoken of. When Saya spotted a figure, she rushed into the village with Vesper without heading Fili’s attempts to stop her.

There had been a reason that Fili had stopped, though. Because the people of this village were all humans.

Left behind, Bith and Fili decided to watch Saya from afar, but then a large figure approached from behind them. Bith noticed first, but before they could determine who the figure was, both of their bodies had been lifted into the air.

“Now what are spirits doing in a place like this?” The human – who had managed to sneak up on them and pick them both up – had to be at least two meters tall.

Bith and Fili of course had no idea. No idea at all that this large man would become their second ally.

They had appeared suddenly, but now I was chasing desperately after Bith and Fili on my broom. The wheat field that I had started from in this world was now far behind me. If there had been anything there that could have returned me to the real world, I wouldn’t be able to search for it anymore.

I had no idea what was going on.

I had just meant to play a game that my uncle made for a bit, then return to the living room before he noticed I was gone. I could never have guessed that I wouldn’t be able to return to reality. I wanted this all to just be a dream.

But the scrapes I had from tripping over the field mice earlier were real. I could feel the pain, and I was still stunned by everything that had happened.

(I want to go home, but…… what on earth am I supposed to do?)

My vision blurred with tears.

(Am I going to have to live in this world until Uncle Harald notices what happened……?)

I had to believe that. But seeing the wave firsthand had me flaring with anxiety. Even if we found the Twilight Dragon, would we really be able to defeat the waves? Or rather, without knowing anything about this world, could I really do anything to help find it?

(But…… will he notice?)

The more I let my thoughts linger on the idea, the more depressed I felt.

(What if I can’t ever make it back to the real world?)

My anxiety shot up even more.

I didn’t know what was going on in the real world now that I was gone. It was just a guess that me and the Little Witch Saya had switched places. But if not― then where was Saya now, and what should I do in her place?

(I miss mama and papa……)

The tears stinging at the corners of my eyes were threatening to spill over. Vesper must have noticed, because he called out to me. “Are you okay? You look pale.”

“I’m alright…… I think.”

“You shouldn’t push yourself too hard. We don’t know what lies ahead.”

“Right……”

This wasn’t the time to panic. I couldn’t allow myself to disappear in this world.

I guess I had to be prepared for the idea that there might not be a way back…… but deep down, I couldn’t bring myself to believe that was true.

“If you could hurry along, please.” Ahead of me, Fili the White suddenly turned to urge me onwards. “We have to move quickly to get away from the waves……”

Fili looked behind us as he said it, but when I followed his gaze, I couldn’t see the wheat field or that sickening thing they called the Cursed Wave.

“I think we’re far enough away already.”

“……you worry too much.” Bith the Black added with a sigh.

“Better safe than sorry, right?”

“We’ve got a long road ahead of us. It’d be foolish to waste all our energy right at the start.”

Making his point, Bith the Black lowered his flight speed. I had been feeling desperate to slow down a bit, so I was grateful to him. I would have to talk to him when I got the chance.

“So, who are you guys?” At that, Bith the Black looked at me with an expression of annoyance. He was a bit intimidating, but if we were going to travel together from now on, I wanted to know them better. “You should introduce yourselves. You both seem to know me already, but I don’t know who you are.”

“Not at all?” Fili the White sounded surprised.

“Did I say something strange? Should I know them?” I tried to whisper the question to Vesper, but they seemed to hear me anyways.

“……I would have expected that the Little Witch – being as knowledgeable as you are – would at least be aware of us.”

(I’m…… supposed to be knowledgeable?)

Suddenly, I felt like crying again. Would I really be able to make it in this world?

“Well, look who’s all conceited.” Bith the Black murmured, and Fili the White frowned back at him. The two of them didn’t seem to get along very well. “Everyone calls me Bith the Black, but…… since we’re going to be allies from now on, you can just call me Bith.”

“And you can call me Fili. We will be your guides until we find the Twilight Dragon.”

“Word is that Fili is a powerful spellcaster, and among the King of Light’s most trusted advisors. And the same could be said of Bith in regard to the Queen of Darkness.” Vesper explained in a whisper to me.

“Spellcasters, huh…… and I’m supposed to be one of the heroes who will save the world.”

“Hero?” Vesper tilted his head with confusion at my musings.

“It’s something from the story. Don’t worry about it.”

However, the legend said that three shadow-bearers would find the Twilight Dragon. But right now, I was the only one here who had a shadow. No matter how you looked at it, we were still two people short in this group.

Who would join us next, I wondered. It didn’t seem like we were flying this way just to escape the waves.

“So, where are we going now?”

Bith looked to Fili. It seemed like he didn’t want to be the one to deal with my questions. “We’re going to meet with a spirit who has a shadow. You know the legend, don’t you?”

“When the Cursed Waves appear, three shadow-bearers will set out in search of the Twilight Dragon that will save the world of spirits, right?”

“Exactly. And that will consist of you, the spirit we’re going to recruit now, and……” Fili started, but clammed up at the end.

“Do you not have a third in mind yet?”

“Unfortunately, we don’t…… but we are scrambling to gather intel.”

“We?”

“My fellows in the Lands of Light. Don’t worry, they will contact us as soon as they learn anything of significance.” Fili said all of this with a smile, but I could tell it was a forced smile.

“And what…… what if they don’t find any others?”

“At that point, we would have no choice but to begin the search for the Twilight Dragon with the people we have here.” Bith answered this without hesitation.

(But then it wouldn’t fit into the legend; would that really work?)

“We don’t have much time…… so I’m afraid it can’t be helped.” Fili lowered his gaze and fell silent.

“Do we really not have much time?”

At that, Bith shot me a glare as if to ask ‘did you not see the wave back there?’

“We don’t know where or when the waves will appear. For all we know, the next one could appear right before our eyes.”

“We could always run away again……”

“Be that as it may, if we just ran away every time, this world would disappear.”

(I guess that’s true……)

In the middle of our conversation, Vesper yawns in an oddly carefree way. “So, do you know where the Twilight Dragon is?”

“That is…… something else we need to gather intel on.”

“I see,”

“If they knew where it was, these people would go and find it on their own.” Vesper spoke up then to keep me from asking any more stupid questions. “You say we don’t have time, but it will be hard enough just to find someone who a shadow.”

“True enough……”

Vesper shifted his gaze from me over to Fili. “Wasn’t there anything in the ancient texts about the Twilight Dragon’s whereabouts? They keep them in the Lands of Light, do they not?”

“We are working on deciphering those, as well.”

“And do you know why you need three shadow-bearers, then?”

“That…… is something I would very much like to know myself.”

I couldn’t follow the conversation between Vesper and Fili, so I just stayed quiet and tried to listen. But I was extremely grateful that Vesper knew about my situation. It would have been impossible for me to survive in this world if I had been on my own.

(But what if I’m……?)

Another wave of anxiety threatened to overwhelm me again. “Hey…… so, hypothetically speaking, what if I was the only person in this world who had a shadow?”

“Well, if we count the humans, then there are countless people with shadows in this world. However, if we only consider those who possess both shadows and powers…… those are in much more limited supply.”

“And if those people don’t want to join us, we’re still going to search for the Twilight Dragon?”

“We don’t have any other choice.” And with that sullen remark from Bith, the conversation was brought to an end. Then he came to a stop in mid-air and looked down. “Is that the place?”

“According to my information, yes.”

The dense forest I had crossed when chasing the stag still spread out below us. And there within the forest, I could see a small pond with a log cabin covered in ivy standing next to it. From what my guides were saying, I guessed that this was where we would find the next shadow-bearer we needed.

Bith and Fili began to descend, and Vesper stared after them. “Saya, can you head down?”

“I think so. More importantly…… are those two on bad terms with each other or something?”

“They aren’t very subtle, are they?” Vesper sighed. “Bith the Black is a retainer to the Queen of Darkness, and Fili the White is a retainer to the King of Light. I mentioned that earlier, right? Well, even if there is a lull in the war between them, these two are still from enemy nations. It’s only natural they don’t get on well with each other.”

“So the fact that they’re working together must mean that the situation really is that dire……”

“Precisely.” Below, the two of them were waiting in front of the log cabin for me to descend as well. “Let’s hurry.”

At Vesper’s prompting, I tried to lower myself to the ground. But when I did, the broom suddenly dropped with incredible speed. “Aah!”

The world flipped upside-down in my eyes, and the ground was approaching fast.

Frantically, I tried to grab tighter to the broom, but in a panic, I let it slip through my fingers, and then we fell in earnest.

“Are you serious?!” I shut my eyes tight as Vesper screamed in my ear.

(Am I going to die like this?)

Fortunately, however, Vesper and I fell onto a pile of straw in front of the cabin that cushioned our fall.

(Why……)

Tears in my eyes, I crawled out while covered in straw. But thanks to that, I didn’t seem to have gotten hurt.

“Saya you fool! I thought you said you would be fine!”

“I’m sorry……”

“Without this straw, we would have been flattened – honestly!”

I’d been able to descend easily at the lake after chasing the stag, but I guess it had been naïve of me to think it would be that easy every time. Maybe my body didn’t remember as much as I thought it did.

Meanwhile, Bith and Fili watched my exchange with Vesper with bemused expressions.

“Um…… are you okay?” Fili sounded genuinely worried, so I flashed him a quick smile and told him I was fine.

“Then let’s hurry this up.” Bith had crossed his arms like he was upset, then turned to walk towards the cabin door. Quickly, I got back to my feet and followed. “It’ll be your job to persuade them, alright?” Bith told Fili.

“I get it. If you tried to negotiate with them, they’d be too intimidated to join us, right?” Fili stepped up to the door as he spoke, but then looked back as if something had just occurred to him. “Although…… as far as I know, the spirit that lives here is definitely from the Lands of Darkness.”

“……I didn’t know that. Must be a stray or something.”

“Hm,”

“At least, I’m pretty sure I have a good grasp of where all the spirits are who belong to the Lands of Darkness.

“Very well, then……”

Accepting that explanation, Fili took a breath and knocked.

“What are they talking about?” I asked Vesper in hushed tones.

“I don’t know; I’ve never been banished for having a shadow after all. In any case, be more careful from now on! There won’t be any haybales around to break your fall next time.”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I’ll be more careful.”

Fili knocked again on the door after a moment, but there was no sign of anyone coming to answer.

“Did they step out?” Fili cocked his head as he stared at the door. And behind him, Bith did the same with his arms still crossed. “Is anyone home?”

Fili moved to knock one more time, and finally a sound came from inside as the door creaked open. Through the gap, a pair of bright red eyes framed by long lashes peered out at them.

And next to me, Bith seemed very surprised to see those eyes. A look of total disbelief came over his expression as he caught sight of them.

“Who is it?” The person inside the cabin seemed to be a woman – and she sounded like she was scared of something.

“We’re no one dangerous. I just have a favor to ask of you……” Fili met the woman’s red eyes through the open door as he spoke.

“What?” But when she responded this time, the woman’s voice sounded harsh instead of scared.

“You’ve probably heard the rumors, but the Cursed Waves of legend have begun their invasion.”

“And so what? That’s not any of my concern.”

“I want you to leave this place and come with us right away. If you don’t you’ll be in danger.”

“But why should I leave with you? If I’m going to run, I can make my own way.”

“Why? Because― because you are one of the shadow-bearers from the legend.”

In response to her cold disposition, Fili spoke more plainly. But at this, the woman scoffed from behind the door. “So it’s not a request, but an order? Bit of an aggressive approach, don’t you think?

“Please, we don’t have much time; I’m begging you!”

Fili dropped into a deep bow, and seeing that from him, I felt suddenly self-conscious and did the same. Next to me however, Bith didn’t move a muscle. He had seemed so rude and callous before, but looking at him now, I could see something crack in his expression.

“Who else is here with you?” I heard the door open and looked up.

The woman’s skin was so white it was practically translucent in the sunlight. She had short silver hair that framed her small face well and swayed gently in the forest breeze. Her legs stood bare from the end of a short, one-piece, indigo dress, and she was surprisingly slender.

I couldn’t help but stare at her.

(Wow, she’s gorgeous……)

But the moment her eyes fell on Bith standing next to me – her expression reflected just as much shock as his had a moment earlier.

“Why……”

Fili and I looked between the two of them. And seeing embarrassment in Bith’s expression, I realized what was happening.

(They used to know each other, didn’t they……?)

“Why are you here……?” The woman lifted her hand to her mouth and looked on the verge of tears. Bith frowned, but just turned his back on her and started walking away as if to escape her gaze.

“W–wait a second!” I chased after him in a panic.

I didn’t know what happened between them, but it wouldn’t do any good for him to leave without saying anything. They were the ones always saying we didn’t have much time, so whatever had happened, we had no choice but to bow our heads and beg her to join us.

Bith went and kneeled down at the edge of the pond near the cabin.

I sat down next to him and decided to ask what was wrong. I’d been told off for being nosy like this in the past, but I couldn’t help being curious, and now didn’t seem like the time to be worrying about that.

“Did something happen between you two?” Bith shot me a violent glare at the question. It made me hesitate, but I felt like if I backed down, I would never know the truth, so I held my ground and tried again. “The way you looked at her…… I was worried about it. I thought that maybe you two must already know each other.”

If he didn’t answer this time, I didn’t think I’d be able to push any further. I never had been good at dealing with tense situations for very long.

For a moment, I stared at Bith’s profile as he hesitated and stared blankly into space. “You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to……”

“No, it’s fine.” Bith stared out at the pond for a long moment, then let out a heavy sigh. “He won’t be able to convince her.”

“He won’t?”

“As long as I’m here― Lilith will never agree to help us.”

“So her name is Lilith…… and you used to know her?”

“A long time ago, yes; but she was exiled. I never knew where she went after that…… I didn’t expect to find her in place like this.” Bith gazed up at the sky as he spoke, staring at the heavy clouds that obscured the sun. “It’s my fault…… if I hadn’t said anything, Lilith would still be living in the Lands of Darkness.”

(His fault?)

I tried to quietly urge him to continue.

“I was the only who could protect Lilith…… but I betrayed her. I hadn’t meant to. It all just went so wrong.”

Having gotten the ball rolling, Bith calmly explained what he had done in the past. But the way he talked; it was more like he was talking to himself than to me.

―Hundreds of years ago, Lilith had belonged to the Lands of Darkness as a spirit of the night. But one night, because of a prank played on her by her friends, she had been burned by a flame. That flame cast a shadow on the ground behind her, and since then, the spirits began to persecute Lilith because she had a shadow. Bith had heard about her situation as well, but still tried to cheer up as her friend when she felt down. But then Lilith had been captured by the Queen and banished from the Lands of Darkness. And that had been because Bith of all people had told the Queen about her.

All I could do was listen quietly while Bith continued muttering to himself. “I’m unforgivable…… even if I only wanted to help……”

Bith dropped his head in shame at his own confession. I wasn’t sure what to do, so I just sat there next to him as a gentle breeze sent ripples through the surface of the pond and waited silently for Bith to calm down.

(But……)

The past is in the past. I felt that― for Lilith, who had spent all this time in resentment over what happened, and for Bith, who had regretted it ever since, that should be enough. It would be far too tragic if their feelings went unspoken to each other after hundreds of years.

But, what if Lilith refused to join us? What if either we or Lilith were engulfed by the waves? Then Bith would never be able to tell her how he really felt.

“Sorry……” Bith apologized, but I shook my head.

“I’m the one who asked. I should be the one to apologize.” Bith replaced his hat on his head and stood back up. It looked like he might try to leave at any moment, so I hurried to stop him. “But, can I ask you one more thing?”

“?”

“You didn’t mean to betray her, right, Bith?”

“Of course not.”

“Then, does Lilith know that? If you don’t say anything, nothing can change, you know?”

“Have you ever ruined another person’s life before?”

“……I haven’t.” I couldn’t understand what Bith was feeling, but I was sure this was his only chance. “I haven’t, but― I think this is an opportunity for you to hear how Lilith feels about it, too.”

“That’s absurd.” Bith breathed a heavy sigh at my suggestion. “We should just get Fili and leave.”

“We can’t!” I grabbed Bith’s arm and held on with all my strength before he could walk away. “You might not see each other again, you know? You might never get another chance like this!”

“……”

“It might sound strange for me to being saying this when we’ve only just met, but…… I think if you don’t say something to her now, you’re definitely regret it later. Or rather, it seems like you already regret it, but it’ll only get worse if you walk away now.” The faces of my carefree Papa and gentle Mama floated through my mind. “You have to let people know what you’re thinking. You never know when you might lose the chance to see each other again.”

I accidentally let my own fears seep into my pleas, but that actually seemed to give them more weight.

“Bith……?”

After a moment, he finally opened his mouth to speak again. “……I never thought I’d see her again.”

“But now you have. You’re both here, and this could be your last chance.”

“My last……”

Bith hid his face behind his hat. I could see that he was at a loss for what to do.

“I’m sure Lilith would want to reconcile with you, too…… after all, you two were close before, weren’t you?”

“……” Bith kept quiet at that, though.

“Fine, I’ll go get Lilith, then!” Unable to sit and do nothing any longer, I ran back towards the cabin.

I knew what it was like to worry you’d never see someone important to you again.

(I can’t think like that― I have to believe I’ll see them again.)

I knew how painful it was.

Fili was still standing at the door when I approached, but Lilith was nowhere to be seen. It looked like she must have stepped back inside. And when Fili saw me, he shook his head.

“It was no good. It’s―”

“I know.”

“?”

“You’re going to say it’s Bith fault, aren’t you?”

“He’s the worst…… turning her in like that.”

Fili had been insistent with me, so I guessed he must have asked Lilith why she wouldn’t join us. He glared out in the direction Bith had walked off to, so I asked him to step aside.

“What are you doing, Saya?” Vesper asked anxiously, standing next to Fili’s feet, but I ignored his question and banged my fist against the door.

“Lilith! Hear me out!”

I banged on the door over and over again. Even after my hand started going numb, I kept knocking.

“Knock it off, already! What do you want?” But eventually, Lilith yelled at me through the door.

“I want you to hear Bith out.”

“Hear him out? I don’t want to listen to his excuses for turning me in.”

“That was a misunderstanding!” Vesper and Fili stared at me incredulously as I raised my voice in the doorway. “The past is in the past. You know it isn’t right to hold a grudge against Bith forever, don’t you?”

“……”

What had Lilith been thinking when she fell silent behind that door?

“I don’t think you realize just…… just how hard Bith was trying to help you.”

“What would you know about it!?”

Suddenly, the door flew open and threw me onto my butt. “Ouch……” Lilith’s eyes were wet with tears when she emerged from her cabin.

“After hundreds of years…… you expect me to just forgive him? After all this time…… even if he apologizes now…… it’s too late……”

Looking up at Lilith, I realized that she was trembling from head-to-toe. “But if you understand, isn’t that enough? Just like you, Bith has been regretting what happened all this time. He tried his hardest to help you, you know? He was trying to be careful; he just made a mistake. I don’t think I can even fully comprehend Bith’s remorse.”

A single tear fell down Lilith’s cheek as she stared down at me. “……Who are you?”

“Me? Um……” Vesper watched me with concern from my side. He seemed to be wondering if I even knew the answer to that question myself. “I’m the Little Witch Saya.”

“Little Witch…… you live in that wheat field, don’t you?”

I nodded blankly. “That wheat field is gone now, though.”

Lilith’s expression clouded over for a moment.

“How long are you going to sit there?” Lilith wiped her tears away and smiled.

“Ah……” I moved to stand up, but then Lilith’s shadow fell over me as she offered a hand to me.

I took her hand and let her help me to my feet. Lilith’s hand was so cold and thin that I worried I might break it if I squeezed too hard.

“I do understand what you’re trying to say.”

“You do? Then let’s-”

“But I can’t go.”

“Huh?”

“If I was exiled even though Bith tried his hardest, then wouldn’t the waves be the same? Even if I did everything I could to help, it’ll still end up the same.”

“That isn’t what I mea―”

“I’ve already given up.” Lilith spoke with apathy, then turned her back on me. “If it’s our destiny to be consumed by the waves, then there’s no point in fighting it.”

“But that’s……”

At a loss, I looked to Fili and Vesper for aid, but they just shook their heads. I had done my best, but I couldn’t reach Lilith in the end.

I couldn’t help but sigh. Even if Bith came and tried to persuade her himself now, I was sure Lilith wouldn’t change her decision.

Which meant that – at this point – I was still the only shadow-bearer we knew of willing to search for the Twilight Dragon.

“But……” Then, Lilith spoke again, though she didn’t turn back to face me.

“?”

“There are people with shadows in the village further into the Splintered Forest.”

“?!”

“That’s the most help I can offer you right now.”

Lilith’s voice was shaking as she spoke, and once she had said it, she stepped back into her cabin and closed the door again. All we could do was silently watch her go.

“……Let’s move on.” Fili called when I didn’t step away from the door for too long. “What Bith did isn’t something that can be forgiven so easily.”

“I know that, but―”

“We don’t have time to keep pressing her. If we use the information Lilith gave us, then at least this trip won’t have been a complete waste.”

Back in the direction we came from, thick clouds were starting to spread over the sky, heralding the waves approach.

The waves were already on their way. And I had no idea how quickly they would arrive.

Fili met my eyes. “I…… cannot forgive Bith. There must have been a better way to protect her. But― there’s no point in arguing that now.

It seemed we would have to give up on Lilith. I didn’t want to blame Bith for that, though. This was just the inevitable result of their crossing paths― at least, that was what I told myself.

I called out to Bith, who was still standing by the pond, and we decided to take the Splintered Forest by foot to search for the village that Lilith mentioned. I told Bith about my conversation with Lilith, but he didn’t give any response. It seemed like he also felt that it couldn’t have been helped.

I had no idea how far we would have to walk to find this village, but Bith said that we could miss it if we were flying, so it was better to walk. And during that time, Bith and Fili didn’t say a word to each other.

I took my eyes off of them to glance back one last time at Lilith’s cabin.

“Ah……” But when I looked, Lilith was there. standing by the pond outside. And it seemed like she was watching me specifically, so I decided to wave to her. “Thank you! See you again.” I called out. Because somehow, I felt certain that we would meet again.

Or at least, I couldn’t imagine this being our first and only goodbye.

Lilith frowned at me for that, though, and escaped back into her cabin. Then once she was out of sight, I hurried to catch up with Bith and Fili.

Without a word, the two of them traced a path through the forest as if they knew exactly where they were going. And with no option but to hope that they would eventually say something, I followed after them in silence.

But no matter how far we walked, they never did say anything. We just kept going on and on in silence.

“Where is it?” When I finally couldn’t stand it any longer, I asked a question to break the silence.

“We couldn’t have gotten turned around, could―”

Fili turned to look at me sharply. “If we have, then we should pick up the pace. Thanks to a certain someone, we’ve ended up wasting a lot of time.”

He glared at Bith ahead of us as he said that last part. “Fili……”

“I’m not saying anything that isn’t true.” Fili asserted, then suddenly picked up his pace as if he were trying to compete with Bith.

“I was just trying to lighten the mood……” I muttered, and overhearing me, Vesper sighed.

“You shouldn’t try to force conversation in these situations.”

“I couldn’t take the silence anymore.”

“Maybe, but you also need to be able to read the atmosphere.”

“……Sorry.”

Then Vesper’s nose twitched in the air as he hung from my shoulder. “I can smell it now.” He said as the setting sun dyed the forest in shades of red, turning everything the color of fire. “We’re close.”

“Close?”

In the middle of this otherworldly scene, Vesper’s declaration spooked me, and I turned to looked around at my surroundings.

Then up ahead, a village came into view made of several cloth tents with people walking around out in the open.

“There it is!”

“Wait!” I ran forward, but Vesper shouted at me as I passed Bith and Fili to approach the village.

“What?” I asked as Fili grabbed my arm to stop me from going any further.

“They’re humans!”

“Humans?” I hesitated. “Isn’t that good, though? Humans have shadows, right?”

“They have shadows, yes; but they don’t possess the power to help us.”

“Shouldn’t we at least talk to them, though? We don’t know that for certain.”

“No, we do.”

“How?”

“The legend says that the waves will invade the world of spirits.”

“I know, I’ve heard it a thousand times by now.” I argued, but Fili just shook his head.

“It has nothing to do with humans. They won’t risk their lives to help us deal with something that isn’t a threat to them.”

“How does it have nothing to do with them?”

“There is nothing to suggest that the waves will ever target humans.”

“But won’t it affect them here anyways?”

Again, Fili shook his head. “The humans have a king, too. But he didn’t attend the meeting at the cathedral. He said it didn’t matter because he wouldn’t be attacked by the waves as a human…… that’s all there is to it.”

With that, Fili released his grip on me and suggested we go around and continue on. “But didn’t Lilith tell us to check the village?” Bith cut in between me and Fili, and I nodded to him.

“There might still be someone here that can help us.”

“But they’re humans! Can’t you see from their shadows?” Fili raised his voice.

As he said, every person we could see walking from tent to tent had a shadow. “I don’t believe that Lilith would have lied to us.”

“She only said that we could find shadow-bearers. She didn’t mention if they had any powers.”

“You know……” Bith sighed loudly.

“Maybe she just said it to get back at you for betraying her.”

“Lilith wouldn’t do that!”

“Maybe she wouldn’t, but we are running out of time. Look at the sky!”

Hearing Fili yell, I did as he said and looked up. From back in the direction of the wheat field, the sky was being covered in the thick clouds that were brought on by the waves, and they were still growing closer, even now.

Bith seemed to realize that as well, and Fili sighed heavily. “You get it? It would be waste of time to stop here and look for someone to help us in this hamlet.”

“We don’t know that it would be a waste of time yet.”

“I’m telling you, we need to get moving again before the wave comes and swallows us all up.”

But while Bith and Fili argued, I slipped away and approached the village.

“You’re going?” I nodded in response to Vesper’s question.

I agreed with Bith – I didn’t believe Lilith would lie to us – so there must be someone here that could help us.

Besides, they were wasting enough time as it was just by arguing with each other.

“Um, excuse me……”

I called out to a boy in the village. He was wearing a sooty beige cloak, holding a stick, and greeted me with a smile as if he had been expecting me.

“Welcome. Are you here to speak with the elder?” The boy watched me intently as he spoke. His eyes were so black that it felt like he was looking right through my soul. “You want to ask him about the legend, right?”

I hadn’t said anything, yet somehow, he said exactly what was on my mind. “Huh…… um, yes. Can I meet him?”

“This way.”

The boy stuck the stick he was holding in his boot, took my hand, and started leading me through the village. And as we walked, the people around us watched me curiously.

Humans persecuted spirits because they didn’t have shadows. But I did have a shadow, so what do these humans think of someone like me?

“Hey……” The boy looked at me with a beaming smile and spoke to ease my worries. “Don’t worry about it. They’re all just staring because we don’t often get visitors.”

“How do you know what I’m thinking?” I asked, but the boy just snickered like I’d told a joke.

“How, indeed; pretty strange, isn’t it?” The boy asked. Vesper and I exchanged a look as we came to a stop in front of a large tent. “Elder! The Little Witch has arrived.”

The boy called into the tent, and then the entrance pulled open on its own.

“Go on in.” The boy let go of my hand and bowed his head reverently. “I can’t go with you, I’m afraid.”

“Thank you.” Unsure what to expect, I walked into the tent.

“Welcome.”

Inside the tent― an old man with a long beard and eyebrows covering his face sat in the center of the floor lit by torchlight. “Hello, sir.” I bowed politely to the man, remembering to pinch the hem of my dress in a curtsy.

“Theo told me you would be coming. Are Fili and Bith waiting outside, then?”

“Theo?”

“Pardon me a moment,” with a sudden cough, the elderly man picked up an oddly-shaped cup from the ground next to him and drank from it. “The child who brought you here. He possesses the power of precognition.”

“The power of…… precognition?”

“And he is not the only one. Every person in this village possesses one power or another.”

Now it made sense why the boy seemed to know so much. “Then, you must know that―”

But the elder held up his hand to cut me off. “I know. However, I am afraid that I cannot help you.”

“Huh……?”

“I do understand the situation. But I can offer you no aid.”

“Because it won’t affect humans…… is that why?”

“No,” The elder took a deep breath, warned me this would be a long story, and then began an explanation with a gentle voice.

―This village was a gathering of people known as psychics. And because of their abilities, they were persecuted and chased out of the human world. With nowhere else to go, they were forced to wander this world aimlessly. After a long and arduous journey, they finally found a place where they could settle with no spirits or humans to persecute them.

“We have all grown tired of wandering.” The elder said as he took another gulp of his drink. “If we remain here, we are sure to be swallowed up by the waves as well. But that too is our fate.”

“But that’s……”

“Our lifespans are not so long as the spirits. Many of us have spent half of our lives wandering just to find this place, and some were mentally broken by the time they arrived. I do not wish to send these people who have finally settled down on yet another journey.”

“But……”

“Not all of us possess the strength to protect ourselves. Some haven’t even fully realized their abilities at all. But all of them have fought hard to arrive here.”

“……”

“You have no right to disrupt our way of life. Do you disagree?”

All I could do was shake my head. There was nothing I could say. Nobody asks to be born different, I understood all too well what it was like for these people, born with powers they never asked for, to be persecuted by humans.

I knew it couldn’t be helped, but all the same, I couldn’t hide my shock. “I’m sorry……”

“As am I.” With the elder’s words weighing on me, I started back out of the tent. But he called out to me again at the last moment. “Why is it you try so hard?”

I turned back and tilted my head at him. It seemed like an odd question to ask if he knew what the legend said. The answer should have been obvious. The world was in danger; so why was he asking me that?

But the elder simply ran a hand through his beard and stared at me. “I am asking why you – who has been thrust into this world – are so desperately searching for allies?”

(Thrust into……?)

“This person seems to know who you really are.” Vesper whispered, though the idea of it sounded crazy.

I couldn’t take my eyes off of the elder. “Was I…… mistaken?”

“……How do you know about that?”

“Because that is my power.” The elder smiled. “Though, to be completely honest, I don’t quite understand how it works myself.”

Desperately, I tried to explain myself to the elder. “I want to return to my own world. In order to do that, I can’t let myself disappear in this world― I don’t know how to go home, so until then, I have to do what I can here.”

The elder stared at me. “Then, if you knew how to go back, would you abandon this world?”

“Huh……?”

“Or are you prepared to live out your life in this doomed world?”

“That’s……”

I hadn’t even considered that. I just wanted to go home, that was all. I hadn’t given it a thought what would happen to this world once I returned to my own.

“You have every right to want to go home. But what will happen to this world if you leave it behind?”

“……”

“I will ask again – are you prepared to live in this world?”

My head felt like it was spinning and I lost my balance. If we were wrong in the assumption that Saya and I had traded places, then the moment I returned to my world, there would be no one left to take my place in this one.

My heart raced in my chest.

“Saya…… you don’t have to force yourself to worry about that.” Vesper said, concerned for me. But my heart still wouldn’t stop racing.

“I……”

I liked Vesper, who knew who I was and cared about me. And I didn’t dislike Fili or Bith, either. I even said ‘see you later’ to Lilith when she’d looked worried. In this world, I was sure there were many more people I could meet, and who I would remember when I left. But that was all. It would all just be a memory then.

I wanted to see my Mama and Papa again, but I didn’t want to regret leaving when I did. I clutched at my chest.

(Papa, Mama…… I’m sorry.)

“I don’t want to have any regrets.”

“Saya……”

“If I left this world now, I’m sure I would regret it later.”

“Does that mean you are prepared?”

“I don’t know, but…… when I go home, I want to be able to leave this world with a smile on my face.” I looked up to meet the elder’s eyes, and he looked back into mine.

At that time― I still didn’t understand the situation I was really in.

I was convinced that I could save this world and return to my original world unharmed. But if I had known then that would be impossible― I’m sure I would have answered differently.

How long had I stood there? The elder just smiled at me. “Very well.”

I tilted my head in confusion, not understanding him.

(What does he mean?)

“There is one person here who does still love to travel. I shall introduce you to him.”

“Huh……”

“Theo!” At his call, the boy from earlier entered the tent with a smile on his face. “Gendor should already be getting acquainted with the Little Witch’s friends.”

Then Theo squeezed my hand and gave me a big smile. “Good for you.”

“U-um……”

“Gendor has yet to awaken his power, but I’m sure he will still be useful to you.”

“What kind of person is he?”

“He’s just outside.”

The elder stood up and stepped outside the tent. Then, Theo pulled me along to follow after him.

It was already dark outside, and torches had been placed everywhere. Standing in that light in front of the tent were Fili and Bith, frowning next to a man that was twice as tall as me.

“Are you Gendor?”

“Nice to meet you.”

Gendor spoke with a deep, drawling voice and dropped into a deep bow. He had long silver hair tied behind his back, and held his large hand forward for a handshake.

“Nice to meet you as well.” His hand felt warm around mine as I shook it.

“You must be Saya. My name is Gendor.”

“So, you like to travel?”

“I do. I don’t know if I can be of much help, but I will go with you.” As Gendor said that, he patted Fili and Bith on their heads standing to either side of him.

(How odd…… they made it sound like like humans were no good, but they seem to be getting along fine.)

They looked uneasy, but I felt relieved seeing them there, so I smiled.

At any rate, we had one more ally with us. Though it seemed like I was the only one who was genuinely happy about it.

“No time to waste, we should get moving as soon as possible.”

Fili hurried us along, and Gendor nodded happily as he carried a large pack on his back.

“So, where are we off to now?”

“We’ll want to gather more information, so we should head to Arche Haokar.”

“What’s that?”

“Probably the largest city in the world.”

“Let’s go.” Bith said and flew away from Gendor.

At the sight of it, Gendor’s eyes widened in surprise and amazement.

“Hold on a moment.” But Fili called for Bith to wait before he went off ahead and turned to face Gendor. “Are you not able to fly?”

Gendor tilted his head slowly. “Could I fly?” He asked, posing the question to the elder standing behind us to see him off.

“What-!?”

At the same time, both Fili on the ground and Bith in the sky let out a shout of shock.

“You can’t fly……” Fili’s shoulders dropped in dismay.

“Could we carry him on my broom?” I consulted with Vesper, but he just told me that the broom would break if we tried it.

So although we didn’t have much time, it seemed we would have no choice but to proceed on foot.

Episode 3//amnesia

An oddly large full moon was floating in the sky on a dark, cloudless night. However, there were no stars to be seen. The moon alone stood visible, as if it had taken sole possession of the night sky.

And underneath that sky― a pure white palace of ivory stood tall. Patterns adorned its many tall, wide pillars, and colorful banners hung from the roof, which held the shape of an onion. Warm torchlight shone through every window, emitting a pale golden light throughout the palace as it was bathed in moonlight.

This was the Palace of Apeiron, the King of Light.

And at this time, Apeiron was walking down a spiral stone staircase alone, heading towards the basement. There were torches placed here and there, but he had no trouble walking in the dark. Each step he took echoed as shadows danced across the walls. Surrounded by that eerie silence, Apeiron continued all the way to the bottom of the stairs, and then walked down the hallway there.

He thought back on the report he had received earlier from one of Fili’s familiar.

“Unfortunately, negotiations with Lilith – whom we had known of in advance – have fallen through. However, a human with a shadow who lived within the Splintered Forest nearby has joined our group instead.”

But Apeiron was concerned. “Does it not matter if they are spirit or human, as long as they have a shadow?” Apeiron muttered to himself as he came up on a pair of large double doors and stared up at them.

Pausing in front of it, he inserted the key from a chain around his neck into the lock on the door. The door made a creaking sound as it opened on its own and light leaked through the widening entrance. The room beyond was known as the Great Archive, where all the ancient books and records were held.

Apeiron made his way inside. “King Apeiron!”

All at once, the spirits in the room turned around to look at him. “Have you made any progress deciphering the texts?”

The spirits all exchanged looks with each other and then collectively shook their heads. And seeing this, Apeiron let out a heavy sigh.

There were very few spirits who could read the ancient script. Most of those who could had lost their lives in the war with the Lands of Darkness, and it would be many more years before they were reborn. So their only choice was to decipher the text with those present, but it was unlikely they would be able to finish in time.

But Apeiron himself was one of the spirits capable of reading the ancient script, so he picked out one of the books from the top of the stacks, pulled out a chair beside him, and opened the heavy volume to begin deciphering it.

Apeiron opened to a page that detailed the legend of the Twilight Dragon. It should have been in perfect condition― but after being handed down through the ages, there was some wear and tear to it.

Could a shadow-bearer be anyone? Could the Twilight Dragon be found without three of them? Where did it come from? Where was it now? And could spirits survive without the Twilight Dragon’s intervention?

Long ago, when they were first born into the world― the spirits of the time had once repelled the Cursed Waves. And it was believed that it was the power of the Twilight Dragon that had allowed them to do so. That was probably why those ancient spirits had left behind these records to pass on their legends.

“……”

However, if that were the case― why then had every last one of them disappeared? Apeiron pondered that question as he continued to flip through the book.

Even he – the King of Light – could not fully comprehend the ancient script. However, he could at least skim through for the information he wanted to know.

“Cu……” Then, Apeiron stopped to stare at a page.

The spirits around him peered at the page he had opened to.

“My King…… is something wrong?” The spirit shifted their gaze between the king and his open volume.

“Cubia……” Apeiron muttered aloud.

“Cubia?”



Cubia, the Hidden One.



Apeiron pointed to those words, written on the page in scratchy letters.

“Is it the name of a spirit?” The spirits surrounding Apeiron looked to each other and began discussing at once. However, that was not the answer. It did not seem to be the name of a spirit.

Apeiron frowned as he tried desperately to read the scratched writings, but it was no use. The text was too faded. “Could it be the name of a human, I wonder……?”

The names of every spirit could all be found in their records, both those belonging to Light and to Darkness. However, when it came to human names, there was no way to know them all. Humans did not inherit their names from a predecessor like spirits did. Even those who did inherit another’s blood and abilities would bare a different name, and the explosive way in which humans propagated left Apeiron incapable of learning all of their names. Even for the humans themselves, it must have been a terribly time-consuming task to keep track of them.

Yet he was only hearing of Cubia now, from reading this record. On one page, there was picture of a monster with many thick roots growing out of a skeletal face

“This is Cubia……?”

Apeiron ruminated on the image and rubbed his eyes, racking his mind to try and remember if there was ever a spirit by that name. And seeing their King in that state, the other spirits all returned to their records as well.

In the subsequent silence, only the sound of turning page could be heard echoing through the Archive. “Could it be connected to this?” Then, one of the spirits placed a book down in front of Apeiron, opened to page of text just as scratchy and faded as the one about Cubia.



Unknown are the Cursed Waves origins.

After the stars doth cross the heavens,

When the eastern sky doth grow dark and the air fills with mourning.

From the fated land beyond the Splintered Forest, a harbinger of the waves come.

Skeith carves the path.

As the Shadow of Death, to wipe out all obstacles that stand before.

Innis, the Mirage of Deceit.

Did betray all with false visions, and in so doing, did aid the wave to reach the heavens,

Then from the zenith, crashes down and ripples out, giving way for a new wave.

This was the power of Magus.

Wherever the wave appears, sorrow and despair rule, extinguishing the light of hope.

Such is the power of Fidchell, to bring dark tiding of the future.

Even as the Cursed Waves consume all, Gorre continues to scheme.

Macha tempts with a sweet trap.

And there, the wave rages at the Pinnacle, where none shall escape.

For Tarvos remains, to continue the hunt.

With even greater cruelty, to punish and destroy.

In furious retribution.

Thus, only a void shall remain in the wake of the waves.

And from the depths of that emptiness, Corbenik arrives.

So too may the waves be but a harbinger.



Skeith, Innis, Magus, Fidchell, Gorre, Macha, Tarvos, and Corbenik― Apeiron had never heard any of those names before.

“The waves have names?”

“……It looks that way, yes.”

“But then― if that is the case, and we could escape the eight eaves, would we not be able to survive?”

Seeing a glimmer of hope, the spirit spoke with glee. “If so, then wouldn’t it be better to think of a way to escape rather than searching for the Twilight Dragon?”

However, Apeiron remain skeptical. “I am concerned about the last line. Even if these are the names of the waves, it is written as though they themselves are precursors; as though something else will follow after them.”

“Wouldn’t that be what Cubia is, then?” The spirit seemed convinced, but Apeiron was still uncertain.

If that were the case, why were they written of in two separate books? Cubia was also depicted to have a proper form, not as an indistinct, bulbous wave. There was surely a reason they had been separated.

“See if this is mentioned anywhere else!”

Looking for any clues as to what Cubia truly was― they continued deciphering the records deep into the night.



But meanwhile, the Little Witch – who had entered the Splintered Forest – was being chased by someone. It was her Other I, the Kar.

And when Fili had seen his Other I, he had broken down in tears. The reason was simple― because legends told that anyone who saw their Other I would die soon thereafter. However, that was only how it was told within the Lands of Light and the world of humans. In the Lands of Darkness however, the Kar were said to bring good fortune and strengthen one’s spellcraft.

“Just try to calm down.”

The Little Witch raced through the Splintered Forest while trying to cheer Fili and the human Gendor up. Bith was dumbfounded by the whole display, but said nothing of it. However, the Kar were persistent, and as it became difficult for them to keep running, the group devised a plan.

To force the Kar to reveal their identities and flee.

When Fili realized what the Kar truly was, he felt ashamed of himself for being so afraid. And in an attempt to rid himself of that stigma, he took charge and moved ahead.

That night, after having fended off the Kar, the Little Witch’s group was attacked by a great and ancient monster in Coite-Bodher, a swamp just beyond the Splintered Forest. The monster’s name was Cubia.

It was one problem after another.

While Bith and Fili fought back with their spellcraft― the Little Witch was struggling to restore the flowers that had been mowed down around her while Gendor kept back from the battle, since his abilities had not yet been awakened.

Then in their time of need, the last of their allies rushed to their aid.

After taking a night’s rest in the human village, we re-entered the forest. Even Fili, who had been impatiently insisting that we had no time to waste, did not object to waiting until sunrise when he realized that we wouldn’t be able to fly.

The Splintered Forest was also known as the Lost Woods. It would be suicide to try and navigate them without a guide― so I spoke with the trees and plants of the forest to lead us west and not get lost.

Apparently, if we continued west, we would reach the largest and most prosperous city in the world. And once we arrived, we would gather information about shadow-bearers and the Twilight Dragon.

“I’ve never gone this deep into the forest before.” Seeing Gendor walk around carelessly through the forest, Bith and Fili both sighed deeply.

We couldn’t even see the sky through the branches of the trees here. So, in this forest where light didn’t reach, the only things we had to rely on were some faintly glowing moss that Bith was carrying and my vague ability to speak with plants. We didn’t dare use fire here. We couldn’t― because there was no telling when a flame would burn out and us with no way to find our way back out.

I was all in favor of not using fire, too. Because if something happened and my broom bought fire, I would be in big trouble.

There was no marked path through the forest. Ivy as thick as branches hung from the trees, carnivorous plants grew everywhere, and somewhere overhead, we could hear birds chirping in the canopy.

(I’ve only ever read about it in books before, but I bet this is what the Sea of Trees in Japan is like……)

Bith carried the moss in a glass jar they had received from the humans of the village as we trudged through grass tall enough to reach my waist and tried not to get our feet caught in any mud.

Occasionally, I would put my hands on the trees and speak with them. Somehow, I was able to understand their language, and so we walked, turning in places to bypass large tree roots and rocks.

“How far do we have to go before we get out of the forest?” Gendor questioned, and Fili pondered it for a moment.

“I’m not really sure…… I’ve always just flown over it until now.”

“I see……”

“If we could have flown, I don’t think it would it would have taken more than an hour.”

Hearing that from Fili, Gendor’s shoulder’s fell. “I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m not blaming you; I’m grateful that you agreed to join us, really.”

“I- I’ll do my best!”

With that boost to his confidence, Gendor began walking with longer strides, covering more ground in a single step than we could in three. But we couldn’t have him rushing ahead of us and getting lost, so we all had to quicken our pace to keep up.

“Well…… as long as we don’t get lose, we should be able to make it out by the end of the day.” Bith stated, and looked to me. “We’ll be counting on you.”

“Me?” I couldn’t help feeling unworthy of that much trust.

But Vesper whispered to me, “You have an important role here.”

“So if I misinterpret the trees directions, I’ll definitely get yelled at……”

“I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”

“……”

After another few minutes, I placed a hand on another nearby tree.

(We want to go west, which way should we walk?)

“Aha!”

“!”

A loud noise echoed from overhead and startled me, making me pull away from the tree in fright.

Then I heard the sound of someone laughing.

“Don’t be afraid.” In front of my eyes, the trees seemed to shift as if I were looking at a heat wave.

“What?”

Beside me, Gendor looked up with shock as the shifting air solidified into a humanoid shape and gradually took on color.

Fili warned me to stand back as he held out his spell staff, but the figure didn’t seem dangerous to me.

“It’s alright, this is the Daoine Sí …… fairies of the forest.” Vesper spoke up, and the figure responded.

“That’s correct.”

A girl appeared before us wearing something like a mini dress with light green frills. But she wasn’t alone, there were several others with her.

“Fili…… isn’t this too many?”

“That’s right, you haven’t forgotten about us, have you?”

“Even pointing your spell staff at us.”

“I apologize……”

Fili shied back at the girl’s accusations, and seeming satisfied with that, they turned to look at me.

“Sorry we startled you.”

“We wouldn’t have normally called out to you, but……” The girls looked at Bith with a suspicious gaze. And he in turn sighed as he watched the conversation from a distance. It seemed the news that the Lands of Light and Darkness had joined hands in order to deal with the waves had not yet reached this forest. “Why is there a spirit of darkness here!?”

“And a human, too…… just what is going on here?”

Fili explained quickly, and after they heard him out, they exchanged concerned looks with each other. “So the rumors were true, after all.”

“Then now isn’t the time to be holding them up.” The girls agreed, then began looking around carefully.

“?” Curious, I looked around as well, but it didn’t seem like anything had changed.

“There’s something unseemly out there in these woods.”

“And something bad is closing in on the forest.”

“You should hurry.” With those warnings, the girls clasped their hands in front of their chests as if in prayer. “To your safe travels.”

“And may the Twilight Dragon bless you.”

After they murmured their prayers, the girls peppered us with a misty, pale green light.

“Pretty……” I whispered to myself while looking up at the mist. It carried a calming scent that reminded me of the woods near Uncle Harald’s house.

“With this, you will be able to find your way without stopping to ask the trees for guidance – at least for a while.”

“The plants will show you the path.”

I smiled to the girls. “Thank you.” I said, but they shook their heads.

“There’s no need to thank us.”

“This is the least we can do to help.”

With their part done― the girls forms began to shimmer like a heat wave again, the same way they had appeared, and their bodies were slowly drawn back into the trees.

“Aren’t you going to leave?” I asked them as they disappeared. If they knew something bad was coming, they should at least try to run away.

But the girls just smiled back at me. “Without us, the forest would die.”

“But……”

“You should hurry.” With those as their final words, the girls disappeared completely.

“Let’s go.” Having been standing apart already, Bith began to walk away quickly.

“R-right.”

I stroked the tree where the Daoine Sí had disappeared, then followed after my allies as they moved on.

“We should get out of this forest as soon as possible.” Fili went on. “We mustn’t let their prayers have been made in vain.”

Until now, we’d been pushing our way through without a path to follow, but― now thanks to the prayers of the Daoine Sí, the plants parted for us in the direction we needed to go. Without having to wade through the plants or stop to speak with the trees anymore, we hurried onward.

“The bad thing they said was approaching the forest is probably the wave but…… what’s the ‘unseemly’ thing they mentioned?” I asked the others while we ran.

“No idea.” Bith remarked offhandedly. “But we’d better hurry, whatever it is.”

“……”

For a time, the clattering of glass bottles and our own footsteps were the only sounds echoing through the forest around us. I couldn’t hear the chirping of birds anymore, and wondered if that was due to how deep within the forest we were now.

But as we continued along in silence, we eventually had to slow our pace as we grew too tired to keep running.

Then I was wondering how much of the distance we’d manage to cut through…… when Gendor suddenly stopped.

“What’s wrong?” Bith asked, but Gendor just stared into the dark forest as if he hadn’t heard him.

I tried to follow Gendor’s gaze, but all I could see were dimly lit trees. “Gendor, what’s wrong?”

“Saya…… do you have a twin?” Gendor asked me that odd question while still staring into the darkness ahead of him.

“What do you mean?”

“Over there……”

“?”

I stared again in the direction Gendor pointed, but there wasn’t anything unusual that I could see. “There was a girl who looked just like Saya.”

(Huh?)

I froze in place.

(Did the Little Witch have a twin……?)

I looked to Vesper, but he shook his head in answer to my unspoken question. “Saya was always on her own. She never mentioned having a twin.”

“Gendor, are you sure it was me?”

“Yeah.”

Bith was staring in the direction Gendor had indicated as well, but he didn’t seem to see anything strange there either. “You sure you’re not imagining things?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Where have you been running?” Bith questioned me then, and I pointed to Gendor’s left.

“Here, next to Gendor……”

Gendor turned. “Then who was running over there?”

“I think you were just mistaken.” Bith said bluntly, trying to urge us to continue on.

“……Kar.” But before we could go any further, Fili muttered something, almost to himself.

“Kar?” He seemed to be under the same spell as Gendor. “What does he mean by Kar?”

I directed my question at Vesper on my shoulder. In my world, that word could either be the English word ‘car’ or sometimes a person’s name. But that obvious couldn’t be what Fili meant.

“It refers to the Other I.”

“Other I?”

Fili alone started to tremble.

“What’s this…… you’re saying there could be another one of me?”

Bith stared at Fili as he took his head in his hands and started muttering to himself.

“If it is a Kar, then it’s fine. In fact, good for you.” Bith pat me lightly on the shoulder. “This will boost the power of your spellcraft.”

“?”

The contrast between Fili’s sudden fear and Bith’s whole-hearted congratulations left me baffled.

“Sorry…… I don’t think I understand what’s going on. What do you mean?”

“Oh, of course!” Vesper raised his head from thought with a shout of realization.

―It seemed the explanation for the Kar differed between spirits of light and darkness. In the Lands of Light, seeing one’s Kar meant that one’s death was right around the corner, while in the Lands of Darkness, seeing the Kar meant that you would gain the power of a prophet.

Hearing Vesper’s explanation, I finally understood why Fili and Bith’s reactions were so different.

“So it’s like a doppelganger.”

“Is there something like this in your world, too, Saya?”

“Well, it’s more of an urban legend.”

“Urban…… what?”

“Uh…… I mean it’s like a baseless rumor.”

Then Gendor joined the conversation between me and Vesper. “I’ve heard of these Doppel-thingies, too.”

“Oh? The stories have even reached the humans, have they?”

But Gendor didn’t really seem to listen to Vesper instead he sat down on the ground started rummaging around in the bag he had brought with him.

(He really goes at his own pace……)

“Not here,”

“What are you looking for?” I looked into the bag.

“Saya, hold still please.” Gendor told me as he stood up and tore the hem of his tunic.

“Huh?” Suddenly, Gendor took off my hat and wrapped the torn piece of cloth around my face. I could just see Vesper hop off my shoulder. “W-wait a second!”

“The elder always told us that we shouldn’t look our other selves.”

And just like that, I was blindfolded.

“Hey……” Bith muttered, sounding shocked. “If you do that…… then she won’t be able to run.”

Then I heard Gendor’s voice from behind me. “I know it’s troublesome, but I’d be sad if Saya disappeared.”

“……Well, that much is true.” Bith muttered, but then continued, “Look, take that off right now. If you can gain the power of prophet, it would be a huge boon to us!”

“Don’t take it off!” Fili shouted. “If she dies after seeing the Kar, we’ll be in deep trouble.”

“You fool. Do you really believe that story?”

“You’re the fool here! Have you ever known anyone to actually receive this supposed power of the prophet before?”

“I could ask you the same thing; have you ever seen someone actually die because of them?”

“I believe what the elder told us.”

“Then you’re both idiots……”

“Don’t call us idiots!”

“Well I’m certainly not the idiot here.”

Gendor joined the argument with Bith on Fili’s side. I reached to remove the blindfold from my face, but Fili yelled at me when I tried, so I had no choice but to stand there with it on.

(We really are in trouble here, aren’t we……?)

I let out an anxious sigh. We didn’t know how much longer the Daoine Sí’s prayers would keep the plants and trees parted for us, so we should have been trying to hurry through before we lost that benefit.

“Great,” But then Vesper climbed back up to my shoulder. “These guys – they don’t even realize that the effects of the fairies’ prayers have just worn off.”

“What? We lost it already?”

“Afraid so.”

(He sounds calm, but even Bith hasn’t noticed yet……)

I took as big of a breath as I could and shouted to break through the others’ bickering. “Stop it!”

Immediately, the arguing voices cut off. “Saya, you’re facing the wrong way……” Vesper whispered to me.

“It doesn’t matter who’s right or wrong here! The prayers effects have faded, so I’m taking this thing off.”

Saying that, I reached up for my blindfold, but Fili hurried to stop me. “Please don’t do anything rash here!”

“Then how are we going to travel from now on? If I don’t speak with the trees to point us in the right direction, we’ll get lost, won’t we?”

“Yes, but……”

“And we don’t have time to waste, right?”

“But……”

(Oh, come on!)

I stomped my feet in a tantrum.

“I don’t want to see my Other I either, okay? Whether it brings death or power, seeing another version of myself would just be creepy. But you know…… that doesn’t mean we can just sit here doing nothing. We’ve already lost the benefits from the prayers, so I don’t want to waste any more time because I can’t do anything to help!”

That had been the first time I’d raised my voice in anger since arriving in this world. A deep silence rang through the darkness behind my blindfold, and I could guess they were all staring at me now.

“Why don’t you just make it a vote?” Vesper suggested, and Fili sounded pleased with the idea.

“In that case, it’s two-to-one that she keeps that on.”

“Well, that’s how it is. Is that good enough for you, Bith?”

Bith nodded in response to Vesper’s question. “But, Vesper…… how will she keep up with us if she’s wearing that blindfold?”

“Someone will have to lead her by the hand.”

“That would slow us down considerably though……”

“That’s true.”

“What if we got the big guy to carry her instead?” Bith suggested, and so we proceeded with Gendor holding me in his arms.

However, I wasn’t able to get directions from the trees like that, and as a result, we wasted time going back-and-forth a lot until it was obvious that we were lost.

“What are we going to do?”

Bith sounded angry, so I spoke up. “What do you think we should do?”

“That’s what I’m asking you.” It was obvious that he was in a bad mood. He had said this would happen, and now that he had been proven right, it upset him.

“Like I thought, I should just take this thing off already……”

I lifted a hand up to the blindfold, but someone else took hold of my hand first.

“Wait, not yet.” Surprisingly, it was Bith. “Fili, eyes down!”

“What, why?”

“Do you really need to ask in this situation?”

A second later, I heard Fili’s breath catch. “Could- could it be……”

“Hm? Could be what……?” I felt myself suddenly shift from side-to-side, and could only guess that Gendor was spinning around with me in his arms. “Stop, stop! Put me down……” I cried out desperately as a sense of motion sickness overtook me.

“Oh, I’m sorry.”

Gendor put me down and I sat on the ground. Then Vesper climbed back up onto my shoulder and I heard the sound of Fili crying.

“Was there a Kar of Fili?”

“Looked that way.”

“How many of them are there?”

“There’s nothing to suggest they can’t show up in groups.”

“I guess.”

“Perhaps my own Kar will show itself next.”

(Hm?)

It occurred to me that from what I knew of doppelgangers, they should always appear exactly as the person they were mimicking. Suddenly, I found it odd that no one had said anything about there being a Vesper on the other me’s shoulder since he was almost always on mine. So, I decided to ask Bith about it.

“Bith, you saw my Kar too, didn’t you?”

“Yeah, there definitely wasn’t a Vesper with her, though.” Bith confirmed, and then gave me an intent once over. “Come to think of it, she wasn’t carrying a broom with her, either.”

“Huh?”

The broom was easily tall enough to poke out from behind my back, so I couldn’t believe the other me wouldn’t have one……

“So that’s it……” Muttering some kind of affirmation to himself, Bith took off my blindfold and squatted down to whisper something to me. “Listen, is conversing with them all you can do?”

“What?”

“Can’t you manipulate them at all?”

“Manipulate…… the plants, you mean?”

Bith nodded, and I turned my head to look at Vesper.

“Hmm, maybe. I suppose it’s not impossible…… as long as you can communicate your intent well enough.”

“I can give it a try.”

“Right, then here’s the plan.” Reaching a decision, Bith stood up and stared around at the dark forest.

(Plan?)

I tilted my head again, but Bith just grinned at me. “You ask the plants for guidance, we’re going to hunt them down. And once there’s nowhere for them to run, I’ll burn them all to ashes.”

“Burn them……”

“I’ll use a flame spell; it’s what I’ve always been best at. I stopped using it after what happened with Lilith― but I’m done holding myself back now. I’ll use this power however I want, whenever I want.” Bith drew out a spell wand from inside his cloak embedded with a black jewel. “I still don’t like the guy much, but I guess I’m starting to feel a little sorry for him, at least.”

Bith glanced at Fili, who Gendor was trying to comfort. He was so shocked by the appearance of his Kar that he had broken down in tears.

“Although, burning them to ashes…… that seems like it might be overkill.”

“You are just precious.”

“If you attack them, they’ll probably retaliate. I’m just worried about something like that.”

Bith let out a deep sigh at my words. “……I’ll keep it in mind.” He said, then called out to Fili. “Hey, you go ahead and take a break, alright?”

Startled by Bith, Fili nodded to him without a word while Gendor continued to gently pat him on the back.

“It’s going to be okay.”

“……Please don’t try to console me.”

Gendor turned to me with a pleading look in his eyes, so I walked over to Fili.

“Fili, maybe you should try wearing the blindfold. It’ll be fine so long as you don’t look at it again, right?”

“Saya…… you took it off?”

“Yeah, because I’m going to try to help now.”

“?”

“Bith is a surprisingly nice guy.”

Saying that, I reached out to the tree that stood next to Fili, and he watched me quizzically as I slowly closed my eyes in concentration.

(Please…… lend us your aid.)

I couldn’t completely understand the language of the trees, so I worried that manipulating them would be asking too much…… but I still tensed the hand I was holding up to the tree.

(I want to expose the Kar’s true identity. We can’t move forward like this.)

The trees surrounding us began to rustle, though I couldn’t be sure if that was because my prayers were really getting through or not.

(Just a little help……)

The wind wasn’t blowing, but the trees were starting to rustle louder and louder as the plants under my feet started to sway.

“!”

Something like a warm breeze flowed from my hand against the tree up through my whole body.

I had never felt anything like it before, but it assured me that my prayers had been properly conveyed, and when I opened my eyes, the tree’s groves seemed to vaguely take the shape of a face.

“Pleasure meeting you.” I spoke in greeting, and the trees rustled again.

“Is it working?” Bith called out to me, so I turned to him and nodded.

“I think so.”

“Good…… then it’s time to counterattack.”

And as though they heard Bith as well― the surrounding trees all began to stretch their vines and branches around their trunks to point in one direction. Then we were scooped up by those branches in front of us and gathered onto a single path that stretched straight ahead like a sidewalk.

“Wow……”

I breathed out an sigh of awe. The vines and branches stretched to their limits to hand us off as if passing a baton and carried us gently from one tree to the next.

“Well done. This is incredible, Saya.”

“Let’s hope things keep going this well……”

“So what now?”

“We’re going to exterminate the Kar.” Bith answered while glaring in the direction the trees were taking us, and the jewel in his spell wand started glowing red. “There!”

Bith pointed at where another me and Fili stood surrounded by the vines and branches, locked down by a large boulder behind them.

“There really is another me……”

“Incredible. They really do look just like you.”

We nodded to each other, and then Bith flew out towards them. Leaping up to the tree nearest the Kar, he held his wand out in front of him.

“PhaVak Rom!”

With a shout, flames in the shape of a dragon shot out of the tip of Bith’s wand like a flamethrower at the Kar.

The Kar pushed through the vines and branches to try and escape the flames, but Bith manipulated the flames and chased them down relentlessly.

Bith landed back on the ground and the branches holding the rest of us carried us down to him.

“Let’s go.”

We rushed to Bith’s side. His flames were moving around and coiling through the trees like a living thing.

“This is……” Fili’s voice sounded raw.

“The true identity of the Kar.”

In front of Bith were two small, hairy goblin-like creatures with pointed ears curled up in fear.

“They’re leprechauns.” Vesper said.

“Another kind of spirit?”

“Yeah – mischievous spirits.”

“This is the first I’ve seen of their kind.”

The flames closed in around the leprechauns, so I spoke again. “Bith, don’t you think that’s far enough?”

“You expect me to pull back?”

“I feel bad for them. They were only pretending to be Kar.”

“And thanks to that, they also ate up a lot of our time.”

“But……”

Bith looked to Fili standing behind us, a dumbfounded expression still on his face.

“Are you okay with that?”

“I……”

“Can you forgive them?”

Fili looked at the leprechauns, who were close to being consumed by the flames.

“……Killing without a cause is pointless.”

Bith clicked his tongue and muttered something about us being ‘too soft’.

“If you won’t pull back, I’ll erase it.”

At that, Bith drew a circle in the air with his wand, and the dragon-like flames disappeared as if being sucked into it. The leprechauns immediately looked relieved and dropped on the spot.

“We’re so sorry……” One of the leprechauns rasped out a hoarse apology.

I approached them and crouched down to meet their eyes, then asked with a gentle voice, “What were you trying to do?”

The leprechauns exchanged a look.

“Answer the girl.” Before I realized it, Bith was standing behind me, glaring at the leprechauns with a fiendish look in his eye.

“It has been so long since anyone has come through this forest, so we thought we’d give you a surprise.”

“We figured you would see through it quickly enough. We couldn’t get too close at first, so we couldn’t get your exact likeness.”

“We didn’t expect you to think it was real.”

“We didn’t mean to scare you all!” They explained, and all the while hung their heads in deep apology.

I turned to look at Fili behind me. I figured that with that explanation, he would surely be able to forgive them for their mistake. However, at that moment, Fili just held in head in a sign of self-loathing.

“I can’t believe I didn’t notice it right away. I’m worthless……”

“It’s not your fault, it was just because you were put on edge thinking about the legends, right? I’m sure that was all.”

“I would have freaked out too, if I thought my Doppel had shown up.” Gendor and I tried to cheer him up, but it seemed like Fili wasn’t hearing it no matter what.

I was so far out of my depth here.

Fili was like an honors student – a very earnest type of person. Some of my classmates were that way, people who would beat themselves up over every little mistake they made. In the end, realizing that we were all the same – humans and spirits, this world and my world – that knowledge made me smile a little bit.

We were no closer to achieving our goal. Without a third shadow bearer, we could not begin our search for the Twilight Dragon. And that was why we needed Fili – our guide and source of information – to get back on his feet quickly.

“If you can’t do it Fili, then I……

Seeing the negativity spread to Gendor, Bith started to chastise the leprechauns further, shouting “No more tricks!” as he launched into a tirade.

“Saya, I think they’re calling for you.”

“Who?” I followed Vesper’s gaze behind me, and I saw a single tree standing there. It’s branches stretched towards me, and I took them in my hand like I was giving them a handshake. “Thank you.”

However, then the tree scooped me up again.

(Why?)

Along with me, Gendor, Fili, and even Bith was lifted onto a carpet of vines and branches like before while he was still in the middle of lecturing the leprechauns.

“Tell them they’ve done enough.”

I nodded and tried to communicate that with the trees, but they just murmured a response while the branches continued to stretch out with us on them.

“Where are you taking us?” The leprechauns were quickly left behind, stunned looks on their faces as we were lifted up to ride on the vines and branches. “Could this be…… are you taking us out of the forest?”

I tried asking the vines, and the trees rustled in a way that seemed to indicate that the answer was ‘yes’.

“Looks like they are.”

Hearing me say that, Bith stopped squirming and lay down on the vines. “Then I’m going to sleep.”

He fell out of consciousness quickly. And following his lead, Gendor lay down behind me, stretching his arms and legs out as far as he could.

“Why don’t you rest a while too, Saya?”

“I’m fine.” I said, wanting to see a bit more of the forest. I wanted to fix the image of this in my memory, even just a small part of it.

I stared down the path being carved through the trees by the movement of the branches. Slowly, the trees grew more sparse and the sky started to become visible through the canopy again. It looked like dawn was breaking outside.

Fili settled in beside me as I watched the sky above. “Um…… I’m really sorry. I was completely hysterical back there.”

“Don’t worry about it. I think I would have been even more frightened than you if I had known the legends about the Kar that you had.”

“I’m sorry.”

I smiled at Fili as he slumped. Then I looked over at Bith to make sure he was still sleeping. “Bith really is a good person, you know.”

“I…… guess he is. I thought he was unforgivable after hearing Lilith’s story.” Fili took a deep breath as he mentioned it. “But if I were in the same situation, I’m sure I would have wanted to ask my King for help as well. Even if there was a chance the person I was trying to help might be exiled for it.”

“Yeah,”

“I hadn’t expected to find such kindness in a spirit of darkness.”

“You’re surprised that they can be kind?”

“I’d believed that they were all cruel people…… but that was just my prejudice it would seem.”

Admitting that, Fili stared for a moment at the sleeping Bith and muttered more apologies.

For a while, we fell silent, looking in the direction we were being pulled in by the vines and branches. The scenery transitioned smoothly around us as we were shifted gently from one branch to the next.

And before I knew it, Fili had fallen asleep as well. With me left as the only one still awake, I started to fall deep into thought.

(What is the Twilight Dragon, anyways?)

I knew it was supposed to save the spirits from the waves, but how would it save them? If it was going to fight those enormous waves, I had to imagine that the Twilight Dragon must be huge itself. And if the dragon were that large, surely there would be spirits who know where it was. If no one did, then our search would be very difficult.

If I could just remember what I’d read of the Epitaph of Twilight, I might already have the answer…… but my mind still felt hazed over whenever I tried to recall details from the story. Also, I had this vague feeling that the Epitaph of Twilight never had an ending. If I knew what would happen in the future, I would be able to avoid the danger…… and I felt ashamed of myself for not being able to remember.

(I feel like there was something else I should be concerned about……)

Trying to remember the Epitaph of Twilight gave me the worst headache I’ve ever had, throbbing until I had to hold my head in my hands.

(Why?)

Even after I gave up trying to recall the details, the pain remained. It was like there was something that wouldn’t let me remember.

“Wait a minute!”

It wasn’t just the Epitaph― Mama and Papa, my uncle’s house, I suddenly realized that I couldn’t recall parts of my own life easily anymore either. It wasn’t just the fatigue making it harder for me to think. I was starting to become a part of this world; I was sure of it.

(I have to try and remember something, anything……)

Holding my aching head, I tried desperately to remember the world I should return to― but everything was so hazy that I could hardly recall anything.

“I have to get back soon……”

Next to me, Vesper shifted in his sleep next to me as if responding to muttering.

(But if I go home while we’re looking for the Twilight Dragon…… or if Uncle Harald realizes what happened and does something……)

What would I do then? Being able to leave this world with a smile was what I’d said I wanted― but now, with my memories slipping away from me, it was hard to imagine that I could reach that goal before it was too late.

If I went home while this world was still in danger, that might mean abandoning the people here…… when I thought about it like that, I wasn’t sure what to do.

If I knew I could save this world from my own, I would probably go back without hesitation. But I felt like a terrible person for even thinking that way.

(For now, I just have to keep moving forward……)

There was no point brooding over questions I didn’t have the answers to. We were in too much of a hurry to do anything about it right now, anyways.

My eyes went wide as I watched the path in front of me. It looked like we were almost out of the forest. However, a thick fog was starting to roll in ahead of us.

The vines and branches rustled to rouse everyone else from their sleep before slowly lowering us back to the ground.

“Where are we?” I addressed my question to Fili as he stepped down from the branches first.

“It’s a swamp called Coite-Bodher.”

“Are we passing through here?”

The fog was so dense I could barely see five feet ahead of me. I wondered if we would really be able to get through this place without flying. But perhaps sensing my uneasiness, Fili pointed at something off to our right.

“You see that road over there?” I squinted and tried to peer through the fog. Small round stones dotted the area that led into the swamp. “This path was left for us by our predecessors. As long as we don’t fall from there, we won’t get stuck in the swamp.”

“But the stones will be slippery.” Vesper noted.

In addition to the fog, a light rainfall was coating the stones in water, so the path was going to be very slippery as we crossed.

“I’m definitely going to fall.” Gendor said anxiously as he stood behind me.

“If you do, you’ll just get covered in mud is all. Come one, let’s go.”

Brushing off Gendor’s worries however, Bith walked ahead to look around.

Behind us, I thanked the trees for bringing us to the swamp― then stepped into Coite-Bodher. The stone path laid out for us was narrow, so our only option would be to proceed in a single-file line.

There were only a few sparse trees in the swamp here, and most had branches that were either bent or broken. A black bird perched on one and stared at us almost as if it was waiting for us to fall in.

Every so often, Gendor would point out flowering plants growing in the swamp. We couldn’t get too distracted with conversation, though. Because with the constant drizzle dampening the stones, we could be in big trouble if we didn’t watch our step. And meanwhile, Vesper was hiding in my hood because he didn’t want to get his fur soaked.

“Once we pass through here, we’ll reach the city.”

Hearing this news, Gendor called out with glee, “I’ve never been to the city before.”

(Wait, so he didn’t live there before?)

I had assumed Gendor must have been banished like Lilith, and expected him to only have bad memories of it going back. But his attitude now was throwing me off, so I decided I had to ask about it.

“Really?”

“I was born on the road, so I don’t know anything about the city. Is it big?”

“It’s said to be the largest in the world.”

“I can’t wait to see it.”

Just then, Bith smacked Gendor on his head. “We’re not tourists. We’ll be heading out again as soon as we have all the information we need.”

“I know, I know.”

As we continued our conversation however, the drizzle started to grow into a heavier downpour, and lightning began to flash in the distance that made me jump.

I’d always hated lightning. Even after I’d been taught how it worked in school, it just set me on edge. I didn’t like the rumbling sounds it made, and I hated the way it always struck so suddenly. There wasn’t anything about it that I liked.

As the rain grew more relentless, we were quickly drenched. “Whoa!” And then I heard a shout from behind me and quickly turned to see that Gendor had slipped and sunk down to his knees in the swamp.

“Gendor!” I rushed over and grabbed Gendor’s arm, but he was being slowly swallowed up by the swamp. “Too heavy……”

I tried to pull him up, but there was nothing I could do with my strength. Between Gendor’s weight and the mud drawing him in, I was almost pulled down with him.

“Fili, Bith! Get over here!” I shouted, but at that exact moment― a clap of thunder drowned out my voice.

“Saya, at this rate, you’re going to get swallowed up, too……”

Gendor had already sunk down to his waist, and was looking up at me while on the verge of tears. “Gendor……”

Gendor struggled desperately, trying to climb back up. But then I had to stop him because the more he moved, the faster the swamp was swallowing him up.

“Vesper, please. Bring the others back.” I said, and needing no further argument, Vesper jumped out of my hood and ran towards the two that had gone ahead. “We’ll get you out in just a second.”

Gendor nodded. However, the mud was already up to his chest, and there was nothing I could do on my own to help him.

Holding Gendor’s hand in both of mine, I met his eyes. “I’m going to fly.”

Gendor nodded silently, and I let go of his hand, pulling my broom off my back to put between my legs.

(Please……)

Gendor grabbed onto the broomstick. Then, once I was sure he had a firm grip, I tapped the broomstick and tried to rise.

(I have to fly as hard as I can!)

The broom rose slowly with a creaking sound. And just as slowly, Gendor’s body rose with it. His mud-covered chest, waist, and finally his legs emerged from the swamp.

“Just a little more!” I cried as I held onto my broom with all my strength.

A second later, the broom creaked and then snapped. But Gendor made it out of the mud first, and when the broom snapped, Gendor fell onto the stone path, and I dropped on top of him.

Quietly, we both breathed sighs of relief.

“Are you okay?!”

Gendor and I looked at each other as the two that had gone on ahead rushed back to us. I couldn’t help but crack a smile from the relief that we were safe.

“Somehow……”

“You two are late.”

Bith frowned at the sight of us covered in mud.

“You couldn’t have supported Gendor’s weight all on your own, did you?”

“I guess I did.”

Hearing that, Fili looked up towards the sky. “It’s too dangerous to keep going in this rain. There should be a lodge run by an old florist a little farther ahead, so we should stop to rest there.”

“I don’t like the thought of being indebted to a spirit of light, but…… it can’t be helped.” Bith muttered some complaint before holding out his hand to Gendor. “Sorry.”

Gendor stood up and ended up splashing Bith with mud as well.

“I broke my broom, though.”

Vesper looked at the handle snapped into the shape of an ‘L’ and gave a resigned sigh.

“Can you fix it?”

“I’m not sure…… I think my healing spells only work on living things.”

“Well, give it a try later just to be sure.”

Dragging our mud encrusted bodies along, we started making our way to the lodge where the old florist was supposed to be. On the bright side, the strong rains were able to wash the mud away as we went. But at the same time, it sapped away our body heat as we became even more drenched.

“So cold……” I muttered while holding Vesper in my arms.

“Just a bit farther…… over there!”

Fili pointed to a brick lodge, though it was hard to make out through the fog. Something felt off about it though. There was no sign of anybody inside.

“Hey……” I grabbed Gendor by the arm. “I have a bad feeling about this.”

Gendor patted my head gently with his big hand.

“It’ll be fine. We’re all here with you.”

“……Right.”

I wanted to say more, but my bad omen only grew more certain as we approached the lodge. And it turned out that my premonition was right on the money.

There was no sign of the old florist, and the lodge itself was half destroyed like it had been attacked.

“Where’s the old florist?!”

Fili hurried to search the surroundings, but there was no sign of anyone else here. And meanwhile, Bith inspected the ruined lodge more carefully.

“Must have been huge……” Bith muttered.

“What?”

“Whatever destroyed this lodge. But I’ve never heard of a monster like that living in the swamp here.”

“Monster……”

I looked around slowly, but I couldn’t see anything because of the fog.

“Are we still going to rest here?” Gendor eyed the ruined lodge. Some of the roof was still intact, so we could at least take shelter from the rain.

“It can’t be helped…… It’ll just be until the rain stops.”

Fili made the decision, but even he didn’t seem satisfied with the arrangement.

The lodge’s furniture had been broken and tossed around, so Gendor gathered up the pieces and used them to kindle a fire.

I sat next to the fire and held my knees. Oddly, even though my clothes were completely soaked through, they were quick to dry out, and I wondered if the fabrics had been enchanted somehow with spellcraft.

Bith and Fili summoned their respective familiars and sent them to their leaders. In order to relay information― but also to ask about what had happened to this lodge. I just stared at the fire, and with a throbbing head, desperately tried to remember something from the camp I had gone to last summer. Because I was afraid that if I didn’t try to remember something every so often, I really would forget it all.

(Mama and Papa…… must be worried about me by now.)

I started to cry, and seeing me like that, Gendor silently pulled me into an embrace. Then, with my head against his chest, I started to doze off.

But even as the sun set and night fell, the rain continued to fall heavier and heavier outside. And some time after everyone else had fallen asleep, we were woken up by the sound of Vesper’s voice.

“What is it?”

“Something’s here!”

Vesper was staring out at a pair of pale eyes that peered back at us in the ruins of the lodge. And they were definitely watching us, fixed on us without even blinking.

Without thinking, I took a step back and the eyes suddenly disappeared.

“Cheeky thing.” Bith raised his spell wand, and not a moment later, the mysterious figure attacked.

In one moment, we were knocked down and the roof was blown off the lodge. Gendor covered me to protect me from the falling debris. “Thank you……” I crawled out from under him.

“Hey, we’re not going to die here, are we?”

Gendor’s face went pale as he asked that dark question with tears in his eyes.

“That’s……” I couldn’t promise him that we wouldn’t. I couldn’t seem to do anything. “Ugh……”

I couldn’t bear the fact that Gendor – who had no powers of his own – was having to face the possibility of his own death

Ahead of us, Fili and Bith flew into the air and cast spells at something I still couldn’t make out the shape of.

“PhaVak Rom!”

“PhaZan Rom!”

Bith’s flames swelled within Fili’s winds, and the light they cast illuminated the monster they were fighting.

It was massive. Even just it’s face was the size of the lodge. However, when I looked closer― it looked less like one solid mass and more like a tangle of thick roots. It didn’t seem to have a body behind it either. The monster was nothing but a gathering of roots growing out of a giant face.

(There’s no way we can beat this……)

I stared up at the monster in shock.

“Hey, don’t just sit there! Do something!”

Bith shouted at me, but as the rain fell and the thunder crashed, all I could do in the face of this monster’s attack was try to keep away.

“What…… what should I do?”

“I don’t―” As we spoke, Bith burned the whip-like roots of the monster with his spells. “Think for yourself.”

“Aaah!” I ducked down to avoid a root as it swung towards me.

I had no idea what I could do in this situation. I didn’t even have the time to take out the spell wand at my waist, so it was all I could manage just to avoid the monster’s attack.

There were so many roots raging around us in a frenzy while swooping down on us and the plants of the swamp.

“Saya, over there!” Vesper directed my attention back to the lodge.

Roots were stretching towards Gendor, who was trembling in the middle crumbling lodge.

“!”

While still trembling myself, I took out my small spell wand and clutched it with both hands to make sure I didn’t drop it.

(Please…… make it in time!)

I pointed at a tree standing next to the ruined lodge.

(Please protect Gendor……)

A warm breeze flowed up through my body from the ground. And at that moment, the tree rose up like its roots were legs and ran towards Gendor.

“……Ah!”

The tree kicked Gendor in the face with its roots as he trembled in fear and was forcefully propelled out of the lodge.

I watched what happened next as if it happened in slow motion. As soon as Gendor had been kicked out of the lodge, the tree that had heard my prayers was struck by the monster’s roots and splintered into pieces.

“I’m sorry……” I whispered and ran to Gendor.

“Saya, thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. If you want to thank someone―” I picked up a shard of the splintered wood now sprayed across the swamp. “Thank them.”

“Right…… thank you.” We huddled close to each other and looked back at the monster. It was floating in mid-air, countering every one of Bith and Fili’s attacked. “Are we really going to die……?”

Gendor started sobbing again, and I didn’t know what to say to him. “I……”

But right now― it didn’t seem like we could defeat this monster or run from it.

One of the monster’s roots struck Fili, and he flew backwards towards us as we hid in the ruined lodge.

“Fili!”

I rushed forward to try and catch him, but I couldn’t stop his momentum and we both ended up falling into the mud.

“I’m sorry……” Covered in blood and breathing heavily, Fili apologized and tried to stand back up, but I held him back.

“I’ll heal you, so just wait here a moment!”

I gripped Fili’s arm as tight as I could and started treating him. Slowly, his wound started to reseal, but it was far from being fully healed.

(Come on……)

But before I could do more, Fili gently pulled my hands away from him. “Thank you, Saya.”

“No, not yet!”

I tried to stop Fili from standing up, but he shook his head at me.

“Bith can’t fight that thing on his own.” He said, and with those words, he flew back towards the monster.

I couldn’t even chase after him. Out there, Bith looked even more exhausted than Fili as he continued fending off dozens of roots by himself. But no matter how many times he was knocked away, he kept on chanting his spells.

It felt so frustrating to not be able to do anything.

I could heal them, but I didn’t dare get closer to the battle. I hit my own trembling legs over and over, but I couldn’t even push myself to stand up.

(Come on, move……)

My body wouldn’t move like it should because I was still trembling from fear, and it was so frustrating that I started to cry.

“!”

In that moment, the monster let out a screech that nearly ruptured my eardrums― and in its wake, a powerful shockwave struck us.

All I could do was shut my eyes against it and cover my ears.

(Someone, please save us……)

But there wasn’t anyone here to save us. If something was going to be done, we would have to do it ourselves. But even knowing that it was useless, I prayed for a savior to appear.

“Saya……” Then, at the sound of Vesper’s voice, I realized that it had suddenly gone quiet for the first time since the battle started.

I slowly opened my eyes. Bith, Fili, and Gendor were all sitting next to me, and all of them were staring up at the monster, transfixed.

(W-what is……)

I followed everyone’s gaze to look up at the monster.

“Huh?” The monster’s pale body had turned stone gray. It was petrified. “What happened……?”

The petrified monster was slowly being swallowed up by the swamp, and unable to comprehend what had happened to it, I watched it sink in silence.

A moment later, the monster was completely buried in the mud.

“……You!”

The thick fog was swept away in a gust of wind. And there where the monster had been, I saw someone stand up.

It was Lilith, and with a smile on her face, she walked slowly towards us.

Episode 4//raid

A large tree glowing with pale light stood on an island in the middle of a lake. It was bare of leaves and its trunk was as transparent as glass. In this place where the sun did not shine, the large tree grew with only the water from the lake for nutrients. And the lake’s surface constantly rippled gently even though there was no wind.

This place was known as Indieglut Lugh. And located in the center of the underworld, it was a place that no one dared approach. A place perpetually enveloped by silence which had not been disturbed in the thousands of years since the great tree was born onto this land.

But today, that silence was finally broken.

Overhead, a large, black bird of prey flew past the tree. And seizing the moment, a two-headed dragon and a group of leprechauns carrying axes as tall as they were crossed the land.

Their goal was to reach the place known as the Crystal Hill, but as the spirits flooded onto the hill, they quickly began to argue amongst themselves.

Some contended that they should fight back against the waves, while others insisted it would be impossible no matter how hard they tried, and yet more still claimed they would be fine as long as they could offer up a sacrifice― in the end however, none were able to understand the opinions of the others, and the spirits resorted to violence to make their points.

Yet not even those who wished to fight against the waves called for cooperation. They didn’t like working in groups to begin with, so it was already troublesome that Helba had sent a messenger to gather them together. The dark spirits’ anxiety grew into frustration and discontent― all of it directed at Helba, and so the spirits were beginning to consider the option of rebellion.



Thus the world – which had already been in a precarious balance before now – was beginning to collapse because of the waves.



Meanwhile, in the largest city of Alba― those disturbing rumors had reached even a certain mansion built on the outskirts of Arche Haokar. Vines tangled around the magnificent two-story brick building, and curtains were drawn over every window. Despite this, the gardens were meticulously maintained and full of flowers appropriate for the season.

Sitting at one of the windows, the mansion’s owner gazed out at the city in the distance. Even indoors, she was wearing a long coat that covered her body from head-to-toe with a hood pulled over her eyes. But those eyes held a lonely longing as she stared out at the city from behind that hood. And as if to suppress the desire to see if the rumors were true, she clutched the necklace that dangled in front of her chest.

The mansion’s owner was called Pleiad, and she was a spirit who belonged to the Lands of Light.

Pleiad lived alone in this grand mansion. The halls were all draped with bright red carpets, each room was decorated with antiques, and the bed in Pleiad’s sleeping quarters was far too big for her alone. And everything from the building to the furnishings had been prepared for Pleiad by her sisters.

Pleiad had fallen in love with a human― and for that reason, she had willingly cast her own shadow to try and become human. However, that love had been lost, and as a result, she was left to be persecuted by the spirits for casting a shadow. It was then that Pleiad’s sisters had taken pity on her and built this mansion for her on the outskirts of Arche Haokar.

And so, following the instructions of her older sisters, Pleiad had lived alone in this mansion for decades now. There was no one who could understand the depths of her frustration and loneliness. Still, there was no place for Pleiad to return to now, so she continued to endure the solitude, knowing it was of her own making.

Pleiad sighed, and was about to move away from the window when a figure appeared in her vision. No one ever visited her here, so Pleiad could not miss the lone spirit walking towards the mansion now.

“Who……”

Pleiad lingered by the window and watched the spirit with a dreadful sense of anxiety. But as the spirit grew closer, her expression shifted from one of apprehension to confusion.

“But why!!?”

Hurriedly, Pleiad left the window and ran down the stairs of the mansion. As she ran, her hood fell away and her long, purple hair fluttered down behind her. And if her hair had not been tied back like a pair of bunny ears, it would have been like ribbons of silk swaying in the breeze.

The sound of bells echoed through the mansion. And standing at the front door of the mansion was Fili, wearing a robe of pure white. He looked up sullenly at the grand mansion and sighed.

Fili and Pleiad had been friends during childhood. But only now did he know the whole story about how she had ended up here.

Pleiad was a truly innocent spirit. She loved flowers and plants, and treated all people equally without regard for nationality or race. She had been adored by her six older sisters, and Pleiad had grown up without being tainted by hate. But then Pleiad had fallen in love with a human while on a journey, and when she consulted with her sisters, she was taught that love with a human was taboo, and was told to give up on her feelings.

But there had been someone else who whispered to Pleiad like a devil. They had been a spirit of darkness, and they had lied to Pleiad.

“Your sisters are afraid that you will leave them to be with that human; that is why they really insist your love is taboo.” They had told her. “But if you were to become a human like him, then he would certainly return your feelings for him.”

And Pleiad had believed those lies and cast a shadow on herself without hesitation. She had not even consulted with Fili about it, who had been by her side the whole time.

But Pleiad’s love, for which she had cast a shadow, had not been returned. And when her sisters discovered what she had done, they had been furious and took Pleiad away.

Fili had not seen Pleiad since she had been taken away. In fact, he had only just today been told by the spirits in the city that she now resided here.

He was starting to think he shouldn’t have come. But Pleiad already knew he was here. It was thanks to her influence that Fili was always able to know of other spirits locations.

“If you know where everyone is, you’ll be able to help them more quickly when things happen.” Fili would never forget the smile on Pleiad’s face when she had said those words.

In front of him, the door swung open. And standing before him was Pleiad, still wearing the same smile as that day so long ago.

“Fili…… why are you here?” Pleiad was out of breath from having rushed to open the door. Her tan skin was glowing, and her golden eyes were wide with surprise as she began to look around cautiously. “Are you alone? I thought you were serving the King…… did you have business in the city?”

Fili didn’t respond. He couldn’t think of anything to say to her. But Pleiad had been alone for so long, so she welcomed Fili in just to have somebody to talk to. With joy in her voice, she continued to ask him questions.

“How long will you be staying? Will you return to the palace as soon as you’ve finished your business in the city?” It seemed as though Pleiad was still the same person she had always been. And yet Fili couldn’t bring himself to look directly at her. “What’s wrong? You look worried about something……”

Finally, Fili looked up. He couldn’t decide what kind of expression he should have, so he just showed her a fake smile. “It’s nothing, it’s just been so long, I’m not sure what to say…… sorry.”

“Well for starters, how about to try answering my questions? That way we can have an actual conversation.” Pleiad smiled again. “So are you going to come in? Hm…… I might be a little short on ingredients, though. If I had known you were coming, I would have gone shopping in town.”

Pleiad turned on her heel and walked back into the mansion.

“That’s fine. I have to head back right away, anyways.”

“Huh……” Pleiad looked back, a forlorn expression crossing her face for a moment before she quickly replaced it again with a smile. “No, I’m sorry…… of course you can’t stay. You work at the Palace, after all. Now’s not the time to be mixing business with pleasure.”

Fili choked on his words under the disappointment in Pleiad’s voice. He felt so frustrated with himself for being unable to do anything to ease her loneliness.

“……I’m searching for the Twilight Dragon.”

Dumbstruck by the sudden declaration, Pleiad stared at Fili with a blank expression.

“?”

“The legend is being realized. We need to gather all the information we can.”

It was a legend that all spirits knew. But it still stunned Pleiad to hear.

“……So the rumors were true?”

“If you’ve heard about it already, that makes things easier. Can you tell me what you know?” Pleiad clutched her necklace tightly in her hand. “Try to remember, we’re in a time-sensitive situation right now.”

Pleiad considered it for a moment before looking up again. “If you fight off the waves……”

“What?”

“Will you create a world where everyone can live in harmony, regardless of who or where they’re from?”

“Huh……?”

“I know it might not be easy, but would you try?”

“That’s……”

“In order to fight the waves, everyone will have to work together. That’s why I figure it will be easier to accomplish after defeating them.

“Is that―”

“Hm?”

“Is that really what you want after being deceived by a spirit of darkness and abandoned here all alone?”

Pleiad just smiled. “It is. Because bickering and holding grudges over the past won’t help make a brighter future.”

“I see……”

Even though Pleiad had grown so much since coming to live here alone without being able to interact with anyone― her nature and innocent way of thinking hadn’t changed at all. She was still the same gentle person who would love all without prejudice.

“Alright. I don’t know if I will be able to do it, but I will try.”

“Thank you.”

Pleiad shared what she knew with Fili. She didn’t know where the Twilight Dragon was herself, but she did know where to find the spirit who did. Then once she had told him everything, Pleiad saw that Fili seemed reluctant to leave and took the necklace which she treasured so much to put it around his neck.

“Take this, and think of me on your journey.” It was the necklace that Pleiad had worn ever since she was little, and Fili accepted it with a nod. “If you break your promise now, I’ll never forgive you.” She poked him on the nose as she said that to him. “You’re the only one who can do it. Find the Twilight Dragon, and create a new world.”

“Right……”

“Now go.”

Pleiad’s voice wavered faintly. Fili noticed it, but he knew there was nothing he could do for her right now. He couldn’t talk to her or remain here by her side. There were things he had to do, even if he had to force himself to do them.

And Pleiad understood that, too. So she could do nothing but usher him onwards.

“……”

Nodding silently to Pleiad, Fili turned and returned to the city without looking back.

“So, what the hell was that?”

Covered in scars, we sat down in the ruined lodge with Lilith, who asked the question was most pressing on all our minds.

Lilith had apparently used her powers to command the swamp to consume the monster, but it hadn’t been her who had turned the monster to stone before that. That part had in fact been Bith’s doing.

“No idea.” Bith answered her question bluntly while he wrapped bandages around his wounds.

“I wasn’t asking you!” Lilith shot a glare at Bith and then quickly turned away from him.

“More to the point― why are you even here?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“It is our business. Because if you say you’re here to join us, it’ll change what we plan to do next.”

“And is this how you thank someone for helping you?”

Sensing a dam about to burst, Fili intervened. I wanted to say something myself, but I had to concentrate on healing Fili’s injuries properly. Bith had refused my offer to heal his wounds, so I had no choice but to watch in silence while Fili spoke instead.

“Lilith…… we are incredibly grateful for your help. I don’t know what we would have done if you hadn’t come along.” Fili bowed his head low. “But, why are you here?”

“I―” Lilith looked at me. “I came because I wanted to help out the kid.”

“The kid……” Vesper repeated the term to me as if to add emphasis to what she had called me.

“That’s the only reason?”

“I’m not intruding, am I?”

Panicking, I shook my head. “No, of course not. I’m glad you came; it’s just…… why?” Finishing with Fili’s treatment, I turned to speak more freely with Lilith. “I didn’t do anything to earn your favor, did I?”

“What you said before opened my eyes.”

(What I said?)

Seeing my obvious lack of comprehension, Lilith frowned at me. “Don’t tell me you already forgot the way you went off and lectured me.”

“Uh…… I hadn’t meant to lecture you.”

“No, it’s okay.” Lilith brushed aside her short hair from her face. “If it’s not too much trouble, would you let me join you?”

“Absolutely!” I answered quickly with a wide smile.

“So when are we leaving?” Having no injuries herself, Lilith looked around at the rest of us caked in mud and blood, then added, “That monster isn’t dead, so we should get out of here as soon as possible. With a certain someone’s shoddy spell work, it won’t be long before the petrification wears off.”

“What was that?!” Bith bolted to his feet.

“Did I say something untrue?”

“I don’t want to hear that from somebody whose only contribution was manipulating the swamp.”

“And remind me; which one of us was it that needed to be saved by whom?”

“I didn’t ask you to save me. I swear, you are so full of yourself sometimes.”

At that, Lilith’s expression grew dark. “Say that again!”

“I’ll say it as many times as I―” Bith went on, but then Gendor forced his hand over Bith’s mouth to stop him from going any further. He kept trying to speak anyways, but his voice was muffled behind Gendor’s hand.

“We shouldn’t be fighting with each other.”

“That’s right.” Fili interjected again to try and keep the peace. “If we’re going to be working together from now on, we should all try to get along a little better.”

That seemed to settle things for the moment, though Bith and Lilith both pointedly looked away from each other. It was enough to make me wonder if they had ever really been friends before.

“Lilith is right, we don’t know when that monster might come back. We need to get moving quickly.”

Bith finally pulled Gendor’s hand away from his mouth and clicked his tongue. “This is going to be a long journey……”

Hearing Bith mutter that with a dirty look in his eyes, Fili and I exchanged a look and sighed.

(You shouldn’t say that, Bith.)

At any rate, we now had three people who possessed shadows and some measure of power. Which meant that all that was left now was to actually find the Twilight Dragon.

(I doubt we’ll be able to find it quickly, though……)

I wanted all of this to be over before I lost my memories completely. Even if I could return to my original world, it would be hollow if I couldn’t remember anything about my own life. But with our objectives narrowed down to one, my steps did feel a little lighter as we continued on our journey.

We proceeded with caution through the swamp so as not to get stuck again, but eventually left Coite-Bodher behind as we came to an open plain where tall grass and flowers swayed in the wind. Dawn finally broke over the horizon, and the rains from the swamp vanished from the sky.

“Saya, look!”

Vesper pointed ahead towards a city in the distance where flags flew from some of the buildings.

“Is that where we’re going?” I confirmed with Fili as he walked ahead of me.

“That’s right. This is Arche Haokar, the largest city in the world.”

“I hope we can find everything we need to know here.”

“It won’t be a problem. They say every traveler in the world passes through this city at least once on their journeys. There’s no way we won’t find useful information.” Fili set a bright smile on his face to try and reassure me. “Don’t you worry; I’ll be sure to get what we need.”

“Right,” Feeling rather high-spirited, we entered the city of Arche Haokar together.

Passing through an open stone gate, we stepped onto a stone-paved road lit by torches that stretched directly inwards towards the center of town. A canal also ran alongside the road where numerous boats loaded with cargo were crowded together.

Flags of various designs fluttered on the roofs of the brick building, and the sound of flute echoed through the streets around us.

The streets were flooded with people― both humans and spirits carrying spears and axes on their backs as they passed through on their journeys, and pushing passed those who seemed to be merchants while we wove our way through the crowds to reach an inn.

Looking for an inn had been Bith’s suggestion. Even though there were a variety of people gathered in this city, he didn’t seem to think many would talk to us if they saw our shadows. So Gendor, Lilith, and I were to wait at the inn while Bith and Fili gathered information.

There were probably a lot of inns throughout the city, but Bith directed us towards a large on near the city’s entrance where we wouldn’t be made to feel so uncomfortable for having shadows. Though if I were to be honest, I really wanted to look around town a bit more.

“Can’t I go out at all?” I asked Bith before he left the room.

“If you’re sure you won’t be bothered by what others say or do to you, then you can do whatever you want.”

“……I understand.”

Bith was clearly concerned about Lilith. Neither I nor Gendor had ever been attacked by spirits, but Lilith was a different case. Despite having experienced the trauma of being persecuted, she had still come along with us. So, it was only natural we should try to make her feel as comfortable as possible.

If Bith were only honest with her about how he felt, Lilith might treat him differently, but he was so awkward about it. He left the room, and I turned to see Lilith speaking softly with Gendor by the window. He was listening intently, but then his expression suddenly grew sorrowful. “W-what’s going on?” Panicking, I hurried over.

“Gendor was just asking me if I had seen his village before I met up with you all.”

“Then what’s wrong?”

Lilith looked back to Gendor as tears started streaking down his face and sighed. “It was swallowed up by the wave.”

(What?)

Lilith reached out towards Gendor, looking like she wanted to comfort him, but stopped short.

“Swallowed up…… you’re kidding, right?”

“I saw it from a distance, but–”

“But there was that boy who could predict the future, right? They wouldn’t have been caught up in that. Besides, the waves aren’t supposed to attack humans……”

“We shouldn’t jump to conclusions. All I said was that the village was swallowed up. The doesn’t mean the people were swallowed up with it.”

“Then they must have found somewhere to hide.”

“I don’t know for sure, but…… if there was someone there with precognitive abilities like you say, then I would like to assume so.” Lilith agreed, though her words didn’t seem to reach Gendor. He was still crying, and tears were starting to hit the floor at his feet.

“Gendor, it’s okay. Theo would have seen it coming and run away.”

“But……” “ You have to have faith that they’re safe, Gendor. If you don’t, who will?” Lilith joined in.

“That’s right. You’re just imagining the worst-case scenario.”

Gendor sniffled and muttered with a strained voice, “I wish I could see everyone again……”

Lilith and I shared a look. I couldn’t really understand how Gendor was feeling, but right now, granting that wish wasn’t something we could do. We didn’t know where his people had gone, so we had no way of reaching out to them.

“I want to see them……” All Lilith and I could do was stare at Gendor as he repeated himself with a voice full of tears. Still, we had to press on.

“Gendor, why don’t you get some rest? You’re probably just imagining the worst because you’re tired.”

“She’s right. Bith and Fili won’t be back anytime soon.”

(Wait, that’s it!)

Suddenly, a thought occurred to me.

“What if we asked Bith or Fili to see if they could find the elder?”

“……Could they do that?”

“Well, they’re already gathering information from the city. They could at least look into it, couldn’t they? I’ll ask them when they get back.”

Gendor nodded silently and walked out to his own bedroom. I let him go and then sat down beside Lilith.

It was called a wave― so I always assumed that it would eventually recede after swallowing the wheat field. But if it just kept pushing father in, then it wouldn’t be right to call it a wave, right?

“How…… how far will it reach?” I muttered, and in response, Lilith answered me.

“It swallowed up a large part of the Splintered Forest up to that village before finally pulling back, so…… it probably won’t be long before it reaches this place.” She said, then seemed to think of something else and quickly added, “No one knows where they’re coming from, though. The next one could come in from the direction we’re heading in.”

“……We have to hurry and find the Twilight Dragon as soon as possible.”

“It’s a bit early to be saying that when we don’t even have the information on where to find it yet…… you’re really optimistic, aren’t you?” Lilith noted with a wry smile.

(It’s not optimism……)

Inside, my heart was pounding with anxiety. Even if it was only a minute or a second sooner, I wanted to get back to my world as fast as possible. I had to get back before I forgot everything; but in order to do that, I had to keep myself safe, too. I knew there was no point in trying to rush things, but I couldn’t help but want to move faster.

I needed to calm down, so I asked Lilith about the things on my mind. “So…… what exactly is the Twilight Dragon like?”

“Beats me. It is a creature from mythology after all, I doubt anybody alive knows the full details.”

“I’ve been imagining that it must be really big, since it’s supposed to be able to fight back the waves.”

“What does size matter? If you had enough power, I think you could fight off the waves no matter how small you were.”

“I see……”

“There used to be a few people who knew more about the legends. But after the wars with humans and the Lands of Light…… I don’t know. Are they still alive? Are they in hiding? We don’t know anything.”

“……”

“That’s why we’re hoping we can get some information here.”

“It’s hard to just sit and wait. I wish I could be helping them look.”

Wistfully, I looked down out the window and found there seemed to be some kind of commotion brewing outside. At the front, a small, leprechaun-like spirit was shouting something. I leaned in to take a closer look, but then Lilith spoke next to me.

“What do you hear?”

“What?”

“Who’s making a fuss down there?” She asked, but I just shook my head. “Right, your ears are more like a human’s― hold on a minute, I’ll listen in for you.”

Lilith’s simple observation startled me.

Was I a human or a spirit here……? I hadn’t given it any thought before now, but judging from how Lilith was talking about it, I guessed she must see me as a spirit. But in that case― Why did I even have a shadow like Lilith in the first place?

I asked Vesper about it in a whisper while Lilith was focused on the spirits shouting downstairs, and the answer he gave surprised me.

For me― it seemed that I had actually been born with a shadow already cast. “You are what one might call a ‘rare breed’.”

“Are there others like me out there?”

“I’m not sure…… I’ve never heard of others, so maybe there aren’t any.”

Thinking about that now, I wondered just how long Vesper had been living with the Little Witch. I was about to ask, but then Lilith turned to tell me what the commotion was about downstairs.

“Seems there’s a ‘rebellion’ brewing in the Underworld.”

“The Underworld…… you mean the Lands of Darkness?”

“Right. It sounds like the people below believe that if they offer up a sacrifice to the waves, they’ll disappear. So, they’re here to kidnap one.”

“Kidnap……”

I was at a loss for words, but Lilith just looked back out the window at them and continued, “It’s ridiculous, really.”

“We have to stop them!”

I moved to stand, but Lilith stopped me. “It’s fine. Lowly spirits like them wouldn’t even be able to kidnap a human if they wanted to.”

“But……”

“You worry too much. With Bith in town, there’s no way they could get away with kidnapping anyone anyways.”

“Because of Bith?”

“There’s no way that Helba’s retainer would allow spirits ignoring the commands of their leader to simply run amuck.” Lilith insisted, before a small smile touched her lips. “And speak of the devil, there he is.”

She pointed out the window, and I watched Bith approach the spirits who were shouting and start saying something to them. A moment later, I was relieved to see that the spirits who had been causing the commotion shrink back at his words.

Then I looked up at Lilith beside me. Her eyes held a tender gaze as she watched Bith speak. And from the smile on her lips, it looked like she had at last managed to forgive Bith.

“W-what is it?” Lilith’s face turned red when she noticed me staring at her, though. It seemed like she might actually like Bith more than I thought.

“It’s nothing.”

(I guess Bith isn’t the only one not being honest with himself……)

Leaving Lilith to sulk, I turned to look out the window at the city.

The buildings were built taller the closer they were to the center of the city― and it had the effect of making the city look almost like a mountain. Though if the city was full of quarrels like the one below, I worried it would be difficult for Bith and Fili to find the information we needed.

A moment later, the door opened behind us and Bith walked back in. “Back so soon?” Lilith pestered him, but he kept quiet and pulled up a chair to sit down.

“What did you find out?” I asked and stepped closer to him, but Bith shook his head in answer.

“I just got some news on the waves. Seems the first wave has receded.”

“I knew that already.” Lilith glared at Bith while leaning back against the windowsill with folded arms.

“And now these so-called ‘rebellions’ are cropping up all over the Lands of Darkness.”

“How come?”

“They’re panicking, and that makes them dangerous. They won’t think twice about attacking people, no matter who they are.”

“……”

We still don’t know how much further we might have to travel, yet more and more obstacles seemed to be appearing before us― Thinking about it all, I couldn’t help but let out a deep sigh. There was nothing more agonizing than not being able to see the goal ahead of you.

In an attempt to lighten the atmosphere, I brought up the proposal with Gendor earlier to Bith.

However, his response to the request was a quick and definitive NO. “Ask Fili to do that kind of thing, not me.”

“……”

But it was some time before Fili finally returned with good news.

“Sorry for making you all wait……” When he returned, Fili was wearing a necklace with a magma-orange jewel around his neck. “There was a spirit in the city that I used to know very well…… and I was able to get some useful information from her.”

“Really!!?”

Fili nodded. “There’s a place just outside the city where the Great Tree of Lios stands…… and it seems the Sleeping Qi Lin there, Dorin, knows where to find the Twilight Dragon.”

Without missing a beat, Bith rose from his chair. “Then let’s go.” Then he flipped his cloak and strode out of the room, with Lilith close behind him.

“Hold on just a moment!” But before she could follow after Bith out the door, Vesper called for them to wait. “Aren’t you forgetting about Gendor?”

“Oh, that’s right.”

At that, Bith and Lilith turned back and checked on the bedroom, but when they didn’t immediately return, I had to wonder if Gendor had fallen asleep. Then I turned on my heel to find Fili staring at the necklace around his neck with the same look in his eyes that Lilith had when she was watching Bith outside earlier.

For a moment, I just stopped and stared at Fili.

(What is he doing……?)

Fili muttered something under his breath and tightened his grip around the necklace.

“What are you doing? We need to hurry and wake Gendor.” Vesper spoke up, snapping Fili out of his trance.

“Oh, um……”

The atmosphere grew suddenly awkward after that. I shot Vesper a look, but he turned his head and pretended not to notice.

(Seriously?!)

It was difficult to broach the subject, but I was just too curious, so I asked about the necklace.

“My…… old acquaintance gave this to me.”

“The one you got the information from?” Fili nodded.

“I was entrusted with this and asked to repel the waves and create a world where humans and spirits could live united.”

“Live united…… you mean world where people could get along regardless of whether or not they have a shadow?” Fili nodded again.

“She believes that even if someone has a shadow, their life is worth the same as any spirit.”

“I think so, too. I think it’s strange to judge people based on whether they have a shadow or not.”

“She― Pleiad has been in exile.”

“From the Lands of Light?”

“It was different from Lilith’s case, though. She actually cast her own shadow by choice.”

“By choice!!?”

It had seemed like everyone knew that spirits with shadows ended up being persecuted, so this was surprising to hear. But she made a chose that would lead to her being persecuted― so, why had she done it?

I waited for Fili to continue, but he seemed to be struggling to go on. It didn’t look like he was hesitant to continue― but rather, it was more like he was trying to find the right words to express it to me.

Only after he gave the matter some thought did he finally meet my eyes again and explain. “She wanted to become human. She had fallen in love with a human, and was willing to cast a shadow to be with them. But a spirit is still a spirit. Just casting a shadow didn’t make her human.”

“Oh……”

I’d come to meet a number of spirits on this journey, but I had started to realize something after reaching the human village― humans still looked the same as people do in my world, but spirits were different. Some had pointed ears, were part-animal or too short, and all of them lived for hundreds of years. So, simply casting a shadow wouldn’t eliminate the parts of them that were different from humans.

“At first, she had just been watching the human from a distance, but then……”

“?”

“But then she was tricked by a spirit of darkness. She ended up believing that if she only had a shadow, then she could be with that human.”

Fili spat out those words like they were a curse.

(So, that’s it……)

That was why Fili had always hated the spirits of darkness before now. Without rhyme or reason (or so it appeared to him), they had deceived others just because they could.

“……”

She must have loved that human enough to lose sight of the line between reality and fantasy. They say that love is blind, but…… I couldn’t really understand it. But it must have been bad enough that nobody else could have convinced her not to go through with it.

“And then, before she could even express her feelings to them, that human she loved disappeared. If only she had waited a little while longer…… then Pleiad would never have had to go through with casting a shadow for nothing.”

“Is that really true?”

I wanted to be honest with Fili. I hadn’t met her, but from what he said of Pleiad, it didn’t sound to me like she regretted what she’d done.

“If she regretted her decision, she probably wouldn’t still be asking you to create a world where people could live without discrimination.”

“Even so, I cannot forgive that spirit of darkness. The one who knowingly trampled on her pure heart.” Fili clutched the necklace and spoke with a voice trembling in anger.

“But…… if she isn’t even holding a grudge over what happened, isn’t it just sad that you still try to get angry for her?”

At that, Fili stopped shaking. “Sad……?”

“Yes. That’s why she gave you that necklace, isn’t it? She’s saying that she’s watching you, so you should try to get along with others more.” I told him, but then hurriedly added. “Or at least, that’s what I would think if it were me. But I don’t really know Pleiad, so I guess I can’t say for sure……”

Fili mulled over my interpretation for a moment. Then he muttered a few things to himself under his breath, and looked up as if satisfied.

“You’re probably right. Pleiad hated fighting, so me holding onto so much spite would only make her disappointed.”

“See?”

Hearing his answer, I smiled at him. I was proud to be able to help Fili recognize Pleiad’s true feelings.

“……Hey,” Just then, Bith reappeared at the bedroom door. But his entrance had been so well timed that I had to assume he had been listening in on our conversation. “What are you two up to; I thought we didn’t have time to waste?”

Fili and I started with sudden panic. “Oh, um……”

And watching me stutter, Vesper whispered to me, “Weren’t you going to wake up Gendor?”

“Right!” Dropping the conversation with Fili for the time being, I rushed into the other room. “Oh?”

But when I entered the room, I stopped. Gendor was already awake.

“Sorry…… I overheard you guys talking.” Gendor said with an apologetic look on his face, then added, “I guess everyone has their own problems. But I’m so pathetic, all I do is whine and moan……”

Gendor wiped a tear from his eye. And seeing him like that, I found myself at a loss for what to say to him.

“Let’s get moving.” Bith raised his voice and startled Gendor. And turning, I found both Fili and Lilith waiting at the door as well.

“There’s nothing you can do for them except believe that they are safe.” Fili told Gendor.

“I’m sorry for upsetting you.” Lilith added.

Everyone was concerned about Gendor in their own way, but we couldn’t wait around any longer. Unfortunately, there wasn’t even enough time to wait for Gendor to get back on his feet.

“Now let’s get out of here before we get caught up in this brewing ‘rebellion’.”

Bith led the way out of the room.

“He’s right. Let’s be on our way.”

Despite their insistence, we have no choice but to slowly drag Gendor along with us until we reached the Great Tree of Lios where Dorin, the Sleeping Qi Lin was. And on our way there, I asked Fili about finding out what had happened to the humans from the village.

“I was thinking about sending out envoys to gather more information for us.” Fili accepted the task gladly.

Then he muttered something under his breath, and a crest formed under his feet. A moment later, countless shining doves all flew out from the crest and burst into the sky around us.

“Wow!”

The doves flew away in the same direction as one flock.

“Were those doves all yours, Fili?”

“They’re my familiars. They’ll return within a few days.”

Gendor stared after the doves until they were completely out of sight, and we were left with a somewhat melancholic atmosphere as the sun set over the fields outside the city.

The Great Tree of Lios was located to the west of the city, and seemed to have become a popular destination for travelers, serving as a sort of guardian deity for spirits of light to pray for safety. Perhaps because of the Sleeping Qi Lin’s presence however, spirits of darkness rarely went there― which considering the commotion back in the city, may have been the main reason we could visit it without worry.

Walking alongside Gendor, something shining eventually appeared over a hill.

“So, that’s the Great Tree of Lios?”

Even from a distance, the massive tree was visibly emitting a pale golden light, though it may have only been noticeable now that the sun was setting.

“This is my first time seeing it, too. It’s huge.”

Vesper opened his eyes wide to stare out at the large tree in the distance. There wasn’t a soul in sight around the tree, but we could make out one large shape resting near its base. And as we grew closer, I realized that it was the Sleeping Qi Lin himself.

The Great Tree of Lios really was shining gold, and with a trunk well over ten meters across, it was so massive that there was no way to see all of it at once when we were up close. And at the base of that tree was Dorin, the Sleeping Qi Lin.

He had a rainbow-colored mane, deer-like antlers, and thick, horse-like legs. He was also much bigger than us, to the point that his neck alone was wider than my full arm span― and he was just lying there, sleeping comfortably in complete silence.

He wasn’t massive in comparison to the Great Tree of Lios, but next to us standing beside him, he was still a giant of a creature. “He’s not going to wake up, is he?”

Vesper prodded at the Qi Lin’s nose with one paw. “Well, I suppose they do call him the ‘Sleeping Qi Lin’ for a reason, right?”

With a sigh, Lilith walked to the side and took a seat on one of the tree’s roots sticking up from the ground.

“Do you think he would get angry at us if we tried to force him awake?” I turned to Fili, asking his opinion.

“Even if he does, we have to get him to tell us what he knows.”

Making up his mind, Fili reached out to place his hand against the Qi Lin’s neck. He may have been trying to shake him awake, but― with his size, it looked more like Fili was giving him a massage.

“If he won’t wake up……” Behind us, Bith took out his spell wand.

But when I realized he was about to try attacking the Qi Lin with a spell to wake him up, I hurried to stop him.

“Wait a minute! That would be going too far!”

“Then what are we supposed to do?”

“Why not let Gendor have a try at it?” Lilith suggested, patting Gendor’s shoulder as he slumped down next to her. “You are the biggest one here; think you could shake him awake for us?”

“Me?” Gendor looked up at Lilith with surprise.

“Well, it’s either that, or Bith is going to try something profoundly stupid with his spellcraft.” Trying to spur him on, Lilith took Gendor’s hand and led him over to the Qi Lin. “You can do this, alright?”

It was a good idea― if anyone here might actually stand a chance at shaking the Qi Lin awake, it would be Gendor.

“Can I…… really do this?” Gendor muttered quietly to himself as he stared at the Qi Lin with an uncertain expression.

“Of course you can!”

“We trust you, Gendor.”

With me and Fili encouraging him, Gendor timidly shook the Qi Lin’s neck.

Slowly at first, his mane started to shift slightly. And watching the Qi Lin’s face, Gendor steadily increased the strength of his pushes.

“Hrm……” The Qi Lin groaned and frowned.

Noticing this, Gendor pressed his shoulder against the Qi Lin’s neck like he was about to ram him. And with that, Qi Lin’s body shook greatly, sending vibration through the ground that even shook the branches of the Great Tree of Lios. And then the Qi Lin slowly opened his eyes.

“Hast thou cometh at last……” He slowly raised his head, and when he saw us, the Qi Lin let out a contented sigh. “So, thou hast finally gathered?”

Fili stepped up to the Qi Lin. “You know why we are here, then?”

“Indeed, for I am Dorin. The legends begin anew…… and thee must hasten to prepare thyselves.” Dorin stated, then locked his blue eyes onto me. “Though I see there be a changeling among thee.”

Then Dorin lowered his head to bring his line of sight down to be level with me. His eyes were so deep that I felt like I could fall right into them. And momentarily stunned, I just stared back into that eye as he watched me.

“Well…… it shall suffice. Thou seeks the domain of the Twilight Dragon.”

Stating that, Dorin took a deep breath and looked up at the sky as if reminiscing about something, and in the sudden stillness, the sounds of insects echoed all around us.

“Hey, so…… how does he know all this?” It seemed like Dorin knew everything we wanted to ask him about before we had even arrived, so I found myself feeling doubtful of him and turned to ask Vesper about it when he returned to my shoulder.

“It is said that he is aware of all things happening in the world while he sleeps.”

“That’s incredible.”

“But it seems to be a very rare occasion that he actually wakes.”

“If it wasn’t, he probably wouldn’t be known as the Sleeping Qi Lin.”

“In fact, as far as I’ve heard, it’s never happened before.”

“So the fact that he woke up so easily for us is proof that the situation is that dire……”

Thinking that, I looked up at the silent Dorin who sat with eyes wide open, and silence enveloped the area for a moment.

Then all of a sudden― both Lilith and Bith rose from their seats to stand before Dorin. Everyone was waiting eagerly for Dorin to speak again. Dorin’s mane swayed gentled as a soft gust of wind blew passed us, and then he finally shifted his gaze back onto us.

“The Twilight Dragon― At the edge of the Lands of the Beginning of Beginnings they doth dwell, beyond the Dragonbein Mountains, over the Wavering Peninsula.”

Lilith frowned at that. “The Lands of the Beginning of Beginnings is quite a ways away.”

“Beyond the Dragonbein Mountains, over the Wavering Peninsula……”

Not knowing anything about the geography of this world, all I could do was tilt my head in confusion at the sight of even Lilith and Fili seeming to be at a loss.

“If thou wishes to know more, speak with Tartarga. The one of Black should know the place where he doth reside.” Dorin added, and with those as his final words, Dorin curled up again to return to his slumber.

“By ‘the one of Black’, does he mean you, Bith?”

“Seems that way. Except― well, I do know where old Tartarga is, but we’ll need something in order to meet with him.”

“What?”

“A tear jar.”

“?”

He said it so bluntly that I couldn’t help but tilt my head again at the odd statement.

(What is a tear jar?)

Thankfully, Lilith saw my confusion and elaborated for me. “You see, Tartarga has a terrifying guard dog that no one can control― or at least that’s the rumor people pass around. Really, it seems more like the guard dog chose to protect Tartarga on its own, if you ask me.”

“Because he knows something about the Twilight Dragon?”

“Who knows…… but that guard dog is merciless to anyone that comes near, so no one can really guess what they’re thinking.”

“Merciless……”

I was at a loss for words, but Lilith just gave me a bitter smile.

“So the tear jar is for distracting the guard dog.”

“How do we get one?”

“You don’t just ‘get one’. It’s not like they stock these kinds of things at street vendors. That cowardly Skunk should have it now though…… that’s right, isn’t it Bith?”

“Yeah, it’s definitely with Skunk.” Bith answered, though he had a sullen look as he said it.

“Skunk? You mean the spirit that lives in the cave up ahead?” Fili inquired, looking to Lilith.

“Well, you’re well informed.”

“I can track the location of any spirit in my mind.”

“Unlike someone else, you’re a pretty reliable guy.”

Lilith shot a glare at Bith when she said that last part, but Bith shook off her gaze and started walking again.

“We should get moving.” Bith said, but then laughter suddenly filled the air from somewhere above Dorin as if mocking his sense of urgency.

“?” I looked up at the big tree over Dorin’s head and saw a short spirit with pointy ears sitting on a branch with his legs dangling over the side. “Who is that?”

Everyone followed my gaze. “Skunk…… what are you doing here?”

At Lilith’s question however, the short spirit simply laughed even harder.

“I was summoned by Dorin. He said a spirit would soon arrive that needed my help.” Skunk answered before jumping down several meters to land in Dorin’s mane.

(What?)

“But you’re a spirit of darkness, and Dorin is a spirit of light―”

“Listen lady,” Skunk wagged his index finger at me before I could finish my question. “Now isn’t the time for us to be squabbling with each other, don’t you think?”

“No, I know that, but…… it’s still surprising.”

“Well, we’ve got an arrangement, you see. In exchange for me handing over the jar, Dorin here says that he’ll protect me.”

“A spirit of darkness seeking protection from a spirit of light…… how pathetic.” Bith glared at Skunk. “And appalling……”

Then Lilith asked Skunk, “So, where is it, then?”

“Right here.” Skunk motioned, and Dorin lazily lifted one hand to reveal an old, large bisque jar underneath.

The mouth was sealed with something like a cork top, and Skunk moved to pick up the jar and brought it to us.

“Now listen, you absolutely cannot open this lid until you’re ready to use it, okay? It’ll evaporate pretty quickly once you expose it to the air.”

With that warning, Skunk handed the tear jar over to Gendor, since he was the largest of us, and we could here the sound of liquid sloshing around inside the jar.

“Thank you.” Gendor took the jar from Skunk and held it up in one arm.

“Well, I’m getting back up there before things get dangerous.” Skunk said, and then quickly climbed back up the Great Tree of Lios and vanished into the leaves and branches.

Dorin watched him go, and then slowly closed his eyes again.

“Let’s head back to the city once more.” Fili suggested. “It’ll take time to reach Tartarga’s residence. No matter how fast we travel, it’ll take at least seven days by foot. We should make sure we get everything we might need from town before we set out.”

Bith seemed to consider that for a moment, probably having assumed we would set out immediately― but he reluctantly agreed to Fili’s suggestion, so we began the trek back to Arche Haokar to prepare for the journey ahead.

“Huh?” But as we crested back over the hill, Fili came to a stop in front of us, staring out in the direction of the city.

Then I stepped up to see what he did. “……It’s burning.” I stood dumbfounded.

The city of Arche Haokar – which had previously been alight with torches at night – was now engulfed entirely in flames. And even at this distance, I thought I could faintly make out the sounds of people screaming.

“What does this mean……?” Frightened by the sight of the city burning, Lilith stood stock-still with a hand covering her mouth in shock.

“The ‘rebellion’!”

Clicking his tongue, Bith leaped and flew towards the city on his own. And as if to chase after him, Fili flew off as well. And that left me alone in the middle of a field with a frightened Lilith and a dazed Gendor.

“Is it alright for us to stay here?” Vesper whispered to me.

“We can’t go back to the city like this……”

“I’m scared……” Gendor looked out over the city with an anxious expression on his face.

“But if we stay here in the middle of nowhere, will the other two be able to find us again?” Vesper asked, and it was a good point.

“You’re right.” Lilith’s voice trembled as she spoke. “Let’s go. There might still be something left in town that we can use after this.”

“……Right.”

And so, we began to hesitantly make our way back towards the burning city.

The city was in chaos. Everyone was in a panic trying to get away. And whether they were human or spirit, they were all fleeing the city; no one was trying to get further in.

(Oh no!)

Then before I could do anything, I was caught up by the fleeing spirits and humans and separated from the others.

“Lilith! Gendor!” I cried out, but my voice was drowned out by the sounds of fire burning, buildings crumbling, and people screaming.

“You have to get out, too! The waves are coming!”

Shouting into my ear, a spirit with the lower body of a donkey and upper body of human took my arm to pull me away.

“The waves?” I asked, trying to get more details, so the spirit rushed to explain.

“It’s been confirmed, the city guard already sent out the alert! If you don’t want to be swallowed up, you have to run now!”

“Wait, but……” I was going to argue further, but the spirit jumped into a boat fleeing downstream, and they were off.

I looked to the sky, but I couldn’t see any sign of the thick clouds that accompanied the waves before.

(But then, why is everything burning?)

“Perhaps we should get out of here, too.” Still clinging to my cloak, Vesper shouted to me. “This ‘rebellion’ was triggered by the waves. If we don’t leave quickly, we’ll be dragged into the ‘rebellion’ as well.”

Even so, I was stuck here because I had been separated from everyone. More than running away, I had to get back to the others.

“Ah!” And just then, I heard Gendor’s voice in the distance.

“That was Gendor!”

Desperately, I ran through the waves of spirits, trying to reach Gendor.

“We should have tried to repair your broom……” Vesper remarked― but I didn’t think I would be able to fly through this chaos even if I had fixed it.

It was easy to find where Gendor was, because the other spirits all had to run around his larger form as he bent over and curled in on himself.

“Are you okay?” I asked when I got to him, and Gendor wrapped his arms around me. “Hey! What wrong?”

“Urgh……” But when Gendor looked up at me, his eyes were brimming with tears. “The jar……”

(The jar?)

It took a second for my thoughts to catch up with what he was talking about.

“It was stolen.”

“Huh……?”

Gendor was holding me in his arms, which he could only do because he wasn’t holding anything else. But there were no shards of pottery to be seen around him, either. All I could see was the people around us trying to flee, and even if we tried to search for it, we’d just get overrun by the rush of spirits and humans again.

“How? Why? You were supposed to keep it safe, weren’t you?” I hadn’t meant to, but it came out like I was blaming Gendor. “Hey, who took it?!”

I shook Gendor’s shoulders and tried to get him to tell me what happened, but he just shook his head without answering.

(I have to get back to the real world before I lose all my memories. I can’t allow for any mistakes……)

But this was no simple mistake. In order to meet the Twilight Dragon, that item had been absolutely necessary.

For him to have lost it……

“Why……” I knew it wasn’t right to blame Gendor for losing the tear jar in this situation, but I couldn’t think clearly at that moment. My memories had been gradually slipping away ever since I came to this world. “What do I do……”

All I could do at that moment was stand stunned in front of a crying Gendor.

Episode Real//Meanwhile

Following the sound of the front door opening, two pairs of footsteps echoed through the quiet house. They were the footsteps of Harald and Lara’s father.

“Lara?” Her father called, but there was no response. It seemed that they were the only two people in the house.

“Where did she go……?” Harald wondered aloud, then heard his brother sit down on the sofa behind him.

“It is late, she probably just stepped outside for a bit.”

“That’s an irresponsible thing to say. You’re her father, aren’t you?”

“I’m sure she’ll come back soon enough.”

Harald sighed with dismay. “I’m going to check around the house.”

“Is there anything here you wouldn’t want other people handling without permission?”

“There is. One very important thing.”

Saying that, Harald came to stand in front of the door at the end of the hall. Suspicious that the door was closed tight, he pushed forward into the room in a rush, but the room was empty.

A computer fan was buzzing, and the room was lit by the pale light from the monitor. “Why……”

Harald approached the computer and stared at one of the screens incredulously. He had left the monitor on standby, but now, the title of the game he had been developing was crossing the display instead.

Fragment

Carefully, Harald picked up the goggle-like display and controller that had fallen onto the ground at his feet. “She couldn’t have……”

In a sudden panic, Harald grabbed the keyboard propped up next to the computer.

“She couldn’t have……!” With a self-deprecating grin scrawling across his face, he returned the keyboard to its original position. “It wasn’t supposed to be working yet.”

He told himself that, but quietly placed a hand over the power box for the computer that bore his game’s title floating across the screen.

Afterword

Nice to meet you.

My name is Miu Kawasaki.

Firstly, I would like to stress that I am not good at writing afterwords. I could barely write the contents of this story, so I’m not sure how to go about making commentary on it or explaining what it means……

That’s why― I think I’m going to us this afterword to ramble a bit about the thoughts I had while writing, so please bear with me.

For starters― the reason I wanted to write the story for Epitaph of Twilight was because with the world of “.hack” expanding in various directions, I worried that the story of its origin would end up buried.

However, it didn’t come out the way I expected, and I was conflicted over whether it would be better for this work to be written in fragments.

And on that point, I think the contents of this book are a bit different from the Epitaph of Twilight that is out in the world, but I tried to write the Epitaph of Twilight that appears in “.hack” as faithfully as possible.

I think this is a story that can be enjoyed by both those who are familiar with the franchise and those who know nothing about it at all.

Now― I have been away from writing for over a year (putting aside what I was doing on my own time……), but I have still been reading various works. I wasn’t able to read physical books, so I read what I could on my cell phone in my spare time. About two books every day. Though most of them were either detective or romance novels, I think.

Man…… cell phones really are amazing these day. It’s incredible how easy it is to read more books! The only problem is that a cell phones’ battery doesn’t last long. The battery pack could also swell from overcharging…… so if that happened, it would need to be replaced immediately, because leaving it that way seems dangerous.

And lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to say this.

To my wonderful mentor who gave me this chance when I thought the TV animation “.hack//Roots” would be my last work.

To Mr. Takenaka, my former supervisor, who left a path for me to take advantage of this opportunity (How are you doing?)

To Mr. Matsuyama of CC2 Inc. for taking time out of his busy schedule to give me advice.

To Mr. Nabae, the current manager, for not abandoning me. (I didn’t think there was such a kind and polite person in charge!)

To Ms. Shiina, who drew these cute illustrations for me.

To all the staff who were involved in the publication of this story.

To my family, who supported me emotionally until I finished writing this story.

And to the readers who picked up this book.

I am truly and deeply grateful.

This work could not have been completed without each and every one of you. I am truly thankful to you all.

From now on― if all goes well, Volume II will be released in the fall. I will continue to do my best as a writer, so please look forward to it.

March 2008

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