act15mini

Or to exact, it's only a shadow for now. A very, very faint one.

Maybe one day it will grow into a more concrete threat, but we'll have grown too. We'll have even more tricks up our sleeves.

So when that time comes, maybe these things won't be so scary to us anymore.

Besides, I can sometimes hear a voice in that dream where we're preyed on.

'If something ever scares you, you should attack it without hesitation.'

'If you defeat it, you will have defeated fear. If you run from it, you will always be afraid.'

Come.

But...

Magallan uneasily looks at the curtain-like shadow before her.

The cruel and oppressive feeling she felt in her dream still haunts her mind.

Part of her tells her not to take the risk, but—

She slowly reaches her hand out.

Just like that. Slowly. It'll be fine.

I'll do it with you.

Typhon places her palm on the back of Magallan's hand and gently pushes it forward.

The moment they're met with a hint of resistance, she stops pushing forward, and instead reaches forward ahead of Magallan's hand.

She dips her hand into the shadow and pulls it back out. Then, she places it back on Magallan's hand.

See? Nothing to be afraid of.

Mm... I'll give it a try...

Magallan's hand inches forward bit by bit, until her fingertips are finally submerged in the shadow.

She thought she would feel a hint of cold, or perhaps that something would suck her in or chew on her fingers.

But there was nothing.

Nothing.

First, up to a joint. Then, a whole finger. Finally, her whole hand.

The shadow still moves, but aside from the change in the light, nothing happens at all.

Exactly as Typhon said.

It's just a shadow.

How is it? Just like I said, right?

You're right... There's nothing.

Hm... How did something like this happen in the first place...?

Still hung up on those scientific principles of yours?

Things don't just happen without rhyme or reason.

Mm-hm.

Then how come our mothers gave birth to you and me, and not to anybody else?

Based on your logic, isn't that something with no rhyme or reason?

W-Well, that's because...

It seems like you southerners really need to have a reason for everything.

But if you ask me, I think it's more important to be able to face the unknown at any time.

Even if I'm not prepared.

Don't you... get scared?

Do you? When you encounter a blizzard in the icefield, an avalanche in the mountains, or a pack of beasts when you're alone?

I do, yeah... but I still think I'll manage to survive somehow.

If you can manage to survive even when you're scared, you've already accomplished the most difficult thing there is.

And in that case, what else is there to be afraid of?

Even if the shadow in front of us were to suddenly turn into a real monster, you wouldn't be afraid, would you?

If it were something that actually exists, we could deal with it. This? This is just a shadow.

Everything that exists has a weak point.

You wait, observe, and survive until the moment you find that weakness, and then you attack. That's how hunters have always lived.

You're an explorer, so you're something like half a hunter. I'm sure you can handle these things, too.

Nothing stays the same forever. Maybe there will come a day when the things that once scared you are afraid of you instead.

Don't overthink it. We have to be on the road tomorrow.

Oh, right. Here.

Want a fruit before you go back to bed?

No thanks. Eating sugar before bed is how you get cavities.

Alright, up to you.

Good night.

Nighty-night, Typhon.

Magallan turns around and looks at the hovering shadow once more.

But for some reason, she doesn't think it represents fear and emptiness this time.

It feels more like a traveler who has lost his bearings and doesn't know where to go. Simply wandering the lands aimlessly.

Maybe, by the time the sun rises, it will have gone back home for a good night's sleep.

*Click*—

Magallan takes another picture. Just like before, there is nothing in the photograph.

She thinks a little, and adds a note on the picture.

'Mr. Lonesome.'

Finally, everything is quiet once more.

Only the wandering shadow is left to hover around alone.

Until daybreak.

It should almost be time.

I wonder what kind of ceremony this is.

Ooh, it's starting!

(Takes out her notebook) 'The Sami begin the ceremony by singing and dancing around their clan tree. Perhaps this is meant to be a farewell to the tree.'

Ten minutes later...

Hmm...

'The dance is very unique, but disorderly. Everyone dances on their own.'

'It's almost like a carnival.'

Thirty minutes later...

(Yawns)

Is Simone here yet?

Oh, she's right under the tree, talking to the shaman.

If you wanna look, I can lend you my binoculars.

No thanks. My eyes are enough to see her without your gadget.

What kind of ceremony is this, anyway? And how much longer will it take? If you hadn't come, I'd have fallen asleep by now.

I'm a Sami Sarkaz, not a Sami Elafia. I don't know much more than you.

As for how long it will take, that's hard to say. I've seen ceremonies that ended with just the shaman's nod, as well as gatherings that lasted all day and night.

But forget the ceremony. Take a look at this. I found it in the forest!

Is this... a snowball?

It's Amma's Affection, Magallan! This is Amma's Affection!

Amma? That means 'mother,' right?

Good memory.

As a southerner might put it, this is a mother's love.

It's the protection most sought after by the Sami. Among all of Sami's kindnesses, it's the purest and most sincere.

Here, take it Magallan. Put it in your pocket.

Didn't you just say all the Sami want this? You found it, so you should keep it. I can't take it.

I know its worth, but that's why I don't have the right to it.

Amma doesn't like granting protection to greedy people.

But you know nothing about her. Ignorance is also a kind of purity, and you have an honest soul. That's why you should have it.

Then... what should I do with it?

Forget about it, like you never received it in the first place.

Then I gotta give you something in return, too.