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I'm pretty happy about it... we'll be able to find our answer together real soon.

You want to know if life can exist among the stars.

And especially... yourself.

...Yup.

My people and I... we've been trapped in this cage that just continues to shrink.

As time goes by, we can only follow what happens to water that can't be contained, wind that dissipates, trees that wither, and vanish from this ever changing land.

And then, she said to me...

'Then, let's go.'

'This land is not your home, but beyond it... there might just be a space untainted by Originium that will really accept you and your people.'

A mere hypothesis.

So far, no instrument has managed to penetrate, or even approach the barrier. So there is no basis to assert the possibility of Originium's absence beyond the barrier, let alone the total lack of evidence to suggest that life can survive in the depths of outer space.

I know.

It's just a dream. There's no evidence or data to support it, and it goes against all the scientific knowledge I have.

But... Scientists don't believe that dreams are false. Because what they're essentially doing is proving to all humanity that dreams can come true.

I remember Kristen said that.

Yes. She's the same as ever.

What about us?

Saria...

Have we... changed at all?

Water spreads out like hands in all directions, pinning Saria to the wall.

Saria has never seen water this fierce out of Muelsyse. It is like a waterfall, like a tsunami, as if the water is howling.

Calcium crystals continuously grow from Saria's hands, but they fail to take form under the sweeping waves.

She tries to find Muelsyse, but all she finds in stream after stream of water are the eyes of an elf hidden in the depths of each wave.

Eyes filled with serenity and grief.

The water is howling, but the elf is crying.

I really... really wish, we could be together forever, just like on that starlit night.

But there's no way I can hold onto the both of you at the same time.

Dancing in threes... really is too hard.

Ugh... Ggh...

I won't give you a chance to stop her.

Because... haha, two against one. This time, I'm on her side.

Muel...syse...

Sleep, Saria. Go to sleep.

You're all black and blue and probably about to pass out. There's no need for you to keep fighting, because our dreams are about to come true.

So just close your eyes and the water will take you away from here. By the time you wake up, Kristen and I will have reached our destination.

...No.

A solid calcium crystal does not stab at the water in vain, but into the side of the bulkhead.

Saria is well aware that the next 'disorder' is about to happen.

Warning—

Energy overload initiated. All secondary compartmental gravity systems and dampers have failed.

Attention all personnel, energy overload initiated—

Eek?!

Why... would it suddenly...?

Sudden? No.

You were right, Kristen has never changed.

The instantaneous gravitational shift causes the streams of water to lose direction.

The enamel piercing through the bulkhead firmly fixes Saria on the spot, but Muelsyse is tossed outside along with her water.

Saria!

You're the same as ever. Whenever you get nervous, you forget just how fragile your body is.

Uhh... no, catch me! I don't want to leave... not alone...

The energy overload is starting.

When it's done charging, the entire platform will collapse. Even if you can get close to, or even break through the barrier, the core cabin will not last long enough.

Kristen wants to save you.

...As do I.

You...

Yes, I want to bring her back.

Muelsyse... after gravity returns to normal, leave this place.

What happens next is between the two of us.

...Saria!

No! I gotta hold onto something—!

Authentication—failed.

Your clearance has expired. Galleria Stellaria Vivarium—Access Denied.

Your clearance has expired. Galleria Stellaria Vivarium—Access Denied.

Saria! You dummy! Blockhead! Knucklehead! Open the door!

Ha... haha...

I've really been... abandoned again.

Saria... I hope you make it...

Saria stands at the door leading to the deepest part of the lab, knowing her target is just inside.

However, before she can even condense the calcium crystals on her hand, the door lock automatically releases.

Compared to the previous area filled with instruments and equipment, this place feels more like a temple to the stars.

A sphere made of smooth and flawless metal shows off its dazzling beauty under the soft light.

Spheres of varying sizes slowly glide on predetermined orbits one after another, with their paths changing now and then.

The irregularities intertwine with each other, but contrary to expectations, they form an indescribable sense of harmony.

Whether it be the positions of the stars, or how precise their orbits shift, the planetarium exceeds the imaginations of any astrologer.

But in the very next moment, those devoted to the stars would probably fly into a rage.

Those so-called astrologers are basically misguided zealots.

For the past thousand years, they've committed themselves to tracking the trajectory of the stars.

Every trajectory change that occurs signifies a new revelation, or a meaningful omen to them.

Their behavior is not necessarily incomprehensible.

The fact that the stars move without a trace is enough to terrify most people.

To believe that the stars are mere pawns of an undiscoverable being, that their movements and trajectory changes hold any meaning is obviously the more reassuring choice.

However—

Kristen extends a hand toward the planetarium.

The dome of Galleria Stellaria enveloping the ceiling suddenly opens itself.

False starlight floods the laboratory.

Kristen makes a series of gestures with her hand, and in an instant, the planetarium completely transforms.

Fake.

The stars begin to move erratically.

False.

Several stars collide with one another. Though they do not shatter, the sound of them crashing into each other instantly destroys the silence in the room.

Fabricated.

However, Kristen's expression does not change at all.

As if everything is as it should be.

If the trajectories are really just invisible, then how have we avoided colliding with other stars throughout the last millennium?

Are we so special to have avoided such a fate so far?

What kind of land have we actually been living on?

Where exactly are we headed?

These questions... I've whispered them in your ears too many times to count.

Can you help me move that 'planet' over there, Saria?

A small metallic sphere passes by Saria's hand.