act25side

The synthetic stars ceaselessly revolve around the two in unison.

Everything else around them has sunk into chaos as a result of their Arts colliding and destroying each other.

Only the protector's will remains unshaken as the earth.

You're always slightly late.

And you're always slightly early. Been waiting long, Kal'tsit?

Not really.

I thought you would be next. You are like a microcosm of everything that happened in Ursus.

I'm sorry, I really am.

Sorry...? For what?

You knew my husband and I were already doomed when we made our decision at the research institute. You're not the type to get depressed...

...No, perhaps you might have even become more depressed in the last century.

No.

I hold regrets, and maybe even remorse towards your story, but not much sorrow.

I'm talking about your daughter. Folinic doesn't live in the better era that you wished for, an era where hate and violence have been forgotten. The same goes for Lyudmila.

Like I said, you're like a microcosm, Lillia.

You and Folinic have an unbreakable bond formed of hatred and blood. A microcosm. I've seen it many a time, a futile destruction.

Sounds like you're tired.

You weren't created to be a savior. You can't level a mountain with a finger, or destroy a city with your eyes.

Haha... just what kind of plebeian would hope that you were invincible? Do those fools think they could uphold a civilization teetering on the edge of collapse with just violence?

There might be some with such a hope.

They hope that I can bring them a future. Hope to survive in my country. Hope for a victory under my command.

You've failed them. Because you're just Kal'tsit.

Our conversation has yielded no answers.

Yes. You've admitted it, you're tired.

But why? You're always on the path of avoiding their self-destruction... but the power you hold is just that miniscule.

There's no way you can teleport from Victoria to Ursus, or monitor every Sarkaz on Terra to see what dangerous witchcraft they're delving into this time.

Whatever you do just grows more and more futile, so you're starting to get impatient, right?

And especially with—

I know.

I know...

Hehe... you already know what you're afraid of, yet you're still able to keep yourself from thinking about it.

Not letting Theresa and Theresis appear in front of you, even your subconsciousness is practically begging for it.

The same goes for your own determination, Kal'tsit, you think people will treat you gently, and so that pair of siblings won't talk to you like this.

How strange. You were so cold before that I never imagined you would seek the warmth of others. From such a perspective, you really have become weak.

Spring is chilly here, I'll catch a cold soon if I stay out any longer. We should go somewhere with a warmer spring.

Shall we go inside?

...Sure.

Snow...?

Hm...? A rare outsider. Are you heading for the sacred mountain?

Pilgrims as young as you rarely make it up here, but why aren't you continuing your ascent? Legs got frostbite?

Sacred mountain... are we in Kjerag?

Kjerag? Where is that?

Is that where you're from?

I wouldn't consider it as such.

It's one of the most spectacular mountains on Terra. I once saw a group of destitute refugees settle and rebuild their lives in that paradise free of Catastrophe.

Oh, it must be a beautiful place then.

Terra... it sounds so small. That's where you're from?

Yes.

...I come from Terra...

And you?

Toward the mountain. We're born with this one goal.

Born with it?

We frolic among the trees on the mossy plains in our youth, and learn from the rocks, and in our prime, we began climbing the mountain.

We did so much groundwork at the foot of the mountain, weaving strands of dawnlight into ropes, or preparing a pair of shoes that won't be contaminated by the darkness of the night.

And then, we begin climbing the mountain.

The road is long and full of obstacles, and we only harvest resources from the valleys. Fortunately for us, the sacred mountain is merciful, and feed us with death, so we dedicate our long lives to this mountain path in return.

It must be an exhausting journey, coming all the way here.

Exhausting? No, no, no.

The snow does not mourn its melting. This is all from the self-flattering efforts of others, while we are just climbers.

What is this sacred mountain called? And what should I call you?

This mountain is called 'time,' and us? We are just insignificant lives.

Time is such a grand thing, isn't it? You should be well aware of this.

Will the mountain change? Has anyone reached the summit?

I don't know. What I mean by that is—maybe.

Try shouting at the abyss of time. The response you'll receive is a gift from the sacred mountain.

Time will not give you an automatic answer, but it will respond. Our predecessors called this response 'fate.'

And fate is the echoes of the cries of life.

Have you never done this before?

Well... it seems like there will be a blizzard tonight.

I should go prepare dinner, and find a place to set up camp... do you need a place to rest? We can go together, girl.

Sure... old man.

I'd like to know, what's there to fill your stomach?

Perhaps we'll be having 'despair,' child.

Maybe you can finish your prayers before dinner. Do your shouting before the blizzard blots everything from sight.

I...

Louder!

I—

You will become yourself.

Kal'tsit. Your judgment is rational. For this I feel sorry.

Sorry for what?

It's only myself...

Because I am your time.

I single-handedly caused your distrust towards humanity, your pessimism, your dismay, and your impatience with no way out.

However... however, from her and on her, you saw a possibility.

Out of your tendency to be overly cautious and anxious, you suspect that this feeling is merely a misjudgment caused by your irritation... after all, the world is breaking out of your knowledge and control. And the new you was only born not long ago.

And yet you've considered it many times before, how much easier it would be, if you chose to trust them instead.

——I am your time. Kal'tsit, you omniscient fool——

You forget the little details, you are not a chosen savior. You should not be. You're not always right either.

Even if you've already made up your mind.

You know better than anyone else how limited time is. And there isn't much left.

You should try giving up. And choose to trust someone you can believe in.

You are not trusted because you are 'Kal'tsit,' nor do you become 'Kal'tsit' because you are trusted.

You are the echoes of a valley, water dripping off a cliff. Your responsibilities weigh beyond what your abilities can bear, and now at least, there are people to share these responsibilities with.

What you have lost and gained in this short period of the past few centuries far exceeds your former days, so long they were that you could only use for progress and evolution.

Everything is about to end, Kal'tsit, and you know this. Will you stay your passivity, your pessimism, your apathy?

Don't forget your original question. Don't forget the answer that you nearly had.

Go on. AMa-10. The meaning of your existence is more than you yourself.

...Let's stop here.

Indeed.

Indeed... this is enough.