act27side

Are you the only one here...? Did you get left behind by your friends, too?

The transport is parked at the foot of the mountain. The once familiar mountain range now sports a completely different appearance.

The flora on the mountain has withered long ago, and the rugged rockscapes now look taller than ever.

With the sun gradually setting, a dark shadow is draped over the two researchers' minds.

So this is Mount Siesta...

Adele, be careful.

This is as far as the transport will take us. We have to walk the rest of the way.

Monitoring Station No. 1 is halfway up the volcano. We still have a long walk ahead of us.

I'm fine. My energy can keep up still.

Hmm...

The scholar lowers her head. her heart is rending with a sharp, piercing pain.

Just who is the terrified one?

The volcano is right in front of her, but she cannot bring herself to take a single step forward.

Professor Keller. Are you okay?

Would you like to take my hand?

Streams colored dark red can be seen slowly climbing their way through the mountain rocks like the blood veins in one's body, all while the enormous thing breathes strenuously.

From the earth's core to this cliff, they flowed through the ages, enduring an intense heat and utter silence.

This path seems to not be nearly as long as Adele had imagined. With the strength she has, she can still climb onto this mountain.

But this path also seems to be much longer than she had imagined. It's long enough for her memories to be rinsed countless of times at the bottom of her heart.

This is where we set up the monitoring station.

This equipment... Has someone been here?

But there are no other footprints on the mountain...

The Originium energy response hasn't changed, but the temperature measurement instruments logged a high response...

She takes a look around and can make out only the dark mountain gravel and molten rocks in the shadows.

How strange...

The event has most likely ended. Let's tune the instruments and head back.

Kahn, what are you doing here?

(Out of breath)

I heard... you two... climbed the volcano...

Why...?

Adele was worried because the monitoring station's indices were fluctuating, so we came here to inspect.

It was probably caused by accident. We're preparing to evacuate to a safe observation point.

The volcanic activity is definitely starting to pick up. The eruption might happen sooner than expected...

Yeah, we need to go.

Stay right there, Keller.

Kahn?

The man, still out of breath, is trembling. He pulls out a file from his chest, and the moment Keller sees its cover, her expression changes immediately.

September 1095, on Mount Unna, why did you suddenly leave the survey team...?

And in November that year, you didn't attend the Naumanns' funeral, but someone said they saw you at a symposium with the military at Wilhelm University.

On top of that, not even Adele has seen Katia Naumann's research data. What is it doing in a letter between you and the Leithanian military?!

Keller, answer me!

Professor Keller...?

Adele, I told you that I'd share everything with you when this observation is done...

Kahn, it's dangerous here. We should—

Keller... Look where we're standing. The Naumanns were here, on this very volcano.

Are you still going to lie, even here?!

Hmm... I'm not really one to interfere with human affairs.

But this isn't the place for a row...

Oof... This is just the right temperature. Hot springs are fun, but the temperature's a tad bit too peaceful.

<i>This</i> temperature keeps my head clear. Helps me think about the real important questions.

Say... Which did the planet birth first? Lava or rocks?

Let's start from the very beginning. 'Lava' wasn't 'lava,' and 'rock' wasn't 'rock.' All thing are a cycle, and they take different shapes during their changes, and so they were given different names.

Man is always trying to use assertive language to delimit the indescribable natures of the world, almost like it's the only way they can get a good night's sleep. This, too, goes to show their lack of wisdom...

Hey, watch out there. Don't splash all that lava everywhere. It's dangerous. It's not <i>that</i> likely, but what if someone just happens to walk by—

Hm? What's with the ruckus... Is somebody trying to join us?

The enormous monster beneath their feet is breathing heavier and heavier by the second. The temperature in their surroundings has risen quite a bit. The lava spewed out from the volcano's crater rapidly cools and turns into rocks that come rolling down.

Kahn, Professor Keller... This place is dangerous... We should leave...

Adele, you get out of here first. This is something that I need to settle with her, right here and now!

Kahn, don't be absurd!

When you left them there on Mount Unna, what they had to face was much worse!

Do you even have a conscience? Is admitting to what you've done harder than facing death?!

Kahn... We need to hurry...

I won't be able to block the next wave...

Watch out! Behind you!

Adele lifts her staff, but the rocks are falling like rain. Her Originium Arts are unable to melt all of them down.

She focuses on protecting her allies, yet she can't hear their warnings or the sound of the danger behind her.

I saw you the past few days, but it looks like nobody else can.

I don't know where you came from, but you're the only one who's willing to hang out with me. I know, you like strawberry ice cream, too, right?

(Lies down obediently)

Look, our home used to be right under that volcano there, but it's going to go away soon.

I actually know... I was abandoned there, and Harley and Enis found me.

I don't know why I was abandoned, but if my real parents ever come looking for me, will they still be able to find me?

*sigh*... Daddy is gone, and Enis is leaving. Little lamb, where do you think our home really is? Where is the friend who ate strawberry ice cream with me a long time ago?

(Unsatisfied groan)

Hey—

The ocean doesn't answer her. It merely sits between the two Siestas as always.

Suddenly, the girl notices that the calm, quiet shoreline has gotten closer to her at some point. The seawater gradually drowned the dry surface and has reached her feet.

Hmm...?

Liv!

Their surroundings suddenly fall silent.

The bubbling lava, the falling rocks. All of it are suddenly without sound whatsoever, as though time itself has ground to a halt.

Adele isn't sure if it is her hearing aids that have failed or that she has once again fallen into a dream. All she can feel is that she is enveloped by a formless warmth, as though she has fallen into a cozy mattress.

Poor little one, you seem to be frightened. *sigh*, why did you climb the volcano at a time like this?

Mr. Dolly? So this is where you've been!

I thought you'd left... Where are Keller and Kahn?! Did the lambs cause the volcanic anomaly? I... Am I already dead...?

Hey, hey! Calm down, little one. I know you have a lot of questions, but slow down. We'll take it one step at a time.

You are alive and well, and so are your buddies, but I won't let them see me. Once they wake up from this, all they'll think is that they had a nice little nap.

As for all that strange equipment on the volcano... Terribly sorry. I told them to be extra careful—I'm not lying this time!

But I wasn't able to keep them in check. They were being so rowdy with their fun... And I'm not lying about this, either.

Having fun... on a volcano?

Of course! Didn't I tell you? This is second best thing on the planet! Volcano surfing!

Adele lifts her head up and looks into the distance. There is lava gushing out of the crater sporadically, but she can faintly make out silhouettes of critters enjoying themselves. At the same time, there are many more creatures happily making their way toward the crater.

The mountain is covered in a blanket of white wool, almost like clouds have come falling down from the sky and draped themselves over it.

Mr. Dolly, these sheep aren't just your clones, are they...?

Ohh? You've realized it, have you?

Just as I said, I've met a lot of interesting folk during the long, long time I've been around.

Oh, don't get the wrong idea. They aren't 'souls' or anything.

There's no way to keep lives that have been lost. I simply copied how they looked and made all these little ones... It's like... a personal collection? I thought you'd like them.

That sounds... kind of cruel...

Look at me talking on and on. I only just noticed that you've found the fur too. Yeah... it's been way too long since the last time I saw them.