act27side

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.

Just then, another scar appears on her old, tattered protective gear.

I should've guessed.

It's an apt metaphor, isn't it? Animals need very thick fur to protect themselves—same for humans.

When I see you standing here like that, it's like I'm looking at those two old friends of mine. I really miss them.

Oh, you earn no praise from me for inheriting their exquisite mantle. It's just I'm guessing you miss them too. Poor girl, why can't you just open up and admit it?

No need to act tough. You shouldn't keep yourself so on edge, either. No one will deny a girl your age the right to feel sad or afraid. You need to learn to not act tough.

If you're tired, stop and take a break or cry your heart out.

Mr. Dolly, is this scavenger hunt <i>just</i> a game?

It's true that it's not really all that mysterious of a puzzle. I just wanted you to have some fun, Adele.

I had lots of fun during my time in Siesta.

I don't understand. Why are you taking such good care of me in particular...?

It's simple. A girl as lovely as you is a rare sight on this world.

Misfortune may find you often... but you have no less love than anybody else.

Actually, I saw you a long time ago, back in Leithanien.

A little girl always earnestly reading her books in that tiny, little spire.

As the child of two genius academics, many had high expectations of her. She was seen as a gifted Caster and scholar.

Outstanding, remarkably talented individuals like her are always burdened with achieving results to match their talent. Even if they are inflicted with an incurable disease, they are seen by others as a tenacious role model.

Young Adele, has anyone ever asked you what you wanted?

Take a look. There are so many people and so many lives all around the world. You know volcanoes like the back of your hoof, but there are so many fun things out there besides volcanoes. Why not see for yourself?

Thanks... Mr. Dolly. I've... had a lot of fun these past few days...

I can smell <i>half</i> a lie. Just half, but we'll leave it like this for now.

It's nearly time. I really wanted to invite you to come try lava surfing with me, but the human body is too weak.

I'll take you three somewhere safe. Then, I'll have to be ready for the opening of Volcano Paradise.

So long, Adele.

Thanks, Mr. Dolly... Will we meet again?

Perhaps... No, maybe I should say we will meet again for sure.

I hope that the next time we meet, I will get to see a truly happy Adele.

Promise me this?

Yeah!

The fluffy creature shakes its body a little, walks forward a few steps, and lightly brushes the girl's cheek with its snout.

Oh! I almost forgot. I owe you a reward for finding all three things.

Mr. Dolly, do you know anything else about... the death of my parents?

Hrmm...

What I mean is... The thing you've been looking for... isn't 'Volcano Watchers?'

You've been talking about Volcano Watchers?!

S-Surprise...?

I thought...

There used to be a lot of Volcano Watchers growing on Mount Siesta's hills. They look pretty, and they are tasty. That's why the little ones ate most of them up.

Then I realized if they kept on eating them, it wouldn't be long before they went extinct. That's why I planted some of them in a secret spot behind their backs.

So the Volcano Watchers aren't extinct yet... That's good news...

Then where did you plant the flowers?

Oh, just on top of a hill around the back of the volcano.

By volcano... You mean this one, the one that's about to erupt...?

Er... yeah.

Enis?

Are you... leaving...?

(Out of breath)

Why did you... run out here all by yourself...?