agoat2

I still haven't...

Beh!

Beh! Beeeh!!

The fluffy creatures' excited cries interrupt Adele's flustered speech. While the sky has gone dark at the foot of the volcano, from this height, a faint glimmer of the purplish-pink sunset can still be seen.

They continue to bleat toward the peak of the volcano, as if beckoning and urging.

What... are you trying to do...?

(Nuzzles Adele with its head)

Faraway, a flower wreath can be seen floating in the sky as two snow-white lambs carry a sleeping Hope in what looks almost like a gentle, loving embrace.

There are streaks of dried tears on Hope's face, contrasted by a happy, satisfied smile. The wreath gently descends on her head.

With Hope still nestled between them, the two lambs slowly drift down towards Unna Village.

Phew... So that's where you were, Hope.

Looks like... you were invited, too.

(Nuzzles Adele with its head)

(Bleats loudly)

What's wrong...? Do you want me to bleat with you...?

(Looks expectantly)

Hey... Hey—!

(Bleats anxiously)

No? Then what do you want me to do...?

But it'll take so long for me to grow up, what if you forget...

Then how about a pinky promise? This is a promise between all three of us. When you're big enough, we'll climb the volcano together and enjoy the view from the summit.

And this promise lasts forever. No matter when, no matter where.

Okay, how about we seal this promise with a secret code? When our little Adele's all grown up and ready, just say the words. Then Mutti and Vati will take you on a special volcanic survey.

Let's see... How about... 'The view is splendid at the top?'

The...

The view is splendid at the top...

Mm...

Alright, let's blow out the candles. Then, we'll let you in on a little secret.

Secret! What secret?

Hey now, slow down there. You need to blow out the candles before we can tell you the secret!

Huff... Phew...Phew! They're all out! What's the secret?

Come, let's step out onto the balcony. Look at the twin moons and the brightest star beneath them. Don't they look like the three of us?

Mutti and Vati spotted it last year. We thought it was just a coincidence, but the bright star beneath the moons is there again this year.

Adele, on the day of your birthday, the moons and the star in the sky are just like the three of us, together.

Adele lifts her head and looks at the night sky. There is a bright star twinkling under the twin moons.

The tiny creature fondly rubs its head against Adele and slowly bleats.

So this is what you've been trying to tell me...?

Today's my birthday... I nearly forgot...

So... this is what it feels like... to reach the summit...

I thought it would...

...It's...

Adele squats down, the slightly oversized protective coat that had accompanied her on many volcanic journeys enveloping her like a tender embrace.

Puffs of hot air rise from the volcanic rocks, gently drying the tears streaming down her face as if warm hands were comforting her.

She caresses the warm stones, whispering to herself the thoughts she had longed to share.

Mutti, Vati, I surveyed three more volcanoes this year. That makes more than thirty I've been to.

Professor Keller and I have been continuing your research, and filled in many of the blanks. One by one, I'm answering the questions that you left behind.

Oh yes, since I found the Volcano Watchers, I've been trying to cultivate them. I'm also researching the link between their color changes and Originium activity. As it turns out, this is the most suitable location.

That's why I brought the flowers here... Oh, but I don't have them with me. The lambs brought me here so suddenly...

A Volcano Watcher bud appears before Adele.

Huh?

The tiny creature holds the plant gently in its mouth by the stem. The rest of the lambs playfully nudge the bud towards Adele.

She takes the flower she has painstakingly cultivated, its frail form standing proudly against the sun's last rays. With gentle determination, Adele begins to dig a hole with her hand.

Her coat's sleeves are again covered in dirt and ash, but instead of brushing it away, she stays focused on planting this young Volcano Watcher into the soil here.

Look! Volcano Watchers! And so many of them!

I never expected to see them here...

Why don't we bring a flower back as a sample?

Good idea. We can give it to Adele once we're done with it. She loved the freshly picked veggies we brought back last time.

I'm sure she'll love the flower, too.

Phew...

Shall we, little lamb?

(Bleats happily)

A new set of footprints appears on the ground as Adele continues her journey upward, with an excited little lamb at her side.

I can't stop now... when I'm this close to the summit.

The view is splendid at the top... I'll see it for all of us, Mutti and Vati.