philae

But I see and feel even greater pain, and endless destruction.

This land and this forest deserve to live their lives and futures to the fullest.

But the locusts are like a plague, spreading uncontrollably. The pain they brought far exceeds the need for their own survival. Is destruction the sole reason for their existence?

And what about me, head priest? For what purpose do my past, present and future exist?

...No, I must not cry.

The locusts are spreading too fast. If I hesitate any longer, the village, the forest, everything here... these innocent lives have already suffered too much.

The mayor was right. They won't need to live in fear anymore if they move away. There'll be a way, as long as life goes on. There will be new hope in their new home.

Besides... it wouldn't be the mayor's fault that the village's tradition ended, if I was the one who did it.

I can't allow the crystals to continue spreading. I'll take responsibility and help them find a new water source...

Is this the meaning of my existence, head priest?

No time to think. The sun's about to rise.

So I put my hands on the ground and breathed out.

It was quiet all around, but I could feel something gathering in the forest, something struggling violently deep below the surface.

A thin mist began to rise from the ground. It was not cold air, but a curious silence, as time seemed to be suppressed on an invisible waterline by my will.

The crystals began to shatter.

Cracks began to appear on the trees on the outside, spreading from the trunks to the branches. As the last bit of lifeforce was wiped away, the Originium crystals lost their support and fell to the ground.

I heard more sounds of shattering coming from the distance. Head priest, this time I didn't close my eyes, like I did in the previous trials.

I watched as the crystallized trees began to wilt, no longer forced to keep themselves upright; I watched locusts fly out and wither in mid-air, dropping to the ground like falling snow.

Tears streamed from my eyes, rolling silently down towards the ground shaking beneath my hands, into this funeral of my making with no other witness.

Only when there was no other sound in the forest did I pull my hands back. The marks of casting were still there upon them.

Do you know, head priest? I saw them clearly for the first time.

The forest is quiet... no sound of wings buzzing, or Originium crystals growing.

It's over.

May you rest in peace, free from the control of Originium, never again to become an instrument of destruction. May you be free.

I'm sorry, blessed trees. All I can do is lay my hand on you... you're free now, never again to feel pain.

Phew... I'll wait a little longer, then go back to the village and admit what I did...

Huh?

Rustle, rustle.

...The sound of leaves rustling in the wind?

What's going on... some trees are still alive here... and over there...

Don't my Arts cause everything to wither?

How could this be... the destruction that I brought didn't touch every living thing?

How could this be... are you real?

Life is not as fragile as you think it is, Philae.

Shouldn't I help with the rebuilding of the temple?

Hah, worried that we wouldn't do a good job?

N-No, that's not what I mean...

Life is not as fragile as you think it is, Philae.

The River of Life may have inundated the farms on the banks. But the flood will pass, and the sediment it leaves behind will become fertile soil and nurture new life.

The cycle of life goes on.

But that's because it's the River of Life. It always brings new life.

So can you, Philae. You can bring life too. Otherwise, why are we standing here, alive and breathing?

Trust yourself, and trust life. It's not as fragile as you think it is.

Only then did I remember what you said to me before I left, head priest.

I couldn't help but reach out to the trees that still lived. I tried to pull my hand back as I realized what I was doing, when a butterfly landed on my fingertip.

The sun began to rise, casting its light upon the forest, and it was exactly as Aisha said it was.

The butterfly glowed blue like a jewel. It shook its feelers a couple of times, then flew away without withering.

Do you know, head priest? My fingertip... itched a little. I discovered that the feeling of being near a living thing was itchy.

Well, it's time to leave. The weather is good. That's a good start.

This will be far enough, Aisha.

Are you sure you just want some writing tools and paper? I made these rations. Take it with you.

I'll be fine, I have enough on me.

Besides, I never cleared up the misunderstanding with the other villagers... I never did any 'cleansing'. I can't accept gifts that I don't deserve.

You priests are so humble... don't forget to write to me, then! And tell me when you figure out where you're going.

Yes, I will. Before that, though, I need to write home. Thanks to you guys, I've made discoveries that I can't wait to share—

I apologize, head priest, but I need to say this again—I'm going on a journey again. Farewell.

There are still a lot of things that I don't understand, but I think I've figured out why I'm setting out on this journey, what I'm looking for, and what I can do, not just for the answer, but also to come to terms with myself.

I locked my own possibilities away in a little box. I was afraid to touch it, and afraid that it would touch others. That's why I was confused and hesitant.

But the events of the past several days made me realize that it's okay to touch...