The wind from the previous night still lingered—gentle, but laced with something deeper. As if the music Venti played was still echoing behind them, carried on the breeze that whispered farewell. The sounds of celebration had faded, but the warmth had not. They could still feel it in their footsteps.
The sun was rising on a new chapter, yet the memory of what they left behind remained close to the heart.
Morning arrived gently in Inazuma City, the golden rays of sunlight breaking through the misty sky, casting a soft glow over the rooftops. The previous night's turmoil still lingered in everyone's mind, but there was no time to dwell on it. They had to move forward.
The group gathered at a small teahouse near the Adventurers' Guild, the aroma of fresh tea and grilled fish filling the air. Conversations were subdued at first, with Kiana noticeably quieter than usual. She poked at her food absentmindedly, her expression lost in thought.
Noah observed her for a moment before sighing. "You need to eat, Kiana."
She blinked, as if realizing she had zoned out. "Ah, right… yeah." She took a bite, but it was clear her heart wasn't in it.
Lumine and Elysia exchanged glances but chose not to press further. They knew she needed time. Lumine glanced at her with concern, while Elysia, ever perceptive, flashed a small but knowing smile in Noah's direction.
Noah himself sat in quiet contemplation. His mind was still occupied by last night's conversation with the Void Archives—the knowledge of the mimicry of the Key of Sentience and the training he would need to undergo before using it to help Kiana.
Before any of them could speak further, the familiar voice of Yae Miko interrupted the moment.
"My, my~ What a lovely sight first thing in the morning," Miko's playful tone carried amusement as she gracefully approached their table. "The famed travelers, all huddled together in deep thought. Let me guess—you're brooding over the last battle?"
Kiana, despite her troubled thoughts, immediately huffed. "We're not brooding—just…thinking. There's a difference."
Yae chuckled, her fox-like eyes gleaming. "Oh? And here I thought you were just waiting for me. You see, I happen to have some information you might find interesting."
The group turned their attention to her as she elegantly took a seat and poured herself a cup of tea, savoring the moment before continuing.
Yae Miko rested her chin on her hand, her ears twitching slightly. "The Abyss presence in Inazuma has grown… troublesome. Your little skirmish last time wasn't an isolated incident. Something—or someone—is searching for you."
Kiana stiffened at those words, her grip tightening on her cup.
"There have been…disturbances," Miko began, setting her cup down with an audible clink. "Strange movements in the Abyss—particularly near Tatarasuna. The lingering energy from the past still festers there, and now, something—or someone—is stirring it up again."
"Tatarasuna…" Lumine echoed, brows furrowing. "That place holds quite the history, doesn't it?"
Yae nodded. "Indeed. Scars of the past remain, and those who walk in darkness are drawn to such places. But here's what's truly curious… whoever is orchestrating this seems to be looking for something—or someone." Her gaze flickered toward Kiana.
Kiana stiffened slightly but said nothing.
Elysia hummed, her usual playfulness momentarily subdued. "And you suspect it's connected to the Abyss Herald we fought?"
"Most likely." Yae leaned forward slightly, her voice dropping into a conspiratorial whisper. "Whatever they seek, I doubt they have good intentions. That is why I suggest you investigate."
The group exchanged glances. It wasn't just about fighting the Abyss anymore—this was becoming something bigger.
Noah, however, remained silent. He had his own battle to fight—one that involved mastering the Key of Sentience before he could even think of helping Kiana.
A Moment Between Comrades
As they finalized their plans, the group prepared for departure.
Before they left, Kiana pulled Noah aside. "Hey… about last night."
Noah turned to her, waiting.
"I just…" She hesitated, struggling to find the right words. "I don't want to be a burden. I'll get through this. You don't have to keep worrying about me."
Noah exhaled sharply before placing a firm hand on her head. "You're not a burden, Kiana."
She blinked up at him, slightly startled by the warmth in his voice.
"Everyone has struggles. But we're not meant to deal with them alone. That's why we're here."
Kiana bit her lip before sighing. "You really are annoyingly reliable, huh?"
Leaving Noah and head outside the teahouse.
Lumine and Elysia approached Noah, sensing the weight in his expression.
"Noah," Lumine said softly. "Something's on your mind."
Noah exhaled, looking at Kiana, who was standing near the edge of the wooden railing, gazing at the bustling city below.
"She's trying to act like she's fine," Elysia mused, crossing her arms. "But we all saw how she struggled last night."
"She thinks she's a burden," Noah muttered.
Lumine's gaze softened. "And what do you think?"
Noah didn't hesitate. "She's not."
The warmth in his voice made Lumine and Elysia smile, though a faint blush crept onto their faces.
Meanwhile, Kiana turned, feigning her usual grin. "Oi, are you guys talking about me behind my back?"
Noah smirked. "Maybe."
Kiana pouted. "Tsk, you're impossible." But there was a flicker of gratitude in her eyes—a silent acknowledgment of his unwavering support.
Lumine and Elysia, who had been watching from the side, felt a mix of emotions. Both of them could sense Noah's protectiveness toward Kiana, and while they were happy for her, a small part of them wished he'd direct that same attention their way more often.
Noah's Secret Training
As the group prepared for departure, Noah slipped away to a secluded spot near the outskirts of the city.
Standing beneath a cherry blossom tree, he closed his eyes as the Void Archives' voice echoed in his mind.
"Alright. Show me what I need to know."
The Void Archives materialized faintly, its ethereal glow pulsing as it spoke.
"Forged during the Previous Era by MOTH, Fenghuang Down is the 8th Divine Key—crafted from the Herrscher of Sentience's core. It holds fragments of her consciousness and grants its wielder the power to access, rewrite, and stabilize thoughts, emotions, and memories. Because of your connection to me, I can replicate a limited echo of its functions. But be warned—this mimicry is imperfect. Without complete focus and training, it can destabilize you... and those you wish to protect."
Noah narrowed his eyes. "How limited?"
"For now, you will only be able to perceive the emotions and mental states of those around you. Full control over sentience will take extensive training."
Noah clenched his fists. "And you're sure this can help Kiana?"
Void Archives paused before replying. "Yes. But you must master it first. Otherwise, it will overwhelm you."
Taking a deep breath, Noah focused, allowing the power to awaken. At first, it was subtle—a faint whisper at the edge of his perception. But as he delved deeper, emotions rushed in.
A faint golden glow began to shimmer around him as the mimicry of the Key of Sentience activated. Suddenly—a flood of emotions washed over him, vivid and unrelenting, like waves crashing against a fragile shore.
Kiana's lingering fears surged to the front—fragmented memories of Sirin's whispers, the terror of losing herself again, and the guilt that clung to her like a shadow. Beneath her grin and bravado was a scream locked behind a wall of willpower.
Lumine's quiet admiration followed, steady and bright. Her respect for Noah's leadership, the silent way she trusted his decisions—but also the hesitation in her heart, unsure how to name the warmth she felt whenever their eyes met. She admired him… perhaps even more than she was ready to admit.
Then came Elysia—her presence a soft melody of affection. The teasing, the laughter—it all masked something deeper. Her fondness for Noah and the crew was genuine, but her heart beat with a wistful rhythm, as if she feared the day this warmth might slip through her fingers.
The emotions didn't just wash over him—they saturated his senses. Each thread of feeling was raw, real, and connected by the bond they shared. It was beautiful… and crushing.
Noah gritted his teeth, his breath growing uneven. "So this is the weight they carry... and what they see in me…"
He clutched his chest, not from pain—but from the overwhelming truth of their hearts, laid bare to him.
"I won't fail them. I can't."
The sheer weight of it all nearly brought Noah to his knees.
The sheer intensity of it all nearly overwhelmed him. He staggered, his breath coming in sharp gasps
"Damn… this is harder than I thought," he muttered, gripping his forehead.
"Interesting... You are more attuned to the emotions of those closest to you," the Void Archives noted. "If you master this ability, you may be able to soothe Kiana's turmoil… or perhaps even shield her from the Abyss' influence."
Noah exhaled, centering himself. "I'll master it. No matter what."
"You are merely beginning. Control will come with time," the Void Archives reassured him.
Noah clenched his fists. He had to control it. He had to get stronger—not just for himself, but for them.
-----
Departure to Tatarasuna
With preparations complete, the group set out from Inazuma City, heading towards Tatarasuna. The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear—this battle was far from over.
Regrouping at the city gates, Noah returned to find the others waiting.
"Where'd you run off to?" Kiana raised an eyebrow.
Noah shrugged. "Just needed some air."
As they walked, Yae Miko watched them from a distance, a knowing smirk playing on her lips.
"Oh my, he really is quite protective of them, isn't he?" she mused to herself.
Her words might have been meant as an offhand remark, but they struck deep—causing Lumine, Elysia, and Kiana to blush involuntarily, while Noah simply deadpanned at Yae.
Yae chuckled. "Oh, I do love watching how these things unfold~."
Yae Miko observed Noah with mild amusement but said nothing. Instead, she offered a final remark.
"Tatarasuna holds more than just Abyssal corruption," she said, her voice carrying a cryptic edge. "The past is not so easily buried… and you may find yourselves entangled in something far older than you realize."
The group exchanged wary glances before finally setting off toward Tatarasuna.