Rain still misted through the Third District, soft enough to blur the lanternlight but not enough to quiet the echo of boots across stone. Aqua led the way through the plaza, her hand brushing the wall's flame emblem. At her touch, the sigil flared alive — fire blooming blue, gears shifting somewhere as the door rose, revealing a cave filled with water and a lone island with a house on it. A series of floating platforms slid into alignment across the water.
The others followed in silence.
Helga checked her gauntlet, flexing her hand as they crossed. "This place feels more like a maze than a city."
Thalen's hooded gaze drifted toward the house.
Circe tilted her umbrella, her tone teasing but soft. "Must you always sound like a tactician? Can't you feel it? The air's thick with magic. Sights such as these are meant to be enjoyed in silence."
Aqua gave a faint smile at that. "That's because this place is built from memory. I'm told that Traverse Town appears whenever someone loses their world. Everything here—" she gestured at the golden fountain glimmering nearby, "—was once someone's home."
"The Mystical House," she said quietly. "Merlin's home away from time."
Skuld nodded. "Feels like forever since we were here."
"Last time, we were looking for Helios," Aqua recalled. Her voice softened. "He was still missing then."
Circe smiled faintly. "And now he's tinkering with those cute things in a workshop. I'd call that an improvement."
The door ahead swung open with a soft chime.
Inside the Magician's Study, the air smelled of parchment and magic. Books floated lazily overhead, quills scribbled midair, and a kettle poured tea into cups that rearranged themselves on a table. An old man stood near a levitating globe, his long beard brushing the floor as he hummed to himself.
"Ah! Visitors!" Merlin turned, his blue hat wobbling as he straightened. "Good heavens, Aqua, Skuld! You've returned! And with—" he blinked, counting the new faces "—quite an entourage!"
Skuld smiled. "It's good to see you again, Sir Merlin."
"Indeed, indeed," he said warmly, eyes twinkling behind his spectacles. "And you've found Helios, I presume? The boy with far too much curiosity and far too little sense."
Aqua chuckled softly. "Yes, he's safe. Currently working on something with the Moogles in the First District. I'm sure he'll stop by soon."
"Ah, splendid!" Merlin exclaimed, clapping his hands. "I'm sure he's making a mess of something marvelous. You young people always are."
The teacups floated over. Circe reached for one; it fluttered like a bird and turned into a butterfly before she could sip.
Merlin blinked. "Still temperamental, that one."
Helga folded her arms. "Your cups transform into insects?"
"Only when nervous," Merlin replied gravely.
Aqua cleared her throat politely. "Sir, we were wondering… could we stay here again for a while?"
He raised his brows. "Of course, of course! Though with so many of you, my humble home may be a bit cramped. I'll prepare the Vacant House nearby as well — nothing a good cleaning spell can't handle."
Then he paused mid-gesture, eyes widening. "Oh! Where are my manners?"
He waved his wand. "Allow me to introduce my esteemed colleague, the Fairy Godmother."
A shimmer of light-blue sparkles gathered in the air, coalescing into the form of a round, smiling woman in lavender robes. Her eyes sparkled kindly as she lowered her wand. "My, my! Such bright hearts in one room. Hello, dears."
Aqua bowed slightly, cheeks warm. "Forgive me — my manners are the terrible ones. These are Circe, Thalen, and Helga."
The Fairy Godmother smiled. "Lovely to meet you. Each of you carries a light — some steady, some turbulent, but all beautiful."
Circe grinned, half-bowing with flair. "And yours puts ours to shame, miss. I feel like a spark beside a star."
"Flattery," Merlin muttered under his breath, "the first sign of either genius or trouble."
Circe winked. "Why not both?"
As laughter eased the tension, the Fairy Godmother's smile faltered slightly. Her gaze turned distant, as though hearing something the others could not. Slowly, she raised her wand.
From Skuld's satchel, a faint glimmer rose — a small crystal gem, softly pulsing green.
Skuld blinked in surprise. "Wait… that's—"
"You said you found it in the Realm of Darkness, right?" Aqua said quietly.
The Fairy Godmother caught it in her palm, her expression solemn. "Such strength… reduced to silence. It's a shame when a heart burns so brightly only to fall into shadow."
She closed her eyes, murmuring softly. Her wand glowed, and light spilled over the gem until it shone pure white. "But no heart truly ever disappears."
The gem drifted back toward Skuld, hovering before her.
"Try reaching out to it," the Fairy Godmother said gently. "Not with your hands — with your heart."
Skuld hesitated. The room seemed to still; even the floating books froze midair.
She placed a hand over her chest, closing her eyes.
The gem pulsed once… twice… and then burst into radiant green light.
The floor beneath Skuld flared with luminous sigils — intricate, circular glyphs inscribed with ancient Aeon symbols. The light surged upward, filling the study with wind and feathers of energy that spiraled around her like a storm.
Merlin shielded his face. "Good heavens!"
The others stepped back as the glow intensified — a gale of magic roaring through the chamber.
From within the light, a form descended gracefully, wings of translucent energy folding as it touched the ground.
A woman stood there — ethereal, barefoot, her kimono's sleeves like Valefor's wings. The hem shimmered like captured aurora. A Sky Staff rested in her hand, its orb swirling with wind currents. Her braid flowed upward, silver-blue streaks glinting like moonlight caught in motion.
When her eyes opened, they were calm — filled with serene purpose.
She knelt slightly before Skuld. "You called," she said softly, her voice like wind through bells. "And I answered."
The Fairy Godmother smiled. "A heart once silenced now sings again."
Merlin adjusted his spectacles, muttering in awe. "Fascinating… a manifestation not of command, but resonance. She heard her heart. It's interesting magic, a shame I have no aptitude for it."
Circe looked between them, a slow smile spreading. "Well, that's one way to redecorate a study."
Aqua exhaled softly, her hand pressed over her chest. "Something you don't need to make a comment."
The wind faded, the light settling into Skuld's gem, now glowing faintly at her wrist. Yuna — calm and radiant — regarded them all before fading into motes of green light, her presence lingering like a soft breeze.
Merlin stroked his beard. "You've all outdone yourselves. Remind me to put a reinforcement charm on the furniture next time."
The Fairy Godmother chuckled. "Do that, dear. And perhaps reinforce your teacups as well."
Merlin huffed. "They were fine before the butterfly incident."
Aqua smiled faintly, watching the residual light fade into the night outside. "Looks like we help clean up."
The last line lingers softly in Skuld's mind, an echo of Yuna's voice:
When a heart remembers, even silence can become a song.