I dream.
I remember. His form. His voice. His gaze.
I'll never forget. Even if everyone else does. I alone will. I alone must.
Yet, surely, I—
"Frieren, what'll you do now?"
A familiar voice calls. No, slightly different. It's Himmel, but not as I remember. Aged, stooped, long-bearded, bald. Only his unchanged gaze tells me it's him. Without it, I might not have known.
I'm outside Himmel's house. After a two-week trip, we're back in the capital. We were drinking earlier—me and Eisen, that is. Heiter's been sober lately, unbelievably. That drunken monk, acting pious now? The goddess won't forgive him. They left for the inn, chatting happily, leaving me. I was about to go when Himmel stopped me.
"I'll keep collecting magic. I haven't finished the Central Countries. And we saw the half-century Era Meteors."
I answer. Fifty years ago, he asked the same. I planned to roam the Central Countries for a century, but the Dark Dragon's horn reminded me of our meteor promise, so I came. Just in time—missing it would've meant another fifty years.
"They were beautiful."
"Right? Prime spot."
"Didn't expect a week's walk, though."
"No choice. You and Heiter aged fast. Nearly missed it."
"Says the one who overslept every morning."
I can't argue his jab, but it's true. Himmel's aged, Heiter's stately. Only Eisen's unchanged—classic dwarf. It should've taken less than a week, but we barely made it. Himmel uses a cane now, unsurprising. He was spry so recently—humans age so fast. My sleeping in was trivial, calculated. I didn't forget.
"You haven't changed—looks or heart."
"Sorry for staying a kid. What about you? Grown up?"
"Nope, same as you. My heart's stuck in our adventuring days."
"So, a kid."
"Read the room, Frieren."
His troubled look recalls our usual banter. Despite his age, he's the same—our kind, meddlesome leader. I thought everyone changed, leaving me behind, but Himmel's still Himmel. I'm relieved, but—
"Frieren, if you're okay with it, stay in the capital a while."
His serious tone is unlike him.
"Me, in the capital? Why?"
"I have so much to talk about. No pressure, but…"
He's hesitant, unlike the Himmel who drags me into things. It's new, unsettling.
"Sure, fine. I'm not in a rush."
I agree. I'll continue my magic hunt, but there's no hurry. I've wanted to settle for research. The capital's got magic shops, good facilities. No reason to refuse. More to talk about? We spoke plenty en route to the meteors. Wasn't that enough?
"Good. We'll be together a bit longer, Frieren."
His genuine joy echoes a younger Himmel. Thrilled over something so small. So dramatic, as always.
"We'll need preparations. Shopping tomorrow?"
"No need. I've got everything."
"Can't skip that. It's gotta be proper."
"Same old Himmel."
He's already excited, planning tomorrow. Typical—everything's an adventure to him. I dread being dragged along, but I promised. Then—
"Frieren, I want you to meet a friend."
He drops it out of nowhere. What's with him today? He's always random, but this is excessive.
"A friend? Who?"
"A secret till you meet. You'll be shocked. I invited them to the meteors, but they declined."
"Of course. I'd decline too."
I eye him suspiciously. This spells trouble. Who is it? Someone from the past fifty years? With his do-gooder nature, he's met countless people. Pointless to guess—it's what he wants.
I pity this friend, caught in his whirlwind. Inviting an outsider to our party's meteor trip? Insane. They were right to refuse. I would too. He was probably too excited, like now.
"They said the same. You'll get along, I bet. I'd love for you to be friends."
"Sure. I'll wait, no expectations."
I turn to leave. It's late—talking till dawn's likely otherwise. He meant it about having lots to say. I'll stay in the capital for this. There's time. I'll hear him out tomorrow—or be forced to.
Sighing, I head to my inn. From behind—
"Goodnight, Frieren. See you tomorrow."
His usual farewell, heard countless times over ten years.
"Goodnight, Himmel."
I reply as always. Nothing special, just daily routine.
I didn't know the weight of those words, the regret. I, who hadn't yet tried to understand human hearts, couldn't.
The next morning, Hero Himmel passed to Oreol, the land of souls' rest, watched by old comrades.
That was the dream's end. And the start of Frieren's funeral journey.
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