Life, why do you kneel? Do you kneel out of fear of the unknown? Or out of greed for power?
Life, why do you kneel? I am no god—I am merely... a sinner.
Flower born of sin, yet still untainted, I know your fate. There is no need to suppress your resentment, no need to endure all those lies. Become something transcendent, surpass all the destinies imposed upon you.
I shall weep at the end of time... looking back upon all that you are.
I... have already seen you.
—A voice echoing in the mind
.....
"After resting for another two or three days, we'll have to cross the desert to reach Fontaine. Hmm... Is everything prepared?"
Rover sat across from Aether, the sunshade above shielding them from the scorching sunlight. Even so, the heat still baked the surrounding air, stirring a sense of irritation.
Aether sighed, glancing at Paimon, who lay weakly on the table beside him. Her eyes were spinning, her face flushed red and steaming.
For some reason, the temperature had risen drastically recently. Beads of sweat trickled down his forehead, and no matter how much he wiped with a tissue, it never seemed enough.
The streets were noticeably emptier—who would willingly suffer under such blazing heat?
A waiter approached, placing three glasses of iced drinks on the table.
"Sir, please enjoy."
With that, Rover lifted his head slightly and adjusted the angle of the sunshade. Aether immediately felt a shade of coolness, the oppressive heat lessening just a bit.
After a brief calculation through the Void, the sunshade now perfectly covered everyone beneath it.
Paimon finally raised her head, grabbing one of the iced drinks and pressing her face against the frosty glass. It was as if her body had expelled a stifling breath of air—she sighed in relief.
"Finally, saved! Good heavens, why has it been so hot lately?"
Rover took a few casual sips, amused by Paimon's dramatic relief, before turning his attention to the intel spread across the table.
This was information about the desert, compiled by the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata using Irminsul. It detailed resources, factions, and more, meticulously annotated.
Rover needed to be fully prepared for the journey ahead—he couldn't afford any mishaps.
"Excuse me, are you Mr. Aether?"
A man dressed in a secretary's uniform entered their line of sight, his hurried tone betraying his agitation.
"You are...?"
Aether tilted his head, frowning. He didn't recognize the man with the wooden monocle.
"My name is Masloor, Harbor Affairs Secretary. There's a letter here addressed specifically to you."
The pristine envelope in Masloor's hand looked almost ghostly under the harsh sunlight. Aether took it but didn't open it immediately—he still had questions.
"There's no sender's name on this?"
Masloor sighed, shaking his head helplessly as he explained:
"The sender exploited a loophole in our mailing system, securing a guaranteed-delivery promise. That means regardless of whether the letter meets standard requirements, we must deliver it to the specified recipient."
Having said his piece, Masloor hurried off to his next task.
So the sender doesn't want their identity revealed?
Rover stroked his chin in thought but didn't pry further—this was Aether's private matter.
Fingertips tapped rhythmically against the table, the sound forming a quiet melody in the silence. The rustling of paper was crisp as Aether unfolded the letter.
After reading it, he calmly spread the page on the table.
"Rover, do you want to see it?"
Rover set down his drink, meeting Aether's gaze. His eyes were as unreadable as ever, but the seasoned Rover had already caught a glimpse of concealed emotion.
"If you want my help, I'll take a look. But if you're just indulging my curiosity, then no need—I don't make a habit of intruding on others' privacy."
Aether scratched the back of his head, looking sheepish as he mumbled:
"It's not that important... But, Rover, could you give me a few days to handle what's written here?"
Rover didn't hesitate before nodding.
Aether took another sip of his drink, the cool liquid sliding down his throat—yet it carried a faint bitterness.
"Paimon, let's go."
Paimon blinked, then hastily gulped down more of her iced drink, as if afraid she'd never taste such relief again.
"Ah—I haven't finished yet!"
Rover leaned back in his chair, watching Aether's retreating figure before his gaze settled on the slight creases in the letter—creases that would only form under deliberate pressure.
"Not that important," huh...
He adjusted his collar, carefully gathered the intel from the table, then stood and walked to the counter.
"Check, please."
The wind carried scorching heat, rustling the edges of his clothes. Amidst the grass, a flicker of blue light vanished with his departing footsteps.
...
Only after leaving Rover's sight did Aether finally exhale deeply.
Paimon, noticing this, floated in front of him.
"You didn't actually want Rover to see that letter, did you?"
Aether nodded, crumpling the letter in his hand before a spark of Electro at his fingertips reduced it to ashes.
"Whether it's my sister or Rover, the two of them already have irreconcilable differences. I can't let them meet again. If I want to mediate, it has to be done step by step."
Paimon understood his intention.
"So... this letter is about the Abyss again?"
Aether hesitated, his eyes shifting away.
"I don't know. All I know is that the signature at the end is from Dainsleif, asking me to meet him at the Diahoraf Restaurant."
Paimon nodded, already speculating as they walked:
"If the sender is Dainsleif, then it's definitely related to the Abyss. Let's go!"
....
Dainsleif took a sip of his drink, his gaze drifting absently toward the dark green-patterned window.
As if sensing approaching footsteps, he snapped out of his thoughts, set down his glass, and regained his usual composure.
"You've come."
He glanced at Aether, then after a few seconds, seemed to confirm something.
"So, you didn't tell him."
Aether nodded—but he realized Dainsleif wasn't looking at him. Instead, his eyes were fixed on Paimon.
Paimon shrank back under Dainsleif's piercing stare.
"Why are you staring at me...?"
Dainsleif retracted his intense gaze, confirming that Aether had also kept the letter's contents from Paimon.
"Trying to handle it alone?"
He emphasized the word alone slightly. Aether nodded subtly, conveying his resolve without Paimon noticing.
"I see your choice. Then let's depart. I'll explain everything along the way."