The night was deep.
The night sky, filled with miasma, was so thick it blocked out even a single star, cloaking everything in total darkness.
However, that darkness did not feel frightening, thanks to the warm light of the flame that softly enveloped the surroundings next to my pillow.
Was it said that flames emerge when one feels joy or happiness?
Recalling the words from just a moment ago, Sylvia smiled gently and thought about how happy she was that she and her friend had become close.
Did she realize how great a happiness it was for her?
As she thought this, Sylvia turned slightly to look at where Scarlet was lying.
As if sensing her gaze, Scarlet turned to glance her way, their eyes meeting, and they exchanged warm smiles with each other.
Just that exchange made the weariness and hardships of the past dissolve away like sugar in water, and Sylvia thought how much Scarlet resembled the flame she had kindled.
Like a warm light that gives her strength amidst any adversity and hardship.
At that moment, Sylvia noticed that Scarlet’s eyes were slowly fluttering.
She was literally a person who had died and come back to life.
It was only natural for her to feel fatigue, having exhausted considerable strength both physically and mentally.
But the reason she couldn’t close her eyes was probably out of worry that a demonic beast might attack her while she was asleep and she could get hurt.
Seeing her still think of others before herself even in such a situation, Sylvia spoke softly to Scarlet.
“…If you’re tired, just go to sleep.”
“But, the demonic beasts…”
“Don’t worry. I’ve cast a spell that will sound an alarm if anything approaches.”
“But using magic would be a burden on you, Sylvia…”
“That’s not a burden at all. And—”
Seeing the concern in Scarlet’s eyes, Sylvia reached out.
She gently placed her hand on top of Scarlet’s, smiling slightly as she spoke.
“Because we’re friends, let me do this for you.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Scarlet replied,
“…Alright. Then, I’ll leave it to you.”
Nodding, she closed her eyes.
Once her eyes were shut, she looked quite tired and soon fell into a gentle slumber, breathing softly.
Sylvia smiled at her, feeling that she had opened her heart to her.
It was not a one-sided help, but rather a relationship where they could rely on each other.
Holding onto the sleeping Scarlet’s hand, Sylvia looked up at the night sky.
The starless night was pitch dark.
Just like the situation Scarlet was in.
Ahead lay a treacherous path filled with thorns.
But she would not despair.
With everything she could do, she would navigate that path together with her.
No matter how hopeless it seemed.
Even if the situation appeared bleak.
Somewhere in that night sky, surely, a star was shining.
So, just like in her childhood, Sylvia looked up at the sky and prayed toward the invisible stars.
To protect her precious friend.
To keep her flame from extinguishing.
Desperately, she wished for that.
*
That night, Sylvia dreamed.
[Child.]
In a world completely shrouded in black darkness, Sylvia heard a voice calling out to her.
[Child.]
The voice, impossible to gauge its tone or size, echoed as if resonating in her mind.
[Star Child.]
Yet, Sylvia knew the voice belonged to something in the sky.
Raising her head, Sylvia saw.
A small star shining beyond the darkness.
Realizing the star was speaking to her, Sylvia asked.
“Are you speaking to me?”
[That’s an interesting question. We’ve always been trying to speak to you. It’s just that you have not been able to hear us until now.]
The star twinkled gently in response.
[But that is not your fault. The passage connecting us has burned down. The mere fact that you are connected to us, however faintly, is nothing short of a miracle. You, child of the purest heart.]
Bathing Sylvia in its light.
[Perhaps this is also destiny. Fire destroys all, yet simultaneously purifies and regenerates. Just as land turned to ashes will sprout again, your arrival here with the flame was also guided by fate.]
The star asked, causing Sylvia, who was tilting her head in confusion, to ponder.
[Yes, child. You wished for something from us.]
Remembering the wish she had made to the star, Sylvia nodded.
[Unfortunately, we are not beings that can grant wishes.]
While the star informed her it could not grant wishes.
[However, we can help you achieve that wish on your own.]
In a kind voice, it murmured.
And the star said,
[Child, star child.]
Calling out to Sylvia, it continued.
[If you seek help, recite the covenant spell.]
Unintentionally, Sylvia recalled a phrase she had always said when borrowing the star’s power.
Then, she voiced that phrase aloud.
-Alf Ad Astra
Immediately, a voice filled with satisfaction echoed.
[Child. Remember.]
And Sylvia saw.
[Even if hidden by darkness, they are always present.]
In that deep darkness, countless stars were concealed.
[We are always here.]
They shone with a light bright enough to dispel the darkness.
[We will always respond to your calls.]
Alf Ad Astra.
As the elf’s hand reached skyward.
Astra Ad Alf.
Brilliant starlight illuminated the elf.
*
Waking from the warmth felt in her hand.
Upon opening her eyes and turning her head slightly, she saw Sylvia, fast asleep, holding her hand tightly.
Trying to pull my hand away cautiously so as not to wake Sylvia.
“Ugh…”
She clung to my hand as if saying she didn’t want to let go, and a small laugh escaped me.
Sitting upright beside Sylvia, I noticed her uncomfortable sleeping position on the bare ground.
What should I do? I recalled giving Yoon Si-woo a knee pillow in the past and knelt down cautiously, placing Sylvia’s head on my thigh.
I figured this would be better than sleeping on the floor.
Sure enough, Sylvia seemed more comfortable than on the hard ground, gripping my hand tightly and resting her head against me.
She reminded me of a cat that had climbed onto my thigh and fallen asleep, and when I stroked her head, she purred happily, making me smile involuntarily.
Gently petting Sylvia’s head, I looked around.
Fortunately, it seemed there had been no incident overnight.
I had heard this was a very dangerous place, so I was immensely relieved.
In fact, I normally didn’t need to sleep at all, so I intended to keep watch all night, but I felt an unusually strong urge to sleep that I couldn’t resist.
Could it be that healing my injuries had exhausted my energy?
I ran my hand over the back of my neck but found it clear and without a trace of wounds. It seemed like I had fully recovered…
The memory of those moments until waking here was vague; it felt almost surreal, like I had died and come back to life.
I should ask Sylvia in detail later about what happened back then.
Just then, sensing a presence in the distance, I abruptly turned my head.
With heightened senses.
“This area is nearby. Stay alert as we move.”
“Oh, there’s Miss Sylvia…!”
The sounds of people’s footsteps and chatter were captured.
Simultaneously, a sharp alarm that Sylvia had set up the previous night blared loudly in my ears.
“Sylvia…! Sylvia, wake up quickly!”
“Ugh… What is it…?”
In a rush, I shook the sleeping Sylvia firmly to wake her.
She stirred awake with a “Grrr,” her sleepy eyes taking a moment to gauge the situation as she looked around.
Then,
“Aah…”
Upon spotting Astra’s hunting party running towards us, she groaned weakly and buried her head back into my lap.
I couldn’t help but feel flustered by Sylvia’s behavior.
“N-No, Sylvia! This isn’t the time! Those people are coming! We need to escape quickly!”
I shouted, but she clung to me like a scared child, not wanting to let go.
Was she so sleep-drunk that she couldn’t think straight?
As I thought of forcibly lifting her up, at that moment,
“You don’t need to rush so much, Scarlet.”
Sylvia, still resting her head on my lap, looked up at me and said.
“Just trust me. I’ll take care of everything.”
With an oddly relaxed smile.
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