She's not here.

It's the same scene from thirteen days ago. The message I left behind also appears to be untouched.

What was I thinking saying it would take eight days? Did I forget the time I spent waiting for Si in vain? There is no way I'm staying here any longer than a day!

I was rash. I was too afraid of losing Helena, so I ignored everything and blindly believed in this tiny hope as if it were assured.

Should I have told her to wait for longer? No, I may as well have abandoned her if I did. If I don't leave soon, any time later than eight days will be spent in despair, and I refuse to prolong her suffering.

Has everything I've done been pointless? Should I have just stayed by her side? There is nothing left for me but to turn back.

Nothing left...

No, please no... This isn't right!

"Si, Si! Where are you, Si!?"

"... Please Si, I need you. I don't know what to do anymore."

"... Goddamn it, we promised to meet! I'm already here so come out already Si!"

"... Why can't I save her? Why am I so..."

I scream into the sky relentlessly, begging for even the slightest glow of her golden wings. By the time it's noon my voice has trailed off, not from fatigue, but from the crushing despair of reality.

... I'm sorry Helena. I'm coming back, so please... hold on.

As I turn around with weighted boots, I trudge through the invisible life well that connects the ground to the heavens...

Hold on a moment. If I can't find Si, why not have Si find me?

Without hesitation, I face the life well and search for my desired skill.

You currently possess 130 Skill Points.>

Extra Skill: Reveal Magic (Basic) obtained!>

"Si, I hope you're looking this way. !"

As I cast the skill, I remember that precious moment. A stream of golden dust from her outstretched hand, the colours of the rainbow racing towards the heavens...

... are completely different things from what I got.

From my palm, a pitch-black miasma drifts towards the life well. The entire stream is dyed in its ominous hue. All colour around me loses its lustre. I hear the desperate sound of animals fleeing from this spear of darkness that violates the heavens. Before long, it fades from sight and an uncanny silence settles in its place.

"... Oops. I hope I didn't scare her away."

"Who wouldn't be scared, you big dummy! Why is everything you do so eerie?"

I'm almost back, Helena. Soon you'll be okay.

Three days have passed since my reunion with Si. I immediately asked if she knew healing magic, which she replied with a yes.

My feet are lighter than ever, and in my hands is the key to her salvation. It's a piece of bark with the same magic circle Si had carved at the life well. I've been carefully holding the edges as it radiates holy magic. This magic circle is called a fairy ring. It allows a fairy to teleport between circles, which is how Si had reached me so quickly. I was also given another item which is safely stashed within my bag.

During my return, I crossed the site where I had fought the pack of wolves. The untaken soul of the second burnt wolf was still there. It appears souls do not return to the World Stream immediately. In any case, it was a great source of "fuel" that saved me the trouble of hunting.

Ah! I can see her cabin now.

Wait, why are there no lights when it's already so late?

I feel as if a cold pail has been cast over me. Without hesitation, I set up the magic circle and take out the enchanted twig from my pouch. With a quick snap, it releases a ball of golden light which explodes in the sky as a blazing flare. I stare at the circle in anticipation as the longest seconds in my life tick away. I do not know how much time has passed, but I can feel my anxiety building exponentially.

Suddenly, the glow from the circle intensifies until it becomes too bright to see. The light begins to weaken and take the shape of a small winged child.

"I'm here Tyler! Where is the poor lady?"

"In that building, quickly! I hope it's not too late..."

We charge towards the door and find it has not been barred. The moment I enter her dwelling, I can tell the spiritual energy in the air is a lot denser than before. I turn to find Helena seemingly asleep in bed. Her complexion has a deathly pale and her body is still. Worse, I can't sense her soul... no, there! It's so weak it almost blends with its surroundings!

"Helena, I'm here! Stay with me! Oh Si, please save her!"

"I will, but stay back Tyler. My magic may hurt you."

I look at my charred digits from just holding the fairy circle. I move myself to the other side of the room, but maintain line of sight with Helena's form. Si begins to write mysterious symbols into the floorboard using magic. I want to help out as well, but I know my involvement is the last thing she needs. I quell my frustrations and instead silently pray. Si appears to be under pressure as well, as she sometimes pauses to double check.

At last, Si finishes her enchantment before she hovers over Helena's head. She touches her forehead and begins chanting a spell.

"[O Spirits of Light, my ancient kin, let us share our blessings upon this soul. Let them savour life's gifts a little longer, so they may better give their thanks...]"

The glyphs on the ground float and affix themselves to Helena's body. The incantation still continues, but I feel a scorching inferno of magical energies being drawn from both Si and the World Stream. I press myself against the wall in the face of such powerful light magic. Without a doubt, she isn't reciting the incantation as an aid but as a magnifier. This healing spell is at least a high rank skill, if not master.

Contrary to the burning sensation I'm enduring, Helena's expression appears to relax. She is breathing normally now, and her deathly pallor is slowly reverting. I no longer care about the pain as I take several steps closer to verify my dearest wish. Si finishes casting the spell and drops on top of her in exhaustion. I use and find Helena has recovered a good deal of her spiritual energy. I fall to my knees by her side and cry an invisible river.

"Thank you, Si. We owe you everything."

"... I'm sorry, Tyler. I could only delay it."

My mind is clouded in confusion, so I decide to check her condition again...

Helena's spiritual energy is still decreasing.

"Wh-why didn't it work!?"

"I-I don't know. I tr-tried my hardest, but I couldn't cleanse her illness. I'm sorry... I have nothing left I can cast..."

It's not your fault, but I am unable to say such words as I am fixated on the nature of Helena's sickness.

It's not contagious... it suddenly appeared... it's a chronic condition...

... could it be cancer?

I never considered it, as I mainly associate it with modern pollution, chemicals or radiation. If healing magic accelerates the recovery process, or reconstructs the body according to DNA, then it won't have any effect on abnormal cells. But if that's true, there is nothing left we can do in her final moments.

I'm going to lose her. The one woman who anchored me to this world. Why has such a vibrant and kind soul been sentenced to such a short and secluded life?

Worse, I left her alone when she was emotionally weakest. I've done absolutely nothing to express my heartfelt gratitude, trust and...

"Ty... ler... is that you?"

I raise my hollow sockets to meet Helena's serene eyes.