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The Dust Has Settled
The last thing Amiya remembers is sleeping inside the black bubble.
Theresa gently cradling the bubble wrapped around her.
Telling her a story that she has already heard many times before.
- Theresa
Within the Desert of Despair live many terrible shadows, forever chasing after the little puppet who is seeking for hope.
- Theresa
The black-cloaked shadows were the echoes of the oldest despair and sadness.
- Theresa
If they catch you, you'll never escape them.
- Theresa
Within the desert, the little puppet met the king, who was covered in pure gold and precious gems. The king told the little puppet that if he went back the way he came, he would be given riches beyond measure.
- Theresa
Despite the king pulling him back, the little puppet ignored the captivating gems, and pressed onwards.
- Theresa
But very soon—
- Theresa
The black-cloaked shadows caught him. They kept throwing themselves at him, over and over again, near endlessly...
- Theresa
'Bang, bang, bang'...
- Theresa
The puppet took out a long spear made of a needle and some threads, fighting the shadows, until finally, after knocking aside the shadows' sharp talons, he managed to escape.
- Theresa
He ran as fast as he could until he reached a large river of tears. There was neither boat nor weeds, so all the little puppet could do was swim across.
- Theresa
But as he soaked in the tears, he began to sink, until he touched the riverbed.
- Theresa
He had failed.
Was this how the story ended? Amiya could not believe.
Maybe Theresa read it wrongly?
She anxiously wished for Theresa to change the ending of the story.
- Amiya
Theresa...
- Theresa
...Yes?
- Amiya
Can we... save the little puppet?
- Theresa
You wish to save him?
- Amiya
I do. I... I really, really do.
All sound fades away.
The bubble obstructing Amiya's sight dissipates.
Theresa's figure becomes clearer and clearer—
Out of the corner of her eye, she sees dark red seep out of the black-cloaked shadows lying down on the ground.
Who are these people? When did they arrive here? Why are they lying on the ground?
Amiya had so many questions she wanted to ask Theresa. She did her best to open her eyes wide.
She sees a white dress stained crimson. She sees Theresa's bloodshot eyes.
Was Theresa okay?
Amiya wants to ask Theresa about her injuries.
But she could not make a sound.
- Theresa
It's okay, Amiya.
- Theresa
I am here. I beat those bad people from the stories.
What happened to Theresa?
Amiya wants to wipe the weariness off of Theresa's face.
But she could not move her hands.
- Theresa
I'm sorry. I can't change the ending of the story.
- Theresa
But you can, Amiya.
- Theresa
You will walk along a difficult path. Just like the little puppet who tried to cross the river of tears.
- Theresa
All I can do to help you is bestow this crown of black upon you.
- Theresa
For ten thousand years, the limitations imposed by history led my people to misuse this crown.
- Theresa
It has been stained. It has been bound. But it should not have been so.
- Theresa
If we are to break this curse, to break fate itself... I need your help.
- Theresa
Do you want to rewrite the ending?
Amiya wants to say 'I do', but she cannot utter a word.
She anxiously nods her head, thinking that perhaps she could help Theresa by saying yes.
Perhaps she could save her—
- Theresa
Though there is not much strength left in me, it is enough for me to transfer its permission to you.
- Theresa
I have sealed most of it away, so that its boundless information does not overwhelm your mind.
- Theresa
......
- Theresa
Forgive me, Amiya... for making you bear the weight of this crown.
- Theresa
I thought... that I could be there for you much, much longer. That I could watch you grow up. That I could stand with you when you bravely faced your parents' passing. That I could hear you answer my question yourself...
- Theresa
Your answer as to whether or not you wished to follow in my footsteps.
- Theresa
But there's not enough time left for us, Amiya.
- Theresa
I now selfishly consign this weight that I bear on to you.
- Theresa
I am sorry, child.
Amiya tries to scream, but she cannot open her mouth, cannot move her limbs.
A black blade seems to penetrate her chest.
She ought to feel pain, but this blade leaves behind—
Only warmth. A warmth brimming with hope.
- Theresa
Amiya. It is hope, and also pain.
- Theresa
You will be confused. You will hesitate.
- Theresa
But please, trust Dr. Kal'tsit. Trust that she will always stand by your side.
- Theresa
She will help you dredge back up the secrets of survival.
- Theresa
You can bear it, can't you, Amiya...?
- Theresa
You have always been a strong girl. One that never ceases to amaze me.
- Theresa
*sigh*...
- Theresa
I am so very tired.
- Theresa
Thank you, Amiya, for the joy you have given me, ever since the day we met.
- Theresa
Now rest for a while. Sleep.
Sleep in peaceful slumber.
I will always be with you.
......
Theresa hears a familiar voice.
- Doctor
Amiya!
Theresa does not raise her head to look at the one who just arrived.
The crown has left her and found another. Her breath grows feeble, and feebler still.
- Theresa
Doctor... There was no need for you to come.
- Doctor
......
- Theresa
I felt... your emotions. I saw... your past.
- Theresa
You could have waited elsewhere, waited for my death to come. You knew that this time I would not escape, nor retreat.
- Theresa
Are you here for Amiya? Or perhaps...
Theresa does not need to hear the answer.
Behind the one she asked, a tide of assassins pour out of the shadows, rushing toward Theresa—
- Theresa
So that is your answer, Doctor...
