“Once upon a time, in an ordinary, commonplace town, there was a boy who was curious about the world around him. Born to a poor family, it was hard to pursue his innate curiosity. A boy, among others, who hardly stood out from his peers. The reason for such a limiting lifestyle was due to his ill mother at home. Having to take jobs to care for his mother, he was never given the opportunity to study or socialize and thus, leaving him unable to form a real connection with the outside world. The boy’s name… was Giovanni.”

Keijin paused and second guessed himself whether or not to continue. He has heard of this story countless times at the start of his career in Azure. It’s a grand tale that is debatable whether or not it had relation with the organization’s operations. Without doubt Takeshi would find contentment in the story’s message, but was it truly ok for Keijin to share it?

Despite the fact that he was given something he wasn’t specifically looking for, Takeshi took an interest in the story and desired to learn more. “And his father?”

“...On a fishing trip. It was a trip that would make him unable to return home for a while.”

“...I see. So this boy is forever doomed of a fate of loneliness? Thus contributing to a cycle of limited potential?”

Keijin paused. If there was a higher being, surely he will be punished for this.

“There was one. One person who shined like a star who cared for Giovanni. His name was Campanella. One day in class, Giovanni’s teacher was giving a lesson in cosmology in which he was explaining a major celestial body: the galaxies. At one point, the teacher asked Giovanni what galaxies are made of by observing through a telescope, but was unable to do so. He then asked Campanella but he remained silent as well. You may assume that they genuinely didn’t know, but the two boys have looked into Campanella’s father’s galaxy atlas at his house and knew that galaxies are bound with stars.”

“The reason?”

“We have yet to know. After the class ended with the ring of the bell, their teacher urged his students to attend the festival of the stars in the upcoming evening. This proved to be difficult for Giovanni as he had work later in the day. Hurrying and hurrying he did to finish his tasks at the printing press, and the boy was able to complete everything with time to spare. Buying and bringing home food for his mother with the money he was given, he told his mother that he would be back in about an hour.”

“What a hard working boy.”

“Indeed. And it’s such a shame. A festival is supposed to be a time of enjoyment, yes? Giovanni, as he arrived, was mocked by his classmates once more. Particularly, Zanelli. It was always a specific taunt Zanelli used to undermine him: an otter skin coat he was expecting from his father. On the night of the festival, Giovanni found himself up on a distant hill away from town and lying back, watching the stars of the night sky. Perhaps, he was there to escape the noise or to clear his mind. But whatever reason, he just wanted to be on that hill and stargaze. 

To his surprise, one light in the sky was different. He knew that every single light out there was a star in the Milky Way, yet one specific light was different. It was a blinding light followed by the noise of a train’s whistle. It was a train, a steam locomotive riding in the midst of the stars. It pulled to a stop right in front of Giovanni, as if the hill were a station. The next moment, he found himself inside the steam train on top of one of the seats by the window.”

“Alluring. Much like those stories where the protagonist gets whisked away to another world.”

Keijin chuckled at his comment. “Yes, he was much surprised as he felt the leather seat beneath him. Even more so, however, his best friend Campanella was also present where he walked down the passage and took up the seat facing Giovanni. Strangely, his clothes were damp as he sat by him. The boy didn’t care how impossible it seemed, as he was glad he was alone with his friend. Campanella directed his attention and opened up a window. ‘This train runs along the Milky Way.’ he said to Giovanni.”

For some strange, odd reason, Takeshi imagined himself to be sitting and staring at those same stars. It may be due to the fact that he too, was floating in the air, even though the two boys would have left the planet’s grip by then.

“‘Let’s spend a night on the galactic railroad.’ There hadn’t been any other words that had resonated to Giovanni as much as those. And so those two did just that. On board the train, Giovanni and Campanella travelled across the galaxy to witness the grand majesty of the Milky Way. A sea of stars. A riverbed lit by the galaxy. It was the voyage of miracles. Over the course of the trip, many passengers come along and share their life experiences with the two boys. Together, they gained insight in the lives of many in such a short period of time.

However, at one point, a ticket inspector came to examine their tickets. He was amazed by Giovann’s specifically, telling him he had a special ticket that could allow him to go to the ‘True Heaven’. Afterwards, there were a certain pair of children among the passengers that spoke to the two that also shared a strange detail. Kaoru and Tadashi were their names, and said the two were previously onboard a vessel which was hit by an iceberg and sank.”

“...!”

At this point, it jumped out to Takeshi. 

“They, Kaoru, Tadashi, and especially Campanella, are they…”

“Right. The Galactic Railroad carries those whom have passed. Giovanni had not yet realized that the Campanella beside him was dead. Or, perhaps he did realize it and denied it with every fiber of his being? After all, the two children could have survived with a lifeboat from the ship. Either way though, his friend’s time was already over.”

After learning the truth, Takeshi couldn’t help but lower his head. He stared at the ground 2,000 meters below him and said, “I have to question. For a story like this to occur, did these characters happen to ever exist in our world?”

“Haha, like I would disclose private information to an enemy like this.” Keijin shifted his weight, being careful not to put pressure on his ribs. Of course, I say that but… He truly didn’t know the answer to his question.

“...?”

“—Ah. Nevermind… I’ll continue. After much time had passed, Giovanni and Campanella find themselves alone in the undulating seats of the train once again. This time, however, would prove to be their final journey together.”

Keijin raised his head and peered his eyes into the nautical twilight.

“‘Let’s always be together,’ Giovanni said to his friend after reminiscing his time inside the train. But he didn’t answer; Campanella remained silent. Yes, he remained silent; it was a response that even Giovanni questioned jokingly. The silence only continued, and his demands grew stronger. Stronger and stronger they did. Until… Campanella stood up and said:”

“I’ve got to go.”

“Giovanni dropped to his knees and collapsed into Campanella, refusing to let him go. He knew he was denying reality, but just couldn’t accept it. But it only took his friend to say ‘stand up’ that he got up to his legs again, as if his words were the last request from him.

Thus, Giovanni came back to reality and back on top of the same hill as if time hardly passed. He dismissed everything in the train as a dream and headed home. After experiencing such an impossible trip, who wouldn’t? Along his way, however, news struck. He couldn’t believe his ears. ‘Campanella fell into the river. We still haven’t found him. We’ve been searching for so long. It’s been 45 minutes, without so much of a sliver of hope.’ That’s what Giovanni heard after he hurried to the river. Everyone said that Campanella dived in to rescue Zanelli from drowning, but he himself couldn’t make it out in time.

That was when Giovanni took his experience at heart and understood where Campanella headed off to: on the Galactic Railroad. And then the boy finally said to himself, ‘I have to go home.” To answer your question, I don’t know if one man actually had these experiences or not, but if someone out there truly experienced the Galactic Railroad, then they must’ve learned what true happiness really is.”

Takeshi grinned. “A bittersweet tale no less. Either way, I’m grateful you gave me something for my question and took the time to tell it, even if it wasn’t exactly what I had in mind. I’ll be sure to pass it onto Mary whenever the mood hits. Thank you.”

Hm. He said that as if he was genuinely going to do so later on. Even though at this rate, both men were going to die of blood loss on the side of the mountain. Keijin had already ordered Kaori to take Cavall and support the other team a while back, so he shouldn’t expect any immediate help. Likewise, it should be the same for Takeshi.

“—As if we’re going to live to see the next sunrise.” Kejin said, laughing, “But, who knows? Mary might hear the story from another stranger at some point in her life later on. The world is vast.”

Takeshi contemplated on his words for a bit, before giving a meekly nod. “...This world is indeed extensive. I hope Giovanni, wherever he is now, finds solace in the stars from there on out.”

His voice dropped, too low for Keijin to hear, but as he spoke, his eyes squinted above.

“Because now he would have to face the future without Campanella.”

・・・・・

What pressure there was; everyone was counting on you to fulfill the final act of a plan with every single person’s lives at stake.

As Riki climbed the second flight of stairs, the only thing occupying his mind now were the eyes of the white-haired girl. The scene of her defending herself on that day kept on repeating over and over with no way to stop it. It was easily the most intense memory out of everything that happened to him after finding himself in the middle of the capital city of Fallway. Out of every impossible event that had occurred to him thus far, his first experience with supernatural abilities stood out the most by far. As a result, it became a cycle of being reminded of her struggle every time an Aoi was used. It was as if it was a fundamental missing piece in his character that was left unfulfilled. And reaching the top of the stairs made him realize that.

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On the third floor, the first thing that jumped out to Riki was the absence of any windows at all. The floor gave off a feeling in such a way that he felt isolated and trapped physically and mentally. It was cold, there was no other way to put it. Cold, lonely, confined, secluded. He wanted out right now, but without any light, he would have been completely lost in the darkness. It didn’t have to be that way, however, for he would always have light by him.

Riki faced his palm upwards and took a deep breath. A point of luminescence emerged above his hand, revealing the arid space around him. At the same time, a wave of relief came over him after feeling the warmth of the energy sphere. Out of every Aoi he could’ve received, he was glad it was something that could be tangibly held.

...Now wasn’t the time to be sentimental. He needed to complete the mission and get the hell off that mountain or else he would be stuck up there forever with two people that could kill him in any possible way. Oh, that’s right. I need to tell Oluka to send some air bubbles for me. Forgetting that would have been detrimental.

“Oluka?” Riki called out.

He waited a second. Silence.

“...Oluka? Do you copy?”

Again, he waited, but there was nothing. He was met with silence once again.

What’s going on? It worked with Tamaki, so why am I unable to contact Oluka? She was able to do it just fine before we encountered Mary… wait.

It dawned on him. He reached for his pocket and took out what appeared to be a blackened stem when held next to his energy sphere. The maple leaf that Keijin had given to them acclimated to cold weather, but not through intense heat. It was that moment, huh? When that spirit attacked Riki in that brief instance, the maple leaf must’ve been caught in the crossfire as well. Thus, the connection was all but snuffed out with no other way of contacting anyone else. The only thing left for Riki to do was to climb the final flight of stairs of the observatory. Alone.

I’m going to hope that the air bubble will be ready in time then when the time comes.

And so, Riki picked up his feet. The energy sphere lit as much of the floor as he could now that he didn’t have to focus on stealth. Though, this couldn’t be considered any less ‘restrained’. His heartbeat was palpitating as fast as the moment he stepped inside the observatory. Urgh. At least it’s warming me up. He thought for a second. Warming… me up? It was there he noticed the cloud of breath he continuously breathed out slowly faded away and the air became ever so warmer. This wasn’t merely because of his Aoi.

Another point of light down the hall entered his vision: a new fire spirit guarding what appeared to be the final set of stairs, much earlier than before compared to the earlier floors. A 13th spirit?! It’s white, hollow face turned to look at the young man after it noticed his presence. In some ways, the figure could be considered elegant in its design and physique. Mary seemed like the type of person to take pride in her creations, and Riki would be the one to step on that pride.

“Out of the damn way!”

The sphere in his hand illuminated brighter and brighter as he charged forth. Aim while he ran, he wanted to be as efficient as possible to not waste a second. But, Riki judged the distance a little too incorrectly; the spirit already closing in on him as much as he was. Already at arms length, it was going to be a repeat of what had occured last time. And this time, there wouldn’t be any shield against the heat.

Riki didn’t fire the energy sphere. He didn’t fire at all. Instead, he bent his elbow, cocked his arm all the way back as much as possible, and slammed the sphere into the spirit’s torso with all of his might. Blinding light erupted at the moment of contact and a sudden shock wave inflicted a wave of pressure on his whole body. He thought he would be robbed of his hearing alongside his vision as the burst had possibly shattered his eardrums.

Yet, as he drove the energy sphere into the spirit, he stood his ground, unwavered. The spirit was sent flying back onto the floor, almost all vaporized except for its upper body. Clutching it, Riki’s arm felt like it was going to disconnect from his body.

“Ha… Ha…”

That alone drained everything he had. And it seemed that way defensivewise to the spirit as well. Its light grew more faint before it disintegrated into oblivion completely. To him, it was a somber sight seeing such beauty fade so cruelly. Yet, the melody of Dies Irae still played just as vigorously as ever down below him.

The fact remained: Riki was pressed for time. Once he regained composure, he tested his hearing and after being sure his ears still functioned, turned his attention to the final flight of stairs. He finally took one step onto the hollow, metal plate. In that single moment, he realized just how scattered his mind became, thinking he would have been fully resolute when the time came.

Nevertheless, thousands of thoughts raced inside his mind with each passing step. He was, but only for a brief moment, considering how his life would have played out. What a childhood he had led, what a life with his family had been. His life back home, will he ever be able to return to it, whatever it might be?

Really, Riki hadn’t traveled a great distance. Not physically, but mentally. Stuck in a dangerous cycle. He’d wrapped himself in grief unconsciously and attempted to cast the weight aside. He had to wonder, why? Why must his brain fall under such a degrading mindset? Was it to fill the void left behind by his forgotten life?

Ultimately in the next few moments, the deep-rooted, incessant cycle will meet its end. Riki stepped onto the final floor. There, the long hall was calm and brimmed much more with warm light. The architecture felt professional and sophisticated like all of the previous floors, except somehow this space gave him a sense of coziness and comfort; perhaps due to the better influx of light here. On one opposing end, there was what seemed to be the largest open balcony area he ever saw that acted as an entrance for the twilight colors to sink through. He knew the only way out of the observatory was through that area. It was the singular most remote section of the whole building away from Mary’s and Takeshi’s influence.

All the way across the other side from the location of the balcony, however, was but a singular door awaiting his presence. A door that he knew what awaited for him on the opposite side. With no other unexplored areas other than what’s behind, he grabbed the handle.

If I even make this out alive, will I be fulfilled?

Riki opened the door.

“—!!”

Upon asking that question silently, Riki forced himself to stop imagining about the future. Because he found a reason to be in the present. There, in front of the young man, was a concentrated typhoon of a storm contained inside the circular room.

“What the heck is this thing...?!”

The winds caught him off-guard, requiring him to plant his feet in order to not get blown back. The room was every bit covered in ice and Riki could easily see his breath each time he exhaled his staggering lungs. As he shielded his face with his arm, a wave of disbelief came over him after catching a glimpse of the center of the storm. Riki peered closer into the vortex to see, in the heart, the white-haired girl. She was unconscious, floating off her feet an inch off the floor, her eyes closed as the Sword of Tsurugi above binded her.

When he laid eyes on the girl, his body instantly froze up. Reaching her through the blizzard dome will most likely mean certain death to him. Riki lowered his body and took a few steps until he was standing right in front of the storm. From the outer circumference to the center, the radius must’ve been around five meters. Five meters… of pure glaciation.

...Fuck, I didn’t come here to whine.

After taking a deep breath, an energy sphere formed in his hands and he took a step inside the barrier. Immediately, Riki felt the pressure on every inch of his body as well as the sheer coldness freezing even his descent. The symptoms of frostbite, what were they precisely? Cold skin? Numb, solid skin? Perhaps, even turning purple? He was worried as he couldn’t even check, having very little feeling anywhere already. At this rate, he’d lost the ability to breathe permanently. In the end… he needed to increase the odds of success somehow—!

In that perilous state, he called out. “Wake up… Wake up…!”

His skin has yet to be blackened, but it sure would soon enough if he continued the pace he was going at. By chance the girl could regain consciousness and thus, could negate the storm. If she didn’t wake up, he would be the one to not wake up.

“Please…!”

Riki’s half-crying voice carried a smeared trace of despair. His legs were at the brink of breaking into pieces. And the girl showed no signs of opening her eyes.

Useless. You really are a failure, aren’t you? Everyone was counting on you too. Keijin, Oluka, Tamaki, Kaori, Katou... Why… Why am I even alive to begin with? What was the point of it all if I was gonna...

Swaying in the maelstrom of his emotions, on the verge of losing all sense of reason, he dropped to his knees with a massive thud and clenched his eyes to prevent the congealed tears from rolling down his face.

Dammit... I don’t want to fail anymore. Please Universe… let me succeed this one time. I don’t even need my life anymore. I couldn’t care less if I would never realize my past life ever… It could all be trapped and locked up for all I care. But I’ll never forgive myself if this one innocent person dies.

Now that he was on the floor, was there ever a chance for him to get back on his feet? What cruelty. What a shame. Another failure, huh? Riki was that close to defeating the white apocalypse he had found himself inside of, too. It was a pitiful run he had in that span of time. Pity. Pitiful. He could very well shatter into tiny white crystals and vanish—

“Ngh…”

That was when it happened. He heard a sound like clothes rustling and a gentle breath. He raised his head to see faint eyes look back. And somehow, the coldness became ever so weakened. Truly, this world... is cruel.

She’s conscious!

There was a glimmer of hope after all. It was such warmth that tempted Riki to stand up again. If his arm was rendered useless, he didn’t care. His whole body was already fated to be riddled with frostbite. Charging the energy sphere one final time, he forced himself into the vortex. Slowly, ever so slowly, his arm reached for her.

“It’s working!”

Battered. Bloodied. Congealed. Frozen. It all didn’t matter in this one moment.

If I could just save one person. Please. At least give me this…

His entire body felt like it was about to rip apart. But he didn’t care. Right now, he needed all of the resolve that he had.

—And he broke through the storm.

・

It’s cold… it’s so cold… so… dark. 

Velma, I…

The girl opened her eyes. Together with the feeling of waking up after a long slumber — a gentle breeze brushed her cheeks and the view of her surroundings flowed into her sights.

It was something which she had already experienced many times, an experience that she was starting to get tired of: the feeling of limitation.

Someone’s there…? Who is he…? Is he…

But if there was something different this time, it would be...

A light…?

A second glimmer of hope within the sea of stars.

It’s

Pretty.

・

The light that shined bright, Riki reached out his hand to her.

“Come!”

[https://i.imgur.com/LNm9D6b.jpg]