After Kyoya's frightful journey into his mind with the technique known as 'Not Forgotten,' he faced Reika in battle, at long last proving victorious after 180 grueling duels ending in defeat. The boy now faces another reality that will force him to abandon yet another life, though this time on terms not his own.

This time, in pursuit of something that may prove to be impossible—something he isn't even completely sure of himself—all by his lonesome... but a spark of promise appears in the form of one last day with Sister Reika.

And now, with some luck, there remains a shot for him to find just what he's been told to seek... whatever that may be.

Kyoya muttered nothings under his breath. Thankful nothings, admittedly, but it wasn't uncommon for him to be made quiet.

"Even if you're leaving, you won't ever truly be alone, Kyoya. Not anymore."

He embraced the sentiment as best he could, worries fading slightly in tow. Even now, Kyoya couldn't quite put together what it was about Reika that made such an ability to ease even possible...

...but, in the world of Reclaimers and their magic, it wasn't out of the question to say that anything was possible.

Guran, arms politely behind his back, also did the favor of relieving the boy of his strife.

"She speaks truthfully, you know. In fact, I wouldn't call it improbable that you'd eventually find yourself coming back to visit now and then... which I—..." the man paused.

A subtle glance at the questionably expectant Reika followed his continuation. "...ahem, we fully expect from you."

"Some more than others, even." the girl added, stepping closer to him. The sun was falling behind the rolling hills now, with their sanctuary's lanterns taking their cue and casting several blankets of warm, radiant light over them.

"That said..." Guran began with a deep breath. "...I don't believe there's much more for me to do here this night. The sun resigns from its post as we speak, so you two best not deny sleep much longer—especially not tonight," he advised, laughing either at his fatherly tendencies or the unenthusiastic response of those in receipt.

"Yes, sir. We won't be out long." Reika nodded, appearing to be intent on something more.

"Yeah, no sweat. We'll see ya in the morning, Gramps." Kyoya reinforced her, their master seeming content. With no more than a smile followed by a gentle nod, Guran turned and disappeared into the commons' doorway. Once the boy was sure that they had received some much-deserved downtime, he turned to his company. "So?"

Stolen story; please report.

Reika's gaze was elsewhere. Kyoya traced it up to the top of the bell tower, which itself rested atop the commons.

"Up there," she stated. "There's still some thought to be shared... So, that's where we'll talk."

The girl wasted no time ascending the commons building in no more than a couple of bounds, Kyoya in close pursuit. Soon enough, the both of them were sitting on the tower's edge, legs dangling over.

They were facing where the hills dipped down into Arione Valley. After several miles, it transitioned into the outskirts of Central-Takera's capital, the kingdom of Altaire.

It would have done a disservice to even call the view great, as it deserved a word that would convey everything it had to offer. No dictionary could ever provide such a boon.

The stars were beginning to reveal themselves, finally coming from behind the light's fading curtain and awakening the night sky in their dance with the rising moon. Kyoya couldn't decide if nature had truly settled in for the night or if this setting was simply an illusion put together by Reika—but there was no complaint to either party if this was going to be their scene.

A silence enveloped the pair for several minutes. It appeared that they both knew well what a show the night had offered for their audience. Ignoring that gift was an intention of neither the Rose nor the Miscreant.

A gentle breeze was what eventually broke the ice, blowing Reika's hair into his face and forcing laughter from the both of them.

"I guess it was a little dumb of me to think I'd really be around here for the rest of forever." Kyoya leaned forward with his chin on his palms. The abruptness of all that had happened sent his mind to all sorts of places, though he settled on none in particular.

It hadn't clicked until just then that there was a similarity between this and his encounter with Sera in the dream world. "A chance to look back over things," he mused. Even if he didn't know Fate personally, he at least knew that she was an avid fan of connecting the dots, be it literally or figuratively. That in itself made him chuckle.

"I wouldn't color it 'dumb'." She shook her head. "Optimistic—maybe a bit unrealistic—but not dumb, not at all. If I had to be frank with you..." The girl cut herself off, a light sigh following.

Knowing her well enough to be aware that she wouldn't budge if she didn't feel like sharing something, the Miscreant didn't pursue what she'd left unsaid.

"Good to know I've still got some hope, then," Kyoya nodded. "If nothing else, I'll have a place to come back to if I get beaten down too hard... or if I can even make it far past the barrier."

In a way, Reika didn't look quite as amused by that.

"If you were able to beat me, there isn't a Demon within miles of the shrine that you couldn't handle. I'm certain of that."

"Never knew you to be one for sentiment. I wouldn't have expected that my greatest enemy was also my number-one fan." Kyoya didn't bother denying her claim. He may not have completely agreed, but part of him did want to believe that she was 100 percent right.

"Enemy!? All I ever do is try to help, you moron! You just turn it into a competition!"

"Hey, c'mon, there's no need for technicality and all—"

"You're a dolt." Reika groaned, appearing to be scanning the area around them with an odd look of expectancy. Kyoya then did the same, ever so eager to see what it was that she was looking for.

When her eyes lit up, so too did the sky.