“He’s here.” A whisper sounds from behind a tree.

Solaris, eyes glazed over, stands before an enormous tree with an acute whistle flowing from its perforated branches.

“I’m here, I’m not sure I can help much with your botany issue, but I’ll try.” His eyes fix on the tree’s base with a radiant spiral groove in it.

“Ok Alex, let’s go!” Jumping out are Kisu and Alex, adorning bright smiles and all sorts of trinkets in hand.

Sol’s eyes flutter. “What are you two doing- Oh, ohh, you two sent me a fake note, how fun.” He turns around, hiking his foot ready to depart.

“Wait!” The two cry in unison.

Sol hangs his head. “I told you two already, I don’t want a birthday party.” He starts walking away.

Before he can go further a hand firmly grips his wrist, it’s Kisu. He snorts. “Kisu please, I just can’t, not after everything.” He flashes his hand, throwing off Kisu.

As he walks away Kisu glances back to Alex who mimes a pushing motion.

Kisu leaps through the air, landing right in front of Sol. “Wait please Sol, we understand, we won’t force you, but at least come see something with us, it took us a few months to find and all we’ve wanted was for you to see it.” Her eyes are wide and desperate.

Solaris takes a deep breath. “Alright sister, where to?”

Kisu smiles. Behind the pair in her peripheral is Alex punching the air with a toothy grin.

~*~

The trio departed any established path a while ago, trudging through trees and shrubs as they make their way.

“Are you two absolutely certain this is safe? We three can’t afford to go missing or get injured.” Sol’s eyes cautiously scan the area coinciding with each step.

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“Yes Sol don’t worry, we’ve gone through here plenty.” Alex flashes him a smile.

“We’ve only gotten nearly mauled twice, and both times we were fine so with you here we should be triple fine.” Kisu snickers at her own words as she continues leading.

Sol chuckles. “Alright then, I’ll just enjoy the adventure.” His movements relax, his eyes now more curious than cautious.

“We’re here!” Kisu pushes through a layer of shrubbery, revealing a vast clearing.

Alex and Sol follow out and the trio stare into the distance.

Gargantuan obsidian arches stand out in the distance, their purity so great that it can be gathered from even this distance.

Alex and Kisu turn to Sol who stares out with fluttering eyes.

“It’s the obsidian arches from the story, we spent ages looking for them.” Kisu places her hand on Sol’s shoulder.

“We thought since we are free as birds, we might as well use that freedom to see it for ourselves.” Alex put his hand on Sol’s other shoulder.

Sol opened his mouth but no words escaped, only tears built up and fell from his eyes.

A gentle light grows before them, a brilliant fluffy head appearing, nuzzling into Sol’s chest.

The trio lean in and embrace the Lucet’s head.

Sol through his tears and spiraling emotions, manages a few words. “This is the closest I’ve felt to them since then, thank you.” The rest of Sol’s emotions gush out with his closing, sending him into uncontrollable sobbing.

The two press their heads against his, sharing in the moment.

~*~

“It’s getting late, we need to get back soon.” Alex looks to the falling sun in the distance.

Sol sniffles. “Yeah, thank you two so much again.”

Kisu smiles. “It’s our pleasure, O' fearless leader.”

Sol snickers. “I’ve been a bit of a fearful leader lately, maybe it’s time I change that, starting with this.” Sol motions a trail from where they stand to where they came. “I want to make a pathway that people can come to see these arches, to have a safe view of our legacy.” One last tear falls from Sol.

Kisu puts her hand on his back. “I think that’s a splendid idea.”

“I’m thinking we can set up tables and maybe have picnics here once we get the area safer.” Alex waves his hand over the open space, envisioning everything’s placement.

Sol smiles. “Sounds perfect. This’ll certainly be a team effort, no, a whole guardian effort, we are the new guides to these people after all, so let’s play our role and give them some hope.”

“You sound like Favos more everyday.” Alex comments with tender eyes.

“Eh, every couple maybe.” Kisu retorts playfully.

The trio burst into laughter.

“I’m going to celebrate my birthday next year, and I’m going to do it here, with you two, and Jochu and Medo and everyone in Guardian!” Sol smiles softly as he gives a once-over to the arches. “Let’s get a hot meal when we go home, on me.”

The trio begin their way back to their new residence, a simple town, Norm.