Her words do not stop there

“I know I can’t kill you but this probably isn't your current true body! I’ll use everything I have to at least destroy this avatar and lay my friend’s soul to rest!!”

Something inside of her fluctuates in a way that is different from the emission of pure flow. My guess is that she is finally about to use her [melody]. This would make it the first time I ever see it in action. I do not know what it is, but if it’s something that she believes can harm an avatar of Soulweaver, it promises to be powerful. Fortunately, I do not let my curiosity get the better of me. Fearing for the integrity of my apartment, but also for my safety, I shout.

“Wait! I swear! It’s me, Alden!!”

Hearing my voice once more, Sylvia hesitates. The fluctuations within her soften, she has stopped the channeling of her attack. Her countenance remains doubtful, and her anger does not subside, but a flicker of hope dances in her eyes. Asher and Aurora have yet to process things, but Calliope does not remain idle.

“It’s big brother! Let me go!”

Sylvia retorts.

“No, stay here! I’ll talk to him!”

“BU-”

Calliope attempts to defy Sylvia but she turns in her direction and the little girl gets a glimpse into the depth of her rage, giving her no choice but to heed the command, at least for now. I am taken aback by this display. Her face did not contort further to better convey the emotions, she simply glanced at Calliope, and even I could sense the wrath in her eyes.

Sylvia’s demeanor usually exudes a sense of amicability and comfort. Her smile warms the air in the room and illuminates the hearts of those who see it. Her melodic voice releases the tension of a difficult day when heard. She is someone who’s very presence is associated with positive memories for me. As the heir of the FullCastle family, she may appear distant and inaccessible to most, but I know this image does not reflect her true nature. While I hesitate to call her a friend due to our difference in status, deep down, I think that is what we have become in those five months. Even if the context is a unique case, I never would have thought that she would direct such a face towards me. Shaking off the strange feeling surging from within, I attempt to prove my identity.

“Y-you have to believe me!!

Tear drops descend from her eyes.

“How can I! Even if you say that you’re not him! How can I believe you!”

“You just saw me use my [melody], right? Soulweaver can’t make use of his avatar’s pr-”

“It could have been a lie!”

I am unable to find a way to retort. In response to my silence, she lowers her head and the tears flow more abundantly. She then looks back up and her face softens. The anger diminishes, replaced by two battling sentiments; hope and despair. She speaks.

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“I… I left you, no, I left Alden behind… He’s… gone…”

‘... She feels incredibly guilty huh…’

At a loss for words, I ask her a question.

“You must know more about Soulweaver than I do… how can I prove myself to you?”

Now that we are linked, I am easily able to tell Soulweaver’s avatars apart from other individuals. It comes as a feeling. It was a feeling that I first got when we were both at the facility. I only noticed its existence seeing that as I awoke on the outer edge of the forest, that feeling had left. I suspect that his Soul link ability has a function which allows us to know when we are in each other’s presence. Since all of Soulweaver’s avatars are ‘him’ to some extent, despite the fact that he does not actively manipulate them all at once, when I am in their vicinity, it feels as though I am near the source.

Even if that is an incredibly convenient solution, I can’t exactly use that as a way to prove myself, Sylvia would not believe it. Even if she did believe me, the fact that we are now linked would have to be reported. Biting her lip, she replies.

“... Only my grandfather would be able to tell, and he is away currently… The only other way I could think of would be to-”

Calliope, who has been restless this entire time, speaks again.

“I’m telling you it’s big brother!! I can tell!!”

Sylvia attempts to dismiss her again, but intently looking at the little girl, she considers something for a moment. She approaches Calliope while still facing me, bends down and touches her forehead.

“I see…” she says

She continues.

“How can you tell?”

“He’s not the bad guy! He doesn’t smell like it!!”

‘Now that I think about it, back at the Lounge, I also wondered how she could tell I wasn’t there to take advantage of her…’

Calliope’s claim may sound ridiculous, but Sylvia genuinely considers her words. Her guilt ridden mind cannot help but to cling to any possibility that I may be alive. This conflicts with her sense of responsibility which states that she must prevent me from doing any more harm, if there’s even the slightest possibility that I might. Eventually she asks calliope,

“Is that… your lineage trait, or your [melody]?”

‘Lineage trait…?’

Calliope stares back, confused. She is as clueless as I am when it comes to the meaning behind Sylva’s question. The only thing the fair-skinned girl is able to offer in response is a look that acts as a plea to trust in her. Sylvia finally concedes and allows Calliope to approach me. In turn, the little girl wastes no time and jumps into my arms.

“I knew you would come back!!”

Emotions well up within me.

“I promised, didn't I?”

She cries profusely and agrees. I turn my gaze to the twins who have yet to utter a word. They must not understand the situation whatsoever. The world of the [enlightened] is still a concept that is out of reach for them. I could explain the entire situation, but it would take time and I doubt they’d fully understand. Instead, I simply tell them to join us in our embrace, and they do. We are finally reunited. We stay like this for a while, until we let each other go. When our moment is over, Sylvia speaks again.

“Listen… Alden I’ll trust that little girl vouching for your identity, for now, but I also need to make sure in my own way.”

I recall her previous words.

“But you said your grandfather was away.”

“Yes, but that wasn’t a valid option either way. Going to him would mean that I suspect a connection between Soulweaver and you. He’ll never let you go if that’s the case, even if it’s proven that you’re not one of his avatars.”

“Then..?”

“I’ll check in my own way…we’ll have a duel. Even if Soulweaver has access to Alden’s memories and [melody]. He could never properly replicate his fighting style, his habits, his demeanor, his exact stance, or his thought process. However, I’ve seen all of it in our training. Even if Soulweaver can peer into Alden’s memories to replicate it, it’ll never be the real thing, it’ll be clumsy at best.”

‘That’s not a bad idea, but I don’t know how I feel about dueling Sylvia, she’s scary…’

Sylvia pursues.

“Well, that’s that, but for now…”

She approaches me. I am confused as to what she wants to do, but my siblings make way, seemingly understanding. When we are a few steps away from each other, she opens her arms, and wraps me in them. Before I can process what’s happening, she whispers in my ear, tears cascading down her cheeks.

“I… I left you behind… I’m so sorry… ”

I doubt anything I could say would alleviate the guilt. I simply reciprocate her embrace and whisper my true thoughts.

“ I’d do it all over again if given the choice…”

She lets out a long sigh.

“... I know… ”

She release me, throws one last pensive glance at Calliope and makes her way towards the front door. Her golden hair dances as she moves. Before exiting, she looks at me and says,

“I’ll let you rest a bit, but in two days, on Lauderdale's practice field, meet me at midnight. I need to make sure before we return to DaiKar.”