Finally, we had arrived at our destination – the center of Sulfury, where the decisive battle has been raging on for years. That being said, we weren’t really “there” yet, as we were actually standing atop a vantage point located on the surrounding cliffs, looking down at all of the soldiers fighting for their respective country. In a way, they all resembled ants from this high up, how disappointing.

“So, to reiterate!” I said, “Our goal here is that giant golden throne right over there, in the middle of the giant river that’s dividing the two sides.”

“I figured it’d be way farther from what you’ve described this place to be.” Cecily sighed, “I feel like I could literally run across the entire battlefield in one sprint if there wasn’t a war going on.”

“Yeah, well, it’s my first time seeing this place myself!” I defended myself, “But you’re right, for a warzone, this place is super cramped. Honestly, do these guys even need guns? I feel like they’d be engaging in close-combat more than anything else.”

At this, I recalled the big guns the Meior side was using. They were long and pointy, yes, but they also had another advantage to them – they doubled as spears thanks to the knives attached to their tips. I guess they had the same reasoning as we did on that front…

The actual throne in question is the one that’s right under us, albeit a very hard fall away. It’s a huge landing spot though, so I imagine if we only had something to break our fall, then we’d easily make it down there. Oh, and if you’re wondering why no one else thought to use this idea, then I wouldn’t know what to tell you either. This mountain range allows for someone to see the entire playing field without being in the crossfire, and if they planned for it adequately, they could steal the throne away just as easily as we will now!

“What’s the plan?” I asked, “If anyone has a good idea on how to get down there safely, I’m all ears.”

“Ugh…” Nelly groaned while wriggling around in her mother’s embrace, “I don’t like heights…”

“It’s alright, Nel, mommy’s got you.” Cecily tried to quell her worries, “Look, mommy and daddy will think of a good way to get down from here soon, so just sit tight for now.”

Well, you say that, but I really can’t think of anything on the spot. We have two choices – either we find something to break our fall, or we find something to use as a parachute and descend slowly to the throne’s hard, gold surface. The latter of these two options is also a pretty bad idea, since a slower descent and a larger target (the parachute) would only raise the chances of us getting shot at while we fall. We need something that’ll get us there fast and without making us too noticeable of a target.

“So Lune, got anything?” Cecily turned to me as if I’d for sure know.

“Of course not, do some thinking yourself, would ya?” I pleaded, “I don’t mind being the one who has to do the heavy lifting and then later just summon you guys with Materialize, but at least think of how to get me down there yourself!”

“Sheesh, fine!” She pouted, “Uh… Why not just summon a bunch of mattresses and throw them down there? They can serve as good cushioning for the fall.”

That sounds like a good idea. I could just summon as many as I felt was necessary before I felt it was safe enough to take the plunge. The idea is sound in theory, but there’s one giant flaw stopping us from enacting it…

“I can’t, I’m pooped.” I said with a tired expression, “I Materialized a ton of things today, not to mention I shot off two whole Fireballs just a few hours ago. I really need to rest a bit before I can use any Iro Abilities again.”

“Is that how it works?” Cecily tilted her head, “I thought you could just summon anything infinitely and without limit.”

“Wouldn’t I be a God if I could do that?”

“Beats me.”

“…”

Nelly was, all the while, trying desperately to forget about the nauseating heights she was in. Weird, I thought, She mentioned nothing about being scared of heights when they were telling me about the Practical Match back while I was in the infirmary. Nelly’s usually hiding her uncertainties so as not to worry Cecily and I, something I so very much appreciate, so seeing this side to her is kind of refreshing in a way. Honestly, she’s only 5, and sometimes I can’t help but wonder if she herself is really right in the head, no matter how bad that sounds.

Really though, I’ve barely ever heard her cry ever since reuniting with her, she’s never wet herself despite being in a war and to top it all off, she’s incredibly smart! I mean, how many five year olds do you know who can speak a foreign language better than you? Go on, I’m waiting! That’s right, you can’t name anyone because such a tyke doesn’t exist!

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You could argue that she’s like this because she’s really fired up and motivated to attend University with Meil, but the knowledge and discipline she’s shown us thus far is just too much for her age! Oh, but I’m going off track here, right now we need to focus on the plan.

“Alright then, just take a rest for now.” Cecily sat down on the grass, “We’ll keep watch while you regain your strength, we don’t gotta rush the plan.”

“That sounds like a good-”

*ZOOM*

Right next to my face, a bullet could be heard whizzing past it. Indeed, someone had fired off their gun at us, trying to snipe us from below, but it appears they’ve just barely missed. The sound made all three of us fall silent, and soon after we had all ducked to the grassy terrain. Looks like we’ve been found out despite our best efforts to remain incognito.

“Crap!” Cecily blurted out, “You okay there?”

“Yep, it just barely grazed me, but I’m alright. Lucky too, just a millimeter to the left and you’d both be witnessing a pretty gruesome sight.”

“Daddy!” Nelly cried out, “I wanna go home!”

Aw geez, now look what you’ve done, random sniper dude! You made my poor baby cry, shame on you! That being said, hearing her whimpering, asking to go back home so desperately literally made my heart drop. I’m doing the best I can to grant this is exact wish of hers, but there’s just nothing else I can do right now. I know I’m being a bit contradictory to my previous statement just now, but Nelly will just have to suck it up and wait just a bit more before we can all go back home safely and happily.

“Nelly, where’s Sir Teddington?” I asked.

“Sniffle, he’s hewe…” She took him out of her little backpack.

“I want you to give Sir Teddington a huge hug.” I smiled, “The biggest hug you can muster. Think you can do that for me?”

“Mhm… What now?”

“Now close your eyes and sing me that tune you always sing.”

This sudden change in my tone filled both the girls with unease. They didn’t know what I was plotting, and I’m sure that that in and of itself was something to worry about. Thus, both of them had this to say.

“Lune, what’s this all about?”

“Yeah dad, why do you want me to sing the lullaby mom always sang me befowe bedtime? It’s just a song I hum when I’m scawed.”

“Just do it, please.” I begged.

After a short little pause, Nelly looked at her mother as if seeking a second opinion on this, but after Cecily finally just told her to do it without even knowing why, she began. The song was beautiful, truly reminiscent of a mother’s lullaby to her daughter. I’m not sure where Cecily herself learnt it from, but I’m very glad she did.

Don’t get me wrong, though, Nelly’s singing voice is terrible, but the honesty behind it makes it ten times better than any bard out there. Truly, a fitting song for my next and maybe even final action.

“Lune, what are you doing? I’m scared.” Cecily’s eyes began tearing up while Nelly was still singing.

“Well, honey,” I got up on my feet before waving them goodbye, “That’s because I’m scared too.”

***

In the very next moment, I had jumped down to the throne below. Behind me were their screams, in front of me was the setting Sun, on either side were countless armed men aiming their guns at me, and below me was Auros’ Throne and yet here I was, smiling at it all.

Nelly stopped singing as soon as she saw me jump, but I could still hear the song continue in my head, oddly enough. Before even realizing it, it appears I’ve began singing this song unconsciously myself whenever I don’t feel like I have the strength to go on.

I was plummeting to my death now, but I didn’t at all feel worried. That’s because this situation is just like those interactive multiple-choice books. No matter what happens, all my worries will disappear. Either I save myself by mustering up the last of my strength to Materialize enough cushioning to break my fall, or I don’t and I die, leaving behind a ton of broken promises. Well, not like I’d care if the latter happened, since I wouldn’t be alive to have to worry about it.

  “♪ At the end of a village stood a yellow house, he he hee~! ♪” I sang aloud, “♪ In the yellow house sat a restless baby, ba ba baa~! ♪”

The song wasn’t pointless, nor was it the final icing on the cake for my insanity. It had its purpose, and that was to help me focus all of my brain power on imagining something soft. That’s also why I told Nelly to hug Sir Teddington. I wanted to see what it’s like for someone to experience “Softness”, so I used that as reference.

  “♪ The baby’s mother nursed her, ma ma maa~! ♪” I put my hand in position and silently prayed, “♪ The mother sang the lullaby to her, ha ha ha! ♪”

Finishing the song at just the right time, I had opened my eyes to see about a hundred or so mattresses laid out under me, all stacked atop one another to create a mountain of softness. In no less than a second or two later, I had landed on the mattresses, and surprisingly enough withstood no injuries. Heh, looks like this was a success after all, now to just Materialize Cecily and Nelly down here as well…

“You idiot!” I got a slap to the face immediately as they were getting sent through, “Don’t ever do that again, dummy! I thought you’d seriously died!”

“Hehe, sorry, Cecily…” I chuckled while rubbing my bright red cheek.

“Daddy!” A crying Nelly ran up to me, trying with all her might to inflict pain on me with her dainty punches, “You meanie! You absolute meanie! I thought you we’we leaving us!”

“Sorry for making it so dramatic, you guys.” I said, “But I genuinely didn’t know if this last ditch effort of mine would work or not. By the way Nelly, thanks for the song, it really motivated me.”

“If my singing motivated you to jump off a cliff, then I’m nevew singing again!” She pouted.

Naww, that wasn’t what I meant! I mean, that’s probably for the better, but I was genuinely praising her! I had never intended on traumatizing her for singing her mother’s lullaby… Whoops, I guess.