Without warning, you're off, before you can even straighten out your thoughts. On instinct, you shut your eyes tightly. In fact, they are shut so tightly that it kind of hurts. All you can do is put your stock in Mei right now. You don't know if you can convince your stubborn brain to "believe", even if it feels like everything hinges on that. In the darkness, you hear Mei's voice echo. Everything will be fine as long as you believe. Huh. A strange pang of nostalgia strikes as those words replay in your head. Did you ever get told something like that in the past? No, you're sure you haven't. There's no way, not until you met this girl. There's nobody as bold as her, who constantly says these…

Meimona: Nino, what the heck are you doing?Nino: WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING, GOD!Meimona: I'm saving our collective bottoms. Meimona: Again, might I add!Nino: At least steady the ship, I can't even stand up straight like this!Meimona: Sure, ummm... Meimona: I couldn't really control it earlier, but I think it should be better now!Meimona: So get up, you baby.Nino: Right, just,Nino: Warn me if you'll do something crazy again, please!Meimona: Dunno what you mean, but aye aye!Meimona: And hey, you have to call me CAPTAIN Mei now.Meimona: I've been upgraded from the officer position, matey! >:]Nino: ...I'm not going to do that. This ship is surprisingly small. Maybe it doesn't even deserve to be called a ship! Perhaps it's just a dinky fancied up boat for fast deliveries, but…

You do so, and her expression flips in a miraculous a 180. Really, it's amazing how easily her mood improved, almost like she highly values your opinion of her performance. Yep, definitely the sign of a newbie. She's gonna have to get used to you saying all manner of profanities to people's faces soon enough. It's inevitable for humans to end up disappointed in you, no big deal. Kaji: Jump on the ship! Yeah! There's still time to make it!!! Screw this business, you've GOTTA check that- Cake: Drop. That... Ship... Whoops. The crate labelled "Cake" fell upside down and spilled its nasty pink guts out. Oh, and of course it just has Selene's pink garbage in it. Wait, was breaking that your fault? Uh. Whoops. Again. In that case,…

Nino: AAAAAAAAAAAH, UH, IT'S KAJI!Nino: I THINK HE SAW ME.Nino: W-WHAT DO WE DO-Meimona: HERE! OVER HERE! Meimona: QUICK, JUST DUCK AND HIDE! Meimona: ...Your stupid hair thing needs to hide too!Nino: Sorry! Nino: Eavesdrop on what's happening on the docks. The pair of sailors are arguing loudly. One of them says, hey, hurry it up, slowpoke. He says he really wants to start his break soon. The other one snaps back at him, saying why don't you run your legs instead of your mouth and hurry this up with me! He then says, dude, you're NOT the boss of me. She says, well, you're not either. On these grounds, only captain Kaji could tell me or you to do something and we'd listen, she says. Nino: FUCK FUCK FUCK…

As you're about to put your phone away, and head down to business, a single beep! stops you at the last second. More messages? Kaji: Check again, one last time. Oh man, they really are worried about you. How nice of them. You really don't want that, though. His highness definitely has more important things to worry about, and the same goes for the captain. Not that you're unhappy about it. Wait... OH, no. No, no, no, nevermind it all. THAT can't happen. It would only take the captain mere seconds to be here, and you can't afford that at all. If anyone sees you like this, post-drunk and losing it, they would undoubtedly lose every last bit of respect they had for you. Not to mention that Selene showing…

Kaji: Assure her that it's all fine. Nobody needs to worry for you. Assured: Assure the assurer. Selene: What is this SMELLY FRIENDSHIP BULLSHIT, you're here and you're IMPORTANT! Selene: Speaking of smelly friendship bullshit, you're an understanding friend, too. Kaji: ??? Cool Crew: Deliver important (fragile) packages! Cool Crew: Soon, you must pick up a special package too, and- Hey who's that? Kaji: Just give up and carry on. If you had to pick one word to describe all that, it would be "Insane". And if you could pick two, it would be "Fucking Insane". In the end, you'll have to fulfill your duties whether you like it or not. Hopefully the payoff will be worth the trouble. You notice that your table has been graciously cleaned while you…

A conversation unfolded. Wow... It looks like you missed a huge wall of text. Well, you'd normally skip a wall of gibberish from her without a second thought, but this time, the captain is part of it too! What she says is REAL important. But then again... Your head still hurts. Maybe you'll just skip everything anyway. Surely, a "99+ unread messages" notification tells you all you need to know. Kaji: Skip. Spleen?: How offensive! You're only in your mid twenties! Moggie?: Just spell it out for her. Spleen?: ...She's actually waiting, isn't she. Spleen?: Multitask and execute GENIUS plans. Spleen?: She should know by now that UNSTOPPABLE is your middle name! ...Not really. It's Aylin, but whatever. Don't ruin the joke! Moggie? and Spleen?: Visualize. You reach the end…

Nino: ...That's one WEIRD looking ship.Nino: Is it gonna be okay to go on that. I mean, WOW, it's so gaudy...Meimona: Come on, after ALL that trouble we went through and you're hesitating NOW?Meimona: To me, this big weird slow thing looks like a GOLDEN BEACON OF HOPE!Nino: Jeez, the closer it gets, the more off-put I feel.Meimona: It's a ride out, what more do you dream of? Meimona: You have no business being this picky, you impossible-to-please plebeian!Nino: Eh... I'll take what I can get, I suppose.Nino: Although, this porcelain teapot looking ship does look like it came right out of a dream.Meimona: It's so slooow though. C'mon, big thing!Nino: That's how most ships are.Meimona: C'mon, C'mon, C'MON!Meimona: AS I SUMMON IT, IT ARRIVES... Meimona: COME TO ME AT…

Reed: Then, you're sure you don't know what the festivity down there is for.Aria: No, it doesn't ring any bells.Reed: God, and here I thought you were poking fun at the kid.Aria: ??Reed: Tonight happens to be two days before a worldwide holiday. Reed: A holiday for monsters, I mean. Reed: It will be their ruler's birthday.Five: !!Aria: H-huh!Five: A birthday party!!Five: Five was right!Reed: You sure were.Five: Five wins!!Reed: Don't forget to pester your friend for a prize later.Five: Yes!!Five: A victory prize! :DAria: H-hey! Reed: Better not be a sore loser, c'mon.Aria: D: Reed: So,Reed: The vast majority of the population congregates in the royal marshes down there.Reed: That's where the festivities happen. Reed: Every year, they hold what is probably the biggest, most obnoxious birthday celebration party…

The crescent is visible again. Looking at it sends countless memories soaring through your head. You loved sneaking off to watch mesmerizing eclipses like these. So much so, that sometimes getting lost in the forest over it was never a setback. Before the barrier and dome even came to be, the constellations at night were a fond memory for you and your mother. She loved the view... Or rather, you suppose it's more accurate to say she loved your description of it. Despite relying only on your words to illustrate the beauty of the world, to her it was more than enough. And your childish limited vocabulary at the time never seemed to bother her, either. It's a good thing you visited her grave earlier today. That's going to remain…

Ha ha, what duties? You're pretty sure there's nothing waiting for you anywhere. Plus, you're busy with what REALLY matters right now, and also too tipsy to focus. All for good reason! A guy doesn't get drinks coupled with heartfelt appreciation letters written in fishscript every day- No, wait, a cool guy like you definitely does, and from all kinds of people! But, uh... Ahem, admirers do get busy, you know. There are two defining features about your admirers. Number ONE, they have a life of their own that SURPRISINGLY(!) doesn't revolve around adoring you. And well, that's just life for ya. Number TWO, they're really real, and have fantastic taste in who they choose to adore. So just you wait, once they're all done being busy, you'll soon enough…

Aria: So... Hey! I know this started off kind of awkward, Aria: And it's kind of quiet right now, but, Aria: Let's start over! Formally, this time!???: ...Aria: My name is Aria Elwyn! It's nice to meet you!Aria: Umm, I'm an illusionist! Aria: I'm also a good baker... Aria: Well, there's not many interesting things to say about me.Aria: Check this out though! Monster disguise! Aria: That's a sorta interesting thing I can do.Aria: Aaaand, this is Five! Aria: She's great at drawing! Say hi, Five.Five: Oh! Hi, human boy!Aria: And the dog is Ludwig!Aria: He's a GOOD boy.Ludwig: Bark.Five: :DAria: :D???: What... Are you doing.Aria: Um, introductions!Aria: That was everything, I think!Aria: So! What about you? Aria: What's your name????: Don't need to tell you.Aria: Uh. Aria: B-but... Aria:…

???: ...?Aria: I'll warn you just once. Aria: If you don't let me through with what I want,Aria: You'll seriously regret it.Aria: You've made a grave mistake.Aria: You see, I know your secret. Aria: Which means I could just out you to any monster.Aria: So you had better comply. You settle on a threat. A real one. The only thing that could possibly get you your way. He is stone cold speechless for a moment. ...What, did he not understand??? What a dunce!!! You're going to have to go ALL OUT, then!! Aria: UNLEASH TRUE HELL UPON THE FOOLISH HUMAN WHO DARES QUESTION YOU Aria: Boy, it sure would be a shame if someone just.... SCREAMED right now, and alerted EVERY monster, or s-something, to come here, and then see…

Aria: ..........Yes!Aria: Yes, I see, you are asking... Good questions.Aria: And me, I have... Good answers! Very.???: Uh.???: I really doubt that now.Aria: B-but!Aria: First, don't you think this is a dangerous spot?Aria: It's very open, which is very bad for us humans!Aria: I don't think I need to explain why that is the case... So, yeah! Aria: Maybe let's take some time to look for somewhere more suitable firs- ???: Look.Aria: A-aa!???: I'm better equipped than you, more knowledgeable, and more resourceful.???: I may as well just be better than you in every way right now.???: Someone like me would never be out in the open if there was any danger.???: And someone like you would do the same. ???: Don't play around.Aria: U-uuh.???: But, you know what, fine.…

Meimona: I'm an angel of fortune! It is my title.Nino: Does that mean you're just incredibly lucky?Meimona: Uhmm, to put it simply, yes kind of!Meimona: Do you know about angelic titles?Nino: Uh, not much. Nino: I guess I know that it's a thing the winged have, that's about it.Nino: There's not a whole lot that I know about you guys.Nino: Mostly because... I guess there's not much winged information that humans care to make readily available during these times?Meimona: Hey, that's still already more than what most people know about us!Nino: Well, humans are more focused on themselves nowadays. With good reason.Meimona: Don't worry, I can explain! Meimona: It's definitely nothing too complex! Meimona: Err, maybe I only think so because I'm a winged... Nino: Hey, I'm not dumb! Nino:…

Aria: It's a human! But more importantly, IT'S LUDWIG It... It IS a human! That was kind of careless of you, forgetting that you potentially could run into anyone here and not applying any disguises. Well, to be fair, the spirit was taking up all your attention, but fortunately you ran into another human and not a monster so it's all okay and hey wait... Wait... Is that Ludwig. IS THAT LUDWIG. Yes it IS, YES IT IS! IT'S LUDWIG! IT'S YOUR GOOD AND LOYAL FRIEND!! HE'S ALIVE!!!!!!! Aria: HUG NOW He's safe! He's here, in the flesh! Ludwig!! He rushes at you for a BIG reunion hug. You and Five rejoice, YAY!!!!!!!!! The human boy just stands there, silently staring. It feels kind of judgmental, but well, you've still…

The spirit obstructed your attack, rendering it useless. However, you managed to create a gap between the spirit and Five, successfully protecting her! It's what matters most right now. You tell Five to stay as close as possible to your back. Menacingly, the spirit prepares to do something again. As a soul-eating sense of danger befalls you, your grip on Five strengthens. You'll be ready for whatever it does. The area around you bends unnaturally. Like a canvas, unseen forces begin to paint on it. The spirit's illusory hands must be at work. Not knowing what's coming forces you to take a defensive position for now. The biggest danger is in the unknown, when you're unaware what your opponent is capable of. Yet no matter what it may be, you've…

Everybody fears being forgotten after death, you know. I am no different, of course.   Oh, the wounds are still so fresh, see? You, the one person who could mourn my memory, chose to forget me like this! The only person who was there for my final moments!   Not only that, but the one I GAVE those moments for, too!   Don't you want to make it fair? It's all you've been thinking ever since, I can tell. Why am I the only one who has to die so young, not before seeing my dreams through?   It's okay! You can make it fair! This way, it will all be forgiven, Ari- .- .- .- .- .- .- .- .- .- .- .- .- .- Aria: That's enough of…

It's too bad she's going to have to find out this way, isn't it? Really, if only you were honest from the beginning. I hate liars, you know!   I won’t forgive you for letting me die, though.   I was still so young! I too had ambitions, dreams, and goals to live for even if I couldn’t remember them all at the time, you know? So. It’s only fair that you take responsibility now.   You are a human too, you will pay with your soul like I did. Don't worry! This way, you won’t be a bother anymore! ... Good. Being so resigned will make it easier.   Five: Aria!! Five: No, Aria can't listen!Five: You... Can't listen to spirits!Five: It's lying, it's not real... Five: Five knows…