"This is...," Estile for not the first time couldn't speak and resorted to staring in complete admiration. While there was a lot that hadn't changed and a lot that had been lost, the small everyday things that Lillia had become used to only proved to astound the other.
"I guess it's pretty cool," Lillia nodded alongside her. "Didn't you have these back then?"
"Not like this," Estile continued to wonder around the parked truck.
The two wore thick clothes to hide their bodies and hair, Estile especially being Kyle had to remain hidden. Rumours of Mr Devro's new work had spread throughout the city and although it was more of a documentary than a movie many fans were eager to watch it. A new perspective on the Hero who was treated almost like a God and staring the Hero's Guard's poster boy only made Kyle's popularity spread even more.
So far they had managed to go undetected and wondered the city streets excitedly. Now at the market, a show of the latest in vehicular technology was being done pulling in quite the crowd.
Estile gazed at the revealed engine with calculative eyes, "To be able to drive something like this with no need of magical talent is something people could only dream of."
"Well it's still a dream for most people," Lillia said so not to make her too excited. "They're expensive to buy and run so most people catch the train or use a normal carriage."
"Oh that's right we should go to the station as well!" Estile clapped her hands. The list of activities continued to grow and there was no stopping her curiosity.
Like that the hours of the day passed by. From place to place they travelled across the city seeing things that Lillia hadn't even experienced herself. Movies, meals, hotspots and attractions. As much as she enjoyed herself Lillia couldn't help but feel odd. She was with Kyle and in any normal situation it would have been a date and she'd be lying if her heart hadn't skipped several beats. In the end she could only keep in mind the best parts and visit them again once Kyle was more himself.
The sun set and the city alight, the two took in the view from on top the mountain. The mass of buildings finely tuned to the streets below and the rest of the world beyond. In the far distance even the wall of fog couldn't be seen.
"It's peaceful," Estile spoke, her words traced with relief but also longing. Her eyes looked out towards the scene but seemed glazed as if looking back on something else. She dangled her legs from the edge of wall they sat upon and smiled, "It's truly amazing how far you've come. Kyle never told you what happened did he?"
"What do you mean?" Lillia turned her head curiously.
"I guess he never had the chance," she sighed and stood up. "I'm going for a run. Don't worry, I'll be back.... It won't take too long."
"Wait where are you heading? I'll come with you-," Lillia went to stand as well but was shocked to see Estile had already taken a step and was now floating in the air. "You can fly?"
"It's not flying," she laughed a bit ashamed. "I never was able to so I had to resort to my own method. You can leave if you want to. I'll catch up later." A single push of her feet and suddenly she was far in the distance.
Lillia slowly sat back down. She had only flown while wearing the Hero's armour and even then there was no way she could keep up. Like Estile had said however it wasn't even half an hour before a gust of wind announced her return. Lillia expected her to sit back down but instead a sudden warmth pressed against her back and tight arms spread around her.
"W-what ar-."
"It's so small....," Estile's voice shook. "I knew it. Kyle's memories already told me but... it really is so small."
"What is?" Lillia asked fearing the answer.
"Your world." The grip around her tightened. "From East to West, not even 1000 miles."
"That's... not too bad right?" She felt Estile rub her head against her back.
"Have you ever seen the sea? The waves of water that go on almost endlessly. The deserts of the southern sky. The midnight forest where the trees are taller than mountains. The floating isles..., canyons, marshes, beaches.... They're gone... and so are the people who called it home."
Lillia looked out to the distance, "Is our world really that small?" She had heard and seen pictures of what Estile described but they were just that, things lost to the fog. For everyone living in their world, although they would be curious, that was all. But now hearing Estile's voice gripped with regret, that curiosity bloomed into something more melancholic.
Estile let go, "We did this and you're suffering for it. Back then... if we had made a better choice... you'd never have to fight."
"Stop!" Lillia turned abruptly. "Just stop. I don't know what happened or what you're saying but you said it before didn't you? It's peaceful here. We had fun didn't we? Maybe you did make a mistake but then again you might have also saved all of us here right?"
For a moment Estile said nothing. A tender smile slowly split her lips followed by a hopeful laugh. She stood and slapped her cheeks creating a powerful sound that split all around them, "Thank you Lillia. I needed to hear that."
"No problem," she smiled as well, "Kyle would say the same."
"I hope he would." Looking down on the city, Estile took a last deep breath savouring the cool night air. "Thank you for coming with me today. We should head back. It's getting late and from what I know of your caretaker Maila, she won't be quite happy with what we did."
"Ugh...," Lillia could already feel her chest heave in apprehension.
Together the two walked in silence entering the Temple grounds and back to the Hero's Guard compound. Compared to the open air of the city, the corridors and hallways felt cramped with the décor only assisting to push the fact. With it however also came the steel will of the Guard and a feeling of security. Then past the darkening passage few could take the Garden changed everything once more. The small forest below a fake sky and nestled close to one end, the lodge where the children were raised.
As they reached the building Estile spoke, "Seeing this it makes me wonder who built it. The similarity to where I used to live is a bit too much."
"Sorry but I don't know," Lillia replied defeated. "I can ask if you want."
"No it's okay. Just knowing that maybe some of my friends lived in the past is enough. Though really I hoped they'd still be around."
"Well 400 years is a really long time."
Her reply made Estile laugh, "For humans yes but for some of the other races it's close to a single lifetime. Though they're not here anymore."
Lillia felt her heart grow heavier but before she could say anything an angry figure stomped their way towards them, her hair trailing behind her in brown and red wisps.
"I cannot believe you two!" Maila approached them with a clear frustration. "At least leave a note that you'll be gone! If Valandus hadn't told me, I was about ready to get the entire Guard to hunt you down."
"I-it was important," Lillia drew into herself. "R-right Kyle?"
Estile however didn't answer. Instead her eyes were planted straight onto Maila as if looking at her for the very first time.
Maila huffed, "Is something wrong Kyle? Just because you're also a caretaker doesn't mean you can just wander the city whenever-." Her words were cut off as suddenly a tender hand caressed her cheek only to brush past her hair to reveal the ears beneath. Maila flinched and almost slapped him away in reflex, pulling away quickly.
"Y-you have his eyes," Estile cried. "You have his eyes!" In the next moment her arms were around the confused caretaker. "I'm so glad. I thought that none of you survived but you're here. You're really here!"
"K-Kyle?" Maila's voice became strained. "What are you talking about?"
Lillia who watched the scene was equally confused and even a little jealous, "Yeah Kyle what are you doing?"
Estile laughed a pure joy and let go. Her eyes locked onto Maila's. "It's okay I won't tell them. You can do that yourself."
"You- you're not Kyle," Maila blinked with wide eyes and unconsciously stepped back.
"Don't worry he'll be back by morning."
Seeing that the cryptic stranger before her wasn't going to answer easily she turned her eyes towards Lillia, "What is going on?"
The girl could only shrug and sigh, "Honestly I'm asking that as well."
"If you two don't mind I'd like to head to sleep now," Estile said as if nothing was wrong. "My time here is about at an end and I'd rather not to leave Kyle like this."
"Wait you're leaving just like that?" Lillia asked alarmed.
"How else was I meant to?"
"No- I mean- will we ever see you again?"
Estile shrugged, "Maybe... I feel like there was so much I needed to tell you but I can't and I'm sorry for that. You and Kyle will need to figure those parts yourself." She softly giggled, "Look after him for me. I give you permission to do what you want."
Lillia felt her face redden, "I-I don't need your permission for that."
Maila who still stood beside them took a deep breath and let it out slowly, "Fine go to sleep. You both look like you could use some rest but someone needs to explain themselves soon." Her eyes focused onto Lillia in particular.
"Thank you," Estile pressed her head against Maila's causing her to once more freeze up.
"I'll take you to your room," Lillia stepped past her and led the way keen to separate the two.
Quite late in the night, the children were mostly asleep or in their rooms. With Maila still outside the two entered Kyle's room undeterred. What followed was several seconds of silence. Lillia squirmed a little uneasy at what to do next but couldn't just leave things as they were. Her eyes wandered across the room. The once simple bedroom was now filled with pictures, bits and pieces that the children had gifted Kyle over the months he'd been with them. She could tell that he cherished each one and aside from those few bits of decorations, there was nothing else. If not for the children the room would basically be a bed and wardrobe.
The silence having gone long enough Lillia finally opened her mouth, "So what now?"
"Well I was going to get changed into something better to sleep in but your starring pretty hard." Estile winked mischievously, "Then again if you'd like to watch I won't tell Kyle."
"N-no that's alright," Lillia quickly turned around and as the sounds of rustling clothes broke behind her, she'd be lying to say she wasn't tempted to look.
Her resolve held out and Estile called her back, "Done."
She took a moment to calm herself before turning, "Like I was saying wh-. What are you wearing!?"
"Hmm?" Estile raised her brows and looked down, "Oh oops, sorry force of habit." For an ordinary male the clothes would have looked off putting but for Kyle the feminine pyjamas suited him a little too well. "Probably should have put on the other ones."
"You think!?" Lillia snapped at her. "Why does Kyle even have those?"
Estile shrugged despite knowing the reason, "Maybe he's into it or maybe it was actually meant to be a gift for a certain someone. Regardless I'm not getting changed again."
Lillia's expression skewed but eventually relaxed in defeat, "Compared to Kyle you really do tease people too much. Kyle's going to be so confused when he wakes up...."
Again she shrugged, "Well maybe it's just Kyle hasn't quite awakened to it yet. After all compared to his 18 years my... well a lot, he hasn't had much time to grow. Same goes for you. When you get older you start seeing things differently." Her smile turned to reminiscence. "The two of you remind me of what it was like a long time ago. Treasure that."
"That was my plan exactly," Lillia pouted. "But... is this really it? You go to sleep and Kyle comes back? What will happen to you?"
"I can't say," Estile tapped her head. "But what I do know is that... I'm relieved. As badly as we failed, to see something still blooming means a lot. Thank you for that. I enjoyed myself today. It was a sweet dream I didn't deserve."
"Don't say that," Lillia forced a smile. "I also enjoyed myself."
"I'm glad," with a casual ease Estile laid down onto the bed. "Here's to a new adventure. Everyone... I hope to see you again." Her eyes closed and from there no matter how Lillia called to her she didn't wake up.
(Author's note)
I'll be away for a few days and won't be able to update.
Thanks for reading so far and all the best.
HMP Dharma