The sun rose in the Never Realm, as it always did, and with it Lloyd and Akita. It had been another cold night, yet the two hadn't felt it sleeping together as they did. The two, curled up against one another under the woven blankets, couldn't have been warmer. Even now, with the sun having barely even begun to rise over the treeline, both of them couldn't feel the chill in the air. Akita clung to Lloyd, and Lloyd clung to Akita.

"I need to go and start the fire," Lloyd muttered to his lover, "You should probably get ready for hunting duties too."

"I have been on the first party for three days," Akita muttered back to him, "You should know that I am to rest now to retain my strength."

"Right," Lloyd affirmed, "But I still need to get up."

Akita looked to Lloyd by opening up one of her eyes, then, with a long groan, let go of him. Lloyd slowly slid out of her embrace, sitting up in the blankets and quickly distancing himself from them. It was now that the cold chill of the air began to reach him, making him shiver at the sensation. For a long few seconds, he considered trying to crawl back down and sleep for that much longer. It was always a struggle to remove himself fully from her embrace.

Lloyd, however, had to get to the fire. He leaned down and gently tucked the blankets back around Akita to preserve the warmth they'd built up under them through their body heat. Thanks to the two-layered nature of Formling robes, Lloyd was able to grab the brown outer robe to slide over his normal white ones, letting him rather quickly begin to warm up once more. He could still see his breath in front of him though, and that meant he needed to work quickly to get himself moving.

Before he left, Lloyd leaned down and planted a kiss on Akita's cheek. Akita didn't open her eyes, but she did grin at him as she felt it. Lloyd still couldn't help but blush at that sight.

Soon, however, Lloyd was at his true task. He left their home and stepped out into the air. It looked as though it would snow later that day, given the state of the clouds off in the distance. He quickly made his way out to one of the two firepits that the tribe used for their warmth. Some of the younger Hunters had helped Lloyd amass a small pile of firewood the day prior, giving him enough to build up a small teepee and then reach out to use his green power as a way to initiate a spark and light the flames.

Lloyd watched as his hand illuminated the dark and chilly air for just a few moments, then the green flames that caught the tinder under the logs turned orange. For some reason, his eyes felt drawn to the green coloration. He wasn't sure why… but it was as if the moment he looked away, that power would be gone.

He quickly stood up and walked out towards the surrounding forest of the village. He needed to gather more wood so he could keep the fire going for longer. Normally he would leave someone to watch the flames, but it was a small blaze surrounded by rocks that couldn't spread without effort. Before he left, he grabbed an axe. The village rotated which area of the wood they collected firewood from to ensure no one area was left barren for too long. Thus, Lloyd went northwest that morning, sliding through the thick and snowy branches until he found a small clearing filled with sticks. Even better, there was a downed tree that, while looking somewhat older, was of just the right size to be carried back.

Soon, Lloyd and his axe got to work. Okuno, one of the Hunters, had spent half of a day a few weeks back teaching Lloyd how to properly wield an axe. After a few days of experimenting with it, Lloyd had his axe form down and hadn't managed to cleave into his foot yet. Just to be safe, he used his left foot to steady the log but came down on his right side. He split the tree over the course of several minutes into smaller sections he could then break apart with his power and carry back to the village one by one.

By the time that Lloyd had finished doing that, the sun was rising enough that the grass no longer looked black but rather a dark blue. He was sitting on one of the split chunks that he brought back when Karib, followed by Okuno, Chikin and two other Hunters, walked over towards him. Upon seeing him, Karib smirked and came over to the blaze to warm up.

"Up as early as ever, I see," Karib shivered, "It is always a gift to have such a flame to warm to before we begin the hunt!"

"That is what I was hoping," Lloyd smiled to him, "You all bring us food, it is only fair that I give you at least something to make it easier."

"You are far too kind to us," Okuno put a hand to his chest and bowed his head as he too warmed up, "There are others that can do this task for you."

"I was already used to getting up early," Lloyd informed them, "It was not much to get me moving at this hour. Plus, the fire is good for me, too."

"True!" Karib grinned, "We will be off here in a moment. Chikin discovered tracks that may lead us to a herd. If we can find them, we can certainly get enough food for several days."

"Then I hope you find them!" Lloyd encouraged, "I will be here when you get back!"

The group chuckled and, for another few minutes, each took their time to warm up. They each also began to eat something that, as Lloyd had come to understand it, was a mixture of specially cooked bark, berries and nuts. They were designed not to completely fill their bellies, but to sustain them for long periods of time. He'd tried them once, and it'd ended with him almost gagging at the taste. How Akita managed to eat it, he didn't know.

"Well, we are off!" Karib waved to Lloyd, "We will see you later, hopefully with a true catch on our hands!"

Lloyd waved them off, watching them depart. Soon, he was left alone once again, with just the cold air, the crackling of flames, and his own thoughts. His thoughts, which left him in a state of passivity. In times like this, where there was no one to talk to him, and no one that would come to disturb him, he found his thoughts were easier to listen to than ever.

Three weeks. It'd been three weeks since Lloyd had returned from Sorla's village. Since then, nothing had changed for him. He'd fallen perfectly into his routine. He'd found his way around the village, and found himself once more happy. It looked like the note he wrote actually was needed after all. He'd seen to it that, once he returned to the village, nobody knew that he was intending to leave. As far as the Formlings knew, Akita was going to meet with Sorla to discuss opening up a small bit of trade between the two villages.

Lloyd stared into the flames. He hadn't been sure he'd have the strength to stay behind. Even once he'd managed to finally decide by talking to Sorla, he'd still worried that he wouldn't have been able to stop himself from stepping through the portal. By keeping everyone in the dark a he had, it meant that whatever decision he made was his own. Therefore, what strength he called on was his own. It was his way of making clear to himself that he was who he wanted to be. It was his way of making clear what he wanted.

Now, he was here. He was in the life that he'd chosen. And he was happy. He was as happy as he could be. He'd gotten what he wanted, and nothing felt wrong about it.

"Lloyd," Akita's voice stirred Lloyd from his thoughts, "You have let the fire grow dim."

"What?" Lloyd looked forward, seeing that indeed the fire had been reduced to just a few small flames and smoldering embers. He quickly moved to stack some smaller sticks on and shift the embers about until he'd caught a flame again. Akita walked around beside him, watching him stoke the fire back up.

"What do you intend to do today, Lloyd?" Akita asked him.

"I saw that our water stores were running low. I was planning to ask some of the others to help me collect water from the stream," Lloyd informed Akita, "After that, I am going to continue my lessons with Kawauso."

Akita nodded to that. There were a select few in the village that had a job of maintaining supplies for them. Normally, they were just referred to as Hunters, in the same way that those that didn't hunt but rather skinned and prepared the food were considered Hunters. In this way, Lloyd had declared his role as a Hunter. It was in the same way that Kotaru was a Maker, though whether or not he wished to fashion tools or fashion clothes was still under debate for him.

"Do you intend to work more on that staff of yours?" Akita grimaced, "If you do, I ask that you do it outside of the home."

Lloyd looked back towards their house. On the outside of their home were propped up four large sticks. Two of them had been carved, one sloppily and the other only slightly less so. Both of them had piles of shavings underneath them. It was always telling those shavings were congregated around their front entrance, after Lloyd had spent all of the previous night before bed sweeping them out.

"I had to get in more practice!" Lloyd defended, "I need practice before I get it right."

"I have no issue with you learning a skill," Akita pointed out, "Yet I do not want to create a mess with our home. It is a place that I wish to return to without issue."

"It gets colder at night!" Lloyd protested, "I did not want to freeze my hands off!"

"You would have warmer hands if you simply carved during the daytime," Akita looked forward to the firepit, "And did not busy yourself with maintaining the flames as you do."

"Someone has to make sure the fire keeps going," Lloyd pointed out, "Managing the fire can be a full time job."

"It is a job that you do not need to undertake," Akita pointed out, "There are many tasks that you can do. Everyone in the village knows how to build a fire. You are kind to us, but you do not need to remain busy."

"Remaining busy is what I want to do," Lloyd retorted, "I am not hurting anyone by making sure we have fire!"

Akita went silent. She knew that someone here was off. Lloyd had not spoken much to her about what happened in the village. All she'd gotten out of him was that he was okay with his choice and didn't have any regrets. She wasn't sure what to think of that. It felt to her like he was just holding back on her, and leaving her in the dark.

"Lloyd," Akita turned to him, "I worry about you. I will say it now and I will not be ashamed to. You have been distant to me. Not in your body, but in your words. Do you wish to speak about something with me?"

Lloyd shook his head. Akita frowned at that, but felt that speaking to him wouldn't help. If he didn't want to open up, then forcing him wouldn't do anything. She knew that well from the times that they had spent together on their trip to the Ice Emperor. Remembering that did at least lighten her mood somewhat. She felt as though she had known him for years, when it had been barely three months since the two had met. To her, that was a sign of their true nature being meant to be together.

After a long while of sitting, Akita stood, "I must prepare for the morning meal. If you have need of me, Lloyd, you know where I am."

Akita gave Lloyd a small touch on his hands, then she left. Lloyd watched her go to start the other firepit up, and to be ready for when the other Formlings arose for the day. It would be another day here in the Never Realm. It would be another day for Lloyd, in the new life he'd chosen.

"It is another day for us," Akita had begun her daily address to those in the village, "No matter the work we have to do or the hours we have to rest, we must value our days in this village. Work to make certain that our village will flourish!"

The daily address was something that Persegi had stopped doing long before the village was left derelict for years. It was a tradition of many chiefs, and one that Akita had taken up in kind. Lloyd had noticed that her address was mostly the same each morning, save for a few words added or removed based on what needed to be done. This was a normal day in the village, and thus her address was short.

Not long after her address was finished, the village had sat down to eat. Karib had returned with two deer, declaring the hunt to have been a success. Meat from the previous day had already been cooked, and soon the village was settling down for morning meal. The meals, while somewhat bland to look at, had a unique flavor to them that Lloyd always found intriguing. He vaguely recalled it being referred to as 'gamey.'

After that, true to his word, Lloyd had gathered together several Makers to go and help him gather water, including Kotaru. Kotaru had been more than eager to go out with his friend, even if it was only to the nearby river and back. As Lloyd came to understand it, the Never Realm had several seasons to it, and currently they were in what could be referred to as 'summer.' This was the warm season, as the village called it, and soon it would be the cold season. In preparation, they were beginning to store water in caves near the village so that when the river froze over they wouldn't have to go upriver to get more.

The sun had started to reach its peak as Lloyd and Kotaru hauled in the last of the water. The village stored water in special large containers woven from reeds wrapped over wood and then the outsides caked in clay to prevent leaks. They were extremely heavy to move with water inside, meaning much of their day was lost. Kotaru was more than happy to help even if by the end both of them were very tired.

Soon after that, Lloyd was to begin his lessons with Kawauso. The carving project Akita referenced was one that Lloyd had thought of after he'd started using the unfinished staff of the FSM as a walking stick. He wanted to carve his own, and he'd had the idea as to what to put on it from the moment that he'd conceived the image. However, his carving skill had been just like his ability to split logs: in desperate need of guidance.

Kawauso was Kotaru's mentor, a middle aged woman with a kind smile and who seemed never to open her eyes yet know everything around her. She had the headpiece of an otter, and Lloyd had heard rumor that she often slipped out from the village in her otter form to swim in the river. He wasn't sure why that rumor was actually important, but Kotaru had told it to him and seemed very amused by it. Lloyd, however, was interested in the fact that she was one of the most skilled Makers in the village, specifically with that of carving.

It had been two weeks since beginning, and Lloyd's improvement had been noticeable but miniscule compared to his end goal. He'd developed a steady enough hand to shear the bark off of a large stick, but as soon as it came to carve something into it, his knife felt like it was perpetually in an earthquake. His motions were either too hard or too soft, never the amount they needed to be. His knife, a sharp stone, felt imprecise at times and then too precise at others.

"You do not need to think about each movement you are making, Lloyd," Kawauso smiled to him, "You only need to move your hand. Do not think about what comes next, only what you are doing now. Worry about it after you have pulled your hand back."

"I am trying!" Lloyd protested, struggling around a knot in the wood, "I already lost a lot of the stick earlier and… I cannot get around… this… little!"

Lloyd forced his hand forward. The knife skipped over the knot he tried to shave down, instead jerking his hand out and causing him to lean forward on the stick. The sound of the stick snapping in half was heard clearly throughout the small shelter. Kawauso's smile dropped as she saw the half he'd been carving on the ground.

"You have broken three already today, Lloyd," Kawauso sighed, "While I have no shortage of them, I believe that you may be better served continuing our lessons tomorrow."

Feeling as though she had told him she was done with him, Lloyd just nodded his head and slowly stood up. Kawauso watched him sadly as he left, unsure what to say to give him any guidance. She stood up form her own seat, a beautifully carved statue of a bear on top of a rock beside where she'd sat. The gap in skill between what Lloyd could and what she could was clear for them to see.

"I am sorry," Lloyd looked down, "I… have wasted your time."

"Progress is not a straight line, young man," Kawauso shook her head, "You just need time to break from this craft. Once your mind is clear, you will have more success."

Lloyd had left his lessons with Kawauso rather grimly. Without that to sink his time into, he had nothing more to do for several hours. Even then, after his lessons he normally helped to cook the evening meal and then it was back to the fire. He didn't have much to do.

"Lloyd!" Kotaru, who had been working on fastening together a shovel, looked up to Lloyd and smiled widely at him as he exited the home, "Is something wrong? You left earlier than you normally do."

"I… was not doing so hot," Lloyd admitted, "I… I am kinda off right now, I guess."

"Well," Kotaru sat down the tool he was making, "Perhaps we can talk until you have found the place where you are back 'on' then?"

"Uh… yeah, that might help," Lloyd sighed, "And, well, it sounds weird when you say back on. Sorry, I am trying not to use expressions that you all would not get."

"You will get better at it," Kotaru stood up, "But you do not need to erase it all. How you speak is part of who you are. Come, Lloyd."

Lloyd, not sure where Kotaru was taking him, left to follow him. Kotaru took him out of the village, an action which Lloyd wasn't too surprised about. Akita and her sibling both seemed to want to be out in the forest a bit more than the Formlings in the village did. It wasn't like he minded, since by now he knew the forest pretty well. What confused him, though, was that Kotaru only brought him to the river, and not somewhere further out.

"Why did you bring us to the river?" Lloyd asked, "Did we, forget something?"

"No, I am just tired from this morning and wanted a place close we could be in private," Kotaru turned to Lloyd, "Were you ever planning to tell us that you were going to leave us, Lloyd?"

Lloyd looked to Kotaru, a confused gaze in his eyes. Seeing that, Kotaru frowned and sighed, "So, it is true, then?"

"Erm…" Lloyd suddenly felt very vulnerable, "I wasn't, I was not, I did not know if I was going to or not. I only told Akita that I was thinking of maybe going back home."

"I know," Kotaru looked down at the river, "Because it was she who came to me when she believed that you would leave her behind."

Lloyd wasn't surprised that Kotaru had figured out about that. While he didn't have siblings, Lloyd figured that Akita would tell him things. What surprised him was that Kotaru was bringing this up now. For some reason, the way that he brought it up… didn't sit well with Lloyd.

"I… I thought that I would go home," Lloyd admitted, "But I wanted to stay here. So, I did not tell you all. I did not know of the decision I would make."

"And if you had left, you would have left my sister to return home and bear the news to the village that you had gone home?" Kotaru pointed out, "You would have left her here, having spent so much time to both steal hers and our people's hearts?"

"It… it was how nice that you all were to me, that made me want to stay," Lloyd admitted, "Akita, was talking to me about staying here while we were still on our way to come and stop the Ice Emperor. But, I did not think I could actually stay behind. Then, when you all showed me how much you all wanted me and, how much you all appreciated me it… it started to make me want to stay. I, I had a hard time making that choice!"

Kotaru didn't say anything for a moment. He moved to sit down, gently draping his feet over a rock that meant his feet were just inches above the river water. Lloyd, feeling that Kotaru wanted to talk at length, decided to do the same. Kotaru looked to Lloyd, then he sighed and looked down at his reflection in the water.

"In truth, Lloyd, I am not mad at you," Kotaru admitted, "Nor do I have any bad feelings towards you. My sister is happier than she has been in a long while. You have lifted her heart and raised her spirits. She would never have had the strength to take the role of Chief before she met you, yet now she leads with confidence and grace. I asked that question of you, because I can see that you are clearly asking yourself that same one.'

Lloyd felt his chest tighten a bit. He looked down at the water along with Kotaru, taking in his expression. He looked right at himself in the water's gaze. He could see himself, wearing the robes he'd accepted as his own from now on. He could see the face of the Lloyd that he had chosen to be. He could see the person that he was.

"It… it is not that," Lloyd bit his lip, "I… I have been trying not to think about what I saw when I stepped away from the portal. My friends went home, and I saw them look at me in shock as I stepped away from them. I… I have not been able to get that image out of my head. I… I have been just trying not to make Akita worried about me."

"She has been worried about you since you have returned and not said a word," Kotaru pointed out, "She fears that you are not opening up to her."

"I do not want her to worry about me!" Lloyd protested, "It… it was my choice. I had to be the one to decide what happened to me. If… if I had told her that I was truly thinking of going home then, I do not think she would have even let me leave the village. This way… the way that I decided to stay means that I do not have to feel guilty about letting anyone down. The only one I can let down is… is me."

"Hrmm…" Kotaru pondered, "You took on the responsibility of staying or leave on yourself, then?"

"Yeah," Lloyd agreed, "I, did."

Kotaru nodded his head, "And do you have any guilt with your choice?"

Lloyd paused. He could still see the faces of his friends, looking at him in such shock. He could feel their emotions of confusion burrowing into them. He could hear Nya's last call out to him echoing in his ears. He could still feel that moment bearing down on him. He could still feel all of it, even if he'd resolved not to.

"I left everything behind," Lloyd muttered, "I do not know how I would not feel any guilt."

Kotaru sighed, "I do not know what happened, but I believe that if you were to talk to my sister, you would find yourself in a better state. She is worried about you, Lloyd. She has come to me twice within the last few days, asking me if I have seen anything wrong with you. If you intend to be with her, I think you must open yourself up to her."

"I… I am!" Lloyd countered, "I mean, I am telling her everything she has to know!"

"And what about the things that you are feeling?" Kotaru pointed out, "I have seen you. You sit by the fire all day, and you stare out with nothing to see. Lloyd, I do not know what happened, but I know that you made a choice. If you are feeling something from that choice, it is not right to keep that inside. If she does not know what is happening, how is it that she can help you?"

Lloyd couldn't answer him. Kotaru, feeling that he'd said what he had to, stood up from the side of the river and began to walk back. Before he had fully disappeared from Lloyd's sight, however, he paused to look back.

"If you do not think you should open up for yourself, then you should do so for my sister," Kotaru added, "I wish to see her happy. If you continue to close yourself off as you have, I do not know how much longer she will be."

Lloyd looked back to try to respond to Kotaru, but by then he had already left. Lloyd was left sitting in the trees, unable to process what he had just heard. After a few minutes, he began to stare forward into the distance, trying to process what he had heard. The soft sounds of the river once more lulled him into his thoughts, just as the flames had done for him that morning.

All throughout the day, Kotaru's words rang in Lloyd's mind. For some reason, what Lloyd felt like was advice, rattled his brain like they were threats. The thought of leaving Akita unhappy with him, was something he didn't want. More than anything, he didn't want that. It was a thought that couldn't leave him, no matter what he did.

Soon, Lloyd found himself back by the fire. Just realizing that was where he was, he felt… angry. He wasn't sure why he felt angry. Why would he be angry that he sat by the fire? Both Akita and Kotaru's words, however, rang in his head. He was by the fire again. He was away from the rest of the village, tending to a flame that any of them could. The more he tended to the fire, the more that he was away from them. Away from the people that he'd chosen. Away from… from her.

Lloyd's thoughts consumed him long into the evening meal. Akita had returned from the hunting trip, just as she said she would. They had only caught a few small rabbits, but with the haul from the morning Akita was able to declare the Hunters would have the next day to rest. They had all seemed excited about it. Lloyd, however, wasn't able to share in it.

He could feel Akita's gaze on him as they each took their meal. Everyone that was eating, was happy. Everyone, was feeling good. Lloyd, however, couldn't get his head back. Why had Kotaru's words put him in this state? What was he thinking about? What… what was he afraid to admit to himself?

Those thoughts continued until the night had finally come. The fires were put out and all had returned to their homes to sleep. Lloyd had wanted to stay by the fire more, and found himself then wanting to go back home. His thoughts wouldn't stop. As he entered the flaps to make his way to bed, he found Akita, sitting on her knees as he entered.

"Lloyd…" Akita blinked, "You are troubled. What… that is wrong?"

Lloyd wanted to say something. He wanted to tell Akita what he was feeling. Yet, as he opened his mouth, the words never came out. He was looking at her, but he wasn't able to see her. Was that even possible? He didn't know and he didn't understand.

"If you have nothing to say… would you allow me to speak?" Akita asked. Lloyd nodded his head to that.

"I… I am worried, Lloyd…" Akita muttered, "I heard that my brother spoke to you. I saw you, today. I have seen the way that you are looking around. I… I am worried that she said something to upset you. Did he, Lloyd? Did he upset you?" Lloyd couldn't respond.

"...Lloyd…" Akita gulped, "Lloyd, I… I know that I will sound selfish. I know that you may be hurt. I… I worry that you are. I know what I saw in your face. I felt the way you clung to me when that, that opening closed. Lloyd. I… I am worried."

"Akita…" Lloyd gulped. Akita pressed on.

"I worry about you!" Akita wailed, "I know that I do not sound like I do, but I have to say it! I worry that you are upset! I fear that you worry about your choice! You do not say what you feel, you do not tell me what you are thinking! You have always done so, Lloyd! I… I worry now that you have a regret. If you will not speak to me like you normally do, I-I cannot help but believe that you, you have come to think you made the wrong choice!"

As soon as he heard those words, Lloyd's heart felt like it was struck. Almost immediately, he surged forward, wrapping his arms around Akita and hugging her tightly. Akita didn't move, nor make a sound as he did. Lloyd clung to her hard, just as he had when he left. He clung to her, just as hard as when he had been saved by her in the chasm. He clung to her, like he would to the person he loved.

"I-I didn't mean to upset you," Lloyd muttered, "I don't regret staying here. I never will. I made my choice. I… I felt guilty about not involving you in it. I didn't ask you to help me. And, and then when I came back, and I was hurting… I didn't feel like I was able to ask you to help, when I felt like I hurt you."

Akita clung to him as well, her grip strong and fierce, "Lloyd…"

"I… I still see it, Akita," Lloyd whispered, tears starting to fall from his eyes, "I can see them. I can see them like I'm still there. I'm trying not to think about it. Everytime I sit down, I feel it. I can feel them all and how upset they are. I don't, I don't want you to think that I'm upset. I'm trying not to show anyone that I'm upset. I… I…"

"You can be so foolish, Lloyd…" Akita whispered, "If you are hurting, you must tell me."

"I will…" Lloyd sniffed, "I-I can't stand the thought of hurting you. I can't make you upset. I… I love you and, I want you to smile. I-I was upset. I was guilty. I'm sorry. I'm stupid. I'm just stupid. I shouldn't have hurt you."

Akita hugged onto Lloyd tightly. She let him cling to her, and let him cry. Tears of her own soon flowed. Tears that were of relief, and of love. Tears that showed that she wanted him, as much as he did with her. Tears that were there to reflect the pain that he had taken in staying. The two cried together, and held each other as they did.

"Lloyd…" Akita whispered, "I love you."

"I love you too," Lloyd whimpered out, "I love you so much, Akita."

The two clung to each other. They clung to one another in a way that showed their devotion. They fell to the sheets together, not bothering to do the blankets. Right now, all they needed was one another. Akita needed the one that had brought her light in a time of her darkness, and saved the home that she had thought was lost. Lloyd needed the one that had shown him the love in his life he'd missed, and given him the strength to finally reach out and take it. The two needed one another. They would always need one another.

And so, one more, a day in the Never Realm ended, as they always did. The two once more went to sleep, curled up in one another's embrace. Once more, the nightmares could not hope to pierce the two as they slept together, drifting off as they both shared their warmth, their love, and their strength.

Lloyd was carving his staff. It was a practice staff, one that he wasn't yet sure he would actually be using for the final one. It was crudely stripped of its back, and the lines of where he had started to carve into it were plain an obvious. It was his fifth one so far, yet he was determined to finish it. His lessons with Kawauso would pay off.

The sun had started to descend from the sky. Akita made her way over towards where Lloyd carved by the fire. Seeing what he was working on, she rolled her eyes slightly and stepped forward.

"May I see how far you have come with it, Lloyd?" Akita asked hopefully.

Lloyd, blinking in surprise, nodded his head, "Sure. Here, I can show you."

Lloyd walked over to a small patch of snow. He reached down and placed the staff that he'd been working on against it. Slowly, he rolled it out among the drift. With it, three symbols were printed against the drift. They were each crude and hardly recognizable. Yet as soon as Akita saw them, her eyes widened.

"This is what you have worked so hard on?" Akita asked him, a smile on her face.

"Yeah," Lloyd looked down to it, "One day, I will finish it. And… when I do, I will make sure that I keep it. And, then, I can hopefully pass it down one day to our… our family."

Akita's smile at his words grew to bigger sizes. She leaned forward to eagerly plant a kiss against Lloyd's lips. As it always did, Lloyd's world around him melted away. He let go of the staff to fall into the snow, and instead wrapped his arms around Akita. When the two pulled back from the kiss, Lloyd leaned in to press his head against her shoulder.

"I know I made the right choice, Akita," Lloyd muttered, "No matter what happens… no matter what I think could have been different, right now I know that this is the best place for me."

"As it should be," Akita sighed happily to him, "And as I will strive to make sure it always is."