The sun felt warmer today. The sky was clear of any clouds. The breeze was merely a gentle caress. His eyes opened, peering through his glasses.

Prudent was his gaze as he scanned the field that encased him. Blocking his path from continuing on were rows and rows of floral beauties, each stem towering over the ground in which they grew from. However, the bright colored petals just barely reached his knees in height. He didn't recognize the location, but the warmth he felt was all too familiar for him. Though seemingly alone, he felt a presence tight to his person, wrapping him in a nurturing embrace.

He stole a few steps forward, his steps ginger in nature to avoid any botanic casualties. Although unaware of how he got here, an urge from his chest called him forward, eager to show him the way. But to what, he did not know. He continued his trek.

With a lowered guard overcoming the brunet, he was taken aback by the next signal sent. Pushing forward from behind him was a demanding gust that struck at his back, forcing him to let out a short gasp in shock. Its wrath appeared around him as it ripped the vibrant petals from their homes and showered him from behind. The force from it all even dared to take his glasses with it as it flew on.

After scrambling to retrieve them, a curt grunt fell from his lips. Now, with a tense annoyance filling him, he turned to face the wind. Hoping he would find reason for a disturbance in the serenity, he watched the petals dispersed through the protective stance his arms took. However, the scene that unfolded around him was far from what he expected.

At first, not even a mutter escaped him. Having lost the tension he once held, his arms dropped quickly and he was suddenly brimming with awe and wonder. At first he couldn't believe his eyes. Could it be true? He wasn't sure. But it had to be. Because after all this time, there she was.

She looked peaceful as she sat in the garden atop the distant hill. Though destined by fate as a "monster", her actions now were far from those lies. She moved gracefully, gently as she plucked the flowers up from around her. Garbed in her ivory dress, she looked nothing less than serene and poised and her rustic hair, sheltered by a flowing veil, fell perfectly to frame her placid facade. She didn't seem to notice him from afar as she was completely lost in the world of her own.

After finding his composure, his words finally breached. "Fran!" Following his words, he waved his arms to catch her attention.

His attempt worked. As the wind carried his message, her head turned with a surprised grunt. Though her eyes were hidden, he swore he saw her perk up, lifting her posture. She was really there, and her next squeak beckoned him forward.

He made haste at her command, ignoring the flower he crushed as he sped up his jaunt, eagerness overtaking him at finally seeing her again. His lips were locked in a joyous grin and nothing was going to stop him from reaching her.

Or so he thought.

As he ran, his shadow slowly disappeared. In confusion, he pulled himself into a halt and his shimmering blue eyes dulled as they made contact with the sky. The once cerulean sky had been stolen, morphed into a darkness of grey clouds and accompanied by the sound of a thunderous roar.

A chilling stab shot down his spine at the change in scenery. With his focus drawn back, he locked his gaze back on the girl and adrenaline kicked in. "Fran!" He called for her again as he commenced his sprint towards her. He couldn't give up now. He had to see her. It had been too long. He couldn't miss his chance now.

He missed her too much.

His breath became heavy. It seemed no matter how fast he ran towards her, he was stuck in place. The hill kept its length away from him. He scowled some, but the determination didn't falter. He had to get to her.

"Plea-" As the words slid from his lips, he was stuck with paralysis. His body froze, his legs unable to push any forward. No. No! This couldn't be happening. He couldn't even scream as his dream began to shatter.

He couldn't pry away from the scene. He was defenseless as a crackling green energy swooped from the sky and struck the monster with its fury. She let out a distressed howl, but a following wind silenced her with its grasp.

As the swirl trapped her, he knew all too well what was happening. While it was difficult to see through the lightning and gale, this move had been etched in his mind ever since he saw it.

"Blasted tree…" He murmured.

As the storm picked up, it showed the reason behind its name. All the energy shot upwards, contorting itself into the shape of a struck tree with twisted branches and showering electricity.

"No!" He cried. He was too late. He fought the invisible grip that tightened around him. He knew if he didn't get to her this second, she'd be gone forever again. He was losing her all over again to this accursed tree. The tree he supported her using the first time.

"No-"

"No-"

"No-"

"No!" Caules shot up from his covers, his breathing struggling to keep up. He quickly skimmed the area around him, only to sigh as he realized he was back in his room. He moaned, in frustration or relief, even he didn't know.

"Another one…" He mumbled, rubbing his temples. It was probably the seventh time this month he had this dream, or one similar. It was becoming tiring to say the least. It was even affecting his schoolwork. This couldn't go on.

He pulled himself to sit up, legs hanging off the bed. He glanced at his clock. 3am. He sighed. Time to tire himself out again.

The brunet began with a pace around his room. There was a shallow hatred of himself for having these dreams. It had already been two years since the Great Holy Grail War and he still couldn't stop thinking about her. It was his fault she was gone so early. He didn't even get a proper goodbye.

He pressed his forehead forward against one of the walls of the dorm room, squeezing his eyes closed. He didn't know who to go to about this. It was too late to call Fiore at this hour. He wasn't sure his peers would even come close to understanding what he was going through. How could anyone? It was definitely a peculiar situation.

"I just want to see her one more time…" Caules knocked his head a couple times, his eyes growing heavy once more. "But how…?" He pondered as he retreated from his spot, making a quick stop at his desk. With no hesitation, he pulled open one of his drawers and retrieved his most prized possession.

Her blueprints.

His grasp on the sheets were tense, yet filled with caution as he rubbed his thumb along the side of it. He couldn't risk even so much as scratching the paper. Without them, he surely wouldn't meet her again. He sighed.

"Maybe in another war…" As the words left his lips, an unsettling churn bubbled in his gut. He barely even wanted to be a part of the first war to begin with. He didn't really have a choice, much less a dream or wish to be fulfilled by the grail. No. He didn't want to go through all that trouble again. Another one would just be another hell-

But he might see her again.

The thoughts swiftly rushed in, beginning to drown his rationale. He would have his chance. Even if just for a moment, he could see her one last time. Maybe even get a chance to tell her how he felt. Any bit of closure would surely do.

With a heaviness that sunk his heart, he made his way back into bed. After gently placing the prints down on his nightstand, he proceeded to wrap himself up in the warmths of his blankets and crawled back into what would usually be a comforting bed. He lets his eyelids fall, lulling him back to sleep in hopes of good dreams, along with one final thought.

Maybe in another war…