The clearing was quiet.

The noise that had been coming from the waterfall had grown silent, as if the water had stopped moving entirely. The noise from nearby surroundings had disappeared, not even the air dared to move an inch.

For a time being, everything was soundless around the orange tree.

Half a Year After Leaving the isle of Seiren, 22 AC

Before Adol and Dogi had gone to the city of Romn, they had gone up north from Souniun to visit a developing city on the outskirts of the Garman border. Unexpectedly, they happened to meet Laxia, who was traveling in the same parts. Dogi had gone off to grab some supplies, and sample some of the local cuisine, which gave Laxia and Adol time to walk around the city and catch up.

Laxia explained that she was on her way back to Gilla Academy after visiting her family in one of the cities deeper into Garman. She hadn't found her father yet, but was hoping to go into research and find him along the way. After grabbing some food, the sun began to disappear from the sky, and the two settled down on a bench that gave them a scenic view of the city. The blanket of twilight grew heavy and they started to reminisce.

"Do you ever think about what we did?" Laxia suddenly asked.

Adol raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"On the Isle of Seiren. Do you think about the position we were in? We were simply shipwrecked, then suddenly we were faced with a catastrophe that could've ended all of humanity," Laxia chuckled nervously, "...and we did the right thing, right? I mean, we stopped it! We saved humanity!" She dipped her head slightly, and her eyes fell.

"But in doing so, we directly caused the end of the world, didn't we? And we lost a friend that day." As the words parted her lips, the air grew cold. "I didn't really process it when the Goddess Maia told us that, it kind of just flew over my head. But I've been thinking about it over the past year far more than I should have, and sometimes, it scares me. I mean, we killed evolution, and in turn, destroyed the world. Without Dana, we…we were the ones to end all life."

Adol opened his mouth to answer but nothing came out. Only after a few moments was he able to find his voice. "Our alternative was destruction. Everyone would have died," Adol said dryly. Subconsciously, he started to play with the ring worn on his hand.

"You wouldn't have." She pointed out.

Adol shook his head. "That's not…" He wanted to say something else to comfort her but it wasn't like he didn't understand her. From their perspective it was a heroic charge to save humanity. But from another perspective, it was a selfish human act to break a natural law and bring the end to everything.

But what were they expected to do? In the face of absolute extinction, Adol wondered if there was truly anyone who could blame them for doing what they did.

Laxia let out a heavy sigh. "I just hope we didn't screw something up after going through everything that we did."

Present day

"-ere he is!"

"Adol!"

Adol could barely make out two familiar voices behind him. His head was hazy. It felt as though he was lying barely conscious on the ground for hours. The ground shook until Dogi flipped over him over and raised his head slightly. Once he was flipped over he could see that the sky was going dark.

"Adol, what happened to you?" Sahad asked, kneeling down. When he got close enough, Sahad's eyes flew to Adol's shoulder and turned as pale as a ghost. "Is that…?"

Adol gave the smallest of nods with all the strength he could muster.

"What the hell is that?" Dogi asked.

Sahad glanced at Adol. "It's the mark of the wardens. When we were on the island, Adol was chosen."

"Chosen? Chosen as what?"

"Chosen as the one person to oversee their species destruction due to the lacrimosa."

Dogi still looked as though he wanted to ask a few more questions but didn't push it further. Instead, he looked to the sky. "Its getting dark, we'll have to make camp around here before going back. Besides, I don't think Adol is in any condition to move right now."

They had set up camp near the base of the mountain, away from any sources of noise. Dogi and Sahad set up Adol with as much bedding as they could find before they made a fire outside the makeshift tent. By the time they were done, the stars were out to greet them.

"You know, as bad as the situation was when we were castaways, I've always missed the view of the night sky here." Dogi reminisced as he finished putting the last pieces of wood onto the fire. "No matter where we went, the stars were never as bright as they are here."

"Ga ha ha! You got that right. Even from home, the sight wouldn't get as good as it does here," Sahad agreed. "This island is quite special. Greenery you'd never see elsewhere, unbelievable creatures, and the fish taste better than any spot I've been to!"

Dogi smiled in response to the jolly man. "I guess in some weird way, we were lucky to have experienced everything we did on this island. I guess we should count our blessings."

Dogi lifted his gaze, but realized that Sahad didn't return the smile like he normally would have. Instead a rare seriousness settled into his face.

"Lucky you say? I could wonder about that," Sahad crossed his arms.

"What do you mean by that?"

"You still have questions about what's happening to Adol right? Well, if I'm going to answer them, I'm gunna t'have to explain a lot of what actually happened on this island. I assume Adol told you some stuff already, so tell me what he told you and I'll try to fill in the blanks best I can."

And so, Dogi told Sahad the bits and pieces that Adol told him about during the past two years. He knew a few things, like the Eternian civilization, the primordials, the big squid that shipwrecked them, and some bits and pieces about Dana, but Adol never went through the full story. It always seemed like a pained topic for him.

Every so often, Sahad stopped him to explain more about what happened. By the time they were done, it felt as though a few hours had passed and Dogi had developed a headache.

"So our memories were altered because we were erased from existence and recreated by a Goddess?" Dogi rubbed his forehead. "And that happened because you guys went to fight evolution because if you didn't, all of humanity would've been destroyed?"

"That sums it up pretty well actually," Sahad smiled, which Dogi was grateful for. The air got too heavy when he got serious. "I'm glad you got it."

"I don't think I really got anything, besides a migraine. Adol and I have been on a lot of different adventures and done a lot of crazy things, but this might take the cake." Dogi glanced at the tent. "Explains why Adol's been so worn out these past two years. I was actually sort of concerned, he's never been so down from an adventure before. Honestly, I'm impressed with all you guys who got their memories back. Sounds like something the average person would've gone insane over."

"Ha! Thanks for the compliment, but if the other members of our party are anything like me, they probably just do their best not to think about it too often." Sahad shook his head. "But for one of us, it ain't that easy. He probably thinks about it all the time."

Sahad let out a massive sigh, one that seemed to weigh down everything around him. "These past two years must've been rough on him. Seeing him again after all this time, I barely recognize the lad from when we first met. Well, I doubt anyone could blame him. Besides Dana, he has the most to bear."

Silence fell before them, and the crackling of the fire filled the air. Dogi took the time to organize his thoughts. "I wish I could've remembered meeting Dana, she sounds like an amazing person."

"She most definitely was. Strong as an ox, stubborn like one too," Sahad smiled wryly before letting it drop. A moment passed before Sahad's face suddenly darkened. "I'm worried, Dogi."

Dogi looked up at Sahad, the light from the fire dancing on his face. "About Adol?"

"Yes. This mark reappearing… its real bad news. Something about seeing it again has left some coal in my stomach that I can't seem to shovel out." Sahad looked to the sky. Dogi thought he was seeing things, but Sahad looked as if he was mourning.

"I don't want to think about it, but we might've failed to keep our promise."

The morning came, yet Adol was still unconscious. Dogi and Sahad decided that it would be best for them to bring him back to castaway village, and prepare the boat if it got worse. The mountain trek back was long and tiring, as they traded carrying Adol on their backs, but by midday, they were already on their way back down the mountain.

They stopped to rest at the shack that belonged to Thanatos and Ricotta, finding the little notes that Ricotta had written down. Sahad had missed her dearly, he hadn't seen her since they had all separated. He wondered how much she had grown.

When they finally got to the base of the mountain, the sun had begun to set, and the two men were heavily exhausted. But when they neared the mountain entrance of the village, Dogi suddenly stopped them.

"Hm, what's wrong?" Sahad asked. He could feel Adol's breath getting much more shallow on his back than when they started the journey. He wanted to get him some proper rest as soon as possible.

Dogi raised a finger to his mouth for silence. In the absence of their footsteps, distant voices started to become apparent.

"Who t'hell could that be?" Sahad whispered.

"I don't know," Dogi started to hug the stone wall and peered over the side to see if he could get a better look at the intruders below. "Looks like a decently big group. Not sailers I don't think, they're fairly armed. Here, I'll see if I can-"

"Dogi? Sahad?"

The two in question froze when they heard a voice beside them.

"Euron?" Sahad exclaimed as he turned his head. The Romun police officer had changed a bit from when he last saw him. He still donned his intimidating and strict face, but an additional scar had appeared down the preexisting one. He wore a much more dignified uniform than before, with a few badges on his chest. "What are you doing here?"

He didn't respond immediately, and instead took some time to examine them. Dogi didn't take kind to this, stepping in front of Sahad and waving for him to take a step back. Although he was confused, Sahad obliged. He didn't know why Dogi was so cautious, but there was no time to question it.

"I think he means to ask what you're doing here on the island Euron," Dogi said, barely trying to hide his wariness.

Euron's face hardened. "I understand why you're concerned Dogi, but trust me when I say that there is no reason for worry."

"I'll be the judge of that. I saw what you were doing in Romn, you can't ask me to do that right now."

Euron's face darkened, but before he could say anything else, footsteps started to approach from the village and a excited voice followed.

"Heya, commander Euron, we just got done sweeping the area, found no one in the caves, or in the surrounding area. I'm not going to name names, but Raya's been complaining about being tired from the trip. Can we call it?"

"Hey! I-you-" Another voice followed. "Sorry for that commander. What Kilo means to say is that its been a long journey and the men are fairly tired. Would it be alright if we were to retire for the night?"

A young man and woman, followed by an additional young man who hadn't spoken came into view. They were all wearing Romun uniforms. Dogi stiffened up even more than before, slightly lowering his stance.

Once they had seen them, the young man who had spoken before immediately pointed to them. "Oh! Is that them? Thank goodness we don't have to search the entire island."

Euron nodded, but kept his eyes forward. A bead of sweat came down Dogi's face. They needed to get out of here quick. He looked back and locked eyes with Sahad for a second before turning back. He raised his fingers behind him for a countdown, but was interrupted.

"You're free to run Dogi, but Adol doesn't look like he can do the same. We have a doctor with us, let us treat him," Euron evenly said, causing Dogi to freeze and grimace.

Sahad knew as well as Dogi that their priority should be Adol's health. They didn't know how bad he was injured, but the more he had stayed unconcious, the worse it could potentially be. "Maybe it's not a bad idea," Sahad murmured to Dogi, "I don't know what happened between you two, but Adol needs attention. If Euron meant us harm, he'd have done it by now, right?"

Dogi didn't move.

"No harm will come to any of you," Euron pushed. "You have my word."

Dogi closed his eyes and clenched his fists to the point they had started to tremble slightly. Every part of him wanted to say no. He didn't trust Euron in the slightest. But Adol needed help right now, and if he was right about why Euron was here, then it was most likely in Euron's best interest to keep Adol healthy.

"Fine," Dogi finally agreed. They would have to face the consequences later, after Adol woke up.

Elsewhere, in the city of Romn, present time 22 AC

"You look tired," a smooth, crisp voice rang out throughout the dimly lit bar. "Did something happen? You're almost never the one to ask for a drink."

"You know how the job is, Fae. Don't make it sound like I'm the bad friend," Hummel evenly replied, setting aside a briefcase.

"I know, I know, I'm just teasing," Fae chuckled, "I don't mind, you're good company after all."

"A man who rejects you makes for good company? You have some strange tastes."

"You were too interesting to pass up, and I am someone who can settle for a nice friendship. Besides, if I weren't here, I'd be with some rich pricks who just want to gain some attention from my father."

Hummel set aside his jacket, rolled up his sleeves, and moved behind the bar. "I guess that's fair. What sort of drink do you want?"

As it was when he had met up with Adol, the bar was empty, without even a bartender. Of course, it wasn't always like this, but Hummel preferred to occupy the bar when he knew there wouldn't be anyone staying. It didn't hurt that he preferred to prepare his own drinks as well. It wasn't too difficult to find those times, not many people knew how to get access, after all. Hummel himself only gained access after finishing a transport for a rather wealthy yet secluded individual.

Finishing up their drinks, Hummel crossed the counter to sit beside Fae.

"I still can't believe someone who moves packages all day knows how to make a drink like this," she said after taking a sip of her glass.

"A transporter is a profession where many skills could be needed," he shrugged.

"Right, right. So, what'd you call me down here for?"

Hummel took his time, playing around with his drink. "I just wanted to chat for a while."

"Hmph, so you won't actually tell me anything this time either?"

"I'm sorry, but-"

Fae leaned forward suddenly to silence Hummel with her index finger. "I was kidding. You said it best yourself, I know how the job is. As frustrated as I will get, there won't be a need for apologies. Good friends respect their friends' wishes."

As she pulled away, the corners of Hummel's lips moved up slightly. "You are a good friend."

"I know," she tilted her head up, smugly.

"It's been a year since the Romun Empire and the kingdom of Altago have signed the peace treaty," Hummel started slowly, causing Fae to raise an eyebrow. "Since then, the demand for weaponized materials in the underground have died down a substantial amount, and many dealers went silent to avoid scrutiny from the military and the Empire." Hummel took a slight pause to take a sip. "But those faces didn't fade away completely."

Fae narrowed her eyes. "You think war could spark up again."

Hummel shrugged. "I'm not suggesting anything. I'm just making conversation. But personally, I wouldn't be surprised if things were moving fast."

"Clever when it comes to going around your own rules, aren't you?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

Fae chuckled, but quickly removed the smile from her face. "I guess I shouldn't have expected the Romun Empire to accept a treaty so easily. This was probably their end goal since signing it."

"You're lucky no Romun officials are here to hear you say that."

"Well, that's why I come here to here to say it."

This time it was Hummel's turn to let out a small chuckle.

A/N

Thank you all for the kind comments! I know this came out slowly but the creative process has not been hitting .-. Regardless, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, I can't promise constant updates, but we shall see what is to come.

Any comments or suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks for reading.