"Where am I?" Hikaru wondered.

The light was so bright, but she couldn't tell its source. It seemed to come from every direction, enveloping her completely. The light emanated from the earth itself. Hikaru felt the wet grass and soil beneath her feet. A cool breeze blew gently, its sound melodious. Flower petals filled the air as the field of tall grass swayed with the wind.

This vision again... Hikaru recognized it. Part of her heart felt at peace, and she smiled.

"Pillar..." That voice again... "Not... Not finished yet." The voice was so close, as if right next to her ear.

Hikaru quickened her pace in a certain direction, feeling guided by the voice calling her. She wanted to know who was speaking, who had been seeking her so fervently for so long.

She stopped and lifted her gaze, finding someone standing before her, his back turned. For the first time, the figure wasn't just a blurry shadow hidden in a blinding light. It was a man unfamiliar to her. His long golden hair shimmered in the sunlight. His black cloak fluttered in the wind, adorned with a chest and shoulder guard made of beautiful, shimmering, precious metal. His presence was imposing and dignified; he stood still like a marble statue. His stillness created an invisible wall separating them. Hikaru stared at his back for a while, unsure of what to do.

Approaching him, she was curious about what held that man's attention. She stood beside him. Her eyes widened in amazement. Before her, there was a vast expanse of indescribable beauty. She knew this was the vision from her dreams. The vision repeated itself. The radiant earth was both the beginning and the end of her journey. And this time, she wasn't alone in witnessing it.

Hikaru glanced at the man, who remained transfixed by the scene before them. His eyes were somber, staring without blinking. His lips were tightly sealed as if restraining himself from saying something he always wanted to say. His handsome face was rigid and indifferent to his surroundings, wholly absorbed by the vision, unwilling to be distracted.

"Sir," Hikaru greeted hesitantly in a soft voice. "Are you the one who's been searching for me all this time?" Hikaru fervently hoped that all her questions would be answered at this moment.

Consciousness began to return to her. Hikaru opened her eyes, blinking a few times, and saw the room ceiling appearing blurry. Her head ached intensely. She felt extremely weak and exhausted. She tried taking a few deep breaths to ease the uncomfortable sensation, then attempted to sit up.

Hikaru turned and found a small girl beside her. She then looked around and recognized her surroundings. "This is my room." It was so quiet. Where were the others? She looked at her bandaged hand. "Am I injured?"

She suddenly recalled the situation she had left behind. Cephiro! Yes, the battle! Hikaru remembered what she had just experienced. She quickly unwrapped the bandages from her palm and discovered the skin was peeled and red.

My hand is burned… from the fire back then, Hikaru thought. That power... I've never experienced anything like it before. Hikaru clenched her fist and then opened it again. Someone must have treated it so it doesn't hurt so much anymore. Was it Fuu?

Hikaru remembered Umi and Fuu and the issues between them. She immediately felt guilty for bringing them into this situation. Will they hate me even more? I am truly at fault. There will be no resolution until I tell them the truth...

Hikaru lowered her legs from the bed and tried to stand, but her legs were too weak to support her, and she collapsed onto the cold, hard floor. Hikaru groaned in pain and tried again to get up.

A fairy who had been watching her from outside the window was startled. "Hikaru!" Primera called out, rushing in to approach her.

"Primera, you're here?" Primera tried to help her up. But the small fairy was powerless. "I can stand on my own." Hikaru stood and staggered toward the window. Clutching the curtain to prevent herself from collapsing again, she looked outside. Hundreds of warplanes hovered silently in the sky. "The war isn't over. Where are the people?"

"I don't know what's happening, but everyone rushed to the main meeting room a while ago."

"A meeting room?"

"Lantis asked me to watch over you. You should rest. He's worried about you…"

Hikaru shook her head. "I can't rest at a time like this. Umm… Lantis... is he okay?" Hikaru asked as she slowly walked to the wardrobe in one corner. She opened it and looked for some clothes she could use. She found a set and began putting it on.

"He's always been sad..." Primera's eyes seemed misty as she spoke with a hint of anger. "Since you left Cephiro, he's been so unhappy."

Hikaru chuckled softly. "That man... How to paint a smile on his face?"

"He almost lost his mind when you were unconscious. He immediately caught you when you fell, regardless of how dangerous the situation was." Suddenly, Primera fell silent and continued with a cute, annoyed tone. "We've always competed for Lantis's affection…"

Hikaru looked at Primera with a smile. "Primera, are you upset?"

"Of course I'm upset!" Primera cried. "How could I not be?"

"Don't cry, Primera... I'm sorry. I can't do anything about this." Hikaru's face showed regret. "Please…"

"He prefers you. He loves you very much. So, please take good care of yourself. I don't want to see Lantis's heart hurt because of you!"

"I'd try my best." Hikaru gently stroked Primera's hair with one finger. Primera's tears began to stop. "While I'm not around, you're caring for Lantis. I'm very grateful. Will you continue to look after him in the future?"

Eh? Primera looked surprised by Hikaru's odd request, but she firmly replied, "Of course! I'm the best person to take care of him! I've proven it all this time. I'm better than you!"

"That's good…"

Their noisy conversation seemed to disturb the child sleeping in the room. The child woke up. "Auntie..." she called out, rubbing her eyes as she approached Hikaru.

"Is that you, Dyna? You've grown..." Dyna hugged Hikaru's waist.

"I missed you. Will you sing for me?" she asked sleepily.

Hikaru looked into Dyna's blue eyes, similar to LaFarga's. She shook her head. "I can't right now because I need to do something." Hikaru hurriedly tidied her messy hair. "I promise I'll sing for you when everything is over."

Dyna looked disappointed. "Alright."

Suddenly, the door creaked open, and something round, fluffy, and long ears like a rabbit appeared, jumping into Hikaru's lap. "PUUUU!"

"MOKONA!" Hikaru exclaimed, laughing.

"Mokona!" Dyna also cried out. "You always look so cheerful."

"How are you?" Hikaru hugged Mokona. "You look alright."

"Puu..." Mokona said with a sad voice.

She also pulled Dyna into her embrace. "I will protect you both. The war will end soon. I promise." Hikaru smiled widely. "You too, Primera." Primera joined them. Hikaru gently kissed Dyna's head, then lovingly patted it.

Hikaru resolved in her heart that she would end this madness. She no longer thought about her dream of a future that now seemed like it was truly just a dream. She had to face the harsh reality that perhaps peace was still far out of reach.

As Hikaru staggered through the long corridors of Cephiro, she looked around. Her hand was always on the wall; she needed something to hold onto. The ground felt like it was swaying, threatening to drop her. Hikaru saw the flags of Fahren, Chizeta, and Autozam fluttering over Cephiro... She could understand the situation. The entire land was embroiled in the same war.

"Did you see the future, just as I did?"

She remembered the question from the man in her dream. She stopped and thought about it. I've never seen that man before. Why did he ask that? How could he be in my dream? Hikaru recalled the man's figure. His strength, beauty, and grace... The sadness reflected on his face... His secrets... Hikaru's heart raced. Was he from Cephiro? Is there someone in the castle who knows about him? Who is he?