Evan stared at the new jewel in his wrist. Although its surface was solid, the insides seemed to ripple and flow like water, making its deep azure color shimmer. It reminded him of Claire's eyes.

He looked to the cavern Eifel had said would lead him to her. Was it really true? Was Claire just beyond the cavern?

"Will she be your guardian?" Fey said from behind him.

Evan jumped and spun on his toes. His fists balled as he did, and he stopped to relax when his eyes landed on Fey's nurturing stare.

"Sorry, Evan, I meant not to startle you." She gave a warm smile and raised her hand.

Evan let the tension subside from his shoulders with a slow breath. "I thought about it, honestly. It's always been her goal to protect me, and no one else would do a better job, but..."

His brow furrowed as he looked to the side and scratched at his chin.

"You'll need to choose one. Although, I was surprised Eifel even came to your summons without one. Fenrir will not give you the same respect."

"My sister would never let me complete my quest if she were my guardian. I doubt her fear of losing another of her family would let her."

"Your sister's resilience may surprise you." Fey began walking toward the cavern.

Evan marveled at how she walked through the water without disturbing it once. "I know her. As soon as she sees me, she'll never let me from her sight again." He began following the goddess. "Telling her our reunion is only temporary before I sacrifice even the memory of myself would kill her, I'm sure."

"What will you do then?"

They drew close to the edge of the pool.

"I won't tell her. It would be better that way."

"Is lying really the noble thing to do?"

Evan shook his head. "No, but the thought of hurting her again would be unbearable. It was hard enough to watch her go through losing our father..." He ground his teeth, but caught himself. He let the anger wash over him, remembering his father gave his life for the same reason he was about to. He sighed. "There's no way around it, is there?"

Fey shook her head as she stopped at the mouth of the cavern. She turned to Evan, her eyes were sad as she forced a smile onto her face. "I'm afraid not, Evan."

Evan gave a strained sigh. "Then I won't tell her right away. I want her to be happy for what time she can before she has to let go."

"Wouldn't you rather let her come to terms with it on her own time?"

"I'm afraid war won't give us that luxury..." Evan thought on it a bit more. "No, between the battle's we're sure to face, it's best if I wait. She won't remember soon after I tell her anyways, so the pain should be as minimal as possible."

Fey grabbed Evan's shoulders and pulled him to her, wrapping her arms tight around him. Evan could feel warmth radiating from her body. It was like his own mother was holding him. It felt as if it'd been so long since he felt that warmth.

Fey pushed him back a bit and took a long look at him. "I'm proud of you."

Evan felt his cheeks burn hot. "You sound like my mother..."

Fey's lips curled wide on her face, so much that her eyes nearly shut. "I am the mother of all life, Evan, so of course I would sound like one. It's a mother's pride, after all, that I feel, and pain... knowing you will give your life for the mistakes of my past..."

"Fey... er, Goddess of Life..."

"Fey is fine, Evan."

"If you feel it's your mistakes, why haven't you tried giving yourself?"

"I did..." Fey's eyes grew distant. "I was the first, actually, to try and trade my life for all of you."

"So, it didn't work?" Evan's brow furrowed.

Fey shook her head. "I was thrown back by the world. I'd already given my life many times over for it, you see, so very long ago." Fey paused to brush some ice away that still clung to one of Evan's sleeves. "Besides, it is you all who must prove your right to live, according to the one who tore this world apart. It is part of a much greater trial we faced, and seem to still face, I fear."

"So only a true noble sacrifice would save this world. I was right."

Fey inclined her head. "I would suspect so, someone who is willing to give their life for all lives regardless of race or personal gain. There can be no sacrifice more noble."

Evan's heart sank at the realization that it would have to be his life that ended. As much as he grew up fearing and hating The Empire, when it came to it, he couldn't help but struggle every time he ended a life, be it by his orders or his sword. He pushed the growing fear away. This was not the time to be afraid. People above him were dying every minute he spent here, and fear would only ensure all in this world came to an end.

"Guess I'll have to see as many isles as I can on this quest."

"You'll get to see a fair amount, I imagine."

"Thank you, Fey, for helping me—"

Fey put a finger to his lips. "Thank you, Evan. But I have one last thing before you go."

Evan's brows furrowed as Fey grabbed the wrist that held both Ifirit's and Eifel's jewel. She passed her palm over it, turning one of the noble jewels to a peach color that shone a soft yellow glow from inside. Evan's eyes widened. He looked at Fey. Everytime a jewel was replaced, he knew it meant another soul was released. He could feel their voice leave his head.

"Wha—"

Fey put a finger to his lips again before pulling the noble jewel from the very same palm. She held it, delicately, between her fingertips. "Those who are replaced by one of our blessings are released from their duty, and meant to sail upon the winds. The memory of their existence remains, so worry not."

Relief flooded Evan's veins.

"This is my blessing, the Holy blessing. With this blessing, you will find your wounds heal faster, and those that would be fatal may not. However, you can still be killed, but it will not be from sickness or disease. Also, once this jewel is used, it will not come back. It will be gone forever, but it will save the life of whomever you use it on, no matter how mortal their wounds. Make sure to use it before they die, though, as it will not bring them back once they pass."

Evan looked at the jewel for a moment. His heart fought with his mind over it. He knew he could save the next person who became wounded, spare their family the pain of losing them, but then he wondered what if his sister was hurt after. There may not be a way to save her.

He knew it was bold to pray that he never be in a situation that would require this jewel's use, but this was war, and he already knew of how indiscriminate it was in taking life. He clenched his fist, tightening it until his nails threatened to break the skin on his palms.

The war wouldn't end soon enough.

Another realization dawned on him; his sacrifice would be meaningless unless he brought this war to an end first.

He looked at Fey once more. Fire flared behind his eyes. "I will use it wisely," he said as he turned toward the cavern.

"One last thing," Fey said as Evan looked over his shoulder. Fey moved beside him and held out her hand.

Evan stared at it. In her palm was a shard of wood. His brow furrowed as he took it in his.

"This is bark from The Mother tree we're in now. The tree has the ability to heal other trees. It's why the Spring Flames can grow beneath her shade. I imagine yours is probably in pieces, most are when they come here unintentionally. Now, I'm not the Goddess of Trees, but I did enchant it so that if you place it in your ship it will heal the ship's wooden parts. You'd only need to replace any metal that's broken which brings me to what lies in the cavern. There is a fork in some ways into the cavern. Left will take you to the valley your sister landed in, and right will take you to your father's airship."

Evan's eyes grew wide. He hadn't even thought that The Griffin would be here. He'd always thought it odd that in the reports, his father had been the sole crewmember to steal the ship. He never could figure that part out, but now it all made sense. He'd done it so that when he gave his life, his crew would still have theirs and not be branded traitors like him.

"That ship should afford the supplies to repair yours and return to the isles above."

Excitement raced through every part of Evan's body. Not only could he return to his sister, but they could sail from this isle right now. The Griffin wouldn't be as formidable as The Valkyrie, but it would still be better than a dead ship.

Evan took off in a sprint into the cavern. "Thank you!" he shouted behind him as he disappeared into the dim.

Claire stared at the far end of the valley. Commandwing Vausse's words still echoed in her mind. Her heart fluttered at the thought. Evan could be just beyond the valley, she thought with renewed hope.

She turned to Vausse who was sitting at a makeshift desk fashioned from pieces of the ship. On it was a frayed piece of parchment with a crude sketch of valley. Notes had been scribbled on it from reports given to him over the week.

"Sir, what of The Valkyrie? Shouldn't we be prioritizing repairs over exploration?"

"Look around, Fullwing, do you see any supplies to repair this ship?"

Claire's heart sank in her chest. Aside from the few trees that dotted the valley, there wasn't anything they could use, and they hadn't the equipment to fabricate lumber from the trees either.

"Engineer Vausse has already informed me that the ship could fly if we can replace the rear engines we lost. The rest of the damage is mostly cosmetic, and although some other internal repairs should be made, we can fly without them once the engine is repaired."

"I doubt we'll find a factory to fabricate metal, sir, with all due respect."

Vausse waved Claire off. "Scouts report tracks near the cave that are not animal in nature. Given that we survived the fall, it wouldn't surprise me if others have as well over time. I wouldn't make assumptions as to what to expect. There may very well be other ships that crashed here with serviceable engines."

Claire furrowed her brow. She'd been so focused on the loss of her brother that she hadn't even considered the possibility of other survivors, much less other wrecked ships. However, it would be unreasonable to assume they were the first.

"I see your point, sir."

"Course you do, Fullwing, now if you're done with meaningless questions, you're wasting the light! Take five men and have them armed with rifles and a full pouch of ammo incase monsters plague this isle too. I'd say avoid them and return if you encounter any, but we're desperate here. Of course, if you don't feel you can slay them, return. The mission isn't worth yours or any of the other Leaves lives. However... don't bring them back here. That's an order."

Claire snapped her feet together and rendered a salute to Vausse. "I'll make sure we return before sunset, and if we don't, assume the worst."

Vausse stood and returned Claire's salute. "May the sky guide you!"

Claire snapped back to attention and turned to leave. "Sergeant Dodart," she barked as she walked toward the remains of The Valkyrie.

"Yes, ma'am!" the Sergeant saluted.

"At ease, gather four of your best swordsmen and meet me at the armory. We're going to explore the cave at the edge of the valley!"

"Roger, Fullwing!" he said before dropping his salute and running over to one of the campfires.

"Engineer Vausse," Claire said.

Adelle turned and jogged to her side. "What is it?"

"Is it true we only need to replace the engines for the ship to fly?"

"It is. Although all the decks took massive damage, and there's some other structural repairs needed to ensure we don't break apart if we have to make any sharp maneuvers, the ship could fly again. It would be drafty for the crew, and my husband's quarters are basically gone. I wouldn't want to fly in it like that, but what choice do we have?"

"Not much I'm afraid..."

It wasn't long before the sergeant met her with his men. Claire had the armsmen issue them all rifles and a sash of ammo, and without a thought she marched them into the valley. From the reports she'd heard with her nightly meetings with Vausse, there was the likes of a road that snaked through the valley. What traveled it was unknown as there were signs of use in the recent days.

Claire pondered sticking to the grass instead. It could hide them should they see anything—or anyone—but it could also hide an ambush meant for them. She opted to have them head down the road in two files, one on either side with her in the center to give commands as needed to either side.

She kept her hand on her sword the whole time. It took them a little over an hour to cross the valley, and the cavern stood tall above them. Claire imagined an entire Alliance Warship could fit into its mouth with room to spare, such was the vastness of the cave. Still, it seemed to swallow the light only a short ways within.

Claire's heart began to race, and her veins filled with ice.

"Let's go," she ordered, and took the first step across the threshold.

They walked some ways in before the light from the entrance had grown to dim. She had two men light torches. One in the front to light their path forward, and one in the rear incase they needed to retreat.

A low rumble echoed in the cavern. Claire swore she could hear the isle moving around her. The air was stagnant and smelled of dirt. The air cooled her skin where it was exposed and a shiver crept down her spine as they continued.

After a while longer, the sound of running water began echoing through the cave. It started as if an afterthought, then slowly grew to a whisper, and continued to get louder the longer they pressed on. Claire wondered if she should turn around. There wasn't any way to know how much time had passed since they entered.

The men in front of her stopped.

"There's a torch ahead, Fullwing," the sergeant whispered.

Evan held Ifirit's flame in his hands as he pressed into the cavern. He'd walked for hours he guessed. It was impossible to know how long had truly passed since he entered the cavern.

He'd come up to the fork Fey had mentioned quicker than he thought he would. The stream had continued to the right, and a natural bridge allowed him to take the left fork. The airship would still be there, he'd reasoned, and there was no sense in going to it unless he knew how many of the crew survived.

Furthermore, he could wait no longer to see his sister and assure her he was alright. And apologize...

A flicker in the cave caught his eye. Evan raised the hand that held his flame above his head. He rubbed his eyes with his other. It had to be an illusion, a trick played by his mind from being in the dark for so long. After his vision refocused, it was absolute. There was a light coming towards him. His heart began to race. Was it Claire?

Fey would've told him of any dangers on this isle, would she not? His mind raced with both excitement and terror.

Then he heard it.

It was the familiar clink of boots on stone, and the jingle of armor and bullets. This was no illusion. These were people, Leaves; in fact, that were exploring the cavern. Claire was probably with them too. She would've taken every opportunity to come look for him.

Evan leant forward into a sprint. His eyes began to fill with tears as he ran.

Until he heard the clicking of rifles being cocked.

He drove his heels into the floor, skidding to a stop. He doused his fire and dove to the ground. He hoped the darkness would conceal him enough.

Had The Empire found their way here? Evan thought of a shield and readied one of the noble jewels, asking for forgiveness from them.

"You have to the count of four to surrender or be fired upon!" Claire commanded.

Evan froze. Was it really her voice?

"Cl-Fullwing?" "One, two—"

The counting stopped.

"Fullwing Montresser, is that you?" Evan called into the dark.

"Evan?"

Evan's heart fluttered. The force of which lifted him off the ground. He ran towards the torchlight.

Claire had kept the torches in line to avoid showing any sort of numbers in the cave. She had the other men line up as much as they could outside of the light and aim down the corridor. But when she heard Evan's voice call back to her, she broke formation and ran to meet him.

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she and Evan collided in an embrace. She couldn't believe it was really him. She held him tight and pulled him into the light of the torches to make sure it was really her younger brother and not some cruel trick of a monster.

Sure enough, his sky-blue eyes stared up at hears, filled with tears of his own.

"I thought I'd lost you!" She pulled him tighter to her chest.

"Same, sis." He; in turn, held her tighter as well. "How did you even end up here? What about the ship? The crew?"

Claire chuckled a bit. She wanted Evan to only be here with her, but of course he couldn't. He was too kind and too good an officer. She thought it was funny. He'd only been one for such a short while, but he took it so seriously that he could've been one for years. It was ever more clear how much being a Leaf was his dream, and she could never have persuaded him otherwise.

"The ship is destroyed, Ev," she said. "It can fly if he can find the supplies to repair the engines, but the hull is beyond our capabilities."

"Fey thought as much..." Evan scratched his head. The jewels on his wrist glimmered in the torchlight.

Claire saw. Her eyes widened, and she forgot about the name he just mentioned. "Evan! What The Abyss are those?" She grabbed his wrist and held it in the torchlight.

"Claire... you know what they are, and you knew this would happen if Tahlia died..." He looked away from his sister.

"No! I didn't know this would happen! I knew you swore an oath to Tahlia, but—"

"Should the Falceit fall, it will be you who takes the mantle. That's what Ifirit said when I became Tahlia's Guardian." Evan sighed. "When Tahlia died, I took up her quest, and must finish it, lest this world tear itself apart."

"What does that mean? You never told me what her quest entails, Ev."

"It means I have to gather the rest of blessings and offer them up as tribute to restore this world to what it was. Hopefully for the last time..."

It was mostly the truth, but he decided to leave out the part about it also consuming his life. In the end, he was sure now that sparing her as long as he could was the best course based on her reaction. She'd just gotten him back. It would be cruel to tell her it was only temporary.

"I know of a way to fix the ship," Evan stated, turning back to his sister. His lips curled and he pushed the sinking in his gut further down.

"And what crazy scheme would you have to accomplish such a task?"

"Father's ship is here. We can salvage the parts for the engines there, and any armor needed, but this..." he pulled the piece of bark Fey had given him from a pocket. "Is a special wood that the goddess of this isle gave me. It will heal the wood on our ship, and allow it to regenerate if we take damage again."

Claire's mouth fell open. Not because Evan somehow acquired some insane way to repair the ship, but because their father's ship was somehow on this isle.

Her heart threatened to stop. "Dad?" was all she managed to speak.