Eyjafjalla the Hvít Aska

[Code Name] Eyjafjalla

[Gender] Female

[Combat Experience] None

[Place of Birth] Leithanien

[Date of Birth] Oct 18

[Race] Caprinae

[Height] 153cm

[Infection Status]

Originium crystals distributed across surface of body, confirmed Infected by medical examination.

[Physical Strength] Normal

[Mobility] Normal

[Physical Resilience] Flawed

[Tactical Acumen] Normal

[Combat Skill] Normal

[Originium Arts Assimilation] Outstanding

Eyjafjalla, Volcanologist and Catastrophe Messenger. In recent years, she has participated in the production of multiple documentaries and written and published multiple books on volcanoes. She continues to receive treatment at Rhodes Island and undertakes a variety of activities, including Catastrophe research, as needed.

Imaging tests show the indistinct outlines of internal organs, obscured by abnormal shadows. Originium granules detected in the circulatory system. The subject is confirmed to be infected with Oripathy.

[Cell-Originium Assimilation] 11%

Occurrences of deafness and blurred vision have become more frequent.

[Blood Originium-Crystal Density] 0.59u/L

With Rhodes Island having brought her condition under control, Operator Eyjafjalla's Blood Originium-Crystal Density has not seen a significant increase.

'Dr. Keller... My numbers haven't gone up. I'm not lying! We can't delay this field survey... Please! Believe me!'

After returning from her trip, Eyjafjalla slowly recounted to her fellow operators all her experiences during her time away. And when telling those stories, each and every piece of volcanic rock has an interesting factoid behind it: rocks with lots of holes can float in water, and sometimes even make noise; the distribution of obsidian is closely related to magma activity, and their hidden luster has other meanings to it; etc.

At the same time, our operators have also noticed that, while her hearing loss used to be a barrier to communication, it has since become much easier to talk to her. Whenever they tell her that her condition must have improved, she just keeps smiling as she always does and tells them with a bit of pride that, while her hearing has deteriorated to the point where she can now only hear with hearing aids in a quiet environment, they're finding it easier to talk to her because she learned to read lips.

'Hearing aids really don't help me understand that much anymore, so I usually rely on both them and lip reading to understand what everyone is saying. Is it that hard to tell if you're not watching for it?

'Sometimes, after I tell others about my condition, they start to look at me kind of differently. It's not that I want to be treated differently or earn anyone's sympathy. All I really need is for everyone to interact with me as usual.'

The worrying thing is that we occasionally have operators visit Medical and tell us that they saw her talking alone by herself, and that she sometimes even seemed a little angry. They were afraid to interrupt her, but were nonetheless worried that perhaps her condition has worsened in some strange way...

Few are aware of the concept of a 'Sovereign of Beasts.' When interacting with humans, they are usually treated as either a human with distinctive traits or some kind of supernatural ruler. The natural characteristics demonstrated by these Sovereigns are also quite distinct from Terra's existing creatures. Recently, there has also been a string of strange occurrences aboard Rhodes Island, and we surmise that this is the work of a Sov■■■ (A long string of sheep hoofprints can be seen here; the letters are illegible)

—■■■(Another string of hoofprints}

'Skyfire told me they were scared to death when I got lost in the wilderness again, but they didn't expect me to suddenly appear out of nowhere in the crossroads they were in, alone. But I had a pink, fluffy critter lead me there. It even took a bite out of my book!'

'Pink, fluffy critters? They've been showing up whenever I play my guitar! Gotta say, they have great taste in music. Even when I'm jamming out in the wind, they stand out there with me, up against the gales and unleashing life! Wish they'd stop eating my strings, though.'

'Outta the way, outta the way~ Metal Crabs coming through~ These chubby little guys seem to be having a lot of fun with somebody lately; their body weight is back to normal now! I even found these pink furballs stuck to their claws. Any of you know whose pet they belong to?'

—Rhodes Island Cafeteria audio recording

Warning

Following the disappearance of instruction materials and food stockpiles in September, the instructors have found the following discipline violations during the October inspection:

Using Originium Arts to play with toys, suspending them midair and sending them flying around; the inexplicable disappearance of ice cream ingredients meant for classes; skateboarding on the deck outside of set hours and hiding as soon as the instructors arrive.

Offending operators should report to the instructors' office immediately to acknowledge and rectify their mistakes, as well as uphold all rules and regulations to prevent further offenses.

—Dur-nar

Give me my motherf■■in' limited edition vinyls back!

—■■ (Unknown penguin footprint on the wall)

A few days later, after a significant increase in incidents involving 'strange pink silhouettes,' Eyjafjalla had no choice but to leave her laboratory and spend what little time and energy she has dealing with the problems caused by the stealthy sheep, apologizing to everyone one-by-one, and helping everyone touch those invisible mischievous animals.

That said, it's apparent that she's also enjoying this.

Dr. Kahn:

You have my sincerest gratitude.

I know that if it weren't for your assistance in the beginning, I would likely not have received such quality healthcare. Over the past few years, I have persistently worked to complete the volcano expedition. I feel that as a volcanologist and a daughter taking over her parents' unfinished research, this is a life goal I must complete. In spite of your numerous letters, I have insisted on continuing down this path, and I apologize for making you worry.

I also know that you have been trying to uncover the truth of all those years ago, and that you've been protecting me time and again by trying to keep me from getting too involved. If it weren't for your persistence and care, I would never have learned what actually happened back then. Although the vacation itself may have helped alleviate my worries, it was you, the truth that you worked so hard to give me, and Dr. Keller's frankness in the end that truly gave me the relief I needed.

I will come visit you in Leithanien in the near future. My mother used to tell me that you would sometimes be upset when your experiments went wrong, and that you'd need my parents to bring a cake to your lab to comfort you... I really want to tell you that we can't completely prevent accidents. All we can do is hold on to every meaningful bit of time we have. I really hope you were able to finally calm down, and that you could tell me any old stories about my parents.

—Adele

Adele:

I have given this a lot of thought, but I finally decided to write you this letter. I want you to know that I am truly grateful to you.

I had decided many years ago that I would never again climb a volcano, and that this museum would be my final memento to Magna and Katia.

At first, I invited you to participate in the museum and Mt. Siesta's affairs because my work required it, and also because you are Magna and Katia's child. I had intended to retire from all research and work pertaining to volcanoes after bringing this matter to completion. I couldn't face you, nor could I face Kahn's question. I had been wondering: if I'd chosen to make them stay as well, would they not have been caught in that pyroclastic flow and lost their lives? However, I never expected you to have never questioned my involvement nor resented me.

I'm sorry, Adele. I was too harsh on you before, and it was partly because I was afraid I'd be reminded of the time I spent with your parents. My memories with them were once a heavy burden to me, but thanks to you, I can finally bring myself to put them into words again, and share them with you as simply fun anecdotes.

I await your next letter, and am preparing for our next expedition together.

—Keller

Upon her return to Rhodes Island, Eyjafjalla immediately began to gather all the data she had kept at Rhodes Island and send them to Siesta's Volcano Museum, as well as prepare for future joint research projects with Lady Keller.

Naturally, we were a little worried. After all, she had been working with volcanoes both from closer distances and more often over the past few years, all to complete the project that her parents were unable to finish. This is no doubt detrimental to her health. Our Medical operators often tried to talk her out of participating in surveys, but she would always tell us a story she heard when she was still a child: of a sickly scientist bedridden with illness, but who didn't hesitate to spend what little strength she had left to continue her research. In the end, she reached a conclusion, and closed her eyes.

She asked us a question: If you were that scientist, at the final days of your life, would you rather climb a summit or spend your remaining time in bed, peacefully with your family?

We were unable to give Eyjafjalla an answer, but perhaps her answer would be to achieve both. Compared to others who've made significant breakthroughs in the field of volcanology, she is still very young. Some races can live past a hundred years, perhaps even longer, while others live a much more fleeting life. However, the length of one's life does not determine its worth. Judging from the data and research papers she's managed to put together in her dorm room, we can't help but be awestruck at how much she's already fit into her short life, and she is continually adding more.

'There are many secrets hidden across the lands under our feet. Each insignificant rock has endured far more time than even the oldest Savra.

'Underneath layers upon layers of strata, there is a chamber of magma that is ever flowing at unimaginable temperatures, while the strata themselves are slowly moving and constantly crushing one another. We once made the bold assumption that perhaps the seas were once tall mountains, and that the earth currently beneath our feet could perhaps have once reached even the clouds above. When, after traveling hundreds of thousands of miles, the earth that once saw the skies, or the bottom of the ocean, finally encounters its compatriot, they release a most radiant and blazing light.

'Throughout this process, my parents lifted their heads and pondered just what exactly it is that boils our lands' bloodstreams. And now, I am following their footsteps and walking the path they once did, to seek an answer from the land. The footsteps of future generations will likewise trample over ours as they continue down this path.

'This is the meaning of our lives.'

—The opening monologue of the volcano documentary One Step After Another, as narrated by Eyjafjalla

Eyjafjalla's health isn't the best right now, but she still insists on climbing the Unna Volcano.

As her assistants, there was nothing we could do to talk her out of it...

Even before we reached the mountain, she was already starting to pass out from fatigue. She couldn't even hear us warning her. I know that Unna has seen a clear fluctuation across all indicators, and it's in prime observation condition, but pushing herself like that without regard for her own health is clearly against the most basic rules she taught us herself.

Worried about her, we've been following her.

The residents of the village all seem to know her very well. While still at the foot of the mountain, we rested a little and reorganized. Perhaps I should've tried to talk to her again...

We finally made it to the summit, but Eyjafjalla didn't start recording data right away.

Instead she dug a shallow hole and buried... a small rock.

Is something going to grow from this?

There are also the garlands of flowers she's been holding onto the whole time, and she kept hugging them tight even though she almost tripped a couple times. But suddenly, those two garlands just up and fluttered away. What a shame! Even though there wasn't any wind at all.

Still, I don't think I've ever seen her look so gratified...