Volcano

Barty?

Oh...! Um, Eyjafjalla! D-Did you need something?

Um... that device on the front left-hand side seems to have shifted a bit, and background noise from its real-time data has suddenly started fluctuating...

Would you mind helping me see what's going on?

S-Sorry!

Huh?

I was the one who moved it! I'm really sorry, I... I wasn't trying to peek at the data—

Hmm... I see, so you were looking at the data?

*cough*—*cough* *cough*...

In that case... all is well then. I thought the wind shifted it, so this at least saves us from having to check all the other devices.

Huh...? Wow, you're not upset with me at all?

You're not going to chew me out for looking through your data?

Chew? S-Sorry, I'm not sure I heard you clearly... But I'm assuming you're asking if I'm bothered by something?

I wouldn't say bothered, but there is something I'm curious about. I didn't think you'd be interested in my research data.

Haha... You have a point. An old dunce like me...

That's not what I'm trying to say.

It's just that volcanology isn't exactly the most exciting thing in the world. Most of the time, you head out into the wilderness like this, sit here and observe things all day, then bury yourself in data analysis after you get back... Most people would find that boring, right?

Boring, huh? If you really break it down, most people in this world lead pretty boring lives.

Every day, you get out of bed, you eat, you keep yourself busy with work all day, then you go to sleep at night.

But a scholar like you is always exploring new things. Isn't that a lot more interesting?

......

(She laughed!) H-Hey, did I really say something that stupid?

No, not at all. The way you were talking just reminded me of someone I used to go to school with.

Hah, is that so? I've also had my fair share of dealing with those collegiate types in the past.

Huh? Haven't you always been doing security work?

Oh, it's a really old story. Back then... I was only able to land a start-up job opportunity thanks to the compassion of a young faculty member.

He helped me out a lot, and also made me realize that research is something that is both meaningful and... Uhh, how do I put this. Not that simple? Yeah, not that simple.

Kahn...

Dr. Kal'tsit passed this letter on to me before we left, but she should know... Even if you didn't ask me, I'd still look after Eyjafjalla.

By the way, your first volcano expedition was several years ago, right?

Mhm, my first expedition... I think it would've been about three years back?

Seriously? You were still a kid!

(whispers) Are research institutes so black-hearted these days?

My hearing aid's working fine now. I heard all of that.

Ah, I wasn't talking about Rhodes Island! P-Please don't get the wrong idea!

I'm just joking... Wilhelm University never asked that of me either. Even back then, the school didn't support me enrolling that early.

It's just that I was the only one who could make sense of the data my parents left behind.

I didn't want the project to be terminated... and my parents wouldn't have wanted that either. So, I insisted on joining the expedition in their place.

What happened to... Oh! I'm so sorry, I almost forgot that your parents are...

It's fine, Barty. It was a long time ago.

Was it because of... a volcano?

Yes... Volcanoes are very dangerous. My mom taught me when I was little.

—A tongue of flame is enough to swallow an entire house. But a volcano... is a behemoth with primal energies in its belly.

The behemoth may not be sentient, but every time it opens its mouth to breathe or cough, it reshapes the earth effortlessly.

It's a bit ironic. When I was little, I didn't really understand what my mom and dad were doing. In my mind, I just saw them as brave warriors who challenged behemoths.

Hey, that's not that much of an exaggeration, is it? They knew it was dangerous, but they went off and did it anyway. That takes courage!

It's also terrifying.

When I saw a volcano for the first time... my eyes weren't like they are now. I could see clearly, and my ears were still keen.

Even now, I still clearly remember the bright red, the roar in my ears... It was like a monster breaking free from the shackles of the earth, screeching as it clawed its way forward.

It was nothing like the textbooks... it was so real, alive.

I... I remember my legs locking up. I couldn't walk. I didn't even dare exhale for the longest time, up until I couldn't hold it anymore. I was coughing, with tears streaming down my eyes.

In that moment, I understood.

Understood... what?

Well, a lot of things.

I understood why before every expedition, my mom would squeeze into bed with me and hug me tight, until I fell asleep.

I understood why after every expedition, my dad would pat my head while sifting through his data, talking over and over about how grateful he was.

I think... they must've felt that fear every time they set out.

It's amazing how strong you are, even having lived through all of that.

I've heard about all kinds of tragedies, like losing a child to a raging river. The parents end up hating the river and move far away.

Back then... I think I also heard stuff like that.

The day after my parents' accident, everyone I knew came to see me, especially after they heard I was going to join the volcano expedition.

I knew where they were coming from, and respected that. They were worried I was too impulsive, making quick decisions in my grief.

Most of them hoped I would let go of everything and keep going to school like normal, but that was impossible for me.

Eyjafjalla... You really don't hold a grudge at all?

In any case, volcanoes took away your parents... and caused your illness...

Yes...

I guess there is a little bit of resentment that... I can't escape from.

No, I shouldn't say resentment. Sadness would be a better word.

I miss them so much... my mom and my dad... When I first heard the news, I couldn't even believe it.

My dad's Arts were so powerful... and my mom had been on so many expeditions.

The next few nights after that, I would fall asleep in a stupor. I would always see those volcanoes in my dreams, and I would wake up screaming and crying... There was nothing strong about me at all.

No, no! That's human nature! Not to mention, you were so young at the time!

When you put it that way, my colleagues on the expedition team had to look after a sniveling, crying kid while trying to carry out their survey work. It must've been hard on them as well.

Hmm... I guess I really should write a few more thank-you letters when I get the chance.

Hahaha...

At least, I started to pull myself together after I saw a volcano with my own eyes for the first time.

Huh? Didn't you just say you were terrified of volcanoes?

Yes, I was. But on top of that terror, I also felt a hint of peace. It doesn't make much sense, does it?

Peace, huh? I... can't say I expected that answer.

Inevitably, I started to think of my mom and dad. At that moment, I suddenly thought, was I seeing the same volcano they had seen?

And all the scholars who came before us, was this what they had seen as well? Even after hundreds of years— even if the locations were completely different, it could be the same boiling lava flowing in front of all of us.

Even if I never got sick, even if the accident never happened, even if I spent my entire life dedicated to studying it... How much could I possibly have figured out the secrets of the eternal behemoth in front of me?

'Why did mom and dad choose this path?' 'Why did mom and dad have to die?'

In front of an eternal, inscrutable question... My questions suddenly seemed so insignificant.

I don't have nearly enough time left here. I don't have any more excuses to shy away, or to keep wallowing in grief and fear.

Eyjafjalla...

I'm sure... mom and dad felt the same way.

I've taken the data they left behind and continued in their footsteps. Now, it's as if they never left this world. They continue to live on in front of me, guiding me forward.

If... one day, I also have to leave this world, there will be someone after me who continues my work where I left off, right?

Incredible... This way, your work will continue to be passed down again and again, it's a kind of immortality.

Hmm... immortality? I've never looked at it that way... *cough* *cough*...

Damn it, did the wind pick up again?

Have a seat here, Eyjafjalla. Being exposed to the wind isn't good for you.

*cough* *cough*... Thanks. Yes, I'm already much better now.

After yakking on all this time, you might've gotten the wrong idea about me, Barty... Really, I'm not that brave.

I just... can't help but think back to an expedition I went on a few years ago.

I was in much better shape back then than I am now. Though I still wasn't very strong, at least I wouldn't bump into things left and right and drag everyone else down.

Nonsense, you haven't been dragging any of us down at all. If anything, you've been looking after us more than anything else.

So cold... Th-The wind's so strong...

Ugh... Even through all these layers, my hands and feet are still shaking...

Hm, now that I think about it, you always struggle with the cold, but every time we get close to you, you seem to run really hot.

That'd be my Arts... It might be something I subconsciously do because I always feel too cold.

Sorry, Barty. You should keep your distance from me if you don't want to risk getting burned.

No need to worry about me. As long as you feel a bit more comfortable, I don't care how hot it gets.

It doesn't actually help. It's just a subconscious reaction anyway, all it gives me is a tiny bit of psychological comfort. In the end, I just go right back to making a fool of myself, shivering all over the place.

Barty, don't you think that with my Originium Arts, and as a Caprinae, the cold shouldn't bother me so much?

Truthfully... I wasn't always like this.

*Sigh*...

Don't worry about it. N-Next time, just make sure to bring even more layers!

Hmm... Some extra clothes, huh...

I should also get my hearing aids adjusted. I'm always mishearing things halfway through, and that's been a bit of a headache for you, hasn't it?

Say... Eyjafjalla... Y-Your leg...

Hm? What's wrong with my leg?

Oh... It seems to be moving on its own...

Haha, are you moving to a beat? I bet it's probably because of that guy, sitting in a faraway place, always singing to himself.

Huh?

I seem to hear it... but also not hear it...

Hmm... This song is something I heard when I was young. Before I realized it, it kept echoing in my head.

You've also started to hum along...

You know, I gotta say, I'm relieved to see you like that.