Above Your Frozen Name

*Sigh*...

Seven sisters...

Once, I had six sisters, both elder and younger.

Including myself, there were seven sisters in all.

'Twas a world much like this Elias...

Nay—'twas a world far more magnificent and full of life... The seven of us were born on the same day, at the same hour.

Thou surely rememberest those days, dost thou not... Mother?

Well... I suppose it matters not even if thou hast forgotten.

To thee, they were surely memories best forgotten.

Failures born of a mistake...

The Eld-Ein, born bearing the direct power of the Yggdrasil Eldr herself.

The Eldyne...!

Mother, thou wast ashamed of our very existence.

To forget us, thou cast us into eternal slumber and departed from our side.

Hah! How utterly pitiful.

And yet... even I, who hath long stewed in resentment toward thee...

At present, I find things a bit difficult.

I wish thou wouldst grant me even a small hint.

Perchance... was this thy desire all along?

Indeed. I came upon Ui, our youngest sister, not long ago... and the sight of her was a shocking thing to behold.

And as a result...

Didst thou not make me realize that my other sisters are already here, somewhere in Elias?

Should I strike thee down, Mother, ill fortune would surely befall my sisters living throughout Elias as well...

This was thy way of restraining me. Forcing me to stay mine own hand, yes?

Whether that was thy true intent or not... know this much.

Think not that I shall forgive thee for leaving our youngest sister in such a ruined state, fie.

I shall find a way to tear thee down by whatever means necessary.

The only change is that I must now harm thee without having my sisters suffer as well.

My final purpose remaineth wholly unchanged, forsooth.

*Sigh*...

I know not if thou art listening or simply ignoring me... Regardless, I feel quite pathetic talking to myself like this.

I am seeking clues that might reveal the whereabouts of my other sisters besides Ui...

Yet the truth of it is painful... There are no answers to be found, prithee.

Whilst Master was away, I secretly copied several Order Certificates and brought them hither...

But why are there so many duplicates...?

Allet, Chopi? Yumimi... Yumimi, Yumimi, Yumimi... There is no end to it, marry!

...xXionx?

What a dreadfully melodramatic name... Looking at the photograph, is this not the proprietress of the convenience store I encountered in Monatium?

Is the Order in such desperate straits that even a convenience store clerk is being recruited?

Mayhap she serveth as a substitute for Banquet Hall duties?

The particulars of her abilities have been deemed "top secret"... 'Tis utterly obscured with black ink...

I cannot make out a single word.

Could there be some hidden power within her?

Even so, 'tis strange.

If she wished to conceal her identity or abilities, it would suffice to fabricate the certificate details, much as I myself have done.

Huh?

This is... the certificate for that sage... the one said to dwell atop the Elemental Mountain Summit?

Special notes... She hath been searching for sisters lost long ago?

Sisters...?

For siblings to exist within Elias is quite a rare occurrence...

Perchance... this could be the clue I seek...

Urgh...

Why hath it suddenly grown so hot?

Are the earth and fire elementals feuding again?

I already dwell underground where ventilation is poor as it is...

If my chamber becometh a boiler room, I shall be unable to attend to my paperwork in peace, prithee!

I must venture outside and survey the situation.

Hngh! Okay, I'll move this over there...

I'd better do a bit of dusting over there, too.

It's been way too long since I last cleaned. I've really collected quite a lot of stuff.

I'm nearly out of tea, too... It'd be quite embarrassing if a guest were to drop by unexpectedly.

I should restock before that happens.

This chest...

These are...

My sisters' footprints...

When I got lost, wandered the wasteland, and finally found my way back to where we were... my sisters were gone. Only their footprints remained.

Fate can be so cruel.

When I was the first to regain my senses, I thought my sisters had gone into an eternal slumber, so I ran from there...

If only I had been more patient and waited... I could have reunited with each of them one by one.

.........

...I had lost hope far too soon.

I was such a fool...

By the time I followed their footprints and arrived in Elias, I thought I'd find them again soon enough, but it hasn't been easy.

I've wandered all over searching for them...

But Elias is far bigger than I expected. I've never once caught sight of any of them...

I thought joining the Order would help me immensely, but nothing's really changed so far...

If anything, helping with Order business has only left me with less time to search for my sisters.

.........

Should I just... let go now?

Perhaps making my peace with it... is the only way forward.

O, Sage! Venerable Sage!

Oh, hello, Epica.

The air atop Elemental Mountain is as fresh as ever today!

Have you come to have some tea again?

Yes, yes, I'm here to share another lovely cup with you amidst this fine scenery!

Oh, I fear I must apologize.

I am all out of tea, so I have nothing to offer you.

Oh, what a shame. Maybe I should have sent word before I showed up...

Though... there is no proper way to send word, is there?

Let's just lay out a picnic mat and chat!

Are you sure that would be sufficient?

I'm sorry for having nothing to offer you after you've climbed all this way.

I did not climb this peak merely to deplete your stores of tea.

Simply speaking with you is enough.

It's like...

Exchanging words with you warms my heart and puts me at ease...

Oh, don't say things like that. You're making me blush.

I know you said it was okay, but I'd still like to treat you to something.

If you're okay with it, why don't we head down the mountain together?

We can find a place to have tea in Sprite Kingdom.

Er... you really don't have to trouble yourself, though...

I have to head down after this anyway, but I would hate to make you climb down and back up again on my account!

No, it's fine. I have a few things to pick up while I'm down there anyway.

Hmm... Very well! Then let us descend together.

I know a wonderful little teahouse.

Um, Venerable Sage?

Something's been on my mind for a while now...

Has something unpleasant happened? You look pretty down...

Oh... It's nothing.

I've just had some personal things on my mind.

You have? Please feel free to share them with me if you like!

I pride myself on the tales I tell, but I am an equally skilled listener.

Hmm... Should I tell her about this...?

I mean, there really isn't a reason to hide it...

But it's strange... Whenever I try to bring up my sisters, my heart starts to race.

Well... The thing is...

I've been searching for someone I've lost...

Are they a dear friend of yours?

Um... yes, you could say that.

I've been searching for quite a long time, but no matter how hard I look, I've come up empty.

So lately... I've started wondering if it might be time to let go.

I always swore I'd never abandon hope...

But I think it's finally starting to wear me down.

It feels like I'm wandering all alone in a foggy forest...

Lost hope, huh...?

That's a terribly difficult burden for the heart to carry.

It is no different from an endless penance.

Personally, I would like to encourage you to never lose hope...

But in the end, what matters most is how you truly feel.

Being shackled to the past and unable to move forward can be quite frustrating, after all.

The fact that you've been struggling with this means that it has already become quite taxing on your soul...

The question now is whether to keep carrying that burden before it makes you physically sick as well...

Something like that, anyway.

What about you, Epica? What do you do when faced with something like this?

Me?

Hmm... I find joy living in the present.

I believe there were times in the past that were rather difficult, though...

What made things that way?

Hmm... This may sound foolish, but... I don't really remember.

Sometimes the tales I tell feel more real than reality itself... and sometimes reality feels like nothing more than another story.

So even the things that may have once troubled me have become hazy.

Maybe it's because she's a storyteller, but Epica's quite unique, isn't she?

Now, now, let's chase away these gloomy thoughts and go get that cup of tea!

Yes, let's.

Where is the teahouse?

Right here...!

Huh?

This isn't a teahouse... It's a tailor shop.

Yes, indeed! 'Tis a secret little teahouse known only to me.

The owner of this tailor shop makes a mean cup of tea!

Whenever I wait for my clothes to be mended, I sip on her tea, and it's always incredible!

B-But it's not a teahouse... Are you sure we can just go in and have tea?

Well... what could be the harm?

Don't worry so much. She always welcomes me warmly whenever I visit.

Huh? What the...?! Ahh! HEY!!!! GET OUT OF HERE RIGHT NOW!

What? You won't even give me a cup of teeea? Laaame!

What?! Would you if you were me?! Seriously, you phantoms are all complete weirdos!

Er...

Heh, heh, heh...

Grr... You'll regret this, you rag-peddler...!

*Siiigh*... I can't take this anymore!

C-Chloe? Is everything alright?

Oh, hello, Epica. Long time no see.

Don't even get me started. That jerk was about to pour the tea I made onto Sebastian.

I knew something was wrong when she started pouring it on her own doll, but then... *Sigh!*

Does she have any idea how hard it is to handwash the cotton stuffing?! Honestly!

Hmm... Seems like today is not your lucky day...

It's okay. I'm fine.

Since you're here, would you like to come in for some tea?

A-Are you sure?

Huh? Of course I am!

A classic fashionista like you is always welcome here, Epica!

Oh, and who is this with you in such old-world elegance?

H-Hello! I'm Aya.

Ohhh... So this is the famous Sage of Elemental Mountain?

Indeed! She is the wisest soul in all of Elias!

No, I'm not that wise.

I can't even solve my own problem!

Please, don't sell yourself short, Venerable Sage!

Think of how many souls have found their way thanks to your counsel!

I simply say what I think is right for the situation.

When looking from an outside perspective, the answer is usually closer than you think.

Hmm, closer than you think, eh...?

Well, can't say you're wrong.

Ahem! Well then... let's get down to a little business.

H-Huh?

You're a famous figure in Elias, and you're in my shop! I can't just sit here sipping away at tea.

Venerable Sage, let's take your measurements!

N-No, it's okay! I'm not here to get fitted for some new clothes.

Oh, I won't take no for an answer!

But I do not even have the money to afford such high-end clothing...

Your first outfit's on the house!

Having someone famous wear my designs is great publicity in itself.

Just think of it as payment for the tea.

Um... a-are you sure?

Yes, it's quite all right! That is how I first acquainted myself with Chloe, too!

Though your situation is a hundred—no, a thousand times better than mine.

I was just dragged here all of a sudden while I was in the middle of a street performance, you know!

Oh, Epica! Why are you being like that?

You make it sound as if I did something terrible to you!

Er... haha... I mean, the outfits you make are always the finest, yes...

But, you definitely tend to be a bit aggressive...

Hmph... You can't survive in this business without being a little shameless.

Let's see... Okay, come stand over here for me, Venerable Sage. Let's start by taking your full measurements.

E-Eeek! Th-That tickles!

Hold still! Are you really that ticklish?

This feels strange...!

Neck and shoulder circumference... chest... waist... Hmm?

Ooh la la... You've got pretty impressive proportions all around, don't you, Venerable Sage?

It's almost like... like...

Wait...

.........

What's the matter, Chloe?

.........

Excuse me... is there something wrong?

Hmm, why are you so deep in thought, Chloe?

.........

We didn't have measuring tape like this back when I was little...

But... I remember this feeling.

When I hugged her from behind... it felt similar to this...

You don't look well. Did I do something wrong?

Ah... the thing is...

I'm not sure if I should say this...

Did something trouble you all of a sudden? I don't know what's making you hesitate, but please speak freely.

The Venerable Sage will listen to any troubles you have and provide an answer.

Hmm.

Did you happen... to come from outside Elias?

Wh-What?

At first, I thought it was just a strange coincidence that you had the same name...

But now, I just can't let it go...

I need to know for sure!

Do... you know about the world beyond Elias?

The world beyond Elias...? Isn't that something that exists only in old fairy tales?

Epica, be quiet for a second.

I must hear the Venerable Sage's answer.

*S-Sniff...*

I... I...

.........

Um, before I answer... can I ask you something first?

Huh? What is it?

I'm curious... Why are you asking about where I'm from?

Hmm.

I have sisters I was separated from long ago.

We lived together, but then we were scattered apart.

After that, I followed my own path and came to Elias.

Were you looking for your sisters...?

No, not particularly.

What would be the point?

We had all been abandoned anyway.

What?

I had four older sisters and two younger...

When I woke up, none of my older sisters were left.

All that remained were footprints leading somewhere...

While I looked over my two sleeping little sisters, a thought crept into my mind...

"Our older sisters didn't care and left us behind...

So, what's the point of me doing this either?"

You abandoned your remaining sisters and left...?

No, I couldn't bring myself to do that.

I sat there and agonized over it over and over.

...

Sebastian... Now thinking back to when I first met her...

I used to whine and beg to be held so much that Mother gave me Sebastian.

She told me to hold onto Sebastian instead of her.

Sebastian was... A doll filled with her warmth...

Since that day, I don't think we've been apart for even a second.

And then... I gave all the power I had left to Sebastian.

Of course, I've grown up now, and Sebastian has gotten much better with her separation anxiety, so we can spend time apart now, sometimes, but still.

...

I think I was only able to go on because Sebastian was with me.

The reason I could continue on after losing my sisters...

It was because Sebastian was there with me.

Even now, when I hold her, I can still feel that warmth from back then.

Still... I can't help missing my real mother and my real sisters.

I turned her into a teddy bear that could look after my sisters even after I left.

But... Sebastian is with you right now, isn't she?

After I left, I found Sebastian following me through the wasteland.

I suppose it's because I created her or something. It seems like she grew more attached to me than to my sisters.

I scolded Sebastian and tried to go back to my sisters...

...but I couldn't find the way back.

Eventually, I collapsed from exhaustion, and when I woke up... I found myself in Elias.

It seems Sebastian carried me all the way to this world.

.........

Wait... you're... really...

Chloe...?

Are you really the Chloe I used to know...?

You were this close all along and... I still failed to find you...?

I've been searching for you this whole time...!

I remember being startled when I overheard the name "Chloe" in passing... I was going to say something to you then...

But you looked so different from the Chloe I remembered... I thought you just happened to have the same name...!

I ended up just turning away in disappointment, but...

But... are you telling me that was really you?

To think we'd finally meet again—

Stay away from me.

Huh?

I've already made my peace with the past.

To be honest, it's something I never want to remember again.

The memory of me looking over my sisters who looked like they'd never wake up...

The memory of me resenting my sisters who had left us behind...

I won't blame my older sisters for leaving Sebastian behind with our younger sisters.

Because as time passed, I came to understand why you guys left...

Just like you, I simply hated the silence of enduring it by myself.

And so, I left.

I moved on...!

I put the past behind me and just kept moving forward.

That's why...

I wish you wouldn't suddenly appear now and start acting like my sister again.

Ch-Chloe! That's a really cruel thing to say!

Ah...

But... Chloe...

Get out.

Wait... Let's just talk this out for a moment...

I said get out!!!

Chloe...!

.........

Chloe...

Ch-Chloe...

Are you really the Venerable Sage's sister?

You're the sister she said she'd lost...?

Please, don't do this and try to talk—

Be quiet! *Sniff, sob!*

*Waaah, hic!*

Why now...?! After all this time...?!

Chloe...

It was all in my head...

A complete delusion to think that a reunion with my sisters would be nothing but happiness.

I'm such a fool.

Why did I convince myself things would turn out that way?

Chloe's completely right...

I left my sisters behind and ran away...

I walked and walked, leaving my sleeping sisters behind.

I think I wandered aimlessly through that desolate wasteland, half out of my mind.

I just wanted to be alone and never be reminded of such a terrible sight again...

Whether the mountain peak stayed hidden or the ocean stretched without end...

I simply kept walking—letting my feet lead the way.

But as I wandered through that empty land alone, little by little... my senses began returning to me.

Snow was falling all around me, you see.

As I walked across the ground blanketed in those cold snowflakes...

I slowly began to reclaim the pieces of myself that I had cast away.

I had always known that snow was a bad omen.

Mother had always been wary of it.

She always warned us sisters to be careful as well...

Saying that when snow begins to fall, it's like the world preparing to slip into a long slumber.

But...

As I stepped across that snow-covered land, those words felt strange for the first time.

If she was that wary of snow... shouldn't she have kept us from learning about it in the first place?

That's when curiosity took hold of me.

I decided to observe the snow with a clear mind.

That's when I realized...

When the long, long winter finally comes to an end...

When the snow stops falling completely...

Warm sunlight fills that space...

Flowers and plants lift their heads once more, and vibrant colors begin to fill the white canvas again...

And the long-awaited spring returns at last.

To sleep means to wake again someday.

Snow was not a sign of the world's end.

It was simply time for the world to take a brief rest.

I wonder if Mother knew that...

At first, I resented Mother for abandoning us sisters and leaving...

But I began to wonder if maybe she was trying to awaken us to reality in her own cold way.

That's when I decided not to give in to despair anymore.

But once I had completely regained my senses, I realized something else...

That I had run off by myself, leaving my younger sisters behind.

It was no different from what Mother had done to us.

No matter what Mother intended... I couldn't allow my sisters to learn the truth in the same cruel way I had.

I cherished them more than anyone.

I thought if I explained things gently... kindly... they would understand.

So, to fix my mistake, I hurried back as fast as I could.

To the place where my sisters had been.

However...

After all the time I spent wandering, I realized I had missed my chance.

I finally returned to the land where I had awakened... but no one remained there.

Just as I had awakened and found my own path... they had all left to find theirs as well.

When they woke up, were my sisters all alone like I was?

Are they wandering this lonely world... resenting Mother just like me...?

If only I had been a little stronger and waited for them... they wouldn't have been alone...

And...

And now I've realized...

Just as I resented Mother...

Just as I resented her for abandoning us...

My sisters resent me in exactly the same way.

I had simply repeated the exact same thing Mother had done.

Huh?

Isn't that Aya?

Aya? Where've you been? Did you go hiking down the mountain?

Sylla...

What's wrong? Why the long face?

Did something bad happen?

I think I'm just... tired.

My eyes feel like they're closing on their own.

It's like... my body wants to drift into a deep sleep.

I wanna lie with you... here atop this summit under this cold blanket.

Wh-What are you talking about?

Didn't you say you were going to fix that way of speaking? You're making zero progress, zero.

I'm just going to close my eyes, Sylla... Sorry...

Huh?

Aya, your lodge is just up ahead!

Go rest up inside your home!

Hm? What's this?

This sudden chill in the air...?

I know Elemental Mountain Summit's always cold enough that the snow never melts, but still...

It's like the air around us has gotten heavier somehow...

Aya controls the snow, so she should be fine sleeping here, right?

Aya, I'm going to go check the surrounding skies.

O-Okay...

If you're still conscious, go sleep in your lodge. I don't want to see you here when I get back, okay?

Okay...

Hehe... Check this out, ED!

This is the money that just came into my account from my latest job!

.........

This time, I studied Monatium's civil court precedents and drafted an "Ironclad Compulsory Remittance Contract"!

Even those elves had to admit defeat. They paid me everything!

This is the most I've ever made after taxes! Heeheehee!

What are you going to do with that money...

...Sis?

Every time I visit, I can't help but think the Order Underground is so dreary... Not to mention, I feel bad for constantly having to rely on Master...

I'm going to buy a house for you and me to live in together!

My current apartment is a bit cramped, and the neighbor upstairs can be a bit too loud for you to get any sleep...

Not to mention, it's troublesome with the elves keeping an eye on Nata...

So, I'll find a place on the outskirts, where City Hall's authority is at its weakest!

Hmm... Would it not be better to live outside the elven city entirely?

Hmm, no, I don't think that's the way to go.

From my experience, living in the city is the most convenient.

Honestly, a place is only livable if there's a 24-hour convenience store nearby.

You don't need to worry too much. I'll take care of everything.

I've even been getting real estate advice from Goldy, too!

Xion, you are always working so hard for the sake of ED and me.

No, no, it's fine! Just trust your big sis! Hehe!

You really don't have to go to these lengths...

For me, Nata's cradle is my home.

So, please try to live more for your own sake...

...Sis.

You may be fine, but Nata needs a comfortable place to stay, too.

Living in the underground while walking on eggshells around the Head Priestess must be stressful, too.

Ah... Sorry, Nata.

It is okay, ED.

.........

If this is truly what you want, Sis... then okay.

But...

I want you to understand one thing...

If you're doing this out of guilt, you really don't have to.

H-Huh? Guilt?

I watched our sisters leave one by one.

I understand why they had to go.

It was hard for me to bear, too.

If Nata hadn't found me and taken me in, I don't know what I would have done.

So... I don't want you blaming yourself for leaving me behind...

...Sis.

.........

Don't get the wrong idea.

I didn't abandon you!

I went looking for our eldest sister and got lost!

I just... *Sniff*

Finally found my lost little sister again... *Sniff* ...And now I'm catching up to everything I should have done for you as your big sister! That's all!

This is strange.

Is this dream only partially accepting the facts that I know?

Xion...

Do you not know why our eldest sister left?

Our eldest sister? What do you mean?

Whenever my dream of the wasteland repeats, our eldest sister always leaves us.

She sees us asleep and runs away in shock.

And she never comes back.

That's when you see the traces she left behind and follow after her...

Then our next sister, and the next one after that... One after another, everyone leaves.

A-And then?

Nata takes me away.

Nata's programming, which was meant for medical treatment, determines the priority. It chooses between our youngest sister and me, and leaves with the one with the weaker signal.

Then our youngest sister is still in that wasteland?

Well...

...I don't know.

It's strange.

Our youngest sister's presence is so faint.

I don't think it used to be like this...

I can't even remember her name.

Sis... do you happen to remember it?

Now that you mention it... I don't know either. I can't remember it.

Maybe I need to go there to look for her.

Could I even find the way? I couldn't back then, either...

Every time I tried to go back, I failed...

I wandered and wandered, and eventually ended up in Elias.

I have the travel data saved, Xion.

If it is the place where I retrieved ED, I should be able to locate it by searching through my data.

R-Really?!

That's our Nata! The cold, mechanical intellect of a robot!

Th-Thank you...

By the way, ED...

Weren't you about to explain why our eldest sister left?

Do you know something?

She... abandoned us.

Wh-Wha...?

She looked at us sleeping and was reminded of Mother.

She screamed, trembled all over, and ran away.

There was only resentment, hatred, and despair...

It was unusually cold that day.

Cold enough for frost to form across the wasteland, which only ever had dust storms.

Cold enough that I nearly woke up from my sleep.

And she never came back.

.........

Y-You must be mistaken!

She was always full of hope and positivity!

Sis...

Hope unfulfilled is nothing but a nightmare.

They only become baggage upon your soul.

And if you can't bear that weight... you'll just be crushed by it, left in nothing but agony.

Forever...

Urgh...

No way... You're always dreaming anyway, ED...!

Reality is different!

Our eldest sister must have had her reasons for doing what she did!

So don't just go judging her like that! Understood, ED?

.........

Okay... Sis...

Aaaaaah! What the hell?!

Huh? What was that?

Excuse me, what's happening? Why is everyone making such a fuss?

Look outside!

Outside...?

Snow...! It's snowing!

Croakie... It's snowing.

Not the flour that friend-riding friend asked for... Real snow.

I'm cold.

You too, right, Croakie? I don't think I've experienced anything like this before.

Hey, you! Drizzle Elemental!!

Huh?

Hurry... Come here and help us!

What's wrong, blue dragon friend?

You're the Drizzle Elemental, so you're kind of like a water elemental, right?

Y-Yeah. A bit...

Naia seems to be sick! Please help her!

Naia...? She's sick?

Urrrgh... hnnnngh...

I decided to visit the lake for the first time in a long time, and I just found her shivering like this.

I'm cold... So cold...

Are you okay, Naia?

These tears... It's weird... I can't stop crying...

Naia, get a hold of yourself!

Silphir... I'm just so exhausted...

Can you... Can you please just do that for me once...?

Wh-What are you talking about all of a sudden?!

I don't have much time left...

I want to hear you say it one last time...

Say... "Pew, pew!"

W-Will you shut it?!

Let's go, Drizzle Elemental! Hurry up and do something!

She's completely lost it!

The lake is freezing over.

Naia's home is getting cold, so it's affecting her, too.

Are you saying it's because of this snow?

It only seems to be falling around Elemental Mountain...

Maybe she'll get better once she's away from here.

I don't really know for sure, but I'll wish for that to happen.

A wish? What are you talking—

There.

Now take Naia and distance yourselves from Elemental Mountain.

That'll make her better.

Er, y-you're sure about this, right?

Toss me far, far away... to the warm south... hnnnngh.

How am I supposed to know where you'll land if I do that?!

I'll carry you on my back, so just be quiet and stay still!

Urgh... Your back is so cold, Silphir... Is that just a "born-from-a-stone" dragon thing?

How unpleasant. You should have warmed yourself up with a torch or something beforehand.

Is now really the time to nitpick that stuff?!

The elementals always make sure that Elias is warm...

But Naia is being affected by the weather instead.

What in the world happened?

The Elemental Mountain Summit... It's covered by clouds, so it's hard to see.

Croakie, let's head up and go see our wind elemental friend.

She's the one who manages the weather by influencing the others, so she might know something.

You there! Halt, prithee!

H-Huh?

The well-spoken white dragon friend? Hi Vivi!

In the underground, the earth and fire elementals didst kindle the temperature to such a height that it rivaled a sauna, so I sought to know what was amiss...

To think the surface is so cold, despite how greatly they have roused the geothermal heat...

Something most grave is unfolding.

Did you follow the blue dragon friend to the surface?

I care not for Sapphire's comings and goings, marry.

Nay, it is thy movements that interest me.

Thou art the one who caused this snow, art thou not?

What? I caused the snow?

Last time... Er... yes, it was a rumor! I heard a rumor, forsooth.

That thou once joined forces with a taunting ghost to make snow fall.

Is this not thy doing once again?

N-No! I didn't make this snow!

Even back then, that wasn't real snow... it was only something snow-adjacent!

Th-The flour elemental friend and I made fake snow fall...

Hmm.

I'm telling the truth! And I have nothing to do with this either!

I also thought something was off, so I was planning to go to the summit.

It seems you are not speaking a falsehood.

The summit... I have never before seen clouds gather in such a manner...

Could what is happening be related to the wind elemental?

I'm not sure.

The snow elemental friend also lives up there.

What... didst thou say?

A snow elemental?

Can such a being truly exist?

Yes! She built a house up there and lives there with the wind elemental.

She built a home and lives there, eh...?

An elemental's dwelling is ordinarily nature itself...

If she hath built a house to live in, then verily, she must not be a true elemental.

Ui, art thou intending to climb to the summit?

Yep! Naia is sick, too... and everyone seems to be having a hard time.

I am going to meet the elemental friends up on the summit to solve this.

Then I shall accompany thee, prithee.

It seemeth too dangerous to send thee alone.

Really? You'll help me?

Thank you!

.........

Th-There is no need for thanks... No need at all, forsooth!

Aya? Where are you?!

I know you're here somewhere! Do you have any idea what's happening right now?

Answer me! Ugh... What in the world is happening?

Wait... Over there...?

Aya!!!

What are you doing here?

Can't you see what's happening around you?

Hurry off this mountain immediately! Go somewhere safe while I hold back this blizzard!

I don't know how much longer I can hold on.

The blizzard is so fierce that even with my wind, I can't block it all!

I abandoned them all...

That's why it's come to this...

What...?

It's all my fault.

My actions have caused all this...

Wait, Aya...

You're saying you caused this blizzard?

I suspected you for a moment since you're the snow elemental, but I never thought you had it in you to do something like this...!

I'm not the snow elemental, Sylla.

What? What are you suddenly talking about?

I... am the firstborn child of this world.

A-Aaargh! My head... It feels like it's splitting...!

You won't be able to stop me with your power.

I'm at a loss for what to do anymore...

Pull... yourself together...!

Are you planning on freezing the entire world or something?

I can't stop it either... Mother's power has always been this way.

Even Mother herself feared it.

The moment she learned a new concept... it instantly became a law of the world.

And I... I inherited that power exactly as it was...

Whenever I lost control, something terrible always happened.

Back when I saw my sisters lying motionless and fled into the wasteland in fear...

A blizzard always followed me.

But... I truly had no idea...

I never imagined my sisters would wake up again as I did.

Yes... Mother's whims were always impossible to predict.

But... but...

I think it's too late to fix any of it now.

I don't know what I'm supposed to do anymore...

Aya...?! What... are you talking about...?!

Stop this at once...! Controlling the snow... that is your ability!

AHHHHH!!

Oh no! That's...!

The wind elemental... swept away by the wind...?

Something quite dire is unfolding, forsooth.

I am quite curious as to how such an incident hath come to pass...

Let's just go down already!!

We can't turn back now!

Hm? And who might those be ahead...?

Oh, that's the sewing sprite friend and the talkative werebeast friend!

Look at this weather! What do you expect me to do in this mess?!

Even if I'm going to apologize, let's wait until the weather clears up!

Have you ever been buried in snow, Epica? I have! Do you know how difficult that was for me?

I know it all too well! I have heard the tales often. Stories of your heroics when a blizzard hit Sprite Kingdom!

That is why there is no one better suited for this!

This whole disaster started right after the Venerable Sage went back up the mountain, didn't it?! You can apologize later, but first, we have to save her from that blizzard!

Well...

You are the only one with experience carving a path through snow like this, are you not?!

Is it not a unique experience that only you have faced in all of Elias?! I'll do whatever you ask of me, so let's just save the Venerable Sage first!

I won't pry into whatever happened between you and the Venerable Sage in the past.

However, this is the right thing to do!

Someone is trapped up there, and we can save them. Simple as that!

.........

You're right, but still...

Hey, friends! Do you mean that the snow elemental friend is trapped up there?

Oh? Who do we have here? The Drizzle Elemental of the pond!

Have you also come to rescue the Venerable Sage?

We've come to talk to the wind elemental friend, but if someone is trapped there, we'll help too!

We...?

Yeah! I came with a dragon friend—huh?

The white dragon friend was just with me... Where did she go?

Did she get swept away by the wind?

Either way, this works out splendidly. We'll need all the help we can get for something like this!

...Fine.

I'll help.

But... I'm not going up there to save my sister, okay?

I'm only going up to save someone who's trapped up there. That's all.

Yeah, yeah, okay.

And don't start lecturing me later about apologizing, Epica.

Ugh! I said I got it, alright?!

Get behind me, everyone.

Sebastian is going to lead the way by digging through the snow and tunneling a path.

There's no way to move forward if we take this blizzard head-on.

Sounds about right! Facing things directly is not always the answer.

Just like in the legends of old, where the hero uses their wits to save the day!

Talkative friend, you're as chatty as ever today!

We'll leave it to you, Sebastian!

If your arms get frayed, I'll mend them for you later!

Yikes!

I could've sworn Sebastian just nodded... Could I just have imagined it?

Wooow! Doll friend-riding sewing friend, you're amazing!

Ugh—the snow being dug out is piling up behind you... It's getting hard to keep up!

Back in Sprite Kingdom, I only had to worry about getting through by myself...!

I'll just keep going by myself, so you guys just wait here!

No way! We'll help too!

Ribbit!

What? You'll eat the snow Sebastian digs out, Croakie?

Ribbit!

Ugh... Whatever! Do what you will! Follow us if you can, and if you can't, stay behind!

Ribbit! *Munch, munch*

Good! Excellent! Great teamwork!

I had no idea you had this side to you, Chloe! It's wonderful!

Let's keep pushing forward!

We'll save the Venerable Sage and make it out again!

Sis...

It'll be dangerous going forward, so wait here.

What?! There's no way I'm waiting here!

If it's dangerous for me, it's dangerous for you too!

I'm the older sister! It's my job to protect you!

But...

This blizzard is dangerous.

I don't know why this is happening in my dream...

But maybe... I brought this on myself.

What's that supposed to mean?

I once thought that I wanted to live buried in my dreams forever.

Maybe that has caused me to lose control over my own dream.

I've thought about it after everything that's happened.

Even though I am the master of this dream, things that threaten me happen far too often.

It could be that another version of me has taken control of this dream.

What?

I may have unconsciously created a being that grabs hold of my dream and bends it to its will.

Because I did not want to take control myself... something else appeared to do it instead.

ED, do you suffer from D.I.D. or something?

...What? D.I.D.? What does that mean?

Dissociative! Identity! Disorder!

I learned about it while studying for the Monatium medical civil service exam.

It's when a different personality of yours takes over under certain conditions, making you act like you're someone completely different!

One of the characters in the novel I'm writing is plagued by the very same condition!

.........

The more I think about it, the stranger it becomes.

How is it that, in my dream, my sister knows words that even I have never heard before?!

I-I could just be smart, you know!

.........

I suppose... If my sister were this smart...

She probably wouldn't be scraping by working part-time at a convenience store, would she?

I suppose a dream is just a dream after all...

Admittedly, I find that bit difficult to grasp as well, Xion.

Listen! I only keep my convenience store part-timer shifts for emotional reasons, okay?!

Anyway... if you're coming, stick close to me.

I will blow away any blizzard that comes near us to the far side of this dream.

What are you even trying to do by entering the blizzard?

The being who holds control of this dream will be at the heart of it.

Once I reclaim control of this dream, I can stop this blizzard...

...Sis.

Alright, roger that!

Even a legendary sharpshooter like yours truly couldn't possibly pick off every single snowflake drifting through this cold air with my magic bullets...!

But the mighty Xion will follow close behind and find the perfect way to support the team!!

.........

...Once I regain control of this dream, I'll have to make adjustments so that Sis spends less time on that Darknet thing.

That's going to be impossible, ED... This isn't a dream, after all...

Might that be the convenience store part-timer I encountered in Monatium...?

And what is that giant sphere?

They seem to be conversing... Perchance someone rideth within?

I cannot see clearly whilst concealing myself.

One is trapped atop the mountain...

And behind her... two, three, four... six altogether in this blizzard?

Counting me, that makes seven...?

...What a truly bizarre coincidence.

Even more curious, every last one of us belongeth to a different race.

Surely... it cannot possibly be so. And yet...

The situation is far too convincing.

For we sisters... have such bitter memories of the snow.

Indeed. Bathed in the snowflakes falling from the skies... we fell into an eternal slumber together.

'Twas our first experience of despair.

Thus started that wretched moment... when Mother, whom we believed would forever remain beside us and care for us... sought to erase our very existence.

.........

...Hmph!

Thou hast not changed one bit!

To think I was secretly worried that you might have changed even slightly!

Since the new realm of Elias, which we didst help nurture and came to call home, appeared so tranquil and joyous...

I did wonder if thou hadst forsaken thy former ways and learned to show us a measure more kindness...

Well, 'tis for the best, marry.

I need no longer carry guilt...

...Mother! Ohohohoho!

This is bad.

Huh? Why? What's wrong?

We... can't figure out where we're supposed to be going...

Wh-What?!

We just dove under the snow and started tunneling all confidently...

But we're just digging in a straight line without deciding on a destination!

We just jumped in headfirst without even knowing where my sis is!

Oh, you called the Venerable Sage your sis! How truly moving!

A gesture of reconciliation! A fine attitude!

Huh?! It's not like that!!

Epica, you egged us on, so we jumped in without thinking!

What are we going to do now?! We can't see anything above the snow, so we can't do anything!!

Urgh... maybe I should do something...?

But... I promised to use my abilities as little as possible...

Oh, it's alright! This is not a situation that requires any powers!

I believe we simply need to poke a hole and take a peek!

What?

Watch! I'll show you that my horns are not merely for decoration!

.........

.........

.........

Apologies.

I seem to be stuck.

Are you a fool?!

EEEEEEK!

Wh-What the...?!

How could you just shoot your gun all of a sudden, Sis?

A spike popped out of the ground, and I fired on instinct! Stuff like that's always a trap in games!

Oh, you're that Monatium 25 part-timer who only ever orders black outfits!

Huh?! Bard Meistersinger Epica? Rain Sprinkler Ui?

And even Fairy Kingdom Boutique Meister Señorita Chloe?!

Argh! I thought I told you I'd stop taking your orders if you called me that again! It gives me the creeps!

What in the world are you guys doing here?

We came to stop the blizzard... Are you here for the same reason?

It'll be really treacherous! And... who is that next to you, Xion?

Huh...? Wait... You're...!

Oh no! N-Nata! Hide ED! Quick!

Why... are our sisters here...?

What?

Whaaaat?!

Huh? Huuuh...?

Sisters...?

I suppose a dream is merely a dream after all...

Sisters? What do you mean...?

Don't try to fool me with that flimsy disguise.

The very attempt is laughable.

For I can see straight through this dream.

Yeah! ED? You're ED...!

You're exactly how I remember you!

Other than those slightly pointy elf-like ears...

You came to Elias after waking up, too?

When did you get here?! I thought you were still in the wasteland this whole time!

You're my sister, too, Fairy Kingdom Boutique Meister Señorita Chloe?

She's our fifth sister.

You don't recognize her?

She looks different from before... I just thought the name was a coincidence.

I thought the same... It felt weird asking outright just because you had the same name.

So Xion... You were my sister?

I mean... you were kind of a loser back then, too, but still...

Hey! I am not a loser!

Wait... Don't tell me that Epica and Ui are our sisters too?!

I don't really know about the one on the frog... She's a bit of a haze to me...

It's like if I touch her... she'll scatter like mist.

The horned one is our third sister.

Oh, Epica is our third sister?!

Have you been deceiving me this whole time?!

I-I have no idea what you're talking about!

I have no sisters! I am but a wandering bard, roaming the forests alone and weaving tales!

She doesn't look like she's lying...

How strange. To me, her true form beneath this exterior is plain to see...

Could it be that she's... denying her own self?

Excuse me...!

Huh?

Now is not the time for this!

We need to help our snow elemental friend!

Ah, r-right!

Were you guys just wandering through this blizzard?

Then I guess that means you must know where the Venerable Sage is!

Elemental Mountain Philosopher is here too? In this blizzard?!

She's our sister.

Huh?

She's the eldest.

Sage of Elemental Mountain Aya is our eldest sister.

Our eldest sister...?

F-First, come up out of there.

The blizzard won't affect us if we stay close to ED.

ED, where is our oldest sister? Can you see where she is?

I can.

That's where I've been leading us since the beginning.

Really? Let's hurry, then!

She's trapped in this blizzard!

Stick close to ED, everyone!

We're going to save our big sister now!!

I'm not here for that. I'm not here to save her.

Huh?

I need to eliminate her.

Our big sister... she's the one driving this blizzard.

She's the one who is destroying this dream.

What...?

She's over there.

She is slumped over... being consumed by the dream.

Xion...

Yeah...?

It'll be dangerous to go any closer, even for me.

To win this struggle for control... We must settle this right here, right now.

I trust in you, Sis.

Use your ability to shoot our big sister.

Wh-What are you saying, ED?!

Sometimes a dream must be resolved with a dream.

If you help me, it will be possible for me to regain control here.

I don't want to abandon this dream.

All this time, I treated everything as nothing more than a worthless dream...

But after I met you, Xion, I want more...

I want this happiness to last forever.

I don't want this dream to come apart.

Huh?

What are you talking about right now?

You will all understand soon that this decision was the right one.

So, please do as I ask, Xion...

ED, I'm telling you... This is not a dream!

Don't worry, Sis.

This is all part of my dream. If the illusion falls apart... I can simply create them again.

What are you two talking about right now?

What exactly are you planning to do to our eldest sister?

We're not going to do anything! I'm not going to shoot her! How could I ever?!

Then what the hell is ED saying?!

ED... She's under the delusion that everything around her is a dream...!

Even when I tell her it's all real... she won't believe me at all.

What...?

B-But I've been staying by her side, and she's been getting much better lately!

She's still a bit awkward about it... but she's even started calling me "Sis"!

She's starting to acknowledge my existence!

Seriously...

...I can't stand this anymore.

This is why the younger ones are so spoiled! You coddle them so much!

Are you still that much of a loser?!

Huh? What are you doing, Chloe?!

SNAP OUT OF IT!!!!

GAH! What the heck are you doing all of a sudden?!?!

Wh-What is the meaning of this?!

It seems like talented sewing sprite friend is angry!

What...

What in the world...

How can a figment of my imagination from a dream do this...?

Stop sleeping your life away!!!!

You've always been like this! Always dozing off in some corner by yourself!

You spend every waking moment in a daze, unable to tell dreams from reality!

This is reality! If you've had that much sleep, it's time you woke up!!!

Ch-Chloe, calm down!

How could you slap your own sister?!

That's what happens when you're too soft and let things slide, Sis!

When somebody does something wrong, you have to scold them sometimes!

E-Even so, hitting her is going too far!

What if you really hurt her?!

Hurt her...?

Aren't you hurting too?

We've all been hurt the same way!

We're all miserable!

You want me to go easy on her since she's our younger sister?

And besides, she isn't even that much younger!

We were created seconds apart! That's all! That's what decided who was older or younger!

Or what? Is this a contest to see who has the most pathetic life?

She's lived in her little delusion long enough. It's time for a reality check!

After all this time... We've finally crossed paths...

You've finally reunited with your sisters!

If you can't even realize that and just think it's all a dream... *Sniff*

There can't be anything more foolish than that!!!

So... just go save our big sister!

Stop this nonsense about controlling dreams or shooting guns!

Just bring our eldest sister back to her senses!!!!

Because then... only then can I apologize...!

I can't let her last memory of me be those horrible things I said to her...!

Sis... I didn't mean what I said!

I just kept all that buried inside for too long... and when I saw you again, it just all came flooding out!

I didn't really mean it...!

Chloe...

So... snap out of it and stop all of this...

Sis!!!!!

It... wasn't a dream?

ED? You... opened your eyes?!

Oh? ED's vitals have suddenly all returned to normal!

Everything was real this whole time...?

ED? Are you with us? How're your cheeks? Do they hurt?

Uh, who are you...?

Don't tease me at a time like this! It's wrong to mess with your older sister like that!

Is this what you looked like in reality?

Huh?

Second sister? Third and fifth sister, too...?

You all look very different from what I saw in my dream...

This must be why you didn't recognize each other...

ED seems to have been confused because the reality she perceived changed so abruptly, Xion.

I-I see.

ED, it's me! Your second sister, Xion!

Our eldest sister is over there! Hurry and use your abilities to rescue her!

My... abilities...?

Ungh. Urgh... ugh!

It's no use...

Now that I have awakened from the dream... I cannot use any of my abilities.

Brr! I-It's suddenly become so cold!

Since I thought it was a dream... I could shape things however I wanted...

Oof, it's so cold! The blizzard is breaking through!

The ambient temperature is dropping rapidly! We need to take cover now!

The hole! Let's get into the hole!

Wait! What about Chloe?!

Fifth sister...?

Just a little more... Please hold out just a little longer, Sebastian.

Our eldest sister is right in front of us now!

I have to go wake her up!

Just like with ED... I have to wake her up!

Wha...?

What's wrong, Sebastian?

Come on, let's go!

You're trying to protect me? It's okay! I'm fine, let's just keep going a little further!

Don't stop here!

I'll push from behind, Sis.

Huh? ED!

I'll go with you... To our big sis...

I'm coming too!

I'll help too!

Me too! I'll help too!

I will stop the blizzard long enough for you to reach our sister!

The blizzard stopped!

I don't know how you did it, but... thank you, Ui!!

Thou shalt not be able to hold it for long, prithee.

H-Huh? Dragon friend? Where have you been?

This blizzard is the power of despair inherited from Mother...

'Tis a force that standeth contrary to the one thou dost command.

Bid them to make haste, prithee.

If they tarry too long, it may become completely impossible to stop.

O-Okay!

Let's hurry, everyone! I don't think I can hold back the blizzard for long!

Understood!!

Forward! Chaaarge!

After all we went through to find each other again... Do you think I'm just going to let you go now?!

This time I'm holding on tight so you can never leave again!

Our long-awaited reunion is finally within reach!

Though our circle is still incomplete...

It took everything we had just to make it to this point!

The days I spent floundering in my dreams... wasting away in vain...

I no longer want to live with my eyes closed to the world...

I want to embrace you in real life... not just in a dream!

So...

Snap out of it, Big Sis!!!

.........

This warmth...

It's like a distant memory I've been aching for...

I went so long without it that I forgot about it...

I never thought I'd feel it again...

Urgh...

Chloe...?

*Sniff... Sooob... Sniff... Sniff...!*

You came back for me?

I thought you never wanted to see me again...

You idiot!

Did you really think I meant it?!

I've always... I've always been a bit prickly! *Sniffle*

That was just me being stupid!

You're our eldest sister! You can't even remember that about me?! *Hic*

I'm sorry, Chloe...

I'll never leave you again.

I promise to never disappoint you again.

You're allowed to disappoint me! We're sisters, aren't we?!

You... forgive me?

You never did anything wrong to begin with! You left because there was nothing else you could do!

Because you were scared! You panicked!

...Yes, that's right.

Sis...!

I'm the one who's sorry! *Sniff... Sob...* Waaaaaaah!!

There, there, Chloe. You didn't do anything wrong either.

.........

Um... B-By the way...

Who is this clinging to my arm over here...?

I-It's me! Xion! The second of us! Don't you recognize me?

Our second...?

Then... why is Epica hugging me too...?

Apologies.

I simply wished to be a part of such a deeply moving moment for once in my life....

And... who's collapsed over there?

That's ED! You remember ED perfectly well, don't you, Sis?

ED...? That's ED? Why is she like that?

I jumped out of Nata... but it's been so long since I walked that I forgot how to use my legs...

I didn't know snow was this cold... In my dreams, it always felt like soft cotton...

It's like something I've never felt before... It's like it jolts me wide awake.

Gyaaah! ED, stay with me! Are you okay?! ED!!!

Let me see if I got this right...

Before you woke from your dream, you said that Epica was one of our sisters, ED?

If what I saw was correct, then I believe so, Sis.

And you really don't remember anything, Epica?

I... don't quite know...

I don't seem to recall any memories of having any sisters.

However... The "seven sisters" part seems to be strikingly similar to a tale I know called the "Tale of the Garden's Seven Sprouts".

Seven sisters and seven sprouts...

They seem deeply connected.

As ED says, there's a very high chance you truly are one of us, Epica...

Are you sure?

We never had a sister named Epica...

She could have changed her name, couldn't she?

We all look different, so who's to say you couldn't have a different name?

Hmm, that's a fair point.

I am a storyteller, after all.

The name Epica was originally a sort of stage name.

Much like entertainers using aliases when they perform.

Then what was your name before?

I have gone by Sonneta, Torra, and even Faybel before.

Why so many? What was it before you started using stage names?!

Hmm... it was so very long ago that I can hardly remember.

Once I began using the name Epica, it fit so perfectly that it simply stuck...

Hmm...

ED, you said you recognized Chloe and Xion as soon as you saw them, right?

Yes.

Then your insight seems quite reliable.

There's a very high chance that you're actually our sister, Epica. It's a mystery as to why you don't remember anything, though...

We could still live as sisters even if you don't have any memories of us, couldn't we, Epica?

Or would that be too much to ask?

Um... I suppose I would be okay with that.

You're all wonderful souls, and I have had a close relationship with both you and Chloe, Venerable Sage.

I suppose you'll have to call her Big Sis now, Epica.

Um... Well, it'd be a bit awkward to call her that all of a sudden...

I'll try to get used to it over time... but for now, I think it's best if we continue as we always have.

Hmm...

What's with that look on your face, Xion?

Are you having trouble wrapping your head around Epica being one of us?

There's...

There's this novel I wrote...

O-Oh?

Meistersinger of Elias, please read it and tell me what you think!!

Y-You wrote a novel?

It gets a decent amount of views, too! I even got it published and sold about fifty copies at Monatium Bookstore!

If my super-famous storyteller sister gives me feedback on my novel... my path to becoming a best-selling author shall be unstoppable! Bwahaha!

Urgh...

Uggggggggh...!

What's suddenly gotten into you, ED?!

She has probably realized that certain harsh realities of life cannot be altered, Chloe.

Okay, Epica...

Could I trouble you to tell us that tale?

The tale of the seven sprouts you mentioned.

Oh, that? It would be no trouble at all...

Then, please.

I would like to hear it.

I feel as though it might bring back some fond memories.

Even though we're still missing a few of our sisters...

I still believe it would be a truly meaningful moment.

Okay... Got it!

It may be a somewhat dull story, but I shall tell it nonetheless!

Once upon a time, in a time long forgotten...

Seven sprouts bloomed in a corner of the forest...

Hey, friend...!

Well-spoken white dragon friend!

Whatever is the matter?

It seems you get pretty embarrassed easily, don't you, dragon friend?

Whyever wouldst thou think such a thing?

Well, you clearly wanted to help them.

You even stepped up at the end to give me advice, too.

Well, I suppose 'tis true, prithee.

...And pray tell me, art thou not bashful as well?

Thou didst help far more earnestly than I, and yet thou art descending this mountain beside me.

Well, it turns out they were all sisters.

I felt like I would just be in the way of such a family gathering...

So when I saw you slipping away, I decided to follow you, dragon friend!

Oh...?

Well, I suppose it cannot be helped.

In truth, I believe this was for the best.

I would rather not have the Snow Witch learn of thy condition...

Nor do I have any particular desire to reveal my own presence to her either.

For it is plain to see how deeply such wounds would cut into her heart.

Wounds...? Did I make some kind of mistake?

Nay, I meant no such thing, prithee. 'Twas merely a slip of the tongue.

Thou didst well, Drizzle Elemental.

Thou hast made the correct choice.

Shall there ever come a day when we, too, might stand amongst them...?

*Sigh*... Hope... 'Tis a nuisance, growing whether one desires it or not.

.........

Er...

Wouldst thou care to take a stroll with me near the Order today?

Hm? Sure! I always like hanging out with friends!

My gentle elemental friend...

I am minded to buy thee some snacks or sweets this day...

Let us celebrate the reunion of these sisters...

In our own way.

Okay! Let's be happy for them together!

Er... Venerable Sage, are you alright?

Does the story not please you? Your expression grows sadder the further I go.

No... It's only that it brings back memories I once held dear.

It would have been nice to have all of us here together...

Still... having you all here has made me realize once more that I must never let go of hope.

.........

They must be memories you wish to treasure forever?

Yes... That's right.

Every single one of us was extraordinary, yet every single one of us was flawed.

We wanted to be loved, to stand out, to be chosen.

We considered ourselves sisters, but we'd still get jealous and fight from time to time.

It was only after we realized all of that was meaningless...

...did we finally understand that, in the end, all we ever truly had was each other.

And so, we closed our eyes as one.

Much like the mayfly, we were born for a day and were gone by night.

But in our eternal slumber, we became etched into eternity as the Eternal Life sisters...

Therefore...

Before we find our remaining sisters...

Let's try to reclaim the memories we once lost.

Let's do our best, everyone!

Oh, it has been a while, Master!

Yes, I've started putting them up again.

I was feeling so worn down from getting no results that I had halfway given up, but now I feel like I've found hope once more.

Yep! I did!

It's not just some clues—I actually found them in the flesh!

Four of them, in fact! All at once!

Well... one of them is still a bit uncertain...

But given the circumstances, the probability that she is our sister is high.

There's Xion, who lives in Monatium...

Yep! That's right!

And it turns out that Chloe and Epica were my sisters, too.

That's four of my sisters altogether!

It's okay. Even if I had heard it, I probably wouldn't have guessed Epica was my sister either.

Epica herself didn't seem to have any idea, you know...

We sisters are pretty divided over this, too.

I'm not completely sure about the details, but she doesn't seem to have any memories about her past or of any sisters.

Exactly. I feel like we'll be able to find the remaining two very soon.

And once all seven of us are finally together... We'll be able to spend a nice, intimate session with you, Master!

Not yet.

But it can't be helped.

Searching for the sisters I've once lost has always been a frustrating and exhausting task.

And... now that it's clear they all look so different from how I remember them, the search will be even harder.

That's why I couldn't identify them in the first place.

And in Epica's case, her name is just a stage name, too.

Yeah. That's what she said.

She hasn't used her true name in so long that she doesn't seem to even remember it.

Hm? No, don't think like that.

It's not like you can know an Apostle's personal stuff unless they share it with you.

You can't possibly know everything, can you?

There's no need to feel discouraged or anxious over something this natural.

You have your own stuff to deal with, and we have ours, okay?

It's wonderful when we can help each other out, of course...

But it's physically impossible for you to involve yourself in absolutely everything.

I'll let you know if I ever need a hand later.

So, please don't feel like you have to carry the weight of my problems on your own.

Huh? What do you mean? Why do you say that?

E-Eeeek!

Wh-Where is she? I'd better explain things properly and apologize!

C-Can you stay with me, Master? Sylla can be scary when she's angry.

Th-Thank you! I knew I could count on you to press up tight against me and hold me close!

My way of speaking? Eeek!

Did I say something weird again? I thought I'd been really careful lately...!

O-Okay!

Thank you, Master!