The morning of October 1st.
Gentle sunlight filtered through the paper screens and illuminated the room.
The autumn air was crisp and clear. From outside came the faint rustling of leaves in the wind and the soft chirping of small birds.
Five days had passed since the night of the moon-viewing.
Reconstruction after the divine descent in Kyokuto was complete, and everyday life had returned. Thanks to the efforts of Nagisa, Hart, and the others working behind the scenes, the people connected to the cult had already been dealt with. The country was slowly regaining its peace.
On the night of the moon-viewing, Luna had finally touched the principles of the outside and become a Transcendent. Because of the backlash, she had remained asleep for the past several days.
During that time, we took turns looking after her.
Today, Fuka and I were on duty. Fuka sat by the window, enjoying tea and Japanese sweets. Her profile through the steam looked calm and softer than usual.
I sat on the opposite side, passing the time by reading a book.
Fresh flowers that Shion had replaced yesterday stood in a vase beside the bed. Morning light reflected off their petals.
That was when it happened.
"She is waking up," Fuka suddenly murmured.
Her voice was quiet, but her eyes held certainty. She must have seen Luna waking through her future sight.
I closed my book and moved closer to Luna.
Her fingertips twitched slightly. Then her long-closed eyelashes trembled faintly. Slowly, her eyes opened as they caught the sunlight.
"Good morning, Luna," I said softly.
For a moment, Luna stared at the ceiling with unfocused eyes. Then she slowly turned her gaze toward us.
"Good morning, Orun…"
Her voice, unused for several days, was a little hoarse. Even so, the words came out clearly.
When she tried to sit up, Fuka quickly moved behind her and gently supported her back.
"Do not push yourself. It will take a little more time for your body to fully wake up."
"Thank you, Fuka…"
Luna took a small breath and smiled weakly.
"How do you feel?" I asked.
"My head feels a little foggy… but my body is fine."
"You were asleep for five days. Being able to move at all is pretty good."
"Five whole days…?"
"Yes. Today is October 1st."
Luna blinked in surprise.
"So much time had passed…"
"Yes. Outside, everything has turned to autumn colors."
"I must have worried everyone…"
"Do not worry about that. So, how much do you remember, Luna?"
At my question, Luna quietly closed her eyes.
She furrowed her brow as if tracing her memories and murmured softly.
"We were doing the moon-viewing. Everyone was laughing, and then…"
Her words trailed off. Her fingertips trembled slightly on top of the blanket.
"Did you remember?" Fuka asked. Her voice was gentle, as if looking into the distance.
"That night, I touched the outside. Beyond the wall of principles, I reached real magic power."
Luna nodded and clasped her hands in front of her chest.
"And…"
Her voice shook as she continued.
"I remembered Titania… the one I had forgotten."
The moment she spoke the name, the air in the room grew slightly tense. Fuka quietly lowered her gaze, and I placed a hand on Luna's shoulder.
"I see. You remembered. That is good."
Luna let out a deep breath and nodded slowly.
"Yes. There is so much I want to talk about with Titania. I want to go to the Phoenix Shrine right away."
Her eyes held a clear, unwavering light. They looked far stronger and clearer than before she had fallen asleep.
"I understand how you feel, but can you stand?"
When I asked, Luna lifted her body a little and shook her head lightly.
"I am fine. Really."
Despite her words, her fingertips were still trembling. After sleeping for five days, it would take more time for strength to return to her body. Even so, her will seemed strong.
"Understood. But first, let us eat breakfast. We should prepare properly before heading to the Phoenix Shrine."
Luna gave a small nod and smiled.
"Yes. I understand."
Outside the window, leaves swayed in the autumn wind and soft sunlight poured in. Her profile, lit by that light, seemed to symbolize a new morning.
◇
After finishing breakfast, I walked up the mountain path to the shrine with Luna and Oliver.
The sky was high and clear, and the sunlight had begun to soften. While a trace of summer remained, the wind carried the scent of autumn. Leaves on the mountain trees were starting to change color here and there, dotting the slopes with patches of yellow and red. Every time the wind shook them, a dry rustling sound pleasantly reached our ears.
Oliver walked at the front, his back as broad as ever. A little behind him, Luna walked while catching her breath. Her steps were slightly heavy, probably because she had been bedridden for five days.
"My body feels a little sluggish," she said with a wry smile, breathing from her shoulders.
"Just a little farther," I told her.
"Yes," Luna replied, nodding as she looked forward again. Her eyes held more expectation than fatigue.
"By the way, Shion and Fuka already went to the Phoenix Shrine, right?"
"Yes. Both of them visited once while you were asleep."
Luna caught her breath and looked at Oliver walking ahead.
"Then why did you not go, Oliver?"
Oliver glanced back and shrugged.
"No deep reason. I figured you would wake up soon, so it would be better to go together."
At his casual words, Luna gave a small laugh.
"Fufu. I see. Come to think of it, the first time we entered the southern great labyrinth, it was just the three of us too. Today feels like a new beginning for me."
While we chatted about such light topics, a vermilion torii gate came into view ahead. It stood out vividly among the colored mountain leaves.
"I see it," Oliver said.
"Yes, almost there."
Before long, we arrived at the Tenrei Shrine.
The moment we stepped into the grounds, the air around us changed. The wind grew softer, and if we listened carefully, birdsong could be heard from somewhere. Fallen leaves had begun to scatter around the worship hall, and sunlight filtering through the trees dappled the stone pavement.
"Let us rest a little," I said.
Both of them nodded.
Luna sat on the stone steps and slowly regulated her breathing.
Oliver looked around the shrine grounds.
"The air feels different here."
"I agree. It makes me feel the history of this country."
At Oliver's murmur, he gave a faint smile.
"Speaking of which, you wanted to know about the history of the outside world, right, Orun?"
"Yes. More precisely, I want to know the culture."
"Culture?"
"I believe culture exists on top of human activity. Ways of living, values, all kinds of people's feelings piled up and given form. That is what I want to know. So to trace those roots, I need to go to the outside world."
"You always think about complicated things."
"It is just how I am."
We laughed, and Oliver shrugged with a smile in return.
After our light exchange, a breeze blew through.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. I am fine now."
It seemed Luna had recovered her strength while I was talking with Oliver.
"All right. Let us go."
We walked up to the torii gate.
"This is the entrance to the Phoenix Shrine. Who wants to open the path?"
Luna stepped forward.
"Please let me do it. I want to confirm the sensation of shifting the wall of principles again."
Her voice carried clear resolve.
"Understood. Go ahead."
"No objections here," Oliver said with a short nod.
Luna stood in front of the torii, gently closed her eyes. The wind swayed her hair, and the magic power around her grew thicker. The spirits drifting around her danced in response to her will and gathered toward the torii.
Soon, Luna's lips moved quietly.
"Shift."
The air trembled. The space enclosed by the torii began to ripple like the surface of water. From beyond it flowed an alien presence that even changed the quality of the air.
"I did it…!"
Luna's expression softened once she successfully connected the path.
"Let us go."
We passed through the torii and headed into the Phoenix Shrine.
◇
"Amazing…" Luna breathed.
Beside her, Oliver looked up at the shrine, at a loss for words.
"I cannot even speak. So this is the Phoenix Shrine…"
"It makes sense why the people of the past called it a sanctuary…" Luna's voice trembled, but with pure awe rather than fear.
"Both of you, this way."
I called to them and led the way deeper into the shrine.
When we entered the inner chamber where the crystal was enshrined, the air felt even clearer.
"The room itself looks surprisingly normal," Oliver muttered.
"Yes…" Luna nodded.
In the center of the room stood a transparent pedestal holding a crystal orb. A faint light pulsed inside it.
"That is the principles," I said.
Both of their expressions grew tense.
Luna and Oliver slowly approached the crystal.
At that moment, the air shook.
There was no sound or light, only a pressure that brushed against the skin.
"...Eh…?"
The instant Luna gasped, her figure suddenly vanished.
"Luna!?"
Oliver tried to rush over in surprise, but I stopped him with one hand.
"Calm down. She is fine."
"F-fine…!?"
"Titania probably called her. Only Luna."
When I spoke the name, understanding and relief spread across Oliver's face.
"I see. Titania did."
"She is probably reuniting with Titania right about now."
I let out a slow breath and lowered my gaze to the crystal orb in front of me.
The crystal floating in the center of the room pulsed with a faint light.
It was almost as if someone's heartbeat was there.
We simply stayed silent, watching it and waiting for Luna to return.