Far ahead, just out of earshot from Hazuki and Ellyn, Syaria tightened her grip slightly around Ridan's misty form as they floated behind a low ridge.
"…Ridan?" she asked, her voice quieter now, no longer teasing.
"Ugh… what is it now?" he muttered, still averting his gaze.
"Why did you disappear back then? After we became a couple? After everything… why did you just vanish?"
Ridan's cloudy form stiffened slightly. "…I don't know what you're talking about."
"You're lying," Syaria snapped, her voice rising. "You had another woman, didn't you!?"
"What!? No!" Ridan spun toward her, clearly caught off guard. "Don't be stupid."
"I searched for fifty years! I gave up everything!" she trembled, the edges of her spirit flickering. "We were nearly engaged, Ridan! You promised! So what happened!? Why didn't you come back!?"
"I told you, you don't need to—!"
"I do need to know!" she shouted, her spirit aura spiking. "I suffered! I waited! And all this time, I thought you left me!"
