"It's been so long since I've sung. I feel so happy."
A-Liu stretched broadly. Having been repeating the cycle, he hadn't sung like this in a long time, and this was a song for Kapatcir, which made him feel very happy.
Looking at the feather in his hand, A-Liu turned and asked, "Hey, Kapatcir... did he hear my song?"
"Yes, I believe he definitely heard it. Rather, it's precisely because he heard A-Liu's song that this feather appeared in your hand."
"Is that so? That's wonderful. This counts as fulfilling the promise, right?"
A-Liu gazed at the feather in his hand with a faint smile. If he could, besides apologizing to Kapatcir, he also wanted to apologize to Kapatcir for being thousands of years late, despite their promise.
Composing himself, A-Liu walked over, looking at him with complex eyes.
"Do you... want to continue singing like this, A-Liu?"
"Durandal?" Paimon looked at Durandal, puzzled.
"If you want, I can try to let you continue singing like this. Although it's a bit difficult, if I want to, there's still a chance."
Durandal knew what fate A-Liu would ultimately face. He was able to exist entirely due to the unstable Ley Lines of Tsurumi Island. Once the cycle of Tsurumi Island ended, its Ley Lines would eventually return to normal.
Then A-Liu's ultimate fate would be to disappear from this world along with those images. This was a liberation for A-Liu, but... Durandal still wanted to do something for him.
Perhaps this seemed a bit strange; they had known each other for less than a day, and Durandal didn't need to go to such lengths for this child.
But... he had suffered such things at the hands of the people of Tsurumi Island during his life, and even after death, he remained trapped in Tsurumi Island's cycle.
Now, he finally had a chance to leave Tsurumi Island, to see other places, to witness things he had never seen before.
Durandal wanted to help him, to give him a chance to make his life more complete and colorful.
A-Liu understood Durandal's meaning. Although he didn't know if Durandal was truly capable enough to do such a thing, he declined her offer.
"Thank you, Sister Durandal. But I cannot accept. Now, let's return to Tsurumi Island, okay?"
A-Liu said with a gentle smile, "I've been out for so long this time, I'm a little tired. I want to return Kapatcir's feather to his home, and then rest well."
"...Okay."
Tired? Yes, after all this time, you really should get some good rest.
Durandal's intentions might have been good, but for A-Liu, while the outside world was indeed wonderful, he no longer had the strength to appreciate it.
He was a person from thousands of years ago; he had already disappeared long ago. If not for the power of the Ley Lines, if not for the help of Durandal and her companions, he would never have been able to fulfill his promise to Kapatcir.
The cycle of Tsurumi Island was broken, and his promise to Kapatcir could be fulfilled. He was already very content and had nothing else to linger over.
On the way back to Tsurumi Island, no one spoke, a stark contrast to their journey to Seirai Island.
This time, Kama also came along to Mt. Kanna. In Kapatcir's dwelling, he returned the feather to the location of the other four feathers.
When the feather was returned to its place, the branches and leaves of a perch growing there began to flourish, becoming very beautiful and lovely.
"So beautiful. This way... Kapatcir has returned home, right?"
"A-Liu..."
Paimon looked at A-Liu with some sadness. His eyes no longer sparkled as they had before, and even his shadow on the ground had disappeared.
Seeing A-Liu like this, Durandal stepped forward, wanting to do something, but Shenhe grabbed her wrist, stopping her action.
Previously, Shenhe would support Durandal no matter what she did, but this time, Shenhe stopped Durandal's movement, shaking her head slightly, indicating she shouldn't do it.
After an internal struggle, Durandal nodded, completely abandoning her thoughts and respecting A-Liu's choice.
"When I was singing just now, I could feel a part of myself in the feather. Sister Lumine, can you take this feather with you on your journey?"
Although he couldn't travel to various countries with Lumine, if Lumine carried this feather, which contained a part of A-Liu's soul, it would be as if A-Liu was traveling along with her.
"Yes, I promise you."
Taking the feather A-Liu handed her, and after a few more words, Lumine led everyone to turn and walk towards the exit of Mt. Kanna.
After a few steps, Durandal looked back and saw A-Liu standing there, smiling and waving to her, saying, "We'll meet again someday."
But... would there really be another chance to meet? Durandal didn't know, but... since he had said so, she would believe him this once.
This was a promise to an Apostle. If you don't keep your promise, she will get angry, and anger means punishment.
At that time, no matter where you are, Durandal would find him and punish him properly.
The group walked out of Mt. Kanna, and before they reached Kama's boat, Paimon could no longer hold back, tears streaming down her face.
Although she was usually silly, she understood what A-Liu was about to face. She had suppressed her emotions earlier so as not to worry A-Liu, but now that he couldn't see her, she no longer needed to pretend and could freely express her feelings.
"Lumine, A-Liu... A-Liu..."
"It's alright, Paimon. I believe A-Liu won't break his word."
Lumine gently took out a handkerchief she had bought in Inazuma to wipe Paimon's tears, saying.
"He even kept his promise to Kapatcir, so I believe he will definitely keep his promise to us as well."
"Yes, you're right. A-Liu will definitely keep his promise."
Sniffling hard, Paimon patted her cheeks, recovering slightly.
Durandal stood silently to the side, looking up at the retreating thick fog, at the sky gradually revealing the sun, her mind lost in thought.
Shenhe stood behind Durandal, gently embracing her and stroking her head: "Are you thinking about A-Liu?"
"...Nothing, just reflecting on my actions this time."
"Reflecting?"
"Yes, I presumptuously thought A-Liu needed those things, but what he wanted wasn't that. Even if I truly brought him back to this world, allowing him to leave this island and see other places... would he truly be happy?"
Only when facing Shenhe and Venti could Durandal somewhat actively reveal her true feelings.
Why did A-Liu, trapped in the cycle for so long, continuously strive to complete The Rite?
Because he couldn't let go of the residents of Tsurumi Island; he hoped they could live good lives, he hoped everyone could be happy.
The reason he accepted becoming a sacrifice back then was probably also because he wanted to make everyone happy.
Now, everything he knew had disappeared, and even Kapatcir was gone. No matter how wonderful the outside world was, it held no meaning for him.
What he probably wants now is to find the other people on Tsurumi Island, and Kapatcir, who has passed away.
"Don't blame yourself. He said those things because he saw your good intentions."
"...Hmm, but I still feel a bit strange. When we go back to Narukami Island later, will you come for a walk with me?"
"No matter where you want to go, I will be by your side."
"Okay."
A lot happened today. By the time they returned to Narukami Island, it was almost dark.
But Sumida hadn't left; he was still waiting there for their return.
Lumine and Paimon hadn't forgotten about the Maushiro. Based on a fragment of an image they saw, they successfully found the buried Maushiro and handing it to Sumida would complete the task.
Besides the Maushiro, they could also tell Sumida the story of Tsurumi Island and the story of A-Liu.
Sumida was quite interested in these unexpected surprises and invited everyone to dinner to listen to the stories.
"I won't be joining you. I want to go for a walk outside with Shenhe."
"Ah? Oh, I see. Take care."
Lumine didn't try to keep Durandal, and Paimon understood that Durandal wasn't in a good mood, so she let her go relax and clear her head with Shenhe.
Sumida looked at Lumine, puzzled, not quite understanding why Durandal had become like this. She was fine when she left in the morning.
Durandal ignored the commotion behind her. She walked with Shenhe along the streets of Inazuma City, occasionally seeing children run past, their faces beaming with bright smiles.
Whenever a child walked by, Durandal couldn't help but look at them.
A-Liu was probably around this age when he was offered as a sacrifice, a lively age like this, right?
But he accepted that fate and even faced so many cycles of reincarnation. Even an adult couldn't endure so many cycles, but A-Liu did.
How many people knew the pressure he endured?
Involuntarily, Durandal thought of the children tormented by the Doctor. They were tormented both physically and mentally by the Doctor. So, which kind did A-Liu belong to?
Unintentionally, Durandal arrived at the place where she had played the harp before. This time, she also wanted to take out her harp to do something, but ultimately, she didn't take it out.
She remembered A-Liu's song, that melody exclusive to A-Liu, and began to hum it, mimicking A-Liu's singing style.
She wanted this song to be passed down, to let more people know, through this method, about a place called Tsurumi Island, and the story of a boy named A-Liu and the Thunderbird Kapatcir, through his beautiful singing.
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