Precursors smiled, and their expressions displayed warmth.

One elderly woman addressed Seekers directly. "You've been protecting and guiding us for centuries. It wouldn't make sense to change that now."

The acceptance settled over Seekers like a blessing. All of them felt validated by their service and action; it couldn't stop them trembling in their form.

An older man with black hair added a different perspective. "Some of us might retire after a bit." His gaze turned distant. "Go explore other sides of Hesod, or other continents. See what lies beyond the forest we've known our entire lives."

Marie spoke up from her position in the circle. "I agree, you all should do what you want. But I also want to thank you all for listening to Vlad and giving us your energy. We wouldn't have gotten rid of the tide if it weren't for everyone's help."

Everyone paused, and then they all began laughing while multiple voices responded simultaneously.

"No problem!"

"We wanted to protect Eastern Hesod too!"

"Happy we could help!"

"Couldn't you Academy students have all the glory!"

The mood lightened completely.

Tension that had built during heavy conversation dissolved into warmth, matching the bonfire's heat.

…

Reinhard rose up from seated position without drawing attention, stepping backward from the circle's edge. He made his way toward a pond visible thirty feet from the bonfire, boots crunching softly against grass.

He stopped at the water's edge before seeing the pond's surface reflecting the moonlight. The silver illumination painting ripples in constantly shifting patterns. His gaze was fixed on reflection without truly seeing it, his mind processing events accumulated over impossible days.

Moonlight shone directly overhead, casting his shadow across the water. The sensation was odd, a sense of peace and tranquility he hadn't felt in a long while. The last time he felt that was in the academy, when it was just class and meeting with the other students.

"What is our greatest contributor doing out here by himself~"

Marie's voice emerged from behind, a teasing tone mixing affection with curiosity. Reinhard smiled before glancing over shoulder, watching her approach with a faint smile playing across features.

She stopped beside him, close enough that her shoulders nearly touched. Her light-gold eyes shifted across the pond's surface, following the same patterns his gaze had traced.

"I was just thinking how similar this felt." Reinhard said softly. "I saw Dune's memory where everyone worked together to rebuild, each helping out in their own way."

Marie giggled in delight before glancing back with a nod. Then she lowered herself to a sitting position at the pond's edge, movements graceful despite casual nature. Her hands moved to the boots, unlacing them methodically before pulling them off. Then she rolled up her pants to her ankles, and she shook her leg a bit.

Marie then put her feet into the water before she shivered immediately, and then she giggled as she sighed in relief.

She patted the grass beside her, the gesture unmistakable. "Sit down."

Reinhard blinked before he smiled, and his expression softened. He lowered himself to a sitting position, mimicking her earlier actions, boots removed, socks set aside, pants pulled up before bare feet entering water.

The cold struck immediately, leading him to gasp and his muscles tensing before relaxing as his body acclimated. The sensation was grounding, real, connecting him to current present moments in a way contemplation couldn't achieve.

Marie said thoughtfully while stretching her arms. "That goes to show you that no matter the era or situation, we all will come together to help each other out."

Reinhard chuckled. "I admit... I didn't believe that before, but after coming here..."

"You begin to feel hope and start to think that you were wrong?" Marie finished, tone carrying understanding rather than judgment.

Reinhard nodded slowly as his gaze remained fixed on the water, watching moonlight dance across the surface. "Coming here changed my view on beliefs, and the legacy of people... But more than that, it changed my view on community. That there is proof we can be united together and not push others down just to get ahead."

Marie nodded, her expression becoming contemplative. "I was surprised when I saw it in the memories the Star Jewel showed. But it made me hope that it could be replicated more..." She paused, considering words carefully. "I am not saying everywhere should be like that, but wouldn't the world be a bit more lovely if such unity happened more?"

Reinhard chuckled softly. "At the very least, it would be far more bearable and motivating to live in."

Marie hummed in agreement before she said, while looking down. "How… How did you survive the tide? I mean, after you fell in we thought…"

Reinhard blinks before smiling faintly and telling her about how the Golden Melo Warriors' light helps reduce the pressure. Then about his adventure in confronting Angra Mainyu and then later gaining him as a Beast Spirit.

Marie nodded, her expression didn't change even when he talked about feeling the curses rushing over him. Or how he gained a third Beast Spirit that should be impossible, but she acted as if it was expected with him.

After he was done, Marie simply asked. "How do you feel?"

Reinhard paused before falling silent as he stared at the water in front of him.

How did he feel?

He wasn't sure how to answer that since that's a question he hasn't asked himself yet.

"I…I'm not really sure. I want to say I am fine, but this might be a lie… I might recall those curses later down the line. Or maybe it just hasn't hit yet?" Reinhard muttered, his expression shifting between a daze and a blank one.

But it was then he felt Marie hand intertwining with his, and when he glanced at her, she was smiling faintly at him.

"Thats fine."

"... It's?"

Marie nodded and said softly. "It's fine to not have the answer now, I just hope that you will tell me and ask for help instead of keeping it to yourself… It's something I notice you tend to avoid doing, like it's a habit."

Reinhard furrowed his brows while Marie lightly chuckled as she continued. "You are an odd one. You're willing to tell us terrifying things like about the curses, and amazing stuff like the Imaginary Sea and gaining extra Beast Spirits… But when it comes to how you feel, how something changed you, or how terrified you are… You keep silent, and are unwilling to say anything."

Reinhard fell silent as she was right, usually stuff like that should be harder to tell. But when it came to his own feelings, he always felt something stopping him or not wanting to do it.

Marie squeezed Reinhard's hands a bit tighter as she said. "Klein and Anna implied some things about your pasts, but they didn't say anything. And I won't pry, but I hope if things really become harder, that if you start to feel like how Charles is feeling… That you would come to me, and just vent to me, because no matter what you say. You will still be Reinhard Grímr to me, and nothing else will change."

A silence fell between them once more, lasting a few more seconds.

"That will be hard… Even though I know I can… I am not sure if I would."

"I understand, then give me a sign."

"A sign?"

"A sign to let me know you want my help or to have me push you to speak."

"...Then, if I am ever in need. I suppose I would say… Please Marie."

Marie's expression softened before nodding as she held his hand even more tightly before releasing it. Then Marie's tone shifted, gaining excitement poorly concealed. "After this expedition, let's all go on a trip."

Reinhard blinked before his head tilted slightly, confusion evident. "What would we do or go?"

Marie held her chin, contemplation evident in her posture. Then her eyes lit, inspiration striking with force that transformed the entire expression. She beamed at Reinhard, radiance matching the bonfire behind them.

"Let's go to Juno Beach in the south! We can bring everyone and just stay there, play around, and have fun."

Reinhard chuckled, the sound carrying warmth, and he nodded a smile appearing naturally. "Taking a break and relaxing does sound fun... It has been a while since I have done something as simple as that."

Marie's voice softened, carrying notes of concern mixed with determination. "I also hope this will help give you more happy memories to look at in the future."

Reinhard's entire body stilled as words registered. Not just surface meaning but deeper implication, he turned and stared at her in a daze.

Marie grinned, expression mixing mischief with care. "Can't have most of your memories as an Inquisitor being life and death, terrifying enemies and challenges now, can we?"

Reinhard's lips twitched before he began laughing without restraint, unable to hold himself back and losing some tension. "For that reason... yeah, I agree. So then, where else would we be going? Because the current life and death memories are beating the fun ones."

Marie's grin widened. "Well, after the beach, we could go to the Nuevo Festival! Oh, and we can participate in the Academy Summer Games!"

Her hands moved as she spoke, animated gestures accompanying each suggestion. She listed locations, events, and activities, and her enthusiasm was infectious, building with each new idea proposed.

Reinhard's expression softened completely. He watched her animated gestures, listened to excited planning, and found himself having fun in the present moment rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.

The simplicity was amazing, existing in conversation without ulterior purpose beyond enjoying company.

Behind them, the sound shifted as the laughter intensified and gained a rhythmic quality. Singing emerged with multiple voices blending in melody that carried joy rather than technical perfection. Footsteps created even more noise against the ground, suggesting coordinated movement.

They turned simultaneously, and the scene that greeted them was a transformation of an earlier gathering.

Precursors, Seekers, and Luminous Knights were dancing around the bonfire. Movement lacked any coordination or skills, it was just people moving to a rhythm felt rather than dictated. Some held hands, forming chains that wove between flames and shadows. Others moved independently with their bodies swaying with abandon.

Joseph was there with a woman, spinning her around through improvised steps and then moving to the next. Janus and Amiya laughed while attempting coordination, failing spectacularly but clearly enjoying themselves. Veryn moved with surprising grace despite her armor while beaming, displaying a rare, unguarded joy.

Vlad stood apart at the gathering's edge. The last Ancestor watched with a faint smile while his crimson eyes tracked movement with approval and satisfaction.

Brunhilde stood beside the fire, but not dancing. Instead, she'd written golden words in the air, a complex script floating in three-dimensional patterns. The words produced beautiful beats and sound waves, providing rhythm for dancers. Her hands moved continuously, conducting music born from magic rather than instruments.

The scene was perfect in its chaos, filled with joy.

Marie beamed, her entire face lit with delight at witnessing this, and then she grinned at Reinhard.

"Let's start making those new fun memories!"

Her hands moved quickly, pulling pants down and boots. She finished before Reinhard completed a similar process, impatience evident in a bouncing motion.

The moment his boots were secured, her hand shot out. Fingers wrapped around his wrist with gentle firmness, pulling him toward bonfire and celebration beyond.

"Come on!"

Marie pulled him forward, and Reinhard allowed himself to be led, resistance minimal as they approached the gathering. The heat intensified with proximity as the flames cast a warm glow that painted everything in shades of orange and gold.

They joined the crowd dancing around the fire.

Marie pulled Reinhard into movement, her natural rhythm guiding them both. His steps were less certain but adequate, following her lead rather than attempting independence.

The crowd welcomed them with cheers.

Space opened naturally, allowing their entry without disrupting the flow. Someone grabbed Reinhard's free hand, creating a chain that connected multiple dancers.

They moved together, all of them.

Precursors who'd survived impossible odds.

Seekers who'd fought for centuries.

Luminous Knights who'd traveled from distant continents.

Academy students who'd stumbled into catastrophe and somehow emerged victorious.

All dancing around the fire under an open sky, finally visible after three hundred years of darkness.

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