Beckoning Spring to the Feast of the Skies (Walpurgis Night 2021) - Chapter 6

[dotsuitarehompo]

Location: Forest of the Spirits (Day)

Upon observing the girl, Nero, being a few steps away, approached her quietly. 

Nero: I get what yer sayin’. Ya made tons of fun memories here, did’ntcha?

Helena: I did!

Nero: But yer mom and dad are grieving ‘cus they miss ya, ya know. They’re worried sick ‘cus they had no idea where ya had run off to.

Helena: … Really?

Nero: ‘Course. They love and care for ya from the bottom of their hearts.

They’re only thinkin’ of what’s best for ya whenever they entrust ya with somethin’, be it a chore or somethin’ else. 

As Nero continued to speak in a gentle, calming voice, he brought out Helena’s stuffed toy. 

Nero: Look who’s come to pick ya up on their behalf. 

When Helena saw the bunny in his hands she looked slightly taken aback, as if she had suddenly recalled a very precious memory.

Helena: …

Nero: Ya love this little guy, don’tcha? That goes for both ya and yer parents too, doesn’t it?

Helena: …I do.

I love this bunny…And I love mama and papa too…

Holding her precious stuffed toy tightly to her chest, Helena broke into tears. It seems as if she had finally woken up from her reverie. 

Helena: Wa…wahhhh…I wanna see mama and papa again. I wanna go home…! 

Mitile: Everything’s alright now, Miss Helena. Let’s go back together, okay? 

Chloe: Oh no, no, no don’t do that! If you rub your eyes too much, they’re gonna become swollen. Here, I’ll wipe the tears for you so please don’t cry…

Rutile: Helena, your parents said they’re going to make you your favorite meals when you come back.

Helena: Waa… Waah…..!

Seeing Helena all teary, Rutile and the rest gently comforted her. 

Rutile: Hang on…

Suddenly, a startled expression arose on Rutile’s face and he began looking around extensively.

Rutile: A child gets lost and is later found by someone…

Could it be that this same place...

Cain: Is something wrong, Rutile? 

Rutile: …I finally remembered. I have been here when I was younger, just like Helena. 

✾ ✾ ✾   

Worn out from all the crying earlier, Helena was now asleep, her stuffed toy still tightly pressed to her chest.

Nostalgia washed over Rutile as he fondly watched Nero carry Helena on his back, a peaceful look on her face.

Rutile: It was before Mitile was even born… That day, I found myself here just like Helena…

Now thinking about it, I might have been taken away by some spirit, too. 

Mitile: Taken away…?!

Rutile: At first, I felt lonely being here all by myself. But then, I heard someone say to me “Why don’t you come and live here?” and I was offered sweet fruits and lots of adorable animals came to play with me…

It was like something out of a fairy tale. Everything was so wonderful I completely forgot how lonely I had felt mere moments ago. I had lots of fun there and spent my time leisurely.

But just then…

[Flashback] 

Location: Forest of the Spirits (Day)

(Grass rustling)

Tiletta: Rutile…! I finally found you! 

Rutile: Mama? What happened?

Tiletta: I have been looking everywhere for you! Did anything happen? Are you hurt anywhere?

Rutile: N-No, I’m alright. 

Tiletta: Thank goodness… You have no idea how relieved I am to hear that.

Oh, dear…I never thought a day would ever come where I’d be worrying over someone else’s life more than my own... 

Rutile: …Ah…

[End flashback]

Rutile narrowed his eyes as he longingly gazed at the profusely blooming flowers, recalling some of his most cherished memories. 

Rutile: But even though I was having so much fun… For some reason, when I saw my mother, I felt so elated that I couldn’t help but start crying.

Akira: So that’s what happened…

Though I don’t understand what it must’ve been like for Rutile during that time, I feel like I could picture what the scene looked like. 

Rutile reuniting with his beloved mother under the lofty skies as flowers and petals fluttered around them. 

There truly are times when even though one might be experiencing all the happiness in the world, they just can’t stop the tears that come to their eyes.

Mitile: Maybe that’s the memory of Walpurgis Night you mentioned before…

Rutile: Yep, I think it’s related to that. 

Snow: It’s only natural to confuse yourself when trying to recall memories from your early childhood.

Rutile: My mother must’ve been incredibly worried about me, just like Helena’s parents.

As he said that, Rutile gently stroked Helena’s head.

Rutile: We have to bring her back to her parents as soon as possible.

Shylock: That we will do. By the time she awakes, the first thing she will see shall be no other than her own parents. 

After a few conversations here and there, we set off on our journey back to the village.

However—

Snow: …Wait.

Akira: What is it?

(Wind blowing, woods crackling)

The forest started making an uproar through the rustling of the leaves. Branches began growing out as if they had a mind of their own, blocking our way.

Mitile: Woah! What’s going on…! 

Nero: ...Guess they’re not gonna let us leave in peace, huh?

Cain: Must be the spirits’ doing. Make sure to stay close to me, Akira. I’ll make sure you don’t get— 

Snow: Cease, Cain. If you attempt to provoke them, you may end up trapped here for the rest of your life.

Chloe: W-What are we gonna do!?

The trees were growing with such vigor that they had obstructed the sky in seconds; branches were stretching in all directions, preventing us from continuing further. The air was turbulent, filled with chaos and agitation.

Overwhelming anxiety washed over me as the situation was getting more and more out of hand. Meanwhile, some of the wizards raised their heads as if they had been hit by something.

Rustica: The voice just now…

Shylock: …We may have gotten ourselves into little trouble here…

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