THAT DAY I BECAME A STAR

I am back to reality like a carriage that crashed into a wall. As soon as I open my eyes, Farner's face is so close to mine that we could kiss by just moving our lips. Though it is only for a moment. She retracts herself quickly after that. How did she enter the inner soul? I am sure it was her voice that I heard.

"Don't go fainting while I am talking to you, dammit!!!"

She slaps me. She has put me on the chair she was sitting on earlier.

"What is your problem?!! Who faints when a maiden is sitting on to of him?!!!" 

"That's because you are too heavy. I told you to stop eating those sweets."

"Excia!! You!!"

"Fufu."

I can hear Excia's laugh behind her sister. How long was I out? It doesn't look likce much time has passed seeing the level if light in the box. 

"You guys are still here?"

"Yeah, of course, we are. I am not done with you."

"Please, listen, Farner. I want to be alone. Just please, I just need-"

"To die?"

"Y-yeah. I am tired. I am tired of it all." I thought I could but i was wrong. I am weak, too weak to carry on. 

"Then, rest on me."

"W-what?"

"If you are tired, let me be your pillow to rest. If you are afraid, I will be the source of your strength. If you can't find your footings, I will be the pillar to help advance. If you are in the dark, I will the light to clear your path."

What is this girl saying? Farner embraces me as soon as she stops talking. Putting my head between her breasts while she places both of her hands around it and press my head from behind. Her somehow soothing and delightful smell penetrates deeply into my brain and I feel alleviated. Free of all pain. 

"Never give up. Never think you are useless or weak. Because from now on, I will be your strength, your light, and your guide. I will be your hero."

"My... my hero?"

"Yes, I will be the one to save you whenever you are in danger and protect you. Because you deserve it."

Protect me? Save me? Can I also be saved? Even though Everybody abandoned me? even though people suffered, agonized, and died because of me? I can still be saved?

I don't know why myself but my arms raised by themselves. I…I want to embrace her as well. I want her to take my weakness away, to make me feel loved, strong…

"Is this really what you want?"

"Cissa?"

"Do you really wish to be protected? To be saved by someone else? Was that your motivation all this time? "

"I…"

"You fought and survived because nobody else could have done so for you until now. You swore to learn and become stronger even if you had to face the whole world. And moreover, to my brethren, you swore-"

"I swore to never back down. NO MATTER WHAT."

"I told you that regrets would ultimately destroy you. And that is because your resolve isn't strong enough. It seems I was right."

"No!!"

"Then why are lamenting and crying when the path ahead is still long and even more difficult?!!"

"I…"

"Why are you giving up when you still haven't started climbing the mountain?"

"I…"

"Why are you closing your eyes when there are still so many things to see? "

"I…"

"You are the DRAGONROAD. You are a light born to shine. A star born to guide. A hero born to save. And the other way around. "

"I…Yes, I am the DRAGONROAD." And I must never forget it again. 

"Then act as such. Stop making me sweat to protect our soul from your tantrum."

"I…thank you, Cissa."

"Thank the hero, she brought you back before it was too late."

***

I take Farner's hands and remove them around my head. Her heart is beating fast for somebody who looks so calm. 

"Are you alright now?"

She asks with a sweet and calm voice. I never realize her voice was so soothing. Her face is shiny, her lips, her eyes, her nose, her lightly red cheeks, her hair, everything about her is…

"Beautiful."

"W-what?"

"Sorry."

"Eh. Don't go groping her."

"Excia!!"

"What?"

"I wouldn't dare." Or perhaps.... While Farner is distracted, I lightly pinch her stomach through her clothes.

"Kyaa!!!"

She flies back from me in a jump, landing near Excia.

"You pervert!!"

"See. Guys are all horny mutts."

Excia shoots a sharp glare at me.

"Well, sorry."

I stand up and go to them. Then I lower my head and get on my knees. The first step to get stronger is to recognize your own weakness and accept your mistakes. Thanks, Selene.

"I am sorry for my behavior until now."

"Eh?"

"Really?"

"Yes."

When I raise my head, they both have the most surprised faces I have ever seen on anybody.

"What? You thought I couldn't apologize?"

"No, but…"

"Yeah, we thought so. I mean, you are really…How can I say it? Stubborn is the closest word to what i want to say."

"It doesn't matter. Thank you for your concern but I am okay."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, I will be okay. For now, at least, I wish to walk on my own a little longer."

"I see. Well, if you ever feel like you can't handle it anymore. I will be there."

"And come to the classes. You are a student." Excia points at me with her finger while placing her other hand on her hips. That is a hero posture for sure there. 

"Yeah, yeah."

They both stand up and go outside. But Farner stops at the door of the box.

"Ah, before I forget." She brings out my bracelet and throws it at me.

"Thank you."

"If you don't come to the morning class starting tomorrow. I will take it back."

"...Okay, got it." Classes, huh? Is it thzt different from what Excafol taught me? That reminds me. He was here as well, right.