Lily opened her eyes.

She felt like she had a very long dream. It was blurred as she woke up, vaguely remembering what she had gained, and how much she had lost—nothing, just a dream, she thought.

It was cold and windy, but it was not bone-chilling. The drizzle fell down her cheeks and into her neck, making her shiver slightly.

So she got up.

For some reason, he had changed into a loose linen robe with some damp mud, but that didn't matter. In front of you is a familiar woodland, but it is completely different from the "Forest of Ghosts" in my memory.

Fresh air from the north passes through the forest, blowing away centuries of decay. The dirt on the soles of the feet is cold and moist, with a soft black sheen. A few new greens sprouted out of it, less than an inch in height, but it spread all the way, stretching straight out of her sight.

She looked up. The drizzle gradually stopped, the thin clouds dispersed, and now the sky was as thick as ink, like a bottomless abyssal sea. "Tess" and the stars hang in the sky, gilding the earth with a layer of silver frost. A meteor slowly streaked across the sky, dragging its dragon-like trail and falling farther north.

The last time I saw such a scene seemed to be a hundred years ago, Lily thought to herself.

She remembered the final battle in the half-plane, and the hoarse and desperate roar of "Count Stark". In this way, they succeeded in destroying all the culprits, and the forest was reborn. Somehow, she always felt like she was missing something, like ......

…… A certain girl,It's often on the lips of "intuition".

Lily pricked up her ears and sniffed, vaguely catching the smell of a wisp of fireworks. So she followed her breath, and it wasn't long before several voices crossed the sparse forest and entered her ears.

"Greenstone, this big liar!" It was Elio's voice, puffing out, as if depicting the young man's unwilling face, "He must have known about it a long time ago, and then deliberately made that request!" Just to make me his servant! ”

"Forming a pact with the dragon, even as a servant, is a lucky thing." A clear voice responded, "And, in the long run, maybe the agreement between you and the pyrassine will be an opportunity for the dragon clan to re-enter the world." ”

"But...... Is the return of the dragon really a good thing? A soft female voice she had never heard before asked, "If, as the legend goes, they live in seclusion, unwilling to let the history of the First Age reappear...... If they return, does that mean something worse is going to happen, so that other concerns can be put to the fore? ”

"Something bad has already happened, just like me." Gloomy and hoarse, a vaguely familiar voice came from behind the dead wood, and then snorted, "If you want me to say, I hope those guys who have slept for more than ten years won't wake up too late this time." ”

"Humans can't predict the future. If you hold back for fear of repeating history, you will only miss the opportunity you should have. The Celestials continued, "I want to see the dragons and humans standing together, not against each other. I'm sure you can do it, Elio, Ann. ”

Lily quickened her pace, leaving the dead trees behind. The glade in the forest gradually came into view, the hinterland of the forest, where the Black Pine Harun had taken root all year round, and where they had defeated the dragon lich Dikdullah and opened the passage to the Earl of Stark.

By this time, the huge golden door was gone. A bonfire crackled and burned on the south side of the clearing, and the smoke rose into the air with sparks, forming a gray pillar of clouds. Elio and Ann leaned over the campfire, talking to the long-haired Celestials. The old Peron, sitting cross-legged on the canvas, was cutting the rotten wood into small pieces with a scimitar and throwing it into the fire.

Lily stepped closer and looked up. Through the rising flames and smoke, two dim green flames slowly flowed, looking at her from the top of the massive skeleton. Compared to "not so long ago", the magic that shrouded the skeleton was almost exhausted, and this time, it had no intention of attacking.

"Dikdula." The mercenary grinded her teeth, "Did you wake up from your sleep?" ”

"They woke me up." The black dragon grinned, if it was still a mouth, revealing two rows of pale and neat teeth, "You killed that lich, and I'm free." It's a pity—"

The boy's exclamation suddenly rang out, interrupting her conversation with the black dragon.

"Lily, Captain Lily!?"

The mercenary turned her head. Elio held his sword in his hand, his teeth clenched, and stood in front of Ann with his chest straight, "Y-don't bring it to me!" You, tell me first, who are you, Femir?! ”

...... Fermier?

Lily stared at the tense young man, as if he was about to be a great enemy, and suddenly remembered more details of the "dream". She seems to have gone back in time, trying to stop the wizard named Fermir Stark, only to be persuaded by him to become an ally. In order to help the other party realize her wishes, she was willing to oppose her former partners, and saw them die one by one, until the end-

Countless people, including herself, have fallen victim to the "Grey War".

Lily inhaled slowly, pursed her lips, and lowered her head slightly.

"You've seen Fermir Stark?" She wanted to make sure it wasn't just a dream, "You've seen it...... Are we with him? ”

"I've seen it before!" Elio still clutched his sword, his gaze never taking off the woman in front of him, "You robbed Eda of his place, created a bunch of bugs, and almost killed us all!" He gestured hard with his left hand, "If Ann wasn't strong enough, we wouldn't even be able to find the corpse!" ”

And so it was. Everything was right, and it wasn't just her experience. Even if the source is the curse of the oil lamp, in that "history", she did hurt many people, including the "group members" in front of her.

"I'm sorry." Lily raised her face to meet the young man's gaze, and swallowed, "Let's ...... It's wrong. ”

"No one can always give the right answer. A lot of times, it's just a thought. A soft voice came just right, as if she had anticipated what she was about to say, "But if everything were to happen again, what would you choose?" ”

"Needless to say!" Lily replied without hesitation, "Even if it's a pig, it's impossible to fall two heels in the same pit?" She paused, lowering her voice a little, "And, we get it...... No matter how strong the strength is, there is always ...... You can't do it. ”

"But strength is still necessary – otherwise, we wouldn't have been able to win against Fermir." The girl's voice softened, "Welcome back, Captain." ”

"Hmm...... Thank you? Lily shrugged her shoulders and watched the young knight retract her sword at her waist before noticing who was talking to her, "You ...... Can you speak? ”

"Let's be a blessing in disguise!" Elio turned his head and glared at Ariel on the other side, "Thanks to the Lord of Light, who resurrected us and cured Ann's throat by the way, I would still have a debt to settle with you!" ”

Lily didn't bother to bother with the young knight's quarrel with the Celestials. She walked around the other and walked in front of Ann in three or two steps. The girl's skin is a little rosier than expected, and her vitality is more abundant than ever. She stared at the other party for a moment, and after asking about the content of the "dream", the doubts that gradually swirled in her heart-

"Thou shalt ...... How the hell did you defeat us? ”

Ann raised her eyebrows. The girl's eyebrows and eyes were soft, but her expression was full of confidence.

"It's just a series of guidance." The Explorer, a young girl from the Empire, whispered, "As you said, from the moment Tiana came into contact with you, we gradually conveyed a message to you: even with Edda's power, there are still things you can't do. ”

"Ariel killing Elio and me, even slightly, will still make you waver in what Fermir is doing. And Tiana's killing of Elena makes you understand that the "Lord of the Earth" has more control over death than you. Ann held the notebook in her arms and tapped her fingers lightly on the cover, "If Fermir's departure doesn't keep you looking at the entrance to the Mirror Realm, the fact that Hart has arrived is enough to draw your eyes there." ”

"Wait a minute." Lily interrupted the girl's narrative and asked another question that haunted her, "What did you say to Hart to make him join you?" ”

"What happened in the Breeze Forest two hundred years later, plus the secrets of the Mirror Realm." The girl smiled, "Hart is not lacking in curiosity, as long as he personally passes through the Mirror Realm, he can understand that I am not lying to him. ”

"After that." Ann held out two fingers and shook them, "Whether you choose to kill Tiana or protect Alphonse with your body, it will give us a chance to defeat you." She pressed her chin to the notebook and raised the corners of her mouth slightly, "It was your affection for Alphonse that overcame the curse imposed by Femir, Captain Lily." ”

Rao is Lily has always been informal, and when she said this, she felt a little hot in her cheeks. She looked left and right, and hurriedly tried to change the subject.

"Speaking of which...... Isn't Al here? Also, Bell, Elena, and ...... Gilna? ”

"Ms. Jill has left. I think if Bayard agrees, we should see her again soon. Ann replied, "As for Alphonse, Bell, and Elena—"

The girl hesitated for a moment, and the black dragon sneered in a low voice.

"They went to the south. There was a village there 'once' – don't say you don't know. ”

A palpitation spread along Lily's chest, and she jerked her head back at the dark green firelight that was no longer bright.

“…… Let's ask you, how long has it been since we killed you? Also, what did you want to say just now? ”

"Half a year? Or three months? Dikdura swayed his boneless neck, "Without the Lich's position, we're out of the source of our magic. As a dragon, I can 'live' until you return, but after all, I'll be like the dead—" He slammed his head in front of the mercenary, curling up a wave of decay. "Reduced to dry bones, and covered in dust."

Lily clenched her fists and turned her back away from the black dragon's disgusting head.

"Wait a minute? Let's go find them and come back - by the way, finish what should be us! ”

In the blink of an eye, she turned into a giant wolf and ran at full speed through the woods. Rotten trees swept past her, and the squirrels who had returned earlier were frightened and fled back to their burrows in the trees. She ignored it and just headed south until the outline of the village came into view once more.

The scene in front of me is also expected. The village was silent, no one greeted her, and no words or footsteps could be heard. She reverted to her human form, slowed down, and stepped into a square that was already familiar to both "dreams" and reality.

The green sequoia of the past is still withered at this time, and the embers of the campfire half a year ago are still visible. A huge pit large enough to hold dozens of people was laid out on one side, and next to it were piles of freshly dug earth and three worn-out shovels. Lily sniffed and walked through the clearing, straight to a dilapidated wooden house.

There were two people in the house that she was trying to find. Bell was dozing against the wall with a leather water bag; Alphonse sat on the edge of the bed and closed the book in his hand. Lily jumped over in three or two steps, suddenly remembered something, and squinted her eyes at each other.

"Al, this time, you - shouldn't Jill have changed?"

"You're back, Lilianor." The young man nodded vigorously, "Jill is a trustworthy person, it's really good." ”

Countless emotions mingle together and merge into the perception that Alphonse transmitted to her. It was uneasiness, confusion, anger, worry, anticipation, sadness, and the joy and joy that drowned it all out.

"You really ...... He's a human being. Lily sighed contentedly, wrapped her arms around the trap, and sat down on the edge of the bed, "How long have you been back here?" ”

"Two days and twenty hours, Lilianor." The mechanic turned his face sideways, looked at her, and replied, "Elena brought us here, and we dug the grave together, but she said...... I want to wait for you to come. ”

And so it was. This fact was like a basin of cold water, slightly diluting the joy of her reunion. Lily stood up and licked her lips, "What about her?" ”

"I'm here."

The blue-haired nun stepped in, took the mercenary's hand, and led her outside.

"Come with me, there's something they left over there—for you."

She let the other man hold her, and with Al in her other hand. The three of them walked through the small half of the village to the largest of the wooden houses. Elena pushed the door open, and Lily saw the words printed on the plain wooden walls.

"Lord September, and your companions:

When you visit again, I believe we have all returned to the embrace of the earth.

I have always believed that you can lift the bonds and curses that have been placed on us, and it turns out that you did.

Don't feel sorry for us, we have long enough to live.

Maybe there's another adventure that no one knows.

Thank you in advance for bringing this forest back to its original state - it may not be that simple, but I'm sure you'll be able to do it sooner or later.

Maybe...... If we meet again one day, don't be intimidated by us.

Goodbye."

The charcoal handwriting is vaguely familiar. The 'letter' is not signed, but on the right side of the end, a pale cyan palm print is printed. It was a woman's hand, with slender knuckles, and Lily clenched her right fist slightly, as if she could still feel the temperature from the palm of the other's palms as the two of them sat opposite each other.

Underneath that are more palm prints, from small to broad, from slender to stout, there are no less than a hundred. Lily was silent for a moment, then walked to the wall and placed her right hand on the first palm print.

"Elena—" she asked softly, not looking back, "do you know what the world will be?" ”

"Lord San Leon told me that no matter what the world is, it can be real." The nun walked up to her, "Maybe Ann could explain it more clearly, but I think ...... Just don't forget about them. ”

Lily was silent for a moment. Over the past few hundred years, she'd traveled through the crystal wall system to other worlds more than once—this time only more special. On the bright side, it means that in the post-mirror history, Mother, Louvill and others will be able to live their lives in peace. It also means that the life she took in the "other world" cannot be written off by leaving.

She naturally had to bear this account, but if one day, she saw Fermir of "this world", and she would not mind counting all the debts on his head. As for the present, perhaps as Elena said, she should write down everything in the past and move on.

The mercenary lifted her head and let the cold wind dry the corners of her eyes.

"Let's go, let's- go get a funeral?"

……

When she places the remains of the villagers in the grave with her own hands, Elena finishes her prayers for everyone, Alphonse and Bell cover the earth, and Lily transforms back into her "original form" and returns to the center of the forest with the other three. With the strength of the legs in the form of a giant wolf, even if he ran back and forth, the sky was still just dawning.

Elio seemed to get up early to practice his sword, and he happened to be resting on the sidelines. Groom had caught two snow hares out of nowhere and were roasting them slowly on the campfire. Ann and Ariel sat side by side on a tree stump by the tent, perhaps whispering some secrets.

"Welcome back." Ann turned her face to her and said the same thing as the day before, "Is everything alright?" ”

"That's ...... Naturally. The mercenary exhaled vigorously, as if to drive away all the unhappiness that had accumulated so far, "Finally, our Lilianor group is together again?" ”

"At least, until we get back to Volcano Fort." The girl's "explorer" calmly replied, "After that, I may have to go back to the Empire - of course, I can't say it yet." And I feel that this adventure is still very early to end. ”

"I miss Mr. Karan a little bit too." The nun gently combed her blue braids, "What about you, Lily?" And Ariel? ”

The Celestials stood up, "Whether Lord Saint-Leon already knows everything or not, I should report to him what I have seen. She patted her skirt lightly, "Because the astral boundary is impassable, I'm afraid you'll need to borrow a mirror somewhere." ”

"Shall we ...... Just go find Yuffie and Lynn and forget it? And then find a way to catch a few strong men—" The mercenary shrugged, but there was no dissatisfaction in her heart, "It's always like this, it seems that our Lilianor regiment still has a long way to go if they want to become the "strongest"!" ”

Everyone laughed together, diluting the sudden parting breath.

The old Belon man took the lightly charred snow rabbit off the shelf, sniffed the smell, and then tore off one of his hind legs. Bell hurried over and tripped over a tree root and nearly fell in the snow. Lily took Alphonse's hand and looked at the glow piercing through the woods, hearing Ann's slightly serious voice.

"Everyone is here now, Ariel. Can you tell us the last wish made by Fermir Stark in that world? ”