Only Forward

Nephis looked in the window and remained silent for a while. Her face was distant and still. After a while, she lightly shook her head.

"No… not yet."

Cassie seemed to be surprised by that answer.

"No? But… why?"

Changing Star sighed.

"The… Fire Keepers. That is what people call the Awakened who follow you, right? They all look up to me, do they not?"

The blind girl silently nodded.

"Of course! We… they have been waiting for your return ever since escaping the Forgotten Shore. Even though the Dreamer Army was an alliance of convenience, the bonds that were forged between its members are real. Their bond to you is real, too."

Sunny sipped his coffee with a strange expression. Neph, meanwhile, lingered for a moment, and then said:

"But they want more than just to welcome me back. They expect me to lead them, like I did on the Forgotten Shore. Am I correct?"

Cassie nodded once again.

Neph looked away.