The surface beneath her was rough, covered in stones or coral, while the sea wind—cold and salty—made her bones tremble mercilessly. Cassia hugged her knees to her chest, trying to shield herself from the biting cold that tore at her bare skin.
The sound of waves crashing against the rocks filled the silence, echoing the emptiness inside her. The cold breeze reminded her of her own vulnerability, and loneliness wrapped around her completely, as if the world itself had become untouchable.
Alone, with no way out, she allowed herself to believe there was nothing left for her in that world.
...
That was when she heard a voice—deep and gentle, enveloping like silk.
Cassia turned her head, trying to locate the source of the sound, but the darkness around her was formless, without a single point of reference.
— Cassia...
Again.
The name echoed softly, as if spoken directly to her soul.
She froze for a moment, unsure if she had heard it right, but the voice repeated, now clearer:
— Cassia.
"Ariandel?" she asked, not understanding why that name had escaped her so spontaneously.
The silence that followed was heavy, until measured footsteps approached, filling the void around her.
When he finally stopped near her, a faint breeze touched her face, as if something ethereal—but powerful—was there.
... He was there. Real.
Cassia felt a careful touch on her shoulder—firm, yet without pressure. A shiver ran down her spine, and she instinctively shrank, aware of her nakedness.
Ariandel's pleasant voice came again, now closer and more enveloping:
"Don't worry, Cassia. I won't hurt you. Let me give you something to cover yourself."
A subtle sound echoed, as if something were adjusting, and then she felt something molding to her body. It wasn't matter, nor warmth, but something that existed like an ethereal current of electricity. Instinctively, she knew what to do.
The Memory embraced her effortlessly. The sensation was brief, but effective. A soft warmth spread through her body, as a simple tunic seemed to form over her, along with leather sandals and a light cloak flowing gently across her shoulders.
The spell announced the Memory, and she called forth the runes in her mind.
===
Memory: [Dream of the Deep Heart]
Memory Rank: Awakened
Memory Tier: VI
Memory Type: Armor
Memory Description: [A simple tunic, leather sandals, and a light cloak. Its unassuming appearance lets the wearer pass unseen, like a shadow among shadows.]
===
Cassia was stunned when she realized the Tier.
She knew that for Ariandel to possess something like that, he must have done the impossible. The mere fact that he had slain an Awakened Terror was incomprehensible to her—and now he shared it without asking anything in return.
She thought of questioning him, but the words didn't come.
"Don't feel too pressured," he said, in a slightly relaxed tone.
"I'm just lending it to you. And I can cover myself with my own ability. Now you can cover yourself, too."
Cassia touched the newly formed tunic. The material was simple, but pleasant and comforting. The sense of being less vulnerable brought her some relief. She lifted her head and, for the first time in a long while, exhaled slowly.
The sensation of being alive, of still having something to fight for—though hard to process—began to sprout in her chest. And for a moment, as the cold sea breeze still touched her skin and the waves gently lapped against the surrounding rocks, she was no longer so alone.
...
The Peregrine observed the surroundings.
The darkness was absolute, with no stars or moon to ease the night's oppression. The only sound was the endless movement of the waves, breaking against the coral formations below.
He glanced at Cassia, noticing her unease, but chose to wait until she felt more at ease before speaking...
"You know... we're in a peculiar place," he said then, finally breaking the silence with a tone that was firm, yet relaxed.
"Seems to be a coral peak. A tall formation that rises above the sea. And... this night. There are no stars or moon, just uniform darkness."
Cassia remained silent, but he went on, describing the surroundings in a practical manner.
"From what I can tell, we're surrounded by water. Doesn't seem to be any solid ground nearby, but it's hard to be sure. Maybe, once dawn breaks, we'll be able to see more clearly what's around us."
After a moment, Ariandel added in a lighter tone, almost casual:
"Besides, I'm not much of a fan of swimming. My long hair would be a disaster. Salt, wind, and water... I'd need hours to redo my braid."
A small sound escaped from Cassia, something between a sigh and a short laugh. The tension seemed to ease a bit, and Ariandel noticed his comment had worked.
"Let's stay close. We don't know what this place holds, but we'll have a better idea once the sun rises."
He reached out, gently touching her shoulder. The gesture was not only comforting, but also a silent promise that he would remain by her side, no matter what came.
"For now, let's try to rest."
Cassia tilted her head slightly toward Ariandel's voice, reflecting on the casual remark. His polite touch had left a comforting impression, and the mention of his hair sparked her curiosity.
"You mentioned your hair..." she began softly.
"Is it really that long? Sounds like a lot of work to take care of."
There was a brief silence, as if the Peregrine pondered whether he should go deeper into the topic.
"Long is putting it mildly. It reaches down to my calves, usually tied in a braid that tapers from the shoulders, becoming firmer and firmer until it resembles a blade."
"It's not exactly practical, I admit. But it's part of who I am," he concluded with a relaxed smile, lightly proud.
Cassia went quiet for a moment, processing the information. She couldn't see him, but the image her mind formed was vivid. The idea of such long hair, maintained with such care, was something she hadn't expected.
"That long?" she said, in awe.
"It must be... beautiful. I can't imagine many people managing something like that."
Ariandel smiled more freely, visibly pleased.
"It came along with my Aspect—so, it's not entirely impractical. Though it still requires patience and... well, vanity? Of course, avoiding swimming helps. The sea isn't exactly kind to long strands."
Cassia laughed cheerfully, absorbed in the thought of the effort involved.
"That's cool!" she exclaimed... before her voice—sweet and melodic—softened: "You seem so devoted to what you do, to who you are."
Ariandel didn't answer immediately, and Cassia felt the change in the air. Something in those words had made him reflect.
When he finally spoke, his voice had a more introspective tone:
"Maybe it's what keeps me... whole. Everyone has something to hold on to, don't they? Something that reminds us who we are."
Cassia nodded, even knowing he couldn't see her. The thought touched her in an unexpected way, and, for a brief moment, the darkness around her seemed less oppressive.