Finally, I finished putting on the black coat that Silverain brought for me to wear. It's nowhere near as nice as the uniform she wears, but it was a gift from her, so I like it. With that out of the way, I continued my preparations, for today... I'll be leaving this cave for the first time since I woke up here.

I remember that day explicitly. My head felt empty, and my body felt drained. Nothing except for my breaths could be heard. Cold winds brushed past my face. Darkness filled my surroundings. I was scared.

That was also the day when I met Silverain. I thought it was strange that someone would appear for me in a place like this, but I appreciated her. She has shown me nothing but kindness, and I hope to repay her one day.

"Darling," her voice called to me. "Are you ready?"

I glanced over my shoulder to see her standing there with a torch.

"... Yeah," I replied.

"Come here," she said. "Let me take a good look at you."

She took a moment to circle me, periodically inching her head in for further studying. When she was satisfied, she stood in front of me with that same smile she always had.

"What's on your mind?" she asked.

"Huh? W-what do you mean...?" I gulped.

"I practically raised you at this point, Darling. I would know when something is troubling you. Talk to me."

"Um... W-well... Do I really have to leave?"

"But of course. You can't just stay hauled up in this damp, dark cave for the rest of your life."

"I don't mind it... as long as I can keep seeing you."

"Oh, Darling..."

She took a step forward and wrapped her arms around me, careful to turn the torch away. I remember when she used to hug me like this. At the time, I stood a little under her shoulders. Now, I'm just slightly taller than her. Still, it was fulfilling nonetheless.

"You know... Watching you grow up over these past few years has been one of the greatest joys of my life, and I'm not one to easily get sentimental," she whispered. "Trust me. I'd love to just stay like this forever, but this world isn't kind enough to allow me that luxury."

"... Once we're outside... You're going to leave me... aren't you?" I mumbled.

The silence that followed gave me the answer I was expecting. 

"I have to. 'They' are waiting," she said. "I can't afford to stay for any longer."

"Can't I come with you?" I asked.

"No, Darling. We both may follow the Path of Tenebris, but the stories told are quite different. Your tale is just beginning, and you must see it through until the end. The path that I walk is extremely dangerous, beyond your comprehension. I could never allow you to set foot in it. Otherwise... I'd have to worry that I'll lose you again one day."

I know it's selfish of me to want her to stay, but I can't help it. She was the only thing I looked forward to in this life. Once she's gone, what can I do?

This day would've come eventually. I knew that... I just wish it hadn't come so soon.

"I... I understand," I said.

"Good," she smiled. "Now, let's go."

I took one final look at the dark cave behind me. I remember when I could see nothing but pitch black. Now, every crack and stone was visible. There was once a time when I feared this darkness, but soon... that darkness became a part of me. 

For a while, we walked in silence through the many branching corridors of the cavern. Eventually, my eyes became watery. At the end of the tunnel, there was a light. Although it was still well off into the distance, it was blinding.

"Well?" Silverain turned around and said. "Are you ready to see the world that you've been hiding from for the past three years?"

With a deep breath, I answered. "Yeah."

With each step we took, the light grew brighter. The darkness around us subsided, and finally, the cavern walls were no more.

My eyes shut, but I could hear it. This world. The sound of birds chirping coming from above, and the crashing of water to the left.

It took a couple of blinks, but my eyes finally adjusted. What I saw left me breathless.

Trees. They were everywhere. Above me, a sea of green leaves shrouded the blue sky. I extended my hand out to reach for one of the thousands of descending petals, bewildered by such a complex texture. It drifted away as a gust of wind brushed past me, carrying the leaves upon the ground deeper into the forest.

Sharp rays of light pierced through the many openings, forcing me to momentarily cover my eyes. Is that... the sun?

My eyes turned over at the sight of a magnificent waterfall pouring into a shimmering lake, ripples and waves crashing against the banks, yet it looked crystalline. Suddenly, a school of fish with shining scales arose, throwing themselves out and back in.

"Well?" Silverain giggled. "What do you think?"

"It's... beautiful," I said. "I mean... I knew it would be from all the books you read to me, but... to see it in person is truly something else."

"Isn't it? Get used to it, because you'll be seeing a lot more of it later on."

Silverain reached her arm up for a stretch while letting out a prolonged moan. She took off the fancy scabbard hanging on her shoulder and handed it to me.

"Here, Darling," she said. "This is for you."

"Eh? For... m-me?" I stuttered.

"That's right. You shouldn't keep using that rusty old sword. One more swing and that thing will shatter in an instant. Use this instead."

I took the scabbard and unsheathed the sword.

"T-this..."

Since the scabbard was already elegant on its own, I had already assumed that the sword it held was going to be just as beautiful. However, I didn't expect this.

A carved-out black butterfly was engraved into the guard between the hilt and the blade. The blade itself wasn't long, but it wasn't that short either. Whatever material was used to make it was so clear that I could see my own reflection. Lavender eyes... so that's how they look.

"What do you think?" Silverain smiled, full of anticipation for my reaction.

"It's amazing," I said. "But... I don't think I deserve to keep something like this. It suits you a lot more, Silverain."

"Heh. I appreciate that, Darling, but I already have my own. Besides... This sword was always meant to be yours, so It would make me very happy if you accepted it."

"Well... I guess if you really want me to..."

"I do. Now, turn around. I have one last gift for you."

I did as she asked, and thereafter, I felt her tugging on my long, black hair. She was being quite aggressive, but I didn't have it in me to say anything about it.

"And done," she said. "Look at me."

I turned back around to which she began admiring her handiwork.

"Looking sharp, Darling," she smiled. "Don't lose that hair tie. It's my favorite one."

As much as I wanted to shoot back with a satirical retort, I couldn't. She must've sensed right away that something was else, because the smile on her face abruptly faded.

Her hand reached up to hold my cheek. "Will you miss me?"

"What kind of question is that...?" I muttered. "Of course I'll miss you."

"Hah."

She threw her hand around to the back of my head and pulled me in to kiss my forehead.

"Don't worry, Darling," she said. "We will meet again when the Path of Tenebris connects our journey. I promise."

"... Okay..." I replied, but I was still quite dejected.

Silverain let go, and once more, our eyes met. As dejected as I still was, I managed to put on a smile of my own.

"About thirty minutes to the north, you'll find a village," she said, pointing in that direction. "It's where I go to buy bread for you. Looks like you'll have to do some work to buy your own from here on out. Now, get going."

"Understood," I nodded my head. "Then... Goodbye, Silverain."

She let out a scoff and began walking away. "For now, Darling. Remember everything that I taught you, and don't stop practicing. Keep your head up, and always move forward. Never reveal that you walk the Path of Tenebris. Ah... And most importantly... If someone strikes you first, then don't hesitate to strike them back."

"Huh...? Why would someone strike me?"

"The world is a nasty place. People will find any reason to pick a fight. Got it?"

"Yeah. I... I think so."

"Good. Now then, Darling... Farewell. I can't wait to see how much you've grown when we meet again."

Just like that, she disappeared beyond the sea of trees. I debated chasing after her, but I ultimately decided against it. Her path is her own... and I have mine to follow. I shouldn't go against her words, lest I come to disappoint her.

Thirty minutes to the north, huh? Let's see what this world has to offer. Although, I can already tell that I won't like it as much as the cave, because now... Silverain's gone.