Night had never felt so heavy.
The wind whispered like a warning across the hills of Grimsvik, brushing against rooftops, stirring leaves, and rattling loose shutters. Above, the crack in the sky pulsed like an open wound, glowing faintly, as if watching them.
In the quiet that followed Erik’s decision to join their journey, something shifted. Not just in the air, but in the hearts of those about to ride into the unknown.

For the first time since this began, Star wondered…

How much of her old life would remain by the time they returned?

“Well, if you insist. You may come with me, Erik,” Klara said with a long sigh.

Erik’s face lit up with joy. He looked as if a great weight had been lifted off him. He turned and dashed back inside, bouncing with excitement like a child. From the carriage, Star could see Erik grabbing his weapon—a large orange greatsword with reddish edges.

After taking his weapon, Erik embraced Klara’s parents and thanked them for raising him. Then, with a wide, sincere smile, he bolted outside and jumped onto the carriage, sitting beside Klara.

Once everyone was aboard, Ludwig cracked the reins and the carriage began speeding down the road. Star gazed out the window. The cold night wind brushed against her snow-pale skin. The crack in the sky still lingered—neither fully opened nor closed.

“Our journey to Valhalla’s capital will take around six hours, so feel free to get some rest. I’ll wake you all when we’re near,” Ludwig said, his eyes fixed on the road.

“But what about you, Ludwig? Aren’t you going to get sleepy? I can take over later,” Friedrich offered.

“Ah, don’t worry about me. I’m used to traveling at night,” Ludwig replied.

“Still, you need to sleep sometime,” Friedrich insisted. “Just let me know when you get tired.”

Ludwig only nodded, though it was clear he truly was accustomed to nighttime travels from his village to the capital. Klara and Erik were already fast asleep beside each other. Friedrich, too, had dozed off the moment he settled in. But not Star—her eyes remained fixed on the rift in the sky, her face unreadable.

Siegfried noticed.

“Star, are you alright?” he asked, placing a hand on her shoulder.

“I…” Star began, her voice faltering, “I’d be lying if I said I was fine.”

“Are you afraid?” Siegfried asked again.

“It’s more than fear, Siegfried. I don’t know if it’s the cold or something else, but I’m nervous… my hands are trembling,” she said, holding them up for him to see.

Siegfried took her hands gently in his. “You don’t have to be afraid, Star. I’m here. Always beside you.”

Star didn't know what lay ahead at the capital.

But she knew the rift above them wasn’t just in the sky—

It was inside her, too.