The tunnel is quieter now, though knights still search every corner.

“Have you found it?” 

The Captain walks up to a green-haired knight.

The knight sets a box onto the table with a thump.

“Not yet.”

“Keep searching.”

I can’t focus on this little… fog spirit right now.

…

I need to stay focused on the mission first.

The Captain turns to leave.

“I found it!” 

The Captain pauses.

The knight pulls out a small glass jar, with a white lily inside.

“Let me see.” 

The Captain holds out his hand. 

The knight hands it over.

He studies the flower.

White petals with the faintest pink undertone surround a bloom no bigger than a finger.

Relief softens his expression.

“This is it. Let’s wrap things up and head out.”

“Yessir.”

The Captain looks at it one more time before placing it in his holster.

…

Taka presses against the glass, peering into the neighboring jar at a tiny white flower.

“Pretty!” His eyes widen. “Is it a flower?”

“Stop looking at me.” 

A girl’s voice rings in his ears.

He tilts his head. “Flowers can talk?”

“No. I am a lily spirit dummy. I am not some dirty flower.”

“...What is a lily spirit?”

"Wow... you really don't know anything." She groans. “Let me guess, you are some kind of fog spirit.”

He sinks a little. “...yes…”

She laughs once. “I knew it. Well, since you are so dumb, let me inform you.” She clears her throat. “We lily spirits are very rare! We have special healing properties!” Her voice carries pride.

Taka frowns. “...So?”

“So?!” Her petals sag slightly. “Humans love us! In exchange for a petal or two, they take care of us and give us a lot of sunlight.”

…

“...Does it hurt?” 

This question confuses the lily. 

“A little I guess…”

…

“Do you like being in a jar?”

“... No. Not really…” She hesitates. “Still! We are highly sought after and amazing!”

Taka looks back at the flower.

He still doesn’t understand.

Why would she care about being important to people who take away their freedom?

…

Taka doesn’t feel like asking the lily any more questions.

So he sits in the jar and keeps his eyes on the man’s feet as the road behind them disappears.

The brick streets give way to dirt roads before the Captain climbs onto his horse.

Taka bounces in his jar, nearly bumping against the glass.

“Alright, we will head back while you finish up here.” He says.

“Yessir.”

Taka watches through a gap in the Captain’s cape as trees blur past.

His eyes follow in amazement, afraid to blink. 

He quietly wonders if he will be able to see these sights again in the future.

“You seem happy.” The lily spirit chuckles.

Taka looks around at his mist, now a light yellow color. 

“You know about that?”

“Mhm!” She carries confidence. “I know that fog spirits shift colors based on their emotions.” She scoffs. “Humans are so silly to think it is random.”

Taka is unsure what to say to keep the conversation going. 

He doesn’t know if he wants to.

…

So he turns back to watch the outside.

The trees quickly turn to buildings as the ride slows down a little.

His eyes never leave the gap as he watches people passing by, living their everyday lives.

He tries to memorize every little detail.

The baker carrying a basket of fresh bread.

The lady in the big dress and funny looking hat.

A cat licking its paw in the alley.

He wants to remember everything…

…

Just in case.