An Ancient Promise
Several days after the Phoenix caused the Festival of Falling Flame to be canceled, Fenie dreams of when she, Farhana, and Abramelin went to their local harvest festival. They were supposed to go on the last day to see the "appreciation festival" as well, but conflict between the Godslayers and Godshields led to it being canceled. Upon waking up, Fenie remembers her promise with Abramelin to see the festival as a family and strongly desires for the Festival of Falling Flames to be held this year.
Several days have passed since the Phoenix's schemes led to the Festival of Falling Flame being delayed.
Fenie is sleeping beside Sabrina, who has joined (Captain)'s crew for the time being, in their cabin on the Grandcypher.
Fenie: Zzz... Zzz...
Sabrina: ...
Fenie: Mm...
As she slumbers, she dreams of an event that took place during her childhood, around 6,000 years ago.
Fenie: We're home!
Fenie announces her return from the harvest festival as she steps into her empty house alongside its only other residents.
Farhana: Yes we are, aren't we. Did you enjoy the festival, Fenie?
Fenie: Yeah! I've never seen anything like it, everything was super exciting!
Fenie: We're already back home and I'm still excited just thinking about it!
Abramelin: Well, I'm glad you were able to be such a good girl even though you were so excited. Though you did get lost for a bit.
Fenie: I'm sorry!
Farhana: Hehe, but you know what? The last day of the festival will actually be even more exciting than today was.
Fenie: The last day? There's gonna be more days?
Abramelin: Our harvest festivals go on for five days, and today was only the second.
Abramelin: The last day is called the appreciation festival and will have a lot more going on than today did.
Fenie: Going on?
Farhana: It's going to be even more fun!
Fenie: Really?
Farhana: You bet! There will be more food stalls, performers will have competitions in the streets...
Farhana: And we'll all take part in a big dance! It'll be really exciting!
Fenie: Wow!
Fenie: Melin! Farhana!
I want to go to the appreciation festival too!
Farhana: I thought you might say that! What do you think, Melin?
Abramelin: Hm, I don't know about that...
Fenie: I'm not allowed to go?
Abramelin: No, it's not that you're not allowed...
Abramelin: But there will be a lot of people there, so it could be a bit more dangerous than today was.
Abramelin: Since you're still small, I'm a bit worried that you might get separated from us in the crowds.
Fenie: You are?
Farhana: Hmm... On the other hand, she does have that strange power.
Abramelin: You mean how she can quickly find us?
A couple of hours ago Fenie had wandered out of sight of her guardians for a while, only to promptly find them again.
They still have no idea how she was capable of such a feat in the turmoil of the festival.
Farhana: Now that I think about it, she's always been good at hide-and-seek too.
Farhana: With that power, I'm sure that she'll be fine. Though of course, she'll also be fine if we just don't lose sight of her.
Fenie: I won't lose you. I always know where you two are.
Abramelin: Yes, I suppose you two are right.
Abramelin: All right then, let's all enjoy the appreciation festival together!
Fenie: Yay! I love you, Melin!
Abramelin lifts up Fenie after she jumps into his arms, and Farhana pokes her cheek.
Farhana: What, only Melin?
Fenie: Farhana too! I love you too, Farhana!
Farhana: Ahaha, and I love you as well, Fenie. The appreciation festival's going to be so fun!
Fenie: Yeah!
Fenie: It's a promise...
Fenie: ...!
Fenie: That was...
Sabrina: Mmh...
Upon awakening from her dream Fenie unthinkingly speaks aloud, but stops herself for fear of waking Sabrina up.
Fenie: (How nostalgic. Farhana and Abramelin went to the harvest festival with me...)
Fenie: (We promised to go to the appreciation festival, too.)
Fenie: (But...)
Fenie: (We never got to go to that one...)
Fenie: Huh? The appreciation festival is cancelled? Why?
Abramelin: Apparently some Godslayers and Godshields got into a standoff at the festival yesterday and things got pretty dicey.
Fenie tilts her head in confusion, so Abramelin tries to explain using simpler words.
Abramelin: Well, there was... I guess a fight? And we decided to cancel the festival to make sure that there wouldn't be a bigger fight.
Fenie: Aww...
Abramelin: The whole town was looking forward to it, but this is what we need to do to keep everyone safe.
Farhana: I'm sorry, Fenie... I know we promised that we would take you.
Fenie: It's okay! We can just stay home!
Abramelin: That's a good girl.
Farhana: We had to cancel this one early, but I'm sure that next year we'll be able to finish the whole harvest festival.
Farhana: So we'll definitely all go to the next appreciation festival together. That's a promise!
Fenie: Yeah! That's a promise!
Fenie: (But the fight between the Godslayers and Godshields just got bigger and bigger...)
Fenie: (And in the end...)
Fenie: Melin...
Fenie: (Sabrina is together with me now, but Melin is...)
Fenie: ...
Sabrina: Mhn... Fenie?
Fenie: Ah, Sabrina! Sorry, did I wake you up?
Sabrina: Hm? What's wrong, Fenie? Why do you look so sad?
Sabrina lies down beside Fenie, pulls her into her arms, and begins to stroke her hair.
Fenie: I'm fine! I just had a sad dream...
Sabrina: Oh? Then I hope that your next dream is nicer. Come here.
Sabrina: Let's go back to sleep...
Fenie: Yeah...
Sabrina nods off while holding Fenie in her arms, who also closes her eyes.
Fenie: (Festivals...)
Fenie: (After it was canceled, we never had a chance to see the appreciation festival...)
Fenie: (But Christina and her people are still trying to make the Festival of Falling Flame happen.)
Fenie: (I want to help them out so we can all enjoy it together!)
Fenie: (I'm gonna do my best, so watch over me, Melin!)
Under the sheets, Fenie squeezes her small fists in determination.
Pushed forward by an unfulfilled promise, the young girl has become emotionally invested in getting the Festival of Falling Flame back on track.
A New Promise
Christina, who is working to get the Festival of Falling Flames on track to be held this year, summons Fenie to her office and, reminding her that she's still employed, tasks her with bringing some people who will be helping with the festival from the Gem Domain. After arriving at the ship that Christina had arranged, Fenie is surprised to see that it's the Grandcypher, leaving her and the crew members wondering why they were hired separately.
Fenie has debarked from the Grandcypher after receiving a message telling her to come to Christina's office.
Giving no objection to the sudden command, she arrives as instructed and knocks on the door.
Fenie's Voice: Christina! It's me, Fenie!
Christina: Right, come in.
Fenie: Hi, Christina! What do you want?
Christina: "What do I want?" That's quite an indifferent attitude to take, don't you think?
Christina: Have you forgotten that you're still on my payroll?
Fenie: Your payroll? Oh, are you talking about my job?
Christina: Yes, I'm talking about your job. Of course, there's no need for you to serve as an attendant for the soldiers from Radlith now that they're gone.
Christina: But in their place, the Gem Domain has offered to provide us with some people to help get the Festival of Falling Flame back on track.
Fenie: Wow! That's great! You've been complaining about not having enough help this whole time, after all.
Christina: That I have. On that note, your next job will be serving as an attendant for our helpers from the Gem Domain.
Fenie: Got it! Are they already here in Port Breeze?
Christina: No, your first task will be taking an airship to the Gem Domain to pick them up.
Fenie: We're going to pick them up in an airship? That means I'll be with them for the whole journey here. That's a big responsibility!
Christina: What, lost your nerve? By the way, they're planning to bring some precious jewelry to put on display along with them.
Fenie: No, I'll do it! I decided that I'm gonna work hard to get the Festival of Falling Flame restarted!
Fenie: I'm just, um... um... trembling with excitement!
Christina: Very well. Make sure you don't get too excited and end up running in circles.
Fenie: Okay!
Fenie makes her way to the pier where Christina said that the airship she'll be taking is docked.
Fenie: Okay, so it's the one on this side... Huh?
Fenie: Oh? Isn't this the...
Lyria's Voice: Fenie!
Fenie: Lyria! Then it really is...
Upon following the instructions that her employer gave her, she finds herself back at (Captain)'s ship.
Fenie: You guys are the crew that Christina hired?
Lyria: Yep! She said she wants us to bring the people from the Gem Domain and their cargo here.
Sabrina: So you'll be their attendant, huh? Are you sure you're up for it?
Fenie: Of course I am! Just leave it to me!
Lyria: Hehe, okay then, we're counting on you!
Fenie: Yeah, you too!
Sabrina: I wonder why Christina did that, though.
Vyrn: Did what?
Sabrina: Well... She's aware that Fenie and I are both staying on the Grandcypher, right?
Sabrina: I'm not sure why she would give Fenie that job specifically when she's basically already a member of this crew.
Vyrn: Hm? Now that you mention it, just hiring us pretty much guarantees that Fenie will come along too.
Sabrina: Right? That's why I thought it was odd.
Vyrn: Yeah, I wonder what's up with that. Well, it's not like we're any worse off for it.
Sabrina and Vyrn puzzle over Christina's actions for a moment, but put the thought out of their minds upon hearing (Captain) announce that it's time to cast off.
A New Promise: Scene 2
The crew members pick up the helpers from the Gem Domain, along with their cargo of gems and precious jewelry. Among that cargo is a ruby named "Eternity," which Fenie notes is similar to the Phoenix. On the way back to Port Breeze they are attacked by bandits, and though (Captain) and Sabrina quickly defeat the invaders, their leader manages to toss Sabrina overboard before going down. However, Fenie transforms her arms into wings and swiftly brings her back to the Grandcypher.
Upon reaching the Gem Domain, (Captain)'s crew brings the helpers and their cargo of jewelry aboard the Grandcypher.
Fenie: All the jewelry goes in this room!
Gem Domain Curator: I see... There are no windows, and it doesn't seem like its temperature or humidity will pose any problems. This will do wonderfully.
Lyria: While we're here, we'd like to make sure we have everything on the list!
Gem Domain Curator: Of course, let's go through it together!
Fenie: Let's see, the first thing is... A necklace?
Gem Domain Curator: Ah yes, that would be the piece that was made as a symbol of the friendship between Port Breeze and the Gem Domain. It's right here in this box.
Vyrn: This thing? Wow, it's super sparkly!
Gem Domain Curator: It was made using all of the expertise of both Port Breeze and the Gem Domain, after all. Normally we keep it safely locked away.
Gem Domain Curator: However, in light of the Festival of Falling Flame being delayed, we decided that it would be a good show of support to make an exception and bring it to put on display.
Lyria: Wow, that's a big weight on our shoulders!
Fenie: Christina must really trust you guys a lot to hire you for this, (Captain).
Vyrn: Yeah, you're right... We'd better make sure she doesn't regret it!
(Captain) nods and moves on to the next entry on the list.
Gem Domain Curator: Next we have... Ah yes, "Eternity."
Fenie: Eternity? Is that the name of this gem listed here?
Gem Domain Curator: Indeed it is. It's a very valuable ruby that's about the size of my fist.
Lyria: Oh! Is that it in this glass case?
Gem Domain Curator: Yes, that's it!
Fenie: Whoa... It's so red and pretty!
Gem Domain Curator: It was initially found and polished a very long time ago, and it's had quite a tumultuous history since then.
Gem Domain Curator: It has often ended up in the collections of powerful figures, only to be stolen and disappear from the pages of history for a time before being suddenly rediscovered.
Fenie: It disappears and is rediscovered...
Fenie: It sounds kind of like the Phoenix, especially with how red it is.
Gem Domain Curator: Indeed. That's why some call it the "Phoenix Stone."
Gem Domain Curator: Even when those who possess it fall into ruin, it always makes it through such chaotic pages of history to reappear later.
Lyria: Fall into ruin...
Gem Domain Curator: Some say that it gained its deep crimson hue from absorbing the blood that it's been stained in.
Fenie: Meep! That sounds scary!
Gem Domain Curator: Yes, gems with long histories tend to end up with such myths attributed to them.
Gem Domain Curator: Rest assured, we've tested it extensively and it displays no magical abnormalities.
Vyrn: I'm glad to hear that, since we've got it on our ship and all...
Lyria: Ahaha, me too. Let's see, next we have...
After going over every item with the curator and confirming that everything had been brought aboard, the crew sets sail for Port Breeze.
Fenie: This'll be your room until we get to Port Breeze!
Gem Domain Curator: Why, thank you. I hope I'll still be able to depend on your help once we arrive.
Fenie: Leave it to me! I'm your attendant—
Fenie: Eek!
Gem Domain Curator: What in the skies is shaking us like this?
Fenie: I'll go take a look! Stay here!
Fenie: (Captain)!
Vyrn: Fenie!
Fenie: What was that shaking about?
Sabrina: Look!
Upon reaching the deck, Fenie sees that another airship has come up alongside the Grandcypher.
Fenie: Huh? What are they doing?
As Fenie stands there confused, (Captain) orders her to get below deck along with Lyria.
Sabrina: There's only one reason for someone to pull something like this in the open skies...
Bandit Leader: Ha-ha-ha! You'd better hand over the Gem Domain's treasures if you want to live!
Sabrina: Yep, they're these kinds of fellows!
(Captain) nods to Sabrina and gets ready to fight.
Fenie: The Gem Domain's treasures? Like "Eternity" and stuff? No way we're giving those to you!
Vyrn: You said it! Let's make quick work of these bozos, (Captain)!
Bandit Leader: Don't get full of yourselves, you brats! All right boys, let's show them their place!
Sabrina: Hah!
Bandit: Urgh!
Sabrina and (Captain) take out the bandits one by one, pushing them back to their ship.
Bandit Leader: Wh-why are these brats so strong?
Bandit Leader: Gah!
Fenie: Whoa! (Captain) and Sabrina are both so strong!
Sabrina: (Captain)'s the captain of a crew of skyfarers, and I'm a former knight captain, after all!
Vyrn: Good job, (Captain)! Let's get these guys tied up!
Lyria: On it!
Bandit Leader: Damn it!
Lyria comes above deck with rope for (Captain) and Sabrina, and the bandit leader reaches for her.
Lyria: Eek!
Sabrina: Lyria!
Caught off guard, Sabrina rushes forward to defend Lyria and the ruffian manages to restrain her instead.
Bandit Leader: How dare you do this to us! I'm gonna at least make sure you regret it!
Sabrina: Urgh!
Making use of his massive size and brute strength, the bandit leader tosses Sabrina off the deck, leaving her plunging toward the bottom of the sky.
Lyria: Sabrina!
Fenie: Sabrinaaaa!
Sabrina: How could I let that happen?
Sabrina: (Am I going to die here? Without taking even one step toward my goal?)
Fenie's Voice: Sabrina!
Sabrina: Fenie?
Fenie accelerates beyond terminal velocity to catch up to Sabrina and flies her back to the Grandcypher.
Fenie: We're back!
Sabrina: R-right... I forgot that you can fly...
Sabrina: I thought I was dead...
Bandit Leader: Are... Are you kidding me!
Lyria: Sabrina! Thank goodness you're all right!
Sabrina: I'm sorry I worried you like that, Lyria.
Fenie: So long as they grab onto me, I can carry someone Sabrina's size no problem!
Vyrn: Well, I hope nobody thinks that means it's okay for people to start falling overboard on the regular...
After recovering from the shock of Sabrina's close call, (Captain) rushes to tie up all of the ruffians, including their leader.
After securing all of them, the Grandcypher resumes its voyage with the bandit's ship in tow.
A New Promise: Scene 3
After finishing her task, Fenie asks why she and (Captain)'s crew were hired separately. Upon being told that it was intended as a parting gift in celebration of her becoming able to use her real name, Fenie expresses her gratitude, then goes to meet Sabrina and they promise to go to the Festival of Falling Flame together.
Fenie: So yeah, we were attacked by bad guys on the way...
Fenie: But thanks to (Captain)'s crew we made it here with the people from the Gem Domain and their jewelry unharmed!
Christina: I see, good work. I'll have to consider giving (Captain)'s crew a bonus.
Christina: Right then, now that the helpers have reached their lodgings, your job as their attendant is over.
Christina: You got rave reviews, you know? Here, take your reward.
Fenie: Thanks, Christina! I'm happy I could help!
Fenie: ...
Christina: What, is it not enough?
Fenie: Ah, no that's not it!
Fenie: It's just... Sabrina and Vyrn were wondering about something.
Fenie: We couldn't figure out why you hired (Captain)'s crew and me separately.
Christina: Oh, that's what was bothering you?
Fenie: Just a little bit...
Christina: As I said before, you were still technically on my payroll. Other than that...
Fenie: Other than that?
Christina: I suppose I wanted to celebrate you becoming able to use your real name... To give you something of a parting gift, you could say.
Fenie: ...!
Christina: Making someone say something embarrassing like that out loud is the mark of a vixen you know, Fenie?
Fenie: What! It is?
Christina: No, I'm joking.
Fenie: Oh...
Fenie: Um, Christina... I'm sorry I lied about having forgotten my name...
Christina: Don't worry about it. I knew that you were hiding something when I hired you.
Christina: Now that you can openly call yourself by your true name, make sure that you take good care of it.
Fenie: Yeah! Thanks, Christina!
Expressing her gratitude toward her former employer again, Fenie leaves the office.
Fenie: Ah!
Fenie: Sabrina!
Locating Sabrina in the crowds from quite a distance away, Fenie runs up and hugs her.
Sabrina: Fenie!
Fenie: Ehehe, did you come to pick me up?
Sabrina: Yes, I did. I was hoping to surprise you, but it seems you've found me first again.
Fenie: Thanks for coming! Let's head back to the Grandcypher!
Hand in hand, Fenie and Sabrina walk through the town and watch the people preparing for the festival.
Sabrina: Everyone sure is full of energy. It's like they've already forgotten about what happened with the Phoenix.
Fenie: They're all super busy getting ready for the festival! It's making me excited too!
Fenie: ...
Hey, Sabrina?
Sabrina: Yeah, what's up?
Fenie: Will you come visit the Festival of Falling Flame with me?
Sabrina: Oh, is that all? Yes, of course I will. Let's make a great night of it.
Fenie: Thanks, Sabrina! I'm so happy!
Fenie: I wish that Melin could be here too...
Seeing Fenie look lonely as she thinks about the family member they've lost, Sabrina silently steels her resolve.
Sabrina: (One day, without fail, all three of us will...)
Fenie: Wha-wha-what the heck?
Sabrina: Oh, it's...
Fenie: A-an explosion? A bomb? Sabrina, get down!
Sabrina: Haha, calm down, Fenie. Those are just fireworks.
Fenie: Fireworks?
Sabrina: Yeah. They must be doing a test run. There, look.
Fenie: Whoa! It's like there was a flower in the sky! Fireworks are so cool!
Sabrina: Yeah, they are. Looks like the test run's over.
Sabrina: The real thing will be much more impressive. They'll shoot up a whole bunch of them at once, over and over.
Fenie: A whole bunch of them? Just one was already so pretty!
Sabrina: Haha, looks like you're even more excited for the festival now, Fenie.
Fenie: Yeah! You'll be there too, so I know it'll be super, super fun!
While keeping the family they've lost in mind, the two show no signs of letting life pass them by.
Fenie is finding all kinds of happiness every day as she lives with Sabrina by her side.
