Chapter 12: Hey!

The Pillar space gradually retreated into the dark corners beyond Êyavia's sight, returning her to reality. She checked her phone; the screen displayed June 20, 2025, at 9:12 AM�"28 days before that date.

When she chose to return to reality, she did not pay much attention to the time, as she had done before, but the first few times, she was always transported back to the time she had just woken up. This time it was this exact hour again…

But perhaps, for now, that was not so important. This time, she wanted to talk to Stalas directly. Even though she knew he probably would answer nothing, she was sure she had to try! Perhaps…

Walking down the familiar hallway, she inexplicably slowed her movements, feeling the texture of the place where she had grown up. She always walked through that space, yet when she actually stopped and looked at it closely, she felt a strange sense of unfamiliarity. The memory was still there, its form still the same, but why were there such strange details? This feeling seemed exactly the same as when Êyavia observed the bell hanging on Alisa's door. But she quickly tried to dispel those feelings; there was something more important waiting for her.

Passing by Stalas's room, Êyavia's heart suddenly sank. The door was open, meaning the boy was not home. Right, it was 9 a.m., Stalas must be out for a walk or hanging with friends, the weather was cool and dry. She could not understand why she would have forgotten this basic routine. Normally, if he was not drawing something, he would choose to go for a walk. It was a long-standing habit; she was unable to even remember when it started. She only knew he loved walking around the large Pallin neighborhood. As far as she knew, it was a good thing, so she never paid much attention to it. But how could she have forgotten such an important detail?

Currently, she was wondering whether to fast forward to lunch or rewind to breakfast. Breakfast seemed more logical; she wanted nothing to do with seeing herself messing around in the kitchen preparing food. But how did she rewind? Perhaps, like before, she might just need to focus on the thought of rewinding, and everything would happen that easily. Êyavia raised her hand into the air as if trying to touch the stars in the Pillars.

She felt the flow of air in this closed house flowing through her fingers, like touching a cool stream of water. She closed her eyes, focusing on the thought of reversing the flow. And the flow did indeed reverse through her fingertips. And so did her body; when she opened her eyes, the flow stopped. Her body was sitting at the dining table, a half-eaten plate of breakfast in front of her, and Stalas, sitting to her right, was chewing his food while scrolling through his phone. It had been a while since Êyavia had seen this familiar breakfast scene.

Êyavia forced a smile onto her face and took a deep breath before saying what was weighing on her mind: "Stalas."

Stalas, his mouth full of food, turned to look at Êyavia. The smile she was forcing onto her face almost crumbled and fell to the ground upon meeting Stalas's gaze. Fortunately, Stalas did not notice her awkwardness, but Êyavia's heart was filled with complex emotions. It was still the same face, still that radiant aura. But Êyavia clearly saw another face, a stark contrast to this radiance. He was still the same, still acting as if nothing unusual had happened. Êyavia suppressed the turmoil in her mind to make way for the words that had been stuck in her throat.

"I think I saw Filias recently. It’s been a long time since you two last met, hasn’t it?"

"Yeah, I met him," Stalas swallowed hard before replying to Êyavia.

"Did he say anything? You two must have a lot to talk about after so long, right?"

"Oh, nothing much. He just said he remembered how we used to hang out together."

"That’s all?"

"That’s all," Stalas said, clearing his plate and standing up. "If there’s nothing else, I’ll leave now."

Êyavia wanted to say something, but stopped herself. Stalas, however, remained completely expressionless. She silently watched him walk away, her mind racing with thoughts. This was not the outcome she wanted; she tried again. The air flowed once more, and Stalas returned to his seat, eating and scrolling through his phone.

"Stalas, Filias's back!"

"Yeah, I know."

"You know, I've always seen how close you two are. Just look at Filias's eyes."

Stalas remained silent.

"Whoever it is, I know our parents will never interfere or forbid it. Filias is a good child with a bright future. Our parents would cherish him."

"I know, but let's talk about this later," Stalas said, quickly clearing the dishes and leaving. Êyavia frowned, the flow of her thoughts shifting once again.

"Stalas, regarding Filias, whatever you choose, your parents and I will always support you."

"What are you saying, V?"

"I mean, you two look like a good match, don't put too much pressure on yourselves or worry too much because�""

"Let's talk about this later."

……

"Last time when Filias talked to you in the park, I heard everything."

"You heard everything!?"

"Yes, you know-"

"Let’s talk about this later."

……

"About you and Filias-"

"Let’s talk about it later."

……

"Just tell me, I’m ready to listen!"

"No, let’s talk about it another time."

……
……
……

"Why on earth do you keep avoiding me and not telling me anything?!" Êyavia clenched her fist and slammed it down on the table.

Stalas looked at Êyavia in surprise, his face bewildered, still not knowing what was happening. Êyavia sighed, covering her face with her hands as she waited for the space to peel away piece by piece, until the entire kitchen vanished and the sound of wind chimes returned to her ears. Only then did she lower her hands to her head, sitting there sullenly, staring at the two prisms still suspended in the air.

Êyavia spoke in a heavy voice, "Storyteller, do you have a story that could help me relieve this mood?"

"I’m thinking, what story would be suitable for you at a time like this?" the Storyteller mused. Before, she had found him distant and unapproachable, but the more she interacted with him, the more she felt this god was mimicking human nature. Each time he spoke, it felt like he was changing into a new mask of personality.

"It probably doesn’t need to be related to my own affairs, just a story, any story will do. Right now, I just want to escape this tangled mess of thoughts." Êyavia lay back on the soft ground, letting her body drift as tiny ripples embraced her small frame.

"A random story, huh? If so, I have plenty. Let's see, perhaps a fable from a fallen civilization would suit you."