Loving Bonds

Things seemed to progress rapidly from there. 

Before Itsuki had fully registered the situation, Amane had closed the distance. Her arms wrapped around him and pulled him close. 

"It's so good to see you," she confessed, tears welling up in her eyes. "I didn't think I'd ever see you again..."

Itsuki was caught in shock. She was holding onto him so tightly, there was no room for him to move. His heart fluttered a bit - she had never been this forward before. 

After a moment, it hit him. A very familiar smell of lavender that she always wore back home. It was her smell. Despite everything else in this world being different, that scent was still there. 

His eyes also teared up; the nostalgia hitting him like a brick. 

"It's good to see you, too." he acknowledged, wrapping his arms around her and reciprocating the hug. "It feels like its been forever."

He enjoyed the quiet, peaceful moment for what it was. It seemed like they hadn't seen each other in years, even though only a few weeks had passed since he arrived in this world. 

"I really hoped you'd make your way here," Amane spoke as she pulled away, smiling. "It's been lonely, trying to navigate things all alone."

"C'mon, aren't you some 'goddess' now?" Itsuki asked. "You must have gotten more attention than you can handle over these last few weeks!"

While he chuckled at the joke, Amane seemed to hold a relatively stoic expression. Not cold or angry, but there was something else there. Something that Itsuki expected wouldn't be pleasant. 

"Itsuki," she began. "Ever since I found out you were approaching Evermere, I began to think... How long have you been in the Fallen Lands?"

"How long?" Itsuki questioned. "About three weeks at this point. Why ... do you ask?"

He paused briefly mid-sentence, primarily because his brain was catching up with what she might have been insinuating. He didn't like where this was going. 

"Four years," Amane confirmed. "I've been here in Evermere for four years."

Itsuki tried to process the information, but struggled to do so. They had all gone through the same event, so why was there such a disparity? Had they all arrived at different times?

"I guess there's some silver lining, though," she giggled. "You were a couple years older than me before, so now it seems the shoe  is on the other foot."

She was trying to soften the blow, but it wasn't successful. Itsuki's brain was somewhere else entirely - on the one idea that concerned him more than anything else. 

"What about Shin?"

The moment the question came out, a cold and solemn air swept over them. Even Yuna, who had been standing off to the side and listening, could tell that it was an uncomfortable subject. 

"I don't know, Itsuki," she admitted. "I have had scouts searching the Fallen Lands endlessly, trying to find either of you. I've had no luck finding Shin. I'm not even sure he's here..."

Before Itsuki could get too lost in thought, Amane grabbed his hand, pulling their gazes together. 

"But now," she continued, "you're here! Not only that, but you just arrived! If anything, that means that Shin may not even have been summoned to the Fallen Lands yet! If that's the case, then he's not in any immediate danger. We just have to wait for him to be summoned!"

"That might be true," Itsuki pondered aloud. "That being said, the Fallen Lands isn't a particularly nice place. If he shows up somewhere like I first did, he may be killed before we ever know about it."

"Then we'll scour the whole Fallen Lands if we have to!" Amane exclaimed. "We'll keep every area under surveillance while we wait for him! Evermere has the resources to do it! At least once...The Directive is dealt with..."

"The Directive?"

"They're a terrifying organization that exists somewhere in the Fallen Lands," Amane explained. "We've never been able to locate them, but it seems like they're ever-present. Murders, kidnappings, full-on attacks against Evermere - all out of nowhere. Even more horrid is that our recent research suggests that they may, in some manner, control the Cataclysm's activations."

The last part of her words made both Yuna and Itsuki jump out of their skin. Not that the murders and kidnappings weren't bad, but it seemed like something common in the Fallen Lands. 

Controlling the Cataclysm, though? How was that even possible? Vaelric had mentioned that the Judge was the one who would decide to extend or end the Cataclysm. Was it more complicated than that? Could someone actually control the timing and appearance of the Cataclysm?

"The town we just arrived from experienced the Cataclysm while we were guests there," Itsuki admitted. "It was hell."

"The one in Velmoria," Amane replied, already appearing to be aware. "My scouts noted it to me after it started. We can't predict where they'll pop up, but we catalog them all. In the hopes that some sort of pattern or reason can be found behind them."

"You haven't found anything yet, I presume?"

"No, but it hasn't all been wasted," she assured him. "The fact that Velmoria was targeted - while you were there - is far too coincidental. Even more importantly, you seemed to be able to assist them in surviving the Cataclysm! That alone speaks to what we may be able to accomplish together!"

"I didn't do much, admittedly. Yuna did all the heavy lifting - I'm just here to be the Judge."

"The Judge, huh?"

Amane took a step back and pondered Itsuki's words for a moment. She seemed deep in thought. Itsuki hoped that maybe his feather pendant could give him some insight, but no such luck. Like him, she appeared to be God-Marked. 

"Evermere has texts and records dating back many centuries," she explained. "The events of the last Cataclysm, and 'the Judge' who determined the outcome, were all noted within them. If that is the position you've been given, then you have a big responsibility on your shoulders..."

Itsuki was surprised. It certainly saved time - not having to explain everything. He supposed it made sense that the one city that had lasted the whole time would have a more accurate historical record. 

"What about you?"

"I am the Goddess," she admitted. "I have access to near-infinite power. I can will things in and out of existence, and can create miracles with just a thought...However, my influence only extends to the edge of Evermere. Beyond that - beyond where the clouds begin - I have nothing..."

"That's still quite impressive. As the Judge, all I have is this book - which won't even open until I'm deemed ready to make the final decision..."

Amane observed the book as Itsuki pulled it from his pack. She chose not to touch it, unsure if it would be malicious towards someone else touching or holding it. Still...

"That is definitely the work of a deity," she concluded aloud. "I guess we will need to make a plan about how to proceed form here. But first..."

Her expression softened, and she smiled gently. 

"Go and enjoy Evermere. This city is beautiful, and I want you to feel just as at-home here as I do. I will wait here and ponder what comes next. Return here to rest for the night. Tomorrow can be a day of planning and strategy."

Itsuki was surprised by her wholesomeness, but he smiled appreciatively. He had to remember - the Fallen lands had tainted his trust in people, but Amane had always been kind and caring. It fit her personality to want him to experience happiness, especially after what he had been through. 

"Thanks, Amane."

***

Yuna and Itsuki stepped out of the front doors that came from the bottom-most level of the tower. Before them was an incredibly ornate staircase, leading down into the bustling city below. 

"Alright then, Itsuki," Yuna questioned. "What are you thinking?"

"I think..." Itsuki started. "That Amane is right. There will be many tough days ahead, and a day of fun and relaxation will be very rare. As such, we should take advantage of it, should we not?"

"I agree," Yuna smiled. "That's the most hopeful I've heard you sound in awhile."

"Maybe you're just doing a good job."

Yuna giggled, blushing a bit. 

"So then, what's the plan? Do we want to explore the city separately?"

Itsuki thought for a moment. A lot of thoughts were crowding his mind, but one stood out. 

"No, I have a better idea," he admitted, turning towards her. "Let's go on a date."