Faith & Knowledge

Ayato's consciousness gradually returned. He was no longer in the ruins of Sanctuary, but on an unfamiliar tropical beach. Coconut-like fruits glowing on the trees illuminated the night, casting a golden reflection on the calm water. Waves lapped gently.

"Strange fruits," Ayato murmured, staring at the glowing coconuts overhead.

"Come here," a soft voice called to him.

There, Lys sat on a rattan chair with a book in her lap. She smiled and pointed to the sky. "Look!"

Ayato looked up. Tiny specks of light shone so magnificently across the heavens. Accompanying the moon to adorn the dark night, they appeared as exotic ornaments that erased the night's loneliness. Their eyes sparkled even more as one of the stars streaked across the sky as a falling star.

They were silent for a moment, enjoying the quietude accompanied by the glittering stars.

"Did you know?" Lys broke the silence, her voice soft yet full of meaning. "The stars in this sky are proof that our world has not yet been abandoned by the Creator."

Ayato tilted his head. "What do you mean?"

"Simply put, it's one form of faith," explained Lys, her eyes still fixed on the sky. "Their origin isn't always clear, but simply believing in them is enough to erase doubt and despair within oneself. It's a foundation—a belief that there is something greater than us, which gives meaning to all our efforts."

She paused for a moment, then continued in a deeper tone. "However, if we only believe without taking meaningful action, that faith becomes a double-edged sword. A one-sided obsession without any effort to improve oneself and the world will only distance us from the very thing we believe in."

Ayato looked at Lys, digesting every word. "So you mean... faith alone isn't enough?"

"Heh, as always Ayato, your mind is sharp," Lys smiled. "But it's not that simple. Faith gives birth to purpose, purpose provides strength, strength produces action, and action leads to the goal. They are interconnected like a chain."

She looked at Ayato seriously. "Knowledge without faith is hollow—like a ship without a destination, sailing the ocean without knowing the direction. Conversely, faith without knowledge is blind—like a sailor who only prays without studying the winds and the stars."

"I understand," Ayato nodded slowly. "So it must be balanced, it can't lean too heavily to one side."

"Correct," Lys affirmed. "Like someone you will meet later... he forgot that as long as the sky still contains thousands of stars, we must continue to strive to understand and utilize His gifts as best we can. Not just believe, but also learn, strive, and act. Life is a struggle with gratitude."

They fell silent again, enjoying the starry brilliance. Then, in a near-whisper, Ayato said, "I must admit... I also liked your thoughts just now."

Lys was surprised. Her cheeks flushed red. "Wha, wha, wha. What's this? Why suddenly say something strange like that? You're not usually like this, fufufu." Her mischievous side began to show.

Ayato gave a slight smile, joining in the teasing. "I think, you should adopt that belief every time you make a statement like that, and I'll like you even more. But well, I suppose it would be difficult to pair this particular belief with your efforts."

"What did you say!" Lys protested, but couldn't hide her smile.

"Pfft..."

Finally, they laughed together, and unconsciously their shoulders leaned against each other, enjoying the perfect beauty of the night sky.

After the laughter subsided, Ayato stood up and offered his hand. "Let's go home together, Master. There is still much for us to learn and fix."

Lys accepted the hand. "Words like that truly make you my best student."

As their skin touched, the resonance between teacher and student reached its peak—a bond that strengthened them both.

...

Ayato's consciousness returned to the real world. He was still in the ruins of Sanctuary, but now he was carrying Lys's light, unconscious body. Quickly, he contacted Aurellia.

"Aurel, I found Lys. She's still weak, but safe."
"Good. I'll protect her. What about you?"
"There's something else I must finish."

"... I understand. Ayato... no, fight with all your might!"

"...?"

Aurellia cut their communication.

"What did she really want to say?"

After pocketing the communication device, Ayato then asked the gradually waking Lys, "Can you teleport in this condition?"

Though weak, Lys nodded. "I can still manage."

Ayato immediately gave her the elixir he carried, then asked her to teleport to Aurellia's location. "Aurel always carries teleportation stones that can act as markers."

Before the teleportation activated, Lys grabbed Ayato's arm. "Good luck, Vin-chan."

The teleportation light swept over Lys's body, leaving Ayato alone. He took a deep breath, then looked towards the center of Sanctuary—a magnificent palace formed from darkness, as if summoning him.

"Now," he murmured, his silver eyes shining with resolve. "It's time to face the King."

He strode firmly towards the palace of darkness, where King Veyric waited on his black throne—ready to realize his plan to create "heaven" by erasing human civilization forever.