Truth

"Lyra, I didn't mean to get you this excited, but it's your turn to sleep now," Reiji suggested, trying to shift the focus to a one-on-one conversation with Lyrien.

Just moments earlier…

Lyra had asked, "Are you actually an ART ability holder, Reiji?"

"How am I supposed to answer that? Lyra's been using words that don't even have equivalents in my language! Nebtawi mark! Do your thing!" Reiji thought in panic, trying to figure out how to respond to Lyra's question.

"Sister, do you really expect someone to just admit they have an ART ability? Calm down," Lyrien interjected, as though saving Reiji from the interrogation.

"Thank you, Lyrien," Reiji thought gratefully, glancing at her.

"How can I calm down?! You don't understand how his healing magic worked. It soothed me to the bone! And this sword?" Lyra raised the sword. "You saw it! We both cried for it earlier! But it's restored! Tell me, Lyrien, how can I calm down?" Lyra exclaimed.

"But sister, look at Reiji," Lyrien pointed at him, "You're making him uncomfortable."

"Ohhh, way to go, Lyrien!" Reiji silently celebrated.

"Besides, I've never seen you this excited. What's going on with you?" Lyrien asked.

Lyra blushed at her sister's statement and paused for a moment.

"That hit the spot! Great job, Lyrien!" Reiji thought, now ready to jump in.

"Lyra, I didn't mean to get you this excited, but it's your turn to sleep now," Reiji suggested. "Get some rest, and we'll talk more when you wake up."

"Perfectly timed, Reiji. Good job!" He praised himself internally.

Lyra tried to compose herself. 

Lyrien gently took her hand and said, "I know how exciting this is for you, especially with the restoration of that sword Big Brother Kaelin gave you. But let's give Reiji some space now. You also need some rest, we've had a long day."

"You're right," Lyra replied, letting out a soft exhale. 

She then turned to Reiji, "My apologies, Reiji. And I'm sorry for not thanking you properly for the sword earlier. I hope it's not too late. Thank you so much!" She bowed her head slightly in gratitude.

"No, it's all good, Lyra. I just happened to come across where your sword was and thought I'd surprise you," Reiji responded, waving his hands in a dismissive gesture, signaling that her thanks weren't necessary.

"Your heart is so pure, hearing that... you didn't have to do it, but you did anyway. I'm sorry too, for doubting you earlier," Lyra said sincerely.

"I understand, and don't apologize for looking after yourself and your sister," Reiji replied, offering her a warm smile.

Lyra then began walking towards Lyrien's robe to sleep.

Once she was far enough that she couldn't hear them, Lyrien remarked softly, "You're too good to be true... It scares me."

"You have every right to be," Reiji responded calmly. "Even I would find myself suspicious if I were in your position."

"Hmm… Why don't we sit by the campfire?" Lyrien suggested.

Reiji nodded and took a seat across from Lyrien, the glow of the campfire flickered shadows between them.

"I hope I'll be able to ease some of your concerns about me," Reiji said with a calm tone.

Lyrien looked at him and smiled softly. "Your words always seem so carefully chosen," she remarked. "That's probably why you can make someone easily believe you're actually from here."

"Does she have the same idea as Tati?" Reiji thought to himself. "She's been acting like she knows more than she lets on. I'll have to tread carefully."

"Why do you think that?" Reiji asked, maintaining his composure despite the growing unease in his chest.

"Remember when I told you not to let anyone else hear your ability incantation?" Lyrien asked.

"I do, yeah," Reiji replied, trying to play it off casually. "It's a little weird, though."

"Well, it's true," Lyrien said, nodding firmly. "Especially coming from someone like me."

"What's with this girl?" Reiji wondered, sensing layers of meaning in her words.

"Where did you get the seal?" Lyrien asked.

"The seal of Nebtawi, you mean?" Reiji clarified. "I got it from the elder of Caitstown."

"When?" Lyrien clarified.

Reiji hesitated for a moment before responding, "Why are you asking me these questions?"

Lyrien looked at Reiji, her eyes pierced through his deflection. It was clear she wasn't buying his attempt to sway the conversation.

"What do you expect to hear from me, Lyrien?" Reiji asked.

Lyrien leaned forward slightly, her gaze steady. "Reiji, Drainea, the seal… these aren't obscure concepts. Every child raised here knows about them. It's basic knowledge," she explained.

"I'm screwed. She's leading this conversation in full control," Reiji thought. "I have to be firm."

"Alright, I'm ready, Lyrien. Ask away," Reiji stated, masking his unease with a calm demeanor.

But just as he thought he was prepared, Lyrien's next question hit him like a bolt of lightning.

"Are you actually from Earth, Reiji? Are you an Earthborn?"

Reiji's eyes widened in shock, his jaw dropping in disbelief, leaving him thoroughly flabbergasted by the question.

Lyrien leaned back slightly, raising an eyebrow. "Did that actually surprise you?"

Reiji, still stunned, struggled to form words as Lyrien continued, "Sorry, I'm asking like Lyra. Why would you just answer the question, right?"

Lyrien paused for a moment, then her voice took on a more serious tone. "Your incantation gave it all away. That's how Earthborns are introduced in the archives—their unique incantation. Or rather, your incantation."

Reiji's mind raced with questions, "She knows?! How does she know? They know about Earth?!"

Before he could process it all, Lyrien whispered, "You're undeniably an Earthborn."

Reiji blinked, still trying to catch up. "Huh?"

Reiji chuckled slowly at first, then, as the tension grew too much to handle, he burst out laughing—loud and uncontrollable.

"There's no point in hiding it now. She got me." Reiji thought to himself, unable to stop the laughter that bubbled up at the absurdity of it all.

"Shush!" Lyrien hissed, glancing over at Lyra, who was still asleep nearby. "Lyra can't know about it."

Reiji tried to calm himself down, still reeling from the revelation that Lyrien knew about Earth. He looked at her and asked, "She can't know? But why?"

Lyrien's voice dropped to a quieter, more serious tone. "Because you're not welcome in this world."