Chapter VII. The World Above

Aito trailed behind Sorako, their footsteps muffled by the soft path through the dense grove of trees. With every step, he stole glances at her back, admiring the way the morning light filtered through the leaves, casting dancing shadows.

A small shimmer appeared ahead of them, growing brighter as they ascended the slope.

As they reached the crest, Aito's breath caught in his throat. The trees suddenly opened up to reveal a breathtaking sight.

In the heart of the wood, a large limestone rock stood proudly amidst a circle of trees, surrounded by a vibrant sea of Edelweiss flowers.

Sunlight poured down from above, illuminating the scene like a magical spotlight. Beyond the ring of trees, half of a mountain loomed, its jagged edges a testament to the erosion of time.

Sorako approached the blossoms with a careful grace, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She spun around to face Aito, her smile radiant enough to take his breath away.

"See? I told you I found something incredible." She exclaimed, her voice a melody in the stillness of the morning.

Crouching down, Sorako traced her fingers over the cool surface of the limestone, her touch gentle as she brushed against the delicate petals of the Edelweiss.

Aito watched in awe, captivated not just by the flowers but by the enchantment radiating from Sorako herself.

"Did you know these flowers are called Edelweiss?" She said, her gaze fixed on them. "They only grow in high altitudes."

Slowly, Aito moved closer and crouched beside her, his eyes shifting between her and the lovely blooms. He glanced at the trees encircling them, feeling a touch of wonder.

"So you're saying this area was once a mountain? Doesn't look much like one." He remarked, a hint of skepticism in his tone.

Sorako turned her gaze towards the eroded mountain off to their left, where a small rocky path wound its way from the limestone to the mountain's base, dotted with more Edelweiss flowers.

"No," she replied, her voice thoughtful. "I believe this place was a mountain, before the island split." She glanced up at the island looming above them. "Now the rest of it leads up to the crystalline where the Greater Spirit Bird lays."

Aito's gaze followed hers, eyes tracing the path that climbed towards the summit.

"They say that those who traveled up these mountains and came back with an Edelweiss were able to profess their love and were accepted by the Greater Spirit Bird for their courage." She continued.

Aito raised an eyebrow and shrugged. "Sounds like those people had a death wish. Only a fool would climb a mountain for a flower."

Sorako chuckled softly, clasping her hands together as she turned to him. Their gazes locked, and for a moment, the world around them faded.

"I think my heart would be full if someone were to bring a flower from the top of a mountain, just to profess their love for me." She said, a dreamy look in her eyes.

Feeling a sudden rush of boldness, Aito searched the cluster of flowers, plucking one delicate Edelweiss from the limestone's embrace. He handed it to her, watching as her eyes widened in surprise.

For all the beauty surrounding them, it was her reaction that struck him most. She looked from the flower to him, an expression of wonder pulling at her features.

"I didn't exactly climb a huge mountain, but here." Aito said, averting his gaze as embarrassment flushed his cheeks.

Sorako's laughter tinkled in the air as she accepted the flower. Carefully, she tucked it into the gap of her kosode, allowing it to peek out proudly.

"One would think this is a confession." She teased, the delight in her eyes sparkling playfully.

Aito stood up, still facing away, his pulse racing. "Can we get going now? I think we've wasted enough time here looking at flowers."

With a small sigh, Sorako rose to her feet and smoothed down her skirt, a playful pout forming on her lips.

"I guess we should carry on." She replied, the lightness in her tone contrasting with the playful tension lingering between them.

Aito turned back towards the grassy path, taking the lead once more. Sorako followed closely behind, the warmth of her presence making Aito feel weirdly at ease.

Aito and Sorako stood before the ancient stone steps leading up to Toshi Shrine, the remnants of a once-majestic place now crumbling in disrepair. The torii gates, symbols of the sacred, lay crumpled on the ground, their proud arches reduced to mere rubble.

With cautious steps, they began their ascent. "I hope the shrine's in better condition." Aito remarked, his voice tinged with both hope and apprehension.

Sorako ran her fingers over the remnants of the torii gates, the weathered wood cool beneath her touch. She lifted her gaze toward the shrine, a mix of concern and curiosity in her eyes. "I hope so too." She replied softly.

As they reached the top of the stairs, the sight that met them was disheartening. The ruins of Toshi Shrine sprawled before them, its structural integrity failing on one side, with a lone beam barely standing on the other.

"This place has seen better days." Aito observed, his tone heavy with a sense of loss.

Sorako stepped forward, her heartache mirrored in her gesture as she placed her hand on the broken plaque at her feet, which read 'Toshi Shrine.'

Taking a step back, she marveled at the shrine's former glory. "The first shrine ever built, what a terrible fate that befell you." She lamented, a deep sadness in her voice.

Aito's thoughts shifted, curiosity piquing within him. "Any idea where this staircase would be?" He inquired, glancing around for some hint of what might lie ahead.

Sorako stroked her chin, scanning the remains of the shrine as Koi and Squiggles floated playfully around her. Suddenly, she took a step forward, and as she did, a soft glow enveloped her.

Words began to illuminate the plaque at her feet, glowing with an ethereal light. As she read the words, a sense of knowledge washed over her. "Climb the stairs to paradise…"

Her voice barely above a whisper, she murmured, "I see, was this your doing... Mother?"

With newfound determination, Sorako directed her gaze toward Toshi Shrine. Closing her eyes, she spread her arms wide, surrendering herself to the moment.

With a gentle and melodic voice, she began to sing:

"Climb the stairs to paradise,

That only song shall reveal,

And be built by shrine of the land,

To guide those to their future."

As her voice echoed through the air, Toshi Shrine responded. Brilliant gold light erupted around the structure. Slowly, pieces of the shattered shrine began to rise, assembling into the form of a spiral staircase that seemed to defy gravity.

Aito stood beside her, awe replacing the earlier apprehension in his expression.

With a triumphant grin, Sorako turned to Aito, reveling in the magical transformation. He simply watched, captivated by the sight.

But then, a sudden wince crossed his features as pain gripped his chest. Gripping his shirt tightly, he let out a slight grunt.

"Of all the stupidly insane things I've seen this past day, this takes the cake." He murmured, his hand falling away as the pain dissipated like mist.

Sorako turned to him, puzzled. "You do know cake is food?"

Aito glanced at her, incredulous. "It's a figure of speech." He explained, shaking his head in disbelief.

Sorako nodded, still captivated by the unfolding scene. "I see. It is something that someone said and everyone knows it makes no sense."

Aito shook his head, half amused and half bewildered. "I guess that's one way to put it." He replied, turning his gaze back to the majestic staircase forming before them. "A confusing one, but yeah."

Together, they stood before the spiraling staircase looking up at the sheer size of it with trepedition.

***

The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the peaceful hillside. There, nestled on a blanket, sat a bird watcher, his binoculars gripped tightly in his right hand.

He peered through the lenses, his eyes narrowing as they focused on a nest tucked amid the branches.

Lidth's Jay – a sighting that filled him with quiet joy. The world around him faded into the background as he immersed himself in the delicate lines and colors of the bird's habitat.

His gaze shifted slightly to the left, where he spotted Aito standing by an ancient shrine, his focus drawn upwards, lost in thought. The bird watcher's heart swelled with a mixture of admiration and curiosity.

With a soft rustle, the bird watcher returned to his own world, feeling around the blanket with his left hand until he found his trusted bird encyclopedia. Before he could delve into its pages, the scene abruptly shifted.

***

"Shall we?" Sorako asked.

Aito nodded, his determination evident. "Whoever came up with this idea was a genius." He replied, glancing one last time at the mesmerizing glow before stepping onto the staircase.

They began their ascent.

Back on the hill, the bird watcher closed the encyclopedia with a contented sigh. Leaning back on the blanket, he allowed himself a moment of peace, gazing up at the vast blue sky.

"What a nice day to just relax and watch birds." He mused to himself.

However, a flicker of motion caught his eye to the left. He squinted against the sunlight, trying to make sense of the shadow that drifted in the sky.

"A bird?" He wondered aloud, his heart quickening. The binoculars were back in his hand in an instant, and he peered through the lenses.

To his astonishment, the shadow transformed into the form of Aito, who was walking in a circular motion, ascending into the air as if he'd mastered gravity.

The bird watcher's eyes widened in disbelief; his mind raced as he struggled to comprehend the sight unfolding before him. Lowering the binoculars, he blinked rapidly, as though that might bring clarity to the surreal scene.

But Aito continued his ascent, shoulders slumped and oblivious to the wonder he had invoked. The bird watcher's mouth dropped open in shock.

He scrambled to his feet, his heart pounding in his chest. Fumbling for his phone, he dialed a number with trembling fingers as he spoke breathlessly into the receiver.

"Hey man, you're not going to believe this, but… there's a kid walking in the air."But before he could glean a response, the line went dead. The bird watcher stared at his phone in disbelief.

"Don't just hang up!" He yelled, frustration flooding him.

With no reply, he shoved the phone back into his pocket, his mind racing with the reality he had just witnessed.

In a fit of instinct, he picked up his blanket and book, casting one last glance at Aito's astonishing figure before turning to flee.

"Let's just pretend we didn't see a thing. Yup, not a thing." He murmured, urgency in his steps as he rushed away from the unfolding mystery, the world around him a blur.

***

Light spilled gently over the spiral staircase that wound its way upward seemingly endless. Sorako moved with a grace that contrasted sharply with Aito's laboring ascent.

She paused a few steps ahead, hands clasped behind her back, while Aito trudged slowly behind her, his slouched form clearly struggling with each movement.

"Whoever came up with this idea needs to rethink their ideas." He huffed, his breath coming in heavy gasps as he paused to catch his breath.

Sorako glanced back over her shoulder, a teasing smile playing on her lips as she tilted her head down to meet his gaze. "Were you not the one praising this idea a few moments ago?"

Aito craned his neck and met her eyes, letting out a long sigh that felt like a release of both frustration and fatigue. "That was until I saw the amount of steps we have to climb." He replied with a touch of humor.

With a slight chuckle, Sorako shifted her gaze upward and continued her ascent. "You were fine when we walked around the surface."

Aito stopped, turning his eyes toward the mesmerizing cityscape sprawling below them. "Stairs are a different kind of hell. Besides, the air's thinner up here, so it's harder to breathe." He remarked, attempting to mask his weariness with a note of exasperation.

Sorako stepped down one time to join him momentarily, their eyes drawn to the expansive view. "It is strange how looking from a distance makes things seem far more beautiful than looking up close." She observed thoughtfully.

Her gaze shifted higher, capturing the rugged outline of the island against the bright sky. Below, the hardened soil revealed patches of earth, where small fragments crumbled off and tumbled down into the void.

Sorako muttered softly, "But even then, the things you only see from far away become the things you want to see the most."

Aito watched her, captivated by the emotion that danced in her features. A sudden urge surged within him, prompting him to say, "Do you not like being on the island?"

Sorako's eyes widened in surprise, and for a fleeting moment, she looked vulnerable. She bit her lip, averting her gaze as she turned her back to him.

"We are almost at the top." She replied, her voice muted with something unspoken.

As she continued along the staircase, Aito couldn't shake the feeling of longing that hung in the air between them.

"Birds of a feather, huh." He muttered to himself, the phrase lingering as he followed her ascending figure.

***

The afternoon sun cast a warm, golden light at the summit of the spiral staircase, illuminating the landscape of the floating island. Cherry blossoms and oak trees lined the path ahead, their blossoms swirling in the gentle breeze like pink snowflakes.

The scent of fresh grass carried on the wind, mingling with the earthy aroma of the forest.

As Aito emerged onto the open space, his eyes widened with wonder at the serene beauty surrounding him. Spirits flitted about, radiating a soft glow and dancing together in playful circles alongside Koi and Squiggles.

"I'm actually on the Island…" Aito breathed in awe, his heart swelling with the magic of the moment.

Beside him, Sorako closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, embracing the tranquility. She exhaled, her expression shifting to one of seriousness as she opened her eyes.

"Shall we head off?" She asked.