Rise of Longing

Anna moved slowly and started to rub her eyes, trying to get rid of lingering sleep. She tried to sit up, however, she felt a weight on her torso. She opened her eyes wide in panic and she saw a rabbit of golden fur sleeping on her torso. She wanted to move the rabbit away, but seeing it happily snuggle with her in its sleep caused her heart to melt as she started to pat its body and rub her hand on its furry body.

Anna turned her head and saw many other animals and beasts were also there sleeping with her. Seeing that, a small smile blossomed on her face. Even though all of them looked quite deadly, she couldn't help but melt at their sleeping visage.

Soon, all of the sleeping animals and beasts woke up from their slumber and started to walk away from Anna. The golden rabbit was the last one to leave her, and when it was about to leave, it came back and rubbed its cheek on her cheek, making Anna chuckle.

When the rabbit was far away from her, Anna heard a voice coming from beside her.

"Are you ready?" The Guide asked as he too looked at the distant visage of the departing rabbit. After all, he didn't expect to see "Him" here.

"I believe so..." Anna replied with a soft and gentle voice. She had a small smile on her face when she said so.

"Believing is the first step you need to take… if you want to achieve something."

"I know…" Anna said as she looked towards the beings running, jumping or just laying within the -Meadow of Fulfilment-. When Anna first came here, she felt happy and fulfilled. Now, however, there was one more emotion as she looked at the beings before her.

Longing.

All of the living beasts here were happy, they were fulfilled. However, they still longed for the days when they struggled to achieve something. The struggle made their reward all that sweeter. Now, however, everything felt empty and bleak.

Anna couldn't understand these emotions before because she always had whatever she wanted: delicious food, expensive clothes, top-grade jewellery, good friends, a loving brother…

Now, however, she was alone. She didn't know how long it had been. Thus, questions such as:

What if I can never go back?

What if it's too late?

What if? What if? What if? What if? What if? What if? What if? What if? What if? What if? What if? What if?

started to build up in her mind. The more she thought about it, the more worried and unrested she became. For the first time in her life, Anieal Starborne felt lost and weak.

She didn't feel like this when she found out about her unconscious mother.

She didn't feel like this when she found out about her dead father.

Now, however, she felt lost because she knew she couldn't do anything even if she wanted to. After all, she was still too weak and pitifully so.

"Why the long face?" Sensing her inner turmoil, The Guide asked in a confused tone.

Anna looked at him, thinking if she should tell him about her thoughts. Soon, however, she shook her head.

"He is the only one I can talk to, after all," Anna thought and started to speak out the thoughts she had in her mind.

"W-what if I can't go back? What if it's too late when I return? What-"

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Now The Guide felt even more confused.

"H-huh? W-what?" Anna was flustered when she saw The Guide's reaction to her words.

"I can always send you back whenever I want..."

"WHAT?!" Anna blurted out in shock as she looked at The Guide with a shocked expression on her face.

"As for the time... You don't have to worry. The time of the spirit realm is -Responsive Time-. Here, time bends to the will of the soul. What takes a year in your world might pass as a breath here."

The Guide explained about the mysterious time to Anna, which caused Anna to furrow her brows in confusion.

"-Responsive Time- … one year can become a moment... a moment can become a year..." Anna repeated The Guide's words, seemingly trying to understand what he meant by it.

"How?... How can I do it?" Anna asked The Guide. Her face no longer showed confusion or any bitterness.

"You can't... Not yet."

"Well... it makes sense, I suppose." Anna nodded her head at The Guide's words like he had said something obvious.

"Then isn't that bad for me?"

"No, it's not. As you have entered the spirit realm with your soul body, I am able to control your time to some extent."

Anna once again nodded her head at The Guide's words.

"Well, it makes sense. After all, you have some grasp over all of the primordial laws."

The Guide was stunned — utterly stunned, in fact — because what Anna said was indeed true, but it was something she should not be able to understand as a mere unawakened...

"Maybe... that's why Lord Veylor chose her?" The Guide thought. Soon, however, he looked at Anna and nodded his head.

"Yes, you are right. Good job." The Guide praised Anna as she was able to find out something she shouldn't be able to.

"Hehe!" Anna beamed and started to chuckle because she was able to obtain praise from The Guide.

"It's about time we visit the last place," The Guide said as he moved his hand towards Anna, which she soon grabbed and said:

"Yes!"

*Snap*

The Guide snapped his fingers and the scene before them changed for one last time.