Conscious, Conscientious

The chill of the sand enwrapping Zayza's toes had become just as unforgiving as the night air. Yet its softness was still comforting as she stood, letting the smoke brush her face.

She didn't measure how long it had been since Hiroko's ceremony concluded. Almost everyone had dispersed, and even the two men who led the ritual had put the flames to rest and disappeared to their tents by now.

She was in solitude, the world silent around her. But it just didn't feel right to leave.

This dying smoke was her last physical trace of Hiroko's life.

Zayza knew her tears were empty now. But her chest still tightened in an attempt to cry.

She looked towards the sky where she'd watched the white light take Lammy, Kotono, and the rest away. Their goodbyes were long. But the warmth of her dear friends' embraces gave way to the brisk air far too quickly.

Zayza felt her fists tighten. She wished she could have joined them. The fight against Proscious was far from over. Just the same, she wished she could return to Azvaylen now and be with her sister.

But neither was her place.

Right now, her only role was to remain hidden in the mourning sanctuary of her fallen companion.

The time would come to return to Layla and try to restore what Proscious had taken from their home. But when an entire nation had been convinced she was the culprit, undoing that misconception would be no short process.

With that job of undoing in the hands of Layla and Fewpar, she felt confident. And she believed in nobody more than Lammy, Kotono, and the rest to stop Proscious.

But the cost of that faith was her loneliness.

And worse than that: her utter helplessness to honor Hiroko.

Her eyes dropped back down to the smoke. But on their way, they caught a figure she hadn't noticed before when the haze was stronger.

A young man, tall and still, stared into the smoke just like her. Though the darkness obscured her vision, his familiarly toned build–perhaps even moreso than his sister's–made his identity obvious.

Hiroko's brother turned and found Zayza's eyes. His face didn't change, strength and brokenness alike written onto it.

At first Zayza nearly recoiled. She felt so small under his gaze. But somehow, that same feeling eased her body.

Chiwawo…

His name came back to her from her brief previous visit with Hiroko and Kotono.

For a moment, and for the first time in years, her guard lowered.

A shuffling against the sand behind her broke Zayza's focus. She turned to find Hiroko's mother Hirochota, and a couple other village women.

"You can follow me, love," said Hirochota. "We prepared a tent for you. We should all try to get some rest."

Finally releasing from her private realm of contemplation, the cold hit her senses much harder. She shivered as she followed them through the sand.

But as she made her way through the village, passing by their simple, rugged tents, a sensation filled her head again.

That sensation.

It wasn't physical, yet it was more present than physical senses. It was both familiar and unknown.

But most peculiarly, she knew it wasn't coming from here.

This was a Dream World sensation.

It shouldn't have been possible: the only time and place the Dream World intersected with the real world was at the Dreamer Chamber, and only during Dreamwake. And yet, this aura was undeniable.

She relived Hiroko's final moments, shoving Layla and Kotono to the side and vanishing with the light. Though Zayza was in Hidakala, she breathed Dreamwake's air right now.

But why?

Tonight, she decided. I'll find my answers in there.

The Hidakalan women came to a soft stop before a tent. A few others like it were several paces away in an uneven circle, as if to watch over it.

The tent's utter simplicity only contributed to its beauty. It consisted merely of rugged, patterned cloths like blankets, tied and arranged into a loose, curved cone by a long branch and stone pegs. The designs on the fabric closely matched Zayza's dress, as well as many of the dresses she'd seen on villagers tonight.

A gentle orange hue emitted from the inside, though there was no fire.

"This is for you," said Hirochota. The natural rasp in her voice still made Zayza's heart flutter–it was nearly identical to Hiroko's. "Our family's tents are all around you, and our village is guarded through the night. You can finally feel safe."

In spite of herself, Zayza reached forward to embrace Hiroko's mother. She nearly hesitated, remembering how little they'd interacted thus far, but all worries that she'd overstepped were quelled when Hirochota's hug enveloped her first.

"Hirokyauta loved you so much. We love you too," came her whisper in Zayza's ear. "Now we should all try to rest tonight. Sleep well, my child."

The somehow unwavering strength in her voice, and in her demeanor as she and Zayza released, encouraged one more tear down Zayza's cheek.

"Thank you," Zayza managed to breathe out.

The heat from the tent soothed Zayza's body nearly instantly as she lifted the fabric to step inside, gently melting the rigidness in her bones. She couldn't help but sigh from the relief. A small circle of stones rested perfectly on the sand in her abode's center, and it proved to be the source of the tent's orange luminance–as well as its heat.

Unfamiliar, oval pebbles glowed within it, brought to life by silently thriving embers underneath them. Zayza made a mental note not to step in that area by accident–the burns would likely prove punishing.

Burns…she thought again.

She remembered the steam rising from Chiwawo's fingers when he dipped them in the black ink and drew the triangle tattoo onto Kotono's cheek.

Zayza felt the sting of her own smaller tattoo, though the pain had dulled rapidly since she'd received it.

Then the otherworldly essence flooded her mind again.

As if automatically, Zayza's eyes reached to a thin sheet and a pillow along the wall of the tent.

The end of her mystery waited there.

Before laying down, Zayza spotted more clothes folded atop another sheet near the bed. While her Hidakalan dress was a bit scratchy on the skin, she didn't bother changing into the softer garments at the top of the pile. Physically, after all that transpired, she had nothing left–especially factoring in the unforgiving sun's rays today.

But even more than that: her curiosity had grown too strong. She dared not hesitate to enter the Dream World–not while this odd sensation was so potent.

As she laid down atop the thin sheet and noticed another to cover herself with, the sand settling around her form was almost enough to lull her to the other realm.

Yet in protest, her mind raced faster with thoughts of today…of the days prior in Azvaylen…of the months before.

At the forefront of all of it, though, were Hiroko and Raznizu's faces. All the moments she'd ever shared with them.

If Zayza didn't intervene with her own mind, her heartache would never let her sleep tonight.

And if she didn't, perhaps she would never uncover the reason for this phenomenon existing invisibly around her right now.

Zayza sighed and closed her eyes. She had to do this manually.

Repositioning into the proper form on her back, hands folded over her stomach, Zayza began the process to reach for the other side.

Within seconds, the Dream World pulled her consciousness in.

~~~

Zayza opened her eyes reluctantly.

Nothing.

Despite hours spent flying across multicolored terrains, warping to and from the mountains, combing the ever-shifting clouds, and even eventually swimming in many of the rivers…

Utterly nothing.

Zayza felt she should have known her efforts would prove vain the instant she arrived in the Dream World, as once she did, the phenomenon had vanished.

She couldn't sense a thing from it, and that never changed for the rest of her visit.

Zayza sat up, noticing a new heat had taken over the tent. The embers no longer burned in the center, so she knew it was from the morning sun.

By the tent's flap, two bowls of water and one of an unknown food sat waiting for her. Zayza stood and stretched, figuring it best not to isolate from her precious hosts.

She used the first bowl of water to wash up, and drank from the second. It had already gone as warm as the air, but she paid no mind.

As she changed into a new dress, Zayza marveled at her own nature. Not long ago, a living situation like this would have seemed so crude…even unimaginably so. It seemed her journeys with Lammy, especially with no memories at the time, must have adapted her in ways she hadn't had time to notice.

Because now, this felt just as right as her noble upbringing.

Zayza approached the flap of the tent. A sour smell reached her, so she glanced at the untouched bowl of mystery food.

Its oddly dry brown substances didn't repel her. She even felt a bit shaky as she passed it by.

But as her mind gradually awoke to the new day, so did the reality surrounding it.

Her heart was heavy. Her stomach turned.

Zayza obeyed her lack of appetite and lifted the tent flap to step outside.

"Oh!"

Her hand pressed to her heart for a moment as she gathered herself from the surprise. Like a wall, a toned, dark back blocked her path.

The shirtless man turned to face her, stepping back to give her space. It was Chiwawo, who simply nodded as he stood tall, a staff-like spear in hand against the ground.

"Good morning," Zayza greeted uncertainly.

To her relief, his icy eyes softened just like his sister's would before a smile. Then that smile came with his words.

"Morning? It's well past noon, Miss Princess," he teased, his speech long and nearly rhythmic–an accent Hiroko's agency had taught her to forget. "You must have been wiped out after everything you've endured," he added more tenderly.

Zayza was sure he was right, but she knew her failed expedition through the Dream World was the real reason she'd slept so long. Only when she'd finally given up her search did she decide to awaken herself.

And all of that for nothing…

"How are you feeling now?" Chiwawo checked.

Zayza blinked and returned her attention.

"I'm…better…I suppose. Thank you."

I can't tell him, she resolved immediately. I can't tell any Hidakalans what I felt…if this is what I think it is, I refuse to make their mourning any worse.

Chiwawo cocked his head down a bit to her eye level, eyes furrowed. He waved towards her face as if to search for signs of life.

Zayza shook herself. "S–sorry…"

If nothing more than to break down the awkwardness she'd fostered, she stormed her mind for anything worthwhile to say.

But the most obvious was a question just as uncomfortable: what was he doing standing directly in front of her tent like that? And how long had he been there?

Thankfully, she avoided the need to inquire. Behind them, Hirochota and a few women carried baskets. Hirochota broke off from the group to approach them.

"Oh good, you've awoken. We were getting worried," she said. "I'd planned to introduce you to the Tribe Father, but that can wait. Is Chiwawo taking care of your needs?"

"She's fine, Mother…" her son chimed in.

"Did you ask? Look at her skin. A girl like her will burn bright red in this sunlight. Get her some skin cream."

Zayza stood stiffly, watching the familial bickering in silence.

Hirochota seemed to sense her confusion. "Oh. Chiwawo has been assigned to watch over you," she explained. "Hidakala is very well-guarded and surveilled under sun and moon. But given your circumstances, we chose to be thorough. He will make sure you're safe."

Zayza and Chiwawo's eyes found each other. Again, he gave a single nod.

"So he will stay with you," Hirochota began slowly, her glare turning deadly as she turned to her son, "wherever you go."

Zayza noticed Chiwawo swallow once he realized those words had turned into a threat.

"I know, Mother. I understand."

"Mhm."

She smiled at Zayza again, her resemblance to Hiroko's mannerisms causing another flutter in Zayza's heart, before she returned to her business.

Zayza and Chiwawo stood in silence for a moment again, until Zayza found herself staring towards the ground.

"Are you hungry?" Chiwawo checked.

"I'm alright, thank you."

And just like that, she thought, I've become somebody's problem again.

"Chiwawo…" she started. "I'm…I'm sorry to burden you like this. All of you."

He didn't immediately reply, until letting out a single huff of air.

"Hirokyauta had such strange friends, huh?" he remarked. "You're with us now. So you need to learn how to live in our village. Come with me."

Finally, Zayza managed to look back up to Chiwawo.

"First, there's a place I want to show you."

Within a moment, Zayza found herself following Chiwawo between tents. Given her complexion and entirely straight hair, she passed by not a single villager without catching their attention. Most smiled to some degree, but some–especially small children–simply stared.

They paused at a tent where Chiwawo reemerged with a staff, a hood, and what Zayza assumed was the 'skin cream' his mother pressed him about. Its tan, gooey substance proved to function much like lotion as she followed instructions to apply it to any exposed skin. The sweet scent lingered, likely to stay with her for a while.

After securing her new hood and steadying her staff, Zayza stepped forward to join Chiwawo.

He tossed a pair of sand-toned slippers to her feet, though he remained barefoot.

"An outsider can't last where we're going without some support," he insisted.

As Zayza slipped them on, she couldn't help but notice his gaze remaining fixed on her.

"Are you sure you're not hungry? It's a long way."

"I'm…alright."

He only managed one step before turning back around.

"This is a difficult trek uphill. Do you think you can handle that, Princess?"

Stabbing her staff into the sand, Zayza shoved forward.

Chiwawo shrugged before finally leading the way.

~

It didn't take long for Zayza to realize the magnitude of the word 'uphill' in his warning.

Now that they'd hiked through the sand for an hour or so, the slope had increased to a much sharper incline. She guessed they were heading to the very tip of this powdery mountain based on their progress. Unlike the other inclines around it, the path curved in until the top pointed back towards the village.

Zayza followed its trajectory back down with her eyes. The Hidakalan tents and people were nearly specks, and Lake Hirokyauta glittered white from the sun.

Gritting her teeth, Zayza pushed harder. The sky remained cloudless, so the rays pounded unrelentingly.

She only felt a few lines of sweat across her body.

Perhaps I didn't hydrate enough…she feared.

Peering ahead, Chiwawo powered forward several paces away. He'd checked on her multiple times at the start of the trip, but her agility must have eventually quelled his concerns.

No…I'll be fine, she decided, recalling his 'Princess' remark.

But her limbs trembled with her next few steps.

Begrudgingly, Zayza forced herself forward even harder…until the sand began waning like ocean waves all around her.

Alarmed, she squinted after Chiwawo. But oddly, his form was wavering just the same.

It wasn't the sand. It was her.

I should have tried…to eat…

Her heartbeat came sluggishly. Suddenly, she realized she couldn't recall her past several steps.

The sand had begun spiraling in her vision. Then, the clear sky replaced it.

She couldn't feel her body. Only sinking.

But before she collapsed, a familiar presence faded in to join her failing senses.

That sensation.

Just as it arrived, new, uneven sights replaced her view of the sky. She could no longer follow if these were visions of her eyes or mind.

They were all in motion, shifting rapidly.

A voice…

…A dark cave…

…Drawings of figures on stone…

…A tearful girl's wound reversing itself to health…

"Princess?"

…Loving waves of farewell…

…a chain of tan squares surfing through sand…

"Princess?! Hey!!"

…the black eyes of a colossal being…

"...Zayza."

~

Zayza gasped.

She caught her footing, fully alert again. Finally, her balance had recovered.

Wait…oh dear.

Her bare feet stood in a field of gentle purple pedals. The sky was white, the air cool and still.

She was back in the Dream World.

On instinct, Zayza began to assume formation to awaken herself. But she stopped midway. She could already sense it: her real world body was far from ready for her consciousness to return.

Zayza shook her head.

I'm a fool, she chastised herself. I should have…

An increasing feeling interrupted her frustration.

That phenomenon…she sensed. It's here this time?

The concentration increased all around her. Quickly, she detected its familiarity was twofold: it was a Dream World energy, and yet…

…It was also potent with another presence.

One just as undeniable.

The feeling seemed to gradually focus into a more contained space. Zayza sensed it gathering stronger just before her.

And then, icy blue lights emerged.

Like fireflies, they danced in a spiral before her eyes. They increased in numbers and speed, until finally, merging into one form:

A small, floating triangle.

Zayza hesitated. But soon enough, she inched closer. The feeling heightened.

She paused again. Her chest pressed in on itself. She knew this presence too well, and that alarmed her more than anything.

This was impossible.

When she failed to proceed any further, the triangle hovered towards her on its own.

Zayza shook her head. Her tears glowed green…but not from sadness or fear.

Only utter bafflement.

How…? Why…?

She raised her hand towards the triangle. She had to.

And as she received it, with a flash, it darted at her head and joined her mind.

Zayza gasped again, both hands to her chest. She nearly lost her balance once more.

…What?

A phrase spoke in her mind, loud and clear:

"...If anything, I still think love can carry on after we die. What do you think?"

Hiroko's voice.

These were words she'd spoken to Zayza years ago.

And without a doubt, Zayza immediately knew: this wasn't her own memory of the conversation.

It was Hiroko’s.