ZERO ONE: ONE HOPE!

A few hours after sunrise, at the crest of a hill that marked the last vantage point of his hometown, Hariel stopped walking.

From here, the magical Inspiriaville looked like a miniature spread across the green valley. Its strange roofs—the mushroom house, the cat-backed house, the birthday cake tower—looked so peaceful under the morning light.

He could even see a thin wisp of smoke from Hellfire Bakery's chimney, a sign that Granny Ivana had already started her day.

Last night's party felt like a boisterous dream. The cheers, the laughter, the warm hugs.

But now, all that remained was silence. And the lonely path stretching out before him.

This was the reality of an adventure.

He raised his hand, now clad in the leather glove from Old Man Ed. Not for a defiant shout to the sky, but just a small, slow wave. A wave for himself.

"I'm off, everyone," he whispered to the wind. "Take care of yourselves."

After a moment of silence, he turned around. Without looking back again, he continued his journey.

The sun began to climb higher. Its rays, which had felt warm earlier, now began to sting. The backpack felt heavier than he remembered, and the burning spirit from last night had begun to dim slightly under the weight of real fatigue.

His aching muscles from the fight with Gorzuga now screamed in protest with every step.

"I promise... uh... I'll send word... if I remember and find a way!" he shouted behind him, more to break the silence than anything else.

He took a long breath, wiping sweat from his temple.

His spirit was still there, but he had to admit, he had been a little too reckless. Why hadn't he thought to bring more provisions than just a few packs of 'Hellfire Crackers'? Or at the very least, ask Old Man Ed which direction he should take?

Last night's party had made him get completely carried away.

"I will find you, Gramps," he whispered, his fingers unconsciously squeezing the blue sun pendant on his neck. It felt cool against his skin. "And ZERO ONE, too... I just hope I don't faint from hunger along the way..."

The farther he walked, the more the trees began to look the same. Doubt started to creep in like a cold morning fog.

Okay, so... which part of the sky is this Sky Conqueror... supposed to conquer first, huh? he thought, scratching his head, which wasn't itchy.

Hariel stopped abruptly.

The path that had been clear just moments ago now seemed to narrow and vanish completely, swallowed by dense thickets. There were no signs of civilization. No signposts.

Only the silence of the forest, which now felt different—no longer challenging, but intimidating.

"Oh, man..." Hariel slapped his forehead hard. "I'm such an idiot! I should have asked Old Man Ed! Or at least brought Grandpa's old, busted compass!"

The thought of returning to the village crossed his mind. But the image of Granny Ivana pulling his ear, or Old Man Ed's thin smile that seemed to say 'I knew it,' immediately crushed that notion. His pride was too high.

"No! I can't give up this quickly!" he exclaimed, more to convince himself than anyone else. "I just need to keep moving forward! Who knows, there might be a source of delicious food up ahead!"

With steps that now felt even heavier, Hariel started walking again. He chose the direction that seemed most plausible, which meant re-entering the Onivira Forest from a different side.

This part of the forest felt darker and far more ominous. The shadows of the trees seemed longer and more frightening, like giant hands ready to snatch him.

"Maybe... this wasn't a good idea," he muttered softly, swallowing hard.

He kept walking, now very cautiously. Every rustle of leaves or snap of a twig made him jump in surprise. He even started to feel as if a pair of unseen eyes were constantly watching him from between the dark tree trunks.

"Okay... this forest... gets really creepy when you're alone," he whispered, his voice trembling slightly. His heart began to beat faster. "If only... there was just a small clue..."

Suddenly...

"...Go west..."

The voice was so faint. Like a wisp of wind, but it pierced directly into his mind.

Hariel leaped back in shock, his heart nearly jumping out of his chest. His eyes shot wide open.

"Wh-who's there?!" he called out, his voice cracking with panic.

No answer. The forest returned to a dead silence, now feeling even more chilling than before.

"W-was... was that just my imagination? Or am I already going crazy from hunger?" he stammered, his hands beginning to shake. A forest spirit? A tree guardian? Or Gorzuga's curse?

"...Towards the setting sun..."

The voice came again. This time it was as if someone had whispered right next to his ear. A chill ran down his spine.

"I SAID, WHO ARE YOU?! COME OUT NOW! DON'T HIDE LIKE A DAMNED COWARD!" Hariel yelled at the top of his lungs, his voice echoing strangely among the trees.

He spun around in a panic, but no one was there.

"I am not... a forest guardian..." The voice returned, this time with a hint of annoyance.

"AAAAAAAHHH! A GHOOOOOOOOOST!!!!!"

His logic and courage evaporated in an instant.

Driven by pure terror, Hariel turned and ran. Ran as fast as he could. He crashed through the undergrowth without a care for direction. Small branches whipped his face. Sharp thorns scratched his arms. He didn't care.

"NOOOOO! I DON'T WANT TO DIE HAUNTED BY A GHOST!" he roared as he ran. "I HAVEN'T FOUND ZERO ONE YET!" "I HAVEN'T EVEN HAD LUNCH!"

"Hey, you idiot! Stop! You're going the wrong way!" The voice shouted again, now louder and clearly angry.

But the shout only spurred Hariel to run faster, until finally... his foot snagged on a large tree root.

THWACK!

"OWWW, THAT HURTS!"

He fell hard, his face meeting the damp forest floor. A sharp pain shot through his knee. His energy was completely drained by the panic.

"A ghost... an evil ghost is going to get me..." he mumbled in resignation, curling up on the ground, hugging his throbbing knee.

"I told you, I am not a ghost, you stubborn child!"

The voice came again. This time... it was very close. Right in front of him.

With his last ounce of courage, Hariel slowly lifted his head, ready to see whatever horrifying form awaited him.

But... there was nothing in front of him.

Only the blue sun pendant hanging from his neck, now glowing faintly with a soft blue light.

And the voice... there was no mistake... was coming from it.

"Wh... what...?" Hariel stared at his pendant, his eyes wide with disbelief.

The pendant vibrated gently, and its blue light grew brighter.

"My name... is Luminaria Aravian," the voice spoke again, now clearer, calmer, and... sounded... a bit feminine?

"But you can call me Lumi."