Hyacine

As the city-state in the clouds crumbles through time, the Twilight Courtyard opens its gates once more, bringing a glimmer of light to Evernight. You, Physician Hyacinthia, Chrysos Heir who guards the Sky Coreflame, must inherit your ancestors' will and mend the torn fabric of dusk and dawn. May the rainbow light pour down, dissolve all grudges, and bring the dawn back to this land.

"Slowly spread your wings... yes, just like we did last time. Breathe deeply together with the doctor, okay?" "Relax a little. It's all fine... hmm, your wingspan has grown! You've been eating well, haven't you?" The candlelight cast a warm glow on the fluffy little head as the girl picked up the pony and gently placed it on the scale. "Don't worry. Soon you'll be just as tall and strong as the other winged beasts, okay?" Putting on the stethoscope, the girl began her examination. As she touched the pony's side, she felt a new "wound" beneath its ribs. "You're hurt?" She gently stroked the pony's wings, carefully stuffing cotton into the loosened crack before taking out a needle and thread. "It'll hurt a little, but don't worry, my stitches are steady..." "You've been training too hard again, haven't you? Because so many people keep telling you about your mother, your grandmother, and all the great ancestors? How they could soar into the sky with a single leap, and how they could shatter rock with a single charge?" "Everyone expects you to become a hero like thunder itself, but no matter how much you train, it feels like you only let them down..." "Like you're completely different from them..." The pony remained still, its dark, glossy eyes gazing out the window. The thunder that tore through the sky still echoed in the distance, a storm stirred by the heroes of the sky city and their winged beasts. "Let me tell you a secret... I'm just like you..." In that lonely, dimly lit ward, the girl, bedridden for so long, clutched her doll and needle, practising for the hundredth time the medical techniques her father had taught her. "But maybe... a different kind of light has its own meaning too..."

Like all healers, the girl made a vow to cure everyone. She wished to soothe the suffering of mortals as the world collapsed, but when the black tide swallowed city-states and plague surrounded the wounded, she could only drive away disease — she could not stop despair from spreading. "Perhaps, to be a good physician, one needs far more than just effective medicine..." "Milky-white curtains should let in the light, the bed should be firm yet soft, and fresh flowers should be placed by the bedside... that way, even inside the room, they can see the same 'colors' as outside..." She wanted to bring hope to those in the final days, a ray of light shining in from the future. Accompanied by the soothing scent of incense, a girl on the verge of passing murmured in the warmth and comfort of the room, as long-sealed memories slowly resurfaced. "The day my father gave me a music box, it was also drizzling outside. I listened to the chimes of its melody, spending the most wonderful birthday amidst the pitter-patter of the rain... "I still remember how white roses bloomed all along the streets, and when the wind blew, it was like a snowfall filled with fragrance... "And that sky, a deepening blue with a touch of orange-red falling within it," she reminisced, "and then those transparent bubbles surrounded me, just like... just like they are now..." Tick-tock, tick-tock... The clock hands moved through memories as the voice telling them grew weaker. In the ever-flowing sound of rain, only a single sigh of content remained. "Du du..."Little Ica lowered its head, dejectedly curling up beside the plush pony. "Little Ica, did you hear that... She saw the sky we created..." On the ceiling of the room, the setting sun sank into the sea. She held the girl's gradually cooling hand, crystal-clear tears slipping down her face. "One day, we'll make it even wider, even warmer..." "Du!"

Okhema, the gathering place of heroes, the last hope in the end times. "The Flame-Chase Journey," "The Coreflame," "The Titans"... Even though she had long grown familiar with these fierce and burning names, when others called her a hero, she would simply wave it off. "I'm just a physician." That was what she told everyone who came to the courtyard. The sorrowful girl came seeking answers about the "incurable ailment" inflicted by the Death Titan. "Cassie, that's not an illness at all! There's still so much for you to experience!" She often accompanied the girl in birdwatching and stargazing, crafting specimens and chimera plush toys. Seeing the smile on the girl's face, she, too, felt warmth. She was well aware of the discord between the cold weaver and the proud scholar. In the newly established mediation room, she prepared the weaver's favorite oatmeal, the scholar's essential fizzy horseradish vinegar for grading papers, and invited the eldest demigod. "If they refuse to come, then... I'll have Little Ica du-du-du in their ears every single day!" She sowed pomegranate seeds in the Twilight Courtyard, planted a field of wheatgrass, and cultivated a sea of flowers, creating a place where every traveler arriving in Okhema could set down their burdens and speak freely. "I hope that small acts of kindness can melt away the long-standing wounds between our peoples." She could never stop worrying about that ever-corroding demigod. "Cinny... From the very first day we set out on the Flame-Chase Journey, we already knew this day would come..." That was what they always said. "Even if I can ease just a fraction of your pain... I'll go check the library in the Grove again..." And that was what she always did. ... The Heirs of the Sky, the Kremnoans, the original aristocrats of Okhema, the Holy Maiden of Aidonia, the warrior of Aedes Elysiae, the Holy Maiden of Janusopolis... In the small courtyard, all their colors merged into a radiant rainbow. Yet in rare moments of leisure, she would also ponder the journey's end. "When that time comes... what else will I be able to do?"

"'Light Calendar ████, Month of Fortune' To Physician Hyacine I hope this letter finds you well. Although my sister couldn't make it back then, the last days she spent in the courtyard... and the smile she gave before she left... have always warmed my dreams. I wanted to tell you that today, I have officially become a physician. I want to be like you, to help those who suffer in the final days. I hope that in this long night, I too can become a small, guiding light..." "'Light Calendar ████, Month of Gate' To Little Cinny ...I'm truly grateful for your companionship during this time. When I was curled up in the Twilight Courtyard's infirmary, you allowed my sorrow to pile up like storm clouds and then evaporate. When I said my 'weather was bad,' you embraced me completely... Perhaps, I should try to be a little braver too..." "'Light Calendar ████, Month of Freedom' To Lady Hyacine The little ones have all recovered well, especially that young Okheman warrior who was fussing about wanting pomegranate juice last time. The feuds between city-states are not easy to dissolve quickly, but now I believe that different colors can coexist." "'Light Calendar ████, Month of Evernight' To Assistant Instructor Hyacine Thank you for your persistent reminders. I will consider mending my relationship with her. Of course, this is only for your sake..." "'Light Calendar ████, Month of Mourning' To Miss Hyacine There is no need to trouble yourself by sending me new medicine. I am well aware that the loss of my humanity is beyond recovery. And you need not worry, our relationship with the Grove has not reached a breaking point..." "'Light Calendar ████, Month of Joy' To Lady Hyacine I never thought that the wheat seeds from my homeland would sprout again one day. Lying in the garden of the Twilight Courtyard, it almost feels like being back in Aedes Elysiae. Whenever I feel down, the scent of wheat here gives me the strength to keep going!" "'Light Calendar ████, Month of Everday' To Cinny People always praise the sky of the past for embracing both blazing suns and roaring thunder, but we think you are even gentler than that sky. No matter where we go tomorrow, we will always, always remember you!" A few letters spilling out from an overflowing box were carefully preserved beside the medical records. At the beginning of her journey, the girl's faint light seemed as though it would be swallowed by the darkness at any moment. Yet, before she set forth to become the sky of tomorrow... In the places she passed through, the clear sky had already unknowingly unfolded its first gentle smile.

As the descendant of Sky, I, Hyacinthia, will fulfill the Flame-Chase duty with all of you. At the same time, I'll do my best to help everyone as Hyacine, healer of the Twilight Courtyard. This is my good friend and assistant, the little pegasus Ica. Do you want pet them? Please, go ahead! They love being petted~

Your body language and micro-expressions show that you've got something on your mind! Would you like to spend a moment in my courtyard? I've got sofas, books, snacks, sunshine, and... me to keep you company~

The nights are cold, so remember to eat healthy and don't stay up too late. Take a warm bath and drink some soothing goat-milk floral tea before bed, and you're guaranteed to have good dreams~

Before the sun was silenced, my ancestors would mediate the weather and seasons above the clouds. Now that the eternal night has descended, I want to be a sliver of light that heals the wounds of this world as much as I can — I will wait for the day when the dawn blooms again, and for all of us to be bathed in light once more.

Every denizen of the sky has the winged beasts' blessings. Little Ica may seem small and sleepy, but their radiant rainbow-hued light once saved an entire city-state. Yet, ever since that fateful day, they haven't uttered a single word...

People often get nervous when they're being bandaged, getting injections, or having a health check-up, and that's when the healer's communication skills are tested! It's just that people sometimes get sleepy when I talk to them... Huh? Did you just yawn?

Every time I stopped somewhere, the butterflies, dromases, and chimeras nearby would all crowd around Little Ica. I understand that feeling. Who wouldn't like Little Ica?

I like to record Amphorean birds with my photostone. I've got a whole thick album of the pictures already! I've once discussed with Grove scholars regarding why Aquila and Phagousa don't get along, and I think it's because Aquila is always sending their messengers to the seaside to steal Phagousa's honey brew!

If you come to my courtyard, you'll see seat covers made from old clothes and wind chimes made from old cans... Just give what you don't need to me, and I guarantee I'll turn it into something completely new~

Whenever someone learns that I'm a descendant of the Skyfolk, they keep double-checking to make sure. I know I look a lot different from my legendary ancestors, and it'd be a lie if I said I don't care about it... But shouldn't everyone be unique?

Medicine has its limits. Even if healers try our best, we can't cure everything. That's why I also studied nursing and psychological therapy, because healing a heart is as important as healing a body in this doomed world.

Red for justice, orange for courage, yellow for peace... My ancestors left different colors for this world just like how the sunlight turns into seven different shades when it passes through raindrops.

Apparently Grayie had lots of amazing adventures in the lands beyond the sky. I'd love to go with them to the worlds beyond if I can. After all, I'm a denizen of the sky!

It's rare to see someone as emotionally stable as Dannie. It's as if he doesn't react even when faced with the darkest of calamities. He'd make a good healer.

Someone once complained to me that Lady Aglaea is always so unreadable and untrustworthy... But I sensed a faint warmth still beating under her icy-cold skin when I took her hands. I believe she simply used her words to conceal her true intentions.

Lady Tribbie once invited me to board their rocket. It wasn't a long journey, but it was really exciting to fly through the Marmoreal Palace... They told me I wouldn't be scared as long as I kept looking straight ahead.

Cassie really likes my little garden. She keeps circling the courtyard from far away, going round and round, forgetting to even blink. It'll take something even cuter for her to snap out of that state... Maybe a chimera?

Professor Anaxa refuses to outline key topics for exams, and insists on one-on-one oral tests! Students inevitably end up in my care every exam season due to mental exhaustion...

Lord Phainon is kind and friendly to all his companions, but there's always a sliver of pain in his smile... He must have lost something very dear to him.

Lord Mydei's regenerative abilities are way faster than that of an ordinary human. Even when he's badly wounded and requires my help, he still talks and jokes as if nothing's wrong... Strange... now that I think about it, he seems way chattier than usual during those moments.

You can probably figure out Lady Cipher's mood just by looking at her tail~ If the tail's standing up, then she's happy. If only the tip is moving, that means she doesn't want to talk to anyone, and you'd better stay quiet. As for how I know... I'm just guessing that maybe she functions in the same way as a chimera!

The sky is empty, but it gives humanity solace.

I need more vivid colors to heal this world.

May our journey's end be one without darkness.

The road ahead is already illuminated by a faint light.

Grayie, have you ever seen a rainbow-colored sky?

Lady Aglaea, light will definitely shine upon Amphoreus again.

Thank goodness! It's Cassie! We're saved! Little Ica, wake up! Look! Dragon! Duu? Duu!

Lady Tribbie, make sure you fly safely~

Professor Anaxa, it's time to put your theory into practice.

Lord Mydei... Us healers in the Twilight Courtyard believe in "being careful"~

Lady Cipher! If you run that fast, I won't be able to keep up!

Please open up to me.

They completely lost themselves...

The future will be bright.

I will guide with the rainbow bridge.

No rush. Emptying your mind is a good way to relax as well~

Please calm down.

We do need some sunshine~

Everyone's been waiting for us~

Don't be rash...

Gotta stop them here...

May this faint light...

Dispel the gloom and restore clear skies once more!

Ancestors... I haven't...

That was a stroke of good luck... Are you all okay?

A different healing technique? I wanna learn!

Please light our way forward.

Even faint sparks can converge into a bright river of stars.

Didn't think I could find that, did you?

Give it some sunshine and the color will get even prettier~

Th—This is a treasure recorded in ancient texts!

See? All that studying at the Grove didn't go to waste.

Could there be another solution...?

That one is hard to persuade... Let's observe first.

What a full day! A good night's sleep is basically guaranteed~