A World for Our Children
In the end, Xainfried, Fydon, and Felyx got all of the presents delivered. Then, that night...
Xainfried: Ah, there you two are.
Fydon & Felyx: Squeak, squeak!
Xainfried: Taking in the yuletree, are you?
Fydon & Felyx: Squeak!
Xainfried: Heh. Yes, it really is a beautiful sight.
Fydon & Felyx: Squeak! *sniff* Squeak! Squeak!
Xainfried: Ah, forgive me—I nearly forgot I came to give you this.
Xainfried: You did excellent work as Saint Starfall, so I brought you some Dragonyule cake as reward for your efforts.
Fydon & Felyx: Squeak! *munch* *horf*
Xainfried: Slow down, you'll make yourselves sick! There's plenty where that came from, so take your time.
Fydon & Felyx: Squeak!
Xainfried: Well, I'm glad you're enjo— Hmm?
Xainfried: For a moment I thought someone was watching us. Did I imagine it?
Fydon & Felyx: Squeak? Squeak!
Xainfried: Wait, where are you go—
???: Aaah!
Xainfried: Er...Amane? Are you all right?
Amane: Rrgh! No, I am NOT all right, thank you very much! They just charged at me for no reason!
Xainfried: I'm sorry, I'm sure they didn't mean any harm.
Amane: I... D-don't worry about it. Now, if you'll excuse me!
Xainfried: Please, stay.
Amane: Huh?
Xainfried: You came to speak with us, right? You were just waiting for a good moment.
Amane: N-no, I was just...looking at that tree! That's all.
Xainfried: ...Of course. Forgive me.
Amane: I-it's fine...
Xainfried: ......
Amane: Umm...
Xainfried: Yes?
Amane: About this morning, I...
Xainfried: ......
Amane: ...Never mind.
Xainfried: Very well.
Amane: ......
Xainfried: ...Amane.
Amane: Aah! Don't startle me like that!
Xainfried: Sorry. I simply wished to share a word of thanks.
Xainfried: Thank you for worrying about us before. I'm sorry I didn't realize what you were doing sooner.
Amane: ......
Xainfried: While we were out delivering presents, we were attacked by two members of the Syrol tribe.
Xainfried: That's what you were worried about, isn't it?
Amane: So you really did encounter them...
Amane: The Syrol tribe are my countrymen. They share our dream of expunging dragons from the world.
Amane: But recklessly hunting dragons puts both themselves and our country in danger— so I bade them remain within our borders.
Amane: Recently, however, I received word that they had slipped beyond them, and were heading this direction.
Xainfried: Which is why you didn't want us leaving the safety of the castle.
Amane: Yes. But I failed to convey that properly, and for that I am sorry.
Amane: I wanted to warn you, so Fydon and Felyx could stay safe.
Xainfried: Yes, I see that now.
Amane: Yeah... I really am sorry, Xainfried.
Xainfried: It's all right, Amane. Your fears were more than justified; that same tribe was responsible for murdering my own.
Amane: What?! Goodness... What happened when you met them, then?
Xainfried: We battled, for a time, and then went our separate ways.
Amane: Hold on—how did neither of you kill each other?!
Xainfried: It was all thanks to Fydon and Felyx.
Fydon & Felyx: Squeak?
Xainfried: Even while they were being attacked, they never lost sight of their mission as Saint Starfalls.
Xainfried: Fighting alone achieves nothing—and it especially doesn't make for a welcoming world.
Xainfried: Adults are quick to tell children to solve their disputes without violence, but what sort of example are we setting?
Amane: Wow... And the Syrols actually agreed? Amazing.
Amane: I'm glad you all made it through that. And while it may not be my place to say this...
Amane: Thank you for letting them live. They may be dangerous and unruly at times, but they are still my countrymen.
Xainfried: Of course. No one wants to lose those they care about.
Amane: Yes... I suppose you're right.
Xainfried: It can be easy to forget that. But to make a world our children can enjoy, we must practice forgiveness, not hate alone.
Xainfried: That's our duty as adults.
Amane: You're absolutely right.
Amane: So I swear this to you, Aegis: as the Child of Miracles, I will do all I can to aid your cause.
Xainfried: Are you sure? I would appreciate it, of course, but would your position allow it?
Amane: My goal is to stop dragons from causing humanity any more pain.
Amane: But if all that means is humanity inflicting more pain on itself, that doesn't solve anything.
Amane: Everyone wants a future their children can live easily in—a future free from sadness. So if we all share a common goal, why not work toward it together?
Xainfried: ...I must admit, Amane, I'm quite taken aback hearing that from you.
Xainfried: But thank you. It's very reassuring to know I have your support.
Xainfried: It takes considerable courage to put past grudges aside. You truly are a child of miracles!
Amane: S-stop! No need to go overboard.
Amane: Oh! I almost forgot. I brought presents for Fydon and Felyx.
Fydon & Felyx: Squeak?!
Amane: I made some special dragon toys for them to play with.
Fydon & Felyx: Squeak, squeak!
Xainfried: Yes, that was very nice of her indeed! We should give her a present in return. ...Hm?
Amane: What's wrong?
Xainfried: We appear to be out of presents...
Xainfried: I'm so sorry! I assure you it's not because we think you're some sort of naughty child—
Amane: Child?! Do not treat me like some infant!
Amane: Were we not conversing as adults mere moments ago?!
Xainfried: Y-yes, we were indeed...
Amane: Besides, you have already given me the best present of all.
Xainfried: Oh? What's that?
Amane: Your safe return. That's all I ever wanted.
Amane: So thank you, Saint Starfalls!
Xainfried: ...And thank you, Amane.
Fydon & Felyx: Squeak! Squeak!
Xainfried: (It can be hard to forsake hatred once it's taken root.)
Xainfried: (But I was given a chance to forgive those who wronged me, and to join forces with Amane.)
Xainfried: (Perhaps that is MY Dragonyule present.)
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