The last thing Amiya remembers is sleeping inside the black bubble.
Theresa gently cradling the bubble wrapped around her.
Telling her a story that she has already heard many times before.
Theresa
Within the Desert of Despair live many terrible shadows, forever chasing after the little puppet who is seeking for hope.
Theresa
The black-cloaked shadows were the echoes of the oldest despair and sadness.
Theresa
If they catch you, you'll never escape them.
Theresa
Within the desert, the little puppet met the king, who was covered in pure gold and precious gems. The king told the little puppet that if he went back the way he came, he would be given riches beyond measure.
Theresa
Despite the king pulling him back, the little puppet ignored the captivating gems, and pressed onwards.
Theresa
But very soon—
Theresa
The black-cloaked shadows caught him. They kept throwing themselves at him, over and over again, near endlessly...
Theresa
'Bang, bang, bang'...
Theresa
The puppet took out a long spear made of a needle and some threads, fighting the shadows, until finally, after knocking aside the shadows' sharp talons, he managed to escape.
Theresa
He ran as fast as he could until he reached a large river of tears. There was neither boat nor weeds, so all the little puppet could do was swim across.
Theresa
But as he soaked in the tears, he began to sink, until he touched the riverbed.
Theresa
He had failed.
Was this how the story ended? Amiya could not believe.
Maybe Theresa read it wrongly?
She anxiously wished for Theresa to change the ending of the story.
I'm sorry. I can't change the ending of the story.
Theresa
But you can, Amiya.
Theresa
You will walk along a difficult path. Just like the little puppet who tried to cross the river of tears.
Theresa
All I can do to help you is bestow this crown of black upon you.
Theresa
For ten thousand years, the limitations imposed by history led my people to misuse this crown.
Theresa
It has been stained. It has been bound. But it should not have been so.
Theresa
If we are to break this curse, to break fate itself... I need your help.
Theresa
Do you want to rewrite the ending?
Amiya wants to say 'I do', but she cannot utter a word.
She anxiously nods her head, thinking that perhaps she could help Theresa by saying yes.
Perhaps she could save her—
Theresa
Though there is not much strength left in me, it is enough for me to transfer its permission to you.
Theresa
I have sealed most of it away, so that its boundless information does not overwhelm your mind.
Theresa
......
Theresa
Forgive me, Amiya... for making you bear the weight of this crown.
Theresa
I thought... that I could be there for you much, much longer. That I could watch you grow up. That I could stand with you when you bravely faced your parents' passing. That I could hear you answer my question yourself...
Theresa
Your answer as to whether or not you wished to follow in my footsteps.
Theresa
But there's not enough time left for us, Amiya.
Theresa
I now selfishly consign this weight that I bear on to you.
