Aiko suddenly steps beyond Eva’s blazing barrier. The silver charms in her braid ring toward the south, their notes threading through the heated darkness as the protective circle loosens.
Aiko
The warning must reach the villages before the crimson light does. I will not let the dragon hunt me from them again.
Her vermilion sash snaps southward. One by one, the ancient symbols fade from the ground, leaving Eva’s radiance exposed around the shrine maiden instead of enclosing her.
High above, the unseen dragon circles lower. Its vast shadow rolls over the treetops, and the branches bow beneath a pressure that makes the charms shriek.
Aiko
Spirit, the south road lies beyond those trees. If you can shield me once more, we may still outrun the spreading fire.
Aiko advances toward the forest edge, following the silver ringing. Behind her, the last bright arc of the formation breaks apart into drifting sparks.
The southern path opens beneath the crimson sky. Aiko stands ahead, the dragon descends overhead, and Eva remains at the broken threshold with every choice still her own.
Reach the villages beyond the woods with Aiko
Stand with Aiko on the southern path