I knocked on the door to the infirmary beds.

"Come in," I heard from beyond the door.

I walked in and greeted our charred patient.

"No Svilran? Ahh, sorry," she said, giggling. "Is that too familiar?"

"Not at all," I said with a chuckle. I took a seat next to Kanae's bedside and smiled. "Svilran took over at the <Observatory> while I came to check on you."

"I appreciate the gesture… I take it the other Heroes have yet to return."

"Yeah, they were fighting small monsters when I left. It looked like the action was dying down too... The mission says there's going to be a big monster, but I'm sure they'll handle it just fine."

"I'm excited to meet them… People from other worlds…"

"Yeah… Say, are you doing okay, Kanae?"

She tried to cock her head, but that burned, rock-encrusted skin wasn't helping her flexibility.

"I think I'm quite blessed to still be alive. All my fatigue seems to have caught up with me, however."

"Noted, but I didn't want to speak about that. I mean—when Svilran's around, she really brings out the strongest parts of people. I just wanted to make sure that we didn't overlook anything."

"Ahh. So that was normal…" Kanae replied, her voice indicating a little relief.

"You noticed the effect then?"

"I did… Actually, I thought I was going crazy when she left."

"Don't worry. You're not… at least not by our standards." I grinned. "Which might be a little crazy."

"Definitely eye-opening." She reclined on the pillows behind her and seemed to relax a little.

"I did feel strong. Not just emotionally but mentally too. It felt like my mind had expanded and like I could comprehend everything so easily… It was like my limited understanding could no longer constrain me. It was empowering but strange, and when it left—it was anxiety-inducing. I didn't want it to end."

"Well, rest assured. Svilran will keep having that effect. Our one Hero—Elma—still notes it."

"I look forward to entering that state again then... I like understanding things."

"Speaking of that, I came to visit because I wanted to understand you a bit better. Would that be okay? For us to chat?"

She let out a distorted giggle and nodded. "Back home, I always had something to do, so yes, I would love to pass the time with someone like you."

"Well, don't be too hasty there. I might be the worst conversationalist you may ever meet."

"Somehow, I doubt that," she replied.

"So, what made you say 'yes,' to joining up with us? I mean, saving that kid—that might not be something you, yourself, get to do. Was there any other motivation?"

"Straight to the heart of the matter, huh?"

"Well, it's the most important question, I think. Why do you say 'yes' to being a Hero?"

She took in a deep breath and let out an equally as deep sigh.

"Truthfully, I was overjoyed throughout it all…But, it was tough having so much I wanted to ask while having so much I had to focus on…"

"Don't worry. You'll have plenty of time to ask questions."

"Really?"

"Yup."

She stared at me for a few seconds before opening her mouth. "You can't take that back."

"Wouldn't dream of it."

She giggled. I was sure she would smile if she could move her lips more.

"Great. That's great… I always dreamed of one day finding a god."

"Really?"

"Yes… I wanted to ask it why the world I lived in was so terrible."

"Not sure we can answer that exact question, but we'll see what we can dig up."

"It's alright. I understand that you and Svilran are gods from another place. Honestly, I'm happy to get a glimpse at the nature of the universe. Svilran's explanation was already more than I could imagine."

"And there's so much more."

"That prospect fills me with so much joy. It makes me question if I could be allowed to be this happy…"

Kanae fell quiet. It kind of felt like the atmosphere shifted.

"You okay?"

"I had promised that child I would help him find the shooting star he had fallen from. He's being hunted, and meanwhile, I'm 'joyful.' It is a very 'half-and-half' feeling. It feels wrong to be finding joy while that child is out there, scared and suffering."

"I get that. But honestly, I'd rather you enjoy some bouts of happiness."

"Why?"

"If you're happy, you'll perform better. If you perform better, we'll be able to build up faster and help more people—the kid included. That's the most logical reason."

"There will be more 'bouts of happiness?'"

"Yeah. Take it from someone who walked a wasteland too. Those little moments of happiness—seize them and enjoy them while you can. There needs to be glimmers of hope in all the misery."

"It just feels rude to the child."

I bobbed my head. "Maybe. But that kid probably doesn't want you to be miserable every second you're not out saving him. I think as long as you're doing what you can do, it's okay if you laugh at a joke or get happy over Svilran answering a question clearly."

"Your words… They reminded me of the dream I just had."

"Oh?"

"The child told me to not worry and be happy… how strange."

"Sounds like you were helping a really special kid. One so special he's even amazing in your dreams."

"It's funny… That might have been the most he ever spoke to me… Well, I guess that's what a dream is--a hope."

"Well, I hope there are a still a few more words for you two to exchange in the future."

Kanae closed her eyes. "I do too."

A natural silence fell between us. After a few seconds, though, I noticed something.

"Huh. It seems the girls are coming bac—"

"Fainn! The girls are returning!"

I turned around to see Svilran excited and hopping. I turned back to Kanae with a grin.

"Do you want to come with us?"

"Huh? Can I?" she asked. "I'm not sure my body's up to walking right now. That little bit of rest provoked all my fatigue, strangely enough."

"Nah, don't worry about it."

I got up, went to the back of the Infirmary, thanked Narlivs for the tip, and came back to the front with a wheelchair.

"So, it might be a little bumpy, but want to go meet some Heroes?"

"I would love to, Fainn."