1. Knocked to the ground♛
Shipping the Phoenix Egg—in the face of this glorious task, a precious opportunity that might only come once in a lifetime, even the best companions who have journeyed through countless storms together couldn't make it any less difficult.
The guards who witnessed that great battle could only smile wryly, hoping the coachman's comfort and delicious food might soothe the other Chocobo's resentment, preventing it from going on strike tomorrow.
And at the Chocobo's feet, there followed a pitch-black Big Snake, inching forward step by step. Even though it was evening, its glistening scales were still easy to recognize in the brightly lit street.
This peculiar combination attracted many gazes, with a rough calculation showing over half of the passersby turning to look.
As for the Hero carried on the Chocobo's back, she was leisurely enjoying the scenery below from her high vantage point.
If she put in a bit more effort, maybe she could recover before the fireworks festival began?
Though she aimed for this goal, growing from the size of two fists to half-human-sized during the afternoon, her depleted Magic Power couldn't create something from nothing, and ultimately she didn't hatch before the fireworks festival.
She had considered forcing her way out, but gave up this plan under the Little Girl's persuasion.
"Rest well inside the egg now, so you can have the spirit to reincarnate at the Church tomorrow," the Little Girl urged.
"And while I too am saddened that I can't watch the fireworks with the humanoid Sister Hero, let's think about it a different way."
With a mature attitude, the Little Girl raised a finger.
"We're still young, even if we part tomorrow, we'll surely have opportunities to see fireworks together again in our lives, and by then, Sister Hero will likely be in her humanoid form.
"But the chance to watch fireworks with the egg-shaped Sister Hero might only come today!"
The Little Girl's smile shone brightly, like starlight.
"You will definitely become stronger, you'll have your day to bloom, I'm sure of it.
"And I equally believe, on that day, I won't stand behind you, but beside you."
A golden-red streak suddenly shot up from the front, reaching the night sky, then exploding into countless brilliant lights.
The flames formed a giant Phoenix, which, despite supposedly being just Light and Shadow, let out a crisp chirp and dived, eliciting waves of exclamations and applause.
The white-robed Mage cheerfully raised his Magic Wand, aiming at the next firework.
The blaze of the fireworks illuminated each person's face, dimming the stars at this moment.
[The Little Girl and Hero's relationship]
Thus, the Little Girl, holding the Hero Egg half her size, leaned against the Chocobo—which had lost some plumage from a fight with its companion—and watched the entire fireworks festival.
Though they didn't go to the white-robed Mage to light the extra large firework reserved for the Hero, they were more than content having seen not only the initial Phoenix but also the Big Snake-shaped firework filling the sky.
Quietly curled inside the egg, the Hero seemed to see a long-lost dear friend, she squinted her eye color eyes, revealing an encouraging and gratifying smile.
[Dear friend's eye color]
Those gentle red pupils seemed to be watching her in the firework-dyed night sky.
Was it a fanciful illusion of hers? Would her friend think she'd forgotten about her?
But every time she recalled their past moments together, such thoughts felt utterly unjustified.
Indeed, if it were her friend, she would surely sway that long hair color hair, smiling as always, encouraging her forward.
[Dear friend's hair color]
That blue hair, like the clear sky, each time it swayed, could always utter words that lifted her spirits.
Don't close yourself off, don't wallow in self-pity, keep moving forward, strive to be happy.
...Did she achieve this now?
The Hero still couldn't confidently answer, yet resting in her friend's embrace, she felt a rare tranquility.
She forgot loneliness, forgot revenge, simply enjoying the moment.
One day, she would return, back to the city where she was born and grew up.
At that time, she would show off in this way—I've made a new friend.
A girl with hair like the night sky, wine-red eyes, and no less cute than you.
[Relationship reached 95+, the Hero and Little Girl became close friends]