Octopath Traveler: My OC's X ALL EIGHT CHARACTERS

~ E p i l o g u e ~

5 Years Later

??? POV

"I've sent another letter, but whether or not he responds, is a different story..." Odette comes into the room, seeing me sat by the window, gazing out. She sighs and takes my cold hand, "it's been five years. I suggest we make a move."

"I'm not ready..." I respond, my voice barely above a whisper.

"I've made sure you're fully recovered, and you are. You need only take a rest before we leave for tomorrow," she smiles faintly, "besides, he needs you."

Just the mention of him breaks my heart. I've heard he isn't doing well, on the brink of being fired for his lack of work. What am I supposed to do when I see him? Bound into his arms? Explain where I've been?

I've been told he took up the headmaster's post when he went back to Atlasdam, taking over from Headmaster Yvon. In his letters, he's been telling Odette and I of someone he lost. Someone who was really dear to him. he can't concentrate at all. He isn't able to focus on any of his work and his superiors don't want to see it anymore.

 Piart of me thinks they should cut him some slack. This person he lost meant a great deal to him. he can't just forget them at the snap of a finger.

 But then, another part of me wonders if maybe he blames himself for what happened...

"I'm not ready to face him," I respond, my voice breaking.

"He's not ready to see you, but don't forget, he's devastated. He lost someone dear to him, and tomorrow marks the five years. I just thought it would be nice to pay him a visit. He isn't going to shun you."

"Yes, Odette," I face her, my hair falling around my face, "but this is Cyrus, and you know fine well that he will do anything to figure out a solution as to how-," I stop myself, shaking my head, "I want to see him – so badly. But...how do we know how he's going to react?"

"We don't," she says cheerfully, holding out a hand for me. I grip it and she pulls me up, "which is why I am eager to find out. Let me just check you again. After all, the drugs Lucia performed on you were highly forbidden. It's a wonder you pulled through."

"I nearly didn't, don't forget," I respond, "thanks to you."

"You need to watch your wording, young lady," she smiles, "now, stand."

I do so, and she gently pats me down, gently pressing down on my broken wrist, and gingerly patting my bandaged knee.

She tuts, "you were foolish to go out and try to fight when you knew fine well you weren't ready."

"I just wanted to see if I was strong enough," I respond.

"Well you clearly weren't and you've just caused more problems for yourself and more work for me," she laughs, "it's a good think I was also taught in healing as well as just being a normal scholar."

"A scholar can be anything if they put their mind to it. I don't think I've ever read any books so fast," I murmur as she sits me down and begins to work on my broken wrist, "you have quite the big collection."

"I am a scholar, like yourself," she stands and throws a bag at me, which I luckily catch with my good arm, "let's get going. Cyrus is waiting, after all."

I slip myself into one of her caplets, pulling the hood over my head, and covering my face. I tie it at the front and feel the sleeves fall down past my hands, "you are a giant," I smile.

She just winks, and grasps my bag as well as hers, holding hers over her shoulder, "what say you, dear, girl? Are you ready to go back to Atlasdam?"