"What am I supposed to do?"
"I can't tell you that, Moyasu ..."
"Why?"
"I can't tell you that either."

After a long walk through the woods - far from the remains of the Chi village and in a seperate direction than those leading to either the Sendo or Mikomi villages - Moyasu found herself resting on a large rock, closing her eyes as she had an inner conversation with a familiar face. The face of Pyro Phoenixtruth, who she had now come to know was guiding and protecting her since the very moment he had placed the red Hikari crystal into her hands. He had never left her. He had guided her hand as she struck down the Sendo scout, and released the power of her crystal when she was nearly overcome with grief and guilt. He was always with her.

"Even when I'm alone, I'm not alone."
"I will always be there to protect you."
"I need to know everything about the crystal. I need to save my village."
"You must discover the power on your own, I can only guide your way."
"We don't have time for that!"
"There's all the time in the world. I promise you."

As Moyasu sat there, a glow grew within the crystal she wore around her neck, a pale glittery smoke spiraling out from within it and forming a human-like figure which seemed to stand over Moyasu protectively. The form was only slightly taller than herself, and rested a knowing hand on her shoulder as the conversation within her head continued.

"Talk it out, Moyasu ... you'll find the answers you seek."
"Truth. You said something about it before ..."
"I did."
"You said it was why you let me have the crystal ... the truth you sensed within me ..."

For a moment, Moyasu felt the warmth of someone's hand on her shoulder, but it faded as she opened her eye to look, the figure that stood there solidifying a bit into what she could tell was a manifestation of Pyro. The figure bent over slightly and smiled at Moyasu as her eyes widened and she realized that Pyro wasn't just a figure in her mind, but something else completely.

"You ..."
"I didn't mean to scare you."
"I'm not scared." She huffed.
"Only you can see me. I just thought talking this way might be easier for you?"
"Oh."

Suddenly feeling a bit self-conscious, Moyasu tried to overcome the uncomfortable silence she herself created by picking up the conversation where she'd left off. He was right, of course, it was easier to talk to him in the open. It made it easier for her to think straight.

"Somehow, my crystal must have something to do with truth ... and finding the truth amidst a lie."
"It does."
"But ... this is magic, isn't it? Is magic real?"
"Magic is a very broad term."
"That isn't a no."
"It isn't a yes, either."
"Why are you being so damn cryptic?!"

A sound that nearly emulated a laugh filled the forest for a moment as Pyro's form smiled down on her. This didn't amuse her quite as much.

"Ok. Fine. This is magic ... it shouldn't exist, but it does. And if the ruby of the dragon controls truth ... I guess that means I can use it to ... tell when someone's lying? No, there has to be more to it than just that. It helped me focus, so I could hit the scout and kill him instantly ... I know it did. What does that have to do with truth?"

A moment of silence.

"Focus ... truth ... focus ... truth ... what is truth? truth is the real story ... the unbiased ... the loner. Truth is like wisdom before your years. It's knowledge. It's ..."

Lost it. A grimace formed on her small, feminine face as she wondered what she was thinking in that one instant before she forgot what she was going to say. It was on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn't grasp it. It remained out of her reach, and that only made her more determined to figure out what it is she's meant to do with this crystal. And what she was going to do with this "no-help" helper she'd been given to guide her way.

Standing, she brushed her clothes clean of leaves and slung her quiver and bow over one shoulder, noticing out of the corner of her eye that Pyro was staying where he stood, though she was ready to move on.

"Come on, let's get moving. A good walk always helps me think."
"Okay."