[Hayame says that his shard is back to normal — and he feels normal now, more normal than he has for weeks. The crushing, nerve-deadening apathy that had ruled his waking hours has receded, and in its place, he recalls the same determination that had led him to join not just Meridian, but the conflict back in Taldor, all those months ago. He recalls the desire for companionship and belonging that had filled him since he was small, and eventually led him to pick up blade and bow in service of his fellow countrymen.

And he recalls the compassion that had given him the patience to wait with Hayame in that space between worlds, when she had not had a scrap of belief in herself to rely on.]

I will. I will stay at your side.

[He gazes down at the shard in his hand for another moment, lingering in the novel experience of Hayame holding his hand in both of hers. He cannot really expect her to fully accept him, to befriend him and want him for all that he is — not Hayame, not if accepting all of him means accepting the foul and unclean parts of him as well. But if he can go back to being the man that she wanted him to be, the priest and fellow Meri whom she had put her faith in… then perhaps he can be the ally she needs to go back home and live.

As he looks up at her, his expression is intent and serious.]

If we can cross the boundaries between worlds and change the fate of existence, we can win for you an atonement that you live to be proud of.