Floating Islands: SSS Gacha System

"Lyrassa?"

Atlas murmured softly as he looked up to find the girl kneeling gracefully before him.

"Am I interrupting your rest, My Lord?"

"No, I've had enough time to rest," he replied with a faint smile. "I just needed a moment to calm my mind."

He patted the spot beside him. "Come."

Lyrassa moved fluidly, settling next to his left with her legs tucked neatly to the side.

Atlas knew this was one of her favorite spots, so it wasn't surprising to find her here. As a Nature Spirit, her connection to the natural world was undeniable. Her talent, Forest Heartbeat, tied her to the forests and their energies, making this serene haven the perfect place for her.

He realized he hadn't spent much time talking with her lately, something he had been meaning to change. His intense training sessions were usually overseen by Kurogasa, and during his recent visit to the Lower Lands, he hadn't brought her along.

Even so, because of his bond with her—one that went beyond mere loyalty. It felt deeper, a connection both emotional and personal, something he couldn't fully articulate but felt profoundly.

For a while, they sat in silence, shoulders lightly touching. The serene atmosphere of the area wrapped around them, as if the grove itself was cradling them in its peace.

The soft rustling of leaves, the vibrant colors of flowers, and the cool air made it feel like they were in a world apart. Even the distant sounds of the island seemed unable to reach this secluded haven.

"Do you have something to…" Lyrassa's voice broke the silence. "Something you'd like to share with me, My Lord?"

"Share?" Atlas echoed, turning his head slightly toward her.

Lyrassa met his gaze. She nodded gently, waiting for his response.

It was just like her. Lyrassa always seemed to know things others couldn't sense. Whether it was someone's hidden emotions or unspoken thoughts, she had a way of reaching beneath the surface. On more than one occasion, she'd even claimed she could hear what people were thinking.

Atlas had experienced this firsthand enough times to believe her. While this uncanny skill didn't appear explicitly in her list of talents, there was no doubt it existed—and it always caught him off guard.

"You've done your best for everyone, My Lord," Lyrassa said softly.

Atlas nodded slowly, acknowledging her words without speaking.

Then, without warning, Lyrassa lifted her hands and gently touched his cheek. The moment her fingers made contact, Atlas instinctively closed his eyes.

A surge of calmness swept through him, silencing the chaos in his mind as though her touch had shut off the relentless whirlpool of thoughts. It was as if he were floating, his body relaxing entirely under the influence of her soothing presence.

He allowed the sensation to envelop him, her soft hand caressing his face, bringing a tranquility he hadn't realized he needed.

When he opened his eyes again, his gaze met hers. Lyrassa's face was serene, her expression imbued with warmth and reassurance.

"You treat everyone so well," she continued gently. "Everyone loves you."

Atlas remained silent.

"You've carried this great responsibility with such strength," she went on. "And you've exceeded everyone's expectations."

Her eyes seemed to pull him in. Atlas felt himself drawn, as though hypnotized by the quiet intensity in her gaze.

"But," she said, her voice dropping into an even softer tone, "we can't navigate this kind of battle, this kind of world, with pure hearts alone."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Her right hand moved to rest on his chest.

"For some people," she continued, "killing is not natural. It's not something they can accept. It's not something they can see as right."

Atlas shook his head slowly.

Her words cut too close, echoing the turmoil that had taken root in his thoughts—the weight of the wars he'd fought, the lives taken, and the people who had died in service to him.

Could she feel the chaos in my mind?

The lingering doubts, the guilt of every life lost in these battles, of those who gave their lives for me?

Lyrassa's gaze softened as she drew her hand back slightly, resting it gently on her lap. Her voice was calm yet profound as she spoke.

"My Lord," she began, "do you know what it truly means to exist as part of nature?"

Atlas tilted his head slightly, listening intently.

"It means to grow, to nurture, to protect," she continued. "But it also means to destroy, to take life when it is necessary. Nature thrives on balance—between creation and destruction, between peace and war."

Her expression grew pensive, her eyes meeting him. "For centuries, I have fought battles of my own. I have stood by and defended every Lord who called upon me, giving my all—even when it meant taking lives."

She paused, her words hanging in the air between them.

"It was not easy," she admitted softly. "Every branch broken, every blade of grass trampled, every life taken weighed on me."

Her voice faltered for a moment, then steadied as she went on.

"But I learned something valuable. To protect what is precious, we must sometimes become the storm that shatters the branches. We must be the fire that burns away the overgrowth. It is not an act of cruelty, but one of necessity. Nature itself abides by this truth. When a tree falls, its death enriches the soil, making way for new growth. When a predator hunts, it ensures balance in the ecosystem, keeping life sustainable for all."

Leaning in slightly, her tone grew even gentler.

"I have survived battles not by hardening my heart, but by accepting this balance. I do not fight for vengeance or glory. I fight for those who cannot defend themselves alone, for the future that deserves to be nurtured. Yes, I have taken lives, but I have also saved them, healed them, and guided those lost back to the light."

Her gaze softened even more.

"The burdens you carry now, no matter how heavy, are part of this balance. We do not take life without purpose, and we do not fight for ourselves alone. Every battle, every sacrifice, is for those under your care. And though it pains you, that pain is a gift—it keeps you human. It keeps your heart aligned with what truly matters."

She placed her hand lightly on his chest once more, the warmth of her touch grounding him in the moment.

"Even in the darkest of battles, you can still grow. Just as nature endures through storms and droughts, so will you. You are stronger than you realize, My Lord."

Atlas smiled softly at Lyrassa's explanation. It was, without a doubt, a unique perspective—one shaped by her own experiences and connection to nature. Yet, as he listened, he found himself translating her words into something that resonated with his own understanding.

"That's certainly a unique perspective, Lyrassa. Thanks," he said with a quiet chuckle.

Lyrassa smiled back, shaking her head gently. "I only said what needed to be said. But remember, My Lord, it's you who has fought to reach this point. I know you have the strength to accomplish far greater things."

Atlas nodded slowly. "I sure do."

For a moment, their eyes met, and the tranquility in her presence drew Atlas closer. Almost instinctively, he leaned in, resting against her and allowing himself to fall into her embrace.

In her arms, he found a warmth and peace he hadn't realized he needed. It wasn't just comfort—it was grounding, a quiet reassurance that seemed to piece together the fragments of his weary mind.

They remained like that for some time, the minutes slipping by unnoticed. Gradually, the tension in his body eased, and clarity began to settle over his thoughts.

At some point, without realizing it, Atlas had rested his head in her lap. Lyrassa cradled him patiently, her touch gentle and deliberate as if she understood the depth of his exhaustion. The grove around them remained still, its serenity wrapping them in an ethereal calm.

Time passed, and Atlas eventually stirred, the haze of sleep lifting as he remembered his upcoming meeting with Edrik and Kurogasa to discuss his new class.