The Radiant Light - [English Version]

Two children entered a small room, which contained only a bed and some simple furniture. Toys were scattered everywhere, and a photo was placed on a table.

Ami: "Aaaaaah! Amai, go wait outside for a bit!" (She pushed Amai out.)

Amai: "What's wrong?"

Ami: "Don't ask! Just go outside, quickly!"

After pushing Amai out, she immediately closed the door.

Ami: "Wait a bit. I need to clean up."

Amai: "Alright."

Ami: "Huh? What did you say?"

Amai: "I said alright."

Ami: "Why are you talking so strangely? It must be because the spell hasn't fully settled yet."

Amai: "I see."

Ami: "Okay, you can come in now."

Amai: "Alright."

Amai re-entered the room, now tidied up neatly. It seemed everything had been shoved under the bed.

Amai: "You put everything there, huh?"

He pointed at a few toys sticking out from under the bed. Ami kicked them further in.

Ami: "Don't mind that. What should we do first? Oh, right, I've got something!"

Ami rummaged under the bed, looking for something.

Ami: "Got it!"

She pulled out a rather large and old book.

Ami: "This is a book filled with countless wonders of the world—and scary things too. Read it with me. It's really interesting."

She told him endless stories from the book, making it hard for him to remember everything, but some stood out. These included the essence of every creature's existence, the unique purpose and role each played in the world, humans, mystical beasts called Spirit Beasts, lurking threats outside the forest, and terrifying monsters. Their immersion was interrupted by a call.

Oga: "Kids, come down for dinner!"

Ami: "Coming!"

At the dining table, delicious aromas and steaming dishes made for an inviting sight. The three ate and chatted together.

Oga: "Amai, how are you finding it here?"

Amai: "It's great."

Ami: "Grandpa, just speak our language with him. He can understand now. I want to talk too!"

Oga: "Have you both met Rakam?"

Ami: "Yes!"

Oga: "Alright then. Let's focus on eating."

After dinner, Ami and Amai helped Oga clean up the dishes.

Oga: "If you go out to play, don't go too far from this forest, and especially avoid the temple woods."

Ami: "The temple in the north?"

Oga: "That's right."

Amai: "What's in that place, Grandpa?"

Oga: "It was built over a thousand years ago by a sage to house a powerful force. However, it's guarded by creatures called Guardian Beasts. Five of them existed, but when humans invaded to seize the power, four were killed. But no one succeeded or returned from the temple."

Amai: "How do you know four were killed?"

Oga: "A skilled hunter of our tribe sensed immense anger, hatred, and murderous intent emanating from the temple. It meant only one Guardian Beast survived."

Ami: "What about the surviving Guardian Beast?"

Oga: "No one knows. It may have left, but you must never go near there. Who knows what's still inside? Remember this well."

Ami: "Yeeeeees!"

Amai: "Understood."

Oga: "Alright, your chores are done. Go to bed."

The children returned to Ami's room.

Ami: "Grandpa has always warned me not to go there but never mentioned the Guardian Beasts before."

Amai: "Really? Then why bring it up now?"

Ami: "No idea! Maybe because of you?"

Amai: "Me? How so?"

Ami: "Just kidding! Let's sleep. Hehe."

The next morning, Amai woke up at dawn. Ami was still sound asleep. He glanced at her before sneaking downstairs, hearing cooking sounds. Oga was preparing breakfast.

Amai (thinking): "Grandpa wakes up early to cook for us?"

Hearing footsteps, Oga called out.

Oga: "Amai? Brush your teeth and wash up, then wake Ami for breakfast."

Amai: "Got it."

Amai finished cleaning up and returned to wake Ami, still fast asleep.

Amai: "Hey, Ami, wake up! Grandpa says it's breakfast time!"

Ami: "Why so early today? Yawn… Let me sleep a bit longer… Nooo."

Amai: "If you don't get up, I'll eat your portion!"

Ami: "Go ahead; Grandpa will save mine anyway, hehe."

Amai (thinking): "She's tough to handle, but I know what to do."

Amai: "If you get up now, I'll play with you after breakfast. If not, I won't go anywhere!"

Ami: "Huh? Then we can just play at home, right?"

Amai (thinking): "What a disaster! I thought she'd hate staying home… This is bad."

Ami: "Alright, I'm up! You talked so much I'm not sleepy anymore. Let's go!"

Relieved, Amai and Ami went downstairs. Amai helped set the table, while Ami washed up. After breakfast, Oga announced he had errands to run.

Oga: "I'll be back before noon. In the meantime, stay near the tree. Understand?"

Amai: "Yes, Grandpa."

Oga (thinking): "This boy is so well-behaved. If only Ami were a bit like him, I wouldn't have to worry so much."

After Oga left, Ami and Amai stayed home.

Amai: "Ami, can I ask you something?"

Ami: "Sure, you probably have lots of questions."

Amai: "Alright then. Is it just you and your grandpa here?"

Ami: "You're asking about my parents? Grandpa says they're working somewhere. They send letters every month."

Amai: "Do you know what they do?"

Ami: "Not really. Grandpa says they're researching something useful for the village."

Amai: "Do you miss them?"

Ami: "I'm not sure."

Amai: "Why not?"

Ami: "I don't remember them. Maybe that's why. What about you? Do you remember your past?"

Amai: "No, I don't."

Ami: "Alright, let's go play!"

Amai: "Where? Grandpa said not to go far."

Ami: "Just nearby. Oh, but how will we get down? I can manage, but what about you?"

Amai: "I forgot we live high up in a tree… Let's just stay home."

Ami: "Aww, boring!"

They returned to Ami's room. After some rummaging, Ami found a rope.

Ami: "Found it!"

Amai: "A rope? I can't climb down that!"

Ami: "Just hold on tight!"

Using her wings and the rope, Ami carefully lowered them down. Though they fell at the end, they were unhurt.

Ami: "Success!"

Amai: "Never again!"

Ami: "Fine, next time we'll ask Grandpa for help. Now, let's restore your memories!"

Amai: "How will we do that?"

Ami: "Let's visit the rift!"

Amai: "That's dangerous!"

Ami: "Let's go!"

Ami grabbed Amai's hand and ran toward the forest, ignoring his protests.

Ami: "We're here!"

Amai: "This place is dangerous. Let's not get too close."

Ami: Why are you so scared? If you don't get closer, how will you make an impression?

Ami grabbed Amai's hand and moved closer to the rock wall. The closer they got, the more they sensed the presence of someone on the other side.

Amai: Hey Ami, can you see that? There's someone on the other side of the crack.

Ami: I see them. Hide quickly.

Amai: Alright.

The two of them watched the actions of the person on the other side, who seemed to be looking for something.

Ami: Hey, could it be one of your family members looking for you? Do you recognize them?

Amai: I can't see clearly, it's too far.

Ami: Then let's get closer.

The two children quietly moved closer to the crack. Suddenly, the person on the other side stood up and looked toward them.

Amai: Hey, I think he spotted us. What do we do now?

Ami: What's he doing?

Amai noticed that the man was stepping back and preparing to run.

Amai: He's getting ready to jump over here. We don't know what he's like. Run!

Ami: He's jumping!

Amai: Ami, run now!!

This time, Amai grabbed Ami's hand and they ran into the forest, with the man chasing them. After they had gotten deeper into the woods, the man reached the forest edge, but it seemed like he didn't want to chase them any further. The two of them kept running desperately toward the treehouse. When they arrived, it was nearly noon. Unfortunately, it was just the moment Oga came home.

Oga: You two look like you've been chased by ghosts. Go upstairs and explain to me.