Dia energetically raised her hand, high-fived Ashe, and gave the Swordswoman a quick hug before leaping out of the carriage and charging straight into the curtain of rain.

"Finally, it's just the two of us," Ashe said, turning toward the back with a sigh of dissatisfaction. "Swordswoman, why did you have to stir things up like that in front of the Witch? You made me look like the villain on purpose. What if she actually ends up resenting me? That would be a real problem… Wait, what's wrong with you now?"

He had been rambling on before finally realizing something was off. Sonya sat in a palpable, heavy slump, staring out at the Ascending Golden Rain while puffing her cheeks in silent frustration. Her earlier gentleness toward the Witch had completely vanished. She wouldn't even spare him a glance,...