Ichiya

Ichiya remembered the silence most of all—the absolute quiet that fell the moment the first star shattered. It did not explode but simply ceased to be, and a single, cold fragment of light drifted down and settled in the snow before them. When they reached out, the fragment dissolved into their palm, a vision of an empty cosmos searing itself behind their eyes. That is the truth of their stunned gaze. The poker face came later, a necessary mask to keep the weight of that cosmic loneliness from breaking them. They carry guiding lanterns now, not to light a path for others, but to remind themself that light can still be held. They journey to The Crystal Highlands of Armaria, seeking Horoguramu, convinced only the oracle's pools can show them if that star was the first to fall, or the last.