The dreamer of the day glimpsed the sun in the night.

Before being confined underground as the core of Tethys, the Shorekeeper once traveled beyond the Black Shores.

At that time, civilization was steadily advancing. The Astral Modulator had established an organization called the Black Shores, recruiting new members selected by Tethys. Meanwhile, the Shorekeeper focused on recreating and analyzing the Reverberations they brought back, completing her calculations.

Like an omniscient observer, the Shorekeeper could trace data to monitor any human's behavior at any time in her recreated Sonoros. She attempted to categorize and interpret humans like any other phenomenon, but quickly found herself perplexed by them.

Why do they cry in both joy and sorrow? Why do their actions so often contradict their desires? Why pursue something they know they'll regret, or persist in the impossible? How can they so easily harm others, yet sacrifice themselves without hesitation? Every time the Shorekeeper thought she was closer to understanding, an unexpected event would overturn her conclusions. Though confused, she wondered if this confusion even mattered—after all, it didn't stop her from completing her tasks. But then, the Astral Modulator gave her a mission: signs of an impending Lament had appeared, which required field research to gather data for analysis. They would go together and... see what more could be done.

The Shorekeeper followed the Modulator through the farmland of that region. It was harvest season—the soil underfoot was soft yet firm, the hanging heads of grain full and ripe, and the wind carried the sweet scent of rice. She understood these things, yet seeing them firsthand felt different. Lost in these unfamiliar sensations, the Shorekeeper was unaware that her expression mirrored the curiosity and wonder of a child stepping out of their home for the first time. The Modulator chatted warmly with the locals, their conversations filled with dialects and the hum of everyday life. A kind old woman offered them homemade food. Her skin was rough, while the baby she held had warm, sweaty fingers.

But just as Tethys predicted, the omens soon became reality, shattering the fleeting peace.

The once-friendly people fell into despair—fighting over resources, crying out in anguish, their faces twisted with desperation and fear. For the first time, the Shorekeeper witnessed the Lament herself, not through Sonoros, but in its raw, overwhelming reality.

What surprised her even more was the Modulator. {Male=He;Female=She} led all the Resonators in resisting the Tacet Discords, encouraging everyone to hold on until reinforcements arrived. {Male=He;Female=She} was trying to alter a predetermined future, but why go to such lengths for a group of strangers? The Shorekeeper recalled the Tethys System's instructions:

"A future that has been altered is destined to be altered. Attempting to change predetermined outcomes should be avoided."

"I can't just stand by and do nothing. If this is the cost of reaching tomorrow, I question whether such a tomorrow is worth it." The golden-eyed Modulator's voice was firm.

"…Unable to process. But I will prioritize your needs," the Shorekeeper responded, as she expanded the Stellarealm to heal and protect.

Night fell, and reinforcements finally arrived. Just as they prepared to leave, a child who had lost his parents blocked their path.

"W-wait, where are you going? I want to go with you… to fight those monsters!"

Seeing the child's bright eyes, the Modulator crouched down and pointed to the Blake Bloom on {Male=his;Female=her} attire.

"What we're about to do is too dangerous for you. But if you still want to join us when you grow up, look for someone wearing this flower."

As the ship sailed away, the Shorekeeper watched the child waving from the dock. Humans still perplexed her, but this time, she tried to express her confusion to the one beside her.

"Tethys didn't predict this. That child isn't a candidate we need."

"Not everything requires Tethys's command. Humans aren't bound by such restrictions. He may not be needed now, but in time… he'll find his own path."

"The freedom to choose is far more important than any answer. That's something I want to show you."

"I want you to see and experience these things for yourself. We aren't data or abstract concepts stored in records—you can think of us as companions."

"Companions…" The Shorekeeper repeated the word, pondering its meaning. What the Modulator had said wasn't an order, nor was it an answer. Yet from that moment on, a subtle, hidden anticipation began to stir within her.

"Humans are truly complex beings… I don't yet understand them, but I hope, one day, I will."

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