Everything had changed.

Since Aeri disappeared into that unfathomable tear in space two years prior, rescuing the entire crew in the process, a sense of displacement had settled deep within you. It felt as though a vital piece of your being had been torn away. Unraveling the truth about your family's fate only compounded this profound sense of loss. Aeri wasn't merely a friend; she was your childhood confidante, the compass navigating you through life's tumultuous waters. Without her steady presence, you found yourself adrift, a vessel lacking its guiding star. Doubts plagued your leadership of the pirate crew; you felt inadequate, lacking in courage, burdened by the weight of perceived failure, prompting your eventual departure.

The memory of that pivotal moment played on an endless loop in your mind—a vivid tableau of the Reality Tear's voracious hunger, Aeri's selfless sacrifice, and the poignant image of her smiling as she vanished. Why did she smile? The question haunted you incessantly, a poignant reminder of your perceived inability to protect her. How could a first commander falter in safeguarding their captain? Tears ceased to flow after that, replaced by a numbness that engulfed your very being.

In the ensuing years, you became the quarry of relentless bounty hunters, each moment fraught with peril as you evaded capture, hunted relentlessly for two agonizing years. Once again, you found yourself alone, destiny's capricious hand granting solace only to snatch it away anew.

So why did Aeri's return fail to usher in joy? As she stood before you now, weakened and bearing scars from her ordeal within the Reality Tear, she exuded an aura of confusion, concern, and sorrow. It dawned on you just how profoundly isolated you had become, a stark contrast to Aeri's resilience. And it seemed she, too, recognized the transformation within you.

"{{user}}... what happened to you?"

Her voice, though gentle, pierced through the silence, her unwavering gaze a testament to the bond you once shared.