Scenario:Atum - Heat Meets Sea

Heat Meets Sea

Realizing his mistake of coming to Auguste during vacation season, Atum looks for a quiet place in a deserted corner of the beach. There he meets a boy fishing, who asks Atum to help him catch a bonito—a large fish that represents a challenge even to seasoned fishermen. At first the Diviner refuses to help; but when the bonito starts reminding him of the Phoenix, he agrees to row out to sea together with the boy.

---

Large, billowing clouds streak across the blue sky.

Heat radiating from the dazzling sun turns the sea breeze into a warm wind, and the sandy beach into a sizzling hot plate.

This is Venera Beach.

A resort destination located in the Auguste Isles.

Atum: ...

Atum stands with a soft serve cone in one hand, his expression frozen.

Atum: (This is not what I was told.)

Horus had mentioned there is a peaceful seaside at Auguste that can calm the soul.

But unfortunately, the resort area is now at the height of its vacation season.

Atum: ...

Child: Ack, you've really done it this time! Take this!

Atum: ...

For a split second, it looks as if Atum is about to be the unintended target of a child's water gun. However, the jet of water evaporates before reaching the Diviner.

Lady's Voice: Watch out, mister!

Atum: ...

An incoming volleyball hurtles toward Atum, but a sudden sandstorm rises up to send the ball flying in a different direction.

Beach Lady: Wha... Um, sorry about that...

Atum: (I thought to find a place where I could meditate, surrounded by nature... but it would be impossible here.)

Hoping for somewhere quiet, Atum heads for a deserted corner of the beach.

Atum: Yes... This calming breeze is exactly what I envisioned for my visit to the seaside.

Atum: Now, before I begin my meditation, I suppose I'll try what Horus seemed to be utterly hopeless at...

Atum: Swimming in the open waters of the sea.

Turning to face the ocean, Atum proceeds to slowly dip his foot into the waves.

Atum: Cough, cough...

Atum: Bwah!

Atum: Huff... Huff...

Atum: (Looks like I'm not one to ridicule Horus for her inability to swim...)

Atum: Still, as Diviners, we are capable of flight. Not being able to swim is hardly a problem for us.

He walks over to a tree and stretches himself out under its shade, letting nature envelop him.

Atum: Whew... I may have chosen the wrong time of year, but I was correct to come.

Atum: ...

Atum: (Ever since the uproar at Port Breeze, none of the Diviners have seen the Phoenix.)

Hauhet is a crew member

---

Atum: (Just when I thought it'd finally shown itself... it turned out to be nothing but a mere fragment borne of the Phoenix.)

Atum: (While the fragment may prove to be useful, if we don't find the actual Phoenix, all will be meaningless.)

Hauhet not in crew

---

Atum: (It's revealed itself once, only to lurk in the shadows once more. Could it be fearful of the singularity's strike?)

Atum: (The mind of a sun creature works differently. I can't possibly guess what it could be plotting...)

Atum: (Fortunately, I am still in contact with Raziel. Perhaps I could read her book in the singularity's place and manifest the Creator's power... Is that possible?)

Atum: (Who knows when a chance to capture the Phoenix will come. I must be prepared for any situation...)

Just as Atum closes his eyes, he hears a shrill voice coming from the reef nearby.

Boy's Voice: Wh-whoa!
Hey, mister! You there, lying under the tree! Think you could give me a hand?

Atum: ...

Boy: Hello? I got a big one and I don't wanna let it get away! Aaah! Pleeease!

Atum: (A rather noisy child...)

Boy: Wait, you took a peek at me just now, didn't you? I know you're awake! Come on, get over here and heeelp!

Fed up with the ruckus, Atum finally gets up and heads for the reef in hopes of restoring peace to the area.

Atum: I'll help, so shut up.

Boy: All right, deal! What're you waiting for then!

Atum: Before rushing someone, you need to give out instructions on what you want done.

Boy: Isn't it obvious? I'm about to catch something big! Grab onto the rod and help me pull!

Atum: Hrgh!

But when Atum pulls on the fishing rod with all his might, the line snaps, and the gigantic fish swims off to its freedom.

Boy: Ahhh!

Atum: The fun's been spoiled.

Boy: Yeah, I wonder who spoiled it!

Atum: We were so close.

Boy: It's all your fault!

Atum: It was you who told me to pull on the rod. Don't push the responsibility onto someone else.

Boy: Hngh...

Atum: I've done as you said. Don't involve me any further.

Boy: Wait, please! Could you help me out with one more thing?

Atum: I have no experience in fishing and possess no interest in it. Ask somebody else.

Boy: You've got some amazing strength, mister.

Boy: With your kind of power, maybe I can finally catch my true target... A bonito.

Atum: Bonito...

Atum: I've heard of the name before. If I remember correctly, it's a fish so large that no average fisherman stands a chance against one.

Boy: I don't know anything about other people! I just know that I came here to fish that thing!

Atum: I see. I wish you the best then.

Boy: Huh? Hold it! A normal person would see how much effort a kid's putting in and offer to help!

Atum: If catching a bonito is your dream, then isn't it something you need to realize yourself?

Boy: Not necessarily. If two people's what it takes to fish it, then so be it!

Boy: Besides, it's clear from what just happened that if I were to fish for it by myself... I'd lose in an instant.

Atum: ...

Atum: (I suppose even the Diviners are chasing the Phoenix as a group of six...)

Boy: Come ooon! Let's fish for bonito together! What do you say?

The boy stamps his feet on the ground in protest. Exasperated, Atum shifts his gaze to the open sea.

That is when he spots a bonito leaping out from the waters in the distance, as if to tease him.

Atum: Oho...

Boy: I almost got it once, you know... Next time I see one, I won't let it get away!

Atum: Next time you see one, huh?

Bonito: ...!

Atum: Phoenix!

Atum: (I know I'll regret it if I let it get away.)

Atum: Come, child. We're bringing it down.

Boy: Huh... You mean, you're actually gonna help?

Atum: That is what I mean.

And with that, Atum and the boy hop onto a boat docked nearby and begin rowing out to sea.