Rover: You and I, what exactly are we to each other?

Luuk Herssen:
Mm... friends, I'd say. Not the kind who lived in each other's pockets, but, as a Huanglong saying puts it, "True friendships are still waters that run deep."

We met by chance, and by another twist of fate, you entrusted me with a rather long-term assignment.

How about this: "Strangers in passing who became confidants" How does that definition suit you?

Past Rover: You see right through me, huh? I'm not sad, I just...

Well, to put it in your words, I guess I'm thinking about my homeland.

Young Aemeath: Then... do you wanna go back for a visit?

Past Rover: I can't go back.

Young Aemeath: Why?

Can I tell you a secret, Rover? After Mom and Dad went away, my chest always felt all tight and heavy.

When people in the tribe talked to me, their voices always sounded really far away.

But that day at the lake... after I cried in front of you, the feeling got a little smaller. I didn't feel so bad.

I know you can't say this stuff to other people. 'Cause they all think you're super strong.

But I'm just a kid! And I don't think you're that strong! So, if you need to cry, you can cry with me. I'm really good at keeping secrets.

So, you don't have to be sad by yourself. Okay?

Past Rover: But was it the right thing for me?

Because one day I realized I would never return home.

I couldn't stop thinking about that faraway place. More than I ever had before.

In what you'd call dreams, I'd go back. Stand there, just stare at what I once called my homeland...

Even if staring didn't change a thing. Even if it was pointless.

Young Aemeath: Oh! I see!

You miss home, Akuma!

Past Rover: Maybe.

But... talking with you makes it not so bad.

There's still a lot I have to do in this world. This won't stop me. Don't worry about me, Aemeath.

Young Aemeath: I'm your family too. Until you find your real family and can go back to your homeland, I'll be right here with you!

Rover: Stop, Aemeath.

Aemeath: I told you to stay out of this.

Rover: I know you did this for me. To protect my happiness. And I'm grateful. But it's over now.

Aemeath: ...

Rover: I need to hear it. All of it. Whatever the truth is, it's my burden to carry. My choice to make.

Carrying this on your own hasn't been easy, has it?

Aemeath: Do you really want this? Even if it changes nothing? Even if... it only weighs you down?

Rover: Things only weigh on us because they matter.

Rover: "Saving the world"... I never saw it that way. The people and civilizations I met, they saved themselves. I was just there to help.

Jinzhou's soldiers fought through Retroact Rain till dawn.

The Black Shores Bloom Bearers ran themselves ragged across distant lands.

Rinascita's factions all dared to defy the Dark Tide.

Lahai-Roi's people never stopped reaching for the stars.

I'm no savior who fell from the sky. And no one ever saved themselves by waiting for one. There's been plenty I couldn't do. Losses I couldn't prevent. Sacrifices I had to accept.

But I'd do it all again. Every bit of it.

If this was a mission from my past, I'd be lying if I said I didn't care what they thought of me now. But that's a question for later. Right now, we have more important threats to face.

The fact that I'd choose this path even without my memories. That tells me this is who I am. I can't stand by while the Lament brings suffering. I care about this world too much.

Aemeath: But... I'm afraid you'll feel alone.

Rover: With everyone here? With you here? Not a chance.

I will be there for everyone... As we head toward our shared future, leaving the past behind.

Aemeath: ...

Past Rover: Aemeath-

Young Aemeath: Just go!

Past Rover: I know you're worried.

Young Aemeath: It's not fair. Why does it have to be you saving the world? You're always so exhausted, always getting hurt.

Past Rover: Look, Aemeath...
I've walked through lands torn apart by the Lament. Every tear weighs me down, and every cry breaks a bit of my heart.

Their pain is no different from mine. Neither is their joy.

So if I can help, I will. I have to.

Young Aemeath: Then... I'll be the one to protect you someday.

Past Rover: You... protect me?

Young Aemeath: Yes! You're not invincible! You get hurt, you get tired, you get sad. You're just like everyone else in this world.

So I'll protect you.

Don't laugh!