Uriel's playing grew steadier and steadier, and his expression relaxed.
By all rights, given the current situation, things had already taken a turn for the better. Yet Luigi did not relax in the slightest. If anything, he grew even more solemn, as though, in his eyes, the calm before him was merely suppressing the storm about to break.
In fact, Luigi had not guessed wrong.
Uriel's performance did not transition smoothly into its conclusion. As it neared its end, Uriel's emotions suddenly surged once more.
An unnatural flush rose to his face, and veins bulged along his neck.
Thump, thump, thump—
Every strike seemed to draw upon every ounce of his strength.
Such violent emotion stood in stark contrast to the earlier calm. Had Luigi relaxed even slightly before this, he would have been thrown into a frantic scramble now.
And if Luigi made a mistake, it would mean that all their previous performance had been for nothing. The main quest would inevitably fail.
Fortunately, Luigi's caution saved them from this crisis.
Soothing notes merged into the impassioned music, becoming a crisp wind that scattered the roiling, unsettled fog; then becoming a pair of soft hands that smoothed away the agitation between Uriel's brows.
Gradually, harmony emerged between the melodies, bringing this dialogue—one that had risen to the level of the soul—to an end with the gentle lingering resonance of a nocturne.
As the final note faded, Luigi let out a long breath and looked up toward the attic window.
At that very moment, Uriel also rose to his feet and looked down from above at where Luigi stood.
Originally, the attic and the outside world existed in two separate timespaces. Yet at this moment, as Luigi's and Uriel's gazes met, the two timespaces overlapped.
``` "Special Dreamland 'Uriel's Choice'