Someone knocked on the door of Morien's temporary room.
Until recently, it had been an ordinary storage room inside the cave.
Riku had originally wanted to give Morien his own room, but Morien had refused.
At the time, Morien had said Riku's room was too small and the surroundings weren't very pleasant. He wouldn't be comfortable there.
Riku thought the storage room was even smaller and worse, but Morien had made his choice, so Riku said nothing.
Mr. Morien's tastes must be different from a human's.
That was what Riku figured.
Creak.
After the knock, the wooden door swung inward a crack, inviting Riku to push it open himself.
Riku did just that.
He pushed the door open, and his eyes widened at the sight beyond it.
The cramped storage room was gone. In its place stretched a vast expanse.
An ocean hung upside down overhead. Soil and grass lay beneath his feet, while lakes and enormous pieces of food dotted the distance. Morien's Insect Brood crawled over the food.
Born after the Great War began, Riku had never seen grasslands or lakes. He was a little disappointed that he still couldn't see the sky when he looked up.
But he had never seen an ocean, either.
"It's beautiful..." he murmured.
"What are you doing in the doorway? Come in." Morien's voice sounded in Riku's mind.
Riku collected himself and stepped inside.
He lifted his feet carefully, avoiding the Insect Brood crawling through the grass as he entered.
It seemed he needn't have worried. The creatures reacted much faster than he did; the moment he raised a foot, they cleared a path ahead of him.
Walking on the soft earth, Riku turned to close the door behind him.
"No need. Someone else may be coming soon," Morien said, stopping him.