Even though the girl knew she couldn't entirely agree with such optimism, lips parting as if about to protest, it wasn't because she didn't want to—how many times had she been encouraged into trying again and again, only to be met with the same heartache? To keep doing it in vain, in the face of that future, seemed tiring already, making her feel heavier than she already did.

But as she released a slow and shuddering breath, she also knew he was right. For all the times she had said it was impossible, that nothing would change, she had continued to try anyway, so often at the encouragement of that particular person. Perhaps that was what ultimately mattered most, in light of everything they had discussed so far. If Ace could still see hope when facing his world in such a state, why shouldn't she put in the same effort?

Gradually, a smile once again pulled at her lips despite the mistiness clouding her eyes. The reminder, and the cadet himself, were entirely too kind. "I know... In that future, we lost sight of that in our desperation. Before journeying with everyone else in Auldrant, I was certain that I was alone in my mission, that it was my sole responsibility."

Blinking several times to clear her vision, Tear's gaze lingered to the chick still wandering and chirping softly around them, her very presence also a reminder of just how important it was to hold on to that truth. "When we woke up, the Sage said we lost something in that future that we still have right now. It can be any number of things, but maybe he meant being together, for each other."

Part of her prayed that it was. What she held on to so dearly now was something she had not yet lost, and the girl would do everything in her power to keep it from falling apart again.