Sitting back against the Sakura tree and looking up at the opalescent sky in wonder, Kato held the mask that let him see the truth a little closer to his heart gingerly, the world seemed to fall away under those glittering gems painted into the canvas up above. "What a fine reason to travel, right, dad?" The journey had been both so short-lived yet felt like an eternity that no measure of explanation would put his own experiences their due justice. The Aether was pleasant once more, now that the fog that plagued the lands had finally dissipated. This was serenity. This was... Transcendence.

...Aether makes all, the quintessential material that makes everything. The blessings, the earth, sky, water, creatures, plants, everything. How did he come to become the ascendant of Aether? Every time he donned his mask it was as if he"d finally become his true self. This... mask. It served to show the world who he truly was. Memories of the previous night drifted back towards him as he"d close his eyes, brow furrowing slightly. Was this was his journey was meant to be? To become his true self, without this mask? Was it meant for more? To uncover the secrets of ascendancy? What a moot point. He liked so much more when he was excitable, jovially wearing that mask which enabled oh so much with each little ring of the silver bells that were attached to it on string. His calling.

Sitting upwards and looking down at the fields around him with the campfire a little ways away, Kato would pick up his Crimson-stained spear and begin to hobble back, at peace for now. He needed to don that mask again.

"See, dad? I know I"m not who you claimed me to be. I am no longer Koto. My deepest apologies, for I am truly Kato." ...

Drawn by the kind and talented  Zanity !