When Aeri checks into the Gray Shore Inn, there is a moon owl in her room. She gives the owl nesting materials, feeds her, and “name[s] her Dia” (108). In return, the owl helps Aeri and Sora. When Seok and the guards are hunting Sora and Aeri, Dia warns them so that they can escape. She is a warning symbol at first. When Sora doesn’t feel like she can continue running from the guards, she is inspired by Dia. Dia flying along with them makes Sora feel like she is more capable than she thought. Throughout the narrative, Dia comes to symbolize perseverance and determination.

Dia follows Aeri and her friends to Lake Cerome, watching over them. At this point, she is a protective and consistent force. When Royo sees that Dia follows them, he finds Aeri’s care for Dia surprising and endearing. He thinks, “She says it like that’s a normal thing to do—to have a little owl friend” (186). Dia is the youngest member of Aeri’s found family. Because of this, Aeri worries that Dia will sacrifice herself to protect Aeri and Royo from the amarth. She loves Dia and doesn’t “want her to risk herself for [Aeri] when she’s so outmatched. But she’s like Royo, ready to battle monsters to protect [Aeri]” (281). In this context, Dia comes to symbolize a love that is worth dying for. However, Dia convinces the amarth to spare Aeri’s and Royo’s lives. The giant predatory bird says, “Selfless kindness to ours doesn’t go unnoticed as it does to yours” and promises to care for Dia (282). In the last scene featuring the owl, she represents Aeri’s good nature and interspecies worthiness.