Chereads / Re;Kingdom, Starting a Life with Amnesia from Zero / Chapter 56 - Chapter 50 - "Sparks of Hope"

Chapter 56 - Chapter 50 - "Sparks of Hope"

Re;Kingdom, Starting a Life With Amnesia From Zero

Arc 4 – "Eternal Contract" – Sanctuary Arc

Chapter 50 – "Sparks of Hope"

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The world… It felt like it was collapsing.

Right in front of me, there was a friend that I could not afford to lose. She told me everything I wanted to know, even though I met her just that day. She taught me many, and she probably helped me even before all of this. Truly, she was a friend that one could only imagine.

Her green eyes glistened in tears as I gazed at her. The pupils of hers were trembling in anxiety, as if her existence was afraid of upcoming judgement.

The upcoming judgement, what was it like? I couldn't even imagine how to react to the words she spoke out.

In my chest, there was a piercing, unfamiliar feeling. It felt as if my stomach was empty, and that my insides were being tortured, strangled by hands that had the intention of nothing but to hurt me.

"…"

My voice, why couldn't I hear it? I tried to call out her name, to scream her name… But words weren't flowing out of my mouth as smooth as they used to do.

Even my arms that I tried to reach out, which intended to touch her shoulders and to confront her, even they weren't able to move an inch.

My entire body was paralyzed by the unexpected words of Tattletale.

Tattletale : "I'm so sorry…"

She said those words while tears streamed out of her eyes. Then, right that moment, I collapsed. I couldn't think of anything but how to react… But even that, I wasn't able to think of. Such feeling which accompanied me as of that moment, it was nerve-wrecking.

Jens : "So this is the end…"

I gazed down at the floor while my tears dropped down. There were a couple of shattered glass pieces along with some papers on the ground. There was one, big piece of glass right underneath myself.

As I moved my gaze at it, I saw a reflection of a coward. Seeing myself in that big piece of glass, I finally realized how weak I am. Just now, I realized how incapable I am of changing the outcome. The reflection, it was a person that I hated my entire life.

Tattletale : "Jens will fail… No matter what happens, I know he'll fail the Trials eventually. I'm sorry!"

Falling on her knees, Tattletale placed her hands on her eyes, and started crying as loud as she could. Screaming out such apology, I wasn't even sure if I was capable to respond, or to accept, or to deny.

Emilia : "Jens…?"

For a second, I wasn't even able to recognize the cute voice of Emilia. All that I heard were voices inside of my head. Unrecognizable voices streamed through my mind, as if trying to take control over my soul. Slowly, but surely, they made me insane with each and every second.

"You're weak."

Am I really? I have came this far, for nothing? If I would be weak, I would have given up already since the beginning. No… I don't think I am weak. Even though my body may be weak and breakable, I believe that my spirit and soul and indestructible. Yes… I believe that I'm strong after all.

"Giving up?"

No, there is no reason for me to give up, is there? If I would give up now, it would be impossible to save anyone. If I cannot save Emilia, nobody can. Thus, I must keep going forward. Until I have given my everything, I won't give up.

Even though I wouldn't let any of these voices and words conquer my mind, they still pierced through me somehow. They made me weaker and weaker. With each words, I felt a piece of myself shatter, and fall apart. There was this so-called happiness deep within me, which was being torn down and strangled by the deepest part of my despair.

"Falling for such a maiden, you're pathetic. You're not worth it." "The world would be better without you." "Why are you still here?" "Die already." "Fool." "You wrapped everyone up in a lie" "As expected, you fail again." "You're a loser." "Pathetic little piece of shit" "You should have never met Emilia." "You never deserved such praise." "You're nothing but a bug." "You're annoying." "You're useless." "Worthless idiot." "Do it… Give up."

Countless words flashed through my mind. With each and single word, I felt a piece of myself shatter. I was slowly falling apart. I was being devoured my own despair. If I cannot save Emilia, then who will?

"Don't you think it would be better if you would die?"

Once again, I heard a voice within my skull. However, this was different from before. The voice, it was clear as ever. I recognized the voice immediately, causing my fingers to shake in fear.

Did I hear myself just now? It was the voice of someone I hated for eternity. It was the voice which had a disgusting charm to it. If I had the power to do so, I would've strangled that person's throat and killed him. There were so many reasons why I hated that person, that I couldn't even word it.

For some reason, hearing my own voice in my head felt… natural. Once I heard it, my tears stopped flowing, and I took a breath. Then, I awaited.

"Don't you see what you're doing? All that you're doing is causing even more problems for Emilia. Do you really think you can save her from a destined death?"

Of course I can. I am the only one that can. With the power of my Return by Death ability, I can redo as many times as I want. By using that ability, I can keep retrying until I save her from those damned basters that want to kill her.

Yes… That's right. I'll kill every single fucking one of them that tries to kill Emilia. No matter who comes in my way, I'll slaughter all of them. I don't care if it's a friend, if its family, or anyone else… if anyone comes between Emilia's goal, I shall exterminate them.

"Killing every single one of them? How do you expect to kill The "Washuu King"? Or what about the Sin Archbishop of Greed Regulus Corneas? Don't make me start even mentioning the Endbringers. You're the last person that is capable of killing any of them. You're nothing but a weak person. You may have been gifted many, but you're nothing but a loser. You're simply…. Not made for the job man."

Indeed. The voice is right. My thoughts entangle with voice in the back of my head. But still, I understood what I was saying to myself. That voice is right, I am indeed not made for the job. I wasn't able to protect anyone in the end. Now that I can't even clear the Trials, what am I supposed to do?

Suddenly, my hands started to move unconsciously. The fingers of my hands grabbed the big, shattered piece of glass. Pressing the skin of my fingers against the glass, my hands cut themselves open. However, I didn't feel anything what so ever. Why I wasn't feeling anything, I did not know.

Very slowly, my hands, which had the sharp piece of glass in their power, started to make their way towards my throat. Yet, I felt at ease. Perhaps killing myself was indeed the right thing to do. I mean, I am not ready for this after all. I am not supposed to be with Emilia, nor with anyone else here. All these friends beside me, they're all too great for me.

Emilia : "JENS!"

As I heard a scream filled with panic, the owner of that voice slapped me as hard as possible on my face. Immediately, I regained control over my body and I dropped the piece of glass. As the piece of glass landed on the solid surface of the ground, it shattered into a few smaller pieces.

I reassured my consciousness by moving my gaze from the shattered pieces of glass to the palm of my hands. Bleeding wounds were inflicted in my hands. The one who inflicted such wounds, was nobody but myself.

Drops of blood were falling from my hands onto the glass, and the ground. The blank papers were stained crimson red by my blood.

Emilia : "What do you think you were doing?! Have you actually lost your mind!?"

The voice of the silver-haired maiden struck myself, which made me tremble, crack, throb.

However, it wasn't just me. The clone of Lewes Meyer which stood aside gazed at Emilia in confusion as well. In addition to her, Tattletale was there as well, speechless. Gazing at the Emilia who raised her voice in fury, Tattletale's tears stopped streaming.

Emilia : "What were you intending to do with that glass?"

Her voice was nor calm nor furious, it was difficult to describe the way her voice was heard. As our gazes had met, there grew a burning feeling deep within myself. Her amethyst colored eyes that were motionless stared into my soul, waiting patiently for my response.

Wasn't it obvious what I was trying to do? Why did I have to repeat it once again? Did Emilia want a confirmation or perhaps a reason why? It was difficult to understand, but even harder to put it in words. Saying it out loud, that I intended to kill myself, it was very hard.

Jens : "I…"

Even though I tried to talk, words were gone forever. My mouth had never been this dry. I am exhausted, I am tired of trying to succeed. I want all of this to be over so I can finally rest. I don't want to fight for what's good or bad anymore, I just want redemption from whatever I had done, and spend the rest of my sinner's life alone.

Emilia : "Say it!"

Her feminine scream pierced through my ears. Her calm and emotionless expression changed instantly. Her eyes furious, and gaze deadly, she stood there while still. After that, there was nothing but a deadly silence. However, such silence was broken when the first tear drop was heard.

Tattletale pressed her face against the ground and placed the two palms of her hands against the floor. Her eyes streamed with tears as her sorrows were getting the better of her. Her emotions were overflowing her, along with the pressure of her guilty feeling, caused her to shed even more tears. Such tear drops were heard by both me and Emilia.

Tattletale : "I'm so sorry… Just kill me already…"

Suddenly, Tattletale spoke out.

Her voice trembled in fear as her tears dropped town to her chin. Never had I seen Tattletale this desperate before. The guilt was taking control over her emotions. Seeing her making herself as small as possible, it looked like she was collapsing from inside.

However, even though I wanted to say something about it, my cheeks got grabbed by Emilia's hands. She looked in my eyes with her piercing amethyst colored as I gazed in them. I wasn't able to move my head, her gentle fingers had total control over my head.

Jens : "Emilia…"

Emilia : "Talk to me! What were you trying to do?! Do you actually think killing yourself will do good?"

As she spoke out those words, I kept looking in her eyes while tears were streaming out of my eyes. I was crying as hard as I could, because I wanted to do so.

Emilia : "If you keep on continuing like this, what in the name of god do you expect to happen?"

Jens : "I just…"

For some reason, the presence of Emilia's anger caused my breathing to become harder than ever before. No, it had to be something else. Was it the truth, or was it my refusal to believe that I wasn't capable of saving everyone which caused me to collapse?

Jens : "I just… want to give up…"

Finally, I said it. I finally said it. For the first time ever, I had said such words out loud. Not because I was desperate, but because I was actually unable to continue. This had to be the end, and it should be the end. There was nothing for me to fight for anymore.

In a matter of hours, the entire Kingdom would be destroyed by the Witches of Sin if the Sanctuary Barrier wouldn't rise. Now that Tattletale had confirmed that I was unable to complete the trials, there was not a single spark of hope which would encourage me to fight.

Emilia : "You… want to give up?"

In a questionable matter, she repeated my words. Slowly, but surely, she had released me from her hands. In shame, I gazed at the ground. I was ashamed of myself for willing to give up, but it was the truth. If I cannot complete the Trials, nobody can.

Emilia : "So all the people who had died today, their deaths will be in vain?"

Jens : "Huh?"

Such powerful words caused my eyes to widen. The meaning behind such words was yet to be explained, but they still caused something within me to blossom. It was an enlightening feeling, which could lift me up, but also drown me.

Emilia : "After defeat and defeat, we have triumphed in some way. Even if we'll face another defeat, I know that today will be our first victory. Today… Today we'll finally learn about what's good and bad, right and wrong…"

I raised my body, and got back on my feet. I stood right in front of Emilia while she was talking. Our gazes met, and the two of us stood there, breathlessly. I was caught off-guard by the powerful and meaningful words of Emilia.

Emilia : "Countless of people are fighting to win! Even though are chances to win are slim, or perhaps our triumph won't be as victorious as expected, I'm sure it's significant! If the end would approach us, I would sacrifice everything in my power to save all the innocent citizens!"

Swinging her arm to the rear, she narrowed her eyes slightly while still looking at me. Her eyes were trembling in tears, but she continued talking. Her voice, it echoed deep in my mind, possibly even shaking my consciousness.

Emilia : "People are dying because of we lack information about our enemy. Furuta is continuing with destroying the lives of people, and is trying to collapse the Sanctuary to break the witches out. Even though he may be more powerful, even though he may know more than we do… That doesn't make him strong what so ever! We are the ones that are strong! If we stay united, we can overcome whatever obstacle we'll have to face!"

That was right. Since the beginning of my new life, the enemy was each time smarter than us. Well, perhaps "smarter" isn't the right term either. They had more information than we would ever have. Even though our strength is great, their intellect is greater.

Emilia : "Because… Everyone helping me, is my friend."

A warm feeling blossomed deep within me. It was a feeling that made me want to stand up, that made me want to continue. Emilia's intentions were that of a true, righteous hero. At first, I thought it was Emilia who I needed to protect, but that's not true… Not in the slightest in fact.

Now I realize what I was doing wrong the whole time. I am not her Guardian, I am her knight!

I am not protecting her, and she is not protecting me, we are protecting each other. Everyone in the Emilia Camp, we're a united team. We are formed to protect each other, to conquer the enemy, and triumph above them.

Emilia : "Puck… You… Tattletale… Otto… Ram… Frederica… Yang… They're all helping me become the Queen… They are risking their lives because they want to help me. I cannot let those bastards ruin the lives of countless people! I shall sacrifice whatever I need to succeed, because that's what you taught me."

Swinging her hand to the rear, she widened her eyes as she spoke out such words in passion.

At first, I thought nothing could convince me against giving up, but now that I gazed in her eyes, I changed my mind. In her gaze, there was a burning flame. Even such a small spark in her eyes could ignite a miraculous flame of hope.

Emilia : "Yes… It was you Jens. You taught me that there was so much to fight for. You have created bonds with so many people. At first, I was worried about you constantly, the thought that you had lost your entire life since that Amnesia, it left me breathless. But since the day I met you, you became stronger and stronger with each and every day. Whatever the situation was, you never gave up! That is the reason why I believe in victory… That's right! While there are people like you alive, like Otto, like everyone in our camp, who are giving their everything… I won't stop!"

For some reason, there was a feeling that the words of Emilia connected us for somehow. An invisible road between me and Emilia was formed. It was like a bridge which connected two friends, an unbreakable bond that doesn't bound just the relationship, but the spirit as well.

Powerful and meaningful words were conveyed through such path, which caused even me to be breathless for a moment.

Emilia : "And I don't want to lie, so I'm going to say it anyway…"

I wiped my tears and blinked a few times. While I was gazing in her eyes, she moved hers away from me while she spoke.

Emilia : "Since the day that I met you, my life had become way more chaotic than that I can recall… The attack on the mansion by Masquerade and Raven Branwen, then the Witch Cult attack in the capital city, and now this… It has been a storm of mayhem!"

She was right, as expected.

I was indirectly the cause of the incident at the mansion. If Emilia hadn't met me, Beatrice, Rem, Ram, everyone wouldn't have been in danger. It was me who they were looking for, yet they still attacked everyone at the mansion. The thought of it makes the guilt embrace my entire body. As my hands started shaking, I realized that such guilt formed into murderous anger. Even a thought that people are dying because of me, it infuriates me.

Emilia : "But…"

Emilia : "I don't regret it whatsoever!"

Such words enlightened my entire existence. My spirit which was bound to the everlasting despair residing within me was unshackled from such chains.

Even though I knew that Emilia wasn't lying, I still considered the possibility. However, such innocent young maiden like Emilia, with eyes that glimmered radiating positivity, would never lie about something like this.

Realizing that, I was left breathless.

Emilia : "You've showed me what true love is. By sacrificing everything you had, you've came this far. Even when you had to take risks like fighting Regulus… it was all to save me…"

A single tear streamed from the corner of her amethyst eyes to her chin, and scattered upon the ground.

Emilia : "But seeing you now like this, it crushes my heart…"

She filled her lungs with air, and squeezed them out with a single shout. She closed her eyes, and upon speaking, she opened them widely.

Emilia : "Don't be afraid! Get up and let's get going! A step every day! Those were all your words! When we strive together, we transcend! You were the one who taught me what love is, and it was you who taught me to NEVER GIVE UP!"

Now I truly understood the meaning of what she was trying to say. Through the sadness and thousands of tears, I finally gazed upon her message sparkling crystal clear. Never had I understood it, until now.

― I'm the reason why Emilia never gives up and she is the reason why I never give up.

Jens : "I…"

Still, even after understanding why she kept fighting, not even a single word was capable of leaving my mouth. My lips were sealed because of shame and disgust. I had never hated myself this much until now, but still―

Emilia : "It's not just you, it's everyone who is helping me… I still don't know why Roswaal did what he did… But that doesn't necessarily mean he is a bad person. We don't know the circumstances he's in. In addition to that, we don't know what Furuta is doing to him. Maybe… Roswaal isn't a bad person after all. Such possibility gives me another reason to fight!"

That's right. Even though that damned clown Roswaal fucked the whole situation up, he didn't look like a bad person what so ever when I came to the mansion. Though, if Roswaal is indeed associated with Furuta, then Elsa was hired by the latter and not the former.

Perhaps there is something which Roswaal would win if he would side with Furuta. Based on what we already know, it could possibly be the revival of the Witches of Sin, specifically Echidna.

If me and the others can come up with something which could possibly return Echidna, or make Roswaal meet her, perhaps that would stop him from siding with him.

Emilia : "Back at the Royal Capital, you told everyone that the blue-haired girl is Ram's sister and that she had worked for both my camp and the Roswaal Mansion for years. Even though it's really hard for me because I cannot remember that girl what so ever, it's another reason for me to fight! If we can somehow come in contact with the Gluttony Sin Archbishops, I'll promise that I'll fight alongside you, to redeem her! We'll bring back Ram's lost sister back!"

Rem and Ram, the two twin-sisters who taught me various stuff back when I was a guest at the mansion. However, when I see Ram like this, when I see her without her sister, it hurts me so much. I cannot imagine losing a twin. I shall do whatever I need to do to return her. I shall reunite the two sisters, so they can finally be happy again, together.

Emilia : "Then… There is Otto Suwen, who had risked his life many times for a reason I'm unaware of. Roswaal invited him into my camp, and since then, he has remained completely loyal for no reason what so ever. His ambitions, his inspirations, his aspirations, his will-power which causes him to continue… It gives me a painful feeling in my chest… It's because I'm not sure how to repay such a good person. But, until I'll be able to repay him, I shall fight for his safety and for this kingdom!"

Otto Suwen was one of the first people who I had became good friends with. Few hours ago, when I saw him fighting along with Garfiel, I noticed a burning passion within his eyes that could possibly ignite the biggest spark of hope.

―Never did I expect Otto to grow this big. But in actuality, it is me who had not developed.

He had fought against the Gluttony Sin Archbishops, and even nearly killed one. He nearly lost his name, his memories, and everything he had… just for me and Emilia.

A person that is willing to sacrifice everything he has, truly is a great friend.

Emilia : "Nathan Harmonia, even Felt who had returned my Insignia… Both of them, they're friends to me… If it wasn't for them, my Insignia would have been lost forever. The fact that Felt returned it, and Nathan even joined alongside us, it gives me this burning feeling that I want to repay them as well. Nathan, who had protected the Mansion against Raven and Furuta… He truly is, a great friend."

She is right. Nathan had fought alongside us even though we were the one who separated him from Felt. Each and single day he was giving his everything, just for us. Nathan had lost many, yet he keeps moving forward. Despite being young, despite being not as strong as others, his soul is bound to be unbreakable.

Emilia : "Then… There was mister Sword Saint, Reinhard van Astrea. He had saved my life twice. Not because of orders, or out of sympathy, but because he is a great person. Such people… They're too good for such a cruel world we live in. People like him, people like Reinhard, they inspire me to fight for those who cannot. Even Tattletale…"

Calling out her name, Emilia moved her gaze towards the still crying Tattletale. However, as she heard her name, Tattletale raised her face. A graceful woman's gaze and that of a beautiful woman meet. In their gazes grew scattering sparks of mixed emotions.

Emilia : "Even though you may have lied about all this… You're my friend. I don't know anything about you… I don't know where you're from, why you're helping Jens, why you lied, and why you're still here, but you're still my friend. I know that you're powerful, and that you could possibly grant us information which not even a single Kingdom could grant us, but that is not the reason why you're my friend."

Tattletale : "But… I am the reason why you won't make it in time."

Emilia : "That may be true, but that doesn't stop me from trying. If we would stop trying the first time we failed, we would have never came this far. It was your help which allowed us to come this far. So please, raise your face as we'll fight until the very end."

Extending her hand towards Tattletale, she looked gently in the desperate girl's eyes. In confusion, Tattletale's eyes trembled. Her tears stopped flowing slowly while she slowly moved her eyes from the palm of Emilia's hand to her face. Slowly, Tattletale reached out her hand and took Emilia's.

Raising her body, Tattletale stood on her feet again, but was still shaking in fear. However, such fears were blown away in an instant when Emilia's angelic arms embraced Tattletale with a hug.

Emilia : "You don't have to be alone anymore… Even though you're fighting for Jens, I'm always here for you. Please remember, that no matter what happens, we'll be friends… It's because… The reason why I keep going forward… is because of my friends."

Tattletale : "Thank you… Thank you so much… I… I promise that I'll stay forever on the side of you two. It's because… I don't have any other place to go. I thought that I was fighting for what's good, that's why I came all the way here, to meet Jens again. But now that there's no where to go but to face defeat… I don't even know if what I'm doing is right."

Teardrops were bound to fall after such conversation. Emilia gently brushed Tattletale's blonde hair after the latter started sobbing on her shoulder. Truly, a beautiful sight. Then, few seconds later, the two of each other released each other.

Then, their gazes met.

Emilia : "You don't have to think about that. Do you think that I know what's right or wrong? To the contrary, I think I'm the one who's least informed about all this. After all, I'm the one who's a so-called Witch. I have been discriminated for my entire life for being born this way. My stupid pointy ears, my malicious purple eyes and my ugly silver hair, it made my life so hard… But I want to show that change is possible… I want to show the entire world that someone shouldn't judge a person based on their actions or their appearance. I want to be the change the world needs!"

Tattletale : "You don't have to be the change the world needs… In fact, you don't have to be anything Emilia. You're beautiful the way you are, even if it's an accidental resemblance of something terrific. You as a person are gorgeous, and I cannot imagine someone possibly not liking you… You're truly, a great person."

As I didn't expect such words from Tattletale, I quickly moved my gaze at Emilia's reaction. Contrary to my initial expectations, she simply smiled. Closing her eyes and hiding her teeth with the palm of her hand, she giggled like a little girl.

Emilia : "Thank you!"

Seeing such positivity in their spirits, a levitating feeling blossomed from within me. It was a feeling that could raise me to the clouds and the skies, or sink me to the bottom of the ocean.

With all the remaining power within me, I raised my body and stood in front of Emilia.

Jens : "Emilia."

Before she would respond, she eased her cheerful expression to a more serious one. Then, after slightly narrowing her eyes, she gave me a single nod.

Thousands of thoughts were contradicting each other.

Millions of emotions were fighting each other from within myself.

An endless amount of possible things possibly for me to say.

Jens : "I won't give up, I shall still succeed the trials."

Thanks to just such words, I saw two different reactions.

Emilia, who just raised me from the depths of mine despair, blinked a couple of times. But then, after realizing the meaning of my words, she embraced me with her arms in joy and happiness.

But Tattletale, who had predicted with her Semblance that I was destined to fail, simply put on a smile. In her light green eyes, I saw that my words reminded her of something. Thus, a nostalgia feeling embraced her

Tattletale : "You… really never change huh."

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Standing in the middle of the room, there was only me, Tattletale, Emilia and the little petite girl. Behind the girl, there was a massive blue crystal which radiated cerulean colored light, which enlightened the entire area.

Bookshelves filled with books that were unreadable for me, jars filled with chemicals and labeled by their corresponding material residing within, the laboratory was somewhat ominous for me.

Jens : "Alpha-san, we're ready for the Trials."

Alpha : "Are you sure? I shall take you to the door where you shall meet your past. Accepting it, means triumph. Denying it, means to fall."

Her light pink hair wavered by a small and invisible gust. Her cyan colored eyes expressed nothing but seriousness while she was gazing at me.

With a single nod, I confirmed her words.

Alpha : "Great. However, the others have to leave. Beta shall bring you to the mansion along with Gamma."

Not even a single second had expired, and two clones had already appeared right beside us.

I turned around and grabbed Emilia's hand. I gazed in her amethyst colored eyes and just like that, all her worries and anxieties were blown away instantly.

Jens : "Everything will be fine. I shall succeed the trial, and we'll save everyone, alright?"

Emilia : "I got it! I… I love―"

With a single snap of Alpha's little fingers, both Emilia and Tattletale had vanished from my sight. Their entire existence disappeared, and not even a single trace of them was left behind.

I closed my eyes for a moment and prayed that all of them would be alive. Even if they aren't, I will do everything in my power to return them. Because Emilia finally taught me, that to live, is to fight alongside others.

Alpha : "Are you ready? Before you'll enter the door, we must bring you to our master."

I slightly tilted my head, but I was pretty sure that their master was Echidna. Thus, it would mean that I would reunite with her again before I was able to fulfill the trials.

Leaving the laboratory-like area, we entered the long hallway. The cracked and mossy stone bricks which formed the hallway were exactly the same from when I stood face-to-face with Furuta.

Instantly, I sensed a scent of ease, an aroma of tranquility, an odor of peace. My legs started to shake, my fingers started to tremble, and my vision started to become all blurry. Right that moment, I started panicking, my heartrate rose, until I realized what was going on―

When I closed my eyes, there was nothing but a pitch-black darkness.

However, contrary to my former expectations, I did not find myself in the "Dream World" of Echidna.

There was nothing but oblivion. Darkness and shadows had swallowed everything up, and the world was being devoured by everlasting despair.

But something was different, clearly.

―I was still able to move.

Each and single time when I found myself here, in this oblivion world of despair, I was paralyzed, frozen while being devoured by the dark shadows. But this time, the situations had drastically changed.

I took a single step forward, and instantly, something had formed a silhouette.

The more I moved towards it, the more the silhouette started to form an actual appearance of a person.

However, no matter how many steps I took towards it, the actual appearance never formed the final form.

I tried to run, but I never achieved the final destination.

I tried to reach out my hands, but I never grasped the one ahead of me.

I tried to scream, but my words never reached out to the one in front of me.

??? : "Finally, we finally meet."

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