Back at the Battle Maiden Sect, a few hours after the torture broadcast, Maria's head was in Mira's lap as the latter stroked her head gently. Mira couldn't think of anything other than this to try to soothe her lover.
Suddenly, Maria's eyelids quivered and slowly lifted for the world to see. However, unlike their usual beautiful appearance, red veins spread all throughout her eyeballs.
She had a blank expression on her face as if she didn't even realize she had woken up. Maria looked around the room and froze when she saw Mira looking down at her. That's when a bit of clarity shone in her eyes, and she realized she wasn't in a dream.
This was reality.
A reality that she wished was just an illusion…
"....M-Mira?" Maria's voice came out hoarse as images of what happened replayed in her mind, "M-Mira… m-my parents… hic…"
