With Almas's parting words, it seemed that the encounter was coming to an end. Cera's patience had run thin, and she wanted nothing more than for him to leave.
"If you've got nothing left to say, then hurry up and get out. Feels like my ears deaf already."
{It was indeed a perfect way to spend my moments, hohoho! I shall leave for now, respectable Guide. May nothing hinder our relationship again.}
"Enough with your flattery. Go now! And make sure that an incident like this won't happen again."
{... I will do my best to satisfy those requirements. Oh, and also... while these are nothing more than putting my nose in someone else business, both you and him should not forget that their movements are still shrouded in mystery. Stay sharp Guide.}
"... Yeah, now get your feet off my property."
Almas, the head god of Iruna had willingly removed his presence from the Void.
Dead calm returned to that eerie space. After Cera was reminded again by Almas' advice, the atmosphere around her shifted. She truly didn't like Almas, and her tone made it evident.
However, something sparked more rage than they could imagine. When the god mentioned the word "their," an unusual expression appeared on her face.
"Enough ▀▀▀▀, so? Can you tell me about this portal under my skirt? Don't tell me you're trying to peep right?"
As the unusual expression crossed her face, Cera's voice seemed to carry a hint of surprise and confusion. She quickly noticed the mysterious portal beneath her and questioned ▀▀▀▀ about it, making references about some perverted god who had a hobby in peeping.
In response to her confusion, a voice echoed, saying, "It's time, to collect my debt."
"Huh? What time?"
"D-Debt?! What do you mean, I got not damn thing about deb-"
Before she could finish her sentence, the portal beneath her began to pull her downward, and she could feel herself being drawn into it, her surroundings fading into darkness.
...
....
.....
It was a sunny day, despite there's no sun shining bright light a diamond in the sky.
The atmosphere was serene and beautiful on this sunless day, with the lush green grass of the meadow swaying gently as a young girl ran through it with an air of pure happiness.
Her thorny staff, a curious and perhaps dangerous choice for a child, was held firmly in her hand as she frolicked, her flowing white garment trailing behind her like a spectral ribbon.
"W-Wow, what's getting into you?" (Cera)
The scene seemed idyllic, a perfect moment of childhood bliss untouched by the troubles of the world. The girl's pure joy and innocence radiated from her as she twirled and skipped through the meadow, her laughter a sweet melody in the serene landscape.
"Shashasasha! Victory!" (Hylia)
The name of that girl is Hylia, she's one of the important character depicted for the purpose of this story. A being created as an anomaly— singularity is not wrong as well to be exact.
"Ah so that is Hylia. Now I get why you called her the feasty haired girl, but anyway. OI! Why're you giving a young girl like that nothing more than a single napkin as her cloths!? Huuh!?" (Cera)
...
Cera observed the young girl, Hylia, with her unique and vibrant hair, ranging from blue to green and purple in an ombre style.
Hylia's hair was quite normal in length, extending down to her eyes and nape and covering her ears. Her eyes shone like peridot gems, with a green hue.
Cera couldn't help but notice Hylia's petite stature, standing at around 147 cm and weighing approximately 43 kg, which was typical for a child of her age. Despite her own denial, Cera had to acknowledge the accuracy of the description.
"FUWAAA!!!!!"
Beside Hylia stood a fluffy, cotton-like creature that resembled a Momotaro hamster, complete with big blue eyes, a star-shaped tail, and a rainbow theme speaking out from the creature's shape.
It was the kind of creature that would easily attract children who loved cute, fluffy, and colorful characters. However, what was once a small and fluffy creature had now transformed into a two-meter-tall, muscular warrior.
"You even dared enough to tell her weight, I'm going to spoil all of your secret stash you if I ever found you tell mine. Here I'm wondering why and how you could open a portal on me, but you're just the same as Alma huh? Boasting about their things." (Cera)
...
At the moment, they are in the midst of completing their daily to-do list. Most of their tasks involve extermination and collection, which are recurrent jobs taken on by anyone daring enough to enter this place.
It all began not long after they had leaped from the cliff where they first met. Since then, Hylia and Fuwa have been exploring various regions around them.
As they continued to experience the passing days, their lives seemed to intertwine with the threads of fate. It was then by pure chance, they stumbled upon a towering spire.
Seizing the opportunity, they sneaked into the tower and have been living there ever since. Just like the monsters that swarm around them, living within that spire is a part of their everyday existence.
"Go Fuwa, we'll do our today checklist like usual." (Hylia)
"Fuwa!"
The name of the tower is Babel, and the location she finds herself in now is the Dungeon, more precisely the city of the Dungeon, Orario.
She was spawned far from that city, similar to how newbie adventurers start their journeys from the City of Beginnings.
It was only a matter of time before she and Fuwa reached the city, where they would have their fated encounter with some other important cast member.
...
Unbeknownst to the duo, far to the west, where no grass could grow on the top of a rocky hill, a lone figure sat with a couch beneath her.
Holding a golden glass as she arrived in the foreign world, it was Cera who continued to act as an observer of Fuwa and Hylia's interactions.
"Like you kidding me?! Don't just open a portal under my feet dang it!"
Cera felt a mix of sadness and anger for leaving Yjor alone in the Void.
As she continued her gaze...
"FUUUWAAAAA!!!!"
"Not enough Fuwa!"
Fuwa and Hylia, who were continuously dealing with the dungeon monsters, seemed to be having no trouble at all. In fact, they appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves as they unleashed rainbow-colored attacks on the creatures, almost like they were playing with each other.
Sometimes, Fuwa's attacks would unintentionally head towards Hylia, but the girl with colorful hair was quick to react.
Without even needing to look, she conjured a barrier of thorns, fortifying her defense and redirecting the trajectory to launch the friendly fire toward their enemy instead.
It wasn't just teamwork or fighting instincts that connected them; it was as if they had an intimate understanding of each other's thoughts.
...
"Kore koso Iberia no destreza! Hmm? I thought you will put that joke in here? By the way, why with the dots?"
Cera continued to watch both of them intently, seated on her couch and holding a golden glass. She pondered her own question struggling to find an answer. Lost in thought, she spent several more minutes in a daze.
BOOM
Suddenly, a loud shock wave passed over her.
It was a shockwave created by the clash between Fuwa and Hylia. Despite the considerable distance between them, the aftershock of their battle reached even Cera, causing her earrings to sway.
With her asterisk couldn't shimmer its light, Cera recognized the sensation and in reaction, she took a sip from her golden glass, only to spit it out immediately due to its salty taste.
"Hmm what? It's the same tea from before. You want some?"
...
Cera raised her glass to the sky, offering a symbolic gesture even though there was something unusual happening before her. She continued to leisurely sip her tea while watching the battle intensify.
"Aahh, I thought that muki-muki mascot could win in kill count."
Cera remarked with a touch of disappointment. She put her glass down, and as she looked into the distance where she saw Fuwa fell to her knees like a shonen protagonist. Looks like Fuwa has fallen into a dejected state due to her lose in their exterminating contest.
"It's my win Fuwa! Now you have to give half of your magic stone for me! Hahahaha!"
"F-Fuwaaa..."
The bulky yet huggable warrior emitted a pitiful sound even after her defeat, while Hylia posed menacingly with her thorny staff resting atop both her shoulders.
They tried their best, but no matter how menacing they tried to appear, Cera simply regarded the two of them as nothing more than rainbow-colored fluffy balls and a colorful-haired barbarian child swinging a not-so-cute weapon.
"Looks like they're done. So, is it just to introduce me to her? Not to take care of this choco-ice addict? Having someone who once held your authority is a risky move, you know?"
Hylia was once a "character" and a "being" who held the authority as a Writer—the one who could typically change the course of a story or even flip the scenario apart according to their will.
In this story, many characters had manipulative tendencies. If the existence of Hylia, an anomaly, became known to them, there was a high likelihood that the story would follow a setup similar to "Ichiban Ushiro no Daimaou."
Thus Cera's words made sense.
"I see you understand! ▀▀▀▀, it's dangerous for her to get involved in the story that Zeimachi and I have built. I thought we're going to enter my homeland arc, and I believed everything would become clearer. But why did you bring me to this child instead?"
...
"Keeping your silence will not help anything."
...
"▀▀▀▀? Hey what's wrong with you?"
...
She... the girl named Hylia already has her part and role. Unlike you or the figure that has become Sakura Zeimachi, Hylia has a predetermined role even from before she received her name.
Her role transcends the typical protagonist or antagonist roles, goes beyond being a mere harem member or villainess, and isn't confined to suffering or happiness. She plays a significant role in both the creation and destruction of many stories.
It's true what you're saying Cera, her existence is indeed very dangerous.
However even though it's challenging, I hope she will have a different ending in this story if there are other "errors" like you. As a "Writer" who keeps writing the story I desire, that's more or less what I meant by bringing you to her.
"Me? Well I know how powerful this power within my eye is. But are you actually fine with that? I might use her even worse."
Perhaps you might, but you strike me as the kind of person who would only turn to darkness when your hero succumbs to corruption. Therefore, given his current condition, I have my doubts that you'd allow this opportunity to slip through your fingers, wouldn't you?
Guide her, and safeguard her until you believe she's prepared.
Cera was startled as she leaned against the couch, her eyes resembling blue asterisks radiating outward to every cardinal point. She fixed her gaze upon her glass, illuminated softly by the dim light emanating from her awakened eyes.
"What if I say n-no?"
...
'... but... it's true I don't want her to act like him. Hylia is Hylia and he is him. If there's another person like him, he'll keep cursing himself. Because he is a hypocrite after all.'
"Ah! That's!"
'The more you know about your hero, the more you think they're not hero at all. Zeimachi is searching for something, and I who got enticed by that is nothing more than a side for him. He's not a hero, but I want him to be one.'
"You're seriously taking peek into my mind don't you!?"
'Zei, you truly are a fool. You're the singular spark that keeps fueling my passion. As long as you're alive, every hardship is worthwhile.'
"Hey ▀▀▀▀!!! What are you doing with my head!? sTOp iT nOW."
'If you yearn to disappear, I can't argue with that. But at that point, I don't know what everything will become.'
Noticing something peculiar within her mind, she bared her fangs, and her once-starry blue eyes had reverted to their former state. Hopefully, she now comprehended the gravity of the responsibility she bore at this moment.
You're the one with the power to break free from the chains of the scenario, Cera. Remember that. With her presence, there's a significant opportunity for you to do the unexpected.
Don't allow yourself to be overwhelmed by the river of words either. This story isn't meant to be my playground; you should control it just as you've learned to do on your own.
"Ck! So you know about it! And just so you know, dOn'T lET zEi hEARd aBOuT tHosE frOM beFORe."
——————————————————
『PoV of Cera』
"It took a long time for me to regain it. I can't afford to let my guard down."
I said as I stood up from the custom-made blue sofa, which he persistently referred to as a couch.
With my hand gripping the glass, I sensed that something was amiss. I decided to change my hairstyle into a simple bun and donned my red glasses, aiming to solidify my presence in this story and prevent my characteristics from being washed away.
"How troublesome. Happy? This'll be your last chance to get into my PoV. If these're what you're telling me to do, then so be it but don't even think I'll do whatever your wish."
❛Do whatever you wish for.❜ 「Extra dangerous fellow」
The presence of that girl and her connection to Zei, indeed, with her by my side, I wouldn't have to struggle to figure out where the enemy would appear. She's just like a walking bomb if I let her be roamed within numerous world.
On the other hand, I could also bring Zei closer to that girl, perhaps granting him the chance to experience life anew. Even if it seemed futile, at least he wouldn't be so lonely with only me and Yjor by his side.
"Sigh..."
That fool is still there, repeating his regrets once more. Although he lied that his wounds didn't cause any pain, the bundle of regrets in his heart was far more agonizing than the wounds on his flesh.
I... I indeed didn't want to force him to change or manipulate him into changing. However, seeing him in this state, I felt choked in stump.
How can I make him change without having to play the role of an advisor or, worse, a manipulator? Because he can't trust anyone, he might have many acquaintances, but that doesn't mean he'll have many friends.
If it's going to be like this, then I must... wait, hold on.
"▀▀▀▀, you really peculiar. "
What is a ▀▀▀▀?
So brave and confident that they would give someone the chance to rebel against them on purpose, but who cares, I got an idea from this.
❛Because of your acts from before, they got scared. So do a proper apologize for them.❜「Extra dangerous fellow」
"Hmm?"
He's right as well. When I looked over at Hylia and Fuwa, both of them were cowering in fear of something. I'm really sorry for getting angry earlier, but blame it on this "creator" of yours; he started it.
❛Cera, each of you has their role. Its up to you to pick the selection.❜「Extra dangerous fellow」
"I already knew that, stupid ▀▀▀▀."
I want to see Zei's parts, but I suppose this extraordinarily dangerous individual won't leave me alone until I fulfill my role. Fine, enough with this PoV lightshow. I don't feel comfortable with those "Strangers" peering into my inner self.
—————————————————
"F-Fuwaa... what is that? Who, how could someone be in here?"
"Fuwa..."
A few moments ago, Hylia and Fuwa, who were enjoying their leisurely time together, noticed a peculiar phenomenon far in the distance. Despite having become accustomed to exploring this particular floor, this presence was entirely new to them.
An animosity washed over them, causing Hylia's hands to grow cold as she felt an urge to shield her face from the looming presence on the distant horizon. The bulky yet fluffy warrior was no different; despite her attempts to appear composed in front of Hylia, her tails quivered with fear.
"Don't worry, we'll escape to the safe zone as soon as I thought we can't win."
"Fuwa."
The feasty haired girl focused all her concentration on her staff. From each of the spikes embedded in the weapon, there emerged a luminous magical extension that she had learned to harness in this world.
Her thorny staff had undergone a transformation and could now be described as a more brutal version of the typical Morningstar. Meanwhile, Fuwa was doing something similar but not quite the same; she was channeling a rainbow-colored energy into both of her fists.
They were both fully prepared for a showdown, but they were taken aback when Cera, who had been standing at a considerable distance, suddenly appeared behind them and placed her arms on their shoulders.
"Good day, Hylia. You do look quite lovely from this distance."
"A-Ah! Fuwa, step back... wait... who are you?"
Feeling that their opponent had trapped them, Hylia intended to push Fuwa away from her to prevent Fuwa from falling into the trap set by the unknown creature.
Hylia intended to do all of that, and she even started to swing her weapon. But then the young girl felt surprised because someone called her name, urging Hylia to promptly halted her full swing.
"Do you remember me? We had a little conversation before, ▀▀▀▀...have you got the clue?" (Cera)
Seeing those peridot-like eyes seemed to calm Cera's demeanor, and when Cera revealed her identity Hylia finally began to grasp the hint that was intended.
"Huh?? C-Could it be Cera?! You're really Cera?!"
"Maybe there's more Cera out there, but the one who knows about ▀▀▀▀ is only me."
Her weapon slowly dissipated the magic coursing within it, and Hylia returned her staff to her waist where her belt was located. It was truly a surprising and unexpected turn of events for Hylia to met someone she didn't expect.
After they exchanged glances, Hylia who quickly became certain that the person in front of her was Cera, immediately clung to her and grasped her clothing while jumping up and down.
Happiness radiated from her as she wiped away a few tears from her cheeks.
"We finally meet Cera! I thought this place is the end for me, but I did it! Uuu... I... I did it! Yeeay!"
"Fuwa?"
"Hello for you too Fuwa, thank you to keep watching over this kid."
"Fuwa."
Though Fuwa didn't fully understand, she politely bowed and transformed back into her furball form.
"Cera already knew about Fuwa?"
"She keep saying Fuwa, so maybe that's what her name is. Well... I supposed there's time when I got to met the same creature as this. So I'm not wrong about the name right?"
"N-No no no, you're right!"
The feasty haired girl clenched her fists, affirming Cera's words even though she didn't fully comprehend them. It could be deduced from this that both Hylia and Fuwa seemed to share the same brain cell.
"Now then, so where are we actually Hylia?"
"Actually I don't know, ▀▀▀▀ sent me here and I couldn't ask. Fuwa and I roamed all around this place, until we found many people in this something called "City". I'm not sure what "City" meant, but since there's this awesome dungeon inside it, we entered this dungeon!"
"Fuwa... fuwa!"
Cera found it odd. The girl was familiar with the term "Dungeon," but why didn't she know what a "city" was? Combined with her appearance resembling an unkempt white cat, Cera furrowed her brows even further.
"(Whisper) Unbelievable, how could you leave her out in the wilderness and expect her to survive on her own with that pet? You're either incredibly irresponsible, insane, or just hardcore in Spartan training, you know."
... Maybe Cera has a point.
"Ah, but even so, I'm not alone. I've met some really nice people who allowed me to stay with them. Plus, with Fuwa around, I don't feel too lonely."
Hylia did something unusual for someone her age. Instead of complaining or crying about her experiences, the feasty haired girl seemed eager to share many stories about the people she had met along the way.
Fuwa, floating around her appeared just as delighted as her owner.
"Well, it's good to hear. But speaking of Hylia, maybe it's just my imagination, but Fuwa, is she trying to saying something?"
"Yep, Fuwa said if Cera smells sweet like a fruit. Could it be that Cera can't understand her?"
"Fuwa?"
Hylia and Fuwa tilted their heads in curiosity.
They seemed to be asking why Cera couldn't understand what the furry ball was saying, as if they were posing a common and straightforward question of why Cera can't talk with Fuwa-Fuwa's language.
"No Sherclock, I do know about this alien, but that doesn't mean I understand those 'Fuwa-fuwa time' sentences. She's supposed to have linguistic abilities and language skills as well, but it seems like she's a variant, huh..."
"That's too bad... but don't worry! I'll help to translate it for you!"
"Huh... alright, thanks Hylia."
With reassuring pat on their dirty head and shoulders, Cera agreed to become their baby sister.
———————————————