"So aren't you gonna tell me about yourself or should I leave?"
Alice grows restless the more she unravels the mystery yet familiar individual such as Zane.
"I know all about your past life, Alice."
"How?"
"I can tell you but in exchange, tell me more about these lands."
"It's a deal."
As they stroll around the forest, they exchange small talks from time to time while they cackle and grin from what they have been telling each other.
"So, you were born an orphanage in your past life.
You met a friend named Hotaru.
Got separated but once again met but at a tragic ending.
You were born a chosen heroine to save countless people all around the world."
From the moonlight of the night time, they sat around the hills of the forest, enjoying the scene that would last for over time.
"And after that, I just existed."
"I see."
"So I am a heroine before in my past life.
What happened to Hotaru?"
"She is within me, wearing my existence to recover my true identity.
It was prophesied that I'll be wreaking havoc on all worlds that inhabit living things.
But don't worry I can contain them myself up until I die for someone worthy."
"So you have chosen someone. I'll tell you my side of the story.
I was born an infant at a village known as Tokunaga.
I was the only heir to become the next chieftain.
The forest calls my name Alice so they named me after it.
I train myself the perfect sword techniques from my uncle to master it one day.
Many things have happened and soon I became worthy to be nicknamed the guardian of the forest."
"I see. You did look badass when I first saw you."
"Really? Hehe. You look cool yourself.
Did you know there is a sleeping giant turtle around this land?
It was at first an exciting tale when I was a kid.
"I have no backstory to tell but I was in a unhealthy, harsh, and dangerous environment when I existed.
But good thing I held back and honed my skills and abilities to be as strong as I can be.
And that's why I am here now, with a mission to assist the heroine of Healing, Claire Valentine."
"My mom in this world would tell me tales about how the hero of this world sacrificed for the sake of this world and will be reborn once again.
He might be the one who you are looking for."
"You two were always talking about an imaginary individual like me."
"Well, no matter what I did back then, it sounded like I didn't regret what I did."
"Yes. I don't know why you exist here in this world but I'm glad I met you once again."
Zane and Alice stare at each other.
It was like magic when they feel the same emotion.
A throbbing sensation where a boy and a girl suddenly falls in love to each other.
Their breathing is unstable as their fingers joined and their faces are closer than ever.
Zane then averted his eyes with the guilt from before when Alice followed his action and just stands up.
"Well I need to sleep. I should keep an eye to them when something bad happens. I'll call you whenever."
"Wait! Ummm... Alice. I know we officially just met today but can we talk more tomorrow."
Alice grins.
"I'll be waiting."
Alice then disappears from the darkness as Zane continued to bathe in the moonlight as he decides to go back now.
---
While sleeping, Claire faced a nightmarish prophecy that is showing through her dreams.
Mimicking any decision she makes and see its consequences in every turn.
She discovers an infinite loop of suffering, karma, and countless death from all over.
She sees hell itself, as she witness all people agonized from their own guilt and torment, she had no choice but to accept that fate.
She sees her loved ones died and leaving Claire in a vulnerable spot.
Soon, she sees the face of Pandora being the antagonist and Phillia taking Claire's life with her own hands.
Claire couldn't do anything at this point. As her fear is to die and let her allies die or even anyone at this point.
She fears that when her life last life was to die a worthless death, it would mean her purpose had no meaning.
She cries all of a sudden, as the void of darkness consumes every people, all surroundings, leaving her alone.
Then one person gave Claire a hand.
That person's face is covered by the light that wasn't there before.
As the other two people are standing behind that person.
She takes her hand and soon, she was back to reality.
She wakes up from her own room, seeing Olivia worried by her sudden shout.
"What's wrong, Claire?"
Olivia asks.
"Uhmmm... I think... Wait. I already forgot what my dreams was."
"Well, you should take a break from sleeping, the celebration will soon take place."
"How are you, Olivia?"
"Fine for now. I recovered from the last fight. So should we head outside and talk?"
"Sure."
After preparing to go outside, they stroll around the village, seeing the villagers preparing for the celebration.
Children running around the houses for fun, adults carrying a lot of logs while women cooks scrumptious foods, elders praying at some altar of a man who wears a mask.
Claire and Olivia continue to stare the altar.
"He looks like Mr. Smiley, don't you think?"
"Yes." Olivia nods while answering.
"So you know this person?"
One of the elders speculates the guests' relationship with the altar.
"I think so. He used to be a nut job at my origins."
Claire shares her insights about the altar.
"But that is different from what he did to my family.
He once saved us from the monster that lurked in the darkness.
Blessed us the gift to pursue our tradition to be happy.
And have one rule to help each other out."
"So, he is your hero if you say that."
"Yes. We hope he is still alive and well after for 15 years. He once delivered a message to us that a hero will come and save this village once more."
"So what celebration are we going to have?"
"Well at first, we have to thank that we are still alive after all this time, many generations to come.
And we have these guests, considered as heroes of the other worlds, Claire and Zane.
Where is he by the way?"
"Hmmmmm..."
Zane then arrives shortly.
"I see the event has started."
"For now, we eat. Dig in."
Claire and Olivia have their bellies fill by such yummy foods while Zane eats strictly even though this is a party.
Many traditions have tried, such as dancing, singing, and using primitive musical instruments.
They enjoy their nights as they drink alcohol.
Zane on the other hand just stared at their joyous celebration.
He had no reason to do such thing since he isn't used to such social gathering with no danger holding up.
He then got stumbled by a beautiful girl wearing a priestess outfit.
He soon realizes that it was Alice.
"Alice... So you are here."
"Well, Pandora forced me to be here. I know I should be sleeping but I can't stop thinking about you..."
"Me too. I was just thinking about you as well. Wanna dance?"
Alice takes his hand as he pulls Alice and started dancing romantically.
Truly, it was a fun night for them.