"The shadows are imminent," says a voice echoing. "You can't escape me." Future Arino perks upright to be alone in a mass rainforest. Everything around him seemed to have a life of its own, from the rushing river to the birds chirping their songs and the trees swaying in unison. It is very different from the futuristic wasteland of the future timeline, where human greed and productivity destroyed any chance of the outdoors having its own life. He marveled at the sights and sounds of the rainforest, realizing that human beings had a responsibility to protect nature and ensure that future generations could enjoy the same beauty and they failed to do that.
"This is way better than my homeland," he says to himself in awe. As the swaying trees and chirping birds enhance his mindfulness of his surroundings, he feels a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunity to have come to this place. A deep breath is taken before Future Arino decides the next steps to his plan.
Back in Vinlox, the crew has arrived to the praise and cheers of their exploits. Arino isn't good with the crowd so he tries to hide in the crowds. His essence scared the people around away. Arino's nervousness swallowed any sense of self-confidence away in an instant. Arino's nervousness swallowed any sense of self-confidence away in an instant. He could barely think straight, let alone find the courage to speak his mind and assert himself. Katria notices pretty quickly and stands at the nearby podium. With a reassuring smile, Katria reassures Arino that he'll do great. Arino laughs as his anxiety calmed down just a bit. Arino takes a stand to the podium; head up high, with a big smile on his face and thanks everyone for joining them on this event.
The crowd erupts into cheers, flustering Arino's a bit.
Katria: "Aw, look at you. Even a leader has their moments, huh?"
Arino: "Shut up before I take your other eye."
Katria: "I'd like to see you try."
Arino and Katria burst into hysteria as the other members question their sanity.
Savona: "They aren't okay, aren't they?"
Arisa: "Fitting for the two psychos."
Musabori: "Can't make it up either."
Arino catches a familiar face out the corner of his eye. Her essence can't blend in very well with the crowds as well. As the crowd disperses into many events and party games set up, Arino heads towards a little two seated outdoor tea shop.
Arino: "So, how have you been Auntie?"
The green dress that covers her face as she turns around confused. Her emerald eyes shine from the gloomy green attire she usually wears. As she sips her tea, elegance floats through the little shop. Even the Sin of Envy has elegance when it's needed.
Netami: "What brings you here? Thought you were in Windon?"
Arino: "The Vinlox folk wanted me back here for this event. I decided why not, y'know?"
Netami: "I suppose that's reasonable enough. You deserve a break after all."
Arino: "Also I heard news about some type of invasion that's happening soon. Can't catch a break in this realm at all."
Netami: "So do you know exactly who's invading?"
Arino: "For the most part no, it seems pretty ominous so hopefully it's not too bad."
Netami: "Don't underestimate this, it might be the downfall of this peaceful realm."
Arino sighs as he knows the next big battle is imminent. He whines about not having enough time for a full recovery. Katria sees this and comforts Arino.
Katria: "Listen kiddo, life hits you with unexpected things sometimes. Just learn to accept it."
Arino: "Says the angel who hasn't experienced much of it."
Katria: "You don't remember a thing about me don't you?"
Arino: "We only stayed in Purgatory for a couple of years before I got thrown back to Earth to stop some Anomaly."
Katria: "I have no clue what that thing even is, God didn't tell us much about it."
Arino: "Yeah that true. What happened to explanations God?"
Well you see, I can't tell them much about the Anomaly. It'll spoil the adventure! And the adventure is the most important part about understanding the Anomaly in the first place. The Anomaly will straight up kill you if you don't have the proper adventuring journey in order to understand it. But my only job here to observe, I created everything myself and I want my creations to change it themselves. When it comes down to it, telling them exactly what to do is boring. Gods like that are pretty boring to be frank. I like for others to believe in me while they adventure. I do protect them if they do so after all. That's true resilience and faith, not constant praying and doing nothing to walk into it. Sorry for the monologue, back to the story!
Arisa walks to see Arino laying on Katria's lap. She takes a deep breath as Arino glares at her.
Arisa: "So Katria, I thought you wouldn't get involved?"
Katria: "Never said that, all I said was that you and my cousin's debacles are useless at the end of the day."
Arino: "Jesus Christ, can you two shut thee fuck up please. I have a headache already."
Arisa: "I'll kill you."
Arino: "You know you won't, idiot."
Arisa storms off as Arino sighs. As Arino gets up, he sees a weird crack where Katria lost her vision in her right eye. Looks like essence is oozing from it, that doesn't look good. Me and Arino think the same as he gives her a towel.
Arino: "Your eye is oozing, you should wipe it off."
Katria: "It is? I thought the eye cover wiped it off as well."
Arino: "Seems not, you should really get it at least sealed shut."
Katria: "I think only an angel can seal this type of injury shut."
Netami: "Oh a wound like that? I can at least shut it efficiently."
Katria: "I don't trust that statement one bit."
Netami: "One thing about me and my sister is that we are both mages at birth. But Nikuyoku wasn't the only angel turned demon."
Katria: "What do you mean?"
Netami: "She's my blood sister. You didn't know that?"
Arino: "Family is super weird, I don't even wanna know how did that happen."
Netami: "My story... is a bit different than my older sister."
Katria: "At this point, I won't be surprised if it has to deal with The Most High himself."
Netami: "He did save me from that situation, but he couldn't purify my envy and rage. Sit down, let me tell you a story."