Chapter 18 - The space between

In the midst of what could only be described as the void of space, a mansion perched gracefully upon the moon, an embodiment of ethereal beauty. Inside an office adorned with celestial motifs and intricate designs, two beings of ageless grace and wisdom held court.

The woman, with glittering deep,  opal eyes that exuded an air of maturity and her ivory hair adorned with strands of gold, cascading like moonlight, bore long, smooth, curved horns on the sides of her head, gracefully curving with the shape of her head. Her regal elegance was accentuated by a long ivory robe that draped gracefully around her figure, adorned with intricate gold embroidery tracing the paths of destiny, creating an ornate and mesmerizing pattern that flowed behind her as she moved.

The man possessed deep lavender eyes with ethereal, icy blue pupils, and his hair, as dark as the deepest night, featured strands of regal purple woven within it. He donned a robe of deep black with regal purple accents, bestowing upon him an aura of authority. Symbols of prophecy and celestial shapes adorned his robe, representing his wisdom and insight.

Their expressions remained unyielding, carved from the very essence of celestial authority. Before them, a young figure trembled, her iridescent opal eyes reflecting uncertainty and sorrow. A delicate presence, she shared her mother's opalescent gaze and had hair as dark as the abyss, with strands of glimmering rainbow. Her pale and fair skin bore intricate tattoos that radiated with icy blue light. Small, smooth horns adorned the sides of her head, adding to her otherworldly beauty.

"M-Mom...D-Dad, I swear I didn't mean to," the girl pleaded, her voice quivering with guilt and tears welling up in her eyes. "It was an accident, truly," she continued, her voice filled with remorse and sorrow. Hearing their daughter's heartfelt plea, the expressions of the beings softened, though just slightly. They exchanged a knowing glance, a silent communication of their shared thoughts and concerns. The mother, her opalescent eyes flickering with a hint of understanding, gently placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder.

"There, there, my child," she said in a soothing tone, her voice carrying the weight of ages. "We understand that accidents can happen." The father, his lavender eyes showing a trace of empathy, nodded in agreement. "Indeed, accidents are a part of existence," he added, his voice deep and resonant. The girl, her voice filled with gratitude, sniffled and looked up at them with her iridescent opal eyes, still brimming with tears. "Thank you, Mom, Dad." The mother offered a tender smile, her gold-laden robe shimmering softly as she moved. "Now, my dear, you know what you must do."

The girl nodded, her determination shining through her tears. "Yes, I will call them here, and I will make it right."

With their understanding and support, the girl steeled herself for what lay ahead. She knew that making amends required a great sacrifice, but she was ready to do whatever it took to fulfill her promise. The scene shifted, leaving the moonlit mansion behind, and the narrative followed Lillith as she awoke in the void of space. She found herself surrounded by radiant orbs of light in various colors, their brilliance casting an otherworldly glow. Lillith, her sense of self fragmented and her form nonexistent, attempted to reach out to one of the orbs. However, as she extended her ethereal essence, she realized she had no physical body. Panic surged within her as she tried to scream, only to discover the absence of a mouth.

In her moment of shock, a soothing blue orb materialized nearby. It seemed to emanate a calming presence as it gently pulsated. The orb's serene energy enveloped Lillith, and a melodious voice resonated within her consciousness. "Is this your first time here?" the blue orb inquired, its voice echoing like distant chimes. Lillith, her inner turmoil slowly subsiding, managed a feeble mental response. "Yes... What is this place?" The blue orb radiated understanding. "This is the realm between reincarnations, where souls await their next journey. Fear not, for all shall be revealed when your name is called."

With those enigmatic words, the blue orb drifted away, leaving Lillith alone with her thoughts in the vast expanse of the cosmic void. After only a minute, it dawned on her that she had died and left Rika in the cave ALONE. Stricken with worry, she hoped that Rika was still okay. Lillith's ethereal essence yearned to reach out to her beloved, to assure herself that Rika was safe. In this formless void, however, she felt utterly powerless, unable to provide any comfort or protection. All she could do was wait and hope that fate would be kind to her and her beloved.

In the distance, amidst the sea of radiant orbs, a soft melody began to fill the void. It was a hauntingly beautiful tune that resonated with Lillith's very essence. She listened intently, her incorporeal form swaying to the ethereal music. As the melody continued, Lillith felt a peculiar sensation, as if her existence was being drawn towards a particular direction within the cosmic expanse. The orbs of light around her shifted and swirled, forming a mesmerizing path that beckoned her forward.

With a mixture of curiosity and trepidation, Lillith followed the path of light, hoping that it would lead her to answers and perhaps back to the one she loved. The path of light guided Lillith through the cosmic void, and as she traversed its ethereal course, she began to sense a presence ahead. The radiant orbs that surrounded her grew more numerous, illuminating the way like celestial lanterns. It was as if the cosmos itself was leading her toward a destination.

As Lillith moved closer, she saw a magnificent, luminescent gateway materialize before her. It was an awe-inspiring sight, an intricate archway adorned with patterns of stars and moons. It felt like a threshold to another realm, one that held the promise of answers. With a sense of trepidation and hope intertwined within her, Lillith passed through the gateway. The moment she did, she found herself in a realm of boundless radiance, where colors beyond imagination danced in the cosmic currents. She was surrounded by countless orbs of light, each pulsating with its own unique energy and hue.

In the heart of this celestial tapestry, a figure began to take shape—a figure that held a strange familiarity. Lillith's heart swelled with emotion as the ethereal form coalesced into the being who had guided her. The figure stood before her, their eyes glistening with a mixture of emotions. Their voice, soft and remorseful, broke the silence of the cosmic realm. "Lillith, I'm so sorry. It was never my intention for any of this to happen."