"....."
The moment Saber opened his eyes, he found himself in an unknown place.
"Huh...?"
Confusion washed over him as he took in his surroundings. Tall trees swayed gently in the breeze, their leaves shimmering like emeralds under the warm... sunlight? The air was filled with the sweet scent of wildflowers, making it seem almost magical.
Saber slowly sat up, his heart racing as he felt the soft, cool grass beneath him. He brushed off his clothes, trying to gather his thoughts. Where was he? How did he get here? These questions buzzed in his mind like a swarm of bees.
"Ugh... My head hurts... Mmm, I could have sworn that all my life force got swallowed by the sword and I passed out...? How am I even alive?"
He stood up, feeling the warmth of the sun on his face. It was comforting, but it didn't calm his racing heart.
Curious as to where he was, Saber took a cautious step forward. The grass was lush and inviting, their sway quick and lively... Almost as if it had a life. It was a peaceful scene, but there was a strange feeling in the air.
"....?"
As he wandered further, Saber noticed a small, sparkling stream nearby. The water flowed with a gentle gurgle, dancing over smooth stones. He knelt beside it and splashed some cold water on his face, hoping to shake off his confusion.
"This place..."
The reflection that stared back at him was unfamiliar, but his expression showed a look of understanding.
This place... It look somehow similar to the cave. The lake he found only proved his assumption.
After a moment to collect himself, Saber stood up once again and looked around again. In the distance, he spotted a faint path winding between the trees. A faint light was emitting from it's direction. It seemed to beckon him.
"....."
With a deep breath and a sense of resolve, he started down that path, feeling a mix of excitement and unease.
Step.
Step.
Step.
He followed the the light, a firefly, to be specific and walked through the path.
After walking for a more than a minute, he finally reached the end of the trail and stopped. The firefly he was following flee towards the large group before him.
"...mmm?"
As he stood there, mesmerized by the shimmering dance of fireflies swirling around, he noticed a figure below them, partially hidden in the shadows. A girl, no older than sixteen, was crouched on the grass, watching the luminous insects float by.
Her dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, contrasting sharply with the soft glow of sunlight. As for her face, he couldn't see it as she had none. It was only glowing white, similar to the woman he saw back then.
"Mmm mmm mmm~!"
The girl was humming as she held her hands behind her back, her posture both poised and vulnerable, as she watched the scene.
Saber felt a strange pull to her. Curiosity got the better of him, and he took a step forward, eager to call out for her attention. But just as he moved, his foot landed heavily on a dry branch, snapping it with a sharp crack.
Tick!
The girl turned abruptly, a hint of surprise flashing across her face. He froze for a moment, caught between retreating and approaching. The girl before him, he noticed a plain, white halo floating above her as he squinted.
"Uhh... Hey?" he called, trying to sound casual, but the tension in his voice betrayed him. The girl's gaze remained steady, her expression unreadable. Slowly, she brought her hands from behind her back and revealed a small glass jar crammed with fireflies, flickering.
"What are you doing?" Saber asked, stepping closer.
To which she became silent for a moment, her head moving to look the the fireflies inside the jar.
"I'm just collecting your—"
...
..
.
Moments passed as the two stood facing each other.
"Mister, if I hadn't forcefully separated your soul from your body in time, you would have vanished into nothing!" The faceless girl's tone made it clear she was upset, her arms crossed tightly over her chest.
"Ah, I see...?"
Saber remained unfazed.
"This is serious! Just because SHE spoils you doesn't mean she can always save you. She's already bound by the Laws of The World, which weakens her powers... So please, stop causing more trouble."
Saber blinked a few times before nodding, prompting the faceless girl to let out an exasperated sigh and facepalm.
"Could you try to see things from my perspective?"
He bent down his body to match her eye level.
"I hate you."
As she said this, they began walking side by side through the path. The atmosphere between them began to shift as the girl led the way, her steps quiet and determined. Soon, they reached a small swing set in a secluded area, away from the chaos of their earlier confrontation.
Without a word, she sat down and let out a tired sigh. As she began to swing gently back and forth, the chains creaked softly. Saber stood still, watching her.
"Mmmm~" she swayed her head lightly and hummed.
Saber noticed the way her hair caught the light, revealing a faint halo above her head. It wasn't just the halo that captured his attention; small, angel-like wings were slightly visible behind her, almost ethereal. They fluttered softly with her movements, delicate and fragile.
As the girl continued to swing, lost in her thoughts, Saber felt a mix of awe and confusion. There was more to her than he had realized. In that quiet moment, he wondered what it meant and why it matter—
"Say, mister...? Can you play with me?" As she swung, a thought crossed her mind.
At that moment, her face briefly overlapped with a woman Saber knew well. He fell silent, caught off guard.
"No," he replied, firmly.
"...why?" The girl's expression transformed, sadness clouding her face.
Saber sighed, feeling a pang of guilt. "How about I adopt you for a month?"
A moment of silence lingered before the girl struggled to maintain her composure. Her face began to twitch, and then, unable to hold back any longer, she burst into giggles, covering her mouth part with her delicate hands.
Saber raised an eyebrow, watching her with a mix of curiosity and disbelief. As she turned her attention back to him, the laughter danced in the atmosphere.
"That's... I never thought I would hear you say that again even in this world."
Though confused, he couldn't help but chuckle awkwardly at her playful spirit. Saber rubbed her nape, his eyes averting elsewhere to look around.
As her laughter faded, the girl wiped the fake tears from her cheeks. Her soft humming helped ease Saber's embarrassment.
"Alright..."
The girl took a deep breath and looked up at him.
"Mister, I suggest you stop misusing the ability my friend gave you."
The moment she spoke, the mood between them shifted to something serious.
"I know it's a passive ability, but you can control it with your willpower."
She continued, "You've likely figured out the consequences of THAT ability, right? It can be useful in many ways, but it comes at a great cost."
"Possibly, you m⬛⬛ht en⬛⬛ up ⬛⬛⬛..."
...
..
.
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