The mysterious young boy teleported Cecil Lan away, and it was so sudden, she had no time to comprehend the situation. It was somewhere deeper into the Sacred Forest with a clearing, and the clearing led to a flowing river where the animals procured their source of water.

Her presence startled the animals, making them scamper and hide within the shadows. Cecil stumbled, finding herself in a different environment. She was still donned in her previous appearance of the Oracle, the blindfold swished along as she glanced around.

"...AI500," she suddenly spoke, turning to look behind her. "That overwhelming presence just now..."

AI500 or Tano, taking on the appearance of a young boy with an innocent mien, crossed his arms as he hovered in the air. His eyebrows were furrowed in disapproval.

"I said so, didn't I?" he let out a sigh, nudging his head slightly. "Show me the mirror."

Cecil extended her hand out without another word, the mirror appearing on her palm with a shimmering light.

"No doubt that old man is searching for you right now, since a tiny bit of your presence leaked out," he grumbled, reaching his tiny hand out towards the mirror. "What a hassle."

"I shouldn't have kept the mirror in the mortal realm. Since it's all cracked now due to Xue's impatience, it would be strange if there wasn't any reaction from the mirror."

"The wound on your thigh has completely healed, it's another sign of your powers returning."

"Due to the cracks, the power sealed within it is leaking out. Of course, it would find its way back to you since it is originally your own power. How annoying, both the mortals and Xue. How hard is it to take care of a mirror?"

Tano continued grumbling on and on, and Cecil could do nothing but remain quiet.

The cracked mirror started to shine and Cecil felt something washing over her. The force that washed over her began to tug at her soul, and she could feel her powers diminishing. The blindfold around her face dissipated and so did her white robes, eventually, she assumed her old appearance.

She was previously wearing a kimono that was smudged with dirt. This entire time, she didn't have the opportunity to change her clothes despite having spare clothes stored in her storage ring.

"If the old man finds you, what was all my hard work for? You would just be sent back again, and there would be no point in bringing you here!"

Cecil glanced up from the cracked mirror on her palm, and she noticed a translucent figure floating in the air. It bore an uncanny resemblance to her and there was a blindfold covering her eyes.

A second later, the same figure was absorbed back into the mirror.

The whole process was quick and painless, much to her relief. Finally, there was no hint of the Oracle within Cecil now.

"Now, you are free to do as you please."

She looked at Tano who was glaring at her in annoyance. His arms were still crossed, and he let out yet another sigh.

"You are always causing endless trouble~"

However, deep down inside, she knew that Tano was only concerned for her. She was tempted to just glimpse into her memories to witness their friendship once again.

"AI–no," Cecil said, only to shake her head and she wore a small smile on her face. "Tano."

He was surprised at her calling his name for the first time in a while, and Tano straightened his body, narrowing his eyes at her.

"What is it? Are you here to question me about my child form again? You should know it's to conceal my presence now, didn't you feel the old man staring down at you earlier—"

"Thank you." Cecil stated gratefully, her smile growing wider.

Tano blinked in shock.

"All this time, you've really been helping me, haven't you?" Cecil asked. "You brought me back here to help me too, didn't you?"

"D-do you think I have that much free time?" Tano cleared his throat, looking away as he rubbed his nose. "I'm simply upholding the promise the three of us made at that time! Don't get me wrong!"

"Yes, yes."

"Tch, so heartless!"

"I'm sure I didn't have a choice but to leave."

"That's just an excuse for being selfish!"

"Speaking of being selfish..." she trailed off, the smile on her face becoming chilly. "I'm not the only one who should apologise."

Cecil kept the mirror in her hand and crossed her arms in the same manner as Tano, approaching him slowly.

Tano blinked, still hovering in the air as he tilted his head. "What do you mean?"

"Making me read that atrocious work of yours, tricking me into coming here, tricking me into believing that you are a system that would reincarnate me," she stated, her smile growing cold as continued her list. "Tricking me into thinking my life would end if I were to reveal the truth behind this world, letting me fall to my death through the air multiple times..."

He started to hesitate, gulping nervously as a drop of sweat rolled down his face.

"Hmm, do you need me to continue on?"

It was a fact.

AI500, also known as Tano, has completely tricked her from the start.

"...yo-you should leave, Oracle," Tano smiled nervously. "That loyal puppy of yours should be going mad searching for you now."

"I know, but I'm confident he'll know I'm here," Cecil tilted her head, still smiling. "So, I'm still waiting."

"Wa-waiting?"

"For. Your. Apology."

Tano flinched back, his face growing pale.

"If I manage to get my powers back..." she started to say with a threatening tone.

"..it–it's your fault!" Tano burst out.

Cecil blinked in disbelief.

"I was the one left behind, all alone! You, Sevont and Xue were too heartless! I was the one left to upkeep our promise! Do you have any idea how bored and lonely I was?!"

"You claimed that you didn't have much free time earlier."

"...!"

"...so what if I did have a lot of free time?" Tano muttered to himself as he looked away, a disgruntled look on his face. "What good friends I have, tch."

He started to grumble incoherently to himself, a dark shadow hanging over his head. Seeing this sight, Cecil could feel her heart softening.

Tano was right.

He had been all alone all this time, upholding the promise the three of them made together. She couldn't remember the promise just yet, but she knew, it wasn't a small promise either.

She knew Tano wasn't a bad person.

...just a little too petty.

"You have worked hard on your own all this time."

Tano stiffened, though he didn't turn his head to look at her.

"I don't think I can speak much for Sevont or Xue, however..." Cecil lowered her arms, her voice carrying a hint of guilt. "We are truly sorry for leaving you on your own all this time, Tano."

Tano widened his eyes.

His body was suddenly covered in a white glow, his body no longer hovering in the air and Cecil could see his body growing larger and larger. Finally, he assumed his original appearance as he walked towards Cecil.

He seemed subdued now, and there was a hint of vulnerability in his eyes.

"The book I wrote...it was the future I foresaw with the powers you borrowed me," Tano admitted, lowering his head and clenching his fists. "I couldn't stop it, especially since the person involved this time was Xue himself. The old man wouldn't step in, since this was what he wanted."

Cecil stared quietly at Tano, not saying a word.

"I was helpless, and...I know how much you and Sevont loved this world and its people. I know because I do too. This world and its people, the promise we made, I wanted to keep it until the end."

"...so you tried to find me."

"Sevont is no longer here, and I had no one to turn to. I know bringing you back here would put you at risk, but..." he paused, struggling to finish his words as he wore a conflicted look on his face. "I couldn't do this alone."

"..."

Tano ducked his head down, his voice becoming softer. "I can't do this alone at all, Oracle."

"I see."

"That's why, I'm sorry, I truly am," Tano lifted his head up, speaking hurriedly. "I know what bringing you back would do, that old man would erase your existence in an instant if he found you. So, I made a contract with the original Cecil Lan of this world, to bring your soul back here, little by little."

"...Tano..." Cecil muttered out in disbelief, her eyes growing wide.

What he did wasn't in any way simple.

Cecil could only imagine what an arduous task it was.

"I did it to the best of my abilities, to conceal you, to let you recover your soul as the two of you reunited again. Just as I expected, you influenced and changed that overly devoted Xue like you did when he first met you. However, in the end..."

Tano wore an angry look on his face, glancing at her.

"In the end, it was useless. The mirror is back in your hands, your powers are leaking out and the old man is wary now."

Cecil knew.

That angry look wasn't directed to her at all.

He wasn't angry at her, but at himself.

"I'm so sorry, Oracle. You were already in danger, but you are in more danger now."

"Enough," Cecil stated. "Don't say anymore."

Tano looked at her, the helplessness was written all over his face.

Cecil smiled at him, lifting her hand as she patted him on the shoulder. "You did well, Tano. You did your best so..."

He widened his eyes, finding it hard to swallow the saliva. He never knew how much he needed to hear those words from a friend.

"Leave the rest to me now."

For the first time in thousands of years, he wanted to cry.

Unable to control his emotions, he bowed his head down and barely whispered his response back to Cecil.

"...okay."

You have been through too much.

So rest easy now, and let me keep our end of the promise.

That's what I should do as your friend.

Cecil smiled, still patting him on the shoulder.

Tano didn't shrug her hand off his shoulder, allowing her to continue her consoling. He began to reminisce about the fond memories he shared with Sevont, Cecil and Xue.

"If that bastard Sevont was still here, he'd be laughing at me, and that love-sick puppy of yours would be jealous."

She laughed at his words.

"Cecil!"

A faint voice resounded throughout the forest.

"...there he is." Tano rolled his eyes, shrugging Cecil's hand off his shoulder. "You should go to him, Oracle."

"Cecil! Where are you?!"

"I'll go back into hiding since I've been out here for too long," Tano smirked, giving Cecil a lazy wave. "Keep that mirror close to you, and don't carelessly take it out again."

His body started to dissipate just like mist being blown away.

"I won't. Thank you, Tano."

She caught a hint of his figure smiling, just before he faded away.

***

Xue dashed through the forest, frightening the small animals and the grass rustled to his hasty movements. The bigger animals that remained here, uninvolved in the war, only glanced perfunctory at the white-winged stranger. They were accustomed to humans, angels and demons.

I know she's here!

I saw it, her lifeforce!

He ran out from the shadows into the clearing, scouring around hastily. He knew that Cecil was here somewhere, after the incident in the mirror dimension, he had recovered more of his powers.

His gray eyes glowed.

Right now, just like Veau and Zeau, he could detect the life forces of the people within the vicinity.

He was finally going back to his all-powerful state when he was the Supreme God.

"Cecil has a unique life force. Just like yours, Xue."

Now, he understood what those words from Veau truly meant.

It was because they went through thousands of lives together. Their souls had been connected ever since they jumped into the pit, leading to a never-ending cycle of misery and suffering, along with separation.

A single separation.

A hundred.

A thousand.

How many times has it been?

No.

I can't do this again.

I...

Xue searched desperately for any signs of her lifeforce.

He just needed a glimpse of it again.

That's all he needed.

He just needed to know she was still here, existing.

She was still here with him, wasn't she?

Just then, his surroundings faded into the background, his environment plunged into the dark and...there she was.

Standing in front of him.

Her back faced him as the ends of her blindfold danced to the wind, turning her head to look at Xue.

A sad smile graced upon her lips.

"I'm sorry, Xue."

She turned her head, walking away as she left him behind.

I can't lose her again.

Not this time.

Not in this world!

Xue gasped, stumbling in his steps as he continued rushing through the forest blindly.

Rugi: "Calm down, Xue."

Zasiok: "That's right, you won't be able to find her like this."

Kai: "How do you expect him to stay calm?!"

Xu Bolin: "All of us need to keep our mouths shut. We aren't helping."

Leonaut: "Your words are always harsh unlike your appearance."

Alric: "Ce-Cecil..."

The remaining soul fragments were quiet, just like Xu Bolin had demanded. After all, they all shared the same soul.

The same mind.

Don't you dare disappear on us.

...please.

Xue spotted a clearing ahead and he could hear the sounds of running water. That's when he finally caught another glimpse of it.

Her lifeforce.

He surged forward, rushing out from the shadows and into the clearing.

"Cecil!"

The beautiful black-haired woman swivelled her head, a bright smile adorned her face. Her white kimono, which was slightly dirty, was decorated with red flowery patterns that contrasted against her black hair.

Underneath the warm sunlight, her pellucid eyes seemed to glisten and she was bathed in a soft glow.

He ran towards her.

"Xue, you are–"

He brought her into a tight embrace, his arms coiling around her.

"Don't leave me," he implored, burying his face between her neck and shoulder. "Don't go."

Xue was almost a head taller than her and Cecil had no doubt that such a position was rather uncomfortable. Despite that, Xue only nuzzled into her even more. He was like a frightened little puppy, it was as if he wanted to squeeze himself into her embrace as much as he could.

"I'm sor–"

"That's not what I want to hear."

Cecil smiled fondly, lifting her hand and stroking his head that was buried into her body. Her voice was soothing as she spoke, quelling Xue's anxiety.

"Nothing bad happened to me. The person who brought me away earlier was trying to help me because–"

"I don't care, I don't need to know who it was or why you disappeared like that. I don't need to hear it now," Xue cut her off, his voice was hoarse and slightly muffled. "That's not what I want to hear now."

"Xue?"

"Don't leave me behind again."

Cecil softened her expression.

She knew what he wanted to hear.

"I won't leave, Xue," she reassured, embracing him back as she continued stroking his head. "I won't leave you behind ever again."

At those words, he finally lifted his head up to look at her. His eyes were a little red and he sniffled, leaning in and pressing his forehead against hers.

"You can't go back on your words."

"I will never do that."

"You said it yourself."

Cecil prepared to respond but Xue suddenly squished her cheeks together with his hands, making her blink in surprise.

He nuzzled the tip of his nose against hers, making her blink rapidly.

"Promise me."

"I phomiwse."

Xue withdrew back with a laugh, releasing her cheeks.

Cecil rubbed at her cheeks adorably, giving him an aggrieved stare.

His laughter faded away and there was a pained look on his face, his smile appearing sorrowful.

Realising that his expression wasn't right, Cecil grew concerned. "What's wrong? Are you in pain?"

"...nothing," Xue shook his head, adjusting his expression as he bent down a little. "Nothing at all."

He carried her into his arms, his wings sprouting out as Cecil gasped. Observing her shocked expression, Xue found it adorable as he gazed at her fondly.

Leaning in, he placed a soft kiss on her cheek.

"Let's go back."

"Are you planning to fight against the angels and demons? With Haru and the others?"

Xue soared into the air, bringing her body closer to him as he carried her gently. Cecil wasn't fazed by being carried into the air any more.

"No, I'm not planning to fight them," Xue responded, his expression growing solemn. "Unless they want me to."

Cecil tilted her head.

"Well, whatever it is," she smiled, touching his face. "I'll help you."

Xue smiled back, nuzzling into her touch.

On the inside, Xue kept many thoughts to himself, especially about his theories about the omniscient and mysterious Creator.

He found it strange.

If he hadn't reunited with Cecil or K'xug, he would have gone down a path of destruction. He wouldn't be surprised to know if he had destroyed the whole world in the process as well.

...and yet, the Creator did nothing to stop him.

It seemed as if the entire world was moving along to his whims as well, encouraging him to walk down this path.

If so...

I just won't do what he wants.

Xue glanced down.

Cecil wrapped his arms around his neck, relishing in his warm and sturdy embrace. She could hear the faint heartbeat within his chest, making her close her eyes.

If I do that...

I might be able to free you from the never-ending suffering.

Along with the entire world.

Xue tightened his arms around her, his expression growing dark.

Cecil opened her eyes at his actions, and she noticed his solemn look. Not saying a word, she was snuggling back into his embrace when she felt something within her chest.

She knew exactly what this feeling was.

It was the mirror.

Moreover...

Cecil squeezed her eyes shut as she snuggled into Xue.

She could feel it.

That person trapped within the mirror was trying to call out to her.

"Keep that mirror close to you, and don't carelessly take it out again."

It was easier said than done.

***

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

The footsteps from the cobalt-blue haired devil resounded throughout the decrepit castle. Up ahead, he spotted a few demons clutching at their abdomen, groaning in pain. It was as if they sensed their lord's presence, their head shooting up in alarm.

"My lord!"

"Demon lord!"

They rushed forward, giving Veau a respectful salute and nod.

"We apologise! There was an intruder and Lord Zeau was–"

"I already know," Veau interrupted, his expression languid as he looked at them. "Get yourself healed."

"My lord, you are too generous!"

"Please, punish us for failing you and Lord Zeau!"

Veau sighed, snapping his fingers together. In an instant, their speech was cut off and the two demons found themselves unable to speak.

"It was my master you were up against," he said, his demonic red eyes glowing eerily as he emphasised his words. "Now leave quietly."

The demons stiffened, something flashing across their eyes. They bowed, leaving without a single word.

The power to compel.

The trait that every demon lord possessed, and the reason why every demon lord was easily accepted as a ruler.

It only worked on their own kind, since demons followed the rule of obeying the strongest. It was a strength of theirs, but just as much as a weakness.

Veau walked on, arriving outside a door leading into one of the rooms in the castle. He could feel a powerful presence inside the room, and the familiar presence of his brother.

"That old geezer..." Veau muttered out as he wore a lazy smile, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. "What is he planning to do now after all those years of playing neutral?"

Black tendrils flowed out of Veau's body, drifting towards the dilapidated wooden doors, pushing them open slowly.

"You are finally here, you brat."

***

《 start 》

You are a liar.

You will leave me.

You always do, and I desperately try to catch the faint traces of you.

...but I'll believe you.

Since that is the only hope I can grasp onto.

《 stop 》