Author's Note: Double update to make up for the silence on my end!

Two demons who retreated from the battle in the mortal realm slowly trudged towards a certain room in the castle, since they were tasked with reporting to their demon lords on the situation. They could feel the fluctuation of black magic and light magic originating from that room, and they had no doubt that the former belonged to their demon lords.

The owner of the light magic wasn't to be underestimated either.

The two demons arrived to a stop, the intensity of the battle could be felt from all the way here. Their hair was standing and if they walked in, they weren't sure if their heads would still be attached to their body.

"Hey, only one of us needs to present to report to the lord, isn't it?"

"Yeah."

"You go then."

"...?!" the demon looked at his comrade, offended. "Why not you?"

"You are telling me to walk into that pit of death?"

"..."

The demon grabbed his comrade by the collar, baring his teeth. "You bastard!"

"Fine, fine! If you go in first, then I'll go!"

"As if I'll believe that!"

"I'll take ten steps forward, and you'll do the same. How about that?"

"Why do I have to listen to an asshole like you–"

A loud crash was heard from the room where their demon lords were at, and the crash made the entire castle reverberate. In an instant, the two demons dropped their argument and rushed for the room, the panic written all over their faces.

The two of them kicked the doors open, squeezing into the room at the same time as they glanced at one another, narrowing their eyes. It was clear the argument from earlier was still on their minds.

"Demon lord!"

"My lord!

That's when the two of them witnessed the bewildering scene before them, halting in place.

***

Veau's forehead was bleeding and so was his right arm. The blood flowed down his arm, dripping onto the ground as his sleeve was covered in crimson red. He was panting heavily, his face was pale as he watched with a helpless expression.

Zeau was down on his knees, right before Valoel and he was caked in blood. Compared to Veau, Zeau was in a worse condition as he was on the verge of collapsing completely. He clearly lacked the strength to fight back against his master that was pinning him down.

Valoel held his sword in his hand, aiming it at Zeau and the light magic surrounding him clearly showed his intention to kill. However, there was hesitation in his eyes as he loosened the hold on his sword, unable to make the final move.

Valoel was befitting of his reputation as a powerful angel despite his old age. There were only a few scratches and cuts on his face and body, unlike the two demon brothers, he was completely fine.

The fox stood beside her master in her actual form as she glowered at Zeau and Veau.

"What are you waiting for, master?" Zeau raised his head weakly, his voice was bitter and sad.

"..."

"Kill me."

"..." Valoel still didn't answer, the conflict present in his eyes.

"Wa-wait, master. If you have to take one of us away, I'll give myself up." Veau spoke in a hurried tone.

There was not a single hint of deception in his words.

Even Zeau could see that.

"Don't step in!" Zeau barked. "This is none of your concern!"

"None of my concern? I am your brother!"

"I'm not your real brother anyway!" Zeau hissed.

Veau widened his eyes.

"You don't owe me anything, so stay out of this!" Zeau warned, glaring at Veau. "You still have things to do, don't you? Go ahead and finish them! You don't need to bother with someone like me!"

"How could you say something selfish like that?" Veau questioned, a hint of anger in his voice.

Veau couldn't believe his brother was telling him to do something like that.

Not his real brother?

What were those hundreds of years together alongside their mother and father then? It didn't matter if Zeau was related to him by blood or not.

They were already a family.

It was only the two of them now.

Veau would not stand aside and watch his only living family die.

"Leave me be, Veau–"

"You are just as important to me as the other things, Zeau. You are my only family left in this entire world!"

Zeau was stunned speechless.

He couldn't refute Veau's words.

"..."

"So, after what we've seen and been through, don't you dare tell me to leave you be." Veau spoke, his demonic red eyes flaring up. "Brother."

Zeau looked back at his brother with the same pair of demonic red eyes, completely flabbergasted.

Meanwhile, Valoel was listening to the same argument. Unbeknownst to the pair of siblings, he was smiling happily.

Upon witnessing the siblings barking at one another, the fox faltered and gave her master a bewildered look.

She didn't know what to do in this situation.

That's when she froze.

She saw the expression on her master's face.

It was...full of fondness.

"I convinced myself I would be able to commit to it," Valoel spoke, interrupting the two brothers in their argument. "As I expected, I am incapable of that."

"...?"

"..."

Valoel flung his sword away as it clattered noisily on the ground.

Veau and Zeau were shocked. They couldn't react in any manner as they glanced at their master, their expression reflected the confusion in their mind.

Seeing their expressions, Valoel was reminded of the past.

Alongside the young and stoic Eona, he had picked up two more disciples. A little demon that enjoyed deception and causing trouble for others, and the other was full of scars but treated others with kindness.

They were so young, so troublesome to care for and yet...so endearing.

"Old geezer!"

"Master!"

"Master."

Veau and Zeau tugged on his long sleeves, pulling him along as he had to bend his body slightly due to the difference in their height. Eona shyly tugged at his sleeves as well, not daring to look him in the eyes.

The three young children wore big smiles on their faces, their tiny wings fluttering on their back.

Valoel stumbled along with an exasperated look, a hint of smile on his face that appeared younger.

"Alright, alright. Stop pulling me."

"The three of us made a gift for you!"

"Yes, we did!"

"Mhmm."

"I got it, so I'll follow you, it's uncomfortable being in this position..."

The three young children giggled.

Valoel was brought back to the present, looking at the defeated Zeau and Veau. He had convinced himself, again and again, he would be able to do the right thing.

Killing them both was the quickest and easiest way to end this war.

Forget it.

Four hundred years with these brats.

It was not a bad life.

Valoel sighed, stretching his hand out and motioning towards Zeau. In an instant, Zeau was brought up to his feet as he stumbled. He blinked at Valoel with a bewildered expression

"Master?"

Valoel summoned out his wings, glancing at Veau and gave him a relaxed wave. An invisible force brought Veau over to Valoel's side in an instant, making him stagger forward as he clutched his injured arm.

His expression mimicked Zeau.

"To atone for my sins, I'll use up my remaining lifeforce to seal your powers away."

"...?!"

"Master, wait!" Zeau gasped out but his strength failed him, causing him to hunch over.

"No!" Veau gritted through his teeth, trying to struggle out of the invisible force trapping him.

"Grumpy old man–urgh!"

Even the fox reacted in alarm, and she found herself subdued by a spell. She collapsed to the ground, unconscious. She reverted back into her tiny fox form, breathing heavily as if she was sleeping.

The entire room was engulfed in light magic and dozens of seals appeared around them. Orbs of light magic hovered around them, and they seemed to be floating out from Valoel's body that was glowing. The seals grew in size with each passing second, looming over the two demon brothers.

The two of them felt as if a force was pushing them down, locking them in place. They could feel their powers being drained away slowly, like Valoel had said.

He would seal their powers up at the expense of his life.

Despite that, Veau desperately grasped at his master's robe with his remaining strength.

"Wh...y..."

Why do you have to go this far?

I never meant to kill you, master...

Am I such a heartless brat in your eyes?

Zeau coughed out blood, clutching at the ends of his master's robes as he glared at Valoel. However, there was no anger or hatred in his eyes.

"Stop...! Master...!"

"This has gone on long enough, for all of us," Valoel sighed, showing them a sad smile. "If only I had been more of a strong-minded old man, I would have been able to save my stubborn yet precious disciples."

"...!"

"..."

"I can only hope, in time, the both of you will learn to see past the revenge and grudges in your heart. You do not owe your life to others, only to yourself."

"Master! No!"

"You don't have to do this, master!"

"It was a good life, with the three of you, with Edmund." Valoel closed his eyes, smiling from the bottom of his heart.

Helpless and weak, the two demon brothers could only watch in pain as their beloved master started to give away his life.

Just because of the two of them.

What did our master do wrong?

If we had to compare...it was us...

It was us that did everything wrong!

All of a sudden, the ceiling of the castle broke into pieces and three distinct figures fell from the broken ceiling. The debris started to fall, one of the bigger ones landing on Valoel and he had to break his concentration over his light magic, dodging the debris.

The unexpected interruption had prevented Valoel, and also stopped the harrowing sight of Valoel disappearing before the two brothers. The three of them were completely stunned, glancing towards the culprits that had unknowingly saved them all.

"...mmh."

An ash blonde-haired man groaned out, his eyes squeezed shut as he pushed himself up with his arms. His eyes blinked open, and he noticed someone laying down on his lap, their face close to kissing the ground.

"Ugh..."

The person on Xue's lap grunted in pain, clutching their forehead with one head as they lifted their head. Their silver eyes glancing up, the earrings that dangled from his ears swung along with his movement.

Just then, he met a pair of grey eyes that reflected disgust.

"Eh–?"

"Get off."

Xue shoved Ryo away heartlessly, standing up and dusting at his white robes. Since he entered the demon and heavenly realm, he had reverted back to his old appearance unwillingly.

Ryo rolled away with a deadpan, his face planting itself onto the ground.

"Ouch..."

Cecil moaned out, her eyes squeezed shut in pain as she had landed on her butt. Her eyelashes fluttered, scanning the surroundings in confusion when she noticed an outstretched hand.

"Are you alright?" Xue asked in concern.

"Mhmm, just a tiny bruise," Cecil smiled, taking his hand. "Nothing much."

"I should have hugged you tighter." Xue muttered darkly.

"...?" Cecil tilted her head.

"Hey, Xue! How could you just push me away like that–wha...?" Ryo marched over with a grumpy face, and that's when he realised they weren't alone.

"...?!" Xue widened his eyes in surprise.

"What is this...?" Cecil mumbled out in disbelief.

On the opposite side of the room, there were three new faces staring at them with wide eyes.

[ ... ]

[ You...you are incredible, Oracle. ]

[ I was really right in bringing you into this world, since you have stopped another inevitable death from the future I foresaw. ]

"..."

"...huh?"

[ You don't remember? Tsk. ]

[ That old angel, Valoel. ]

[ He was once the teacher for the two demons, and the angel hiding in your mirror, Eona. ]

[ He was supposed to die at this moment. ]

[ It would then be a breaking point for these two demons. ]

"...?"

"I don't remember this being mentioned in the book."

[ What a relief. With this, the future had once again changed– ]

[ ...wait. ]

[ Did I not write that in the book? ]

"You didn't."

[ Did I really not? ]

"...you didn't."

[ ... ]

[ Oh. ]

"..."

[ ... ]

[ Teehee~ ]

"..."

Cecil could see Tano scratching at his neck, trying to act adorable to escape from the guilt.

She shuddered in disgust.

Unbeknownst to her, Tano shuddered in disgust as well.

[ I... ]

[ I'm sorry. ]

She could see Tano bowing down in apology in her mind.

"So you do know how to apologise. You have so many other things to apologise for too, hmm?"

[ ... ]

The discouraged Tano retreated from her mind, sulking in a corner.

All of a sudden, Cecil heard someone sobbing out behind her, making her glance back. In an instant, she figured out the identity of the transparent figure.

It was Eona.

"Ma...master!"

"You are still alive!"

Eona cupped her hands over her mouth, the happy tears flowing out from her golden irises.

Cecil glanced back, everyone was staring at one another with a shocked look on their face. She felt a nervous drop of sweat roll down her face, an uneasy look on her face.

What is with this situation?

***

Linqin panted heavily, glancing back. There were cuts all over her tribal outfit and the fur of her tiger mount was coated in blood. Despite that, the two of them pushed on into the Sacred Forest.

Behind them, an enormous beast released a deafening roar, charging right at them.

I'm sorry...guardian of the Sacred Forest!

I can't let you do it!

I don't want the blood of our people on your hands.

After everything you have done for us!

Linqin felt herself shedding a tear, the frustration and sadness welled up within her.

There was a myth passed down from generation to generation. Since the beginning of the world, the Sacred Forest has always been here with a guardian closely guarding it, along with the inhabitants of the forest. The three tribes came to an agreement with the guardian, who was unusually intelligent and sentient, in return for sharing the land with them, they would protect one another in times of trouble.

The war between angels and demons had been brought to the mortal realms on numerous occasions. On one such occasion, the demons wished to possess the mighty prowess of the guardian beast to aid them in the war.

If not, the inhabitants of the forest would take its place.

The guardian beast refused.

The demons were merciless, doing as they pleased and at that time, the mortals stood no chance to the powerful demons.

The guardian beast, not willing to see its partners and treasures being treated in such a manner, lowered its head in obedience.

Alas, the angels soon found out what the demons were planning. However, instead of fighting for the guardian beast, they took the animals from the forest, experimented on them and forcibly ascended them to the heavenly realm.

It was what angels came to know as the heavenly forest, and its habitants were either heavenly animals, be it in spiritual form or not.

Thus, with no other choice, the mortals steeled their hearts and trained themselves endlessly. The angels and demons were their lifelong enemies, and even if they had the chance to ascend as a vessel...

Even in death, they would never accept it.

Just like that, a rift began to form between the three races.

"Mother, father..." Linqin sobbed out.

The demons and angels never stopped coming for the animals.

On that day in the academy, her loyal servant had travelled across the two continents, just to inform her of the news.

"The two chieftains have given their life to protect the Sacred Forest."

In an instant, Linqin withdrew from the academy and travelled back home. Upon witnessing her grief-stricken brother, Linqin knew she needed to face the truth.

Her parents were gone.

...and she wasn't even there to witness their last moments.

The pair of siblings could only hug one another, sharing their tears.

"Linqin, it's just you and me now."

"...I know."

"Let's stay strong."

"Okay, brother."

The pair of siblings held hands, gazing at the bright moonlight.

Linqin continued sobbing, clutching tightly onto her treasured mount, the two of them dashing through the forest. Her mount felt her insurmountable sadness, its ears lowering as it glanced back at its master.

Linqin remembered the last time she saw her brother.

He protected her, and he was on the verge of dying because of her. Feng immediately volunteered to heal him, and at that moment, she recalled the animosity between mortals, angels and demons.

Of course, she couldn't trust Feng with her dying brother.

"I understand, I'll show you the proof of it now."

She began to heal him, and she could see her brother getting better.

"I swear upon my life, I will heal him. If I fail to do so, I will end my life before your very eyes as repayment. An angel's feather is considered an oath of themselves, so take one of my feathers with you."

"Even if you break the promise, I'll hunt you down and kill you myself."

"...I won't refute either way."

Linqin clutched at the feather in her palm, still crying to herself.

Did I do the wrong thing?

I couldn't let my brother die like that.

Did I trust the wrong person?

If I did...

Linqin clenched her jaw, lifting her head up. "Stop, little treasure!"

The tiger arrived at a halt, panicking over the state of its master. However, Linqin didn't reassure it and merely hopped off.

"Run away."

The tiger flinched.

"We won't survive at this rate, and if it takes one's life to stop the guardian of this forest, I'll do it."

The tiger dashed towards Linqin, desperate.

"Get away from me!"

The tiger stiffened at her command.

Just then, the guardian beast broke through the crowd of trees. The smaller animals had already escaped the moment they felt its presence within the Sacred Forest.

Linqin stood before it, her legs trembling but she steeled herself.

"Guardian of the forest!"

It roared right into her face, clearly not registering her words.

"If it takes one's life to appease your anger, I'll gladly offer mine!" Linqin exclaimed, biting on her lower lip. "In exchange, I would like to apologise on the behalf of our people. For not keeping to our promise, and not protecting you as we said!"

The guardian of the forest froze at her next few sentences. However, just as quickly as it hesitated, it moved.

It bared its fangs at Linqin, opening its mouth and lunging for her.

It was determined to swallow her whole.

"Wait, wait wait wait!"

Linqin blinked her tears away in shock, a familiar masculine voice calling out atop the guardian beast. The figure leapt off the beast, rushing right at her with a large trail of fire behind him. She caught a glimpse of his orange blonde-hair glistening in the blazing fire.

"Gotcha!"

He caught Linqin by the waist, dragging her away from the beast before it swallowed her whole.

"Young lord Ha-Haru?!"

"Aye, it's me." Haru grinned brightly.

***

K'xug and Hana trudged down the mountain, the two of them wrapped up in thick coats. Hana exhaled, catching sight of her breath as she gazed at it in a distracted manner. The two soul fragments accompanied them, and K'xug had to blink his eyes several times, convincing himself that they weren't completely Xue. Even their mannerisms of walking and gesturing were similar.

"It's so cold." Hana mumbled, shivering.

K'xug stood closer to her, extending out his wings and wrapping it around her.

Hana smiled, nuzzling into his embrace. She could summon out her own wings but she couldn't resist indulging herself like that.

"Every place on this continent snows all year round." Fyth spoke.

"Everyday?!" Hana gasped.

"Mhm." Nerri nodded in agreement.

"So, the story you promised to tell," K'xug suggested, his expression lukewarm. "Why don't you start explaining it now while leading us down to the town?"

Fyth and Nerri glanced at one another.

"You say it," Nerri nudged his head at Fyth. "You are better with details."

"To think you'll agree with me."

"Shut up." Nerri hissed as he glanced away, exhaling heavily.

"I know from our memories, Xue trusted the two of you greatly, so it wouldn't hurt to share the truth." Fyth shrugged, his relaxed expression becoming sorrowful. "The truth behind Cecil Lan and us."

Hana listened attentively, lowering her eyes as she clenched her fists inside her coat pocket, nervous.

On the other hand, K'xug looked ahead at the snow drifting down from the sky. It was peaceful and serene, unlike the conversation they were having.

"Cecil Lan is the Oracle."

"Oracle?" Hana and K'xug asked at the same time.

Fyth furrowed his eyebrows, conflicted. It seemed like he didn't know the proper word to use here.

"She is the proxy of the Creator," Nerri explained. "The being that watches over this entire world, and many others."

Hana and K'xug widened their eyes in surprise.

"We met her a long time ago, back in our first lives, when the first Supreme God and Demon Lord..."

Fyth and Nerri began to share the tragic tale between them.

They knew the time limit was starting.

The time limit of Cecil Lan disappearing before them.

Once again.

...only this time, she might not ever come back.

***

《 start 》

I will teach you.

Teach...me?

I will teach you how to feel.

The Oracle tilted her head. Her expression was blank but she was trying to express her confusion.

Why? Why would that matter?

The ash blonde-haired gave her a charming grin, scratching at his neck in an awkward manner.

I...I just want to see your smile.

...can I not?

— ???

《 stop 》