The first thing that Xue needed to do was reclaim his remaining soul fragments. Hence, he needed to travel to the final known continent in the mortal realm. Raz and Valoel would keep a close watch on the two demon brothers, and especially after Raz revealed to them about his recent observations.

They were back to seating on the round table outside Valoel's hut. The fox was sleeping peacefully within his arms, just like how Ryo was sleeping peacefully on the table.

Cecil was somewhat distracted after her conversation with Eona, and Xue noticed that. Nevertheless, he kept his worries to himself.

"The demons are escaping to the mortal realm. It seems like the fight between the two demon lords is destroying their own home."

"At least, more than anything else," Xue scoffed, a smirk on his face. "They still treasure their own lives."

"This is more serious than I thought," Raz hummed, looking at Valoel. "Master Valoel, just what went wrong between the two brothers? For as long as I can remember, they stuck through with each other no matter the circumstances."

Valoel sighed, stroking at his beard as he glanced up at the skies decorated with a myriad of bright colours. "It's a long story to delve into. The loss, pain and suffering they've been through, the memories I have shared with you just scratched the surface."

"..."

"..."

Xue and Raz remained silent.

"Don't worry, I will no longer share any more memories with you," Valoel turned to them with an embarrassed expression, clearing his throat. "I am not here to garner sympathy or pity from either of you. There is no doubt that what you've been through is equal to theirs."

"It's okay, you can continue," Cecil spoke up, her expression lukewarm. "Whether we choose to pity, sympathise or remain callous, that would be our own decision to make."

"Cecil is right," Xue agreed, his arms across his chest. "Besides, I can't deny my curiosity. In the time I've spent with them, it seemed as if nothing could break their brotherly bonds."

Valoel nodded.

"Before the passing of their parents, the two were separated. Veau was with his mother, and Zeau was with his father. Using all the power I had, I made another clone of myself to assist the separated family but...there was nothing I could do."

Valoel closed his eyes, letting out a heavy sigh.

"All I could do was witness the final moments of my friends."

"So...the two of them are having an argument about the final moments of their parents?" Raz questioned.

"Both mother and father shared different views in their last moments, and that brat Veau," Valoel smiled sadly, shaking his head in disapproval. "In his own way of comforting his despairing brother, he lied about his mother's final words and being the trickster he was, his lies were completely flawless."

Xue had an inkling where this was leading to, and so did Cecil.

"His father was determined not to die without expressing his anger and hatred for the angels who backstabbed him. Until his last breath, his father wouldn't let it go. Could you imagine a young Zeau who viewed his foster family, especially his parents, as his saviours...witnessing such a devastating scene?"

"...what about their mother?" Xue asked.

"Even after all the hurt she has been through, she only had the well-being of her sons in her mind. Unlike their father, her final words were solely for them. She didn't want them to go down a path of vengeance, but to forget it all. Forget it all, and be healthy and happy."

A translucent figure appeared beside Cecil, standing silently and not saying a word. Cecil gazed at her, a sympathetic smile on her face. To anyone else, it seemed as if Cecil was staring at an empty space, contemplating.

"After reuniting with his brother, wanting to share his grief, he was faced with an older brother filled with the same hatred and vengeance. The equally devastated Veau did only what he thought was right at that point of time." Cecil spoke, her words causing the despondent Eona to turn towards her.

"...thank you."

"But nothing changes the fact that the two of them have done many wrong, especially towards Xue."

"I love Veau with all of my heart, but I cannot forgive him. The same goes for Zeau, who was a very precious friend to me."

Eona let out a sigh, glancing away.

"I am equally guilty, so I can't forgive myself either."

"..."

Eona was quiet, her figure slowly dissipating.

"When I was in the mirror dimension, I caught a glimpse of the dreams you held for all of us, Oracle. To live, to suffer, to smile and to cry, hand-in-hand. All of us, regardless of our race, would pull through together."

"It was absolutely beautiful."

"How I wished to see it once again."

Eona disappeared, carrying a hint of hopelessness in her voice.

Cecil watched her leave, lowering her eyes.

"How pathetic." Xue spoke bitterly.

Everyone turned to look at him.

"Pathetic and pitiful," Xue closed his eyes, recalling the memories he had with his parents and he opened his eyes. There was a conflicted look on his face. "Even a fool knows that nothing brings back the dead, even if you adhere to their last words."

Xue came to a realisation, after witnessing the countless lifetimes he shared with Cecil and his past.

There was no benefit from vengeance.

Nothing at all.

Even if you achieved it, what would remain?

What would be left behind?

Xue stood up from his seat, summoning out his spear and he walked off without a word.

"Xue? Where are you going?" Cecil questioned in surprise.

"For a walk."

"A walk? In the heavenly mountains?" Raz asked in concern, standing up and trailing behind Xue. "My lord, let me accompany you."

"Leave me alone."

"At least let me follow you from afar!"

"..." Xue sighed in resignation, waving his hand at Raz. "Fine, whatever. Suit yourself."

He turned back, looking at Cecil.

Cecil gave Xue a smile, tilting her head. "Do you need me?"

Xue thought about it for a second before shaking his head.

Cecil just continued smiling as she nodded in understanding.

"The heavenly mountains are protected by my barrier, there should be nothing here that poses a danger." Valoel said.

Xue and Raz walked off.

"Are you sure about not accompanying him?"

"I'm sure and besides," Cecil chuckled, her tone light-hearted. "He has been sticking to my side like glue the entire time. He needs some space for himself."

"Did you also stay behind to discuss something with me?"

Cecil paused, looking at Valoel. "So you knew."

"...you are very different from the Oracle I knew."

"How did you know? That I am her?"

Valoel moved the fox resting in his arms onto the table, his actions gentle. He stood up and glanced around, looking back at Cecil.

"It isn't safe to discuss it out in the open, we should go inside the hut."

Cecil stood up as well, following Valoel into the hut.

In her sleep, the fox swished her tail. Her fur tickled at Ryo's nose and his face started to twist in irritation.

"Achoo!"

Ryo sneezed, jolting awake with a dazed expression.

"Where's everyone? Huh?"

Ryo looked around for a few seconds before he shrugged, resting his head on his table with a yawn.

***

The interior of the hut was furnished with simple furniture. It seemed as if Valoel was determined to live his life out here in the heavenly mountains for the rest of his lifetime. Just then, it occurred to Cecil.

The exchange between her and AI500.

"You said it didn't you? That he was hiding his age?"

[ He is. ]

"How long has he been living for?"

[ If I had to make an accurate guess... ]

[ He is someone from our time, just...younger. ]

Cecil widened her eyes, fixing her shocked expression before Valoel spun around to address her.

"I won't take up much of your time," Valoel smiled, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Or the demon general–or should I say, Supreme God, would think I have kidnapped you."

"...demon general?" Cecil frowned.

"So you haven't reclaimed your memories yet," Valoel nodded in understanding. "That is to be expected, if you did, you wouldn't be standing here right now."

"Who exactly are you, Valoel?"

"A long time ago, there existed a sickly angel with an incurable illness. They were fated to die young, and that child, with his remaining life, wanted to see what the world had to offer," Valoel began to explain his life, his tone calm. "Unfortunately, he stumbled upon a place where the Kilgitsu and Deoma were hiding in, and they were extremely territorial."

"A woman was sent to this area to investigate, and the child, nearing his death, pleaded for help. Upon doing so, the woman who hadn't gained full control of her powers, healed the child more than necessary."

"...th-that woman was me, the Oracle," Cecil stated, frowning even more. "And you were that sickly and daring child?"

"Indeed, you claimed you were here to investigate an anomaly in the life forms created in this world, and that someone dying in the process was not fated to happen," Valoel placed his hand on his chest, appearing somewhat embarrassed. "You saved me from dying, but in doing so, you unintentionally used too much of your powers and extended my lifetime."

Cecil widened her eyes. "Wha..."

All of a sudden, she heard a boisterous laughter in her mind.

[ Hahahaha! ]

[ So it was you afterall! ]

Cecil was startled as she felt the presence in her mind leaving her...and appearing right beside her.

It was Tano in his child form, his hands on his knee as he continued laughing.

Valoel was equally shocked by the new intrusion.

"Sorry, sorry," his child-like voice was heard in the quiet hut, and he straightened himself, exhaling heavily. "I should have guessed it was you right from the start!"

"You...you are...?" Valoel questioned.

"To think the first mistake in your life, as the Oracle, would come back to haunt you like this! Hahaha, Oracle, you really have a knack for getting involved in troublesome things like that," Tano continued laughing, a bright smile on his face. "Oh, my stomach hurts. Do you know what you said when you came to find me?"

Cecil gave Tano an annoyed look.

"Supreme God, I might have saved a poor child a little too much," Tano imitated the way she spoke in the past, looking at Cecil with a composed stare. "Does he have to die again?"

"Tano!" Cecil hissed.

"That same child looked at you with the most dumbfounded expression!"

Tano laughed again.

At this point, Cecil expressed visible annoyance, resting her forehead on her palm. Even though she couldn't remember any of those memories, she could feel the embarrassment welling up within her.

It was so vivid, it was hard to ignore it.

"Ta-Tano? The first Supreme God?" Valoel asked in disbelief, looking down at the child before him. "I thought you were..."

"Right, you wouldn't recognise me like this."

Tano lifted his hand up and he was surrounded in a white mist, there was a snapping sound heard and the next moment, Tano appeared before the both of them in his original form.

"To think that little kid from that time has changed this much, even your name is different," Tano grinned, waving his hand at Valoel. "Also, I never once died. I've been hiding this entire time, I wouldn't let myself disappear that easily."

Tano placed his palm on Cecil's shoulder, nudging his head towards her. "Especially when she decided to abandon me and go on a journey full of suffering with her lover boy, and forced half of her powers upon me."

"Are you satisfied now?" Cecil brought her head up, giving him a deadpan.

"No," Tano blinked rapidly at her, his voice genuine. "Not at all."

Cecil closed her eyes, letting out a sigh of frustration.

"We told you to live your own life, and do everything you couldn't do," Tano tilted his head in confusion, his arms across his chest. "So what are you doing here now, walking down the same path that the Oracle once did?"

"I did, but somehow, my destinations seemed to coincide with either one of you," Valoel explained. "In the end, I would always be catching glimpses of all of you and overhearing your conversations. I was a mere acquaintance in your long lifetime, so you wouldn't notice me."

"So you have been following us involuntarily just like that..." Tano trailed off, raising an eyebrow.

"That's right, unexpectedly," Valoel nodded. "Your goals became mine as well."

"Look Oracle, that's how charismatic you can be."

Cecil looked at Tano, shaking her head and sighing. She glanced back at Valoel, her annoyed expression dissipating.

"I have yet to recover my memories, but I know the goals I've set for myself aren't easy. If you are doing this to repay your debt, there is no need to."

Valoel shook his head, smiling at Cecil. "It may have been that way at the start, but right now, I am doing this for my own sake."

"Convincing the brothers drenched in the blood of their people, to cease their actions..." Tano muttered, gesturing his hand into the air as his voice was full of disbelief. "It won't be easy."

"Nothing comes easy." Cecil added..

"Even though the future might have changed with your presence," Tano looked at Cecil, expressing his concern. "The future that I envision may not change at all, in fact, it may take a turn for the worst."

"We still have to try." Cecil retorted.

"If what awaits us is the end of the world," Tano nodded in agreement, a wry look on his face. "We should take matters into our own hands rather than awaiting that fate, as once said sincerely by our dearest Oracle."

"Those two stubborn brats, that is no way to live," Valoel released a heavy sigh, lowering his eyes. "Whether it is taking that anger out on others or keeping it to yourself, it is entirely wrong."

Tano contemplated, keeping his own thoughts to himself. There was nothing he could say here to ease the situation.

"Have confidence, Valoel." Cecil declared.

Valoel looked at her, surprised.

"Even if all else fails, there is still one card we can play."

At that moment, Eona reappeared and stood beside Cecil. The only ones who could see her were Cecil and Tano, but despite that, she was still smiling at her master so brightly.

"Master."

"Don't worry, with all my remaining life, I will stop those two."

Cecil looked at Tano and Tano nodded in agreement. If it was Valoel, they could reveal the truth to him.

"Eona is still alive."

"...!" Valoel held his breath, taking a step back.

"If that time ever comes for me to bring her back, there is something you have to do alongside Tano."

"Wh-what would that be?" Valoel stuttered out.

A pained look flashed across Cecil's face, and she looked at Tano once again.

"Go ahead, I know what it is," Tano placed his hand on her shoulder, his voice encouraging. "If you are seeing this through the very end, I won't interfere."

"..."

"...you have to stop him," Cecil said softly before she frowned, appearing determined as her voice became firm. "Stop Xue."

***

Xue returned from his quiet walk, and the group decided to get some proper rest. A day passed and finally, it seemed like he had made up his mind and he was no longer bent on pursuing his own vengeance. After discussing their plans for the last time, the group departed from Valoel's hut.

Unsurprisingly, the old man himself had a waypoint he used just for himself.

"The fight between Veau and Zeau would last for a long while, take that time to prepare yourself."

"Did you actually plan for that to happen?" Ryo asked, stretching his arms with a yawn. "I never took you to be a crafty old man."

"It wasn't my intention, the two used to be inseparable as brothers in the past," Valoel sighed, staring at the waypoint that was activating hidden in the mountains. "The two of them only have each other as family in this world, I...simply can't bear to see them pushing one another away."

"..." Ryo paused before he shrugged. "Well, it's none of my business."

"Why did you ask then?" Raz questioned in bewilderment.

"Heh, well!" Ryo crossed his arms, seemingly proud. "I just felt like it!"

"...?" Raz was still as confused.

"There's no point asking him that," Xue mumbled out. "Logic doesn't exist in his brain."

"Aren't you the same, Xue? Haha!"

"..."

Cecil chuckled.

The waypoint finished its activation cycle, creating a breeze in the clearing as it blew past the group.

"A week should have passed in the mortal realm by now," Valoel commented. "Your comrades should be worried about you for now."

"A week?!" Ryo exclaimed.

"Time flows differently in the heavenly realm compared to the mortal realm. It is unpredictable and ever-changing," Xue explained. "A day here could mean a month in the mortal realm, but it could also mean a week in the mortal realm."

"How do you calculate the time here just like that?!"

"Instincts." Xue answered.

Raz and Valoel nodded.

"Hah?!" Ryo scoffed in disbelief.

"For someone who believes in his instincts," Cecil stated bluntly. "You shouldn't be so surprised."

Ryo was too dumbfounded to even answer.

The three of them stepped forward and Cecil checked for the horn inside her storage ring again. Standing inside the waypoint, they could feel a mysterious force reverberating throughout the entire body.

"I wish you luck on your journey." Valoel bowed his head.

"See you again, my lord! Cecil, Ryo!" Raz waved, smiling.

"Where exactly did you calibrate the waypoint to?" Xue asked.

"Just as you specified, the continent that belonged to the three tribes."

Cecil was relieved, admiring the sight of the heavenly realm once more.

"...and the skies above them."

Cecil swivelled her head towards Valoel, her eyes wide.

"Oh, the sky–the sky?!" Ryo choked on his words.

"Oi, wait–" Xue stretched his hand out.

Just like that, the three disappeared.

***

《 start 》

If I didn't have the people I have around me now...

Would I have been equally pathetic?

Would I have been equally pathetic and pitiful?

Just like them?

...forget it.

There is no point dwelling in it.

From now, there is one thing that won't change.

I will never be like them.

《 stop 》

***

Author's Note: I hate student life just as much as I hate adult life. Literally, no side is better than the other, lmao. Of course, there are those who will have a different say in this matter, but I won't be surprised to know if they are privileged.