Tano clearly remembered the day her blindfold came off, and it was voluntarily. Those in the vicinity were flummoxed at the pair of mesmerising irises. Those eyes, it was as if they could peer into your future and your past.

One look from her eyes...

She knew who you were and what you could be.

"Just as you expected?" Cecil questioned.

"Hmm..." Tano hummed in response, contemplating as he glanced over to Xue.

The ominous words from Tano sent Xue into a panicked state. He leaned forward, carrying a hint of desperation in his voice as he barraged Tano with questions.

"Is there something wrong with her? What's happening to Cecil? Is it her soul? Is her life in danger? Can we fix it?"

"Relax, relax!" Tano sighed, raising his arms in the air. "This is why I'm thinking of how to put my answers across, so you won't be driven insane with worry!"

"But I–"

"Xue." Cecil leaned forward in her seated position, placing her hand on his. "Don't worry."

"I..." Xue trailed off, frowning. "Alright."

"Cecil is not in immediate danger, but she might be." Tano admitted.

"...!" Xue gasped, his hand instantly tightening around hers. "Tell it all to me. I'll make sure to erase any form of danger towards Cecil, no matter what."

"Elaborate on it, Tano."

"First off..." Tano inched back, not liking the murderous energy coming from Xue. "Your secret admirer needs some of your attention."

"He's fine."

"I'm not fine." Tano emphasised.

"...Xue."

Kai: "No way, make him tell us all!"

Zasiok: "Tell us everything."

Leonaut: "Force it out of him."

Alric: "Fo-force it...?"

Isleif: "Gouge his eyes–"

Xu Bolin: "Do you ever get tired of saying that? What are you supposed to be? You don't scare anyone, look at yourself."

Islief: "..."

Rugi: "As expected of Xu Bolin, you are the only one capable of making him speechless. Kids, if you want someone to speak, be nice."

Wang Jie: "Fight it out with him!"

Sid: "Give him food!"

Min: "There is a poison that acts like a truth serum."

Shin slapped himself in the face.

Shin: "...hopeless."

"Tano, I won't let it happen again," Xue narrowed his eyes, an angry glint in them. "This time, I don't want to be the one kept in the dark again."

"I know you well, Xue," Tano sighed, shrugging. "If you don't calm down, you won't let anyone speak comfortably."

"Calm down," Cecil leaned in, placing a soft kiss on Xue's cheek. "Calm down and look at me."

Xue froze, glancing towards Cecil slowly.

"Let's hear Tano out, okay?" Cecil smiled. "It'll be fine."

In an instant, his heart that was racing from worry and anxiety quelled.

"...okay."

All the soul fragments within Xue's head muttered the same word at the same time.

Meanwhile, Tano made a face at their heart-warming moment. "Pacifier."

"What?" Cecil blinked in confusion, looking at Tano.

On the other hand, Xue didn't seem to mind that he was being indirectly insulted by Tano. He smiled at Cecil before looking back at Tano, waiting patiently for him to explain.

"Alright, let's start."

Tano brought his hand out and snapped his fingers together. Almost immediately, the broken mirror buried within Cecil's soul came rushing out from her body and hovered in the air. The mirror began to tremble, glowing and Cecil felt something deep inside her reacting to it.

"Ugh." Cecil groaned, closing her eyes.

"Tano? What are you doing?" Xue frowned, trying to contain his panic.

"It's easier to explain it this way," Tano stated, gesturing towards Cecil. "We can no longer stall this."

There was a blindfold over Cecil's eyes as she blinked them open. She felt the soft material of the blindfold before it started to stick to her skin, it was as if it was becoming one with her.

"Th-this is..." Xue stuttered out.

"It has already begun." Tano clasped his hands together, a light magic barrier surrounding the mirror.

The mirror still hovered in the air but its actions have settled down. The blindfold on Cecil's face had disappeared as well.

"Your soul is starting to mend itself without your command. It is yearning to be joined and to be complete."

"It means that Cecil has to recover her memories, whether she chooses to or not." Xue stated with a perturbed expression.

"That's right." Tano nodded.

Cecil glanced over to Xue, widening her eyes in shock. "Xue, so that's...that's what you've learnt from your time inside the mirror."

"Yeah, I did, and I knew this day would come."

"We have to prepare ourselves now," Tano spoke, giving Cecil a solemn stare. "Oracle, there is no turning back."

"If you resist it, your soul would force you to remember as you suffer while regaining your powers and memories."

"Somehow, I'm not surprised to hear that."

"You are getting more fatigued as time passes, aren't you?"

"I am, actually," Cecil agreed, her fingers tapping on her chin. "So either I resist it as long as I can, to delay this process, or accept it willingly."

"Yes, so you have to come to a decision." Tano said.

"That's simple. I'll recover my memories myself," Cecil smiled, shrugging her shoulders. "There is no point in dragging on and making myself suffer instead."

"..." Xue remained silent.

He wanted to say something, but he couldn't. After all, it was Cecil's decision to make. Moreover, he couldn't bear to watch her suffer.

Sadly, neither seemed to be the better choice. One was full of pain and exhaustion, the other was garnering the attention of the being they had to avoid the most.

"If that's what you wish," Tano nodded, looking at Xue, placing an arm on his shoulder. "Now, it's your turn. It's time to do what you do best, Xue."

"...?"

Tano grinned. "Protect her."

"I'll do it even without you telling me." Xue stated in a heartbeat.

Tano hummed in agreement. "As expected of the Oracle's number one admirer."

"Damn it," Xue muttered, glaring at Tano. "Stop with that nickname already."

"Why should I? It suits you just fine." Tano snickered, patting on Dada's back as he glanced ahead. "You won't be protecting her alone. Me and Dada will be here as well."

"..." Xue paused, before a hint of smile graced his lips. "You haven't changed a bit."

"Are you sure? It's been thousands of years, number one admirer."

"With you calling me that, I'm sure."

Tano laughed.

"Everyone, thank you." Cecil smiled, looking at all of them. "I'm..."

Cecil inhaled deeply.

"I'm ready. My memories and my powers, it's time to recover it all."

"Cecil..." Xue sighed, entwining their fingers. "Don't leave without a word again."

"I won't do that." Cecil shook her head.

"Your memories won't be easy to accept. Out of everyone, the burden you placed on yourself is immense." Tano advised.

"It's alright, I can do it," Cecil smiled haughtily. "Who do you think I am?"

Tano scoffed in disbelief, shaking his head with a smile. "Yes, you've always been like that, Oracle. Let's start...by meditating."

"...it's that simple?"

"Did you know? The ones that created this method was me and Sevont." Tano smiled, recalling a fond memory. "What you are doing isn't growing stronger. Instead, you are peering into your own soul and empowering it."

"I see, so that's how it is."

"There are many more aspects to it, and how it allows one to ascend, but you'll understand it all anyway."

"Did you talk to me about this in the past?"

"Hah! There's too many to count." Tano snorted, a kind expression on his face. "Oracle, I hope your memories are full of fulfilling moments."

"Thank you, I'm...going now."

"Mhmm." Tano nodded.

"Oracle. Safe." Dada growled.

Cecil turned slowly, gazing at her beloved. Her eyes were full of fondness yet there was a hint of anguish within them.

"I'll stay by your side, no matter what happens." Xue reassured her.

"Wait for me," Cecil smiled. "You'll be the first one I'll search for, always."

She closed her eyes.

There was no going back now.

***

Once again, she was greeted by the surreal sight of being in the elemental realm, which is the realm of her inner soul. Originally, the realm was but an empty spot and eventually, colours began to fill the world along with nature. At the start, the colours were vague and undefined, now a humongous tree stood in the centre, the realm utterly vibrant.

"Do you want to remember?"

Cecil spun around and she found herself face to face with someone familiar.

It was her.

The Oracle.

A smile lined her lips, and she offered a hand towards Cecil.

"Take my hand."

"Will this allow me to remain by their side? His...side?"

"That depends on us."

"To fight against the Creator and survive?"

"No," the Oracle continued smiling. "To keep our promise."

"It won't be easy."

"No, it won't," the Oracle released a small laugh. "But you'll succeed this time."

Cecil couldn't help but smile at her past self, stretching her hand out. She placed her hand on theirs, and she felt something deep within her changing. A strange warmth coursed through her, and she could feel her powers growing.

There's no going back now.

Everyone.

Wait for me.

I'll...be sure to come back.

She closed her eyes.

***

Cecil opened her eyes, and she found herself hovering in a vibrant-coloured sky, a sky that did not belong in the mortal realm.

She was in the heavenly realm.

She glanced down at herself, noticing her body was completely transparent. She blinked, lifting her head to look around until she felt something tugging at her body, the force dragging her along.

"...!"

She gasped, unable to do anything as she was pulled along with the unknown force. Fortunately, she was still able to observe her surroundings. She floated by a dense forest that stretched across the plains. At the end of the dense forest, the leaves and the grass began to change colours.

It took a darker shade.

Even the skies above the dense forest turned dark with a hint of ombre.

Finally, she looked at the source of the force pulling her along.

It turned out to be a raven-haired woman, her gait graceful and regal. There was a blindfold around her face, but despite that, she walked on without an inch of fear. It was as if the blindfold didn't exist.

"It's...ah–"

This time, the force became too strong, her figure surged towards the same woman and she found herself being sucked in. Almost instantaneously, she was absorbed into the body and just like that, she joined with the Oracle.

What–

I-I can't control my movements.

I can't even speak!

I see...

This is me observing the Oracle in the past.

No, me...in the past.

The Oracle continued walking for quite a while until she halted in her steps, lifting her eyes and staring straight ahead of her. She brought her hand up, spreading her palm before her as she touched the air.

Oddly enough, it rippled under her touch.

"Anomaly...in the creation of..." Oracle muttered to herself, her voice void of any emotion. "...the balance..."

All of a sudden, there were cracks emerging before her in the air. The air split into pieces, and the wind blew past, her hair fluttering. The plains in front of her that were originally empty and serene were now occupied by a clearing.

"Anomaly has been located. The Creator–"

Just then, a young angel stumbled out from the clearing. He was extremely pale as he limped over. He noticed the presence in the distance, stretching his hand out weakly.

"...he...lp."

He collapsed the next moment.

The Oracle disappeared from her spot, appearing next to the young angel and caught him before he fell to the ground.

"It's an angel," Oracle said, tilting her head as her face remained impassive. "You are not a disruption to the balance, and you are about to die."

"..."

The Oracle remained silent, not moving an inch as she carried the young angel in her arms, staring at him with a blank face.

"You weren't meant to die here. Will your death disrupt the balance?"

"Oracle! Jeez, so this is where you disappeared to!"

"...?" she turned to look behind her, a wisp of light touching down beside her and Tano revealed himself. "The Supreme God, I greet you."

He was dressed in his prestigious white robes, a robe that could only be donned by the Supreme God. There was a hint of gold lining the robes, gleaming in the sunlight.

"Ah-ah, no, you don't need to greet me every time you see me," Tano sighed, shaking his head. "Me and Sevont went looking for you when you disappeared without any word!"

"The Creator has given me a new command."

"And what's that?"

"There is an anomaly located here, I have to investigate it."

"Anomaly? Don't tell me...is it that young angel you are carrying–wait a minute! He's dying!"

"Yes, he is."

"Aren't you too calm about it?!"

"Calm? I don't understand."

"Nevermind, more than that, we should heal him! He'll be able to survive if we do so!"

"Will his death disrupt the balance of the world?"

"Hah?" Tano was bewildered by her question. "What does that even mean?"

"Is his life important?"

"Wha–yes! Yes! Every life is important!" Tano answered in exasperation. "Stop dawdling, Oracle! He might die any moment now! Hurry, or I'll do it myself!"

"Understood, I'll ensure he'll come back well and healthy."

"...???"

She made the young angel float in the air, taking a step back. She brought her hand out, dozens of black and white tendrils, resembling vines, surrounding the young angel. Within moments, they were sealed within a ball of the same tendrils.

It began to glow, and due to its brightness, Tano had to turn away.

Once the process was completed, she placed the young angel down on the ground. Compared to before, they were no longer pale, in fact, their face had a rosy colour.

"Now, this young angel will not die. He'll continue to live healthily."

"That's a relief. You...you are such a bizarre person," Tano suspired, approaching her and placing his hand on the angel's forehead. "Let me just check on him just to–what?!"

"What?"

"Did you just–! You cured his illness and extended his lifespan by twofold?!"

"You said his life was important to the balance."

Tano was dumbfounded, placing his hand over his eyes. "Just keeping him alive is enough. You just disrupted his life cycle."

The Oracle was quiet for a moment.

"...I see, I made a mistake," she nodded, looking solemnly at Tano. "My first mistake."

"Why are you looking at me? I'm not capable of what you just did, Oracle. I can't fix the problem."

"..." she tapped her finger on her chin, her face still solemn. "The Creator said you and the demon lord's commands took priority in unexpected circumstances."

"Huh?"

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

Tano's face started to twitch uncontrollably. The Oracle was more than just strange, she didn't have a mind of her own!

Now he knew why he didn't like her at the start!

"Who would even ask a senseless–"

"I-I have to die again?"

Tano stiffened, glancing down at the young angel.

The young angel slowly stood up, tears filling his eyes. "Yo-you horrible monsters! Wahhh! Am I just an experiment to you?!"

"He-hey, kid! Wait!"

"WAHHHH!"

The young angel flew away, wailing and snivelling. Tano was speechless, his hand still hanging in the air as he watched them leave.

"..."

"..."

"I can't understand you, don't you have any tact or–she's gone?!"

Tano realised that the Oracle had disappeared from her spot.

"What the–where did she–!"

He found her strolling onwards, as if the situation didn't matter to her.

"Hey, Orac–"

She became a mixture of white and dark mist, making her way forward.

"..."

Once again, Tano was left flabbergasted. He remained in his awkward position with an outstretched hand for a moment, before he withdrew back with a sigh.

"I don't mix well with a type like hers," he muttered, his eyes glancing to the right. "And how long are you planning to hide there?"

The air in the distance rippled, and the concealment spell came undone. It was an ash blonde-haired demon donning the black robes that belonged to the rank of a general, decorated with a hint of silver. His hair cascaded down, contrasting against the black robes.

"What a coincidence, Tano," Xue grinned in a sheepish manner, folding his arms across his chest stiffly. "I was patrolling–"

"Stop lying. You were stalking her."

"I wasn't lying, it's true! I was patrolling since the demon lord sent me after hearing reports of peculiar people appearing here," Xue started to blabber, a hint of panic in his eyes. "That's when I saw the Oracle walking past me and...and I..."

"You stalked her." Tano repeated, raising an eyebrow.

"..." Xue blinked rapidly, glancing away. "I...I was following her out of concern."

"It's still called stalking," Tano said, gesturing towards Xue with a snicker. "Just admit it, you fell in love at first sight."

"How–how could I do something so blasphemous?!" Xue exclaimed, his eyes wide. "She is the proxy of the Creator and I am just a mere demon general!"

"You are worrying too much~." Tano waved at him, his tone light-hearted. "You might think the Creator watches us all the time, but that old man? He doesn't do that."

"Ol-old man...I still can't believe you are calling the Creator that. The fact he does nothing about your blatant insult makes it more unsettling."

"You see it now, don't you? He pays no mind to dozens of worlds he has created, and this is why it is making me uneasy," Tano furrowed his eyebrows, pointing to the spot where the Oracle disappeared. "It isn't on a whim that he sent the Oracle down. Something in this world caught his attention."

"Now that you mention it," Xue blinked in realisation. "She is still looking for the anomaly she spoke about."

"...heh." Tano wore a mysterious grin on his face.

That smile made Xue take a step back. "I-I know that smile. I won't accept whatever order you tell me to–"

"I'll be giving you an official reason to stay by her side."

"...!" Xue looked at Tano, a happy glint in his eyes. "Really?"

"You really like her, huh."

"It's only because she's beautiful! I just don't want you to assign a duty like that to anyone else either!"

"Yeah, yeah. Keep telling yourself that. It's infatuation, admiring her beauty, a simple crush! Before you know it, you are in too deep and it becomes love."

"Just...just spit it out. What are your orders, Supreme God?"

"Become her bodyguard," Tano smirked. "Report her every movement to me."

"Th-that's..."

"Also, for our sake and hers, don't let her kill anyone."

"..."

"What? Don't give me that look. You were stalking her, you clearly saw what she was capable of."

"I think I understand why my lord wants to die of frustration whenever he talks to you."

Tano laughed. "That's what makes it fun!"

"..."

"Ah, speaking of which, Sevont should be here anytime soon. Probably...now."

"Tano. You frustrating bastard, you wandered off as well," Sevont growled, hovering in the sky. "So, did you find her?"

"There we go, the impatient friend I know." Tano snickered, waving at Xue as he spread his wings. "I'll leave it all to you. Adieu, top bachelor among the demons."

"What? Bachelor?"

"Tsk tsk, ignorant of his charms, as expected."

"...???"

"What's Xue doing here?" Sevont asked in disapproval.

"Oh, him? He's being the world's best admirer for his one and only," Tano shrugged. "And a very capable stalker."

Sevont swivelled his head towards Xue, unable to believe the actions of his subordinate.

"...?!" Xue widened his eyes, shaking his head and his hands. "My lord, you've got it all wrong! It's all wrong!"

"Hahah! Look at him, he's becoming all shy!" Tano laughed. "Stop lying to yourself!"

"I-I...I just...!"

"Xue, it seems like...I've underestimated you." Sevont nodded in approval. "You are so deeply in love. Don't worry, you have my support."

"..."

It was in a situation like this, Xue wished a hierarchy didn't exist so he could punch them in the face.

"What are you waiting for, secret admirer? Chase after your love!"

"Hurry, my good general. Let your feelings be known."

Xue gave them a deadpan.

***

The Oracle traversed past the clearing, and she discovered a hidden village. There was a crowd of people before her, a cautious look in their eyes as they huddled together. A few of them began to brandish their weapons at her.

"Anomaly found."

The features of the villagers were a mixture between demons and angels. There were also a few others, whom the Oracle couldn't quite point out what they were.

"You are disturbing the balance of this world. Unknown species."

"Wh-what do you plan to do with us?"

"Your existence..." she said, lifting her hand as a ball of energy gathered in her palm. "Needs to be erased."

"On whose orders?!"

The Oracle tilted her head. "The one who oversees this world and many others, the Creator."

***

《 start 》

She's just beautiful.

I-I simply want to admire her beauty.

That's...that's all.

It's an infatuation!

A simple crush, a really simple crush–

What?

Ho-how did he know what I was thinking?!

《 stop 》

***

Author's Note: Second part of mass update. Enjoy the weekend!