"Having any sort of emotions weakens your mind. Now, do you understand why?"

Those were the words the Oracle recalled before she lost her consciousness. She only wanted to disappear from everyone, just for a little while.

Every single time she closed her eyes, she could only see her hands stretching out to the helpless innocent souls that she saved. With one touch from her, their bodies disintegrated and they left nothing behind.

Not a single thing to remember them by.

It proved their existence was nothing.

"The balance of the world is at stake."

Those same words kept churning in her mind.

On and on.

...again and again.

If she didn't understand the meaning of emotions, she would have thought nothing of those words. They were simply commands given by the Creator, her reason behind her existence.

Nevertheless, that terrified her even more.

She didn't want to become the callous tool that took away the existence of an individual.

She wanted to become the opposing force that prevented that from happening.

It was such a happy world.

A peaceful world.

The same world that gave her joy, freedom and compassion.

The same world that taught her the meaning of a life.

"Why...why do I have to destroy a world like that? If anything else, we should protect it."

The Oracle spoke, walking down a long path with her bare feet. Despite the endless void surrounding her, her white robes and blindfold flowed her graceful movements.

"The resources of a world are finite, and at this rate, it will collapse. The future will cease to exist, and hence, a balance is needed."

Something moved within the void.

Just then, vision of future events started to spread across the void. It was tragedy after tragedy. Whether people lost their loved ones, a nation wiped out by famine and diseases and a country struggling for survival amidst a civil war.

"Do you still selfishly wish to take a step forward, Oracle?"

She looked forward and the scene of her taking lives, just like before, replayed in front of her. She faltered, taking a step back as her eyes trembled with fear.

"Are you prepared to?"

No matter what action I take, the present and the future will suffer.

Is there no other way?

Is this what living is supposed to be?

Just to wait for one's turn to suffer?

The Oracle closed her eyes in defeat. "Is this all there is to life?"

"Kugh."

All of a sudden, the Creator uttered a sound of struggle.

"What about those memories we shared? The memories only you know of."

The Oracle paused.

The memories I shared? The memories only I know of?

Does the Creator not know the things I have seen?

The Oracle widened her eyes in realisation.

Omnipotent they might be, the Creator couldn't possibly oversee every single existence in the worlds under their hands.

Moreover, this voice who is speaking in her mind...

It wasn't her voice.

It was a very familiar voice, a voice that belonged to a person that always lingered in her heart. Even before she noticed it.

"There is only one Oracle I know, one who isn't part of the Creator, one who isn't the all-powerful and all-knowing Oracle. Just someone ordinary finding out about life."

The Oracle froze.

The harrowing scenes around her began to fade away from her vision.

"Ah, this...this voice..."

Her lips started to twitch uncontrollably, a wave of emotions drowning her.

"Nonsense. She is merely a mirage–"

"Definitely not. The Oracle is herself. She isn't you, the Creator. She was never you, not at all."

She assumed she had been alone all this time.

The mistakes she made, the lives she had taken wrongfully. She assumed it was her responsibility and burden to bear.

The memories she shared with all of them always had one thing in common.

"No one can walk alone, not even the most powerful being in the world."

Whether it was the mortals, the angels or the demons. Even the Creator had her, the Oracle, by their side.

"You are uttering nonsense. What difference is there?"

"Difference? It's easy."

"She is..."

A tear escaped her eye.

"...the one I fell in love with."

She finally recognised the owner of the voice in her mind.

Her most loyal admirer.

A person...truly dear to her.

"Xue..." the Oracle uttered out, a shaky smile on her lips. "You still chased after me, even after all that I have done."

She didn't have to do this alone.

She still had her friends.

She still had Xue.

They have never once left her alone. They were always willing to help.

They have proved that repeatedly in her memories she shared with them.

At once, the Oracle understood.

I do not have to shoulder this alone.

On the other hand, the visions that the Creator showed her were still there. However, the Oracle stepped forward, the step that she couldn't take before.

With every step she took, someone joined in by her side.

Whether it was Xue, Tano or Sevont. Whether it was anyone else.

They walked along with her.

All the way until the very end.

***

The edge of the cliff where thick clouds stretched across the horizon with no end in sight. It was a place that would be named "Death's Edge" by the first Supreme God and the first Demon Lord.

Xue and the Oracle stood above the clouds.

He was still wearing a warm smile on his face, cupping the Oracle's cheek affectionately as she closed her eyes. He could sense that the control that the Creator had over the Oracle was now gone.

It wasn't hard to tell, since the blindfold magically appeared around her eyes yet again. It was just too bad that he couldn't see those clear, gorgeous eyes once again.

The Oracle lifted her eyelashes, placing her hand over his.

"You finally came back to me, Oracle."

"Yes, Xue. I'm back, and back for good this time."

"Is that true?"

"I...won't let the Creator take hold of me any longer. Even if it may seem impossible."

Xue drew back with relief written all over his face, lowering his hand from her cheek. "The Creator definitely said something to you, so you need to come back with me to discuss with Tano and my Lord–"

At that moment, the Oracle reached her hands out and pulled Xue closer to her.

Their lips met.

"...?!"

Xue was flummoxed, his hand dropping limply.

"..."

"..."

The soft kiss lasted only for a few seconds, but it felt like an eternity for Xue.

"Thank you, Xue."

Just when Xue opened his mouth to speak, she stunned him with a wide smile on her lips. It was a smile from the bottom of her heart.

Xue turned into a statue once again.

Fortunately, he recovered quickly this time.

He placed his hand over his mouth, awkward and shy before he lowered his hand. He cleared his throat, a red tint on his cheeks.

"...Or-Oracle, wh-what is the meaning of this?"

"I want to thank you for being on my side."

"With a kiss?!"

"Yes."

"Do you..." Xue shut his eyes in frustration, his ears were red as he rested his forehead on his palm. "Do you even know what a kiss means?"

"Love."

"...?!" Xue was flabbergasted, shooting his head up. "Yo-you heard that?"

"You said you love me."

"Yeah, I did–but that's not the point!" Xue ruffled his hair in exasperation, taking a step closer towards the Oracle. "What did that kiss mean to you?"

"Love."

"Not for me, for you!"

"...love."

Her firm response made Xue's brain fizzle out. He blurted out the next few words without thinking.

"You love me as well? Why? How?"

"I just do," the Oracle tilted her head, the smile still on her face as she reached up to undo her blindfold. "Do I need a reason to love someone?"

The sincerity was evident in her pellucid eyes.

For an inexplicable reason, Xue blushed.

"I'm concerned for you, Oracle," Xue stuttered, lowering his eyes as he hid his guilt. "It wasn't too long ago you learned about emotions, especially from me, my influence on you is–"

The Oracle tugged on his arm, placing his palm on her chest.

"...?!"

Xue was flustered, his hand twitching.

Wh-wh-what's happening? What is she–

Wh-what is happening right now?!

"I cannot be confident if the love for me is the same as mine, but..." she smiled lovingly, her eyes filled with affection. "Your existence in my heart is different from that of others, and no one else is like you."

"In the memories I have viewed, and the memories I have shared with everyone, you stand out more than anyone else."

Unknowingly, there was a hint of nervousness in the Oracle's voice.

"If this isn't love, I do not know what else it can be."

His flustered state immediately died down.

"I'm sorry, I...didn't mean to doubt you. I'm afraid. It seems like I'm taking advantage of you, Oracle."

"It's alright. Tano and Sevont would always talk about you, my long-time admirer, whenever you stepped away. You, of all people, will never hurt me, Xue."

"...those two bastards..."

"I have known what you have felt for me long ago, I only didn't know how to respond. Right now, I finally understand what I want."

"For being rulers of the three realms, they are such blabbermouths. Tch."

The Oracle gazed at his annoyed yet embarrassed expression.

She found it both endearing and amusing, and without thinking, she let out a short giggle.

"You are laughing at me?"

"I just realised how cute you are," the Oracle said, a wry smile on her lips. "I'm also wondering why you would continue to love me for what I've done."

Xue smirked, his hand on his chest moving down to wrap around her waist. "No matter what you say or do, my love will remain the same. From now on, I won't hold back anymore."

Unlike the light kiss from before, this time, the kiss was deep and passionate. It was to the point where the Oracle found herself drowning.

She never knew kisses were this intense, capable of sending shivers down her spine.

"I love you, Oracle."

***

The two of them made their way back to Tano and Sevont. Meanwhile, Tano and Sevont had been repairing the damages that the Oracle had caused, the repairs that she herself couldn't be able to do.

Snow continuously fell from the sky, covering the ground that was already stark white.

Tano and Sevont stared at the Oracle with an unfathomable look in their eyes. On the other hand, the Oracle could lower her eyes in guilt and shame.

There was nothing she could say or do to paint her in a good light.

She had done something abhorrent.

Unbeknownst to her, the two of them weren't staring at her for that reason. In fact, their gazes were fixed upon her swollen lips.

Their gazes then moved on to Xue's lips that were equally red and swelling.

Xue sensed their gaze and he blinked rapidly, looking away awkwardly as he cleared his throat.

"It's only first base."

"The first base indeed."

"Shut up!" Xue barked in embarrassment. "Isn't it enough that you rambled about me in front of her when I wasn't there?"

"Ah-ha, he found out~"

"Mhmm."

"I understand if it's Tano, but how could you do that to me, my Lord?"

"I was simply supporting you, Xue. How could you doubt your lord's sincerity?"

Xue was speechless at Sevont's shamelessness.

The Oracle furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, bringing her head up. "Why...why aren't you saying anything about me? What I have done, it's..."

It's beyond forgiveness.

Tano glanced at her, releasing a helpless sigh. "...I was angry at first, to the point where I wanted to kill you. After calming down, Oracle, I realised you were suffering all on your own. The blame doesn't only fall on you."

"If anything, we should be blamed for placing all the burden on you without checking on your condition," Sevont added. "We apologise for our ignorant actions, Oracle."

"You can tell us all about it now," Tano offered her his hand, a grin on his face. "What that old man did to you, said to you."

"What's gone is gone, we have to move on and not forget. Let us solve the future problems together, one step at a time." Sevont finished the sentiment both he and Tano held within them.

"Let's start from the beginning, Oracle. We promise to be here this time to help you."

"That's right. It is what we should do as your friends."

"..."

The Oracle bit on her lower lip, feeling overwhelmed by the emotions bursting out from her.

"...okay, and..."

Thank you.

Thank you...so much.

Xue stepped in, rubbing her back in a soothing manner.

***

Cecil shared her encounters with the Creator, as well as the truth behind those encounters. For the entire time, she had been quietly fighting back against the Creator.

During that time, she also experienced emotions for the first time. Alas, that was what led to her downfall as she made it easy for the Creator to manipulate her.

What should be her weapon and source of existence became a fatal flaw.

"It isn't a flaw!" Xue exclaimed, the rage was unbridled within his grey eyes. "Emotions are a part of life! There is nothing wrong with living!"

"You don't have to assume the full responsibility for this," Tano said, gesturing to the Oracle. "The one in the wrong here is the Creator."

The Oracle shook her head, her voice carrying a tinge of sadness. "Even so, I should have been truthful from the start."

"What did you exactly see that made you unstable, Oracle?" Sevont questioned in concern.

"..."

The Oracle remained silent for a moment before she brought her hands to her eyes. With one sweep, her blindfold came off.

"I'll share my memories," she offered them her hands, her voice solemn. "It's safer this way."

The three of them stepped forward, glancing at one another. Their expression reflected their unease, knowing that what they would see would be unpleasant.

"We should brace ourselves." Sevont advised.

Touching her hands, the Oracle's memories were shared in an instant.

"...!"

"...?!"

"..."

What they saw was a cruel fate awaiting the three realms.

A betrayer within the demon realm as they seized the throne of the Demon Lord. They were powerful beyond means.

A war between the angels and demons, since that was all that they could have done to survive against the demons.

The war extended to the mortal realm. Thus, all was lost.

The world was lost.

This was the reset that the Creator wanted. The reset to achieve balance.

Even if it was for the greater good of the world, and ensuring its survival for the thousands of years to come...

Was it right to sacrifice those who once lived in it?

That was the question that resonated within all of them.

"I won't let such a future happen," Sevont suddenly declared, his eyes gleaming with determination. "Whether it is for the greater good or not."

The three of them looked at Sevont, and the Demon Lord clicked his tongue at them. "I am not planning to sit here and wallow in misery just because our future has been set in place."

"What do you plan to do then?" Tano asked.

"Fight against it." Sevont answered as if it was an obvious statement. "My life is my own to control."

"You want to fight against that old man? You know he could simply wipe us out with a snap of his fingers." Tano sighed.

"What? Am I going to be fighting the Creator alone?" Sevont raised an eyebrow at them.

Tano smiled helplessly, letting out a chuckle.

Xue gave Sevont a salute and a nod, his mannerisms showing his respect for his lord. "I'll accompany you willingly, my lord."

Just then, the three of them turned to look at the Oracle. Amongst them, she was the most powerful and the most capable ally.

"What do you say, Oracle~?"

She didn't answer and gazed at them with her captivating eyes. The eyes which were crafted by the Creator's hands, it is essentially a piece of the universe itself.

"For the sake of my children, and the ones that I love..." she gave them a dazzling smile, the same smile she showed when she laughed for the first time. "I won't hold back."

Tano and Sevont gave her an approving nod. Even if they were still angry at her earlier actions, it wasn't her choice and the Creator took ahold of her.

This time, she was prepared.

She wouldn't let anything like that happen again.

She would save them at all costs.

"Besides, if I go out of control again," her smile became a smirk, and she showed them a cheeky wink. "I'll leave it up to the three of you to beat me up."

"Oh-ho, so the Oracle knows how to joke now!" Tano laughed. "I guess we didn't teach you emotions for hundreds of years for nothing!"

"Don't joke about something like that..." Sevont shook his head, sighing. "Even with the three of us, the best we can do is leave a scratch."

"..."

At that moment, the three of them realised Xue hadn't spoken a word this entire time. They looked at Xue, and they found him turning his head away with a hand covering his mouth partially.

"No, I–" Xue cleared his throat, noticing his eyes on him. There was an obvious blush on his face. "I just–ahem."

"Ah-ha." Tano grinned knowingly, his fingers rubbing at his chin. "It's the wink, isn't it?"

"I have to admit, this current Oracle is charming." Sevont praised.

The Oracle tilted her head in confusion.

***

Thus, the four of them spent their time wisely, hatching a plan to go against the Creator. The four of them sat around the desk in the Supreme God's office, their expressions grim.

First of all, they do not plan to involve any of their people in this war.

It would be a pointless sacrifice.

None of them would be able to stand up against the powers of the Creator. Moreover, the Oracle couldn't possibly protect them all.

"You are the one in the greatest danger, Sevont." Tano pointed out, furrowing his eyebrows. "The downfall of the three realms starts with your death."

"..." Sevont gave Tano a deadpan.

"Tano, you are indirectly cursing my lord." Xue said in disapproval.

"It's the truth." Tano shrugged helplessly.

Sevont didn't say a word and swept his hand across the large, empty desk. The desk was made out of wood, and wood that could not be obtained anywhere else other than the heavenly forest.

A collection of artefacts and equipment appeared out of thin air from Sevont's action, spilling across the wooden desk. Xue and Tano were taken aback, and the Oracle simply observed the objects with no change in her expression.

"My lord, these are...!" Xue stated, widening his eyes in recognition.

Tano grimaced, unimpressed as he picked out an object among the mess. "Wh-what is this trash?"

"It's a mirror."

"Why would you create a mirror as an artefact?!"

"It's a storage device."

"Who in their right mind would use a mirror as a storage device?" Tano frowned in confusion. "Wouldn't things come bursting out in their face as they stare into it?"

Sevont sniffled, rubbing his nose. "I thought it'd be interesting."

"You..." Tano sighed, placing his palm on his forehead. "Your creations always never go well."

Xue let out an awkward laugh, patting Sevont on the back. "At least, when it comes to the Supreme God, your naming sense is great."

Tano gave Xue a look.

"It's not trash."

Everyone turned to look at the Oracle as she snatched the mirror from Tano's hands.

"This mirror can be used as a storage device, but not for objects. It can be used to store memories, souls and even messages one wishes to share with whoever," the Oracle explained, tapping her forefinger on her chin. "Time and space does not matter inside the mirror, it has a dimension of its own."

"What?" Sevont blinked in surprise. "What kind of mirror is that?"

"You created it yourself, and you don't know anything about it~?" Tano scoffed.

"This wasn't what I imagined the mirror to be." Sevont shook his head.

"My lord, you created something incredible."

"If it is as you say, Oracle," Sevont spoke with a troubled expression. "Such an artefact cannot be freely utilised, it can be dangerous in the wrong hands."

Tano and Xue nodded in agreement.

"I cannot deny that," the Oracle nodded along, observing the mirror with interest. "An artefact like this is capable of many wonderful things."

"..."

Sevont pondered before gesturing towards the Oracle, a tiny smile lining his lips. "I'll leave it in your hands, Oracle."

The Oracle looked at Sevont in bewilderment. "Why would you do that?"

"I have no use for it, and you were the one who discovered its capabilities," Sevont stated, still smiling. "You are the only person I would approve of using it."

"Thank you, Sevont. For placing your trust in me."

Even though there was a chance she might lose control, Sevont still decided to trust in her.

"You don't have to thank me," Sevont smiled, looking at the Xue and Tano. "The two of them would have done the same, but for now, let's focus on stopping the Creator."

The three of them began their discussion, and examined the objects on the desk more closely. At this point, as long as there was hope, anything could be used as a weapon against the Creator.

All for the sake of preventing the tragic future.

On the other hand, the Oracle smiled sadly to herself and hugged the mirror tightly. Even right at this moment, she could feel the Creator's eyes on her, watching all of them.

Just as they were changing their future, the Creator was changing along with them.

The Oracle knew there was no hope as the Creator would be ten steps ahead. Despite that, she couldn't bear to destroy their hope.

Don't worry, I'll make good use of this mirror.

She knew just what she had to do.

***

Pt. 1

《 start 》

How can...

How can someone be so cute and sexy at the same time?

No, no–

Let's control myself a little.

《 stop 》

***

Pt. 2

《 start 》

If there is nothing that can be changed.

I will bring about that change.

Therefore...

I hope none of you blame yourself for what is about to come.

《 stop 》