A Small Journey to Remember

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗹.

Not many knew what it truly was. No one knew when it first appeared, nor whom created it, but it was always there.

The past, present, and future; it shall always stand there, its faint light shining onto wherever it touches. The trees, the leaves, the shadows, the darkness-everywhere.

It was the center of this realm. The center of all the memories and dreams-remnants of the real world.

Below the tall, gray-black spire, a gray-haired woman stood. In comparison, the woman really was like a bug compared to a human. One was very small, and the other enormously large and tall.

It was a structure that made all who see it feel small and unimportant.

Powerless.

Anyone else other than the gray-haired woman, for she was thinking of something else.

'I can't see through it,' she thought.

The architecture wasn't anything remotely familiar to her memories. Foreign, yet old. It bespoke the long years and history, from the grooves and curves set in the stone, to the detailed stonework.

Her eyes and 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵 cannot see through it.

So that means…

"..."

While she was observing the spire-no, 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗹, something on her hair moved. At the beginning of her long ponytail, her hairband to be precise, something that could be mistaken as an accessory moved.

It was a blue butterfly.

Fluttering its small wings, it flew off from the gray-haired woman, and up to the front of 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗹.

Suddenly, 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗹 shook. As the gray-haired woman watched, taking a step back, a small hole opened. From it, a small ball of light came from it.

A ball of light that exuded and encased an amount of mystery and strange energy that made her scared.

A ball of light that once again, her 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵 and sight cannot discern.

She tightened her grip on her staff.

The ball of light slowly floated up to the front of the gray-haired woman.

As she watched it, a feeling brushed her mind. Like a feather tickling the top of her hand. It was her bonded companion, asking her to touch it.

She looked at the butterfly.

The butterfly fluttered in front of her, and she felt the butterfly looking back at her. As if he was asking her.

As if her grandfather was asking her.

Even now, she could see his forced, uncomfortable, yet sincerely warm eyes and smile.

The gray-haired woman couldn't help but smile as she reached for the light. As she touched it, it abruptly disappeared in a flash of light.

As it disappeared, the top of her left hand suddenly began burning.

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𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭: ???

𝘛𝘢𝘴𝘬: Go to 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗹.

You're finally healed.

Your transformation, finished.

Your conflicted heart and mind, merged.

The quest has been completed; the task is deemed finished. The dreams and illusions of the trial shall vanish, becoming memories of the past once more.

Now, make your way towards 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗹 to be given the embrace.

To be the first to be given grace once more.

To be the first to open the doors for others to follow your path.

Status: [𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐝]

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The doors have opened. Now, all are given the opportunity to be given power.

To be given a chance to repent. To be given a chance to be redeemed.

To be given a chance to live.

As your final quest has been completed, you are given a reward. A reward for those who withstood the trial. A reward for those about to be blessed.

A reward for the 𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘥.

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You are given the 𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 (𝘐𝘯𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘰𝘳)

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You are given the 𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 (𝘛𝘦𝘹𝘵𝘰𝘳)

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…error.

Error.

Interference from ???

Interference from #ev#### C###m###

…

𝗘𝗿𝗿𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗱.

…

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You are given the 𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲 (𝘈𝘳𝘣𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘳)

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You are given a title.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗘𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗱

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As several transparent screens and words flew past her face, she quickly took off the muddy, blood-stained black glove.

Looking at the top of her pale hand, she found the murky black mark. Like the non fully erased pencil marks, it was once blurry. Now, the mark on the top of her left hand began changing.

It began to become clearer, less murky, less blurry.

From it, she saw it becoming three separate, strange symbols.

Three separate 𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦.

Emblems that she cannot truly discern, for they are alien and foreign. Nevertheless, her knowledge, 𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵, eyes, and memory saw many possibilities.

From the top of her hand to the bottom, in a column, words and numbers appeared before her eyes like the transparent status screen.

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𝘐𝘯𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘰𝘳 (Black)

Status: Unawakened

0/100

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𝘛𝘦𝘹𝘵𝘰𝘳 (Black)

Status: Unawakened

0/50

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𝘈𝘳𝘣𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘳 (Black)

Status: Unawakened

0/1000

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While the gray-haired woman continued observing the new 𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦 on the top of her left hand, the light on the spire truly shined for the first time.

Her eyes were forced to draw away from her hand as she looked up. Its previous faint, dim light was no more.

A memory; a remnant of a dream.

Instead, just like the sun, its intensified bright light blinded her eyes, yet warmed all those who were touched by it in the realm.

And with it, a great change occurred as sounds of ringing bells echoed into their ears,

𝘋𝘪𝘯𝘨-!

𝘋𝘰𝘯𝘨-!

𝘋𝘪𝘯𝘨-!

𝘋𝘰𝘯𝘨-!

…

It was dawn, early morning.

The dark world began becoming lighter, its skies brightening up even if it was dim. Many were still sleeping, many were up, and many were starving.

As they were all going about their business, suddenly, the world in their eyes changed once more.

𝘋𝘪𝘯𝘨-!

𝘋𝘰𝘯𝘨-!

𝘋𝘪𝘯𝘨-!

𝘋𝘰𝘯𝘨-!

The bells rang, and its echoes echoed throughout the world.

𝘋𝘪𝘯𝘨-!

𝘋𝘰𝘯𝘨-!

𝘋𝘪𝘯𝘨-!

𝘋𝘰𝘯𝘨-!

All inhabitants of the world looked around in wonder at the sound. It was loud, yet not too loud. Loud enough for some to be startled, and not loud enough for some to panic.

As they looked around in an almost frantic manner, something drifted into their ears.

"Holy, Holy, Holy."

Conflict. War. Hunger.

In the world, whatever was happening, stopped.

They all halted.

For they had heard these words in their ears along with the loud ringing bells.

The humanoid monsters; tall, lanky, and wear crimson flames that strangely leaks malice, paused as well.

All of them, man or animal, monster or other; they all looked to the sky.

Those who were underground went outside; those who were in homes looked out the window; those who were already outside looked up.

All of them, man or animal, monster or other; they all looked to the sky.

And from it, a sign. A message, for those who cried. For those who wanted answers.

For those who wanted to know why this was happening.

The clouds up above; gray, dark, and cold, parted ways. From it, a ray of sunlight shines its light into the world.

Dazzling, gleaming, and most of all, 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘮.

It was the first in what felt to be a long, long time, for those who are devastated and cold; for those who are frozen in terror and frostbite, the light truly was a godsend.

All who saw it; all who heard the chorus-those who were covered in meager rags and blankets immediately felt fine, even if it was just for a moment.

Then, from the ray of sunlight, four winged beings descended. Many who saw them covered their eyes. Many who saw them turned away. Many who saw them looked at them with a fervor unlike any other.

With white wings as pure as a blank paper, and with many eyes almost as uncountable as the leaves on a bush, they descended from the ray of yellow-white light.

One, an ox. One, an eagle. One, a lion. And last of all, one, a human.

Separate, yet strangely together, the four all exuded a natural brilliance of light-an orange yellow glow, like a flame.

No one really knows if they are connected or not, for a pair of wings covered their body.

But even after all this-even after all they've been through, they knew it for what it was.

White wings on beings other than birds were synonymous with one thing.

""An angel,"" many whispered.

Many raised their hands to it. Many fell onto their knees, putting the palm of their hands together and bowed, and many-oh so many, looked at it with terrible hatred.

"Holy, Holy, Holy," they said, in a harmonious, yet deep chorus as the opened white wings flapped.

"The Lord God Almighty has blessed you all with a gift. An embrace, warm and comforting, for all to cover themselves when they seek warmth."

"At the age of twelve, when the sun truly sets, when the midnight bell strikes, a trial shall descend into all dreams to be given a chance for the embrace."

"In this world, man have as many flaws as there are as many as the stars in the sky."

"If one fails to complete the trial, then it is decided that the one who failed is neither redeemable nor worthy, and shall meet their inevitable end."

"Once, long ago, we descended, and we gave you all the seven seals in preparation to withstand the first judgement."

"The second time we descended, the horns of the trumpets foretelling of the calamities were blown, announcing their arrival for the second judgement."

"And now, in the present, this is the third, and last of the judgement the Lord has ordained for all."

"The seven bowls had descended, and a new catastrophe had begun. A trial, for those who have sinned. A trial, for those who wish to be redeemed."

"Now, the first bowl shall be poured, and those who sinned shall feel pain."

As the words were spoken, a winged human appeared a bit from behind them.

From the ray of sunlight, a bit behind, a human in white robes and white wings appeared. An angel. Around it, a fiery orange glow radiated off it as it stayed still airborne. In its hands carried a beautiful vial.

A vial made of gold and many other mysteries.

The winged human poured the vial, and its contents spilled forth. From such a small vial, a river of crimson liquid poured onto the ground. The moment it did, it melted into the snow, revealing no trace of it.

Then, with the flap of its wings, the angel flew back into the ray of sunlight, disappearing.

"The first bowl has been poured, and soon the next six shall come," the four winged beings said in a sonorous chorus. "As these bowls continue to spill out its contents, all must withstand its judgement."

"All must withstand the trial, so that the sinned can be forgiven."

"Prepare yourselves, oh sinful ones…"

"Prepare yourselves, oh innocent children..."

"Prepare yourselves, all ye faithful…"

"Prepare yourselves…"

The ox, eagle, lion, and man slowly faded away, dissipating into particles of light as the ray of sunlight slowly closed, and the gray-dark foreboding clouds returned, covering its light.

From that moment on, it was known to be a momentous day; an infamous day that all will remember.

…

𝘋𝘪𝘯𝘨-!

𝘋𝘰𝘯𝘨-!

𝘋𝘪𝘯𝘨-!

𝘋𝘰𝘯𝘨-!

The cathedral suddenly lightened up. The cold stone carvings, the shadows, the statue-they all changed as a warm, white-yellow glow shone onto the left side of the cathedral through the stained glass windows, lightening the once dark and silent cathedral.

It was as if it was daytime; a normal day where people can attend mass.

Along with the light, the bells continue ringing, echoing loudly in the hall.

𝘋𝘪𝘯𝘨-!

𝘋𝘰𝘯𝘨-!

𝘋𝘪𝘯𝘨-!

𝘋𝘰𝘯𝘨-!

A soft chorus, along with the sound of an organ and various instruments accompanied the sounds of the ringing bell.

'It wasn't suffocating like last time,' Jonah thought as he crawled from under a pew.

The earthquake stopped, the dust and rubble falling silent as everyone in the once stone-cold large cathedral was infused with the warmth of the light.

He instinctively relaxed as he basked in the harmony and beauty of the music, as well as the warmth from the holy light. Even Erebus felt it, for the swordsman boy looked to be smiling sincerely as he crawled out from under his pew.

Jonah almost joined him in truly basking in the light and music.

Almost.

For there is one exception.

The Rector suddenly leaned forward, his left hand grabbing the wall. Shaking, the Rector trembled and scratched everywhere, and his right hand placed onto his chest.

However, even as the cloaked figure was trembling, the Rector kept looking out the window. Looking out as the bright light on a distant spire, its light shining onto everything.

Even the shadows.

"…so the Lord is watching over us," the Rector muttered.

As the cloaked figure fell onto the stone ground, writhing, a white-haired boy watched in silence.

Even as his body was slowly dissipating, and his vision was becoming blurry, his eyes never left the Rector.

…

𝘋𝘪𝘯𝘨-!

𝘋𝘰𝘯𝘨-!

𝘋𝘪𝘯𝘨-!

𝘋𝘰𝘯𝘨-!

As the bells rang in the dark early dawn, a figure wearing a strange, large gray warm hat and strange clothes that were unfit for the cold walked out of an old house. A wooden staff in the figure's left hand, surrounded by the forest, the figure looked up.

"So, it has begun…" the figure said.

Then, the figure smiled in a dumb, clueless manner as the figure began scratching the back of the head.

"It's about time they wake up. Hehehehe…I wonder if they know what's happening?"

…

In the ocean, on a cold morning. Every gust of wind carried the cold and smell of the salty obvious ocean waters. The skies, like always, were always covered by the gray clouds.

Amidst its waters, a small objected appeared, rocking slowly in the snow.

It was a small sail boat; nothing noteworthy of it besides sailing in the cold.

A yawn came from it, and something moved. From under the blanket, something moved inside it.

Then, it fell away, revealing a person. Sitting against the mast, a dark brown-haired boy stretched his arms wide.

Wearing a dark fur coat, he covered his mouth as another yawn forced its way out. Then, he sighed, a white mist escaping his mouth.

"What a strange dream that was," the boy quietly said.

Rubbing his eyes, he looked at his left hand, covered by a black glove. Looking at it, he took it off.

On his ring finger was a simple metal ring.

Heaving a sigh, he put his glove back on his left hand. Then, he started looking around. Thankfully, all his belongings, including his sword, scabbard, and bag were still there, as well as his trusty fishing rod.

Crawling to the bag first, he reached his hands in there, sifting through his belongings. A brief moment later, he took out a compass and a map.

Unfurling the map, the person placed his scabbard on one end, and a random item at the other.

Sitting back, he began biting his thumb as he looked over it.

"If there's snow out here in the ocean, then if I am right, it looks like I'm getting closer..." he muttered, rubbing his chin as he took a look around him.

Everywhere he saw, boats of various sizes drifted to and fro, along with litter and boxes passing by him.

He was close to civilization once more.

The person had brought along a GPS, radio, and a phone, but due to the sudden apocalypse, he had never been able to get back online.

Even his radio hasn't been able to pick up anything but electrical crackles and other nonsense.

Useless.

He could only sadly play games that doesn't use wifi. Are there even good mobile games that doesn't use wifi?

Bringing a deck of cards also doesn't help. He's not insane yet to play against himself.

At least that's what he thought.

"Did something happen to the submarine ocean-crossing cables...? Or is the terminal that connects them has been damaged? Just a bunch of snow or a few stray rocks can't really impact all the wifi in the world, right?" the person continued muttering, clicking his tongue.

Luckily, with his big brain, the person also brought along a compass and a map in case of situations like this.

"Now, let's see what these Apostle's really are," he said, and a growing smile curved along with his closed eyes.

"I wonder if you're there too, Jonah."

...

In an old home, a girl slowly opened her eyes.

Patting herself and her surroundings, she breathed in a breath of fresh air..

She was on her bed in her room. The cold air, strangely foreign, was yet strangely familiar.

The girl found herself in her normal clothes. Her original, normal body. The body of a simple, thirteen year old girl.

No dress, no gloves, no long gray hair-nothing that was related to her previous form.

Nothing.

'Oh,' the girl suddenly thought.

Other than the staff and…

She looked at the top of her left hand, and she found three black small 𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦 on it. As small as a letter on a keyboard, they looked like tattoos.

Dropping her hand, she looked up at the familiar ceiling. It felt as if it had been so long since she had seen it.

While the girl looked up at it, memories came up to her unconsciously.

'Abi…Abilene…'

In the dream, she felt so alive. So broken. So chained.

And so free.

Suddenly, a rustling noise came from the right. Turning her head, Anna saw a familiar blue butterfly.

Amor fluttered around his small home.

Seeing the butterfly freely flying about, Anna smiled.

Then, sitting up, she twisted her body so that her legs dangled over the bed. Jumping off it, she felt her feet landing on the cold, wooden floorboard.

It felt strangely refreshing.

As she was about to stand up, her foot thumped into something.

"Huh?"

Scrunching her eyebrows, Anna looked down at the floor, and she saw a bag.

A familiar, brown leather bag.

The girl's hands trembled as she slowly knelt down before it. As she looked at it, she tentatively reached for the bag.

'Please be real,' she thought.

She prayed to her grandpa.

As she touched the bag, she shivered. It was just like when...

"..."

Then, her hand slid to the opening of the bag. Taking a deep breath, Anna slowly opened the bag.

Inside, she saw a familiar book, a small note, and a doll.

As Anna stared at it, her vision for some reason became blurry. Touching her face, she felt tears falling from her eyes.

Suddenly, tears began gushing down, like a stream of water.

While the tears fell, Anna laughed.

She laughed happily, for what seems to be a long, long time.

"Hahahaha, hahahaha-! Hahaha…I'm crying? Now of all places?"

As Anna said that, she headed to the bathroom and started washing her face; cleaning herself.

Later, after a few minutes, Anna came out of the bathroom. Looking at the bag, she pushed it under the bed.

Another thought for another time.

Taking in a deep breath, she then opened the door. As she did, voices echoed down the short hall.

"So...in the span of one night, you woke up in a strange, barren land, fought the Apostle, revived multiple times, woke up in another place for many hours than you have slept, met a strange person, got blown up in a shockwave, met a talking squirrel, met this 'Rector' inside a very large cathedral, and fought a knight? Then strange bells rang and the cathedral became warm and bright?" a voice said in a strange tone.

"...yes...?" responded another voice in a slightly embarrassed voice.

"...that's some dream.." the first voice said in wonderment.

"It really is, isn't it? Yet I felt as if I've grown, even during the eight to nine hours of sleeping here. I even got proof. I mean, look at this spear? You think I just conjured this out of thin air?"

"Huh. Yeah, I guess you're right."

Anna walked out, and saw a blonde haired girl and a white haired boy talking. A small, white-haired girl was sitting with the white-haired boy, playing around.

Besides the white-haired boy, on the mat, she saw a strange, long spear. A spear that she had never seen with Jonah before.

As Anna entered the living room, everyone's eyes turned towards her.

"Good morning, Anna! A fine, 𝘯𝘦𝘸 day it is, no?" the blonde haired girl said brightly.

"Good morning!" the small white-haired girl said.

"...good morning," the white-haired boy said, nodding.

Anna nodded her head at them. It felt as if something had changed, but Anna didn't care.

She had also changed to.

As she began walking over to them, Avalow's face turned flat. Uncharacteristically flat and empty.

And the entire room froze.

Chaya looked around, confused, while Jonah slowly turned his eyes towards Avalow. For some reason, his eyes looked…empty.

His hand on the makeshift spear by his side tightened its grip.

"What about you?" Avalow asked, and her eyes stared into Anna's.

"Me?" Anna said, nonplussed.

"Did you have a dream?"

"...well, I've met an old friend, and although short, I saw many other fascinating things," she responded.

"Was it fun?" Avalow suddenly asked.

"...fun?" Anna asked, and she blinked.

It was a strange word on her tongue. She understood the word, yes, but hearing and saying it was really strange. Foreign and alien the word was at this time.

"Yeah, that's what matters, right? The journey and the memories?" Avalow said, and she gave a big smile, the two ends of her mouth curving up.

Chaya suddenly laughed, and Jonah smiled softly, and his grip on his staff loosening.

Avalow's smile was dumb and clueless las usual, but this time it was really bright.

Bright and hopeful.

At her smile, Anna felt something. Now, it didn't feel as if she was just living another day for the sake of it. She was living another day to live for a hope.

A hopeful future.

"...no, it wasn't fun," Anna said, and then she smiled brightly.

Avalow laughed embarrassingly, scratching the back of her head with her left hand.

Her right hand's grip on the wooden staff below the table loosened.

…

…

In the dark woods, surrounded by the gusts of wind and fallen leaves, a girl knelt on the ground.

A young girl of the age twelve.

Kneeling on the hardened dirt floor, filled with dead branches and leaves.

Even as the wind howled louder and louder, she still knelt, her two hands clasped together in what seems to be prayer.

Even when dead leaves continued to poke her, her eyes remained closed.

Then, it all stopped. The winds died, the dead leaves fell onto the ground, and a branch cracked.

𝘊𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘬!

But the girl did not look up as she continued praying.

A moment of silence passed...and a voice spoke.

"How have you been, my child," said a voice, in a deep brassy tone. Each word vibrated in the air, and it rang in the girl's ear.

It whispered into her ears, almost tempting her to open her eyes.

"I am not your child, monster," the girl simply said. Even as she kneeled, even as a voice whispered in her ear, her eyes remained closed.

A moment passed, and there was only silence. The voice became quiet, and the girl continued to kneel, praying. Then, there came a long sigh; an exhale of exhaustion.

"That is rather rude. I am, after all, one of the 𝘍𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘍𝘰𝘭𝘬. You dare sully our name?" it asked.

"No," the girl shook her head firmly.

"Hmm?"

"Your name was sullied a long, long time ago, so it doesn't matter. Even then, stop trying to fool me you monster! You're not one of the 𝘍𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘍𝘰𝘭𝘬. You're nothing like 𝘏𝘦𝘳 𝘔𝘢𝘫𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘺!"

Each second, her voice rose and rose, until she was yelling at the top of her lungs.

"You're no 𝘧𝘢𝘦, you foul, duplicitous monster! Y-y-you-you foul 𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯!"

Only the sounds of the girl breathing heavily was heard within the silence. The voice in the shadows only watched as the girl breathed heavily.

Time passed, and as the girl's breathing calmed down, it spoke.

"That is where you are wrong. I am one of the 𝘍𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘍𝘰𝘭𝘬. The name doesn't include just fairies, but also other creatures belonging to the same group. By the way, to correct you earlier, it is not 𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯. It is 𝘥𝘢𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯. Child, do remember that."

Then, once again, silence inhabited the forest. The girl remained kneeling, with her eyes closed, while the voice kept quiet. It seemed to ponder about something.

After an entire minute, it spoke.

"Actually, now that I think about it, the term 𝘥𝘢𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯 and 𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯 almost sounds the same. 𝘒𝘶𝘩𝘶𝘮, you know what? I'll forgive you. Water under the bridge, or so they say. After all, a lot of people do get it wrong, even if it annoys me. So-"

"No."

The voice paused.

"...what did you just say?"

"No, I know you're a demon, 𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯."

The girl looked up, and she saw something in the distance, far ahead of her. In between the trees, in the shadows, in the dark forest, 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 watched her from a distance.

A mysterious being, cloaked in darkness.

A shadow.

She could see its eyes, watching her. Watching every blink she did, every breath, every movement.

No matter how far it was, no matter the distance, somehow, just somehow, the shadow's voice reached her, as if he was simply talking next to her.

The girl never looked away from it, even as it stared at her. She stared back at it, her eyes never blinking.

Of course she needed to blink, but still she attempted to keep them open, straining her eyes. Seconds passed, and as the girl's eyes began twitching, the shadow moved.

Moving what seems to be its head back, it-

"Ha. Hahahaha. 𝘏𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘩𝘢. 𝗛𝗔𝗛𝗔𝗛𝗔𝗛𝗔𝗛𝗔-𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩. My god, can't I simply, just for once, laugh in peace-𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩-!"

The voice in the darkness laughed, his amusement, hilarity, mirth-they were all instilled in his humorous laughter.

Along with disappointment, its laugh ended with coughs.

Yet, amidst all of this, the child remained kneeling, even as she watched the being in the darkness laugh.

She felt as if it was mocking laughter. Which is no doubt what it was doing.

Mocking her.

But her eyes remained on that figure; that darker shadow amongst the dark forest. If her eyes left it, even for a moment, it would no doubt disappear into the darkness.

"My apologies. 𝘒𝘶𝘩𝘶𝘮...anyways, as always, you amuse me, child. After meeting 𝘩𝘦𝘳, you think you know what they all are? What the 𝘍𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘍𝘰𝘭𝘬 are? What they 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘺, really are?" the voice said, with the tiniest bit of mirth.

"Oh you poor, sweet summer child. You've never seen a true fa-my apologies, 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳, haven't you?"

The girl watched the shadow quietly as it shook its head in what seemed to be disappointment.

"Alas, you already knew they're inherently true 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴. The stories you overheard from the books, the old fogies in your village-they're almost all true. In fact, they're even worse than 𝘥𝘢𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴. And they're 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 worse than demons. Even I would-nevermind that. The best way to say it is...if I were to meet them, they would be living 'rent-free' in my head. I think that's how they say it these days..."

"?"

"Anyways, hahaha! You even gave me a compliment earlier, saying I'm a demon instead of acknowledging me as one of the 𝘍𝘢𝘪𝘳 𝘍𝘰𝘭𝘬. Giving you my gratitude is a must I suppose."

It tilted its head then. However, it didn't simply tilt its head to the side.

It twisted its head from the top to the bottom. In a complete 180 degrees, its head tilted.

The sound of cracking and crunching bones rang out, and the girl felt her heartbeat quicken..

"In some way, shape or form, that tiny thought brewed in your head. That the 𝘧𝘢𝘦 are just monsters only interested in what is interesting to them. Interested in what tickles their pickle, if you know what I'm saying. Interested in what is defined as 'fun.' After all, when you first met her, you noticed that she was a 𝘧𝘢𝘦, and that was why you were scared."

The child was silent.

"So, even now, do you truly think she's not that scary? You're still naive, my child. That witch is the scariest of them all! You have no idea the horrors she had brought upon the world. The fairy tales-pun intended-that would scare children in the dead of night, they were all her. Mostly. Probably. Maybe."

The voice faltered near the end. Eventually, it became silent, even as the girl only watched it. After a moment, it coughed.

"Actually, I don't know much. Hahahaha, my apologies, I jest, I jest. Honestly, it was partially, but you get it, right? You haven't seen her true nature because she is lost. For some strange reason. Alas, if she remembers...hehehehe...hahahaha...𝘩𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘩𝘢...𝗛𝗔𝗛𝗔𝗛𝗔𝗛𝗔𝗛𝗔-𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩! Really?!"

The voice almost screamed into the air.

"Alright, now it is confirmed. I know for sure that someone is cursing me! Where are you, you coward? Show your face, and I'll cut that tongue!"

"..."

The child didn't find it humorous, for she only watched silently as the voice fell silent. A moment passed, and with seemingly no one answering it, the voice sighed.

"Anyways, I don't dare to think the amount of terror she would wrought unto this world if she 'wakes' up.

Then, came a long laughter.

A laughter that echoed throughout the forest; a laughter where multiple people were laughing along with it as well. It was neither loud or small, nor either deep or shallow. It was a simple laugh. A laughter of excitement.

A laughter waiting for someone to see the truth, and fall into despair.

"Ha. Hahahaha. 𝘏𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘩𝘢. 𝗛𝗔𝗛𝗔𝗛𝗔𝗛𝗔𝗛𝗔-𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩."

"..."

"...I don't care anymore," the voice said, its tone disheartening. Then, it spoke up in a jovial tone.

"Moving on. My child, you'll be in a world of nightmares if you let it happen-"

"I still believe in her. I believe she is good. That she is kind," the child said determinedly.

The world around them suddenly froze. Suddenly, a gust of cold wind blew through her, ruffling her clothes and hair.

As she coughed, a voice whispered in her ear.

She looked up, and she froze. She froze in terror. She froze in fright. She froze, because what she saw was a terrible monster.

A monster from her dreams.

Her nightmares.

It was a lamb standing there. Although it didn't step into the dim light and blended into the darkness, she could see the seven horns on its head.

The glint in its seven, pitch black eyes.

Eyes that showed true insanity and horror.

"You fool, you still think you know her? The 𝘩𝘦𝘳 from before?" the voice said.

"She is distant. Emotionless. 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘥. 𝗨𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲."

"..."

The girl's eyes looked at the goat in the shadows. All she could see were those black, beady eyes.

Eyes that looked into her soul.

And she stared back at it.

"You mean I should believe you?"

The lamb looked stumped, because it blinked and fell silent.

"Did you not call yourself a…𝘥𝘢𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯?" the child pushed.

A long while passed. As the girl stared at the seven-horned and eyed lamb, it suddenly chuckled.

"...I'll admit, that was a good one. As always, you surprise me, my child."

"Why would you care?" the child said. It felt as if she was loaded with a boatload of confidence. "I'm just a normal child, right?"

"...once again, you got me in a stump. Is that some sort of joke? If it is, I didn't know you were one for jokes, my child."

"You still deny it? You foul monster, you..you...!"

"Say it," the lamb whispered, and the air suddenly felt cold. "Say my name. 𝘚𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘵. 𝗦𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘁."

The wind howled loudly, and the girl trembling increased as the seven-horned lamb's eyes began glowing a sinister black, yet dark crimson glow.

"You 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗜-no. No, no, no. Sorry, my apologies. I was...nevermind that."

The wind stopped, and the lamb stepped back into the darkness, becoming a shadow.

"Anyways, you call me a monster? Look at yourself, and remember what you did. Also...you did, after all, signed the contract, the 𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘵, with me, yes?"

The child then looked crestfallen, looking down on the ground. The voice in the shadow started talking happily.

"Have you seen what you've done? Seen what you did? And you call 𝗺𝗲 a monster? Look at yourself, child."

"..."

"We can fix this," it suddenly insisted in a soft, warm, comforting tone. "It is never too late. It is 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 too late. Follow me, and we can start over once again. Just like the many times we've done this-"

"No."

"Restart the cycle," it whispered, this time much louder. "Do it. 𝘋𝘰 𝘪𝘵. 𝗗𝗼 𝗶𝘁."

The voice constantly whispered in her ear, its tone growing louder and louder. It eventually turned to incomprehensible growling, and the girl shuddered.

Her hands clasping together turned even more white and sweaty.

"If you don't restart it in time, you'll be sacrificed by those...demons!" it growled. "Hahahaha, humans are much more of a monster than even ordinary monsters."

The girl looked outside, and the clouds in the sky looked to be grayer. Even the light on top of the spire somehow became dimmer than before.

Her clasped hands tightened even more.

"I made my choice," the child said, putting all of her determination into her voice.

The growing whispers stopped, and the girl felt her heartbeat thump as the cold intensified. Every second she waited, her heartbeat increased. Sweat flowed down from her back, head, and neck like streams of water, and her breathing quickened.

Just when she felt her head was about to explode, the voice suddenly talked.

"So be it. Do not regret it when the time comes. Even after all of this, I do care for you, really. Goodbye my child. I hope your ending is at least bittersweet."

The voice faded away, its shadow disappearing in the darkness, and the cold wind flew away.

As the voice was fading away, the child heard something-

"That dam, duckin' butterfly-no, calm down. Calm down me. You have all the time in the world...anyways…Lololololo-! Going to end the world! Lalalala-!"

As its uncomfortably jovial voice completely faded, the kneeling girl suddenly collapsed onto the ground. Breathing heavily, her face looked up to the sky.

As she looked at the gray clouds she had seen so many times, Abi smiled.

"Anna...thank you for coming. I can finally give you my present…"