The Grand Design

In the vast, empty void, both Mei and Ryo felt enclosed, as if the infinite expanse was suffocating them. Yet, they couldn't discern any edges or boundaries, no horizon to anchor their perception. The endless void seemed to warp their sense of reality, making them question what lay beyond the reaches of their sight. Aetherion hovered before them, his grin a jarring contrast to the desolate landscape. His eyes sparkled with an otherworldly intensity as he began to brief them on their situation.

"While you're here, you'll prioritize honing your Scenarios, strengthening your resolve, and sharpening your survival instincts," he said, his voice dripping with an air of superiority. "Become more cunning, more quick-witted. The pages you'll navigate will test everything you've learned. The fruits of your turmoil will be put to the ultimate test."

Mei and Ryo absorbed the void, their gazes drifting aimlessly as they struggled to comprehend their surroundings. As they listened to Aetherion's words, they pondered the meaning behind his cryptic warning. Ryo's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with the implications. Mei's expression remained stoic, but her eyes betrayed a flicker of curiosity.

Ryo spoke up first, his voice laced with irritation. "I get what you're trying to say, and although it grates on me, I understand. But you didn't bring us to this...place, God knows where, just to give us a pep talk."

Aetherion's grin faltered, replaced by a wry smile that seemed to hint at darker intentions. "You might not have caught on, but there's a reason I summoned you before the appropriate date—"

Mei cut him off with an assertive stare. "You wanted us to get accustomed to the world beforehand, right?"

Aetherion's gaze locked onto hers, his eyes gleaming with interest. "That's not all of it, but that's the most important reason...for now." Ryo's anxiety spiked as Aetherion's words trailed off, leaving an unsettling sense of foreboding. He gulped, his eyes darting between Aetherion and Mei, wondering what other secrets lay hidden beneath the surface.

Aetherion's gaze drifted away, his voice taking on a detached tone. "Once you head back, you'll be briefed on the large-scale Collective page you'll embark on in about five months. You, along with the other Lilies in my brother's chapters, will be part of a much larger narrative. But that's beside the point for now."

Ryo's curiosity got the better of him. "Hold up, if you're here now and your fellow Messengers summoned us, what about other scenarios? Are you running multiple shows at once?"

Aetherion's smirk hinted at a deeper amusement. "You could say that. Our minds operate on a different wavelength. We can be in multiple places at once, with our memories and consciousness linked across each presence. I'm talking to Tsukiko, Hitomi, and your other companions as we speak."

Ryo's eyes widened. "That's like...being omnipresent, right?"

Aetherion chuckled. "Close, but not quite. Think of it like a mental multiplexing. We can focus on multiple places simultaneously, but it's not without its limits. We conserve our energy, prioritize our efforts."

Mei nodded thoughtfully. "I see. So, it's a matter of mental bandwidth."

Ryo gestured, still trying to wrap his head around the concept. "Yeah, got it. You're like...mental jugglers."

Aetherion's smile grew, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I like the analogy."

Aetherion's hands clapped together, the sound echoing through the void. "Let's refocus. Your survival in this world depends on your ability to adapt and learn. Study the world, its monsters, its flora, its languages. Knowledge is power, and in this case, it's the difference between life and death."

Ryo raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "You expect us to become experts in a world we barely understand?"

Aetherion's grin was predatory, his eyes glinting with amusement. "I'm not asking for expertise, just...familiarity. And more importantly, connections. Building relationships with others will be crucial in the coming challenge. Your characters may not lend themselves to easy alliances, but I trust you still want to survive."

Mei's voice was detached, her eyes narrowed. "Survival is one thing, but what's the real purpose behind your interest in our survival?"

Aetherion's demeanor shifted, his smile growing wider, his eyes colder. "Oh, I'm not doing this out of the goodness of my heart. I'm keeping you alive because you have a role to play in our little script. Our master has written a story for you, and I'm merely ensuring you stay on stage long enough to fulfill your parts."

Ryo's expression darkened, his voice laced with resentment. "So, we really are just pawns in your game."

Aetherion's laughter was low and menacing. "Pawns? Ah, no. You're more like...expendable protagonists. Your collective strengths are what will keep you alive, not your individual prowess. I've watched you struggle, I've seen you rely on each other to survive. Don't think for a moment that you can do it alone."

Ryo's mind wandered, his thoughts consumed by the implications of Aetherion's words. The promise of a wish granted by the Grand Narrator had driven them this far, but Aetherion's hints suggested there was more to it. How many pages would it take to satiate the Narrator's hunger? Was there a hidden purpose behind the constant huntings of Kardiabeasts? The mention of other chapters and Aetherion's brothers only added to the mystery.

Ryo's eyes narrowed, his gaze drifting into the void as he pondered the possibilities. Perhaps Aetherion and the Grand Narrator had a more intricate plan in store for them, one that went beyond mere entertainment. The thought sparked his curiosity.

Just as Ryo was about to voice his concerns, Aetherion's voice cut through the silence. "Oh? My, my, you are quite interesting, more so than I already thought. Well, I think I get what you're thinking about, but no worries, it won't be long till your questions are answered."

Ryo's expression remained neutral, but his eyes flashed with curiosity. Mei, on the other hand, showed no visible reaction, her gaze fixed on Aetherion with an air of detachment.

Mei's voice cut through the silence, her question sharp as a blade. "Is that really all? Nothing else?" Her gaze pierced Aetherion, as if daring him to withhold information.

Aetherion's grin was like a spark of electricity, illuminating his features. "Ah, Mei, always so conscious. Well, there is one other thing. You see, this facility isn't exactly run by us. It's more like...a legacy project." His eyes glinted with amusement. "The completed chapters, those who decided to stay behind and contribute, set this up after we told them we'd summon new chapters to continue the narrative. We're just here to do our jobs as messengers, briefing our respective Pages on their priorities."

Mei's expression remained unreadable, but Ryo's eyes widened slightly, intrigued by the revelation. "So, there's a whole infrastructure behind this," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Aetherion's grin grew wider. "Let's just say the completed chapters are... invested in the narrative's progression. And they're willing to go the extra mile to ensure its success."

Aetherion's smile was tinged with amusement as he spoke. "I suppose it's time to send you back. Don't worry, I'll keep in touch. And don't fret, you'll cross paths with your companions again, one way or another. I still find it intriguing that you bid each other farewell. It's...quaint." With a fluid motion, he opened his hands, and their bodies began to glow, slowly transitioning back to the normal hall.

As they materialized, the anxious crowd had grown calmer, though some still wore visible distress on their faces. Aetherion clapped his hands once more to draw attention. "One last thing before we part ways. Eucholos, if you would..."

He gestured to one of the messengers, a serious-faced individual who floated to the center. Eucholos's voice was grave as he began his orientation. "We've already briefed you on your summoning and the path ahead. But there's more. In five months, a collective page will bring together every scenario from Islevale Gardens. All scenarios, from all the isles, will participate. Prepare yourselves, for the place you're headed is treacherous. A realm that feeds on tragedy. The concentration of...energies is stronger there. I'm sure you won't understand the full implications now, but you'll learn soon enough. Your destination is the Labyrinth of Lethe."

The air grew thick with tension as the messengers' words sank in. The mention of the Labyrinth of Lethe sent a shiver down their spines, and the crowd exchanged uneasy glances.