WALLACE GARRET

As I gradually regained consciousness, a wave of pain washed over my body. I struggled to recollect what had transpired, but my memories seemed elusive and hazy, fading away after Cyanthos’s arrival.

Before I could delve into the matter, the surreal scene that unfolded before me caught my attention. The surroundings were strewn with fragments of ice, and the ground displayed cracks. Patches of black, accompanied by wisps of smoke, indicated the aftermath of a fierce battle.

Wasting no time, I rose to my feet and began searching for my companions. I noticed a newfound lightness in my body, as if it had been refined and rid of unwanted burdens. I also felt a surge of strength coursing through me.

My gaze fixed on Kei, Elsie, and Celina, engrossed in something. An uneasy feeling gripped me, prompting me to hasten towards them.

"I couldn’t do anything." Celina sobbed, her voice choked with tears.

"First my brother, and now... my teacher!" Her lament transformed into seething anger, as if she directed her fury inward.

My eyes widened when I spotted Baek lying on the ground, gasping heavily. A deep wound adorned his stomach, his pallid skin exhibiting a purple hue that slowly spread throughout his body.

"It’s poison," I realised as the words escaped my lips.

Upon hearing my assessment, all attention turned towards me, acknowledging my awakening.

"Indikar… He stabbed Baek and managed to escape," Kei explained, his tone resolute.

"What about Cyanthos?" I inquired.

"Well… A lot has unfolded. Since you seem to have no recollection, let me provide a brief summary," Kei began.

**

As Kei concluded his brief recap, I mustered a response, my voice tinged with a mix of disbelief and comprehension.

"I understand," I muttered, attempting to absorb the overwhelming chain of events. Some aspects seemed implausible, yet others fell into place with a sense of logic.

The notion that an individual named ‘Mrizem’ had seized control of my body, wielding spatial powers surpassing my own, remained difficult to accept. This person was likely the same one who had plagued my dreams and whose voice resonated within the inner sanctum when I pieced together the fractured mirror.

Equally astonishing was Mrizem’s alliance with Baek, joining forces to eliminate Cyanthos, who addressed him as ‘Master.’ However, the most distressing revelation came at the culmination of our arduous battle—a battle that had left Baek defenceless against Indikar, allowing the elusive foe to escape and inflict a fatal wound.

"W-Wallace… I am... soon departing this world," Baek spoke, his words laced not with despair but rather a deep sense of pride, a smile adorning his face.

My protest was cut short as Baek, barely clinging to life, continued with a plea that I could not ignore.

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"Do not fret. I find solace in the knowledge that, before my departure, I shall be the third individual in human history to vanquish a Voidshade. But before I go, can you hear my final request?" His voice trembled, weakened by the venom coursing through his veins.

Powerless to intervene, I listened intently as his feeble words struggled to find expression.

"I do not comprehend what has befallen you, but I sense something extraordinary within you. Even your friend Kei radiates an enigmatic aura," he began, his speech punctuated by laboured breaths.

"I pledged an oath to guard this knowledge, but as I teeter on the precipice of death, I believe it is imperative for you to understand the current state of affairs in Limbo and, more significantly, on Earth. Time is of the essence, so I shall share only what is necessary." His voice flickered like a dying flame, wavering between coherence and fading whispers.

"The Heralds bear the responsibility of safeguarding their respective Limbos from external invaders. However, their true duty is to protect a crucial artefact known as a fragment." It is this fragment that the Void Order seeks. It serves as the heart of the labyrinth, and if it is forcibly removed, the entire labyrinth will crumble, dragging everything into oblivion," he divulged, his words carrying the weight of dire consequence.

Absorbing this vital information, I posed a question to clarify my understanding, while those around me listened intently.

"So, there exist nine fragments—one for each limbo?" I inquired, internalising the significance of Baek’s revelation.

"They have already succeeded in acquiring four of them," Baek concluded, his sentence punctuated by a fit of coughing.

This sudden realisation felt like a blade piercing our hearts. The gravity of his words hung in the air, shrouded in tension.

"Yes… Compound 002, compound 005, compound 006, and compound 008 have...," Baek coughed.

An oppressive tension settled upon us as we clung to a sliver of hope, yearning for a different outcome. Alas, Baek’s next words shattered any remnants of optimism.

"They have collapsed, taking everything down with them."

Disbelief washed over me as I grappled with this revelation. The magnitude of the situation exceeded my prior comprehension. The Void Order harboured sinister intentions; their agenda was far more perilous than we had ever fathomed.

"Very soon, Limbo will select the next Herald. I implore you to protect this realm on my behalf. I understand that I should entrust this responsibility to you. Something deep within me tells me that you are capable of shouldering this burden," Baek concluded, the poison’s progress leaving his body tinted with a haunting shade of purple.

An urgent query escaped my lips, my voice laced with anxiety.

But... what will happen if they succeed in collecting all the fragments?"

Become the Herald. Baek’s voice faded to a whisper as he closed his eyes, a serene smile gracing his countenance. Celina rushed to his side, verifying his lifeless state.

"He is gone," she said, her tears drying up.

**

After giving Baek a proper burial, Celina turned towards us, her expression no longer clouded by despair but filled with unwavering determination.

"I know this burden is immense, and none of you should have to carry it alone," Celina spoke, her voice resonating with a newfound resolve. "Baek entrusted us with his final plea, and I will not let his sacrifice be in vain. I will share the weight of his will, for it is also my duty to protect this place."

"The next respite zone lies close by, and I shall serve as your guide," Celina proclaimed, her voice firm yet filled with empathy.

"I urge you all to return to Earth, take a moment to rest, and reconnect with your families. Reflect on the gravity of the situation we find ourselves in before we decide to continue our journey. I understand the uncertainty and dangers that surround us, leaving this place vulnerable to various threats. There is currently no one to protect this realm until the next harem is chosen."

Her words resonated deeply within us, urging us to consider our options and the consequences of our choices. We stood there, contemplating the path ahead, knowing that whatever decision we made would shape the future of not only Limbo but also the lives of those we held dear.

"Take into account the lives that have been lost since the four fragments were taken," Celina emphasised, her voice laced with a mixture of sorrow and determination. "Think of the imminent danger that looms over us and the arduous journey that lies ahead. Along with that, consider the weight of the responsibility we carry."

As Celina turned her gaze towards the distant beacon, we were left with no choice but to remain silent, the weight of her words hanging heavy in the air.

The magnitude of the task before us was clear, and it required careful deliberation. Each of us understood the sacrifices that had already been made and the risks that lay ahead. The decision we made would shape not only our own fates but also the fate of Limbo itself.