"Ra' Men. May these blessed words heal this tortured soul..."

Holy Energy particles sooth the pain of the wounded girl who is lying on the ground.

She is in a state between sleep and wake, conscious and unconscious, life and death due to her grave injuries. In such a bad state as she is, a flashback of her life starts playing before her eyes. In quick succession, all the events that she remembers taking part in are shown to her.

It's as if her mind wants to let her know of what she has done till this point. A memento, dedicated only to Aniik.

When she first noticed that her Demonic Ring, which was given to her since birth by her mother Aria, was the same wedding ring Aldrich gave to Aria for their marriage.

When she desperately looked for her mother but found no answer.

When she was living a miserable life with her adoptive parents, who are now dead due to the Barrier's destruction.

When she first went to the Lingering World.

When she was denounced by her own family.

When she first travelled to the Underworld to understand herself better.

When she joined the Accursed.

When her plans to capture Ramael's Angelic Veil failed.

When she joined forces with Yuri Keller.

When she was saved by Yonuro Tokiyama.

When she happily lived with Geord and Samei under the same roof.

When she went to school after a decade.

When she read Yonuro's last letter.

When she saw the Barrier fall.

When she teamed up with Yonuro to defeat Sachrist.

And before their staggering defeat in the critical battle with Sachrist, Aniik remembers her important mission assigned by Yonuro. So vivid is this memory in fact, that I am able to clearly experience it together with Aniik.

————————————————————

The time is 5:00 am in the morning. The sun has yet to rise and Aniik is preparing for her mission. Since it is so cold when the sun is down in the New World, Aniik wears a black scarf around her neck that covers a large portion of her mouth.

Now that she's ready, Yonuro pats both of Aniik's shoulders and tells her the following.

Yonuro- Although the mission is important, Aniik, if you sense something dangerous, don't do anything reckless or risky. Your safety is of much greater importance to me than a scuffed desperate plan, okay? I really wish I could come with you, but the situation with Ramael is not helping much...

Aniik reassures Yonuro after giving her a light hug.

Aniik- I know, silly. You don't have to say that twice. I'd do the same thing for you, so I definitely understand. Whatever happens, I promise I'll come back without a scratch.

Yonuro smiles and keeps the hug going for a bit longer.

Yonuro- Alright, Aniik. I believe in you. Travel to the Underworld and try to learn as much as you can before tomorrow evening.

Aniik- Leave it up to me. I'll uncover Sachrist's secrets and expose his devilish intents!

"Take care, Aniik!"

"You too, Yonu!"

And just like that, Aniik floats in the air and teleports to the Underworld for one. last. time...

————————————————————

She opens her eyes and finds herself in Wargram, the Underworld's capital. The city is more beautiful than ever. When she first teleported there, it was all looking all gloomy and dull, whereas now it deserves to be called the capital.

An enormous bazzare is going on near Rein's Palace and countless demons have gathered there. Aniik is just standing in the middle of the crowd and watches the others pass by.

"That's definitely not what I expected."

Just as she says that, a demon salesman with a really happy face addresses her.

???- Hello miss! Would you like to try out our new gin for free?

Aniik is preplexed by the man's kindess and accepts the offer on a whim.

Aniik- Yeah, why not?

"Who knows, I might learn something from him" Aniik's currently thinking and follows the short demon to his newly opened gin shop.

From 3 unique flavours, Aniik picks the one labeled "gin grapefruit".

Aniik- Delicious!--

As she says that, the beautiful glass containing the gin unfortunately slips from her hand, and the inside gin spreads around the table and some of it on her clothes.

Aniik- Damn it!

There's only a quarter of the initial amount of beverage left and Aniik deeply sighs.

???- Don't worry, we'll bring you another one. Jane!

Jane- yes, love...?

???- Another gin for the kind miss, please!

Aniik is dumbfounded. This giagantic female demon is his... wife?!

In a deep voice as if she has been smoking for decades, Jane says "Hello there gurl!"

She then takes the fallen glass containing the leftover gin and takes it back in order to bring her a new one.

Aniik- Wait I was gonna drink that--

"Nevermind" Aniik sighs.

After taking a sip from the second one, Aniik has decided that it's really good. The short demon with the high pitched voice then continues talking.

???- Say, Aniik, how did you like the gin?

Aniik- It was really good!-- Wait. How do you know my name?

???- Shrem knows a lot of things. He has been here a long long while, you see.

Aniik- Shrem? I've read about you... Are you the Demon who has no biological parents?

Shrem- Yes, Shrem just came to be Shrem. He just woke one day, completely blind in a cave. Shrem wished he was like the others, who all had caring fathers. But he's happy nonetheless, he doesn't care about the rest. He's just glad he's found a wife, who's in love with him for life!

Aniik slowly utters the word "interesting..." then pretends to be smiling like how Shrem and Jane are.

Shrem- Enough about Shrem though! What are you doing here, Unique Girl, Aniik?

Despite what Sachrist said about the Demons being mischievous and whatnot, Aniik believes in her experience and what her gut tells her.

Therefore, she decides to trust Shrem and tell him about her current situation, that she's in need for information.

Shrem- Ask Shrem whatever you like, young girl!

Aniik- Okay, Shrem. First. What is all this ruckus outside for?

Shrem- The demonic council just announced their decision to close off the country! I've no idea why though.

"Closing off the country? Why is that...? Hm..."

Aniik- Second. Have you heard anything about the lost order in the Underworld? And how has the reformed demonic council impacted your life?

Shrem- Hmmmmmm..... Shrem is a bit disconnected from the general public. But even so, I dunno what fallen order you're talking about. We're all chilling. As for the demonic council, are you perhaps talking about the twin Demonic Lords?

Aniik- Yes! Do you know anything about them?

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Shrem- No, not really.

Aniik face palms.

Shrem- Buuuut! I've heard they're good leaders!

"Hm..." Aniik finds another two contradictions. She keeps them in mind and stays silent for a while.

Shrem- Anything else, ms Aniik?

Aniik does have a lot more questions, but she doubts Shrem would know any of the answers.

Aniik- No, that is all. Thanks for everything, but I need to be somewhere now.

Shrem- Okay! It will be 10 pins for the gin.

Aniik takes a step back from this sudden betrayal.

Aniik- But you said it was free--

Shrem- Only the first one!

Aniik searches her pockets, she finds nothing.

Shrem- Hahaha! You've become so different Aniik! When I first met Yonuro, she said you were a bloodthirsty killer!

Aniik- Yonuro?! Do you know Yonuro?

From her manner of speach alone, Shrem understands.

Shrem- Oh, did you two actually become friends? How sweet to hear that you two are now together!

Aniik blushes and gets embarrased. But she also forgets that Shrem can't, well... see that...

Aniik- I-It's n-not what you th-think!

Shrem- What is? Shrem doesn't get it.

"Oh yeah! He's blind!" Aniik realises and makes a wry smile.

Aniik- Hahah... nevermind...

Shrem- Don't worry, miss! Shrem is friends with Yonuro, so if you are friends with Yonuro as well, then that makes us both friends! A friend of a friend is a friend of a fri-- Wait... How does that saying goes?

Shrem thinks for ten seconds straight but he still can't figure it out.

Shrem- Anyway! A friend doesn't owe a friend anything!

Aniik- Thank you, Shrem!

Aniik says a quiet "phew" and with a genuine smile this time around, she waves at Shrem and heads for her next destination

Aniik- I need to go now. Bye, Shrem!

Shrem- Till next time, Aniik!

And so Aniik heads towards a place that will surely uncover Sachrist's plans one way or another; Rein's Palace. The truths that lie within the Demonic Coucil's Decision Making Department shall make everything clear...

"But before that, let me check something real quick."

Aniik remembers the location of one of the 100 Hexagons that were created throughout the Underworld in the past in a desperate attempt to teleport the entire land. It is close to the Palace she's heading towards so she might as well check it out.

Aniik assumes a pose a detective would make and examines the really old remnants of the hexagon.

"Just like I thought. It hasn't been touched since then."

Aniik's suspicions are growing second by second. She has found a lot of evidence that contradicts Sachrist's version of the story behind the destruction of the Barrier.

1) Sachrist said that the Demons are preparing for a devastating attack, when they're actually closing the borders of the Underworld.

2) The Demons should be in dissaray, a state between order and anarchy, but that doesn't apply here in the slightest. On the contrary it seems to be apparent in the Lingering World.

3) The aggressive behaviour of the Demons that Sachrist described is of course not based on anything. It is in fact the other way around, they seem completely harmless.

4) Sachrist said that the leaders of the Demonic Organization are devilish, but Shrem described them as good. Although he did not point out if they're just good at their job or good in nature as well, it still contradicts Sachrist's thesis.

5) And finally, if they were attempting to teleport the entire Underworld again, shouldn't they have used the same hexagons they used last time? Trying to recreate them would be a waste of time and energy, so they would reuse the old ones. Despite that, the hexagon Aniik just found doesn't have any signs of being tampered with recently.

Aniik is 86,6 percent sure that the story Sachrist told them does not represent reality. But even if she was 100% sure, that doesn't help much. Knowing that he is lying is good and all, but it doesn't help them defeat Sachrist. Only if they learn what he is fighting for, what his final goal is, will they ever know how to stop him. Therefore, Aniik needs to learn the truth. To save everyone, she has to take a step in Rein's Palace and face her. She needs to face Sachrist's opposed Demonic Lord...

Aniik suddenly stops her invisibility and reveals her position, inside the Demonic Council's Desicion Making Department.

Aniik- It's been a while, hasn't it, Hellva?

Hellva- Oh my, oh my... (Ara, ara...) Who do we have here? Is it the little hybrid Demon who almost destroyed the World? What a splendid visit!

Aniik- That's in the past, Hellva... I have come with good intentions...

Hellva- I know, silly. I'm just messing with you.

Hellva brings forth her Demonic Item, the original Pandonomicon, the book that entails all knowledge about the past.

Aniik- That's...

Hellva- You came to see this, right?

In a desperate tone of voice Aniik answers.

Aniik- Yes, please! I need to understand a few things! I really need this information!

Hellva looks at Aniik's inquisitive, lost, insecure looking, grey eyes and smiles.

Hellva- Ah... It takes me back... You had this exact same expression that time as well...

"Do you remember?"

Aniik looks down and doesn't say anything.

Hellva- This simple story should make you remember.

"Once upon a time, a certain child appeared out of nowhere in this enormous, magnificent room, Rein's Palace's Decision Making Department. The little girl disrupted a really important discussion among grown-ups and with tears flowing on her cheeks like rivers, she desperately asked for help. She craved for only one thing. To learn, understand and accept herself.

All the participants, including Patriarch Soda and Administrator Sooka, started laughing as they couldn't believe Yahin's replacement or successor if you will, was a helpless crybaby who didn't know anything at all.

The only Demonic Lord present in the conversation was eager enough to take the little girl to her room, calm her down and aid her however she could. She taught her how to use her demonic item, how to call her inner Demonic Self forth, understand her early teenage body and complicated mind and much much more..."

Aniik- (...)

Hellva- You still don't remember? Let's continue then.

"The little girl wanted to learn more about the World than the average girl her age. She was gripped by curiosity and wanted to uncover all the mysteries in the World. As a result she begged me to give her the Pandonomicon.

The invalueable Pandonomicon, I couldn't abandon. But I thought about the following. I told her to copy as much information as she could on a different book that was gonna become a "replica" of the Pandonomicon.

Day after day, the Unique Girl copied each and every word she read, even though she didn't know what she was writing at the time. The deciphering of the Pandonomicon's contents was done later, when she abandoned us all..."

Hellva- You know Aniik, I really cared for you back then. I wanted you to grow as a person and become a rightful Demonic Lord. I did everything I could to help you. Even though your mother wouldn't recognize you if she saw you, as she was completely overwhelmed by Asmodeus, I was there to take care of you.

"Even for the little time we spend together, you were nothing short of a daughter to me..."

Aniik remains silent. She doesn't want to remember it. What she did afterwards. How unfairly she treated Hellva by gracelessly betraying her...

Hellva- Say, Aniik. Why did you leave me behind like that?

Aniik is shamefully embarrassed. She now recognizes her misbehavior, how selfish her actions were. With tears about to form on her eyes, Aniik apologises to Hellva.

Aniik- I do remember Hellva... That's why I didn't say anything... I'm so sorry about all that... I— I— was so foolish...

Hellva closes her eyes and smiles.

Hellva- I really wanted to hear that from you directly; that you did manage to change. I'm really glad you turned over a new leaf... Although I was forced to acknowledge you as an enemy for a long time, now I can only see you as an ally... Is your standpoint the same as mine?

Hellva offers a handshake that Aniik gladly accepts.

Aniik- Yes, Hellva. You are a really kind person. You are only an ally to my eyes as well...

Out of nowhere, uneven footsteps are picked up by Aniik's ears.

(1) ???- Oh?! Do we have a guest?

(2) ???- Who's it gonna be this time?

Identical twins. Around 15 years old each. Short red hair. Golden brown eyes. Lively attitude. They are--

Aniik- YOU ARE--

Hellva- Oh yeah, these two are new here. Don't be harsh on them. They're trying to act like bosses around others, but in reality they're just amatuers.

Aniik- Huh?!

Aoi- Hi, my name's Aoi. It's a pleasure meeting you.

Akane- The name's Akane. I hope we get along.

Aniik turns her towards Hellva and asks.

Aniik- Why are these two so kind and polite? What the hell is going on?

Hellva- Aniik! That's rude! Where are your manners?!

Aniik statters a bit and responds to the twin Demonic Lords.

Aniik- Uh... Sorry about that... My name's Aniik. The pleasure is all mine.

Hellva- Much better now!

Aoi and Akane sit at the enormous table made out of spruce wood (this time) and wave at Aniik to join them.

Akane- Sit with us, Aniik!

Aoi- We'll all talk afterwards!

After noticing that she is the only one still standing, Aniik takes a sit as well.

Akane- Say Aniik, why did you pay us a visit?

Aniik briefly looks at both sisters and Hellva. She is unsure of what to do. After seeing Hellva nod however, she takes the initiative and starts the most important conversation she's ever had before.

Aniik- I want to ask you all a few things. I desperately need answers for a mystery that's beyond serious. I need to learn what the Omniscient Archangel is scheming and find a way to stop him.

"Omniscient Archangel?" "Is that Sachrist?" The twins whisper to each other.

Hellva- Since we're all friends here, we can share information with one another, right?

Aoi / Akane- Ahem* Surely!

Hellva- Ask anything, Aniik. We're going to honestly answer.

Aniik takes in a deep breath and begins.

Aniik- I want to fact check a few things first. Since Sachrist has probably lied to us about many things, I want you to prove or disprove the following claims.

"First and foremost. The Demonic Organization Akane and Aoi founded has achieved their ambitious goal, with that being to destroy the Barrier and rule over the New World."

Aoi and Akane look at each other and burst into laughter.

Aoi- What Organization? Hahahaha!

Akane- Destroy the Barrier? That's impossible, isn't it? Hahahaha!

Aniik is speechless. These two simple answers give away a huge chunk of the truth. The Demonic Organization was never formed. It was just an idea fabricated by Sachrist. Not to mention that Akane and Aoi seem really cheerful and caring, not evil and selfish. These two couldn't hurt a fly. Therefore, the cause for the destruction of the Barrier remains unknown...

Aniik has a scared look on her face and exchanges glances with Hellva.

Hellva- It's worse than I thought...

Aniik- I'm so confused... If you guys didn't destroy the Barrier, then... who did?

Hellva- The sad truth is that we... don't know...

Aniik widens her eyes and utters a lifeless "How? But you have the Pandonomicon, right?"

Hellva- Aniik, I really wanted to say this earlier, but I didn't want to bring your hopes down. The Demonic Council is in a similar position as you. We're not here just to help you. In reality, we both need each other's help...

The truth is, we don't know what's going on with the Barrier, the New World or Sachrist... You've probably noticed that youself but...

"Sachrist is the only entry in the Pandonomicon that has no results."