Carefully, we meandered around the edge of the library.

This seemed to be the 'backside' of the outpost, as there was no path and there were other blank walls blocking the line of sight.

It certainly doesn't appear that this place is designed for anyone to be walking through it--not all the time anyway.

Perfect for a secret entrance, I s'pose.

We were silent as we walked, but from the stare she drilled into my back, I could tell she was struggling to pace her thoughts.

I'm not really paying it much mind, though.

I was currently far too enamoured with the golden glow blanketing the rooftops. It was like the light was desperately reaching out, seeking to fill the void, and even the rough, drab walls became a spectacle to the eye.

This was my first time seeing such a light—the light of the outside.

There were no shades of grey or blue; the closest resemblance would be the amber, but even that could hardly capture the enchanting iridescence. I hadn't even touched it yet; yet I could tell it held a youthful vitality, and I wanted to bathe within it.

Within the shade, only the mist of our breaths stirred the frigid air.

Fortunately, the building to our left has an end just ahead.

Just a short window of time... It might look weird, but...

I looked up into the sky.

Surprisingly, it was rather bland, mostly shades of brown and dark blue. It was most attractive where these two shades intertwined, like dropping dye into water; but it was too transparent and unnoticeable, like a whisper left in the wind.

But its mellowness... I actually quite appreciate it.

I wonder how high the sky goes.

The deeper I tried to peer, the thicker the dust and gasses became... perhaps they were even solid up there.

I want to find out.

Hmm, it would be quite an advantage to attack from such a place... I'm curious how they defend themselves against it, or if they even need to.

Tearing my eyes away from the sky, I finally turned to my left.

We had quickly come to the edge of the building, and I could see what looked like... an edge?

It's not too far away, but it is slightly raised, so I couldn't see anything other than some more sky beyond...

This path was quite narrow, so I quickly moved from one side to the other, attempting to make out what was around either corner.

No one. Not a soul in sight. From what I can see anyway.

I let out a sigh of relief.

The surroundings are also quiet; perhaps it's a time of rest—the light is growing fainter—though I can't be sure.

Maybe killing that angel has forced them to gather somewhere. Maybe somebody can sense everything going on within the outpost. Maybe they can track all life...

Maybe I'm being paranoid.

But if any of that is the case, then I likely don't have much time to get away.

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Stepping out, I turned and beckoned the girl to follow behind me.

The caress of the light was like weightless, warm silk flowing over my body.

This is so vastly different from the cave...

Why do the Demons hide themselves there?

Covering my face slightly, I let my eyes adjust as I walked forward and stepped onto the wide, raised edge.

There's a forest far below... are we floating??

In surprise, I pulled my hand away to get a wider view, but what I saw halted my mind.

What... is that?

My comprehension left as quickly as my shocked exhalation; any questions I had now only vaguely lingered in my mouth like an unwanted aftertaste.

Completely and utterly, I lacked the energy to give voice to any thoughts.

What was there to think? Somene could only experience this sheer magnitude.

It... it's so far away, yet still so tremendously vast—completely spanning the scope of my vision.

This... great blurred mass of both coloured and colourless light reached into the heavens and far beyond.

Even though it was far far off in the distance—dwarfing mountains that themselves dwarfed the swathing forests across my horizon—I couldn't hope to begin to fathom its size.

The world below was only an accent to this grand veil, acting only to accentuate the sheer scale and absurdity of this turbulent veil of effulgent light.

My mouth gaped.

"...Extrordinary."

Is that all I can say to this?

The words had inadvertently left my mouth, and my mind reeled to find more, but a word could not contain this visage.

But I soon realised what I had done, and I raised my hand to cover my face, as if doing so could pluck the word back from the air like a mere fruit one could choose to take.

But you could not choose to have your words remain unheard.

Maybe I can just play it off.

"You can see The Fold here too?"

A voice of surprise laced with a hint of excitement met my ears.

I'd been preparing to deflect away from her accusations... but this... what does she mean by "The Fold"? It looks like a wall or veil to me.

"Yes. It never ceases to astonish me, and this might be the last time I see it."

I spoke solemnly, as if I had witnessed the sight many times, hoping it would keep her from asking any questions.

Turning to look at her, she seemed to have collected herself now. The stoic countenance adorning her young face felt rather alien, but I was sure it was only a means to hide.

Despite that, I could see just how unsure she was of herself and what she should say—it made me smile.

"I- I didn't know anyone else could. It isn't written about anywhere."

She isn't looking at me; it seems almost like she's talking to herself.

Perhaps that's what she's used to.

"You should leave now. You will only be blamed if you're seen with me."

This strange voice of mine sank into the air, and for the first time, she looked up at me, her expression unreadable and her eyes quivering.

I went to speak again, but her voice snapped into the silence.

"W-why? What was the point of helping me? They... they'll only blame me if they can't find you. I-I don't want to stay here anymore; I can't take it, not after all this."

The mask she wore was crumbling away, and tears formed in the cracks, desperately trying to cement it back together.

Here I was lifting her burden for a moment, only to drop it on her again.

She tightly clenched her hands until they lost colour; she was obviously trying to reign herself in.

I turned away, but could still barely see her face twisting into one of pain. She looked so embarrassed with herself.

What else can I do? I'm not going to stay in this body forever, and I have to try and rescue my own body somehow.

It's also only a matter of time before the angels know I'm missing; hopefully they'll assume I'm dead... Would they really place all that blame on this girl so readily? Is this Doctrine so vague as to allow this?

For a brief moment, I rolled my fingers into my temples and sighed.

What do I do here?

I looked to her quivering hands and then to the fold.

Who... do I want to be?

Someone who steps in to reap the satisfaction of having done a good deed, only to leave and not bear the responsibility.

Ah...

It just dawned on me.

I don't want to see her die following me.

It would be my fault.

But she will be killed regardless...

Am I a coward?

I was so confident on my own...

My point of pride... is not to run away.

----------------------------------------

"Yo... "

A withering cold suddenly shot through my body, and both my strength and my words left me.

For a moment, I thought I had been attacked, but this was deeper than that.

It was similar to when I had been summoned.

I coughed and fell forward.

[Warning: Soul displacment realised.]

[If you do not return to your body, the system will recoil your soul into this one.]

[If you return to your body, the displacement spell will only partially succeed.]

How do I choose? Or have I already chosen?

I can work with this.

Rena looked startled, completely taken aback by what was happening.

She didn't even move.

I tried to tilt to the side and barely scraped her shoulder before losing consciousness.