Standing under the street light at dusk, a figure walked toward the light.

''Finally , I thought you are gonna take a century to get back''Says Suiming

''Josh told me that he hopes you will never reunite with him''Nameless responds

A brief moment of silence walks into their conversation , the facial expression of Suiming blooms and withers again and again , with the last blink of eye , and a confident smile , he says:

''That kid... never changed , always thinking about others''

''I think I know what happened…Nameless ,tell him it's not his fault.” Suiming says.

“And if he wants someone to blame it on, then blame it on me” he adds , voice trembling a bit like the ripple of a summer rain.

He tried to hold back the tears of regret , regretting that he didn’t get rid of that person earlier. Even if he wasn’t and isn’t a human , even if he was added in the ‘violet list’ in the Chamber of Letter-Writer.

''Acryl , where are you going next?''

''Umm according to our original route , we are going to stay in Euth for some time , then we go to Auderheim next…''

''But what Josh said makes me want to change the plan.....'' Acryl says , looking to the ground

''No worries Acryl , i've been roaming the world for millennials , sometime you gotta improvise.''

Acryl suddenly raises his head up , letting that question he never asked out.

''Millennials..... Suiming , what is your name spelled in Siyuenese?''

''The same way you spell it in other language''

''Sui...broken......min.....light'' Acryl mutters to himself. He speaks Siyuenese fluently , even if he has only been there for a few times , on New Year or Mid-Autumn. with Neon and her father.

''Sharded light''

''Wow that took you a long time to figure it out'' says Neon

''And Acryl , do you have any idea where do we stay at night?'' Neon questions

''Speaking of which , i know a place for us to stay and not get into trouble'' Suiming interrupts

''Follow me''

With some white dot shining around Suiming's hand , a lantern slowly forms and solidifies.

The ''wick'' of an eyeballed lantern looks around and begins to shine , leading a way in the night.

''If you ask why do i need a lantern when there are street lights'' he says.

''Is because this lantern is a part of my realm-arts.”

An alleyway after alleyway , from the forest of houses to the once bustling street , surrounded by night breeze and insect singing , stands a small shop-like building that is painted in blue.

Suiming puts his hand onto the cold hand knob.

He walks inside , no different than outside , same empty , same quiet.

''Are you sure this is the right place?'' Neon speaks up , casting her realm art to enlighten the room

''I am''

''From Grand Dome to the edge of universe , smaller on the outside''

With the last syllable echoing , the space of the room distorts and resorts itself in a different order.

''Welcome to blue box , how may I help you?'' Says a well dressed man

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

''Hello there , um here's my member card , and we need a place to stay at night''

''Well , we are glad to help you at this situation , knowing that the tourist number are quite tragic in the Coast Dome''

''There is a free room there , behind the donut machine-''

''Thanks , no need to lead the way'' Suiming breaks his sentence into half

''Sir , please don't wander too far , otherwise we won't be able to find you''

''I know , i know''

Step by step they reached the small room with two bunk beds , the room was clean as ever , not a single dust was swinging around , heck, even the water pipe smelled nice. The warm-white light above and the radio makes it feel like a home they never retired.

''Is this…some sort of magic trick?'' Acryl asks.

''Nope , it's just spacetime and dimension , folded.'' Suiming answers Acryl’s question.

Suiming hooks up his waistcoat behind the door and walks out.

''I'll check if there are anything new on the notice board , back in a minute''

Suiming closes the door , but it swings back open , at the same time Acryl stands up and closes the door.

When he turns back , a short haired woman in white hoodies stands in front of him , even though she just appeared out of nowhere , but it feels like she has been standing there since the birth of the first single cellular life. She looks at Acryl with her pitch black eyes , curious and filled like a cat.

''Yo , Barricade of.......colors?'' she says

''Barricade of what?'' Neon asks to the woman in white hoodie

''Barricade of colors , that's what i asked , nice to meet you , I am Fosfor , Fosfor Luce Oakside.'' she says as her hand reaches out.

The door creaks open , Suiming steps inside while having a mosquito's volume melody coming out from his mouth. An unnamed lullaby that is probably older than everyone in the room.

''You are…?''

''Fosfor , you probably seen me somewhere''

''No idea'''

A flow of smiles appeared on her lips , she opened her mouth , like speaking to a hallucination or to someone in the deepest dream.

Everything starts to descend its color , from vibrant to bland and to nothing.

Now Suiming realize something is wrong is with her , she is almost black and white , her skin is extremely pale , paler than Acryl , but most important , her shadows are complete black , just like her pupil that's even darker than the deepest of deeps.

With everything whitering , there is only Fosfor and Suiming standing. Pitch black , like the place outside of all places. Empty with nothing but the unending hollowness.

''In the long eons even death may die , except me''

Such power , she must be a barricade , Suiming thought to himself.

''Wait , Fosfor , phosphorus , can be found in human teeth and bones , um um , phosphorus oxide , ghost light , dead people'' Suiming says as he snaps.

“What do you need , Barricade of Death?” Suiming asks as he tilts his head slightly.

“That white haired friend of yours , the one with a piece of ‘that’... I want to talk with her.

“C’mon , The First Mephisto , aren’t you curious?” Fosfor continues.

“...I don’t go by that title anymore.” Suiming says , slightly looking away , even there is nothing to look at other than the emptiness.

“And that is up to her mood. She needs something from you , by the way!” he adds as he tries to walk around the emptiness , is this the Realm? Suiming thinks to himself.

Suimings eye blinked as it was a swing of clock.

Everything gained its existence back alive , lively and colorful , in the room there was no longer Fosfor.

He felt something in his pocket , his hand grabs it out , he could even feel the bland coldness of it , it is a beautifully carved bone that resembles an ancient pillar , on it lay some texts.

I'm gonna go now , jobs to do. Pass my hellos to Nameless , maybe she still remembers me.

Your friend's friend.

Ps.don't think I could do what I did whenever I want , it was an expensive party trick and pass my hellos to Nameless!!! Tell her to finally talk to me as Nameless and Fosfor NOT ROSMARINE AND SPIDER LILY!!!

After some chit chats and card games with Neon and Acryl , they crawl up the soft mattress of their own part of the bunk bed and sink into the comfitness of their pillow and blanket.

…

Neon woke up. The first thing she sees is Nameless wearing her coat. She didn’t seem to notice Neon and then slowly opened the door , walking extra quietly , and went outside.

After brushing her teeth, she walked to the lobby of the room. On the way, she stopped at the donut machine and took a bite of its contents. Unfortunately, it wasn't very tasty, but she kept walking to the lobby anyway. It was free , nothing to complain about , she thought.

Finally , she relocated herself to the lobby , the man yesterday is still there.

''Good morning , how may i help you?''

''Mornin'' She responds

''Umm , can you tell me where I can get some food?''

''Oh let me lead the way''

''Thank you.''

As he leads Neon to the cafeteria , a smell of spices and foods and a wave of heat hit Neon. She remembers the street she grew up , where every few turns has a peddler selling snacks. But she stepped on this journey , perhaps I’ll never go back to that street , she thinks to herself. Neon doesn’t regret it , she knows , in the end every child has to grow up , walk away from the street they lived , walk into a place where the stars shine brighter.