In the River of Abyss.

Nameless hangs up the bright colored flags. As Fosfor puts the cups and drinks onto the table , she asks a question:

“Nameless…did you really kill it?”

“I didn’t…it wasn’t the Existence itself…it’s more like…a limb of it.”

—————————————————

‘‘Hmm , interesting.’’

‘‘You managed to guess my name , but at the same time you almost lost your mind.’’

‘‘It isn’t supposed to be this way , many know my name and nothing happened to them.’’

‘‘Maybe , just maybe , you somehow can attract those things.’’

‘‘Those things?’’

Suiming left his question unanswered , instead he asked Michael a question.

‘‘Michael , what is Existence?’’

‘‘Powerful beings.’’ He answers , without thinking.

‘‘Wrong.’’

‘‘Existence can be anything beyond our thinking.’’

‘‘They are the trashcan for mysteries , they power is just the byproduct of their mystery.’’

After waving goodbyes to messengers Suiming walks to the streets.

‘‘Sir , did we just…let him go?’’

‘‘Yes and no more questions.’’

‘‘But he’s an abnormality.’’

………

This is going to be the worst day for Suiming in the past few weeks , he lost his weapon , companion is gone somewhere , and most importantly is that he don’t know where to stay at night.

Blue box isn’t an option anymore , sleeping on the park bench is hard as sleeping on ice cold rock , the dome can’t stop wind , it is built with holes to let the winds in.

Then he remembers Neon.

If Suiming can find her , he’ll probably find somewhere to stay.

Then his shoulder is touched by something warm as a stare locks onto him.

‘‘Neon , you scared the soul out of me.’’

‘‘Sorry about that Suiming , um , do you know where i can stay?’’

‘‘…How about we ask a true local citizen?’’

Their footsteps echo the streets and parks , even the edge of the dome is filled with their footprint. The darkening sky can’t stop them , at least they’ve still got street lights.

‘‘Have we tried finding other option outside hotels and people’s house?’’ Neon asks as she puts back the half filled water bottle.

‘‘Do you want to drink something?’’

‘‘No thanks.’’

‘‘How about we knock each other out and stay in the hospital?’’ She continues.

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‘‘No no no no , you are still recovering.’’

Suiming stands up , his eyes are shining like a light bulb that suddenly connects with electricity.

‘‘We can stay in the church.’’

‘‘….’’

‘‘We tried that , old timey.’’

‘‘Also your lantern doesn’t show the way.’’

A brief moment of stone filled silence , then it is broken by their laughter that can be heard from the other side of the street.

Then a short paced , mixed with jumping footsteps becomes louder and louder , closer and closer , like waves hitting the shore.

And the waves of footsteps stop.

The similar ancient feeling , the forever echoing silence and the manifest of death , there just can’t be another person.

‘‘What’s the matter , Fos-’’

Not again , Suiming thoughts to himself , that ‘‘expensive party trick’’.

The black space is empty as always , only the white river that stretches endlessly and the annoying white branches that no longer grow.

Around the space and the only table floats and stands colorful decorations , accompanied with balloons.

Looks like the owner of this place wants to make it more lively , but the helium filled balloons and the colorful decorations just don’t fit in , as if they are screaming for freedom.

Acryl and Nameless are also there , they stand there like they were one of the balloons and decorations.

Acryl’s eyes are dimmer than usual , he tries to find a corner , sadly , there is only endless void and emptiness.

Same with Nameless , she stands there , almost like a statue , even her yellow windcoat feels whitered.

Looks like the master of this void wanted to make a party…that failed miserably.

‘‘What is this place?’’ Neon asks.

‘‘River of abyss.’’ Fosfor answers.

‘‘It…looks a lot more boring than i thought.’’ says Suiming.

‘‘Agree.’’

Suiming didn’t continue , he walked to the table that holds different colored drinks that are like the only flower in this black space.

He grabs the flaming red paper cup from the package and pours the orange colored drinks inside.

Suiming takes another look at Acryl.

Acryl’s eyes are even more empty , hollow as an empty bucket with a hole.

‘‘Having’ an existential crisis?’’

‘‘You’ll get used to it.’’

Suiming empties the cup of juice , the sweet and sour accompanied with vitamin c slides down his throat.

‘‘…So , Acryl , you have seen something that you shouldn't see,’’

‘‘right?’’

‘‘Suiming , have you seen the growing metallic branches?’’

‘‘Yeah , probably the power of Existences or Barricades , what’s the matter?’’

‘‘What…is a Barricade?’’

‘‘They are guardian and they are servants.’’

‘‘To who?’’

‘‘To conceps.’’

Acryl looks up to the never ending void , like he is trying to see stars in the city of lights.

‘‘What happens if Barricades die.’’

‘‘They don’t.’’

Out of nowhere Suiming looks directly into Acryl’s eyes , his keyhole shaped iris hooks onto Acryl’s pupil , like they are going to rip them off.

Chills run up to Acryl's spine , like Suiming isn't the careless traveler anymore , but something foul and unknown , something unworldly.

‘‘I can feel it , your connection with them.’’

‘‘Are getting closer and closer.’’

As words comes out of Suiming’s mouth , small metal spikes covered in oozes breaks out of his neck , hands and even some of them blooms on his face.’’

‘‘S-suiming , you-your face.’’

‘‘Hm? What about my face? I was just trying to scare you.’’

Suiming’s hand waves in the air , realm-arts evocates a silver mirror.

‘‘Holy potatoes!’’

In the mirror it looks alot worse , his face is…melting , merging to the fungi alike , dank , pitch black liquids.

Nameless slowly walks towards Suiming , the more she comes closer , the more those oozes evaporate.

‘‘Suiming , why do you posses the scent of an Unknown Existences?’’

She looks to the side , Fosfor and Neon are having a great talk , not noticing what is happening here.

‘‘Nameless , let’s talk in private.’’

Suiming recites the occurrences in the ‘‘blue box’’ , including every detail , like he’s painting a picture in front of Nameless.

Hearing this said , Nameless didn't say anything. She puts her hand to her chin.

"I'll ask the brotherhood if they know anything."

"Oh , another thing."

"Can I borrow a weapon?"

“...I think it may be within you.”