The second orb reunites back at the center of the palm of the Goddess Elene.

Shortly after, returning to a dark black. Then blipping away as if it was never there.

"Well, how much would you need to send me back?" (Rei)

I can't help but think though that returning is already a fruitless effort.

Lowering her arms back to her sides she simply shakes her head.

"Without the hero to act as my medium, even if I had the power to, you would not be able to return. There is simply no way for me to channel through you like I would the hero without killing you." (Elene)

Looks like I am here for good. Maybe this is for the best.

A world of hope and possibilities now a dangerous wasteland for humans. I certainly belong to be here after failing Nastume, let alone the entire world.

A graveyard to repent.

"Instead of that could you help me instead? As I said earlier, living for someone means much more than dying for them. If you wish to not live for me, could you for him?" (Elene)

I pause my thoughts and listen to the Goddess.

"I am not omnipotent, and my vision of the world is mostly gone now. There are things you can do that would bring meaning to those who died." (Elene)

I see, it could be a form of repentance.

It would be a meaningless punishment to just wait here and die.

To be honest, I couldn't say I am brave enough to do anything drastic either without reason.

"You are already forgiven... Maybe instead see it as repaying a past debt?" (Elene)

No there are certainly many in this world if they knew the fault in their downfall was singlehandedly my fault, they would damn me to whatever hell exists.

I don't think there is anything I could do to even change the situation slightly.

The Goddess herself probably believes this as well.

However, if there is even one thing I can do, it is work to reconnect Elene with the world.

At least that way, she can put in the work she needs to help everyone here.

There is one thing that is bugging me.

"If you are connected with all of humanity, surely there are many candidates for heroes. Why not summon another?" (Rei)

That way, when I inevitably fail, someone else could truly bring the necessary change.

"Another hero cannot be summoned until two conditions are met. Of these two things, you can actually be of assistance." (Elene)

I doubt that she truly means that, but I let her continue regardless.

"First, the hero and his party must have fully passed on. If their souls do not return to me, I cannot displace more souls from other worlds." (Elene)

I see now how I can be of help. Even in life, I was continuing to bring suffering

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"Even if you wanted to, there is still one other soul missing. Taking your life would be pointless to me and you." (Elene)

"One other? Does that mean not all of the companions died?" (Rei)

"I do not know, during the final wars that took place, she fought valiantly, moving from city to city. Resisting till the very end. However, before I saw her death, I lost connection to her soul. Blocking me from prying further." (Elene)

"If she was taken hostage, do the demons know the conditions of the hero summoning?" (Rei)

If that is the case they probably planned to take her from the start.

"Although the demons were the first to initiate the war, it was actually the Elves and Beastmen who felled the final city of man." (Elene)

So everyone is an enemy. The setting I was building together in my head, once again tumbled apart with this new information.

"Secondly, I need enough followers to fuel the summoning. I fully don't expect you to achieve this within your lifetime, however by sowing the seeds now. I will be able to harvest the fruits of your hard work later." (Elene)

Without there being a single person of faith left in this world It would truly be impossible for me to do anything alone.

"So that is why you must first spread the faith of man once again. If you believe yourself to be undeserving, then serve those that you believe are." (Elene)

Sucked away to live a fulfilling life as a missionary. Truly a life of repentance awaits.

"So all I need to do is be a follower of yours? Fine, I accept. I don't imagine myself being able to survive in this world alone regardless."

I cannot begin to think about where I should even start.

I know nothing about the world, its people, or even the language.

It would be stupid to not take the offer.

I don't know the current population, but from what I have learned it can't be more than five percent the original.

I've basically committed genocide.

Typically for someone in my position, I'd expect them to be killed on the spot.

Looking down at me I can tell the Goddess isn't pleased with my line of logic, but she doesn't correct me.

"Before I send you off, there are of course a couple of things I will give you. It would unreasonable of me as the Goddess of Humanity to summon you here against your will, just to throw you out." (Elene)

By being a chosen companion, I seem to receive certain perks.

It seems I was given strengths in what the hero saw as our strong suits. How romantic.

"As a final reminder, your job is to rebuild the faith of man. Your steps here could greatly affect what this faith is."

So I don't need to necessarily spread the faith of my new Goddess? I seem to only need to give them anything to believe in.

Well, I can worry about the details when I get there.

"By the way, when you return to see what your current status is, you simply need to pray. No need to pose and prance about so cutely as you did before. I make time for all of my children." (Elene)

"Except Earth appar-" (Rei)

"I can't help as much on a world with hardly any mana!" (Elene)

I got to see her flustered side. I'll be sure to engrave it into my mind forever.

"Before you get anymore cheeky it is time I send you off! Just know as one last thing, I am always with you. Even if you refuse to believe in my faith for you." (Elene)

With that, the horizon of white was sucked up, with the Goddess at the center.

Darkness quickly approached, as if reclaiming its rightful spot.

Soon falling into it as well. Submitting myself to a restful sleep.

-

I've been sitting with my back to the monolith for about half an hour since I have woken up.

One hundred meters in front of me are the two same double doors that have stumped my escape since my arrival in this world.

The sun has passed well over now, faint rays leaking through the destroyed stained glass. Holes in the walls and roof leaving solid beams.

It was precisely those rays that dragged me from the land of dreams.

Maybe it was the presence of mana in the world, or that I was now connected with Elene.

But the rays of light that previously only carried heat and annoyance now feel comforting. As if I never left her embrace.

Seemingly aware of my current laziness, cloud cover soon drowned the light in the church.

Maybe Gods are more active in our worlds than we give credit for?

Resisting the pull on my tired body, I bring myself to stand before the monolith.

Although it probably has nothing to do with my connection to Elene, it still carries some sentimental value to me.

I would never admit it, but her acknowledging me took a weight from my shoulders.

More importantly, telling me of Asayama's faith in me. Looking back, after I lost my only friend in the world, everything only went downhill.

I lost my own family, dropped from college, unable to reintroduce myself to the world that seemingly gave up on me.

Yet he always stayed with me.

I will never be able to forgive myself for the betrayal of Natsume, no, this entire world.

Looking up at the clouds parting once again, showering me once again in this world's sun.

It does feel nice though, to know I'm not alone anymore.

And so, I begin to pray.