In a dark, dark place. I would open my eyes—in this land of dreams… I can relive. My eyes, captured by you. Lethren. Oh. What a beautiful world. Winds blow. Leaves dances. This cool sensation on my wings. The warmth of the golden sun peeking up from the horizon while the rush of the waterfall splashes golden.
I believe that the world’s marvels used to be all of beauty. Oh. I was not mistaken. That is what I realized during the depths of the abyss—this dark animosity. This bleak reflection. THIS ANGUISH OF MY PATHETIC EXISTENCE—is what I used to think, at least.
I forgave… No… I resigned, for fate is cruel. Is all but carved by destiny?
I do not know. It does not matter, for I fell from grace—fell into this dark fracture, betrayed and deprived. I can no longer fly. Exposed, flesh and blood were all I had. I am trapped in this unfeeling prison.
And yet, his hands were warm. I remember. I do remember it all, even in this dream. He never smiled, always frowned, his words incisive, at times cruel. His eyes red. Red as death that stained his hands.
Oh, why? Why must I fall in love…?
It is too cruel.
Why?
Why did you leave me alone…? Your wife, your lover, your friend?
Why could I not drown in the dark ink with you? Must I mourn you… Alone? Don’t leave… why? Why? WHY?
Oh, I curse this blood. Who but you could sever this life?
I love you still. Even as you died in my arms. You were and still are cruel. So. So. Cruel—so why must you go with a warm smile…? Must you make me shed tears? Must you wipe them as you pass?
A villain. Always. You always were.
Sigh…
Sovereign of void—my dearest. Must you leave me… a void in my heart? Nothing has ever been the same without you. Now, I wander aimlessly—even Ashen seems to pity me. I suppose we are kin—he, too, lost a mortal lover.
Now, we are being stuck in a world where we do not belong. I wanted to die with you. I curse my near immortality and longevity. I curse being a supreme celestial angel. I curse Ashen’s indifference—he won’t kill me.
Chuckles
I have even annoyed him for over fifty thousand years. As for Isth, he is somewhere in the mirrored realm.
Chuckles
I am scared. I cannot seek him out to end me—I do not want to sullen the purity of the love I hold for you to that accursed realm—I’m simply not strong enough. For now. The closest I have to death is sleep… I will dream of a dark, dark place.
Until my consciousness fades—to meet you again in a dream. I miss you. Oh. Cruel void sovereign. I miss you, Hilos.
Ah…
I hate my life…
…
..
In his office, Rigeld worked. As usual, the stacks of documents slowly dwindled into smaller piles. He heaved a sigh, but—it’s not too bad, he thought.
“It’s quite a tragic story, isn’t it?” a soft voice rang.
On the couch, in a sloppy position, unrefined, prioritizing comfort, his niece rested her head on a wanderer’s lap as she embraced the closed book. Still, Rigeld couldn’t help but smile at the sight of the two.
“It is,” the wanderer replied, feeding her a treat.
“Mm-hm,” his niece nodded as she chewed.
I’m finally at peace… Rigeld thought, a small tear formed at the corner of his eye. Luna seems to like Alum a lot, although as a friend—for now. His eyes narrowed.
As he watched the two silently, he couldn’t help but overhear their conversation and fell into contemplation. The folklore written into a story, many question how much of it is the truth. No one could deny it was made up—after all, some ancient ruins depicted the great betrayal of the three.
The first, a void sovereign, a mortal, a warlord. He ruled over the mortals—everyone under him was united under the fear—either one they could tolerate or him—the villain who tore the heavens.
Then, there was the heroine. A beautiful angel. A guiding light. But, in the end, she could not stop the conflict—even as a supreme celestial. She was deemed corrupt, but was she truly?
Lastly, the demon god wanted everyone and everything on their knees to build the ultimate army. However, the fractures were getting larger each passing day—leaking unknown energy. Mixed with his divinity as all other beings. He, too, was consumed by the fractures’ touch.
Meanwhile, Alum’s mind wandered. The story Luna just read to him was intriguing. Even if it was a story, he figured there was some truth behind it. History sometimes writes itself as stories.
There was no name or monologue, and the dialog was presumably made up. The characters lacked names. They only had their titles.
“Mmhn…” Luna yawned slightly as she stretched, gazing into Alum’s eyes. “The original copy doesn’t even have an author.”
“Mm? Is that so? I thought it was a folktale?” Alum remarked as he unwrapped a candy.
“It is. But the original copy is in new runic, which dates it back a few thousand years before the Ilifelen calendar. But ruins over thirty thousand years depict almost the same story on their walls.”
“…” Alum simply listened, fed her the candy, and waited for her to continue.
“Ancient runic is only found on anything that predates thirty thousand years, so it doesn’t make sense that a new runic book contains more accurate information than the old ruins themselves. But then again, the interpolation is as reliable as our translation from old runic to new runic, lastly, to Ilifelen.”
“I see… but might I be able to read it?” Alum suddenly inquired.
“…”
Rigeld’s hands stopped moving as Luna’s eyes widened. For Alum, it was obvious. He currently has the ability to comprehend different languages. Albeit, he was unsure since he couldn’t speak to the spirits—unless the girl he met was stranger than he thought—speaking to animals and stuff.
“Hm,” Rigeld rose from his seat. “I might be able to get a hold of the original—the Order is in possession of it currently,” he said, grinning.
“Really?” Alum tilted his head.
“Hahaha! Of course! It’s Luna’s favorite story since she was a child, I think she would want to know!” he replied as he laughed playfully.
Luna turned her head, planting her face in the pillow on Alum’s lap. Her ears reddened slightly—she used to love the children’s version where it had a happy end, the void sovereign worked hard for forgiveness, the angel became less naive but didn’t grow cold, and the demon god managed to rejuvenate his homeland.
Or rather… it was only the demon god out of the three who had his wish fulfilled—to create a home for his kin, now known as the Western Isth continent. Although no name was mentioned in any of the stories, Isth was a real demon god from that era.
“Pff…”
Alum chuckled lightly and stroked Luna’s hair—Rigeld was pretty used to their unconventional friendship at this point; in fact, he found it better for it not to be a conventional friendship—he just needed them to realize how intimate they were themselves.
Ha-ha-ha! I will love not having Enon and Ririsa on my back! Woohoo! Free from fiancè hunting! Rigeld exclaimed inwardly.
…
..
Currently, on the quiet balcony, Rigeld went to look for Alum, but… he instantly froze solid. Now a statue of ice, at the banquet held by the Order. It was to welcome the wanderers—but for some reason, Saint Amethely and Alum bashfully locked eyes when he happened to stumble upon them.
Alum lightly scratched his cheek as he looked away, but his glances weren’t all that subtle. As for the saint, her face was flush red while facing down, also not glancing at Alum not so subtly. And a rosy atmosphere began to melt the ice.
“—Huh…?” Rigeld watched it all unfold with his mouth agape.
“Hi…” Alum greeted awkwardly with a hand on the neck with a slight head tilt, glancing at her face.
“H-hi…” Amethely replied sheepishly as her eyes trotted upwards.
Their eyes caught one another again, the contact lingering for longer.
“So… you… really were the Saint…” he added reluctantly.
“…I am… Sorry. But… But I didn’t mean to deceive you…!” she replied, clenching her chest tightly, her gaze shaky.
“Oh… um… Don’t apologize… we sort of met and went our separate ways… you didn’t deceive me or anything…” Alum said, gently looking her in the eyes.
“…Okay,” Amethely replied, melting in his gentle warmth.
“…”
“…”
“Did you come out here to escape the crowd?” Alum suddenly inquired.
“A-about that…” Amethely took a deep breath to muster her courage and stepped closer. “I thought that it might’ve been you… who’s out here… t-that’s why… I came…”
Alum’s eyes widened at her confession. His ears reddened slightly as his palms were more sticky than usual; his face tinged a little red and hot—enough for Amethely to notice his blush.
“Oh… I-I see… I wanted to see you too…” Alum said, happy as a smile tugged his lips.
“!!?” Amethely shyly nodded. “I-I see,” she replied, clasping her hands.
“…”
“…”
Quietly, both locked eyes, captivated by the others’ beautiful eyes. Both their lips were slightly parted. They blinked. Even breaths calmly stirred tingles in their chest as they moved up and down simultaneously.
“…”
On the other hand—NOOOOO! MY ALL MY PLANS! I HAD SO MANY!!!!! Rigeld internally cried blood.
No! It’s too early to give up! I heard Luna quarreled with one of the wanderers for the best friend position, surely—huh… Ah!? Her eyes are dazzling! WHY?!
—Wait! When did she get here???
The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.
While ignoring her bewildered uncle, Luna’s dazzling eyes turned determined, and Alum happened to lock eyes with her when he averted his gaze from Amethely.
What are you doing? Luna seemed to ask with her eyes.
I… don’t know… Alum replied by momentarily breaking contact.
What do you think of her? She’s beautiful, right? Tell her! Her eyes exclaimed.
I don’t know how to… my mind is empty… Alum replied.
It’s what?! You’ve got a big brain and now you’re telling me that skull of yours’ hollow?! Luna retorted, but her words only seemed to echo in his spacious noggin.
“…”
“…” Luna blankly stared at him, facepalming with a slight headache.
—Why is it so difficult?! You bluntly called me ‘pretty’ the moment we met, right?
…I’m embarrassed, okay! I’m embarrassed! Alum exclaimed.
As Luna was about to say something, she noticed Amethely’s face on a glass reflection—her shy blush and lips almost melting into a full-blown smile. She realized—oh, maybe it’s fine this way, she thought.
Just like that, she dragged her withering uncle inside. On her way, she locked eyes with a slightly conflicted Noel as he leaned on a pillar.
“He likes her?” Noel questioned Luna informally.
“…” Luna let go of her uncle and leaned on the same pillar beside him. “So it seems,” she replied bluntly.
“You didn’t know?” Noel raised an eyebrow as he glanced at her.
“Yeah, as much as you,” she replied sarcastically.
“Hmph, you’re not cute at all, are you?” Noel snickered.
“I’m plenty pretty—Al said so. Besides, why would I be cute towards you, of all people?” Luna coldly replied, disgusted at the thought.
…Al? Noel’s glare was filled with hostility. She’s upping me? Tsk… he clicked his tongue.
In turn, Luna huffed. A smug grin shouted victory.
“…”
“…”
Tension rose, and the glint of their intense glare could spark a flame. Yet again, Rigeld found himself bewildered.
That guy… is he the wanderer who Luna oddly got along with? Hm? Isn’t that fella Noel? Oh, I’d be damned, haha. He got along pretty well with the other soldiers—he watched and even participated a little during training… ooh? He stroked his chin—Interesting, he thought.
From what I saw, he’s pretty talented and kept up pretty well despite knowing close to nothing. Besides, I’ve never seen Luna so openly agitated, yet she doesn’t seem to genuinely be in a bad mood.
“Sigh… Fine, you’re actually damned pretty, though, not that cute—and I mean your personality,” Noel said casually.
“My my, thank you,” Luna giggled lightly as she replied with mock courteously. She smiled devilishly before elbowing him lightly. “Why the sudden change?” she smirked.
Still, in disbelief, Rigeld hadn’t ever seen such a side from Luna—she was teasing, acting all smug while also having a plotting smile—he’d never seen her so animated before. It was different with Alum. It was gentle and sincere then. But with Noel…
—Oh, is this warfare… he sighed.
“Oh, please, Princess, I was being diplomatic and truthful. That’s all there’s to it,” Noel shrugged as he chuckled, causing Luna’s eye to twitch. “Anyways, it seems they’re into each other,” he added.
Tch… she quietly clicked her tongue with a faint blush—he changed the subject before I could say anything… she thought while clenching her hand.
“…”
I don’t know anymore… Rigeld sighed and went to get something to fill his stomach.
“Hey…” Luna suddenly voiced, ignoring his previous statement.
“What?” Noel glanced over.
“Don’t you feel bad for your childhood friend? Doesn’t she like him?” she inquired, trying to be delicate.
“Miu?” Noel’s eyes widened in surprise for a moment, but he soon recovered with a melancholic expression.
“…”
“Well, I can’t say I don’t feel bad for her—I do think they suit each other and all. But, you know? Sometimes you meet the right people at the wrong time,” he spoke softly as he watched the distant stars.
“…” Looking at his face, Luna couldn’t help but feel bad for asking—he must’ve wanted to see both his friends happy, she thought.
“I might be wrong, but something seemed to have changed in him when we arrived here.”
“Is that so…?” Luna leaned her head slightly to the side.
“Yeah. He’s more open, more warm—it’s like he suddenly appreciates what he has. Or well, at least more than before,” he chuckled softly as he reminisced.
“…”
“Anyhow, I think he kinda locked the status quo. He seems to want things to remain as they are while also being open to experiencing something new.”
“So you’re saying…”
“Pretty much. Had he met Miu now, he’d probably fallen head over heels for her?”
“Head over heels?” Luna tilted her head to the other side questioningly.
“Oh, um. It means to fall in love deeply with someone,” Noel explained as he nudged Luna’s head lightly with a finger.
Luna’s eyes narrowed in mock annoyance. “…” and quietly glared at him as he’d almost made her lose balance.
But Noel didn’t bother as he chuckled lightly. He’d already made sure nobody was even close to where they were before being this casual with her. Instead, he acted as if he hadn’t done anything.
“Miu and I have known each other for a long time—did you know she used to be all timid? Look at her now. She’s all grown up and cheerful, can stand on her own without needing me to rely on, well… for the most part.”
“How envious… I don’t have a childhood friend—”
“Erm… let alone friends,” Noel added.
“…”
Realizing he was about to tick her off for real this time, he quickly went back to the subject.
“Anyhow, I promised not to meddle unless she ask me to—she wants to be responsible and handle her own mistakes,” he heaved a deep sigh.
“How mature…” Luna remarked—I’m the same, she reflected internally.
“Riiight~” Noel crossed his arms as he glanced at her. “But… sometimes, you don’t want to make mistakes,” he added. His words were oddly heavy as they caused her chest to tighten in mild suffocation. “Although… this is the kind of mistake that would help her grow, I guess it’s not that bad.”
“You’re rather cold yourself, you know that?” Luna voiced, feeling as if she’d gotten to know Noel better.
“Oh please, tough life lessons are easy to come by but can be difficult to learn from. How do you think Miu got her confidence? She’s been hurt plenty of times—and learned. Shouldn’t you know better?”
“…”
“Although… I think you took more than you could handle.”
At his words, her eyes shook wide open as she gazed into Noel’s gentle silver eyes. He placed a hand on her head, ruffling her hair before walking toward the balcony.
“Later, I need to help him out—they’ve been quiet since you left,” he looked back with a grin as he waved.
“…”
Still flustered, Luna placed her hands on her head, glaring at him as he left. Mildly annoyed that he’d messed up her hair, she began fixing it, but at the back of her mind, she thought.
—He got me… How am I supposed to dislike him now?
But before long, Noel turned around the corner and walked back.
“…” Luna stared at him curiously, bemused as well.
“…” On the other hand, Noel averted his gaze.
“Why’d you come back?” Luna giggled softly.
“Sigh… I thought he needed a hand, but then realized they had something good going,” Noel shrugged, brushing off Luna’s teasing remark.
Luna walked up to him and lightly hit him on the chest. “Aww, I thought you were cool for a second there. I suppose I was wrong.”
“Ugh…” Noel groaned begrudgingly. “Anyways, let’s just head back to the main event and let them be.”
“Sure. Let’s comfort that friend of yours,” Luna said, tugging his sleeve.
“…What?” Noel expressed surprise. “You’re worried about her or something?” he inquired.
Stopping, Luna turned to him. “Something like that. I thought we might get along, me and her, of course. Us? Never.”
“I never asked, but I suppose,” Noel replied, softly flicking her forehead.
“Ouch!” Luna flinched, glaring resentfully at him with a closed eye.
She tip-toed and flicked his forehead twice as hard.
“Ouch…” Noel rubbed his forehead, slightly teary-eyed.
“Hmph,” Luna huffed and dragged him by the sleeve. But then, she turned around. “Pfft…” she giggled but tried to hold it in.
“Pfft…” Noel chuckled as well, covering his mouth with a fist.
…
..
In an empty hall filled with paintings, different vases, flora, and long purple carpets. Chely’s light steps echoed lightly as she looked for her sister. She was aware that Amethely would go to the balcony to see if the person she met at the park was there or if it was someone else.
But…
She happened to stumble upon Luna and Noel. Before she knew it, she hid behind the corner and overheard their conversation a little. He’d ruffled her hair and went to the balcony, but he soon returned. Luna hit him on the chest as he did.
They seem close, Chely thought.
She couldn’t hear everything they said, but they were rather friendly with one another. Not only that, Luna grabbed his sleeve as he then flicked her forehead for some reason, but she also returned the favor. They looked each other in the eyes and began laughing. Before long, they’d disappeared.
Left alone in the hallway, Chely slid down on the floor, her chest heavy for an odd reason. Hit with a pang of confusion and pain she couldn’t understand, she got back up on her feet to check on her sister and the boy she’d fallen for—and she wasn’t too surprised to find Alum there, especially after she’d heard he went out to the city, one of the places were the central park…
But as she was about to approach the balcony, she saw two people heading there—Sage Milena and Sage R’Stelesso. Sage Milena is a white-haired angelic lady with golden eyes, while Sage R’Stelesso is a handsome man with golden eyes and dark green hair.
I thought they hated each other… Chely commented inwardly. Wait! Now’s not the time. They’re heading toward the balcony!
Chely took a deep breath—ah… I don’t want to do this… she thought.
“Master Milena, Sage R’Stelesso! It has been a while,” she greeted them with a smile.
They looked at each other, slightly bewildered.
“What happened to your old disciple?” R’Stelesso voiced coolly, his eyes inorganic.
“How rude!” Milena huffed and crossed her arms. “She is my disciple! Chely The Hero!” she declared elegantly with a blinding smile.
“Ugh… you sure? She seems quite different. She was more emotionless and stoic the last time I saw her.”
“Oh, please, get a pair of eyes. She’s always been a cute girl.”
“Right… Also, could you repeat that again?”
“Oh~ I said. Get. A. Pair. Of. New. Eyes~!”
“…”
Sigh… Chely sighed inwardly.
“If you would like, why not spar outside? Nobody is using the facility as of now,” Chely suggested.
Milena turned toward her. “As expected of my disciple! You’re a genius!” she nodded satisfactorily.
R’Stelesso also turned toward her. “As expected from the Hero. You use your brain compared to your birdbrained master,” he said, nodding as if pleased by her suggestion.
“…”
Just like that, the two left for the training facility. But as Chely finally reached the balcony, Amethely and the Alum were gone.
“…”
Sigh…
A/N
Poor Rigeld basically ignored XD + shattered ship plans.
Noel and Luna got along pretty well, though. Kinda petty ngl.
Jealous Chely was kinda cute, too, but she bounced back pretty fast.
The sages almost interrupted Alum and Amethely’s sweet moment, but big sis Chely saved the day!
Then, of course, there’s the lore, I think its pretty cool, but you guys don’t know a lot about it yet, though, if you’re from the original, then you sort of know some of it. (yes, even when I revealed some stuff back then, it was way more, actually)
Also, the angel’s monolog was supposed to end more candidly, but… yeah, it was sort of unhinged. XD. In character but a bit too unhinged. Tldr; she basically stated he should’ve left her a child or two, that they should’ve done the deed way more, and that he didn’t do her enough.
I mean… I like… let my characters live on their own, but I had to step in here, lol.