We followed One, walking through the narrow underground tunnels in a long line, noticing details that differed from the path we had taken to get here. There were signs of recent excavation—wooden beams and planks lining the walls and ceiling for support—and lit torches fixed to the walls, illuminating the passageway. Whatever operation was taking place here, it had clearly been going on for quite some time.
I tried to ask the Intoner a few questions, but she kept saying that this wasn't the place for that and that we would have our answers soon enough. I had to agree; I was being too hasty.
Four seemed to sense my anxiety, as I felt her hand take mine; our fingers interlaced, which helped steady my nerves. I glanced over my shoulder and saw her smiling at me—a gesture I returned, though with some hesitation. I still hadn't quite grown accustomed to the fact that we were in a relationship.
I'm not sure how much time passed. I was used to long treks, but the unchanging environment made me doubt that we were actually getting anywhere. I was proven wrong when a light shone up ahead, forcing me to shield my eyes as the line moved forward, until eventually, it was my turn.
Sounds accompanied the blinding light, but as soon as I crossed the threshold, I witnessed something new, yet familiar: ruins. We were inside a large ruin—likely a temple—constructed from light-brown stone covered in carvings that depicted people, various scenes, and a language unknown to me.
Cascades of sand and shafts of light poured in through openings in the ceiling; Toppled pillars and large stone blocks served as seating for the local population, while tents and similar structures lined our path, fulfilling various purposes—from dwellings and resting places for the wounded to workshops for blacksmiths, sorcerers, and others.
Eventually, the group dispersed at One's command, each heading off to attend to their respective duties, leaving us alone with Zero's party and the Intoner who was leading us.
The people living here cast various glances our way—some fearful, others irritated, and many simply curious. Their attire was diverse; some wore dark fabrics and brown leather, while others carried weapons and armor of poor to mediocre quality.
We were led to a secluded section of the settlement—a cluster of stone blocks forming something akin to a cave—which contained what served as a makeshift room.
In one corner lay a pile of fabric and straw, acting as a bed; nearby, a crate held some clothing. There was also a table and chair, upon which sat a jug of water, bread, an inkpot, a quill, several sheets of paper, and a partially melted candle.
One approached the chair and cast aside the cloak she had been wearing, revealing attire suited for the desert climate: a simple white shirt, loose-fitting trousers, and brown sandals, with a sword still sheathed at her waist.
She sat down, letting out a long, weary sigh before looking at us in silence.
"Four… Five… You have no idea how I feel seeing you both again. I thought you had died—or worse."
Her expression softened, filled with a mixture of joy and sorrow, her voice faltering as she spoke. Neither Intoner responded immediately; instead, they quickly closed the distance to their older sister, trapping her in an awkward embrace given her seated position.
A strange sound escaped One's lips, and for a second, she froze—much like a startled animal—before wrapping her arms around her sisters and returning the hug.
"Don't worry—we're here now, and we aren't going anywhere," Four said, her voice thick with emotion.
"There's so much I want to tell you, but the important thing is that you're alright," Five added, echoing her sister's sentiments.
Before long, tears began to fall, accompanied by sobs that mingled with their fragmented words and raw, exposed emotions.
I took a step back, averting my gaze to grant the three of them some privacy. Zero clicked her tongue in disgust and did the same. And so, we waited, letting them get it all out.
As the three of them stepped away—wiping away tears and the makeup smudged around their eyes (in the case of Four and Five)—One turned toward me, offering a smile and a polite bow.
"Thank you for keeping your promise and looking after my sisters. I didn't expect you to uphold it once the war began, but I see now that I was mistaken. Forgive me for doubting you."
I'll admit, I was taken aback—so much so that it took me a few moments to compose myself and respond.
"N-no need for thanks. I am a knight of honor; I always keep my oaths, for better or for worse."
One nodded, but what followed caught everyone—those who didn't already know, at least—by surprise: Four rushed to my side, threw her arms around my arm, and pressed her body against mine.
"He did much more than just look after me. We're a couple now."
Four's expression was radiant, though she made a point of casting a not-so-subtle glance toward Zero as she said it. The explosion came seconds later.
"WHAT?!"
One, the disciples, and Zero all shouted at once—loud enough to make my ears ring, a sensation only worsened by the cramped space we were in. The former group was overcome with shock and disbelief, while the latter was consumed by seething rage.
A moment of silence followed, only to be broken by Dito's laughter.
"HAHAHA! I guess all you needed, in the end, was to find someone who's actually your type! What do you think, Z?! Seems like he's into the 'good girl' sort! Maybe if you covered yourself up a bit more and stopped cursing, you'd stand a chance…"
"SHUT YOUR MOUTH!"
"DAMMIT!"
The white-haired Intoner was flushed with rage, and Dito's taunts certainly didn't help. Growling through gritted teeth, she brought her fist down onto the young Disciple's head, sending him face-first into the ground.
"It gladdens me to see you so content, Miss Four. I hope the two of you find happiness together," Decadus remarked, adjusting his spectacles and offering us a polite nod.
I had expected some anger or discomfort from him—after all, I had slept with the very woman he was sworn to serve—but his words seemed entirely genuine. It confirmed my theory: the Disciples are loyal to the Intoners as a collective, and as long as they are by an Intoner's side, they are content—Dito being the sole exception.
"Oh, it seems I've lost my touch. I've been left in the dust in the race for the lovely Miss Four's heart. Perhaps, if the beautiful couple is amenable, I could join in on your nocturnal activities—offer a bit of advice, even?"
Naturally, Octa just had to open his perverted mouth to spout nonsense. He approached us with a lecherous glint in his eyes—a look that swiftly shifted to terror the moment my rapier came to rest mere inches from his face.
"We decline."
"R-right. Understood."
He backed away, his steps unsteady, leaving only One to offer her reaction. She opened and closed her mouth, glancing around before clasping her hands together; she spoke with an uneasy smile and a hesitant tone.
"Well, they say love can blossom anywhere—so, welcome to the family, Edric. I only wish it had come about under better circumstances. Two would have been delighted to hear the good news."
Her expression fell the instant she mentioned the blue-haired woman. Everyone realized this, with Five and Four asking the crucial questions.
"Where is she? / What happened to her?"
There was no immediate answer. One looked down at the ground, then spoke in a dejected tone.
"She is here, with her disciple, but she is not well. She… she is broken, lost… I don't know how to explain it, but she barely reacts to what happens around her. It would be better if you saw her for yourselves to understand—but not just yet. I have already told Zero and the Disciples what happened, but you, too, deserve to know who declared this war in my name."
—The Past, Cathedral City—
"GASP!"
I woke up with a start, bolting upright and bracing myself for a fight. That was a terrible idea. I immediately gritted my teeth and leaned against the nearest wall as the worst headache of my life hit me.
Everything spun around me; my body trembled. Not knowing what was happening, I simply waited for things to settle. It was impossible to tell how much time had passed, but once the pain and confusion faded, I took stock of my surroundings.
A dungeon cell beneath the cathedral—dark, filthy, and damp—constructed from gray stone blocks, with a metal door featuring a small opening on the far side.
"HMPH!"
I couldn't help but let out a scoff of contempt. My captors had dressed me in rags, yet they hadn't bothered to chain or gag me. I strode toward the door, pulled back my fist, and slammed it against the metal.
CLANG!
"DAMN IT!"
My eyes went wide, and I cried out in agony—I had nearly broken my own bones upon impact. I shook my injured hand, my gaze darting between it and the door.
"What is going on here?"
There was no one around to answer my questions, so I tried to channel my Power of Song—but nothing happened. There was no music, no magic—only a strange, discordant sound escaping my lips.
Fear and apprehension welled up in my chest. I forced myself to take a deep breath to steady my nerves; panicking would do me no good. I approached the door once more and gripped the bars, rising onto my tiptoes to peer out and take in what little I could see of the world beyond.
It wasn't much: just a dark corridor, with walls the same color as those in my cell. There didn't seem to be any guards around, so I searched my prison, looking for anything—something to pick the lock, a loose stone, anything that might help me—but there was nothing. Not even when I called out, hoping for some kind of response from my captors.
"What is going on here?! I demand answers!"
Nothing—there was no one there. I sat down in the corner of the cell, resting my head in my hands, and began to think of a way to escape.
CLACK!
CLACK!
CLACK!
Approaching footsteps caught my attention. I quickly lifted my head, looking toward the source of the sound. I saw the helmet of a cathedral knight staring at me through the bars.
"Well, are you going to tell me what's happening, or not?"
I couldn't hide my sarcasm and anger, but he offered no reply. A small panel near the bottom of the door slid open, and a plate with a loaf of bread and a bowl of water were pushed through.
Then, he left in silence, leaving me alone once more—left to ponder what I should do. Time passed, but still, no answer came. Eventually, hunger and thirst set in, so I reached for the meager food and water provided.
I held the bread in one hand and the bowl in the other, sniffing them for any sign of something suspicious—but, much like my strength and magic, my heightened senses had vanished.
What I had feared had come true; it seemed I was nothing more than an ordinary person now. With no other choice, I took a small bite of the rock-hard bread, grimacing at the effort it took to chew it. The satisfaction of being able to eat something with flavor died instantly; I had to soak it in water to make it more edible, but I kept at it nonetheless, all the while thinking about how to set myself free.
-XXXXXX-
How long have I been here?
I asked myself as I stared at the ceiling, which was draped in cobwebs. I was filthy, my hair a tangled mess; my face looked weary and gaunt, and I had barely any energy left. I didn't want to accept it, but I had been left here to die—an execution would have been preferable to this slow demise brought on by a meager intake of food and water.
No one came to rescue me or provide answers to my questions. Provoking the guards—trying to enrage them into opening the cell—was entirely futile; they didn't react to anything, not even when I feigned death.
Looking back, what did I do to deserve this? Why did my brother turn on me and seize my power? Did I provoke him? Was he tired of the way I treated him? Yes, perhaps that was it. I had raised him to be confined within a tower, training to kill Zero. Whenever my own lust grew too intense, I would use him—yet whenever he came to me, seeking to satisfy his own desires, I would push him away, insisting on how wrong it was.
I suppose I'm not so different from my sisters, am I? Was Zero right all along?
I loved him; I tried to show him how much I cared back in the Land of Forests, but it wasn't enough—I should have known that. A few good deeds cannot make up for a lifetime of isolation, and now, he has chosen to set himself free. Yes, perhaps I deserve this. I only hope he can forgive me. I hope he becomes a better ruler than I ever was—one who won't ignore the mistakes my sisters and I made. I only hope he manages to defeat Zero and live a happy life.
I closed my eyes, resigning myself to my fate as I was consumed by darkness and silence.
"AAAHHH!"
CRASH!
"RRROOOAAARRR!"
BOOM!
My eyes widened as I heard screams, roars, and explosions. The entire cell shuddered, sending a shower of dust down onto my head—but before I could even grasp what was happening…
CRASH!
Something massive tore through the corridor and the front of my cell, forcing me to scramble back while shielding my face.
"COUGH! COUGH!"
As the dust settled, I stared in disbelief at a large purple dragon, her face concealed by an iron mask.
"GABRIEL!"
Struggling to my feet, I rushed forward and threw my arms around her snout; a wide grin spread across my face, and a wave of relief burned in my chest.
CLACK!
CLACK!
CLACK!
Our reunion would have to wait—I heard the sharp clatter of armor against the floor. Grunting with the effort, I climbed up onto Gabriel's head, gripping the chains that secured her mask to her body.
I cried out in surprise as my friend stepped back and rose abruptly, beating her wings and taking flight. I held on tighter, clinging to her neck to shield myself from the debris and dust raining down from above.
As the dragon reached the peak of her ascent, I shielded my eyes with one hand, seeing sunlight for the first time in so long. But as I looked down at the burning cathedral and the city surrounding it, I realized just how much everything had changed.
The streets were blanketed in a thick mist that obscured almost everything below, and the sky—the darkest I had ever seen in my entire life—was filled with airships flying in an arrow-like formation. At the highest tower of the cathedral, I saw a figure much like myself, though male; my brother stared back, expressionless, with a pair of mist-like wings sprouting from his back and a black sword held firmly in his grip.
Before I could say a word, Gabriel spat a fireball toward him. I screamed for him to stop, but it was too late; the flaming sphere hurtled forward, poised to reduce my brother to ashes.
Then, the unexpected happened: he swung his sword, and a powerful blade of air surged toward us, cleaving the fireball in two and leaving a deep gash along Gabriel's side—a blow that forced the dragon to roar and take flight, soaring away from the cathedral and the city.
No matter how much I begged, she wouldn't stop flying, moving ever further away from our old home. Day and night, we crossed the sky—her blood staining the ground below—until the landscape turned into a sea of sand, and she began to fall like a shooting star.
I screamed for her to stop, to do something. The ground rushed closer and closer, and then, everything went dark.
-XXXXXX-
When my eyes opened, I found myself staring at a brown stone ceiling. For a fleeting moment, I thought I was back in my cell and that my escape had been nothing more than a dream—but as I took in my surroundings, I realized I was wrong.
I was in a room—or at least, a crude imitation of one. My bed was a pile of rags; there was a table and a chair in the corner; and a faint light, accompanied by distant sounds, drifted in from an opening just ahead.
I tried to sit up, but an agonizing pain shot through my body, forcing me to abandon the attempt. My movement must have caught the attention of whoever had brought me here, for a dark silhouette appeared against the light, slowly drawing nearer.
"Miss One."
He was tall and slender, yet athletic in build, with long, dark hair, fair skin, and blue eyes. He wore a black coat—left open to reveal a large scar across his chest—along with white trousers and brown shoes and gloves.
"Cent."
He took a step forward and brushed his hair away from his face, revealing a stern expression—a stark contrast to the cheerful demeanor he once always wore.
"How are you feeling?"
I paused for a moment, considering how to answer.
"Exhausted, in pain, and hungry." "That doesn't surprise me. You weren't in good shape when we found you in the middle of the desert."
There was a moment of confusion before my mind recalled what had happened.
"GABRIEL, SHE…"
"Yes, she's fine. The healers have tended to her wound; she's resting now."
A wave of relief washed over me at the news.
"Thank you—but where exactly are we?"
"In the underground ruins of the Land of Deserts—one of the few safe havens for the resistance and war refugees."
"War? What war?"
Cent grimaced and looked away, clicking his tongue.
"I suppose, given your current state, you aren't the 'One' who's ruling the Cathedral City. You seem to be just another victim of this chaos. You'd better brace yourself—it's a long story."
I nodded, urging him to continue, but I soon regretted it; the more he spoke, the more horrified I became. War, death, and senseless destruction—the dead returning to life, invaders, unknown monsters, people being abducted, the very land itself dying, and my own sisters being turned against one another.
Five remained neutral; Three's condition had worsened after she donned some mysterious robes; Two was trapped within her own mind, barely reacting to the world around her—though, apparently, there was another 'Two' in the capital, ruling the Land of Deserts and allied with Three, while Four had joined forces with my brother.
All the peace and stability we had built vanished in a matter of days. So much death, all for nothing. And now, here we were. Cent escaped the capital with Two and organized a small resistance, struggling to survive amidst the various forces at play in this war—for the imposter Two had been capturing people, sending them to the mines, and subsequently funneling the extracted resources to the Land of Forests to create more monsters for Three's army.
A tense silence descended upon the scene. We dared not meet each other's eyes. Countless thoughts raced through my mind, but in the end, I could not simply stand idly by and watch everything I had built crumble to pieces.
"How… How can I help?"
—Present Times—
"I'm part of the resistance now—gathering supplies and intelligence, and carrying out various other missions."
No one responded immediately—at least, not the members of my own group—until the silence was broken by Zero.
"Yeah, I had the same reaction when I found out she'd made a copy of herself to kill me as a last resort. I had no idea she considered me that special. Honestly, I'm flattered."
To me, the artificial creation of a life—and the mistreatment that followed—paled in comparison to the most concerning detail. That sword, those mist-wreathed wings… somehow, the False King Allant had returned and possessed One's brother.
"I believe I know what happened to your brother."
Suddenly, all eyes were on me, demanding an explanation.
"King Allant of Boletaria caused a similar catastrophe in the land I come from. A mist and a horde of monsters took over the kingdom, leading to its ruin. I managed to stop it from spreading; I killed the demons and the king himself—but somehow, they've reappeared here in Midgard. Your brother is possessed by a demon created by the king—a replica of the king himself, which ruled the kingdom in his stead. As for Three, she's being influenced by the 'Golden Robes'—another type of demon that acts like a parasite, offering power and knowledge in exchange for the host's life force."
"And how do we stop them?"
One asked. There was hope in her eyes, but the answer would not be a pleasant one.
"By killing the lead demons—known as Archdemons—and discovering the source of the fog. I might be able to save your brother, but as for Three… I'm afraid it's too late for that." She nodded, but it was clear she didn't like the idea.
"One, I know you care about her, but you didn't see what we saw. Three has completely lost her mind." Five took a step forward, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"I… I understand."
"Now, could you introduce me to Cent? I believe I might be able to do something for Two."
END OF CHAPTER