The Etheriel Girl

Act 3: Fear of Fate

Dexter suddenly wakes up from this hellish dreamscape, which tore his mind apart. He found himself in the hospital bed. The doctors near him, who were busy checking his vitals, were pleased seeing him wake up. They approached him and instructed, "Don't worry, you are safe. Take a deep breath, Inhale, (Dexter inhales, slowly soothed his racing heart) Exhale, (The weight within his heart was thrown out with the air exhaled) Repeat for 5 times."

Dexter does what the doctors instructed him as he watched one of the doctors exit the room, bringing inside his friends. Salov and Kalista rushed quicker than the others, but everyone's face was downcast with a hint of concern.

Salov reached towards Dexter's paws and inquired, "Are you feeling alright now?" Kalista gently pats at Dexter's head. Her face was relieved, seeing him in good shape.

Dexter answered, "I am fine.." His tone was weak, since he just woke up, but his heart was heavy because of the memories resurfacing. He wants to hide it and wants to forget, but destiny has declared the fate.

"Thank Salov, she quickly punched herself in the chest when you suddenly disappeared and rushed towards your room. If it weren't for her, you would have fallen prey to the death loop." Jak explained how he was saved.

"Yeah, I saw a Cofagrigus, slowly creeping towards you with its black tentacles. When I saw that thing she was startled and quickly escaped the scene," Salov shared her side of the story.

Cos's mind was enlightened by thinking for a while, he nodded his head in satisfaction and said, "Guys let him take some rest. I have a reasonable theory on who the Etheriel girl is and she could be linked with this case."

Everyone agreed and left the room to listen to what Cos had to say about the case and the true mission. "So guys first of all I understood why Cipher ordered us to eliminate her," Star sighed in disgust hearing this and muttered, "Not this again." Kalista nervously said, "Let him finish Star." She didn't want another argument breaking out at this moment. Star listened to her and kept his mouth shut.

Cos continued, "I think that the Etheriel girl is now with the Void. See, the Etheriel girl is made from the Etheriel and the Void, but the Etheriel's powers itself from the Sovereign's divine powers. We- I mean, I know and confirmed that the Etheriel girl was hidden by the Sovereign himself and hasn't met her for years. Due to the lack of exposure of the Sovereign's powers the Etheriel is just powerless by now and the only thing left within her is the Void. The second thing I believe is that the Cofagrigus Salov encountered could be the Etheriel girl as I explained to Salov some time ago."

Everyone nodded their heads astounded by this deduction, except for Star, who wasn't convinced by this, but he didn't want to speak about this, so maintained his silence.

"In that way the Divine won't be able to get the Etheriel and the Void will be gone for good too," Salov mumbled within himself, "Now I understand Cipher's plan." Her face was enlightened by understanding.

"I think the 6th instruction Dexter encountered was a warning?" Aster asked.

"Maybe." Cos answered and continued, "But this seems like we have made significant progress," Cos let out a deep breath and readjusted his spectacles.

Aster turned towards Star and requested, "I want to talk about something, mind coming with me?"

Star looked at Aster, because of this unusual request. "Wouldn't he share his important stuff with Lacey?" He thought, but he agreed to talk with him anyway.

When they left, Irii walked into the Stellar Voyagers, who were waiting outside Dexter's hospital room, with a bouquet of flowers. "Greetings, my good friends from the Stellar Voyagers! I was in utter shock, when I heard that one of your friends fell prey to the death loop. My deepest condolences to him."