Dream Beyond Life's Edge

Friends and Family

A black barrier loomed over Alexia, covering the world outside in a dark veil. Alexia peered through it, seeing an average forest—a continuation of the forest inside the black barrier. It looked exactly like the dome covering Danberg with three exceptions: the barrier covering their village cluster—or colony as Leo would call it—disappeared when seen from far away; it couldn't be passed through without a pass from the village's chief; and it was much, much larger.

"Talia, come here," Leo said, standing beside Alexia.

With some hesitation, Talia pulled herself off from Stadtmen's side and ran to them. "What is it?"

Letting out a deep sigh, Leo began warning Talia. "In the city, be wary of everyone. Most people there either fear or hate espers—especially the purple eyed.

"Second, the punishment for murder is death. Only in very rare cases did that rule get broken." And in those rare times, sometimes the ones who wanted to take revenge would do it themself by hiring an ultiocarius, an assassin specific for vengeance. Fortunately, Talia had no need to worry about being assassinated. The only thing she needed to focus on was not getting executed.

Alexia gasped as she thought of Talia not coming back. She opened her mouth, but Leo simply continued.

"So, rely on Stadtmen." Wide eyed, Alexia looked at Leo. With everything he had said about Stadtmen and the caution he had for him, his words simply didn't make sense. "He'll try his best to save you. He may not be trustworthy, but when it comes to doing his job, he'll get it done. He always does."

Seemingly unsure of what to say, Talia casted her head down and nodded, whispering "yes."

"...What's wrong?" Leo asked.

"It's just... Sorry, but do you not hate me?" Talia asked. "You're giving me this advice so that I survive. Even though I—"

"I don't," Leo interjected. He rubbed his temples and sighed before choking out the words, "Of course, I'm mad at what you've done, but I can tell it was an accident."

Crunching up in pain, Leo stopped talking for a moment before ordering Talia, "You have to survive."

While still not looking at Leo, Talia moved closer and hugged him tight. "Sorry. I'm really sorry," she said, her words slurring due to her tears.

"It's fine. Now go on. Don't make Stadtmen wait any longer."

"Yes." Talia went to Stadtmen's side.

Stadtmen touched his belt, casted a barrier surrounding Talia and himself, and left for the outside world.

Alexia knew no matter what she said or did, she could never stop Talia's leave. For her crime, she needed to go to the city and risk getting executed. And Alexia couldn't do anything.

The pit in her deepened. Just as her family died out of Alexia's protection, so too would Talia suffer the same fate. Even after vowing to protect everyone she loved, she didn't manage to change a single thing.

So what was she doing this whole time? Why was she trying so hard in progressing the investigation?

You didn't change, Alexia. You're just as useless as you were when the munster struck. You can't change a single thing. You can't protect anything.

"Shut up!"

What else could she have done to save Talia? If she had taken Talia away before she shot that ice spike, she wouldn't be in such a perilous situation.

"Shut up!" Alexia shouted.

Sensing a horrid feeling rising through her neck, Alexia latched her hand onto a trunk and faced her head onto the riverbed. The vomit she puked entered the river leading outside the barrier, contaminating it. Inside the water, she saw her reflection shattered by the rippling water. As the vomit mixed with the water, the river calmed and continued on its course.