The sword princess' tale

Volume 3 Epilogue - Oratoria

I felt my body going deeper into the darkness as coldness seeped into my bones.

It's cold. So cold... I can't open my eyes. I can't move my limbs. Even breathing is difficult as if my lungs were filled with water.

But... I couldn't stop the drowsiness from plunging me deeper into the darkness. Deeper. Further. All the way to the place where no light could ever hope to reach.

Despite the coldness which restricted me from doing anything, I felt at peace. Even though it was lonely, I thought of it as the correct thing to feel. Even though so much time had passed, I could never be anxious about it.

Therefore-I dove deeper into the darkness.

Deep. Deep. Deep. Away from the light I once saw above.

"You can't..."

A voice echoed. Deep within this darkness, I heard a voice which was accompanied with the chime of a bell.

"Don't go 'there'... you mustn't touch 'that' place."

Who said that? Why are you stopping me? Who are... you...?

".....you can't go... 'There'...... it's not... time..."

I submerged myself deeper into the darkness. Away from the voice which told me to not go. Distancing myself by surrendering all of my everything to the impenetrable darkness.

It's cold. It's quiet here. But... I feel at ease. I feel so relieved.

Why? Just why? I don't... get it. But maybe...

"Listen to her, young soul of human."

Suddenly I felt myself being scooped up by large hands. Who? What? What happened? What's going on?

I couldn't understand anything yet the world started to become brighter and brighter. Once everything was basked with light... another voice echoed.

"Thank you, Helios.... just barely in time."

"...I'm just doing my job."

"But the Child almost wandered 'there' so I feel relieved you saved her."

Two voices.... One was a female and the other was a male. I couldn't grasp well what they meant and my vision was still restricted.

This place is bright... and warm. Gentle and serene compared to the darkness I had been in. But... Why does it feel so made up? It's as if... this light... Is just a fleeting sensation. It feels as if... this is just a dream.

"More importantly, Vainticel... What is this?"

"Ah... that's......"

"Being undamaged by Lagnaris is one thing but this.... Isn't she not from this world? She's supposed to be a World Traveler right?"

.......World... Traveler...? What are they talking about....? Uuu... So... sleepy......

".....don't tell me you tampered with her soul?" The male voice inquired.

"What? No! There's no way I will EVER do that! Don't you see how maidenly her heart is?!" The female voice denied.

The two were talking fiercely. They were arguing but why...? I don't get it... It's noisy... and irritating... especially the female voice.

"......stop... fighting... you two......" I said.

It was just my thought. It was simply me complaining. But my lips moved and I heard my vocal cord trembling.

Still... things quieted down so... I think... I can... sleep......
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