Outside the solar system, far beyond the reach of anyone, the Eternal Land’s cycle ensued. The creation of Amphoreus always led to the promised Era Nova. Birth and death happened exactly as what had happened in the past.
People who had been betrayed…
People who had been scheming…
People who fought for their ideals…
All of it happened, just as it was told.
Only, beyond the sights of the high and mighty Titans, there lay thirteen variables. They are unbeknownst to the world itself, their existence having been erased by the Remembrance. They belonged on the ‘Forgotten Cycle’, one that was happened upon by a traveler from a distant land.
Millions of cycles had passed, each lasting thousands of years long. Yet not one of them had forgotten the purpose they carried.
Ripple-!
Splash-!
The shallow water of the Styxia rippled as two pairs of footsteps floated above its surface. Strangely, they did not cast shadows to the sea. The moonlight acted as if it hadn’t seen them at all. Donning a matching pair of brown robes, they made their way towards an attic.
Soon, they arrived at an attic. It was made of gray bricks, with countless green vines crawling along its body. Nobody lived in this place for a long time. For people living under the ‘eternal night’, none would even dare take a step within Styxia’s boundary. The Black Tide monsters, as well as the corrupted sea creatures, could easily claim their lives.
In this cycle, there weren’t the Black Knights, nor there were caravans who would save people outside of Okhema, the last remaining bastion. These circumstances made it the perfect meeting spot.
The silhouette of a one-eyed scholar came to the duo’s view. He wore his typical outfit, seemingly out-of-place with the abandoned city.
“The least I expected was a meeting between us.”
The significantly shorter person spoke. Her voice revealed her identity as her ‘authority’ could not be hidden at all. Beyond the hood was the face of the Imperator, Okhema’s former leader more than a thousand years ago!
“I share the same sentiment.” The scholar, Anaxa, responded. “But we cannot turn a blind eye on it, can’t we?”
Cerydra did not deny his words, instead turning to look at her companion. The beautiful face of a siren came to her view, appearing more elegant under the touch of moonlight.
“Speak. What is it that you have seen?”
“I am not sure.”
Contrary to Cerydra’s expectations, Anaxa gave out a ‘helpless’ response.
“You are aware of our roles.” He said, pointing out to the sky, before speaking, “My dear student was the first to notice something, and then the droma king. It did not take long before I noticed it too.”
The people of the ‘Forgotten Cycle’ all took roles from Shi Tian, the Foreign God originating countless stars away. He was also Merlin, the court magician and adviser of the Imperator, Cerydra. His words carried that heavy of a weight.
According to him, they were to be divided into three: Enforcer, Anchor, and Correctors. Enforcers bear the duty of watching over Amphoreus from places unseen by anyone else—Amphoreus’ creator, Zandar One Kuwubara, included.
Anchors reside in the deepest part of their counterpart’s soul, experiencing all of their feelings together. They serve as the ‘anchors’ that connect the Forgotten Cycle to Amphoreus, keeping it hidden while preventing it from disappearing. It was through their sacrifice that everyone else could exist up until now.
Finally, there are the Correctors. They utilize their true bodies and exist independently on Amphoreus. Whenever they are inactive, they would roam the world. Otherwise, they would take on the task of ‘removing’ the anomalies within Amphoreus. They are the final failsafe, the people tasked with ensuring Shi Tian’s plan would be successful.
Cerydra preferred for them to roam Amphoreus incognito. It showed that nothing went wrong, for if they were called upon by the Enforcers, it meant something had happened…
Such as now.
“I tracked the root of the anomaly.” Anaxa said with lingering caution. “It went as far back as the Exomyth. There is a chance of him discovering my presence had I proceeded. But that discovery, I can attest to.”
He thought for a while, realization filling his eyes, as he added an ‘opinion’:
“It is similar in nature to Merlin’s intrusion.”
“In other words…”
“An outsider.”
Hysilens finished off Cerydra’s words. The two looked at each other, reaching a mutual understanding.
“Its last trace was located on the Vortex of Genesis.” He paused before telling, “I have a feeling it is an intended trap… for us.”
“I can see that.” Cerydra commented. “It is an open scheme.”
If the outsider was capable of bypassing Zandar, the biggest danger of Amphoreus, second only to Irontomb, then they truly had to be careful. It meant that the outsider could potentially hide from the Enforcers’ monitoring, yet they did not.
“Everyone else will be watching over that scene. I suppose you can call her as well.”
“We’ll take care of it.”
Under the gentle moonlight, Amphoreus’ undercurrents were stirred once again.
*****
I knocked thrice on Himeko’s front door. Compared to the other residences, it wasn’t walled off. It is very open, so to speak.
Before long, someone opened the door for me. My eyes met with her scarlet-red irises, her fluster unable to be hidden. Within that split second, I saw a crimson ray of light slip out of the door. It shot straight to the skies, disappearing a moment later.
Did Himeko just give us her house?
“Come in.”
She tugged at my sleeves. I didn’t let her wait and stepped inside. I am greeted by a familiar, eastern interior. I took off my boots on the entrance, stepping onto the wooden floor with my pair of thin white socks. I happened to glimpse upon Theresa’s bare feet, which had a dark red manicure.
I pretended not to have seen it, but it was of no use. By the time I looked up, I saw her pale white cheeks turning red. I could not help but wonder whether Kiana said something to her. Whenever we were doing that, I could not help but do some sort of… things.
“I heard from Kiana.” I spoke, waiting for her expression to calm down, before I continued, “You want to talk with me about something.”
“Mn.”
Just as I was about to step forward, Theresa spoke:
“I want you to be my husband… too.”
I froze as I met her slightly tearful gaze.
Theresa is actually this direct..?
*****
A/N: Apologies for Himeko, but her house is about to experience some unspeakable things in the next chapter…