Dawn

Well, I'll give you half of my dream then!

Your dream?

Yup! When I grow up, I wanna help people who're in trouble.

And you can help me with that big brain of yours! We'd be unstoppable!

Hahaha. That's an interesting proposal. I don't think it'd make much money, though.

It doesn't have to, as long as we're having fun! Ehehe!

Erina... You never change.

I remember now. Erina... What have you been doing since then?

I miss you...

Hey, newcomer. This is no time to be standing around.

Let's go, Jorna!

Okay...

Listen well, my flowers. The ancient divine spirit that has been slumbering beneath our feet is now awake.

Scythe wielders reap the souls of the deceased and perpetuate the cycle of life and death. That is your duty. It is something to be proud of.

But that creature is not like you or me. It is a disaster that exists outside of the cycle and consumes souls. It would reduce Purgatory itself to naught.

You wield your scythes to reap souls.

And whether the soul belongs to a divine spirit makes no difference.

So hold your heads up high and cleave through the beast that threatens our order!

Whoa... Dai-Dai is super-duper serious today.

Of course she is. This is on a different level than our normal duties. We'll be wagering our very lives.

I've done everything I can to prepare for this moment. I won't be erased.

You okay, Jorna?

......

What's up? Something...in the sky?

The sun.

Huh?

I miss...the sun.

Ahhh!

Ah!

So that's the divine spirit.

I remember what was most important to me.

(Protecting Erina was my reason for living.)

(But...she's not here.)

(And if she's not here...why am I?)

We've been expecting you.

Now...we fight.

GRAAAH!

Everyone's turning into pretty specks of light...

Do not be discouraged, my flowers. It is far too early to wilt.

Reform ranks! Protect each other and fight back!

Tch... A head-on fight is ineffective. We need to attack from its blind spot!

Zeviro!

Zevy, this is dangerous! If we fight it head-on, we'll die!

I know that! That's why we need to be smart about it!

Damn...

You!

*pant* *pant* Aren't you TOO fast?

I'm good at playing tag.

You saved my life. I should thank you.

You don't need to.

(Erina...) (When this battle is over, I'll go see you. I will survive.)

*pant* *pant* (But why...)

(Others have disappeared, so I thought I might too. And yet...)

(In the depths of my heart...)

Hey! Look out!

Jorna!

Ah!

I'm so glad...you're okay...

Why did you...

This is about all I can do to help... If we meet again someday...I hope I'll get to see you smile again...

......

Lyco... Why do you want to see me happy so badly? I...

Grr... No time to rest!

I might not be able to smile, but... I can reap.

I refuse to die here. So I'll be taking your soul.

......

In the end, you defeated it all by yourself.

You saved us from that monster. And you avenged that fallen scythe wielder.

(Why...) (Lyco is gone and yet I can't even shed a tear.)

(My chest feels hot and my heart is pounding.)

(Wait. This isn't sadness or anger...)

Hey, Jorna. Why are you smiling?

Smiling?

What?!

I...

You did well defeating the divine spirit, Jorna. We would have suffered far more losses had you not been here.

Get some rest. Come back when you are ready.

Yes...

Did you rest well, Jorna?

You have my gratitude for defeating the divine spirit.

I was just doing my job.

Cold as always, I see. Even though your fellow scythe wielders have fallen, you remain utterly unaffected.

......

Did you know that souls are not lost in Purgatory? The souls of the fallen return to the roots of the Illusory Tree where they are rewoven over time.

They will be reborn as scythe wielders again someday.

Is that so.

Jorna. You are still held captive by the memories of your past, yes? I told you not to hold on to things like that here.

You turned into an evil spirit in your past life. But you were purified and brought here... by Erina.

......

If you are worried about her, you can rest assured she is fine. She is working hard and has saved many souls, just as you have.

Do you wish to see her, Jorna?

......

"When the rays of dawn divide dark and light, petals of cherry blossoms will quietly alight." The light of day and the dark of night are destined never to meet.

That is the way of the world.

(Erina...) (You are my sunlight, warm and pure.) (And I decided not to let a single shadow fall upon your light.)

(And now you're living life without me.) (Did I do it?)

(Did I protect you from that terrible, cold darkness? And if I did...why am I here?)

......

Ah...

How nice.

This scythe doesn't exist to save anyone. I do not wield it out of anger or sadness. I wield it simply to reap. And this scythe...is me.

The ring of that awful laughter that I had long been afraid of...

Take a look in the mirror...Lady Jorna... You're laughing.

Hah... Ahahaha.

I see now... It belonged to me.

Yes... When I cut open Peruzzi. When I struck down the divine spirit. I enjoyed it. I feel alive when I'm tearing apart someone else with a blade.

I exist... To rob people of their lives. That's why I'm here.

Ahaha...hah... How am I any different than that filthy, disgusting monster that wanted to hurt Erina?

Hey, Erina... I...

Wait, Jorna. I can't see where I'm going 'cause the wheat's too tall...

Hold my hand, then.

Okay.

You don't ever have to be afraid, Erina. I'll cut down anything that stands in your way.

Hey, Jorna. Could you brush my hair?

It really calms me down when you do.

Well, alright...

It calms me down too.

I baked some cookies! They're not as good as the maid's, but...

I thought they might cheer you up.

Thank you, Erina. They're delicious.

Hehehe! They're a little burnt, but they really are good!

Jorna, please don't go... Stay with me.

You can't leave me all by myself!

Jorna...

I know that's you. Did you come to see me?

I don't know why, but...I can hear your voice. You're saying... "Don't cry. I'm here. I'll always be here."

Hey, Jorna? We'll always be together, won't we?

I'm so happy we can be together forever, Jorna.

I...I can't hear your voice anymore. Your voice is...gone... Even though you used to talk so much...

It was my fault you stayed... I'm sorry, Jorna... I'm so, so sorry... Bye, Jorna. Thank you for everything.

So I decided...I want to help the souls that are suffering. I...

I want to save people.

And since you can't anymore... I'll do it. I'll be a ray of light for everyone who's sad. And I'll save everyone I can.

Just watch. I'll make you proud, Jorna.

I am nothing more than a shadow... A darkness that would taint your light. I can't be by your side anymore.

I'm sorry...Erina.