Chapter 5: Whale Fall

There you are, Nightmare Lord.

Hello there.

How may I help you?

She doesn't look berserk at all...

Yeah, that's weird... But I'm sure she's the right one.

We are here to solve the Nightmare Incident.

Nightmare Incident? What do you mean?

Anyway, you are here to stop me, right?

Hahaha! I knew it.

I just want to take a look at the sea. Is that not okay?

This dream is causing a catastrophe in reality. We must put an end to it!

Save me?

Stop lying already!

Hold on...

Uhh!

So, you are a puppeteer. Very rare combat skills. However...

Thanks to Ann, I've done plenty of training for it!

Ann?!

T-That's impressive...

Sorry!

Uhh...!!

I hope that was enough to cleanse her...

......

Will she... die?!

Maybe... Anna could do something to heal her.

Liars... stop lying already...

She needs strength to stay alive! So she can only survive in this dream...

She can only fulfill her wish in this dream!

The attack... didn't work?

At last, you are no different from the others... Doctors, friends... none of them cared about her...

She was crying in pain and nobody was willing to help her!

No. No! We made a mistake...

She's not the Nightmare Lord!

It's the puppet behind her!

She said she wanted to look at the sea. Then I shall fulfill this wish.

She said she wanted to live. So I created this world where she can keep living in

So I'm here to fulfill her wish... And that's the only purpose of my existence... So...

I won't allow anyone to disturb us!!!

That puppet... It's so strong...

Could it be... The Spirit Lens is not with her but inside that puppet?!

The puppet inherited the power of the Spirit Lens and controlled the puppeteer instead... How could this happen?

What shall we do, Leader?

Understood.

...

Leader...

Fine... Let's do it your way!

...

You are wrong...

Mr. Puppet, you are totally wrong!

I'm wrong?

I've done nothing but help her!

She definitely doesn't want to see what you have done!!

What?

I saw it in her memory...

I saw her smile!

Even though she was sick and there was nothing she could do... But she was still facing it with a smile!

How could she be happy to know the entire world is sacrificed only to save her?

Why not? She doesn't know this world. All she had was that small window in her room.

What's wrong with sacrificing such a cruel world?

You are wrong! That's exactly why nobody longs for the blue sky more than she does!

You do not know her... What you touched was only a small piece of her memory...

She loves this world more than anyone and she would never destroy it. Unlike you...

Shut it! There's no way you understand the despair deep in her heart!

You are the one who doesn't understand!

She was never desperate and never thought about ruining this world. You manipulated her!

You defiled her wish! If you insist to continue doing that...

I will sever the tragedy you caused with my holy spear!

Longinus!!!!!!!

Purge the world of sins!!!

Arrrrrrrgh!!!!!!!

Damn it! I just wanted to take her to the seaside and look at the sea...

Look at the sea?

Why... Why do you have to stop me? I don't understand!

I definitely can't fall yet!!!

Master! We are almost there. Hang in there! We are almost there!!

Damn it! Faster, you sluggish whale!!

The whale's influence on reality is getting stronger... The entire city will sink soon!

That puppet...

It's carrying its master...

Almost there. Hang in there.

Stop!! You will collapse before the dream does!

Almost there...

Almost there!

Enough, Nono... That's enough...

Let's not make trouble for others.

Master!!

But Master, the sea is right up ahead...

Take it easy, Nono. I know you've been protecting me.

I will eventually have to leave this world. It will be lonely, but I can't be too greedy.

I've made some new friends. And you are here for me. I don't need anything more than that.

Master... No. Please don't...

Thank you for showing me such a beautiful view. I will never forget this cloud sea. It's the most stunning thing I've ever seen.

Enough is enough...

The whale is dissipating into light spots?

When a whale dies, the carcass will sink to the bottom of the ocean.

During this process, it becomes an ecosystem that feeds its biosphere for hundreds of years.

And people call it the whale fall...

Those light spots will purge the city of the storm and fix the damage it caused.

That's the final kindness a whale leaves to this world.

Look over there! It's Ann!

Here you are, Ann.

I'm here to watch the sea with you.

As I promised.

Ann, I...

I'm here. And I'm listening.

Do you know? I...

...

I just...

I just don't want to die yet!!!!

So many places I haven't been to... And so many things I haven't played!

And I haven't said thanks to mom and dad...

I don't want to die!!

(sobbing) I know. Of course, I know.

Why are you here now?!

I had convinced myself I wouldn't see you again...

I'm sorry...

Boohoo!

Is there anything else you want me to do?

Please, do not forget me, Ann...

It's a great pleasure to meet you.

I will never forget you. After all, you are the most pretty blossom in this city, Flora.

Ann...

The time we spent together is the most beautiful fairytale I've ever read.

I'm glad you are here for me until the end...