Beyond the Skies: Part I

The Twin Divi shall bear His will, bringing the just Lightbearer to the mortal world.

The Silver One shall bring the innocent a purified land, leading all the righteous to a paradise free of suffering forever.

AF 31@1 After the Remouahe Operation

Maids of identical stature and stride, draped in gauze, move silently like shuttles through the chambers of the Divus.

They serve the Divus in all aspects of daily life, from sleeping and washing to changing clothes and eating meals.

Silent, masked, without desire or need, they are the ones closest to the Divi, yet also the ones most distant from them.

Only those still burdened with sin may not defile the soul that calls for the arrival of the god.

Given the order, the maid bows her head and takes the tray away. Castor starts to speak but still says nothing.

He knows his younger brother no longer remembers the past.

He quietly looks away, watching the maids carrying ceremonial robes and vessels file into the palace entrance.

After that one escape, neither he nor Pollux was ever allowed to attend any ceremonies again.

Beside him, Pollux sets down his knife and fork, politely wipes his mouth, and looks at him with contempt.

...

Following the squire's guidance, Castor and Pollux make their way past countless worshippers bowing their heads toward the highest point of the altar.

The rarely seen Lantern chats happily with the visiting guest, showing a joyful smile.

When approaching them, Pollux immediately lowers his head and performs the standard greeting etiquette.

Castor, a half-beat slow, stares blankly at the man standing beside Juliette, and finally, together with Pollux, slightly bends forward under the knife-like gaze.

After the ceremony, Castor looks up and locks eyes with that exceptionally opulent and flamboyant man for a brief moment.

Amidst that amused smile, Castor silently steps behind Juliette, yet a sense of foreboding surges within him that he can hardly suppress.

That surging impulse of clamor grips his heart, yet Castor can only meekly lower his head and quietly watch the ritual proceed.

Karnak sits with the Twin Divi upon the dais, where they sit rigidly upright, he sprawls like a ruler, looking down at the hall and at Juliette as she enters the ritual's heart.

Countless followers form a massive inverted triangle. The lanterns in their hands extinguish one by one, leaving only Juliette's lantern in the center lit, like the pupil of a giant triangular eye.

Everyone chants the obscure scripture under Juliette's guidance, then watches as the Wick standing at the bottom of the triangle solemnly steps into the large Holy Lantern.

The devoted Wick cuts through her flesh without hesitation as the confession pours out, dripping with her sinful blood.

In a dazing incantation, Juliette approaches the Holy Lantern and uses her lantern to ignite the blood mixed with specks of D-Slime.

The explosive flame instantly illuminates the surrounding darkness. A shrill wail bursts from the Wick's painful instinct. The burning humanoid figure rolls within the Holy Lantern with a series of thumps.

Countless silent figures sway in the darkness under the glow of the fire, watching as the person within the Holy Lantern shrinks and curls like a wick consumed by flame.

Karnak raises an eyebrow and suddenly turns to Castor and Pollux.

Castor hesitates for a moment, and Pollux looks slightly annoyed as if offended, but seeing Karnak's serious expression, he can only manage a forced smile.

Soon, in the envious gaze of everyone, a piece of silver core as big as a fingernail is scooped up and displayed from the remaining ashes, like a glorious omen.

Castor observes everything that is routine for everyone, but the usual sorrow is still firmly overshadowed by chaotic thoughts at this moment.

Amidst the fervent prayers of the congregation, buzzing like insects, he secretly glances at the man who is neither smiling nor frowning, even appearing somewhat bored. A strong, fate-like premonition in his heart keeps screaming.

...

The ceremony ends, and the esteemed guest is invited by Juliette to join for dinner.

Indeed, Castor and Pollux are not permitted to stay out for too long.

On the way back to the quarters, Pollux's elated demeanor finally calms down, even revealing a hint of lingering loneliness.

Originally this is just a barely audible mutter, but Castor, who is silently following behind, suddenly stops in his tracks.

Almost as soon as the words are spoken, Castor turns and walks toward the banquet, leaving Pollux standing there in a daze, muttering quietly.

...

Although Castor usually obeys Pollux's requests very obediently, almost to the point of doing whatever he asks, this time, he doesn't come for him.

Castor stops at a corner outside the lobby. It is only now that he realizes how reckless the alluring impulse he just felt is.

Castor mutters to himself, lost in wild thoughts, not even he can clearly explain why he cares so much about that man.

Just as he clenches and unclenches his fist, preparing to leave, a rich and cheerful voice suddenly comes from behind him.

Castor turns in surprise; the noble guest who was just lingering in his mind stands right in front of him, like a hallucination.

As if he has seen through the slightest panic and concern in Castor's heart, the man named Karnak casually snaps his fingers.

Snap...

The brightly lit, gilded hall suddenly dims, and a hazy, veiled glow envelops the surroundings, as if both of them have fallen together into a space of dreams.

Castor glances around, then quickly calms down. For some reason, he particularly believes in the man's strength at this moment.

Castor tries hard to suppress the tension and shock in his heart, not allowing himself to show even the slightest bit.

Perhaps that guest is truly able to read people's minds, but he doesn't state any specific facts, and Castor won't admit to any guesses himself.

The man chuckles, casually shrugs his shoulders, and slowly strolls to the large glass window of the hall. He looks up and admires the moonlight.

The man, moving as if strolling through his own palace, turns around and offers a small box to Castor.

Castor opens the box and sees two pills inside, one black and one white, as if representing the two choices Fate offers.

Karnak kindly explains the pill's effects to Castor, so smoothly and considerately that it is almost unbelievable. Is what inside the box a golden apple bringing hope, or the devil's temptation?

Castor looks at Karnak's face against the moonlight, unable to clearly discern the expression on it.

Only a faint layer of moonlight outlines the figure, as if a deity has arrived.

...

Castor places the wine jug he is holding on the table, offering an apologetic smile to his angry younger brother.

Pollux huffs discontentedly, but very sensibly says nothing more, slowly drinking while being served by the maid.

Castor sits shyly with his head down, but he gently caresses the intricately decorated small box hidden in his sleeve.

The carving depicts a fully winged angel descending leisurely from the kingdom of heaven to the human world.

The sleeping quarters at night are so silent that a falling needle can be heard. All the squires have left, and there are no more pairs of eyes watching everywhere here.

This has always been the most free and happiest secret time for the twins, at least it used to be.

Pollux, who is fast asleep, turns over. Amidst his long, gentle breathing, a shadow quietly appears at his bedside, casting a shape on his face.

Castor slowly opens the box he received from Karnak, takes out the black pill, and places it into Pollux's mouth.

In an instant, the tiny pill melts and vanishes like a wisp of smoke. Like a patient hunter, he continues to wait quietly, waiting and waiting.

Finally, the gentle, rising and falling breath slowly fades away.

...

Castor passes by one corner and fork after another, avoiding hidden outposts along the way. He forward and pauses at times, yet without any hesitation.

He has prepared for this day for far too long.

Castor supports Pollux, whose head is hanging low, and calmly glances at the patrolling Light Guards.

One step, two steps, Castor's pace shows not the slightest panic, and his breathing does not waver even a bit.

He walks steadily toward the end of the corridor, toward the wish in his heart that has never been extinguished.

...

Church of the Lightbearers Underground Warehouse

The Church of the Lightbearers, though now hidden in the unknown darkness, still extends its influence around the world thanks to the inexhaustible wealth and power of the Athanasios family.

They hide behind one corporation and foundation after another, funding and collaborating with numerous "seance" test subjects.

Among these crates about to be sent to various partners, some contain flashy gold and silver cash, some hold taboo and eerie experimental materials, and some even contain unknown living creatures.

Castor passes by one box after another with an inexplicable smell, ignoring the occasional eerie sounds coming from the corner.

At last, his steps come to a halt before a row of cargo crates. On those heavy boxes is a small label, which reads...

In the few books he has read, the description of the desert is only briefly mentioned, it is filled with endless golden sand, scorching sunlight, and plants covered in spikes.

It is a desolate place, originally not suitable for survival. Yet within its rare oasis, a brilliant civilization and cities have miraculously gathered.

He whispers, gently placing the cold-bodied Pollux into one of the cargo crates.

...

Silent footsteps move step by step toward the sleeping quarters. Before the goods are dispatched at dawn tomorrow, Castor must hold off the clergy to ensure Pollux is successfully sent out.

Once exposed beforehand, it is only a matter of time before Pollux is discovered in the cargo box.

An unexpected person suddenly appears around the corner, a pair of slender snake-like eyes scrutinizing Castor intently.

Castor calmly nods and passes by Albino.

The Serpent Man, lost in thought, watches his back disappear before turning to look toward the direction Castor came from, happily flicking his scarlet tongue.

...

The Second Day Morning

Precise as a clock, the maid appears on time in the sleeping quarters and walks toward the bed.

Castor sits by Pollux's bedside, turns to glare at the maid, and whispers sternly.

The maid looks at the bulge on the bed, where a part of Pollux's robe peeks out from under the blanket. She hesitates for a moment but still moves forward.

Castor furrows his brow sternly. His usually silent and dull face appears surprisingly cold and ruthless.

The maid stands stunned by Castor's scolding. Cold sweat beads on her forehead as she submissively lowers her head.

...

Without clocks, they count silently. In countless tedious days and nights, timekeeping becomes a kind of instinct for the twins.

After persuading the maid to leave, Castor obtains a precious moment of respite, but this is only temporary.

He sits by Pollux's bedside with a concerned expression, occasionally adjusting the blanket and comforting his sleeping brother.

Ten minutes, twenty minutes, half an hour.

That so-called two-hour rest time is also just a smokescreen.

Castor no longer hesitates. He immediately rises and leaves the quarters, careful to avoid being seen.

The route rehearsed countless times in his mind now becomes reality.

Corridor.

Altar.

Even the waterways within the mountains.

Precise and decisive, like mechanical movements, his pulse strives to stabilize yet becomes increasingly intense.

During his sprint, Castor's blood burns, and his heart seems ready to jump out of his throat.

He gasps for breath, as if already tasting the sweetness of freedom in the air.

Buzz...

A wave of dizziness that is hard to resist makes Castor stagger. A muffled whisper echoes from afar, it is the incantation used by the Lantern to attack the spirit. They are coming.

He is very close to the exit at the end of the road; all he has to do is crawl through one more narrow hole, turn a corner, and climb a steep slope.

Castor flaps like a dying bird, his wings striking the walls repeatedly.

When his eyes cannot see, he uses his ears to listen; when his ears cannot hear, he uses his limbs to touch.

He scrambles forward desperately, using both hands and feet, stumbling and crawling.

The cave's entrance melts into a hazy white light before him, pulling him forward.

He climbs to the end of the slope.

The voice of the Light Guard comes from behind, but he pays no attention and continues running.

The end of the light approaches, ten meters, five meters... Castor's wings are spread; he is ready for flight.

Boom...

A deafening gunshot echoed through the narrow cave, and a spray of blood and pure black feathers violently scattered from the raised wings.

Castor collapses forward. Intense pain surges through his body from the bloody wound, and his wings uncontrollably spasm and curl.

Shaking as he gets back up, Castor takes another step forward amidst the Light Guards' boastful shouts.

Blood flows along the path he treads. He raises his head, gazing at the nearby white glow. A furious snarl tears from his usually silent throat.

Castor roars and leaps forward with all his might. Amid the exclamations behind him, he plummets straight down the cliff.

The world suddenly emerges as if from beyond a shattered fishbowl. Everything becomes clear under the sunlight, reflected in his lonely eyes. It is as if, many years ago, he and Pollux leaped into the sky for the first time.

In the icy wind high above, a pair of black wings spread open again. A bird flaps crookedly against the wind and flies into the distance.

A few days later

A weary figure steps onto the scorching dunes.

Castor's injured black wings pitifully curl to one side. The wound heals and ruptures again from overuse, and dried blood scabs stick to his feathers.

Castor, enduring the pain, carefully puts on his cloak to shield himself from the sunlight and sand.

He looks around; endless yellow sand fills his vision. He tightens his grip on the package and map, resolutely walking into the desert's depths.

...

Trekking, endless trekking.

Soon the map becomes useless. Castor cannot tell if he has deviated from his path, blindly following the rising and setting sun and moon.

He is hot, thirsty, and at a loss, his canteen was emptied yesterday.

Castor gives a bitter laugh, his feet moving mechanically.

Cacti, camels, and tribes with tents, none of the things depicted in the manuscripts are here. It is desolate, with nothing but sand and gravel.

In a desperate attempt to comfort himself, his vision begins to blur. The strength he mustered to escape the Church is completely spent.

Just as he staggers up another dune and collapses from exhaustion, a miraculous hint of green suddenly appears at the edge of his vision.

A clear river, low shrubs, and a few fennec foxes drinking water.

An Oasis.

Castor swallows hard. His legs regain strength, and he stands up to head toward the water.

...

Water gushes down his throat. Castor exhales a long breath, collapsing onto the sand as if reborn.

He looks at the red-footed falcon circling in the sky. The joy in his heart is quickly overshadowed by worry. An unknown fear torments him.

Castor stands up. He sees a strange shadow among the forked streams not far away.

He approaches and sees the figure floating downstream, a woman with eyes tightly closed and skin like honey.

...

Castor drags Thais from the water and stands helplessly. Lacking first aid knowledge, he can only gently push her shoulder.

Her eyes open and turn to the disheveled Castor.

As she stands, the dynamic between them seems to completely reverse.

Castor looks at Thais's composed face. Though she smiles gently, he feels a powerful sense of being viewed from above.

Yes, it is a powerful sense of being viewed from above.

Castor hesitates for just a moment before making a decision based on beastly intuition.

Thais does not laugh; she continues to smile, gazing at him with a touch of affection.

Thais nods and bends down to scoop up river water.

Water droplets slide down her fingertips as she traces a winding map in the sand.

Thais's voice becomes somewhat muffled as she speaks.

...

Castor has no reason to reject such a lifeline.

Although he does not believe her vague explanation, he can see she is indeed very weak.

Even with endless questions, this is not the time for suspicion. A guide who knows the desert is too valuable to lose.

Lizards shift from foot to foot, sand snakes slither sideways, mice leap high, and fierce red hawks strike.

Castor keeps his eyes wide open, listening as Thais recounts the desert's creatures, climate, and survival techniques.

Thais rests her chin on her hand, watching as Castor clumsily threads the scorpion and flusteredly tosses a burning branch into the fire.

Castor remains silent for a while before finally responding.

Thais looks at the dejected Castor. She skillfully strings more scorpions and leisurely grills them over the fire.

Castor looks up, gazing at the vast starry sky over the desert with confusion.

Thais casually twirls the sand scorpion. Castor stares at the blackish creature, catching a faint, lingering scent.

Castor shakes his head, but a hint of hope flickers in his mind.

In a trance, a faint smile appears on Castor's face, but it quickly turns into a serious expression.

Thais looks toward the distance. The silent night sky is suddenly torn by a long howl, a sound that belongs to no creature of the desert.

...

The freshly roasted scorpion falls to the ground. Castor quickly puts out the campfire and keeps running with Thais.

The giant hound's silhouette appears and disappears in the night. Juliette's voice comes from far behind.

The core of the plan has been discovered. Although the Church's cargo trade is secretive, tracking and positioning methods likely exist. If Juliette is telling the truth...

Castor wavers for a moment, and his steps slow.

Thais turns her head and gently narrows her eyes.

Castor looks at the increasingly mysterious Thais before him and finally gives a firm nod.

The howl of the giant hound grows closer. The desert's moon now clearly illuminates the hound's scarlet pupils. Juliette raises the ritual mirror above her head, its surface reflecting the bloody moonlight directly toward the two of them.

Thais's expression turns cold and stern. She moves her hands as gracefully as in a dance. With a swift motion, the two of them transform into handfuls of yellow sand, vanishing into the endless dunes.

The giant hound, having lost its target, halts in confusion, huffing irritably from its nose.

...

At the break of dawn, the thriving town finally appears before the two who have traveled through the night.

Faced with Castor's worried gaze, a pale Thais gently shakes her head and looks toward the city gate where voices echo.

Golden morning light spills onto the streets. The city and its residents have already woken, as countless vendors gradually set up colorful canopies.

The city's abundant water supply attracts many tribes to gather around it. Even on days when no merchants arrive, the marketplace remains bustling and lively.

The crowd flows like a river, from daily necessities like food and clothing to rare spices, cosmetics, and handwoven woolen blankets, everything imaginable can be found here.

Castor follows Thais past a dozen stalls. Once she begins picking out gems, Castor snaps out of his daze and hurriedly pushes forward to ask a vendor.

Castor gestures a bit awkwardly.

The vendor introducing a turquoise stone looks at Castor for a moment, then turns back to make eye contact with Thais.

Castor's anxious expression reveals his confusion. The vendor covers her mouth and breaks into crisp laughter. Even Thais cannot help but smile helplessly.

The vendor spreads her palm and exaggeratedly blows away the dust. Castor does not find the joke amusing.

The anxiety of being unable to control everything surges within him again. He is not ready to give up and goes along the road, asking at each stall one by one.

When he can no longer obtain even the slightest useful information, Thais finally speaks calmly.

Castor gazes weakly at the colorful tents and the small buildings made of sand and stone.

Castor closes his eyes and silently calculates a search plan.

He clenches his fists and continues to advise himself.

...

However, fortune does not bless him easily. Until the sun sets in the west, they cannot find a trace of that merchant caravan.

Castor punches the wall made of roadside sand and soil.

Thais's infinitely forgiving expression gives him a strange sense of reassurance. Castor calms down. He lifts his head, his eyes stubborn as stone.

Thais soothingly pats Castor's head and looks toward the city, which grows quiet as daylight fades.

The two of them find an inn near the uninvestigated southern part of the city. Night falls just as they step through the door.

The bustling daytime market has dispersed. The noisy streets are gone, replaced by complete silence.

Castor casts a suspicious glance at the door, then finally approaches the candle-lit counter.

The shopkeeper, head hanging low as if dozing off, remains indifferent, as though frozen in a sweet dream.

The inn is shrouded in absolute silence, with only the quiet crackling of the candle's flame.

Castor glances back at Thais, nods in response to her cautious look, and walks toward the shopkeeper.

Castor slowly reaches toward the sleeping man's nose.

He moves his fingers closer and closer to the humped nose.

Finally, he feels a faint current of air brush against his hand.

Castor lets out a slight sigh of relief and turns his head, only to see Thais's pupils suddenly constrict.

A disgusting sound of swallowing and vomiting comes from behind. Castor barely turns his head. Several black twigs stained with flesh spread out from the man's seven orifices.

Under Thais's instructions, he evades the writhing branches and digs out the monster's heart, ending this seemingly immortal life.

He feels his heart pound as he stares at the mangled corpse, checking to confirm the creature is truly dead.

Castor watches the dense, vine-like branches extracted from the heart, struggling to suppress the urge to vomit.

He is accustomed to the bloody rituals of the Church, but this is his first time actually killing someone.

Thais gently brushes her bloodstained hands over the corpse's face, closing the clouded eyes.

Thais picks up the mass of writhing roots and soothes it bit by bit.

Like a crying child finding a mother's embrace, the roots gradually still, shrinking and regressing into a small section of blackened branch.

Thais closes her eyes with almost pity, and her hands glow with a strange glimmer.

The black branches slowly fade in color, becoming transparent and soft, then gradually melting into a pool of clear water.

The quiet streets outside echo with dragging footsteps. Sounds of gnawing and vomiting branches rise like distorted howls, inching closer.

Under the dim candlelight, Thais raises a handful of water and extends it toward Castor.

...

Castor sits on the cushion in the inn, trying to suppress the queasiness from drinking that unknown liquid with rational thinking, but his face remains pale.

Castor pauses and does not continue to press about the so-called "mother" and her connection to Thais.

Thais quietly walks to the door of the inn, watching the parasitic monsters outside continue to wander blindly in the absence of living people.

Castor stands up abruptly.

...

The two of them move in silence among the dreamwalking monsters.

Castor remains silent, avoiding the pitch-black branches on the monsters that writhe and drip unknown liquid.

He sees familiar faces that he seemed to have seen during the day, many of whom had even spoken to him.

At this moment, they hunch their backs, their eyes roll wildly, and they open their mouths to an inhuman limit, emitting waves of unconscious, eerie growls.

...

Thousands of monsters act upon simple instincts, not to be awakened or disturbed.

They move like two strangers who mistakenly entered the realm of the dead, drifting downstream and fighting upstream among the monsters, shuttling back and forth all night long.

Castor holds his breath, tightening his spirit as he searches, always fearing that he will suddenly hear Pollux's scream.

Finally, as he passes the fifty-first intersection, he sees the familiar cargo crates through a gap in the back door of an inn.

Castor and Thais exchange a glance, then he leads the way into the courtyard. The monsters wandering there pause briefly before losing interest in the two uninvited guests.

Castor lifts the cover and runs his hands over the metal engraved label on the box, his hands trembling as he unlocks each box.

Thais looks into the distance at the pale skyline, then turns back and gently urges him.

Castor blinks in slight surprise. Just as he prepares to open the last crate, a sudden sound of branches rubbing against flesh and stirring comes from the courtyard.

Sunlight pours in, the world awakes, and light and darkness reverse. A sudden, powerful shout abruptly awakes the entire inn.

A caravan transporting goods also discovers them and rushes over with several people dressed as shopkeepers.

Castor turns toward the rising sun, finally realizing the situation. He looks at the last unopened cargo box, then at the approaching crowd.

Wings flutter behind him as he crouches like a beast, ready to start killing again, when Thais pulls him back and shakes her head.

Castor looks at the cargo box just inches away and, in the end, follows Thais out of the inn amidst the shouts of the pursuers.

...

What does it feel like when someone dies and comes back to life?

Pollux never imagined he would experience these feelings. In his sleep, he fell into a dark chaos, entering a narrow space that felt like a mother's womb.

Unable to move or awaken, he continues to drowsily drift off in lazy peace, as if wholeheartedly accepting a sweet death.

Is it that the Lightbearer wants him to end like this, returning to the pure land of bliss? Then he would kneel in gratitude, accepting this gentle decree.

But, great Silver One, why does such an eternal land of tranquility have so much noisy disturbance? Is that a sin yet to be atoned for?

Pollux opens his eyes, but what he sees is not the pure land he imagined, it is instead several weathered faces above him.

A caravan member, having just checked the other boxes, looks down with confusion and meets Pollux's equally puzzled gaze.

Pollux sits up abruptly and flips out of the cargo box.

Pollux controls his weakened limbs and immediately straightens up to bark a scold, like an angry cat.

Pollux takes a step back as the caravan members' eyes shift from confusion to gloom, and he slowly edges outward.

The leader gives a slight wave, and several tall figures chase him out the door amid Pollux's shouts of Impudent! and How dare you!

...Where? The leader cannot quite remember, but in any case, as long as the cargo is delivered safely, their task is over.

...

Pollux presses tightly against a dark, narrow alleyway, trying to suppress his breath after the frantic run.

He peeks out with half an eye, watching the laborers run off, and finally lets out a long sigh.

He thinks about the memories before and after his resurrection, still not knowing how he ended up here. But as for the one responsible, it is not hard for him to guess.

Pollux offers a mocking smile. Before his lips can fully stretch, his stomach lets out a thunderous growl.

He straightens up, leisurely brushes off the wrinkles on his clothes, and combs his disheveled hair before walking out of the alley with his chin held high.

Pollux walks with each step measured precisely, his expression arrogant and indifferent as he moves along the center of the street.

In his nearly unchanging expression, the way he glances toward the stalls on either side is particularly noticeable.

Pollux goes through countless deliberations in his mind. Finally, he stops in front of the most "normal" pancake stall.

The vendor and Pollux stare at each other for a while before the former finally speaks in fluent General tongue.

Pollux lowers his eyelids and modestly glances at the steaming pancakes, then extends a finger to gently tap.

A flatbread wrapped in brown paper is roughly handed to Pollux amidst the vendor's strange gaze.

Overcome by hunger, Pollux does not bother with much etiquette. He bites into a piece of the bread and is slightly startled by the aroma of fresh dough and desert spices.

Pollux devours a few mouthfuls greedily before leisurely wiping the corners of his mouth, then performs a gesture of prayer with evident pleasure.

The expected excited expression does not appear. The vendor, after a brief moment of surprise, extends both hands with fingers raised.

After realizing that Pollux has no intention of producing any silver or copper coins, the vendor finally begins to angrily roar.

Pollux is startled. Although he cannot understand the desert dialect, he realizes it is not a sign of gratitude as the shopkeeper steps from the stall to grab him.

Misfortunes come in pairs. Amidst Pollux's shouts, caravan members discover him and begin chasing him from a distance.

Weakness makes Pollux hesitate for a moment. He grits his teeth and gives up the idea of fighting, starting his escape once again.

He tightly grips the half-warm flatbread as he runs wildly through the unfamiliar streets, praying and cursing all at once.

...

At the same time, when Castor and Thais sneak into the backyard of the inn again, they see the empty box.

Just as they prepare to step out the door, Castor quickly retreats and silently hides behind the door with Thais.

A group of Lantern Bearers moves with well-trained precision through the street, scanning every corner.

Castor turned his head back and gave Thais a bitter smile.

...

Out of breath, Pollux stops, exhausted. He looks back toward the street entrance and finally can no longer see those annoying faces.

He looks at the greasy pancake in his hand, stained with oil, and angrily flings it hard onto the ground.

Just as he prepares to continue cursing, someone suddenly reaches out from a nearby dark alley, clamps a hand over his mouth, and drags him inside.

Even though the pursuers they worry about are different, Pollux still reluctantly lowers his voice.

Pollux's earlier panic vanishes completely. As long as he is in front of Castor, he remains the lofty Lantern Divus.

He never cares to think about why he refuses to show even a hint of fragility in front of Castor.

He raises an eyebrow and questions him sternly, his face set against the complaint.

In the darkness, Castor blinks. Pollux sneers, his expression becoming even more indifferent.

Seeing Pollux turn to leave, Castor anxiously grabs his wrist.

As if suddenly enraged by a certain word, Pollux violently pulls away and stares into Castor's eyes.

Castor watches his brother's increasingly unfamiliar expression and stands motionless in a daze.

Pollux snorts in disdain, yet seems to think something over.

Pollux's gaze sharpens like a blade. Castor stammers, unable to speak for a while.

Pollux forcefully shakes off Castor and vanishes into the crowd on the street.

...

Since leaving the Church, Pollux has always been running.

He feels like a bird leaving its nest, escaping from the mouths of monsters and flapping his wings toward the embrace of home.

Perhaps the merciful Lightbearer has heard his prayer; the two sides searching for each other soon see one another from a distance.

Pollux rushes toward the group of Light Guards. He strives to maintain his composure and keep the joy on his face from becoming too obvious.

He notices the Light Guards raising their lanterns as if to pay him a courtesy.

Familiar status, respect, and pure devotion, everything he relies upon for existence opens its embrace to him once more.

However.

Boom...

A merciless spell strikes him. Intense pain and spasms cause him to collapse like a beached fish.

Pollux struggles to lift his head. In his disbelieving gaze, the Light Guards who never dared to look at him now coldly look down upon him.

They step toward him, raising the chains used for prisoners and sacrifices.

With his head held high, he argues vehemently, yet the chains do not pause. They reach with a cold breath toward his noble and fragile neck.

As if trying to prove something, Pollux trembles with agony as he attempts to push himself up from the ground.

That unbelievable expression slowly turns into anger, concealing the fear buried deep within his pupils.

He weakly tries to push the chain away to preserve his fragile dignity.

He wants to argue, to shout for help, but who can he turn to?

Pollux opens his mouth, managing only a weak breath.

The first to respond to him is not the great Lightbearer, nor Juliette, but a fierce and familiar gush of wind.

I am here.

Pollux lifts his head and looks at the pair of pure black wings in his vision, wings that fill him with both disdain and envy.

Pollux lets out a low chuckle, then quickly lowers his head to hide his expression. Whether he laughs at Castor or himself, he does not know.

The wind drives away the Light Guards yet gently bypasses Pollux. A pair of hands helps him up from the ground.

Pollux looks at the Light Guards who still want to attack and whispers softly.

Without mockery or surprise, as if he has been waiting for those words, Castor nods.

The wind wraps around Pollux again, taking him away from those cold, piercing stares.

...

The gorgeous crimson of dusk shrouds the city. Once a beautiful oasis, it now wears only an illusory appearance; the curtain of horror is about to rise.

Pollux drinks the sap Thais offers in silent obedience, then quietly curls up in the corner.

Castor hesitates, unable to say a true farewell. He has just experienced a meeting and must immediately face an abrupt parting.

Thais smiles and shakes her head, saying nothing more.

...

In the residual heat of the setting sun, Castor and Pollux move through the streets.

They intentionally show a shadow or a corner of clothing, luring squads of Lantern Bearers on patrol.

The news of the Divus draws the remaining Light Guards together. Shadows of purple silently surge in from all directions.

Castor looks back at the blood-red sunset, then turns and enters a crowded inn.

The giant hound's saliva drips to the ground with its excited breaths. Juliette leaps down from the hound amidst a crowd of bowing figures.

An eerie silence fills the air. In the vast courtyard, not even a single shopkeeper appears to ask questions.

The giant hound lifts its head, ears turning in confusion. It discovers that there is no sound in the entire city.

As Juliette waves, several Light Guards carefully pull open the inn's door.

SQUEAK!

The creak of the door is jarring against the absolute silence. The giant hound takes an uneasy step forward, hearing faint rustling sounds from all around.

Everyone inside the inn is like a taxidermy specimen, frozen in time, standing rigidly in place.

A few Light Guards probe the residents and watch them collapse as if in a coma.

SPLISH...

No sooner are the words spoken than a writhing, pitch-black vine pierces through the Light Guard's chest, spreading across his body in an instant.

With no time to scream, the frail flesh is taken over by the will of the plant. Arms, organs, seven orifices... black lines surge and grow.

The Light Guard twists oddly before happily joining the tree's revelry. He opens his mouth, and new branches grow from it, dripping with viscous blood.

The innkeeper rises from behind the Light Guards, and all the sleeping figures stand up. Their heads turn in unison toward the fresh bodies; they have sensed the scent of prey.

Outside the inn, night falls. Within the thick darkness, the entire city awakens.

Something heavy suddenly crashes from the roof. With a loud thud, countless clumsy footsteps are drawn toward the noise.

On the rooftop, Castor retracts his hand and hides behind the wall, silently watching the scene below.

Pollux widens his eyes. He looks at the calm Castor and remains speechless.

Juliette's ever-present smile slightly cools. She looks toward the rooftop and then at the Light Guards struggling against the monsters. She almost wants to clap for Castor's growth.

She stands amidst the blood and gently claps her hands as if no one else were there.

Castor looks at her calm demeanor with a heavy expression.

Juliette produces a dim mirror from somewhere. Smiling, she chants obscure incantations. Cold moonlight reflects on the mirror and gradually turns dark and scarlet.

A layer of blood-red film covers the moon. Under the blinding red light, all branches become still as if they have lost their life.

In the next instant, those branches begin to wildly writhe as if in agony. The flesh housing them swells and deforms, rolling and entangling together.

A chorus of recitations hums from the congregants. Those who chant are freed from the torment of madness and begin to approach the terrace.

In the monster's ear-piercing howl, Juliette looks toward the rooftop and extends her hand, like a mother calling her child home.

Castor grits his teeth and knocks out the rolling, shouting Pollux. He trembles as he opens the box obtained from Karnak and swallows the last pill.

Under the huge blood-red moon, Castor spreads his pure black wings. A luminous glow like sweet spring water flows over every feather, and his wounds vanish instantly into nothingness.

Feeling the power coursing through his veins, Castor glares with an eerie green light. He gently lifts Pollux and leaps from the rooftop.

A howling hurricane of horror lifts countless Light Guards and monsters high into the air, tearing them apart into a bloody rain that showers behind him.

Wind propels Castor forward like a darting shadow. He readies a wind blade and strikes directly at Juliette's ritual mirror.

Castor closes in on Juliette. He sees her pupils slightly constrict with surprise.

But the smile he despises does not disappear; instead, it grows even more pronounced.

Castor's heart races with an uneasy premonition. He instinctively tightens his grip on Pollux, preparing for a tough battle.

Just as he is about to reach Juliette, Castor hears a faint muffled sound through the howling wind.

Castor lowers his head. He sees a pool of blood blooming from his own chest.

As blood blossoms splatter, he sees a pale hand gently pull away from that crimson pool.

Castor opens his eyes in disbelief and slowly looks at Pollux, who remains expressionless in his arms.

Thud...

The soaring black bird crashes to the ground.

...

In his gradually darkening vision, Castor sees Pollux walking toward Juliette, obediently bowing his head in respect.

Juliette, unharmed, smiles and pats Pollux on the head. She gives Castor a pitying glance.

The Light Guards close in, binding Castor's wings and body with heavy chains.

All pain fades from his body. A vast emptiness grows in Castor's chest, drawing him into a lonely darkness.

All pain fades from his body. A vast emptiness grows in Castor's chest, drawing him into a lonely darkness.

Castor helplessly recalls a memory in the darkness before he faints.

He recalls the moment Pollux pierces his chest. He sees a single crystalline tear slip down that cold face.