See You, Neverland

In the profound darkness, the sound of bells echoed. Heavy, serious, carrying a sense of urgency.

But you don't want to wake up. Your memories are still stuck in the last scene by the seaside...

Under the blazing sun, the Awakeners play beach volleyball freely. You take the camera handed to you by 24 and capture this joyful and beautiful moment into eternity.

Then...

The pitch-black sun falls, stirring up shattered white waves, and vaporizes all the beauty, leaving you alone to descend into endless darkness.

If it weren't for the last Black Sun's Fall, all the experiences by the seaside would be utterly perfect.

...

You let yourself fall endlessly, sinking into deeper darkness.

Yet that annoying bell rang again, occasionally mixed with indistinct sounds.

You suddenly open your eyes, shifting from darkness to light, and gaze at the world once again.

The person before you is indeed Czort, and the scene in front of you does indeed belong to Mythag. The dark D-marks on the tombstone are gone, and there are unfamiliar people present.

A group of boys and girls dressed in brand new Mythag uniforms are scattered around the cemetery, their expressions youthful yet serious, attentively listening to Czort's speech.

This scene is too familiar, instantly bringing back memories of the past...

Memories flash before your eyes, overlapping with the scenes of reality, creating an illusion of time flowing backward. But the remnants of rationality bring you back.

Because Ramona's figure is uniquely absent from the graveyard before you. You cannot understand the words that Czort spoke at all.

Everything is so similar to the past, yet everything is so different from the past. Because you heard the word once.

Thus, the Silver Key fell into the hands of the Mythag newcomers.

You look at them, smiling as you grasp the Silver Key, gazing at their young faces filled with anticipation and desire for the future, and your heart is filled with mixed emotions.

But what truly shattered your psychological defenses was a single line from Czort...

Czort, who is currently holding the newcomer ceremony, obviously cannot answer you.

You let out a deep sigh and quietly slipped out of the rebirth ceremony.

The buildings of Mythag are no different from before, but the welcome ribbons everywhere, the laughter of passing crowds, and the cheerful music around make it distinct from your memories.

Mythag in reality is always serious and heavy, filled with death and unspeakable pain.

However, reality has no what ifs, and you can only look around with mixed feelings, trying to find clues. Unfortunately, the continuous music around you is affecting your thoughts.

When you follow the sound to the music room, the music has already stopped. The door is wide open, revealing Hameln, who seems to be rehearsing.

You take a deep breath, your expression turning serious, and ask the most crucial question.

An expected answer, and such a vague response also relieved you. No one knows the truth of Dissolution better than you.

Hameln put the baton away in its case, gracefully walking to the gate and making a gesture of invitation.

Hameln leads you to the club recruitment site. Many familiar Awakeners stand in small groups behind the booths, welcoming the newcomers.

Sanga was surrounded by numerous sculptures and an inconspicuous sculpture club sign, smiling gently.

Clementine sits next to the sign of the psychological society, smiling at you as she conducts a psychological analysis for the confused newcomers.

Poetry resides in the farthest corner, yet no one can overlook it; those soul-stirring verses and the rich fragrance of roses have already captivated the hearts of the newcomers.

The gears and machinery of the Inventors' Society roar incessantly, coupled with the continuously flashing light bulbs, making it the most eye-catching presence.

You stare in shock at Erica in her human form. Besides the Dissolution vanishing, how many more anomalies in this dream can you not anticipate?

Just when you hesitated, someone who shouldn't be there walked towards Erica.

You call out the other's name, but the sound is drowned out by the enthusiastic cheers of rebirth.

Soon, Mei and Erica are surrounded by the newcomers, asking for autographs.

You gaze at Mei and Erica in her human form, a storm of emotions rising within you, unable to calm down.

Have you ever imagined what the world would be like if Dissolution had never existed, and where the Awakeners would go? No matter how you envision it, it will never be like it is now...

Hearing Erica's response, Mei can't help but laugh.

Erica rolls her eyes slightly and answers as a matter of course.

The Erica before you is so full of humanity, so completely different from your memories, that you can't help but let out a sigh.

But you ultimately did not forget the purpose of coming here.

You chew on the unfamiliar words from Mei's mouth, realizing that the history of this world is likely different from what you know.

Erica looks at you, her eyes filled with curiosity and inquiry. Mei, on the other hand, smiles and answers your question.

You listen quietly to Mei and Erica's statements, feeling a storm of emotions within you... you know what the truth is.

The truth is that Erica was devoured by Energy S, and her spirit is trapped inside the automaton she created, becoming the Tick-Tock Man.

But you cannot speak such a cruel truth. You can only remain silent.

The truth stuck in your throat for a moment, but in the end, you changed the subject.

Before you can finish speaking, Erica takes your arm and leads you to the club recruitment area.

Erica's voice catches everyone's attention, and in an instant, you become the center of attention.

Horla holds a rose and looks at you. And you fall silent again, after seeing the figure standing next to Horla.

Colette stands beside Horla, holding her hand and smiling at you.

You thought you would be shocked, but unexpectedly, you quickly calm down.

Colette's appearance merely continues the absurd style of this world, just like Dissolution vanishing and Mei.

Colette turns her head and looks at Horla.

As she spoke, Colette turned to the side, showcasing the rose arrangements covering the table; even the poetry club sign had been decorated with vibrant roses by her.

Colette smiles, picks a bouquet of roses, and solemnly hands it to Horla.

Horla takes the roses, revealing a serene smile.

At the same time, a certain indescribable feeling spreads through your chest.

You savor this sudden feeling, experiencing the joy of morning dew condensing, the delight of each rose blooming, and the excitement when a flash of insight converges into poetry...

This is an emotion that can be called happiness. This is what Horla in the Hidden Truth lacks the most.

In the pervasive happiness around you, you look at Horla and let out a soft sigh after a long hesitation.

Horla lowers her head in thought, then lifts it, her blue eyes gazing seriously at you, revealing a smile.

A smile appears on your face, but your voice chokes, and your eyes grow warm with tears.

The shell necklace Lily gave is so beautiful, Brown's dance is so comical, and that chaotic beach volleyball brawl didn't settle the score...

So much happiness, so much beauty, so clear and vivid. You can even recall the smile of each Awakener...

The world is a cage of dreams; how I long to be its prisoner

You don't answer, keeping your smile as you look at Horla. You are afraid that any small change would make your tears fall uncontrollably.

A figure suddenly squeezes through and comes up in front of everyone. It's Jenkin. Thanks to her, you finally have time to calm your emotions.

Following Jenkin's gaze, you see a small mountain of film boxes, so many that a handcart can't hold them all.

Francis approaches, pushing the heavy photography equipment, while Lily nestles affectionately beside her mother.

Lily rubs Francis's hand while speaking, and Francis, as if summoned, gently strokes Lily's little head with affection.

You look at the smiling Francis and the blissful Lily, feeling a mix of emotions in your heart.

This world impacts your heart time and time again, refreshing your understanding of a world without Dissolution.

This is a world where everyone has their wishes fulfilled. This is a world where everyone lives happily.

You can't help but lower your head, covering your eyes with your hands, unwilling to let the tears fall, unwilling to show your fragility.

Fake, fake, everything is fake. It's all just a beautiful dream.

But this dream is so beautiful, beautiful enough that you don't want to and won't burst it.

At that moment, a hand takes yours.

A rose is placed in your hand, along with a verse gifted to you.

Another hand offers a handkerchief to wipe away your tears.

Bitterness and pain spread from your heart, permeating your entire body, until you have to clutch your chest with your hand.

Then, you lower your hand and smile at the Awakeners. A resolute smile.

The Awakeners clearly sense your determination and do not stop you. So you take one last look at Lily, Horla, and Erica before turning to leave.

How you wish this moment could last forever, but you must make up your mind to awaken from this false dream.

Because...

In this world filled with accidents, madness, and death, anyone has the right to lose their way. Only you must remain rational and true.

For those who are waiting for you To return to that world once again

The underground passage of Mythag, your destination.

If anyone in this world can traverse the barriers of dimensions to reveal the truth to you at this moment, it can only be Tawil.

You don't know, you don't even know if this false Mythag has a Black Pool.

Soon, you arrive at the end of the corridor, the place with the inconspicuous button.

At that time, you had Doll, Ramona, Lotan, and Ogier by your side, but this time... it's just you.

No one answers. Even the button remains silent.

In the next moment, the gate slowly opens, revealing the scene of the taboo once again before your eyes.

The familiar black swamp appears before your eyes, silently surging with a despair that devours everything. The Black Pool.

Your voice comes to an abrupt stop. A faceless figure in pure white stands on the black swamp, compassionate and noble, gazing at you.

The response you receive is a hoarse voice, sounding like a scream or a wail.

Then, with an ear-splitting shriek, six giant silver wings spread from its sides, sweeping up the black liquid of Dissolution as it lunges toward you.

In the Black Pool where silver feathers flutter, you fall into a bitter struggle, constantly devoured by the black liquid of Dissolution.

The response is still a hoarse call, sounding like a scream or a wail.

In this call, the black liquid of Dissolution engulfs your arm, devours your neck, and ultimately consumes everything about you.

You cannot breathe, nor can you express the why in your heart, only sinking endlessly into the black abyss, continuously drowning.

At that moment, a sigh sounds in your ear, and then everything before you suddenly turns pure white.

Once your eyes adjust to the light and you can finally see, you see Tawil. The real Tawil.

Tawil stands quietly before you, looking at you with a expression full of remorse.

You look at Tawil to confirm your guess, and she nods, giving an affirmative response.

Tawil's expression changes for a moment, perhaps reflecting an emotion called confusion, or maybe just a fleeting lapse.

You don't know. The expression was gone too fast.

You hesitate for a moment and voice the question that has been building in your heart for a long time.

You stand frozen in place.

You have envisioned countless answers, yet none point to yourself, none point to your true inner cravings.

But everything is destined to be this way, isn't it? Because the reason you fight has always been so simple...

You don't want to see the tragedies caused by Dissolution anymore

You long for every Awakener, every person living in this world, to attain happiness.

It's just that deep in my heart, I'm unwilling to give up the delusion of something called happiness...

Tawil quietly gazes at you, the distant light reflecting on her face, making it difficult for you to see her expression.

Tawil gently raised her hand, as if wanting to touch you, but ultimately restrained herself and closed her eyes.

Then, Tawil opened her eyes, and you saw yourself in her infant blue pupils.

You thought you would be sad and in tears, or hesitant and struggling, but you weren't. Your expression is calm and resolute, as if you are ready for sacrifice.

You simply stare back at Tawil, your tone resolute and calm.

Then, the six wings that truly belong to Tawil spread out, stirring up a gust of wind, and within this wind, the silver feathers fluttered, blocking your line of sight.

When the silver feathers disappeared, you found yourself back in Mythag again. However, this time, Mythag felt different; it was too desolate.

There are no hopeful newcomers, no joyful club activities, only emptiness, only loneliness, and Clementine in this endless emptiness and loneliness.

Clementine looks at you, standing quietly in place. She has been waiting here for a long time.

This answer catches you off guard.

At this point, you finally recall the scene from a few days ago when you participated in the test. But you don't understand why a routine psychological assessment would lead to such consequences.

Seeing your confused expression, Clementine sighs.

You stand frozen in place, you want to say that these past experiences were merely some hardships, but you can't find the words.

That is the home and hometown you can never return to.

Clementine lets out a sigh, looking at you gently and with pity.

You keenly perceive the underlying meaning in Clementine's words.

Clementine's smile grows ever more gentle, making you involuntarily feel a desire to agree. But your rationality makes you aware of the anomaly.

After saying that, you shout into the air. You know that whenever you need her, she will surely respond.

A long and loud call resounds from the sky, carrying an unstoppable force through its very sound.

In this shriek that crosses dimensions, the surrounding scenery can no longer bear it and begins to reveal its hidden truth.

Clementine does not answer; she just sighs deeply and then vanishes into a sea of pure white.

When the blinding white light dissipates, the scene before you transforms dramatically, resembling a quickly sketched drawing.

Rationality tells you that this is indeed a painting, as your body has transformed from three-dimensional into a flat two-dimensional form, as if you have become part of the artwork.

Hearing the voice, you can't help but turn around to see Erica.

She still looks human, gazing at you with curiosity.

Before you can say anything, Erica pulls you in front of a machine puffing steam and full of rotating gears.

As she speaks, Erica takes out Energy S, preparing to insert it into the automaton's body. Knowing this is the source of Erica's tragedy, you instinctively stop her.

Crackle, just as you say this, the sound of electricity suddenly fills the air, as if a normally functioning machine has malfunctioned.

Mei nods, and you fall silent, at a loss for words.

But the innate curiosity and desire for exploration of an inventor makes Erica unable to give up.

You can't help but let out a deep sigh. You've never hated yourself so much for clearly remembering everything about the Hidden Truth.

Crackle, the sound of electricity resounded again as the automaton began to malfunction, emitting sparks.

You clench your fists, wanting to find an excuse to brush it off, but your rationality forces you to reveal the truth. From the moment you decided to awaken from this beautiful dream, there was no turning back.

Crackle, crackle, the sound of electricity intensified, the automaton malfunctioned for a long time, and finally exploded.

Boom...

In the violent explosion, Mei, the automaton, and everything around slowly disappear into a white impact, including you.

At that moment, a familiar figure rushed in front of you, blocking all damage.

The smooth language of humanity gradually turns into rigid, mechanical electronic syllables, and the skin of humanity is burned and destroyed, disappearing without a trace.

At the same time, brand new, mechanical flesh was growing on her body.

In the sound of mechanical burning, Erica shakes her head. Her face no longer bears the vivid expressions it once had, only the eternal calm belonging to machines.

Cracks appear on Erica's body, a precursor to the breakdown caused by the overload of her emotional module. Yet even so, she still insists on expressing her thoughts.

Then, intense sparks erupt from her body, and the automaton that had persisted for so long finally disassembles.

The surroundings return to silence and pure white, with only a painting quietly floating before you, hinting that everything that just happened truly existed.

That's Erica's House-Tree-Person drawing.

Automaton Erica, has painted a human dream for herself

Holding Erica's House-Tree-Person drawing, you stand quietly frozen in place.

Your eyes are warm, your hands are trembling, your heart is in excruciating pain, yet your mind is calm. Or rather, it simply filters out the pain.

At this moment, you finally understand what Clementine means. A part of you is indeed having problems.

With this response, the white light transforms into Mythag. Clementine appears beside you, quietly gazing at you.

You lower your head, gazing at the House-Tree-Person drawing belonging to Erica, falling into silence.

Clementine takes a step closer to you, revealing a smile filled with persuasion and hope.

You can't help but close your eyes, your hands starting to tremble. This dream is so beautiful that you can't help but want to sink into it, but so many things force you to stay awake.

They are the responsibilities you bear, the countless lives waiting to be saved, the desire to return to that world, the truth of the universe's madness destined for destruction, and...

They are too heavy and painful, leaving no room for you to stop.

Clementine sighs and closes her eyes. She doesn't say anything more; she respects your decision.

The scenery around begins to melt and blur, revealing the second Dream Core maintaining the dream.

Clementine's figure completely vanishes from your vision, replaced by a sea of flowers.

In the endless sea of roses, the sound of poetry recitation comes from afar, mingling with the fragrance of flowers, indistinguishable from one another.

In this endless sea of roses, Horla and Colette gaze at each other. And you, watching from a distance, take it all in with a heavy sigh.

Horla smiled happily, while Colette picked the most vibrant rose and handed it to you.

You take the rose, wanting to admire its beauty, but its vivid color reminds you of the blood that flows endlessly and this collapsing world.

You choke for a moment, unable to speak, and can only sigh. This sigh is heavy and prolonged, draining all your strength.

Thus, the rose in your hand falls, as if you can no longer bear the pain and sorrow that come with it.

A gust of wind blows, and the endless roses begin to tremble, as if crying. Countless petals start to fall and wither, dying in an instant.

Amidst the thousands of withered flowers, Horla picks up the bouquet you had dropped. You clearly see her figure beginning to blur.

Horla looked at Colette, whose figure was continuously shattering and dissolving into scattered roses.

The scattered roses cannot respond; their only sound is withering, burning in their decay.

Then, in the ever-burning sea of flowers, Horla looked at you.

Flames spread along the withered sea of flowers, climbing up Horla's skirt. She fears the flames but does not evade them, instead focusing intently on you.

Under such a focused and sincere gaze, you instinctively clutch your chest.

Your heart is in pain. Perhaps it has always been in pain, but only now do you allow yourself to hear its voice.

Yet no matter how hard you try, you cannot make a sound. Those burdens that entangle you are too heavy, making the very act of expressing yourself a taboo.

Flames spread along Horla's skirt, continuously extending, scorching her sorrow, her grief, her pain, and her innocence.

Flames spread to Horla's arms, and there is no longer a smile on her face, only deep melancholy, just like the real Horla in memory.

After speaking, Horla hands the rose to you.

You struggle to hold onto the rose and Horla, desperately trying to retain something. You have to do this, you should do this, you know it, but your heart still aches.

Horla shakes her head, the flames already licking at her face, obscuring your view of her expression.

In the blazing firelight, Horla's figure gradually fades away, leaving behind only a single line...

At this point, the burning sea of flowers, Colette transformed into roses, and the sorrowful Horla all vanished before you.

What quietly rests in your hand is not a rose, but a drawing. Horla's House-Tree-Person drawing.

In the dream of the Melancholic Poet lies a spring that never ends, it is the immortal love and beauty in her heart

You stand for a long time, silently putting away Horla's House-Tree-Person drawing, and walk forward.

You have a feeling that the third Dream Core maintaining the dream will soon appear.

When the familiar change appears before you, your heart finally relaxes, only to quickly lift again...

You hear laughter, familiar, filled with joy and happiness, Lily's laughter.

On the lawn, Francis holds Lily, lulling her to sleep, but Lily giggles because of her mother's hanging hair.

Francis looks at Lily and shakes her head helplessly, but her expression is smiling, clearly enjoying Lily's antics.

Lily's naive words pierce deeply into your heart like a blade, leaving you unable to move.

Having witnessed Francis trapped in that room and experienced Lily's desperate devotion, you cannot convince yourself to destroy a child's purest wish.

You look at Lily and Francis, feeling heavy, and this heaviness peaks when Lily notices you and shows you her innocent smile.

You instinctively close your eyes, but quickly open them again. You know what must be done.

Lily smiles again and leans against her mother's embrace, quietly waiting for your story.

The child named Lily and the mother named Francis are part of a tragic story of reality written by this cruel world.

Lily crinkles her small face, lost in sadness, while Francis watches you, her expression surprisingly calm.

The dead turning to gray mist in London, the survivors scraping by under the weight of disaster... these are the most common sights in this cruel world.

Francis fixes her gaze on you, steady, calm, and insightful.

Francis smiles and pats Lily's head and places a delicious sweet cookie into her mouth.

A loud bang interrupts your words. You turn to look in the direction of the sound and see the dark building.

The door stands open, yet no light escapes it, and none can enter.

It is Lily's eternal nightmare, that room.

Now it stands wide open, waiting for her to walk in and reenact the tragedy of reality, ready to shatter a child's beautiful dream.

Realizing this, you can no longer control yourself and suddenly stand up.

Francis remains calm.

Suddenly, Clementine's words surface in your mind.

You stand frozen in place, feeling a drop fall from the corner of your eye.

Lily holds your hand and offers you a sweet cookie.

You feel another drop fall from your face.

You feel them now, they are your tears.

The unbearable pain and sorrow finally overflow, seeping from your body and falling away, exposed to the world.

Lily happily feeds you the cookie. You taste the bitterness of tears and the sweetness of the biscuit simultaneously.

You remain silent, unsure how to respond.

The automaton who shielded you during the explosion, the roses and verses gifted by the melancholic poet in the burning sea of flowers... they all emerge in your mind.

You never had the chance to thank Erica, or say a proper goodbye to Horla...

You close your eyes. You have missed so much.

Something is placed in your hand. It is Lily; she offers you another cookie.

This time, you take the initiative and accept the sweet cookie, smiling as you pat Lily's head.

You look at Francis, your tone resolute.

Francis pauses, then smiles. She takes Lily's hand and stands.

Lily nods, smiling as she hands you a box filled with cookies and her blessings.

You smile, take the box, and walk toward the pitch-black building under the watchful eyes of Francis and Lily.

The wide-open gate remains dark and devoid of light, but your heart has changed.

Lily waves vigorously. Her mother, Francis, stands beside her with a gentle, happy smile.

Standing inside the dark doorway, you take one last look at Lily and Francis before closing the door.

In a low murmur, you speak to yourself as the terrifying gate slowly closes, freezing the smiles of Lily and Francis in the darkness.

They will be eternally happy within this never-ending dream.

After a long while, a familiar white light bursts through the darkness. A painting replaces the cookie box in your arms.

You look at the two small figures in the drawing, holding hands and smiling. An involuntary smile spreads across your face.

An innocent child created a pure dream, and fortunately, you did not shatter it.

What you are determined to shatter is your own beautiful dream, and yourself.

You raise your hand and reach for the Silver Key.

As you speak, the scenery around you slowly shifts. You know Clementine is about to appear.

The familiar night scene of Mythag returns, vast and lonely, but now accompanied by a new painting.

Instinct tells you that this is your House-Tree-Person world.

With those words, Clementine appears and stands before you.

You instinctively tighten your grip on the Silver Key, prompting a sigh from Clementine.

The scenery shifts, transforming into Mythag, Londinium, Remouahe, Aram... every place you have ever set foot.

These landscapes are diverse, yet they share a singular, pervasive trait: Dissolution.

It is omnipresent, slowly devouring these lands, and devouring your heart and soul along with them.

You close your eyes and draw a deep breath. The agony and sorrow buried in your heart surge again, now joined by panic, self-doubt, and uncertainty.

Every emotion carves a scar upon your soul, yet they fail to shatter you. They cannot break you.

You open your eyes and watch Clementine in silence.

You grasp the Silver Key firmly. Clementine offers a smile.

Clementine smiles, looking at the source of it all: your House-Tree-Person drawing, your dream.

As your House-Tree-Person drawing fractures, the world around you twists and melts.

You remain silent, recalling the drawing.

Gradually, the scenes in your mind are no longer drawings, but the real Mythag, the real Doll, Ramona, Lotan, and Ogier.

You shake your head, watching Clementine within the fragments of the collapsing dream.

The people of that world collectively wove this dream for you, and you are determined to turn that dream into reality.

Seeing your serious expression, Clementine relaxes and offers a smile.

A shriek echoes through the dissolving scenery, Tawil's response to your words. They have always been there.

With Clementine's final words, the dream shatters completely.

The sky with its black sun hangs high above, bringing the gray mist and the cruelty of the world back into focus.

A photo lies silently in your palm, a souvenir from a phantom dream that should not exist in this harsh reality.

The seaside, volleyball, the celebration... the only thing different from your memory is Ramona.

Her familiar face wears a serene smile, as if she has transcended time and space to meet your gaze. It feels as if she is standing right before you.

You place your hand upon the photo, a surge of emotion and confusion flooding your heart.

Your question finds no answer. In the world of gray mist, only the silent black sun remains unchanged.

You press the photo against your chest, over your heart, and close your eyes.

You open your eyes and look toward the high-hanging black sun, walking toward it with steady steps.

This world is still crumbling, watched by indescribable horrors and teetering on the edge of oblivion, but...

You will eventually find a way to save it.