Bab 54: Eternal Night - Part VII [Saika and Saeko]
Sitting across from each other, Sae-chan and I let go of the sentimentality, both of us looking at the entity that was the mastermind behind what was happening here.
This entity in white, hard to recognise, says:
-My name is Frill. I am the [Goddess of Life] of Gamma, and the one who made possible the reincarnation of all souls in Gamma. I'm sorry I killed you, Saeko, it was a miscalculation that caused everyone in your school to die at the same time.
Frill.
Liselotte talked about her, she is the goddess who advocates for all the souls that are going to reincarnate in Gamma, and she will always seek a balance between life and death as that is what her concept means.
Although Liselotte can kill gods, that is definitely child's play for Frill, as all living beings in Gamma are marked by her "Stigma", which is what it means that they belong to that world.
She decides when that stigma is going to end for each living thing.
-Why did you arbitrarily decide to bring us here and merge each other's memories?
Sae-chan prioritises asking questions above all else, and that's actually a very good question to discuss.
I'm curious about what this goddess has been doing behind the scenes.
-Kýena. She's the reason we're here. I agreed to overlook what happened to my beautiful weapon that stupid vampire possesses, but in return, I was going to have an audience with you two.
To which Sae-chan replies:
-My sister has nothing to do with this world, so it makes no sense that she was summoned here. In any case, I'm the one you should be having this talk with.
-With someone who broke down emotionally just because she was penetrated by orcs? Of course. The very fact that your sister is here is also because of Kýena.
-What do you mean? -. I ask now.
Frill turns her eyes towards me (I think), and answers me in the same indifferent manner:
-The story of the two of you is a tragedy. There is no universe where the two can coexist. It is a case that Kýena, Æther and I have not been able to solve because there is always a reason why one of you dies.
...
You're saying that...
-How can that be possible? The theory of infinite universes prevents that from happening somehow. -. Sae-chan says in a sceptical tone.
-We explored all possibilities, everything. But there was always a change that caused one of you to die. It's basically a turning point where all the timelines converge.
-...
Sae-chan, like me, was speechless.
That means there's no universe where Sae-chan and I are together forever. That there's something that makes either of us die if not both of us, to simply make the other suffer.
Seeing our discomfort, Frill continues:
-Kýena decided to intervene the moment I failed to just kill some students, and in the process, killed Saeko. She thought you two should at least be happy in our world, and so she chose to do something that goes against my rules on life and death. Introducing two souls into one body.
-!
-!
-In simple terms. Saeko was reincarnated as Elise. Saeko was broken after the orcs. The will created from our "System" copied Saeko's memories into Saika's soul. Since then, it has been Saika, managing the "System" who had been controlling the body.
From the moment of reincarnation, we have always been together.
Our interactions... my feelings that I thought were external to an algorithm like the "System", were genuine feelings of a human being.
The sadness, the hatred, the companionship, the warmth I felt with those who became my allies. It was all real.
I... missed this same Saeko, who is now sitting in front of me. Not because she was the closest thing to a friend, but because a part of me knew she was my sister.
And Saeko... also realised what it meant... learned that she was never alone after all.
-The point of this meeting is simple. You died. There was nothing that could be done to make you beat 'Dagda', let alone in the hands of someone as skilled in weaponry as Enigma, for that sword that killed you is "Materialised Death". The sword ignores any immortality or regeneration. So, as [Goddess of Life] I must take your souls, but that's the hard part.
...
Sae-chan and I looked at each other...
We already know what she means.
-I will ignore that 'Dagda' killed you two, since the condition of this audience is that you decide now. Kýena is saddened that it must happen this way, but these are the rules. One will die. And the other must go back to stop Enigma.
!
We both stood up, surprised by what Frill had just said.
-Stop Enigma? That's impossible, she has centuries of experience and we have only a few months! -. Excited, I say.
-Plus she's got that sword, she killed us with a single blow, how are we supposed to stand up to something that kills just by touching you? Not to mention that Enigma is superior to us as a vampire!
To which Frill, with a wave of his hand, returns us to our chairs, and answers:
-You are sisters. Decide soon, for it is not only Enigma who is on the loose. Humanity is more at risk than ever now that a vampire has managed to dominate the blood of the Cross.
!
This is more serious than I thought, if there is a vampire capable of defeating Olivia, who is the defence force of the humans, all is lost.
As the eldest... it is my responsibility to take my younger sister's place in this. As painful as it is for Sae-chan, I'd rather she be happy.
I've lived long enough.
I had an excellent life, despite everything. I would have wanted this reunion to last longer, but it can't be otherwise.
I was about to get up from my chair, by the time Sae-chan says:
-Onee-chan. Take care of everyone for me. I'm tired, this is my chance to finally rest.
-Eh?
Sae-chan got up from her chair first, leaving me stunned.
She looks at me with that charismatic smile she always gave me as a child, but I can't believe what she's saying.
-I can't go on any longer. I've endured abuse for years, and I'm still going to take more beatings... I'd rather just fucking die.
-No, wait! Sae-chan, let me be a good big sister for once! It's simple, it's like when I gave you the strawberries from my cake because I knew how much you liked them. I don't want you to die.
-It's not the same, Onee-chan... I want to fulfil my role as your little sister, and make you proud of me...
-This is your life, Sae-chan, I can't take it away from you anymore! You were unhappy because of my whim in the first place, you wouldn't have had to stay alone if I hadn't insisted on going to buy that damn backpack!
-I remember... Onee-chan, you really loved Totoro. I liked seeing your happy face next to my parents' laughter for the last time.
-That's why! Let me be the one to sacrifice myself one last time in your place, Sae-chan! It's the least I can do...!
My voice is breaking. I feel like I'm going to start crying again at any moment.
I feel helpless, and Sae-chan stands her ground.
-Onee-chan... seriously, I want to go to sleep... the pain I'm feeling is not only physical, but also mental and psychological... I won't tolerate going back to that world.
-!
A pain floods my chest. I feel as if my heart is being ripped out at this very moment.
-Seriously, I'm glad you got everything I didn't, Onee-chan. You're my big Onee-chan, a super strong girl who stood up when her little sister couldn't stand up anymore! You've become a better person than I'll ever be, even a better Elise than me! I'm glad I've been your sister until now!
No, don't say that...
I'm not worthy of you saying that, I'm the one who should be giving you words of encouragement.
If only I hadn't been so weak, we wouldn't have to be doing this, that stupid decision to seek more answers about who is the recipient of our souls is what brought us to this.
I should have listened and not gone into that damn dungeon floor in the first place, but it's because of my stubbornness that I am now unable to stop my little sister from giving her life for mine.
-If you ever meet the boys, Maria, Shuri, Ouka and Kana... please make sure you make them very happy. And of course, don't forget Satome-chan, she must be waiting for us somewhere, I know it.
-No... Saeko... don't... -. I couldn't even articulate a sentence.
The tears and pain in my chest wouldn't stop, I couldn't even stand up. Sae-chan, from her ruby eyes, was looking at me with great expectation.
I remember several times this happened, such as my performance in a preschool dance or the graduation speech they made me give.
Saeko gave me her place in so many things that I had even forgotten that I was the big sister, and for the little I gave her, I don't deserve to be called that.
She was and still is a mainstay for me. Bright, friendly, but she was overshadowed the moment I took away her happiness.
And through it all, she always looked up to me as her big sister.
-I want you to apologise to Olivia, you said some horrible things to her, Onee-chan. I don't want you to make enemies, that's not who you are. You can do it, can't you? Wherever I am, I'll always be there for you.
Hearing that, I forced my throat as hard as I could to speak, even through the sea of tears, I wanted to speak so badly that I didn't mind breaking my throat.
-Saeko...! Gah... ahhh.... Saeko, don't leave me...! I'm scared...! I already lost you once... I don't want... I don't want you to go...!
-Don't be afraid... Saika-nee. You're stronger than me, never forget that. Frill, I'll be the one to go with you. Let Saika-nee return to Gamma to take care of everything.
-I'll let you say goodbye... I don't want there to be any unresolved grudges later.
Frill vanishes, though we know she's just waiting for us to finish. She also took away the table that divided us, so Saeko could come up to me and hug me.
-I love you, Saika. Thank you for joining me in this short reincarnation, you're the best sister I could have asked for.
I cling to Saeko's clothes, shouting:
-Don't go away!!!! I love you too... I love you too, Saeko!!!! Let me go with you, I don't care about anything that happens! I just don't want... to be alone!
-Kýena didn't let both of us die so that we could have this talk. She's not going to let the one who's left die for now, so you have to be strong, Saika-nee.
-I don't care...! If my younger sister has to die... for me to live...! Then it's not worth being alive...!
-Saika-nee... the different versions of us have never been able to have this discussion. You died before me, you were young. I want you to have the life that was taken away from you by fate, nothing would make me happier.
-Why? Why do you want to leave me again now that we are together again?! I don't care about other universes, I don't want my little sister to die here and now! I've already lived through the best, so let me die with you who lived through the worst!
Saeko pulls me away a little, to look me in the eyes. She is also crying right now.
-Forgive me, ok? Please be my Totoro backpack, Saika-nee. Let me be whimsical for once.
Don't do this to me... don't make that face... Can't you see you're crying? How can you smile at a time like this?
If you ask me like this... there's no way I can resist, silly little sister...
-I loved seeing you again. I'll treasure this memory for all eternity, even in hell itself. Hold your head up, Saika-nee. And don't cry for me. You have to face the greatest enemy you'll ever see, I need you to be strong. Gamma needs you.
-Yes... I'll do that, Sae-chan... I hope I live up to your expectations...
Sae-chan smiles at me again, and kisses my forehead. With that, even though I don't want to... I have to let her go.
-You'll never be alone, Onee-chan. There will always be my memories for you. And I want you to know that. Really, I love you, big sister.
-I love you too... little sister.
In spite of everything, I also force myself to smile.
Sae-chan is going to bear the burden of death in my place, it's her last wish so I decide it's best to respect my younger sister's final wish.
She certainly doesn't want to die. Nor does she want to abandon me. I know she would prefer to die by my side, but Kýena is not going to let that happen because she needs a new Elise Redhart.
For the first time, Sae-chan drops her shoulders. She has relaxed.
She's already accepted that she's going to die...
-Live a full life, Saika! I hope I won't see you in the afterlife too soon!
-Sister, I love you! I will remember you forever, always! And I promise you that I will die once I feel satisfied with this life you have given me! I'm happy to have been your big sister!
Sae-chan's smile crumbles, and she lets out all the tears she was holding back.
But despite that, she keeps her voice calm.
-I'm glad I could do something for you again, Onee-chan. I know you'll always be my greatest pride. Frill. I'm ready.
Frill reappears, looks at me for a moment.
Even though I'm annoyed, I just nod my head a little. Frill understands what I want to convey, and touches Sae-chan's shoulder, turning her into a swarm of white light butterflies.
-Rest in peace, my dear daughter...
Frill looks at each of the butterflies until they all fade into darkness.
My little sister... I hope you will be happy wherever you go. I will love you forever.
-I'm sorry it had to be this way, Saika. Or should I say, Elise?
After I finished wiping my tears, my appearance changed into the one Sae-chan had, that of Elise.
From this moment on, I ceased to be Nishimiya Saika, to take Elise's place again.
-If I die, please make me reincarnate with my sister.
-It is not my idea for you to die. Especially now that you are a complete vessel. Your physical body has already absorbed the damage from 'Dagda', but your soul is going to take time to restore itself. It's going to take a while.
-Tell me, Frill.
-I'm listening.
-...
The request I made to Frill wasn't something too important, but a simple experiment I want to do now that I'm going to revive.
Sae-chan. I promise we'll be together another time.
For now, let your big sister get her hands dirty in your place.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone