Rencarnation Room {Other Story line}

The tension had eased a little, though the atmosphere remained uncomfortable. Everyone was now looking at El with a mixture of curiosity, fear, and distrust.

"I live because death does not want me yet."

A moment of silence, then he continued, this time with a little more emphasis on each word. "And you're not wrong. I may be a moving corpse. But I am also the void itself."

El lowered her gaze, taking a deep breath before speaking. "You're right. I am broken. My heart, my soul and everything. But that's what keeps me alive." El said, voice calmer, but still sounding heavy.

"If I give up, I'll really die. So, I keep going... even if it means being like this."

El paused for a moment, his empty eyes now showing a hint of tenderness. "I'm sorry, Midori. I didn't intend for you to see this darkness. You shouldn't be burdened by all this..."

"And, don't feel sory to me. This is the price I pay and the path I take." El said, his voice cold again, without any emotion in it, but without any ill will.

His words were not a threat, but a statement of undeniable fact. He then turned his face away from Midori, as if the conversation was over.

In his mind, Yuri's voice laughed softly, like he was making fun of him, but El ignored it.

The atmosphere around the campfire felt even heavier, like the air itself was pressing down on all of them. No one spoke, just silence and the occasional curious glance thrown in El's direction.

To them, El was now an unsolvable puzzle, someone who could not be understood by ordinary human logic.

El sat in silence, his gaze focused on the campfire that glowed softly in the middle of the night. Behind that outward calmness, his mind was busy, not with the world around him, but with a voice that only he could hear.

"Yuri, I have a question," El thought, speaking the words directly into his mind. "How come you were able to stay in my subconscious for so long without... without being affected by any of this?"

Silence fell over the communication, but El waited. He seemed to know that this time Yuri was choosing his words carefully. When the voice finally emerged, it was soft but full of weight.

"Adrian," Yuri replied softly, as if whispering a painful truth, "being able to see destiny means I also see the crew and the end of everything."

"I witness death over and over again, just as you are constantly drowning in the agony of the souls you keep." Yuri said, her voice like a dagger piercing into the soul.

El remained silent, listening intently. Yuri paused for a moment, letting the meaning of his words settle in El's mind.

"The sea of suffering in your soul is indeed tremendous, more than billions... but I also have the same sea. Only, it's not red like blood, it's pitch black," Yuri continued, voice calm but bitter.

The words dug deep into El's mind. He paused for a moment, trying to piece together an understanding of the relationship he had with this entity.

'So, you can survive in my soul... because we are the same?' he asked finally, the voice in his mind sounding doubtful.

However, this time there was no answer. Silence again enveloped their communication. Was Yuri deliberately ignoring him? Or was the question too difficult, even for an entity like him?

El could only stare at the flames slowly dancing in front of him, his mind dragged into a sea of red and black that led nowhere.

Perhaps there were no answers now or perhaps, there would never be the answers she truly wanted.

The previously enveloping silence was broken by the firm steps of a man in full military uniform approaching their group. His face looked serious, reflecting the urgency of the situation he was about to address.

Satomi immediately stood up, her instincts telling her that this news was very important. Her eyes keenly scrutinized the man's every move.

"Excuse me," the man said as he gave a formal salute. "Commander Gadou requests all civilian officers to assemble in the hall immediately at 7:30 pm."

His tone was firm and professional, while the pistol at his waist seemed to reflect an ever-present threat. Everyone who heard knew this was not an order that could be ignored.

Kisara stood up quietly, followed by the others, including El who expressionlessly rose from her position. Her movements were gentle but alert, like a predator that was always ready despite its apparent indifference.

Satomi glanced at their faces one by one, searching for conviction or enthusiasm in their eyes. Although no one spoke, their sense of responsibility was evident.

With unwavering determination, Satomi nodded slowly, as if signaling to her group that they would face whatever awaited them.

The clock on Kisara's wrist read 19:15, a time that gave them only a few minutes to reach the hall.

Without saying much, they began to move, their steps cautious yet quick, following orders without hesitation.

Five minutes passed, and they arrived at the meeting area. The hall was an open field without grass, spacious and roomy enough to accommodate many people. The air felt slightly chilly, creating a tense atmosphere that quietly enveloped the place.

Right in front of them, stood a simple wooden podium. Behind the podium was a large screen that was clearly designed to convey more detailed information or instructions.

The aura of seriousness was even more pronounced, especially when they saw that a large number of civilian officers had gathered with their Initiators.

All stood in silence, waiting patiently but with anticipation for what Commander Gadou Nagamasa would say.

Before long, everyone's attention was drawn to a man who was slowly walking towards the podium. He was a bald man with a well-built body, short beard and thick mustache, indicating his age of approximately 45 years.

He was dressed in a traditional Japanese kimono, topped with a sturdy piece of ancient armor.

At his waist, hung a magnificent-looking Japanese sword made of pure Varanium, a weapon that symbolized their resistance.

He is Gadou Nagamasa, a charismatic leader with an unquestionable reputation. His every step exuded authority, forcing all eyes to be on him.

Right behind him, following with a quiet yet confident stride, was a little girl. Her long black hair flowed down to her waist, adorned with a long white ribbon that she used as a headband.

Part of the little girl's hair was tied into a ponytail at the back of her head, while her neat bangs were combed to the left side, framing her calm yet firm face.

The girl's eyes were a dull green color, reflecting an unnatural calmness for someone her age.

The girl wore armor resembling that of a female warrior, complete with a Varanium Japanese sword at her waist, emphasizing that she was no ordinary girl.

She was Asaka Mibou, a Cursed Child who had proven herself a loyal Initiator and Gadou Nagamasa's right hand.

Asaka's calm and cool presence made the atmosphere even more serious, as if to signify that whatever was to be delivered tonight was not trivial.