She fell into a deep sleep. By the time she realized it, she had returned to that same white space.
Slowly, she drifted down and found herself sitting at a round table. She was the only one there. All around her, colors of paint flowed through the air like they were suspended on a blank canvas.
But the colors weren't exact. Their patterns were strange—chaotic even. After a while, the flow stopped, and the once magical white space looked more like a child's messy artwork.
When she turned toward the table, two silhouettes had appeared, sitting opposite her. They were completely white and indistinguishable from each other.
They glanced at each other, then back at her.
"I guess she can finally see us. Though it probably isn't clear."
The second one nodded. This voice sounded oddly familiar—like the one she'd heard moments before falling asleep.
Gilly hesitated, unsure if she was dreaming again.
"This is not a dream."
She jolted. It was as though someone had read her mind.
The second silhouette spoke next.
"Since she hasn't attained this level of existence, we can only offer her a glimpse of our knowledge. If we go overboard... that woman on the throne might notice."
Gilly's mind fell into a haze. That voice—it sounded like her mother's. Longing stirred in her chest.
"Am I your mother?" the second silhouette asked, reading her thoughts again.
This was starting to feel unsettling. Her mind no longer felt private.
"There are questions we can't answer right now," the silhouette continued. "Too many eyes are watching."
She pointed upward. Gilly looked—and saw dozens of strange eyes in the void above them, each with different colors and patterns. Their gaze weighed down on her like a crushing force. She bowed her head instinctively.
The first silhouette chuckled.
"She'll get used to it eventually."
Gilly had too many questions. Why could they read her thoughts? Where was she? What were those eyes?
"We can hear your thoughts because we are you," said the second silhouette. "But you are not yet us. That's why you can't see us clearly."
Gilly tilted her head, confused.
"Us, not yet us...?"
The second silhouette chuckled, reminded of Zenora.
"Don't compare me to her just yet," Gilly thought—and immediately regretted it.
"Don't worry," the silhouette replied. "Since we are you, it's natural that we know what you want. But because you are not yet us, we can't give you much. Just know—we'll be here as you grow stronger."
The first silhouette coughed to regain attention.
"But there's a condition. No one can know about us. If you tell anyone, you might destroy us."
Her tone was sharp—stern.
Gilly gave up trying to understand. She just sat quietly, listening as the two continued talking and occasionally pulling thoughts straight from her mind.
She looked up again. Some of the eyes above were single, others in pairs. One set of eyes in a far corner caught her attention. When she looked at it, it winked.
Despite the intense pressure of the others, that one moment was the strangest thing she'd experienced since arriving in this world.
She looked away, then back. The eyes now shimmered with a mysterious allure that pulled at her consciousness. Gilly shook her head to resist. The silhouettes noticed but said nothing, continuing their conversation.
Finally, the first one spoke again.
"This place... is you. The current you."
Oddly, Gilly understood. The chaotic, childlike patterns—the strange, flowing paint—matched how she felt inside. It made sense, in a way.
She turned back to the corner—but the strange eyes were gone.
"Seems time is up," the silhouettes said in unison. "We hope to see you again. Work on yourself."
Before Gilly could respond, they vanished. The experience left her deeply unsettled. Of all the things she had gone through, this was the most confusing.
She remembered their warning: tell no one.
So she decided to leave this encounter to self-discovery and grow into understanding. Slowly, her consciousness faded. The colors disappeared. The room dissolved. And everything returned to silence.
Zin stood at the base of a large hill, gazing up at the intricate, Japanese-style architecture perched above. Before him stood a massive gate and an array of stone steps that climbed all the way to the summit.
This was the thirteenth province of the Kingdom of Tomaria—home of the Kitsunes.
The three full moons bathed the landscape in pale silver, illuminating everything.
Footsteps approached from behind. Two elves walked toward him. Unlike typical elves, these had pale, dark-tinted skin. One was a woman clad in a jet-black gown. Her purple hair and black staff—wrapped in cloth—gave her a mysterious presence.
The other was male, bald-headed (a rarity among elves who cherished ornate hairstyles), and carried a similar staff.
Both smiled as they approached. Zin smiled back.
"Ai-lyn, it's been a while. You're late. That's unusual. Aroalan never expected both of us to show up behind schedule."
The woman covered her face, embarrassed.
"I had to escort someone," she muttered, rolling her eyes.
The male elf added, "The Grand Patriarch sent us to retrieve something from Asram. We had to make a detour."
Ai-lyn shot him a look, pouting as she stomped ahead. The three walked and talked up the hill, chatting until they arrived at the estate's courtyard.
There, under a softly rustling sakura tree, sat two figures. They had foxlike ears and long white hair—true Kitsune. Dressed in elegant, traditional robes, they basked in the moonlight.
"You look grumpy as always, Anyenx," said Aroalan with a teasing grin.
"Shut up," Anyenx replied, shrugging.
The female Kitsune smiled warmly at Zin.
"Good to see you again, Zin."
Her expression reminded him of his sister.
Elsewhere in the courtyard, two others emerged. One was a humanoid with red horns, the other a sturdy dwarf.
"You like that cannon I built for you, Roger?" the dwarf asked proudly.
"It's light and handy—definitely quality work," Roger replied, examining the weapon.
"Stugvilk, still hanging around?" Zin asked.
"No choice. These Kitsune keep me busy."
Now seven had gathered: Zin, Ai-lyn, Aroalan, Anyenx, Roger, Stugvilk, and the smiling Kitsune—Ariel.
They chatted briefly—until a sudden voice cut through the night. A voice brimming with raw power and enough presence to shake the trees.
"Should I come beat you all up, or are you waiting for a special invitation?"
The tone was playful, but the threat was real. Beads of sweat formed on their foreheads. Without hesitation, they rushed toward the large building at the center of the courtyard.
Inside, they stood in a neat row facing an elevated platform.
On it sat another Kitsune—one more majestic than the others. Long white hair. Crimson eyes. Her beauty was divine. She sat upon a pillow, sipping tea from a porcelain cup.
When the cup touched the table, a crushing aura swept through the room. All present dropped to their knees—except Zin, who knelt on one, and Ariel, who knelt on both. The rest collapsed, breathless.
Her eyes glowed.
"Seems it's been too long since I summoned you. You've forgotten the difference between fear and respect."
Aroalan mustered his courage.
"Lord Mizin. I see you are doing well."
His voice trembled, but his spirit remained firm.
"And Roger," she turned, her tone sharp, "what's this I hear about all the destruction you've been causing lately?"
She stepped forward. With each pace, her pressure intensified.
"Kasim and David should arrive three days late, so they'll receive proper punishment," she said. "But that bastard Euen... Ever since becoming a demigod, he's grown arrogant."
Anger flashed in her voice. One breath—and the oppressive aura lifted.
Her glowing eyes landed on Zin.
"Seems you've found someone new," she said, her voice softer. "A girl, right?"
Zin remained silent, clearly uncomfortable.
Ariel's frown deepened.
"Is this true?" she asked.
"She's a family member," Zin replied firmly, now defensive.
"What's her name?" Mizin asked, resuming her seat and sipping tea.
Everyone had now settled in, sitting on the floor before one of the continent's great figures—the Goddess of War.
Zin hesitated, then said:
"Gilly."
Mizin's brows lifted. He wasn't the type to lie, but she was surprised—she had never heard of this supposed royal family member.
She shrugged, uninterested in probing further.
"When you get back," she said casually, "tell her I said hi"