A beam is the extension of light; it's something that breaks and shatters into small enough pieces to blind those who see it, and to others, it brings a long-hidden truth.
Unlike any space previously invaded by swift feet and burdened minds, the distorted walls could not be found, nor the long porous walls. There was no vibrant red or opaque clay; there was no texture to be touched, but everyone knew that right in front of them were limits.
As the group ran, there was neither light nor darkness in front of them. There was no need to guide themselves with torches or by the twisting that was created. They did not get lost in the middle of small corridors that ended in large traps. Everything in front of them blended to become an invitation for each one to enter within themselves.
Where they entered was close and at the same time far from their feet. Looking back was not so necessary. Their bodies moved lightly; their minds did not even need to be woven to create firm lines for a path. Nothing, there was nothing.
Everyone's bodies were heavy, but they still moved faster than ever. Killbit felt his darkness taking over him more. It was like a compass that wanted to point to where there were more like him, but neither Dante nor Bernard entered, echoing in his mind: could Vergil also be part of Dante?
Candela for some reason felt a nostalgia clinging to her chest. Something impressed her about her surroundings. Even though there was nothing in front of her, her eyes were teary. Her memory fragments had not come back to haunt her for a long time, but now she knew she did not need to worry about it, as she had Killbit and Vasily beside her to help her get up if she fell.
"So this is the anomaly. A space beyond everything, outside the command of the project leader or the sectors of Leviathan. There is something very strange about this story."
Vasily's energized metallic body found no Flamel waves behaving as one. So how could that space exist? If all the energy didn't focus on a point to create a focus, then where was he?
"If Flamel's waves are like the ocean, this would be a Mariana Trench. So be careful, creatures much larger than Ascaris may live here."
Everyone's eyes were following Vasily's movements. If any Flamel wave was distorted or any electrical field expanded, it would certainly be an enemy.
"I still can't get something out of my head. If Vergil is close, it means Beatriz is lurking for him. Maybe this space is the resting place for both of them, for their minds consumed by hatred."
While throwing his thoughts outside, his mind remained in a buzz, but the moment he mentioned Beatriz, the sound became an annoying cackle.
"It's incredible how she clung to your mind like a parasite. But what you said makes sense. Maybe this is where she left for the wrath sector, but was caught by that beast on the way."
The intense fight against Ascaris not only brought Candela a new level of strength, but also self-understanding. Thanks to some of Vasily's words, Candela learned to identify Flamel's waves and any of its vibrations, along with being able to look at her past without fear.
"Do you remember when Beatriz was trapped inside the Beasts? At that moment, I felt something, and now I know what it is: it was a small, very weak, almost unidentifiable Flamel wave, just like the one I generate."
Vasily stopped his quick steps for a moment and turned to Candela with a smile on his face. Killbit stepped forward to no longer hear so much about Beatriz; his mind was already taken over by the cackling.
"Sophie would be proud of me. I have two excellent apprentices beside me, even if they are warriors and not researchers like me. A part of my intellect loves to teach."
Candela could not hide her happiness. At the same time, Vasily's Lagrange shone in gold, showing a great release of Flamel waves in space. He became confused but soon realized it was because of Candela.
"What are you doing? I was able to feel it; Dante's power is guiding me. There is something much more terrifying than the beasts we met!"
Killbit was taken over by the black aura. His body was completely covered. The red in his eyes disappeared amidst the black threads that covered him. His hands, taken over by the energy, lengthened, becoming like claws. With a twist of his body, they moved in a cut of air, opening the space.
All the white that was spreading accumulated in Killbit's hands, revealing the reality hidden in front of everyone. They were in the center of a room, around them seven large black pillars with inscriptions in a language Vasily had never seen before. In the middle of six pillars was a black cup studded with jewels of various colors.
Candela summoned her Cleaver. It reflected a small spark. Behind her, a purple color and a smile. With quick steps, she pushed back the one who attacked her. To her no surprise, it was Beatriz. Before Killbit could even open his mouth to talk to the homunculus, Candela unleashed a series of blows, only one with the light. To be able to keep up, Beatriz's eyes turned green, and a smile appeared on her face.
Candela threw herself back, becoming a focus of light. Her Cleaver was thrown into the air. It launched a series of light beams that were reflected by Beatriz's fire sword, but she did not realize that her reflection was on the silver surface.
Candela appeared behind Beatriz with her hand on her shoulder. Her look, unlike the first one given in the gluttony sector, had a peace in it, reflecting that after so much suffering and falls, Candela had grown a little more.
Beatriz's eyes were different. After Henri lost control, her purple color was lifeless. What accompanied this was the position of Beatriz's body; she was not upright as always, and her tiredness was noticeable.
Killbit approached her. With a movement of his hands, the reflection disappeared, and the silver was consumed by darkness. Candela sighed and looked at Vasily. Her Cleaver appeared in her hand, and she put it away with a penetrating look at Killbit.
"I thought I would never see you again, Beatriz. Did you manage to become a little stronger? Even though you were already strong enough?"
"I haven't managed it yet, but it seems it's not the same as you. So, like me, you managed to free yourself from the project leader's control, but it came at a price, didn't it?"
"Come on, it's nothing. I'm just being played court jester for Dante and Bernard; their laughter is truly annoying. But I wanted to ask August something: what's Vergil's connection to Dante?"
"You won't get anything out of August. His voice has been silent for a long time, ever since we arrived in the sloth sector. I think it has to do with him using the power of my sword; it changed him somehow."
"Okay. So are you still joining us? I don't even know where to begin looking for Vergil."
"Don't you know? I know how. It was because of here that I separated from Vergil. Before, I was sent here by the heirs, but I failed. That will not happen again."
Beatriz pushed Killbit back, quickly summoning her sword. It no longer shone like before or exuded the cozy heat, but even so, Beatriz still maintained the same strength as before.
A cut was directed at the pillar.
The cup soon broke in half.
The surroundings were filled with darkness.
A great being appeared with a profane gaze.
In its hands were two gleaming daggers.
Everyone got into fighting stance.