In the silence untouched by time, Valeria rose from the depths of the Sea of Meta Existence. That boundless ocean—once known to her only as an endless stretch of waves of being—now seemed to release her into something higher. Her six majestic wings trembled softly, reflecting the faint violet glow of her eyes, which shone like alien stars. Her white robe, traced with six glowing lines, marked her as one who had transcended the bounds of ordinary worlds.
Before, whenever she looked to the sky, all she saw was vast emptiness. But this time was different. As her head lifted, she beheld a layer she had never imagined before. Not merely a sky, but an enormous structure shaped like a honeycomb—though far from any ordinary hive. Each hexagonal cell shimmered with the hues of different realities, as though within them resided worlds, dimensions, even the very laws of existence.
"This..." Valeria whispered, her voice breaking with awe.
Without hesitation, she spread her wings and flew. The higher she soared, the heavier the dominion pressing upon her grew. An abstract weight—not gravity, nor mere energy—but a law itself, striving to reshape her being. Her body convulsed, and then her entire existence shattered, only to be rebuilt anew.
Her former form faded, replaced by something beyond human description. Her skin seemed to become a dark lattice of miniature realities, as though every pore was its own dimension. Yet from that body radiated a dense golden aura, cloaking her entire self. Her fingers stretched long, sharp and pointed, like cosmic pens ready to rewrite the world. Her wings too evolved, transforming into blades of light that resonated with something far higher.
When the transformation ended, a voice resounded. Gentle, yet carrying the echoes of a thousand harmonies.
"Welcome... to the Hexacomb."
Valeria turned. From afar, a figure approached. A woman, seated upon a colossal harp, as though the sacred instrument were not merely for music but a throne. Each of its strings quivered on its own, producing heavenly tones never before heard in any world.
The figure smiled, then introduced herself.
"Thalyssra Euphonia, Observer Form: Melody of Heaven."
The name vibrated in the air, as if the cosmos itself acknowledged it.
Valeria returned the gaze, cold yet filled with curiosity. "Observer... Form?"
"Yes," Euphonia replied, her smile steady. "And you, Valeria Nacht, are Observer Form: Chaotic Era. You have evolved. No longer just a wanderer of the Sea of Meta Existence, but an observer... a keeper of reality's balance."
Valeria frowned, her gaze sweeping across the Hexacomb. There, she noticed other beings. Each bore a pair of radiant white wings. They moved with serene precision, carrying scrolls of light, examining the hexagonal cells, as if their every action was part of a vast symphony that could not falter.
"They..." Valeria murmured.
Euphonia followed her gaze. "Two-winged angels. Do not trifle with them, Valeria. Our duty here is singular: to monitor and stabilize the realities below."
Valeria fell silent, then turned back toward the immense honeycomb. From her vantage, she realized something staggering. It wasn't just one Sea of Meta Existence she saw, but countless—uncountable—like grains of sand scattered along a cosmic shore.
"So... I was wrong?" she said softly. "All this time, I thought there was only one Sea of Meta Existence."
Euphonia chuckled lightly. "Hahaha... no, no. That was merely the limit of what you could reach before. Now, as an Observer, you can see them all. Not just one, but innumerable Seas of Meta Existence. Their number... is infinite."
Valeria stared blankly, trying to grasp it. "Infinite... without end..."
"Indeed." Euphonia exhaled slowly, as though she herself was still unaccustomed to the truth. "I too once wondered. Why must reality be infinite? Why must there be so many repeating, layered stages? But in the end, I realized one thing—this is all but a stage for greater change."
Valeria bowed her head briefly, then lifted her gaze once more to the ocean of existence before her. "You may be right. From here... I can feel them as though they're grains of sand, to be shaped at will. Or rather... blank canvases, ready to be erased and repainted at any time."
She paused, then asked in a whisper. "What is this, truly...?"
Euphonia's expression grew solemn. "This is the POV of a god. But do not mistake it—we are not gods. Yet our position... forces us to see the realities below as if they are unreal. Just as when you watch an animation, read a novel, or enjoy fiction. You know it exists, but nothing more than entertainment. That is how they appear to us. And those above us... always treat us the same way."
Valeria turned sharply, her violet eyes flashing. "You mean... there is a hierarchy?"
"Precisely." Euphonia's smile turned bittersweet. "A hierarchy of existence without end. Those above always view the worlds beneath as fiction—realities to be arranged at will. And so it continues... endlessly, up toward a summit none of us have ever glimpsed."
Silence fell once again. Only the harp's soft resonance filled the void, as though accompanying the new understanding slowly engulfing Valeria.
For the first time, Valeria felt something foreign. Not fear, nor anger—but awareness. That everything she had once fought for in her old world—change, battle, even the absolute erasures she had enacted—might have been nothing more than fragments of this colossal stage.
"If that's true..." she murmured, almost to herself, "then what does it mean to be an Observer?"
Euphonia looked at her, more serious than ever before. "That, Valeria Nacht, is a question only you can answer. We monitor, we stabilize. But in the end... it is not the worlds below that decide, but the choices we make here. Will we merely watch? Or..."
The harp's notes shifted, becoming sharper, resolute.
"...will we rewrite?"
Valeria stood silent. Her eyes locked unblinking upon the Hexacomb, upon the boundless sea of realities. For the first time, she felt she was no longer just a piece in the game.
But one of its players.
As Valeria was still contemplating the hierarchy of existence Euphonia had explained, a sudden sharp whistle sliced through the silence. From beyond the glowing layers of the Hexacomb, three massive spears shot forth at incredible speed, aimed straight at her chest.
Valeria did not move. She simply raised her hand slowly, and with a single graceful motion, her long golden-shining fingers deflected all three at once. A strange sound rang out—not the clash of metal, but the collision of reality's laws themselves.
Yet the assault did not end. No sooner had the last spear been knocked away than a shadowed figure appeared before her. Without hesitation, the being unleashed a powerful kick, aimed directly at Valeria's body.
Valeria flicked three of her wings, forming a shield of light that caught the strike. The impact boomed, forcing her back several steps. The golden aura surrounding her body quivered but held firm.
Before she could regain her stance, dozens more spears appeared from every direction. They spun and plunged as if to pierce her without leaving the slightest gap. In an instant, she was encircled by a storm of weapons.
Yet Valeria's expression remained cold. Her body was calm, her face unshaken. And just before the spears reached her... they all vanished, evaporating like illusions burned away by light.
"Enough, stop this, Gozu!" Euphonia's voice rang out, sharper than before.
The attacker was revealed. A tall figure with tangled black-blue hair, his crimson eyes glowing fiercely. Around his body whirled a chaotic aura of destruction, and on his shoulder hung fragments of a spear that endlessly rebuilt itself.
"Forgive him, Valeria," said Euphonia with a long sigh. She floated forward and, without hesitation, struck the figure's knee hard.
"Ow!" he shouted angrily. "Why'd you hit me, Euphonia?"
"Why are you always like this, Gozu?!" Euphonia snapped. "Every time you meet someone, you attack them first! Are you insane?"
The man raised his hands as if in surrender. "I was just... testing her."
That answer earned him another blow, this time to the head. The impact was loud enough to make several two-winged angels passing by glance over.
"Ouch! That hurts!"
Looking sheepish, he finally bowed toward Valeria. "I... apologize. My name is Balmoz Gozu, Observer of Destruction."
Valeria regarded him calmly, as though his earlier assault had been nothing but a minor spark. "Valeria Nacht. Observer Form: Chaotic Era."
Euphonia immediately twisted Gozu's ear. "Now say it again—why did you attack her?"
"Ow, ow! Let go, that hurts!" Gozu struggled in vain. Grimacing, he admitted, "A moment ago I sensed a strong new dominion appearing here. I thought it was a threat, so I tested it. That's all!"
Valeria's gaze was icy, while Euphonia huffed in annoyance. "You... if you keep this up, one day you'll cause real trouble."
But then Gozu looked at Valeria more seriously. "Still... feel it carefully, Euphonia. There's something unique about her. This dominion... it's unlike any other Observer's. I've never sensed an aura like this before."
Both turned to Valeria at once.
"Your name... it ends with 'Nacht,' doesn't it?" Euphonia asked slowly.
Valeria nodded. "Correct."
At that, Gozu suddenly shouted, "Aha! That's it! That explains everything!" He smacked Euphonia's back hard.
Thud!
"Hey!" Euphonia cried, striking him on the head once again. "Don't shout here, you idiot! And stop hitting people at random!"
Valeria could only watch them in quiet confusion. "Aren't you Observers? Observers of Reality? Why didn't you know right away that I was a Nacht? Especially you, Euphonia—you were the one who greeted me."
Euphonia shrugged casually. "Hey, hey, hey... not all Observers are diligent in monitoring the lower realities. Most of us only bother when we're bored. Do you really think we're all bound to watch worlds that can repeat themselves millions of times? That would be exhausting, Valeria."
Valeria's gaze sharpened, but Euphonia kept smiling.
"However, there is one Observer who's different," she continued. "He watches constantly. Without pause. You could say... he's a little abnormal."
"Ab...normal?" Valeria echoed suspiciously.
Euphonia nodded. "Yes. Because he fell in love with that world. To him, the lower reality isn't just fiction. He treats it as his beloved."
Valeria fell silent. The words were strange, yet something about them stirred her curiosity. How could an Observer—beings who stood beyond the hierarchy of realities—bind themselves to a world below, a world meant to be fleeting?
Euphonia floated closer, her smile now layered with meaning. "So then, Valeria... come with me. I'll explain everything."
Valeria looked at her, then at Gozu, who was still rubbing his head from repeated blows. Slowly, she nodded. Her wings trembled, her aura settling once again.
But within her heart, new questions were already stirring.
Who was this Observer so deeply bound to the world below?
And what connection did the name Nacht hold, that made Gozu react so strongly?
Vandal opened his eyes. His breath was ragged, his head heavy. Just moments ago, he had been in his headquarters, yet now he stood inside a strange room—one entirely white. No walls, no floor, only emptiness reflecting endless light.
"What is this...?" he whispered. "An erasure... or a revision?"
Before he could seek an answer, a voice reached him. Not an echo, not a whisper, but a clear human voice, standing not far away.
"Feel this story."
Vandal turned sharply, but the figure was already gone. In the next instant, his body was pulled away by an unseen force.
✦ ✦ ✦
When his consciousness returned, he found himself standing in the heart of a vast city. Towering buildings rose above him, streets swarmed with horseless carriages, and enormous screens displayed moving advertisements all around. A crowd gathered, staring at him with puzzled expressions.
Looking down, Vandal realized the problem. He still wore his Victorian attire—a long black coat, vest, and a cane in hand. No wonder the people stared.
"This can't be... what world is this?" he muttered.
Whispers spread among the onlookers:
"Look at his clothes. Is that cosplay?"
"Maybe some theater promotion..."
"His cane's awesome—so classic!"
Feeling cornered, Vandal quickly dashed into a narrow alley. His leather shoes echoed against the brick walls as he ran, only stopping when he reached the end, gasping for breath.
There, a letter suddenly fluttered down before him. He picked it up cautiously.
The first line read:
"This is how payments are made in this era."
Inside the envelope was a small wristwatch-like device, glowing with a faint blue light. He turned it in his hand, frowning in wonder.
"What strange device is this...?"
The words on the letter shifted.
"This device can also be used for communication."
Vandal clicked his tongue. "What in the world is happening?"
The letter changed once more.
"This is the Golden Era of mankind. Before the Age of Ruin. In other words... this is the past."
His body trembled. "The... past?"
Clutching his cane tighter, he whispered, "Then... what must I do here?"
Again, the words morphed.
"You need only attend: Ashford Imperial Academy."
Vandal's eyes widened. He staggered a few steps, nearly losing balance. "School... me?"
But the letter offered no pause.
"Change your clothes. Purchase school supplies. Do not worry about money—you possess more than enough."
For a long moment, Vandal stood still, his gaze empty. Finally, he sighed. "So... I have no choice."
✦ ✦ ✦
Soon, he stood before a modern clothing store. The glass display reflected his pale face and long flowing hair. Passersby stared, some even raising their phones to take pictures.
A shop attendant—a young man with blond hair—approached politely.
"Welcome, sir. How may I help you?"
Vandal looked coldly at him and said, "I require attire appropriate for this era."
The attendant smiled warmly. "Of course, sir. Please, follow me."
Inside, racks were filled with sleek modern suits, brightly colored shirts, gleaming leather shoes, even casual outfits with soft fabrics. Vandal touched one.
"So light..." he murmured. "So different from the heavy cloth of my time."
The attendant complimented, "With your build, sir, and such a handsome face, you would look striking in anything."
Vandal raised an eyebrow, unused to such flattery. Nevertheless, he tried several outfits—an ash-gray suit, a plain white shirt, and finally, a long black coat that, though modern, reminded him of his old days.
When he stepped out in that last outfit, several women turned their heads, whispering in awe:
"He's so handsome..."
"Like a nobleman."
Vandal studied the mirror. "Hm. Not bad."
Without hesitation, he bought everything. The strange wrist device on his arm glowed as he swiped it across the register, endless numbers flowing across the display.
"Thank you, sir," the cashier said respectfully.
✦ ✦ ✦
Next, he visited a large supply store crowded with uniformed students, selecting books, tablets, and electronic pens.
A clerk approached. "Can I help you, sir?"
"I require all supplies for a new student of Ashford Imperial Academy," Vandal said firmly.
Startled, the clerk hurried to assist. Soon, Vandal had purchased stacks of digital books, advanced communication devices, and the academy's elegant white-and-blue uniform. He held the uniform for a long moment, murmuring softly:
"So... I will truly return as a student."
✦ ✦ ✦
By the time he stepped outside, night had fallen. The city lights glowed brilliantly, skyscrapers glittering against the dark. Vandal looked around, still feeling like a stranger in this world.
But he recalled the letter's final instruction. "A residence..."
Approaching a middle-aged man on the street, he asked, "Sir, where might I find a suitable home to purchase?"
The man studied him, then chuckled. "You look wealthy. Try the Kensington district. A luxury apartment complex just opened there."
Vandal nodded, hailing an automated vehicle to take him.
✦ ✦ ✦
Moments later, he stood in the grand lobby of a modern apartment tower. Crystal chandeliers sparkled, marble floors gleamed, and a neatly dressed receptionist greeted him.
"Good evening, sir. Are you interested in purchasing a unit here?"
"Yes," Vandal replied curtly. "I want a place that is quiet, spacious... and high. Somewhere I can see the entire city."
The receptionist smiled. "We have a penthouse suite on the top floor. Would that satisfy your request?"
"It will."
With no hesitation, he signed the digital documents using his wrist device. The transaction completed in seconds.
"Congratulations, sir. The unit is now yours."
✦ ✦ ✦
The glass elevator carried him upward. When the doors opened, he stepped into his new residence—a vast suite with transparent walls, revealing the majestic night skyline of London.
Vandal walked onto the balcony, cane still in hand. The night breeze brushed against him.
"So this is... the Golden Era of mankind," he murmured.
Yet his sharp gaze did not soften. Questions still burned within.
Why had he been brought here?
And what was the connection to Valeria—the presence he had once felt?