Few Minutes Later

  Still on the Rooftop

  Near the Stairs

  Kalik began to lift himself off the ground while wiping the black liquid from his mouth — the same substance he had expelled after being thrown against the wall by Téo and his Oculi abilities, which had proven surprisingly powerful even for Kalik.

  As Kalik slowly rose, still trembling, he headed toward the door to go down to his classroom, one year ahead of the room where Téo and Victoria currently were.

  Upon noticing that he had slightly stained his clothes with the black liquid that had come out of his mouth, he decided to stop by the locker room first to change the shirt he was wearing.

  Before he reached for the doorknob to open it, Kalik experienced a strange sensation that made him hesitate, frozen mid-movement, in the presence of something unreal.

  The focus immediately shifted to Kalik's face, revealing that his eyes had returned to normal — no longer entirely black.

  Kalik's expression grew visibly terrified as the chilling sensation crawled through his body. He felt slightly heavier, perceiving an intense feeling of being watched from behind, a few meters away.

  [(Kalik — Whispering, Incredulous & Frightened) This sensation and the pressure weighing on the whole environment feel like... (Deep & Trembling Breath)]

  As the world around him seemed to lose all its colors, becoming nothing more than black and white, Kalik repeatedly questioned in his mind whether he should really turn around to understand what stood behind him, causing that sensation and the scene unfolding before his eyes.

  [(Kalik — Whispering, Incredulous & Frightened) ...That is lightly crushing my very essence, making me tremble instinctively... who is the person responsible for this? (Deep & Trembling Breath)]

  Even so, his instincts screamed for his body to leave that place immediately, as if his muscles were weakening a little more with each passing second.

  [Soft Echoing Laughter of a Young Girl, Playfully Gentle]

  And in the presence of that overwhelming force imposed upon the entire rooftop of the school — the same rooftop where Kalik had been moments ago, alone —

  [Young Girl — Serene & Sweet Whisper] I like you, young boy. The essence behind your physical shell is so disgusting... and beautiful at the same time. [Soft, Innocent, Playful Laughter] —

  At that exact moment, hearing such a mysterious voice, Kalik not only froze in shock but found himself completely terrified.

  He could not move even a single millimeter of his body, due to the crushing force that restricted not only his physical movement but also his very existence in any direction.

  [Young Girl — Serene & Sweet Whisper] ...For two opposing things — love and hate — burn violently amidst the darkness that wraps around your whole heart. [Subtle, Innocent, Playful Laughter] —

  A young girl became visible, her back turned to Kalik, reaching toward the sun shining above them, stretching one of her arms and hands toward the sky.

  The focus rested on this mysterious young girl and her beautiful, long black dress, adorned with golden embroidery so pure in color that it seemed almost woven from real gold threads.

  [(Kalik — Whispering, Incredulous & Frightened) Impossible... (Trembling, Unsteady Breath)]

  She appeared to be dancing softly within a breeze that did not belong to the environment, for everything around them was strangely frozen in time.

  The sky was fractured with cracks, and through them, something in negative tones flowed outward like smoke.

  [Young Girl — Serene & Sweet Whisper] Kalik, I don't understand... and I wish you could help me answer these great mysteries of mine... [Curious & Playful Sigh] —

  [(Kalik — Whispering, Incredulous & Frightened) What the hell is she talking about? (Trembling, Unsteady Breath)]

  [Young Girl — Serene & Sweet Whisper] ...Why do so many contradictory feelings burn so furiously around us, doing so in so many young hearts and, at the same time, in the older ones as well? [Playful, Innocent Laughter] —

  This young girl, with her sweet and at the same time unsettling smile, seems to radiate an aura that makes every atom forming Kalik's existence fear being in her presence.

  [Young Girl – Serene & Confused Whisper] While, simultaneously, emotions that should be opposites coexist within a single mortal heart. [Playful & Innocent Laughter] —

  [(Kalik – Incredulous & Frightened Whisper) Could this young girl be the Infinite Abyss itself? (Shaky & Broken Breathing)]

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  [Young Girl – Serene & Confused Whisper] That doesn't make any sense to me as I look at such simple yet mysterious existences. [Playful & Innocent Laughter] —

  The young girl then calmly closes her hand, directed toward the sun above the world, in a way so surreal to Kalik's eyes.

  It becomes visible that, with this simple gesture, everything ceases to be merely black and white, turning completely negative, echoing her genuinely joyful laughter.

  [Young Girl – Serene & Curious Whisper] Kalik, you are little Téo's "great" older brother, and yet... you continue having an existence fated to be shattered by the one you love most in life — more than your own pathetic life. [Playful & Innocent Laughter] —

  [Young Girl – Serene & Curious Whisper] Shouldn't that make you feel hatred and abandon unconditional love forever? [Playful & Innocent Laughter] —

  [(Kalik – Angry & Trembling Whisper] SHUT UP!!! (Shaky & Broken Breathing)]

  Her long white hair dances before the emanation of a breeze even more intense than before, radiating outward from her body in every direction.

  It creates ripples through the entire environment without damaging anything, almost reaching Kalik, who is still turned away. This makes him feel an overwhelming terror, bringing him to tears without noticing — unconsciously.

  [Young Girl – Serene & Slightly Hollow Whisper] Humans and Oculi are so mysterious, but... it seems "Unitatem" has finally begun in this place around us. [Light, Pleasure-tinged Sigh] —

  Before these serene whispers, contrasting with the suffocating silence weighing down on Kalik, he feels his very existence subtly begin to fracture, causing him a pain so deep he cannot even scream.

  He is completely paralyzed in that moment, within a world still engulfed in negative colors all around him.

  [Young Girl – Serene & Slightly Playful Whisper] The population of this place doesn't even fully know about "Unitatem" yet... Kalik, what do you think about helping me with a certain "little thing" in the near future? [Deep Breath] —

  [(Kalik – Confused & Worried Whisper) What does she mean by that "little thing" in the near future? (Shaky & Broken Breathing)]

  Immediately, Kalik feels his body being released from paralysis. As he collapses to the ground, completely trembling and terrified.

  He looks back and sees the young girl staring directly into his eyes, her own filled with tears of fear and astonishment at everything he had just experienced.

  [Young Girl – Serene & Slightly Playful Whisper] If you help me, I promise I'll make sure that... that horrendous nightmare you've been having for so many years never comes true — ever since the day your little brother Téo was born. [Deep Breath] —

  [(Kalik – Whispering in Disbelief & Fear) How does she know about my nightmare? I never told anyone. Who — or what — is this "thing" using such an innocent and youthful physical appearance? (Shaky, Broken Breathing)]

  [Young Girl – Serene & Slightly Hollow Whisper] Think about it with a little bit of "affection," and until our next meeting in the near future. [Cheerfully Hollow Laugh] —

  Visible for only a few fleeting moments before disappearing like an ethereal figure carried away by the wind atop the school terrace, the young girl — almost the same physical age as Kalik.

  She possesses eyes that resemble a swirling void, shifting between tones of white and black, with no pupils, no iris, no shine — utterly opaque in color.

  [Young Girl – Serene & Slightly Hollow Whisper] And I'll leave you with a single warning... [Subtle Sadistic Breath] If you mention anything about our conversation to even one Oculi or human, I... [Cheerfully Hollow Laugh] —

  [Kalik's Breath – Terrified, Completely Breathless & Trembling]

  [Young Girl – Deeply Hollow Whisper] ...I promise you, young Kalik. [Deep Sigh] I will disintegrate, right before your eyes, the only "thing" that still brings color to your bleak and gray world after the death of your beloved mother. Understood? [Playfully Innocent, Sweet Laugh] —

  At the Same Time

  Location: Unknown

  Observing the corporate hallway in the basement of a building in a large city, a young woman moves forward with her long red hair flowing behind her, her attire suggesting a more formal style.

  At the same time, several people pass around her—some talking, others deeply immersed in their tasks, working inside specific rooms and departments.

  A few of them, as they walk past the girl, seem to show respect not only for her hierarchical position but also for her achievements against the Oculi in the past, despite her young age, made possible by her extensive training.

  At no moment does the girl display disrespect; when recognized, she responds with sympathy and gentleness. These traits set her apart not only because of her admirable smile, but also due to the elegance of her movements and demeanor.

  She continues walking through the corridors lined with rooms that have iron doors—doors equipped not with handles but with optical biometric devices that grant access to their interiors.

  After a few minutes walking through the place, she finally reaches her destination: a room located at the end of a white corridor, clearly guarded by two figures wearing masks and heavy military gear.

  They all remain on high alert, holding weapons, with a single mission: to protect with their lives whoever is on the other side of the door behind them. The girl moves calmly, showing total indifference to the presence of the guards.

  At no moment do the guards react with hostility or move their arms, making it clear they know who she is. They even salute as she passes, not averting their gaze for a second, even after she instructs them to leave their posts.

  This transmits a sense of tranquility and superiority in her serene tone. The door opens after recognizing her image and scanning her eyes, granting her permission to enter the room.

  Before her eyes, a luxurious yet simple space is revealed, furnished with a table, two chairs, two sofas, and a coffee table between them. The girl steps fully inside and, upon closing the door, isolates her voice from the outside world.

  [Man – Calm & Gentle Voice] You're late, my daughter... I thought you'd arrive in the morning. Did something unexpected happen during your trip? -

  Her previously imposing and delicate posture shifts entirely. She becomes someone who not only shows deep affection but also immense happiness.

  The scene unfolds with her running toward the man and embracing him—he is revealed to be her father. His face immediately lights up with a warm smile as he feels her tight, heartfelt hug.

  [Girl – Happy & Emotional Voice] Dad!! I missed you so much, I... [A Very Happy & Comforted Sigh] -

  [Man – Serene & Joyful Voice] ...I missed you too, my angel. I don't like seeing you in that overly serious version of yourself. -

  [Man – Serene & Attentive Voice] That version of you is not the real one in my eyes, but rather a persona you have to carry to be who you are in the eyes of the world... [A Soft, Happy, Subtly Emotional Sigh] -

  The girl continues hugging her father with affection and joy. In response, she speaks in a cheerful, smiling tone, all while receiving a gentle caress on the head from him. He smiles, grateful to have her there after almost two years abroad on a solitary but very important mission.

  [Girl – Happy & Emotional Voice] I am who I am today only because I understood what you taught me in the past, Dad... [A Soft, Motivated Laugh] -

  There they were, embracing joyfully after finally meeting again, after so many months without any audio, video, or text contact due to her investigative mission.

  When they finally pull away, they smile at each other so beautifully, repeating together the words they used to say when she was younger: "I love you."