"Leave this place as quickly as you can... Soon, that won't be possible anymore."

  That was what the Star Demon Wolf said, but what if he wasn’t just referring to the forest...?

  Noah looked around, staring at the strange marks flashing across the frozen ground near him. Macabre, unsettling letters that, with just a glance, made his stomach churn, sparking disgust, anger, and a faint yearning. Thankfully for Noah, it all seemed like just a fleeting daydream.

  He shook his head, feeling a bit dizzy. It was as if space itself was moving, but there was no reason to believe that and Ting remained unfazed, so he thought it best to just ignore it, convincing himself it was all in his mind...

  All the creatures in that place were incredibly strong, and they clearly weren’t being held inside, so why didn’t they leave?

  Returning to the rice balls, he continued making them on autopilot. His mind wandered, but his hands stayed precise.

  The rift... that wolf seemed eager to get away from it, so perhaps whoever created it is the reason for the isolation...?

  He placed the rice ball on the table but did not let it go. His fingers played around the small, soft ball of glutinous rice.

  Each tap made the table and the floor tremble, making Ting notice the movement. Yet she said nothing. Noah seemed focused on something, and she wasn’t sure she had the freedom to interrupt.

  Ignoring the constant shakes, Ting just kept trying to eat. Nevertheless, with every thump, her own heart beat faster too.

  So does that mean there's someone strong enough to suppress all these creatures in this world? But to what extent could that be true...? If none of the beasts even tries to leave, could this really be the reason? Would this “person” really trust in their own strength so much not to take any preventative measures to contain them?

  The marks flashed with a blood-red glow, stealing his attention and guiding his thoughts. Then they vanished, disappearing even from any memories Noah might have been forging.

  No, that can’t be it. It doesn’t make sense... Even if someone was keeping them there, it wouldn’t work if they were aware that something dangerous was about to happen. The question is, what...?

  Noting the dwindling number of remaining rice balls, he placed the one in his hand with the others and returned to work.

  They might have come from the continent across the sea, but could an ocean really keep those creatures away? And why wouldn’t they try to conquer this place if that were the case? Do they consider it unnecessary? Or just inferior... Yes, all those beasts looked down on me, perhaps not just because I’m human, but because they think I belong here. The only ones who probably noticed that wasn’t true didn’t ignore me in the same way. The Star Demon Wolf asked something of me, whereas that black bird...

  Noah shuddered, remembering those violet eyes.

  Beings who see this world’s creatures as inferior probably don’t belong here either. So...

  He looked up, uncertain. It was a conclusion Noah hoped would be mistaken.

  ...if the creatures of that forest belong to a higher dimension, does that mean the same for the Floating City...? Of course...

  He gave a small, forced, somewhat uncomfortable smile.

  Being a half-dragon, her revenge couldn’t possibly be simple. Is that what you thought I would say? Stupid serpent, why didn’t you reveal this from the start?!

  As he knocked his fingers against the table, which cracked under the blow, leaving the rice ball untouched between them, Noah finally noticed Ting’s trembling. She tried to hide it, using sweets as a distraction, but he could still see it.

  He hesitated, unsure how to proceed, then slid the rice ball closer to her.

  — Um... I’m sorry if I scared you, that wasn't my intention...

  Taking another bite, Ting met his gaze in silence. Chewing the sweets became a bit easier once Noah stopped tapping his fingers on the table, but it wasn’t nearly as satisfying as before.

  — I was just thinking about something someone told me earlier, so I guess I got carried away. — he continued — Sorry... — and he added another rice ball to the pile.

  —...Is it something important?

  — Important...? I wonder if that’s the case. — Noah stopped, incomplete rice ball in hand, just like his understanding of whatever was affecting him — I don’t know... I feel like something’s wrong, maybe with me or with something going on around me, but I can’t say what it is... It’s strange, isn’t it?

  Holding the little white ball near her mouth, Ting paused.

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  She nodded — ...A little. — she said.

  She couldn’t understand what Noah was trying to say, and unlike what he imagined, she also couldn’t see the things that he saw, things that unsettled his mind beyond the Star Demon Wolf's words. Fusu couldn't either, since all he saw when looking down was the contrast between the flames' destruction and the desolation of the ice spreading through the forest, and strange Qi lingering all around, and above, the stars. Neither of them could see much beyond that.

  — Haha, I think that too... — Noah gave a nearly reversed smile, looking away to something Ting couldn't see, but assumed must be very intriguing for him to stare at so intently — Is this many rice balls enough for now? — he asked, his gaze distant and unfocused, so unlike when they were in the room.

  Is this related to that “thing”...?

  She hesitated. The possibility made her freeze. Still, it didn’t seem like that was the case. His voice, gestures, and even that odd caring look he gave her all remained unchanged. It really seemed like something weighed on his mind.

  Or is it really something else? But something that could make someone like him end up in this state... What could it be?

  Pushing the rice ball aside, she reconsidered.

  Maybe... that tale about the so-called Floating City...? Or is it the pill he mentioned, the one the Star Demon Wolf requested? If it’s the pill, I understand, being requested by one of those forest beasts, it must not be a simple thing to make. But the city... is that where he came from? No, but if he came from there, how would he not know how to get back, and why end up here?

  As Ting studied Noah’s confused face, she placed the rice ball on the table by the rest.

  No... “Fell,” he said he “fell” into the demon forest. Fell...

  It was an instinctual movement full of anxiety, no trembling, but a lot of fear. Her eyes drifted skyward, but it wasn’t the stars she was searching for.

  That can’t be true, can it...? I must be wrong, yes, I have to be. There's no reason someone like that would walk these lands, let alone just to help me.

  She swallowed hard.

  A higher realm... He couldn't have come from such a place.

  — I can make a few more if you’re still not satisfied.

  — N-No, I’m fine. That’s enough. — she stowed the rice balls in her spatial pouch — I was just thinking about something, I...

  Ting stopped short. Even if what she thought was true, in her eyes, Noah didn’t seem to want to talk about it.

  That’s just not possible...

  She quietly sighed in an attempt to calm herself but failed. She also failed to hold eye contact for long. That idea was eating away at her inside.

  — I’m a bit excited to learn alchemy. — she said, steering her mind to a different subject also of interest, but with less weight than what plagued her thoughts.

  — I see... — watching every physical reaction, from glances to repeat finger movements, Noah knew she was lying. But he didn’t push further. The tremors gave him a hint of the true reason, and in his mind, they painted fear as the likely answer — Could you give me a moment first? I need to think about a few things.

  —...Of course. — Ting stood up — I’ll wait with Uncle Fusu in the meantime.

  Noah watched her leave and leap onto the house roof, his vision blurring for a few moments. It was an irritating, abhorrent feeling. He gritted his teeth, and in the next moment forgot why.

  Sighing, he sat on the improvised seat he had made for Ting and crossed his legs. He shut his eyes to the world, his fingers linked, and after a breeze brushed his ears and ruffled his hair, the sounds stopped, isolating him from everything.

  Displeasing...

  His mind cleared when his eyes opened, and instead of grass and frozen trees, he found himself before a golden door.

  Hmm...

  With no resistance, the smooth surface opened, gliding into the empty darkness.

  After what she said, I understand it’s not about forgetting or erasing, but about not letting it define you. Acceptance isn’t just living with what happened, but using it to better yourself, to evolve and... change...

  Noah raised his foot, but then backed off. The picture in his mind wasn’t clear enough yet. He still hadn't absorbed that thought into his essence.

  Faced with this chance, I tried to be impulsive, but thinking of having to do something like this is rather... ironic.

  A heavy chuckle echoed. It was just a sound, devoid of any feeling except perhaps distaste.

  ...Acceptance isn’t enough. If I want to change, something has to be different.

  The void vibrated as it was touched. A colorful glow spread out everywhere.

  But what...?

  Looking back, Noah found himself at the tenth step. It was a new milestone. Yet he had no idea where this would lead.

  It’s supposed to be gradual, like the condensation of a cloud and droplets falling to the ground... I wonder if this will work somehow.

  How much time had passed? Noah could no longer tell. Maybe he was walking as before, maybe his steps took him along what should be the walls or ceiling, leaving him hanging upside down. Or maybe, he was falling forever.

  Yes, falling...

  Nothing changed, nothing reacted, the void had stopped showing anything long ago.

  Am I doing something wrong?

  Something still worked; his legs kept moving.

  ...Maybe my conclusion was wrong, or I just rushed again.

  With no end, future, or path, darkness was all that surrounded him.

  Yes..., I think I’ll spend some more time with her first—

  Blue spread like a wave, expanding with every step. There were clouds, but no stars. Like an endless, dark sky.

  Unbelievable...

  Breaking away from the created image, Noah found himself falling toward the persistent void. He spun then stopped, standing on a reddish, sorrowful expanse... Rage, resentment, and pain, all pent up in that bloody sand.

  This is worse than I imagined. The sensation of stepping on this... I hope it’s worth it.

  At the end of the path, he turned, watching the vastness he was supposed to subjugate. From above, he saw his core, surrounded by the afflictions that tormented him. It was larger now, more complete and beautiful. Alive, as if something watched from behind its ethereal shell.

  Now... how is the second stage supposed to work...?

  No drop had appeared.

  A few more steps were all it took for Noah to understand the reason for his formerly incomplete core's transformation. The half-open door had been thrust wide open, as if so forcefully it could never be closed again. It was not a floor, or even two steps. After coming in, darkness awaited him for nine steps.