Dorothy's POV:
"plop"
- … mmm
"plop"
A sound. A small sound echoes in my head.
"plop"
It's impossible to tell if it's far away or near. Instead, it feels as if it's slowly enveloping me.
"plop"
A strange, empty feeling fills me as the sound continues steadily. My numb body can only move minimally as I try to move my hands.
"plop"
Slowly, my senses manage to identify the sound. It's water. Slowly falling on my face. Although I still can't fully feel it, the wet, constant sensation becomes clearer and clearer.
"plop"
- Ugh…
When I try to open my eyes, one of these drops falls through the small opening directly into my eye. Even though I still can't move my body, the drop forces me to close my eyes again.
- What… happened to me?
I slowly put my mind to work, trying to piece together my hazy memories. My arrival in the water capital, the water hero's attack, the strategic meeting against the witch, her arrival, the appearance of the giants, the pursuit by the plant witch…
- Erick?
I raise my eye again, the one not under the dripping water. Though it's difficult, I manage to make out something in front of me.
- …Are these… stalks?
Although I try to move, the heaviness of my body continues to imprison me. A clear layer of many stalks envelops me. Above me, a small pool of water drips slowly onto me. Despite my desire to get up, my body simply refuses to respond.
- Should I… burn them?
I contemplate the possibility for a few moments before giving up on the idea. I don't even know where or how I am right now. Even if I freed myself from the stalks surrounding me, I might find myself in danger again if I can't move. Even though it's uncomfortable, it's much safer to stay in the stalk cocoon I'm in.
- That voice… was it really Nath?
I ask this question in the emptiness of the cocoon, as if waiting for some answer. I'm still struggling to process everything that's happening. Although I'd like to believe this is nothing more than a dream, the cocoon surrounding me is clear proof that it was all real.
- My little sister… is she a witch?
Again, answered by silence, I continue to think about it. Only the sound of a drop breaks the deathly silence that surrounds me. The frustration of not being able to do anything when Erick might be in danger weighs heavily on my mind. The mystery of what happened to Nath only fills my mind with unanswered questions.
- …Ahhhhh
In the end, a scream is all I can expel in response to my worries.
- I'm so tired of just thinking about so many complicated things! Since I can't move, I'll go back to sleep.
I close my eyes again.
"plop"
"plop"
"plop"
- I definitely won't be able to sleep like this…
...............................
Hasumi's POV:
- I knew this had to end like this!
I can't help but groan at the top of my lungs. Along with Janeth, I sprint through the alleyways of a glittering brick city. Not far away, we can hear a series of footsteps following very closely behind us. Notable metallic "clanks" accompany the footsteps with the occasional shout from the soldiers.
- In this world… it really is a sin to be so beautiful.
- Could you not say stupid things in such a poetic way?
Janeth looks at me as if she doesn't understand what I'm talking about. Her clear lack of remorse only makes this whole thing more annoying. A vein pops out on my forehead as I resist the temptation to trip her.
- But… I must admit I didn't expect you to be so temperamental.
- …Haa?
A cold glare escapes me. The anger inside me roars as I think of ways I could make her fall face-first so she'll be caught by the soldiers. She, on the other hand, looks at me with a smile on her lips as she wipes some of the sweat trickling down her forehead.
- Don't get me wrong, I'm just genuinely happy that on this trip you showed me a little of your true self. After all, you're always acting like a scared little mouse for some reason…
- ....
"That monster shouldn't have existed!"
A vague memory flashes through my mind as I stare at Janeth's hateful yet charming smile. A sudden feeling bubbles up inside me, but I quickly push it back in.
- …Don't think that saying nice things will make me stop being angry with you.
Despite my obvious annoyance, her smile only grows brighter. Even though we're running for our lives, it's irritating to see how calm she is in this situation.
- Don't be so tense; the world around us naturally favors beauty. We'll get through this naturally.
Her performance leaves me speechless. I can't help but sigh before putting my hand to my head.
- You're really a pain, you know?
- People who love me tell me that a lot.
A somewhat shy smile blooms on her face as I sigh again.
- You really leave me with no options here.
A few moments later, a loud crash is heard behind us.