The eighth Herrscher, later designated as the Herrscher of Sentience.
Thanks to the seamless coordination and joint efforts of Kevin and Su, they successfully annihilated both the mind and body of the Herrscher of Sentience.
With that, the Eighth Eruption was finally brought to a close.
Countless people slowly awoke from their long slumber, each face bearing a different expression.
Some were regretful over what they had missed in their dreams, while others were simply relieved to be back in reality.
Whether this grand dream had granted them something or taken something away, no one could really say for certain.
...
In the MOTH lounge, the girls had finally begun their long-awaited reunion.
"Ah, I'm really sorry, I dozed off and got caught up in it all. Didn't cause any trouble for everyone, did I…"
Pardofis looked at Hua and Carol across from her, then at Dystopia beside her, wearing a slightly apologetic smile.
"By the way, Dystopia, are you alright? I heard your situation was a bit special because you're a MANTIS…"
Pardofis asked with concern.
Dystopia waved her hand, smiling. "Ah, it's fine, it's fine. See how energetic I am now."
"Glad to hear it,"
Pardofis sighed in relief, then asked curiously, "Oh right, where's Kosma? Why haven't I seen him today?"
"Him? He's still busy dealing with the aftermath…"
As Dystopia spoke, for some reason, the image of her hugging Kosma that day kept surfacing in her mind, bringing a faint blush to her cheeks.
Noticing this, Carol teased lightly, "Ah… Seems like we didn't really get to do much this time either…"
Hua said softly, "Actually, it's enough if we didn't add to everyone's troubles…"
Carol chuckled and nodded in agreement. "That's true."
The two of them had held out this time, constantly helping with those trapped in the dream, doing their part.
Because they had previously used psycho-cognitive suppressants and needed time to rest and recuperate, they could now sit and chat in the lounge with clear consciences.
Pardofis suddenly slapped her forehead as if remembering something. "Oh right, what about Fuxi and Nuwa? Haven't seen them around."
Dystopia thought for a moment. "Them? I'm not sure either. Probably still busy in the lab…"
...
In the deepest part of the complex, within that specially monitored prison cell.
"These are some little treats I prepared for the children. Thought I'd bring you some too."
Aponia smiled, taking some delicate pastries from a basket and offering them to Himeko.
Himeko picked one up, took a bite, and savored it. "Mmm… Such a long-lost taste, even though I've gotten used to not eating."
She chewed the pastry in her mouth, her tone casual.
"And honestly, since coming back, not having that… freedom anymore feels a bit strange."
Himeko said with some emotion.
That was true. She kept instinctively thinking she was still in her spectral form, able to phase through walls. She'd actually walked straight into a wall several times before suddenly remembering she was alive again, leaving her both amused and exasperated.
"Haha, that does sound quite amusing."
Aponia was tickled by her words.
Himeko's expression softened. She looked at Aponia seriously. "When you get down to it, this outcome isn't bad… I still have to thank you, Aponia."
"It's what I should do, to help those in need,"
Aponia said gently. "And for MOTH, your credibility is likely higher than mine."
Hearing this, Himeko laughed again, joking, "Not necessarily! What if they suspect I'm some Herrscher spy, planted to turn on them at a critical moment?"
The two shared a smile, a relaxed atmosphere filling the air.
"However, you should also properly thank Vya,"
Aponia reminded.
"Yes, I really should thank her properly,"
Himeko nodded firmly. She knew very well in her heart that Vya deserved the most credit for her chance at life.
A trace of helplessness appeared on Himeko's face as she added, "But there's one thing I keep thinking about."
"I wonder what their expressions will be when they see someone back from the dead. Will it seem too sudden? Or hard to accept at first?"
Aponia nodded, comforting her. "Give them some time to adjust. After all, it is a truly incredible thing."
"Right, you're correct,"
Himeko agreed with a nod.
...
Time rewinds to just after the Herrscher of Sentience was eliminated.
"Vya is so tired (◡︵◡)"
The little one sat on a chair, her face drooping, as if all her energy had drained away at once. Even her voice was listless.
"You've worked hard, Vya."
The blue-haired young man said with a tender smile, his eyes full of affection.
The remaining five people around them also gathered, looking at Vya with concern.
"Mhm, but it's really so boring…"
Vya mumbled quietly.
In front of them stood a grey-haired girl. She kept her head down, still seeming rather withdrawn, not daring to communicate with everyone.
"Why is it like this…"
She muttered to herself, full of confusion.
She had thought that once the Herrscher of Sentience was destroyed, she would simply vanish too. She never expected things to turn out like this.
It was so strange. Was she the consciousness of the Herrscher, or a human consciousness?
It felt like she was both, and this ambiguous identity left her utterly lost.
"Umm… Aren't any of you going to explain this?"
The grey-haired girl finally looked up, addressing the people before her.
"Ah…"
Hearing her, Vya hopped down from the chair, stretching her limbs as if instantly regaining her vitality.
"Alright, sister, let Vya explain it to you."
Vya said earnestly, tilting her little face up.
"Oh? Little one, just what is going on?"
The grey-haired girl looked at Vya.
"Well, it's pretty much what you're thinking~"
Vya said with a smile.
"Sister will be staying here often from now on."
The grey-haired girl was puzzled. "Then… Am I still me?"
Sirin spoke up from the side. "Perhaps you are. Perhaps you aren't."
Wendy added, "More like the 'you' from before you became… like that."
In their view, this grey-haired girl before them was likely the one among them who retained the most complete set of memories.
Both her memories as a human and her memories as a Herrscher still existed.
"Mhm. So what do I have to face? Punishment?"
The grey-haired girl waved a hand, looking completely indifferent, as if ready to give up entirely.
After all, those people, shouting about dreams and convictions, had so easily shattered everything "she" had carefully arranged—not that she particularly cared.
Ana sighed. "None of us are innocent…"
"We've all done wrong things."
Seele followed up.
"So what, you think you can make up for it somehow? What are you all thinking?"
The grey-haired girl retorted somewhat heatedly, a hint of sarcasm in her tone.
"Right! None of us are innocent! Don't you know perfectly well why it turned out this way?"
Her words were merciless, instantly tearing open the issue that those who had come to Vya's mindscape were unwilling to examine closely.
The guilt buried deep in their hearts was suddenly laid bare on the table.
"Stop!"
Vya suddenly clapped her little hands, speaking loudly.
"No, no!"
"Sister, like I said, if you want something, you have to go and earn it yourself~"
Vya looked seriously at the grey-haired girl. "My sister often says too, if there are things you don't even want to try doing, you'll definitely end up unhappy!"
As Vya's words fell, everyone fell silent, no longer speaking, each pondering the meaning of her words.
"You…"
The grey-haired girl looked at Vya, taken aback for a moment, then said, "Little one, you're really something."
Hearing this, Vya gave a sweet, proud smile. "Hehe, Vya knows~"
Grey-haired girl: "Uh…"
She was momentarily at a loss for words, faced with Vya's innocent yet confident demeanor.
"Then… does sister have anything to say to me?"
Vya looked up at her expectantly.
"Say what?"
The grey-haired girl was confused.
Then, the remaining six people slowly gathered around, encircling the grey-haired girl.
At first glance, it almost looked like they were ganging up to bully the newcomer…
After a detailed explanation and exchange, the grey-haired woman threw up her hands. Though still somewhat reluctant, seeing the six people watching her intently behind her, and thinking about her future days here… she still stepped in front of Vya.
"Go on and prove it to me, little one."
She looked at Vya, her gaze complex. "Prove that our… humanity's 'wishes'…"
"…can truly create so-called miracles."
…
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