After three weeks, although Samael's journey had slowed down, they were already much closer to the Yellow Tree at the center of the Kingdom of Rime.
Over the past few weeks, Samael had accumulated many injuries during the battles. His two Fallen Echoes were also constantly going through cycles of near-destruction and reconstruction.
Even Tenebrae had suffered a few injuries, although far fewer than Samael.
Perhaps being an Ancient Crow had helped with that.
During that time, Samael had also passed by several Nightmare Seeds.
He could feel their call from a great distance.
If he had been together with the others, he probably would have already challenged one of them.
However, the Seed he could sense now was different.
There were sounds of battle coming from its direction.
Not that battles between creatures were uncommon in that place.
Samael had already witnessed several.
From Fallen Creatures tearing each other apart with their strange powers to unimaginable colossi colliding, their clashes seemed more like natural disasters than battles between creatures.
Samael had only ever seen those beings on the horizon.
Even so, that did not make them any less terrifying.
The Kingdom of Rime was colossal, larger than entire continents.
Even thousands of kilometers away, Samael could still feel the shockwaves caused by those beings.
—The smell of humans —Tenebrae commented as he observed the battlefield.
"That feeling... Liz is there."
The Armor of Bonds had revealed Elizabeth's location.
Samael glanced at Tenebrae with his golden eyes.
"Would it be safe to introduce Tenebrae to them?"
He was uncertain.
On the other hand, this was the perfect opportunity to challenge the Second Nightmare.
Or, at the very least, begin making preparations.
—Tenebrae, let's go —Samael urged.
He expected a threat.
Or, at the very least, a:
"Don't order me around."
However, Tenebrae merely changed the direction of the citadel.
A few minutes later, from atop the cemetery of an ancient Daemon, Samael was able to observe the area.
Beside a Nightmare Seed and a gigantic skeleton, there were eight scattered people and the corpses of several creatures littering the ground.
And there they were:
Elizabeth, Liu, Bel, Vanitas, Cyrene, and Enkidu.
"I guess they still haven't found the teacher. I hope she's okay."
Samael wasn't in good condition either.
He didn't even know what condition his body on Earth was in.
As soon as he arrived, several eyes of different colors turned toward him.
Samael jumped down from the cemetery.
When he looked back, he noticed that Tenebrae had already taken flight.
Apparently, he had absolutely no interest in socializing.
Despite his loneliness.
"Could he be shy?"
Samael found his own thought amusing.
He approached them.
Cyrene gave him a wave.
Bel and Vanitas were talking about something.
Enkidu had a rather unpleasant expression.
Elizabeth and Liu, on the other hand, looked away as soon as Samael's eyes met theirs.
Their bodies bore injuries.
However, since this was the body of the Dream Realm, they were far less severe than the ones they had suffered in America.
"What did I do? I was unconscious."
Samael couldn't remember anything that could have caused such a strange reaction.
—Welcome. We were waiting for you —Cyrene greeted him as she approached.
Samael observed her carefully.
She looked much more exhausted than when he had been unconscious.
—How did you know I was going to arrive here? —Samael asked, still confused.
—You told Elizabeth that you were heading toward the Tree, and you were the only one with an Anchor in the outer circle of the Kingdom of Rime —Cyrene calmly explained.
"I told her?"
Samael didn't remember saying that.
He shrugged.
After all, he couldn't remember most of the things he had said while in that state.
Samael glanced around, making sure no one was paying attention.
Then, he approached Cyrene and brought his face close to her ear.
—Why are they reacting like that? —he whispered.
He hadn't exactly expected a huge reunion hug.
That didn't fit any of their personalities.
But he hadn't expected this either.
Cyrene remained silent for several seconds.
Her expression was complicated.
—Are you sure you want to know?
Samael remained silent.
For a moment, he considered whether he really wanted to hear the answer.
"I wouldn't be able to stand being curious."
He knew himself too well.
—I do —Samael replied, still whispering.
—You died —Cyrene answered.
—I... died?
Samael was stunned.
For several seconds, he couldn't even comprehend those words.
Elizabeth approached.
—You did. We couldn't protect your body or heal you. Your injuries were too severe. Your body in America is dead —she explained.
Liu approached Elizabeth's side.
—I'm sorry, Sam. I couldn't protect you.
Samael remained silent for a few moments, digesting those words.
—It wasn't your fault. And honestly, I don't even feel... dead. I think it hasn't really sunk in yet.
"Dead, huh?"
Samael made an expression similar to someone who had just eaten something bitter.
"That's not exactly what I expected, honestly."
He took a deep breath.
—What are you doing here? —Samael asked.
After all, they had been waiting for him.
They must have been planning something in that place.
—We were waiting for you to challenge the Second Nightmare —Liu explained, approaching Samael.
She smiled faintly.
—Good job surviving alone in this place.
—Thanks. Although I wasn't alone —Samael explained, remembering Tenebrae.
—But the Second Nightmare, just like that? What about the preparations? When I suggested this, I didn't mean for us to rush into it —Samael commented as he wrapped a strand of his hair around his finger.
—We made some preparations. Acheron and Malenia are protecting our bodies —Cyrene explained.
—And if we don't do this, we won't last much longer. Our bodies in America are barely holding together —Liz added.
Samael fell silent.
He had suggested this for the sake of survival.
However, although he didn't want to admit it, there had also been a certain amount of greed behind his proposal.
He didn't know when he would find another Nightmare Seed far from America.
He wanted to try reaching the place where those he had read about had reached.
He wanted to feel like he was at the same stage as them.
Someone as incredible, as admirable as they were.
He didn't want to be remembered as a coward who was afraid of people and cried over everything.
Samael looked at the three who were part of the conversation.
All three had the eyes of people who had already accepted the Second Nightmare.
Then, finally, Samael smiled.
—Then let's go.
He tried to hide his fear behind a joke.
—After all, I want to have a body in our world again.
They began walking toward the Seed.
It rose like a black crack in reality, calling to them with its sweet summons.
A call that promised to consume everything they possessed.
Samael walked behind the others, his eyes slightly clouded.
"Ah, dying... Just when I had finally started having a conflict-free relationship with my female body, this happens."
His heart felt heavy.
"I don't want to be dramatic or play the victim, but... it's getting hard to keep going."
"Dead continent, Transitions, and an Abomination. All of this while my knowledge of the future forces me to evolve just to survive."
It suffocated him.
The weight of the magnificence of those he admired only increased his anxiety.
He needed to grow faster.
And the memories of the past continued returning to haunt him.
Samael stopped for a few seconds while the rest of the group continued walking.
"It's hard."
"My mind isn't as strong as Sunny's."
"My determination doesn't even compare to that of those I admire."
"I wanted... I really wanted to have determination comparable to Nephis or Fang Yuan."
"But I can't."
"My mind is too weak compared to theirs."
Samael resumed walking.
This time, a little faster, catching up with the rest of the group.
"But I'll keep going."
"Because it's the only option I have."
Finally, Samael stood before the great Nightmare Seed.
Everyone stopped in front of it.
There would be no going back.
Elizabeth's lavender eyes were fixed on the Seed.
She was also fighting her own problems.
After all, when she had finally managed to make friends, they were dying because of her weakness.
The death of Samael's body had been the final blow.
The last push she needed to decide to face her fear.
At the same time, there was only one image in Liu's mind.
Samael's fallen body.
Not breathing.
He had succumbed to his injuries while they fought.
That sight reminded her of the night her father had also passed away.
The growing guilt threatened to crush her mercilessly.
Finally, everyone took a step toward the Seed.
As soon as they touched it, the Spell's voice rang in their ears.
[Awakened! Prepare yourselves for your Second Trial.]