Back and forth.

Back and forth.

Noticeable, but not disruptive. Pleasant, even.

My boat rocks gently atop the endless lake, the waves subtle as their whispers play like a serene orchestra.

Before me, the grand serpent delivers her gaze.

"Was this what you meant?" I ask. "About my destiny?"

"This outcome was one of many possibilities," she says. "It is, however, that which I had most desired. You are proving yourself to be a worthy candidate, despite my peers believing otherwise."

"Does it get easier? This path."

"No. You've only passed the first stepping stone, and a minute one, at that. There are still many hurdles for you to overcome, many mountains to be conquered. Although you have claimed your first victory, you are still but a fledgling in this ever-expanding battleground."

I stare into the water.

I didn't ask for this. I want to go back to how things were. I want to sip tea with Grandpa. I want to buy candy from Mr. Docket's shop.

I want to be with Old Grove.

But the beginning is set in stone, no matter how much I cry about it. Yesterday is gone, so I can only worry about tomorrow.

"Keep your composure, child," the serpent implores. "Do not falter. Although the road may seem arduous, I do believe you have the fortitude to become she who conquers. Observe. Adapt. Overcome."

"I know." My resolve echoes to the highest moons. "I'll reach the ending I want."

She observes my unbreakable will, pleased.

"I have high hopes for you, Violet Newcastle."

The gears in her eyes spin, and as the mist thickens, I wake up.

* * *

Fatigue in every sense of the word, as if I was forced to control a dead man's body. Pair that with my clustered senses and I wanted to fall right back to sleep. Instead, I lifted my leaden eyelids to stare up at a wooden ceiling.

Everything hurt—every breath, every twitch. It felt like needles jabbed into my ribcage with each exhale.

But with each ache, the conclusion grew clear.

I'm alive.

I lay in Miss Lovelock's bed, presumably in her room, the luminance thin as the sun's rays hugged the blinds. Thick gauze had been wrapped around the upper half of my head. And as I sat up, I understood why, slammed with the meanest of headaches.

I think I'd rather be dead.

But I didn't think she would like that—the little rose sitting at my bedside. She squeezed my hand tight, fast asleep as stains painted the edges of her eyes. Nonstop crying.

I smiled, and with my free hand did I lovingly stroke her hair.

From now on, you won't have to be afraid anymore. You'll get to be as happy as you'd like.

Even though my lips stayed still, she heard the message loud and clear, waking from her garden of dreams.

Her jaw dropped as she met my eyes.

"Big . . . Sis?" she uttered.

"Good morning," I said softly. "Er, I think it's morning. I'm still wondering how long I've been—"

With full force, the little rose lurched forward to hug me.

"Big Sis!" she sobbed. "Big Sis!"

I caressed her head.

"It's okay now."

My acquaintance burst through the door only a second later.

"Rosemi?" she asked, worried. "What's wrong?"

I gave a small wave. "H-Hello."

The swordswoman curved her lips.

"Hello to you, Miss Hero."

* * *

"Thank you so much!"

I took a step back, startled by the sudden wave of people bowing to me.

At the town entrance, Pluto and I faced the entire community of Blue Bark, where every single face dazzled with happiness, their gratitude rich and pure.

At the forefront was Madame Lynn.

"You girls were not what I expected," she said. "Because of you, Blue Bark can return to its lively days. We don't know how we could ever repay you."

Pluto nudged my shoulder. "You're talking to the wrong person. It was this girl right here who did all the work."

I blushed. "N-No. I mean . . ."

Once more, the crowd cheered.

"The great Violet!" someone hollered.

My cheeks went as hot as flames.

Before long, the man who had harassed us—Mr. Titus—presented himself, this time not so drunk. More than anyone, he paid his reverence, his face contoured with remorse and relief.

"I am truly sorry for how I acted before," he said. "While I'll never get Simon back, it is thanks to you that I can have some form of closure." He bowed. "From the bottom of my heart, thank you."

I nodded, wiping my glassy eyes.

Last but not least, the little rose, who dipped in sadness.

"Are you leaving, Big Sis?" she asked.

I crouched down to her level and patted her head.

"Mm," I hummed. "There's a lot of people out there, and I want to help them the same way I helped you."

"Will you come back?"

"Of course. When I do, I'll have some better stories to tell you."

We hugged, before she presented me with one of her earrings.

"Don't forget me, please," Rosemi said softly.

Gladly, I accepted her gift. "Never."

Suddenly, the people of Blue Bark grabbed me to toss me into the air.

"Violet! Violet! Violet!"

Ah.

Now I remember.

This is what it means to be happy.

* * *

". . ."

". . ."

". . ."

". . ."

"I'm waiting."

In the interrogation room, the duo ground against one another, their irritation simmering as they delved in venomous visages.

To one side, a member of the fairy race stood tall, her skin fair as she boasted a slim figure. Down to her waist, comely hair fell gracefully, and while indulging in an aureate shade, it matched well with the auburn of her irises. For an outfit, she wore a simple yet luxurious dress whose hem met her thighs and whose shade of emerald mimicked that of the ribbon tied at the top of her head. Heels of black and gold adorned her feet, acting as the finishing touch alongside sable gloves stretching from her fingertips to her elbows.

To the other side, a mortal-dragon hybrid loathed her situation, pinned to a chair as steel manacles chained to the ground choked her wrists. Her complexion rivaled that of a cloud's, her frame both slim and sturdy. Violet hair sunk down to her nape, the sides braided as they pushed out to either side of her neck. From the back of her head, a pair of hand-sized, feathery wings curled forward to narrowly meet her mesmerizing oculi; magenta glowed in the left, while the right reveled in electrifying azure. Both had slit pupils hanging in the center. Her clothing consisted of an onyx sweatshirt with a thin, white vest, tight lavender pants, and sneakers hued black and purple. From her bottom, an elegant tail curled out, the shade gradating from alabaster to a blend of obsidian and amethyst. Also tasting the latter mixture was her left hand, made to have the dragon's aesthetic of sharpened claws and a beastly form; her right, meanwhile, copied a human's mold, her fingernails painted ebony.

The dragon girl sighed.

"I've answered that question three times already," she said. "Variety is the spice of life, you know."

"I'll take that into consideration," the fairy chided. "Now, tell me: Who are you?"

"Selen Tatsuki—same thing I said last time. And the time before that. And the time before that."

The fairy shook her head. "I don't understand why you keep lying to me. Clearly, you're just an imposter. How you managed to pull it off, I can't say. But there's no point in trying to pull wool over my eyes."

"Dude, why would anyone wanna impersonate me? I don't even like being me half the time."

The interrogator glowered.

"There's no point in denying the truth," she said. "Just know that you're never going back to that resistance."

The dragon sighed. "For the last time, I have no clue what you're talking about. What resistance?"

"Keep playing dumb. Doesn't matter to me. Once Maria gets here, we'll get all the answers we need. That is, if you even get the chance to survive past these walls."

The beast girl smirked. "Unfortunately for you, I don't mind gachas."