Betty stayed close to my side as she looked at the others, confusion and a bit of fear in her violet eyes. "...Who are these people, Alex?"
I gently patted her shoulder and said, "Like I said, Betty. These are my friends. Say hello and introduce yourself, will you?"
Betty hesitated. But then she slowly nodded and gave a stiff wave to Roland, Marisa, and then Evelyn. "H-Hello everyone. My name is Betty- I mean, Beatrice. I'm Alex's little sister. It's nice to meet you all..."
I gave Betty a reassuring smile and patted her shoulder.
Evelyn's eyes widened in shock and realization, quickly looking over at me.
I gave a slight shake of my head and mouthed 'I'll explain in a bit.'
Evelyn pursed her lips and nodded. Then she looked at Betty and put on a warm smile. Walking over, she held out her hand and said, "Hello there, Betty. My name is Evelyn... but you can call me Eve."
Betty's eyes sparkled a bit and she said, "Wow! You're pretty... Are you a princess, Miss Evelyn?"
Evelyn let out a sad smile and said, "Something like that, Betty."
I could see the mixed emotions on Eve's face. But I understood why.
Everyone had heard it earlier. How I... how Alexander Smith had lost everything in a terrible attack. His parents and his younger sister...
And now that younger sister was here. Alive and safe. But...
'...It's just a recreation. A fake.'
Right.
They all knew it. Because they had gone through their own trials too... well, except Evelyn. But she understood the principle behind this Gate.
A reflection of the user's past, and a chance to change it, if only in a simulation.
For them, it was more a means to overcome their limitations through some self-reflection.
But for me... for Alexander Smith...
Marisa walked over and knelt in front of Betty so she was eye-level. "Hello there, Betty." She smiled and said, "My name is Marisa. You can call me Mari. I'm your big brother's study buddy."
Betty slowly relaxed and then looked at Marisa with curious eyes. "Study buddy?"
Marisa nodded. "That's right. We study magic together. Do you know about magic?"
Betty nodded. "I do! Alex can use a lot of it. Right Alex?"
I laughed and said, "I can."
Roland walked up to Betty next and said, "I'm Roland, Betty. Your brother's a great friend of mine... he's helped out a lot, you know?"
Betty laughed and then let go of me, now completely relaxed. Feeling comfortable in Marisa and Roland's presence, she subconsciously moved closer and said, "Really? How?"
Marisa glanced at me and then gave me a small nod. As if saying she and Roland would watch Betty for a bit.
I gave a grateful smile and then nodded towards Eve, walking just out of earshot with her.
The moment we were, Evelyn pursed her lips and then said, "Alex... is that truly your sister? How is she here? Or... is she also...?"
I stayed quiet for a bit, wondering how to answer that. Not because of the fact that Betty was definitely just a recreation, but...
Beatrice Smith. The little sister of Alexander Smith. A young girl who was ten at most, likely younger. And also one who had been lost to the world after the incident that took away Alex's entire family.
She was my sister, but also not 'my' sister. Still...
Evelyn stared for a bit and then shook her head. "No. You don't have to answer that, Alex." She gave me a sad smile and looked around the area.
I followed her gaze and then couldn't help but sigh.
A completely ruined city. Corpses littering the area along with shattered equipment from Heroes and Imperial Knights alike...
It was hell. Alex's hell, and in a way, mine as well. Because although I had changed the flow of events here... it was meaningless.
After all, the events had already occurred. This was nothing more than just a sort of self-insert history revision. A 'dream' at what could have been that was granted for a brief moment.
Off to the side, Betty was happily chatting with Roland and Marisa. Although she was still covered in a bit of dried blood and grime, she seemed okay for now despite the tragic scenes that had just unfolded for her.
'I can understand why Alex regretted it so much.'
A bright, wonderful, and cheerful little sister. One who, in the present, would have been around 13 or 14 and just coming into her own as a teenager. At the age of happily chatting about boys and hanging out with friends. Except...
'She never had that chance.'
The flow of events were clear.
Alex tried and failed to save his little sister.
Demon God Umbrel descended and took her for whatever reason...
And then their home city was destroyed. Erased completely.
And while I didn't know for sure... considering that Alex was desperate enough to give up his existence for a chance to save Betty... it was likely that he never found her. Not just in three years since she was taken, but also in 3D-ED.
A wish upon the stars and a gamble with everything that Alex was. All for the sake of his little sister that he must have cherished more than life itself.
I stared at Betty and subconsciously placed my hand over my heart, feeling a dull ache there that didn't belong to me.
Evelyn noticed and reached out to place her hand on my arm. "Alex..."
"...It's fine, Eve. Really." I smiled at her.
Evelyn pursed her lips.
But before she could say anything else, a transparent window flickered to life. The Dungeon Guide that appeared in most Gates.
===
> The Advanced Trial [Descent of the Demon God] has been cleared.
> ETA until trial end: one hour.
> Please prepare for transport to the central plaza of [The Forgotten City].
===
I glanced at it and said, "It looks like time's almost up."
Evelyn glanced towards Betty and said, "Then... you should probably spend more time with her, Alex. You... after this..." She trailed off, as if unable to say it. The fact that all traces of Betty would vanish after this trial ended.
"Yeah." I nodded and said, "I'm going to."
Marisa and Roland both looked up into space for a bit. Probably because they received the same message.
Betty huffed and tugged them both, drawing attention back to her.
I smiled and then walked over to Betty. Placing my hand on her shoulder, I said, "Having fun with my friends, Betty?"
Betty smiled and hugged my side. "They're nice, Alex! Miss Mari is really smart and Mister Rolo is funny!"
I ruffled her hair and said, "I'm glad you think so, Betty."
"Heehee..." Betty smiled and buried her face into my side.
Roland and Marisa shared a look. And then Roland said, "We'll let you two catch up." He smiled at Betty and then patted her shoulder. "It was nice meeting you, Betty."
Betty pouted. "Are you leaving already?"
Marisa kneeled down and nodded. "I'm sorry, Betty. But we have to head off early to go home. But we'll meet again. Okay? Someday..." Her eyes teared up a bit, but she kept her composure enough to finish her words. "Someday we'll meet again. I promise."
Betty looked confused at why Marisa was sad. But she nodded and said, "Alright, Miss Mari. But you have to give me a magic wand, okay?"
Marisa laughed and reached out to fix Betty's hair. "Of course, Betty. Then..." She stood up and looked over at me. "...We'll go on ahead."
I nodded. "See you guys over there."
Evelyn glanced at me, concerned. But then she sighed and tapped the air before vanishing in golden light.
Roland and Marisa did the same.
And then it was just me and Betty.
Betty gasped and said, "Did they teleport? Wow!"
I chuckled and ruffled her hair. "My friends are pretty special, Betty."
Betty giggled. "They are!"
I smiled at her. And as I did... I couldn't help but realize it.
That bright smile on her face... it was one that you couldn't help but want to protect. And Betty was a wonderful young girl who could get along with everyone, considering how easily she chatted with Roland and Marisa. A strong one too, since she was okay right now despite all the tragedy that had just unfolded. Altogether...
'This is why you gave everything up, wasn't it Alex?'
[To find her again, I would do anything. Anything.]
A ghost of a thought drifting through my mind, as well as a burning resolve that wasn't mine.
Betty tilted her head. "What's wrong, Alex?"
I smiled and picked her up. "Nothing, Betty. Now come on. Let's take a little walk."
Betty giggled and said, "Hey! Put me down!"
"Humor me for a bit, okay?"
Did Betty detect the mixed emotions in my voice? She stilled and gave me a long look. Then she slowly nodded and leaned against my chest, murmuring, "Okay, Alex."
I nodded and then started walking through the ruined city, aimlessly. No, not aimlessly. But instead...
[To spend time with her. Just a little more...]