[Flashback]
"Big Sister, what are you doing!?"
Battler shouted. His golden eyes shook with fear, his voice cracking. At seventeen, clad in the academy's white-and-blue striped uniform, he looked more like a child than a soldier as he stood behind her.
His elder sister, about twenty, stood tall with long, flowing azure hair and matching golden eyes. She wore a violet mage's robe, her trembling hands pressed against a glowing circle etched into the ground. A black sash covered her eyes, but her smile was radiant.
"Battler… don't stop me. I finally perfected it. This magic circle—it finally worked!"
Her voice shook with excitement.
"..."
Battler's throat went dry. He couldn't force out the words, only cold sweat trailing down his neck.
"Finally! It worked—haha!"
His sister sat within the circle and pricked her cheek, letting blood drip onto the runes.
"In the void of nothingness… show me the truth. Come to me…"
Her voice slipped into chant.
"S-Sister!? What are you—"
Before Battler could finish, the ground split open. A massive black gate erupted, covered in writhing, rotten roots. The air grew suffocating, heavy with dread.
Battler staggered back, eyes trembling. "Wh-what… is this…?"
But his sister only laughed through her tears. "Finally… O Lord, I've done it!" She stepped closer, hand outstretched as the gate creaked open on its own. A suffocating mist spilled out, hiding the inside in blinding white light.
"The void of nothingness…" she whispered, walking toward it.
"Sister!!" Battler rushed forward, grabbing her hand. His chest heaved, fear written all over his young face. "Where are you going? Are you leaving us!?"
She froze, silent for a moment. Then, with a soft smile, she pulled him into her arms.
"Of course not. You're all precious to me. I'll never leave you."
"Then why!? Why step inside!?" Battler pleaded, tears threatening to spill.
"…Because there's something I must do." She kissed his cheek gently, her voice trembling yet certain. "I'll come back. Just wait for me."
She pushed him back and stepped into the gate.
"SISTERRR!!!" Battler screamed, falling to his knees. She didn't look back—only smiled as the gate sealed shut behind her.
Tears poured down his face, his voice breaking with rage. "Why… sister… why!?"
[Current Time]
"…And after that, she never returned. Not once. She didn't even tell me why."
Battler's voice was hollow, cold. He sat on the rooftop, staring at the endless blue sky above, clouds drifting lazily by. Beside him sat Leo, quiet, watching him.
"Man… that really hurts," Leo thought, sadness clouding her eyes.
"I see. So this is why you wanted to use me," she finally said, turning her gaze skyward as well.
"Yeah. But… I apologize. Deeply. I was just an idiot."
Battler sighed heavily, closing his eyes as if to hide the shame.
"Hmph. You call yourself an idiot for failing to save your sister?"
Leo smirked bitterly, golden eyes sharp. "Then I'm beyond an idiot—for destroying everything, all because of my greed." Her fist tightened.
"..."
Battler stood slowly, his face solemn. "I hope you can bring your true self back, Leo. Good luck."
"Yeah. I have to!" Leo said firmly, determination flaring in her eyes.
She stood as well, then playfully slapped his shoulder with a grin. "Good luck to you too! I hope you find her one day. And if I can… I'll help you."
Battler's lips curved into a faint smirk as he closed his eyes. "Glad to hear that. Let's see what fate has in store."
"Yeah. Hopefully something good." Leo smiled back, then turned to leave. "Goodbye, Battler. I've got a conversation to finish—with my Pride self."
"Mm. Alright," Battler replied softly, a smile lingering on his face as she walked away.
Leo approached the room where her Pride version stayed. She lifted her hand and knocked sharply on the door.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
The door creaked open. Elizabeth peeked out, her expression tight with nervousness.
"Um… is my Pride version here?" Leo asked casually, trying to mask her curiosity.
Elizabeth hesitated. "Uh… actually, the Boss went out for some reason."
"I see… can you guess where he went?" Leo pressed, tilting her head.
"I… have no idea," Elizabeth admitted, shaking her head.
"Okay, thank you," Leo said lightly, turning to leave.
"Um… I—" Elizabeth called out nervously.
"Hm? Yes?" Leo stopped and looked back.
Elizabeth lowered her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "I… I am deeply sorry for what I did. Please… forgive me for not believing you."
"Eh?! Um… hey, it's fine!" Leo said, panicked, forcing an awkward smile.
"Really? But I… I hurt you so badly." Elizabeth's eyes were filled with guilt.
Leo crossed her arms, fury flashing in her golden eyes. "Yeah, I was mad too. But hey! That's my Pride version's fault—he gave you those orders!"
Elizabeth stared, shocked, unsure what to say.
"Um… did I say something wrong?" Leo asked, nervously rubbing her hair.
"N-no…" Elizabeth stammered. "…I just… I've never seen the soft side of my Boss before."
Leo froze. Her smile faltered, eyes widening in surprise. She turned her head, quietly muttering, "I'm not that soft… but… now I feel the pain of others. In the past, I was heartless too."
Elizabeth reached out, holding Leo's hand gently, her voice soft but sincere. "But I see it now. You have a soft side. I hope… one day, the Boss will smile again."
Leo blinked, stunned by the unexpected tenderness. "Again?" she whispered.
"Yes," Elizabeth said sadly. "The Boss… once was soft. But he's no longer the man I knew."
"Once soft…" Leo murmured, lost in thought.
"Oh! The Boss might be waiting for you," Elizabeth added, a faint hopeful smile tugging at her lips.
"But… where is he now?" Leo asked, nervous.
"Maybe… you should go to Ceira's place. He goes there often," Elizabeth suggested.
"Ceira? The place with all the trees!" Leo exclaimed, tapping her chin thoughtfully.
"Yes… maybe," Elizabeth replied softly.
"Thank you. I have to go now," Leo said, turning to leave.
"Okay… see you again," Elizabeth called after her, a gentle farewell in her voice.