Yuno didn't notice when, but he had fallen asleep. It was midday, and his ears were ringing; his sense of smell made him gag. He could smell every trace of pain on the walls, and his eyes perceived each brushstroke as if he could follow each one backward until his walls were no longer white. He needed to get his necklace back, and maybe ask old man Rie and Ane about the book he had found. They knew far more about relics and history—maybe they could explain it to him.
The library was the same, but Old Man Rie was lost as to how Yuno knew his name. He was well known, but Ane—Ane was an intern; how did Yuno know her? Yuno and Ane sat at one of the many tables in the library while Old Man Rie rummaged around the different boxes to find the specific necklace he had given to Yuno. This time, Yuno brought some money with him; he didn't want this identity to be overly exposed anymore. If he was going to seek revenge, he wanted to do it hidden, unknown to his foes who they were facing.
While Old Man Rie scurried around, Ane tried to decipher the floating pages in front of her. A lot of it was difficult to comprehend, seemingly only able to be read by Yuno. So Yuno tried to paraphrase and summarize specific sentences. The more he read, the more distrustful Ane's face became. She suddenly rushed up with a serious look and sprinted to a set of bookshelves. She slid over a wooden ladder that creaked along with the floors. A few steps up the ladder, Ane was picking out specific books and files, almost falling off with her arms filled up. Yuno furrowed his brows and lunged at Ane as she was leaning too far back, almost losing her footing. He let out a large sigh of relief after she didn't tumble down the ladder; her determination was amusing. She came down, out of breath, and handed the pile of books to Yuno.
Yuno dropped the books on the table, where Ane started to open them up one by one, marking each page she found important. Soon, Old Man Rie came in, gave Yuno the necklace, tried to explain the app, but realized Yuno was well versed, then left as he saw Ane swimming in her pile of books. Yuno rubbed off the scent of old paper and watched as Ane started pointing things out to him in her books. Her eyes widened, and after reading what was on the little notepad, Yuno's eyes also widened. He was looking at a map of all the nations; these maps were rare and, even though this map was old, it was missing hundreds of cities in Ara and Orion. But it was enough for Yuno to understand.
For many millennia, many have said that the mountains surrounding the outer nations resembled a hand of sorts, but most had just said it was a natural mountain range that early humans found and sought shelter in. If they hadn't sought the protection of the mountains, the monsters beyond the mountains would have driven humanity to extinction.
"You don't think that the 'palm' the journal was referring to, right?" asked Yuno.
"I mean, everything points to it being so," answered Ane.
But there was more, so both of them kept driving around until it became late. Yuno promised Asmir to stop by the festival. Yuno walked out of the library, waving goodbye to Ane, and looked up at the full moon. His head struggled to comprehend that the known world was simply the palm of a deity. His hand trembled at the idea, but he carried on.
The festival was held near the Simian Stretch; hundreds of small tents littered the edges of the river. Lanterns and campfires burning blue illuminated the area in the pitch black of night. Each booth was selling drinks, treats, and mini games. He was surrounded by laughter, children, and soldiers all resting. He hadn't noticed, but he wasn't the only one affected by the collapse of Orion; the people of Ara were massive supporters of Orion, and there—the fall of Orion shattered their hopes. For the first time in a long time, the people of Ara were sighing a breath of relief; they were slowly moving on. A slight smile appeared on Yuno's face, and he went to search for Asmir.
He found Faria instead; she wore a cape, and her tall figure loomed above Yuno. He was once again delighted to be back in a presence that made the world feel at ease. But he had to ask her—ask her what he could do to avenge his nation.
"I… I want to be stronger. I no longer want to live in regret," burst out Yuno in an awkward and honest shout.
"For what?" questioned Faria.
"I… I want to avenge Orion," Yuno answered.
It was minuscule and barely noticeable, but Faria's domain dimmed a little. Her eyes dimmed of their golden light, and sorrow replaced it.
"Yuno, do you know how desperately I wanted to fight in that war? How desperately I wanted to avenge Orion? If I could, I would kill every last one of them and wear their eyes with a necklace around my neck. I would use their corpses to fertilize the ground on which I would grow crops and feed it to their children. I would let their souls wander in eternal punishment and torment, as they watch their children live an eternal life of misery.
But I cannot—not because I don't want to, but because their might is one I cannot challenge.
Pavo, Draco, and Cetus—they aren't simply powerful; they are hands that shape the world.
Yuno, your power alone will never help you obtain your revenge. This is one hope I advise you to let go of."
"I won't. I'd rather die than live a life of complacency. I have—it's my only purpose, no matter how strong, no matter how evil. I will be stronger; I will be crueler," answered Yuno in anger.
"Look at Asmir," said Faria, pointing at Asmir in the crowd.
"He exists to love Ara, every person around you for this purpose. He would rather die than see his nation fall, but even he knows he would die by simple eye contact with a warlord from Cetus. Do you know how painful it is to live knowing that your destiny is to fail? But he lives.
Yuno, you have the choice to change your purpose. Your people have fallen; you have no duty. No one will blame you for living a life of peace. Ara, me, my father will make sure of that. Don't live in misery like Asmir," said Faria in a sorrowful voice.
"You're wrong. Asmir wouldn't die. He would live on no matter what. He's your brother—you should know him better," refuted Yuno, remembering when Asmir confronted him about giving up on Orion.
Faria's eyes widened, then her mouth opened and then closed shut.
"You won't find strength here, nor in all of Ara. If you want to die, then die trying, Yuno. Go to the nether highway. Watch the mythbounds and avatars whom you think are powerful, and then understand they are but a droplet compared to the Solars of Cetus, who are entire oceans.
I warn you, I will not be able to guide your soul if you die there," said Faria in a cold tone while walking away.
"How… how do I get there? How do I become stronger?" shouted Yuno while Faria faded into her cape.
"There are five gods—make them your friends," whispered Faria in Yuno's ear.
"There are six," answered back Yuno.
"And I have her journal."
Asmir tapped Yuno on the back, startling him.
"You good? You look like you saw a ghost. It's too early for that," laughed Asmir.
Yuno looked at his friend's smile and frowned. What a painful curse to live with; he was indeed lucky, Yuno thought.
They both stepped to the very brink of the riverbank, feeling the chill mist clinging to their skin. In the heart of the river, suspended just above the surging current, Faria hovered, her silhouette ethereal against the moonlit water. Her cape cascaded into the river below, wicking up the rushing flow until her feet were drenched. As she closed her eyes, a shimmering light began to pulse beneath her—the water shifting from deep green to radiant sapphire, flooding the scene with blinding brilliance.
The river seemed suddenly alive, its roar growing, its currents swirling with supernatural urgency. Then, as Yuno watched in awe, translucent wings unfurled from Faria's back, spanning wide with crackling energy that danced through the midnight air. She raised her arms, and with a voice that trembled with ancient authority, she beckoned.
One by one, specters emerged from the glowing depths: fallen souls, their forms flickering and sorrowful, began to ascend, drawn inexorably to Faria's presence. Soon there were thousands—then millions—floating in silent reverence, each longing for release. The river vanished beneath the host of spirits, now transformed into a pathway of light and memory.
Faria's wings shimmered as she guided the souls, her eyes filled with compassion. Each restless spirit waited for her touch, yearning to be led to peace, to the rest they had been denied. Tonight, the whole world seemed to hold its breath; with every soul she welcomed, the air grew lighter, the burden of the river lifted, and for a moment, all pain faded into tranquil silence.
"Isn't it sad their loved ones can't see them, but we can?" asked Asmir.
Only contract holders could see the fallen, and even then, they were only able to see because of Faria. Yuno was too amazed to answer Asmir's questions; this was his first time too. The crowds moved closer to the edge of the river, and there, in the middle of the river, was a single golden glow. It was bright as a star—it was the guide, it was Faria. The sight was so profound that Yuno blurted out to Asmir, "I'm going to the Nether Highway. I need to be stronger—so much stronger than your sister." Yuno continued to stare into the glowing river, ignoring Asmir's dropped jaw and look of complete shock.