Now that their role in this world was done, they stood once again in front of the orphanage.
Bronya looked around carefully, trying to find a spot where she could tear through the dimension again. Seele could clearly see how nervous Bronya was, even if her stoic face barely showed it.
"Sis, are you nervous?" Seele asked, worry slipping into her voice.
Bronya chuckled softly. "Maybe I am. But I won't fail this. We'll go back home together."
Her words sounded brave, but Seele could tell she was saying it more to reassure herself than to calm her.
Even though they knew the distorted space here could lead them back, Bronya wasn't sure she could use her Herrscher power at full strength. The most she could do was pour everything she had into attracting someone's attention from the other side.
She knew Kiana and the others must be worried. After all, Bronya hadn't told anyone she was leaving to search for Seele with the help of their other-world friend. She had only left a single note saying she knew where Seele was and would be gone for a while.
Her initial plan had been nothing more than scouting the area. A simple investigation. Until the other-world Seele mentioned sensing something familiar lingering in the corner part of the town. And before Bronya even realized it, her body had already moved on its own, tearing open space with her Herrscher power the moment she felt the faint trace of her Seele at the location the other Seele pointed out.
And now, here they were, together again, with only the slimmest chance of returning. All they could do was rely on their friends on the other side to notice.
Bronya drew in a steadying breath before telling Seele to step back, bracing herself as she prepared to unleash her power.
"Star of Eden!"
The result was… underwhelming. The rift she formed was pathetically small, embarrassingly so. Especially compared to the first time she'd projected it in her fight against Rita.
"Should I help you?" Veliona asked, far too confident in her ability to outperform Bronya. But it was her way of easing the tension.
"Maybe we should work together?" Seele added, not wanting Bronya to feel disheartened by her failure.
"Yes, maybe we—"
Before Bronya could finish, a large crack tore open before them. Larger than anything Bronya had managed. And at the same time, a voice called out urgently from the other side.
"Bronya!! Seele!! Hop in!" she shouted. The rift pulsed, shrinking more and more with every second they hesitated.
"Hurry!" the voice urged from the other side, strained and breathless, as though they were reaching their limit just holding the rift open. But none of them stepped in yet. All three waited for Veliona to get close enough.
Seeing how much smaller the crack had become, Bronya made a quick decision.
"Seele, go first! Bronya will wait!" she ordered, pushing Seele toward the opening before Seele could even respond.
"W-wait—!"
Veliona sprinted as her life depended on it. Bronya reached out a hand for her, but Veliona knew she wasn't going to make it in time. So she made a choice. One desperate, reckless choice.
She tackled Bronya forward, shoving her into the rift. If she made it through as well, then good. If not… at least Seele and Bronya would be safe.
Bronya's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Seele!" she cried, trying to grab Veliona's hand before she slipped out of reach. But the crack was closing too fast.
Veliona met her gaze with a calm, soft smile. As if none of this troubled her. As if this had always been her purpose. To make sure the two people she loved most would survive.
Just before the rift snapped shut, a hand shot out from the other side and yanked Veliona in with all their strength. Forcing the unknown rescuer to swap places with her.
"Don't worry. I'll find another way back!" she shouted just as the crack sealed around her.
The girl who remained collapsed onto the cold concrete, exhausted. Relief and guilt washed through her in equal measure. Relief that they were safe. Guilt because she knew she had made that person worry for her, again.
"Seele… can we check the orphanage?" Bronya asked hesitantly, her voice soft, as though afraid the question itself might ruin the fragile peace between them.
"Why do you suddenly want to go there?" Seele's pace slowed. She had been walking quickly at first, but the longer they strolled, the more she had relaxed. Bronya's question, however, made her tense again. Instinctively on guard. Wondering what Bronya was planning.
"Well…" Bronya paused, weighing her options. Should she tell the truth, that she needed to make sure her friend from the other world had made it back safely?
Or should she come up with an excuse, something gentle, something that wouldn't make Seele think she was prioritizing the other world's kind-hearted Seele over her?
Before Bronya could decide, Seele had already read her nervousness plainly enough.
"Sure," Seele said quietly, choosing not to press the issue.
"Thank you," Bronya murmured.
"You don't need to thank me," Seele replied. "I never thanked them either."
Bronya blinked in surprise. It felt almost as if Seele had read her mind. Her intent, her worry. But then Bronya found herself smiling at Seele, a small, grateful smile for accepting her request.
When they arrived at the orphanage, no one was there. Not a trace of anyone remained. The place stood exactly as it always had. Whole, undamaged, untouched.
As if no crack in space had ever opened there at all.
"I guess we're too late…" Bronya said, her voice mixed with relief and regret. Relieved that they must have made it back safely… yet saddened that they hadn't been able to say goodbye properly.
"As long as they're back in their own world, then everything's okay," Seele said, trying to sound strong, as if it didn't bother her. But Bronya knew, Seele hated owing anyone, hated leaving debts unpaid more than anything.
"Or maybe it's better this way! Talking to that brute who can only communicate in sarcasm gave me a headache!" Seele added, her voice a little too lively, trying to hide the sadness underneath.
Bronya couldn't help but chuckle. "Really? You should tell me all about your experience with them. I want to hear it."
"Then prepare yourself. You won't hear the end of it! They have a lot of weird habits and—"
Their conversation spilled into laughter and complaints as they walked back toward the surface, returning to the Qlipoth Fort with their never-ending chatter accompanying them the whole way.