"Yes," Elizabeth said. "That's why Supremes can still act, just in limited ways."

"What about Singularities?" Neo asked.

"That depends," she replied. "Singularities exist because a person isn't bound by a Cosmic Law. Cosmic Laws differ in different Cosmos, so a Singularity might work, or it might not."

Neo nodded slowly.

"So a lot of Devils become powerless here."

"Exactly."

There was a lot more.

By the time Elizabeth finished explaining, Neo realized the changes were more severe than he thought.

Later, when he asked what she was currently doing, Elizabeth gave him a simple answer.

"I created a sect in a hidden location. I brought the families from the village that you died protecting with me. They are in the sect too."

Neo's steps faltered for a moment.

"I left my previous sect because they refused to give those people refuge," Elizabeth continued. "That decision saved my life. Apollyon came looking for me there shortly after."

Neo's expression darkened.

"Then I met Paul, who told me what was happening," Elizabeth said.

"Paul?" Neo tilted his head.

"Yes," she replied. "He is— was an accomplice of Ultris and Julie. He lives in Apollyon's mansion as a spy."

Neo froze slightly.

Julie's words echoed in his mind.

Don't fight our people in the True Blessed Lands.

'Was that because I hated their group?'

'Or was there another reason?'

Something about this Paul felt wrong. He felt like he had met that person before.

Before he could ask more, Elizabeth stopped.

"We're here," she said.

They appeared in front of a sect gate.

It was hidden between overlapping formations, the entrance blending naturally with the surrounding terrain. The gate itself was simple but sturdy, carved with old symbols that gave off a faint, restrained presence.

Neo looked around carefully.

"Vivi is here," he said.

"Yes," Elizabeth replied. "She lives here too. Which reminds me, you still haven't told me who she is—"

"Dad!"

A blue blur slammed into Neo.

He was sent skidding backward, the air knocked straight out of his lungs.

"Dad! You're finally here!"

Vivi hugged him tightly, her smile bright and genuine.

Neo coughed, barely managing to stay upright.

But as she hugged him, the surrounding temperature began to drop.

He felt it immediately.

From the corner of his eye, he saw Elizabeth.

Her expression was blank.

A shiver ran down his spine.

"Cough— Eliza—"

"Dad, where's mom?" Vivi asked excitedly. "She came with you, right?"

She tightened her hug, her voice full of expectation.

She looked like a daughter greeting her father after a long journey.

But her grip was crushing.

Neo couldn't breathe.

He couldn't even speak.

'Th–this brat. She's doing this on purpose.'

Neo realized it a second too late.

Vivi's arms were locked around him far tighter than necessary, her face pressed against his chest, her voice loud and clear as she kept asking questions she already knew the answers to.

She was not giving him even a single breath to explain himself.

And worse.

She was doing it while Elizabeth was standing right there.

Neo could feel it.

The temperature around them was dropping, slow and steady, like the calm before something very unpleasant. He didn't even need to look to know that Elizabeth's expression had frozen over.

His past self, the one who had kept avoiding this topic again and again, was being cursed thoroughly in his mind.

By the time Vivi finally loosened her grip and let him breathe properly, it was already too late.

Elizabeth was gone.

Neo sucked in a sharp breath and immediately turned his head, scanning the surroundings.

Nothing.

No presence.

No trace.

She had disappeared completely.

"…Damn it," he muttered.

"Why did you do that?" Neo snapped, turning to Vivi and grabbing her cheeks with both hands.

He stretched them outward without mercy.

"Daaaaad," Vivi protested, her words slurring. "It huuurrrts. Dooon't do thaaat."

Neo's lips twitched at her completely shameless reaction.

She didn't look guilty in the slightest.

"Why did you say those things in front of Elizabeth?" he asked, still pulling her cheeks.

"What do you meaaannn?" Vivi replied, her voice stretching as much as her face did.

Neo stared at her for a few seconds.

He wanted to scold her.

He really did.

But in the end, he let go and sighed, rubbing his face tiredly.

"Forget it," he said. "Just… forget it."

Although he was annoyed, he forced himself to calm down.

If anything, Vivi had more reason to be angry at him than the other way around. He and Leonora had sent her away without proper goodbyes, without proper explanations.

Yet here she was, smiling brightly, clinging to him like nothing had happened.

That alone made it hard for him to stay angry.

"Leonora is in my Cosmos," Neo said after a pause. "Do you want to meet her?"

Vivi's eyes lit up immediately.

"Yes!"

"Alright, so—"

"But later!" she cut in quickly. "I want to spend time with you first!"

Before he could respond, she grabbed his hand and started pulling him along.

"Come on, Dad! I'll show you everything!"

Neo stumbled slightly as she dragged him forward, her grip firm and her steps light.

They moved through the sect together.

Vivi introduced him to people one after another, sometimes properly, sometimes not at all. Some were former villagers he recognized vaguely, others were disciples Elizabeth had gathered over time.

Everyone treated Vivi with a strange mix of respect and familiarity.

Some bowed.

Some smiled awkwardly.

Some looked at Neo with curiosity once they realized who he was.

As the day went on, Neo found himself relaxing.

Despite the lingering tension from earlier, despite Elizabeth's disappearance, the atmosphere of the sect was… comfortable.

At some point, Neo realized he was smiling too.

I'll clear things up with Elizabeth later. There's no need to rush.

Or so he believed.

Night fell before he realized it.

Vivi finally left, saying she had some work to take care of. She waved at him cheerfully before disappearing down one of the inner paths.

Left alone, Neo asked around for Elizabeth's residence.

Once he got the directions, he headed there without delay.

But he didn't even reach the door.

Two guards stepped forward and blocked his path.

"Sect Master has ordered that no one is to disturb her," one of them said respectfully.

"I have a proper appointment with her," Neo replied.

The guard shook his head.

"Sect Master specifically told us to stop you from disturbing her."

Neo's lips twitched.

"…I see."

He stared at the door for a few seconds longer before turning away.

Fine.

He could wait.

He returned to the quarters Vivi had arranged for him and rested for the night.

The next day, he tried again.

And was refused again.

The day after that, the same thing happened.

Then again.

And again.

Days passed.

Then weeks.

For an entire month, Neo was not allowed to meet Elizabeth even once.

At first, he tried to be patient.

He trained, helped around the sect when needed, and waited.

But a month was his limit.

He had done everything reasonably.

He had waited.

He had asked politely.

And she had refused every single time.

So, Neo decided to take matters into his own hands.

You won't let me meet you? he thought. Fine. Then you'll come to me yourself.

He sat down directly in front of Elizabeth's residence.

The guards frowned the moment they saw him.

Before they could say anything, Neo took a deep breath and shouted.

"How can you do this to me, Sect Master?" he cried loudly. "You took my innocence, and now you won't even meet me?"

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