"You are now ready."

The voice was gentle and tender, yet there was something about it that revealed the speaker was oppressed; carrying an enormous weight that seemed to crush them.

Then he saw it…

A high court stretched before him, dominated by a golden table that seemed to extend forever. Behind it were creatures of every shape, some humanoid, others utterly incomprehensible. Laughter and profanity rang out like they were in a casino, not a courtroom.

However, their faces were unclear, behind them blazed blinding lights that filled the space. It took everything he had just to glance at them. Many lights glowed there, but he could only make out two that shone brighter than the sun itself.

The two were shapeless and so grotesque that his mind recoiled from comprehending them, much less picturing what they could be.

This lasted for barely two seconds before it ended. It was a dream, maybe a nightmare. When his eyes opened, the bronze screen was there.

***

[ Congratulations! Your Wish has been granted! You've received a vital secret of the world. ]

***

Since then, Halo hadn't slept at all. Whenever he closed his eyes, that vision returned, the room, the lights, the overwhelming presence. It left him both speechless and sleepless. He'd told no one what he'd seen.

In his dazed state, he rested on Saint's lap for two entire days until, gradually, his mind settled and his anguish faded. One could argue Dark Saint's gentle massages were what actually saved his sanity.

Even thinking about it reminded him how mortal he was, how whiny and fragile.

Worse, he couldn't explain it to anyone else. He knew with certainty it was a Wish, attempting to share it would mean his death.

"I used to think something else was holding the gods in balance. But now… I don't even know what this world is anymore."

He sat in his sparsely furnished room, clutching his head in frustration.

His time in Reverend Steppe had been pleasant before all this. Light and Kysa had grown close, often venturing outside to hunt Sinners. Saint had left to work on her empire-building prospects.

Halo had spent most of his time with Liam, but hadn't seen him for two days now. In fact, he'd seen no one but his clones.

Worse still, he needed to leave for Wood Fringe the next day.

"I wish I had chosen something else."

He clutched his head harder.

"They had to be gambling. The cheers, the arrogance, that's what it sounded like. But… hold on. Some of them didn't have the posture of people placing wagers. Why? Does that mean it wasn't gambling? Then what was it?"

He tried to make sense of it all, but he couldn't tell whether the figures behind the table were the gods or if the gods were the blinding lights themselves.

After countless attempts, he realized dwelling on it would drive him insane. This was his first Wish in this world, he'd accumulated seven thousand Sin Fragments just to earn it. And he'd lasted a pathetic two seconds without even understanding what he'd seen.

Could he have survived receiving this vision seven months ago?

"I'd be damned!"

He sighed in relief, stood, and stretched his stiff body.

He had no desire to oppose the gods, visions like this were useless to him. They'd nearly killed him for nothing. If Jihriel had received this vision instead, Halo wouldn't need to join the cohort to stop him.

Even so, his resolve hardened. If such beings descended upon them, they were damned.

After doing a few exercises to clear his mind, he went outside to see Liam. He had some explaining to do and also needed to bid him farewell since he had to journey to Wood Fringe.

***

The sun was setting when Liam, Kysa, Light, Saint and Halo stood before the dark spherical barrier that covered the land. Liam constantly tried to assure Halo to stay safe and, most importantly, stay away from Seraphim.

It was too excessive, even for him, Eyes of the Night. But Halo accepted each word in good faith. Liam spoke because he cared. This wasn't something even his best friend in his previous life had shown him. If his parents ever did, he couldn't remember that either.

Soon enough, they said their painful goodbyes, hoping the gods would reunite them someday. Even so, Halo needed to watch for Liam's crows, they'd be the signal.

Wood Fringe was just a few hours away, but traveling on foot until they could catch a wagon might take nearly a day. That meant leaving at night, only hours after waking.

"Are you certain this is a good idea? You've only just woken up… shouldn't joining the NeverLight wait?"

Saint asked with a concerned tone.

Halo turned to face her. Her silver hair caught the midnight wind, her eyes piercing through the black and gold mask. She still wore the all-black turtleneck dress he'd given her.

Before Halo could speak, Kysa hurried to say something, adjusting her new red mask.

"You don't have to keep stressing yourself, you know? When I first saw him in that condition, I knew a Wish was likely behind it."

Light's words cut through soon after.

"Have you received your first Wish yet? The one tied to the Magnus Blade?"

Halo nodded affirmatively.

"That's how long it took you to get the Wish? Honestly, I wish I could still read your mind. Tsk."

Halo sighed in disappointment and turned to Saint.

"Trust me, I wish you could. Even the gods wouldn't burden themselves with something like this."

Kysa reached for his shoulder, her eyes sparkled.

"Is there any way you can give us a hint?"

Light held her red hair and pulled her away from Halo.

"He'd have shared already. Just look at the dark circles under his eyes, he's dying to share."

Halo tried to smile, but his cold nature didn't let him.

He never imagined that being together without Purposes or constant danger would let his clones bond like this.

Not only did Light casually treat Kysa, the strongest Knight, as his plaything, but her depression seemed erased entirely. She smiled, teased, and laughed harder than anyone, as though finally releasing all the humor she'd bottled up for ages.

Better yet, Dark Saint found him clothing similar to what Seraphim had provided, only this time without the tracking device.

The outfit consisted of a black long-sleeved turtleneck with red bands on both upper arms and loose black cargo pants with side pockets.

A skilled handyman had conjured them, and they would repair themselves automatically unless removed, even from complete destruction. They were virtually identical to the clothes he'd gotten for Saint.

The last time he'd accepted clothing from someone, it had almost killed him. But he trusted Saint this time. Her life was bound to his, after all.

A few hours in, they finally spotted a wagon. Fortunately, it was headed to Wood Fringe. Paying Sin Fragments after walking almost halfway grated at him, but…

"Stop the childish behavior. You need rest," Saint said.

… yes, he needed rest.

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