In an endless dark expanse, countless small white lights shimmered in the distance—
like stars flickering across a sky that had forgotten its horizon.
A pale, elegant girl stood amid the void.
Her long platinum-blonde twin tails drifted weightlessly in the still air,
the ribbons at their ends glimmering faintly in the starlight.
She wore an ornate black gothic-lolita dress trimmed with roses, ruffles,
and faint bat-wing accents that swayed as though alive.
The girl's posture was poised yet fragile—like porcelain braced against eternity.
Slowly, she opened her eyes.
Two crimson irises ignited in the dark, glowing softly like twin moons reflected in blood.
Her gaze fell to her own hands. Pale fingers trembled faintly.
"…Did I die?" she whispered, voice fragile, almost afraid of the answer.
"Ten minutes before you did," said a calm voice above her.
The girl lifted her head sharply.
Haruto stood upside-down—
as if gravity itself bowed differently for him.
There was no ground, no sky, no direction.
And yet he stood — perfectly still, golden eyes gleaming like twin suns in reverse.
Instinct took over.
The girl jumped back, landing in a guarded stance, her eyes narrowing.
"Who are you?" she demanded.
Haruto tilted his head slightly, studying her with detached curiosity.
"Who am I?" he echoed softly.
Then, with the calm certainty of someone stating a universal truth—
"I am your God."
Her crimson eyes widened in disbelief.
"You prayed so desperately," he continued,
"that even I couldn't ignore it."
(And I wanted to see if I could make use of this…) he thought, a faint glimmer of amusement touching his eyes.
The girl—Elyssia—froze as fragments of memory crashed through her mind.
A burning city.
Crimson flames devouring stone towers.
Screams echoing beneath a black sky.
And at the center—
a massive black dragon, its body wreathed in violet aura, roaring in godlike fury.
The claws came down—
then everything turned to black.
Her breathing quickened.
(That's right… I was dying… what am I supposed to do?)
She lifted her trembling eyes toward him, desperation replacing fear.
"If… if you're truly my God, then please—help my people!"
Haruto's expression didn't change.
His reply came flat and cold:
"No."
Elyssia flinched, disbelief flashing across her face.
"W-Why not?"
"Because I see no value in saving them," he said, voice quiet but absolute.
The light in her eyes dimmed. Her head lowered.
"…Elyssia," Haruto said suddenly, his tone shifting,
"if you value them that much, then let's make a deal."
Her head snapped up, eyes wide with fragile hope.
(How does he know my name?)
"I know everything about you," Haruto said, stepping closer, his voice echoing faintly in the starlit dark.
"I hold absolute dominion over the Arachnid Network—
which means I can rewrite, overwrite, and add anything that belongs to you."
Elyssia's lips parted slightly.
(Can he… read my mind?)
Haruto's gaze softened, a faint, almost human smirk forming.
(Seems I won't need to place her under control…)
"I'll do anything," Elyssia whispered, resolve trembling through her voice.
Haruto smiled faintly—
a smile that promised both salvation and ruin.
(Everything… is going exactly as planned.)
Back where the dragon's roar tore through the night sky, the city shook beneath its cry.
Silver chains, glowing like drifting snowdust, coiled around the beast — pinning it to the ground.
The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the burning streets.
A lean, agile warrior strained against the chains — lavender hair tousled, violet eyes sharp under the glint of black-and-gold armor and a crimson cloak.
He gritted his teeth as the dragon thrashed, dragging him closer.
"Uwah! Guys, I can't hold it much longer!" he shouted, glancing over his shoulder.
Behind him knelt a girl with short black hair streaked white, crimson eyes burning under a red military-style coat trimmed in black.
"Just a little longer, Tsubaki," she said, voice tight but steady.
Her hand pressed over Elyssia's bloodied body. Both of Elyssia's arms were severed — one leg half gone. A green barrier shimmered around them as flickering orbs of light sank into her wounds, knitting flesh and bone.
"Elyssia, you stupid spider…" the girl muttered, trembling as she forced her magic to flow.
Beside her stood another — tall and composed. Silver-blonde hair braided to one side, crimson eyes glinting with teasing confidence, her red-and-black gothic outfit fluttering in the heat.
"Yoruko, can't you speed this up?" she asked.
"I'm trying my best here, Akari!" Yoruko snapped, sweat beading on her brow as Elyssia's arms reformed in a flash of green light.
Suddenly, the dragon froze.
Both Akari and Tsubaki turned, tension cutting through the chaos.
(Why did it stop?) Akari thought, unease creeping through her voice.
Elyssia's eyes shot open — a blinding golden light speared down from the heavens, enveloping her.
Akari and Yoruko staggered back, shielding their faces from the glare.
Inside the light, Elyssia rose. Her ruined leg began to mend at impossible speed — veins, flesh, bone, and skin weaving together in perfect rhythm.
Her hair fell loose, silver strands turning pure white as her crimson eyes cracked like glass — revealing golden radiance beneath.
The others could only stare, breath caught in awe and disbelief.
The light shattered into countless golden motes that swirled around her, sinking into her body.
A golden aura pulsed outward.
The dragon roared again and slammed its massive palm toward her — dust and shockwaves bursting outward.
Akari snapped her head toward Tsubaki, fury flashing in her eyes.
"I told you to hold it down!"
"Hey! I can't hold that thing for more than five minutes!" Tsubaki shot back, straining against the chains.
From within the dust, the dragon was suddenly hurled backward — its body crashing through burning towers like thunder.
Elyssia soared out after it, golden light trailing her like fire. She halted midair, eyes blazing.
The dragon unfurled new wings, shadowed and vast, rising to meet her at equal height.
"Elyssia…?" Yoruko whispered, disbelief and awe breaking through her voice.
"Ngh…"
Elyssia's eyes widened — pain stabbed through her chest. She clutched at her heart, face twisting with strain as the golden light flickered around her trembling form.
"The power he gave me… it's overwhelming." Elyssia's voice trembled, her breath short.
A low rumble shook the air—the dragon sensed her guard drop. It lunged, its massive palm closing around her like a cage.
As its fingers tightened, Elyssia vanished in a blink of light. A faint crackle of golden sparks marked her reappearance behind the beast.
She grabbed the dragon's long tail. Her brows twitched—just a tiny micro-expression—as she suppressed its thrashing.
Her grip tightened. She spun the dragon in circles, its scales scraping the air with a sharp whistle, then hurled it into the night sky with brutal force.
A distant boom.
The dragon crashed into the massive gray moon, dust exploding from the crater.
It roared, rising with rage vibrating through the vacuum.
Elyssia shot upward. In less than a heartbeat, she crossed space and landed on a blue planet. Ice cracked under her feet—cold wind cutting her skin.
She looked around, eyes narrowing. Only ice. Only storms. Nothing else.
Above, the dragon opened its jaws. A purple sphere of energy swelled in its throat, shaking with unstable power.
It fired.
The purple blast streaked through space so fast it left streaks of light behind it.
The planet's atmosphere shifted violet. Elyssia raised a hand, only a single finger pointed forward.
"Energy Beam."
A golden ray burst from her fingertip.
The two attacks collided, vibrating the air with a deep hum. They pushed back and forth, then the golden beam pierced through. The purple sphere shattered like glass.
The beam struck the dragon's head—then tore through the moon behind it.
Far beyond, a distant planet erupted into dust on impact.
The dragon's headless body drifted through space.
In an instant, Elyssia appeared before Tsubaki and the others. Frost still clung to her clothes.
"E-Elyssia?" Tsukasa's eyes widened, his throat tightening. A tiny flinch flickered across his face.
Elyssia dropped to her knees and hands. Her breath trembled. Her hair and eyes faded back to their original colors, confusion washing across her face.
"What's wrong, Elyssia?" Yoruko asked. Her lips tightened at the corners—a small, worried twitch.
A bolt of wild black thunder slammed into the city, cracking the ground.
"KYAAAH!!" Elyssia screamed, body arching in pain. Divine backlash surged through her veins.
Tsubaki and the others rushed toward her—only to be blasted away by the force.
Back at the void Haruto watched from the void. Below him, Elyssia lay unconscious, smoke rising from her skin.
"Interesting…" His smile curled faintly, barely noticeable. "Just a small drop of my power… and she could do all that."
His form dissolved like mist drifting apart.
"Don't forget our deal," Haruto whispered as he vanished completely.
One week later
Night covered the forest.
A tall woman ran between the trees, breath sharp, branches whipping past.
Her silver‑white hair flowed behind her like a pale stream.
Her reddish‑brown eyes flicked around, searching.
Fear tightened her features for a moment — a tiny tremor at the corner of her mouth.
White ropes wrapped around her lean, athletic body.
She pushed forward—
Her leg burst apart.
Blood sprayed across the soil and nearby trunks.
She crashed down, eyes wide, breath shaking.
No pain came. Pain Nullification dulled everything.
Footsteps.
Miyuki stepped out from the tree shadows, silent as moonlight.
Her golden eyes glowed once they landed on the woman.
"Why are you… after me?" the woman asked, voice thin.
"You need to come with me," Miyuki said. Flat. Cold.
The woman crawled back, fingers digging into the dirt.
"Leave me alone… I want to be free."
"So that's the cause," Miyuki murmured.
"Who sent you?" the woman asked.
"Where do you think you come from?" Miyuki said.
A tiny twitch hit the woman's brow. Shock.
"You think you were born?" Miyuki knelt in front of her, eyes steady.
"No. You were built. And your creator wants you back."
Her hand closed around the woman's throat.
The woman struggled, but Miyuki's grip didn't move an inch.
Miyuki stood.
She dragged the woman by her hair, pulling her deeper into the dark forest.
"Fine! I'll go… just let me go," the woman said, voice breaking.
Miyuki released her hair.
The woman immediately stood, shaky but upright.
Her missing leg regenerated in moments — smooth flesh, forming fast.
"We may be siblings," Miyuki said. "If you try to run, I'll bring you back in pieces for the creator."
The woman stiffened.
"Siblings…?" she echoed.
"Yes. Since you're also a Serivans, we're family." Miyuki started walking.
The woman followed, quiet.
"So you're also a Serivans?" she asked.
Miyuki nodded without turning.
They walked in uneasy silence, wind brushing the leaves.
"So… if we're the same species, that doesn't automatically make us siblings. Humans aren't like that," the woman said awkwardly.
Miyuki glanced at her with a tiny, dismissive tilt of her head.
"Our creator designed our nature that way."
"Oh…?"
"And as Serivans, we truly love our siblings," Miyuki added.
The woman lowered her gaze. A faint tremble touched her lip.
"What… is he going to do to me for running away?"
"Lord Haruto is very reasonable and understanding," Miyuki said.
Her tone did not match the warmth of her words.
Before the woman realized it, she was already seated in front of Haruto in his office.
Her breath caught — the shift had been instant.
Haruto wore his usual day clothes, calm as ever.
He slid a cup of steaming coffee toward her across the polished wooden tea table.
The woman blinked. Shock flickered in her eyes.
"You must be cold," Haruto said, leaning back on the couch.
She nodded shyly, shoulders curling in.
"You may drink," Haruto added, expression unreadable.
She leaned forward.
Her fingers wrapped around the cup — both hands trembling.
Coffee sloshed over the rim.
A tiny flash crossed Haruto's eyes — controlled surprise.
His hand moved instantly, steadying the cup before it spilled.
"It seems you can't fully control your body," he said.
He set the cup back onto the table.
"I'll give you something easier to handle," Haruto continued. "But first… why did you run away?"
Her eyes widened, then softened.
Her fingers fidgeted, twisting together in her lap.
"To be honest… I don't know," she muttered. "My instincts screamed to run. To explore."
Haruto hummed softly.
A subtle tilt of his head — listening.
"I think… I was afraid," she added.
"Afraid?" Haruto asked.
"I felt lonely… so I ran."
"I see." Haruto's tone shifted gently. "You aren't alone."
She looked up at him, surprised.
"You have siblings," Haruto said. "Be grateful you have them. Don't abandon them the way I did my own."
Her gaze wavered.
"Yeah… even the Supreme One has siblings," she whispered.
Haruto smiled.
A small warmth touched his voice.
"I do. They're the most precious things in my life."
"Then why did you leave them?" she asked, curiosity sneaking in.
"It's simple," Haruto said. "I don't want them getting involved with me. If they where… their lives might one day be in danger."
( So that's how siblings work… ) the woman thought.
"You don't have a name yet, do you?" Haruto asked.
"No," she said softly.
"From today onward, you shall be known as Sora."
A bright white light spiraled around her the moment he spoke.
Her snow-white hair began to glow — Haruto's eyes sharpened on it, not on her body.
Sora lifted into the air, her form reshaping.
Curves softened.
Long legs extended as she gently landed standing.
Haruto's eyes widened — not from her figure, but from the luminous white hair drifting like silk.
"…So beautiful," he whispered without meaning to.
The glow vanished, and Sora dropped back down onto the couch.
Her cheeks tinted pink, shy heat rushing in.
( Did Lord Haruto really call me beautiful…? ) Sora thought, stunned and flustered.
Haruto's expression reset — unreadable again.
"Sora," he said, "I made your hair white because it reminded me of someone dear to me."
Sora's eyes opened a little wider.
"I… didn't know," she said softly, brushing a strand of her hair between her fingers.
Haruto smiled faintly.
"Yeah. I also have a thing for women with white hair."
Sora tilted her head, confusion lifting her brows.
"A… thing for women with white hair?" she repeated, not understanding.
"What does my lord mean by that?" Sora asked.
Haruto crossed his arms, calm.
"You'll understand when you gain more intelligence," he said.
(I wonder how she escaped the lap…) Haruto thought as he stood.
"You should go meet them. I have personal matters to attend to," Haruto said.
Sora rose quickly.
"Okay…" she whispered, soft and small.
Haruto waved her off.
The door closed behind her with a quiet click.
Haruto used instant teleportation — zero delay — appearing in his bedroom.
"Huh…" A tiny flick of surprise crossed his face.
Tsukasa lay on his bed, sleeping peacefully.
Her breaths were slow and warm against the blankets.
(Why hasn't Tsukasa woken up yet?) Haruto wondered, mildly shocked.
He sat down on the bed beside her.
(Ah. I didn't cancel Vox Ordinis.)
(A powerful skill… my spoken words become commands reality must obey.)
He turned his eyes to her sleeping face.
A faint softness tugged at his expression.
Haruto sighed, annoyed but quiet.
"I'm… so bored," he muttered.
"One of the reasons I said yes to Elyssia was because I thought she'd give me some entertainment."
(Huh… when was the last time I contacted Ronóva?)
His eyes widened slightly as a thought-communication pinged.
"Speak of the devil," Haruto said.
—
Elsewhere, in a luxurious bedroom, moonlight poured through the massive window.
Tsubaki, Akari, and Yoruko sat around a round white table.
Each had a cup of coffee and a small plate of cake.
In the corner, Elyssia lay unconscious in a bed — her chest rising slowly with faint breaths.
"Tsubaki… have you found your sister yet?" Yoruko asked softly, as if afraid of her own voice.
Akari lifted her cup, took a slow elegant sip, then set it down with a gentle clink.
"That isn't something to ask in this situation," Akari said.
"Tsubaki's sister is a dear friend of mine," Yoruko said. "I'm worried."
"We haven't located Tsukasa," Tsubaki murmured, eyes dropping.
A small tension pulled her brows together — worry she tried to hide.
Who is Tsukasa… really?
And why are they all searching for her?