Chapter 90 - Chapter 90
I opened my eyes to find myself in a world of darkness.
"Where am I? Is anyone there?"
My voice echoed fruitlessly in the void. There was no one to answer. "Leonie-sama? Roger?" I called out, but I couldn't even hear the sound of the wind. I reached out, searching for a wall or a tree, but there was nothing. I was alone in a featureless expanse.
How did I get here? I remembered the Bousquet Territory, Katrina-sama, and then the blinding pain. My memory cut off there.
Meow.
A cat's cry broke the silence. I looked around and saw a small shadow amidst a sudden, soft glow that began to illuminate the area. I was standing on grass, surrounded by trees. A forest? But why? I was supposed to be with Leonie-sama and Roger. I had met Katrina-sama and then...
"Kuro!"
The familiar black cat was sitting near a cluster of trees. I ran to him, my relief washing away my confusion. I didn't care where I was or why he was there; I was just happy to see him.
"Kuro! I was so worried! Where have you been?"
I scooped him up, and he let out a soft purr, squirming in my arms. It had only been a day, but it felt like months. With him there, the fear began to recede. I looked up and saw stars twinkling through the canopy. The darkness had simply been the night.
"It's beautiful."
But I still didn't know how to get back. If I stayed here, I'd be lost. Kuro's ears pricked up, and he leaped from my arms, trotting deeper into the woods.
"Kuro, wait!"
He stopped and looked back, circling my feet with a meow before heading off again. He wanted me to follow. I didn't have a better plan, so I followed him. He moved with purpose, occasionally checking to make sure I was keeping up. After a long walk that left me breathless, Kuro stopped. In the distance, I saw the flickering red light of torches. I picked up Kuro and squinted, hoping to find help. But as I looked, the blood drained from my face. My body began to shake uncontrollably.
No. This can't be happening.
There, in the clearing, was me. My past self, huddled on the ground in terror, with a sword poised to strike from behind. It was the moment of my death.
"No, stop, why..."
I wanted to scream, to run and save Sarah, the coachman, and my past self. But an invisible wall blocked my path. I pounded against it, my voice failing to reach them. The bandit raised his sword, a cruel sneer on his face. I squeezed my eyes shut. I didn't want to die. Please, someone, help me!
The emotions of that night flooded back into me. I clutched Kuro to my chest, trembling. When I finally forced my eyes open, I saw my past self lying still on the ground. The bandits were laughing, looking down at my corpse. I was dead. That was me. Why was I being forced to watch this? I sank to my knees, wanting to disappear. But Kuro meowed again, insistent. I looked back at the scene. A brilliant, divine light was radiating from my past self's body. The bandits screamed in terror and scrambled away.
The light began to coalesce, and from the empty air, a figure appeared. I stared, my eyes wide with disbelief. I knew that person.
"...Theodore... sama...?"
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