First Encounter
...
Why am I... awake now?
And you...
Has the Cycle stopped?
Is this your doing?
Witch.
...Fufu. Who knows?
I won't deny that the Cycle has stopped, but...
That's not why I brought you here.
...What are you scheming this time?
You think I'll obediently do as you say just because you trapped me here?
...
Still as sickeningly composed as ever, Grand Witch.
Even you seem to be struggling to keep up that facade. Am I wrong?
Even in this projected body, I could destroy a city without much effort. You know that, don't you?
You'll pay for dragging me out of here without my consent.
I'll start with that revolting mask of yours—
...
...What?
Why... can't I feel my power?
I told you there was a reason I brought you here.
I wanted to explain things slowly, but... I don't think that's possible now.
Alicia... what have you done to me?
I haven't done anything to you.
The reason you're like this is... your master, Aldebaran.
...What did you say?
...
This is... my master's sword...
As you said, the Cycle no longer functions.
And Aldebaran... will never return to Lavistar.
This broken sword is proof.
Liar!
Now you're trying to fool me too, Alicia?!
I summoned you because there's no longer any need for you to remain in this Planetarium.
You've lost much of your power as an Executor, so you no longer pose a threat to Lavistar.
That's why I set you free.
Arrogant to the end...!
You think I'll thank you for acting generous now?
...My master won't return? Impossible.
My master will descend upon Lavistar and destroy everything!
Don't think I'll fall for such a pathetic trick!
If you believe I'm lying, you're welcome to leave and make your way to NOA.
What...?
If freeing you was a mistake, then you should be able to destroy NOA, as is your duty as an Executor.
Then the blame for bringing you here and failing to stop you will be mine.
So do as you please.
...Your smug arrogance makes me sick.
Then you'd better prepare yourself.
I'll trample your world, built on nothing but the convenience you call fairness, and smash it to pieces.
...
Looks like another light will be kindled.
Whether it becomes an uncontrollable inferno or a light that guides someone...
That now rests in your hands.
B-black wings...?! It's an Executor! An Executor is here!!
An Executor? In NOA?! W-we're all going to die! Run!
I watched the streets of NOA descend into chaos at the mere sight of an Executor.
But I could tell Gille no longer reveled in that chaos as she once had.
...
She won't return...?
No. No, that's impossible. She'll come back. She must.
I need only fulfill my duties as an Executor and savor the twisted look on that wretched witch's face.
Now, you insignificant insects. Run as far as your little legs will carry you.
I'll crush every last one of you and prove, as her Executor, that my master is alive and well!
Huh...? What?
Nothing's happened.
Didn't somebody say an Executor?
What's going on?
...It can't be.
No, no... My power can't be gone.
That witch must have done something...!
...!!
My power... really has weakened...?
Something's definitely wrong here, isn't it?
Don't tell me she's just an empty shell.
Hmph! So she was just putting on a show when she can't do anything?
It can't be...! I... I...!
Ngh?!
I got her! I got her!!!
Y-you just threw a rock at her? That's an Executor!
So what? She looks weak now.
The Executor's lost her power! Everyone, let's drive her out together!!
I saw countless stones and clumps of filth fly toward Gille.
Gille glared and ground her teeth, but I could see she was powerless to stop them.
Nngh... Y-you worthless worms...
Kgh, errrgh...!!
The Executor's running away! After her!
Tch, we lost her. Where'd she go?
Everyone, split up and find her! She can't have gotten far!
*Huff...* *Huff...*
...I ran away?
I, the Executor of Aldebaran, ran away... from those pathetic creatures...?
...
No. My power will return. It has to.
I don't know what that witch did, but I didn't lose my power because Aldebaran disappeared.
I'll get it back. I swear it... And then NOA and Lavistar will—
W-who's there?
...
You... What are you doing here?
...Gille?
*Sigh* Just had to be my luck.
Two revolting faces in a row.
How did you know I was here? Did that witch tell you?
Hmph. "Someone"? As if you didn't know it was me from the start.
Or did you just have to stick your nose where it doesn't belong?
...
Either way, you must be delighted.
The Executor you all hate so much is hiding here, looking like this.
Spare me your cheap concern. If you knew, what difference would it make?
Even as the Journey Captain, you couldn't possibly take the side of an Executor like me.
If anything, that would only get you—
Throwing rocks isn't self-defense.
Not even when it's an Executor.
...
What exactly are you planning to do?
...If you're going to throw stones at me like they did, or run off and tell them where I am, now's your chance.
...Would you join the Journey?
...!
Are you insane?
Do you even know what you're talking about?
I'm an Executor. I serve Aldebaran and exist to destroy Lavistar.
And now... you're asking me to join the Journey?
No. Never. I refuse to suffer through those miserable days under your command.
My master will return. And when she does, I'll regain my power soon after.
So you have no reason to worry about me—
But you don't want to die yet.
You'd have to survive to see your master again.
...
Are you... trying to bargain with me?
I told you to leave me alone! Are my words that hard to understand?!
The Void Force and the power of the stars share the same source.
Ha... Hahaha.
You really have lost your mind.
Regain my power by completing the Journey? What utter nonsense.
Even if that worked, have you considered that the outcome might not be what you want?
Have you thought about what your foolish decision could mean for this city, or this entire world?
I won't let it come to that.
...
...All you ever do is run your mouth, you filthy little rat.
I'll make you regret those words for the rest of your life.
I'll complete the Journey, just as you want, then use that power to destroy every last one of you.
...Don't offer me your hand.
I can get up on my own.
Gille struggled to her feet and followed me with unsteady steps, still gritting her teeth in frustration.
And so, I took in a girl with a heart of thorns.