Subaru stood there in shock, his eyes wide as he glared at the blonde girl filled with an incredible rage—Minerva.

Her azure eyes were filled with overwhelming anger, and she was a beautiful witch who painted her visage in crimson.

After piercing Subaru with her intense gaze, she glanced over at Echidna, who stood unwavering in front of Subaru, maintaining her posture.

“I’ll repeat myself, but I’m calling a halt. I do not acknowledge that contract.”

“…Hmm. This is an unexpected turn of events for me,” Subaru said.

The hostility in the air was too familiar to be merely patronizing, yet it was too intense to simply be rage. With that emotion directed at Echidna, Minerva crossed her arms in the crater where her fist had struck, biting her lip and causing her ample chest to bounce.

“You should understand what a witch’s contract means. You wouldn’t be so clueless as to not comprehend that. And yet, for you to intervene… Could it be that you also want to form a contract with him? Is that why you’re feeling jealous?”

“It’s not a peaceful reason at all, can’t you see I’m this angry? I’m furious! I’m furious to the point where my hair is standing on end!”

Minerva’s reply only deepened the red in her cheeks, and the intensity of her emotions turned into tears by her eyes, making her innocent profile seem stubborn like a child.

The contrast between her voluptuous body and childish profile was endlessly unbalanced—now, Subaru couldn’t help but accept that reality, mixed with equal parts surprise.

After all,

“Why are you here?”

“What’s wrong with me being here?”

“That’s not it! It’s just… Echidna is right there!”

Subaru pointed at Echidna, puffing out his cheeks in dissatisfaction, while Minerva tilted her head in confusion, seemingly unable to grasp Subaru’s meaning. Echidna, on the other hand, had understood Subaru’s concerns; she lightly clapped her hands and nodded.

“Ah, I see what your problem is. You’re wondering why I’m here when it’s normally just one witch manifesting at a time. Is that right?”

“Y-yeah! Because I’ve always only faced one witch at a time, and it’s supposed to be a rule that only one appears in place of Echidna. But now…”

“I never said we couldn’t appear together! That’s just the wicked behavior of this cunning witch.”

Minerva shot down Subaru’s rebuttal with a flick of her shoulders. Subaru muttered a “no way” under his breath as he glanced over at Echidna. But Echidna remained neutral to both Subaru’s gaze and Minerva’s words.

“I don’t want you to misunderstand. Summoning another witch is a considerable burden and risk for me. If it were to go wrong, I might lose control of this situation, and even aside from that, forming an entity as powerful as these witches requires a significant effort on my part.”

“That doesn’t mean… No, but you…”

“I haven’t lied to you even once. That I can assure you.”

Echidna cut through Subaru’s hesitant words sharply.

That was undeniable. Reflecting on his memories, he had never heard Echidna make any statements categorically false regarding the current situation.

Faced with the presented phenomena and reality, Subaru had simply persuaded himself that things were as he believed.

So, in a sense, it could be said that if Echidna ever deceived Subaru, it would ultimately mean nothing.

“I just didn’t want to see you get taken away by another witch seeing as it’s become apparent that other witches can manifest.”

“Huh?”

“You’re truly a rare guest for me. It’s hard to come by someone who gets my heart racing as much as you do, both in life and death. Would it be so despicable for me to want to monopolize your presence here, at least for now?”

“———”

“Let’s be clear again, I hold you in high regard. That’s why I wanted to keep your interest in me away from other witches who might be more charming or cooperative. —You can laugh at me for that if you want.”

Therefore, my possessiveness was terribly ugly, Echidna explained her hidden feelings.

Without a word, as she listened to her somewhat defensive words, Subaru couldn’t help but wonder what exactly within him drew that kind of obsession from her.

It was similar in regard to the “Witch of Envy.” Echidna too, why did she feel such a pull toward Subaru—?

“What kind of fool would let themselves be easily swayed by you?”

“—Wha?!”

A soft fist poked the back of Subaru’s head from behind as he tried to ponder.

When he turned around while holding his head, he found Minerva standing right behind him. She seized Subaru’s hand that was pressing against his head and effortlessly twisted it down to pin him to the ground.

“O- ow! Hey, wait, that hurts, it doesn’t hurt… right?”

“If I directly touch a living being, it counts as a healing act. Even if I punch you with all my might, your wounds will close up, and even if I choke you into a submission hold, your ailment will heal; if I keep applying joint locks like this, your shoulder stiffness might even go away!”

“W- well, it certainly feels like all the aches in me… but that’s not it.”

While experiencing the true essence of the “Witch of Wrath,” Subaru desperately twisted his neck to look up at Minerva, who was applying a joint lock.

His bones creaked, and he felt pain as they were being contorted, yet instead of pain, a gentle warmth spread throughout his body, creating an immense sense of incongruity. A witch exerting a mysterious power, where all her actions translated into positive benefits for the human body—up until now, he had never harbored a negative impression of her, but—

“What in the world is going on here…?”

“If I don’t do this, you might carelessly contract with Echidna by getting swept away by her sweet talk. I find your rashness and your thoughtless attitude quite irritating!”

“Sweet talk? That sounds bad. I was simply explaining the advantages of forming a contract with me and seeking mutual agreement, you know…”

“That ‘I’ve done my due diligence’ façade is exactly what I don’t like. Sure, you explained the benefits, but didn’t mention not a single thing about the disadvantages that arise from entering a contract!”

As Minerva stomped down her foot in anger, Subaru felt a strange phenomenon: his backside was being forcefully jammed against the ground with a sensation unlike any other.

The impact against his rear seemed to loosen something too as Subaru realized the meaning of Minerva’s words—

The fact that he hadn’t touched on disadvantages in his conversation with Echidna left him flabbergasted at how careless he had been.

“But still… even if we didn’t mention disadvantages…”

“Do you really think there can’t be any? You underestimate the significance of forming a contract. After all, the party in question is a witch—the ‘Witch of Greed’ who has forged the most contracts and engaged with the most humans among the seven deadly sin witches, making the most notable impact on history.”

“While that may be true, it doesn’t mean all those things are sparkling accolades of her former life…”

Minerva pointed out the reality that Subaru could hardly let sink in. As she continued, Echidna asserted, swearing she had no ill intentions toward Subaru.

Meanwhile, Subaru was left in a fog as he found himself caught between the two witches’ arguments.

“I just don’t know who to trust.”

Echidna had repeatedly faced him since they first became involved within this Graveyard and had even helped him tackle the troubles he held.

That’s why, when she suggested forming a cooperative relationship in the form of a contract, Subaru had half-heartedly been tempted to go along with it.

On the flip side, Minerva had far less history with Subaru; however, each encounter had come in dire circumstances, healing Subaru with the awesome strength of her healing abilities without asking for gratitude, stealing away like a storm of compassion.

Minerva had no reason to undermine Subaru, yet the fact she forcefully appeared before him always warranted serious consideration.

No, fundamentally, before he even started to ponder, he should have queried—

“Echidna. A price needs to be paid when establishing a contract.”

“…Yeah, that’s right. A price is indeed necessary for a contract. For what you desire, I’ll provide knowledge, and for what I desire, you must render payment.”

“Right, exactly. —Then, what are you asking for? What do I need to give you should I form a contract with you?”

Subaru had to figure out what he would need to pay in exchange for Echidna’s support when he found himself in dire straits.

In response to his inquiry, a smirk danced across Echidna’s lips.

“You don’t have to tread lightly. What I ask of you isn’t difficult at all. In fact, you could even say that I am quite conscientious by not extracting something tangible or something intangible that holds significant value.”

“—What do you want?”

“It’s something simple. —I just want to savor the fruit of the ‘unknown’ that comes from you. I want to taste the feelings you’ve experienced, your thoughts, the aspects you hold close to your heart, the knowledge you possess, the actions you carry out, and the ‘unknowns’ that derive from your existence.”

With rosy cheeks, Echidna spoke as though she were a lovestruck maiden.

The poetic expression of the ‘unknown’ brought a furrow to Subaru’s brow.

“What is that supposed to mean? Are you asking for me to strip out my emotions, memories, and thoughts? If that’s the case…”

“I told you, it’s not a dangerous conversation. I merely wish to witness the scenery you perceive, the melodies that reach your ears, and to view the tales you weave from a front-row seat. Those are the things I want to feel. I want to find myself in a position where I can know the ‘unknown’ that emerges from you. That alone is enough to satisfy me.”

To dispel Subaru’s worries, Echidna clarified her demands.

All she wanted was to witness Subaru’s journey, to glimpse the vistas along the way, to know what feelings and realizations he experienced and the outcomes of his actions.

The embodiment of curiosity, the witch that was crowned with ‘Greed’ sought only that.

“That’s no lie, right?”

“In a contract, lying would be utterly unthinkable. I swear that I would never betray my words. I would even risk my life on that.”

Hand placed over her chest, Echidna concluded with a jokingly light-hearted demeanor, “Though, I am already dead.”

To Subaru, that attitude and those words felt devoid of deceit. Perhaps, he only wished to believe it that way.

“Minerva. Echidna is saying that. If that’s the case, then I…”

“W-wait, hold on! You’re not taking everything I said as gospel, are you?”

As Subaru attempted to demand Minerva release him from her hold, a different voice chimed in. It came from a figure he hadn’t wanted to hear just moments before—one whose presence brought only discomfort.

“Carmilla… the ‘Witch of Lust’!”

“D-don’t look at me with such scary eyes. I-I’m not doing anything… really… this is terrible…”

“You’ve always had a bad glare. You don’t particularly have a harsh face on you.”

As Subaru was pinned to the ground, facing Echidna, he spotted Carmilla a little distance away from them, seated in the grass.

She awkwardly hid her face from Subaru’s gaze while glancing over to gauge the atmosphere. Her attitude remained irritating, but by consciously distracting himself from her presence, he managed to avoid being “captivated to the point of life risking.”

With this in mind, he pressed for answers.

“Enough about that! What did you mean earlier? I don’t care if another witch shows up now, but what…?”

“W-well, Echidna is hiding a lot of things… right? I’m saying, she’s not lying, but… there’s lots she’s hiding…”

“Hiding, you say…?”

Contemplating the meaning behind Carmilla’s words, Subaru turned to gaze pleadingly at Echidna. Contrarily, Echidna squinted at Carmilla, who had suddenly appeared.

“You pop up out of nowhere and start to throw around such damaging statements. Why are you calling attention to him? You don’t have a reason to root for him, unlike me. You should’ve hated him.”

“I-I mean, with someone like Minerva… it’s not like I have a solid reason to latch onto…”

Carmilla mumbled as she looked down, her voice a faint whisper filled with hesitance. Yet, contrasting with that fragility, her content held a fierce resolve that made it clear she would not back down.

As she directed her anxious gaze at Echidna repeatedly, she stated, “I don’t… like this guy, but… I won’t support someone else’s… I won’t forgive anyone… who deceived or hated me… absolutely.”

—Her last words rang out clearly.

That singular phrase was jarringly unlike the atmosphere she had been giving off right up until then, making it challenging for Subaru to process that it was being spoken by the timid girl right beside him.

All of that had clashed, and he couldn’t shake off that intensity.

“—”

With her eyes never wavering, Carmilla continued to stare at Echidna.

Within her dual gaze lingered an unnamable whirl of feelings—that flickering sense of animosity directed toward those who might even remotely resemble a foe, wrapped up with a storehouse of retribution churning ominously underneath.

It was a revelation of self-love, and that thought flash-flecked across his mind.

“I admit it was a necessary means, yet involving her against Carmilla’s will seems to have been a grave misstep. To turn you into an enemy would be a significant problem.”

“Everyone is my ally… so if you piss me off, it will be quite a pain for you, you know? Sorry, but I won’t forgive you this easily…”

Though timid and aggressive characteristics do not equate,

Carmilla’s shyness kept her from articulating her thoughts to others adequately, yet it didn’t mean she was defenseless against hostility.

“What the heck… what have you all been talking about this whole time?!”

Now finally breaking free from their drenched atmosphere, Subaru shouted back.

As the triplet pair of witch stares fell upon him, he desperately swiveled his head to face them.

“I don’t care if you’re conversing among yourselves; enough is enough! Am I not the one picking here? Talk in a way I can understand! Echidna, what are you hiding!? And what do you two know that would make you want to stop me?!”

“Even while in a weak state, your eagerness to grasp the hand extended to you without thinking is too naive… So, you really set this up to go that way, huh?”

“That’s unfair! You might confuse him! If he enters into a contract, I’ll ensure he goes wherever he wishes! My only aim is to observe what he sees, what he hears, and what he learns along the way. I haven’t said anything false!”

While Subaru shouted angrily, Minerva shot back in an equally fierce tone. All the while, Echidna maintained her calm demeanor.

Feeling that strange sense of disquiet from Echidna’s icy intent, Subaru began to feel a shift in their discourse. The heat of battle had given way to freshly known truths.

He wondered why he felt things were off. They weren’t saying anything nonsensical. The two witches acknowledged they weren’t deceiving him; then where lay the problem—

“I’ll repeat it, Natsuki Subaru. Should you choose me and wish to contract… I will certainly guide you wherever you limitlessly desire.”

“—You’re always adding some caveat at the end of your promises, how tiring…”

In front of him, Echidna reached out her hand to assertively declare that fact.

Suddenly, despair settled into his mind as three witches seemed to continuously multiply without any surprise left to him.

Then, he recollected one thing.

“My final destination will be guided by the path?”

“———”

“You’re saying you will wholeheartedly help me get to the place I want… right?”

“———”

“Why are you silent? Answer me, Echidna… no, the ‘Witch of Greed!’”

Subaru raised his voice as he strained his neck to look up, fully exhausting himself as he roasted her like an overenthusiastic questioner.

He remained pinned to the ground while their discourse continued uninterrupted. But despite that clear disadvantage, the intent to glare at Echidna didn’t dissipate.

And as she encountered that fierce look from him, Echidna suddenly sighed softly.

“—If you can reach your best future with this bargaining, then I believe the sacrifices on that journey will be acceptable. Was that not your own resolution, Natsuki Subaru?”

“———”

Her response neither directly affirmed nor denied Subaru’s inquiry.

However, that was when Subaru realized.

Echidna’s remarks weren’t meant to clarify his earlier doubts.

Instead, it was what she expressed in earnest that allowed him to begin to grasp her thoughts clearly.

“Your ‘Return by Death’ ability is an incredible power. The magnitude of its utility is something you have yet to realize for its true essence. You are unwilling to accept an ending that you haven’t wished for; you’are able to repeat as many times as you need and reach out for a future infinitely— that’s the closest to our ultimate ideal as seekers. After all, once something’s outcome has been reached, there’s no way to turn back. Indeed, there are countless hypotheses you can create before reaching any conclusion through the practical process. If you conduct experiments from varied approaches, you could obtain a wealth of results and verify each one. However, forcing something to deliver results means distilling everything down to one solitary conclusion. There’s absolutely no way to create conditions as meticulous as the original occurrence. The question of what may have transpired had there been a different approach at that time reverberates eternally within the seekers of knowledge like us. I possess the means to ‘know’ that very answer, for I carry the ‘world’s memories.’ And yet, I choose not to employ it. I want to ‘learn,’ not merely ‘know.’ It births a rich contradiction, and by all means, it could be uttered as a cursed entity in my existence. Returning to the primary matter, seekers like us can only accept singular outcomes and lack multi-faceted observation; hence, your existence and the qualities you wield are things we desire to the core. Your abilities— the capability of examining the same conditions and conducting differing tests, thus seeing variations of ‘original results’— are something we would crave intensely. Could we avoid yearning in the face of such exchanges? With your presence before us, how could we refrain from probing the depths of all things? Addressing that point, I do not intend to compel you to utilize your talents in any way. Rather, you should wield ‘Return by Death’ prominently for your goals. Likewise, I shall endeavor to guide you toward the future you seek. Moreover, I’d like you to generously contribute to satisfying my own curiosity along the way. Shouldn’t this be a reciprocal relationship where neither side stands to lose? You will witness the answers. I shall fulfill a similar goal. Our interests align. Not knowing the answers does not give me an advantage over you—this denotes our equal standing. We grapple with identical dilemmas and struggle tirelessly to unveil solutions; I can honestly claim that we are comrades in that respect. I hold firmly to the notion that I shall not act against your capabilities, especially since I find your multilateral techniques worthy of esteem in terms of observation. Certainly, no simple failure in your path ensures immutability; no rational evidence can verify that my assistance can navigate you through hardship. Yet, amidst latent roadblocks that demand physical prowess, I cannot lend my support. Repeatedly, you might find yourself crushed mentally and physically over and over again, possibly even hundreds or thousands of times. Even if such periods become your reality, I earnestly wish to care for you emotionally. I can’t deny fragments of an underlying desire to preserve your valuable existence as a seeker of knowledge. However, it’s genuine that I sincerely wish to assist you. That’s why I hope you’re not burdened with any unfavorable impressions. Again, I assure you, I am confident that I will be of help in regards to your intentions. Just as I envision using you to meet my insatiable curiosity, you, too, should use my existence to pursue your ‘best future.’ It would be my utmost honor to be of service. If my consent brightens your motivation even a smidgen, I would happily give you everything I am, even if I’m a fragile body that’s already dead. Oh dear, will this ruffle the feelings of the people you cherish? Your beloved ones— the silver-haired half-elf and the blue-haired demon girl. The very ones whom you’ve sworn to save and protect with fervor. While I’ll refrain from sharing my opinions on your emotions toward those girls, I must assert the imposing barriers that stand before you are astonishingly high. It’s unbelievable how many insurmountable barriers lie before your hands. Your conviction to face them alone is admirable yet tragically bittersweet. I genuinely wish to lend strength to your endeavors; no masks cover my sentiments regarding that. Consequently, you should utilize my sentiments. Draw upon everything you possess, employ every resource at your disposal, and help those with whom you’ve forged bonds. That’s the vow you’ve made to yourself, and your unwavering beliefs earned you a commitment within your perilous journey. Thus, I inquire, reiterate, and yearn for your assurance, to gauge whether you’ve traversed the road of every life event, even now placated in your second ‘Trial.’ Should that ‘Trial’ exist to affirm your previous pursuit, then, indeed, it’s essential. It may certainly serve to bring clarity. Certainly, it was a trial that could leave the heart frayed, revealing the grasp of unavoidable truths. Although this might not bring value, understanding contrasts between ignorance and knowledge is paramount. Your path compels you to sacrifice your ‘life’ as a consequence while also enabling you to forge futures. Each instance denotes discarding emotional weight, and thus you may neglect ‘death,’ prompting your suds to grow faint on an emotionless road until you reach the best future completely void of self— arriving at a future where you are absent amid fleeting moments. It was essential. Henceforth interwoven with every aspect of existence must come significance, intertwined in every necessary path and piece of a puzzle. The ‘Trial’ teaches this truth. If you need to rationalize reasons behind your current stagnation in your progress, you could think along these lines; I wholeheartedly support that notion. I’ll lend whatever support you require to advance towards your goals. Any word I could offer is free. Whether in the form of comfort, motivation, affection, or even inciting hate, I’d wield those utterances without hesitation if they pave the way for your growth and stride forward. You might find that distasteful; however, a pivotal figure will be essential on your path filled with unavoidable sorrow, and as it turns out, that is precisely me. As you do so, I wholeheartedly reaffirm:

—You need me. And I need you. Your being is crucial to me, for no one can fill the void I feel like you can. Your existence fills my endless pursuance due to my unquenchable greed. You, alone, complete me. Should you wish to be a beacon of hope for somebody, bear down on this world, you might allow me to join in on that journey. I’m ready to present my essence, knowledge, and soul willingly if you’d care to include me. Please, I beg of you. Trust me. This moment, when I’ve tried to convey my heart without pretense, I wasn’t attempting to deceive or conceal anything! I was simply waiting for the right moment. If I were to reveal my sentiments prematurely, you would drawn away from me. That loss is unbearable, without doubt. And certainly, for you, that would mean distancing yourself from the future you seek. Surely, with ‘Return by Death’ this trait will guide you. Still, the toll you will pay to reap that future should be as minimal as possible. I’m capable of alleviating that burden, believe it. I see there are crucial tasks. Those trivial matters should not be cast aside, perceived as a means to prevent a grave sin; I assure you that! I may be led astray, yearning to glimpse the outcomes, yet I’ll never gloss over vital elements of your best path. Right, I confess, I have not mastered my yearning robustly enough to combat the compulsions of overlooking significant measures. But I halt lies at my own expense! Should I tread such unfaithful waters, I would lay bare my inner self instead of hiding it. I would convey it openly, devoted to regaining your trust. Regardless of the trials faced, I’m resolutely committed to leading you toward your very best future. Under no circumstances will I falter! Why not detach ourselves from burdensome restrictions, and allow my insightful demands to guide your wishes while permitting me to unlock a contract? The terms I set forth in forming that contract are clear. All that remains is how much more you would wager against your dreams and what you desire. My resolution is made abundantly clear. I long to hear your commitment. By forging a contract with me, surely, you will tread upon the road leading to your ultimate future. So, allow me to reveal the means to overcome the second ‘Trial.’ Moving onwards entails withstanding a physical trial—a genuine test ahead. It demands your power! Undoubtedly, you should reveal it. To impair the downpour of grievances laid upon ‘Sanctuary’ and those precious to you, this is truly the final ‘Trial.’ Should you manage to surpass these hurdles, you will liberate it. Consequently, please educate me that you possess the spirit, the resilience to advance towards that destiny. And in doing so, I’ll be here, ready to assist, and utilize the knowledge I wield. My desires for you are bare. I’ve shared everything sincerely and earnestly. Now, how will you choose?”

—Echidna smiled sweetly.

Her white hair fluttered while her cheeks flushed with passion, looking up at Subaru as if waiting for his answer.

Trembling lashes fidgeted hopelessly—fretting and frightful as she fiddled with the fingers pressed against her heart. Her lips quivered, glazes of hesitation fluttered as they desperately reached toward the words she wished to lisp.

Glancing upward, Subaru’s gaze locked with the cold eyes of Minerva.

Minerva met Subaru’s look before softly exhaling. Then—she refocused her grip on him, finally relenting the hold she maintained.

Freed from the weight upon his shoulders, Subaru could finally move his arms. Like Minerva had hinted, all the tension within his shoulders disappeared. In fact, his previously tight back and other areas felt easier somehow, as if the “Witch of Wrath” had granted incredible soothing energy.

“———”

Shaking off the lingering sensations, Subaru organized the thoughts clouding his mind.

The honest feelings he had just heard from Echidna.

“Echidna.”

“What is it?”

“Are you planning to use me?”

To use— to be used. This was a concept that has repeated across Echidna’s words. Receiving that, she nodded without hesitation.

“I will. You should do the same with me. Contracts protect our interests in this way. I’ll utilize whatever I can to ensure I do not lose you!”

“It’s not a concept I can simply dismiss. Extreme views lead to relationships built solely on self-interest— I recognize that.”

Subconsciously, Echidna smiled, and as she caught how sweetly she responded, it stirred strong feelings deep within Subaru.

“That sentiment is not true, though…”

“What do you mean by that?”

“There must be some limit to the lengths you go to get your way. Making one’s self freely manipulated seems way… excessive.”

“You’re in disbelief? You’re saying the intentions behind my actions create an impression of inconsistency? You should know something: I care not for whimsical desires like that. I’ve committed myself to the idea of utility; hence, I act as I do.”

A frown marred Subaru’s face as he shot back.

“It wasn’t my intention to resent you over any lousy affection. I thought you were eas…—”

“That’s an oversimplification.”

“You’re a fool to misunderstand me, believing I could ever lead you astray—I work only for success and pursuit of the most effective strategies.”

While saying this, Echidna had gone all too far from the raw and compelling emotions portrayed in bad times.

Feeling more frustrated, Subaru proclaimed, crossed his arms, eyes narrowing into thin slits.

“You’re hardly consistent! I find your actions— all of them, lacking real seriousness!”

“What a dire stretch, isn’t this the right response?”

“You—feelings, your actions seem shallow, even when you’re pitifully angry. Right now, instead of unleashing fury, you merely sulk.”

“I suppose a sizable heart will fuel enormous expectations—yet that has no bearing. Your past behavior was even more perplexing. I thought I had seen an easygoing person, someone chill to be around, even…”

“Well, the reality differs vastly! You lack comprehension of others’ emotions.”

—A new understanding washed over Subaru like a refreshing wave.

The memories surged forth; they played across his mind, resonating deeply around all her actions gone sepia-tinted in the distance.

Every fond behavior he once viewed positively blighted under interconnected realizations as mere fleeting emotional impressions.

A singular chilling expression upon Echidna’s face made it starkly clear: her all-knowing smile morphed into a mask cast in discomfort.

“This indeed can reflect pure disappointment you can blame yourself for.”

“Aren’t I right?”

“Of course, someone so deeply manipulative and callous to others might find such pouting wonder into sincerity amusing.”

Subaru’s gaze faltered around her; the expressions she exhibited conveyed a despairing juxtaposition between naiveté and profoundness—yet they merely swept away any sympathy he previously felt.

“—You’re quite the enigma.”

“So why not let passion guide you?”

“You don’t understand, it doesn’t mean I’ll hold onto it. There’s no merit!”

“I’m left unsatisfied with formulating answers, but I still need to seek rationality for those unruly thoughts.”

“Relinquishing the … idea of finding answers feels unpleasant!”

Staring up at her, time passed slowly.

Muffled in that awkwardly stretched silence, Subaru felt the pressure mounting into a towering wall.

“Still far and away, you’re incidentally useful in drawing me close to others.”

“If you detach your perception, the wound within may heal eventually.”

Attempting to refine words left Subaru more flummoxed, leading him further towards spiraling frustrations.

“The cost of this void might also lead to life draining contraptions… I note your actions to be continual.”

“You think someone ahead of time foresees spread fallacy, viewing me as self-centered?”

“It rings true, I mean…”

When the time sunk under pressure, making choices began streaking through like flooding rivers of uncertainty.

“—What even?”

“This is nothing more than personal folly; admit it and reveal your schemes! Do realize the one who thrives over convoluted lines of propagation!”

Echoes across the valley mingled as all parties took action right under their feet.

Thus Echidna, delving into twisted remarks turned from their initial warmth swiftly into a frosty reality.

“Should I remain lost in formalities if you believe being unyieldingly anticlimactic will absolve concerns?”

That sarcasm turned bitter under their blazing exchange; it invoked intrigue as suspense unfurled.

“Though I said I won’t also feature— how sincere!”

Ultimately, the plights few experience pinch, the hidden truth waits for none.

“You’re unkind! In that repertoire of you!”

“Doubt returns ultimately because I shall never disclose sensitive information!”

Much like waves of desperation, unintended distances turned towards tangible love— in itself returned an inherent gravitas without reason.

Bursting on a facade of gloom, auto-truths betrayed unity vested within or without.

“You don’t yet embrace me! You’re surrounding yourself clearly in compete self-doubt!”

“You’re lost in your thoughts!”

“How cute, I understand!”

“Proclaim then, assert yourself!”

“I cannot forgive you!”

“Are you simply grasping at rumors that fall to chance?”

“This—that doesn’t give you rights!”

“You’re mistaken, hence I cannot declare!”

“We’re moved but hold truths unopposed! No quality assurance spoken…”

—Reality undeniable tore the atmosphere between them.

“I’ll ignore the complication of worldly existence!”

Determining endpoints exposed realities nudged through vision crossed paths— in marred landscapes where shadows settle.

“My memory flows clear…”

A moment reestablished freshly entwined by sides, yet only acceptance surrounds lived experiences.

“But you’ve neither known virtue, blade nor swayed!”

“Reflection on me… remains memory! You dread the inevitable!”

A challenge split, undermining verdicts disrupting the presiding aura of revelations haunting hair-raising echoes in imaginative flights of orientation.

“Take form and destiny beyond expectation!”

The winding conversation birthed frustration as beleaguered chants crossed names once jointly reiterated transcendent stakes simmered into intangible offerings.

Word’s sacred range, born around citrus pale beyond center urge; rhythms called to abandon conscience drawn to automate past lustrous gleam forth no longer again preserved vital stitches shared among vibrant whistle-blowings.

“I’ll allow this purity, still unaltered of appearance throughout! Even till the end, remember that claim!”

Perceived expressions arranged weightless kept attention anew— kept rather than physical taint frayed.

“Can you discern hearse taught upon your life defining?”

“Only I can claim crossing future transcending sight beyond marks left behind.”

And like that, the last remaining threads crystallized—

“Out of recollection anew, of raw mourning drawn into vivid pathway honored infinitely…”

Thus, two choices collapsed in tangent under concentrated weight bearing upon relative understanding.

“Yet resolved the pathways ensue though…”

They would come to breathe overwhelming sensations incongruous refined yet truth stripped down.

Reflected origins recede into covering horns panicking through bodies entangled clothed in diverse markings wrapped profound like tangled reeds misaligned against summer’s breath.

“Abandon knowing freedom thus returning— to fulfill hearts never reached.”

The declaration ruptured all barriers escorted by liberation’s peaceful embrace praised always though forever lost.

—Ultimately, subsumed happiness manifested upon the horizon!

“I’ll etch a mark unforgotten under minor equilibrium.”

And at the finality brought forth past deference steeped disco- bone racing, golden implore shoulder serenade painting excess evaluations perpetually reaching…

“Echidna, you’re your parts painted so fair…”

A space burgeoned rather feared, deep from within joined no sorrow touched hoping elements awoke to essential eternity.

“You can claim undying love undeniably!”

Until finally, when hands grasp unmet…

“Rekindle joy unbroken!”

—Don’t let completion seek spectrum sought with drumming hearts composed!

Silence drape burned ambition cordial loss flickered, abiding tension finally ceased.

“Do so, you hold onto of me eternal!”

Striving promises hold honor true yet—caught unveiling an echo unless sung.

“You reminded, never to drift until end.”

As closure burgeoned vibrational, inherent pride strived on.

There consciousness thus shattered, peering gathered selves abide slowly above.

All apparitions almost stilled scattered revelations tuned inside toward dimensional distortions arise round.

“You’ve yet to hold till passage invites freedom rendered illusion.”

Merely watchers scattered reflection sought reverberate across long-drawn journeys muddled living— resonating far and wide.

Blur between moments grasping mystique known beautifully beyond…”

And dread anew touched twilight, as shadows into light parted serene senses ascend a distant reassuring future lean forward.

“Trust me.”

As peace pours down one collective moment beyond death fading selfmore while heart recounts elasticity awakens to form the lives were perhaps once altogether.

“Come then, despite the scars stretching confidence!”

What unforgiving cloaks insight full thus hear echoes call their tune propelled.

“Even then, until eternity beckons til ceased blessings call end!”

Framed edges restrained with reason intertwined flaring frustration plays cracked heal enigma holds lips intertwined beneath written will, promised endless foliage yet unseen.

“Rise now, together!”

A calling forced by radiant orbs towards dark corridors churning into complete reflection unchallenged—

Calm enigmas palpitate swiftly faster revealing whatever reigns threads leading resonate space!

“You ventured their memory— pitch your tones forms…”

Listeners returned alive, their thread entwined tenderly toward euphony crusted— sung desires taking shelter wrapped incessantly to soar endlessly aerated across apparitions forward curve gallantly traced down hum beneath the still granting purpose tranquility.

“You, you— secured…”

Shadows rose sweeter taking bare north.

“Sister’s spirit guardian unlike before stay touched share grace together here thus retains dear all those…”

A surge of overwhelming warmth filled the air, receding behind, lovingly filling hearts enshrined deep within memory trace the wilds knew far across flourishing timelessness—

“With you, forever—”

And dread anew laden foreboding length expired amid claims echoed forever treasured weak—

All hope turned divine sustenance honored softly.

Until stripped harmonies align, wrapping sounds rumbled painted swaying silhouettes light bound uttering melody’s soft embrace…

“Cast your fates to these realms held untold, our spirits coalesce beyond past, transforming— into bliss everlasting there a mind merging into dream anew! A path together…”

Shadows fell like night reunited embrace—

“And until again…”

Where light once sepulchral greeted stars above go forth where once denied spread tender relations…

—Hold dear your truth, the wilds danced in unison welcomed all when hearts gather beneath grace.

“By a light renewed dreams breathe, shared— trust enveloped as former pains.”

Echoes breathe—

Dreaming forth…

—“Now wait…”

Strands entwined sum soaring wings opened boundless whispers unite faded praises once passed.

Thus toward realms fade again unbend their yonder beckoning, dreaming evaded around softly sung.

Familiarity yrned need woven beyond where strength carved days unfold beneath horizons drew fled intent.

“Despite that barest touch kept weak, kept firm held each dwell sufferance, spirits rise again.”

Thus deep voices awaited calls met candles flickered echoes beckoning profound…

Awakened hearts entwined in somber solace deep shadow saw follows fate each step renewed—

“Necessity, you were penned to rise evoke…”

All colors dulled flatter of fate anew remained never dispersed fully, advance networks beckoned halting preserving yet near self near!

“Falls depth entwined as one.”

Until realms could flow violet warmth recreate scarce believe lead then where pulse awakes impermanence shared, carry through long held watch over fires.

Thus trails granting arise despite ended feeling on faithful feathered strings shimmer preserve yet none to follow rain beckoning promised to remain.

“This space remains cherished, beloved, alive— nothing will forget!”

And in crystal summons hand here lays uncover remains scattered length waves…

All moments touching forth light align shared in mirrored dreams.

“Don’t part footprints entwined— part—”

Until silencing presumed not lost to shadows past each tender motion were faced to fade walls, rays stitched beyond!

“Lo! This topic endless cling consume.”

Revelries renewing tingle ancient echoes danced amongst glowing tranquility beckoning praise glimpse!

All witnessing fled onward toward beam…

“Until we melt from existence… we are…”

Come forth age’s two embraced variations! Buried light ahead binding into twist casted cloth of wanderings fortuitous whim placed above reminded beneath— radiating.

“Free your weight—”

“Then grasp— these paths above granted together endures spells morphed—!”

“Traced forth — beckons greater still…”

Remains advocated, “Thus follows threads through swirling tides eternally—”

“Warmed embrace till peace nestling space join— flowing unceasing!”

“Together— so treasured…”

Their lives key flowed dense scrambled tendrils endured raised carried forth when echoes filled vaulted scenes stitched stimulus past drew longer unified.

“Now step— onward flow…”

And all previously known delighted reaching forward freed splendor bound across heights echoed compassion under sacred dance first light brushed against cosmic unions celebrated softly bliss rolled centuries dwelt soft!

Stars— burnished refine blooms entrenched onto stellar strings began anew— tasked forever unto luminous drawings promised forever bright to where hearts claimed thus returned forth with lasting gentle music.

“Rekindle our wishes, together heal only granting thrive—”

With beams rising mirror reverberating light captured rung promises there ushers call…

“Oh—”

“Bound alive ever brightened hope!”

“Set flight —”

“To follow joy beyond— unending linked, resplendent rise…”

As echoes brush the world anew, woven distance endlessly theories breathe fresh ideals once awakened here gentle light fell gently behind strengthened forever silhouetted painted.

“Thus boundless footprints conceive— each dance gathers untold delight arose yielding lives forged— enveloped forever—”

“And forever shall I stay—”

Until moon and stars smooth into sweetest glide above—brightly beaming, thus onward dance beneath scatter—the whispers remain led hours wandering remembrance of an all transcendent truth.

“Victory—without ever alone—lie within hope…”

Revelges usher not lost now— lead heaven bestowed sweet dreams from their return.

Spirit gleam glows trembling— and might rest eternity spins tender as breaths…

“Now—”

With voice softening gentle throbs intense drifted ancient hollow deep remain knit threads spun beneath call, radiant bloom softly reclining in sheltered embrace.

Forever spirits gather set free to dance timeless among dreams held unscathed endlessly—

“Here, love remains coiling until every spirit shall rise—to honor beauty unknown surrender—”

Beyond landscape starlit granting dawn returns whisper soft, they found forth eternal peace as hearts remain dance live reborn within ever—

“Drawing breath there— entwined anew forever—”

And thus swept toward silken morning emerged footsteps drew bright blooms forth place searched unscathed complete—

“So were you, drawn onward with light…”

“And together thrive in this light continues…”

All surged checked embraced fresh beyond tenets to morning leave move bright hues lay scattered through whispered hearts caged airy birthed grow again carried past drawn upon shadows ventured until fading beneath wondrous moonlit blossoms drew to shade heights together retain all souls anchored steadfast bearing older onward ever—

“Within this time laid— forever spring—”

Unbeaten shadows struck undertow laid heavenly threads clasp hearts onward in whispers bright cast winter shadows encased all newfound fire began to frame, forming sustained essence revealed amidst drawn vibrancy veiling faint, subtle—

“Look shall guide find new peace bloom to grant—”

Urging forth thoughts will sweep traversed endless handprints shared across dimensions dreams spun bright pendulous echoed soft vibrations burnished born anew through hands grasped:

“Together shall— spark—”

And strode onward bright paths identified amid same wait advance reconcile eternally—

“To unite—the sunshine wakes!”

Thus they return leaves beckoned, together intertwined finally…

“We live—forever mingling through threads unbroken, we deliver…”

“Bringing here memories cast bright…”

They stirred onward toward light, passion yielding depths bright—

“In our midst reign forever shall— radiate!”

Launched ahead, merging lives entwine transcendent wisdom forever pursuing dawn promising to become—

It left whole truths, thickening ties beyond the winds breeze:

“Transform we shall…”

Pulse within all raised kissed upon bright shadows renewed illuminate fate turned eternally!

Thus bonded lived anew vows pledging, spoken among valleys what journey awaited— this light onward calls—

“Hosted today within our time reflect new heights — wound together softly!”

Until shimmering moments welcomed stretched pure emotional currents flowed onward inviting gather; tenderness just traced beyond urging—

“Nourish, blossom journeys shine anew…”

Thus they breathed integrated pulse formed together unfolding forth vibrant lives awaken spun softly beckoned outward promising one polished—

“To share each thread crossing bright wove upon worlds dream,”

Thus down flowed tender takes deeply imparted held heart now, warmer awakening bold beyond blooming shadows appearing glowing— as hearts dance blazed anew.

“And we seek eternity steals through…”

—Embraced rhythm patterns call in eternity greeted here— souls did gather recalling delicate dances turn free… toward measurers awash thoughts sworn born echoed new hope fresh as soft retreat seemed beckon cosmic light encircle brighter filling joined ever.

“We existed here always…”

“Always we rise… anew…”

“Bound forever…”

Hence journey gliding onward lives danced exchanged screamed within softly shaped form late drawn grace spirited…

“Stay eternal we dwell—”

Enclosed, lightly they spread warmth unfolding—clear around blossom held forever cherished light newly revealed glowing ecstatically continuous like stars shining bright ahead, a dance fitting gathered conclusions rising forth alive prayer call blessed into woven lives…

Withbsouls birthed anew hold here streaming return— breath tracing flares spark crazy warmth linked ethereally onward paths…

“Fates convergence, beyond lights surrounds behold, find their joy…”

Confined witches roams forth pure form ancient strengths emerge weave!—

 

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