In the darkness, Arjanal finds herself in a familiar predicament. However, this time is different from the others. Instead of falling, she finally plants her feet firmly on the ground. She looks around, trying to assess her surroundings, but sees nothing. Taking a step forward, she discovers the floor seems to be made of glass. "It's this place again," she remarks, taking in her surroundings. She remembers the last time she was here; piercing red eyes had stared at her. Once more, she stands alone in a dark void that stretches endlessly. "Papa? Papa?" she calls into the darkness. She recalls hearing a female voice last time. "Maybe I should try calling out to her?" Arjanal thinks, then hesitantly calls out, "Ma'am? Are you there?" Silence follows. She tries again. "Ma'am!" Suddenly, two red piercing eyes open directly in front of the young girl. She stumbles backward, but a clawed hand grasps her arm tightly, pulling her up. Seeing the woman up close, Arjanal is terrified by her pale, death-like skin and a headdress with the moon carved into it. Her long nails are striking, but it's the woman's bright red eyes that are most alarming. "Young queen... are you ready?" the woman asks in a raspy voice. Too afraid to object and too terrified to resist, Arjanal inquires, "For what, ma'am?" The woman releases her arm, takes her hand, and kneels to her level. "To face the chaos infecting your mind." "What Chaos?" The woman turns away, gesturing to the void around them. "This is darkness. The darkness in your head is much different from the darkness in the world," she explains, standing up and leading Arjanal forward. "Chaos, however, is an infection of unnatural proportions...", she added as she looks straight ahead. Despite her fear, Arjanal feels a sense of safety with this woman, who seems to know how to navigate the darkness.

"Ma'am? Who are you?" Arjana inquires of the unfamiliar woman. The woman halts and pivots to gaze down at her, her eyes ablaze with fury. "I see, your people have also forgotten me!?" she growls. "I... I don't mean any disrespect! I... I truly don't know who you are..." Arjana stammers, a hint of panic in her voice. The woman remains still, continuing to fix her gaze on Arjana, until her expression softens. She then looks forward and resumes leading Arjana in silence before finally responding. "I am the Goddess of Darkness, and that is all you need to know..." As they proceed together, Arjana observes images emerging from the darkness. Some images are warped, depicting what seem to be melted figures and statues. Yet, as they pass one particular figure, it portrays two girls attempting to drown a smaller one. Arjana pauses to examine it, and a memory surfaces. "I remember this... My friends, Sukka and Liona, tried to drown me... I was only ten... Sukka and Liona liked a man named Alphies, but he showed interest in me. Sukka and Liona's parents allowed them to do whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted. They dressed as adults, consumed wine, and mingled with older men. However, Papa was strict with me and Monoko, insisting we were children and should remain so until we were of age to ascend the throne. Papa always cautioned me to steer clear of boys, so I never paid much mind; my only desire was to play in the river. Perhaps Sukka and Liona's desire for Alphies' attention was so strong, they would resort to murder..." In the midst of her recollection, another statue materializes beside them, this one depicting Monoko seizing the girls by their necks, his form bathed in a radiant light. "Monoko... He rescued me that day. I hadn't anticipated him confronting Sukka and Liona. At first, I was upset with him for attacking two girls who were younger and smaller than him. But..... he was simply trying to protect me. Sukka and Liona were sent to the dungeons, while their parents had their assets seized. Father informed me that Alphies was executed for his... inappropriate thoughts.," she revealed. The woman fixed her gaze on Arjana, immobilizing her. A tense silence hung between them until the woman lifted her hand, causing Arjana to flinch. "Do not fret, young one. Now is not the time for you to confront the chaos in your life. But once you do, you will first encounter darkness, and hopefully... the light," the woman declared. "Chaos? But why should I find darkness?" the little girl asked, suddenly noticing herself drifting away from the woman. "Everyone harbors darkness; you just refuse to see it that way. You mortals close your eyes to the darkness before you, not the one within. But don't worry, you will understand when you return here," the woman explained as she sent the little girl away. Gradually, Arjana felt herself becoming lighter, and then a burst of light blinded her. When she opened her eyes, a familiar face greeted her. "You're awake!" Izzimar exclaimed excitedly, giving her a big hug.

"...Huh...?"

As Arjana sat up groggily, she noticed she was in a confined space, lying on a bed of blue flowers, Blue Dreams. Feeling a sudden bump, she realized they were moving. Struggling to rise, she saw Birger seated up front, alongside a particular red-headed elf.

"...B...Birger...?", she utters.

Birger swiftly turns to see her, and the tension in his facial muscles eases.With a gentle smile, he finally speaks the words he's been longing to say during the days of her coma.

"Welcome back, youngin'."