Hearing that, irritation surged within me. I couldn’t accept it. “W-wait, hold on! What are you talking about?! What kind of nonsense is that?!”

Created to torture me? If it were just you… I wouldn’t have a problem. But why drag me into it too?!

What the hell had I done to deserve something like that? A place made just to torment me? None of it made any sense.

“Calm down, Ainsel,” he said gently, despite the distortion in his voice. “I know you are shocked. I know you are angry, and that you cannot accept this so easily. And I know how heavy this is.” His voice softened. “But, my friend. That is the truth. You are only shaken because your memories have not yet fully returned.”

He paused again before continuing, more quietly this time.

“I truly wish to explain everything to you. I really do. But… I am not allowed to. If I force myself… I may die.”

My eyes widened slightly upon hearing that. “D-die…? H-how is that possible?! What is actually happening?! What kind of place is—”

*BOOM!*

A thunderous impact shook the black expanse. The formless ground beneath us trembled violently, as if the world itself were on the verge of collapse.

*BOOM!*

A second impact followed a few seconds after the first—and it sounded even louder than before.

The four of them—and I—instinctively looked up at the black sky. All four of them remained calm despite the suffocating tension, as if they had expected this to happen sooner or later.

As for me… honestly, I was panicking. That sound, it reminded me of the terror I had experienced in the white space. The trauma that had once faded now clawed its way back to the surface.

As the thunderous impacts echoed, Mattherna murmured, “So… this is my limit? I can’t hold it back any longer.”

The questions in my mind hadn’t gone anywhere. If anything, they only kept piling up. And damn it! Not a single one of them seemed willing to open their mouths to tell me—

“What the hell is going on?!” I snapped, frustrated, and truly exhausted from all of this.

Mattherna let out a small laugh, as though he were used to hearing his old friend lose his temper. “Forgive me, Ainsel. I truly wish to explain everything to you. But, as I said before… if I force myself to speak without knowing the limits, I will die.”

He gestured toward the three robed figures beside him. “And the same applies to them. Later, when you are outside, you may ask them anything you wish. Though… there may still be certain limits.”

Once again, he spoke in riddles.

I let out a long, tired sigh. “Alright… fine. If it puts your life at risk, I’ll stop asking.”

But then, something suddenly struck me. I frowned. “Eh? Wait a second! What are their names?” I asked, pointing at the three towering figures.

Now that I think about it... he had only been referring to them as these three figures and companions on an adventure.

That's right.

Since the moment I met them, not a single one had introduced themselves. Even though I already knew Mattherna—he existed within my memories. But still… who were they, really?

“Once again… I’m sorry. I—no, all four of us—cannot tell you anything in this place. The only thing I can reveal… is what this place truly is, Ainsel. And even that is heavily restricted.”

“Huh?! You can’t even tell me their names?" I frowned. "Are you serious?!”

Mattherna gave a small shrug, as though bound by a rule he could not break. “That’s simply how it is.”

From his tone alone, I couldn’t sense even the slightest hint of deceit.

"I see…” Damn! What kind of place is this?!

Without another word, Mattherna stepped aside. He raised his right hand and swung it through the air, as though cutting through something unseen. Instantly, a thin vertical line appeared. It slowly widened—stretching open into a gate. A faint glow traced its outline, though even that light seemed suppressed, reduced to nothing more than dim, fragile lines in this place.

“Alright,” Mattherna said, turning back toward me, his voice faintly distorted. “I’ve set the coordinates for where you’ll exit. You should hurry… unless you wish to remain here with me forever.”

“If we can leave this place… why aren’t you coming with us?” I asked, curiosity rising within me.

“If I could… I would have done so long ago.”

Hearing that answer, I fell silent, realizing just how stupid my question had been.

“R-right… you’re right,” I replied, though in truth, I felt deeply embarrassed.

“You don’t need to worry about me, Ainsel,” he continued gently. “Nothing will happen to me. Not even this place can touch me.” There was a quiet confidence in his voice. “Now go. Quickly! I can’t hold this gate open for much longer!”

The three figures and I exchanged glances before moving toward the gate. But, just as I was about to step through—

“Ainsel.” His voice called out from behind me. He then continued, “Before you go... there's one thing I may be able to tell you.”

“Didn’t you say you couldn’t tell me anything here?”

“That is true,” he replied with a slight nod. “But if I turn it into a riddle… it may still be possible.”

“A riddle, huh…” I let out a small breath. “Alright. Let’s hear it.”

“Then listen carefully.” Mattherna then turned toward the three robed figures. “You as well.”

They nodded in unison. “Verily.”

He paused for a moment—then spoke, each word deliberate.

“Break the Oxaghons that bind like Gattah. Their number lies hidden within the circle of the moon. It never encounters the beginning, nor does it ever reach the end.

"Seek the binder at the core of the world, then shatter the one that bears a single will of light in the sky. Then, we shall become as those who soar beyond all bounds.

"When the decreed day arrives, the empty shells—both hollow and half-filled—shall be restored once more. And the true color, hidden beneath the surface, shall be revealed to those whose eyes have been opened.”

Hearing that, I frowned. “You really do enjoy making things difficult for others, don’t you? What does that riddle even mean? At least give us a hint!”

Mattherna laughed. “I am certain you will come to understand it, and uncover its meaning, piece by piece, as time goes on.”

I let out a sigh. “Fine. Then just wait. I—we will definitely free you from here. I—we promise.”

“I will wait for you, my friend. No matter how long it takes. Because I know… you have never once broken a promise.” He continued, “And one more thing. Not 'free me', but free all of us.’”

Instead of replying, I simply raised my thumb, as if to say, "What are you even talking about, you bald guy?" Then, the three figures behind me followed suit.

Mattherna immediately responded by raising his thumb as well, as if to say, "As expected, our reliable king."

And with that farewell, filled with mutual misunderstanding, the four of us stepped into the gate. The moment our bodies passed through, it vanished—like dust carried away by the wind.

Mattherna remained where he stood, staring at the empty space it had left behind.

“Until we meet again… my King,” he whispered. “May your journey be guided by light. May your steps bring hope… to this dying world.” A quiet sorrow lingered in his voice.

Once again, he had to part from those he held dear.

His friend… his family...

And this time, no one knew how long that separation would last