The darkness slowly descended, swallowing the sky above the ruins of the Philistines. The city, once merely shrouded in mist, now grew increasingly thick with a starless night. Inside the Temple of Reversal, the dim light from the Babylonian altar began to fade, leaving Fitran and Beelzebub in a twilight haze. The echo of an ancient clock's ticking reverberated throughout the room, contributing to an atmosphere of heaviness, as if each tick drew them deeper into the encroaching darkness.
Beelzebub stood silently beside the altar, her hands still trembling subtly. Her body felt foreign yet comfortable in the warmth she had just begun to experience. There was a gentle pulse beating within her chest—something entirely new to her, something that made her aware of a life slowly growing inside her. The fragrant aroma of burning incense combined with the stillness of the night created an ambiance that seemed to envelop them in an invisible embrace, as if the world outside had completely vanished.
Fitran observed her in silence, realizing how both fragile and strong the woman before him truly was. To him, Beelzebub was no longer a terrifying entity of emptiness; she was now a figure infinitely more tangible and alive. Fitran's heart trembled, as if an invisible thread connected them, causing his heartbeat to resonate in harmony with Beelzebub's.
"Are you alright?" Fitran asked softly, approaching slowly to avoid startling Beelzebub.
Beelzebub nodded slowly, lifting her face and offering a faint smile—her first genuine smile born from the heart. "I feel strange, yet I also feel... complete." Outside, the faint sound of the whispering wind echoed, as if guarding secrets between them, inviting them to bravely step into a deeper mystery.
Fitran breathed a sigh of relief. "That means the ritual was successful. But I must remind you, Beelzebub—this is just the beginning. We don't yet know the effects that will follow."
"I know," Beelzebub replied softly, her hand instinctively moving to touch her own stomach. "But I have decided to face whatever comes."
Her calm expression seemed to conceal thousands of untold stories; imagine if the walls of this temple could speak—what might they say about this being? Fitran sensed a strange vibration in the air, as if something was infiltrating between them, something emerging from the depths of darkness. "Just as a castle is connected to the spiritual realm, my heart senses an approaching threat," he thought.
Fitran paused for a moment, realizing the drastic change in Beelzebub's way of speaking and the look in her eyes. She now spoke like a confident human—confidence he had never before witnessed in this creature.
However, as doubts began to cloud Fitran's mind, he could sense the tension filling the room. The corners of the temple appeared darker, as if swallowing all the light. He struggled to focus his thoughts, trying to ignore the soft whispers that hinted at an unseen threat. "We can't stay here any longer," Fitran finally said, glancing towards the temple exit. "Something is stirring in this city. I can feel it."
Beelzebub followed Fitran's gaze, her brow slightly furrowed. "I can feel it too. Something doesn't want us here."
They walked away from the Babelian altar with cautious steps, leaving behind a temple that had now fallen silent and dark once more. Yet as they stepped outside, a biting cold wind greeted them, carrying faint whispers that sounded like anguished wails. The voice seemed to beckon them back into the darkness that awaited patiently.
Before them stretched a darkening road leading to the city center, where grand, open buildings loomed—an amphitheater known as the Stage of the Unborn. The night air grew increasingly chilling, amplifying the tension that crept into their hearts. The path they traversed seemed to be filled with intimidating shadows, watching their every step with unseen eyes.
"This place..." Beelzebub paused for a moment, a wave of doubt washing over her. "There's something alive here—something that should never have been born."
Fitran's face turned pale as he began to sense the mystical aura that lingered in the amphitheater. He envisioned spirits trapped between this world and the next, devoid of hope, waiting to be freed or destroyed. His breath quickened as he reconsidered the decision he had made earlier.
Slowly, Fitran nodded. "Neph-Null. They are fragments of life rejected by the world. We must pass through them to reach the city center."
Beelzebub tightened her grip on Fitran's hand, seeking a sense of security that she had never needed before. Fitran glanced at her for a moment before offering a reassuring smile, signaling that they needed to keep moving.
The amphitheater stood majestic in its ruin. The circular structure, with its largely crumbling stone steps, still loomed under the dark night sky. As they entered the arena, the atmosphere transformed drastically—the air became heavier, colder, and thick with whispers that grew increasingly audible.
A thin fog hovered just above the ground, creating a dreamlike ambiance. The sound of dripping water from a leaky roof heightened the tension, as if every noise harbored a secret. A small campfire in the corner of the arena flickered, casting dancing shadows on the crumbling walls of the amphitheater, creating the illusion that unseen creatures watched them from the darkness.
From within the surrounding shadows emerged indistinct, ghostly figures. These beings took on imperfect shapes, resembling human silhouettes that trembled erratically. They moved slowly, whispering in a language never spoken by humans.
Feeling increasingly pressured, Beelzebub furrowed her brow, responding to the gentle, invisible pull that seemed to beckon her closer. "What do they want?" she asked with a trembling voice, trying to muster courage from within.
"It's them—Neph-Null," Fitran said quietly, fully alert. "They are not physically dangerous, but they are very dangerous mentally. Do not listen to their whispers."
Beelzebub nodded, but she could already feel the impact—the whispers rang clearly in her ears, revealing the doubts and fears that had long been buried within her.
"You shouldn't be human... you don't deserve it..."
The whispers echoed in Beelzebub's mind, stabbing deep into her heart.
The room felt increasingly cramped, the air growing heavier as it awakened the uncertainty swirling within her. The sky above the Amphitheater began to darken, shadows on its walls casting an atmosphere of coldness and tension, pulling Beelzebub deeper into her mental chaos.
"He doesn't love you... he only pities you..."
Witnessing the struggle of doubt within Beelzebub, she closed her eyes, trying to hold back the pain from those words. It felt as if each whisper was not just a sound, but an assault that crushed her soul. Her knees began to tremble, almost giving way, if not for Fitran's timely support. A ray of hope from that gentle touch sought to rekindle the strength that had been submerged.
"Beelzebub, look at me," Fitran said softly yet firmly, his hands cradling Beelzebub's face to ensure she met his gaze. "Whatever they say, it's just echoes of the past. You are not what they claim. You are who you choose to be." The pounding of Fitran's heart seemed to sync with every word he spoke, intensifying the emotions that enveloped the atmosphere. As whispers faded around them, overshadowed by the conviction shining in Fitran's eyes, Beelzebub felt a new space for hope open within her.
Beelzebub bit her lip, gazing into Fitran's red eyes that radiated unwavering confidence. The rustling of the wind seemed to whisper with her, urging her to take a bold step forward. She took a deep breath, trying to center her thoughts. "I choose to believe in you—and in myself."
Fitran smiled, nodding firmly. "Let's get out of here quickly."
They moved swiftly through the Amphitheater, passing through shadows that continually tried to touch and disrupt their thoughts. Each step felt heavy, but their clasped hands provided the strength to continue onward. The dim light from the exit grew closer, although the shadows seemed to hold them back with a thousand dark hands. Within Beelzebub, a spirit began to awaken, fighting against the doubts that almost gnawed at her heart.
However, before they could reach the exit, one shadow became clearer and more solid than the others. The figure slowly morphed into a familiar young woman with long hair, stirring an intense reaction in Fitran. His heart raced as he recognized the figure—Rinoa's shadow.
The night breeze whispered softly, creating an atmosphere thick with tension. The distance between Fitran and Rinoa felt like it was closing, even though a deep chasm separated reality from illusion. The soft light of the moon illuminated Rinoa's face, deepening the shadow of sorrow that surrounded her.
"Fitran..." the voice of the shadow was soft yet cold, filled with suppressed sorrow and anger. "Why have you forgotten me? Why did you choose her?"
Fitran froze for a moment, his gaze shaken by the figure who once meant so much to him. Yet, he quickly shook his head fiercely, trying to reaffirm his thoughts. In his heart, the beautiful memories of their time together spiraled, trapped between love and loss. The scent of night flowers wafted through the air, reminding him of the moments they spent together in the garden, adding a suffocating sense of nostalgia.
"You are not Rinoa," he said firmly, his voice trembling yet filled with conviction. "Rinoa never harbored hatred. She always believed in my choices."
The shadow smiled bitterly, her eyes filled with disappointment. "Are you truly certain of your choice this time? What will you do if this choice destroys the world?"
Dark clouds gathered in the sky, seemingly responding to the fears revealed in Rinoa's words. Distant thunder broke the silence, as if nature was questioning the same thing. Fitran sensed the weight of responsibility growing heavier, yet he stood firm in his place, challenging uncertainty.
Fitran took a deep breath, his eyes locking directly with the shadowy figure. "If this is the choice I must make, then I will face it. I will not abandon Beelzebub."
Rinoa's shadow slowly faded, her smile transforming into a deep, sorrowful expression. "I hope you do not regret it, Fitran. Because every choice has a price to be paid."
As the figure completely vanished, Fitran suddenly felt his body weaken. He nearly collapsed if Beelzebub hadn't caught him just in time. They exchanged silent glances, realizing how fragile their hearts had become amid the journey they had chosen.
Around them, dark shadows began to stir, as if lurking behind the crumbling walls of the amphitheater. The night breeze whispered, carrying the damp and mysterious scent of wet soil, enveloping the atmosphere with unspoken tension. The rustling of leaves added to the sense that something terrifying was waiting in the darkness, poised to pounce at the right moment.
"I will never regret choosing you," Fitran finally said, his eyes filled with determination. "No matter what happens, I will never leave you."
Beelzebub smiled softly, feeling her heart grow more certain. "I too will never regret loving you, Fitran. I will protect what has grown within me with my very life."
Suddenly, a low and eerie laugh echoed through the air, disrupting their peace. Fear stirred within Fitran, prompting him to grip Beelzebub's hand tighter, longing to be protected from the unseen threat. "What was that?" he asked, his voice trembling with an overwhelming fear.
They finally stepped out of the Amphitheater, heading towards the city center where their greatest challenge awaited. Yet now, they walked with renewed strength, holding hands, realizing that whatever lay ahead, the love they shared was far stronger than the whispers filled with doubt.
Behind them, the darkness deepened, and a pair of red eyes slowly opened—watching their every step with a profound hatred.