It was dark and dreary. For some reason, whenever Maddie looked at herself, all she could see was her skin bathed in monochrome colors. It was as if ash had stuck on her body, and she was grey, black, and white. The Human Saint looked around. Masses of swirling clouds filled her vision, though, amidst the gaps, she could make out a blood-red color. Uttering a light spell, she realized that her magic was useless in this space.

“…”

Nevertheless, Maddie felt nothing at all. No sadness, no fear…it’s as if, she’s at peace in this place, while at the same time, she didn’t want to remain in here. With mixed emotions overwhelming her chest, the Human Saint tried to feel her way around. Attempting to take her first steps, she realized she was standing on something solid, but the swirling clouds obscured it from her sight.

Am I in a dream?

Maddie tried to recall what she was doing before she came here; however, nothing came to mind. It was empty…totally blank—even her memories of the people she knew were missing, save for their darkened faces.

“!!!”

Then, slowly, a small feeling of fear gripped her heart. The Human Saint, a former general of renown in the Kingdom of Nerfes, began to shiver as the fear grew.

What’s happening? Why can’t I remember the faces of those people I knew?

Desperate, Maddie fought to recall her memories. Kuro, Lily, Eris…my family in Fen! I can’t forget my loved ones!

“!!!”

However, much to her shock, the more she tried to remember, the thicker the swirling clouds became. The Human Saint ignored those, focusing on recovering her memories. Nevertheless, the clouds soon drowned and overwhelmed her.

----------

When Maddie regained consciousness, she stood in a wide, grassy field.

“…”

However, what was strange about the place she was in was that, instead of the eternally bright, azure sky of Chersea, the sky she saw above was purple and red. It was like the sky from Kuro’s old world, which he called a ‘dusk sky.’

Did she come to his world? If so, what is she doing here?

“…”

And then, from a distance, she saw him. Clad in a white dress was Kuro, and behind him were several young people she didn’t know. Maddie thought they were his students, for his smile was something she had seen whenever he was reminded of them.

“K-Kuro…?” she tried calling out to him, but for some reason, she could only speak through her mind. Her mouth remained shut, even if she screamed or shouted. Nevertheless, it seemed that Kuro heard her; he looked in her direction…

“…” But much to Maddie’s surprise, his eyes stared at her as if he was dead. No emotion, whatsoever.

“Kuro!” she uttered his name again, reaching out to him as she attempted to take hold of his hand.

However, Kuro asked, “Who are you?”

A flash of pain pierced Maddie’s heart, which was made even more painful by his ‘dead’ expression towards her. The Human Saint felt like she was shot by multiple arrows when she heard his indifferent words.

“K-Kuro…it’s me, I’m Maddie! The girl that you love!”

“I don’t remember any girl who loves me…” he told her. “You must be lying, or playing a prank!”

“But, it’s true! We love each other!” Maddie was getting desperate, “You even did the impossible in Cherwind just to return to me!”

“Please don’t play a joke on me anymore. I’m tired of people making me a fool!” Then Kuro turned back to his ‘students,’ “This is why I decided to offer my life to these children; I don’t want them to suffer like me.”

Maddie was unable to say anything else after that. She only stood at her spot, watching her beloved man walk away with the others, leaving her in that grassy field and into the creeping darkness. The Human Saint shouted his name in her mind…

“Kuro! Please come back! Kuro!”

----------

“Don’t go, Kuro!”

“Maddie, what’s wrong? I’m here.”

When the Human Saint opened her eyes, Kuro’s face stared down at her. He had this worried expression written all over, and he was wiping something off her cheeks.

Is she crying?

“I think you’re having a bad dream,” he told her. “What is it?”

Maddie didn’t answer his question. Instead, she threw her arms around him, overwhelmed by what she had just witnessed. Kuro was caught off-guard by that.

“Easy now…” his gentle voice was soothing her heart. “I won’t disappear again…” He returned her gesture with an embrace of his own.

“I…I thought you were leaving me again…” the Human Saint said in between her sobs. “And your eyes in my dream…it’s like you’re dead. It’s so painful to look at. You can’t remember me anymore…”

“It’s alright, Maddie. You know that won’t happen…”

“Don’t leave me…”

“Yes, I won’t. I’m here…” Kuro never let her go for a while; he could feel her shivering, and her hands were cold. “Besides, you’re in my room, so I’m not going anywhere.”

And then it all returned to her. Apparently, Maddie went to his room to spend time with him. And somehow in the middle, she fell asleep, leading to that nightmare she just had.

“That dream…it felt so real…”

“Come on, let’s get you something to drink. You’re shaking,” Kuro tried to stand, but she never let him.

“No, please! Don’t go…” the Human Saint sheepishly requested.

“Err…alright then. But don’t think about your nightmare for too much; you’ve suffered enough. I’m here, and I’ll always be by your side, you know?”

Kuro then sat beside her, guiding Maddie’s head on his chest. Once she lay down, he started caressing her hair to make her relax. Hearing the soft beats of his heart and feeling the warmth of his body calmed the Human Saint, and soon, she drifted back to sleep.

----------

**Kuro**

I didn’t like what I witnessed. The terror in Maddie’s eyes was real; I could tell that she was traumatized by what she had seen in her dreams. Nevertheless, I was quite relieved that she could sleep peacefully once again. Her soft breaths proved to me that she was alright, but I remained awake for a while to watch over her…in case something happened.

Hmm…it’s only an hour after the long sleep began, so I can stay up for a bit.

“…”

I guess my sudden disappearance made a lasting mark on this girl. I mean, I’m also affected by it, but I never realized that Maddie had suffered so much.

But it’s not like I can blame Ruro, either. She’s just doing her best to protect me…

“…”

Man, I don’t know if I’ll be happy. While Maddie’s devotion to me is something I’m grateful for, I’m worried that I’d hurt her again should something similar happen in the future…

“…”

Come on, Kuro. Why are you thinking of such things?

I stared at Maddie’s sleeping face. She looked so lovely in that form, innocent and trusting of me. I silently swore to myself that I wouldn’t do anything that would hurt her ever again, but…I’m scared. I don’t know if I could keep that promise, after all. Just like what Jules told me before, this world I’m in was full of hidden enemies…

Does he mean that these ‘enemies’ will always go after me? Damn it, what did I do to them? I want to live with my loved ones!

“…”

I don’t know. Maybe it’s just Jules’ way of manipulating me to become a god in his place. After all, being a god makes one all-powerful; I think those ‘enemies’ would have difficulty bringing me down once I ascended as a deity.

Kuro, know your place. Godhood isn’t something you’re worthy of…

“…”

Or am I? People around me are willing to sacrifice themselves to see me succeed. Maybe I should take a bold step forward…

No, I wouldn’t dare do it. I knew that I couldn’t take the enormous responsibility. My enemies were my own; I’d solve my problems with my own power, not with the gods' help. And I’d make Maddie and the others happy with my own hands.

“…”

Ah, Kuro…those kinds of talk are getting into your head. Stop this foolishness.

I shook my head to disperse such thoughts. Jules should look for someone else to be his replacement, and I’d live my life peacefully ’till the day I die. Yes, and in the meantime, I’d take my well-deserved rest together with the girl I love…