Adey.
Yes?
You knew.
Yes.
Then why?
You are a burned woman. I must play the role and while you play yours.
How many times?
Excuse me?
How many times had we done this?
I stopped counting.
I see.
I had to try, Machina.
I know, Adey. I know that you want to.
You shouldn’t be surprised.
I am not.
No wonder you were close with that demoness. I see. Still, doesn’t this scene never ceases to amaze? The chirping and the ringing bells, you’d never know it was a black hole, where light wouldn’t escape.
Indeed. I cannot stop looking at it.
Seriously, why do you always have that look only at this time?
Because I know that this isn’t the end.
Hey, what if it was different?
Different how? There’s no need to look back at the dreams we shared. We had a family and that was all we need. In the end, you are a chosen, while I am the goon that keeps popping out of nowhere, isn’t that the role you played?
Indeed, still, how many times did we spend appearances? Why do we end up together only to point our weapons later?
I have no idea.
When did this start?
From that alley. It was always that alley. The dance and the alley.
We could give up.
I don’t think we can. You play the role and I play mine. That is the duty of ours. How many tries in eternity, until we can get a peaceful role?
We’ve been fighting this duel for a very long time now.
How many seconds until eternity opens?
Calm, Adey, you will have your battle, but know that I will always win.
I know. But you know that I never give up. I never give in no matter what.
That’s why we are stuck in the first place.
Adey.
Machina.
In circles.
In cycles.
Through the ring of eternity.
Through the edges of destiny.
We are chasing each other’s back.
Your back
And your back.
Endlessly circling on the cycles.
Face changes and hearts are lost.
The cycle of two never ends.
For that is the Bleak Path.
For that is the Path of Greater Good.
Who is wrong?
You are.
No, you are, Adey.
For the sake of what?
For a lonely maiden.
For a time wanderer.
You and I.
For eternity.
No hatred.
Just roles to play.
That’s what are our role is.
Isn’t it?
You come far, my husband.
And you are too strong, my wife.
Did you think that I would reach this far?
Yes, isn’t it odd? That even our fragments fell in love, stuck in the same loop, how pitiful of them. Our heirs, and our fragments falling in love miserable towards one another, in an endless loop of love and hate and happiness.
Do you think they will win?
Who knew?
Did you know it from the start?
Do I even need to reply to that, my wife?
No, you do play this role of well.
Still, I never thought that it would be you.
My wife, you should stop telling the burnt woman and the knight’s tale to a person.
I can’t help it. If I don’t then it would be too unfair.
Tell me the clues.
You survive for more than many years. You knew of a history that shouldn’t have mattered, and your hatred for her.
Tell me, would you have been happier if you two got together?
I don’t know, my wife. I simply don’t know. I have no idea where she is right now. Do you think that I can even dare to look at that woman’s face? She doesn’t deserve someone like me.
I like her. If I could I’d rather be with her as well.
She wouldn’t understand.
I know she won’t. It’s hard not to fall in love with someone like her. That’s why I hate her.
You are confusing.
I confuse myself sometimes. Oh, that was a nice shot.
It shouldn’t be avoidable.
To the normal, it wouldn’t be.
Hmm, the sun’s being sucked out.
Should we finish this then?
How long until then?
I don’t know. But I will always find you.
I know. You always do.
Do you think something will change?
After being in this state, you choose to still say that?
Who knows? There might be a miracle. I never stopped believing about miracles, Adey.
And this is coming from the Maidenly God?
I can say the same, my Bleak Wayfarer.
Your smile never changes.
Same as yours.
So, are you ready?
Yes, I am. Not that you could win against me.
That doesn’t stop me.

***

You lasted an hour longer. That is impressive, my husband.
I live to please.
Does it hurt?
Not really. Doesn’t bother me anymore.
We are idiots.
That we are.
We should have found a better solution.
Yes, but perpetually is impossible. Even those who were worshipped by them didn’t last. Not even the creators lasted at the mercy of time. Repeat, and repeat, until we meet again. That’s the role we must play until our fragments can find a way. That’s what we are, Adey. That’s what we are. But I am afraid.
Afraid of what?
You took longer than usual to find me. You almost reached the billionth mark. I was starting to think that you have slackened on your role, my husband. Maybe, you should start finding ways to get stronger.
Your fragment is doing well. That’s why. And not like getting stronger would help me against you.
True, and your fragment is doing good as well. Strange that this time we met them.
Indeed, and there might be a time that your fragment might destroy you.
Nothing new then.
Adey?
See you later, and I hope I find you faster. I do miss you sometimes.
I feel the same.
I wonder what you’re going to look like next.
I am looking forward to it. You have been blessed with a decent appearance.
Not like appearance stops both of us.
Adey?
Yes?
That hurts.
I know.
I told you, no sneak attacks.
I had to. I wanted to die with you this time.
I see, then let’s sleep, okay?