Res lived differently from most Demi-Humans. They never knew what was so special about her other than her beauty. If they were triplets, then they all should have been valued the same, but Ber explained that this wasn’t the case.

While millions of Demi-Humans lived as unwashed serfs, slaves, and the wilderness in dilapidated shakes, a few hundred prospered as the lapdogs of influential figures.

“Res was intended to join them from birth. Since then, she’s been cherished by her village. She was the reason why we were left alone, but also why were harassed at every waking hour by merchants and assholes from the 13th Order.” Ber explained as she and Jury traversed the now barren streets of H5, making their way towards the tree where Alice disappeared.

A piece of the tale was spoken at every step of the way, a crucial fragment of Res’ past revealed at every corner.

“Sis… lived in a different kind of world from me. She was always surrounded by warmth. She grew up as a soft girl. Her hands weren’t calloused like mine, and she wasn’t whipped or beaten to near death like Cer. She was always mother’s favorite. That’s why she made me replace her. So that I could be taken away when the day came.”

Ber reminisced. The awful memory left her face to bitterly contort. But she was long over it, evident by her transformation. Her worry fell solely upon Res, who she knew would not be able to handle the weight of it all crashing down without her or Cer by her side.

Her perspective was limited. As the abandoned child of the lake, there was still only so much she knew. Ber continued regardless as they approached a memorial site where headstones of names written in a language Frost could not read surrounded a great tree.

“Our village was burned down one day. There was a toy Res purchased from a human market in one of the neighboring towns. They were on good terms with us mostly because of the Solem Paw’s control over the region. Raoul… wanted a safety net for us. Back when he cared.”

Ber fondly remembered those moments as they passed by the children saved by her sisters. Justica Arms members were stationed there to protect them, and they were accompanied by the presence of Azure, the Blue Moon who had been patiently waiting for their arrival.

Frost greeted them all with a nod, and Jury raised a hand to wave. Ber didn’t spare them a look and continued as they walked across the flowerbed.

“That teddy bear was something Res cherished. I became jealous. ‘Why is she allowed to smile like that?’ Dumb thoughts compelled me to steal it from her. That idiot blames herself for everything.”

Ber was transfixed with a terrible memory. She allowed Jury to view her thoughts with Time Seer, and the world surrounding Ber morphed to reflect a fractured window revealing her memories. Each fragment revealed a different scene, one with Ber holding onto the teddy bear, another where she viewed her village engulfed in flames, and finally –

– One where a giant, stuffed teddy bear could be seen cuddling Res. It was soaked in blood, its button eyes hanging from a thread. Its innards spilled from a gash in its belly, revealing an amalgamation of minced limbs rather than cotton stuffing.

Surrounding it was a sea of bodies too small to belong to an adult. They seemingly fused together into a carpet of flesh, each connected by a black thread. The Stuffed Teddy Bear caressed the horrified Res as the sound of splashing blood could be heard.

Ber was there on that day, and she had witnessed the carnage with her own two eyes.

The memories faded. The fractured window disappeared, allowing the tree to return. Ber was hunched over a band of seated children who munched on wrapped snacks without a care in the world.

“Res blames herself for massacre that night. I also lost my hands right then and there trying to save her… If Galia hadn’t arrived, then we wouldn’t even have tombstones to commemorate our deaths.”

“The root of Res’ suffering is guilt.” Frost summarized, reaching up to pat Ber’s head. Each stroke brought Ber back from her gloominess, eventually leading to a trusting grin.

“Res isn’t alone anymore. She has us to catch her if she falls.” Jury assured, causing Ber’s tail to wag.

Frost armed herself with this information, imprinting it into the forefront of her mind as she wondered why Res never came to her to unload her worries.

“I thought we were supposed to rely on each other.” Jury said. “We shouldn’t keep things bottled up.”

“What’s done is done. It won’t do any good blaming Res right now. I thought she’d be the least likely to Corrupt out of you three. I’m going to send everyone to Hora Therapeutics immediately following this. And fuck it, I’m admitting myself as well.” Frost spoke crudely, her emotions getting the better of her.

She couldn’t sit still knowing Res was in trouble.

“That’s what I’m saying. Res has been blind for too long. When the CognitO Filters let up, then she’ll be at the point of no return! Tch. At least Cer will be there. I don’t how Stella can help her, but… at this point, I’m willing to believe in miracles. That being said…” Ber then pointed over a man who had a paper bag on his head. “… Did Magus come to join us?”

“Oh. That’s Ayle. He lost his canvas. Stella took it with her when she dropped into the rabbit hole. I don’t what Stella asked or said to the White Rabbit, but she promised to keep her safe. So long as we fulfill our end of the bargain.” Frost approached the base of the tree. A hole too large for an adult to fit was what swallowed Alice according to Act X, and was confirmed with Jury’s [Time Seer] Skill.

Earlier, Frost established minor communications with the White Rabbit thanks to [Time Seer]. The White Rabbit approached like a moth to a flame, with Jury being the only one who could see glimpses of her.

Frost unfortunately, could not perceive them as of yet.

Their conversation was more of a one-sided, mental muse. Frost and Jury were the only ones who could hear her message. The reason the White Rabbit didn’t want to directly show herself was because of Jury.

She looked too much like Elysia; the one she referred to as a God of Cognition.

According to Nav, the Arbiter was unaware of the term.

But she vaguely knew of what the White Rabbit referred to as the ‘Miracle of Cognition’, or for simplicity's sake - The Source.

< The theoretical origin of everything abnormal. It predates countless facets of our old world, including you; the Captured Star. Before you, it was the derivatives of the rivers and strands that propelled our world to where it was >

Frost wanted to know if the Arbiter knew this all along. However, Nav assured her that while it was possible for the Arbiter to be hiding much of her knowledge, Anna had found a book pertaining to legends of the old world.

One of which was the Miracle of Cognition; its contents appearing hastily written, and half-erased as if the author had a change of heart mid-sentence. Another section was dedicated to Sinder, but any mention of Sinder’s Prophecy was effectively ripped straight from the book.

Again, its information was ravaged and torn like the mind of the author.

Books archived were kept in the same state they were conceptualized in. Meaning the grotesque writing was how the author intended it to be. But also, it could have been damaged by a previous raid by the Librarians.

Which brought about an interesting question.

What else did the Impuritas know about the old world?

A haunting suddenly bell rang.