"Hey." You leaned down, your voice dripping with venom you never knew you had. "Listen to me properly, will you?"

There was a tremble in Eve's hands. They glanced down at their palms before shakily raising their head to meet your gaze. Before, their gaze held a look that would strike fear in others. Now, that could not be further from the truth. What kind of emotion was in Eve's eyes? A quiet anger? Confusion? No, none of those felt right.

Fear.

"(Y/n)...?" Eve's voice was quiet, so quiet to where it could easily be dismissed as an illusion. "Do you reject me as well?"

The fearful look in their eyes morphed into desperation. At any moment, Eve could simply stand up. Yet, they chose to remain on the ground, under your gaze. It was strange seeing Eve's vulnerable expression—it was as if you were seeing a glimpse of the child they once were.

"What is your definition of rejection?" You asked. "Are you asking if I am rejecting you as a person? Your morals? Ideals? You like to talk, so why are you being so vague now?"

Eve didn't answer and seemed panicked when they couldn't think of a response to your question. They glanced around, as if searching for the answer.

"(Y/n), please don't hate me," they pleaded. "I can't—not you as well."

I don't hate you. For some reason, you found it hard to say those words.

Did you forgive them? Were you trying to find a means to understand them? Show sympathy?

... I find them pitiful.

"Eve, my main problem is how lightly you take other people's lives. Murdering someone within seconds and smiling after, casually saying sacrifices are necessary for weapons—I disagree with your morals." You frowned. "Human life is precious. Apparitions exist because of people's will to keep living. If we neglect to acknowledge that, then what would happen to this city?"

No response from Eve. You weren't getting through; their values were too fixed onto them. Just what kind of childhood did Eve have to make them like this?

If only the game gave me that information. Could I have helped them? Done something more?

For the first time since you've come to Anomalous, you felt powerless to save someone, someone living and breathing, right in front of you. Though you didn't want to, you turned away from Eve and approached Brynn's body.

Ugh... You stepped back. So much blood.

"(Y/n)," Amias said, his hands steady on your shoulders as he guided you away from Brynn. "Don't get your hands dirty."

Amias spoke with warmth and concern, yet the implications of his words were cold. You looked at him and he showed you a soft smile in return. Why didn't Amias seem affected by Brynn's death? In fact, he seemed like he'd be more sad if you got her blood on your shoe.

"Amias..." Aren't you sad at all? That sentence was stuck in your throat. "We should at least make sure we retrieve her body."

Amias looked confused. "Why?"

"She didn't treat me well. I didn't particularly like her, but that doesn't mean we should discard her like she's worth nothing." You cast a bitter glance at her corpse. "In the end, she did what she thought was right to survive."

Amias' expression remained impassive. Then, he glanced away and mumbled, "... I think she made some stupid decisions."

You stared at him in shock. "What—"

Cutting off your response, you felt a pair of hands on your shoulder, spinning you around as a cheerful hum broke the tense atmosphere.

"Miss Support, sorry to interrupt, but you're needed!"

Caleb gestured in Rose's direction. Oh shoot, right. The reason why you rushed over here in the first place. Eve, Brynn, Amias—all of that had to wait.

"Please make sure her body isn't left here," you said hastily.

He shrugged. "If you say so."

Even that reaction threw you off, but there was no time to linger on it. You shot one last guilty glance at Brynn's lifeless body before you began to run off.

"Wait!"

A firm grip halted your momentum. You turned around to find that it was Eve.

"I..." They swallowed. "I—I genuinely believed that as long as the city accepted my abilities, I'll be okay, but... The thought of you hating me... I don't know if I can handle that. (Y/n), you don't hate me, right? Am—Am I talking too much? You can slap me again so I know it's wrong—!"

Before you could respond, a sharp burst of energy flew through the air, one aimed towards Eve. It just barely grazed the bandaged part of their face. It didn't take you long to realise the attack was from Caleb. He had his fingers poised like a gun, and there was a warning glint in his green eyes.

"Miss support is busy."

Caleb and Amias stood between you and Eve. However, Eve's focus was fixed solely on you. They fidgeted with their hands restlessly. The corners of Eve's eye was tinged with red, and their gaze was glassy. Your hands clenched.

"We'll talk later," you said. "Don't cause trouble while I'm gone."



===



As an actress, one of the best, the art of controlling one's emotions was a given skill. Rose had played countless roles: charming, sorrowful, haughty; all done perfectly. The stage was Rose's domain, she could change the atmosphere and enhance the story being told as she pleased.

So, as of right now, the fact that her composure and emotions were slipping through her fingers faster than sand was a change she wanted to vehemently deny. Rose had awakened as a vengeful apparition at a later time than Shen, yet he still seemed to have a grasp over his emotions.

Why is that?

"It's okay, Rose. I'm strong, don't worry about hurting me."

That was Sara's voice. Rose didn't need to lift her gaze from the ground to confirm it. Hell, even if Sara attempted some sort of impression, Rose would know. Sara was her best friend. The person who stuck by Rose's side the longest, the one who always cheered her from backstage. Rose wouldn't trade the world for her.

Yet, the vengeful pull of her current state was coiling tighter around her senses. Emotions, bonds, connections—a vengeful apparition didn't care about these things.

This stupid, cursed state. Don't you dare make me hurt her.

The goal was to expose the chairman and his weapons, cause a little destruction, and then use her influence to rally the people. After all, in times of uncertainty, in times of panic, people look to power. Rose had planned to be that source of power. However, she couldn't even control her own emotions, let alone control the emotions of others.

Revenge. That single word swarmed her thoughts like a mess of broken props crowding a crumbling stage. She wanted to destroy everything, to find an outlet so she wouldn't feel so overwhelmed with all her anger and vengence. Hah. So this was what every vengeful apparition felt?

Rose couldn't tell how much time had passed. Whether minutes or hours, they all blended together. She heard muffled voices. Sara's one was clear and familiar, but there was also someone else.

That's...

Rose's thoughts wandered for a moment before the information clicked into place. That was (Y/n), right? Someone who was essentially unknown until recently, someone who captured the city's attention like a main lead. The person who had everyone talking, dividing the city's stance on apparitions. That was (Y/n), wasn't it?

Rose felt a presence kneel in front of her. She refused to look up. The moment she did, the fragile grasp she had on her emotions would snap.

Go away.

The bitter thought repeated in her mind, as if replaying it enough times would somehow make (Y/n) hear her. What happened next, however, was entirely unexpected. A touch. A light, innocent touch. One from a small hand. Ah... When was the last time Rose had felt anything? After becoming an apparition, the physical world became faint to her. She couldn't feel the beloved costumes she wore on stage, the props she used, the warm hand of her friends and fans.

But now, this touch... A child's hand?

Slowly, almost unwillingly, Rose raised her gaze.

Large, youthful eyes belonging to a girl stared back at Rose. The girl's eyes clockwork patterns and her expression was one of both awe and concern. Beside the child knelt another, one who looked identical save for more boyish features. Next to him was a third child with diamond shapes as his irises. Behind them all was a wolf.

Rose then looked at (Y/n).

"You..." God. Even talking was a task. "I don't want to be in your book."

(Y/n) nodded, as though she had been expecting that exact line. It was like she'd already read the script and was merely waiting for Rose to deliver it.

"Rose, do you completely understand my abilities?"

Of course not. There were rumours and whispers about it, and the only concrete information came from interviews where (Y/n) vaguely explained things.

"I write the stories of apparitions in this book. I try to understand them, even if it is just a little. If they reject my empathy, their story doesn't enter these pages," (Y/n) explained. "This isn't a prison, Rose. It's a stage. A way for your script to continue being written by your own hand. No curtain call unless you choose it."

"Why does it feel like..." Rose took a moment to catch her breath. "You only came to realise the last part recently."

(Y/n) smiled. A kind, gentle smile. Rose could understand why the SF liked her. If Rose were still human, working alongside (Y/n), she could see herself eventually being affected by (Y/n).

"New developments keep the story interesting, right?" she asked.

The words you spoke perfectly catered towards Rose's hesitance. Like a playwright who understood their actors better than they understood themselves. You two had never had any meaningful interactions when she was a human, so how?

I get it. The thought came to Rose like a spotlight shining in the middle of a dark stage. So that was how Shen remained in control of himself for so long. She was there. He was around someone like her.

Her gaze shifted to Sara. She was standing just a few steps away, her soft pink eyes filled with worry. Always worried. Overly so, even when they were teenagers. As an actress, Rose was mindful of every cut and bruise, which made it all the more shocking that Sara fretted over them even more than she did.

Rose's fist tightened. I don't want to leave the stage yet.



===



"...This was my office. It hasn't changed much even after many decades."

Security was less tight within the labs than usual due to the chaotic state the city was in, a chaotic state caused by Rose. This factor simply helped Shen slip into the building without too many issues. After all, he'd spent months quietly preparing for this moment. The labs. Where he had worked and where he had been made into an apparition. It was an inevitable location he should revisit.

"The chairman preserved this place well."

Was it a show of respect? Or guilt?

Shen hoped to retrieve more of his memories upon visiting his office. It wasn't something he would normally concern himself with. As an apparition, his sole goal was to survive. What use did memories have? However, these memories represented his humanity. It could stop him from succumbing to his instincts as an apparition.

Shen sighed. "However, it merely slowed the process."

In the past... He glanced around his office. My goal was to discover and learn more about apparitions and find a means to co-exist with them.

For a moment, his thoughts drifted to you. If you had crossed his path back when he was a researcher, what would have changed? It would've been nice to experience a semblance of normalcy with you. A word where you two were humans and could feel each other's warmth.

Suddenly, a memory resurfaced.

Right... I hid something here. What was it again?

Shen walked around the office in slow steps, hoping the details would come to him if he observed his surroundings in more detail. Arriving at his desk again, Shen's gaze fell on the bottom drawer. It was locked, requiring a pin code.

I'm surprised the chairman hasn't touched it.

With a flick of his hand, Shen froze the lock and shattered it, allowing him access to the drawer.

"Ah," Shen mumbled. "I just remembered the pin."

The apparition shrugged to himself before examining what was inside. A mere notebook, one that was incredibly thin. How curious. What was his past self thinking? Shen opened the notebook and scanned the contents.

"Hm..." Shen murmured, flipping through the brittle pages with care. "A man with a wish... The origin of apparitions."

Shen had discussed this topic with you in the past. It was but a theory with no evidence. Yet, the origins of such information was so enigmatic one cannot help but believe in it.

Will (Y/n) use this information to her advantage?

Shen flipped another page, and his eyes widened. In an instant, frost spread rapidly across the paper. A small motion of Shen's hand and the page shattered into fragments. His eyes remained indifferent as the remnants of the page fell to the ground, their contents now unreadable.

... (Y/n) shouldn't know this.

Shen had finished his business here. It was finally time to see you. You two didn't see each other often enough, and it was lonely not hearing your voice.

Keep her. Then you could always see her.

To Shen, you were everything. It was fascinating, in a grim way, how his instincts twisted that fact. You were seen as a necessity for survival, which urged Shen to keep you by his side at any cost. However, your beauty lied in your freedom. Shen couldn't dare say he loved you if he took that away.

Shen exited the labs, stepping into the tumultuous state of the city. It was no wonder weapons were developed. Apparitions were evolving, becoming stronger to where even trained AEI members were having difficulty. In fact, many apparitions weren't from within the walls. Within the cries and desperate pleads, Shen hated to admit that he felt indifferent. The only person that mattered was you.

Rose's influence seemed to be subsiding. Was she exorcised or did (Y/n) save her?

Shen continued to the centre of the city. There, a large crowd captured his attention. There were a series of protests from AEI members. The heat from the shouts were enough to make one forget the cold air for a moment.

"(Y/n) saved the vengeful apparition?!"

"We could've used her as a weapon!"

"What the hell are you saying? Did you forget that it was Rose? She was once an AEI member who protected us!"

"Yeah! Where the hell did your humanity go?"

"Well, it doesn't matter now! My mother was seriously injured because of her!"

"Rose was going to lose it anyway. Might as well make her useful!"

Shen had no interest in the upheaval. Instead, he searched for you in the crowd. And then, he found you. In the middle of everything, you were on the floor, catching your breath. A woman with brunette hair—Shen recalled her name was Sara—helped you to your feet. You showed her a grateful look before whispering something to her. Sara nodded before stepping into the crowd, attempting to calm the people down.

It would be quite difficult to talk to you with all these people around, wouldn't it? Shen snapped his fingers, and a sharp gust of cold wind rushed into the scene, silencing the heated debates of the crowd. With grace, Shen descended from above and his eyes met yours. You were surprised. Shen simply smiled at you adoringly.

"(Y/n)—"

A sudden flash of yellow split the air along with the crackle of electricity. The bolt of energy was aimed at Shen with the clear intent to exorcise him. Shen reacted on instinct, summoning a wall of ice to block the attack. Soon after, he created distance. The attack had been so sudden that it took Shen a moment to process its source.

Standing protectively in front of you, Amias glared sharply at Shen. The apparition's entrance had captured the attention of others as well. Murmurs and comments surfaced.

"That's the silver apparition, isn't it?" one whispered.

"The one who escaped the labs."

"Oh man, isn't this bad?"

Shen had quite the reputation. It was a little bittersweet knowing that he once worked to protect this city through research, and now that very same city saw him as a threat.

"(Y/n)," Shen said. "Can we talk for a moment?"

Amias' eyes narrowed and faint remnants of electricity sparked around his palms. Amias then looked to you, as if seeking permission or direction. With a slow movement, you shook your head. Amias hesitated, his lips parting as if to argue, but he swallowed his protest. No matter what, Amias wouldn't defy you, would he?

How incredibly loyal.

Amias then teleported in front of Shen.

"If it looks like (Y/n) willingly went with you, there will be more rumours about her," Amias muttered. "I rather pin the blame on me for failing to protect her."

Amias' gaze was cold, almost lifeless when he looked at Shen—so different from the warmth reserved only for you. Amias attacked, purposefully ensuring the space was blinded with his electricity. Shen understood Amias' intentions and responded with a swirl of snow and mist, conjuring a storm that veiled their fight from the public eye.

Amias stood a few meters away from Shen.

"No one will care for her more than I do," he said. "She's my purpose. I exist to remain by her side."

Shen envied the connection you two had. Amias could see you every day, stand by your side. However, out of everyone, Shen wondered why Amias seemed to be the closest to you.

If I got rid of him now... Shen's fingers twitched, frost curling around his hands. But he shook his head and instead said,

"I need her for my survival."

With that, Shen raised a hand, summoning spears of ice that converged into a cage around Amias. A cage that Amias could easily get out of.

Amias glanced to the side. "... Go."

Shen didn't need Amias' words, but a distant corner of his mind appreciated them nonetheless. Shen stepped past the storm he created and found you. Without hesitation, he slipped one arm beneath your legs and the other behind your back, lifting you.

"This feels like..." Shen hummed thoughtfully as he recalled something from the fiction books you recommended. "Ah, yes. The moment the villain sweeps the princess away."

"You see me as a princess?"

Shen laughed softly before carrying you away from the crowd. Shouts of AEI members grew louder and many tried to attack him. However, Shen defended with ease. He ensured that each strike of ice or gust of wind was only to repel, not harm. Shen didn't care so much about injuring others, but you did.

Shen brought you to a quiet part of the city. He set you down gently, hands lingering just long enough to ensure you were steady and also to convey his desire to hold you for just a little longer. Then, Shen noticed a bit of snow on your head, and he reached a hand to his lips to hold back a small chuckle. How adorable.

"(Y/n)," Shen began, discreetly using a bit of wind to dust off the snow on top of your head. "Do you remember this place?"

"Yeah, didn't you set up a candle and a table? Insane dedication."

"I'm glad it was 'insane' enough for you to remember." Shen studied you for a moment, his gaze softening in concern when he noticed the exhaustion on your features. "Are you doing alright?"

"Gonna be honest, I am so tired. A lot happened. I'm going to need time to process everything." You let out a heavy sigh, tilting your head back to admire at the cloudly sky. "But... at least things worked out in the end."

"Did Rose...?"

"She did." You smiled to yourself. "What a relief."

"I'm sorry I wasn't there to help."

"Oh, right." You looked at Shen. "Where were you?"

Shen tilted his head. "It seems like you expected me to be there."

"Uh, I mean. Big moments like the city being thrown into chaos suit your presence—that kind of sounds like an insult. Disregard."

Shen looked at you in amusement before changing the topic. He explained the process of him slipping into the labs and finding his original office.

"So while everything was happening, you were in the AEI building?"

Shen nodded and you were quiet for a while, contemplating. The enigmatic, thoughtful look in your eyes almost had an omniscient quality, as though you were piecing together a puzzle no one else could comprehend.

"Huh....so that's why things changed."

"Changed?"

You shook your head quickly. "Don't worry about it. Did you find anything?"

"I recovered more of my memories," Shen replied, his voice quieter than before. "It made me feel human."

You smiled softly. "That's good—oh, I can't be here for too long, sorry. I'm gonna cut to the chase. Did you want to say anything to me?"

"I mainly wanted to see you," he said. "But I do have a question. Your plan to save this city... Does it have to do with the story of the man who made a wish?"

You hesitated. "What if I said yes?"

"That requires you to leave this world." Through death, to be specific. Shen's voice sounded neutral, almost indifferent. However, he was sure you caught the faint tremble in them. "I don't want that."

You looked away briefly, trying to gather your thoughts. "Shen... A while ago, you mentioned the idea of slipping away to your apparition instincts. Do you have much time left?"

Shen offered a smile and didn't answer.

"You can always enter my book."

"I'm afraid I can't do that."

Not if I want to help you.

"Can't?"

Before Shen could respond, your device beeped. Someone was calling you. You reached for it with the intent to decline, but Shen's hand stopped yours.

"I also have to go," Shen explained. "I can't be around you for too long."

You looked at him, concerned.

"Don't look at me with those eyes," Shen murmured, a faint chuckle escaping his lips. "It'd make it impossible for me to look away."

You were beautiful. Blindingly so. Shen raised your hands to his lips, his touch feather-light, reverent, and kissed them.

"We'll see each other again. I love you."

As an apparition, it goes against my instincts to not choose the surest way to live.

However, I'd die without your happiness.