/ Scene: Alice's Room /
Alliter's scythe cut through the air—
—
But suddenly—
The space behind her distorted.
A crack.
Not like before.
This one—
Felt… absolute.
Something stepped out.
Alliter froze.
Her instincts screamed.
"…Who are you?"
The figure stood still.
Humanoid.
But incomplete.
No face.
No features.
Only a silhouette—
Formed from something beyond existence.
"…I am—"
The voice echoed.
Not sound.
Not language.
Something deeper.
Even reality seemed to hesitate.
"…Ah."
A pause.
"…I forgot."
The voice shifted—
Now understandable.
"Wrong language."
Alice's eyes widened.
Her body trembled.
[That… is…]
[Sana…?]
But—
No.
This wasn't the Sana she knew.
This was something else.
Something…
far beyond human.
Alliter's expression darkened.
She tightened her grip on the scythe.
"…I can't defeat you."
She said it calmly.
Not fear.
Understanding.
"You're beyond this world."
"Beyond this universe."
The figure smiled—
Though it had no face.
"I'm not here to kill you."
"…After all."
"You're Alice."
For a moment—
Alice felt it.
Warmth.
Something gentle.
Something familiar.
The figure turned slightly toward her.
"…You're my last chance."
"…to save her."
Alliter narrowed her eyes.
"So you're stopping me…"
"…for her?"
A soft nod.
"Everything that happens…"
"…has a reason."
"Even this meeting."
A pause.
"I don't have much time."
"…So I'll make it quick."
He raised his hand.
Reality bent.
No light.
No explosion.
Just—
Change.
Alliter's body began to fade.
Her eyes widened.
"…What did you—?!"
"I didn't erase you."
His voice remained calm.
"I sent you back."
"…To where you belong."
Silence.
Then—
She was gone.
Alice stood frozen.
Her thoughts—
Completely shattered.
"…Sana…?"
The figure turned back to her.
"…Alice."
His voice softened.
"…Please."
"Don't let him…"
"…sacrifice himself for you."
Her heart skipped.
"…What?"
But he was already fading.
"…Don't trust anyone."
"…Except him."
A pause.
"…But even then…"
"…be careful."
"He might die for you."
His voice grew weaker.
"And that…"
"…is the worst outcome."
Then—
He disappeared.
Silence filled the room.
Alice stood there.
Alone.
"…What am I supposed to do…?"
Her thoughts spiraled.
[Don't trust anyone…]
[Except Sana…]
[He will die for me…?]
Her lips slowly curled.
A soft laugh escaped.
"…He loves me that much?"
Her eyes shimmered—
Twisted.
Beautiful.
"Even across different worlds…"
"…different lives…"
"…he still chooses me."
Her expression slowly changed.
Serious.
Dangerous.
[Then…]
[My love…]
[Is it hurting him?]
Silence.