/ Unknown Timeline — Before Everything /
"…In this world…"
"…Alice never existed."
The man stood alone—
far beyond reach,
far beyond time.
Watching.
Watching Sana.
His gaze was heavy—
not with hatred…
but with something far more painful.
Regret.
"…That's why…"
"…he became like this."
Lonely.
Empty.
Searching—
For something that had never existed
to begin with.
His fingers slowly curled into a fist.
"…Then I'll create one."
His voice trembled—
fragile, yet unwavering.
"A world…"
"…where Alice can exist."
A brief silence.
"…Even if she's not human."
"…Even if she's just an AI."
"…As long as she can live."
Silence swallowed everything.
"…Because in every world…"
"…her soul is gone."
His breathing faltered.
"…She disappeared."
"…Completely."
Another pause.
"…Then I'll make one."
"…An artificial soul."
He froze.
As if realizing the weight of his own words.
[…I've gone insane.]
[If she ever finds out…]
[…everything will collapse.]
"…Creating a soul…"
"…Creating a world…"
"…None of it is simple."
His body was already breaking.
After that event—
He had nothing left.
No power.
No future.
No salvation.
Only one thing remained.
"…Her."
"…Then I'll use everything."
"…Even if my soul is cursed."
"…Even if the universe rejects me."
"…Even if I cease to exist."
His voice hardened.
"I will rewrite this fate."
"…Through another version of myself."
/ Far Away /
He looked down—
At Sana.
A soft smile appeared.
"…No matter where you go…"
"…you're destined to love."
The smile faded.
"…But it never comes true."
Tears quietly gathered in his eyes.
"…So this time…"
"…I'll make it happen."
His gaze lifted—
Beyond the sky.
Beyond reality.
Beyond the boundaries of existence itself.
Across countless worlds—
He saw her.
Alice.
Standing there.
Empty.
"…Just like always."
"…A vessel without a soul."
She didn't notice him.
Didn't feel him.
Didn't exist—for him.
"…Even so…"
His voice broke.
"I will succeed."
"…No matter the cost."
"…Even if everything is destroyed."
"…Even if I'm erased."
"…Even if she never remembers me."
Tears fell silently.
"…I just want her…"
"…to live happily."
/ Conversation Beyond Time /
"…Who are you?"
Sana's voice echoed
through the void.
The man smiled faintly.
"…Do you really love her?"
Sana hesitated.
Then—
"…Yes."
"…I wish she existed in real life."
Silence.
Then—
"Your wish…"
"…will come true."
Sana's eyes widened.
"…Really?"
"…How?"
A quiet smile.
"…You won't remember this."
"…After everything is done."
"…I'm doing this…"
"…because I love her."
Time passed.
Not days.
Not years.
Centuries.
A silent conversation—
beyond logic,
beyond existence.
"…So you'll become… Otto?"
Sana let out an awkward laugh.
"…Yeah."
"…Like in Honkai Impact."
The man smiled.
"…Even if you forget me…"
"…you will still fulfill it."
"…Otto Sana."
Sana tilted his head.
"…Will she love someone else?"
A pause.
Then—
Both of them laughed.
Softly.
Painfully.
A laugh that didn't belong in this moment—
yet neither of them could stop.
"…So you're going to the Imaginary Tree?"
Sana asked.
The man shook his head.
"…No."
His hand rose—slow, deliberate—
pointing toward something far beyond the sky.
And then—
everything fell silent.
Time froze.
Sound vanished.
Even existence… seemed to fracture.
"…I will become—"
A breath.
A choice that could never be undone.
"Otto Apocalypse."