In a space of total darkness, date unknown—before the day the trumpet sounded.
The judgment hall was reconstructed, but this time, there were fewer figures present.
The figure shrouded in complete darkness spoke.
"Very well, today we deliver the final verdict regarding the Mother of the Ephemeral. The authenticity of the evidence has already been determined, and it is time to reveal the outcome."
The figures merely watched in anticipation.
A drawing formed before the figure, displaying a scene:
The figure was speaking to a human with black hair, a loose green jacket, dark casual pants, and an average appearance.
A sheet of paper manifested between the two silhouettes, revealing written words.
"Symbiosis Contract between the Worthy of Grace: Mother of the Ephemeral, and the Corrupted Human: Cain.
Maximum Duration: Until the last story is told.
Clause One: If the human enters into any pact with another Worthy of Grace, all extra abilities granted to him shall vanish, and his very existence shall become the property of the Mother of the Ephemeral.
This may change in the hypothetical event that both parties agree.
Clause Two: If the human reveals the secrets behind the Worthy of Grace to others of his kind, excluding the companion of the last life, the contract shall expire, and the legal measures established in Clause One shall be repeated.
This may change in the hypothetical event that the Mother of the Ephemeral perishes. (This will not happen.)
Clause Three: If the Mother of the Ephemeral fails to fulfill any of the requests made in the last life by the human, she shall fall under the jurisdiction of the Remnants, who will determine her sentence.
This may change in the hypothetical event that the Remnants perish for any reason before the marked date.
Addendum: This clause was added after life number nine hundred ninety-nine. The terms remain unchanged.
Clause Four: The human must fulfill the secret pact made between him and the Mother of the Ephemeral. Should he fail to meet the conditions of said agreement, humanity shall perish under the trumpets of the apocalypse with no possibility of salvation.
This may change if the Mother of the Ephemeral so decides.
Clause Five: If humanity stands on the brink of extinction due to any reason unrelated to the aforementioned pact (excluding Clause Four), the Mother of the Ephemeral must intervene and prevent it by any means necessary.
This cannot be changed under any circumstances.
Fine print: All of this may change if the Mother of the Ephemeral requires it. Ownership of the individual's existence shall transfer to the Mother of the Ephemeral if the expected resolution is reached.
This contract was made to validate the agreement between both entities and prevent the violation of verbally imposed regulations.
Signed: Mother of the Ephemeral. Signed: Cain."
The figures in the benches observed this with shock and indignation.
"Sinner! You falsified the evidence!"
The declaration echoed throughout the space, followed by murmurs of agreement.
The hooded figure shook its head and spoke.
"No, brothers and sisters. My earlier defense still stands. To prove it, I call the judge forward."
The figures in the benches fell silent upon hearing these words—they had never expected this.
The figure cloaked in darkness stepped to the center of the altar and waited patiently.
"Is it true or not that you made a pact with an anomaly before my alleged sin?" the hooded figure asked.
"Yes, it is true."
The spectators in the benches reacted with surprised expressions and murmurs.
"However, like you, I had my reasons for doing so," the figure shrouded in darkness said, pointing at the hooded one.
"Esteemed fellow Worthies. Are you not tired of the constant danger we face because of humans?"
"We must keep them away due to the Remnants they spawn. I have grown weary of living like this—I cannot simply sit idly by, waiting for our eventual end."
Unlike the looks of disgust directed at the hooded figure, when the one wrapped in darkness spoke, the others nodded in understanding.
"Yes, I've had enough of this!" one of the figures in the benches shouted.
The rest followed with their own declarations.
"It's unfair that we must hide because of those backward creatures!"
"They bring nothing but war and destruction, without even considering their own kind!"
"Why must we suffer for them?!"
The figure cloaked in darkness raised a finger and addressed the crowd.
"Exactly! That is why I have chosen to intervene."
"I made a deal with that so-called General so he could exterminate the human race once and for all. Though repulsive, he undoubtedly has the power and the will to do it."
"In exchange, I have given him tools to make it easier. But do not worry. Once the Remnant is on the verge of success, I trust that you will interfere and destroy him—eliminating all possible risks."
"I have done all this because I am sick of humanity's existence and what it causes. And also… because I trust you. I trust that you feel the same. I trust that you value our race's survival over those of mere primates."
Most of the figures roared in agreement, applauding vigorously. Only a few remained silent, lost in thought.
One of the figures who had neither cheered nor clapped spoke.
"Very well, let's assume what you say is true. That doesn't change the fact that you've defied the sacred scriptures. How do you intend to atone for that?"
"According to the law decreed by the Primordial One on the date [unintelligible], as long as there is just cause for intervention—and it is proven that the motive is to protect the existence of the Worthy of Grace—the punishment shall be determined by the collective. I believe sufficient justification has been provided."
"No, but that's not—" The spectator who had asked the question tried to refute but was cut off.
"So, what punishment do you deem fair, brothers and sisters?"
"None! How could we punish our Savior?! You deserve our praise!" one figure shouted, and the rest roared in agreement.
A few still seemed skeptical.
The hooded figure vanished from the space.
The remaining spectators, seeing this, fell silent and likewise disappeared from the tribunal instantly.
They deemed the hooded figure guilty for interfering with their savior.
The figure wrapped in darkness faded away, and the entire space shattered.
And so, the trumpets began to sound.