Suddenly, I found myself once again in the endless white light.
It was blinding and infinite, stretching in every direction without end. I stood there, lost and weightless—until I saw someone ahead. My eyes narrowed.
It was… me.
But not quite. This version of me stood tall, cold, and emotionless, his gaze sharp as a blade. He stared at me with an intensity that chilled my bones, like he wanted to tear my skin apart and feed it to wild beasts.
Then he spoke—his voice void of warmth.
"You're stupid. Really… stupid."
Before I could react, his hand shot out, gripping my throat tightly. I gasped. My lungs ached for air, but nothing came. His grip tightened, choking me with terrifying ease.
I don't know why, but I was completely powerless in this place. I couldn't move. I couldn't even feel my body. It was like I was trapped in a dream where I no longer existed—just a hollow shell.
"What a ridiculous dream," he sneered, his voice colder than ice.
His fingers clenched even tighter around my neck as he lifted me into the air. I dangled helplessly, unable to speak, unable to resist.
"Sacrificing yourself… for the sake of others?" he mocked.
His words struck something deep inside me. They rang true. Even as everything began to blur, and my consciousness faded, I could still hear him clearly.
"Do you think your so-called talent can save you?" he whispered harshly, eyes glowing with contempt. "Don't tell me you've already grown arrogant… just because you're a little 'special'?"
His voice was pure frost. Unforgiving.
"It's a pity… That my past self would be foolish enough to make such a decision."
He dropped me.
The fall never ended. I tumbled through nothingness until the light vanished—and I was swallowed by an endless, suffocating darkness.
---
Now, I was underwater.
Strangely, I could breathe. My mind was hazy, heavy like it was drifting on the edge of sleep. I floated silently in the depths, shadows swirling around me.
Then I saw it.
A creature—no, a colossus. It was as massive as a mountain. Compared to it, I was nothing but a speck, an ant.
Its eyes glowed an eerie blue, illuminating the murky water. I couldn't see its entire body. It was too vast, too otherworldly—just a silhouette that stretched beyond comprehension.
And then… it laughed.
A deep, thunderous sound that rumbled through the waters.
"I am Sadness," it said, voice ancient and resounding. "And yet… I laugh. How amusing."
It paused, then added with dark humor, "The Hero... sacrificing himself? That's new. Never—never—in all the generations of Heroes has one done that."
Its eyes locked onto me. I trembled, feeling like a fragile insect under its stare.
Then it pointed at me.
There was something mysterious about all this. I had to ask.
"What… are the Emotions?" My voice was cold as ice, steady despite my fear.
The creature sighed. A heavy, echoing sound.
"Emotions… We are a Great Calamity," it said. "Our power surpasses even the highest known levels. Beyond the 8-Star rank you humans chase so blindly."
Its lips twisted into a smile, but the sight chilled my soul.
"I could turn you into my Core, but… you are the Hero. And for that, I will offer you a deal instead. Return to me my original Core. The one that was sealed long ago."
My heart thudded. This wasn't just some strange dream. It was real—and there existed a power beyond 8-Star. Far, far beyond.
"I… I understand," I said slowly, processing the enormity of what I had just heard. I had no choice. For now, I could only obey.
Suddenly, a starfish appeared above my head. With a flick of its finger, a massive surge of water erupted, crashing around me.
I looked up at the towering being once more. "How will I retrieve your Core?" I asked, my voice still cold, unwavering.
It chuckled, the sound reverberating through the water. "You'll have to enter a place where only the Hero may tread. Do not make any foolish moves… or that starfish will stop your heart instantly."
I nodded silently, my eyes growing sharper—colder.
Then, the staff within me pulsed with warmth and… amusement?
A voice spoke inside my mind—deep and delighted.
"Hmmm… you're lucky. Use the Legendary Spell and protect yourself using the Jelly. You can defy that stupid command."
I blinked, surprised. The staff had spoken before, but this time its tone was different. I focused on it, speaking mentally.
"Just what are you?" I asked. "Are you… an ally?"
It chuckled again, softer this time. "Yes, you could say that. I've chosen to become your ally. Your decision earlier—it surprised even me."
It paused, then added with a trace of emotion, "A true Hero… must be ready to sacrifice everything. Even themselves. For everyone else."
---
Meanwhile
Izumi paced restlessly, biting her fingers, her heart filled with dread.
Had he really sacrificed himself?
That choice… it could cost everything.
Her eyes welled up with emotion, but she didn't let the tears fall. Her goal—her only goal—was to save him.
To stop him from destroying himself.
To protect the one she held dear, even if it meant breaking herself in the process.
She had regressed time itself—just for him. Everything she had done, every risk she had taken, was for Akashi.
To help him.
To save him from the fate he was too ready to embrace.
She knew his heart. She knew that if anyone dear to him were sacrificed, it would leave scars he could never heal.
And yet… he was still Akashi.
The one who would walk into death for someone else's sake.
She clenched her fists.
But he wasn't dead. Not yet.
That meant there was still hope.
And so, she took a deep breath and whispered to herself, "I need to risk it all…"
She smiled faintly, the trace of sadness still in her eyes, and began to form a plan.