The world was a blanket of white.

A beautiful world coloured in iridescent lights, sparkling particles, rays of rainbows.

Feathers descended from the sky, covering the ground in a layer of white. Rippled spread through the clean fresh air. A tinge of divinity, calm and tranquility could be felt just by existing here.

I grabbed the blue jewel and crushed it. Blue Kaizer appeared in my hands.

Regardless of how alluring this realm is, the painful chill just wouldn’t go away.

I raised my body, pushing against this pressure.

Floating in the air– the atrium of the shopping mall distorted into a heavenly domain– The Seraph.

A golden pyramid with an eye on each side, long white eyelashes gently fluttered as fresh blood dripped down the edges. It created thick strings of red. Around the pyramid were a pair of twisted rings, the surface covered in eyeballs.

Halos wrapped around its head, feathers fell from its wings.

The divine existence.

God’s envoy.

Radiating divinity, wrapping itself in this regal luminance.

The Seraph’s eyes convulsed, rolling back, out, in, before it began to make these uncomfortable grinding noises.

Ding.

The sounds of the silver bell echoes.

Brr.

The sonorous blare of the trumpets enrapture the world.

{WaRnING: StATuS diFfEREntIAL iS TOo gReAT}

{YoUr aTtrIBuTEs HaVe bEEn SUPprESseD gREatLy}

“Shit.”

I was shaking, really shaking.

Unlike the typical black and white world, frozen people here were represented as finely sculpted quarts statues. Angel wings attached to their backs.

Except mine. It was made of dirt rock.

Ding.

The Seraph floated towards somewhere.

“HELP ME!! HELP!!!”

I can’t do anything about the demon on the upper floor, I just wouldn’t reach in time.

Or would I.

My legs were trembling, shaking.

I could barely move.

Yet.

“What’s wrong with me, haha.”

I found myself grinning; I tightened the grip around Blue Kaizer.

I raised it and pointed it towards The Seraph.

Take this, son of a bitch.

The laser shot forth and hit the halo.

My body trembled, I held myself from falling.

Trembling.

Convulsing.

My knees were buckling.

I couldn’t even look up.

Was it looking at me?

Damn it.

The pressure is ridiculous.

So this is The Seraph Radingo mentioned?

Run.

Avner, Run.

It’s your only hope.

Ding.

I fell to my knee, nausea struck me, I couldn’t breathe.

“Get yourself together!”

BAAAMM!!!

I was pulled at by the arm.

I didn’t recognise her, but I suppose she’s a demon like me too.

What weapon is that? Matching the colour of the katana, the vein-like webs wrapping her entire right arm pulsated in crimson.

Brr.

“Fuck this!”

She took out from her coat a cube and threw it behind.

A dragon’s roar so loud it should have ruptured my eardrums, erupted. I heard her command faintly through the ringing of my ears.

“I’ll get you to the entrance, after that you have to run far enough to escape from the Boundary.”

“Y-Yes.”

Ridiculous.

I’m weak.

I shouldn’t be this weak.

“How about that other demon up there?!”

“My fleet is already on it. Don’t worry about it and just run.. jump!”

She pulled me to the edge of the glass fence and lept. I didn’t hesitate, falling at least 4 stories before landing on the soft ground. Feathers cushioned the impact, blowing up into the sky.

“Run to the exit and don’t turn back! I’ll hold it down here for you!”

She’s stronger than me.

Avner, don’t try to be a hero and escape.

The faster I escape, the greater the chances of my survival.

The greater the chances of her survival.

I’m a burden.

Crap, I don’t even know where the exit is.

Ding.

BOOOM!! BOOOM!! BOOOM!!

I didn’t even have the courage to turn back and watch the fight. The imprint of fear weighed heavily in my mind.

I followed the heavenlified signs which showed directions to the train station, different stores, toilets, and..

The exit.

Entrance B.

I don’t think she would point me in this direction if the entrance is somehow closed. I made a mad dash. The glass door was open, white statues crowding the place.

I’m pretty sure these are indestructible so sorry for stepping on your heads!

I made my way out of the shopping complex. The world beyond was the normal black and white astral space I was used to.

“Run, about a kilometer..”

A movement.

I prepared my sword stance and backed away. Someone stood in my way. I narrowed my eyes.

“Hold up, who are you?” he asked.

An angel, or demon?

I can’t differentiate the two.

“You’re under our..” he looked above my head, then at the golden chain on my wrist, “Then that means you were caught up in the mess huh? I apologize for that, it’s a blessing you were able to escape.”

Angel. Definitely an angel. What now?

I looked around and found that this place was teaming with them. Curious, they were looking at me. Camping at the entrance? Waiting for the demons to come out just so they can slaughter them at the best and worst possible timing?

What a disgusting tactic.

Run.

Escape.

Really?

Do I just leave it?

What if other demons came out from this entrance?

Their lives would end here wouldn’t it?

I don’t know if escaping means that I would lighten the demon faction’s burden or that I’m turning a blind eye to something even they’re unaware of.

“Contacts.”

{SEARCHING_FOR_CONTACT}

{Contacts: Cain Ghron, Pu’er Greenwood, Pu’er Julis}

It’s not like I can contact anyone that would change anything.

I’m conflicted.

What would be the best course of action?

“What? This demon fledgling is our ally? Did some error happen with the bureau or is it a fake?”

“Tell me your name, and class.”

The angels began approaching me, a mix of hostility, curiosity and plight.

“Avner Cross, Frigate.”

“He’s registered,” the angel checked my data on some sort of floating terminal.

“What? Seriously? He’s a fledgling isn’t he? How?”

“Look at the list and see for yourself.”

“My bad, my bad.”

“This way to escape alright?”

The angels led me out of the plaza.

“Just leave the range of the Boundary, be careful of the demons out there. Or do you need me to escort you?” a female angel asked.

“I think I’m alright.”

“Okay, then take care.”

“Are you going to kill the other demons that don’t have this?” I raised my wrist to show her the chain.

“Yes.”

There wasn’t even a shred of hesitation. A clear resolved reply. I gripped Blue Kaizer in my hands.

Fight. Escape. Fight. Escape.

How many angels were here? I don’t want to kill them, at least disarm them so that the demons can escape.

No.

Considering how previously that elf who warned me managed to escape, there must be other routes.

No.

I have no idea how time works in the astral space. Did time completely stop or did it only slow?

Were there many demons that got caught up?

“You’re concerned about them aren’t you? I understand how you feel, but you’re one of us now. You have to decide which side you're on and draw a hard line.”

The female angel patted my head.

“It’s not easy even after you’ve made the vow. I’ve met other demons that struggle with this too. More so, you were just born weren’t you?”

I wanted to say I chose neither.

But I didn’t have the courage or determination to.

I haven’t made a choice.

Or rather, my choices had always been in accordance with my own convenience.

Right. Let’s not lose track of things.

I already told myself that I’m going to avoid involving myself in this.

I’m no hero. Don’t create more chaos. Don’t be a busybody.

Just escape.

And pray that the demon that saved me earlier survives.

2.27.

I made it to the Boundary after following the roads. It took me a good 15 minutes to reach this place.

The Boundary is a giant dome encompassing the central point of the astral plane’s initial erection. That’s most probably where The Seraph is.

Watery ripples spread across the surface. Beyond was a faint dull world of flickering colours.

This is the first time I’ve seen this. To think that I’m going to leave through the Boundary.

Excited? No.

I feel disgusted at myself. Disgusted at the choice I made.

But it’s for the best.

For it would only cause more problems if I tried to fight against all those angels.

I touched the Boundary, it’s solid yet liquid, like goo without being sticky. A great ripple spread across the surface.

Applying more force, my hands began to sink into it. And at a point, the Boundary began sucking me in.

My body fell into space. A kaleidoscope of colours spun around me, the feeling of standing on flat ground returned and I felt an intense pang of nausea.

“Avner?! Are you alright?”

“I-I’m fine.”

My breathing was a mess, I had to lean over and support myself.

“Big bro..”

“We better go quick, come on Avner,” my father supported me.

“Thank you.”

{WARNING: YOU ARE BEING WATCHED}

I really need to get out of here.

===

I did in the end use the bathroom to clear my stomach.

My parents had gone home with Lia by the time I came out. I took a shower alongside my business so it took a while, as expected.

Wiping my still wet hair with the stale white towel, I watched as grandma and grandoa tear off bricks from a tower made from blocks.

Jenga.

“Yes?” Grandma asked.

“Nothing. I’m just surprised that people still play this.”

“Ah, it’s an old people's game. Youngsters these days play with floating ones and such.”

I found it weird how they considered Jenga a game for the elderly. I suppose these sorts of dissonances will continue to exist as long as Shin’s memories remain.

“Should I turn off the heater?”

“No dear, just leave it on. We’ll be there shortly.”

“Okay.”

I went to my new room.

Plain and empty. The walls were a nice cream colour, black shelf extensions on the wall where I can put my stuff.

Most of my items were still kept inside those unopened boxes. All stacked in the corner over there. A mattress had been prepared alongside a pillow.

There’s still a need to buy another set for Lia when xe arrives tomorrow.

I should begin unpacking.

[“How are you doing over there? Call if anything alright?”]

[“I’m fine mom. I’m unpacking things now. Thank you.”]

[Avner, key permission is required to connect to the central command of this apartment unit.]

As soon as Randell finished saying so, a display popped up which required me to input the password.

Then a thought. Has the internet become a free amenity of this world?

No, rather, I think it came included in the OptAR package.

Doesn’t that mean I won’t be able to use Wi-Fi with the laptop then? I’ll have to test that out. Maybe I need to do tethering.

“Randell, I’ll ask my grandparents for the password later. Just be patient for now.”

[Understood.]

Randell went into hiding.

I unpacked my clothes and arranged them in the closet. I need hangers.

Then all the miscellaneous stuff like the male cosmetics, dry snacks, blanket, chargers, etcetera were arranged into their respective spots.

I left a lot inside the box and hid it inside the closet.

I connected the laptops and the tablet to the power socket which had this odd one pin configuration. I switched it on and waited for it to charge.

The lithium batteries inside must have died after not being in use for who knows how long. I might need to keep them hooked on power every time I need to use them.

Actually, can’t I just hook the drawing tablet to my glasses? This does come with bluetooth connection, doesn’t it?

I did some research for the model while I waited for it to charge to a point where it could be powered on. After which I updated the tablet and installed the necessary driver into my glasses.

I had to trouble myself by going to the storage to find the small cable which connects the OptAR to the tablet– which I eventually did with Randell’s help.

I booted up the drawing tablet along with the free shabby drawing software and presto.

A success. All the files were also accessible.

I tested it out with the stylus. The haptic feel of it just makes it so comfortable. I went into the settings to make adjustments to the pressure curve.

Good. Wonderful. Amazing.

I made a fist pump in the air.

I can’t believe I actually found a drawing tablet here.

Now that I know I don’t need a laptop, I trashed it back into the storage and came back to my room with a happy gait.

I opened up my most recent piece and wow, there are a lot of colour corrections I need to do with these.

Time to get drawing!

===

I drew until 1 am in the morning.

My grandma checked on me somewhere around 8 pm, to which I said that I would sleep soon.

I inevitably didn’t.

I finished 2 new pieces in just this short one night. Of course, there’s still some polishing and adjustments that I won’t know it needs until I come back with a fresh pair of eyes. Nevertheless, I haven’t felt this satisfied for a long time now.

I’m completely beat.

“Randell, set my alarm to 8 am in the morning.”

[For today only?]

“Yes. Thank you.”

[Sunday alarm set to 8 am.]

At 2 am in the morning, I turned off the lights and went to sleep.

Or tried to.

Everytime I close my eyes, the memories come flooding back in episodic flashes.

The various deviations of which could’ve happened to me.

If not for my unusual willpower.

If not for the demon who tried to intercept The Seraph.

If not for the fact that I was an angel’s ally.

If not for the fact that I made the decisions to escape.

Everything could’ve ended there.

Its divine glow. The innumerous eyes staring back at me.

Everywhere, from all directions. Staring.

Staring. I could feel them, eyeing every inch of my being.

The sound of the silver bell.

Ding.

I opened my eyes, my body trembled.

I got up and hugged my knees, my breath all shaky.

“What in the world..”

I didn’t stay up late because I was excited about my new drawing setup.

It was merely an excuse to mask the real reason.

Fear.

I was trying to fool myself.

I looked at my trembling hand.

Fatigue from overexertion? Or an unyielding sense of fear?

Ding.

I covered my ears.

Such a terrifyingly beautiful sound.

“I-I don’t understand..”

Had I ever been this weak?

There’s this gnawing feeling in my heart. Somewhere that’s telling me that this wasn’t supposed to be.

I’m better than this.

The Seraph wasn’t the worst thing I’ve encountered.

Because Avner had successfully killed Seraph’s in his past life?

Do demons also have their own versions of The Seraph?

Ding.

Stop hearing. Stop thinking.

Was it alright to leave the demons like that?

Did they die?

What happened to the angels?

Will The Seraph continue to haunt the shopping complex?

Doesn’t that mean I’ll have to face it again tomorrow?

Trembling with cold sweat.

Tears began to trickle down.

Ridiculous.

You’re so weak.

Absurd.

I never thought something like this existed in <Cookie Cult>.

Of all the major characters involved in the story, I now see why Novelle said she wanted more time to flesh out his story.

Comparing him to all the other 3 characters. There’s no doubt that Avner’s backstory is the craziest.

===

dotturndot: bloody h*ll. Scary stuff. Now you know what that pyramid (that looks like Bill Cipher) in the cover art is all about. You’ve seen right? The art? It’s on my website.