The moment she lays eyes on "Death" in the secret underground hall, Witch Haida takes off like a shot into the labyrinthine corridors.
How—how could she suss out this place? Weren't she and that person supposed to be stuck fast in the Acheron River?
Get a grip... You're Witch Haida, a big-shot Demon Lord now. You've got Atlantis back under your thumb. See, everything's right where it should be, they're all tucked safely in your embrace...
The Omega eggs are on the verge of hatching—your grand plan is almost complete. Soon, everyone will return, and even that fierce Vera will have to acknowledge your choices...
Witch Haida mutters to herself, morphing into the child she once was, awkwardly navigating Atlantis with both a fish tail and human legs.
Nothing will ever disappear again...
Haida bolts, a blur of motion, but "Death" is hot on her heels, a shadow dogging her every step. That unsettling burning sensation creeps closer to her back.
This place isn't that big, you know. Where do you possibly think you can go?
Eek!
Witch Haida lets out a high-pitched shriek, the scales on her body practically bristling.
She rolls forward, barely dodging "Death's" thrust. The spear tip grazes her pointed ear before burying itself deep into the wall beside her with a resonant thrum.
As she moves, the contents of her pouch tumble out—tiny mechanical components, just like the ones she'd shown Lustrous in her chamber ages ago.
No!
She watches a badly worn pen plummet toward the ground and instinctively reaches out, desperate to snatch it back.
But "Death" is quicker, plucking the pen out of the air mid-fall.
No! Give it back!
She lunges forward, desperate to snatch it back, but freezes as your weapon points right at her.
You still have something that belonged to the previous Sovereign?
She asks, recognizing the pen. She looks at the mermaid with a hint of surprise.
H-how can you talk so casually about the "previous Sovereign"?
Back then, you knew full well they were itching to follow the Death Lord and attack the Sanctuary! You knew how dangerous it was, yet you backed them without so much as a peep!
The previous Sovereign put all her faith in you! She gave you everything, even entrusted all of Atlantis to your care, and you... Mmph!
"Death" strides forward and yanks the Witch Haida off the ground.
I don't have time for your drivel and beating around the bush! The Omega egg attached to the Emissary is about to hatch—tell me how to get it off!
It's too late... The Omega egg has to hatch! It needs to soak up the waters of Acheron and hatch in Atlantis! You can't stop me!
Did you seriously think I was just some clueless idiot, good for nothing but stirring up trouble in Atlantis?!
Witch Haida shouts back, defiance blazing in her eyes. For the first time ever, she's found astonishing courage in the presence of this red-haired demon.
I used to not get what "death and separation" even meant. In Acheron, I was just an observer, that's all I was. I never had to think about it.
I never once imagined what it would be like when everyone in Atlantis was gone.
It was only when everyone actually left that I finally understood—but it was too late!
The Dawn Laws collapsed alongside the Laws of Life and Death. Through countless nights without darkness, she sat alone in her small allotted territory, endlessly reliving her memories of Atlantis.
I can't believe you branded me the "Witch Haida," banished me to that far-off demon turf, and then just took off to someplace even farther, never to come back!
Even if we have to part ways, it should be when everyone finishes their duties in Hell, joyfully plunging into the living waters of the Acheron River, crossing to the other side, and returning to the mortal realm to experience life anew.
Even if you all return to Hell as wrinkly old men and women, I'd still recognize you! I'd at least be able to laugh out loud before kicking you back into the river again!
This isn't how it was supposed to end!
Witch Haida transforms into her Lamia form, her anguish erupting in a piercing wail.
Tears stream down her face as she snatches back the pen, breaking free from the grasp of "Vera" before collapsing to the ground.
She clutches her Halberd Blade, gripping it tightly as she rises again to face Vera.
Why challenge the Sanctuary? Why chase after something that's practically impossible?
Why team up with humans? Why are you so good to them?
That thing everyone else is after... why can't I ever get a clear look at it?
She frantically grapples with questions she can't comprehend—or rather, truths she's been running from all along and refuses to accept—clinging to them like a lone piece of driftwood in a raging flood.
It's just like that day when she suddenly stumbled upon a chance to reclaim her former life; she immediately clung to it with all her might, terrified of letting the opportunity slip through her fingers.
So you're saying... the "Omega Egg," kept safe in the Sanctuary, can step in for the Acheron River's function for a bit?
The shadowy figure across from her gives a gentle nod.
If you dig through the ancient scrolls of the Valley of Ash, you'll find that the Omega Egg actually springs from the same source as the Acheron River. It truly belongs to Atlantis.
The Sanctuary snatched it away, then threw the Death Lord into a cell, causing the very Laws of Life and Death to unravel. Now, the Acheron River is nothing but still, stagnant water.
Witch Haida's eyes go wide, and her body trembles ever so slightly at this revelation.
If the Acheron River has become stagnant... then is that egg... the only way to bring everyone back?
What are you trying to do?
The figure before her seems to crack a small smile.
What a bold and dangerous idea.
D-don't look at me like that! I'm n-not afraid of the Sanctuary.
The Chaos Gate Emissary's arcane gate can take you anywhere, even right into the Sanctuary. I could sneak in that way... Yes, if I talk the Emissary into helping me, then disguise myself as someone from the Sanctuary...
It's not as easy as you think, Witch Haida. The Sanctuary is not a place to be trifled with.
Then what am I supposed to do?
Perhaps... I can lend a hand.
That day, she makes a tough call, each step as painful as if she's walking barefoot across the Sanctuary's burning floors.
Yet, she clings stubbornly to her last shred of hope, firmly believing that pulling this off will set the world right again.
She stands beneath the Sanctuary's magnificent dome, her gaze fixed on the only "star" within her grasp—the Omega Egg.
She leaps forward and sweeps it into her arms in one fluid motion.
That egg can replace the Acheron River and free the "stones" trapped there, unable to be reborn.
What? That's stupid—
Right. Of course, you'd just doubt me again.
You think I might have been led astray by someone. I have my own nagging doubts, too, but my hands are tied.
Look at you! Haven't you also put your faith in some human and gone down the wrong road, challenging the Sanctuary?
Everyone treats me like a kid, dumping me in some godforsaken place even ravens wouldn't touch, just to be some piddling witch!
Witch Haida, her hatred palpable for everything in sight, glares furiously at you, who is pointing a blood pistol at her. The familiar raven also peeks its head out from your satchel.
Caw—?!
I can't take it anymore, Vera! You're a total liar! A complete thief!
Vicious, bossy, and utterly unreasonable!
Witch Haida suddenly raises her Halberd Blade, pointing it directly at her opponent.
Get out of my sight—vanish into the abyss!
