Mistress Of The Evil Forest-Case 194: Me and myself.

A few days after that incident.

Without any specific trigger, something tells me that it is perhaps time to start moving again. I've had plenty of time to gather myself, and although no breakthroughs have come out of it, the only way is forward.

''About time you'd think that, I suppose.''

''...!''

And, almost unceremoniously, that soulless voice reaches my ears. As I turn around, wondering how she has gotten into the Backrooms... I am once again reminded that her power is vastly above my comprehension.

''...You're here.'' I sigh. ''Good timing.''

Aurora gives it a head tilt on my bed, her long hair pouring out onto the white sheet like molten void, ''I was about to nudge you if you hadn't made up your mind earlier.''

''Is it something urgent?''

''Maybe. I have to tell you about it first, though.''

Then, with a snap of her fingers, the scenery around me abruptly changes. What hits me is a flurry of visuals straight out of a dystopian movie.

I stand floating far above a dome structure as gigantic as the ocean. Through the gap below me, I can glimpse the ordinary world encased within. Yet, just outside the dome's boundaries, barren, charred land stretches beyond the horizon, nurturing bizarre creatures that wander aimlessly.

From a distance, they seem no larger than mere insects, and although some certainly resemble them, I have a feeling they won't be so small up close. Some look like abyssal monsters of the deep sea, swimming in the air. Some take on incomprehensible forms, limbs and heads convulsing listlessly as they walk.

Yet, like the earth itself, their bodies seem as though they were burnt and carbonized, leaving their bumpy skins rusty black. Their eyes open wide, red as heated metal, matching that of the dawning sky.

''That's where HE came from.''

Right beside me, Aurora calmly points toward what is supposed to be the sun. There, a swirling void calls out to me. Taking up almost half the sky itself, the void looms over the planet while emitting that same irritating crimson aura as the fake moon.

This... is overwhelming.

But it's also new to me. Chloe told me that the final fights were depicted rather vaguely in the original game, and only a glimpse of the Heavenly Demon was revealed throughout.

So this is what HE is supposed to look like.

''That guy is uglier than you think.'' Aurora faintly chuckles. ''This is but just a mere imitation of the zenith—a bootleg black hole.''

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''...But why did you teleport me here?''

''I have something to tell you personally. A conversation with myself, perhaps.''

At long last, we face one another.

''It's about our fate.''

As soon as Aurora mentions that, her smile quickly disappears. Letting out a sigh, she holds a silence for a bit but soon opens up again.

''Unfortunately, with your current trajectory, defeating that thing is plain impossible.'' She says.

''...I can see that.''

''Let's talk about the existence of the [Heroine] first.''

''You mean Claire?''

With a nod confirming my guess, Aurora then directs my gaze toward the dome.

''From the start, the old civilization was already losing against the invader. Knowing this, Neveah hastily gathered what she could and constructed the dome to protect the last of humanity. But of course, that isn't her only goal.''

Boxing themselves into a cage can only delay the impending doom. For someone as intelligent as Neveah, I'm sure she wanted to...

''Cultivate power and permanently repel the enemies,'' Aurora utters as if taking the words out of my mouth. ''By harvesting the power coming from the planet's core, Neveah hoped to wield that for the survival of her species.''

With her slender finger, Aurora points to her face, ''Eyes green as plants, hair soaked golden as sun rays. Those are the characteristics of someone who has inherited the world's power.''

''...As far as I'm aware, it has been a long time since. Why didn't this plan be executed then?''

''It isn't that easy. Every planet or star is called a celestial body for a simple reason—they harbor divine energy. Following that logic, it takes a celestial human being to competently wield a celestial power. The Apollo lineage inherited that responsibility from centuries ago, and it would take many generations for the family's descendants to reach that state. The system is a convenient feature for that, so Neveah also built it.''

So that's the backstory of Claire, the heroine... but what does that have to do with me?

''But Neveah made a mistake.''

''Hm...?''

''She vastly underestimated the corrosion this invasion would have on the planet. By the time she realized it, it had already begun to crumble away. Just one [Heroine] wouldn't cut it anymore, so as a last effort, Neveah attempted to summon a helper from Earth, using most of her strength.''

''That came out of nowhere. Why Earth?''

''Maybe it's because Earth is under that person's rule, but the people there are more susceptible to divine energy. You just need to know that.''

After a long explanation, Aurora bitterly sighs, ''And the person who was summoned... is me. Chloe was also caught up in it, so we ended up fighting together. The results... I don't need to tell you anymore. It is only after I had gone back in time that Neveah decided to add the game elements for you guys to learn the enemies preemptively.''

''...''

''But enough of that. Let's get to the point—while Claire's current funnel of power is mostly the same, I'm sure you already have an inkling as to where your exponential growth came from.''

''...You, right?''

''Exactly. Transitions of power are always risky, but only you can perfectly inherit mine... because you and I are the same person. So now, it is time to act.''

Pointing straight at me, Aurora firmly speaks, ''This isn't an offer, nor is it a request—with the universe rejecting my existence, I will become one with you—your everything will be mine, and my everything will be yours—and we as a singular living being, will be the savior of this world.''

For a brief moment, I see a powerful emotion in her eyes. Somewhere in those voids, shreds of leftover humanity linger, now fueling her determination.

And I am speechless.

Soon enough, we return to the Backrooms, leaving behind the dreadful wind and the crimson world.

''Make of it as you like. Just know that I won't take no for an answer this time.'' Aurora says as she turns away.

''...''

''Ah, I almost forgot this. Get ready for the ball.''

''...Ball?''

Seemingly returning to her original nonchalant attitude, Aurora throws the galaxy mask at me, grinning, ''The imperial family is throwing a ball to celebrate the victory, so say goodbye to the mask. It's time to announce your—no, our existence to the world.''