"Hey, Heavenly Soul, are you alright?"
Behind me, 001's voice sounded, part comforting, part worried. I shook my head. All of this feels like a dream to me—so unreal, so detached. Right now, the pain clouding my heart is hard to describe. Maybe the Earthly Soul feels the same way.
"Probably not."
I smiled and shook my head. A bottle of liquor was handed to me. I glanced back—001 still looked worried. I laughed, pressed her head with my hand, and she crouched beside me. Every day, I sit at the entrance to the Land of the Dead, staring out at the distant yellow sand sea and blue sky, waiting until night falls, when the yellow sand turns silver and the night sky becomes pitch-black and dazzling.
After losing my origin, days passed, and things I never imagined or considered began to trickle into my memory. I truly wish I could see Ethan Zhang once more, but maybe that's impossible now. After learning everything, I gradually realized that the instinctual origin within me had always been loyal to Ethan Zhang—or rather, loyal to Hell, since it was created by Hell itself.
From the very beginning, the origin was guiding me—not the other way around. It kept leading me from within, making me record everything I saw, accumulating power through the force of Divine Law. Each time, it was the origin that awakened me, prompting me to help Ethan Zhang.
Back when we were still one person, the self-awareness of myself and the Earthly Soul wasn't as clear as it is now. Although we could influence some of Ethan Zhang's thoughts and actions, the final decisions always belonged to him. I sighed helplessly, twisted open the bottle, and drank deeply.
"If you're unhappy, just leave this place."
I shook my head. Right now, I can see myself clearly—here is the power of the realm, but at the moment, that power serves no purpose. I see more clearly than ever, and it feels as if I myself am a fragment of this realm, fading away.
001 hasn't asked anything during this time, just stayed beside me, never planning to leave. I can't step outside this place, but the Forsaken can move freely—and she is the strongest Forsaken in this world.
"Was it betrayal that you encountered?"
001 asked cautiously. I shook my head.
"It wasn't betrayal. It's more like an unexpected truth, something no one could have foreseen, and something no one can resolve. It's beyond anyone's control. At first, I thought our paths diverged after the three souls separated, but that's not it. The course was set from the very beginning—or maybe, from now on, I need to seriously think about what to do next. The Earthly Soul should already be undergoing its own trial."
At the mention of the Earthly Soul, 001 let out a sigh.
"That foolish guy, he drives me mad."
I smiled helplessly and kept drinking, glancing at the half-full bottle in my hand. I used to not know what this tasted like, but now I do. If I drink too much, I get tipsy, but it feels nice.
My whole body feels comfortable. I kept gulping it down, and soon the bottle was empty. 001 grinned and handed me another.
"Drink as much as you like, get drunk if you want. I'll carry you inside."
I grunted, tossed away the empty bottle. I used to think about Roxie Lane—she must feel the worst, right? But then I realized she’s actually fine. Once the Origin leaves my body, the power I used in the Forest of Desire to seal the Wraithlord will vanish too. The Earthly Soul should be receiving the Wraithlord’s guidance now. He’s found a way to ease his mind, and for me, this is the only way left.
"I'll figure out a way to get you out of here, and then find a way to strengthen you. When you return to the Living World, maybe you can go find Ethan Zhang."