Dimensional Descent

"What is this supposed to mean?"

Joel stood as the core of the group, he knew that he had to. If he let anyone else lead the conversation, there would definitely be some words exchanged that couldn't be taken back. It was his duty to at least try to keep things as amicable as he could, but even he was on the verge of losing his temper.

They had all been worried about Leonel. This state of ignorance they were all in just made things a million times worse, especially since they were all forced to stay here without the ability to interfere.

It could be said that their nerves were fried, their tempers were short and their fuses were even shorter. It was a powder keg that was difficult to keep control of, even for Joel.

He could barely keep the edge of aggression from his voice, his tone even and calm. At that moment, he wished he could detach himself as easily as Leonel did.

At that moment, Yuri stood with several things in her hands.

One was the Segmented Cube that Leonel almost always left with Aina these days. It was one of his most important treasures, and it was the closest thing to home he had. His reasons, then, for leaving it with Aina so often was clear.

He wanted her to know that he would always return, that she was where his heart was and only with her could he truly unwind and relax.

of it. From time to time, the talisman would light up as though someone was trying to make use of it. But, Joel knew enough about the Dimensional Verse now to know that anyone who wasn't

If anyone other than her used it, it would begin recording and relaying the situation back.

behind Yuri, her golden eyes reflecting the pulsing light of the talisman. Every time it happened, her gaze seemed to become more and more dead, the paleness of her skin reaching the point

He should have been focused on his escape, but once or twice a minute he would pour his Force into his own talisman, checking to see

necklace Aina always wore. Leonel had made it for her 19th birthday. Since that moment, she had never taken

necklace was more than just a pretty gift. That day Leonel gave it to her was the day she was finally open about the feelings she had for him. She had almost forced herself onto Leonel for fear that if she hadn't done so, she

that helped them win the war against Terrain. Aina could still remember every feeling of horror, pain and anxiety she had experienced in those months. But that necklace was like a

last thing

part with. Every item was

when one wanted to hide. If any other man had given her such

gave it to her, she could feel the care put behind it. He didn't give it to her because he was ashamed of her face, he hadn't given it to her because he wanted to help her hide either… He had only given it to her for the sake

existence had been a constant torture. The pain, the itchiness, the constant reminder that her face was forever marred by the people she hated most in the world, that her mother had likely experienced far worse than

she received this