New World

The moment I had been waiting for was finally unfolding before my eyes. The ethereal balance of shades began to dissipate as the gateway slowly opened, revealing a passage to another realm. It had been a long and arduous journey to reach this point, from losing everything that defined my existence to enduring countless trials. And now, I stood on the precipice, ready to embark on an extraordinary adventure.

Just as I was lost in my thoughts, a familiar voice broke the silence. "Seems like you're lost in your own world or preoccupied with something," remarked the Watcher, its voice cutting through the space in the realm.

I chuckled softly, acknowledging it's observation. "Yeah, you could say that. But no more thinking. It's time to go beyond!"

The Watcher's irritation was palpable as its responded, "Yet, even after all this time, your foolishness remains unchanged."

Unable to resist the opportunity for a playful retort, I replied, "Ah, come on! Give it a rest already."

As we drew closer to the Archway, I noticed Lula, on the verge of departure, shedding tears. She mustered her emotions and said, "I wish you could stay here, my foolish friend. But I know you have to venture out there and give it your all."

The Watcher, ever indifferent, urged me to leave sentimentality behind. "Forget about her! Let's keep moving forward!"

With a mixture of anticipation and trepidation, we stepped into the radiant light emanating from the Archway. Its brilliance enveloped us, infusing a warm and vibrant energy into our very beings. In an instant, we were swept away, and as my eyes fluttered open, I found myself immersed in a world that engaged not just my vision, but all my senses.

The earthy aroma of soil teased my nostrils, the sounds of nature filled my ears, and my feet registered the weight and texture of the land beneath them. I gazed skyward, marveling at the expanse above me.

As I took in the sights and sounds of this new realm, a lingering thought tugged at the back of my mind—something was amiss. It was then that I realized the absence of the Watcher by my side. Scanning my surroundings, I was taken aback by a captivating sight.

A young girl, her skin as delicate as a flower petal, stood before me. She appeared to be a few years younger, and she stood there, completely bare, radiating an innocent beauty. My eyes widened in embarrassment, and I quickly averted my gaze, not wanting to invade her privacy.

As I pondered about the girl's identity, she suddenly kicked me in the rear, exclaiming, "You fool! How dare you look at me!"

"Ah, I apologize. I didn't know," I quickly responded. However, something about her tone sounded oddly familiar, a voice I had heard before.

"Now you can look," she instructed me with a hint of amusement in her voice.

Turning my gaze back towards her, I saw that her tender skin was now concealed beneath a curtain of greenish clothing, adorned with a bracelet on her left wrist. Confusion filled my mind as I exclaimed, "How did you do that?"

"Oh, so now you want me to explain and show you how I did it? You're such a creep," she retorted in a strange tone that struck a chord of familiarity, although I couldn't quite recall where I had heard it before.

"Huh? I didn't mean it like that," I replied, feeling the irritation building up within me. Anger overtook me, and with our distance closing, I sternly asked, "Anyway, who the hell are you?"

"Me? I'm Piro Arnholt," she introduced herself, adding a touch of arrogance to her tone. "And you must be a complete fool not to recognize my voice."

I took a momentary pause, attempting to piece together everything that had transpired thus far. From my experiences in the previous world to the challenging trials I had endured, and now, the unexpected presence of Piro. Suddenly, it clicked in my mind—the missing piece. It wasn't just a missing part, but the Watcher itself.

"Watcher?" I muttered, the realization dawning upon me.

"Yeah, finally you got it right, Foolant," Piro replied, her arrogance reaching its peak.

Feeling utterly bewildered, I sat down on the ground, gazing at Piro, and asked, "If you possessed this form all along, why didn't you reveal it from the beginning? Why the guise of light?"

"It's a secret. For now, just know that I can only assume this form in this world. And my purpose ends here," she revealed, leaving me in a state of shock and disbelief.

After Piro revealed that her role as the Watcher had come to an end, I couldn't help but feel a mix of confusion and curiosity. It seemed like everything I had come to understand was suddenly turned upside down. I looked at Piro, my mind racing with questions.

"What do you mean your role ends here?" I asked, trying to make sense of the situation.

Piro sighed, her expression softening slightly. "I wish I could explain it all to you, Foolant, but some things are beyond my control. I am no longer bound by the duties of a Watcher, and my purpose was solely to bring you to this world."

I stared at her, feeling a sense of loss and unease. The Watcher had been a constant presence throughout my journey, and now it seemed that connection was severed. But before I could dwell on it further, Piro surprised me by offering to grant a wish.

"Ask any wish, and I will grant it," she said, her voice tinged with a hint of mischief.

I took a moment to gather my thoughts. Despite the confusion, I knew there was still so much to explore in this new realm. Piro's revelation left a void, but perhaps she could fill it in a different capacity.

"Miss Piro, your job as the Watcher may have ended, but that doesn't mean our journey together has to end too," I suggested. "Be my guide in this world. Show me its wonders and help me navigate its mysteries."

Piro raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips. "Oh, Foolant, you really know how to make things complicated. But being a guide is not something I can do."

"Well, you did say 'any wish,' and I just stated mine," I replied playfully, trying to ease the tension between us.

As our argument continued, a piercing scream erupted from the eastern side, shattering the tranquility of the moment and drawing both our attention toward the dense forest. The sound echoed through the air, carrying a desperate plea for help. Instinctively, my heart surged with a compulsion to move towards the source of the distress. Just as I began to take a step forward, Piro, wearing a concerned expression, quickly interjected.

"Where do you think you're going?" Piro asked, her voice laced with worry.

The urgency in her voice caught my attention, and I paused, meeting her gaze. "I'm going to help the person who called out for assistance," I replied without hesitation.

Piro let out an exasperated sigh, her brows furrowing. "But you have no knowledge of this place, and what if it's dangerous?"

Despite her valid concerns, my determination remained unswayed. "Nevertheless, I must go. There is a companion I haven't forgotten about. Although she is currently resting, once she wakes up, I believe we will be able to face any challenges that may arise."

Before setting off, a thought struck me, and I turned to Piro. "If you are genuinely worried, why not come along and guide me in this place?"

Piro hesitated for a moment, her gaze shifting between the forest and me. Finally, she nodded, a mix of apprehension and curiosity in her eyes. "Alright, Foolant. I'll come with you. But be prepared for the unknown dangers that may lie ahead."