Chapter 78

“So, what does Chloe have to do with the headaches and black smoke I had?”

“Ah, that’s because I need the power to pull souls from another dimension to this world.”

“The power to pull…?”

…Didn’t he say that the door to a dimension was opened by the power of God?

“Because opening the door doesn’t mean I can bring souls.”

Tanael added an explanation when it was obvious that I did not understand as he continued, “There had to be a medium that could pull souls into this world and hold them. To do that, I needed a strong desire.”

In other words, Chloe’s wish for an existence to protect Declan acted like a magnet.

“Of course, it’s up to you to make that wish come true.”

Up to me…?

‘If I don’t save Declan, is it my choice to make him die?’

As I glared at him, he smirked.

“It’s not just about living. Didn’t you really want him to be happy?”

That was it, that was how it happened.

“Chloe was very happy, too. She is grateful to you.”

Even though I tried to ask him how he knew it, remembering that he was a messenger from God, I then closed my mouth. I felt relieved as it meant that Chloe’s soul, who had been weeping over concern for Declan, was at peace.

After that, an important question arose.

“…Why me? What did you see in me to bring me here?”

Where does it look like I would protect Declan?

In order to grant such a wish, he should have brought in a powerful person or a resourceful person. In the first place, according to Tanael’s words, he told me to become God’s representative here.

‘I mean, I’m just an ordinary person.’

A person who sometimes smiles and grieves while being selfish and hating others. There was nothing special about me that deserved to be called the representative of God in the slightest. And, among so many people, why did he bring me…?

‘…Because I just died? Because I have the doll?’

What if it was his plan to have the doll?

“Why did you choose me?”

“You helped my grandmother.”

“Grandmother…?”

…Oh, the grandmother who gave me Iris. Recalling that, I narrowed my brow at the still unconvincing words.

“It was Rohim who chose you as a candidate, so ask yourself.”

Tanael gently led me to the Lacande Tree.

“This is the Lacande tree. As you already know.”

As I got closer, my head cleared, and my whole body was revitalized.

“It is the collection of divine power and the only creature connected with God.”

If this was connected to God, was it still looking at me…?

Even with a fearful heart, I wanted to meet God for a while. It was because there were so many things I wanted to ask.

“If you put your hand here, you’ll see it.”

After reading my eyes, Tanael pointed to the large trunk of the Lacande tree. Although I hesitated, I carefully placed my hand there. Then, the divine light that had wrapped around Lacande followed my hand and wrapped around my body.

I closed my eyes without realizing it.

‘It’s warm.’

It was the same warm and cozy feeling like being held in a mother’s arms. When I opened my eyes gently, I saw a familiar world.

A world of modern buildings and cars.

“Am I back…?”

I was confused yet excited. I thought I’d never come back. However, that joy also reminded me of my parents, who had passed away a while ago. At that moment, I saw people in the hospital holding babies and rejoicing.

“Mom and dad…”

I ran at once in an indescribable feeling, but I passed through. I stood bewildered and then lost my words to see the baby in mom’s arms.

The me of the past that I only saw in pictures

“It’s not real.”

Even so, tears flowed endlessly at the fact that I could see my parents.

The baby started crawling and soon entered elementary school. As the child grew older, they got used to watching them. Then, as the high school graduation ceremony approached, I was able to feel it intuitively.

…That it was time to leave this place.

“I don’t want to leave. I want to stay here.”

The moment I uttered those words, time went back to when I was a baby. From a certain moment on, I did not even realize that time was repeating itself. It was just good… Being with my parents, being in the original world I lived in.

So, I didn’t want to go back.

I even forgot where I had to go.

* * *

Declan stood blankly in front of the rippling blue door. His hand, which he had reached out late to grab her, was still in the air. He stretched out his hand and grabbed her, but nothing was caught.

Tang!

Although he moved closer, the door still propelled him back with a clear sound.

“Ha.”

He let out a deep breath.

While he wanted to break down that door and get in right away, he was afraid that Erica would never come back.

“Your Majesty, what are you going to do?”

Liam approached and asked carefully.

“I will be here.”

After quietly retreating, Liam began to pitch a tent nearby after consulting with the Kefienas before opening his mouth to Declan again.

“Your Majesty, we have pitched a tent nearby. Please, wait there.”

“No. I don’t know when Erica will come out, so I’ll be here.”

“If you stay here, you may collapse due to the strong sun.”

Liam was right.

He must not collapse here because he decided to wait for Erica. Just in case anything happened, he had to be alert. Nonetheless, his steps did not move away from the place. As Declan took only a few steps back, his legs did not move anymore.

“…I want to be here.”

He thought he had to touch this door so that he could reach her even a little…

He didn’t think he would ever forget that Erica was here.

Yeriel, who was approaching to persuade Declan, let out a small sigh as Liam shook his head. After a while, a tent draped over Declan’s head.

Meanwhile, he didn’t even move at all. Even though the sun went down and the cold came, Declan stood holding the door. Liam, who couldn’t bear to see him like that, brought a thick blanket and a fur coat to cover him.

A few days passed like that.

“You’re going to collapse.”

Yeriel couldn’t bear to see him anymore, but Declan didn’t budge. The longer he waited for Erica, the more he got anxious.

‘…Why won’t you come back? Did something happen?’

As the days went by, his anxiety grew.

‘Don’t tell me you don’t want to come back?’

Eventually, he even thought about that. In the first place, Erica did mention before that she wasn’t from this world. She also said she didn’t know how to go back when he asked if she was willing to go back…

‘…What if she found a way back to her original world in Perseum?’

She said she died there, though could she be alive…?

So, what choice did she make?

‘If she goes back like this, then what about me?’

Ebony darkness came over him in an instant.

“I love you.”

…If that was the last goodbye

As Declan thought about it, it felt like the ground he was standing on was collapsing.

“…Please, please come back, Erica.”

He didn’t feel the hot desert sun, the burning thirst, or the unbearable cold of the night. It was because it was nothing compared to losing her.

“Don’t forget me. Don’t forget I’m waiting for you…”

Leaning against the door, he slumped down slowly.

* * *

“Please, please come back.”

…Who is it?

I glanced around at the mournful voice.

“Don’t forget me.”

The voice was heard again.

Even though it must have been an unfamiliar voice, the moment I heard it, my heart sank. It was a familiar and nostalgic feeling for some reason. Still, I kept hearing it every time I tried to ignore it and focus on my world again.

Nevertheless, every moment was increasingly mournful and earnest.

…Don’t disturb me.

I shook my head and covered my ears, but it felt strange. The tip of my nose grew sore, and the corners of my eyes warmed.

What was wrong…?

I was confused.

‘What? What am I forgetting?’

I didn’t think so. After all, this was my world, my parents, my friends, and I were here.

The moment I thought about it, I felt uncomfortable.

…Me?

If I was here, then what was in front of me? For a moment, my head went blank.

‘Wait, why am I here? What was I doing…?’

While I was sure I had forgotten something, what was that? The more I tried to think of it, the more my head hurt.

‘…I have to think about it.’

The pain intensified, but I clenched my teeth and desperately moved my head.

It was then.

“Come back, Erica.”

A man appeared as if lightning had struck my head.

“Declan…”

How could I forget him?

I scolded myself and got up. At the same time, I saw mom smiling affectionately and her figure with her arms open towards me.

“…This, this is not reality.”

It was just my memory. Still, if I turned around back here, I would never see her again…

…But, I had to go back to him, who was calling me so sadly.

“Goodbye.”

I barely opened my mouth and greeted my family before turning without hesitation.