I had no idea where I was.
It felt as if I hadn't moved for a long time.
I tried to stand, only to fall.
Falling made a loud noise.
Before I could even move, my two brothers rushed into my room.
Both of them had tears on their faces. My once stupid, uncaring older brother was crying, making a face I never could have imagined.
Eris carried me and laid me back on the bed, while Leon rushed to bring some water.
Eris started whispering, saying, "Thank God… dear Great One, please don't test me in this way."
I patted his head and asked what was wrong. I was shocked—I had never seen him like this. Even the original Mai had never seen such a thing.
Leon came back, and with him came Marika and Mr. Hale.
Marika didn't waste any time and rushed to hug me.
I asked why everyone was acting so weird. It's not like I'd been asleep for years.
Marika looked at me with tears in her eyes and said, "It's been two months… you stupid girl."
Mr. Hale came with a gift in hand, showed his respects, thanked me for making him a sixth door holder, and then left.
Everyone decided that I should rest for a few hours, and they would come back later.
But Eris decided to stay. He said he would watch over me while I slept.
Everyone left except him.
I tried talking to him, but he didn't reply.
He was staring outside, so I wondered what kind of expression he had and why he wasn't talking to me.
I went up to him and gently turned him to face me.
I was surprised once again—his face was full of tears and sadness, or maybe… happiness.
He wasn't making a sound at first, just staring blankly ahead, but then, all of a sudden, he threw his arms around me and hugged me so tightly that I could barely breathe. His sobs shook his entire body, raw and uncontrolled, and I could feel the weight of all the emotions he had been holding in for so long. Leon, hearing the noise, rushed over, eyes wide with concern, trying to figure out what had happened to make him break down like that.
Seeing the way he was crying, Leon and my younger sister Kristina joined us in the hug. The three of them pressed close, and I could feel the warmth and relief radiating from them, as if all the tension and fear of the past months was finally pouring out.
After a while, the old, goofy, happy Eris was back. He was even more cheerful and dumb-looking than I had ever seen him.
Deep down, I felt relieved that I wasn't alone. My older family would never have shown this much emotion for me.
Only Johan and Yvette would have cried this much for me.
Moments later, I sensed Marika's aura—she was definitely there. Feeling fine by then, I put on a dress and went to see her in the dining room.
I was shocked to see the neighbors, my life and death mission companions, and my family—all gathered at the same table. A huge meal was laid out, and in the center sat a birthday cake, waiting for me.
They all said, "Happy birthday."
After hours of laughter and celebration, they agreed it was enough and that I should rest for the day.
After everyone had left, Eris, Leon, and Kristina started cleaning. I tried to help, only to be stopped by a serious Eris. He said I should rest and that he had everything under control.
I went out to the balcony to get some fresh air.
The moment I stepped onto the balcony, I was teleported to a dark, empty space. I couldn't feel anything—it was pure darkness.
In the middle of that darkness, there was a box. Thankfully, I could move through the void, almost as if I were swimming.
The box had a lock on it. The first thing I thought of was a key—and then, a key suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
I thought about something else, and, surprisingly, it appeared.
The thought of happy times crossed my mind, and instantly, I was transported to the middle of that moment, experiencing it as if I were reliving it.
I thought about the black void once again, and suddenly, I found myself back there.
I realized, with a shiver, that this was a god-like power—something no ordinary person could ever hope to possess. I focused my mind on him, trying to summon his image, then shifted my thoughts to the happy times I had shared with Johan, hoping to relive those moments. But instead of the comforting memories I expected, the black void around me began to tremble violently. Cracks appeared in the darkness, spreading like shattered glass, and fragments of the void floated around me as if the very fabric of this space was breaking apart. The sensation was both terrifying and exhilarating, a strange mixture of fear and awe, as I realized that with a single thought, I could warp the very reality around me.
I used that power once again, this time to repair the black void.
I decided that it was time to open the box.
The moment the box opened, a torrent of memories surged into my mind, overwhelming me with sights, sounds, and emotions. They were Johan's memories—his fears, his hopes, his struggles, and the moments that had shaped him into the person he was. Each memory revealed pieces of the past I had never known, answering questions I had carried for so long. Faces of people I'd never met, places I'd never seen, and events I had only guessed at played out vividly before my mind's eye. It was as if I was living his life alongside him, understanding the choices he had made and the burdens he had carried. Slowly, the chaos of emotions settled, leaving me with a clarity I had never experienced before. These memories explained so much—about Johan, about the missions, about the world around me—and, in that moment, I realized how powerful this knowledge truly was.
The black void shattered and disappeared, and I was back on the balcony. The cool breeze brushed against my skin, the sounds of the house returned, and everything looked normal—but I knew it wasn't. The memories, the power, the darkness… it had all changed me.
I finally understood why Johan had disappeared and what he had been trying to do. Everything from his actions, his sudden absences, and the choices he had made suddenly made sense. The memories from the box revealed the burden he had carried, the risks he had taken, and the plans he had set in motion—plans I had never fully grasped until now. It was as if the pieces of a puzzle I hadn't even realized existed had all fallen into place, showing me the full picture of his intentions and the sacrifices he had made.
Now I was sure. Johan was in this world, and he didn't abandoned me—he was forced.
My goal remained the same. I had to become a level five door holder. Only with that strength could I get the information I needed and face Johan again—without being a burden, and without dragging the people around me into danger.