I sit in silence for a long time, pondering.
Despite what has just happened, my heart is as calm as a lake. Distant memories of my future self flood my consciousness. Piling onto those vast stretches are faint emotions of countless me that have transcended time and space to reach this moment, at this place.
I feel like myself as an existence has been extended endlessly—no, 'I' probably got stuck to that extended part. It isn't certain which Aurora I am anymore... but at large, I'm still the same. Maybe.
Knowledge and experience come naturally, as if I've known them from the start. I am hardly surprised, even though the abilities I've gained far surpass this world's ceiling. Everything about her... my path screams extraordinary.
For instance, would a sane person willingly throw themselves into a supermassive black hole to jump back in time? Then again, I must be insane at that point after losing everything and drifting across the empty universe for millennia.
But if I had to make a decision again, I would still do it. If it means I can see them...
''...Hm?''
Suddenly, my blurry vision is filled with a snowy white color. Mama owl, whose height reaches all the way to where I'm perched, stares at me intently with her eyes mirroring mine. A faint grumble can be heard, but she remains wordless for a while. Suddenly, she reaches her wing out and pats me.
''Thanks.''
After recounting everything in my now completed void, I gingerly leave the owl lair. One by one, I visit the members of Zircon. All of them greet me as usual, but nobody asks about the aloof goddess who returned from the future anymore.
The last location is the system's core. Navigating through the tunnels, I reach a spacious room full of computer units.
''It's almost done. I'll need a few more days to integrate this thing into the system.'' Neveah, upon detecting my arrival, says without turning her back. ''After that, it's your job to inject that virus into it. A few days of testing should be enough.''
''...Okay.'' I calmly reply. ''I'll raid the big base in the meantime.''
''Don't you want to wait for the...'' The goddess trails off, seemingly lost in thought. ''...I guess you don't really need it.''
''...Mhm.''
Neveah soon returns to her work, and I keep standing behind her, unsure what to make of it. Only the barely detectable sounds of electrical currents permeate the room.
''It's strange.'' Neveah suddenly says, her tone melancholic. ''I feel like there's someone... that I can't remember. I wonder if it's just me.''
Words seem to be stuck in my throat. A part of me wants to tell her that there is indeed a person who has been lost to time, that she's inside me right now. Another part of me... is that person herself, wanting to stride forward and embrace her back, telling her not to worry.
In the end, all that comes out of my mouth is a solemn hum, ''...Mhm.''
''Would you tell me about that person later...?'' The goddess turns around, her smile bitter.
''Of... of course.''
I exit the underground space feeling bittersweet. What's this? Even after all those pessimistic rants, isn't there still someone who can't forget you? Someone who yearns for you? Yet you so eagerly erase yourself.
What a strange and silly person you are.
But... now I really know for certain. Emotions and wills can truly transcend space and time, no matter how far away they are.
In an instant, every shred of doubt and uncertainty in me vanishes. Even if I fail this time, I will not hesitate to enter a black hole again to redo it all. As long as the determination I hold at this moment survives...
The night is still young.
With a flick of my eyes, I phase through the vast space and arrive at the location of interest—an abandoned factory in the middle of a forest. Ravenous Moon should be storing mythical items here. Though they don't matter much anymore.
I just want to decipher 'The Script.'
At a glance, I sense hundreds of presences inside, mostly humans. The underground space is extensive, housing some strange signals.
With my current strength, vulperizing this place into nothing should not take more than one strike, but I want to take it slow to feel my body. Standing before the loosely locked, rusty iron door, I smile.
The Sword of Nihility appears in my hand with a thought, and when I swing it lightly forward, the whole wall crumbles. The dim interior is revealed, and countless pairs of eyes are fixed on me immediately.
''Damn it! The hell are the patrol guys doing?!'' An irritated man curses. ''You useless fucks, take care of her.''
The man seems to hold a high rank here, seeing the obedience in the approaching cultists. Rather... are they using this space as a cafeteria?
''There's a chance she took care of the patrollers... be careful. Don't let her pass.'' A woman nudges her teammates, conjuring some sort of spell.
I can't help but feel amused. This feeling is similar to watching an ant trying to bite my arm, except the ant can cause me some pain. If they recognize who I am, they might be a bit more passionate.
Alas, even the guys outside didn't notice me entering. The perception blocking ability is quite useful.
Musing to myself, I take a step forward. A wave of dark spells pours toward me, followed by a dozen close-quarter combatants with their weapons drawn.
I calmly raise my sword and gently step on the ground. A burst of nihility quickly gathers below my foot, exploding in all directions. Those who are hit instantly have their skin melted and flesh burned. Quite gruesome.
For a while, nothing but pained groans and distorted screams can be heard.
Rather, the sword... I instinctively tried to use it just now, but my inclination toward weaponless plays won, it seems. I stand amidst the pile of squirming cultists, pondering.
In the end, I choose to continue carrying the sword, even if its usage remains uncertain.
With light steps, I avoid the scalding bodies and head further into the factory. The short fight earlier has alerted the remaining cultists on the ground. They once again close in on me, but to no avail.
Once they're taken care of, I locate the entrance to the underground space and enter the path.
''Hm...''
An emergency shutdown of sorts must have been triggered, as the thick iron door is now welded shut. Countless magical seals and barriers are applied to it. They're totally turtling with this one.
Although... it won't work against a goddess.
With a light push, I stab the sword right through the door and begin to draw a wide circle, creating a path through. As I kick the detached door inside, darkness swallows it whole.
As if attracted by the noise, countless glowing eyes turn toward me. Low growls tremble the place as they cautiously inch toward me, clearly hunters. These abominations... what's the deal with them?
''You guys aren't the ones to hunt, though,'' I mutter.