-However, the world is more than simply warmth and light.

The tears now shed, I accompanied her outside of the working area, still holding my open wound with my second hand. I wished that it would just disappear but I knew a miracle like that wouldn't happen in this place.

Tiphereth: I'm... I-I'm sorry.

She whispered to me, unable to take her eyes off the large wound in my stomach. Gritting my teeth and hiding the obvious pain from her, I smiled.

Y/N: It's fine, just a scratch like they say.

Tiphereth: A scratch?! Your guts are about to fall out!

Y/N: It's not THAT bad but I guess I should still seek medical attention.

Nothing There really did a number on me, far from surprising when you realize that it's Nothing There that we're talking about. Anyway, that aside, we met up with the other employees who survived this ordeal and as expected, I was welcomed by Alter Ego on the verge of having a panic attack from seeing me bleeding out.

Alter Ego: Medkit, we need a medkit here! Did anyone see a medkit around here?!

She rushed around and searched frantically for that first aid kit while I asked Daniel, currently attending to Elis' wounds, how many perished during the last moments of this shift. He took a moment, patching up his friend's wounds and told me the result.

77% losses of the current facility, 6 agents and the rest were office workers.

Y/N: ...That's bad, that's really bad.

Daniel: I know I might sound like an hypocrite but the only agent losses were new employees, they didn't know what they were getting into and it's probably better if they never know about the horrors awaiting them here.

Y/N: ...What were their names?

Daniel: BongBong, Star, Tracy, Destiny, Mercury and... wait, what the...

He squinted his eyes at the list, not believing what he was seeing. I asked him if something was wrong but he didn't respond back, his eyes focused on the report.

Daniel: 'Ifyoushootmeyouaregay', that's the last one's name.

Y/N: ...Let me guess, he got shot?

Daniel: Got killed by Star, panicking at the moment of death.

Y/N: *Sigh*

Pinching my nose, I exhaled with a slight annoyance, like hearing the punchline of a bad joke. Soon after, Alter Ego came back with medical equipements, starting to examine the wound that I have. Around us, more employees were drinking their worries away while some were mumbling under their breath, scarred by what their eyes saw.

Elis: I don't like this place.

Hava: You'll get used to it.

She responded with a wide grin, the only person here happy about the recent events. I couldn't blame her for being like that, her memories go a long way back unlike ours if everyone else is in the same situation. Meanwhile, Dana, who I didn't see in a long time, greeted me along with one that doesn't remember me anymore.

Y/N: Hey Maria?

Maria: ?

Her hair fluttered in the air when her head turned to face me, not recognizing me.

Y/N: Control team right?

Maria: Yea...

She was wearing Der Freischütz's gear and carrying his weapon as well, the pipe resting in the small pocket of the coat. We talked for a bit before she had to go check on her coworkers inside her department.

...That's where this day ended. Alter Ego and I both returned to our room and went to sleep, preparing ourselves for the next day.

...

...

Waking up, I was surprised by the visit of the infamous AI roaming this facility, Angela. She knocked on the door and greeted me with her emotionless face once I opened it, carrying with her a metallic case.

Y/N: ?

Angela: Good morning Y/N, I hope that you slept well.

Y/N: Not really, hard to do so with what happened.

Angela: The same as the Manager then, he cried the rest of the day, telling himself that he was a failure for letting those agents die.

Y/N: A deplorable loss, especially 'Ifyoushootmeyouaregay', truly the biggest loss of them all.

Angela: If I could shed tears, I wouldn't. Returning to the main subject, Tiphereth was supposed to give this to you yesterday but... complications happened.

Y/N: So you're the one giving it to me?

Angela: Correct.

She handed me the case and left with a soft 'farewell'. Curious about what could be inside, I returned inside my room, closed the door and placed it down on the ground. Alter Ego, who woke up only mere minutes ago gave it a tired gaze.

Alter Ego: EGO?

Y/N: Who knows.

I removed the latches on the case, opening it to check what was inside. Expecting a fancy weapon, I got a little surprised by the content of it, military supplies, outfit along with a weapon.

Y/N: It's very... pink.

Alter Ego: You'll look fine in it, I think you would look cute in it.

Y/N: Cute... you think so?

My voice weakened when I asked her. With her warm smile, she nodded back and I could feel my cheeks turning lightly pink as well. Chasing the thoughts in my head, I grabbed the suit and walked in the next room to change my current suit.

...I took off Red's suit and folded it neatly on the counter, changing the suit that I will be using during our shift. Once done with the process, I could feel a small warmth inside the suit, the warmth of a beating heart filled with happiness. It was mine but it felt like someone was giving me a reassuring hug, that everything would be alright as long as I wear it.

Y/N: So, how do I look?

I asked her once back in the room.

Alter Ego: You don't need to ask me, you'll always look perfect in my eyes.

Y/N: O-Oh... is that so? Well... thanks.

Her natural charm was working wonders on me, barely capable of holding a conversation after receiving such a powerful attack. She lightly laughed at my reaction, a pure laugh with no harm behind it.

Alter Ego: We should hurry, no need to make the others wait for us.

Y/N: Right...

With that, we both left the room, back to our departments to begin our shift. All traces of yesterday were gone, clean hallways devoid of blood and bodies. With the humming of the now familiar lights, a new day began in the corporation, with me waiting for my orders like usual.

Y/N's mind: I wonder how Tiphereth is doing... I hope she's alright.

Yesterday was a mess, abnormalities breaching, Tiphereth going haywire and many casualties because of it. That day is now behind us and a new ligth can now shine in the department.

???: Y/N.

Y/N: Hm?

I turned around, surprised to see Gebura greeting me so early in the morning... or is it the afternoon? Time is weird in this place.

Y/N: Oh hey Gebura, I was waiting for Tiphereth, I want to be sure that she's alright.

Gebura: I'm here about that.

Y/N: Oh? Is something wrong?

Gebura: We're moving you to the Disciplinary team, someone will take your place.

Y/N: That's the first I've heard of it. Why the sudden change?

Gebura: Orders, let's go.

She gave me a sign to stand up, her lips firmly closed around the cigarette that she was smoking. The sudden news left me silent for a moment until the words came back to me. I shook my head and refused to stand up.

Y/N: I won't.

Gebura: Huh? What are you trying to do now?

Y/N: I'm staying in the Central Command team, I have to stay for Tiphereth.

Gebura: She almost killed you! Why do you want to stay in her department?!

Y/N: Hod did the same, Malkuth too but did I run away from them at the very end? No, I braced myself once everything was done. I never arbored hatred towards them, at least not as much as I would like to think.

I did held so feelings against them but it was unavoidable, they still tried to kill everyone by messing with our work. That was the only reason why I couldn't 100% forgive them, they attempted to sabotage us and they did in Hod's case.

Gebura: Don't make me repeat myself Y/N, those are orders.

Intercom: Warning! Unknown entities detected inside the facility!

Y/N: Then force me, I want to be by Tiphereth's side and help her, even you can't convince me otherwise. I made my choice and I'm sticking to it.

I said so while pointing the pink sniper rifle at her, loaded and ready to be used. She took a step back once the barrel of my gun was in her direction and gritted her teeth, irritation visible in her eyes.

Gebura: You are going THAT far for someone who almost killed you!? You haven't learned a single thing!

Y/N: Learned?

Gebura: Fine, whatever, it's your problem now! Don't expect me to help you if you change your mind.

She turned around and left the room, leaving many questions behind her. Learned? What was I supposed to learn? Is it because of my past? No, it definitely is but the question is WHAT?

Y/N's mind: Can't she just tell me instead of acting like that?

So many things happened, things that I only remembered around a week ago, of course I wouldn't know what she's talking about if she doesn't tell me.

Tiphereth: Y/N... you're here.

Her voice finally reached my ears, a sad tone greeting me. Looking at the Central Command team's Sephirah, one could see sorrow in her eyes along with regrets. She stared back at me with pitiful eyes, barely able to face me.

Y/N: Good morning Tiphereth.

Tiphereth: Why are you here, I asked them to move you to the Disciplinary team.

Y/N: So you're the one who changed my department...

Tiphereth: ...I'm sorry, I just can't look at you anymore without feeling guilty.

She said so with her eyes now looking at her feet. Shaking my head, I approached her before placing my left hand on top of her hair. Tension filled her body, her eyes fully closed and expecting me to lash out at her.

Y/N: I won't leave, even if I get dragged away, I'll only return the next day.

Tiphereth: Why?

Y/N: You miss Tiphereth, don't you?

The second Sephirah of the Central Command team, long gone now. The both of them were inseparable until his system dropped for the last time, restarting him wouldn't bring him back. It was going to happen one day and it finally happened.

Tiphereth: ...I do.

Intercom: Unknown entities detected inside the facility!

Y/N: I may not be Tiphereth but I want you to know that you don't have to isolate yourself, it won't solve anything.

Tiphereth: But look at what I've done, I killed many people.

Y/N: Malkuth and Hod did the same, what makes you any different? Sure, it doesn't make you innocent but what matters is that you acknowledge that it was wrong.

I answered back with honesty, past mistakes can't be undone but you can learn from them and become better, that's what a mistake is for. Those words were said while my hand was slowly moving in her hair, feeling the coldness of her robotic shell.

Tiphereth: ...

Y/N: Come on, don't be so gloomy, you should smile for his sake. He may never come back but you can still live for his sake as well.

Her eyes wavered and returned to a more confident expression, her lips smiling once more with them. She raised her head and I could finally see the Sephirah of the Central Command team back to her normal mood.

Tiphereth: You're right, I have to live for his sake!

She proudly exclaimed those words with a fist raised in the air, her smile remaining. Sitting beside her, I could only give her a pleased look, glad to know that my attempt to cheer her up worked.

Y/N: If it's too hard to endure on your own, don't hesitate to call me, we can help each other.

Tiphereth: Promise?

Y/N: Of course I promise.

It was a lie, I couldn't promise her to be by her side always, my memories will be brought back to 0 the very moment this loop begins once again. At any moment, I could be stripped from the very things that are now helping me march forward. However, I still had to promise her, it was my wish to help her.

Y/N's mind: Gebura seems to know some things, maybe it could be good to get some out of her if possible.

???: Uh, am I interrupting something?

We both turned around and saw Daniel step inside the room, carrying with him Laetitia's weapon and a clipboard.

Y/N: Motivational talk, we both needed it. Maybe you could join us another time?

Daniel: *Chuckle* Sure, Elis seriously needs some. The stress is getting to her recently.

Y/N: Poor girl, I feel bad for her.

Daniel: That's why I didn't want her to work in a Wing like L corp, but alas, here we are.

Y/N: Anyway, working on abnormalities?

Daniel: Dealing with Knight of despair, the usual. What about you?

Y/N: Still nothing so far.

Daniel: Lucky you.

He walked away soon after, wishing us farewell and goodluck. Glancing at each other, we both silently smiled, Tiphereth taking a seat next to me before placing some documents on the desk.

Tiphereth: Since you don't have any work, you wouldn't mind helping me right?

Y/N: Sure.

I replied with a small laugh, to which she responded with a joyous expression. Today was quite peaceful if we ignored the fights happening around us because of the anomalies trying to force their way inside the facility...

...and also Punishing bird, it keeps escaping.

After many hours the finally sound of the intercom released us from our duties, we were allowed to finally leave and let the second shift take over. I stretched myself with a weak yawn while Tiphereth was organizing the documents.

Tiphereth: You should go now, I'll take care of everything.

Y/N: You sure?

Tiphereth: I'm alright, I was made for this job after all. You should rest.

Y/N: Good idea, I'll see you tomorrow.

...

...

Hava: Hm? You refused to change department?

She asked while sipping a cup of coffee, her red eyes giving me a quick glance in the meantime. I silently nodded and Alter Ego, sitting beside me, looked back at me with worry. Unlike her, Hava grinned before placing the cup on the table.

Hava: That old pile of anger is getting tired if she's trying to drag you away.

Y/N: She doesn't seem that old.

Hava: So are we, doesn't change the fact that we're still over our lifespan by a couple hundred years.

Alter Ego: I don't like to think about that...

Hava: Anyway, you wanted to talk to me about Gebura and what she might know, right?

Y/N: You seem to know as much as her when it comes to this place.

Hava: Well thank you, rare to hear you compliment me nowadays, I was starting to miss it.

Y/N: ...Please don't talk about that, at least not-

Alter Ego: It's fine Y/N, we can't do anything about it.

She placed her right hand on my left shoulder and whispered those words to me, smiling as well. Following her words, I sighed.

Hava: Y/N, let me ask you a question, how many times do you think Gebura and you were a thing?

Y/N: That's a weird question.

Hava: Search in your memories, you'll find the answer.

I did so and closed my eyes, trying to rewind everything that happened in the past. Some parts were too blurry for me to remember but I did manage to salvage some pieces. I could see some scenes perfectly.

Me and Hod sitting next to each other, talking about the future reserved for us once this is over. The both of us pondering about the best approaches to take towards dangerous abnormalities.

Malkuth and I supervising the Control department, making sure that everything is working perfectly with a firm, yet kind watch.

Tiphereth handing me documents with a smile, telling me to be careful and that it was heavy. I replied with a "I'll be fine" and walked away, the Sephirah looking at my back with a sad look.

Drinking my sorrows away with Netzach, complaining about the terrible life that the employees are living while he was drinking to forget about his own existence.

Yesod... Well, the both of us stood apart, the both of us performing our duties with a powerful silence.

Y/N: I can't... remember?

Hava: Of course you wouldn't, because you never did.

Y/N: Really?

Hava: The both of you never were a thing, the best that happened was that you ackowledged her as a strong Sephirah and nothing else, you were too scared to approach her.

Y/N: ...Is it the cause of her anger?

Hava: Pffft, far from it! She always had anger issues but I guess seeing the others forget about you so easily might be a reason as well.

Y/N: ...Should I apologize then?

Hava: Nah, she's mostly doing it because Angela has her eyes on you, she's distrustful of her. Angela doesn't care about employees so seeing that change for a single one, one could wonder what's going on in her head.

Alter Ego: Then she's on our side?

Hava: Not for long if I can believe my prediction. She endured this for a much longer time, remembering most of her memories as well. Right, I can assume that one strong event could make her snap.

Alter Ego: She's... going to turn like Tiphereth?

Hava: Probably, we have to find a way to calm her down if we want to keep her on our side.

Y/N: I'll talk with her, it is my fault after all.

Alter Ego: Y/N...

Behind us, the sound of a coffee machine reached us and when we turned around, we saw a man with a blue suit holding a mug with L corp's logo on it.

???: Oh, am I interrupting something?

Y/N: Who are you?

???: Chesed, Welfare team's Sephirah. Don't mind me, I'm simply taking a cup of coffee.

He took a sip of his hot drink and smiled, pleased with it. The 3 of us glanced at each other in silence before looking back at the man enjoying his break with the other employees.

Y/N: Oh right, I didn't see the Sephirah of the Welfare team so far, nice to meet you.

Chesed: Hm? Oh right, the feeling is mutual.

He kindly said so before walking away, wishing us to have a great day with a tired smile.

Y/N: ...I'll go talk with Gebura now.

I stood up and left the break room with Hava and Alter Ego's support.