-Let us meet again as stars.

Y/N: ...

The next day, I was forced awake not by Alter Ego or my alarm but something else entirely. Currently standing in front of the closed door leading inside my room, Angela was looking at my sleepy face.

Angela: Lacking some sleep?

Y/N: I mean, you did wake me up before the alarm, not much of a morning person in this current version of myself.

Knowing the past days, I knew that my routine was greatly changed to the point that I was even questioning most of the stuff that I did before. Lightly touching my forehead with my right hand, my eyes were trying to go back sleep.

Y/N: *Yawn* Anyway, do you need something? As far as I know, you didn't get here just to say hi.

Seeing her closed eyes was enough to keep me conscious for now but I don't think her presence enough will be able to keep me awake. She raised a single eyebrow and gave me a rather unnerving gaze.

Angela: You shouldn't be aware of such a thing, you should stop thinking about those memories.

Y/N: Why? Not like it'll matter anyway, I'll forget about it soon enough.

Angela: ...

Y/N: Plus, you were more amicable in the past, what changed?

Angela: Time Y/N, time is a burden that changes people, even a machine like me. Between us, you truly are the lucky one for not remembering.

Y/N: We're not here to talk about the past, you wanted something out of me right?

Angela: I need you to meet someone, we might as well get this out of the way.

Y/N: ?

She walked away and I followed her, the weight of the sniper rifle in my back reminding me that I could defend myself in case something tried to attack me. I was also wearing the suit from Army in Black so I was confident that I could take care of a sudden attack on my own, it looks sturdy in my opinion.

Y/N: So, where are we going?

Angela: You will find out soon enough.

Y/N: ...Is it the floating brain?

Remembering that mysterious room with the brain that seemed to be still alive, I asked. Suddenly, her back tensed up, clearly unpleased to hear me talk about it. She glanced back in my direction and I could feel a weak glare emanating from her.

Angela: No and this subject will not be brought up again.

Y/N: Sorry.

I quickly defused the situation and she nodded in acceptance, resuming her walk. I took a moment to catch my breath and followed her, going deep inside the facility until we arrived to the Disciplinary team.

Y/N: I've already met Gebura though.

Angela: I know, we're not here for her.

Y/N: ?

We walked past the department and she called the elevator on the other side. The door slowly opened and we stepped inside, the elevator closing behind us. Feeling the ground below us move, I looked at the AI standing beside me with a slight worry.

Y/N: So... who are we meeting?

Angela: You will see.

She had a smile in the corner of her lips, definitely not a good sign if it's coming from her. I averted my gaze and the door opened suddenly. She took the first step outside and turned in my direction, waiting for me to follow her.

Y/N: I'm not so sure anymore, maybe I should go-

Angela: There is no need to worry, I will make sure of it.

Y/N: ...So you ARE affirming that something bad would have happened it you weren't there.

She opened her eyes slightly and gave me the long stare, making me shut up soon after. Her eyes was something too unnatural for me so I couldn't say much after seeing them. Pleased with my silence, she closed them again and waited for me to step out of the elevator.

Y/N: Fine, let's just get this over with.

I followed her, leading me inside a dark room with monoliths on the walls, forming a rather strange interior compared to the other departments. Unlike the others, I could feel an ominous aura from this place, fear and insanity was rotting here.

Angela: This is the Extraction department, where the E.G.Os are extracted from the abnormalities before receiving a physical form.

Y/N: I see, why does it feel like a graveyard though?

Angela: ...

No answer, not like I was expecting one from her anyway. That silence between us was soon shattered with simple footsteps. Turning around, I looked at the newcomer with fearful eyes.

It was a raven in the mist of the night, the woman looked cold on the outside and her facade remained until both our eyes met. Then, a cruel yet also warm smile greeted me.

???: Well, the little sheep stumbled its way inside a place he shouldn't see.

Angela: Y/N, this is the Extraction team's Sephirah, Binah. Binah, introductions are not necessary for you I suppose.

Binah: On the contrary, I wonder what kind of sheep entered my little space. They always are so different, yet they all have the same shell to host them.

Y/N: ...

Her smile was slightly wider now, moving closer before looking down at me with her eyes. I felt an unknown pressure being applied to me and forced myself to step away from her.

Binah: Interesting, your body now has the instinct to fear me, that is truly fascinating. Am I the wolf that preys on the little ones like you in your eyes?

Angela: Save this conversation for later Binah.

Binah: Hm, I guess you're right, time is limited I'm afraid.

She grabbed my hand by the fingers and began moving her thumb across them, her smile remaining on her face while looking at me with her soulless eyes. This encounter caused my head to hurt.

Binah: Even after all this time, your curse remains, not as powerful as before but if you were granted the time, it would quickly return back to its original state.

Y/N: My curse?

Binah: The curse that allowed the Red Mist to defeat the evil army before they could destroy this facility. Many perished, many celebrated but you looked down in tears when it ended.

Y/N: H-How do you know that?

Binah: Are you scared?

She asked in a creepy manner, clearly enjoying my distress. I tried to pull my hand away but I soon realized that she had a grip of steel, literally. Knowing that I won't escape from her, I calmed down and faced her once more.

Y/N: You must know like Gebura and Tiphereth.

Binah: It is normal for you assume as such, Gebura does know a lot about you compared to those of the upper level. Tiphereth is only acting because of her invisible scars, she fears a certain possibility and acts to avoid this ending.

Y/N: So...

Binah: However, I do have my own share of knowledge about this matter.

Y/N: You do?

She leaned closer and with a grin, she answered with "I do.", leaving me with many doubts. Trying my best to remove the fear in my mind, I looked into her eyes.

Y/N: You wanted to see me right? I suppose it is because of my past.

Binah: And you would be correct. Now that I am "officially" allowed to leave this department, I was wondering what my little sheep was doing.

Y/N: Why are you calling me a sheep?

Binah: You often called me a wolf and so I gave you the role of the sheep in this play, preying on my target.

Y/N: ...

Binah: Angela, you told me that he was exposed to the well, am I wrong?

Angela: It is correct, he was also grabbed by the collective consciousness of abnormalities before Gebura removed it from him.

Binah: A shame, Gebura is always good when it comes to ruining my day.

Y/N: The collective consciousness... What is that supposed to mean?

Binah: ...

She removed her hand from mine and turned away, looking down under her feet. I followed her movement but couldn't see anything.

Binah: Y/N, the sheep trapped inside its little world, how do you think abnormalities are brought here?

Y/N: I don't know, I assumed that they were brought from outside, though I don't remember much of that 'outside' anymore.

Binah: Outside... Well, you wouldn't be wrong, their source came from outside this place. However, not in the same way as you think.

Y/N: ?

Not the same way? What am I supposed to think after hearing that? I don't remember much of what happens outside this place, my memories are too fragmented to be relied on. Angela noticed my hands holding my head and stepped closer.

Angela: There is no need for you to remember Y/N, all you have to do is listen.

She grabbed my hands and removed them from my head. When I looked back at the woman in black, she was looking back at me with a blank gaze, looking at Angela with a hidden animosity.

Binah: ...There is no need to tell an employee about the intricacies behind their creations, it is classified but know that their source is closer than you might think.

Y/N: Then, the collective subconsciousness of the abnormalities is...

Binah: The mark of your own existence, you are the cause of its creation, your death brought an irreversable despair to them and had to be removed, extracted where they could not do anything.

Angela: Binah, Y/N should not have to hear about such a thing.

Binah: He already encountered the result of his death, there is no point to hide it from him Angela.

Y/N: That dark and rainbow-colored substance... don't tell that it's the collective subconsciousness.

Binah: The little sheep is learning fast. Yes, your guess is accurate, why did you think it tried to assault you the moment you both met?

Y/N: Was it also the reason why I couldn't remove it?

I had to ask, she knew much more than me and even though my sensors were telling me that I should run away from her, I needed some answers. It was now or never, learn the truth or be ignorant until the very end.

Binah: You removed your own life in front of their eyes, you drove them to a stronger madness than what they already had and then showed up like it was nothing.

She smiled cruelly.

Binah: Did you expect them to let go of such an opportunity?

Y/N: ...

The way she asked that question left me with worries, she knew too much for my own good and it was starting to creep me out.

Binah: And so they latched onto you like wool is attached to a sheep like you. They only returned to their rightful owner.

Y/N: Me, their owner? W-What is that supposed to mean? I don't...

I wanted to say "I don't remember" but I stopped myself when my mind reminded me that my memories are so fragmented that they are only in small pieces, small enough that they cannot be stitched back together.

Binah: ...

She smiled at my attempt to deny her words, knowing that she had the advantage when it comes to memories.

Y/N: *Sigh* Why am I their owner? With how blurry my memories are, I would like to know that, why was I designated as their owner?

Binah: Well, an E.G.O gifts is a part from the abnormality themselves, one that they grant to those who face their own fears and confront them. One that could possess every gifts possible would be considered their owner, don't you think?

Y/N: That doesn't make any sense, that would mean everyone would be their owner.

Binah: And should I remind you when those E.G.Os were created?

Y/N: ...How should I know?

I scratched my head. As far as I know, those things were always around and-

Y/N: The invasion... I don't remember seeing anyone with gifts, I was the exception.

Binah: A flash of the past isn't it? You, me and the Red Mist, a scene that nobody would have expected, all of us with our own gifts.

She stepped closer and locked my head in place with one of her hands.

Binah: You were quite a mess my little sheep, you couldn't use your curse properly and it took control of your body and life like a parasite. With all these years, you still remain as weak as our first day, your curse still trying to consume you.

Angela: Binah.

Binah: Don't you want to utilize it for something better? I have seen our beloved Red Mist in all her glory but you remain as weak as before, even weaker now, I wouldn't mind see the little sheep that you are extract your potential.

Y/N: ...What if I don't want to? I never asked for this, why do I have to be put through all of this?!

Binah: Life does not care for people's opinion Y/N, it reaps what it sowed.

Y/N: Then make them attach themselves to someone else! I don't want to see this abomination again, it makes me sick!

The sensations that I felt while attached to that colorful parasite was enough to disgust me forever. Binah calmly acknowledged my anger but remained silent, leaving Angela to take care of the rest.

Angela: As much as you like it to be removed, we cannot do so.

Y/N: ...Why?

Angela: ...

She lightly opened her eyes and stared in my direction with disdain, not aimed at me but someone or something else.

Angela: The results of removing one that is part of you... involved complications beyond our understanding.

Y/N: That thing is a part of me?!

Angela: One of the 2 parts separated from you. Destroying it left you in a rather pitiful state.

Binah: As much as you wish to run away from it, it has become your very own shadow, you will be forced to-

???: BINAH!!!

A loud voice called the raven's name, moving our eyes in its direction. There, the Sephirah of the Disciplinary team rushed inside the room, fuming with anger. She aimed straight for me and violently grabbed my arm.

Gebura: What do you think you're doing?!

Binah: My, someone seems to be in a bad mood.

Y/N: G-Gebura, how long have you been here?

Gebura: Long enough to know what the both of them were doing.

She pulled my body closer and gave the duo a deadly glare, her arm around my neck. Starting to feel a certain lack of oxygen, I hurriedly tapped her arm with my hand, trying to make her realize that she was going to kill me.

Gebura: I'm not letting you do as you please. Come on Y/N, we're leaving.

Binah: Someone definitely is jealous. Are you perhaps angry that he appreciated me more than you?

Gebura: Shut up!

Y/N: G... Gebura!

My slaps turned into punches, frenetically punching her suit with desperation. She finally noticed what she was doing and released me from her grasp. No power in my legs, I collapsed on the ground and took a deep breath.

Y/N: Oh god, I thought I was a goner!

I screamed my relief out loud and stood up, feeling my throat with my fingers.

Gebura: Sorry Y/N.

Binah: Truly a dangerous woman you are.

Gebura: ...!

That short phrase angered her once more, grabbing me a second time before leaving the department. That was the end of my conversation with Binah, now in the elevator with Gebura to return to her department.

Y/N: Gebura...

Gebura: Why did you follow Angela?! You know that she doesn't have good intentions!

She pushed me against the wall of the lift. The shock forced me to grit my teeth, holding back the pain.

Y/N: I know but she's still my superior, I don't want to get fired for not following her instructions!

Gebura: A little refusal once in a while won't kill you!

Y/N: ...

Gebura: I can tolerate Angela's presence but Binah? That's a new story, I am NOT letting you close to that monster!

Y/N: A monster?

Gebura: You might not remember what she did but I do and I'm not taking my chances with her.

The doors opened and many employees gave us worried looks, hearing the commotion inside the elevator. Gebura stepped outside and I slowly followed her, not saying anything back to her. I was still shocked after seeing the amount of hatred she threw at my direction.

Y/N: ...

Gebura: I know what that woman wants, I'm doing this for a good reason.

Y/N: But she's the only so far who ACTUALLY told me something about my past! I need to know Gebura, I can't just stand there and ignore the obvious!

Gebura: Tch!

She swung her fist against the wall with so much power that it cracked, making the employees around her jump. She turned her head around and shot me a glare that could kill me without a single effort.

Gebura: Do you think I like it too?! I have to keep everything to myself, knowing what will happen!

Y/N: But-

Gebura: No, shut it for a second! How do you think I feel about this whole situation? I'm forced to see this constantly without being able to do anything, I tried my best to endure it and then you tell me that I'm keeping my silence because I WANT to?!

She was stomping her way towards me, fire emanating from her body. Unable to resist, I simply watched her grab my right shoulder, almost breaking it.

???: Y/N!

Y/N: ?

Another voice called my name. Looking at the other side of the room, I recognized Tiphereth rushing in our direction with her small body, panicking at the sight of me being on the receiving end of Gebura's wrath.

Tiphereth: Gebura, you need to calm down!

Gebura: Shut up!

Intercom: Warning! Unknown entities detected inside the facility!

She glared at the small girl who tried to defuse the situation.

Gebura: I'm ready to put up with Angela's bullshit, I allowed her to do as she pleased so far but Binah is a step too far Y/N!

Y/N: I know that you all have been through a lot, I understood that many days ago but I can't do anything if I'm left in the dark!

Tiphereth: Y/N, don't instigate her!

She pleaded me with her trembling voice, desperately trying to fix the conflict between the both of us. Meanwhile, a girl with short black hair approached the enraged Sephirah with a fearful look.

Employee: M-Miss Gebu-

She was not allowed to finish her sentence. Gebura, angry to a point of madness, swiftly turned around and punched her in the face. The poor employee fell down on the ground with a loud sound and held her face with teary eyes.

Y/N: Gebura!

I yelled her name loudly, making my way to the employee who received a punch. The other employees hurried by her side and took her away from the scene, saving her from the monster in front of me.

Y/N: You need to calm down!

Gebura: ...

Not answering, she bolted out of the room. Left alone with Tiphereth and some employees, I accompanied my Sephirah back to the Central Command department.

Y/N: ...That was something.

Tiphereth: You could have been the one receiving the punch, don't scare me like that!

She held the pink suit between her fingers and pulled it, her voice cracking under the pressure. To comfort her, I lowered the mask that I received from Red and gave her a smile along with a pat on the head.

Y/N: I can endure a hit, you don't need to be scared.

Tiphereth: That's not the point!

*Beep*

Y/N: Hm, oh, a work. Sorry Tiphereth, I'll talk to you later.

I stood up and took a glance at where I was going. Luckily, it was in the Welfare team, not the best the idea to stumble into Gebura today. I quickly walked my way to the containment room and prepared a pen for the observation. Entering the room, I was greeted by another abomination.

Y/N: ...

Gritting my teeth, I lowered my gaze when I noticed that the legs were still moving. Collecting my thoughts, the words that I used to describe this monster as a report were far from kind. The pen was hurriedly moving across the paper used.

"What the fuck am I looking at?"

The only thing I wanted to do right now was to leave but I couldn't do so, I was forced to wait until the timer allowed me to exit safely or else we could have a breach.

Intercom: Warning! Unknown entities detected inside the facility!

Y/N: Yea yea, we know.

I mumbled under my breath and kept working while the other employees took care of the disaster outside. The work felt longer than it was and I was released in the end, not without leaving mental damage to my eyes and mind.

Y/N: This place is getting weirder with each passing days.

Of course, the threat was dealt with the moment I stepped outside of the room, feeling a lot more tired than I was before entering that thing's containment unit. I took a moment to calm myself down and returned to the main room, at least I would have done that if I wasn't stopped.

???: Mister Y/N!

An employee working under Tiphereth's command rushed towards me with a pile of documents in his arms. Curious, I turned towards the office worker and greeted him before asking him what was going on.

Employee: The Central Command department's containment units are experiencing some malfunctions and we need everyone to regroup to perform a maintenance.

Y/N: Sounds fine by me, we should hurry.

We both returned to the main room and saw our Sephirah acting like a professional and telling the officer workers where to begin the maintenance. She noticed my arrival and her expression went from serious to relieved.

Tiphereth: Y/N, you're taking care of Melting Love's room, the office workers are not prepared to manage an Aleph abnormality.

Y/N: R-Right!

I turned around and went down the stairs leading to the corridor connected to the upper level of the Central Command department. Running past the first door, I entered the second one and kneeled in the corner of the room, pulling out tools used to verify the safety of the containment doors.

Intercom: Warning! Army in Black has escaped!

Y/N: ...

No time to waste, even if I helped them, I would risk letting the slime girl in the room escape. For now, I have to believe in them and finish my work, not a work on the abnormality but a work to fix the door.

...I slowly began examining the components and placed them back in their rightful place. So far, nothing seemed to be out of order but maybe it's just to be sure, one malfunctioned so they're making sure the others aren't.

Y/N's mind: Isn't the job of those on the second shift though?

Nonetheless, I finished the task and closed the trapdoor that I opened to access the interior of the door. I quickly turned around and I was greeted by the figure of Melting Love standing right in front of me and with her current position, I can assume that she was looking over my shoulder.

Y/N: Woah!

I jumped away and bumped into the wall, not much space between the both of us. She tilted her head to the side, silently observing me.

Y/N: H-Hey, don't mind me.

Melting Love: ...

Slowly backing away from her in the direction of the door, I opened it and felt a weak breeze enter the room, the door opened. The abnormality noticed it as well and lunged at my direction, aiming for the exit.

Y/N: Oh no you don't.

I raised by rifle and shot a bullet inside her body, rushing outside afterwards. The door closed without a problem and I was now left in front of the containment door.

Y/N: ...

I don't remember much about what happened afterwards, I was too tired to care anymore. The only thing I remember is collapsing on a chair and staying there for a long time, very long time. I broke out of my trance once the figure of someone I know stepped closer.

Tiphereth: Y/N, what are you doing here?

Y/N: Huh?

Tiphereth: Your shift ended a hour ago.

Y/N: Oh...

Tiphereth: But I don't mind if you want to stay, you look like you need to rest after all.

Y/N: Yea... still not over Gebura's tantrum. What happened to her after we left?

Tiphereth: ...

She averted her gaze and looked in the direction of the Disciplinary department. Her lack of response worried me a little and I repeated my question.

Tiphereth: Well... she-

???: I'm not done!

My Sephirah was stopped by the voice of the one we were talking about, charging back inside the room with my head as her target. Feeling like my life was on the line, I ran behind Tiphereth and crouched behind her small body.

Y/N: G-Gebura?

Tiphereth: Gebura, what do you want with Y/N?

Feeling responsible, she used her body as a shield and made the woman stop in her track, using her stern voice to do so. The tall one looked back at the one protecting me and watched me hiding behind her back.

Y/N: A-Are you still angry?

I weakly whispered, my legs trembling a little, I was not ready to face her wrath a second time.

Gebura: Not anymore, Angela made sure of that.

Tiphereth: Angela?

Gebura: Not allowed to say how but let's just say that it was enough for me to calm down, even though I despise the method she used.

Y/N: ...Why are you here then?

Gebura: It's concerning Binah, the one you met with Angela.

Y/N: ...

Gebura: At least stand up when I'm talking to you.

I quickly did so and looked right into her eyes, still fearing her deep inside my heart. She introduced herself as someone on my side but her actions remain questionable.

Gebura: Stay away from her, I mean it.

Y/N: Why?

Gebura: You want to know how you met your demise? That woman is a major factor.

Tiphereth: Gebura! You can't tell him that!

Gebura: I can't stay silent anymore, he needs to know!

Y/N: ...

???: Tiphereth, Gebura, the Manager is requesting your presence.

Gebura: Angela...

Y/N: Angela...

We all turned towards the elevator and saw her standing there, perfectly timed to stop Gebura from saying anything else. She observed the 3 of us huddled up together but her eyes were open ajar and staring directly at me.

...She still scares me when she does that.

Angela: Y/N, your duties are over for today, you should rest and prepare for tomorrow.

Y/N: Right...

I walked in her direction and took the elevator, giving Tiphereth and Gebura one last look. The doors closed and I returned to my room where Alter Ego would greet me.