"Sorry," I say as I stop crying.

  "I-it's okay," Lilu says before extending her arm towards me and showing me her pink mark but turning her head the other way.

  "I don't want you to feel forced to do this."

  "J-just do it already or I'll change my mind."

  I nod. I take a deep breath. I don't feel fully ready, but I have to do it. I gently grasp Lilu's mark, and immediately I feel a jolt of electricity run through my body. Lilu's memories flash through my mind.

  When I open my eyes, I find myself walking through the streets of the Flowers Rift. Eventually, I arrive at one of the exits through a crevice and reach the surface. The atmosphere is filled with a thick blue gas that spreads everywhere like a fog separating us from the outside world. In the midst of this, there's a young man with dark hair with blue streaks sitting as if meditating.

  I walk until I reach his side and sit beside him. I look at his beautiful face. When he opens his eyes and reveals his beautiful blue irises with heart-shaped forms he gives me a wide smile and strokes my head.

  "Are you skipping your chores again?"

  My face blushes.

  "N-no, of course not. But I-I'd much rather prefer the combat training from the Insect Guardians. It sounds a thousand times more fun!"

  "But what's wrong with it? They teach you things like dancing, singing, playing instruments, storytelling, and many other cool stuff."

  "B-but I heard that the best guardians are allowed to go outside! Y-you're probably saying that because you haven't been there," I say pouting.

  Enki laughs.

  "I’ve been outside. It's very dangerous, but more than that, it's filled with anger and violence. I would hate for such a good girl to see that."

  I don't quite understand what Enki means. But something about his expression makes me want to hug him. We continue the remaining time enjoying each other's company. Enlil's Herencia is so strong that I even start to feel drowsy, and eventually, I fall asleep.

  "But what do you mean I'm leaving my post!"

  I wake up to the sound of shouting. I am surprised to see that the shouts are from Enki. I had never heard his gentle and warm voice rise so much. In front of him are other guardians. One I recognize as the leader of the Insect Guardians of the main matriarch.

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  "It's as you heard, Enki. From now on, everything will change. We will leave exile, so your services will no longer be needed."

  "How is that possible? You don't know what you're doing! I'm the only one left of the guardians who have gone outside! You don't know how dangerous it can be!"

  "We can't live in exile forever; resources are not infinite. Unless you have another solution for the shortage of resources."

  "But…" Enki's face tenses, and he looks in my direction. He calms down and relaxes his expression, letting out a sigh. "All right, I'll lower the curtain of my Herencia. However, with just one condition: that you allow those who disagree to leave with me to find another place."

  "What nonsense. Restrain him and put him in the cell."

  The guardians rush towards Enki. However, as they approach, he easily overpowers them. Then he points the tip of his spear at the guardian's neck.

  "I hope you haven't forgotten that I was one of the few selected for the second expedition. If you insist, I'll be forced to deal with anyone who stands in my way."

  The remaining guardians tense up.

  "All right," says the matriarch who was behind the guardian, making the guardians lower their weapons.

  Enki points his spear at the matriarch.

  "Make sure to pass on the information to the other guardians and clan members."

  The matriarch says something to one of the guardians, and the guardian runs off.

  My body is shaking, and I don't know what to do other than run towards Enki and hug him. He notices and strokes my head.

  Enki kneels and looks me in the eyes.

  "Lilu, would you like to come with me?"

  "I don't understand what's going on, but I want to go wherever you go!"

  Enlil laughs.

  Suddenly, I hear a sound like a loud bang. We all look surprised to see that the origin comes from some kind of device in the hand of the head guardian.

  "What was that?" I say before hearing the sound of Enki falling to his knees and groaning in pain.

  I tense my eyes in terror.

  Enki looks at me in fury and prepares his weapon. But then a second, more distant bang resounds, and blood splatters from Enki's chest.

  "Enki!" I scream.

  I look around for someone to help, but the onlookers just stand and watch.

  I start to cry.

  "D-don't cry, Lilu…" Enki reaches out his hand and strokes my head. "Don't forget who you want to be. Don't let the world's cruelty consume you. Don't forget to smile, and above all, don't forget to love."

  The hand that always stroked my head falls, and his gaze becomes empty. However, his gentle smile doesn't fade. Tears stream down my cheeks.

  The matriarch approaches Enki's body.

  "I can't believe everything was just as that Lord Eru said. And to think they can kill a man from that distance. Take the brat away.."

  The guardians take me with them. I try everything I can to avoid it, but my strength isn't enough. All I can do is watch as they drift me away from Enki's body.