Mistress Of The Evil Forest-Final case: Dawn.

''...Aurora?''

Aurora snaps out of her trance.

Sparkling snowflakes fall before her eyes, joining the carpets below her feet. The night city's winter appears cold and distant, save for the lights pouring out of windows—a jungle of luminescent fruits.

Thankfully, Aurora has someone to accompany her on these nights.

''Why are you standing still like that?'' Chloe raises an eyebrow, her nose red from the cold, her breath a misty white. ''Come on, let's get inside quickly!''

''...''

Feeling as though something is amiss, Aurora follows her childhood friend's steps, returning to their home. Once they get to Chloe's room, Aurora puts aside the bags they brought back from the convenience store and removes her outer garments. Soon enough, both of them settle down, enjoying the heater's steady warmth.

''Holy damn... I've never felt so cold before.'' Chloe's brows furrow. ''Am I getting older...?''

''...''

''Hey, is there something wrong?''

Aurora quietly meets her friend's gaze, seeing the worry in those amethyst-like eyes. Reluctantly, she shakes her head, ''It's nothing.''

Although puzzled, Chloe doesn't pry further. The two end up spending yet another night hanging out, drinking beers—a staple for two college girls. Tomorrow, they have a class together, and after that, they plan to visit the mall to shop for Christmas. By all means, there should be nothing noteworthy to be concerned about, but... Aurora can't shake off the tingling sense at the back of her head.

''...Hm?'' She suddenly perks up, noticing what is on Chloe's computer screen. ''That game...''

Chloe, ever attentive to Aurora, replies, ''Game? Ah, this is [Astra Magical Academy]—you've seen it before. What about it?''

As if possessed, Aurora points at the character that Chloe is controlling. The name [Buezrith] is clearly written above the character's head. Her sprite is well-drawn, depicting a slender beauty: Black hair, red eyes, and an attractive smile. Just to be sure, Aurora adds,

''Is that the protagonist?''

''Yeah?''

''Didn't she have blond hair before?'' Aurora blurts out. ''Blond hair... green eyes.''

Chloe tilts her head in confusion, ''No? The only blonde in the main cast is the villainess. Did you remember someone else?''

''...''

Something feels wrong, yet Aurora can't seem to put her finger on it. Nevertheless, she decides to put it off and proceed with life for the moment.

As the days pass by, the sense of incongruity grows heavier. Aurora goes to school, to her job, and spends Christmas with Chloe and her family, though her thoughts remain absentminded most of the time.

On New Year's Eve, she stays by Chloe's side, watching the countdown on television. She has done this in previous years, though for reasons unknown, it holds a strange sense of anticipation this time.

Aurora is distracted. She fails to recognize the girl sitting beside her, who had been constantly eyeing her, looking for a suitable window.

Until suddenly, Chloe climbs onto Aurora's lap. She clasps Aurora's hands, cheeks flushed, eyes tugging a nervous sheen, ''Hey, um... I've meant to tell you this for a long time, but...''

''...?''

''I like you. Really, really like you. Can you be my girlfriend...?''

At that instance, something seems to bloom within Aurora's mind—a budding, pleasant sensation. Looking at the girl before her, countless memories and emotions flood back.

Right.

Aurora has never spent that year's Christmas with Chloe. She was sent to another world before that could happen.

But... this world is also undoubtedly real. This Chloe is genuine—down to her feelings for Aurora.

Before Aurora can truly assess her situation, a voice intervenes between the two, ''You're finally awake.''

''Ah?!''

''...!''

Chloe yelps in shock, while Aurora snaps her gaze to the figure who has just arrived in their room. The former's mouth hangs at the magical appearance of the... nun?

''B-Buezrith?'' Chloe exclaims, nearly pinching her cheek. ''How... what are you doing here...? No, how are you real? A cosplay...?''

Paying no mind to the flustered girl, Buezrith extends her hand to Aurora, ''Let's go. This isn't where you belong, Aurora.''

''...Okay.'' Aurora, after hesitating for a bit, takes that hand.

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''W-Wait!'' Chloe grabs the girl's sleeve. ''Where are you going? What about... what about me?''

Chloe feels as though if she lets her crush follow that woman, she'd never be seen again. A sense of foreboding emptiness, a sorrow she can't bear. So, she chooses to hold onto Aurora.

Aurora's thoughts linger. This world... is probably one of countless realities within the vast multiverse—a place where Aurora has never been the protagonist of a script, and a place where she gets to stay beside Chloe as an ordinary person.

It is apparent that the Heavenly Demon has sent her here. To get back to her original world as soon as possible—that is her mission and desire. If so, the answer is already decided.

With a rarely seen smile, Aurora turns around and strokes Chloe's head, ''I won't go anywhere. So, don't worry and... have a good rest.''

''Ah...''

Aurora leans down and places a gentle kiss on Chloe's forehead, putting her to sleep. After properly laying her on the bed, Aurora returns to Buezrith, ''Let's go.''

Stepping through the nun's portal, Aurora falls into an inverted space, where time and space move erratically.

The river of time.

Her hair gradually turns bleach-white, her eyes sharpen, and two wings spurt out of her lower back. Finally reverting to her true appearance, Aurora finds a piece of her mind relax.

''Thanks.'' She says. ''I would've wasted more time if not for you.''

''Well... it's my duty, after all.'' Buezrith sighs. ''I can't fight the other me directly, so I can only assist you with these kinds of matters.''

''Mhm.''

As the two swim across the currents, passing by countless worlds, Buezrith speaks up, ''Have you ever wished you'd be able to live peacefully like you just did in that world?''

''I would be lying if I said no. But... that isn't my reality.'' Aurora replies. ''If I abandon my reality to live in a world like that, who would answer the people of my world?''

''...I see.''

As the two approach the entrance to the original coordinate, Aurora quietly ponders if 'she' of that world would accept Chloe's confession.

'...I'd probably say yes.'

At the same time, outside the dome, a black sun is rapidly growing in the night sky. Right under the blazing sphere, a slender figure hovers unfazed, on her face tugs a smile,

[How beautiful...]

The Heavenly Demon marvels at her own creation, at the sun that covers the last of the starlights on this planet. Humming a tranquil tune, she turns around to face her returning opponents.

[...So we meet again.]

''Yeah.'' Aurora lets out a sigh. ''Quite a scheme you've got.''

[It's been ruined anyway... well, I never expected it to go my way? Sending you to another world line to temporarily sever your status as a protagonist... that can only work for so long. The will of the world wouldn't allow it.]

''...''

[Don't make that face—I'm not lying. There's no point in that now, is there? But... have you noticed? While you were away, I got to prepare something...]

Aurora casts a wary gaze onto the growing black sun. The size, the intensity, the sheer madness radiating from its pulsing flame—it can't be compared to before. Moreover, though faintly, the Heavenly Demon's presence feels less restricted than before.

As if she is wriggling out of her 'role.'

Should Aurora come back just a few days later, the demon could be completely free of her restraints. By then, even the God of Nihility would have trouble dealing with such a reality-transcendent entity at her full strength.

'No, even now, it's ambiguous.'

Should Aurora feel grateful that she can rival the demon in the first place?

None of that is important now.

[Sadly, this is the best I can do. I suppose... for a human to go against its creator, no amount of effort is enough. To conform or to rebel—someday, I wish you would seriously consider this question. Even if it's not me, I hope someone will discover the true meaning of existence.]

''...Someday, sure.'' Aurora presses her lips together. ''Still, for now, I'd rather find the meaning in my life than trace back so far behind us.''

[Heheh. A very human response—I like it. Provided... I never plan to lose, Aurora.]

''Me neither.''

[Let's do it—our last dance.]

The Heavenly Demon raises her pale arm at the sun, commanding its descent with every last bit of her will. At the same time, Aurora aims her palm at the impending doom, pouring her divine will at a singular spot in the atmosphere.

Immediately after, space distorts violently, collapsing into a point, one that continuously grows while devouring its surroundings. The bit of void rapidly inflates in size, sinking everything in its sight as though an insatiable beast.

''Don't forget me!''

Another hand joins Aurora's.

Buezrith traces the path of the God of Nihility's power, sliding hers alongside it. A bright tint falls onto the black hole—a source of time acceleration—pulling its growth up another notch.

The world falls into an eerie silence, as if holding its breath before the clash of two cosmic giants. Every star shining in the distance seems to lose its luster before the spectacle present. Reality shuts its light to allow the final stage to play out.

In the space where no sound escapes, a few witnesses it.

The black hole ravenously sucks in the sun's flame, turning the scorching red heat into its own. The further the beast eats, the larger and more powerful it becomes. The bigger its pitch-black void grows, the faster it feeds.

Crimson and black streaks pull within the black hole's horizon, the sun's flesh being devoured alive, whirls of cosmic bodies being torn apart.

Below, Aurora and the Heavenly Demon meet gazes. On the demon's pale face, a regretful smile lingers. She looks at Aurora and at herself on the other side softly, a sort of acceptance rising.

[Well done.]

She mouths.

Aurora gently closes her eyes in acknowledgment.

After an unknown amount of time passes, in the sky remains only one celestial body. Still digesting the black sun's remains, the black hole glows with a blinding ring—millions of times brighter than the distant sun.

''Hah... hah...''

Having spent nearly every ounce of her energy, Aurora slowly descends onto the ground with Buezrith. There, lying on the barren ground, is the Heavenly Demon, whose body has seemingly reverted to that of a mortal.

She peers weakly at the spectacle above, trudging through her last moments.

[...It seems I'm still human enough. Even now... I can't help but think that... if there's a next time...]

''...Any regrets?''

[Heheh... regrets, huh? Maybe... I shouldn't have been so hasty. Maybe I could have reached past the boundaries of these worlds...]

''What a stubborn villain you are.''

[Indeed. I can be very stubborn... but... this is the end, I suppose.]

For a moment, Aurora tries to find the words to say to the dying woman. With a sigh, she turns around, ''I'll remember you.''

[...Thanks.]

As the demon closes her eyes, her body disintegrates into gray dust that soon joins the wind.

The madness around the planet completely dissipates after a while. Aurora basks in the first rays of sunlight, the first of many centuries, a hint of melancholy in her eyes.

Yet... a palpable joy overwhelms her heart.

''It's finally over.'' She mutters.

Tomorrow has come for this planet, which has endured far too many calamities. Without further threats, it should be able to recuperate and, once again, let civilization flourish.

This dawn marks a new beginning.