Frata Castle… Frata Castle stands in the heart of the capital. What sets it apart is that everything Frata and humanity need can be found within its walls, which encompass multiple buildings—town administrative buildings… hospitals… army buildings… Members of the Second Squad were sitting in the second building designated for them.
When Riz and Andra entered, along with their two commanders, Florin and Rifa stood up and introduced themselves. Meanwhile, Riz and Andra looked at the familiar faces they'd trained beside. Riz glanced at Ayk, who stood alongside Mika and Fojta. She murmured to Andra, "Why does everyone look… Different?"
On the other side of the base, Nier was seated next to Elir. It was Nier's first day to be let out of the hospital… But traces of the battle still showed on his body and face. Weak footsteps approached him and stopped in front of him. Nier looked up to see that it was Inini. She appeared to have also just left the hospital.
Inini said, "I want to talk to you outside…" Nier mumbled, "Oh… All right…" Inini walked out first, and Nier followed her. She stopped once she stepped outside the building and could see the sun. Nier also stopped. He stood there, feeling weird… Why had Inini asked him out here? What did she want to talk about?
Nier said, "Inini, are you all right now? I mean… your injury?" Gazing at the sky, Inini said, "Tell me, Nier… What was death like?" Nier was stunned by her question—though he'd expected it… Every time he looked at their faces… It was as if they were all on the verge of asking him that question…
Nier, uneasy, said, "What…" Inini repeated, "I'm asking: What was death like?" Nier stayed silent, not answering. Tears wet Inini's face as she said, "I'm asking you what it's like for Arlo now…" Nier's eyes went wide… But he still couldn't speak.
Several seconds passed… Then Nier forced a smile and said, "It was comfortable… Like you're in a deep sleep…" Inini's tears fell, and she said through sobs, "Really?" Nier maintained his smile and answered, "Yes…" Inini let out a short laugh, as if relieved, then turned her gaze back to the sky, "Tell me, Nier…" Nier, feeling a bit more at ease, said, "What is it?"
Her tone changed suddenly, her features becoming frightening, "Do you think I'm stupid?" Nier looked puzzled, "What?" Inini glared at him with a terrifying expression, "Do I look that stupid to you?" Nier's breathing quickened again, "I… I don't understand…" Lost in thought, Inini stared at the ground and continued, "My grandfather got sick when I was little, and his heart stopped beating for a few minutes… Do you know what happened after his heart started beating again?"
Nier shook his head anxiously. Inini went on, "He wet himself. Can you imagine that? He would scream and cry like a baby. He cried every day that he didn't want to die… He didn't want to go through that again… He said his soul could see us, and he was screaming and screaming, but we couldn't hear him… Not just that—He also heard all the souls' voices around him… They were screaming, yelling, and calling out… She looked at him, Is that what you saw, Nier?"
Nier felt dizzy, pain pounding in his head. He clutched his bandaged head, but Inini didn't stop and asked, "Is that what Arlo is going through now?" Nier didn't answer… Her voice started sounding distant, as if he was about to faint—echoing over and over. She went on, tears rolling down her cheeks, "I'm asking you, Nier… Was Arlo screaming out for me?" Nier said nothing this time either.
Inini moved closer, her face pale and her eyes hollow, "Tell me, Nier… Why are you the one who came back to life?" Nier's eyes widened in shock. He stumbled backward, unsteady. He crouched down, holding his head, trying to stop the spinning. Inini's face was terrifying as she continued, "Why are you alive and not Arlo? Yes, that's what I wanted to ask you… Why didn't you die forever, Nier? At least then Arlo would've had some company. Why did you come back, Nier? What makes you so important? Why is it you who returns?"
Nier didn't know how much time passed… But he was still sitting there in front of the building, staring at a small puddle of rainwater in front of him. Once his head stopped spinning, he looked around. Inini had already gone. He didn't know how long he'd been sitting there after she'd left.
When he stood up, he collided withRin, who had come out looking for him. Nier said, "Oh… sorry!" Rin looked at him—at his eyes scattered around his face—and asked curiously, "Nier… why do you have your eyes open?" Nier, who seemed distant, replied, "Huh?" He glanced behind him, pointing at the puddle, and said, "I was seeing… If my soul was still there…" Then he walked into the building, "It's still there, and it's still black." Rin said in a confused, halting voice, "I came to call you; the president wants us…" Nier walked with slow steps, "All right, commanderRin… I'm coming…" Rin murmured, "Nier…"