Amid the dazzling, extravagant splendor of the Golden City known as Yomi, Duyen felt an indescribable pressure tightening in her chest. There was something—perhaps her instincts—quietly warning her that something here was deeply wrong.
The music, the laughter of the citizens, all of it exceeded even perfection itself, painting a picture of absolute freedom, a place without worry or restraint. And yet, despite all that, Duyen felt profoundly uneasy.
This might have been the strangest dream she had ever experienced. Especially with Amuro beside her, murmuring as he counted the passing seconds and minutes. His voice was soft, rhythmic—like a prayer—gentle, yet haunting.
And then there was that grotesque, unnatural form she had glimpsed earlier. It felt unmistakably like an omen.
Time was running out.
But running out of what?
And what would happen afterward?
Perhaps only a few more minutes, and Duyen would finally understand.
The sweet, intoxicating scent of wine—an unmistakable hallmark of this city—made her dizzy. Either her tolerance was poor, or the alcohol here was simply far too strong for her. Her footing slipped, and she leaned slightly toward Amuro.
She didn't understand why she suddenly felt so fragile. As if she had lost something deeply familiar, something she had always relied on.
Through the haze, she faintly heard someone calling her name.
"Duyen… Duyen…"
Was that Shana? Shana, was that you?
But the voice faded, pulling her back into this strange reality. Amuro was gently shaking her as her head rested on his shoulder.
"Miss Duyen? Miss Duyen?"
She jolted awake, eyes widening as she lifted her head.
"Y-Yes, sir?"
Only then did she realize she had been leaning on him, and embarrassment flooded her face. She instinctively opened her mouth to apologize, but Amuro spoke first.
His tone was formal, yet laced with urgency.
"Miss Duyen, we've arrived. Please—look."
At his words, Duyen slowly raised her gaze. Arrived? What did he mean?
The moment she looked ahead, a blinding radiance greeted her. A halo of light so intense it forced her to shield her eyes. Yet even that was useless—the light was overwhelming.
Gradually, somehow, her eyes adjusted to the strange yet warm glow. A soothing sensation filled her chest, accompanied by a voice—clear, ethereal, as if descending from heaven itself.
"So… you've arrived."
It was a woman's voice—gentle, melodic, resonating like pristine notes in a flawless harmony. And strangely… familiar.
Duyen felt her worries dissolve, the constant fear she had carried since entering this city melting away. Carefully, she opened her eyes.
Before her stood a colossal golden throne, towering and majestic, forged of pure gold and radiating rainbow-hued light.
Flanking the throne were two breathtakingly beautiful women—twins, identical in face, like porcelain dolls carved from white jade. Even their glowing white gowns were the same.
The woman on the left had long jet-black hair and an expression devoid of emotion—cold, sharp. Yet she radiated an overwhelming aura of righteous power. Her eyes, red-orange in color, seemed to see straight through one's essence.
The woman on the right wore a gentle smile. Her hair was softly curled, tinted a pale violet. A mystical atmosphere surrounded her, like layers of mist—both real and unreal. Her gaze was dreamy, glowing with a tender violet light.
Seated between them was a woman of transcendent beauty, reclining lazily upon the throne. Draped only in a thin sheet of white silk cascading from her shoulder, she looked like a goddess among goddesses—the very convergence of radiance itself.
Her long black hair floated as though suspended in air. She cast her gaze downward, taking notice of the two tiny humans who had reached the most sacred place in the city.
An immense pressure washed over Duyen, making her dizzy. Her eyes trembled as she gasped,
"Sha… Shana?"
Yes. The woman on the throne bore the same face as Shana. Her mannerisms—those softly curved, alluring lips—were identical.
Duyen's body went rigid. She couldn't speak. She wanted to call out Shana's name, to shout it aloud—but something restrained her.
Perhaps it was Amuro's grip on her hand. It made her realize that things were not as they appeared.
No one in this city could see them—for reasons unknown.
And yet this woman—this overwhelming being with Shana's face—was looking directly at her, smiling.
She was Shana…And yet she wasn't.
Amuro released Duyen's hand and knelt fully to the ground.
"Your Majesty…"
Just those two words deepened Duyen's confusion.
Queen?
Did he mean… Shana? Or merely someone who looked like her?
Duyen jolted as she realized—the woman could see her. She instinctively tried to kneel as well, but the woman's clear, resonant voice stopped her at once.
"No need. You don't have to kneel."
The simplicity of her words carried immense power. Duyen's legs froze in place. She stared up blankly, blurting out a respectful, fearful,
"Y-Yes…?"
This feeling—this was not Shana. Even after being told not to kneel, Amuro remained unmoving, still prostrate on the floor. Duyen felt painfully out of place.
"T-This… I… I—"
Someone, please help me…
Cold sweat slid down her forehead just as the Queen rose from her throne. Her bare, elegant feet touched the steps as she began descending toward Duyen.
The twin attendants exchanged a strange glance. Even they seemed confused by what their Queen was seeing.
Duyen's limbs grew weak as the woman drew closer. The difference between them became unmistakable—height, presence, radiance, power.
Duyen felt like an ant standing before a queen beast.
And yet—no one had ever seen the Queen gaze upon such a creature with eyes so gentle, so fond, as if greeting someone long missed.
Completely overwhelming. So this was the Queen.
She bent down softly and took Duyen's hand. Small—because the difference in their forms was undeniable.
Hand in hand with the Queen, the image of Shana's tenderness surfaced in Duyen's mind, warming her heart.
"Come with me for a moment," the Queen said.
Her smile made Duyen blush. How could someone be this beautiful?
Duyen nodded shyly and followed her into a grand chamber beyond the throne.
Just before disappearing, Duyen's gaze met the violet-haired twin's. The girl smiled and waved at her until both figures vanished from sight.
"Little brother?"
The red-orange–eyed twin turned and asked,
"What are you staring at?"
The violet-haired one—perhaps truly a boy—hummed softly and chuckled.
"Nothing, sister. I just… suddenly feel happy."
"Happy? What's there to be happy about?"
Her frown deepened, her cold expression showing open displeasure.
But the boy only looked at her with gentle eyes. His pale violet gaze shimmered softly.
"I think… I'll miss you very much, sister."
The unexpected tenderness in his voice left her startled. Why say something like that now? It sounded as if they were about to part.
"Don't say nonsense," she snapped uneasily. "How could we ever be separated? Don't you remember what we are?"
Together, they said in unison:
"We are like form and shadow, like the Sun and the Moon. Never apart."
The boy laughed, then whispered softly—his voice trembling—words his sister would never hear.
"…If only that could really be so."
Fifteen minutes left.
Time kept slipping away.
Amuro's gaze never left the Queen—not for a second. Duyen sat beside her, visibly uneasy. Why did she want me here? So many questions burned inside Duyen, all begging for answers.
But just as she was about to speak, the Queen gently placed a finger against her lips.
"Shhh… I won't take much of your time," she whispered.
Then she glanced toward Amuro, who was leaning against the wall, and gave him a mischievous wink.
The more Duyen watched her, the more the Queen's mannerisms reminded her of Shana. Her instincts screamed it—but at the same time, she couldn't be sure.
"Your Majesty…" Duyen asked timidly, unable to suppress her curiosity. "You look exactly like someone I know…"
The Queen raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise.
"Oh? Is that so? What is her name?"
"Her name is… Shana."
A knowing smile spread across the Queen's lips. She leaned closer and whispered,
"…Shana… I like that name very much."
There was something about this Queen—something unsettling. As if she knew. As if she knew that Shana truly existed.
Duyen's eyes widened, as though something inside her had just been unlocked.
Nearby, Amuro continued muttering, counting numbers in a cold, mechanical tone.
Suddenly, the Queen raised her slender hand to her neatly tied hair. Before Duyen could react, she pulled out a golden hairpin. Her smooth hair cascaded down like gentle waves, releasing an intoxicating scent that washed over Duyen's face.
The hairpin was large—far larger than an ordinary ornament. It looked more like a massive needle than a delicate accessory.
Duyen took it with trembling hands, staring at the Queen in confusion.
"Why… why are you giving this to me?"
The Queen lowered herself until they were eye to eye, softly cupping Duyen's cheek.
"Because the one you love… Shana… is in trouble."
Duyen froze.
"Trouble!? Shana!? What do you mean—!?"
But the Queen placed a finger against Duyen's lips again, her voice calm and gentle.
"Remember my words, my child. Take this hairpin… and return here—to the throne where I once reigned."
"What are you talking about? I don't understand…"
Duyen shook her head, panic creeping in.
"…You will, in time."
The Queen's voice softened.
"Remember. Promise me, Duyen. Save Shana."
Duyen didn't understand what was happening—none of it made sense. But she couldn't ignore the fear gripping her heart.
Her eyes instinctively searched for Amuro, hoping for an explanation. But he only stood there, staring at her, still counting.
"Promise me," the Queen urged again, urgency seeping into her tone, as if she knew time was running out.
Duyen clenched her fists.
She didn't understand. But she couldn't let Shana be in danger.
"I promise! I promise!" she said without hesitation.
Then she glanced down at the hairpin in her hands.
"But this—"
The Queen simply smiled, gently patting her head like a mother comforting her child.
"You'll know what to do when the time comes…"
She stood up and turned to Amuro.
"My apologies for taking so much time. Take her away—now."
Amuro bowed immediately in obedience. Before Duyen could process anything, Amuro's hand pressed against her back, urging her forward.
Just as they moved, the Queen placed a hand on Duyen's shoulder and whispered into her ear,
"…Promise me this. No matter what happens—don't look back."
"Huh? I—"
Before she could finish, Amuro grabbed her hand tightly and pulled her forward. They entered a corridor—long, endless, terrifying.
The Queen's hand slipped from Duyen's shoulder, retreating back into her flawless, divine world.
"Don't look back, Miss Duyên…"
Amuro muttered, repeating the Queen's words.
Heart pounding, Duyen shut her eyes and forced herself to keep walking.
Then—
BOOM.
A deafening sound tore through the air, like a meteor ripping open the sky.
"Wh—!"
Instinctively, Duyen twisted around. Was the Queen in danger!?
But Amuro immediately grabbed her head, forcing her to face forward, pushing her onward.
No… the Queen…
Suddenly, screams erupted behind her.
Horrifying screams. The sound of flesh being torn apart.
Cries for help.
Death.
Agonized sobs ripping through the air. Behind her—where there should have been a city filled with pleasure and delight—
What was happening!?
Fear crushed Duyen's chest.
What… what is happening back there!?
Your Majesty—!?
"Keep walking."
Amuro's voice was cold, unyielding. But the wails behind her wouldn't let her go. The Queen's gentle, beautiful face burned vividly in her mind.
She was in trouble. She had to be.
Then—
A scream split the heavens.
The Queen's voice.
A scream of unbearable pain, like something slicing into flesh. That was it.
Duyen tore herself free from Amuro's grip and ran back.
"Miss Duyen!" Amuro shouted in panic. But she was already there.
She reached the curtain—and pulled it aside.
What lay before her was pure horror. A nightmare so grotesque it stained her bright amber eyes red.
Skin fused to skin.
Eyes melded into eyes.
Millions of bodies collapsing into one another—becoming one.
A colossal, abominable creature loomed before them.
And there—The Queen was there.
She… she…
Duyen couldn't even scream. Tears streamed uncontrollably down her face.
With the last shred of her consciousness, the Queen murmured,
"…Foolish child…I told you not to look back…"
Amuro wrapped an arm around Duyen's waist and carried her away—running.