In the Fragment World, everything was swallowed by darkness.
Thin, white, glowing lines etched across the ground like veins of light struggling against an endless void. A heavy black mist coiled in the air, curling around unseen shapes, smothering the world in an eerie embrace.
"So… this is the Fragment World you mentioned."
Leo[Pride] muttered, eyes wide, a hint of awe slipping into his usually cold tone.
"Yes. This is the place."
Leo replied, her boots echoing against the strange ground as she walked forward.
Leo[Pride] followed, glancing left and right at the empty expanse. "Where are we even going?" His brow furrowed. "This feels like an endless void."
But then, piercing through the gloom, they saw them—seven distant lights glowing faintly, hovering in the mist like tiny suns.
"This is…" Leo[Pride] whispered, taken aback.
"Those are the portals," Leo explained, turning her head toward him. "Each one leads to a different timeline."
"Hmph. Truly interesting."
A smirk tugged at Leo[Pride]'s lips.
They stepped closer, and the lights grew into massive mirrors framed by colossal gate-like structures. The glass shimmered faintly, reflecting nothing.
"This is where I first entered your world," Leo said quietly. Her gaze hardened as she stared at the mirrors. "I just hope… this time I meet a better one."
Her voice trembled. Pale sadness flickered across her face, but still, she stepped forward.
Then—
"Huh!? That's… strange."
Leo's eyes widened in shock.
"What is it?"
Leo[Pride] leaned in, studying the mirror she stared at.
"There's… nothing."
Her voice shook.
"There's nothing in here?" Leo[Pride] tilted his head.
"Yes! That's the problem!"
Leo's voice cracked with panic. "When I first looked at your world's mirror, I saw your reflection. But now… nothing. Not even a trace of me in that universe…"
Her hand trembled. "Don't tell me… did this Leo die in that world?"
"Maybe," Leo[Pride] said flatly, though his eyes sharpened. "Then all the more reason to enter this one."
Leo flinched. "But… what if this Leo in that world is gone?"
"And what if that one holds the strength to break your curse?" Leo[Pride] shot back, stepping closer to the mirror's surface. His voice carried weight—cold, but resolute. "We'll never know until we see."
"How do we even enter…?"
Leo's voice wavered.
"Tch..this one overthinking too much!"
Leo[Pride] thought with a disgusted face. Without warning, Leo[Pride] seized her hand.
"H-Hey!!" She stumbled forward, flustered.
"Think later. Now let's move." He dragged her toward the mirror.
"Ugh… you—!" Leo jerked her hand free, glaring. She exhaled sharply, calming herself. "…Fine. We just have to cross it."
She stepped forward, determination lighting her eyes. "Follow me, Leo."
A thin smile curved on Leo[Pride]'s lips. "Hmph. I'm curious to see what kind of version of me lies ahead."
Together, they pressed into the mirror.
In that instant, a blinding white flash swallowed them whole.
When the blinding light finally faded, Leo and Leo[Pride] slowly opened their eyes.
"What the—!!!"
Leo's scream tore through the silence, her golden eyes trembling in horror.
Leo[Pride] froze beside her, his usually sharp gaze blown wide as though he had just witnessed a ghost.
The ground beneath them was cracked and lifeless, dried like parched earth in a merciless drought. Trees stood like skeletons—bark rough, branches broken, most already long dead. Overhead, the sky bled crimson, smothered by blood-red clouds that churned restlessly. The stench of iron filled the air; fresh blood soaked the earth, and torn pieces of raw flesh lay scattered across the ground like discarded offerings.
"W-what… is this place…?"
Leo's voice shook, her breath shallow as her eyes darted across the devastation.
"This is insane…"
Leo[Pride] muttered, his tone low, almost reverent at the sheer scale of ruin. He took a slow step forward, boots crunching against brittle soil. Leo followed hesitantly, moving closer until she was at his side.
"Is this… the Shorein Kingdom?" she asked, her voice trembling.
"No. Look over there—"
Leo[Pride] lifted his hand and pointed.
In the distance, looming like a scarred relic, stood the Gate of Shorein. But no guards stood watch. No banners waved. Instead, the colossal gates were drenched in thick, dried blood, as though the kingdom itself had been slaughtered.
SWOOOSH!!
A violent gust slammed into them, forcing Leo to shield her body. "Ughhh… what is that!?"
Leo[Pride] narrowed his eyes toward the sky. "A dragon. I see."
Leo's heart lurched as she followed his gaze.
A massive beast circled above—its scales a deep crimson streaked with black, glistening like molten rock. Twin horns jutted from its skull, and its maw split open to reveal rows of jagged, bone-crushing fangs. Its colossal black wings spread wide, tattered like ashen sails, shaking the heavens with every beat.
RWWWAAAAAAGHHHH!!!
The dragon roared, a sound that seemed to rattle the very marrow of their bones.
"H-how… how is there a dragon in the kingdom!?" Leo's thoughts raced, panic tightening her chest.
Leo[Pride] clenched his fists. His voice dropped to a grave murmur. "Looks like this timeline is already doomed."
Without hesitation, he strode past the gates.
"Wait! Hey—wait for me!"
Leo rushed after him.
Beyond the blood-stained gates, the horror only deepened. Dilapidated houses lined the streets, their walls crumbling and roofs caved in. The wails of children echoed faintly, a haunting chorus that clawed at Leo's heart.
As they ventured deeper, corpses littered the ground—humans, elves, demons, all thrown together in grotesque heaps.