Chapter 6: The Stage of Judgment

Ebert is an executioner, mercilessly judging those who threaten Horizon and its emperor, Ursus. His magic, [Memory Manifestation], allows him to recreate events and histories recorded in people and places. To create the perfect stage for his judgments, he studies his targets, delving into their cherished connections.

“P-please! Spare me!”

The criminals beg, not for their own lives, but for their families, lovers, and friends. Meeting Ebert means judgment is inevitable.

“This is exhilarating.”

Ebert finds joy and satisfaction in his work, believing it to be righteous. He considers himself just.

“What do you think? Interesting story? I was getting bored waiting for Vega Spica. Oh, can you hear me?”

“Ugh…”

“Don’t look so heartbroken. It had to be done. This stage wouldn’t be complete without you severely injured.”

Ebert grins, prodding my arms and legs. He leaves the unconscious Jaehan in the warehouse and steps outside.

Snap!

The cloaking spell concealing the warehouse dissipates.

Rumble… Crack!! Boom!!!

The air freezes. A deafening roar. Giant black wings approach.

“Wow, she noticed immediately. Fast as ever.”

Click. Click.

Ebert loads his pistols.

“Ebert Executioner!”

“Long time no see, Vega.”

Rumble… Rumble…

The warehouse shakes violently, and I regain consciousness.

“Ugh…”

My eyes adjust to the darkness. Dark blood flows from my chained limbs. Agonizing pain radiates from my joints where Ebert’s bullets struck.

I’m in agony, but I have to stay awake. I can’t let Ebert destroy Vega, who’s finally found a reason to live.

If he’s already used his [Memory Reading]… if he knows how I’ve given Vega hope, how she feels about me… he’ll use one method to break her.

‘…Our first meeting, three years ago.’

I know the event, but not how he’ll use it.

‘What is he planning?’

I look down and notice something on the floor, something that screams, Vega cannot come here.

“Ouch! That stings!”

Ebert drops his pistols and raises his hands, his body battered.

“I give up! I expected it, but you’re ridiculously strong, Vega.”

“Where is he? Where’s Jin Jaehan?!”

Ebert grins as Vega screams Jaehan’s name.

He points towards the distant warehouse.

“He’s in there. Go ahead and take him.”

“Grr!”

Vega’s eyes burn with murderous intent, but…

‘Jaehan… I have to save him!’

He’s more important than this scum. She spreads her black wings, about to take flight…

“Don’t you think Jin Jaehan will hate you?”

“…What?”

“Do you really believe he has no secrets from you? That he’ll always look at you the same way?”

Ebert’s words shake her, but she doesn’t stop.

‘No… he promised he’d always be there for me. Don’t think about it, Vega.’

She reaches the warehouse, her heart pounding. She throws open the door and finds Jaehan chained and bleeding, his limbs pierced, blood pooling on the floor.

“J-Jaehan! I-I’ll heal you…”

“Don’t.”

“Jaehan?”

“Stay back! Run!”

“W-what…?”

“No! Vega!”

Hum… Crackle!

As Vega steps forward, a purple magic circle appears above the warehouse. Her eyes slowly close.

“Jae…han…”

“And now, for the grand finale.”

Ebert grins, his face twisted with madness, watching the magic circle glow in the dilapidated warehouse.

“Jaehan? Are you okay?”

Vega opens her eyes. Jaehan is gone.

‘What?’

She recognizes the familiar alley in Horizon, the place she sought refuge in her moments of despair.

“…Why am I here?”

She’s still wearing the simple clothes from Jaehan’s cabin.

‘Teleportation magic?’

No, it doesn’t feel like she moved. And it’s snowing, which shouldn’t happen in summer.

‘I need to save Jaehan. I have to get out of…’

“Sniff…”

A familiar sound.

‘This is…’

She follows the sound and finds… herself. A younger, injured, weeping Vega Spica.

“This is a sight to behold! The infamous Vega Spica, falling for such a simple trap.”

“You!”

“Easy there. Don’t aggravate your injuries.”

“Grr!”

“The best way to execute someone is to use their connections. Humans are easily swayed by emotions.”

Please, body, move! I have to get out of here!

“And those emotions can be deadly.”

“Ugh!”

“Of course, our protagonist, Jaehan, needs a way out too, right? This spell shows him his most painful memories. It must hurt.”

Ebert grins, enjoying my suffering.

“Breaking the spell is simple. The victim just needs to shatter the crystal.”

“Crystal?! Don’t tell me…!”

“Bingo.”

Ebert points at me.

“I’ll cut you open, and you can shatter it.”

‘Ebert’s magic…’

Vega quickly understands. The purple circle is his spell. He’s using his [Memory Manifestation] magic.

‘This is my memory.’

She’s heard of Ebert’s methods. He tortures his targets with their own memories.

‘It snowed this heavily three years ago. So, this memory is from around that time.’

But she’s not afraid. She’s already endured the worst pain imaginable, and Jaehan offered her a hand when she was at her lowest.

‘I can handle any memory…’

“Found you, Vega Spica.”

‘…What?’

Jin Jaehan approaches the crying Vega in the memory.

‘No way… I met Jaehan before?’

Confused, she watches as Jaehan speaks to her younger, vulnerable self.

“Are you okay?”

“…”

“I want to help you.”

Even in the memory, Jaehan’s eyes see her.

‘Then, and now… you were always looking at me, Jaehan.’

But Vega in the memory doesn’t look at him.

“I brought a blanket, just in case…”

“How dare you.”

Slap!

Vega pushes Jaehan’s hand away. The blanket falls to the ground.

‘…Wait.’

“Don’t you dare touch me.”

‘Stop.’

“You filthy, worthless peasant.”

‘Stop it! That’s not true!’

“…I just wanted to help you.”

“Ha! Who do you think you are? What do you know about me?”

‘Don’t say that! Look at him! Please!’

“Do you think you’re some kind of hero?”

“…”

‘Please, stop it! Stop!’

“Get out of my sight. I don’t need your pathetic pity.”

Vega turns and leaves without a second glance. Hope drains from Jaehan’s eyes, replaced by despair. Vega can only watch, unable to reach them. Neither the Vega nor the Jaehan of three years ago can hear her cries.

‘…It’s my fault. Jaehan’s pain, his sadness… it’s all because of me.’

Her legs give way, and tears stream down her face.

She can’t stop it. She can’t change it.

Perhaps she was the only one who found happiness in his cabin. How can she face him now? What if he remembers this too? What if this is his memory, not hers? What if his gaze turns cold?

‘I want it to end. I don’t want to hurt anymore.’

Her form flickers, fading, but she doesn’t resist. She wants to melt away like the snow, disappearing with the sunrise.

Then…

“Are you okay?”

‘…’

“Look up. Look at me.”

Jaehan’s voice. She lifts her head and sees him, the Jaehan from the memory, speaking to her.

‘…Jaehan? Can you see me?’

“Of course.”

‘…How?’

Memories are just memories. They can be influenced, but they can’t influence reality. Yet, the Jaehan in this memory sees her.

“Vega. Neither I, nor the me who’s with you now, have ever hated you.”

‘Why? I didn’t even look at you. Why do you forgive me?’

“Because I understand. I know how much you hurt.”

‘…’

“And I just want to heal you.”

Vega’s fading form solidifies. She collapses into his arms, sobbing like a child.

‘I’m sorry. I’m sorry I didn’t see you sooner.’

“It’s okay. I didn’t hate you then, and I won’t hate you now.”

A white light envelops her. Purple chains try to hold her, but they’re meaningless.

“It’s time to go back.”

They’re just painful, meaningless memories.