A never-ending horizon and an eternal struggle. The gears that keep turning for it. Fialat-La-Borgograd, the heart of the dragon, could see it.

　That's what the great demon Vriligant saw.

　Fyarad, who had partially identified with the dragon, intuitively understood his true nature.

　There was no burning hatred, no feverish rage in Vriligant's heart. Only the concept of conquest.

　Oh, the Obsidian Dragon knows only conquest and destruction. I'm sure his dragon will devour civilization as long as it's in front of him. Rule and reign are scarce. Conquest is all.

　Ruin without time is the essence of Vriligant. What lies beyond the sky, beyond the horizon, his dragon will bite down with his fangs.

　He will repeat it forever. He will repeat it forever.

　No, that's what Vriligant is. There is no justice, not even evil. There was only eternal struggle and withering destruction.

　It was like a cog in the wheel of a new world.

　At the center of his will, Fialaat's thoughts faded into obscurity.

　Naturally, he found himself swaying in the wheel of eternity. I even felt like I was soaking in a soothing bathtub.

　Now, I, who was only finite, am about to become a part of the infinite. My eyelids are heavy. Even breathing is a chore. I feel a warmth deep in my chest.

　If I fall asleep in this gentle darkness, I will become eternal.

　It was an outlandish idea, but it felt very real. Was it a dream or was it reality? Fialat doesn't know.

　--But it's not a bad idea to fall asleep. Then I won't have to think about anything.

　This thought flashed through Fialaat's mind again and again. It was so sweet, so beautiful, so wonderful.

　But... Oh, but...

　The voice echoed inside his skull. I just can't get it out of my head.

　--I don't want to go down the same road we've all been on and live out our days in resignation and inertia. What do you think, accomplice?

　And the voices and the words that follow. Voices so familiar. A voice I try to forget but can't. My heavy eyelids blink slightly again, and I strain to open them.

　And so it goes. I want to just throw it all away, but there's a part of me that won't let that happen.

　What should I do? Such questions and answers were repeated over and over again.

　In the warm darkness, a piercing light illuminated Fialaat and his surroundings. Fialaert's eyelids narrowed involuntarily. I don't want to touch a piece of that light. He wanted to be as far away from it as possible.

　Now he was about to become one with eternity, and this light was blocking that. A look of disgust appeared on Fialaert's face, and heat rose up his spine.

　A voice echoed in the silent horizon.

"Well, well, well. A man lives only a few decades. You used to say you didn't want to live with yourself bent over. You've become so selfish and arrogant, Fialaat. I think it's fine. I love them both. I even think they're virtues. You should do that because you're weirdly modest. But this is a huge demerit for talking so much to me.

　I can see the crease between his eyes. It sounded familiar, too. But I didn't want to hear it now.

"He's just like you in that way. No, it's just that people are like that?　Then I think we shouldn't let people live too long. Saying and doing nothing is the worst kind. What do you think, Fialaat?

　Bother. I don't know what you're talking about. Don't say anything else. Your thoughts are distracted and words are flying through your brain. Fialaat can't even understand what he's thinking or feeling. All he could feel was repulsion.

"Fialaat--get up. Lugis is waiting for you.

　Fialaat felt a hand reach out to her.

　His instincts warned him that he must reject it. Do not take this hand. It would mean a divergence from eternity.



　It's best if you just fall asleep. Eternity whispered in his ear.

　Despite his instincts, Fialaert felt something in his hand. Soft and warm. Almost as if it were enveloping.

　Before he knew it, Fialaat had grabbed his hand. There was no thought there.

　His body lifted. His eyes slackened. Now Fialaat felt himself separating from eternal existence. Identification with the demon. It was the ultimate choice for a sorcerer.

　But Fialaat left it all behind next. He knows there is no other way. It's the most wonderful thing.

　--Eyelids, open. A lock of dark hair passes through my vision. He brushed it back.

"Good morning, Fialaat. I hope I didn't wake you too harshly. Don't take it personally. I'm a demon, I'm not made to save people. Or maybe you'd rather be a heart forever. Then I can do it again.

　Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Agathos speaking with a proud smile on his cheek. Fialaert scanned his surroundings with an unsteady gaze.

　There was only light. A glare so bright it almost burned his eyes. But it wasn't uncomfortable. It was a lie that it had seemed so piercing earlier.

　Fialat said, his lips bouncing smoothly. There was an air of exultation in his words.

"No, of course not. A mere eternity is worth nothing. Thank you, Agathos. I guess Lugis isn't here.

　Agathos couldn't help but chuckle at Fialaert's obvious pouting and sulking.

　I'm not sure if that's a good idea or not. He thought to himself, "That's not a good idea.

　You have plenty of things to worry about, including your own health.

"He's out. He's foolishly tied up with a Vriliganth. If he's serious, he'll die trying. You want to help him, Fialat. Are you going to listen to what I have to say?

Don't rush me. I'm in the mood to take any hand I can get my hands on. Fiend or no fiend.

　Agathos looked into Fialaert's obsidian eyes, and his cheeks relaxed.

　The man's physique looked much more tired than Fialaert had seen before, but his confidence was as strong as ever.

　Agathos straightened his back and said.

"Then let's take it all, all of it.

　Take. Agathos smiled devilishly at Fialaat, who asked him the same question.

I'm going to take everything back from the Amagi Dragon, whose only skill is taking. It's a masterpiece. I'm serious. I'm not human. I do what I say I'll do, selfishness of the highest order and arrogance of the highest order. I get what I want, I always get what I want.

　Agathos opened his mouth, looking both pleased and annoyed. He clears his throat and his cheeks turn a lustrous vermilion. That's what made him so attractive to Fialaert, a man of the same s*x.

　Fialaert opened his mouth in response.

"Yes. I feel the same way, Agathos. I always get what I want. As long as I get to be next to him in the end, that's all that matters.

　Now, what shall we do? Fialaat said with the same emotion in her voice.