"Who is she, Star?" I ask Star as a floating sphere of white light approaches the two of us. Star looks unfortable while I’m just confused — I didn’t know we could have visitors.
I mean, we’re inside some kind of super intense dimensional/spatial barrier that separates us from the physical plane, so I never expected to see anyone ing through that barrier.
"This here is Pandora... Disciple, say ’Hi’ to Pandora... she’s... a guest who, even without me having extended an invitation, is always allowed to e here..." Star says, but her nervousness is evident, and I don’t understand why. Normally she’s super posed.
"Hi, I’m Star’s Disciple, it’s a pleasure to meet you," I say, raising a hand toward the sphere of light until I realize she doesn’t have arms, so she can’t shake my hand.
"[Amiya, I see you’ve gained a better life — even better than your life as Riko or ’Amiya.’ I hope you’re satisfied. The stars were quite active and excited about you.]" The sphere of light speaks to me, calling me by a strange name, since I don’t have a name — I’m just Star’s disciple.
"Amiya?"
"[Don’t worry about that, Amiya. You’ll learn why I call you that in the future. I came to see you today simply because we’re all powerful entities here, aren’t we? I wanted to see firsthand how Amiya had ended up after everything, and also your routine.]"
"I’m fine, I think. Pandora — can I call you Pandora?" I don’t know how to address this sphere of light. I don’t feel anything from her exactly, but at the same time I feel strange and kinda bad things, like a negative vibe.
"[Call me whatever you think is best. I really couldn’t care less what I’m called. Just be respectful and that’s enough.]"
"Okay! I’m Star’s Disciple, like I already said. Unfortunately, I don’t know many things, so I don’t understand why you call me that or if we’ve met before. I hope you don’t consider my lack of awareness on the subject something bothersome."
"[It’s not. I know you’re being honest. After all, I’m an omnipotent being — I know everything.]" When she says she’s omnipotent, I grow skeptical and look at Star, but she’s wearing an extremely unfortable expression, and I realize it’s serious, growing tense.
’Omnipotent? Like, can do anything? What did this being e here to do? I-Is she going to kill me?’ I grow nervous and more unfortable than I’ve ever felt in the last few years since I’ve understood myself as Star’s disciple.
"[I don’t wish to bring about your end. I just came to see you, as I said before. You seem very well. That’s good. Now, let’s not drag this out too much — how about you tell me a bit about your routine here?]"
"W-Why?"
"[No real reason. Besides, I already know your routine. It’s just a pointless question between two girls. I’ll sum it up as ’making small talk,’ so how about you answer? Your master over there looks quite frightened of me, so I bet you know I’m not someone you should be questioning, right?]" She asks, making me look at Star, who gives a quick nod.
"...M-My routine is simple. Star trains me, teaching me magic, and she also teaches me various things about the universe and how to draw energy from the essence of the universe to sustain our life."
"She also teaches me about our future and says that in the future I’ll be able to inherit her role. There’s not much else—"
"[Lie.]"
"..." I bite my lips, feeling my whole body tremble. Before, it wasn’t noticeable, but now, that single word was terrifying — as if I would cease to exist for having lied.
"[There’s no need for all that fear. I’m not planning to kill you for lying to me, but the moment your master confirmed with her head that you should speak, you shouldn’t have made up lies.]"
"I-I’m sorry... but Star isn’t happy with your presence... I don’t think I should talk too much," I try to justify myself.
"[...I understand. It’s a disciple’s loyalty to her master. That’s good — you should be loyal to Star. She’s a decent person. But loyalty means nothing in front of a being who knows every single thing about you, doesn’t it? I already told you I know everything. What’s the point of lying? It simply sounds foolish and stupid.]"
"I-I guess I really was just a fool. But if my master is so unfortable with you, then you’re not good for us, right?"
"[Interesting choice of words, but I’m neutral.]" When she says this, a black mass emerges beside her from a kind of dark portal. The black mass falls to the ground and then expands, forming a body — it’s a girl with long black hair, red eyes, and pale skin. Something about her is utterly terrifying.
"[This here is an extra body, a shell that will handle the rest of this interaction. Our current interaction is no longer necessary. I’ve experienced this experience enough, so I’m leaving. But since it would be equally unnecessary for me to leave without finishing the interaction, I’ve decided to let this ’me’ do that.]" The white light speaks before vanishing pletely.
"So, Amiya — it’s been some time, hasn’t it? By the way, you can call me Pandora. I’m still a Pandora, even if not exactly that Pandora you just saw," she says with a smile, approaching me.
"Y-You’re kind of terrifying!!" I say before anything else, seeing this suspicious woman. I look at Star, who slaps a hand against her forehead as if I’d said something stupid, and Pandora laughs at me.
"Hahaha, of course, of course — I’m very terrifying!! Let’s get on with it, shall we? I’m curious about your life and your routine! And don’t ask why! Just imagine the following!!"
"If a being exists, and that being causes the existence of someone I hate to be slowly erased while their own body bees a prison, and that being is forced to watch while being replaced..."
"Then that being has my gratitude!" She says it in a somewhat confusing way, and I don’t quite understand. Plus, she said something terrible!! As if the fact that I exist had made someone disappear into their own body?
"Don’t try to understand. Just e on — show me your room," Pandora says, ing closer and taking my hand.
"You don’t mind, right?" she asks Star.
"No... do whatever you want as long as you don’t cause problems for Amiy— I mean, for my disciple," Star corrects herself as she grants permission. As soon as Pandora gets permission, she pulls me along with her as if she knows exactly the way. Maybe she really does.
’What have I gotten myself into...’
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