Arc 1Identity Confusion To which we’ve been fooled of who we are, lay the terrifying monster ready to tear us apart. But, if we look closely we’ll see that what’s confusing us is the clone we made out of despair, the shadow that concealed what must have been the truth we’re seeking for. So, take heed! Our perception will be twisted in Z’s palm. --- “Can’t you see the beauty of Pasithea?” said George Williams, his eyes bulging. “Seriously, are you blind or something?” The beach was crowded on the first morning of May that the wind felt a lot warmer than it should. George and Z were sitting on the shore, their feet soaked in the salty water, a pair of coconut juice beside them.

The Main Centre had a cobbled street that twisted and turned out of sight, its corners punctuated by shops of different size and stock. There were about hundreds of ancient-looking torches lining up to the ends of the street, a glass casing each of its pea-size flame. Somehow, the sight of the shop, the things outside them, the Wielders bobbing in and out of any establishment, a transparent bag filled with various equipment hanging on their wrist, distracted Z from any thoughts she just had earlier. A plump woman outside an Apothecary was swinging a silver necklace as she passed, saying, “Necklace, oh, enchanted necklace! Charming as it looks, powerful to use.” Z bit her lips to hide her snigger. “Hey, Z! I’ll withdraw first,” sai

Every time Z finished her shift, she took it as a hobby to stroll in the street. She had never once ridden any of the carriages, let alone buy goods for herself. That’s why she had no idea that a shadow’s energy was their currency. Even though she was working with Granny, she never accepted any salary because its her way of paying back, so no one could blame her for being ignorant. On top of that, anything to do with Pasithea was an instant shrug for her.Feeling the breeze, she linked her arms around her waist, caressing her shoulders as she went. The Main Center had never been warm for her. In fact, where there’s a lot of Wielders was also where her lonely soul ate her whole being.She walked past shoppers after shoppers, her breathing becoming heavier as the eyes equating in her direction felt like knives stabbing every part of her body it could reach. Their words have been her food for a long time. It’s one of the consta

Z woke up with her body sore and itchy. She felt a soft and light something cradling her skin like clouds were rubbing to her flesh, but it made her uncomfortable. All her years, she’d become at home with rough and heavy clothes, so she knew she’s wearing something different.With a sigh, she raised her hands and saw to her disbelief a gray, long sleeve, twinkling despite the dimly lit room. She sat abruptly, owing for a headache to pound against her brain, seemingly interested in breaking her nerves. Automatically, she massaged her temple, indifferent to its odd heat.For no more than a minute, she just sat there, feeling her headache, her eyes set at the mirror opposite her, feeling disconnected somehow. It’s as though she missed something and that the mirror should have been cracked.‘Weird,’ she thought as she looked around. She couldn’t remove the feeling that something had happened while she was as

The last of May unfolded in a haste, as though someone pushed the button for the fast forward, as though the calendar changed its day for only an hour.Hail and his members were renting a cabin in the Zorphean’s Villa. Unlike the normal housing system, theirs were massive and impregnable, its walls that were made with strong bamboo were painted with mint-green, decorated by what seemed to be a blank canvas, its sides curled with a silky, furry fabric. It only had three rooms, a sink, a comfort room, and two foam-made benches, standing alongside, facing an overlarge window, overlooking the dull, cloud-filled horizon.Michelle was curled in one of the benches, her legs crossing elegantly, a soft heart-shaped pillow on her lap. She was staring at the occasional flashing of deep streaks of curvy light in the already flushed sky, sipping a cup of coffee. Its aroma alone brought such a warm sensation she could only imagine.