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墨書 Inktalez
The Cicada continued, "When I heard people in Esperanza lamenting over the barren land, the scorching heat, the lack of food and water, and their very right to exist, they prayed, yet their gods did not grant them blessings. It was I, I who gave them everything. I used my power to provide them with hope for life."
Eileen's eyes widened, filled with confusion and disbelief. The Cicada's voice was deep and carried a solemnity that felt almost sacred: "Yet you see not my blessings, but only my faults."
As the Cicada spoke, the grim past of Esperanza unfolded like a phantom before Eileen. She saw the parched land where people appeared haggard and ragged, children crying from hunger, and the elderly kneeling helplessly on the ground in prayer. Their eyes were filled with despair and suffering, as if the world had abandoned them.
A mother cradled her barely alive infant, tears mingling with sweat sliding down her cheeks. Weakly, she pleaded for mercy from above but received no response. Eileen's heart ached deeply at these sights; she could feel the weight of their helpless despair.
The Cicada's voice echoed in Eileen's ears: "I witnessed these innocent souls struggling in pain, their prayers unanswered. So I reached out my hand to give them hope, to offer them a chance at survival. I made the land fertile again, let water spring forth once more, providing them with food and sustenance to live."
Eileen watched as the scenes in the phantom gradually brightened. The barren land transformed into lush greenery, springs bubbled up from the earth, children ran joyfully, and smiles appeared on the faces of the elderly. These changes felt miraculous, leaving Eileen in shock.
The Cicada's voice softened and brimmed with emotion: "This is what I have done, Eileen. I saved them; I gave them hope. Yet you only see my faults and those rituals you cannot comprehend. You deem me evil and fallen, but you have never tried to understand my existence."
Conflicted feelings swirled within Eileen as she gazed at these phantoms, overwhelmed by confusion. She did not understand how these changes had come about, but she knew it did not alter her disdain and suspicion toward the Cicada.
"I will not be deceived by you," Eileen forced herself to calm down, her voice resolute. "You may have given them hope, but that does not justify your actions. You exploit their faith and sacrifice the innocent. This is not divine mercy; it is tyranny."
A glint of coldness flashed in the Cicada's Compound Eye as its voice turned low and disdainful: "Eileen, you remain so stubborn. You refuse to see the truth and accept change. Perhaps one day you will understand that everything I do is to make this world better."
Eileen's heart raced; she took a deep breath to steady herself. "No matter how you justify it, I will not yield. You cannot hide your crimes; I will expose your true nature and save those innocent lives."
The Cicada fluttered gently in the air, its voice becoming deep and powerful: "Then let us see how far you can go, Eileen. Do you think you can stop me from becoming the next Jesus?"
Under the tree, three transparent Faceless Ones suddenly merged into one, transforming into a glowing Faceless One that slowly approached Erin. The Faceless One sighed and shook its head, its voice deep and filled with pity. "You seek selfhood, and I admire you for it, but I cannot agree with those who cannot see reality. Reality has already been scripted before this moment; fate has reached its intersection. Three Otherworldly Beings from afar will become the catalyst for my rebirth. Erin... you will be the one to lead me to distant shores... please remember."
Erin was exasperated, her eyes burning with anger and resentment. She opened her mouth, ready to retort. However, suddenly, the ground beneath her vanished, and she felt herself plummeting downward. Her heart raced as her body fell through an endless expanse of pale whiteness, the only sound being the howling wind.
The scenery around her blurred, as if the entire world was becoming infinitely distant in her descent. Erin tried to grasp something, but her fingers only swiped through empty air, touching nothing. Her body twisted in midair, losing all sense of direction and balance.
In this endless whiteness, she could only feel herself sinking deeper and farther away. Erin's thoughts became chaotic, filled with fear and despair.
"I will not yield..." Erin whispered to herself, trying to stay awake. But the endless fall weakened her voice, echoing faintly in the distance.
Time seemed to stretch infinitely; each second felt like a century. Erin's consciousness gradually faded, her body growing heavier. Her eyelids became leaden, her vision dimming until she finally succumbed to complete darkness.
In that darkness, the voice of the Faceless One echoed in her mind once more: "Erin, you will be the one to lead me to distant shores... please remember."
This voice seemed to come from an endless abyss, carrying an irresistible force that etched itself deeply into Erin's mind. Her consciousness slipped away within that voice, leaving only those words reverberating in her thoughts.
When Erin opened her eyes again, she found herself back in reality. A damp smell filled the air, mingled with a foul odor that made her feel nauseous. As her eyes adjusted to the dim light, she noticed a rat in the corner staring at her with wide eyes.
She instinctively leaned back quickly, only to find herself pressed against a cold stone wall blocking her escape. The chill from the wall seeped into her skin, causing her to shiver involuntarily. Looking around, she realized she seemed to be in a cell.
Iron bars glimmered dully in the dim light, and the floor was covered in dirt and water stains. The air was thick with the stench of decay and dampness, making it hard to breathe. Erin attempted to stand up but found her limbs sore and weak, making her movements clumsy.
Using the stone wall for support, she slowly rose to her feet, her legs trembling. Her thoughts were still somewhat muddled, but she knew she had to calm down and find a way to escape. She approached the door and peered through the iron bars; outside lay a narrow corridor ending with a heavy iron door.
Erin's heart raced as she realized she had to escape this place. She recalled the dream she had just experienced—the enormous cicada, the words of the Faceless One—everything felt like a nightmare. But now, she knew she was in reality and had to confront the predicament before her.
She let out a soft sigh, trying to calm herself. Her gaze swept across every corner of the cell, searching for any clues that could help her escape. There were some tattered rags and wooden scraps on the floor, and a bit of rust in the corner of the wall. Her mind raced as she tried to devise a feasible plan.
"I will not yield; I must get out," Erin told herself. She understood that no matter how many difficulties and dangers lay ahead, she had to find a way to uncover the truth behind it all and save the townsfolk who had been misled. This was her mission, and it was a challenge she had to complete.
Just then, she heard footsteps approaching from outside, growing louder with each passing moment. Erin's heart pounded again as she quickly retreated into the corner, trying to conceal her presence, holding her breath as she awaited what was about to happen.
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