“You’re here... again.” Faeyna’s voice came from behind.
I turned to look at her. “You don’t know who I am?”
“Should I?” She looked up at me, her eyes red with the tears she was holding back, her lips tight. “You’re an acquaintance of my brother, right?”The original source of this content is n0ve1bin★
“Faeyna...” I reached out, but she took a step back, her behavior guarded.
“I don’t know you, but I think it’s best if you go. I have a lot of messes to clean up.”
“You’re a hero now...”
“I’m not.”
“But...”
“I’m just a maid! That’s all I am. That’s all I’ll ever be. Now, my master is waiting for me to make his supper.”
I looked around incredulously. The mansion had been untouched, but the entire front yard was filled with holes and craters. It was as she said, a mess.
I looked back at Elaya standing there. I took a steady breath.
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
“This is Faeyna before she met you. She doesn’t even know you. Well, this cycle has met you a few times, but that doesn’t mean she’s formed any particular strong opinion about you.”
“This cycle?”
“Do you think this is the first time this story has played out? This... or variations of it, have been playing out ever since this dungeon formed.”
“You mean... Faeyna’s entire life...”
She nodded. “I had to break free from her cycle. This damn dungeon cast me as the old maid! Well, Xin was caught up in it too. I managed to send her out, and you were able to sever that bond. As for her, Faeyna has been suffering this loop, like a self-imposed punishment.”
It was like Twilight Dungeon. The story played out over and over again. I was only seeing the most recent version of it. Presumably, once it finished, it’d repeat again, desperately trying to change its story. Of course, things turned out the same way. I wasn’t able to change anything.
“What is she punishing herself for? I’m the one who failed.” I responded bitterly.
“Not yet. There is still one last level.” Elaya declared.