Yubel had no idea how long had passed.
For a very long time, time had meant nothing to her. All she faced was darkness—boundless, despair-inducing darkness. Pain and despair constantly sought to devour her. The dual torment of body and soul was enough to break even a guardian with the strongest will.
She did not know how she had done it, but she had ultimately endured. Though covered in wounds, though even her mind had been twisted into the form of a monster, though only one arm remained, she had survived.
Because she remembered her mission—the only thing more important than her own life, the person she would give everything to protect.
Her memories had become muddled. She could no longer distinguish dreams from reality, nor past from future. Then, suddenly, light shone into the darkness that seemed to have lasted for centuries.
And there were voices.
"Do you think this is over? Do you think you've won?"
"No. I'll remember you, boy. Soon, the day of my revival is drawing near. Once my seal is broken and I return to this world, you'll be the first one I come for again.
"When that time comes, both you and this spirit of yours will return to darkness."
It was a hoarse, sinister voice, and it seemed to be growing more distant.
But then came a boy's voice, full of vitality, like a blazing fire. It felt as though even the deepest darkness in the world would be burned away by that flame.
"Sure, I'll be waiting," the boy said. "No matter how many times you come back, it'll be the same. Because Yubel is my most important partner."
Yubel's heart trembled. As that voice rang beside her ears, the image of the Prince calling her name as he came to