Void.
A flickering candle flame swayed in the boundless hollow darkness, brightening and dimming as if it might be devoured by Nothingness at any moment.
Yet no matter how precariously it flickered, that light never went out. It was like a glowing nail, driven firmly into this void, silently waiting until...
A pair of eyes opened above it, their outer corners raised as they greeted it.
" Hee~
What brings such a rare guest here? Why aren't you seeking an audience with your cold and heartless Lord of Grace? Why come to me instead?
I have neither change nor hope here. I can't give you what you want."
Surrounded by darkness, the candle flame gradually took shape once more, becoming a Candlelight Person. It raised its head, flames roaring as it looked at the pair of eyes before it, then gave a self-mocking smile:
"I don't want anything. I only want an answer.
Just as you threw your believer before me to seek an answer, I've come to seek one too."
The pair of eyes rolled, and their owner said merrily:
"Then I'm afraid you've asked the wrong god.
I am the manifestation of Nothingness, the ruler who governs the falsehoods of the cosmos. There are no answers in my mouth.
Even if there were, they would be false.
If you want an answer, you should ask Truth... Oh, no. You should ask Folly.
Folly knows a great deal. Even when Folly doesn't know something, Folly can pretend to understand and make up an answer on the spot."
"Fine. Then let me go see Folly." Hope's Flame's tone held neither joy nor sorrow.
"?"
Deception's gaze froze for a moment before its eyes slowly spiraled. "Interesting. You are Nothingness's subordinate god, my foolish little sister's envoy, and a change existing