"Shade, Shade!"
The voice calling his name by his ear brought Shade back to consciousness from a daze. He wondered what had just happened to him, only to discover that another version of himself was standing before him.
He jerked in surprise, then realized that what stood before him was the mirror in his own washroom. He was wearing a black formal suit and holding a comb, apparently combing his hair. The reflection still looked so young and handsome, and though confusion showed on his face, he did not seem gloomy or burdened in the slightest.
"What am I doing?"
"Shade, aren't you ready yet? We're going to be late!"
Galina's urging voice came from the living room. Shade set down the comb and walked out of the washroom, where he saw Galina Cavendish waiting anxiously. She wore a luxurious long red gown and a silver crown, while two maids behind her helped hold up her train.
But when she saw Shade emerge, she smiled and stepped forward to embrace her handsome lover.
"You really look handsome in anything. Hurry, Tifa and the others are already waiting downstairs. Today is the big day when Leisha becomes Queen. If we're any later, the reporters will completely block every intersection on Silver Cross Avenue. I don't think you want to fly into Yodel Palace in such a high-profile manner."
"Fly? Leisha? Becoming Queen?"
Galina kissed Shade on the face. Her beautiful golden eyes gleamed with amusement as she looked at him beneath the brilliant sunlight streaming through the window.
"That's right. We found all Thirteen Chosen Ones. After you materialized the concept of the end of the world, it attached itself to the Self-Proof, Paradox Perpetual Motion Machine, Lord of Myriad Machines, and Difference Engine created by The Truth Society, forming the