Chapter 551 Unswallowable Tears
9 Months After Origin Decent
The morning fog crawled low over the shattered ground, obscuring much of the view of the ruins of a once-mighty city on Earth. The sun had just pierced the gray sky, sending pale rays resembling the last breath of the world. In the midst of that somber tranquility, two figures slowly emerged from the end of a dusty path—they stopped right in front of the long-abandoned gate.
Fitran stared at the large door, standing with a vacant gaze. He had grown accustomed to ruins—but this time, something felt different. He glanced sideways, looking at the figure of a golden-haired woman standing silently beside him. Beelzebub gazed at the gate in silence. Her golden hair shimmered dimly in the morning sunlight, but her expression held something that even Fitran dared not ask.
For a moment, a heavy silence hung in the air, flowing slowly like the fog that enveloped the streets. Fitran felt a deep uncertainty from Beelzebub, like a silent wave trying to crash against the cliffs of his heart. As he looked at her, he felt as if there was an ocean of secrets behind her swollen eyes, ready to sink or float to the surface with just one simple question.
"Why did you bring me here?" Fitran finally asked, his voice soft yet piercing like the cold morning wind.
Calmly, Beelzebub replied, "This place is a reflection of all that is lost," her distant voice awakening forgotten memories. "Here, we can see what remains of hope, behind the ruins that never cease to tell their story." Fitran felt warmth in her words even though her lips remained frozen, like ice shadowed by the sun's rays. He could not ignore the unsettling sense of peace, as if Beelzebub was a light shining in the darkness of a world that once was so bright.
Beelzebub turned, as if just awakening from her reverie. She did not answer immediately but instead diverted her gaze to the ancient carvings that adorned the gate—symbols of Proto-Speech worn by time. Her fingers touched the cold stone, as if trying to hear something from behind the silence. A gentle breeze blew around them, carrying the scent of dust and forgotten memories. It was as if the world around them had fallen silent, leaving only the soft sounds of hearts frozen between doubt and desire.
"I want to know," Beelzebub answered softly, almost like a whisper. "I want to know what it feels like to be human."
Fitran furrowed his brow. "Human? You?"
"Yes," Beelzebub replied without hesitation, this time looking directly into Fitran's eyes. Her yellow eyes glowed dimly in the hazy morning. "I want to feel what she felt—what you all felt."
Her words brought faint images of Rinoa and Sheena to Fitran's mind. He knew who Beelzebub was referring to—he also understood the deeper meaning of that statement. However, Fitran said nothing. He remained silent, waiting for Beelzebub to continue. The isolation surrounding them felt like the dark sky after a storm, but there was a glimmer of hope peeking through the clouds. In that silence, they both felt an unexpected emotional bridge, as if new life was growing between them.