9 Appearance Of Eris...?!

AFTER EATING dinner in silence and freshening myself up for bed, I didn't talk to Avril about what happened earlier or if she had told Mother about 'it'.

I will just wait until she report back to me if mother even allowed me to go out, which excites me.

'Finally! I can finally see the great outdoors!'

And, although the silence wasn't awkward as I suspected even after the whole 'kneeling' incident, it was rather a comfortable silence since neither of us wanted to talk and we surprisingly understood that in our way.

'But I do guess that it is an act that she is swearing her loyalty to me... Or whatever, I'm just bluffing.'

"Good night, My Lady."

Avril closed the door after she said that. The lights are turned off and the only light that gives the room a clearer view to me is the moon shining in the night sky.

It was brighter, almost illuminating the room and giving it a somber look. It was almost enough to make me sleep, the silent rustling wind outside singing lullabies.

But, it seems that I couldn't sleep.

"My my, you are adjusting well to your new body."

My eyes widened at this familiar voice, I immediately sat upright and looked around the room to see who spoke but there was no one.

'Maybe it was just my imagination?'

No, that voice is suspiciously too clear to be my imagination.

I suddenly felt a gust of wind encircled me, I shrugged it thinking that the window might be open but when I looked, it was closed.

"Don't tell me you have forgotten about me, poor human?"

I knew it wasn't my imagination!

"You..."

A soft laugh echoed around the room, it was gentler as if afraid to wake anyone outside.

"Ah, you haven't forgotten about me."

I frowned at this, the shock that I felt earlier subsiding gradually.

"How could I?" I started as my face crinkles even more, "I was put in a character that was destined to die in the first place!"

As ungrateful as it sounds, I can't help but say that.

The character is supposed to be dead right now, with her death being a stepping stone for her sisters' success, which I said countless times.

Of course, I am grateful that I lived and was given another chance, but would I die again after I just got here?!

Though, the situation isn't like that right now, who knows what will happen?!

Maybe I'll die after a month, or a year! The wheels of this world is unpredictable and maybe it will notice me, a discrepancy, and decides to kill me!

'It's farfetched...but not impossible!'

The air was silent, just as when we first talked like it was thinking of what it would say.

Then, it spoke in an innocent-like tone that almost made my blood boil.

"But, didn't you say that you want to live as an extra character?"

I gritted my teeth, "Lei.sure.ly."

The air swirls around me once again as I felt it rest on my right, the bed creating a small indent as if it just sat on the edge like a human person.

"You do live a leisurely life, though? You don't have to worry about money or food, and you…"

I felt the airbrush against my cheek.

"You even have parents who love you wholely, no matter who you are inside."

'...I hate to admit it, but this talking air got a point.'

The air was still and I listened closely to the voice, waiting for what it would say next. I didn't dare to cut off what it was saying nor do I intervene.

In all honesty, what it said was true, in a way.

But…

"Why did you think Eristheria is the perfect fit for me?" I asked the question I have been thinking about since the beginning.

The indent on the edge of the bed was gone as the air swirls around me once again, feeling it rest on top of my head.

"Because you and that child wished the same thing at the same time."

'Ah, Eris wished...'

"HUH?!"

The air lowly laughed and spoke, "Don't be too surprised, the original owner can think for themselves too."

"But, how though?!"

"All creatures are human beings."

'How does a character from a novel a human being?!'

I glared at the air and I felt it twirl around me.

"Don't think too deeply into it. Let's just say... We, gods, love to change the wheels of fate."

'Wow, he said not to think deeply but said something very vague like??'

I sighed, deciding to take his advice as I spoke.

"What do you mean?" I inquired further as my voice is laced with confusion.

I heard a click and I frowned again.

'Did that god just click its tongue on me?'

"I thought you are smarter than you look, you disappoint me human."

"Wha…what?!"

'This unnamed god…!'

"That little girl has been suffering enough and she doesn't want to feel that anymore, so I just helped her achieve it."

My eyebrows furrowed.

"Then, Eris… wished the same thing as me? To live freely and without worries?"

Why would she…

"Because like you, she, too, was trapped in a world she felt that doesn't love her."

I huffed, "When did I..."

The air chuckled mockingly, "Isn't that how you really felt? Don't lie to a god, human."

"..."

I was speechless by this and really think if I, Hana, did feel that way towards the world I lived in before.

I mean, my life is...not good, but not bad either. I have a friend who loves me, a job that pays well enough for my daily life, being given a scholarship to a well-known school, earning for myself...

'I was happy...right?'

"Stop lying to yourself, human. You know how you really felt."

'Why you gotta attack me this way, unnamed god?'

The air around me was probably impatient by my silence and so, they spoke.

"How about just talking to the actual person? Hmm?"

Before I could even ask what they meant, the moon shines brightly than ever in my room, making me close my eyes for a second and covering my face to shield myself.

Slowly, the brightness dimmed down as seconds passed by so I opened them once again and saw a figure in front of me.

I squinted my eyes and looked closely at this figure, then it slowly looked back at me making my eyes widened with shock.

"Holy shi--"

"Ssshhh!"

The god cuts my language off before I could finish it, and it was for a valid reason.

In front of me was a translucent being with a human figure. She has ebony black hair that seems to be a replication of the night sky, green eyes with a hue of grey portraying a winter's forest.

I stare longer than I should've and watched as her face contorts into a peaceful and serene look.

The description of her face, with everything down to her appearance, is the same as.

"The real Eris."

Just like Ekrisilia's description of her!

She slowly looks at me, her eyes holding a gentle emotion, as she smiles softly and stepped forward.

'How could a character be this lovely?!'

Just when I thought the heroine of this novel snatched my heart!

"Hello, Hana."

'Even her voice is...!'

If Elishia and Ekrisilia are beauties in my eyes, Eris is a goddess!

I covered my mouth as my whole body trembles at the sight of this adorable bundle of cuteness in front of me.

As I did so, I felt the air vibrate around me as I thought that the god is holding its laughter.

The real Eris tilted her head to the side and looked at me curiously.

"Hello?"

Finally, the god laughed loudly.

"Breathe, human. Breathe."

That was the time that I finally breathe, not even noticing that I was holding my breath the entire time!

"Oh my…" I muttered, looking stunned still.

The real Eris giggled, "Oh, she's okay…"

'Even her giggles…!'

"Get a hold of yourself, human."

I faked a cough, composing myself and giving out an embarrassed smile.

"Sorry."

The real Eris giggled again, "That's alright.

'I can't stop simping for this cutie!!!'

She stopped for a moment before her eyes traveled on me, the way her smile left her lips as he eyes surveyed my every form.

Then, she spoke.

"It has been a while since I saw myself. It's like looking at a mirror."

That made me froze. Of course, she is the real Eris. She might be back to take her body and make me leave, seeing that I reside in her body without her consent.

I feel bad now, with how I viewed her because of the novel and me taking ownership.

"Oh no, I didn't mean it that way…!" She followed up, her voice was panicky.

I smiled at her and reassured her, "No, it's fine. This is your body after all."

While I am an intruder residing inside.

She shakes her head and waves her hands at me, "Not anymore."

I looked at her, surprised at her words.

"You're…not taking it back?"

She laughed, "Oh no! I am happy at where I am."

She stopped for a moment and I stayed silent, thinking that she will have a regretful expression but her face held a somber look, her eyes twinkling with life as her lips form into a smile.

"I do not regret leaving this world and my life. I was finally free."

I almost cry at the sight of her face that looks so happy, but the wind rustling around me makes it harder to keep the sentimental atmosphere.

"See? Even the owner permitted you to live in her body!"

I coughed out again, "Anyways…"

I turned to the real Eris with a confused look, "How come you are here? Did you die or this god kicked you out of your body?"

The air angrily rustled around me.

"Hey, you ungrateful human--!"

"No, the god didn't kick me out of my own body." Eris replied, chuckling.

I heard a small 'hmph' around me but I just ignored it.

When did this god become so emotional? Is it the same god who offered me a second chance?

"As for your question..."

I turned to the real Eris expectantly and stayed quiet, urging her to continue.

"I came back because I can see that you have doubts, which is valid." She started, sighing after.

"Then, you want me to live like you?"

She shakes her head once again.

"No. I want you to live like you while being in my body."

"So, you will be alright if I hurt this body...?"

She shrugged, "Use it as you will. It is yours now."

"Then..." I paused, my mind going haywire at this moment.

Eris seemed to notice this as she sighs again.

"You will know in due time, Hana. Everything will be revealed to you and my decisions will be clearer."

'In due time...?'

When will that be?

As I was about to ask her this, her surroundings started to get brighter but not too bright like how she came earlier.

She smiled at me, seemingly knowing that the time is up for our talk.

I, on the other hand, wanted to make her stay for a little while to answer my questions that are bothering me since I got here but, the air around me prevented me from standing up as it held me down.

"You can't get close to that light, human. You might vanish like her if you did." The god said, the air tightening around me.

"But, I still have questions!"

"All in fate's timing, Hana."

I struggled, really hard, to remove the god's clutches around me. I successfully did so after trashing around and hearing a loud thud, followed by a groan.

'Shit! Did I just hurt a god?'

Wait, never mind that! I need to ask Eris one last thing!

I ran to the balcony, the cold evening air greeting me as I stepped outside. I looked at the sky and saw the moon right where I am as the real Eris walked towards it.

She is going farther and farther as my heart races. If she takes another step, she might disappear before I could ask her but I might wake the people in this manor.

Here goes nothing!

"Eris…!"

I think she heard me cry her name out because I saw her stop walking. She turns her head at me, her hair following her as it dances along with the wind.

At that moment, all rationality was lost as I stare at her cute face, looking back at me expectantly.

The question in my mind was all I could think of but, I don't want to make her leave with that.

Suddenly, I opened my mouth unwillingly as the words flowed out.

"Thank you…" I breathe out, my eyes getting blurry because of the unshed tears, "For existing."

She looks shocked as her eyes mist. She looks so happy and grateful as I spoke those words out.

She might've never heard it from the people who she wanted to hear it from the most, but I, the one who will continue living like her, truly felt that way.

'Her existence…is not pitiful in my eyes anymore.'

She lived her life, and she never regretted her decision.

With her final turn, she smiled brightly, even so than the moon, as her body fades.

"Thank you, Hana."

I watched as she disappears, while I unbeknownst to myself, has a smile on my lips.

You won't be pitiful anymore, Eris. You will be remembered as something better, something befitting for you.

'I am you now and I promise you, with all my heart and soul...'

I suddenly felt exhausted like the energy I had moments ago was drained out of my body.

However, I could still promise her here...

I will survive as the extra character!

It seems that it is the limit now as I could feel my body slowly giving in, my eyes forcing to close shut.

Before losing consciousness, I felt something caught me from falling to the ground.

"Troublesome human."

Then, I was embraced by the darkness, and all fades into black.