Third Sister! Wake Up!

According to Little Jun's story, Ortho was definitely a living and breathing younger brother of Idia at a young age. He was Idia's sibling and closest person. A cheerleader and optimistic child. Idia was a child with great potential having created Cereberus and many other machines. However, he was also the one most aware of his future as the heir to guard Tartarus and never get a chance to leave the land or explore like his ancestors. Only Ortho, as the second born could have such a rare chance. Yet, in an attempt to help his brother achieve this impossible wish and persuade his brother to use his abilities to help everyone leave this place one day, Ortho took Idia and entered the facility they lived in for a chance to sneak to the surface and explore. It was then that an emergency lock down occurred on the day and time they were stuck in the halls.

Without needing to hear the ending, Riddle can guessed what happened after as he recalled having experienced lock down safely in the walls of the lounge and Idia's expression and words. Ortho must've got caught while they were transporting the overblot phantom and was dragged down to Tartarus where he died. All this happened before Idia's eyes who couldn't save him. This would explain how Vil's words caused him to agree to work with Ortho back in the Isle of Lament and his silent and solemn reaction to the lockdown.

In an attempt to bring back his brother, he used that knowledge and broke a taboo to create an human android he named "Ortho" during the start of his teenage phase just so he could have him at his side again. Many were against this as it was against morals, but who could persuade young Idia whose only regret is not being able to do anything to save his younger brother? What he didn't know was that he did save Ortho. He saved his soul without knowing the android was used to house the real Ortho and nurture it.

Although it was a heartbreaking tale, Riddle felt that it could not absolve Idia of all of his misdeeds. One could simply gain the sympathy of their listeners but not bend the rules of reality. In the end, heavy damage was dealt to them and their school. Probably, this was why Idia never talked about the past. Cause he didn't need the sympathy and he knew that it would not fix everything for him.

"How are the brothers right now? I bet Idia is overjoyed to have his brother back." Riddle responded curiously with a mix feeling of relief and irritation.

"Ortho's adapting well to this space. He will use this realm to strengthen his soul so he can awaken more quickly. Idia was so happy that he fainted on the spot." Little Jun responded as he took a huge leap across the skies, "Ortho's managed to explain that the one in his body right now is just a small part of his soul that's awake, the other is still hibernating into this realm to absorb the mana. If it was in your world, he would have a harder time to because the family's curse would burn away a large portion of what was absorbed. Here, he'd be able to absorb three fourth of what he absorbs instead. So he should awaken in a few years. Master estimated that it'll be a decade and a half before he fully awakens."

"I hope Ortho will be able to help Idia get out more often, then." Riddle sighed, "Honestly, it would be a struggle if he plans to stay in the dorms during his fourth year too! By the way, Why didn't Vil believe in Peony's words? What's she's doing is too important to stop her."

"Well... It's a little confusing, but, according to what Sister Ying said..." Little Jun sighed, "He got upset and believes that Peony is this long lost childhood friend. Due to this, her injury, and the danger, he's locked her in a spare bedroom and went with Crystal to find the guardian for an antidote to the cold poison. But, with so much of her vitality missing, she won't be able to gain access to create an antidote for the blot poison."

After explaining how that led up to the current situation, Riddle raised a brow, "So, she and Vil knew each other? And, Vil has been looking for her? That's impossible since she was sealed away a long time ago... Still, isn't this too obsessive?"

"According to him, the little girl also has red hair like master." Little Jun added hesitating, "Because master is not allowed to harm the students or alarm the staff, she can't use force or magic to break out of the room."

"That's just imprisonment no matter how you put it!" Riddle exclaimed in horror and anger, "I understand he doesn't want her to disappear. But, you can't imprison someone like this! Just what is Vil thinking?!"

He's probably going to continue to lock her up for the next few weeks until her recovery too! Vil is a man of his word. If he disagree to the terms, he will do as he planned, but he can't take on an evil cultivator on his own! He will need her help!

"We're here." Little Jun landed on a peak full of lush green plants and covered in the aroma of fruits.

Getting off the kirin, Riddle walked with Little Jun through the dense forest peak until they arrived at what looked to be a dark and old temple.

"Could they be in there?" Riddle questioned hesitantly.

Little Jun nodded, "The bigger one likes to stay indoors. Sometimes, the smaller one would come out pulling the bigger one with him to pick fruits or walk around the area."

"That's new..." Riddle noted with a stunned expression on his face totally covering up the surprise he felt.

Walking into the temple, he found a small trap door leading to an underground passage. As they continued forth, they noticed a glow of blue light in the distance.

"That must be them!" Little Jun cried out and hurried over to the light hurriedly.

"Ah! Wait!"

.....

"Third sister! Wake up! Third Sister!"

Feeling a strong nudge against her shoulder, Lotus struggled to open her eyes only to find a familiar pretty face with long auburn hair and a set of long curly horns. She got up feeling. little dazed as the young girl in girl pranced around her bed with joy, "You're finally awake! It took you long enough! Haha!"

"Mo... Li?" Lotus looked to her with a shocked expression on her face.

"Eh?" The little girl looked to her with a look of concern, "Is something the matter, Third sister? You don't seem too well. Maybe you should go back to bed."

Upon looking around, she was surprised to find herself back in her old room. A large bedroom plainly decorated in dark red and pink. Only Mo Li's flower wreaths and floral chains decorated the curtains and walls. The stone cold floor was covered with a red mat. She remembered how it was there so Mo Li wouldn't hurt herself too much if she ever does fall backwards after jumping on her bed.

Seeing the concerned look on her face, Lotus hesitatedly reached out to touch her cheek, "You're all right?"

"Well, of course." She responded with her head tilted in confusion and worry came over her again, "Did you hit your head last night, Third Sister? Perhaps you hurt your head, big sister? Maybe I should call Second and eldest sisters here?"

Hearing this, Lotus shook her head with a soft smile, "It's nothing. I was simply a little confused."

They knew how much Mo Li dreads the days their eldest sister arrives with her lessons on etiquette. Each day she arrived as planned, little Mo Li would often go disappearing into the streets browsing the stalls and stores. She would go to scenic places to play. Other times, she would go off on an adventure with her guards trailing behind her so she did not get into any danger.

Yet, for her, she was willing to put up with something she disliked so much. What a thoughtful and kind child!

"Did you perhaps had a dream, Third Sister?" Mo Li said curiously, "I would always wake up confused whenever I dream too! What did you dream about?"

"This..." Lotus chuckled, "It is nothing serious. It was simply a rather odd dream."

Saying this, Lotus felt rather hesitant and a prick in her chest. What was going on?

It was just a dream right? That school, that kingdom, her death and rebirth, Twisted Wonderland, Yuu, Grim, and...

Thinking this, the stinging pain in her chest grew stronger. To the point that a passing thought drifted by her mind: Was it really just a dream?

After all, Mo Li was here by her side...

Their dear most beloved little sister...

Their Mo Li...

"Peony!"

She spun her head in bewilderment only to find that her door was wide opened and no one was there.

Seeing the concerned gaze of Mo Li, she shook her head and responded, "It's nothing. Why wake me up so early, Mo Li? Why, it's not even dawn yet!"

"But, it's almost my birthday!" Mo Li responded with a bright look across her face, "You promised me that I get to light all the lanterns for my birthday today! We're lucky that my birthday coincided with the New Light festival! Come on, big sister! Get dressed! We must be first in line at the stalls!"

But, they've not opened yet...

As if reading her mind, Mo Li pouted at her upon seeing her still in bed, "But, they'll open today, remember? Come on! We don't want to get our place taken by others!"