The distant, distant past.

Too many ages to survive in written record, too many years for the spoken word to carry--

Those who remembered his footsteps were not human.

They were the dragon, the angel, and the demons who had fought at his side.

Orperia Beach.

That was what the local fishermen called this shore. The ground that made up the beach was neither sand nor mud -- each grain was a fragment of white coral, crushed on the ocean floor.

The waves that rolled in carried fine bubbles, and the sea's surface was so clear it could bewitch anyone who looked at it. Under the sunlight, it shone a vivid emerald green.

"Eleline."

Dragon Princess Kyelse called out to the swordsman sitting on that colorful shore.

"Lost in thought?"

"Nah."

The swordsman answered with just one word and shook his head.

"Nothing that grand. There's nothing left to think about. I've already thought through everything I needed to."

He stood and brushed the sand off his clothes.

His light brown hair was cut carelessly short, and his eyes were a reddish brown. His lean, sharp features were brimming with vitality, radiating a fierce resolve.

"I was just idly wondering what was on that island."

The young man gazed toward the far side of the horizon.

The "island" he meant lay somewhere beyond this beautiful sea. Even Dragon Princess Kyelse's eyesight couldn't reach it -- there was no way a human like him could actually see it.

And yet he spoke as though it were right in front of him.

"So what you're saying is, even though you can't see it, the island fills your head so completely that you can picture it anyway? That's exactly what being lost in thought means."

Kyelse flicked a strand of blue-tinged silver hair from her face and let out a small, wry smile.

"You'll find out what's there once we arrive. Which means tomorrow."

"Kyelse."

"Hm?"

"...Never mind."

He had glanced her way, but then turned aside as if nothing had happened.

"What's that supposed to mean, Eleline? Now I'm curious."

"I'll tell you tomorrow."

"Huh? Why tomorrow? Just say it now. You're going to make me wonder."

"That's my point."

The young swordsman turned back with a mischievous grin.

"Even if we'll find out tomorrow, you still want to know now. I feel the same way."

"...Hmph."

"There's no doubt their stronghold is on that island. The Goddess Resflaze and Dragon Emperor Calra -- even the Underworld's Demon General of Ice, Luluphonica -- they have to know they're being watched. But they haven't moved. Why? Are they luring us in? Or is there some reason they have to stay on that island? Either way--"

"It's bound to be nothing good."

The one who finished his sentence was a bewitching girl with dark brown skin.

"This ends here. As the Demon King, I cannot afford to be absent from the Underworld any longer. I have indulged them long enough."

"It will be over. Whichever side wins... yes."

Beside her, a beautiful golden-haired girl walked across the sand.

Demon King Eliselis Di Mariablaze of the Underworld.

Archangel Fear of Heaven.

Both were princesses of the Three Worlds who followed him, the same as Dragon Princess Kyelse.

"By the way, Eleline? You're on dinner duty tonight. Are the preparations done?"

"Oh--"

At Fear's words, he let out a small yelp.

"I forgot."

"See, I knew it. Please get things ready while it's still light out?"

"This is our last supper. Don't you dare cut corners."

"Make it a feast."

"...Yeah, yeah."

Pressed from all sides by Fear, Kyelse, and Elise, he gave a reluctant nod.

Then he headed back across the sand.

That was their last night—the last night Eleline and the three princesses gathered together, laughed, and talked about their dreams and futures until dawn.