Why Did I Become the Villainess?

 I look at the hologram with a dumbstruck expression. How could it be possible? I mean, I met people who look like they are not getting older, but we're talking about a decade here. 

 I gulp and look at Aaline, who's holding my hand now. "Does it mean you're not aging or the time in here is slower than the real world?"

 "No, the time is here is not slower. You could rather say it's stopped. If you would also notice there is no day and night concept in Kosmo. The reason for it is because Kosmo has a different time and space. Due to the fact that Kosmo is in between the real world and the fictional world, it has a distorted time and space. Also, Kosmo isn't made for spirits to live here. That's why the time and space were set aside. It means, no matter how much time we spend in here, we would never get old, and we will forever be the same age as we enter the Kosmo." Andreu explains things to me while still swiping his hand left and right to show a holographic representation of his explanation.

 It's the reason why Aaline didn't age a bit. But if they didn't age, does it mean they are considered immortals? "Then does spirits die in here?"

 Andreu put down his arms and sigh. "They are called spirits for a reason. When a spirit from the real world transmigrated to the fictional world, its original body will remain in the real world, and it will borrow a body of a fictional character. If the fictional world collapsed and the character dies, the spirit will become part of the Kosmo. You probably know that its original body in the real world will be erased from the real world. It's as if it never existed." He paused for a minute and looked straight at me. 

 "Ysavel, everyone in here doesn't have a physical body. Kosmo has a unique way to give them a temporary body here. This body will be theirs until their spirits ceased to exist. It's also the same reason why spirits in Kosmo didn't age. It's because they don't have a physical body that doesn't age with time."

 "So, they couldn't die? Is that what you mean?"

 Andreu shakes his head. "As I said, the body they have will be theirs until their spirit ceases to exist. Also, their body in Kosmo is different than their body in the real world. Kosmo could only give them a body that is suitable for a spirit, not for living. And as for your question. Do they die? There's a possibility, but since they already spirit, the chances of dying are really low. Although there are few cases when a spirit died in Kosmo."

 I look at Aaline and Soiartze. "Is that the reason why you both disagree with me when I say life is too short?"

 They both nod their heads. Aaline holds my hand. "Ysa, life is really different in here compared to living in the real world or the fictional world. So, please, you got to honor your promise to us."

 I nod my head at them. Aaline and Soiartze just hug me tightly. 

 Amaury coughs and looks at us. Aaline and Soiartze break free from the hug. Amaury then looks at me. "Do you have anything to ask, new spirit?"

 Nance elbows Amaury, which earns a pout from Amaury. "Why are you hurting me?" Amaury asked Nance with pouting lips. He looks... adorable. Like a dog asking for petting.

 Nance ignores Amaury and looks at me. "You could ask us question if you still have one. The Virtouse already orders us to answer every inquiry you make."

 I tried to connect the information I heard from them and look for information that I still think I don't understand or I still lack knowledge about.

 "I have a question about the lives of the spirit. Aaline and Soiartze said that spirits have a choice to live a free life or to work. I've also seen people working in the busy streets of Tahanan. I don't understand it. How come they have work?"

 Nance elbows Amaury again. It's as if saying that he should be the one answering the question. Amaury just scratches his nape and sigh. "What Aaline and Soiartze told you is correct. Every spirit has a choice to live a free life or to work. We, seniors and the Virtouse, have prepared things for them. Free room they could live in. Free food every day. However, since every day feels like a routine to most spirits, they start to look for something they could be busy with. That's when the Tahanan came. This was built to entertain and to keep the spirits sane from all these routines."

 "The works are based on the job they have in the real world. Take, for example, Soiartze, who is working as an actress in Kosmo. Aaline is also doing ballet play in Kosmo. Does the Kosmo pays them? Yes, what do they do for money? They pay it for entertainment. Watch movies, play, concerts, buy a book or eat at a restaurant and many more."

 I gasped at Amaury's words. So, that's how Kosmo works. That's amazing. I thought it's different than the real world, but it's quite the same. The only difference is the spirits didn't work for surviving. Instead, they work for entertainment. How cool is it to live like that?

 I suddenly remember a thing that has been going on my mind quite lately. "What about the huge illusionary door? Who made them? And what's the reason they are made?"

 Andreu signals the other seniors that he will answer my question. "When Kosmo first have the first batch of spirits who failed to do their task, the Virtouse didn't know what to do. They aren't created to raised spirits, so what they did is to create illusionary doors that would help the spirits get busy with something. The Virtouse made the illusionary doors to help the spirits. In the end, they realize that having illusionary doors aren't enough. It's the reason why we, the Seniors, were chosen to help them guide the spirits living in Kosmo. And through our guidance, the Virtouse made Tahanan to caters entertainment to the spirits."

 So, that's how the huge illusionary door was made. I now understand why these doors existed. I just don't understand why spirits get bored with the illusionary door. The Paraiso is heaven. I would die just to live in there.

 "But can the spirit lives on the illusionary doors?" 

 Andreu shakes his head. "Aside from Tahanan, no illusionary doors can be livable. One day is the maximum time a spirit can stay in illusionary doors, except for Temor. Illusionary doors reset every twenty four hours, and those spirits who are staying in it will be thrown outside. The reason is, the illusionary door is made to offer temporary entertainment to spirits. It reset so it could be able to cater its service to other spirits."

 "But how come the Tahanan is different? How about Tremor? Is it the same as Tahanan?"

 "After the Virtouse realizes what's wrong with the illusionary doors, they made another illusionary door, but it's different than all the other doors, and that's Tahanan. Unlike other illusionary doors, Tahanan is livable. You could see that we are living here. Also, unlike illusionary doors, this isn't based on a particular thing. You probably know that illusionary doors are based on a specific thing like Paraiso is based on Paradise, and Temor is based on fear."

 "About Temor, Temor is the last one that is made. Temor is made for those spirits who disobey the rules of Kosmo. It also follows the concept of Tahanan, where you could live in there. But unlike Tahanan, no spirits would want to live in there. Just the mere mention of it makes them tremble in fear."

 Everything's making sense now, with almost all the questions in my head getting answered. 

 "Oh, I remember something. When I first came to Kosmo, I almost touched the windows in my room. It's a good thing that Earl stopped me in time. He said that if I touch those, I would be stuck in here. But I thought only spirits who failed the task will be stuck in here?"

 Andreu shakes his head. He then raised his hand again, and a hologram was shown. In front of us, there's a window that is identical to the window in my room. "This window is an illusionary window. Everyone who touched it will be suck by it. What Earl said is true. If you touched it, you would be stuck in Kosmo. Forever. But you must be wondering why? If we told you that only spirits that failed that task could be stuck in here. The reason is actually mentioned before. Kosmo isn't made for spirits. The reason why it is livable now is because of the Virtouse. Without the Virtouse, any spirits in here will be suck by the Kosmo, but since you're not from this world, Kosmo couldn't take your life. But instead, it will take your existence in the real world. It's the reason why you'll be stuck in here. You also cannot go back in the fictional world because the Kosmo also sucks all the connection with the fictional world."

 I nod my head. Trying to process all the information I just received. Although I don't think I could understand everything they are saying right now. Everything is too overwhelming for me. Although I could hear and remember what they are saying but my brain couldn't process the information. I sigh and shake my head. I think I need a break now. Also, I think all my questions are answered now. 

 Andreu stands up. "I guess, you're brain couldn't process new information now. It's better to take a rest first. If you have another question, you could visit us again in the House of Elders." 

 I heard Andreu takes his leave. Following behind him are the other seniors. I couldn't appropriately say my goodbye to them because my head is already hurting right now. It's probably because of too much information. 

 I am still enduring my headache when I suddenly remember the reason why I entered the mysterious alley. The Great Ruler Laird's daughter! I tried to stand up, but my head is already spinning. If Aaline and Soiartze didn't help me, I would probably on the floor now.

 "Wait! I have another question!" I shout with urgency.

 The seniors stop walking, and Andreu looks back at me. He looks like he doesn't mind being stopped. I sighed in relief. I thought he would be irritated with all my questions.

 "What it is that you want to know, Ysavel Vlahos?"

 I gasped when I heard him say my name. When was the last time someone calls me by my real name? Aside from the Virtouse, no one did. 

 I shake my head to shake any thought out of my mind. Right now, I need to know what happened to the daughter of the Great Ruler. I need to know the answer, or else I don't know how the Great Ruler will react if I return empty handed. "Do you know where I could find the daughter of the Great Ruler Laird?

 Andreu looks at me for a minute before he shakes his head. "That. I think it's better to ask the Virtouse about that. Only the Virtouse can answer that question. Don't worry. It won't be long before you meet them again. If you don't have any questions, Ysavel, we will be going now." He then slightly nods his head at me before they walk out of the room with the other Seniors.

 Aaline and Soiartze immediately help me to sit. "Are you okay, Ysa? You look pale."

 I shake my head at them as a response. "I'm okay. I probably just need some rest. I'm sorry if I need to cut off our stroll. My head is already spinning. I don't think I still can tour around Tahanan."

 Aaline just shakes her head at me. "Come on, Ysa. Your health is our top priority. And I think what matters the most is that your questions are already answered now. We could tour the Tahanan when you feel better."

 I nod my head at her. Yeah, what matters the most is that my questions are answered now. Only one question is left. Where is the Daughter of the Great Ruler?