Nameless sat quietly as Lily knelt beside him, carefully unwrapping the bandages that covered his legs and chest. When she peeled away the final strip from his knee, he paused.
Where his knee used to be, there were now four flexible metallic rods—thin but sturdy—connecting his upper and lower leg. The joint was entirely mechanical.
"Sorry for not putting your knee back," Lily said, lowering her gaze. "For now... that's the best I can do."
Nameless flexed the leg, lifting and kicking lightly. It moved naturally, almost too naturally.
"Is this more durable than before?" he asked, testing the range again.
Lily hesitated. "Y-yeah. I'm confident."
He nodded. "Then this leg is better. You did great—it feels like mine."
He reached out and gently rubbed her head. Lily smiled, her tension easing in a visible breath. The room softened.
Then—
The ground trembled.
Heavy, echoing footsteps drew near. They stopped outside the hideout. The door creaked open, revealing a massive shadow ducking through the frame.
It was Gerald.
"Hey buddy," he grinned, crouching to meet Nameless at eye level. "How's it going?"
"Gerald? How did you—?"
"The necklace," Gerald tapped his chest. "You thought it was just a souvenir?"
Nameless blinked. "Umm... yeah."
He turned to Lily. "I have to go."
She stood quietly. "Make sure to come back, okay?"
"I will. I promise."
Nameless gave her one last hug, holding her a second longer than needed. Then he waved and approached Gerald.
As their eyes met, Gerald's muscles tensed. A flicker of unease crossed his face. Nameless noticed—but said nothing.
"Hop on," Gerald said. Nameless climbed onto his back, wrapping his arms around Gerald's neck. Gerald supported him with one arm as they moved through the tunnels, deeper into the caverns.
---
After a while, they arrived at a familiar camp.
Nameless slid down and sat beside Gerald.
"You seemed tense around Lily," Nameless said. "Do you know her?"
Gerald exhaled through his nose. "There's a book in the town's library. It'll explain more than I can. The title's Ang mga Kuwento ng Tatsulok."
Nameless nodded and ran off.
At the town's library, it took time—but he found the book. As he stepped outside, a voice stopped him.
"You can't take that!" the librarian scolded.
"Can I make a copy then?"
"Do you have money?"
Nameless paid her. Minutes later, he left with a thick, copied bundle of pages in hand.
The streets were bustling now—crowded with townspeople, some newly arrived from the Death Rings. Giants walked openly among them, accepted as part of life.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed his shoulder.
"Nameless?!" Donnie's voice cracked. His grip tightened as he pulled Nameless into a tight hug. "I can't believe it! Where have you been?!"
"The Graveyard," Nameless choked. "Someone saved me. Also—I missed you, too."
"Whoever they are—they're an angel."
"Pretty much. But if you want the full story, I need to get back to Gerald. You in?"
Donnie wiped his eyes, still grinning. "Let me call Dianne."
He made a quick call, speaking rapidly in Filipino. Minutes later, Dianne arrived, wide-eyed.
"Nameless? You're alive?!"
"Yeah. I'll explain everything—just follow me."
---
Back at camp, Nameless sat with Gerald again—this time with Donnie and Dianne. He handed Gerald the copy of the book.
"Where should we begin?" Gerald asked. "The book or your experience?"
"Start with mine."
Nameless shared everything—the Graveyard, Lily, the strange calm she lived in, the kindness she offered. At the end, he handed a spare Nuclear Charger to Dianne.
"Thanks!" Dianne examined it, eyes sparkling.
"So... she's the one who saved you?" Donnie said, folding his arms.
"She's an angel."
Gerald's smile vanished. He stared hard at Nameless.
"Don't get cocky," Gerald muttered. "This is serious."
Nameless straightened. "Sorry."
Gerald flipped through the copied pages.
"Before I became like this," he said, "I was normal. Human. But there's a tale—one I remember from long ago. It was called The Crimson Bloom. Ring any bells?"
"No," they replied.
"Expected. Only English speakers called it that. But there's a version in this book. In Filipino."
"I know all the stories in that book," Dianne said, raising a hand.
"Me too," Donnie added.
Gerald turned the page. "Then you know this one: Ang Bulaklak ng Dugo."
Both Donnie and Dianne froze.
Nameless looked between them. "What's wrong?"
"Since you don't know," Gerald said quietly, "I'll read it to you."
---
Ang Bulaklak ng Dugo (The Flower of Blood):
Once upon a time, a child was born—different, cursed, divine. She was feared from the start. Instead of love, she was thrown into a prison, tested like an animal. She knew only pain.
Until one day, she snapped.
She destroyed her cage. A crater marked her escape. All who surrounded her were reduced to blood and ash. She fled to the Low-Class layer.
There, for the first time, she was treated like a person. She learned to smile. She felt warmth. But her shadow returned. Death followed her. People around her broke—without warning.
She was cast out.
Down to the Graveyard.
There, she waits. But the Graveyard is not stable. It flushes all waste to the bottom—to the Land of the Forgotten. And when it began to flush, she rose.
She climbed.
To the second layer.
And she brought ruin with her.
---
Gerald closed the pages.
"So," he said coldly, "you comforted her. You held the Crimson Bloom in your arms."
"I made her feel less alone," Nameless replied. "She's not—"
Gerald hurled the book. It barely missed.
"Fucking idiot!"
He stormed out.
The three stared at the entrance. Silence filled the space.
Nameless lowered his gaze. "Do you all feel the same?"
Donnie exhaled. "Pretty much."
Dianne nodded. "And there's nothing you can do about it."
They left him there.
Nameless clenched his fist—but didn't move.
He wasn't angry.
He just didn't understand what he felt anymore.
---
Nameless returned to their hideout. He dropped onto the couch, expression blank, his face pale.
Donnie entered the room, pausing when he saw him.
"Hey," Donnie said softly. "We're getting ready to head into the Mid-Class layer, but we're low on supplies. Want to help?"
Nameless didn't respond right away. "I'm not... feeling tired. Just unsure."
Donnie sighed. "I get that you see her differently than we do. But that's just our view, Nameless. If you ever want to meet her again, I won't stop you."
Nameless sat up, staring at the floor. "It's not just that... I don't see her as a monster. Not like you guys do."
Donnie moved closer and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Honestly? I've never even seen her. What's she like?"
Nameless breathed out. "Gorgeous. Innocent."
Donnie raised a brow. "Doesn't sound like the legends. Are you lying?"
"It's not!" Nameless stood, his muscles tensing. Donnie raised both hands.
"Okay, okay. Even if I don't fully believe you, I want to."
Nameless relaxed. "She's genuine... but I can't help but think she might want something from me."
"Like what?"
Nameless looked toward the window. "I don't know yet. But maybe I'll find out later."
He turned back. "But before that—let's go get those supplies."
He gave Donnie a firm pat on the shoulder.
Donnie brightened. "That's what I'm talking about!"