CARNIS (English Version)

Daytona returns home after a long day — still digesting everything that happened: the revelations about Setealem, the portals, the strange energy pulsing through her body. Martin tries to speak but notices she's distant. She locks herself in her room, stares at the ceiling for a long while, thinking about her parents, the black cloak hanging over the chair, still stained with dust from that strange place.

She falls asleep late at night, hearing the muffled sound of rain at the window. The moment her eyes close, the world shifts.

The Dream

Daytona opens her eyes in a vast empty field — like a gray desert, no wind, no sound. Everything is so quiet she can hear her own heartbeat, yet her body feels weightless. She walks a few steps, her feet sinking into a kind of ash-like sand.

Suddenly, a figure appears sitting on a smooth stone: Bephegor, Sin of Sloth. Unlike Belzebub, he's not monstrous — but radiates an uncomfortable indifference. He looks very similar to Belzebub, though less muscular, less threatening. He wears a patchwork cloak, and the same ram skull mask as Belzebub, yet seems always on the verge of sleep.

Bephegor:

"Hallara Daytona… The veil between your world and ours is so thin, it's almost lazy to stay away from you."

Daytona tries to speak but her throat is dry. He goes on:

"Belzebub talks too much… promises power, hunger, glory. Not me. I warn. I'm lazy, not foolish. You need to know."

He raises one bony hand and snaps his fingers. The gray sky tears open — Daytona sees a distorted image of a bright plain, eternal gardens: Paradise.

Bephegor sighs as if continuing the sentence takes enormous effort:

"Your parents are there. A place of peace… but even peace has teeth. Many think angels are incarnate purity. Fools. There are horrors in Paradise that devour even repentant sinners. Your parents are lucky to be forgotten."

Daytona steps forward, heart tightening.

Daytona (swallowing hard):

"My parents… are they okay? Are you lying?"

Bephegor seems to smile, though his face shows no expression.

"I don't lie. It takes too much effort. I'm telling you this so you won't bother me again. Don't seek Paradise… if you enter without understanding the Seraphim… the Cherubim… they'll make you wish you had never left Hell — or rather, Setealem."

He tilts his head, finally focusing on her — his eyes are hollow and deep.

"Tell Belzebub that Sloth still rests. And that the Queen of Setealem must not sleep near the gates of Heaven."

The scenery begins to dissolve like smoke. Daytona feels something pulling her backward — like being yanked back into her room.

Back in the Room

She wakes up gasping, forehead damp with sweat. Outside, the world is silent — a breeze pushes the half-open window. Daytona touches her forehead, brushes back damp hair.

Belzebub, inside her mind, speaks in a nearly bored tone:

"I see Bephegor visited you. Sloth is treacherous. But if he speaks truth, it's real — something obvious for someone like him."

Daytona stares into the darkness of her room.

Daytona:

"So… my parents… they're there."

Belzebub doesn't answer immediately. After a few seconds:

"One day, maybe, you'll see for yourself. But not now. Rest, Daytona. You need it."

She closes her eyes again, unsure if sleep will bring rest… or more omens.

The Next Morning

Daytona wakes up already in the morning, but doesn't feel rested. The room is colder, the black cloak draped over the chair like it's watching her. Martin knocks at the door — she takes a while to open it.

Martin (awkwardly):

"Morning… or something like it. Sleep okay?"

Daytona (rubbing her face):

"Not exactly. But I'm fine. Let's go?"

Martin hesitates — he can sense Daytona is different but swallows the thought. Outside, the sky is heavy with clouds, the street damp from early morning drizzle. They walk down the hotel stairs, grab quick coffee at the reception, and head toward a bus stop to return to Los Angeles — they've been on the road for days, and Ghost hasn't shown up.

On the way, Daytona sees everything in muted tones. Each person that passes by, she feels their blood pulsing — not from hunger, but as if she can see through their skin. A trace of the dream with Bephegor lingers in her mind.

She takes a deep breath, trying to ignore it.

On the Bus

Martin talks about normal things: school grades, tests, the future — Daytona hears only fragments. Inside, her mind throbs with Bephegor's lazy voice echoing, mixed with Belzebub's silent presence.

Belzebub (in her mind, like a finger snap):

"Thinking about going to Paradise? Not so soon, my Queen."

Daytona (thinking):

"He showed me… my parents."

Belzebub chuckles low, muffled.

Belzebub:

"Paradise is more dangerous than Setealem. But you don't have to worry about that now. Focus on yourself, Daytona. You're stronger, but still too weak for certain doors."

She exhales deeply, gazing out the window — the road seems longer than it should. The bus passes broken signs, small abandoned gas stations, stretches of dense forest. It feels like just another detour… before returning home again.

Arriving in Los Angeles

Back in the city, Daytona and Martin get off at the station. The urban air is suffocating — full of horns, smoke, and the smell of fried food. Everything feels strange to Daytona — like a distant memory of a normal life.

They decide to walk a bit before going home — they stop at a cheap corner café. Martin buys them drinks, trying to lighten the mood.

Martin (almost whispering):

"You're gonna be okay, right?"

Daytona forces a smile, but her eyes show her mind is elsewhere.

Daytona (softly):

"I will. I have to be."

Meanwhile…

Atop a nearby building, a hooded figure watches Daytona through the café window. Beneath the cloak, white feathers flutter in the wind — an Angel, but not like any Daytona ever imagined. He holds something like a small lantern — a flickering blue flame inside it.

Beside him, another silhouette appears — a Cherub, with eight folded wings, face hidden behind a golden mask. They speak few words, inaudible to human ears.

Angel (watching Daytona):

"The Queen awakens. Belzebub guides her. Bephegor whispers.

Heaven doesn't want her now — but soon, we must act."

Unknown Cherub (deep voice):

"When she opens the gates herself… we'll be there."

They vanish in an instant — as if they were never there.

Back to Daytona

She feels a sudden chill — like someone touched her without permission. Martin notices the shiver but says nothing — he prefers to change the subject.

Deep down, Daytona knows: the game has changed. It's not just demons anymore… Angels are making their moves. And somewhere out there, her parents still exist — maybe close, but unreachable.

She drinks the coffee. Swallows the fear.