Eva opens her eyes to a jarringly dark room.

''Ugh...''

It has been so long since she has felt such weakness in her being.

'When was it?'

Back in those days when she used to roam the apocalypse's battlefield to fan the fire within her fighting spirit? Or when enemies would backstab her when she was still a newborn deity?

''Phew...''

Eve.

Maybe she has been too careless. Maybe she has been too complacent.

Singing her responsibilities as Aria's sole deity as an excuse, Eva has neglected her training. If only she had traded those resting moments to refresh her senses—to somehow bring her closer to when she was the best...

Regret now sinks in, but it is too late.

''Hey, sister.''

The woman's fingers run down Eva's cheeks, lifting her head by the chin. Both in her touch and voice, a trembling happiness conveys, crawling onto the goddess's skin. 

As the two lock eyes, the tension between them spikes.

Eve—the woman shrouded in a purple mist—seems to have so much to say, so much to share, yet her beloved sister only purses her mouth. Not even her cold expression is broken down.

In Eva's mind, she has no sister—not anymore. She loved Eve, and she hated this creature that pretends to be Eve just as much. At one point, they were siblings with the same aspiration to leave behind their family name, to be not just mere political bargaining chips.

They were once Evangeline and Evelyn.

''Those eyes... are you wondering what I would do to you?''

''...''

Staring down, Eve sees her own reflection in Eva's red eyes. Of her face that is strikingly similar to her sister's, those same but not quite the same red eyes, and the cracks of corruption that run a streak down her tear.

Even though she knows she won't get through her resilient big sister, Eve still kneels, ''Sister, you are everything to me.'' she says, cupping Eva's face.

''I love you. I love you so much. I'd bring down the world for you. But... I can't let you be—like you want to—anymore. I'm sorry, I have to do this.''

''...''

''I know you like that elf girl. I know you want to be with her. That's why I've left you alone for so long, gritting my teeth. It's for your happiness, I thought. Now... there's no such option anymore.''

For the first time, something other than contempt and disgust is shown in Eva's eyes. Because she sees those utmost and sincere emotions in her number one enemy, in someone who has done so much to harm people. For the first time, the situation doesn't seem so simple anymore.

Eva hesitates.

She wants to chase after the answers, but desperately realizes the risk it entails. What if it was a trap?

Yet, before she can even speak up, Eve abruptly stands up,

''Let's go, my sister. Let me show you... how this pitiful world would meet its end.''

Behind her, a swirling abyss calls forth, drawing immense power within. A feeling—just a feeling. Eva's intuition tells her that whatever it is on the other side would be—

*****

Otherworldly.

Just like how the other side has repeatedly threatened our survival as a civilization, we also have extensive records by past saints—the writings, drawings, poems, songs, memories...

...of the great cataclysm.

Glimpses that my predecessors gave us have revealed so little yet so much about the evil looming over this world. Lots and lots of theories have been raised, but in the end, there's only one standing out from the bunch.

On Earth, there was an interesting concept called 'The Great Filter.'

The idea is that from the starting point of development for life on a planet to the very end point, that being a hyper-advanced intergalactic civilization, there exists a barrier improbable to break somewhere between. Somewhere along the lines, something goes wrong every time, reducing the booming life to nothingness.

It's somewhat an answer to the 'Fermi Paradox,' one point of which argues that if the universe is so cosmically vast, probabilities would ensure that at least some evidence of extraterrestrial life can be found by Earthlings.

But the universe is still terribly quiet. Maybe that's because 'The Great Filter' has killed every other life—that the filter is still ahead of Earth. Maybe life on Earth has already passed the filter.

''...''

But my being here as Sylvia Everwood proves everything. I wish I could convey these truths to the brilliant minds back on Earth.

There's fucking aliens, and they're an absolute danger.

Not quite the super advanced, super smart aliens we envisioned, but the type that just wreaks havoc wherever it goes—like a natural disaster. I've heard this from Luna before, but it all starts with an unknown impurity found in a deep corner of the universe. It contaminates everything it touches, turning order into chaos and killing life in the process.

Which is why we have this situation.

When the Kingdom of Aris was still around, a meteorite hit the planet, carrying that exact impurity. If it was intentional, then it must be 'The Great Filter' itself. Nonetheless, we're here, fighting against it.

Now, I stand beside the first artillery that would sing the first shots in that battle.

Since the production was so expensive, there aren't as many of them as I'd hoped, but a few dozen ICBMs should suffice as a preemptive strike. As they prepare to fire, I take a deep breath and steer my gaze straight ahead.

Divine power pumps from my heart through the veins to my head, concentrating around the eyes. By burning it, I gain something similar to clairvoyance. Somewhere far, far away, the image of a ghastly city comes to my mind.

After determining a good location, I deactivate my ability.

''Ready!''

Just in time, the commander shouts the last word amidst a tense atmosphere.

''Fire!''

Simultaneously, the missiles roar to life, tearing apart the atmosphere as they climb in altitude, all heading toward our destination. With that, the operation has officially begun.

Building on everything I have accumulated so far, with countless days of training and countless pieces of goodwill from the people, I clutch out a sturdy thread connecting this place to the heart of the demons.

''Phew...''

Then, pouring just about every last bit of energy in me to rip open that thread, turning it into a massive wormhole the size of a skyscraper.

''Kuh...! Clear!'' I yell.

I hear a few muffled shouts—muffled because my senses are dulling from the sheer stress. Still, I can vaguely see can feel troops rapidly entering the rifts.

Countless armored vehicles, tanks, supply trucks, and even more pieces of artillery. At the same time, fleets of fighter jets, bombers, and attack aircraft chase after in the air, plunging into the unknown.

''Hgn...!''

This is so... hard...!

Despite the immense pressure, I'm somehow able to hold on for more than ten minutes—just enough for the army to pass through safely. With the help of Sariel, who's fueling me with extra divine energy, I soon recover... somewhat.

''Let's go, Sylvia.'' She utters determinedly, posing that same elegant smile. ''I'll fly you there.''

''...Um.''

The battle now officially starts.