Mistress Of The Evil Forest

Jennifer Nova. Twenty-nine years old. Scientist.

At an age many still consider youthful, she has been tearing at her body, trying to prevent a world-ending calamity. Holding some of the only effective anti-extraterrestrial weapons known to mankind, it isn't surprising that she receives calls and invitations from 'important' people left and right.

So, she isn't exactly excited to meet the guest this time.

''...Ah.''

Until she opens the door to the guestroom.

Jennifer has seen a lot in her short life. She has seen the heights of human ingenuity since she was young; she has seen the cosmic dreams her species always longed for... and all the ugliness and lows when those dreams were broken.

But she hasn't laid her eyes on anyone so strikingly... out of place before.

The woman sitting neatly on the couch is shrouded in darkness. Her long, liquid-like black hair, which is to say that it is perhaps too smooth, pours silently onto her all-black robe. Her skin is pale, void of any life, and her eyes resemble the lonely vacuum of space itself.

''You're here.''

The visitor speaks gingerly in a monotone voice, her face hardly changing, if at all. 

The more Jennifer looks, the more she becomes utterly confused. As much as she doesn't want to admit it, this is the first time she has felt frightened at something, even if she is enthusiastic about everything most of the time.

An unknown part of this woman makes Jennifer uneasy. Nonetheless, she has a reputation and a promise to fulfill, so she steels her mind and settles on the other side of the visitor. 

''...I'm Jennifer Nova. I heard you wanted to see me... may I ask for your identity?''

''Me? I'm just a wanderer,'' The woman glances to the side. ''A time wanderer.''

''...''

''...''

''Excuse me? A... time wanderer...?''

Of course, that claim falls into the category of 'nonsense' for most people, including Jennifer. Time traveling has long been known to be near-impossible to achieve, so to say that she has gone through time...

Still, something tells the young scientist otherwise. It is an irrational feeling—perhaps spontaneous—that prevents her from refuting the ridiculous statement.

Seeing the faces Jennifer has been making, the visitor ever-so-slightly smiles, ''You do not believe me.'' 

''That...''

''It's fine.''

The tension remains in place. Jennifer's attention seems to be sucked wholly into those eyes of the woman. Even when the tea is served on both sides, they never release eye contact.

''It's a fascinating creature. You already developed it at this time?'' Jennifer's opponent remarks, holding up her cup. ''What year is it now... ah, 2713, isn't it?''

''What do you mean—''

''It's an AEN series, no?''

Nonchalantly, the woman asks as she glances at the still maid beside the table.

''...!''

In an instant, Jennifer is rendered stunned. Project AEN has been kept under wraps to protect the researchers involved, as well as the items themselves. The only people informed of the project's existence are the most powerful politicians, and the company does make sure to avoid leaks quite seriously.

'Is she from the government...?''

No. Jennifer has her own information network. No such a remarkable person works for the government at the moment. If so... who is this woman?

Seemingly ignoring Jennifer's apparent concerns, the visitor continues, ''What number is it?''

''...035.'' The scientist replies in a lost for reasoning. ''It is supposed to be a mimic doll, but this one's sense of self to body ratio is skewed, so I'm having it work as a maid instead.''

''Skewed? To which side?''

''It's almost an empty doll. Incapable of executing tasks, I suppose.''

At that, the stranger nods gently, seeming genuinely intrigued. Jennifer herself also doesn't understand the reason she spews out all of this to someone she has never met before. Perhaps this person is a true enigma, and the curious person inside her can't help but gravitate toward that side.

''If you truly come from the future...'' The scientist mutters. ''This war. Can you tell me how it would turn out later?''

''Oh, that.''

Swallowing a dry gulp, Jennifer stares straight at her guest's face, which has now relaxed just slightly. Her heart swells in excitement, hoping for a pleasant answer.

''You will fail.''

''Ah.''

The light flickers.

The woman's face hasn't changed, but something about her mood seems different. Nonetheless, Jennifer is too busy chasing despair that she can't afford to pay attention to that.

The very thought that everything she has been working toward up until this moment will be for nothing haunts her. It drags her to the depths of the void, shackling her to immense weight.

''At the end of it, this planet's life will deplete before a finisher can be born, and the [Dome] will ultimately lose its power. It might be thousands of years from now on, but the story of humanity trying to prevail... sadly hasn't gotten a good ending.''

''...''

Jennifer sees no reflection in the woman's calm eyes.

If that doesn't perfectly represent despair, then what does? Until this moment, she has been clinging to the last glimmer of hope she can see, and now, even that is no longer present.

''Don't get depressed so quickly. That's why I'm here, isn't it?''

''...Huh?''

Taking a sip of her tea, the visitor gingerly closes her eyes, ''Why do you think I swam back on the current of time?'' She muses. ''To help you, of course.''

''You can... help us...?''

''Certainly. Even if my might has been greatly corroded by the river, I am among the ones who have seen the end of things. Let's see... to put it in simpler terms, I am the existence you call 'deities.'''

Deities. 

For whatever reason, Jennifer's mind fully trusts that remark. The woman in front of her... is indeed otherworldly. A goddess.

That also explains the time traveling... maybe.

Shaking her head to let that floating brain in her head work again, Jennifer quickly snaps herself out of it. She has many questions to ask and many hopes to realize, but for now, all she needs is a confirmation.

''If I work with you... can we save this planet?''

''Obviously.''

It has been roughly ten minutes since Jennifer met this woman. Yet, as much as she dislikes to say it, she is sold.

'Hahah... my rationality is totally gone, huh?'

A simple handshake follows, and even though the woman's palm and fingers are icy cold, at least they are firm and reliable.

''Ah, I forgot to tell you my name, didn't I?''

''Right.''

Seemingly satisfied, the woman poses a smile—this time perhaps genuine, ''Call me Aurora.''