Incarnation of Envy

 is an event in SINoALICE.

Verse 1: An Unfamiliar Forest
Noya:

It’s the target nightmare and its horde.

Parrah:

It must be nearby.

Noya:

Don’t dilly dally.

The forest was like a mother to me.

Overlapping branches and lush flora swayed in the gentle breeze, as if cradling me in a loving embrace.

No other place was as calming to me as the woods. “Where am I?

I must get back...somehow.”

Though I had a home, it offered no warmth, no place of belonging.

As I regained consciousness, I recalled the crimes I once committed,

and was chilled to the bone.

My feet urged me forward against my will, a reflex of the fear instilled within me for so many years.

“I have to get back. I have to return.

I have to return. I...must return.”

Yet my will would not dwell in the words that spilled from my mouth.

Verse 2: Beast of Darkness
From the ominously rustling thicket oozed a shadowy creature,

though it was clearly no monster.

I could tell by the way it flowed,

as if it thought itself liquid.

Then, my drowsy mind suddenly awoke to the truth of my circumstances.

“The place I am now is not the same as the world I came from.”

I had seen more than enough to enlighten me to this terrifying truth.

But none of that mattered.

I had to focus on the threat before me.

I clenched my fist tightly.

Verse 3: A Longed-For Encounter
I looked behind me to find a human.

At last, another soul.

I explained my situation, asking, “Could you guide me to a nearby town?”

Just as I made my request,

I was met with a sharp glare.

Their look held great animosity,

as if repulsed by my presence.

“I have to tell them I mean no harm.”

I realized, I, too, had been poised to attack moments before.

Just as I understood this, the only other soul I had found launched an assault of their own without hesitation.

Verse 4: Reflections in Water
Breathless, I made it to a lakeside.

I reached into the water to wash away the sweat clinging to my face.

“Is this…me?”

I heard my voice quivering madly.

My teeth chattered,

besieged by an unfamiliar terror.

I was no stranger to fear.

I had even faced down death before.

I was used to pain as well,

and had been made to perform deeds against my will.

But this I was unaccustomed to.

My appearance had at once changed,

and nothing could be more haunting.

Verse 5: A Girl Remembers
My consciousness had deteriorated.

I lived in a place where brutish men’s lascivious voices snatched and grabbed at me.

For as long as I could remember,

this had been my home.

I could not recall my parents’ faces.

Cloyingly sweet fragrances pricked my nose, and bland, sensual meals numbed my swollen tongue.

Refusing orders earned me a beating.

Flirtatious efforts gained more clients.

In this dim, closed-off world,

I transformed into a living puppet.

Verse 6: A Maiden's Longing
The screams of a broken doll being torn asunder rattled my eardrums.

Maniacal laughs, bereft of control,

rang out day and night.

The majority of those there were broken-hearted, but not me…

I had my own refuge.

For though they could defile my body,

they could never defile my heart.

My mind often dreamt of fairytale endings,

providing me refuge from my pain.

I focused on my longing,

on a wish that would never come true.

I aspired to be like Cinderella.

To be like her was my only desire.

Verse 7: To Be a Princess
I regained my senses by pinching my cheek. It stung.

“I can still feel. I am all right.”

My sanity had not abandoned me.

It was the same nightmare as always.

A gentle breeze and warm sunshine caressed my cheek.

As my consciousness returned to me,

I saw the very world I had so longed for laid out before me.

“If there really is a god, I would barrage him with profanity…

but not today.”

If this is a dream from which I may awaken,

then I will pursue my wish yet.

I decided to recruit vassals in order to become the princess I so longed to be.

Verse 8: Princess and Desire
“What's the matter? Don’t cry.” A swarm of snakes squirmed at my feet.

It was no prince, but I was not dismayed.

A hideous snake was befitting a prisoner of jealousy such as myself.

At any rate, I would turn down a prince foolish enough to propose to a wretch like me, as he would be an even lowlier being for it.

I was finally able to turn my scorn to others. Yes…

I finally remembered. I died.

The man who purchased me from the brothel was not a prince but a mere merchant of twisted desires.

After he had his way with me, he glared at me in spite, smothering me and smashing my neck to pieces.

Verse 9: Wailing Cinders
Drizella:

Why not me?

It's never me.

Why am I so unhappy?

Unfair. Unfair.

Your beauty saved you, Cinderella.

I hate you.

"Why did no one come for me?"

I hate you. I hate you. I hate you.

I hate you. I hate you. I hate you.

"Why was my beauty stolen from me?"

I hate you. I love you. I hate you.

I hate you. I hate you. I hate you.

"Oh... Cinderella."

I hate you. I hate you. I hate you.

"Your beauty will save you in the end, won't it?

I hate you. I hate you. I hate you.

I hate you. I hate you. I love you...

Verse 10: At the Edge of Dreams
Drizella:

This world is hopeless.

Nothing but everlasting darkness.

Ah...I just wanted to know happiness.

Guts burst out. The mind can feel the pain.

My brain tried to numb the pain.

I mustered what little strength remained and reached out in search of the light.

"Please...hurry.

I want to die..."

Alive, I spent my life being beaten down.

And now, even in dreams, I am used.

If this is what it has come to,

I wish for freedom from the pain.

I could barely whisper my response.

"I'll let you live if you'll be my slave."

But the words did not reach my ears.

My trembling lips mouthed a wavering reply. With no one to hear it, it faded into infinite nothingness.

Parrah:

Another fine day of killing.

Noya:

You showed that weirdo nightmare what's what.

Parrah:

What do you think that nightmare was, anyway?

Noya:

It's something similar but different than the characters.

Parrah:

Well, they're all the same to us. You'll figure it out eventually.

Noya:

We'll be countin' on ya.

Parrah:

Another nightmare like that one is bound to show up again.