The Planet's Shadow: Historical Tales of Ludus

The content of this page is relevant to the Nu Timeline.

## Act 1: Ancestors, Aliens, Witches, and Monsters

### Prologue

There is a concept which is widely regarded as 'The Innocence of the Ludusians'. This concept is one which was not largely noticed to be such a thing until quite a horrid event ensued- This, as it happens, was its very end.

Allow this to be elaborated: The Innocence was merely a belief commonly shared by the Gridmask residents of the planet Ludus, an incorrect standard held to the rest of of the galaxy. This ideology was that aliens from outside their planet would have no influence to them. The Ludusians believed that, as a trade-off, no foreign entities would never attempt to hurt them, nor would they attempt to help them- that those outside of their own world would be completely and entirely indifferent to the whole planet. It was, in fact, known that alien beings and aliens worlds did, in fact, exist, yet the events on Ludus would be totally disregarded given their current state. The naivety of the Ludusians- their Innocence- protected their minds from the thought of close encounters and did away with the phobia of being met with alien races.

The Innocence was never widely regarded until its end, largely in part to its inertia. Because there had been no reason that something would change this concept, there was no reason that it had to be brought up, or thought about past a flash of wonder. Aliens from outside the planet did, in fact, seem indifferent to the planet Ludus.

But in a single moment, this would all change.

The end of the Innocence of the Ludusians began when a small collection of aliens, sent from their home world, arrived on Ludus in their own spacecraft. Having arrived in an area with a population not noteworthy by the rest of the country, they attracted quite some attention, causing a crowd to form around their ship.

After some time had passed, two members of the foreign species emerged from the spaceship. They appeared to be green, robotic creatures with yellow markings around their right eyes. Several incoherent murmurs escaped the mouths of those present in the crowd as the two visitors surveyed their environment.

One of them spoke:

???: A̴h̴̡͜em͜.̷̡͞ ̧́A͟͜͝h͘..̶̢͜.̶̛

The crowd's silence was almost immediate. All of them turned to face their unexpected visitors, intent on listening to what he had to say.

???: Ḩ̀m̴̕͜.̸́.͏́.͞͡ Ģ͜͠r͢e͏et̛͟iń͟͞g̵͜s̴̢͝,̷̴̵ ̢͡p͜e͘ò͏́ṕ̡̛l̸̡e͜͞ o̷f̕ L̴u͢͏d͝u͠s̴͜͡.̀ ̡͡M͜y̶ ͏͢͡fe͡͏ĺ̴̡l̵o̕͘w̡͜ ̷̢̀ç̸͞o̷̕l̛͜͡o̧͜ņ͜is͏t̕҉͘ş́̕ ̢a͏n͟͡҉d ҉I̷͏ h͏͞͡av̕͘͝e ̷t̡r͘͏̛a̡̨v̶͡e̡l̶̛҉ed he҉rę̵ ҉on͝ ͜͝t̡͏͝hè̴͢ ̴҉o̧͘͡r̨͘͘d̀e͏͟r̷̢s̶̡ ̷̨o̸f͞ ̢a҉ ̀mí̴s͏͏sì̕͘òn҉̀ ͘b͏es̸̨̕t͏o̸w̶̶̛ȩd҉ ̕u͜p̧͠o͟͡n̢͠ ͘͡u̸̢s̢͘ ̡̧͞b͘͞y̷̢ ́́ou̵̢ŗ̀͡ c̵͡o̧͢mm̶͠a̧͡nd͏̶e̛r̨ ̸̢͠a̛n̶͢d̶͟ ̢͢͟l̶o͏͏rd͟͡.

Mutters of inquisition arose from the mob. The creature paused for some time to allow the crowd to grow silent. He continued:

???: A̶h҉̧̨e̴͏m̛͘.̵̧ ̕As̵͢ ḿen͠҉͟t͢i͝ǫnéd̨͢,͜ ̵̨̕w͠͠e̷͘͜ h̕a͡v̷e͏ ͠a͝ŗ̡ri҉̕͘v̷͜eḑ͡ ͞he̛r͘e ͝͠w̨̨̕i͜͜t̀h̶͜ ̛t̨͏he̛ ͞i̢n͏te͡nt̨̕ ͝to̸ ̀c̛a̧r̀́r͢ý͝ ̨̕͜o̵ut̨ ou̧̨͟r ̸̀ą̵͟s̀s̕i̷͘g͏̀ǹ̴̵m̢en̷̡͡t̵̵.͠҉ W̶e͠ ̀͘͞w͠ó͡u̶̢ld̡ ̡f͏̧i͜͡nd ͢i͠t̀ ̴̨̀q̧͝u̵҉̶i҉̨t͏̀̕e̷̷͟ f̸͟a̢v̸̧͠ǫ͝ra̵b̨͟l̀͏e i̷͝f̢ ͝y͜o͟ų̀ ̨̕w͟͞o͜u̧͢l̢̀ḑ̵ ̶a̸ll ҉͏̴coḿ̶p̡̢͝ly̛͜ ̶̵͠t́̕o͏̡͏ ̨͘u͟͝s ̶̛͜í͘n̸ ̨͜o̕͢r̕d҉҉͠e̵̛r̢͝ ̛̛t̸ò͜ ͡͞b̨̀͞e̢n͞͏e̢̛f́͞į͟c̷͘iaĺ̛l͞ỳ̶̵ a͏̢s͟͢s̡̕͟į̶s͢t͘ ҉́u̢̧͝s̕͜ ͘͢͟w̷̧i̧ţh̴ ̶̶th̵i͝s̸҉. ̸A҉ņ̸d̵͜ ̀i͡t͟͞ ͟í̧s͢ ̴̵̀d̷i͞re͘͞ ̢̧͝t̴̕ha͡t͜͜ ͜͏y̵͘o͏̶u̡ do̴ ̵c̷͏͞om̧͠p̷͝͡l̨y̴̡.͢

The group of Ludusians were still in hushed awe as the green alien was handed a strange metal device. The speaker turned back towards the crowd.

???: H̴͞m̕͠.͟ ̧O̵̶͜u̸r̴ ̀́m̀͘i͡s͜҉͠s͡͝i͘҉ơn̨̕ ̴̡b͠͏̛e̷i̶̸n̴͜g͜ t̸̶h̡͟͜e ̢e̕͜n̴t҉r҉҉a͘p̢͟m͟é̵n̨͞t̵̢́ ̸͢o̵f̛͝͠ ̨t̸h͠e ̴p͞͠͠l͟a̷ne̷t̸ ̡L̡҉u̕҉̧d̡́͟u͟ş.͝ ͟͠We͏ d̕҉̛ò ̧͠r̛̕e̴͠c̷̡q̀͘u̡҉i̴̵r̸e̶҉ ̡y̕o͢u͜r͢͞ r̡é̵̡ş͢o̶͢u̴͟͡r͘͞ç͟e͠s̨҉ ͢f̷͜òr͢͏ où̴͜r̢҉̸ ̸̛͠a̕͜͞r̷m҉҉i͘e͘҉s̨͡.͏ I̸ ҉w̴ó͢u͟ld̵̸n͜'́͝҉t̢͏ ́w͟o̶̴̶rr͟͠ý̕͢ ͟͠i͘f͏̵́ I̢ ̧͞w̵e͜r̀é̛ ̸̴͜y̨̛o͝u̷͟ ̷̀a̢ll͡͞;̨͟͜ w̨͞e͏ ơn̵l̶y s͢é͜ę͟k ̧͜t̶̀o̴̶ ̨d̶̴e̶s̸ţ҉r̷͞òy̢̧ ҉á̸s̸̨ m̷͜u̶͘c̀͟h̡ ͜͠o͡f̢͠ ̶y̨ó̢u̸̶ ͟ą͢s̢ ̴̀i̕͞s ̴̛ǹec͝e̢͝ss̶ary͘ ̛t͢͠o ͡͏͜k̶e͏̵e̸͟p̛͡ ̢yo̧u͠ ͢a̷̛͘l̡l̸ ̕͟d̶͡ow̷̡̛n͡.̷̀͞

He held up the gadget and immediately opened fire on the crowd. A large explosion of lime energy erupted from where the alien had fired. At this point, the crowd was thrown into chaos.

It was at this point that anyone who knew of this event would have realized that the Innocence of the Ludusians was now broken. The naivety of thinking that other worlds would not play a role in Ludusian history was, from this point on, fractured entirely.

### Chapter 1 - Taku

I sat quietly at the table and proceeded to finish up the breakfast that my sister had made for me. I had taken much longer to eat than she had, as she was already up and busy with working around the house.

Taku: Breakfast was good. Thanks.

My comment, catching her, made my sister smile.

Tyele: You're welcome, Taku.

She turned around and went back to washing our dishes, leaving the room silent, and me with my thoughts.

My name is Taku de Gridmasque. You can just consider me as mundane as any other citizen, though I am not much of a talker. I try to keep my mouth closed and my mind open. All my life, I've lived along with my older sister in our little home nestled in our humble village.

At this point in the morning, I'd have considered it to just be another day for me. I'd had no idea that today would change the lives of everyone on the planet. Even less did I dare to imagine that I would be in the middle of it all.

Taku: I'm going out now, Sis. Goodbye.

Tyele: Alright, but be sure to come back home before dark.

Taku: I will.

I waved goodbye to her and picked up the bone club on the shelf, which was less of a precaution and more of a relic from when I was a child. I closed the door behind me and set foot on the path in front of my home. I stopped for a while to think about where I'd plan on going. I'd forgotten where I was supposed to meet my friend today, and wondered whether it was at his house or at the village square. I pondered this for a while, but I was unable to come up with a firm conclusion. I decided that I would just go to the village square first, and if he wasn't there, I would walk over to his house, as that would be the wisest course of action.

I began to head off towards the village square. On my way, I spent some time looking at the landscape and taking it all in, instead of reverting to my usual habit of staring into space. It was a beautiful day today, that was for sure. The sun was shining brightly in the sky, with only a few scattered clouds floating around. Some light gusts of winds would blow around loose strands of leaves and grass into small whirlwinds in random places. From the previously dead land and dirt, flowers of all shapes and hues would be growing along the ground, as if they grew there purposely to draw the eye, glimmering in the warm daylight with a delicate layer of dew settled atop of them. As other residents of my village would wave at me, their joy was as evident at the features of their faces that conveyed it. Yes, it was a beautiful day today, that was for sure.

Though, through all of this, I was unable to deny the existence of thoughts inside me that were saying that this day was to be a long one. And, fortunate only for the point of foreshadowing, I was correct.

Soon enough, I had gotten to the village square, without any sort of interruption. This was good, as I'd deemed that in the case that my friend was supposed to be meeting me here, I didn't want to have been halted or have anything that would make him wait. I surveyed the land again and tried to find his face, though to my dismay I found nobody around. I considered that he may just be going a bit late, or that I had gotten here a bit early, and decided to wait for him briefly. There was very little to do other than to head to his home, so I just stood around and wondered to myself, occasionally looking around again to see if he had arrived.

Ten minutes had passed, and I'd begun to question if this was the right meeting place. Concluding that this wasn't the place that we'd agreed on seeing each other, I sighed and turned for the direction of his house, hoping that in the least we'd bump into each other on the way.

Just as I'd walked a few paces, a familiar voice sounded out from right behind me.

???: Boo!

I turned suddenly and, after recognizing what I was seeing, smiled at my friend.

Sticky: I be the GREAT AND MIGHTY PIRATE, STICKBEARD!

Taku: ... Hi, Sticky.

Sticky: Eheh, hi. Sorry about all that scarin' business.

Sticky had been a long-time friend of mine. He and I had lived in this village for as long as I could remember. As children, we'd liked to play pretend in our games, dressing up and acting out as various characters- I'd kept the bone club with me as a memento of those times. Sticky's favorite persona was himself as a fictional pirate which he called Stickbeard. Though I'd long since gotten over actively role-playing as a character, he'd seemed to have honestly adopted the role, taking it into his daily lingo and routine. It had lately seemed that he'd gotten over it, as he now only made references to it when he was messing around. Beyond my notice, his personality seemed to have stayed similar, which still makes me wonder if he'd been like this all along without my notice.

Taku: Do you have plans?

Sticky: Plans? Nah, I just figured we could hang out today, do whatever ya' want. Otherwords, I guess we can just go on a walk around or anything.

Taku: A walk sounds fine.

Sticky: 'Kay, then. Ya' have any place in mind that ya'd wanna go?

I shook my head.

Sticky: Aye. Hows' about we just go and head off to the nearby village? Does that sound alright with ye?

I nodded in response. Sticky smiled back at me, with a sort of determination in his eyes, quite possibly feeling a sort of achievement from knowing that we now had a set activity and destination.

Sticky: Sounds great, mate. Ya' wanna head off about now, or do ya' wanna go back to yer house for somethin'?

I shook my head.

Sticky: Alright! We'd best get goin' then, if we wanna get back 'fore dark. I'll let ye lead the way.

Taku: Okay.

We began our walk. At certain points we would stop to look around at our surroundings, to point out certain flowers and roots that would catch our eyes, or to point out the shapes and figures that clouds above us would slightly resemble. Like the children we were, we would even take short times to do something ridiculous just to make each other laugh. In the moment itself, it seemed to take a long time to get to where we wanted to go. I now wish that I could have taken back my impatience, for it is only now that moments like that are beyond my reach do I wish that they could have lasted forever.

And yet, onward we traveled, towards unknown fates, going off to face whatever happenings brought themselves to us.

Sticky: ... Aye, rockets. Ya' know 'bout this stuff?

Taku: No... what is a rocket?

Sticky: I've heard some rumors 'bout some kind a' thing that science-y guys are makin', and apparently these things weigh, like, the same as one of those huge ships, but it's supposed to fly into the sky!

Taku: Really?

Sticky: Yeah! I dunno how it's even supposed to get off the ground, but people are sayin' that not only is it supposed to fly into the sky, but it's supposed to fly all the way 'nto space!

Taku: Hm...

Sticky: I know! It seems totally off the plank, right?

Taku: A little bit. I'd like to try that one day.

Sticky: What, ya' mean ye wanna go off in one of those rockets, and off into space?

Taku: ... It sounds pretty cool to me.

Sticky: Mate, ye'r crazy if ya really wanna go in one a' those things. Myself, I think that this rocket business is goin' to bring nothin' but trouble fer me. Soon these people are gonna be making bigger rockets, then smaller rockets that you can take 'round with ya', and then folks'll be flying off every which way whenever they wanna! All crazy business, I'm tellin' ya'. But if that's what floats yer boat, then, well, ta' each his own, mate.

Taku: Aheh...

Sticky: And imagine, what if ya' go off and catch space germs?

Taku: Don't be silly, Sticky.

Sticky: Space germs! Space germs all over ye! Yer gonna be sick with space fever for ten space years!

I began to laugh, and he smiled.

Taku: I won't be getting any space germs as much as you'll get sick from all that pirate talk.

Sticky: Dont'cha mean dutchman's disease?

Taku: No, it's definitely pirate talk sickness. And I think I have it now, too.

Sticky: I... really?

Taku: Yes, because I'm sick of your pirate talk.

We laughed again, going back and forth for a long while.

Sticky: Hey, we're almost to that village now, ain't we?

Taku: Yes...

Sticky: Alright! I'm gettin' pretty damn tired of walkin' right 'bout now. I say we take a short break 'fore we head on back. Is that alright with ye?

Our conversation was suddenly put to a halt by a sudden commotion. From beyond a hill, frighteningly close to our destination, we could hear sounds of explosions, as well as screams and cries of terror and chaos sounding out.

Sticky: ... What the fuck is going on over there?

Taku: ...

Sticky: ... Come one, we gotta go check this out.

Taku: O-okay!

Even without my consent, he was already running over to see what was causing the commotion. I followed him as quickly as I could in attempt to catch up with him. We both climbed up a hill and squinted over to the other side.

Two green-skinned figures were there, wearing armor and holding tools that I'd never seen before, appearing as mutated, almost plant-like creatures. As we would soon come to know, they are members of a species known as the Nazcans.

We could both tell that these monsters were the ones who had disrupted the peace. We saw that they had apparently used a weapon to cause a lot of damage to the surrounding area, as well as to several innocent bystanders. The injured people were then wiped out by the Nazcans, who chuckled to themselves in a raspy tone..

???: G͢͡o͜o͜d̶̶͝ ̡w̢oŕ̷k͡,̨ ͏̶N̢r̶͟͝.̷ ̕͟4̷͠0͏͞2̛͘.͟ ̛̀W̸̛e͝'̶͝v͟͢e͝ ̶̶fǫ͜un҉͘d̵̸̀ ̕͟a̷n̕̕o҉̷t͡h̡ȩ̶̕r̵̀ ͜͠s̶̨͞e̢t͘t̢͟͠l̶̀em҉͞e͠n̛t͏ ̧͘n͜ȩ̶͝a̸r͜b̨͟͡y͏.͏

Nr. 402: Ha̛͝s̸͟ ̢o̷͜u̧̡̧r ͜͝c̵ơu̴rs͘é ̵̢́b̨èe̸͜n͝͞ ̵̧set̴͟ ̷t̸̸̡o͞ ̡̕g̕͞͞o ͜t̢̢ḩ̢́ȩ̷̴re̵, ̕͢Ņ̷r̢.̀͠ ͝8͘͡23̡͏̛?̵́͜

Nr. 823: Y̨͜e̷̛s̴͜ ͏͟i͡t̕҉̛ ̶h̵̛́aş̕͞. ̛͟W̧͞ȩ̸ ̢͟h͜͢a̸͟ve͏͞ p͜͡r̡̢e̴͢p͜͞a̴̕rè̷͘d ̕͏á̧n̡͠ò͘t̶h͘͜͞e͟r̶̀͠ w̧e̷apo̢͢͠n͟ ͞͡f̨͞o̵r̕͜ ̶̛o͘͟ú͏r ǹ̢é̕x̧t̶ e͢x́͡t͘͞e͢͞rm̨i̸̶ņ̢a҉͠t̡͘i͢on͡.

Nr. 402: E̸x̸̧c̴el̶͟le͞͝ǹ͝͝t̛͟.͞

Sticky: What... the fuck...

I could see the rage in his expression as clear as day. I tried to get him to think logically before charging in, but it was too late. He ran down the hill right towards the green figures and their oddly-shaped vehicle.

Sticky: WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS?!

He'd then unsheathed his cutlass from his belt. It was just supposed to be a prop, but it was very much real. I'd never before thought that it would be used for a situation like this. I went running after him, trying to get him to stop. I then saw one of the green creatures- the one who was holding a particularly large piece of equipment, and the one that had been referred to as 'Nr. 402'- turn towards us.

Nr. 402: H́͞m̧͢?̛́

He looked at us for a moment, and then began to raise his weapon.

Nr. 402: Su̷̷͠r̨͢v͘͜͞iv̸̢or͝͏s͘͢?̨̕ Th́͟i̢͡s͘ ̵wo̡͏n͜͡'͝͡ţ ͡͏͠d̷̕o҉̕.̸̛̕.̴̀͝.҉

His weapon began to light up, charging up for another blast. I saw that Sticky was too far away to stop him from firing. I grabbed the bone club off my back and threw it, and it flew quickly at the glowing tool. Clattering onto the ground, the green light stopped.

Nr. 402: A͢͞h̨!

Sticky ran even faster at that moment. From the look on Nr. 402's face, he knew that he was more than just another survivor. He tried to pick up his weapon again, but Sticky had gotten to him. Sticky sliced with his prop sword and sliced clean through Nr. 402's hands. The Nazcan cried out in pain.

Nr. 402: Y̶̕͟͞҉ǫ̸ú̕͘͝.͘͟͟͜͝.́̕̕͟.̕͜ ̕͜͡҉͟i͠҉̴̧͠n͏̶͡s̸̕͞o̷̴̷͞l̷ę̶̀ǹ̛͟͟t̴҉̴̧.̴.̴̨̨͘.̢̡҉͜

Sticky silenced him with several stabs of his weapon through Nr. 402's chest.

Sticky: Dont'cha fuckin' move!!

The other one, Nr. 823, had attempted to get back onto the vehicle. He froze upon hearing Sticky's demand, and turned towards him.

Nr. 823: Ẁ̕h҉o͏ e҉͏̷x̧ac̵͜t̵́l̕͡y̨ a̷̷̡r̵̀e͝ ̵͠y̸o͢͞u̷͞ ̛͟t̢͘o͢ ̡͘ç͜ơ͢ḿ̧m̵an͠d́ ̷͜m̕ȩ̧̛ ͘l̨͢i̛͜k̢҉e̶͝ ͟t̴̨ḩ́͘at͟?̕

By then, I had gotten to the two of them. I picked up my bone club and raised it defensively, though I hadn't had the experience in swordplay as Sticky.

Sticky: Sticky: I'M YER FUCKIN' END, ASSHOLE.

Taku: Um, Sticky, don't you think we should-

Nr. 823: I su͟gges͢t ̷th̴at ̵you ho͟ld̨ ͟y̡our̡ t͠o͠ng̴ue ̡a͢gain̵st ̀m͘e͢, ̸g̷rid̀mask̷.҉

Sticky: ... What the fuck... did you just say to me?

Sticky: SHUT. THE. FUCK. UP.

Taku: Sticky, please-

Nr. 823: Po̧͝i̷̕͝nt̸̕ ̵y̵o̷͜͝ùr͠͞҉ ̧r̵id̸̡i̵̛͡c͜ulo̢ư̸s̨͡ ̴t͘oo̶̴͟l̵̕ ̶͟e̵͠l̷͏̨ş͘͘e͘wḩ͜er͜͢e̶̶.̛͠

Sticky: What tha' fuck gives you the right to command me??

Nr. 823: F̵o̧r͞ t͝h͞e͜͡ ̸s͏ak͟͡ę͢͝ ͏o̶̸f̸͟ ͘y͞o͟͠ų̷r̸̷̢ ̢̧c̵͞͡o̸͢n҉҉te͘͜nt̡i̢̕͡ò҉u̢̕ś͢͝ ̸s̨eļ͏f̡-͡͝ŕ̵͜i̕g̸͡h͝t͞e͏͘oų͠sǹ͢͏e͞͡s͡s̡͝,̷ ͡lȩ̴́t'ś̛ ̡̨s͝͠a̴̢y̧̕͝ įt̕'s ̕͠m̨͟͏y ͜҉̶poẁe҉̴͘ŗ̴̛ o̢v̴e̴͏r ̸͢͠ỳ̕͟o̴͘͞u̧͜ ̷͢a͏͏t ͘ţhe ̶̕͝m̨͟o͏̕͜m̵͟e͝͡ǹ̛t̴.

Sticky: ...What???

???: D̶͜ŕ̸͜o̧p̷ ̵͢y̧͟͢o͡u҉r͜͜ ̶͠ŗ͟i̴̛d͢͝͝i̧͞c̢̢͟u͠҉lous͟ ̧t̡͝o͘o̢̕l̸҉,͜͠͠ gr̸i͢dm̷͡a͡s̶ķ.

We looked over and saw that another one of the green creatures had come out of the vehicle, holding one of the fully charged weapons that Nr. 402 had been wielding.

Nr. 823: T̴̶h̡à̸n͏҉k͢͏ y͟͞o҉ú̴,͘ ̨͞N͟r.̵̨ ̸̷5҉͝14̸͞

Nr. 823 lowered his arms and took a step back. Nr. 514 stepped out of the large vehicle, and 823 stepped behind him.

Nr. 823: B͟͠e̵ ͟͜͡su̢̢re̕͜͠ ̢ţó̷ m͘͞a҉̸ké̷ ̢a͠͞ ̸̵͜m̨͠e͠s͝s̵ ̡͘of ͡t́͝h҉̛e̛͟m̡̢͜ ̡͘͠f͝o̧ŕ t͢͝ḩ̀éi̢͞r̨ ̧̨̛t̴͡r̵͟͟òu̶͜b̨̢l̷̕͡e̛͏̛s̷͘.̧

Nr. 514's weapon began to glow brightly and hum loudly.

Nr. 514: G͘͠o͜͟o̴d̡͝ ͞ŗ͏̶iḑd̴̀͡àń̴ć̴̢e,̧̕ ͢w͘͠o̡͟͡r͠t̶͡h͝ĺ̕e͞͡҉s҉͡s͟͠ ̨ḿ̴e̴͜͟a̛t.̵̡̕ ҉

Sticky: HYAH!!!

Sticky then threw his sword at Nr. 514's weapon. It's glowing and humming started to become more chaotic.

Nr. 514: ..̷͏̨.̡͢F̛uc̀k̵.̛̕͢,

Nr. 514's weapon exploded, slaying him.

Sticky: Now...

Nr. 823 had already gotten back into his large vehicle. It began to rise off the ground. Turrets begin to come out of it's sides, launching several strange-looking bullets at us. We ducked for cover, but the turrets were able to match our movements. I threw my bone club at one of the turrets, and it turned and began to shoot the other turret. The turret being shot at fell off soon after, and the turret that I'd hit shot sparks of electricity before falling off.

Nr. 823: Stra͘t̀e̵gic r̸etre͟a̡t ͏h҉a͘s̢ been ̷en͢ga̧g̶e̶d.͜ ̶Í ̨s͟h̸a̶l̢l re̶port̵ ̕th͡i̶s̀ inci͠d͝e͝nt ҉t͞o ͡hi̧g̨h̡e͠r c͠omm̶a̵nd͟. Gŗi̶d̛m҉as̀k͢ ̡ścu̧m҉.̛.̀. ͢yo͢u̷ ̷may͠ ̀h̛a̡v͠e ̸w͜on thè battle̢,̷ ́b́út ͝the wa҉r͠ ̷ha̕ş only j̸úşt͢ ͜b̨egun҉.͜

His large vehicle then hovered away into the sky.

Sticky: What... was that thing???

Taku: A rocket?

My comment seemed to catch his interest. He seemed as if he were about to respond, but then thought about it for a while before finally answering my question.

Sticky: Not one that I've ever heard a', mate. What were those lil' green fuckers, anyway??

Taku: I don't know... I think they might have been some sort of alien species.

Sticky: Aliens, eh?

Taku: Yeah... I've heard a lot about creatures from other planets, but I don't think that they've ever visited our planet before...

Sticky: Hm, hm...

We stood there in silence for a while, pondering the whole situation.

Sticky: Hey, Taku...

Taku: Hm?

Sticky: Remember what 'e said back there? 'Bout the war and the battle?

Taku: Yeah...

Sticky: Well, I'd hafta guess that he and his friends were the only guys sent here. I'm thinkin' that these guys are tryin' to start somethin' with us.

Taku: I agree.

Sticky: I think we should get goin' back and tell the others what we know. Maybe we can get to protectin' people who're gonna get hit by these guys next.

Taku: Alright.

Sticky: Alright. Let's get goin'.

And so we went back to our village. As fitting with our suspicions, a war had been started between our planet and the Nazcans who wanted to take it for themselves. One that would take many lives from both sides long before a victor was ever decided. And, quite unfortunately for myself, I'd be centered in the middle of it all. From the time when Sticky and I had first gotten entangled in the Nazcans affairs with this planet, I'd sealed my fate, and from that point on my story would be directly entangled with that of the war which would proceed between us and them.

ENDCHAPTER.

### Chapter 2 - Taku II

Taku: Hm...

A lot has happened since that fateful day when the Nazcans first arrived on the planet.

After our encounter with them, Sticky and I went back to our village. We told everyone we could about what had happened. There were some skeptics who didn't believe us, but some of them were convinced enough to go and check out the nearby village that had been attacked. With the evidence of the corpses, the ruined land, the remains of the green creatures, and remains of their technology, there was no way to deny it. Word of this incident began to spread to other settlements, and soon enough word got around to the people. In worry of the threat, people started to communicate with other settlements more often, discussing plans of action and work to be done in order to protect themselves.

The people did not have any sort of linear leader to turn to at the time. That's when they decided to turn to me. With me being one of the only people who had witnessed their attacks, I was expected to serve as a sort of guide to the people, even in my young age. A form of government was established, to which the Ludusian people would put together their forces in order to protect themselves against the coming Nazcan attacks. We had even started to establish connections with other planets in our war efforts, finally recognizing their kind as existent.

Sticky, however, would not be put under the same focus in which I had been. Our relationship seemed to have ended as soon as it began, as he left me for the reason of finding me to be too distant and unfocused for him. He went away with the dream of collecting riches and valuables, as to fit with his pirate persona. I did not see my old friend ever again after he left.

Throughout the next three years, the Nazcan attacks were dragged out and individualized. Nazcans would attack certain settlements on the planet, causing a number of casualties, though their small forces would turn to be defeated by us. Things did seem grim, though, as the casualties from our side were outweighing those from their side by a considerable amount.

Because of the loss of forces, the public had become restless. This was recognized by the government-esque system which had been implemented for the planet, who offered up a solution: I, as the face favored by the public, would have a public speech for the people regarding our current status, so as to somehow raise the people's morale. This event would be built up very highly by the system which existed, to the point at which it started to be referred to as the point in time that time-travelers will go to just for the sake of being there in person. I had originally believed that it was ridiculous to call it this and that if time-travelers did decide to go back in time they probably wouldn't go around here. I was excruciatingly wrong about this, as it turns out.

I was reading a book which I had taken a particular liking to when I'd been approached by two people who were going to oversee my speech. They told me that it was time for me to do the speech, and that the crowd was already getting quite restless. With a sigh, I'd set down my book and walked out with them onto a stage. I saw that there was quite a crowd present. There even seemed to be people of different species, I'd guessed being those native to the planets that we'd allied ourselves with at the time. Several conversations were going on throughout the crowd.

???: Interesting... ???: Oh hey this is happening. ???: Oh, I think he's about the say something. ???: HEHEHE. ???: Who's there? ???: Second time we've been here, is it? ???: Wait what. ???: What the- ???: Aheh technology.

One of the guys began to quiet the crowd for me. As they grew ever more silent, their eyes became attentive to me. Though I felt quite unprepared, I began my speech.

Taku: Hello, everyone... I'd like to thank you all for attending this event, especially for those who have traveled from planets allied with us in our war... You've all been a great help to us, against the ruthless forces of the Nazcans.

I paused for a short time, hoping for some sort of response from the crowd. They remained silent, so I began to continue my speech.

Taku: In the time leading up to this event, it has often been regarded as a dire and important point in time, though that may have been an exaggeration... This speech is primarily to serve as a progress report, which is what I am going to do. So far, the Nazcans have attacked our people and settlements ruthlessly and without reason beforehand...

I continued my speech for quite a while, going over several parts of the war and what has happened. I even relayed to them my experience on the day that I'd first encountered the Nazcans. The speech took quite a while. This was likely the longest amount of time that I'd spent talking out loud. But finally, it came to an end. As I finished, I walked off of the stage to the sound of applause from the audience. They enjoyed my speech, and they agreed with everything I had to say. I was astounded by how well it all went.

But I still had thought that this whole thing had been over-exaggerated. I'd even expressed so in the speech, to what may have been the disbelief of those who had taken part of the event. And so, I'd gone back and started to get back to reading my book once again.

*Though my travels, I have experienced quite a lot with my companion. For the final chapter of my book, I have prepared what, in my opinion, was the greatest of our travels. Some people may not take too much of an interest when it comes to political issues, especially when it comes to events that have been stereotyped to be especially tedious. But this is an event that I'm sure will reach all kinds of people. And so, I end my introduction to this.*

I turned the page of my book, and began to read. And then I read it again. And again. And I read it another time, sensing out the words as much as possible. I was in utter disbelief at what was written there.

*Three years after the first Nazcan attack on Ludusian soil, a boy who had been centered in the events had been brought up to speak about these events. His name was Taku de Gridmasque. And his speech was a grand one.*

I couldn't believe what I was reading. The following passages contained a complete explanation of my speech. Not only what I had said word for word, but detailed explanations of everything, even things like movements I had made and commotions that had come from the crowd on occasion. It was exactly the same. I briefly considered that I could have just read this earlier and said the exact same thing during my speech, but it was impossible, considering the actions of others put into it.

Taku: What... what is this?

I threw the book to the ground. My mind was racing at this possibility. I remembered what this event had been called, 'the point in time to which time travelers will come to see.' It was completely preposterous, but this book was proof that it was true. I decided to calm down. Although I was definitely in a state of confusion, I decided that I should still at least try not to let things get out of hand. Another one of the books lines came to memory.

*At the time I was recording this event for my book, my acquaintance reminded me that it had been the second time in which we had traveled to this point in time.*

I had the slightest memory of someone saying that among the crowd, before my speech had started. I wasn't sure, but it's possible that they could have been the same person that this book talked about.

I couldn't control myself. My urge to go out and find them was overwhelming. I ran out of my room, past some of the government officials, and into the large crowd that was still departing from the area. I frantically went through the crowd, looking for familiar faces. I was recognized by some of the more attentive people that I'd pushed by, but in my panicked frenzy I hadn't even given them the time of day.

I couldn't find them. I was at a loss for even the slightest of their appearance. I walked back to the building, and sat out in front for a while. By this time, the crowd had already dispersed, and there was only a few scattered people around. I resented my hasty actions then. It was meaningless, and it even put me in danger. I sat there for a while and thought about it all.

???: It's about time we get going now.

I looked up. The voice itself was familiar. I saw two people. One girl and a boy, who looked to be about her age. At that moment, I knew in my heart that it was them I was looking for. I stood up and started running towards them. They were doing something that I couldn't exactly explain, but some lights were flashing about around them.

Taku: Wait!!

Then, they disappeared in an instant. I ran over to where the two had just been standing. There was nothing, not even a trace of them. I was utterly confused, though this didn't last long.

Suddenly, from right behind me, several explosions rang out. I turned, and found myself faces with an inferno. The building that I had just been in front of was now being bombarded. The force of the explosions sent me flying off. A voice rang from a sound-system above the area.

Nr. 823: t̴̡ơ͘͜l͟d̨̧ ̡y̨o̶u҉̷̢,͏̡ f̧i͝͞l̸th͞ý ͡a҉p̴͜͠e̛͟͠s̵͠.̸̛ ̡̕͏T̴̸͝h̢͝e͟ ͝w̶̶a̡̕͠r̢̕ ͢͏ìs̵n͜'t̕͡͡ ̧͜o̷͟vę̛͠r͜͞.̴̡ ͘͏̵A̶̛nd҉҉̵ ̨͟͡i̸͘͟t ҉c͞͞e̴̢rt͠a͡i̡͏n͠l̡͟y̴̵ ̢w҉o͜n̶'t́͢͢ e͢͞n͜d̨ w̷̷i̧͝t͞ḩ ̴yo̴͝u̴͢͡ ̵̵w̕͜i̕ǹ̴n̢͝ì̧̕ng̢!̧

The Nazcan ship flew away into the stars. My ears were ringing loudly. I had taken a sizable injury in my head when I was thrown back in the explosion. I wanted to think about how lucky I was that I didn't die then, about how I was thankful that I wasn't caught in the middle of that attack, as I would have been just seconds later. But my broken mind did not allow me these thoughts. It was now centered on only one thing.

Taku: TAKU... LIEK... STIK...

ENDCHAPTER.

### Chapter 3 - Taku III

Taku: TAKU HAS INFINITE STIK. TAKU LIEK

This was my own way of aptly describing the fact that I had fallen into a pile of branches.

I'd been like this ever since the accident. Back when the assassination attempt was made on me, my mind had gone and I'd developed the intelligence of a caveman. And for whatever reason, I'd had an alluring to sticks. It was utterly befuddling. But of course, this wasn't the most important thing that had happened over the years. Sorry for thinking of myself as more important in this situation, I'll get to the history of what happened since that time.

Since that attack, the government had begun a decline. Less people were being helped out during Nazcan attacks. We started losing the war at an exponential rate of casualties. Some resistance forces rose up to try and help those who could not help themselves, though their effort would prove to be almost in vain for the time being. We were losing the war, and there was no denying it.

Some time later, word had gotten around that Nazcan forces were rallying up a large amount of forces to the planet. A group to exterminate the lot of us, and to enslave the rest. We knew that we were goners then. We didn't even try to fight back. We knew that we had lost.

We had gone into seclusion among each other. We had accepted defeat at this point. We knew that they were going to beat us, and we weren't even going to try and fight back. We wouldn't go out with a bang, not even with a whisper. We were just settling with going to be wiped out by the Nazcans at this point.

And so, the Nazcans forces pressed onward towards the planet. At this point, their ships could actually be seen through the atmosphere. Masses huddled into their abodes, praying for the safety of their loved ones. And meanwhile, I was rolling around in a pile of branches.

Taku: STIKS.

I rolled around in the pile a while longer. The Nazcan ships were now visibly within our atmosphere. As I rolled, I did not see a group gathering around me. I suddenly stopped and observed them.

Taku: who...??

They were quite the group, being of several different races and species, all dressed and decorated in colours that appealed to the senses. Even in my primitive state of mind, I stood up and regarded them, somehow knowing them to be great.

???: Hello, Mr. de Gridmasque.

???: We have heard much about you, sir.

???: .-- . / .-- --- ..- .-.. -.. / .-.. .. -.- . / - --- / .- ... ... .. ... - / -.-- --- ..- / .. -. / - .... .. ... / .... --- ..- .-. .-.-.-

Taku: you...

???: Please, let us heal your damaged mind. You are a very important person, and you need to be well in this hour.

???: Yes. Your leadership will help restore the planet's hope after this battle.

???: A battle of which, of course, we shall be victorious in with our powers.

???: Now, be healed by our powers and witness the extent of our abilities in this time.

A radiating power rose from them. Lights and colours representative to them, something that I could call auras, poured into the area around them. I could feel my mind changing. My thoughts now became much more clear than they had before. I was being healed by their magic.

Taku: I...

???: Do not worry, sir. We shall take it upon ourselves to defeat the invading Nazcan forces.

???: It is the least than we can offer you, considering the circumstances.

The power which they had presented before began to show itself once again. Their auras coloured the area around them, brightly painting it with a rainbow of energy. They seemed as if they were about to use sorts of magical powers the likes of which had not yet been regarded by the people of this planet. I stood in awe of this spectacle.

???: Our abilities and powers do in fact greatly exceed that of the normal residents of this planet.

???: And with these abilities, we sek to give ourselves to helping with this planets fruition.

???: And in doing so, we must first defeat the invading forces. Now, watch, as the Nazcans are destroyed.

Their magic shot out and reached the ships that were in the planet's orbit. In the next four minutes, their power swept through the Nazcans fleets and decimated their ships. Almost the entire army seemed to have been destroyed in this attack. Several ships sent out messages of engaging strategic retreats, and only some of them were able to escape before being destroyed like the others. In several ways, from winds and fires and ice and lightning and many more, the ships were torn apart by the elements and destroyed.

A while later, people started to go out of their homes to see what had happened. Some of them were able to see the event itself. Many people began to cheer for the spectacle. All around, cheers and cries of victory rang out, giving the feelings of hope to the people. On this day, our hopelessness had gone, replaced with the knowledge that we had protectors to save us now and in the future.

I turned to thank them all. They were modest about this, saying that it was their pleasure to help me. And then they explained why they had done this.

Now that Ludus had established itself in the universe as it was, we would need to set up a stable form of government for the people. And the government would of course need a leader to guide it throughout. By their words, I was deemed to be the only person who could fill this role. It was me.

I would go on to lead the planet in many later events, before leaving my role to go and start a family, and there is a time where I would even go looking for Sticky, though I didn't find him. As a person, I soon disappeared from the role of fame which I had lived in, and would be remembered by name for the things that I had done in the war against the Nazcans. This is the point in my story where I stop being all that important to Ludus, unfortunately.

However, for the witches, their importance to Ludus had only just begun. And this is a story that does not continue with me, but with another witch who, at the time, had yet to join the others...

ENDCHAPTER.

### Chapter 5 - Zaion I

As I turned away from my village, merely going for a walk at the time, I found myself facing twelve figures, enshrouded in shadows. A variety of colours, spanning in several different hues, were decorated across their persons. They were all facing me, unfamiliar faces with determination. They were quite a diverse group; the gridmasks that I could see among them wielded qualities of many settlements and peoples among us, in skin and hair and eyes and other bodily features, and among them were beings of other species, of those I could identify and others that I had trouble doing so with. They gave off quite an unsettling aura, and I began to feel somewhat uneasy.

Zaion: Who are you all?

They all reacted to my response in different ways, I now find it hard to distinguish their reactions to who reacted in that way. Some of them looked to each other for a while. And then they spoke.

???: Hello... Zaion, is it?

???: It is nice to finally meet you.

???: .... . .-.. .-.. ---

Zaion: ...

???: I apologize, we have not properly introduced ourselves yet. We were merely under the assumption that you knew of us already.

???: We are the ones known as the Ludusian witches. We are of a kind that has mastered forms of elemental magics.

???: Our kind has provided protection for the people of this planet for quite some time now.

Zaion: I have heard of you all before...

???: Please forgive our habit of speaking in turns, it merely is an effect of our telepathicly linked nature.

???: We have been seeking you out for quite a while, young one.

Zaion: Why have you sought me out?

???: You are a very important force, Zaion.

???: Your power and role go beyond what you may have previously thought for yourself.

Zaion: What do you mean?

???: You see, you are one off us, you are also a witch like we are.

Zaion: I am... like you all?

???: Yes, Zaion. Please, come with us, and we shall teach you of your true nature.

Zaion: Um...

Though I'd had doubts at the time, they were able to convince me to go with them. And from that moment on, I would proceed in a quest in which I would find my true identity. From that time, I had donned the identity of Blackspell, as a title, which is something held by the other witches as well. I would learn the magics of my art, that of Chaos and Doom, and with guidance from my god I would soon learn the truths of my past.

I learned the identities of the other twelve witches who shared in my quest.

Issus, the Muse Witch of Redglare, who had mastery and knowledge over timeline magics, was a caring individual who often liked to oversee things and relay information to others, and was not one to cause a sort of direct influence or effect on something. She did seem to aspire to be a helpful individual to others.

Canzona, the Heiress Witch of Rustlung, who had mastery and knowledge over breeze magic. Despite her somewhat unsettling appearance, she is a very free-flowing individual, who has the ability to fly and takes joy in doing so.

Viguiera, the Siren Witch of Goldeneyes, who had mastery and knowledge over steel magics. Her eyes and voice are said to be very beautiful, however, if one were to look into her eyes or hear her voice, their body would immediately turn to gold. For this reason, she keeps her eyes covered and her mouth closed, communicating only through written word or morse code.

Ishtar, the Mother Witch of Disciples, who had mastery and knowledge over nature magics. She was very caring towards plants and animals, and often made public protests going against the harm of these creatures.

Caledonia, the Rogue Witch of Highland, who had mastery and knowledge of cosmic magic. I know that she is the sister of an archdemon. I learned from her that six of the witches originally hailed from Hell, and that they had gained the privilege of joining the ranks of the other seven due to altering the course of reality.

Teapa, the Sage Witch of Vampirics, who had mastery and knowledge over poison magics. She appears to be a sort of vampire, though I do not know the full extent of this case. She has a distinct wish for social justice and the fair treatment of others.

Raskova, the Dame Witch of Renegades, who had mastery and knowledge over light magics. She seems to take a somewhat unhealthy interest in justice of all kinds. I have found out that, in secret, she worships an ancient that has tried to commit genocide in the name of justice.

Goneion, the Fool Witch of Mindbeat, who had master and knowledge over bomb magics. She used to be a gifted thief and pirate, who used her mind-destroying ability to get what she wanted, but she later had remorse for these actions and would often restrain herself from doing it in the future.

Mainyu, the Maiden Witch of Nightday, who had master and knowledge over void magics. She was a very calm and easygoing individual, who sought more of the care and affection of others than most of the other witches would even try to. I looked up to her because of her down to earth attitude.

Siegler, the Seer Witch of Terminals, who had mastery and knowledge over flame magics. She was an individual who tried to remain calm at times, though more often than not her temper got the better of her, and she would use her power to burn or scorch others in her anger. However, she was not a threat at all to those who knew how to pacify her quickly, before she could enter this state.

Trewinnard, the Sylph Witch of Saltwing, who had mastery and knowledge over water magics. She enjoyed seafaring and sea-based travels of all kind, and often she let it consume her. She was a free spirit unless she felt threatened, in which case she would stand her ground without question.

Cocytus, the Mage Witch of Hellwaves, who had master and knowledge over ice magics. She was a kind individual who took pride in working solely to help others. She took a lot of joy in the base of freedom, and often protected those who were not given the same rights as others.

And I learned of my origin. As far as I had known, I was only a regular orphan on this planet. I had no knowledge of my parents' existence. I soon learned that I never did have parents. That I was born solely from the Wonder Jungle, created as the thirteenth of the witches of my kind. I was born from the Wonder Jungle much later than the others, as is clear from the great difference in our age. Despite this, my power would prove to exceed that of the others greatly.

I proceeded to travel across the planet. In my travels, I met with a succession of individuals who would aid me in my quests. I would give to them and others the teachings of magic bestowed upon me in birth, and they would revel in these teachings to their benefit. It was a great relationship to have with the people. However, it would not last. There came groups of those who opposed myself and the other witches. A group that hated our kind and wished for our existence to come to an end. Though we had originally thought that these people would not pose a problem to us, we soon found that we were sorely mistaken. This group would prove to bring about the end of our roles on Ludus. All because of the actions of a single man, the catalyst for all of this.

This is the story of when I had first met with him.

At the time, I was just helping out with the residents of a village that was not too far from the one which I had lived in for most of my life. As I had done with many others, I helped out with their problems and shared with them some of my knowledge in magic. As I was beginning to leave, I had heard a voice calling out to me.

???: Hey. You!

I turned to see who the voice belonged to. It was a pale-looking person, with an x-shaped scar across his face. He had messy-looking black hair and was wearing dark green shades. He wore a black shirt with a green symbol on it, and black pants and boots to match it. He had a hook attached to part of his belt, which he seemed to have used as a weapon, possibly having the intent to use it again

Zaion: Hello...

He held an angered expression when speaking to me.

???: You're that witch. Right?

Zaion: Yes, a witch is something that I am... who are you?

???: My name is Sanford. Sanford DeCurro. But that doesn't matter.

Zaion: Sanford... do you need me to help you with something?

Sanford: I don't want your fucking help!

Zaion: Th-then...

For what may have been the first time in my life, I felt very intimidated. Sanford seemed to pose as an immediate threat to myself, and I did not believe that he would prove friendly enough to be persuaded not to try and do anything to me.

Zaion: Then what exactly do you want, Sanford...?

Sanford: I want you to stop!

Zaion: Stop... what, Sanford?

Sanford: You and your magic bullshit!

Zaion: W... what??

Sanford: I see through your act. You think that just because you use magic. You're better than everyone else. Like you're a fucking god compared to them.

Zaion: Er, Sanford, i don't...

Sanford: And as a witch. You're only job is to manipulate others. You go around helping with the most meaningless of all the fucking problems in the world. Acting like you're doing something good. Just to fucking get public opinion to sway towards you. You and you're witch friends don't even give a shit about other people.

I was in utter shock in response to his words. I'd never even heard someone say something like this, I'd never even considered it a possibility. In my silence, he went to continue.

Sanford: I know exactly how it is. If you can train a bear good enough. Then he won't bite his master. Because the bear knows that if he does that. He'll get punished. Or that there will be no one to feed him. He knows not to lash out. Because his master fakes kindness and care. But only wants to use him to entertain. That's exactly what you are your witch partners are doing.

Zaion: Sanford, please! I attest to you I do not help others only with the expectation of their conformity to me!

Sanford: BULLSHIT!!

Zaion: Sanford, please, just listen to me...

He paused for a moment, allowing me to speak.

Zaion: Sanford... really, I don't go around doing things for others directly expecting conformity or anything... I want to do it because I believe it's the right thing to do... and I believe that I can speak for the others when I say that this is their intent as well...

Sanford huffed at me in response.

Sanford: Say it all that you want. It's just a cloak that you're hiding behind. And I know it.

Zaion: Sanford....

Sanford: You're all about helping people. That's what you're going to argue. Right?

Zaion: M...

I nodded.

Sanford: Fine. Then. Why don't you do something to help me out. Then?

Zaion: A... Alright, Sanford. I'll help you... If only to show you that I only mean good will...

Sanford: Good.

I gave an uneasy smile in his direction. Sanford let out an slight laugh that sounded very uncomfortable in response, before turning it into an even more uncomfortable cough.

Zaion: So... What do you want me to do for you???

Sanford: End this.

Zaion: End... what?

Sanford: Renounce your title as one of the witches. And just go back to wherever you came from before all this happened. And don't use magic ever again. That's what I want. That's what you can do to 'help' me.

Zaion: ...

Sanford: Well?

We both stood there for a while, speechless.

Zaion: Sanford, I... I'm sorry, but I can't do that for you...

Sanford: Why the hell not?!

Zaion: Sanford... I need to be able to help others... And if I go and do that, then I won't be able to. I can't just go and end everything right now. The other witches and I are doing good things for this planet, and you need to realize this and accept it... I'm sorry that I can't help you with this, Sanford, but this is the way that things have to be...

Sanford: Bullshit!

I was taken aback by his exclamation.

Sanford: Zaion. I'm going to make you pay for this. I'm going to make you suffer for your actions. For the lies you tell everyone. And for the diseases you're spreading among us.

Zaion: Sanford, please...

Sanford: I don't care about what you have to say anymore. If you're not going to end this, then I will. Even if I have to do it all myself. I \*WILL\* kill you. And your magic friends.

Zaion: Sanford...

He raised his hook at me, clearly threatening me with the weapon.

Sanford: Shut the hell up.

Zaion: Don't do this, Sanford! I don't wish to fight you. You've done nothing to wrong me, and I will not hurt an innocent person.

He charged at me. I created a force field to protect myself.

Zaion: Sanford, I'm much more powerful than you are. Please don't put yourself in danger by engaging with me.

He huffed at me.

Sanford: I will fight you. One day.

I closed my eyes. I did not open them for a long time. I didn't even think in this time. I just didn't want Sanford to get to me any more. When I had finally opened my eyes, I saw that Sanford had left.

I was scared. I wanted to talk to the other witches. To someone who would understand me. But they could not come to me, as they did not know my troubles. Their nature of having telepathic links with each other led them to spread out and be able to commune with one another through that method, though for whatever reason I had not developed the same abilities that they had, and I was left out. And so I stayed there, alone and scared, to contemplate my situation.

I was soon able to calm myself down. I wanted to rid my mind of Sanford's violent advances. I was honestly frightened by him. He seemed to have a way of mind that was completely against magic and people who use it, and a stubborn way that would not let him consider the possibility of people who use magic being good. This was quite a dangerous combination. I hadn't before thought of the people's public opinion of us. But when I had gone into depth with the subject, I realized that there must be people who are against us. Everyone does have their own opinions, whatever they may be.

I continued to stay there and calm myself. I was afraid that at any moment Sanford would come out of the shadows, with his hook in hand, and attack me. I wondered if I would be prepared to take it onto myself to do something about it. Whether in the moment I could bring myself to fight back. Or whether I would even have the power to fight back against him.

I stood up and stubbornly told myself to be rid of these thoughts. I would not be calmed if I continued to dwell on this matter, and doing so would not serve me well. I told myself that this would not happen. I told myself that Sanford would not be able to hurt me, and that the other witches would be safe from him and others like him who opposed us.

And even though I would continue to deny it in my current state, I was almost impossibly wrong about this. I had yet to know that the witches would very soon meet their ends by the hands of this man. Sanford DeCurro.

ENDCHAPTER

### Chapter 6 - Sanford I

Sanford: It's time.

I looked at the crowd of others around me. These were people who wanted to join me and my cause. These people despised the magic-using witches as much as I did. And they were willing to do something about it.

Sanford: Now. You all know what we're going to do today. Right?

I heard responses of agreement, as they all replied with nods and some 'Yeah's and other things of the like. I smirked, feeling the joy of what I knew would be my victory in this hour.

Sanford: Alright. Then. Tonight. We shall go out to the village of one of the witches.

I paused for a while and surveyed the crowd. They were unfaltering, waiting for me to continue. I wanted to know that I had chosen the right group to come with me.

Sanford: And we are going to. Exterminate. All of the people in this village.

I paused again. Still unfaltering as ever. I took a deep breath and continued.

Sanford: This is a dangerous mission. The people of that village. As I know. Outnumber us by a lot. Greatly. Even. If those people were to. Say. Fight back against us. A lot of us would surely die.

I paused. Still no response from the crowd. I smirked, and continued to give them my expectations.

Sanford: And I don't want anyone who's going with us. Anyone at all. To try and back out in the middle of it. You're either going with us all the way to death. Or your death will come from us personally. Got it?

Still no response. Unfaltering as ever, this lot was willing to follow their, no, our cause, to the death. As was I, so I felt it only fitting that I would lead them to this.

Sanford: I said. Got it?!

I heard some responses from the crowd. They seemed unfocused and out of order.

Sanford: I'M SAYING. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?

Another response, this one a full war cry of 'Yeah' coming from them all. I smirked again. I held my bloodied hook in my hand and held it forth to our destination.

Sanford: Alright. Now. Let's go. We will be carried by a stream of wrath and truth. And we shall leave behind us. A trail of blood and justice. Onward. Towards the village of Zaion!

They raced forward in the direction of the village. I smirked, stepping off of the rock and following them. Cheers and shouts and war cries rang out from them all, filling my ears. I could tell that I was going to enjoy this all. The sound of our footsteps filled the area. As we got closer to the village, the people looked out at us. My men stopped right before entering. I pushed forward and walked into the village, facing the people.

Sanford: You. You're all the people who helped that witch. Zaion. I know this. You've all helped her come to fruition.

Murmurs of confusion and fear could be heard throughout the village. My men remained silent and unfaltering, as always, ready to enter into battle.

I stood silently for a moment, before once again facing the people of the village.

Sanford: For this. You're going to suffer.

My men charged into the village and attacked.

Sanford: Ahah...

I joined them in the encounter. During this experience, my mind began to travel back, leading me onward. I knew the purpose of my actions. I would continue fighting for this reason alone.

*Mother: Hide in here, Sanford. Don't come out until I say, please.*

My memories of this event were torn and battered. Yet they allowed me the path that I would take.

*Sanford: Okay. Mom.*

*My Mother closed the closet door and walked away from it.*

*I waited there for a while. My mother and my father were there talking to some people who I had never met before. I sighed, in boredom at the time that they were taking.*

*And then I heard their talking turning into shouting. It caught my interest, but when I tried to listen the conversation had stopped, followed by the sound of what seemed like an explosion.*

One of the village's men ran up to me, trying to fight back. He tried to stab me with a garden spade. I dodged to the side and hit him over the head with my hook, piercing the back of his skull. I retracted the weapon and kicked his body away, before continuing to go forward towards the others.

*I opened the closet door just slightly in order to see what was going on out there. And I saw in horror as the mutilated face of my mother was staring back at me.*

*Man 1: Tch... fools. They should've thought twice before crossing us like that.*

*Man 2: Alright, now let's get whatever we can from here as repayment.*

*I recognized them. They were missionaries of the church of Gaia. My father had consulted with them a while back when we'd been at a loss for money. And they'd given him what they called a 'loan'.*

*And now, they had come here to kill my father for this. And they did the same to my mother, for trying to save him.*

Another villager tried to throw a knife at me. I rolled to the side, trying to find where it had come from. I saw the guy who'd thrown it now running away. I swore at him and threw my hook. It pierced the back of his neck, and he collapsed. I grabbed my hook's rope and pulled it back over to me.

*I stepped out of the closet. My expression was one of horror, watching as the men who had just murdered my parents proceeded to loot the house.*

*My anger had then gotten the better of me. I grabbed the nearest object, which turned out to be a hook, and began to run at one of the men.*

*Man 1: Huh?*

*With the hook, I stabbed him in the eye. He kicked me away as he fell over, eye gushing out blood.*

*Man 1: Ah!! Fuck!!*

I did not stop fighting them... not until everyone was dead. Not just of the villagers, but even my men met their deaths in this hour. I was the only person who had survived this. I bashed my hook into a lifeless body in anger.

*The wind had been knocked out of me. I struggled to breathe just then. The man dug the hook out of his eye and raised his hand at me, and it glowed with a lime coloured auric power.*

*Man 1: Little fucker...*

I will never stop fighting. I can't. It's completely beyond my ability at this point.

*A powerful x-shaped blast of energy came from his hand, hitting me square in the face. I felt the blood trickling down my face as I begun to black out.*

It is magic that has hurt me so. It is magic users who have done this to me. This is the reason why I do this.

*Man 2: Little brat... Come on, let's get going now. With all that commotion, someone's gonna come over here to check it out.*

*Man 1: Yeah, yeah... but first, I want to do something with this one...*

*Man 2: ... What the hell??*

*I blacked out at this point, unable to remain conscious with the physical injury I had sustained.*

My mind, broken as it is in this state, does not allow me to see the innocent faces of good people who use magic. From that day, magic users to me share the same face as the men I saw that day.

And I will always try to destroy the people with those faces. They deserve it for what they've done.

ENDCHAPTER.

### Chapter 7 - Sanford II/Zaion II

Zaion: What...

I looked around the now decimated remains of my village. And as I did, I saw the bloodied and beaten corpses of the people who had cared for me in my youth.

Zaion: Ah...

I fell over crying. This was an utterly horrible event. The ones who I had come to love, and who had done so much for me, were now all dead, and they had clearly suffered in the event of the mass murder.

Zaion: Who...

I tried to speak to them. I thought that I could with my powers. I had gotten no response at the time, yet I thought it worth a chance to at least try.

Zaion: Who did this to you?!!

I slunk back from the body. I had expended a lot of energy just bashing in its skull, the person was now completely unrecognizable, through identity or even through traits. I felt exhausted for what I've done. Sweat was running down my face and I was breathing heavily.

I looked around. There wasn't another living person in this village, neither native to the village or of my men. This was a place of solitude. Yet this was my rock. I had taken these lives in the name of justice against what has done wrong. I sighed, trying to steady my breath. I put a hand up to my face to wipe off the sweat, being careful to avoid my scar, and then stopped.

Am I crying?

I felt the tears running down my face. I stood there for a while, and then quickly wiped them off with my hands.

Sanford: Urgh. Damnit.

I decided to get out of there for a while. The job was done, and I had no reason to stay here any longer. I walked away, in no general direction, and with no set destination, away from the village of Zaion.

I felt their spirits being channeled through me. I heard their voices and saw their last sights. It was a unanimous answer.

"The boy with the x-shaped scar brought his men here and killed us."

Zaion: Sanford...

I could feel the rage burning within me. He said he would have that battle with me. I just wished he hadn't gone this far to try and get it.

Zaion: Sanford.

I made a half-hearted attempt to try and restrain myself just a bit. But I could not go through with it.

Zaion: SANFORD!!!

With a surprising amount of power and speed, I ran off, following a trail that I knew would lead me to him. I was going to make him pay for this.

Without realizing it, I had found him right in front of me, with his back turned. With all my momentum, I purposefully ran right into him, making us both fall over.

I was a bit off from the village when it happened. I didn't even hear it, just the wind behind me, when suddenly the force of a person going at a considerable speed crashed into me from behind. I fell over into the ground. I also saw the she had fallen, too. I recognized her as Zaion.

Sanford: Ah!

Quickly as I could, I stood back up. I then held out my hook at her threateningly.

Zaion: Sanford!

Sanford: S-stay back!

I stood up, after falling down from my own attack on him. I yelled at him, and he commanded me to stay back.

Zaion: Sanford...

Sanford: You. Found out already. Didn't you?

Zaion: Why the hell did you do that?! Why did you kill those innocent people?!

Sanford: Because of what they did for you!!!

Zaion: Sanford...

I looked at him, with a rage that seemed to almost be physically exerting itself from and to my being.

Zaion: You... You're despicable! I'm going to make you pay for this!

Sanford: Tch.

I couldn't believe that this had come so soon... I'd wanted to have prepared, but at the time I was at a loss for doing so.

Sanford: So. I guess you'll be wanting to fight me now. Is that right?

Zaion: Hmph... Don't call it a fight... Something this one-sided...

With a swift motion, she struck me with a magically-charged attack.

Zaion: Shouldn't be called a fight!!

He quickly recovered from my attack, and slashed at me with his hook. I was able to dodge, but only just barely, as it still cut just the surface of my skin.

Sanford: Don't get so cocky. Witch! I may not be magic like you. But I can more than hold my own in a fight!

She wiped the blood off of her and gave me a look. I growled in anger.

Sanford: You. Think you're so great and right. You're blinded by your own tricks!

Zaion: I have no tricks, DeCurro. I work with honesty and trust. I've already told you this, but I've learned by now that you're too blind to even consider that as a fact.

Sanford: Shut up!!!

Zaion: No!!! I'm not going to take orders from you!!! Why do you think that you're so much better and above people who use magic?! That's a purely conceited and close-minded view!!

Sanford: I said.

He suddenly charged towards me.

Sanford: Shut the fuck up!!!

I then surged forward to attack her. However, she dodged out of my way. I tried again to attack her with my hook, but she proceeded to put herself out of my reach.

At this point, I was tired at just taking to a passive form of action. I used my magic, and sent a ball of energy to hit Sanford. I was surprised to see that he was able to destroy it with his hook.

I then proceeded to create more auric orbs to send his way. However, Sanford was very versatile, and was able to either destroy them with a slash of his weapon or dodge them by moving around. We seemed to be quite good at evading each others' attacks, but less at being able to land one on the other person.

She created more magic powers. I was able to dispatch them with my hook. My hook itself was strong, and completely without magic. I'd come to know that something which is without magic has a good resistance to magic itself. That was the truth behind the objects' power.

She then charged up a more powerful blast. I ran towards her, ready to strike.

As he began to run up to me, I made the energy disappear. I then side-stepped his attack and grabbed his arm, using his momentum to throw him back.

I turned around and charged up a blast attack. Just before I'd fired it, Sanford hit me with his hook, and then I launched the blast, hitting him in the chest. We both fell back.

And as quickly as we had landed the blows on each other, we got up and continued to fight. I would attack with my magic power and spells...

... And I would continue to attack with my hook and force. This continued on for a while. We landed blow after blow on each other. We were hurt pretty badly far enough into it. And then I got close enough to her to grab her arms.

And as he held my arms, he pointed the hands away from himself, so that I couldn't attack him with the things I'd been using before. I used his grip on my arms against him, and got him closer to myself.

By now, we were both restrained. She could not attack me with her magic, as she was restrained. And I could not attack her without letting go of her arms, for the risk of letting her go. She got closer to me for some reason.

We stood still there for a while, both unable to attack the other. The only sound that could be heard was that of our heavy breathing, and the only sight that could be seen was our evil glares into each others' eyes.

It was a long, heavy pause in between our hateful battle.

And then we began to kiss.

It took neither of us by surprise that this happened. Our hatred for each other burned deeply, and it could only be expressed in this passionate display of kismesistude. We even began to let each other go and hold one another in our hate.

A reader not knowing of the complex and important subject of Gridmask kismesistude may be confused right now. Kismesistude is one of the two romantic feelings felt by every Gridmask for another, the other being Matespritship, which is also known as 'love'. It's counterpart, kismesistude, also relates to the passionate, sexual feelings relating to matespriteship, but instead of revolving around the positive feelings associated with this 'love', it instead is based in the negative feelings of hate. Put very aptly, kismesistude is a mixture of hatred and sexual attraction, and is the counterpart to the concept of love.

So, yeah. That's really all there is to say on the matter. Back to the story.

We both stood there for a long time, unbreaking from this.

But the gravity of our battle weighed upon us as we expressed our hate. Eventually, we both broke away from each other and re-entered our fighting positions.

I charged with my hook in hand, ready to put an end to this fight for good. She saw this and surrounded her body in an aura of magic power. She, too, charged forward.

And then we clashed into one another.

And our true strengths were tested, in this final attack, of who would be victorious in the battle.

And as it happened, when the smoke finally cleared...

I stood over Sanford. I was the victor.

Sanford: .

Zaion: Sanford... You need to realize that your actions have consequences...

Sanford: Hmph. Nothing unintended.

Zaion: Sanford, please. Just listen to me, and actually try to think about what you've done. You killed all those people! Don't you at least think that's a little bit, well, horrible?

Sanford: No. Not at all. They fucking deserved it!

Zaion: NO THEY DIDN'T!!!

She charged up her energy, readying for a finishing blow.

Zaion: I'd hate to send someone into the afterlife, with the things you've done... But I'm starting to think that you deserve it.

And then it happened.

It took the both of us by surprise. We both lowered our guard, losing each other during the event, not even remembering that we existed.

Several lime-coloured lights appeared in the sky, taking on specific shapes and forms, radiating with a magical glow. It was hard to figure out what they were at first.

But then we realized it. They were portals. All around the planet's area, throughout the sky and the atmosphere, portals had appeared.

We were transfixed for a while. The portals were just there, seemingly having no purpose other than existing. We were nearly about to stop paying attention to them.

But in that moment, it happened. The portals worked as a gateway, sending countless numbers of monstrous creatures through them. The creatures landed all over the planet, in all sorts of environments, taking everyone by surprise.

And then the monsters began to attack. In their confusion, they immediately attacked any person nearby. And in the great numbers of them, the people were greatly outmatched.

We watched in horror as it proceeded to unfold. We could not move, let alone bring ourselves out of this trance to do anything.

In this moment, we were in too much shock to act at all.

We just stood there as it all unfolded.

Before we realized it, a group of people had formed around us. They got us out of our trance, and we started to listen to what they were saying.

I heard some people recognizing Zaion. Indistinct murmurings of her passed through the crowd, and though I could not clearly make out everything, I could understand they were talking about her.

I could hear them talking about me. And then their attitudes turned sour. Accusations passed by, of who could've done something like this. And my name was still passing through the ears of the crowd.

Accusations started involving her. Originally the people were just relieved to see one of the witches, but know they were just angry at her. The crowd went forward towards her.

"You'll pay for this!" They yelled at me. They started to grab me and pull me away from Sanford, yelling angrily. I heard some parts of conversations as they did so.

"... They died..." "... He got hurt..." "... So much pain..." "... Make her pay!" The people were angry, and letting their anger out on her.

Zaion: Wait, stop! I haven't done anything! The monsters were not my fault!

It was impossible to know if they had believed me just then, because Sanford joined the ranks of those accusing me of doing this.

Sanford: I know you'd do something like this! It's you and the witches. You're the ones who brought this upon the people!

Zaion: Sanford... No...

The people did not care about what she had to say anymore. They carried her off, ready to have her executed.

And they would try again and again. My powers would not allow me to be killed by them, unfortunately. I would be forced to suffer their torture day and day again, for a long remainder of my existence, without any sort of end to it. I would try to hold my beliefs to heart, though my purity would later become overtaken by a darkness. I would truly fulfill the role that I had taken upon myself.

This was likely the true meaning of Blackspell.

And I would go on to start a campaign fitting of me beliefs. I would go on to lead the executions of the witches. Who I had come to believe had done this. Even though later in life I would come to regret my actions far too dearly.

And in the end...

... It would just lead to more death and destruction.

ENDCHAPTER.

### Chapter 8 - Seira

The sound of Taku's voice rang out behind us, though we did not wait for him. I held out my stopwatch, and sent the both of us to a point much later in time. Long after the damage here had been done.

Wodwick: That voice... Calling out to us.

I shrugged at him, in the most sympathetic way that I could manage.

Seira: Sorry I didn't leave there sooner. I know how bad you felt about not changing anything last time... But really, that's just the way things have to be.

Wodwick: No, I know... It's just really sad. He was a nice guy. He really didn't deserve that.

I gave another sympathetic shrug.

Seira: Well, you know how it is. That's just the breaks. And hey, at least it's better than what would have happened to him.

Wodwick sighed, and then took a while to look around.

Wodwick: Where have we gone this time?

Seira: We've come to -53 ADC.

Wodwick: Huh... This is pretty historically important too, isn't it?

Seira: Yeah.. But there's a reason I brought you here now.

He looked at me with an expression of surprise.

Wodwick: You mean...?

Seira: \*nods\* Yeah, you need to be here now. Your role in Quint's life is pretty important, you know.

Wodwick: You're going to leave me here, then?

Seira: Well, jeez, you make it sound as if we won't see each other ever again. Of course, I'm going to visit you here later. But we're not gonna be going on anymore of our time-travel adventures anymore. Sorry.

Wodwick: Oh... alright, then.

Seira: Besides... Right now, I have something important that I need to get to.

Wodwick: You mean... you're going to visit your mother now?

Seira: Yeah... It's been a long time since I last did it. And I think that now, since I know that I have you to come back to this time... I can bring myself to face her in that state again.

Wodwick: ...

Seira: ... Are you alright, Wodwick?

Wodwick: Seira...

He then came over and hugged me. This caught me by surprise.

Wodwick: Be safe.

Seira: Ah... don't be such a dork about it, Wodwick. I'll be alright. Just wait, you'll see.

He let go of me and took a step back.

Wodwick: Seira... thank you for taking me with you on our travels.

Seira: No problem. It was my pleasure.

Wodwick: Goodbye, for now...

Seira: See you later, Wodwick.

I then started to perform the time-traveling spell. I saw him wave goodbye to me as I disappeared.

Seira: \*sigh\*...

In the place where I'd gone to now, it was nighttime. With a bit of disdain, I began walking to my destination.

Soon enough, I got there. I wasn't exactly sure what was worse then, having to suffer through the wait of it with all my thoughts gathering before it, or having the waiting actually end. But here, I had found my destination. At the time, my mother had been in the bottom of a pit, and with her powers a force field now emanated around it, making it impossible for anyone to enter. But I, with the magical abilities that I had, could do it.

I sighed and entered the perimeter of the force field. I had been here a time before. But at the time, I could not bring it upon myself to do anything. I was in horror at the state of Zaion. She had been here for a long time, and it had done the least of good for her state of mind.

With a heavy heart, I started walking towards the bottom of the pit. I could hear her rambling on into space, as she had been the last time.

Zaion: .̧̮͇̮̆̈͒̕.̭͙͕̱̬̣̣̈́ͨ̿͞ͅ.̡̲̩̼̫ͦͯ̿ͅ ̨͖̜͈̪̤̖̣̈́͐͊̋̇͗͠à̫̬̬͇̊ͮ̓̎n̙̦̣̓̈̅̀͝d̡̬̯͊̌̓̋ͦ̐ ̢̜̾̓̿̏ͧ́ŷ̯̝̼ͅẻ̷̻͙̫͙͔̍̂͑ͬͨ̍̃ͫ̕͞ṫ̞͉̬ͬ͂̓̈,̸̤͔̤͓̝̾̈́̅ͥͥͪ̓ ̩̝̰̍̅̕͞i̵̻͓ͬͥ͑̌ͅǹ̨̾́͂̇ͥ͏̹̼̳ ͯ̄̅҉͕͇̥͔͚̹ţ͎̘̲͈ͮͬͦ̈́̾͑͌̉́̀ĥ̢̨̛̬͙̳̲̅ͮëͥ͋ͦ̄͂̓̏̍͂͏͖̬͟ ͖̖̳͚͛͆̐̂͜g̹̮͍ͫͫͮ͆̉̐̐ͣ̅ͅr̪̤͍͙̄ͫͩ̆͂̉͡ȧ̙̗̈̽ͤ͛̚͜n̤͉̯̜̠̦̊̅͆d̫̘̱ͪ̑ͬ̂̿̈́ͣ̉͘͟ ̢̳̞͙̅̐̃̿͊ͫ̊s̛̱̩͚͑̓ͩ͟c͙̖͖̳͖̳̍̑̓ͅḧ͎̣͑̅̓̊ͪ́̀e̫̥͖̱͆ͧ͠m̸̯̳̫̬̼͉̩̙̔ͥ̍̐̚͝e͙̬͊ͪͥͪ̑̃͗̊̽͢͢ ̨̬͔̰͇͍̱̱͖̍͛ǫ̅̓̀҉͕f͈̤̱͉̖͗̊ͥͣ ̵̣̳̪͂ͧ̋͢͟t͙̙͔̘̠̲͖̄ͫ̆ͯ͆̈h̛̤̠̞̰͕ͨ͐̀͊̂̀͠į̳̮̈ͧ͑n̛͇̞̾ͥͩͯ͋̌ͨg̵̱̩̺̮̼̹̈̏̈́ͯ͡s̷̟̞̠̞̼̹̮͓ͯ̋͗̓ͪͤ̔͗͢,̵̦͈̘͉̠͈̝̬̿̉́̈́͐̽ ̠̯̟̑̈̌͘a̛̭̜̤͈͖̍̏̂̀̊ͣ̎̋̏̕r͎̤̮͍͙̩̩ͣͣͅe̫͇̜͔͕̦̻̠̒ͨ͑̏͛ͮ͊̕͢͡ ͖̏̈͒̽̏̍̉ͪw̱̆͒̂̂̓̉͝͞e̯̞͍͓͑̅͑̍́̚ ̀̌̎͑̎͏͖̳͔͓̖̘n̮̱̪̊͐̋͠ͅoͫ̆̓̿ͥ͆̂ͦ͡҉͖̰̻̥͎ṯ̯̦̳̼̆̓ͧ̍̂̽́ ̷̞͕͙̦ͪ͂͝ậ̴͔̅̾̔ͩ͌l̦̰̥̦͉̮̭ͥ̊̃̅́ͣ̊͢͞ḷ̢̛̭͂̉̈́͗̈̓ ̨̯̪̮̬̭͎̱͂͟͞ḇ̷̸̥̜̀ͬ̾̆̎ṵ̵̰͉͙͎̖̬͑̄ͩ͡͡t̨̧̘̟̦̮̦̻͈̿͑̊͌̓ͦͪ ͎̖̮̩͇͊͒ͩ͂ͩ̅͑͊a̘̟̒̂ ̞̱͂ͪ͋̏̕͢͜f̗͎̳̾̈́͗ͥͣ̀͜ẽ͉̻̰̙͎̋ͨͮͫͤ̊́̚ẃ̶͈̼̩̺̲͈̯̗̹̑̉͌͗ͧ͛̑̎ ̛͈̗͈̻̜͉͗̐̅ͯ̍̂ͦ̅ͅl͚̯̪̜͚̦͕̱ͨ̿͆̍́̎̽͞i̗̘͔̮̟͇ͥͫ͆̆̐͛̋ͧ̿v̷̨̟͕̩̯͛ͧ̈ͫͥͭȩ̙̝̻ͬ̿ͦͫ̇̓̿̌̚ś̢͚̠̽̇͌͟ ̶̶̝̜̺̤̪̩̏ͣ͌̋̏̓ẗͪ̒͗̍҉͕̠̰̖͕o͚͙ͯ̉͑͆ͅ ̧̗̟̘̯̑̀b͉̰̩̭̬̺̖̾͌͌̃̌ͩ͟ͅe̬͚̫̔ͫͯ̒ͧ̓ͦͬ̕͢ ̗̘̜̈͐̂e̵̵̙͚̮̥̬͌̌̿̃̂͒ͮx̨̯̥̩̜̬̼̿̅ͤ̊t͋ͨ͌ͫ҉̠ǐ̖̜̣͕̣͉̟́̚ͅṇ̨̦͈̮̓ͩ́ͦͬ̎͊̕͞g̷̵̙̝͇͍͚̝̬ͮ̋͝u̢̲͙̱̦͕̿͗ͭ̓̽̌ͦ̽͟i̻̔ͤͪͫ̍͊͜s̴͕ͧͩ̒̓̈́ͨ̽͜h̹̞͔̲͛ͧͨe͔̬̦̋͋̇̉̏ͧ̔́̀̚͢d̄҉̷͓̘̲ͅ ̡̲͚̣͙͙̺̺̻͒͞b̨͎̭̞̳̺̥̂ͥ͑̑̄ͮ̒̚y̴̡̫ͫ̌̌́̎́̋̀͘ ̱̩̱̌̔̃t͉̰̳͐̔̈͋̽i̢͔̭̗̜͓͎ͣ͡ͅmͧͯͪ̚҉̹̯͈͉̯̳̠͞é͎̱̟ͩ̐͟͟͡?̧͚ͪͧ̽̚

I continued to walk down to her. I wasn't sure whether she didn't know that I was here or if she just didn't care.

Zaion: p̽͊̇ͪ̽̌͏̭̠̣̕l̸̯̦̭̺͍̗̀̅ͤ̇̐eͣͨ͐͐̇҉̣͈̹̼͇a̱̺̮̠͆̔ͥ̿̕͞s̴͚̦̯ͤͫ̄̽ͮ̓͐̄͞ḛ̵̗̙̭͗ͫ̀̊̓,ͮ͛͆̔͛҉̭̞̟ ̨̣̹̖̤͔̠̤͈̎ͩ̿ͦ̎̕ǹ̵̲̭̹̹̗̥̰ͩ͒̓̑̀ͅŏ̲͔̟̳̲ͫ͛͐͟ ̢̳̫̇̽͋ͥͥ͑̂͘m̞̹̖͍̱̼̳̔̃̑̒ͦ͋̔̒́o̞̦̦̠̣͛̓̔̄ͧ̄̿̕͡r̢̮͕͎̜̮ͪͭ̄͛́̀͢ẽ̶͇̇̍ͭ̉̎̄ͯ,̷̧̣̩͉̇̓ͯ͌̄ ̸̷̱̩͔̥̗̫̬͉̂̇̎̀m̴̛̺̱̯̬̠̻͉̩̃ͨ͐͗ͦy̸̵̧̪̻͔̤͔̠ͪͯͮ̿̃̋͗ͩͅ ̲͚͖̮͇̐̊ͤ̐͒͜͟l̨̩̗̖̺͎̞̤͙ͤͪ̔̄ͣͪ̚͘ò̷̳̘̟͔̬͖͆ͧ͗ͥͤ̇ṛ̲̩̌d̸̰̞͍͚̰̪̖ͪͬ̂̐ͅ.̰͍̺̦̪̳̎̈̚̚͘ͅ ͕̣̝̓͆͗ͥ͡aͩ͏̗̯̳̮̪n̈́ͬ̓҉̦̬̤̠̖͖̬͘y̷̮͉̳̱̪̻̳̜ͯ̈ͨ͢ ̺͙̗̞͓͂ͩ̽ͤͫ̍m̠̦̘͕ͭͬő̲̯͚̳̝̍̽ͯ̊ͅr͔̦̐̑̿́́ͪ͛̍͘ͅē̷͈̖̩̽́͆ͬ̃ ͉̘̯̹͈̗̝̔̓̎̾w̢̹̗̪̫̤̝̃ͅỉ͎͓͇̇̿̒̓͒̚͘͘ḻ̤̰̣̋ͣ̏̓̓̑͜l̡͔̭̋̈͒̑ͣ͘ͅ ͚̝͙ͯ̓̿ͮ͛͒̂ǰ̶̛͚̥̥̪̩ͧ̀͛ư̢̜̻͈̤̘͍̻͔͉ͦͬ̿ͨ̀ŝ̮̫̳̼̱̟͉ͤͯ͠͡ț̴̏̿͑͒ͪ͑͛ ́́͏̥̹̱̯͙͓͉̣b̛̳̹̤͙ͭ̎̓̎̇̎ͧ̓͞ͅr̛̗̝̟̟̦̔̈̾̑ͣ͌̑ͩ̍i̵̜͓̝̩̞̔͂̍͛ͤ͡n̼̼̯̥̱ͩ̍ͤͯ́̈͑͌ͥ̀g̻̬̜̫̺̱͙̅̓ ̘̘̱͔̮̩̣̍̋͐͂̔̌͊̑̒͢ŭ̷͈̲̮ͮ̿̏s̢̫̲͇̻̠̪̊ ̴̙͓̱͙̪͙̇ͮͫͣ͘s̷̶̡͍͓̺͓̪̽̊͊̀ͤ̏u̞̙̼̘̥ͭͭ͢f̟̱̮̺̖̄͆ͨ͗͋̀ͭ͂͘f̬̠̓͜ȩ̟̤̘̫ͬ̅̐̑r̢͚̳̳͓̄̍͛̓͂́͞î̷̺͓̦͍̳̰̭̘̇̃͂̅́̀̕n͍͓̘͚̮̈́̿̽͐͌̋͂̀g͈̼̘͉ͩ̍̽͟͜ͅ.̩͎̯̗͉̩̀̈́̑͒̌ͭ͟

Seira: ...

I was very frightened of her in this state. But regardless of my fear, I still allowed myself to go down to her. I stood in front of her and faced her, letting her know that I was here without saying anything.

Zaion: T̡̡̤̻͇̰̜̲͑̒̃ͅh̝̠ͩ̐͜é̪̼͇͎̬͍̂̈́͆͋͘͡ͅͅș́̓̌̈́̇̈́ͯ҉̶̩̲ē̶̡̳̣̦̝ͦ̀̈́ͅ ̧̞̭͍̖̫͕̥̤̄͊̊̏͘͢c̴̘̠ͥ̓̔̒̀͟ͅh̡̩͎̒̎i̟͉̍̽̏͐̕c̥̪̩̹̰͙͓ͬͬ͐̈́ͮ̿̚k̢̙̅̎͆ͩͥ͐͊͋̐͘͜ͅs̫̫̃ͥ͑͆͒ͥ̔̋ ̸̝̲͚̩̗̖̍ͮ̒̂͐͡ͅw͖̟̱ͯ̿͌̇͑̾́͢h̬̺̮̦̤ͤͯ̅̿͝ỏ̏̃̈̊҉̝̘̱̦͉͖̦͞ͅ ͂͆͗̽̚͏̻̘̟̲̣̻ạ̸͚͙̖̼̹̫́ͦ͌ͦͤ͆̐̚̚r͈͉̮̖ͬͤͥ͊ͤ̏ͧ̈́e̷͚̟͕ͦ̍ͧ̏̃̀͆͗ ̛̛̳͈̯̈́ͭͨ͗̇n̪͚̈́ͨͬ̇͂̇ͮ͛̕e̡͕̬̟͕͖ͪ̍͂ͥͧ̆̍͘ͅs̻̟̞͎͉̙̼̔̍ͥ̆͜t̢̛͍̫̪͉̫̜ͨ̾ͪͭ̅̚̚ͅẻ̞̩̙̄́͘͜d͌̋҉̥̺̟̜̟̮̭̠̀͞ ̴̞͇̠͈͔̞͚̿̊͒ͧͅͅw͈̮̰ͫ̾̓̇͘i̪̠̤̝̱̫͑̃̀́͘t̸̶͍̮ͤͦ̊̇͐̅̀̆̓h̾ͨ̅͆̋̍̍҉̶̱̀ī̛̠̞̻͗ͯ̔̑͛̊̉ͦ́n̢ͫ́͏̯͇͔̪,̢̦̞̻̩͕̠̝̎̽̓ͣ̿̓ͩͅ ̷͖̪̫͇̥̙̾ṇ̱͔̟̗̰ͣͮ̀e͋̅̃̄ͯͨ̽ͫ͏̝̲͜v͎͚͉͎̞͕͍̦̗̽͢e̮͈̗͕̟̙͆̕r̡̫̩̈ ̷̸͍̓̍̍ͥ̈ͬ̋t̴͍̹͖̖̰̠̿͐̍͐̒ͅȍ̻͈̙̼̪̤̩̙ͮͭ͝ ̛̻̪͔̘̭͍̠͕ͩ̂̍̈́ͥ̊ͤb̵̡͉̻̟̫̞͖̎̏ͪ͞ề̤̲͈͈̯̾ͨ̇͋͌ͅ ͮ͌͋̓ͨ҉̫̪̲̝͈̜s̤̦̿ͪ̚e̵͗̆ͩ̔҉̷̠ȩͫ̌ͭͮ̄̒͂̃̾͏̴͔̜͔̱̺̰n̙̜̿̅ͫ̽̓͘͝ ̗̩͉̻̼̫ͤ̐̎̀̃͑ͅã̧̫͌̾́͠g̳̺̤͕ͭ͑̓̎a̷̲̟̔͜į̪̥̘͉̘̃̓̅ͤ̍͝n̖̺̥͌̚.̷̨̛̘̼͚͔̹̖̗͋̅ͮ̈́̏́̚.̛̹͔̱̺̓ͥ͌̀͠.͖̻̞̦̹́ͥͭ̎

She still was not acknowledging my existence. I spoke to her.

Seira: Hello, Zaion.

Zaion: .̪̎͒͂̎͊̒.̗͔͇͈̦̂̃̿̅ͧ͘.̵̱̫͎̤̈́̋̉ͤ̐ͧͨ́ẉ̥̭͎̯͈̫̽̓̈̇͝ą̊ͪ̅ͬͫ͋́ͣ̈́͏̖͉̖͕̟̼͉ͅs̳̮͖̘͖̙̦̻ͧ̾͜h͆ͮ̓ͫ̆̋̏͢͡҉̟ĕ̵̪̬͚͔̩͂ḍ̝̪͙̭̺̯̟͓̤̋ͩͫ͑͌ͦ͗͞ ͉̣ͭ̀́̀ä͕̫͉̗̗̠̂ͭ̐̾w̱͚̙̦̪̟̼̃̿̋ͧâ̶͏̙̜y̗̮̙͗̽ͧ ͔̭͉̓̇͑̏̇ͯ̎̋͝b̝ͦͮ̒͐̀̒͘y̻̲̼̺̦̻͍͇ͦ̅͡ ̴̧̻̏ͭ̍̿̎̐̃n͋̐ͭ̌ͨ̄̆̇҉̖͖̫͕̳̠̤͔͢ȍ͈͚̣̟̱͖̝̫̳͒ͩ͗̈́ͬ̒̕͠͝ṯ̸̛͈̗̲͐̿ͣ͡h̨͉͉͉̤̠̰͑̽̈͞ĩ̷̴̞̯ͮ̌͋́n̷̷̪͓͎͈̠̯̯̓ͅg͑̎̽͏͕͎ń̜̺̣̰̺̝ͨͩ̑ͪ̕e̊̑̍ͤ̐̐͊̒͂͏͇̼ṣ̢̳ͭ̔͒̓͊̚̚͝s̜͎̬͈̟̼̰̬̓͛͑̆.̪̯͖ͣ̌̏͘͟.̴͔̖͓̯̯͉͖̏ͯ.̖̙͇̃ͩ̋ͧ͂ͥͧ͘͟

Seira: I'm... really distraught to see you like this again.

Zaion: .͔͙̯̳̩͔̐̌̊ͯ͡.͎͙̥̹̻̔́̈́ͮ͒̂̂͞.ͨ͒̒͏̯̙̝̫̰͈ȑ̴̻̟̭̘͚̦ͣ̉͒̓̉̕i̵̺͕ͭ̂͌ș̸̗̗̍͐́ͤ̽͗̾ͩį̦͓͓͙̲̺̳͈̉̌̈́͡n̤̰͕̰͇͚̱̤͗ͦ̀͢͠ģ̘̹̳̘̱͔̳͍͕ͪͥ ̨̘̮̞̘̥̮̇̔ͪͧ̃̓̓͆͝a̢͒̿͋̿̑̋̄ͬ͝͏̯͔͖͇̬n̸̪͍̝͗͑̌̔̊̈̿͛́͡d͍͚̬̓̊̔͜͝ ̛̦̤̺̘̦ͯ͑ͧf͈͈̣͙͎̱̃ͨ̅̓ͮ͑a̒̆̈́ͪ̎ͥ̋́͏̛̯̯͉͢ͅļ̸̏̾̉̾̃̚ͅl̥̱͍̳̱̲̘̓̂͛̑ͨ͊i̜̙͈͙̗ͬ͒ͨṋ̛̙̞̮̊ͦ̃̈́̐͆̕͡ǵ̟͆ͪͬ̏́͛̇ͣ̕͝͝ ̢̱̗̘͇̥͉̤͊̅ͨ́į̛͈̭̺͕̰͇̙͂͌̍ͬͥ͑ͣ̔͝n̙̥̱̳͈͚͇̺ͪͯ͢ ̸̝̬̳͉̠̻ͩͧ̀å̦͔̃ͦ̈͡ ̵͖̜̟ͦ͢͝ĉ̷͓ͣͩ̏ͣ̋͋ͤͭ͢͝ô̮̬̼̩͎̤̠ͫͪ͋͌̈̏ͬn̖̰̈ͪ̀͞s̢͂̅͗ͥ͛̒̒͋҉͕̙ͅț̘͈̪̱͈̬̗͆̐ͫ͂̽̿̿̑͋a̺̼ͦ̎̏ͭ̉̀͟n̪͓͂͐̽̍ͤ̽̇ẗ̙͓̙̯̻͐ͩ͐̅̀͝ͅ ̸̷̀͛҉̗̗s̢͚̖̥̳̟͖̒ͪ̑͒̾͊͐͜ͅͅṫ͉̂̃r̢͕̲̜̱̦̝͈̗̎̕͝e͑͌̿͂ͧ͟҉̰̺͎̳͠a͔͇̓ͭ̂m̷̫̙̙͇͖͍̱̯̽.̴̣͔͎̼̜̈́ͫ̾̀ͩ̋.̙̫̺̼̞͍̣̩͗.̵̆͛̽͌ͧ҉͍͎͉̭

Seira: ...

Zaion: .̧̻̗̜̤͔̼̑͗ͅ.͍̻̪̦̼͠.

Seira: And, I guess... I'm going to free you now.

Zaion: Í̻͆ͬͮ͝ ̴͕̣ͤ̃ͪ͌̑̚â̳̺͔ͧ̈́ͥͅm͉̲̗̙ ̭̫̹͠b͖͕̻̻ͅo̵̿ͮͪu̹͖̣̠͚ͮͤ̈̀̿̏n͔ͪ͘ď͖͚̼͉̣͔̞͑͡ ̡̲̜͈̹̯͆̋͒̏͆̏ͮḅ̊ͯͥͮͬͨ̎y̮͍̻̱̰ͩ̑ ̍t̟̤̘̪̼͇̰ͪ̀̚̕h͒͒̑ͫ҉͕̱̦͉̫͚̲e̯̳̹̣̥͋̇̔͘s̸͎̆ͮ̐͌e̟̪̖͂̾ͪͣͪ͢ ͕̦̜̱̖̜̗͠c̴̬̟̝h͇͚͎͇̦̏ͬ̃̽ͨͣͅa͑̇ͤ͂̉̄i̖̙̬ņͫ͐̽̾ͯ͑ͬs̡̥͙͚͓̟̮̖.̠̹̦̱͈̘ͨ͞ͅ ͓͓̳̉ͬ͋M̸̗̔ͭ͒y͔͓̪ͨ̚͠ ̽ͭ̔ͭ̋̈r̛̺̣͉̹͚̣̝e͇͙̫̭̥ͣ̿̀̋ͭ͂ͅs̳̰͉̰͍̰̗͆t̼̿ͩ͆̆̓̊r̰̤̻͙͔̰͆̌̆̅͒ͧͬa͇̙͚̺̗͓̭̔i̟̘͍̯̖̮͉ͫ͗̂ͤ͊ͬ̾n̥͓̫͕t͖̭͛ ̯͍̜̳̏͋́ͦ͗̒ͅi̴̥̳s͔̜̹̑͐̀̋̾̏͗ ͌̀ͥ͂͏̹̪̹͇̪̼b̛ë͋̔͊͢y̧̹̑͂͊̚o̧̯̻ͤ̂n̷͙͓͓̣̙͕̘͑ͭ͑ͯ̑̍d̈͐̓̾ͤͬ̆ ̼͔̫͍̻̩͎̓̀̓ͨ̓̔̊pͦ̓ͫ̉h̡͖̰͍͈̻̻͕̃̇ͬͧͬ̾y̪̹̱̝ͭs̤͎̥̟̏ͧĭ̢͙̥̗̾͗͗̈c̥̙̗ͤ͋̂̋͒a̳͙̳͖̦͗̇ͫ͌̈̿l͋̀̅ͫ̾ͤ ̓ͩ͆̄͊u̞̩̙̘̭ͅṅ̺̻̩̤̩̼̣͂̀͋̓d̋ͫͪͤe̩͚̲̘͔͊̾̒̐ͧ̐ȓ̲̦ͤ̿ͦs̎t̬̬a̮̲͉͙̼͗̏́ͅn̬̱̯̱ͤͧ͝d̨͋̅̈ỉ̸͍̤͙̞̯̞͓n̬̰̆ͧĝ̥̥̳ͩͣͨ͗̈͛͢.̊͗̅͗ͫ̑͜

Seira: I know that it's wrong, Zaion. Even though you've made it so that I can't travel to the point where you escape, I know what is going to happen.

Zaion: Ì̇̔ ̢ͦ̒ͧd̽҉̩e̞̖̣͕͑ͦͭ̑s̮͒̐̓e̷̪̲̮͓͚̘ͧͧŕ̬v͓̝ͫ̏͛̅̿̚e͙͊̓ ̙̫̫̦̏p͇̮ͦͨ̏̋ͨu̬̪̳̗̳͊ͥ̽͊ͧͫ̎n̨̬̺̠̎̎́i̶̲̥̼̠̝ͣ͌s͈̄ͥ̇̓ͬḧ́m̨̭͓̮̜̘̹̺̔͑͊̓e̜n͚͍̗͔͎̫ͨ͒̇ͦ͡t̘̥̬͆ͥ͒̿ͧ ̡̭̦͊͗ͤ͌̎f̶̩̞̭̤͎̿̆ͅơ̰͙͕̥̋̊̂͗̎r̹ ̈́̈̓m̙̥̋y͙͚̰͎̫ͥ͋̂́ͅ ̰͖̩͈͈̃̏͊̂̚͢a̹̣̟̥͕̺͊̿c̎͒ͮ̏͛ͯͤt͊̇ͬ́i̟̪̺̫̗̔̐̌ͥ͋õ̘̣̘̙̺͎̇̓̏̔ͣ͝n̴̗͈̭͎͔̆ͣ̈̋ͩs̰̤̬ͤ̽ͣ̒̅.̭̒̂ͫ͛ͫ̀ͥ

Seira: The Book of Shadows... I've carried it with me for all my life. You created it for me to carry with me and my bloodline.

Zaion: A͒ͧ̀̍͗̇̌҉̬̜͚͖̬͓͕n͗d̀ͬͩͦ̋͊ ̶̩̪̟̐̏̋ͬ̇͐̊w͈̫̪̘̻̋̎̅̓i̴̬̯͚ͧͮ͒͂̂̾t̙͉͎ͥh̝͓̪̠̠̖̎́ ͍̻̻̤̭̐̕ͅm̩͕͕͚̼ͯ̽ͨy̫͍̣̞͙̿͗͟ͅ ̶̪͔͑̊ͧ̾c̤̞͎̦̟̝ͥ̽ͨ̀ͬr̞̪̗͍͉͈ͥ̔e̥̙̼̟̥̔͂̄a̩͔̜͑̎ͧ̈́̾ͮ̇t̪͖͞ì̬̙̟̞͕̺̘͌ͧ̐̊͗ͭǒ҉͚n͇͒ͬͨ̀,̗̟͙͇̜̭͎́ ̜̻̪̲͓͋ͧ͢a̙̰̠̣̪̻ͮͪ̔̎̑ͦ̉ ͒ͨ̓ͦ̂͏̟̯̖͙̼̣p̩͍̜̲̟̌͊̋̽̀͘ȁ͔͓͊̉ͬ̇̐̈͟t̏̃̐ͥh̟̣̬̞͇̭ ̰͍͉̭̘̬ṣ̡̩̰̙̬͎̲̉ͬͯ̌̓̔ẖ͙̥͈͔̬̈́͒ả͖̫̖̰̔l̅̾͢l̲̜ͣ̆ͩ̃̿́ ̗̩͈͍̖̯ͨ̎͋͌̂ͨ͜b̺͎̺͓̏̽͑̋͊̈́e̶̬͙̝̗͓͇̲̊ͮͯ́̉̾ ̘͇ͩ͢l͎̤̥̉̑ͭ͜e̡̟̳̝͙͙̭ͤ̐ȃ̶̉̊̃̀̌̚d̜͇̤̺͈͊ ̖̤̮̬̞̣ͤ͆ͣt͉̣̗̝̝ͥ̎̉͋ͯͦo̸͉̣ͨͫ͐ͮ ͖̱̣̻̮͙̥͗ͣ͛̕t͕̲͕̜̎h̫̰͈̫͔́͢e̷̦̽̂̓ ̼͔̖͚͙̩̜ḩe̬̳̖̿͐͞ṟ̶͚̱ͩ͗̇oͧͧ̌̿ͪ͜ȇ͙̻͈ͩ̏ͯ̍̍ͅṣ̨̱ ̵̱͓̭͓̥̪ͫͣ̏ͬͬͥt̻̗̣̣̗ͬ͂̐͘ͅo̷̻͇͖̳͓̼̊̈ͧͩͪ͌ ̰̐̏̃̓͂ͬ̔g̬̩̟̦̀ṳ̠̱͍͔̰͜i̙͙̤̟ͪ͒ͬ͆ͤ͌d̢̲͖̟̳͕̱̏̒̊̉ͅěͬͮ ͉̫̟͍̰̲̬͋ͬ̌̓̈̾ͩṱ̴̗̘̐h͌̓̽҉̹̖̤͕̥̪͈e̠̞̯͎ ̝͕̮͖̒̐̈́̔̀̚͝ͅͅpͫ͊̍̔͑ͅl̖̅ͧͅḁ̷̈̽n̶̟̏̉ͩͭ̽̍ͮe͈̠̭̞ͣ̌̓ͨ̿̽̇t̮͚̱̥̲̽ ͏̗̜̭̗̲̭̤i͚͖͛ͧ̎ͭn̹̗̥̖̼̬ͨ̊͗ ̶̤͖͉ã̧̜̝͙̖ͣ́̈́̈̄ ̉ͭ̈d̛̘̫̬͚̻͖̏̏͑̽̈̈i̪͚̮͚ͦ͂̽̍͢ͅͅf̣̗͕̬́̍͌̈ͣ͌f̶̺͙̘̱͕̖ͅẻ̢͍̪̣͉̀̑̚r͕̖͎̅̈̌e͚̯̭̦n̦̈́̓̇̈́̒ṱ̯͇̞̀̀͂ͭ ͕͍̿͋̓t̯̘̩̽̋͑̍̾ͭ͢ͅi̡̗̱̮͕̥̲͍me̢͓̠͖̬̯̪̲͊͆̆ͮ.̡̜̻̦ͦ͗̉ͧͩ

Seira: It's a device that it meant for pure evil...

Zaion: T͉̒ͩ͋̚ẖ̼e̷̜̲ͤͨ̾ͅ ͇̗̮̩̞͉ͣò̶̂ͦ̐n̸̞̑ͬͅe͕̪̯̋̽ ̘̙̯̠̌̈́ͅw̹̭̥̜̃ͤ͋h̀̀́o̼͓̻̲͖̹ ̦̻̬̖̰͙̖̒ͮ̊̏̓q̳̃͛̔ͦû̳̦͍̜͑̾ͩ̐́̿͞eͤ͊̆ͦ̃ͬṣ͈̭͉͚͊ͮͭt̮̜͉͖̮͍i̸ͪ͗͌ͩ̅͋̚o͎̖͌ͮͩͪ̎̑ͅn͙͍̭͛̈ͩ͗͒sͤ̄̄̒͏͇̟̺̟ ̌ͯ̓ͧ̽ͣ̕m̪̗̲̠ͅá̳͙͎̠̦ͥn̟̅ͦ ̨͎͕̘̜ͨ͊ͦḧ́͒̓̊̿̊ͬ͘i̊͌̑ͥ̊̚͏̝͓̬̞̼ͅm͎̻͇̖̜̝ͬ̃̃ͭ̕s̥̣̬͓͎ẹ̹͍̯͌̅̃l͝f҉̜͎̮͍͕̗.̸̝̱̙̤̖̥̤̎

Seira: And with it's creation, evil is brought into the world...

Zaion: C̲̙̺͙̋̂ͧḧ́̎̓̓̅̄͢a̘̤̱̦͖̲͓o͕̝͂̊ͅs̟͔̳̪ͧ̐̈ͤ̇̕'̎̏̄̂ͮ̃̚ ̉̒̓̔p̢̲̭͗͑ͤ͂͐a͉̹̻ͧ̒͂̈́̽ͤ̏̀w̮̯͙͎ͥͤͫ̚n͎̉ͤ̋̎ͅ,͍͛ͫ͌̾ͦ͋̔͜ ͉̱ͫͥ͛͑w̘̠͔̏h͌ͨ҉̻̩͔̬o̻͖̟̰̘͓ͧ̆͞ ̛̝̰ͭ̿̈s̟̝͈̤̝̅̆ͥͧͅi̢͇̜͍̣ͬ͆́̈́l͙e̷̖̲͕n͍ṫ̩͓̄͌̿̂̒l̦̫͕͇͔̰̟ͦ̅̉̏̓y͊ͫ̍͘ ͓͋̆ͭͩͫc̰̪̣r̻̱̋̀ͪo̶̠̮͎͖̠̍̾̈̒s̠̣͎ͪ̀ͥ͊s͓͇̟͙̘̒̑͋̅͡e̥̪̤̲̫̳͓̽ͭͭ̌́s̞͉͚͖͗̾ͦ͌̅ ̩̜̪̲̾͌͋̈ͧ̈́t̨̩̫̍̔̚ḩ̪͈͕̎̉́ͤͧe҉͕͕̤̟ ͪ̾́͂ͮ̃ͨb̤̬̺͖̑̏o̲̳̩̿͐͑̔̂a̫̗ͬ́ř̷͖̰d͙̰͎̲͈̞̰̾ ̐͐̈́̑́t͇̖̥̠̩̬̖͊o̴̯͙̜̯̲̣̒ͨ͆ ̺͕̮̖̜̪̔ͬ̑͐̌͗̀t̵̘͎͖͛̂ṵ̠̾̒̌ͫ̂̅ͪ͟r̴̘n͕̞̞̘͓͎̎͊̂̾͡ ̣̳̳̭͍̹̐ͨͅị̤̭͈̪ͥn̵̥̫̣̣͓̰̥ͧ̉̾t̽͋̾ͨ̅o̫̙̪̽ͦͣ ̤̻͚̥̝̺̦́ͪa̩̞̹̤̮ͭ̾ͪͯͩͫ̾͜ ͂͟q̴̥̫͓̟ủ̱̤͔e̗͐ͨ̃̈́̐̄̓͞e̡͓͔͓͓ͩ̈n̤̘͌ͭͯ̈́.̄̑̃ͬ̋̒

Seira: And the same can be said for everything that it creates.

Zaion: T͍̭̋ͪ̔͑h̴̗̭ͥḛ̼̺ ̦͖͍͓̩͈́͊ͫ̍̿o̬̤̺͂ͯ͗n͙̹̱͎é̖̜̾̍͜ ̻̒̇̏w͚̲͍͆̾͢h̫͕̙̩̩̦̟̍̂̏̒o̯̝̜͈͓̝͈̓ ̜̹̺͕̈͒̋̃́̀š̷̳̻p̭̰͉ͤ̔̑ͩ̔ͧr͇͈̰͈̻̰͖e̹̥̝̅̓̍̌͑̅͗͢a̪̖̠̲̟̠͍͠d͇ͭ̓ͮͪš̠ͦͤ̎ ̠̹ͥͪē̡̮̗̜̜̟̣͈m̵͓͈̝̩͍͈ͪͩ͆p̤̯̣̪͍̓̔̚͢a͓͖̱̽́͌͠ẗ͚̭͕̬̒͒ͬ͋̀̏ͅḩ̬̳͕̹̪̥͈́ͮͪy̵̻ͩͤ̅ ̘ͭ́͋ṯ̞͋̓̎ẖ̜̤̲̺̗̰ͨ̐ͭ̔̓r̯͉̟̥̾́͛ͦͮo̝̣̠̪̫͓ͩ͆̒̎ͧ̊̍u̟̳g̽͆̆ͩ̚͝h̦ ̡̪̠̮t̳̯̬͓̰̑ͫ͒͠h͖͉̯̘͓̰͍͆ͧ̈̍̾e̩̊͌ͨͥͧͧ͌ ̨̊̆̔͊v̷̗o͙͓͈̞̻͒iͥ͏̝d̬͇̜̗͉̪̀.̨̼͈͓ͨ

Seira: Which is what I think has happened to me...

Zaion: Tͭͫͬ҉͇ͅh̙̉̈̅͌͗e̲̯̪͕͗ ̳̣̝̝̟̭̩̿̌ͥͨ͑̈͊̕o̥̠̱̲̫͙̪̒ͮ̈̉̄̔͌͠n̊͟e̛͛͑̒͌̈̊ ͖̤͕̠̄̊̽͗ẇ̛̗̠̰̥̠̤̲́̍ͫh̷̚ơ̻͓ͪ̐ ̺͇̙̬f̵̪̞ͮ͂̽͑ͭͯͩȅ̹͔͓̝̉̾͋e̓̓l̂ͥͤͪ̎͏s͓̬̖̞ ̱̹̙͔̘͍̝͑̎̾w̹̹̦̅̍ẖ̖͍̹͉̣̺ͫa͛̅̐͏t̷ͨ͋ͮ͐ ì͓̘̲̦̀s͒ͫ͛͋҉̲ ͋̍̓̇̓͜t̬̠̣̬̤̱̒̑̉ͪ͝h̜͙̰̘͛eͫ̇̓ ͗͊u͖͙n̮̲̼̹͚̳ͧ̔̓̉̉͋͜i͔̫̦̖͚̅̏̏̔͑ͭͅv̨ͥ́̅̾̅̾ȩ̩̮̞̿͛̈́ͣr̷̼̻̥̥̬͍s͖͍̈͆ͯ̃̏̂͢e̿͊̑͗̓̒͗ ͕͖̞̩ͥ͂̂̔͛a̹̘͚̘̒̈̊̿̿ͮs̱̘̫̝͔̠̗̽̒͢ ̸͖͖̗͉̜͇̻ͨ͐̅w̡͎͎͕̣̏ͥͦe̘̝̾͑ͮ̒͝ ̈́ͧͪ̉̄̀p̳͔̦͛̌̊͆́e͚̝̝̥͉͇͎ͤ͆͐r͕͇͕͔̬͙̮ͮ̕c͉̯̟͚͖͌ͧ̉̃̌ͪ̚ͅe̮̩͕ị͚̝̫̯̬ͧͤ̃ͤv̸̜͐̅ͣ̀̇ě̞̽̽̇̊̌̄ ͯͤ̀ͯͮ́͊͏̖̮i̒̈̍͂͒̍ͥt̗͓͇̻̹͔̀.̀ͥ̉͆ͦ̚

Seira: You created me to be evil... To go against good itself, all in revenge of those who imprisoned you...

Zaion: H̱̩̒ͫ͋ͨ͌̑e̱͉̜ ̙͈̟͔͇̆̍̈̌̽͢w͜h̦̟̤ͫͤ̅o͓̩̲͞ ̓̌d̳̠͉̀e̲͙̝̪̣̍ͫͫ̿f̻̪̩̬̭̯̉ͥ̌̉͑ͧi̙͖̣̯̩̱̇͂̌͊̂͐ͅe͎̲̫̦ͯ̽͗̃s̼͓̰ ̔̏̓͢tͦ̒ͫ̚҉̺̤͈̝̱̤͚h͙̮̘̻a̼͖̼͔t̘̱ͮ͛͆̂͗̂ͮ ̶̼͔̟ä͉͇̦̯̥͇̘́̈́̂ͬ̃͞s͓͔̖̠̋̔͛͛̒̚ ͔͔̈̏̓͢i͈̺̫͓̹̗͆̚tͩ́ ͔̫̗̹̥̻̺͂̍͐̾ͣͫî͎̫̯̫̜̙s̛̠̝͎͎̈ ͢t҉̮̩͚̠o̧̻̖̮̘̼̜̊̿ͫͤͫ ͙̼̞̦̏̂̏͜c̱̋͆ͯ͆̊ͬr̯̟̟͚͍̫̐͌ͤ̊́eͪ̌͌͌ͪ̚҉̪ͅa͎͔̗̤̭̤̾̆ͨͪ̐ͨt͖̥͖͙̾͛̉̆ͦ͆ͅe̛͈̣̦͇̣ ͚̹̥̫ͤ̒ͮ́a̮̘͚͔̮̼͉n̲̜̗͍͛̄̈́̔d̶ͭ̒ͫ ̙͓̖̲̜̰͚̈ͪp̡͇͔̌̃ͦ͊̀ͦ͒r̠͚͇̩̞̩ͧ͆o͑tͧ͞è̢c̪̝̠̻̅̀͋̊̌̒͂ͅt̡̬̯͕͎̫͖ͬ̉ͨ̿.̢̜̣̬̾ͣ̔

Seira: And...

Zaion: T̵ͣ͛̾h͖̥̱̱̝e̵̬̩͙̫̱͕̥͑ͥ̒ ̲͔̜͇̳o͙̒̌̈́ͤ̉̔͡n̛̠̼ͦ͒̌͊̐̌̉ͅe̥̰̳͍͕̰͑ͤ͊ ̗̖̘̻̀w̢̺̭̹̗̣̔ͥ̿͋h̲̥̼͕̰͉͎̊̉o҉̭̖̝̮̲͓̺'̙ͮs̬̱̜̪̺͉͊͂͒̒̕ ͚̮̬̳̥̭̗͌̊̽͊͜n̺͖͔͍̳̬ͭo̞͖͍̹ͬ̒̿ͨ͒̚͢i̓̚s̭ͨͮͮͅe̷̳͊s̹ͅ ̨̼͈̠͇̭̤̉͗̂̄ͯ̅ͅr̼̯̮̤͖̄̂ͬ̓͊͛i͕̱͈̤͔̹n̗̝͕̼̩̣ͩ̈́ͯͮ͊͋́g̲͇̰͎̲̊̋ ͎̭̲̼̲͠oͮͮ͋͆̒u̱͔̱ẗ͚͓̯́ͨ͑͛̿ͅ ̲̺̻̰̌ͅt̬̰̰͖̿h̩̦͓͎̩̱͎r̲͓̹̪͚ͭ̋́ͅoͫ̇̆̈ṳ͕͇̔͐ͬͮ̃͢g̯̫̠̃̀̄̆̎̒̈h̴͔́͋ ̡̳̩͚͎̘͈̮̈́ͤ̉͐ͧt̥̱̬̘̉̓̂ͅh͖̮̗̼̘̆e͙͎ ̷̮͍̋u͚̱̹̪ͪn̟͎͗̇͛͢i͕ͯ͜v̷͇̜̯̀͛̑̓ë͚̝́ͯ̄̿r̙̲͎̎̾ͧ̋͋̔̄͝sͮ̓e̠͈̖̦̩͒.̨̼̳ͤ́̇̋

Seira: Now, I'm supposed to free you, and to allow you to bring evil into the world.

Zaion: T̜͍̰͍̙̒ͨ͠ͅhėͩͮ̄ͬ ͉̻͈̣̲̹͋͗̀̔̄̍̌ȯ̀́n̢e̴͕͐ͫ ̫̲ͯͩ͒̄ͪ̆w̶̻̰̙̹̫ͣ̆h̛͇́ŏ̷'͚̟̂ͬ͌̂̑͟s̷̎̈ͫ̿͂ͩ̀ ̎͊h͋҉͕e͔ͧ̈ͯa͙͎̬̭̹̤̽̊r̺̖͈̼̤͙͔̄t̺̀ ͘ã̦̦̬ͅl̥͉͇ͬͬ̄͒̏͡l̰̣̖̹̞͉̘ͣo͖ͫ͊ͨ̌wͪͥ̌ͬ̄s͎̹̜̱̭̤̹ ͠t̹͙̜ͦ̔͐͊͂h̪̬̟͚͒͌̉ȇ̲̫̙̙̖ͨ̓̈́͒̇̕ ̼͇͇ͣ̓b̵͔̬͍̥͗ͦͯ́̎ͫl̨ͭ̐̄í̭͔̖̹̰̬n͈͉̫̜̦̘͍ͯ̊̐ͨ̌d̨̞̼͍̭̝͙ ̯͚̺͐͌͒ͣt̢̫̠͌̍̉͂o̟̻̙̘ ̉͊ͦ̚͢s̢̩̬̍̀͗e͚̫̬̪̟ͨ̌̍ͭͨ̑̌ȩ̣̮̝͆͂ͣͧ̔ͮ.̤̙͔̭͔̥̯ͦͩ̔ͦ

Seira: And if I don't, I'll stop existing. And you'll never have brought the evil into the world. You'll just die, and the world will go on to be a much better place.

Zaion: Ả̩͓̠͖͔̪̖͝ǹ̤̤d̛̪̱̃̉̃̾̏̚ ̳͚͛͌ţ̣̮̼̬̃̍h̺̩̮͇̱̮ͬ͞ͅḙ̡̮̼̟̬ͣ̓̓ͨͨ͐ ̼̯̩͙͋ͥ̿̾ͮȍ̸̝ͪ̆͒ň̗̗͠e͈͕͕̫̼̹ͭ́̈́̚ ̭̭͓̥̌̒ͭ̎̋w̠̘̐h̵̲̹ͬ͛̌͌͒̏ǫ̟͖͚͍ͧ͛ ̲̳̈̇́̌̑ͣ͞g̝͕͓̱͖ō̶̘ͨe̸̖̦̝̦̳͙͐̆͌ͅs̱̦̦̞̽̓ͦ͑̃̑͊̀ ̧͈̻͇͇̦͎̬̏ͩͫ̚w̬̼̗͎̹̟͊ͬ͠i̜̺̖̋ͮͨ͗͌͞t́h̨̤̱͍͓͌̉͆̔ͫ̐ ͉̱̫͖͎ͨͭ̊͌t̼̚h̲̻̙͎̔͛ͧͣ̃͂͊͢e̎̾͌ ̑͒ͣ͏̰͉f͍̺̭̫̌̽͐̽l̼̣͕ͧ̿o̧̞̥̣̳͇̳̊͑ẉ̤̥͍̹͔͇̒̈ ̈́̏̎͊ͦ̃̒҉̥̳̘̺̟̻w̝̭̟̲̫ͩͣ̋h̗̱͔͖ͣͮ̊̕e͉̮̊͂̔ͦͯn̠̫̝ͅͅ ͔͔͙͇͖̖̓̌ͣͅi̻̼̤̪͒̒ͥͥt̹̘͍̩̭̖̂́ͦͯ̋ͥͣ ̹̬̏̊͑ͥf̨͈ͬ̎o͍l̘͇̖̹̟̮̱̐ͬͥ̏ͮ̄̀l̩͖͓̹̭̺̭̉͛ͥͭo̱͚͡w̎́̾̆ͭͧs̲͆ͯ̍̅ͥͫ̒ ̣͈̞͉͎̒͒̔̾́s̝̣͓̠̣͈͌̅̂̂o̥̹̗͙̗̾̾̈ͥͨ͘m̙̼̬̫ͭ̿ͭͤ͡è̒ͭ҉̜̘͈̤̱t͎̰̥̙̲ͪ̓̍͆̋ͬ͟ḧ̵̩͎͊ͫ͊̽̒̚i̛̩ͮ͋͊̍͆n͖͍̲͖̫̘̆͛̇͝gͦͯͨ͌̃̽ͫ҉͎̙̦͈ͅ.̻̹̻͎̙̖̣ͫ̓͗̅̇͒̚

Seira: But...

Zaion: .̡͙̻̝̻̺̓͛̄̊ͤͅ.͇ͨ́ͩ̊͌́.̫̠̳̞̰͢

Seira: I just... can't do it. I can't not let you free, even though I know what will happen if I do.

Zaion: h͔̭̻̺̓̂ḁ̻̏ͯ̓̒͛̂͛h̞͖̹̝̳̺̉͌̐̆̓a̘̮̖.͍̱̙͈͍̓ͧ̒̃̏ͅ.̳̪͕͚̒ͮ̐͌ͮͣ̈́.̙̠

Seira: There's something inside of me that won't allow me to do it. I guess it's because I was created to be evil... That I can't help from allowing evil to be done.

Zaion: no͋̾̈́̽҉̣̱͖̰̳ͅw̝̱ͥ̿ͬ.͙̹͌͑ͬ̆̈̈̕ ̵͖̲̼̤͎̿b̮̟̩̮̱̬͍͗r̞̠͇̦͕̠͚̓̇̎̀̍̎e̹̬͔̳͉̭̖͑ͮa̖̠̙̟̺ͥ͛͐ͩ͗̚k͓͓͎͚̅ͤ̆̌ ̢̬ͨͭ͒t̉́͑̃ͧ̀̚h̰̰̗͖̺̩̔ͫ͢e̔̄ͬ͑̃͢ś̨͈e̪̻̫͔͕͚̫͌͞ ̬̯ͪ̑̽c̩̤̗̜͍ͤ̃̿ͅh̟͔̠͉̔ͫ̉̃a̫̋̍ͨ͘i̵̭͌̔̅̌n͙̪ͧ͛s̖͕̦̔͑̏ͯ̇͑́͝.̲̺̩̿͑ͩ̚

I began to cry. I took out my sword, and sliced through her chains.

Seira: I'm sorry, world. I've failed you.

Zaion stood up. She looked at her wrists, rubbing at them. Now, it must have been a completely foreign feeling to her, not being chained like that. For a moment, she seemed almost peaceful. She began to stare up at the sky and laugh.

Zaion: a̻̙͛͂́ͮ͒ẖ̪̞͍̳̳̞̚a̻̦͍̍h̗̱͙̳͇̕.̔̽͜.̡̗̞̞̥̉͑ͯͣ.̙͉̠̟͌̋͐͑̑ ͣͧ̐͒ͩ͘ĥ͍̺̰̺́͆́ę̻͚̟̥̒͂ͮ̒͆h̲͕̯̮̟ͭ͊͂ͣe҉͉ḩe͓͛ͮ͑̈́̌̂̚h̻̣͕̱̊̾͡.͕̼̰̗͎͔͊̽̐ͭͫͥ̅.̷̙̯̣̇̂̔͗̒.̪̬̕

Seira: ...

She stared back at me only for a moment. And then she started to run.

Seira: H-hey! What are you doing?!

She was running extremely quickly. I had trouble keeping up with her. She then got to a high point in the pit, and leaped up. The force field around the pit broke as she penetrated it, shattering the barrier.

Seira: Ah...

She continued on with her incredible speed. I struggled to follow her. Since she'd made it so that I couldn't time travel around this time, I wasn't able to do anything to try and catch her here. I was forced to just stay as close as I could.

We'd gone on for a long time before I'd actually noticed the distance at which we'd gone. I was huffing and tired already.

Seira: S-stop!!

As if in response to me, she stopped at that moment. I took a while to catch up to her. When I did, I took a while to pause and catch breath before talking to her again.

When I was about to, I noticed that she was carrying something. It was draped in shadow.

Seira: Uh... Zaion...? What's that?

She did not respond. She only held it out so I could get a better view.

I gasped. It was the book.

Seira: H-how... Where did you get that?!

Zaion: o̟̦̠̘͞ͅh̝̳̗̪̝̻̐͠,̭̹͍̞ͬ̅̅̓ͪͦ ͈̞ͭ̋̓͊ͪ̏t̍ͦ̌͐h̞̀ͭ͗̀ḭͮ̌͒s̴͚̮͚̯̭̓͌ͫ̐?͝ ͉̮̭̯̔ͪ͒͟aͯ̂҉̹͉̯͇̱̱ḫ̱̼̗̮͉ͦ̈ͅę̺̹͖͖̉̄̒͒h̢̲̼̝̠̮̃̔,̗̯͕͔͢ ̴̥͓̱̥̠͔̠̽̽̊i̫̗̤͕͛̍͊̈͑ͫͥ͡ ̯̼̄́͒̈t̵̺̘ͨ̚h̖̙̤̣̫̙̝ͨ͘ì̘̍̂ͮn̒҉̝̰̜k̰̦̲̬̞̬͋͢ ̢̝͙̜̫̼̩͉̓ͥͬͦẙ̼̭̙͉̘̖͈͑͛̾̿̈ͪ͠o̮̠̤͖̰̯̔̎̃̓ͤ̏̌u̽ͫ̿̓̾̕ ͇͢k̖n̜̘̙͂͗o̥͙͉͙̜̒ͦ͒w̙̞̩͆̈́͛ ͙͎͚ͭ̈͆ͭw͑h͕͙̖̤̝̰͍̉̍̑ͮa̎̉ͮͩͭ͡t͓̰̠̭́͌͗ ͎͙̤̠̲ͭͮ̅ͧi̤̲̦͈͐ͭ̏̽ͣt̷͓ͦ͛ ̧͈̪͚̠͕̥ͦ̅ͯ̊̑ͣi̳͙͠ͅs̬̠̗̮̘̠̈͂̋͐.̥̂̾̃͘

Seira: How did you get that?!!

She laughed at me, almost mockingly.

Zaion: ĩ̻̫̯͍͔̪͉͛ͧͭ ̍ͥ͏m̸̘̹͔̄̄ͭ̂ͣa̤̞̯̟̋̚d̬̜̜̯̞̋̊̿ͅe͐͏͚̤̝̤̻ ̓̏͗͊̈́̄̿҉̻̜̻͍͉̘̮ï̡̠ͣ̈́̔t̘̺͙̯̤͎̟.̩͚̝͍̟̦̿͛ͪ ̳̏ͯ͑̿͂ͭj̗͕͎̟͔̠ͬ͋u̲̮͓͐ͤ̾̓ͮs͓̘̫̰̭̹͈̈̇͌̇͂̚̕t̢̝͍͔͚̓ͯ̇̚ ̙̭̳̣̤͠n̝̯̰̝̱̊o̖̤̩̲ͧ̆ͦ̐ẇ̭̻̩͔̼͍̥̿̂͟.̙̠̳̚͝ ̥̝̺͍ͧ̓͂ͣͦ̊͜i͉͗̓ͩt̝̫̼͖̖ͦ̎'͉̤̈ͩ̐̈́̍͋͞s̹̙͓͈̃́̀̍ͭ̓͂ ̢̹͌ͨ͌̓w̶͇̼̺͕̺̖̄̔̍ͪ̓ͫ̓o̡̟̊̉̈́̒̿n̝̤̖͕̗̖̯̏d̫̗͍̜̲̱͚̊ẽ̡̹̘͚̀r͍ͣ̐͂ͮ̓͠f̍̔͏͕̬̼͍̝̯͓uͬͨ̾̂ͨͥ͋͞l̳̲̭̩̒,̨̲͕̯͙͍͎̜̃̽̒̈́́̃̚ ̡ͯi̓̆͒ś͍̠̣̦͉ͭͬ͒̂n̲̞̝̥̙̑̊ͭ̄̌̒̃'͈̝̠͇ͯ̏͐̍̃̐̚t̷̥͍͈͔̟̖ͬͪͯͧ ̠̩ͦ̎ͬī̱̝̺̫̫̖t͋͑̋̉͜?̭̞̟͙ͮͬ͡ ̖̫̜̥̰̲̔̉͗̐ͤ̒̔ͅi͚̭̿͌͝ ̩c̻̉͋̄̈́̚a̢̮̳̥̖̾ͨ́̐̓l̗͙ͥ̽̓͋͑̃͟ͅl̴̩͗ͤ̊̊̎̐ ̆ͮ͆̋͗͆͑҉̪i͍͚̙͖̟̣̺̾ͨͩͬ̐t͆͑̓͋ ̽ͬͩͤt̴̥̖͆͑́̈́̍ͤh̍ͦ̆͆̂ͥͭ͏̜̘̫͓e͚̹͙̍̄̃̾͆ ̥̹ͯ͊͆̑̃b͖͚̹̰̣͈͓̾̑o͙̝̞̝̳̖͋͒͛ͨ̆͐ͫ͡o͛̅͗͋k̨̟̝̗̰̬̄̒ ̴̱̯͇͔̏̀̈́̀ͯo̼̔́f͖̞͇͉͍͌̍̌̆̽͘ ͢ṡ̜̥̙̬̩̲̭̎̽̉h̤͕̖̳͉͂̏ͫ̾ͦā̍̋ͨ̑d̩̖̠̺o̳͈̣̲̦̾̐̑͆͒w̖͙̰̭̹̐̃̿̐̓ͩͫs̪͂͊ͮ̏ͣ.̮̝̳̙ͤ̾̆̄́

Seira: ...

I was silent for a while. I was surprised that she'd created it already, and bewildered as to how. She laughed again, and then, as if in reading my mind, explained.

Zaion: yo̝͙̻̦̰͔͆ͯ̃̑ͨ͡u̢͍͌̈́̒ ͂̓ͩͤ͂ͬ̑͏k͚͖̯̻͐̈̓n͉͓̼̰̠͖̘ͤo̷̫̲̱̪̭̟̫͆w͎͚̦̠̰̞̠͛̔̌͝,̙̦̹̿͟ ͕͎̼̪͕͎̗́t҉̼̗ͅḧ͈̖̘̗̯̫ͫ͐͞ȉ̭̮ͯ͠s̞̭̩̭̎̂͠ ̲̓̄͋̓̃̊i̼ͣ̇̋ͧ͑ͦs͍͇ ͓̙͐͗ͣͮm̥̩̖͍̬̥̑̀̋̌a̮ͨd͉̖̦̖̼͚̫͊͂e͂̏̊ͧ͐́ ̟̳͇̭̯͈̓ͣ̿̆̊oͦ̏ͧͧ͐̚͟f͈̹̟͉̌͋̒̐ͬ͢ ̢̞͉̬͑t̝̙̒ͦͯ͂̍̿h͈͓̏ͯͬ́ͨe̡̳̮̩̣̲͐̋̂ ̴̘͍̰̫̐͂̑̏͗̂h̠̫͂̔́i̠͇̾͊̓̄͆̇͠d̬̹̤͍̮e̖̳̺͇̗̮͆͊̃ ̬͖̻̗͚̙͙͠ō͚͎̱̮̗ͮf͍̎ͦ͊̃͋ ̑͑͗̓ͤb͓̃̋͋ē̘̅͌͒̓͋́a̤̭̰̜̓́̃ͭ͂͋̍͜s̨͔͙͉͍͖̝̔̂ͮͭt͖͓̖̣̲̒͑̿̓ͧ͛̚ ̮̩̞̹̊͜a͎͇͔̗̲͠n̲ͦ̆ḓ̞̞͕̟̖ ͓̖͔̠̳̾̈m̭̻̻͇̗a̡͕͉n̫̗̲̭̝͑̀.̃ͣ͂͗͛͐̕ͅ ̬̬̰̖̺̅̍͒͋̂͊̉i̪̾ͫ̊ͨt͍̻͓͚̤̬͐̌͌ͨͬ̋̐ ̻̣̹̯̞͔̀iͫ̉ͦ̚҉s̖̦̘ͩ̎ ̳̬ͣ̈́̓̈͜w̠̱͌͊͌͛h̛̼̪̪̔̿͛̄ä͖̹̼̻̰͍ͫͧ̈́ͮͅt͎̘͓͋̏ͤͬ͛͘ ͚̍̊̍̎̏i̤͍ͣ̎͡ ͕̘̦̩̤h̢̦̯a̱̲̝͉̦̾̆ͯd̺̫̲̦̙͕̓̎ͧͥ͛̂͊ͅ ̴͔̞̺̺̘̲t̨̙̒ͩ̿ä̶̭̣̮̘͚̖́́͐k̶͒͊̈̑̏̐ęnͭ̔͗ͦ̊̋҉̺̤̜̪̲̬̖ ̻͕̆̆̾̐̇w͇̪̮̞͓͚ͧ͂̐ͧ͋i̢͇̤͔̖͕t̜̪̺̹̦̹̣ͪh̋ͥ͌̌҉̠̠̣͓̰͎ ̳̜̺̃m̷̺̗̗̠̍̒ͮ̒e̗̱̞̚̚ͅ ̩͕̝͕͕̰̃̓͆f̨̬̪̦̘r͎̎ͅo̢̒̅ͪ͒m͉̹̙̳͎̋̽̓̄̀͌ ̪͇͎̼̫͆͑̾t̷͎h͔̫͚̆e̅̇͆̅ͨ̔ͦ ̫̱̭̎̑̒̿̂ͬ̈́́r͇̭͖̹̒̾͆͗e̡̤̪̰m̠̬ͥ̓̓ͪ̇̍͑́a̞͛̿ï̷̖͊͊n͍͓̘̼̳͛̓̄́ͣ̍ś̲̉̔ͭ̉ͥ̀ ̹͓̜͚̯̊o͎̺̠ͬ̅ͩ͝f̴͇͍̩̲̤̤̿͒̅̉̂̏̚ ̈́̔͐ͤ͜m̘͍ͥ̌y͎͑ ̒v̀̀̈͂͑̔i̎́l̵͈͇̓̑l̲̝̹̩͉͇ͥ̏͂͂̽́ã͇̲̖́ͦ͡g̴̖͈̫̭͈̪͐̎e͎̝̽ͯ͛͑̅̈.

Seira: ...

Zaion: ţ̰̃ͭ̓͆h̃͗̇̀͆ͫe͙̭̺͉̗̺̮ͭͯ ̖̙͔̠̜̾̒̅͋s̻͈̞̣̣̠̋̌ͣ͠p̨̭̙̮̠̤͖̯̉̿ͪ͛͌͗ị̞̥͙̭̬̦̀r̖͖͔͍̽ͯͥͭ͛̾i̶̬̿͊̏̍t̮̮̤̣̙̞̖͌̂̀̊s̘̝͔̤͈͈̫ ͓̠͓̰̼͕̿͆̃̏ͣͨ̊ŏ̮͕̺̓̏ͪḟ̷̓̽̈̊̽ ̷̱͑̓̿t̗͓̟͚̉͑͆̐ͦh̓ͨo͕͙̟̬̰̱̟͢ŝ͉͠e͇̭͎̬̖̪͙̍̿̉ͦͫ ̸̝͍̰̲̞̥w̴̯̣͎̹̲̽ͬ̃ͫho̘̰͓̹̹ͣ͐ͬ̔ͨ̌̈ ͐͐͛ͣͧ̊̑w̨̎͂̆ͦe͉͕ͮ̉̽̂ͪr̩͙ḙ̡̲̠͎̳̹̐ͦ̿ ͬͨͤ̂̀k͇̟͚̙̈ͨ͛i͐̄̕l͔͍̖͇͙̄͆̃l͏é̻̠͎̌͛̊̂̉̾d ̥̘̭̩̺ͤ͝b̭̼̫̓̎̆ͦͮ̃͐͡ͅy̙͖̟͓͎̓̈́̈ͅ ̣̳͚͈͑̀̏ͧ̚ť̖̳͉͖͇͎ͦͭ̊ͩ̿̌h͇̳̪̘̏̿́ͭ̽ő̗̝͝s̡̱̻͎͍͕͆̃ͤ̓e̳̜̤̼̖ͭ̓͋͞ ̛͍̞̦̝̘̿w̰̠̟͉̣̠ͬ͆ͮͭ̂ͭ̔h̸̦͓͇̝͍̏ͯͯͨo͎̖̫̱̗̣̹̎ ̈́̽̆ḣ̷̯ͦ͆ͣ̓̈̈́a̪ͥtͩ̇̈́͏͕̹͈̮͚ͅeͮ̀ͦ̐̌ͭ͊͏̭̖ ̳͙̖̼͓̰̕ͅtͪ̈́ͨͫ͐̓҉̦̥͍̹h̶͉͕͕̼̅̿ͣ͒ͯ̚e̥͓̪̳̮̖ͮͭͮ ̲̭̹͐ẉͫ͆͆̾́̋̐i̠ͬͯ̏͂ṱ̰̳͈̝̠͈͢c̗͉̮ͭh̶͓͈̙̣ẹ͓̪̜̑̒ͥͣ̐ͨͦs̲͇̈̾ͣ̊̾ͨ ̷ͥ̌͊̋̋ͮ͛a̪ͯ͐̊ͫ̄̓r͖̿ͅe̼̥͖̼̠̗̬͌̽ ̜̅ͩͤ̓ͯč̤ͥ̐̅o̤͕̲̞̻̼ͬ̚͢n̦̐͑͜t̠͔̖̳̀̍̚͘ạ̸̳̻̦͉ͦ̃i̥ͯͣ̍͟n̪͈̱̭̺̿̌ͪͫ̚ë̡͉́̌͑̓̀d̺̘͉͇̟̪̈̇ ̵̺̙̤̠̠͈̖̑̅ͬ̑͑w̢̗̱̖̘͙ͪ̂̄i̝̐̆͆̒͋̚͜ͅt͍̣̝͝h̪ͨ̉̆̕ī̦̩̔ͯ̂͐ͩn̵̪̼͎̝̼̤̐̌̉̇̔ͩ ̪̥͖͉̜̾̑̕t͉̫͍̰̥͘h͕̠̲͈ͦͩi̤͇̲͓̯ͬ̽̍͂̕s̛̰̥̠̝̼̐͒̌̄ͬ͒ ͣ́͆ͥ̅̾̏bͤ̊̔̿̀̚̚ö͕̫̱̩́͌͂ͧ̚o̰̱͟k̬͉̝̬ͨ̏͋ͧ̂̿̓̀.͎̰͕ ̨̿n͓̙̻̖̜ͦ̽̇̽̽ǒ͎͎̣̤͙͚̱͋̌͞t͕̼͎͗̀͋ ͔̲͙̦͊̒o̅ͣ̏ͩ҉̥̻ṋ̟͚̮̺͆̎l҉̭̰̭̟ÿ̗͓ͦ̒ͅ ͮ̄ͭ̾̄̎̂͏͔̥̬̟o̞̮̳̯͚ͣ̿͆̒̄ͯ͆ͅf̤͉̊ͫ̈̐̑ ̹̥m̢̙̹̞̩̜̈͐y̟̭̝̩͎̦̤̒ ̟͛͐̋͛̏ͪv͍̙͒ͩ̈́ͬ̈́̓̚i͗ͩ̿͑l͓̥̬̲̭͈ͅl̘̭̟̗̦̯̲͛́͆à̜̦͎̗̣g̹̎ͤͭ̚e̬̥͍͉̙̞̖̽͊ͫ,̯̺̩̞͕̙͐͌̏ͪ ̷ͮb̷̻̅ͯ͆̿u͉͈͚̣̤ͣ̾̕t̙̉ͣ̐ ̩̒͛̔̐̎ͫa͖̯͌̔s̬͕̮̻̻͌̓̇ͅ ͬ̊̿ͮ̑͌͆͏͎ẉ͇̻̰̹̻͚̐̑̐̏e̷̼͖͙̫̺̣ͭͪ͂ͭ̉͊̽l̪̰͙̖̙͍̯̊ͬͬ̏͐͟lͭ͡ ̮͚̼͕͍͔̔͂̆͑̊̚a̮̼̜̜͉̥̐ͨ̍̅s͖̈ͣ͂̉ ̠̥̲͆͊̾͒̓̓̅ͅo̭͢f̥͊̌̓̚ ̠͙̈́͌ͤt̡̞͎͉̟ͬ̂̐͗̎̓ͅh͈̾͊ͨ͌̓̓̆e̵ ͉̱w̢̓̒ͮ̆ͯ̾̾i̖̝̥̜͍͓̞̍ͮ͒̓̅̽̐t̤̰̋͛̊͌͊͂͟c̦̜̙̔ͫ̍̏͛ͅͅḧ̥͖̝͉̑ͧ͛͒͆ͅe̬̼͈̖͙̹̻̎̔ͪͮ̂ͮs̟̗̭͇͇̲̿ ̖̱͖̫͕ͯ͘w̞̻̩̒ͣ͆́h̠̥ͬͮ̉ǫ͔̫̼ͅͅ ̩̲̞̃w̰͔͈ē̈́̿r̯̼͉̤̂͜ę̘͑̔ͦ͂ ̑ͬ̆͝ḙ̱͓͙̰̻̎͂ͬ̃̊̾̏̀x̶̯̣ë̯͈̓̅̏̒ͫ̋c͇̣̭̃͂̂͂͝ü̬̻̙̚t͂̏ͨ͏͇̫̮̜̦̜̞eͮ͒ͯ͂̇͏̰͇̦̥̮ͅd̢͎̹̓̐ ͖͙̞ͧ̿ͮͩͨ̂͡ă̹̮̘͙̹̺̟s̲̹̖͇͔̯ͫ̍ͣͅ ̌̓ͬ͛w͑ͫ̃̄̚͏e̴̱͚̣͓̰̩ͧ̏ͭ̍l͚̪̝͚͑̃̔͑ͮl̸ͫ̊ͤ́.̸̮̰̌͑͑͂͊

I had been given the basic part of this knowledge long ago, by messages left by her in the Book of Shadows that she'd given to me upon my creation. She seemed to know this, and was behaving almost tauntingly in reiterating these facts. This was the way that she'd gone about with many things in our previous encounters.

Zaion: i͂ͪ͟t̺̟͓̹̜̖͓̂ ̥͉̬̯̲̳ͣ̾ͦͮͪ̐ͅi̎s̩͂͐̾ ͖̼̺̯ͫ͐̽ͩ̌a̞͕̘̘̮̹͇l̜̖̺̦͖ͦ͐͒͞s̺͍̟̮̎͗͟ȍ̸̪̫̩͈ͯ͗ͦ͆ ̷͎͇̱̺̠̏͐̉e̞̾̍̋̾͋̈́̒n̨͈͙̮̐̀s̬ͨ̄ͫ̓ͅu̬̼͍̿̈̄é̻̦̪ͩͨͭd̹͕̘ͨ ̨͔̖̳͔̜̌̒ͨ͌̀̈́w̸̻̱ͪ̅̾ͣ͗ͨ̉ͅi͔͎͎͕̞̫͚ͯ̽̚t͐h̜̝̙̬ͮ͗ͯ̅̋̈́̃̕ͅ ͖̞̟m̠͔̥̭̹͗̐̀y͎͔ ͯ̇͋ͩ́ͮͫ͏̗̘̟p͍̘̪̻̐ͬŏ̙͉͚̹̝̳̯ͪ̎̇̚w̛̌ͥ̀ͪ͆͑ẽ̞̯̟͚͍̙̿ͯ̉ͬͤr̬̦̆͝.͖͎͎̓ͨ̐̄.̸̭̯͎̦̫̿.̜͟ ͍ͬ̕a̜̫̱̦͓̎ͯͪ̓̊n̡̖͉̱̜̼̐̏̐́ͩ̑̌d̪͉͕̼̖̲͔ͤ͐͗͗̂ͨͧ ͓̣͖t̝̬͉̘̗̱̻̑̈̽ͫͬḩ̩̘͔͉̉ͨͮͫͦ̌ą͆͊̃̈t̩̭̥̘ͣ̒̆̿ ̉ͫ̀o̳͔̘̮̭ͫ̾͗͋̀͢f͔̠̘̀̽͗̄̃̊̚͝ ̫͚̠̻̥̱͚a ͌͆͏͓̫̝̜͎̜̹h͓̤͙̩̤͎̚ȯ̮͍̣̆̋ͬ́r͚̔̓͑̈́ͅr̿̄͛҉̙ō̼̯̋ͮ̿r̶̰̒̐͛̍ͣṯ̶͖e̴̙͇̹̾̑̄̀̔ͅr̨̻̯̲͎͚̰̫ͧrͪͭ̓ͬ͒̓҉̺̣͙ơ͔͑͗͑͋̅̂̚r̩͙̥̩͐ͪ̐̔ͪ̾ͅ ̩̯̫̊̓͗ͪẇ̲̬̰̓̔ͩ͌h̩̺̭ͦ̓o̟̮̰̫̦͆ͥ̔̌̀͠'̣͇̥̤̲̩̏ͣͣ̒̍s̙̭͉͍̺̋̾͞ ̛̙̘̠̼̣̜e̹̹ͬ̽̿ẋ̗̜̭̓̍͆̓i̻̠̝͇̥ͮ͆ͯ̃̅ͧ̚s̆̍̓̒ț̡͙͔è͕͍͕̺̜̈ͭ͆̈́̇ͅn͎̱̰͇c̖͖ͩͮ̌͢e̵̤̮̟̹̜ͥ̆̾̓̇̄ͅ ̹̊ͅc̮ͨͪ͐̂̚â͈̘͚͖͔͔ͬͤ̍̂ͯ͝m̶̖̜̘̈́̌ͣ̽͋̈́e͖̽ͨ̓͡ ̙͓̮̱̇͗ͦ̉͋ḭ́̈̑̌n̮̲̻͍̟̏͗ͯt̥̹̭͈͕̱̥̐̽͆o̵̻̽ͅ ͎͍͙͖͍̓̊̇͐͗b͐̅͒ͯͩͧe̳̥̠͓͊ͦͯ͑ͣ̚͜i͈̖̪̲̳͛ṋ̳͝g͝ ̟̤̞̟̬̞ͭͨͨ̌̃̐a̵̰͉ͤ̍̒s̜̠̝̦̙͙̞̐͂͌ ̸̦̯͈̜̼̲͍ͫ̆͌̐a̞͔͚̺̟̎͘ͅ ̫̥̮̟̮r̵͉̦̤͓̜̮̮ê̗̬̞̙͕̺͡p̟̙͈̭͉̩̞̉̃̓ͫ͋̈́̀ŗ͕̮̮̋̏͆̾̐ͭ̎ȅ̓̉͏̘̝̰̻s̳̖̹̱̰̻͆ͯ̾̅̍͗e҉͇̟͉͕n̵̘̥̹͍͎̯̫̔̂͐ͯ̌̀͋t̛̠͚͂ͅḁ̵̲̬̼̤͂́͗̃̽ͦt̲̪̮̖͎̤̿i̘̣̘̤̾ͩͥͪ̀͋͋o̺̩͖̖̒̈́ͯn̛̻̬̪̘̪ ̸̮̞͍ͧ͌ǫ̲̗̤͆ͩͯ̆̓f̸̜̗̜͍̩ ̞̼̭̦̭͙̇t̜͕̏̈́͊̌͡h̘̱̗̫̲͌̓̚é̜ͣ̿ ͏̞̗s͔̩̙͔̻̪̺̅͢a̢͔͈̍͊̆ͦm͔̩̯̱̰̙̪̔̂̎̈́̾e̪ͩͣ̿͜ ̰̜̜̜͖̪̱̉ͩ̐͌͂̕t̡͎̳̜̪̪̬͇ͪ̂h̶̝͚̰i͙̻͈͖̟̋̽̍n̸̺̣͐̋͋͌g͋ͫͨͨ ̶͉̮͋̇t̸̹̠̅hͤͩ̽̌̔͝a̞̣ͅt̨͈̘͈͍̺̮̽̄ͦ̓̎ͭ ̮ͨ̃ͬ͋͛̊͗ͅt̘͔h̏́i̷͎s̛̙̏̑ͯ̂̊ͮ͑ ̰͖̥̣̣̻ͭ̔b͖̝̪͉̰̝̲̉̈̏͗ͬ̀́̚o̤͈̭̺͋͐͌ͪ͑͛o̸͕̜̪̰ͭ́ͦ͊̅͂͗k̨̪̦͉̼ ̲ͪͥͯͣ͆ͫi͉͖̠͑̊s̩̙̤̺͇͈̱̽̀͑̿ͨ͑̒ ̧̙̣ͪ͑ͭo̻ͯ̆f̝͠.̸̯̹̳͙̖̞ͯ̓.̛̘͔̦̤̼̤͇̈́͑͆.̦̥̟̖̘͇͢

Seira: Zaion...

Zaion: t̰͈̦͚̝̗ͦ̕h̳̞̫̓̄̊͋͠ę͕̊͌ͪ̋̉̓ͯ ̖̉ͣͣͩ̚b͈̙̱̞̲̀o̡̺̹̯͉͆̏̄̋̅ͭ̃ok̖̺̝̰̳̺̥ͮ̐ ̟̬̙̩ͬͨ̆̉ḭ͍͎t̪̂ͫ̈͛̑̐͘s̮ͨe̗̰̤̝̤̟͗ͭ̊̐ͤ̀l̯̺̺̙̙̱̿̒ͪͥ̎͡f̡̞̳ͭ͒̉̊̉ ̲̐̀w͕i̺͎͚̋̏̂̈́̽́ͨl̺̞̖̩̬̀̓͐ͣͭl͕͈̫̤̠͜ͅ ̨͓ͨ͛̿̅̓ͩͅbͦ͛e̷ͦ̎̿͒ ṭ̱͔̲͎h̻̳̞̹͇̬ͫͮ̄̊͛͆͆ͅeͩͦ͑̍͏̟ ̢͕̉hͨ̈̏͒ͯ̌҉̻̳̲̘a̒ͪ͢r͆ͫ̒̃b͓̰͌͋͌̑̂i̙̳̦̭̬͐ͩͣ̊̽ͪ͋n̘͛̋ͪ͢ǵ̟̰ͯͤ̎̃ê͇̟̤̝̙̰ͩ̇ͣ̄̄͠r̄̓̊͆͊͑̉̀ ̵̤̱̫̙͈̘̒̇̎̂̀̾o͌̀̃ͮ̏͟f̵͇͖̩̤̳̼ͣ̽ͮ̅̎ͮ ̤̮ͦ̇ͯ̊ͤ̚d͉̝̳̐̅͂ͨ̇̿ě͚s̬͍t̩͎̝̘̠̮́̍̽̄r̴͕̭̐̏ͣu͖͚̭̇cͭ͛͗̇ͩ͗t̟̝͙̅ͫͨ̀́ͣi͎̬̐ͪô̫̤͊̈́̎n̞͖͐̂͛́̀,̵̘̣̪̰̰̖̣ ̘̙̳͔͓̎̋̔͢a̒̓̒̑ͩ̋ͥn͗̌̌͒ͫ̈́̀d͒͐͆͛͂͗ ̬̱̲̯͍͈̦ͤͤw̪̯̜̖̔̎ͥi̖ͬͩl͛̄̈́̆ͣ̓͝l͑͌̍͏̺̞̙ ͡f͔̪͉̮͈̈́o̥̗͍ṟ̦͇ͣ̂c̞̗̘̪̆̎̐̈́̈́͑ë̠̙͇̣́ ̎ͫͪͅḁ̙͙̣͔̪͆ͮ͒ͥ̀̄ǹ̻͓͚̙ͯ́y̪̗̤͚̟͙͂t̮̪̥̪̜̦̻̐̋͝h͚̥̞͎̹̮ͩͯ̈̈̿̋i͈͖̜̺̗̝̿ͦ̓̑̽̽͊n͡g̩̪̜͡ ̦̉̓͐̃͠tͤ̅ͭh̤̟̰̼̳̾̿͛ͦ̓̅a͛͑ͦ҉̥̟̪̞͚̦̭t̳͂ ͇̗͉̣̀́i̘͙̤̻͖̦͊̋t̜͕͔ ͭ͂ͯ̏͏̣͓̭̤cͪͮ̐̆̃̔r̥̳̥ẽ̑̈́ͬ̽̓̌҉̹͓̼͚ã̶̝̝̎̉̍ͧ̇t̞̟͇͙̄͛̌e͙̟̙̼͐̋ś̥̰͙ͧ̓̇̇̑ ̧͙̠̱̟͔̿t͉͈̼̼̼ͧͩͬͪͅͅo͖ͣ̃ͩͦͭ̋̎ ̹̱̍̋͐̌aͯ̾҉̜̼̬͙̲͈i͈͍̗̅d͍̬̤͛̌̓̽̈́ͧ̅ ͤ̊͡ì̢̯̩̝͎̜̌̚ͅt̢͚͕͙̩͙̻̯͒ͪͫ̒͐͋ ͇̮̳͈̮̼̳̿ͣ͋̓̈́i̼̭̪ͩ̀̑ͅn̹̘̱͇̔ͦͮ͘ͅ ̩͔̟̘̖̥̿ͮ͐ͧ́t̨̺̗͓̲̠̣͍ͦ̏̃ͫ̈́͐ḣ̩͕͛͐͊͆ͣͭa̢͉̥̮͈̝̣͕͗t́ͦ ͉̖͙̈́t̯̩̤͎̗͍ͮ̿̓͗ā̀s̠̽ͧ̏ͣ̈́ͥͤ̕k̩̮̳̅ͥ̌ͯͪ̋̔.̶͈̙̻͙͊̆ͬ̀ͥͪ

Seira: Zaion, you don't need to do this! All this destruction... it's completely meaningless! What sort of justification do you think you have for doing this at all? Well?!

Zaion: ţ̪͉̦̏ͫĥ̨̞̲̹̰̮̲̮ͧ̽̈̽̒̈́ȅ̘̦̳̲̑̐̀r̮̻̼̱͘e͉̳͙̺̖̙͗̑̅ͨͤ̎͑'̾̎ͭ̐s͉̻̩͉̻͓ͯ͊̍̍̐ͦ͐͝ ̬̳͈ͦ̆͛n̢̠̥̉o͙̰̲̗ͥ͢ ̺̠͔̙͔̌ͦ̈́͐͐ṇ̴̪͔̝̈́ͭ͌e̵͚̜ͭ̎͊͛̀ͅe̹̎d̖̙̱̹̩̘̹̋̓͆ͬͣ͛ͣ ̖͔͍̿̊t̶̘̟̦̟͒ͬͧͫͨo̠̮̦̮̺ͬͅ ̶j͈͍̤͖͇͗͗ͯu͙̭̺̹̫͍s̽͡t̯ͤͨͤ̑iͫͥ̓̀̚f͖͑̿́ͮͮͨy̖̮͖̳̦̖̤ͬ̀̅ͦͪ̊̃͠ ̞ͫ̐̏ͤ̊̅t̴̰̺̙͈̲̹̻ͯ̓͌̉͊͂h̩͖͛ͫ͑ͤę̞̜̩͎̮̰ͣ́̓̌͒̓ ̥̻̬͈͎͊̿̈́m̗͔̜̻̉̓̋ͤ͠ͅe͙̙̞̓͌ͥa͝ņ̭̮̭̃̔ͥ̆̔̒i̭̖̦̜̝n̝͍̗ͤ͛̐̾̒́̓͟gͣͫ̚l͛҉ͅe͉̜ͦͦ͞s͖̙̣̮̪̹̣͋ͪͥs͚͉̠̻̉ ̡d̶͉͙͍͖̯̦͌ͪ̇̅ͫ͗e͕̜̬̐̄̋̊̐̔s̢̯̘̼̗̋t̯̹̪͈̙̘͆̇ͨͭ̊ͮ̍́r̻̱̤̭͚̞̅ͤ̏̇ͩ̀ṳ̧̰ͣ̇̃ͩͨ̊ͫç̪̤̩̣̗͊ͅṱͩͦͩ̎̈͑i̬͎̜̹̦̖̍ͭ̑̉̊̏͐o̡̺̱̰ͣ̏ͩͪn̰̳̗̝̻ͧͤ̿͗͊̚!̬̱̋̌̑̋̍!̢ͤ̾̈ͨ̅!ͥ̾̋̑ͭ̅!͕̯̠͍̘͇̺ͯ͂̾͐̒ͯ!̖̲͈̖̭͕̫͋̈́!͍̼͔ͥ͗̂̓̑!̛͎ ̀̅ǐ͏͇̼̠̱̪̤̫ ̗̺̜̝̹̤ͤk͓̱̤̩̤̫͐̑̐̄͐̓͊ṇ̯͍ͣͪͥ̾͂̊́o̹̥̙̼̿ͭ̑͝ŵ̅҉̭ ̡̠̈́̅͂̚t̹̝̮̦̙ͮͬͫ͋ͥ́͊h̜̙̹͕̤ͧ̄̔ͨͧ͋͊i̢̖̪̼̻̤̇ș͋̒̉̔ͦ̌͜.̢̪͎͍̎̈́ͯͤ.̖͓̖̗̗̀.͔̣̥͍̰̤̓ ̱͖̞̲̝̬̜ṭ̮̼͕͒̓͌̽ͨ̐̋hͮ̇ͦ͂é͎̽ͯ̃ͧ͋ ̂̍̓̉̑͒̋͡vͤ̈́̑̿ö̦̰͉͊ͫ̏ͦi̙͇͕͇ͭͮ̇̂c͓̲̱̝̥̀̍ͣͮ͌̾̋e͍̞͗͒̌ͥ͑̾͗s̴̜̯ͅ ̩͐ͭ̍̿ͦa̳̭̻͛ͨͮͯͬ̀̈r̞̹̆̊̅͊̚ͅe̯̐ͪ̿̌̄ͨ́͢ ̯̦͇̽ͥå̜̟̥̬̄͊͛l͉̹̗̬̩̉̎ͧͥͩ͑̚͝wa̖̭̜̠̙̻̫͌͐ͨ͋͊́ͩy̺̙͖ͤͭ̿̇̂ͨs͍͎̒͂̓ͦͅ ͣͤͤ̃͛͜t̶͖̠̥̊ͬ͆ͯ͐e̝̠̻̩͔ͩͮ͒̿ͅl̶̄̇̔̓̂ͬl̩͚ͅ ̖̙̤͉͓͘m̧̯̤͙̅ͭ̄͛ͩͬ̏ͅe̘͗͂̉ͨͤ̒ ͊ṭ͓̉ͥ̉ͧḫ̶͍̞͉̠̽a̪̥̔̌͟t̓̈̈́͑̃͏̦ ͈̞̀i͍̬̩͓̞̬̮̔ͣ͆ͤ̿̉͞ţ͚̺ͅ'̴̤̹̙͓͙͇ͬͧͯ̆̆̚s͎͙̫̳͔̣̝̎̓̉̿̋́̚ ̙͙͖ͦ̆h͕̥̭͈͔ͩo̡̱̰̗ẅ̀ ͙̏̔̊i̓̑ͧ̾̾ ͇̱͙̗̞͔͊̍̒ȧ̖͘m̵̳̱̥̈ͣ̂ ̶͓̄̒ͨm̢͈͎̬̫͔̟͂ͬ̓͂̚ͅe͇͎̠̩̮̫͊͑à̡͎͒n̛̯͋̋̄͒ͪ͒̾t͋̊̀͌͛̄̚ͅ ̺̼͔̝̗͙̠̾ͯ͆ţ̗̬̦͔̤̅ͅo̹̙̳̝̹̳̫͊ͨ̍̏̑͡ ̘̘̣͍̲̼̩f̪͈̣̙ͩ͋́͗ṷ͔̭̙̣̩̕n͓̥̻̠͓͈̰͑̏̀c̡̪̬̺͕̥̮̑̽̐̋t͈̲̮̆̇̿ͪi̛͓̭͈̪̫̻o͈ͫͫ͗̇̕n̸̹.͖͛ͣ̉̓̄̕

Seira: ...

Zaion: y͓̮̭̬̐̆̔ͣ͒͌e̳̓̽̔ͣ̑̄ͫs̭̩̣͍̫̩͋́.̺̱͊̌ͅ.̙͕̯̬̋̌ͪͬ͋͐ͯ.̧̰̫̥̯̣͕̦̅ͫ ̲̇̇ͨ̈̊̂̚n̶̟͉̹͒͋͌͒͛ͧͤͅo̢͔͈͊̏w̨̗̳͕͖͖͉ ͎̻̱͕ͮ̾ễ͍͓͍͙̜̻ͪͪ̓͠v͆͊̈́͏̣e̙ͧͧ́r̓̊ͯ̄̔y̥̗̠͈͊ͧ͑̉̇ţ̪͖̘̱̭͇̭h̘͓͟i̪͚͋ͣ̚ñ̺̜̥͍͉̫̟ͯ͗̓͛̌̍g̴̮̤͚̙'̴̣̩͔̹͎͐ͯ̇ͣ̚s̠̳͕̤̑ͬ̂ͩ͛̾ ̣̰̟̜͍̬ͧi̵͎̼͍͖̦ͭ͊̓n̡͖̩̣͍̯̗̲ͣ̓̇͆̉ͩ̉ ͔͇̦̟̩̭͚ͯ͊̈́̑̚̚o̳̔̚r̄͠d̴͇̫̤̑e͗̾̋͛҉̯͚͎ͅr͙̥̭͙̄͊̅̐́̇.͊.͇̪̖̫̪̯̬ͥ̈̍̅.ͭ͂̇̽͐ ͍̘͓͖̳̦̦ͣͤe̲͐̅̃̃͒ͤṿ͕̝͎̣͈̯͌̓̂̏́e̱̩̹r̭̲͕͈͈͓y͈̬̱͔̺͔̪ͣ͆͟t̼̄̍h̦̫̪̥͎̱͇̓̒̇i͉̻ͩͥ͂ͮn͎͉͖͙͔̘ͬ̽̌͒̔̆̎͢ǧ͈̮͇͎ͭͨ ̷̄̎w̖͍̹̞̆ͥi̳͖̼̠̬ͪͮ͗̄͋̿l͇̝͉̞̘̤l̠̓̈́ͩͮͯ ͓̫̭̪̮ͭ̈͟c̹̰ͪ̒͗̓ͩ͗͜o̰͈̤̝̠̬͓̅̓̚m̼̜̮͋e̔ͣͫ̾̾̑͏̲̱̻̞̯͎ ̘̦̒̌̉̓͘i̞̯ͫ̿̏̐n̮̳̘̩̭̺ͪͣ̈́͝ ̥̝̼̤̤͔̩ͮ̏̔͑t͔͓̹̭ͅi̗̖͗̓̀͛ͅm̧̹͈e̷͔͖̟̬͈.̸̠͈̲ͯͮ̂͒̓̆̚ ̼͙̙͔͔̽͋ͤ̊ͦj̵̤͈̏̏̉̈u̳̬͎̘ͨ̾ͥ̌ͬ͠s̖̖ͧt͆̂̓́̾̀ ̧̺̫̱̮̻͖͒̓ͫ̄ͨa̢͍͒̑̓̃̋̄s̳̗͉̹͕ ͗ͧ̓ͨlͧ͂ͪ́̊͋̈́o̓̔͛̇͋̇͏̤̪̣͔͚ng̩̗̘̝͚̼͂ͧͫ͗́ ̦͍̯͈̓͡ͅaͨ̊͆͏s̥̪̩͚ͩ̓ ̢̞̙̠̱̐̾́̄ͬͨͤw̮̲̭̥̑̿̚ȩ͖͗̌ͦ ̧̼̮̫̊ͤ̔̾c͙͍̞̼͐ͨ̂ͫ̿̊͞o̞̳̼̤̘̠ͥ̒ͦ̏ͦ͠m̦̥̣͔͢p̰͇̽͊̔ͭ̄͟ḷ̬͍̺̤̊e̠͉̻̦̋̓́t̒ͩ̎ͩ̒e̮͇̻̖̟̙͙ͯ̒̔̕ ̝̗͍̬ͥͮt̖͔͖̙̹͑ͥ̀ͣ̌ͤ̚h̛͋ͤ̂̑e͐͂̑ͧ͋̿ͥ͝ ̃ṯ̥̗̤̀͋̓͟a̙̻̻̜͐̀̽̽̃̿s̮̈́ͦ̊k̬͈͓̀͌́͛ͯ̿s̸̭͙͓̬͎͋̉͋͐̎̒̌ ̙̤͈͕̾t͕͉͇̺ͅh̺̆ͅa͕̰͇̲̒̐̏̉̎̓͡t̲̱͙̤̦̩̬ͪ̅̒̿̊͂ͫ͝ ͎̣a̛̟͓͙r̄̿͆̂҉e̮̙ͩͭ͡ ͎̞͔̊̀b̮̪̬̟̭̉̏̑̈̿̄̋o̠͔̱͎ͫ̉̄͆̚͢ͅͅt͇̱̜̼̣̫̞ͮ͘h̝̮͗͋ͫ̋̈́ ̪̪̯̗͇ͧ̌ͨͅy͑͊̅̀ͮ҉̝̮̟̖o͍͎̪͎͓ṵ̠̰̰̬̞͑͊r̸̗ͭͦ̈s̞͔͍̩̹̣̐͗͒̄̐͗ ̯̤̝̟̪̰̲͋̄̓͐̓ă͓̳̭̪ͪͥn͍͍̘͕̬̗ͪͪͬ̔̏̀̚ͅḍ̹͙͕̳̾̊́͢ ҉̪͙͚ṃ̧͒̚i̠̘̣̬͙͖ͩ̃ͮ̒ͭ̆͡n̳̄e̻̱ͦ̆̅͠.̰̜̋̏͒͋̊̚

Seira: What do you mean?

Zaion: dͩ̍͊̏̚͜o͇̬͔̩̽͂ͭ̎ ̣̓̿͞y̩͍̦͋ͮͬ̿̿ͤ͜ö͈̝́̄͑̆ͅŭ̢̲̺̝͓̘̓̑̿̂ͥ̈ͅ ̴̯͉̖͙̰ͯ̑̏s̟̞͉̦̭̑̑͐ͅe͙̳̭ͯ̐͑̈ͪ̌̉e̗͎̟͚̮̖͆ ̱̲̹͚̣̖̃ͯ̓̊ͮ̑m̥̍̆̅͒̑ę̰̦̠̠̦̮̹ ̨͇̫͔ͤ͂̽̿̓̚ͅͅn̢̼̤̳̞̝̜̂̓ò̴̦͓̙̂̍w̼̯̰̹ͤ̅̐?̃҉ ̯̬̝͉̈́̏ͪ̍͜ḯ̇̄͑̏̾'̢̩̣͇͔̘̓͌́̊̒̚ͅṃ͚͖͒ ̱̥͔̣̜̻̻ͤͦa̸̪̣͓̿̉̚l̝͊iͨ̊͊̎ͦͤ͏̦̞̘͉v̘̐̉́ͪ̈̚e̢͈̹̟!̳̂̈́̐ͩͣ͗̀!̗́ͥ!̧͈̪̊̔͂͐!̥͍ͭ͂!̶̭!̔҉̜̙̫̬̲̙̝!̹͍͖͎͗ͫ̈̏̿ͯ̕ ̛̖ͣ̾̊ͥ̀͋̎i͙̠̜̖͚͈̍ͅ'̪͠m͍͊̔̕ ̠̐ͪ͂s̬̳̰̎̉́̿̑m̭͇̭̭͙͖̻͢i̤ͬ̐ͮ̉̓ͥ́̚l͇͕̞̠̺̱ͨͣ̃i̸͚͓̥̲͓ͬ̿̉ͅń͓̣͓̊͞g̭̭̯̙̘͖!̶̱̞̿̌!̰̗̪͕̤̰!̗͇̗̯̱̹ͣ͛ͣ̃́ͅ!̫ͯ̀̈̅̑!̭̜̞̲͉̲̟̿̚!͇͇̆̃ͨ̃̆̓̚͡!̯̱̕ ͈̦̳ͯ͂ͩ̿̊͊́i̸͊'̲͎̦͇̦m̹̪̖̝͉̭ͥͯ͌͡.̓ͫ̓̔ͤ.̌́.͈͔̮͔͉̙̯̌͌ ̸̾̌̿͌̋ŝ̸̘̰͚̯̭̓̚o̘ ̨̞̭̗͓ͭͩ̾ͪṫ̈́ͨ͗̓̕i͈̘͈͈ř̤̫͔̜̘̰̮͂ͫͣ͡ẹ̭̤ͨ̃ͤͮ̓̚d͍̗ͯͣ̊̏̋̍͠ ̩̣̗̻͍̾ỡ͙̲̟͍ͮͦ̈f̱̟̜̮̺̉̓ͥͣͮ̾ ̩͚̮̻b͓̻͕̾̃́e̬̬̰͓̩ͮͩ̃i̹ͪn̏g̺̮̖̬͕̃ ͕̞͇͖̥̒ͯ̈̇ͭ̓͢ͅd͈̪̞̻̥̗͔̎̽ͯ͛ë͍̯́̒̌̕a͍̮͈̻͌͆ͦd̤̝̰͕̞̿͋̀̈́̆̚̚͝.̦͚̜̺̜̓̌̚̚

Seira: Zaion... Can't you see what you're doing? Please, think of the repercussions of your actions! What it will do to everyone!

Zaion: .̧̗̦̗̤̰͕̽̋ͦ.̄.̸̘̫͖̻̼̮ͫͅ ̺͖̲͍̦̦̰̇̎ͨ͛́i̭̠̫ͮ̒̅̎̇́n̷̦̘ ͗̇҉̳̥m̨̺̣ỷ̨̬̖̲̋ͪ͌ ͎̼̙͔͍̯̏ͯc̼͕͙̫͓͇̏ͣͨͬͨ͡u̓̂̃̋҉̣̳̫r͈̔̊̽̚r̖̘̗͖ͮ͊̉e̡̱̯̞͈̖ͦ̈̔ͣ͗ͅn̴̝̣̻̖̥̥̰ͩ̅̈́̓̏̀ṯ̢̠̥̫ͧ͗̉̽̎͑ ̸̫̹̺ͮ̌ͭsͥ̂̓ͣ̀͑͂͞t̪͖̻̖͎͈ͫ̓ͅa̦̰͖̖̮͕ͨͩ͌̀ẗ͊ͦ̓ͦ̈͞ē̷̻̘͇̄́̽̇́̑,͙͙͕͙͠ͅ ͈͓̗̯̱̀̒̈i̸̬̠̎̋t͔̆ͩ͗̅͛'͂̐s̻͚ͥ͂̑͋ ̼̬͕͌̋͗̋̒̀a̺͕̺̦͇͓̫̓̒͛ ̢͙̜͖̹͍͉̍b̔͊i̴̜̘̟ͨ̚t̴̝ͥ̍ͪͣ̐ͯ͂ ͭ̊͏̱̩͓̲̙d͒ͬ͆ͤ͆̕i̪͉͐f̫͉͖̱̈́̎̍͌̚ͅf̣̼̼̐̔͗̉i͌̄̃҉c̣̠̹̟͊̊̈́u͍͇̹̻̭ͩͧ̌͊̅̈l̓͗̅̊̄͡t̛͍ͮ́̽ͦ̚̚ ̸͋ͩ̔͑̚f̫̍ͫ̋o͇̼͉͓̜͗r͖̙̞͐͆̂ ͎̬̜̻̬͎ͬͧ̐͑m͏̺̙͕͇͖̤e͕̲̦̺͍̍ͣ̾ ̤̥̌ͯͣt̄̀͂o̴̻̖͓͚ͩ ̯̮ş̤̭̻͖̗̗̫̀̑͐̃ͩy̲̆͊̉͢m̨͎p̳̬̯̦̻̹ͥ̓ͪͬ͊̽̚a̮̝̗͝ͅt̖̠͊̐ͦ̌̒̀h̦̩͎̜͐͌ͮͣ̃ͨ̅i̭̭̖̒̅͘s͉̗̖͍̥͔̩ͫͨ̏͑͑͜e͗͏̰͉͕̬̯̭̣.̦̮̞̩̯̆ͦ̏ͭ̀.̱̗.̱̞̩͈̊̓̉ͥͦ̓ͨ ͚̘̺̪̈́̇́ͣ̅ͤb̵͕̼͕̤̄ͭͮ̇̅ú̬̻̳̭͚̦̺ͪ͒̃ͨt̖͓̮̗̰̩̳̆͊̃̋̿͡ ̸͙̱I͔̩̎ ̳͍̝̺̣͈̅͆͊͐͟k̳͈̻ͨ̄͘ͅn̶̥̗o͔̯͖̹̝͖̅̈͆͋w̸̬͆̋ͣͩ̀͂̓ ̖͕̠̺͚͍w̐̉̌̔̇̊h̠̮͖̲̦̜̰̑a̶̓̽̈́̆ͮ̔t̬̖̯̐̔̽̓̈́ ̲̬̺̹̻͕͠ĩ̞̲̰͙̝̰̝̄͋ͬ̄ͦ̔'ͤ͐m̨̖̻̺̝̲͆̓͒͒ͩ̃̅ ̘͍͚͗ͤ̄̂̓͢d̗͖̳̬̮̟̿̌̍ͅơͯi̷̮̭̘͐̆n͓̜̘̬͉͋ͦ͛̑̃g̥̪̫͙̪̻̀̍ͫ̆͜!̜̱͑͊ͮ́ ̞ͭͪ̊̑̋ͯ̀ͅd̟͔̦̣̭̝o̳ń͙͓̩͕̲̮̄̋'̗͕̙͖t̢̘̬̻̙̱̝̊̈́̅̈́̓̚ ̳̖̟̂̇̋͐ͫͧͯṱ͈͓̖̟ͤ͌ͩͮ̉͝r͚̳ͧͪ̍͊̃ͮ̊y͚͇̗̻̗̒̀̈ ̿t̪͓̩͈̗͕͐͊̓̆ͥö͍͔̉͋̆ͥͧ ͓̙̠̬͎̝͌͝t̲̻̝̥̥͑ȇ͇ͯ̀ͮ̓̕l̍ͪ͒̋̆͛̇ḽ͋ͧͬ̈́̌ ̼̦̔ͪͅm̭̦̖̱͚͑̓͒ͯê̦̬̖͙̹͉͉̂̑ͧ̈͞ ̲̣̜͕͚̻͚̒͋ͮͬ̆ͩo̡ͭ͂ẗ̮̘̫͉h͘e͙͕̲̟̞͈͓͛̌ͧ̀͗̈ͬ͝r̭̬̱̥̻̟̗ͧw̪̬͎͓͢i̘̦ͣ͐̆̉̃ͨ̂s̰̹̯̜͖͚͖̅̈͐ͫ͘e͈͈͍̗̟.̱͇͍̬͉̦

Seira: Just... Listen to me...

Zaion: i̻̱͗͂ͦ̄͆ͪ͛ ̬̖̘ͫ͝c̹̥̯̹͕̬͑̏̑̃̎ͫ́ͅaͯ̈n͖̒͒̅ ̀ͨͦ̉͛hͥĕ͚̖̭͑ͦ̏ǎ̴̗̩̪̞͕̽̂͑͗̓r̝̯̝͊̓ ̩ỵ̳̳ͧ͡o͉̠͂ͧ̾̔ͧu̩͈̪̳̠̞ͬ̊ ̝̖͖͖͕̞̃ͅc̡̰̠̳̲̱͓͒ͯ̌ͪľ̫̺̘̹͚e̯̳̼͙͈̅̌ͅạ̦̈́̿͟r̻̞̩̪̣̙̀͋͌ͮl̳͌͑̉̊y̬.̤̥̫̬͉̩̘ͫ̇̆͘ ̝͖̳͎̯̳̫̉̿́i̘̹̞͍̭̜̻͜ ̺̼̠̺̱͆ͅk̹̤̰͙͔̲͒ͦͯn̺̬o̶̪w͇̖̫̖͙ͧ̌̀ͬͥ̆̒ ̢͈̖͔̟ͨ̔͛̈̋ͮ̐e̡͎͕͕͓͖̅̍ͣx̡̺͕̃͊ͨ̐̌͊a̰̥͍̥̘̰ͫc̫̞̫̜̼͙̬̏t̺̲̩̳̙̩̓l̷͇̮̫̺ͩ̎ͭͦ͌̅̚y̳͍̘͊͗̊͗ͩͭ͂ ̥̠̘͈̯͓̞ͤ͒͐̒ͮ͂̇ẅ͈͙̫́̃h̼̭̮̀̿̂̌́ͅḁ̻̪̯̯t̤̍͝ ͚͖͓͍̽͂̋̿ͤ̚͟ͅi̹͓̤̬̻'̏͏m̛͔͙̳̫̻͙̤͛ͯ̈ ̴̱̭̞̼̺̞̫ͬͫ̈͌͗ͬd̤̓̾͌͊ͯ̌́ǫ̖̯̳̱̎̎̒̅̀̔ͪi̩̦̹͈͇̊͠n͔͟ͅg͇̩͙͉ͮ̋ͦͫ̍̍ͅͅ.̳̜̙̱̺̐ͭ̂̄ͩ̍͜ͅ

Seira: Then please... Destroy that thing!

Zaion: i̖̬̙̮̬̘ͨ̋ͥ ̠̖͇͖̥̹ͤw̨̜͍͈͉̦̞̩ͪ͂ǐ̧͖̳̫͈̥̼ͧ͗̊ͤl̯̭̤̗̟̫̮̈̇͂̿̂́̚l̺̣̩̞͚̺̃̄͗̓̏͐̊̕ ̸͚̮̞̗̪̓ͥ̓͂n̴͉̘̏͐o̵ṱ̆̒̿ͬ.̺̖ ͋ͧ̏͏̝̬̪̝̣i͈̤̲̓͊͑ ͏̖͓ͅw̖̖̒͊̄̿ͩi̹̠̘͉̽ͥͫ͡l̥͙̟͔̞̔l̞͓̫͔͍̻̍ͭ̊̀ͭ̚ ̭̦̯̍̋͋̀ͨͅf̫̦ͯͤͧ͌͘į͓͕̰r̠̃̽̊̐̔̅̃s̪̱̜̍ͧ͐́ͥͣ̕ẗ̻̗́̏ͤ ̙̌ͩͣ̊́ͦu͓̟ͯs̷͂̿ẻ̫̘̣̳ͤ̀ ̝̏̒̍ͬi̴̻ͭt̞̜̯̖́͊ ̧̙̮̘͙̩̜ͨt̳̅͑̑͡ͅõ͇̫̺͕͖̥̱̅͂ͫ̇ ̧̞̟̻ͥͅc̍̄̄ͩ́͘ŕ̟̘͉e̮̩̍̃͘a̭̺̫ṭ̫̪͖̠̦̄ẽ̱͕͇͓͕̯́ ̛̜̹̫͍̣̻̝̓̑̅̓ͯ̚yͭ̇͠o̰ͩų̟͉͎͍͚̈̄̐ͬ̏ͅ,̗͚̾̌͌͟ ҉̦͇̩̞ͅṯ̡͑ͭͬ̿h͈̗̻̜͊͗̾̈ͥ͂͐u̮̪̠̥͈͒̋ͬͭͬ́̎s̢̿ͩ̾ͩ̉̓ ̹͚̬̓͛̃̃ͦ̄c͍̩͔͔͗͌ͥ̒ͯ̂͘ơ̪͙̓ͩͤ̌̎͋m͈̮̹̺͈͈̘̈̏ͭ̏p̭̲̖̘̫͍ͦ̇ͯͨ̚l̊҉̲̰̖̜e͈̮͎̠͔̋t̟͍̘̻͚̻̿͠îͯn̗ͮ͆g̬̫̹̰͊̔͂̈́̅̂͋ ̰̤̭̻͓ͯ̃̓̀ͮͅt̻͎͒ͅh̫̲̿͗ͦͭͤ͗e̟͈̩̅͊̑̇ͭͪ ̤̦̖̠̥̳l̜̬̂̆ͬ̎ͬ͠ȏ̲̦͉̪̲̼̹̄͟ő̪̬̻͎̩̘̀p̺̮͎̖̹ ͇̪̠͉̯̥ͧͫ̒͐ô̱̺͇͓͇̹͒̓̑̉̋͝f̸͇̝ͯ̾̍ ̬̰ͤ̀ͅt̰̯͎̲̺͉ͨ̋̅̂ḯ̳̝͕͔͉̘̖m̖͈͉̤̼̮̯̈e̦͚͔͚͍̦͔͐ͬ́.͈̪͛̎͗͗̾̇̈́

Seira: No!!

Zaion: ?̸͕̰̦ͯ͋̎̊ͅ

I then rammed into her, pushing the book out of her hands and throwing it from her reach.

Seira: I won't let you do this! I don't care if it means I stop existing, I won't let this happen!

Zaion: ŷ̷͓̺͚͊ͤ̾.͎̦̿̿ͧͪ̋.̴̮̲̝̒ͪ̚.̯ͪ

Seira: Zaion...

She then walked back over and picked up the book again.

Zaion: y̴͖̬̬̗̙͉̜͒̿o̸̙̠͓̥̬̺̥̓u̷͕͍̮̬͒̓͋ͭ ͯ͌ͦ́ͨͮw͉͋ͅį̣̖̯͈̠͎̟͌l͖̦l̡ͤ͑ͥ̾ ̶̺̭n̗̦͍̖͈̝̐͞o̫ͬ̾́͛͋̐̀t̬̼̣͇ͭ͒̾̋ ͕͕ͧb̻͇̩̺̘ͫe̎͗̔͢ ̯̻̏̐a̡͎̭̾ͮ̆̾̄l̰̩͇̰̹͐͌͒̏ͩ̏͋l̤͖̣̜͒̎̈̽̓͋̎o̯͚̘͈͚ͤ̏̊ͩ̉̔ͅw̬̫̯ͩ͒̍̚ȩ̿͆d̛̞̱̜̦̗̭̐͑̅ͪ ͙̮̫ͣ͊ͨ͑͗ͣt̺̯͔̞͕̘̄̊̎͒̋o̸̲̩̘̫̊ͦͤ ̥̺̼̺̠̊̉͒͠s͆͂ͪ͏̺̹̗͙t̢̖̰͇͖̝̘ͩ̆o̻̞̫͚̬̯ͭ͋̆̅̎ͥp̘̤̱̂͑͂̄ ̷̮̝̙̙͋̊ͭ͒͋͛̔m̫̯̌̆̀̽̎́̏͞ḛ̯̠ͬ̔ͥͪͮ̈.̑͛̽̈́ͩͬ҉̣̲̯͓̟̮ ̹̬͉͓̰̀̑͛̉̆it͌̍̑ͩ͂ ̳̟̬̭͂͆̄̎ͭ̅ī̘͈̣͔͒̑͜s̩͛̈́̏̏̐ͨ ̑ͣ͏̮̱͇̰̪̠̣a͈͖̖ͨͮͣl̹͖̩͇̬̰ͫͩͪ̿̎̈ͨr̢͑̊̎̓͒̂ĕ̷͋ͫ̇͐a͍̱̦͈̱͓̅ͯ̏̂d̙̗̟̏̅̌y̗͔̭̲̹͓͞ ̰̙t̝̥̲͈ͯ͆̈́o̜̹̲͚ ͉̖̗̔ͤ̀ͦ̋b͍͎ͧ͌͑̃̿̍̽e̥̱͍̭̦̮͗͟ ͎͉̲̦ͥ̽ͣ͢d͖̬ͨ̈́ͨ̌͟o̺̥̼͛͌͟n̼̲̥̼͍̬̠ͪ̆e̟͙̾ͧ̅͌͌ͪ.̥͍͇ͫ̄͊͞

Seira: Shut up!!!

I charged at her again. This time, I charged up my powers so that I could use them to trap her in time and stop her from doing this.

I suddenly felt force coming down onto my head. It then hit me on every side. Zaion was attacking with blinding speed. She slammed the Book at my head repeatedly, knocking me down to the ground.

Zaion: y͒ͯ̈̾͌̈̌͏̮̭͓͎͙o̦͎̱͓̠̗ͥͩͪ͊͜ͅũ̹̭̱̰ ̞͈͈ͤͫ̾̈ͤͦs̠͎̬͍͇ͥ͂͗h̪͐̕o̯̼ǔ̍̑̈́̊͒͡ĺ͐ͭͯ̄͐̀d͕̟̳̘͓̀ͣ̓͗ ̳̖͉̱͍̑̋ͫ̓ͣh̘̝̗̬̜̲̖̍̈͆͠à̟v͎̙͔̗̗̻͈̽̋ͬͭe͓͇̟͉ͅ ̮̯͇̝̇̀ͅk̝̳͍͌͛n̩͇͎̦̼͈͙ͥ́͐̊ͨ͜o̶̲̣̜ͥ̎ͮ͆͒̈́̇w͚͓̎ń͔͕ͤ͒͂̈́̚ ̡͚̊̓t͓h̵̖̣͖̲̙̦̝̾͒̅̿ͨ͊à͉̖͔̅t̩͕͎̮̙̔͜ ̺͒ͨ͂̈w͚̹̣͝ó͙͔̟͋ͧ̏̍͂ͪ̀u̵͉̮̙̦̪ͤ̾̎͋͑͌̀l͇̪͈ͤͯ̄̚͟d̓͡ņ'̤̹͑ţ̪͖͓ ͙̖̰̝͓̮͇ͧ̽̒̿̐̿ͯ͜w͙̤͇̝̏ͨ̽ͣͬ̍͘ò̰͔̲͉̊͆͋ͪ́̆͢ͅr̹͋ͮ͒ͥk͉̺ͦ͐ͤ̉̎̚.̥̜͇͓͔̙͆̈́̌ ͈̰͙͖̘͇̰̎t̻̚h̩͐ͅe̎́̌ ͤ̒͆̓҉̦͉͍̺̼͕Ḃ҉̼̝̤̻̖̙͍o̙̤͇̩͖̙͛̑̄͝o̮͎̪͒͋͟k͉͍̗̑ͫ̆̎̍ ̗͔̻͇̿̚ͅi̖t̞̪̞̭̯̣ͬ͂̏s͔̣̭̟̺̪ͥ̑̊ͦ͛̿ͅę͓̼̼̗̯͋̆̀̒̂̐l̺̰͇̭ͬ͆̔͛̉͒f̶̭͍͖̬̫͉̓̿ͩ ͚̥i̢̿̏̍s̱͇͍͔̣̳͑̿͛ ̀g̪̦̝̔̈ͥi̝̺͜ͅv̖̐̂͐i͒̽n͂͌͒̚҉̪̘̗g̷̳͖̠͔̻͑̽̔̿͐ͦͨ ̠̿̂ͣ͡m͔̯̰̆ê̥͖̰̍́ͅ ̱ͤͨ͂ͦ̍p̥͆͛͊̍͌ỏ̧̰̜̼͖͉w̦͉̟͈͚̜̋̓̔ͅe̯̦̱̮ͮ̔ͫ̂̕r̤͘ ̗̲͐̐͐̈̂̄͝m͊̈́̊uͭ͊̃̈̃̏c̵̙̤ͥͫ̊ͫ́̐h͔ͦ͌̆͒̍̈̚ ̜͎̭͖̼̮ͣͫ͊̒̆̓̌͡g͙̬̙̳̊ͭ̅ͪ̚r̻ͩ̌ͨ͑ͪe͒̌̃҉̮͖a̢̤̬̝͙͉̼ͣ͋̅ͩ͐ͮ̅ͅt͎̞̻ͯ͒ͪͯ̌̑͞ȩ͚̝̘̉̑̆r͖̥̦͋̎̔͋̏̈ͫ ̓͋̃ͤ̿̎́҉͈ṯ̰̙̹͎̇̏̇h̳̰ͤ͆̀͢ả̞͍̭͔̫̰͑͐̿n͉̰̘̒͒̍̒̀ ̘̝̙̆̏̈́͐̅̋ͪy̵ͮ̈́ȏ͓̞͇̮ͤ͟ͅu̷͔͙̘͇͉̬̓̑̊ͧͯṟ̤̝̳͓̃s͈͗͟.̧̬̃͐̐

Seira: Ah...

I shakily stood back up. Zaion was already walking away as I was doing so.

Seira: S... stop...

Zaion: ĭ͉͇̝̲̙̯͗͊̽̆'̟̤͓̱̗̮̩̉̔̌̇̆ͬ͌m̜̺̱̫͙̦̥̿̇̈̒͗͑̚ ̀ñ͑ͧ̃ͪ̈́o̼̅ṭ̛ͤͮ ͍͈̹̝̜̫ͬ͗̈́̇g̷̻̦̦͌̇̈̓̃ͥ̚o̫̜̦͎̮̮̿i͕ͦ̄̊ͮ̅͘n̦̬͇̼͚ͬ͂ͅgͦ͂ ̎͑̒ͫ̽ͥ͏t̜̪̾̈́͂̒ͥ͑ͪ̀ö̘͇̣͉͙̣̜́ͬ̍ͪͯͥ͂̕.͊͋̑ͩ͗͊͏ ͈̠̙͍̖̋̊̃̎͊ͧaͫ͛̅n̵̟͇͓̖̖͚̖ͩ̉̆̊̇͛d̮̱̘ ̲̳̤̮̻̚t̬̙̝͉̺͔̓h̩͍̩̏̔ͬ̉͡eͮ̓ͩ͆̄̀̚r͍̅ë̞̓̕'̛̭̣͉͈͖̼̈́ͦ̌ͦͭs̭͓͍̘̻̿̌ ̟̰̙̱̱͕ͩ̊͆̊̽̓̈́n͉̩̫̈́̆̏̄ͧ̚͡ͅo̞͔̘̜̍ͭͧ͐̈́ṫ̝̱̗̣̂ͯͬ͝hͨ̄ī̙̓̎ͥ̅ͧͥ͢n͚̟̩̱̣̞̲͗g͔̩ ̟̼̩̹͕̄̊͜ͅt̞͇̗̂ͯ̎̅ͨ̐̊h̙̳̠̃ͬ̐ã̰̣̦̰̭̦̒ͯ̊̄ͯ̃t̳͙̻ ̺̝̗̭ͯͯ̈̐̀̑y̤̱̟ͧͅo̷̙͚̺u̺͍̺͔͈͛͋̅̑̃ ͚̜͙̍ͯĉ̢̽ͦͥ̉ͪa̼̋ͮ̆n̶̞̰͇͗́͋ ̨̞̜̤ͮͩd̬̟̔̋ͤͯ̓ő̷̞̬͓̫̈ͯ ̠̝̯̭̟͇ͩ͑́̕ṱ̱̠̪̥ͫͅo̢͍̖̪̳̅̄̌ͧͯ͒ͅͅ ̲͇̗ͦͫ̂̚s̷͇̗͖͓̮͇͒ͥͨt̶͎̝̹ͭͣ͂ͦ̉o̾ͦͤ̀͋̊҉̳̣̺̼̦p̠̗ͦͨ̄̎ͪ̑ ͌ͫ̾ͅm̻̰̱̑͒͆ë̼́ͪ́ͤ̉̀͠ͅ.̝̆͗ͨ̒ͬ͒ͯ

Seira: S...

She stopped for a moment. She sighed and turned around to talk to me.

Zaion: i̢̤̯ ͌̍̒̅ͨ̌͘ȟ̥̘̻ͧȏ̾̒͞n̷̲̪̪̥̈́̄̍̽ḛ̦͖͍̮̄̽̐s̭͉͖̖͆͂͛̐̾̔̈t̢̤̟͖͇̦̽͌ͭͧ͑ͬl̤̱͍͎̳̱͙ͫ̊͌ẙ̞̤̺̪͕̬͕͋ ̭̜͔͓͚̔͌d̒͟ó͒̔ͤ̑̚ṉ̗̓ͤͯ'̪̯͇̱͚͔̆t̞͉͍̲ͫ̇ͯ ̹̻̺͕̗̊ͧͦͭ̌ͦu̜͉͞ṇ͇̜̠̩̿̒͘dͤ͋͏è͎ͬ̒̉͊ͬr̹̱̪̬ͅͅş̫͚͙͛̌͑́̊ͩt̮̥̼̼̺͚ͫͪȧ̰̹͚̺͕̪͔͒͊̃̈n̝̯̞̮̰ͭ́d̍ ̅w̶̥̣͙͉̮̘̘̔̌͒ͪ̓h̺̯̯̯͙͆͌̊͋͊͛y͍̳͔͎̹̆̿̍ͩͭ̔̇ ̭̱̈́̒̊̈̿ͫy̮̝o͏ū̷̪̬̟ͅ ͖̮̜͎̾̂w̙͖͍̺͒̆̏́̍ͥa̺ͣ͑̊n̡͚͙̰̯͛͑͊̽͛ẗ̮̞̫̥͚̰́͢ ̮̤̺͕̪̬̆ͨ̓̾̊̈́͗͠i̦̩͙͍͋̈ͧ͑̀t͕̰͈̪̤͓̟̋̉ͯ ̯͚̪͖̭͇̥͋t͍̫̫͆͊̾̅ơ̘̔̿ ̧̦̪̤̮̃ͨ͆ͬ̂͂b̝̼̬̞̙̳̣̊̎̏ͫ͆̉͘e̬̥̬̘̩̫̰̾̾͌ͩ̉ͤ̚͟ ̗̖̦͓̦̜̀ͅd̨ͦ̾͋̍̑e̘̟̤ṡ̗͓͉̭̱͙̇ͧ̎̚t̮͓̏̽̑̃̂̓͗͞ŕ͖̽̆ͮ͑̒͢o͔̞̟̰̱̤ͅy̰̖̗e͎̳̦͑͒̽ͫ̔̽d͇̓ͭ̐̇͡ ̝͇̜͎͓̞ͦͩ̈n͚̖̥̪̖̝̮̋̔͋͡o̝̅̓̓̂͝w̺̮̦ͪ͒̎ͦ͆͋.̴͖̰̤̏̿͊ ̼̫̲d͖̟̺͚̝̾̔̈́̓̔ͮ̀ơ͆̿̏̓ͬ̊ñ̞̩̯̪̯̿'̝̫̙̘̊̈̾͊̇ͯt̨͍͕̅͑̾̇̓ y̗̖͉̠̙̜̟̾̿̄̋͛͌͝ö̤́͆̓̅u͇͕ͬ̀ ̭̮̻̥̀ͨ̏̒̅ͫr̬̺̤̥͑̑ͅę̘͇̰̩̜ͨ̐͗̏ͅǎ̬̣ͫ̓̇̊̚̚l̻̠͋ͫ̄̽́i̛͙̹̩̲z͈̰̱̺͙̔ͨ̌è͖̳̯̭̞͈͘ ̭̻̱͇̉͐̔͛̂̚t̼͔̤̋ͨ̓͂ͪͩh̝̒ͯ͋̋ͅa̸̺̍t́ ̳̠͇̔͐͆̋͡ī̹̩͗́͋ͭ̀̀ṱ͙́̿̑ ̶̭̤́̐̾̈m̡e͙̝͕̝̟̿͒̿̑̑̊̌a̖̰̼͖̭͂͋̋ͫ͗͗ͬn̖̣̥̏͌̅̽ͩ̑́s̼̹ͭ̔̈́́̋̇ͅ ̤̮͉̙y̷̳̭͉̬̥o̢͚̭̘͙̯u̶̘̺̗̰͇̦̐̓͂ͭ͌̍͊ͅ'͙̟̺̖̟̩̱͗ͯ̑́l̯̳̝̫ͯ̾͛͆͋l̜̞̫̰ͦ̐͊ͮͧ ̡͚̹͊͐n̶͉̻̖̟̣̪ͤ͋ͫ̄ͮ͛ͨe̵̲̖͓͛̎ͤ̏̉͋v̌ͤͫ̐̓̈́͜e̛̗̅̍̏̾ͦ̃̒rͭ̈̀͛ ͔͚̫̃h̜̳̗͕͇͝ͅǎ̻͈̯͊̂v̗̦̝ͨ̃͒e ̛͓̙͎̦͍̲̊̈́͆e̪̬̹̓̋̌ͦ̉ͫx̷̼̦͍̱͖̪̖ͫ̉i͕̱̭̿ͮ͌̏s͙͖̥̞̤̞̗̈́ͫ̔t̜͔̹̩̤͚͈̂͗͑͆ê̫̌ḍ̩͈̜̎̋̔͒͑?̹ͬ̿̀ͯ͗ ̺̳ͭͥ͢a̗ͫ́̉̿̎͠n̿̐̐ͬ̉҉̟̠͇͎̮̥d̰̲͈̓͊͂ͥ ̜͎͖̙̝̩ͬͥ͟ă͏̠f̴̳̹̌̀ͧ̓t̢̥̞̉ͩ̃̿̃ë́̆̾͊̌ͩr̈̄ͩ̏ ̦̺͔̼̈̑̚͝i̹̫̟͙̘̅t̩̆̍̇ͬ̈̚ ̜̬͚͉̖ͥ̀͒ͦ̚ḥͨ͐ͣ͌ȁ̹̦̫̪͓̓̂̚̚p̤̲̰͙̹̓͊̈͋ͮp͔͎͕͉̋ė̂̒̌̓͒́̀n̡͚͇̻̲̤̯̜̑̋ͤ͆͋s̤ͩ̾ͧ͝,͖̯̬͕͂ͩ͠ͅ ͎͎̔̂̅ͨw͇̘̖̺̺̳̭h̲͍ͦ̍͌̚͞ā̝͍̬̮̕ṱ̯̙̻͖ͫ̌̏ ̸̭̟̞͎͓̙̙̂̍͗̈́ͬ̑̅y̴̖̘̖͊̆̏̓̋̋o͇̰̠͊̎̎ͮͦ̿͘u̫͕̺̼͖ͭ̓͒ ͉̯̊ͭ͂̒̈́ͯ͛d̯̮̗ͨͩͤ͛i͌̈ͫ̌d͙̬̂͐̑͢ ̪̠͎͚̪ͣͥͪ͡b͎̥̍ͯ̏e͉̞̪̫̺̗̅ͧͪ̅̒ͥf͇̟̹̟̤̀͋ͩ̎͐͋ŏ̜̙͙͋̈́͘r҉͈̰̙̻̬e̲͎͔̩͌ͤ̍ ̳͇̮̙ͮ̋͛̏w͔̠̺̲̝͑̌ͩͦ̔͗ͣi̧̫̐̽̓̄ͯ̆l̗̈̃̆̀̚͘l̲̦͚͉̫̅̔ͦ́̆ͅ ̠̥͊rͩ͒͊ͪe̊̔͌m͖̲͇͉̮̰̊̿̀̐͋a̘͍͔͈̎ͬ̐i͎̞̜͈̱͛ͨ͑̍͊̐n̳͇̻ͬ,̳̰̞̲̬̖̋͋͗̒͘ ̹̣b͌͌ͤ͒͛͏̪̲u̷̞͚͍̩̺͙ṱ̥̜̻̾̅́ͫͅ ̑̎ͩ̈́ỵ̧̠ͤͤo̼ͪͧ̿̿͡ǘ͐͢ͅ'̼̻̰̞͙̅͆̎̑ͥl̘̪͈͉͋̒̿l̶̤ͪ ͙̂s̺̳͉͍̫i̜̦̤͍̓̋ͯ͊̋̚m̻̠͉ͩͩ͋̚p͕ͣͫl͍͔͇y̵̟̙̻̭̭̣ͮ͋̈́͂̀̈́̅ ̶̘͕̗̪̈́͌͋ͩvͭ̏̅͏͕͙̲͕̗̳̤ą̱͚̝̭̼̟͛ͮ̈́n̖̺̈́ͮ͛̇̑̋i̟͇̩̜̗ͭ̄́͂ͮ͑̒s̢̱̖̣̦̪̾̍̔́̓h̵̩͓͖͚̪̠̜̽̂͗ͦ̈ ̩̞͓ͨͯ̏f̰̗̜̖̊̈̈́̎͌ͦ̄̀r̳̞̄͛͋ọ͖͉͂͌̆͑͗̐ͯ́m̥̭̟͑ͮ̽̑͗ͥ̒ ̜͕̙̻̽̾ͤ͂̈ͭͬr̪͖͎̘̬̞̳̍ͫê͡à̻͚͙̺͍̫ͭ̃̃ͩ̉͌͟l̟̕i͍̣̟͈̲̋t̉̅ͧͪ̋̒ͭy͚͆ͫͧ̀?̲͎̪͈̲̓͝ ͉̺̦̱͍͂̐́i̹̱͔̙̞͖̎ͥ͆͂̈́́ ͔͚̟̘͌ͪ͂̓͒̈́̋k͎̠͍̀n͕͒͋ͪ̽o͑͑̔͐̅̑͏͎̫̫̻̻wͭ͒̇͞ ̹͉̳̱̟̰̄ͧ̏̓̏̈ͅt̻̣͉̩̭̟͙h̆͐a̬͝ͅt̫̮ͬͦ̾ͪ̐̅̌͝ ̣̩̣̖͓͕͍̈̅̏ͣỳ͚͓̬o̫͚̘̍͊̌͑ṵ͇͙̑͊͐ͥ͐͠r̘͇̤̺̙̤ͨͣ͑̿͌ͬ ̠̖̲̪̹̞͕ͫͣ͆̾ͯ̓t͙̘̣ͯͤĭ̫̟̩̝̠ͅm̨̟̪͔ͭ͒ͥȅ̵͗ ̮͍̭͖̮̾́̆̈̌t͔̙̼̞ͣͣ̊ͦ̀ͤ̐r̭͉̰͎̳̺̘͛̃̈̂͂a̩̙̟̱̖̾ͣͬ̔ṿ̟͚̽͞e̺̲̘̙͂͠l̝͇ͭ̈ͥ̍ ̵͉̰̟̬̗̋̅̄̆ͩa͆̆ͭ̉̇̐҉̹l̴͎̒ͥl̷̟̼̗͓̊͂ͅo̪̜w͉̬̳̙̭͕̎s̭̥͎͎̓̓̄̃̂ͭͤ ̥͖̬̤̺̽̀ͅy̘̤̪ͧőͩ̈́̉͟ͅu̮̻̤͗͌̓ͯ̊ ̰͙ͯ͛ẗ̬͓͍̺̖͚̳́́ͥo̘͉̰̚ ̓͊ͩͮ̔͠ē͔̖̫̳͕̬̲̎̔̚ẍ͈̬̲́̿̍̄̈͞ͅi̪͚ͫ͛ͯ̀s̵͓͇̭t͚̂̑͗̈̆̓ ̗̓͐̉̎o̧͈̪̳͌n̞̖l̪̽͌̓͠ỹ͙̩͉̬̌ͫ͡ ̞ͤ͒̔i̭̺̱ͥ̈͌̆̌̿ͧn̴̰͕̘̭̹͇̅̉̾͛́ͥ ͈̘̦͙͆ͦͤ̿̚͜t͇͈̲͙̼̤ĥ̗̗͉e̥̟̼ͭ̾̚ ̲͔̼ͥ̋̃ͭ̈͟ͅt̞̲̟̫̺͎̤ͥ̏̃̃̌͜r̵̟̰̯̔͋̄̔̓̐û̬ͧ́͌ḝ̣͔̭͍ͩ̋̋ͭ̚ ̱̲̲̞͕̥̥̊̐ț͒ͤ͊ͩͅi͒̑̚m͖̝̊̄͌e̲̘̭̳ͥ̓̍̏̋̅́l̠̠̪͚͉̫͑͆ͥ͑̓i͐ͣn̽̐̓͗͠ḛ̋̊̅.̹̹̬̹͖̩̹̒̌ ̮̬̪̲̖̜͖ͣ͘d̵̜͈̘̹̣ő̝̥̝͒͋̌̈́͒̇͢ ̟̠̰ͮ̑ͣ͜y̹͚o̙̩̙̙̓ȗ̮̲͖̳͔͍ͪ͐ͣ̇̀ ̠͟t͏ȑ͇̬̯͈̭̓͠u͑ͨ̌͏̳̺̰̤̼̜̳ĺ̥̻̗̹̥ͤͣ̚ͅy̢̓̐̏̋̆̀ ̯w̵̰͙̗͓̲̘̘a̢̜͙̞̫̫̣ͪn̞̣͎̊́̀̆̊t͉̖͕̰͖̺̞ͦ̎ͮͯ ̏͂͐̃̽t̨̻̣̘̖̍̒͌̾͌̓õ̗̹̱̝̦̞͋͆̓̅̌ ̓̊̚͢c͇͆ͪ͒e̪̣͉͑͗a̞̻̖̖͍ṣ̞͖͖̰̘̒ͨ̀e҉̯̥ ͇͕̘̻̖̅͂͐ͯ̍̏y͎͖̖̓̆ͣͅo̹̝̮̞̟̲̽́ͅủ̝̖͓̠̙̪̅r̫͓͍̖̜̜̤ ̠̭̎ͬē̮̲̱̤͉̲x͍̦̖į̻̬͈͍̜̱̒s̪̒̍͌͊̇̈́ͧt̙̠̙̲̩͈̩͞e̬̮͍̭̓͒̒̇̌̾n̹̺̻̥̤c͙͍̣ͥ͌ͮ̓̈́e̱͂̓̾ͫ,̣͖͈͐ͭ͑̅͗͠ ̡̻̱̥ͦ̔s̠̗͇̫̹̪ͣ͌͛̽ǫ͕̥͉͎̖̼̎̒̑̈ͭ̈́̒ͅl̻̝̗̘̂̿̔̇ͬ̌̎̕eͩͯͩ̐ͣ҉ḽ̯͖̘͕̝͙̀̇ͫ̍̍̄͟ỵ̮ͮͧ̔̍̽ͬ́ ͍͉f̷̙̬͕ͭ́ͬō͍̙͓͆̿͟ŗ̖̦̮̗̞̐́̓̈̿̚ ̱̈̎̑͗ͣͮt͇͕̥̬̳͂ͪ͊ͨ̍ͪͧh̐͌̾ͮ̇̔ͨe̻̹̪̰̪ͤ̿̒͋̌͘ ͂̄ͤ̉p̸̰͔̝̲̥̪͂̀̑͌̈́́u̮̝͇͍̝̭̯̽̽̎͑̂͂ͫr̰̻̤̘̗̲̿̂̑ͣ͆ͧ͗p̡̮͙̹͊̓o͒͑ͫ̎̄̀̓s̑̉͏̞e̷͚̖͈͙̞̭̒͊̀͊͑ͭ̆ͅ ̱̩̱̌̂ͦò̇̅̐̏̉͂͞f̛̪̩̭̱͕̟̥ͤ̍̄ͬ ̷̹̣̦̱ͪ̉s̺ͯ̊a͔͔̜̭̹̓̄v̸͍̗͓͔̄́̄̃͊̃̄ȋ͕͉̤̲n̂͡g̤̝ͮ̈͊̂͊ͭ̆ͅ ̗̺̼̣͇͌́t͎̫̖̦̚hͧ̿̌ͧe̗̿͑̇̔͆ͮ ̞̻̦͈̯̦͚̇̌̓ͦ͜l̵̞̭̻̭̰̝̎̀̈́̍͋̈i͇ṽ̴͕́̐̃ͦe̦͚͚̻̥ͨ̆ͨͯsͣ̒̌ͪͨͣ ̴͚̞͇͍͋̊̿͋̈͌̚o͇̮̫ͬ̀͘f̡̲̩̂ͨ ̠̼̙̥̦͐̔͗p̠̭ͯͫe̟̙̤̞ͭ͋̎͊̽̆̃o̰̩̟͔̩̍͞p̮̙̬͖ͭ͒ͣ̾̏̀̿l̸̪͚ͪe̫̰̯̣͇̦͓͗̓͠ ̈́̍̽w̻̗̺̰̒̿ͬ̌ͨ͆ͅh̗̦̞̪̪̲ͦͫ́͌͋ͫͅo͛҉̜̣ ͎͆̈́ͫͯ̒́y̶͓̜͕͙ͭ̽ͨ̒̓̐̓o̙̣̩̺̞͈͑́ͪ̿ͭ̀ù̷̼͔ ̹̑ͨ͆͗ͭ̍ͧm̰̲̙̭̈aͯ͗y̛̗͇̲͈ͭ͆̅̿̇̀ͤ ̺̖͚̯́̌͐̌̅ņ̺̝ͬe̢̠͇̮͓̭̮͓̋ͮ̓͒̍̆͋v̄҉̬̜̖̪ȅ̢̖̣̻̹̙̽ͨ̎͑̆r̠̹̭̘̫̐͆ͫ̍ ̇̄͋̄̉m̲̽ͅĕ̹͋ͥͪ͗ͩ͗e̾̑̾̐̂̅͝t̝̰͖͖͕͙͙̃ͩ ̙͎̟̪̺̘̜͂ͨ̔̔̂̿̈͟i̝͎̭ͦ͑̆ͩ̀͠n̒ͨ̃̍ ̙͚̬̲̻̤̼ͬy͌ͭ̃҉̮̗̼o̘̍͑̌ͦ̑ų̥̉͑ͮr̖̝̾̎ͫ̈̇ ̣̦̙̺̓̿̐̀l̦̟̰ͣ͠i͚͇̩ͭ͂̂͂̇̊f͈̟̻͍̪ͨ̓ͬ̿̑è̥̍̔͜?̗̍

Seira: It.. is...

Zaion: no̜̾,̫͇͓̲ ̮͎̠̗̻̤ḍ̖̲̩͔̪ͤͪ̌̊e̞ͨ̅ͬ̚͢s͑ͮͣͯ̄͟p̧̔ḯ̜͚̹̻̂̂̔t͚͋ͮ̾ͨͩͬ͡e̢̟̼͖̦͙ ̖̠͔̳͗ͪ̑̓w͍̥̜̤̙̠ͫ͗̿̑͟ͅh̵͔͉̭ͥ̀̚à͉̼̞̹t͔̿͊̑̃͗͐̕ ̞̘̦͚̎̐͆͛y̹̲̖̻̑̍͐͢ͅo͈̩̱̠̬̜̪ͧͦ͠u̱ ̦͕͇̤̱̓͊a̠̟̙̱̪̠͍͐̽r͕̝̣̞͂̈́̽̋è̢̜͉̳̙͉̻ ̗͍͍ͨͪͪ̿̒̆̌s͚̝̙̓ͩ̓͠a͚̜̩ͥͩ̒͌̂̒y̾̑҉ͅi͔̝̻͕̇͐ͩ̿̔͞n̙̤̉͂̈́g͈̱̳̮̘͓͖̍̆̍ ̯̘͎̰͍̃̋ͬ̄͠ͅk̠̟̩̘̭̥͓ñ̜͓̪̀ͬͅŏ̭̹̘̱̙̪͍͗͡w͎̦̟̠̼ͦ̽,̧̻̟͎ͫ̀ͫ̒͊̉ ̓ͦͣ́̏҉͔̹͉̙̭͔w̺̝̭̳͍̯̜̄ͤ́e̦͉̙̭̣̅͐̎̊́ ̜̯̙̬̤̝̥͂̎͆ͬͯb̦̜̔ͨ̆̾ͣo̥͓͔̜̪ͬͅͅt̃̉̓̈ͤͪ͏̜͖͚ḣ̬̜̰̻̅̍̍ͅ ͔̘͎̺ͣ̎̊̎̉ͯ̚͢k̵̳̫̉n̈́o̤͚̺̯̗͎ͥ̆͟w̢̱͖ ͓͎̪̦͛̾̒̊ͤ̈́̚t̷̗̬̼̓h̬͚̜̟̑ͤ̒̐̚͘ȁ͇̥̳̻͐ͣͦ̇́t̃̊ͦͣ̂̈̏ ̞͉̯̒̽̾ͣ̊̐͝y͚ͣ̽̐̎̏ͨͥo̠̼u͖̹ ̸̥̹͇̹̞̹ṯ͒̈́ͨ̕r͑ü̻͎͉̝̣͎̎̋̀̌̄l̷̔ͤͣy̝̜͈̞̩͉̎͗͊͛ ̛͙ṯ͎̳̤͈̠͔̏̊͒h̩̦̅ͭ̆ͦͭ͜i̞͇͙͖͙ͮͮͧ̾̈n̹̝̓̎ͦ̑̂̑̒͘ͅk̰̃ͮ̕ ̨̖̭̗͖͎ͅẗ̺͉͓ͭͮ̌͒h̳̆͌̋̊̃aͨ͟t̳̮̱̞̳̯̳ͦͣ͠ ̶͇̩̲͙͉͎ͣ͗͊ͅi̲̿͑ͧ̆t͉̮͓ͫͅ ̝͎̹͛i̜̯̗͕̹̟͆̆̀͗́́͗s̢̭̗̥̼̯̋ͪͮ̒̊ͅ ̱̅̒n̸͎̺͉͒o̩̞͎̭̯̳̊͑͋́t̻̩̩̟̒̐ͥ̉ͫ.̩̰̿ͪ̏ͣ̊̆͘ ̱͈̺̮̭̹̊ͫͩ͗͝y̯͇͙̲͍̳͔̑̆̽́̎͢o̝̦̦̰͇̬̊́u̲̳͕͚̰̹̯̎͑ͫ̈̆̒̚'̶̖͔̝̈́̋͂̓r͕̜̠̀̈̂͑̆ͦ̂e̹̥̥̖͓ͩͫ ̞̯͓̞͊̇ͤͯo̦̦̘̦̖̘͍͂nl͚͇̺ͣ͌y̟̝̞̠̫͋ͧ̔̄̏ ̹̯͓̱̫̤̜͋ͮ͒ͦ͂͜p͈̖͕͈͓ͫͅu̫̓͜t̗͍̯͙t̶̹ͩ͛̉ͧ́̓iͬ͏̬̳ņͨ̚g̩̞̝͖̘̤̒̌ͮ͛ ̧̽̄ͬu̝̖̲̬͈̰̜͢p̃ͮ͐ ͌̀t͉̖͛ͤ̔ͭ̎̓̚h̍͒̽ͬ͐i̗̪͉͇͈̪̩ͭͭͤͩ͐̓̀ș̛̗̬̜ͣͥͥ̊͌͆ ͓̍̃͊̃ͤ̅͟a̴͕č͙ͬt̓̈́̈ͯ͊̏͒͏̩͇̹ ̨̭̦̲̩̱̦͖́̂ͬ̐͛̈̋t̵̐́ō͔̘͉͖̐̅̂̏̇ ̨̜̃ͨm͖̜͎̋à̛͕̲͉̾̎͌k̫͙͈͉͙̥ͨ͒̒̚e͎̱̩͗̐̽̋̍̉̆ͅ ̰͇͚̃͐̅̓͒̎͐y̤ͨͥ́ȍ̯̆ͮ̓͗ͪ͝ṵ̗̱̫̝̜̰̊ͦ͝rͭ͊҉s̷̞e̵̠̣͈̫̘͓̾̊̚ḷ̲̂͠f͕̾̏̀̒ ̴̖͖͓̬ͨ́ͫ̆se̟̞̪̬ͭ̎͜ẽ̹̺m̨̏ ̴h̵̺̳͚͖̟̦e̦̦͑ͪ͌͋̓͛̂r̒̇ͧ̑ͭ͛͏̠̰͍̳̼o̜̱̓ͦͬ̏̾ͧ̅ͅi͈̜͓͞c͗ͣͦ̑҉.̰͉͈͕̾ ̒ͭͧ҉š̪͚̫̍u̢̍r̜͔͓̮̝͖̙͂̓͜e͔̟̘͌̅ͧͬͣl̳̲̺̲̩͈̪̍̐ͫy̨̼͕̗̗̘̙ͤͯ̽̇,̿̏ ̢̣͈ͫ̊ͮ̎ͯ̂a̶̟͖̪͇̪̐ͬs͖̤̥̥͚̠̅͟ͅ ͟a̴̗̠̣͙͖̝ͅ ̴̖̐̑̀̔̍̇ĉ̳̮̗̍̋͆͐̈́r̻̟̮͙͍̅̂ͩ̄̄͂͞ͅe̠̲͕̳̯̱ͨͧ̎̿̏̑̑ͅat͍̱͖͓̣͚̪ͪͨi̱̲͇̒̀o̰̗̩̟̅͌ͫn̲ͭ̏͗ͪ̓̆̈ ̎̈́̔ͬ͒̃o̲̩̹͓̿ͯͫͨͅf͔ͨ̉ͬ͋̌̚͟ ̼̮̗̤͙̥͉̑ͧ̓ͥ̇tͮh͖̦͎̱͔͂͗́ȋ̻̘̙͒́̆ͧs̲̜͚̖͉̟̙͝ ͎̖̆́͐̎́͂̒ḑ̹ͭͫͪe̸̘͊v͉̬̮͓͆͞ī̳͓̮͖͑͑c̨̩̯͔͈̥̑ͬͬ͂̋̾e̽ͭ̔ͮͪ͗͐,̡͖̝̘̖̂͑ ̼̑̌̓̈́̊̊͋y̫̍̇͌̏̈́̆̾o̮̲̩̯̿́ͥͅu̦̭̺͍͍̩̪ͨ͋̌͂̔̂r̻̗̠̄͛̌ͥ̉̓ ̩̟̗ͥä̼̬̟̰̒̓ͭ́͗ͧl̍̒ͩ͋̌ͮ̋͝i̙͔̹͙̟ͣͭ̀̓ͪ͘g̯̟͇̱̩̳̱ͯ̀̽ͬ̋͠n̩̥̐͋̇̽m̷̒͆ͮ͗͗̋ͩe̯̽̌͐̒ͦn̬͍̫͓̩ͩͩ̿͝ͅt̤̱͙̗̖̆͊̈ͨ̑ͭ͢ ̂͒̿͑̑̿҉̗̮͔̖̹̩͙cͣ҉͉̗̤a̮̱̦̐n̪̖̻͙ͮͅͅn̼̪̩̝̪̐o͖̱̜̪ͪ͆ͭ̔ͧ͛t͔̼̞ͬ̉̇͂ ̱͓̜̬̗̞͙b̜̗̪̲ͬ̓͐ḙͩ͂͌̍̄̐ͬ́ ̨̱͍̜̂c̷͉̺̥͖o̲̖̞͙̪ͬ͆ͭ́̏͒̔m̷̭͕̯͕ͤ͐p̬ͦ͑l͊̓̚e̹̯͚̒ͨ̎ͯ̅͌t̔̆͗̐̈́e͓̣̰̫͉̥͇̽̎ḻ̘͔̤̦͙̎̊ͤ̔̍ͧͧ͡y̴͉̯͖ͫͨ̅ ̣̰̻̩̄ͅf̌́̎̑͐͢ö͍̰́͠ṛ̷͓ͫ̈́̓͒̾̚ ̻̰͈̥͚͕̞̿͑͆ͪ͠la̸ͥͪ͂w̶̳̦̟͚̩͌͋f̵̐u̶̯̗̞̭̝͚̹̒̐l̡̟͖̔ ̙͆̏̐g͕o̳̜̮͈͖͍̞̓͆̓ͦ̍ͤ͛ọ͖͔̼̘̫ͅḏ,̦̲̱̱̗̩̽̽ͥͅ ̺̰̰͕͍̦͔͒ć͑̌͡ͅȧ̫̳͛͡n̟͍̓̾̾̓̔͟ ̝̬͎̝̗̅̎̾i̇͋ẗ͖̱͖̘́ͧͅ?̝͇͈͔̲̄͑̔̅

Seira: ... I...

Zaion: an͉̗̜̘̯ͩ̂̏͛̚s͖̭͍͞ẁ̡̟̈͗͆͑͊e̟ȑ̥̼̪̺͇̤ͬ͂̒ͦ́̚ͅ ̷̲̲̦̱̪͉ͥͅt̮̹͍̺̬̭̆̀̆̄h̳̭̫̝̦̩͑ͫͭ̅̐̍ë͔͚̳̰̝́̓̂́̕ ̨̫̻̺̥̬̀̀ͩq͚͎̉̃u͖̪̘ͯȩ͕̳͉̩̰̑̂s̞͢t̶͒ͫ̊͊̉̈́͛i̙͕ͭ̊̌̒o̡̹͙̩͓n̴̥̺͓ͯ̓̇̓,̨̮̰̥ ̨̼̣̪͔͕̖͉ͭ̓̓̄a̭͙̋̾n̼̅͢ͅd̫͕͋̍̾ ͨ͏̙̥̯̳ͅt̶r͐ù̷̙͈͚̱ͭ̓̇́ͨͨt̞͉̜͔͚̔̀͆̾ͩͫh̷̭̞̹̝͎̥̓f̜͎̰̖̮̬uͭl̟͇̭̠͇̹l̼̬̟̞̞͔̑̊ͧ̀̚y̵͉̦̯͈ ̘̻̮̩̲͙͛́̓̅ͥ̂͗͘t̂͐h͉i̱̻̽ͧs̙͢ ͇̖͔̺̓̓t̬̖ͤ̃i̮̱̫̼͉̠m̰̬̱̳̞̩ͯ̉̿ͩ͗̾͒̀e̥̣̹ͣ.͓̌̚ͅ ̛̜̐͆i͈̱ͣͧ͋ͦ̒͢ŝ̭͕̆ͭ͒͟ ͔͕̙̲͙͘ͅt̻̝̪͉͖̰h̝̱̜͌͌ḭ̶̟͖ͣ͐s͚͈͖̲̒̎̔̄͊̈ ͙ͮ̽̀̽̀͐f͙͍̱̖ͯ͗͂̉ā̈t͓̗̂͜e̷̪͉͇̔ͭ̊ ̘t̸̹̰͇̃̈́̔̽ŗ̱̟̓̓̑̎͂͗ṳ̻̝̖̩͙͉͂l̷̬̗̣̈́y̢̦̥͇̤͇͊̋ o̺͈̣̤̣̱ͮ̒̅͆ͨ̃ň̥̼̬͑̐͡ę͚̟̤̹͕͚͉ ̥͍̭͇̬̝́̅͋̉ͅt̴ͩ̍͐̎ͬͪ͐ḣ̝͎̝̝̜̟͖̒̐͗ͭ̓̎ä́ť̖̇ͮ ̘̮͎͚̩̹͔̇ͤ͆́ͦͩ́y̻͖̮̠̦̬̓̍̃͝ȍ̡̺̠̠̙̺̠̃ͥ̒͒͆ͅu̫̼͈̹̳͐̈́̈́̊̉̈́̓ ̜͓̘͇̩̹̮̂̑ͧ̔̌͛͠ä̻͉̼͉́̌̀r̗̞͎̲̖͚̓̌͗̆̍ͬ̋͡ḛ̺̭̤ͥ͒͋̏ͩ ̶̗̳̱͉̹̬͂̐̿ẁ̬̮i̮̗͔̻͗̇ͫl̶̙̪̩̥͎̻ͯͣl͓̦̼̬̼̮ͅî̯̺̣̱ͩ̾ͩͨn͖̫̖̹̞ͩ͂͐ͥǧ̤͋ ̡̞͎̉̌ͅt̷̹̖̜̫̟ò͇̙̤̜̱̒̿̏̋͆ ̵̥̹a̠̲̭̠̪͉̤͌̆ͣ̾̽ͭ̚͞c͕̬̱̼̺̅̃ͬ͂͆ͩ́c̖̃͡e̛̪͍̤̬̟p͇̟̃̈̏͐ͅt̸̹̫̫͕?̩̘̘̙̜̭͠ ͍̣͔̪͕̜͈́i̧͓̬ͩ͋͌͋̀͆f̖̬̲͊̅̎̿̄̑ ̡̖̦̌s̖͓̳̖ͪ̉͂o̵̩̥̩̤̯͔ͤ̑ͯ͂,̴͍̫̲ͮͯ͒ͣ̇ ̸̺̯̪̣̲̚t̨̠̫͉̆h̴̬̘̎̑̔̋̓ͪè̛͎̝̗͓̃ͤ͆n̬͇̰̳̠͗̐ͦ̒͋ ̻̱̜̬͉͉̼i̺ͮ̽̄̀ͮ͊ ̓͑̈̋ͭ͆̅͏̩̠̻̺͎̦̯s̥̤̼̬̣̠ͪͧ̌̆̉̇͋h͒ͦ͐a͎͈̗͔ͨ̽ͧ͗̃̀̉͢l̪̳͎̯͍̲̫ͥ̏ͫ͊̔̅̍l̷̄ͦ͐̑ ̞̳͎͍̼͍̰͊͊̅w͆̓ͦͦ̚͏͍͉̺̥͓̠͇ĩ͕̻̟͇ͣͬ͛ḻ̞̠̃̿̒̆̄l̶̒̓ͨ̇́̓i̖̪̭͚̹̒͗͠n̰̞̳̙̫̿̃̎̿̚ğ̵͕̳͇̼̳̌l̝̹͎̯̃̾͒y̖̺̏̇̇͗̾ ̔͊̉̅͐a͌ͧ̾͐̇̐̏l͈̙͚̣̖ͥ́͌͊̏ͫ̈͠l̺̯̋͐͛̽ͪ͜o̴͙̞ͩ̇͑̄̍w͔͔̤̱̄ͮ̓ͮͩͯ̉ ̹͐̑̐̾̆͘m̏̓ͨ̎҉̹͉y̛̰̗̫̻͍͂̿ͅ ̸̬̤̱̳͔̤ͧ͂ͅc̲͎̱ͬ͐́ͯ̊͜r̲͖̖͚e̲̖̭͕̠̗̜̐͋a҉͉t̴̳̤̆̑ͤ̃̈i̛̬͙̞ͫͦ̋̈́ͤͩ͋o̭̣̩͓͉̜͒ͬ̃ͩ̊̏̔̕n͍̙̳ͣ̅͋̋̒ͩ ̟̭̣̜̙̆̕ț̾͌ͮ̽ͮ͞o̘̹͓̝͋̿̆̀̓ ̎ͧ̐̈̋͋͊́ḇ͊̓ͫe̛̝̗̗̫̘͈͉ ͕̙̀̚dͅe͕̪̞̟̯͒͊s͔̲̦̲̮ͫt̮̰͂̈r̞͙͔ͬ͐͆̆̚̚ọ̠̜͕͔͋̕ÿ̻͕̦̤́̈ͩ͊̏ͣ̆e͖̘̮̖̊͌͂͊͢d͎͚̼ͬͬ.̣̍͑͋̄̃̓

Seira: .......

I couldn't answer the question. Though in my heart, I knew what was the right thing to do. To just say yes. But I couldn't. She was right, I didn't want to just stop existing. And even though she said that it was because I had been created from the Book of Shadows, I myself did not believe that to be true. I would not allow myself to just use that as an excuse. There was a selfishness in my heart and mind that went deeper than what being its' creation could have affected me.

Zaion: w̡̱͔̄ͫ͑ͮe̸̤̥̥͖ͦ̅ͪͧͭ̎ͧl̥̠̅̅ͥ̄l̳̤̼̼̭̥̟,̠͎̟͕ͩ͌͒͂͢ ͎̼̭͉̿͋w̑͛̂h͙͊̌͑̿ͭ̇͢ả̮͒͐̋̐̇t͆̉ͦ̌҉̞̦̩̟̳ͅ ̧̖̞̠̩̙͙̩͐͌i͓̽̈́ͨ͗ś̕ ̴̗̗͈͚͇͓́̓ͪ͒͊ͦ̚i̲͓̮͇̺̻̓̽ͯͯ̾ͩt̗̦̥̣͕̊͂̈́͑̈́͢ ̠̥̬̣̦ͤ̚t͉̞̹̲̭͎̏̐̓͊ͅh̹̯̅e̛͕̜̳̠͆̓̀̔͒n̮̙̝̤̺̝̾͋?́ͭ͆̀̓̚̕ ͎͓̺͇̌̽͒̃̄̇ͪd͉̫̩͚̼͞o̎ͭͤ́ ͙͛̓̍̎̈ͤy̳̦̲̝̘o̸̰ͪ̋̌ͦ̔u͕̣̹̇ ̘̘͍́w͙̺͓ͬ̑ͧ͒̓͐̐ǎn͓͕̯̝ͤ̔ͨt̺ͫͣ͛̑̔ͯ ̝̣̈́ͭͅi̎́t̺̦͙͓̼̪͙́ͬ̌̒̎̉ͬ͝ ͂̍̀̿͜ṭ͑̓ͮoͧ̈́͒ͭ̔̐͏̲̘͕ ̠͇̣̩̭̙̥ͨͭ͢b̠̤̜̘̔ͥe̥̖͔͙̖̣͋ͣ̃́̆ ̤̠̳͊d̶͇͕̮͈ͣę̻̹̝̖͕͇ͥs̲͐̌̾t̤͍̦̩̬͍͕̿r͞o̬̺̗͔ͭ̾ͪͣ̃y̰̺͊̃ͪ̆ê͌̅͌͆͌͂d͈̲̝̓͊ͬ̇ͭ ̣̰͇͛n͎͎͓̤͕̓̂̆͐̅ͣ̍o̟̎w̫͌̕,̰̳̱̝͟ ͈̞ͨ̌̐͌ͩ̍͜b̗̍̍ë͈̳̪͙̹̟́̈́ͩ̿̃̔̈f̪ͥ̕ö̳̰́̅ͪ͑͒̚r̖̖͕̙̊̔ͫ̋̆e̪̻̅ ̬̲̼̳̫̥̤̽̒y̼̦̟͊̏ͧ̔o͔͇̙͔̠͊͡uͫͭ̌ͨͦ̃͋͏̭̮̗͖̭r̢̯̲͔̬̘̹̉̾̀̅͂ ͈͍͚͎̬̇̓̂̀ͨc̏̓ͥͫ̾͏̭̺̠ͅr͕̞̩̮̪͒̔͢e̺̠͔̗̊̋͒̚a̟̖͔͑ͮ͊͌̈̈́ͨ͝ṯ̞̏̀̾̒͂̄i͇̥͓̭̰̼̇͌̽ͫ̒̕o̭n̞̥̻̟̗ͧ͑͑̏,͙̲̺̘̹́ ̵ȃ͓̜̠̦̳̱̋ͥ͗̚n̗̜̬͔̲̈̏͌͜d̪̼̗̈́́̇̒ͬ̈́ ͕̪̤͔͖̿̌ͅt͆ͮ̄ͯ̓̃ͬ͏͚̩̤͈̲̝ͅo̢ ͖͈̓̔ͩͪͬ͡h͉̙̬͈̣̆͂ͩ͆̾ͦ̉ą̻̖͈͉v̢͇͈e̫͔̮͉̦̥ͦ͌ͣ̂͊̈̏͞ͅ ̨̺̰̥̮̖͎̂ͩy̛̼̠̙͍̍ͫͅỏ̧̫̬͓͇̦ͮ̿̿͆u̳̼͐͊̔͝ŗ͔̹̤ͮͯͫs̠̳̦ͫ͐̎ͪ͒͌ȩ͎͌̽͆̽ͤl̨͖̙̎f͎̖̞̝͔̙̕ ̳̣̱̰͇͛̃s҉̺͎̯t̘̞̮̣͂ó͍p̖ͪͬͩ̀͛ͨ͟ ̶̠͔̫̣̠̮͑̈e͈͎͔̽̆̍ͥ͘x͚̙̣̝̭͉̉̃̓̿ì̗͍̗̣̙͍̜s̳̉t͓͗͒̂͟iͮͨͬ҉̘n̙̦͕̘̒ͪͦ̋͢g̦͙̤̤̑̎̏̽?͙͉͎̪͉̤͚ͮ ̼̦ͮ̈͒ͦ͘ó̫͒̃̄̓ͩr̸͉̥͇͖̍͗̓͆ͩͦͮ ̵̱̫̞̝̰w̽̐ͨ͆ͬo̠̊ͣ̓̑̏̚uͤ̅͑̕l̢̇d̴̥̞̻̈́̔̆ͅ ̪̗̗̳̻y͖͍̘̪̞̠͆̽̌̃ͫ̑o̴͎̲̭͔ͬ͒̓̚uͨ҉͖͎͉ ̸̠̬͓͎̳͊ͧ̈̓̒r̰̝̟̰͙̆̉ͩ̀̚à̊̍҉t̺̻̉ͅh͎͓͉̺̃ͨͭ̑̕ę̟̥͓̏ͮͣ̊r͖̼͓̠̀͒ͯ̈̚ ̒͜a̟̮̔ͣ̽͑ ͇̰͇̹͔̩̦ͨ̔̄̒̒͌͠ḏ̸̣͆̽̌ͦͧ̏̚ī͙͒̊͞f̮͕̣ͮ̍ͬ̓ͩf̲̃̐͗͌͆e̟̩̘͈͙̪̽ͯͤ̂̍̾̍r̗̞̗̜ẹ̗̩̠͡ͅň̯̟̍ͬͭť͍͕̮ͬ̇̉͗͜ ̢̜͉͆fa͙͍̪̙̽͐ț̟ͯe̯͓̥̦?̯̻̠͉̼̰͇͛̿͊̃͝

Seira: ...

I couldn't answer. I felt that either choice was horrible. I tried to respond once, but my throat immediately dried up. We stood there in silence for a few moments longer.

Zaion: y̨͖͈͚͆ͯ̅o̻͍̱̮̦̅̐̂̃͝u̝̮̺̮̿̓͑ͫ͛̔ ̭̩̯͍̝̭̜̂ͧ͗͛̐c̽̂̔͌̑͌͏̻͚̰̪̙͎̬ā̝̬͓̑n̢̝̣̓'̛͒ͩ͑̂́̇̚t̞̯̙͎͇̦̮ͮ̒̒̀̅ ̷͍̰̗̯͎̽ͤ̓d̨̰̠̈̎́͋̾͆é͙̲͕͕̳͖̲͛ͦc̴̲̩͎i̠͔̥͙̞ͪ́d̖ͥ̌̒̂͛ͬͯe̤̞͈̳,̖͙̖̙͛ͯ̈́͌ͦ ̸̼͌ͣͫ̇̑̈̑ẗ͖̰͕̻̙ͯ͞ͅh̨̗̗̤̜̞͚̟̏̉̇e̦̟̜̥͈̟̍ͨͫ̏͗n͍̟̠̣͋̃͗̓? ̵̲͈̦͕͋ͮ͆ͩ͌͗ͧi͉̥͍̬ͮ͋t̤̹ͪ̈́ͣ́'̣̻͎͚ͧ̅͑̄͑s̛͖͎͙͎̺͙̤͊͛̇̄ ̟͈͖͍̩͎̐ͩ̆ͨầ̼͚͚̬̜ͥͣͧ̌͐ ͗ͩ͏͖̜͚̮̱̼h̾̄͂͑̀͑a̜̙̳ͦ̊ṙ̩̫͕̘̣͔̝͗ͣ̅d͉̣͟ ̥̋̃̑̏c̟̼̯̞̯͇̆ͨ͌h̴̖̭̩̜̩͔ͯo̡̻̖̼ͤ̏̿̿ͥi̛̠̖̚ͅc̴̘͕̟͌ͬ̃̑ͦ̓eͫͧ̇͆͋ͤ́҉̫,̴̟͍̘̼̗͙ ̡͈̼͇̠͎̲̉̓̐ͅi̒̐̌͗͝s̫̳͎̯̫̗n̔'͕̏͆̽ͯ̊̃ṭ͉̯̽͋͑͆ ̟͈͎́į̼͕̩ͧt̶̟͕̺̯͚͛̓̇͂͊?̌ͤ̈͂̽҉̬

Seira: ...

Zaion: .̗̣ͧ.̪̻̙̎̀.̥̙̰̝ͣ̿̈́ͅ ͔̭̭̳̪̈̀͗̿̄ͭͦmͭ̐̑ͩ͌ͪͮ́a͚͕̣̦͎̽̽͂͂̇͢y̖͎̭͎͊ͫ̏ͯ̂̔ͣb̶̪̘̠̞̪͇̾ͫ̽̆͐̔e͔̗̖̟̅̅̕ ̆͐͘y̴̤̭͇ͦo͓̹͈̊̒̄̾u͍̖ͯ̈͒̍͗̋̉͞ͅ ̧̬͕̖̩̦͊ͤ͌ͣ̆̎̚d̺̭͔̺̖̗̦ͪo͖͓͈͙͎̝̐ͨͤ̐ͬ̃͞n̥̜͙̗̭̱͍̂̍̊ͦͯ'̸̯̯̜ͤͭť̹̦ͨ ͈̤͎̭͢h͙̤̬̒ͪ̈̉̈̍ͤȁ͙̗ͨ̀̑̍ͫͬ̕v̼ȇ̪̳̾̄́̂ͦ͗ ̡͙͙ͣͧ͌̃̚t̫̝͖̺̚o̜̥͎͇̳̳̯ͭ̎͋ͧͧ ̱͖̄ͤ̂̓m̠̪̙̟a͌̋͋̉k̠̬̆͌̐̋ͯ́e͔̠̪͙̾̌͊͗ͩͯ͞ ̤͕̫̘͂ͣͩ̏̏̈t̢͕̹̿̎͗̔̌̀̍h͓̣̲̣͙͎ͧe̴̪͙̭̠̺̟̣ ͨ̏̏҉͉̳͍͓c̮̀̈́̅̿h̬͈̿ͮ̅ͭ̑̄͛o̸͔̘̪͖̓͊̀ͪḯ̔̈ͪ͞c̹̩̘͓̓̊̾͆e̞̙̜̰̙͕̜ͧ.̄̇ͩ̾ͮ͂ͫ̕ ̨̬̎ͬ̀̈y̡̬̫͔̟̝̞̿o̯͉̰͚ù̥̫̰͖̼ͣ̈́ ̛̬̪̈́̏̉ͩ͌͊ͣc̨̩̖͙̙̥ͅã̢̹̝̰̻̩͉n̞̹̖̪̩̓̉ͧͪ͟ͅ ̂́ͯ́ͭͅh̵a̭͕̭̣̮̟͋̐́̇̍̀v̧̼́̇ͧ̓̓ͦe͍̣̙͎̙͆́͛ͅ ̼̞̱̍ͫ͑ͧ͞i̺̘̥̩ͫ̿ť͛̇ͩͨ ̝̘͍̂ͥ͟b̳̕o̼̱̼̜̦̹ṫ̺̞̯͕̼̲̻̓ͫ͑͂͆̃h̳̺̖̫̝͈̅͐̂̋͂͋ͩ ̞̬͂̆̓ͨͅw̸̯̗̼̺̦͈͐͛͗͒̃͂̇ḁ̛͌ͭy̮͓͖̟̎͋͑ͣͅs̪̼̫̱͚̻̭̑ͪͮͤ̌͊.ͬͤ́̎

Seira: ... What? What do you mean??

Zaion: y̡̞̯̯̼̐o̼̦͙̱̦̻̻ͮ̈́͆̄͒̏u̷̗ͪ ̮̱ͫ̈́̓̓͞ͅwͩ̊̍͊͜a̢͈̠ͧn̺͙̰͉̯̜͑ͣ͒͊͜ͅṯ̽́͑ ̗͇͚̪͕̆̀̈̐̕t͋o͈͖ͥͣ̅ͧ́ͬ̄͢ ̋͋̆̐̄ͯ̌҉̣̬̫͍̩̩͎k̩̪͍̳̲̞͉̅͛̔̈́͆̔e̜̮͆̆̔͛ͨe̫͈͞ͅp̫̺̍͟ ̮̤̬̽̎̆̚e̙̣̍̓ͥͭ̚xͫ̌ͮ̍͆͏̤͚̗͇i҉̻̦͇̯͎̝șͧ̐̽ͮ͐ͤt̝̟̪͉͍̠͗͒ͅi̲̜͖͖̙̒͗̓̿̓n̫̲͆͊ͭ͗͒ͯͬg̬̙͇̋͗ͦ.͖̪̙̟̏́ ͙͈̫̘̎͗b̖̻͈̟͓̓̃̌̈́͝u̔ͥ҉̥t̾ͦ҉̙͖̯͖ͅ ͦ̎y̖̫͉̙̬̟͋͆̊ȍ̧̖̘̤̓u͚̓ ̧̌ͫ̆̊ͣ͗a̍̂̾̋̐̿͏͎̯̦̹̮̟͔l̻̰̹͕͍ͩ̄s͏̩̬͖̭o̼͎̫̟̯̣͍͗̇̍̐ͫ̉ ̱̅ͨͯw̦̯͙̥̹̠̮a̦ͦ̆́nͦ̏̇ͥͯ̈͑͏̰̱͕t̥̺̦̖̊̎͠ ̬̪̩̙͞t̴͉̜̘̣̺̥h̬͘e̻̼͎̱̟͛ͤ̌ͬ ̶̻͇̺̋̾́bͫ͏̣̮̥̖̼o̝̜̪̝ͫ̅͠o͝ḳ̨̾͆ ͆̅ͧͯ́̐͑͢t̺̯̝̞͢o͔ͥ͒̽̔͋̚̕ ̡̱̖͇̥͙̺͎̔b͌̅͗ͦ҉͉̺͚͚̩͇̜e̵͐ͥ̑̌̂ ̪̠͌d͖̮̬̭̥̙ͥ̑̾͋̚e̱͔͔̾̉ͭ͊ͣ̏sͫ̂̓̍t͓̻̜̙̜̒̃r̹̦͎̤͓̮͊͆̿o͍͚̦͍̳͝y̧̤̜̲̪̓ͯêͣ̆̑d̰̂ͥ̽̅̚.̨ͭ͌̍̅̃ ̡̠̞̬͂̿̍̍̏́a͇̹̱̭̝̳͐͞f͇̮̠̗̤̉́̀t̢̼̜̻̝̗e̫̋̒ͤ̃r̶͈͈̱̺̱͔͚͊ ̩̻̻̲̣̆̒̓ͣi̧͌͋ ̪̟͎̳̺̱̣̔̀͋̐c͕̏̊ͧ͊ͩr̵̻̜͇̹̼̞̝̄ͮ͒̌e̫̹a͠t̩̱̮̖̬̜͖ͮͣ̿̇ͧe͎̪̥̻̩̩̯ͫ̾͗̃͢ ̥̫͓̰̞̼ͦ͂͠ý̠͎̯̦̗ọ͚͊ͤ͌ͨ͐̿͜ŭ̻͛,̤̫̤͉̈́̏ͩ̊ͮ ̰ͥ̌̉͂͒ͦͅͅy̳͒o̫̫̼͕̣͍ͭ͗͌̎̚ụ̴͉̣̼ͪ͐ͅ ̩̮͎̟͚̂̂ͣͩ͋c̴̭̣̟̭̳͊ͧ̉́͐̃a̰̎̏ͤn̗̝̱̪̩͇ͧ̀ͥ͆ ̲̣̔̏̂͒̈́j͙̰͇̼̼ͣ̇ṵ̡̽̂͗͐͋̆s̗̍ͯ̍ͮ̓t̻̘̠̹ͭ̽̎̄͛̒ ̨̜̮͉̘̜̹̩d̸͚͍͈̝ȅ̥̤̗ͮͧͦ͐s̗̼̪͈̤̮̎̂̈̎͒̀͟t̡͓͆̎ͭͪ͂r̮̳̞̰͖̎̐͡o̎͋̄y͖̣̠̣̟̍͋̑͋͌͊̄ ̼́ͩ̍ͦͯt̵̼ͧ͆h̃҉̝̲̯̤̝̗e̝͙̤̹͟ ̞̟̳͍̖̗ͧͧ̐ͪ̚b̛̃̋̈͋͂ơ͎̩̗ͩo̩̭̿ͮ́̏̚̚k͚̆̌ ̭̼̐̔ͧ͌ͨ̈͗a͈͇̗̿͆͑͒ͤͅs̾̎ ̬͖̤̲̺̳̼͗͊y̬̫̩͖̘͚ͨ͞ŏ̰̗̬͉͙̐ͮ̎̾̄ͅu̡̟̣͚͈͚̍̽ ̲̭̞̠̼̿ͨ̚h̭͎a̘̖͇ͫ̾͛v̛̰̝̳͂̈̑ͨͨ͆̒e͔̘̪̟̜͖͐̊̾͋ ̩̟̽̑ͭḯ̔̔͞t̼͇̤̹̫̦͓̐͆̑ ̧̠̬͇͕͌ͩ͂͌n̛̦͖̥̰̺͖͌̾o̷̹̥̞̓̃w̙̺̖̩̏͂ͨ.͈̯̯͊ͩͣ̃͛̒̓ ̓ͤ̆͠ḁ͔̪̞̳n͌ḍ͇̪͉ ͖̦̒̄̄̄ͥt̛͎͈̩̫̤̫h̭̰̻͚̃̓̔eͯͤ̏͊ͩ̂҉̳͚ͅn̷̼͚̜ ̴͙̗̻̺̜͕̻ͣ̅̋͐͊t͖̭͙̜̳̣ͬ͋̓̑͜ẖ̪͉͙̾̋ͫ͑ͯ̒͡ǎ̮͉̗̦̪̭̂̂̓̿ͧ͆̕ţ̤͈͙̐ͪ̍͗̈́̌ ͚̖̪̬̳ͯͥ͠w̜͂̐̅͂͐ͫ͂i̗̠̺̦̝̤̿͊̃ͦl̨͍̍ͮ̓̒̒̒l̯̥͍̩̂ ̟͈̓ͦͣ̒b̭̠̟͚̮e̯̜̦̺͊͑̋̿ͤ͂ ̭ͥͤ̈̿̄̽͋͡į̯̯̼̦͛̌t͔̂̒̃͑ͦ̾̅.̺̣͂ ̮̙͙̱͓̾͂͘ͅd̴ͪͩ͗͗ǫ̑ę͇͍͉̝͓̼̹̉ͩͪ͐s͛́ͮͮ͠ ̹͂͒ͦt̪̜̩̪̙̣̥h̲̝̲̠̠͇̰͋͂̾̇ă͎͚̳͔̜̰̠ͩ̈̅t̯̱ͨͦ ̰͟șͬ͝ͅo͈͍̼͔̯̫̽͋ͩͬų̙̗̤͍̳̱̺̆n̺d͚͎̰̞́̊͒ͯ͂̔̌ ͌̃ͤ͐̓̀̚ͅl̛͈͈̭͔̣̅̀̈i̡͎ͣͫ̑k̥͇̺̥̯̗͌̓̈́ͮ͟ḙ̼ ̝̣̙̱̾ͩ͆͌̓̇a͏̞ ̸̣̤̩͍͓̊̇̿́̋͗g̨̪͙̹͎̥̪̃̓̋ͨͤͫọ͈̖͆̓͠ó͈̹͓ͮ̑d̟̹͚͓̮̥̲̽ ̡̪͍ͬͥ̓̒i̫̱̺̳̔͛̅̔ͨ͞d҉̰̠̺̜̦͈e͓͙̯̗ͤa̢̪̺̱͖̜̔?̯͙̝

Seira: ...

Zaion: w̨̞̣̩͉̝ͮͧͦ̊ͅè͔ͫ̍͆̿͡l̥̺̳̰̅͑͊͛̚l̤͇̗̿͐̀̍͊͛̀.̛̓̀͌.̙ͥ̀͋̉̐̽.̲͙͉̳̣̖̦͊͊̋͛̄̿ͧ ̷͔͔ͧͥ́̆̄͂̓s̛̰͇͆̉e̯̓͌i͚̭͒͊ͣͦ̃͟ṛ̵̬̟͓̲a̶̙̫ͬͨ?̟̭͈̓̓̅͒̓

Seira: Why... Why should I trust you know? How am I to know that you aren't under its' influence, just lying to me in order to get your way??

Zaion: .̝̯̙̻̥́̋ͭͯ̏͂͞.̠̫͗̂͂͠ͅ.̽̎҉̼͎͕̹̮.͍̘̳͚̐͗̑ͧ̇ͯ͞.̬̟͍̜̥͕̃̌.̘̣̺̣͔ͣͦͩ͌̒ͪ͢.͖̍̾́.̡̦̬̲̞̟̋̆ͯ̏̄.̛̥̠̼̮͔̰̿͂ͨ̊.ͯ̿ͩ̃͜.͔̬̺̼̱̙̲̂͐́.͓̜̳̹̦̝ͩ̕.̰̝̪̀

Seira: Tell me... How can I know to trust you?

Zaion: i̤̦͖̞ ̱̆̌̔̈́̃͊͒g̮ͬ̅͂̎u̗̱̺̅͑͗͗͞ḙ̙͂s̾͌ͭs̶̮͉̭͎̻̹͚ͣ.̸̠͖͓̼̒ͪ̍ͤ͆͛ͦ.̟͜.̐ ͙̬̦͓͖͚ͧ͂̔͌ͮ͐͛̕y̗̲̙̘̮͋̂͗́ͅo͉̖͙͚̯̊̑ͧͥ̾ͅủ͚̮͉͓̖̥̗͊͛̐̈́ ̄c͚͉͙̤̩͖̮ͩͨ͊͝ä̴͔̂̌̆́ͩ͗n̘͚̪̙̭̪͆ͧ͆ͯͤ̃̔'̡͈̱͍̤͍̘̏͑̒t̘͑̍̍̂ͬͫ́.͔̺̬̞̲ͪͬ ͔͇̱̥ͤ͘b̫͔̹̲̟̟̱̄͂̎̿̈́̏̌u͔̞͖̘͑̍̐t̛̬͖͓͕̹̬̍ͦͩ̓ͮ̃ ̩͈͍́ỹ͂ͤ̏ͥ͛o̢͙ͨͥ͂ͮ̓ủ̵̜̒ͩ͗͌̈ͯ ͙̥̼̖̩͌́ͅh̆̒ͯ͞a͇̪̻̠̥͂̐̓̏̇̒̊v̘͕̾̊̄̑͑͋ě̘̏̅ͭ̚͟ ̲̭͑̆͊ͬͨ̈́ͯn̪͕͇̝͖͐o͍̻͉̻̣̝͆͋̂̚ ̢̱̝͙͖̼̮̣ͩb͉̬̰̱̘͈̮͆eͣ̅̂͢t͉̗͎̜̙̿ͧ̀ͥ̀t̤̮̮̝͖͙͇͛̉͗͜e̛̠̞̳͕̽ͣ̉ȑ͉̻̰̣̟̩͉ͯ̌͞ ͖̹͙̙̱̥̋̓̒ͯͧ̀́ͅs̮̱͈̦͌̆͂̚͜ō̠̞̬̙̆͞l̪̦͇̜͉ͧͩͦ̏u͔ͨ̉̂̐̑͝t͐̓̓̔͏̣̫̘i͕͚̮̩̞̠̋̔ͅo̪̼ͨ̃̌͛́̚ṅ̢̩̼ͥ̋͋̀̚ͅ.̞̘̾

She was right there. I had nothing to say in response to this.

Zaion: t̺̹̝ͪ͋̿̑̇͐͊͞h̬̯ͧ͆̀̉̇a̶̖̹̳̦ț̶̖͈͓̬͑̍ͥ̂̿ͪ̃'̮͉̬͕͌͗̑͂̾͝s̬̄̐̈́̇͗̒͂͠ ͈̩͉̬̞͋̄̾̚͜w̨͕̞̭̪͚h̓ͫ̐҉̠̯͚͙͔̖a̤͗͂tͫ̏̈́ͣ͟ ̗̦ͪ̔͐ͭ̃̚͠i͊ͮͤͬ͐̍͢ ̧̫͇͕̥̣̜t͚̺̅͑h̟̬͕͓̔̎̈́o͇̘̥ͦͭͧ̈͌uͧ̀̿g͔̭̺̞̯̝̥̅͘h̙̥̤̅t̖̠̻̺̂ͮͮ̆ͤ̈́̇.̈̚ ̈͊̑n̋ͩͣ͌o̧͈͎̮͙̱ͭ̀͌̊̆̔w̨̞̘͖̭̪̯̰͂͋͋͆̚,͉̜̮̩̭͚̆̇́ ̠̝̭͕̜̦͙̅͐ͥͧ̃͊͗͝l̖͞ẻ̬̲͔̪͖̽͑̍̎̉́t̊͐҉'͔͆ͥ͛̈́ͫs̰͈̓͊ͨ̆̂ͅ ̠̺͊ͯ̅̓b͉̮̰̮̭̘͔͛͛ͩͦe̲̼͎̜̹̲̎̀̕ḡ̓̋ͦ҉͙ḯ̏̈́̓̿͠n̿ͬͩ̓.͙͓̏ͯ͜

Seira: ...

With an uneasy sigh, I stood there. She opened up the Book and began her spell.

Zaion: Ṡ̵̷̢̰̮̲̪̦͕͍͔͓̳̺̝̯͚͍̩͎̜̟ͣ̂̄ͩ͋ͨ͊̑ͩ͑̐̉̒i̶̡̢̪͖͈̘̰̠͛ͦ̆ͯͧ͒̌̑ͮ͗̿ͦͥ͗ͩͬ̍͠nͩ̐ͪ͋ͣ͆͐͑̿̈́̆͂͊ͬ̽ͨ̆̔҉̷̯̣̖͍̯̙̖̪͍̘̲͙͡ͅö̵̖͉̱͇̻̝͇̲͚̤̹͖̯͈̜́͌͛͆ͥ̈ͦ͒̇ͥ̅͗̓ͪ̈́͛̽̀͟͡ ̩͍̲̠̟̘͇͔̘̠̦̮̩̮͌ͯ͛̇ͥ́͡m̬̲̘̙̺̻̟̱͓͚̫̜̞͍͕̘͊̊ͣͫ̆ͧ͑̂̍ͧ͊̋ͩ̅́̚͝͡ḙ̸̸͈͕̺͔̺͈̮̩̮͎̺̫̮̱͉ͦ̀́͆̽͋͒͌̃̈̂͝͡a̵̴̞̥͎͖̳͖̝̘̦̮̹͕ͪ͂̓ͨ͂̆͐̑ͦ̅̇͑ͭ̚͞͡r̸̰̻̳̱͗ͯͧ̄͊͑ͥ̓̌u̙͓̲̭͎̩ͯͫ̈́̿̽̈̓͘͜͞͠ͅm̙̹̖̘̹̟̼͈̫̞̯̝͖̋͑ͪͯ̄̇͐̆͛̑ͪ͒̇̕͝ ̡̤̙̮̻̦̳͓͂̅ͣͣ̏͢p̫͙̭̰͕̪͕͙̞͙͍̬̜̯̘̺̦̌̍̍̔̇̈̐̽̀̕͠͠r̷̜̰̜̬̝̦̞͇͓̺̭̻̭̬̭͇̗̬ͨ͊ͣ̍͗͒ͦ͌̚̕͜͞oͦ̀͂͊͂ͨ̎̓̾̊ͯ̈́ͥ́̃͑ͮ̌͠͏̴̵̣͔̗ͅḏ̰̥̫̫̻̟̻̟̗̬̝͚͚̜ͪ͛̈́̀̊̈́͛͆̽ͤ͂̄̉ͧ͌́͞͠ͅi̧̧̭̩͖̳̙̹͚͉̮̩̾̌̀̽ͣ̅̓̃ͧ̓ͅȓ̙̙͚̺̳͖͕͎̤̹̖̞̤̻̮̥̓̑̉́͟͠ę͚̖̣̗̱͙̦͓̤͈̰̦͔̟̌̏ͭ̇̎̓̌̊ͨ̀̈̋ͨ̚͝ͅͅ ̷̧̙̰͉͕͉̱̯͓̟̥̬̠̠͙͖ͣ̇͆̆ͅi̶̪̼͙͎̜̝̩͇͈͇͆̉̑̑ͨ̔̍͐ͦ̀̓̕͜͡n̸͒̑̄͊ͯ̂̐͂̆͒ͧͤ҉̨̭͙̰̺͜ ̧̲̺̤̼̣̹̖̭̞̪͙͒ͯ̾̐ͭ͋̽̑̇̑͌ͤ̈ͩ͒̀͟ͅě̡̠̤̦̞̟͍̞̦̰͔̻̟͕͖͐̈͑̌͜͞s̵͎̫̙͚͚͈͔̭̬͐̔̀ͬͦ̓̂̕̕͢ͅs̊͛͂̒͂ͨ͛̒҉̖̻̹̱̭̩͕̱̳̭͠͞ę̫̝̻̦͎̰̗͍̞̪̖͙̺͇͈̯͚͂ͫͫ̔̿́̍ͥͥ̈̋͒͌͌̿͘͘ ̷ͪ̄̒ͤ̍ͨ͗ͭͧͥ̈͐ͧ̍̎̿́͡҉̰̝̙̥̫̬̪͈̙͖̞̻̮͍̮̲̭̘ͅď̡̊͛̈̃̆͂̽͗ͮ̈ͣͤͥ͐̋̚̚͞҉̨̢̠̯͙̰͚̺̮̤͇̬̦̲̞̪̥͚i̡̡̦̗̥̪̭̠̝͎̦͊͐̂ͬͦ̉̿̋̔͋̍ͥ̄̽̌͋̇͒̇v͒̾̓ͬͮ̓ͪ̿́̈́̄ͪͨ̚͏̮̜̜͎͇̻̬̺̦̞̮̻̳̤ǐ͇̟̫̪̣̺̲̾͐̋ͩͥ͑̾́̎̆ͥͭͨ̒̚͢n̼͕̞̳̳̘̜͍̬̼ͤ͌ͧ̍̓̒͛͋̒̓͗̿͗̓ͯ̌͞ȯ̶͕͓͔̞̎ͧ͐͊̏͆̈́̍͌͗̇̆͐́̕.̢ͣ̃ͤͣͧͣ̆ͥ̐̀͟͞҉̠̫͎̫̼͓̪̳̹̯ ̢̢̺̹̫̩̭͕̺̣͖̗͚̦̙̫̭͆̈́ͭͯ̀͟Ḑ̸̶̢̩̦̬̠͐̂̋̿͐̀̽̈ͩ͌̄͘a̴̡̛̤͖̝͎͕̺͚̺̣̞̎͊̇̃͑ͯ͛̓͐̽͗ͩ͊͊̓͂͌̑͝͡t̷̵͖͈̖̮̻̜̻̜̬̠̤͖̞̫̏͋̏̒̾͒̔̎̆ͨͩ̍͝͡ę̺̦͈̪͍̺̤̱̤̳̦̬͉͇͕̳̅ͯͧͨ̔̔̇̏͗͒̏͒ͪ̀̀̀ͅ ̌͋ͪͬ͋̅͆̒͆ͬ̅̎̇̂̾̚͟҉̤͎̳̟e̯͇̗̮͎͍͇̜̒̂́͐̂̑ͬ̿̉ͨ̃̓̎͢͢͡ị̷̟͕̬͍̹̙̙̩̟̦͇ͪ̒̎̂̌ͧ̽ͫ̚ͅ ̧͊͗̅̎͐̍̑̂ͥ͒ͩͣ͡҉̯̫̘̕ͅp̷̸͛ͦ̃̄̃̔̈́ͫ͏̙̝͚̤̜͍̗o̱̫̠̳̍͋͑ͫ̐̿̈̈́̑ͪ̇͛̔́͛̚̕̕̕͠͠ͅt̶̨̨͔͈̭̝̭͖͈̰̝̳ͧ̃̊͂̒̽͒ͭ̒ͨ̈́ͮͪ̾̑͘͢ͅê̢̤̖̜̙̽̒ͬ̅ͥ͜͜͞s͇̙̫̳̫͈̪͎̠͍̺̳̪̓͛̈́̿͑̍ͤ̍̿̏ͣ͘͟ṱ̴̢̗̝̟̭̗̞͖̗̥̤͙̖͙̦̙̖̜ͩͨ̑̈́ͫ̾ͩͨ̑̒ͣ̽͑̐̈́͟͡a̸͈͕͙̭͓̲̮̮̮͂͊͂̐ͨ̈̐̿̌̀͂͝s̽ͧ͌̇͗̄̓̊ͨ͑҉͏̮͎̤̙͍̖̗͉̙ͅ ̸̛̭͎̹̻̣̦̠̻̤̥͚͎̰͑̎̊͐̃̑̈́͗͛ͩ̇̉͐ͦ͂͘͟͞t͇̼̬̘̺ͥ̏̃ͬ͒̅́͆ͣ̀ͮ̿̈̄͋ͧ̊̃͡͝ê̢̟̯̩̰͇͓̙̯͈͎͉͇͈̳̼̤ͬ̋ͥͪͬ̊̔ͥ͐͂͐́n̛̥͕̤̲̳̱̞̹͕̗̦̣̞̫̽̏̈́ͫͤ̈́̄͘͟ͅę̵̱̪͓̲͔̠̦̟͚̰͚͖̀̃̑͑͂̊̎͋̕͢͠ͅb̷ͧ̑͗́ͨ́͐͑̋҉̤̠̱͍̙̠̫ͅr̟̦̲͇͓̻̞̘̰ͬͪͬ̈ͧ͛̽̌ͦͮ͑́͆ͥͮ̕͡͞ȧ̛̭̼̱̮̠͎͚̙̘̫͍͙͔͓̖͖ͮͬ̍ͧ͑́ͨͮͮ̃̋́͠ͅͅr̢̰̗̮̫̩̼̬͈͙͖̻͋͋̆̄̿̈ͩͮͅu͋ͤ̊͏̛̠̼̘͉̼̦̤̠̱̖̣̞͖̤͜͟m̏͊̽̇ͯ̒̚҉͈̳̗̰̜̜̖̼͉͖̝͟.̷̞͔͎͕͚͍̙̲̼̣̝̥̜͎͋̍͊̅̾ͪ͘͜͜͡ͅ

Seira: ...

Zaion: H̔̔ͤ̑ͩ̓̏̉ͥ̒̎ͫ͂̇̀͆ͩͩ̚͜҉̴̦̱̬̣͘͡a̴̵̼̖̝̤͖̤̣̘̘̭̞̪͑͋͒̆̎̔̔͟b͋̇͊ͦ͆̈̓͛͛̓ͩ̋̄͂ͤͨ̀҉͚̰̖̳̲̙̥̥͎͞ͅę̨̤̩̫̗̥̞ͦ̈́ͯ͛̀̓̋ͧͩ́́͞a̶̗͖̪̪͖ͭͬ͗̍͗̐͂̅̇̾̕t̶̨̨̙̙̜͓͙͍̺ͣ̊͂ͣͦ̑̽͂͗̔̚ ̵̥̦̫͉̪̘͔̦͈̠̩̠̞̦̞͖͖̱ͫͣ̒ͬ̌̊̌ͤ̾̄̍̍̽͊̋̾̾̀̒͘͟t̡͈͔̼͔̘̹ͣ̓͂ͥ̃̃̿ͧ̆͛̋̀͠o̸̹̜̮͍̩͎̖̫̖͌ͥ̐ͦ̔̍ͣ̑̾̀̅̋͗͠ţ̸̸ͦ̀͒̆̌́͗̒̑͑̋͝҉̠̘̤͎͎̻̩̖͈͍ī̷̷͓̞͍͈̤̽ͨ̐͢͞͡ͅu̷̬͉͓͖̣̬̗̯̣̪̞̪͌̈̀̽ͥ̃̿̍̔ͩ̀̕͟ͅs̷̨̾̍̏͑̚͏̬̬̲͙̩̯̻̭̙ ̢̫̘͔̘̥͒̔̐̓ͦ͘͟͞p̖̜͓͉̖̱͖̰̲̌ͥ͐ͣ̃ͬͤͦ̂̋ͣ́͌͆̓͌́͞ṛ̸̰̳̼̗͖̱̩̘̬͒́͛͌͝ơ̸̵̡͚̩͚͚̘̗̼̺̪̭̤̣̼͈̮̭̣̣ͤ͐ͪ̂̽̈́͒f̺̼̫̯̻̻̯̈ͫͣͮ͑̄̀ͯͤ̑̀̐͑ͯ̔͠e̡ͯ̈̄ͯ̆҉̪̙͔̮̯͍̹̝ŗ̸̨̖͇͙̞̗̜̘͚̮͎̖̻͍̗̈́̄͐͋ͅͅe̵̼̥̲̲͕͉̝͓̖̰̪ͮ̈ͨ̋̒̂ͣ͛ͫ́̃ͪ͊͘͠ţ̛̝͔͕̳̖̦͎̼̫̰͇̦̺̥ͦ̓ͫͥ̉̇͋̏͌͑̏͆͛ͤ͋́̚̕͟ͅ ̸̧̛͕̲͍̲͔̹͖̻̞͕͇̤͖̰̥͉͔͎̌ͣ̂͊̇͌͌ͥ͢t́̾̑̉̉̈́͒̍͊ͯͭ҉̶̷͓͖̬͢ͅę̴͚͇̮͖͍̩̀ͨ̈́̅̊̀ͮ̆̊́̑ͧ̽͑̈ͭ̏ͅn̷̛͓͖̭̤̮̱͚̭̰͍̺̠̜͈̯͖̖̄͂͊̈́͐͐̄̽̈́͊͗ͨͅę̸̷̢̛̪̱̝͓̠̺̝̞͎͎͖̩͈͍̼͇ͨͥ̏̈͒b̊̄͗̽͊̎ͧ̚҉̨̗̪̻̻̪̜̖͔ͅȓ̢̧̯̩̳͉̙̬͇̣̝͓̼͔̣ͩ̾̒̒ͮͧ͑͛͋ͮ̿͒̽̈͂́ͬ̌͠͝ͅͅi̢̛͔͚͍̞͈̥̯͗̾̌ͣ̎̈́̓̉ͪ̅͟͜ͅͅs̵͍͕̭̬̭̖͉̳͕͖͙͉̺͖̜̦ͫͪͤ̈́͠͠ ̵̓̍̏ͩ̔ͦ͟͏̞̗̦̬̖̟̘̭̤̠͎̲̳̖̪͖̀ͅm̧ͪ̑̓ͥ̅̽ͬ̌̀͟҉͙͎͕̺̹̦͙͖̀ͅͅö̴̹̩͎͕̯̜̮̰̜̰̟̭̫̳͚͑ͮ̈̓̏̈́ͨ̀ͥ̅̈͜͜͞r̶̡̹̻̣̮̼̲̻̺̗͍̱̲̺͙̖̣̤̻͂͐̾ͫt̸̢͓̻̠͓̺̮̰̰̳͖̞̙̻̤̘͈͉͇ͫ̔ͫͤͣ͒͛ͫ̽̈́̔ͤ͘͡͡i̶̸̡͈͇̩̩̤͎̼̥̩͙̤̇̑ͪͩ̈̂̄̈̃̈͛ͭ̕s̵̢̻̱̦̻͇̩͇͙̣͕̩̤̅̓̾ͯ̑̐̇ͮͭ̀̚,̶͍̱̤̯̭͈̝̹ͮ͑ͤ̂͟͠͞ ̸̷̢̛͍̱͔̜̩͔̳̘͌̍ͭ̉̈́͆̐̂ͯ̅̓͊̔͡f̷̵̘͙̼̭̝̻̫̝̭̦͍ͦͫͭ̉ͩ̉́a̴̸̋̽͗͛̌̌ͫ͑ͨ͐͌ͧ̂̍͑̓ͤ͐̀͢͏̖͇̠͕̳̮̤̮̩͈̞ͅt̶̸̢̡̡̰̭͓̜͎͈̼̟͈̩ͪ̆ͫͨ̌̎̋̈̌̽ͥ̍̍̏͂̎ͤ̀̂ȕ̝͎̫͖͚̳̬̫̲͚͔̙̫̬͎̥ͣͧͫ̽ͪ̀ͫ̿ͣ͐̿ͣ̚̚͠m̴̴̶͖̲̹̳̙̣̊ͬͩ̆ͮͭ̃͝,̛ͩ͒̈̊ͯ͑̾ͪ̈́̓̀͢͢͠҉̱̳̭̙͍̥͓͔̣̘̯̮̪̮͈ ͂̏ͨͮ̆̈͆ͦ̓ͯ̐҉̡̝̮̤̤̝̖̼̪̫́̕ͅé̡̢͇̘̻̥̬̙̗͖̺̩̱̹͎̝͕̰͙͎̫̅̍̊ͬ̑̍͂ͤ͞t̷̨̟̜͈̜̲̠̰͓̬̗̗̰̤̜ͥ̍ͪͤͫ̈́̒ͤ̾̇̑͗ͤ̿̄̀͞ ̨͚̣̠̻͚̖̅̂ͬ͂ͪͮ͗̍͊̌ͦ̊͛̆̊̈́̊ͫͩ̀ē̞̖͔̰̙̠̖̖̖̭̱̯̳̳̙̱̑̋̑͐̆͜v̶̗͎̳̦ͦ̿ͤͫͭ̿͛̈ͣ̆ͤͧ͊̏̎ͯͬ͟͟͟e̷̶̡͎̞͖̝͔̘̦͚̤͉̣̣͔̞̖͈̻̦̐̀̈́͒̓ͫ̽̒͋̏̎͗̌̏͂ͣ̂̕͢r̢̢͇̜̤̭̱̬̱̮̭̹̞͛͊̇ͬ͒ͦ̈́͂̾̈͜ş̷͇̬̼̫̠̹̯̃̏̃ͪͦͨ̾̌̔ͬͪ͐ͣ͝i̬͓̲͖̜̱̳̤͊̍̅͛͐͋̀́͘o̢̩̝͔̖̲̟͖̙̯̭͓̤̺̠͗̋̌̓͂́ͧͫ̚̕͢͝,͒̂̊̈͗̈͛ͧ̇͏̛͖͔͉̠͙̜̞̘͓ ̶̨̨̮̞̭̯̘̻̗͖͙ͦ̈́̓̑ͧ͛̏ͥ̋̅͋͌̍̈́ͦ̂̒̀ṽ̡̧̛͖͚̥̼͇͖̪̮͚̯ͯ͂̌̋͌̐̎̈͑̅̈͒͑ͭ̈̋̚̚͠i̓͂ͫ̒̑ͩ̂́̅̚͏̖͈̳̭̪̰̯̠̱͙̣͎̫̭̖̥̯́ͅa̙͇͕̹̤͚̟̣̪̘ͬ̏͒̽̎̎ͮͩ̏̀ͭͫ̒ͧ̀̚̚͡ṁ̢͚̖̘̼͔̱̘̳̼̠̱̜͍̙̭̩̪ͤ͐̒̎̀̿͒́̓̊̿͂̆͆͌͟͝ ̵̷̢̫͎̩̠̮̳͚̖̙͔̙̻̰͓̱̠͎̼̊̅͛ͨͮͫ͊̉ͧ͋̄̉ͦ̒ͭ̂ͅè̡͓̹͈̰͚͙̗̒͛ͤ͘͘͢iͦ̇͗̋̿̀͏̴͎̞̹̬̜̲͔͓̜̳̙͚̮̭͢u̢͋̐̔̀͒҉̸̰̤̞̩͍̲̣͚͉͇͜s̴̗͉͕̅̌̅̾ͬ̋ͤͦͫ̏ͯ̇͑ͧͨ̄̽̕ ̵̢̟̫͍̜̟̙̣̤̩͔͉͙̝̖͎ͩͮͫ͑͑̔̄̾̀̔a͂͌ͧͧ̽̑̍̎̆͐҉̧̟̺̭̹̘̪̺̟̜̹͓̘͇̮͎͙͜ͅc̶̨̞̰̺̪̦̦̱͕͍͔͇͇̠̟̠̘̱̰͖̾ͨ̒̈́̍̈ͨ̅͐̈̆ͤ͛͋ͧͤ̔ͧ̕͡ţ̻͖̖̱̲͚̺̣̲̙̰ͮ̅̊ͤ̎̿͐̿̇ͧ̇̀́̕͠͞ͅu̵̬̰̳̘̱͉̐̉͌͊̚͟s͇̳̙͈̘̞̰͇͊ͮ̃̂̍͌͜͡͡͠ͅ.̴̶̶̷̛̲͍̝̲̱̞̩̜̩̹̙̬̠̮̦͈̭̑͆ͦ͒̂̽ͯ͂͗̀̒͋̚ ̵̴̱͕̹͍͍̳̮̮̈́̄ͤ̇̋͆̏̍ͩ͗ͬͬ̐͒̓ͨ́͢͞Ȩ̧͛̀̐ͯͪ͜͏̝̮̣̪̥͓̣̱̮̦̰͚̠̬̺̟͝ͅǎ̢̟͙̞̖̞̺͓̫͓̮̜̦͋̿̈ͧͣ̓ͪ͌̾ͣͨ̾ͨ̎ͧͭ̕͟͢ ̵̢͙̝͚̓͛ͪ̄ͥ͊ͫͥͥ̾͂̔̚̚͜m̶̲͉̜̀̂̓̽̈̈́̏͗ͬͩ̉̒̒̇̀̾ͩ̑̚̕ͅǐͨ͑ͤͬͯ̓̊͛̄͆̃̓͢͏̙̠̯͉̮͓̰̲̫̼̥͙͇̟̘͍̜͟,̵̧̤̥̖̼͔͚̰̼̹̘̯͓̯͍͍̪͌̾̆̾̇̃̇ͣ͗̓̄̆ͅͅ ͔͉̹̠̣̘͇̩̟̜̞̠̥̫͍͛̔͑ͭ̒̽ͧͫͨͫ̈́̀̚͟p̓͑̓ͫ̎̾ͥͨ̐͑̋̿̅̐ͨ̊ͣ͢͝͏͎͇̯̤̭͍̬͕̜̱̼̠̘̬̮̳ͅr̵̴̋̃ͯ̈́̐ͧͬ̃̑ͩ͡͏͏̱͈̤͇̱̟͕̳̳͓o͙͙̪̜̪͓̟͕̜͖̟̰̪̔͌ͮ̎̓ͨ̔͆ͣͬ̈̽ͨ̅̐̋̀͘͜d̛̽̄ͨͫ̊̐ͮͫͩ̃́͏̴͔̣̜̣͇̪̲̱͖̹̲̥̪i̸̵̛̪̹̗̪̦̘̜͒̎̈ͩ̆̉̂͂̂͋ͬ̐ͯ͆̚̕ͅg̵̟̥̩͔̹̰̬̮͇͙̟̟̻̬ͬ͊ͤ̄ͫͮ̿̂ͭ̒͐̾͝͞͠īͦͧ̃ͦͪ̐ͯ̿͜͜͏͙̼̞͇͖̘̗͈͓̹̻̥̝ó̶̓̓͐ͨͪ́́̚͠҉̪͙̠̬̦̼͍̖̠̭̲̱̣̲̥ͅͅ.̸̵̷̞̻̤̣̩͙͖̩͙̹̣͓̓̽̅͑̀̆̿̀ͥ̏͛ͦͮ̎̎͌̀́̚̚ͅ

She continued on with her spell. I watched, not realizing that I was breathless until a while into it.

Zaion: E̘̙̻̻̤͉̹͍̫̠̩̫̩̰̳̗̮͗̑̓̊̽̈́̊̾ͪ̅̚͡͠dͣ́̆ͥͭ̍̆ͥ̚͏̨̜̺͚̬͍̗̠̭̯̟͎͜uͮ̍ͩ̄͜͏҉̜͕̹͓̪̟͓c̡͉͈͉͙̰͍̯̭̥̤̪̟̐̑ͩ͐a̝͖̭̪̙͖̭̳̲͇ͮͪ̐͑͒ͦ̍̉̈́̏́̎̅̌̒͂̀͝͝͝͠ṁ̸̔̀ͫ̈́̀͊̀҉͓̲̩̣̖̮̗͍̟͓̖̗̝̺͔̟̰̼͙ ̷̧͎̥̦̯̜̣̿͐̈́͆̊̎͒ͣͮ͟͝g̶̛̙̬̗̭͕̼̤̙̖̞̭̦̳̫̩̩̥ͨ̑ͥͧ́̂͘͢͠ͅȅ̗̗̜̩̪̈́ͬͨͧ̒̈́ͦ́̈́͐͊͜͡n̛̛̘͇͎̮̝̪̟̹͍͈̞̦̯ͬ̏ͫ̊̓͒́̃͐̓͗̒ͣ͆͊̅ͮ͌̽̀͡e̷̯̲̝͍͚̦̥͇͓̻̫̩̲̔̐̔̿͘͜͞͞rͯͨͮ̏̌̑̓͗ͥ͋͛͘͏̶̸̜͓̩̝̠̟̤̜̫͔̯̥͓̝͉̞͠ͅi̸̵͖͕͖̝͍̙̮̠ͨ̀͂̈́͂͂̒͋̋̆͑ͥ̕͢͠s̡̛̥̘͇̪̥̺̻̟̈́̎̀̑͌͑̎̕ ̴̛͉̩̮͍̺̠̮̥̻ͮͤ͛ͮ͒̀̉ͭͬ̍ͤͬͥ͛̃͑̇̐́ḿ̵̨̨̛̺̪̲̫̩̱̣̣̩̅ͤͣͫͤ͆͘a̾̎͆ͤͮ͊͏̷̙̜͖̘̯̝̲͠ǧ̸̡̡̡͚͕̦̻̝͔̘̣̻͓̗͓̖̪̣̞̈̑̇̂̓́͊̑ͪͨ̀ṅ̸̛̯̰̠̮͙͓͔̲̻̲ͭͭ̾́̿͐̒̈́ͅͅu̴̢̳̞̜͈͉̦͈͖͚ͤͨ̎̾̔ͥͯͣͯ͑́ͧ̑̀̽̅̚̕͢͡ͅs̢͖̗̖͇̜͉͇̗̳̏̀̂ͨͣ̇̈̅̅̊̀ͬ̅̏̀̀͟͞ ̶̻̬̥̞̝͍͔̣̲̪̤͕͙̞̑̎̿̈̇ͦͨ̂̐̿̏̈́̒̄ͥ͌̚͢ͅ.̶̛̮̪͙͇̞̫̺̯̖̟̣̝̰̥͈̜̝ͬ̃͒̾̾̉́̚.̶̧̛͍̭̯̳̝̼͍̱̭͙͖͈̫̻̍͌̍ͥ̀͗̿͂̂̑͒̐͂ͭ̕.̶̵͎̺̥̞̹̟͉͒͆ͮ̔ͨ͗̓̓̽ͧ͑̈̅͑̎̄ͪͮ ̶̶̧̹̞̲͎̠̥̉͌̓ͤ͒ͣ̍̋̄̍ͮ́̿̒ͥ͝͞a͐̊̄́ͮͭͮ̉̂̍̾͒̑̅ͭ́̚̚͏͖̜̖̣̻͇̩ͅd̢̛̠̟̜̪͕͚͕͇̙̟̪̟͍̹͔͈͎̠̈̊͗̍͂̔ͧͫ̔̒̓ͧͭ̄́̊͑͘͞f̸̅̓́̿̓̇̉̚͝͏̢̫͉̦̯̭͍̣͔̺̗͕̭̳̟͓̫͚͡i͛͊̊̔̄̃ͯ͐͌̽ͯ̍͆̉̂̔̾͢҉҉̱̼̭n̆ͣͫͧͯ̆ͩ̏ͩ̀̽̃̇͏̹̲̻̱̞͓̺̙̰̻͉̹͝ͅį̳̗̤̲͚͔͍͍̬̠͙̩̒̈ͦͩͧͬͬ͐ͦ̏͠b̸̶̨͙͔̼͇͔̮͇̘͉̗͙͔̣̪ͯ͑ͫ͐͑ͥͨ̉̾̋̏͋̚͝u̶̵̧̮͎͉̤͎̬̹ͫ̄́ͥ̊̎ͫ̃̈̄͠sͣͩ͆ͮ͋̈́̾ͮ̀ͣ̒͒̍̄̇̑̈ͭ҉̴̧̀͏͉̱̦͍̟̼ ̡̭̞̼̣͚͙̣̞̟̰̹̙̓͒̆̈ͤ͂ͭ̀̚͘͡ư͚̼̣͛̓̒̀͟ͅͅͅm̶̛̗̞̜͎̼͙̣̼̱̰̪̗͈̩͓̳̿ͮ̈͐ͤ̃̈ͦ̂̇̆̚̚͡b̧̧̳̲̲͕̗̪̭͍͉ͨ̆̎̍̉́ͤ̽ͫ̉ͭ̓͢r̷̵͙͕̖̼̮̞̻͉̆͗̑͂i̶̊͐ͧͨ̐̽̾̆̑ͥͪ̎̚͏̛̪̘̣̼̥͇̫̖̹͓̣̻̼̖̫̰̙̜sͩͩ̃͂̈̔҉͏̺͉̘͚̲͍̘̦̤̥̯̗̥̳̟̠͢͠.̩̘̼̦̤͖̗̭̮̭̭̺̩̘ͪ̔ͧ̋ͯͨ͘͞

Several blinding flashes and demonic sounds erupted from the Book.

And then it happened. A baby girl appeared on the ground, as if just born. It was me.

My mother set my previous self down on the ground, and then turned to me.

Zaion: l̢̧̹̼̬̞̝̼̤̹̾̍ô͓̙̬̩̥̭͂̔̽͗́́͒̚͜͢͝ỏ̷͈͕̖͚̥̱͖̹̇̅͌ͅķ̸̮̭͎̱̞̭̟̀̓͋ ̹̼̩ͧͭ̎́̔ͮ͞ą͇͕͚̬̩̹̄̋̂̓͛͐͟ͅr̴̢̟̻ͩͦ̆ͬo̱͖͖̲͚̬̲̔̓ͨ̋ͮ͠ư̙̪̓̂̉ͣ̽͌ņ͖̻̘̠͆͑̊ͥ͠d̰͙͍̪̑̽̏̊̇̕͜ ̵̛̼͙̼͇̾̆ỵͧͪ̇̇͆ͨȍ̪̰̩̬̲̰̹ͬͧ͆́͟ų̸͍̘͍̱̬̹̟͌ͥͬͧ̽̃.̶̢̫̖̫̤͙̪̝̱̌̆̄ͦͤ̃͆̑̋ ̛͇̼͕̝̜͒́d̦͛̓ͧ̒̇̈ͮ̊̊̀̕o̴̬͉ͪͤ͆ͣ̀ ̧͕̙͍͛͒̌̽̃ͫ̉̾yͥ͌̔̓̈́̂̑҉̺͈̖ỡ̴͇̜̳̮̔̅̂ͬͤ̉͒ų͚̗̝̍̿ ̿̈́̒͏̵͚͖̬͟s̼̼͈̩̱̖̻̙̓̑ͣͣ̑̈́ͤ͛͗͘͞ḛ̢̥̪̯̗͈̻̘̈́̆ͪ̄ě̀̎̎͌ͫ̿͠͏̟̭̘ ͮͩ̿͟҉͖̘̞t̴̘̞̙ͩ̀ͯ̎̄̂ḩ̶̯̝̝͓̬̰ͣͨͥ͆͐ͮ́̚e͍̤̝͖̟͙͙̒̋̕͞ ̵̟̯̣̐̉̈̓ṣ̖͚̦͎̣͕̐́͌ͮͧͫ̀̇͝ͅͅt̬̠̣̲͚͒̃̽̆̃͋̿̚o̴̡̰̼ͩ̾ͣ̅̒͞n̡̧̪̠̺͖̮̓̚͡e̢̪̜ͬ̓͗͑̒s̨̘̺̺̮͓͎̋̂̓̋ͩ͝ͅ?̥̳̦̣͍̿̎̃̋̂̽̔̕͢

I had not noticed them before. But as she pointed them out, it became evident. There were twelve large stones forming a circle around the area.

She began to laugh hysterically.

Zaion: s͓͈̱̰ͩ̏̔͋̏ͥ̌ͧ͜͢ͅi̧̧̹͔̪̯̲̗ͬ̀̏̒͌̑̿́̊n̨̖̪̙͚̗̹̻̟͔ͯ̈́ͤ͊͒́c͉̥̗͖̩̹̱ͧ̍ͦ͡e͍̭͌̔̂͊͑̀ͩ͛ ̖͖̓̃ͨ͝t̜̖̦̦̘̖̳̮ͮ͒ḩ̪̜̙̙͚̥̞ͧͫ̂e͕̰͙͕͖̟̜͌͌ͭͯͪͪ͂͂ ̸̣̤͙̲̮̺̆͒̀s̶̱̹̮͚͍͈͂͑ͫ͋̏́͑͐͆p̵̸̙͉͓̜̻̬̩̆̿̽ͭ́ë̷̻̖̾̏̏̊̒ͨͧl͕̺̬̹̭͙̔͋͋̕ͅl̠͈͇͔͈̱̘͉͑ͤͦ ̜͇̣̝ͤ͗͛̃̽ͅw̸̠̝̪̖̜̝͓̼̎͊͗̑ͦͬͮ͑̐͟a̦͖̅͠͞s̞̩̺̪̩̭̈ ̸̴̲̬͙͕̦̓̀̎̐̍͘d̥̭̫ͤ͢o̪͖̘̖̭̱ͥ͆͛̋͞n̺̩̺̹ͯ̓̈͑̀ę̟̞̥̘͐̊ͩ̾͗͗ͩ͐̚ ̐́̂͏҉̟͕͔ȋ̮̳̼̩̒̍̃͑ͭ͑ͭ̕n̛ͦ͊ͨ̓̀ͮ̑͏̣̤̞ ͫ̎̆̒͂͝͏͍̜͓̠̭̬̞̮͠ṭ̦͈̹͍̝͍͇ͣ̕͢h̵͕͈̪̲̞̙͉̄̐ͬ̆͊́̚͜i̊͊̌̅̒͏̥̯̭̣̲͚͎sͥ͒̚҉̢͙͉̳̻͔͖͘ ̹ͧ̏̅͆ͬ̎̽́̚̕a̧̖̝̤̖̟̞͕͙̟̾̑̈̂̾̃͘͞r̍̀̄͌̓ͯ̊̊ͧ҉̼̯̯̻̼͡ͅë̮̖̞̭͕̰̲ͧ̾̓͛͌̽a̤̜͇̙͔̻͍ͪ̌̋̾̑ͧ,̴̡̰̗͚̟̽̆̔́̒̈̇͌̀ ̺̗͕̞̣͒̒ͯͬ̽ͩ̔t̢̪̪̘̘͋ͥͫͪ̿̿̎̔͗ḩ̯̰̺̭͎̲͒̽ͪͧ͌̊̆ê̶̹͇͍̺̯̯̠̮̚͞ ̮̟ͣ̓ͨͦ̇͘͡b̨̩̻̗͕͔͉̥ͮͧ͢ọ̴̵̺̟̙͓̥̗̼͎̑͐ͥ̿̇̑ͪͨȯ̾̓͡҉̮̠͖k̷̺̯̦̙̅ͤ̾̚'͍̺͙͔ͣͪͦ̾̇ͯͫ̇͟͡s̰ͧͧͯ̆̉̿̆̍́ ̛̦̩ͪͩͪ͐̌̈p̹͉͖̹͈̜̳̬̈́͗ͦ̾̌͂̎ͨ̾o̷̢̠̫̬̞̰͂͌ͧ̈ͯ̐̓͆ͤw̛̤͕͓͉͗̚͜e̓ͬ͂̆͏̜̙̯̤͕͚̻͇ŕ͔̼̥ ̸̛̱͕̘̙̠̹̦̝̓̀̍̃ͤͭh̶̝̜̰̋͐̋̇́ͨͪa̽̈́͒̄̔͗͂̇̾͏̟͉̺̖̘͞s͔̼̖̝͍͕̔͛͋̒͠͞ ̡̓̎̐ͤ̑̍̐ͫ҉͔͕̳͓̼͙̤̀i̤̗̥̥̗͒̍́͡n̹̭ͩ́̍̿̾̌͊c̛̫̼̠̭̞̒ͫͣ̅̔ͩ͂̿r̘̦͎͕̲̲̖̓́̏͆̄̐̎ͩ͟é̱̜̞̈́̋̏͂ͥ̑â̫̯̭͉̅̎͑̎͂͐ͬ̀̚͞s̛̬̟ͦ̀͐ę͕͍ͭ̇ͮ͌̈́̌̀d͑ͪ͏̷̨̲̫̯̻̯̤̙ ͫ̒̎ͤ͒͏̩͕̥̮ġ̠̺̯̤̺͕̻͆ͅrͭͦͦ̕͏͙͇̯̟͕̼̗e̾ͤͭ͗̈́́҉̧̗̦̖̻̦̘͝a̩̲͉̓ͮ̂̌̈̓ͦ͝t͕̱̆͗̌l͕̟̪͕͔͎̠͌̚ͅy̸͛̅͑ͩ̕҉̗̤̻̥.̨̧͎̗̜̑̒̋ͪ ̵̢̰͂͗ͪͪ̊̍̓̚ŷ͓͓͈̜̬͉̘̰͂ͪ͆͜o̯̞̹͙̭̳̓̄̂̏ͪ̄ͯu̹̝̿̿ͧ͛͌ͥ̌͆͊͠ ̻̙͗̿ͫ̾͋̚͟w̤͈͛͗͛͝i̵̺̪̺͔ͭͣ̓ͥ́̓͡ͅl̴̗̻̹̬ͭ̇͑ͨ̌̓̈́͜l̷̰͖̋̓̽ͫ̋̉͢ ̩̃ͨͭń̒̐ͬ҉͏͇̤̰̭ͅo̞̯̹͎̱̳͈̎t̬͙́͌ͥ̔͂ͤ̾ ̛̭̼̙̓̍b̻͉̊̓͐̄e͔̪̟̮̪̻̻̮̔̐̓ ̢͈̙̤͆͑ͯ͑̓͌̈́͟ͅa͍̮̱̙̰͕̻̗͊̉̑b̐͛ͪ̊͗͛͏̶̘̲̞̯̠l̢̛̠͈̹͍͍ͪ͠e̶̗̝͉͍̮͆̌̿̓̋ͮ̀͝ ̴͓̻̲͕̼͓̽̉͌ͣ̒͑͡t̗̪͉͉͓̝͐̾̎ͣͯͭ̋̇̀̕ó͇̭̳̤͕̟̥̻͆ͩͫ̈́͌̊̋ͦ̕͝ ̛͕̰͚́̿̆̍͝d̙͉͍̮͉̼͙͚̑ͩ͢͡ê̵̟̻͕̻͓ͧ̆̋͟s̻̹͋̄͂̄́ͨ̽̔̀͘t̶̻̘̭͙̰̻̖̪̝ͪr͉̙̤͇ͯ͂ͬ͂̐̌̓͗o̷͔̳̣̦͙ͨͦ̂yͩͥ̎҉̯̟͙̞̳͓͎̦͞ ̓̂̎̊̎̍̀҉̳̼̠i̪̮̫̠͍̤̜̦͋͑̉̃ͅt̺̯̅̇̈́̓ ͍̘̣͔͉̓͢͢ͅn̵̜͕̥̟̘̓ͭ̑͋̽ͅo͊̌͒̎̀͊̀ͣ̇҉̮̖̙͚ͅẅ̡̭̠͖̥͕́̄̿̃ͤ.̰͈̞͙̲̼̐ͯ̀ͅ

I gasped. She laughed at me again.

Zaion: y̡̪̩͍̫̹̎̊̽̀o̰̯͉̼͐ͧ̃̄ͭ͗̑u͕̝͌̽̕͘ ̃̓̏̀͏̧̧̘͙̱̫͉̰͉̖w̯͙͈̪ͪͨ́͌̍̃̆́e̦̎̈͑̄ͧ̌ͪ́r͉͖͈̦̲̊̑ͅe̶͖̩̍̌̒̍́̔͑͋ ̢̫͇͍̱̠̳̟̔͆̍̒ͧ̀́f̨̘̺̂ͮ̽͒̉͌̄͢ͅo̡̠͓͎͙̞̖̅͢o̡͚̪̹̞̻̟̬̱̻ͨͮͤl̴̛͈̣̳̣̦̿̌͝i̴̬̱̭̜͉̻̲͍ͭ̓ͫ͗̑s̟͙̼ͨ́͛̕͟h̼͗̐̀̔ͥ́͗̊̕͜ ̝̼̤̉͗ͧ͑͂ͯͅt̴̰̖̙̑ͯͦͮ͗̚o͒̾ͨ͐͛̃͏̴̦̪̩ ̸̖͔̼̣̤̫̗̉̽̑t͉͕̩͕̯̺ͪͭ̑͑ͫ̆́͢r͍̜͕̋̎͛ͦ͠u̶̜̮ͧ̐̇̔̂s̸̳̝̭̮͕̹̹̗̑̓̍̋̏͆t̘͎̊̈́ͪ̽͢ ̙̬̇ͮ̍̈̑ͧ̆m͈̳̊̅͑̀e̗̝̠̬̩̺ͧ͗̃ͥ̚͜͞ ͚̮̜͕̭͖͌̎̆͋͘̕͟ì̵͙̠ͤ̀̚ņ̷͖̗̫͈̘̌̋̂̐̈́ͩ͌͂͢ ̫̣͉ͯ͡t̤̘̞͔̻͍͇̦̭̊ͮh̶̘͈̬̪̜̍̿̊̕ḯ̵̡̞̼̰͉̳̳̯̫̣ͮ̿̋ͩ͆̔̀͘s̱̹͈͇̯̻̦ͭ͒̀.̴̵̸͎̥̹̦̥̠̰̠̒ͥ ̷̶̣̗͙̣̦͚̊̕n̷͚̣̙̩̳ͣ̌͛ͥ͡o͗͋̓̿̑ͥ̃͊҉҉̼̪̪w̯͍̾ͫ́̽̋̅ͨ̀.̜̞̭͍̻̖̱̆͑̽ͥ͘͟͟ͅ.̢̭̱̠̩̾̌̅ͮ̓̏̽ͅ.̱͈̣̰̰̹̝̣ͩ̓ͭ̾̆̂ͥ͊ ̶̣̰̯̘ͬͩ͗ý͖̦̦̘͙̹̩̠͒̐͐ͮ͗͂ͥ̚o̸̭̝̔ͫuͯ̍̀̐͗̚҉̸͔ ̡͎͔̙̹͉͈̰̲̀̓̋̇ͦ̔͐ͅm̴̵̘͈ͫ͒ͮ͐ͬͬͥu̡̗̻̹͎̙ͭ̀͘ŝ̢̰̪̣̞̩̥̮͌ͨ͝t̖͉̮̓͑͢ ̢̛͇͔̘̺̃̌̈̍ͅr̩͖̰̮͓ͬ͗ͪ̅ͥ͠͠e̸̼̹̼̟̱̹͒͆̊̋̽͂c̬̯̗͉̬̪ͬͧ̐́̀̚ȇ̟̖ͤ̒̽̾̉ͪi̧̺̼̠̳̤̟̺̱̤ͦͬ̍ͬ͠͡v͊͗ͪ̂́͑҉̲̱̮ͅe̴̙͋͆̈ ̨͚̖̟͑͝p̧̮̣̭ͭų̵̈́͆̔̐̚҉̞̮̤̩̲͚n̶̞̱̗̝͙̋i̝̣͗̏͐͟͠š̮͇̪̩͚̹̲ͯ͌ȟ̲̻̞̹̈̐͑̚m̲̞ͭͫͫͮͣ̈͘ȇ͕̼͇̐̇̔̌̾͜n̳̦̙̟̆̽̿̒̑ͦ͐͝t̢̉̂̽҉̯͜ͅ ͔̟̱͍̬̓́͆̿ͤ͠f̴̙͖̬̲̱͍͈̪̫̎ͭͤ̿̿ͭ̾̎͟o̡̤͈̓̉ṟ̙̟ͬ͊͡ ͎̓ͯ̾̔̃̓ͣ͊̀y̖̥̩̠͙͓̞̏ͤ̑̐ͫ̎͢ö̵̱́ͮ͐̋̑ͮ̀̚ú̻̠͇̳͕ͪ͛͆̒r̛̤̤̩̘̞̩̪̜͛ͪ̈̿ͣ̍̑ͮ́ ̢̞̦̣͖̩́̈̆̽ͦ́͝d͖̮̺̱͔̠̬̰̾̿͜ẽ̹̙͖̭̞̠͈̀f̟̬̙̯́͌̈́̽ͤ̓͗ͣi͓͕̖͓̘̱̬͆̎̀̄̎͛̽͘a̶͐̐̀͏ͅņ̰̮ͥ̈́ͩ͑ͮ̾̓̾́c̸̖̭͎̹͖͑ͨ̉̎ͥ̄͝e͈̺͙̠ͤͩ̓͑ͧͮ̐.͇̯͈̥̲̗̠̏̎̎̑̅ͭ͑̐̚

I acted quickly and took out the Book of Shadows.

Zaion: h̢̟͓͇̎ͭ̑́͋̅̽́m̄͛̾ͬ̌͋̊̚҉̧̗?̴̴̢̳̹̘͇͗͂̀ ͓͉͙̬͙̟ͬ̏ͧa̷̠͉͕̱͚̣͆ͫ̔̌n̴̗̼̬̼̲͇ͮ͜͡ͅd̩̞͑͒̐̎ ̴̛̪̱̰̠̥̩̫̉̇̄͜ͅͅw̘͎̺͉̬͈̟̉́̀̐̄ͭͪ͟h͙̜̔̐a̶̺͎̼̣̳̥͔̪̺͌ͬͯ͆͡ţ̴̻̪͙̰͚͔̱̣ͨ͑̾͞ ̤̤͇̫̤ͧ̓ͥ͛́̇ͤ̋̍́́ę̟͙͖̿̊͒͐ͬx̟̮͙̟̩̼̰̥͌ͧ͌̏͐̽̾͒a̢̜̫̥̗̺͕̩̠͓̓̅̒ͦc̠̗͖͔̝̙̄̈̇ͫ̍̆̉ͧ͡t͈̻̪̖̪̤̖̤ͮ͂͞͡l̘̼ͤ͡ỷ̨̳̻̰̅ͥ͂̾ͬ ̢̦̼͇̗͙̪̖̺̃a̧̙͍͈͍͉̬̰ͨͪ̍̉ͭ͋̑r̷̸̝̥̗̝̘͚̹͆̂é͒̌ͭ͏̳̹̗ ̖̱̜̳̝̜̜ͬ͗̍ͨ͌̉̏͘y̛̤̲͙̮̌̈ͦ̑́́ͧ͐̕͞ǫ̹̭̹͎ͯͮ̎ͦͅu̲͙̭̰̥͑̽̀ͧ͒̽ͅ ̨̳͓̫̫̤͇͂̓͋̈pͨ̉̊̃ͬ҉̸͇̤͓̬̮̲̭͚̗ḽ͍͖͉̗̘̮͙͒͑a̡̜͈͚̭͍̼ͯͧ̊̾̆ͨͅn͉̮̹̫͔̲̱͖̹ͫͥ̓̇ͧ̋ͩ̕n̨̜̟̠̝̈́i̛̮̣͓̲̝͌̏̍͊̈̏ͅn̑͗͂ͣ҉̥̯g̸̞̝͈̀̋ͫͧ̈́̊̅͞ ̵̱̣̠̮̻͙͛̓ͩͨ͠͠t͇̙͇̙̃͋̏̔̀̑̓ͨ͢͝o̧̥̟̭̓̂́͐͒̒̓̔͢͢ ̨̩̖̭̠̑̌̏ͯͩ͗́͠d̡͚̬͉̱́̊̓́ͨ̏́o͊̐̉̂̃̃͂ͩ͑̀͏̟̮ ͎ͭẘ̵͍͉͈̭̩̼͕͚̻ͥͫ̌͋͋͟͞i̠̗̣̟̠̎̏ͬt̨̤̙̦͖̒͂͗ͪ͋ͣ͌͗̀ḩ̛͖̠̤̗̠̝͎ͯ͊̃̍̿ ̲̙̟͉̤́ͭ͛͗ͨ̔̄̚ͅt͍̣͌̓ͨ̔̑̎͜͠ͅh̯̠̘̺͚̋͛̐̍̆̊̑̓͋̀̕āͫ͋̉͌͌͏҉̴̞̯̦̻̜̹t̞̲̘͕̗ͩͨ͟͡?̷͉̰̘́͛͟͝

Seira: I'm planning to defeat you with it!

Zaion: t̰ͦ̄ͤͤh̾ͧ͂a͍͖̞̪̜̎ͮ̎͌́ͅẗ̪̤̞͖̲͎́̈́̂ͯ͒ͪ ͉͙̟̬̂ͤ͌̆̄̎w̮̟̦ͩö͎̥̮̠ͅu̢̪̖̥͎̫͚l̖͓̻͕͍̹̄͛͐̍ͫ̉d̮̟̺̫͍͈̝ ͍̜̫̥͓͈ͯͬ̾ͫ̀b̥̪͖̰̺̝͙͆͡e̱̘̬̥̭̝̓͋̿̀ ͈͔̝̼ͭ̚ḯ̮̱̞̿̇̄̋̍͡m̲̗̆p̸̤͍͇̼͎̗̒̔o̪͎̰̲͚̲̾̊͌s̨̖̩͉͓͔̀͐̒s̡̱͉͊͛̐͑̉̚i̦͖̼͍̫͚̅ͤͮͫ͘b̴̯̝̅͗̒ḻ͈̖̮͈̌ͭͪͬ̑͂̃ͅe͕͖̭͍̮͉̺͋ͩ͐ͪ͋̿͢.̶̮̥͚͔ͣ̏̔ͫ́̔ͤ ̶̘͍̳̼̠̙ͦ͛̓̒ͩ̑t̵͓ͦh̺̩͎̹̟͕̖ͯe̥ͧͨ̂̇ͩͯ ̟̹͔̤̳̺ͥ̆͌̔̇͗ͅB̰̭͉͐̑̿ͮ̏̒͘o̢̯̖̘̞̰̓ͅo͉͙͕͒̎ͯͦ͌͐k̛̺ͩ̎ͯ ̤̦̱͕͋̔̾̓ͥ̎͑h̵̀ͫͤ͗̓aͣͩs̙͈ͩ̐̇̿͟ ̴ͣ̒͌ã̢̝̰ͩ͂̄͆̉́ḽ̯l̺̬̈́͜ę̯͉͙̱̖͛͆ͮͨ̚g̠̠̞iͬ̋ͨ́a̰̯̼̮͙͚̓ͫ͐͋͑̂̋n̗͓c̵̖ͯ̌̈̚̚e͖̼̠̫̺̣͍ͯ͋̀ ̟̙̻͇͔͕ͧt̹̠̗o̸ ̰̻̺͇̹͖̫͑̔̈́͌ͦͧi̖̳̒ͨ̄͑̎t̙͔͖̖̘̮̓̿͗ͧ̀s͖͙̣ͅ ̸̋͛͊̽ͤ̔͌c̡ͪͪ͛͑̒r̪̪͘e̢̤̲̪̔ͫͤͣa̫̗̣̙͕̦ͫ̌to̵̮͍̰̪ͬ̾r̸̪͎̽ͭ.͙͓̬̩͇͓̅̍̈́͆̋̌

The power of the Book increased mine. I surged forward almost too quickly for her to respond. She raised her Book at me in means of defending herself. I kicked it out of her hands, sending it off from her reach.

Zaion: a̢̻̟͖̟͊ͩͫ̃̏̈͆͋̇̃͑ͯ̎ͭ͛͒́ḩ̢̜̣͉̹̱͖̲͓̙̜̣͍̝̳̩̼̝̥̍̂͊̐̓͂́̉̿̒͘.̧̢̬̬̺̼̍͛́̂̅͒ͥͯ̽͊̿ͪ̃́͘͞ͅ.̨̡͕͎̘̞̤̫͇̗̥̜͖̐̽̇̔̿̒ͣ͑̄ͥͅ.̊͒ͪ̊̉ͦ̏ͮͤ̚͏̨̭̞̯̪͟ͅ

I unsheathed my sword and raised it above my head.

Seira: Goodbye.

With a swift motion, I brought my sword completely down to the ground. It sliced right through her, cutting her exactly in half. As the two parts of her body fell to the ground, I saw that both sides of her had different expressions; one with a maniacal smirk, and one with an expression of shock and surprise.

Seira: Goodbye...

Her body fell to the ground with a thud.

I grabbed the book that she had dropped. I was almost done here, I knew. I grabbed my past self and started to head off. I knew I would have to deliver my past self to the orphanage, as well as granting her the heirloom of the past version of the Book. And so I started to go.

I stopped suddenly. Something was different about my surroundings. It had taken me a while to realize it, but then it came to me.

There was now a thirteenth stone.

ENDCHAPTER.

### Chapter 9 - Anicetus

Anicetus: Well, I kinda prefer not ta’ remove this piece o’ metal from me body...

I held up my hook-hand for the suited official to see. I was hopin’ at least to get a little bit o’ sympathy from ‘er, but, alas, she only gave me glare from behind her glasses. Hell, maybe it was somethin’ stormy, angry, bored, or apathetic, I couldn’t tell fer sure, but I could still feel the contempt this’un held fer me.

An’ there it was! She shook ‘er head, and just held out the little bucket once more. I gave ‘er a frown.

Anicetus: Now, ya’ see here...

I pointed right at me hand.

Anicetus: This is me hand...

She just shook the bucket fer me.

Anicetus: Why, I oughta--

I took a step closer, but then I stopped, and looked over 'er shoulder. And I saw a familiar face, givin' me a blank and surprised look. He was older, yeah, but he hadn't changed all too much...

Anicetus: Uh...

Taku: Sticky...?

I started ta' frown again, but then I stopped myself. I gave off a little smile that was oh so friendly and sweet-lookin' and all that. It wasn't any sorta smile where I opened me mouth, but I figured he knew me well enough to know I barely did that. I reached my hand behind my head, before rememberin' that it was a hook.

Anicetus: ((Damn, I gotta get used ta' that...))

Anicetus: Haha, ahoy, old friend.

I waved at 'im. He gave me a surprised look again.

Taku: St--Anicetus!

I saw 'im then, as he came runnin' towards me. Then I saw the looks on most everybody's faces, when they saw Taku doin' that. They looked like they'd just seen a ghost.

The people workin' here now jumped out and stopped 'im. Told 'im that I hadn't gotten checked it, that it wasn't safe. It wasn't hard to see that Taku doubted 'em.

Taku: No, no, you don't get it... This is Anicetus Gan. I know him.

Anicetus: Aheh... ((People change...))

Taku: He was my best friend when we were kids.

Anicetus: ((We sure were...))

Taku: You don't need to check him in at all. I trust S--Anicetus completely.

Anicetus: Hm...

Aye, he was makin' this even better than I thought he would. I almost thought I'd hafta go in and butter 'im up to let me waltz in with me hook hand. And the box...

Taku: You think he's an imposter?

Taku chuckled, and brought back me attention.

Taku: Come on, who would know the both of us that much...

I almost frowned again. That's right, while he went an' took up the whole "emporer" role, I just faded into the shadows, so he thought. Was he even gonna think that I was up to something important with me life in the meantie?

Anicetus: I never really talked about ya' too much... Maybe more to me, uh, little one, but...

Taku: Yeah!

There was a bit more arguin', but Taku just kept on talkin' 'em down. They eventually conceded. All the while, I just stood there, sayin' nothin'.

Taku: Alright.

Taku seemed pretty happy ta' see me.

Taku: Here, come on into my office. You've been waitin' long enough.

Then, he led me back through the facility. It was kinda weird, now not seein' any of those guard fellows eyein' me every move, but I still felt better about it.

He eventually led me off into a room with a big gold sign plastered on it. It read "FIRST EMPORER TAKU DE GRIDMASQUE".

Anicetus: This is yer office, I'm guessin'?

Taku: Mhmm.

I hadta be askin' questions, I knew. It kept 'im talkin' about the world around 'im and 'imself. Kept his mind off me and what I was thinkin'. Made 'im feel safer, I bet.

I saw Taku get a set of keys out of his pocket. It was then that I actually took a moment to notice his outfit. It was some sorta fancy suit. Dress pants, collar shirt, tie, coat, dress shoes, the whole works. Hell, I'd been too busy lookin' at his face the whole time, or maybe I was just ignorin' it, since it was so outta place for Taku's style. I barely remember him wearin' anything else except for that ol' grey jacket.

Taku: Come on in.

He'd opened the door for me, and let me step inside. He quickly followed around and sat in his multiple-wheeled sittin' device, on the other side of his desk.

I hadta admit, his office was pretty nice. His desk was a pretty big one for a guy his size, and it had some sorta design in the middle'f it. Some diamond and a weird letter, in the middle of a shield-lookin' thing, with other symbols on it. And there was a circle around it with nothin' but the word "infinity" in it. Behind 'im there was a big window, with some thin curtains of some sorta light-greyish colour. The room was pretty light anyway. There was a soft rug that kinda made me wanna lay down and sit on it. The couches were nice, too, I noticed as I sat down on one of 'em. Fancy stuff. The side walls had a buncha shelves all along 'em, with a buncha assorted junk all on 'em. I'd seen a lotta treasures in my time, but mosta that stuff wasn't as bizarre as what I was lookin' at here.

Then I looked back at 'im. He was sittin' with his fingers crossed, leanin' over his desk like he was ready ta' jump across it and leap out tha' door.

Anicetus: Uh... pretty nice joint ya' got here.

Taku: Oh? You like it?

Anicetus: Yeah, yeah...

I took another look around the room.

Anicetus: Oi, uh, do ya' mind if I shut this door fer a bit?

Taku: Hm? Uh, sure... If you want to.

Anicetus: Nice, thank ye.

I shut the door and locked it. Taku seemed a bit surprised by me doin' that.

Taku: Uhm...

Anicetus: Yeah?

Taku: N-Nothing... So, uh, I heard you were requesting to see me for a while now, right?

Anicetus: Oh, yeah...

I bit my lip, restraining myself.

Anicetus: I've been tryin'a get ya' for about... a year or two, I think.

I know I'd just acted like it was nothin'. But in truth, I'd been countin' the days since Zaion had been captured.

But I'd stopped after I heard they'd been declared dead. 'Cause non'a tha' time in me life mattered after that.

Taku: I'm really sorry I couldn't get to you earlier... It feels like everybody on the planet's been trying to get in contact with me.

Anicetus: Well, bein' the big man in charge sure makes ya' a popular guy...

Taku: Yeah... It's a lot more than I really want.

Anicetus: Say, uh, what kind'o leader-y business are ya' even up to all in here?

Taku: Oh? Well, I think most of the business doesn't really happen here... This is just where I sign off on whatever I'm given, whether I approve it or not.

Anicetus: Hm...

Taku: I seem to make up around 50% of the voting power, as emporer, so usually everything that's made official around here has to be approved by me.

Anicetus: So, ye're sayin', ya' could'a put an end to those witch hunts, aye?

Taku: Huh--uh, Sticky...

I hadn't even noticed it then, but I'd just stood up and edged meself closer to his desk.

Taku: I...

I saw 'im lean forward, lookin' all exasperated n'such.

Taku: Honestly, I really hate this whole movement that's been going on. I mean? The witches have saved us before in the past from the Nazcans. I feel like I owe my life to them. And the whole basis for people wanting to hunt them?

Taku seemed ta' not even be lookin' at me anymore.

Taku: I mean, Gaia, or whoever, sent all these monsters here to kill Zaion. Since when the hell do we all just side with Gaia? Most of the people I know of are Chronositian, anyway. I mean, aheh, I guess they're pretty close and all, but, Gaia also sent all these monsters to blindly attack us.

Taku sighed.

Taku: Sure, we do have a lot to thank Gaia for, but it's not like we should blindly follow whatever may--or may not--be her.

Anicetus: So why are ya'?

I actually edged closer to his desk, puttin' me hands on it.

Taku: Ugh... Politics. Everyone's being a superstitious fool, and I have this daunting feeling that if I end up going against the oh-so-wise Ludusian people, then I'll end up getting the same unfortunate treatment that the witches have gotten.

Anicetus: Grrr...

I almost couldn't believe that I'd just growled at 'im, out loud! I almost covered me mouth, before I saw that he wasn't even listenin' ta' me!

Taku: Of course, the people of Ludus would expect their grand leader to end up dying a martyr... Maybe not when opposing themselves, but against some rogue horrible government force that ends up overtaking us, I'm sure.

Anicetus: What, ya' don't think ye're gonna dyin' for the right reasons?

Taku: I just wish someone... Someone pure, and true, who's not even somewhat related to the side of the witches, would go forth and give me a voice to point at and say "hey, everybody, this person has the right idea!" That would make it so simple.

Anicetus: 'Cause death comes unexpectedly. At any time, for any reason. And I can count all the right reasons fer one.

Taku: We need... Wh-wha...

He gave me a look of horror.

Taku: Sticky... W... what did you just...?

I couldn't even contain meself anymore. Or maybe I just didn't bother ta' try anymore.

Anicetus: YA DAMNED BASTARD!

If I ever wondered what someone'd look like if they were facin' the worst horror that could'a ever been offered up ta' them, I didn't hafta wonder anymore.

Anicetus: YOU COULD'A DONE SOMETHIN', YOU COULD'A STOPPED 'EM FROM DYIN'!

I swear, fer a moment I thought he must'a fallen back. But then I realized I'd actually jumped on the desk and pushed 'im down. His chair flew to the side.

Anicetus: BUT NOW THEY'RE DEAD!! ZAION'S DEAD, AND YA' WERE TOO MUCH OF A DAMNED COWARD TA' TRY AND SAVE 'EM!!

Taku: ... A-...

I dunno if his voice was only squeaks at this point, or if I was just downin' 'im out now. Maybe it was a bit'a both.

Anicetus: YOU...

I didn't even know what'd happened ta' me now. Me years of rage and despair had turned into a hatred, and Taku was tha' one who was gonna get tha' brunt of it, I must'a thought.

He tried ta' shuffle out near a shelf. I jumped down over 'im, and shoved the desk to the side.

Taku: Ah-!

I was blinded by me own rage, and when I looked at 'im, he had a bruise under his right eye. I'd just socked 'im.

Taku: S-S-Sti-Stick... Anicetus... Hic...

In all'a Heaven and Hell combined, I swear there was nothin' else as soberin' as what he'd just done. He said me name with the most child-like innocence I'd heard since Zaion was under my care, and he did it in such the same sense that I saw their face in his fer a second. If that wasn't enough, when I saw the tears runnin' down his face, I knew that he must'a felt broken. Because of me.

But I'd barely started ta' back up from 'im, when he began strugglin' ta' get his jacket off.

Anicetus: ... Eh...?

And then he'd began pulling off the right shoulder of his collared shirt.

Anicetus: Oy, what the hell're ya' doin'?!

I didn't know why he was doin' it, or what I was supposed ta' expect, but I kept starin' at 'im, as he then revealed some shiny metal armor he was wearin' under his clothes.

Taku: Sti... S-Stay away...!

I knew that look all too well. I'd just seen it about a week ago, when a mate'a mine had gotten face-ta'-face with the first of the many beasties that'd been sent by mother Gaia the day Zaion had been captured.

I'd gone from tha' childhood friend he'd trusted with his life to a monster in his eyes.

And maybe he was damn right.

Taku: I-I'm warning you...

Anicetus: What the hell is that...?

Taku: I...

I hafta admit, he'd gotten me curiosity to overpower me anger. And he must'a knew it, too.

Taku: Th-This... This is some of the best technology we-we have access to right now...

I must'a been gazin' at it like it was somethin' special.

Taku: Yeah... It's limited supply, though, so they mostly have only trusted it to me...

Anicetus: Where tha' hell didja get that from, anyhow?

Taku: It's inspired by what we could recover from the Nazcans...

I stood over him again.

Anicetus: What're ya' thinkin', ye're gonna use that on me?

There it was again. The look of fear on his face.

Taku: N-I-I-I just--

Anicetus: Shut the hell up!

He was silenced by me yelling. I was frantic for a moment, not knowing what I should do next. I looked around for a moment, and then I held my hook up to his eye.

Anicetus: Oy, ya' think that ye're some sorta bigshot, don't ya'? The ruler of Ludus, yea?

He didn't say a thing, but he stared at the metal like it was the grim reaper's scythe.

Anicetus: Just like lady Leviathan, aye?

His eyes widened all of a sudden. He must've known who I was talking about.

Anicetus: But wait! Leviathan only has one eye. How can ya' claim ta' be all like her if ya' have two eyes?

I saw 'im sweating beads. The smile that came across my face even creeped me out.

Anicetus: Let's see if we can't fix yer problem.

I dug me hook into his face, then, and clawed at his eye. It felt like the sound of the slice itself filled the room louder than any of the words we said before. I guess it's like that saying, actions speak louder than words. That's exactly what went on right then.

The blood came out like a geyser. Me hook gave little protection against it, and I got a lot of it on me clothes. Taku got a lot of it on his face.

I could see the look of plain horror that was in his other eye. My hook was no longer in his eye, be he was still in pain. It seemed like he'd taken a while to even process how... excruciating it was, 'cause he didn't even cry out in pain until a while after, I think.

I couldn't hear him, though. I could just see his mouth open. My ears were ringing way too much for me to have heard him. I couldn't hear a damn thing. And I think my senses were leaving me then.

I guess it must not've mattered anymore. Everything that happened then happened, and it was done and done. Literally, the next thing I knew, I was being dragged out by the guards. I think I was trying to fight against them, but I wasn't kicking hard enough, or these fuckers must've been strong.

I was thrown in a jail for some time. That place was hell, to be pretty damn apt. But I was resourceful enough to break out when I regained my senses enough.

Let me be clear about something.

That was just the beginning.

My rage, and Zaion's rage, and the rage of every one of the witches, and the rage of every one who knew and loved the witches, and the rage of every decent-ass person on this planet... it ain't gonna die down. Not yet. Not until we all get the justice we damn well deserve.

It's gonna go beyond me. Not even in my lifetime will the revenge be dished out to its fullest. It's gonna keep going on long after I'm dead.

'Cause I got a damn good feeling that there's gonna be someone almost as good as me who's gonna follow in my footsteps.

Until then, though... I'm gonna go and get all the revenge I can handle.

ENDCHAPTER.

### Chapter 10 - Issus

I have recently laid witness to quite an interesting turn of events.

Issus: Hm... yes...

Through my abilities, I was able to learn of the fates of the others.

Canzona was killed. When she was found, her legs were cut off, and she was impaled through the heart. Though she had tried to fly away, she was struck down during this. I know that somewhere near where she had met her end, her powers had affected the environment.

Viguiera was killed. I know that she forcibly had her eyes stabbed out and her vocal cords slashed before she actually had died, as her executors seemed to have known about her powers. After her powers were nullified by this, the ones who killed her proceeded to attack her until she was dead.

Ishtar was killed. She was not informed of the hunting of the witches, so her execution was quite a surprise to her, as she was only caring for the people in the nearby area when she was found and killed by a bludgeoning. Around the area where she was executed, the earth began to change and evolve in its form.

Teapa was killed. She was brave enough to try and change what the Ludusians thought of her, bringing doubts into the minds of some, but people devoted to having the witches executed found her one day, and killed her by impaling her with a lance through the torso. Some of the people who had become loyal to her teachings held a real funeral for her.

Raskova was killed. She had attempted to flee through portals to other planets on several occasions, but in each occasion she was tracked down and captured, and in her execution she was hung by the Ludusians.

Goneion was killed. She had tried to go peacefully at first, though she was not accepted, and was left to only except her brutal execution of being impaled through the chest.

Siegler was killed. She had attempted to make peace with the Ludusians, but they would not accept her, and instead had her executed by slicing her in half and throwing her body into an enormous pit atop a mountain. Where her body was left soon began to be replaced by lava, creating a volcano.

Trewinnard was killed. I know that she had attempted to flee to a home that she had made for herself under the water, but the Ludusians found this and put a dam in the nearby area, causing the water to drain out and making her power decrease greatly, allowing them the opportunity that they had needed to cut off her legs and allow her to die. I know that in the area where she had died, the water had later begun to come back, even though the dam was never removed.

Cocytus was killed. She had stepped into a trap and was damaged from cuts on her neck, which allowed the ones who killed her the amount of time that they had needed to impale her in the chest. I know that the area around which she died began to develop a strange change in weather where it would always snow.

And dear Zaion, as I know, is now dead. It is unfortunate that she had to meet her untimely end before us.

The only witches that remain alive are myself, Lady Caledonia, and the Maiden.

I remember the time when Mainyu had come to me, asking me to take her out of this point in time, to a place where she could be safe. I refused her offer.

Issus: I'm sorry, but I can not do this.

Mainyu: Why not?

She had thought my response to this of being cruel.

Issus: Sadly, for you, there is no point in time where you will be safe. Not for long, at least.

Mainyu: Then, what should I do?

Issus: I know of a place where you can go, Maiden. And though your time there will be short, your role there will be very important.

Mainyu: Alright, Issus. Where exactly am I going to go, then?

Issus: You are going to stay on this planet, Maiden, but not in this frame of time. There is a place you will find that shall send you long before this time. But you can only stay there for six years before returning. When six years have come to an end, people will no longer be killing witches.

I knew that they wouldn't be killing witches because by the time that she came back, there would be no more witches to kill. I had purposefully phrased it in this way so that she would not try to wonder elsewhere then where her journey required her to go.

Mainyu: You won't be sending me there yourself?

Issus: No, I am afraid that it is imperative that you do not receive assistance from a time-travelers' magic. You must go through this location by yourself.

Mainyu: Alright. Thank you.

Her response was very amusing to me. I laughed, which confused her.

Mainyu: What is it?

Issus: You have no reason to thank me. I do not seek to do this for only your sake, but for the sake of everyone in existence. Please don't mistake this as a personal matter.

She paused for a moment before responding to this.

Mainyu: Alright, I see. You were always one to be trying to create a better timeline for everyone. I'll feel better just doing what you say, since you're probably just running around in circles as it is trying to get everything just right.

Issus: Good. Thank you, Maiden.

And so, I went to accompany her to the gate that would send her to.

Mainyu: So... You're not going with me, then?

Issus: No. You're place is in there. My place is in a much later time.

Mainyu: Alright, then. Goodbye, Issus.

Issus: Goodbye, Maiden.

She waved to me as she then went through the gate, disappearing from my view.

As for myself, I knew that I was needed in a much later time. I went off to my intended location, and then I used a time spell to send me to where I wanted to go. Years into the future, but not many, I would arrive in the ruins of a clock tower, to set a series of events in motion that had been brewing for a long time before this. And I would catch the attention of an important figure to this plot in doing so.

???: Hello...? Who's there???

ENDCHAPTER

### Chapter 11 - Mainyu

Dusk was near. I knew this would be the end of my time here. I prepared for the taking of my leave by saying goodbye to my good friend here.

Gonzales: You're... leaving? What for?

Mainyu: I'm sorry, Sir, but I've already spent enough time here as it is. I know that it would be unwise to stay here for much longer. I must return to my own time now.

Gonzales: But, Maiden... I attest, you must stay with us here. You've already done so much for my people-

Mainyu: Yes, but at this point I've done all that I possibly can do for your kind. My staying here has been prolonged for much too long.

Gonzales: Maiden, please-

Mainyu: I am sorry, but there is nothing that can dissuade me from what I am about to do. I must go, and you can not stop me, Sir.

He looked as if he was about to say something again, but he stopped, and began to look at the ground.

Gonzales: ... Alright, then, Maiden. If it is your decision to leave us, then I will not attempt to stop you.

Mainyu: Thank you, Sir. But before I make my leave, I have something that I must give to you.

With a wave of my hand, I opened a portal from The Void, and retrieved an item that Caledonia had stolen for me long ago. A large golden cross appeared.

Mainyu: This is for you. I have encased it in the Void with my powers so that it can remain hidden from those who will try to use it for evil.

Gonzales: Ah... What is it, Maiden?

Mainyu: It is something that is known as a Relic. It possesses a notable amount of power and potential. If it is brought into the wrong hands, it may lead to a quite disastrous outcome.

I knelt down in front of him and presented my gift.

Mainyu: Sir, as a dear friend to me and a person who I know to be truly noble, I wish for you to take this from me and to protect it.

I could tell from the look on his face that my gesture was much more than he was expecting from me. He actually seemed shocked for a minute, and did not move for a while, but he soon put his hands on the relic.

Gonzales: Maiden, it would be my greatest honor to take this gift and to protect it.

I let go of it, and he took it, holding it to his side for the time being.

Mainyu: Thank you, Sir. It has been a pleasure to be your friend in my time here.

Gonzales: It has been the same to be your friend in this time, Maiden.

Mainyu: Thank you, sir.

I bowed, before turning and walking off. We both waved our goodbyes to each other. Soon, I could not see his figure through the trees. I then turned forward and walked on to my destination.

I walked on through the area towards the place I knew so well. I had arrived here, seven-hundred years before my own time, through a magical gate. I had been told of this gate by my companion, Issus, and I had gone through it in my effort to escape persecution from the witch hunters.

And there I had found it. The place that Issus had led me to, nearly six years ago. It was still as good as ever, and clearly it would remain so for the next six-hundred years. I walked up to it, ready to enter through it.

But suddenly, someone else came through it.

Sanford: ...

I was frozen still in my surprise. The Hunter stood there for a while, looking around and trying to comprehend his surroundings. Then he saw me.

Sanford: You!

Mainyu: Ah...

Sanford: Finally. I found you.

Mainyu: But... How did you know that I would be here?

Sanford: Hmph. Let's just say. I got a hint from a close relative.

Mainyu: You...

Sanford: Now. Let's go!

The hunter then charged at me.

I held up my hand in self-defense. I realized too late that this was not a wise choice. His hook dug into my palm, cutting right through it and just barely stopping it from stabbing me in the eye. I yelled out in pain. He took back his hook.

And he continued. My strange blood acted as something between liquid and gas as it poured out from my arms. I had put them up in self-defense, as I mentioned. Sanford continued to stab my arms with his hook repeatedly, without mercy. It was horribly painful. I just wanted it to end. I was crying in agony at this point.

Mainyu: S... stop!!!

I could hear no sound, except for that of him laughing maniacally.

Sanford: I'LL NEVER FUCKING STOP!! I'M NEVER GOING TO LET YOU GET AWAY WITH YOUR CRIMES!!

He continued to stab me with his hook. I felt my arms becoming a horrible, inadequate defense for myself. I could not feel them at all, actually. I think that he had damaged my nerve endings. Or that he had reduced them to nothing at this point. I cried in agony as his hook then punctured my face, cutting me right through the cheek, and going our through the other end. I felt several bones inside of my head breaking suddenly with this attack.

"Hey!! Get away from her!!" I heard the cries of some natives. They had seen me and were running over here. Sanford looked up and them and swore. He retracted his hook from my body.

Sanford: Shit! Ugh. The job is done. Anyway.

He ran off, back through the gate. Some of the dragonkin approached me then. They tried to care for my wounds, but the damage was already done. And it was horribly fatal, I knew.

"Are you alright??" They asked me, but I was already too weak to respond. Some of them started cussing in anger, and swore to get revenge on the man who'd done this. They asked me who it was, and if I'd known anything about him. But still, I could not respond in my weakness.

They could not adequately cover my wounds with what they had on hand. One of them told the others to carry me to a hospital, and I was raised up and then carefully taken off with them. I could only see the trees and sky above me. The pain was still horrible, and I felt I could not stand it any longer.

Luckily for me, I did not have to stand it any longer. I felt my consciousness going away, finally. I went into a long, dreamless sleep.

And as I was later buried by the dragonkin, my body become one with the Void.

ENDCHAPTER.

### Chapter 12 - Caledonia

I opened the door to his home. The sound of the door did not seem to have caught his attention, as he was looking at the ground at this time.

Caledonia: Greetings, DeCurro.

His head rose quickly, as an expression of his surprise. It was clear that no one had visited him in a long time. He looked at me, and then seemed frightened. He jumped up and raised his weapon, in a way that showed he was somewhat unsure of his own actions. In response to this, I giggled softly and raised my hand.

Caledonia: I have not come here to duel with you, DeCurro. And, in your current state, I'm sure that you would not try to attack me.

Sanford: M... \*sigh\*

He set down his weapon and looked back at the ground. I beamed a smile towards him.

Caledonia: There you go! Now you're making progress in being progressive. A good start, even if a late one.

Sanford: Well. Then. I suppose that now. You're going to kill me. Aren't you?

I giggled.

Caledonia: No, I'm not here for that. The only one who has or will ever inflict harm on you is yourself.

Sanford: Then. What are you here for?

I giggled again.

Caledonia: Sanford, whatever is troubling you now? Haven't you gotten what you wanted?

Sanford: Shut up.

Caledonia: Have you ended your quarrels with anyone you know lately? Done anything big and important? Traveled anywhere new, or, should I say, old?

Sanford: Shut. Up.

I giggled again.

Caledonia: What position are you in to be commanding me around?

Sanford: .

He stayed silent for a while, and then sighed.

Sanford: So. Why exactly did you come here?

Caledonia: I came here because I wanted to give you a choice. I'm sure you'll like my offer.

Sanford: Okay. Then. What do you want from me?

Caledonia: Tell me, Sanford. You have come to regret your actions, have you not?

Sanford: What kind of question is that? Of course I do! I've regretted doing all of those things for a long time now!

He looked at the ground and sighed.

Sanford: And I know that there's nothing I can do to take back those lives. I'm sorry. This is all my fault.

Caledonia: No, it isn't all your fault. You were merely a pawn in something that had been brewing long before you came about.

Sanford: I was. A pawn?

Caledonia: Yes, Sanford. And I know that you regret your actions in being the pawn, which is why I come to you offering a way to repent.

Upon hearing this, he jumped up from his chair.

Sanford: A way. For me to repent? What is it?

Caledonia: You can save the planet from the Separ Monsters. I know of a way to tame them, as I have learned from another of my fellow witches. And once the population learns to tame them, they can overcome them.

Sanford: The monsters? I didn't know that they were posing such a problem now.

Caledonia: They aren't. Not now, at least.

Sanford: What do you mean?

Caledonia: A while after you die, Sanford, the Separ Monsters will pose a major problem to the planet.

Sanford: Then. How am I supposed to help with defeating them?

Caledonia: You will give a message to someone who can.

Sanford: .

Caledonia: The message will contain the information of how to tame a Separ Monster. With that information, that person will then go on to spread the teachings to all of the planet, until not only will the Ludusians have overcome the ruling grip of the Separ Monsters, they will also live in a symbiotic harmony with them.

Sanford: That's good to hear. But. How exactly does one tame a Separ Monster?

I then told him of the Call of Wonder, and how to enact it in order to allow the monster to establish a link with a person of intelligence, as well as afterwards being able to defeat them and then adopt them as pets. The Call of Wonder can only be enacted with a phrase that no person would normally say.

However, this important piece of plot will not be revealed now.

Sanford: So. That's how it's done. Eh?

Caledonia: Yes. That's it.

Sanford: But. How do you know that my message will be received? How can you know what the future will hold?

Caledonia: It's a simple matter. There are such things as wormholes in space that connect in between place and place, time and time. As a space elemental, I am well versed in wormholes going around everywhere.

Sanford: Well. What do the wormholes do to tell you this?

Caledonia: From my knowledge of the wormholes, I am able to receive bits of information from points in existence. For example, did you know that the name of your family was one shared with that of the person who you will be sending a message to? That is because of a wormhole that opened up when someone was reciting an important prophecy about that person which was brought to their attention by the Wonder Jungle.

Sanford: Wonder Jungle? What?

Caledonia: Oh, that's a story for another time. With the wormholes that exist, I know the repercussions of your message being sent.

Sanford: Alright. Then.

Caledonia: Which is why it's of great importance that you write the letter to this person. Why don't you get started now?

Sanford: Er. Okay.

He then looked around for parchment to write on, and then got a jar of green ink to write with.

Sanford: Uh. What exactly should I write?

Caledonia: Just write anything. Really the only requirement is that you give instructions about the Call of Wonder. But if you'd like to give them your entire fucking life story, that's perfectly alright.

I giggled softly. He gave me a disturbed look, and then turned to the paper to begin writing. I stood still for quite a while, silent except for the sound of the writing. After a while, he finished, and turned towards me again.

Sanford: I've finished. I guess.

Caledonia: Good work.

Sanford: .

Caledonia: ... What is it, Sanford?

Sanford: I just wondered. Should I send something else?

Caledonia: You don't need do, but if you'd like...

I handed him a wooden relic.

Caledonia: You can have this sent with it.

Sanford: Gaia?

Caledonia: It is a relic in her name, yes.

Sanford: .

Caledonia: And you need some sort of container to send it in, don't you?

Sanford: I guess. I can just use that box.

Caledonia: He pointed over to a pear-shaped container. I walked over to it and picked it up, bringing it to him.

Sanford: Thank you.

Caledonia: After you pack it all up, I'll be ready to send it to him.

Sanford: Alright. I know. That this box is special somehow. Only a certain kind of person can open it. Someone who has the power of his soul. I think. That when he is ready. He'll be able to open it. Am I right?

I giggled and shrugged at him.

Caledonia: I wouldn't know. I just know that this is the way that things are supposed to happen.

Sanford: Uh. Alright.

Caledonia: Now, put it in the box.

He did so, and held it up to give to me.

I just stood there. He gained an odd expression on his face.

Sanford: What are you waiting for? Take it. Already.

I remained silent and unmoving. He stayed there for a while, unsure of what to do. And then he saw it.

He caught his reflection in the pear-shaped container.

Sanford: Ah.

His eyes widened, and an expression of horror emerged onto his face.

Sanford: What have I done?

I stayed silent. He began crying, and then screaming as if in great agony.

And then he began bashing his head in with the pear-shaped container. I kept the same emotionless and uncaring expression plastered on my face. His screaming became louder, and soon enough his blood began to emerge from his skull. He continued to bash it into his head.

Caledonia: ...

I would not interfere with this. This was his own decision to make, not mine. If he wanted to end his own existence in such a way, I would not bring myself to stop him. And I did not. He continued on.

At one point, he stopped. He looked at me. He seemed desperate and afraid. He had lost a lot of blood at this point already.

It seemed that at this point, he was going through a last attempt to regain what little sanity he had been holding onto at this point. It was hard for him. He opened his mouth, struggling to even speak the words he'd so desperately needed to.

Sanford: Caledonia. I can. Repent. Can't I?

I laughed at him, very loudly. He started to shake.

Caledonia: Try as you might. You just might get something better than Hell at this point. But it doesn't matter. You already passed by the point where you were important to everything. I honestly don't care what happens to you now.

Anger crossed his face for a moment. And then sadness. He held up the pear-shaped container again, and brought it down hard onto the top of his head.

He then fell over, and collapsed in a heap onto the floor. His blood ran all over. He was twitching slightly.

I got on my knees and leaned over, looking him in the eyes. They were barely open. I spoke to him once again.

Caledonia: Hm. Do what you want now, but in the end, it will all lead to the same outcome.

He could not respond. I heard only sounds of agony coming from him. I got up again, and started laughing.

Caledonia: Goodbye, Sanford.

I grabbed the pair-shaped container. With a wave of my hand, a wormhole opened up. I put the container into the wormhole, sending it far into the future.

And with that note, I left Sanford's home for good. I knew that upon my death, I would meet him again in the afterlife. Though I knew that was still a long time to come.

And until then, I would continue to inhabit the planet as I had. I could only wait for the day I would once again meet my sister.

ENDCHAPTER.

### Chapter 15 - Radiant

Radiant: ...

Using my own power, I let out a great burst of energy. It glowed brilliantly. It killed off the closest monsters immediately, and just scared off the rest enough to make them run away. I wouldn't let them get to him right now.

Radiant: Ivan...

They'd just killed him. The monsters had taken his life.

I turned around. There were still monsters in the area.

Radiant: Get away from him!

In my anger, I let loose another powerful blast of energy towards the creatures. Once again, some of the monsters were defeated by it, while the remaining proceeded to run off.

I lowered myself to his body. I didn't need to check his pulse to know that he was dead; I could see that, in his eyes, the life was completely gone from them.

Radiant: Ivan...

I thought about what we'd done in the past. All the monsters that we'd defeated, all the people that we'd rescued, all the adventures that we'd gone on. It was a wave of sadness crashing into me. As I know knew it could be no more.

And the other things we had done... All of the great innovations we'd made in the past three years. Like solar power. I remember him saying that we would one day harness the energy of the sun. And we did. It was a great leap from the previous steam and even oil resources that we had previously used. It was a really amazing thing.

There was also with the four-wheeled automotives that we'd accomplished in creating. An efficient personal way to get around, only without the track-based restrictions of locomotives on rails. They were really great...

As I begun to think about it, I realized that we'd been doing all of the things that Ivan had wanted to do recently. To make things that would directly benefit the people of Ludus. I wondered if his death was meant to be at this time, as he'd accomplished the things that he'd set out to do.

Except for, of course, freeing the planet from the grips of the monsters. We'd come nowhere close to doing such a thing. This was the one thing that Ivan had wanted to do before dying that he didn't.

I realized it as it was; doing so was truly impossible.

I sighed. Now... I wanted to give Ivan a proper burial. I used my abilities, creating a hole in the ground and creating a hole for him. Then I picked up his body, and gently placed him inside of it. Then I put the dirt back over the hole, burying him. His swords had fallen to the ground, I saw. I took them and placed them at the head of his grave, sticking them into the ground so that they were crossed. It was symbolic, I thought...

Radiant: ...

I wanted to say something, I really did, but I could manage nothing. I guess there was really nothing to be said. So I sighed, and then decided to just give him a moment of silence instead. Yes, silence... It felt fitting with the emptiness of the situation.

As the moment of silence for him then ended, I let out another sigh. I turned from his grave.

I then left. I felt that my life didn't matter anymore. I had no hope of winning, no more goals I could possibly achieve, and no one like Ivan who could help me through this all.

Since my life had ceased to matter as it had before, I stopped giving my attention to my surroundings as much. I would just go on, endlessly, anywhere, just continually moving, without direction, without course, without goal of destination. As I said, it didn't matter.

And, as I had stopped giving attention to my surroundings, I could not provide in detail what was happening around me for this story. I didn't know, I didn't remember, I couldn't possibly bring myself to. Without Ivan, I was alone in the world. Alone with nothing but my thoughts. Alone with nothing but emptiness.

I hated it so much, in my state. But I could do nothing. I had no power to free myself from this. I was just left in this state. And, ignored by others, it seemed there was no outside force that could get me out of it.

Until the day it happened. I don't know how much longer after Ivan's death it had happened. Some time in between many months and many years. In my ageless state, time didn't matter to me much. But still, it did happen at some point in time.

A shooting star, streaking across the sky. It hadn't gotten my attention at first; as I said, I'd given no attention to much of anything anymore. But this was important.

The shooting star fell to the earth, practically right in front of me. Of course, this had gotten my attention. It's purely in reflexes, built into one's system, that a reaction even happened, as I jumped back. Then, brought to attention, I stopped to stare at it for a moment.

After a long silence, my curiosity picked up. I decided to investigate it. Through the burning ground, I floated over. I knew of shooting stars, as I take quite an interest in space and cosmic sciences. Shooting stars were usually just pieces of space rock leaving a trail through the sky as they came to earth.

But this was definitely not a space rock.

It appeared to be some sort of living creature. It's hard to accurately describe its features, but it seemed... kind of like a flower. And it also appeared to be in a slightly humanoid form. It was wearing robes and other assorted armor-type clothing, some jewelry, and a visor. It also had large, spiky hair.

I'd never seen something like it before. It was completely alien to me. And I was utterly curious. At first, I'd thought that it surely would have died in its impact. But I realized that, not knowing anything about this alien or its' species, I couldn't possibly be a good judge of its resistance. It could likely be alive.

I went up to it. There was a sign of life coming from the alien... There was an energy from inside of it. Was this blood, pumping through the being's veins?

I investigated it. It seemed to be holding a lot of power inside of it... A being of great energy, I knew. But right now, it seemed to be... Weak. Hurt. Perhaps even... Dying? I wondered how this could be. Was I to assume that this alien held qualities similar to species that I'd seen before, or was it some sort of bizarre and far-off thing entirely?

I just decided to go off of what I did know, and try to bring it onto this alien. If I was correct, then the conditions were similar to that of a coma. It explained it perfectly... At some point in time, this alien had gone into a coma, and had gone aimlessly through space, in a comatose state. It was slumbering.

The need to awaken it beckoned throughout me. The desperate need to help this alien flowed through me. With much, but not all, of my strength, I picked him up. I saw that the weather was fine, but it was unsuitable for the alien's current possible condition. We needed shelter...

I looked around, and realized something that I hadn't before. I recognized these surroundings... I'd been here before, I knew it. This place was all too familiar to me.

This is the place where Ivan and I had begun our journey. The now-rebuilt Great Barrier.

This was perfect... I knew that I would be welcomed here, and given proper shelter. I helped these people before, and I do not think that they would forget it so easily, no matter how long it had been.

I went to an entry point, fending off any monsters that threatened me on my way. These monsters were drawn to the people, drawn to their life forces. And they wanted to extinguish them. This is why it is very dangerous for larger groups of people to be unprotected, for danger of more and more monsters attacking them.

At the entry point, I stated my name and my history with this place. Though the person there had not personally met me before, tales of my deeds had reached him, and he knew of me. I was very thankful for this turn of events. I was then allowed entry to the city.

Though I did get strange looks from others who saw what I was doing, who saw me carrying around this strange, comatose alien, I did not care. I only wanted to go on with the task at hand, and so I did. I knew that there was an infirmary near this place, a place where this alien could receive proper care, and get good treatment for the ailments that it had.

I arrived there, and showed the people working there the comatose alien. The alien was given a bed, and we were told to wait for those who could give the alien a treatment of sorts.

It seemed that I had been waiting for a long time when, all of a sudden, I heard something.

???: ... H...

I jumped to attention. It was the alien who had made that noise.

Radiant: Ah...!

The alien seemed to slowly and groggily be waking up. I felt myself brimming with excitement and anticipation of the event. It would be great for me to meet this one, I thought.

Radiant: Uh... Hello...?

The visor that the alien was wearing suddenly filled with a sky-blue light. The light seemed to decrease in size, becoming a circle inside of the visor. A perfect circle in the middle of the light then emerged, as black as the background around it. This must be it's eye, I thought to myself. The creature was cycloptic, indeed.

???: Uh...

I gave an inquisitive look as to what the alien was doing. The alien then looked around frantically, clearly very confused with everything.

???: What the fuck...? What is this...?

The alien gave attention to me at that moment. I stayed silent.

???: Hey, you...

Radiant: Er... Y-yes?

???: What the hell is going on here? What happened to me?

Radiant: Well, I don't really know what happened to you exactly... Um, what should I refer to you as?

???: My name is Revelian Zeronius, but-

Radiant: Er, I mean, as in gender? Is yours a species that has such qualities? I've really only been referring to you as 'it' before, because I wasn't sure...

Revelian: What? Well, yeah, there are gender differences in my species, and I'm a "he".

Radiant: Oh, okay.

Revelian: But that's not really the kind of thing that I myself am concerned about right now! Now, do you know what fucking happened to me or not?!

Radiant: No, not really. All I know is that you crashed into the planet like a meteor, in a comatose state, so then I took you here.

Revelian: And that's it, then? That's all you know?

Radiant: Yeah, I swear, it's all I know.

Revelian: Tch... Damnit. I don't fucking remember anything that happened to me before this, then...

Radiant: You don't?

Revelian: No, I just fucking said that for shits and giggles.

Radiant: Well... What are you going to do now, then...?

Revelian: I don't know exactly... Fuck, I guess the best thing to do right now is to try and get in contact with the others...

Radiant: The others? There are more like yourself that you know?

Revelian: What, do you think I just randomly crawled up out of nothingness and into existence?

Radiant: Oh, right...

Revelian: Look, I know you're interested and all, but you're asking the dumbest questions.

Radiant: Uh, sorry...

Revelian sighed. He then started to press buttons on his visor. He seemed to be using it as a form of communication device. After a while, he exclaimed in anger.

Revelian: Fucking hell!!

Radiant: W-what is it?

Revelian: No one's in fucking range for communication?! How the hell is that even possible?!

Radiant: Well, you probably just drifted far off from them or something... I mean, I don't personally know, but you may have been comatose for quite a while...?

Just then, a doctor came in the door.

Revelian: YOUR ASSISTANCE IS NOT FUCKING REQUIRED.

The doctor then turned and ran out the door in an instant.

Revelian: Urgh... Damnit!! I'm going to be fucking stuck here, without any way to get back to them, or to find out what the fuck happened!!

Radiant: Um, Revelian, I really think that you should calm down...

Revelian: How the fuck can I calm down when all this shit is going on??!!

Radiant: ...

Revelian: You know what, fine, I'll fucking calm down. Fuck it, anyway.

Radiant: O... Okay...

Revelian: What, isn't this exactly what you fucking wanted?

Radiant: Well... Yeah, I guess...

Revelian: Well, then?

Radiant: Er, what?

Revelian: You wanted to ask me unimportant questions earlier, and since now I have fuckall to do, it's a good damn time to do it.

Radiant: Well, um...

I didn't really feel like asking anything about him at this point. I didn't feel that I needed, or really wanted, to know. I stayed silent for a while.

Revelian: Well? Do you have something to ask me or not?

Radiant: Not really, I guess...

Revelian gave me an odd look, and then he sighed.

Revelian: I get it...

Radiant: ... Eh...?

Revelian: I mean, it's actually really obvious to me, for some reason. I'm usually not that good at reading people's emotions, but you... Seem like you're not really being 'yourself'...

He was actually right, I knew. But it felt strange talking about it to him.

Radiant: H-How can you be an accurate judge of something like that? You don't even know me...

Revelian: No, I don't know you, but you seem like you're acting restrained, kind of lost, even. I know the feeling all too well, so there's no use in trying to hide it from me or saying that I'm wrong about it.

Radiant: Er...

Revelian: Though, and trust me on this, I couldn't possibly care less about someone else's problems, go ahead and tell me about it.

Radiant: Tell you about it...?

Revelian: Yeah, go ahead.

Radiant: Well...

I told him all about it. About Ivan, and what we'd done together. And then about how he'd died, and what I did after that, and how I'd come to feel about everything... It was strange, revealing this much to a complete stranger like himself. But something about him made it impossible not to... It was hard to really explain.

Radiant: And that's everything...

He sighed, closing his eye for a moment.

Revelian: Fucking hell, man. Damn it...

I then saw him reveal a slightly angered expression, which prompted confusion out of me.

Revelian: You know, if you knew anything about my past, even in the slightest, I'm pretty damn sure you wouldn't be talking about your pittily-ass problems in front of me. The shit I've gone through... You don't even know. But through all I've gone through, I have learned a lot from it. Which is why I can offer you some advice on this, actually... And you better listen damn well, because I'm only going to say this once, got it?

I was silent for a moment. I didn't really know what I wanted at this point... But I figured that this could possibly result in some good coming out of everything, maybe.

Radiant: S-sure... Yeah, okay, I'm listening.

Revelian: Good. Now, I know the whole empty feeling, of losing someone that you cared about. Hell, right now I'm without any of the people who I ever knew, so I'm damn well more acquainted with it than you are, even. But the thing is that you can't let losing someone in your life mean the end of it. With losing others comes the chances to meet other people and grow onto people who are already in your life, and though those people aren't going to fill the void left by that lost person, they're likely to make up something even bigger for you, or at least provide a distraction from everything. And those people are important, too. But the main thing, and this part is REALLY important, is that you don't just stop living after someone else has stopped living. There's a big thing about that, and it's a damn great thing to do! The whole point of living after someone dies is so that you can carry their memory with you throughout your days. Because-- motherfucking news flash here-- when you eventually end, the memories and legacy of the people you lost before will end with you. And yeah, I know that everything meets the end some day, but that doesn't make the time you spent carrying their memories worthless. It just makes them all the more valuable, because there's only so little of it all to go around, and with what you're carrying, it's a big thing that's being done there.

There was a moment of silence, followed by a sigh from him while he closed his eye.

Revelian: Now... What you need to do is get back to living as you were and stop just giving into uselessness purely because this Ivan is gone. That way everything that he did won't be for nothing, got it?

I was about to speak, but I was interrupted by the sounds of loud beeping. It was coming from Revelian's visor.

Revelian: Huh...? Oh! Ahah! There's someone in range now... Heh, perfect. It says the username is sengo718... Haha... How did I know that he'd be the one there for me...?

Revelian turned to me at that moment.

Revelian: I'm heading off now. Hopefully, now that he's here, I can find out what the hell happened, and then I can get on with my life again. And, hey, take wind of my advice. It's gonna be real helpful, I'm telling you.

Revelian opened the window to the room, and began to float out of it.

Revelian: Goodbye, whatever your name is.

He floated outside. I ran over to the window to watch him.

Radiant: It's Radiant... Radiant Darkblaze. And Revelian... Thank you. I hope that we will meet again.

Revelian: Probably not!

And with that, he flew off from my view.

Radiant: Goodbye, Revelian... And thank you.

With new hope in my heart, I continued on in my life. And I would always carry with me the memories of Ivan.

ENDCHAPTER.

## Act 2: The Modern Version (Of Hope)

### Chapter 17 - Zachary

I had finally escaped the imprisonment of the Negatives, after twenty long years of being forced to do slave work on their bases settled on Ludus. There was a loud explosion, with strange lights and thunder erupting from the sky and land for some reason. It seemed that the Negatives stationed on the planet had been killed by this.

I spent a while going back to my old home. By now, the castle was badly damaged from the war, and planets had begun to grow over it. It was a sad thing to see the majestic thing now on its' last legs. But I couldn't dwell on it for long. I knew that I had a job to do.

My memory of the day is foggy now, but I still remember my father's last words before he left this earth. When his killer had gone, he told me to come back here when I was older, and to search for some messages left by my ancestors.

And so I was here. The castle was a desolate place now. I took a while to look around for the message in question.

After a while of searching, I came upon my fathers' room. It seemed familiar, and I felt as if I'd been here many times in my childhood, though I did not have any specific memories of the experience. I walked over to a chest that was kept on the foot of the bed. I took a while to look around, wary of this being some sort of trap. Nothing but pictures of my late mother catch my eye. I sighed, and opened the chest.

Inside were assorted letters. Some were sent by famous relatives of mine who I knew. But there were some sent by an unfamiliar name.

Zach: Mainyu...?

I decided to open the letter that was intended to my from my father first.

*My dear son. If you are reading this, than I have passed in your youth. I would hope that this not happen at all, but alas, it is a possibility. I knew that your mother, too, would pass, as she is currently suffering of a disease at the time I am writing this. I do not wish to leave you in this world without guidance. Yet I am without the proper knowledge of how to guide you. I apologize for being so useless in a time of need. In here are letters sent for the heirs of future kingdoms by your ancestors. Though I may not be able to help you myself, I at least take joy in knowing that I have guided you to this point. Sincerely, your father, Alexander Isles.*

I paused and read it over again. I sighed. My father was a great and brave man, and I missed him a lot. This letter wasn't really helping. I tucked the letter away and begin to read the others.

Zach: Wait a minute... what the hell?

I examined the letters from my ancestors. I laid them all out and looked at them. I couldn't believe my eyes. They were all covered in a blue, blood-like substance, rendering them completely unreadable.

Zach: What is this...?

I just sat there for a moment. And then I sighed. I thought that I could look to these for guidance, but they were all like this. I realized that I hadn't check out the letters from this Mainyu person. I grabbed one of them and checked it out.

*The other letters are unreadable for a reason.*

I very nearly dropped it in surprise. I continued reading, anxious and fearful.

*It was not realized by your father or anyone else who looked at them because they were surrounded in the Void. I know of you, you are the last remaining of the Dragonkin royalty. I have heard stories of you from a time-traveling companion of mine. It comes to mind that you are very important, but also that you will not do well in your current time. Follow my directions and you shall be led to a place where you can live in peace and benefit the planet greatly.*

I couldn't possibly express how I was feeling then in words. It was strange, the compilation of emotions that were swirling around in my head.

*There is a gate that will send anyone who goes through it through time at a rate of seven-hundred years. I have traveled through it before, and I can provide accurate directions from your current location to where it is.*

Zach: ...

*It is of dire importance that you abide to this guide. Your role is very important and is likely to transcend that which you think it does. Now, please follow these directions and go to the gateway.*

Zach: ...

I felt wary and strange about blindly following the orders of this cryptic person's letter. But I honestly felt that I'd had no other choice but to do so. I didn't really have anything to come back to here. So if it turned out to be true, it would seem to be very beneficial to me.

I gathered my things and some other assorted items from the castle and then headed out.

According to the note, there was a gateway located on the planet that would send me seven-hundred years into the future, if I went through it the right way. I wasn't all too keen on just leaving my life behind, but I'd also thought that it probably wouldn't have been better to just stay here. If I did, I'd likely have to deal with the Negatives... They were quite a ruthless bunch. And I think that a life as far away from them as possible seemed like a good one.

Through a long journey across a forest, I found the gate. It was large and golden and glowing, a very beautiful sight. I think that this was one of the gates that, as a child, the people would always tell me not to go into. Something about them being cursed or evil. Though I wasn't really one to believe in all this mystical and magical kind of stuff. (Despite the fact that know I was being told that it did, in fact, have magical properties.)

I approached the gate and it began to open. White light poured out of it. I paused for a moment, slightly scared of it. And then I sighed and jumped through. When I touched the light, I felt myself falling through time. And then in the same instant, I walked out of the other side of the gate. It closed behind me.

I noticed major differences in my surroundings. The jungle forests that I had just seen were now replaced with that of very average trees and grass and plants. I was in a regular forest, it seemed. I walked around a treestump and noticed another major difference. There was a few strange and unfamiliar creatures, with large heads walking about. This was a major leap from the relatively-tame twinfeelers that I was used to seeing roam about. And by relatively-tame, I mean that the twinfeelers didn't usually attack me when I was in the vicinity of them. These creatures did.

Zach: !!!

I ran away from them quickly. Although they didn't seem very threatening, I could have been wrong and I just might have been getting myself into something I couldn't have gotten out of. When I finally stopped to catch my breath, I decided to take another look at the letter from Mainyu.

In the time you're going to, the planet will likely still be overrun with monsters from the Separ Dimension. Before you time, I taught the Dragonkin the method of which to tame the Twinfeelers on their planet. You will know of this now. Using the same method, you will be able to tame the Separ Monsters that are on the planet in this time.

My goal is that from your arrival, you will be able to teach the people of this planet how to tame the Separ Monsters and then to be able to protect themselves and live in harmony with them. Please, use your knowledge wisely.

Zach: Alright, then.

And so I decided that listening to her would be the best thing to do at the time. I later did my best to prepare myself and began trying to tame a monster rummaging through the trash, when suddenly...

bunp

Someone else was also trying to attack the monster at the same time, and we had not noticed each other, causing us to bunp right into each other mid-attack. The monster continued to rummage around in the trash.

I looked at the other person. His head was boxy, his skin a dull brown, and his shoulder-length hair ghost white. He got up quickly and dusted off his expensive-looking suit, then waved dismissively at me.

Zach: ...

???: I'm fine, it's okay. ... Sorry, you okay, there?

Zach: Hey... Didn't see you there. Apologies for all that... I was just trying to tame it. I'm Zach, by the way. Who're you?

???: Wow, really? Uh, Quint! Baxter Ethos Quint. And you're looking to tame these guys, too?

Zach: Yeah... It's a well known thing of my people.

Baxter: Your people, huh? Good to know I'm not going this alone. I've never really seen someone like you before. Species-wise, anyhow.

Zach: Well, I am a native...

Baxter: Native? You don't look very griddy to me, no offense.

Zach: I mean, I was born here, along with all my other people. Er, well, I guess that was actually a long time ago... Wait, who exactly is 'native' to the planet now?

Baxter: ... Griddies. Gridmasks, y'know. Whaddya' mean by all that, though?

Zach: Wait, Gridmasks? Is that what you are?

Baxter: Yeah. We've been here, for like, six hundred years. (Now I'm really curious about you, though...)

Zach: Er... I wasn't really here for it, I guess. I kinda just took a time leap from seven-hundred years back.

Baxter: Ah, time travel. Hate it. My sib Canter was in a musical about it last month and I was racking my brain trying to wrap my head around- wait, for real??

Zach: Yeah... And I was kind of the prince of the native species at the time. But I left to get away from the Negatives that were invading the planet...

Baxter: ... Oh.

Zach: Uh... maybe I could explain a bit more in more detail, if you don't mind filling me in on some other things?

Baxter: Yeah-yeah, I've got some time for storytime.

Zach: Sure, alright. I was originally the prince of the Ludusian Dragonkin, but one day in my youth, we were attacked by invading Negatives. They went and killed my father, along with a lot of the other Dragonkin. And then they harvested the resources of our planet to fuel their Dark Star, as well as making us work as slaves to power it. It was somewhere around twenty years before I actually got free of them, and then I went back to the castle to look for a message from my ancestor that my father said would be there waiting for me. But when I got there, the only thing I could read was a message from this Mainyu person. She said that I needed to go through a magical gate that would send me seven-hundred years into the future, where I would be important to the timeline, apparently. And that's where I am now. How about you?

I filled the "Dragonkin" in on what he needed about this world - sure to emphasize the role of my family, the Quints, of course.

Baxter: So, wait... you're saying that you were sent to save the people of the planet by taming monsters in this time, by the request and guidance of someone from a long time ago? There's gotta be some good money in that.

Zach: I... don't know about that. But I was thinking... Maybe we should team up. We can both tame monsters, and all that.

Baxter: Yeah. Oh yeah. I can see it now! We'll teach others how to tame the monsters, so that they can know and better defend themselves... Ooh, and what if we could take the monsters that we've tamed, and work a system of... (ugh, cataloging... donating...) *adoption*, so that we can give them to the people and they can protect themselves from the monsters? And-

Zach: You're going a bit fast, but those seem like they could work!

Baxter: Alright-alright! I'll make some calls and see who can help us get off the ground. We gotta get this big and all- I mean, good for us with money, yeah, but it solves the monster problem, doesn't it? Oh, this'll be real good. What do you think we should name it? Our corporation, I mean.

Zach: Maybe just our initials or something? I guess for myself, I'd choose 'I', based off of my last name, Isles.

Baxter: Well, I've gotta do my family proud somehow. Quint and Isles? Ooh, no - Isles and Quint. "IQ" for short.

Zach: Alright, so we'll name it IQ Corporations!

Baxter: Yes!

Zach: So, we'll start IQ with an adoption center so that people can adopt pets, as well as us teaching them how to do it all... It seems like a whole solid plan, there.

Baxter: Of course! Say, you wouldn't happen to know anyone willing to hop aboard this with us, would you? (Preferably people with some money...?)

Zach: Not really... I guess when we meet the right person, we'll hire them.

It was the next day. We'd started up a small place for our business, just a little stand with the letters 'IQ' on it. We'd already gotten quite a few pets for adoption, though we were met with little costumers. We'd decided to wait a while, until we could get a lot of pets, and make ourselves and our cause public enough for people to be accepting of the taming and adopting of the monsters who had overrun them for over the last hundred years.

And it was on this day when we met the person who would be our greatest, most beneficial employee.

We were both sitting in the stand, when suddenly, a male Alternian troll walked over to us. He seemed to be a purple-blooded troll, and was wearing a headband.

Baxter: Hey! Step right up! Welcome to Isles & Quint.

???: Hello...

Baxter: Er, here we work to tame monsters and allow them to be adopted as pets. We're not really open right now, but you can come back at a later time if you want to adopt a pet...

???: Actually, I was wondering if I could get a job here? I'm actually experienced in how to tame a Separ Monster...

Zach: Huh? You are??

???: Yeah.... I heard a bit about this place, and I was wondering if I could be able to join you...

Zach: S-Sure!

Baxter: Of course! We're actually looking to hire people just like you!

???: O-Oh, really? Well, thank you both for letting me join you.

Zach: So, anyway, what's your name?

???: My name is Hankvi Guidza...

Baxter: Well, Hank, welcome to the team! So, what other skills do you have aside from taming the monsters?

Hankvi: Well, not much that I know of, really... But I think there might be something good I can do...

This was the biggest understatement that had ever crossed our ears.

By the end of the day, he'd fixed every possible problem we'd had with the corporation. We were completely dumbfounded.

Hankvi: Well, I guess I can do all that...

Baxter: Um. Wow. Just... wow.

Zach: That's fucking amazing is what that is.

Hankvi: Oh, it's not really that big a deal...

Baxter: Of course it is! Someone's working for Employee of the Month, and we haven't even been open that long!

Hankvi: Oh, aheh, I wouldn't say that...

Zach: Man, you're a really self-doubting guy. I mean, what you did is super impressive and you're playing it down like you barely did anything!

Hankvi: Well, eheh, I don't really like to see myself as all that impressive... I guess I'm kind of the 'humble' type....

Baxter: 'Humble' is an understatement!

Zach: Well, then. Baxter, Hankvi... I think we're going to have a pretty successful business going here.

Baxter: Heh, yeah!

Hankvi: Aheh....

And that is exactly what happened. And even though we all had the feeling that these events had been built up for us from the start, we would always go on with the knowledge that we did this, with the power of our combined efforts.

ENDCHAPTER.

### Chapter 18 - Hankvi

Hankvi: Goodbye...

I waved to my faithful Mer-Treant lusus as I walked away, in the beginning of my own adventure.

My name is Hankvi Guidza. I'm an Alternian troll, one of the purple blooded caste. I am more of a meek person than the other Highbloods of my caste, and instead of the regular activities that I was expected to undertake, I was more often to be found in my hive with my lusus. Today, however, I was leaving my lusus to go on my own adventure. This was quite the change of pace for me, but it was an action of which I was willing to undertake.

I wasn't much of a fighter, though I did have a particular liking for adventure. I always wanted to go out and explore new places, finding things that others had never seen before. My lusus was always a bit too over-protective, though, and I was not often one to be taking part in these kinds of things. I felt an encouraging sense of freedom, now that I was able to go out into the world by myself, adventuring as I so wanted.

I had the proper capabilities and skills fitting of an adventurer, especially to one such as myself. And, one day, I made an incredible discovery. Deep in the woods, I took note of an abandoned, mossy, purple tower. The reason why I took such note of this tower was because of the large symbol painted onto it: it was identical to my own symbol. Through a strange method, one involving a black hole appearing after I'd punched a wall, I was able to enter the tower that did not have any doors or windows. And, in my curiosity, I peered inside of it.

I saw a dark room with a chest that was covered in moss. I jumped through the entrance that had appeared, and opened the chest with little to no effort using my hatchet. Inside the chest, I found an incredibly unstable axe, which was made of a mixture of Light and Darkness, along with a journal that was, apparently, written by a "Pensiver Axeswish", which was opened on page 623. And, curious as I was, I began to read it:

*~ []n the [::]th bilunar perigee []f the red seas[]n's e[,]uin[]x ~
I have finally left these Subjugglat[]rs []ff my trail. I pr[]bably sh[]uld have n[]t trait[]red the highbl[][]ds and t[] establish empathetic th[]ughts t[] The Penssh[]t and The Sresr[]tt, kn[]wing full and well that w[]uld cause an armagedd[]n full []f cha[]s. I have arrived t[] a dead-end, and, as a s[]rt []f a miracle fr[]m the fake messiahs, I punched the gr[]und []ut []f desperati[]n and there it was, a faint blue gl[]w and a black h[]le in the gr[]und, s[] I have made an escape r[]ute using the s[]-called "Karma Arm" all the way t[] the []ther side []f Alternia, where the sunset began. F[]r the minute, I th[]ught I was safe, but the pumpkin right beside me was*

In my intrigue of this, I went to read more of it. But, for whatever reason, the rest of the pages had been mysteriously torn, with the exception of what seemed to be a clue of sorts, which I had found when I skipped directly to the end.

*I pr[]bably w[]n't make it, s[] wh[]ever takes this j[]urnal, please take the Axe []f Cha[]s. May it serve y[]u well. And here is als[] a clue t[] y[]ur destiny: Ludus. The rest is up t[] y[]u....*

This part was fairly confusing to me. Ludus? What kind of strange name was that? I'd never heard of it before, but it was apparently an important factor in my own life, or likely to become such a thing.

Then, having thoroughly investigated the entire tower, I went back through the portal I had made and went back outside. Knowing that a Hive (or abode, for those of you out there who aren't fluent in trollian slang) that I could inhabit was nearby, I went on my way to make it there. The sun would soon rise, and I needed to get back quickly. I was, however, interrupted by the sudden appearance of a land-based hoofbeast galloping towards me.

I stood for a moment to marvel at this rarity. Usually, at least on my planet, hoofbeasts only came in the aquatic variety, and seeing a land-roaming one like this was quite the privilege. But my attitude towards the creature changed as I realized that it was coming closer and closer to trampling me under its' hooves.

Knowing that I could not outrun it, so I then retrieved my newly-found Axe of Chaos and raised it at the stampeding hoofbeast. As I swung the axe vertically downwards towards the hoofbeast, and the axe then emitted a lot of light and darkness, and then just completely annihilated the creature. My sense of victory over the hoofbeast was short-lived, though, as I saw then that it had caused the sun to rise up much faster that it had before, as if somehow influenced by the power of my Axe. Very likely, I thought. I began to feel the burns on my skin, and started to run as fast as I could to shelter. However, at that moment, I stumbled and fell to the ground, creating another portal, which I then fell through.

I remember I fell through this portal in the ground for what felt much like nearly half an hour, but I soon got out of the other end of the portal. And, as I then surveyed the surrounding area, I saw that everything was... Well, different and dormant and dubious. The portal disappeared for no reason then. A sense of hopelessness now filled me as I realized myself trapped in this strange, alien place. This is when I knew my fountain of miracles ran out, even though I had no belief in the fake messiahs...

And as I then proceeded to explore my surroundings, I found a grassy land and some forests around me, as well as a strange clock tower, which has been reduced to ruins and decimated beyond repair. The strange thing about it was the design, one that I had never before seen or studied.

Then, to my surprise, I heard a sound. Someone was near, I knew. I did not feel wary enough to take out my axe, so I instead called out t this person, feeling curious as to their identity.

Hankvi: Hello...? Who's there?

A red-decorated woman suddenly emerged from behind the larger hand of the decimated clock.

???: Greetings.

Hankvi: Uh, hello... Who exactly are you?

???: My name is Issus.

Hankvi: Ah... hello, Issus... What is this place?

Issus: This place, you ask? Well, quite simply, it's the planet known as Ludus.

I almost surged forward with intrigue and empowerment. A destination sought out, and easily received. How fortunate!

Hankvi: This place is Ludus, you say???

Issus: Yes. I do believe you have important business here, yes?

Hankvi: Ah, yes, Issus, I believe that I do. I recently received a fairly important note from my ancestor... Or at least I believe that he is my ancestor, as we have nearly-identical typing quirks. The note was entailing that something or somewhere known as Ludus was an important clue for my own destiny...

Issus: Hm... Aheh...

She giggled for a short while. I gave her a sideways look.

Issus: My apologies. It's just such an amusing thing, how events that string things together of previously otherwise perfectly disparate distinctions, could be so relatively similar that they bring distinction of themselves when looking through all events of time, purely through events of happenstance. Hm, even more amusing is that one could call it as just being...

Hankvi: ... Chance, you say?

Issus: Yes, yes, which in correlation to yourself is such a thing of interest, to the point at which I find it hard not to gain sorts of amusement through this.

Hankvi: Huh. Fair enough, I guess.

Issus: But yes, your destiny does involve this place, and it is one of dire importance...

Hankvi: Oh, eh? Do you know of it, Issus?

Issus: Yes. As a time-traveler, I am very knowledgeable in the major events and happenings of this planet. You happen to be entangled in quite a number of them.

Hankvi: O-oh... Alright, then...

Issus: And as such, I shall... Aheh, guide you on your way through it. First of all, let me teach you about this planet. Ludus is a place which holds the Wonder Jungle, a place that creates monsters. These monsters lived in a realm known as the Separ for a long time, before they were one day released onto the planet and began to attack the residents, leaving them in a terrorized state under these creatures.

Hankvi: Oh... And... I'm supposed to help out with the efforts to take back this planet from the monsterous creatures?

Issus: That's correct! You have quite the skills for deduction. The goal now is to tame the Separ Monsters, and I know of a method that can be used to do exactly that. Let me teach you...

As customary, this important piece of plot will not be revealed at the moment.

Hankvi: Huh... Well, that's... Quite an interesting piece of information...

Issus: And it will most assuredly help you on your quest.

Hankvi: Alright, then... Can you tell me what I should do now?

Issus: Of course. There is a location, fairly close to here, even, where your talents will come as a great advantage to those hoping to release the tight grip of the Separ Monsters terrorizing the people currently.

I then saw her step to the side and point in a direction. I directed my gaze to where she was then directing me.

Issus: Just this way, you will find a small, newly-started place of business. It is your task to ask to join them and to present your available talents.

Hankvi: Alright...

Issus: Right, then... I believe that I have done all that is needed of me here. Hankvi, we'll likely never meet again. Goodbye.

Hankvi: Ah... Goodbye, Issus...

She waved me off, as I then went onward with the directions that she had given to me.

???: Hey! Step right up! Welcome to Isles & Quint.

Hankvi: Hello...

???: Er, here we work to tame monsters and allow them to be adopted as pets. We're not really open right now, but you can come back at a later time if you want to adopt a pet...

Hankvi: Actually, I was wondering if I could get a job here? I'm actually experienced in how to tame a Separ Monster...

???: Huh? You are??

Hankvi: Yeah... I heard a bit about this place, and I was wondering if I could be able to join you...

???: S-Sure!

???: Of course! We're actually looking to hire people just like you!

And from this point, I went onward towards my true destiny in this place.

And something else, as well...

The night that I'd gotten the job, Baxter decided to show us around the planet. He had been here longer than Zach and myself, so we trusted him to show us around and keep us up-to-date with everything.

Baxter: Now, I'm no history buff, but the long and short of it was that there was this guy and he had a stick and then he beat up a bunch of plant guys and ruled the planet.

Zach: What? There's no way that really happened.

Baxter: For real! I'm quoting historical documents here! Anyway, then a bunch of foxy witches came up and beat up the rest of them, but then Sanford came up and killed a lot of them because of the monsters that started showing up.

Hankvi: Okay...

Baxter: So, then those guys were, like, breaking a bunch of walls, and people didn't like that, and they built the walls again, then Ivan Tsarvon fixed up our tech to utilize our star! ... And then another alien dude broke a wall and got beat up, and here we are.

Zach: That's...

Baxter: Better than you're gonna get from school, lemme tell ya.

Zach: It just sounds so weird, though!

Hankvi: Hey, Baxter... What's that place?

I was pointing at a building with the words 'BAR' flashing on the front of it.

Baxter: Oh. You, uh, might not wanna... actually... er... what the heck. Let's check it out.

Zach: That... doesn't really sound encouraging.

Baxter: No, trust me, it's really cool! You'll love it!

Despite our unwillingness to go with him, he ended up convincing us to go into this 'BAR' with him. It was a very smelly and dirty place, to say the least. There were rather expensive beverages present, and he explained that the primary purpose of this place was to consume them.

Zach: I guess I'll try it out. How about you, Hank?

Hankvi: Ah... Sure, I guess it couldn't hurt... Too much...

Baxter: Sounds good. Keep! A round of the 'good stuff' for my friends here, please!

After a relatively short wait, we received large mugs of a somewhat golden liquid, which appeared similar to the things that we on the building's sign out front.

Hankvi: So... This is the 'good stuff'?

A customer who none of us knew answered my question by shouting out "Yeah!", which, for some reason, caused many of the other customers to laugh.

Zach: Alright then...

We all downed our drinks.

Zach: ... That tasted horrible.

Hankvi: Yeah, kinda... \*hic\*

Baxter: Tolerance comes with time.

Zach: We have to drink MORE of that horrible stuff?

Baxter: Oh, come now, it's not THAT bad.

And so, we started to drink some more of the 'good stuff'. And more after that, and then I lost count of how many more times after that...

Zach: \*hic\* Whka-what is this stuff, anya-anyway...??

Baxter: It's a fair bit of my rent down the drain, is what it is. ... Nnnot that I mind. That was mean, sorrrryyy.

I, meanwhile, was continuously falling about in a drunken stupor.

Hankvi: Ugh...

Baxter: Sshheeesh. First time's a good time, huh?

Zach: What th-\*hic\*e hell doh-do you think, gemius?? \*hic\*

Baxter: Yeah, yeah, I get it... I'll help you all out.

Baxter went over and helped pick me up.

Baxter: Now-- WOAH MAN WE'RE GOING EVERYWHERE

He was referring to how my intoxicated state left me completely unbalanced, and how my weight and momentum was leading him off his own balance.

Hankvi: I just-\*hiccup\* sorry about it... m... m... man... \*hiccup\*

Baxter: ISLES HELP WE'RE GOING DOWN

Zach went over and helped Baxter with his balance, while struggling with his own.

Baxter: Thanks, cap'n'.

Baxter made a gesture towards the door.

Baxter: Alright, let's hit the streets!

Then, through the proceeding bouts of continuous stumbling around everywhere, I came to realize something.

Throughout my whole experience on this planet, which had been remarkably short at this point, I'd already come to realize a love for two new things.

Working, and drinking.

These two things would become quite a habit for me from that point on. one could even go as far to say that they were an important part of my destiny...

ENDCHAPTER.

### Chapter 19 - Revelian

My visor's messaging system started going off just as I'd began to eat the monster steak that I'd paid for with the money that Mura had given to me. I was being messaged by Mura himself. I opened the message and joined the chat.

```
**sengo718 began chat with deathIncarnate at 12:17 PM**
**deathIncarnate: Hey, Mura.**
**sengo718: hi, rev.**
**sengo718: enjoying your lunch, bro?**
**deathIncarnate: I already ate it.**
**sengo718: 0p**
**deathIncarnate: It was pretty good. Better than I thought it was going to be.**
**sengo718: that's good to know. 0)**
**deathIncarnate: Though, to be honest, it's not like it was really some premium meal.**
**deathIncarnate: I could really just go out pretty much fucking anywhere, find the thing they killed and put in it, kill that, then cook it and eat it. I could kill it quicker than they did, too.**
**sengo718: 0-]**
**deathIncarnate: Actually, I think I'm just going to do that from now on. It's better than wasting the money you made on it.**
**deathIncarnate: Even though I don't need to eat at all. Which is even more of a waste on me.**
**sengo718: no way, i'm completely fine with it. really, it's my pleasure to help you out there.**
**sengo718: besides, bro, i know how ornery you get when you haven't eaten in a while. 0)**
**deathIncarnate: What? I don't get ornery just because of that.**
**sengo718: you totally do!!! don't try to deny it, bro.**
**sengo718: remember how you were when you first landed here? 03**
**sengo718: after all those years, it looked like you would've eaten over four hundred and nineteen armed residents of the planet!**
**deathIncarnate: 0I**
**sengo718: and you were totally cranky then because of that. 03**
**deathIncarnate: "0I**
**deathIncarnate: That's pretty much all I do now, isn't it?**
**deathIncarnate: Just eat and bitch, right?**
**sengo718: 0(**
**sengo718: nah, you do way more than that, but those things are what make you my baby bro. 0)**
**deathIncarnate: ... Baby bro? What??**
**sengo718: yep. and i'll be taking care of you, just like i did when you were little.**
**deathIncarnate: Uh, that never happened?? You weren't even that much older than me when I was born.**
**sengo718: i know... but i get to make up for it by taking care of us now. 0)**
**deathIncarnate: ...**
**sengo718: 0)**
**deathIncarnate: \*SIGH\***
**deathIncarnate: Well, you'd better get back to your job now, I guess.**
**deathIncarnate: Wh-?**
**sengo718: alright. i'm going to be doing another all-nighter, by the by.**
**sengo718: oh, what was the 'wh' for??**
**deathIncarnate: Some woman just walked up right in front of me and is standing still right in front of me.**
**sengo718: oh?? 0o**
**deathIncarnate: And I haven't seen here ever before or anything.**
**deathIncarnate: I'm just going to end the chat now, and see what this lady's deal is.**
**sengo718: alright. bye, bro.**
**deathIncarnate has ended the chat**

```

I closed out of the chatroom then and stood up to look at the lady.

Revelian: Uh, hello...?

???: .............

Revelian: ... Do you need help with something?

???: .............

Revelian: ... Hello? Why are you just standing here?

???: .............

Revelian: Uh...

???: .............

Revelian: Ugh.

She continued to just stand there and say nothing for quite a while. I was going to just wait for her to do something, but she just continued to stand there and do nothing except fucking breathe. My patience was running thin.

Revelian: Do you want to fucking talk to me or are you just going to fucking stand there?

???: .............

Revelian: Do you want me to just start talking, then? At least pretend that we're having an actual conversation, instead of just pissing my patience away?

???: .

Revelian: TCH... I guess I have nothing better to do than just talk to you. Might as well be talking to a fucking wall, though.

???: .

Revelian: Maybe if I just talk long enough, it'll put you to sleep. Does that sound about right?

???: .

Revelian: Alright, then. I'll just tell you about myself...

The memories of the conquests that I had taken part of still haunt me to this day.

King: Please... spare us...

I picked up the bloodied and shaking body of the Dragonkin king, holding him up to eye level with me. Tears were streaming down his face- not from the pain, I knew, but from the fact that he and his people had been defeated. This was a man that truly loved his kind, and did not want them to suffer such a fate.

Revelian: I cannot do that. But, you are an honorable warrior who fights to defend what he loves. As such, I will give you an honorable warrior's death.

I raised my sword and raised it to his chest, and with a swift motion, I stabbed him through the heart. He coughed up a considerable amount of blood, before his body began to go cold and limp. When his heart finally stopped beating, I set him down to the floor.

???: Father!!

A small figure ran from behind a curtain, over to the now lifeless body of the King. At first I was surprised, but I figured out that the king had told his son to hide, or to get out without him. More of a cliched sort of drama scene, in my opinion. I watched as the King's son grieved over his father's lifeless body for a while. And then he began to pick up his father's sword.

???: You bastard!!!

He then tried to attack my with the weapon. I grabbed the sword out of his hands and threw it across the room. He tried to attack me with his fists then, and I simply picked him up.

Revelian: Sorry, kid.

???: I'll kill you for this!!!

In spite of the seriousness of the situation, I couldn't help but let out a laugh. The kid was utterly dumbfounded by my coldness.

Revelian: That's not going to happen now. But, hey. Wait a good 20 years. Train until then. Then come back to fight me.

I set him down and left him to grieve over his father's death. I was being called back to the base on the Dark Star, and I would faster stab a needle through my eye than be late when Lord Zeronius herself was calling requesting my presence. Once I'd gotten to her main chamber, I kneeled and faced her.

Lord Zeronius: You̷ hav͟e coḿp̸let͡ed͞ t̢he ̡t͡a͟s̷k͡ ̸a͝s̕sign̴ed͡ ̧to͠ ҉you̡,͝ m̨y҉ ̴c͘h̡i̕ld.͜ ͡I̧ am̡ s̢a̡ti̴s͝f͢i̡ed wit̡h ̵yo͝ur c͠om͠pl̷ianc͏e t̸o̢ my̵ o̷rd̡ér͢ś ͝a͡n͟d wi͏th th̛e ̨way ̨i͠n̵ w͏h͠i҉c̢h yơưr as̵s͜i͘gnme̡nt̵ w͟as͠ pr̨oc̴ee҉d͘e̴d. T̀h҉a̢nk y͡ou̷,͡ ̴R̡eve̴l̀i͏an̶

Revelian: I am humbled by your appreciation and honored to serve you, my Lord.

Lord Zeronius: N̵ǫw ͞t̵h̵at ͜t́h͞e̸ Dragonki͝n p͡op̀ưl͘ati͜o̢n ̧ha҉s ţur̨ne͡d͜ t̵o its̀ ̛c͝ưr͟re͝n̨t s͜t̡ate,̴ ͢w̸e͢ s͝h͢al̡l̢ t̶h̢e͢ ta̧k̢e t̡h͟e̸ p̵l͏a͏ņet ̷f̴o͏r͢ ̀o͝u҉rs̨el͜v̡es a̧n̷d͜ śe͝nd the D̵rag̵onkin̢ ̧ou͠t ͘t͟o͝ ẁo̡rk̴ fòr̡ ̡u͢s. ͏B͞ut̡ th̛i͝ś ̷is only͘ ̕the f́i͏r̨s͝t͠ ͘p͢art ́i҉n ̶óur̸ ̴con҉q͘ues̸t, ̷m͜y ͞child.̡ I ҉wi̧l͢ļ ̢requir͝e̶ ͠y̵ou i͞n t͞h̵e͢ ͠ti̷m̡ȩs ah҉e̡ad̀.

Revelian: It would be an honor and a privilege to continue to serve by you, my Lord.

Lord Zeronius: T̷h̶ank̡ yo͞u, ͡my ̵chi͏l̷d.҉ Now,̕ we ҉must set̀ ͞f̸ort͢h͝ to ҉t́h̷e plane̢t ҉o͜f̢ Bi̧nari͜c͘ka. My̴ çhi͡l̶d,̴ ̶I am̀ goin̷g ͝t͠o co҉un̶t ̀on yo͢u t̸o̡ ̧l͢èa͠d t͡he ͢o̡th͞e͞rs͏ ̵i҉n̶t̕o̵ ̶b͡attle. A͘m I mák͏i̛n̛g͢ ҉t͜h͜e͢ ri͜g̷ht̨ ch̴oic͟e i͝n͞ tr͘usting̀ y̛ou ẁi͢th̶ ̛thi̕s҉?

Revelian: For you, my Lord, I would do anything, without question. I shall lead my brothers forth to this planet, and I shall take pride in taking the lives of their warriors.

Lord Zeronius: T͢ha̵nk ̵y͡ou, ͝my͏ ch̡ild.҉

I was the greatest disciple of our Lord. I was envied by most of the other Negatives, most notably my younger brother Kuipter, who always sought out to be better than me. But I was still able to find a supporter among the army- my older brother, Mura. Even though he didn't directly take part in the conquests, he still provided a lot of support for myself. I considered him my best friend, if not my only friend, throughout our lives and conquests.

And so, our conquest continued. We would go on to take planet after planet, unmatched in power. This would be the event in our history known as the Great Conquest. And our reign would continue on for quite a while. But not forever.

The Negative forces soon arrived on the Pop Star, where disaster struck. I had begun to take over the planet when a powerful rebel rose up and defeated me. He was a pink little puffball with an odd arsenal of abilities. Not only was he able to defeat me, he'd actually sent me floating off into space for a considerably long amount of time, in which I'd gone into a coma and was left to fly around the universe, without anything that could stop me. Without my leadership, Negative forces got out of the Pop Star, which is when things took an exponential turn for the worse, and without the power provided by myself, we soon lost all of our planets. The Great Conquest then became the Great Catastrophe. I would be looked down on by the others for my failure.

As for myself, my comatose body was thrown around the universe through gravitational forces and momentum for nearly seven-hundred years. I was fortunate enough to land on a planet instead of having to float beyond the reach of any living creature. The planet was known as Ludus, and it had changed a lot since the last time I had been there. When I'd first landed on Ludus, the impact was enough to get my out of my coma. But I'd had quite some trouble figuring out what had happened to me. Luckily, Mura had been tracking me down throughout the centuries and had sought me out to explain everything. I honestly couldn't believe that he'd gone against the words of Lord Zeronius and gone out to help me, but I was incredibly thankful that he did it. I think that it was this act of kindness, of looking out for me, that really made me come to regret the part that I'd taken in the conquests.

No longer having the option of going back to the Dark Star, Mura and I decided that we would live on this planet from then on. However, I've had no luck in being able to find any sort of job that I was able to hold. Mura had no such misfortune, though, and with his job he was easily able to support both of us. And though he always insists on being the person who does all the work, I just can't go and sit on my lazy ass at home while he's out working for me. He's already done enough for me already, I don't want to burden him any more with taking care of me now. I honestly want to be the one doing all the work for him. It seems like I at least owe him that much.

Revelian: So, that's everything about me.

???: .............

Revelian: ...

???: .............

Revelian: ......

???: .............

Revelian: \*SIGH\*

???: .

Revelian: And, you know, now might be a good time to actually fucking say something?

I couldn't really tell, but I think she let out a slight groan just then. I sighed loudly once more.

Revelian: For fuck's sake, I've been rambling on for almost an hour now and you haven't said anything. Are you some sort of mute, or is this just something your doing to piss me off?

???: .

Revelian: Because if it's the latter, I think you'll like to know IT'S FUCKING WORKING.

???: .

Revelian: \*SIGH\*

???: .............

Revelian: What the fuck ever, then...... hey, you remember what I was saying earlier?

???: .

Revelian: Mura is still at his job. I know that he's supposed to do an all-nighter today.

???: .

Revelian: Fuck, I don't know, if you're not busy, you want to just go to the pub and maybe to my place later?

???: ...**ᚹᚺᚫᛏ**.

Revelian: HOLY SHIT, IT TALKS.

???: **ᛁ ᚹᚫᛊ ᚾᛟᛏ ᛖᚲᛊᛈᛖᚲᛏᛁᛜ ᛟᚠ ᛃᚢᚱ ᛟᚠᛖᚱ ᚫᚾᛞ ᛁ ᚠᛁᚾᛞ ᛁᛏ ᛁᚾᚫᛈᚱᛟᛈᚱᛁᚫᛃᛏ**.

Revelian: I could say the same thing about what you've been doing.

???: **ᚺᛗ**.

Revelian: ...

???: .............

Revelian: So what the fuck do you want from me, then?

???: **ᛁ ᚫᛗ ᛏᚱᛃᛁᛜ ᛏᛟ ᛈᚱᛟᛏᚲᛏ ᛃᚢ ᚠᚱᛟᛗ ᛊᛟᛗᚦᛁᛜ**.

Revelian: ... From what? What here could possibly pose a challenge for me?

???: **ᚫ ᚦᚱᛖᛖ᛬ᚺᛖᚫᛃᛞ ᚱᛖᛞ ᛗᛟᚾᛊᛏᛖᚱ**.

Revelian: ... What? How do you know something like that will even happen to me?

???: .

Revelian: ... Whatever. Just fucking tell me what to do.

???: **ᛏᚫᛃᛗ ᛁᛏ ᚹᛁᚦ ᚦᛖ ᚲᚫᛚ ᛟᚠ ᚹᛟᚾᛞᛖᚱ**.

Revelian: What the hell is that?

???: .

Revelian: ???

???: .

Revelian: ... So you're going back to not being helpful. Fucking wonderful. Goodbye!

I then went around her and left. She stood there, unmoving, facing the place where I had just been as if I were still there or something.

I was a bit wary of her warning. Though I decided to let the part of me that thought she was a crazy weirdo overtake the part that thought otherwise, allowing me to put it in the back of my mind for the moment.

In my hurry to get away from her, I'd accidentally wondered off into a forest area. I stopped, knowing that on this planet is was extremely dangerous to just be wondering around like that, what with all the strange monsters here.

And then I saw it.

???: \*bemused grunt\*

Revelian: ... Holy shit.

It was a large, three-headed monster, mutated as some sort of black tree neck with large red heads, and an odd base that it walked on that looked similar to a tank. It seemed that I had just woken it up, and it gazed around in a bemused way, possibly still entranced from its slumber. Then it saw me.

???: \*roar\*

I entered a fighting position, ready to defend myself against this monster. I remembered the lady's warning about this exact thing happening. Well it did happen. That's really all there is to say on the matter.

In anger of having been disturbed from its slumber, the monster responded by trying to attack me. It slammed one of its' heads into the ground, roaring while doing so. I dodged it and jumped on the back of the head. It reared it back up and then saw me with the other two heads, which it then proceeded to crash into each other. I jumped off before the contact was made, and the monster then hit all of its' heads together.

Revelian: Ha...

I sighed. This didn't sound like what the lady was trying to warn me about. This monster did seem as if it could be powerful, but not in its' current confused and uncoordinated state. Suddenly, the lady appeared again.

Revelian: Hey... You said I was going to be at the mercy of this monster, right? It's not like that at all.

???: **ᛁᛏ ᚢᛊᛏ ᛖ ᚫᛃᛗᛞ ᛟᛏ ᛖᛃᚠᚫᛃᛏᛞ**.

Revelian: How the fuck do you expect me to do that?

She then signaled that she was going to show me how, and so I watched. She made a W with her fingers and pointed it towards the monster. She then did what I would soon learn to be the Call of Wonder.

???: **ᛒᛖᛈᛖᚺᛖᚺᚫ**!!!!!!!

Of course, it's not going to be revealed here with a translated version.

The monster suddenly looked around, as if it were in an entirely different surrounding. Then it looked at me.

???: M.

Even though what it said wasn't really anything in any language, I was able to understand what it was trying to say.

???: (Hello.)

Revelian: Oh hey, now we have a magic talking monster demon tree thing. How useful. All the time I've spent talking to you suddenly feels like it was worth it.

???: **ᚾᛃᛖᚲᚺ**

Revelian: Oh god damnit.

???: .

Revelian: So. Yeah. Wonderful.

???: !!!!!!!!!

I turned around and saw that another gridmask had come over here and was investigating the monster that had just apparently been tamed.

???: ... Cool.

Revelian: Uh. Hello??????

???: Hey, dude.

Revelian: Who the fuck are you??????

???: My name's Captain Wodwick.

Revelian: ......

Wodwick: Nice group you got there.

Reveilan: Don't call them that they aren't my damn group.

???: .

???: n.

Wodwick: I've never seen a monster like that be so calm. Do you have it trained or something?

Revelian: MY NAME'S REVELIAN NICE TO MEET YOU I didn't do anything with it she did.

???: **ᛁ ᛏᚫᛃᛗᛞ ᛁᛏ ᚹᛁᚦ ᚦᛖ ᚲᚫᛚ ᛟᚠ ᚹᛟᚾᛞᛖᚱ**.

Wodwick: What was that?

Revelian: I don't know what it is either.

Wodwick: No, I mean I didn't understand what she said.

Revelian: Clean your fucking ears out then because she was speaking clear as day.

Wodwick: Really? To me it just sounds really... symbol-y. And box-y.

Revelian: ... What does that even mean???

Wodwick: I don't know, it's just how it sounded.

???: .

Wodwick: Anyway, what do you call that thing?

Reveilan: I wouldn't know what to call it, this is the first time I've ever seen it.

???: **ᚾᚫᛃᛗ ᛁᛏ ᚾᛟᚹ**.

Wodwick: You should name it now, then.

Revelian: I'll name it Cerberus Tree because it looks like a tree and it has three heads also THERE'S NO NEED TO REPEAT WHAT SHE JUST SAID.

Wodwick: I... honestly can't understand what she's saying at all.

Cerberus Tree: h.

Revelian: Whatever. If you're done asking questions, I'm just going to head off now.

Wodwick: Hey, wait! Is it alright if I go with you guys?

Revelian: ... Ah, what the fuck ever. It's not like this circus act I've already got could look any more stupid.

Wodwick: Thanks!

???: .

And then we all walked together back into town, which is when we started to attract even more unwanted attention. Two children, just little alien boys, walked up to me with interest in CT, pointing at it.

???: oh my GODDDDDDDDDDD

???: (Eheheh.) Hey mister, what the chip is this huge thing?

Revelian: I don't know and I don't care.

???: **ᛁᛏ ᛁᛊ ᚫ ᛏᚫᛃᛗᛞ ᛊᛖᛈᚫᚱ ᛗᛟᚾᛊᛏᛖᚱ**.

???: Yesh it is monster.

???: Wait, you can understand what she said?

???: Sure. I now only use the traductor and also: I am the one understand what she say: It's me.

???: Heh.

Revelian: ... Excuse me, but who the fuck are you two?

???: My name's Samuel. His name is Poisonshot, I think.

Revelian: Poisonshot? What kind of name is that?

Poisonshot: It my name, the best.

Wodwick: Oh my god.

Revelian: And what's with your horrible common?

Poisonshot: I not know common, I only use the traductor.

Wodwick: He's *perfect*.

Revelian: WHAT THE FUCK IS A TRANDUCTOR?!

Samuel: It's what he uses, lol.

Revelian: ...

Samuel: But hey, who're you guys?

???: .

Revelian: My name is Revelian Zeronius. His name is Wodwick, I think. I have no idea who she is, and I just call the monster thing Cerberus Tree.

Cerberus Tree: u. [Hello.]

Samuel: But hey, how did you get that thing to follow you around? Isn't this planet, like, full of hostile monsters and all? What's wrong with this one?

Revelian: Fucked if I know! This lady did something to it, but she's cryptic as fuck with everything she says.

???: .

Wodwick: (Psst. Mister Revelian.)

Revelian: (What?)

Wodwick: (I just realized that I'm quite a long ways from home. Do you have a place I could stay at?)

Revelian: (... What? I just met you, I'm not just going to let you stay in my home.)

???: **ᛃᚢ ᚹᛖᛃᚱ ᚹᛁᛚᛁᛜ ᛏᛟ ᛞᛟ ᚦᛖ ᛊᚫᛃᛗ ᚦᛁᛜ ᚠᛟᚱ ᛗᛖ ᚦᚢᚺ**.

Revelian: (Be quiet this isn't about you.)

Wodwick: (Whatever she said I think it's in support of me staying, so I'm gonna agree with it.)

Revelian: (Shut the fuck up.)

Samuel: Mister Revelian! We don't have a place to stay, either! We're both aliens, and we just got to this planet.

Revelian: FUCK, I'm not just going to let everyone stay at my house!

Samuel: Please?

Revelian: No.

Samuel: PLEASE?

Wodwick: If it's any help, they could stay with me once I find my way back, but for now, I'd say-

Revelian: NO.

Samuel: PLLLLLLZZZZZZZ?????

Revelian: ALRIGHT STOP BITCHING. YOU CAN STAY THERE IF YOU SHUT THE FUCK UP.

Samuel: Yay!

Poisonshot: Booyay!

Wodwick: Thanks, Mister Revelian.

Revelian: And stop calling me Mister.

???: .

Revelian: Where the fuck do you think you're going?

???: .

It was early in the morning, just the day after I'd agreed to let them stay at my home. I'd had to explain it to Mura beforehand so that he didn't freak out when he saw a bunch of strangers sleeping around the house. I'd just been woken up by the lady's walking about. She had the front door halfway open already when I'd started talking to her.

Revelian: Well? Why are you trying to leave right now?

???: **ᛁ ᚺᚫᛃᚹ ᛟᚹᚱᛊᛏᚫᛃᛃᛞ ᛗᛃ ᚹᛖᛚᚲᛟᛗ ᚫᛊ ᛁᛏ ᛁᛊ᛬ᛁ ᛗᚢᛊᛏ ᚷᛟ ᚾᛟᚹ**

Revelian: What the fuck are you talking about?

???: .

Revelian: Are we seriously going to do this again??

???: **ᛁ ᚫᛈᛟᛚᛟᚷᛇᛉ ᚠᛟᚱ ᛗᛃ ᚲᚱᛃᛈᛏᛁᚲ ᛒᛖᚺᚫᚹᛁᛟᚱ. ᛒᚢᛏ ᛁ ᛗᚢᛊᛏ ᚷᛟ ᚾᛟᚹ.**

Revelian: What? Why?

???: **ᛁ ᚺᚫᛃᚹ ᛟᚹᚱᛊᛏᚫᛃᛃᛞ ᛗᛃ ᚹᛖᛚᚲᛟᛗ ᚫᛊ ᛁᛏ ᛁᛊ.**

Revelian: What the hell do you mean you've overstayed your welcome?

???: **ᛁ ᚹᚫᛊ ᛟᚾᛚᛃ ᛗᛖᚾᛏ ᛏᛟ ᚷᚢᛇᛞ ᛃᚢ ᛊᛟ ᚠᚫᚱ ᚫᚠᛏᛖᚱ ᚦᚫᛏ ᛁ ᚹᚫᛊ ᚾᛟᛏ ᛗᛖᚾᛏ ᛏᛟ ᛁᚾᛏᛖᚱᚹᛖᛃᚾ**

Revelian: Guide me to what? How could a series of small factors be so influential to me?

???: **ᛁ ᚲᚫᚾᛟᛏ ᛏᛖᛚ ᛃᚢ ᛒᚢᛏ ᛃᚢ ᚹᛁᛚ ᛊᚢᚾ ᚠᛁᚾᛞ ᚢᛏ ᚠᛟᚱ ᛃᚢᚱᛊᛖᛚᚠ**

Revelian: And why exactly would you know about this? How would you be of such importance to this happening, but still have to stay away from further involvement with it?

???: **ᛁ ᚹᚫᛊ ᛞᛟᛁᛜ ᚦᛁᛊ ᛈᛖᚱ ᚦᛖ ᚱᛖᛢᚢᛖᛊᛏ ᛟᚠ ᚫ ᛏᛇᛗ ᛏᚱᚫᛃᚹᛚᛁᛜ ᛈᛖᚱᛊᛟᚾ ᚹᚺᛟ ᛁ ᚲᚫᛃᚱ ᚠᛟᚱ ᛊᚺᛖ ᚾᚢ ᚹᚺᚫᛏ ᚹᚢᛚᛞ ᚺᚫᛈᛖᚾ ᛒᚢᛏ ᛊᚺᛖ ᛞᛁᛞ ᚾᛟᛏ ᚹᚫᚾᛏ ᛏᛟ ᛁᚾᚹᛟᛚᚹᛖ ᚺᛖᚱᛊᛖᛚᚠ ᚹᛁᚦ ᛁᛏ ᛁᚾᛏᛟ ᚦᛁᛊ ᛈᛟᛁᚾᛏ ᛒᛖᚲᚫᛃᚢᛊ ᛊᚺᛖ ᛞᛁᛞ ᚾᛟᛏ ᚹᚫᚾᛏ ᛏᛟ ᛗᚫᚾᛁᛈᚢᛚᚫᛃᛏ ᚦᛖ ᚫᚲᛏᛁᛟᚾᛊ ᛟᚠ ᚫ ᛊᛖᚱᛏᚫᛁᚾ ᛟᚾ ᛟᚠ ᚦᛁᛊ ᚷᚱᚢᛈ ᚹᚺᛟ ᛊᚺᛖ ᚺᚫᛞ ᚫ ᚲᛟᚾᛖᚲᛏᛁᛟᚾ ᚹᛁᚦ.**

Revelian: This... Is all so confusing.

???: **ᛃᚢ ᚹᛁᛚ ᚢᚾᛞᛖᚱᛊᛏᚫᚾᛞ. ᛁᚾ ᛏᛇᛗ.**

Revelian: ...

She then waved goodbye, and started to turn and walk out the door.

Revelian: Wait!

???: **ᚺᛗ?**

Revelian: Can you at least tell me your name? You never did say it.

???: **ᛗᛃ ᚾᚫᛃᛗ ᛁᛊ ᛗᚫᚲᛁᚾᚫ.**

Revelian: Alright... Makina... Goodbye, I guess.

Makina: **ᚷᚢᛞᛒᛃᛖ, ᛉᛖᚱᛟᚾᛁᚢᛊ**

She closed the door behind her and left.

Revelan: Alright, here you go, you fuckin' lardass!

I tossed up three large chunks of meat towards Cerberus Tree.

Cerberus Tree: M. [Thanks.]

Revelian: This better not be a regular appetite for you... At a rate like that, you'd be eating me out of house and home!

Cerberus Tree: E. [Okay.]

Revelian: Sigh... Whatever.

I went back into my house, where I was immediately met with the ruckus of my visitors. I'd had to make them breakfast to keep them from complaining about being hungry, and to get them to stop asking about Makina.

Samuel: Mmfhmnfhnf.

Wodwick: What? Dude, swallow before you try and talk, I can't understand you.

Poisonshot: Are I am understand?!

Wodwick: Nope... But that's the best part about you.

Samuel: I was trying to say that this food is good.

Wodwick: I know. Who would've thought a guy like mister Revelian to be such a good cook?

Revelian: Hey, would you all keep it down over there?

I went over into the kitchen, which I honestly didn't know the purpose of for us (Except possibly to serve guests, though we hadn't had guests over in a long time), to the three.

Revelian: Mura's asleep right now, and he came back from a long night of work. So you better not fucking wake him up, got it?

Samuel: Hey, who's Mura, anyway?

Revelian: He's my bro. Er, my older brother.

Poisonshot: Ish the bro?

Wodwick: Oh, are we going to meet him?

Revelian: NO.

Samuel: Why not?

Revelian: BECAUSE HE'S FUCKING SLEEPING.

Samuel: Can we wake him up??

Wodwick: Yeah, I'm curious about the guy.

Revelian: IF HE GETS WOKEN UP THEN A MYSTERIOUS UNKNOWN 'DISEASE' THAT'S BEEN BREWING UP IN A CERTAIN NEGATIVE'S HOUSE IS GOING TO END UP KILLING ALL OF THE NON-NEGATIVE INHABITANTS.

I heard a yawn.

Mura: Hello everyone.

Revelian: (FUCKING DAMNIT.)

I gave the house guests an evil eye and then turned to Mura.

Revelian: Ugh, good morning, Mura. Sorry my guests woke you up like this.

Mura: Eh? They did? All I could hear was you yelling really loud. Do these guys sound just like you or something??

Revelian: No, they don't.

Samuel: Hey, since we're not the ones who woke him up, do we get off the hook for it?

I turned to Samuel and grabbed him by his shirt.

Revelian: HMM, MAYBE YOU THINK THERE WAS A REASON I FELT LIKE YELLING?!

Mura: It's alright, guys, I won't let Rev kill you.

Poisonshot: Booyay!

Wodwick: Aheh.

Revelian: Anyway, yeah, sorry for waking you up.

Mura: Oh, it's alright. But maybe could you guys leave the house for a while so that it doesn't happen again?

Revelian: Yeah, sure. I have nothing good to do here anyway, and it's not like I'd leave them here without me watching over them.

Mura: Alright then! I'll try to go back to bed now. be sure not to get into any trouble with anyone, okay?

Revalian: Alright, alright.

Mura went back to his room. I turned towards my guests.

Revelian: Alright, we're gonna take a little walk now. Questions?

Samuel: Hey yeah your brother is cool that's all.

Revelian: That's nice. Now everyone but Mura is going to get the fuck out of this house.

And exactly that happened.

Revelian: Will you all seriously stop following me around?!

It couldn't have been more than two hours before we'd left my house. I was trying to just go about my daily activities, but everywhere I went I would be followed by the three who I'd let stay the night at my house.

Revelian: Like, go out and try to find jobs for yourselves or something! I'm not just going to let you all stay at my home forever! Fuck.

Samuel: Yeah yeah whatever you say mom.

I then punched Sam in the face.

Samuel: OUH

Wodwick: Hello, mister Revelian?

Revelian: I told you not to call me that.

Wodwick: Right, sorry.

Revelian: Well, then?

Wodwick: Well, while I do think it would be a good thing for us to go out and try to get occupations of our own, I don't really see how that's going to work for us.

Revelian: What do you mean?

Wodwick: Well, we're all totally inexperienced in a lot of things, and we're not really up to speed with all the things that are going on here nowadays. I'm a native here and I'm rather lost. Just imagine how these two are fairing!

Revelian: Well, I can get that. But I really don't think that just following me around is going to help anything.

Wodwick: Well...

Poisonshot: Can we stay with us until we find job?

Revelian: I can only half understand your shit.

Poisonshot: YOU NOT BE MEAN. HAVE EMPATHY.

Wodwick: He is precious and I want twelve.

Samuel: Wait what-

Wodwick: Paper ape.

Revelian: ...

A thought then came to me.

Revelian: Hey... Do you guys remember how to get to my house from here?

They looked around, lost. It was obvious that they'd not been paying attention and had only been blindly following me where I went. Eventually, they all shook their heads.

Revelian: Ha! That's perfect! Goodbye!

With all my speed, I then flew off across the planet, far away from them. I didn't stop until a while after I couldn't see them, just to make sure that they couldn't follow me. As a Negative, I was very capable of flying long distances through space in short times. Doing it on a planet was just as easy.

Revelian: Finally-

Poisonshot: Hello each!

Revelian: OH GOD FUCKING DAMNIT.

They were right behind me.

Revelian: HOW THE HELL DID YOU CATCH UP WITH ME?!

Samuel: I'm, like, really fast, so I got them here in a snap.

Wodwick: Also, you kinda left a trail behind you, so you were easier to follow.

I sighed audibly.

Wodwick: Well, you don't have to be all upset about us staying with you. Maybe you'll benefit from it!

Revelian: I never should've listened to that demonic goddess lady... God damnit.

Poisonshot: Revelian! I am knowing him! Also: I am thirst now.

Revelian: What did he say?

Samuel: I think he said something about being thirsty.

Wodwick: I'm quite thirsty. Maybe we should stop to get something to drink?

Revelian: We're not doing that.

Samuel: Me too!

Revelian: I SAID NO.

Samuel: Ah, come on! ... There's a drink stand right up there, can't we just go to that?

Revelian: WHAT PART OF "NO" DO YOU FAIL TO PROCESS??

By then, they were already going off to the supposed drink stand.

Wodwick: Hey wait... This isn't a drink stand.

Samuel: 'IQ'? What does that stand for?

There were a few desks up front with a sign that said 'IQ'. Behind that were some cages with Separ Monsters inside of them. They looked more peaceful, as if they were caged by their own consent. A man, who seemed to be a purple-blooded Alternian Troll, was busily working with filing documents and attending to the creatures in the cages.

A white-skinned alien then appeared.

???: Whuh? Oh, hey, costumers!

Poisonshot: IT IS AN ANGEL!!!!!!!

???: Appreciated, my over-enthusiastic friend, but not quite! The name's Quint. Baxter Ethos Quint.

Revelian: Baxter, huh? What is this place?

Baxter: It's a small business owned by me and a chapmate, as well as another great lunker who's pretty busy right now. We work to tame some nifty monsters on the planet and then give them away for adoption.

I realized that this was a golden opportunity. I jumped up immediately and asked him.

Revelian: Are you hiring?

ENDCHAPTER.

### Chapter 20 - Lazro

Lazro: \*SIGN\*

The sign was an intentional misspelling of sigh, obviously.

I'm sig~~n~~hing because of the conversation I just had. It's one that I've had many, many times. And it's gotten pretty annoying now. Whenever someone hears about me or sees me, it's always the same thing.

"You're the descendant of Taku??!"

I was, in fact, the descendant of Taku. But I despised being known just as that. Even though I would identify as a fairly useless individual, I wanted to make something of myself, help others somehow, be important, and not just be remembered or known as that one descendant of Taku all of my life.

This is the story of how I got that chance.

It all happened one day. I was walking along, Laptop in hand, Homework in bag, and idiocy in head, like always. I didn't realize where I was until it was too late to turn back. I'd just been too busy thinking about myself and spitefully cursing my Taku-based fame to notice it.

I was in the Forest.

Mushrooms, everywhere, emitting poison gases at me when I touched them. The fumes were so noxious, I could feel my health deteriorating when I breathed them in.

Lazro: \*cough\* \*cough\* \*wheeze\*

And then I was saved by it.

I felt tremors coming from under the ground. They caused me to fall over, actually hitting more mushrooms. But then something happened. The mushrooms themselves, that were releasing these toxic gases into the air, fell into the ground, and the air soon cleared of the fumes. Soon enough, I was able to breathe again.

And then the being that had done this come from out of the ground.

???: ...

It was a strange creature with one eye, and a drill-like body. I recognized it as one of the various monsters roaming the planet. Yet this one was very different. It was tame, and it actually cared about me enough to save me from this.

Lazro: Uh... Thanks for saving me there, dude.

???: \*strange noises\*

Though the creature responded in only strange noises, I felt as if I could understand what he was trying to say.

???: [No problem.]

Lazro: Uh......

???: ...

Lazro: Take me to your leader, I guess??

???: \*strange noises\* [Okay.]

The creature started to travel in a set direction.

Lazro: I.... honestly wasn't expecting this... Hey, wait up!

I followed the little guy for a while, until I came across a large tent set up. I stopped for a while to admire it, and take it all in. There was a sign in front of it.

Lazro: 'Isles & Quint'?

I saw that the creature had already gotten to the front of the place. I ran forward to follow him. And I was amazed by what I then saw.

This company was being overseen by several different kinds of aliens. Two regular gridmasks in suits, a dinosaur man, a checkerpants troll, a steam creature, some circle-headed kid, and some masked kid. And behind them were cages full of monsters. But they were tame! Different from all other monsters that I'd encountered. It was amazing.

Lazro: ...?!?!

I attracted the attention of a suit-clad man.

???: Hey there! Come along, come along!

Some of the others looked up.

???: Fuck, it's about damn time someone finally discovered this place.

???: Hey, man, watch your language. We've got company.

???: I can motherfucking cuss if I motherfucking want to. Hey, speaking of that, why did you guys put your company all the way out here? It's totally secluded! How do you expect masses to come and find this place?

???: It was the closest place we could get. But hey, this guy found it! And so did you and your buddies!

???: They're not my buddies, Zach. I can't possibly explain this any more than I already fucking have.

???: Could you please behave in front of the gent?

Revelian: Alright, Baxter, whatever.

Baxter: (Ahem.)

Revelian: "Ahem" what?

Zach: Are you going to show him around the place or not?

Revelian: Wait, me? Fine, I'll do it.

The smoky figure, the one they called Revelian, turned to me.

Revelian: We sell pets. Adopt one or get out.

Lazro: ...

Zach: That's not what I meant. How's he supposed to know about this place and everything?!

Revelian: It's pretty damn simple. I'm sure he'll manage.

Baxter: Could we *please* get someone to properly show him around? Wodwick? Samuel? Poisonshot?

Wodwick: A bit busy, maybe I could get help with showing him around?

Samuel: I'd be willing to help him.

Poisonshot: I too!

Lazro: Uh... Hello, everyone...

Samuel: Helo.

Poisonshot: Hello each!

Wodwick: Please tell me there's more of him. Hi.

Lazro: Uh... Well...

I pointed at the creature who had saved me just before.

Lazro: I was in some trouble back in a forest, and then this digger dude came and saved my skin. Then I followed him here.

Wodwick: Alrighty. The little guys name is Digug, by the way.

Lazro: So uh... What exactly is this place?

Poisonshot: Mush pets! We have a pet, one can adopt, adopt one, adopt two, adopt more! More to like can have for lots of thing! Very mush they are helping! And even, they will have the empathy! It them, the best!

Lazro: ....

Wodwick: prECIOUSSHOT

I turned to the others, thoroughly confused.

Lazro: Uh...

Samuel: Yeh, his common isn't all that good. He uses a translator, but it's pretty bad.

Poisonshot: I do only use a tranducter now.

Lazro: Oh, alright. But what was he trying to say?

Samuel: He was trying to say that this is an adoption center, where you can adopt these pets.

Lazro: Huh... That sounds really cool.

Wodwick: Yeah, it really is.

Poisonshot: Does you wand seeing place?

Lazro: Yeah I do!

Poisonshot: Ok. Please be follow.

Poisonshot then started walking forward, rambling on about things that were indecipherable due to the broken common he was speaking in. I decided to follow him, and I was joined by the others.

Samuel: So, this is the main area, the adoption center... There's a lot of tamed pets that you can adopt here.

As I looked around, I saw numbers upon numbers of monsters and creatures. They were all diverse and unique in their appearances.

Lazro: Woah...

???: Hey! Hey, you!

I was being called by one of the creatures. I turned and saw a slightly-humanoid female monster figure.

Lazro: Uh... Yeah...?

The creature that called out to me then raised her arm in my direction. I noticed that she had Gridmask-like arms, hands, and fingers, then. I also noticed that she was using her Gridmask-like fingers to make a gesture towards me.

She was totally flipping the bird at me.

???: Fuck you!

Lazro: ASDFASDFASDFASDFUCKYOUASDFASDFASDFASDF

She smirked and struggled to contain wild laughter. Wodwick stepped closer to where she was.

Wodwick: Cygnus, shut up already!

The one called Cygnus then turned towards him, and performed the same gesture.

Cygnus: Fuck you, too!

Lazro: Um, wow. She has like, no manners.

Samuel: That's Cygnus... She does that to everybody.

Wodwick: Yeah, really just the delinquent type. Just ignore her, we'll get far enough away from her pretty quickly.

Lazro: Alright...

And so we went onward, passing by more of the unique and amazing creatures there.

Samuel: So yeah, those are all the ones we have for adoption.

Lazro: Man, that was really beautiful. Just so increndible to see. I'm close to tearing up right now.

Wodwick: Haha, yeah.

Poisonshot: Now over, do wand adopt now?

Wodwick: FSGHKOBTKL-

Samuel: I think he's trying to ask you if you want to adopt a pet now that you've seen all of them.

Lazro: Oh, sure... I think I have one in mind.

Poisonshot: Ish great! Witch one do want? Forelly?

Lazro: No, not Forelly.

Samuel: Flamey? Blasty?? Herby???

Lazro: Nope, not those guys either.

Wodwick: Nimbser?

Lazro: No.

Wodwick: Good because Nimbser is MINE.

Lazro: Okay, okay... But anyway, I want to adopt Digug. I mean, he's the first one of these guys I met, and he saved my life. He really seems like he'd be a helpful dude.

Wodwick: Alright then! Just come with us and we'll get everything set up for you to adopt Digug.

We then went back to the main area and to a desk where the guys said I could adopt Digug. Digug was with me then. When I got to the desk, I saw that someone else was in front of me, with a familiar pet.

Cygnus: NO!!! STOP IT!!!

It was Cygnus. She was struggling against the grip of the one I remembered to be called Revelian. And I also noticed that Cygnus was missing a hand.

Lazro: Uh, Revelian, is it?

Revelian: Yeah?

Lazro: Uh, what happened to Cygnus' hand?

Revelian smirked madly.

Cygnus: He cut it off!!! He took his sword and he cut off my hand!!!

Revelian then brought Cygnus up to eye level with himself.

Revelian: Yeah, I fucking did. I just thought it would look better if it wasn't FLIPPING EVERYBODY OFF.

Lazro: Oh, man... Hah.

Revelian: Don't worry, after I get you adopted I'll take you to get a robotic hand installed for yourself. Mura knows some girl who's apparently pretty skilled in robotics... And I'll make damn sure that the hand can't be used to make that obscene gesture that you seem to love throwing around all the time.

Cygnus: PLEASE DON'T LET HIM ADOPT ME!!!

Revelian: SHUT UP. I can do whatever the fuck I want and you have to live with it.

The one named Baxter then walked up behind the desk.

Baxter: Hey-hey, see something you like?

Revelian: Duh. I'll do the papers later, I kinda need to get this one bandaged up before she bleeds out.

Baxter: I... *JEEZ*! We'll sort out the paperwork later, just get her home, pronto! Gaia, how did that even *happen*? Do I have anything useful around here? Oh jeez, oh jeez...

Cygnus: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Revelian: Oh, be quiet.

Revelian then walked off with Cygnus.

Baxter: I'm SO sorry about that... can I help you?

I took a step forward.

Lazro: I'd like to adopt Digug, if I can.

Baxter: Sure you can! Here, I'll get the papers ready.

Baxter opened a drawer to the desk and pulled out a document.

Baxter: Now, all you have to do is put the pet's name here, and sign your name here. Then we can get the file up into storage for confirmation.

Lazro: Alright...

I signed the papers.

Baxter: Great! He's all yours.

Lazro: Okay... Uh... I also wanted to know, are you guys hiring or anything?

Baxter: Hm?

Lazro: I really want a job here, like being one of the guys who goes out and tames the monster-pet guys. I've really kinda wanted to be one of the people who made a big impact in the whole Separ monsters situation that's going about all over.

Baxter: Oh, for sure, we can totally hire you here! We need good tamers like you to help us out, if you're up for it.

Lazro: Alright, thanks.

Baxter: If you're going to be a star employee at IQ, you'll need to know this thing called the 'Call of Wonder'. It's this arcane yell that helps them communicate with you, which should help you tame them and then bring them back here to find a proper owner.

Lazro: Call of Wonder, eh? Alright then, lay it on me.

Baxter then told me what the Call of Wonder was.

Of course, as has been said several times before, this part of plot information will not be-

Lazro: "Be,PE! HeHa!!!!!1111"

Baxter: Spot on, that's exactly how you say it.

Lazro: Man, the Call of Wonder is just so weird and random... I love it.

Baxter: We all do. Honestly, sometimes we just make excuses to say it. It's just that fun to say.

Lazro: Yeah, it is...

Baxter: Well then, now that you're all acquainted with what we've got up here, I can go around and tell everybody that you've been made an official employee. Welcome to the gang, Lazro!

Lazro: Ha, alright!

And so, I joined the company as one of the most important employees. There were also some other guys who came by later who were important, but they didn't become employees, they just adopted some pets and were a part of the social group a lot. I think it was one guy, who was our first non-employee costumer, who was really important. He was some dude with black hair and glasses who liked to read books and make sarcastic jokes. I don't really know. There was also this other costumer guy who was blonde and something about apples, or whatever. I don't really pay attention to this kind of stuff, anyway.

And in the course of the next two years, the company grew greatly, the small tent turning into a large building known as Isles & Quint. And long before then, we tamed numbers upon numbers of monsters, and even gave a lot of them to the people of the planet for adoption, which they used to protect themselves against untamed monsters. With this, the people of Ludus were able to finally overcome the terrorism of the Separ monsters that had been a threat for them for over a century before.

We'd finally done it. We'd saved Ludus from the Separ Monsters.

Oh, also, some time after those two years, there was another thing that came up... But I'm pretty sure that's a story for another time, another day.

ENDCHAPTER.

## Story Break 1

It's now time to take a break in this part of the story to go and read another one, that takes place in between this chapter and the next. Chronology is important, you know.

For the next story in chronological order, see Holiday Havoc: The Spirit of Rage.

## Act 3: The Youngest Brother's Name

### Chapter 21 - Mura

Mura: Revelian?

Revelian: Hm?... Oh, uh, yes, what is it?

I stopped, using a finger to twist part of the hair on my left side. I was currently occupying a gridmask-based body, in despite of the fact that Revelian seemed to be opposed to the idea of it, taking more pride in having his own normal form. I actually thought that the gridmasks were very interesting, and I wanted to be a lot like them.

Mura: Um... you're going to go to work now, right?

He was just about to go out the door. He'd taken quite some care in trying his hardest not to wake me, but I was lucky enough to have gotten up on my own just then.

He sighed. It seemed as if he was

Revelian: Uh, yeah. Sorry if I woke you just then.

Mura: Oh! No no, you didn't wake me. I just got up now, is all. I was gonna wait a while so that I could say goodbye to you before you went to work, but I didn't know that you were already going, aheh...

Revelian: Well, er, that's alright.

Mura: Well, uh, goodbye, rev...

Revelian: Goodbye, Mura.

Mura: Good luck at work today, bro.

Revelian: Alright.

He began to close the door and walk away.

Mura: Be safe...

He seemed to pause for a short moment. Then he smiled.

Revelian: Alright, Mura. Goodbye.

I stood at the door for a while as he left, watching through the window as he then went off, until he was past my view.

I let out a sigh. The days seemed long and boring ever since Rev was able to get a good-paying job of his own. I'd recently been fired from my own job myself. Now our roles were switched. The days of me taking care of him and being the provider now seemed over for good. I really missed it. But there was nothing really that I could do.

Suddenly, my visors messaging system started going off. I wondered who it was. An icon of a red eye popped up. I opened the chat.

```
**maniacalmachinations began chatting with sengo718 at 6:24 AM**
**sengo718: uh, hello? who is this?**
**maniacalmachinations: Hello, Mura. It's Kuipter.**
**sengo718: eh?**
**sengo718: you mean little bro kuipter?**
**maniacalmachinations: Yes, it's me.**
**sengo718: oh!!! sorry i didn't remember you too well, it's been a while since i last saw you.**
**maniacalmachinations: It has, hasn't it?**
**maniacalmachinations: Somewhere around six-hundred years, if I'm correct.**
**sengo718: yeah!! that's it.**
**sengo718: it's been a long time...**
**sengo718: so... what have you been up to lately, little bro?**
**maniacalmachinations: Quite a number of odds and ends, really.**
**maniacalmachinations: While you and Revelian were off on your, ahem, radical adventures, someone has found himself moving up in ranks.**
**sengo718: really? good for you! i always knew that you'd do good. sorry i couldn't be there to see you do it, though.**
**maniacalmachinations: In fact, I'm now the ruler of the Zeronius clan. That's ours, if you forgot.**
**sengo718: ... eh???**
**maniacalmachinations: Yes. I've now risen to my rightful position as leader of our kind.**
**sengo718: uh what???**
**sengo718: that doesn't make any sense though. you're only 688 years old, right? that's no where near the 1000 years of age when you'd turn into a ruler Negative.**
**sengo718: and what about lord 0??? what happened to her???**
**maniacalmachinations: Don't worry about Lord 0. She's out of the picture, so to speak.**
**sengo718: uh... kuipter...**
**sengo718: what are you saying???**
**maniacalmachinations: Isn't it obvious?**
**maniacalmachinations: Lord 0 is out of the picture because of ME.**
**maniacalmachinations: And I have stepped up to take over her army of Negatives.**
**sengo718: oh!! you mean she's still alive?!**
**maniacalmachinations: Of course she is. I couldn't bring myself to just kill her for power. And if I did, then the majority of the army would just die with her. I'm not so stupid as to do that!**
**maniacalmachinations: Clearly you're underestimating me, brother.**
**sengo718: D0**
**maniacalmachinations: Hrm.**
**sengo718: little bro... what are you scheming?!**
**maniacalmachinations: Please, don't call me that. My name is Kuipter. I refuse to be called the 'little bro' of someone as pathetic as you.**
**maniacalmachinations: And as for what I'm scheming?**
**maniacalmachinations: Well, I hate to be the cliche villain who gives away his plans right before acting them out, but I do love to gloat, and to strike fear and hopelessness into the hearts of my enemies, so here it goes.**
**maniacalmachinations: You know that planet you're on right now? Quite a nice one, if I'd say so myself!**
**maniacalmachinations: But it's not nearly as nice as the Dark Star, though. But there's a problem!**
**maniacalmachinations: With Lord 0 incapacitated, the Dark Star isn't doing to well. It needs a lot of power to get better again.**
**maniacalmachinations: And that's where your nice little planet comes in!**
**sengo718: kuipter... i know what you're trying to do, and it's a very bad idea!**
**sengo718: our conquests failed back then for a reason... and if you try to start it up again, it's going to fail now!**
**maniacalmachinations: DID I SAY I WAS DONE TALKING?!**
**maniacalmachinations: Er, excuse that outburst. As I was saying.**
**maniacalmachinations: As you've already deducted, I'm going to start up the conquests again. And I'm going to go to every planet I can find and take it over. Then I'm going to drain it's resources, so as to power our beautiful Dark Star.**
**maniacalmachinations: And for my first target...**
**maniacalmachinations: I'm going to take over the planet that you call home!**
**maniacalmachinations: And I'm going to kill you!**
**sengo718: you're... what??**
**maniacalmachinations: Well, I can't have someone with such a weakness joining my army. It would just be a waste to keep you there!**
**maniacalmachinations: And if our brother doesn't want to join my army... Then I'm going to kill him, too!**
**sengo718: kuipter, no!!**
**maniacalmachinations: Ludus is a nice place. I'll be sure to tell the tales of the people who lived there. Pitiful little creatures that all died, crushed under my almighty power!**
**maniacalmachinations: Hahaha!**
**sengo718: shut the hell up!!!!**
**maniacalmachinations: Oh, what's this?**
**maniacalmachinations: Have a struck a nerve with you, now?**
**sengo718: kuipter you stupid ass!! i won't let you do this!! i'll kill you before i let the people of this planet die!!**
**maniacalmachinations: Kill me, hm? Someone as against violence as you?**
**maniacalmachinations: Mura, you're weak. We both know that. If we were to face off, I would be the victor.**
**sengo718: tough talk for a stupid little shit like you, kuipter!! you were always a dumb little fucker when i knew you, and i know nothing's changed!!**
**maniacalmachinations: ... What was that?**
**sengo718: you heard me!!**
**sengo718: if you're not too cowardly to hide behind the army in your little base, then come here and fight me!!**
**sengo718: i'd never lose to someone as stupid as you!!!!**
**maniacalmachinations: It's a fight you want, then? Well, it's a fight you'll get.**
**maniacalmachinations: Look out the window, Mura. Do you see the darkness covering the Lux star? That's me.**
**maniacalmachinations: I'm tracking you down right now. I'm coming to get you, Mura. And when our battle ends, I'm going to walk away with a cape to hang over my mantel.**
**sengo718: bring it on!!!!!!!**
**maniacalmachinations: I'm coming. Your time's here is getting shorter at the second, Mura. What will you do?**
**sengo718: shut up and fight me already!!!**
**sengo718 has closed the chat**
**maniacalmachinations: Hmph... Mura, you fool. You're walking into your own death.**
**sengo718 has blocked maniacalmachinations**

```

I blocked Kuipter from the chat. I wasn't going to listen to anymore of his shit, I was sick of it already. I can't believe I'd actually gone and welcomed him at first. I should have known that someone like him would turn like this.

I tried to get a hold of Revelian. No response. I kept trying, but I got nothing.

Mura: Rrgh...

I was very upset. I at least wanted to warn Revelian about this. Knowing Kuipter, he'd probably try and get to me through Revelian. He's go out and capture him and keep him as a hostage, just as a dirty trick. I was getting really upset.

Mura: Kuipter... You jerk...

I desperately wanted to get a hold of Revelian. I wondered if Kuipter's forces had gotten to him already. I knew Revelian, though he was very powerful, he will eventually break down if you take away the things that he cares about most. He'll fight for a while, but in the end, he would know that there is no way to get it back, and he would just stop fighting. And Kuipter seemed more than willing to try that.

I shook my head, trying to rid myself of these thoughts. I knew I shouldn't let Kuipter's psychological tricks get to me. I sighed, and then went outside.

I looked up. Sure enough, the Dark Star was in the sky. The darkness of it was challenging the brightness of the sun, and winning.

I sighed again. It had been a long time since I saw the Dark Star. Since Lord 0 used it for conquests, I'd always thought of it as being a symbol of pain and evil. But back then, I could have relied on it as a home, and I could rely on the other Negatives for protection. But now, it was completely turned against me. The Negative army was now under Kuipter's command, and Kuipter wanted nothing more than to be my end.

Kuipter: Mura!!

I turned. Sure enough, Kuipter was floating down from the sky, going to face me himself. I visibly displayed my anger.

Mura: Kuipter... I... I honestly thought you'd be hiding in your little base. It's a genuine surprise to know that you were foolish enough to try and face me on your own.

Kuipter let out a long, evil laugh. I narrowed my eye at him.

Kuipter: I'm the foolish one, eh? Mura, please. Over the years, I've been training a lot. While you were off just looking for Revelian, I was getting stronger each day. And I know that I will have the power to defeat you, here and now.

Mura: Grr... You may think that you're tough, but I know I can defeat you... I have the lives and hopes of the entire planet riding on me defeating you, right here and right now. and I'm not about to let them down!!

Kuipter: Tch... How typical of you.

He raised his arm canon at me. A yellow orb of energy began to build up.

Kuipter: Take your self-righteous beliefs of what you think is good and bring them with you to Hell.

He fired. I rolled to the side to dodge him. He began to fire again, this time more rapidly. I was able to dodge each of these blasts.

Mura: You're not going to beat me with that, Kuipter!!

I started getting closer to him as he fired. I moved around him in a circle while dodging, getting closer every time.

The next time he fired, I charged straight at him, giving him a punch square in the face, following with a kick to his jaw. I jumped back to a distance at which I felt I could dodge his blasts if he tried to counter back with those again.

Mura: Hah! I told you, bro. I'm not going to let down the people of this planet! Not on your life!!

Kuipter: Don't get so cocky, Mura. Two hits isn't the deciding factor for the battle. Let's see how you like this.

He raised his other arm, and started creating other blasts from that, along with the ones from his arm canon. I quickly dodged these blasts, once again getting closer to him while doing so. I moved in again for the attack.

Kuipter: Hah!!

Kuipter was ready for it this time, though. As I tried to kick him to get him off balance, he lunged forward and hit my with a right hook. The impact of the punch was hard enough to knock out two of my teeth. I stumbled backwards.

Kuipter then raised his arm canon at me. I was unable to dodge this one. I was hit with an energy blast and send spiraling backwards.

Kuipter: Heh... What was that you said about beating me? That you weren't going to let down the people of this planet?

My visor was cracked from the blast, making it hard for me to see. I growled, and removed it. I didn't want to waste any of my energy repairing it, so I just threw it to the side.

Kuipter: Looks like the people of this planet are going to be pretty disappointed. Haha...

Mura: That's it!!! I'm not holding back with you anymore, Kuipter.

Kuipter: Oh, you were holding back with me before? Hard to believe. Even if you were holding back, you're going to lose anyway, you weak--

I interrupted him by attacking him very quickly with a kick to the face. With my speed, he didn't seem to have the time to prepare for the attack, and was caught off guard. I didn't waste any time, then. I elbowed him right in the forehead, and went on by picking him up from behind and slamming him into the ground.

Kuipter: Ah...

He got up before I could continue with this. I put my hands up and assumed a fighting position. He raised his arm canon at me. I kicked it away before he could fire at me, and then kicked him in the head again, causing him to stumble to the left of me.

Mura: Hup!!

I wasted no time. I pounced onto him and proceeded to punch him in the face several times. But then he raised his arm canon at me, and it was but an inch away from me face. I was lucky enough to dodge the attack just by an inch, and I jumped away from him.

Kuipter: You're... Quite... The...

He seemed out of breath right then. I didn't wait for him to finish his sentence. I went back up to him and gave him a hard kick to the head. He was thrown back by it, and fell down again.

Mura: \*wheeze\* \*pant\* \*huff\* \*hooth\* \*huff\*

Kuipter: \*wheeze\* \*sniffle\* \*honk\* \*sputter\*

We both seemed pretty tired now. But he was on the ground. I knew that my power was great, and it was more than enough to defeat Kuipter. I walked up to him and picked up his body.

Mura: I... I don't have the heart to kill you, little bro. You may think that makes me weak, but you're wrong about that. Now, if you try to start anything again, I'll have to do this again, and I don't want to do it. So just chill out, okay?!

Kuipter was quiet for a moment, and only the sound of our breathing could be heard. And then he responded.

Kuipter: Ahahah.... Heheheh.... Haha... AHAHAHAHAHA!!

Mura: ... Uh... What...?

???: Mura!!

I turned and saw my brother Revelian running towards me.

Revelian: Mura, are you alright?!

Mura: Ah... Revelian! I'm alright, little bro!

I began to go off towards him. I was happy to finally have a reunion with my brother. I got closer to him. I felt so happy to see that he was safe and alright.

Mura: Bro...

I had almost gotten to him. But then I noticed something strange. A scary smile stretched across his face. He raised his arm at me.

Mura: ...?

A bolt of energy suddenly shot out from his hand. It struck me right in my center. I felt my blood spurting out everywhere. I fell to the ground.

???: Ahahahaha!! Ehehehe!!

I saw the figure that was Revelian change. It then became some sort of harlequin creature. I was in utter shock.

???: Heeheehee!! Did I do good, boss?

Kuipter had then gotten up.

Kuipter: Heh... You did perfect, Shenny.

Shenny: Great!! Haha!

Kuipter went over to me and picked me up my my hair. He raised me up so that we were eye level.

Kuipter: It's as I said...

Mura: Kk... Grahh...

Kuipter: The people of this planet are going to be pretty disappointed, Mura.

He then shot me with his arm canon.

Kuipter: Oh, and by the way... I'll be taking certain measures to make sure that you'll be gone for good after you die. But not yet, I still have a use for you... Hahaha...

I felt the life draining out of me. I knew that after this, my body would disintegrate, and I would have no hope of revival, from Lord Zeronius or from any sort of necromancy spell. My remains would be gone forever. And I would just die.

But I knew that this was not the worst thing about it. The worst thing was that I would leave this world with Kuipter in it... And that I wouldn't be here to protect Revelian... My dearest little brother.

ENDCHAPTER.

### Chapter 22 - Samuel

Masa: Hello, Sam!

I waved to my long-time acquaintance, smiling her way. In the place of her work, I sat down in the room she was working in, greeting her.

Samuel: Helo Masa.

Masa: Heh, sorry you had to come all the way out here. I kinda have to keep working here for a while.

Samuel: Nah, it's alright.

She was busily toiling away, pouring some sort of super-heated metal into a base to create a weapon.

Samuel: It's good to finally meet up with you again.

Masa: You too, man. We haven't really done much to catch up, have we?

Samuel: No, I guess not...

Masa: Huh. I forgot, what were you doing on this planet again?

Samuel: I was sent here to investigate it. I heard a bit about what happened to the planet, though. What was up with that?

Masa: Ugh. The planet's people went into a civil war (Which is really stupid, seeing as there's enough violence going on as it is). They sent a whole lot of us younger ones off the planet, and those guys later came back, but I was captured and forced into slavery... And... Well, I got out a while ago, and I was supposed to get word from your parents, but I never did... When I tried contacting our and their friends, I found out that they were lost in the battle...

Samuel: Ah...

Masa: I'm... So sorry about that, Sam. I know you must've been worried sick about them and all... And I guess you probably really wanted to see them... It's also pretty bad that neither of us were able to find out sooner...

Samuel: Well, yeah, a little bit... But I'm also kind of relieved.

Masa: Eh...?

Samuel: I mean, before this, I was always wanting to go and meet them. When I was a kid, and when you used to work for them without pay, I really only got to know about you, and other kids and adults who I knew among us. I knew my parents were pretty nice people, and I still have memories of them caring for me when I was younger, but when I got older, and my senses became more matured, at the times when I would gain permanent and clear memories of them, I never was able to do so... And it always felt like a bad thing, not being able to do that, but I guess it actually turns out for the better, since I wouldn't have to always think about them as they were in life, now after death... And when I used to just always think about them, I don't have to live like that now, because I have you, and Ecast, and all my other friends.

Masa: Huh... I guess, even through a much-too-optimistic overlook of it, you're right there.

Samuel: I think so, too. And that's the part of it that really matters...

Masa: Aheh...

Samuel: ...

Masa: ... \*sigh\*

Though I didn't tell her at the time, I could have said the same about every other Splationian, save for her and myself, as I had said of my parents. They all seemed to just be blurry and unclear memories right now. I did know what the planet was like, and what the people were like, but if asked to point out my past neighbors in a line-up, I'd be completely stumped. Though I guess it didn't really matter... It was just a strange feeling I had.

Samuel: ... \*sigh\*

Masa then turned. I didn't realize it, but she'd finished all of her work fairly quickly.

Masa: Hey, Sam?

Samuel: Ah... yeah?

Masa: Wanna head out for a while? Go check out the town? I was hoping you could show me around, since almost everywhere I've been is chaotic and confusing as all hell.

Samuel: Uh... sure... I guess. Yeah.

My heart seemed to skip a beat when she'd made the offer. Upon hearing my acceptance to it, she smiled.

Masa: Alright, heheh... Oh, I'll go up and tell the owner that I'm done for the day.

Samuel: Alright...

She headed through a door, and I heard her footsteps going to an upstairs area. I sat there in silence for a while.

Soon enough, she walked back through the door, in her casual clothes.

Masa: Okay, I'm all ready.

Samuel: Okay... I guess I should show you how to get to the Isles & Quint building from here, that's going to be pretty helpful to know, since I work there.

Masa: Isles & Quint, eh?

Samuel: Yeah, it's where I work... I'm one of the high-up guys there, working and overseeing a lot of stuff...

Masa: Sounds cool.

Samuel: Yeah, it's a really cool place.

Masa: Well, let's get going, then!

Samuel: Alright...

We walked outside. We talked a bit while we went on, but most of it I was just tuned out on, thinking of important things, as our conversation then was simple and fairly unimportant enough for me to just turn on the auto-pilot and talk without really thinking. But this soon stopped when she asked me something else.

Masa: ... big, black mass, in the sky...

My auto-pilot then got up, ran over to me, slapped me until I woke up, and then directed me to the controls.

Samuel: What did you say?

Masa: I said, "What's with that big, black mass in the sky?" Is it some sort of satellite, or second moon to this planet?

Samuel: Oh, that... No, that's not it at all. It's this thing that just came up real recently, actually. It's something called the 'Dark Star'. This guy, Kuipter, parked that thing right in our atmosphere and started blowing chip up and being a dad and making his planet eat this one, and some other stuff.

Masa: Damn... This Kuipter guy, a terrorist with a base the size of a moon... Fuh... I don't even know what to say about that...

Samuel: Yeah... For whatever reason, he's specifically targeting Isles & Quint and Revelian... He's gotten some pets and people killed, including Rev's brother, Mura. And Mura was, like, a really nice guy! You probably would've liked him.

Masa: Actually, I think I already did meet him. I crafted a sword for a guy named Mura a while ago, because he wanted his brother to use it...

Samuel: That must be the same guy, then! Rev totally likes swords!

Masa: Yeah, it must be.

Samuel: And his sword's name is... Muramasa... Wait, that's just Mura's and your name put into one word.

Masa: Yeah it is.

Samuel: I never even thought about that before... Now it seems so obvious, heh.

Masa: But, you know, the sword I gave to Mura actually has more of a backstory.

Samuel: Hm? What do you mean?

Masa: Well, when I originally created it, it took upon part of an energy... Something called the Willpower Fragment. It made the sword a lot more powerful. I thought it was almost too powerful, and I didn't want to give it to someone who I didn't know, in case it turned out that they would use it for evil. So I split the swords into two parts, and then made two other swords out of those parts, and gave one of the swords to Mura.

Samuel: That must be the one that Rev has... But what happened to the other sword?

Masa: Yeah, that sword was pretty powerful, too, and I didn't want to give it to just anyone. I knew a guy on this planet, who people called 'Mune', and I gave the other sword to him.

Samuel: Was it called 'Masamune'?

Masa: Yeah, it was. I guess those lame names are pretty predictable...

Samuel: No, that's not how I know. Revelian has a sword by that name, too.

Masa: Wait, he does?

Samuel: Yeah, he got it from the same Mune! I guess Mune just didn't have any use for it, and wanted to give it to him as a gift.

Masa: So, specifically tried to keep something away from someone, and both parts of it ended up being given as gifts to that person? Ugh, that's some real shitty irony.

Samuel: Heha.

Masa: Ugh...

I suddenly realized something.

Samuel: Oh, hey, we're here now.

There it was, the Isles & Quint building. It had gotten much bigger than it was almost two years ago, when it was nothing but a large tent with things inside. It now stood as a tall and wide white skyscraper.

Masa: Wow... This place looks amazing...

Samuel: Heh, I know. But anyway, we should be getting inside now. I forgot to mention that with Kuipter going around, it's not all that safe for us IQ employees to be going outside of the main building or a fortified home.

Masa: Oh, got it. I can gawk at it later, let's just get inside now.

Samuel: Right!

As the two of us drew closer to the front door of the building, the grumbling of the security "officer" there, the one who had a mechanical hand, became ever more audible.

Cygnus: ... And why the hell do I of all people have to be the security officer...? There's others who actually have the power to defend themselves if it comes to it, instead of having to be a target if we get attacked... Those assholes just want me to get blown up or killed somehow, don't they...? Tch... If I had my way with them-

Samuel: Hello Cygnus.

Cygnus: Eh?! Oh, hey Samuel...

Just then, Cygnus jumped slightly, before realizing that it was just me. It was evident to her that I had overheard her, but she knew that I, unlike the others who were in high-up positions in the company, had a considerable amount of strength, and were quick to give punishment to those who they saw fit, failed to fall under these categories all too well.

Samuel: I went out a while ago to get Masa, my name's there on the sign-out sheet. And I think Masa already got clearance, right...?

Cygnus: Yeah, I see the names... (Psst, Masa's this one, right?)

Masa: Yeah, who do you think? Also your whispering is very loud.

Samuel: Hehe it is.

Cynus: Whatever. Anyway, here you go.

Cygnus turned slightly and pressed a button, causing noises of whirring and clicking, meaning that the door was now open. Masa and I went inside.

Masa: Woah!

Masa stood in amazement and marvel of the place. I was often a bit like that, too, though at this point I'd gotten fairly used to it. Even so, I gave the first room a look around and a smile. I really did like the place, and it was very great.

The first area was just like it was when we'd originally started the place. It was the main area where the operations went down, and the official adoptions happened. I knew the other areas of this place pretty well, too. The next twenty floors up were all where adoptable pets could be found. The next two floors above them consisted of a large planting area, known as The Greenhouses, where plant-based pets could be grown from seeds left by pets that came before them. The floor above that connected to a walkway which would lead back down to the ground area, where the 'Breeding Center' and 'Fusion Chamber' once were, though since the Kuipter attacks, they'd been moved to a different location. Also connecting to the walkway were places in other directions, like the 'Pet School', 'Pet Arena', and the 'Pet Hospital'. The floors above the ones I'd mentioned were not as pet-related, but still important. The first five floors above them were the Archives, where all the adoption records were kept, since the first adoption took place. The next eleven floors after that were mainly offices, made for the higher-ups who often were confined to those places while here. There was also the following five floors, which were known as part of the 'Science Division'. The floor after that was some old abandoned project that I don't remember. I also know that the whole building has a total of fifty floors, but I couldn't tell anyone what the last three were for if my life depended on it.

Like the outside walls of the building, which would change color often depending on differing variables, parts of the inside would also change color as well, going from a luxurious red to a spiritual lime green color. Most of us found this feature to be really cool, though Baxter actually complained about it often and how he wanted it to all be stark white.

Samuel: Welcome to Isles & Quint...

Masa: This place is just... AMAZING!!

Samuel: Yeh, I know! It's a lot of really cool and unique designs all around.

We then overheard the commotion of regular customers and long-time employees clamoring about.

Zach: Okay, hey, you guys really need to slow down with this, the adoption stations are really only meant for one person at a time, and there are no other ones open. So, who exactly is going first?

Delinius: I think that I should go first, as just getting Genmata here won't take long.

Nutik: You went before me last time we accidentally bumped into each other while doing this, though! And Bear is just so adorable, I must have him as soon as possible!

Zach: You guys really can't think of any way to decide who goes first with this?

Delinius: Well, despite our lack of cooperation, wouldn't it be just as efficient to do both of ours at once?

Nutik: Yeah, can we do that??

Zach: Uh... Maybe??? I just get really confused when I have to deal with more than one of these things, though.

Delinius: Confused, you say? How exactly does that happen?

Zach: Well, I tried to do this before, but I accidentally ended up mixing up the two owner's information while doing so. And then when we checked the records later and everything, we went to the homes of the two guys under the impression that they'd stolen each others pets! That was a really awkward situation to work out.

Nutik: Oh...... Well, don't do that again, then.. Haha..

Zach: Uh, I'll try...

Samuel: Heheheh...

The everyday shenanigans and stories of events that only the person who was telling it remembered was still as amusing to me as it was when I was first introduced to it all. Perhaps even more so nowadays.

Masa: So these are some of your friends, huh?

Samuel: Yep they are. This is only the tip of the iceberg, though. There's plenty more.

Masa: Huh. And the ones I've met are already a fairly diverse bunch.

The sound of the building's door opening then rang throughout the room. Some of us turned to see the familiar faces of two friends coming inside.

Ivan: Hey, Zach. Oh, and hey, everyone else.

Radiant: Hi everyone!

We all greeted our two friends. Ivan and Radiant have been with us for a while, about some time after the launch of our company. I remember only a little about their entire backstories... Only something about them having lived on the planet from a long time ago for their own reasons. Radiant's reason was apparently because his body was mostly an immortal soul. And, if I'm getting this right, Ivan apparently only recently rejoined the waking world through a revival process. The details about everything on them is fuzzy for me, though.

Ivan: Man, my ears were ringing like crazy. I just know it, Zach, you're racking your brain right now, aren't you?

Zach: Spot on, mate.

Ivan: I knew it. I have a sixth sense for this kind of stuff. But, well, it comes with our similar powers, I guess.

Zach: Sure, whatever that's supposed to mean.

Ivan: Eheh. Anyway, what exactly is the problem, then?

Zach: I'm supposed to fill out two adoption forms at the same time. Want to help me out?

Ivan: Yeah, I got it.

Samuel: Haha you doofs, can't even multitask the right way.

When I'd said that, I of course did not mean it in an insulting way. The cyan birthmark Splationians had it imprinted in their culture to show appreciation or noted connection to others through use of empty, opposite-meaning 'insults'. This was actually well known by the others, as well.

Very quickly, then, the two filled up the adoption papers without mistake, making the pet adoptions official.

Nutik: Thanks, guys!!

Delinius: Yes, thank you very much for allowing me to adopt this one. I'll look over it well.

With that, the two costumers then left the building with their newly-adopted pets.

Zach: Huh, if the trend that's been going on continues, then I'm pretty sure that we'll only have one more costumer for the rest of the day.

Ivan: Well, of course you can't blame anyone for not going in here to adopt pets as often as before. The place is now made only for approved individuals, and most people know about the terrorist attacks that Kuipter's been doing and are too scared to go near the place.

Radiant: And until we can find a sound solution to the problem, there's going to be a major decline for us all.

Zach: Yeah, you guys are right about that...

Ivan: And, man, all the repairs I've had to do to this building make up for a lot of tiresome work hours.

Masa: Hm, you do repair work on the building?

Masa has suddenly begun to speak up and join the conversation, interested in part of what was being said.

Ivan: Yeah, all the time. As one of the original builders of the place, I'm pretty well suited to doing repairs.

Masa: You helped construct this building? Do tell, were you involved with some of the unique features that it has part of it??

Ivan: Yeah, I did just around half of the work on those parts of it. The rest of it was done by a sleep-walking Hankvi Guidza.

Masa: Ah, that's amazing!

Ivan: Yeah, Hank is pretty-

Masa: No, not that, I mean the construction work that went into this! I'm very interested in it all, as I do take a liking to forms of construction and mechanics of the like.

Ivan: Huh, okay.

Masa: I'm also curious about the other unique structures that are part of the building, would you mind telling me about all those?

Ivan: Uh, really? I don't know, it's kind of a long and boring explanation...

Masa: Nonsense! I'm damn willing to listen to every word of it!

Ivan: Aheh, you seem quite enthusiastic about the trade, I see. Alright then, I'll tell you all about it.

I tried to pay attention to the following parts of their conversation, but it proceeded to merely drone on about things that I couldn't possibly repeat after hearing them, let alone hope to understand any of it. It was like they were speaking in an alien language. I decided not to get transfixed in my confusion, and turned to Radiant.

Samuel: Helo Radiant.

Radiant: Hi there, Sam.

Samuel: So, uh, I'm sorry if this is sudden and all, but I just realized that I'm kind of confused on the details about you and Ivan, and his return to the waking world and all that?

Radiant: Oh, that. It's okay if you want to hear about it, I guess. I guess the shortest version I can give about it is having it start when I first got word of Isles & Quint going around and taming monsters. When I found out about that, I went here, and I met the others, and I actually met back up with Revelian, who I knew from a while back. Not too soon after that, the subject of Ivan came up, and Rev said that there was a possibility that he could be revived now. Of course, I wanted to do that, so we set out to find his body so that he could it could be revived, and he could return to the waking world. We eventually came across where I'd buried it all that time ago, and then we had Moriam use his Chaos-granted powers of necromancy.

Samuel: Huh, okay. I think I get it now.

Radiant: Right! Glad I could make that clear for you.

Samuel: Well, right now that I think about it, isn't it kind of weird for Rev to be asking Mori for help on this? I mean, I think he'd go with someone who he's closer friends with than Mori, like Hank.

Radiant: So you're saying that Mori and Rev don't get along all that well? Huh, I just thought he acts the same way around him as he does everyone else.

Samuel: Well, he does, and that's kind of a problem.

Radiant: Oh, I see...

Samuel: Aheh, yeah. I don't know the details about it, but with both of their natures, they aren't really the best combination.

Radiant: Yeah, I can understand that...

We drifted into a slight moment of silence. I saw that Masa and Ivan were still talking to each other. Then I heard Zach speak up to everyone.

Zach: Oh hey, Radiant, Ivan, I just got a message from Lazro saying he needs you guys in the Science Division for something or other? You might want to go check that out.

Radiant: Oh, okay, I got it. I'll get going to there now.

Ivan: Huh... Right then, I guess I'd better go with him, if he said that he needs us. Oh, and Masa, we definitely need to continue our conversation about this stuff at another time, okay?

Masa: Hah, sure.

Radiant: Bye, guys!

Ivan: See you all later.

The three of us said goodbye to them. Just as they were about to press a button to open the door, it opened for them, as someone was then coming inside.

Mori: Hm...?

It was A Moriam, or 'Mori' as we all liked to call him. This guy was really involved with all of us, though he never was an real employee of the company. He was actually the first person to adopt a pet here, aside from the employees themselves. He was also the creator of his own pet-related company, AM Inc. His company was considered an affiliate of ours. He had long-since been a friend of the organization.

Mori: ... Oh, hello, Ivan, Radiant.

Radiant: Hi there, Mori.

Ivan: Hello.

Radiant: Sorry to say goodbye so quickly, but we were kind of already leaving.

Mori: Ah, alright, then. Goodbye, you two.

Ivan: Yeah, goodbye.

Mori stepped to the side to allow Ivan and Radiant to go out first. They went, and then Mori came inside, closing the door behind him.

Samuel: Ehehe, helo Mori.

Mori: Hello, Sam.

Zach: Hey there, Mori.

Mori: Hello to you, too, Zach Isles.

After this, Zach proceeded to return to filling out forms and papers that were around him. Mori walked over to Masa and I.

Samuel: Oh! By the way, Mori, this is my friend/past guardian from my home planet. Her name is Masa. And Masa, this is one of my friends here, his name is Moriam or something but we all call him Mori.

Mori: Ah, yes. Hello there, Masa.

Masa: Hey, man.

Mori: So, Samuel, I wanted to talk to you about all the recent events going on lately...

Samuel: Sure, go ahead.

Mori: Well, if you remember, we had the breeding center that was connected to the building moved away a while ago, and then we just very recently had it done again. Well, we actually found out something about the place where the breeding center used to be before we just moved it, and it's in light of the thing that happened just today.

Samuel: Huh? Something happened today?

Mori: Yes. In the breeding center, a bomb was detected in one of the newborns, found later to be inside the lungs of Eclarious, the child of Eclat and Ergoth.

Samuel: Whah?!

Mori: Luckily, as I know, the bomb was detected, safely removed from the child, and then deactivated before it could do any harm.

Samuel: Oh, that's good...

Mori: But there's another thing that I found out which is also fairly interesting... It turns out that, right near where the previous building for the breeding center was, one of Kuipter's agents, I believe the one who is known as "Shenanigans", was found to have a home there, right near to where the breeding chambers were. The home of this "Shenanigans" was actually closest to the breeding chamber where Eclat and Ergoth were supposed to be in, and that they would be in, were it not for the relocation.

Samuel: Uh... Huh? What are you saying?

Mori: Well, with all the evidence about it in mind, it seems like the one who orchestrated this attack, Kuipter, had intended the bomb to be in the child's lungs and to detonate as it was near the home of his agent, in order to kill him.

Masa: (Huh...?)

Samuel: Gasp!! Really?! Why would Kuipter want to kill one of his own agents?!

Mori: I'm not sure exactly the reason, but it does seem a lot like he did want to kill this "Shenanigans". After some people found out about this, they noticed that the home was also destroyed, and that Shenanigans had long since left it.

Samuel: Huh... This Kuipter guy... He's really unpredictable...

Mori: That he most certainly is, as well as very dangerous.

Masa: Sam... I think that you might want to stay inside more often, just for your safety...

Mori: Actually, I don't think that will be necessary, noting Kuipter's intentions. He seems to only strike what poses as a threat to him, specifically striking base parts of that such thing in order to destroy the rest of it while maintaining resources... I don't see Sam as particularly falling under those categories, so I'd guess that, if he were to stay away from Kuipter's base targets, then he would be fine...

Samuel: Base targets, eh? What exactly do you think those would be?

Mori: Well, obviously Revelian would be one of them.

Samuel: Ah, even if Revelian is a base target I actually feel safer being around him. I mean, Kuipter has a lot of powerful guys at his disposal, but they're definitely no match for Rev's power. (And when I'm joining him, heheh...)

Mori: Eh, well, do whatever you want, I guess. It's not like I'm one to stop you, only to warn you of dangerous possibilities...

Samuel: Aheh, right. Thanks for that.

Mori: But, well, if I am going to do so, then I'd have to honestly suggest staying away from Revelian. It's not really the best idea to get involved with him at this point...

Samuel: Eh? What do you mean?

Mori: Well, it's just something about how he's been lately...

Samuel: How he's been lately, you say...? I... Well, I honestly haven't been around him enough lately to notice if anything was up with him, so I don't know what to say about that...

Mori: Well, that's alright.

Samuel: Though... From your observations, how has he been lately?

Mori: He's... A very complicated one, putting it simply. I know that he's usually a fairly... Ahem, crabby sort of person, but now his actions are even worse. He's getting a lot of agitation from every little action that Kuipter is doing against us, doing ridiculous outbursts because of it. I know that he actually used an ice beam to freeze one of the IQ labs just because, as he said, "I'm tired of how long it takes for these machines to cool down before they can be used again."

Samuel: Well... I actually think that the last thing might've just been some of Rev's sense of humor. He sometimes does stuff like that, you know.

Mori: Yes, I do know. I've more than once seen his joking about, and I honestly do enjoy a lot of them, but right now he doesn't seem to be doings that at all... He's clearly being much more serious about his actions. And the way he undertakes them is also a bit disconcerting...

Samuel: Er... I don't really know about this all, so I don't think I can say anything, but I just don't really see Rev like that?

Mori: I guess that maybe you haven't. But, about him... He's acting with such rage and determination to destroy... And to do so, he just... Wants power. It's actually just disappointing, seeing what Kuipter's actions have done to Rev. But in Rev's state...

Samuel: I... Don't really know what you're trying to say, Mori...

Mori: Hmph... I guess there's a simple way for me to put it that I've been tiptoeing around, but I guess I'll just say it now... Really, when it comes down to it, the only difference between Revelian and Kuipter is how you spell the names. The abusive relationships with others, the lust for power, the need for conquest, it's all shared between them. And-

Revelian: EXCUSE ME?

Revelian's booming shout drew all of us to his attention. He was standing at the top of the staircase in the lobby, looking at us with an agitated expression. He'd apparently heard a number of the things that Mori had said.

Mori: Hello, Revelian.

Revelian: SHUT THE FUCK UP, MORI.

Revelian began stomping down the stairs while shouting, his words falling into beat with the sound of his feet on the flooring.

Revelian: SHUT YOUR FUCKING MOUTH, YOU INSOLENT LITTLE SHIT.

He continued to walk down the stairs. We were all in complete silence.

Revelian: AND DON'T YOU EVER, \*\*\*\*EVER\*\*\*\*, COMPARE ME TO THAT COMPLETE WASTE OF EXISTENCE THAT IS KUIPTER AGAIN. IF I EVEN HEAR THAT YOU'RE SAYING SHIT LIKE THAT, I'M GOING TO RIP OUT YOUR HORRID FUCKING THROAT.

Masa: ...

Samuel: Uh, Revelian, I don't really think that you should be saying things like that, it's-

Mori: No, Sam, actually, it's perfectly alright with me. After all, it's perfectly okay to express one's opinion and thoughts of actions on matters and such; it's what I was just doing, and what he was just doing.

Samuel: Well, just because you're both doing it doesn't make it an okay thing to do!

Revelian: That's fucking right! That's exactly why Mori shouldn't have done it in the first place.

Mori: ... What? I wasn't even intending anything about it for you, Revelian, so you should just forget about it. And just because I said it at all doesn't give you the justification to make such distasteful death threats to me.

Revelian: Hey, you push me, I push back. Harder. That's how it is.

Mori: Two wrongs don't make a right, Revelian. Instead of feeding into the provocation of something, which wasn't even your business to intrude into, you should try to handle it the right way.

Revelian: The way I handle it \*IS\* the right way. It's called keeping balance between the scales or something like that. *You push me, I push back. Harder.* AND, HEY, YOU SHOULD FEEL FUCKING GRATEFUL THAT I JUST LET YOU OFF WITH A SLAP ON THE WRIST LIKE THAT. I \*GUARANTEE\* THAT IF YOU PULL ANY SORT OF ANGSTY BULLSHIT LIKE THIS AGAIN, IT WON'T END SO GREAT FOR YOU. GOT IT?

Mori let out an annoyed sigh.

Mori: Revelian, allow me to ask you something. You do want to kill Kuipter, don't you?

Upon hearing that statement, it looked like Rev was tensed up with anger.

Revelian: Kill him...? No, no, I don't want to do that... Dying is too good for someone like him. I want to \*\*\*DESTROY\*\*\* HIM.

The expression he was giving was of pure anger, pure fury, pure hatred, all for Kuipter. And it did make sense, seeing as what Kuipter did to his kind brother, Mura. Brutally killed, and left with only scattered remains. It really did seem like Mura was an important part of Rev's life, and did a lot to keep him calm and happy, but without him, he had become like this. It was fortunate that he was only letting these emotions fuel his determination to avenge his brother and defeat the evil that was Kuipter.

Revelian: That's why... I'm going to get all the power I can... And kill anyone who gets in my way... JUST TO DESTROY HIM!

Mori: That's what I thought... Don't you see what you're saying? You're hungry for power and thirsty for blood. Don't you realize this makes you sound exactly like him?

Revelian: ***MOTHERFUCKER.***

Revelian then took about half a step backwards and drew his sword, the Muramasa, pointing it a Mori.

Samuel: Whuah??!

Masa: Huh?!

Revelian: I TOLD YOU NEVER TO SAY SOMETHING LIKE THAT AGAIN, JUST A FEW FUCKING SECONDS AGO, AND HERE YOU ARE DOING IT ANYWAY! DO YOU THINK I'LL HESITATE TO DO ANYTHING HORRIBLE TO YOU? OR ARE YOU JUST SO ARROGANT THAT YOU THINK I WON'T EVEN POSE A CHALLENGE TO YOU?!

Mori gave a look of annoyed anger at Revelian. He had his weapon of choice drawn-- two needles with a power of dark magic, which I knew from things that he told me about. I hadn't really seen him take them out before, though. It was clear that, in the least, he intended to use them as a force of self-defense against Revelian.

Mori: No, not at all. I just don't feel like lying or beating around the bush with something unless I have a good ulterior motive with it, and I don't in the case where you're showing the traits of our sworn nemesis. So I'm not going to lie about it. It's what I'm taking from everything.

Revelian: YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FUCK YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT. I AM \*\*\*NOTHING\*\*\* LIKE HIM.

Mori: And I'm not arrogant in my thoughts of being able to hold my own with you. You're very powerful, yes, but who's to say for sure if you're more powerful than myself?

Revelian: WELL I'M DAMN SURE ENOUGH ABOUT IT TO TRY AND FIND OUT.

The two gave each other looks of anger at one another for a moment. They were clearly ready to get into it with each other.

Just at that moment, the sound of the main door opening rang through the lobby. Before anyone could turn to look and see who it was, though, a burst of sound and force pushed through the room.

Baxter: *RIGHT THIS WAY, SENIORFOLKS, THE TOUR OF ISLES & QUINT CONTINUES RIGHT THIS WAY.*

Baxter, leading a large group of elderly people, pushed through everyone there, separating Mori and Rev on both sides of the crowd.

Baxter: *HERE WE GO, JUST ON THIS TOUR HERE. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SCHEDULED THING HAPPENING HERE. NO OTHER REASON FOR IT HAPPENING, JUST SOME CHARITY FOR OLD PEOPLE.*

Baxter then made several cloud and loud coughing sounds. Mori and Rev stared blankly.

Baxter: *TOTALLY NOT TRYING TO STOP ANY DOOFHEADS FROM DOING ANYTHING THAT WOULD BE A DETRIMENT TO THINGS, NOPE NOT AT ALL.*

Revelian: ...

Mori: ...

Baxter: *COUGH.*

Mori sighed, somehow loudly enough to be heard over the crowd of elderly people.

Mori: Alright, alright, I'd better get going, then... I don't have anything to do here anyway.

Mori then went through the front door and left.

Baxter: *DOO DEE DOO.*

Baxter droned on about who-knows-what and started leading the tour down a hallway.

Revelian: ... Whatever. Oh, damn, I almost forgot...

Revelian turned to me, and took out a cyan parcel.

Revelian: Sam, this package came in the mail today, addressed to you... It's from somewhere off the planet.

Samuel: Huh? Really?

He handed me the cyan parcel. I examined it for a while.

Revelian: Yeah... At first I was wary that it was some sort of trap sent by Kuipter, but the bomb and poison detectors weren't going off... I don't know if it's any other kind of dangerous thing inside, though. The box is impossible to open, and I can't even slice through it with my sword! I'm pretty sure that you'll never be able to open it, either, though, so I guess there's no harm in-

Examining the keyhole on the box, an ancestral magic awoke. The lid opened cleanly in an instant.

Revelian: What?! How the fuck did you do that?!

I gave him the box, closing the lid. He looked over it for a second.

Revelian: There's no secret parts on it or anything, and you didn't even put a key in, so how the hell did you get it open?!

Samuel: Weird ancestral mind power majjyks, I guess.

Revelian: What the fuck does that even mean?

Samuel: It means opening it is just a power that runs in my blood.

Masa: Really? Here, give it to me.

Revelian: Alright...

Revelian handed her the box. She looked into the keyhole, and then the lid opened up.

Masa: Yeah, it is like that! I get it.

Revelian: ... What the fuck ever. I don't understand how that even works... Well, I'll just leave now. I only came here to deliver the package, anyway.

Revelian went upstairs, presumably to his office.

Masa: So, this is what's inside...

Samuel: Eh?!

Masa was digging around inside of the box, and pulled out a piece of paper.

Samuel: Hey, you shouldn't be messing around with other people's mail! That's invasion of privacy, aye?

Masa: I was able to open it, so it must be meant for me in part, right...?

Samuel: Well... Maybe... Wait, no.

Masa: Whatever, it's just a letter. Here, I'll read it for you.

Samuel: Eh, I can read it just fine by myself, you know.

Despite this, she read the letter anyway.

Masa: *Helo, Samuel. This is a letter from your parents.* ...

Masa turned to me, and we were both in surprise for a moment. However, I shook my dumbfounded reaction to say something.

Samuel: Well, keep reading!

Masa: Ah, r-right... *(Please do note that this letter was originally written by your father, in speaking for both of us, and revised by myself, your mother, in aiding his doing so.) By now, you have most undoubtedly heard of the tragedy that arose from the war of the Cyankind and Indigokind on our planet. Yes, once again a conflict has arisen from the wishes to sam up the Bluekinds into a single type of classification, in blatant disregard of the differing qualities and colours. It is a tedious note, as everyone knows that Cyan and Blue and two completely different things.*

Obviously, cyan and blue are two completely different things. Everyone who says otherwise is a liar.

Masa: *In the course of the war, the civilians of the Cyankind were to be sent into protective places on the planet, forced into hiding. It is to our disdain that we could not contact you during this time. But alas, we give praise to the doofs who allowed us this protection in such volatile times. Of course, anyone in their right minds would do the sam, but to these people we shall sang praise for, as it was them who had done so for us.*

Masa paused for a moment, before continuing.

Masa: *For some reason, those civilians among us had been incorrectly declared as missing persons of war. Our status has long since been alright, though this error has gone uncorrected. It is within our knowledge that this invites the possibility that you have received this false information, and have gone under the belief that we are no longer alive. Though, we assure you, that this is untrue, and that we are alive and well today. We have received word that you have chosen samply to remain on the planet Ludus instead of returning to our home world. Though, at first upon learning of this fact, we thought you as being indulged with a buncha stupids, though upon reconsideration of it we came to realize that, as with all other members of the species, you also come to mature more quickly than a parent would come to regularly expect, and your decision has been made. Though we do wish for a world in which you would happily return to us, we give our full respect to your decision of staying there, where you must be happy.*

Masa paused once again.

Masa: *Please, do visit us once in a while. Our home is always open for you, and it always will be. (We do want you to come back for celebrations on your birthday and the Day of Thondor.) We wish you good luck in your life, and we wish you luck in the lives of your doof companions on Ludus. With love, your parents.*

For a moment, I stood in silence and contemplation. My parents were alive! I felt so unbelievably happy at this moment. I had dear, caring parents to visit on my home world, and good friends to be with on the world where I'd made my home. It was really very great.

Masa: Oh, hey, there's more...

Samuel: Oh...? Okay, um, keep reading, then.

Masa: *PS-- We request that, in our dear favor, you do often give utterances of the Great Heha, loudly, often, and with pride, so as to honor to the kin and kith of our kinds. (Side-note from your father: Also, do keep an eye on the girl, I think she's quite a someone, if I know her well enough.)* Wait, girl? What's that supposed to-

Samuel: Right right, I'd better bring honor to them by saying Heha.

Masa: What? But what girl? Me?!

I gave blatant disregard to contemplating the matter because I honestly didn't want to think about it. It would spare me the embarrassment of a conclusion.

Samuel: HEHA.

Masa: ...

Samuel: Hehe doof.

And, though this is a bit of an unserious note, this is where my part of the story ends. Yes, there are conflicts unresolved, questions unanswered, and mysteries that still have yet to be brought to attention. However, the course of those things just don't continue with me. I get to go on living my own life, and everyone else goes on living theirs. The lives that interact with the stories are what matter in the end. And mine just doesn't do too much to interact with the rest of Kuipters'. If you want that, you'll have to see the story of someone else, perhaps even multiple someone elses, to find out what happens. But I'm not the person to turn to.

So, that'd all I can tell you. Hope you can make sense out of all the other tales and find out what happens! Just remember that it doesn't end here. Goodbye!

ENDCHAPTER.

### Chapter 23 - Poisonshot

This is the story of me, the Poisonshot.

...

I once live on a planet, called the Binaricka. It was a nice planet. We had the altars, and we play the atari. I did the live in a tribe for the Altari. We were leaded by the cheif, Thristel-Immo. He was the best.

One day, we were under a attack by the mean flower creature.

What the fuck?

It was a very bad think. They kill a lot of Binareller. We were near Interdit, but-

PUDDINGSHIT CUT IT OUT.

Revelian, this story is my. Please don't talking.

NO ONE CAN FUCKING UNDERSTAND YOUR DUMB STORY. Learn some proper fucking common already.

I did learn the common, I use a traductor.

Poisonshit, you're writing in what can only be sort-of understood. This shit isn't going to fly in an actual story.

I am apology. What is to be done?

I'll just reiterate what you're trying to say here. And I'll also wonder how the story is even canonically important...

Okay. Tank you very mush.

I once lived on a planet that, in the time of its existence, was known as Binaricka. Our kind was a native species known as the Binarellers.

The Binarellers were sort of a closed people; they always stuck to the beliefs brought onto them by their so-called 'great ancestors', though the ancestors themselves would remain anonymous, and the beliefs which they represented were not always the best for everyone.

One of those beliefs was that mutations were to be looked down on. This led to my tribe's chief-to-be, Thristel-Immo Altari, being thrown out of his tribe at birth due to his mutated eyes and arm. Luckily for him, and for the people who would later join the tribe he established, he was able to survive on his own and ascend. He then created his own tribe that would question the beliefs of our ancestors, allowing those who had been exiled like himself.

Thristel-Immo was a good man with a good heart. He truly cared for us all and wished us good will all the time, even despite our bad qualities. This is a trait that is hard to find in people these days!

Some time later, I was born in his tribe. I would grow to become one of his greatest disciples, and I would look up to him throughout my growing.

Through my life, the times seemed as if they would be peaceful. However, our planet was soon met with an unfortunate incident...

Wait... you mean when I took the Negatives and took over the planet?

Yesh. This is what hapen.

Huh... I thought I recognized this, but I wasn't sure exactly how you'd have gotten to this point in time, considering the average lifespan of you guys. Say, how the hell did you even get to this time?

It will be reveal soon. Please waiting.

...

The Negatives had come to take over the planet. Our kind had received word that a nearby planet had also been attacked by them, and we had prepared our counter-attack strategy.

Thristel-Immo: My people. We must hold our defense. Stay strong.

We had all entered battle positions when he showed up.

???: ...

The Negative stood alone. He examined our forces, and then spoke.

???: Hello, people of Binaricka. My name is Revelian. I am leading a large number of Negative forces sent to take over this planet for its' resources...

Uproar came from the crowd. Revelian started to yell at them to try and keep them down. Thristel-Immo raised a hand to silence them. They became quiet instantly.

Thristel-Immo: Please, go, and leave my people in peace.

Revelian: Ech. Sorry, old man, but that's just not gonna happen. I'm sure you care a lot about these people, but you can take solace in the fact that we're not going to kill everyone. We'll be turning the ones we don't kill into slaves, but it's still a fate better than death.

An uproar came up throughout the crowd. Revelian yelled again to try and get them to be quiet. Then he turned to Thristel-Immo.

Revelian: Are you going to get them to be quiet again?

He did not. He actually grabbed the sword off of his back and slashed at Revelian, attacking him then and there. Revelian barely dodged it, and then pulled out his own sword.

Revelian: Tch... Why can't you just sit down and survive like all the others?

Thristel-Immo pulled out another sword. The two swords were dark grey and light grey, one with a golden hilt and one with a purple hilt. They had dragons engraved onto them. The theme of darkness and light was one that he often used, and it showed in this aspect, as well.

Thristel-Immo: I shall fight for the safety of my people.

Revelian: What's the point, anyway?! Even if you defeat me here, there will be numbers upon numbers of forces coming to take you all out! How do you expect to defeat them, then?

Thristel-Immo: It does not matter. If I fought only in battle I knew I would win, and stayed behind only in battle I knew I would lose. I would not have grown into the fighter I am today.

Revelian: You're a brave man, then. If you lose this battle, I'll be sure to give you an honorable death.

And then the fight began.

It took forever and no one won.

Revelian, I am the telling of it. Please silence.

They fought for a long time, and in the end, the both of them were very tired and unable to fight. At this point, the Altaris could have actually defeated Revelian, but only if Thristel-Immo would call them to do so. But he would not, as his honor would not allow him to fight dirty like that.

They decided the fight was pointless, and later dispersed.

But although Revelian did not return, the Negative forces later came back. By the time they'd gotten to us, they'd killed off nearly all of the other Binarellers on the planet.

Thristel-Immo tried to defeat them all. But there was just far too many of them, and he could not defend us. He began to weaken. But as it seemed he was about to lose, his body began to glow with a brilliant white aura.

Thristel-Immo: My people... I shall not let you die like this... With my last breath... I shall send you out of this place... And away from danger!

Thristel-Immo's death throes consisted of a magic that sent all of the people of his tribe into places scattered all around the universe, and even into random times in the future.

I myself was sent some years into the future in the same spot, though left in a strange state in the meanwhile.

But in this state, I was frozen in time, left only to dream. In these dreams, I was able to meet with some of my family and friends, talking to them every day. My father, Bulletarrow, my mother, Poisonmaker, and my pet, Xixar, were there all the time. I didn't know whether they were dead or just dreaming like myself, but in my dreaming state I hadn't the capacity to wonder it all that much. I also was able to see some of my friends, Ironshot, Fireshot, and Diversemagic. There were not with me as often as my direct family was, likely because they often were with their own families.

In my dream state, I wondered off to a strange place, later using merely the power of my dreams to create things. The greatest creation of my dreams was of a heaven I imagined to be, though it had much more water that I had intended it to. I liked this creation very much and gave it a name, the planet Wather.

After leaving my dream state, I awoke in my selected location. Though, at the time, my memories of the dreams were very unclear. It was only later that I was able to accurately recollect them.

And so, I then awoke to a strange sight.

Poisonshot: Huh?

At this point, I was really confused about what just happened. I didn't know at the time that Thristel-Immo had used sorts of magic powers to save his people in this way. And, while still in my confusion, I stumbled upon his corpse.

Poisonshot: Oh no...

Though I was pretty upset with what I'd seen, I decided not to get into any sort of depressed state with it, and then proceeded to use my majjyks of revival on him.

His body glowed, and he then sprang back to life.

Thristel-Immo: Poisonshot... Thank you for reviving me, my disciple.

Poisonshot: Chief, what happened to everyone?

Thristel-Immo: I sent the people of our tribe to safety... Into times in the future, and places where they would be safe. You arrived here some time in the future...

Poisonshot: Oh...

Thristel-Immo: In my death, I have heard from some of the later people who were forced into slavery work on this planet. Our planet has been nearly drained of it's resources, and the Negatives have left it now. The fight against them to save this planet would be futile, but...

Thristel-Immo then looked up into the sky. I followed his action, and saw it; the neighboring planet in our solar system, the one that was called Ludus.

Thristel-Immo: I know that the people of the nearby planet, Ludus, are also currently under the tyranny of the Negative forces. We must go to that planet and save them... It is the least that we can do, for the justice of our fallen brethren...

Poisonshot: Alright, then... Let's go.

He then grabbed my hand, and he proceeded to use his magic to blast off into the sky.

PCHOOOOOO

Fairly soon, we had arrived onto the planet Ludus.

Thristel-Immo looked around.

Thristel-Immo: Altari... It is here on this planet that the Negatives have taken over the original inhabitants, those known as the Dragonkin. During my time in the afterlife, I met with the Dragonkin leader, who told me the story of how his people had been defeated. I also spoke with some of his subjects that had died at later times. They told me that the Negatives were now forcing the people into working. As a way to bring more power to their Dark Star.

Poisonshot: So, Chief, does this mean you are planning to fight the Negatives here and free the people?

Thristel-Immo: Yes, I am.

Poisonshot: Alright, Chief! And I-

Thristel-Immo: Altari, I can not bring you with me into this battle.

I looked at him in confusion for only a moment. Though I knew that I shouldn't doubt his wisdom, I still expressed my lack of knowledge for his reasons.

Poisonshot: You can't?

Thristel-Immo: It is far too dangerous for you. I can tell that the result would only bring about your doom.

Poisonshot: But what does that mean for you?

Thristel-Immo: I shall fall I'm battle, I know it. But my effort will bring about the freedom of the Dragonkin kind...

I gave him a look of sadness. Knowing his intentions made me feel empty inside.

Poisonshot: Chief... Why do you wish to sacrifice your life in this way?

Thristel-Immo: To save you, and to save them. It is all part of a long-since engaged plan, Altari. This plan goes long before our time, and shall continur in motion centuries past now. I was told of this by a strange woman in my afterlife, of the plan that she had been a part of, and the part that she knew I would then take in it. My part is to bring freedom to the Dragonkin in this time, and nothing more, so it would only be fitting to meet my end upon this. And your part was only to revive me in this time, which you have done. You still have your life to live though, and I do not want you to waste it dying now in something that you do not need to.

Poisonshot: Chief...

I couldn't think of anything to say. There was nothing I could say. I would never challenge or deny his wisdom on any matters, it was completely beyond me. I was left with only to nod my head in agreement.

Thristel-Immo: And now, you must leave this place and time, Altari. The strange woman also told me of a gateway on this planet which would send you to a different time, where you would be safe.

Poisonshot: A gateway...?

Thristel-Immo: Yes, Altari. Knowing our current location... I believe that it is located over in this direction.

Thristel-Immo raised a hand and pointed, directing my gaze.

Thristel-Immo: Now, you must go... I wish you luck, disciple of mine.

Poisonshot: Chief...

I looked at him with sadness and loss. He looked back at me, and I could see a figure of doubt and discouragement cloud his expression. He looked away, so as to not show this to me anymore.

Poisonshot: I will remember you, Chief... Always...

Thristel-Immo: And I shal the same for you, Altari.

I turned to the direction that he'd pointed me to and started walking. I could hear him turning and going off to his own destination. We then both started to run, so as to force ourselves not to turn back.

Much sooner, having followed his directions, I finally located the gateway. I knew it was the one immediately. Its golden, heavenly glow gave me not a doubt in my mind. Even more proof was the symbol of Chronos showing atop the gate. This was definitely it. I walked forward, into the gate. I had begun to reach my arms forward, readying to open the gateway, but I didn't need to; as I begun to approach it, it opened up for me. I walked into its lighted glow.

And when I passed through it, the scene around me changed. It was a humid and ashy environment. I looked around.

I gasped in shock as I saw large dragons, flying all over the sky! Frozen in my shock for a moment, until realizi that a large, Greg dragon had begun crawling up to me.

Poisonshot: Waahhh!!!

I moved frantically in my fear, before remembering the gate. I went back through it, going backwards the way that I'd first entered it. I hadn't time to marvel the beauty, only to get out before something happened.

And when I got back out, after calling myself down, I realized I was right back where I was before. Though now, I was thoroughly confused.

Poisonshot: What was that...? I thought that Chief said this gate would deliver me to a different time where I would be safe, and I definitely wasn't safe in that time!

I turned back towards the gate.

Poisonshot: Does that mean... This is the wrong gate or something? What went wrong there?

I pondered for a moment, before a thought struck me. I walked around the gate, to the other side of it. It seemed identical to the first side, except for something else, I noticed. Inside of the symbol of Chronos, there were strange markings. Different fromfrom the ones on the other side of it. At first, I'd only thought them to have been mere mistakes or scratches made by whoever had originally crafted the gateway. But other than these, there were no visible scratchings like it on the gateway.

So they must not be mistakes, but intentional markings! Instructions, written in a different language. Of course, both sides of the gate must take one to different times based on the point of entry! It made perfect sense. And, by going into the gateway through the side I hadn't gone into then, I would arrive in the intended time directed of me by Thristel-Immo!

... Okay, damn. That actually seemed to me like a complex problem to figure out. I can't believe I'm actually saying this to you, but you might just be smarter than I give you credit for... Or maybe it was just a lucky break. Actually, forget what I said just then. I'm just going to assume that it was actually the latter.

No, I figure it there mine.

Right.

Now, beck too story.

At that moment, I heard a loud explosion, which caused me to flinch. I looked up, and saw trails of red and blue energy streaming through the sky, almost like a sort of controlled lightning. This was Thristel-Immo's power, the energy emitted from his eyes as a mutation. I looked up into the sky in my recognition of it. Little did I know that an important Dragonkin was doing the same and, similar to me, leaving it to go where his past guardian had instructed him to.

Leaving the reminiscent showing of his power, I entered the gateway through the correct end. And as I emerged, the scenery once again changed around me.

The area around me was now a lush, green forest. Though I did not feel very much like paying attention to it. I walked out of it, trying to find my way to what could be recognized as the safe place that Thristel-Immo had intended for me.

I walked for a while. I came across a path in the grass, where the trees opened up for a bit. I looked around. The sky was clear, so it seemed that the weather was relatively calm on this planet. And I also saw some creatures roaming around in the backgrounds, meaning that meat would be easy to get.

Poisonshot: Hm...

???: Woah, hey, what are you?

I turned around. I saw a black-haired male-looking creature. He seemed to have a similar form to me, though had the skin of a soft pink leather, and seemingly no robotic parts. Also, he was wearing clothes that only had shades of cyan and blue among them.

Huh, I wonder who this guy might be?

???: Are you a native here or something?

At the time, I could not understand what he was saying. I stopped for a moment and then turned on the translator that was located as part of my robotic mask. Then, with my translated common, I spoke to him.

Poisonshot: What are ish you said?

???: Haha, what?

Poisonshot: I are Poisonshot.

???: Haha, hello, then, Poisonshot. I'm Samuel.

Poisonshot: What do your doing?

Samuel: Heh, dude, I can't understand what you're trying to say? What's up with that?

Poisonshot: I use the traductuer to talking. Ish very useful.

Samuel: (lmao) What's a 'traductuer'?

Poisonshot: The traductuer allow me to understand the language, and mine traducting so I can speaking to you.

Samuel: Oh, I think you mean a translator?

Poisonshot: Yes, the tranductuer.

Samuel: Aheh, alright then. So I'm guessing you're not native to this planet?

Poisonshot: I not from this planet.

Samuel: I wonder what kind of species you are, then. Never seen one like you before.

Poisonshot: I Binareller.

Samuel: Binareller? Never heard of it.

Poisonshot: Well, maybe it cause I do coming from a different era. If I truth, then ish long past. And I thing ish sadly that not Binarellers are long enough to been knowing...

Samuel: Hehe, that translator of yours is REALLY bad.

Poisonshot: What wrong with traductuer?

Samuel: Er, nevermind that... Hey, since you're new here and all, kinda like me, want to follow me around and check things out? I'm going to where I hear a town is over there...

Poisonshot: I thing I will do go with you. Not much to me more I do, anyway.

Samuel: Okay, then! (I think.) Let's get going.

We then went off down the path. He was very fast, but I was able to keep up with him okay. We eventually came across a small town. But in the town, we spotted a large monster. It was following a group of people as if it were their pet.

Samuel: Woah! Let's go check that thing out, Poisonshot!

We then walked up to the group of people and the monster.

Poisonshot: oh my GODDDDDDDDDDD

Samuel: Eheheh.

OKAY THAT'S ENOUGH. I'm cutting this part short because I'm pretty damn sure I already went over this.

Ish not more story?

No more story.

What about you killing! That is true! We must speak!

Poisonshit, you of all people are the last person I want to talk about my past with. I have my reasons, and I deeply regret what I did back then.

You did the kill him!

Yeah, I did... Zach's father, I think it was. I figured it out when you started telling this story... Thinking about Zach, and what happened then, and the gateway... That's when it clicked with me.

I know you kill him! I tell to Zach often about it.

Wait, you told Zach that I killed his father?!

I say him often: Revelian killing the father, the king, in the last year, it was he who did it!

That's... Exactly what you're telling him?

Yes! It was me who say.

Damn, you scared me there for a minute. PS, stop trying to tell Zach about what I did. I think he won't handle it too well... I really do want to repent for what I've done. I'll tell Zach, but not just yet. When he's ready for it...

Okay. Me will not say. Will do: zipped lips.

That's what I like to hear.

Ish good. Now, the end of story.

ENDCHAPTER.

### Chapter 24 - Mori

Mori: ,,,

These were the only names that I recognized. My mother was only told about the names of my father's parents. Then I recited the names that I didn't recognize.

Mori: Tadanari... Chizuru...

It seemed that Tadanari had some other relatives.

Mori: Makina... Raki...

I decided to bring my attention back to the ascent of the names, rather than the relations of the others.

Mori: Seira...

Oddly, there was no father listed next to Seira's name. It was just a line under her connection to her three children. It was the same thing with the name above hers.

Mori: ... Zaion...

I knew this name. I smiled.

Mori: Her, too, hm...? Eheheh...

I remember my father talking about her, along with some others.

Mori: Zaion is one of the witches... Blackspell, was it...? Hm, I guess it really is fitting for me...

Although I didn't realize it at the time, I was grinning from ear to ear. My friend had seen me doing this and started to become worried.

Haru: Mori? Are you alright?

I turned, at that moment remembering that he was here with me.

Mori: Ah, yes... I'm fine.

Haru: Alright...

I stepped back a bit. I noticed that Haru hadn't seen the family tree.

Haru: In this place... Is this even a suitable location for Jericho to come back to?

Ah, yes. Our intent of this day had come back to me at that moment. I had gone to Haru this day, telling him about Jericho. I showed him a picture that I had fond, of myself and him. Strangely, in this picture, his face was covered by a black spot, making him unrecognizable. It was only my young self's face and the background that was identifiable.

It was a paradox that I had identified before. His entire identity had been erased from existence, and he was left only to our memories. But I knew of something. I'd heard it from my father. My family was part of a strange and magical bloodline, one that contained a great knowledge of the dark arts.

Including spells like that of revival of the dead. Necromancy... It was possible for myself, as a follower of Chaos like myself to revive a dead body. But Jericho's body was nonexistent. There was nothing to bring back at all. Which is where this comes in...

I'd heard of a home that had apparently belonged to distant family members of mine. So we'd taken a train out and headed out for it. It was a fairly unadvanced little town. When we would try to ask about the estate, we would be disregarded by others. We later went into the mountains, where the estate was said to be. But it wasn't there. So we tried to go back. But we would always get lost, twisting and turning towards the same path, until we once again found ourselves in the spot where the estate was supposed to be. This time, however, it was actually there.

Wary though we were, we decided to go inside and try to find information that we'd come here to find. We were encountered by some strange sounds, possibly wandering spirits still here. It was a dark place. But we'd soon found a strange room, one which likely should not have existed, and we went inside. Which is what brought us to where we are now.

Mori: Er... I'm sure that it will be, if we can even manage it.

Haru: Well... Alright...

We then searched for a long time in this place. But we could find nothing but dust. It was an ancient place, and had been cleared out of anything that would be of value to our quest.

Mori: Hm... I couldn't find anything over here...

Haru: Me neither... Ugh... Can we just get out of this place now...? I'm kinda upset that we didn't find anything, but I'm also glad that we didn't run into any of those things upstairs, and I'd like to go before we do...

Mori: I... I guess that you're right, Haru. There's really no point in just wasting time here... I'm sure Jericho wouldn't want us to die in this place, as well...

Haru: Yeah...

We started to go back towards the stairs. But I stopped suddenly. This caught the attention of Haru.

Haru: Uh... Mori...?

For some reason, my mind was not then aware of him. I turned, facing a wall in the room.

Haru: Mori...? Is something wrong...?

I walked over to the wall, without even wanting to, without even thinking of doing so. As if I were being controlled by an outside force.

I raised my hand towards the wall, sliding my fingers across it. I felt around its surface before coming across something- a difference in smoothness between the boards making up the wall. They were loose.

Haru: What are you doing...?

As my body was still going about without proper consent from my conscious mind, I could not give him a response. I let all the tips of my fingers lay upon the side of this loose board, as I brought up my other arm to join it. My body moved into a position to which I could gain a good grip onto the wall. And then, using a large amount of force, I quickly pulled back on the exposed side of the board, giving some notable amount of force into making the area in which it was off from the rest of the wall to be much larger. Soon enough, a majority of the board broke apart, falling off of the wall, and leaving a hole behind it.

From the hole that was left from it, it was plainly obvious to see some light coming from a place beyond this wall, not too far from it.

Haru: Oh!!

My body continued to move on. I stuck a hand into the hole left by the board that I had just pulled out, and let my fingers curve around the side of this board. Similarly to as I had done with the other board, I pulled on it, causing it to bend, and then break. And I continued on for four or so more of these boards, as the light coming from beyond the wall became ever more clear.

As I then had made a suitable space for one to go through to the other side, where the light was coming from, I stopped to gaze at it. And then I felt my body becoming as its normal state again. I hadn't really noticed that I had no control or awareness of what I was doing until after it was so. It was as if the thing that had caused me to do those things had also blocked out the part of my mind that would tell me that my body wasn't being controlled by myself, but from an outside force. So I had just went with it.

Haru: Mori, you're a genius!

I turned to Haru. He was now going back down the stairs, coming to me. He started to clear away the parts of the wall that I hadn't completely gotten out of the way, making for an easier path to get through for us.

Haru: How'd you even know about this, man?

Mori: Well, I didn't, really... I'm not even sure if I was the one who made the discovery.

Haru: Well... It doesn't matter! This is still a lead for us! Now we do have somewhere to go... Maybe this will be the thing we've been looking for all along!

At that point, he'd finished clearing the way, and he stood up again and faced me. As I saw through the full hole made out of the combination of the previous crevices, I saw a sub-room, no bigger than a closet, through which the source of the light from earlier was coming from.

Haru: Now, what's in here...?

We both looked inside. A table with a blue cloth, and candles, the source of the light. And adorning the middle of the table was a thick, dark tome, turned on it's side as if one were placing it there to stare directly downward while reading it.

Mori: Ahh...?! It's... The Book of Shadows... Why is it here?!

Haru: What's... going on? What's... the Book of Shadows?

Haru didn't know. I'm sure that to him, it only seemed like a clearly old book. I went over to the small table it stood on and started investigating it, as Haru joined in with me.

The book had small patterns sewn into it, all of which had certain disconcerting qualities about them. In addition, a liquid that looked just as much like blood as it did ink had pooled into the multi-hued stains all across the lip of the front cover. And the grotesque cover was already unpleasant-looking enough to begin with.

Mori: There's... No mistaking it. These pages were made from human skin and animal hide. This is, without a doubt, the Book of Shadows... I've been told all about it... It's a dark tome with a long history, wrought in blood, which has supposedly been passed down from generations in secretive ways... It dates back to the tumultuous days of old, some time during the occurrences of the witch hunts...

Haru: Witch hunts?

Mori: Yes, witch hunts. Nearly a hundred and fifty years ago, mass paranoia resulted in the indiscriminate persecution and slaughter of around thirteen individuals who were recorded as having magical capabilities... These people were suspected of practicing "black magic" by making pacts with the unholy kinds, as well as being akin to those kinds themselves. So, in accordance to orders from the Pantheon to local churches well as community representatives to their local communities across the inhabited continents, these witches were brought to trial, were each and every suspected person was always subjected to horrible torture and eventually executed. Usually in really cruel ways. People began blaming them for natural and other sorts of disasters happening at the time, as well as blaming them for poverty and other unfortunate realities of life, and influential individuals used them as scapegoats. Not even the words of the First Emporer Taku could sway the public opinion. And it's a topic of likelihood in numerous groups nowadays that these executed people were actually completely innocent... It is said that once, a chronicle of painstaking detail of the witches and black magic was made, purely in spite of those who despised these things, so that the memories of the now dreaming dead would live on through the ages... And that chronicle is right here. The Book of Shadows, which was passed down from one gifted mage and onto another, revised and appended countless times... Now forming as a complete "guide" to Witchcraft and black majjyks, which details spells pertaining to all of creation... And, supposedly, it contains a complete listing of white and black magic spells, all manners of lost arts, and even many forbidden acts of sorcery.

Haru: As in... The really dangerous kinds of magic, then?

Mori: Mhmm. It would be terribly dangerous in the wrong hands. That's why it was... Well, supposed to have been, enshrined and kept under watch of those who would come to have claimed to be the descendants of witches, and though the witches have never been known to have children, those of similar kind have actually been known of.

Like myself, I thought.

Haru: So then why is something like that here, tucked away in a place like this?

Mori: I honestly don't know... I may have some theories that just recently came to mind, but I'm not just going to blindly speculate on the matter, nor am I going to fill your head with my musings, either. I do wonder, though...

My curiosity had gotten me very into this whole thing. Without my knowledge, a small, catlike grin appeared on my face, as I thought about it all.

Haru: H-hey, what are you smiling about?

Mori: Hm...? Oh, it's nothing, I was just thinking. But, anyway...

Then, much to the surprise of Haru, I stepped over to the table on which the Book of Shadows was resting on and began to casually turn and flip through the pages, in such a casual way that one could easily mistake what I was doing for just reading a regular old short story that I'd found flying around on an old bookshelf. Haru was actually so surprised by my action, he nearly jumped back.

Haru: Wh-What are you doing?! Didn't you say that thing was really dangerous?!

Mori: Yes, I did. And I know what I'm doing. I'll be careful with it, okay? I'm just looking to see if something's really in here. You know, the thing we came here for all along? Wouldn't want us to forget about that, you know.

Haru: W-Well... Yeah, right, I guess... It's just... The way you did it... You're acting so, well, indifferent about it... It's actually kind of, I think, unsettling?

Mori: Oh, hush, you. This is perfectly normal. You don't need to get upset over what I'm doing.

Haru: Well... Jeez, man, if you say so... I'm just worried, is all...

Mori: It's alright, I don't blame you...

Suddenly, while flipping through the books' pages, I came across something of interest.

Mori: Ah! This is it!

Haru: Huh?!

Mori: *Raising of Corpses: A spell to revive those lost, even for not the dreaming dead.* This is what we've been looking for!

Haru: Really? This spell can revive Jericho?

Mori: Yes, apparently. I haven't been given any proof against it, at least...

Haru: Ah! That's perfect!

Mori: Mhmm... Anyway, I guess I'll get to reading it... If we want to perform it correctly, I'll have to study it pretty carefully...

I then started to look over the page. A lot of it was written in runes and language that I, fitting for someone of my age, could not understand. However, on this page was written several translations and notes for the spell, giving detailed information on how to perform it.

Mori: Yes... This is perfect...

I studied the page over and over, memorizing each and every letter of the notes. The ritual for doing so would be burned into my mind for the time following. And I knew it must be done right.

Mori: Alright, Haru... I've got it understood now. I think that we will be able to perform it.

Haru: Really, already? That's great!

Mori: Hm, yes... But it must be done perfectly...

I've heard that practitioners of forbidden sorcery suffer even greater payback for their actions than black magic users... But... This book isn't written in a language that I can understand, so I can't read the parts that warn about it... I guess... Out of sight, out of mind, right...?

Mori: ((Payback...))

I didn't think that I could handle this, was the foremost thought in my mind.

But I didn't want to tell Haru about this. I thought that it would cast hints of doubt into his mind, and this was the last thing that we needed. Complete faith in this ritual was key, for the slightest hint of disbelief would result in failure.

Mori: To be honest, this isn't exactly the solution I had in mind... Something more practical, perhaps... But it may be our only hope of doing it... So I don't really care. Since his existence is lost to the waking world, dragging Jericho back into it by force is our only option.

Haru: Yeah... So let's just do it.

Mori: Alright... Now, let's get everything set up...

We then proceeded to set up all the materials we needed for the ritual. A pentagram of soot scrawled across the wood floor, as a start. Then we also needed candles, placed on each edge where the inner star shaped touched the circle. After being placed down, the wax of the candle melted onto the ground, keeping it upright and in place. Inscriptions of symbols and runes were also needed, and with utmost accuracy at copying them, we put them along the scrawling on the floor. Roses, too, were needed to be place in the center of the pentagram and around the candles. Other items were needed to be placed inside the circle but not in the star of it; a beetle carapace, part of an animal's body, a colorful feather, etc. At this point, it actually looked somewhat like a small memorial. Another requirement was to put the picture of the dead who was wished to be brought back in the center of the scrawling. We put the printed picture of Jericho with the blacked-out face in the center of it. It looked even more like a little memorial now. Another requirement was to put three pieces of paper, in the shapes of diamonds, equidistant from the picture, two with the names of the performers of the ritual on it, and one with the name of the person intended to be brought back. There was also another requirement that went along with it: and for this, we were able to also find something from scavenging through the room, which was a knife with intricate design, both for handle and for blade itself.

Haru: The blade...

I gave a somewhat indifferent look to him. In beginning the ritual, there also came a few steps of preparation before the enchantments were to be uttered. Once everything was set up perfectly, the candles were to be lit, the performers were to sit equidistant from each other and from the pentagram, and finally, the blood of those performing the ritual must be split onto the picture of the one who they are trying to bring back, from the palm of the hand. It was as if this blade we found was meant exactly for this kind of thing.

I cut the palm of my left hand with the blade just a bit, so as to let only a little of my blood be draining out. I stifled any bit of flinching upon the pain or wincing afterwards, in continuous want not to dissuade Haru-- I knew my job in this, but I feared that a single doubt in Haru's mind could lead to disastrous effects on the spell. The instructions clearly stated that even an inkling of doubt during the ritual would result in failure. Though I could bring my mind not to dwell on any sort of thought, I didn't know if I could say the same for Haru, so I took every precaution to ensure that he would not even consider doubting this. I did feel that my word on it alone would be enough to convince him on it, as he trusted me, but I felt I didn't want to be incautious about it in the least. Perhaps this was my own way of dissuading any thoughts of doubt in my own mind, though shy of my knowledge at the time.

I let drops of my blood spill onto the picture of him. A few drops, which accrued onto the center of the picture. I only let about five drops fall onto it before taking my hand back. I then gave the blade to Haru. He followed suit, lightly cutting the palm of his hand with the side of the blade I hadn't used. He let out a slight wince upon cutting his palm. He then held his hand open over the picture, letting his drops of blood fall gently onto the picture, accumulating with my own right in the center of it.

To our surprise, the blood then stop gathering in the center of the picture, and started to move out in every direction, seemingly of its own accord. Speechless, we watched as our drops of blood engulfed the soot of the scrawled pentagram, turning the black soot into a light red colour, almost exactly like the cherry red of blood. The symbols and runes that we had inscribed onto it began to glow brilliantly.

I turned to Haru, who was giving me an odd look. I gave him another look, telling him not to worry. He nodded and turned his head back at the ground.

With the setup now all taken care of, it was time to chant the spell. Though the runes on the page were utterly impossible for me to decipher, the foreign words fortunately all had common pronunciations written in above them.

Mori: Adiara... Curxec... Tanvas... Vatros... Idrote... Thosel... Denari...

All the while the ritual was going on, Haru remained sitting perfectly still, listening to me chant on. I was left to think and to perform. And, a horrid thought entered into my mind: this was starting to feel crazy. I was sitting here listening to the instructions of a book which wasn't even supposed to exist! I wasn't sure how much of a grip I had on reality anymore. What were we thinking, trying something like this? Would this really bring Jericho back at all? Would this not have consequences beyond our grasp? ...No, I thought to myself, I had to concentrate. If I doubted the spell, then the spell would fail. For now, I had to believe that this would work. And I had no reason not to. This kind of thing, it was in my blood. I knew it for sure.

Mori: Rileniva... Saumarma Lusuger... Kores Dekres... On... Luka... Trupika... SELATRI!

The ritual seemed to have taken several hours to complete, with me carefully chanting all the way through the experience. And, finally, the last word on the page was uttered.

Mori: ... Khh...

The ritual was finally over, we both knew. I started to pant, feeling almost entirely out of breath. The whole thing was very lengthy, and my breathing during it all was short and quick, not wanting to miss a beat at all, in my fear that it would mess up the spell.

Haru stood up, and I saw a concerned expression on his face. He walked around the set up and over to me.

Haru: Mori? Are you okay? Come on...

He helped me stand up and catch my breath. Though my panting, I talked to him.

Mori: \*pant\* \*pant\* Well...?

Haru: ... Huh?

Mori: ...Do you...think... \*pant\* \*pant\* ... It's going to...work...?

Haru: Of course I do! You told me to put faith into it, so I did without question.

As he was talking, the Book of Shadows, which was situated in between myself and the pentagram, brought itself to our attention. Blood-red stains, that looks almost like letters or runes of some sort, suddenly splashed onto the open book, though the answer as to where they had come from was unclear.

Haru: ... What...?

And, without warning, the picture of Jericho began to burst into flames.

Haru: Gah!!

Mori: Ah! If the book catches on fire, we...!

Understanding me in an instant, Haru quickly snatched the book away from the flame that had sprouted out of thin air. The photo of Jericho that we'd set down had been completely burned into nothing. Not even ashes were left, in defiance to logic. But even so, the paper diamonds which we had put around it, which were even touching the picture itself, had not even the hints of heat having touched them.

Haru: So... What does that... This mean..? Does it mean we went through the ritual all right?

Mori: ... Yeah... I guess it does...

We both jumped at the sound of loud footsteps coming from upstairs. Thump, thump, thump...

???: Hello...? What's going on...?

The voice we'd heard was unmistakably that of Jericho. The sound burned in our minds every day, so we were certain of it. The two of us stood next to each other, and then we simply just, in a word, waited.

Jericho: Anyone... Where is anyone...?

Haru: Jeric--!!

Haru had started to call out to him, but I held up my other hand to stop him.

Haru: Hm...?

Mori: I think... Something's... Not right...

Haru: What do you mean?

Mori: I can hear his footsteps... This whole time he's been... He's walking in circles.

After another few footsteps, we heard the unmistakable sound of the heavy safe door to the area that we'd left completely ajar opening up all the way. And then, the footsteps resumed. This time, they were definitely coming toward us. Our eyes darted to the stairs leading down to this room from above. I saw Haru, who had begun shrinking back. I then did the same. We both expressed a sort of wariness towards the unknown presence now approaching us from above.

We both kept our eyes trained towards the staircase. He was certainly in no hurry. Ever so slowly and ploddingly, he climbed down the staircase, and eventually came into our view.

Jericho: Haru...? Mori...?

And we then saw that it was, indeed, Jericho. But his face... A black mass, like an undefinable shadow, was over it, and only it. It was completely blotted out-- no eyes, no nose, no mouth, no cheeks, no forehead, no nothing! His hair lightly went over the area where it was blotted out, from hairline to chin, somewhat unnatural in the appearance. It was exactly like the picture.

Jericho?: Kklllkhnnga... gghhaaaaaaahaaAAAAAAAAHH...

He fell onto the floor, twisting and contorting his body, while letting out sounds of pain.

Jericho?: Aaaaaahhhhhh... hhhhhhaaAAAAAAAAAGGGHHH...!

I couldn't tell if he was screaming or moaning, but regardless either way, he was clearly in much agony. The sound he made was barely even reminiscent of something human. It was a... death knell.

Mori: Ahh... hhahh...!!

Haru: Nng...!

I knew the truth of the matter as it came to my mind, much like the small moment of doubt that had arisen before, the same detriment that had resulted in this.

Our spell had failed.

The Jericho-like being we'd called upon was lying flat on the ground, lack-of-a-face up, just writhing and spasming in his agony. There was nothing that we could do to help him. Nothing at all.

As I watched him convulsing on the floor, I then noticed rune-like symbols appearing all over the body of the Jericho-like being. And then, without prompt beforehand, the paper diamond that had Jericho's name written on it burst into bright flames. And in the moment that the flames had begun to envelope the paper diamond, blood began spraying from each of the runes on his body, much like water shooting out from a fire hose.

Jericho?: GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!

His arms, neck, and thighs all separated off from his torso, right where the red runes had appear but a moment ago. And the Jericho-like being moved no more. The flame that had engulfed the paper diamond with Jericho's name on it was now completely extinguished, leaving behind nothing but a few ashes. We expressed our responses to the situations through gasps, and Haru even through sobs. That was just horrible.

Mori: Glgh...!

Two tools from the room, a pair of rusty screwdrivers, then flew into my thighs. I then fell to my knees as well. As I looked down, I saw that they were in the center of red runes on my body. Exactly like the Jericho-like being. I also felt the runes on my neck and on my arms, as I begun to bleed from those, as well.

Haru: Ah! Mori!

Mori: Aahh!

The sound of sudden flames erupted caught our attention. The paper diamond that had my name on it had caught aflame, and was now burning on the side.

As it continued to burn, a pair of rounded, rust-worn sawblades then began to jut from the marks on my arms, seeming to split them with perfect symmetry. I'd had no idea where they'd come from.

Mori: \*gasp\* \*gag\* Kllh... Gah!!

I let out more pained sounds. Haru screamed in his shock.

Mori: It... hurts...!

This was all that I was able to manage through the horrible pain.

Haru: Mori!!

Haru looked around frantically, trying to find something that would help out. It seemed as if he was afraid to try and directly touch me, and I didn't blame him. He ran over to something out of my sight, throwing the Book of Shadows to the floor. I then saw him come back, holding a bucket full of murky water. What is he doing, I thought, before seeing him swing it over the pentagram we'd made on the floor, where the paper diamond with my name on it was burning.

Of course, I thought, he's trying to put out the flame! The murky water splashed over the ritual area. The candles and the paper doll, however, were not put out by the water. Though everything else was soaked, the flames only burned brighter and the flames reached up higher, having enough force to push Haru off his feet. Though it was definitely non-flammable water that was in the bucket, it couldn't have overcome the power of the curse that was going on then...

The bleeding from the runes began to become more severe. A thought lingered in my mind...

*I've heard that practitioners of forbidden sorcery suffer even greater payback for their actions than black magic users... But... This book isn't written in a language that I can understand, so I can't read the parts that warn about it... I guess... Out of sight, out of mind, right...?*

Mori: Pay... back...

I felt something puncturing the part of my neck where the rune was. It was another saw blade, I'd figured. Though I couldn't see it. I was almost blinded by the pain.

At this point, I almost felt as if I were about to lose consciousness. Then I saw Haru... His paper diamond would also start to be engulfed by flames in a moment. Then it would all be over. There was nothing that could save us...

Then I saw Haru doing something. The book he'd tossed onto the floor just a moment ago, he was looking at. I couldn't think of why, though, as my brain wasn't able to function well enough through the pain. I felt my eyes getting weaker, as I knew I was about to pass out. At that moment, Haru reached over quickly and touched me on the head. He'd put something on top of my head, I knew then. But what was it, I was left to think.

A strange sensation overcame my body. Like both darkness and light were swirling inside it, both filling me with a necessary energy and filling me up to the point at which I would burst. Then I felt as if the control over my own body had begun to fade. It was less like just before, though, when I had torn up the wall of this room. I felt more aware of it. It was as if, in this moment when I felt the most desperate for a solution to what was going on, I'd willingly and knowingly given myself up to that solution.

I was aware of something taking over my body.

Whatever was taking over my body then forced it to stand up. I myself was actually shaking from the injuries I'd sustained, but that didn't matter to the controller, whoever it was. And then, the possessor of my body spoke through my own voice, but with a voice different from my own.

Mori: Hahaha...

I saw Haru looking at me right then, with an expression of horror on his face. I wondered, why was he looking at me like that? Did he know? Did he... He put something on my head, from in the book... Was he the one who had allowed this possession of my body to take place?

Haru: Oh hell... What have I done...?

I wanted to say to him that it was alright. That he didn't know the consequences and that I knew he didn't mean ill will from it. But I could not control myself to say this. Instead, the controller spoke.

Mori: Don't worry... It will work out better this way...

My body then turned to the ritual setup that Haru and I had prepared. The paper diamond was still burning, and my body was still suffering injury.

Mori: I'm not going to fall by a curse...

The controller raised my arms. A bluish-grey energy moved through them. It whisked its' way through the fire of the candles, extinguishing them. It then swirled around the paper diamonds, engulfing them in its energy. The flames were then extinguished. And the controller finished the sentence it had begun.

Mori: ... brought about by my own creation... Hahaha...

Haru shrunk back. The controller proceeded to laugh maniacally.

Who was this person, I thought? The creator of the Book of Shadows... But who exactly was that? A practitioner of black magic, a supporter of the witches, a person who knew of the Book of Shadows...

It all came to me then. Zaion, or Blackspell, was one of the witches. And she had descendants... I was of her bloodline, and those of my family had the Book of Shadows with them. She... It was her who created the Book of Shadows. It was her power that was now possessing me.

Mori: Now then...

Zaion lifted my hands over myself. Once again, a bluish grey light of energy swirled around, covering me in its light. Zaion moved my head to examine my body. I was healed, and the runes had disappeared. Zaion then used my hands to pull out the tools that were still lodged within me, the saw blades and the screwdrivers. My body threw them to the floor.

I then was able to look up at Haru, under Zaion's control. Though he was taken aback, he still looked at me with confidence. He'd picked up the Book of Shadows, somehow without my noticing.

Haru: Mori...

Under Zaion's control, my head tilted slightly, giving an expression of slight confusion and intrigue. My expression then changed into that of a sinister smile.

Haru: I... In the book... I found th-the hairclip, the one shaped like a pentagram, and I put it on your head...

So that was it, I thought. Zaion reached up my arm to feel my head. Indeed, the pentagram hairclip was on there. Of course, she already knew this, as it was because of this that she had control.

Haru: U-uh...

Haru looked at the book.

Haru: It-it says that this thing... It's supposed to be used as a 'last resort'... For if there's no other way to get out of a situation... And so I just went with it...

Silence followed.

Haru: It also says... That there comes with the consequence of possession...

Mori: Hm... Haha... AHAHAHAHAHA...

The laughter my body had produced made Haru shrink back again. As he did, he dropped the Book of Shadows. My body produced a smirk, as I then walked over in front of him, and picked up the book he'd dropped.

Mori: Hm... Yes...

Zaion proceeded to examine the Book of Shadows with a childlike sense of indulgence.

Haru: You... You are possessed right now...

Zaion's control made my head turn to looked up at him.

Mori: Yes.

Haru: Because... Of that thing...

Mori: Yes.

Haru: I... See...

Haru then made a strange movement, bending his knees slightly and shrinking back a bit into a patch of darkness in the room, which slightly constricted the view of his whole figure. Zaion's control made my head tilt slightly with curiosity.

Mori: ... What... are you-

Without warning, Haru then leaped forward, and brought a hand down onto my head. The strong thump knocked my body to the ground, and also knocked off the hairclip.

I felt the control returning to my body. I rubbed my head slightly, in the spot where the pentagram hairclip had been, and where I had just been hit. I looked up at Haru.

Mori: Haru...

Haru: Mori? Are you alright?

I stood up.

Mori: Yes, yes, I'm fine, Haru... Thank you, you're quick thinking saved us both there.

Haru: Uh, aheh, no problem...

Haru then looked around. The bloodied corpse of the Jericho-like being was lying on the floor.

Haru: We... Weren't able to...

Mori: No, we weren't. This spell... Must not be meant for the kind of lacking existence that he is...

Haru: I... See...

Mori: And it would be unwise to try it again...

Haru: I guess so...

Mori: Hm...

For a moment then, silence followed. I let out a sigh to break it.

Mori: I guess...

I walked over to the Book of Shadows that had been dropped, and picked it up.

Mori: I guess that I should take care of this... We wouldn't want it getting into the wrong hands, now would we?

Haru: Ah, no, not really...

Mori: And this, too...

I walked over to the pentagram hairclip that had fallen off of my head, picked it up, and put it back into the Book of Shadows.

Mori: Alright then... I think that's everything...

I turned to Haru.

Mori: Well, then, I think that we've been here long enough, don't you?

Haru: Yeah!

Mori: So, let's just get going now.

Haru: Okay...

And so, we left the room that shouldn't have existed, along with the house that shouldn't have existed, going to our homes once again. Though we didn't get what we were hoping for all along, I did get something else...

The Book of Shadows was now in my possession.

ENDCHAPTER.

## Story Break 2

At this point, the story moves on to more important parts. Several, in fact. Before reading the final parts of this story, it is recommended that you read the ones that would, chronologically, come next. (WIP) After reading those, come back to this and continue the tales.

## Act 4: Epilogue

### 1

Zaion: There was music playing, before...

Zaion sat with her legs crossed, looking at Sanford, while his head rested in her legs. He seemed to be very weak, as he was fairly quiet, and his eyes were closed. Though, he may very well have been sleeping. Zaion touched his head, trying to get a reaction out of him. He merely opened his eyes midway, and was possibly looking at nothing. He seemed to be in quite some pain. It made sense, as there was a circle of blood around a wound in his chest.

Once again, Zaion talked to him, to the surroundings of the whiteness, inside of Purgatory. Her tone was quiet, as she did not want to sound threatening to Sanford. Surely, a meeting like this, he would not take too well if it were all of a sudden, which it was, for him.

Zaion: Sanford…?

He mumbled a quiet response, to which Zaion could barely hear. Zaion leaned her head closer to his and asked him to repeat what he had said.

Sanford: Z… Zaion…?

Zaion smiled. It was wonderful to know that he once again had remembered her name. It had become a bit of a fear for her that he would have forgotten it at some time.

Zaion: If you don’t mind… I’d like to talk to you again…

He seemed to look up at her through his barely opened eyes, giving only indifference to the thought of it. She took is as a yes, and began again.

Zaion: When it first happened… I was really confused. I honestly didn’t know anything about all these monsters from the Separ Dimension, except that they were, well, monsters from the Separ Dimension. I knew as much about it as everyone else did, and, as far as I know, I had just about as much involvement with it as everyone else there did. The other witches, well, I guess it’s possible that they had involvement with it, but I know them, and I really don’t think that any of them would do something like that, at least not on purpose. Well, hehe, maybe Siegler would have the heart to do it, but something this large of a scale, for her at least, is unlikely. She doesn’t like being a center of such attention in many people at once, I know… I… I guess you might not believe me about this, Sanford, but I swear, I’m telling you the truth, this is all that I know about it.

Sanford closed his eyes. He looked as if he was pained, at that moment.

Sanford: … Right…

Zaion: I’m sorry, but I really can’t tell you more about that, it’s all that I know about it right now… I really wish that I knew why it happened, because I know that it’s very important, but, I just… don’t…

Sanford: … It’s… Alright…

Zaion gave a timid smile.

Zaion: … Thank you, for saying that, Sanford… But, anyway, when it did happen, I was taken, against my will… I knew that I could try to use my magic to protect myself, and to escape from them, but I didn’t want to hurt anyone. They were all really frantic about it, so I didn’t think that I would just be able to scare them off. And, since I was innocent in all this, I didn’t want to actually start doing something bad, that would just tarnish my reputation in the end of things. I knew the wisest course of action was to just sit through it all, and to tell the truth… But…

Zaion sighed and looked upward. Sanford didn’t even have his eyes open then, but she was just making sure. She wouldn’t start crying during this, she told herself.

Sanford: …

Zaion looked down again, having regained herself. She saw that Sanford had opened his eyes again, after she paused her story. She spoke again, not wanting him to speak anything then.

Zaion: Sanford… Since the time I first met you, I feel as if my life--no, my entire existence, has been turned upside down, and spiraling into chaos. It has been an unending chain of anxiety, worry, and despair... I have experienced much pain over this time. I have lost the kind and caring people of the village who raised me, the truest friends who I had found in the Ludusian Witches, the trust of the people of Ludus who I only had wished to help, and even my hope, all of which fell to death and darkness. Just thinking about it, even now, it is difficult to hold back the tears… I wanted to grieve for everything that had been lost, but I was not even given the chance to do so, before I became lost, as well…

Sanford flinched in reaction to her words. His eyes opened shyly, and slowly, and he once again spoke.

Sanford: I… I’m… I’m sorry…

Zaion held a finger to his mouth to silence him. She gazed into his open eyes, and spoke to him without saying anything. ‘’Please, do not speak, yet.’’

Zaion: Sanford, please, don’t apologize… You have no need to do so. I know that… Er, forgive me for this, but, in the past, I have peered into the dear, personal memories of your life, and I saw everything. Some of these things, I know that you were not even fully aware of in life, but they did influence you entirely… Your actions… Your power… It was not your own, Sanford. You do not need to apologize for any of it. It was not you who did anything.

Sanford stared at her, with a glimmer of intent in his eyes.

Sanford: … Wh… What… Do you… Mean…?

Zaion: I don’t just mean… Well, the tragic event early in your life, in which you got your scar… I’m sorry if me bringing it up is rude of me...

Despite what Zaion had said, Sanford clearly no longer had an X-shaped scar on his face and head.

Zaion: Though at first, even I had thought this to be the primary catalyst for your actions, and in this alone I seen that you did have light within your heart, I learned that even this was not true. You were but a subject of that man… He altered your power and mind, purely in his own hatred against the witches. It wasn’t you who did this at all, Sanford. It was him.

Sanford cringed in the memory of that man. He remember him, somewhat.

Sanford: … Uncle…

Zaion: This is what you called that man, I know. Though, I personally do not believe that his claim of being your uncle was true. I believe that he had only said this to earn the trust of those at your orphanage… Surely, a man that is a relative of yourself and your kind parents could not do such unforgivable things that he has…

Sanford’s eyes widened upon hearing her words.

Sanford: … My… Parents…?

Zaion: Oh, yes, I have met with them before. Er, no, not like you may be thinking! They aren’t in this realm, of course. They are far from it, deserving of the kind of people they were, so you shouldn’t worry…

Zaion looked at him, now expecting a reaction from him.

Sanford: …

In his silence, Zaion knew that he would not respond to this. She continued.

Zaion: But… It’s not as if I were completely innocent in the incidents… The darkness of my heart overtook my better judgement. I’m sure if this had not happened, many of the tragedies that occurred could have easily been avoided.

Sanford: N-No…!

Sanford then spoke, louder than he had been speaking before, catching Zaion by a bit of surprise.

Sanford: Don’t… Say that… It…

Zaion once again looked into his eyes, asking him to not speak yet. But his lips continued to move, so she had to silence him with her own words.

Zaion: Sanford… I have already told you this story before, I believe… But I know that you are unlikely to have remembered it…

Sanford looked at her with a managed expression of confusion.

Sanford: … Huh…?

He was met with no response, however. Zaion proceeded to tell her story.

Zaion: When I was only a little girl, and I still lived with the people of my village, I experienced something that… drastically changed me. Two men, strangers to the village, came into the local treasury, brandishing weapons along with them. At the time, I was just being watched over by one of the people who worked there. I was too young to immediately know what was going on just then. One of the men drew his weapon on someone, and threatened to kill them unless they handed over all of the gold that they could fit into the bag they’d brought with them. But, this was the money of others that was being demanded, so they were met with hesitation. Thinking it to be outright resistance, one of the men held his weapon, as if about to use it and fulfil the threat of murder. In an instant, I reacted, in some sort of childish act of “bravery”, doing the only thing that I truly knew how to do. I merely bit him and punched at him with all the might in my feeble young body. I was then swatted away by him, almost effortlessly. The man then directed his attention to me, threatening my life if his demands were not met immediately. The people begged him not to do anything to me, as I was just an innocent girl, but he decided to give them an example of what what happen to me if his demands were not met, and he then used his weapon to cut my right arm… I… I don’t know exactly why I did this… I hadn’t often used magic before, and when I had, it was just a weak and feeble power. But, in that moment, my magic revealed itself to be much greater than I had thought, taking its’ own offensive actions. The man was disintegrated in his front half, as I shrieked in my own pain. Merely my aura unleashing itself had destroyed his flesh. The blood from his body came forth onto me as the aura ceased its’ power of disintegration. Not even knowing what was happening, I nearly fainted at the sight of this gory display. But the man with him, well, he was quick to act. Knowledgable in offensive magic, he moved and instinctively attacked by sending an auric bolt towards me. But he was unknowing of my aura’s power. It sent the bolt right back to him, reflecting it, and it hit him in the leg, severing the limb from his body. He fell to the ground then, unable to stand, and screaming in pain. But still he moved, in his determination, to attack and kill me, even now that success in his objective would be hopeless, regardless of his actions. He grabbed his companion’s weapon, and began crawling towards me. I merely whimpered at him in the only conscious response I could give, as my magic, beyond my own control, sent a surge of power through his head, killing him. I was dazed by the events, and struggled to stand up, while covered in blood and close to bawling, attempting to regain any composure that I’d owned, but upon seeing the corpses of the men that I had just… Killed, and the looks of horror etched onto the faces of the villagers who had witnessed the events, these people who loved and cared for me all my life… I could not. I fainted, as the only defensive mechanism I could manage at that moment.

Zaion looked down at Sanford. He was only breathing, and his eyes were closed. This was odd, she thought, as he usually has his eyes open during this.

Zaion: … It was then, I believe, that I truly began to understand the power of my magic, and how it functioned. It was triggered by violent acts, powered by pain, and violence, and blood. It feasted off of suffering, whether it be my suffering or the suffering of others, just as long as they were around my aura. Not just a trigger for it to be unleashed, though. My magic, as I learned, became more powerful, when my aura was presented with more suffering. This was very evident after the event in which it was unleashed. Often, without my own accord, I would be using my power… In these instances, to help. I could make it rain for the crops to grow, and I could the wind blow for the windmills to turn, I could make fire to heat the homes of the people, I could create ice for the cooling of homes, I could harness electrical power, I could…

Zaion stopped herself, thinking that she had begun to ramble on.

Zaion: … Do many things, ahem. I did become great help to others around, and I began using my magic often… But… I felt as if there was another force, that resided inside of me… It wanted to feed my magical ability. I cannot deny the fact that, as my use of magic continued, it did not seem to have a static level of power… It was getting weaker… And, I’m honestly not sure why I wished for it to become more powerful and plentiful. Perhaps, at least, what I would like to think, is that the reason was because I wished only to use my power for the good of others… To become powerful enough to always be able to help the people of my village, for the rest of time. Perhaps it truly was only in good will for them. But… I know that this actually is… not likely the truth. As I said… there is darkness within my heart… When I had thought back to the one incident, I… I often come to go almost into a panic attack, or a similar state, which is completely natural for the recollection of a traumatic event, but, there is something else… When I would remember it, my vision would go red, and grey, and blue, until it was almost impossible to see until I stopped… And I would faintly hear the sound of a sinister laughter accompanying it, and… It sounded like it was my own laughter… And, despite this point making it hard for me to see anything clearly, I felt as if I knew something was right in front of me, and it was myself, covered in the blood of those men, and laughing maniacally… it is if the events of that day had been performed with a vicious intent… I could not bear to think of this for long, I knew. I would try this… to engage a reaction of suffering. Some time before I matured, I picked up the… unhealthy habit of getting the reaction of suffering out of myself… I would keep in my private home, collections of… knives, and chains. When I did wish to heighten my aura’s power through a reaction of suffering, I would… use these tools… to draw my own blood, and to bruise my own body… Uh, because of this, I wore clothes that covered much of my body, to hide this… I was irrationally fearful that the moment someone else saw me like that, they would immediately know exactly what was going on and would view me as a freak, though I realize now that they would probably be more worried than anything… Another terrible habit that I had picked up then was engaging the suffering of small animals and pets… I would use a knife or a rock to injure them, to draw out their suffering, and I would eventually kill them. I knew that I could use them longer if I kept them alive to suffer, but I could not bear the idea of a neighbor coming by and seeing a poor, beaten animal under my ownership… What was very unfortunate is that this particular habit went on for quite a while, and soon many of the village pets had, at least what was said about them, “ran away from home”... Knowing that I was the cause of this made me very ashamed of my actions, to the point at which I could barely stand to face the other villagers, despite them knowing nothing about it. Yet, I would keep doing it. There was this darkness in my heart…

Zaion stopped for a moment and looked upward again. She didn’t want to cry in front of him. She told herself that she wouldn’t. She stopped herself before she continued again.

Zaion: Sanford… When I joined the other Ludusian Witches, I knew I would no longer need to do this. I would be the vessel of their powers, so I would never need to gain my own power through selfish means ever again. But… The darkness in my heart did not subside. In my actions… And… When I was unrightfully blaming you for the misfortune that had befallen onto my people, it showed itself, and it was much more present than my real self in that time. And it engaged in battle… I thought that this would be a release for it. I realized how I acted and I thought it would dissuade me from ever becoming like that ever again. But I was wrong… As I continue to suffer every day after this, nearly unceasingly, I succumbed to despair, and let the darkness overcome the light in my heart… I betrayed the souls of those who I loved, and fell to darkness and despair. For many years, my conscious self could only recall darkness, all around me, and cold… And, when I finally left the world of the living, I was greeted with the faces of my friends before me, the Ludusian Witches, and they were all relieved to see that my soul was okay, and when I realized what had happened, I felt so horrible…. And, learning about how you had taken the events, as well…

Zaion looked upward once again, but she could not stop herself. Tears began to fall from her eyes.

Zaion: … I’m sorry, Sanford... I think that I may stop talking now…

Sanford: … Gh…

Zaion looked back to Sanford. She no longer could hide her tears from him.

Zaion: I… I guess I couldn’t do it, Sanford… Sorry…

Sanford struggled and cringed, as he managed to utter words.

Sanford: What do you… Mean…? Couldn’t… Do… What…?

Zaion: I couldn’t do it this time either… I failed…

Sanford looked confused.

Sanford: What… Are you… Talking about…?

Zaion: I always thought that it would be easy to do this, but… I really can’t… No many how many times that I have tried… Purgatory… I can’t escape it…

Zaion removed her hand from Sanford’s head.

Zaion: Again and again, I have to do this… If I can overcome this… Then I know that I can roam free… But I cannot...

Zaion gave a light smile.

Zaion: I will soon fall to despair in this place, I know… If I have to repeat this until I am supposed to overcome it… It will surely happen.

Sanford: What… Are you… Talking about…?

Zaion: Of course… You wouldn’t remember any of it… All the times that I’ve told you the same thing, again and again… In so many different ways, trying… To overcome the despair of it…

Sanford: What…? You’re not… Making… Any sense…

Zaion: You just don’t remember… You’re not the real Sanford, I know… Just parts of a memory, an illusion… Perhaps you do contain some of his conscious soul, but you are not him…

Sanford: I’m…

Zaion: It’s strange… Having my conscious mind be here, while only a part of my soul can roam outside this realm… Being doomed to reunite with me if I fail here…

Despite crying, Zaion managed a light giggle.

Zaion: And it’s strange… That you, instead of anyone else that I know… Would be here… Why is that, exactly…?

Sanford: … I… Don’t… Know…

Zaion: Hm… Neither do I… There are many things that I do not know now… Yet, I guess that it is fitting. You have invited much sorrow into my life, and the goal of this is to go on without sorrow...

Sanford: … Y… You…

Zaion: I guess… I should just accept my fate, shouldn’t I…? This has dragged on for far too long.

Sanford: You… Are…

Sanford struggled to speak.

Sanford: Better… Than… This…

Zaion stared at him.

Zaion: … Sanford… Hm… You’ve never said this before…

Sanford lifted a hand.

Sanford: I… Am… Now…

Sanford coughed heavily.

Sanford: I already beat this… I’m sure you can, too.

Zaion: … Sanford…

Sanford: I personally… Never thought we could be friends… Like you think we can… But… You definitely don’t deserve this…

Sanford opened his other hand.

Sanford: This is a flower from your garden… Just… Look at it… As a sign of hope… You can beat this…

Sanford handed her the flower.

Zaion: …

Sanford: Now… Do it…

Zaion: My destiny... It’s finally changing, after all. Ahaha...

ENDCHAPTER.

### 2

Kuipter: Ha!!

I blasted a hole through the entrance to Lord Zeronius' throne room. I'd expected her surprise to be visible, but she did not show it. I pointed my gun at her.

Lord Zeronius:̨̢́͜ H̶͘͟͜ȩ̶҉l̷̨͞l̶̷͞ǫ̵̡̧̛̀,̢͝ ͏̨̢m̴̵̶̨ỳ̛̀̕ ̨͜͟͏ś̶̢͜͟o͘̕͏ń͝.̧̡͏

I laughed maniacally.

Lord Zeronius: .̡͢.͟͞.̷̧́̕ ͜Y̸̴̡͟e̴͜͡ś̵̶,̢͞͏ ̴͘͝ẃ̧̕h͏̶̷͢a̷̷͘͟͜ţ̛ ̡͜í̡̛͜ş̸͘ ̷̨̛ì̧̨͢ţ͜҉̛̛ ̸̕͢t̨͠͝h̸à͢͜t̷̀͘ ̶̡y̕͝͝ò̶̢͘͞҉u̷̧̡̧͘ ́͡͞w̢̕͢͡a̧͠ņ̛҉̷͡t̴̨̢́ ҉̕͢͞͏s̷̴̀̕ó̵̵͜ ̨̛́͡b̛́͏a̵̴̢̕d̡̢́͘l̢̧͝y̡͡͡,̡͘ ͟҉Ḱ͢u̵̧͟͝͏į̛͜͠ṕ̕͜t̵͡͠͏̶e̶͜͞͝͡r̷̵̴͠?̵͢

Kuipter: First of all...

I walked forward, my gun raised at her.

Kuipter: Don't call me Kuipter. That's not a title that I particularly favor. Call me... One. Yes... Heh, It makes perfect sense, as I'm going to succeed you, 0.

Lord Zeronius: Ş̸̀͘͘ú̢̡͡c̴̷̡͘͟ç̷̢͢͝ȩ̡͟͟e̡̛͟͠d͘̕͜ ̶̵̷̧͟m̴͢ȩ̷҉,̴͘͜͟ ҉̵̷̡h̨͜͢m͜͠?̴̡̡̀͡ ̧͞͡͏

Kuipter: Yes. You're rule is finally over, and now it's my time to shine!!

Even despite the fact that I was in the position to destroy her, she kept a bemused, slightly condescending look on her face.

Lord Zeronius: .̧͘.̶̨.̨̨̀͝ ̷̡͘I҉̨̕͢͜ş́́҉͟ ҉̶̧̛t͜҉̴ḩ̶́à̷͠t̕͜ ̧͟͟͟͜s̴̕͝ơ̶̢̕?͟ ̸̢͝

Kuipter: Don't act like you think it's not.

In spite of the situation, we were both laughing. I was laughing maniacally, as a condescending note to her. And she was laughing as if quite amused, at my face. I stopped laughing when I noticed it, and she continued for a while.

Lord Zeronius: T̸͘͜͢҉r̶̕ú̴̡̡̀l̶̡̛͘͠ý̵̛,͜ ̴͝͡K̀͟͟͜u͏̧͢į̡̀́̀͝ṕ̛͝͝ţ͟͡͠ȩ͡r̢̧.̸̴̴̸.̷̴̀͘.̴̡͢

Kuipter: ...?

She continued laughing for a while, even after I stopped. I began to get angry.

Kuipter: What the hell's so funny to you?!

Lord Zeronius: Y̛͝҉o̶̢͡͡u͜͟,̷̵͠͝ ̵̡̀́K҉͏̷̶͝u̷̵̵i͘҉̨̕ṕ̸̸̕͟t̸̷̕͟͝è̴͞҉r͠͏̧̀͞.̷̢͘͞͝ ̸̧̨Y̸̸͞ó̴̢̢u̸͢͡͡͡ŗ͞͝ ̷̷́p̴̵̕͠҉ĺ̵̢̕͡i̴͠g͏̶̷h͞͏̀t̸̢̢̧͠ ͠͞҉҉͢ò̵҉f̀ ̷͏̵͏t̛҉r̢͟͟͠ỳ̛҉i̧n͟g̢͏̴̵ ̛̛t́̕o͏͠ ́͜o̶̸̕͜͠v͜ę́̀́r̡t̷͝h̢͘r͘͞͝o̧̕҉͡w͏͜ ͢͜m̴̷̛͘e̛͢,̶͘͢͢ ̀͟a̡̢͘͟n҉̢͠҉d̶͝ ̨̧̕͡a̸͠l̸̶̛͢l̵̨̡̧͞ ͘t̢̛͘͠͞h́͞͠ą̶̴͠t̸͠҉҉́ ̢ý̕͜͢o͞u̸̸ ̡͘͢͝a̵̧ŕ͟é͟҉̶̛ ̛̀͡s̷̡̡̀͠ó͟ ҉̡d̷e҉̸̶͟t͝͠͠ę̷̛͝r̸̀m͏į̴n̨͘̕͢͠e̕͝͡ḑ̶̡̀͡ ̶͜f̴̨͟͞ǫ͏͝r̷͏́.̡͡ ̶͜͏Ì̶̵͠t̵̷͢'̶̢͢s̨̢͘͟͞ ̧̛̀͠c͏̧͘͢͞o̧͢͠͝m͜͝ṕ̴̧͢҉͏l̛e͏̵͘͞t̵̛ę̴̷̨͠l̸̢̀͟y̡̛͢͝ ͏a̢͟͠ń̸͝d̵͘҉ ̀̀͜͡ừ̷͢͢͝ţ́̕ţ̶̸͢͡e͏̵̷̡͡r̶̨͜͝͡l̕͏̀ý҉͞ ̷̸̢l͘á̶̡̀́u͟͞g̡̀͝h̡͟͡à̛͠͝͠b҉̶̨ļ͘͜͠ę͜͞͝.̵̷

Kuipter: WHAT?!

I stepped forward, expression of anger on my face, my gun pointed right at her.

Kuipter: Don't you get it? Don't you see what's going on?! I've become much more powerful than you.. I can defeat you right here and now! Do you not understand this?! You're looking right in the face of your demise, and your... your... laughing!!

Lord Zeronius: I̴͟ ̨͡ş̨͜͞҉u̴̕p̷̛̀͠͝ṕ̸̵̛͜ó̢͜͞͝s̸̢̛҉ȩ̨͘̕͟ ̨̕Ì̢̛̕͟ ̛a̶̶̷̕m͡͏,̵̕ ̷̢́ą́͜҉r҉̧̧̕ę̸̨͢n҉̵͞͠'̢̕t̨͡͞͏ ͏̢́͡Ì̷͏͏?̨́̀̕

I gritted my teeth.

Lord Zeronius: B͟͢ú̸͜t͟͞ ̵͟t̡͘͞͞h̵́á̷̢t̶̛̕͏'҉͜s͠͏̨ ̀͟͏j̡̧͞u̶͘s̵̡͝͏t҉͜ ̀͝b̴̡̛͠é̶̷̡̛c̵̴̨͘a͝ų̷̵̛́s̴̢̡̕e̵͟͏̨͠ ̷I͠ ̨̨h̢̧͢͟a̡͝p̶͢p̶̢̕e̷̸͟͡ń̡ ͝҉̵t҉҉ơ̸͢ ̴̢̛͘ķ̸n̷͝o͟͢҉w̷͢͜͜ ̕͠͝͏t̨͜h̕͘͟͡é̵̶̕͘͡ ̷͘é͞͡ņ̴̛̀͘d͏̨̡͡ ̢̛͟͡r̕͏͞͠e͢͠҉̴͝ś̨u͘͞ļ͏̷̨̀t̷͜͝ ̨͢o̴̢̕͟f̶̸͢͝͝ ̡̢͢͠͠a͠҉̴̢͞l̛͜l̸͟͜͠ ̶̵t̴̕h͏͠ì̵̧s͏̀̕͞.̷̨͠ ̶̛̕͟W̡̛h̴́͟͝a̸̢̕t̴͝'҉̕͝s̀҉͟͢ ̢̢̕͟ŕ̡̛͟ę́͘͠a͝ĺ҉̷̵l̴̢̧͘͟y͘͜͟ ̸̶͜͝ǵ̨̨̢́ơ̸̢̛͜i͞n̨҉̵g̡҉̀ ̵̵̧͠͏t̶̴̡͞ó̵̶ ̴̡̛̕͝h̷̶͜a̡̛̕҉p̶͡p̧͢͜e͏̷̧n҉̴̨̀͘ ̕͡͞҉w̧̢͡h̡́̕͠͝e̵͟͠ń̨͜ ́͞͝i̴̡͘͟͞ţ̸̧͢͞'̶̨s̷̶̡҉ ̀a͞҉l̸l͏̵̵ ̸́͟͝s̵͠ą̨̕̕͝i͏͡҉d̸̨̛̕͝ ̡̧̀a̡͢͞n҉̵d̀͜͠ ̵̛̛͟d̵̕͠ǫ̴͜҉̸͢n̸̷͟͜͝é̡̧̀.͜͝͏̛͢

Kuipter: Are you really so arrogant to believe that you can defeat me in my current state?! You know I'm much more powerful than you now!

She laughed again, while I proceeded to grit my teeth.

Kuipter: SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!

Lord Zeronius: Ó҉͜҉h͡҉͢,̢̡̀͢͢ ͜͡h̢̡͟m̸̡͞͝͡?̵̨̀͝

Kuipter: WHY THE HELL ARE YOU DOING THIS?!

Lord Zeronius: T͏̢͏͏h̶͏i͏̨ś̴̛͞ ͢͞i̸ś̶̨ ́͠j̷͠͞u̵̴͜s̡̡̨͘͟t͝ ̴̢́͢t́͝͠h͏̧́́è̸͜ ̴̡̛͘͢ẁ̵̧̡͠a͏҉̀y͠ ̴҉́҉̵t͘͘ḩ̢͡i̛͘n̢͏g̸̶ś̡̡̧̧ ̶̷́͞͝h̵͞͝à́̀v̢̧͟e̶̵҉ ̵͝t̴͜͠o̸̡͜ ̵̀g̴̕͡o̴̢ ̶̢͜҉d̶̕͢͝o̵̕͝͠͝w̸̴͢͠n̢͡ ̨҉͏i̡͟n̵̛͢͡ ̨͞t̢́̕ḩ̛e͠҉̶͞ ͢͠e̛͡͡n̨̧d̨̛̛,̴̵̡̛̕ ̶̕K̡̡͠͠u̶͜i͢͝p̢̢͞t҉̵ér̵̷̛.̛ ̶͘͠I̧͠͏̛҉'̨́͢m̴̛̛ ͞͡͞͏̀j͡͏̡̕͢ù̢̀͜͠s̵̶͟ţ̕͝͠ ҉͜d̴̀͝͞o̕͞ì͢͝n҉̡͟g͡ ̨͢a̶̴s̷͜ ̷̡͢͢I̴҉'̨͘m̢͞҉̡ ̶̸̡͘s̨͡͞ư̷̢̡̡p̵͜͡p̡̡̛ó̵̸̀͠s̵̢̀͘ȩ̕d̸̛͢͞ ̵҉̧t̸̡͟o̴͜͠.̸̨̀͘͟

Kuipter: I'M TIRED OF YOUR BULLSHIT!!

I charged up my blaster, aimed right at Lord Zeronius.

Kuipter: GOOD FUCKING RIDDANCE!

Lord Zeronius: .̶҉͟.̴̧.͝͏

I fired right at her, repeatedly, with several strong blasts of energy.

After a while, the smoke cleared to reveal Lord Zeronius having been hurt pretty badly from this.

Kuipter: Hahah... YOU WANT TO KEEP LAUGHING NOW?!

Lord Zeronius: H̛͞͡.̵.̶̷.̧̨̕͘.̛́͠͠

Kuipter: ...?

Lord Zeronius: H̸̨̕o͟͏̢͘͝w̨͏̛.̕͜͡.̶̷̶͟͏.̨͘͞ ̸̨́͟p̴i̸͠͡ţ̷͘͢i̛͘͜͞͡f̷u̴͘͟l̴̢͘͜.͢͢͝.̕҉͜͞.̵̡ ̴̡̕ỳ̨òu̢͏҉͢ ͏a̸͢r̵͝͏̡e̶.̡

Kuipter: SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!!!!!

I proceeded to fire at her again. I was unrelenting this time, I didn't stop until I was completely out of ammo. Just from the strain of having fired for so long, I was breathing heavily. And Lord Zeronius was fairing horribly from it, as well. When I could finally see her, I actually almost jumped in my disgust.

Kuipter: ....

Lord Zeronius: .͟͏͢͠.̶̛͞͠.̧͘͘͢͢ ̶̴͜͡͡Ḑ̶͜͏҉o҉̵̷̡.̷̢̧͞.̡.̡̛͜͝ ̴̵͝͠ỳ̢͢͢͡ǫ͏u͘.͡͏́.́̕͘͏̕.̸̨̕

Kuipter: ....

Lord Zeronius: T̴̕͘h҉̶̧i҉҉̸n̡̨̕͟k̕͝͠͞.̨̀̀.͡.̨̀͞ ̨̨̕t̵̨h̶̵́͝͝á̴̡͘͘t͡҉ ̴̸̕͡y̶̡͞ò̡́u͟͟͡ ̢́c͟a̵̷͟͞n̨̛͘͡.̀͢.̷.̷̨͘͡ ̢́̕j̧́͜͟͝ù̡s̴̵̷t̵̕͟͡͠ ̀͟͞ş̷i̸̢̧l͏͡e͘ń̶̀͡c̴̕e҉͟ ͏̀m̧͟͞e̶͠͡.̴̸̕͝͡.̶̧͠.̨͜ ̢̡̕͟͝l̢͠i҉̸̷̨̕k̶̡͜͞e҉̴̵̕͡ ̢͘t̵̀͢h̸̛́͞a҉̨͢t̴̶͘.҉̷.̸́.̕͞͏̢?́͏

Kuipter: I... no... This all...

I looked around at my environment. Lord Zeronius lifted her head slightly, in interest.

Kuipter: It's... happened before... hasn't it?

Lord Zeronius lifted her head and smiled.

Lord Zeronius: T́̕̕h҉͏͟͞à̸t̵͟'̧͘͟s̴͏ ̵̧c̸̨̢̛̀ó̧͟r̸͏̢͞r̡̨͘͜͞e͝͏c͘t͘͡,̧͜ ͟͏͠K҉̶̴̢u̶͠i͟҉͝p͏t̴̨̡͘͠ȩ̨͘͟͟ŕ̵̨̢.̡̧͜͏̕

Kuipter: Lord Zeronius...

The figure of Lord Zeronius then began to change before my eyes.

???: Not really.

Kuipter: Mura...?

Mura: That's right.

Kuipter: ... What the hell? What's going on here?!

Mura stepped down from Lord Zeronius' throne and walked over to me.

Mura: You've finally done it! You've finally overcome the power of your memories. Congratulations, bro!

Kuipter: What the hell are you talking about? Where am I?!

Mura: The more important question is 'where are we'. You may want to know that, since we're both in the same place right now. that's kind of important.

I gritted my teeth in frustration.

Kuipter: Then, do tell, where the hell are we?

Mura: This is Purgatory.

Kuipter: ... Purgatory?

Mura: It's a dream-like planet next to Hell.

Kuipter: Next to Hell??

Mura: Yeah... It's nowhere nearly as good as heaven, but I really do think that I was worth giving up...

My breath was caught in my throat.

Kuipter: You mean...?

Mura: Yes. We're both dead.

AI felt a strong sensation in my chest. My heart was threatening to burst out of my chest.

Kuiper: How... How the hell did this happen to me? Who did it?! Who killed me...?! It... it was Revelian, wasn't it?

Mura: You tell me. We can review your memories, if you want...

Kuipter: We... can...?

Mura: Yes. We are in a "dream-like place", after all. It's one of the things you can do there.

Kuipter: Dream-like place...

Mura: Yeah! It...

He noticed that I seemed distant, and stopped talking.

Mura: But... I actually saw what happened to you in your moment of death...

I looked at him, the intrigue showing on my face clear as day.

Mura: You were killed by the clown you hired, the same one that ate me, the one they called Shenanigans.

Kuipter: I was... what?!

I swore and punched a wall.

Kuipter: That treacherous bastard... He'll pay for crossing me like that!!

Mura: Oh, believe me, he did.

Kuipter: What?!

Mura: Though it was an intimidating and perilous fight, Revelian was able to defeat him.

Kuipter: Revelian killed him?

Mura: Yeah...

Kuipter: I see...

I turned around. I felt a strange sensation inside of me. I smirked, out of Mura's view.

Kuipter: You're care for me allowed me to be here with yourself instead of having to go to Hell... Thank you, Mura.

Mura: Ah... It's no problem, bro.

Kuipter: And I only see it fit to repay you for this.

Mura: Wah? Uh, no thanks, I really don't want anything from you...

Kuipter: No, no. I am definitely going to repay you for this.

My body began to become visibly more transparent at this point, catching Mura's surprise.

Mura: H-huh?! Kuipter, what's going on?

Kuipter: If I'm not here, then supposedly you will not have to share in my deeds... Which means that you'll go to Heaven once again.

I turned to him.

Kuipter: So I'll repay you by getting you back into heaven.

Mura: Kuipter.... How....?

Kuipter: And also... You really do like our brother, Revelian, right? When I come back, I can't guarantee the best for him... But even in the worst...

I began to disappear from this plane. Mura was utterly shocked. Yet he, too, was disappearing. While he would arrive in Heaven, I would arrive in the world of the living.

Kuipter: At least you two will be in Heaven together!

We both disappeared in an instant.

I emerged and faced my pawn.

???: ....

Kuipter: Heheh... Hello, Doctor...

ENDCHAPTER.

### 3

Wodwick: Ah, so many memories here...

I looked around on the shelf. It was filled up with gifts that I'd been given from others, or specific items that reminded me of them. I thought of this as a sort of memorial, a way to let it be known the people who I've met before. The items lined up on this shelf did, indeed, bring about so many memories of times past. Of friends old and new alike.

Wodwick: How nostalgic...

The feather once part of my mentor's outfit, a bag of coins once lent to me by my pet Charon, a golden sword given to me by Seira... This brought up many old memories of my past.

I remember the many journeys which I had gone through with Seira. A lot of them were written down in a journal that I'd made. For some time I'd been without it, though. The last time I'd seen it was when Taku was running towards us. Technically speaking, that was about 138 years ago. For me, it was only two years, but it still felt like a long time. I felt as if being without it would make me eventually forget about our time spent together completely.

But now, joy struck me greatly. There was a note on the golden sword. Whenever Seira wanted to contact me to go some place, at a designated time, she would have a note left on the golden sword, and I would know to go there, at that time. I examined the note.

*As soon as you get this. Backyard.*

Her wisdom of time was impeccable, to say the least. She knew exactly when I would see this, despite me not having a scheduled time for looking at this shelf. It was very convenient for everyone involved, really.

Wodwick: Alright, Seira.

I crumbled up the note and threw it toward a nearby garbage can. When I missed, Charon came by and placed it in there. I then merrily walked through my home and towards the back door to the place. The sun's bright rays illuminated the area.

Wodwick: Hello?

I called out to her. For a moment, I heard no response. But then, from behind a particularly large pumpkin growing in my backyard, I saw her.

Seira: Hey, Wodwick.

Wodwick: Hello, Seira.

She walked over to me.

Wodwick: I got your note.

Seira: I figured.

Wodwick: Right, eheh.

Seira: Well, yeah, thanks for coming here. I know it's not really a chore to come to your backyard or anything, but I'm still grateful you put forth the effort and all.

Wodwick: Ah, no problem.

Seira: So, uh...

Seira looked around for a while. I wondered if she was looking at something in particular, or perhaps examining the place. I tried to follow her gaze.

Wodwick: Yeah?

Seira: Oh, uh, sorry about that, I was just thinking to myself.

Wodwick: Okay.

Seira: Anyway, I did come here for a reason, there's an important thing we have to get done now...

Wodwick: There is? Cool.

Seira: Right... But, uh, before we do that, I wanted to know... Is it alright with you if-

Wodwick: Of course you can come inside!

I opened the door for her.

Seira: Uh... But that's not really-

Wodwick: No, no, it's alright! Come on, I'll make us something to eat.

Seira: Uh... Oh, alright...

As she went inside, I noticed the look on her face. I'd just assumed that she was going to ask to come in for a while, but I'd now come to think that this wasn't it. It must have been something else, then, but what? What would she want of me?

After a fairly short amount of time, I'd had some sandwiches and sour drinks set out on a simple table for us. Nothing too much, just a simple mid-day snack of sorts. If I knew her well enough, she wasn't really into fancy things. Though her possession of gold items did seem to contradict this, she really only had these things because gold was an associated element of hers, and she said that she really didn't care for it.

Seira: So, uh... Nice place you got here. A lot of white in it.

Wodwick: Yeah, I really like the color white. It's just a really pretty color, you know? Plus it's easy to pair with my signature grey...

Seira: Yeah, it really does...

For whatever reason, we sat through a lot of the meal mostly in silence. I would try to start up some conversations, but most of them would just be replied to with simple one-word or one-sentence responses, killing the mood. She seemed to be deep in thought.

Seira: So, Wodwick...

A conversation had suddenly come up, I thought.

Wodwick: Yeah?

Seira: The... thing... that I was trying to talk about earlier...

Wodwick: The important objective, you mean? Yeah, I figure you want me to accompany you to travel through time again, right?

Seira: Well-

Wodwick: It's alright, I can go right now, it's fine!

Seira: Wodwick...

Wodwick: We can go right now, if it's alright! I don't mind!

Seira let out a sigh.

Seira: Right, right... We'll go right now...

I then realized that I'd messed up again. She'd wanted to try and say something else, but I'd been so set on my assumptions of what she wanted that I'd gone and ruined the moment. Again.

Seira: Anyway... I'm sure you remember, it was about two years ago for you, when we'd had your book left with Taku, so that he'd go out to safety?

Wodwick: Of course, I remember it like was it was yesterday.

Seira: Yeah. The thing is that Taku still has that piece of literature with him. Of course, giving it to him was the point in the first place, but it's long since served its purpose, so we don't want him to have it anymore.

Wodwick: Huh? What do you mean he has it? Wouldn't we just have gone back to the point where it stopped serving its' purpose in that time??

Seira: Yeah, that was originally the plan, but it was put off since Taku was with it the whole time, and we didn't want to directly encounter him, in case he started asking questions, you know? I thought that he'd just forget about it or lose it, but he kept it with him the whole time, and since trying to encounter him would have proved troublesome, we just had to leave him with it. But then he figured out the thing again... And he started using the information from the book.

Wodwick: Oh...

Seira: And now we have to go and get it back. I checked with my future selves as when to go to him and what to do, of course. Since he's had it all this time, we have to go to a later point in his era of ruling...

Wodwick: Alright. Doesn't make much sense to me about how it all works, but you're the expert on this, so I won't question you.

Seira: Ah, thanks.

Wodwick: Anyway, I guess we should get going now, right?

Seira: Yeah, yeah... Well, let's get to it.

The familiar ritual took place. The golden watch of magic time powers that she always used was taken out. This was extremely nostalgic for me. The golden light enveloped us, and we moved through time, far into the past. Through space, as well, towards a necessary destination.

We were now in a closet.

Seira: Alright, here we are...

Seira cautiously opened the door.

Seira: Here, you first.

Wodwick: Ok, thanks.

I walked through it, and Seira followed me.

Wodwick: So, where do we go to get the book from him now?

Seira: It's in this building right now. There's a room nearby, right where it is. Just over here! Come with me.

She led me to a nearby room, one with a large, intricate wooden door, clearly the office of the Emporer, Taku de Gridmasque. She opened the door and walked in, and I followed her inside. And then I fell to the ground in complete shock as I heard someone calling out for us.

???: Hello...? Who's...?

I didn't recognize it at first, but then I knew it was Taku.

Seira: Wodwick, get up.

Wodwick: Er...

I realized that Seira hadn't reacted at all. She had intended on us encountering Taku? I was very confused, as I'd thought that the whole point was to be inconspicuous about everything when you've traveled to different times.

Seira: He's had the book for a while now, Wodwick. He already knows.

Wodwick: Oh, right. Aheh.

I awkwardly stood up and looked at Taku.

Taku: It's... You two...

Taku stood up.

Seira: Hello, Emporer de Gridmasque.

Wodwick: Nice to formally meet you, sir.

Taku: You... Wrote...

Taku opened a drawer in his desk and pulled out the book.

Taku: This. This book, you're the one who wrote it.

Wodwick: Uh, yeah...

Seira: And, we've actually come to take it back now... It's kind of dangerous leaving this information about the future in the past, you know, because it could easily get into the wrong hands and become disastrous...

Taku: ...

Seira: I know it's kinda a lot to ask of you to do this, but-

Taku: No.

Seira: E-eh...?

Taku stood up and walked around his desk, holding out the book for us.

Taku: I understand it, I think. It's not my business to try and mess up the timeline. And I really don't think I need it.

He handed me the book, and I slipped it into my pocket.

Taku: I didn't read every word of it, but from what I got from it, I don't think I'll be messing anything up. I don't need its guidance.

He then walked back to his desk.

Seira: Ah... You're right about that. You're going to be the greatest leader this planet's ever had, or will have for a long time, by your own actions.

Taku gave an earnest, heartwarming smile.

Taku: Thank you, it means a lot that you'd tell me this. Heheh, it's really encouraging.

Taku sat back down.

Seira: Okay, we don't have anything left to do here. Goodbye.

Taku: Goodbye, Wodwick and Seira.

Though it was through slight confusion and awkwardness that it was done, we all waved goodbye to one another.

Soon enough, we left, and went back to the time I was in just before.

We gave some small talk, our thoughts on the matter; the usual things we did in these experiences. Though, there was one thing that I hadn't yet figured out. The other thing she'd wanted to do, and that she'd had trouble bringing up. I wondered what it was.

As if reading my thoughts, or perhaps through pure chance, she also then started to bring it up.

Seira: Hey, Wodwick, I almost forgot to ask you, but I know I have to before I leave again...

This was it, I thought. It was going to be revealed.

Wodwick: Yeah, yeah?

Seira: Is it alright if... I... Well, I want to have descendants.

Wodwick: Where is this going-

Seira: I mean, not like that, it's--here...

Seira brought out an ominous tome.

Seira: This thing created me.

Wodwick: Okay...

Seira: My genetic identity is purely a theoretical thing, as I'm not biologically related to any other person. I'm basically what it would be like if my mother and father did have a child.

Wodwick: Mother and father who??

Seira: You know about my mother. My father... Well, he's definitely with her now, but that's not the point. I wanted to know if it was alright with you if I did the same thing with this.

Wodwick: You mean like, create kids that have our theoretical genes but aren't related to us because of science and magic stuff?

Seira: Yeah. I mean, it kinda sounds just silly, but I don't want to do it if you're against it.

Wodwick: Sure, it's alright with me.

Seira: Okay... That's all I needed to hear.

Seira took a step back and brought out her timepiece.

Seira: Goodbye, Wodwick. I'll see you soon.

Wodwick: Bye.

In a flash of light, she disappeared through time, closing the curtains of this story behind her.

ENDCHAPTER.

### 4

This story comes to an end here. And, still, it leads the way into many other stories to come. The IQ crew, and the other residents of Ludus, will go on to do more and more, leading the way for greater things in their world. And, in the course of it all, many people will die, many things will be lost, many things will be destroyed, but in the end, there is always a bit of light that will prevail. For, even in a universe where everything has gone to chaos and doom, there is another universe of the like where the exact opposite is the reality. There is always balance in existence. There is always good within bad. There is always light within darkness. And the heroes of this story, all these these fair protagonists, are well aware of that. And they will continue to hold this belief to their hearts until the very end, and even beyond that. This is what has separated, and will always separate, them from the villains which they face in these tales. It is the reality of it all which they have given their faith in, and it has served them well. For one who is without it, the happiness that they have achieved is not possible. Only despair, which the others are left to fall to.

So, with regards from myself as the technically-canonically-nonexistent narrator, I hope that you, the reader, also keep this thought in mind, and have faith in the good of reality.

Take care.