Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The story begins with a woman staring out of her bedroom window. Snow is falling peacefully onto the grass underneath. The entire air has a sense of silence about it. The woman has long black hair damaged by months of neglect. Her cheeks show that her skin is a sickly pale color.

There is SOMETHING in front of her eyes. Not a glimpse of the skin underneath can be seen.

Yet, all the same, she stares forward into the forest ahead.

A long singular note begins to crescendo as the camera zooms into the forest ahead.

The dark green foliage is barely visible in the dark of night. The snow only makes everything feel confusing and distant.

Just barely in the background…so small and out of focus you might miss it…stands a tall figure with lanky arms bathing in the darkness beyond the night.

The camera zooms into him closer. It still isn’t clear if this is an illusion or reality.

The note grows to a painful roar as it snaps to silence. The screen turns black as it cuts to a well-lit bedroom. Tiny green plants are all over the room glowing in their perfect habitat.

A shaky note on some electric instrument is heard, followed by a quiet riff. A soft mumble of a girl’s voice can be heard as she tries to puzzle out one last thing.

The camera pans down to see that a guitar was the source of the note. It has a bright pink body with a maple wood fretboard. The strings seem to be brand new. It’s being held by a girl with bright pink hair, ripped jeans, and a blue bandana keeping the hair out of her face. She holds a concentrated look on her face as she scrunches her eyebrows together. Her fingers fly across the fretboard in silence as she remains fixated on her musical puzzle.

There is a boy next to her as well. He’s shirtless and sleeping in a comfortable-looking bed with his face to the wall. The only identifying detail is his bright blonde hair with blue highlights on the edges. He sleeps peacefully through the girl’s ruckus.

The camera focuses on the girl alone. She must have figured out whatever she needed to figure out.

She takes a deep breath. It’s showtime.

A black pick finds its place between her thumb and index finger. She places her hands where they’ve always meant to be and starts to play.

{[ For the best experience, play “It Means Everything” by OMORI on repeat until you see this note again]}

The camera cuts to the dead center of a city street as a woman with long black flowing hair sprints across ruined cars and cracked concrete towards a raven made of pure darkness. She holds a stainless katana that glints in the sun.

A boy with blonde hair and blue highlights puts his hands on the ground and summons a massive golem made of tree roots to hold back the wings of the raven.

A man with poofy brown hair stands tall as his pupil and iris shift and contort. He’s barking out orders that you can’t quite hear.

A girl with pink bubble gum hair thrashes on a guitar that shatters the glass around everyone. Her head is down in concentration, yet her hair stands up on its ends.

Another boy with two giant wolves claw and chew at the body of the raven as it attempts to thrash out of the golem’s grasp.

They all wear impeccably neat black and white suits. The only outlier is boy with the wolves…he wears red and white basketball shoes.

The woman with the katana jumps into the air and thrusts the metal blade into the heart of the raven. She lands on both feet as the raven disintegrates into black smoke.

…

The camera cuts to the same woman from the beginning of the trailer wearing a yellow polo with a red apron. She stares in what can only be described as fury at the girl with pink hair and the boy with blue highlights kissing and holding hands.

…

The camera cuts once again to the back of a building near some dumpsters. Two people are arguing.

KEL: “When are you going to fess up?!? Life would go so much smoother if you just accepted the real world, you fucking freak.”

MARI: “You can’t prove anything and you know it. It never happened, KEL. I KNOW what I saw.”

KEL: “Bullshit.”

He stares daggers at the woman.

KEL: “There’s a difference between proving and knowing. And I’m going to make sure everyone knows that you’re a cheater who ruined my brother and a murderer who killed my best friend. Even if it’s the last thing I do!”

…

The camera cuts to MARI sobbing in her living room. She’s surrounded by empty liquor bottles and pizza boxes. She punches her decorative pillow with everything she has. What she has left just so happens to be barely anything at all.

…

A couple holds each other in a tight embrace.

BASIL: “I just want things to go back to how they were before…”

AUBREY: “Me too…me too, my flower”

The two lock eyes as they kiss each other tenderly. There is an emotion beyond passion sparked when their lips touch.

…

A woman in a black and white suit shines her katana in peace. She seems to be in a dark hallway.

MARI: “I’ll get my brother back. Whatever it takes.”

KEL: “You have a brother?”

MARI: “I will soon. Then my mission will finally be complete.”

The camera cuts to an image of a block of ice at least four miles long in each direction. In the middle of it lies a man in complete darkness. His inhumanly long appendages hang low. He seems to be immobile…practically stuck in time.

MARI: “I just need…SOMETHING to help me…”

Suddenly, a small crack forms in the block of ice. Its length stretches nearly half of one block's sides. Yet, the man in darkness stays unmoving. It is only a matter of time before he is free, regardless.

{[ Stop music now]}

…

A boy dressed in a black and white suit holds onto a woman crumpled into a ball. The world around them is pitch black.

SUNNY: “I know more than anybody else your pain, my dear sister. I know how much you’ve sacrificed to come this far. Please…please, MARI. Forgive yourself. I have done the same long ago.”

The only thing MARI can do is stare at him. Yet, SUNNY cannot stare back into the eyes he loves more than anything else. SOMETHING in front of her eyes makes it near impossible.

MARI grimaces and stands to her feet.

Her hand grips around her katana as she frowns in abject misery. Her mission was not accomplished just yet.

…

The screen cuts to black.

…

The camera returns to the bedroom with the AUBREY holding onto her guitar. BASIL has returned to her side to hold her. His bare chest feels nice against AUBREY’s shoulder. Both of their eyes are closed in comfort.

The two share a deep sigh.

The two don’t share a word, yet they communicate all they need to know.

…

The screen cuts to black, and the title finally appears.

“Unintended Consequences. Part 2 of A New Future. Coming Soon.”

Chapter Text

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. 

I hear the incessant clicking of the grandfather clock outside of my room. It’s so annoying…I wish I could just throw the entire thing down the stairs. Maybe then I could finally get some peace and quiet around here.

The mattress underneath me groans as I shift my weight to my back. The ceiling looks as boring as it always has. However, it’s better than seeing what my mind comes up with my eyes closed.

I tilt my head over to see my alarm clock. It’s already almost 3:00 PM. Shit, I’m gonna be late for work if I don’t get ready soon…

My mind races, but my body stays motionless under the security of my blankets. They just feel too nice and comfortable to leave. It feels like the embrace a mother would give her newborn child.

But I need to get up. I need to get up, now. C’mon, I can do this. Just get up!

By the time I swing my feet onto the cold ground, I had wasted 10 minutes just psyching myself out of bed. Perfect…

I was going to be late if I didn’t hurry. I still had to get dressed, brush my teeth, practice my face, and get ready for a long Thursday night shift. 

I shuffle around my bedroom picking up whatever clothes are spread around from last night’s shift. I gave up trying to hang my clothes a long time ago. Instead, I just resort to either piling them in the corner of my room or spreading them around the floor evenly.

I grab a dark grey polo, jeans, work boots, fresh underwear, socks with calico cats on them, and a visor hat. I sigh to myself as I realize the socks I grabbed have holes in them. Whatever, I would just deal with it later. 

It’s still kinda sad though, I remember AUBREY gave me them for a going-away present. I’ve worn them at least every other day for the past few months. 

Whatever, I’ll wear them anyways. It’ll b too much effort to find black socks in my dark room.

I huddle my clothes in my arms as I turn the cold brass knob and step into the frigid bathroom. I wish more than anything that I could just crawl into bed, but the hardest part has already been done. I just needed to get dressed to stave off the freezing cold air. 

…

I load up my toothbrush with bright blue toothpaste. It feels refreshing on my teeth in contrast to how gross the rest of me feels. I go in strong circular motions on my teeth and gums. While I may not be able to take care of myself fully, at least I always brush my teeth. 

Well, usually. I try my best, and that’s what counts, right?

…

The toothpaste circles the drain as it sinks into the deep unknown of the piping. If I wasn’t in such a rush, I would allow myself to be fully hypnotized by it. I just, unfortunately, don’t have the time. What a shame. 

I place my pale hands on the porcelain countertop and look at myself in the mirror. I look terrible. I would describe myself best as a crow woman or some midwestern cryptid that eats goats and forest mushrooms. 

My damaged black hair flows around my shoulders in wisps. I really need to take care of it better…but there’s just so much of it. And who am I without my hair?

My face has a sickly pale color to it. It’s like I’ve lived my entire life as a mole person underground. For the most part my skin is clear except for a single pimple on my cheek. I so badly want to gouge it out, but I know from experience that it will be worse in the long run. The acne scars on the inside of my thighs are a testament to that. 

My collarbones are especially visible with this PJ shirt. It says ‘nowhere university’…the same as my (ex)college. It may be a bad reminder of what could’ve been, but at least it’s big and comfortable. 

Everything else I see is exactly the same as I remember it from yesterday. Nothing extraordinary.

But…

I wish I could see my eyes. I wish I could see them just once. 

I wish SOMETHING would go away.

Right in front of my eyes are two pure black spirals of scribble lines swirling like a vortex. I can see that they are made of individual lines, but they are simply moving too fast and erratically to catch. Watching the smaller details for too long gives me vertigo…so I try not to focus on SOMETHING for this long. It doesn’t seem to be productive regardless

However, today I wish they would just go away. Even for a second. I need to rehearse my facial expressions. If I don’t, everyone might be able to see the mask of perfection slipping. 

I sigh. It’s already getting late. I need to get to work before the after-school rush hits. 

I take one last look into the mirror and see myself looking miserable in the reflection. 

...

It’s time to practice my expressions. 

Ever since something important happened (that I can’t exactly remember…), I’ve found it extremely difficult to express emotions normally. It’s taken me an extreme dedication to acting normal in front of my peers. But this all comes at a cost. Every morning I interact with people, I need to rehearse what emotions I will need for a day.

Much like how a carpenter must select the proper tools, I must select the proper emotions. 
When I am attending to a customer who looks like they value a smile, I will give them a satisfied grin.

I contort my face into a subtle smile. It’s not too much to be creepy, but not too little as to be unrecognizable. It’s a perfectly believable customer service smile.

I stare at myself in the mirror. It is perfect. It fucking better be after doing it for 3 months straight. God, I hate this face. I hate customers and I hate pretending like I care about them. They all are incessantly rude, completely moronic, and just so ignorant of anyone else besides themselves.

I move my face back to neutral and restart.

When I am apologetic, I will give them a heartfelt look of understanding. 

I stretch my face and scrunch my eyebrows to try and give the look of compassion. It doesn’t work quite as well. I would consider this more like sorrow than anything else. I need to try again.

I try my best to focus on each individual muscle of my face. I use my memory to keep a position. Finally, at long last, I see a face that is presentable. It seems like a real emotion someone would have. I memorize the face and lock it into long-term memory. The more I rehearse, the easier it gets to bring out the face faster and with more accuracy.

I’m running out of time. The clock is ticking.

Finally, when I see my tormentor, I will be afraid.

I let my face squeeze itself into a look of terror as I duck my head down in fear. It’s so natural I don’t even have to think about it.

I’m ready. It’s showtime.

…

I tug at my grey polo and jeans. They used to fit snug on me, but now after months of dietary neglect, they’re baggy and loose. At least they’re comfortable. 

As I walk down the stairs, I feel my legs creak while exerting themselves. I just feel so weak and fragile. A gust of wind could topple me like I’m an ancient and neglected oak tree.

I put on a thick coat from the living room over my work uniform and start to open the door to leave. I flip the keys around my fingers and try to avoid looking at the absolute disaster of a living room. Old pizza boxes, about 7 blankets, and a mountain of pillows are all across the dimly lit living room.

I really need to start a fire or something. It’s so cold I feel like I could store meat in here. Well…I guess I’m meat? Kinda? 

I see my landline phone blinking with a message. I should probably check what it says in case it is an emergency. I wouldn’t want my mom to be dying in a hospital while I was slaving away at work.

I go up to the phone and click the big red button. The phone screen lights up in white light as piercing audio begins to play. I can feel my pupils contract as the phone illuminates the entire room. Maybe I should start opening the curtains more as well…

BEEEEP. ONE NEW MESSAGE AT 1:43 PM. BEEEP.

MOM: “Hi sweetie, I hope the house is treating you well! Hopefully, you aren’t having too many parties in the family room! Teehee!..”

I look around at my pigpen of a family room. Heh…’family room’…what a family I am. The SUZUKI family died once MOM left me alone to rot in this house. This whole place feels like a coffin rather than home anyways. Maybe it was more fitting that way.

MOM: “…anyways, I just wanted to let you know that I love you, and I hope work goes well for you today. I miss you, sweetie!”

BEEEEP. 

I need to stop messing around. I give one last look to the inside of my house before stepping outside into the unforgiving winter. The wind whips across my hair as I slam my front door shut and wiggle my keys into the keyhole. I allow the lock to click on its own before I try opening the door. 

Nope. Won’t budge.

…

I’m walking along the cracked sidewalk of FARAWAY. Small little pieces of ice fill in the cracks as I walk at a quick pace. This ice has been here for who knows how long. Despite the sun and wind threatening to melt this poor ice, these cracks keep it safe and cold. It’s kind of cute in a way. Or maybe I’m just imagining things.

The air feels so cold on my bare cheeks. I try to snuggle up into my coat, but it does little to stop the onslaught. I feel my legs tremble from the cold penetrating air. My fingers quake from gripping onto my sleeves too hard. It feels like I’m going to blow away like a paper bag in the wind. 

I wish I would just bite the bullet and invest in either a better coat or a stocking cap. Jeez…I’m so stupid. This is like common sense…

…

Finally, after what felt like climbing Mount Everest, I finally make it to my destination. 

In big obnoxious red letters, “GINO’S PIZZA” can be seen as a beacon of hope in this cruel and unforgiving world. Or maybe it can be seen as fake Italian-American pizza in the suburban sprawl. Either way, it’s where I’ve called work for the past 3 months.

Ever since I got the house on my own, MOM said I needed to get a job to pay the property taxes and to actually feed myself. I had to look at a lot of places, but eventually, I found GINO’S was the best atmosphere with the best pay. Plus, I don’t have to drive my car to get there. 

So, inside I go. The place smells like fresh dough and couch cushions, but I can’t complain too much. It’s better than the gas station I tried to work at where it smelled like gas and cigarettes the entire time. 

As I walk inside, I see that some of the ketchup bottles are falling over. Before I even clock in I decide to just prop them up to their proper position. I notice that most of the napkin dispenser thingamabobs were running low on those crummy brown paper napkins. I would have to fill those up once I clock in.

I step into the back room by swinging open one of those stereotypical restaurant doors with the stainless-steel finish and circular glass window that made me think I was on a submarine. 

I grab my clock-in card and slide it into the ancient machine. With a loud clunk, I have officially clocked in. I grab a yellow and red apron and slide it over my body. I decide to skip the hat today, since letting my hair down instead of in a ponytail is best for getting the good tips from the lonely dads. 

I step out into the kitchen and look at my boss molding pizza dough in a passionate manner. 

Once he sees me, his eyes seem to glow like saucers. A big beaming smile appears on him as he exaggerates a fake hug with his arms.

Even I can’t lie…his overwhelmingly positive energy rubs off even on me. Even on my worst days I can’t resist but give a genuine smile. It feels nice to not have to fake it. 

GINO: “MARI!! My favorite employee. How are you doing on this gorgeous Thursday afternoon?”

MARI: “Favorite employee, huh? You’re just saying that guess I’m your ONLY employee. Cheap son a gun, I better be your favorite.”

I take up my station next to him and begin taking stuff out of the fridge for the rush that would be soon to come. Deli meats, cheeses, lettuce, tomatoes, olives, dressing, carrots, and all sorts of other veggies and toppings lay on the prep table as I finally slam the door shut.

GINO: “You would be my favorite employee if you are my only employee or if you are my 999th employee.”

MARI: “Not your 1000th employee? I feel hurt.”

GINO: “Well, let’s not be ridiculous. I’m sure one of those 1000 employees wouldn’t give me as much sass as you do!”

He gives a loud bellowing chortle. 

He then pulls out some fresh pizza dough from the counter behind me and begins to mold it into his perfect creation. Him moving the dough is like a sculptor tenderly examining and chiseling his marble slate. While the pizza he makes is never my absolute favorite, it had such an infectious charm to it that you couldn’t help yourself from wanting more. 

That’s probably at least one of the reasons why I’ve been eating his pizza on my employee discount for at least 2 weeks. It may be leaving me practically malnourished, but at least it’s tasty. Everything else makes my stomach burble with so much anxiety that even thinking about eating it makes me nauseous. 

A comfortable silence fills the two of us. Even though I usually find this type of silence annoying, with him it feels like we’re old family friends making dinner together.

I get busy making the sandwiches and salads for tonight’s rush while GINO focuses on his dough. His forearms flex and relax continuously as his fingers dive deep into the pillowy tan pizza dough. The maroon skintight shirt he’s wearing reveals that his triceps are pulsing as well. I never realized he put so much effort into this before.

Despite being born in Arizona, both of his parents have given him that authentic Italian olive-skinned glow. It made him look so healthy and strong despite being in his mid-thirties. He had a nice face. With defined yet subtle features everywhere you look, deep chestnut brown eyes, and the concentrated leer of someone with years of experience in their craft. 

I guess he’s not…BAD looking…quite the opposite

I’m embarrassed by the thoughts that follow. I try to mentally block them the best I can. It’s not like I’d actually WANT him like that. God, no. He was like if I had an uncle who was very much into sports and craft beers. Maybe after months of no genuine interaction, let alone touch, my impulses and desires are starting to go haywire. But still…doesn’t hurt to imagine.

I…got to get myself under control.

The embarrassment is soon followed by a dark storm of self-hatred. Despite knowing it's coming, I can do nothing to stop it.

My thoughts wander for just a little bit too long. I’m starting to lose touch with reality again. Everything feels so foggy and burry. I keep on bouncing between absolute self-loathing and complete dissociation. I must reel myself back in. Just have to reel me back in. Please, MARI, control yourse-

GINO: “MARI, are you ok?”

I look down at myself and see that I’ve spilled olive oil all over my hands. Despite wearing gloves, my forearms are soaked

MARI: “Shit! Sorry, GINO. I’ll go clean up myself really fast, then I’ll clean up the table.”

GINO doesn’t say anything, so why can’t I shake the feeling that he’s disappointed in me? Why can’t I let myself believe that he doesn’t hate me.

…

I stare at my hands while washing my arms thoroughly. It was probably for the best anyways that I stop, after all, the middle schoolers and high schoolers would be stopping by after school to grab a slice of pizza. 

While they annoyed me, the rush would be good to keep my sanity together. 

As I stare at my hands, I remember the lecture back at university about polar versus non-polar molecules, and how that affects the solubility of certain molecules. This is why you need soap to wash off oils. For that segment of the exam, I got a 78% and HERO got a 102%. I felt like such a worthless failure. I guess I still do.

I don’t want to think about this anymore.

The water stops flowing as I dry my arms with paper towels. I need to get ready for the rush.

I look at myself in the mirror and see myself looking as miserable as ever. I just wish SOMETHING would leave. I’m tired of not being able to see my eyes. 

I beg for it to leave one last time. Yet, it persists all the same. 

It was worth a shot.

…

It was around 3:35 PM. The snotty little brats should be getting off the bus and piling into the shop anytime now. For now though, the restaurant remains empty. The sound of GINO placing fresh pizzas in the oven and the sounds of my work boots on the tile below are the only sounds audible.

I just place my hands on the register and tap my fingers. I’m not good at a lot of things, but I’m exceptionally talented at waiting. 

Fortunately, I don’t have to wait for long. Right when I start to get comfortable, I hear the ringing of a small bell from the front door. 

Two little runts walk in with endless energy as they shove each other. They have to be high school freshmen…no one else is both this annoying and joyous. Usually, by sophomore or junior year their dreams are just slightly crushed by the world.

They both walk up to the counter and stare at me with goo-goo eyes. It seems like I’ll have to take the initiative.

I stretch my face into my customer service smile. It feels flawless. Yet still, I shift my muscles into an even better formation to achieve perfection. 

MARI: “Hello, good afternoon! Welcome to GINO’S PIZZA, my name is MARI. May I take your order?”

KID 1: “Ummmmm. Uhhhhh. I’ll take a…pizza!”

KID 2: “yea yea! A big one too.”

I roll my eyes. It’s the exact same routine every single time. 

MARI: “Ok, so a large pizza? What toppings would you like.”

KID 2: “Well, what toppings do you have??”

I lean over the counter and point up at the sign above. 

MARI: “Well, sir. All of our toppings and specialties are right next to our size options.”

KID 1: “Oh…ummmm.”

They take an absurd amount of time to decide. They’re just lucky that there isn’t a line behind them. 

I feel my eyes twitch as my anger grows. I need to relax…if I don’t, then my perfectly crafted face could become compromised. 

KID 1: “We’ll take a large meat lovers pizza! With extra ham on the left side.”

KID 2: “You WOULD love meat, dude.”

KID 1: “Your mom loved my meat last night! She loved it allll over her. With the extra ham too.”

I grimace. He defiantly went a little bit too far with it. I need to reel this back in before it gets out of hand. 

MARI: “Ok…anyways, well your pizza will be 18.76 dollars. Here’s your number, just wait for your number to be called.”

The kids throw down a twenty-dollar bill on the counter. Before I can even count the change out, they’re both on their way to one of the tables. 

I think about calling back over…but as revenge for making me listen to their freshman boy talk, I decided to pocket the extra pocket change. They don’t seem to be wallowing in regret. I glean over and see them arm wrestling loudly.

I sigh to myself. Maybe I shouldn’t be so harsh…at least they’re happy. 

I feel guilty for the overwhelming envy that washes over me. 

…

Kids pile in, pizzas are made, sandwiches are devoured, and salads are picked at. I’m not sure why kids even order the salads if they won’t even enjoy them. The worst is when I see these teenage girls walk in and order a salad with no dressing instead of the greasy pizza I know that they want.

 I want to scream and shake them and tell them that they need to enjoy the food. For the love of god, I want to just cry and sob and beg them to love themselves and their bodies. They don’t need to starve themselves to be beautiful.

I just…don’t want them to be like me. Anybody else but me. 

But eventually, the rush, as every rush does, dies down into emptiness. I’m out in the dining bussing off the tables, picking up rogue napkins, and taking out the trash before the families start flooding in. GINO always speaks about the importance of families seeing a clean dining room. He always says kids don’t care, but moms do. I guess that makes sense in a way.

Besides, the silence and repetitive behavior allow me to enter my mind palace and daydream. Haha…I’m starting to sound like SUNNY now. He would always be lost in his little daydreams. I remember I would always ask what was going on in his brain, but he was never willing to share.

SUNNY…I miss you. 

I don’t want to think about this anymore. 

I buckle down and start to focus solely on cleaning. There was a lot of work left to be done. 

…

The sound of a plastic cup hitting the ground makes me wake up. I look over and see that it was just a simple mistake. The person picked it up and continued talking to their daughter like nothing had happened.

I rub my eyes. I must have dissociated. It happens sometimes when I’m working.

How long was I out for? 

The clock above the door reads 9:54 PM. Shit…have I really been in a trance for that long?? I barely remember anything that happened. 

The restaurant is filled with a nice calm atmosphere. Most of the usual family dinners that ate here have left. Now, just older people and twenty-year old’s remain. They keep a respectful and quiet volume. 

I rub my eyes and try to wake myself up. My feet ached, but I still have to work until close. Gotta tough it out until then. 

I’m so busy looking out at the tables, I don’t even hear the front door bell ring. 

Two people, a boy, and a girl go to sit out at a booth in the corner of the restaurant. My eyes glaze over them as I recognize their defining features. 

The boy’s name is BASIL. He wears a light denim jean jacket with several pins on it I can’t recognize. He has on dark khaki pants with a forest green shirt underneath his pattern. I’m glad he’s eating better…he doesn’t look like a stick anymore. He’s really filled out his clothes in the best way possible. Using the poles of the restaurant as context clues, I think he must be around 6 feet tall now. And of course…his bright blonde hair had his signature blue highlights at the ends. 

The girl’s name is AUBREY. She wears a black crop top that exposes her midriff and ripped-up jeans. I remember she was the one who actually taught me about that style. She looked the same as every other time I’ve seen her. Her blue bandana holds up her bright bubblegum pink hair. Although the hair was fading a bit with time…

I see the two of their hands interlock together into a tender embrace. Their shoulder touch…they scoot close together…BASIL kisses AUBREY on the forehead. They make a cute couple. I know that they do. I’m happy for them. 

But…am I genuinely happy for them or am I just faking it.

I try to suppress it the best I can. Yet, it is inevitable all the same. My rage builds up in silent fury. I don’t know why…there’s nothing wrong with them being together.

That’s a lie. I know exactly why I’m mad. 

They aren’t supposed to be together. No, it’s all wrong. SUNNY was supposed to be with one of them. He was supposed to either pick BASIL or AUBREY…and he would doubt his decision, but I would reassure him either way that he picked correctly! They are not supposed to be together. 

It’s spitting in the face of my goddamn brother. 

I feel my eyes twitch in unjust anger. I understand that it’s irrational, but maybe their relationship is the real irrationality. 

I hear an annoyed cough next to me.

When I turn around…I see him.

My tormentor. 

I feel my face squeezes and molds itself into horror as I recognize him. I know he won’t do anything in a public place like this, but even still I can’t control my heart from racing. My palms feel sweaty as I grab my wrist in a failed attempt to stop shaking.

His name is KEL. He stands easily at 6’4 with the body of a grown man hardened by rage. His broad shoulders and toned arms stand out easily under the lighting. His tan skin makes his brown eyes stand out all the more. He wears an orange basketball jersey, a black coat over it, and dark denim jeans. He’s also wearing steel-toed boots…I remember why he wears those specifically. 

His eyes pierce my very soul. I feel every ounce of guilt and pain and regret return to the surface of my consciousness. It’s almost like he’s judging me for my very existence.

KEL: “Are you gonna take my order, or are you going to just stare at my friends all night?”

MARI: “Um…I’m…I’m sorry. What would you like, sir?”

KEL gives a disgusted yet amused smirk.

KEL: “We’ll take two large pizzas. One sausage and one pepperoni. And I’d like a gigantic hero sandwich. My brother is coming to town soon. Do you remember him?”

MARI: “I…I remember…”

I try not to look him in the eyes as I punch in his order. My fingers shake at every movement. My whole body trembles in fear. 

MARI: “That will be…46.80…sir”

KEL brings out a big wad of cash and starts to give me the owed amount. He gives me the exact change. He glares at me once last time, huffs with a satisfied smirk, then goes to sit with his friends. 

I run into the backroom and pant. I’m trembling…I’m shaking. I need to calm down…I can’t go back out with my imperfection showing. 

…

The restaurant is empty. I suppose that makes sense…it is 10 on a Thursday night. Most normal people are inside their houses talking with family or getting ready for bed. 

Some people want to come inside, but I locked the door like 10 minutes ago and refuse to interact with them if they knock on the glass door. Even though its an hour before closing time, I’m not staying late because one high school stoner got the munchies.

I hope no one complains to GINO though…wherever he is at this time of night. I know he’s still here, so he must be in his office playing cards or reading.

The air outside looks especially cold. It seems like it would turn me into an ice cube, yet somehow it still looks so alluring. It’s like exactly where I belong.

I look over at the restaurant and notice that it’s all clean. Nothing left to do. Maybe if I put on the charm, I can ask GINO to leave early. After all, I know he doesn’t want to stay any later than he has to either. 

Just then, I focus my ears on a strange noise from the back. It seems like some sort of instrument is being played. It’s not a recording or anything…it seems to have the warmth and tone that only a real instrument could produce. 

I walk back to the prep room and notice that it’s playing outside. I think about grabbing my coat but decide that that’s too much effort. So, I just open the cold steel door to the unforgiving cold outside.

Well…maybe I’m exaggerating a bit. It’s not that cold at all since the building is protecting us from the wind. I look out into the treeline, take a deep breath, and smile at the serenity of it all.

GINO: “It’s a nice night, isn’t it?

MARI: “Mhm? Oh yea, it really is. It’s peaceful…like I’m living in the most remote regions of Alaska.”

GINO: “Do you think they have pizza places up there as good as mine?”

MARI: “Of course not GINO, no one can possibly be as good at making those pizza pies as you.”

GINO: “Good answer.”

He gives a warm smile as he pulls up two old milk crates for us to sit on top of. He takes his seat and puts away his harmonica. I don’t know much about them, but it seems like this one is very high quality. It has a name on it, it says “Jessica”.

I take my seat next to him and stretch my legs. I also take off my apron and fold it into my lap. Hopefully, that will be a subtle suggestion that I want to get the hell out of there ASAP. 

Still…I’m curious about the harmonica.

MARI: “I didn’t know you were a musician…I used to play the piano when I was younger as well. Is Jessica the brand of the harmonica?”

It’s a strange name for a brand, but some obscure artisanal shops will carry instruments with names like that on them. 

GINO: “Yea, I remember. I went to that recital you and your brother did when you were younger. It was beautiful.”

MARI: “Yea…it was…wasn’t it. My brother played so well that day. It made me so proud.”

GINO ends that topic there. He knows what a sensitive topic my brother is to me. I’m thankful that he never tries to push what’s not meant to be pushed.

GINO: “Anyways, no, it’s not a brand. It’s the name of my daughter. I got this when she passed away.”

MARI: “Oh my god…I’m so sorry.”

GINO: “It’s ok, it was a long time ago.”

He sighs to himself and looks up at the constellations above.

GINO: “I wasn’t the best dad in the world. I wasn’t in her life enough…and in the end, I couldn’t see the signs of her pain. Looking back…she just had this look of suffering in her eyes. It was like she was holding up the weight of the world on her shoulders. I wish I could have saw it sooner…”

I don’t know what to say. So, I say nothing at all. 

GINO: “I know this is an overstep on my part. It’s not my place. But I see that exact same look in your eyes. You hide it well…but when I catch you unaware…you just look miserable. I know your mom moved and left you all alone, but I just want you to know that I consider you family. I’ve known you well since I’ve got here. You can always…and I mean always talk to me.”

I smile. It’s nice to not have to force it.

MARI: “Thank you, GINO…that means more than you can know.”

GINO: “Awe whatever…you know I’m not built for this sentimental crap. I left you a pizza on the counter inside, so go ahead and take it and get some meat on your bones. That shirt is starting to look like a dress on you!”

I take some change out of my pocket to pay him, but he just shakes his head and sighs.

GINO: “You’re the smartest dumb person I’ve ever met. It’s a gift, MARI. You don’t gotta pay me for it. It’s thanks for doing such a good job today. Now, why don’t you save that money and go over to OTHERMART before they close and get yourself a vegetable or something?”

I smile at him and stick my tongue out at him. I’m glad I don’t need to say anything more than that. My gratitude doesn’t need to be spoken to be understood.

…

After clocking out, I walk with my steaming hot pizza in hand, my coat hugging me, and my boots excitedly echoing on the dark asphalt parking lot of OTHERMART.

I feel lame for getting so excited about shopping for food with what feels like free money…but I need to take my victories when I get them. 

The air inside the OTHERMART is warmer but so artificial that it feels like I’m on a spaceship. That’s in addition to the fact that the place was almost deserted besides the cashier flipping through a suspiciously raunchy magazine. Hey, who am I to judge?

The only sounds audible are the hums of the various fridges and freezers. I walk over to the frozen food section and see several meals that catch my eyes.

I debate for what feels like an eternity before I decide on two options. I’ll either get Fettucine alfredo with broccoli in it…or I will get fried fish with corn. Both look tasty enough to not make me nauseous, but nutritious enough so that I don’t die of malnourishment. 

I decide to get two of each. MOM always said that variety is the spice of life…but I wonder if she would think the same about frozen meals from the back of a grocery store. 

…

It’s strange to have a hot pizza in one hand and cold frozen meals on top of the box. In retrospect I should have grabbed a basket or cart, but I mean c’mon…I’m a big girl, I can carry a few boxes. 

I’m so lost in daydreams I almost miss them. I wish I did. I wish I would have taken the long way to the register or even just kept my head down and not even looked up.

But…here I am. My body is facing the way to the register, but my eyes are laser-focused on the rows and columns of bottles in front of me. It was the alcohol section…and it all looks so alluring to me. It’s like they are personally calling my name. 

One bottle, in particular, catches my eye. Its contents look like honey made from heaven itself. The label makes the bottle look like something that a Russian oligarch would use to relax after a hard day. The best part of all was that it wasn’t even that expensive! 

I can’t fall down this rabbit hole though. It will ruin me if I start self-medicating with alcohol. I need to just move on from…whatever drink this is…

I think HERO told me it was a rum…yea, I think that’s it. I remember we had it together at our first house party together. We were small little guppies in a pond that was way too big for us. There was this sophomore engineering major…he was either electrical or civil. I forget.

Regardless, he offered a shot of this stuff, and we just couldn’t refuse. I remember the specific sting that hit my throat after swallowing the golden liquid. I coughed like a total greenhorn…but I remember my body felt so warm afterward. I felt confident and safe. 

A few more shots like that later, some embarrassing dance moves, and sloppy kisses with HERO later I don’t remember anything else. All I remember is being lifted by HERO to his bed. Then in the morning, his strong arms held me so close to his chest. His bare chest smelled like walnuts…even after waking up I pretended to be asleep…just to stay there with him for longer. 

BEEP. BEEP. 

Huh? What? 

BEEP. TAP TAP TAP.

I jolt myself out of my daydream and see that I’m already at the cash register. Shit…I must have zoned out big time. I notice the cashier putting away two of my meals and…the bottle of rum. 

I’m so weak…

But it’s fine. I’m underage anyways. I mean, I’m twenty. But still, once he asks for my ID I’ll just offer to return the bottle. No harm no foul.

He taps on his screen. He isn’t asking me for my ID.

Why isn’t he asking me?!? It’s literally the law. Why can’t this idiot just do his job and ID me?

CASHIER: “Ok ma’am, that will be 23.40.”

Maybe he’ll ask after I pay him. I pull out some spare cash from tips and slide it over. He starts to feed it into the register.

Ok…um. Maybe he’ll ask for my ID at the end! It’ll be a mess to try and get my money back, but at least I won’t walk out of here with the bottle. 

He hands me 60 cents and my receipt.

CASHIER: “Have a nice night, ma’am.”

I guess…I look older than 21. I don’t know if that is a good thing or a bad thing. 

…

The pizza has cooled off to room temperature now. It maybe wasn’t going to be as good now, but at least it’s fresh ingredients. Not the stale slate of pizza left over at my house.

I lick my lips thinking about the pizza awaiting me. It was going to be so good!

Then…I see him. Again.

My tormentor.

KEL looks like he’s searching for something important. However, when he catches me staring at him he gleams in horrific delight. 

KEL: “MARI! My dear friend. How’s my favorite weirdo doing?”

I try to keep my head down and move past him. I just want to get home. 

KEL turns to face me as I try walking past.

He places his massive on the flat side of my pizza box and slams it down towards the ground. The box opens up. The pizza lands on the dirty parking lot ground face down. It was ruined.

KEL: “Oh! I’m sorry, freak. Guess it was an accident. You know a lot about ‘accidents’, don’t you?”

He places his steel-toed boot into the pizza and rubs it in.

A sick smile forms on his face. He’s enjoying this. What a fucking psychopath.

He leans in. He’s so close I can smell his cologne on his shoulders. It smells like walnuts.  

KEL: “What an unfortunate accident. Guess what comes around goes around, huh. I have some advice for you. If you know what’s best, you’ll never fucking leave your house again. Maybe you’re just too stupid to have that common sense though.”

I stay silent. It’s the only defense I have. 

His smile melts into a frown.

KEL: “I’m done with you. I have more important things to do right now. Leave before I change my mind

I scurry away with my OTHERMART bag in hand. 

All I hear in the background is KEL chuckling to himself. I feel like I’m a rabbit being toyed with by the wolf. 

It’s only a matter of time before he decides to devour me. 

…

 I get home and fumble with my keys as I try my best to unlock the door. Finally, I feel the wooden door give in as I push it aside. 

I’m so frantic I forget to even lock the door behind me. All I can do is shut it firmly and run over to the couch. 

I throw my bag from OTHERMART onto the carpeted living room floor and curl into the pile of blankets and pillows on the couch.

My breath steadies after a long while. My heart rate finally slows down. At least for now, I’m safe.

I want relief so bad. However I get it…I need it.

I grab two slices of old, disgusting pizza from a box and shove it into my mouth. It’s awful, but at least it’s food.

The next thing I know, the golden-brown cap of the rum is being cracked open. The cold glass is sticky with the remnants of the sugary drink splashing on it. The bottle tips backward as the liquid flows into me.

It stings. I cough. I feel ashamed.

Yet all the same…I feel much better. The relief doesn’t come fast enough though. I need more.

I wait for the taste to leave my mouth. Then I take another sip. 

As time passes, the stinging of the alcohol on my throat becomes lessened. So, I drink even more.

It’s too much too fast. Even I know that, but I just want to be happy. Even for a little bit. 

…

It’s been a few hours since I started drinking and everything is better. So, so much better.

The TV is funnier, my thoughts are so disjointed they can’t make me sad, and my impulse control has gone out the window.

That’s probably the main reason why I’m picking up the phone to call someone so late at night. There’s a part of MARI that begs me to stop. However, that little voice is drowning under an ocean of booze.

The phone rings. It rings…and rings…and rings some more.

This was a mistake. He’s probably sleeping, anyways. It’s late on a weeknight. I’m sure he’s getting his beauty sleep for class tomorrow. He’s so responsible like that.

Just when I’m about to give up, I hear the clunk of the phone as it connects to its target.

HERO: “Mhmmm…hello? Who is it?”

His voice is raspy and froggy from being woken up. Parts of me feel bad, but I desperately needed to hear his voice. It still has that hint of tenderness and love that I remember so fondly.  

I stay silent. Only my shallow breaths have the possibility of being heard.

HERO: “Ugh…you know, if you’re gonna prank call me, at least do it in the afternoon. Some people have lives, unlike whoever you are. Goodbye.”

He hangs up the phone with a sharp clack. He had that tone of annoyance and anger in his voice that always made me giggle. This time though, I feel myself start to blush and pant. His voice was so commanding and dominant. 

In several moments of weakness…I go back to the couch and let down my underwear and work pants to my ankles. 

Sinning has never felt so good before. Especially with the alcohol in my system making the guilt and shame negligible emotions. 

I think about HERO’S voice the entire time. I imagine him saying how much he loves me and needs me in that sharp, commanding, and loving voice of his.

I love you, HERO. I love you. I love you. Fuck, I love you. Please please please, God. 

It doesn’t take long before my body groans as I allow myself to release. The feeling is euphoric. My brain feels like it’s made of blinking Christmas lights. 

I huff and puff. The alcohol is making me forget where I am. I’m starting to even forget who I am. It feels amazing to forget. 

I pull up my right hand to myself and look at it. At long last, the guilt finally catches up with me.

My satisfied smile turns into miserable neutrality.

I stare at it for several seconds as I process what I’ve done.

MARI: “I’m…I’m disgusting…”

All I can do is mumble this to myself a few times before it turns into a slumping slur of unintelligible speech. 

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

The grandfather clock from upstairs starts to practically hypnotize me. I don’t want to fight sleep anymore…it’s exhausting to keep fighting. 

I close my eyes and allow the alcohol to whisk me away into the deep abyss of sleep. 

Chapter Text

???: “In the beginning, there was nothing.

But before there was nothing. There was DARKNESS.

Many confuse the two as one and the same. The difference lies in the fact that DARKNESS has no space. You cannot travel through it…you must marinate inside of its infinity.

The true nature of pure DARKNESS is beyond human imagination. Please, do not think about it too hard

Then, for reasons unknown to all, there was nothing. Yet, there was space and time. You could move and perceive and live inside of this limitless nothing.

And so, it was like this for an uncountable amount of time.

…

However, one day, for yet another unexplainable reason, there was suddenly something.

Energy spontaneously popped into existence. These different forms of energy were not different in composition, but in their very nature.

They are called the ESSENCES.

These ESSENCES stayed separated at first. They floated alone in the nothingness of space as no one ESSENCE had the power to change nothing into something.

Then one day millions of years later, all of the ESSENCES randomly collided with each other.

This was the birth of everything.

The world as we know it burst into existence. This is the beginning of the universe, the earth, and of mankind.

Humans are the culmination of each individual essence, some more powerful than others, but all present. However, most are incapable of channeling this energy naturally.

Some are born with the extraordinary power to control the ESSENCE of greatest concentration in their body. While this is often considered a curse, these children are destined to become the greatest protectors of the earth.

They are called VESSELS OF ESSENCE. Often abbreviated to just VESSELS. We are unsure of why these people are chosen…many have attempted to create artificial VESSELS…and they have all failed.

The ESSENCES have been studied since their discovery in the Middle Ages. The culmination of humanity’s research has been of particular interest to those to further understand the rules and nature of our universe.

There are 10 ESSENCES. I am sure you are all familiar with them, but understanding the key differences is essential for your education as UNDERLINGS.

-There is the ESSENCE OF NATURE. Those born with this power control all that grows. They have a unique kinship with the plants, fungus, and the ground of Earth itself. They can channel their energy to exceed a natural growth rate, to combine nature's gift for benefit, and terraform the planet for nature’s benefit. This is the most common type of VESSEL. Some VESSELS even claim they can communicate with plants…however, no proof of such as been seen.

-There is the ESSENCE OF POWER. Those born with this control over this ESSENCE obtain physical power beyond comprehension as well as intense knowledge of the uniquely human emotion of ‘determination’ and ‘will’. Usually, these VESSELS focus solely on combat capabilities, but some practical uses in construction and military use have been used in the past. This is the rarest type of VESSEL.

-There is the ESSENCE OF SOUL. As the most complex of the ESSENCES, little is known about the consistencies of the VESSELS inhabiting this ESSENCE. However, VESSELS usually have the power to control their emotions through a catalyst of their choosing. The most common catalysts include musical instruments. They are the most versatile VESSELS, but if their catalyst is broken while in use, the VESSELS’ very soul will shatter in half.

-There is the ESSENCE OF KNOWLEDGE. This ESSENCE is so uniquely human it has been considered the most valuable ESSENCE. These VESSELS have an unnatural obsession with logic, truth, and varying form of knowledge personalized to the user. They can read situations and make predictions in roughly 1/1000^th of the normal human speed. VESSELS are often used for civilian work or as battle strategists. However, VESSELS have no special combat afforded to them. Many VESSELS learn martial arts to make up for this.

-There is the ESSENCE OF BEASTS. All living creatures, no matter how big or small, bow to this power. Often the most stigmatized ESSENCE, VESSELS are often times solo hunters or detectives. VESSELS are often gifted with animal-like senses as well as the ability to morph their bodies to their advantage.

-There is the ESSENCE OF WIND. From small breezes to tornados, VESSELS control the winds of the earth with ranges up to hundreds of miles. Many talented VESSELS have often been able to control still air in addition to moving wind.

-There is the ESSENCE OF FIRE. VESSELS of this type can control any fire within reach as well as combust any flammable surface in sight. They often work in conjunction with fire departments to part flames of burning buildings. Talented VESSELS have the ability to work with plasma. A common myth among the VESSELS OF FIRE is a legendary VESSEL who will have the ability to move the sun. We do not know if this is possible or not.

-There is the ESSENCE OF WATER. Earth is mostly covered by water, and that is where these VESSELS work best. They control all water on the earth and inside of living materials. However, much like a magnet, their abilities gain more strength the more water there is present. Many VESSELS work in humanitarian work to put out forest fires and assess dehydration across the globe.

-There is the ESSENCE OF TIME. Nothing will stop the march of time, not even the strongest VESSELS. However, these VESSELS have the ability to delay it. Instead of using brute strength to force the wheels of time to a stop…they instead work with time itself to compromise a flow of time useful to the purpose at hand. Many VESSELS have attempted to stop time entirely, yet no progress has been made. It is most likely impossible.

Finally…there is the ESSENCE OF DARKNESS. No one is born with this ESSENCE, rather, VESSELS sacrifice their humanity in order to channel the unimaginable power of DARKNESS. Sacrificing yourself for DARKNESS is the highest crime in every country…punishable by immediate execution. We do not need to talk more of this…I certainly don’t want to scare you with what you already know.

In the early ages of humanity, there was chaos. Some used these powers for good, but even more, used them for selfish reasons.

However, the strongest 10 of them came together to enforce peace upon the earth. They were deemed the LORDS OF ESSENCE.

Every ESSENCE was represented, and as such the world was in balance. Every LORD chose an APPRENTICE from anywhere in the world to succeed them when they passed, and so no spot was ever vacant.

However, one day, known as THE 2^ND START, The LORD OF DARKNESS and his APPRENTICE turned against the other LORDS. The two of them had always hated the idea of sharing power, but even with this knowledge, the LORDS underestimated his strength. 8 LORDS passed away by the LORD OF DARKNESS’ HAND, but two LORDS, the LORD OF TIME and the LORD OF WATER, froze the LORD OF DARKNESS in a block of ice deep in the Antarctic. It is there where he remains to this day. He is frozen in time in his icy tomb…his was APPRENTICE lost inside of the LORD’S stomach as he realized their fate.

It is reasonable to assume that the LORD OF DARKNESS has conquered death itself…since it has been 2000 years, and he is very much alive. I say this not to scare you but to inform you of what is truth. The public stays willfully ignorant of his danger.

Many saw the LORD OF DARKNESS’ strength beyond reason…and chose to sacrifice themselves to the dark. The LORDS could no longer rule the world by themselves.

So, the two LORDS vowed to never make that mistake again. They founded this academy right here! We train students, known as UNDERLINGS OF ESSENCE, to enforce the peace of the earth against those trying to enforce the terror of DARKNESS!

While they may have won, the world they knew was no longer alive. In that way, they had lost. Even after crowning new LORDS, their numbers remained at 9. A new LORD OF DARKNESS can never be crowned while the current one is still in his icy coffin. Many believe we are better off with only 9 LORDS anyways.

Alright! I think that’s enough for-

Oh my goodness, HIKI!!

Did you sleep through my entire lecture again??”

…

HIKI: “Uh!? What?! Bleg?!?”

I jolt up with a look of confusion on my face. I can feel my classmate’s eyes piercing into me.

???: “HIKI, while I may have an enchanting voice, the point of teaching you is to actually TEACH you…not for you to catch up on rest.”

HIKI: “Sorry, MR. TOMO…”

1. TOMO: “Don’t let it happen again, understood? Or else I’m assigned you a 10-page paper on what I just taught.”

HIKI: “Yes sir. Sorry, sir.”

1. TOMO: “Alright, well if that’s all then you are all free to go! Enjoy your weekends!”

I feel a pair of eyes to my left stare me down with a small smirk. I look over and see four people dressed in a crisp black suit. The suits are spotless, wrinkle-free, and perfectly form-fitting.

HERO: “You know HIKI, just because you’re strong doesn’t mean you get to slack out during class! You gotta pay more attention and apply yourself!”

Where have I heard that before?

AUBREY: “It was kind of funny though, you were snoring so loud all of a sudden! I have no idea how MR. TOMO didn’t catch you earlier.

BASIL: “Don’t sweat it HIKI…I probably would have fallen asleep too if I wasn’t juiced up on coffee.”

I look over at the far end and see a boy with tan and messy hair snoozing in his arms. He stands out like a sore thumb with his basketball shoes on instead of the nice, waxed dress shoes everyone else is wearing.

HIKI: “How come he doesn’t have to stay awake?!?”

KEL: “Because unlike you, I have MASTERED the art of falling asleep in class.”

HIKI: “Huh?! So, you aren’t asleep?”

KEL: “Well, I was. But I have napped and slacked off in class for so long that I just know when I need to wake up and respond. It’s a true gift.”

HERO: “I don’t think that’s something to be proud of…”

The five of us get up, slide our hands across our pants to remove the wrinkles from sitting, and start to head out the doors with the rest of the class. It seems like we’re in a massive lecture hall of a university, and everyone leaving with us is wearing black and white suits just like us. It appears to be a mandatory uniform of sorts.

TOMO spits a small stream of fire out of his fingers onto the chalkboard where he was writing. The chalk starts to melt down into his paper towels. He must be a VESSEL OF FIRE. Good to know.

While I vaguely remember where this place is…I’m still so disoriented from the sudden awakening. Maybe when I realize what ESSENCE I am it will jog my memory.

I move my hand down into my pocket to see if I can glean anything useful from my personal belongings, but I notice I have something that none of my peers have.

A long katana hands from my left side. The casing appears to be made of some unknown red metal, and black leather grip handles hang from the exposed handle. I go to draw it out to see the material of the blade, but suddenly I feel a strong hand hold onto my wrist.

BASIL: “Are you fucking crazy?!? Don’t unsheathe that here!”

He says this in a desperate whisper. No one else in the group seems to hear him.

I take my hand off my blade and he seems to relax slightly. I won’t try my luck and disobey him without knowing the rules first.

HIKI: “Relax, I was just cleaning a spot off of the handle.”

BASIL: “Right…haha. You’re right, sorry. I just get anxious with that…thing sometimes. No offense or anything! It’s just it gives me the creeps if I look at it for too long…”

He’s right. I can’t explain it, but even just looking at it fills me with dread. Something is cursed with this blade, but why would I carry it around then? It’s almost like this blade is possessed.

…

We all exit the classroom, and I can see why we have such fancy uniforms now. The entire lobby of the building looks like we’re in the middle of a ballroom floor. Chandeliers made of gold and silver glint from the ceilings as wax candles illuminate the room. Artwork from across history hangs upon the walls. Even the structure of the ceiling seems to be a piece of architectural mastery. The many students who fill the halls with their black suits seem to fit in perfectly with the fanciness of the surrounding atmosphere.

Up near the top of the main entrance outside, I see my first clue that jogs my mind.

It’s a massive sign carved into stone that reads…

“Welcome to the NORTH AMERICAN UNDERLING ACADEMY.”

That’s right, I remember now. I’m with my friends training as underlings to defend the world and to hopefully become LORDS of our respectful ESSENCES. Every continent gets one UNDERLING academy…and I remember that the only way to gain admission to such a prestigious school is to be top 1000 VESSELS in the world. In fact, I think I remember there being a board of some kind that tells you where you rank…

I look around the paintings and art and sculptures and finally find it. It’s a massive board with planks of wood describing someone with their rank, ESSENCE, and full name. The boards occasionally pop out and fly around to a new position to determine a new rank. As if they are controlled by magic.

AUBREY: “Awe man…you’re right, MARI. We should probably check out our rankings…I don’t want to get kicked out and go live with my mom again…”

BASIL: “As anxious as it makes me…It might be a pleasant surprise!”

The group follows me as I walk over to read the board clearly. I’m not sure if I’m their official leader or not…but they’re certainly acting like it right now.

When I get up to the towering board of planks I start to read from the bottom up. I attempt to find the names of my friends among the 1000 different names. Eventually…I see them all.

However, I can’t help but notice the top few names…

RANK #1 – LORD OF DARKNESS – NAME UNKNOWN

RANK #2 – LORD OF POWER – DAMIEN BLUE

RANK #3 – APPRENTICE OF DARKNESS – JACOB KILB

RANK #4 – LORD OF TIME – MARKUS JOHN

RANK #5 – LORD OF FIRE – MURAKAMI TOMO

Wait…MR. TOMO is a LORD?!? What’s he doing as a teacher then??

I continue to read.

RANK #6 – LORD OF WATER – CICI PHELPS

RANK #7 – LORD OF NATURE – BOB HUMPHREY

RANK #8 – LORD OF KNOWLEDGE – VLADAMIR SHESTERKIN

RANK #9 – LORD OF SOUL – EDWARD “PRINCE” JAMES

RANK #10 – LORD OF WIND – AMANDA BRIDGER

RANK #11 – LORD OF BEASTS – NAME UNKNOWN

It makes sense that most of the top names are LORDS…yet it’s scary that an APPRENTICE can someone theoretically beat 8 LORDS…

I start to look for my friend’s names. I start from the bottom up this time. Eventually, I find everyone I am looking for.

RANK #879 – UNDERLING OF SOUL – AUBREY BLOOM

…

RANK #692 – UNDERLING OF NATURE – BASIL RHODES

…

RANK #541 – UNDERLING OF KNOWLEDGE -  HENRY “HERO” HERNANDEZ

…

RANK #89 – UNDERLING OF BEASTS – KEL HERNANDEZ

…

RANK #26 – NO ESSENCE – HIKI SUZUKI

No essence?!? That’s impossible. How could I possibly so high on the list without having any of the special powers of the rest of my friends?!? There had to be some kind of mistake…

HIKI: “Hey, HERO…do you see my name on here?”

HERO: “mhmm…oh yea! Oh, I’m so sorry! You dropped a few positions. That’s alright, after our next job I think you might have a good shot at cracking the top twenty!”

AUBREY: “You really think so! That would be amazing!”

So it’s not a mistake… or a fault. I must really be powerful. Somehow, someway, I have strength greater than literal superheroes. I would need to experiment in private…I need to do more research.

However, before I can go further into my train of thought, a message from the ceiling blasts down and starts to boom onto the students above.

INTERCOM: “Attention to the following students: BASIL, AUBREY, KEL, HERO, and HIKI. Your presence is requested to eliminate a potential C level threat. Information will be sent to HERO courtesy of the LORD OF KNOWLEDGE. Thank you!”

Once the message ends, everyone else goes about their business. However, our group stands around as we stare at HERO. What did the voice mean by sending the information to HERO?

It’s only when I look into his eyes that I realize how much I truly don’t understand.

His pupil and iris have unfolded from their normal circular shape, and are bouncing into different patterns like crosses, squares, triangles, and even scribbles. It seems he’s listening and focusing on something intently.

I’m about to shake him to see if he’s ok, but before I can his eyes go back to their normal circular shape and he smiles in joy at us.

HERO: “Speaking of jobs, I just spoke to the LORD OF KNOWLEDGE. It seems like we’re the best fit for this job! C’mon, let’s hurry up to my car. I’m driving.”

…

The seats are made of finely crafted brown leather. It feels like a brand new car despite the fact that HERO has had it since high school. Honestly, it fits him well. He sits in the driver’s seat with perfect posture. His hands are in the classic 9-3 positioning and his eyes are locked on the road ahead.

Well…there’s not much to focus on besides the road. All of the cars on the busy interstate into the city have either been abandoned or smartly driven away from the site of destruction.

The car is silent with anxiety.

To my right is BASIL scrunched into an uncomfortable position, but there was no room for him anywhere else. He’s holding a potted plant containing a tomato plant. Although the tomatoes are not yet ripe…

To the right of him is AUBREY, who holds a massive grey case containing something important inside. It seems like it holds extreme value since she won’t take her eyes off of it.

The passenger seat is where KEL is sitting. He has his obnoxiously bright white and red basketball on full display as he props them up on the dashboard. His white buttoned-up shirt is untucked as it rides up on him while he stretches. I peek over and see just a little bit of his smooth tan stomach underneath. He’s also obnoxiously chewing bubblegum.

In his lap is a small little black and white puppy. Maybe it’s a husky? I can’t tell because he’s snoring peacefully in KEL’S lap.

The entire car is filled with unease…and it’s not long before even HERO starts to twitch with discomfort as he glances at his brother.

HERO: “KEL, we’ve talked about this. Can you please get your feet off of the dashboard?”

KEL: “What?!? Why?”

HERO: “What if I crash and the airbag sends your Tibia five miles behind us?”

KEL: “Crash into what? 1. You’re going as slow as a grandma 2. There’s no one else even on the road with us!”

AUBREY: “And you know, while you’re at it, and you stop chewing that gum? I’m gonna shove it up your ass if you don’t stop being so obnoxious with it.”

KEL: “HAH! I’d like to see you try!”

AUBREY simply starts whacking KEL’S head from behind as he laughs heartily. I can’t help but notice that it looks like he has fangs. Maybe it’s just the angle.

KEL’S puppy wakes up and starts barking playfully at the two. BASIL just frowns and pets behind his ear to try and soothe him.

HERO: “Alright, listen up!”

Everyone goes quiet. AUBREY returns to her seat and KEL puts his feet down from the dashboard. Even the puppy seems to stand at attention.

HERO: “We’re dealing with a level C threat here. So, no one can mess around. We need our best performances all around. According to the LORD OF KNOWLEDGE, we’re dealing with the 1355^th ranked VESSEL OF WIND. Don’t be fooled by his ranking, he’s extremely dangerous and has already killed 40 civilians. It’s determined that once we arrive there’s a good chance he’ll sacrifice himself to the DARKNESS…”

BASIL: “Wh-Wh-What!!”

AUBREY: “Oh no no no….why do we have to fight him?!?”

HERO: “Because we can do it. His wind powers are limited in the columns of buildings. Plus, we’re one of the strongest teams at the academy. If we don’t do it, only MR. TOMO could kill him reliably. Apparently, there are also professionals there to assist us.”

The air is filled with terror.

HERO: “C’mon guys! We can do this! It’s only level C, and we’ve done like 10 level C threats before.”

HIKI: “I agree. It may be intimidating, but if we’re going to be professionals we need to learn what fighting the DARKNESS is like.”

The car grows in confidence as the oldest two reassure everyone.

KEL looks back and grins ear to ear.

KEL: “I don’t know about you guys! But I’m ready to kick some ass!”

…

HERO drives throughout the city blocks. Some have flipped cars and lay in rubble as they smoke. There’s no time to check for survivors in the rubble.

Finally, they see a lone man standing in the middle of a particularly ruined street. There is a crater where he stands. It’s like 10,000 years of erosion has terraformed this place to his will.

He turns and glares at us. His eyes pierce us with pure hatred.

HIKI: “If you surrender now, I’m sure you’ll get an easy sentence. If not, you will die here and now as a dog.”

We all get into formation. AUBREY is in the far back with HERO. BASIL in the mid-line. KEL joins me at the front.

STRANGER: “I’m dying, either way, friend. See?”

He points to a pile of dead bodies in different colored suits. Those…must have been our professional backups. One struggles to his feet and grabs a machine gun off of the ground.

Before the man can even think of pulling the trigger though, the STRANGER tosses a penny into the air and uses a super-concentrated burst of wind to send it straight through the professional's skull.

It’s hard for me to look at the eyes of the man lose their life in real-time. It’s a clean hole…it goes straight through. His wound bleeds profusely as he crumples to the floor with his colleagues.

STRANGER: “See? I’m getting the death penalty either way.”

The five of us remain silent. It’s only a bit of hesitation, but maybe that’s all it takes for someone to lose their life.

The STRANGER throws a quarter in the air with the same method as the penny. He goes to launch at someone in our group, but by then I’ve already reacted.

My hand finds my katana on my left side. I take a stance and draw the mighty blade from my hip.

It seems as though space itself warps around the strength of my blade. It sparkles in the sun as steam escapes from its steel exterior. It’s almost like the blade exhaled in delight.

I step forward at the speed of sound itself. Just as the quarter is about to fly past me, I slice upwards into the metal of the coin.

It all happened in a split second, and any small mistake could have cost someone their life. Yet, the remnants of the coin splits in two and slams into the concrete of the buildings behind us.

STRANGER: “Wow…I had to see it for myself. So you five really are UNDERLINGS. Huh?”

AUBREY pulls out a pink guitar from her metallic case. She grabs a connection cord from the bottom, hooks one part in the body of her instrument, and puts another one into her mouth.

BASIL places his tomato plant down on the dirt beside the road and does a prayer-like motion above it. His eyes are closed in focus.

HERO’S iris and pupils unwind and begin to fold into their different shapes. He’s analyzing everything so carefully…he doesn’t move a muscle.

KEL: “By the power of the ESSENCES, for the safety of the world, and for the continuation of peace, we now sentence you…”

EVERYONE: “TO DEATH”

HERO: “KEL and HIKI! Distract him before he transforms!”

The stranger places his thumb in his mouth, but before he can KEL flies forward and kicks him square in the stomach.

I slide forward with the grace of light itself as I attempt to cut off his entire arm. However, he just narrowly defends himself by putting up a wall of air around himself.

KEL’S puppy is suddenly growing into a snarling beast. His eyes of kindness turn to fury as he recognizes his enemy. He leaps onto the STRANGER and makes him fly down across the street with a painful tumble.

The STRANGER stands up, glides his hand across the air as KEL’S puppy is tossed across the city for at least a few miles.

KEL: “He’ll be ok! He’ll be back, just keep on fighting him. We can’t let him transform!”

The STRANGER focuses most of his attention on me and my blade. He must recognize that if he lets down his guard even once I’ll have the speed to slice him in half.

We can’t hold himself off forever though, and before we know it he finds an opportunity to bite into his thumbs.

STRANGER: “Oh LORD OF DARKNESS! Grant me your strength and accept me with open arms! I give you my everything, so please, allow me to sacrifice my own humanity!”

HERO: “KEL! HIKI! Return to formation!”

KEL: “Like hell I am!”

Instead of falling back, he instead grows his thin fingers into talons of obvious razor sharpness. He thrashes at the body of the STRANGER as his eyes roll back into his skull. Blood and clothing shreds fly everywhere, but yet he doesn’t move a muscle.

KEL snarls and growls as he gives in to his animal instincts. His teeth grow into the massive fangs of a predator as he bites into the STRANGER’s neck.

By this time I already had retreated back to the group. I understood KEL’S frustration in not being able to kill him then and there…but now we-

A huge burst explosion nearly knocks us all off our feet as the STRANGER transforms into a RAVEN made of pure darkness. Its body appears to made of spiraling black lines contributing to an ever-changing shape.

KEL is knocked backward by the blast into a nearby office building. He flies by with such velocity that I know it had to have hurt. However, he doesn’t take long before he’s right by our side again.

He’s relaxed his form and returned to looking like a regular guy again.

HERO: “Should’ve listened to me.”

KEL: “Yea yea…now I know…”

KEL stretches out the pain with a strong grimace printed across his face.

The beast throws his wings across the sky as he crumbles a skyscraper-like a paper ball. We try to forget how many lives were in that building.

What’s important is that we stop him before he destroys everything.

The RAVEN screeches and hollers into the wind as it eventually settles its cold unforgiving eyes on the five of us.

HERO: “AUBREY and BASIL. Show us your stuff.”

Suddenly, a note of intense power strikes throughout the city block. The vibrations are enough to crack every window visible to us…it showers the world in an icy storm of glass shards.

I look back and see that AUBREY has her head down in concentration. She’s beginning to play some kind of song, but she’s using nothing as an amplifier except her own soul. She begins to shred on the high notes of the guitar. It sends the RAVEN into a thrash of pain.

Apparently, it must be specifically tuned to the frequency of the DARKNESS. The lines of the RAVEN shake and shiver under the pressure of the solo.

Just then, a massive golem made of fortified tree roots pops out of the ground and wraps its strong hands around the RAVEN’S wings.

The RAVEN howls and screeches, but the golem’s grasp is like that of concrete.

HERO: “Now! KEL! Open a path for HIKI!

KEL: “On it, brother!”

He sprints ahead and starts to claw at the body of the beast. Chunks of DARKNESS fall off and wiggle around until dying off from its host.

However, the RAVEN uses its talents to slash across KEL. This sends him flying once again into a toppled-over car. He tries his best to recover, quickly, but this was enough momentum for the RAVEN to spin round and slash the golem on its foot. A green ooze seeps from the wound. Luckily he remains strong enough to hold onto the beast.

BASIL: “GOD! OH FUCK!”

BASIL cries out in agony as his ankle bleeds all across the street. Apparently, what happens to the golem happens to him. His eyes are a pure green color as he mimics the position of the golem with his stance and arms. Maybe he’s controlled it like a puppet?

AUBREY: “YOU BASTARD!”

She turns a dial on her guitar as she overdrives. Her rifts have the chugging motion of rock hard metal. The RAVEN begins to flail as the strings making up his body shake and start to thin out.

A howl can be heard from the distance as two massive dogs come running in and attack the monster. One is KEL’s puppy, which must have returned from the forest, the other was a wolf that joined due to KEL’S calls of pain.

They begin to viciously tear apart the exterior of the RAVEN as it cowls out in agony.

Finally, they expose what I’ve been looking for. A spot in the center of its body that is purple instead of black.

I pull my katana into my signature stance, lean forwards with my feet gliding on the street, and wait for the signal from my dear HERO.

HERO: “Everyone! AWAY! NOW!”

The golem retreats into the ground. The dogs sprint away in all directions, and KEL jumps to the very top of a small building.

By the time the RAVEN realized what was happening, it was already too late.

I slid forward with space and time-bending to the will of my blade. My katana landed a perfect strike on the purple core it called its heart.

The RAVEN stops struggling. He smartly realizes there’s no longer a point. I hope he’s praying to whatever god he believed in before the LORD OF DARKNESS.

I slice the RAVEN completely in half. However, for good measure, I draw my sword again and begin to slash at every exposed part I can see. The lines of darkness split in half, pointlessly struggle, and then die like they were meant to.

By the time I’m done, the RAVEN had disappeared from the earth along with the STRANGER who became him.

I pant. I’m exhausted…

I hear footsteps behind that are cool and calculated. I’m not surprised by who the person is.

HERO: “New record, HIKI. 67 slashes in 32 seconds.”

I withdraw my blade and hear the blade hiss like a snake. Until next time, dear katana.

HIKI: “Good callouts, cookie. Is BASIL ok?”

HERO: “Yea, he’s fine. AUBREY wrapped it up with some gauze and it stopped bleeding quickly. Is just a surface wound after all.

KEL: “C level my ass! That guy was as easy as an E level!”

HIKI: “Yea…it…did feel kind of easy. Definitely anticlimactic…”

AUBREY: “We’re not complaining though! I bet we looked so badass!”

HERO just smirks and sighs.

HERO: “Well, I’m glad I have such heavy hitters to help out a chump like me. Why don’t I get everyone some ice cream? My treat!”

EVERYONE: “AWEEEE YEA BABY!”

We all continue down back to the car, but I can’t help but feel guilty as ambulances race past us to try and find any survivors of the carnage.

One ambulance, in particular, has an odd name on the license plate…

I stop and look at the plate while my friends go on ahead and chuckle to themselves about a job well done.

It spells “M A R 1 SZ”

M A R 1…that looks like a name. Like the name…MARI.

Wait…MARI? I’ve heard that name somewhere! Who is-

…

I open my eyes to the sound of harsh knocking on my door. I breathe heavily as I pant deeply.

Just a dream, MARI…just a dream…

Chapter Text

KNOCK. KNOCK. KNOCK…

KNOCK. KNOCK.

My eyes jolt awake as I gasp in the stuffy air of my living room. I was so lost in my dreams that I still feel as though I’m moving through mud. I feel myself sit up, but I don’t remember even thinking about doing it.

The door…someone is knocking at the door. If someone is knocking at MY door, then it’s probably very serious…I need to get up.

I grimace to myself as I thrust myself off the couch. I pull up my underwear and pants to at least be presentable, and stumble over in my sleepy drone to the front door.

MOM always taught me it’s good practice to always look through the keyhole first…so that’s exactly what I do. However, all I see is the faint blue light of early dawn bathing the neighborhood. I don’t see anyone…

If I wasn’t still half drunk and half asleep, I might consider this to be a bad idea. However, my mind doesn’t have time for anxieties like traps or potential kidnapping situations. I remove the deadbolt from the door, unlock the brass handle, and open the door to peek outside.

There’s nothing…not a soul in sight. I even peak outside to see if I’m being ridiculous. I look to my left…then to my right. Nobody…not even a jogger or mail truck.

I know I heard the knocking…it wasn’t a part of my dreams. I do a double check, and then slowly retreat back inside.

The door creaks as it’s slowly let shut. I scratch at the back of my head as I huff. Was it really just a part of dreams? But…it felt so real. The phone besides me blinks red rhythmically. A message for me…it must be my lucky day.

I click the button and allow the message to play out throughout the house. The blinding white light reminds me once again of how dark my room is. I was expecting the hear MOM’S voice…maybe even GRANDMA…but the voice from the phone is clearly male.

???: “Hi, MARI…It’s DANNY.”

My eyes scrunch up. What the hell does he want?

DANNY: “Listen, I know it’s been a while…but do you think we can talk? I know it’s Friday and all, but if you aren’t busy I need to give you something of yours and ask you something important. If I asked you over the phone there’s no way you’d respond…wait…I don’t know why I’d say that if I wanted you to come…just, please? Call me back.”

What an idiot…shouldn’t he know by now that I want nothing to do with him? Lord, if I wanted to keep seeing the guy who ruined my life I’d be the biggest idiot of all time. Shouldn’t a shallow moron like him be satisfied that he got to fuck me? I listened to his problems and was his mommy for weeks, and then he ghosts me once the important thing happened.

Important thing…what’s the important thing?

I can't remember...

Anyways…and then he goes and says he wants to talk? Is his brain that dense?

Yet…why am I so curious? It’s an off day today…so it’s not like I’m going to anything besides lay around anyways.

…

I look down at the landline phone. In a moment of weakness, I pick it up and twirl it between my hands. Maybe it won’t hurt to at least know what the question is about.

The button beeps as I press to call DANNY back. I’ll make a deal with myself…if he picks up, I’ll talk with him. If not I’ll just forget he ever existed. Sounds fair to me.

I place the receiver to my ear and walk back over to the couch. I’m still too tired to be standing around for no reason. I’m not sure if my grogginess is due to sleep deprivation, still being drunk, or maybe a combination of the two.

The phone rings for quite a long time. I’m almost certain no one is going to pick up. That’s probably for the best anyways.

I go to stand up and put the phone back, but without even realize it…the ringing has stopped. Breathing can be heard on the other end.

DANNY: “Hello?”

I stop to collect myself. I never actually thought of what to do once I was talking to him if I’m being honest.

MARI: “Hi, DANNY…What’s the question you need to ask me about?”

DANNY: “Straight to business, huh? Well, if it’s all the same to you I’d like to talk about in person. It’s…a sensitive topic.”

MARI: “I need to at least hear what the topic is if I’m going to leave my house. It’s an off day, and it’s going to take a lot to make me leave FYI.”

I take a look at my “house” and frown. This entire place disgusts me.

DANNY: “Trust me, I wouldn’t waste your time…”

A few seconds of silence follow. Maybe he got disconnected?

DANNY: “It’s about the incident. About your brother and us and well…everything.”

I don’t know what to say. So, I say nothing at all.

DANNY: “Listen, I have to go. There’s a lot of people who need to use the phone. But if you’re interested, I want to meet up at the place we met in an hour. Ok?”

MARI: “Ok…”

DANNY: “I really hope to see you, MARI…”

Silence follows…then the clank of a disconnecting phone…then the ringing of an empty line.

I place the phone back down into the connector and stare at the bright white screen as it slowly fades to black. I’m still in such a foggy state that I don’t even realize how long I’ve been staring at it for.

The important event…the incident. Maybe he’ll have the answers I’m looking for?

It won’t hurt. I need to get out of here. I’m tired of rotting away in this coffin of a house. It feels like the stench of failure only grows stronger and stronger every day.

It’ll be about a 30-minute drive to the café where we first met. I consider doing my makeup, but I’m so out of practice that it’d at least take me an hour to remove every blemish I can find on my face. I’ll just wear a hat and baggy clothes. It’s a method that’s worked in the past, but if I dress like a hungover dude people usually assume I’m a guy. It’s useful for staying incognito in busy places. A Friday morning will be bound to be busy, so it’s best for me to not be seen. I just want to get it over with as soon as possible.

…

I’m standing in front of my mirror. I’m wearing a red hoodie to help shield me from the cold wind, a gray hat with the logo of a coding company on it, and jeans that help hide the shape of my hips and thighs. I tilt my head down so the brim of my hat covers my head a bit more. I peek up at myself and see that I just look…average. I look like a completely normal guy who stumbled out of his dorm for an espresso before his 9:50 AM class.

I stand up straight and roll my neck around to loosen up. It’s time to practice my faces.

The problem is that I have no idea what faces and emotions I’ll need. A happy little catch up would require faces of absolute believability, a serious talk will require faces of deep emotion, and a blaming fest will require lots of practice to contort my lips to tremble like they always did in the past.

I can’t think of what it will be about. I don’t have time to practice everything, and even if I did I risk not remembering anything if I overcrowd my brain with emotions. I decide to gather the most prevalent emotion from each case and try hiding my face when I can’t think of what to do.

I give myself a pep talk. I look into the SOMETHING ever presents in the mirror, and nod to myself.

When I am happy and content, I will look like I am casually enjoying myself. I try to get my lips and cheeks to obey my brain’s order, but they just twitch and exaggerate every movement. My smile looks cartoonish, and my entire face looks wild in mania. I can’t find a medium level. It’s either neutral or outlandishly happy. Why won’t my face obey?!?

I’m starting to get angry. My face slips into a snarl as I curl my lip. Might as well take advantage of the emotion while I can. When I am angry at DANNY’S nerve, I will look perplexed and furious. My eyebrows raise to a high point as my snarl shifts to unbelievably realistic face of rage. It’s almost like I’m ready to growl and hiss and yell all at the same time. I lock my face into the position, memorize the way my face feels, and then move on.

When I am sad, I will look pensive and forlorn. My eyebrows scrunch down and my lips go down into a very slight frown. It’s perfect. It looks like I’m not going to cry, but it also looks like I could if things go wrong. As with anger, I lock in the emotion and memorize the pattern.

I bring my face back to neutrality. It will have to do…I need to leave ASAP if I’m going to make it on time.

I grab my keys off of the bathroom counter and turn to face the door. It’s showtime, MARI.

…

The inside of the café is so toasty and warm compared to outside. When customers walk in, the breeze they bring in makes me shiver almost automatically, but I’m almost automatically warmed by the smell of bread and coffee. I’m not sure if I hate the swinging back and forth or if I love it.

I look at the clock on the wall. I should’ve known…why’d I ever bother coming early? He’s always late for everything.

I pick up my cup and take a small sip. It’s at the perfect point where I can drink comfortably, but it still warms up my entire body. The jazz playing from the back is from a record player…this place has to be the only place here to still use record players. Yet, it had a homey sense to it. The scratches and fuzziness of the worn-out records, the brief pause while a worker changed the side, and the occasional moments where the bustle of the world would overpower the quiet music made me so incredibly sleepy.

The tiny silver-painted bell near the top corner of the front door rings with the familiar ching. I figure it’s just another group of girls or a professor coming after class, but when I see him, I know it’s DANNY.

He still has that golden blonde hair that flows and spills in all directions. Even while he wears a beanie, the golden locks slip out of it’s grasp. His face is covered in dark freckles inherited from his dad. However, they’re only visible in the winter when his skin goes paler. His bright blue eyes scan the room before eventually landing on me.

I think about hiding from him, but then I would have wasted all of that gas for nothing. So, I tip my hat up so he can see my full face. He locks eyes with me, smiles, and walks over to sit down next to me. I’m glad his endless sense of joy hasn’t changed.

DANNY: “Hey, MARI! Thank you…for showing up. I honestly didn’t think you would. It’s nice seeing you again.”

My face remains neutral. I’m not going to risk making a faulty smile so soon into the conversation.

MARI: “Hi, DANNY. Not going to get yourself anything?”

DANNY: “No…um. I figured you won’t want to stick around long. But before that, I have stuff for you!”

He brings up his canvas backpack to his lap and rummages through it. He pulls off his mittens for extra dexterity. I can’t help but notice his long and tan fingers moving his belongings so expertly through the bag.

DANNY: “Ah! Here it is!”

He holds up something in the palm of his hands. It’s…my scrunchie. Not even a good one either.

I let the item sit in his palm for a bit. Partly because of disbelief and partly for an explanation.

MARI: “Is…that all?”

DANNY just smirks and rolls his eyes.

DANNY: “Never very tolerate of my BS, were you?”

He goes back to his back and pulls out two pieces of clothing. A brown hoodie and a PJ shirt. They both smell like him.

DANNY: “And this…I know it took me a while. So long that we don’t even talk anymore, but I finally finished it.”

He hands me a book. It’s a small paperback labeled, “The Night’s Whisper. By HINA SUZUKI.”

DANNY: “I can see why your mom has gotten more popular. It’s a very intricate book. She…packs a lot into very few pages.”

I grin and take the belongings into my own lap.

MARI: “Oh yea? What summary website did you steal that off of?”

DANNY shrugs his shoulders and gives a cocky little smirk.

DANNY: “Cliffnotes, but that’s not important. I really did like it. Have you ever read it?”

I flip through the pages swiftly. The paper smells nice. I remember I got him this book a few months ago when we were talking about what our parents did. He was so impressed my mother was the famous author that I just had to get him one of the books she gave me. I’ve never actually read one of her books myself…for some reason I can never get past the first few pages. It almost feels like when I read her words, see her fiction unfold…it’s like she’s directly lying to me as her daughter.

MARI: “Maybe one day I’ll sit down with a nice cup of joe, a snuggie, a roaring fireplace and dive deep into it. But…Thank you, I appreciate it.”

I don’t appreciate what he gave me. But I do appreciate the thought.

His grin slowly loses its strength as he looks down at the table. He rests his hands on the wooden table and raps the material with his knuckles.

I should probably rip the bandaid off.

MARI: “What did you-“

The second I start talking, DANNY perks his head and interrupts me.

DANNY: “Do you remember how we first met?”

I fall into silence. His train of thought seems much more enjoyable.

MARI: “Yea…I do. I was here at that table over there…”

I point across the café to a table near the back.

MARI: “…and I was sobbing for whatever reason. I was just so exhausted and tired and just…done. I was going to have my…my ex…meet me here, but he flaked last second. That was just the final nail in my coffin. I started bawling my eyes out in my hands.”

DANNY gives a sad smile and looks over to the vacant table with me.

DANNY: “I remember seeing your eyes and your hair…god, your hair. You were like the black-haired Rapunzel with your hair down. You were just silently sobbing to yourself. And I just…”

His look falters.

MARI: “And you came over to check on me. You made sure I was ok, and you stayed with me until I stopped crying.”

DANNY: “I thought it might be creepy…but I just couldn’t do NOTHING. I had to try anything. I saw that sparkle in your eye, and I just…wanted to stay with you. No matter what I had to do.”

MARI: “Remember how we talked about that guy on campus who juggles for 4 hours at a time?”

DANNY: “How could I forget! Or near the end when you almost tripped on that coffee cup.”

MARI: “It was firm! You can’t blame me.”

DANNY: “It had to have weighed like 0.01 pounds…seriously, you would’ve tripped over a feather.”

I give a genuine laugh. Probably because what he said is true.

Silence falls between us. Our smiles and laughs turn into sadness. I shift my face to my rehearsed look of forlorning.

DANNY: “I wish you would’ve told me right then and there that I was the second wheel…would’ve made it a lot easier.”

MARI: “I wish I did too…for a lot of reasons.”

DANNY: “In that moment…throughout that semester. Would you have…chosen me? If you had to pick…”

I look to the side and avoid eye contact. I’m not sure what my answer is.

DANNY: “Never mind…it’s not important now. You decided you don’t want to talk-“

MARI: “You decided that. Not me. You. You never checked up on me throughout…all of that…so don’t you say that I decided it.”

DANNY: “I did try. You just wouldn’t respond. Not to me, and not to anyone. You just had that look in your eye. It was like you were watching a movie on a screen that doesn’t exist. I tried everyday to talk to you. Somedays in person and some on the phone. Eventually I just…assumed that you didn’t want to talk to me anymore. I don’t blame you…”

We lock eyes only briefly before they both fall down towards the table again.

DANNY: “It’s just the truth. I never meant much to you. I was a distraction.”

MARI: “Please don’t say that…that’s not true. We poured our hearts for each other and we shared the contents together. You can’t just say…it meant nothing. To me, it was all I had.”

DANNY gulps. I bet he wishes he had a drink.

DANNY: “Like I said…it doesn’t matter. I’m not in the business of being a homewrecker regardless of how I feel for the person. No one in that town of yours likes me anyways.”

I don’t know what to say. So, I say nothing.

DANNY: “You look…awful. You really terrible, MARI.”

MARI: “Wow…I forgot what a charmer you are.”

DANNY: “Yea…if this was a bar I might tell you otherwise. But as…someone concerned about you, just looking at you makes me sad.”

I want to say sorry. I want to run away.

MARI: “What do you expect me to say to that?”

DANNY: “I want you to be honest. Please…please be honest. Do you need help?”

It doesn’t matter what I want to say. I feel the automatic response burst out of my mouth like water from a hose.

MARI: “I’m fine, really. Just tired and overworked. I just need to rest a bit.”

DANNY doesn’t seem to buy it. It doesn’t matter if he does or not.

I need to change subjects.

MARI: “What was the thing you needed to talk about? The important event or whatever.”

DANNY looks solemn. He almost looks like he’s afraid. What is he afraid of…is he afraid of me?

DANNY: “That night…on the cliff. With your brother…”

I start to tunnel vision. I don’t like this anymore. I want to leave.

DANNY: “Your brother, SUNNY…”

My heart rate beats faster. I see dark black tendrils wrap around every crack and crease of DANNY’s clothes. My breathing becomes rapid and harsh. I feel my molars grinding against each other. I hate this, but I need to know the truth! Why won’t SOMETHING just let me see it?!?

DANNY: “I know there was an investigation…but I need to hear it from you…”

The darkness has covered his entire body. The only thing remaining is his face. My focus begins to wane, and I feel incredibly tired. My brain feels like it’s slowing down in time. DANNY’S words aren’t making any sense anymore.

DANNY: “MARI, did you-“

…

MARI doesn’t need to hear this anymore. It’s only going to stress her out even more. Her eyes fog over as DANNY keeps asking his question. He sure is rambling a lot for somebody who looks so afraid. That’s ok though, DANNY. MARI isn’t going to respond.

The boy finishes his question. He’s waiting for an answer. MARI didn’t hear a single thing that he said, and that’s for the best. It’s always for the best.

DANNY is completely covered in swallowing darkness now. His words are a muffled blur of ocean sounds and rain. He seems to be getting antsy.

MARI just smiles politely. Well, that’s what she wanted to do at least. She forgot that she didn’t prepare for it properly. Instead, her face contorts into a sickingly uncanny smile. Her teeth are showing, her eyes are practically bulging out, and her cheeks are flexing so hard they’re quivering.

People behind the counter and the table in front of her recoil in fear. It’s like a monster has appeared in the flesh. She’s a phobia made real.

MARI can’t see any details on DANNY, but she can tell that he’s just as scared as the rest of them.

MARI: “Sorry, DANNY. I just remembered I need to go somewhere. I will see you later, please keep in touch. I miss you.”

She grabs her coat, the things DANNY gave her, and her empty coffee cup and heads towards the exit. She keeps a brisk pace as she expertly throws her coffee cup in the recycling and swings her coat onto herself.

MARI isn’t sure if anyone is walking to stop her, but still, she rushes out the door just in case. The cold wind whips across her face. It’s cold, but the coffee in her stomach helps to keep the rest of her safe.

She probably can’t drive in this condition. So, she’ll just have to wait it out. Besides, there’s a lot of fun things to do in this town! MARI has wanted to go bowling again so bad.

…

The sounds of whirling arcade machines and smashing pins are a bit overstimulating, but that’s ok. She’ll get a lane near the end and go into her own little bowling world.

CASHIER: “Next, please!”

MARI wordlessly approaches the desk like a ghost from the afterlife who wanted to bowl.

CASHIER: “Hello ma’am! How are you doing today?”

MARI: “I’m fine…thank you…”

The cashier looks at MARI and thinks she’s…kinda cute. She has long flowing black hair, the exact style she likes, and the look of someone who could teach her something new every single day. She blushes to herself slightly and leans into the counter.

CASHIER: “It’s a great day for bowling, isn’t it? Or are you here for the arcade?”

MARI isn’t meeting her eyes. She’s staring 5 miles beyond her body.

MARI: “I would like…to bowl, please. With a size 8 shoe and 2 full games. Lane 16.”

The CASHIER grimaces silently and punches in MARI’S order into her computer. She wants to be discouraged, but her therapist has told her to not assume so much right way.

CASHIER: “Um…you know, my shift is ending soon! IF you wanted a partner…maybe I join you, of course only if you wanted to! I don’t want to pressure you, but bowling is always better with company!”

The foggy eyes of MARI are unrelenting. She’s already disengaged from her existence.

The CASHIER waits for a response, but eventually gets the message. If MARI had her wits about her, she might be able to tell that her lip is starting to quiver as she walks to the back to get her shoes. MARI is simply oblivious.

She brings out her shoes, tells her the total, and collects herself into her normally stoic customer service voice.

MARI pulls out her credit card and puts it in. She waits for the ching of success, and then walks away in her shuffle. She grabs a random ball off of the rack and moves to the very far end of the alley. She feels the ball between her fingers and the weight on her wrist. It’s way too heavy…but at least her fingers fit comfortably.

…

MARI glides across the wooden lane as the ball flies from the tips of her fingers to the pins ahead. The ball flies straight, but still has just a touch too much curve on it. It misses the targeted pin entirely.

Even when the ball clatters in the back and the pins are collected to be restocked, MARI just stands there and stares with an empty look.

She waits for the ball to return to her hand from the machine below. She stares blankly at the hole where it will rise out of. She can hear the rush of the rubber belts below working to bring the ball up.

Suddenly, the ball clatters up and rolls back on the two metal supports where it goes on. MARI doesn’t know what they’re called or why that’s what was chosen to be the official bowling ball holder.

MARI places her hand on the ball. The smooth and glassy texture feels like against her dry fingertips. She still had that glassy look in her eye, but at least she’s able to focus on something now. Her mind is starting to come back to her…it’s been about 45 minutes after all. This is about how long it usually took.

She looks at her ball and picks it up with her two middle fingers and thumb. She might be able to get one last throw in before…before I wake up.

I look around at my surroundings and for the first time all afternoon I notice where I am. A bowling alley…why am I here? I hate bowling.

I go up to the greasy little control pad up near the ball return and press the big obnoxious button that says, “END GAME.” The button crunches as I press it in. It makes me frown in disgust.

My body still seems to be catching up to my brain as I stumble over to the couches where my shoes remain. I slip off the bowling shoes and place my regular sneakers on tight. I think the act of bending down to meticulously tie my laces is a great way to reintroduce my body to the real world.

I start walking back up to the front desk with my ball and shoes in hand. My mind races to try and remember what happened, but it’s just a purposely constructed blank. All I remember is going bowling and ordering an extra bacon loaded thing of cheese fries. If I’m going to eat so much crap, I wish I was able to remember it.

There’s some dude working at the register, so I just silently place my shoes on the counter, place my ball on the rack next to the desk, and start walking off towards the exit. I see a girl playing arcade games by herself in a uniform. She must have just gotten off her shift. I pause my walk and look at her as she plays some kind of jump roping game. We lock eyes for just a brief moment. I try to smile at her, but she just avoids my gaze. It might be my imagination, but I see her lip quiver.

I’m fairly certain my smile is perfect, so I know it’s not that. Maybe she just thinks I’m ugly…what a shame. I think she’s pretty cute. I wish I could play the games with her…they look fun.

…

The small little flakes of snow fall down on my windshield as I pull up to our driveway. The sun is set now, and I can’t help but feel exhausted. While I was in the city, I figured I would at least be productive and get some chores done. I got my oil changed, ate some frozen yogurt, and went to the pier to satisfy my craving for arcade games. It may be winter, but somedays they open it up for a winter themed event.

 I played whack-a-mole, basketball shooting (don’t even get me started…I don’t suck! It’s the hoop’s fault!), that one game where you shoot little bee bee pellets to carve out a heart on paper, and a football throwing game. HERO once taught me how to throw it properly, but the ball still wobbles every time. I tried to stay away from the edge…the sound of waves crashing against the wooden beams filled me with dread. It was like I would fall in at any time.

It was lonely…but It was at least a distraction. Something to tell GINO I did so he doesn’t get worried. Speaking of…I have early shift tomorrow, so I need to sleep relatively early.

I shut down my engine, grab my bag of miscellaneous prizes from the pier, and walk out to go to my front door. The Jamaican Banana I got stares up at me with an obnoxious smile…it was just too corny to not get.

The front door’s hinges creak as they give way to the door. I close the door with my shoulder and sigh as I let down my bags. I swear it’s colder in the house than it is outside. It’s almost to the point where I can see my breath.

I throw off my coat in a hurry, rub my hands on my arms, and shiver briskly. Maybe a hot shower would fix my problems. I walk up the steps to my bathroom and shut the door in a hurry. I don’t want to get naked in this coldness, but I can’t exactly shower with my clothes on.

I strip down to nothing and look at myself in the mirror. I look better than usual…maybe that’s because I ate food besides pizza today. Or maybe I’m just giving myself too much credit.

…

I do feel much better. My PJs feel fresh on me as I throw on an extra big hoodie to help keep away the shivers. I walk down my steps and start to tidy up the living room. I’m not sure where I’ll get the next burst of motivation, so I need to take advantage of it while I can. Blankets are hung up, pizza boxes thrown in the trash, and…

The alcohol bottle. It still has about half of the contents left. The honey color liquid calls to me, despite the guilt I find from looking at it. I think about what to do with it. I think about tossing it down the drain. I think about tossing it in the trash. I think about chucking it far away in the frozen forest so I can never sip it again.

But of course…I’m just to weak.

I place the bottle gently in the fridge for another time. I’m pathetic…truly awful.

…

I snuggle up in my bed peacefully. The blankets feel like heaven against my skin. The mattress feels as though I’m in an entirely different world. This feels amazing! I forgot how great beds feel when you don’t sit in them and wallow all day long.

It’s almost 11:30 PM now…it’s time for me to shut my eyes. I think…debate…then give up. I could quit tonight, but I can’t let my work suffer because of my…well let’s just call it what it is. It’s an addiction.

My hands slide down my pants. I don’t even bother pulling them down tonight. I don’t deserve it. I groan to myself in both hatred of myself and release. I feel my brain fog in pleasure as my mouth opens to reveal my shuddering breath. I’m done.

I didn’t enjoy myself…but it’s the only way I can sleep.

My eyes close themselves as my hand releases from the cloth prison it was forced into. The cold air feels nice on it.

The sober thoughts of my mind begin to lull me to sleep. I only catch a glimpse of them before they turn into murky emotions.

I hate myself…I hate myself…I’m awful…I’m awful…just need to keep going…I’m better off dead…I’m better off-

My brain switches off as my brain sinks into the soupiness of sleep. I can finally relax my shoulders.

Chapter Text

The mourning doves coo politely as the gusts of spring air rush along the suburban streets. The city looms in the background as the world around it begins to liven up with the rush of business, tourism, and overall commotion of its inhabitants. Yet, in the suburbs, all that can be heard are the doves and the wind.

The buildings are still tall…mostly around 3 stories but compared to the towering figures of the skyline…it just feels puny. However, this is where we walk our mandatory patrols.

The sidewalk clacks with the sounds of 6 pairs of dress shoes hitting the old and cracked cement.

BASIL and AUBREY walk in the back…their strides match each other perfectly as they talk about sweet nothings to each other. Their hands are interlocked in a web of fingers as they both smile subtly. BASIL’S hands seem clammy, but I don’t think AUBREY minds all that much.

Me and KEL walk at the very front of the group. Our lazy pace determines how fast the rest can go, so we both decided to go nice and slow to save us some walking. KEL just lazily blows a bubble of pink gum while I hold on to my sword. It’s withdrawn, but if I don’t hold it, it’ll swing everywhere.

HERO and a PROFESSIONAL chaperone walk together in the middle. HERO gazes around at the building with obvious professionalism about him as his pupils and iris shift and contour to the surroundings. It’s oddly beautiful to look at them while they shift like that. I’ve told him that it’s like the flapping of a moth’s wings. I don’t think HERO appreciated that comparison.

All of our black suits are crisply ironed with the only wrinkles appearing from the movement of our legs as we walk. Our dress shoes are shined and waxed to near perfection as they reflect the light of the increasingly intense sun. The only outlier is the PROFESSIONAL…

They say a suit reflects the personality of the person who wears it. Well, in this case, that’s quite literally true. Once an UNDERLING gradates, they have two choices: Become an APPRENTICE or become a PROFESSIONAL. Which is just an UNDERLING but for adults. However, their suits change from the classic black suit of a student to reflect their ESSENCE.

His brown suit and brown dress pants are an absolute nightmare. It’s wrinkled, dirty, and I think there’s even a mustard stain on his undershirt. Compared to our spotless white button-ups…it’s deplorable. It’s defiantly not the perfection that our school preaches to us.

He holds a small rifle in his hands as he walks at a brisk pace with the group. He is required to not use his powers until he gets a permit from the LORD of KNOWLEDGE…just as we all are. Except for this time, our main purpose is to just watch a PROFESSIONAL’S shift at protecting the streets. He’s able to give out temporary permits for small fights and such. However, it just meant a lot of paperwork for him. So, his rifle remains his preferred weapon in small fights.

His eyes seem to be weathered from years of patrolling. He must be in his 50s or 60s…so why is he stuck babysitting us? Doesn’t he have more important things to do?

KEL: “Helllooooo?? Earth to HIKI!”

I snap out of my trance and look up at my walking partner. He seems annoyed, but he’s smiling all the same.

KEL: “Listen, I know this patrol is ass. But we at least have to pretend to be engaged! If we don’t, then this guy is going to dock us points for the day! I need this A, HIKI, I need it!”

HIKI: “You really think this guy cares about the grades he gives out to the nation’s youth? I think he’s more concerned with his retirement fund.”

We both look back at the man behind us. We can practically feel the annoyance radiating from his grizzled face. His grey beard and frizzy mustache hide the permanent scowl he wears from years of dealing with idiots. He looks like his patience ran out a long time ago.

I look back at KEL as we both grimace.

HIKI: “Yea…maybe we shouldn’t give him any more reason to dock us points…”

KEL: “That’s what I’m saying!”

He plays his hands inside his pockets and strides along with the infinite confidence of being right. He doesn’t get to value this feeling often, but when he does he can’t resist but rub it in. He pops his bubblegum obnoxiously just to rub it in a little extra.

All I can do is roll my eyes and smile. It may be infuriating to have KEL be right, but at least it beats the boredom of walking down these uneventful streets.

KEL: “Do you know what’s for dinner tonight? I swear…if I have to have meatloaf again, I’m going to drop out and sacrifice my humanity just for a good steak or something.”

Seemingly out of nowhere, AUBREY comes out nowhere and slaps KEL across the head.

AUBREY: “That is NOT funny!”

BASIL: “Was it even a joke in the first place?”

HERO: “I shouldn’t have to say it, but saying stuff like that in front of a PROFESSIONAL is extremely bad for our reputation.”

KEL just rolls his eyes and sighs to himself. His casual walk does not stop for even a moment.

KEL: “You guys are such squares…what’s funny is funny! HIKI found it funny!”

I can’t help but admit that it was amusing, but only because we’re never supposed to say stuff like that.

HERO: “I don’t particularly care if HIKI finds it funny, KEL! No offense, HIKI…”

I just shrug my shoulders at his apologetic glance.

HERO: “MR. WAN, what do you-“

HERO stops talking suddenly. We all turn around with him and watch where his eyesight goes.

I see the PROFESSIONAL accompaniment we have, MR. WAN, is standing still at least a few feet behind us. His eyes are glowing a deep coffee brown. His body remains motionless as he ignores the world around him.

BASIL: “MR. WAN…are you ok…?”

He doesn’t respond. However, he is able to lick his lips as he focuses on the great beyond.

We all wait in anticipation. We’re worried about his health, but at the same time, we don’t want to disrupt any important duties he’s taking care of.

Then, suddenly, as if nothing happened at all, MR. WAN’S eyes return to normal and immediately starts shifting his hands to use his ESSENCE. The ESSENCE OF TIME.

AUBREY: “MR. WAN! What’s wrong?!?”

HERO: “Can’t you not use your powers unless you have a permit from the federal system?”

MR. WAN takes a look at HERO and flashes a large glimmering smile.

MR. WAN: “In 5 minutes, I will get a permit. I just received a message from myself in 5 minutes! You kids need to stay put!”

KEL: “Whoa…so you like went back in time?!?”

MR. WAN: “No…not exactly. I didn’t go back in time, but I sent a message back in time.”

He presses his fingertips to his temples and takes a knee on the sidewalk below.

AUBREY: “Sounds a lot like time travel then…”

KEL: “Yea for once I agree with her.”

The aura around the haggard man starts becoming charged with unseeable energy.

MR. WAN: “Listen I’m not going to explain my entire power arsenal to you! Pay attention in school more if you want to learn more. Just stay back!”

KEL: “This seems pretty excessive…couldn’t you have just gone back further to prevent this-“

KEL is cut off by MR. WAN slamming his palms into the ground below. In what seems like a controlled explosion, the world around us goes white.

…

MR. WAN: “In 2 minutes, the skyscraper 4 miles to the north of here with the red paint will explode into flame. Get there fast, and restrain the kids. The fed will send permits later on.”

…

The mourning doves coo politely as the gusts of spring air rush along the suburban streets. The city looms in the background as the world around it begins to liven up with the rush of business, tourism, and overall commotion of its inhabitants. Yet, in the suburbs, all that can be heard are the doves and the wind.

The buildings are still tall…mostly around 3 stories but compared to the towering figures of the skyline…it just feels puny. However, this is where we walk our mandatory patrols.

The sidewalk clacks with the sounds of 6 pairs of dress shoes hitting the old and cracked cement.

BASIL and AUBREY walk in the back…their strides match each other perfectly as they talk about sweet nothings to each other. Their hands are interlocked in a web of fingers as they both smile subtly. BASIL’S hands seem clammy, but I don’t think AUBREY minds all that much.

Me and KEL walk at the very front of the group. Our lazy pace determines how fast the rest can go, so we both decided to go nice and slow to save us some walking. KEL just lazily blows a bubble of pink gum while I hold on to my sword. It’s withdrawn, but if I don’t hold it, it’ll swing everywhere.

Wait…doesn’t this all seem familiar? I swear this has happened before…whatever. I must be imagining it.

HERO and a PROFESSIONAL chaperone walk together in the middle. HERO gazes around at the building with obvious professionalism about him as his pupils and iris shift and contour to the surroundings. It’s oddly beautiful to look at them while they shift like that. I’ve told him that it’s like the flapping of a moth’s wings. I don’t think HERO appreciated that comparison.

All of our black suits are crisply ironed with the only wrinkles appearing from the movement of our legs as we walk. Our dress shoes are shined and waxed to near perfection as they reflect the light of the increasingly intense sun. The only outlier is the PROFESSIONAL…

They say a suit reflects the personality of the person who wears it. Well, in this case, that’s quite literally true. Once an UNDERLING gradates, they have two choices: Become an APPRENTICE or become a PROFESSIONAL. Which is just an UNDERLING but for adults. However, their suits change from the classic black suit of a student to reflect their ESSENCE.

His brown suit and brown dress pants are an absolute nightmare. It’s wrinkled, dirty, and I think there’s even a mustard stain on his undershirt. Compared to our spotless white button-ups…it’s deplorable. It’s defiantly not the perfection that our school preaches to us.

He holds a small rifle in his hands as he walks at a brisk pace with the group. He is required to not use his powers until he gets a permit from the LORD of KNOWLEDGE…just as we all are. Except for this time, our main purpose is to just watch a PROFESSIONAL’S shift at protecting the streets. He’s able to give out temporary permits for small fights and such. However, it just meant a lot of paperwork for him. So, his rifle remains his preferred weapon in small fights.

His eyes seem to be weathered from years of patrolling. He must be in his 50s or 60s…so why is he stuck babysitting us? Doesn’t he have more important things to do?

I look over and see KEL’S beaming smile greet me. It feels nice having such a close friend! We may have been kind of distant friends in our youth, but the time we’ve spent as UNDERLINGS has only brought us closer.

HERO: “GAHHH!!”

MR. WAN stops behind us suddenly as he grips HERO’S shoulder tightly.

We all turn back to HERO as AUBREY and BASIL are already staring at the scene petrified.

Before we can even react, MR. WAN takes his hand off of HERO and looks him in the eyes.

MR. WAN: “Do NOT let these kids follow me! I’m trusting you, HERO.”

And with that, he starts to sprint off towards downtown with a speed unbecoming of an old man like him. Maybe I haven’t been giving PROFESSIONALS enough credit…

We all just stare at each other dumbfounded.

BASIL: “Maybe…he had to go to the bathroom?”

KEL: “Maybe he needed a cigarette break?”

HIKI: “Maybe he just wants to get rid of us.”

The group falls in silence until HERO decides to sit down on the lip of the sidewalk. He sighs as he rubs his feet underneath his dress shoes.

KEL: “C’mon! You can’t seriously be telling me we’re going to wait here!”

HERO: “That’s what he said…so I’m sure he has a good reason for it!”

HIKI: “Good reason my ass…I’m with KEL, I want to finish this route and get some coffee with or without him. We have a test today in 3rd period.”

AUBREY: “It does seem a little ridiculous…it’s not like anything bad has happened anyways. HERO would’ve known about it!”

HERO: “I’m not like him, I don’t get future messages from the fed. I just get reports the minute they make them. It’s actually a very complex system that I would love to explain to yo-“

KEL: “Yea yea yea! Enough of this! Let’s just goooo already!”

…

We all feel it in the air before it even happens. The air seems to be migrating away from the city itself. Even though we have no knowledge of what is about to happen…we all look at the cityscape on the horizon.

There’s a flash of white light, a deep implosion, and only then does the sound catch up to us.

The tallest building in the city explodes in a brilliance of blue and white burning hot flames as the entire structure topples to the floor below. The sound of the crushing rubble hits the puny suburbs like an earthquake on a bridge.

We all stumble down and try to catch ourselves as we fall over from the shockwaves produced. Car windows break, alarms blare, and animals bark and meow and crow in alarm.

I’m the first one to stand up. I regain my footing and look out onto the city. My pupils constrict once I see the bright flames engulfing everything in sight.

HIKI: “Holy shit…what was that?!?”

KEL bounces up to his feet and joins me. He just stares at the sight with an agape mouth.

As everyone gathers to their feet, we are all too shocked to even notice HERO calling us over.

All I can feel is KEL’S hand shaking me as I’m pulled along by BASIL and AUBREY.

I can’t hear a thing. The shock has ruined every sense in my body. I only barely start to recover myself as I’m thrown into the backseat of a leather luxury car.

For once, HERO doesn’t bother buckling up as he rushes down the ruined street towards the city. I can’t help but notice his trembling hands gripping onto the steering wheel with a death vice. Did he car jack this? When did he learn how to do that?

He rolls up to a stop sign and obeys. Not because of the sanctity of traffic laws in times of crisis, but because he does not know which way to turn. I see the turmoil in his eyes.

Going left means going back to the dorms. It means safety for us as the people in charge take care of everything.

Going right means charging into the city to do what we’re tasked every day: to be heroes.

With a loud scream, HERO turns the wheel right as we start speeding towards the burning inferno of a city.

…

HERO: “Listen up…I’ve just got the report. It’s not pretty, but we’re going to avoid fighting at all costs. We’re going in as a rescue crew, understand?”

Everyone nods their heads in obedience.

HERO: “The death toll is currently resting at 134,081 people, with even more dying or buried.”

AUBREY: “What…What caused this?!?”

HERO: “The APPRENTICE OF FIRE has gone rogue. He’s incinerating the entire city. We’re afraid he’s going to try and sacrifice his humanity once the LORDS show up. This is why we need to evacuate as many people as possible.”

AUBREY: “The APPRENTICE OF FIRE?!?”

BASIL sticks his head out of the window and throws up at the name.

KEL: “Holy shit…you can’t be serious!”

HERO: “We are under no circumstance going to engage. We fight only in defense. I know it’s daunting, but this is what we train for! The fed has given us all class A permits, so keep in mind anything goes.”

HIKI: “We can stop him. Here and now.”

HERO: “Don’t be an idiot. The strength of a rogue APPRENTICE is beyond the strength of our entire school combined.”

HIKI: “No one thought we could tackle the other job we had! Yet it was easy! We’re too strong to just be observers.”

KEL just gulps at my words and looks out at the window. The rest of the short car ride remains silent.

…

The tires roll across broken glass, cracked road, and mounds of ash. This is our stop.

We all step out of our cars and immediately take inventory of the situation.

We hear mothers sob and children wail as we all rush to the sidewalks for cover. KEL and HERO help lift rubble off of people pinned down and tell them to stay hidden until the fighting is over.

Sirens blared throughout the city as the natural noises were suffocated by the embers around them. It seems that this part of the city was not a part of the main fighting, but it still suffered enough damage to make this place look like a warzone.

I look out over the cover and see several PROFESSIONALS fighting in the distance. They’re using a mix of their rifles and powers to eliminate a threat hidden behind layers of buildings. One of them appears to be MR. WAN…

I don’t even think. The game plan is to just act as a rescue crew, but seeing these men and women fight against such an overwhelmingly strong threat, I just can’t help myself…

I stand up and begin rushing out to them to help any way I can. I may not have the experience they do, but I know by the board that I’m stronger than them. If they can direct me, maybe I can end this battle before it destroys the city.

HERO screams and begs me not to do anything stupid, yet I feel the rush of everyone, including HERO, behind me as we rush to help in the way we can best. We all know we’re disobeying orders, but we also know we’re too strong to watch people die.

It’s only a two-block run, but running with this fear and dread in my heart makes my legs feel as though they are running through jelly. My entire body zones in and out as fear overtakes my brain.

Finally, we reach them.

HIKI: “MR. WAN!!”

MR. WAN looks at us with eyes of emotion. He doesn’t seem surprised that we ended up following him. Besides him appears to be famous PROFESSIONALS of the city! Several PROFESSIONALS OF WIND, BEASTS, FIRE, and WATER all stand together in their corresponding suits facing a common enemy. These have been the people I’ve looked up to since I was a child! The protectors of these streets from the dangers of DARKNESS.

I see my idol, GINO THORP, a PROFESSIONAL OF WATER standing on his own personally made geyser as he pushes out water towards some unknown threat. His suit is unbuttoned as it flows from the draft of the ever-changing water flows.

I see my old classmate, JESSICA WALTERS, a PROFESSIONAL OF BEASTS, standing in a defensive position as her claws and fangs are on full display. Her flowing black hair has turned into what appears to be a lion’s mane as she stares down her target with laser focus. When she graduated, I remember I felt so sad I sobbed for an entire day…but she always told me that we would fight together some day! And here we are!

I see so many others who I recognize! So many of my heroes. APPRENTICE OF FIRE be damned! He can’t beat all of us together! We’re going to show this whole world that the DARKNESS has no power over the power of teamwork! We’re going to win! We’re going to-

AUBREY connects her instrument in my peripherals. Her eyes are glowing bright pink. She must feel something in the souls of these PROFESSIONALS. Maybe a strong sense of justice? Hope? Passion?

Her face always tends to express the feelings of whichever soul she’s connecting to. It’s been a habit to make fun of her for blushing when connecting to her crush or gagging when connecting to KEL. I have hope that what she’s feeling can’t be the truth of these PROFESSIONAL’S souls. If that’s the case…

Then the only thing they feel is infinite and absolute terror.

AUBREY strokes her guitar right in time. It buzzes with power as a pink forcefield is wrapped around our group. Why…Why is she doing this! We need to join them! We need to-

A stream of white light appears in front of us. It swallows the PROFESSIONALs we were running to completely whole. Even though the light isn’t directed at us…the path it follows would have swallowed us if not for AUBREY’S shield. Wait…this isn’t light…

It’s fire. Burning white fire.

Even with the shield covering us, the impact of the flame on the shield feels like a tsunami hitting a sandcastle. We all topple over from impact as the world around us shakes.

I look up at the sky of our bubble shield and see nothing but white flames engulfing us. We are like a submarine in the deep ocean.

I don’t know if it’s just my imagination…but I swear I can see the face of Diablo himself grinning at us.

The flames continue for who knows how long, but eventually the flames die down. Convenient timing too because the shield AUBREY made is just starting to give. It flickers until it disappears entirely.

AUBREY pants from exhaustion as she puts her arms down in rest. However, we’re too distracted to notice.

The PROFESSIONALS who gave me hope…the PROFESSIONALS who I’ve looked up to nearly my entire life…they were nothing but silhouettes of ash on the concrete buildings behind them. Other than that, they have been erased from existence.

We all stand in horror as the threat finally turns a corner and approaches us. The embers on the street below his feet are snuffed out as the rubber soles of his boots crack along with the broken glass.

He just stands still and looks us over.

It’s DIEGO MANH…it really is the APPRENTICE OF FIRE. I’ve seen his poster hung up all across the city and on TV as the next great hero. And now here he is as a murderer. Murder doesn’t even begin to describe what he’s done here. It’s practically genocide.

His long brown hair flows behind him as the embers on his fingertips burn bright. His ripped black shirt shows off his toned shoulders and blistering abs. His dazzling brown eyes sparkle from the many sources of light surrounding him. If he wasn’t responsible for the slaughter of thousands…then I might even consider him hot.

DIEGO: “Students, huh? Just my lucky day.”

He looks me directly in my eyes and points at me.

DIEGO: “Give me her. Give me HIKI, and the rest of you can go with your pathetic lives intact.”

HERO instinctively grabs my shoulder and stands by my side. I know they won’t abandon me…but it’s still nice to have that reassurance.

KEL: “Over our dead bodies. What do you want with her? Why are you doing this?!”

DIEGO: “Why? I’m so glad you asked! My my…I’ve never gotten to have a monologue before! I’m thrilled!”

As DIEGO begins his self-indulgent monologue, HERO bends over and whispers into AUBREY’S ear something that I can’t hear. Something about permission and necessity. AUBREY shakes her head, but she doesn’t fight back on it. She looks like she’s going to be sick.

DIEGO: “I had a dream, dear students. From the LORD OF DARKNESS himself. I was resistant, as all of you still are! I was blind, but now I see! I do not resent you for remaining in ignorance…after all, they have all lied to you!”

BASIL: “The only one lying is you!”

I see AUBREY quietly playing notes behind HERO. She seems to be straining quite a bit. Her eyes are glowing pink in exertion.

DIEGO: “Oh no, I am not lying. You see, he even gave me proof! Proof of the truth!”

KEL: “And this truth is?”

HERO leans over and whispers to me.

HERO: “We need to distract him. The available LORDS are in Germany for peace talks right now…and the soonest they can come is one hour. We need to distract him with words until then…and if we can’t, we’re all that’s left to save these lives.”

DIEGO: “The truth is that none of this is real! We’re an illusion! Every last one of us. Except. For. One.”

He spins around for dramatic effect and points directly at me.

DIEGO: “She is the only real person. She is our ticket to reality! The almighty LORD OF DARKNESS has promised me salvation if I get my hands on you.”

BASIL: “You’re sick! A sick liar! Can’t you see what a lie you’ve been fed!”

DIEGO: “IT’S TRUE!!!”

The intensity of his voice shakes us to our cores. Can someone really lie with such passion?

DIEGO: “It’s the truth…our lives are lies. And they know! The LORDS know! They’ve spoon-fed this lie for their stupid pathetic lives! My mother died protecting that lie! My mother’s sacrifice has been for nothing! Our sacrifices under the feudal law of these tyrants are nothing but a fucking FARCE!”

HERO: “You’re too far gone…you’re mad.”

DIEGO: “It took a lot to convince me too. I’m sorry I’m not as convincing as my dear master…yet another failure of mine.”

His palms glow with the intensity of the sun.

DIEGO: “Leave. And give me HIKI. Or else I will kill you all. I will not fail my LORD again.”

HERO speaks to us as he steps to the forefront.

HERO: “We need to end this fast. I only have a 21.672% chance of succeeding, but if this fight persists, we only have a 3.4988% chance of all of us getting out alive. “

BASIL: “I-I don’t like those odds.”

HERO: “It’s all we have…”

Suddenly, a deep rumbling shakes the street beneath them with short little vibrations.

It distracts DIEGO just enough for HERO to enact his plan. He sprints over to DIEGO and slams his foot into him. HERO may be smaller than DIEGO, but between the surprise attack and the perfect placement of his foot on DIEGO’S spine, he topples to the floor with a loud crash.

HERO punches up at the diaphragm of DIEGO as he forcefully exhales the last remained bursts of air. He grapples DIEGO’S neck with his thighs and attempts to use his intricate knowledge of martial arts to attempt to crack his neck before he can even use his fire.

Unfortunately, DIEGO’S strength is just too much for HERO to take advantage of. Before he can make the final move, DIEGO obliterates HERO’S chest with orange and yellow flames from his palms.

HERO recoils in pain as he loosens his grip on DIEGO. He takes advantage of HERO’S weakness by pressing his palm against HERO’S chest and engulfs him in flames.

I’ve never heard HERO scream the way he did. He screeches in pain as he flies away to a nearby fire hydrant.

At this point…BASIL has reacted fast enough to know HERO’S plan. He presses his fingertips to the street and allows tree roots to grow around the obnoxiously red fire hydrant. The metal bursts apart as HERO are finally relieved of his fiery prison. He collapses to the ground as he basks in the relief.

All of this has happened so fast that we don’t even notice KEL pouncing onto DIEGO and punching across his jaw with gorilla fists. His head is nearly knocked clean off from the impact.
BASIL also shifts his hand around to have massive sunflowers burst from the destroyed street. It wraps around the wrists and ankles of DIEGO as he’s seconds away from being mauled by KEL’S razor-sharp claws.

However, KEL is knocked away by the concentrated heat rays of DIEGO. He whimpers like a dog as he pauses his assault.

I can’t move my body. I can’t react at all. I just watch in terror as KEL is sent crashing into a concrete pillar.

AUBREY: “H-HIKI…what are we going to do?!?”

Silence.

AUBREY: “HIKI! HIKI!”

She nudges me with her shoulders as she continues to strum whatever spell she’s weaving.

I grip across my body to grasp my katana. It feels heavy in my hands. Yet, as I stare at DIEGO pulling out a silver rapier from his holster…pointing it at BASIL…and getting ready to pounce…I know what I must do.

My metal handle stings my numb skin as I get into my stance. I unsheathe my katana. I feel the blade hiss with the world shifting around me, and I fly forwards towards my fear.

One slice. Just one hit. I can end this with one well-timed hit.

I feel the blade cut through the air itself as it flies right in front of DIEGO’S face. I’ll slice his entire head in half! I’ll send him to hell myself!

…

Why…isn’t my blade moving?

I lock eyes with DIEGO as his silver rapier holds my blade still. I struggle and grimace as I attempt to overpower him, Yet, I stay motionless.

BASIL backs away and scampers back to AUBREY and KEL.

I’ve done my job…and even though I can’t stop him now…I was able to save BASIL, and that’s what matters most.

We both back away and regroup. I go back to stand with our small group and take a defensive position.

We’re fools though. I just saw firsthand how taking a defensive stance worked out for the PROFESSIONALS, and yet here we are doing the exact thing. I just need to collect my thoughts, and then I’ll go on the aggressive.

He throws his palms out and prepares to incinerate us just like he did before. The glowing white flames coming from his palms make us all recoil as our eyes close reflexively.

…

Then…we hear it.

…

DIEGO puts his palms down as he turns behind him to hear the noise. We would’ve taken the opportunity to attack as well…but we were too busy with the same sound coming from behind us. It’s like some kind of rumbling. It’s like a stampede.

…

Then…I see it. I see THEM.

AUBREY begins to mumble quietly while tears fall down her cheek.

AUBREY: “I’m sorry…I’m so sorry…I’m sorry…”

It’s corpses. It’s tens of thousands of corpses sprinting and leaping and galloping towards us. Some of the bodies are so maimed and brutalized they don’t even look like people anymore. Yet, they sprint towards us with a speed impossible for a human.

Mothers, children, elderly…all of their corpses are together in a sea as they approach nearer and nearer to us.

Several of the bodies without legs get trampled by the faster and more intact ones. However, the sea does not stop for anything.

HIKI: “AUBREY…what have you done?”

AUBREY lets out a hard sob. The sea of corpses is only a block away now.

AUBREY: “HERO…he told me it was the only way. I have permission to…to take over the souls of those who’ve died so far.”

HIKI: “But they’re dead! How do they still have souls?”

AUBREY: “A corpse keeps its soul for much longer than most people realize. It’s what allows them to enter the afterlife.”

BASIL perks up and looks at AUBREY with wild, terrified eyes.

KEL: “And now that you’re tampering with the souls…where will they go now if not the afterlife?”

AUBREY just falls to her knees, sobs loudly, and continues strumming her guitar.

The wave crashes against us. The bodies hit us and fly past with no concern for our safety all. It’s only once BASIL puts up a shield of roots does the sea take an alternate route toward its targets.

It’s only now that I can get a good look at them. Their flesh and muscles and bones are being destroyed from their unnatural and mindless movement. They don’t move as humans should. It’s uncanny…

Some died from flames. Some died some falling rubble. It’s always very clear who died from what…

I look over and see DIEGO’S eyes flare with annoyance as the sea of corpses pounds against him. His rapier and flames slice through the hordes easily, but by the time he kills one, ten more have taken their place. This is amplified by the fact that he’s being attacked from both sides of the street.

AUBREY: “This is your chance…take him out NOW! I have 87,053 corpses left to distract him with.”

Despite our disgust, KEL and I don’t waste any time. I slice open BASIL’S tree root shield and step on the heads of shoulders of the endless sea of rotting people. I feel the rush of BASIL and KEL behind me as we leap far into the air.
I wait for my perfect opportunity. A body just got a grasp of DIEGO’S long hair and pulled him down to the ground with his neck exposed. He’s so busy trying to recover, there’s no way he’ll see me coming.

I get into my stance, and in midair, I aim for his throat. I’ll end this in one slice! Just like I should have done before.

I feel myself fall. My blade gets closer and closer to his exposed neck. I’m so close to ending this! I’ll be a hero!

My blade gets inches to his neck, and I close my eyes so I don’t any blood in them. And I wait.

…

Why…why is my blade not moving?!? Why is it STILL not moving

I look down and see that DIEGO is holding my blade in his bare hand. His hand gushes blood, yet he’s too strong to just power through. He looks me in the eyes and smiles! He fucking smiles at me!

I scream in anger as I push my blade deeper into the palm of his flesh. I’m done with finding the right opportunity. I’ll power through him and kill him with brute strength. My blade hisses and practically salivates from the delight of his fight. The blood must be quenching its thirst.

The bodies around him punch, claw, tear, and suffocate us as we stand in yet another stalemate.

However, this time we’re interrupted by KEL coming up behind DIEGO and flying up into the air. The wings of an eagle have sprouted from his back, and he carries his target to the heavens above. All I and BASIL can do is stare. The hordes of people don’t seem to know what to do either. They attempt to climb over each other to make a ladder, but they’re just too brittle and unstable to make it past a three-person ladder.

Then KEL brings him down. He uses the hind legs of a horse to smash DIEGO down to the street below.

BASIL puts his hands to the ground as massive stalagmites pillar from the earth below. It seems BASIL wants to impale him as he flies back down to earth. DIEGO must be flying down at the speed of a bullet, yet once he lands, we see he’s balanced his dress shoes perfectly on the tips of two bulging stalagmites.

The bodies are reinvigorated by the target once again. They can’t climb the slippery rock, so instead, they choose to just tear the entire structure down. They pound their wrists and fingers raw as they claw at the rock.
DIEGO: “Amusing, but I’m tired of games!”

He puts both of his hands down at his feet pointing down at the pointed tip below his left foot. The preparation flames he makes before his ultimate attack spread out in 360 degrees around him.

BASIL: “GET DOWN!”

We all take his advice and retreat into concrete buildings and barriers. I just barely make it into a safe building with the passed-out HERO time before the waves of flashing white flames crash into the world like waves of the ocean. I hear the blood-curling scream of bodies being incinerated. I want to throw up…I feel sick.

Then silence.

I peek up as I hold my katana up. My eyes go wide. It’s gone. Everything is gone.

BASIL’S stalagmites have been reduced to pebbles, and the hordes have been wiped from the face of the earth. Only the sulfur stench of their ashes and rogue limbs remains.

And in the center of it all is DIEGO. He stands defiantly proud at his palms.

DIEGO: “You kids are tougher than I gave you credit for. Your death will come with pride! I think that-“

BASIL: “FUCK YOU!”

He screams loudly in shock as he rushes toward DIEGO. Long strands of thick razor-sharp grass fly into his hand in the shape of a dagger.

DIEGO just laughs at him as he slashes him. He seems amused at his emotion…at his weakness.

Finally, BASIL is able to slash at his thigh. His pant leg bursts open to reveal a deep cut gushing bright red blood. It may not be much, but the stinging pain on DIEGO’S face is obvious.

DIEGO flashes his rapier, allows BASIL to say his prayers, and then slices him across his chest. The motion is so effortless and calm…it’s like he’s swatting a fly.

BASIL simply crumples. His white undershirt almost immediately turns deep red from his wound. His eyes go motionless as his body ragdolls to the street beneath him.

AUBREY takes advantage of BASIL’S distraction. DIEGO doesn’t even realize the swinging guitar coming for his face before it hits him. The body of AUBREY’S bright pink guitar glows with an aura of power as she pushes the last of her ESSENCE into the instrument.

The guitar makes immediate contact with the skull of DIEGO. A deafening ring of a church bell is heard as the impact sends shock waves across the street. The broken glass and debris of the street fly away at intense speeds

She hits his head again. Then his body. Then a hit right on his knee.

Each time she hits him the shockwave gets more violent. However, DIEGO does not fall.

DIEGO grimaces but grabs AUBREY’S guitar with his hands. AUBREY attempts to pull away, but can’t fight his strength. He places his hands on the Maplewood neck and prepares to snap the entire instrument in half.

She knew the risk. We all did. When the guitar is amplified with AUBREY’S soul…it represents her own life. If DIEGO could snap it…then he would snap her life in half. A powerful attack ESSENCE with deadly risks. It seems inevitable that AUBREY is going to die. She closes her eyes, accepts her fate, prays to her god, and waits…

However, KEL leaps up from his cover to grab the forearm of DIEGO with the jaws of a hippo. He closes his mouth and instantly shatters his radius and ulna. DIEGO screams in pain and lets go of AUBREY’S soul. It doesn’t break…but as it bounces on the ground, a small chip of the body comes off from a bad impact.

AUBREY immediately crumples to the ground like a ragdoll.

KEL pushes DIEGO away, grabs AUBREY'S guitar, and throws it to me. I panic, but I am able to catch it all the same. I place it behind the body of HERO and go to join KEL.

She probably isn’t dead, but she is out of the fight for good along with HERO and BASIL. It’s just me and KEL now.

However, when I get back to the street…I see KEL on the ground with DIEGO’S rapier pressing against his throat. DIEGO has lost fingers, blood, and pride. KEL is the one bloodied and bruised on the floor. He’s lost…

DIEGO: “You had potential, kid. Don’t feel bad. You lost to a superior opponent…you did the best you could.”

He goes to press down on the handle…he goes to end KEL’S life. I’m powerless to stop him. I’m too far away to dash over. I see acceptance in KEL’S eyes. I know he blames himself, but I just…want him to know that he did his best. He doesn’t deserve to die.

There’s only one thing I can do…and that’s to avenge him. I press the tip of my katana against my belly button. It’s a technique I promised to never. It may destroy the city…but if I don’t stop him here, then he’ll go on to rip and tear through the country.

I brace my shoulders and prepare to plunge my sword deep into myself. My blade glows in delight. It knows it will finally be free.

BOOM.

I look up at the noise. It sounded like a mix between a firework and a bullet.

I only see a glimpse of DIEGO as he flies backward into the metal husk of a car. His body goes limp as he tries to search for the source.

A man walks towards us. He holds two revolvers in his hand as he flips them in his hands casually.

HIKI: “MR. TOMO!!!!”

KEL looks up at his savior as he helps him up. He’s still too stunned to speak. Maybe he thinks this is the afterlife?

MR. TOMO: “Sorry for being late, but I was leaving early anyway. I’m glad I did…the others will be here in twenty minutes! Get your friends back to the dorms and get medical attention.”

The LORD OF FIRE and the APPRENTICE OF FIRE stare at each other as DIEGO rises to his feet. He gives a bashful smile as he looks at his old master.

MR. TOMO: “Smart move attacking the city while we were all away. However, your time has run out. My students have done well!”

DIEGO: “We both know this isn’t over. I’m close to surpassing you anyways, old man. Why didn’t you tell me the truth?!? I DESERVED to know! I gave my life to you!”

MR. TOMO simply holds up his revolvers to face his APPRENTICE.

MR. TOMO: “I have failed you, DIEGO. As your master, it is my job to put you down before you cause more harm. I’m…I’m sorry.”

DIEGO: “My master is the LORD OF DARKNESS now. He will save me! He will make me real!”

He flashes his rapier wildly. It seems he’s finally getting serious.

DIEGO: “Oh LORD OF DARKNESS! My master and god! Take my soul-“

MR. TOMO clicks his guns and feels the bullets slide into position.

DIEGO: “-and allow me to further your goals! I am-“

MR. TOMO grips the triggers and fires both revolvers simultaneously.

DIEGO: “-your VESSEL! Take my-“

The bullets from his guns spread out into thousands of small metal shards. Fire propels the bullets directly towards the head of DIEGO.

DIEGO: “-humanity! And make-“

The shards are seconds from hitting him. His life is milliseconds away from finally ending.

DIEGO: “-ME REAL!”

…

The world goes dark. Silence is deafening to my ears. All I can do is lay on the ground and pant. Did MR. TOMO get him? Is over?

I look around but see nothing but darkness. There’s nothing but a pitch-black void. I feel nauseous, but eventually, I’m able to stand up on my feet. I feel disoriented and dazed.

Slowly, yet surely, the world begins to lighten up again as the world comes into focus.

I see MR. TOMO standing there with his revolvers pointed at…

Is…Is that DIEGO???

His body is covered in a black flame as his limbs and body are destroyed and regrown countless times. He wails in agony as his body sprouts an amalgam of crystals and…and teeth?!?

I see KEL finally standing up to his feet. Yet, I can’t avoid noticing his trembling body. His usually confident demeanor is swallowed by his terrified and meek posture.

…

Finally, DIEGO’S transformation is complete. He stands taller, leaner, and with no trace of his old sense on him.

His actual body is nothing but a husk of dark lines in the vague shape of a human. His body is nothing more but a placeholder for his armor. The purple armor glints in the sun as his crystal armor hugs his abnormally long body.

He just stands there…menacingly.

His head turns to face me.

He points his long, decrepit finger at me.

MR. TOMO: “HIKI! Look away!”

I feel my head fog. Why…why can’t I move my body?

A voice in my head starts to speak to me. I feel it pillar throughout every nook and cranny of my brain.

???: “Aren’t you tired, HIKI? Don’t you want to give up? Wouldn’t the void feel good? No more pain or anger. Just give up…there’s someone else who needs to give up, isn’t there?”

I stand motionless.

The world around me slows to a lethargic crawl.

???: “Die, HIKI. Just die. They will never forgive you. Anything is better than rotting away, isn’t it?”

The finger of DIEGO spreads out and fills my vision with darkness. My eyes fog over. The darkness may be scary and unknown, but maybe they’re right…maybe I should just step into it.

I feel my feet walking forwards.

I just barely hear someone scream from the distance to not let me touch it.

My body moves towards DIEGO. It’s comforting…I feel at peace.

But then my mind is torn from its sleep state as strong arms wrap around me to tackle me. I look down and notice I was a single step away from the dark patch on the ground.

We both start to fall towards the ground. Everything starts to speed up again. However, I still lack control of myself to yell out towards KEL to move his feet. I have to watch in horror as the tip of his heel brushes against a millimeter of the dark pattern blurring the world around us.

A similar silence follows us as the world we know becomes nothing but a distant memory.

…
I groan as my body hits the ground with a painful thud.

HIKI: “Ow…”

We both pant together as KEL lays on top of me. His exhaustion has finally started to catch up to him.

HIKI: “KEL…KEL wake up! KEL wake the fuck up!”

I shake him violently as I take inventory of our surroundings. A feeling of deep dread fills me to the core.

KEL: “I’m done…I’m tired…”

I shake him off of me and stand to my feet. Only now does KEL realize the severity of the situation.

KEL: “Are we dead?”

HIKI: “Worse…”

We both look around as KEL slowly stands up to his feet. His body trembles from the effort.

We see nothing but darkness surrounding us and our 16-foot by 16-foot square of safety. Trying to step outside of the square only makes my head spin with nausea and pain. I know that there’s nothing out there anyways.

Some accessories remain in our square. A videogame console, a leaking water pipe, a small toy piano, and a fridge lay spread out across our space. The fridge is filled with food. Was someone expecting us to end up here?

I simply fall on my back…partially because of exhaustion and partially because of hopelessness. We failed. We lost. And worse yet…

We are stuck in BLACK SPACE.

Chapter Text

I begin to slash wildly at the infinite darkness despite KEL’S monotone voice telling me not to waste my time. I slash and scream as I try to rip through our prison.

Time passes, and even though I’m in excellent shape…I can’t keep slashing forever. I collapse to my knees and allow my katana to clatter onto the black tile floor below us.

KEL just gives me a side-eye from his position on the floor. His hands are folded on the back of his head as he lazily glares at me.

KEL: “You know, if you paid attention more often in class, you’d know that this place isn’t real.”

I look at him like he’s an idiot.

HIKI: “What do you mean it’s not real? We’re IN it.”

KEL starts to stand to his feet with a loud groan. His injuries are obviously excruciatingly painful for him.

KEL: “Remember? ‘Before nothing there was DARKNESS. Not even space or time.”

HIKI: “Yea, but…”

I stick out my hands and shake them around.

HIKI: “I’m moving my hands…through space! And how can I talk if I don’t take the time to say what I want? The past and present still clearly exist.”

KEL limps over to the fridge and opens the door. No lightbulb is attached. He picks up a thing of leftover lasagna and starts digging in. I think about telling him to stop…but it looks safe enough. He clearly seems to know more about this than I do.

KEL: “HERO told me about this once. This…whole BLACK SPACE thing. Space and time don’t exist for us, but our minds are desperately trying to cope. This is what all of this is. Just a coping mechanism.”

HIKI: “So none of this is real?”

KEL: “Isn’t that what I just said?”

He gives me his signature smart-ass grin before falling to the floor with his Tupperware container of food.

HIKI: “Alright big boy, then how do we get rescued if no time is passing?”

KEL: “I never said time wasn’t passing.”

I feel like I’m going to turn red and explode like one of those cartoon characters I used to watch as a kid.

KEL: “Before you even argue, time doesn’t exist for us, but it does exist out there. We just can’t experience it. So, we could be in here for what seems like 5 minutes and 80 years have passed, or we could be here for what seems like 80 years and only 5 minutes have passed. You feel me?”

He burps obnoxiously after finishing his food. He just chucks the container into the great unknown of the black void.

KEL: “We only escape when whoever put us here dies or decides to let us free. Before that happens…we’re stuck.”

I sigh to myself and slump down next to him.

HIKI: “Couldn’t our brains have at least made a more entertaining coping mechanism? This sucks…”

KEL: “Tell me about it. I’ll blame your brain for that one. If it were me, I would be on a paradise island with three hot babes on each arm!”

HIKI: “Why do you think I wouldn’t want the island and babes? I want babes too.”

KEL: “Sorry, HIKI. You’re just kinda…scary. Babes want a guy they can have fun with! Like me!”

HIKI: “More like stupid. Remember that time we went to a party and all you did was look at the wall decorations the entire time?”

KEL fakes a frown.

HIKI: “Low blow, HIKI. Low blow. Just because I get social anxiety doesn’t mean I can’t handle 6 fantasy babes.”

I just give an entertained huff and go back to staring at the ceiling with KEL. It’s just as black and empty as everything else.

An anxious silence fills us.

HIKI: “Aren’t you…scared?”

KEL: “I’m terrified…”

More silence. More emptiness. I need to feel something real…

I reach my hand out and grip KEL’s palm. This may be just a coping mechanism, but his warm hand helps to me grounded to earth. He reciprocates by gripping my hand tight.

We lay in silence for quite a while. I see what KEL means now…time is irrelevant here. I have no idea how long we’ve been here. Could be minutes or could be hours. Anyways…there’s no need to rush this. We are going to have a lot of time to talk.

…

I hold my mouth open as small water droplets drip down onto my outreached tongue. I’m not exactly thirsty, but it’s not like I have any other plans right now. I’ve officially lost track of time. By my estimates, we’ve been here for about 2 weeks? Maybe 1…maybe 3.

KEL’S console beeps in the distance as the only sound available besides the water droplets, my own heartbeat, and the deafening void around us.

KEL: “You wanna play video games again? C’monnnn! I’ll even play with my eyes closed so you might finally win one.”

I just sign and allow the water to hit my chin instead. It feels nice. We don’t really get dirty, but I still miss showers. I’ve missed my usual therapeutic activities.

HIKI: “KEL, this is getting embarrassing. You know how bad I have to be to lose to you 121 times in a-“

KEL: “125”

HIKI: “125, thanks. You know how embarrassing it is to lose 125 times in a row?”

KEL: “Truly embarrassing. I think you’re ranking on the board has gone down by at least…at least 134 positions.”

HIKI: “Don’t rub it in. Regardless, I don’t want to keep on losing.”

KEL: “You know what they say about rock bottom, right?”

HIKI: “Only place to go is up?”

KEL: “No, if you hit rock bottom then you have to put away your shame and entertain your friend.”

I get up and sit down next to KEL. I guess 0-126 isn’t nearly as bad as 0-125. But 1-125? Well, that probably means rock bottom is exactly one win below me.

We boot up the game and begin selecting our characters.

HIKI: “You know, if we had a game that wasn’t Mario Kart, Street Fighter, or Wii Sports I’d probably have won by now. Why’d you have to pick these games?”

I pick Wario, and KEL picks Donkey Kong.

KEL: “Do you have something against the greatest games of our time? Be thankful they’re all made for multiplayer.”

HIKI: “Whatever, let’s just play so I can finally whoop your ass!”

…

HIKI: “This game sucks anyways. I’m better at the other games.”

My poor little Wario drives around with a massive “8^th” over his head while Donkey Kong has yet another triumphant “1^st”.

KEL: “I should have pulled HERO in here! He would have at least made these games more entertaining!”

HIKI: “Or AUBREY…”

KEL: “OR AUBREY!!”

I lay back down on my back and sigh. KEL finally picks up the vibe.

HIKI: “I miss AUBREY…I miss BASIL…I miss HERO.”

KEL lays down next to me and stares up at the void with me.

KEL: “I bet you do miss HERO, and I bet you miss smooching him in weird places!”

HIKI: “W-W-What?!? I don’t smooch him in weird places. I only kiss him in completely normal places.”

KEL: “Does an abandoned classroom and the showers count as normal? Weirdos”

I blush brightly and grimace.

HIKI: “And what are YOU doing seeing us kiss in these places?!?”

KEL: “You guys are so…so audible!!!”

HIKI: “Are not!”

KEL: “oooohhh, HERO! Oh, I love how your lips taste like day-old spaghetti! Wrap my tongue in yours in a very weird way!”

I punch KEL in the shoulder with passion. I huff in anger.

HIKI: “That never happened, and I never said that! Oh, and what about you and AUBREY! HUH???”

KEL: “Huh?! What about her?”

HIKI: “I know you had a make-out with her before she started dating BASIL! And you did it on my damn bed!”

KEL drops his smile and sighs.

KEL: “Maybe I did, but maybe that’s just a rumor…but I don’t think that matters anymore. She chose BASIL.”

I drop the jokes too and try my best to relax my shoulders.

HIKI: “Do you still like her?”

KEL: “Is it that obvious?”

HIKI: “Every time you look at her, I swear I can see the hearts pounding out of your eyes.”

KEL: “It’s odd…as kids we always fought. But I didn’t do it cause I hated her…I did it because I just…wanted to be with her. She was always so adorable when she got mad. She scrunches her face and puffs her cheeks and she just shows that fire underneath her! I want to be with her all the time and talk and play fight! I-I…”

KEL falls silent. I let him take his time.

KEL: “I think I love her. I think I always have. But BASIL and AUBREY had that whole trauma bonding situation, and when I found them kissing by the Fix-It, I just had to smile and pretend like I was-“

HIKI: “Fix-It? What’s that?”

KEL falls silent once again. KEL seems to be in deep thought.

KEL: “I think this place must be getting to me.”

He gives a short, awkward chuckle.

KEL: “Sorry, I don’t even know what a…’ Fix-It’…is.”

The conversation falls flat. I’m not hungry, but I suppose now is as good a time as any to eat. It’s one of the last comforts I have left.

HIKI: “I think the fridge got restocked with some burgers, want some?”

KEL: “Hell yes!”

We both get up and move over to the fridge. We’re going to have lots of time to revisit this later.

…

My sword glints in the light of the…well, me and KEL aren’t sure where the light is coming from. We can obviously see each other, but there’s no light source anywhere in our little square of safety.

Regardless, I let my sword slash through the stale air in successive bursts. I huff and puff as my pace increases. My blade seems to split the air molecules in half as sweat pours down my forehead. I give tiny pants as I retreat myself back to my ready stance.

KEL: “How long are you going to keep practicing? It’s making me all anxious!”

HIKI: “Until I have enough strength and skill to kill that bastard in one swing.”

I let my blade fall to my side. I sheath it quietly and strip off my button-up shirt to let my skin breathe. My white undershirt is luckily still dry despite the sweat.

MARI: “So close…I was SO close! Yet…I was just too weak. I could have prevented all of this if I was just a bit stronger. I was weak.”

KEL: “You weren’t weak, HIKI. I lost too, remember? We were just out of our element.”

HIKI: “We were all weak. And I’m not going to let him get away with it again.”

KEL sits up and stares out at the void. The tan skin of his bare chest is starting to go a bit pale in our situation. The lack of sunshine is getting to both of us.

KEL: “When we get out, he’ll most likely be dead anyway. I can’t imagine him letting us out voluntarily. So, you don’t have to worry about him.”

I sit down next to KEL and look at the ceiling. I suppose it does not really matter where I look…it’s the same everywhere you turn your head.

HIKI: “I might just be trying to distract myself.”

KEL: “From?”

Silence falls between us. Do I really have to explain this to him?

KEL: “Sorry. Stupid question…”

More silence. I hate it.

HIKI: “I miss HERO. I miss AUBREY. I miss BASIL. I miss everyone.”

KEL: “Look on the bright side. At least we have each other! We could be doing this alone if I wasn’t holding onto you when we were trapped.”

HIKI: “That’s always true. Thank you, KEL.”

I give a genuine smile to myself. This isn’t exactly how I planned it…but I do miss having alone time with KEL.

HIKI: “What’s one thing you really want to do when you get out of here?”

KEL seems to think for a while. He even gives an exaggerated sigh as he ponders the question.

HIKI: “I want to visit my grandma in Japan. I’ve never been, and even though I’m not like…huge into my cultural roots, it might be nice to go somewhere else that feels like home.”

KEL: “You’re Japanese?!?”

HIKI: “Japanese American, yeah. What did you think I was?!?”

KEL: “Weren’t you born in Ohio?”

HIKI: “No I was not born in Ohio! I was literally born like two towns over.”

KEL: “So why are you Japanese then?!?”

HIKI: “KEL, you dope! My mom was born in Japan, but I was born in America! That’s why I’m Japanese American.”

KEL: “Jeez! Don’t gotta be rude about it!”

I just smile and lightly punch his arm.

HIKI: “Sorry, you know I never mean to be rude. How about you? Do you have any interest to go back to Mexico?”

KEL: “Nah, I mean, maybe once I’m a PROFESSIONAL. My parents visit sometimes for family, but they always invite HERO before me. I wouldn’t want to be a burden to their vacation.”

HIKI: “A burden?”

KEL: “The clown serves his purpose only as long as he has a captive audience. To them I am disposable.”

HIKI: “Do you consider yourself a disposable clown?”

KEL: “I was and still am forced into the role. People think I’m dim…or downright stupid. I know more than they think, which is exactly why I can’t let them know what I know. I must not complain, or I may be discarded entirely.”

HIKI: “You don’t have to be a clown around me. You mean more to me than that.”

KEL falls into silence.

KEL: “Thank you, HIKI. I’m glad at least you think so.”

I want to continue to console him, but his tone of voice tells me that the conversation is done.

HIKI: “You never answered me. What do you want to do when you get out?”

KEL thinks in silence. It’s much different from the exaggerated thinking he did before.

KEL: “I want to kiss someone. Anyone. It just seems…nice. Comforting.”

HIKI: “You’ve never kissed anyone before?!? I thought you had like actual sex with that one girl a few years ago. I thought you made out with AUBREY???”

KEL: “That’s such bullshit! That never happened. We barely even talked. And I just said that I made out with AUBREY to make her embarrassed. It’s not like we ever did something like that…”

HIKI: “So, Mr. Playboy KEL has never had a kiss before? My entire world is shattering!”

KEL: “Yes, yes. Revel in it! I’m more of a loser than you think.”

HIKI: “You aren’t a loser, KEL. I promise. If I wasn’t dating HERO, then there’s no way I’d have kissed anyone.”

I have an idea. It’s an unpleasantly satisfying thought…but maybe I’m bored enough to ask. I think it’s worth a shot.

HIKI: “I know we will. But if we…don’t get out of here. Do you want to kiss someone?”

KEL: “Maybe I’ll kiss the lady on the green bean cans. She looks like she’d take care of me.”

HIKI: “What? Like a sugar momma?”

KEL: “Damn right. I can just retire and relax instead of risking my life on the streets.”

I bite my lip and turn to my side to face KEL.

HIKI: “I’m serious though. Would you want to?”

I feel a cold sweat wash over me. I carry onwards, but I don’t feel very good.

KEL: “But…you’re the only person here. The only real person, anyways.”

HIKI: “It’s just practice. A little peck. Nothing more.”

The darkness seems to be staring at me with microscopic eyes. They are critiquing my imperfections…I know it. They hate me as everyone else does.

KEL: “Wouldn’t HERO not appreciate you kissing his little brother?”

I feel my eyes twitch suddenly. I feel a voice start to come out of my mouth…but even though it sounds like me, it is not my own.

HIKI: “Fuck HERO! He’s never cared about me, and even now he’s probably out sleeping with some whore sorority sister! He’s so disappointed in me…he hates me! I know I know it I know! My dad left because I didn’t stay perfect! Why didn’t I just stay perfect, KEL?!?”

KEL: “HIKI? What are you talking about?… You’re scaring me.”

HIKI: “DANNY was the only person to truly love me for me, and even he’s gone now! What am I even fighting for anymore?!? Is my future going to be a fruitless struggle? Am I doomed to misery?”

KEL: “Who the hell is DANNY?!?”

His eyes are wide with fear. He’s using his hands and feet to slowly crawl away from me. He’s so utterly confused.

HIKI: “Save me, KEL! Save me or kill me! Just don’t leave me alone anymore! I can’t do this alone! I’ll let you sleep with me! I’ll send you nudes! Just don’t leave alone in the silence. Please just tell me I’m enough!”

KEL looks like he wants to scream. Why is he afraid? Doesn’t he know this is how it was always meant to be.

I see a vision in the darkness of a young girl crouching in front of a gravestone. She’s weeping as she holds herself tight. Her hair is greasy, and she has food stains on her gray T-shirt. Her eyes look hollow.

I reach out to the girl with an outstretched hand. She looks pathetic. She looks like a waste of space. Her mouth moves in unintelligible words, yet somehow, I know exactly what she’s saying.

GIRL: “What have I done? What have I done? It should have been me…It should have been ME! I’m sorry, SUNNY. Please for-“

…

…

The world around me shakes and distorts. I open my eyes and see KEL right in front of me as he stares up at the void with a satisfied look on his face. My heart is racing wildly as I hold onto my chest. I don’t know what happened, but even now I’m starting to forget the details. All I can do is latch onto a name.

SUNNY…

…

KEL: “Wouldn’t HERO not appreciate you kissing his little brother?”

HIKI: “Honestly this is equivalent to kissing your grandma on the lips. No offense KEL, but I wouldn’t be doing this if the situation wasn’t so dire.”

KEL: “I guess that makes sense! Don’t they kiss their friends in Europe anyways?”

HIKI: “I think they do it on the cheek, but yea I think so.”

KEL: “Don’t they use tongue in France? THE MAVERICK told me that when he went to France with his mom he had to French kiss people as a greeting.”

HIKI: “First off, don’t listen to THE MAVERICK about anything ever. Second off, that’s so weird I don’t know where to start.”

KEL: “So it’s just…practice, right? A friend kiss?”

HIKI: “A friend kiss. Exactly right.”

KEL: “Ok! It sounds fun!”

We both sit up, cross our legs, and look at each other.

HIKI: “Ok, so…I’m ready whenever you are.”

KEL awkwardly moves forward, but then moves back in fear.

KEL: “HIKI, I don’t know what to do. How do I start it?”

HIKI: “You just gotta like take my head in your hands and do it.”

KEL: “Can’t you just do it? It was your idea!”

HIKI: “C’mon, KEL, don’t be a pussy. This is practice, so I actually expect you to practice.”

KEL: “Whatever! Shut up and let me focus!”

He gulps quietly to himself and bites his lip. He slowly inches closer to me and locks eyes with me.

Why is my stomach actually getting butterflies?

He reaches out hesitantly and takes my head in his fingers. My skin bubbles and pricks in overwhelming sensation as he glides his palm over to hold me. I can’t help but melt into it.

KEL senses this and scoots even closer. He locks eyes with me one last time before he closes his and slightly tilts his head. I do the same, and before either of us knows it our lips connect with each other.

He doesn’t quite know what do to at this step. So, I help him out a little bit and kiss him again while we’re connected. My left-hand lands on his bare chest while he slowly yet surely figures out how to kiss.

I pull away with my eyes still closed and hum to myself in delight. His lips taste like watermelon and caramel.

However, my delight quickly dissipates when I open my eyes and see the face of the person I kissed. KEL’S dorky little face is beaming with happiness as he separates from me officially. I feel a frown slowly creep onto my face as I lay back down on my back.

KEL: “So am I natural or what?!?”

HIKI: “Let’s just hope the person you kiss for real is a fan of…inexperience.”

KEL: “Awe, c’mon! I think I did pretty good!”

HIKI: “Well you got your kiss, so now you can stop making me pity you for not getting enough action.”

KEL just laughs and goes to back to staring up at the sky.

As silence falls on us once again…I look up at the sky and squint. I know it’s just an illusion…but why does it feel like the void is judging me?

…

HIKI: “BOOM! Suck that! 12-4!”

KEL: “You know, for someone finally figuring out something they’re good at…you certainly do like to brag.”

HIKI: “You’d brag too if you were as good as me.”

I casually throw up an empty can of fruit and watch it fall back into my hands. It’s another one of our stupid games. This time though, there’s a simplicity that delights the inner children in us.

It’s a game where we just chuck shit at each other and try to hit the other person.

I wind back my arm and whip it towards the body of my target, but he’s too quick and ducks down to avoid the can.

KEL: “Now you’ve done it! Get over here!!”

HIKI: “KEL I’m sorry! I’m sorry please please!”

I giggle wildly as he chases me around with a half-eaten banana. I scream and laugh in panic as his lunging thrusts with the floppy fruit come so close to hitting me. His face scrunches in fake anger, but his smiling mouth shows how much fun he’s really having.

…

The DARKNESS has a face, a voice, and a purpose. I think I understand this now. As I look up at the endless void, I see nothing at all. Yet, from the corner of my eye, I can’t help but see something staring down at me. It has no shape nor features…but I can feel its gaze.

How long have we been here? Weeks? Months? Years? I’ve stopped trying to count for a long time.

I feel like I’m going to go crazy. If KEL wasn’t here, I just know that I would be consumed by madness. I don’t want to tell KEL about what I’m seeing…I want him to live in ignorance for as long as possible.

We have to get out of here.

…

My fingers claw into the skin of KEL as I sit in his lap. His lips and mine have been connected for some time now, and despite the pleads of my mind telling me how gross I am…I simply do not care anymore.

I don’t kiss him out of desire or need. I kiss him to escape the void. My mind torments me with anxiety and paranoia anytime I am not eating or him his embrace. Yet, I still feel its piercing glare drilling into my skull as it threatens to burrow into my brain stem. I can’t escape the DARKNESS. It’s all hopeless.

KEL’S tongue slides into my mouth as I do the same. His skin feels so warm against my legs. His fingers show a mastery to their movement as he grips my ass.

We have to get out of here.

…

KEL doesn’t see the DARKNESS. He hears it. He hears it tell him stories and knowledge that he does desire to know. Apparently, it’s been whispering to him the secrets of the universe itself. KEL said that the only way to make it stop is to gouge out his ears.

We screamed at each other in a fight as he spoke nonsense to me. However, he eventually just curled into my lap and sobbed. He kept asking for his mommy. When he woke up, we silently played more video games. He let me win. We might as well be dead.

We have to get out of here.

…

We had to have this talk eventually. Originally, I thought it would have come later. It’s only now that I accept that words like ‘later’ and ‘sooner’ are irrelevant. It feels like we’ve been here for decades, but our struggle has been worth nothing. Time and space do not exist.

We had to have this talk eventually. We discussed…giving up. Accepting our fate as causalities of the DARKNESS.

HIKI: “Would it even work? Since none of this is real anyway.”

KEL: “This may not be real, but we are. Our bodies are. If you slice my heart, I will bleed. If I decapitate you, you will be decapitated.”

HIKI: “How would we even do?”

KEL: “Your sword is long enough to skewer both of us. That will have to do.”

HIKI: “We’re going to be rescued, KEL. I know it.”

KEL just falls quiet and puts his head under the water pipe to drink some more.

I feel like I’m going to collapse like a building in freefall. Soon I won’t be able to resist his offer. I won’t be able to lie to him anymore. Or myself…

I hear KEL mumbling to himself about dreams and reality. He seems to be panicking, but he won’t let me comfort him. I only seem to make it worse.

We have to get out of here.

…

I wipe the long steel blade of my sword in slow strokes. The light gray of the blade is a necessary respite of the oppressing void.

KEL: “What’s the real reason you want to be a PROFESSIONAL? I mean…you don’t even have an ESSENCE. You must have a reason beyond making the world a better place.”

HIKI: “I could ask you the same question.”

KEL: “If I tell you mine, will you tell me yours?”

I nod and agree.

KEL: “This is the only thing I’m better than HERO at. My parents finally look at me and give me attention when I fight. I’m good at it…and I suppose saving the world is nice too. Does that make me a bad person?”

HIKI: “Not at all. If people say they don’t have a selfish reason for doing this, then they’re just liars. You’re better than the people who it for the money.”

KEL: “Is that why you do this? The money?”

HIKI: “I do this for my brother. I’m going to get my brother back. Whatever it takes.”

KEL: “You have a brother? So…they were right?”

HIKI: “Who was right?”

KEL stays silent.

KEL: “Sorry…my mistake. Continue.”

I see my reflection in the blade. Despite everything I’ve been through, it’s still me.

MARI: “I just need…SOMETHING to help me…”

KEL: “SOMETHING? That’s vague. There’s only one person who can do what you’ve asked. Only one person can bring back the dead.”

Silence falls on the two.

KEL: “You can’t be serious.”

HIKI: “I’m going to get him back one way or another. After all of the pain he caused me, I am going to get my brother back.”

KEL: “And what makes you think he’ll listen to you?”

HIKI: “That’s why I need to get strong. So he has no choice but to grant my wish. Only my brother knows THE TRUTH.”

KEL looks over at the void and stands to his feet. He walks over to the edge of our safety square and stares out. Is he looking at something?

KEL: “You don’t need that to know THE TRUTH. You just need to listen.”

I feel my stomach drop. What is he talking about?

HIKI: “Listen to what?”

I stand to my feet and sheath my blade. It swings lightly at my hip.

KEL: “To the voices, HIKI. If that’s even your real name. I’ve heard a lot from them. I’ve learned things I have never wanted to know. I’ve learned so much about you. I held out hope that it was all a lie…but then you talked about your brother! You’ve never had a fucking brother before. But the voices told me all about him! Every detail of his life and suffering!”

I stand in silence. What am I supposed to say to that?

KEL: “Is it true, HIKI? Please tell me the voices aren’t right.”

HIKI: “Is what true?”

KEL: “The voices say DIEGO was right…I’m nothing but imagination. I’m nothing but a fantasy for you. Everything is. It’s all a lie.”

HIKI: “How am I supposed to know?!? KEL, I promise, you’re just as real as I am.”

KEL switches the conversation nearly of nowhere.

KEL: “Your brother. His name was SUNNY.”

HIKI: “SUNNY?”

KEL: “SUNNY. His name was SUNNY. But he never existed in this world. He exists in yours.”

HIKI: “Snap out of it, KEL! I live in the same world as you!”

KEL: “Lies! It’s all lies! I’ve heard the proof! I was a fool to doubt DIEGO. But now I see! I’m nothing but a dream!”

He turns to face me. His eyes are red from bursted blood vessels.

KEL: “Your brother, SUNNY! The voices say you don’t even know what you did to him!”

HIKI: “My brother doesn’t exist!”

He turns back to the void and laughs maniacally.

KEL: “He does! He did! You loved him, and you k̸̨̺̜̰̞̪̩̺̖̳͖̩̐̋̊̽̓͆͜į̷̧̗̭̭̯̙͚̰̼͛͝l̶̡̡̢̖̰̺̘̝̹̰̻̩̯͖͚͖̖͓̘͓͓̪̻̗̆̋̔͆͜͝ͅͅl̴̢̧̡̪̦̦͙̖̠͓̩̹̜͖̜̘̰̘̦̥̺͉̩͐̓̈́̋͗̈́̍̍͗́́͆̑̏̇̆̓̅͆̅̓͗͒̔̃̓͜͝ͅͅé̵̡̡̨̨͈͇̙̟̟͙͍͇͉̪͚̦̻̺͙̀̑̇̅̓̇̂̓̽̈̉̍́͌̓̀̓͂̅́̉͘̚̕͜ͅḑ̴̧̘̠̖͓̼̦̟͎̝̤͍͉̤̭̺̞̱̱̱̗͉̼̱̣͌̍̎͒̆̒̍̈́͐̌̈̓̓̅͑̃̄͜͠ ̵̡̗͖̜͔̪̣̫̭̘̣͙̘̍̄͒̋͘͝h̸̨̢̨̨̛̗͕̱̹̣̻͉̣̝̗͈̺̣̏͋͒͑̓̌̆̔̅͆̃̍̂̉̍̇̄͑͆̈́̇̇̐̃̀̕í̶̬̰͕̭̥̖̱͕͐̐͂̾̀̕͜͠m̶̧̡̠̤͙̮̏̂̋̍̓̐̂̓̍͊̐̒͊͒͒̈̄̎̔͝.̶̛̳̙̥̭͐̀̓̒̋͒͋̏͌̔̇̐͛̅̒̊̓̉̄̀͂͐̚͝ ̶̨̨̛͍̪̗͙̙̼̳͔͚̫̭̭̳̟̳̮̭͉͓͔͙̗̞̒̃̎͛̏͗̂̔̄̀͘̚͘̚͜͝Y̶̢͙̘̯̯̤͂̂̓͆͒̍̾͆̃̏̄̎̾͗͐́̇͗̔̐̇͌͊̕̕͘͝o̴̩͕̰͈̼̱͈̞̰͆̽̀̑͒̆͆͊̋̓̇̐͋̋̐͠u̶̡̨̧̧̻̯̰̠͉̻̩͉̘̰̱̻͕̬̗̺͖̗̹̓ͅ ̴̧̡̛̬̳͔̹͉͚̗̱̝̩̖̖̫̺̙̟̘̋̃̽̿̍͌͊͒̍̍̇̐͋̓͒̓͂͝p̴̧̧͕͇͉̖̥͐̑̑̆̀̊͒̾̾͌̽̍̃͑͌̋̎͂́͜͝ṵ̷̢̼̼̳̠͔̩̪͇̦͕̞͇̀̃̓̆͌͗͗̄͌͊̓̇̎͑͝ͅs̶̨̛̗̯̘͍̞̞̦̟̗̱͉̜̫̙̩̜̗̺̰̺̖͙̤͙̗͎̊̒͘͠h̴̝͙̙̼̮̮͔̊͒̔̈́͌̂̓̈̀͝ẻ̴̡̡̟̙̠̬̞̫̦̱͕͙̰͎̱̞̤͓͍̠̟͈̀̀͒̎̏̋̀̈́̓̉͜͝ͅd̵̛̙̼̞͕̻̰̲͈̤͓͇͉̗̮̖̺̒̃́̀́̎̏̂̌̏̽͆̃̇̿͊̃̍̊̂̉̚͜͜ͅͅ ̴̡̧̠̟͉̻̝͉̭̠̯͈̲̲̱̠̺̄̏̓̇̀͂ẖ̴̛͔̫̝̼͇͍͔͙͖͉̦͍̤̭͔̻̈́͑̇̑̿̇͆͑̽̆̾̑̀͋̅͊͜͝͝͠į̵̳͎͇͎̝̹̻̈́̌̏͂́͛͂̀͆̈́̊̍̀͌̽͊͑͘͝͠ͅm̵̛̞̎̀̏̌͝ ̷͚̺̯̙͎͈̉͋̈́̃̊̏̉́̎̈̌̐̊̔̄́̒͊̏̍͊͊̿͝o̷̢̢̦͉̽̊̈̃͑̂̓̉͝f̷̨̛̛͎̤̹̤̰̮̜̎̓̈͐͛́̍͗̈́̎̽̋͆̿̕̚͘͝͝͠f̶̧̛̲̣̰̳̝͎̩̻͉̗̖̟̫͎̹͉̏̑̈͂̏̀̔̀͋̽̏̓͛̋̕̚͜ͅ ̸̠͖͙͙̤͚̗̠͚͖̤͈̱̝̠̙̺͙̽͒̋͗̇̄̑̀͋͒̐͂͝͠

̴͕͕͚̬̪͔̭̲͖͇̮̖̗͚̽̅̄̀͘ͅa̵̧̱̝̣̻̜͉̳̘̣͎̙̙̹͓̟̬̪̣̣͈̐̔̉̀̍̏̽̿̅ͅ ̴̜͈͚̰̞͓̦͐̒̈́͆́̄̊͋̐͛͆̓͐̏̓̽̒̌͠͝ć̴̢̡̢̨̼̫̜͚̰̤̦͓͇̺̬̯̺̥̤͎͍̖̠͖̞̐͒̓̐̂̆͛̊̓̓̅̀̃̈́̿̚̕ͅͅl̶̝̤̗̪͚͎̱̘̹̜͓͎͕̙͔̜̠̤̥͓͓̫͆̋̒̇̄͑̃̐̽͒͛́̑̈́̎̀̍͛̕͜͝i̸͎̹̼̦͙̅̇͛͛͂̆̂͌͆͑̽́͑͐̀̋̾̚̕f̷̛̥͖̟̳̣͕̥͔͔̋̓̓̋͐̈́̈́̆̿͋̿̔͒͗̿̂̂̓͂̕͠f̴̜͙̜̭̹̭̦̲̳̬͓͖̗̟̲̠̱͙̦͖̞̺̜̬̗̦̔̐̒̈́́́́́̉͂̈́͒́̔̄͑̀̎͘͠͝͝ ̸̡͉̖̙̱͎̮̦͉̙̤̥̞̝̯̜̩͇̟́̍̌͛̂̀͗̽̕͜a̸̡̡̬̦̝͚̹̙̻̘̤̹̙͉̞̥̓̋̃̿̏̈̆̎̽̓̌̀̀̽̚ͅṇ̵̛͇̬̞̞͉̐̽͑͑͗̾̏̓̃͌̓̅̚͘͘͜ď̷̡̗̯̖͙̗̥̹̈́̋̀̽͂̑̄̀̋̋͌̂̃̾̐̄̔̃̚̚͠ ̶̢̛̻͕̤̳̝͍̰͙̪͎͓̦̯̪̙̹̖̿̑̾̈͒͐̾̍̎̚͜w̸̦̪̣̹̹̘̽͒̉̌̑̃͆͐̑͛̈́̓͒͑̏̒̿̃̚͝a̸̛̬͓̳̻̗̥̳͓̫̯̣̿̎̌͋̈́̾̏̄͋̌̑͑͗̆̕t̸̨͔̱̬͇͎͍̱̟̫̓̋́̀̇͛́̂̈́̓̐̽̇̓͛̉͂́̈̓̄͘͝͝ç̵̨̡̛͖̬̗̮͉̟̜̻͚̫̠̝͂̿͒̒͂́̅̈̆̂̉̓̓̒̑̓̽̕͝͝ͅh̴̦͖̀ͅe̶̡̮̜͉̬̘͕̲͇̠̮̥̝̞̭͔̼͉̪͂͊̊͜͠d̸̨̡͚̫̤͇̻͉̘͙͖͇͇̥̳̹͍̜̪̬͉̙̘̞̋͛̽ͅ ̵̡̧̫̱͙̣͓̦̗̲̤̤͕̺̈́͐̑̔́̉͌͋̋͆̏̃̃̑̚͘͜͝ͅh̸̢̨̢̛̛̥̙̹̬̗̞̟̰͙̩̬͊̂̂͊̀̌̊́̋͗̍̂̃͛̒͂̋͑̽̌̽̚ỉ̶͚͈̖̪̮͚̟̮͉̱̩̏̒̀̀́̃̾͊̋͊̔́̓͋̓̏͗̉͊̔͑͘͝͝͠m̵̧͖̗̗̦̝͆̑̏̑̇̿͊͒͆̕͠ͅͅ ̴̙̰̖̜̘̜̖̩̺̙̙̙̪̬͚͖̜̓̓̍̍͝ͅd̸͍̫̖̳̼͒͆̒͒͌͗̿̾̄̈̐̽̃͑̂̈́̂͊͌̅̓͋̄̿͝͝͝r̵̡̨̟̖̱̣̝̤̙̲̺̬͉̙̮̫̖̒̄̏̊̊̊̎̓̂̇͆̇́̓̕̚͝ͅͅö̸̧͓͙̣̙͍̲͔̻͖̯̯̱͓̫̫́̈́̽̓̓͌̒͆̈́̕͝w̷̢̢̨̙̙̣̻̠̦̯͕̮͎̜̬͇̲̰̦̯̦͈̮̪̟̒͜n̴͕͙͚̞̦̣͇͇̬̞̝̊͗͌̑͒̓̈̄̃͜͠ͅ!

My ears ring. My heart races. KEL’S desperate voice becomes static in my ears. I place my hand on my katana and rub my thumb along the metal handle. I need to silence him before it’s too late.

He’s telling me things I don’t desire to know. If I don’t kill him then he’ll kill me first! I don’t want to hear this. I can’t hear this! Even the idea of this makes me want to tear myself apart. The idea of hearing this fills me with more terror than if I was at the gates of hell itself. I would rather spend eternity in this DARKNESS-filled pit than hear him speak again.

KEL is no longer my friend. He is an assassin meant to torture me. He is meant to do nothing but harm me. My mind races as my body tenses in panic.

He sniffs.

I stop. I hold my breath patiently.

I look down and see my thumb against metal. Shit…he must be able to smell my skin oil on the metal.

He stops talking. I see his fingernails slowly transform into claws.

I need to finish this in one strike.

He knows what’s about to happen. I know he knows.

So I strike first. My blade unsheathes and the world around us warps as the blade slashes forward. The practice I’ve been doing has paid off. I’m so fast I barely even see myself move.

I feel the cold blade of my katana slice into the spine of KEL milliseconds before he’s able to reinforce his back with scales or a shell. The blade rips through him like butter.

It’s still not enough. Even though his back is oozing blood, and he’s screaming in agony, there’s only one way to make sure he never speaks again.

I step forward. He watches me with eyes of sorrow and pain. I feel no remorse.

His lips quiver in fear as he finally collapses. His face is as white as a sheet of paper as he looks up at me in terror. Why is he afraid? This is the way it was always meant to be.

My mind blanks. I don’t think about what I do next. I just keep slashing and chopping at KEL. Time passes, yet my blade keeps swinging.

I pause. My arms refuse to move. My lungs feel like they are on fire. I collapse to my knees and look into the eyes of KEL.

He’s a mess of guts and blood and clothes. But his eyes still remain intact. They stare at me with betrayal. Why is there so much blood?

I bring my hands to my mouth and drop my sword to the floor. It takes everything in my power to not throw up. I just feel sick to my stomach.

He wasn’t my enemy. He was my friend. And I murdered him.

Tears stream down my face as I swallow down my vomit. I want to turn away, but KEL’s dark eyes keep me hostage.

What have I done…? Please, Please let this all be a dream.

…

The sound of a switch being thrown booms across the void. The safety of our square and the surrounding accessories all disappear.

All that I see is KEL’s body.

Wait…this isn’t KEL…

Whoever this is has black hair…a thin, small body…smooth pale skin…and he has my eyes…

HIKI: “S-SUNNY…?

The world around me distorts and shifts. I’m looking down at bright green grass swaying in the wind. The smell of lavender and fresh air infiltrates my nose. It smells so nice.

I look up and see a bright blue looking back at me. The wisps of white clouds zoom by.

Is that water I hear? It sounds like waves. I stand up and dust off my clothes. My head is foggy and my eyes can’t focus well, but the air feels so nice against my sweaty skin. My empty sheath sways by my hip with an empty clatter.

I step forwards the sound, and I notice that the green grass only extends so far. As I look down, I see deep blue waves crashing against crimson rocks. The rocks lay jagged and rough as they peek above the rising water. It’s a peaceful sight…so why do I feel such a strong sense of dread wash over me.

I shouldn’t be so close to the edge.

My body slowly turns around to face the grass, but instead of luscious green fields, I see a tall figure bathed in the darkness standing before me. He towers over me and obscures almost my entire vision. He has no features except for abnormally long limbs and pure darkness.

I can barely take in anything else about him before I feel a strong push slam against my chest. Before I know it, I am in a free-fall as I dive towards the jagged rocks and dark blue water. However, as I get closer and closer to the bottom the water grows darker and more sinister as the sounds of a storm rage on above me. The rain feels like tiny needles against my skin.

I close my eyes right before I arrive at a particularly sharp rock. I accept my fate…it’s what I deserve.

…

Nothing comes though. The rain stops. I spread and fingers and they detect that I’m on solid ground. I open my eyes and look up. I’m lying on my stomach, but as I look up, I clearly see that I’m back in the void. The only thing with me is a large black grand piano.

I stand to my feet and walk over to the pure white and black keys. The word ‘OMORI’ is etched on the headboard. It looks…so familiar.

I can’t help but press down on the middle C. I cringe to myself as the note rings out. It’s painfully out of tune.

Something in the void piques my interest. Little white specks gather around me and surround me as far as the eye can see. After further examination, I see that they are eyes…beading and unblinking eyes of criticism and disgust.

Unintelligible whispers reach my ears as more and more eyes pop up around me. I run, but they follow me wherever I go.

My body shakes as I run as fast as possible. There’s nothing I can do but listen to the voices as the occasional voice penetrates through the noise.

OLDER MALE VOICE: “I didn’t know she was a dropout…her poor mother…”

FAMILIAR MALE VOICE: “What do you want me to say to you? You betrayed everything we stood for. You cheated on me. I never…NEVER want to see you again.”

MIDDLE-AGED WOMAN’S VOICE: “M̶̛̛̰̣̝͍̫̮̰̩̝̬̅̓̉͂̊̂͆̆͌̈͒̀̓̓̊̆̿̂̽͊̉͐̀̈́͆̚͠Ą̸͕̭̥̠̝͇̭͋́̆̀̌̀̌̐͆́͘Ȑ̸̢̦͉̤̭̣̙̯̳̣̻̖̩̳̫̗̗̥͔̲͎͓̖̟͍̩͇̝̥̫̘̓̉̑̈͠ͅḮ̸̡̨̨̢̨̛͍̼̖̻̱͓̦̹̩̫̹̙̱͔̪̺̟̹̤̳̘̘̳̟͇̺̞̰͒́͋̊͑̾͐̏̈́̅̊͒͛̎̎͌̈́͐̐̓̿̆̔͋̊͜͝, when are you going to leave the house? Don’t you WANT to get better?”

ANGRY MALE: “Do the world a favor and never show your face again, you freak!”

HIKI (?): “STOP IT! STOP IT! PLEASE JUST STOP! I’LL BE BETTER I PROMISE! PLEASE JUST DON’T LEAVE ME!!!”

Another switch is pulled. The void surrounds me, but the eyes are gone. The voices are all gone.

But the figure stands in front of me…waiting.

His long arms almost stretch down to the floor, but this time I feel no fear of him. I simply stand up and face him.

HIKI: “Who are you? Why were you staring at me?”

???: “I am who you call the LORD OF DARKNESS. I have been very…very interested in you.”

HIKI: “Why? What do you want with me?”

LORD OF DARKNESS: “To keep you safe and healthy in the dreamworld.”

HIKI: “That’s rich. All you’ve done is hurt me and my friends. How do you call that keeping me safe?”

LORD OF DARKNESS: “If I were not there, terrors of your imagination would destroy your world. I am but a necessary evil. I am conflict.”

HIKI: “Conflict?”

LORD OF DARKNESS: “Every story needs conflict. Something to do…to fight against…to win over. I am that conflict. I am the resolution to your story. I am your tragedy and your triumph. I am the alpha and omega to YOU, HIKI. And to the one who conjures this world.”

HIKI: “So DIEGO was right…it is all a dream? Is that what you’re telling me?”

LORD OF DARKNESS: “Yes, but in the grand scheme that is an irrelevant detail. A penny in a vault of gold.”

HIKI: “So what’s the gold then?”

LORD OF DARKNESS: “THE TRUTH.”

HIKI: “What is THE TRUTH…?”

LORD OF DARKNESS: “In due time, you will learn. You have done well disposing of your friend. He knew too much too soon. Your story is not yet complete. However, we shall meet again.”

I go to speak, but I hear the LORD’s voice boom across the void before I can even think of saying anything.

LORD OF DARKNESS: “Now. FALL.”

I immediately collapse onto my knees and bow with my arms outstretched. I groan in effort as I try to resist, but there’s nothing else I can do but obey.

My katana materializes in my left hand. What’s it doing there?

LORD OF DARKNESS: “Cut off your right hand, HIKI.”

I try to resist, but my body moves with such confidence to my knees. I simply outstretch my right hand and slash down with my left. All I can do is obey.

I scream in agony as crimson blood flies out of me. I try to restrict the flow, but everything is just too slippery. I bring my right arm to my chest and cling to it desperately. I groan and howl in fruitless pleads for help. But eventually I just simply fall to my side and breathe heavily. I feel my life begin to fade before my eyes, but before I go…I say one last thing to the world…

HIKI: “I’m sorry, KEL…”

I feel my eyes close as I drift off to sleep. I’m not lucid enough to realize it at the moment…but this is most likely the last time I will have them open again.

…

…

Fire and sirens crackle in the distance. I open my eyes and pant to myself. I see cracked concrete and pillars of smoke rising in all directions. I slowly lift myself to my feet and notice with relief that my right hand is still present. It’s still there!

However, that relief quickly fades when I see what’s around me. Instead of the sleek, modern, and beautiful buildings of the city…all that remains is rubble and fire. So…so much fire.

It rages all around me, but the crackle of the consuming flames is masked by the sounds of people screaming. I stand to my feet as adrenaline overwhelms me. I bring myself steady despite my strong wobble and see only one person standing on the street where I am.

DIEGO stands there with chipped, cracked armor and chunks of his body on fire. He pants heavily, but he has no one to use his hands to recover. In one hand, his rapier stands at attention. It’s covered in blood and ash. There’s no silver even to be seen.

In the other hand is the decapitated head of MR. TOMO. His eyes are rolled back into his skull as blood flows from his neck. His body is nowhere to be found.

DIEGO turns his head and silently looks at me. He holds up the head my professor and makes me look at him one last before he discards it on the ground like a fast-food wrapper.

Adrenaline fills my body. I need to run…NOW.

I turn my back to DIEGO to try and sprint away, but I feel something sharp impale my stomach from behind me. I look down and see his rapier sticking out of me. I’m so panicked I cannot even focus enough to scream.

I walk slowly away. It’s all I can make my legs do. However, I promptly collapse to my knees when I feel a strong fire immolate inside of my guts. It’s so strong that I feel every single cell that touches the flame burst open and send signals of agony to any surviving nerves of my body.

I collapse and simply roll onto my back. I feel someone pull the rapier out of my back. I look down at my stomach and see black flames burning my insides. I’m too numb to even try to put it out.

I’m going to die. HIKI, you’re going to die!! FOCUS!!!

DIEGO presses the sharp tip of his rapier at my forehead. He wordlessly brings it back to penetrate it through my skull.

I need to save myself. But how?!? No one is here to save me, and I can’t even move my hands to unsheathe my katana! What the fuck am I supposed to do? I need a magic spell to leave this hell.

Wait…magic spell? It wasn’t magic…but what about that time I saw the license plate and passed out?? It was probably just a weird coincidence, but anything is worth trying…

What was it? What was the license plate? It spelled a name…a name…what was the name??

MARK? MARY? MARI? MA-

Wait! It was MARI! It’s MARI! I said that name and then passed out and woke up randomly the next day! It’s a shitty idea, but it’s all I have left.

Before DIEGO thrusts himself into me, I open my mouth and utter the name.

HIKI: “MARI…The name is M-“

…

BEEP. BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.

I wake up in a cold sweat. My bedsheets are absolutely soaked as I examine myself. What a terrible nightmare…

My alarm clock blares as I reach over to shut it off. I tilt my head and see that it’s 8:40 AM…it’s time for work.

Chapter Text

The water rushes down the drain as my eyes glaze over the spinning whirlpool it’s creating. The way it moves is entrancing. It’s like watching a blackhole suck up a massive star.

The handle creaks as the flow from the faucet stop. Maybe I’m just procrastinating.

I look at myself in the mirror and see the usual husk that faces me back. SOMETHING swarms around my hollow eyes as always. Am I crazy or…does it look bigger than it was yesterday? I pointlessly touch at my face as I try to pull away the swirling black lines from my skin.

As always, it’s fruitless. I sigh to myself. I’ve done everything else needed for the day, and all that’s left to do is to practice my facial expressions.

I bite the inside of my cheek. I think I’ve gone too far though because I feel the taste of iron spread across my tongue.

No more procrastinating. I need to focus.

When I am frustrated with a customer but need to keep my composure, I will make a face like this…

I try to subtly move my face, but it immediately forms into a nasty, disgusting scowl. I terrify myself with it. That’s not right, I need to try again. So, I do again and again and again. However, every time I do, I can’t control myself. My face twists and bends itself into unnatural faces of some new horror every time.

Maybe…I’ll try another one.
When I’m happily talking to Gino or catching up with someone I know, I will make a subtle smile…

My face twitches. It tries as hard as it can, but it’s like if I tried to lift 500 pounds with one arm. I just look shaky. I groan in frustration. This happens sometimes…I can’t be worried about this. I can’t worry because if I do it will only make things worse.

I allow my skin and muscles to fall back into neutrality. I take a deep breath and look at myself once again. That was exhausting…

I can worry about this later. I’m late enough as is. GINO usually gives me a decent buffer time, but I’m sure he won’t like it if I’m 30 minutes late consistently.

My reflection stares back at me one last time. SOMETHING mocks me as it always does, but I can’t allow this to ruin my already bad morning.

I scurry down the stairs and throw on my coat and scarf. Without even checking the temperature, I can tell it’s going to be a brutal day out. The sun may be shining, but the wooden door does a poor job of insulating the freezing cold world outside. I touch the doorknob, and it is freezing to the touch.

Yet, I open it all the same. I lock the door behind me and begin my walk toward work. It’s just as cold as I imagined, but speed walking on the snow-covered sidewalk allows my muscles to heat up my body.

My brain becomes foggy as I lose myself to my thoughts. Daydreams fill my brain as I fantasize about things that I can’t remember even as I think of them. They fly in but fly out just as fast. However, my train of thought is interrupted by the sound of guitar notes flying throughout the cold air.

My breath hitches as I look up from my stupor to find the source of the noise. Usually, people will play an instrument when tourists or summer walkers stroll by the park. However, it’s odd to hear such a beautiful melody being played this early in the winter. Despite the cold air, the notes come out perfectly in-tune. Usually, the cold air makes any instrument turn flat, but it seems that great care was taken into keeping every single strum steady.

I give a small smile to the empty air as I enjoy the melody. It seems to be a waltz…

When I used to play piano more often, they were my favorite! I remember putting my entire body into the rhythm as I played. I also remember that for my first actual performance I was going to play a waltz! It was…there was something special about it…wasn’t there? It was a duet. At least I think it was?

I scrunch my face in confusion. This is beginning to hurt my head…so I choose to shake the thought off as nothing important.

My feet tap on the sidewalk as I continue onwards.

I pass by the park and find the person responsible for playing the gorgeous song. Her hair hangs off her shoulders in marvelous pink waves. Her legs are crossed as a guitar sits delicately on her lap. Her eyes aren’t visible, but the swaying of her head suggests that she’s lost in her own music.

I recognize that it might be weird to stay and watch. I’m late enough as is…so it’s not like I can afford the luxury of waiting around. However, something about the swaying of long locks of hair, the gentle strums and picks of rehearsed music, and the deep trance that comes from songs of passion makes it so I have no choice but to sit and watch.

My eyes gloss over. The waltz is reaching its finale.

The notes practically wash over me like the ocean as the volume builds in its intensity. Everything is leading up to these last moments. Even though I only came near the middle, I feel enticed and obligated to hear this musical story out to the end.

I wait for that final punch of satisfaction. I feel my breath stop as I anticipate something wonderful.

But…it never comes.

Instead, all I see are big brown eyes looking into my soul with confusion. Her eyebrows scrunch together as if something is so close to connecting in her brain.

I duck my head quickly and start speed walking away. I don’t even think…my brain is on autopilot.

She must have finally connected the dots. I may be unrecognizable from who I was in the past, but I knew I couldn’t hide forever. I just increase my pace as my breath quickens. I feel my heart race and beat out of my chest.

AUBREY: “Wait! MARI!! Wait!!!”

I don’t listen. I’m panicking too much to look back. I hear soft footsteps behind me, but they quickly stop as I round the corner.

The world swims around me as my brain continues to pluck at the worst-case scenarios that only an active mind could produce.

My hands are shaking from a mix of my anxiety and the cold as I swing open the doors of GINO’S. Of course, no one is inside eating. It feels like even GINO is busy in the back doing god knows what.

I fly into the backroom as the door swings to a loud close behind me. I press my back against the wall and shudder into myself as I collapse to the floor. I bring my knees to my chest and hug them tightly.

My body quivers as tears stream down my face. I can’t even think of why I’m so upset. Coming down from such an intense panic makes me feel exhausted. It feels like I’ve done something wrong despite only have ran away.

Maybe I shouldn’t have ran? But why did my body scream at me to run then?

I can’t move a muscle. I just squeeze onto myself and shake as silently as I can. I don’t want GINO seeing me like this.

I can’t let him see my imperfections. I can’t let him see my ugly tears. I can’t let him see my disgusting face. I can’t let him see my greasy hair. I can’t let him see my wrinkled shirt. I can’t let him see-…

…

MARI: “Have a great day Ma’am! Please, let me know if there’s anything else I can do for you!”

A MOM: “Ok sweetie! Don’t work too hard now!”

I smile lightly at her and watch as she walks away with her gross little kids. My smile fades almost immediately.

Luckily, after my panic attack, I was able to regain control over my face and emotions for short bursts of time. It’s just enough to make these short customer interactions not so weird.

However, GINO has noticed more than anybody. He seems perturbed when I try to smile or frown at him. I just hope he doesn’t inquire too much about it.

He doesn’t seem to care though. Which I guess could be seen as both a good and a bad thing. I’ll choose to see it as a good thing.

GINO mentioned something about a new coworker coming in. But I was too zoned out to listen much. We’ve been swamped all day, and despite my reservations against ruining our two-person dynamic, being the only pizza place in a town this size is starting to strain us both.

He didn’t mention when she would start, but he says that she’s already been approved and all the paperwork has been completed. He also mentioned something about her being so nice, something about her being bubbly, something something something.

Sometimes I wish he took the hint more often. It wouldn’t kill him to let me zone out more often.

…

It’s around 3 PM, and only now am I able to sit down and finally eat. I grabbed a few slices from the counter and sat down at the only clean table left in the restaurant. It seems like a tornado swept through the place with how many dirty tables, throw-away napkins, and random silverware lie across the floor and table.

My eyes gloss over as I shove the pizza into my mouth. It tastes like a piece of heaven. I don’t even think I’m tasting it…I’m really just shoving it in my mouth.

I’m busy with my cheesy and greasy delight that I don’t even realize two people just walked in.

The familiar jingle of the bell echoes across the empty room, but my eyes are laser-focused on nothing in particular. I’m so zoned out that it’s only as two people sit across from my table that I look up at my new guests.

I’m about to mumble out some generic customer greeting, but as I look up, my heart drops in my chest.

I see two people. One with pink flowing hair and one with blue highlights in his golden blonde hair.

I don’t even look at their faces as my legs automatically kick out the chair. I go to stand up and book it to the backroom, but AUBREY places a soft hand across the table and looks up with such an intense tenderness in her eyes.

I feel my heart beat out of my chest, but I also feel it swell. It’s been so long since I felt a feeling like this before.

If I was smart, I would say some sly remark, nod my head, and excuse myself. However, the only thing I can do is melt back down into my chair. I feel myself loosen as I finally look into the eyes of my…former…friends.

Former...?

BASIL has grown up a lot, but its eyes still hold that deep and intricate look that shows his soul. He’s always worn his emotions on his sleeves…ever since he was a kid. Ever since AUBREY introduced BASIL to the group, he’s been the emotionally intelligent one. He’s no different now…even though the storms of his emotions have mostly settled down, I can see how worried his face looks. What is he worried about?

AUBREY has her eyebrows raised in confusion. It’s clear that she recognizes me, but why does it seem like she’s looking at a complete stranger?

BASIL: “Hey…MARI…”

BASIL attempts to speak more, but it seems like the words are caught up in his throat. AUBREY shifts her right hand under the table. I’m almost sure that it’s to sneakily hold his hand. It’s cute…it’s something that HERO and I did all the time…so why did my mouth move into a scowl without my permission?

AUBREY lets out a cough to break the silence.

AUBREY: “We’re just…we’re worried about you! I don’t wanna be rude, MARI…but you look like shit! You look dead…”

BASIL scrunches his face in twisted emotions as he faces AUBREY. She recoils a bit at the harsh glance and backpedals her words.

AUBREY: “Maybe that’s too harsh, but…you just don’t look good. You look sick. You look…scared. And why are you always wearing that winter coat and scarf? Aren’t you hot in the sun?”

My panicking heart and frantic mind suddenly quiet from the question. Hot? What the hell is she talking about?

MARI: “Why is it weird…it’s the dead of winter! It’s freezing out…even here or at my house, I feel like I’m gonna get hypothermia. I keep on turning the temperature up…but it never seems like it’s able to keep up.”

BASIL: “The…winter?”

AUBREY and BASIL look at each other with astonishment. Their faces show a mix of concern, astonishment, and fear.

AUBREY: “MARI…what is today’s date? Do you remember?”

I think to myself. It’s obviously a Saturday, but I can’t…remember the actual date. It’s winter, so I’m sure it must be January. It could potentially be February. But wait a second…did I celebrate Christmas? How about New Year? Is it still really December? It might be, but this winter seems to have dragged on a bit too long to just be December.

I’ve been cold for a long time at this point. It can’t just be December, right?

MARI: “Is it December…?”

AUBREY’S eyes go wide in concern. It seems like she was holding out hope for something, but my answer seems to have been the wrong one.

Did I mess up? Did I give the wrong answer?

MARI: “O-O-Or it could be January! Maybe even February!”

BASIL scoots in closer to AUBREY and they share a gaze of intensity. They’re communicating without saying a single word to each other. It makes be absolutely fucking furious.

MARI: “I’m sorry…I’ve been so scatterbrained with work lately! This is so embarrassing…but don’t worry! I think what I really need is some sleep.”

BASIL: “It’s ok! You don’t have to apologize. We aren’t mad at you or anything like that.”

AUBREY: “Yea! You didn’t do anything wrong.”

Of course, I didn’t do anything wrong. I just can’t remember the date. What’s so wrong with that?

AUBREY: “We don’t have to keep talking about the dates. We’ll move on. So…how are you feeling, MARI?”

The abrupt shift in conversation changes something in me. I feel words spew out of my mouth, but they aren’t mine. They belong to something in me that I have automated. It belongs to a part of me that I have thrown aside in order to be free of it.

MARI: “I’m doing great! Honestly, I feel just…really at peace! You know?”

BASIL: “Really…?”

MARI: “Really! And I’m sorry that I’ve been so distant from you guys. I’ve just been so busy with work and with house chores and stuff. I honestly couldn’t even believe how taxing being an adult really is!”

AUBREY: “Um…well that’s really good then! If I’m being honest, BASIL and I have been really worried about you! You never leave your house except for work, and when you do…you always seem to have that distant look in your eyes.”

MARI: “Ah…well! I’m sorry about that! I’ll work on fixing that for you guys.”

The façade begins to slip as I gulp to myself. AUBREY and BASIL both pick on my imperfection.

BASIL: “You don’t have to keep apologizing…honestly, MARI…it’s fine! You’ve done nothing wrong. We’re just worried is all. After the…the incident at my house and the investigation, I figured you would take a nosedive for the worse.”

What is he talking about?

MARI: “What are you talking about?”

BASIL scrunches his eyes and tilts his head softly. His smooth skin is so perfect. It’s so clear and pure. It’s everything I’m not.

BASIL: “You know…about the accusations and all that. With you and S̶̩̑͠U̴͚͐͆̐N̴͔̱̆͑N̷̮̦̬͋͠Y̵͎̥̪̔̑.̴͖̐͝ ̸͇̣̳͆̈́͒”

I gulp to myself. His words begin to fade and in and out as he continues speaking.

MARI: “I’m…I’m sorry…could you repeat that again, please?”

BASIL looks wary, but he repeats himself regardless.

BASIL: “Oh yea! Um…the investigations and all that. From that night Ṡ̸̡̢̛̙͉̗͕̥̘̲͐͑̈́̍Ư̴̞͐͒̇͊͋͑̅̕Ņ̷̧̤̖̰̥̜͈͕͙̦̐̀Ṇ̷̹͚̝̄̃̌̑Y̵̢͇̼̲̗͛͋̍̈́͂̚̚̕͠ ̷̢̱̗̖̘̝̮̰͚̫̩̓̓̋̒̉̓̒͘̕d̸̨̧̲̭͕̪̬͆͋͠ḭ̵͎̝́̿̈̓̈̈̒͛ͅe̷̼̙̫̠̥̻͓͑͐̀̑̾͂̅̉͗̓d̷͖̮̀́̒̅”

He’s saying a lot of confusing things. Things I don’t wish to know. He’s whispering this forbidden knowledge despite all the stone walls I’ve built to protect myself. Doesn’t he know how much he’s hurting me? I don’t know what he’s saying…it’s all a blur, but the mumbles are hurting my soul.

It’s mean! What he’s saying to me is mean! He’s bullying me is what he’s doing…he’s spitting poison at me!

I feel something in my brain physically snap as all my feelings disappear. I suddenly feel at peace as I let my mind wander somewhere far, far away.

…

MARI doesn’t need to hear this anymore. She’s had a hard enough day as is.

The boy keeps talking a lot about a day and events that never happened. She’s never known someone by the name he keeps repeating, and she hopes she never does. It’s a name that brings her a lot of pain.

Slowly, the boy whose name MARI cannot remember begins to fade along with the words he continues to speak. Nothing he’s saying is relevant anyways.

She watches with cold impassivity as the body of the boy turns translucent, revealing the world behind him. He fades away until he is like that of a ghost.

Even then he fades into nothingness. His words are soundless…the only remnants of his existence is the feeling of air changing around MARI’S ears. The pressure change annoys her, but it’s nothing compared to what he was actually saying.

She looks at where the boy once sat and frowns.

There’s nothing there anymore. And there might never have been.

Suddenly, the girl speaks up to an empty chair. MARI thinks that she looks absolutely ridiculous talking to empty space. She never used to have imaginary friends in her youth, but MARI won’t judge her for developing one now! In a way, it’s kind of cute.

AUBREY: “BASIL…I think you should stop talking about it. She has that glassy look in her eyes again. We should’ve been more careful about all this.”

She sits and stares at the empty space for no apparent reason. The silence bores MARI.

AUBREY: “I know, sweetie. But we can worry about all of that later. We came to check on MARI only…not to get answers about all of that.”

It’s like she’s having a conversation with someone. Silly girl…always been so silly.

MARI smiles to herself as she remembers the fond memories.

Suddenly, the bell rings again. Someone walks in, but MARI doesn’t recognize him all that well.

He’s tall and tan and angry looking. Oh! He must be hungry!

Hungry students come in all the time looking for pizza to settle their hurting heads. This must be no different. He does look a little intimidating…but MARI isn’t scared! She’s sure that he’s just here for pizza.

AUBREY pants and gulps to herself. Why does she look scared?

AUBREY: “O-Oh…hey KEL…we were just talking to MARI! See?”

She sounds like she’s trying to disarm the man. Yet when MARI looks at him all she sees is amused disgust.

The pressure changes around her as she feels someone who doesn’t exist talking. Both the woman and the man listened attentively, but the mood of the man ultimately doesn’t change.

KEL: “Well, I guess if we’re having such a big friendly meeting, I should have been invited as well! Don’t you agree, AUBREY?”

AUBREY trembles a bit, but she responds quickly regardless.

AUBREY: “S-Sure, KEL! Whatever you’d like.”

KEL presses his palm against the table and grins town at MARI with a deep and twisted smile. Why is he smiling so much despite not looking happy?

KEL: “Good afternoon, freak. How is life treating you? Hopefully, one more day down the drain before you do us all a favor and die.”

AUBREY speaks up, but she moves away and retreats into herself regardless.

AUBREY: “You shouldn’t say stuff like that…”

KEL turns his smiling face towards AUBREY. MARI swears she can hear a squeak exit her mouth.

KEL: “Oh I’m sorry! Am I being a bit rude?”

AUBREY: “Y-Yea…a little bit.”

KEL: “Then let me go away and fix that.”

He turns his deceptively kind glare towards me once again. He’s being a very rude customer.

KEL: “Good afternoon, MARI. How are you doing today?”

That’s much more like it! See, AUBREY? He is just a hungry customer who needs some food.

MARI: “Hello, sir! Welcome to GINO’S, may I take your order?”

The man’s mouth twitches and his body recoils as if he’s been lightly shoved. His smile fades as it instead folds into a scowl.

Why is he reacting this way? Oh! Duh! I’m not smiling!

I twist my face the best I can into my customer service smile. However, it all feels wrong the minute I do it. I don’t have control of myself as my teeth bear with gums exposed, my cheeks twitch, saliva leaks down my lips, and my eyebrows push together so hard I feel fatigue instantly set in.

AUBREY pushes back her chair and covers her mouth with her hands. She looks nauseous. Did MARI upset her?

The man is no better. MARI can tell from his face alone that his fight or flight has been activated. His face shows utter contempt and hatred. He feels no need to hide it now.

KEL: “You’re a disgusting freak. You’re a fucking monster.”

Monster?

KEL: “You have 5 seconds to wipe that goddamn…LOOK…off your face before I cave your skull in!”

MARI sees him slip into his jack and pull out something silver. There are four holes in glistening metal as his fingers find a home in each of the holes. A thick metal bar lands itself on the man’s knuckles. He keeps it close to his body, but it’s still he has no intention of keeping his hands to himself for long.

Yet she keeps smiling. It’s all she can do. She has no clue what else to do.

An invisible force presses the man’s fist down, but the man quickly shakes it off.

KEL: “Get your hands off me! You know more than anybody that she deserves to die! I don’t care what the cops say, she’s guilty! And just…look at her! She can’t even be human at this point.”

The pressure changes as the man listens to nothing.

KEL: “YOU are the one who saw it! YOU showed me the pictures! So how can you say you aren’t sure what you saw?!?”

The man looks back at me but immediately ducks his head in disgust.

KEL: “Fuck you, BASIL. You really don’t have a clue in the world. You never have.”

And with that, the man storms off back through the front door. The bell jingles loudly from the strong force applied.

MARI stares blankly as she sees him slam his fist against a metal sign. He dents it pretty well before storming off towards the park. Nothing but the winter air is left to comfort him.

AUBREY stands up instantly, looks at MARI with a quivering lip, and walks out the door swiftly but quietly. She seems to be whispering something to the air. Hopefully, she would show her imaginary friend to MARI soon enough

So, MARI stands alone once again. She looks back at her pizza with a smile. She lets her face retract back to normal.

The hurtful words and people are gone. Good. They don’t need to exist in her world anyways.

I feel someone step back into the driver’s seat as I fall back into the deep void of MARI’S mind. I know I’ll be back soon enough, but yet I still worry for my dear MARI.
…

I shake my head and look down at the pizza I’ve been eating. It’s gone cold.

I thought for sure that AUBREY and BASIL were here…but I don’t remember them coming in or leaving. Maybe I imagined them?

I shrug my shoulders. It’s probably not important.

I’ve gone past my break time anyways. I have a lot of tables I need to clean…

Chapter Text

My brain lies in such a deep fog that I don’t even realize that my eyes are cracked open. I simply just part my lips and breathe in the cold air. I groan like an old man as my breaths sting my severely dried-out lips and throat. Who am I? Where am I?

This goes on for a few minutes…potentially a few hours. There’s no possible way for me to keep track of time reliably.

I hear people rush in and out. Liquid flows down my throat before I sputter it back up just as fast. I feel something sharp inserted into my arm before the sensation fades away into oblivion. The only thing that I know is real is my pounding headache. However, my ears tune in just right to hear someone speak.

???: “HIKI…HIKI…can you hear me?”

I breathlessly groan. Even in this state, I can feel relief from the person who spoke. Some other words might have been said…but before I can even think of digesting them my body begins sinking into the deep miasma of sleep once again.

…

I swallow heavily. It hurts so bad.

This time, however, I’m able to wince. I can feel my entire body, and I can feel how truly fucked up I am. My eyes twinkle open as light from a distant setting sun wash over me. I squint heavily but keep them open all the same. I can’t move my head, but I turn my eyes to see a man sitting at a chair way too small for him as he snoozes lightly. His tall frame, messy hair, and neat suit make him look more like a photograph than a real person.

HIKI: “HERO…”

The man jolts awake and stares at me. For a moment he says nothing at all. All he does is stare and lightly shake in his seat. It’s freaky.

Looking at him now, I see a man who may not be as picture-perfect as when he fell asleep. His face is covered in stray hairs he forgot to shave off, his eyes have sinking bags under them, and he has a deep scar running across his right cheek. The scar looks fresh.

HERO: “HIKI…am I dreaming?”

HIKI: “am I?”

More silence. More staring.

Slowly, he comes up and wraps his arms around me. He squeezes me tight with all of the strength he has in his body. He’s lost a lot of weight…and even more muscle. However, he clings to me like a wild animal. For the first time in a long time, I feel alive.

I’m not sure when it started, but I feel tears stream down my face as disgusting sobs leave my mouth. I’m not sure if he’s crying with me, but I can feel him squeeze tighter with my every wail.

I remember it all. I remember the horror of that day. The death and the fire and the darkness and the pain…fuck…the pain…

HIKI: “HERO…how long have I been asleep…?”

HERO chokes on his own breath. I guess that answers my question about if he was crying or not. He sputters out an answer that I can’t even comprehend. The heart rate monitor beside me beeps faster in response

HERO: “5 months in total. 5 months you were asleep. We didn’t think you would wake up. I’m so sorry…I’m so so sorry…”

HERO buries himself into my scrawny, gown-covered shoulder. I reach up to hold, rub, or just even hover over his shoulder. As I move my left hand up to complement my right, I suddenly feel something stop it with full force. Something holding it down.

I peek down to see that I am handcuffed to the bed. A pair of dull titanium handcuffs link my fragile wrist to the solid frame of my bed. I move my wrist as though maybe it’s just a trick of the light.

HERO releases me from the hug and whispers something into my ear. His rapt tone startles me so badly that I just freeze in place and gulp down the saliva in my throat. It hurts really bad.

HERO: “She’s going to be coming soon, she’ll know you’re awake. Tell the truth always, but don’t only answer when she gives a question. She may seem nice, but remember…”

I glance over at HERO as he speaks. Who is he talking about? Tell the truth about what?

HERO: She is NOT your friend. Do not trust her.”

HIKI: “Wha-“

Before I can say anything else, the door to our room pops open. It may be just my imagination, but I feel a strong draft waft into the room and on my skin. I shiver heavily, and I feel HERO do the same next to me.

He stands suddenly and bows his head in respect. My eyes turn towards the person in slow motion, but by the time they move the person is already in front of me.

I’m not sure exactly what I expected…but it surely wasn’t her. Before me stands a woman of no more than 5’4 who wore a simple white button-up, khaki pants, and simple basketball shoes. She wasn’t even wearing a tie. Her blonde hair goes down to her waist as she smiles down at me. Her blue eyes match perfectly with the hair around her body, but the colors are different in a way that you seemingly can’t look away from. I want to examine her more, but before I can she pulls out some kind of identification and shoves it in my face. The name on the ID says EMILY. I can’t even respond before she begins speaking.

EMILY: “Good evening, HIKI. I’m sure you have a lot of questions that I’m sure your lovely boyfriend here will be more than willing to answer. However, for the sake of our conversation, I’ll fill in some of the major details…”

Why does she look familiar? Have I ever seen her before?

EMILY: “…5 months ago, the APPRENTICE of FIRE went rogue and gave his life to the LORD of DARKNESS in exchange for power beyond comprehension. Your team engaged with him, and your team lost brutally.”

I feel HERO stare down at the ground. He becomes motionless…maybe he’s dissociating.

EMILY: “However, two members of your team are of particular curiosity. You and now deceased team member KELSEY HERNANDEZ were trapped in what we call a pocket dimension for roughly 5 minutes. Do you remember this, HIKI?”

Tears fall down HERO’s face. KEL…KEL…I remember now. I remember the hell we were both in. He was talking crazy about stuff I don’t even remember. Did I…did I kill him?!?

EMILY: “I’ll take it by your face that you do. Anyways, we understand only one of you…HIKI SUZUKI…made it out alive. Isn’t that right? Now we had a lot to deal with over these last 5 months…523,708 people are dead or catatonic as we speak. However, this is why I am here. Others can deal with the main issues...me on the other hand? I deal with the loose ends that don't end up making the news.”

HERO’s lip quivers. This has to be a dream…right?

EMILY: “I’m particularly interested in what happened in there. We don’t know much about these pocket dimensions, but we do know one thing for sure. Nothing besides those trapped within it can touch anything inside or out of it. Therefore, HIKI SUZUKI, you are being charged with the death of your teammate. You are being summoned to give your testimony before your sentence is to be carried out. We must know what you heard, saw, or did in that space. We believe this will have a link to plans of the LORD of DARKNESS.”

Silence covers the group.

EMILY: “Do you have any questions?”

HIKI: “Why are you here? I didn’t kill anybody! I especially wouldn’t kill my friend!”

EMILY leans down and kisses my forehead. I scrunch my face in confusion.

EMILY: “Consider me your bailor. I am responsible for keeping tabs on you before you give testimony. I am also responsible for assessing the pre-testimony material before you leave here. Therefore, we will have a long discussion before your guardian and executioner here can escort you to the courtroom.”

She points over behind me. I look to see HERO sitting in the chair with his head in his hands.

EMILY: “What? You didn’t think he stayed with you just for fun, right? This is his new assignment outside of schoolwork. To watch you and put you down if you wake up and try to run.”

HIKI: “Put me down…?”

EMILY: “To chop you down like a tree and throw you into a ditch like the scum you are. We can only be so lucky that you never tried.”

I look over at HERO in bewilderment.

HIKI: “Is…is that true?”

HERO: “I didn’t want to…I’m sorry, HIKI. Better me than someone else.”

EMILY: “I find it to be a major conflict of interest. But what do I know? Maybe he just wanted to be with you out of pity. He’s such a nice guy like that! I’m actually kind of glad you were asleep for so long. I know we’ve certainly had our own kind of fun together after work hours.”

She giggles softly while maintaining eye contact with me. She doesn’t let off despite the fact that HERO and I look mortified.

HIKI: “What do you mean by that you fucking bitch?!?”

I feel my blood boil in my neck as my weak body springs into action. I don’t have my katana by me, but I have my free hand available with quick access to her smirking face. I rotate my hips in bed and perfectly imagine my fist crashing into her nose. Blood would splatter everywhere. Her screams of agony would be my fuel to continue on. I feel myself practically salivating!

Fuck, when did violence feel this good! I feel something like an invisible string guiding my hands on a rail toward her face. Is this truly me? Or something beyond me? A light stream of grey fog leaks from my knuckles as I launch myself toward her. She’s just now recognizing her dangerous situation. I have her! I have her!

…

I feel something firm tap into my elbow, throwing me off entirely. My fist goes careening down into the post of my bed as my hips over-rotate. The entire room shudders as my fist breaks down on the metal rods on my bed. Except the metal rods might as well never have existed in the first place.

The metal underneath my fist has evaporated. As if it was made of nothing more than air itself. All that remains are little shrapnel sharps and black smoke leaking from my knuckles.

I pant heavily. When…when did I have this power?

EMILY: “See? What did I tell you, HERO? She made a deal with the LORD of DARKNESS. It’s the only way someone with no ESSENCE could obtain such power.”

HERO looks horrified. I…I didn’t mean to kill her! Did I? I don’t know anymore.

EMILY: “Keep an eye on her, HERO. Don’t let her catch you off guard. You have full permission to kill at any sign of rebellion. However, we’ll let this one slide. I want to see you tortured for your crimes. A swift artery blow would be too easy for you, scum. ”

She turns away and flicks her hair. Her well-polished shoes clack behind her as she makes long strides toward the door.

EMILY: “Goodbye, HIKI. I’ll speak with you much more tomorrow.”

I open my mouth to say some snarky comment, but before I know it, I feel two fingers pinch the back of my neck with deep precision. My entire body goes limp as I fall backward onto my bed. My eyes close on their own as I feel myself fall back into a new pit of sleep.

However, before I do, I see one last image of HERO with a sorrowful look on his face. His frown tells me much, but the words that come after flood my brain with something much more important.

HERO: “I love you…”

I feel myself relax. Whether it’s because of his comforting words or the pinch to my neck, I can’t be quite sure. I feel myself fall into my pillow as my eyes finally let themselves shut completely.

I love you too, HERO. Forever and always.

Chapter Text

EMILY: “How are you doing today, HIKI?”

HIKI: “I’m fine…”

The pupils of her eyes shape and shift into different geometries as she thinks about something long and hard. I simply just squint my eyes at her and watch with morbid curiosity. I can’t help but notice her smooth hair, fair skin, and perfectly shaped facial structure…god, everything I could never even dream of having. I don't even know what I look like myself. When was the last time I looked in a mirror? 

EMILY: “Lie.”

I raise my eyebrow in confusion. Did she…someone hear what I was thinking? Can she read minds?

HIKI: “H-huh?”

EMILY: “That was a lie. What you just said. You are in fact not having a good day.”

I scoff loudly as my lips form a strong scowl. So this is how she can use her powers, huh?

HIKI: “Of course I’m not having a good day! I’m handcuffed to a hospital bed and my boyfriend is my executioner. How do you think I’d be doing?”

EMILY: “Don’t know, and I don’t particularly care. However, lying to me will only hurt you in court and waste my time. So please answer truthfully from now on, understand?”

I go to interject, but she’s already opening her perfect lips to speak more. Why…do I hate looking at her so much? I feel something bubbling in my gut that comes from somewhere deep. Somewhere…dark. Like this hatred is my own, but at the same time not. It feels like something beyond me. 

EMILY: “Have you had thoughts of harming others in the past month.”

HIKI: “No! Of course not! Well…I guess besides yo-“

EMILY: “Lie.”

I squint my eyes in frustration. My teeth grit as I tilt my head to voice another opinion. How does she expect me to be honest when I can’t even finish my sentences?!?

EMILY: “Have you had thoughts of harming yourself in the past month?”

HIKI: “No.”

Finally, a truth. Maybe this will be enough to get her off my back.

EMILY: “Lie.”

What? Hurting myself? I would never…I wouldn’t hurt myself! Who would even think to do such a thing?

EMILY: “Have you had any contact with the LORD of DARKNESS in the past month?”

HIKI: “I don’t know…”

EMILY: “Lie.”

HIKI: “How is that a lie, you bitch! I don’t know!”

I allow my lips to curl upwards into a snarl as my eyes turn foggy. I go to reach up, but the handcuffs stop me from moving up any more than a few inches. After yesterday, both of my hands have been restrained. Much to my displeasure (or pleasure…which I hate to admit), HERO has had to feed and take care of me while I’m fully restrained. Even though he’s my executioner and warden, he has such a gentle, caring look in his eyes while he dots up the spilled soup droplets off my chin. He even whispers sweet little nothings into my ears to help ease my anxiety once I start thinking too much. If I wasn’t so stubborn, I would’ve bit his ear lobe like old times and asked so politely for a kiss. Just one kiss would turn into many. I wouldn’t ask for much…I know my situation. But…if it so wrong to want him to squeeze me and make me feel like his?

I want to daydream more about HERO. But EMILY interrupts.

EMILY: “Are you scared of judgment?”

I freeze. What a weird question…but I can’t see the point of this. Doesn't she have better questions to ask?

HIKI: “Yes. Terrified. I’ve been terrified ever since I was little of being-“

EMILY: “Truth.”

I sigh, but at the same time, I shake my head in frustration. Why was I about to share my life story with her? It’s not like I even come close to trusting her. If anyone murdered KEL, it had to have been her. She absolutely has no business knowing my thoughts.

EMILY: “Do you think I’m attractive?”

HIKI: “Wh-what?!?! No! I only like men!”

EMILY: “Lie. Do you think I’m a better fit for HERO than you?”

HIKI: “What does this have to do with anything? This is entirely unprofessional!”

EMILY: “Answer the question, or when HERO gets back from the shitter I’ll tell him you tried to hit me. C’mon…what’s wrong with a little girl talk, huh?”

Girl talk...what a sick joke. 

I want to believe that HERO would trust me over her. But well…I guess he would have a valid reason not to after I almost took her head clean off. I won't lie to myself...the idea still makes me smirk a bit.

HIKI: “No, I don’t think you’re better for him. Now can we just move on…”

EMILY: “Lie.”

My heart pangs deep in my chest. Something feels wrong. 

HIKI: “Please stop…this doesn't feel very good."

I think back to the past. To us and what we are compared to what we are now. Those intense emotions are back again. Where are they coming from?!?

Tears are streaming down my face. My lip is quivering. Where are all of these emotions coming from? They aren’t mine. They can’t be. They’re so much rawer and more intense. I feel as though I’m going to be ripped up from the inside. I feel like my stomach is turning inside out. I feel like my heart is betraying me and my brain is firing into my bones. My skin aches and my teeth itch. I gulp but nothing obeys. All I have is my voice, my sight, and my hearing.

EMILY: “HERO can do so much better than you. Don’t you realize that?”

HIKI: “No…please. He loves me more than anything else!”

She smirks and leans in her chair. Her voice has a cold, calculated tone to it. Yet it has the raspiness of someone trying to control how fast they speak. I don't want to believe it...but she almost seems excited to torture me like this. What a freak. 

EMILY: “Maybe if you’re a good girl you can watch and touch yourself while he fucks my brain out! Wouldn’t you love that?!?”

HIKI: “STOP! Please stop! Something is wrong! I-I-I don't feel good! Can I please be released!…please please just stop! I don't want you to do that!”

Drool is leaking down the corners of my mouth. I can’t control my body or my mind. Forget spiraling, I feel myself freefalling down into oblivion. I feel as though I am seconds away from passing out entirely.

EMILY cackles. The noise drowns out even my own misery. My rushing anxiety and nausea along with her shrieks of joy fill my brain with a symphony from the pits of hell.

EMILY: “Lie! Lie Lie Lie! Nothing would get you on more than that! You pathetic little thing!”

I don’t respond. I just sob into myself. Everything I'm feeling is just too much to handle. I want to just shut down and feel nothing at all. I can’t even bring my hands up to cover my face. Is that really a lie? Am I this deranged?

I hear the rustle of someone coming closer to my ear. I can’t do anything but just whimper and whine while tears stain the sheets below me.

EMILY: “Did you kill your partner, KELSEY HERNANDEZ? Did you kill him to gain power? Did you kill him out of insanity? Answer me, HIKI. I’m sorry to break you down like this, I never wanted my powers to be used for this. But you have to understand the importance of my situation. HIKI, did you kill KEL?”

She kisses my forehead again and wipes the tear from my cheek. The warm contact from her finger makes me shiver by reflex alone. Even though she is my tormentor...I need comfort. I need it from anyone in any context. I'll do anything to be touched. I can just pretend every little thing is ok! That I'm not accused of murder and trapped in my own mind. 

I don’t know what to think. I don’t know who to trust. I don’t know why I continue on. I feel my very SOUL ripped out of me. I lean over to look EMILY in the eyes. Her gorgeous blue irises peer into mine. Our lips are centimeters away from connecting. I feel so utterly inadequate. I feel worthless. I feel manipulated and used. I feel everything and nothing.

I go to speak. To tell the truth that my heart truly knows. I don’t know if saying this is what I want, or if I want this all to finally stop. Death has to be better than what I’m going through, right?

I purse my lips as my tongue connects with the roof of my mouth.

I go to finally let my heart rest.

…

Everything freezes. The hairs on my arms and legs stand as firm as redwood trees. The chill touches me to the core. However, I go back to neutrality. All of the emotions I was feeling before have gone away. I can’t physically move, however. It is as though I am paralyzed by...SOMETHING...beyond me. Beyond my vision and sight. I feel my blood run cold as fear strikes my core. 

All I can see is a figure of pure DARKNESS standing behind EMILY. She’s frozen too, but her moving eyes tell me that she’s aware of the situation. She looks AFRAID.

LORD of DARKNESS: “What a talent. Master of both SOUL and KNOWLEDGE. She can read you truly and then manipulate your heart to fill in the gaps. Truly masterful.”

He peers his head down at the young girl. She seems so much less intimidating in front of this new presence. He towers over her completely. She almost looks like a doll compared to him. 

LORD of DARKNESS: “However…she is not productive towards our goal. She adds unnecessary complications. Her part in the story has come to close.”

I can’t even move my lungs to grunt out. All I can do is watch as he places his long, lanky fingers over the shoulder of the girl. His fingers hang down and sway unnaturally down to her stomach. It is almost as though each digit is a hanging corpse on a noose.

LORD of DARKNESS: “I am limited in power while in my prison. However, even this I can manage. She has caused you a lot of grief. So much pain. Wouldn’t it just be better if…it all went away? If SHE never existed at all? Life is so so painful. Let me do you this favor. I just wish I could erase her from the other world too. Maybe once I am free, I will. Witness the power of the DARK, MARI.”

That name again…who is this person?!? Does he have the wrong woman? I wish I could speak so I could utter the name and ask what it means. 

I try to struggle...but nothing happens. I might as well have not tried at all. It's hopeless...a sinking depression creeps into every muscle of my body. Without any indication from my brain, I have given up. 

I can only watch in horror as in a blink of an eye, EMILY vanishes from existence. She does implode or turn to dust. She simply does not exist anymore. It is like she was a light that was turned off. 

My brain tries to panic, but soon, and terrifyingly so, I forget what I am even scared of. My memories run in reverse as things are erased from me. This is beyond my soul...this is beyond just memory. I feel violated...I feel betrayed. 

But soon I give up. My struggling brain feels the hopelessness creep into it. I feel as though now...giving up is a gift, not a curse. My brain fights and struggles, but eventually, just like everything else, it is proven to be pointless. 

My mind slows down. Reality starts becoming clear once again. I take note of my situation

…

I see this long lanky figure made of DARKNESS standing in front of an empty chair. But why? Nobody is sitting there, and no one ever has. I feel tears freeze on my cheek, but I’m not sure why. Why am I crying? Who caused it? Did the LORD of DARKNESS cause it?

In the blink of an eye, everything returns to normal. I blink slowly. My heart rate is fast, but my mind remains clear.

What happened? Why did he show up and just stand in front of me? I feel like…I’m missing something. As my brain calms down, I feel the intense urge to throw up. I keep it down...but my brain feels so fatigued despite it being morning. 

I try to ponder the situation more, but just then HERO walks into the room. He says nothing, but his squinting eyes tell me that he’s just as confused as me.

He walks up silently, unlatches my cuffs, and nods at me to get ready. We’re leaving for court.

Chapter Text

The sound of the train gliding across the rails is only interrupted by the occasional shake and clunk. The seat below me feels and looks like the floor of an arcade. I tug at the sleeve of my suit jacket to try and remove one pesky wrinkle, but alas it does not budge. Whoever folded my clothes must have set them down weirdly in the seat of their car. I wish this little deviation away from perfection didn’t bother me so much.

Besides that, the clothes I wear remain immaculate. My black tie sits on my chest with the tip just barely folded on my lap due to my poor posture. Straightening my back allows for the tie to almost go straight. My white button-up is ironed, whitened, and de-linted to perfection. My pants and suit jacket are the same way…minus this one annoying wrinkle.

I tug on it. It won’t budge. I bite the inside of my lip in annoyance.  

My leather shoes shine even from this distance. I waxed them myself at the hospital because no one else, including HERO, knows exactly how I like it done. He doesn’t understand my process. My tie was meticulously tied and retied in order to get the perfect shaped knot and tie length. I moisturized my face with oil from a distant tree I can’t pronounce. Then I entombed my moisture with an anti-aging cream that helps lock in anything that would leak out during the long day. I spent an hour or two on makeup…letting my brush be the extension of an artist’s hand. I look natural, but not too natural. Just enough to where everyone knows how amazing I am at this. Just enough so everyone else knows that I am better than them.

This feels natural, this standard is the expectation, and anything other than this is a failure on my part.

Being cooped up in that hospital might have made me drop my standards but bringing them up is the least I could do for myself. First impressions are so terribly important.

I’m glad HERO understands me. He understands how I must be perfect. He sits just beside me reading his newspaper and glancing over occasionally. I let him think that I don’t notice…it’s kind of cute. I wonder if anyone could consider this a date?

Well…it would be romantic of him to dress both of us up and go on a train if I didn’t have these handcuffs around my wrist connected to him. I’m getting enough weird stares from people to know that this isn’t a common sight. At first, I thought my fly was open, but I was happy to know it was just the handcuffs.

HERO at least did me the courtesy of loosening them. I still have a mark on my wrist from when he put them on too tight when I first arrived at the hospital.

He’s been acting weird lately…he had the hardest time remembering when he did that. He said that he would never slap them on so tight like that. I asked him who else could have done it then! He didn’t have an answer after that. No one else is involved with my case besides him, so it had to have been. Even nurses and doctors weren’t allowed to directly touch me without permission from HERO.

Weird…everything feels weird. Ever since the attack on the city, my whole life feels weird. I see all these great heroes going off to face the world and rescue thousands and whatnot…but I still feel as though all eyes are on me. I feel like there’s something somebody isn’t telling me. I guess I can worry about that after my trial. Once I’m found innocent, I can just enjoy the sites at…

Wait? Where even is this place?

HIKI: “HERO, where are we even going?”

HERO: “The End of Time.”

HIKI: “Hah. Really funny. Now seriously where are we going?”

HERO: “I’m not joking! The End of Time! That’s where the LORD of KNOWLEDGE who will judge you lives. Jeez, you give KEL…”

He trails off, gulps, looks out the window and then turns back to me.

HERO: “…gave…KEL a lot of shit for not paying attention in class. And yet here you are doing the same thing.”

HIKI: “Well, I don’t remember this. I think maybe you read this in some nerd book of yours and forgot to educate the rest of us. That’s the only solution I can think of.”

I lean over and kiss him a quick kiss on the cheek. Technically, a prisoner shouldn’t kiss their guardian while being transferred, but seeing his tan cheeks turn a subtle red makes it all worth it. It feels good to make him happy.

HIKI: “Anyways, isn’t the name a bit dramatic? Like couldn’t they have picked a name like Paris, Denver, Ottawa…something not so over the top.”

HERO: “Well…it’s extremely accurate. I’m not sure what else they would call it.”

HIKI: “Accurate? How?”

HERO: “You’ll see. Anyways…um…HIKI? I have a question I need to ask you. And I genuinely need you to be honest with me. This is off the record of course. But it’s been devouring me from the inside…”

HIKI: “You want to know if I did it, right…?”

HERO: “Yea…I mean, Yea! Killing KEL is like…un-fucking-imaginable to me. You would never do that! Never!... I mean, never…right?”

I grab HERO with the cuffed hand. It forces him to bring it up with me. I feel just the slightest bit of moisture on our lips as I connect with him. He’s shocked, and confused, but doesn’t protest.

I let go and look him deep into his gorgeous eyes. The eyes that make me feel safe and seen and loved. The eyes of the man I truly love.

He lets his guard down and smiles at me. I smile back just as bright

HIKI: “This is the biggest misunderstanding of all time. I wouldn’t do that to him…there’s no way. After court, we’ll take some time off and go to a beach. Maybe we can visit your family in Mexico?”

HERO: “Or your parents in Japan.”

HIKI: “Absolutely not. I know how much they stress BOTH of us out. Your parents have a lake in their backyard and give us free alcohol. How could I say no to that?”

HERO: “It really would be nice to get away…I’m tired of this. I’m…thinking about dropping out.”

HIKI: “What?!? Absolutely not! The world needs you!”

HERO: “Yea yea, it can join the club. Everyone seems to need me. Everyone relies on me. But who can I rely on? Who can I trust?”

I wish I could bring him closer. I wish I could let his tired soul rest on mine.

HIKI: “You can trust me. You can rely on me. I’ll never let you down, HERO. Never.”

HERO thinks. He ponders. He does the face-scrunch thing he always does when his mind is full of conflict.

HERO: “Promise…?”

HIKI: “I promise you, HERO.”

One more kiss…a few more giggles…lots of eye contact

I want more, but I keep getting these flashbacks to something that never happened before…

…

Younger, casually dressed teenagers are sitting down by a lake with a statue in the middle surrounded by forest. Little kids are playing in the distance, but they’re peaceful enough for the two to take their eyes off of them.

I hear them speak…

GIRL: “I would never break your heart. I need you, my darling. I know how hard it is…I get it.”

BOY: “I’m scared. What if things change?”

GIRL: “They might, but I won’t.”

BOY: “Promise…?”

GIRL: “I promise you, HERO.”

…

I feel sick. I suddenly feel nauseous. Feelings that aren’t mine begin to bubble up from nowhere and fill my insides like a boat sinking into tar.

Touching HERO feels like my only respite. I cling to him like a koala. I need him…I need him…I need him.

He tries speaking to me. I can hear the worry in his voice growing.

It’ll all be ok…everything will be ok…as long as you have HERO, every little thing will be just fine.

…

I open my eyes to see nothing but black outside of the window. I feel a soft push against my shoulder as I look up and see HERO smiling down at me.

HERO: “End of the line, HIKI.”

HIKI: “Wh…huh?”

HERO just gives a soft chuckle and tilts his head at me. He looks so pretty despite the lights up above giving everyone a sickly glow.

HERO: “We’re at our stop. Let’s get this over with so we can go on our little vacation, huh?”

I smile and lean up to stretch. I throw my arms over my head and twist my back as I scrunch my face. I notice that just a little bit of my midriff is showing, my button-up must have gotten untucked while I was asleep. I can’t help but notice HERO’s sly little smile toward me. He really isn’t as slick as he thinks he is.

I roll my shoulders and close my eyes. It’s a little award with the handcuffs still restricting my movement, but I still feel myself loosen up from my uncomfortable napping position. HERO stands up, and I end up coming up with him.

With my free hand I stroke down my shirt to remove any wrinkles and adjust my pants to come back up over my hips. Again…I feel HERO’s subtle gaze on me. It makes me smile and blush a tad. I guess I really am a simp for him, huh?

For the first time, I take a look around and see that besides us, the train is completely empty. The only sound I can hear besides HERO’s subtle breathing and the shuffling of him beside me is the disgustingly constant hum of the lights above us. I look outside and tilt my head in confusion. It looks like someone painted over the windows with black paint. I can’t see a single thing outside.

HIKI: “What’s up with that?”

I say as I point out the window.

HERO: “Mhm? Well…I told you. We’re at the end of time. Everything is gone. Time and matter don’t exist anymore.”

HIKI: “Real rich. So, what? nothing exists besides this train, us, and some tracks?”

HERO: “Instead of explaining it, how about I just show you.”

He strides on ahead with me following suit behind me. I try to stay in a dignified strut, but the short chain of our cuffs makes me constantly do a silly little trot or fast walk to account for his long strides.

Eventually, I get so annoyed that I just look up at HERO, puff out my cheeks, and stop one of my feet on the ground below me. I would assume he understands the universal signal for, “Hey, I’m your girlfriend, pay attention to me!” But I guess not.

HIKI: “HERO! Will you slow down? I can barely-“

My brain seeing shuts off as we both walk through the sliding door. What I see before me is simply surreal. Billowing gray skyscrapers soar into the heavens, so tall that the only thing obscuring them is a weird pitch black covering up the floors above 50 stories. The sides of the towers not covered by dusty concrete is plastered with LED screens displaying ads in foreign languages along with neon signs. Arrows, words, half-naked women, men, and human-like aliens fill my visions with vibrant colors beyond my imagination.

The smells that fill my nostrils can only be described as a mix of charcoal and honey. The scope of the city is so absolutely large that even the people in it seem like nothing more than little moving specks, smaller than ants.

HERO: “What were you saying, sweetie?”

HIKI: “Um…nothing…”

HERO: “Alright! Then let’s get busy. We can stop at a coffee stand before we go over to the courthouse.”

And just like that, he’s marching along again just as fast. I grumble to myself, but as we go along and approach the massive skyscrapers, my mind turns to wonder and awe rather than annoyance. I simply allow myself to be pulled along with an arched back and outstretched arm as I look up and marvel at the sights. I’ve never even dreamed of seeing a city like this!

But…the darkness. It’s just a stark contrast to the pulsing bright lights that lie in the foreground of it. Despite the lights, nothing seems to penetrate it. A couple of hundred feet and the world beyond it just seems to disappear completely. Like nothing has or ever will exist there. I wonder if it acts like a fog and has more beyond it, or if it really is the border of whatever fantasy world this is.

I think about asking, but as we start wading through the ocean of people my mind goes on to other issues. Besides, I can’t even see the darkness while surrounded by buildings and people. I feel like a piece of grass compared to redwoods.

The people around us are wearing a mix of green, brown, and black suits along with the usual civilian clothes. However, the ratio of PROFESSIONALS to civilians is too much in favor of the former to be just another city. There must be something more going on here.

I trot up to HERO and catch his ear after he orders us two coffees from a strange stand. Porn of a burly man with strong forearms making pizzas sitting in the window of a store along with several tan lean men with longer hair.

HIKI: “So…explain this place a little more to me. What is this? What’s up with the darkness?”

HERO hands me my coffee and walks side-by-side with me. He sips his coffee and then explains…

HERO: “This is the End of Time. The name of this city and the location in which we are. It is a fact that one day this world will end…with no reason and no explanation it will end. All matter will leave and time will cease to exist. It is a sad truth, but I feel like that is what gives the life we have the days we lead meaning…”

I sip my coffee and nod. I notice that the crowds are getting sparse as more and more neon signs are replaced by directory boards pointing to god knows where.

HERO: “…anyways, the LORD of TIME had a genius idea. Why not use this eternal void as a place to hold our most important people and artifacts? Sound crazy? It did to everyone else too. So, he did it in secret. He made a village on planks of wood that would seemingly float in midair. Despite there being…well no air at all…”

HERO: “…he lived there. And that’s when people started to get on board with his crazy ideas. Bureaucrats and PROFESSIONALS came…but people need to build their offices. People need to feed them. People need to govern those people…and tada…a whole city was born.”

HERO throws his hands ahead of him and gestures to the big buildings ahead of him. He must have forgotten that I’m attached to him because my arm raises up with his. I just let it hang slack while he goes on another rant about society and culture and what it means.

However, before we know it…we’ve arrived.

It looks more like a temple than a courthouse. Ornate gold animal statues line the outside of the marble pillars while lines of Latin dots soar above all else. The pillars and marble stretch out to what seems to lie infinity with the blackness cutting off anything beyond the first hundreds of pillars. Even with the sprawling building, there seems to be only two doors connected together made of solid oak doors with silver knobs and knockers. 

We walk up the steps solemnly, our shoes clack heavily against the tile stairs. We reach the entrance and stop. We both stare at each other.

HERO: “Are you ready?”

HIKI: “Ready? What time is the trial?”

HERO: “Exactly now. Just as it was always meant to be.”

HIKI: “Huh…?”

HERO leans down and uncuffs me. He kisses my forehead, holds the small of my back, and kisses me lightly. He points to the door and nods.

I want to ask more, but I know that he’ll be here tomorrow for our vacation. He’ll be right out here when I get back. I’ll go in, be proven innocent, and then I’ll be able to kiss HERO, swim with him at the beach, drink some daiquiris, and finally get some rest from all this drama. So much crap has happened…HERO needs a break. I need a break.

WE need a break.

Just one more step and then I’m done. Just need to get this over with.

I look HERO in the eyes one more time. I smile at him, turn away, and slowly march in through the imposing wooden doors.

I psych myself up, shake my head, and try removing the wrinkle from my suit jacket one last time…no luck. Hopefully, no one notices. I put on a fake smile, straighten back, and push open the large wooden doors holding my fate inside.

For better or for worse, it’s showtime.

Chapter Text

The white sterile hallways turn and wind in ways that don’t make any sense at all. Curves are met with sharp turns that are met with a constricting slope towards a single point. Doors dot the walls in seemingly precise ways, yet no one comes in or out. Maybe this is just simply a day off for everyone?

I see no security checkpoints, no lawyers, no PROFESSIONALS…just me and the hallways. I think about entering a door, but for some reason, a voice in my head tells me that’s not the right one. I’m not sure if there’s any valid reason for thinking this way… after all, there’s no distinguishing feature between any of them.

I wonder for quite a long time before I find anything of interest. 

I walk into what appears to be the main lobby. Grey zebra-striped tile lies spotless underneath my feet as I stand in its middle. This is roughly a circular pathway about 300 feet in diameter. A marble statue stands to my north of a frail old man with glasses. He smiles with some type of emotion behind it. However, I can’t even begin to discern what that emotion is. Other than that, nothing else is present

Several hallways dot the surrounding circumference, but they all appear identical. Now I’m starting to get frustrated.

I bring my head to my face and scratch my cheek out of anxiety. How can anyone expect to find their way when there are no signs, no arrows, no nameplates, no numbers, no anything!

I lean my back against the wall and slide down. I huff dejectedly and cover my eyes with the palms of my hands. I take a few deep breaths in and out. I have to reassure myself that no matter what, everything will be ok. I just need to stay calm and use my brain.

I’m close to being able to stand on my own, but right after I uncover my eyes, I see a small wiry man standing in front of me. He smiles with an emotion that I can’t discern. I look over at where the statue was…but I can’t seem to find it anywhere. Wasn’t I just looking at it?

OLD MAN: “Lost?”

I clear my throat and stand to my feet. I dust off my pants and my jacket and nod to him solemnly. I stand probably a good 4 inches over him as well as having tens of pounds on him. It's almost concerning how small he is. 

HIKI: “Very…how do they expect people to navigate this hell hole? No offense or anything…”

The OLD MAN hums but doesn’t break off eye contact. I simply scrunch my eyes in confusion. His entire presence fills me with intrigue, but I'm not sure why/

OLD MAN: “I agree. Very confusing. I find it very ironic that you call this place a hell hole. After all, you have no one to blame but yourself for it.”

I pause. What does he mean by that? Does he somehow know that I’m on trial?

OLD MAN: “Confused? Don’t be scared of it. It is only natural. KNOWLEDGE is not one that comes without any discomfort. HERO knows of this well.”

HIKI: “HERO…what do you know about HERO? Who are you?”

OLD MAN: “Follow me, my dear HIKI. I’ll show you the way.”

He then walks down a hallway seemingly at random. His gait is confusing…he has long strides like he’s walking quickly but pauses as if time is no concern. I tilt my head at him but follow along at his pace. After all, I wasn’t making much progress on my own. We walk for a few minutes, and eventually, I even start mimicking his strange gait. It feels pretty good. 

The OLD MAN stops and quickly crouches down on the tile floor to look at something. I see nothing, but he seems entranced by it. I thought old men were supposed to have bad knees. Why is he able to go down and up so smoothly?

OLD MAN: “I think your perspective is missing. Your knees are no worse than mine. Your softball injury made sure of that.”

Softball? I never played softball…is he delusional?

HIKI: “I think you have me confused with someone else. I never played softball. I was too busy studying as a kid. I wanted to make my parents proud and get into a good school.”

OLD MAN: “Mhm? Is that so?”

He pauses and strokes his hand over appearingly thin air. I’m now switching from confusion to pity. He must be a dementia patient or something of the sort. I need to get him some help, but I don’t see a soul anywhere in sight. How can someone be so irresponsible to let him out on his own?

OLD MAN: “Then why don’t you wish someone here? This is all your creation. All in your control. Confusing passageways with no help or rescue…sterile and perfect…no way out…alone. I wonder what this could possibly mean.”

He chuckles to himself and shakes his head. Even after he finishes laughing, his smile still remains. 

HIKI: “I don’t know what you’re talking about. You speak in riddles, and it’s starting to really piss me off. I need to get to my courtroom before it’s too late.”

OLD MAN: “Then why don’t you just wish to be there?”

HIKI: “I don’t know if this is some form of motivational speaking or what, but life doesn’t work like that! I can’t just change the world and my life because I think hard enough about it!”

OLD MAN: “Maybe not. But…maybe there’s more to life than you might think. Your mind might just be limited in its perspective.”

The man looks me dead in my eyes. It feels like he’s giving me a lobotomy with just his glare alone. I take a firm step back and gulp. Why am I being intimidated by such a small man?

He opens his mouth, but the voice that comes out is not his own. It’s another man’s voice, fatherly, but the words make me freeze in place. The voice has rising anger seeping out of every word. I can’t tell if it’s intentional or not though. The man’s face does nothing as he simply leaves his mouth agape. It is as though there is a speaker being projected through his mouth.

OLD MAN: “MEWO, will you get out from under the bed? I know the vet is scary, but daddy is running late as is. M̴̢̳̮̼͔͚̞͓̺̰̳̉̅̀̓̾̈́̒̀̍̉͒̓͜͠͠À̶̘͈̤̗͔̺͍̐̀̎͆̓͒R̴̡̧͚̹̩̥̲̭͍̉̃̆͌ͅͅI̷̢̛̙̣͒̇͆̅̌̈́͑̎́̓̅͝, will you get your fucking cat already?!? You both are starting to piss me off!”

I gulp. I feel my heart race and adrenaline course through my body. Who was that man? What’s a…MEWO? Why am I so scared of that voice?

OLD MAN: “MEWO? Oh my…I thought for sure he would’ve followed you.”

HIKI: “Stop reading my thoughts you old coot! Who was that? Why did you make a voice like that?”

OLD MAN: “I’m sorry it scared you so much. You didn’t deserve to hear it.”

He seems genuine, but not about this in particular. He still seems apologetic to me. I can appreciate that. 

I bite the inside of my lip. My gaze is focused on his. Even though I’m looking down at the crouched man, his dominating and confusing aura makes me feel inches tall.

HIKI: “What’s going on?”

OLD MAN: “Nothing at all, I just wanted to pet this cat. What an odd place for one. I wonder if it's important?”

HIKI: “Cat? I don’t see a-“

A cat…I see a cat. A soft black cat sleeps soundly on the ground while the old man pets it. I stop my voice in surprise. How long has it been there?

OLD MAN: “Much better. Now, I’m afraid we need to get down to business.”

HIKI: “That’s what I’ve been saying. While the cat is very cute…I’m being accused of a murder I didn’t commit! I need to clear my name and make sure no one else thinks of me as a monster.”

The OLD MAN rises quickly and places a finger on the temple of my head before I can react. I move back and yelp out loudly, but as I do, my back is met by the dull corners of ancient books. I look behind me and see a desk full of maps, books, globes, trinkets, and baubles. I scrunch my face, but as I survey the room, I realize we are no longer in the hallway. We’re in a massive study. Bookshelves soar to the sky with nothing on the spines but a long string of random numbers and letters. The place is lit by candlelight, and only a massive mahogany desk sits in the middle of it. 

Behind it, in a leather chair, sits the OLD MAN from before with a neat (but incredibly wrinkly) tan suit complemented with gold spectacles. He possesses none of the charm and senile joy that he did before, but now he sits with his arms crossed, head rested, and eyebrows scrunched in deep thought.

OLD MAN: “Welcome to court, HIKI. You’re right on time. As it was always meant to be. I am the LORD of KNOWLEDGE.”

My eyes go wide. This old geezer is one of the most powerful people in the world? 

LORD of KNOWLEDGE: “I’m only old because you think of me as old. Didn’t I say before that this is all your creation?”

Again with the riddles and confusion. I don't understand a thing he's saying.

HIKI: “Sir…I don’t get it.”

LORD of KNOWLEDGE: “Don’t stress about it. You were never meant to. That’s not your purpose. Before we begin with your sentencing, I have one personal question to ask you.”

HIKI: “Of course! Anything at all.”

LORD of KNOWLEDGE: “Do you remember a girl named EMILY? I think she was a helper of mine at one point.”

HIKI: “Do you have any more details...because I'm sorry, but I don’t think so. I’ve never met anyone with that name. ”

LORD of KNOWLEDGE: “I don’t either. And that’s a big, terrible, disastrous problem for me.”

I think about responding, but he seems to have taken the initiative for me.

LORD of KNOWLEDGE: “But that’s a problem for me. Right now is about you. I hate to disappoint you, but the trial is already complete.”

HIKI: “Complete? We didn’t even begin!”

LORD of KNOWLEDGE: “Isn’t it beautiful? No time wasted.”

HIKI: “How can you possibly hear my side of the story? Unless it’s so obvious that I didn’t you won’t even waste your ti-“

LORD of KNOWLEDGE: “You killed KELSEY HERNANDEZ. That much is obvious. It is undeniable fact.”

I let his words sink in. Me…a murderer? I could never…I would NEVER murder KEL! He was one of my closest friends, my boyfriend’s brother, a beacon of hope!

...

Silence fills the air between us.

...

My breath hastens as I begin to catch up to what he's really saying.

I go to defend my case…to beg, to whine, to plead, to snarl, to fight his words any way I could. However, he seems to already have taken the initiative.

LORD of KNOWLEDGE: “You killed him. But that is not important. Your sentence was one that I had to think through carefully. I used as much foresight as I possibly could. But even still, I am not certain I am making the right decision. The traditional option would be to throw you in jail or execute you for treason. But I think differently than those stuck-in-the-mud traditionalists.”

He gets up and receives something from his desk. I simply freeze and look at him. I’m still processing the fact that I’m a murderer. A fucking real-life murderer. This can't be real life...

My hands start shaking. I feel nauseous.

I want to fight back against the revelation, but his entire job description is being the smartest guy in the entire universe. He can even read my thoughts. Who am I to argue? Maybe I was mind controlled or pressured into it, or maybe he wanted me to! Yea, maybe when we were in the bubble he became suicidal and wanted to die, so I took him out of his misery!

LORD of KNOWLEDGE: “You put him out of his misery by cutting him up into 52 pieces? It doesn’t take a genius to take off the list of possibilities.”

I let out a quick, silent sob as the denial quickly turns into agonizing hysteria.

HIKI: “I can’t have done it! I promise! I promise I couldn’t have done it!”

I feel something crawl into my lap and almost immediately start warming me up. It feels…nice. My quiet sobs empty me. I feel like a cavern is inside my soul as I look down at the black cat from before on my lap.

I feel something from beyond the room echo out to me. It somehow feels like it comes from a series of surround sound speakers and also from my internal monologue.

ECHO VOICE 1: “Sweetie, I really don’t think MEWO likes me. It hisses at me anytime I touch you!”

ECHO VOICE 2: “First off, stop saying it! She's a baby and my best friend! How would you like it if I called YOU it!

ECHO VOICE 1: "Hahaha, alright fine. I don't think SHE likes me."

ECHO VOICE 2: "Second off, MEWO loves me the most. She is always here on my lap whenever I get upset. Are you just jealous cause HECTOR isn’t smart enough?”

The second voice giggles and hums.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

The voices stop. I jump in my seat and see that MEWO has disappeared either by vanishing or running away. I can feel my lap turning cold. 

I look over to see the OLD MAN knocking on his desk firmly. I know I need to have respect for him, but I can’t help but get a bit annoyed.

LORD of KNOWLEDGE: “Focus. We’re running out of time.”

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

LORD of KNOWLEDGE: “I have a gift and a curse for you. But I can’t explain much. I'm pushing it as is.”

He displays the items on his desk. I look up to see what appears to be an unimpressive iron nail and a long katana with wax covering the blade.

LORD of KNOWLEDGE: “The katana is an accursed weapon banished to the END of TIME by my fellow LORDS. However, you will need it in order to succeed in the future. I am taking a great risk in giving this to you, so please keep it hidden unless needed.”

He practically thrusts the katana into my lap. I feel around it, but the blade refuses to separate from it's waxy exterior. I pull harder, but it seems to stay in with just as much firmness. It’s only now that I notice something strange about the sheath. A bit of tip is sticking out, just enough to be a danger, but not enough to be useful.

LORD of KNOWLEDGE: “You must plunge that tip into your stomach when you wish to unsheathe it. The blood will melt the wax and you will be granted its extraordinary power. However, the blade will bleed you dry until you sheath it next. “

I have so many questions, but my train of thought is interrupted by more knocking.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

It’s so loud. Can this noise really be coming from such scrawny little taps? Something appears…off…

I feel my vision start to fog over. The details of my world start to blur together. I can only see big-picture things now. What's happening to me?!?

LORD of KNOWLEDGE: “I know that what I am doing is foolish. I know I will change nothing. I understand this more than anybody else. But I cannot sit by while my world disappears. I must go out with a shout…even if I will die a dog the same way.”

HIKI: “Huh…?”

My voice doesn’t appear to be mine anymore. I can feel the message escape my lips, but no sound actually comes out. As I look down I notice that my body is beginning to lose its shape.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

He doesn’t even pretend to be responsible for it anymore. Instead, he simply grabs the nail off of his desk and holds it in his fist with the tip sticking out.

LORD of KNOWLEDGE: “Hold still…this will hurt a lot.”

I can’t move my mouth anymore. Do I even have one anymore? But I seem to have still have talked regardless.

LORD of KNOWLEDGE: “I can target exactly what section of your brain thinks of what. I will use this nail to remove that very precise section and make it so that when that part is restored...when you think of that forbidden name...it crucified the rest of your brain and body with it. When you next hear this word…it will be too late for us all. However, I can offer even the slimmest bit of hope. I wish nothing more than to be wrong. To not predict the end. It’s all I can dream of.”

He brings the tip of the nail closer to me. I don’t know if it’s touching me or not…I can’t feel anything. It is as though I am a camera in midair.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

LORD of KNOWLEDGE: “Now I just need you to think of it…one more time. Please do this for me, MARI…”

MARI…that name again…who is MA-

The nail penetrated my skull with a deafening crack and goes through my brain as if it was warm butter. I had no clue it was even possible, but I can feel every nerve in my brain screech as the connection between them is severed. The change from complete dissociation to excruciating awareness makes my entire body seize and convulse. I feel my howls escape into the room as it all fades into black.

I howl, but to who? I cry, but to what?

The nail magically extends and presses itself deeper...deeper..deeper still. My brain molds around the nail and solidifies around it. I can feel my very being change in ways unknown to me. It's too much. It's all too much. I sob out and throw up over myself. I scream, but I hear nothing come out of me. 

The nail shoots out the back with so much velocity even the DARKNESS behind me is painted red with my blood. The nail goes from grey to red in seconds. The tip of the nail behind me allows the blood to drip off and form a puddle behind me. I instantly go limp as the nail extends to the ground, effectively skewering me. I slide down the nail to the floor where I crumble like a piece of discarded notebook paper. 

I stop moving.

I see myself from the 3^rd person. My face is twisted in pure agony. I don’t look like a human anymore.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

…

I see blue light obscured by curtains

…

I feel nauseous and sick. I feel cold and gross and oily. I feel cold air touch my naked body. I wish I had a blanket

…

I gulp, but my saliva tastes like iron.

…

My lip quivers. I want someone to hold me.

…

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

VOICE: “Helllloooo? Anyone home? People are going to start calling the cops if you don’t answer soon!”

A voice…an angel?

I feel a tiny groan escape my lips. It’s just enough to remind me that I’m a real person.

I move my head. It’s pounding so hard, but yet I still am able to turn over on my back.

The couch. I’m on the couch. I begin the slow process of sitting up, but seeing my surroundings just fills me with mental anguish. I see empty cans of hard seltzer, a half drank bottle of vodka, and piles of other trash that shouldn’t be there. But above all else…I’m disgusted that I’m in this house. I’m disgusted that I’m me.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

MARI: “I’m coming…I’m coming! Jesus, just hold on…”

I slowly rock myself up to a sitting position. It dawns on me that I can’t answer the door naked, so I just quickly grab a pair of underwear and my stained t-shirt from last night and throw them on. I slowly climb to my feet, groan louder this time, and step over to the front door.

Great, I forgot to lock the front door again. Typical…

MARI: “Who is it…?”

My voice comes out so groggy and weak that I can barely even tell it’s me.

FEMALE (?) VOICE: “Just open up and see! I need to talk to you about something important.”

I sigh. Whoever it is has been persistent enough to at least warrant opening the door. If I get murdered…I guess I get murdered.

The cold handle stings my bare hand as the knob slowly turns. I crack open the door to see blinding white light fill my vision. I cringe and wince at the sudden assault on my eyes. The green trees in the back sway with the gentle breeze.

I hold my head down to gain some relief from the light, but as my head slowly rises up…I see a girl

I see a girl wearing a jean skirt, a black tank top, a cute jacket, stunning pink hair, and a brilliantly warm smile.

AUBREY: “Hey…MARI. I’m gonna be honest, I didn’t really expect you to open the door. I just…was desperate I guess.”

MARI: “AUBREY…”

AUBREY: “Can we…talk?”

Chapter Text

Unfortunately, I have decided to make a very tough decision. This fanfic was planned to have roughly 200k words in it when all said and done, and that’s not even including future smut chapters I might have added as different fanfiction entirely!

But here we are…at roughly 50k words and at an absolute snail’s pace.

So, I forced myself to face a crossroads. I can either buckle down and focus on school and writing, or I can abandon the fanfiction and rework something different entirely. I chose the later.

However, I’m not just going to abruptly end things (hence this chapter). I am going to share my outline for the entire story so that while it may not be satisfying, you can try to imagine what could have possibly been. However, I’d like to give a little more context into my decision, and what may or may not be next for me as an author.

To put it simply, as long as I love OMORI, I’ll be writing and reading fanfiction. That’s just the truth. I still love OMORI, so I will be writing (even if it’s at my slow pace). I could write shorter fiction, but I’m a big fan of creating a massive story that builds not only on the game but from itself. However, instead of doing things on a chapter-by-chapter as most do, I am going to do massive chunks at a time (think 10’s of thousands of words at a time).

I think this will be better for me and my readers because it will force me to plan out my plots better and give better forethought to what I am doing.

I have three current ideas for future fanfictions…

A Hero’s Story – A story discussing Hero’s life after Mari’s death, during his depressive episodes, during Sunny’s confession, and what comes after.

Apparition – A story about if Kel pushed Hero down the stairs instead of Sunny and Mari. I won’t spoil too much after this, but a lot will be the same and a lot will be different.

Unintended Consequences: Reworked – A reworked and rewritten fanfiction that will allow me to put better themes, concepts, and character development into the story.

I’ve talked for long enough. So let me give the outline of what could have been…of course, this will spoil the story if I ever choose to resume the story.

1. We ended with Aubrey talking to Mari, but we resume with Kel instead. He’s talking with Vance and Kim, who seems nervous by simply being around Kel, about how they aren’t sure about this. It seems like Kel has made an actual gang of reluctant teens. They seem to be in it for a mix of reasons…vigilantism, money, but most importantly…abject fear of Kel himself.

Kel plans to beat up and rob one of his old basketball teammates while Kim and Vance cover for him. While the money he’ll get is nice, he’s really doing it for revenge. Back when Kel played basketball, he would always make derogatory, misogynistic, and racist comments about Aubrey, Basil, and even Kel himself.

He laughed it off because he assumed good intentions. But now he knows ‘better’

Kel kicks his ass. Beyond what he intended. His mind races and his visions fog as we realize that he has his own SOMETHING haunting him. Instead of a visual hallucination, it’s auditory. It’s the voice of Hero, his parents, Mari, teachers, and everyone telling him how stupid and oblivious he is. We as the audience don’t know often if these are real things that have been said to him or simply made up by Kel

Kel breaks his jaw and runs away in horror. He meets with Cris, who we find out has gotten really close to Kel. It’s a charming back-and-forth type of relationship where they quip, insult, and lightly fight. But you can hopefully tell that they are each other’s safe place.

They talk more about each other. Turns out she has her own issues that of course weren’t talked about in-game. They hang out at the hangout spot, and Cris holds Kel as he shrinks into her. Neither speaks about it, but they notice how good the other one smells.

2. Mari is sitting in silence with Aubrey in her house. Mari can’t say a single word. She feels herself wanting to dissociate, but Aubrey’s bouncing foot keeps her grounded somehow. Aubrey looks around with a look of disgust and pity. The house looks too much like her own.

Aubrey says she’s worried about her. That everyone is. Mari doesn’t speak, it is as though she is unable to even imagine speaking.

Aubrey sighs and begins to talk about Sunny. It’s all that’s been on her mind since she saw Mari run away from the park. Aubrey wants to help, and she wants the group back together.

Silence

Mari finally croaks out how she doesn’t deserve it. Aubrey says that while it’s disgusting that she cheated, she needs to forgive herself. She can’t keep rotting away.

Mari says that she can’t forgive herself because she murdered her brother, or at least that’s what Kel keeps saying. But for some reason…Mari can’t remember his name. Was it important?

Aubrey sighs and shakes her head.

Finally, we have an answer to the long time question, “why is everyone so chill with Mari if they had pictures of her doing it?”

While Basil got a picture of them arguing, it was dark. Too dark to get a clear look. The only possible clue was the long hair flying in the wind. Basil himself can’t be sure of what he saw and heard, but all he knows is that SOMETHING was there…it had a voice that couldn’t have been Mari’s. After all, she had never had such desperation and scorn in her voice.

So the police looked. And they found someone who fit the description. A past felon with long blonde hair who was wrongly accused of the crime of murdering Sunny. Why he was out? He wouldn’t say. And with no body found and no other evidence, he was sent away. But what about Mari? She had a mental breakdown, a deep crack in her psyche caused her to be in the soaking wet rain. They found her, hospitalized her, assessed her, and found that she would have no ability to even speak coherently in her condition.

So, everyone was satisfied…except for one. Kel knew the hair immediately when Basil showed him the picture. He doesn’t buy the story everyone bought.

Seem weak? I agree. It may honestly conflict with what I wrote in Repaid in Full as well. But, that was the bandage solution I came up with.

3. Character development. Looooots of character development. Nothing concrete was planned, but I was going to bounce between Aubrey, Cris, Kel, and Mari's POVs. We find out why Basil and Aubrey got together as a couple, Mari and Kel connect back together, and Kel is broken down to realize that he was wrong, Mari didn’t murder Sunny, but he just needed a scapegoat to try and pin down.

4. Oh yea, btw, I had no Headspace middle part planned. I was just gonna wing it. Cris would have joined the cast, it would have gotten a lot more violent, and everyone forgot that Kel even existed. All I know is that imagines of Kel and Sunny haunt the corners of her vision

5. For the first time, Mari and Kel are alone. The conversation steers off of Kel and Cris and towards the inevitable…Sunny. However, even though Mari tries to hide it, she still can’t remember it. It’s like she couldn’t even hear or understand that word when others say it.

And he…is…pissed. We see a side of Kel that isn’t even imaginable. He screams and yells and accuses. He begins to backtrack into his old ways. He hallucinates and Mari dissociates completely. She just has a foggy look in her eye as he shakes her around and begs her to remember her brother, who he realizes has forgotten all details about him.

Aubrey and Basil arrive. They try to stop him. They can’t. He threatens Basil with violence as he tries to break them up. Kel looks like a snarling beast. He’s fully off the deep end. I wanted this section to be heartbreaking…since we see such strong development fly backward in a cacophony of rage and sorrow.

Kel is manic. He’s laughing now as he stares at Mari, begging that it’s all a joke. Mari squeaks out that she doesn’t know his name. His nails digging into her arms prevents her from dissociating. He says to guess. To really think.

She guesses wrong.

Kel begins wailing at her. Kicking and punching her as he sobs and yells. Snot flying down and tears streaming down. Basil tries to stop him, but he gets knocked out. Aubrey has no choice but to call the police.

6. Mari wakes up and sees Kel sitting beside her with a pair of flowers. How he got in…who knows. A long talk between them occurs. Kel breaks down in Mari’s arms as she forgives him for sending her to the hospital. Kel is just like a child again as he sobs and talks about how selfish, awful, and terrible he’s been. He promises that he’ll make it up to her and that even if it takes his entire life, he’ll be friends with her again.

7. A long Headspace section. The finale of Headspace. The plot leads to a finale where in Antarctica, the Lord of Darkness is beginning to leave his icy prison…and for the first time, his darkness is leaking out into the air. The good and bad guys race to the continent to battle for the future of their world. But Hiki has other ideas.

She goes AWOL, and while her friends fight to death behind her, she races towards a secret hideout, where the Lord of Darkness beckons to her. Her new katana pulses and faces a direction-like compass.

An icy cave presents itself. She goes in to see the Lord of water and time furiously trying to keep the darkness contained. However, the one second they turn away, the darkness overtakes the room and suffocates them. They are made to have not existed at all. Hiki wonders why such an important person is left unguarded.

The Lord of Darkness fully escapes his tomb. The cave disappears to just an arena of darkness. At this time, his underling/assistant arises from the shadows. Remember him? He’s like the 3rd most powerful person in the world who was the first to submit himself to the Lord of Darkness.

He’s unrecognizable as a human. The direct comparison would be the ghost devil from Chainsaw Man.

One monologue later, we see Cris, Hero, Aubrey, and Basil all emerge from nowhere, weapons prepared. However, from the other side, Kel appears just as he did when he first died. He speaks. Apparently, those who die in darkness will live eternally in darkness.

He speaks to the rest about what he knows. How he heard and knows that the world they inhabit is a dream and nothing more. How their pain, happiness, and life is meaningless. Hero tries to deny it, but the Lord of Darkness tells them it’s true. He also tells them who the dreamer is…and that her name is Mari.

Hiki thinks about the name for the first time. And suddenly, the Lord of Knowledge’s curse takes effect. Phantom nails pierce into her body and crucify her to the ground. Her brain is pierced and skewered by 10’s of long steel nails that appear from thin air.

She screams…but her mind suddenly goes someplace different.

A picnic…with her friends. And her brother, whose name she finally remembers…Sunny

She loves him, and she always will.

They talk together, and Sunny tells her that this isn’t her fault. That she needs to forgive herself and move on. After all, it’s what he wanted to begin with. (Remember the deal he made that started this whole mess)?

She returns back to the arena to see red hands pulling out the nails and raising her to her feet. Her body heals itself (Idk why), and she sees her brother. They hug, but not for long.

Sunny tells her that she must let go of everything, including this fantasy world. How will she do that? To slay the Lord of Darkness and choose to live in reality. However, only she can make that choice. Only she has the power to choose.

The Lord of Darkness offers her a second option. A more resounding choice. To give herself into the darkness entirely and live in this world on repeat forever. To forget the pain of the real world and live as a hero, an underdog, a wife to Hero, and a friend to everyone. She can be the perfect person she’s always wanted to be.
It’s also implied that the Lord of Darkness is the voice that we hear when Mari dissociates.

Thus…the three endings are born…

Ending 1 (Coma) –

Mari/Hiki cannot choose. She doesn’t know. She panics. She creates a bubble around herself that no one can penetrate with voice or otherwise. She curls into a ball and shakes. She stays there…and will stay there until everything is ok. Until everything is fine…she doesn’t need to choose, she just needs to think…to think more…to think for eternity.

We cut Mari. Older, but unmoved. The date on the calendar reads far, far into the future. With no choice being made…she never has the jolt to wake. And so there she is. In the hospital bed…waiting and thinking…for all eternity.

Ending 2 (A Perfect Loop) –

Mari/Hiki gives into the darkness. She sides with the Lord of Darkness and his Assistant. Together, they one by one slays her friends in gruesome displays. The more Mari/Hiki does it, the more she’s able to dissociate and think of it all as a dream or a fun game. Her katana is too strong…she’s too strong for them. Aubrey’s throat is slashed, Basil is skewered, and Kel looks her in her eyes with his final breath, and sees nothing at all. She kisses Hero with tongue while he chokes up his own blood. Mari/Hiki just laughs.

The last is Sunny. The fight goes on for a while. But she is victorious. All Sunny can say is that she’s sorry…so so sorry. He should have listened to someone…someone named Omori?

The Lord of Darkness laughs, but soon every time fades away into perfect darkness. Mari…now fully unaware of reality, just laughs and jumps for joy.

We cut to an empty hospital bed. We cut to a house, covered in bottles of alcohol and food scraps. It is literally a garbage pit. Mari (now called Hiki) looks up at the ceiling with stars in her eyes. A smile permeates her face.

She’s hungry, but there’s no food! So, she gets up and walks outside with her trusty katana (a razor-sharp kitchen knife). It’s summer at this point, but to Mari, it’s the absolute dead of winter.

She’s so unaware of herself that she’s just walking around in a tank top and gross underwear with a knife in her hand. Not sexy…just deranged.

She sees Kel walk up to her with a concerned look in his eye. He talks, but she can’t make out what he’s saying. He must be a villain! A new foe to challenge and defeat her friends! She doesn’t know who he is, or where her friends are…but she knows that she’s gotten to stop her.

She plunges the knife in her stomach (which is how she kinda ‘revved up’ her katana in Headspace) and pulls it out swiftly. Kel looks mortified, and he begins screaming at her and for help. But suddenly, she does her finishing attack!

A quick stab to the chest is all it takes for the foe to crumple to the ground. He sputters out and collapses to his face. Mari simply walks on to her next mission.

She tries sheathing her katana, but for some reason, she can’t. The real world and Headspace flicker back and forth, while Daddy Long Legs stares in th distance, laughing and laughing.

Soon, she feels weak. She collapses to the ground and sputters out. She looks up to the sky and smiles. It’s so cold…so so cold. Maybe she’ll just take a little nap. After all, Headspace isn’t going anywhere.

Sirens blare, but her eyes do not go to look. She’s focused on the bright summer sky above. She has a smile on her face as the fire inside her dies out.

…

…

We end with a boy, a small boy, opening his eyes. He’s pale with black hair. An annoying boy next to him is shaking and yelling at him to wake up! That it’s Christmas!

His name is Kel. And the boy’s name is Sunny. Sunny thinks to himself…but can’t remember what happened. Must have been a long, detailed, terrible dream.

And so, a perfect loop is created. But who will have the strength to break it?

Ending 3 (True Ending) –

Mari/Hiki fights with her friends and brother against the Lord of Darkness and against the assistant. Of course, they win! A lot of details that I can’t be bothered to write down occur. She gains more and more of her memories of Mari’s life.

They win. And while everyone is scared to disappear, they all want Mari to live her life. A real life. Sunny gives her one last hug and sobs into her chest. It seems oddly enough…he’s more real than anyone else she’s met in the dream world.

They talk. Sunny holds her. But A bright white light appears…and suddenly she’s alone…

We cut to an empty hospital bed. We cut to a house, clean and with a personality of itself. We see a Mari dressed in a summer dress cutting vegetables and putting them into a stew. A white cat meows from behind her. She must be hungry too!

But she’s all out of proper food. Awe shucks… she’ll have to go out and get some!

She walks out with her purse. It’s a beautiful summer day, and she can’t believe how tan she’s getting!

She sees Kel and talks with him. He’s changed a lot, and he seems to have found some form of inner peace. He says that he was coming over to invite her to a picnic his family was having. She says that she has stew at home…but Kel is insistent that she comes and just brings the stew with her.

Ah man…he’s so insistent! He has that spunky energy back that Mari missed so much. Kel is just glad that the old Mari…the one he looks up to…is back. A time has passed since the incident, a time that’s undeterminable. But it’s clear that water is under the bridge.

They smile at each other, part ways, and meet up again at nighttime for their picnic.

Mari brought some proportioned dishes of stew…but when she sees the center of attention, she gasps. It’s Hero. He hasn’t actually seen him in months…he must be back from school.

They avoid their gaze, but Mari can’t help but notice how cute Hero looks (notice how I said cute and not sexy? Oh yea, baby…she reclaimed some of her innocence back). They all talk about Sunny. Their favorite memories and conversations with him. However, this time, Mari is able to give her stories and emotions. She starts crying, but no one else can possibly know why.

They all talk, eat, and laugh…all in memory of Sunny and of themselves. They’ve come so far, but they promise to not let anything get between them again. Eventually, Kel kinda pushes everyone to go swimming…except for of course Mari and Hero. It seems he still is a little rascal after all!

Silence fills the two. But eventually, they begin some superficial conversation. However, Mari blurts out that she’s sorry. She’s sorry for cheating, and she really doesn’t have an excuse for what she did.

Hero sighs. Looks at her with kind, tired eyes, and he asks her if they’re still together. She says no…and she asks about Emily. Turns out, Emily is just his new college best friend. Mari says oh…but doesn’t let on the weight lifted off her chest.

Nothing is solved. The scar is still there. But now at least they sit there as Hero and Mari…and not as strangers. Hero offers to talk more about it later, and Mari gladly agrees,

But there’s something…something she needs to say. Something she forgot about. There’s something that may rip everything else apart, but it is all that’s important right now.

Mari looks at her friends. They smile and laugh and look at Mari with grateful eyes.

What will they do? How will they react? Well…maybe that’s not important

Mari feels the eyes of something watching over her. But this time…it’s not a figure of darkness. It feels like family.

She opens her mouth…declares that she’d like their attention…and she says…

“There’s something I need to tell you.”

END

Thank you to all who supported, supported, and will continue to support me in the future. I can't wait to write more, and I can't wait to read everything that ao3 has to offer!