192 - End of the End 2

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Due to [Origin perception], one of Iyori's support skills from her class, we were able to gain awareness immediately when swallowed by an illusion. That was why we knew... Or I knew... This wasn't an illusion. His power altered reality itself. Just what had been the border between reality and fantasy? If a fantasy was impossible to dispel and lasted forever, would it still be considered as a fantasy or reality? If someone was born in a fantasy, would it still count as fantasy, or would it become real because it was real to someone? This blur of a boundary was utterly abused.

Surroundings stretched out as colour filled the once white background. Buildings rose from the ground in an instant, painting contrasting hues across to look like natural landscape... No, there was absolutely nothing differentiating this from reality. All of it was real. The ground felt real, the sky was real, this city was real, and I could die for real. My body had reverted back to the time when I was 6, and was back in front of my old house.

My stats were also different now. Name was set as Emily Shuu and my level capped at 50. An artificial feeling of nostalgia infiltrated my mind, numbing my nerves and lowering my guard. It was akin to an addiction eating away at my soul, constantly pulling my guard down to ready any possible ambush attacks. Desperately grasping and pulling whatever is left of my willpower, I set about to enter the house.

The door creaked as my tiny hands shakily forced the doorknob around and pushed the flat surface with my weak tackle. Trodding in, my footsteps gradually slowed as they grew heavier and heavier. It felt like a mountain was pushing down on my stature, despite my previous capabilities of being able to carry a mountain like paper. The lights were disfunctional and the inside was bleak, a certain sense of familiarity hit me, though I couldn't exactly identify why.

Though my stats had regressed, my skills were still unchanged. The system built by the previous goddess must have been so robust that only stats could be manipulated, the skills residing were much harder to remove. It probably took a decent chunk of his power to wipe them. Unlike other sources of power, skills could be relearned as long as I remembered the magic circle composing them. That was why most of them returned when I had regained my memories. Activating my radar with [Demonic energy], it seemed the whole continent had been recreated and was still expanding.

Eventually so much of the universe would have been recreated that I wouldn't reach the edge in time without enemies to beat. I would subsequently forget or give up on the previous world, causing myself to be restrained here forever. Would it be so bad after all? When he blows up and removes the other one... I could live here... Obviously I'm against it, but it's gnawing at me... The... Tendency to forget... And let go... So everything would be... Much easier...

The thunking of my gait echoed off the walls, outdoing my palpitations in occupying my mind. I soon reach the end of the entrance hallway in what felt like a day, reaching out with pale hands, I supported myself by holding my onto the wall with my left hand. Cold sweat drenched my neck as my breathing became more erratic. I could foresee myself struggling to stand up. With the authority of [Death], I should be immune to debuffs... But these were not debuffs... Once again they were real.

The only thing stopping myself from reaching this avalon... Was myself... Enough about my thoughts, I have to move one if I wanted to get anywhere. Turning my head around the wall, I closed my eyes unconsciously. Deep darkness as not a single ray of light went through my eyelids. Perhaps, something scared, to the very core, it brought about shivering and instability. Perhaps there was something there that scared me, ah, I see...

Opening eyes, I was once again back there. This time, the mental corruption was wiped away. My conscious was only focused on what lay in front of my eyes, an unfortunate hypothesis came through. It was "that" time. On the couch, a pile of blankets and clothes were placed on some cushions. A coping mechanism perhaps. Anyway, I was once again assailed by guilt. Did I like that my hypothesis came through? Did I maybe sought to see this? Or were my regrets coming back to haunt me?

Once again, I was greeted by the sight... Of my depressed mother who had sobbed herself to sleep. The table had an empty cup, with the hinted scent of coffee permeating in it's base. The tiny amount of light, penetrating through the blinds were enough to reveal everything. They displayed it so sickeningly in detail... This was after all... Reality...

What first came to mind, was my father's kidnapping. Mother is still sad. I have to help mother. But what could I possibly do? There was nothing left. The life and support of this household was gone, due to an unknown higher power, just because they ordered so... Approaching the couch, I spot where the blankets were steadily rising and falling. And guessed where her head was. Peeling the blankets off, I observed her face, scrutinised the suffering she went through... I was only out... Playing in the dungeon... I could have helped but didn't. Was this my fault then? Though I was only a child, so it was natural to be powerless...

What could I possibly do... Nothing. Simple as that... What should I do now... I'll only be burdening my mother. Perhaps, this time... I should stay with her and support her. Though a lot of shock had been forced, I could still remember everything. It was starting to blur, as if it faded naturally no matter how hard I had clinged on to it. But this was just the result...

Reaching my hand over, images flashed through before it had made contact. Was my mind telling me something?....!!

Activating in time, a barrier of [Death] extended in a small radius of 1 metres. Barely covering my height with its 2 metre diameter, I stood stock still at the sight happening before my eyes. No, it wasn't the sight that drew my attention. It was the pain coursing through my shoulder. Collapsing into a crouching position, I grabbed it intending to lessen the pain.

"AAAAAAAAAGHHGHHHHHH!!!!!!"

Now, my mind was only occupied by my own blood curdling scream. My receptors receive and I hollered at my pain. I wasn't used to it yet, I had only returned to my 6 year old self. To my sight was what I had seen at the start. Except a visible chunk of my mother's body and the couch as gone. Vanished. The extension of my barrier simply erased them.

"kuh fffffff." Did I... Forget to breath...? What was I doing in front of mum? Did I want to check for fever?

My right hand had somehow returned to where it usually was, resting at my side. The bleeding was gone, and my mother back in one piece. This time, I checked for her torso, palm and pocket. There was no knife anywhere to be found. Was it just my hallucination? I feel... Tired. Heading through a practiced route, I went straight to my bedroom. Dropping onto it like a dead body, I gradually lowered my eyelids. It felt like they were too heavy... Why did I stand there for so long anyway? Sure dad's gone, but I need to help mum and continue going to school...