the truth(9)

The endless void stretched around them, a space untouched by time, where echoes of the past replayed like a broken record. Dakota stood at the center, arms crossed, his usual smirk absent. The rest of the group stood beside him, watching as the memory continued unfolding before them.

Lucas shifted uncomfortably.

Lucas: "Alright, Dakota, before we continue—what exactly am I supposed to be preparing for?"

Dakota didn't turn to face him, his gaze locked on the scene ahead.

Dakota: "You'll see. Just… pay close attention to what you feel."

Lucas narrowed his eyes but didn't argue.

Mia sighed, arms crossed.

Mia: "That's not ominous at all."

Ava, standing beside her, rolled her eyes.

Ava: "What else is new? Dakota always speaks in riddles."

Dakota's expression darkened.

Dakota: "Just watch."

And with that, the memory shifted.

The school day had ended, and the hallways had mostly cleared. Michael and his friends stood near their usual spot, anticipation thick in the air.

Michael checked his watch before turning to Ethan, who leaned casually against the lockers with a confident smirk.

Michael: "Alright, Ethan. No more stalling. Where is she?"

Ethan pushed off the lockers and gestured for them to follow.

Ethan: "She'll be here in a minute. Just relax."

Emily crossed her arms.

Emily: "I don't know why, but I feel like this is going to be something ridiculous."

Marie nodded in agreement.

Marie: "I just hope she's real at this point."

Before anyone could add another joke, a voice called out.

Lisa: "Hello, Ethan."

The group turned their heads.

Standing at the end of the hall was a girl with long black hair and deep, piercing black eyes. She had a delicate yet confident presence, her expression warm and friendly. She was beautiful, but there was something strange about her—something that made Michael pause.

Michael (thinking): "She looks… innocent. Kind, even. But something feels off."

Beside him, Emily nudged his arm.

Emily: "Well? Say something, genius."

Michael crossed his arms, still studying the girl before finally speaking.

Michael: "Huh. She seems… nice. Kind of strange, though."

Lisa chuckled softly, tilting her head.

Lisa: "Is that supposed to be a compliment?"

Ethan stepped forward, a grin on his face.

Ethan: "Ignore him, Lisa. He's just weird like that."

Lisa smiled warmly.

Lisa: "I figured."

Back in the void, the atmosphere shifted.

The group stood frozen, staring at Lisa's image in the memory, their expressions twisting in shock and disbelief.

Ava: "Wait… isn't that—"

Luna: "No way… it can't be."

Mia took a step forward, her voice barely a whisper.

Mia: "That's the girl from the Dungeon of Wish and Terror. One of those three cloaked figures… the one who fought Dakota."

Henry clenched his fists.

Henry: "What the hell is she doing here?!"

Lucas turned to Dakota, his stomach twisting with an unfamiliar feeling.

Lucas: "Dakota… don't tell me…"

Dakota exhaled, his tone cold and emotionless.

Dakota: "Yes. She was reincarnated, just like me."

A tense silence followed.

Ava's expression hardened.

Ava: "So that's why she knew you."

Dakota nodded.

Dakota: "That's right. She joined Blazer and the others for one reason: to get in my way. To defeat me. That's why I hate her even more."

Luna bit her lip.

Luna: "So you knew her in your past life too. That means… she betrayed you, didn't she?"

Dakota's gaze remained fixed on the memory.

Dakota: "Keep watching. You'll understand soon enough."

Back in the past, the group surrounded Lisa, bombarding her with questions.

Marie: "So, Lisa, how did you and Ethan even meet?"

Lisa smiled softly.

Lisa: "It's actually kind of funny. I was reading in the library one day, and he kept sneaking glances at me. Eventually, I just asked him why he was staring, and well…"

Ethan smirked.

Ethan: "She was cute. What else can I say?"

The group groaned at the cheesiness, but Lisa giggled.

Lisa: "Ethan's always been really sweet to me."

Ethan grinned.

Ethan: "And you're amazing, Lisa."

Michael and the others exchanged amused glances before breaking into laughter.

Michael: "God, you two are disgustingly adorable."

Marie: "I think I'm going to be sick."

Lisa blushed slightly, but she didn't seem embarrassed. Instead, she looked genuinely happy.

They spent the next hour hanging out, talking, and getting to know Lisa better. She was funny, kind, and incredibly intelligent.

Even Michael had to admit—she didn't seem bad at all.

As the memory played out, Dakota's group exchanged uncertain glances.

Ava: "I don't get it. She doesn't seem that bad. What did she even do?"

Mia nodded, arms crossed.

Mia: "Yeah, Dakota. She seems like a normal, kind girl. If you didn't tell us she was from the dungeon, I wouldn't have believed it."

Henry frowned.

Henry: "Are we missing something?"

Dakota let out a humorless chuckle.

Dakota: "Even when I first met her, I didn't think she was bad either. But later in high school…" (his eyes darkened) "she did something unforgivable. Something I'll never forget."

A heavy silence filled the void.

Lucas, still staring at Lisa's image, felt an unfamiliar sensation creeping up his spine. His chest tightened, his mind clouded with uncertainty.

Lucas (thinking): "Why do I feel like I know her?"

Dakota turned to him, watching his reaction closely.

Dakota: "Lucas… what do you feel when you look at her?"

Lucas swallowed hard.

Lucas: "I… I don't know."

Lucas: "it feels like a feeling that I never have experienced before, it feels both good and bad. And I feel disgusted and angry like I'm in rage just by looking at her, but also feel's kinda plesent to look at her and good. But I still feel bad emotions towards her than good.

I barley feel any good emotions towards her,I only feel rage and disgust when I look at her."

Dakota narrowed his eyes.

Dakota (thinking): ... well it seems like Lucas is actually Ethan reincarnated without his memories... So that means... Let's not think about it yet.

And with that, the memory continued playing.

Dakota knew the moment of truth was coming.

The moment where everything would change.