Dead Sun Illumination II
"Video games?" I look at her questioningly. "That's children's stuff. I remember playing Mario and… you remember that game with the tank we used to play? Was fun, but I think I've grown out of it."
Mei forces one more piece of bread into my hand as I finish the last. "Not that…"
She heaves a sigh. "You should give it a go. Our company has been developing one recently. They'll even grant you exclusive items as an early player."
"Listen, Mei," I tell her, locking eyes with hers.
Her messy hair covers her dead-fish eyes and the dark bags beneath them.
Her pale skin looks illsome, and her thin hands waver, the nails dirty and unkempt.
"You don't have to worry about me at all. I'm fine. I'll be fine. You have a busy life with work and two responsibilities on your shoulders, so better worry about yourself."
"Three responsibilities," she interjects with fuss, rapping her fingers against the table. "You've taken care of me before; now it's my turn. I didn't realize sooner."
I extend my hand and firmly grab hers.
She blinks tiredly, her tremors ceasing, her expression softening.
Blinking, the lights from above color the table in a yellow tone.
The tune of the chirps from the open window disrupts the silence.
"Let's not talk about it. The past is past," I say, backing and forking a piece of tomato from the plate to my left. "You know what would truly drive me mad? If you were to suffer. As long as I can see you and the kids smile, I'll be happy."
Mei looks down. "It's just… the children have lost their father, I don't want them— us to lose you too… Speaking of which…"
"Cei! Wei!" Mei calls, taking her chance to leave the table.
"The food is getting cold!"
"...Just five more minutes!" the little rascal yells from the other end of the house.
There she goes.
I grab my phone as I feel the vibration of a notification.
Something's come to my mailbox.
How weird.
I'm pretty sure I've paid the due bills: TV, gas, lights… oh, the internet?
Strange. I thought I still had four days.
As I swipe, the notification appears: a massive banner with dozens of fantastical creatures and mythical weapons in a row.
At the center stands a kid, an angelic boy with a clever face, rainbow hair, and feathers covering his bare body.
His left hand is extended in a welcoming manner, while his other hand holds a thunderbolt.
The Fish Constellation Pisces grants you an opportunity to participate in the Grand Battle Royale!
Press now and escape into the magical and mysterious world of Noitavitluc!
An ad?
How come?
I've never logged into any catchy sites before.
What's this anyway?
I push my finger onto the delete button, yet before I click, I halt.
This looks like… a video game?
"...You've made such a mess! Who's going to clean it all, huh?!" Mei shouts.
"...Wei will! She's behind most of it!" Cei screeches.
"...Lies! It was Cei! I swear!" Wei weeps.
Scooping one more spoonful of the warm soup and slurping it, I press on the ad, which brings me to a weird website.
Indeed, it's a game.
As I'm reading the description, I get more and more invested.
Log in to claim a free character pull!
Build your kingdom with immemorial jade beauties!!
Triumph over the demonic dungeons for wealth and glory!!!
Become the hero of our story now!
Reading further, I reach the bottom of the page.
There's a huge, shiny download button in the hands of a cute maid.
But when I press it, a survey pops up.
1: Is all life equal?
1. No
2. Yes
3. —
What kind of question is this out of nowhere?
Maybe it's not a game, but some secret government shenanigans. I should've known not to indulge my curiosity…
But I can't exit the questionnaire. No matter which button I press or how many times I tap the screen, the message doesn't change.
Do I have no option but to answer?
"...Nooo!!! Don't touch our castle!"
"...Mean! Mom is so mean!!!"
I mean… I don't have much to do.
It says question number one, which posits the chance of numerous following questions.
Do all the games nowadays force you into a survey?
What will await me in the end?
Curiosity takes hold of me.
I reread the question.
1: Is all life equal?
1: Is all life equal?
1. No
2. Yes
3. —
Three options. The first for disagreement. The second for agreement. At last, the third for neutrality or avoidance. Presumably.
Equality? Hmm…
This is a tricky question.
It essentially asks whether one life holds more value than another.
But… how do we go about determining the value?
From what they possess? No.
Wealth, for example.
What is the use of wealth for a dying man?
Even eternity.
What is the use of eternal life for a man desiring death?
It's hard to discern the value of matter too.
Water is a calamity for a drowning man, yet it is a necessity for a thirsting man.
On the other hand, what if the drowning man wants to drown, and the thirsting man wants to wither?
So, is there a universal value that we can attach to things?
2: Is there no absolute truth?
1: Is all life equal?
1. No
2. Yes
3. —
What a weird question.
What is the truth of things?
Is there such a thing as an absolute truth? Hmm…
The truth…
Beauty, let's say.
Beauty is generally considered to be an excellent quality…
Yet does this always hold true?
For example, a carpenter ignores an ugly tree. Its ugly qualities save it from being cut.
Now, with all the supposedly beautiful trees dead, who is to say it's atrocious? Who is to say it's useless?
The dead cannot talk.
The wooden house cannot talk.
In the end, the one remaining tree cannot talk either. Is it beautiful? Is it ugly?
If a man sleeps in a damp place, his back will ache, and he will end up half-paralyzed.
But is this true of a loach?
If a loach lives in a tree, he is terrified and shakes with fright.
But is this true of a monkey?
Of these three creatures, then, which one knows the proper place to live?
3: Is there no good and evil?
1: Is all life equal?
1. No
2. Yes
3. —