Salvation in Ruin
"I see you"
Everyone stood frozen, as each syllable reverberated through the room, despite the two planes being supposedly separated by the curtains.
But now.
The idea of them being separated from each other began to falter, as everyone held their breaths in utter dread at whatever would happen next.
The Mad Prince stood motionless, staring at where they were, as if silently waiting for an answer, yet he received none.
A look of perplexion grew on his face, as he raised his foot, taking a few steps closer, leaning forward, his face now inches away from where the curtains supposedly were.
"I-Interesting….there is no evidence of any construct, y-yet…..I can feel a strange group of shadows right here" he whispered, his voice an eerie rustle.
Like a child who had found a new toy, a look of amusement that shouldn't exist on such a being, came into fruition. He smiled like a maniac as he took another step forward, threatening to collide with the space, as the spectators leaned back in fear.
However, as he took that step….
The theatre…moved
As if responding to the separate dimension, the moment the Mad Prince would seemingly meet the room, it would motionlessly shift parallel in response. Like two ends of the same magnet, they seemed to repel each other. The process continued for a total of five steps, before the Mad Prince stopped, realizing something was amiss.
He brought his decrepit hand up to his face, stroking it with intrigue.
Instead, he now moved….around, the room.
To this act, polar reactions responded. The room did not shift in response to this action, causing the Mad Prince to smile like a joyous ghoul, as he carefully navigated around the boundaries of the room, seemingly aware of the spatial difference, as his head craned up and down, somehow studying the invisible space.
The spectators followed his movements with wide fear, full eyes, silent the whole time. The only one who seemed indifferent was Daeron who met it with an equally cold gaze. Though he had momentarily been shocked, he had quickly regained his composure. It would be contradictory to not do so after having lived so long and fought so many battles.
The Mad Prince seemed to sense his piercing gaze, as he momentarily looked in his direction for a few seconds, before looking away.
Eventually, he completed a full loop around the room, before stopping at the front.
"D-Domain..? No….slightly similar to Daeron's,….but….stronger.." he erratically mumbled.
Slowly, he raised his hand, as his palm clenched….as if trying to….grasp something.
In the theatre, the shadows stirred, as hundreds of shaky seven fingered hands began to slowly rise. Their forms were fortunately unstable, as most immediately crumbled away.
Yet, some persisted.
One in particular, which was slowly rising and reaching towards….Ling.
Effie's eyes widened.
Despite the overpowering fear that gripped her, adrenaline began to pump, as her body moved with its own fruition, instinctively responding to the threat present before her child.
Her hand flashed, swatting away the shadowy arm, causing it to crumble away, eyes widened in alarm at her action.
The Mad Prince smiled, having sensed the response, unphased by his failure to breach the space.
"So you are real…." he whispered,
"G-GET US OUT!" Jet yelled in a panic,
Eyes looked around in anticipation of a change, yet none took place to their horror.
They remained in place.
"How crude…" the Mad Prince hissed, his face now twitching with agitation.
Like a beacon of hope, a figure from the front rose, causing audible gasps, shocked by their bravery to meet such a force. Everyone leaned forward, as if hiding, taking shelter in her towering, yet graceful figure.
It was Nephis.
Who else but the embodiment of hope and chivalry could stand against such a tyrannical being? Daeron stared at her with hidden admiration, as she took a step forward.
"What are your intentions?" she boomed, her voice steadfast.
The Mad Prince blinked, seemingly taken aback by the voice he somehow heard, his gaze faltering for a split second, before it regained its usual unsettling aura.
"Why….I just want to talk..?" he croaked, causing shoulders to stiffen.
"Why? Daeron boomed,
The Mad Prince slowly craned his head up until he locked eyes with Daeron, causing the immoveable king to flinch.
"I get quite lonely….isn't it natural to want to talk to someone other than myself?" he whined
Fear turned to suspicion, as everyone looked at their shadows, scouring to notice any difference in line with his claim, as they feared he was still testing the space. Trying to breach it.
"Do not believe a word out of that…things, mouth. He is likely still trying to figure out how to get in" Morgan hissed.
The Mad Prince craned his head to look at her, causing Morgan to involuntarily stiffen, primitive instinct under the fear of being gazed at by an apex predator. He cocked his head, a chilling grin of intrigue on his face.
"My…is that Morgan of Valor I hear…? I'd almost forgotten what your deplorable voice sounded like…." he laughed, causing Morgan to lean back.
He continued to laugh for a few seconds, before abruptly stopping, as his body began to ripple.
To their horror, his figure momentarily became a haze, as seven more rose from behind him. All of them were dreadfully identical, and held the same feeling.
They stared at the everyone for a few seconds, before moving on their own, walking clockwork around the room….like a pack, sizing up their prey and the cage that hid them, from the beast outside. Helpless, everyone held their breaths, silently praying that the integrity of the room wouldn't falter.
To their hope, eventually the vessels clicked their tongues in unison, before merging back into one homogeneous being, before he plopped onto the ground in a carefree manner.
"It seems you are right…I cannot enter that space, truly your wit is just as sharp as your loveless body!" he sadistically laughed, causing Morgan's lips to twitch, rage growing in her eyes.
"Why should we ever believe a word out of your mouth?" Tyris said flatly,
The Mad Prince smiled, seemingly recalling something at the words, a smile of nostalgia briefly flashing on his face.
"Why would you not? After all….I'm the most honest person in two worlds!" he laughed, rolling on his side.
Noctis watched the scene with wavering feelings, as his lips quivered. One part of him instinctively wanted to join in on the banter, while another chastised him at the mere thought.
'Most honest in two worlds..'
At the remark, the fear the cohort all felt briefly quelled, as once again, the pained feeling of longing and nostalgia burned in their bodies. They didn't know how to feel. Before them, this thing….was supposedly Sunny, a sadistic mess that nobody could love. And yet, they felt it.
They felt a spark of softness and somewhat….pain, to the sight of him in such a state.
Eyes moved, as they all met each other's gazes, a mixture of confusion and remorse. More than ever they wanted to learn how their companion….and friend they'd forgotten had come to such a state.
Their attention was drawn back as his laughing quieted.
"Tell you what…..how about I share a little secret to express my honesty?" he cooed, smiling, a smile of pure sinister.
Realising what he was about to do, hands shot up their ears as people pressed with all their might to block any noise out.
The Mad Prince's mouth moved…
Yet no noise came out.
In response, the room slightly shook, but that was all. Looks of confusion held his gaze, as they lowered their palms. Meanwhile, the Mad Prince was casually sitting and watching them, seemingly waiting for something to happen, as a look of confusion and curiosity began to grow on his face.
It seemed the room had intervened, filtering out the wicked words of corruption that escaped his lips.
"Strange…most people would have turned into a pile of flesh or an amalgamation of tentacles and other deformities the moment they learned the truth…" he murmured
He sighed in disappointment,
"Well, all the fun's gone now….guess we really can only talk" he dejectedly muttered.
Rain starred in utter confusion, "what?" she emotionlessly asked, oblivious to the danger that had just transpired. She turned her head to Ananke for an explanation.
"There are lots of dangers in this world in many shapes and sizes dear….but often the greatest danger is knowledge. With great knowledge comes realization and despair at the vastness of our ignorance, in existence some knowledge alone is so dangerous, that mere mortals like us cannot handle it…..and thus become corrupted" she whispered
Rain's eyes widened at the realization, but her attention shifted as the thing, seemed to now be looking in her direction to her horror.
"Rain..?" it whispered,
She shuddered, somehow holding its gaze, as it stared at her. A person is said to be one, but mind and body are not unison. Instinctively, she wanted to avert her eyes and cower, running away….and yet she, herself, didn't want to run. She wanted to look at him, despite what was threatening on the surface.
As she knew, the person she hoped was still alive, underneath, hidden inside.
Awkwardly she smiled, "Uuh....y-yeah, i-it's me…"
The Mad Prince starred at her, as his face softened, something that didn't seem like he should be able to do. His eyes drooped, as he….warmly….smiled.
"T-That's nice….I didn't even r-recognize you….such a terrible brother aren't I…" he silently whispered, lamenting on something.
Shoulders dropped at such a sight. While they couldn't overcome the fear their bodies felt, they recognized and felt the unusual display of emotion on his face. The mind was the key to the body, as emotions were its fuel. As Saint's who had complete control over their bodies, they were able to wrangle and harness these emotions to control and calm themselves.
It seemed that a soft spot in his heart had been touched by the revelation, momentarily snuffing out the madness that plagued his mind.
With this, they were able to straighten themselves, and hold their gaze.
The Mad Prince continued to smile as he looked at her, before sweeping over the rest of the crowd,
"Valor….Song…..Noctis…..Solvanne…..Julius….Kim….Luster….Daeron…..Windflower….Ananake….Effie….Kai….Jet…..Cassie…..and…..Nephis" he whispered, before pausing,
"How can you see us and hear us?" Saint Cor echoed.
The Mad Prince paused, seemingly trying to understand himself.
"I can perceive your shadows, although they are strangely filtered"
"How does that make any sense?" Telle shakinly stammered, unused to the bizarre nature of some aspects.
However, he didn't answer the question, nor did he even look in her direction, supposedly deeming her a gnat unfit for his attention.
"Strange…I don't know or recognize some" he muttered, his gaze moving over Telle and Ling.
Effie was shook, as her mouth stammered,
"You….y-you know Ling?" she muttered in fear.
The Mad Prince looked at her, a look of amusement on his face, "How could I not, I was there when he was born…every time he was born…. though I've never seen him grow up…" he muttered.
Effie looked at him with suspicion,
"How?"
What little sanity that had surfaced seemed to once again submerge in that moment, as on the Mad Prince's face, a demented look took over, like two beings in one.
"How? I have fragmented glimpses of him….mostly with his dismembered limbs, back when I was still trying to learn how to ascend….such a peculiar existence" he cackled,
Effie's face became indescribably dark, pulling Ling close to her body with so much force, she might have crushed a normal child.
"Stay back fiend" she yelled, causing the Mad Prince to tilt his head.
"I can't even enter this space, but maybe in the next loop I can…." he echoed,
Suspicion rose, as curiosity took the better of them all.
Loop?
What did he mean by that?
They watched silently in anticipation of an answer, the danger present having temporarily dissipated, as they leaned forward. But he didn't respond, like a hunter waiting for the impatient prey to fall into his trap, seemingly goading them into asking him for more information.
"Our Third Nightmare was in a giant time loop" Nephis solemnly echoed, causing shaky breaths to ring out.
"Impossible" Gilead retorted, as others nodded in agreement.
Nephis shook her head in dejection, seemingly wanting to disagree herself, but as a victim, acceptance was to live and continue.
"We said it before, our Third Nightmare was quite bizarre, even we can't believe the things we experienced there" she silently replied, as faces dimmed, trying to wrap their minds around the concept.
"But we managed to realize the loop, and conquer the nightmare in the end" she continued, a hint of confusion in her voice as she and the rest tried to recall the details.
The Mad Prince shifted.
"We….."
"We?"
"WE!??" he screamed, causing the room to shake…
Fear once again took over as everyone tensed, the bloodlust emanating off his body almost physical, as sweat dripped down everyone's faces.
"So obnoxious….. so cynical! Of course you would come to such a conclusion….false promises to save everyone and everything, when you can't even save yourself…"
"But no…."
"You had the sweat release of death, while I alone remained….. alone and aware of everything as I repeated" he wailed, his voice a grotesque mixture of a laugh and a sob
"And repeated…."
"And repeated…."
"And repeated…."
"And repeated…."
"And repeated…."
Words became indiscernible, as he leaned forward, his speech impediment as his eyes moved side to side. A rare look of concern spread among the audience as they stared at the scene.
This being….so evil…..so strong….so overwhelming
Was so utterly helpless and in torment.
What had he seen?
What had he experienced?
What had he lived through to cause such despair and pain?
Nephis silently watched as he continued to break down…..as Sunny continued to break down. She watched as the person who she had supposedly had a relationship and loved, was so utterly alone and sad, shattering the image of the reassuring and calm person she had seen thrash abominations like nothing.
And more importantly, she could feel it….
Though everything about her had been reduced to that of a Mundane, the feeling was ingrained, at times being able to sense the longings from other in the room just from their expressions and atmosphere
She could feel the spark of longing from his body, beyond the veil, a desire like nothing she had ever seen, so terrible and vain. It refused to dim and go out.
While she herself was a stranger to emotions, with how to express and understand them, in this moment, she felt that she had never understood something more in her life.
It was a silent voice, a pained whisper…
…..
'I want to go home….'
…..
"How long?" she asked, taking a few steps forward towards the screen.
He shuddered, as his head slowly rose, meeting her eyes, a crooked grin on his face.
"I don't know…thousands of years? Hundreds of thousands? Millions? It's all a blur at this point…." he mumbled
Nephis eyes twitched, as her face dropped, a look of pure remorse. Everyone held the same look in disbelief, even Effie who momentarily forgot the vile claims that he had uttered moments ago.
'So long….'
He had been alive for so long, beyond what a human should be allowed to endure.
As children, the ideology of immortality was a curious gem to imagine the prospect at, with everyone wanting to be so. But as one matures, and lives through the strenuous and tumultuous experiences of life, they realize…..that death is a gift.
In the life of a human, death is a...strange idea.
It's an ironic thing, that is inevitable when we come into this world. Some view death as a plague, some as an escape, others as misery and pain. This perspective changes as we grow older into many diverse opinions, but will never leave us. We grow up thinking of death as an abstract event only possible when we are older, leaving us carefree from an early point in our youth.
But as we grow older, we realize the infinitesimal possibilities that may lead to our death subconsciously making us fearful our entire lives. And so we live with caution, varying depending on the person; but when we reach the end, we will truly realize the irony of waiting for a moment that has been by our side like a friend….. in the shadows.
As an Awakened, this concept is further brought to light. We are guardians, but also a bunch of miserable wretches that are constantly fighting against threats and madness, both outside and within.
We can fight to live, we can fight for love, we can live for whatever reason we hold dear to our hearts
It all matters.
Because in the end…it has value, since it will leave our lives just as our existences will leave this reality in time.
And yet….
He was forsaken from such grace
The irony that one so closely connected to death, was so helpless in their own prowess….
Cast away, unable to experience the fleeting value of anything.
How could he? How could anyone come to love and care for something, when it had no meaning? When they would just experience it again, without end?
Again..
Again..
Again..
And Again..
Like a dream…..a dream….. that wouldn't end…..
Everyone silently stared at the person before them, at this puppet, who was supposedly closely connected to Fate and yet was such a victim to it. Faces wrinkled, as tears began to well in the eyes of some.
Rain was one of those people.
Staring blankly at this version of the brother before her, as tears uncontrollably cascaded down her face.
All the times he had been with her, smiling, joking….laughing. Like none of this had ever happened to him.
'Well technically I am thousands of years old and three at the same time!'
The carefree statement burned in her mind as she remembered his face, smiling at her. Walking through the snow….sharing meals…..comforting her….guiding her…..giving her hope. Her lips trembled,
"How can you be so happy after going through so much….?" she sobbed, Ananke noticing and bringing her into a comforting hug.
Nephis continued to silently watch,
"Why…what made you go so far" her voice reverberated as she looked at him, her face betraying emotion.
He returned the look, silently staring,
"I can't remember…." he stammered, a slight chuckle escaping his lips.
"There's something inside me…. and I don't know what it is"
"What I've seen and experienced, nobody else has, and sometimes…. it frightens me…I-I think i'm losing my mind…..or maybe i've already lost it" he whispered, tilting his head down.
Nephis watched silently as she opened her mouth to reply, but in that moment, he shifted and looked back up at her.
"But then…."
"When I'm all alone…. and about to lose it all….I hear a voice. I-I can't tell who it belongs to, nor can I remember…"
"....but it never goes away" murmured,
Nephis leaned forward, a small smile on her lips,
"And what does it say..?" she whispered
He shuddered, as his arms tightened, his lips quivering, a single tear falling from his face. Silently, he remained motionless, before slowly looking up, with a weak smile.
"It tells me that I lack conviction…" he shakingly whispered.
The words hung in the air as he seemingly tried to remember who had said them to him, before he shook his head, and dawned his usual unsettling aura.
"But it doesn't matter anyway, it seems that in the end it worked out and we escaped! Who knows, maybe I finally got to open that Cafe that I've always been dreaming about!" he laughed, slowly standing up
Nobody replied as they silently listened, realizing the development. Nobody had the heart to tell him that he had been forgotten, as they sheepishly averted their gazes. It seemed Nephis was the one to be bearer of bad news.
"No" she solemnly replied
The Mad Prince twitched,
"No?" he repeated, his tone filled with suspicion.
"Did I atleast open the memory boutique that I always wanted?"
Nephis's gaze wavered as she bit her lip, unsure of how or whether to reveal what had happened. Both out of guilt and fear with how he would react. She looked back to the crowd, for answers, but everyone was equally cowering at how to approach such a topic.
She sighed, taking a deep breath before turning back to face him.
"Yes.." she replied,
His lips curled as he opened his mouth to reply, but Nephis quickly cut him off.
"But something seems to have gone wrong….and you have been….forgotten by everyone and everything" she said in a low, careful tone, pausing.
"Even me…"
Everyone clenched their seats as they held their breaths, terrified and prepared for how he would react, convinced that he would tear through the barrier and slaughter them at the revelation. Seconds were years, as they stared in horrifying anticipation.
But to their confusion….
He didn't react, remaining motionless, seemingly still digesting the information.
Silently, he sat in thought, before his lips finally whispered,
"I see…."
"....."
"I'm finally free", a smirk soon grew on his face.
"Be careful what you wish for…" he murmured,
He shook his head, as he looked at the others, his gaze moving to look at Cassie who flinched at his eyes.
"It seems…..that your plan... worked... I'm glad that you got what you wanted…" he croaked
Cassie's face twitched as her lips trembled, aware of what he was referring to. How could even such a depraved, maddened and corrupted version of Sunny still look at her with such eyes?
It was wrong.
It wasn't fair.
She deserved to be yelled at.
She deserved to be hurt.
She deserved to be tormented.
She wanted and felt the need to meet such a reaction, she deserved so. And yet, he didn't look at her with hate.
Only sympathy….
Maybe it was the selfless kindness that was the real torture.
Knowing she could never repay or meet it with equal love and value…
"So unfair…" she shakingly whispered,
He continued to look at her before sighing, turning back to the rest.
"I am grateful for this information, and am willing to answer some questions since you've answered some of mine…seeing that this place seems to be leaving" he replied.
Eyes narrowed in confusion, as people turned to look around, eyes widening. Indeed, the room did seem to be changing, the curtains were slightly fluttering, color now slowly seeping back into them. It seemed that the viewing was indeed coming to a close.
With that in mind, eyes turned back to the screen, a strange twinkle in them.
It was greed.
A being that had lived, experienced and learned so much….how could one not salivate at the prospect of gaining information and history they would probably never get to close to in their short lives?.
Julius especially, was seemingly on the brink of losing control, his fingers rapping his handrest as he tapped his feat. Clearly having gone long over his limit of patience as he immediately rose.
"A Secret was mentioned? What is the context behind this terrible secret you learned?" he impatiently asked, eyes wide at his action, having clearly forgotten the danger even knowing it posed.
The Mad Prince paused, seemingly amused by the display.
"This thing doesn't want you to know, so..."
He dronned on, in thought of how to reveal the terrible secret that ate away at his existence, his eyes slowly moving over the crowd, stopping on Noctis.
"....Never trust the God's and their vain lies" he finally said.
Noctis shivered at the words, a self-satisfied smile on his face,
Everyone braced, once again preparing for some unseen force to descend upon them and corrupt their souls. But it did not, it seemed like the phrasing had worked, and the room had allowed it.
But was it a good thing?
It changed everything. While some naturally held suspicion and animosity, who wouldn't have second thoughts about pledging their existence to some unknown power, they still wanted to believe the Gods looked out for the mortals. But now it seemed like they didn't and were in fact hiding something.
Something so dire and large, that they were seemingly ashamed of themselves, and made the world forget.
All of them yearned to know exactly what he meant by those words and what he had learned. But they couldn't even take the risk because of the room.
"How did you survive your encounter with the Vile Thieving Bird? Daeron boomed, his eyes serious.
Everyone held their breath, as they leaned forward, eyes glinting at the idea of what epic battle they would hear.
But the Mad Prince simply blinked and laughed,
"How would I know? I've never killed the damn thing! It's too damn scary!" he laughed,
"Though I do wish I could have killed it once, Vile Thieving chicken sounds really good" he murmured in deep thought,
Daeron stared at him in disbelief, but didn't continue, deeming that even if he did get an answer it would be the half-truth or a terrible joke. Lowering himself back into his seat.
The colors continued to spread, now having turned the curtains in place of the walls completely back to red, as the remaining color snaked towards the front, where the Mad Prince sat.
Ananke rose, sparking curious looks.
"You….I cannot forgive you…."
"Though you were a victim of torment and corruption, that does NOT excuse your actions for the pain and misery you caused to the people of Estuary… you wretch" she said in a venomous tone, a rare look of rage on her face which made everyone feel discomfort.
It was sad to see the usual loving and smiling Ananke in such a state.
And she was right.
The Mad Prince looked at her, as his eyes moved up to look at an invisible sun. He smiled, as if reminiscing about the past, and everything he had gone through.
Since the moment he stepped into the tomb.
The moment he realised, and began fighting.
"In my heart, I believe that though I am a sinner…..I have been saved"
"And I believe there is something beyond this dream, and this Nightmare, and this world around me. Something more that is waiting…."
"I have long danced with death, as the world I knew burned around me"
"I survived because the fire inside, burned brighter than the fire around me"
"The fire that had kept me alive…..was love"
"My love...your love" he echoed, slowly looking at where Nephis stood.
Ananke stared at him silently, no emotion present on her face, as she seemingly looked at the color of his soul.
"You are not the one to judge whether you have been forgiven" she echoed,
He dawned a comical smile,
"Well…then I hope the other me has been killing a lot of big bad Nightmare creatures outside", he laughed.
Though Ananke's face didn't reveal any forgiveness and understanding, she seemed to have accepted, something, as she slowly lowered herself into her seat. Everyone did the same as they watched the color continue closing in where the screen stood.
Only one person remained standing at the front.
Nephis stood still, the image now barely the size of a porthole, with only his face visible. They silently stared at each other, separated by the veil now becoming tangible color. It was an unspoken conversation.
Words could never hope to express what they felt when they looked at each other in this moment.
Maybe it was for the better, any words would lose value to what they felt.
But it couldn't just end like this, as he looked at her through the shrinking porthole, his face twitching as he seemed to think about what to say. An apology? A cry for help? All his anger and frustration? His mouth repeatedly opened and closed, until finally he stopped, having come to some understanding.
He looked in her eyes as he smiled.
It was a happy smile, an exaggerated smile, a ridiculous smile.
"I-I'm glad that I get to live in a world with you.." he whispered, as Nephis looked at him with pity.
"But it's not you," she replied.
He shuddered, realizing how things were, but not being able to do anything. Once again powerless, at the mercy of something else.
"It's fine….i'm not losing too much, just myself….being allowed to exist is more than enough for me" he whispered.
He leaned to the side, peering over her shoulder into the crowd, looking at Rain.
He stared at her for a few seconds, his gaze complicated.
"Goodbye Rain…" he whispered, as the colors surged, and the room returned to normal
The reward had ended.
******************************************************'
As the shadowy visages before him finally faded away, he stood in silence, staring at where they had just been.
Raising his arm, he clawed at the space in front of him, only to touch nothing.
So…this was how it was.
He had succeeded. After all these years of suffering and enduring solitude, it seemed like his efforts were not for naught. Someone did get a happy ending.
Except that someone was not him
He was free, but only a version of him, while he himself was still condemned in the tomb. Could it have gone differently? If he had pleaded for them to save him and take him away, could they have maybe done something?
Could the mysterious place have used some powers to pull him out?
He almost cried at the thought of the lost opportunity.
It seemed like the history book on the shelf was doomed to repeat itself.
One had to take the fall, so the other could continue and be happy.
But why did it have to be him? Hadn't he done enough? Wasn't it too hard to ask for one selfish thing after everything he'd gone through?
'Could it be…someone else's problem for once?'
People say that some are born with tragedy in their blood, and it seemed that Sunny was the original source. His voice croaked as a noise he couldn't control came out, a cacophony of sobs and wails.
Around him, the world slowly began to fade as the mist churned.
It seemed like the present him was about to wake up.
He wiped his eyes as he coughed, an unreadable smile on his face.
He laughed,
"I thought I couldn't do anything…"
"...."
"But I did it"
"I wonder if they would all be proud of me…."
"I-I hope that I can see everyone again…" he whispered, as the mist surged towards him.
But he didn't care, in this moment he felt so light. Like an invisible burden had finally been lifted, as he looked up, having begrudgingly accepted his Fate for once.
As he did, a slight white light grew in the sky and twinkled. The plane shook as a voice seemed to rumble from the source.
"Do you wish to live?" it echoed
The Mad Prince stared at the light. It was the being behind the room, that was the only thing he could think of. Why it had come back for him? He had no idea.
But one thing was strangely clear.
It seemingly wanted to…..help him. Like it understood his grief.
He stood frozen as he looked at the light which continued to pulse,
Was this ok? Was he allowed to have a happy ending after everything he'd done in desperation for his goals?
His remaining pride wanted to say "no", finally being allowed to rest and sleep after so long. But deep inside, a small voice cried out.
It was not the voice of The Mad Prince
It was not the voice of The Heir of Death
It was not the voice of The Bastard Son of Fate
It was not the voice of The Devil of Antarctica
It was not the voice of The Demon of Hope
It was not the voice of Mongrel
It was not the voice of Lost from Light
...
It was the voice of Sunny.
Sunless.
The boy who had never been loved and clung to survival all his life, the lonely orphan who escaped the depths of NSQC, the one who defied his Fate and survived when he had lost all will to live.
He looked up at the light, as tears fell down his face, his lips shaking
"I want to live…" he whispered.
And the light responded, surging forward to engulf his body, as everything turned to black.
****************************************
In the theatre everyone was currently conversing over what they had just seen and discussed, whispers and murmurs rang out. The only one who wasn't participating was Rain, who leaned over.
She stared silently at the floor as she replayed the final image she had seen before they had been brought back, the troubled smile he had as he looked at her before disapearing, as she continued to wipe her eyes.
As she did, her eyes caught glimpse of something, a slight movement, as she looked down at her shadow, which she could have sworn….just twitched.
It stared back at her, making her feel uneasy. Rain was used to the idea of someone living in her shadow, but now it looked….strange.
It felt cold and unfamiliar.
She held her breath as she watched it with her full attention. Her face brightened, as to her delight it moved, opening and closing its palm as it looked around, seemingly confused on where it was.
"Brother..?" she silently whispered, her tone full of hope.
The Shadow looked at her, as if thinking about something, before it slowly raised its arm.
And waved at her.
__________________________________________________________
How many references is too many references?
Because there are over 47 in this chapter lol
Some more known than others, but they definitely helped
I honestly like this chapter, had me wiping my eyes at times when I had to write parts ;)
Things will just keep getting better and better :o
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