The Escapist

The origin story of Audrey Crowe, from her coming into the multiverse in two worlds at the same time, to her eventual escape from her gilded prison in Silent Hill.





Falling...

Diving...

Sinking ever deeper, into the abyss...

She didn't know how long she had been falling for, nor did she know how she came to be. The memories were hazy; she remembered being in her room, minding her own business. But then, something strange happened, and now she was sinking underwater.

At least, that's what it appeared to be. However, she didn't feel like she was drowning, the need to come up for air simply not coming to her. The sensation was alien, but she felt she'd seen it before...

In the back of her mind, she'd expected landing on a pillar of stained glass. However, with how long she'd been diving, that didn't seem to be the case. She was likely fated to dive for eternity, darkness further enveloping her.

Her eyes slowly blinked open, in a state between sleep and wakefulness. The surface seemed further and further away, if there ever was one. All she could see was the faintest glimmer of light, so far above...

"...ke up..."

She'd been about to let herself drift ever further into the abyss, when she heard that faint voice. Was it her imagination, or did someone just...?

"...wake up..."

Barely clear, but she could make out the words. Someone was calling to her, from above the surface.

Suddenly, it was as if a switch had been flipped. One moment, she was content to dive further and further down; the next, she was compelled to swim all the way back up, to that light, to whomever it was that called to her. She swam with a force she didn't know she had, a determination to make her way out of this abyss that she never would have found before.

Closer and closer she got to the surface, the light growing brighter and brighter. The voice becoming a lot clearer the closer she got.

"Wake up..."

"Wake up...!"

"Wake up...!"

"WAKE UP!"

"WAKE--"

She resurfaced.

Her vision went white.

....




When she came to, there was no water to be found. Instead, she found herself in what looked to be a dark forest, reddish lights tinting the bare trees. Brighter lights, in the shape of small orbs, floated and bounced about playfully.

Actually...hadn't she seen this place somewhere before?

She had been about to raise a hand in response to the lights almost blinding her...only to find that her arm was transparent, a bright outline surrounding her form. Startled, she looked down and around herself, finding that her entire body was transparent like a ghost, a glow like the little balls of light surrounding her, cherry blossom petals fluttering around her.

Part of her thought to panic, but at the same time, this was all very familiar to her, just like the underwater dream. Was she still dreaming, or was she actually...?

"~Ah, another lost soul joins us, I see.~"

A voice, echoing and ethereal, yet playful, its tone sounding like a song. One of the light orbs approached her, floating around her as if in a dance. She almost retracted back in response, fearfully. A lost soul? What did it mean by...?

"~No need to be frightened, little one.~" the orb reassured, its lighthearted tone relaxing her nerves somewhat. It floated ever closer, nuzzling up to her like an affectionate puppy.

She just stared, almost in a daze. The fact that she was taking this in without panicking surprised even her; normally she'd be freaking out at the possibility of being dead right now, talking to fellow ghosts. But at the same time...why was this so familiar to her?

"Wh..." She had begun to speak, only to startle back at her own voice. It was the same ethereal voice that the orb spoke with, only with less of a song. She reached her translucent hand to her mouth, her eyes widened. Did she really just sound like that?

The orb giggled, not in mockery, but with a mirth that would've been infectious if she weren't so confused. "~I see you are not used to this. Don't worry; it happens to every spirit that arrives here.~"

Well that's reassuring, she thought sarcastically. Taking a breath to compose herself (was that even possible as a ghost?), she spoke up, trying to ignore the echo in her voice as best as she could, "Um...wh-where are we...?"

"~Why, my friend, you are in Nekton, the forest where lost spirits gather!~"


She thought she imagined that just now. Nekton...the Shrine of Spirits...an important area in one of her favorite games: Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean. No wonder she recognized the place; she had just played through that for the upteenth time, after finally getting through the prequel game. And last she remembered, she had left her old Gamecube on in order to get a particular Magnus that would unlock the rest of the songs in the game after two weeks of game time.

But...to actually be here, in the flesh...or, well, in 'spirit' in this case...

She floated back, sinking against a nearby tree while shaking her head in denial. This couldn't be happening; getting sucked into a video game was a typical plot found in bad self-insert fanfiction, not something that could actually happen! As the fellow spirit drifted near her in confusion, she mumbled to herself, "...I'm dreaming..."

"~Now why would you think so?~"

She almost wanted to yell that this was all just a game, but she couldn't bring herself to. She instead brought her hands to her head, somehow managing to hold it in spite of her incorporeality. "I-It's just...it's just too hard to believe. I-I can't be here, I..."

She trailed off as the ball of light nuzzled up to her again, comforting her. "~I understand, little one. It takes some time to get used to. Take your time; it happens to all of us.~"

She wanted to argue that it wasn't what they thought it was, but once more held back. Maybe it was the way this spirit was reassuring her, something that rarely ever happened with her whenever she was troubled. Maybe it was the prospect of being in one of her favorite games that almost made it exciting, even if it was possible that this was just some crazy fever dream she was experiencing.

Or maybe...maybe it was the fact that she wanted to get away from her home, from all the yelling and slamming and hurtful words, that she was almost willing to accept this fever dream, if it meant she could escape even for a moment--

"~Shh! Someone's coming!~" another spirit shushed them, this one much more chirpy in comparison.

All of the spirits began to gather around the trees, watching from above as they waited for the potential visitor, their footsteps heard in the distance. The spirit that she had been interacting with flew higher above the tree she laid against, beckoning for her to join them.

Strangely, she didn't struggle in her own flight like she thought she would. It was as simple as swimming, except in air rather than water. Joining her spirit friend, she had to ask, though she had a feeling she knew who was about to arrive, "Um...wh-what's all this about?"

"~We watch every time a visitor passes by our forest,~" the cheerful little light explained. "~Some of us even try to bond with them as their Guardians.~"

"~Bah. An impossible task,~" another spirit, this one much more gruff with less of a song, huffed. "~The last one who found her Spiriter was over twenty years ago, and she's since disappeared after that failed bond.~"

"~Ah, yes...~" a more sympathetic spirit said sadly. "~Poor Daimon. She was only trying to help that poor man.~"

She barely held back from blurting out that she knew that familiar name and what had happened with that 'failed bond'. Instead, she kept her attention on the visitors that were to arrive. The first of them brought a sigh of annoyance from the cynical spirit.

"~See? It's only the duchess again...~"

Indeed, the young woman, appearing to be about thirteen, walked forward with a poise and grace that almost breathed nobility, contrasting heavily with the dark forest around her. Her white hair, matching her pale skin, was tied into thin braids that curled and hung at either side of her head, her red eyes looking straight head as she walked, not seeming to acknowledge her surroundings at first. She was garbed primarily in white, with a pink-tinted cape wrapped over her shoulders, held by a butterfly clasp at her collar. The most elaborate, however, was her skirt, shaped like a noblewoman's dress, but made entirely out of stained glass.

She knew right away who this was. Lady Melodia, the (demon-possessed) villain of the game. Even without a physical form, just seeing the scheming duchess in the sorta-flesh brought a chill down her spine, in a way that told her that, despite her elegance, something was not quite right with her.

Her fellow spirits seemed to agree with her, as one pointed out, "~Is it just me, or is something...off about her? Even more than the last time...~"

"~Yes...she walks like a puppet without strings...~"

Like the models in this game move? she joked in thought. However, her train of thought was broken when her spirit friend was next to point out.

"~Wait. She's not alone this time. Look.~"

Her eyes followed where they gestured...and promptly went wide.


Following the duchess in white, looking warily at his surroundings, was a young man, sixteen or seventeen years of age. A mess of blue hair, hastily held by a thin rope band, and a handsome face, deep blue eyes that were filled with an intensity that she couldn't comprehend. Garbed in a leather chest-plate over a light blue shirt with white vertical stripes at the sleeves, blue pants of a strange feathery make with a tan belt that had a cloak attachment, leather elbow and knee-pads over heavy wrappings at his joints, thick purple arm-guards and fingerless gloves that matched his shirt, and light blue croc-like shoes. Worn over him was a ragged cape with a red pattern at the ends, hiding away a secret that only she knew.

Once again, she knew exactly who this was, and could barely contain the excitement she had of seeing him here. It was Kalas, the game's protagonist, found by Melodia after the loss of his grandfather and brother. A vulnerable soul, ripe for manipulation...

"~That young man...I feel his pain, but I cannot see where...~"

"~Me, too...it's like it is there, but not there at the same time...~"

Not there...because they weren't looking for the right soul. A vague explanation in the game...but if she looked closely enough, maybe she could see exactly what they were all talking about...

As the spirits talked amongst each other, some even calling out to the two visitors, Melodia stopped in her tracks, with Kalas stopping just a few feet behind her. The young duchess looked up to the gathering spirits, a smile crossing her red-tinted lips.

"The voices...the spirits are calling..."

The blue-haired boy lowered his head, closing his eyes...listening. "Yeah..." he said quietly, "I hear them."

The sound of their voices caught her off-guard, not at all like the bad voice-acting that had become infamous among those who had actually played the game. Instead of a shrill tone, Melodia's voice was soft like silk, betraying her true nature. And Kalas, instead of the scratchy voice, was a little bit deeper, still sounding youthful, but not forced. They didn't even have the 'tin can' effect; their voices were more akin to someone lowering the volume on them, even at a close distance.

It was a weird sensation. It wasn't like someone made a remaster with better voice-acting, right? This game was far too unknown for something like that.

This only had her further convinced that this was some deep fever dream she was having.

That little bit aside, she squinted her eyes, trying to get a closer look. In this state, she thought she could see what looked to be their auras; Melodia's was tinted black outlined around her, but mixed with a strange light that seemed muted. Kalas, on the other hand, was much more difficult. At first, she couldn't find anything like the other spirits. But as she looked closer, she saw exactly what was meant when his soul couldn't be found normally. It wasn't an outline, but a bright light that was shining from where his heart would be. A soul glowing with a mysterious light...

As if sensing this, her spirit friend balked at her. "~Wait a minute...can you actually see!?~"

She didn't answer, just focusing on the scene in front of her, transfixed. While the boy was listening to the spirits around them, Melodia turned to face him, that smile never leaving her face.

"You have heard about the Guardian Spirits, haven't you?" She held her hand to a ball of flight that floated near them, playfully swirling around her dainty hand. "From a place and time you will never reach...silent words, unspoken feelings..." She held her hand higher, letting the little spirit drift away. "You don't really need to summon the spirits to this world. They call out to us, so playfully."

She raised her other hand, more in indication, as her smile grew wide. "Two souls in separate worlds, their never-ending dreams, their painful longing..." With both arms held out, she began to twirl around in a childish dance, her voice taking on a sing-song tone. "Two souls that call out to each other. Two souls that seem alike."

Kalas just gave a soft grunt, having no comment on this silly little dance. His attention was diverted, away from the strange little girl...and he looked up, in the direction of the one who was watching him closely.

She couldn't help the gasp of surprise, her own focus somewhat broken. He was looking right at her...just like he did with the Guardian Spirit in the game...

"~You...can you actually do it...?~"

"~That's impossible; she just arrived here.~"

"~But he's looking right at her. I think it might be possible.~"

What the spirits were saying...what this all meant...could she actually bond with him? Would she actually become the Guardian Spirit of one of her favorite characters, even knowing what was going to become of this?

The duchess stopped in her dancing then, seeing the boy and the spirit locking gazes with each other. "That spirit seems to like you," she noted, a thin veneer of a gentle tone. "If you could bond with it, something wonderful may happen to you. Are you ready?"

He didn't say anything, just staring in the direction of the spirit. Likewise, she stared back at him, conflicted. Not just in confusion as to how she could bond with him. She knew that by joining him, she would experience his betrayal, face possible amnesia for trying to argue against their plans. And yet, at the same time, she felt that maybe, in this dream, she could influence a possible change...

Or maybe, she actually wanted to forget when the time came, not just the plot of the game, but everything before. Her life, her troubles...everything.

She felt her little friend floating close to her, reassuring her, albeit for the wrong reasons. "~Don't be afraid. If you wish to bond with him...just reach out and call to him...~"

Reach out and call...after a moment of silence and consideration, she did just that, reaching an arm out to the lost soul within, full of sorrow and a bitter hatred that left him longing for vengeance. And in turn, he reached out to her, the sad soul that wanted to escape from her life, no matter the consequences. Their never-ending dreams and painful longing...


TH-THUMP


A pulse, coming from both the boy and the spirit. The cherry blossoms that surrounded her, now encircling the boy, flowing into the soul deep within. And then, a bright flash of light...

She gave a deep breath, a hand over where her heart would be. It was as if everything, from her life and the boy's, came to her all at once, pouring into her mind and soul. Sad and painful memories from both of them, bringing them closer. Sympathy and empathy born from pain and suffering.

In all the times she had played through the game, she could never have known that this was how the sensation felt like. She was almost thankful that she didn't have a physical form; it probably would have been too much for her to take in.

She could see that that was indeed the case when she looked at her bonded Spiriter. He had fallen to his knees, taking more time to process this than she did. Slowly, he staggered back to his feet, taking a deep breath of his own, his hand clutched against his chest. Then, lowering his hand, he looked up to her again, his eyes uncertain.

"Uh...hello?" he greeted, sounding more like a question to if she were really there or not. "Can I...m-may I ask your name?"

His voice was a lot more clear to her; in turn, the whispering spirits around them sounded muted. Even the one she befriended seemed so far away. For a long while, she just stared back, quiet in her own hesitance. Even in this supposed dream, faced with a favorite character of hers, she still had trouble speaking up, stammering over her words even in a simple introduction.

"...A...A-Audrey...i-it's Audrey..."

"Audrey...so that's your name..." He gave the faintest smile, as if reassuring her in her nervousness, as well easing up on his own uncertainty. "Not bad. My name's Kalas. We're a team now, you and I."

"...." Silence...then she gave a smile back, even though it couldn't be seen. "O-Okay...n-nice to meet you, Kalas."

He nodded back, his smile becoming a small smirk. "Well, hang in there for me, alright Audrey?"

She nodded a bit more eagerly, her smile turning wide. Even though she knew she would end up becoming a pawn in the wide scheme of things, even though she knew she would end up with amnesia, facing betrayal and being tossed aside...at least for now, she could enjoy a new friendship and adventure in a world she loved, that she could now experience in person.

If this really was a dream...she didn't want to wake up any time soon...
















A smile formed on her lips, her form otherwise comatose. Long, messy brown hair, barely held back by a black headband, nearly covered her face as she slept. Her white blouse was drenched, jeans torn at the knees, and socks covered in black at the bottom, no shoes to speak of. Beside her was a kitchen knife, a thin line of dried blood at the blade from her attempt at self-harm.

She slept on the shores of a lake, where she seemed to wash up from, a dense fog surrounding her. She'd slept and dreamt what looked to be a good dream, unaware that she'd fallen asleep in the infamous town of fog and restless dreams, where dream and reality were indiscernible in its constant shifts. The town that takes all.

Silent Hill.


While she slept, footsteps, slow and unnatural, approached her form. It appeared to be limping, jerking movements accompanied by the sound of clinking chains. It stopped before her, towering away above her, its eyeless face peering down at her. Then, contorting all the way back, it emitted a shrill, feminine scream from its bloodied mouth--

BANG

The bullet shot through its head before it got to do anything, crumpling onto the ground into a writhing mass. The cause of the shot approached as it struggled, calmly in spite of the potential threat, looking down at it without expression, without pity. Then, it was stomped down by an otherwise neatly polished boot, blood splattering over it and the dress pants that he wore.

Despite the mess this certainly caused, the man did not react with any sort of disgust, even as his clothes were stained with blood. He didn't look like someone who came from the town: a man that appeared to be in his mid to late twenties, six feet tall and fair-skinned, shoulder-length black hair with bangs that covered the left side of his face, though dark eyes and prominent cheekbones were clearly seen. His clothing indicated someone of wealth, consisting of black longcoat with two coattails over a white waistcoat and dress shirt, a red cravat slightly undone at the neck, black silken gloves, black dress pants and polished black boots. Not the type of outfit one would be willing to get blood on.

The man didn't seem to care, however. In fact...he didn't seem to react much to anything. No fear or stress against a potentially terrifying creature, no remorse or hesitation, or even sadistic glee in putting it out of its mystery. Just...nothing.

However, that changed when his gaze caught the sleeping girl. It was like a switch had gone off; he immediately ran to her side, tossing the handgun away, and knelt down to her. Lifting her up slightly with one arm behind her neck, the other hand pushing some strands of hair away from her face. Looking down at her for the longest time.

When he found her laying here, he had done everything he could to try to wake her. Called to her, shook her, hit her, splashed her with the lake water, even firing a warning shot. Nothing seemed to stir her, not even the threat of a monster. She was completely comatose.

He likely would have just left her here, possibly to die. When he woke up in this town, he felt nothing but emptiness, no care or purpose for anything. But, when he found this girl, that seemed to change. Suddenly, he felt the need to keep her safe, from the monsters, from the fanatics that plagued the town...from her own destructive tendencies, if that knife was anything to go by.

After all the aimless wandering, looking for anything that seemed like a sign, he finally had a purpose.

So, removing his coat and wrapping it around her like a makeshift blanket, Ignazio D'Aleo picked the girl up in his arms and began to make his way back. To a mansion that wasn't far from the amusement park, where he had woken up and decided to call it home. A place where she would too, if she were to ever wake. A place where they would spend the rest of their time in this limbo...forever...

"I will keep you safe...my dear Audrey Daniela Crowe...and I won't let anyone snatch you away from me..."

"Audrey...are you in on this, too?"

"N-No, I--"

"No...Audrey didn't know about this at all. To tell you the truth, she was against our plan and refused to cooperate. So...we cast a memory loss spell on her."



The words kept repeating in her mind, over and over. How could he have done this to her? After two years...after all the help she gave him...



"Kalas, stop! Please, stop this!"

"...It's too late, Audrey. I can't go back anymore. I would've done anything to avenge Gramps and Fee. Anything. I needed the power...I wanted to be stronger...I needed the power of a Spirit...I needed you...

"But it's all over now."

"What are you talking about?! You got your revenge! You don't have to do this! Please snap out of it, Kalas!"

"Tch. Snap out of what? I'm just fine... You're the one that needs to snap out of it, Audrey. Isn't it time for you to accept reality and go back where you belong?"



That statement pierced even harder. Though her memories of those two years were gone, she still remembered the reason why she was here. To reject the reality she lived in, to escape from where she belonged...

And he just told her to go back to that reality. Back to the life of constant yelling, of verbal and emotional abuse and utter helplessness. For him to so coldly say that, after everything they've been through together...

No matter what they did; herself and the friends that joined them on that quest; he refused to listen. He accepted the so-called 'gift' of the dark god, gaining two 'beautiful' wings at the cost of his sanity.

She could recall those disturbing eyes, piercing blue on black sclera, looking right at her, a wide grin, and the formal way he spoke, so unlike him...



"You must see by now, Audrey...I no longer need the Spirit's power! I've obtained eternal power of the gods!"

"Do you even hear yourself right now?! Listen to me, Kalas! This isn't like you!"

"..."

....

"Unfortunately...there's no place for you in this world. Nobody needs you anymore! Your game is over! Go back to your world now!

"So long, Audrey...it's been fun..."



Even now, she could hear his haunting, insane laugh as her world faded to black. Her Spiriter...her friends...the newfound hope that she had for all of them, and for herself...

Just like that, it was all gone in an instant.


Now she was here...falling...diving...sinking ever deeper, into the abyss...

She hadn't felt this sensation in a long time, not since she awoke as a Spirit for the first time. Back then, she was confused but determined to make her way to the surface. But now...

"Nobody needs you anymore!"

...he was right. What was the point of even trying when she wasn't needed or wanted? Both there, and in her world. She was worthless; she always had been.

And so...she let herself drift further, into the depths of darkness. She would fall for all eternity for all she cared...







"So that's it, then? You're giving up?"

...a voice...one that she didn't recognize. She would've snapped up in confusion if she weren't so despondent.

Why shouldn't I...? she responded back in thought, not expecting whoever it is to answer back. It's just like he said. I don't belong in that world...

...

To her surprise, they responded back to her. As if they just read her thoughts.

"You don't really believe that, do you?"

...what do you mean...?

"Think about it. You've made all those friends, been through a lot together...and just like that, you're going to turn your back on them over one betrayal?"

...'turning her back'? Did they even know?

I'm not 'turning my back' on anything. I was thrown away, remember?

"True, but if you wanted, you could just swim your way back up. You did it before."

They had a point with that, that was true, but still she wasn't persuaded. Why should I go back? Nobody...nobody needs me...

It hurt for her to repeat those thoughts once again. What she believed for so long, coming to the fore from someone she thought was her friend. If she weren't in a state of sleep and waking, she would've broken down crying--

"That's not true, and you know it. You have friends that need you right now. They're all locked away somewhere, waiting for someone brave enough to come rescue them."

...they were right. She remembered, all of her friends were held at the mercy of the enemy. They were probably held captive by now, if they weren't executed on the spot.

But...could she really...?

"And despite what he said to you, I'm pretty sure that 'Spiriter' friend of yours needs your help, too."

And then the voice had to go and say that. It was enough for her to snap her head up and glare at wherever they were.

Are you kidding me right now? He threw me away, over another stupid wing! How can you say that he needs my help after that?

....

"I don't think that's what he really wants."

...what?

"Look, I'm not trying to defend this guy or anything like that. What I'm saying is...maybe you should consider the evidence before jumping to conclusions."

But the evidence was all there, she wanted to argue back, still indignant on the idea that that jerk would need her help. But...she couldn't bring herself to. A thought occurred to her, caused by that simple suggestion.

He didn't just accept those dark powers right off the bat. Before he reached out to accept it...he paused for a long while. Almost as if...



"What is it you fear? I'm certain you will be fine. Your Guardian Spirit will protect you. You need not fear the madness and anger of Malpercio. You must believe, Kalas...believe in the power of Malpercio!"

"..."



...he hesitated. Even after he told her to 'accept reality', he seemed to struggle with his decision in that moment, like he couldn't accept his own reality.

He said he was fine, but that small moment of hesitation showed otherwise. That cold statement he gave her...he was telling himself that as much as he was telling her...

And then before all of that...that night, before they set out for what they thought would be the end of their journey...



"...What do you think, Audrey? Do you think someone stole our End Magnus? Is there really a traitor among us? Is someone...actually lying?"

"...I...I don't wanna believe it...but..."

"...You think so, huh? Heh...kind of sad, isn't it...

"...Find us, O Mighty Ocean, and forgive us..."



At the time, she didn't know why he said that under his breath...but now she knew.

Regret.

Regret that he went through with that dumb plan when he now had friends that he could count on. Regret that he would sell them out over a pair of wings... Regret that he had her forget about the whole thing in order to keep using her power...

For all she knew, he was probably in some dark room somewhere, struggling between his new power and pretty wings and the guilt in turning his back on the friends he made. A struggle that would go on until someone brought him back to his senses...

...he does need my help...

"See? That wasn't too hard, was it?"

No...it really wasn't. The evidence was all there; she was just too stubborn to see it for herself.

But, there was still one problem...

I...I can't just go back, though. I have to be bonded with someone, and it's not like he'll just accept me back right away.

"Who says you had to bond back with him?"

She heard it then, a faint sound that was heard throughout this conversation, but much more clear now. A young woman, somewhere in a distance...crying...

She immediately recognized who this was.

Xelha...!

"Sounds like she could really use your help, kid. You better go on after her."

W-Wait! Who are you?

"Me? Well...let's just say, I'm a friend you haven't met."

...What did that mean? She would've asked that out loud, but she doubted she would get a clear answer. Instead, she made her way up to the surface, her determination in making her way out of the abyss returning to her once more. The sound of the girl crying became clearer the closer she got to the light.

She had to save them all. Gibari, Savyna, Lyude, the Great Mizuti, Xelha...Kalas...they all needed her...

...

She resurfaced.




Her vision was dark when she came to. It wasn't the typical darkness where her eyes would adjust to it; she couldn't see anything at all. All she could hear was the crying of a close friend. Crying of hopelessness and despair...

"This...this can't be happening...! Wh...What should I do? Where is everyone...?"

She felt a pang of empathy, wanting to reach out for her, tell her that she was here to help. But she couldn't see where she was, couldn't bond with her like this. She had to be called to and accepted.

A sad squeaking, like the sound of a baby dolphin, was heard alongside her. Meemai, the Greythorne that accompanied them, seemed to be trying to comfort the despaired woman...but then the squeak turned alarmed.

"M-Meemai...what's wrong?"

...

A surprised gasp. "?! Wh-Who is it?! I-Is someone...there?"

"Xelha! It's me!" she tried to call out to her then, her echoing voice sounding out...or at least it would, if she could be heard. But to the young woman, it was faint, barely audible, but enough for her to acknowledge it.

"Wh...What was that...? Did someone....call out to me? It feels as if...someone is nearby..."

"I am! I'm right here!" she called out again, trying to get through to her. This time, she raised her voice, hoping to sound clearer to her.

It seemed to work, as she heard her gasp again. "I know that voice! I...Is it you, Audrey?!"

"Y-Yeah...it's me. I'm here for you, Xelha."

"...No...I can't...your voice is too faint...I can't hear you..."

....

Her vision finally began to clear. It was a blur, not helped by the flickering light in the room, but she could just make out the blonde woman in bright pink in the prison cell, sitting against the cot with her head down. She could also make out the small seal/dolphin-like creature beside her, comforting her.

"...Audrey...if you're there...please come to me..." She could just hear the tears in her voice; she would've teared up as well if she had a physical form in this world. "Don't leave me alone...I-I have to do something! I can't just leave Kalas..."

Before, she would've tried to deny that, say that he doesn't need nor want their help after what he just pulled. But now she understood; she couldn't leave him either.

"Please, Audrey...give me strength...!"

A familiar phrase, one that she heard in another series many times. The image of a certain spiky-haired boy appeared in her mind. It was enough to further fuel the confidence the had been building inside, knowing that if he were here, he would've done the same thing she was about to do.

"Okay! I'm reaching out to you now!"

"..." Slowly, the girl got up to her feet, turning towards her direction. "...I'm here..."

Her arms slowly lifted away from her, the young woman; the despaired soul with a great burden on her shoulders, who wanted to save everyone, including the man who turned on them; reached out to her; the sad soul who once tried to escape from her reality, who wanted to do everything in her power to make this right. Their never-ending dreams and painful longing...

....


TH-THUMP


A pulse, coming from the girl and the Spirit. The cherry blossom petals encircling her, flowing into her kind soul within. And then, a bright flash of light, followed by a burst of petals.

Once again, it was as if everything from both of their lives came all at once, pouring into their minds and souls. Sad and painful memories, different from her previous Spiriter's, but bringing them closer all the same. Sympathy and empathy born from pain and suffering.

Just like how she remembered before, it was almost too much for the Spirit to handle. But, because she didn't have a physical form, she was able to withstand it. The same, however, could not be said for Xelha. The minute the two bonded, her vision became clearer; she saw that the young woman had collapsed onto the floor, breathing heavily. Meemai hopped closer to her, nuzzling her in worry.

"..." A hand held close to her heart as she slowly pushed herself back up. "...It's you...isn't it, Audrey?"


Just like before, her voice was much clearer now. Far different from the voice that, from what little she could remember, couldn't pick a consistent tone. It was soft-spoken, much more fitting for a kind young woman like her.

She nodded to her, managing a small smile in spite of herself. "Sorry to have kept you waiting, Xelha."

A small gasp, the woman staggering back to her feet. With the Spirit's vision cleared, she could see that tears stained her face, but in place of the sorrow that she felt prior, she was beaming, a wide smile on her face.

"I-I can hear you now!" she said with a sudden excitement that surprised her. "I can hear your voice, just like Kalas did!"

Her mirth was infectious, the Spirit allowing a small giggle in spite of herself. Her own despair seemed to completely fade, her confidence and the comfort she felt from this bond taking place instead. In response, Xelha placed her hands close to her heart, her eyes closed.

"It feels like...there's a warm light deep inside me. It's a wonderful feeling..." She looked up to her, her gold eyes once again brimmed with tears, but of joy rather than sadness. "Thank you, Audrey...I'm so glad you're here..."

"...Me too, Xelha." She smiled back to her new Spiriter, but it only lasted a second as a look of determination crossed her face. "Now, how about we find a way out of here?"

A nod in return, her eyes matching her Spirit's determination. "Right!"

With their combined power, they broke free of their cell. Though there didn't seem to be any sign of the others, they were able to escape the fortress, thanks to the help of three mysterious women and their dragon, all of whom seemed to know Xelha. What this meant, Audrey only had a faint idea; if only that memory loss spell didn't make her completely forget the plot of a game that she played to death.

As they flew off on the dragon, the last thing they saw, that slowly faded from sight, was the white-winged Kalas watching them leave, his dark eyes hollow and unfeeling. Xelha could only look back to where he was, a hand over her chest.

"...I'll come back for you. I promise..."

"We'll come back for him," Audrey corrected; if she could place a hand on her shoulder, she would do just that right now. "And we better. I have some words for him..."

What those words were, only time would tell...






Her comatose form continued to sleep on, not having moved an inch since she was found. No longer out in the monster-filled streets, her body was brought to a mansion that didn't look anything like it could be from Silent Hill. As opposed to being decrepit and decayed, the place was in mint condition, luxurious furniture and decor placed about neatly. A gilded home, shielded from the horrors that lied outside of these walls.

Although in the world where her soul was, she had been there for two years, here in the town, her physical form had remained unconscious for a week due to the passage of time flowing differently. Not once did she stir from her slumber; even when she was sent back to that abyss, there was no indication of her struggle. Nothing, other than a single tear sliding down across her cheek, which was promptly wiped away from the one watching over her.


Ignazio stared at the girl that he kept on the lavish sofa, a silk blanket wrapped over her. For the past week, he made sure to keep her safe while she slept, locking all the doors and windows and making sure the monsters wouldn't think to break in. Little by little, knowledge of this girl poured into his mind. Who she was, the life she lived before, the things she liked...why she was like this.

The Great Convergence: a multiversal event that pulled people from different worlds, including the real world itself, and placing them in different worlds, even different times. But this girl...she wound up in two worlds at once, hence why her body slept. Her soul was bound to another...at least, it was, until the betrayal.

He thought she would wake then, in a state of despair that he would comfort her from, all while convincing her that her so-called 'friend' didn't need her. But...she slept on, finding someone else to bond with in that other world. Determined to see that journey to the end...

His stomach churned, a sensation he was not used to. He'd only found this girl, and she didn't yet know of his existence...yet despite this, this feeling he had, that made him want to seek these 'friends' out and keep them out of the picture, leaving her all to himself...

Jealousy.

He didn't like this feeling, preferring the hollowness from before he found her over this. It made him want to attempt a second time to try and force her awake, to pull her out of that world and cut her off from it permanently. Sadly, there was nothing he could do about it. He couldn't wake her, couldn't leave the town's boundaries to find his way to that world himself. He was as much of a prisoner as she was.

All he could do was endure this feeling whilst he waited for her to awaken. And once she did, he would do everything in his power to keep her here, to make her doubt these friendships and herself, all so she could rely on him and him alone.

That's what his role was to be, after all. Just as that boy in the helmet suggested, all he had to do was accept it.

And so, stroking her hair away from her face, Ignazio continued to watch over the girl, trying his best to forget that bitter feeling. All the while, he whispered, both to himself as well as her, even while knowing she wouldn't hear.

"...It won't last long, my dear. These 'friendships' of yours...it's not even real to you. It's all just a dream, remember? They're not worth your time. Once you wake up, none of it will matter anymore. You won't ever see them again...I'll make sure of it..."

~The night before~



The party took up the guest rooms of Queen Corellia's palace, resting up before the big day. Tomorrow, they would head back to the Imperial capital to (hopefully) stop Melodia from unleashing the full power of the End Magnus, and (even more hopefully) save Kalas from the clutches of darkness.

While everyone else had gone to sleep, Audrey had a small conversation Xelha, her current bonded being ever curious.


"Audrey...what's your home like? The world you come from, I mean."

"..." Despite seeming like a simple question, it was a hard one for her to answer. Not because of any 'amnesia'; that spell only made her forget about what happened the past two years on this world, as well as the entire plot of the game. Rather, it was because of the memories associated with it, that she'd been running from all this time.

However, she allowed herself to answer anyway. Xelha had been so kind to her, more than her previous Spiriter had ever been. She deserved to know.

"Not like this," she began, thinking on it a little. Being stuck in a fantastical world for the last few years almost made her forget what her home was like. "There's no magic or people with wings, and the technology we have is different from the Empire's. It's more...well, I don't wanna say 'normal', but..."

"I see what you're saying," the girl who turned out to be Queen said with a smile. "It's hard to imagine, but it's something you grew up with. Just as we grew up with all of the things you say your world lacks."

"Ah...yeah, like that." Xelha always had an interesting way of wording things. Whoever would think she was a 'dumb blonde' didn't know any better themselves. "But yeah...we're still similar in some ways. We go to work, go to school...we all have families and friends that...that we..."

She couldn't help the sad tone in her voice as she trailed off. Her empathetic Spiriter picked up on it, looking up with concerned eyes.

"...If you don't want to talk about it, it's okay."

"No...I...I'll tell you..." She let out a deep sigh. "I...b-before I came here, I didn't have any friends. I mean, I had some people to talk to, but not...you know, not like you and me. I...I just couldn't relate to anyone. I was always picked on for being different...no one really understood me...

"And my family...it's not like I hate them, but...ugh, it's complicated."

"I'm sure it can't be anymore complicated than trying to stop a cursed god from being reborn," Xelha attempted to make light of the situation. It was enough to cheer up the Spirit somewhat, shown by her small laugh, but just barely.

"Well...no, but...my parents always fought over the stupidest things. And...my brother always made things worse..." Her voice began to crack, like she were about to cry. "And...and they always dragged me into it. They always told me that we were both the reason why they were like that, that I didn't know anything about what they were going through...that I didn't know anything about love...

"I...I just...couldn't take it anymore. I wanted to get away...I didn't want to deal with it anymore. And...I guess that's why I ended up here..."

Audrey fell silent after her story, wishing she could let the tears fall in her ghostly form. Xelha just looked in her direction in sadness, a hand placed over her chest; a tic that showed her compassion and kindness.

"...I'm sorry...I could never have imagined..."

"...D-Don't be...i-it's not like you were responsible or anything..." The displaced girl managed to cheer herself up a little. "Besides...I got to meet all of you guys. You've all been the best friends I could ever ask for..."

The woman's gold eyes lit up. "Audrey...you really think that?"

"Y-Yeah, of course I do...even..." A wistful sigh. "...even Kalas...for all his jerkishness..."

Her Spiriter nodded understandingly. "I know...what he did would be hard for you to forgive, but...the two of you were somewhat alike. Being different from the others, I mean. Maybe...that's why you were bonded."

"...yeah...maybe. The same could be said for you, too...though in a different sense." She sighed again, looking out to the night sky. "I just...wish there was a way for him to see that."

"There is," the Ice Queen reassured, pulling out the small, ornate hand mirror that she obtained from her trial. "We have the Ocean Mirror, after all. Barnette said it could save him...he'd have to see then, right?"

"..." The Guardian Spirit fell silent. Though she wanted to believe Xelha's optimistic hope, part of her didn't think it was going to be as simple as she believed. But, at the same time, she didn't want to dampen her mood again. She just forced a smile, giving a nod that was otherwise unseen. "Y-Yeah...right. Everything...everything will be fine..."

They will be...right...?







They weren't.

Not only were they all led right into a trap, her friends' power being drained by the End Magnus, but even when that was being warded off by the holy power of the Ocean Mirror, it turned out that her suspicions were right. The mirror didn't save Kalas from his corruption...

It seared him alive instead.

Audrey could only watch in horror as her former Spiriter convulsed on the floor, screaming as the light burned into him. No matter how angry she was at him for throwing her away...to see him like this was just...

"Oh no...Kalas...!" Xelha was also horrified by this realization; not only over the fact that the mirror was hurting him, but that she'd been lied to by her trusted nanny. She had pulled the mirror away, trying to get it to stop, but in doing so, whilst the young man laid there in pain, the End Magnus continued draining from their friends, at a much faster rate.

The Ice Queen looked helplessly to her incapacitated allies and the fallen boy, torn between preventing the birth of a cursed god and trying to save someone that very likely couldn't be saved. Unable to make the choice, she looked up to her Guardian Spirit, tears stinging her eyes.

"What should I do...? Audrey, please tell me! What could I possibly do!?"

"..." There was no answer for the longest while. The Spirit girl could only stare as all of her friends were imperiled...and there was nothing she could do to stop it. For all of her so-called 'wisdom and power' that everyone assumed she had, she couldn't use it to save anyone.

"...I...I don't know..." she finally spoke her uncertainty, her voice shaking. "I don't know...!"

"Oh please, I need your help!" Xelha begged, nearly falling to her knees in her despair. "I don't know what to do!"

The sight of the woman; the one who, even in her worst moment, was always so optimistic and determined in helping absolutely everyone; on the brink of despair was almost too much to handle. She wanted to slink back, hide away from everyone, all while telling herself that she was useless, that she couldn't do anything...that she may as well just be thrown away again like--

"...X...Xelha..."

A pained voice spoke up, breaking them both out of their helplessness if only for a moment. It was none other than Kalas, who tried to push himself up, his teeth gritted from the strain. Was it from the burning, or...was he fighting back against the darkness...?

"...the mirror...Xelha..." he said between grunts, holding his side. "Use...the mirror...!"

Xelha's eyes went wide as she watched to boy struggle, speaking to her like the young man that they knew him as. Did this mean...the mirror actually worked, despite what it did to him...?

"Kalas...I..."

"Do it, Xelha...!" he cut in; he would've been yelling if not for his struggle. "Before...the End Magnus unite...before it's too late...!"

"..." She shook her head once it finally dawned on her. He wanted her to stop this...but at the cost of...

"But...if I do, y-you'll be--"

"Don't worry about me! Do it...now!!!"

He used what little strength he had to shout, making her flinch back. She couldn't bring herself to hurt him again...but...she had no choice. She had to stop this. After a moment of hesitation, she shut her eyes tight...and shone the mirror on him again.

"AAA...RRGGGH!!!!"

Once again, Kalas screamed and convulsed as the holy magic of the mirror burned into him. The sound of his cries made Xelha tremble, wanting to draw away the power again to stop it. But...it was the only way to...

Audrey could only watch as the scene unfolded in front of her. Her ghostly form shook in place, her eyes widened. She wanted to look away, shut her eyes and block it out, but...she just couldn't. Watching her former friend get burned alive...he didn't deserve this at all, no matter what he did before. And her current Spiriter, she could see her inner struggle clear as day, wanting to save the boy, but at the same time having to do what was right.

She couldn't take watching her friends like this anymore. Neither of them deserved to suffer like this.

"...Stop it..." she whispered weakly, in between all of the magic and screaming going on. "Please stop it..."

"But...!"

Xelha still held the mirror, in spite of her turmoil, the tears beginning to fall. Kalas' screams grew louder, the power burning deep into his soul...

....



She pulled the holy artifact away, unable to bear another second of this. Falling to her knees, unable to contain her anguish...bursting into a sobbing wreck...

"No...! I-I can't do this! I just can't...!"

A deep gasp from the fallen boy, burn marks seen clearly on his face, arms, and legs. The Spirit wanted to reach out, both to the crying girl and the injured boy, as well as the rest of their friends, all of whom were too weakened to stop any of this. She wanted to give them all the strength to get out of here, alive.

But with the clacking of heels, and the sugary sweet, but malevolent voice that followed, that would not be possible.

"Are you finished yet?" Lady Melodia asked in a derisive tone, a playful smile plastered on her face. However, it was gone in less than a minute, the duchess now sporting a sharp glare in her red eyes as she held a hand out.

A blast of energy, like lightning, struck Xelha dead on, knocking her back down to the floor, back under the corresponding End Magnus that drained her power. As if that weren't enough, the Ocean Mirror was also shattered from the blast, rendering any chance of fighting back against the evil power useless.

"Xelha...!" Kalas weakly called out to her, unable to push himself back up. All he could do was watch in horror as the End Magnus continued to drain from his former friends...from the ones he betrayed...

Audrey wanted to ask him if this was all worth it, if this was what he really wanted. But, once again, she couldn't bring herself to do so. Between her friends' power continually being gushed out, Melodia's evil gloating and joy that the god of destruction would soon be born, and the once corrupted boy's weakened state leaving him unable to fight back, all she could do was watch as the events unfolded before her. Despite all of their best efforts to avoid what was to come, everything was falling into place...

With one last bright flash from the End Magnus, a cloud of darkness filled the area, blinding them. A snarl, monstrous and inhuman, was heard within...

The cloud dispersed. And from it, Malpercio, ancient god of death and destruction, was reborn.


She could vaguely remember not being all that impressed by his appearance in the actual game, due to the outdated models making him look silly. But now, seeing the monstrous god in the flesh...the corrupted body parts of five tortured souls, fused together like some twisted Frankenstein's monster...

There was no time to consider any further. The so-called 'divine being' brought forth a storm of light that rained down on her friends, the barrage of light beam further weakening them and knocking everyone but Xelha unconscious.

"G-Guys...!" Audrey cried out, reaching out to her friends in vain. Unable to do anything in her ghostly form, she instead looked to Kalas, the boy finally finding it in him to stagger back to his feet, his face horrified by what he inadvertently wrought onto his friends.

The look on his face...it was just as that voice in the abyss said, that she could now see for herself. He didn't want this at all.

She saw his fist curling in. Whilst Melodia excitedly greeted her 'darling' Malpercio, the blue-haired boy gritted his teeth in anger, wanting no part of this anymore. He turned to face the evil teenage duchess while her back was turned, ready to end this here and now.

"M...Melodia...!" he shouted in spite of his apparent weakness. He managed forward, charging forth at the girl and the reborn god...only to be stopped suddenly after not even a few steps. Not by any spell or attack by the dark god. No...he was stopped by his own 'beautiful' wings, which had summoned themselves on their own accord.

"...?!" He gasped his realization, now in a struggle against the very wings that he once claimed to be a gift from the gods. His tugging and pulling against them with gritted teeth reminiscent of one trying to break free of the bonds tying them down, held against their will.

This was no 'gift' anymore. It was a curse.

"You poor fool." Only then did Melodia face him, her tone and the look in her eyes condescending. "Haven't I already told you? Once you bathe in his light, there's no turning back. You are already a servant of Malpercio...one of the Brethren of Darkness!"

A servant...no, it was the Dark Brethren that were in control, not the other way around. Though the memory loss made her forget this game's story, Audrey still at least remembered the plot points of the prequel, including who the real villains were. Of course, now was not the time to bring that up.

Despite the struggle he endured against his own wings, Kalas continued to remain defiant against the evil girl he once worked for, shown by his sharp glare and his deep growl as he continued to fight back, "No...!"

However, any action that could be made against the duchess would be of no avail. Melodia had formed a magical barrier around herself, levitating into the air until she was at Malpercio's level. She looked down at her rebelling servant, a wide, evil smirk crossing her red lips.

"Now we must punish the unwise, those who dared to oppose our god's awakening. Crush them all, Kalas!"

Suddenly, a dark aura surrounded the boy, overtaking him...lifting him as if it choked the very life out of him. Silence, all signs of a struggle vanishing in an instant. As he turned to face his fallen friends once more, his former Spirit saw the look in his eyes, which had reverted back to the bright irises on black sclera that his evil form took.

There was no defiance, nor was there acceptance to his apparent role, not even the insanity from when he first got this power. Nothing but complete emptiness, the winged boy truly becoming a puppet under the strings of a demon.

He approached slowly and wordlessly, stopping just before Xelha. The Ice Queen was too weak to try and talk through to him, much less look up at him. In response, Meemai hopped right out of her hood, squeaking indignantly as it attempted to intercept the corrupted boy.

This only prompted a childish laugh from Melodia, that wicked smile never leaving her. "Go on, Kalas! Squash the insignificant bugs!"

"No! Kalas!!!"

It was then that Audrey finally tried to do something. Her unseen form flew in front of Kalas, holding her arms out in a vain attempt to stop him. Even though she knew he would just go through her, that he could only just barely hear her, she couldn't just stand by and watch anymore. She had to do something, anything!

"..." There was no response, not even a sneer in her direction. Ignoring both the Spirit and the Greythorne in front of him, Kalas drew his sword, pointing it towards Xelha...

....



"...O Mighty...Ocean...guide us...as...we journey through... The darkest...pit...of night..."

Xelha's voice, barely a whisper in her injured and weak state, but coming through all of a sudden, praying her nation's prayer as she faced her supposed demise. It caught the attention of her Guardian Spirit, looking away from the boy and down at her in confusion.

"X...Xelha...?"

"..."

Somehow, her words seemed to get through to Kalas, his breath shaking as his grip trembled over his sword. Memories of the young woman filling his mind; when she first recited that prayer for her fallen bodyguards; when they spoke together after they fell into another dimension...the night in Balancoire, before they set out for the Empire...



"Kalas...let's do our best, for everyone's sake. I believe in you..."



"May Time, ever fleeting, forgive us... We, who have forsaken the song, and buried our future..."



"..."

Complete silence, the young man frozen in place. His eyes, brimming with tears, but slowly reverting back to the deep, intense blue that they were before.

He tossed his sword aside.


"What are you doing...?" Melodia's smile, still plastered on her face, began to falter slightly.

"..." Once again, no response. Nothing but a silent grunt from the boy as his head lowered. Then...he reached a hand back, to the back of his left shoulder...to the white wing that tried to keep its hold over him.

He gripped tight, his teeth gritted hard. Tugging, pulling at the wing, doing everything he could to fight back against the metaphorical bonds that tried to pull him back under control. Then...


SHRRRRK


The sound of tearing, accompanied by a pained, but determined cry. A flurry of glowing white feathers, practically blinding the Spirit as she watched this unfold, as well as her Spiriter, who managed to look up in time to see this.

Both of their eyes went wide at the scene before them. In battling the corrupting influence of the End Magnus, Kalas had torn off his left wing, severing himself from the dark power both literally and metaphorically.

"Kalas!?" Xelha yelled in surprise, her concern growing as she watched the young man fall to his knees in exertion. She could see the blood pouring from his left shoulder, a reckless action that would cost him otherwise if there weren't any other way to free him.

Audrey could only stare in silence, her eyes wide and her hands over her mouth. From the small glimpses of memory coming back to her, she recalled this very scene, remembered herself cheering as Kalas broke free. To actually witness it in person, without the limitations of the outdated character models...it truly was a sight to behold.

However, none was more dumbfounded than Melodia herself. Her smile was gone completely, her own eyes going wide, her mouth hanging open in bewilderment. She was physically shaking, wanting to deny what just happened right before her very eyes.

"Wh...What have you done!?" she screamed, her normally composed voice going completely shrill. "Have you lost your mind!?"

Kalas' right wing was glowing brightly, slowly dimming down as the corruption faded with it. Once the light was gone, the wing had reverted back to the dull grey swan wing that it was before...that he always was.

"How...How could it be possible...?" Melodia continued to voice her denial, shaking her head in disgust. "Removing the power of a god? By your own will?!

"What...are you...!?"

"...." Slowly, doing everything he could to ignore his bleeding shoulder and his exertion, Kalas staggered back to his feet, a look of newfound determination upon his face. He turned to face the evil duchess and the reborn god, his eyes sharp and his teeth gritted.

"...Melodia...I swear...I will drive Malpercio and his minions from this world...! Plunge them right back into the depths of darkness!!!"

With those words, Kalas had truly cemented his return to the side of good.

Unfortunately, this triumphant moment did not last. In a reckless and impulsive act of defiance, Kalas charged forth at Malpercio, only to be knocked to the ground with relative ease without his "blessing" or a Guardian Spirit to protect him. It would've been the end for all of them, had it not been for the untimely intervention of the Great Mizuti, who called upon the power of her people and attempted to weaken the incomplete god. In a fit of panic, Melodia and Malpercio escaped from the heart of the Imperial Fortress, leaving the heroes to their fate.

Though weakened and barely conscious, the group would recover in time. However, it was Kalas that was the main concern. Due to the heavy blood loss and pushing himself to his limit, he had fallen unconscious after his reckless attempt to take down a god in the state that he was in. Xelha slowly crawled her way towards him, holding him close, doing everything she could to wake him.

"Kalas! Can you hear me?! Please, you have to fight this, Kalas!"

...fight...

Quickly getting over her stupor, Audrey was prompted to take a closer look with those words, looking deeper like she had done two years ago. Even after forgetting everything else, she still remembered the apparent abilities that she had as a Spirit. Squinting her eyes, she saw traces of darkness swirling around him, attempting to ensnare him once more. Despite forcibly removing his tainted wing, some of the corruption still remained to drag him back down.

Unconsciously, the girl reached out to him, even though she knew it wouldn't amount to anything. After everything she witnessed, after seeing for herself that he didn't want any of this, she just couldn't leave him there, in spite of what he'd done. She...She had to save him, somehow...

...

What happened next, she couldn't remember. All she heard was Xelha's surprised shout, and the last thing she saw was a strange pink mist filling her vision.

All went white.






He left her alone only for a moment upon hearing something banging against the front doors. The monsters that were trying to break in were quickly disposed of, the locks on the doors deliberately jammed in order to keep the rest of them out.

He had other ways of getting back in and out. This was done in order to keep her from ever leaving, should she awaken.

When he returned to her, however, he came upon a strange sight.

She was surrounded by a pink mist, primarily focused around her hands, but swirling around her form all the same. This lasted for less than a minute before it dispersed and faded into her.

At her side once more, Ignazio took a closer look, trying to see where that came from. She appeared to be in an even deeper sleep than before. Was that strange mist the reason she was comatose? Was it her own doing?

Was she even aware of it?

"What in the world are you, Audrey Crowe...?" he muttered quietly, continuing to remain at her side. He wanted to see this through until she awakened, whenever that would be...

Here again. The familiar diving sensation, in a dark, water-like abyss. Diving deep into a dream.

Except this felt different somehow. This dream...it didn't feel like her own...

Opening her eyes, regaining her sense of awareness even in this sleep-like state, Audrey soon found that she wasn't alone. Before her was the pink-clad woman that was her current Spiriter, unconscious and unaware. She 'swam' closer to her, reaching a hand to--

Wait...was that a bracelet on her wrist? When did she wear bracelets?

Looking down at herself, she saw that her clothes had changed. A red top with pink frills on the sleeves, red shorts under a three-quarter skirt with pink frills at the hemline, the aforementioned red bracelets, black nylons, and red ankle-high boots. The sides of the shirt, skirt, and shoes were adorned with some pink spiral design, a white belt around her waist that seemed to be for show rather than anything practical.

It suddenly occurred to her that she may have always looked like this since waking up in another world. Why she didn't notice...well, it may have been due to the fact that it was hard to see for herself when she was a transparent ghost. But this was besides the point.

The girl brought her attention back to her Spiriter, reaching a hand to her and lightly shaking her. "Xelha..." Her voice sounded a lot more echoed when she spoke, much more than when she first materialized as a Spirit. Unlike then, she didn't put much thought into it, instead putting her focus on her friend. "Xelha, wake up."

Gold eyes slowly blinked open, in a state between sleep and waking. Upon seeing the girl, they opened a little wider, though still appearing in a daze.

"...Audrey? Is that...you...?"

A nod. "Yeah, it's me. No ghost."

"...." Slowly, the Ice Queen righted herself in the 'air,' her fairy wings unconsciously summoned. Unlike the physical world, her heart's power seemed to be limitless in this place. She looked around the dark abyss, her tired eyes confused. "Where...are we...?"

"It's...kind of hard to explain," Audrey admitted sheepishly, wringing her hands together. "I...guess you can say it's a dream? Except...I dunno, it still feels real, but..."

Before she could attempt to find the right explanation, they were suddenly enveloped in a bright light, nearly blinding the two women as they covered their eyes. When it died down, they were no longer in the water-like abyss, but in a quaint little home, a warm fire comforting them.

"What...?" Xelha continued to voice her confusion, looking up and down at their new surroundings. The sight also perplexed the Spirit girl, who looked this way and that. This never happened before...

"Grandpa, is it true that somewhere in this world, there's a huge puddle called the 'Ocean'?"

The voice of a young boy snapped them out of their confusion, whipping around to where it came from. There, around a table with tools scattered about was a family of three. The one that spoke was a boy of thirteen, with short blond hair, bright blue-green eyes, and garbed in a white shirt and blue shorts. What was most striking about him were his pointed elf-like ears and a small mark of a spiral on his forehead.

"And a big old fish called the 'Whale' swimming around in it?" the boy continued his question, his feet swinging playfully back and forth from his chair. "I heard the Whale is so smart, it'll know the answer to anything you ask!"

"Oh, I don't know. I've never met anyone who's actually seen that creature," the old man that appeared to be the boy's grandfather answered, his focus on his apparent project while he humored the child. Despite his elderly features, he was careful and precise with the tools he had in hand. Without turning away, he spoke to the third one among them, "Hand me that wrench, Kalas."

A gasp escaped Xelha's throat, the two girls turning their attention to the last family member. There was Kalas, looking youthful and carefree, in contrast to the bitter young man that they came to know him as. Here he was, aiding his grandfather with his project, with a gentle smile that he was rarely seen with.

No wonder something felt off. This dream...it wasn't Audrey's. It was Kalas'.

"Hmm...I think there really is an Ocean, somewhere," the boy continued his wonder over this apparent myth, the scene going on as if the two women weren't there. "The Whale must be there, too! I wanna ask him something."

This brought a pause from the old mechanic, who looked with a raised brow. "And what is it that you want to ask?"

"It's a secret." The boy got up from his seat, looking with a smile that said 'I know something that you don't.' "Can't tell anyone, not even you, Grandpa."

"Ah, a secret, is it?" the grandfather of the boys remarked with an amused chuckle. Kalas looked up from their project then, giving a playful smile to his younger brother.

"Hey, Fee. Whad'ya say we go out and find the Ocean and this Whale of yours someday?"

"R-Really?!" Fee's eyes lit up in child-like excitement, prompting a small laugh from the young man.

"Sure. When you grow up, that is."

"Promise?"

"I promise. You and me together, on a quest to find the lost Ocean and its Whale."

Xelha brought a hand to her chest at this, a sad look in her eyes. Why this was, Audrey had the faintest idea, but didn't dwell on it, instead watching as Fee began jumping up and down in his excitement.

"YES! I know we'll find 'em! I just know it!"

It was an endearing sight to behold. But at the same time, it was also sad. Didn't Kalas say they were killed...?

Suddenly, the area transitioned around them, like dust scattering in the wind. Now they were in a vast grassy field that seemed to go on forever.

Was this still Mira? It didn't look like it...

Once again, Xelha looked around in her confusion, voicing aloud, "Wh...What's going on...?"

"...I-I don't know," Audrey admitted, wringing her hands together nervously. "Th-This never happened--"

She suddenly gasped as something ran right through her, phasing through like a ghost. This brought the other young woman to whip around to her, only for the same thing to happen to her, catching her by surprise. They looked to find that it was Kalas and Fee racing along the grass, laughing and playing together like children.

"Hey, Kalas!" Fee called back to his older brother as he raced ahead of him. "Don't forget your promise! We're gonna go look for the Ocean and the Whale!"

"That's right!" Kalas said cheerfully, a tone that was practically unheard of from him. "We'll find them together, wherever they are!"

"Yeah! If we both go, I know we'll find......" The boy's words trailed as he slowed to a stop, his cheerful demeanor vanishing in an instant. This immediately caught Kalas' attention, slowing his own pace to a walk to catch up.

"...What's wrong, Fee?" he asked as he stopped behind his little brother. However, when he caught sight of what the boy saw, his breath was caught in his throat, cold. The two witnesses also took a closer look, the sight making Xelha gasp and Audrey's eyes widen.

The dead body of the boys' grandfather lay sprawled in the grass before them. A closer look revealed his skin to be charred with deep burns. There hadn't been a fire...had there?

"...We're all going to die...aren't we?" Fee's voice was a dead monotone, all childlike joy and excitement gone as he stared blankly at the corpse. "No matter what...it'll just happen...

"I guess our promise won't happen...ever..."

The sound of glass shattering suddenly reached their ears. Fire filled their vision, Audrey reflexively grabbing onto Xelha's arm in a sudden bout of panic. Though the Queen did hold her in reassurance, they found that the fire did not burn them, the danger once more phasing through them.

The same, however, could not be said for the one whose memory this belonged to.

They were back in the family home, which had now gone up in flames. Kalas and Fee had been knocked to the floor by some sort of force, likely an explosive that caused the fire. It didn't take too long before the boys staggered back to their feet, weakly, holding each other for support. Just as they were about to make their escape, they came face-to-face with the perpetrators behind this.

A man garbed heavily in imperial armor walked into view, alongside a dark-skinned young woman with magenta hair. Even with the fire nearly blinding their vision, they were quick to recognize who they were.

"Giacomo...Ayme..." Xelha said quietly, her hand over her chest in worry.

Kalas stood protectively in front of Fee, doing his best to show no fear despite the situation. Sadly, it turned out to be for naught; Ayme gave them no time to think before she fired twice, blasting the two back down to the floor.

"Kalas!!!"

The blonde woman's cry as she watched the one-winged boy and his brother get shot wouldn't reach anyone, the two unable to do anything to alter this memory. All they could do was watch as the scene carried on. Whilst the boys were forced to drag themselves out, they watched as Ayme turned to her superior, who shook his head...disapprovingly? He didn't want them to die?

Why would he be the target of Kalas' anger then, if this were the case?

Before they could question this, they saw Giacomo turn his attention to the grandfather, who, as they learned, was in actuality the man's father. They couldn't hear what was said, but the man seemed to demand something. A brief pause until, in an act of defiance, the old man threw himself into the flames, Giacomo unable to stop him in time as he reached out in vain. Forever denying whatever it was he wanted...

Now they were outside the burning home, watching as the two boys limped out while holding against their wounds. In the shadows, they saw a familiar woman watch them go, looking on in regret. The sight of the dark-haired woman that was currently one of their allies had Xelha gasp in surprise.

"Savyna...?"

"Neither of them will last long..." Savyna voiced her observation, closing her eyes, "not with those wounds..."

So Savyna was involved in this, too? How deep did this connection go?

Once again, the area transitioned before they could find an answer. Now they appeared in what looked to be the heart of a dark forest. With the glowing red orbs in the trees and the spirits floating about, it was easy to deduce that this was the Nekton Shrine.

At the end of the path, they saw the two boys. Fee had collapsed in Kalas' arms, the young man holding him close. He was visibly shaking, crying as he did all he could to keep from losing his little brother.

"F-Fee...talk to me..." he whispered, his voice shuddering as he failed to hold back his tears. "Come on...h-hang in there..."

"...i-it's so dark..." Fee's voice was quiet, barely a whisper. Blood dripped down from his forehead, tears streaming from his eyes. "I...I'm scared...Kalas...wh-where are you...?"

"Fee, I'm right here!" the young man called to him, unable to keep it together with the sight of his brother fading. "Y-You'll be alright! I'm with you, Fee! I-It's just a scratch...i-it'll heal in no time. W...We made a promise, remember? W-We're gonna go find the Ocean together! You've got a ton of things to ask that Whale, right?!"

"...." The boy's eyes were unfocused, all life slowly fading. "...Kalas...I...I'm sorry...I don't...think...I can keep...my promise...

"Find the Ocean...find the Whale...for me....."

The young boy had fallen limp, but Kalas still held on, desperate to believe that his brother was still hanging by a thread.

"F-Fee!! Y-You've gotta fight this! Don't go! P-Please...don't leave me...d-don't leave me alone...!"

....

There was no response. His breath was caught cold, lightly shaking him in some vain attempt to wake him. "...Fee!? Fee...?"

Still nothing. It became clear as he tried to find a pulse, only to find none. Fee had given in to his wounds and died in his brother's arms...

The realization was too much to handle. Holding his little brother close, Kalas let out an anguished scream, crying out into the darkness. His family, his home...gone in an instant...

The sight brought tears to Xelha's eyes, her hands over her mouth. Her sympathy and empathy for the young man that otherwise pushed her away shone through as she witnessed his darkest hour. "Oh, Kalas..."

Audrey couldn't help but start crying herself. Again, she could vaguely remember this flashback, initially not feeling anything due to the poor voicework ruining the scene. But now, witnessing it in person (or lack thereof), she could feel the sorrow, her own sympathy for her former Spiriter welling up in her. But at the same time, a part of her was still angry.

His little brother's last request was to find the Ocean and the Whale...and he was still willing to throw that away for a stupid pair of wings?

Slowly, everything faded to black. They were back in the abyss, only now they were standing on what seemed to be solid ground. The ground, however, was covered in a dark essence that snaked around their feet, the sight nearly making the two flinch back in surprise. However, what was more concerning was what was in front of them.

Kalas laid unconscious on the ground, dark tendrils latching onto him, threatening to drag him down. From the heavy bleeding on his left shoulder, it was clear that this was the one-winged boy that they knew, not a phantom memory.

"Kalas!!" Xelha was already racing towards him, the possible danger not occurring to her in the slightest. She knelt beside him, grabbing him by the shoulders and shaking him. "Kalas, wake up! Please...you...you have to fight this..."

"...." No response, the boy lost in a deep slumber. Tears were streaming from his eyes, unconsciously. Was it from the memories that they saw...?

Tentatively, Audrey took a step forward, wanting to help, but unsure if she could do anything. This was all just a dream, wasn't it? Wouldn't they wake up soon...?

Just as she was questioning this, she suddenly saw something appear behind Xelha. A dark figure with a sword in hand, raised high and prepared to strike down. She didn't think twice about what was to come next.

"XELHA, WATCH OUT!!!"


Her Spirit's cry brought the young woman to snap her head up, just in time to see the sword come down on her. Acting on reflex, she raised her wand over her head, the blade clashing against it in a loud CLANG as she did all she could to hold against it. Despite having already gone through a fight and having most of her power drained in the physical world, here in the dream, she managed to hold the sword back as if she were fully energized.

The figure was garbed in light armor, black like the darkness that pooled the ground. Their features were hidden beneath the feather helmet and the face mask that they wore, but strands of shoulder-length blue hair were seen. Despite the human features, their eyes were a round red, lacking pupils. In contrast to the darkness, on their back was a pair of glowing white wings, the wings that had been rejected.

And on those very wings, Audrey found two familiar sigils imprinted upon them.


"A Nightmare..."

The Nightmare pushed Xelha away, the young woman quick to right herself back up and get into a battle stance. In turn, the dark tendrils that ensnared Kalas had spread further around him, cocooning him and keeping him further trapped.

As worried as she was for him, however, Xelha didn't allow herself to falter, keeping her focused glare on the dark, winged figure in front of her.

"Kalas...I promised that I would pull you out of this nightmare. And I won't go back on my word!"

The Nightmare rushed at Xelha after her declaration, at blinding inhuman speeds. This time, Xelha was able to avoid the coming attack, her movement graceful like a figure skater as she dodged. It was a battle of speed and wits, the Nightmare charging and pulling feints to throw her off, and Xelha dodging and sending out her spells at every opportunity she got.

Once again, all Audrey could do was stand by and watch in awe as the winged fighters clashed. Other than lending her strength; which seemed to work unconsciously; as well as granting Spirit Attacks; which seemed to be entirely random and out of her control; she couldn't do anything to help in the battle, as she had no weapon or any other power that she could actually control herself.

However, looking to the darkness that encased her former Spiriter, she couldn't just stand by and do nothing. She might not have been able to join the fight, but she could try to get through to Kalas, somehow.

As Queen and Nightmare went airborne in their fight, the Spirit ran to the dark prison, reaching her hand out. However, she immediately flinched back with a yelp as soon as she touched it, the darkness burning her hand, making her curl inward and whimper.

Of all the times to be fully corporeal, even in a dream...

Despite the immense pain, Audrey tried to call out; if she couldn't reach out physically, then maybe, just maybe, her voice could reach him. "K-Kalas...c-c'mon, y-you have to wake up! Please!"

"Leave him be."

A voice, low and gravelly, clearly masculine. The girl snapped her head up, looking around for the source. "Wh-Wha...?"

"He brought this on himself. He knows he deserves this."

She looked up to the combatants, where the Nightmare threw Xelha off-balance with an upward spiral attack. They were focused on their battle...and yet, somehow, she had a feeling the Nightmare was speaking to her in spite of this.

"B-But...h-he's my friend--"

"Do you really believe that? He used your power for his own gain. He even had your memories erased just so you'd keep working for him. Can you really call him your friend after that?"

"...!" Their words struck hard, tears stinging the edges of her eyes. It was the complete opposite of what the other voice said; whereas that one had given her hope and determination to try and save her former friend, this one reawakened her doubt and anger at being used. Despite her wanting to save him...there was still a part of her that wanted to leave him to die for what he did.

"I...I don't..."

"You know this is true. You can't continue to deny this. He will be forever lost in darkness.

"As will you."

That cold statement brought her to snap back up. The Nightmare, who previously targeted Xelha, had now turned their attention on her. Before either of them knew it, they rushed at the girl, practically phasing through the air.

And unlike the Ice Queen, who had the battle experience to prepare herself, Audrey had no way to avoid the coming attack. The sword slashed forward, the force of the impact knocking the wind out of her lungs, throwing her off of her feet...and sending her straight over the edge of the platform. Back into the dark abyss.

"AUDREY!!!"

Xelha's cry echoed after her, the sight of the blonde woman diving after her, only for the Nightmare to intercept and stop her, being the last thing she saw. She continued to fall, diving deep into the darkness until it blotted her vision.

What was the point of trying to get back? She couldn't do anything to help, and besides, the Nightmare was right. After everything he did...why would she want to save him? He brought this on himself.

So she let herself drift further, letting herself be consumed by darkness and oblivion. She would go down as she'd always been: a pathetic and worthless wreck of a girl who couldn't do anything even if she tried...

....



"No, Audrey! You can't give up, not now!"

Yet another voice. Unlike the other two, this one was much more feminine. Actually...it sounded very familiar...

She looked up, her sight blurred from the hit she received. She could just barely make out a hand reaching to her, grabbing her own. The figure before was a complete blur, but she just barely make out the image of a certain blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl.

And once again, all went white.

Everything was white as her vision came to. At first, she held an arm over her eyes, thinking she'd been blinded by the light. However, she soon found that she was merely floating in a white abyss, contrasting the darkness that had surrounded her prior.

Where in the world was she now? Someone reached out to her...and before that...

She snapped her head up, recalling her Spiriter battling the Nightmare, worry overtaking her. "Xelha...!"

"Don't worry. She's still holding off the Nightmare to the best of her ability. But she won't be able to defeat it on her own."

The voice of the young girl reassured her, though it did little to calm her down. Now that she was somewhat lucid, she could recognize the voice completely, but still she wasn't sure if it was who she thought it was. How could she talk to her like this, when she wasn't even 'connected'?

Rather than bring that up, the girl instead brought her attention on that last statement. "Wh-What do you mean?"

"The only thing capable of defeating a Nightmare, other than a Keyblade wielder, is a Spirit."

"I know that! I mean, how are we supposed to defeat the Nightmare otherwise?"

"Audrey...you've been there the entire time."

...what? She shook her head, confused. "W-Wait, what're you talking about? I'm a Guardian Spirit, not a Dream Eater Spirit. And I don't have a Keyblade, either! How can I--"

"Look for yourself."

What looked to be a mirror suddenly appeared behind her. She was about to turn herself around completely, but when she turned her head, she startled. A detail she hadn't noticed before was now in clear view. A familiar symbol imprinted on the back of her shirt.


She reached her hand back, lightly grazing the symbol from over her shoulder. Her eyes were wide with realization.

"I'm...a Dream Eater...?"

"You became one when you dove into dreams. And by bonding with Kalas, you became a Spirit to protect him from the Nightmare in his heart."

"...just like Riku with Sora..." she murmured. But, despite her understanding, she shook her head again out of doubt. "But...why him? After everything he did...throwing me away, erasing my memory...using me like a pawn...why do I have to protect him?"

There was silence for a long while, the pain festering in her heart continuing to well up. She could feel a reassuring hand on her shoulder, but for some reason, she could not see the other girl speaking to her now. It was as though she were a blur in her sight.

"...Audrey...you need to know the truth. That memory loss spell...you wanted them to cast it on you."

She snapped her head up, her eyes going wide. "Wh-What!?"

"You wanted to escape. You wanted to forget your life before you came here. So you only pretended to stop cooperating, knowing what they were going to do about it when you did.

"But Melodia saw through your ruse. Instead, she made you forget what happened in the two years you were on this world, and everything you knew about it. By keeping the pain, she wanted you to give up when you were betrayed."

"...." She wanted to deny this, argue that she would never let this happen if she knew it was coming. But...at the same time, she knew she wanted to get away from her home life, even if it meant staying in this fever dream. Would she really have gone so far as to...?

A sudden sharp pain struck in her mind, making her grab her head as she grimaced. She could feel it. A memory...



"Yeah. The ancient power is buried around here somewhere," Kalas answered the duchess, the two having made their way into Moonguile Forest for a specific arrangement. He then looked in the direction of his Guardian Spirit. "You'll help us, won't you Audrey?"

"...." Audrey just huffed and looked away, acting indignant. In truth, she would've gone along and found another way to stop this, but...if she refused like this, then maybe...

Frowning at her attitude, Kalas sighed and went on to explain, "Here's the plan. I'll claim to have been attacked by Rock Cats and lost consciousness. When I come to, I can say some memories were partially lost from the shock.

"Not mine, Audrey. Yours." The look in his eyes showed he was dead serious about this. "You'll have forgotten all about our plans and continue helping me. You and I are a team, Audrey."

"..." Only then did Audrey turn to look at her Spiriter. He was probably expecting her to argue or try to get him to stop out of desperation. But instead, she simply asked, "So you really wanna go through with this? There's really no other way?"

He shook his head, his eyes downcast. Out of regret? She couldn't tell; she didn't even know if he actually felt any guilt at this point in the story. "...nope. Sorry. There's no turning back..."

"..." She huffed again, looking away from them. "...fine. Do what you have to do."

He looked up, frowning in confusion. She was acting all defiant prior, but now she was just...accepting her fate without question? However, he chose not to question this; he could never understand his Guardian Spirit anyway. Instead, he turned to face Melodia, lowering his head again.

"Okay, let's get this over with. Zap her memory for me."

With a single nod, Melodia summoned a ball of light, letting it float to Kalas' head. As soon as it made contact, not only did it knock the young man unconscious, but Audrey also felt herself blacking out. The past two years...her knowledge of this game, story and all...all gone in a flash. The last thing she remembered was the shrill, child-like laugh of Melodia, her joyous malignance in everything going according to plan...



She became aware that she had fallen to her knees from the strain. However, the aching was the last thing she mulled over, her eyes going wide once more.

It was true. She did want to forget, going along with the game's setup even when she knew she could've avoided it by keeping silent. If she had known it would've blown up in her face, then she wouldn't have been so selfish to...to...

Her line of thought trailed as it suddenly occurred to her. She remembered something. Not just a vague hint of something that happened, but a complete memory.

Was it because of the certain memory witch that was with her now, if it was truly her?

As if sensing this, the girl answered her unspoken question. "They placed the spell to make you forget. But memories aren't truly lost. They're just hidden away, deep in your heart. If you look closely inside yourself, you might just find them."

"...look closely..." Taking those words to heart, Audrey closed her eyes, looking deep inside herself. If she could recall one memory, then maybe...

In her mind's eye, she envisioned a chest. A dusty old chest, hidden away and forgotten about. There was no lock to speak of; it just lay neglected, awaiting to be opened.

She imagined herself right in front of the chest, trying to push it open. It didn't need a lock; the top was so heavy that she could barely make it budge. However, she didn't give up, applying more pressure to push it open. Slowly, but surely, she made the effort to finally open this chest, after it had been left alone for so long.

It opened.


A flash of light blinded her, her arms raised in reflex. All around her, images like photos floated upwards, returning to their rightful place in her mind. The memories, both of her time in this world, and her knowledge of it, poured back in her mind little by little.

It was all coming back to her. Her awe at the world around her, her ramblings to her Spiriter about the things she liked while he pretended to ignore her, the small adventures that they had while they had been monitoring the world. The memories that they both threw away, for their own selfish reasons.

One came through much more clearly out of all of them. When they were lost in the jungle, hunted down by a certain bird...



Kalas grit his teeth under the talons of the Holoholo Bird, his sword knocked away. He tried to push free, but it was to no avail, the large mother bird ready to peck him down and tear him up to be a suitable meal for her young.

"Kalas!!!"

Despite her incorporeality, Audrey tried to reach out to save him, even though she would only phase through like a ghost. But then, all of a sudden, a strange pink mist appeared, taking a quick form of a blade that slashed at the bird's beak. The sight startled her, making her flinch back; as if in response, the mist disappeared just as quickly.

Whatever it was, it was enough for the bird to screech and release her hold on Kalas, who immediately rushed for his sword. As soon as he grabbed it, he flew in while the bird thrashed about, digging the blade into the back of its neck.

The bird crumpled dead, Kalas wiping a sweat from his brow after that difficult battle. "Phew, what a relief. Thought I was gonna be dinner for a moment." Pulling his sword out, he immediately went to picking out a tuft of feathers from their fallen enemy, with the intent to sell them later. "Hey, dunno what just happened, but thanks for the help there, Audrey. Couldn't have beaten it without you." When he received no response, he looked up in her direction, frowning. "...Audrey? You there?"

Audrey just stared in a daze, silent, looking at her hands in confusion. What...was that...?



Like then, the Spirit stared at her hands. Was that...her power? Her actual power, unrelated to her being a Guardian Spirit?

As if to answer her question, the pink mist suddenly appeared in her hands, startling her again. Unlike then, the mist remained in place, swirling around her hands. Surprise giving away to curiosity, she held one hand up, imagining a shape. In response, the magic began to take form in the palm of her hand, growing, blossoming.

Her eyes went wide in awe. The mist had taken shape of a flower, exactly as she had imagined it.

"Wow...I-I had no idea, I..."

She expected the girl to answer her, finish her thought. However, there was no response. In fact...she didn't feel her presence here anymore. Was she gone now? Did she just imagine her, like some weird subconscious way of telling herself to remember?

Whatever the case was, it didn't matter now. In spite of that memory loss spell, she now remembered everything. And if she had this strange power...then she wasn't going to waste it.

The white all around her turned black, finding herself back in the abyss she fell into. But this time, she wasn't going to let herself drift. Closing her eyes, she thought of another shape, the mist taking form all around her...






She did everything to try and fight them off, keeping her focus and resolve despite the apparent loss of a friend. Dodged their attacks, threw every spell she had at them.

But it wasn't enough.

The Nightmare moved at lightning-fast speeds, catching her off-guard at every turn. A series of slashes flying past, a final one powered by a dark aura throwing her downwards, slamming her into the dark-filled platform, her wand clattering out of her grip away from her. She would've attempt to push herself back up and get back into the fight, until she felt the blade at her neck. All she could do was look up, gold eyes staring into pupilless red that glared down at her.

At the face of possible death, Xelha's gaze turned upon the dark prison that ensnared Kalas. She could see that he was sinking deeper, soon to lose himself even further.

"Kalas...." she murmured, reaching out to him in vain. She...she couldn't give up, not here...not now...

The sword was raised higher, prepared to land the finishing blow. The "nightmare" would end, and all would end up in darkness...

It came down...

.....

"Xelha!"


A light suddenly shone bright, flying through the air, the darkness receding away in its path. It collided against the Nightmare, pushing them away from Xelha, knocking them back into the air. As the light slowly dimmed down, the Ice Queen glanced up towards it, her eyes going wide.

"A-Audrey!?"

Audrey couldn't help but smile towards her current Spiriter, giving a small wave and a giggle. She was surrounded by that mysterious pink mist, along with the cherry blossoms that usually came with her presence as a Guardian Spirit. From that very mist, multiple pairs of wings had formed on her back, taking the form of another's beautiful wings from twenty years prior, larger than the Nightmare's own and glowing much brighter. In her hand was a blade, also formed from the mist.

Not only did this appearance surprise Xelha, but the Nightmare had also recoiled back, their red eyes wide. In contrast to their previous coldness, they had shown genuine fear faced with the one thing that could truly defeat them.

While they were stuck in their stupor, Xelha managed to get back to her feet, her awe at the Spirit taking precedence over their opponent. "Audrey, wh-what is this? What...happened to you?"

Her smile turned sheepish, scratching the side of her head with her free hand. "Ah...let's just say I remembered that I had this weird power and...kinda wanted to show off." Of course, any attempt at further joking was stopped; the Nightmare suddenly charged forth to strike her down. This time, she was quick to block the strike, holding her own sword up as blades met in a loud CLANG.

"Audrey!" Xelha was ready to run for her wand to aid her in the battle. However, Audrey called down to her, stopping her in her tracks.

"D-Don't worry about me! You get Kalas to wake up!" Her diverted attention unfortunately caused her to lose focus in the clash, the Nightmare knocking her back. She was quick to block the next attack, however, this time with her many-layered wings.

"But what about--"

"Trust me! I got this! After all..." An uncharacteristic smirk crossed her lips. "I'm what Nightmares fear!"

The symbol on her back emblazened in a bright light at her proclamation, followed by two of her wings unfurling and firing what looked like laser blasts. The Nightmare would avoid her attacks, while the Spirit continued to slash or send forth some other attack, conjured purely from her imagination.

Reassured that her friend had the upper hand, Xelha turned her focus to the dark prison. Tendrils tried to grip at her ankles as she ran forth, trying to stop her, but she managed to outrun them, tearing from their grip easily when they did catch her.

"Kalas!" the Queen called out, racing ever closer to the one-winged boy. "Kalas, wake up! Please!"

Again, there was no response, the boy sinking further and further into darkness. But then, without thinking twice, Xelha reached the pool of darkness...

And, determined to drag him out however she can, dove right in...






Dark. Cold. Empty.

That was all he felt as he fell deeper and deeper. Everything he'd done...everything he brought onto his friends and the world...

It was only fitting that he'd be left here to die, in darkness and isolation. He'd made his choices. No matter how hard he'd try, he could never hope to make up for what he'd done.

"I guess...this is the end..." were his last words, sinking ever deeper into darkness...

....



"Kalas!!!"

A voice, feminine and so very familiar. Blue eyes opened, looking up to what looked to be a source of light. Descending down, reaching after him. A gloved hand reaching for his.

"Xelha..."

The woman that had been there from the start of this quest, who followed him despite the cold way he treated her. Who never gave up on him, even when it seemed better to do so. Who went out of her way to rescue him, when she could've just left him here to save the world.

He found himself reaching for her hand, his vision becoming clearer. Her eyes were filled with worry, but also that sense of determination that he found himself admiring the most about her.

"Why are you here...?"

"I came to rescue you, like I said I would."

"...you're wasting your ti--"

"No, Kalas! Don't say that! I'm not leaving without you!"

"Why do you keep doing this? I...I betrayed you...everyone...I turned my back on you guys. Why do you think I can just go back after what I did?"

"...Because...I know you can make it right. Besides...you made a promise to your brother, remember?"

His dazed eyes shot wide. At first, he questioned how she knew, but that promise...the memory of his little brother as he lay dying in his arms...

What was he thinking? Not only was he ready to just give up and die, but he was about to further break his promise to Fee in finding the lost Ocean. He'd already done that by aiding in the revival of the god of destruction.

He couldn't let the world be destroyed after that. Even if it was for a small chance at redemption, he had to make this right.

With a look of determination of his own, he nodded to her. He wasn't about to back down again, not now.

The two began making their way to the surface, hand in hand, light gathering around them. Every time the darkness tried to drag them back down, it retracted in their vicinity. Their light was too strong.

"By the way, Xelha...how did you find me here?"

"Well...let's just say I had a little help."

"...You mean...Audrey?"

She gave a nod and a small smile, before they were enveloped in a bright light...






Audrey had thrown every possible thing she could think of. Weapons, lasers, even a few oddities like a horseshoe and an anvil. Anything that she could imagine, she conjured without a second thought.

Unfortunately, while this power of hers was practically limitless, what she lacked was genuine combat skill. Even after managing to keep the Nightmare away, they shrugged off her attacks moments later and closed in. She had tried to keep away, but now she was entangled in dark tendrils, keeping her in place.

"Damnitdamnitdamnitdamnit!" she swore in quick succession as she tried to wrangle out of her bonds. The Nightmare's sword was raised, ready to end the Spirit's life and continue its spread of darkness in the boy's heart.

"Audrey!"

That voice...it wasn't Xelha's voice this time. It was...

A flash of light shone bright, the darkness surrounding the platform retracting almost immediately. And then, two figures flew out from that light, one of them heading straight for the Nightmare. As Audrey saw who it was, her face lit up.

"Kalas!"

The one-winged boy and the Nightmare locked blades, another clash as one tried to overpower the other. But then, a burst of holy light struck the dark creature all around, followed by a fire burst. The spells thrown by Xelha were enough for Kalas to knock them back and slash forward.

The battle between the heroes and the Nightmare went on, going airborne, blades clashing and spells being sent out at every turn. And once again, Audrey watched in awe as her former Spiriter and her current one duked it out, wanting to cheer them on and await their victory.

However, one detail had come to mind. This battle wouldn't truly end, unless...

"The only thing capable of defeating a Nightmare, other than a Keyblade wielder, is a Spirit."

Her joy had diminished upon that mental reminder. But how could she defeat the Nightmare when she couldn't...

An idea struck in her mind. Even if she couldn't fight, she could at least deal the finishing blow. Holding her hands up, which were now freed due to the darkness being driven back, she conjured up that pink mist once more...

All the while, Kalas and Xelha had managed to drive the Nightmare back, their sword knocked away. Just before they could attempt to finish this fight, the creature snarled, a blast of wind knocking them away. Flying higher, just out of reach, winds began to gather up around them, spiraling into a cyclone that threatened to drag them into a violent storm.

But, just before the storm could pick up, another burst of light. This time, it was from Audrey, who had conjured a new weapon in hand: a bow of pure energy, with an energy arrow nocked in the arc. She took aim, pulling the arrow back on its transparent string.

"I told you...I'm what Nightmares fear!"

She fired, the arrow of light flying past the rising currents like it was nothing. Then, in a matter of seconds, it pierced through the Nightmare before they could stop it, striking right through the chest, the light burning into them. The winds that had gathered slowly died down, and the Nightmare began to shatter into particles of darkness. It reached out in vain, desperately trying to drag the three back down with them.

Of course, it would be of no use. The creature of darkness had dispersed into thin air, back to the darkness where it came from. Below, the darkness that enshrouded the platform had begun to scatter away, taking the form of a flock of birds that flew away into the abyss.

A pillar of stained glass was revealed. The mural on the glass depicted Kalas on one side, looking downcast. All around him were smaller portraits, depicting the rest of their allies, Xelha included. On the opposite end of the mural, however, was a sight that only Audrey now knew the reason for.

Fee was depicted on the other side, positioned like yin-and-yang. In contrast to the young man, he was looking up, hopeful.

As Kalas and Xelha looked down to see this, confusion lit up on both their faces. What was this mural. And why were both Kalas and Fee depicted on it...?

Before anyone could voice these questions, everyone's vision was once again enveloped in white...







A calm breeze. What sounded like ocean waves in the distance. Blue sky, reaching as far as the eye could see.

They had awakened to find themselves on a vast meadow of green, the same fields that they saw Kalas and Fee play on. Audrey and Xelha were the first to awaken, looking to find Kalas still unconscious beside them. Thankfully, it didn't take too long before deep blue eyes slowly opened to find them looking over him.

"Oh, thank goodness. Kalas, are you okay?" Xelha asked, her hand over her chest.

Kalas let out a light groan as he slowly sat back up, a hand over his temples as he shook his head. "...yeah...I think so..."

"Good."

He looked up at that blunt statement from his former Guardian...only to be met with a fist to the face, courtesy of said former Guardian, consequently knocking him back down to the ground.

"Audrey!" Xelha recoiled back, her hands now over her mouth in shock. She didn't think the Spirit would be that mad!

However, Audrey was quick to back off from that, looking with a smug smile. "There! Now we're even!"

"...." Kalas had absolutely nothing to retort back to that. He figured he deserved that anyway. Instead, he sat up again, rubbing where he was hit as he sighed. "...guess I owe you two an apology..."


"Kalas, that's not--"

"No, Xelha. I do," Kalas stopped the young queen before she could tell him it wasn't necessary. "Especially you. I treated you like dirt, betrayed your trust, and you still came after me..."

"..." Xelha looked away, her eyes downcast, her hands over her chest. Then, after a moment of silence, she spoke.

"Kalas...what you did...I can't even excuse you for any of it. What you did was awful...but, at some point, you will have to make up for it." She then looked straight at him, a look of hope on her face. "But I know you will. And I'll continue to stay by your side until then."

Her choice of words were...not what he expected, to say the least. He had to look away, fighting that choking feeling of tears welling up. They allowed him a moment to take this in, before he took a deep breath and looked back up, this time to Audrey.

"...and...and you, Audrey...I...I really don't expect you to forgive me. I used your power...made you forget everything. I...I really can't ask you to--"

"Oh, save it," Audrey cut in before he would go on, giving a small smile of her own. "Like I said, we're even now. And...to be honest, I kinda miss being partners  Annoying you, having all those adventures...getting to talk to you about my favorite things while you pretend to ignore me..."

"...heh...yeah, I guess you're..." He stopped himself as his eyes widened in realization. They hadn't done anything like that since... "Wait a sec. Audrey, y-you remember now?"

She nodded, her smile turning wider. "Let's say that I learned that memories aren't really lost, no matter how much magic you use to block them out."

"...." He looked down again, unable to hold back the shuddering breath. Another moment passed as he tried to compose himself, taking a deep breath. If...if they forgave him there, then...

"...Xelha...Audrey...I promise, I'll do everything I can to make it up to you guys. You can count on--"

Of course, as soon as he looked up, he saw that the two women were no longer around. He looked all around the vast plain, finding no sign of them anywhere. Weren't they just...?

His gaze turned to the blue sky above him, which was slowly becoming a blur. He didn't know if they heard what he said or not...but whatever the case, he wasn't going to let them down. Not again...

....







Gold eyes slowly opened, her sight slowly getting accustomed to the ceiling of golden pipes above. Pushing herself up on the bed she was laying in, still somewhat groggy, she saw that she was in one of Mintaka's residential houses. On the other bed beside her, she saw Kalas laying unconscious still.

While any other time she would've been worried, this time she allowed a small smile to form. She knew he'd be okay. However, what she was more concerned about was--

"Queen Xelha!"

A familiar chirpy voice snapped her out of her thoughts, looking up to find not only the rest of her allies, all well and good after their last ordeal, but also the witches Kodelle, Glamyss, and Catranne. Was it they who came to get them out?

Whatever the case was, Catranne's exclamation got everyone's attention. As Xelha slid out of the bed, Gibari was the first to speak up, making light of the situation as he usually did.

"Well, that was quite the beauty rest you took there, Xelha. Was worried you'd never wake up." All jokes aside, he looked with concern. "But seriously, you okay? We just found you collapsed next to Kalas and neither of you would wake up."

"...yeah...I'm alright. A little groggy, but I'll be okay." The Ice Queen gave a smile to assure her friends that she was fine. "What about you guys? Are you all alright?"

"We are, thanks to Kodelle and the rest," Lyude answered with a reassuring smile of his own. "They found us while we were barely recovering and used their magic to heal us."

"That's what we do best!" Catranne chirped in again. "Without us, you'd all still be laying about in the Imperial Fortress while struggling to get yourselves out!"

"Catranne..." Glamyss said sternly, all while everyone else in the room chuckled. It was only for a moment, before Savyna, ever the serious one, spoke up.

"...so what happened, Xelha? As Gibari said, you suddenly collapsed and nothing we did could wake either of you up."

"..." Xelha fell silent for a moment, trying to recall what happened. The memories, the Nightmare, the darkness...slowly, it all came back to her. "I...Audrey and I...we were in Kalas' dream, and..."

"Wait wait, slow down a minute," Gibari cut in, incredulous. "Did you just say you were in Kalas' dream? How's that possible?"

"I...don't know." She looked up, towards where the Spirit would be. "Audrey...do you know how that happened?"

"H-Huh?" Audrey snapped up, her unseen form startled. While everyone had been talking, she was just taking the time to compose herself, not at all expecting to be addressed until it was possible. She was still trying to take in what happened herself, not at all sure if what had happened there really happened. "Um...I dunno, I guess it had to do with my powers? Not my Guardian Spirit powers, but like...something else, I guess?"

"That shouldn't be possible," Kodelle said, having heard the Spirit's voice, though faintly, thanks to her magic. "Even we haven't heard of magic like that. Sleep spells, yes, but to actually share dreams?"

"It may not be possible for us, but the Spirit is from another world," Glamyss countered. "Perhaps that form of magic is from her world?"

"Um...no? I...honestly didn't even know I had this. I..."

"Hm? What be the problem here?" the Great Mizuti spoke up in their usual strange way. "If the Spirit Audrey has special magic, then that's how it be. Simple! No problem!"

"The Great Mizuti is right. Besides, the matter here isn't whether or not she has this strange power," Lyude added before turning to address Xelha. "Xelha, what actually happened? In, ah, Kalas' dream, so to speak."

"...it's...hard to explain." The Ice Queen thought for a moment, again trying to recollect what happened. "We...fought against this creature of darkness. A...'Nightmare' as Audrey called it. I think it was left over from what dark power was still in Kalas." When everyone fell silent to that, she quickly cut in, "Ah, but, we managed to defeat it! And Kalas...he's okay now. I'm sure of it."

"...if you say so, Xelha," Gibari said, seeming unconvinced. "Still...we're not gonna know until the kid wakes up from--"

Right on cue, a groan was heard, everyone turning their attention to the blue-haired young man. He finally stirred awake, slowly sitting up from the bed that he had been laying in. There was a slight wince, but not as bad as it would've been, his shoulder healed after that stunt he pulled.


"...Kalas. You're awake." Xelha was the first to address him, her gentle smile crossing her lips as he turned his gaze on her. "Don't worry. The nightmare is over now..."

"...." There was silence for a moment, the tears from the dream stinging his eyes. However, he chose not to acknowledge that for the time being, his eyes scowling.

"...where is he? Where's Malpercio?!"

Xelha's smile had disappeared completely at the mention of the reborn god. With everything that happened, she'd almost forgotten...

"...gone," she finally answered, her eyes downcast. "He flew away with Melodia..."

"..." His own eyes looked down in response, once again reminded of what he wrought upon his friends and the world. "...I see..."

Slowly, he slid out of the bed, staggering back to his feet. He looked to everyone's stern faces upon him, like daggers pointed at him from everywhere. He took a deep breath before looking back down, unable to bring himself to face everyone like this.

"...I...I know I have no right to say this," he began, slowly, his voice almost choking. "I-I won't ask you to forgive me. Once this is all done, I'll do whatever it takes to make up for what I've done." Another deep breath, before he finally brought himself to look up to them.

"But for now...I really need your help again. W...Will you stand with me? We have to stop Melodia and Malpercio! We can't put this behind us! Please!"

He fell to his knees then, his feelings of guilt finally overwhelming him. The tears he'd been trying to hold back started to fall. "I...I'm begging you! J-Just one last time...help me!"

"...." Silence fell, the party looking among each other as if wordlessly deciding amongst themselves. Then...

"Tsk. Guess we might as well," Gibari was the first to speak his acceptance, giving a small smirk. "You're one hell of a kid to babysit, you know that?"

One by one, everyone, even Lyude and Savyna, the two that he constantly pushed suspicions on, accepted him back without question. Xelha, and even Audrey, he knew had already forgiven him, but everyone else...

The influx of emotions was too much for him to handle. He remained there, on his knees, not at all paying attention to the teasing Xelha started receiving. It wasn't until Gibari reached a hand to him that he finally looked back up.

"Hey, Kalas! You gonna sit there forever, or what?"

"...y-yeah...er...I mean, n-no." Wiping his tears away, he took the skyfarer's hand, pulling himself back on his feet. Then, as he saw Xelha approach him, he saw something familiar in her hand, his breath caught in his throat.

"M-My winglet..." he whispered as she held it up for him to take. "You...kept it for me...?"

She nodded, her kind smile back on her face. "I thought you just might need it again."

"..." Slowly, he took his beloved winglet back, holding it close. His grandfather's proud creation, that he needlessly tossed away... "...heh, whad'ya know? I'm back in action, Gramps..."

All the while, Audrey watched on as the scene played out before her, just as she remembered it. Except, well, with better voices and no tube-effect. She couldn't help the smile crossing her face; back then, while she was admittedly annoyed herself with how quickly Kalas was forgiven, she did want to have the blue-haired boy back in her party. But now, after going through the dream and hearing his apology upfront, she was genuinely glad to have him back, not just because the game wanted her to be.

Getting to punch him in the face certainly helped with that, surely.

Before they could continue on, Xelha looked up to the Spirit. "Well, Audrey, what do you say? Will you go back to Kalas, or do you want to stick with me for a little longer?"

"...what?" She blinked, confused. Xelha was supposed to ask if she was coming along or not, something that was supposed to have an obvious answer. But this...this was different. Was was she...?

"I said, did you want to go back to Kalas, or stay with me?" Xelha repeated, giving a small giggle. "Don't get me wrong, I like having you around. But, well, it's up to you."

Now, if this had been before she wandered into the dream, Audrey would've chosen to stuck with Xelha the rest of the way. But, as interesting as that would've been, she felt it was better to go along with how the game had it.

"Xelha...you've been a good friend, and I really enjoyed the time we spent together." She flew towards Kalas, putting a hand on his shoulder. Or she would've, if she weren't translucent. "But...like I said, I kind of miss being partners with Kalas. And, well, he's gonna need all the help he can get. We can't have him charging ahead and getting himself killed, after all."

"Haha! Well said!" After giggling at her small comment, Xelha held her arms out. "Well then, here it goes..."

....


TH-THUMP


A pulse, the cherry blossoms that signified the Spirit's presence leaving the young woman. In a flash of light, and a flurry of petals, Xelha had fallen to her knees, weakened from the attempt. Her bond with Audrey was now done, leaving only traces left in her heart.

By this time, Kalas finally looked up to her, the cherry blossom petals floating over him. Then, they spiraled downward, reaching to his heart. Once again, connecting with his pain and sorrow, and the determination to set everything right once more...

A pulse, and another flash of light. A slight stumble from the young man in response, but he was able to keep his composure this time. He looked up, feeling the Spirit's gaze on him. An awkward silence between them followed.

"..."

"..."

"...erm...heya, Audrey..." Kalas finally broke the silence, giving a hint of a nervous smile. "It's, ah...great...to have you back. Guess we're a team again."

"Yeah...looks like it," Audrey said with a shrug, an unseen smirk crossing her face. "Now, you better not mess this up, or I'm slugging you extra hard next time!"

"...heh." For the first time in what seemed like forever, Kalas finally allowed a smirk of his own in response, shaking his head. "Alright, you win. You're the boss."

With that, he reattached the winglet back to his shoulder. One adjustment of his cape later, he turned to face the rest of the party, determination lit up on his face.


"Alright everyone. Time to save the world! Let's show 'em who's boss!"

With a collective "Yeah!", everyone was ready to set off, once the next course of action would be set. Ready to be heroes once again.

And, with Audrey's memories of the game returning, perhaps she could truly influence a change in events.

As the journey went on, Audrey found that she didn't really influence too much of a change, despite the return of her memories.

That wasn't to say it was a bad thing. Despite the loss of another major mcguffin, she couldn't bring herself to interrupt Kalas' speech that signified his return to the side of good, and it wasn't like she could leave Mizuti's people to die either. She already knew how this was all going to end, so there really was no point to try and keep them from doing the right thing.

And even if she couldn't make big changes, the fact that she could say whatever she wanted and have genuine responses, rather than being stuck to the script, was more than enough for her. Not to mention, with the discovery of her powers, she found that she could actually participate in their battles beyond random Spirit Attacks, conjuring weapons and items to aid her friends, receiving words of awe and thanks. They weren't as limitless as they seemed to be in the dream, but the fact that she could actually help out in a meaningful way made her feel like a genuine part of the world, rather than just an observer.

Of course, there were some things she wished she could have warned Kalas about sooner. Namely, the fact that Giacomo and his goons Ayme and Folon were still alive, as well as the part of the battle where they silenced her with hypertoxic soundwave generators, completely keeping her out of the first half of that battle. But even that was worth it to see her Spiriter gain back his resolve with a new, much stronger winglet, which destroyed those generators and freed her through sheer willpower before they finished off the Imperial officer for good.

She was always a bit of a fangirl, she couldn't deny that. But to watch it all in person...to actually be by his side, even if not physically there...

She couldn't lie; part of her felt like she had a crush on him. Yes, his betrayal and tossing her aside made it a little murky, but witnessing him become a better person alleviated that. Not to mention, the fact that he actually paid attention to her while she rattled on, rarely making snide remarks at her little obsessions, and even encouraged her to be part of their conversations more...it made her feel appreciated, not just for convenience.

But despite this, she never thought to act on it, not just because she was a Spirit from another world. He was already going to end up with Xelha, and she could see whenever they looked at each other that they had already developed feelings for each other, only choosing not to act on them until this journey was over. She may have been Kalas' fangirl, but she also cared about Xelha, even moreso after bonding with her for a time.

She was not going to become a typical Spirit Sue after that.

Moving on from that, there was one major change she managed to influence. On the night before they would head for the final battle, after they discussed the possibility of Malpercio wanting to be put to rest, the side that influenced the creation of Kalas and Fee, she spoke to Kalas afterwards, alone. It was there that she told him the true story of Malpercio, or rather the siblings that made up the god. That long ago, they were in fact five people that were trying to stop the war and save the world from a tyrant that absorbed people's Magna Essence. The only reason they were considered "evil" was because they had turned to the Dark Brethren and made a deal with the demons, never the other way around. One bad decision that affected the world so drastically...

This truth had furthered Kalas' understanding that he really was their prayer to put an end to their suffering, strengthening his resolve to stop them before the demons' curse could destroy them.

While in itself this didn't seem too big considering she was only explaining the god's origins, they eventually saw first-hand this good side that they discussed about. When they faced off against Malpercio, restored to his full might after Melodia fused with him after discovering the truth about herself, and flew inside him while he was held back by Mizuti's binding magic to rescue the duchess within. Everything seemed normal at first, with them facing the memories of her first meeting with Kalas, her sudden menstruation afterwards that signified her taking up the role as heiress to the duchy of Mira, which would bring her closer to collecting the End Magnus, and everything that happened during the game's story from her point of view.

And then, upon finally reaching her, together reaching through to her and trying to awaken her as they pulled her out of what looked to be water. At first unresponsive, it was when they called to her in tandem that she began to stir.

"Melodia! Can you hear us?!" Kalas continued to call to her, close to pulling her out completely. "If you can, open your eyes! Wake up! Please!"

"...Kalas? ...My dear Kalas?"

Only then did the duchess fully awaken, red orbs looking...no, they weren't red any longer. As she emerged from the dark pool, it was like a painting melting away. Dead white hair became teal, much more alive, with soft matching eyes in place of the malicious red. Any sign of malignance or insanity seemed to have completely disappeared, replaced with fear, sadness...regret...

"Yeah...it's me. I'm here now..." Kalas held her close, protectively, like a parent protecting their child. "We're going back now. Together."

"Um...Kalas?"

Both hero and former villain looked up; like in the dream, Audrey was seen much more clearly here. And when they saw that she was pointing at, their eyes widening at the sight. Tendrils of darkness closing in, ready to ensnare them, preventing them from escaping.

"...he won't let us leave..." Melodia whispered in fear, clinging onto Kalas. "Malpercio...he--"

"No...not Malpercio," Kalas interrupted, shaking his head. "This is the Dark Brethren. Right, Audrey?"

The Spirit nodded, conjuring that magic mist that had aided them so far. Standing in front of Melodia protectively, Kalas drew his sword and dagger, prepared to fight their way out. There was no way he was going to allow them to be trapped here, not now.

The darkness descended upon them, ready to snatch them up...

....

"No! We won't let you control us anymore!"

Suddenly, a flash of light, the very presence causing the tendrils to retract almost immediately. As the light dimmed, they looked up to see the cause.


A young man, shoulder-length blond hair, dressed in primitive clothing. He shone with an aura of light, holding back the darkness around them. Around this neck was a ring of blue fire that didn't seem to harm him.

"Who...?" Kalas was about to question this presence, only for Audrey to cut in, her face beaming as she immediately recognized who this was.

"Seph!"

"You don't have much time," Seph said, not turning to look at them. "You need to take Melodia and escape, now!"

"But what about--"

Once again, Kalas' query was interrupted by another blinding light. Standing beside the man was a young woman with teal hair of her own, tied back with a headband and a ponytail, dressed in similar primitive clothing. She too was surrounded by light, a blue flame circling her legs.

"Don't worry about us!" she said, doing her part to hold back the darkness herself. "'Malpercio' will regain control soon! We'll hold 'him' off as best we can!"

"Pieda!"

"What are you waiting for?" another man, this one with red hair, taller and much more built, with the blue flames around his chest, spoke as he appeared beside them. "We didn't drag you all the way here just to let you get trapped! You've got a 'prayer' to answer for us!"

"That's right!" A boy much younger than them, auburn hair and much more plump, flames around his abdomen. "I won't hold back this time, and neither should you!"

"Thoran! Ven!"

And no, not that Ven.

As Kalas looked upon the four figures before them, his eyes widened in realization. "Wait...you're all--"

"Malpercio...yes."

The man's voice was behind them, causing them to whip around. He was helping Melodia back to her feet, holding her protectively much like Kalas had done. Light armor, features hidden beneath a face mask and feather helmet, leaving only piercing eyes and long hair to be seen. He looked like the Nightmare they had faced prior, except he was clearly human, surrounded by the same aura of light as his siblings, with the ring of fire around his arms.

And his voice...sounded similar to Kalas' own, only much deeper.

"Marno..." The sibling god that corresponded with the arms...and the 'Spirit' from the prequel game.

Looking to each of the apparent gods around them, Kalas faced the one that he seemed to resemble most somehow. "...so it's true, then? That you're all just as much of the victims as we are..."

"That doesn't matter anymore," Marno answered, shaking his head. "We just want this struggle to end, that's all." Looking to Melodia, who looked back to him in some form of familiarity, he placed a hand on her shoulder.

"...I failed to keep my promise...but you...you're the only ones who can carry it out now..."

What that promise was...well, Kalas wasn't about to ask now, though Audrey may have had an idea. With a nod, he held his hand to Melodia, who took it hesitantly.

Holding the duchess in his arms, the one-winged boy flew his way towards their escape, the power of the gods, as well as his own Magnus of Life, courtesy of Fee's Magnus within him, holding back the corrupting influence that tried to ensnare them. As Audrey flew alongside him, she looked back to the five siblings, catching a faint glimpse of their kind smiles and wishes of good luck to them.

She never would have thought she would get to meet the members of Malpercio as their true selves, even if for a moment, confirming her personal theory that they were there all along even in this cursed state. Even if this were a fever dream that was just validating her headcanons, including the idea that Marno resembled Kalas more than the prequel's protagonist...

Well, whatever the case, they were able to escape Malpercio's being with Melodia in tow, no longer under the influence of the Dark Brethren. And then, with her power over the End Magnus, Kalas' Magnus of Life, and Audrey's power as a Guardian Spirit, they restored the three sacred artifacts that had been destroyed over the course of their journey, to which the four witches of Wazn channeled their power to deal the finishing blow on the cursed god once and for all.

All that remained was for Xelha to calm the spirits of the five gods within. Holding her hands to her chest, she prayed her Nation's prayer.

"Cast light upon the darkened earth...
Save those lost in despair...
O Mighty Ocean, guide us as we journey through...
...the darkest pit of night."

Slowly, but surely, Malpercio dispersed into particles of light, the corrupt influence of the Dark Brethren that had driven him cleansed after so long. All that remained were the pieces of light, and, as only Audrey could see, the visages of the five siblings looking on with gratitude to the heroes, finally freed from their torment.

As some of the light drifted towards Xelha, she fell to her knees, holding her hands out to seemingly nothing. To the others, it looked like she was simply addressing where Malpercio was. But Audrey saw the five descending to her, holding her hands and shoulders in reassurance.

"...I feel your pain...I feel your sorrow...I'm sorry...I'm so sorry..."

Those words...while only she, Kalas, and, to an extent, Melodia seemed to know the truth, the Spirit had a feeling that Xelha may have caught a glimpse herself in that moment.

"Go back now...back to the Ocean..."

And with that, the light, and the spirits of Seph, Thoran, Pieda, Ven, and Marno faded into thin air. The last thing that Audrey could only hear were their words, speaking in tandem:

"Thank you..."






And so, the journey was all coming to an end. Cor Hydrae, the Dark Brethren's stronghold, was pulled into another dimension along with the rest of the demons, dragging them back to the hellish world where they belonged. The Taintclouds that enshrouded the Earth below had dispersed, revealing green lands as if untainted all this time. And, with the last of the gods' power, the islands of the Sky had merged back with the Earth, restored to their rightful places. After a thousand years, the world was one once more.

But, there was one last thing that needed to be restored...

As the people of the world celebrated their victory, Xelha had wandered off, heading to the heart of the Moonguile Forest, where it all truly began for them. Kalas followed her there, finally taking the time to confront her on a truth that she kept hidden all this time, that she had made a slip of the tongue on at some point during their adventure. That she had stumbled upon Kalas and Melodia when they placed the memory spell on Audrey, yet pretended not to know anything when they got properly acquainted. A fact that could have prevented so much happening if she had actually spoken up about it, rather than keep it hidden from them.


"What are you hiding, Xelha?" Kalas asked as he walked closer to her, looking straight at her. "Who are you?"

"..." Xelha turned her gaze to the lake they stood over, the moon's reflection upon it. A thoughtful look crossed her gold eyes. "...I'm just Xelha...last of the Ice Queens..."

Unlike the rest of their allies, Kalas had never questioned the fact that she was actually royalty once it became known to him. There were other things that concerned him than her lineage, such as what she said there.

"What do you mean 'last'?"

Rather than answer, the Ice Queen seemed to change the subject, her gaze never leaving the small pool of water. "That day, when I first saw you in this forest...it feels like such a long time ago...

"...Did you know that this forest had another name? At first, it was called the Moonglade Forest. But, as time passed by, people started using the wrong name. Eventually, Moonguile stuck. Maybe we do that too sometimes. We leave things lying around, things that should have been important to us. We leave them somewhere, and just...forget about them. Thus, we deceive others...and eventually, even ourselves..."

"..." Kalas only gave a soft grunt in response. While seeming unrelated, her statement at the end...she was talking about him as much as she was about herself.

Unseen to both, Audrey had looked away from them, looking down at her hands. Until now, she never thought too much about this rant. But now, it meant more to her than it did when she played this game. The fact that she wanted to forget, going with the game's setup in the hopes that she would forget everything.

Though she knew now what she attempted to do then, she never told Kalas or Xelha about this. She just...couldn't bring herself to do so...

After a passing moment, Xelha turned her gaze back to Kalas. "A thousand years ago, five continents rose to the Sky, leaving the Earth which was damaged by the War of the Gods. The Ice Lands also escaped to the Sky, with help from the Great Whale. The wizards gave us the Ocean Mirror...but there was something else they gave us..."

"...What was it?"

Again, she didn't answer straightforward, responding instead with another rhetorical question, "Kalas...you remember the tale Catranne told, right? Back in Nashira, about the Ocean and the Whale. Well, I'm sure you know by now that most of that tale is false. Neither the Ocean nor the Whale were swallowed up. Instead, the wizards of old sealed the Ocean away, where it could be protected..." The young woman looked straight into Kalas' blue eyes then.

"You know what I'm talking about...right?"

"..." His eyes went wide, realizing just what she meant by this. "Y...You mean...?"

A nod, her hand brought to her chest. "Kalas...the Ocean is here, inside me. I am the Ocean."

Kalas' breath was caught in his throat at the revelation. The entire time, the very thing that he promised Fee to look for...it was right here, before his very eyes...

"The Ice Queens of Wazn have done this for generations," Xelha continued to explain. "We protect the Ocean, and then pass it on to the next Queen...until the final moment..."

Kalas just shook his head, wanting to deny this. This was...this was too much! "I-It can't be...th-that's impossible!"

She didn't argue on the validity of her true identity. Instead, her eyes looking upon the lake again, she addressed the time where she found him and Melodia in this forest, "At first, I thought you were sent by the Empire to hunt me down. But we were attacked by Giacomo's men, and I realized you weren't. I didn't know whose side you were on, but...I knew you were enthralled by some fearsome power...I..."

Her gaze turned downcast. "I wanted to stay and watch over you. I wanted to save you. I would have done anything I could. You...You were like me. We were two of a kind. You were...different from the others. I could see your soul glowing with a mysterious light." She looked back up and faced him again.

"When I was bonded with Audrey, something told me in the back of my mind that...in this era, those that can become a Spiriter are much different from the others, and have lives fraught with sadness." Her gaze went up, towards where Audrey would be. "And...I suppose vice versa, right Audrey?"

"...yeah," the Spirit said with a small nod, having kept silent while this scene transpired. She knew she was bringing up the time when she talked about her life and why she was here, the very sadness that bonded them all together...

However, Kalas shook his head, his focus on her little revelation rather than this meaningful conversation on how similar they really were to each other. Instead, he was glaring right at her.

"...Why, Xelha? Why didn't you tell me?!"

Xelha was taken aback, somewhat surprised. That wasn't to say this reaction wasn't expected, but she didn't think he'd interrupt her chance at getting through to him. However, she glared back at him and argued back.

"I couldn't tell you until now! That was part of my oath: not until the time comes! What was I supposed to say to you?! 'The long lost Ocean is inside me'? 'Why don't you come with me and we'll find ourselves an exciting adventure'?"

"..." Just as quickly, he backed off at that. He looked like he had more to say, but...no, she had a point. Instead, he breathed a sad sigh and looked down.

"...you're right. I...I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you like that..."

"..." This brought her to look down as well, her eyes full of regret. "...no, I...I'm sorry. I...hated having to hide this. But...I had no choice..."

Silence passed between them. Audrey could only watch on, her hands wrung together. She wished she could reach out to them like in the dream, but...she knew what was going to come next. Even though she knew how it ended, she didn't want to have to go through with it.

Soon, both Kalas and Xelha looked to the lake in the glade, another moment of silence passing on. Then, the one-winged boy spoke.

"...so what happens now?"

"...Now that the End Magnus have been released, and the Earth returned to us...I must fulfill my final duty as the Ice Queen of Wazn."

Another pause between them. Then, slowly, Xelha turned to face him, a hand over her chest.

"Kalas...I...I want you to do it. You, and Audrey. To release the Ocean...from inside me..."

Any other moment, that would've warranted certain comments. But in this case, best not to ruin the moment.

"Xelha..." Kalas looked up to her, slowly realizing the implication behind her words. "If I...if we do that...what will happen to you...?"

"..." She said nothing, her hand lowered, her gaze downcast once more. The sad way she looked spoke more than any answer she could have given.


Kalas' breath was caught in his throat, his eyes widened. Then, shaking his head in denial once more, he looked away from her, his eyes downcast, his hands forming into fists.

"Th-That's...Y-You can't ask me to...! No! I-I can't! I won't do it!"

She looked up to him only for a moment, the pain on his face striking her heart. She looked back down, trying to hide her own sorrow in her tone.

"...I'm sorry...for asking you to do this. But...I can't do it on my own... We have both been bonded with the same Guardian Spirit. Our hearts can become one. The three of us should be able to release the Ocean inside me..."

Kalas said nothing, couldn't even bring himself to look at her. His teeth gritted, doing everything he could to hold back his tears. Xelha turned her gaze back up, her sadness replaced with her dutiful look, putting her personal feelings on the matter behind.

"Now that the Earth has been restored, everyone is waiting for the Ocean to return. Please, Kalas...Audrey..."

Still no response from the blue-haired boy. Audrey reached a translucent hand, placing it on his shoulder. As sad as she was, she did her best to comfort and reassure him.

"...It's gonna be okay, Kalas. Xelha...she'll be okay. I know it..." Lifting her hand, the Spirit looked to Xelha, taking a deep breath. "...I'll do it..."

"...Audrey..." Xelha couldn't help the tears stinging her eyes, only holding them back with a smile. "Thank you...I knew you would understand..."

"...." Kalas couldn't hold back the rising snarl, his fists shaking. Then, through gritted teeth, he finally relented, "Okay, alright! I'll do it, I'll do it!" Barely calming himself with a shuddering breath, he looked up to her. "Just...Just promise me this, Xelha...

"Don't leave us...don't...leave me..."

Xelha said nothing, only looking through tearful eyes. Then...she nodded, wordlessly. And with that, they began the ritual.

Walking closer to each other, Kalas and Xelha joined hands, looking deep in the other's eyes. Audrey joined them, placing her incorporeal hands over theirs, looking between them. Xelha nodded in assurance, lowering her head in prayer. Then, taking a deep breath, Kalas did the same, speaking first.

"Cast light upon the darkened earth..."

Audrey spoke next, lowering her head in turn, "Save those lost in despair..."

Xelha, "O Mighty Ocean, guide us as we journey through..."

"...the darkest pit of night..."

Then, Kalas and Xelha spoke, in tandem, "May Time, ever fleeting, forgive us..."

"We, who have forsaken the song, and buried our future..."

The prayer recited, they released hands, Xelha looking to the sky so far above now, and holding out her arms. "Fare thee well, my children...rest in my heart...forever..." Lowering them, she looked up to Kalas' sorrowful eyes, smiling to him. Doing her best to reassure him...

"Thank you, Kalas...thank you, Audrey--"

"̵N̸o̴o̴o̶o̵o̶o̵!̸ ̵N̷o̵t̷ ̸s̶o̵ ̵f̷a̶a̷a̴s̵t̸,̵ ̴k̴i̵d̸d̴i̷e̸s̸!̶ ̶W̸h̴a̶t̶ ̴d̶o̸ ̶y̵o̴u̷ ̷t̶h̶i̴n̸k̵ ̵y̸o̷u̷'̸r̶e̶ ̶d̶o̸o̸o̸i̷n̵g̴?̷!̷ ̴T̷h̵i̵s̷ ̴w̵o̴r̸l̴d̴.̴.̸.̵i̴s̸ ̵M̶I̷I̷I̴N̶E̵!̵!̶!̵"̷

The sudden booming voice startled them, as did the shaking of the ground. The witches of Wazn, who had been standing by while this went on, came in, shielding the heroes from whatever threat approached. A putrid mist filled the air, surrounding them, closing in on them...

"̸I̶ ̵F̶O̸U̴N̶D̵ ̶y̷o̸u̸ ̶K̴a̷l̶a̷s̴.̸.̶.̵y̸o̵u̴ ̴s̸i̷c̷k̴l̶y̵ ̷R̶A̴V̷E̵N̶!̴!̶!̴"̴

Their eyes widened, Xelha giving a shocked gasp. They knew that voice from anywhere!

"Geldoblame?!" Kalas exclaimed in disbelief. How did...?


However the hell he appeared, now was not the time to question it. Images of the Emperor's hideous face appeared all around as he gloated, merged with the very Earth they restored, and soon to become the universe itself once he dealt with them.

The witches, who had been prepared to aid them, were suddenly caught as pieces of the Earth rose, trapping them. Unable to even conjure a single spell, whatever dark power this was holding them back somehow.

Having only each other to rely on, Kalas and Xelha stood close, their wings summoned to keep balance. With their weapons at the ready, they braced themselves as the Emperor's evil laugh boomed all around them.

His head; giant, monstrous, and repulsive; arose from the earth before them. An evil, unhinged grin crossing his face as he looked upon them.

Suddenly, pieces of the ground, forming boulders were lifted in the air, thrown at the two in tandem. They were quick to avoid the attack, going airborne. Taking her distance, Xelha sent out spells of light, the holy power burning into Geldoblame's surface. Kalas flew in close, slashing at the earth-formed face, pieces chipped away.

But despite the damage, the terraformed Emperor laughed in their faces at their attempts.

̵A̸H̵A̴H̸A̴H̵A̸!̴!̷!̴ ̴Y̴o̷o̴u̶u̶u̶r̷ ̷p̷u̵n̵y̶ ̶a̷t̷t̵a̴c̶k̴s̵ ̷m̶e̶a̷n̷ ̷N̴O̸O̴O̶T̶H̷I̵I̴I̸I̷I̵I̵N̸G̶!̷!̷!̷"̸

From his eyes, he fired burning lasers at them, knocking them right out of the air. Before either of them had a chance to get back up, pieces of the ground rose up, ensnaring their arms and legs, trapping them in place.

"D-Damn it...!" Kalas yelled, trying to pull himself free to no avail. "X-Xelha!"

"Kalas...!" Xelha called back. Not only was the same dark power keeping her from sending out her own spells, but she grew weaker by the second...

"Guys!" Unable to stand back any longer, Audrey conjured up her mist, forming two blades that slashed at the Emperor's face. Unfortunately, while the light of the constructs burned into him, he belted out another laugh, breathing fire that burned the magic constructs within seconds.

"Are you serious?!"

"̵D̵o̵o̶o̸n̸'̸t̷ ̴t̵h̵i̸n̸k̵ ̸I̷ ̷d̵o̵n̶'̶t̷ ̴k̷n̶o̸o̶o̴w̵ ̴f̶o̴r̶ ̸a̴ ̵S̵E̸C̴O̸N̶D̶,̸ ̵g̴i̵r̸l̶!̶ ̵I̴ ̵K̷N̶O̴W̷ ̵y̶o̵u̷'̶r̶e̵ ̷t̵h̸e̸e̵e̶r̵e̸!̶"̵

Her breath caught in her throat. He...he could see her?! As the Spirit froze in place, the Emperor continued to gloat.

"̸N̸o̴o̵o̸w̴.̶.̵.̴y̵o̶u̵ ̵w̷i̷l̵l̷ ̴w̸a̵t̸c̴h̴ ̴a̵s̵ ̸I̴ ̶m̸a̶k̴e̶ ̷t̵h̴i̸s̵ ̸w̸o̸r̸l̸d̴ ̵M̵I̶I̴I̴I̵I̴N̷E̶!̸ ̵N̷O̴O̵O̸T̷H̷I̴N̶G̴ ̴y̶o̵u̵'̷v̵e̸ ̸d̴o̵n̵e̴ ̷w̶i̶l̶l̵ ̵m̶a̸k̷e̷ ̵a̷ ̵d̴i̷f̸f̷e̴r̴e̷e̶e̵e̷n̷c̴e̴!̶ ̵A̷H̵A̸H̸A̸H̵A̶!̸ ̷W̴A̸H̶A̴H̷A̶H̴A̸H̵A̵A̷A̵A̸A̵!̶!̴!̶"̷

As he boomed and laughed his evil laugh, Audrey could only helplessly watch, looking between the Emperor and her trapped friends. This...couldn't be the end, right? Were they really going to die to this scorned...

...Wait. That's it.

Her fear immediately leaving her face, Audrey looked with a scowl, facing the hideous form of the Emperor dead on.

"And you think you'll do that, Geldoblame? You, who's always been a pawn in someone else's scheme?"

"̵!̶!̴?̶"̵ Her words immediately stopped his boasting, his eyes forming a glare at the Spirit before him. "̵W̶h̸a̶t̷ ̸a̵r̴e̷ ̶y̸o̷u̴ ̷s̵a̸a̷a̷y̸i̴n̴g̶?̴!̷"̸

"I'm saying that the only thing you've ever done was make everyone's lives miserable! Kalas, the people of Azha...even your own men! But besides that? You were just being used! You were used by Melodia! And before that, you were used by your precious Quaestor!"

"̸G̸R̴A̸A̴A̷A̶A̴A̸H̸!̷!̸!̷"̵

The very mention of his former master sent him into a blind rage. Sending out more pieces of the earth, breathing more fire, firing more lasers. But the only thing they did was make the Spirit flinch slightly, the attacks going through her transparent form. Not only that, but little by little, the grip on her friends began to loosen.

"̶Y̵O̸O̴O̸U̷!̵!̸!̷ ̴H̶O̶W̶ ̶D̴O̶ ̶Y̴O̸U̷ ̷E̶V̶E̴N̴ ̵K̴N̵O̷W̶ ̴T̶H̴A̴T̵?̴!̸ ̷Y̵O̸U̷'̸R̴E̷ ̴N̴O̴O̸O̵T̶ ̶E̸V̴E̴N̶ ̵F̵R̵O̵M̶ ̵T̷H̶I̵S̶ ̷W̶O̶O̶O̷O̵O̵R̸L̴D̵!̴!̷!̵!̴"̷

"Maybe not, but I know more than you think! I know all your desperate attempts to gain immortality! I know you're trying to be 'beautiful' again!"

"̵S̶H̷U̸T̴U̷P̵S̴H̵U̶T̴U̵P̵S̸H̷U̶T̴U̷U̶U̷U̴U̵P̵!̴!̸!̸"̶

More and more of his composure was lost. More attacks sent, doing nothing to the Spirit girl talking him down. And now, Kalas and Xelha were freed from their earthbound prisons, slowly staggering back to their feet.

"That's what this is all about, isn't it? You just wanted to prove to your master that you could be beautiful again, right? Well guess what, Geldo-jerkface! You're even more hideous than you've ever been! You just dragged yourself even further and further into insanity for nothing!"

"̷I̶ ̷S̴A̸I̴D̷ ̴S̸I̵I̷I̸I̶I̸I̴I̶L̵E̵E̵E̸E̶E̶E̴E̶E̴N̶C̶E̸!̶!̷!̴!̷!̸!̸!̶!̴!̸!̶!̴!̶!̸!̵!̵"̸

His lasers became bright beams, firing straight through the girl, desperately trying to vaporize her. All it did was burn a deep hole into the ground, right underneath her feet, the Spirit still staring down that disgusting visage.

"You're even more pathetic than I thought."

Those words were from none other than Kalas, having gained back his composure. Xelha stood beside him, looking with a glare of her own.

"̴W̷H̴A̵A̷A̷A̷T̷!̷?̸"̴

"All this, ruining my life, your constant trying to take over the world, and now this...all for the sake of vanity? Really?!"

"̴D̸O̴N̶'̸T̸ ̷Y̷O̷U̷ ̶P̸A̸T̷R̴O̸N̶I̵Z̴E̶ ̴M̵E̴,̶ ̵Y̸O̵U̵ ̷F̶I̶L̷T̵H̶Y̷Y̸Y̸-̶-̴"̷

Just before he could send an attack, a fire burst seeped into his moss-covered face, making him yell out in pain.

"I can't believe I was ever afraid of someone like you," Xelha said, the coldest she'd ever been throughout this. "You're just so...so sad."

"̶Y̸O̸U̸ ̶D̸I̷R̷T̸Y̴ ̵C̷U̶T̴P̴U̷R̴S̸E̷!̷ ̷I̴ ̶W̵O̷O̶N̶'̸T̷ ̷B̶E̶ ̴T̵A̸L̸K̶E̴D̶ ̶D̷O̶W̸N̶ ̸B̵Y̴ ̴T̷H̴E̸ ̶L̵I̴K̷E̷S̸ ̷O̵F̶ ̵Y̶O̵O̶O̵O̴U̴U̶U̸U̵U̵!̴!̸!̸!̸"̵

Again and again he tried to hit them, trap them under the earth again, doing everything he can stop them. But with his attacks unfocused, unstable, they barely grazed anything but their surroundings. All the while, Kalas, Xelha, and Audrey stood their ground, facing this so-called evil head on. A bright aura of light surrounded both Spirit and Spiriter, one that they knew well. One that symbolized their strengthened bond.

Audrey floated high in the air, channeling this light. It was unconscious to her, as it always had been. "Now, Kalas!"

With a nod, Kalas ascended high, channeling the power himself. What had once been an extra boost of power that he used for his own gain, now he accepted his Spirit's aid completely.

"I am the Light! Hear my voice!"

An orb of light appeared before him, formed from the very aura that their bond had conjured. And from above, a column of light took form, ready to be struck down onto the Emperor.

"̶N̸O̸O̴O̷O̸O̸!̵ ̷I̷ ̷W̶O̵N̵'̴T̴ ̵A̴L̴L̵O̵O̵O̴W̵ ̸T̶H̷I̸I̵I̵I̶I̷I̸I̸S̷!̴!̴!̴!̸"̸

He tried desperately to stop them, the ground terraforming to try and grip them out of the air again. But it was too late; Kalas and Audrey, together, struck the orb.

"SHINING SERAPH!"

And with it, the column of light struck down, searing into the visage of the Emperor. A pained shriek, echoing, distorted, the holy light of the attack burning even greater than Xelha's spells. The earthen face of Geldoblame crumbled and melted away, the dark mist clearing up, the earth returning back into place. The prisons that trapped the witches crumbled away, freeing them.

The mad Emperor was now truly defeated. How he came back...well, not even Audrey had an answer for that. She had a theory, but that wasn't enough to justify how out-of-nowhere that was.

But hey, she got to talk him down, at least!

Of course, any cheerful observations were gone in an instant. As soon as the fight ended, Xelha had suddenly collapsed, falling to her knees. Kalas was quick to catch her before she hit the ground, holding her in his arms.

"Xelha?!"


Everyone turned their attention to the fallen queen. The witches gathered before them, looking on sadly, Catranne beginning to sob loudly. Meemai, the little Greythorne that stuck with them, hopped out of Xelha's hood, squeaking sadly. Other Greythornes hopped into view, gathering around.

And from above, Audrey watched as Xelha lay dying in Kalas' arms, her hands over her mouth. Even after she knew what happened next, every time she watched this scene, she always teared up. But now, witnessing it in person...she couldn't stop her own weeping.

"Queen Xelha..." Barnette, the Royal Nanny, spoke her reassurance as best she could. "You will both be remembered in legends yet to come..."

"No..." Xelha coughed, weakly. "I don't...I don't want to be...remembered that way..." Her fading eyes looked up to Kalas' distraught face, the tears in his eyes tearing her up even more than this dying state could ever bring upon her. "Kalas...the dream I had two years ago...it wasn't about the end of the world." Slowly, she reached her hand up, caressing his face.

"It was about...you..."

His eyes widened in shock, accompanied by a shuddering gasp. This whole time...this whole journey was...

"It was you, in the heart of a dark forest..." she continued, her eyes slowly drifting off. "Holding someone tight...crying... It was you, Kalas...I..."

He shook his head, grabbing her hand and holding it tight. He couldn't hold back his tears any longer. "X-Xelha...please...y-you can't...!"

She smiled, as much of her kind smile as she could give in her final moments. "I just...wanted to be with you... To be a couple...like any other...to...to hold each other...like any...other..."

Her voice faded away, her body falling limp in the boy's arms. His breath was cold in his throat, his face further distraught.

"Xelha...?" He shook her slightly, held her hand tight, desperately trying to find a sign that she was okay. But alas, none could be found. Xelha...was dead.

"XELHA!!!"

He couldn't hold back anymore. He'd bursted into tears, holding her close. Held her just as he did with his little brother two years ago...

"Xelha...you promised...you promised that you'd never leave us...that you'd never leave me...!"

The sight of her Spiriter, twice bereaved and heartbroken, was too much for her to handle. Audrey had also bursted into tears, falling to the ground on her knees. Before, it was witnessing the death of a character that she liked, regardless of voice acting or writing criticisms against her. Now...she was witnessing the death of a close friend, someone she considered like a sister to her...

In the midst of their sorrow, Xelha's body glowed with a bright light, her Magna Essence being freed from her form, just as it did for all that had fallen when she recited her prayer. Finally, she had dispersed, leaving the heartbroken boy behind...

"Xelha..."

....

The rain began to fall. Like tears being wept by the very Sky itself.


It rained for what seemed to be the longest time, a purifying rain of sea water pouring down onto the fertile Earth. Then, Kalas' one wing, and the wings of the witches, suddenly appeared of their own accord, before fading away into light, the same sure to follow for everyone else in the world. With the Earth returned, they no longer had any need for Wings of the Heart.

The rain did not stop. Slowly but surely, it filled the Earth with a giant puddle that could not be comprehended by anyone in this world. A puddle that would soon be full of life, strange creatures that would swim about without a care in the world. After a thousand years, the lost Ocean had finally returned.

After what seemed to be forever, the rain had finally stopped. The sun was beginning to rise in the horizon. The witches had long departed, giving the young man time to grieve while they did so themselves. All Kalas had left was the comfort of his Guardian Spirit, Meemai, and the rest of the Greythornes that had gathered before them.

For the longest time, even after the rain had stopped, Kalas just stayed there, on his knees. His tears had finally stopped, but the hurt was still there.

"Kal..." Audrey wished she could reach to him, comfort him while also seeking comfort herself. But alas, all she could do was sit there beside him, looking upon his sorrowful face.

Then, the Greythornes began to hop away...and float into the air. The sight brought Kalas to finally look up, his tear-stained face looking in confusion. His eyes followed their path, bringing him to stagger to his feet and head toward wherever they were going. Pushing through foliage, his sight was now on the Mighty Ocean itself.

In the distance, every Greythorne in the world began to gather into a great ball of light, growing in size as more and more joined in. Soon, the light began to take shape as the last Greythorne, Meemai himself, hopped along and joined the rest. The light gave a bright flash, blinding anyone in its vicinity.

The creature was large, blue in color with yellow-tinted fins. Like a large fish...but this was no fish. It was a Whale. Not just any other whale, but the Whale itself. A great, playful cry had sounded out, the Whale diving into the Ocean that it created long ago, resurfacing quickly and splashing back down into its home.

The sight had Kalas let out a shuddering gasp, his eyes wide once more. Not only did the Ocean return...but so did the Whale, the creature that Fee had wanted to ask so many questions of. Just as he had promised his little brother, he had found the lost Ocean and its Whale...

But at what cost?

~Some time later~



He seemed to walk on for forever, his eyes unfocused. Through their restored world, passing by all who wanted to thank him as a savior. Paying them absolutely no mind as he kept walking.

Eventually, his never ending walk came to an end, finding himself on the shore beside the Ocean. Watching its waves flowing back and forth in the distance and against the coast, feeling the breeze pass by. He had long since calmed from his grief, but the sorrow was still plain as day upon his face.

Audrey remained by his side, only able to watch his aimless wandering as he seemed more lost than he ever had been before. She wished she knew what to say, to try and comfort him. But what could she say? If she told him what was going to happen next, he might've gotten angry at her for keeping that from him, or questioned how she knew.

So she stayed silent, simply sitting beside him. If only she was corporeal again; she desperately wanted to give him a hug or place a hand on his shoulder or...something! Anything!

"...Kalas..."

"..."

She sighed as she received no response. She just looked on, out into the distance, to the Ocean before them. The waters just seemed so...serene...

"...Audrey?"

She snapped up, not at all expecting for him to address her suddenly. She looked to find his deep blue eyes looking towards her; she often wondered if he could actually see her sometimes, despite her transparency. "...Yeah?"

"...you don't have to say anything. The fact that you're still here...that's enough. So...thank you..."

"...." She had to look away, tears stinging her eyes again. Again, she wished she could show her reassurance in person, let him know it was all okay...

He stood up again, beginning to head off in another direction. This time, his walking wasn't aimless, a clear destination in mind.

"...Where...where are we going now...?"

"...to get you back home..."

His words stopped her dead in her tracks, her breath turning cold. Get her back...no...

"W-Wait...you...you wanna send me back? After...after you said..."

A sigh in response. "I know what I said, Audrey. But you know that--"

"No! No, I don't know! I don't want to know!"


She remained indignant, only standing in place because her Spiriter had stopped in his tracks. "I could--I could stay here, keep helping you out! I-I could stay with you until you can heal, I-I could...I could..."

Her words turned to barely comprehensible, babbling incoherently like a child. This prompted Kalas to look in her direction again, regret and sadness in his eyes.

"Audrey..."

"I just...I just..." She couldn't hold back. Again, she bursted into tears, holding herself, falling to her knees like she did when Xelha died. "I-I don't want to go back...! I have nothing to go back to! I have no friends, no one to understand me. And...and all my family does is yell and scream and drag me into everything!"

"...."

"But...when I'm here, I...you guys actually listen to me. I actually feel confident in myself, I feel happier, I...I feel like I...I belong here. When I'm here...I'm home." She looked up, her tear-streamed face unseen by the young man in front of her.

"Please...I don't want that to end. Not now..."

Silence passed for the longest time. The Spirit continued to weep, feeling like a selfish little brat. She expected him to yell or snidely tell her to grow up, like he would have done before.

But Kalas did no such thing. Instead, he walked closer, kneeling down to where he felt she was.

"...can you tell me if you're looking at me?"

"...." She did, unable to stop the tears even now. "...I...I am..."

"Then you're gonna listen to me. I don't want this to end either. Hell, I don't think the others do, either. If we all had it our way, we'd keep you here for as long as we could. You really are the best friend anyone could've asked for."

Her eyes went wide, her breath shuddering. Out of everything he'd said to her, this...this was probably the nicest thing that he'd ever told her.

"But...you have to understand that some things have to come to an end. Our world's whole again. And, given how things are now, Mira's probably becoming more stable than it's ever been. So...that means all the spirits there won't be around much longer..."

But she wasn't a normal 'spirit', she wanted to argue, remain indignant that she wanted to stay here no matter what. Yet...at the same time, she listened silently. She did understand what he was trying to say; this was how the game ended, after all. She just...didn't want it to end anytime soon...

"Look, Audrey...I understand what it's like. Not feeling like you belong. I've felt like that for a long time, even before losing Gramps and Fee. You know that."

"....." Yet again, he was right. Being ostracized for his one wing...losing the only people who loved and accepted him unconditionally. Here she was, being selfish and whiny without considering his feelings on the matter...

"But now, after what's happened...I finally found my place here. Even with..." A shuddering breath, before he shook his head. "Even with...Xelha gone...I still have people to turn to. And I know, in your world, you'll find someone like that. Maybe not now, but someday...someday, you will. Okay?"

"......" She sat there, staring for the longest time. In truth, she didn't think she would ever find someone, not like she did here. But...at the same time...

No...no, he was right. Their journey had come to an end. It was time to say goodbye.

So, wiping her tears from her eyes, she took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. Then, she got back to her feet, giving a small, weak nod. "...o...okay..."

For the first time in a long while, Kalas smiled a gentle smile, a rare sight to behold. "Alright. Now let's head on over. Everyone's waiting."






The Nekton Shrine. The forest where spirits like herself gathered. But now, as Kalas said, there weren't many around anymore. With Mira's own return, the land no longer faded into other dimensions, the otherworldliness that made this island unique to the others seeming to become nonexistent. All that was left were traces of this Nation's trademark weirdness.

Just about everyone that they met on their journey had gathered here. Their allies on this journey, the Nation's rulers, the witches, some close friends...she thought she could even see Ayme and Folon somewhere, the two previously reluctant former villains seeming to come around.

Even Melodia had shown up, looking up to Kalas as he arrived. Her eyes were still full of guilt and sadness for what she brought on him and the world, but she still found in herself to say goodbye to his Spirit alongside everyone else.

It only made sense. She'd been there, helping Kalas look for their Guardian. While it was for their own nefarious purposes back then, if it weren't for that, they would have never met. He would probably go on with another Spirit, or...maybe none at all.


As if reminded of that time himself, Kalas looked up to his Spirit, who gazed wordlessly at everyone. "By the way, Audrey...you remember that night, don't you? We didn't summon you here that night. It was you who called out to us."

Of course she remembered. When she had woken up from that strange dream, only to find herself here as one of the many spirits that roamed.

Or...did she ever wake up? Was this even reality, or still a product of her vivid imagination and her need for escape? Honestly, at this point, she didn't know anymore.

"I wanted to ask what brought you here...but I know now. You just wanted a place to belong, some place to call home. You followed your heart...and that's what led you here."

"...." She said nothing, just wordlessly looking on. They had already had this talk; there was no need to repeat what was already said.

"Well, I'm glad you found it with us. It might not happen right away, but I do hope you'll find it again in your world, someday. As long as you don't give up. Okay, Audrey?" He took a single step forward. It was finally time...

"This is where we first met. So...let's say goodbye here. I'm so glad I got to travel around with you. Thanks for everything, Audrey..."

And with that, he held his arms out. A single pulse sounded out, cherry blossoms leaving his being, spreading outward. Then, in a flash of light and a flurry of petals, he staggered on his feet, taking a moment to compose himself.

"..." His eyes turned downcast. The bond was over. She wasn't there anymore. "You're gone...aren't you? I can't hear your voice anymore..."

Just like before, his voice was quiet to her. After being bonded for so long...she now felt so far away. The tears stung her eyes again. There was no way she could reach him now. This truly was goodbye...

He looked up, to wherever she could've been. She could barely see the tears in his own eyes, not at all ready to say goodbye himself. But...what was done, was done...

"Goodbye, Audrey..."

"...goodbye, Kalas..."

As if hearing her faint voice, he gave a gentle smile, as if reassuring her that he'd be okay. She already knew he would be, though. After all...one more person still needed to say goodbye.

Right on cue, two familiar kids ran into view, calling for Kalas' attention. One of them held something very familiar in their hands, holding it out for him to see. As he held it up, he saw what it was.

"Is this...Xelha's pendant?"

"We found it on the beach! You can hear Xelha's voice in it!"

"Wh-What?!"

Taking their words to heart, Kalas held the pendant up to his ear, his eyes widening as he listened. In fact, he didn't even need to do so; the voice within spoke clearly, loud enough for everyone to hear. Even Audrey, despite the end of the bond, could hear it clear as day.

"O Mighty Ocean...guide us...
May Time, ever fleeting, forgive us..."

Suddenly, a flow of water escaped the pendant, gathering in the spot next to Kalas. Everyone watched as the water swirled and rose up, like a storm brewing in dark seas...

It burst. And standing there, to everyone's surprise, was someone very familiar.

"Xelha!"


Xelha looked all around her surroundings, to everyone that stared in shock. Then, she looked up with a smile, that same kind smile that she always wore.

"I'm home..."

Out of everyone, none was more surprised than Kalas, who stared wide-eyed. He took a step closer, not wanting this to be a dream or a trick of the mind.

"X...Xelha...?! It it really you?!"

A simple nod, and a smile of reassurance. "It's me. No ghost."

"Xelha!!!"

What happened next was almost sudden. Unable to contain his emotions, Kalas had pulled her into a hug, holding her close. Xelha couldn't help her own gasp, stock still for a brief moment, her face turning bright red. It was only for a moment before she returned the embrace, burying her face into his shoulder.

"I promised you...that I wouldn't leave you..."

"Yeah...I...y-you're right..."

"I owe it to Meemai and friends...the Great Whale. When the Ocean was released, I felt myself fading away. They found me, and put me back together again."

He said nothing else, just holding her close. They stayed like that for what could've been forever, everyone watching on.

"...Kalas, it's okay. I'm not going anywhere."

"...Yeah...I know..."

Slowly, hesitantly, he slid out of the hug. He didn't want to let her go, didn't want her to slip away again. But, her gentle smile was all the reassurance he needed that she wasn't going to disappear again.

And all the while, Audrey watched this scene unfold, her hands over her mouth. Yet again, this was one of her favorite scenes, one that always had her squealing in joy. Her previous sadness gave way to tears of joy, her heart feeling like it was about to burst. Seeing the two together, seeing them happy, was all she really wanted.

Xelha turned to where the Spirit might have been standing, Kalas following her gaze. A hand to her chest, she smiled ecstatically.

"I'm glad I made it back in time! I really wanted to thank you, and to say goodbye. Thanks to you, the Earth and the Ocean have returned. We'll always be close. Thank you, Audrey, and goodbye. I'll never forget you, ever!"

With a single glance to each other, the two heroes stepped forward. The rest of the party followed, standing beside them. They all looked up to the Spirit in front of them, wanting to say their own goodbyes.

First was Gibari, carefree as always. "Well, so long, Audrey! Take care! Drop by anytime; I'll take ya out fishing sometime!"

Next was Lyude, his polite smile crossing his face. "Thank you for everything. We have lost a great deal...but you taught us to believe in ourselves. You gave us the courage to go on. Farewell, Audrey."

The Great Mizuti, whose cheerful face was in clear view now that she no longer wore her mask, "The Great Mizuti be visiting your world someday, Audrey! We be having extraordinary adventures, the Great Mizuti and you! Wonderful. Marvelous. Fantastic!!!"

Finally, Savyna, seeming all business, until a rare, kind smile crossed her face, "Mission accomplished. All operations have been successfully completed. ...You have my thanks, Audrey. It was a pleasure serving with you."

Soon, everyone stepped forward. Friends, former enemies...all of them, waving to her, saying their goodbyes collectively. Their words had overwhelmed her as she began to fade from the world...


She didn't want to leave. She wanted to stay, have more adventures with them, laugh together, annoy each other...be a family together.

But as Kalas said, everything had to come to an end eventually. And so, once again letting the tears fall, Audrey allowed herself to say her last words, before she completely faded.

"Everyone...you...you all...I'll never forget you either! All of you! I-I promise...!"

.......







She opened her eyes, no longer in the dark forest, the fading images of her friends waving goodbye to her washing away from her mind. She was back here, diving deep in the water-like abyss.

Did any of that truly happen? Was it all just a deep fever dream like she initially thought, born from her wish to escape...?

Whatever the case, she could see the surface not too far. As much as she wanted to let herself drift here in the emptiness...she was honestly ready to wake up now. Even if it meant returning to yelling, fighting, and being manipulated by the one closest to her...

And so, righting herself back up, she swam her way to the surface, to the bright light shining down on her. Back to her reality...away from the dream she escaped to. The friends that she would never make, the journeys she would never have...the cool powers that would never be granted to her...

...

She resurfaced.






~Elsewhere~



She continued to sketch and draw. The 'floor' and the 'walls' were filled with drawings that she continued to make. At first, it was of a certain Keyblader and his friends. But now...they were faces she'd never seen before, and yet appeared to her like they were connected.

Angels. Demons. A girl corrupted by darkness, battling against her Somebody. A soldier mutated into an Unversed. Two siblings separated from each other. A young woman being watched by a cloaked figure as she ventured into a town of fog. And so on...

Naminé didn't know what any of this meant. All she knew was that, whenever her Somebody slept, she would drift on, find her way to some of these people, reaching out to a few of them, to try and help them.

One such had come up recently, one that she was currently drawing. That girl with the imagination powers, who had become part Spirit. She had just finished drawing her saying goodbye to the friends that she made, as she slowly faded back to the other world that she wound up in...

A frown crossed the Memory Witch's face, looking down at the drawing she had done. That same girl, sleeping in looked to be a lavish mansion. A tall figure looming over her, watching over her...

And all around them, darkness, chains and barbed wires. A gilded prison...not at all unlike Castle Oblivion for her in the past...

Holding the drawing up, looking it over and grazing a hand over it, Naminé looked on sympathetically. She could practically feel first-hand what was to become of this...

"...Don't lose yourself, Audrey. The dream may have ended...but now begins the nightmare..."

Her eyes slowly blinked open, a soft groan leaving her. Her vision was a blur, her body laying comfortably where she was. She wished she could go back to sleep again, return to the long dream that she'd been having. The friends she made, the world she explored, the adventures she had...it was all still fresh in her mind.

It was all a dream, wasn't it? It was all too good to be true; how could anyone suddenly wake up in one of their favorite games, befriend their favorite characters, and even talk down the ones that deserved it?

Rather than dwell on it, she let out a yawn, still groggy from sleeping for so long. She laid against the sofa she'd slept on, ready to go back to--

Wait...sofa? Why wasn't she in her bed?

Audrey blinked back awake, looking down at herself and her surroundings. She was laying on a cream-colored sofa so comfortable that it may as well have been a bed, the top and arms decorated with a polished wood that certainly gave the impression that it was rather expensive. A silk almond blanket was wrapped over her, so smooth that she could just melt into it if she weren't so confused. Lifting the sheet away from herself, she found that she still wore the clothes that she remembered wearing: a white blouse; frills down the center, decorated with black lace at the wrists, shoulders, and collar, a black ribbon bow attached to the chest; and black jeans, which appeared to be torn at the knees.

Strange...why were they torn? She didn't remember ruining them in any way...

Frowning to herself, she slowly sat up on the lavish sofa, taking in the rest of her surroundings. Marble floors, cream with black swirls decorated. Black walls, patterns that gave a gothic impression. Large, beautiful paintings decorated among them, depicting landscapes, people, and the abstract. Beside the sofa, an equally luxurious living chair, cream-colored and decorated in polished wood. A dark wooden coffee table in the center, pieces of china dishes and silverware decorated on it and standing over a black rug on the floor. A fireplace that seemed to have been put out recently. End tables of polished wood in the corners, with expensive vases and statues decorated on them.

This was definitely not her suburban home. This was a place for some rich upper-class person, not a middle working-class family.

How in the hell did she get here? Was she...was she still dreaming...?

Somewhere in the halls, she could faintly hear the sound of a piano being played, breaking her thoughts. Curiosity filling her, she got up from the sofa, stumbling slightly, wincing from the sores that she developed from sleeping for such a long time. Doing her best to keep from falling and ignoring her sores, she followed after the music, beginning to hear the familiar chords of Moonlight Sonata.


She walked through the halls, following patterned walls and expensive decor. As she looked for the source of the music, she couldn't help but explore more rooms. A study room, with easels and paints placed neatly and a desk with a typewriter on it. A dining room with a polished wood table that stretched from one end to the other, many expensive dining chairs placed around it in an orderly fashion. A ballroom, with an overlooking balcony that she'd passed by. Many bedrooms, with queen and king-sized beds and expensive coverings.

Why wasn't she sleeping in any of these rooms? Did they belong to anyone in particular?

Finally, her search brought her to a pair of closed double doors. The sounds of the piano were heard much more clearly behind them, booming loudly. At first thinking to knock, she stopped herself, figuring that she wouldn't be heard. But, at the same time, it would've been rude to just barge in unannounced.

But then, with how loud the music was, would they even notice her coming in?

Deciding not to worry about that, the girl placed her hands on the door handles, turning them slightly to see if they were unlocked. Then, taking a deep breath, she pushed them open.

A music room. Many classical instruments; cellos, violins, trumpets, oboes, you name it; lined up, placed neatly against the walls. The walls themselves had built-in speakers, accentuating the music playing, resembling eyes watching upon the performer.

And in the center of the room, a black grand piano. And the one playing the piano, meticulous and focused, had her stop in her tracks, awestruck.

A man that looked to be in his mid-to-late twenties, fair-skinned, shoulder-length black hair, prominent cheekbones. Even while he sat down and played the keys, she could tell that he must've been rather tall. His manner of dress was as fancy as the rest of this mansion: a black long coat with coattails, a white dress shirt and waistcoat, an undone red cravat worn around the neck, black silken gloves carefully pressing the keys, black dress pants, and black boots neatly polished.

By all accounts, he was a very handsome man, holding just about all of the traits that she found attractive. Audrey couldn't help but stare in wonder as he played, unconsciously stepping closer. There were so many questions running through her mind, but at the moment, she couldn't bring herself to ask any of them, intent on listening and watching the man before her.

That was, until she lost her balance on the marble floor, slipping and falling over. "Ahh!"

She would've hit the floor and possibly broken something, had it not been for careful arms catching her and breaking her fall, the music having stopped playing. Her breath escaped her throat, her eyes widening, her face heating up.

"Ah...you've awakened. Are you alright? Are you hurt?"

His voice, soft-spoken, a hint of a European accent of some sort. She looked up to see concerned black eyes, the left mostly covered by his bangs, looking down at her. She couldn't help but stare into them for the longest time, feeling her heart fluttering and her face turning red.

"Y...Yeah...? I-I-I mean n-no! I-I mean..." The girl kept stumbling over her words, trying to find the right thing to say. She must've looked like a complete idiot to him now. "Wh...who are you...?"

If the man seemed put off by her stammering, he certainly didn't show it. He just gave a kind smile, helping her to her feet. Now that they were standing upright, she found that he definitely was tall, finding that she reached up to his shoulders. Lifting one hand to her, he suddenly produced what looked to be a small card from his sleeve, a simple sleight-of-hand trick. Taking the card, cautiously, she looked at what was written.

~Ignazio D'Aleo: Actor, Musician, and Illusionist Extraordinaire!~

She looked back up to him, once again in awe. "Y-You're a performer?"

With a nod and a small flourish, Ignazio gave a polite bow, extending his hand to her. "That I am. And you are?"

His little show of theatrics almost made a giggle burst out of her. However, she kept it in out of uncertainty. He seemed amicable, and he was very attractive, but he was still a stranger to her; the possibility of being kidnapped wasn't lost on her.

Nonetheless, she allowed herself an introduction, taking his hand warily, "U-Um...A-Audrey. Audrey C-Crowe..."

What happened next caused her eyes to shoot up and her face to light up more. He gently raised her hand and kissed the back of her hand, like an old-shool chivalrous gentleman.

"Audrey...it's very nice to meet you. I'm glad to see that you are alright."

Though his display of chivalry somewhat flattered her, she had to pull her hand away, put off by his forwardness. Immediately after, she looked down, fiddling with her fingers nervously, unsure if that was the right action.

He clearly picked up on her body language, shown by his frown. "Am I making you uncomfortable? I apologize for--"

"N-No, no!" she cut in, holding her hands up quickly before looking back down again. "I-It's fine. J-Just...h-how did I get here?"

"Ah..." She looked up to see a sympathetic look on his face, letting out a sigh as he started explaining, "I...found you washed up by the lake. I tried to ask around for help or for anyone that might've known you, but no one seemed to know, much less cared to help..."

"...." Audrey shook her head, confused. Lake? How did she end up by a lake? Wasn't she in her room playing video games? At least, that's what she thought...

She brought a hand to her head as she tried to think back. She...she was standing on top of something...and then she fell? Or...jumped? Did she actually...?

"I...I can't...remember...I..." She snapped up, her eyes widening again. "W-Wait! M-My parents! Wh-What about them?"

Another sigh as he shook his head. "If they had been looking for you, I've heard nothing."

"I-I have to call them! I-I have to let them know that I--" She started rummaging her pockets, her face falling as she frantically looked. "S**t! M-My phone!"

"You had nothing on you when I found you, and even if you had, I'm sure it would've sparked out from the lake water by now," Ignazio said plainly, ignoring her curse. He then beckoned for her to follow him. "I have a phone that you can use. Come."






He led her back to the living room where she slept, directing her to one of the end tables that she hadn't noticed before. When she saw exactly what it was, she couldn't help but deadpan.

It was a rotary phone.

"...seriously?" she asked, looking at the man in disbelief. "You don't have, like, a normal phone or a cell phone?"

He shook his head. "Nothing of the sort. I have no need for mindless technology."

"...." She just...had no comment to that, shaking her head. That probably means no computer, either. "Okay, that's...fine, I guess, but I don't know how to use this."

Rather than be annoyed by her sarcastic tone, Ignazio was quick to offer, "I can call for you if you'd like, Miss Crowe."

"...Um..." Once again, she looked down, wringing her fingers together in uncertainty. She didn't exactly feel comfortable giving her house number, or either of her parents'. But then...if they knew where she was, they'd have to come to pick her up.

So, with a sigh, she relented, "Well...okay. I-If it helps..."

After giving him the number to her house, Ignazio dialed away at the rotating numbers. She watched as he waited for her mother or father, or, unlikely as it was, her brother to pick up, leaning over to try and listen in.

"...Hello. Mrs. Crowe, I presume? ...Yes, ah, I found your daughter and wished to let you know that..." His suddenly fell into disbelief. "What? But...this is your daughter we're talking about. Aren't you the least bit worried?"

Whatever conversation they were having made her heart drop to the pit of her stomach. What was her mother saying? They weren't worried? They didn't wonder where she was? Did they...not want her around anymore...?

She watched as he sighed, his eyes narrowing into a scowl. "Fine, if that's what you want. It's no wonder she ran away from the likes of you." He nearly slammed the phone onto the receiver, letting out a sigh of frustration. The girl cautiously stepped closer, her eyes looking up with even the smallest glimmer of hope.

"...Wh...What did she say...?"

"...." He looked at her, his eyes filled with sympathy for her, before he looked away again. He let out another sigh, running a hand through his hair. "...She said...she wanted nothing to do with you anymore..."


She stared for the longest time, looking in disbelief. That...That couldn't be right, could it? He...He didn't just...

"...n-no...y-you're joking, r-right? She-She wouldn't say that...would she...?"

He shook his head, his expression not changing in the slightest, showing her that this was no joke. "...I'm sorry..."

It felt like a sharp blade struck through her heart, her breath cold. All the years of being told that she wasn't part of the problem, that she'd never let her parents down...and here, this stranger had just confirmed her doubts. That she really was a useless waste of space that was better off gone.

She wanted to deny this, shaking her head while tears began to well up in her eyes. She tried telling herself that she heard wrong, that her parents were trying to find her. But...it was clear by the man's words and the look on his face.

Her breath felt short. She wrapped her arms around herself as she fell to her knees, shaking. She tried not to break down on the spot, but she couldn't hold back the tears falling from her eyes. Her parents' voices ran through her mind, all their yelling and screaming echoing through.

"WILL YOU JUST SHUT THE F*** UP, YOU STUPID B***H!"

"YOU KEEP TALKING AND TALKING ABOUT YOUR STUPID JOB, BUT YOU'RE NOT GETTING PAID!"

"WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?! QUIT!?"

"I WANT YOU TO STAND UP TO YOUR A**HOLE OF A BOSS!"

"SO YOU WANT ME TO GET FIRED THEN?! THAT'S SMART!"

"AUDREY, WHERE THE F*** ARE YOU?!"

"GET YOUR ASS DOWN HERE NOW!"

Those were the last words she could remember, before...whatever the hell happened. Whether she actually jumped somewhere or...

Was that really what happened? Did she want to escape so badly that she was willing to throw herself into a lake...?

A reassuring hand clasped onto her shoulder, breaking her out of her thoughts. She looked up to see Ignazio knelt down to her level, offering a condoling smile. Despite the sorrow she felt in the moment, she felt her stomach fluttering deep down, making her face heat up again.

"I'm...sorry you had to hear that," he started, losing his smile for a moment. "But...if you wish to, you can stay here as long as you'd like. I'll do my best to look after you."

"...." She stared for the longest while, unsure of what to make of this. On the one hand, he was being very kind to her, something she wasn't used to. But at the same time...

"...Why...Wh-Why would you do that? Y-You don't even know me..."

"I don't, that's true," he admitted, offering his hand to help her to her feet, "but I hate to see a young lady so upset. I promise that you won't feel miserable in my company."

Her face lit up even more, her tears just about forgotten. No one else, not even her own family, cared that she was missing, possibly even ran away. Yet here this man was, not only offering her a place to stay, but also giving her the comfort and reassurance that she sorely needed, that she yearned for.

She no longer cared that she was technically kidnapped. He had been so kind to her; she just couldn't bring herself to turn down his offer.

So, as she took his hand, letting him help her back on her feet again, she took a deep breath, wiping the tears away from her face. "...O...Okay...i-if that's okay with you, then...I-I'll try not to bother you, or--"

"You have no need to worry about that, Miss Crowe," he interrupted her, giving her a kind smile that made her want to melt. "I admit, it can get rather lonely in this mansion. I would very much appreciate having some company around here."

Even the way he spoke, so polite and refined, made her feel like fainting on the spot like a stereotypical lovestruck lady. She looked down, trying to hide her beetred face. "U-Um...o-okay, i-if you say so...a-and y-you don't have to call me Miss Crowe. J-Just Audrey's fine."

"Very well, if that's what you wish, Audrey," he said simply, his soft-spoken tone saying her name like that further flustering her. "Is there anything I can offer you in the meanwhile? I can show you around, or prepare something for you if you'd like."

"A-Ah, e-erm...i-if you can t-tell me wh-where I can wash up, th-that'd be nice. I-I could really use a h-hot bath right now."

"Ah, of course. After how long you'd been asleep, I'd imagine so." He gestured for her to follow him again. "Right this way."

How long she...what did he mean by that? As they once again began walking through the halls, she couldn't help but ask, "Um...h-how long was I asleep?"

"Hm...I'd say about two weeks, at most. I was almost worried that you wouldn't wake up..."






Two weeks. She had really been asleep for two whole weeks.

She'd nearly freaked out when he told her that. How she didn't feel starving or parched after waking up, she didn't know. The worst she felt had been grogginess and sores.

It almost made her worry if something had actually happened while she slept. This Ignazio was still a stranger, and much older than her. Could he have...done something while she...?

No. If he had, she would've probably known upon waking up. Sure, he seemed...forward, and very quick to offer her to stay here. But...he also seemed too polite to actually try anything. At least, that's what she told herself. As handsome and well-spoken that he was, making her feel things she wasn't used to, she still didn't know what to make of him.

He didn't seem too bad, though. Maybe...she could get used to this...


The young girl couldn't help the smile at the thought as she laid back in the tub, her long brown hair drenched after submerging in the hot water for quite some time. The bathroom was as pristine as the rest of the mansion, a clean white porcelain making up the entirety of it. A plush towel and robe were hung against the wall for her to dry up when she finished.

It was a life of luxury, one that only the rich and famous would ever get to experience. And here she was, an unremarkable young woman with no fame or wealth, being able to see what the big deal was while she stayed.

Sure, there was no computer, video games, or smartphone to turn to when she was bored. But there was music, possibly dancing, and she was staying with a performer. It was a dream come true. Much more than the long dream that she had in her two-week long coma.

That thought brought her smile to fade. That dream...that wish to escape, adventuring in one of her favorite games, befriending her favorite characters. She recalled their last words to her before she woke up, their words of thanks and encouragement...and her Spiriter's last words to her, before their bond had ended...

"I wanted to ask what brought you here...but I know now. You just wanted a place to belong, some place to call home. You followed your heart...and that's what led you here.

"Well, I'm glad you found it with us. It might not happen right away, but I do hope you'll find it again in your world, someday. As long as you don't give up. Okay, Audrey?"

A place to belong...a chance to find it again in her world...

Even though she dismissed the whole thing as a fever dream, those words still rang true to her. She didn't think she could ever find it, preferring to stay in her escapist world rather than return to a life full of anger and sadness. But here, being found by a kind and generous man, willing to take her in and allow her to stay when the people who were supposed to care for her wanted nothing to do with her anymore...

Audrey held her arms around herself, submerging herself into the water again. Lost in thought, her long dream slowly fading from her mind. Fading into the new reality she now lived...

Kalas...I think I already have...








Unbeknownst to her, she was not as alone as she thought she was. Behind the mirror, in another room, she was being watched, the two-way mirror giving full access to view her even in her private moments.

His gloved hand pressed against the glass, watching the girl as she sank into the tub, lost in her little thoughts. He only needed her to exist, to have a purpose beyond wandering this ghost town in his emptiness. To play on her doubts, keep her relying on him when she thought she had no one.

Yet even he couldn't deny that he found her beyond beautiful. Anyone lucky enough to look upon her would have been as lovestruck as she had been when she laid her eyes upon him.

But Ignazio felt a different sense of exhilaration. The fact that he could make her stumble over herself by mere words, make her believe anything her told her, including what her parents would say...or rather, what she believed they would say.

He never called anyone. The phone wasn't connected to anything. It was a gamble to allow her a chance to talk to her parents; he was lucky that she didn't know how to use such an antique device. But thanks to that, she now believed she had no one else to turn to. No one but himself, the only one who seemed to care in her eyes, the only one willing to take care of her, protect her...imprison her in her own doubts...

All he had to do was make sure that she never found out where she truly was, continue to play on her self-doubts and attraction towards him. To make her his to do with as he pleased, to feed off of her in order to continue to exist.

He may have been her creation, but she had no control over him. She was his puppet...his little doll...

"...my dear Audrey...you can stay for as long as you'd like...but don't think for a second that I will ever allow you to leave. You will be mine...forever..."