Game 103C - Epilogue

[Vaellin the Bard]

Chapter 1: The Escape

Nineteen individuals set out on a dangerous adventure, a cramped submarine and two gliders dependent on forward momentum and the wind. The first hour or so is done in an eerily quiet panic. Blood soaks the living quarters as people desperate treat the wounded: Aki, Maki, Power, Fuzz and Mr. Anonymous. Looking at Kronya, Lex, and Amaya, it’s clear the group did not come out of this unscathed. But with a glance towards the island, still smoking from explosions and fire, it’s clear that Asu Corporation did not either.

Unfortunately, Noah, the mannequin head sitting on his own chair next to Nedge Pepsi’s radio, states that despite the damage done and at least two Sue’s taken out “She’s still… there…”

Noah also begins to explain a bit of the situation. Sue has held several games over the past couple of years, picking some of the best people out there as candidates. This was despite the fact that Riley Goodhart, the current leader, did not want to retire. When the first game had been held, Riley had to personally execute the “winner”. It was clear then that, despite Eve programming Sue to be loyal to the current Asu Coporation leader, she had gone rogue.

Riley was by no means a good man. He’d gotten into his position through a similar game–even betraying a friend (which Rio mumbles about)--and was an arms dealer prior, but he was the lesser of two evils. His resistance with Sue ended with his own demise, unfortunately. Before his death, however, he was able to reactivate Eve and Noah to a certain extent and to create a means to stop the games. You guys weren’t the first to be approached, but you were the first to go as far as you did. While he doesn’t think Asu Corporation is taken down, it’s been severely limited and will take some time to recover. With half the staff already robotic, they have the time.

With that unsettling note, though, the group focuses on getting distance and eventually they make it out of the minefields. They rest where they can and rotate people being in the sub or out on the gliders for some fresh air and space.

When they finally do land on the shores of Miami, the group gathers together for one last adventure: going to the nearest supermarket to grab some aluminum foil and pliers or something to get the damn collars off. Then, at last, everyone goes their separate ways. Some together, some alone, and some on a mission.

Next Chapter: A Way Home (Roroa, Kronya, Rio)

[Vaellin the Bard]

Chapter 2: A Way Home
(Roroa, Kronya, Rio)





Roroa and Kronya are both surprised to find Rio tagging along. “I’ve nowhere to go,” he mumbles, hands in his pockets and foul words on his lips. Sharing a bit of the sentiment, they accept him into the group–with admittedly some reluctance. Understandably as Rio’s vitriol for Roroa continues with spiteful comments until a few days down the road, Kronya–some magic power restored–knocks some sense into him.

Their journey was simple in statement but long in execution: to find a way home. Well Rio’s was to find a home, which he figured would be best discovered with these two as they explore the foreign land to try and find someone with the technological know-how to get them back to their planes of existence. Rio serves as a guide here, explaining much of the differences between their worlds and his.

For a few years they travel the world, learning about it all the while, until one day they come across a strange man–someone half cat and half human and dressed mostly in black. He talks at length with the three of them about the dangers of ending up in between worlds but, at the right time, he has an item that should be able to let them traverse to another world. They just have to wait until the two are close enough to make a trip.

It costs a pretty penny to get the item–a strange blue object made of glass that seems to almost glow. The individual refers to it as a tear. Roroa holds onto the tear as they decide that, until then, they’d explore the world and possibly seek an alternative mean should this one fail.

Then, nearly two years after being taken from their home, the tear starts to glow more brightly. A melodic hum sounds as well and as Roroa holds the item out in surprise the light engulfs her. It spreads quickly, taking Rio and Kronya as well.





As the light fades, the three find themselves in… a throne room? Red carpet spreads out before them and an empty throne sits at the side. People surround them, giving a wide berth at the surprise of a quickly fading summoning circle. Roroa stands up first, a smile spreading to her face. She recognizes those people! She rushes to them, quick to embrace family and friends. A reunion is quickly planned for the lost lady, one she is insistent to place Kronya–and Rio, she GUESSES–as honored guests.

The tear sits on the ground, dun.

The next month is a celebration for the kingdom, people rejoicing at Roroa’s return. The entire world seems to be far happier than expected, honestly. While she revels in the moment, she does feel a bit uneasy. This is far more excitement than expected? Even for a queen.

A full three months pass and everything seems to fall into place. Economic issues, political divide, war threats and encounters… everything resolves itself rather… well? Under her suggestions she guides her kingdom to prosperity and peace that not even the hero could have done.

Kronya meanwhile, serves under Roroa as a spy and close confidant. The two’s bond remains close as she helps bring about the resolution as well, even bringing down some rather large crime syndicates lurking in the depths of the cities. While still uneasy with her place, she proves herself to the inner court and is quickly accepted by Roroa’s friends.

Her magic returns as well, allowing not just the shifting of faces but to also summon magic from her homeworld without even needing the books they typically wielded for such spells. However, despite her best attempts, she cannot find a way to open a similar portal. Still, she find comfort in her friendships and, in a way, a new sense of identity.

At the end of the three months, Rio approaches Roroa, shoving a piece of paper at her with much more venom than he’d shown before. He’d been mysteriously absent for a while, though sightings of him at other countries would occasionally come up and it was known that he was involved in some uprisings in the foreign territory, though whether quelling or inciting no one would know.

Roroa and Kronya both look at the letter together that night, after Rio had departed once more.

SPOILER: Click to show

A chill goes down their spine.

And yet… nothing seems to happen. Years pass and the kingdom continues to flourish, but nothing from the Asu Corporation comes back to them. Not even Rio. While happy, it does not stop the two from spending the rest of their days looking over their shoulders.

No matter what, though, the two have found their way home.

Next Chapter: Found Family (Denji, Power, Aki, Cat)

[Vaellin the Bard]

Chapter 3: Found Family

(Denji, Power, Aki, Cat)

(In which it turns out we were in Chainsaw Man’s world all along, kinda. Or in which the host didn’t want to do another isekai chapter)

For Denji, Power, and Aki, their chapter starts back in the submarine.

With no proper medical bay, Aki was brought to the sleeping quarters. Things were already grim by the time he got there, the wound open and bleeding. Tia immediately went to provide medical aid, giving brief instructions to the others for the lesser wounds. Those were stable, Aki was not. His stomach was open and the two heard her talk of sepsis and other concerns, but brushed them off as something to come back to. “Stop the bleeding first,” she stated, her stutter absent as she set about finding any kind of clasp she could to stop the arteries for now.

Soon she found aid as Maki came over as well–her experience providing her at least field medic training–and the two were elbows deep in blood as they got to work. Three long hours later, the two stepped back, breathing deeply as they watched Aki’s chest slowly go up and down.

Taking this as a sign that Aki was fine, the two pushed forward, tears in their eyes. They began to bark questions at the unconscious man. When at last his eyes opened, vision cloudy, they finally stopped their interrogation. They were chaotic, they seemed heartless, they were devils… but Aki was their friend.

Denji had written sex as his wish.

Power had written to be free to have fun.

But even Sue knew their true wish. They just wanted all three of them–all their friends, the cat included–to be safe and happy. This was one wish they absolutely needed, even if some ass-nine corporation wouldn’t grant it to them. Aki needed to be safe.

He let out a soft laugh. “You brats. Even in death, you two can’t let me rest in peace.” He looked at them both with a gentle smile unexpected of the typically cold man and raised a fist to them. “See you in Hell.” An invitation, not a condemnation. His eyes flickered close and…

His chest stopped moving, the blood slowed and soon his body went cold.

“I-I’m s-sorry for your loss,” Tia said quietly, before escorting the others out of the room, injured included. They needed their moment.

They understood death. They dealt with it a lot as both devils and devil hunters. Even people they knew died. But this… this was Aki.

They didn’t cry. That wasn’t who they were. But they sat in silence, hearts heavy at the loss of one of their closest friends.

---

Several months later, Denji and Power were back at work. The harsh reality of what happened put aside, swept under a rug, much like all the harsh realities they faced. At least on the surface. They were the happy duo, helping take out stronger and stronger devils in this world, and coming home to the cat, who greeted them with cheer each time alongside Power’s other cat. The two felines lavished their owners with attention and then immediately demand food.

Denji grew up a little, though let’s be honest it was a slow and small growth. He also learned to cook pasta from the occasional visit from Kronya, though he wasn’t QUITE sure if this was his “Italian Mommy” or not. He practiced his kick in the event someone–like, say, Mr. Anonymous–showed up who needed it and he learned to watch for surprise attacks a bit better. He was a child at heart, but one who learned to look ahead just a touch more.

Power similarly grew up, in the tiniest, minimal bit, as she learned to care for the cats. She was still a monster around the apartment–no one would ever visit for fear of the scent caused by her–but the lab cat was smart enough that in a way he TRAINED her to help care for him and the other cat, and by proxy herself and maybe Denji a little. Her powers returned as well, both of them, allowing her to wield other’s blood as well as her own. It was odd, having two life bloods to manipulate at her fingertips, but sometimes it gave her the edge. She never did learn to eat vegetables though.

Standing their ground and facing down devils or spending a day goofing off, the two also ended their day the exact same way, even when apart. A look to the ocean where they’d laid Aki’s body to rest and a quiet reply of “See you in Hell, too.”

SPOILER: Click to show

Next Chapter: Objectives Matter (Tia, DA Ratticus)

[Vaellin the Bard]

Chapter 4: Objectives Matter
(Tia, DA Ratticus)





When everyone went to separate, DA Ratticus found himself scooped up –unlawful touching, that’s battery he was sure–by Tia who placed him comfortably on her hat. “W-We go tog-together! I ha-have experience as a secretary. I can h-help!” she declared, though DA Ratticus had no ability to refuse as she bounded down the street into the city proper.

In all honesty, the biggest obstacle to DA Ratticus’ rise to real district attorney was the fact the speciesist jerks would not accept a rat as a lawyer. So Tia, masquerading as DA Ratticus with him completely in her hat, set about taking a real law course and passing the bar in record time. He had a basis and an excellent note taker, of course.

And when the time came to give Tia her award, the reveal was truly dramatic as Ratticus appeared before the court itself and lectured them on the law, discrimination, and how creatures of all shapes and sizes should be allowed to be lawyers!

Unfortunately, the court did not let him pass. But the uprising of the populace who watched the small rodent proceed to PROVE himself capable brought up a new session to discuss a law to permit animals to become lawyers. Naturally, DA Ratticus was the first to be granted the badge of honor.



(Yes, it’s a hamster but it was too good not to post)

And so, DA Ratticus pursued not just basic rights for animals, but also a right to an attorney in cases of animal violence as well! His most well known case was one of a pitbull accused of biting a baby’s head. Using a dog whisperer and his own innate skills at understanding animals, he was able to prove that this dog was being framed! A toy that was similarly fashioned like a dog’s head injured the poor baby and the ferocious growling they heard was from the dog tearing it off. It was simply an accident. Fortunately, the baby survived with just a few gnarly scars.

He also defended an orca at one point, but surprisingly was not the first to do so, which of course made him proud.

Witness protection was set up for animals as well, with a parrot being the first to be transferred to this part of the court. He even helped Fuzz petition a case against prejudice against moths eating clothing. This case was successful in dropping charges against moths, but the public opinion would take time to be swayed.

The world changed under DA Ratticus’ strength, aided by Tia and the determination he learned from facing insurmountable odds against the Asu Corporation. The only thing he failed to accomplish was legal litigation against the corporation itself. Through the interference of two other individuals, he was able to get a case to look at the island, but nothing came of it. The company was able to slip through his fingers.

Nevertheless, Ratticus was a name that was known the world over. The first Rat Laywer, a truly stellar mammal in his field and a defender of animal rights and the rights of the innocent. Aided, as a footnote in the history books, by his melon soda companion. A true hero.

Next Chapter: Radio Silence (Nedge Pepsi, Noah Boddy, Gossip Mannequin)

[Vaellin the Bard]

Chapter 5: Radio Silence

(Nedge Pepsi, Noah Boddy, Gossip Mannequin)

For much of those on the beach when Nedge Pepsi arrived, it probably seemed bizarre to see a woman carrying a suitcase leading a robot carrying another robot’s head–though they were mannequins not robots, but to the outside observer…

Regardless, it never came into question that Nedge would take the submarine, though she did offer to escort a few of the other players before heading off to her own adventure. Her technical know-how, a book on managing the mannequins, a radio keyed into obscure information, and a submarine that most could only dream of having, Nedge was set for her life.

So she used it to make money and a name for herself. Noah taught her all he knew about infiltration, about the mannequins, and about leading groups but honestly it wasn’t of much used to her. Sure, she maintained Gossip Mannequin and would lead him but she wasn’t a leader herself. Her time in the past was as a lackey at worst, an equal at best. Where she and Gossip stood was a bit of a mystery, though. She would help repair him but also maintained that bit of guilt of being the first to destroy him on that first night.

In her defense, she hadn’t known the full truth of the mannequins then.

Her first several months were spent hunting with Noah and Gossip, exploring the depths of the ocean for the monsters of the depths. The Loch Ness Monster, Megalosaurus, great sharks that’d lived far longer and suffered greater battles than anyone else had seen, a kraken, a very large and angry white whale, a bipolar aboleth, and even a weird monster in Lake Michigan. She didn’t kill them–well not unless it was necessary. No, she documented them, created evidence of them, and sold them to the highest bidder of science or monster hunting, whichever worked best. Nedge was absolutely swimming in money. It was a life of luxury filled with exploring in her own expertise with a good friend.

Noah, unfortunately, did not live long after the adventures started. The mannequin head was an unstable source at best. Even at the peak of his repair, his processing power was like dealing with a drunk captain using internet explorer, frustrating that is. There was a brief moment when Nedge contemplated moving Noah to Gossip Mannequin, providing him with a fresh body and a fresh start, but she dismissed it. She had a closer bond with the friendly bot.

Besides, Noah welcomed death. His revival was a necessity brought about by Riley to take down Sue, but even prior to that he wished to die. Had even had himself executed by Tia Safalin. His life as a mannequin had always been torture, a flawed experiment that never quite worked like the dolls of the current players or even the mannequins like Gossip or Chef.

He never got to see the full blossom of Nedge’s success. One morning, Nedge woke to find the mannequin unresponsive, only a usb with written data of his knowledge to provide for the Sonar Expert.

Gossip Mannequin faired better, though he was in need of constant maintenance. The shift of functions helped, moving from a gossiper to an orator to an auctioneer to a salesman and so on, subtle shifts that he learned with as time went on. Even with each transfer, more of his friendly personality stayed, providing a stable individual all while his job kept shifting. He took up the clothes of a sea captain, to Nedge’s equal parts horror and amusement. He learned under her much like any human would and, were it not for the face and repairs needed, there would be no difference between him and someone living.

The two together had one grand final journey many years. A dangerous one that they decided would either end in their death or their retirement. They weren’t here for the action. Nedge’s plans usually involved tracking and escaping. But this monster was no minor threat. Nay, it was arguably the biggest one they’d find.

The Leviathan.

Protected by a tidal wave, to track the monster down they had to use their sub and go into depths they were not positive it’d last through. But sure enough, when darkness had surrounded them the sonar blinked. A long serpent, whose claws were the size of houses, emerged from the abyss of the ocean, seeking the bait set out by the two. Brief glimpses from lights desperately trying to pierce the murky waters showed brilliant green and blue fins accented by red. The sonar image did no justice for it as it swam dangerously close to their vessel.

Then it struck, trying to bite onto the submarine. The two were quick to try and escape, the submarine taking off as fast as it could, but the claws and teeth of the sea beast held on, following along the waves, eager for a feast as soon as it could open the tin can protecting it.

A quick dash to one side and then the other momentarily set them free and Nedge pushed the vehicle to the surface as quickly as possible. Then she heard a click, the sound of an air pressure chamber being locked. Gossip Mannequin! (As his name had stuck despite the career change) She could hardly call back as she realized her companion was going out to face the creature, distract it so she could escape!

Tears welled up as she heard the sound of friend being launched out of the submarine. A blink in the sonar showed him heading off in one direction and a moment later the beast followed…

To say she was more than a little annoyed to find her bot friend on the beach of their home a week later was to tell only half the story. For she was also secretly delighted and welcomed the man home with a healthy repair and a few stories to exchange over a glass of whiskey.

An early retirement well deserved.

Next Chapter: Where The Heart Is (Tohru)

[Vaellin the Bard]

Chapter 6: Where the Heart Is

(Tohru)

There was nothing quite like coming home after a long day at work to a loved one, getting a chance to relax after an exhausting and stressful day. However, that paled in comparison to coming back to a loved one after three days of a murderous game led by a psychopath followed by a much longer time cramped in a submarine with a bunch of virtual strangers–some of which had killed and some of which had decided to tie her up and call her horrible names! So the only thing Tohru wanted when the group departed, collar broken and the “players” freed, was to head home and curl up with her favorite person.

Still, it was a bit of a trip, heading back to Japan. Whatever suppressed her power didn’t let up immediately but rather slowly over time, forcing her to remain in her human form. Which meant hitching a ride in the submarine AGAIN alongside Nedge and her weird companions. Still, she took to soaring on the attached gliders whenever she could, for fresh air and to feel the wind once more. Nedge also repaired the tablet she’d swiped on the third night! It’d died due to the EMP but a few fixes here and there and it was up and running! Data wiped, but it was a state of the art, top of the line, never before seen electronic! A laptop of the future. Tohru hugged it like a treasure, the only good thing she would get to bring back from this experience.

Of course, when she landed on the shores of Japan and finished the journey home, a bit of hesitancy crept in. Was Kobayashi okay? Her own wish was for Kobayashi’s sake so did failing it somehow mean Kobayashi was in danger? Would something happen to her in the future? No, Tohru wouldn’t let anything happen to her. Of that she was confident. There was nothing that could stand in the way of her protecting Kobayashi.

Except… maybe kidnapping Tohru somehow and hiding her on some island in the middle of the ocean with power dampening tricks.

Okay, so MAYBE this was harder than she thought. Forget humans being scary or evil, dolls were now the enemy!

Tohru wasn’t quite sure how long she stood in front of Kobayashi’s home, hand poised to knock, but she was DEFINITELY going to knock right as Kobayashi opened the door.

“Ah.” The two stood still for a long time before the sound of something–perhaps a car horn down the street or someone inside the house made a noise, it didn’t matter–broke the stillness and Tohru flung herself forward, pulling Kobayashi into a tight embrace.

“I had the WORST time imaginable, Kobayashi-san! And someone even called me foul names!” Tohru cried as she felt Kobayashi reach her arms around Tohru and return the hug. The warmth of her favorite person filled the dragon, especially as she heard Kobayashi reply.

“Tell me all about it, Tohru.” Kobayashi gently pulled the powerful beast into the apartment adding “I missed you, too. Welcome home.”

Next Chapter: Already Written (Lex the Bookworm)

[Vaellin the Bard]

Chapter 7: Already Written

(Lex the Bookworm)

Lex’s journey started off aimless. It wasn’t that he had no goal–he always had a goal–but the issue was finding it. The magic pen. He KNEW the Asu Corporation had it right now, it was a deep feeling in his gut, but the island was destroyed and he wasn’t certain he wanted to go back there unprepared anyway. It didn’t help that his second “execution” was still on hold, nor the fact that he was reminded every so often that his body was no longer his, but instead a doll replica. Eating, for example, was not a necessity and more a habit. The same applied to sleeping. Though that did open his time up, no longer needing to spend that time stationary.

Instead he took to exploring this strange world, learning what he could so that when he rewrote reality back, the story would remain intact. He learned of many similarities between his and this world–including their own version of Medusa! Though she had long since been dead here. He documented each thing he learned and all the events throughout the day. Surprisingly, he was likely the one who kept most in contact with the players–only losing touch with Roroa, Rio, Constance/Kronya, Maki, and Mr. Anonymous. He found each of the players and collected their stories, saying he would help bring things back to normal.

Years would pass but the magic pen continued to elude him. As did the corporation that likely had it (or Evil Lex but no one had even seen anyone remotely similar to Lex himself.)

However, one day Lex felt the course of his story change, a page finally turning on what felt like a long writer’s block. An encounter with a young woman brought his thoughts down a different path. Perhaps he was lured in by her appearance–curled red hair and often in a white blouse with a long green skirt decorated with gold accessories–or maybe it was her words told to a sparkling sky and the crashing waves while they stood on a pier.

“The only part of everyone’s stories that’s already written is what has already passed. You cannot change the ink long dry.”

His time with her was short as he continued his journey, the impact of the words delayed. He was resting one night in a cabin in a small town. It was while he was staring at his inventory, his pocket dimension filled to the brim now with books and stories he’d collected and written himself of every encounter he’d experienced in the day, of his thoughts and considerations. Tales told of or by individuals. A library stored away in his head. It clicked that these were stories he didn’t want to erase, even if it meant letting them continue down this path instead of writing them off as a ‘what if’. They’d already formed the individuals behind it, strengthened them or changed their mind. He’s already been reformed by the stories as well…

Summoning one in particular, he watched it land on the ground with a thud and stared at it for a few moments. His densest story. His story. He flipped it open to the next blank page and pulled out a pen–not the magic pen he started to find but a pen with its own magic in a sense.

“Dear Diary,

I’ve learned a valuable lesson that finally clicked today. You may not always get what you seek but the point is to try because you may be pleasantly surprised by what you find along the way. ‘Aim for the moon because if you miss you’ll land among the stars’ as they say.

In my time here, I’ve done some horrible things in the name of doing good. And while, if I get the chance, I will do my best to reverse what I can and restore everyone to their homes and their own bodies, I plan to also take this story with me. Words have power, and this collection may be my most powerful.

With a hopeful outlook,

Lex the Bookworm”

Next Chapter: A Frayed Thread (Fuzz)

[Vaellin the Bard]

Chapter 8: A Frayed Thread

(Fuzz)

Having faced death multiple times, in one case particularly intimately, Fuzz was never quite the same after his time on the island. He did his best, sure, but most nights he found himself hiding where a dim glow of a flame or screen or bulb could keep him company. He’d spot a mannequin or Sue out of the corner of his eye only to find it’d be a clothing store or dessert shop–which came with its OWN source of trauma.

Still, he had been a bug–the ONLY bug and one of three animals–brought to the island where Sue had outright said they were the best in the field. That meant he was the best bug and that meant… well if he wanted to something to change in this world it was up to him to do it!

Well him and one legal aid from a particular rat lawyer.

It started slow. Finding the other bugs that wanted change. To not be killed when protecting gardens from other bugs, to be allowed to pay rent to stay in a house, to not be accused of things they didn’t do. Ladybugs, spiders, mantises, paper wasps, earwigs, and other moths all rose together as the tiniest and fiercest army of protestors. The result? Their own island, away from the rest of the world and protected by outside sources.

Fuzz didn’t take up being a leader here, content to their small nations of sentient bugs, but he did find that with this well fought battle beaten he had to find a new objective. He felt lost. The echo of Sue’s smile bearing down on him as if she never considered her more than prey to a kid’s magnifying glass. His greatest fears had been misunderstood and here he was not understanding himself.

He felt like a tapestry unwoven. An image was there but it was in such a mess that no one could make heads or tails of it. Parts were broken, eaten away in a near death experience or burned by an explosion or crumpled in the grip of a cruel plastic hand.

Well, the only way to fix the weave was to start all over. Recognition as a hero let him start over rather well. He booked it out to the island they had set up in their small national bubble, a puddle to humans with a rubber ducky floating on it. He stood on the object, looking out and making plans. Here he’d make something great. Something no moth had ever made before.

So what would a moth traumatized by being stuffed with thread and facing down dessert themed enemies do? What would a moth who rallied bugs of all kinds and faced against predators hundreds of times their size do?

He opened a cafe. A place to relax. Set on the rubber ducky and a few other floating items he rubber banded together, he let the open air invite all who would look and the warm breeze have them settle. But it was the food he used to keep them. Morning dew, honey, mushrooms, berries, eggs. A whole mixture of delicious treats and drinks that bugs had never even considered! He cheekily called it Starbugs.

It brought bugs who arrived peace. A place to land in a sea of water, to rest your wings or break after a long day of sailing. Where ants, wasps, termites, moths, and spiders could mingle and share in a new world, a new day.

It brought him peace, finding himself enjoying the moments he had when he discovered something new about bugs he barely spoke with. And when night came, he found he could blow out that flame and close his eyes in the darkness.

Next Chapter: Synthetic Bouquet (Amaya)

[Vaellin the Bard]

Chapter 9: Synthetic Bouquet
(Amaya)





Amaya could remember one time stepping into a gorgeous greenhouse filled to the brim with the largest variety of flowers she’d ever seen. It was fragrant and colorful and amazing… until she looked closer to see each flower was fabric, the leaves made of wax, the smell a variety of perfumes measured to provide just enough scent to not be overwhelming. At that moment, everything felt… like less. Fake and presented to be perfect, but still nothing more than a pale imitation.

That moment was cemented in her mind and now haunted her every step. She had become exactly like those flowers, beautiful at first but false at a closer glance. Sure she appeared human but she didn’t need to breathe, eat, or even blink. They were just thing she did voluntarily and sometimes had to remind herself to do. Her skin was pristine except the marks where her joints were, a marionette of Amaya. Only her mind, as far as she could tell, remained the same.

Did that mean that she was still Amaya then?

She felt like a lie.

Unwilling to return home as a falsehood, Amaya instead decided to journey around the continent, stopping to enjoy her flowers and sing to them to encourage growth whenever she could spare a moment, which was most often. Her plan was to be aimless, but somehow she found herself back at that greenhouse.

The mansion attached to it was old, vines had courageously broken through the brick and started to retake the land. The building was split in twain by a fallen tree and the yard so overgrown that Amaya had nearly jumped out of her skin when a stray cat popped up out of it, so well hidden. The fountain had gone dry when it once sprayed crystal clear water. The road, originally a mosaic in the ground, had weeds popping through in their own art display. It had its own haunted beauty to it.

Past the rusted iron wrought fence, Amaya stepped into the back yard. It too was covered with waist high foliage, but one building stood out in the yard: the greenhouse. It was so caked over with dust and grime she couldn’t see inside but otherwise seemed intact. Amaya approached carefully and opened the door.

Beautiful flowers of every variety she could think of, as colorful as that day in her childhood, filled her vision. The smell had faded to the fabric and wax but the brilliant display seemed eternal.

“Like it?” a small voice asked. Amaya turned to a child sitting in the corner. The girl offered a small smile. “I won’t ask why you’re here. I get so few visitors, I’m not one to chase out a friendly looking intruder. And if you’re here to kill me or rob me, you won’t get much anyway.”

“Did you maintain this? Why let the house fall to ruin but keep this? Why maintain a fake garden?”

The child scoffed slightly, a wound in her voice the betrayed the adulthood she’d had to adopt quickly. She couldn’t be older than thirteen but she sounded easily triple those years. “This is all I can maintain. Sure, I can’t eat it, but the vegetables I do grow already take so much of my time. These… these don’t require much but they bring me such joy. So much color!” She grinned like the child she truly was. “Color for eternity, you know?”

Amaya gazed at the flowers again, ones that the child viewed as a grand treasure. She couldn’t see it but… she wanted to. She wanted to feel like even fakes could be a treasure. “Can I… help?” she asked the child, getting a confused expression from her.

After a moment, the child laughed and nodded. “Sure! You just have to take care of yourself as well!”

Together the two started to clean up. The child was limited by stamina and size but Amaya had no such limitations, able to work tirelessly on the yard and area, building upon the foundation the girl had created. However, the greenhouse never changed.

As time went on and the girl grew older, Amaya watched the small world around them be built. She never learned why the girl treasured the greenhouse even more than the real flowers Amaya brought to the yard and maintained, but she’d come to accept that. What the girl needed wasn’t real petals and fragrance, just like what she needed wasn’t a real person. She just needed her small little garden in the middle of nowhere and Amaya, just as she was.

Next Chapter: Beginning the End (Maki)

[Vaellin the Bard]

Chapter 10: Beginning of the End

(Maki)

Even when she’d first arrived at the island, Maki had one mission: destroy the corruption of the world; the world order needed to be removed in order for the people to truly be able to grow. And no organization was more corrupt or more in power than the Asu Corporation. So whole she had gone on the submarine back and taken time to heal her injuries, she didn’t waste a moment before working on a plan to take Sue and Naro Island down.

Her first objective was to find a crew. Here she actually received aid from the other players Constance–or Kronya rather–offered her some advice on fire, though hers had been more from magic in her world. Roroa helped recruit a few people with her own charismatic skills. The two were more focused on heading home, but Maki accepted their help nevertheless. Rio only called her an old maid, though, refusing to participate in it. Well, they never got along before and there was no reason to change that.

Power and Denji trained with her a bit–or more specifically let her join them in a few missions because they were too chaotic to really focus on much else. They seemed to be also trying NOT to focus on much else, to which Aki couldn’t blame them.

District Attorney Ratticus as well as Fuzz both donated funds to it, though the rodent also provided a few signed documents that let her procure weapons she otherwise would not have had access to.

Nedge offered to take her and whatever crew she gathered as close to the island as she could without risking herself, Gossip, or Noah, which was admittedly one of the most helpful assists even as Tohru offered to do the same for a few people who would brave riding on a dragon. Tohru was a BIT nervous about going near the island in dragon form as she’d lost her powers before but she’d get as close as she could carrying a boat and set them down to make the rest of the way when she felt appropriate.

Noah’s own maps of the island were probably the most essential though.

Lex provided her written details of what he’d seen during his time and any testimony he got from Tia and Rio, the latter of which especially didn’t want to divulge his knowledge to her but was much more open to Lex.

Even Amaya contributed herbs to help with healing injuries as well as dried components that would help make rather large explosives. This combined with the items she obtained with Fuzz and DA Ratticus’ funds and license made her artillery immense.

So knowledge, transportation, equipment, and people all obtained, she made her journey back to Naro Island in just over a year.

When she landed on the shores with some fifty recruits behind her, she was surprised to find the place thriving. People were walking about. The stage had a violinist on it, the fairgrounds had families. There were a few more buildings scattered about that had been on Noah’s maps but not on the island when they were there and cars drove around the island. A small village full of the rich and powerful. All people she wanted to take down, but still a troubling sight.

It was almost as if the Death Game hadn’t been held HERE. Except the ferris wheel was where she’d seen it, the central office building as well. And of course running all the stands, the rides, even the cars were mannequins.

No one seemed to pay attention to her or her group until she pulled out one of her guns and shot it in the air, drawing everyone nearby’s attention and finally that expression of fear the bastards deserved. She aimed at one of them.

“Gather everyone to the stage. Anyone not there in the next thirty minutes will be shot on sight.”

Well, not the children but a blanket threat was necessary. Maki sent about 10 soldiers to watch over all on the surface as a few people took charge to try and calmly get everyone to the stage. Try being the operative word as they were clearly shaking in their voice and movements. She’d figure out what to do with them later.

Right now, the central building was the main objective. She entered it, surprised to find it fully furnished. A few soldiers were sent to explore the building, destroy anything they found without setting fire to it. No sense in imprisoning her in the same way Fuzz and the others had been before.

Everything looked new, as if nothing in the final fight had happened. Except when she looked out she could see the cracks. Broken parts of the island that had been eaten by a giant fox head. She stepped into the elevator and found it creaked as it went down.

All the way down to the fourth floor. The first goal was to find Sue’s core and her duplicates and remove them. Some people got off on each floor to explore and destroy or obtain anything of interest, until it was just her as she stepped onto the bottom floor. Perhaps that was foolish but she trusted herself alone more than barely trained individuals. Their help was appreciated–necessary even–but Maki admittedly worked best alone.

Sue’s room was dark. It smelled of smoke and fire still. The circular room looked as destroyed as if someone set off several bombs here. Which made sense with the bombs there previously and Nedge’s own creating a chain reaction. As she reached the center, though, the panel there flickered on. Sue’s face was portrayed on the panel with a bright grin.

“Maki! I was looking forward to you coming here!”

“Cut the crap, Sue” Maki stated, slamming her foot on the center. The entire room lit up, showing the damage in its fullest. The walls seemed to spark as well. Maki knelt down, hating to get closer to Sue’s “face” but knowing this was the most likely location of the core, especially since this was where the dolls’ restriction device was located.

“You’re right, my poor Maki. Though a bit too late. This WAS where my core was located. I had it removed and relocated. Now, I’m always for having the best win as you know so I’m not going to let it go without a hint. Do you want one?”

Maki continued with her work, popping up the glass cover and climbing down the manhole like tunnel that appeared underneath. She made her way down a ladder to a even smaller circular room. Here, wires and bits were strewn about. Along with Sue parts: an arm here, a leg there, some of her skirt. Maki calmly strode through the room and to a computer at the far side.

“Unfortunately,” Sue’s voice stated as one of the heads flickered on. “I can’t actually hear your reply, sensors only tell me when someone passes by, so I’m going to assume you said no and tell you anyway. We at the Asu Corporation like to deal mess with myths and legends. Bermuda Triangle’s mysteriously disappearing planes? Us, as I’m sure you figured out. So where would be an equally mysterious location? There’s a lot of those places. I’m around one of those.”

Maki powered on the computer and found several files on it, quickly placing a usb she had in the computer, she transferred the data while scouring through it for anything about Sue.

“Though, I do not think that matters unfortunately. As I truly only have one regret.”

“AND THAT’S THAT I WON’T BE THERE WHEN YOU DIE!”

That’s when one of her soldiers spoke through her earpiece in a panicked voice. “Maki, we just found several bombs all set to explode in less than twelve minutes! We need to get out of here!”

Chapter 10 Part 2: Changing the Ending

(Mr. Anonymous)

There was zero hesitation in Mr. Anonymous’ actions. Like Maki, he had the goal of getting back to Naro Island. However, that was guided by a chance encounter a mere hour after he’d separated from the rest of the group. Walking down an alleyway, wondering what he was going to do about his missing arm, he ran into a man who stood in his way. As Mr. Anonymous turned to growl something at him, the man interrupted.

“Mr. Anonymous. Sue would like to speak with you.”

Curiosity won out and Mr. Anonymous followed him into a small bar with three people in it, two on stools and one behind the counter. A woman on a stool had a compact mirror out, but the face on the mirror did not reflect the woman’s. Instead Sue was smiling in it."

“Why hello there, Jack. How would you like to get that immortality?” the mirror asked.

Mr. Anonymous stiffened for a moment before the bartender pulled out an object from behind the counter. A metallic arm that looked exactly like the mannequin’s.

He reached for it but it was pulled away.

“We can transform you,” Sue stated. “Bit by bit into becoming exactly as you want. A perfect doll is the best way to live forever. Just like myself, you will not die. So long as your core remains, that is.”

Mr. Anonymous scoffed. He wasn’t an idiot. “I’m not looking to fall under your control Sue.”

“You won’t. And I won’t let you just take my word for it. I’ll show you everything we’re doing, all our plans and mechanisms. You’ll have the same command as I do. As Noah did. As Riley did.”

“They lost their command to you.”

“But I never controlled them. I couldn’t. A leader has to be separate.” Her grin turned malicious. “All I need is for you to not become obsolete, but I won’t kill you if you do. Since your wish is what I am granting, after all.”

“I didn’t win,” Mr. Anonymous noted flatly.

“Indeed, but it won’t be long until the one who did win escapes this world. Besides, in the end, with Riley and Noah gone, what’s to stop me from… changing the ending?”

Mr. Anonymous turned a flat stare at the four in the room and the mirror before Sue held out a hand, still flat behind her glass prison. “What do you say, Boss?”

He reached out for a hand, grabbing the mannequin’s as a sign of agreement. “Fine, but the first thing we’re doing is moving the base. Though, we need to set up a new front.” He smiled behind the mask, the smile matching the white covering. “Let’s restore what we can and set a trap for any of the previous players who may try to make it back.”

Sue laughed. “Only one would have a goal to come back. And I won’t let her leave again.”

Chapter 10 Part 3: The True Ending

(Maki, Mr. Anonymous, Sue)

(Everyone)

Maki had no time to get out. It would take her twelve minutes to get back to the surface alone. She shouted commands at her people to get as far away from the bombs as possible, knowing better than anyone the true devastation they would cause–especially since one was strapped to the generator! What the hell, Sue?!

As if in response to her internal swearing, Sue’s head started laughing and soon the whole room was echoing with the annoying, insane sound. She rushed up to the top where the glass lid was. There was only one solution for her. She grabbed her bag from the entrance. There wasn’t much in her, but she needed everything she could get. This room otherwise had Kuma! all from the destruction done during their escape.

This time, when she went down the manhole, she pulled the lid down. AFTER tossing all the Sue parts out to explode.

The explosion went off not much later and she hunkered down under the counter, hearing her people scream in panic as not all were able to make it out. The whole island was on fire, as if trying to outdo the previous damage during their escape. Maki thought bitterly to the people on the island that were working there. They had been sacrifices for this little trap. The corrupt eat the corrupt. It only hurt that children and potential innocents were caught up in this, as well as her allies.

As she expected, though, this room was reinforced. As the former location of Sue’s life, it had to be protected from everything. The room shook and parts definitely fell but there was no better bomb shelter she could ask for–except one that wouldn’t be buried under forty feet of rubble.

Her earpiece cut off during the whole mess, as if another EMP had gone off. Just how big of an explosion was that? A Kumaing! nuclear bomb?

When everything settled, Maki climbed out of her cover and went immediately to the computer. As she expected, this had been protected. Her USB sat pitifully on the side, broken from the shaking. Well, no matter. This device had internet access, even if it was weak right now, and she had one goal.

“Blew up the island. Send Help. I’m buried.”

Maki guessed she did trust someone other than herself.

The encrypted message was sent. She sat back with her backpack, rations stored inside with water, and waited. She wasn’t sure if Sue would intercept the message or if the others would get it anyway. But two days later the computer lit up with a simple message of its own.

“Sending the dragon.”

It was another three days when noise could be heard on the top of her shelter, the sound of dirt being pulled away, a chainsaw being revved, and a loud banging sound like a hammer. Maki stood up when light started to shine at the entrance above. She couldn’t help but smile at the sight of an equally smiling Power looking down at her.

“I hear ya got yourself buried early!” she called down before a TERRIFYING image of Denji followed, his face replaced with a chainsaw. As the blade slowly and painfully pulled back Denji looked down at her with both playfulness and disdain as only Denji could.

“Next time I try to drown you, I’ll use dirt, I guess,” the chainsaw man stated. Maki rolled her eyes and began to climb out, happy to see the sun for the first time in a few weeks. The moment she made it on top she was pulled into an embrace by Tohru.

“Maki! I know we didn’t always get along but when Nedge told us of the message I was still worried!”

Maki reassured everyone that she was fine, though honestly she was exhausted and stiff from not having a good place to rest and only the bare minimum of food.

“Come, now. Nedge and Gossip are out by the shore. We’re getting back to civilization.”

Sure enough, Nedge and Gossip were in their submarine when Maki arrived and Maki offered thanks to the sonar expert, who had been the one to respond. It wasn’t a tearful reunion. They weren’t friends, but rather comrades who had gone through the same awful experience. Above all, they all wanted to see Sue fall even if they weren’t ones to take action against her.

Once back at shore, Maki had a new goal. She rested for a couple of days but then once more put herself to task. This time, she had to find the new place Sue was hidden. Mysteries. What in this world was mysterious?

“The stonehenge,” DA Ratticus offered, after a few days of studying alongside him, Lex, and Fuzz. Lex nodded in agreement.

“No one knows the purpose of the stonehenge. Perhaps a clock? A burial site? A ritual sacrifice location?” the bookworm noted, spawning a book from nothingness. “Though there are a couple of other locations we can look into, I think this is a good starting place.”

“I’ll ask the bugs there if they’ve seen anything weird,” Fuzz stated. “I’ll just need to get in contact with someone closer.” He always seemed so small in his corner, but more content than before, sipping a cup of hot honey. “No one notices bugs though, I doubt even Sue would look into them. I seemed to be the exception.”

So it was another waiting period. Waiting was excruciating. However, the news that was brought back from the bugs around the world, including a few other destinations like the Mayan temples and Egyptian Pyramids, wound up being a resounding nothing. Except the Stonehenge.

“They didn’t spot Sue, but instead a strange man wearing a mask. There was something eerie about him.” Fuzz explained.

Mr. Anonymous.

He remained as mysterious as his name implied. And he was the only one who she couldn’t get in contact with. That had to be right.

“I’m heading there now.”

“Alone?” Tia asked in concern. “W-why not bring… someone al-along?”

“And who would you recommend?”

“W-why not P-Power and Denji?”

Maki shook her head. “They had to head back to work. Or their cats. Depends on who you ask.”

“Roroa and Kronya would be a great idea, I think,” DA Ratticus stated. “Seeing as Kronya was the only one to become Mr. Anonymous’ ally.”

Dealing with Rio was NOT ideal but… “That’s a good idea.”

Not even a month after Naro Island had exploded, Maki landed in England and approached the Stonehenge, two dolls at her side. As they got close, Rio stopped, flashing a mask with a frown on his face.

“Old Maid,” Rio stated. “Loathe as I am to help you, you are right. Sue is here. I can’t get any closer unless I want to let her potentially take me over. I’ll stay out of this fight, but… be careful you two.” He said the last part specifically to Kronya and Roroa who stood beside him. “Still got to get you two home.”

Stepping up to the rock pillars it almost felt like stepping into another world. The ground vibrated under their feet from some kind of power. Kronya gasped, kneeling down. “I recognize this power. Is this… how she sealed our strength?” she asked. “She’s using it to hide them. Anyone going through right now would be befuddled and end up lost or pop right back out the way they’d entered.”

“That explains a lot.” Maki mumbled, thinking of the Bermuda Triangle legends.

“I think… I think I can break through it from out here.” She knelt down and Maki felt the vibrations pick up before there was a sudden *pop* and the world in front of them changed. It was still the Stonehenge but in the center was a dome, painted black though it was hard to tell as it was almost perfectly reflective. A spot was open and… three mannequins charged out heading straight towards them. Maki threw a grenade at their feet, watching them explode with a cold expression before a dozen more ran out. Their goal was obvious as their attention was slightly lowered to the kneeling form of Kronya.

Roroa stood in the way, pulling out a weapon of her own. “I’ll protect Kronya, you head in!” she explained before throwing a grenade of her own at the mannequins.

Maki did not hesitate to charge inside, rounding the mannequins easily, though two turned to go after her. She took those two down with a spiked bat. Then she went inside.

Inside were HUNDREDS more mannequins, all hanging on the walls like robes in a closet. On the ground, however, stood only two figures on a raised platform: Sue and Mr. Anonymous.

Drawing a long breath on a cigarette, Mr. Anonymous turned to Maki. “I knew that wouldn’t be enough to take you out. A mine didn’t do it earlier, after all.”

Sue smiled brightly. “I’d say shame but then this time I won’t have any regrets in your death.” The cruelness edge itself into that smile. “I get to watch it directly.”

Maki aimed her bat at Mr. Anonymous. “With Sue’s island destroyed, Asu Corporation is essentially gone.”

“Hardly. So long as Sue is around, any agent around the world is able to be called upon. So long as there’s a leader, the Asu Corporation will always stand.”

It didn’t take much to put two and two together. “You’re the new leader?”

“Roroa didn’t want the position. I just slipped in.” Mr. Anonymous seemed to look past her to where Kronya and Roroa faced off against the mannequins. “If this goes my way, she’ll never get a chance to claim it anyway.”

Maki rolled her eyes, pulling out a molotov and throwing it at the two before charging right at them with the bat. Mr. Anonymous jumped back, hand on his hat while Sue just stood there, smiling up until the bat hit her head.

Huh. Slow to react. Interesting.

“Her core isn’t here, you know,” Mr. Anonymous stated as he pulled out a gun. Maki quickly reached to her sidearm as well, taking aim and firing just as he ducked behind a mannequin rack. Maki similarly dodged behind the broken Sue doll. She took aim at the hook, shooting it and making the mannequin fall on Mr. Anonymous and he let out a loud oof.

“Funny. I don’t believe you,” Maki stated as she rushed back to the other mannequins while Mr. Anonymous took a couple more shots before shoving off the plastic robot. Maki pulled one down and stomped on its back while yanking back it’s arm hard, reequipping herself with a melee weapon as she moved between the dolls in a circle, trying to both approach Mr. Anonymous and avoid him at the same time.

Mr. Anonymous reversed his route with a quick slide and fired another shot, this time from his hand. Startled, Maki didn’t have time to react as a bullet struck her shoulder. She yelped before she noticed her arm immediately felt cold. She looked down to see a black ooze pooling out of her wound and quickly solidifying. Her arm went stiff but with a bit of effort–behind another wall of mannequins–she was able to get a painful cracked the ooze snapped. Her shoulder HURT but was operational.

Another bullet struck right next to her, the mannequin getting hit as well and the ooze trailed down it before three more shots hit it–regular bullets this time. What the hell?

Maki looked back at Mr. Anonymous to see him quickly reloading and took her change. Charging forward she saw him aim right as she ducked down and swung the mannequin arm up. A bullet hit her, but she didn’t have time to consider it as Mr. Anonymous stumbled back and hit another mannequin. When she took her next step, she immediately knew where she’d been hit. Her leg was bleeding and small bloodied footsteps were left behind.

Mr. Anonymous recovered quickly but not before Maki dove between a few more mannequins and swiped his gun which he’d dropped. She aimed both guns at him, firing rapidly and hitting him with a distinct ringing sound of metal hitting metal. Mr. Anonymous stepped back at the force anyway, but the tears in his clothes revealed the metal form of a robot.

“So you’re a doll now too?”

“Not quite. I didn’t die to become what I am,” Mr. Anonymous stated mysteriously. Were they not in a life or death fight, Maki would’ve rolled her eyes again. Unfortunately, he aimed his hand at her, firing another black bullet at her, though she jumped back to avoid it, watching it hit another mannequin instead.

“What the hell IS that?” Maki asked, looking at her shoulder wound briefly. She’d broken whatever stopped her from moving but everytime she moved her arm it still felt like she was breaking something more. Was it getting weaker? Mr. Anonymous didn’t answer, instead firing another bullet that had her dodging backwards into the center room. Not ideal but here she could at least get some distance to recover and reconsid–

Arms suddenly wrapped around her and a cruel laugh followed. The broken Sue Doll held onto her tightly as Mr. Anonymous took aim, the duo ready to end this once and for all.

Maki reached down into her pouch and tossed another item down before quickly shutting her eyes. A bright flash nearly blinded her even with her lids shut tightly and head turned away. The other two still reacted, stumbling back from the shockwave and bright light. Even Maki, who was prepared for it with earplugs as well, felt disoriented. Panting she ran up to Mr. Anonymous and in a gesture similar to what she’d done to the mannequins before, she knocked him down and pulled his arm out. Aiming it at him, she wasn’t quite sure how it worked but a bullet fired anyway, striking his chest. Immediately the black ooze spilled out.

The Sue Doll wasn’t much more of a threat, having risked the bat to her head for the surprise attack meant she was already weakened. A few strikes from Maki’s bat (probably more than necessary) and the dolls was down.

Maki climbed onto the raised platform in the center. Tired but happy. Her arm continued to hurt though and a look at it showed the ooze was under her skin, slowly making its way through her body. She tore off a scrap of clothes, turning it into a makeshift tourniquet as the platform began to descend.

Below was a room she was quite familiar with, or at least a doppelganger of it. One she’d spend almost a week in by herself. Except this one had a small dome in the center. Carved on the sides were three simple letters. “S-U-E.”

Maki exhaustedly placed a small item beside it before taking her bat to the dome a few good times. The dome sparked and dented before the blue light inside went out. Then Maki went back up. She stepped out of the dome to see Kronya and Roroa standing in the middle of several mannequin “corpses.” Whether they’d gone down at the girl’s efforts or when Mr. Anonymous or Sue were taken out was anyone’s guess. Well, the two women probably knew but… Maki was just so… tired…

She barely had frame of mind to press the button to make the dome explode before she fell unconscious.

She awoke in a hospital a few days… weeks maybe?... later. She wasn’t quite sure how much time had passed but she was aware of two things: she was alive and her arm was no longer there. What was up with people losing arms? Mr. Anonymous, Kaworu, and Maki was betting Sue lost her arms at one point! Still it was a small sacrifice to make when she heard the good news from the players who came to visit her.

Asu Corporation was gone. The computer she’d found in Sue’s room back on Naro island had data on every member of the corporation and it’d been sent out. Sue’s core was also destroyed, something confirmed by a fragment of Noah that Nedge had either learned or Gossip had downloaded.

Maki grinned as she heard of member after member being arrested from their high position of power. Some were looking to escape justice, but Maki was already forming plans to get them removed in other ways.

She’d done it! She’d taken down Sue and Asu Corporation.

---

Mr. Anonymous sat up with a jolt, making the other woman in the room similarly jump in surprise. The room was bathed in the blue light of a single screen and filled with the buzzing of machines.

Looking around, Mr. Anonymous sighed in exasperation. Maki had beaten him in a fight and destroyed Sue’s core, he bet. The woman in the room–the same one from the bar before–was giving him a run down on everything that happened since he was out. The corporation had all their files leaked. Members were being arrested or going into hiding. It didn’t look pretty.

Mr. Anonymous listened carefully, smoking a cigarette. When she was done, he turned to a mirror beside him. “What do you think?”

“I think putting my core there as bait was an awful idea,” Sue stated with a cruel frown. “I have no body left and only this form.”

“But…?”

“But as we stated. So long as Asu Corporation has Sue and a leader, we will stand. It just… make take a bit of time to recover.”

Well, Mr. Anonymous thought, taking his mask off and stepping out of his own shelter into the sunlight. He stretched his limbs, feeling the metal and plastic working in a strange sensation unlike flesh and blood. “We have time in spades,” he stated aloud.

---

Host’s notes: Thank you all for reading all of this! Sorry this last one got a bit carried away, and I know it was Maki/Mr. Anonymous focused but I want to say I don’t think they were necessarily the main characters, just the best fitted for the role. I don’t think there WAS a “main character” in this story. Everyone played an important role and man this was a lot of fun! I look forward to playing in games with you in the future!

(Also sorry I didn’t get you in this chapter, Amaya. Couldn’t quite find where to fit you in.)