Altered Fate (Inscryption Fanfic)

Chapter 4 ~ The Wizard's Predicament

You leave P03's factory, giving P03 a bit to sort things out. You still can't believe he seemed... embarrassed... You just move on, trying to convince yourself it was probably nothing. You go back to the tower, this time not hearing any noises... thankfully. You can't believe you let yourself almost fail this run. You get to the tower, without any further distractions, and go inside...

You immediately get into Goobert's room... but... you freeze up, for a minute, upon seeing him. He stands there... stands? Sits? You don't really know, but... he's there, staring at you... in pain, but also confident. You go up to him, and before he can speak, you... hug him. You don't know why... after your encounter with P03, and how nice Leshy and Grimora were, to you, you just feel... a lot more vulnerable. A lot more like you really can do something new... Goobert gives you a confused, concerned look. "Arrgh!! W-what are you doing...? We're supposed to fight, aren't we?"

You back up. "Sorry," you mutter, wiping a tear from your eye, "I just needed to do that. I got scared you..." You couldn't finish your sentence. Goobert tilts his head, and speaks, again. "Are you- arghh!! Okay? I know I'm... not one to talk... but you don't seem okay... People don't usually hug me, when they first see me... or at all..."

"I've... seen things, okay? Things involving you." He looks intrigued, and you suddenly get the feeling you shouldn't have said that...

"Can you see the future...? Like Magnificus?" You shake your head... "Then how do you know?" You draw a complete blank... Goobert can definitely tell something's off, here... but he seems more concerned and confused, than anything. Finally, after a minute, you speak. "You won't believe me if I told you."

He stares at you, seeming... a bit more sympathetic... "You don't have to fight me, if you don't want to- argh!! I can open the door, for you." You look at him, confused. "You seem like you've been through a lot, too... We shouldn't have to suffer, even more, if we don't have to..." You shake your head. "How will you prove yourself, to Magnificus?" "There are always other challengers," he responds, giving a kind smile... You think on it, for a moment. "I'll tell him it took a few tries to beat you." "Really?!" He seems happy that you would even think of doing this, for him... You nod. 

He (sort of) hugs you, happily. you hug back, and he sends you out, contented. The door to the next floor opens...

Nothing much changes, with Piked or Lonely... You get past those two with ease, even letting lonely out to do more than just dance during your battle with Magnificus. However, when you get to the top floor, Magnificus is nowhere to be found... "Dammit, was I too late? It happened, this quickly?" You look around for any hints as to where he's gone. Finding nothing, you almost leave... until he comes out of the little room, to the side. He seems... more tired than he did, in your previous runs...

"Ah... you're here. Too bad... I'd hoped you'd spend more time with P03..." He sighs, walking over to his usual spot. He seems... just as tired and jaded as you... and as P03 did, not long before you decided to leave, the main difference being that P03's behavior was likely triggered by something you said, and you... well, you've been through every run, and are only just getting different outcomes. Magnificus... did he remember them, too? Instead of instantly trying to fight him, you decide to take a calmer approach...

"Are you feeling alright?" He turns towards you, confused. You speak again... "Are you okay? You seem... a little off... Should I come back, another time?" He just stares, for a bit... He sighs, shaking his head. You go up to him, worried, and speak. "If you'd rather wait, a bit-" he suddenly cuts you off. "I'd rather not fight at all," he sighs, putting a hand on the side of his head that was missing an eye. You understand how he feels... oh, yes, you understand, all too well. The pure exhaustion, the lack of care, the desire to just not do anything... You know that feeling better than almost everyone you know, in this world. Magnificus turns to you with a tired look.