Epics of Noche 5, Reflection

EON CH 22

SINS.

1777, APRIL 06th, WEDNESDAY11:15 pm.

Noche's single eye snapped open and she gasped. After a quick swear, she scanned the area. She was out in the middle of an ocean, but the water was as solid as land; it was still and mirrorlike. Above and below her were endless stars and prismatic cosmos.

She stood up and turned around to find a wall of tar. It fell like a heavy curtain and revealed Dia standing on the other side.

"Hello Noche~"

"Dia. Of course. Why the fuck not," she let out an exasperated sigh. "Not like I just died in some strange fuck you factory."

"This is your subconscious, Noche. If something happened, it's because it's weighing on your mind."

"Yeah, cause my brain is focused on why I want to get stronger."

Dia chuckled. "Indirectly perhaps? I mean, the point of these trials is to get stronger. Wouldn't it make sense that a small part of you was wondering why you needed that strength? Especially if you're reluctant to complete these trials."

Noche paused. "Maybe Raven is right. I should go see a therapist."

"You are one cracked egg, that's for sure," Dia grinned. "But you're not here for therapy. Responsibility. You know what that means in this case."

The blonde looked away from Dia and it landed on her own reflection in the mirror like water below. She paused for a few breaths before speaking.

"It means you," Noche said.

Dia's grin widened. "Explain."

"I... Made you because I was too scared to do whatever it took to defeat Boots," the blonde said. "You were born from my desire to have someone take the blame for my evil actions. Quite literally a personalized scapegoat."

"Ding ding ding ding ding. Let's get her a prize," Dia laughed. "Yes Noche, all the denizens of Limbo are pieces of your subconscious. I was born from your wish to blame someone else for when you were naughty. How delightfully childish~"

Noche frowned.

"So, if you want to complete this trial, you'll have to change that."

"By defeating you?"

Dia exploded with laughter. "No, no. Nothing so crass."

"But you're a part of my subconscious, so if I get rid of you, wouldn't that fix everything?"

The tar harpy wiped a black tear from her solid ebony eyes.

"Yes, sure. That's totally how it works," she snickered. "Go ahead and kill me then. Step on up. Be my guest."

"You're mocking me."

"Whaaaat – me? Noooooo, never," Dia snorted.

Noche tried to cross her arms before realizing she only had one. When that failed, she frowned harder and flipped off the tar harpy.

"Man, that was rich. I needed that, ahhhhh," Dia chuckled. "No Noche, defeating me won't fix your problems. Because I'm just a reflection of you. I'm not the source, I'm a symptom."

"Then what am I supposed to do!"

"You know what you're supposed to do. You have to take responsibility for your actions and accept that people will judge you for the bad shit you do," Dia said. "You have to face yourself, and even if you don't like what you see, you have to accept who you are."