The Game Before the Fall

Chapter 71: The story after the End. (Part 1)

Chapter 71: The story after the End.

Nowhere?

If you were given the choice, would you revolt against the world?

I don't know. It depends, I guess.

Of course, every choice is a reflection of circumstance. But knowing what you know, would you revolt against the world?

Against my world, or his?

Either.

Yes.

Then, we have found an accord.

**

Ardent Friend:

"Hey, he's waking up!"

The excited voice shouted as I stirred. Before I could even open my eyes, I felt it first. The tension in my muscles that threatened to snap and the thudding sensation with every beat in my chest. It felt like the time just after I had created my Mana Heart. Every small movement of my body, tinged with pain as I coughed and struggled to breath.

"Whoa there," a different voice called to me. "Take it easy. You're real banged up."

My eyes managed to open to the dark interior of a ramshackle room. A single fire in the centre was the only source of light and heat. A man leaned over me, his face blurring into place as my vision focused. Dyed vibrant blue hair and a star tattooed beneath his eye.

"Crozen?" I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

He sighed, "You know me.... Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you."

It was hard to register what was going on. I had struck the Witch, fully intent to destroying the world's core. After that, I couldn't remember anything. The Crozen in front of me however didn't feel like an enemy. There were several people behind him and lounging the in broken space. Their eyes were all on me.

"Where am I?" I asked as Crozen helped me lean upwards and against the wall.

"We're in the destroyed remains of Celestia," he replied and frowned. At the very least his answer told me I was still in Ria's home world. "Do you remember anything?"

"I think so..., but you should be a demon," I went and said it. "You're acting pretty sane."

"Well, we are at least," he smiled. "I don't know what happened but all of a sudden, we began thinking straight. Honest to God, I forgot what it was like."

"I'm guessing you were the ones who bandaged me up as well?" I asked as I looked down at myself. They had put a jacket over me but beneath I was covered in white bandages. My right arm was gone as well. Before I had a few inches past my shoulder but now it was cut right beside it. The feeling of the Void was also gone, this time it had truly been destroyed, most likely after I launched my attack against the core.

Crozen nodded to my question, "You were pretty beat up. By the way, can I ask, are you a demon?"

"What makes you ask?" I eyed him back.

"I don't recognise you and you're clearly sane but there's a strange feeling about you I can't describe."

I kept my expression neutral, "I'm working things out at the moment. Sorry I can't say more."

"No that's fine, it's just, we were hoping you were from the Isles," he and the others behind him looked at me hopefully.

"I'm on friendly terms with them, but first can you explain more about what's going on? Last I remember, you demons were all blood crazed. Are all of you sane now?"