The Game Before the Fall

Chapter 72: To the world (Part 1)

Chapter 72: To the world

Ardent Friend:

"So this is where I used to live," I looked at the small homestead on the edges of Crysis city. The brick covered stone house was homely and while small, still sizeable enough for a small family of three. It existed off the main street, out of the way, but close enough to all it needed. The building was dirty, covered in overgrown flora and partially broken from the chaos the world had suffered. Still, it felt peaceful. A picket fence outlined the front yard, and, in the back, a decent sized garden was surrounded by larger fencing.

"Is this where we used to live?" Ria asked as she tugged on my pants.

"It's where you and your other dad used to live," I replied and rubbed the small girl's head. The sensation of her hair against my new metallic hand felt subdued compared to the real thing, but considering it all, Shin had done wonders these past few weeks.

Ria stepped away slowly, peering past the fence line, "We lived here with mum."

"Yep. Do you remember?" I stood beside her, hand on the fence gate that had somehow survived.

"Not really but a little," she replied, eyes wide and taking it all in. "Is this where we're going to bury Daddy's ashes?"

"Yeah, beside your mother's," I turned back and nodded to Shin, Ash and Mia who had accompanied us. There were others, but they were keeping their distance, watching over other parts of Crysis. Four weeks had passed since I had destroyed the World's Core and its will. Since then, the demons had gone through immense change. Those that had regained their sanity were accepted by the Isles but under strict supervision and containment. It would be a while still before they were fully welcomed. They still retained some strength from the Faceless King, but even those who were still mad had lost their greater regenerative abilities. The world was looking up and everyone felt it. The tides were truly turning.

I pushed open the fence gate and walked onto the property. It was strange. Though I had never lived there it felt incredibly nostalgic. Ria followed close behind me as we entered the home, the door unlocked by a key Shin had passed on to me. A memory entered my mind. Endi smiling and jumping into my arms. It was the moment we had opened the door for the first time after purchasing it.

Inside the kitchen, I saw myself and Endi cooking together, a smear of flour on my cheek as Endi laughed. The vision twisted to show me reality. Dust covered shelves, a clatter of objects never picked up after they had fallen and plant life invading from the broken window. I poked my head into the bedroom and saw myself beside Endi, the two of us cuddling and talking excitedly of the future. As I exited to the back yard, I saw Ria in Endi's arms and wearing the most brilliant smile. The sun was shining, and, in that moment, I was perfectly happy.

Again, reality set in. The back yard was overgrown, a playset that was intended for Ria was knocked over and rusting. Then there was the tombstone sitting despairingly in the centre of it all. I saw myself on his knees and crying in the pouring rain. The thought of the small child waiting for him keeping him alive.

Ria passed me and placed her hand on the cold stone, "Endithalia Friend. She was perfect in her husband's eyes. May she rest in peace." She read the words slowly and turned back to me, "Daddy are you okay?"

I wiped away the tears that had begun to swell in my eyes, "Y-yeah, I'm fine Ria. I was just overcome a little."

Shin patted my back, "Your Endi is still out there Ardy Boy. Make sure she doesn't end up like ours."