Solo Panicking

Ash and Ice

Previously on Solo Panicking

"I know what you are after... and it knows you as well" ew its voice still sounds like three entities speaking and are also having a sore throat or something.

"You gave me flavor, so I too will give you a favor." Its head snapped to the side, looking as if its neck broke but then it fixed itself right up.

_-_-_-_-_

"How do you know about the fragments?"

It grinned wider as if that was possible, "I know" it glitched, "many a thing, and you" it glitched more violently, "shouldn't exist here, but here you are," your breathing quicken as you watched the creature glitch in and out of existence.

_-_-_-_-_

"... who are you?" you ask uncertainty. The creature pauses, even its glitching paused. As if shocked you would even ask that.

"Oh, I am {______________}."

_-_-_-_-_

"Ah- then thats means my time is up." it lowers it arm, but the fragment is still hovering in place. "Till next time." the creature then fully glitch out, leaving you alone with two sleeping familiars.

"You mean there's going to be a next time!?"

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"Next time huh?" you mutter while leaning against a large sleeping Ignis. You're picking at your fingernails, getting the dirt and ash out from under them.

"I really don't want a next time encounter, but it seems to know more than it should." Your head rolls back, having decided to go semi limp and slowly slump against Ignis. The sound of his snores was less like breathing and more the start of an earthquake. Yukio's snores on the other hand sounded like disharmonized wind chimes.

You slowly blinked one eye after the other and fought a groan. You tried really, you did try to fall asleep. But alas your familiar's snoring is so out of rhythm that trying to fall asleep in between snores was impossible. Maybe you'll pass out, Yukio has a strong body clock that awakens her every morning to try to cause as much chaos as she can to one being for the day. The usual victim is Ignis.

So you wouldn't have to worry about sleeping in. But at the same time, Jinwoo must be getting close to the final floor. Why else would the Creature gift you all but one of the fragments?

Nothing makes sense anymore. But one thing is clear, your going all the way to the top. As soon as you get some sleep and hope that Ignis feels better.

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Jinwoo pov (its been a minute)

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Jinwoo was lost in thought staring at the horizon before him, at some point the smoke and ash dwindled and the hellish landscape turned into a desert one. There were slight bags under his eyes, evidence from not having slept much and from the never ending cycle of climbing and killing demons left and right.

'I miss her'

But at long last only one floor left. Only one more floor till he gets to see you again. Jinwoo turned towards the Demoness that he used as a sort of guide in the tower. Esil, she was useful but with the boss on the final level she would just get in the way, no need for her life to be put in danger anymore than it had been.

"You can go back to your floor now. I'll take care of it myself from here on out." Jinwoo spoke, looking towards Esil but not quite meeting her eyes.

Esil looked a bit shocked and hurt, only managing to utter out a "Huh?" before looking downwards.