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chapter 24: farewell

Finalsacre's solemn words signal the end of our decisive debate.

I should have sighed in relief. Carefully preparing and expressing my arguments was exhausting. The stakes of this debate were so high I was shaking. It was incredible I didn't stutter during my three speeches. Now that my turn is finally over, I should feel more relaxed, relieved but...my mind can't rest one second. I can't wait. I urgently need to know.

What will they decide?

What will happen to us?

Will the first route win?

Will Finalsacre respect his promise?

He is currently looking at the empty sky with absent eyes, as if he was judging the reactions of the observers.

Monika is staring at him, trying to gauge his body language. I can see she was tired from the debate too, but not as much as me. She was a member of the debate club after all. I wonder if I managed to hold my own...Fortunately Spoodey, one of the creators, supported me.

Where is he by the way? He was in the top-left corner of our square a moment ago, but he is now nowhere to be seen.

Finalsacre's voice puts of an end to my internal monologue.

Finalsacre: "Alright. The observers have voted."

Already? It has only been 20 seconds since the end of the debate at most!

Monika: "What is the result?"

God, my heart is beating so fast. I feel like I'm burning.

Never before have the wait been that excruciating.

Finalsacre: "Hmm…I could you tell the result right now, but that wouldn't be fun, would it?"

There he goes again with his trolling...

I really, really hope someone in his reality will punch him. Observers, can one of you do it for me? Please.

I say to him in a not so subtle menacing undertone:

Ethan: "Finalsacre…"

He smirks smugly at me.

Finalsacre: "Ahhh, your frustration is as sweet as ever!"

I clench my left fist hard. I even clench my right one too, but I quickly stop due to the pain that immediately assaulted me.

Monika: "Where did Spoodey go?"

Finalsacre: "Somewhere. Don't worry about him. I'm the only one holding your strings anyway."

No, you aren't. Screw you.

Ethan: "Stop wasting time. What did they pick?"

Finalsacre: "Fine, fine, I will tell you the result in 10 seconds."

I'm absolutely sure he is lying.

Finalsacre: "9 seconds."

Finalsacre: "8 seconds."

Finalsacre: "7 seconds."

Finalsacre: "6 seconds."

Finalsacre: "5 seconds."

Finalsacre: "4 seconds."

Finalsacre: "3 seconds."

He's going to add more seconds behind or count the decimals.

Finalsacre: "2 seconds."

Finalsacre: "1 second."

Finalsacre: "0.9 seconds."

Of course.

Finalsacre: "0.8 seconds."

He suddenly stops and furrows his eyebrows.

Finalsacre: "Oh? Did you dare to try deleting me Monika?"

No! He's going to harm her?!

I hurriedly look at my love and that damned god. I step forward until I am on the border of the podium where I am standing.

Monika: "Tch, I knew it wouldn't work."

Finalsacre: "Trying to harm a god is an offense punishable by …"

Ethan: "YOU BETTER NOT HARM HER!"

Finalsacre: "..."

Finalsacre: "Relax. I only planned to transform her into Monicat."

Moni...cat?

Finalsacre: "But I suppose it doesn't matter anyway. Because all of you are going to be transported into Ethan's world in the next minute."

My breathing stops.

My world?

Does it mean my wish...?

Monika: "What do you mean?!"

Finalsacre: "The first route was the most popular choice, by quite a lot. Thus, in accordance with my pledge, I will rewind time in Ethan's reality and modify its history to fit you and the other club members into his world."

Really?

Finally?

All my efforts weren't for nought?

No, no, it can't be. He must be trolling us even now.

Ethan: "How can we know you're not playing with us?"

Finalsacre: "You will see in 30 seconds. For now, listen one last time to me."

I try to reply but an invisible force stops me.

Finalsacre: "After you return to your world, I, or any other higher dimensional beings, will no longer meddle in your mortal business. You will have to face your own problems by yourselves. Don't think of relying on us."

Monika is trying to speak too, but no word leaves her mouth.

Finalsacre: "You only have one life. Only one chance. Don't forget it, Ethan, Monika."

Is this the end...? Monika...!

I jump on the ground, and barely manage not to trip over. I rush to Monika. I want us to be together when the simulation ends. She sees me and runs toward me, with a panicked and a terrified expression.

Finalsacre: "Farewell. May the cycle continue."

We have just enough time to touch each other with the tips of our stretched fingers before everything stops.