Ending The Game

The void

The void, in Henry's eyes, was like a pause. A breather, between the painful deaths and the traumatising fights. A break, somewhere to rest and collect his thoughts. At first, he'd found it uncomfortable, but eventually he grew accustomed to the quiet. It was nice, amongst the mania of his game, to just...stop. Reflect. Then, when he was ready again, he could retry.

It's hard to keep going, some days. He wants to stay in the void forever, knowing what's coming next. After all, he's been there before. He's been everywhere before, and nowhere all at once. It's a horrid, confusing mess that he rathered not think about. Instead, he typically turned his thoughts towards his friends. Sure, they weren't exactly...'real' like he was, but they made him happy. For a short amount of time.

Thats another thing about the void. It reminds you that those goodbyes weren't real, because none of this is. Charles isn't really dead. Ellie doesn't really hate him. Its all just a preplanned script, that didn't account for the tiny mistake that Henry was aware. Completely and utterly. 

To be fair, though, it used to be harder than it is now. He's died over and over, he's left Ellie behind or let her get hurt a thousand times and he's seen Charles crash and explode and get shot a thousand more. He hardly feels a thing anymore.

Hardly. 

That didn't mean he didn't care, though. It's partly why he keeps trying to fight it. Go back. Change the endings. Those people he hurt...maybe they aren't real, but maybe...

Maybe they're more real than him. Existing peacefully in this world, unlike his parasitic mind, restarting and changing over and over again.

...yes, there certainly was a lot to think about in the void. It's darkness hid all his doubts and insecurities, shielded him from the world. But he couldn't stay forever. As much as he wanted to stop here and never leave, it simply wasn't practical. 

He had to finish what he'd started. He had to find his escape.

He stood up, dusting off the nothing that had dirtied him, and pulled it his options menu. Retry.

It didn't work. Retry. Nothing. Retry. Retry. Retry retry retry god damnit-

He punched the button, angrily...an it snapped. Disappearing before his eyes as he was sucked out of the void, into the world...somewhere. Everything was too bright, his eyes needed to adjust.

What the hell did he do?!

When he managed to take in his surroundings, it was...strange, to say the least. Somewhere he'd never actually been before. Some room, with a bed, a closet, a TV...a comfortable home, to say the least. Was this always in the game? He'd never been in this room, even in cutscenes.

At least, he thought he hadn't. Maybe he has, It did feel...almost familiar to him. Like he was supposed to know this place. Still, it was new, and he was uncomfortable with it. He went to pull up the retry button, and...as he'd expected, nothing.

This was the new reality. Whether he liked it or not. Day one of his real life.

No more games. No more extra lives. One chance...

And it was terrifying. As much as he'd despised dying and failing over and over...he'd somewhat grown to rely on the fact he's invulnerable. But his safety net was gone from under his feet. He couldn't even check his map of different timelines, and...

Timelines. Which one is he in?! When is he in them, where are his friends? Who are his friends. How was he even supposed to check?! The panic was overwhelming, he'd never been this alone before. The training wheels were off.

Okay, think. The television news report is discussing the Toppat's space station. That means he at least knows Charlie and Ellie. Maybe the Internet would be a good place to start? After all, the youngest helicopter pilot and a notorious criminal must have SOME Internet presence?

He reached for his phone, but...nothing. He definitely had one of those...damnit. Okay, fine, he'll leave and find something outside. As much as he didn't want to leave the comfort, he didn't have a second to waste. Time could be invaluable.

Headed to the door, it only took one turn of the know for Henry to know it was locked. With his luck, no key, either. Great. 

Searching the room, he found a few items. A laser, a battering ram, and...ugh. A teleporter. No way is he messing with one of those.

No fails allowed. Laser is too dangerous to try first if he can't die and come back. So that just leaves the battering ram as the logical choice...right?

This was stressful, and it was just leaving the first room. Imagine how hard life will be beyond this...so many choices to make, many leading to mortal danger.

Whatever. Focus. Three, two, one, and- 

The door smashed open, as it wasn't exactly made of the strongest wood. He dropped the ram in surprise, narrowly missing his own foot. Okay, that could have gone better, but...whatever. Time to get out there. 

Save everyone.

End the game.