GAME OVER!
FOR BOTH OF US!
That's what he said. Or did I say that? Is he really he? Isn't he an orb. Wait, in that case, isn't that orb an "it"? So, that's what it said. But clearly, that orb has taken the form of me. So, how do I address it? Alright! Screw it. First things first! What happened just now?
One moment I was walking alongside him to meet Naofumi, not me, but the actual Naofumi. Not that I'm a fake or a replacement, or even a stand-in. I am also considered to be Naofumi, but not the actual Naofumi. At times like these, I wish I had a code name. Oh wait, I can refer to him as Nao. No, on the contrary, that's what I've been used to, all this time. So I'll be Nao for the time being. All right, now let's get back to where I was.
Ah, that's right. We were supposed to meet him, but then the orb pulled out a sword that was called...called...what was that again? It was something...something Carmi! Uhm...Yes!
CARMINA BURANA DENTE!
That's what it was called. I believe it was English nor Italian! He then sliced me twice before trying to fend me off for good. But then a light shone upon us, and a weapon arose at the end of the shower. I took it and called it as...
DE PUGIONE MORS!
It was a dagger, unlike anything I've ever seen before. As soon as I touched it, and took possession of it, it changed its color to jet black, and the edge coated in vermilion red. After taking in possession of that dagger, I definitely felt different, as if I gained a boost! And soon enough, I was so close to beating that orb, when I heard a finger snap, and here I am.
Though I'm not sure if it was a dream, or in hindsight, this is actually the dream. Have I fallen for it's spell, and I'm in a immovable stage. Have I been paralyzed? I'm not really sure anymore. I can move here without any restrictions. So does that mean it was all just a dream?
"Uhm! Are you done getting lost in your thoughts?"
"Huh?"
"Looks like you're not done. I guess I'll come back later."
"Well, I'm not sure anymore. There's just too much to process, that honestly, I can't be bothered anymore. So, what's with this dream you were talking about?"
I stared at him with serious intent.
"Well, since we've made it this far, I'm gonna give it to you as a bonus."
"Stop trying to act so cool, it's disgusting! Or are you awakening your inner tsundere!"
As soon as those words left my mouth, I could sense a chill down my spine. The way he looked at me, I was certain that it was the end for me. No wonder, that this thing was able to just do as it pleased with Hina and Kyouko-san! It had no feelings. If I could barely understand them, them this orb is immune to feelings.
And because of that, this makes it a dangerous wildcard. I'm still not sure what 'it' is, but one thing's certain. For now, we need each other. Or else, there's no point in it keeping me alive. It could just knock me out, or even better, eliminate my existence and take control of this body as its new host.
"Are you done?"
"Yep!"
"Good, now pay attention."
His demeanor changed, and now he was calm and at ease. It almost felt like you were walking with your mate down a dar alleyway at the night in an abandoned city, which was totally silent.
"What you've experienced was a forced illusion. It was a place where your mind was put into a trans, and you weren't in control of your body. This is the speciality of this domain. Basically it's a barrier. You're the only other person, apart from me, to have broken through this barrier. Now, you may question, what's the barrier for? Well I'd be interested to go in depth about it, but sadly, we lack the time. As you already know, I did some unspeakable things in the real world, and there we'll be complications, as well as consequences to my immature actions. But let's save that for later."
"I'm totally speechless. I'm not even sure whether I should be upset, angry, go on a rampage or just be astounded and applaud you for the fact that even you know what you've done isn't appropriate."
"I know it's going to be a hard pill to swallow. So I'm not going to say otherwise. But as for the barrier, it's a strong forcefield emitted by that person over there."
I looked at the direction he pointed, and it was Naofumi, who was locked in an impenetrable orb, the source of the darkness here, that was creating this forcefield.
"When humans are traumatized, they end up creating safety measures and barriers around them, so that they don't go through something painful again in their life, because they no longer have the will to live through it again. This is just that dialled up to 11. In his case, it must have been severe, for him to end up in such a state, to even reject humanity, and everyone involved in it."
"And what about us?"
"We? We are just tiny remnant fragments of him. Or what he used to be. In your case, I think in some ways, you're quite the opposite of him."
"What makes you say that, and on what basis?"
"It's just a feeling."
"A feeling?"
"Alright. It's time for you to go. And you'll forget everything that happened. The only reason why you had to go through this is because, you're weak! Get stronger. And fast. Because the world isn't going to wait for you.
And he certainly won't."
"He?"
"Start fresh. That's the only thing you can do now. And remember..."
THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE!