Sante walks around Elysium, reminiscing of what is and what was. He made sure to remember each face as he passed by, since that was the one of few things he was good at. Remembering faces.
Sante also made sure to remember each street on Elysium as it was a second thing that he was good at. His sense of direction. He wanted to create a mental map, albeit one that he will have a hard time accessing when he really needs it.
He said as he wandered "I mean, it is kind of cheap to put yourself in a story, but as long as I don't make myself the key figure, I think it is fine. I mean, I already put one version of me in this world, but to do one that is more true to what I feel like I am, it is a whole other feeling."
Sante stopped at the Caffé that Maumar and Ao once visited. He ordered ice cream and a cacao drink since he didn't quite like the taste of coffee.
As he sat down, a familiar figure came to the Caffé as well. One that he, in hindsight, was expecting. She ordered coffee for herself and asked Sante "Would you let me sit with you. There doesn't seem to be any free tables now."
Sante replied "Yeah. I was lucky since I came early and I was looking for company anyways. Have a seat."
The woman sat down and started drinking her coffee. Sante said after taking a bite of ice cream "So… Maumar sent you to me, didn't he, Toki."
Toki said "Yeah, he told me that it was the utmost important thing that I come to someone here. He didn't tell me who, but he told me the description that fits your image."
Sante says "Well, he is like that. That is how it is written anyways, though I hope there will be an opportunity to bring more character to him in the future."
Toki asks "So who are you exactly?"
Sante answers "Sante. You may call me Sante. I was thinking of using Santa for the lols, but that is quite literally the same name of one famous character, so I chose to just stick with Sante."
Toki takes a sip of her coffee and then says "That is your name, but what do you do exactly?"
Sante answers "I merely write stories. I mean, I am currently a student of a certain profession, but my dream is to write the best story I can and live off it."
Toki asks "And what is this story called?"
Sante says "Who knows."
Annoyed, Toki says to him "That isn't quite an answer if it isn't literally called that."
Sante says "I prefer not to speak about my work when I'm outside. It feels kind of icky to me. Well that being said, I do sometimes write in school and wherever I go with my laptop, but hey, man's gotta do what man's gotta do."
Toki says "That barely makes any sense."
Sante asks "It doesn't? Hmm…"
There is a slight pause as Sante takes a few bites of ice cream.
Toki asks "I gather that you do have an idea why Maumar sent me here, so why don't you get to the point."
Sante says "Patience is a virtue, you know. All will happen in due time. We might not like what will come, but everything that is deserved will come."
Toki says "I see" and takes a sip of her coffee.
Sante also takes a few bites of ice cream before saying "Well, some people have it easier than others, but that is besides the point. Death comes to us all anyways. Even you."
Toki chuckles and asks "You mean I, the embodiment of eternity, will someday die?"
Sante says "That is the gist of it."
Toki asks "But how is that possible?"
Sante answers "When the story ends, all that the story told will meet their end. It might not feel literal, but that is the truth."
Toki stays silent for a moment and Sante continues after taking a bite of ice cream "Well, they do say that stories live as long as someone remembers them, but even that isn't fully true. The stories might get revisited, but when the story no longer continues, the story is as good as dead. Like Shakespeare. Granted I never have read any of his works, so I can't say for sure, but in general stories told will have an ending of some kind. Some may end abruptly, but an end is the end."
Toki asks "Who the fuck is Shakespeare?"
Sante says "A person that most writers look up to in some capacity. Granted, there are some rumors that he wasn't a single person or that he even stole some of other people's works, but those are things that are beyond me. There are also the likes of stories of iron thrones and dragons or hobbits and rings, but I never read those either, so I can't say much about them either."
Toki says "You are talking about some other world stuff I presume."
Sante says "Pretty much, yeah."
Toki asks "So are you from the same world that my dad and mom are from?"
Sante answers with a cryptic "'Arguable' is the best I can say."
Toki asks "What do you mean by 'arguable'?"
Sante answers "That you can argue whether or not it is true or not. Is this real? Is any of it real? Am I the only one that exists as I do or do others exist in a more grandeur way or what? Am I the person I believe I am or is the real me long dead? Is this story connected to the one that I come from or is it purely a work of fiction? I have to ask these questions constantly but I can never find the answer. That is… that's just how I wrote all of this back then. It's just… infuriating at times."
Toki stays silent for a while and soon Sante takes a sip of the cocoa drink. He sounds satisfied with the drink, but then he adds "I'm sure that this is bad for my teeth. Taking in cold food and hot drinks at short intervals, but these are one of my few favorite things."
"Cola is my number one drink of choice, no matter what brand makes it. The second drink of choice is cocoa drink with a bit of whip cream on it. Ice cream, well ice cream is just ice cream, but vanilla flavor is my favorite. I'm so lucky that I got the authentic vanilla ice cream here since where I come from, getting authentic vanilla was one hell of a struggle if you didn't have the cash."
Toki says "Well I like my coffee drinks."
Sante asks "I'll just assume that you mean the regular coffee since the story can't be more knowledgeable about the subject than the writers."
Toki just says "Sure."
Both enjoy their beverage of choice for a moment and sometime later, Toki asks "Do you know why Maumar sent me to see you?"
Sante says "If you mean whether I planned that part in the story in advance, I must have to bring you the disappointing news that I didn't plan ahead."
Toki is about to say something, but Sante continues with "However, this me has already seen the script, so I can say for certain that I do know how it ended up. So the answer is, yes I do."
Toki asks "So what is it?"
Sante eats the last of his ice cream and then says "It is okay to feel powerless."
Toki asks "Excuse me?"
Sante says "It is okay to feel like you can't do anything that benefits you or others. That is the fate of many people in all kinds of worlds. But the lesson is that you should never stop trying to benefit someone. If nothing else, try to benefit yourself."
Toki says "I don't get why you are telling me this, but sure."
Sante takes a sip of the cocoa drink and looks up to the sky for a moment as he says "The multiverse stories are one hell of a hassle for both readers and the storytellers. Multiverse plots sometimes take away the gravity of the things that happen in the story away, which is something I have faced before, but I have also worked on a cure for this series that will make it a little more… simple, as the story goes."
Sante looks back to his drink for a moment, takes one last sip and says "You won't like it when it comes, but just not that it is okay to feel powerless. I hope that the end of this story will be one you like in the end, but you have to have patience until then."
Toki says "So my hunch was correct. You are the fateweaver."
Sante just smiles and says "Am I really? Am I the one who writes this story or am I just another character in a story written long ago? Who can say, but we mustn't let the feeling of powerlessness consume us in the end, because even people who seem to have it all often end up not having something they truly need."
Toki is silent but Sante continues "That is just a rambling of someone who doesn't have much in the first place. For example, a girlfriend."
Toki did not expect the conversation to end up there. She chooses to remain silent.
Sante asks "Tell me Tokiko, do you ever wish that you have a second half?"
Toki makes a hand gesture that says "Stop" and says "I'm not looking for a romantic partner at the moment, so please leave me out of it."
Sante realizes something and then says "Oh no, that wasn't what I meant at all! I meant… argh… what was it?... Right! The point that I tried to make is that your character doesn't currently have the capacity to have a second half given how powerful you are and you being a singular entity and all. But while there should be some inclusivity in stories, your character wasn't written as aromantic."
Toki says "I don't get what you are getting at, but I can tell that there was a misunderstanding on my part. I must apologize for that."
Sante says "As long as the point gets across."
Toki asks "What point?"
Sante says "That there at least is a plan to make you have a romantic partner at one point or another, though I must apologize for all heartbreak that will come."
Toki says "So what I can gather is that my story will have a romantic partner and I will experience heartbreak. Am I getting this right?"
Sante says "Well… that was the plan anyways, though I can't say how it will end up yet. Just… stay tuned."
Toki says "Right. As if I have a choice in the matter."
Sante scratches his head and says "I just… Damn it, I really suck at talking to people. I really should have left this interaction out of it at the end of the day."
Toki smiles and says "Well, at least it was an interesting interaction" as she sips the last of her coffee.
Sante gets up and says "Well that was the most of what I wanted to tell you, so I'll take my leave now."
Sante begins to leave and Toki says as he goes "Wait. Since you are the fateweaver, tell me one thing. Does Maumar succeed?"
Sante just smiles, turns his back on Toki and waves his hand without saying a word.
Toki smiles and says "I see. Well, I hope you don't screw too much with people that have their fate written by you."
Sante, who was now somewhere else, sighs and mutters to himself "God I hope I pulled it off as written. Man it is hard to act the part when you barely remember your lines. Well that is what bad memory does for me, but at least I got to read the script now."
Sante summons his device and looks at it. He mutters "I see. So the next stop is… god realm. Damn. I hope the part where my body isn't affected by the rules of this world ends up true."
Sante takes a few deep breaths before saying "Right. Let's go."
And soon Sante finds himself in the god realm. A realm where the sky was an impossibly pure blue, stretching endlessly above towering structures reminiscent of Roman and Greek architecture. Marble pillars glistened with an ethereal sheen, and vines with golden leaves adorned the walls, glowing softly in the perpetual light.
Sante makes a whistle sound and says "Wow. Seeing it in person now makes me admit that the written description doesn't do it justice. Maybe I should have commissioned someone to make a few drawings? I did as AI to make a few pictures, but even they didn't quite capture what I was going for. God I wish I could have made this series a comic or a manga or something, that would have been neat."
Sante looks around and then notices that the gods there are looking at him with weird looks. Sante just comments "Well, I mean non gods won't come here often and those that do end up dying quite quickly."
Sante pauses for a moment and then comments "Speaking of which. My body really doesn't seem affected by all the aether in here. A shame that I can't bring Lud or Thews here, but what I can do."
There is a second pause for a while until Sante makes another comment "Maybe I should have made a few cheeky loopholes? I still can do it, but I don't know in what context I could use their visit here plausible. Hmm… decisions decisions…"
One of the gods comes to Sante and asks "Who are you and how did you get here? You don't seem like a god, so I suggest you leave as soon as possible."
Sante thought "Huh, sounds kind of like how black person would be treated in a white gated community. Keyword kind of, there'd probably be police called and the worry they had would be directed to themselves and not the other way around. But I digress."
The god looked concerned after the silence, so Sante said "Oh don't worry. I can handle this environment like I was one of you. But if you don't mind me asking, can you direct me to where Ao might reside at the moment."
The god, still with concern in their eyes, says "Sure, but are you sure you'll be okay? I don't honestly know who you could be if you can withstand all the aether in the air, so I'm kind of worried."
Sante says "Oh I'm quite fine. I'm kind of a special case in general when it comes to the rules of this world. Call me an anomaly if you will. My name is Sante. I was thinking of using Santa for the lols, but that is quite literally the same name of one famous character, so I chose to just stick with Sante. And you are?"
The god says "My name is Epithos, God of Remembrance and Reflection. I don't believe that I've heard of a person like you in all my time in existence."
Sante says "No worries. That is quite common."
Epithos says "Is it?"
Sante realized what he just said, so he responded with "I… Hmm…"
There is an awkward silence for a moment, until Sante says "So can you point me to the right direction or not?"
Epithos says "Sure. Follow me."
As they walked, Sante noted Epithos' appearance.
Their face is serene and somewhat expressionless, with eyes that seem to reflect countless memories—perhaps shifting colors or swirling patterns within their irises to represent the depths of knowledge and history.
They have flowing robes in pale colors like silver, gray, or a soft lavender, reminiscent of twilight or dawn that suggests transition and introspection. Patterns on the fabric depict ancient symbols and faintly shifting images of past events.
They have faintly glowing, spectral wings and a cloak that drifts like mist, symbolizing the fleeting, elusive nature of memories. Their hands leave shimmering traces, symbolizing the preservation and passing of memories.
Eventually, Sante and Epithos find themselves in front of Ao's abode. Massive structures made of shimmering, glass-like material that resembles stardust or nebula clouds. These include high, open arches and pillars with constellations faintly glowing on their surfaces, constantly shifting as if the stars themselves are alive.
Sante can't help but whistle as he is impressed by the abode. He asks Epithos "So will she be in here?"
Epithos answers "Quite likely. Now then, I'll take my leave, but do remember to leave as soon as you feel like something isn't right."
Sante says "I know, I know. Thanks for the guidance."
Epithos leaves and Sante enters the abode. He first has to go through a celestial garden that has strange, radiant plants with starlike blooms and bioluminescent vines drifting in space, untethered by gravity, symbolizing the celestial and boundless nature of Ao's domain.
Sante walks a bit and finds himself near the entrance of the main building. He opens the door and looks around. In front of him he sees floating orbs depicting different celestial bodies, charts of star maps, and items that seem to show the passage of time and the alignment of planets.
When he looks up, he sees that instead of a traditional ceiling, the "sky" is a vast, cosmic panorama, filled with swirling galaxies, distant stars, and vibrant nebulae. This gives Sante the feeling of floating in open space as he feels himself being as light as a feather.
As Sante walks around the building, eventually someone glad in armor comes to him, pointing a spear at him and asking "Who goes there?"
Sante says "Sante. You may call me Sante. I was thinking of using Santa for the lols, but…"
The guard shouts "No mortal should come to the god realm. Leave at once."
Sante thought "Can't even let me have my little thing, can you?" Then he said "Oh I'm no mere mortal. I'm an anomaly that doesn't care for aether."
The guard jumps from a balcony and lands in front of Sante. On closer inspection, Sante sees that the guard has translucent feathered wings on their back that have a kind of shine in them.
The guard says "On a closer inspection, I don't detect the same kind of traces that mortals usually have. What are you exactly?"
Sante just says "As I said, think of me as an anomaly."
The guard looks at Sante so close in the eyes that sante can see the two shining eyes beyond the helmet that the guard wears.
Soon they hear a voice calling "You may let him pass Olyptius. No one is in danger if he is here. Thus says the counter god."
Olyptius readies their weapon and says "If the counter god says so, then he must be quite dangerous. We must get rid of him before…"
The woman, Ao, asks "If he were associated with the abyss, wouldn't he disintegrate as soon as he entered the god realm?"
Olyptius thinks for a moment, says "I… I think that is true" and puts their weapon at rest.
Ao says "Good. Now bring him here."
Olyptius grabs Sante and flies to the balcony where Ao is, and once, Ao says to Sante "So if it isn't the fateweaver that Maumar talked about. How is your visit in Lutah?"
Sante says "Since it relied on my personal experiences, it has been quite pleasant so far. Not that many things can harm me here."
Ao says "'Nothing can harm the fateweaver but words' is what Maumar said."
Sante responds "Indeed."
Ao asks "Is this true?"
Sante responds "Why don't you make the angel there test it out?"
Ao nods at Olyptius and they strike Sante with their spear, but it just bounces off of him.
Olyptius is surprised and Ao says "Interesting. Follow me. Olyptius, bring us some tea."
Olyptius says "Understood" and leaves while Sante follows Ao.
Eventually they get to a room that has a star map on the "ceiling", peculiar looking chairs and sofas and a few tables.
Ao says "You may sit wherever. Atkoosa, Mors, Trixtitkitus and Meridiem will be here shortly."
Sante sits on one of the chairs and says "It is quite a fancy look you've got here."
Ao says "Isn't it by your design?" To which Sante responds "What I describe doesn't do this place justice. Text is in the end just text."
Ao says "I see" and sits opposite of Sante.
Soon comes Atkoosa with his brotherly vibe. He says "Yo! So this dude here is what Maumar told us about? The fateweaver."
Ao says "Sit down and you can talk to him as much as you like."
Atkoosa does so and sits on the sofa between Sante and Ao.
Soon comes Meridiem. She has emerald green eyes and a hair that is in a low twintail. She says "Hello there fateweaver. I don't know why you wanted to see me, but I'm here, so nice to meet you."
Sante says "You truly are one beautiful woman, I must say. Almost my type." Sante looks at Meridiem's chest and notices she is quite petite and short, so Sante continues "You are my type in terms of looks at least."
Meridiem gets annoyed at this as she says "You wanna go pedo?!
Sante says "Just because I like short petite women doesn't mean that I'm a pedo. There is a big difference. Children are to be protected and let remain children until it is the right time."
Meridiem says "So you aren't into women like Ao here?"
Sante replies "Her ashen skin, elf ears, tall and robust figure, while sexy, she as a person isn't someone I would personally want to spend too much time with."
Atkoosa says "Harsh."
Sante says "On top of that, I ship her and Maumar all the way, although it will never be realized."
Meridiem says "You say that as someone who knows our ultimate fates?"
Sante says "No comment on that."
Atkoosa says passionately "Don't worry sis! Big brother will always take good care of you!"
Ao responds with a quick and cold "Die."
A coldness that is unbecoming of the god of the sun envelopes Atkoosa.
Soon after Trix comes to the room. She has long white hair, left eye red and right eye blue, she is medium in both length and chest areas, she has a dragon tail and wears quite tribal clothes around her, revealing multiple tattoos and scales of different colors.
Meridiem says "Good to see you again Trix! How long has it been since we sat at the same table?"
Trix sits next to Meri and says "It has been quite long indeed. Atkoosa here doesn't seem to uphold his duties as the leader of us gods so we don't gather together as often as we used to."
This is another strike at Atkoosa, who was already hurt by Ao's comment earlier.
Trix asks "So what is this meeting all about? I get that we get to meet the writer of our story, but what is the big deal anyways."
Sante says "That… that is the right response I've been looking for. I'm quite ordinary otherwise, so this change of pace brings me joy."
Ao says "If you say so, but what is the point in us meeting?"
Sante answers "I'm mostly here so that I have an opportunity to describe your appearances and the message I'm here to deliver to Mors."
The room fell silent, so Sante backpedaled "That is not to say that I didn't want to see you! You are all looking quite dashing if I do say so myself! Meridiem is even almost my type in her entirety! Granted, green isn't quite my favorite color, but it fit the aesthetic at the time and I thought it looked cool. You still look beautiful Meridiem, don't let anyone say otherwise!"
Meri says "I see. Well, too bad for you, I don't care for your opinion."
Sante says "Yes you do, but your devilish style won't let you say otherwise. That is how I wrote you."
Meridiem gets an evil smile and says to Sante "My my. Aren't we quite the talker here. Say, why don't we make a deal where I become your wife and you do a little something for me?"
Sante responds "I know that you want more power and no I won't give it to you. I could give it to you just for the hell of it and I'm still considering it, but it is no for now."
Meridiem says "Well, the offer will stand if you ever change your mind."
Sante says "Oh don't worry…" as a tear runs from his eye "If that is what it takes to get a caring wife I can cuddle with."
Meri says "Pathetic excuse of a man." And Sante responds "I know."
Soon after, Mors comes to the room with Olyptius who has tea for everybody somehow. How did they know to prepare all that tea? Just trust me bro.
As Sante gazed at Mors, he observed how she looked. She stood with a quiet confidence, her tomboyish frame clad in dark, understated clothing that seemed to absorb the light around her. Her short black hair framed her face in a sharp, almost defiant way, softening only slightly around her medium build. Her gaze was steady, with eyes that carried a weight far beyond her youthful look—a gaze that spoke of an endless patience, as if she'd seen the world's cycles of life and death countless times before. There was an aura of calm finality around her, a sense that wherever she walked, an understanding of endings followed. She sat down next to Atkoosa
Mors says "So what is this all about?" As Sante commented without thinking "Since when were you a woman?"
Mors looked with annoyance as she said "Excuse me?"
Sante stammered "I mean, I'm pretty sure I used he/him pronouns when describing you in my work, but you are clearly a woman here, so I'm a tad bit confused."
Mors says quite cheekily "Well that isn't my problem, now is it?"
Sante says "Right, let's enjoy a good cup of tea."
They all take a sip of what Olyptius brewed and it tasted quite good.
After drinking some, Ao asked Sante "So what did you need to say to Mors exactly?"
Sante responded "Right. Ahem, Mors… You don't have anything prepared for the unlikely event that the barrier between afterlife and the rest of Lutah were destroyed, do you?"
Mors says "No I don't. Why should I?"
Sante says "Right. Let's just say that something will happen soon and while it isn't necessary exactly that you do something about it since Maumar will end up taking care of it, I'd prepare emergency measures if I were you."
Mors asks "What in the world could just destroy that barrier?"
Sante responded "Think of them as people like Mathews."
Mors pauses for a moment and then leans back calmly as she takes a sip of her tea.
Sante says "Then the rest of you should also prepare something for the upcoming battle between two singular beings."
Atkoosa stood up and asked "Why didn't you just say so in the first place?!"
Sante, taken a bit back, says "I mean… all due time?"
Atkoosa then left the room and Sante just commented "I mean, I wasn't exactly finished yet, but I can tell the rest to you all."
Ao asks "How should we prepare?"
Sante responds "Hell if I know. I'm just the storyteller."
Meri retorts "Storyteller of our story."
Sante thinks for a moment, an idea pops in his head and so he says "When the swarm comes, pinpoint the last Cryzalin king, lock him in time, and make sure to destroy his powersource."
Trix asks "How do we do that exactly?" and Sante says "You'll know in due time. I have faith in you."
Sante drinks the last of his tea, rises up as he begins to leave. Before he leaves, Meri asks him "You know how this was going to go even before we did this meeting, right?"
Sante responds with "I did, but I got one hell of a bad memory."
Mors says "You said you weren't finished when Atkoosa left. What were you going to say?"
Sante takes a deep breath and says "I'm sorry that you all have such a shitty writer for your story. But even if that is the case, remember to do your best, because nothing is worse than letting the powerlessness control your life."
With that, Sante leaves the room and soon the god realm as well.
Soon Sante found himself at a bar in the afterlife. He drank some alcohol, waiting for someone to come there.
Soon the person who Sante was waiting for came there. He sat next to Sante and ordered a drink.
Sante commented "How's your wife doing?"
Thews answered "Quite well, but why do you care?"
Sante responded "I care for all my little ones."
Thews laughs and says "If that woman is your little one, then you must be the father in law that I forgot about!"
Sante laughs back "Why don't you take a drink protagonist number 2! Let us drink as much as we can in this afterlife like our life depended on it!"
Thews got his drink, raised his cup and said "Cheers, I drink to that!"
And so the two began to drink many a drink. Both got to banter about their lives, past and present. Both wondered what life could be like if they did something differently. They danced drunkenly to the sound of the old piano that was being played by one of the regulars. Sante even tried to play a bit, but he was bad at it, so he gave up quite soon even though the piano player said that Sante had some potential.
Some time passed and the two were back at their seats. Sante said "And then, he just ends up dying because he drank too much in the past. Like come on dude! I was just going to know you and you have to leave me like that! Totally uncool."
Thews said "Yeah. My mom and pop left this afterlife before I could have a last drink with them as well. Like what is the deal? Just live past it dude. Fight fight fight till your body gives out. Fight fight fight till your spirit floats away. Just do it and don't be stupid."
Sante says "Yeah, there is a saying where I am from as well. That… that dying is gay. That got some people rising from their graves in multiple stories I've read… or was it just my dreams? Can't remember."
Both men laugh for a moment until both become silent. Eventually Thews says "Hey, let's stop pretending that we are drunk for a sec and get to the point why you are here stranger."
Sante says "Right, because you are immune to ill effects in general and only words can hurt me, otherwise the drink in afterlife works wonders for the residents here."
Thews asks "Who are you, stranger? You don't look dead to me and I'm the king of these parts."
Sante sighs and says "Sante. You may call me Sante. I was… thinking of using Santa for the… for the lols, but that is quite literally the same name of one famous character, so I chose to just stick with Sante."
Thews says "Sounds like you are getting tired of your schtick."
Sante says "Yeah, I… I kind of wanted that to be my thing in this volume, but now… Experiencing it is quite dull and… well, cringe."
Thews says "I don't know what that last part means, but I take it you are tired of it. So what are you here for?"
Sante responds "Right. When you are called to the living world, let Weiss come with you."
Thews says "I can't just do that. She isn't ready yet."
Sante says "You have to. The story requires that she is there to help Bai fight Ilil."
Thews drinks a little and then says "So are you one of those singular entity thingies?"
Sante answers "No. If I was, the afterlife would be in shatters."
Thews says "Right. That was also something that… who was it again?"
Sante reminds Thews of the name "Riatla." and Thews says "Ah yes. That. Her memories told me that someone as powerful and full of abyssal stuff wouldn't quite fit in the void."
Sante chuckles a little from the word "Void" which makes Thews ask "What's so funny?"
Sante responds with "Nothing. It is just that your wife isn't here to remind you that this place isn't called void so that you two could do your little schtick."
Thews says "Right. But Weiss still can't go."
Sante says "She has to go." To which Thews responds with "What are you, her mother?"
Sante chuckles and says "That is funny coming from you who didn't have one in your past life."
Thews gets serious about the mention of his past life, so he says "Where did you learn that?"
Sante just raises his drink and says "It is I who wrote that part, so of course I remember."
Sante is about to continue drinking, but Thews grabs Sante from his collar which makes Sante drop his drink.
Sante says "Hey hey there. No need to get physical."
Thews asks "What do you mean that you wrote me not having a mother in my past life?"
Sante says "Demon of the 1000 swords. A story that I wanted to be successful, but it ended up being this one. I wrote your story because I thought that it sounded cool and I was so sure it was going to be a success that I spent the whole night writing it. But look at it now. Reduced to a side story."
Thews doesn't quite understand what Sante is saying, but he says "So what you mean to say is that you had the means to make my life a living hell?"
Sante says "Quite literally, yeah."
Thews throws Sante through the wall, which doesn't hurt Sante in any way, but it makes Sante feel bad for those who have to clean it up later. Then he remembers that people in the afterlife like to have something to do, so his mood lightens up a little, but still, that doesn't take away the current situation at hand.
Thews says "Do you have anything to say for yourself?" And Sante just says "I'm sorry that you happen to be a character in one of my stories. I wish you had it better since you are my favorite creation."
Thews charges at Sante and tries to punch him, but the hit bounces back.
In a split second, Thews summons Echo and tries to slice any part from Sante, but all his attacks don't manage to cause a single scratch.
Then Thews summons Matrix and tries to literally destroy the very being of Sante, but like any other attack, it doesn't do anything.
This all happened so fast that Sante didn't even have time to react because he had a slow reaction time. Even his grip strength was so bad that he would have trouble grabbing things when he got older.
Soon Mira came there to assess the commotion, and once she saw angry Thews, she casted restraining spell around him, albeit knowing they wouldn't hold him for too long.
When Mira arrived, Sante commented "Think about it this way Mathews. Without all the suffering you've been through, you wouldn't have experienced all the happiness you had in your second life."
Thews asks "Are you asking for me to be grateful?" To which Sante responded with a "No. That would be a dick move on my part."
Thews stared at Sante for a while before giving up and telling Mira that he "Had calmed down so you can let me go."
Mire let Thews go and said "You better not wreck any more of this place or there'll be a beating when you get back." And with that, Mira leaves.
Thews says "You are right. I should be happy with what I have now, but…"
And Sante finished Thew's sentence "That doesn't mean that I should forgive you."
Thews smiled and said "You know that…" and Sante finished "I didn't go all out."
Thews says "Can you…" And they both finished in unison "Stop that."
Sante says "I'll stop now, but please consider my wish to take Weiss with you. The girl wishes it too in her heart, even though she won't show it. I promise that she will become an excellent death knight if you take her with you."
Thews smiles and says "I'll think about it."
And with that, Sante leaves the afterlife.
Sante walks around Elysium again and wonders about things. "Should I go see Lud or any of the leaders? Should I go see Nemesis or any of the sin carriers? I could since there is still more space for this chapter, but I feel like the last part was the right part to let things be and disappear into the aether. I should add 'as they say' to the last part, since this world has aether, so the readers might take it literally, but oh well. Now let's see if there are any more parts where I will appear in the future."
Sante skims through his notes on the device and concludes "Doesn't look like I'll need to show my face for quite some time, but hell, I have some parts that I'm NOT looking forward to. I just… I just wish that I was a better author."
Then Sante breathes a sigh of relief and says "Well that was the end of this. 'Calm before the storm' as they say. I hope this play was worth it in the end. And no, I don't wish that I'll isekai myself. This is all just in case scenarios in some of my works. But if I do, I hope that I'll end up having a girlfriend that I can cuddle with. That would be swell."
Sante looks around and realizes that people are staring at him as he mutters to himself. He coughs in embarrassment and says "Well then. Toodeloo" and runs off into the distance. Well, he doesn't have that good of a physique, so he doesn't run that far. But hey, it is a classic.