[Nick's PoV]
"So, my liege. What would you like to know?"
That was a good question. There was quite a lot he didn't understand, despite the world itself being one he had immersed himself in for years. It was like reading a fanfic, where all the characters and setting were familiar, but the plot was entirely different.
Because of that, he didn't even know where to start. In fact, what could even make Ethos trustworthy? He called this place a Nightmare– that didn't sound nice or welcoming at all.
But the thought of getting a genuine answer was far too enticing. Maybe Ethos would lie, or maybe he'd give some earth-shattering truth. For Nick, the risk was worth it.
"Why is this world so different from the game it replicates?"
Ethos sat silently for a second before he burst out laughing. Nick glared at him, feeling like the question was perfectly valid. Several eternities were spent listening to him howl.
Then he sat forward with an utterly serious expression and said, "You Earth people are so self-centered. Tell me–what makes you guys the center of the universe? Insignificance? Why would you assume this nexus of realities is a mere replication? No, that silly game you wasted your life on was nothing more than a poor imitation created with a limited scope. A testing ground, if you will."
"Testing ground?"
Ethos rolled his eyes as if the answer was obvious. "Yes, in a rudimentary manner of speaking. It isn't a test of capability but rather an obsession. It's a test of who would destroy their life the most just to get ahead in the game."
Ethos laughed as he pointed at Nick. Realization dawned on Nick's face, casting a dark shadow.
"Yes, you see it my liege? Using the last remnants of your father just to get some unit... playing the game even as you fought for your life... heck, you even died for the game! That kind of obsession could only be found in beings suited for destruction!"
Ethos was much more animated now, pacing the room as he used his hands to accentuate his statements.
"You feel it, don't you Nick? Even now, you are obsessed with destruction. Obsessed. You would do anything for power, anything to level up. Sure, you didn't expect this dungeon to be so hard to beat, but you deliberately allowed it to reach this point just so you could get more experience."
His voice trailed a little as he reached his destination: Fynn's final resting place. With great care, he solemnly placed his hand on the bed before continuing.
"Destruction isn't a one-sided affair. When it comes to the Progenitors, destruction is one of the strongest aspects, yes, but it is also the most volatile. Imagine if you were the Progenitor of Death, for example. You could take Fynn here and simply revive him. Their Nightmare is simply fundamentally different."
"However, their scope would also be far lower– even death's. To put it simply, nothing can escape destruction. Not light, not darkness, not Walkers or Fallen or any of the other races. Nothing."
"Not even allies."
The last sentence arrived like an inevitable curse. Something Nick had figured out from Ethos' first few words, but now that it was said aloud the darkness was unbearable.
Did he kill Fynn then?
Ethos took a heavy sigh before continuing.
"Really, there is only a single place any Progenitor can be safe. Here, in their Nightmare. A place unbounded by space, time, and even reality. No entity except the ones invited by the Progenitor can enter a Nightmare."
A shadow cast over Nick. He realized that Ethos had walked over to him and now carried a sympathetic gaze.
But what exactly was he suggesting?
"Nick, before this goes too far, before you destroy too much... I invite you to give up. As the reflection of your memories, I implore you to spend the rest of your eternities here. In time, figuratively speaking, you'll learn how to bend your Nightmare to your will."
"Fynn doesn't have to be dead. Your father doesn't have to be dead. None of your other Nightmares have to be dead. You can stop destroying your life with every choice you make. You can be free, happy."
Desire took root in Nick's eyes as he digested every word. Slowly, in barely a whisper, Nick said, "You would show me?"
Ethos smiled as he shook his head in affirmation. "Yes, of course, my liege. That is one of my many duties. I'll be there every step of the way as we turn your reflections of your father, Fynn, Amelia, even Juliana from Nightmares into Elysium."
Yes, what he said made sense. And the promise itself was intoxicating. He could live forever here–he could spend eternity with his father again. He could spend eternity with Fynn, Amelia... Juliana.
They died?
Ethos' expression dropped the slightest as defiance gained a small hold within Nick.
They weren't here yet... so they didn't die. But still, when they did, it was like Ethos had said. Eternal peace–Elysium.
All they had to do was die.
'What a horrible, cowardly thing to say!'
Nick's hands scrunched the fabrics of his jeans together, not having his Fang to keep him company. He was a coward already. Even if he hid it behind this new power and his prowess in battle, the scared boy underneath remained the same.
The one who sat by his father's deathbed, unable to do anything. Now he could do something– deal with the pain of them dying, and then living forever in bliss.
He looked at Fynn as regret coursed through him. If he had been stronger, he might not have had to die. Amelia and he could be laughing at a pub somewhere. Instead, he was here in a completely vegetative state and Amelia was either dying or crossing over.
Nick knew that all he had to do was stall the waves. If he had just spent 5 minutes focusing on survival, the dungeon would've ended and they'd leave relatively unscathed. Instead, hunger for power had blinded him. He purposefully killed through the waves as fast as possible just to level up.
Because he was scared to die. He was scared of Juliana dying, of his cycle repeating.
Which it hadn't just yet.
'I- I was close to finishing the waves. Fynn died, but... the others were still alive; they were still fine. Amelia and Juliana.'
But could he save them? Looking at Fynn, he wasn't entirely sure. Maybe it would be best to follow Ethos' plan. They could exist here in peace forever, even if it wasn't exactly living.
Truthfully, he couldn't trust himself–
Nick, I put my trust in you.
Nick gasped as his [Farseeing Eyes] could work even here. With Juliana's words, he had a sort of beacon that allowed him to see the battlefield. She had just used her own magic to damage herself, activating his [Emperor's Will].
Because she trusted him.
Nick shook his head at Ethos. "I'm not going to destroy this life, not like I did before. I'm going to fight. I'm going to kick until my legs give out, punch until my arms give out, and scream until my soul goes out. And any monster or Progenitor or Walker or whatever other bullshit there is, they can be the ones I destroy."
With that, his Nightmare dissolved into the bottomless sea of the Mizukai.