[ While Kim Dokja did not show up to the headcount, he is spotted showing up to the hotel once he's concluded his own activities. He's on his way in the direction of the rooms when he catches sight of a familiar head of blonde along the way. ]
Oh, Sheba.
[ The arctic fox at his heels seems to raise her tail high in greeting, giving a short happy whine. ]
Glad to see you're doing alright, do you have a moment to spare?
anyway! her daemon appears to be in peregrine falcon form, for now; she's flying above sheba, within range for them to not feel icky because of Too Much Distance, but when sheba stops walking, aura dives down to perch on her shoulder.]
Oh, hello! [she smiles.] Sure, I've got some time.
[ From what he can tell of her, she's quite proactive. He only takes a moment to bring out a book, removing a slip of paper from it to hand out to her.
"It's never after the children. It seems to just pass right through them as if it was avoiding them. It's as though it's hunting us, however I'm safe here. I must be."
Does that sound familiar? ]
It's the note I mentioned that was at the top of the lighthouse at night. Your group shared the one during the day, so I figured I'd give you a copy to have on hand. It probably has nothing to do with what's going on right now but, we never know.
Nothing yet. [she makes a face] But I've been marking off the places I haven't found anything on this map, so if someone else takes over later, they'll know where I've already looked.
[alas, no deets for us! for now, anyway.
she looks curiously at the paper when he holds it out, then takes it to read it over.]
...oh! Thank you! [the exact wording is helpful.] This matches up with what the kids in town said - that the spectres don't hurt kids...
Efficient as always. [ Not that he's surprised, he's seen how she handled things when bringing in information about the lighthouse. he sounds like a proud dad smh. ] I checked the streets with Yoo Joonghyuk and we did not see anything stand out, but that'll be useful in case any groups go out.
[ But it isn't as if they were enough for a thorough search. So alas indeed! ]
At least we can be assured of the situation with the spectres. We still don't know how to deal with them but.. we'll figure something out. [ his fox daemon does a little hop. ] In any case, I'm sure I don't need to worry about you, but try to have company with you other than your daemon. Just to be safe.
[ Looks like Joonghyuk had taken him to the room he shares with Kim Kitsuragi, which they've since taken their leave from and can be found in the hallways now. They only came here to get Dokja's injuries tended to, which have been cleaned and wrapped up, right arm in a sling and has two cozy blankets draped over him. Woohooo.
Seems like it's only just Dokja here (for now, knowing Joonghyuk's paranoia) who smiles a little at her, though strained as it is. ]
Sheba, hello. And just Dokja is fine. What brings you here?
[we are jumping right into this memshare because i said so. sheba makes the mistake of picking up one of the memshare shards while dokja is nearby.
--
you know you should keep running, but you can't help but look back at the battle raging behind you. the two-headed dragon is fierce, and at any rate there's only so much room on this lighthouse - doubly so now that light is coming from the depression in the center, illuminating the fight with a warm glow. the hand holding yours is firm and protective, and he tugs you forward.
if you can just make it to the floating platform, you can descend from the lighthouse and get to safety.
but, behind you, the dragon lets out a cry of pain. felix stops, then, and looks back in horror. could they have been defeated so quickly?
voices call out after you - it's true. they have been. felix turns to your pursuers - two blond boys, a redheaded boy, and a blue-haired girl, and looks them over coolly. you take a step behind him.]
Did you -̷̤͔̩̍̓̀̚-̶͓̥͕͛̀͘-̵̢̦̣̦͗̀̽̀͝-̵͈̒̆-̵̺͕̓͌̕-̴̺͖̬̠̜̂̿̿̌ͅ ̷͚̠̾͂̆-̶̻̖̼̥̒͋̀͜-̵̣͇̮̥͙̈́̉-̸̧̘̬̠͓̜̋́͛̋̾́-̷͍̺̎͋͘? No one knew their power better than I did. If you destroyed them... Then I am -̶̻̱̣͇̝͈͌͆̄̈́-̷̯͉̰̈́̽ ̴̨͔̣͓̋̀̌̇̚-̵͔̋̄-̵͎̪̣̔̌͛-̶̨̛̪͕̤̠̄̀̓-̷̛̹̒̌̓͊̐-̷͍́͂̎̚ ̵͍̠͇̟͚̑ͅ-̸̖̣̒̈-̶̢̞̭̗̣̠̉́̾͋̕-̴͓̺̦̥͉̱̎̈́̄͆ ̷͉̼̑̾-̶̮͓͓̣͔̼̀̿́̒̉-̸̨̤̪̪̳͚̿̾̒-̵̤̆̓̐͑̓͝ ̴̛̱̬̣̠̻͇-̶̫̺̠̑̌͂͘-̶͖͚̠͓̌͐͒-̸̢͔̪̫̿̄͋͋͘͜-̸̫͉̙̦̽̐̔̐͘ͅ Isaac... I must go... Come, Sheba!
[isaac, if he's able to, will take you back to lalivero. you get ready to run - but the rest of the group calls out to felix, trying to understand. the conversation is drowned out by the music - and then interrupted by a burst of light from the lighthouse, splitting it into quarters.
the ground shakes beneath your feet, and you struggle to stay upright. it's fine. you can do this. just keep your balance, and -
a whirling light emerges from the center of the broken lighthouse, setting off a shockwave that sends you toppling over the edge. you shriek, and your hand flies out, grasping desperately at the side of the ledge. there's a searing pain as you grab hold of it and your weight drags you down, but - ]
Noooo! Sheba!
[ - you don't let go.
felix calls out to you, kneeling over the side of the ledge and trying to reach for your hand. it's just out of reach.
you can tell already...
...he won't be able to reach you without unbalancing himself. he could fall here. he could die here, and he wasn't even supposed to be up here in the first place. he only came up to try to protect you. this isn't the sort of price he should have to pay for kindness.
he should be on the ship. with his sister. safely away from here, not...
his expression is desperate as he reaches for you.]
-̸̤̹̬̼̍̌̚-̴͖̬̰̥̪̌́̃͠-̶̖̀̈́-̶͓͔̩̋̏̑̊͝ ̸̠̞̜̟͈̇̈̊̄̿̈́ͅ-̴̖̩̔̍̚͠-̸̱͔͗̈̄̓͒͛-̶̛̝̻̓ Sheba! Take my hand!
[you grit your teeth and try to reach up for him, but - you can't. if you let go of the ledge you're clinging to, you'll fall.]
I can't...
[you can't. you know you can't.
the foundations of the light house are crumbling. it's harder and harder to hold on, anyway - he tries to convince you to keep trying, to make it clear that if you fall, you'll die.
you know that already.
you can't hear his pleas over the sound of the music that's playing in this memory, but each one makes your heart sink. he'll blame himself for this. it's not his fault at all, but he will.
he tried to set you free, and he could have succeeded - it's not his fault...
can you convince him of that?
you look down and swallow hard. it's a long drop. longer than any person could possibly survive. he leans further over the ledge, trying to take your hand, and almost - but not quite - grabs your wrist. you swear you can feel his gloves swipe against her skin.
he has to stop. if he keeps this up, he'll fall.
you look up into his face, and something in your expression seems to make him realize what about to happen. his face contorts with pain, and he shakes his head, speaking quickly - ]
Nooo! Don't let go! You can't! You'll...
[you know very well what will happen if you let go. you know just as well what will happen if he keeps trying to save you.
you smile, and whisper - ]
Good-bye, Felix, and thank you.
[...and you let go.
the wind rushes around you as you fall, and you close your eyes.]
[ Dokja is still reeling from the memory, stumbling where he is, and in his stumble he touches a glass shard of his own. And with the coming memory, music sounds.
- - - - -
Before your eyes, a window screen appears.
[Character Information]
Name: Shin Yoosung
Age: 11 years old
Constellation Support: None (Two constellations are currently showing interest in this person).
Overall Evaluation: She has good magic power but her overall abilities are low. She has excellent talent and rare attributes but isn’t receiving the attention of constellations due to her fragile nature.
+
Shin Yoosung. This child’s name showed that she was the disaster. This child would destroy Seoul in five days.
All disasters from Earth were returnees. They were destroyers who wiped out another world and returned. This child could be called a returnee because she destroyed Chronos. This is all information you already knew.
However, that wasn't all.
Among the five disasters of Chronos, this child was special. She was also the most dangerous.
The one who will cause the disaster isn’t this child, but her future self. You can see your companions look at you, one with wide eyes and the other a knowing look.
The sweet and innocent child would become one of the most terrible disasters of this world in the future.
One wants to kill the child, to prevent it from happening. The other doesn't want to.
‘No.’
‘Kill her.’
‘I won’t let it happen.’
‘Kill.’
You approach the girl as she eats her meat, asking if it's delicious. Her answer is drowned out by the music but you know she answers yes. ]
“Ahjussi, can you see the future? Ḯ̴͙̻͎̙͍̤͕̰̠̔͌͂̐͌͒͂̿͘͝…̶̧̨͈̻̤̙͚̤̹̯̞̣̹̬͖̉̄̒̋̈́͐͌͂̚ ̸̧̡̰̦͉̙͕̼̲͎̏̋͑̾͌̉̀͂͂̿̔͊̿̓̇͜ͅą̵̢̯̘̝̣̼̣̖̤͆̀̄́̿̔̍̀̀̊̚͝͝m̵̨͍̭̼̫̠͇̯̞͉̟͋͒̄̈́̄̒̎̈͌̀̕͝͠ ̶̨͇̯͊͂̆͋̉̆͒̓̀I̶̧̯̮̹̱͕̻̳̙͚͒̌͑̓͐ ̴̨͍͇̩̟͓̗̠̆̓̏̌́̈́̕͝͝á̶̡͇̦̞̜̲̰̞̃͗̓̿͗̾̉̽̚͜ͅ ̶̮̭̂͒̈̀́͐̍̌̉͂ͅb̵̨̛̮̯̪̙̺̝͔̫̖̺̭͉͓̯̽̂̆̉̐̈́̆̏̄͠͝ȧ̴͉̩̱̯͊̅̓͗̊̌̆͐͒́̇̚͘͝ḑ̸̛̼͙̜̰̫̜̈́̎̆͂̏͋́̐̅̄̅ ̴̬͐̔̓́̂̕p̸̧̡̛̜͚͈̘̱̰̩̱̝͚̺̩̔̄̾͋̒̾̍͐̂̋͂̕͘e̶̬̦̽̂͆͂̎̿͗̇̀̋̍̋̚̚͠r̵̡̢̧̻̙͉̬̱̮͇̥͓̂s̸̡͈̗̞̭̙̬͚̙̓̌̄̈́́̈̿o̸̱̬̻̹͌̀͒͗̍̆̐͋̐͑̏͘͘n̶̡͉̼̝͕̖̦̒͋̆̆̇̋̔̊͘͝ ̴̡̛̤̞̱̞̳̙͕̖̘̽̑̉͑̑̋̃̓̓̃̈́̇͘̕ͅí̶̢̛͉̰͚̗͒͋͑̋̾̚͠n̸͇̩̻͇̹̲͙̘̺̈́ ̶̰̻̬͔̯̦̟̫̿̊͜ͅṫ̷̡̡̠͙̘̣͚̣̟̹̼͙̮͗̎́͝h̶̨̡̳͚̱̣̥̑̆̾̇̑̐͜e̴̢̡̪̥̥̜̫̥͕̹̙̩͈̜̓͋̓̿̂̓͛̒̚͘͠ ̴̨͍͔̗̹͕̖̗̤̝͈̱̝̃̑̀͌̆f̴̖͌͛͗̈̿u̷͍͔̻͕͙̳͉͙̓̆t̶̮̦̦̐̄̔̓̽̂͋́̍͜ụ̵͙̮̣̦̲̉̍̌́̍̾̓r̵̢̽͛́̒̀̍̋̒́̆̈́̉̒̅ĕ̶̮͗͂̽̕͘̚͝͝?̸̢͇̭͙̜͔̍̑́̈́̓͛̌͋͝͝”
[ You know the answer to that.
When you tell her, when she realizes she's probably the worst person in Seoul, it doesn't seem to surprise her.
She didn't have to tell you why. You already knew how Shin Yoosung was able to survive in this world. Can see the pain in her eyes as they well up with tears.
She had to kill her beloved companion to survive the first scenario. She stole a coat from an old man who collapsed from an attack. She killed a woman who always looked after her to protect her own green zone. She handed over a person chased by someone in order to get food.
She did everything to survive in this world. Everyone has. As a reader, you know this all. You know her full story from the story you love.
「 I will be punished. It isn’t worth living. 」
You can see the determination that fills the child’s frightened eyes. The expression of a person determined to die was no different for an adult or a child. ]
“You can kill me. I’m ready.” [ You smile at her, reaching a hand to gently pat her head. ]
[ You will take this child under you. Even if it doesn't change the future to come, even if this ends up meaningless, you want her to live.
You would prevent this child’s death for Yoo Jonghyuk. But deep down, you would do it to save her anyways. She will become stronger in the next few days, she will grow under your supervision and you will see that she will come to appreciate and love life instead of fear and dread her own existence.
The girl's eyes stare at you in disbelief, but you can feel a faint loyalty towards you. Finds a little hope in her eyes. It costs money, but you have a lot of it anyways, to help her grow. To increase the speed in which she gets to level her stats even without the help of a proper sponsor. You may not be able to give her the full benefits... but she looks at you as if you're the first good thing she's seen in a long time.
It's the last image you have before things go dark. ]
[wow. sheba thought she had some understanding of what dokja's world was like from their earlier conversations, but she wasn't expecting that menu screen, and - how is he able to help the girl so easily, she wonders?
how is he able to see those things...?
turns out, she didn't really understand his world at all.
[ He's still reeling from the memory he's shared in return, thinking about what he saw. How she decided rather than risk the life of another, she took her own by letting go. Were Dokja in that situation... yeah, he would have done the same certainly.
He's come to understand her character more. However, the question reaches him and he looks over to her. He blinks a few and smiles. ]
...I did. I saved not only her but her future self as well. She's gotten stronger during our travels back home. She is more than capable of being one of the top ten strongest Incarnations, a Beast Tamer like her.
[ Well, after the newest group got checked over, Dokja will take the opportunity to meet with Sheba. Jin is perched on his shoulder with wings flaring out and crooning happily in greeting once they spot the girl. ]
Ah, Sheba. Do you have a moment? Figured we could do some catching up.
[sheba is ... chilling! trying to calm down. she knows everyone who just came back is in good hands and that the best thing she can do for them is give them some time to rest, so she's just trying to stay calm (partly to project calm at diluc over their emotionshare link so he doesn't get too worked up over kaeya getting hurt) and wait.
waiting sucks. when dokja finds her, she's in the markets, idly browsing through for anything useful in a bid to stay distracted.]
Oh. Yes, I do. [she smiles.] I should tell you what Scheherezade and I found...
[ The hand not still in a sling reaches over to pat her head gently. ]
All we can really do is wait for the others, but I'm sure everything will be fine. [ Except, there's of course the missing people after curfew. Which... he's certain are more than likely dead. ] Shall we sit?
[ There's a spot nearby, to which he leads them to. ]
[she is also of the opinion that they're dead, but she's trying not to think about it for now.
she nods, and goes to sit with him.]
We tried to go pretty far into the canals because we were looking for the catacombs Scheherezade said the locals told her about. It's... the people who lived here in the past didn't really like angels, I think, because we found engravings of them that had been defaced.
[ There's a flash of white fur as the arctic fox daemon jumps and does a little foxy dance in Sheba's path, seeming to get her attention. Though, looking closer it seems the heat seems to be giving her more black fur than white.
A voice sounds nearby that's more than familiar. ]
Ah, Sheba. [ He raises a hand in greeting. ] Would you like to hear a story?
[A LITTLE FOXY DANCE... cute. sheba stops, and aura, who is in rabbit form and being carried by sheba, leaps down out of her arms and bounds forward to greet the fox!
sheba looks up at the sound of dokja's voice, and she smiles, a bit of recognition flashing in her eyes.]
I'd be glad to listen to one. ...but also, if you could do me a favor - and I think I might be asking for a similar reason as to why you feel inclined to tell a story... could I ask which team you're on? [a beat.] If you can't answer, that's okay. We could also exchange secrets, or there are a couple of other things I need to do, too...
[ The fox bounds closer to the rabbit to gently 'boop' their noses together. hello!! ]
Smart thinking as always, Sheba. [ He says this almost fondly, a smile reaching his eyes. He nods after and seems to consider his options. ] I know there is a limit to how much can be shared but... I'll tell you. I'm with the Celestials.
sheba also looks pleased! and a little relieved. that was easier than she'd expected.]
That helps a lot. Thank you so much. ...it feels a little wrong to know that without telling you which one I'm on, but is it okay if I wait until later just in case someone else has the same task I do? I'd want to be able to help. But if no one does, I'll tell you at the end of the week.
sheba is out and about, and when she spots him, she waves and heads over. i'm setting this on monday because i don't want to put a damper on the tuesday festivities.]
Good morning.
[she pauses, and then considering their conversation last week, she'll just jump right into it - ]
Could you do me a favor and tell me about something you regret? [a beat.] Sorry. I know that's an invasive question to ask...
[ Black-tipped white fox ears perk at the sight of Sheba, even his tail lifts but the second he hears that question does he seem to freeze. Even Jin's fur seems to stand on edge as the arctic fox paces in a small circle around Dokja's feet. ]
...What I regret? [ That is... definitely a loaded question. However, he seems to catch on quickly enough. ]
Another exchange, I assume? [ A light hum sounds after, leaning a bit with a tilt of his head. Hmm... When he breathes out, it's a little shakey. ] Maybe.. not repairing the relationship with my mother.
[her expression is ... well, regretful! she kind of regrets asking. it's not a fun question, but she figures they might as well get it over with. she also figures that dokja will understand.
her bunny ears droop a little, though. she feels bad to have given him that pause at all.]
...I'm so sorry. That must be hard to have to remember.
[ The daemon is no sooner curling around Dokja's legs, who leans down to gently pet the fox. ]
It's alright. She's still technically a part of my life, it's just... [ He grows quiet, staring at his daemon that emits soft quiet sounds at him. ] Different. Not in a way I had expected.
I don't know if our relationship will ever ever be repaired if I'm honest, and maybe that's what I regret most.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
w0 friday, during the day
Oh, Sheba.
[ The arctic fox at his heels seems to raise her tail high in greeting, giving a short happy whine. ]
Glad to see you're doing alright, do you have a moment to spare?
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anyway! her daemon appears to be in peregrine falcon form, for now; she's flying above sheba, within range for them to not feel icky because of Too Much Distance, but when sheba stops walking, aura dives down to perch on her shoulder.]
Oh, hello! [she smiles.] Sure, I've got some time.
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Been busy I assume? Found anything yet?
[ From what he can tell of her, she's quite proactive. He only takes a moment to bring out a book, removing a slip of paper from it to hand out to her.
Does that sound familiar? ]
It's the note I mentioned that was at the top of the lighthouse at night. Your group shared the one during the day, so I figured I'd give you a copy to have on hand. It probably has nothing to do with what's going on right now but, we never know.
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[alas, no deets for us! for now, anyway.
she looks curiously at the paper when he holds it out, then takes it to read it over.]
...oh! Thank you! [the exact wording is helpful.] This matches up with what the kids in town said - that the spectres don't hurt kids...
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[ But it isn't as if they were enough for a thorough search. So alas indeed! ]
At least we can be assured of the situation with the spectres. We still don't know how to deal with them but.. we'll figure something out. [ his fox daemon does a little hop. ] In any case, I'm sure I don't need to worry about you, but try to have company with you other than your daemon. Just to be safe.
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Kim Dokja?
[sheba peeks in to wherever he's been carried off by his malewife to check on him.]
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Seems like it's only just Dokja here (for now, knowing Joonghyuk's paranoia) who smiles a little at her, though strained as it is. ]
Sheba, hello. And just Dokja is fine. What brings you here?
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[since, uh.
it sure looked like all four of them had a really rough time!]
How are you feeling? Is there anything you need?
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Ah. [ Eloquent. ] Mm, no, I don't need anything at the moment. But I'm feeling a bit better now. Gone through worse so it's not too bad.
[ Don't worry about this old man. ]
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w2, monday
--
you know you should keep running, but you can't help but look back at the battle raging behind you. the two-headed dragon is fierce, and at any rate there's only so much room on this lighthouse - doubly so now that light is coming from the depression in the center, illuminating the fight with a warm glow. the hand holding yours is firm and protective, and he tugs you forward.
if you can just make it to the floating platform, you can descend from the lighthouse and get to safety.
but, behind you, the dragon lets out a cry of pain. felix stops, then, and looks back in horror. could they have been defeated so quickly?
voices call out after you - it's true. they have been. felix turns to your pursuers - two blond boys, a redheaded boy, and a blue-haired girl, and looks them over coolly. you take a step behind him.]
Did you -̷̤͔̩̍̓̀̚-̶͓̥͕͛̀͘-̵̢̦̣̦͗̀̽̀͝-̵͈̒̆-̵̺͕̓͌̕-̴̺͖̬̠̜̂̿̿̌ͅ ̷͚̠̾͂̆-̶̻̖̼̥̒͋̀͜-̵̣͇̮̥͙̈́̉-̸̧̘̬̠͓̜̋́͛̋̾́-̷͍̺̎͋͘? No one knew their power better than I did. If you destroyed them... Then I am -̶̻̱̣͇̝͈͌͆̄̈́-̷̯͉̰̈́̽ ̴̨͔̣͓̋̀̌̇̚-̵͔̋̄-̵͎̪̣̔̌͛-̶̨̛̪͕̤̠̄̀̓-̷̛̹̒̌̓͊̐-̷͍́͂̎̚ ̵͍̠͇̟͚̑ͅ-̸̖̣̒̈-̶̢̞̭̗̣̠̉́̾͋̕-̴͓̺̦̥͉̱̎̈́̄͆ ̷͉̼̑̾-̶̮͓͓̣͔̼̀̿́̒̉-̸̨̤̪̪̳͚̿̾̒-̵̤̆̓̐͑̓͝ ̴̛̱̬̣̠̻͇-̶̫̺̠̑̌͂͘-̶͖͚̠͓̌͐͒-̸̢͔̪̫̿̄͋͋͘͜-̸̫͉̙̦̽̐̔̐͘ͅ Isaac... I must go... Come, Sheba!
[isaac, if he's able to, will take you back to lalivero. you get ready to run - but the rest of the group calls out to felix, trying to understand. the conversation is drowned out by the music - and then interrupted by a burst of light from the lighthouse, splitting it into quarters.
the ground shakes beneath your feet, and you struggle to stay upright. it's fine. you can do this. just keep your balance, and -
a whirling light emerges from the center of the broken lighthouse, setting off a shockwave that sends you toppling over the edge. you shriek, and your hand flies out, grasping desperately at the side of the ledge. there's a searing pain as you grab hold of it and your weight drags you down, but - ]
Noooo! Sheba!
[ - you don't let go.
felix calls out to you, kneeling over the side of the ledge and trying to reach for your hand. it's just out of reach.
you can tell already...
...he won't be able to reach you without unbalancing himself. he could fall here. he could die here, and he wasn't even supposed to be up here in the first place. he only came up to try to protect you. this isn't the sort of price he should have to pay for kindness.
he should be on the ship. with his sister. safely away from here, not...
his expression is desperate as he reaches for you.]
-̸̤̹̬̼̍̌̚-̴͖̬̰̥̪̌́̃͠-̶̖̀̈́-̶͓͔̩̋̏̑̊͝ ̸̠̞̜̟͈̇̈̊̄̿̈́ͅ-̴̖̩̔̍̚͠-̸̱͔͗̈̄̓͒͛-̶̛̝̻̓ Sheba! Take my hand!
[you grit your teeth and try to reach up for him, but - you can't. if you let go of the ledge you're clinging to, you'll fall.]
I can't...
[you can't. you know you can't.
the foundations of the light house are crumbling. it's harder and harder to hold on, anyway - he tries to convince you to keep trying, to make it clear that if you fall, you'll die.
you know that already.
you can't hear his pleas over the sound of the music that's playing in this memory, but each one makes your heart sink. he'll blame himself for this. it's not his fault at all, but he will.
he tried to set you free, and he could have succeeded - it's not his fault...
can you convince him of that?
you look down and swallow hard. it's a long drop. longer than any person could possibly survive. he leans further over the ledge, trying to take your hand, and almost - but not quite - grabs your wrist. you swear you can feel his gloves swipe against her skin.
he has to stop. if he keeps this up, he'll fall.
you look up into his face, and something in your expression seems to make him realize what about to happen. his face contorts with pain, and he shakes his head, speaking quickly - ]
Nooo! Don't let go! You can't! You'll...
[you know very well what will happen if you let go. you know just as well what will happen if he keeps trying to save you.
you smile, and whisper - ]
Good-bye, Felix, and thank you.
[...and you let go.
the wind rushes around you as you fall, and you close your eyes.]
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[ Dokja is still reeling from the memory, stumbling where he is, and in his stumble he touches a glass shard of his own. And with the coming memory, music sounds.
- - - - -
Before your eyes, a window screen appears.
Shin Yoosung. This child’s name showed that she was the disaster. This child would destroy Seoul in five days.
All disasters from Earth were returnees. They were destroyers who wiped out another world and returned. This child could be called a returnee because she destroyed Chronos. This is all information you already knew.
However, that wasn't all.
Among the five disasters of Chronos, this child was special. She was also the most dangerous.
The one who will cause the disaster isn’t this child, but her future self. You can see your companions look at you, one with wide eyes and the other a knowing look.
The sweet and innocent child would become one of the most terrible disasters of this world in the future.
One wants to kill the child, to prevent it from happening. The other doesn't want to.
‘No.’
‘Kill her.’
‘I won’t let it happen.’
‘Kill.’
You approach the girl as she eats her meat, asking if it's delicious. Her answer is drowned out by the music but you know she answers yes. ]
“Ahjussi, can you see the future? Ḯ̴͙̻͎̙͍̤͕̰̠̔͌͂̐͌͒͂̿͘͝…̶̧̨͈̻̤̙͚̤̹̯̞̣̹̬͖̉̄̒̋̈́͐͌͂̚ ̸̧̡̰̦͉̙͕̼̲͎̏̋͑̾͌̉̀͂͂̿̔͊̿̓̇͜ͅą̵̢̯̘̝̣̼̣̖̤͆̀̄́̿̔̍̀̀̊̚͝͝m̵̨͍̭̼̫̠͇̯̞͉̟͋͒̄̈́̄̒̎̈͌̀̕͝͠ ̶̨͇̯͊͂̆͋̉̆͒̓̀I̶̧̯̮̹̱͕̻̳̙͚͒̌͑̓͐ ̴̨͍͇̩̟͓̗̠̆̓̏̌́̈́̕͝͝á̶̡͇̦̞̜̲̰̞̃͗̓̿͗̾̉̽̚͜ͅ ̶̮̭̂͒̈̀́͐̍̌̉͂ͅb̵̨̛̮̯̪̙̺̝͔̫̖̺̭͉͓̯̽̂̆̉̐̈́̆̏̄͠͝ȧ̴͉̩̱̯͊̅̓͗̊̌̆͐͒́̇̚͘͝ḑ̸̛̼͙̜̰̫̜̈́̎̆͂̏͋́̐̅̄̅ ̴̬͐̔̓́̂̕p̸̧̡̛̜͚͈̘̱̰̩̱̝͚̺̩̔̄̾͋̒̾̍͐̂̋͂̕͘e̶̬̦̽̂͆͂̎̿͗̇̀̋̍̋̚̚͠r̵̡̢̧̻̙͉̬̱̮͇̥͓̂s̸̡͈̗̞̭̙̬͚̙̓̌̄̈́́̈̿o̸̱̬̻̹͌̀͒͗̍̆̐͋̐͑̏͘͘n̶̡͉̼̝͕̖̦̒͋̆̆̇̋̔̊͘͝ ̴̡̛̤̞̱̞̳̙͕̖̘̽̑̉͑̑̋̃̓̓̃̈́̇͘̕ͅí̶̢̛͉̰͚̗͒͋͑̋̾̚͠n̸͇̩̻͇̹̲͙̘̺̈́ ̶̰̻̬͔̯̦̟̫̿̊͜ͅṫ̷̡̡̠͙̘̣͚̣̟̹̼͙̮͗̎́͝h̶̨̡̳͚̱̣̥̑̆̾̇̑̐͜e̴̢̡̪̥̥̜̫̥͕̹̙̩͈̜̓͋̓̿̂̓͛̒̚͘͠ ̴̨͍͔̗̹͕̖̗̤̝͈̱̝̃̑̀͌̆f̴̖͌͛͗̈̿u̷͍͔̻͕͙̳͉͙̓̆t̶̮̦̦̐̄̔̓̽̂͋́̍͜ụ̵͙̮̣̦̲̉̍̌́̍̾̓r̵̢̽͛́̒̀̍̋̒́̆̈́̉̒̅ĕ̶̮͗͂̽̕͘̚͝͝?̸̢͇̭͙̜͔̍̑́̈́̓͛̌͋͝͝”
[ You know the answer to that.
When you tell her, when she realizes she's probably the worst person in Seoul, it doesn't seem to surprise her.
She didn't have to tell you why. You already knew how Shin Yoosung was able to survive in this world. Can see the pain in her eyes as they well up with tears.
She had to kill her beloved companion to survive the first scenario. She stole a coat from an old man who collapsed from an attack. She killed a woman who always looked after her to protect her own green zone. She handed over a person chased by someone in order to get food.
She did everything to survive in this world. Everyone has. As a reader, you know this all. You know her full story from the story you love.
「 I will be punished. It isn’t worth living. 」
You can see the determination that fills the child’s frightened eyes. The expression of a person determined to die was no different for an adult or a child. ]
“You can kill me. I’m ready.” [ You smile at her, reaching a hand to gently pat her head. ]
Don't worry. ̸̡̝͙̼̳̏̓̔̏̏̕̕Y̶̢̢̛̮̏͋̔̽͐̓́̽̎̓ơ̷͍̩͈̬͇̹͖̈́̇͛̄̒̒͌̉̌̕̕͜͝ṷ̴̧̭̘̣̰̼̟͕̰̖͉̿́̿͂̿͝͝r̶̢̧͉̬̟͚̝̩̲͇̫͙̐͑ ̸̱̣̾̂̽̾͐̍̽̑́̉͊͠͠d̷̮͖̭̱̝̩̳̺͉̣̜̻̮͛͂̐̑̇̇̆̆͠͠ȩ̸̧̗̹͈̟̣͚̪̬͚͔̗̖͛͌̈́̿́̿̿̕͝͝a̷̖̲̫̖̎̄̍̄̂̽̎͌̈́̄̋̃͝ṱ̶̡͕̪͔͓̣͖̘̬͚͎̲̑̽͐͒̊̓̅́̈́̓̌̚ȟ̸̡͉͇̲̰̲̥̻̰̠͇͕́͋ ̵̯̫́̇͗̃͌͛i̴̯̙͚̺͇̤͈͙̼̬̖͇̙̱͐̽͗̀s̸̳͍̺̟͈͖̓ń̴̛̰̻̰̹̝̮̤̪̱̒̔͂͋͐̃͂͛̑͘͝ͅͅ’̴̧̨͔͔̜̪̗̳͐̂̔͑͛̑̋͐̽ẗ̷̫̲̹́͐̆͋͋̿̾̀̍̚̚ ̵̭̩̖̤͈͓̼̈́͛͛͂̾̎̎̒̉͝i̵̢̞̇̈́̀̊̒̍̄͠͠n̵̞̱͇̖̝̓ ̷̧̢̞̰̠̫͍̳̹̥̲̦͐t̷̡̺̲͖̹͙̰̠̼͍̍͊͛̇́̿͌͐͊̋̐̂ḧ̴̛̤́̔ȩ̸̧̪̙̖̘̠̺̯̂̿̃͘͜ ̵͍͖͓͙͍̹̳̹̹̌̉͒͗̾̿̽͜ͅe̸͔͇͊͐̀͑n̵̨̩͗̋̐̒͐̈́̔͗͌̅̃͆͝d̸̡͖͔̺͖̜̜͑ì̸͚͇͚̗͙̩̞̝̠̗̤͍̩͓̈̃̀̉̾̂̈́͠n̴̡̛̛̦̱͙̟̳̘̮̙̣̖̩̞̈̇̆̽̈́͐̉̀͛͒̕ͅg̵̨̧̛̫̟̖̱͎͚̥̘̞͈̋̂̐͒̕͜ͅ ̵̡̜̘̲̞̼͍͇͍͕̘̯̈́̎͜͜ͅt̶̙̼̬͈̭͎͍̗͔̭͎̤̖̲͈͑́̽͛̅̚͝͝͝h̷̨̫͖̪͉̩̥̦͎͊͑̄͗̒̓̕̕͝a̶̛̱̼̮͎̙̞͍̻͔͇͔̿̔̇̎͌͆̔̅̎̐͗̓͘͝ṯ̸̡̠͎̠͎͉͎͔̜͎͋̈́̍͒̀̇̄͑͂̔̀̕ ̴̧͕͚̹͎̲̬͇̤̠̳̣̫̬̋̃̂̋̍͗̏͐͘͝Ǐ̴̥͖̝͍͚͕͔̯̠̘̹̳̓̈́̆̒̄ ̵̢̢̜̙̻͓̺̞̞̥̲͍̓̓̋̓́̓̀̂ͅw̷̢͓̙̮͎̉͐͗̎͑͋̏̀ͅá̶̜̭͙̙̞͇̙̝̝̂͛͂̓̽̄̆̾͋͝n̶̻̗̖̯͍͓̫̗͕̱̩̯̈́́ẗ̴̬̝̠̞̖̙́̍̌̊̑͌̒̆̚͝.̷͖͉̹̦̭̈́̾̂͋̇͆͋̏͌̀͊̚͝
[ You will take this child under you. Even if it doesn't change the future to come, even if this ends up meaningless, you want her to live.
You would prevent this child’s death for Yoo Jonghyuk. But deep down, you would do it to save her anyways. She will become stronger in the next few days, she will grow under your supervision and you will see that she will come to appreciate and love life instead of fear and dread her own existence.
The girl's eyes stare at you in disbelief, but you can feel a faint loyalty towards you. Finds a little hope in her eyes. It costs money, but you have a lot of it anyways, to help her grow. To increase the speed in which she gets to level her stats even without the help of a proper sponsor. You may not be able to give her the full benefits... but she looks at you as if you're the first good thing she's seen in a long time.
It's the last image you have before things go dark. ]
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how is he able to see those things...?
turns out, she didn't really understand his world at all.
but one things he does understand is - ]
You saved her...?
[what an admirable thing to do.]
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He's come to understand her character more. However, the question reaches him and he looks over to her. He blinks a few and smiles. ]
...I did. I saved not only her but her future self as well. She's gotten stronger during our travels back home. She is more than capable of being one of the top ten strongest Incarnations, a Beast Tamer like her.
[ He thinks back to that previous memory. ]
That was quite the fall.
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w2, friday!
Ah, Sheba. Do you have a moment? Figured we could do some catching up.
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waiting sucks. when dokja finds her, she's in the markets, idly browsing through for anything useful in a bid to stay distracted.]
Oh. Yes, I do. [she smiles.] I should tell you what Scheherezade and I found...
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All we can really do is wait for the others, but I'm sure everything will be fine. [ Except, there's of course the missing people after curfew. Which... he's certain are more than likely dead. ] Shall we sit?
[ There's a spot nearby, to which he leads them to. ]
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she nods, and goes to sit with him.]
We tried to go pretty far into the canals because we were looking for the catacombs Scheherezade said the locals told her about. It's... the people who lived here in the past didn't really like angels, I think, because we found engravings of them that had been defaced.
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w3, wed.
A voice sounds nearby that's more than familiar. ]
Ah, Sheba. [ He raises a hand in greeting. ] Would you like to hear a story?
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sheba looks up at the sound of dokja's voice, and she smiles, a bit of recognition flashing in her eyes.]
I'd be glad to listen to one. ...but also, if you could do me a favor - and I think I might be asking for a similar reason as to why you feel inclined to tell a story... could I ask which team you're on? [a beat.] If you can't answer, that's okay. We could also exchange secrets, or there are a couple of other things I need to do, too...
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Smart thinking as always, Sheba. [ He says this almost fondly, a smile reaching his eyes. He nods after and seems to consider his options. ] I know there is a limit to how much can be shared but... I'll tell you. I'm with the Celestials.
Does that work for you?
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sheba also looks pleased! and a little relieved. that was easier than she'd expected.]
That helps a lot. Thank you so much. ...it feels a little wrong to know that without telling you which one I'm on, but is it okay if I wait until later just in case someone else has the same task I do? I'd want to be able to help. But if no one does, I'll tell you at the end of the week.
[she just wants to be fair......]
Anyway! You need to tell a story, right?
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w4, monday
sheba is out and about, and when she spots him, she waves and heads over. i'm setting this on monday because i don't want to put a damper on the tuesday festivities.]
Good morning.
[she pauses, and then considering their conversation last week, she'll just jump right into it - ]
Could you do me a favor and tell me about something you regret? [a beat.] Sorry. I know that's an invasive question to ask...
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...What I regret? [ That is... definitely a loaded question. However, he seems to catch on quickly enough. ]
Another exchange, I assume? [ A light hum sounds after, leaning a bit with a tilt of his head. Hmm... When he breathes out, it's a little shakey. ] Maybe.. not repairing the relationship with my mother.
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[her expression is ... well, regretful! she kind of regrets asking. it's not a fun question, but she figures they might as well get it over with. she also figures that dokja will understand.
her bunny ears droop a little, though. she feels bad to have given him that pause at all.]
...I'm so sorry. That must be hard to have to remember.
[ :c ]
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It's alright. She's still technically a part of my life, it's just... [ He grows quiet, staring at his daemon that emits soft quiet sounds at him. ] Different. Not in a way I had expected.
I don't know if our relationship will ever ever be repaired if I'm honest, and maybe that's what I regret most.
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