Dabi: "I thought you were set free? Since I took you're spot at being Random."
*He looks at him, utterly perplexed, wondering why he's standing beside him and how he even ended up there with him, considering Random the demon was no longer present.*
Touya: "Want to know why? It's because I'm a part of you, and you were never meant to fight against Overhaul in the first place. I came to this realization after my encounter with Kaien, and I'm surprised you didn't learn from what happened. Despite witnessing the outcome, we both ended up making the same mistake."
*He gazes at Dabi with a calm demeanor, yet his mind vividly recalls the tragic events that unfolded in the town, including the devastating scene at the church.*
Dabi: "What are you saying? Am I supposed to attack someone else instead of taking on Overhaul directly?"
*He looks at him with a confused expression, wondering what he's talking about, since all this time he thought his mission was to stop Overhaul and only Overhaul, as he's the original target. Even Random himself had instructed him to come after Overhaul, or maybe Random was also confused about the situation.*
Touya: "Kaien was merely a puppet under the cult leader's control, with Overhaul and the rest of the links also being manipulated like puppets. The cult leader's ultimate goal is to gain power, which can only be achieved through the instructions outlined in the original book that he possesses."
*He looks at him calmly, but Dabi's expression suggests he's confused by what he's hearing, a sentiment he shares.*
Touya: "To unlock the book's full power, it requires multiple hosts from different dimensions who are the same person. The book draws power from those it has chosen, and although the cult leader was unable to unlock its power due to its complexity, the links are sending power to Overhaul, who is unknowingly channeling it back to the book held by the goat cult leader."
*He looks at him calmly, his eyes steady, even though he hopes that the words tumbling out of his mouth make sense.*
Dabi: "How do you know all this?"
*He looks at him with a puzzled expression, wondering how he has access to this information.*
Touya: "Kaien told me that the person in question resembles your friend Overhaul. I still have some of Random's power within me, but it seems you've lost it entirely. Random is currently locked away, and it's up to us to find him."
*He says it calmly, his voice steady, while looking at Dabi with a hint of curiosity, wondering if he truly understands the weight of what he's talking about.*
Dabi: "So in the end the cult leader is what I'm supposed to attack... Fucking hell."
He shoots out his blue flames out of anger and rage including despair.
Touya: I don't want to admit this at all but we shall work together since I hate the cult leader more than you or equally as you. I'll use my remaining power to help you find Random but it will take time to use it so for now pretend that everything is fine.
He looks at him calmly as he disappears completely.
Dabi: ...
Blinking once again just to find himself back in his dorm room. He looks over at the window just to see daylight.
(In his mind).
"It's starting to make sense now but how are we supposed to find Random. If my ancestor's power is low. It's impossible or maybe I just need to help him at least."
(Out of his mind).
Dabi as narrator: "After realizing the truth about the book and who am I supposed to kill. It wasn't Overhaul or the other links it's the Cult Leader himself. But the question is how am I or my ancestor is supposed to locate Random. For now I have to keep this information to myself and pretend that nothing is wrong. I know nothing. "
(At Shigaraki's Dorm Room).
*Closing his eyes, he lets the memories of the past five days flood back, the images and emotions replaying vividly in his mind as he recalls the events that had transpired.*
(Flashback at the burial grounds).
Man In The Goat Mask: "In order to maintain the illusion that everything is fine, I've created a clone that's linked to the unique personalities of each link, and it's essential for you to interact with this clone as you would with Overhaul, your friend, and pretend that everything is fine."
*He looks back just to see the clone of Overhaul emerging from the grave, a reminder of the countless lives sacrificed, deemed worthless by the cult group.*
Shigaraki: "The three links personalities... So he'll have multiple personals? How am I supposed to pretend that everything is fine?"
*He glares at the man wearing a goat mask, his expression twisted in a mixture of annoyance and anger, fueled by a deep-seated hatred.*
Man In The Goat Mask: "Fine a way since it's your job now. To take care of everything."
*He takes a deliberate step back, creating some distance between Shigaraki as he turns away.*
Shigaraki: "Before you go I just wanted to ask what are the three links personalities?"
*He looks at him with curiosity since he's not familiar with the links and their context.*
Man In The Goat Mask: "The first link is fixated on a girl named Eri to the point of being violent, killing anyone who bears a resemblance to her, and is prone to intense, explosive outbursts. The second link appears to be calm, but he struggles with a mental health condition that can trigger psychotic episodes, which he manages with medication to remain calm. The third link appears to be a deeply troubled individual who has likely experienced severe sexual abuse on multiple occasions, resulting in significant emotional distress. While they may respond positively to kind treatment, their behavior is unpredictable and difficult to understand."
Shigaraki as the narrator: "After a few days had passed, I found myself compelled to reveal the truth to everyone on the fourth day. The clone's numerous violent outbursts had me questioning who was truly in control, as its behavior became increasingly erratic and aggressive."
(At the park).
Shigaraki: "So yeah that's it that person right there isn't Overhaul is just a clone of him."
*He states it calmly, his gaze sweeping across the others, lingering particularly on Chrono and Lady Nagant.*
Chrono: "I knew something was off from the very beginning, given the constant fluctuations in his emotions, which would shift abruptly from intense, psychotic outbursts to shy and introverted behavior, and the way he would look at me like he had no idea who I was."
*He glances over at the clone who's hiding behind a thick oak tree, its branches and leaves providing a secluded shelter from the surrounding crowd.*
Lady Nagant: "It's starting to make sense now but how are we supposed to get used to it?"
*She gazes around the room, her eyes scanning the faces of everyone present, but her attention is particularly drawn to Shigaraki.*
Shigaraki: "That's the thing I don't know to be honest. Let's just pretend that everything is normal and move on from there."
(End of Flashback).
Shigaraki as the narrator: "I took the time to explain the clones' unique personalities to everyone, and hopefully, this information will help alleviate any concerns and bring a sense of ease to the group."
Shigaraki: "Fuck me I wish that things were back to normal rather than this..."
(At Overhaul's Dorm Room).
*Examining the medication Chrono had given him, despite knowing it would only induce a high, he callously crushed the broken mirror glass into his hand, causing it to bleed profusely, yet he felt no pain, or perhaps the medication had numbed his senses. He takes in his surroundings, scanning the dorm room with curiosity since it's his first time stepping foot inside. Everything is completely foreign to him. As a clone, his experiences have been limited to the violent outbursts from the two personalities that inhabit his mind, which are the first and second links in the chain of his existence.*
Overhaul: "..."
*He freezes, his eyes fixed on the shattered mirror piece that lies on the floor, as he slowly gets up to open the door, his hand still bleeding and trembling slightly from the cut. Hearing the sudden door knocking, he was startled, wondering who could be checking up on him or visiting him at such an unexpected time. He cautiously opens the door, and to his surprise, he sees Lady Nagant standing before him.*
Overhaul: "..."
*He looks at her with a puzzled expression, his brow furrowed in confusion, as he tries to place her, but her face remains a complete stranger to him.*
Lady Nagant: "Thank God you're not trying to kill me. Well anyway want to hang out with me?"
*She asked him with a warm and friendly smile that put him immediately at ease.*
Overhaul: "Uhh sure?"
*He nodded yes to her, still perplexed by her friendly demeanor, despite having no recollection of who she was or why she was being so approachable towards him.*
(Two hours later in the forest).
Dabi: "How am I supposed to find you Random..."
*As he walks through the forest, he mumbles to himself, occasionally glancing around at the dense foliage, while also looking down at his cellphone, where he notices a message from Lady Nagant inviting him to hang out with everyone, along with the location of the gathering. He puts away his cellphone and walks away from the forest, deciding to head to the gathering location where everyone is assembled. The unsettling thoughts of the goat cult's new information still linger in his mind, intertwined with everything he has experienced so far.*
Dabi: "Act like everything is normal."
This will continue in the next chapter.