"Hey, Yellow one, don't leave it hanging like that."
"Hmh? You are paying more attention to our conversations than it would feel acceptable."
Aurora was a bit more hostile than the others.
"I've been paying attention from the start. It didn't seem to bother you lot before."
"We don't really care if someone knows our weaknesses or the like. But us sharing it and you digging for it is different."
"I see, but still, are you not going to answer him?"
"You don't have to, Aurora. I was just wondering, since in the ranking, Feral was like 10th, if I remember correctly. How is it uncertain if he is only 10th?"
"The rank—"
"Oh, there is a ranking?"
Aurora gave only a stern glance.
"I am shutting up..."
"Alright.
If you are speaking about the ranking, you are mistaken. Feral is ranked 11th because— no, sorry, without Tiana, I guess Feral is the new 10th.
Anyway, the ranking is not just based on strength; much of it is that, but also it's a bunch of other stuff too — overall importance, the usefulness of the powers, etc."
"Ah, so it's not just strength. From what Flux said, it was clear that it was a power ranking, but it seems I misunderstood."
"Flux tends to slide over things naturally, so you don't really question it. It's not your fault, Echo."
"What? Slide over? I told him to ask questions if he didn't get it; it's not my fault either!"
"And no one said so, don't be so defensive, Flux."
"Ah..."
"Alright, just a quick rundown so you will get it.
An example will help, so— Persona is ranked 17th, no, again... you are ranked 17th, and he is 16th now.
Alright..."
A strange habit of speech — it could be described as bright, not cheerful, but also different from the monotone, dark, or calm ones that most of them have.
"He is ranked 16th because his power is outright the weakest amongst us; it's such a difference that it pulls him down even though he is important for being the usual face.
To use another example, Feral is uncontrolled, and he is too wild, bringing his rank down even though practically his strength is endless."
"Endless?"
"Yes, well, you see Feral's power is—"
"Alright, everyone, pay attention to me for a while."
'Hmh…'
"I will continue later if you want; for now, let's pay attention to Original."
"Umu..."
"As you all can remember, I was pushing everyone's consciousness down since Reason had to deal with things outside alone.
First, I want everyone to listen to what happened, and then we will make plans for the future, the sooner the better. Also, we will have to decide on a new 'face'."
"Serenity, this hasn't happened in a while, a new 'face'— also more than one of us is incapable of functioning; sanity might be in real danger."
"Yes, that is why we need a plan, but for now, Reason, can you explain what went down?"
"Yes.
Since the consciousness was still somewhat active, most of you would have followed the situation, so I shall continue from the moment I asked Original.
After the pain and overwhelming effects lessened, I stood up—"
"I don't care about this. I am going back now."
"Monster..."
"What?"
"Nothing. Should I open the door for you?"
"Nah," BAM — the giant gate at the dark's edge flung open from his kick.
"I can get in—" but before doing so, he stopped.
"Echo, was it?"
"Ah? Yes?"
"You showed me something fun today.
The next time we meet, show me something even better.
Get even stronger."
"Yes, I will try."
"Try not to die, everyone.
Waking me up soon wouldn't be fun."
The gates flung shut behind Monster.
"Reason, please."
And Original didn't even wait a second before urging him to continue.
"Yes.
After I stood up..."
...
Some time ago, right after Reason lost control for a moment from the effects of more than one consciousness.
"Reason! Are you– are you alright?" Witnessing someone falling and bleeding from all facial orifices is pretty shocking, more so as the person just gets up and wipes all the blood like nothing.
"I am fine."
"But— you feel colder, and you seem very pale, more than a moment ago."
"I said, I am fine.
We should get going. I want to find the source of that strange voice. It might be helpful."
'Yes— come to me, no matter how hurt you are, I can help!' The inviting dark voice was still beckoning to Reason.
"Just lead me to you.
Now, woman, get on." Reason kneeled in front of Mercy, showing his back to her.
"I can move now—"
"Get on, woman."
"Urg– Fine..."
'Was I mistaken?' Reason started running just like before, and so did Tiana begin to talk.
'Maybe it was just the effects of inner conflict, it's so strange not feeling what is happening...'
'What!? Inner conflict!?'
'Don't worry, Mercy, I am just speculating, and even if a fight happens, I am sure Original will be able to solve things even without me.'
'Without you?'
'Well, yes. I was something like a mediator inside Temorsth. I represented something like tenderness and important womanly connections.'
'You? Tenderness?'
'What are you implying bitch!? We don't have time for jokes.'
'Jokes? Well, yes, but I just meant nothing much would have changed if this you is tender.'
'You...!'
...
While the two argued and Reason was following the voice, behind them—
"Stop!" The leading figure of the ten chasing raised a hand.
"Huh, what is it, Ralph?"
"These steps are a bit deeper...
Hah, it's so even I wouldn't be able to tell that they were taken two times if this wasn't the second time.
How dare he use the same trick twice? First, you might have fooled me, but don't get arrogant, you fucking monster.
Everyone, search around for tracks leading elsewhere; it may be some distance from here, like last time. For safety, look in pairs."
"Understood!"
"This bastard really thinks he can fool us twice."
"Ralph! Here!" Not much time later, one of them called out.
"Hmh? I am right there."
"Ralph, did he get sloppy... the tracks were much closer than last time."
"Well, he is being chased... but what is this? Blood? He didn't leave blood before, did a wound open up, or did he get hurt somehow..."
"Fuck it, it doesn't matter, Ralph, it's just better if they are hurt."
"Well, you are right. This blood also seems fresh. Alright, everyone, come on, let us catch this 'monster' or whatever." All ten of them started running again.
"Fuck... are we really catching up to the thing that did that to the Boss..." The man at the back cursed to himself.
"What, are you scared, man?" The one beside him called out.
"Fuck no... just— why didn't the Vice come with us...? Weren't he and the Boss good friends?"
"Hell, he has to order everyone around, probably to speed things back there and bring everyone to us sooner."
"Yeah— yeah probably..."
"Fuck, shut up already. I am out of breath because of you..."
"Fuck you, you're just fat!"
"Fuck you!"
"Man, come on, we are being left behind." The hesitant guy sped up.
"Fuck, you started talking to me...
Fuf, I am really not cut out for this.
Hey, wait for me—"
...
'Yes... Yes! I am here!!!'
"Hmh— Here? I don't see anything." Just like any other part of the forest: trees and bushes, undergrowth, and grass. There was nothing different.
"What is it, Reason? Why did we stop? Are we here?"
'In front! In the ground!!!'
"In the ground?" Reason let Mercy down, lowering to one knee.
Pushing the undergrowth away, his fingers traversed the earth...
'Yes! Yes!!! Grasp it, the power!'
"—is this... a handle?" His fingers found it, his hand locked on the grip.
"A sword grip— Ug, heavy— I can't lift it." Reason looked surprised — no, that was a joke of a surprise, his eyes widened just a bit more than normal.
'Obviously you can't, I weigh a lot more than a ton.'
"Uhm?" Reason squinted, he saw it before he felt it.
"Agh, Reason!? Your hand!!" And Mercy too.
A black mouth, ragged and deformed teeth, like a monster bit out of the ground, swallowing Reason's hand.
"It's still attached." His blood flowed, but he was still as calm as ever.
'Now you can't run!' Reason's blood flowed into the ground and the being beneath it.
'Your body—' Black lines almost like blood vessels traveled up his arm.
'It's mine!'
"I can't move my arm. Is this an infection? Should I cut it off?"
"Reason!?" Mercy was shook, she couldn't follow it, how was this guy so calm even now?
'It's too late! Your mind—' The black infection traveled up his neck, his head, it took over half his face.
'It's mine too!' The last half was said by Reason himself. Half his face smiled, the eye turned red, the other side was still and unfazed.
"Now show me your desires, your wishes, show me everything! Show me your soul!"
"Reason! What–what can I do—"
'Calm down, he will be fine.'
"Calm down, I am fine." Reason and Tiana answered simultaneously.
"What...?" Mercy was hesitant, how are they so sure?
"Arrogant, you won't be so fine in a moment!" It spoke out of Reason still.
"Let's see, your world!" With the words, it blinked. The next moment everything seemed different.
'Now let's see! What are your desires, kid, what is this world of yours?'
A single red eye opened, a black mist, and obsidian-like glistening in every color.
The world around... 'Is this a cabin? There is nothing outside.' The eye looked out of the window but there was only dark.
The sound of crackling fire. 'A fireplace? Ah, there he is...' The eye looked around: fire burning, an old man beside it in an old rocking chair.
'What is this peace and quiet... but this should be his deepest desires, where are the riches, the fame!?
A young guy wanting peace!?
What is this fucking joke!?
What the hell is this fucking cold!? Wait— cold...'
The eye shook itself like shaking its head.
'Something is not right... What is this extreme cold?
...!?' Then he noticed it.
'How... how are you looking at me!!?' The deepest part of the mind, of the subconscious, the soul, the being you are inside.
'How can you dream while awake!!? WHO ARE YOU!!?'
'Freeze.' As the old man said, so it did. What froze? Everything. Fire and the words, the movement of the eye.
'Cold, how is it so cold, what the hell is wrong with you!?' The cottage's walls fell down. The old man sat still but the world turned.
Ice, ice, everything frozen solid; it was the cold wind, it hurt, the moonlight shining on the world, the wind, the moon? But nothing moved, no wind, no colors, no light.
'What is this world!? You—you are not that kid!!! I feel it, the difference, he was different. Who— What the hell are you!? No matter how loud the thoughts screamed, there was no movement in this world, no vibrations, no transfer, it was completely still, even sound froze.
"You came to my world, and you demand another?
You should have been more prepared."
The eye — this evil force that wished to corrupt and take over — this situation made it think something, a thought he should have never had in the presence of Reason.
'Incomprehensible... Unreasonable—'
"Un—UNREASONABLE!!?" Word uttered in both his and the physical world.
"Reason? Are you alright?"
'Oh no— oh no, Mercy get back this might get really bad...'
"UNREASONABLE!!!"
"What—what is it? Is it that thing crawling up from the ground? Why does he sound even scarier now?"
'This is bad... this is fucking bad! You should start worrying now! This is so fucking bad!'