Dear paper,
My name's Lisha… I think so. You've been my emotional support through all these endless struggles. I finally figured out how to kill the God of Destruction—or Death, whatever it's called. I need three things: the Eye of the Sky, the Heart of the Sea, and the Veins of the Earth. I actually got them, but it didn't work. I couldn't find a proper craftsman, and when the timer ran out… I died. So here I am, writing again—for the 51st time.
I've noticed something weird lately. I feel like someone's watching me… and helping me too? It started after the system changed during my 40th regression. The new one doesn't even have a name. The old one gave off this creepy "don't trust me" vibe. I guess this one's better.
—Lisha
I suddenly felt someone behind me. Turning around, I saw my friend Hana standing there, peeking at what I was writing.
"Umm… So from what I read—you're calling paper your emotional support?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Wait, it's not what you think. I can't explain yet," I said quickly, crumpling the page and shoving it into my pocket.
"Lisha, it's kinda concerning that you find comfort in a piece of paper. Anyway, here's your lunch bag."
"Thanks…"
She frowned. "You okay? You were totally fine before the bell rang, and now you look like you're about to— I don't know—jump off a cliff or something. What's going on?"
"You won't get it. Even if I tell you, you won't remember next time we're here."
"I really don't want this topic, something please come and interrupt please I beg you" Lisha thought.
"I will remember! Just tell me, I'm here for—"
Before she could finish, a grunt came from behind her. Another girl, Ivy, walked up and sat down next to Hana.
"What are you two whispering about? Am I interrupting something?"
"No, not really," I said quickly.
"Yeah, we were just—" Hana started.
"Okay, so you were talking, but please hold it for a moment and tell me-what did she say about me?" Her face darkened
"Ava told me she said I was faking it! What, does she think I'm crazy?"
"Oh, I did hear that," Hana said. "She said it and then laughed right after."
"Ugh! I had a fever! 102°, okay? The way she said it, she'd probably tell a cancer patient to 'stop faking cancer.' What's her problem!? It's the third time now!!" Ivy groaned, clutching her hair dramatically.
"Okay okay, let's just move on. if you pay attention to her, she will do more than that"" Hana said. "Anzways , hat'd you get for lunch? I got sambar."
"Curd," Ivy muttered.
"I dunno," I whispered. "Haven't checked… in years."
Then Mei walked up, holding her lunchbox. "Hmm mmh mhmm?" (Why haven't you opened your lunch?)
"We were just talking about food," Hana said. "What did you bring?"
"Biryani."
"BIRYANI!?" Ava yelled from behind, appearing out of nowhere.
"Wait—get your lid, I'll share!" Mei laughed.
"Okay! Oh, and Ivy, I need to talk to you later, so eat fast, alright?"
"Yeah, sure," Ivy said, glancing at Hana and me.
"Okay, you guys can talk now. I'm gonna head out."
"What chat?" Mei asked, blinking.
"I'll tell you later—madam's literally staring at us," Hana whispered, grabbing her lunch bag and darting back to her seat.
"Sheep! Gotta go too!" Mei laughed and hurried after her.
I watched them leave, my hands tightening around the table.
This is where it begins again.
Every single time Mei finishes her lunch… the Infinity Castle chaos returns.
I ate my lunch as fast as I could. It was delicious… but it made me miss my mom. I haven't seen her in so long—least of all eating her food. But don't worry, when this ends I will see my mom and brothers again… safe and protected.
————————————————————————
The chaos began the moment Mei finished her lunch.
There was a pause of silence, the teacher about to enter stood there for zen, shocked and in disbelief of what was happening.
The ground beneath us just—vanished, food?- vanished, benche?- vanished. One second we were laughing, and the next, we were falling. Everyone screamed, but the sound felt swallowed by the air itself.
My stomach twisted as I plunged through nothingness.
The fall felt endless—seconds stretching into hours. Wind rushed past my face, sharp and cold, like needles against my skin. I couldn't tell if I was still moving or just trapped in an illusion. The void had no beginning, no end—just darkness that seemed alive.
When I finally hit the ground, pain shot through my arms. I gasped, realizing I could breathe again.
Around me, the others from Group One—IG (Indian Group)—were standing up slowly, shaken but alive.
It was dark, impossibly dark, yet… within a small radius, we could see each other. Like some invisible light followed us—only us. Everything beyond that circle was swallowed whole by the void.
I just sat there for a while, doing nothing. At some point, I must've passed out, because when I woke up, I was surrounded by a glowing sphere of warm light. It didn't burn, and somehow, we could stare straight at it without our eyes hurting.
All of our classmates were there too—safe, breathing, and as confused as ever.
As a normal human being who suffered and is a… inverter??-i dunno, I just went back to sleep and let all the energy and rest i deserve reach me.
I woke up again… then went back to sleep. I kept drifting in and out until my body refused to rest any longer.
By the time I finally opened my eyes, I was somewhere else—a maze.
It seems I missed a few things while I was out.
But honestly, it doesn't matter. I've seen enough to know what's happening.