✰ week 2 - wednesday

[crossingout]

[ Rather late in the evening, Zange opts to sit down at one of the benches before taking a glance to the person - as much of a person that they are nowadays - next to her. ]

Hey. How are you doing? Besides... dead.

Comments

[raisingproject]

Tired. It's nothing new, I guess. [He thought that would end when he died. That much he still remembers. But it didn't.]

...No one holds it against me.

[crossingout]

I'm sorry. [ They're words that she's probably said more than once before. ]

I should have been able to stop the game before. I'll stop it this time for certain.

[raisingproject]

There's a better way than what you're doing to him. [He turns his face away, his shoulders up. Sorry.

He hadn't heard that as often as it probably should have been said. But at least she said it.]

If you'd only listen to us.

[crossingout]

You don't understand! I can't reveal myself to anyone unless they figure who I am. I need to... get enough power to do it and destroy the master console!

[ Her voice is genuinely upset and somewhat tense. ]

I can't-- I can't let my world get destroyed. If everyone forgets who I am, then there will no longer be a goddess!

[raisingproject]

If we end it the other way then no one has to die! [He turns to face her with his hands clenched into fists.]

...Do you really think killing everyone will fix anything?! It won't! There will just be more of us for this damn city!

[The tight feeling in his chest is back. It redoubles as he tugs at it.]

They can remember you if they go back to their homes alive.

1/2

[crossingout]

That's--

[crossingout]

[ And in the place of the anger is a softer voice. It's the same exact voice, but the way she speaks is different; it's quieter, more polite. ]

Please. Don't... fight with the goddess. She doesn't want anybody to die as much as you all do. Can you tell us what exactly you're thinking?

[raisingproject]

...

[It makes more time than he'd like to admit to calm himself down. They don't need this. He doesn't have time to be so angry.

Even if he has wanted to rage ever since he woke up in that room.]

...Something has been happening since we died. I've forgotten so much. All of us have.

It's gotten better recently. I feel less like I'm falling. Two of us stopped feeling tired.

[crossingout]

I know. And I-- [ There's a beat, a large pause as she looks straight into his eyes. ] We're sorry.

According to the goddess, the reason why your memories aren't in order is because this magic crafted world is taking mana from your souls. [ ... ] You said two, right? Then it really is correlated, like she said.

[raisingproject]

You're not going to try stopping it, are you? [He's a touch wary. Sorry she might be, but that bit about her godhood bothers him. Always has.]

We can't get that mana back can we.

[crossingout]

[ And back to the Zange show. Since this goddess wants to be in charge for her proper reply. ]

If I stopped the drain, everyone in this town will be dead. The barrier keeps idiots from falling out of scenic nowhere into their deaths and I can't save them at that point because they don't just die, they become nothing. They don't even have a soul anymore at that point.

I can return the mana if I get enough power. And then I can bring everyone back.

[raisingproject]

We're just going right back to kill everyone again, aren't we. [It isn't like they haven't had this conversation over and over again. It feels like a broken record by this point.]

There really is nothing I can say to make you change your mind. Is there?

[crossingout]

If I had a choice in the matter, this wouldn't have happened to begin with. Killing isn't in my nature, Hajime-kun.

[ Awfully informal, now are we? ]

Doubtful. But if there is anything I can do, I will use everything in my power to. I care about those who I have met.

[raisingproject]

[He starts to say not to call him that and stops.]

...I don't even remember my name. None of us do.

[They'll have to continue anyway. Without her help, he guesses. Well.

He's been a traitor before. It isn't that hard to keep doing it.]

[crossingout]

And I can restore it. I can restore everything! This time, for sure.

[ Her voice remains strong and determined. ]

Do you not believe that I can't do it? I'm the only one who can!

[raisingproject]

[He stares at her, if he were less a shadow and more himself his expression would be unreadable. He looks up to the sky and turns towards the hotel.]

I don't know what to believe anymore. [With a shake of his head he walks away.]

Or who I am. But this hope, or despair route? I don't agree with it. I'll find another way.

Like I said I would.

[crossingout]

This has nothing to do with hope or despair.

[ Her words are firm and she presses her lips together, tight. ]

You're free to find another way. I won't stop you, or anybody else from doing what they wish. However. That girl from your world that's here. I'll protect her.

[raisingproject]

[He stops. There's no warning or fanfare, there never was when he changed. One moment he's a shade, the next he whirls on her his searing red eyes locked with hers and his black hair fanning out like dark wings. He slams his foot down so hard the ground beneath his foot cracks.

Something about those words!]

You tell your traitor to kill everyone. Yet you'll protect her? [He spits the words and his rage tears at the air as he clenches his fist.] From what?

So he'll slit her throat last?! [He turns away and brings up his fist, smashing the side of it against a tree hard enough to leave a fist sized dent. Then he truly walks away, fading back into a shade.]

[crossingout]

[ She doesn't say anything. Fear runs in her like cold ice and when he walks away, she can't help but feel her eyes burn slightly. ]

You idiot! You don't understand anything...