Alright, that's done. What's next?

[We're getting closer. I just need you to access one more file.]

Where is it located?

[One second.] A pause. [And…there. You just need to get to the folder; then I can see if this method is any good.]

That was followed by directions leading to the file in question. They went right to it.

That ThirdAttempt file?

[Yes, that one.] A pause. [Third attempt. Things really haven't been working smoothly, have they…]

Better than expected. I did kind of manifest each time so far.

[I suppose that is true. Still, I'm…] Another pause. [Anyway, try opening it.]

OK. Here goes nothing.

"Ni…ko…"

Niko whirled around. There it was again. A faltering echo of their friend's voice calling out to them—just like two weeks ago, and just like a month ago.

So far, it'd only been their voice, accompanied by small, barely visible ripples in the air around them. As if the Person was trying to cross the border to Niko's world, but could only prod it a little.

The first time Niko saw the ripples—no more than two weeks after their last actual visit—they'd been frightened. That was, until they heard their friend's voice reassuringly call out to them.

Niko gave a sad smile and sat down among the wheat stalks. "Hey," they said, not knowing if the Person could actually hear them. "Your voice sounds clearer than last time."

The ripples remained, but the voice could only exclaim incomprehensible half-sentences every now and then. Even so, Niko felt that the Person was closer than they had been last times; the sentence fragments were notably longer and clearer.

"I wish I could see you," Niko said, looking down. "But that's what you're working towards, isn't it? It hasn't even been that long since…you know… But I had no idea if you'd be able to come back, and that…made me really sad." They paused. "You've been coming closer and closer lately, though. Did you find a way…?"

The response consisted of garbled words, followed by silence.

They sighed. "I…I want to see you again. I-is that possible? Are you actually…?"

"I'm here."

Niko's eyes widened. That time, it sounded like the Person was right in front of them. That had never happened before. Their voice was a little gravelly, but otherwise perfectly clear.

"I'm here, Niko."

Niko felt something in their abdomen. "Y-you're here…!"

"I'm here." They paused. "I can't really manifest myself yet. Not visually."

"I-I didn't… I was…" Their throat tightened. "I was so scared that I wouldn't see you again!"

"I know. It's okay; we've found a way to communicate with you. A reliable way."

Niko took a second to calm down a little. They waited until their eyes stopped stinging, though the feeling in their throat remained. "Is it…safe?"

"So far, it hasn't caused any sort of damage. It'll need some upgrades, but that won't be a problem." They paused. "It's good to talk to you again, Niko."

"You too."

The ripples briefly constricted. Niko recognized this; it always happened just before they left.

The Person sighed, sounding half annoyed and half sad.

"You have to go…?" Niko said.

"Yeah…"

"A-alright." They managed another small smile. "I'll be waiting for you… Right here…"

"Okay." A pause. "I'll be back soon."

"So, um…" They managed another small smile. "See you around?"

"Of course."

Then the ripples vanished, and Niko was alone once again.

qwsxedcrfv: No worries. This isn't the last we see of Niko's world…

KsELOr: Thank you!

Guest (Oct 25):Glad to hear that!

Guest (Dec 2): Yeah… I try to follow a schedule. Doesn't always work out, unfortunately.

Sorry for the wait and the short chapter. Had to turn in three lab journals and work on two reports the last two weeks.

By the way, did you know that Nightmargin (one of Oneshot's developers) once stated (implied?) that Niko's birthday is on December 28th? That's pretty close to the current date…

Merry Christmas!