June 2023

It has been one month since I met Cloud. One month since I started this quest and trained non-stop. One month since that incident. And during all that time, we've kept our interactions with other players to a bare minimum. When I am in need of supplies, we would go to the city during night, when everyone is asleep. Even so, that doesn't mean we are always hidden.

A handful of players have spotted us and tried to follow but to no avail. Cloud's stealth skills are on par with mine, and both of us can sprint fast enough to leave any stalkers clueless. In just one month, rumors about us have already spread throughout Aincrad as the two of us have been going from floor to floor, taking every single monster we could find. Both weak ones and strong ones.

The reason for this is because Cloud informed me just how challenging this dungeon is. The monsters there are mainly ones from Floor 50 and above. He even said he has encountered monsters that are usually found in the 70th Floors. If I could give up, I would, but I can't since I promised myself I would do this.

Today however is special. Cloud and I have taken a break from farming up mobs. We are back at the cave I first met Cloud in. This area is apparently called the Edge of the World, since this is the only region where you can see what is outside of Castle Aincrad. The wall was apparently removed at this section to let the ocean fall into the abyss below.

Other than that, I am completely intrigued with Cloud's intelligence. He's the most unique NPC I've ever seen, able to talk and reply to almost anything. NPCs usually have boundaries to what they can react to, but I haven't found that limit yet with Cloud. It's like he's an actual human being. How much time and effort did Kayaba Akihiko put into creating him?

As I pondered on that question, I looked into Cloud's eyes. He was staring intently at the fire while eating his food so he didn't notice I was staring at him. His eyes showed an empty void, as if he had lost something precious to him. That's when I decided to ask him.

"How did it start? Your darkness I mean…" I asked him nervously. Cloud's expression changed into one filled with pain. He then calmed himself and turned to me.

"The darkness I committed isn't really a sin, or something I did in the past. It is a person, by the name of Sephiroth." Cloud began telling his story, "You could consider us to be mortal enemies. We are complete opposites of each other, yet we are part of the same person."

"W-What do you mean by that?" I asked him confused.

"Sephiroth and I were injected with an alien's DNA. This alien's cells were theorized to reunite if they were to separate. Anyway, Sephiroth grew up and became a powerful soldier. He was in fact the most famous warrior at that time. However, he later found out about his alien DNA and his biological mother. He then followed the footsteps of his alien mother, and tried to take over our Planet. I've come here to destroy him once and for all."

"Oh… I don't really understand the part where you two are related but I understand the rest. If I were you, I would also be trying to hunt that guy down." I told him.

"How about you Mortifer? What is your story?" Cloud asked me. The Voices suddenly started to get louder, yet I began recalling what had happened that night.

"It happened the night before I found myself here in this cave. We were waiting for a friend to return home for supper, but they never did. So we went out to search for our friend. We found her tied to a tree and surrounded by three men. They, did things to her…"

The Voices were screaming now, but there was no pain and I could still think clearly. Cloud stared at me intently, interested by my story. Even though I knew I would hurt myself even more by telling this story, I did so anyway.

"I approached the three men as they watched their leader do his business. I gave them no time to prepare for a fight and slaughtered them, showing no mercy. That event triggered something inside me, and now, I am haunted by the screams and pleas of those I killed that they. As you already know, I still get nightmares about that day."

My head is aching now. I tried pushing it back when Cloud suddenly touched my head and closed his eyes. His cold hands made me feel uncomfortable, but I didn't move away from him. He had his eyes closed for a half a minute and then he finally opened his eyes.

"The Voices in your head are real, I can hear them. The darkness in you is strong. You must be prepared to face it." He whispered. "Now rest, for tomorrow we will resume training."

Cloud grabbed a few more logs of wood and threw it into the fire. He then went to his sleeping spot, leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. I also went to my spot. I lied down on the pile of hay and closed my eyes, hoping that I wouldn't get a nightmare.

July 2023

Recently I've been curious about something. I didn't really notice is until earlier this month. I am still in Violet's friends' list, which means she can track me down. By now, I am sure she would've gone looking for me, yet I haven't spotted her at all. Does she not want to see me?

"Cloud, does the Edge of the World hide others from seeing you on their maps?" I asked the NPC.

"Not that I'm aware of. Why are you asking?" He said in return.

"You see, my friends have me on their list, which means they can track down my position anytime they want." I told him.

"Oh, I see… You're wondering why they haven't come looking for you?"

I gave him a simple nod in return, and he rested his chin on his hand. His expression clearly conveyed that he was trying to think up of a solution. He then shook his head, finding nothing.

"Do you think I can take the day off tomorrow?" I asked him.

"Are you going to visit your friends to see what they're up to?" he asked me back, and once again I gave him a nod, "Very well. I shall accompany you then."

"W-What?" I exclaimed, shocked at his words, "You sure Cloud?"

"I too want to see your friends. The fact that they can't see you on their map is very mysterious." Cloud mused.

"Well… Okay then… We should leave early in the morning tomorrow. The place where we stayed at is on this floor, but at the complete opposite end of it. We can't teleport to Panareze either since you are not able to do something like that."

"Don't worry about me." Cloud said while shaking his head, "Worry about you and your friends."

The next day, the Island

How long has it been since I've last been here? Almost two months? Nothing has really changed here on this Island. If they had kept up with our regular schedule, they would be busy power-leveling today. However, it seems that that is not the case.

Cloud and I hid inside a tree next to the bridge. From here, I could see Rizer at the other side of the Island, where the tree grove has almost fully grown. A garden of flowers also covered the region around where the majority of the trees are planted. The man-made river we created has yet to be completed. At the moment, Rizer was working on something next to the biggest tree in the tree grove. We were still too far away from him to clearly see his project.

On the other hand, both Paradox and Violet were sitting on the front porch of the house. Violet held a basket of flowers in her arms while Paradox sat next to her, rubbing her back. Violet's eyes seemed to be staring at the bridge, as if she were waiting for something to return. Waiting for me to return.

"Are those your friends Mortifer?" Cloud asked me.

"Yeah. Those are my friends." I responded.

At that moment, I spotted Violet open up her menu and pulled out her map. Scared of being discovered, I almost dropped down from the tree to run away until Cloud suddenly grabbed my shoulders. He pointed back to Violet, who examined her map carefully. When I saw the map, it looked completely ordinary. That is until I noticed three markers instead of four.

The map is the simplest way of tracking down where people are located. You can only see you and your friends in the map, which are represented by the markers. The only time you aren't able to see someone on your map is when they are in a dungeon or cave. Because I am Violet's friend, there should be a fourth marker on her map, but there were only three. This tree can't be a dungeon or cave either, as that would make no sense. The next thing she did shocked me even more.

Violet closed her map and opened up her friends' list. Like everyone in the group, the list of friends we have are small. In fact, the only people we have in our friends' list is each other. The thing that shocked me, is the color of my name on her list, and the line going across it.

Upon scrolling to a friend, the translucent grey bar turns white in order to indicate that this friend has been selected. My name however, was blacked out and barely legible to read due to the little contrast between the letters and the background. A grey line also crossed through mine. A black name with a line going across means that that person is dead.

That's when it hit me hard. The reason why they haven't gone looking for me is not because they can't track me… It's because they think I'm already dead. After all, what kind of sane person would go searching for someone who's already dead?

But it doesn't make sense. Why is it that I appear dead to them? I'm alive, right here, right now. If I wasn't alive, then I wouldn't be able to do these things that a player would be able to do. I can see, feel, hear, taste, and smell everything around me. I don't remember dying at some point in this game. Is it a glitch in the system?

Suddenly, without warning, Cloud jumped down from the tree and landed with a boom due to the weight of his sword and the height of the fall. The noise scared Violet and Paradox, forcing Rizer to quickly run to them with his sword already drawn out. The three of them approached Cloud, who dropped his sword on the ground and held his hands up in a surrender-like fashion.

"I do not wish to harm you. However, even if you killed me, I will only respawn." Cloud admitted.

"Respawn? You're an NPC?" Rizer asked him. Cloud nodded in return, "What kind of business does an NPC have to travel to this Island?"

"My name is Cloud Strife. I was watching you from that tree and noticed that you are all very gloomy. I wish to ask you why is it that you are all radiating sorrow."

"That's none of your business, and what kind of NPC are you?" Rizer moved his blade closer to Cloud's neck, "From the looks of it you're a Quest NPC, but aren't you guys supposed to stay in a certain location? Either way, I've never seen a Quest-NPC that resembles you."

"Indeed I am a Quest-NPC, but I am one that assists players in their quests. That is why I am able to travel to different places. Now, can you please put that sword down? It's making me feel uncomfortable…"

Cloud tried pushing the tip of Rizer's sword away but he only pushed it closer to Cloud. The sharp, cold blade touched the NPC's neck. Cloud sighed and brought down his arms. In a flash, he reached behind his back to unsheathe his sword. In one fell swoop, Cloud knocked Rizer's blade out of his hands and pointed his massive blade to Rizer.

"I said I do not wish to harm you, and I intend to keep that promise. If you're wondering why I am able to do things such as this, then my answer to you is no. I am fully aware that I am not a real person, but that is all I know."

Everyone including myself was shocked at his words. Cloud's Color Cursor and the fact that he gives out quests indicates full well that he is an NPC. I know that yet I sometimes refuse to believe he is one. His communication system is more complex than anything I've ever seen.

Rizer raised his hands up in a surrender-like fashion, making Cloud lower his sword. Violet then approached Cloud, still holding the basket of flowers in her arms. She scrutinized Cloud, looking at his appearance. She dropped her basket of flowers and then started touching his spiky hair, twirling it around her fingers.

"Um… What exactly are you doing miss?" Cloud asked her, confused and slightly blushing.

"I never knew NPCs could blush." Violet mused. She finally stopped playing with Cloud's hair and took a step back, "We are depressed because we lost someone close to us. We have been waiting for him to return home, but he hasn't done so. It has been almost two months since he disappeared on us."

"I see… Might I ask what is it you were working on by that big tree over there?" Cloud asked, pointing to Rizer's project.

The four of them began walking towards the big tree. Since I also wanted to get a closer look, I silently dropped down from the tree and trailed behind them. Cloud seemed to notice my move and made his footsteps slightly louder, as to help mute the sound of my own footsteps. I then climbed a tree that was far enough as to not be seen, but close enough to see what's going on.

The thing Rizer was working on seems to be a grave. My grave. He used an obsidian rock and carved my name on the rock. Lavender flowers were littered around the grave. The sea breeze must've scattered the flowers despite the other trees acting as windbreakers.

"Whose grave is this?" Cloud questioned.

"The friend Violet told you about." Paradox stated.

"Why have you made a grave even though you are waiting for him to return home?"

"Well… According to our friends' list as well as the Monument of Life back in the 1st Floor, Mortifer is dead. But… But…"

Violet's eyes began tearing up, forcing Paradox to go to her side and comfort her. She too had tears in her eyes. Rizer turned away with a pained expression. It seems he too is affected by my disappearance, or because he has to deal with Violet and Paradox.

"I refuse to believe he is dead… And something inside me tells me that he is still out there somewhere. I can feel him trying to reach for me." Violet cried out.

"If I hadn't joined you guys, you wouldn't have to deal with this loss Violet. I knew I would just be a hinderance to you guys." Paradox sobbed.

"Don't talk like that Paradox." Rizer mumbled, "Knowing Mortifer, he probably won't like it if you continuously beat yourself up for this."

The Voices in my head grew stronger as I remembered that night. Indeed, I do not like it when others take blame for sefless things that I do, despite the fact that I don't care much about most people. However, my party to me is like my second family. We live together, thrive together, and survive together. Of course I would want to protect them.

The two girls started crying. Rizer paced around the tree, still holding a pained expression on his face. Cloud went over to comfort Violet as she began placing lavender flowers on my grave. Paradox picked up the scattered flowers and placed them where they belong whilst crying.

"I didn't even get the chance to say that I loved him…" Violet sobbed as a tear fell and hit the ground next to my tombstone.

That's when I suddenly felt a wave of dizziness wash over me. I lost my grip on the branch I was holding onto. My foot slipped and I came crashing down to the ground, my cloak now entangled by multiple branches that it had clipped onto during the fall. Although I could not see them clearly, I could feel all of their eyes staring at me.

"Who's that guy?" Rizer questioned. Everyone began walking towards me but Cloud stood in front of them with his arms spread wide.

"It's just my friend. Zack." Cloud lied.

I attempted to get up but I was still dazed and shock from both the fall and Violet's words. Why is it that those words shocked me so? I already knew she liked me. She even said I looked like someone she had a crush on in the real world. Heck, even I find her to be cute. But why am I still shocked?

"I'm taking a closer look…" Rizer grumbled as he pushed past Cloud.

I finally got back to my senses and started ripping out the branches that I was entangled in. While I struggled to free myself from nature's grasp, Cloud was busy trying to stall my friends from getting to me. He pushed them, tripped them and pulled on their clothing. Cloud really is the most unique NPC I've ever seen.

Eventually, he pissed of Rizer, who tackled him to the ground and pinned him there, allowing Paradox and Violet to freely run towards me. I was finally free from the branches but notice that my foot was stuck on one of the tree's roots that were extruding off the ground. Both Paradox and Violet are now sprinting towards me. By the time I got my foot removed, it was already too late.

"Hey!" Violet called out. Her tone was neither threatening nor friendly, "You… Who are you? What are you doing here?"

I didn't move a muscle. I was too shocked to speak. My body told me to greet her with a hug, but my mind protested. I can't show myself to them yet. I won't be satisfied until I extinguish the darkness inside of me. However, I can't find a way to get out of this cleanly.

"Hello? Did you have trouble hearing me or are you just ignoring me?"

I slowly turned my body to face Violet. I continued to look down on the ground so Violet wouldn't see my mask nor my face. In the meantime, I was forming plans in my head as to how I can get out of this situation. I looked to Cloud, who was still pinned by Rizer. Violet can somewhat catch up to me if I run without using my glitched speed. If I do use it, then it would give away my identity completely since I am the only person they know who is capable of doing such a thing.

I became so distracted that I didn't even notice Paradox attempting to sneak up on me. I turned around and saw her reach out to grab my hood. Her hand grabbed the piece of cloth and that's when I decided to risk being found. Before they got to see my face, I pushed Paradox away and ran away with my speed.

I ran out of the tree grove and ran across the bridge. I went into the forest and continued running inside it until I was too tired to move. Cloud is still back there, but I am confident he will be able to escape from them. When I leaned against the tree, a cool ocean breeze blew on my face. The cold made my skin tingle. Upon brushing my face with my hand, that's when I noticed the horrible mistake I have just made.

I reminisced to the time Paradox grabbed onto my hood. She indeed pulled it down, but she did something else after that. Yes… She grabbed a loose strap of leather that flew in the air. The way I moved in order to escape must've shaken it off as she pulled on the leather to loosen it.

My hands trembled as I realized that my mask is now gone.

(Violet)

The mysterious man disappeared into the forest. Thoughts began racing inside my head. The speed at which that man ran matches Mortifer's if he uses his speed glitch. However, Mortifer is dead according to the game, so it can't be him. If that Cloud guy is telling the truth, then the man must be his friend Zack or whatever name he said. I then remembered that Rizer still had Cloud pinned, and so I turned and ran back to them.

I stomped my way to Cloud and put my foot on his neck whilst Rizer prevented him from moving his arms and legs. I then crouched down, putting more weight on his neck and gave him an angry expression.

"You better tell us something, or you're going to get a punish far worse than being trapped in the basement."

"Something." The NPC said with a grin.

"Okay that's it. I'm going to make sure you-"

I stopped as I was interrupted by the sound of Paradox's crying. I removed my foot off of Cloud's throat and looked at Paradox. She was on her knees crying. Her tears appeared to be those of joy instead of sadness. Rizer stood up and went over to Paradox. That's when I noticed that she was holding something in her arms.

"Paradox… What are you holding?" I asked her politely.

She was too busy crying to talk, so she showed me the item she was holding. It was a mask.

"Are you crying about that mask?" I asked her, "Why would you be crying about that? It's just a normal mask with the design of a skull and-"

I stopped speaking, as I realized what I was looking at. I quickly grabbed the mask from her and examined it carefully. Every detail was just like how I created it to be. The small crack that cuts across the right eye as well as intricate patterns engraved on the forehead.

"It looks just like it, doesn't it Violet-san?" Paradox cried.

I heard rustling behind me and noticed that the NPC has gotten up. He quickly ran past us and headed to the bridge. Rizer was about to give chase but I stopped him in his tracks.

"It's fine Rizer. Let him run away." I told him, "We may not have gotten an answer from him directly, but at least we have one here. This might actually be the best answer we can get. This mask belongs to Cloud's friend. Paradox had ripped it off of him before he ran away. I made a mask identical to this for Mortifer. It is one of a kind."

"S-So what you're saying is…" Rizer stuttered.

"Yes… That man who ran away… It's Mortifer." I beamed, "It has to be him. Only Mortifer can run at that speed, and only he wears a mask as edgy as this."

I refused to believe Mortifer was dead. Now I have evidence that he is still alive. I need to believe that the person was indeed Mortifer and not someone else. I need to do it for the sake of my heart and sanity. I can't imagine losing Mortifer a second time.