Chapter 31: Reaching The End
All Linda could do for the time being was watch the Ink Demon as he had grown transfixed on the repeating cartoons above; he never did seem to mind there was no end to them nor that the characters would repeat the same few motions over and over. Linda couldn't help but wonder what exactly was the point of playing the same Bendy cartoons inside of the throne room, but then she began to realize how they effected the Ink Demon.
The cartoons helped keep him calm as well as remind him what he was supposed to be, and this "throne room" was his prison. Coming to that conclusion, it was most likely the Ink Demon was not supposed to be able to leave the room until. At least until they found some way to perfect his form to where he was a perfect copy of the Little Devil Darlin'. Linda couldn't help but feel saddened as she thought of what cruelty the Ink Demon must've endured as well as being manipulated into believing Henry had some fault in this.
Henry...
She wondered where he was now.
How he was fairing without her.
Linda knew Henry could handle himself, but she hoped that he and the others were safe.
Movement from the Ink Demon caught Linda's attention, taking her away from her thoughts. He was now staring at her with unseen eyes, but Linda knew better than to show an ounce of fear as unnerving as it was. She had learned long ago the Ink Demon responded more aggressively towards fear or at least toy with his victim in a cruel manner, and seeing as he was starting to become enraged at random, Linda could not risk it.
"What is it?" She asked, keeping her voice leveled as she watched him stand up.
So far she could tell the Ink Demon was calm, thanks to their connection through the ink, so she was not worried when he began to approach her.
The Ink Demon pointed at her and then pointed towards the floor. Linda blinked a bit as she tried to understand what he was trying to tell her, but then he pointed to himself and then towards the sealed metal doors.
"Oh! You want me to stay here while you go out?" She asked.
The Ink Demon's grin stretched a bit as he nodded.
"Seeing as how the ink has been effecting me, I think I had enough traveling through the portals." Linda sighed. "You won't have to worry about me escaping."
He seemed to be satisfied with her response as he grunted and turned to leave. Linda could only hope he wouldn't try to hunt down Henry, Boris, and the Butcher Gang and harm them. However, she knew it was wishful thinking.
The Ink Demon held a grudge, that much she knew for sure, and it was hard to tell if he could ever learn to forgive Henry for leaving thirty years ago.
Some time had passed once the Ink Demon finally returned, and Linda could sense he was rather stressed as his growling was louder and the ink dripped more profusely from his inky form. Before she could get a word out as the Ink Demon approached her, he wrapped his arms around Linda and clung to her, coating her in ink.
She could feel how tense he was; though his body was stiff, he was shaking violently. Linda wrapped her arms around the Ink Demon, feeling the jutting ridges of his spine.
"It's okay, Bendy." She assured. " Just breathe and calm down."
The Ink Demon let out a whimper and shook his head. Linda winced as she felt his claws begin to dig into her side. Something had him worked up as Linda could sense his rage rising within him, but the Ink Demon was trying to hold it back for once. It was as if something, or someone in this case, was trying to influence him. If anyone had that kind of power, it was Joey Drew. She didn't know how he would have such a power, but then again he did find a way to make people into ink creatures. Linda tightened her grip around the Ink Demon to keep him grounded.
"It's okay, Bendy. It's okay." She repeated, not knowing what else to do.
Suddenly, the Ink Demon's grip loosened as he perked up and looked over towards the metal doors. He then released Linda and sunk into the mound of oozing ink that held up the throne. Linda was confused as to what was going on, but then she heard the sound of metal skidding on metal and saw the doors were opening.
Linda stood up and was overfilled with joy to see the one who opened the doors was Henry. He was just as relieved to see her as they rushed over to one another and embraced.
"Linda! Thank god you're alive!" Henry cried out before kissing her.
"I'm thankful you're alive as well! I was so worried!" Linda replied as she pulled away. "Where's Boris and the gang?"
"They're with Alice and Tom." He answered. "Don't worry, they're safe. Tom and Alice helped us reach the machine."
Linda was relieved to know Alice and Tom really on their side and that the others were alright.
"That's good to hear."
Henry's smile soon faded and Linda could see the fatigue build up behind his eyes as he stared past her at the throne.
"This is where Bendy and I have our finale confrontation before the next time loop begins..."
So that's why the Ink Demon was stressed.
Henry let out a heavy sigh as he took a couple steps towards the throne.
"I'm so tired...I just can't press on anymore. This may be the last loop I try to break free."
Linda felt hurt from his words, but she didn't know how to respond. She had no way of comforting him other than telling him not to give up, but she too was growing weary, and she had been trapped in the studio for a lesser amount of time than he had. Linda quietly approached Henry from behind as he knelt down to a tape recorder and pressed play.
'It's simply awe-inspiring what one can accomplish with their own hands.' The voice of Joey Drew spoke up.
'A lump of clay can turn to meaning...if you strangle it with enough enthusiasm.
Look what we've built! We created life itself, Henry!
Not just one the silver screen, but in the hearts of those we entertain with our fancy moving pictures.
But...when the tickets stopped selling...when the next big thing came along...
...only the monsters remained...shadows of the past.
But you can save them, Henry! You can peel it all away!
You see, there's only one thing Bendy has never known.
He was there for his beginning...
...but he's never seen-'
"The End." Henry said along with the recording, sounding more tired as he picked up a film reel with the words "THE END" written on a piece of tape plastered on the side.
Linda and Henry looked up as they heard loud growling to see the Ink Demon standing behind the throne.
A/N: Oof, I still have a bit of the case of writer's block, but we're are nearing the end of the story. I'd give it at least a couple more chapters.
Special thanks to portgas d ace forever and GameFan 335 for your words of encouragement and support for the story.
I hope you enjoyed the chapter.
