BETWEEN THE SIMPLE, ORDERLY NOTHING OF WHITE SPACE, AND THE COMPLEX, CHAOTIC EVERYTHING OF BLACK SPACE
BELOW THE SENSELESS ESCAPISM OF HEAD SPACE, ABOVE THE SENSELESS HYPERAWARENESS OF RED SPACE
THERE LIES A NEW PLACE WHICH IS NONE OF THOSE, AND ALL OF THOSE
A NEUTRAL PLACE, WHERE NIGHTMARES AND DAYDREAMS COEXIST PEACEFULLY
ALL IS WELCOME HERE, ALL IS KNOWN HERE
WELCOME TO GREY SPACE
THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME HERE.
You awaken in a vast, grey landscape. You appear to be in a valley. There is nobody in your immediate vicinity, but you can see dozens of... entities, moving around in the distance, in some kind of... town? A computer, a tissue box, a sketchbook, and a cat lie on the grass near you. You are heavily disorientated. Luckily, not afraid, simply confused. You struggle to remember. Feeling your hands across your face, you reach a soft piece of fabric.
You have been in the hospital for 5 days. You are expecting to go home (your new home, specifically) the next morning. Another deadline looming over you, yet this one doesn't feel like much weight. It is the least of what has been going through your mind. Relief, actually, has been the predominant emotion running through you for these past few days. The feeling of finally having done something that needed doing, the feeling of achieving the impossible, the feeling one gets when reaching the summit of a mountain.
It has completely reshaped your mind. You noticed immediately, after sleeping that first night, that you had not a single dream. Not from restlessness, as these nights have been the calmest you have felt since the incident. The days, too, have been calm. This hospital bed is hardly luxury, yet it is the most comfortable you have ever slept on, simply by association.
The second night was when things began to be very different. You entered into a room that seemed all at once every room ever, yet you were not frightened by this chaos, but rather simply dazed. It was a very fuzzy environment. You felt as though something massive was merging with something else massive, like two galaxies colliding. You figure, then, that this place must be the result of that. It feels like you have entered that fuzzy world and have now put on glasses. Well, perhaps more accurately a monocle, but regardless, things were more in focus. The merging is complete.
And by goodness, was it beautiful. The air feels pleasant to breathe in, it is temperate like Spring, there is a cool breeze blowing into your hair, and all around you, you can see what looks like happiness. Upon closer consideration, this is not the most apt word. Contentment would be more accurate. The entities around you are simply living their lives, like any human outside of your mind.
Wishing to appreciate it all, you sit down on the soft grass and close your eyes. You remember your purpose here, but for now, it would be nice to simply enjoy yourself. You flip through the sketchbook. You see crude drawings of your friends, young and old. You see blood-splattered symbols and horrible monsters. They make you chuckle. At the end, you see a shadowy figure, a being made of hair with a single glowing white eye. It's kind of cute. You wish dearly to hug it.
The cat, you discover, is actually a spider cat. As you reach your hand over to it, its legs jut up and its pincers mash quickly. You pet it, going with the grain of the fur, scratching behind its ears. It makes a wet, chompy sound that you figure is its way of "purring". It drools a bit of web onto your hand, so you wipe it off with a tissue from the tissue box. The tissues, as you expected, are unremarkable.
Finally, your computer. You boot it up, and you are greeted with a message. It tells you that you are in Grey Space, a space between all other spaces where nightmare and daydreams meet. It welcomes you kindly. Upon reaching your desktop, there is only one file. A text document which reads "SAVE HIM, PRESERVE THIS".
You look out upon the landscape. While not barren, there is nothing which jumps out at you as significant. You have not the slightest idea where to begin in your quest, aside from walking around and asking people for directions. If you're going to do that, you'd prefer to get guidance from the most helpful person you know. You close your eyes and call out to her, and almost immediately your call is answered.
"Sunny!", she exclaims, appearing in front of you and hugging you, "You're finally here! It feels like it's been ages since I last saw you. I guess probably because the merging took so long. How are you?"
You open your eyes. She wears a long, white nightgown. Her beautiful black hair falls down to the middle of her back. Her skin is a pale grey. Her eyes are empty voids. Her mouth is circular and filled with sharp teeth. That's her, alright.
"Hey, Mari. I've... been... good," you say, nervously.
"...You don't sound too sure of yourself, there," she replies, concerned, "Are you sure you're alright?"
"I am. I'm just having trouble... putting things into words. It's been a long time since I've spoken this much."
She laughs sweetly.
"Well, I'm glad you are!" she says, "Your voice is very nice, Sunny."
You blush at your sister's compliment, mumbling a thank you.
"So... I was wondering about something," you say tentatively.
"Oh! What is it?" her mouth shrinks cutely into a smaller "o" shape, "I'll try to help you if I can. All it costs is your love!"
You take a moment to consider how to approach this. Truly, you have no idea where to begin, and are just making shots into the dark. Whatever direction Mari can give you will be better than what you're at right now.
"Where's Omori?" you ask.
She seems taken aback, almost scared.
"...Omori? I..."
She pauses.
"Why would you want to see Omori?"
"I don't think I can answer that," you reply.
"Sunny, you can tell me anything, you know," she says, pouting.
"No, I know that, I just mean... I don't think I can put it into words."
Years of silence has left your conversational skills atrophied. Perhaps there was a way to describe what you felt, but you would not be able to do so.
"I see..." she seems nervous, "Well, I trust you, Sunny! You must have a good reason."
She points out in the distance to a small cave on the side of a hill. Between you and it are many Grey Space denizens and their buildings.
"See that cave over there?" she asks, "I heard a rumor from some of the other former Black Spacers. They say that after your... victory, he secluded himself to a corner of Black Space, adding layers of protection from the outside. Eventually, that turned into that cave over there after the merging finished."
You smile, slightly. It feels nice to once again have a concrete goal in your dreams, and not one made by yourself, but one that emerges naturally.
"It's a short way over there, you can probably walk it," Mari says, "On your way over there, you should get to know the Grey Spacers! I'm sure they'll all be excited to see you. Plus, you're going to need some supplies if you're going to get through that cave safely. You remember how to fight, don't you?"
"Of course, Mari," you pout, "It's only been like a week. I remember."
She chuckles. "Alright, Sunny. Well, have fun! Go out on your little adventure. I'll be setting up my picnics along the way, just like old times."
She sits down on the grass, and a grey cloth and picnic basket appear. Putting your hand to the basket, you feel safe.
You wave goodbye to Mari, and begin walking into the grey society which lies before you. Carrying your violin and bow, familiar numbers and phrases enter your mind: HEART, JUICE, ATTACK, DEFENSE, and so on. These, however, seem much more... hazy. Less well defined, perhaps, or maybe simply less applicable. You can tell that your wounded eye is a detriment to your HIT RATE, and though your violin is powerful, your LEVEL is low, and your SKILLS are lacking, slightly. It figures, of course. All of those skills you learned were for the purpose of defeating those nightmares, defeating those feelings, defeating... him. Against anything else, they are a hammer to a screw. You will need to learn new ones. Similarly, you have no SNACKS or TOYS.
Well, all the more reason to stock up, then. Time to grind, get EXP, collect CLAMS, or whatever they use here, buy stuff, repeat, etc. etc., the usual RPG affair your mind concocts. It feels good to be back. After a pleasant walk you eventually reach the outskirts of this settlement, which as far as you can tell is nameless. It is small, cozy, a filled with pleasant faces, just like FARAWAY TOWN. Only, well, these faces aren't the ones you'd find there. All varieties of monsters stand around you, from animal hybrids to faceless friends to donuts to figures hanging from lampposts
Besides the residents' appearances, as you enter, you seem to be drawing their gazes. It makes you a bit uncomfortable. A tall figure looms above you, near what you can assume to be the entrance to the town.
"Welcome, traveler," he speaks gravely, "What brings you to our fine town?"
He chuckles.
"Just kidding. Hello, Sunny. You've finally arrived to Grey Space. Welcome! We have all been anticipating you."
You look up at him. He is a tall, lanky shadow man, wearing a hat and carrying a lantern.
"Remember me?" he asks, "Daddy Long Legs? I used to be the guide of the Lost Forest?"
You nod, remembering him.
"Good, good," he says, "Well, not anymore. There is no Lost Forest to guide, now. No mazes, no secrets... so, I've found a new place here. A tour guide, the one who welcomes new arrivals. Fitting, I suppose. Many others have found themselves in similar situations to mine. Without our original purpose as defined by... him, we must create our own. How wonderful! Freedom, the choice to carve our own destiny, rather than having it be defined by some higher being. If this merging of worlds in the result of your actions, Sunny, then I must say I am indebted to you."
"...I... don't know if that's right," you say, "...but, thank you. It's nice to see you again. I'd appreciate a tour, actually. I don't want to get lost, I have... a mission."
Though he has no face, you can sense he is surprised. "A mission?" he says, "...How curious. I did not expect such lofty things as missions to persist into here, but perhaps it is an inevitability. I will do whatever I can to aid you in your quest, Sunny. In the meantime, though, I should show you around town!"
Again, you sense he is smiling. He begins walking, and you follow after.
"Once the merging completed, there was an inevitable degree of chaos. Nowhere near that desolate Black Space, but still, something which would need to be tamed to be livable, as nature tends to be," he gestures around with his large hands, "This area had many shops and buildings collected in a small area, from all across the Mind. So, as more and more of us found our way here, we expanded it. We already had a good portion of a town prebuilt for us, and with hundreds of townsfolk, the work was not too difficult. I aided in construction... mostly in my height. Now, we have a full town in front of us."
"That's... very impressive," you say.
"Thank you!" he replies, "This is the pride of all of our unity. A monument to the newfound peace between the Spaces. Now, we are one, simply Grey Space, and this is our town... Grey Town!"
He takes a beat.
"We're still working on the name," he says, "This place has only been around for two days. We don't even have a mayor or an economic system."
"You should still be proud," you say.
"...Mmm. Perhaps you are right. One should not focus so hard on their failings," you could sense him frown, "Lest we once again become like... him."
He regains his composure. "Ah, but enough of that. You must be hungry. If not, you should still stock up on food. Wherever your journey takes you, SNACKS will be a necessity, I assume."
He gestures around, pointing at various restaurants. "Feeling anything in particular? There's Kite Kid's Koffee, Mr. Outback's Steakhouse, the Burning Grill..."
He goes on, and you are surprised at how many he lists off. It seems like many people have truly changed.
"...the Burning Grill. I've been eating nothing but hospital food and I... could use something meaty. Something that isn't steak," you say.
"Wonderful!" you sense him smile, "We'll be on our way."
You take a short walk, passing by many more familiar faces. A few stop to greet you. You hear a soft "Henno" coming from Mutantheart, a "Hi, Sunny!", coming from a Kel, dashing through the streets at inhuman speeds. A small, faceless Aubrey rides on the back of an older, pink-haired one, the latter of whom winks at you. A huge, floating Mari, with an exposed brain, smiles at you sweetly. Herosaurus towers over nearly everyone, carrying Omoli on its back. Humphery floats in an open-air water tank. The Big Cat looms over the side of a building, as it always does. You spot Spaceboy and Sweetheart walking, though not together. The list goes on and on. Truly, everyone is here.
You arrive at the Burning Grill. You enter the door, and Daddy Long Legs, who you realize you need a nickname for, crouches down into a fetal-like position, squeezing himself inside. He hunches over to avoid hitting the ceiling as he walks with you. As you enter, you smell the sweet aroma of meat being cooked. Flame patterns paint the walls, and furniture. It's fitting, given that the man you see in the kitchen is on fire. This would be a significant safety concern were his name not Man on Fire.
A small cactus informs you of a free table, and you and Daddy Long Legs, whose name you're beginning to tire of mentally saying in full, sits down with you, like an adult sitting on a child's chair. You order a chicken sandwich for here, as well as various preservable items for your journey. DLL (yes, that much better) orders a "Black Tar Supreme", whatever that means.
"I see you are taking care to prepare for your mission," DLL says, "That's good. In truth, though, that is not why I brought you here. I simply wished to have lunch with a friend. Though, I suppose for you it may be a late supper. Time doesn't much exist here."
"I'm glad you consider me a friend," you say.
"Of course I do," he says happily, "You're far better than he was. I consider myself blessed that you emerged victorious from that fight."
You fall silent. Your food arrives, and you begin eating. The chicken sandwich is very good. DLL's order... well, it appears to be a burger made entirely of darkness. It drips a black tar-like substance. He appears to enjoy it greatly.
"Actually," he says, "Forgive me for not asking earlier. What is your mission?"
You aren't sure what to say.
He tilts his head. "Ah, is it too personal? I understand. I have pried into secrets and guarded secrets for far too long. Now, I am satisfied with simply letting things be. You do not need to tell me. Though, I suppose a Mari would like to know."
You nod to signal that you have already done this.
"Ah, good," he says, "I only ask because I wish you to have guidance. And, well, it is hard to guide someone if you do not know their goals. I am glad Mari is helping you."
Eating more of his meal, he ponders something more.
"I suppose you may need something more than SNACKS, though," he says, picking up his lantern off the ground, "I have no use for this anymore. it is always midday here. In your travels, you will most likely encounter a dark area. Whatever the case may be, you will find more utility in this than I."
You pick up the lantern. You feel the familiar sensation of it entering your POCKET. Not your pocket, no, your POCKET. It disappears in an instant, but you may recall it at will. Quite convenient, considering your violin already requires both your hands. Again, you mumble thanks. You still are not quite adjusted to socialization, but the friendliness of the Grey Spacers puts you more at ease.
You finish your meals, and as the bill arrives, DLL covers your tab. A good thing, too, because as far as you can tell your CLAMS are worthless here. Not that you have any, anyways. As you exit the Burning Grill, DLL makes idle chit-chat with you, and more Grey Spacers greet you. However, as you get closer to the cave, your conviction grows, and they fade into the background. This town and this world are very nice, but the time to enjoy it has not yet come. You will do that later. Right now, you have a job to do.
Reaching the edge of town, you wave goodbye to DLL and everyone else. They say words of encouragement, though you can't help but feel as though you are deceiving them. It leaves a sour taste in your mouth. You are, after all, seeking to save their despised ruler. As much as this pains you, you have learned the consequences of letting your conviction waver. You know that this is what you want to do. You will not be stopped.
Your journey to the cave entrance is uninterrupted. It seems as though Grey Space truly is at peace. Reaching the cave, you look back, knowing that you will return. You are not saying goodbye to this place. Knowing this, you steel yourself. A cobweb blocks the entrance, and with a swing of your bow, it is broken. You walk inside, and the light behind you instantly disappears. You are in total blackness.