Last chapter! The only warning is magical violence and mild gore. Enjoy!

Chapter 7: Togetherness

A TV in a living room glowed in the dark space. The screen flickered as two children tumbled out of the box. Panting on the rug, they slowly rose to their feet. They'd done it! They'd finally done it! They broke the loop! They defied fate! Still gasping after what had happened at the Signal Tower, Mono looked at Six, who was also catching her breath. She smiled at him, but suddenly... she gasped as she collapsed to her knees, her stomach growling loudly.

"Six?" the boy called out in concern.

"Why?" she asked herself, her breathing ragged. "Why now?"

"Six?! What's wrong?!" Mono began to panic, reaching out to her.

Before he could touch her, Six began to scoot away from him, terror on her face, "I need food..."

Sensing the urgency, Mono began to race around the room, not planning to ask any questions until he could sate Six's hunger. The girl was still on the floor, clutching onto her stomach as she bit her lip. She whimpered as she felt it. The growing intensity of her hunger after all that time it had been suppressed. It wasn't just that. Something else was happening to her!

What's wrong, Six? You should have expected for this to happen. Shadow Six's voice rang in her head. Hehe, what an interesting discovery!

W-What are you talking about?!

Oh my, you don't know? It seems your hunger has developed into a second stage! Congrats! I could tell you what this means, but why ruin the surprise? Hahaha!

Eventually, Six could feel her vision starting to blur. Everything around her was getting dark - she was getting tunneled vision. It was dark, it was cold. Her head was spinning in an endless abyss. Slowly getting up, she weakly walked to where Mono was. He was trying to get food on top of the shelf. It was dark, but only her friend remained bright and clear... like the moon that shone in the night sky. She wanted it. She wanted that light - that gentle, comforting light. With her right hand clutching onto her grumbling stomach, her left hand slowly reached out for the boy.

That's right, Six! Do it! Do it now!

At Shadow Six's urge, Six felt her hunger clawing at her stomach and she paused. It was different when she experienced her curse back at the Maw. This... second stage was more unbearable. More intense, more excruciating. It felt like someone was ripping at her insides and unless she ate, the ripping wouldn't stop.

Am I going to lose myself to this inescapable fate? Why must it always be those I care for who I ended up hurting? Why must I always destroy those joyful memories? Why is it that I destroy everything I touch? Tears were starting to well up in her eyes as her mind fell into despair. I don't want this...! I don't want to hurt anymore people I love...! I hate this...! Please, Mono, save me...! Save me from myself! Please!

If only he hated her. Why must he be kind to her?

"I can't stop giving you my kindness. It's because you have become so precious to me," he had told her.

Mono heard a soft gasp accompanied by a muffled cry behind him, so he turned around.

Drip, drip...!

The first thing he saw was the bright red blood that dripped onto the carpet. Looking up, he could see Six standing a few feet away from him. Her body was trembling; tears were streaming down her face. However, what caught his attention were her teeth biting her own finger! She was biting down so hard that blood was flowing out of it.

"S-Six?" the boy called out in alarm, rushing over to her, abandoning his objective.

Regaining a little control over her hunger after feeling some pain, the girl pushed the boy away. It came so abruptly, Mono didn't expect it and fell back. She had to get away before her hunger took control again! Before she could turn to run, her stomach growled as she doubled over in pain, collapsing on the spot.

Stop agonizing yourself, Six! Stop delaying the inevitable!

Ignoring Shadow Six, the girl was about to lift her finger to bite it again, hoping that by hurting herself, she could forget about her hunger. However, before she could put that plan into action, Mono had placed his hand over hers, stopping the girl from inflicting more pain onto herself.

"Six?" he softly called out to her once more.

Do it! It would be too late by the time he gets the food from that shelf!

No! Mono's my friend! I won't eat him! Six shut her eyes, shaking her head.

"Six! Are you okay?!" He gently shook her as the girl reluctantly opened her eyes to looked up at him.

His face was getting blurry and she could barely hear what he was saying. From the corner of her eye, she could see Shadow Six standing a few feet behind him, observing them.

If you are worried about losing your friend, don't be. You won't lose him, you'll gain a meal, Shadow Six tempted. Wrapping her arms around herself in bliss, she continued, Ahh! Think about it. Once you eat him, he'll become a part of you. His blood will become yours, his flesh will be incorporated into your body! Your souls will forever intertwine! You won't have to worry about separating at all! You can be together, foreeever! Hahaha~!

Six shuddered at the thought as her stomach growled for food. She now understood what was happening to her. The Transmission - while it had been suppressing her curse - had also been distorting her hunger, developing the second stage of it. And now that the Signal Tower was crumpling, nothing could stop this abnormal gnawing feeling in her stomach. She tried to resist it, but very soon after, conscience and reason were forsaken, leaving her impulses to take control. The last thing she saw was the boy's concerned expression.

"I'm sorry, Mono..." Six weakly whispered as her mind went blank.

Arms slowly reaching out for the boy, she suddenly pushed him down on the floor, pinning him by the shoulders like how an animal caught its prey. Shadow Six continued to watch with a wicked smile on her face as she licked her lips. Very soon now, that boy would be devoured! The entity was feeling so jubilant, she started to hum the melody of the music box in a sadistic tone.

"S-Six?!" Mono began to shout in panic.

Despite that the room was dark with only the light coming from the TV, he could see her eyes. It didn't hold that same darkness he'd once caught a glimpse of back at the School. She looked to be caught in a trance or some kind of magic spell. Something was happening to her. She wasn't responding to him and was behaving like an infant, making soft murmuring sounds as she looked at him - trying to understand him. It was like she was seeing him for the first time and her first thought was to pounce on him. Curiosity was on her face, like a baby examining things that caught their interest.

Eventually, the girl smiled a small smile as a gentle giggle escaped from her lips and she leaned closer to his face. Feeling her warm breath near his neck made him flinch at the tickling sensation. Opening her small mouth, Six blissfully sank her teeth into the boy's right shoulder, drawing blood.

Am I... going to get eaten? The sudden realization brought Mono back to his senses as he desperately tried to push Six back.

However, despite how hard he pushed, she still stood in her place. What's worse, by trying to pull her away, Mono could feel her teeth sinking deeper into his flesh. She could tear part of his flesh off! Eventually, Six opened her mouth as she drew back. She looked completely daze, with her head tilted as if she was trying to understand the taste of his blood that fell from her lips.

"Ah... Mm..." she murmured. "Mo... Mono..."

Sitting up, the boy placed his hand onto his bleeding shoulder as he looked at his friend. He was scared. Scared for himself and scared of Six. And yet, despite that he was scared of his friend, he couldn't imagine what it was like for her to be in this state.

"Six...?"

Slowly getting up, Six just stared at Mono dreamily. Her hood fell back as black tendrils started to surround her. At this sight, Shadow Six became excited as chills ran over her body. It appeared not only the girl's hunger was developing a new stage, but her powers were gaining a tangible form as well. The black wisps of smoke started to form a sinister-looking hand. Without warning, the hand grabbed hold of Mono, slamming him against the wall. With the forceful impact banging, the boy barely kept his consciousness.

Yes! Yes, Six! Come on, now! Take his soul! Consume him!

The hand started to apply pressure against the boy's chest and white mist started to flow from his body and into the hand. While Mono couldn't feel pain, he felt his strength leaving him. Looking up, Six looked very much like a doll, controlled by some puppeteer. Why? Why was this happening?

For unknown reasons, Mono saw a vision. His heart was resonating with a different reality. In another world where they'd escaped the loop, Six was overwhelmed by her curse. In the end, she either ate him or used her powers to sate her hunger...

Is she... going to take my soul? My life? Mono started to panic, not sure what he could do.

The Transmission was fading and he could feel his powers fading along with it. If he was powerless, what could he do to stop this?

It's time to open the box...

The box? Mono became confused.

Immediately, the sun box appeared right in front of the boy's astonished eyes. At that moment, Mono could hear the echo of the Thin Man's voice, urging him to open the forbidden box: Only your love and determination can save her now…

If it will help Six escape this tragedy for a while, then I won't hesitate!

With his strength leaving him, the boy struggled to reach his hands out towards the item. He wanted to pass out, but resisted the urge. Touching the lid, he opened the box. White particles came out and Mono could feel the Thin Man's powers flooding into his body. His eyes burned with determination.

Please work! Please wake up, Six!

Using his power, he directed it towards his friend. The tendrils faded away as the girl fell over with the impact. With her powers nullified, Mono collapsed to the floor as the white mist returned to him, replenishing his strength. Afraid he had overdone it with his powers, Mono immediately got up to go check on his friend.

"Six?" he called out, gently touching her head.

"Mm!" Six winced as if she had woken up from a bad dream. "Mono...?"

Sitting up, the girl looked up dazedly to see her friend's concerned face. Feeling something trailing down the corner of her lips, Six wiped it off her face to looked at the red liquid on her fingers. A small gasp escaped her lips as her eyes widened. Seeing that it was blood jolted her body as she covered her mouth in shock, scooting away from the boy.

I nearly ate Mono - I nearly ate my friend!

He was calling out to her, reaching out to her. Getting up, she ran away from him, knocking him down to the floor. The action puzzled Mono. He hadn't expected her to knock him over again. Turning his head, he could see her leaving the room, her hands pulling her hood back over her head.

It's just like before... when we met in the Hunter's basement, he thought.

~oOo~

Huddling herself in a different room, Six started to panic. She hadn't wanted Mono to see her like that. For him to see that side of her frightened her. Her worst fear was realized. Before, she was afraid of hurting Mono or losing him. However, she hadn't chosen to betray her friend nor had she succumbed to her hunger. But now, another fear Six had been avoiding revealed itself. While she didn't regret her choice in saving Mono, Six was now afraid of being rejected by him after being exposed. Her shadows' taunting question back at the Hospital rang in her head: How would Mono react if he knew this hidden side of you, I wonder?

I wouldn't mind if Mono had hated me... but I couldn't stand it if he saw me differently...

When she had escaped the Maw and arrived at the Pale City, Six had felt relief when her powers and curse went dormant. It was like she could start over again... but then the Transmission began to bring back those horrible memories - memories that she wanted to forget. So she ran, trying to leave and get as far away as she could - where the Transmission could not reach her. That's when she'd ended up in the Wilderness and met with Mono. Now that the Transmission was slowly ending, her powers and curse had returned - more powerful than before.

Looking at her finger that still dripped with red, Six bit it again - softly this time. It was warm. That was expected. However, she couldn't understand the taste of her own blood. When she'd been strung in the boy's bathroom at the School, despite that she had tried to ignore them, the Bullies taunts got to her: I bet your insides will be just as tainted as you are on the outside!

If that was so, what was this taste in her blood? It didn't taste foul.

Sighing to herself as she stopped biting her finger, Six could easily recall the taste of Mono's blood. It was exactly like the nightmare she was imprisoned in. It was sweet. Anyone who had a caring heart had that sweet taste. The exception was the Lady. Despite that she was evil, her blood and flesh had a bittersweetness to it.

Those times when she'd been overcome with hunger, she liked it - her body had wanted more. Because of her hunger, she wanted more. How could her body enjoy such a thing? She hated it. It was disgusting. She was disgusting. Filthy, tainted, cursed...

Drawing her knees closer to her chest, the girl wrapped her arms around them as she looked down, Scared. I'm scared. A cursed monster like me has no right to love, nor am I deserving of it... especially love from Mono.

In the other life - when she had let go of Mono's hand, the previous Thin Man had told her something: Death would have been a kinder fate for children like you.

Maybe... I should just go to sleep... she pondered as she closed her eyes, her head bowed.

To just drift away in the dark... to let her mind sink in despair... to never wake up. If she did so, would she be able to dream forever? And forget about her misfortunes as she left them behind? Perhaps dying wouldn't be so bad...would it? It was probably selfish thinking like that. But... the world had no need for a cursed girl like her, right? Mono didn't need a selfish friend like her, right? Was she even considered a friend anymore? He probably found her disgusting - a monster no different from the others. However, the girl's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of gentle knocking.

"Six?" Mono's voice called out from the other side.

"Go away, please..." Six pleaded tiredly, not having the energy to yell.

Silence. Perhaps he'd decided to listen to her pleas. It was better this way. She didn't want to see him now, right? And yet, she craved it again - kindness - like a needy child desperate for affection, no matter where the source was. The door creaked loudly as Mono pushed open the door. Knowing the boy well enough from her time spent with him, she should have known that he wouldn't give up so easily. Six found herself feeling displeased and grateful at the same time as he sat next to her.

"Hey..." he turned towards her, slowly reaching out a hand to her.

"Mono. Stop."

His hand nearly touched her shoulder until he stopped at her request, retracting his arm away as he looked around awkwardly, "Um... I'm not sure what had happened back there..."

Six turned her head to see her bite marks on his shoulder. They were still dripping with blood and if she had really gone further, she could have torn a piece of his flesh off. Turning her gaze away in shame, she softly spoke, "I hurt you..."

Understanding what she meant, Mono sighed, "You... weren't in control. It's just like when you were trapped by the Signal Tower's influences."

The girl frowned, finding herself unable to understand her friend. Back at the Hospital, it'd been different. He hadn't seen her acting like an animal - like a... monster. Now that he had seen the cursed her entirely, why was he still being kind to her? Was it simply out of pity or forced kindness? To Six, that was just the same as looking at her differently. Even well-intentioned people could unintentionally hurt someone with their actions. Again, the girl found herself craving comfort. However, she wanted genuine solace that came from the heart - not sweet, honeyed words spoken just because she wanted to hear them.

"Aren't you afraid of me? I could have killed you! I nearly did!" she yelled, turning her head to look at him - once more, observing him.

Mono looked stunned at her sudden outburst. However, he had to admit to himself, seeing that hidden side of Six was... startling. Yes, he was scared. Scared to death. To see his friend becoming unrecognizable and nearly eating him - nearly ripping out his soul - was frightening! Negative emotions started to stir in his chest - emotions and feelings that weren't his own.

Disgusting, repulsive, unsightly...

Forcing those feelings aside, he reassured her, "... But you didn't."

"I told you before that I'm not that sweet girl you might see me as..." she looked at herself. "I'm a monster. Unlike the others we've encountered, I'm a monster pretending to be a child. I'm evil..."

At that statement, Mono found himself questioning a few things. What exactly made a person a monster? If it was based on appearance, it was easy to distinguish them from humans. However, they had met a few monsters who looked like humans - adults. Then, the next step would be defining them as evil. However, there lay a problem.

What exactly was evil? If the word was defined as doing bad things and forcing hardships and suffering onto others, wouldn't he fit those rules? He had done bad things and while he hadn't done them in this reality, countless iterations of himself had caused Six to suffer. If she was a monster and was evil, what did that make him? It was not so simple - not black and white. Everyone made choices, good and bad. It was human nature. Then, the real difference between a monster and a human was having a heart. True monsters - those that were born as one - didn't have hearts... that's why they could do evil things without remorse. As for those who were made into monsters, they chose to forsake their humanity.

When Six was changed into a monster, it wasn't of her choice. It was forced onto her. As for the Thin Man... Mono frowned. It wasn't that he had forsaken his humanity. Rather, he'd made a lot of bad choices. Perhaps some were well-intentioned, just not the right course of action. The sun and moon weren't perfect. The sun had dark spots and the moon had lots of holes on it. And yet, they both shone their light. Regardless of Six's past, she was still a child - a human. Just like he was. She had a heart and she had regrets, just like he did.

Sighing quietly, he responded, "Six, you're not evil. What happened back there, I admit, I was scared... but nothing is going to change how I feel about you. I won't think differently of you - because that is not the real you."

"But it has become a part of me - this curse."

"You have a good heart, Six. Don't think so lowly of yourself. You feel regret, that means you have a good heart. You're nothing like the monsters we've encountered. Do you understand?"

His friend gave a small nod. The girl found herself feeling somewhat conflicted. So, he didn't mind even if she was cursed? Would his opinion change if she told him what she was feeling back at the ledge? She might as well get it out. It was, after all, what condemned all the previous Monos to a fate worse than death. She still wanted it, too - to be forgiven... even though she hadn't committed the despicable act.

"I-I considered betraying you, Mono..." Six admitted, averting her gaze.

"Because of your... hunger?" he questioned.

She shook her head, "No, that's not it... It's complicated."

Mono knew better than to force a reason out of her, so he reassured, "But you didn't betray me. I'm sitting here next to you."

"But I thought about it, leaving you behind while I escaped. The Th - your future self told me about how I betrayed you in another life. What kind of friend am I?"

It felt like a switch had been flipped and Mono could feel memories that weren't his own slowly start to flood into his head. It had happened - in the sixth reality. He remembered the feeling of being hurt. As the one being betrayed, it hurt him to see his first friend abandoning him - leaving him for dead. But that Six had felt remorse. Tapping into the Thin Man's memories, the boy could faintly feel what his future self had felt upon confronting Six about it. Her voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

"You'd hate me, wouldn't you, Mono?" the girl asked in a shaky breath. "Had I chosen to let go and betray you...?"

As much as it would hurt her, she would still prefer if he hated her. It would be better than him seeing her differently or rejecting her. Shamefully crying, she turned her head away, waiting for his response.

From that question alone, Mono could already tell that she wanted to tell him something else, but chose to ask that question instead. Her eyes had this look of understanding as if to convey the message: I'll understand if you don't want to be my friend anymore, and was probably expecting him to leave, confirming her suspicion.

Why must you try enduring the blame, Six? It's foolish of you to mercilessly torture yourself like this. Thinking that you're nothing - that you only deserve hatred... After learning all of this, did you think I'd be disillusioned?

"I... at first, I might feel sad and hurt. I might get angry and perhaps I might start to hate you..." At that response, Six whimpered, feeling a stinging feeling in her chest. It had been expected, but it still hurt. He continued, "But, you didn't. I'm not the Mono you chose to betray and I don't hate the Six who is sitting with me now. You were put in a tough position - both you and the other Six who chose to let go because she didn't want to kill her friend. Knowing all this, I can't force myself to blame or hate you."

Placing his hands on her shoulders and turning her a bit, he could see her face. Tears were streaming down her cheeks.

It's just like that time at the Hospital... he noted.

"You're the Six I remembered - the one I befriended and grew to love. Therefore, I will never hate or curse your existence. You're my friend, Six." As the boy reassured her, tears also came from his sincere eyes. He was liberated from his fate. He was finally free. The feeling overwhelmed him. Despite that he hadn't fallen into the loop, he felt the tight chain that had bound him to a life of loneliness breaking. It felt good, too. "This is for making me remind you, silly. Here," he gently flicked her forehead.

At the contact, she touched her forehead as her lips quivered. More tears fell from her eyes. It wasn't the forehead flick she was crying about despite her body trembling. After everything they'd gone through, even though she had betrayed him in a different life... even after he'd seen the cursed her, he still considered her his friend. Had she been forgiven?

Suddenly, Mono hugged her tightly, pulling her closer to him as if to confirm the thought. It happened so unexpectedly, her hood fell back. A long time ago, she used to hug Nomes, but that had been different. When he'd first hugged her at the Hospital, it felt... unfamiliar, but comforting. A second time... somehow, it felt different, but better than the first. She could feel the burden in her chest getting lighter as she melted under his tender embrace.

I'm forgiven, right? she figured.

Closing her eyes as tears fell, she cried as she slowly wrapped her arms around Mono. Nuzzling her head against his shoulder, Six felt safe and warm. She was forgiven, loved, and accepted.

"I didn't ask to be cursed with hunger or be a special child. I just wanted that dream I desperately crave - to be surrounded by friends and to be happy. Selfish as that wish may be... Is that just too much to ask?" she inquired in a quiet voice, but it felt more like she was asking herself more than Mono.

"It's not too much," the boy answered as he tightened his embrace, "You asked me at the Hospital what my dream was. I wanted to belong somewhere, I didn't want to be alone. Having you with me makes me happy, Six. Despite what we've been through, I had a lot of fun and I would like it if we can play more. I would give up on anything if it meant I could be by your side. If your wish is selfish, then mine is selfish as well. If the world deems you as evil, then I'm just the same."

Gently breaking the hug, Mono reached out and caressed Six's face. The contact caused her cheeks to become tinged pink as he gently pulled her face to his so their foreheads touched. Looking into her eyes, he could see her fully - the real her was starting to shine. Back then, she'd been distant, hopeless, and afraid. A quiet and mysterious girl. Perhaps that would always be a part of her true self. Even though he accepted that side of her, it never really suited her. Now, she was sweet, trusting, and loving. A cheerful and bright girl. The sun was starting to radiate strongly.

Looking into Mono's eyes, Six could see determination and courage in her kind, brave friend. From the boy who would always hide his weaknesses and fears behind a paper bag, to the boy who had taken it off to face the world - to protect what was important to him. He'd done it for her. Knowing this, Six could feel her lips forming into a soft smile as she leaned her face against his hand. The moon continued to offer comfort, gleaming in the dark sky.

Just two children seeking comfort from one another.

"You don't have to resign yourself to your fate, Six." Mono lovingly assured her. "We'll break your curse."

"Together?" she softly asked with a smile.

"Together," he answered with a smile of his own.

The two of them quietly laughed as they stayed like that for a while, their foreheads pressed together as they enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere around them. Eventually, they broke up as fatigue settled into their minds. They should go to sleep, especially Six. She was drained physically, mentally, and emotionally as her tears had dried. It was the same with Mono. While he hadn't fallen into the loop, his restless mind could use some sleep. It would be his reward - a celebration to tell fate that it couldn't control his life.

Hand in hand, the children left the empty room and entered a big bedroom that contained a soft and fluffy-looking mattress. Six climbed up to feel the white cushion. Just the touch made her worn-out body want to fall down and snuggle into the warm blanket. However, she resisted that temptation for just a little bit longer. Turning around to look at Mono, she beamed one last radiant smile from the bottom of her heart - a smile meant for him and him only - as she extended her hand out.

Her eyes endearingly conveyed an unspoken message to him: I love you~!

Smiling, he accepted as he held her hand, his gleaming eyes also returning the message: I love you too!

Thank you everyone for following the Sixth and Seven Reality as well as reading Reunion! However, the story is not over yet. Stay tune for more! The next work will go over Mono's past before meeting with Six, what his life was like, etc. Until then, see you soon!