.hack/EVA: Catharsis: Automatic Idea Damning Affection

Disclaimer: In this universe in the quantum foam, I do not own or in any way shape or form hold a claim to the .hack series or Neon Genesis Evangelion.

" " denotes speech

'italics' denotes thought

'bold' denotes location names

'bold italics' denotes skill use

A/N: And at last the moment you've all been waiting for arrives. Someone becomes a Lost One!

Arena, Ω Warring City State Lumina Cloth

There is, in The World, a town called Lumina Cloth, a place that is connected to the rest of the vast expanse only by Chaos Gate, as it does not border any fields. And yet, far from being a one horse town where change would never come, it was one of the great hubs of The World, a place of bustling trade frequented by those of all levels of experience or power. Here one could hear the latest gossip, obtain rare items through trade, or show one's true strength in the Arena, the place for honorable PvP battles.

Aye, like Ancient Rome before it, The World boasted an area for ritual combat, a place where teams of up to three players might compete for the honor of being crowned Emperor of one of the arena Palaces: the Demon Palace (levels 1 – 50), the Holy Palace (levels 51-100), and the Sage Palace (levels 101-150).

But this was early in The World: R2's history, just a few days after the opening of Arena, meaning no Emperors had yet been crowned. In fact, today, the first ever matches of the Holy Palace Tournament would be held, drawing to the battlefield those who sought to prove their strength as strongest—or at least, those who wished to show off their strength and crush the weak. Already, rumors were spreading of the terrifying opponents one might face—Chaotic PKs seeking to impose dominion over troubled hearts, mysterious swordsmen with one-hit kill techniques, even, rumor had it…the fabled Queen of the Dark, the mightiest Sorceress ever to walk within The World.

Well, perhaps not the Queen of the Dark. Rumor was not always the most reliable thing, after all, simply reflecting and amplifying what others may have heard and seen, giving their words and suspicions a life of their own. As such, it was dangerous to believe only in rumors, though they never did go away no matter how hard others try, and like ripples on a calm surface, change events and things to be merely by existing.

For her part,the white-robed Tsukinoki did not intend to participate in the Tournaments, but merely to watch, observing and gleaning information as she was wont to do. After all, there was the little matter of her wishing to remain out of the public eyes, as well as Morganna's comments concerning a certain black and silver-clad Macabre Dancer, Siarl of the Seven Eyes (naming him as servant to both AIDA and SEELE), which still echoed in her mind. Indeed, by tracing his movements over the past few days, the Queen of the Dark had become aware that Siarl had made contact with Eris, a notion that was more than vaguely disturbing to her, even if, no, especially as Eris had managed to escape the encounter after being given some strange item.

'I am starting to suspect that the encounter is related to the abnormalities in the Second Child's psychograph at Mt. Asama,' she mused, walking past a sea of characters towards the access point of the Arena's observation deck. 'And so I come to the Arena to see if there is any reflection of such changes in Eris' character—to confirm whether or not she is infected with AIDA. The fact that Skari and Skadi will also be participating in this tournament is merely a bonus.'

Reaching her intended destination, the Sorceress in White looked down upon what would soon become a war zone.

'An interesting way those Children have chosen to spend a vacation.'

Arena Lobby, Ω Warring City State Lumina Cloth

A Macabre Dancer and an Adept Rogue stood in front of a warp point in the lobby of the Arena, a slight breeze swirling around them as they waited for their turn to come. In a matter of minutes, the first rounds of the Holy Palace Tournament would begin, and it would be time to report to the field of blades. Surprisingly, both of them seemed calm but determined, almost as if someone had been chanting the Ikari battle whimper ("I mustn't run away!") repeatedly before this.

Then again, the player behind the Adept Rogue Skari was no rookie to conflict, having gone into battle against super-powered monstrosities hellbent on wiping out the human race many a time. Compared to that, a simple match against other human characters—a consensual match on a battlefield of his choosing, no less—was as naught.

"There is a Samurai inside all our hearts," he repeated to himself, brushing away an errant lock of blue hair from his crimson eyes. "This is the Arena. That is the place where he awakens and fights."

He spoke softly but firmly, the light of dusk glimmered off the coat of chain mail he wore, his charcoal grey robes rustling in the wind. In that moment, he looked rather like a determined knight—

—Or so at least thought the Macabre Dancer with him, she who shared his azure locks and crimson eyes, the Lady of Winter, Skadi.

"These conditions are not ideal for victory," she spoke in a near monotone, her words causing Skari to look back at her.

"Hm? What do you mean?" he questioned.

"…" was her answer, one that didn't shed much light on the situation at hand.

"Skadi?" he asked again, wanting to clear things up before the battle begun.

"Do not worry," she replied at last, seeing fit to give the Adept Rogue a ghost of a smile. "We have two members in our party instead of three, somewhat of a disadvantage…but do not worry. You won't die…I will protect you."

"Thank you, Skadi," he said, flushing slightly and taking her hand. "Let's do this."

Arena, Ω Warring City State Lumina Cloth

From her vantage point, Tsukinoki took in the surroundings as in the background, the rock anthem of the battlefield began to blare, with the mysterious Commentator speaking at last. A tall, blue-haired man wearing a blue spinoff of the administrator uniform, he had become infamous for his over-the-top coverage of the arena fights in the last few days, quickly rising to become a legend in his own right—with a budding fan club, to boot! He had never yet been spotted outside the Arena, and when there, he was never sans headset and microphone, the instruments of his profession. Speculation about his class and identity ran rampant in the forums, and though he had been questioned, the man had never given a definitive answer to any who came after him.

'Perhaps the Commentator exists outside the class system of The World—or perhaps Lios has just found himself another job these days,' she mused, lips twitching in amusement at the thought of that straight-laced pig forced to pander to a crowd. 'Then again, we all have different roles we play…'

In the amphitheater surrounding the Arena platforms, the audience roared with approval as the announcer rose to his feet (as he presumably declared the Tournament Open).

"Ladies and gentlemen," his voice boomed out into the gathered crowds. "It's the first match of the Holy Palace Tournament. And would you believe it, today we have as our guest…the legendary player Rumor!"

Hidden behind her visor, Tsukinoki's eyes widened by a few millimeters as she noted the presence of the diminutive Harvest Cleric Rumor, taking the form of a small boy dressed in dark blue robes fringed with what looked like depictions of ocean surf. With a staff like a frozen whirlpool held lightly in his hands, the boy looked out at the place of combat and smiled.

"Rumor has it that this will be an interesting match."

Rings of azure light flared into existence on the platforms above the floating isle in Arena's center, signaling the arrival of the first two parties of combatants.

"Both teams have now entered the Arena!" bellowed the man. "We have the mists of winter, the angels of darkness, the formidable Team Dark Evangel!"

A roar of approval broke out. Once again, the rings of light sprung up, bearing a certain Adept Rogue and Macabre Dancer to the floating isle of battle.

"Skadi and Skari, conquerors of the Inverted Castle, feared by monsters and PKs alike, fiercest warriors of The World!" the announcer spoke, relating the rumors that surrounded the team as thickly as fetid shadows. "Is it true what they say, that their combined might is unstoppable? Then again, they've had some bad luck in being paired against the tournament favorites."

"Oh?" silently mouthed Tsukinoki, as the other team materialized on the battlefield…a very familiar duo.

"Their opponents are none other than Team Graphics Unbelievable, the most feared duo to stalk the Lost Grounds and Root Towns, the terror of evildoers and meddlers everywhere…Piros the 3rd and Natsume the Edgemaniac! Both teams seem to be down by one member, but no matter, the greatest players of The World are about to clash!"

'…this is the most feared duo to stalk The World?' Skari asked himself incredulously, mentally sweatdropping at the idea that the ridiculous Lord Partizan in gleaming golden armor (with red sunglasses, to boot) could be a great opponent. As well, the other, a Twin blade dressed in a one piece outfit, with green hair and permanently eyes, looked rather docile. 'And here I thought my life was weird enough to begin with…'

"Rumor has it that they were once…of the legendary dothackers, heroes of The World…" the diminutive harvest cleric added, baiting the crowds to frenzy.

'…dothacker,' Skadi noted, recalling what Rumor had said long ago at Θ Hidden Forbidden Dragonbein, Dragonbein Range, the Keel Mountains. '"If you would seek a purpose, seek to be a dothacker, and save this world from shadows born of error." This must be a test from the Queen of the Dark.'

"Alright then, let the match begin!" the Commentator roared, signaling the outbreak of battle, as the spectators called for blood.

In response, the hulking figure in gold leapt full into the air, and in an aerodynamically improbable series of maneuvers, somersaulted twice and backflipped to land in front of Adept Rogue Skari, his Lance Snake whirling like a drill.

"Heavenly Rage!"

"Counterattack. Ghost Falcon!" Skari cried, leaping up as the Lord Partizan hurtled towards him, the two skills connecting with a massive blow that sent both of them staggering.

"Ap Orv," Skadi intoned quietly, using her skills in status and ability magic to raise her ally's defense and attack, before whirling with a clang! to block the edge of Heine's Invasion, a particularly rare and powerful set of Dual Swords wielded by Natsume the Edgemaniac.

"That rare…give it to me! Give it to me!" the once quiet Twin Blade shrieked, slashing with what she thought all the speed of her class, blades whirling in a series of successive strikes—that were blocked time after time by the mystical fans of the spell shaman before here. Apparently, the quiet Twin Blade had caught sight of the rare Heine's Tessen weapons in the bluenette's hands, and wished to relieve her of them by any means necessary.

"Dek Do. Duk Lei," the Macabre Dancer called, lowering an opponent's speed and poisoning her foe so that she could better defend…all the while doing damage. With the reduced speed afforded to the Edgemaniac, Skadi was able to keep up with the slashing of the Dual Swords—but while her eyes and fans followed her opponent's blades well enough, Skadi was caught off guard by a vicious kick to the stomach, sending her skidding across the Arena floor.

Having recovered from the shock of Piros' first blow, Skari rose to his feet just in time to see his comrade flung to the ground. About to rush to her side to defend her, he was forced to stop by a rampaging swift Doberman, already lunging to attack.

"Piercing Heaven!"

Once again, the spear shot out, but this time, Skari recalled the training in the virtual battle room, specifically against the Third Angel. 'Center the target…and pull the switch!"

"Weapon Change! Thunder Spark!" he shouted, switching to his Bayonet Gun Fisher, and blasting the golden Lord Partizan with a piercing strike at point blank range, the discharge of caged lightning stopping the hulk in his tracks. 'He may be strong, but not as strong as the 7th Angel.'

But the behemoth in gold just shrugged off the attack with a booming laugh.

"HAHAHA. So you've foolishly come, challengers. At long last, we meet! Help yourself to a taste of my rope! Thorn Dance!"

A piercing strike from the other party this time, striking at Skari's heart, and countered by—

"Tempest Blast!" The most powerful of the Steam Gunner's piercing skills, the storm of power deflecting the spear enough for Skari to evade. 'Maybe I can lure him into making a speech and ignoring me—since I can attack from longer range than him or close inside the reach of his spear…'

"Just who are you?" he asked warily, switching to his Lit Honeysuckle blades, watching the enemy.

"Hmph!" the other replied, "You pathetic human beings are not worthy enough to know what my name is! I have no name to give to scoundrels. Like a wild eagle with broken wings! Piros the 3rd, the magnificent eagle man of blue cloudy weather is here."

Were this an anime and not a battle, Skari would have fallen over in shock.

"…you just told me."

"Ack!" Piros exclaimed, realizing his mistake. "Well then, shadowed one, to know my name is to know your defeat!"

With unnatural speed, the massive Lord Partizan charged forward, spinning his lance once, twice, and stabbing forward—

"Eh?"

But Skari was too quick and nimble, and using all the speed he could gather on short notice, dropped low, using his dual swords as intended—slashing with both to deflect the lance, sliding them down the longer weapon's shaft, and once inside his opponent's reach, unleashing "Tri-Strike!" followed by "Ghost Falcon!" using the momentum of his enemy's charge to make contact with the armor and damage it critically.

This time, it was Piros the 3rd that was staggered by the unexpected power of the attack, who bellowed with fury as he unleashed his greatest skill once more, leaping into the air to body slam the Adept Rogue who stood against him.

"Very well then...time for a hot-blooded full body press!"

'...is that even possible?'

Natsume, on the other hand, was not nearly as prone to dramatics, so perhaps it was appropriate that her opponent was the Macabre Dancer Skadi, who to her credit, was putting up quite a fight. The Twin Blade had thought that once her opponent – a caster not suited to melee – had been downed, it would have been a simple matter to dispose of her, but it appeared that she was wrong.

'Skill indeed to gain the rare item in her hands…I must have the EDGE!'

"Chaotic Strike!" she called out, invoking the name of her signature move as a Chaotic PK, a frenzy of strikes that would trap the opponent—and gut her in one smooth motion.

Or it would have, had not Skadi laid an ambush. Knowing that a PK would no doubt take advantage of her weakened state to attempt to finish her, the Macabre Dancer waited as Natsume's steps drew ever close, before invoking her most devastating counter.

"Mumyn Lei," she chanted, casting a spell of sleep on the rampaging Twin Blade, who found herself unable to move, or act at all, for that matter.

"Vak Don. Ani Zot,"Skadi intoned after, fireballs raining from the heavens joining with claws of shadows from the ground to rend and burn her hapless foe. With the grace one might expect of her supple form, she lifted her fans for the last time and danced towards her foe, slashing once, twice, three times, and defeating the Edgemaniac.

Seeing the impending final smash from above, Skari could only put faith in his skill and weapons, as he knew he had to end this now. 'Center the target…pull the switch!'

"Dust Bullet! Sphere Bullet!" he called out, loosing the most powerful blasts his bayonet was capable of in one last attempt to stop his foe and avert his own demise.

"Heavenly Rage!" cried out Piros the 3rd, his drill-lance spinning up to nearly unspeakable speed as he plunged towards the Adept Rogue below.

BOOM!

A titanic CRASH sounded from the center of the Arena, dust flying into the air from the point of impact. Piros had been hit by the powerful attacks, his trajectory unavoidably carrying him into the path of the bullets—but Skari had been run through, impaled by the Lance Snake and taking ever more damage from the drill tip.

The audience froze, waiting to see the outcome of this final gambit.

Crack!

A last report of a gunblade sounded, and Piros the 3rd crumpled inwards, staggered to his knees, falling flat on the ground with a hole burned through his golden torso.

"Although you are dressed in some of the deepest black known to man," the behemoth croaked out, "looking at you I believe I do detect a little glimmer of justice deep inside your eyes. Very well…it would appear that victory is yours…he of fair eyes."

Piros' fallen form vanished, and Skari dropped his weapons in shock as Victory music blared out from the stands, the crowd leaping to their feet with a roar of adulation, the Commentator confirming their victory.

"They did it! Unbelievable! Team Dark Evangel is the winner!" exclaimed the overenthused admin, leaping up and down. "The clash of titans has finished, and the tournament favorites stand defeated."

"Rumor suggests that their motivations were different. That Skari and Skadi have the air of noble fighters, a new generation of heroes in this broken world."

"Could that…be true?" the Commentator asked skeptically.

"Rumor says that perhaps there's someone or something they wish to protect."

The two of Dark Evangel clasped hands, bowed to the crowd, and warped out to the Arena Lobby once again.

'My…how impressive,' thought Tsukinoki, a hint of a smile crossing her face at the outcome.

Arena Lobby, Ω Warring City State Lumina Cloth

Rings of azure light flared into existence, bearing with them the victorious duo who had just shown their strength in the Arena. As if with a sign, the light faded away, rings dropped to the floor and vanishing, as the couple emerged from the Warp Point hand in hand. They looked at each other, flushed, and looked away in a semi-awkward silence. The match had proven more draining than they thought, and what could one really say after that?

But this could only go on for so long, and after a few minutes, Skari decided to voice his feelings.

"Ayanami, I-"

Unfortunately, it was then that a most unwelcome voice broke into the conversation.

"Well done, he of fair eyes! It would appear that you and I are partners in the quest to bring justice to The World. "

"Huh?" That was a touch of the old Skari breaking out, understandably enough, as even the new one found himself confused. For Piros the 3rd now stood before them unscathed, apparently holding no grudges, but boisterous as ever.

Two pings sounded, and Skari found himself suppressing a vocal groan as he received Piros' and Natsume's member addresses.

'Its not as if I'll ever need these...'

"Very well then," boomed the ridiculous titan of gold metal plate. "May the stars shine down upon you until the end of your journey. I'm off!"

With that, Piros the 3rd and Natsume disappeared in swirls of light, leaving Skari with the urge to slam his head against a wall. Fortunately for his developing spine, he managed to restrain the urge, merely turning to Skadi with a wry twist of his lips.

"…what an odd man."

"Indeed."

They walked together towards the Chaos Gate, unaware that a figure had been watching them from the shadows.

'I hate the two of them….' raged Eris, Bringer of Strife, her visible eye twitching as she regarded the departing 'lovebirds.' 'Defeating their foes at the last moment, and then accepting the ones they vanquished as friends. How disgusting. Don't they understand that all that matters is the power to crush anyone that stands in your way? Lovey-dovey fools…pathetic little blunettes, I'll kill them all!'

"It would appear that the sight of those two trouble you, oh wielder of the power of Al Fadel," a silky voice whispered sensually into her ear. "Oh how they have wronged you, how they have humiliated you…and now even with your power, you cannot act against them."

The Chaotic PK stiffened as at the hated voice, thinking it all too convenient that the black and silver Macabre Dancer who it belonged to was able to surprise her so easily.

"What do you want of me now, Siarl?" she managed to say, fighting the impossible urge to turn around and strangle him, knowing that it would be-counterproductive. "Last time you came to insult me, and to try to take my power away…to take away a gift of the great Eris, Bringer of Strife."

"Hmph, I see that you have learned self control. I wish only what I wished then…to see how strong you have become…Berserker," he purred once again, letting drop a term that set the Edge Punisher ill at ease. "You have taken the power of Al Fadel into yourself—now use it in the Arena and show The World your might. If you succeed…perhaps I will reward you."

"Oh?"

"Yes, dear Eris—you wish to freeze away the pain in your heart, to shatter your enemies as brittle glass? So shall it be. Now…to the Arena with you, the match is about to start."

The Macabre Dancer released her, and she whirled to confront him, but already he had begun to walk to the Chaos Gate, getting ready to leave.

"You're not going to watch me defeat my foe?" she asked suspiciously, hurling her words after the shadowy figure.

"No…but I will know soon enough of your victory."

And with that, Siarl of the Seven Eyes vanished from the city of Lumina Cloth.

Arena, Ω Warring City State Lumina Cloth

"Ladies and gentlemen," the Commentator pronounced in the over the top style of his, as the crowd had just begun to settle down. "Welcome to the second match in this round of the Holy Palace Tournament! With us again is the legendary gossip…uh, information seeker, Rumor."

"Rumors do often start from gossip, this is true," acknowledged the Cleric with a friendly smile. "But the mysterious Rumor is a somewhat better source than mere gossip."

"Heh," allowed the Commentator, unknowing copying that reaction of the watching Tsukinoki. "Now for the action! First in the Arena is Team Discord! Eris, Bringer of Strife, has become notorious throughout the world as a Chaotic PK who operates alone, taking down many of The World's strongest players."

The once proud form of Eris materialized on the Arena stage, much to the shock and awe of the audience, who had never seen a character quite like her before. While half of her was still resembled the sensual, seductive figure of nightmares she had first entered The World as, the other was far more terrifying. Her form was shot through with crimson and noir, the shadows themselves casting a strange aura around her, so that she resembled a vengeful wraith of darkness.

"It looks like she's changed her look, but will she be able to stand against her challenger, Team Taihaku? Such strangeness, perhaps she has made a pact with the devil!"

A burst of light flared into existence, and upon the isle of battle stood a dark-skinned gentleman dressed as a nobleman, wielding a Gun Fisher modified by a Gurah Fist, a Killer Gun Fisher. With its power, every physical attack generated by it would be a critical hit, something that could easily turn the tide of battle.

"What's this? Both solo fighters vying for supremacy? Which of these warriors will be chosen by the stars tonight?" the Commentator questioned, ramping up the hype, though the audience didn't seem to mind as long as they got a good show.

Eris gave her opponent a simple glance and snorted in derision.

"Challenging me without any allies, Taihaku?" she sneered. "Do you really think you can win against the greatest of all Chaotic PKs?"

"Player killing is not a measure of true power," the Steam Gunner replied in measured tones, the logical antithesis to her more emotional nature. "And I have no need for parties, or people who cannot stand upon their own two feet. I respect only those who understand the meaning of strength, for only those who know true power, can seek supremacy in the Arena!"

"Listen up, old man," hissed Eris the Chaotic PK, wickedly sharp Heine's Shadow at the ready. "You're the one who's going to lose here today. That's not a threat, I guarantee it. I received the power of Al Fadel, the Six Ringing Peaks—destiny has smiled upon me!"

Without waiting for a signal, the Edge Punisher rushed forward, chainsaw sword already revved and ready to carve up her opponent.

"Tch!" was the only reply, as the nobleman in white sidestepped nimbly and fired twice. "Battle should be elegant and without waste, reckless one."

Crack! Crack!

Both shots struck true, throwing off Eris' charge, followed up by a murmured "Dust Bullet" that knocked her backwards a notch.

"Heh. Is that the best you can do, you weak old man?" Eris asked with a devious smirk. "Ah, the limits of mortal power…this is the End!"

Eris' once perfectly controlled form slumped over and began to shake, even as Taihaku peppered it with critical hit after critical hit. From her arm erupted liquid shadow as her eyes glowed with a sinister dark light. A gurgling sound, as something passed into this world, and white flames flared up around the boundary of the floating isle.

"Now..DIE!"

From the teeming masses of shadow around the Chaotic PK, innumerable clawed hands emerged, sallying forth at their mistress' call to end the life of the worthless noble before them.

"What in The World—"

And now it was Taihaku, master swordsman, was driven to the defensive, defending with every ounce of skill he possessed against the onrushing tide of darkness-but to no effect!

He leapt backwards, flipping end over end as he sought to evade the relentless surge of AIDA, dodging left, right, blocking retreating—until he was driven to the barrier of flames, and like the Frankish Knights at Agincourt, was trapped and skewered by shafts that blackened the sun.

"AUGHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HHHH!" came an otherworldly scream, and the form of Taihaku collapsed and shattered like shards of glass, leaving a triumphant Eris alone in the Arena.

"Victory! Team Discord is the Winner!" announced the Commentator, not noticing the fact that Taihaku's form was dissolving into nothingness. "Amazing! Incredible! A powerful one hit technique! We may be looking at the one destined to become the first Holy Palace Emperor!"

'Yes…foolish one who dared to challenge me…now, let us see if the "free man" will keep his promise.'

A ping indicating a received message. A smirk. And then azure light whisking her away.

From the observation deck, the Sorcerer Queen Tsukinoki looked on in mild distaste at what had occurred, but not shock, as she had already suspected this would be the case.

'Eris has indeed been infected…and from the data I gathered…that anomaly matched the distortion in the psychograph. She must be stopped, before it is too late. I suppose it is time to order the Knights to action.'

Δ Hidden Forbidden Holy Ground

Having seen her companion off at the Chaos Gate of Mac Anu, the Macabre Dancer Skadi headed to the Hulle Granz Cathedral to contemplate the events that had transpired during the week. Unlike her noisy apartment, this grand edifice in The World was solemn and peaceful, a place for rest and deep thought. And here in The World, she felt…she felt a sense of connection with all things and all beings, much as Hakubo-san had mentioned once. The World was indeed a bond to humanity, a place where the Mirage of Deceit could be sloughed off, where one could discover what sentient beings were capable of when their identities were unknown.

'Ikari-kun chose my image to emulate. It was a curious way to discover his attraction to me."

Her lips flitted into a all-too-brief smile as she walked into the church and made her way to the altar, where she sat in the place the statue of a goddess used to be.

'Curious…that it is in this place without touch where I have learned the meaning of the warmth.'

Thoughts drifted back to the poem that her mind had devised after the disturbing encounter with the overly familiar Macabre Dancer whose appearance and actions evoked in her a sense of wrongness. She recalled the feeling of an unseen cold drawing fates onward to eternity…

'But who I am beyond the looking glass?'
'Beyond the world of frozen tears, the glimmer of a distant far off dream.'
'Warmth, the beating of hearts, water flows on like lifeblood.'
'Humanity, the cradle of dreams between man and woman.'
'The Key to Dusk, the Key to Daybreak'
'Lycoris blossoms…spider lilies…'
'One like me?'
'What is human? A smile, a touch, warm hands.'
'The self that is and the self that will be.'
'The self that watches and the self that is watched.'
'Moonlight under twilight skies. Embarrassment. Ikari-kun.'
'Love? Broken wings. Requiem for a Dream'
'Gate of Uroboros, Genesis of Ultima'
'Friendship…Hokari-san. Shadow. Light.'
'A strange feeling. Liminality'
'Ego…I am. I am myself yet not myself'
'I am Skadi, I am Rei, I am Lilith'
'Who am I beyond the looking glass?'

Allowing the self to be lost in reflection was a luxury that Skadi had not often had, save perhaps for the times when she looked out the window in class and imagined the world. A time of no orders, aimlessness, inefficiency, strangely rewarding. To feel attachment, to feel…loved, to watch the actions of people in their lives, like a spirit. To be touched and to sit under the moon, feeling the warmth of another. To be accepted, not looked upon as strange or alien…to be welcomed into The World.

The maiden of winter shivered slightly, blinking once or twice as she realized how much she had changed. And not for the first time did she wonder as to the intentions of Ibuki-san in ordering her to enter this other world.

'Choice. Free Will. The Fruit of Knowledge, not the Fruit of Life. The Throne of Souls. The World.'

As she touched upon the concept of The World, Skadi came back to herself and realized it was likely time to return to Mac Anu, and from there to the world beyond. And so the Macabre Dancer arose silently, turning to the great double doors and passing through them.

"Leaving so soon?" a voice taunted from the shadows.

A blur of motion, orbs of oozing black corruption, gut wrenching bitter pain—light.

"…You."

Collapse.

Numbness spreading.

"…what is this? My character…fading. No…consciousness is…fading. Ikari-ku—"

Character dissolving, tendrils of data evaporating.

A strangled gasp.

Disappearance.

Lost One.

Shadow.