Disclaimer: Copyrights of Iori belong to SNK, Neo Geo, Eolith.

Bloodshot eyes struck open, only to greet the familiar shoddy ceiling. A quick glance around the room and he saw that it was bare. The place was quiet; but the sick, monotonous sound of water leaking from a tap, and his soft, frightened breathing.

The heart cries silently, engulfing in the mutinous pain, the engorged suffering? The pain, excruciating. Cold sweat tore away from feverish skin. Just like flesh tears away from bone. He shivered.

Voices plagued, tormented. Icy silence bit into his body. He cries, only silent; dry, and bitter.

Tears of blood painted against ghastly white cheeks. The coppery stench he was so accustomed to. It sickened him more.

Kisses of frigid air made cold, inert. All hopes non-existent, crushed and grounded into fine grit.

Brilliant lights blind him. Suffocating with its rich, radiant rays. Torture. Endless tribulation.

A thick crimson red colours death with rich, dark shades. Empathy soldered by casts of lies. Fingers stained a permanent maroon. That murderous hue..

Soft cries, muffled by agonising pain. The need for release beseeched, but none heard, none given. Strain? Heartaches? Relapse? He stood alone. Forgotten. Forgotten...

- End -