This chapter is slightly cringey because the dialogue is taken from the game. Don't blame me, please.

The hall led to a giant foyer. The entire room was made of marble, with the colors consisting of peaches and grays. Torches were on the walls, and the chandelier was lit up by candles.

Deadites streamed around you. Ash started shooting, you staying near Trisha and hitting any that got too close with your shovel. Moving on, the four of you entered the main chamber, where a looming statue was placed in the middle.

The statue looked like a giant man hunched over. The waistline was embedded in a giant boulder, almost as if the sculptor was working on the top half and decided to take a break.

"Hello?" Ash called, motioning for you, Trisha, and Eldridge to stay back. "I'm looking for a Nathaniel Payne? Nathaniel Payne?"

A pause.

"I-it's about the Kandarian Summoning Stone? …Look, I'll give it right back, okay?" Ash said, his voice echoing around the room.

Icy prickles traveled up your spine. Something here was bad- very bad.

"WHO DISTURBS MY REST?!" a demonic voice yelled, echoing throughout the room.

"Woah… Look, maybe this isn't a good time… I can come back!" Ash responded.

"No, this is the perfect time." The statue started moving. "FOR YOU TO DIE!"

A green glow emitted from the statue. It was Payne, now a deadite.

Ash jumped back in surprise, then revved his chainsaw. "Time to play. Come on, babe!" he said, pulling you into battle.

You managed to use your shovel as a shield by accident after Payne threw… something at you. Ash started shooting, but his bullets had no affect on the monster.

"Use the shovel! Bash whatever he throws back into that ugly face!" Ash shouted over Trisha squealing.

You panicked and swung the shovel wildly the what Payne was throwing (they appeared to be rocks on fire), until Ash pushed you out of the way. Payne was now throwing red bolts of energy, which narrowly missed Ash. You ran alongside Ash, frightened and confused.

Payne roared when Ash helped you slam one of the burning rocks back at him. He rubbed where it hit, growling angrily.

"Wretched mortals!" Payne screeched, looking as if he was having a fit. You would have laughed if you weren't scared on behalf of your life.

The pattern repeated for a while: Payne would throw rocks, when one would hit him, he'd throw the bolts of energy, and so on. Finally, the last rock hit him, and deadite-Payne roared in pain (Get it?). Ash stood in the way of you and the dying deadite, as he collapsed and melted.

"Well," Ash said once it was silent again, "that was interesting."

"Interesting?! I could have been killed! You're supposed to be the hero here!" you yelled, forcing Ash to face you.

"Hey, no sweat. You're alive. This'll be over once Eldridge gets working." Ash said, motioning for Eldridge to collect the stone at the base of Payne's… remains.

"Now, Trisha," Ash mused, walking to her as you were forced back, "what happens now?"

"I don't know, Ash." Trisha said, batting her eyelashes.

Ugh. Trisha did this to every boy she could find. Now that there was no more danger, she was free to flirt openly with Ash. It made your blood boil, for some reason.

"How about a date? You, me, and a nice restaurant in the city?" Ash said, smirking.

"I'm not sure. Some people say you're crazy. I-" she was cut off by a chanting come from Eldridge.

You turned around and saw another blue portal being opened. Eldridge was standing at its base, his back towards you and the two others.

"All things that once were, and will be…" Eldridge growled, "…dead by dawn!" He turned around and you saw his face pale and his eyes grow darker, if it was possible. The portal bent around him, almost like it was bending to his will. It absorbed him, and he was gone in a flash.

"Hold up on the lovin', girly." Ash said to Trisha. "Looks like not all of us are on the same side."

"Wait, you're not thinking about going in there?! Are you crazy?!" Trisha yelled, pulling on Ash's arm. You strangely wanted to bash her face in.

"Crazy is as crazy gets, babe." Ash said, pulling her close. "Gimme some sugar."

He kissed her.

You felt your world crashing around you- and not just literally. You understood, in that instant, you loved Ash, and he just kissed your best friend. You kicked yourself for ever liking him. You were no better than Trisha.

Ash left Trisha's side and vanished into the portal.

You turned to Trisha, your voice shaking. "I have to go with him."

"No!" she gasped, lurching forward to grab your arm.

But you were already gone.

i regret everything. Don't blame me; this is how the game is actually scripted.