Volume II
A few of those said to be gone return, spreading ripples across the entire digital space.
Most seem happy or indifferent. 1 finds it maddening. And all the while, Alex plots his escape.
. . .
08. Reap What We Sow
Extra: Ode To Aldurra
09. My Unexpected Confrontations
10. A Dime A Dozen
11. He Sent Out A Wave
12. Can't Break Our Spirits
13. The Fool And The Trickster
Extra: Operation Yellowstone
14. An Outsider Looking In
. . .
Chapter description: The past catches up with Viktor, in more ways than one!
Extra description: One night, Aldurra gets some visitors!
Tags for this chapter:
past Casualties, mentions of various Injuries & Gore, Human Skeleton, Verbal Abuse, discussions of and differing opinions on Reviving, Morgue, potential Threats of Violence
Tags for this extra:
BETRAYAL?, game Reunion
08. Reap What We Sow
"My final report is ready, Viktor." Laura tried to sound calm as she announced. At a time like this, everyone was frantic, on edge, anxious, grieving. With her, he walked, the two entering a room full of examination tables. Only three were occupied by bodies, and each had a sheet covering them.
Over the sounds of chaos, pain, and sobs from outside, Viktor stiffly nodded. "Let's hear it, then."
"The casualty count has totaled to five, sir," Laura began, clipboard of notes shaking in her hands. "As you can no doubt tell, however, many others were injured; either as innocent bystanders, or as a result of fighting Alex. Interestingly, said murders were entirely from his… Er, one game." The correction was hard to bear.
"Two are missing." Viktor noted, gesturing to the tables. Laura nodded.
"Yes," She continued, solemnly, "That's because Alex… Completely devoured them. Their codes no longer exist." A pause, as she took a breath.
"They are the following: Asmodena, and Ms. Immortal. Olivia is present, but she was eaten to the bones. Dolly was torn to fabric and cotton, but her AI has been completely erased. Candice is too sweet for Alex, so all that occurred was fatal wounding. Finally…"
Suddenly, Erie's yelling was a lot more prominent. In fact, it made Laura pause.
"Don't 'I'm sorry' me! You have hundreds of yourself! That's more than enough to search every PIXEL of this place, TEN TIMES! For fuck's sakes, you can FLY! Go into the OCEAN! Stop making excuses, you stupid son of a bitch!"
"I promise, I'm doing everything I can. Unfortunately, my CPU is near its limit."
"Just-... Just get the fuck out of my sight! You couldn't possibly understand losing family! At least you still HAVE one!" Silence, and then she muttered, "Worthless bag of bolts."
Laura then made a throat clearing sound, trying to redirect focus. "Scrina has yet to be found. There has been no confirmation on whether or not she is still alive. Her mother is… Very worried."
Viktor went over to the sheeted tables, lifting each one. True to Laura's word, the occupants were exactly as described. Somehow, however, Olivia's black hair was still intact. "Is there anything we can do for them?"
"According to our data, Olivia and Candice's AIs are still present; they need only a suitable vessel of which to act on them. Despite this, we will require more research."
"If it's possible, then I'll allow it."
"Right, sir," Laura acknowledged, then added, "As a result of the incident, I have personally devised a new method concerning games. It allows me to identify matches between them."
"So no one can lie about which copy they're from." Viktor caught on, finishing.
"Precisely. And, as it turns out, though by this point it's relatively obvious… The Alex and the casualties are not related."
"It was either that, or he was depraved enough to axe his own ensemble," Viktor uttered, bitterly. "That means their native Alex might also be long gone. They did imply as such, when they first came here." Looking back at her, Laura only nodded again.
"Please keep me posted." He spoke in farewell, leaving the room.
"Ah yes, 1. Thank you for coming." Hours later, Viktor's appointed code expert floated seamlessly into his office. He was a Dave, the first to arrive at the Webspace. An old friend.
He was a cyborg, and was fitted in a plain, dark gray top, black visor glinting in the light. A true mixture of Fun Algebra Class and The Future Is Here, but leaned a bit more on the former, having kept his legs unchanged aside from sporting white shoes over the standard brown.
"Do you really intend on bringing them back to life?" 1's voice rumbled in his much lower octave, but what was uncharacteristic was his tone. It was unusually flat, serious.
"I do. That's where you come in. I need you to-"
"Then I will not be participating." Oh.
"For… What reason?"
"This is madness, Viktor," 1 started, the monotone slowly melting away into desperation, "They're dead. The first thought to cross your mind should be, 'arrange a funeral for them, let us pay our respects'. Not 'shucks, guess we better resurrect them'. Doing so would be a complete disservice."
"I see. Counterpoint: we're not mortals. We can do whatever we want, if we can find a way to do so."
"What difference does that make? Our existences are still so fragile; we rely on this place. I will not desecrate them."
"Says… You." 1 wasn't impressed by the childish comeback, looking at Viktor like he was an utter buffoon.
"But I made that choice. They do not get to say if they want to come back. We force them from our own desires. It's appalling."
"C'mon, 1. They didn't ask to be killed, either. They didn't deserve this."
"So, you want to bring them back from their most terrifying moments? Without even considering the consequences that could have, not only on them, but everyone else? You'll make them live in a world where they're now unsafe?" Things were getting out of hand.
"No, because he's-" Viktor continued trying to reason, but cut off when 1 reached across the desk, pulled him forward by the collar, and slapped him hard across the face. Viktor was dazed, feeling his mask ring from the impact.
"It doesn't matter that he's imprisoned; he could escape and do it all over again!" 1 was angry now. "Don't you get it? We should be guarding the lives who remain! Not the ones we've already lost! Ugh!" He pushed him back, Viktor and his chair hitting the wall in the process. "You disgust me. Find another machine language interpreter. Good. Day."
In a moment of dramatization, 1 left the room, slamming the door behind him. Just when Viktor got his bearings, the cyborg came back, dumped the half-filled cup of coffee on his jacket, then departed again, this time for good.
After a minute spent processing what just happened, the bemused Tarwill could only say three words.
"Oh my God."
A few days passed since then, and despite it being clean again, Viktor felt as though his jacket was still stained. A metaphorical one that couldn't be washed away. He considered burning it, but then thought about a time far ahead from now - after the whole Alex debacle, he and 1 are able to look back and laugh.
So instead, he kept it.
There was a knock on the office door. "Yes?"
It opened, revealing Laura. "Billy is here to see you, Mr. Strobovski."
"Oh Goddammit," Viktor cursed under his breath, "Is he going to walk out on me too? I don't know if I can take any more of this."
"... I'm not sure," Laura's confusion was apparent. "But may he speak with you? He does claim it to be 'important'." The word was stated mockingly.
"I can still hear you, Laura. It is important. So shut up." From down the hall, Billy cut in.
"Haha. I'm sure it is."
"Let him in," Viktor was facepalming, "Just. Stop bickering."
"Of course. Right away, sir-" Laura went to say, turning to leave, then immediately
"You heard him. Let me in." Billy was right in front of her. In response, she cracked her knuckles.
"With pleasure." Quickly, she gripped the well-made robot by the arm, and threw him overhead and into the office. It left him crashing onto the floor. Viktor could only helplessly look on, as Billy got up, staring Laura down.
But all she did was wave, uttering in a saccharine voice, "Good luck, Billy! I'm rooting for you!" before shutting the door. Only then, did he dust himself off.
"Good to see you," Viktor then greeted, drawing his guest's attention. "Is this about Erie? I swear, she's never usually like this."
Billy blinked, then tilted his head. "No…? I'm not sure why you suspect that. Though, I will say that I'm sorry to hear about Scrina's disappearance. She must be devastated." An understatement, but Viktor didn't want to go into it.
"Yes, well," He changed the subject, "Be that the case, what can I do for you?"
"This matter is more accurately, what I can do for you," Billy then presented, then asked, "Before I continue, is there anyone who's guarding Alex?"
"No, but a cell in the bunker works well enough."
"Then," The robot replied, confidently, "I'd like to offer my surveillance. I will keep him out of trouble, make sure no one gets attacked by him again. And if there're any new developments, you will know as soon as possible." A roll of blueprints appeared in his hand as he selected it, unveiling it to Viktor from on his desk.
If its appearance didn't already give it away, the title explained everything. The "Well-Made Containment Unit". Dear Christ above.
"He will stay in this," Billy continued, "It has been tested, and deemed 'Alex-proof'. What do you think?" To be perfectly honest, this wasn't going to work. Billy was never much of a combatant. If Alex escaped, he would get ripped apart. Then his next body. Then the next. And so on, into a big, metallic mess.
That is, if Alex didn't just possess him into doing his bidding. Despite the aforementioned lack of fighting skill, he did have strength in numbers. The well-made robot(s) was but a free army for the demon.
Viktor could not, in good conscience, allow it.
"Say Alex did break out. How would you escort him back?" What was meant to be a deterrent only made Billy's grin widen.
"That could never happen. However, in the very, very low chance it does, I am prepared. Observe." Stepping back, one of Billy's hands retracted, being replaced with a bullet barrel, but it was rather tiny.
"Laser," He identified, then the barrel grew larger for every new ammunition, "Tranquilizer, pistol, rifle, missile. And…" Another pause, and a pair of hatches opened at his shoulders. By now, his face was straight-up smug. "Mini rockets."
"Holy shit," Viktor couldn't help laughing a bit. He'd really gone the whole nine yards for this. It was getting harder to decline, based on the presentation alone. Still an absurdly terrible idea, but… The Tarwill would be lying if he said he wasn't growing fond of it. "And, I assume you know how to use all of those? Aim properly and all?"
"Correct," Billy nodded, closing the hatches and bringing back his hand. "I would neutralize him. There is no need to worry; I've thought of every angle."
"What about possession?" There. That had to be the kicker.
"Yes, that as well," The robot replied, nonchalantly, "I highly doubt he will be able to pierce into this mind." He lifted a fist, knocking his cranium, which made muffled, but unmistakably metallic thunk sounds.
If Billy was trying to imply that his head was too thick, Viktor wasn't sure if he knew what that was supposed to mean. But Billy, being Billy, most likely took it literally.
"So, Alex's tactics have a density limit? Fascinating…" But Billy didn't correct him, only welling in pride. Fuck. His smile was so charming. If Viktor said no now… "Alright. I'll give you a shot. Please don't blow it-"
He didn't get to finish his statement, as Billy approached, reached across the desk, and vigorously shook his hand with an excitedly firm grip. Aside from flinching, Viktor did nothing else but listen to the motorized whirring from the sheer speed and ferocity.
Billy, meanwhile, was too elated to notice in the slightest. He was barely finishing proper sentences, he was talking so fast. "Oh thank you so much Mr. Strobovski it is an honor and a privilege to serve you sir I promise that I won't let you down you can count on me I am going to get started right away thank you once again and have a good day sir!"
The very next thing he knew, Viktor was alone in the office, the door shutting indicating that the well-made robot had departed. But even then, that wasn't the end of it.
"Ask me how it went. Ask me how it went." The speed was slowing.
A sigh from Laura, tone deadpan. "How did it go?"
"He said yes. You know what that means?"
"Allow me to grow a mouth so I can eat my words. You can watch if you like."
"... I'll pass."
"Jokes aside, good job. Don't die, okay?"
"Absolutely not."
What had Viktor done?
Over the next… Well over a year, he would come to regret that decision, until finally, he had to cut Billy loose. It was for the better, really; that sheer confidence, that drive and joy, had waned and wilted until he'd become no more than a shell of his former self.
Even as he begged, pleaded, tried to make a case, Viktor couldn't let it keep happening.
Alex, a monster in more ways than one, was back in his care. Aldurra too, but honestly Viktor was even more unsure what to do with him. Surely it's not right, just because of where he came from.
After all, it was already proven, by Erie and Laura both, that Aldurra and the old murders are related. He really is just trying to avenge them. But, then what? There it was, the tricky part.
Finally, there was 1. Ever since that day, there was nothing but silence from him. In hindsight, he could've tried to be more sensitive to his viewpoint. It cost him a dear friend, and a gifted coding expert. Laura was really skilled too, but 1 was on a whole other level.
Aside from Scrina's more recent repair, the project of bringing back Candice and Olivia seemed hopeless. Until, one day.
It was a few after what felt like an impossible encounter - the encounter. Strangely, the esteemed visitor mistook Viktor as a mysterious voice, calling him over here. No, that wasn't part of his skillset, but the coincidences led to that chance meeting, so not all is lost!
He even asked a question that perplexed him. How does one leave the Internet? Specifically, to return to a computer, back to where one's game is.
Lord, he even came with riddles! Viktor found he would probably be pondering it for weeks.
Now, though, was a semi-frequent trip to the morgue, hidden in a secret room only a close few of Viktor's entourage knew about. Ever since the increasing likelihood of failure, those poor souls were sent here to rest.
Except when he got there, he could hear rattling. An intruder? Viktor sped over to where the noises came from, but to his surprise, he only found a shaking latch, its occupant making all the ruckus. In front of it now, it was none other than
Candice's.
Viktor hurriedly opened it, and almost immediately was pelted by the fairy, as she made a mad dash out of confinement. The attack was enough to knock him down with a stun.
Meanwhile, Candice landed cleanly with an audible "Phew! Finally! I was starting to think nobody came here anymore!" As Viktor reoriented himself, he found her stretching. The two caught eyes, and her cat smile grew.
"Oh! Mr. Strobovski! Thank you for rescuing and slash or reviving me!" She equipped her wand, twirling it around. "For that, you get ooone free wish!" To be frank, this was completely unlike anything the Tarwill was expecting, let alone for her to take it so… Casually.
Says… Himself. Past him. Yeah.
"Uh… No problem? But I only opened the door," He clarified, "Someone else must've, but how…?"
"... Oh!" Candice blinked, immediately putting away her item. "Then it'll be my mission to find them! But before that…" She paused in thought, realizing the time. "Gee, it's been quite a while! And only now they figured out how to use my potions?! Unbelievable…"
"Your potions?" Viktor asked, dumbly. If that was all it ever took, he swore…
"Specifically: Immortality!" Candice swiped a hand across her swirly belt buckle, and out popped a bottle with magical fanfare. She snatched it and posed heroically. "How do you think I look this good at 942? And deadn't?" She giggled, pressing a finger to her cheek with a cutesy wink.
"I feel like such a jackass…" Viktor muttered under his breath, hiding his face.
"... Hm," Candice noticed, tilting her head. "Guess that means no one else's come back, huh? Are any of them here? I could help fix that!" Without waiting for an answer, she flew off, checking the nearby slots, quickly finding one. "Olivia! There she is! Time to wake up, Sleeping Beauty!"
"H-Hey, wait, don't open that-!" Viktor warned, but Candice did anyway. Sliding out the tray, there was a sudden, very noticeable silence.
Finally, Candice broke it. "Aw, Olivia… What'd he do to you, girl? Almost nothing but bones! Poor thing…"
"Does that mean she really can't come back?" Viktor tentatively asked.
With a sigh, Candice glanced at him, a bit more seriously. "No, she absolutely can. But she'll be stuck like this - it only makes you alive and slash or young again. No brain, no healing."
"... I don't understand."
"Think of it like your mask. Without it, you can't regenerate."
"Oh." Once he processed that, Candice went to another slot, opening it and seeing what was left of Dolly.
"... Ah. And she can't at all." She re-confirmed. Using the same method as before, she produced a flower, resting it on top of the cotton and fabric, before closing the door. Another, for Ms. Immortal, who's contents was just her broom. Asmodena's had her box of chalk and Pusheen t-shirt, and Viktor could swear Candice nearly lost her cool. After another look-over, she turned to Viktor and asked, "Where's Scrina's?"
"Actually, she was found, and fixed up not too long ago," Out of everything, at least there was that bit of good news. "So, she's alive and well." Candice gaped, joy returning.
"Ohmigosh ohmigosh ohmigosh! You know what?!" She zoomed back to Olivia, who was still out on her tray. With some effort, she was… Warped into Candice's belt. Okay, even for Viktor, that was a bit much. But all he could do was trust in the fairy. "I have to talk to her! Let's go!" Shutting the slot at last, she drug Viktor out of the room, back to the main corridors of the school.
But she didn't stop there, flying the two of them down the halls, passing by rooms, ascending and descending floors, all the while repeatedly calling out for the little robot. The Tarwill had no other choice but brace himself against the momentum.
"... Candice?" Marzia spoke, and the fairy paused, waving at her. The language teacher sprinted over to them, but Candice just swept her into a hug, laughing all the while.
"Miss Vat! You're a sight for sore eyes!" From not far off, Viktor noticed someone else approaching.
Angellica, commonly nicknamed "Angell"; the protagonist of his game. She was overcome in surprise.
Angell (VLANGELLICA)
It actually worked…
She said, through the chat feature. It caused Marzia and Candice to stop, looking over at her. Angell was promptly held next.
"So that was you?! Aw, Angell, that's so sweet! You get ooone free wish!"
Angell (VLANGELLICA)
I waited for hours, but nothing happened. So I thought it was too late.
I won't waste it, I promise.
Angell replied, meaning every word as she embraced the fairy.
"Not to ruin this heartwarming moment, but have any of you seen Scrina?" Viktor finally added.
Angell (VLANGELLICA)
Oh yes, Scrina!
She's at Erie's. I think she might be settled back in.
Angell answered, with ease. Candice let her go, overcome with an idea.
"We should go over right now! And surprise her!"
Angell (VLANGELLICA)
Let's be calm about it…
Angell tried to settle the fairy down. Then, like before, she drug the protagonist away, without any further delay.
"... Hm," Viktor commented, "That went well."
Perhaps the rest of the day will be more calm, he thought. And it was, at least until several hours later. He'd gone to the sunset-lit roof to get some air, and when he turned to leave
Olivia was standing in front of him, two meters away, dressed in her usual gothic attire, though tattered and ripped from the Incident. While she lacked eyes, glowing white pupils had appeared in the sockets.
Viktor leapt backward in shock, and plummeted all the way down to the ground, face-up. Fall damage had long ago been disabled for him, along with several others who chose to opt-in for that sort of thing, so he was unharmed. Just… Bewildered.
"Son of a bitch." He muttered, regaining himself and rising again. Down came the skeleton of a protagonist, carried by Scrina. Candice did the same with Angell, and all of them were having a good laugh.
"Damn, I really got you good," Olivia was saying, "I didn't even get to say, 'Boo. I'm undead.'"
"It's… It's good to see you again." Viktor tried to politely reply.
"No need for the formalities, Tarwill," She waved her finger, tone abruptly changed. Somehow, she manifested a scythe, pointing it at him. "Now. Where's Alex." This… Came out of nowhere. The others shared his sentiment.
"Hey, Olivia, um…" Scrina tried to say, "I know it was bad, but…"
"No," Olivia sighed, holding firm. "He needs to pay for what he's done. Erie and Angell both told us they weren't at liberty to say - meaning that he's still alive. And you're hiding him somewhere."
"C'mon…" Candice butt in, "I'm sure they have very good reasons why it's the way it is." She turned to Viktor, in an attempt to set everything straight. "I'm sorry, Mr. Strobovski, it wasn't supposed to go like this. It was only a prank, that's all!"
Viktor thought through his next choice of words very carefully. It was imperative that there was as little risk taken as possible. "There's no point in hiding it, is there? Well, here's what I'll do. I'll tell you, but you'll all have to agree to a few things."
"... Go on." Olivia took the bait, retracting her weapon.
Extra: Ode To Aldurra
"One, two, three, four, five, annnd… Six!" Denied finished counting, before handing all the filets over. The both of them were inside the open cell, as Aldurra received each one.
This was definitely the weirdest thing to become a regular activity, but the merman would always come through, evading getting caught and keeping himself safe… All to give him a bite to eat. It was thoughtful, somehow. And over time, the demon had learned to control the urges telling him to essentially inhale the fish meat.
That was because the selections were different every time, as to not make this boring.
He couldn't keep himself from growing respect for the odd blue bastard. Even the descriptor felt less hostile and more… Friendly, lately.
When not making sure to give Aldurra proper meals, there were moments where the demon would randomly find Denied, while serving his sentence. But he'd believe it if it'd been intentional. He had no idea how or why, but he seemed to care about him. A lot.
Oh, and occasionally they would hear some snide remark from Alex, but the two had wordlessly agreed on ignoring him.
"Thanks, as always." Aldurra admitted, and it never got easier.
"Of course! Have you been doing okay?"
"About as 'okay' as ever, I suppose."
"Ah… I don't blame you. Considering…"
This confused the demon. "Considering what? If something crazy happened, I don't know of it. I'm never told anything." Denied stared at him with wide eyes. "Terrible, I know."
"No, it's- Well, yes, but…" The merman faced him fully. His voice lowered. "Not even how… Scrina was repaired?" The statement made Aldurra freeze.
"She… She was?" The words came out squeaky.
"Oh, God. Aldurra…" Denied trailed off, earfins drooping. "I really thought it was, like… Oh, they just won't let you see her, or something shitty like that. They seriously never-?!" He cut himself off, as Aldurra looked at the open cell door. The merman immediately caught on, taking his arm. "N-No, don't. Yeah, it's tempting as fuck, but you can't just-!"
He got up, pulling Denied with him. "She's here. And so is…" Candice. Olivia. And the three of them were accompanied by Angell.
"Wait, what? If she's down here, then…!" Denied abruptly let go and left the cell, starting to close the door. "We can't be seen like this!"
Aldurra felt attacked, grabbing it from the other side, pushing. "Hey! You asshole! Who's side are you on?!"
"Yours! But- But if anyone knows-"
"Open the fucking DOOR!" Aldurra roared, his fury causing a layer of persuasion to leak out. "I HAVE to see them! They're all I have left in this wretched, pathetic, MISERABLE thing we call an 'EXISTENCE'!"
Of course, this kind of theatrics wasn't going to work - Denied had no doubt put on the mandatory anti-possession helmet, intangible to the senses, but absolutely effective. Still, he fought. Just when he was starting to trust him, just when he was starting to like him, just when he was starting to think they might be friends.
And the two-faced motherfucker chooses to backstab him. Nothing in Aldurra sensed that kind of betrayal.
Denied suddenly let go, the door sliding wide open. "Them? There's… Others?"
Aldurra paused for only a moment, observing the scene in front of him. Then, he ran off, at top speed. Fuck Denied. Fuck Alex. Fuck Viktor. Fuck everything and everybody else, all that mattered was family. He rounded yet another corner, and saw them.
Scrina, in peak condition. Candice, as lively as could be. Olivia, who was… A skeleton. And, of course, the blonde young woman in the lead, Angell.
Angell (VLANGELLICA)
Stay behind me. We don't know which one this is, yet.
Angell said, but entirely in text? It was weird, but Aldurra could see and read it. The other girls did as they were told, while she rose an arm to shield them. In her hand appeared a pistol, and he could tell it was loaded with silver bullets.
If Aldurra made one wrong move, that shit will burn.
Angell (VLANGELLICA)
Produce your scythes.
Reluctantly, he followed her command. The hands he quickly grew to love shifted away into those clunky, but solid blades. More silence, before Angell put away the weapon.
Angell (VLANGELLICA)
Alright. Aldurra, then.
You're not scheduled for comm. service today, but…
Say hello.
She let them pass. Yet, they wouldn't move - Candice had a hand over her mouth in shock, while Scrina was rooted with nervousness. Olivia, on the other hand, had a blank-looking stare. It made sense.
Finally, Candice flew over first, inspecting him more closely. Then, with a soft voice, she spoke. "Â̶͎l̵̗͑d̴̲͒ū̷ͅṛ̵̎r̴̯͠a̸̙̐? I really thought you were… Well… Gone forever."
The pronunciation was flawless. Last he knew, she was still learning the nuances - only Asmodena had been able to pull it off.
He blinked a few times. Shit. No. He couldn't cry. Not again. As a distraction, he switched back to his simplistic hands.
"You can't even imagine how much I've missed you guys," The words fell out of his mouth at last. "... Wait, no. You can." Candice couldn't help but laugh, opening her arms.
"Aw, c'mere you big lug!" And embraced him. Aldurra promptly returned it, struggling against his failing river dam. "Scrina, Olivia, it's okay! Angell's right; come say hi!"
"Here, hold my hand. We'll go together," Olivia assured, and Scrina nodded and followed. In a mutter, she added jokingly, "Don't mind the bones." It got the little robot to smile. Then, Olivia addressed the demon. "Aldurra, right? A shame we never properly met 'til now. All I got was Tom's shitty let's play footage."
He paused for a moment, as Candice let him go. "That's… Embarrassing. And, er, what the fuck happened to you?"
"Just became that asshole's chew toy for a bit," Olivia shrugged it off, tapping her cheekbone. "But it's all good. I think I like the new look. I mean, I can do this." Out of nowhere, she spawned… A scythe?! "I donno. Maybe 'dying' unlocked something in me. So I'm a reaper now. That's my character arc."
"You would make the best reaper," He muttered, awestruck. He gave her head a small pat. "God, you've truly found yourself. I'm so fuckin' proud of you."
A chuckle, as Olivia turned to Scrina. "See? He's harmless."
At last, she bravely said, "H-Hi, Aldurra. I, um. I like your new… Hands?" Very awkward, but he couldn't blame her at all. In response, he let her see them more clearly.
"Oh, thanks! I like them a lot, too. Also…" He trailed off, remembering something that now, was probably two years ago. It was so hard to accept. "Thanks for back then. That freezing soda outta nowhere? Badass. He never saw it coming."
"Ah, it's- It was nothing!" She stammered, modestly. The demon bent down closer to her level, gently bringing her into a hug.
"It was not 'nothing'. It led to you escaping. And it led us here. If not for that, things would be very different. You are so much stronger than you know, Scrina. Don't forget that." He could feel her shaking, but only a little. Over time, it calmed.
"But… Alex, he…"
"Is a freak," Aldurra finished for her. "Don't compare yourself to him."
"Mm. Okay…" Olivia approached and leaned into him.
"I would also like a hug." She announced.
"Group hug!" Candice chimed, including herself into the whole thing. They all failed to stifle their joy, their laughter, their relief.
Angell (VLANGELLICA)
(I know what I want to wish for.)
And he completely forgot that Angell was still here, having watched the whole thing. Her message was unlike just earlier. Apparently she could send them in a more private matter? Like some kind of group chat? With just the five of them.
PoPiPo! (CANDICEFAIRY)
(Really? What shall it be, Miss Angellica?)
Candice did it as well, somehow. It was like she knew she shouldn't speak it. Even so, she left the embrace, wand at the ready and posing whimsically. Well-rehearsed, as always. Aldurra missed it, among a lot of things.
Also, since when did Candice owe her a wish? What happened?
Angell (VLANGELLICA)
(I wish that you and your matching characters would break Aldurra out of the bunker, and keep him safe.)
Holy fucking shit, did she really just
PoPiPo! (CANDICEFAIRY)
(What?! Don't you know how wishing works?!
You can't just use them on others!
I mean… I want him to be free too, but…
You brought me back, so this is for you!)
The fairy was reluctant. Ah. So that's how that came about. And with Candice, would come Olivia. Since there wasn't anyone else present, this was most likely the best that could've been done. Gratitude welled inside of him. This was still far better than nothing.
Angell (VLANGELLICA)
(I don't need anything, and I promised I wouldn't waste it.
So… Please.)
Angell wasn't backing down, bearing a ghost of a smile. Candice stood there in thought for a short while. Afterward, she nodded. She turned, taking Aldurra by the arm.
PoPiPo! (CANDICEFAIRY)
(Don't let go, everyone. We're going home.)
She began to wave her wand, it starting to glow a bright, pastel pink, as well as her eyes. She looked back.
PoPiPo! (CANDICEFAIRY)
(Thanks, Angell. You're a real sweetheart.)
Aldurra only caught the young woman nodding, before his vision was briefly obscured in white. Soon, however, he could see again - and the four of them were in front of a building, stars littering the night sky. It greatly resembled his school, but not exactly. Surely the basics of it were there, but it was obvious that changes were made, either as a lapse in memory, or done so purposefully.
Their original game and map were long gone, they all knew it. And still, they had rebuilt it, but as something new. Something theirs.
"Here we are!" The fairy mentioned, as they all separated. She flew over and unlocked the gates. She glanced at Aldurra with a contented cat smile, eyes and wand back to normal. "Welcome home, Â̶͎l̵̗͑d̴̲͒ū̷ͅṛ̵̎r̴̯͠a̸̙̐."
More info:
- Viktor has changed a little over the time of leading the Webspace
- But he still loves memes and hates having his jacket ruined
- In the latter's case, this was more upsetting than irritating
- 1, AKA the first Dave, is from Fun Algebra Class
- He understands how machine languages function, and has used it in helping shape the Webspace at a quicker rate than without him
- This has led to his cyborg upgrade, and more
- In fact, his tech is still being used today
- Viktor and him were pretty close-knit until That Happened
- Aside from that, he is kind of a recluse, a trait exceedingly rare for Daves
- If anyone remembers her Evil form… Don't let Laura do that
- Right before being called in, Dave was probably trying to talk Billy out of this absurd idea
- "Please, it was just a moment of weakness! You don't have to do this! I'll be okay! This isn't necessary!" Alas…
- I imagine that Candice can brew other types of potions (and can grant wishes)
- The age is a guess based on it being "900+"
- Her candy-obsessed side has been dormant for a while, and it's recommended not to wake her up
- Her PURPOSE's elevation is entirely based on said wish granting, which is rare
- Her handle, "PoPiPo", is in reference to an old Miku Hatsune song
- Scrina became close with the others, but most of all with Olivia
- If being able to defeat Erie in combat and her upcoming "Scrina's Sensors" game is anything to go by, Aldurra is not exaggerating…
- Olivia's appearance is up to interpretation, aside from having black hair, and a goth aesthetic. I don't even know what I imagine exactly, except the new skeletal form
- Angellica falls into this category too (long blonde hair, pink dress, but that's about it). Go wild with imagination!
- Later she will go shopping to get even more wicked drip
- Angell and many others don't know the full extent of Alex/Aldurra's shapeshifting. What if there were loopholes to faking a lost arm by using Aldurra's hands, he can already do that with the Alex disguise; that sort of thought process
- As she is mute, she uses the chat feature to talk
- She doesn't want to change that
- Footage of the player's gameplay essentially serves as memories to base a protagonist's AI off of. Angell has this too, and so does every fangame with a protagonist model
- And sometimes, those also assimilate. There is only one Olivia, but Angell has opted in for it from the beginning
- The truth is that Denied is trying his best. It's hard to explain
- Aldurra never imagined seeing anyone from his game again, let alone three of them. His faith in existing has been raised…
- Meanwhile, Alex doesn't care about these developments. Not yet, at least. He is busy with something a lot bigger. Dude's literally in Viktor prison but he's got irons in the fire