Upon realization, the child found themselves in darkness, where a voice echoed.
"Go mad..."
While experiencing the illusion as if the darkness spoke, the child listened to the voice.
"Go mad, it's better... "
To go mad, did it mean becoming like those adults?
"More mad than them... Before madness takes you, it's better to go mad..."
In response to these whispers, the darkness replied. The child, hearing it, spoke for the first time.
"If I accept that invitation, won't you be the one driving me mad?"
"Don't speak interesting things, pitiable sacrifice."
In the next moment, light appeared in that space. The first thing the child noticed was a massive gate with a charm reading "Seal" hanging on it.
Beyond that gate, it was there—a monster. Its enormous fangs, bared to attack the child, would have devoured them long ago if not for the gate. The beast's gaze, more radiant than blood, fixed upon the child. Seeing the creature, its reddish fur bristling and nine tails undulating, the child immediately understood.
In front of them was a monster, a Nine-Tailed Fox. This marked the beginning of everything.
Looking at the child, the Nine-Tails spoke.
"I alone can grant you power. I alone can help you... The pitiable sacrifice chosen by the Fourth."
"Help me?"
The child involuntarily repeated the words. The Nine-Tails, seemingly pleased, laughed ominously.
"That's right. I alone will help you. What do you say? Shall I ease your suffering? I alone can... because I'm the one who will release you from misery."
"Then why didn't you help me until now?"
Interrupting the Nine-Tails' words, the child's questioning voice echoed. Meanwhile, the child continued.
"If you can help, why didn't you help me before? I've almost died so many, many, many, many, many times until now."
"But why didn't you help me at that time?"
The child's innocent words didn't cease.
"You also don't really want to help me. You just want to drive me mad and break me, just so you can get out, right?"
"You don't have any desire to 'help.'"
Upon hearing these words, the Nine-Tails displayed a stunned expression. The child, in turn, wore a somewhat bored expression. It seemed this monster thought the child had a simple personality, easily swayed by sweet words.
"I won't become what you say."
Rather than being driven mad, they would go mad of their own accord.
The child raised the corners of their mouth and laughed.
"I'll laugh at you all! The ridiculous ones are you!!"
"I'll become stronger than anyone!! Ahahaha!!"
The child's words and laughter resonated in that space, carrying a hint of sadness in their echoes.