Nothing.
I-It's nothing.
Nothing below me, above, behind, beside, in front.
Am I even standing?
Am I sitting?
Lying down?
All that's here is me.
Me.
M–e..?
Yes, me.
How do I–
No, why would I even need to…?
It's cold, but comfortable.
No, is it cold?
I just feel…
I don't need to try hard.
Then rest.
I can do that.
It'll feel nice.
Relaxing.
— —
"I knew it would be fine!"
The Host smiled widely.
The Assistant wiggled their body in protest.
The ropes binding them made them look like a caterpillar. And with a sign around their neck saying [sign privileges revoked] was certainly a new scene.
The guest, who was currently blankly drooling, had their eyes dilated to the max.
As if drugs were given.
Fortunately none were actually.
It was just… strange.
The Host this time, tested out something new.
The 'Idunnowatdisis'.
Or if the Assistant could use her sign, the Silent Dream.
A device The Host made after looking up a tutorial.
The current memory, it was from the Assistant.
The person who it was used on, was called in, and recently appeared, the Yeon.
Mina Garft.
The reason?
…The Host said so.
"Akrieas" before leaving with a disgruntled face after making her wish was nearly dragged back before throwing a sacrifice.
Namely Mina.
Said Mina Garft was in a trance.
The audience felt discomfort at this.
"Uhm… well she'll be fiiiiiiiine. You were."
The Assistant looked at The Host. Before then struggling to escape the ropes.
"Ah, of course! Let me explain! You see, after our voluntary assistant g~ratefully gave her finest experience–"
The Assistant stopped and stared at The Host.
"Ah but such a sad time it was to be in the black ocean. Then again who cares."
Someone's teeth grinding could be heard.
"As you can see! It's goin grrrrrrrrreat!"
The Host raised a finger.
"However… it needs'a bit'a spic-eh!"
The Assistant still continued struggling to free themselves.
The audience silently watched as usual.
The camera perfectly captured the face of The Host.
The imperfect smile.
Neverending with that same feeling coursing in the veins.
"Part two! Now come here."
The wiggling caterpillar was woefully plucked from the chair.
— —
In this comfort, agreement was not needed.
The heart does not ponder.
The mind enacts nothing.
With the caress of Home there is no need.
The flame exists no more.
Unnecessary.
The mind is continuously reminded of Home through the chains.
The heart is resonating with the chains.
Perfection.
Stay here.
The loving embrace puts forth comfort.
Rest.
Smooth over everything.
The heart hears nothing.
The mind registers nothing.
Clouded but blissful.
Burnt and ashened, below the keep stays.
Marvel at nothing.
Lines of invisible white form.
Tainting.
Perchance a wailing tentative of the masks.
A hand emerged from nowhere.
The mind saw nothing.
The heart felt nothing.
Stickily trying to drag the hand back in.
Prevailing, it pulled onto the shore.
Armor.
Leather.
Chainmail.
"Hoo."
Their grasp was much better than before.
Pulling themselves forward, they lifted themselves.
Another hand grasped with the other arm, was brought alongside them.
"Could you not have done that?"
"It must be done at times. Sacrifice always comes with the short draw of the stick."
One smiled.
The other narrowed their eye.
Similar.
"Up ahead."
"A woman."
"Barbarian."
The one with a black vest and pink formal dress shirt crinkled their nose at that comment.
"Is it not so?" the armored one snorted.
They walked forward leisurely. Silently.
A rapture defined by single words.
Singing the praise of no one.
The chains quivered.
"How sad."
"Just break it."
A flicker of annoyance appeared in the armored person's face.
They drew the sword and swung.
–Crrrk!
"Quite hard."
The mind was filled with repayment of venom.
The heart sank with dread.
"How twisted are they now?"
"Just hit it again."
"Tch."
They swung again.
The heart filled a brewing film of despair.
The mind spun endlessly.
****
Wah.
Wah?
It's bright…
I am lying down.
Why..?
Sitting up, I saw two people in front of me.
"How joyful."
The one of the left dripped with false sincerity.
Uh…
A sword?
Iron armor on the right arm?
Bit on the chest?
Lightweight??
Ta…ll…?
Black hair absorbing light.
A smile faker than anything.
One eye.
The other covered by an eyepatch?
H-Have I been kidnapped?!
W-What did they say when that happens…?
"Stupider than the lady."
What?
"..."
He looks like a barista.
Pocket watch with black pants.
Wrappings around an eye.
Brown hair.
Darkened eyes.
Why am I being insulted again?
Why…?
"State yourself."
.
Heh?
W–
N–
A hallway?
A hallway!
What am I saying…
"...Rgh."
"Such unpleasantry… has your disgust bloomed too transparently?"
"If it weren't for this paltry body and you then this time wasted wouldn't be used on useless comments."
"Such foul language. Don't you think so?"
[The Glass Shard] shot a–
Glass shard?
Glass shard??
A GLASS SHARD??????
Why did I think of that.
"How fickle. Time is the only thing left."
[The Mercenary Knight] rolled their ey–
Mercen…ary Kni…ght..?
Where is this coming frrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrooooooooooooom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I look at the barista and think of glass, I look at the armoured– actually, mercenary fits.
Novels never lie!
M-Maybe…
[The Mercenary Knight] smiled at me again.
"An introduction for your savior." he put his hand on his chest.
[The Glass Shard] shot a contemptuous look at [The Mercenary Knight].
"Kindly."
….
"Why?"
[The Mercenary Knight] blinked.
[The Glass Shard] snorted behind him.
"Indeed a barbarian." [The Mercenary Knight] s–
Hey!
"I only asked a question!"
Both of their faces changed for a second.
Eh.
Aeugh…
I-I'll just get up.
They watched me as I stood up. They keep making me feel small…!
I want to go home…
Stiffly I turned around.
Should I?
How do I leave?!
Chains.
Oh.
That's how?
Wait that doesnt–
But.
Slowly, I stepped forward.
My lips keep trying to move…
I'm…
I'll…
I'll see to it.
— — — —
"Hm. I suppose there should be concern?"
"Faulty recognition at this time."
"How kind of you."
They watched.
The barbarian.
From the moment she turned and walked they followed.
The distance isn't much, but enough.
This barbarian with fur and leather armor.
Face painting and on the arms too.
This walk led them to a wall.
End of the hallway of doors on both sides.
The barbarian faced such a wall.
"Perhaps it's unknown to the guest."
"..."
Balling her fist she placed it lightly on the wall.
Then again.
Again.
Harder.
Faster.
Both watched.
Each strike hurts only the fist.
Only the noise of flesh could be heard.
Welcome back.
They watched as it strangled the hand.
Dragging her in.
To your home.
— — — —
….
"Strange behavior."
"It's certainly pitiful."
"Cut it."
"How much more do you expect?"
Nothing.
There is nothing.
Nothing.
Nothing.
These chains.
A soft whisper of music.
Right.
I must see it.
Slowly I pull myself towards it.
I am being forcefully slowed to a crawl by these chains.
I must see it.
Each step takes everything to achieve.
It got louder the closer I reached.
"This..?"
"New phenomenon."
"Hm?"
"In this eternity, have you ever seen this happen? Have the others seen this?"
"No."
"Conditional or something else at hand."
"Aha."
I must see it.
The closer I got the harder it was to move.
Straining movement.
It got louder. I saw a light.
"The barbarians on fire."
The corridor illuminated. Fierce as it can be to keep me. Popping out of my flesh.
I'll see to it.
I'll see to it.
I'll see to it!
"The barbarian. That's not…"
"...."
"I'll see to it!!!!"
****
Wuh?
Wah?
W-Where–
"And there you have it folks! A deep dive into my new playth– eesis!"
I looked around and I was still standing.
"A good look into the psychopathic nature of memory!"
A– memory?
"Though some things went a bit… eh it's fiiiiiiine!"
I can't think.
Washing machiiiiineeeeeeee….
….Confused…
"That's all for today! Cooooooome back next time!"
They snapped their fingers and curtains closed and any view of the stage.
"Man."
The Executive was staring at Them.
"What?"
"Nothing happened?"
"Nothing important at all!" They said with…
"Nothing." They smiled.