Drums echoed somewhere deep within the forest.
The ground vibrated.
Leaves trembled.
In just a few seconds, a troop of gorillas burst out from between the trees and surrounded Hastur.
The largest among them — a titan whose every step shook the earth — slammed his massive chest.
The impact created a monstrous rumble, and instantly, all the others stopped pounding their own chests.
Hastur clenched his teeth.
Hastur:
I must have drawn them in with my anima…
They think I've come to challenge their leader.
The giant let out a piercing scream.
Gorilla:
— GYAAAAAAAAA!!
Then it leapt, both arms as large as tree trunks swinging downward.
Hastur went pale.
If he grabs me, I'm done for.
Suddenly, a memory flashed through his mind:
the rabbit that had attacked him on the first day.
Without thinking, driven by some new instinct, his body took on the exact same posture as the animal.
Hastur jumped as well — headfirst — and crashed into the gorilla's forehead.
Gorilla:
— HAAAAAA!!
The massive beast was launched skyward, crashing down a moment later, the shockwave bouncing the ground like a giant trampoline.
Hastur was thrown up as well and smashed into another gorilla perched on a branch.
The ape grinned.
It drew back its fist, gathering all its strength.
Hastur curled up, bracing for impact.
BAM!
Then another strike.
And another.
The gorillas were passing Hastur around like a volleyball, each hitting him in turn.
By the sixth time, still curled up, Hastur trembled… but a strange thought crossed his mind:
Hastur:
Their blows… should have killed me already.
Is it the anima… strengthening me?
On the seventh launch, he landed on another gorilla… but before it could hit him, Hastur copied the rabbit's posture.
He jumped off its face and propelled himself high into the sky.
Half conscious, he fell like a drifting leaf.
Hastur:
— Anima… I think I've brushed close enough to death by now… don't you?
And suddenly, the world vanished.
---
The White World
Hastur opened his eyes.
He floated in an endless white space filled with children.
Some laughed.
Some cried.
The place felt strangely familiar.
A few meters ahead, a misty silhouette was painting on a canvas.
???
— Ah… there you are. I knew you would return.
Hastur:
— Where are we? How did I get here?
???
— The real question is: what are you looking for?
Hastur remained silent, confused.
The figure stood up and walked toward him.
Its body was a form made of mist, its face constantly shifting.
Hastur, slightly frightened, didn't move.
???
— Oh? I'm surprised you're not running away.
Hastur:
— I arrived in this world with no memories…
But even if I'm nothing, I want to believe in something.
To believe in this world.
To believe that I am someone…
Someone with friends.
The figure reached him.
It placed its hands on his cheeks.
Hastur blinked.
The mist dissipated.
Standing before him was a young girl.
Small, almost his height.
Long, wavy silver hair floated around her.
Her eyes, a mesmerizing shade of pink, shone like twin stars.
Her face was gentle, almost unreal.
Her:
— Good. Let me give back a little of what you've lost.
A pink light burst forth.
For a brief moment, Hastur saw a woman sitting on a chair.
Tears instantly filled his eyes.
Hastur (trembling):
— …Mom…
Her:
— You see?
There was a time when that person meant everything to you.
Your identity… your life… everything lies with her.
Hastur:
— I have to find her…
Her:
— The King in Yellow holds the key to all truths.
But before reaching him… you must find Dante.
He will be an immense help to you.
Hastur:
— How do you expect me to do that?
I'm nothing but an empty shell.
Anima doesn't expect anything from someone like me…
Her:
— You're right.
You are nothing.
Which also means…
She placed a finger on his forehead.
Her:
— …that you can become everything.
Those words resonated within him like a revelation.
The girl began walking away.
Hastur tried to run after her, but his legs refused to move.
Hastur:
— Wait! What's your name!?
She smiled.
Her:
— Lilith.
And the white world faded.
---
Back to Reality
Hastur was still falling through the air.
He brought his legs together, bracing for impact.
His body glowed with a yellow-jade anima, brighter than ever before.
Hastur:
— If I am nothing…
then I'll copy everything that exists…
until I become someone!
He tightened his fists.
Hastur:
— I'm ready for round two.