IC

[tearsofademon]

[so this happened

and as Ryner's body lies there, barely alive such that if you're not looking hard you might miss it and think he's dead, his consciousness awakens elswhere

in a squishy crimson corridor that he's seen before]

Comments

[tearsofademon]

Just like last time...

[It's just like that time, years ago now, when he'd died.

...Well, when he'd thought he'd died because he'd been stabbed in the chest. By his father, he'd later found out. But that's hardly important.

He can feel his existence fading, and his form is turning white, just like last time. But he doesn't concern himself with that.

Instead, he makes his way through the corridor, to see if he's right.]

[tearsofademon]

[And he is. Beyond the corridor is that same giant room with the sea of blood.

But there's no voice. By now, if it was like last time, Alpha would have spoken up by now. Did Jiu Wu succeed in the exorcism after all?

But if he did, and Ryner was here, then that would mean...]

...Haa, it ended up killing me after all, huh.

[reasonforbirth]

Mmm, I wouldn't say that.

[And there's suddenly a voice from... somewhere. But it's not the same overbearing voice Alpha uses. No, this one sounds more friendly, with a hint of sleepiness.]

[tearsofademon]

[A voice Ryner's heard before, in the mirror a few months ago.]

...You're...!

[reasonforbirth]

You remember! I'm so glad. Finally, we can talk in person.

[tearsofademon]

Kind of hard when I don't know where you are.

[reasonforbirth]

You should be able to see. Look right in front of you.

[And when Ryner does so, the Solver is standing there, looking at him with a cheerful expression.]

[tearsofademon]

[...All right then.]

...

[And he's kind of rendered a little speechless. Not out of awe or anything, more what do you say to this?]

[reasonforbirth]

[Luckily, though, Reed is good with keeping talking.]

I'm really impressed, you know? Your friend -- he's called Jiu Wu, right? His power is amazing. I've never seen anything like it. And he got Alpha out. I wasn't sure that was possible from the outside, but he did it.

So now we can awaken, because Alpha can no longer stop us.

[tearsofademon]

It... worked?

[And he opens his eyes wide, and for the first time they aren't marked with cursed stars. It's like they were never cursed in the first place.

He closes them just as fast, to try to avoid tears of relief.]

[reasonforbirth]

Mmhmm! Although, he's probably not going to take this well. He'll probably attack Sion and everyone from without.

[tearsofademon]

...Dammit, that's true. Augh, and this way I can't even try to stop him...

[reasonforbirth]

That's not true at all. In fact, like this, it's the other way around. There's nothing he can do to us, and everything we can do to stop him.

[tearsofademon]

[He spreads his arms impatiently.]

A little hard to do that when I'm dead, you know.

[reasonforbirth]

But you're not dead.

[tearsofademon]

Kind of hard to believe that from here.

[reasonforbirth]

Then let's awaken, and you'll see. You'll understand, too. Not everything at first, though, because there's a lot. It'll take time. But you will.

[tearsofademon]

Awaken. What exactly do you mean by that?

[because after what he's seen of what Sion's gone through, he has to ask]

[reasonforbirth]

It's as I told you. Your consciousness devours mine, and you gain my power and can call upon my memories if you want to.

[tearsofademon]

And what do you get out of this?

[reasonforbirth]

We both want to save Sion, don't we? That's what we've decided. We want to save Sion, and protect those who are important.

[tearsofademon]

...You have a point.

[reasonforbirth]

[Reed holds out his hand.]

So, shall we?

[tearsofademon]

All right.

[Ryner doesn't even hesitate, nodding and taking Reed's hand.]

[reasonforbirth]

[Reed's smile widens, and his consciousness vanishes. But his voice briefly lingers.]

I'm looking forward to seeing what you do, Ryner Lute.

[tearsofademon]

[And as Reed's consciousness fades into Ryner's, he suddenly feels several things.

Like there's a lot of memories that weren't there before. But he'll sort through those later.

Like surprisingly little has changed. It's almost as though most of the integration had already happened over time. Maybe it even had.

And also, a feeling of exhaustion. Because the Demon was tired too. So, so tired. He bore it with a smile for Sion's sake, but if this time, it could end...

Well, as long as it ends with Sion being saved, that's what's important.]