Epilogue - For You…

At the edge between the mix of reality and the subconscious was a void that seemed to span infinitely. There was nothing to reflect light, leaving the place bathed in an endless night, impossible to see through. Yet somehow, inside was a young woman walking as though each step brought her closer to an unseeable goal. And as if to reward that confidence…

“Here it is,” she muttered, reaching out with her hand. It clasped tightly around a doorknob, one that had popped into existence, not attached to any door whatsoever. However, when she turned the knob, the scenery changed in an instant, flash bombing into a off-white commonly seen in sci-fi movies. Although the room had a similar endless feel, it was only as big as a closet – wide and deep enough to fit nine people standing in a square. And in the center of the room was a single person, clacking away on a keyboard at their desk.

Technically, that wasn’t entirely accurate if you were to believe your senses. The person appeared like a blur, as though their identity was not fully defined yet existent. There was nothing on the desk itself either – no computer, monitor, or even keyboard. However, by the slight tilt of their head, you could tell they were obviously reading or writing something. In fact, they were so immersed that they hadn’t noticed the young woman enter. So, she decided to make her presence known.

“I’m back!” she sang, wrapping her arms around the blurry figure like a close friend. “How’s it going with the integration?”

“How’s it going? How’s it going?!? Do you even see how I look right now?!?” The blurry figure tried to grab the young woman, but she slipped away, almost as if teleporting.

“Hmm, well, you’re kind of blurry,” she responded with a squint.

“And whose fault is that?!?”

“Huh? Wouldn't it be yours?” The young woman tilted her head, her pigtails falling to the side. The air of innocence as she spoke only served to anger the blurred figure more.

“Mine?!? MINE?!? Do you know how much work you’ve dumped on me?!? ‘It’ll be fine’ you said. ‘It will only take a week’ you said! IT’S BEEN NEARLY A DECADE!!!!!!!!!!” they raged.

“That’s a bit harsh. It’s only been a couple of weeks.”

“A couple of weeks my ass! It’s like I’m working at a black company!!! And how do you keep getting in here?!?! I locked the entrance! Twice!”

“Trade secret I’m afraid,” the young woman answered, twirling around without a care in the world. “So, did you see it? It was amazing, right?”

“Of course I did. I finally managed to fix that damn text without it being corrupted. But amazing?”

“Yeah! Wasn’t it so romantic?”

“Romantic? A fake assassination?”

“What else? Explosions are a great form of love?” The young woman seemed almost fanatical, but the blurred figure kept silent. After all, she was thinking rationally, there was just nothing else attached – no morals nor ethics. To her, life and death were the same thing. The only thing that mattered was expression. Granted, her interpretations were… heavily biased in towards the entertainer behind it all.

“So why are you here?” they sighed, speeding along with whatever they were doing.

“Oh, I just wanted to tell you thanks.”

The blurred figure froze. “...huh?” was all they could say, hearing something so out of character from such an infuriating person.

“I said thanks.”

“...for what?” They couldn’t help but be suspicious.

“Well, he’s finally begun to move on.” The young girl seemed to look towards something, but there was nothing visibly there. However, her expression melted into a genuine smile, hinted with a slight wistfulness.

“Couldn’t you have done that as well? You can just make him forget it all.”

“But then that wouldn’t be him anymore. And I’m not the one who can help anyway. I can only give a path forward.”

“You mean make me give him a path forward,” the blurred figure murmured. “Also, I’ve been meaning to ask, but why did you choose that world out of them all? It’s going to end up dead in the end.”

“That’s also a trade secret.” She put a finger to lips, indicating not to speak of it anymore. The blurred figure knew better than to go against her words, so they rolled their eyes instead.

“So, what do you want me to work on next?”

“Hmm, how about adding in the chat box?”

“For who?! There’s no one there that can even watch!”

“Oh, that won’t be an issue,” she smirked.

“Trade secret?”

“Trade secret.”

“Why do you have to make things so complicated????” they couldn’t help but whine. “Agh. Fine. I’ll do it.”

“You’re the best!” she smiled gleefully.

“Whatever. Also, your prince charming has just woken up.”

“Ooh! Already? Then I have to go see him! See you later, Pax!”

“Yeah yeah,” with one final wave, the young woman left the room. Or more accurately, she returned to the void, as if she had never left in the first place.

Once again, she navigated through the endless abyss with ease, making a turn every so often, and even walking upside down, though there wasn’t a clear right side up anyway. It didn’t seem like she was moving, yet just like before, she stopped, and a door came into existence. After all, she knew this place by heart.

“Jest! You good in there?” she called out, anticipation rising in her chest.

“Hey Ana?” Hearing her name from his lips left her grinning madly, but she quickly composed herself.

“Yeah?”

“Do you want to go out somewhere?”

“Huh? Are you sure you’re okay?” she teased.

“Hey! Even I want to go outside every so often. Especially with my girlfriend.”

“And where do you plan on taking me?”

“Uh… somewhere?” she couldn’t help but giggle at his not thought out statement. However, it was something he had never done before, and she was happy he was taking that step forward.

“Sure, I’d be happy to go somewhere with you.”

But unfortunately, that won’t happen just yet.

As much as she wanted to reach out and open the door, she knew she couldn’t. Not yet, anyway. He had only just started on his path, and it would take time before he’d reach the end. She would have to be content with just that brief glimpse a few days ago, watching from the stream. Still, that wouldn’t mean she would do nothing. She would keep on supporting him from behind, just like she always did.

Because, for you, I would give the world.