Step ???

Freedom was in sight.

It was almost comical, the silver door waiting with a bated breath. A simple turn of the nob, a push of the door, and I was safe.

Exact things were never that simple.

In front of the road to freedom stood a single figure, leaning against the wall without a care in the world. His charcoal colored robes stood still in the stale hall. They shrouded a tall figure, muscular and tall, yet not large. It was an impossibility, I had to be hallucinating, and yet there he stood.

That familiar expression, the sword at his side that defied all the laws of physics. It was the same nameless man who’d appeared in my dreams.

But this was no figment of my imagination, I knew that much.

“I see you remember me Makoto. Did you really think that was just a dream?” he grinned, that familiar wave like smoothness in his words washing over me.

“How the hell are you here!?”

“I've been here the whole time, you just haven't been looking hard enough. Too focused on your little escapades and hijinks.”

“What do you mean, the whole time?”

“Details for another day. Anyway, we're here to talk about you!” His face burst into a grin as he snapped his fingers.

“Ack!” The second my ears caught wind of the sounds I collapsed.

 
“Rei only lent you an hour of grace. Were you paying attention to the passing of time?” Fuck, he was right. Who knew how long I’d been running about these metal halls. “All I did was activate the inevitable.”

“My legs… what's going on!?”

“Rei warned you about the side effects.” It was weird. The pain was immense, yet non-existent. Almost as if my legs had poofed into thin air.

“Now with that little detail out of the way, I’m here to offer a choice.”

“What do you mean, a choice?”

“It’s elementary. Outside that door freedom awaits. You make that leap and South Korea is on the horizon, I guarantee it. There will be no sudden attacks, no dangerous situations, only smooth sailing.”

“But?”

“You’ll know the truth. There’s no going back to your old life, those simple times. Not to mention your legs, who knows if those will be recoverable.”

“Ok, or what? Surrender myself to Fides and get myself killed?”

“That doesn't sound very entertaining. I propose another alternative, one that’ll erase all your worries.”

“Like what?”

“Imagine heading back to before this mess began. Just you, Nari, and Kono working in that little shop of his. I could make that a reality.” strings wrapped around his finger, popping up from thin air. “Time just happens to be my specialty. Sending you back a few months wouldn't even take a snap of my fingers.”

“Are you talking about time travel?” It was impossible, yet here that nameless man from my dreams stood. A sword out of Akane’s fantasy novels casually hovered by his waist; and magical strings floated around his finger. Maybe time travel wasn't so far fetched.

“You could call it that. Naturally, your memories wouldn't make the trip, but I can personally guarantee that the rest of your life will be one filled with peace.”

“But then I wouldn't know…”

“You wouldn't know the truth, yes.”

“I-” How could I make a decision like that?

It was a simple trade, in theory, the truth for a guarantee. Sure there was a chance my legs would be fine, but I could also lose them for the rest of my life.

On the other hand, for that simple guarantee, my life became a lie. Sure it wouldn't affect me, but all the realizations I’d discovered would be for nothing.

Is it always better to know?

“Time is on your side. Even I know such a decision is of the utmost importance.”

“Nah, I’ve made my decision.”

His eyebrow rose. “Time has taken its toll on my ability to be surprised, yet you’ve managed to do just that.”

“I’ll take the door.”

“But what about your legs?”

‘What about them? Is it better to live a lie?”

He smiled. “Good. You’re going to make one hell of a recruit once the time comes.” With a glance, the door opened, revealing a white light to the great beyond.

“I wish you luck Makoto, see you on the other side.” With a single wave, he slowly dissolved into thin wispy strands.

“Here we go.” I muttered under my breath, crawling towards the light to the grand future through that door.