FRAGMENT ERROR - Caspien【 Secret Ending 】

Note: This occurs in Atsuko's dream from chapter Himitsu 23 (C) - Remedium (GOOD ENDING.)

The sun is shining bright, and the summer breeze is blowing along the dirt trail in a dense forest. A girl with long wavy black hair and bright azure eyes is running and laughing, holding a bouquet of fragrant dark red roses. Her laughter echoes through the trees and fills the air with a joyful melody. Suddenly, a male voice calls out, "Wait up!" The girl turns around to see a guy with short blonde hair and gentle green eyes chasing after her. She giggles playfully and waits for him near a road sign that reads, "Paradise in 1 mile." The guy, whose name is Bruno, looks confused and asks, "Claire, why are we going to Paradise again?" 

"Well, it's because John has invited us to this amazing party," Claire responds, beaming with excitement. "A party...?" Bruno mutters, feeling a bit uneasy. He takes the bouquet of roses from Claire's hand and notices a small white folded paper inside. He opens it and reads the invitation, which mentions his name but makes it clear that John wants Claire to come alone if possible. As they continue walking towards the party, Bruno can't shake off the strange feeling that something is off. He wants to turn around and go back, but at the same time, he feels a strong pull towards the party, as if he's being lured by an invisible force. Claire notices that Bruno is lost in thought and blushes bright red, feeling self-conscious. Bruno catches her staring and turns red as well, but neither of them says a word as they venture deeper into the forest. The closer they get to the mansion where the party is being held, the louder the music and the crowd become. The beautiful chorus of the music fills the air, making them both feel excited and nervous at the same time. Bruno and Claire were walking towards the party, admiring the orange and red hues of the sunset sky. "Should we stay long at this party?" Bruno asks. Claire shakes her head, "Of course not. I just came for a single dessert." 

"Are you serious!? All of this walking for a cupcake?" 

"Yes! Well, we could do some dancing together if time permits it." Claire exclaims, suddenly grabbing Bruno's hand, and urging him to run the rest of the way with her. As they ran, Bruno's laughter echoed in the air, and the sky above them was alive with the colors of a beautiful sunset. The grandeur of the estate was now in full view. Claire stayed close to Bruno's side, taking in the beauty of the front lawn and the intricate decorations that adorned the estate. Jun couldn't help but notice the beauty of the mansion as well, but he couldn't shake off his nervousness despite the voice inside his head telling him to go back. He wondered if he would fit in with the other guests who were probably dressed in expensive clothing and jewelry, with masks hiding their identities. Nevertheless, he continued to follow Bruno and Claire, determined to enjoy the party to the fullest. Upon entering the mansion, they were greeted by a lively crowd, with people laughing and chatting with each other. The decorations were opulent, with chandeliers and candelabras casting a warm glow throughout the room. The music was a mix of different genres, and the atmosphere was alive with excitement and anticipation. 

Claire and Bruno were excited to see what the rest of the night had in store for them. They made their way through the crowd, admiring the beauty of the mansion, and looking forward to dancing the night away. The thumping music fills the room, luring everyone to the dance floor. The beat is catchy, and it's hard not to move your feet. As soon as they enter, they head straight to the refreshments table, eager to grab a drink and some snacks. The party is in full swing, and the decorations are impressive. A massive stage in the center of the room is adorned with colorful balloons and streamers, making it impossible to miss. On the stage, two figures stand out from the rest of the crowd.

One of them is a tall, lean man with long gray hair that cascades down his back. His piercing red eyes are mesmerizing, and his porcelain skin is flawless, except for the freckles that sprinkle his nose and under his eyes. The other man is 1 inch shorter, with short brown hair and gentle but firm black eyes. They scan the crowd, looking for someone. "Have you seen them, Kami?" John asks, his eyes scanning the room with desperation. Kami shrugs, "I'm not sure. Maybe they're still on their way.”

****

As the partygoers fill the dance room, John takes to the stage. "Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to my party. Please enjoy your stay! Let's make it a night to remember forever!" he announces, his voice carrying over the excited chatter. The crowd erupts into cheers and begins to dance to the pulsing beat. Claire catches John's eye, and he offers her a small smile before blending into the crowd. She grabs Bruno's hand and pulls him up a set of white stairs, eager to explore the rest of the party. As they wander through the maze of doors and hallways, Claire leads Bruno to a quiet balcony. "Wow, the sky is so beautiful!" Claire exclaims, leaning against the balcony railing. Bruno looks up, and his gaze is drawn to the countless stars twinkling like diamonds in the velvet sky. "They're beautiful, but not as gorgeous as a certain someone I know," Bruno says, smiling softly. Claire turns to face him, her expression a mixture of amusement and curiosity. "You know plenty of girls, Bruno..." she teases, pouting playfully.

"I do," Bruno admitted, "but one girl takes my breath away." Claire's heart skipped a beat as Bruno leaned in to kiss her. She melted into his embrace, returning his kiss with equal passion. Unknown to them, John was spying on them from the balcony. His face turns red with anger as he watched the two lovers entwined in each other's arms. He has always loved Claire, but it seems like she was falling for Bruno too fast. Suddenly, John barged through the balcony door, wearing a grim expression. "This place is off limits!" he bellows, interrupting their moment. Bruno and Claire pull away from each other, flabbergasted and red as tomatoes. "Someone's jealous," Bruno remarks, smirking. John becomes offended and lunges towards Bruno, trying to push him over the balcony. The two men begin to fight, and Claire screams, trying to help Bruno from getting hurt. But it was too late. As Bruno falls and hits the ground, something snaps. Claire didn't know if it was herself or Bruno. Claire stands still, staring in shock at John. Her body is paralyzed with fear and dread. The once vibrant party around her fades into the background as the night air turns colder. With trembling lips, she manages to ask, "Why John?"

John slowly turns to face her, his eyes glowing red with an intense passion. "I did it for you, Claire. Bruno deserved it, and you know it." he replies, his voice low and menacing. As John tries to get closer to Claire, she instinctively backs away, trying to escape, but she's trapped. Kami stands in the doorway, blocking the exit. "Be mine, Claire. Say yes, and I will reset this day." John pleads. "I would rather die, you murderer!" Claire screams in anger, attempting to jump off the balcony. However, John's strong grip catches her, pulling her back. Claire, with little strength left from built-up anger, mustered all her might and slaps John across the face, screaming, “You bastard! I hate you!" Her eyes are filled with tears and her voice is hoarse from screaming. In frustration, John pushes Claire off the balcony. As she falls, the scenery before her eyes changes to herself walking down a familiar dirt path in the forest. She drops the bouquet of dark roses as her eyes stare in terror.

Suddenly, a male voice calls out, "Wait up!" Claire turns around to face Bruno, her heart pounding with anxiety. She sees that Bruno has transformed into an unrecognizable figure. He's already dead. She lets out an ear-piercing scream and falls to the ground, the scene abruptly changing to her lying on the ground beside Bruno's lifeless body due to being pushed off the balcony. John, the mastermind behind the strange occurrences, remains indifferent to the chaos he's caused. "What a mess...." He comments, before snapping his fingers and causing the scene to shift, this time to a surreal world where Claire and Bruno have become life-sized dolls, positioned on a stage in the middle of the party. The guests stare in awe, fascinated by John's bizarre creation. Kami, from a distance, watches the scene unfold and contemplates if he should intervene. However, he knows that every time he's tried to intervene in the past, things have only gotten worse. He wonders if the recyclable souls are entitled to have fun and decide to let things play out. A sinister smile creeps across his face as he sees the guests' reactions to John's creation.

****

Atsuko wakes up from her slumber, her eyes still hazy and her breath shaky. She takes a moment to glance around and take in her surroundings. She's in a spacious and well-lit bedroom, with early sunlight pouring in through the windows. She turns her gaze towards the person lying next to her and sees her husband, Jun, who is still asleep. For a moment, she is startled, as she had a fleeting thought that the person next to her was someone else entirely, someone she'd rather forget. Despite the uneasy feeling in her stomach, Atsuko takes a deep breath and lies back down. She can feel Jun's arm draped over her waist, his warmth comforting her. As she settles into the bed, Jun stirs and wakes up, noticing that Atsuko is now awake. "Are you okay?" he asks, pulling her closer to him. Atsuko nods, though her expression is still troubled. "I just had another dream," she says, her voice barely above a whisper. Jun looks at her with concern. "What kind of dream?"

"It's hard to explain. I'm a different person, in a different place. But it all feels so real." Jun nods, understanding her pain. "I have dreams like that too, you know.  Memories from the past. But we're safe now. We're alive." Atsuko nods again, grateful for Jun's comforting words. She clings to him, and they lie in silence for a while, lost in their own thoughts. Atsuko tries to recall the distant dream that she had just woken up from, but with each passing second, it seems to grow fainter. She holds onto Jun, hoping that he can make her feel safe and protected. After a moment of silence, Atsuko whispers, "In the dream, my name was Claire." Jun doesn't reply immediately, unsure of what to say as he tries to process Atsuko's words. He furrows his brows, deep in thought, and then asked, "Can you remember anything else?" Atsuko shakes her head, "No, I don't. But I think it has something to do with Caspien. What if our souls were recycled like Kenzo's and Hideo's?"

Jun's expression shifts slightly as he considers Atsuko's theory. "That's a possibility." he admits, not liking the sound of it. Suddenly, within Jun's eyes, Atsuko's appearance glitches and changes to that of a girl with black hair and azure eyes. He blinks a couple of times, and everything returns to normal. Secretly, Jun hadn't told anyone, but he too had a dream about being someone else, and his name was Bruno in that dream. "Maybe we should call Remiel," Atsuko suggests, breaking the silence that had fallen between them. Jun doesn't protest, grabbing his phone from the lampstand table to make the call. Meanwhile, Atsuko is lost in her thoughts, trying to recall more memories from her dream that just happened a few minutes before waking. As Jun reaches out to Remiel and explains the situation, Atsuko's mind wanders to a surreal image. She pictures Claire and Bruno as real-life puppets, on display in a glass box, wearing ancient princess and prince attire. The sign below them read, "Two Lost Souls of Destiny." The image makes her shiver, and she hopes that it is just a figment of her imagination.

****

Atsuko and Jun arrive at Haven Headquarters in the early morning, accompanied by Remiel, who picks them up in his same old black car. There's a palpable sense of tension in the air, at least for the couple, as they wonder what new developments await them.  Remiel, however, seems confident and reassuring. "You two don't need to worry," he says, "I will run some new tests and go from there." Jun nods, grateful for Remiel's expertise, while Atsuko remains quiet, her doubts and anxieties simmering beneath the surface.  As they walk towards the entrance of Haven Headquarters, they are greeted by Seiko, who is already there waiting for them. She flashes them a warm smile and a cheerful greeting. "Hey there, you two. Good morning." Atsuko returns the smile, but it's tinged with sadness. The news circulating around Haven Headquarters is that Seiko is pregnant with twins, and she's already married to Remiel. It's a bittersweet reminder of what Atsuko and Jun don't have yet, and may never have.  Seiko is quick to pick up on Atsuko's mood, and her expression softens with sympathy. She knows how much Atsuko wants to start a family with Jun, but also how much trauma and pain they've both endured and how much healing still needs to be done. "Did you two eat breakfast already?" Remiel asks, breaking the silence. "We did." Jun replies, grateful for Remiel's hospitality. He remembers all the times when Remiel has gone out of his way to make visitors feel welcomed and comfortable, and it's one of the things he admires about him. Remiel leads Atsuko and Jun to the testing room where they undergo essential medical tests. Jun is examined by Remiel, while Seiko examines Atsuko. Following the tests, the results are displayed on a small computer located in a separate room. Remiel and Seiko analyze the results as Atsuko and Jun wait inside the Gem Pod room.

As they wait, Atsuko whispers bitterly, "I thought it would be our last time seeing these." Jun tries to console her by holding her hand, "I thought the same thing..." he agrees. However, Atsuko becomes teary-eyed, and Jun wraps his arms around her, holding back his own tears. Remiel then enters the room, wearing a calm expression, but with news that may not be well-received, "The both of you might not like what I'm about to say." Jun nods, urging Remiel to continue. Atsuko clings to Jun, burying her face in his chest, but she too is listening. "Kenzo had created a fragmented world of Caspien where you both exist, but as entirely different individuals. This data was hidden deep within Dr. Alistair's simulation system and digital files.” Jun looks upset, "Why is it affecting us in our dreams despite no longer being connected to the Gem Pods?" Remiel hesitates before answering, "That's a tricky answer. I believe it has something to do with PTSD, but it goes beyond that claim itself. You both must get back inside the Gem Pods to resolve this issue." Atsuko's frustration reaches its peak, and she snaps at Remiel, "No way! I won't do that!" She glares at him, trying to show her disapproval. Just then, Seiko enters the room, her expression stern, and she commands, "You must listen to us, Atsuko. To get rid of the nightmares, you and Jun must connect to the Gem Pods and awake in that fragmented reality." Remiel chimes in, "The downside is forgetting who you both are here once you get inside the Gem Pods. You both will be playing the roles of Claire and Bruno." Atsuko doesn't like the sound of it and tries to comprehend the situation. "So, we play our roles for an ending?" she asks hesitantly.

Seiko nods, "Something along those lines."

"Take these watches." Remiel offers, handing Atsuko and Jun golden watches. "If something goes wrong, use the watch to reset the fragmented reality. You both only have 3 reset opportunities." 

"So that would mean we only have six uses. Three for Atsuko and three for me?" Jun clarifies.

"Bingo."

Atsuko has a lot of questions and wants to make sure she understands everything. "Before we go, is there anything else we need to know before entry?" she asks. Remiel is happy that Atsuko has calmed down and is willing to listen. "The only thing you guys need to know is that everything will be new. This fragmented reality isn't the original Caspien, which means whatever you see, it will be new for us on our end, too." Atsuko frowns, not liking the sound of what Remiel said. It's as if they will be test subjects again. Jun notices Atsuko's expression and can't even say anything. Atsuko and he both have the right to be angry, but it's either research or nightmares. And it's no telling how far those nightmares can go. Remiel asks them, "Are you guys ready?" Atsuko and Jun nervously slip golden watches on their wrists, their hesitance tangible. Jun speaks up, his voice shaky but resolved, "Yes." Everyone's eyes shift to Atsuko, who nods her head, but her uneasy expression betrays her true feelings. "You both are in good hands, Atsuko. I'm not Dr. Alistair Crane...." The words hang heavy in the air, but Atsuko remains silent, staring down at the ground. As the two prepare to enter the Gem Pods, Atsuko's mind races, realizing that within the dream, she will know Jun as Bruno, and Jun will see her as Claire. It will be a lucid dream for them, but the thought only adds to her nerves. Jun is already connected to his Gem Pod, and waiting for Atsuko to join. She climbs into the Gem Pod next to Jun's, and Seiko begins connecting the main wires to her body. Atsuko whispers to Seiko, her voice barely audible, "I'm....nervous." Seiko looks at her with gentle reassurance, "You got this, Atsuko. Don't worry, okay?" Atsuko nods, but her mind is racing with doubts. After Seiko connects the wires to Atsuko, she steps back. Atsuko and Jun stare at each other, sharing a smile before lying down and closing their eyes within the Gem Pods. Remiel connects them to the fragmented reality of Caspien, and their new journey begins. Within this new world of Caspien, where dreams and reality are one; things aren't what they seem.