A/n: Fun fact! I have an art account where I post silly skecthes lmao

The link: https://www.instagram.com/m0chalines?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==

Or you can search m0chalines on insta :D



===



Right as you saw the child leaving the daycare, you also noticed Alastor's mother. She wrapped the child in a protective embrace as AEI members guided them away from the apparitions. The chaos of the city faded into a blur as your attention locked on Alastor.

Taking a few cautious steps forward, you asked him, "Do you want to go?"

Catching you by surprise, Alastor's response was quick. "It's fine. Let's leave."

With a dismissive wave of his hand, he walked ahead of you. A vague sense of detachment was in his red eyes.

"Alastor, please be honest."

In the past, Alastor might have glared at you and openly expressed his frustration with your prodding. Now, however, he stopped and turned to face you. He didn't seem annoyed; in fact, he probably expected you to stop him.

"I don't need to see them."

"Why?"

Alastor glanced away. If he weren't an apparition, you could almost imagine him kicking at some debris on the ground.

"You're my family now," he mumbled. Alastor then made eye contact and spoke a little louder. "They're in the past."

His words stirred a wave of conflicting emotions. On one hand, you felt like a proud older sister, touched that he considered you part of his family. On the other, there was a lingering sense of unresolved tension that Alastor seemed to be trying to suppress.

You offered a gentle smile. "I appreciate that. I'm not asking you to tell me everything... but are you really sure?"

"That kid has a family who loves him. They're happy there and I am happy here."

Ouch. Alastor's words stung, and that must've been obvious on your expression because he then added.

"It sucks," he mumbled. "But I need to move on."

There was context about Alastor's past that you didn't have, so you wanted to choose your words carefully. However, you wondered if his behaviour was connected to why he became a vengeful apparition.

"I think closure might help. You don't want to live with unanswered questions or rely on assumptions. Maybe the answer would hurt but..." You smiled. "Hey, you have us to talk to, alright? Mochi's fur is very therapeutic."

For a long moment, Alastor didn't say anything. Finally, he replied, "... You're right."

You sighed in relief. "That's great—"

"Thank you, (Y/n)." Alastor had a gentle smile on his lips. "If being an apparition was what it took to meet you and everyone else, I don't think it's bad. I'm having fun."

Words vanished from your mind when he said that. Disbelief, surprise, fondness—all of those emotions were battling each other.

"Even though you're bound to me...?" The question slipped out as an unintentional soft whisper. "You can't eat, sleep, or roam freely like a normal person. You're fine with that?"

"True. But..." Alastor folded his arms and his head dipped in a subtle tilt. "I have company I like. That's precious to me."

Leaving you to be utterly baffled at the new and sincere side to him, Alastor left the scene. Stumbling back a few steps, you finally gathered yourself and began running, heading toward the designated spot Elias had mentioned.

... I hope the system grants Alastor a fulfilling life when I leave.

[ Don't worry ]

It was a simple message that would leave anyone confused without context, but you supposed the system understood your pleas. For once, you felt a sense of gratitude towards it.

When you arrived at the scene, you scanned the area for Elias and Sara.

"Miss Support!"

A sudden force tackled you from behind as a pair of arms wrapped around your waist.

"Caleb? Huh?" You twisted slightly to glance over your shoulder, but Caleb's hold only tightened as he squeezed you in an affectionate hug. "Where's Elias?"

Caleb loosened his grip just enough to spin you around and pull you into another hug, this time from the front. "Change of plans! I'm here now."

A change of plans? Elias changing plans last minute wasn't very in character of him, especially without informing you as well.

"What?" Caleb leaned in closer. "Are you sad to see my pretty face?"

You were taken aback by Caleb's sudden wave of affection, but managed to not let that surprise render you speechless. "Devastated."

"Aw, you don't need to play hard to get! I'll love you no matter what."

You laughed and tapped his arm, a sign for him to let go. With a dramatic sigh, Caleb did just that.

"Did something happen with Elias?" you asked.

"Miss Support, why are you so hung up on the details?" Caleb smiled and pinched your cheeks with a playful grin. "Do we have enough time for that?"

You playfully swatted his hand away before mumbling, "You're right—"

Your words were swiftly muffled by a static like screech of a megaphone. It elicited a subtle wince out of you, and you turned around to find the source of the sound. Through the sea of people, a tall individual stood out, taking slow and deliberate steps. Eve? Oh, fuck. Of course, the main plot got derailed, and now they decided to show up—something they never did in the original game.

Eve's gaze remained indifferent as they spared a cursory glance at the city's desperate and chaotic state. Citizens trembling in fear, children crying, and AEI members exerting themselves was all but a mere spectacle. With a casual and clean snap of their fingers, red strings wove through the air, coiling around the surrounding apparitions like silk threads spun from blood. Within seconds, the strings tightened and sliced through the apparitions, exorcising them.

All eyes were on Eve; a mixture of surprise, gratitude and intimidation.

Eve cleared their throat and spoke into the megaphone. "Everyone evacuate the area. Follow my staff members."

No one needed to be told twice. Whilst everyone began leaving the scene, Caleb had stepped in front of you, shielding you from Eve. He glanced back at you with a cheerful grin, but the usual playful glint in his green eyes was a little dimmer. Now that the crowd had dispersed, Eve noticed you. Their eyes lit up and a wide smile was on their lips. They then threw the megaphone onto the ground and walked over to where you were, dusting off their fluttering lab coat in the process.

"What's the chairman's right hand person doing here?" Caleb asked.

Eve chuckled. It sounded sharp. "I have business here—very important business! Business I cannot disclose, but I am sure you can assume. There are no more apparitions here, so you should head somewhere else. Oh, I recommend going west! That's close to an academy, is it not? I'm sure the aspiring exorcists would appreciate the appearance of an SF member."

Caleb then held your hand. "Alright~ Thanks for the suggestion, we'll do just that."

"Ah." Eve tutted softly, waving a hand as if dismissing a notion like a parent would to a misbehaving child. "(Y/n) will stay with me. Her abilities would be very useful."

"Oh? Too bad because Miss Support is coming with me."

Eve's eyes narrowed and Caleb's head tilted up in triumph. Uhm. Uh. What? What were you supposed to do here?

Wait, (Y/n). You have critical thinking skills. Use it.

Your goal was to get to Rose before Eve, the chairman, or even Finn does. Eve was most likely here to make a weapon out of Rose. Now, would your words be able to convince them to lay off? Probably not! A fight? With how little time you had and how little you knew of their abilities, it was an even worse option. What to do—

"Miss Support, get ready to run."

Your eyes widened a little at Caleb's words, and your worry was evident in your expression. Caleb laughed.

"Hey now, that hurts. Did you forget how strong I am?"

Before you could respond, he leaned in. For a moment, you thought you might've shared a second kiss with him. Instead, his lips brushed your ear as he whispered in a voice that still had a playful tune, but held a serious undertone.

"And I'm definitely not letting them touch you. In fact, this is a perfect opportunity for me to make sure they don't."

You couldn't see Caleb's expression, and you felt both reassured and apprehensive at his words. However, time was not on your side. All you could manage was a quick thanks and one last glance at Eve before making a run for it. You faintly heard Eve call out your name, which was then followed by an explosion—presumably from Caleb. Still, you refused to spare even a single thought in their direction. For a few minutes, you tapped into the time-slowing ability granted by the twin apparitions, enabling you to reach your destination faster.

Billboards were broadcasting the city's turmoil, and cameras managed to record a scene of Rose and Sara. Rose had her face buried in her palms and Sara seemed to be speaking with urgency.

Ugh... The air feels so heavy.

More apparitions from outside the city walls were pouring in, and some AEI members were unable to access certain areas because of their overwhelming presence. You scaled a building with ease and climbed to the top. Just as you prepared to leap to the next rooftop, a wall of flames suddenly circled you. The intense light evoked a subtle wince out of you, and it did not take long for you to recognise the source of the fire as someone stepped past the flames.

Finn.

Usually, these flames wouldn't harm humans, only apparitions. However, it could very much burn a human if Finn chose to. Judging from the searing heat, you'd definitely be burned if you tried to walk through. Finn's orange eyes were more vivid than usual; determined, yet guilty. When he smiled at you, for a moment it seemed like he wasn't here to stop you, but to offer his hand to help.

Before you could open your mouth, Finn spoke first.

"(Y/n), you plan to sacrifice yourself."

That was out of the blue. Not wrong, but out of the blue.

"... How do you know?"

"We have the same expression. I can recognise it from miles away." The tall brunet took a step closer to you. "Your presence is extremely important. Without you, the SF would fall apart. You can understand why I can't let you do something so reckless."

You remained silent. After a second, you also took a step forward before looking at Finn dead in the eyes. "Hypocrite."

He seemed taken aback. "Hypocrite?"

"You're just as important and you've distanced yourself from us. Words won't do much, so I'll just make sure you can't give yourself up."

Copper. Now.

Before Finn had a chance to respond, you activated Copper's ability. A shadow surged up from the ground, taking the shape of a claw, before enveloping you in its dark embrace. In the blink of an eye, you reappeared beyond the flames. You then briefly used the twins' ability to slow down time so you could quickly widen the gap between you and Finn. However, Finn wasn't far behind. He was going to catch up in less than a minute.

He's from outside the walls, been an SF member for longer than I have, years of experience... Yeah, of course I can't out run him. However...

Though you lived in this world for a while now, you were still once a player, an outsider who was way too obsessed with the game to where you'd dig up the corners of the internet for additional lore. That also applied to each character's combat abilities.

... I'll be cheating a little, then.

You were very deliberate on where you ran, whether it'd be slipping into narrow gaps between cars or weaving through shops. Why? Finn's strength lay in spatial areas. Due to the large space, his attacks were not only powerful, but less predictable. If the playing field was narrowed, it reduced the amount of moves he could make. And, of course, you memorised his attack patterns. A burst of flames at your feet? Yeah, you saw it coming. A flare of fire that acted like a projectile? Left, right, then duck.

Seeing the look of surprise in Finn's expression was an ego boost.

Of course, that wouldn't last long. Eventually, Finn was going to overpower you, which was why you were purposefully leading Finn to a certain location. Once you saw the landmark, a specific shop sign, your hands darted to your device to send Amias your location. This area wasn't a point where Amias could get to immediately with his teleportation abilities, but it would be way faster compared to where you first encountered Finn.

However, the moment you paused—barely a second—to send a message, a sharp sting stabbed your neck. Your eyes widened as your fingers instinctively reached up, grasping at the foreign object and ripping it out. Your breaths became frantic as you looked at what was in your palms.

A metal dart?

The world around you became blurred, as if you were seeing through a cloudy camera lens. You tried to connect to your apparition companions, but it was like pushing through a never ending dense fog; it was impossible to even collect your thoughts, let alone communicate.

Finn took slow steps towards you. Though he wasn't the type to mock others, his deliberate pace made it feel like he was laughing at your inability to run, as if he could afford to take his time. There was a worried look in his eyes. In a weak attempt at defiance, you glared at him.

"... Sorry about this," Finn said. "But we need you out of the picture for a little bit."

You staggered back and lost feeling in your legs. Despite desperate attempts to stay awake, the next time you blinked, you couldn't manage to open your eyes again.



===



You woke up feeling heavy, as though a thousand cold blankets were weighing you down. Pressing your arm against the mattress, you struggled to gather the strength to sit up. Your mind was confused, reality and dream blurring together. Deep breaths and try to remember what happened. Finn... Right! You had been trying to get away from him. The plan was to call Amias to handle that inferno so you could reach Rose. Then... Then... A dart? Needle? Something hit you from the left, likely laced with a sort of drug to knock you out.

A headache stopped your thoughts. You groaned, deciding to focus on your surroundings for now instead of forcing your brain to recall information. As you left the bed, a rattling sound caught your attention. Something cold and metal was wrapped tightly around your ankle.

"What...?"

There was a chain clasped around your right ankle. You tested out the distance and discovered that you were unable to walk far enough to reach the door. Upon closer inspection, you found the chain firmly bolted in place. The material was sturdy, and the links were heavy. You moved onto examining your surroundings.

It was a bedroom, one that looked scarily similar to yours. Not in the sense that it was a replica of your room in the SF dorms, but in the way that how it was furnished was very you. On the table, there was a digital clock with the date and time. If it was accurate, then it had only been half an hour since you passed out.

Phew. I don't know what I would've done if it had been a day or something.

You wondered how Alastor was doing. You knew it was possible for your apparitions to act on their own, even if you were unconscious—like when you fought Finn and were left unconscious. But in your current state, it was difficult to ascertain your companions' presence or state.

A few minutes passed as you assessed your surroundings and tried to gather your thoughts. You'd probably be panicking more, but your sluggish state, combined with your training as an SF member, helped you stay relatively calm.

"So I was basically drugged and kidnapped here," you mumbled.

By who? You doubted it was Finn's idea, but he must've been working with someone.

Then it has to be...

A door slid open, revealing a tall figure with long pink hair. A small part of you almost wanted to laugh—ah, why weren't you surprised at all that it was them?

Their name had never left your lips in such a bitter delivery. "Eve."

Their expression lit up like a burst of colourful fireworks. "(Y/n), you're awake! Just as I anticipated. I suppose I controlled the dose very well. As expected of me, of course. I could've made you sleep longer—that would've been a more advantageous decision for me—but I wanted to talk to you as soon as possible."

They set down a cup of tea on the bedside with a happy hum. It was only then that you noticed the bandages covering half their face, obscuring their left eye. The bangs on that side seemed to have been slightly burnt off, and their hands and arms were wrapped in bandages as well.

Did they get burnt—Wait, Caleb. Wasn't Eve last with Caleb?

Eve seemed to have read your mind.

"He's not dead! Well, he was breathing the last time I saw him. Caleb has a very cheerful smile, but quite deadly hands! I'm not much of a fighter as he is, so I'm glad I had staff to take care of him while I came for you." They giggled. "I think the next time I see him, he'll kill me."

Well, it seemed Caleb dealt a lot of damage before Eve escaped. Hopefully, he was doing well. You had faith in his strength. Beside that, it was also safe to assume Eve was the one who threw that dart at you. You scowled at that, a hand reaching up to your neck.

Eve stood over you, and you remained sitting on the bed. You cast the steaming tea a cold glance before looking at Eve. There were so many things you wanted to say; you suspected you would become more rambly than Eve if you didn't take a moment to organize your thoughts.

"This room..." You glanced around. "The decorations and furniture seem like something I would pick. Even the books on the shelves are series I own or would like to own."

Instead of feeling called out, Eve nodded in excitement. "I'm glad you think so! I spent ample time researching you. Collecting data from interviews you've done in magazines and TV appearances, observation through cameras, hearing what others say about you—I put in a lot of effort! It was a long process, but it was really fun. I felt like I was learning more about you."

Eve spoke at such a rapid speed that you almost missed the part where they mentioned observation through cameras.

"You've been watching me through the security cameras?"

Eve placed a hand over their lips. "Ah, I slipped. But don't worry! There were no cameras installed in your rooms or even the SF dorms! I watched you through the cafeteria mostly. I can even show you later if you don't believe me."

Your eyes narrowed in discomfort. Going so far to collect mountains of data on you and create a whole room based on it? Unsettling. Was it in their nature as a scientist or were they that obsessed with you? A mix of both?

"You... Why?" Ugh, too vague. "Why did you do all of this?"

Still vague, but whatever.

"It's like when fans make shrines for their idols, right? I admire you, (Y/n). Why wouldn't I want to dedicate something to you?"

God. There were so many things wrong, so many things you could point out. However, you didn't have much time. You wanted to get to Rose as soon as possible.

"Where am I?"

"Right next door to my main research area. Isn't that nice? I can visit you whenever I want."

Their smile was bright and the look in their eyes spoke of innocent happiness, like a child who got to invite a friend over for a party.

You gestured towards the chains. "So I'm like a pet?"

"No, no! Please don't degrade yourself like that! I had to take some measures since I need you to stay here for a bit." Eve frowned. "Ahh, should I take it off after all? The security here is tight enough... But I can't underestimate you."

Eve continued to ramble to themself. Usually, you'd find it endearing or a little humorous. However, in this context? You actually felt a little annoyed.

"Eve, you drugged and kidnapped me," you said.

"It was necessary. You're talented, (Y/n). Just your presence would be enough to interfere with my plans. I adore you, but our goals are different. But I'm sure you'll come around in the future and join my side. After all, our abilities are so similar."

Eve kneeled to meet your eyes. Then, they cupped your cheeks and drew their face just a tad closer.

"(Y/n), your strength, your kindness, how you take action to reinforce what you believe in—I am in love with it all. I love you so much, so I cannot let you go. You can hate me as much as you'd like for doing this to you, but I'll only return your hatred with love. You can curse me, but I'll only sing you praises. I'll give you everything even if you reject it all."

Eve spoke slowly, deliberately. Every syllabus was seeping with intensity, far too much for you to handle. It spilled, and your hands stayed by your side with no intent to gather the remains.

What were you feeling?

Sorry for Eve? After all, it was evident that a tragic past would lead to such a twisted portrayal of love.

Angry? After all, it did not excuse their actions.

Or were you simply overwhelmed? So overwhelmed to where you assumed the role of an outsider; a simple player of a game where the character's emotions weren't their responsibility.

"I don't return your feelings. Eve, I don't hate you. But at this moment, you are my enemy." You took their hands off your face. "Your love for me is obsessive. It's unhealthy."

"I know. But is it so bad to dedicate yourself to someone? I think that devotion is wonderful."

It was pointless trying to change Eve's mind right now.

"Until I achieve my goals, I'll take great care of you down here," Eve continued. "I'm always busy with work, and I would cut the fingers of anyone who disturbs me. However, for you, you can bother me as much as you want. Even if it is as simple as wanting to ask about my favourite colour. Oh! It's (e/c) if you were curious."

"You already know I don't plan to stay here. To avoid any hassle, let me go." You paused. "You'll also look a lot more favourable in my eyes."

"If you promise to become my assistant, I'll let you out right now."

"..."

Eve laughed. "Even now you can't lie! Oh, (Y/n). You're so sweet."

Ugh. You were going to say yes, but hesitated. Though, you weren't the best liar anyway.

"Unfortunately, I need to leave now." Eve stood up. "That apparition with the red dress is still causing trouble. I need to hurry and turn her into a weapon~ Oh! Would you like me to buy anything on the way? I know what snacks you like—ah! You mentioned a while ago that you wanted to play this video game, but didn't buy it yet since you were so busy. How about I get it for you? After all, you'll be down here for a while. Wait, no need to answer. I'll go buy it regardless. I'll see if there are any games or books to your taste as well."

You didn't get a chance to respond before Eve made their way to the door, already having made up their mind. At least it was good to know that Rose hadn't been captured or exorcised yet. Eve smiled widely and said a final goodbye before closing the doors.

Now what.

The chains weren't too big of a deal. Not too long from now and you'd be able to recover enough strength to break them. The issue was everything else. There were likely a million security measures. Or two million.

If only I could contact Alastor to just... brute force my way out of here, but my head is still foggy. Contacting any of my apparitions is difficult. Eve really planned it out.

Eve knew your location, so Finn must've notified them. He knew you'd be drugged and taken away, and he just... watched it happen. You suppose it made sense because—well, Finn's goals were... He wanted to protect his family, and making weapons would accomplish that, even if it involved hurting... you.

"..." You took a shaky breath. "Eve... They don't see anything wrong with their actions. And their love is more pitiful because—well—"

Aren't you livid that everyone assumes you'll be alright with this because of your personality?

A thought interrupted your words.

Even now you can't be angry. How stupidly naive.

You furrowed your eyebrows. "... but that's what makes me—"

You've become so predictable because of it.

Your hands gripped the bedsheets, the fabric crinkling beneath your fingers. Your breathing slowed, but your heart raced as the full weight of your dilemma sank in. What was the right emotion to feel in this situation?