ARC 1 Aftermath.



The air was warm.

A steady breeze streamed across the grasslands, causing the shoulder-high whiskers to shake and rattle hypnotically as if dancing.

Alongside the low winds and faint rustling of grass was a concealed breath.

A young girl lay belly down in the grass, her palm over her mouth, and a mix of faint tears and sweat streaked down her face.

She held her breath as best she could as she waited.

Yet, a strong shiver rumbled down her spine as she heard it.

SSSSSSSS!

The girl’s eyes widened, yet she did her best not to yelp out, not to scream, not to do anything, yet her face continued to grow increasingly pale.

Below her torso, there was nothing.

Just a jumble of flesh that had been smashed together with the metallic player she had worn previously.

Her brows gritted, and her consciousness continued to flicker.

Despite this, she did her best to keep herself awake, continuing to repeat to herself in her mind, ‘It’s just a game, it’s just a game, it’s just a game.’

Over and over, that thought repeated, her consciousness latching onto the words as best it could as her eyes began to droop and her head steadily lowered.

The tempting invite of slumber held her within its grasp, yet she struggled, ‘No… I’ll lose… a Stage…’

However, before she could rest peacefully, a sound came to her ears.

SSSSSSSSSS!

Her eyes widened abruptly, waking up and shattering any previous drowsiness she had before.

She brought her head back up, her murky eyes regaining focus as she looked ahead, yet she could feel it.

Despite the nighttime shade, there was a lurking shadow that hung over.

She continued to hold her hand over her mouth as she repeated her mantra in her mind, ‘It’s just a game, it’s just a game-‘

SSSSSSSSS!

The hissing grew closer, causing the girl to scream out her words with tears it’s just a game, it’s just a game-“

Before she knew it, an entire snake head the size of a 2-story house had closed its mouth around her, ending the girl’s suffering, or perhaps bringing her newfound despair.
.
.
.
.
[Somewhere Else…]

Everything was dark.

There was a round table in the center of the room with the vague outline of several figures seated around.

The sound of water slowly sloshing was the only decipherable sound before a lax male voice spoke, “Yo, you guys hear the news? Apparently, someone’s out there killin’ Blessed! Bravo, I’d love to meet em’!”

A feminine voice responded, “That’s not a priority right now; he’s most likely already dead after such a reckless action.”

An elderly male’s voice spoke, “Well, hopefully they’re still alive, perhaps they could join our cause.”

All voices stopped after that, instead casting their gaze on one person in particular.

This figure’s gaze held a cold gray light as he narrowed his eyes and spoke, “Ignore that. For now, we move on as planned.”