‘Lethia’ wasn't your everyday Isekai that I had been trapped in. Something about this world was different. The NPCs of this world were sentient. But they were nothing more than your average NPCs. We knew every tactic in this world and so, it didn't take us long to arrive at the Demon Lord's doorstep. With a swift strike of the blade coated in Dell's magic, even the demon lord was defeated. 

“Once the Demon Lord is defeated, all three of you will be able to return to reality.”, was what the summoners had said.  

Honestly, I had grown fond of this world, these powers, these battles, even the NPCs treated us with respect and life was easier than having to study. Not to mention, I was in there with both my best-friends, Chhaya and Dell. It's been so long since I even used their real names. Chhaya hadn't changed her name. But in reality, my best friend Dell was Ryan. The three of us were thick as thieves. We were always together in whatever we did. Whether it be school, holidays or even in another world, we were always together. But it was time to go back to our reality now. A rectangle screen popped up in front of me. 

CONGRATULATIONS ON DEFEATING THE MINI-BOSS!! 

Genesis can now return to their own world. 

“Goodbye Lethia”, is what I would like to had said but then the slayed demon king burst into laughter.  

“HAHAHAAHAHAHA!!!! Haaaa Haaha!!!  Is a king who leads the peple? Then I surely was the king. That is until... you defeated me. Ha ha ha ha. But now the throne is ready for its true owner!!!”, he screamed at the top of his lungs. His blood had started seeping into the marble floor's design.  

We hadn't noticed until then that the floor we had been standing on had fine engravings on the tiles which formed a magic circle. The blood flowing through those crevices shined with a dull yellow glow.  

“We demon-kind were cursed to never be defeatable by Lethians. But you are outsiders. You have finally freed us. Our salvation, the one and only true demon lord. It has been a great honor to hold the key to your rise in my blood.” 

The Demon King's blood had flown throughout the designs in the floor and from yellow, it became darker. The ground trembled and all of us had lost our balance. The ground under the palace was erupting. The demon country was falling apart.  

Through the ground of Lethia, rose a gigantic beast. Black clouds gathered in its presence. Flames rose as everything fell to destruction. The beast was far too big to even see how far it went. The castle was falling apart. 

     I looked behind to find my friends. They were unscathed. But in an instant, they were not. We had slain quite some strong demons. So, it was degrading to watch them die by some ruble. It was unacceptable. We had come so far. Just one step and we would have been free. Tear rolled down my cheeks. But not for long. The entire structure had fallen to the ground. 

I remember a voice saying. “Genesis is being returned to their own world. Thank you for playing with us.” 

And then I was back. Back in my own room. Controller in hand. Sitting in front of the old TV we had. But there were two less controllers than when we had entered. I couldn't hold my tears back. I cried from the bottom of my heart that day. Before I thought I couldn't decide which world was better. But it was clear now. I hated that world. I hated it from every cell in my body. But I'd do anything if it meant bringing back the friends I had left behind. 

     The door swung open, and my mom came in all worried. “John is everything alright. I could hear your cries from the living room. Did something happen? Are you okay?” she asked as she embraced me in a hug. “Its okay. Its okay. I'm here now. Calm down. Tell me what happened” She stroked my back and my sobbing started to fade. 

“Please tell me it was a dream. Please tell me I fell asleep, and Ryan and Chhaya went home. Please.”  

I was barely able to speak but I had mustered enough strength to vocalize those words. Moments ago, I was fighting demons. But now I was having a hard time breathing. After all, this was the truth. There is no Genesis. This just the NPC John. 

“Who are they? Oh from your game again? You need to stop acting like game characters are rea-uh.” She looked over to the game CD we had put in.  “Is this what this is about. You need to stop acting like a kid now. Geez. You had scared me half to death. You never cried like that since you were a baby.” Her tone had changed from comforting to reassuring and a bit angry. “C'mon wipe your face. It's just a game. You weren't hurt right?” 

But I hadn't heard half of what she said. I gazed at the Lethia game CD shocked. It was burnt. Short-circuited perhaps. But there was a reason to my horrors. I could no longer verify if Lethia was real. I could at least have relied on luck to get logged back in again. But now that hope was gone. 

“I'm going out”, I said, brushing my mom's arms away.” 

She must have said something to me back then. But I couldn't listen. My chest was heavy. Breathing seemed to hurt me. But still I ran. My legs were aching, and my head was dizzy, but I put on my shoes and ran out of my house. I wasn't ‘running away’. I was ‘running to’. In a few minutes, I was at the Das residency.  

I rang their bell and Chhaya's father opened the door. “Oh. Hello John. What brings you here today hehe. Wait. Are you crying? You look pale.” 

“It's probably just from running.” 

“Well, if you say so.” he shrugged his shoulders and made way for John. “Come in. Have a seat. You look awfully tired.” 

“Uh... I just wanted to ask if Chaya has reached home. She forgot something at my place.” 

Even before he could speak, I saw Chhaya's floral dress going across the room. I was relieved. After a long time, I finally took a long breath. I was glad that it was just a nightmare. I felt slightly unhappy with Chhaya and Ryan. They could have woken me up before leaving. I was going to give them an earful when we got together for sure. 

“Oh. You mean Maya? Maya-beta come here. John is there to meet you.” 

“Coming.” “Hello. What brings you here John?” 

“Uh hi. Um can you tell me where Chhaya is?” 

“Is that your new friend? I have to meet her too. I have to know all the Indians in town hehe.” her father said. 

“I don't know who he is talking about though.” 

 Something was wrong. Her sister and father didn't even recognize her name. Maya never liked wearing her sister's clothes...but she did today. There was only one controller in my room.  

My friends... had... disappeared.  

And not just from this world, they were gone from everyone's memories. Once again my heartbeat fastened and my ears numbed.  

“Thank you. I'll be going home.” 

I turned back and started walking to my house. Maya was pouting and saying something about me calling her and not even talking. But I didn't want to listen. I didn't want to listen to a single word they said. After all, these NPC humans couldn't even remember my friend.