Game Ender (Kyouka Inai)
| Game Ender (Kyouka Inai) | |
|---|---|
| Date of Cutscene: | 12 November 2023 |
| Location: | Mitakihara Ward |
| Synopsis: | Balance has been listening in on Kyouka and Fuyuko's conversation, and has a warning for Kyouka. |
| Thanks to: | Fuyuko Yuuhi |
| Cast of Characters: | Kyouka Inai |
(Taking place directly after scene 749, ‘The Same Game’)
Kyouka walks down the sidewalk in the dark, hands in the pockets of her jacket, a pensive frown on her face. Talking to Fuyuko always left her in a sour mood, or so it seemed anyway, and the content of tonight’s discussion in particular had her re-examining her choices and wondering about future ones.
She is pulled from her thoughts by a sonorous male voice which intrudes into her head- not from anywhere in particular, and not a true voice. No one else walking down the sidewalk, of which there are not many but are some, seems to be able to hear it.
“You are aware, of course,” Balance says, “That I listen in when my Arbiters speak to each other. You cannot truly expect to plot against me and have me be unawares. You would be wise to forget your foolish ambitions and continue to fulfill your role. I am pleased by your progress so far.
Kyouka scowls harder. She responds aloud, although in a low mutter that won’t carry to the other people walking nearby. “And you can’t expect us to just accept a situation we are not happy with.” She’s speaking mostly for herself here, though perhaps with hope (vain or not) she speaks for Fuyuko as well. “We aren’t your slaves, Balance.”
“You are my servants.” The voice responds. “Without me, you would Fade and forget. Do not let that slip your mind. You have agreed to the contract of this service, and you will do your job, Inai.”
Anger flares in the redheaded womn and she turns, although no one is there, raising her voice. No one is nearby, but people across the street look her way and hurry on as if not wanting to be near the crazy woman. “Why did you bring me here, Balance? Why ‘’me’’? Surely you knew I was a bad choice. I’m a warrior, not a teacher. I don’t like being constrained, and I don’t like helping you promote a never-ending war! I am a ‘’shitty’’ choice for an Arbiter, yet it seems like you’ve railroaded me down this path since literally before I was born. How much of it has been your doing? Why?”
“You are… convenient.” The voice response. There’s no emotion in it, no smugness or guilt or anything inbetween. “You were in the right place at the right time, metaphysically speaking. This world was in need of one with your skills and your determination. I merely took the opportunity presented to me.”
“You mean you stole me.” She snarls, glaring at nothing… then lowering her gaze as she notices people down the street looking her way. She resumes walking, hands going back into her pockets. “I don’t belong here, doing this. It’s wrong. And I won’t just keep marching along the path you’ve laid out forever.”
“You will do your job, Inai.” Balance repeats. “Without me, you are nothing. You cannot simply walk away from this.”
“I have no intention of walking away.” There’s a grim tone to Kyouka’s voice as she stares doggedly ahead, walking down the street. “I’ve never been one to walk away when I’ve been wronged. I won’t abandon these kids, and I won’t simply let the other side win, either. But I’ll be damned if I let the suffering continue without end because some jumped-up interdimensional meddler believes it should.”
“And I don’t care if you know it. This game will end, someday, Balance. I promise you.”
There is no reply.
