A light appeared.
Things akin to fireflies drifted around it, their glow gentle yet unearthly. Cradled within the twisted roots of an ancient tree, an orb pulsed softly, radiating something beyond warmth—something aware.
Then, a voice. Soothing, yet firm. Familiar. From the library.
"You… listen well. I have gathered the last of my remaining power so you may stand before me."
"Who are you? Am I… dead?"
"I exist as the voice of the world. A manifestation of its will."
Silence.
"You can feel it, can't you? This time, it is different. I presented my power through the Knight of the Dying Sun. I intend to make this loop one of the last."
"You are the Knight of the Dying Sun?"
"No. I merely used him to bring you here."
A pause. The air felt heavy.
"Tell me, have you ever wondered why the world is in such a pitiful state?"
I didn't respond.
"You are the reason why."
The words struck like a hammer. Something deep inside me recoiled—an unbearable sensation, like razors clawing through my insides.
"That… that's not possible. How could I—?"
"You can feel it. It is angry. It does not want you to relinquish… but you must. I know what I am asking of you. This is not simply death. This is worse."
The glow flickered, pulsing like a dying star.
"I am asking you to stop existing."
"This doesn't make any sense. Why would I be the reason? And how am I supposed to just… stop?"
The voice sighed, weary. The light around it dimmed.
"I do not have much time left, so let's get to the point."
Another pulse. Dimming. Weakening.
"I will give you a gift—or a curse, depending on your choices. From this moment on, you will remember. Every loop, you will remember."
Something inside me twisted. A cold dread settled in my gut.
"And so, I bestow this mission upon you: leave your meaningless life as the Narrator. Go. Explore the world. Create a meaning for yourself. Live, for once. And then… make your choice."
The voice shifted. Addressing someone unseen. Someone I could not see.
"I know you are watching. You always are. I place this bet, and I will win… even against absolute power."
(...)
I opened my mouth to speak. To demand answers. But the voice of the world did not give me the chance.
Everything faded to black once more.