Yuichi watched in horror as Madoka slipped from his hand. Seeing the fear in his best friend's eyes. But also seeing something he hoped not to see. Acceptance.
With everything he and Nema had done in the background to prepare for whatever end of the world eventuality this was. It truly didn't matter how much he tried. Especially with the dangerous games he and Nema played with the embodiment of decay. Trying to find some way to slow down the absolute powerhouse of muscle it was.
They even tried putting up protections and curses from whatever 'shrines' they could get anything from. Even to go as far as setting up traps hoping to find something that could bother the absolute forces of nature that they were.
Though he didn't really understand why he was trying so hard to save Madoka. Not because he didn't want to save him. But, because if they succeeded. There was no telling what was going to happen to either of them once the so-called 'core' is gone.
He just had to trust in Nema, and the plan that they had made.
Letting out a tired sigh. Yuichi returned to the main room where he had been gathering and organizing the eruption of papers that littered just about every surface. Stopping for a moment when he saw a page that had been placed in one of the spots he had just recently cleared up.
Picking it up. He saw it was the very first note that Nema had ever made.
Day 1
I don't know what's going on. Or even where I really am. This looks like one of the country prefectures disguised as a city not far from the hospital. I know I made some kind of deal that was supposed to give me a new lease on life. But I'm scared, and I don't know what I'm doing at all.
I hope mom and dad are okay though…hopefully I can see them again soon sometime.
Reading those words made Yuichi's blood run cold. Not only was he not supposed to be here, or really in the conscious free state he was in. But so was Nema. Both of them were outliers chosen for some reason.
"I do believe you've started to understand some things that you shouldn't have." A man's voice echoed out from all around Yuichi. Soon followed by more rumbling that heavily shook the apartment building.
Slowly. He turned around as if he were caught red handed by a teacher. Only to second guess himself when he saw the most beautiful man standing there. With a warm soft smile on his lips, and a sad look in his celestial eyes.
"Um. Who are you, and how exactly did you get in here?" Yuichi asked. Being silenced by the simple raising of a hand.
"Most people call me the Angel of Death. But you man call me Azrael." The man said, giving a small smile.
Yuichi's blood ran cold at the mention of the man's name. Though he didn't really know where it came from or its importance. He did however feel the weight of whatever was emanating from him.
"I feel like you being here is a bad thing." Yuichi stammered, looking back out the nearest window. Watching as the world grew covered in much more flesh than it had been mere minutes ago.
"That depends on choices made, and what sacrifices are chosen to be made. While the world looks like it is ending. Rather, it is giving the chance of allowing those who need saved. To be saved." Azrael said, snapping his fingers as the room and the papers completely rearranged themselves into neat stacks. Revealing two chairs sitting on opposite sides of a small table. "Would you care to take a seat?"
Given the current circumstances. Yuichi knew better than to decline. Once he took his seat. Azrael was soon to follow, sitting directly across from him.
"You are a very interesting shell. You know that right?" Azrael said. Snapping his fingers as a tea set appeared on the table. "So interesting in fact. You have your own personality, and human-like features."
"W-what do you mean interesting shell?" Yuichi questioned. His mind raced as the man's words seeped into his mind. Sending every ounce of his being into high alert. But why?
"You were created much like all the other people here. To be actors when the main act comes onto stage. It's why when he isn't around. Everyone seems to be featureless. Or to make it simpler with gaming terminology. Outside of the render distance." Azrael explained. "And you are one that has somehow managed to find their individuality. Maybe it could be due to an outside force acting upon everything. Or it could be a comfort mechanic of what's trying to protect Madoka."
"W-what does that mean?"
"It means you'll be given a choice. Much like Nema was when she agreed to being here in the first place. Do you want to vanish when this world eventually crumbles. Or do you want to be my host? Allowing me to interact directly with the world. For the benefit of all involved?"
The first thing Nema felt upon waking up was hot. Feeling beads of sweat slowly fall across her aching body. A silent reminder of the punishment that was now subsiding.
Eventually she regained consciousness to the sensation of a violent rumbling roar that shook the building violently. Followed by the sound of the world breaking.
What happened? How long have I been out? Where's Madoka? Those were some of the questions that raced through her mind as she looked around her darkened room. The one room she typically kept light on in.
Looking around, she blinked several times in an attempt to force her eyes to focus with the low, nearly non-existent light. Then waiting, as nothing seemed to really change.
Fear.
That was the first true emotion she's felt since she'd been in this world. Which signaled the one thing she had hoped would never come to pass. Madoka was going to die.
Hurriedly she threw herself from her bed. Running down the hall, stopping short of the hole in the ground. Which led to the apartment down below. Which was as dark as hers currently was.
Entering her living room. Stopping short when she saw that Yuichi was still there. And that the living room had been cleaned, and the natural disaster consisting of paper had been contained into neat stacks.
"What's going on here? Why's everything black and when did an earthquake start?" Nema asked the young man.
"It started shortly after Madoka got you settled down for your rest." Yuichi said, in a non-yuichi manner.
"Did something happen to you Yuichi? You're not sounding right." Nema asked, noticing he had yet to turn around and face her fully.
"Something did happen. But I think it'd be best if you'd use the name Azrael instead." Azreal, wearing Yuichi's face said as he turned around to face Nema.
"Where's Madoka?" Nema asked instinctively as the weight of him being here slammed into her. Yet she couldn't sense any of his power. Was that the reason he wanted Yuichi's body?
"In the center. Though, not like you'll be able to make it to him at this rate." Azrael responded indicating the broken window with a flashlight. Revealing the wall of flesh that now covered the window. Pulsating with an almost heartbeat like rhythm that shook the building.
"You don't mean-" Nema said, pausing once she noticed Azrael staring right at her. Intently.
"Yes, the center. Where all of this began." He said slowly. Almost as if he were choosing every word carefully. Or being his normal cryptic self. It was always hard for Nema to tell, even after all this time.
"Are you going to let me save him?" Nema asked pointedly.
"I never stopped you from getting to your goal to begin with. I just wanted to teach you patience, that everything gets solved and fixed in time. Even if the way to fix it is by letting it get worse first." Azrael explained.
"Like how things are now?"
"Exactly." He confirmed looking at the flesh. "How do you plan on getting out of this?"
"I don't know." Nema said, reaching out to touch the flesh.
Almost as if on cue to stop her the wall of flesh reacted to her touch. Violently lashing out with enough force to send Nema flying onto the floor, just short enough to avoid hitting the wall. But with enough force to definitely hurt.
"Ow…" She muttered under her breath as pain coursed through her body.
"Maybe try something sharp?" Azrael suggested sarcastically. Which earned a peeved glare from Nema as she got up. Looking back at the wall of flesh.
"You can do this Nema. You can do this." She muttered to herself. Running to her kitchen, she grabbed a knife and quickly made her way back to the living room. Running with all she could muster.
The consequences of her having broken her agreement had definitely taken their toll on her body. She wasn't nearly as fast nor as strong as she should be.
But she was going to make it work. Even if it killed her.
Slowly she raised the knife, holding it as steady as possible in her shaking hands. Staring at the pulsating wall, feeling each tremor it sent through the building. Listening as the droning roar continued to signal the end.
And Nema wasn't about to let it scare her. Not when she was this close, not when she still had a job to do. And she had to see it through.
With a mighty yell. Nema jammed the kitchen knife all the way to its hilt into the flesh. Holding on for dear life as the flesh pushed against her, drenching her in a warm liquid. And right as she was about to be sent away once more. She felt a set of gentle hands on her shoulders. Holding her steady.
"I got you. Just this once." Azrael said in a low whisper, pushing her into the wall of flesh. Sending her through it and tumbling towards the fleshy ground far below her.
Slowly she pushed herself up from the bloody ground, wiping the warm copper tasting liquid from her face. Spitting it out as she looked at her hands, seeing that she was now covered in blood. From head to toe. The knife in her hand seemed to have ruptured the bulbous flesh causing the blood to slowly pool around her. She now stood in a pool of warm blood. That slowly grew in size. Much like other parts of the ground that surrounded her.
Walking across the surface was nearly impossible with how uneven it had become. With every mound of flesh giving into her steps. Some resulting in her feet losing purchase as she lost her balance.
"!" She yelled wordless as she fell into the side of a mound of flesh that looked like it used to be a sign at one point. Her hand pressed into the flesh, and as she pulled away. It felt almost like the flesh tried to keep her in place, trying to consume her and make her one with it.
Not good.
"Get off of me!" Nema yelled as she slammed the entirety of the knife's blade into the mass, not only spraying Nema with more blood as a result. But summoned a loud and terrifying shrill like screech that reverberated throughout the town shaking it violently. Forcing Nema to the ground. Which also tried to consume her.
Nema fought against the fleshy ground that was now attempting to consume her. Using up her precious energy just to free her arm from its grip. Reaching for the knife that now lay just out of her reach.
Fear.
Nema hastily looked around as she continued to struggle against the hold of the flesh. Stopping short when she saw a slight glint peering from one of the puddles. Without a second thought Nema reached into the puddle. Feeling the warm liquid coat her free arm.
Even though she knew it was blood, it gave off a weird comforting feeling. One she ignored as she grabbed hold of a shard of something sharp. Probably the glass from a nearby object that hadn't been consumed by the flesh yet.
Taking a deep breath, she stabbed into the flesh near her leg, flinching as a wave of pain raced through her body as the glass cut the side of her leg. Nema had to stifle a cry of pain. Forcing herself to keep going as she eventually freed herself, reaching out for the knife. Taking a hold of it in her hand as she pushed herself up from the ground.
Before she could let herself fall again. Nema took off running through the uneven streets. Racing the flesh as it tried to consume the world around her. Watching as the flesh continued to change, almost like it was trying to impede her progress. But she didn't let it stop her, especially not when she had one thing in her mind.
Saving Madoka.
Soon she found herself on the right path, when she saw the familiar grey priests that also manifested during this period. Unusually peaceful compared to the Embodiment of Decay that chased down Madoka. She had called them the Manifestation of Decay. Because of the period of time they chose to manifest.
Running through them she was surprised to see that just like before. They didn't really seem to do anything to bar her progress. Rather, they treated her like she wasn't even there. Almost like their sole focus was to be there to witness what would happen.
The path the Manifestations led her down, was one she had grown familiar with over the last two years. It was the one they always flocked to whenever the world shifted from day to night.
And the place they led her to. Was the train station.