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It was quite a spectacle.
Watching as thousands of golden chips rained from the sky ready to crush all who stood in their way.
It was even more breathtaking as a single slash cut through them all in an instant, seemingly twisting the world itself.
The golden rain was broken, erased in an instant with nothing remaining, and along with it... so was its caster.
Somewhere in the hands of another a glow signifying a pulsing heart, a light representing a lonely life died out, shimmering into darkness.
And just like that, Aventurine... was no more.
"But this is what you wanted, was it not, gambler?" A man, perhaps equally as lonely, muttered.
He looked at the clearing sky from afar, watching as golden dust fell upon this dreamworld.
For once, the doctor didn't know what reaction the situation would warrant. Would it be a congratulations to a man who had achieved what he had wished for, a congratulations to the man who had once more won his gamble, or...
Would the single tear that he couldn't hold back from slipping from his eyes be justified? To mourn, even just for a moment, the man who may never return from the other side.
Veritas Ratio knew better than anyone that Aventurine cared not for his own life. Why would he? In the avgin's eyes, he had nothing to live for. No one to live for. And perhaps that was true.
"But perhaps not. Jade trusts you enough to hand you her Cornerstone for your gamble along with Topaz, who cares for you more than she would like to let on. She certainly cares for you more than you think." The doctor chuckled.
And even if it wasn't for those two...
"I care for you enough to help you take your steps towards what might be your end, as I know... I know you would have done it without me still."
And even though it hurt, knowing that the avgin arrived at his destination as best he could, did give the doctor a bit of closure.
At least the gambler had had some help. Any help, really.
Even if he had to watch Aventurine gamble with his life once more, at least the doctor had been there to make sure the avgin didn't lose the bet too soon.
He looked at the clearing sky from afar, watching as golden dust fell upon this dreamworld.
Unlike most, Veritas had seen that shaking hand under the poker table. He had noted the slight twitch of the avgin's lips when he was truly worried. He had seen the hint of hesitation in his movements from time to time.
But above all else, he had noted the clenched fist the man hid behind his back as he pulled the trigger of the gun he held to his own chest not once, but trice.
"If anyone else saw all those signs, they might think you suicidal, but I know... I know that what you wish for is not death, but a reason good enough to continue making an effort to stay alive in this cruel world."
And how cruel this world is.
Long, long ago, it had already taken from Aventurine all that he held dear, and even now... Even now it only continues to take, to demand, even when the avgin has nothing left to give.
Genius or not, even Veritas Ratio couldn't say for certain that he could grant Aventurine a moment of peace. With all his intellect he couldn't guarantee a single moment where the avgin could just stop. Stop thinking, stop scheming, and rest. A single hour in which he had nothing to care for, nothing to worry about. An hour of nothing at all.
A mocking laugh escaped the doctor's lips.
"It appears such a thing is too far-fetched even for a dream."
A dream world to others, Penacony was nothing but a nightmare for Aventurine.
To offer up so much for a gamble, only for the chance of victory to be so small.
Compared to Aventurine, the doctor thought himself to be a coward.
Too afraid to confess his feelings. Too fearful to clarify his intentions.
"Too cowardly to stop you from running to your death once more."
And now here he stood, watching the skies clear after a great battle that had perhaps taken from him the one he held most dear.
"I was too afraid to ask you not to take the risk, and now I can only hope that you will return." Veritas muttered.
And this time, it was not the gambler's fist that was clenched behind their back. This time it was the doctor who tried to hide his fears. Now it was the doctor who could do nothing about the outcome of the following events. Now it was he who could do nothing but wait for the final card to be dealt.
And wait he would, but he would not sit idly.
"I will make sure a better place awaits you when you return. I will create for you a place that can grant you peace. I will see to it that you shall only live for yourself. Should you wish to continue your gamble, do it, but do it only for yourself."
No Penacony.
No IPC.
No nothing.
Only you.
A world where you can live for yourself and no one else.
"So please, Aventurine, find in yourself the will to live."