Work Text:
Gloom, nyxes, swishing of the sword, shards, foxes, gloom, nyxes… Fade knew she lived far from the city, but not SO far. The path seemed endless, especially since nyxes always interrupted them, causing fights and attacking from behind. Luckily, the thing in her eye (they insisted calling them just “A Player” but she still needed some time to get used to new reality) wasn’t using revive on her after the first time. She couldn’t help but feel grateful to them, since the Player is basically the only reason she’s alive at this point.
Evening arrived quickly as always. Internally, Fade sighed with a hint of tiredeness. A horse would be nice here. It could have saved them plenty of time, but she knew it’s impossible in the current situation. The horse would easily get stuck in the puddle of gloom or attract even more attention from monsters.
However, the entity in her eye seemed to be more in awe than fear. They walked around the small camp they made and occasionally pointed at some tree or flower or some loot they gathered during the day. Fade has already prepared to be showered with endless questions.
“What’s this for?”
“Hey Fade, tell me about your Queen more.”
“Do you know if there is some secret passage nearby?”
“Do you know this flower?”
“Maybe we can craft it into a healing item”
Ah. Yes. One more thing. We. They always connected every decision with Fade, despite the limiting controls over her own body. For some reason, it made her feel appreciated and… seen. Even Ooma wasn’t that considerate of Fade in past. She didn’t know if this kindness would last forever, or if the Player will simply get bored one day and will start to use and toy with the vessel. For now, she wanted to believe the voice in her head.
“aaand that’s how the capital was built.” Fade finally ended her story about the nearest cities and their histories. The Player didn’t let her wait for long
“Fascinating. I liked that story.” Voice answered. They sounded contented with an information. “Do you mind telling me about your culture? Surely there’re more than just rites and spirits?”
Fade was about to start yet another monologue when the question in her head finally popped. She told so much to the Player, which, of course, was very important, since their control will decide the fate of her world, but… she didn’t know a single thing about them. They only told that they’re “someone playing a game” which didn’t give proper answers. Besides, what’s the worst thing that can happen? In worst case scenario, they’ll just ignore her or avert the question. It will be disappointing, but, in some way, understandable. They’re here to help her, not to talk about their past or open up. Still, she decided to give it a shot.
“Well, before answering… Can I ask you something?”
A voice hummed a curious “Hmm?” encouraging her to continue talking.
“You…said that you were not from my world and came from entirely different one.”
“Indeed. You can say that I’m from the other…side. I know the patterns, but not the lore of your country.”
“Yes, about that. Can you tell me about yourself? Are you a god on your side as well? Can you enter another person’s body anywhere else?” Fade didn’t notice how she became the one showering with questions. She looked at the sky, thinking the Voice is actually somewhere in the clouds, watching her every move.
Silence answered her. For a second, Fade paled. Maybe she crossed the boundary. They will get mad at her for being too clingy, leave her body and drop her here all alone among monsters without the chance to survive. God, why was she so stupid? She couldn’t even become a priestess in past, thinking she’s above it-
Suddenly, she heard a small chuckle from the Player. Or, at least, the feeling of it, like someone from the room next to her speaking. Then, they spoke:
“Oh no, no no. Not at all.”
It made Fade stop thinking for a moment. She couldn’t connect it. How does a being like them wasn’t powerful in their reality as well?
“In truth, I’m just as powerless as you in my world. Its mostly YOUR world that gives me powers.” Explained The Player, sensing Fade’s confusion. “I know it sounds crazy.”
“Yeah… it’s hard to believe. Are there a lot of “Players” like you?”
“Hm. More than 8 billion already-“
“BILLION?!”
“Yeaaah” The voice said sheepishly. “Everyone is different. Some are good, some are… not.”
Fade had to sit down to comprehend the amount of beings like The Player she’s talking to. Did everyone watch her the entire time?
“You don’t have to worry about it.” Voice reassured her. “It’s our adventure. No one from my side will disturb it.”
The Player was about to change the topic when they finally remembered the important detail.
“Also…” They started. “The one who made your world… the logic of it. They are from my world actually.”
Fade stared, the quiet of the grove suddenly immense. The concept didn't strike her with fear, but with…awe. Her eyes grew wide, not with alarm, but with the dawning realization of a profound understanding
“Our world…” she breathed, her voice barely a whisper. “The hand that shaped the logic of the stars, the rules of life...came from your side?”
It wasn't a violation, but a revelation. She looked at her own hands, as if seeing the echo of a distant, creative will in the very lines of her palms. Her bleeding eye now felt not like a wound from the entity, but a very fragile connection to the creators.
“So our worlds,” she said, wonder softening her words, “are very close. And you are then..?"
“Consider me a visitor.” They gave an answer quickly. “I hope I didn’t break you. It must be a lot.” Fade shook her head.
A soft, almost reverent smile touched Fade’s lips as she shook her head. “No, you haven’t broken anything. I’m… I’m okay.” She looked down at her own hands, flexing her fingers slowly, as if seeing them for the first time. “It didn’t scare me,” she continued, her voice full of quiet wonder. “On the contrary, it… it even made me calm.” She lifted her gaze back to the sky, her eyes shining with a new, settled understanding. “To know my world wasn’t an accident… that it was made. That it came from a place of thought, from a mind that, in some way, understands yours…”
She took a slow, deep breath, the weight of the revelation settling not as a burden, but as a purpose. “Then,” she said, her voice firming with a gentle resolve, “I hope I can be worthy of my creators.”
She heard a soft giggle.
“Trust me, you already do.”