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Just outside a cozy home, not too far from the rest of the village, a family of two spend the late afternoon making pancakes—well, trying to at least, all in a timely and orderly manner. It’s unfortunate really, neither of them are particularly known for being able to do that.
The sun hung low in the sky, beginning its slow descent, painting the horizon in beautiful streaks of yellow and red—a rather scenic sight to behold for anyone still outdoors. The bright blue that had once filled the sky all morning was fading fast, slipping quietly into evening. One moment it had been noon, and just as quickly as it arrived, it became afternoon—soon to be dusk at the pace it was heading. For many, it would feel far too soon.
A certain pancake-loving child would be inclined to agree, wholeheartedly in fact. If Niko could wish for one thing—anything at all—it would probably be more time to spend every day... and maybe a plate of pancakes. That too.
Ideally, they and their Mama would already be eating the hazelnut pancakes they had set out to make right about now.
In a perfect world—one where pancake-making went exactly as it usually does—they wouldn’t have spent nearly the entire day on it. There would still be sunlight left to spend. Not that Niko planned on going out into the wheat fields anytime soon, but still… it would’ve been really nice.
Unfortunately for the starving, utterly food-deprived Niko, the pancakes would have to wait a little longer. A truly heartbreaking predicament.
[PLAYER] would’ve just bought pancakes instead, Niko thought, already imagining how that would go if they were here.
All the fretting. The endless concern for the tragically hungry not-a-cat child. They would’ve gone to great lengths just to make sure Niko had something to eat… or, more realistically, just spent money for their sake—a lot less exciting than what they imagined. Still, that counted.
They always cared a lot about me…
I wonder if they cou—
“Niko, dear, could you be a little more careful with the bowl?” Snapped out of their thoughts, Niko looked down at the aforementioned item and... oh. Well, that was a big mess. They’ll have to clean that up later.
Pancake batter had spread across the table, some still clinging stubbornly to the sides of the bowl. Worse, it had ended up on their sleeves—even their blue scarf wrapped securely around their neck wasn’t safe. Niko wasn’t entirely sure how that had happened. It hadn’t even been that close to the bowl! Maybe I should stir slower… and not daydream at the same time.
With a sheepish look, they returned to mixing—this time more carefully. If she noticed they were licking some of the pancake batter, she didn’t make it obvious. “Sorry, Mama.”
She could only sigh softly in slight exasperation, still somehow focused enough to avoid missing a beat at the stove, flipping pancakes with practiced ease as she looked over her shoulder—directly at them. “It’s fine... now, could you bring over the bowl?” She lowered the heat briefly to place down a recently finished plate of pancakes on the table.
Niko nodded, though their attention drifted almost immediately to the stack of fluffy and warm stack nearby. They could feel their mouth water at the sight of them. They looked ready. Just waiting for someone to accept then. If I just reached out a little—
“Niko.”
Oops.
Flustered, they quickly handed over the bowl—definitely without having eaten any batter straight from it. Their Mama gave them a tired yet fond look. Niko didn’t notice it, but if they had looked closer, they could have seen a glint in their eyes—a certain look of knowing.
Turning back to the stove, she continued cooking. To Niko, she worked with the skill of a mastered chef. They had once suggested she work at a restaurant, but she had only smiled and said she wouldn’t “go through that again,” refusing to elaborate no matter how much they asked.
“Just let me finish this,” she said. “You can clean the table while you wait.”
Niko didn’t want to sit still any longer anyway. With a small hum and a nod, they grabbed whatever cloth they could get their hands—err, sleeves on and started wiping the table. They were patient. Anyone from the other world could probably confirm that... probably. But these were pancakes—their absolute favorite—how could they be expected to wait patiently for that?
Still, there was something to appreciate about waiting. At least it gives me time to think. It’s always good to have time to yourself every now and then.
As they cleaned the messy table—which they absolutely did not cause, by the way—they began humming softly. It wasn’t any particular song, just something they remembered from their journey. It was in... ah, right... the Glen. They weren’t sure where exactly the tune had come from exactly, but they liked it a lot. It had helped, especially as a distraction from the smell.
They loved the Glen—and the Glenfolk, as their friend called them—but the constant scent of damp earth and rotting plants had been very difficult to get used to. Still, the fireflies had made it worth the struggle. Those soft blue lights drifting aimlessly through the dark, they wished their village had something like that. I should’ve brought a lamp.
Though that might’ve been a little rude.
I can’t just take things just because they’re glowing. Besides, they already have a nightlight.
Just as Niko finished cleaning, their Mama set down the final plate. “There we go,” she said with a small smile. They try not to make their excitement too obvious, which was increasingly difficult now that they could smell it clearly now. They only behaved themselves when they noticed she was giving them a playful grin. “Now we can eat, dear.”
Now that was music to Niko’s wide ears.
They ate. At first, fairly evenly—until their Mama started giving them extra from her plate. Not that Niko would ever complain about having more. They probably shouldn’t eat this much... however.
With a grateful smile, they poured syrup generously—perhaps too generously—and continued eating with unchecked enthusiasm. They’d just cleaned the table mere minutes ago. They would definitely have to clean it again.
A fading beam of sunlight filtered into the kitchen, wrapping the moment in a sweetly quiet, golden warmth. From the corner of their eyes, Niko caught their Mama watching them, chin resting in her hand, smiling adoringly at them. It was a little embarrassing being the center of her attention. They pretended not to notice and just continued with their plate. They were not flustered at all. Nuh-uh.
It all felt so peaceful. So simple in a way they wouldn’t mind having for the rest of their life. They could just bask in the glow of this moment forever...
“Niko? Could we… talk about something?”
Oh, maybe not forever.
They swallowed quickly, wiping away crumbs and syrup from their face. “What is it, Mama?” They weren’t sure where this was heading. Something in her tone made their chest tighten, making their blood run cold in a sense. Normally, they would blame that on the cool breeze. Unfortunately, all the windows and doors were closed. Someday, they’ll be able to use that excuse.
When she finally got to her point, it almost feels as though they couldn’t breathe for a second. “It’s about [PLAYER], I know you two were very close, I just don’t know how close exactly... when did you two meet anyways?”
Oh. Oh dear. How were they supposed to explain this? How do you explain someone you’ve never even seen?
You know, the floor looks very interesting right about now.
“Niko?” she prompted softly, an underlying hint of concern. There was no backing out of this one. They took a shaky breath that failed to calm their nerves. “I—I met them in the wheat fields… near that house, and… um… they weren’t—I mean, I didn’t… see them a-actually.” Not the best start, she looks very confused.
“…Alright,” she said carefully. “Let’s start with something simpler. What do they mean to you?” Oh, that one actually is simple.
With all the confidence they could muster after tripping over their own words, they answered. “They mean everything to me!” The answer came quickly—bright, certain. Even if a small part of them felt like that still wasn’t enough. They meant even more than what words could ever say. Their Mama smiled faintly. “I can tell. You’ve been drawing them a lot.”
They could feel their eyes widen at the insinuation, they very quickly jumped at the opportunity to object to the implication. “I’m not obsessed!” Niko protested immediately. Their certain that it was to defend their honor. It has nothing to do with their growing mortification... probably. With a blatantly teasing expression, she calmly continued. “I didn’t say you were obsessed though, Niko.”
Oh.
Darn.
They buried their face in their arms. Completely unable to formulate a coherent sentence as Mama—their own mother—laughs openly at their mistake. Being called a cat each and every day would’ve been easier than this conversation. Only when did her laughter begin to die down did they bravely peek out of their arms, looking at their Mama with an utterly defeated and betrayed expression. “Mamaaa...”
Wiping a stray tear from her eye, she mutters out an apology as she does her best to steady her breathing. “Niko,” she said, still clearly amused, “you have been drawing more than usual nowadays—not that there’s anything wrong a out that. It’s just something I’ve observed from you.” She wasn’t wrong.
“They’re just… someone special,” Niko said quietly. Keeping it all vague enough to avoid saying anything specific. They don’t know how she would react if they told her all about their time away from home. Being called crazy would be really bad as well.
“I understand that much, Niko.” She briefly took a bite from what’s left of her pancakes before continuing. “I was just hoping you could tell me a little more.”
…
Maybe… I can... tell her a little more? It wouldn’t be bad to do that, right?
“Their, um...” Try again, Niko. Their ears lowered slightly beneath their hat. Their words always felt harder to say out loud than they did inside their head. Especially when it was about... you. They noticed that she was listening attentively now, fully focused on them and nothing else. No distraction in sight. No impatience made obvious with her expression. Just quiet attention and gentle concern—giving a small nod and an encouraging smile.
Niko returned it with a crooked grin of their own. Silently, they appreciated all of it—really, they did.
They were so glad to have someone like her to be their Mama...
“[PLAYER] is the best! Though... I really wish they wouldn’t call me a cat so much.” Their Mama visibly tried—and failed—not to smile at that remark. The corners of her lips curled upward despite herself, amusement flickering in her eyes. Still, she stayed quiet, letting them continue at their own pace.
A brief memory of waking up in an unfamiliar bed in a dark and empty home flashed through their head.
There was only a computer, a collection of dusty books they couldn’t read, and a strange TV remote on the floor. They had been so lost and confused back then...
“They helped me a lot,” Niko continued more softly. “Every step of the way, I always had them with me... even when things got difficult.”
Their voice carried a kind of certainty that only came from remembering something important.
Niko could still remember the moment they first touched that giant lightbulb on the floor.
It had been comfortably warm against their hands, glowing just brightly enough to let them see through the dark hallway surrounding them.
Imagine their shock when they learned it was the sun of that World. It had sounded too crazy to believe at first. But then they stepped outside in the Barrens and saw the Tower in the distance.
That impossibly tall structure stretching so high above the Barrens that it almost looked like it pierced the sky itself—if there even was a sky at all.
They didn’t know it yet, but from the moment they set foot on that desolate landscapes soil, they were given a heavy task to complete—one they could never have done on their own.
“They always answered my questions and listened to me. I really liked that about them...” Niko murmured.
They remembered the relief they felt after doing what Prophetbot asked of them, finally hearing [PLAYER]’s voice for the first time. Though relief very quickly became confusion when they insisted that wasn’t actually their name.
And confusion became shock when they suddenly said—actually... maybe they shouldn’t repeat bad words. Even in their own head.
It was still pretty funny though.
A tiny smile briefly crossed Niko’s face before fading again into something quieter.
“They watched over me too,” they added. “They always tried to keep me safe... kind of like a caretaker, I think.”
Every time [PLAYER] had to leave for... whatever mysterious reason they never explained, they always made sure Niko had somewhere warm to sleep first. With the exception of... that one time—best not to think about that—most naps they took, it almost felt like they were being tucked into bed.
Just like what Mama does for them.
The thought made something ache inside their chest.
...
They weren’t even sure where [PLAYER] went whenever the world grew dark—well, darker than usual at least.
They just knew they always came back eventually.
They always did.
“...And even when I c-cried...” Their voice faltered slightly. “They didn’t make fun of me or anything... they always tried to comfort me...” They could see their Mama’s expression soften immediately at that. Niko avoided looking directly at her.
They remembered the stack of pancakes Ling had given them before reaching the Tower. They didn’t have any of the other World’s money though, but that didn’t seem to be a problem to him.
The taste reminded them so much of home that it almost hurt. They had missed Mama so much back then.
They’d tried very hard not to cry because of it. They did anyways—they still appreciated Ling for trying to help.
They should really pay for the pancakes next time.
If there will ever be a next time.
“So many people helped me before,” Niko whispered. “But [PLAYER] was always with me... every single time...” Their hands tightened slightly around their sleeves. They don’t know if it was from a deep sense of shame or something else. Whatever it was, it made them feel vulnerable. “...[PLAYER]... I don’t know where they are anymore... I just—I want to—”
The words died in their throat.
Suddenly, the kitchen felt too quiet. The fading sunlight no longer felt warm. They stared downward, unable to meet her eyes.
They couldn’t remember everything clearly anymore. Only pieces of a time already gone past them. There was a... difficult choice. The sound of their own heartbeat was particularly loud during that.
If they wanted to go home, the sun had to be destroyed. But if the sun shattered... then everyone else would...
...
Their breathing became uneven. It was either them... or an entire world. How was someone supposed to choose with those options? How were they expected to choose at all?
In the end, they made [PLAYER] decide instead. They placed all of that fear, all of that pain, into someone else’s hands because they couldn’t keep carrying it anymore.—It wasn’t fair. They knew it wasn’t... they just couldn’t handle the struggle.
....[PLAYER]?
What should I... do?
What’s the right thing to do?
...
“Niko...?” Her voice cut through the silence immediately. Before they even realized what was happening, arms were already wrapped tightly around their small frame. Niko let out a small muffled gasp at the sudden embrace before instinctively melting into it.
Only then did they realize they were crying.
Their vision blurred completely.
Hot tears rolled down their cheeks, staining her shoulder almost immediately.
Oh, oh dear... Oh dear...
“I-I’m sorry, Mama...” they choked out between shaky breaths. “I’m s-so sorry...” She simply shushed them softly, rubbing small circles against their back before patting them exactly three times. A familiar rhythm for them. There was a message with the gesture. If they could just remember...
...
Oh. They do remember.
I. Love. You.
“You have nothing to apologize for, Niko,” she whispered gently. Niko buried their face into the crook of her neck, arms wrapping tightly around her as she held their small trembling body close. She carried them so carefully. Like they were something... fragile.
They could hear her humming quietly above them—a soft lullaby with no lyrics tied to it. It was comforting. It felt Safe. “They sound like a very kind friend, dear...” she murmured. That they were.
At that point, Niko stopped trying to hide the tears altogether. Giving up in wiping them all away. Exhaustion slowly began settling over them now that everything had finally spilled out. Their sadness. Their guilt. Their longing—all of it. Eventually, their muffled sobs faded away into quiet sniffles as their eyelids grew heavier and heavier.
Without another word, their Mama carried them gently to their room and laid them carefully beneath the blankets. Through the small gap in the doorway, just before she closed it, Niko heard her whisper softly; “I love you.” The words reached them clearly even through their exhaustion.
And with a small sleepy smile, they whispered the words back. Then, finally, they drifted off into a deep slumber.
Dreaming of an adventure that already seems so far away.
And a kind stranger who had believed in them the most.
Niko found themselves somewhere far away—somewhere familiar, yet strangely changed completely. Warm yellow light spilled across the room from the window on the side and the glowing exit ahead of them. Beneath their boots, the carpet felt just as soft as they remembered, though it does seem cleaner. The whole room seemed brighter now, a sight to behold after spending all this time in the dark.
They glanced around in brief shock, taking in their surroundings—it would be the last time they would see it.
They looked up at... nothing in particular really. Though they assume wherever they were facing is where [PLAYER] could look from.
...
This is the room I first woke up in...
[PLAYER]? Are you still here?
...[PLAYER]?
Niko waited patiently for a response from their mutual friend. They felt kind of silly staring at the ceiling with so much hope, even if they knew for certain that they were there... they hope. In what felt like an eternity—but was actually just a few minutes—they heard the mysterious voice inside their mind once again.
Yes?
Hearing them again, no matter how recent their last few words were, always left them feeling immense relief.
[PLAYER]!!!
I... I think...
I think it worked!!!
It did!
The sun is back! And I actually got to see it this time!
A brief cursory glance over their shoulder confirmed this to be true. The return of the Worlds sun already made obvious by the blinding light—who knew a giant lightbulb could produce that much light? Certainly not Niko. But then again, it could just be one of the Worlds quirks—there’s plenty of that to go around.
We... actually did it...!
So... what do we do now?
I guess I should figure out how get home from here...
Wait...
This... isn’t a door, is it?
They begin to walk toward the light at the end of the corridor. At the end they could see what they can only assume is the same passageway they used before. It was almost blinding after going through days without any sunlight. It will take them a while to adjust, won’t it?
This looks like one of those portals we saw all the way back in the city.
In the room behind the big clock.
And... and...
I see a wheat field on the other side!
...I see my village...
I hear... my Mama...
She’s looking for me...
The joy they had felt starts to fade away just as quickly as it arrived. A heavy weight on their whole form takes its place. It hadn’t occurred to them until now that this would be time for farewells—it all feels bittersweet.
They were finally going home after who knows how long. They should’ve been overflowing with excitement—a bright sense of joy that could light up any dark corner. Instead, something inside them felt painfully... wrong.
Now is not the time for crying... it would be really silly to cry right now, here where they could see.
....
Ah, [PLAYER]...
This... isn’t the first time we’ve said goodbye, is it?
But... this’ll be the last time, won’t it?
I don’t think we’ll ever see each other again after this...
Why is this hurting so much now? They did it, both of them did. They saved the World! They get to go home now!
Home is no longer out of reach for them. Then why does this feel like their losing something forever...?
...
...and... what will become of the World?
...after all we’ve been through...
After everything we’ve done...
I still... don’t know...
They once more waited patiently for an answer—they sometimes take a while—they understand that sometimes... words just seem to be out of reach every now and then. It must be the same for them as well. They would wait a lifetime just to hear them speak.
...
When they finally gave their answer, it was both everything and nothing they wanted to hear from them. There was a sense of finality in their voice, it was subtle enough that most people may never even notice. But Niko did—of course they did.
This place...
These people...
Won’t stop existing.
...
They’ll be in your memory.
They’ll be in my memory, too.
Memory, huh...?
....
I... promise I’ll never forget this World!
I promise... I’ll never forget you, [PLAYER].
So... take care of yourself, okay?
They move closer to the light, a moment’s notice away from crossing the threshold. They stop when they hear their voice echo in their head.
You too.
Mhm...
Despite everything, they still cared more for them... they were lucky to have someone like them as their guide.
Goodbye, Niko.
Goodbye, [PLAYER]...
They walk on. The light consumes them completely. A white void takes over their vision until nothing remained. That was the last time they ever spoke.
Oh. When did I...?
Niko would start to stir from their sleep, feeling a large blanket wrap around them like a warm embrace—just the way they liked it. They toss aside the fabric, glancing groggily around the room—their room—in slight confusion until... they had an abrupt realization.
Oh... oh no.
They could feel their face burn up in embarrassment. They really didn’t mean to get so emotional back in the... afternoon. When did it get so dark? They get off their bed to approach their window. Their nightlight near the side was turned on, casting a soft blue glow beside them. As they press up their hands on the window pane, they could see a full moon surrounded by a cascade of stars and clouds in the night sky—the moonlight spilling right through the glass, making them seem ethereal in the darkened room.
If they could just close their eyes, they could imagine someplace else... a World they have no means of returning to.
...
You know, maybe they should go stargazing. It sounds fun.
They walked away from the window, slowly but surely making their way to the bathroom right around the corner. They weren’t about to fall asleep, not without brushing their teeth at least. They were a responsible child, after all—they would sooner give up pancakes completely than let their teeth go bad.
They wiped away their face with a spare towel by the door, leaving it to make their way back to their room.
Their movements were slow, they didn’t want to wake their Mama, that would be rude.
They closed the door behind them. They walked toward their bed with a brief yawn... though, before they climbed back up on the bed, they first kneeled on the floor—their head and arms resting upon the mattress. They joined their hands together and closed their eyes. Quietly speaking to... well, you.
Niko wasn’t sure when this had become a habit of theirs. Neither they or their Mama had ever been particularly religious, so they were a tad bit clumsy whenever they tried to pray. Still, they try anyways. Even if they couldn’t know for certain that it could be heard beyond their room.
They just had to try.
Besides, you’re the God of that World, right? People pray to those beings, so... maybe they should as well?
“Um—[PLAYER], wherever you are... I hope y-your treated well and... you get very many pancakes as well—because you deserve it...”
Their prayers usually never delves deeper beyond attempts at communication—or in this case, sincere hope that you will live a happy and fulfilling life. They knew it probably sounded childish. They mean every word regardless of that notion.
They carry on this nightly ritual. Asking you to stay safe. Hoping you are loved and cherished. They had done this enough times for it to quietly become part of their nightly routine. When did it become a routine?
“...and I hope that if you were to return—n-no pressure or anything—that we could, um...” They took a deep breath, they continued on once they knew they could clearly finish, “...that we could keep adventuring... just like before—only this time, you would be by m-my side...” They opened their eyes once more, crawling up the bed and under their sheets. It feels like they were forgetting something...
Oh!
“Uh, sorry—I forgot to say Amen and, uh... goodnight... [PLAYER].” Almost forgot about that, oops.
They finally toss the blanket over themselves, checking to make sure the nightlight was still bright and... yep, it’s still on. They reached aimlessly across the bed until their arms found a stray pillow, pulling it close to their chest. They always had trouble sleeping without something—or someone—to hold.
With little left to do now, they just close their eyes and try to go back to sleep.
...
This is going to be a while.
Dark silhouettes of birds occasionally drifted across the night sky. Every now and then, one would pass perfectly beneath the moonlight, its outline briefly illuminated against the dark—a blink and you miss it moment that might’ve made for an award-winning photograph.
If only Niko had ever been interested in photography.
That could be a nice hobby someday.
Maybe they should try it.
The moon continued to cast its pale luminous glow over the village below. The wheat fields swayed more slowly now, quieter beneath the late-night breeze. Somewhere in the distance, nocturnal creatures called softly to one another, filling the silence with background noise that normally would’ve been comforting.
Tonight, they weren’t.
Niko remained stubbornly awake, despite it all.
The small child tossed restlessly beneath their blankets for what felt like the thousandth time that night. The blanket they had carefully arranged earlier was now reduced to a wrinkled mess of tangled fabric and displaced pillows—a tragic fate for what was once a really good blanket.
They had already tried several methods to fall asleep. Counting sheep had only reminded them of the other World instead—it was something their Mama told them to do once on restless nights such as this. All those rams we had to move around... though, it wasn’t all for nothing. We did get ram wool afterwards!
...
At least it was a service to... ramkind?
At least according to the guy with glasses and the neat cloak.
They weren’t entirely sure if that logic actually held up, but they weren’t about to have an argument with themselves over it.
They had tried calming themselves afterward. They took deep breaths. Listened to quiet and relaxing music. Everything Mama had taught them to do whenever some shut eye refused to come easily. It was for... well, let’s just say they had lost plenty of sleep ever since they returned home.
...
All of it didn’t work.
At first, the sleeplessness had only been mildly annoying. But as the hours dragged on, frustration slowly began settling in alongside the constant feeling of exhaustion.
It had been... 10:18? Maybe? when they first climbed into bed.
Now it was already well past midnight.
...This is taking a while...
They had tried pacing around the room once, hoping they would feel tired enough to go to sleep immediately. Somehow, it only made them feel more awake.
At one point, they had even drawn the curtains shut and turned off their nightlight before making a mad dash to... the bed... that was sitting right beside them—they even buried themselves beneath the blankets, shaking like a lone leaf.
In their defense, they were afraid of the dark.
They still were.
The room had become completely pitch black, devoid of even the faintest source of light. There was no reprieve offered to them—except for one. Though their eyes adjusted better than most, it still wasn’t enough to make the darkness feel welcoming.
Not that it was night vision or anything.
That would be cat-like.
...
Nope.
Absolutely not dealing with this.
Not tonight.
Not ever.
With the speed and agility of a ca—err, a very quick child, Niko immediately turned the nightlight back on. Relief washed over them the moment soft blue light returned to the room. They let out a quiet sigh, curling slightly beneath the blanket once more. Mama had given them the nightlight a while ago—they were very glad she did.
Just for good measure, they reopened the curtains too. Moonlight spilled gently through the window again, illuminating parts of the room in silver and blue. Niko stopped moving for a moment to admire the stars overhead before retreating back into the safety of their blankets.
Sure, their attempts at solving their far too common problem is an abject failure. At least they could be comfortable while awake. If they were here, I could probably fall asleep just fine... even in the dark. The thought came quietly. Far too naturally, but who’s to judge?
...You know, they could probably tell bedtime stories.
That would be neat!
...
Niko wasn’t entirely sure why thoughts of [PLAYER] always left them feeling a deep sense of calm. Back when they were together as Messiah and God—through even the darkest places in that other World—they had never truly felt unsafe while [PLAYER] was with them.
Scared sometimes, that was obvious.
Often dazed and confused. An embarrassing amount of times.
But they were never alone. Even when the Entity—The World Machine tried to keep them apart, they still found their way back to each other.
Regardless of what happened after that.
Even places that should’ve terrified them had felt... manageable, so long as they could still hear their voice guiding them forward. They had crossed the desolate Barrens together. Travelled through the vast areas of the Glen. Walked through sky bridges and endless paths beneath the red lights of the Refuge. They had seen it all—had their fill of what to find on their journey.
If they had only been given more time, Niko felt certain they could’ve explored every corner of that other World. Together with you.
It would’ve been nice to see everything again, especially after the sun was restored.
They knew, deep down, that they could’ve gone anywhere, just as long as [PLAYER] was right there to guide them.
Every. Single. Step.
...
But they weren’t with them anymore.
Not for a long time now.
Niko turned over again beneath the blankets, clutching the hem of the fabric tightly in their small hands. I shouldn’t think about them so much, they told themselves quietly. If I keep doing this, I’ll still be awake when the sun rises—my sun—the distinction still mattered.
The scenario itself was childish in a way Niko would probably deny if anyone were to know and call them out over. But it was true—so many nights since returning home had slipped away exactly like this—who knows how many hours has already been wasted away, with a wide array of thoughts and memories to keep them up even through the early morning.
Not even Niko would know, they never kept count.
Maybe it was better that way.
...
To tell the truth, the World they were forced to play the role of savior was... not really unique to them, in a way?
They had already seen glowing lamps hanged outside homes during special days, they had seen fireflies drifting lazily in the air of far and distant forests. Though, the ones in that World looked prettier, softer too somehow.
They had already herded animals before—they weren’t ram though, but it’s close enough—it was all merely just one of many tasks that they and the rest of the village shares every once in a while. They never got fine ram wool as reward though.
They had traded plenty of items before meeting Magpie for the first time. There was this nice old lady named Alice at the village market that has loads of items, some less broken than others. Honestly, she and Magpie would be really good friends if they were to meet—especially for all the glass she owns.
Now what else did they already experience before...
Hmm... oh, right! They used alcohol bottles to light up—uh... they abruptly cut off their train of thought upon remembering... the incident. To avoid diving into unnecessary details, Niko to this very day is still not allowed anywhere near wooden structures and flammable liquids without adult supervision.
It was a very bright night all things considered.
Anyways...
They had done plenty of puzzles on their own—their Mama always told them they were good at solving puzzles. They had made plenty of tools from many different items they’ve found before... how did they carry all that? Oh, getting lost again.
In a strangely coincidental way, everything they ever did and get to experience as the messiah was... familiar. The main difference to note here is the place, the task, the people, and the voice in their head. Not entirely familiar then...
They had even travelled before too—though riding through the sky in Cedric’s flying machin—err, plane was still completely new to them. That part was definitely something to remember.
Niko smiled fondly at their past escapades. It may have been a difficult time for them, especially when they reached the Tower, but they would be lying if they said they wouldn’t want to go through that again—preferably on their own terms.
The more Niko thought about it, the more they realized something odd. The World itself had not been entirely strange to them.
There were fields to explore. People they got to meet and befriend. Kind strangers that had helped them the best they could. Tasks they had to complete to keep moving. Places they would never have once thought they could ever see with their own two eyes—even the loneliness had felt familiar sometimes. That’s... kind of bad.
Yet, none of those things had ever felt quite the same before. The wide space never seemed as interesting. The lights never felt so warm. The World had never felt so impossibly large, or worth exploring so much before their arrival.
Because before randomly waking up in a bed that wasn’t theirs, before their journey had truly began. Before they held the sun in their arms for the first time. There had never been a voice inside of their head, leading them through every challenge and obstacle—toward the completion of a tall task.
Exploring faces and places they had never seen before.
No, I never saw them at all.
Till there was you.
...
Niko burrowed deeper beneath the blankets.
They only got to say goodbye to you. They thought they could live with that, their learning now—slowly and painfully—that goodbye is more often than not... never enough at all.
Especially not for someone they carried everywhere inside their heart after it all ended.
....
They could feel their throat seize up suddenly. A torrent of tears trail down their face, falling into the bed beneath their trembling form.
They just let it all out. Mama said it isn’t healthy to bottle it all up.
Through the hazy vision from their bright eyes, they noticed the pillow they hugged a while ago had been tossed to the side. They quickly grabbed it, burying their face into it as Niko held it tight—like it was a lifeline.
It was getting soaked in tears. It will all dry tomorrow.
Besides the irregular breathing from the distressed child, there was no other sound that would disturb the silence.
They really did miss... well, everyone.
If they just had more time...
That was the last coherent thought Niko had before sleep at long last claims them. They were exhausted before, crying a second time was merely the tipping point.
And so they fall into a deep slumber, with visions of a World beyond their wildest dreams.
Subconsciously reminding themselves that they were never alone in the first place.
Niko is... somewhere? They weren’t sure where exactly, all they know is that they shouldn’t be here.
The strange place they were in looked like an... unfinished canvas. The edges of what could be seen with their own eyes looked faded out, a white void surrounds the small patch of green grass beneath their feet. There was no sound at all from where they stood.
There was this constant blur everywhere they look, distorting in a way that’s almost nostalgic—like they belong here somehow.
When they turned to look behind them, over their shoulder, they noticed a stone pathway leading toward a singular bench. Beside it, a large tree with a swing attached to one of it’s branches. For reasons that elude them, they feel compelled to sit down.
Their small steps echo all across the white space. The most impossibly loud sound so far—almost unbearably so—they ignore the pain and move forward.
They almost didn’t notice it at first due to the ringing in their ears, but they could hear... something beyond their steps as they approach. It becomes glaringly obvious once they actually arrived at the bench. The gentle sounds of nature soothe them almost immediately. The grass around them sway along the wind—wherever that’s coming from.
At least it wasn’t echoing across the place.
...Wait.
Where did the white space go?
What had once been an incomplete glimpse into a scenic area has turned into a World of it’s own. Though, Niko could still notice the pervasive sense of something unreal everywhere they look. If they focus just hard enough, the fog seems to clear away... for just a moment before turning back into a blur in their vision.
Huh.
After a moment of sightseeing, they finally decide to sit down on the bench. They shift around slightly for a more comfortable position.
Their legs sway, merely inches away from the ground they had set foot on. They were waiting for... what were they waiting for?
Niko could only glance around in thought. Confusion rested plainly across their face.
After an eternity of waiting—which was actually closer to five minutes—they start to hum a tune. They weren’t sure where it came from exactly, though, something tells them their guide would recognize it.
Just as they were nearing the end, they noticed... someone, out in the corner of their eye. They were moving toward them. They were but a messy indiscernible blur to them at the moment, and yet, it felt as though they knew them in one way or another.
They sit down and wait in anticipation, a sense of excitement brewing within them. When they finally arrived, their wide eyes seemed to shine at the sight of them.
[PLAYER]...?
Sorry to keep you waiting, Niko. There was a gentle smile upon their very many faces. Each one more different than the last. All but a blur on their endlessly shifting form.
Certain features come and go. Their height and overall size in a constant state of change. It was like they were struggling to hold themselves together. It would be disconcerting for anyone—but Niko that is.
They did not pay it much mind. No matter what they look like, they were certain that they will always see them as their friend.
Without hesitation, they return the smile as earnestly as they could before climbing off the bench.
They run up to them and wrapped their arms tightly around them.
I’ve missed you, Niko said as though they were out of breath, I’ve missed you, God...
They return the hug.
I’ve missed you too, Niko.
They stay in each others presence for a long while. Neither say a word. There was no need.
They had each other.
There was nothing but silence in the small bedroom.
The faint white glow from the window beside them had already faded away, leaving only the nightlight to provide a source of comfort.
At long last, the small child—with a heart far too small to hold all the feelings they’ve been left with—was finally asleep.
Upon their face rested a small, tired, yet sincere smile.