97 Don't Kill Mary.



"Please, don't kill Mary," Ren pleaded, his voice filled with desperation.

I found myself faced with a difficult decision. It had been clear from the start that if circumstances demanded it, I would not hesitate to eliminate Mary to ensure my own survival. Yes, I had resolved to kill the very heroine of this game. Why? Because, truth be told, I didn't care about her.

In the realm of cause and effect, known as the butterfly effect, actions can lead to profound changes. However, there is also the possibility that nothing will change at all, and I will meet the same fate as the previous inhabitant of this body—a death I desperately wish to avoid.

"Could you care to explain?" I asked, trying to keep my tone steady as Ren's gaze locked onto mine.

"Because I... loved her," Ren began, his words tumbling out in a rush. "I know it may sound cliché to have feelings for a girl who was the catalyst for my downfall, but... I couldn't help it. I loved her with all my heart, and I believed she loved me too. But I was wrong."

As Ren poured out his thoughts, I couldn't help but question my own preconceived notions. Never had I considered his love for Marylin to be cringe-worthy. At most, I had deemed it feeble, lacking strength. But now, as I listened to his confession, I began to grasp the depth of his affection.

He loved her wholeheartedly, while she remained indifferent. In the end, he had chosen to end his own life.

That was the essence of it all, and I couldn't blame him, for it was love.

Love, in its various forms, defies easy definitions. It is neither inherently right nor wrong; its meaning is shaped by those who experience it.

"And what if I refuse?" I asked, already knowing the answer that would follow.

Ren hesitated for a moment before responding, "I don't want to resort to manipulation—I still possess the ability to influence your emotions. While I cannot make you love her, I can wreak havoc on your mind should you attempt to harm her. And I don't wish to do that."

I waited, sensing that he had more to say. Ren's words tumbled forth once again, his gaze piercing into mine.

"I have witnessed it and felt it myself. I was there when my mother smiled genuinely for the first time in ages, as you inhabited my body and shared a meal with her. I witnessed the joy in my father's eyes as you accompanied him to our antique shop and offered him your assistance—a role I had never fulfilled."

His gaze locked onto mine, and his voice wavered as he continued, tears streaming down his face. He cried, yet a smile played upon his lips, a smile tinged with regret.

"I failed when everyone around me cared, when they loved me," Ren's voice strained as he struggled to articulate his thoughts. "I just... messed it all up. And now, I'm left with nothing but regrets."

Regrets painted across his face, but the question lingered: Why? Why did he harbor such remorse for his own life?

"Hey, Ren," I spoke with a casual tone, trying to break through his frozen state.

"Huh?" Ren's tears halted as he turned his attention toward me.

"I may come across as arrogant, but let me assure you that what you've done is far from the worst. I understand," I assured him sincerely. "It's simple—you loved a girl, and she broke your heart."

I knew I was simplifying the complexity of his emotions, but I needed to make my point clear. Ren needed to hear it.

"When you love someone, you have to be prepared for the possibility of rejection. I acknowledge that your story had a tragic ending, but... so what? It didn't happen this time, did it?" I reasoned.

Yes, I said it, and I meant every word. If you truly love someone and are willing to endure hardships and suffering, then your love is real. Ren's love was real, regardless of Mary's actions. I couldn't speak for her, but Ren remained committed to his love until the very end. However, I couldn't help but think that his choice to end his own life was nothing short of foolish.

"Life is full of ups and downs, Ren," I continued, my voice carrying a touch of empathy. "You faced heartbreak, but that doesn't define you."

Ren stared at me, his tear-streaked face reflecting a mix of confusion and hope. I could see the flicker of determination in his eyes, a spark that had been dimmed by self-doubt.

"You are not a coward," I emphasized, my words resonating with conviction. "You loved with all your heart, and that takes bravery."

A fleeting moment of silence hung between us as Ren absorbed my words. His trembling lips formed a faint smile, as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

"Thank you," Ren whispered, his voice filled with gratitude and newfound resolve.

I extended my hand and clasped it with his, a symbol of unity and support.

"Still, suicide was stupid, though I must admit, I couldn't help but laugh when you took your own life while I was playing the game," I couldn't hold back my words any longer.

Ren's eyes widened slightly, but soon a smile broke across his face, and he let out a chuckle. "Haha, yeah, that's true. According to your game, I died by stabbing myself. How absurd, right?"

The atmosphere lightened a bit, so I decided to broach a sensitive topic. "Now, can I kill Mary if it becomes necessary?"

The atmosphere suddenly shifted, growing tense once again. Ren's smile faded, replaced by a stern expression.

"No," he repeated firmly, his voice carrying a hint of determination. "I understand your perspective, but taking a life is not the solution. We need to find a different way, a path that doesn't involve violence or destruction."

I paused, considering his words. It was true that resorting to killing Mary wasn't the answer, but there had to be a way to protect myself without causing harm to others. I couldn't let sentimentality cloud my judgment.

"Ren, I don't want to hurt anyone, but I also don't want to suffer the same fate as the previous owner of this body," I stated, my tone resolute. "We need to find a compromise, a way to ensure our survival while also preserving the lives of those around us."

Ren's gaze softened, and he nodded in agreement. "I understand your fear, but I believe there's always another choice. Let's work together to uncover that alternative, to find a solution that doesn't lead to tragedy."

"How about we make a deal? I'll try my best to control my emotions when I'm around Mary Kleine or anyone I dislike, and in return, you promise not to harm Mary," Ren suggested. I pondered his proposal for a moment and realized that it could work.

"Deal," I agreed, sensing a mutual understanding between us. Together, we walked back to the house and eventually made our way to my room.

...

Silence enveloped the dark room, casting an awkward atmosphere upon us.

"Um... so how am I supposed to return now?" I broke the silence, seeking answers.

"How would I know? I've been trapped here for a long time, unable to leave this place. There's no point in asking me," Ren replied with a tinge of frustration in his voice.

"Don't you get bored here? It has been months since I took control of your body, and you're stuck in this realm all this time," I inquired, concerned about his well-being.

"Oh, don't worry! It's not like that. I... you know, I can still see what you see and feel what you feel, so I don't get bored. Most of the time, I'm in a sort of slumber," Ren explained, attempting to reassure me. Although his words were somewhat comforting, the idea of someone constantly observing my experiences felt unsettling.

"Hey, you just thought of something impolite," Ren pointed out, his statement catching me off guard. Was it evident on my face?

"Anyway, never mind that. It seems like you're fading away now," Ren exclaimed, his voice filled with a mix of surprise and anticipation.

"Then farewell," I said.

Ren looked at me, his expression filled with understanding, and gave a knowing smile. "You should share a bit more about yourself with that parasite," he suggested, his words sounding oddly out of context. But I knew exactly what he meant. 

"You think he shares everything?" I replied with a hint of skepticism. I had learned the importance of keeping certain thoughts and information hidden from Blaze by erecting a mental barrier. There was no point in divulging everything to him.

And just like that, I began to fade away from the mind realm, my consciousness returning to my physical body. As I opened my eyes, I found myself still submerged at the bottom of the Bloodwell.

"!?" I gasped, choking on the obsidian water. Something felt amiss. I looked down at my hands, only to realize that the phoenix heart was no longer there. Did I drop it somewhere along the way? But then, I felt a warm sensation emanating from my chest.

Is it done?

......

.....

Inside the dark realm, a solitary boy sat at a desk, his gaze fixed on the empty expanse outside the room. There was nothing to see but darkness, a reflection of the void within.

"Looks like it's your turn," Ren muttered without turning around. He had encountered this person just a few days ago, and despite the short time, he couldn't deny that she was... intriguing.

"Yes, it is," the feminine voice replied from the threshold of the room. "I hope Eric will be glad to see me again. I can sense that he still remembers the things I shared with him." Her eyes shimmered with emotions that Ren couldn't quite discern.

"I'm sure... he'll cry," Ren sighed, a tinge of jealousy creeping into his voice.

In this strange situation, he found himself envious of Eric Luster, not just for his calm and collected demeanor, but also for his ability to comprehend Ren on a deeper level. Ren had always believed that his emotions were destined to be misunderstood by others.

The girl's silhouette vanished from his sight, and Ren didn't bother to turn his head. He simply muttered to himself, "He'll cry."

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[A/N:He won't cry!!! He's a strong boy.]