aprot2

The sky is a strange color.

The sun is dark. The clouds are gray. The sky begins to split in the distance, the crack spreading along its center.

But all this is no longer important.

You remember this day.

You can never forget it.

It is like a prophecy destined to come true, one known by everyone.

It is like a nightmare that can never be shaken, always entwining.

You cannot tell if this is just a play.

Perhaps your entire life is just a play, in the eyes of another.

Abyss.

You ask yourself.

The actor on the stage must follow his script. But what about you?

What choice will you make?

I can't do it.

Don't show mercy, Abyss.

The others would still be alive if I hadn't screwed up.

You have a chance to make things right. Bring back my head and—

Shut up! Don't make me regret this!

Don't show mercy?

Then what am I supposed to do?

I'm supposed to kill you, take your head and bring it back.

Bide my time, wait for the chance to take revenge...

No, that's not right.

...Take this.

Your dagger...

Take it. Go.

Abyss!

What are you going to do, then, if you let me go?

I...

You made your choice, once again.

You know what you have to do, don't you?

Thanks for taking care of the kids for the past few days, young man.

They say you're a great storyteller!

You're welcome, sir.

They're all good kids. We should be the ones thanking you for giving us a place to stay.

Oh, no, no, it was no trouble at all.

I'll leave you to your work, then.

Telling stories to children?

Looks like you're getting along well with the villagers.

Doesn't take much effort to move your mouth and tongue.

Well, it takes patience I don't have.

Things have been calm here, too calm. The mission's going too smoothly. I'm not used to this.

Calm isn't bad.

Certainly better than running into unexpected trouble...

I know, I know, your dream is to retire quietly.

Oh yeah.

I have a gift for you.

Oh? What is it?

A round object falls on the ground before you.

It is slightly rotten, and makes a dull thud as it lands.

Your 'gift' rolls along on the ground, stopping at your feet.

The gaze of its lifeless eyes meets yours.

I brought his weapon back, too.

This is yours, isn't it?

But... why...

The one you let get away.

Suddenly, the past catches up to you, just when you thought you'd finally escaped it.

It was the right decision to not kill him, Abyss.

The right decision?

It makes the script even better.

What's the matter, Abyss? Isn't this the script you wrote for the troupe?

Script...?

No, no!

I have nothing to do with the troupe! I ran away from it a long time ago!

This isn't a script! It can't be!

No...

It was my own choice...

What choice?

What are you talking about, Abyss?

It was... my own...

It was right that I didn't kill you?

No, no.

I don't know what's vexing you, but the best way is to kill me.

No need to take risks. Just carry out the plan—

No!

There is no plan! It's not time for you to die yet!

Go! I'll come with you!

We can all get out. We just need to be careful this time... don't get caught...

Calm down, Abyss.

I can't escape. It was enough that I got to see you in the end.

What are you doing?

Stop! Stop!

I can't let get you into trouble.

...Tell me you're joking.

Get up! Stop acting!

Get up! We need to go, or it'll be too late!

Say something!

There's no other way, Abyss.

Kill me and take my head back.

Do you hear me?

Kill me! We don't have time!

Kill you?

Put my dagger in your heart like this, and watch you die?

Yes, that's right.

You made the right choice, Abyss...

Did I?

Was it really my choice?

What is choice?

What are you?

Everything about 'Abyss' was created by the troupe. The 'self' that you had sought...