aprot2

Does it really exist?

Ha... haha...

You'll die. I know you'll die.

Your head will inevitably be separated from your neck. I just hope it won't have to fall into the dust and dirt.

That's why this time, I'll cut your head off myself.

Is that your prophecy, Abyss?

I'm not a prophet. I just saw it.

I saw you die. You'll die, even if I let you go.

I ran, but I could never get away.

Of course you can't.

You'll never escape their eyes, no matter how well you hide.

...Who's watching me?

The audience, of course.

Audience... audience?

Why are they watching me? If I screw up, all they'll do is get rid of me.

Certainly, there are those who are angry at your docile performance on stage. But that's to be expected.

We all know this is where the allure of art truly lies.

A good play with good actors should be able to move people's emotions, don't you think?

No... that's not what it is! It can't be!

It was my choice to let you go! It's not their will!

If you're really sure about that...

Then why are you still trapped in this nightmare?

Why does that day keep repeating itself, even though you've already escaped?

Why do you keep trying anything you can to detach me from that body and bring me back with you?

I...

You're afraid, Abyss.

Letting me go was your first and only act of defiance.

Running away from the troupe took all the courage you had.

The Blood Diamond had come for you, but all you could do was hide.

You were always more afraid of this all being part of some plan than of actually getting caught.

You don't like being seen, because you're afraid that your 'true self' doesn't actually exist here.

Am I wrong?

Shut your trap.

You're just a phantom in my dreams. You don't exist!

And don't call me Abyss.

Don't call me by that name!

Poor thing. You couldn't kill your fear. You couldn't silence your doubts.

You know it's anathema to seek the self.

But it can achieve great art!

Even now, you continue to contribute to the stage! They were wrong about you. You're a great actor!

Shut up! I'm not acting!

I'll free myself from you. I'll kill you!

I won't go back on stage. I'm not Abyss. My life is not a play!

You and your tiny, tiny resolve.

Then let me ask you.

Who are you, if not Abyss?

I'm...

I am—

...lem?

Shalem?

I... I'm here.

Sorry, I was distracted... did something happen?

What were you daydreaming about?

Not that it matters. It just sounded like you were talking to someone, so I came over and saw you staring into space.

...You were hearing things. I'm the only one here.

There's no one else.

Really? Guess I should get my hearing checked.

Oh yeah, ■■.

What did you just call me?

Huh? ■■.

What's the matter? Isn't that your callsign?

Never mind that. Look—

I have a gift for you.

A gift?