[Endgame: rise or DROWN]

[warpweft]

[How long have you been exploring Nessa's palace now? You've met her family, viewed her memories, learned how to fight as a witch and tried to find the source of her power and the Treasure of her palace: the Voidheart. And along the way, you've tired your best, with mixed success, to avoid the incarnation of her eldest cousin and the representation of her trauma and fear, the Nightmare of Esmau.]

[Wherever you are in the Palace right now, you feel the ground briefly shake under your feet. Little shakes here and there haven't been out of the ordinary - Esmau is trying to blow the place down to the studs, after all. But that felt different. That felt....worse.]

[Your phone beeps as you receive a message.]

Comments

[survivaltricks]

No.

[. . . that's it. just a simple. . . no]

[warpweft]

Akira.

[She looks like she wants to smile, but she can't manage it.]

I'm sorry. I know you tried your hardest. It's over. Nessa wouldn't want you to die for nothing.

["Nessa wouldn't." Not, "I don't".]

[survivaltricks]

Well, she-- you-- don't have to worry. Because we won't.

[he seems firm on this point]

You can either help us, or step aside. But I'm not running away.

[warpweft]

....she has the Voidheart.

[She sounds exhausted. Beaten. But also...scared?]

The last time she had it.

She killed her. She skilled Nessa.

[survivaltricks]

. . .

I saw the aftermath of that incident.

[said gently, with much empathy]

But that's all the more reason for us to fight. Or. . . to at least find a way to outsmart Lilith and steal back the Voidheart. So again-- either help, or step aside.

You won't stop me either way.

[warpweft]

[Nessa lets out a wavering breath.]

Didn't you listen to what I said?!

[She reaches out and grabs Akira's collar. Her voice is cracking.]

She killed Nessa -- she'll kill you too! And nobody's around to bring you back!

There's nothing left to fight! It's over! Do you think Nessa wants you to throw your life away for her?! How many times do you think she's already had to watch someone she cares about die because of her?! Don't add yourself to the pile!

[survivaltricks]

[he can understand her panic. he knows where it comes from. and in the face of same, he remains steady, taking in a deep breath of his own]

Do you trust us?

[not does Nessa trust us, but do you trust us]