Chapter 81: Dead End Part 1 (1/2)
”So, this is where it ends, huh? What a pity, I honestly thought so highly of you Aoi. It appears my trust in lower lifeforms was a mistake.” Bargaining taunted staring down at P4R4D0X with a smug look. ”You're a failure Aoi.” He went to walk away only to stop seeing P4R4D0X gripping onto his leg like a lost puppy. ”Give it up. You've failed.”
”I can. Still fight.”
”Oh, can you now? I see something completely different, where I'm standing, I see nothing more than someone unworthy of the Garden's gift. Look at me; I had to sacrifice so much for this gift of mine. I fought for this place, no mercy. Nothing like that, so tell me then Gemini, what are you willing to do for power?”
P4R4D0X lowered her head whispering. ”Anything, I'll do anything.”
Bargaining sighed, rolling his eyes. ”How many times have I heard that before? I came to you Gemini when you were at your lowest. I gave you endless possibilities. Power for the taking yet you couldn't even pass the first hurdle. All you've shown me is a disappointment.”
Bargaining watched as P4R4D0X pulled herself off the ground shaking uncontrollably struggling stay standing. Watching with amusement P4R4D0X spoke up. ”I have nothing left apart from this. I need this for my sister and myself. You came to me promising me a possibility to become something more. I intend to reach out and take that future for myself! I will become better than all of us. I am Aoi Fujisaki!”
”No, you are nothing more than a cheap imitation of your dead sister. You will never be on her level, give it up Gemini. This is all finished.”
P4R4D0X shook her head. ”No, give me another chance.”
”She wants another chance? Cannot she seriously not accept her fate. The age of P4R4D0X will never happen.” Acceptance chuckled appearing in a faded silhouette with the features hard to see. ”This is one of the pawns you've pulled together Bargaining? I can't help but say I'm disappointed.”
”There's no need to be too harsh on her Acceptance. There is still a chance of her coming out on top.” A little girl whimpered hiding behind a cloak as her black hair covered half of her face. She was trembling turning to the others. ”I believe in her.”
”Well, that's your problem Denial. You never go anywhere hoping the outcomes will always be in your favour.” Another girl hissed standing behind P4R4D0X. She placed her hand on her shoulder, staring directly in her eyes. ”You hold so much anger deep inside. Not because of others. You feel rage and anger against yourself for not being better. How pathetic.” The girl walked past in a neglected and broken armour set which was missing serval pieces. ”What do you think, my dear Bargaining?”
”What else is there to feel?”
”It's alright to be a failure. It doesn't matter. We all lose eventually.” A boy sighed lying on the ground in a dirty sweatshirt which had flowers growing on them.
P4R4D0X looked petrified as she gulped. ”Just who the hell are you guys?”
”You made a deal with us, no? You were stuck in a stage of denial.”
”A stage of anger.”
”A stage of bargaining.”
”A stage of depression.”
”A stage of Acceptance.” She looked on, feeling dread take her as Bargaining stared her down. ”You are standing in front of the five stages of grief. Try and show some respect.”
Denial looked around smiling to herself. ”The world hasn't changed much since we were last here, it's a shame we can't stay longer. I can already feel the garden's pull on us.”
”It is not our time to take this world back,” Depression grumbled. ”How is it? How is this world Bargaining?”
Shrugging his shoulders, Bargaining scoffed. ”Rotten. It seems the idea of heroes has been cast aside. Instead, they have a new generation called streamers. Foul primitive creatures who save people for nothing more than fame and fortune.”
”They are a greedy bunch, aren't they? I don't want this to be too easy.” Anger chuckled.
Acceptance crossed his arms, looking down on Anger. ”You won't have to worry about that my dear Anger, there are a fair few primitive who might just entertain you.”
”Oh, oh, oh. Do you mean the child of the Garden? How exciting. Knowing one of them are out there gets me more rowed up to play the game.” Anger cheered spinning around before stopping tightening her bandages which covered her entire face apart from her mouth.
”While this might be fun for you guys to all catch up after 400 years, why have you summoned us Bargaining? All of this is very tiring to keep my form here.”
Bargaining began grinning mischievously chuckling. ”Well, I thought I had to tell you all right away. After 400 years, I finally found her. Our dearly beloved sixth stage. Salvation.”
Acceptance snapped too looking shocked. ”You found Salvation? Where is she?”
”Safe enough, although she has no memories of being Salvation. Well, this form of her has never been Salvation yet. But oh, saviour of mine, she will set us all free.”