A light line shot out from Kim into Naoma’s back. She walked forward, stepping in front of Kim who disappeared from my view. We were no longer in the council room.
Naoma stood while I sat. We were back in the monastery. Both of us wore white robes and had wet hair. Untouched food sat on the table between us.
Naoma was crying.
“W-what did I say?”
“It was never about me, was it?” Her voice was quiet and broken.
“What do you mean?”
“All of this. All of this zegging guk was just a way for you to use me. You just wanted to manipulate the idol you worshipped and take advantage of her wealth and connections. Well, guess what, I’m not that zegging whore you saw whenever Reef paraded me around. Okay, Petya? Why can’t you see that?”
“Naoma, I–”
“Don’t you dare, Petya. You’re a vindictive lust-filled shac who thinks the world revolves around him. All you ever wanted was everything except the person I actually was. You sick bastard. You tried to kiss me the day we met and you never learned your lesson.”
Tears ran down my cheeks. My voice was as broken as hers. “Please, I never wanted–”
“That’s always the excuse from guys like you, isn’t it? I don’t need your petty excuses. I’m done Petya. Zeg you and everything you stand for.”
She stood and flipped the table over, tossing the tea onto me and burning my skin. I didn’t care. It was a mere scratch compared to the stab in my soul.
“Please wait! Naoma!”
She stopped in the doorway, her body set on leaving but her head lingering for a moment.
I received a neurospace notification. I glanced at it long enough for my eyes to flash, but didn’t read it.
She laughed in disgust as if she were ready to spit on me. “Even in the end, you turn to your zegging addiction. Not getting the me you want to so you’re turning to the artificial version of me? Or are you crawling back to those poor incels who follow your socials?” Violet light ran down her face from the bleeding makeup.
“Look at it, bakuh! Do not trust her lies.”
I didn’t want to obey the voice, but its power compelled me
I looked. Despite my mind wanting to hold to what she said, I had to see it.
Ralia: Naoma knows that you fell in love with her, not the idea of her. Wake up.
Green light flashed everywhere. When I could see again, I saw a green light line stretching from me to the prism.
Naoma stood before me, blocking my view from the prism.
Kim was nowhere to be seen. It was only me and her.
Again.
“Please don’t,” she said.
Ralia: Dokkaebi is split in two. You need to drain her light before destroying whatever she is.
“You see her, too?” I shouted.
“Petya, please.” She held my hands to her chest. “Don’t do this!”
Ralia: Yes. It’s his game. She’s weakening you with each second. You need to drain her light. Pull her essence into you.”
“How?” I shouted.