PHASE 63 - WE SCREW THINGS UP FOR THE BETTER

It’s Friday evening, and still the continuation of the Cultural Festival. Being busy with extracurricular activities is not really a part of my routine but thanks to that play, I had a lot of money.

After encashing the check from a nearby bank, I went to the school grounds which are filled with food stalls. There are a lot of weird snacks such as ramyun ice cream, chocolate-flavored fried crickets, and sweet-and-sour balut.

I got myself a chili bacon hotdog and a large cup of root beer. I was planning to meet the rest of my friends in front of the amphitheater when somebody grabbed my attention.

“You got a horrible play right there.” It was a familiar voice. A chill went down on my spine as I recognized him. It was The Outsider.

He was casually munching a bucket of popcorn as if he’s just an ordinary citizen. I know there is something much more on this guy.

“You...” I said with an angry glare and went straight to the point. “Why does Diadem have a Fake God Core? I thought you’re going to help me get my revenge?”

The Outsider frowned. “Apparently, he formed a contract with me, long before you became a Gate Guardian. You can call him your senpai hahaha… But worry not. Now our interests conflict with each other, so I rescinded the contract. All my aid will be focused on you, and you alone.”

“But why didn’t you take his Fake God Core away?”

“I think it would be better if he keeps it as a souvenir.”

“Amy almost died!” I touched my watch, ready to materialize my weapon at any moment!

“But she didn’t. Can you remember the exact you had that night? You had your left hand busted out, and it was a completely separate group of tentacles crawling on your first love. According to that timeline, Diadem should have been the one doing that disgusting thing, but thanks to your own hatred and Fake God Core, the fate has been altered. You’re the real hero here.”

“You-!!!”

“Wait.” The Outsider spread out his arms. Because of that, I realized that this place is quite crowded. “We need to talk somewhere else with a little bit of privacy.”

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We finally reached the dark amphitheater seats. Tiara is busy doing her dance numbers and songs so I won’t be able to get her attention for a while. I don’t see Heushac, Key, or Amy anywhere. I’ll find them later. Right now, I have to talk to this man.

We sat on the back row as we halfheartedly watch the Idol Club sing and dance. I have this deep debate inside my brain, but I finally made up my mind. I held my chest and withdrew a gray ball of light. It is my Fake God Core: Cthulhu.

“I want to return this thing to you. I appreciate this tremendous power, but this thing keeps corrupting my mind with my own hatred. Every time I become a Fake God, I attempt to kill my friends.”

“You have a point.” The Outsider sighed. “It’s not like I wanted you to act like a rabid monster anyway. I’m sure you’re blaming me for those things that you have accidentally done to your friends. But that is necessary to change fate. Sometimes, you have to screw things up for the better.”

“I don’t need to screw things more. We will do it on our own from now on.” I raised my pride. “I thank you for all the help, but I think I don’t need it anymore.”

I pushed the floating orb of light to his hand. The Outsider took it without a second thought, and he squeezed the ball, making it shatter to a million light particles.

“Well then… It’s your choice.” The Outsider chuckled. “But I will still help you change your fate if you wanted to. Just call me, and I will be there.”

“What do you really want? Last time, you said that you wanted Tiara to sing the Song of the Frozen Soul. If you’re serious about that, you should have approached Tiara instead, and not me.”

The Outsider laughed. “The problem is, Tiara is not yet ready to sing it. She needs to grow a little more, and experience the strongest power… which is love. All I wish is for you and Tiara to love each other."

“There you go again. What’s with this romance thing between Tiara and me?”

“It’s not yet the time to worry about that. If you managed to keep your head after that , I’ll reveal everything to you. For now, you have to focus on saving Tiara.”

“Tiara… needs to be saved? But it’s me who will be tortured forever.” I muttered.

After I released those words, my eyes gazed upon the ultimate idol who is doing her best to entertain the audience. Tiara’s graceful dance like a beautiful swan and her soothing voice of a loveable melody makes it easier for me to fall in love with her.

But… I have Amy now. She spent her precious first kiss just to save me. She risked her life for me. And I would be lying if I don’t have any feelings left for her.

“There is still hope. Tiara’s innocence is the only firewall that keeps her from becoming a Cursed Guardian. She doesn’t need to be the bona fide Brightmore Witch. If you are able to save her, you save yourself in the process. If you two are alive and well, then it’s a win situation for me.”

I curled my eyebrows as I glared at him with contempt. “I don’t know what you’re plotting again. I don’t even know if I can trust you. You’re just making fun of us as if we’re just your actors in your wretched stage play.”

“Believe me, all that matters to me is for her to sing the song of the Frozen Soul. Once I get what I wanted, I will leave you all for good.”

“What the heck is the song of the Frozen Soul anyway?”

“The song of the Frozen Soul is an impossible paradoxical love. The highest form of love which destiny itself forbids from happening.”

The Outsider rubbed his shoulder and then stood up. He turned and slowly walked away from me, with his hands tucked on his jacket.

“It is a song to save everything in existence.” He said before vanishing like a bubble.