Ivana and Sylvia's voices erupt in disagreement. Even faced with our current situation, they do not want to see me sacrifice myself for their survival. I understand their sentiment, but I cannot let this chance of survival slip away. I do not bother sparing a moment to explain my plan to them, or even formulate thoughts to give Ivana an idea. At this very moment, all my attention must be focused on persuading the being before me. Soulweaver's voice, filled with curiosity, reverberates.

"...Give me your soul? I could take it at any moment if I wanted to, brat. Why would I need you to give it to me?"

I swallow my saliva, taking a second to arrange my next series of words. My heart pounds faster than it ever has before.

"...R-Right, but then I'll be no more than a mindless corpse that can't even play its [melody]. Those people in there, they're all yours, right? I bet you can't make them play their original [melodies], can you? I'm right aren't I!?"

Soulweaver's eyes narrow, her gaze peers through my very being. She remains motionless, scrutinizing me. Eventually, she replies.

"Let's say you're correct for a second.... what would you suggest then?"

Even before the words leave my mouth, I am sure that she will accept my offer. Her ability to think properly seems to have fully returned and I am certain that my offer is too tempting for her to refuse. I reply, a bit more confidence can be heard in my voice.

"Exactly what I said, I'll willingly give you my soul, you won't have to take it from me."

Her expression remains impassive, but I know that her interest has been piqued even further. Not directing her eyes elsewhere for a single moment, she observes me, contemplating my words. It is to a point where her gaze starts to make me feel uncomfortable. Due to the mysterious nature of her ability, every time she looks at me, I feel completely exposed.

"... What's your name brat?"

I think about lying for a moment, but I quickly discard the idea. I do not want to risk ruining this moment simply because I am afraid to give out my name. With a serious expression, I confidently exclaim the beautiful name my late mother gave me.

"It's Alden."

She disappears, then immediately reappears before me, at least that's what it looks like from my point of view. Her movements are far beyond what my eyesight can track. From up close, I have a perfect view of the terrible condition her face is in. She appears to have come straight out of a horror film. Putting aside the fact that she is a terrifying existence, just the proximity of that sight is enough to make me take a step back. Uncaring for my disgust, she grabs my collar and whispers into my ear, an eerie grin decorating her face.

"Come have a talk with me, Alden."

Without waiting for my input, Soulweaver drags me to a faraway region of the forest. The manufacturing facility that we had stupidly decided to infiltrate is no longer anywhere within my field of vision. We travel for a few seconds until we come to an abrupt stop and I am thrown against the forest's cold dirt. The darkness of night makes it impossible to see my surroundings without the night vision enhancement of my suit. Thankfully, Soulweaver was considerate enough to not break it during our short trip. She commands me to stand and speaks to me. Her face changes once more, slowly shifting from frightening to expressionless, then to something resembling sorrow.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

"...You remind me of someone I knew, long, long ago."

'How does this situation keep going from bad to worse!!'

Her speech continues. The insane eyes she wore before are now fully gone. This state may be temporary, but I feel like this might be a glimpse of who she really is, or maybe who she used to be. She speaks with never-before-seen clarity of mind and solemnity.

"...Unfortunately, that person was betrayed by their friends, discarded, and thrown away like a dirty rag. I wonder, will you also be like them in that regard?"

Soulweaver places her hand on my chest in a very similar fashion to the first time we came in contact, albeit a bit softer this time. Her actions confuse me slightly, but I feel a strange connection being established between us. My perception has widened, I can see, hear smell, taste and touch multiple things at once. Being in this state for even just a second, the load is already too heavy to bear, blood trickles from all my orifices, my brain is being overwhelmed.

'Has she finally decided to kill me?! But that doesn't make sense! There's a million other ways she could do it!!'

She speaks, breaking the silence of the night and slightly putting me at ease.

"Don't worry, the pain will subside soon, I just want to show you something"

Gradually, the multitude of perspectives visible to me diminish. Eventually reaching triple digits, then double digits, followed by single digits, and finally one other perspective besides my own. This one observes the field where we were all fighting Soulweaver just a second ago. There stand Sylvia, Sebastian and Ivana still unable to understand the situation. The first to speak is Sebastian.

"I can't sense Soulweaver nearby, at least not the body she currently uses! We have to go, now!"

Immediately, Sylvia refuses his command

"No! I'm not leaving here without Alden!!"

Sebastian retorts, almost ripping his hair out from the fear of Soulweaver returning.

"Would you rather we all die then?! He sacrificed himself for us. we should honor his wishes and escape!! He's accomplished his duty as a peasant splendidly!"

"Your words fall on deaf ears Sebastian! I'm staying right here!"

Seeing that his attempt to convince Sylvia has failed, he turns his attention to Ivana who is still in a state of shock from all that has happened. He tells her the same thing and pleads with her to come with him. Her reply is not as clear-cut as Sylvia's. With a face full of confusion, fear and worry, a few words escape her mouth.

"I-I don't know...!!"

Sebastian places his hand over his forehead in exasperation. With a loud sigh, he makes a decision. Before they can react, he knocks them both out and takes off while carrying them over his shoulder. The perspective being shown to me displays all three of my companions for this mission run off, disappearing among the trees of the forest, never to be seen again. However, I suspect that the scene that occurred before that is vastly different from what Soulweaver had expected. She removes her hand from my chest, I open my eyes, and she speaks to me.

"... Do you still think they're worth sacrificing yourself for?"

My emotions are slightly conflicted. I had not expected them to come looking for me, but some part of me still wished they tried. The only one who was ready to keep fighting for me was Sylvia. That leaves a somewhat bitter feeling in my heart. Nonetheless, I answer Soulweaver honestly.

"Yes, i do"

"Even if they left you behind in the end?"

"...Wouldn't that be the point of a sacrifice?"

If I didn't know any better, I'd say this conversation is shaking her to her core. She observes me with much more care than she had before and the asks me another question.

"Tell me... Why would you go to such lengths for them? I had agreed to let you go, yet you insisted on being a martyr, why is that?"

Her question is fair. Freedom was right in front of me and I renounced it. I've been acquainted with Sylvia for only 5 months and just recently had my first conversation with Ivana a few days ago. There is no need to mention Sebastian with whom I have close to no relationship. Their lives should not matter so much to me, especially when I have loved ones awaiting my return. Yet, I reply without hesitation, unshakable resolve in my voice.

"....If I didn't do at least this much, I wouldn't be able to look at myself in the mirror."

"....How strange... So, so strange... Well, I've heard what I wanted to, you can talk to him now"

'who is she talking to?'

Our brief moment ends as quickly as it began. The madness seems to be resurfacing. She brings her hand to her mouth munches on her fingers once again. Simply from the change in her gaze, it now feels like I am conversing with someone completely different from the Soulweaver who stood before me just a moment ago. Her eyes full of greed, she speaks to me.

"About that proposal earlier... What were you saying? that you'd give me your soul?! Hehe, wouldn't that be nice!!"

'Although her case is much more extreme, she's a bit like Sebastian in the way her personality switches depending on the situation...'

I re-iterate my proposal.

"I'll give you my soul and-"

She interrupts me

"It sounds nice indeed!! But why don't we have a talk first!? I haven't had a real conversation in so so so long!! We're in no rush are we?! Plus, I also have something I want to show you!!"