Enix fell backward onto the ground, surprised at the sensation of smooth, wet stone instead of the dry Rocky Mountain beneath him. His vision was blurred, and as it cleared, he no longer saw the empty blue above the clouds nor his dying friend’s face. He rubbed his eyes and saw his hands. They were clean, without a trace of blood. He still held onto the blade, which he threw to the ground.
Well done.
The voice in his head shocked him. He looked up to see Ghiri standing over him.
You lasted far longer than even I anticipated. One year and four months. Impressive.
“Ghiri, what? Did you… bring me back here?”
Yes. It was quite a successful-
“Take me back.”
I’m sorry?
“Take me back to the mountain! I need to…” Enix paused, reconsidering his words. “I need to bury them.”
You seem confused.
”Ghiri, I have to go back!”
You cannot.
“And why is that?”
Because it was not real.
“What…?”
What you experienced was merely a simulation. A false reality presented to your consciousness.
“So I wasn’t on the mountain?”
You did not move from the Foundry. Had it been real, you wouldn’t have been able to leave.
“Then how…”
You were presented with a scenario in which you were forced to do whatever you could to survive. Eventually, someone will come to help you, and you will be given a potential solution. It was quite thoroughly thought out.
Ghiri moved to the side as Enix threw himself at the figure. The boy missed, tripping over his own feet and collapsing. He now noticed his physical growth had reverted.
”You killed them!” Enix screamed.
No. That was your doing.
“You planned everything you-“
I planned a scenario, organizing the pieces, the players, and the rules. Your choices directly affected the outcome of the simulation. I did not kill anyone inside that simulation; you did.
Enix roared, relaunching himself. His skin turned to stone and he balled his fists, ready to pummel Ghiri. Ghiri was faster, however, and four arms launched out to grapple the child, pinning him faster than Enix could react. A small part of him in the back of the boy’s mind realized he had been holding back when they fought so long ago.
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
Your companions aren’t dead.
“I saw them!”
Again, the simulation wasn’t real. Only look. Ghiri’s head turned to the side, and Enix followed the direction and froze.
Once again small, Ingot trotted up to him, bumping its armored head against his arm in concern.
Enix stared, not thinking it was real. As Ghiri slowly released him, Enix embraced his smaller companion. Ingot squeaked.
“I… I did something awful.”
Given the variables presented to you, you did what you felt was necessary.
“Could I,” Enix swallowed, “Could I have found a better way? One where they didn’t have to die?”
I cannot say.
“You don’t know? You said you made it.”
Once again, even without a voice, Ghiri sounded frustrated. I only had control over the scenario's design, not its potential conclusions. That was entirely up to your choices. Of course,, I had to borrow some assets from the real world.
Enix let Ingot plop back onto all fours.
“Please. No more Ghiri. I’m done.”
You need not concern yourself. You have passed the Foundry’s trials.
“What?” Enix saw a screen appear before him.
The Foundry has deemed you worthy. You have been granted its blessing.
Your level has increased by one!
Your level has increased by one!
Your level has increased by one!
Your level has increased by one!
Your level has increased by one!
You have been granted the skill ‘Genesis’!
You should be quite proud of yourself. Now, I was also told to hand you this. Ghiri put a small stone in Enix’s palm. It was perfectly round and smooth, with only a single engraving of a square spiral.
You have acquired a ‘stone seed.’
I congratulate you. These trials are designed for each person. Only a handful of people have survived its trials.
Enix was silent for a while. “What happens now?”
Now? You leave.
“Where will I go?”
You should already know what to do next.
Enix blinked. “No. I can’t go back to them. I can’t-”
Go back? You have not gone to them in the first place.
“I-I watched them die; how can I even think of doing that to them?”
The choice is yours. I will leave you with the memory of the simulation. That is my gift to you. I will also grant upon you a restriction of your inhuman form.
“What do you mean?” Enix stepped back as Ghiri approached him. Enix saw a screen pop up.
‘Slime Physiology (Passive)’ is being sealed. Ability ‘Humanity’ is now being substituted.
Enix felt a deep shudder go through his body. He both heard and felt cracking and creaking as something solid passed through the inside of his body. His legs shook, and he collapsed. Everywhere felt like it was changing internally. It was immensely discomforting, and Enix realized what had happened.
His body was fully human now, no longer a mimicry.
I cannot have you return. Those who have survived the Foundry are not allowed to share its secrets. He reached out a hand, Enix flinching slightly at Ghiri’s touch.
I will erase your memory of this facility. You and your companions will find yourselves in the forest. You will forget everything that happened here. The location, the trials, even your knowledge of what you indeed are. You will think of yourself as fully human. I leave you with one last bit of advice: seek the clans of men.
Enix’s vision began to fade.
This is goodbye.