Notes

Rank 4: Forever is not a promise
k = Katy
t = Theo
s = soul
sf = soul female
sm = soul male
ma = mysterious attacker


Night, Katy sneaked out of her room.

"It was a cold, windy night. You took the usual path."
"You've been hanging out a lot with Theo lately. Past the initial awkwardness, later meetings had become less a chore and more an enjoyable pastime. Sometime you went to the hospital with him."
"Once everything was out in the open, he gave you less cold shoulder and began to answer your questions."
"You were deep in reminiscence."
"Swoosh!"
"A blade came out of nowhere slashing at you!"
"You jumped backwards in time."

k "Who's there?! Show yourself!"
ma "Hehehehehhe. Look at what I've found~ The princess strolling alone at night~"
s "(Katy, duck!)"
k "(I know!)"

k "Tch, how troublesome."

"Katy readied herself in combat stance, trying to find an opening while avoiding the enemy's line of attack."

ma "I've got wonderful pastimes here~"
k "(Is it with the terrorists? Damn, not something I can talk to, I guess.)"

combat check. If combat is not high enough, see B. If it is, SUCCESS.

SUCCESS:
"You successfully fending off the attacks, even countering some of the more nasty ones. The training Theo gave came in handy. Dodge, attack. The attacker couldn't be reasoned with, combat was the only choice."

"It was powerful, and after a while you felt your energy drained. Being around that creature brought about you a strange feeling."

"It was the same you felt when you were suicidal."

"You mustered the best offense you could unleash."

s "(You okay, Katy?)"
k "(*pant* It'll be hard to last longer...)"
s "(Hang on... I'd rather we not die here.)"
k "(That's what I'm trying to do.)"

"Suddenly a powerful gust enveloped the area."

"You couldn't open your eyes as so much magic happened in that single moment. When you finally could process visuals again, the creature was gone. In its place was a very very angry guy."

k "Old man. Nice timing."
t "You've done a good job on your own."
k "What was that?"
t "That thing stirs the dark thoughts within you. I'm not sure who sends it, but..."
t "We better go to my place."
k "Sounds about right."

"You arrived in Theo's hideout. You proceeded to tell him of informations you had gathered. He had no interjection until you stopped."

t "I'm increasingly concerned about you."
k "We established that I could stand on my own."
t "Indeed so. That creature earlier, you probably could finish off without me, even if it'd take longer..."
k "But?"
t "But I'd still worry. I don't like that you're involved this much into the mess."

"You grinned. The situation felt too grim, so you decided to alleviate it a bit."
k "What do we have here? Old man looking out for me?"
t "I CANNOT LOSE YOU AS WELL. It was YOU getting me to- to care about you, wasn't it you investigating my past and getting me to be open and all that... stuff?" (desperate/frustrated)
s "(You're enjoying this too much, Katy...)"
k "What are you telling me?" (teasing tone)
t "..."
t "..."
t "The moon is really pretty tonight."

"You blinked, and laughed hard."
k "Man, you're so, so OLD."
k "'The moon is really pretty tonight'? Really? Hahahahahahaha!"

(Theo made a face)
t "I'll just keep my mouth shut."
k "Well, that was cute, kinda."
t "Katy Black."
k "In all seriousness, I'd try to take care of myself. Look, I train for combat everyday."

"His expression softened."
t "You know it's kind of hard for me to... well if I lose another person again... you could be killed tonight. That one was tough, if only you haven't been training."
k "I cannot die yet."
s "(Good, at least you have that in mind)"
k "You can be my bodyguard. I'll hire you. for... ever?"
t "With me, forever isn't just a mere promise."
k "You just have to be Mr. Serious all the time, eh?"
k "You know, you can give me more combat training if you're that concerned."
k "Beside, I know you like me around, no?"
t "Can't argue with that..."
k "At least until my forever runs out."
t "Katy..."

"You sparred with Theo. With the situation getting more and more dire, you made a promise with yourself to keep up with the training as much as you could. What else might attack you next time?"

end rank 4
combat+ affection + trust+
B:
"Another assault. You were not ready for battle. Gathering strength, you tried to run, but it was an insurmountable task. Even when you tried to retaliate, the result was pitiful. You were not skilled enough in combat."

"You felt lethargic. The enemy kept attacking. Maybe you would find your end there, and for some reason it didn't feel so frightening."

"You had flashback to the day you slit your wrist."

"Would anyone miss you if you die?"

"It was a question you mulled over and over again."

"Something stabbed you in the chest. Damn, it was painful."

t "Katy!"
s "(Katy!)"

"Strong gust enveloped the area. You barely could understand what was happening. When you open your eyes again, Theo was hovering beside you, voice strangely panicked."

"You were lying in the pool of your own blood. It reminded you of your street friend's macabre art."

t "Katy..."
k "Hey, old man. Fancy meeting you in this condition."
s "(You can NOT die! I still have to finish my mission!)"
t "They messed up with your head. That thing earlier... it unleashed something to awaken people's darkness."
k "So that's why I felt lightheaded."
s "(Oi!)"
t "I'm sorry I didn't come sooner.... I..."
k "Ssh, it's alright... I wanted to die just a few weeks before anyway."
t "You foolish child. Stop talking like that!"
k "Hey old man, you've outlived a lot of people, right? Why should I be... any different?"
s "(Stop ignoring me, and stop with the nonsense. You should try to be alive!)"
t "Can you actually shut up while I patch you up?"
k "Your power isn't healing. Just humor me while I'm still conscious."
s "(Katy-- this isn't funny--)"
t "How many more should I go through? How many people should I see dying?"
k "I'm sorry..."
s "...Katy..."

"You brought the last of your power to take out a crumpled paper out of your pocket."

"It had a fox-like creature on it."

k "Awaken."
k "In the myth, it controlled the wind. Kinda like you, no?"

"Theo watched the creature flickered, then vanished. Your conscience plunged into a comfortable darkness.

The last thing you could hear of, you were not sure whether it was Theo crying or the rain.

end rank 4
bad ending, death