NT veRse - Bad End Guide 26 - Keep Synra (Patreon)

August seemed both pleased and a little disappointed in the decision. “I understand, Eve. I think the current you is a very kind person, so I will accept your intentions here.”

“Would you really destroy her?”

“To be precise, I would have absorbed her Core and, functionally speaking, I would take her place as The Writer. Though, I think Jhiana would be a bit mad at me for that.”

“Why?”

“I don't know if it is for me to say, but Synra and Jhiana are connected so even if they are enemies, they are tied by a string. I am afraid she may have lost restraint and tried to come after me, but truthfully I find it hard to forgive the one that did this to you. It's only your goodwill that is keeping my anger restrained.” He said such harsh and dangerous words in a calm tone.

“I'm sorry you had to use up all your Favor...”

“It had to be done. To be frank, this place is quite a bit more impressive than what I would usually get by spending my Favor. Synra owned a piece of the system that Georgius and the other Primals were developing, so she has access to bursts of the  great energy. I am going to spend some time trying to get in and look at what is going on. In the mean time, I will send you back. The potential for danger is high. Synra used this place to bypass causality with you in the event of your demise. I will try to do the same, but please be careful.”

“I'm sorry... What?”

“That means the guide will still be in effect. Would you prefer to know through that method how you died, if you do indeed die, or is it favorable for you to... To experience it.”

“I'd prefer not to experience death over and over again. At least, I wouldn't like to know it. But I meant, what do you mean by bypassing causality.”

“To explain it, I need to describe an interesting phenomenon. Angels are powerful to the point that they exist as one entity in all timelines and all branches, and at every point in time. It can be said that there is a true path that time follows, and that there are many real branching paths that play out according to the causes that brought them about. But it is actually not that easy to describe it so neatly because lines and paths diverge separately for every person and ever object, but for an Angel we can think of them as being tied together to a single point wherever they show up. If you had many strings, every point down the line where an angel pops up with be a knot. This is a blessing and a curse.”

“But... It seems like they would know everything that happens at all times and be able to control history?”

“You would think so, right?” Ausgust smirked.
“But, Angels are not unique in the way that they alter reality. Other things can tie knots by their being and alter things, potentially. What that looks like to an unchanging and eternal Angel that can see everyone at once is... Things suddenly changing without explanation at a single point. Specifically, what Synra was doing was cutting out a specific line belonging to you from a diverging point onward, and swapping it into the main line. It can be said that you, Eve, are meant to be dead many times over in the true order of things. For the fact that you are not dead, I am somewhat grateful to Synra.”

“You're saying you are going to keep doing that for me?”

“To the extent that I am able. I would like to simply give you everything that you require and allow you to flourish. I would like-” He frowned, seeming saddened for a brief moment to the point of pausing.

“I would like for you to be happy and return home.”

You step forward and hug him. “It's good to talk to you again, Auggy.” he does not know what to do at first, but slowly relaxes and embraces you back.
“But what about you?”

“I can make no promises.” He exhaled deeply.

“I- I am so happy to hear you calling me like this again. It is enough.”

“Auggy, If you find a way I want you to find a way for you to come with me. I just know you... You are a lonely guy. Let's not do a goodbye like last time because I saw how sad you looked when you thought I was dead.”

“In that case, I promise I will try.” He floated back.
“It is time to return to regular space. I have a lot of work to do. I need to bolster this space to keep Georgius and the other Primals out, and I need to do a lot of reading.”

-

You took a deep breath. Everyone was there. You were back in the Underworld Alley where the door opened initially. Milk, Sun and Sphinx each surrounded you. Both a strange girl and Milk's thrall were standing in the back. The strange girl looked floored.

`We'll deal with that in a minute.` You opened your arms and hugged them all.

Sphinx was covering his eyes. “What did Master say? What happened, M- Is it Maggie now?”

You patted him. “In a sense, yes. But it's Eve, now. I retained all memories and growth from all my different parts colliding into one.

He breathed a sigh of relief and grinned pervtedly. “A rose by any other-”

Sun pushed him out of the circle. “Get out of here! Jeeze...” He looked at you nervously.
“Eve, is it really still you.”

You rustled his messy blonde hair as his misty eyes looked upon you searchingly. “I'm different, but I'm the same person, Sun. Nothing changed from before and you're still very special to me.” You kissed him on the cheek. His whole body shuddered and his face went red. He covered it and stepped back.

Milk looked up awkwardly. “Definitely can't call you meekling anymore and... I'm sorry for calling you- that part of you a crazy bitch.”

You laughed and dug your face into her breasts as you hugged her around the waist. You looked up happily as she looked down at you.
“I'm still a crazy bitch, but I also like you a crazy amount. You did a good job. You're a good friend. I wouldn't be here without you and you're the reason I'm a better person than I was.”

Milk suddenly became extremely flustered. She covered her mouth with her fist and mumbled. “I-I didn't teach you all that much.”

“You being there as a friend was enough.” You let her go.

“Shit, I lose to you in every respect now. You're cute and strong and all grown up. I missed the boat on having a cute Minotaur little sister.” She lamented jokingly.

“Cut out the 'Minotaur' bit and we're good.” You stepped away.
“I gotta go talk to someone.”

You approached the girl cautiously. She was a little shorter than you with short black hair and golden eyes. Her build was slight, with a flat chest and only somewhat pronounced hips. Her body did not look particularly strong. She did not feel particularly powerful.
“Synra?” You called out. The girl looked up at you.
“Got anything to say for yourself, now?” You crossed your arms, staring down at her sternly. As you were you could see her lips slowly beginning to curl down and quiver. She bit down on the bottom part as her face became red.

“I-”

You cocked a brow. “What? Are you mad at me?”

“I- I'b sorry! Ebe!” She cried, sniffling in sucking in snot that was about to come down. She dropped to her knees and buried her face in your robes.

“H-hey! Are you crying? What're you doing?” You tried to pull her face off but she was stuck to you like a mollusk. When you finally did pry her off a little her cries grew louder.

“Waaaaaaah! Huhuhu.... Hic...”

“S-stop it! Are you expecting me to feel sorry for you?” You recoiled away from her.
“Aren't you just sad that you got caught?”

“No...” She wiped her nose and sniffed.
“I'b sad thad...” She sniffled and cleared her nose.

“That I'll never get my home back now and my kids'll never love me again... And you HATE me even though I just wanted to b-be your mom, too...”

You squatted down to her level. “The hell are you talking about?”

“By 'kids' you mean other people you manipulated, right?”

She looked away, he eyelids coming down half-way. “Some of them were made by me completely. The first ones... Jhiana. Then after her I decided I needed to use a full person if I wanted them to stay with me, but even then that ungrateful kid started freeing them and turning them into Cultivators.”

“Was the old Eve one of yours, originally?”

“Y-yeah. Eve looked like Jhiana so I took her and tried to make her mine, but then she was freed. Down the line I got her back and used her for this, because she betrayed me anyway.”

You narrowed your eyes at her. “You know you're basically like... One-hundred percent in the wrong, right?”

“I dunno.” She said evasively.

“Also, you're a terrible 'parent.' If you treated any of them the way you treated me I completely get them wanting to leave.” She started tearing up again.
“But...” You wiped them away.
“What's this about you making Jhiana?”

“Jhiana was a character that I wrote out and made. She counted on one hand. “I made her stoic, unflappable, I made her learn quickly but I also gave her affection because I want my people to love me. Gradually, Jhiana became a character that got so strong I couldn't control her. She stopped listening to me and started talking about how she wanted to only do things for my good, so she was gonna protect me be restricting me. I got so mad that we fought... And I lost. And she took my home... And- and- and-” She was starting to cry again.
“Now I'm here...”

“So you're saying the millennia-long struggle between two godlike beings is a family matter that got out of hand?” You thought about it for a moment.

`Seems like Jhiana is acting in a way to reign Synra in. She constantly thwarts her efforts and tries to shelter her other victims. It also seemed like she knew that I was a pawn of Synra at the time she sent me away, so at that time she was also just very gently rebuking the plan while avoiding dealing with it directly... How cold. Still, at that time she said that we need not be slaves to our creator. She was referring to me, saying that I could simply refuse Synra as she had.` You stood up.
“I think I got the gist of things.” You smiled down at her warmly. She saw the look and stared back with a hopeful glimmer in her gold eyes.
“Ah... You're actually going to be in a lot of pain all the time from now on.” You said cheerfully.

“W-wuh!? Why were you smiling at me just now so nicely?” She shook.

You rested your hands on your hips confidently. “Because I was having fun thinking about what I was gonna do to you.”

Synra clasped her hands together under her chin. “Please don't hurt me, Eve...”

“Hurt needs to happen because you're a girl that no one's ever given a solid no to. Jhiana's a terrible person because even though she's trying to help you, she's just way too lax about it to the point that you  are stupid enough to think she's seriously trying to fight you. You think you'd be alive right now?”

“I'm not stupid.” She complained.

“You're dirt... As dumb as dirt and as good as a worm so long as I say you are.” You grinned.
“From now on...” You lifted your hands and punched your fist into your palm a few times, a cruel glint in your eyes/
“You'll learn discipline through training from the craziest Master on the planet. Consider it an exchange for all the bullshit you put me through! Thank me, not god, for this chance you've been given to learn under me.”
Synra's jaw dropped, she was swaying like  leaf in complete shock. You took the opportunity to grip her black hair and force her forehead into a  prostrating position.
“Remember this position.” You stated giddily.
“And remember these words: Yes Master Eve. It's the correct answer to every single thing I ask you, no matter what. Understand?”

“Y-y-yes Master Eve!” She got out after stuttering. As you released her and stepped back you were satisfied to see her kowtowing to you. You laughed evilly.

A few yards away the others were watching. “Magnificent, isn't she?” Sphinx said, having adopted a blindfold.

“Milk, should we do something?” Sun asked nervously.

“What are we going to do? Besides, the chick needs to learn the hard way. Eve has the exact right idea.”

You walked away to approach the group after having Synra do push-ups. “For my training methods originally I just copied drill instructors back home.” You explained proudly.

“For the record, I liked the way you taught back at the Sect, Eve.” Sun offered.

You smiled affectionately at him. “I know. I'll treat you well if you want some pointers because you, Sun, are already a very good boy.”

His face, was becoming hot again, and arousal was overtaking him. “Y-your words are very effective after the change. I feel weak around you.” He admitted bashfully.

You felt hot as well. You exhaled. “Damn...” You wiped your mouth.

`He's really, really cute.` You gulped, spotting Milk, as well.

`Her too...` She eyed Sphinx up and down.

`A Dragon might me nice. Haven't had one yet.` You slapped yourself suddenly and cleared your throat. `Ah, that's right... I only got more horny as time passed... Now's the time to change that, since the wholesome me and the old me are merged.`