Chapter 9: Self-Annihilation

"...le ing t em ba h me..."

A broken-up voice recited as the video cut to a "signal lost" screen. Westcott watched the glitching recording with rapt interest, smiling grimly.

"This is all the data that you managed to recover?"

"Yes, sir," a technician answered nervously. "It's as though the rest of the security recordings were wiped from existence or never ever existed at all."

"What an uncreative excuse for your incompetence!" Ellen seethed from behind Westcott, causing the technician to cower back in fear.

"Thank you. That will be all." Westcott ushered the frightened man away before turning to address Ellen. "Now Ellen, don't forget that [Nightmare] has been poking at our bases for years now. Furthermore, she's taught us a valuable lesson this time."

"[IX]." Ellen narrowed her eyes. 

"Indeed." Westcott stared at the analysis report, shaking his head. "These readings were not that of a spacequake; they match our predicted readings of a Demon King's power. Meaning that-"

——————I am the dividing line that shifts perspective——————

"[IX] Inversed?!" A certain red-haired girl all but screamed. "Reine, is this report reliable?" 

"This was taken directly from DEM's database, Kotori," a grey-haired woman with permanent eye bags replied. "But that's not what the most worrying part is."

"What happened?" Kotori grit her teeth, crushing the lollipop she was nursing in her mouth.

"DEM has found that, in the epicenter from which the energy wave formed, there were no readings of any energy at all. It's as if the Reiryoku suddenly manifested out of nothingness."

"...what?" Kotori massaged her temples. "I'm sorry Reine, I must be tired today. Could you repeat that?"

"To put it simply, they believe [IX] is able to hide their own energy signature perfectly after Inversion," Reine explained flatly. "Thus, they have become an invisible catastrophe that can, without any warning, cause incredible devastation on a country-wide scale."

Kotori groaned. "I'm starting to worry for Big Brother..."

———I am the dividing line that flashbacks and shifts perspective———

Kurumi stared in silence at the now still waters where Neryl Island once was. The seas rippled with a strange, foreboding red lightning, causing dead fish to bob up to the surface every few seconds. This power, it isn't that of a spacequake. That means it was purely his Ange- no, his Demon King that destroyed the island. Such power... Kurumi licked her lips. If I could use that power against [Deus]...

Kurumi's gaze shifted over to the lone figure floating above the electrified waters. The perpetrator of this destruction hovered motionlessly, gazing at seemingly nothing. Kurumi cautiously floated up to him, guns at the ready.

Kyo's eyes, now a dull red, were glazed over with a listlessness she had never seen from him before. His hair had been bleached completely white, and he hardly seemed to even be breathing.

"Kyo?" Kurumi probed. Kyo didn't respond. He didn't even seem to notice her. Kurumi's eyes flashed. How interesting. Instead of going berserk, his instinct as an Inverse is to simply do nothing. This is my best chance to devour him. Do I...?

Kurumi motionlessly deliberated for a moment before pointing her musket at his head. With a bang, she sent a bullet into his head, then grabbed his now-limp body and threw it into a shadowy portal behind her. Glancing back at the approaching DEM forces on the horizon, she quickly disappeared into her portal as well.

——————I am the dividing line that shifts perspective——————

Kyo stared blankly at the expanse of dark water. No trace of the white remained, save for the glow of the event horizon of the lone black hole that now governed the sky. Electric red sparks arced through the waters, bringing a tingly numbness to his body. 

"What... is this?" He muttered to himself. "Who... am I?" 

Blurred memories flitted through his head, but as soon as he tried to focus on one, all of them flickered away. Oh, whatever. I bet there wasn't anything meaningful to remember anyway. Casting a dejected sigh, Kyo made himself comfortable in the infinite darkness before closing his eyes.

...

A blinding flash caught him off-guard, shining straight through his eyelids. Ow. What is that? Opening his eyes in earnest, he caught sight of a small patch of whiteness. Wait, I remember something. My name. Erick... or was it Kyo? And there was something I needed to do. What was it?

Gathering his strength, Kyo stumblingly advanced towards the whiteness. Right, there was more. I had a family. A mother and father. A brother? I can't remember any more. I need to remember more.

Breaking into a messy run, Kyo rushed towards the light. His body turned completely numb as the red lightning began to actively arc towards him, causing him to stumble and fall. I was reincarnated. I was on a mission to rescue [Sister]. I succeeded. But... A voice echoed in his mind. 

"The Nihility is boundless and all-consuming... I will seal the more potent powers until you reach the requirements to face the greater taint."

"So I was arrogant," Kyo sighed. "The ambient Nihility in the lab both overwrote whatever seal Acheron placed and triggered me to act rashly." Then maybe I should give up. I wasn't worthy, and I doomed myself. There's no point now...

A second flash of light brightened the world. Kyo blinked as before his eyes, the white space grew larger. No, wait. That's not me. That's the pull of Nihility again, tempting me like it did in the lab. I won't give in, not this time! Staggering back to his feet, Kyo all but dragged himself towards the light.

"May you set forth on your new journey without hesitation, find your own meaning in the face of Nihility, and fight for what is beautiful in the world." 

More memories began to fill his head. Kyo's eyes shone a bright shade of violet as he made his final steps towards the white space. However, as he touched the border, he was violently repelled backwards.

"Just like last time..." Kyo grit his teeth. "But I won't give up. I will reach the light!"

But why? A voice that sounded like Kyo's emanated from the void. Do you even have anything to live for anymore? Your family, friends, and world have long since disappeared without hope of return. You've pushed those thoughts to the back of your mind, meaninglessly traveling a new world that rejects your entire existence. Give up and embrace the darkness-

A third flash interrupted the voice, advancing the white space even closer to Kyo. With a manic grin, he slammed into the border again and again.

"Yeah, I've lost everything. Yes, the world hates me. But even so, I'll continue to press on. I'll forge a new life for myself, make new friends, and grow. Even without an explicit meaning to continue, I'll never falter. Because-" 

A crash, as Kyo broke free into the light.

"I want to live."