The Soul Keeper

All blood drained from his face as he leapt out of his chair. 

"You – what?" 

I lowered my gaze to my hands. "I couldn't forgive them after everything they did." I spoke in a low voice. "Don't get me wrong," I glanced at the alarmed inspector. "I didn't enjoy it or anything." My gaze lingered on his right hand. "You don't need your gun, Inspector."

He flinched. "Why did you kill them?" He asked, his previously friendly demeanour had disappeared. In his eyes, I was nothing but a criminal now. 

"Joshua killed Vincent. I…" I shook my head. "Well, I was angry and afraid. We had been fighting since dusk, all of us. We were all tired, but Joshua and Alina had just arrived. They were still fresh – at the peak of their power, especially as their patron Divine was present." I sighed. "I feared Joshua would kill the others too, so I… killed him." I glanced at the shocked man. "As for Alina." I shrugged. "She was the only thing standing between freedom and us."

He tilted his head. "How so?" 

And thus, I had to explain the whole deal with the Divine Pillars, Aelith, Demons and all of that. By the time I was done, Inspector John seemed more confused than anything.

"Right…" He mumbled after I was done. "I'd be lying if I said I followed any of that."

I chuckled. "Even I'm having some trouble wrapping my head around all of it." 

He nodded. "So, in short." He took a deep breath. "You killed Joshua to protect the other players present," I nodded. "And you killed Alina to be able to destroy this… Divine Pillar and free everyone." I nodded again.

He sighed as he pressed his palm against his forehead. "I see." He glanced out of the window. "I will see if what you said matches with what the other conscious players say." He made a vague gesture. "If everything matches, then you'll be sent home fairly soon. If it doesn't…" He hesitated.

"I get it." I sighed. "Asher. Speak to him. He knows almost everything that I do."

He wrote the name down. "Alright, I'll do just that." He stepped towards the door. "Try to get some rest, unfortunately, tomorrow will be just as busy as today."

"Why am I not surprised?" I mumbled as he shut the door behind him.

I laid back down on my back and sighed. Soon, a nurse came with a bland dinner that felt like it didn't even fill half of my stomach. Yet, I silently finished it and breathed a sigh of relief when she left.

I knew that this wasn't just any hospital – I hadn't seen any other patients here. These nurses weren't just normal people either. If I had to guess, I'd say I was in one of the United Nations' facilities.

I sighed and hugged my knees as I glanced out the window. The stars weren't even visible because of the lights of the city. I missed them already – even if they were unfamiliar stars, I loved watching them before falling asleep.

I shook my head. No, I couldn't let myself to that. I couldn't let myself miss a virtual world.

Instead, I searched deeper inside my memory for the times when uncle Eion would take me and Aoife stargazing. Those were real stars, just as beautiful as those in the game, if not more so. I soon fell asleep, with a bitter smile on my face.

"Hey!" Someone shook me by my shoulders. I woke up, startled and out of breath. My eyes wide, I looked at the figure standing in my hospital room. 

"What-" I began shouting in a panic, but a familiar voice quickly spoke in an attempt to calm me down.

"It's us," She said as the other figure that I hadn't noticed until now turned on the lights. I covered my eyes as the bright light blinded me momentarily.

Miss Veronica Mueller seemed startled for a moment as she glared at me. "Kai?" She spoke softly. "Are you alright?"

I nodded, though I was aware I looked nothing like 'ok'. Panting, I reached for a glass of water.

"You were moaning and shaking." Inspector John spoke. "We thought it best to wake you up."

I shook my head. "Just a nightmare." I mumbled with a sour face. I could still taste the blood and smell the smoke. And feel the pain. "I'm fine."

They glanced at each other. "If you say so." Miss Mueller said with a sigh.

"Wait – what time is it?" I asked my eyes finally adjusted to the bright light.

"Five in the morning." Inspector John glanced at the watch on his wrist.

"What the hell are you two even doing in my room in five in the morning?" I cried out in shock. "You do realise how creepy that is, right?"

Miss Mueller chuckled while Inspector John flinched. "Uh – please don't misunderstand." He scrambled to explain. "We don't-"

"Ah, he's not suspecting you of anything like that, John." Miss Veronica laughed. "To answer your question – we were called here because another patient woke up a few hours ago. We only came to your room because we heard you in passing." Her expression changed as soon as she noticed my eyes widen.

"Who woke up?" I asked in a hurry. Was it Vincent?

She looked away. "A young boy. He…" She took a deep breath. "He passed away just a few minutes ago."

I drew a sharp breath. "Passed…?" I whispered in shock. "Why – how?" My eyes darted between Inspector John and Miss Mueller. "What happened?"

She raised her hands, indicating she had no clue. "I wish we knew. The present doctor claimed it to be heart failure. Perhaps the strain PORTAL placed on such a young body was simply too much." 

I lowered my gaze. "Amy… is she still alive?" I asked. She was young too. I couldn't imagine Alex's pain is she lost her little sister all over again. 

Inspector John nodded. "Yes, she is perfectly fine. Except for the memory loss."

I glanced at him. "It's probably for the best." I hugged my knees as I wished for the memories of that nightmare to fade away. "No young child should remember what death feels like."