The Grand Battle [Game Over!]

Originally posted on MSPA by Dragon Fogel.

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Amethyst entered the bathroom, finding a vacuum cleaner, a hole in the wall, a broken mirror, and various fixtures ripped off the walls.

"This room does not seem very clean," she commented.

"That is no longer this unit's concern," the vacuum cleaner intoned ominously. "This unit's orders are to-"

"Rock Bind," Amethyst said, freezing the vacuum in place as she continued to speak. "You do not need to explain anything to us. We are based on your memories, but we only act out our parts when your attention is not focused on us. When it is, we can respond to your memories and emotions directly. You saw that with your 'older self', did you not?"

Eximo looked for a moment as if it was about to break free of the restraints rising from the floor, but then it paused.

"You are curious about what I have to say, are you not?" Amethyst continued. "That is why you are not struggling at the moment. The real Amethyst fascinated you with her capacity for analysis. And as I am based on your perceptions of her, I share that capacity. I am able to understand this world better than either you or Aeon could on your own, because you both believe that Amethyst could understand this world so well."

Konka Rar reappeared, glaring at Eximo. But for the moment, the lich was silent. It seemed he was merely issuing a warning.

"He must be close to breaking free," Amethyst commented to the undead wizard's stern image. "His memories suggest you do not anger easily. Yet, when he fought Dokuromets earlier, you were enraged."

"Stay out of this, girl," the lich warned. "I might change my mind about letting Eximo waste its time with illusions."

"You call Eximo an 'it'. I, on the other hand, use a male pronoun. These speech patterns are driven by his subconscious. He is conflicted about his own identity." Amethyst looked towards the vacuum, staying still. "Right now, he is largely dominated by you. But, faced with such strong images of those he remembers, his doubts are growing, and we are giving voice to them."

"Very interesting, and also very irrelevant." Konka Rar sneered.

"Is it? Consider. The nature of this world allows both Aeon and Eximo to affect the images of the other players. So far, neither of you has actively sought to use this ability. In particular, Aeon may not yet realize he has such a resource at his disposal." Amethyst's face displayed no emotion as she continued. "But Eximo now does. In other words, he has an advantage. And he knows an effective way to use it."

The lich's face looked skeptical. "You speak for Eximo's doubts about its own loyalty. Why would you offer advice to me?"

"I am not. I am offering advice to Eximo."

There was a tense pause.

"Fine. Do it," Konka Rar said to his minion. "Whatever trick this girl has in mind will be no match for your loyalty to your master."

***

Aeon made his way to the kitchen. Inside, he found Emily, Nathan, and Alcarith. He began to think about how to speak to them, but to his mild surprise, Alcarith spoke up first.

"Aeon," she said simply. "You killed me. Tell me why I should not return the favor."

Emily and Nathan stood by her side.

"Yes, tell us," they both said in unison. Nathan drew his knife, and Emily readied her shield.