>>5238264“Thank you, Karma, but if Charon feels the need to show this—their testament, or confession, or whatever this is—I think I should watch it.” You decide after a moment’s consideration. “For their sake, if not mine…unless I'm misunderstanding, and you think that reliving this would hurt them more than it would help them from unburdening to another?"
“No, it…” Karma hesitates, finding the words to impart what she’s feeling. “…I do not wish either you or my creator to be in pain. But perhaps there’s something to be gained, in the sharing.”
"I don’t want Charon to hurt, either. I've always got the safe word, still—if this does get too intense, for them or me, I'll use it.” You assure your ethereal friend. “But…some wounds need to be re-opened in order to heal properly. It will be painful no doubt for all involved…which is why I’ll be right back.”
You focus, pulling yourself out of Charon’s memories and back to the real with a combination of your own willpower and the hum of the Silver Key. The Hexane is inert in the seat beside you, the lights in their eye sockets dimmed as you reach out and take their hand in your own. It’s warm to the touch, and as you wrap your fingers around theirs, you hope to impart some measure of comfort in what’s to come.
The simple message that Charon isn’t alone.
“Will you be sharing?” Karma asks, folding her hands in front of her as you return to the void. “As my prior wielder is?”
“…We’ll see.” You dismiss, shifting your focus to Charon’s old form. “Keep an eye out for us in case we're in too deep to be heard, please. And again, thank you, Karma."
Letting go, you feel yourself pulled once more into Charon’s mind, seeing through Reyva’s eyes as you take Ozmas’ hand without a word, and you start walking through the abyss.
You can feel her almost break the silence more than once as you trudge endlessly through the dark, but each time whatever words she was about to utter die on the fringes of your connection. Her hand is cold in yours, her fingers going as limp and as still as the silence that engulfs you both. Ozmas eventually stops trying to put her emotions into words, the only sign that she’s even present being her trembling hand still clasped yours.
You stayed silent so you wouldn’t hurt your friend.
The silence wounds more than words ever could.
When the rift in space opens before you, you rush to it, relief flooding your entire being until Ozmas lets your hand slip, and for the first time since you arrived on this floor you turn to look at her.
She’s just…staring at you. Shoulders sagging, arms limp at her side as the subtle glow from the tear in space illuminates every facet of her eyes, yet never quite reaching the place she’s retreated to in her mind. You almost speak when she steps forward, but she merely nods wordlessly towards the rift.
You enter as one, divided.
(Continued)
