*Ezekeil blinks in surprise as the lights in the room flash and the backup generator fires up.*
"What the hell?"
-Already working on fixing it.-
*In the room inhabited by Cinque, Matt, and Faervel, the snapped cable starts to slowly draw itself back up into the ceiling via some hidden mechanism.*
---------------------------------------------
*Some hours later.*
"It wasn't my fault that you decided to release this thing!"
"I only did it because you wanted to!"
"I never wanted to!"
"I'm sick of your lies! That's all it's been lately! Just lie after lie! Are you incapable of at least one truth?"
"Are you!?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You lied to me about knowing it was here for weeks! And you lied about Erebus for months!"
"Leave Erebus out of this! He had nothing to do with it!"
"Like hell! He's a Malefic monster. He's just as dark and twisted as that thing!"
"He's not bad! I've known him my whole life. He's been tied to me since birth! He is not a bad person!"
"He's not even a person!"
"Damn it, I'm done with your crap! I wish I could just-"
*Suddenly, the computer console that covers multiple walls lights up. Sensors and gauges around the room redline. The ground starts to shake.*
"What the hell!?"
*Just then, a massive green light floods the room. Through the bright light, a shadow of a large serpentine beast is visible. The form lunges towards one of the two people in the room. His eyes grow wide as he sees it coming towards him, as do the other person's.*
"KLAUS!"
*An unearthly scream is heard coming from Klaus, as the shadow is upon him. Suddenly, blood covers the walls. And then, the shadow turns towards the other figure. And then...*
*Ezekeil wakes with a start in his chair. The glow of the computer screens illuminates the room. Erebus had turned out the lights when he noticed Ezekeil had fallen asleep.*
-You alright?-
"Y-yeah. I'm fine. How's the program coming along?"
-It's going great.-
*They are silent for a moment.*
-You had that dream again, didn't you?-
"...Yeah."
-I thought it had finally stopped.-
"I did too. Maybe because Kaio is stirring in his slumber."
-You think his influence is even getting to you in your dreams?-
"Yes. I do."
*Ezekeil thinks back on his dream. His face grows somber.*
"I regret that day so much, Erebus."
-I know you do. But there was nothing you could've done.-
"I wish it could've been me instead of Klaus. He didn't deserve that fate."
-I'm glad it wasn't you.-
"Why? Look at the terrible things I've done in my past! I fought over a bunch of soul-stealing items. I brought people to this island and made them duel for number cards. I killed people, Erebus, under the barrier. And worst of all, I let Kaio out."
*He pauses, then speaks, almost with a melodic tune to his voice.*
"I lose myself in all these fights. I lose my sense of wrong and right..."
*He says something under his breath, then continues.*
"It's shaking from the pain that's in my head, I just wanna crawl into my bed, and throw away the life I led..."
*He says something else under his breath, then stops speaking and stops talking with the melodic tune.*
-But think of all the good things that you've done.-
"Like what?"
-Do you remember the train?-
"The one that nearly crashed?"
-Yeah. You saved every person on that train by taking the controls after the driver passed out. You also fought over those items to make sure nobody else would use them for evil.-
"But I failed."
-No, you didn't. You just didn't get the opportunity to succeed. And under the barrier, those deaths weren't your doing. It was Kaio's fault.-
"Doesn't change the fact that I released him."
*Erebus continues on.*
-And the people you brought here. You did an amazing thing. You brought people together, some for the first time.-
"They're fighting, Erebus."
-But for a common goal. The realization of their dreams. Ezekeil, you're helping them achieve their life goals.-
"But what about Kaio?"
-Yes, you did release him. But you know what? That doesn't matter. Because you fought against him to send him back. You worked to correct your mistake. You did the right thing.-
"But he's coming back."
-And we'll be ready for him. It wasn't your fault that Klaus died. Friends fight. Kaio decided that he wanted to take a side is all. And his decisions never end well for at least one person.-
"What are you trying to say?"
-Despite all the terrible things you may have done, you've done so much more good than bad. You've helped so many people, Ezekeil. Including me. You're a good person.-
*Ezekeil sheds a few tears, but he tries to hide them.*
"Do you really mean that?"
-Of course. Why would I lie to you?-
*Ezekeil smiles, then wipes the tears from his eyes.*
"Alright. I get it now. Thank you, Erebus."
*He focuses back on the computer screens.*
"Now, let's finish this. Because if there's one thing I do know, it's that it's not over."