Story Reader / Collab / Blazing Simulacrum / Story
She no longer remembers how long that day's battle lasted.
Raising her cannon, swinging her sword, countless particles of light scattered.
Shouts, roars, and wails pierced her eyes like needles.
Wielding an unquenchable blue flame, she surveys anyone trying to approach her.
She sees her figure reflected in their pupils, witnessing two starkly different emotions.
Fear and joy, cowardice and excitement.
Black figures emerge endlessly from the horizon; for every one that falls, ten more charge forward.
Like moths spiraling in the dark, drawn to a glimmer of light, they converge here.
She feels... a touch of annoyance.
She doesn't understand the meaning behind all of this.
A momentary lag appears in her tireless body, and her sword is knocked away.
Ending it all now wouldn't be so bad—
Her thoughts overlap with the incoming sword tip.
And then—
"Ding".
She sees a flash of green light.
A girl wielding a scythe cuts down the sword aimed at her in a single swing.
...
Without a word, she picks up the sword that fell to the side, standing beside the girl who suddenly appeared.
I've found you, BLACK★ROCK SHOOTER!
Where is this...? Never mind, it doesn't matter.
DEAD MASTER... You...
You disappeared without a word, and my heart nearly broke.
No... I'm not quite sure myself...
Anyway, let's take out these nuisances first.
...Why help me?
Why? Isn't it obvious?
Your journey can't end here. I won't allow you to be defeated by anyone other than me.
We are destined to be entwined forever, our "conflict" will never end.
That's precisely what I'm questioning...
What can our battles bring about...
At least, they brought us to this moment, didn't they?
Back to back, the two stand, their weapons reflecting hostility from all directions.
...Then, stay with me for a while.
DEAD... MASTER!
Hmm...
The lengthy battle finally ends. Although it was just a replay of past memories, it still took a toll on her body and spirit.
She tries to step forward, but her body involuntarily shakes and she half-kneels down.
Taking on alone the enemies she had once fought with DEAD MASTER nearly sapped her of all her energy.
As a reward for completing the event, a golden dice falls in front of her.
Instead of numbers, it bears tiny cross symbols.
This is...
She reaches out to grab it, but the dice vanishes immediately.
...
She doesn't have time to dwell on it, as she hears footsteps coming from behind.
Tada! I've caught up to you.
...
Why the smile?
Nothing... Just reminiscing about the past.
A red glow spreads from beneath their feet, turning the grid into a battlefield for two chess pieces.
Back then, we...
With the fall of the last Mental Image, the wilderness returns to silence.
Alright, now there's no one to disturb us.
Raise your weapon, BLACK★ROCK SHOOTER. The grievances from you leaving without saying goodbye during our last encounter, the one before that, and even the one before that... Today, I intend to settle them all.
...Before we start, I have a question.
What?
What exactly are we to each other?
That's... Eh? Um, wait, if you're asking me to define it...
Could we be "friends"?
Of course, more than friends, we're "best friends," aren't we?
Are we "enemies"?
Yes, why else would we keep fighting?
So we're both "friends" and "enemies"?
It sounds strange hearing you say it, but isn't that the case?
What's the matter, asking this now of all times?
No, just using the time to chat to regain some strength.
When did you become so cunning?!
We always learn something new.
...Ah, are you mocking me?
No.
You are, aren't you!
Nostalgia aside, I won't let you outsmart me this time.
You're better at that sort of thing, actually.
Anyway, you can't defeat me now.
...How about we pause for ten minutes?
Not a chance!
The black scythe slices through the air toward her. She tries to block with her sword but is sent flying by a skillfully applied force.
How about this move...!
Futile.
She raises her cannon, charging up energy, only for DEAD MASTER to eerily close in, her scythe locking onto her throat.
The scythe falls, and the blue flame slowly extinguishes.
Tsk...
She watches her last dice fly toward DEAD MASTER.
White light begins to radiate from her, as she feels herself slowly disintegrating.
This signifies her defeat in the game, signaling her exit.
It's over, BLACK★ROCK SHOOTER.
...No.
No, it's not over. It will never be over, DEAD MASTER.
...
We are "archenemies," aren't we?
Our "conflict"... will never end.
...Yes, that's right, BLACK★ROCK SHOOTER.
The green-eyed girl murmurs softly, gazing at the reflection of the castle.
You wouldn't just let it end like this, would you?
She walks to the final destination, pushing open the grand door.
