Lost In Fatal Existence

The ground trembled as the towering gates of the Black Castle creaked open. A gust of cold air rushed past, carrying the lingering whispers of the fallen Fake Ryuta. Parker, Roy, Alexia, Merlin, and Zhen stepped forward cautiously, their bodies aching from the intense battle. The dark, twisted architecture behind them groaned, as if the castle itself was alive, mourning its master's defeat.

"We... actually did it," Merlin muttered, clutching his arm. "That fake Ryuta was stronger than I thought."

Alexia exhaled sharply, looking back at the decaying structure. "No time to celebrate. We need to find Ryuta."

As the last of them crossed the threshold, the Black Castle shuddered violently. The walls began to collapse inward, consumed by an unseen force. The sky above twisted, swirling from the deep reds of an eternal sunset into a bleak, colorless void. The castle was vanishing, as if it had never existed.

Then, in the distance, beyond the lifeless plains, they saw him.

A lone figure stood against the horizon, his back to them. The faint outline of his tattered cloak billowed slightly in the eerie stillness. There was no mistaking him.

"Ryuta!" Roy called out, his voice cracking with desperation and relief.

The figure turned, eyes widening in shock. Then, a familiar grin broke across his face.

"You guys!" Ryuta shouted, waving his arms wildly. "You're alive!"

They broke into a sprint, closing the distance as fast as their battered bodies would allow. The moment they reached him, there was no hesitation—just raw emotion as they tackled Ryuta in an overwhelming group embrace. Laughter, relief, and exhaustion mixed into one chaotic moment.

"We thought we lost you!" Zhen said, eyes burning with held-back tears.

"Same here," Ryuta admitted, gripping their shoulders. "I thought I was alone."

Before any of them could process what had happened, the ground beneath them pulsed. A strange sensation, like being submerged in water without drowning, overtook them. The sky darkened further, the colors draining from the world. Then, everything shifted.

When the dizziness passed, they found themselves in a different place.

It was eerily familiar.

They stood in the middle of a city that looked exactly like their own—except it was abandoned. Skyscrapers loomed silently, streets stretched endlessly with not a single soul in sight. No wind, no sound, no life. Just an empty replica of home.

"Where... are we?" Parker whispered, his voice too loud in the unnatural silence.

Ryuta clenched his fists. "True Existence. A world like ours, but completely lifeless. Skyler and I were both summoned here after the powerful impact of the clashing energy between us and Deity of Life. We've been stuck here since."

"A world where everything exists, except people..." Merlin muttered, scanning their surroundings.

Then, from a nearby rooftop, a figure laughed.

"Took you long enough!" The voice rang out, lighthearted yet layered with something deeper. A young man sat on the edge, legs dangling freely, a crooked grin on his face.

Skyler the Fool.

Skyler hopped down effortlessly, his bright eyes filled with amusement. "Of course! This world is my kind of place. No rules, no gods, no fancy powers. Just you, your wits, and the road ahead."

Roy narrowed his eyes. "Then why are you waiting for us?"

Skyler smirked. "Because you all have questions. And lucky for you, I've got some answers."

The group exchanged glances. They had escaped the Black Castle, reunited with Ryuta, and found themselves in a world stripped of all life. Now, Skyler stood before them, promising answers.

The streets stretched endlessly in every direction, silent and unyielding. Each footstep echoed unnaturally, swallowed by the vast emptiness. Ryuta, Skyler, and the others walked cautiously, their senses on high alert despite the lack of any apparent threat.

"So, what exactly is True Existence?" Parker asked, breaking the silence.

Skyler shrugged. "A place outside of time and reality. It mirrors our world, but there's no one here. No past, no future—just an endless present."

"Then how do we get out?" Roy asked, frustration creeping into his voice.

Skyler let out a dry laugh. "Now that's the real question, isn't it? Nobody knows. People don't just 'leave' True Existence."

Merlin frowned. "But we got here somehow. That means there must be a way back."

Skyler nodded, his expression unreadable. "Maybe. Or maybe this place just swallows people whole, leaving only echoes."

Ryuta clenched his fists. "Then we find a way. We didn't come this far to be trapped here forever."

Skyler grinned. "Now that's the spirit! Let's see if your determination is enough to break the rules of this world."

As they continued their journey through the empty city, the shadows seemed to lengthen unnaturally. Unseen forces stirred in the silence, watching, waiting.

And somewhere, in the distance, something moved.