[Extra content, not needed to understand the story, you are allowed to skip this chapter if you are not interested.]

Inside the invisible hands of the endless library, a man wearing a dark suit and completely white hair was sitting on a chair next to a desk, carefully reading a book to pass the time. By his side, an unimpressive blade remained, a blade that took the life of many people. Nonetheless, he ignored that morbid thought and kept reading, ignoring the chatters behind him.

???: Y/N, how are you doing?

Raising his head, he turned his attention around and saw a girl wearing what seemed like a black and white maid outfit, carrying with her a sheath containing a sword the same size as his on her right hip. Her lightly dark blond hair were resting on her shoulders while her skin felt like it was made out of porcelain.

Y/N: Elisa, you shouldn't move around, how did you get here without anyone seeing you anyway?

He stood up and gently grabbed her arm. The maid's eyes widened a little but softened rapidly, realizing that it was his hand holding her. Unlike his eyes, hers were devoid of any light and were completely blank, staring into the void with nothing to see.

...She was blind.

Elisa: I learned to navigate around.

She calmly answered back with a warm smile. The man, on the other hand, only looked at her with worry. Indeed, a wound was still visible from a previous encounter, a wound in the shape of a crack across her right cheek.

Y/N: It still hasn't healed yet.

They did not wish to make her fight, she chose by herself to interfere to protect the ones she wished to save. During a fight, one of the guests attempted to punch the man standing in front of her while he was on the brink of death and the result was visible, a wound that couldn't be healed.

She was truly a woman with a skin of porcelain, so fragile that she could break at any moment.

Elisa: I actually wanted to show you something, if you don't mind that is.

She asked humbly and the librarian gave her a smile, an expression that the girl would never be able to see. He accepted her offer and held her outfit, allowing her to move and guide him. Pleased by his answer, she turned around and walked forward.

Y/N: Hey-!

He stopped her in her track and pulled her to his side. In front of the maid, a bookshelf was standing there. Making sure that she doesn't knock her head against anything, he allowed her to go and chuckled at the situation.

Y/N: I guess you're not completely done with your training.

Elisa: I... I will try my best!

She exclaimed with conviction, which made the man laugh. The blind girl responded with a chuckle as well and resumed her walk, leading the librarian deeper into the library that serves as their prison. All trapped within it, they were destined to die there, all unable to change that fate. However, it did not mean that they couldn't enjoy daily things.

Elisa: Mh... Ah, there it is.

She elegantly, pulled out a book with braille on the cover. Confused, he watched her do so and she sat down on a small and cushioned bench, tapping the seat next to her. He silently followed her request and observed the book in her hands, feeling like something important was going to happen.

Elisa: You've been absorbed into that book of yours for more than 3 days, I've decided to take the matter into my own hands and give you a little something to change your mind.

Y/N: But... it's important, we could fix that wound of yours, I just need to find how-

Elisa: Shh, it's fine, I know that you are all worried and that is the greatest joy that I could ever obtain, to see people worry about something as miserable as me.

Y/N: Miserable?

Elisa: When I woke up, I felt like a dead weight for everyone. Being the only one to not be able to see, it was a curse that I wished to not have, especially in our current situation.

Y/N: ...

He lowered his eyes and felt his heart stir a little. Dead weight? Her? He was even worse, he couldn't even put up a proper fight unlike the others, ending up being a target instead of an actual fighter.

Elisa: Now, I want you to relax. You've been working nonstop ever since we woke up here and you need a moment of rest.

Y/N: I can't... what if our time is limited, we need to hurry and get out of here as fast as possible.

Elisa: And we will, one day, I promise you. For now, we should enjoy each other's company while we still can.

Grabbing his head, she slowly moved it down and placed it on her legs. Not fighting back against her, he only blinked in response and waited for her to do something. Holding the book in her hands, she opened it and began reciting the text written in it, also in braille for her convenience.

Y/N: Are you... telling me a story?

Elisa: Of course. After so many days awake, a story will be what you need to put those worries behind.

Just like that, she continued her story. To him, the story didn't matter but the voice of the person telling it was like a charm, the voice of a siren which closed his eyes in a matter of minutes. She had the gift of a voice that could put anyone to sleep, that was her gift in exchange for her vision, the greatest storyteller that the librarians ever knew.

Elisa: ...

Feeling the attention of the man dissipating, she smiled to herself and closed the book, placing it by her side. She turned her head in the direction of the librarian's face and calmly held it with her hands.

She could not see him and she never would but she could feel it, almost like a sixth sense. A body that would relentlessly attempt to reach for a freedom that was only hypothetical, now finally closing its eyes temporarely under the watch of a kind angel. Looming above him, her fingers moved in his hair.

Elisa: I know our situation is far from fortunate... It is quite a sad tale that we are forming and there is nothing we can do to save ourselves.

Her smile lowered and her hands stopped moving.

Elisa: ...I want you to know. Even sad tales have their own happiness, we should not focus on the sad parts but instead see those sparks of joy within them.

The maid softly spoke to the sleeping person, letting her real feelings go. The man did not stop to look at the people around him, only focusing on finding an escape. To him, finding said escape would bring them true happiness, no matter how long it takes them. By choosing that path, he refused to look at the bright smiles of his friends, thinking that those were faked for the sake of keeping their morale up.

Elisa: If you keep insisting on reaching for an escape... I'm afraid that you will be left with nothing.

Her conversation stopped and her eyes began to close as well, falling into an empty slumber. Her hands reached for Y/N's head and held it lightly, fearing the day that she could no longer feel the familiar warmth. One day, the both of them would be separated by the grim reaper but she wished that their end would never come.

...She wished to be forever with those she came to understand and appreciate, even love. All together inside a room for all eternity, trapped and forced to fight until exhaustion, she wished for a happy ending, something that was impossible.

Elisa: I...

A trail of tear dropped down her face, thinking about the inevitable screams of agony, signaling their end. The thought left her with sorrow, thinking that she could be the one to leave others with nothing but tears.

Those tears were the beginning of her sleep, dozing off somewhere far away from their current situation. Being unable to escape, sleeping was their only way to ever step outside the four walls surrounding them. Surely, one day, they would be able to leave and finally see the sky for the first time but until then, they had to endure the trials and persist.

...

...

Everyone was silently observing the scene. Just like usual, many foolish monsters attempted to break inside to reach for the forbidden knowledge that they hold, the usual at this point. Following the routine, they prepared themselves and fought bravely until the very end.

...So why did it have to end like this?

???: I can't...

One spoke up with a feeble voice. On the side of the entrance, the book of the guests were laying on the ground. On their side, a single book was there as well, what was once a member of their family was reduced to nothing but pages. The librarians were watching the grave with horrified looks, some of them experiencing weaknesses under the pressure.

Y/N: I...

The man tried to speak up, the one standing right behind the book. His arms were still in the position of holding someone, who became one with the library. The sight made his speech worthless to many, himself included. One of the librarians, tears in her eyes, pointed at him with an accusatory finger.

???: Maria... she died to protect you... she was our leader... why did she had to sacrifice herself for someone like you?!

Y/N: ...

Looking at his allies, they all stared back at him, some with sorrow, some with anger. All were mourning the passing of their friend, a death caused by his own incompetence, a poison to all of them desperately trying to survive.

Y/N: ...

His eyebrows lowering, he longly watched the remains of the one who placed their life to save someone else. The one that they all called their leader due to her knowledge, now gone because someone was pathetic enough to not be able to fight.

Y/N: It's my fault... I should have been the one to die.

He mumbled to himself, his sword falling down onto the ground. Scarred by the sight, he held back his emotions and ran further into the library, wishing to disappear forever and never to be seen again.

Elisa: Y/N!

Unable to see where he was going, she could still hear him run away. With a raised arm, she wanted to reach the librarian, to tell him that it wasn't his fault but he was long gone. All silent, the one who accused Y/N crumbled onto their knees. Stopping the tears from going any further down their face, their voice faintly echoed.

???: I'm sorry... I didn't... Maria.

They bursted into cries and dropped to the floor, the reality of this nightmare too strong for them to fight it. Many prepared a funeral for their deceased leader but the maid refused to look back, instead leaving her gaze in the direction Y/N ran off too.

Running past the many bookshelves of this place, he ran and ran, ran like there was no tomorrow. Escaping from the warmth of those who lived in this prison, he dragged his body deep into the endless hallways and hoped to not be found again. If one had to take a guess, it was probably there that his downfall began, all because of a noble sacrifice.

'I shouldn't have been born, I'm the reason nobody is happy.'

When he thought about it, it all made sense to him. The reason why they couldn't escape, the reason why nobody could ever truly smile out of relief and joy, it was all because of him. Surely, his existence was close to a parasite, taking away everyone's love for each other. It had to be it, that's why he was so weak, he was planted there to bring nothing but sadness to others. If only he could have seen it earlier, then he would have been able to prevent this, it was all his fault.

It was all his fault, everything was. Those monsters trying to break inside the library? His fault for certain, he just didn't know how.

He looked around, 'Where is my sword?' being his only thought. He finally acknowledged that he was the error all along but now he didn't have a weapon to end this horrible torture, nothing to end his life with. He imagined ending it once and for all and the image brought him a smile, thinking that everyone would finally be happy.

Y/N: Surely... they will all sing happily together. Yes, this nightmare will end once I close my eyes.

He had to do it, grit his teeth and endure the pain for the sake of others. That way, nobody else will die. Once the dark sheep has been eliminated, the pure ones would finally experience true happiness, he just had to let himself get eaten by the wolf and vanish into the forest, to be forgotten by all.

???: There you are.

Y/N: ...

Unable to face the interlocutor, his shoulders felt heavier than normal. His decision made, he couldn't face those that should live peaceful lives, he needed to stop his heartbeat to make this world a better place.

Y/N: Leave me alone Elisa.

Elisa: Y/N... They... didn't mean to be angry at you, I'm sure that they're just stressed out.

Y/N: Stressed out? Of course they are, I'm still alive after all.

The maid steadily marched onwards, following the voice responding to hers. Placing one of her hands against a bookshelf near her, she walked closer until she could touch his back. The librarian did not resist and simply watched the horizon, infinite.

Y/N: I know why I'm weak... I was never meant to be a support, I was meant to be a parasite.

Elisa: Y/N, please don't say that-

Y/N: I caused her death, it's all my fault! I have to take responsibility, I need to receive the same punishment!

Suddenly spinning around, he reached for the sword the girl was carrying with her and pulled out the weapon. Feeling a difference of weight against her hip, she knew that her sword was gone and her eyes widened.

Y/N: I finally found it Elisa, the way for everyone to be happy!

He exclaimed with a wicked smile, brandishing the blade before aiming it at his own body. His smile grew wider upon witnessing the sight of his death approaching.

Y/N: We were not meant to be happy outside, all we needed to do is eliminate the weak chain!

Elisa: Y/N!

She loudly yelled her name with a tone of authority, grounding a child for a bad action. The librarian halted for a second, the first time he ever heard that voice in his life.

Elisa: I refuse to let you say those words!

Violently, she slammed the weapon to the ground and held the man by the neck, visible fury on her face. He did not resist, being killed by his friend would result with the same outcome anyway, he knew that.

Elisa: I...

But her anger subsided, her body dropping on top of him with a loud 'Thud'. She reached for his arms and held them in place, keeping him pinned down on the floor.

Elisa: Please don't leave me! I beg you!

She loudly yelled, holding back her own tears from falling down her face. Her head pressed against his, she placed all her strength into her arms to keep him on the ground, to keep him alive for her own selfish reason.

Y/N: Get off of me, I have to do this, for the sake of everyone!

Unfortunately, it was all for nought, the librarian gone inside his own ideas. For him, his life should have ended a long time ago, it was the cause of all the sadness of this world. That certitude brought to him due to what seemed like a noble sacrifice at first was indeed his own downfall.

Elisa: You'll have to kill me first!

She responded back, ignoring the consequences of her words. Her frail body could crumble with a powerful enough jab but she closed her eyes on that thought, wishing to put an end to what seemed like a terrible decision.

Fueled by madness, the grasp of the woman left the man with a bitter taste in his mouth, stopping him at the end of his journey. Unlike the others, she should know more than anyone else the feeling of helplessness, they were both pratically the same, both unable to do a single do correctly.

Unlike him, however, she was not responsible for the death of someone who people loved. He replaced that life by his, a mere seed in a large forest, always in the shadow of those who can do something.

Y/N: ...

Moving his feet, he kicked her away and rolled to the side, looking around for the blade discarded on the ground. The maid, still not out for the count, felt the weapon under her body and with a frown, took it before pointing it at her own throat.

Y/N: Give me the sword Elisa!

Elisa: No! If I do, I'll never be... I'll never be able to feel your warmth ever again!

It was a nonsensical response, utter gibberish. Why would it matter? After all, it's like putting down a dying animal, it happens, people move on and that's the end. Being attached to a parasite was something odd for the man.

Now that he think about it, she always seemed to look his way, she must have realized the truth from the start. She wished for him to not realize it either, that must be the reason for her kindness, it was all out of pity! Of course it was, why would she bother speaking with him otherwise?

Y/N: I'll make this world a better place, whether if I have to force that thing out of your hands or not!

He was set on his decision, the final choice. The gates were waiting for him, waiting for the moment his body will become nothing more than information to others to read. Standing in front of the gate, the blind girl was looking back at him, carrying his soon-to-be executioner. Facing a person that she will never be able to see, she gritted her teeth and held her tears.

Elisa: If you want to die so much then take me with you!

Y/N: ...

Elisa: I don't want to be the only dead weight in this nightmare, I can't do this!

Y/N: ...

Elisa: I want to stay with you... I want to stay with the person I learned to know!

Beggging at this point, the blade remained unchanged, ready to take its first life. Witnessing the lack of fear in her actions, the man finally accepted that she was serious, she would end her own life if he went with his decision... so even his plan was doomed from the start

...Just when he discovered a purpose, someone had to interfere, he was forced to make people unhappy no matter what he does.

Y/N: ...

Elisa: Please stop... I beg you.

Y/N: But... it's all I can do right, I should do what's best for everyone.

Elisa: And me? What about the ones who care about you?! Do you know how much pain you will leave behind if you decide to end it all?

Y/N: ...

Elisa: ...I didn't think it was that bad for you.

She whispered to the librarian, finally lowering her sword. She placed it back in its respective sheath and heaved a sigh, feeling the tension from a moment ago starting to diminish.

Elisa: Y/N... it's not your fault, you have to stop blaming everything on you.

Y/N: It is, all of it.

Elisa: It isn't, you to face it calmly.

Not possessing enough willpower to open his mouth and talk, he remained silent. Taking it as a sign of acceptance, she placed a hand on her chest and tried to give him a smile, the same expression she used to talk with him.

Elisa: Even if everyone won't say it, I will.

Y/N: ?

Elisa: I will always be by your side, until the end and even after. So don't bear that grim expression, you should smile at the things you have left.

'I will always be by your side, until the end and even after.'

Elisa: Even if the world is against you, I want to stand by your side until the end.

'I will always be by your side.'

Elisa: Even when we become separated, I want to stand beside you, to smile at your success, to smile at your achivements.

'Always by your side.'

It was the breaking point. Finally snapping back to reality, he saw himself standing in place, fixating a bookshelf right in front of him. For a second, the world around him seemed unfamiliar until memories came back.

Y/N: Right, Clownpiece.

She arrived already, he should hurry and greet her before she makes a mess. Running to the entrance, he refused to look behind himself just like in the past, refusing to confront the emotions following him.

She said that she would stand by his side until the end, she gave him some motivation and just like how he predicted it, the leech took the life of everyone else. She became one with those losses.

All that remains is a single parasite taking the shape of a human, a dying animal that should have been taken out a long time ago.