There is soft light.

There are glasses of wine, lining on the table.

There is music.

There are people cheering over the game they had won.

And there is me...

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There was a tale once told about a girl.

She was young, beautiful, brimming with bright smiles shining on chocolate-colored skin.

But behind her smiles, there was pain.

Everywhere, her limbs, her head, her heart, so hurt that she eventually grew numb. She was cursed.

Whether it is a powerful gift from God, or a bitter price to pay unwantedly, Patricia cares neither.

The pain remains part of her until now, when she has become one of those survivors that must fight fiercely to gain the control of their own lives.

There were nights she wondered, could a woman named 'Nightingale' really free her from this monster creeping inside her body, slowly and painfully killing each cell of her? And who will she be after that, should the day come?

The dedicate aroma of fermented grapes lingers on her nose from a tall, thin glass she held deliberately in between her bruised fingers, keeping her from overthinking everything.

As she takes a sip, a small smile gently pulled out from the corner of her mouth.

There are things in the future to worry about, yes, but not now.

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Tonight is the night.

The night they all waited for so long, to be free from the chain of never ending deaths repeatedly occurring, holding them back.

The final night they can call each other 'teammate' without the need to know who they once were and where they came from.

The only night that has neither 'hunter' nor 'survivor', just 'friend'.

No blood, no kill, only laugh and joy. Hugs and pattings, all things available for the party to go on.

While watching everyone dancing happily on the dance floor, Patricia simply stands at the balcony, glancing at a pitch black sky so dark that there isn't a single star dotting on it.

Tonight, she is not the Enchantress with a cursed charm that brought pain to hunters and herself.

She is just Patricia Dorval. A normal woman.

Nothing much to savor from normal days or normal battles. But there are memories.

Good memories. Fighting together. Escaping together. Or, dying in hope that everyone else has got out successfully.

Those who treat her nicely.

Those who keep distance with her.

After tonight, none of them will last.

She doubt that Eli has forseen this as well, cause he's the one and only Seer here. Though forbidden to give foretells, his grimaces and awkward smile to everyone in her eyes seem like something bad is going to happen to them all. He is surely the type to put people above himself, and Patricia likes that.

Maybe, sensitive ones like Helena, or Vera, have known that too.

It's easy to guess. But hard to keep away.

They don't wish to ruin the fun.

...

...

...

"So, end of the party huh?"

Weird, pointy strands of hair feels tickle on her neck, warning her of the sudden appearance of Norton from behind.

He nudged on her, like they have always done after every battles, either to comfort each other, or simply a way to feel less lonely at times. Nonetheless, they are close.

"With time, we all perish, don't we...."

She embraced his hands around her waist, leaning on him.

With time, they all become history.

"You know that as well..."

"Isn't that how life works out eventually for us?"

"Hah... you're right."

Every man dies, not every man really lives.

They all know that too well.

Many have fallen asleep. It's good for them to not bid farewell to each other, or... some might tear up, and it'll be even harder to depart. Emma, perhaps. Her smiles are something Patricia dares not to lose. Because it brightens her day, everyone's day within the gloomy atmosphere of mist and blood.

At least tonight they all had their parts of fun.

Norton and Patricia quietly stare at the dream land before their eyes, where everyone has already gone to, they don't wait. They don't have to wait, actually.

Because sooner or later, she will be there too.

As they lean on the balcony's white rail, several rays of sunlight at dawn briskly cover them, and they know the time has come.

"It's nice to know you, Norton Campbell."

"So am I, Patricia Dorval."

Norton hugs her tighter, his eyes blinded out by tears but the shadow before him is still so clear, so bright.

"May you find peace in the land of dream."

She just simply lifted his left hand up and plant a light kiss on it.

"I already found you."

Until when will they find each other again?

His question faded with both in daylight as they slowly turn into dust and scatter with breeze.

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[Note 1: Bối cảnh là đêm cuối cùng của trò chơi, phía survivor đã thắng, và họ tổ chức một bữa tiệc để ăn mừng, có cả các hunter tham gia nhưng không còn phân biệt hunter và survivor. Bữa tiệc này kết thúc vào lúc bình minh. Khi tia nắng đầu tiên chạm tới thì tất cả sẽ tan thành cát bụi.

Note 2: Tôi quắn NorPatri và PatriJos, ngoài ra không ship thêm. uwu]