Edgar: The Era of Peace. A golden age for the heroes and mortals. A time of leisure, scientific and magical advancements, and, most importantly, character development.

Let's clear something up. First off, my name is Edgar, and I am kinda the dark side of the author... or am I the real deal? Who knows? I advance the plot, no matter the cost. I don't care about you, or these characters. Heck, if I had my say, you wouldn't be seeing this. Everyone hates me, I'm just here to be hated. A scapegoat is all I'll ever be... (Edgar hesitates, even behind his mask, it is clear he is depressed by his role.)

Anyways, we should continue. It was the day before Christmas eve. The Era of Peace was still young, but Reaper had put off the plot for so long, he was done waiting.

(Scene change to a coffee shop. It's snowing outside the shop.)

The Metal Skinned: (Has blue eyes and brown hair. Wears comfortable, spring time clothes despite the weather. When she walks in, her skin is metal.)

Reaper: (Sees The Metal Skinned (M.S.) Gets up.) Hey M.S.!

M.S.: (Returns skin to normal) Hey Reaper! How you doing?

Reaper: Great, now that Hatred is out of the picture. Hey, since you're here, why not join me for coffee?

M.S.: Sure, why not?

M.S. and Reaper: (Sit down at a table.)

M.S.: So, I've heard there's some distrust from the mortals towards Tolerance and Forgiveness. I mean, just, so judgemental, you know?

Edgar: Now, what Reaper says here may not match to his title of Author Slayer, but he changed when this era ended.

Reaper: Eh, it's not like they're advancing the plot. We're in the clear. Now it's all fatal pranks and cheating death. Cause let's be honest, death holds no weight anymore.

M.S.: Pretty true. I died on the way here actually. Forgot to turn metal.

Reaper: You OK?

M.S.: I didn't go to Hell. Decided to say hi to the Unwinged Angel in the Heavens and returned to the mortal world.

Reaper: Ah, I see.

M.S.: So, why exactly are you just now smiling?

Reaper: (This is the first scene in which he is not shown with his agitated indifference. He is, for the first time in the play, smiling.) What do you mean?

M.S.: Throughout every book, every plotline, I've never seen you smile for very long. Yet now you smile all the time. Why?

Reaper: The story is over. We don't have to live in fear of Hatred or anyone else. Back then, I was always preparing, but now, I'm living my life.

M.S.: Why'd you wait so long?

Reaper: My personal life is not for the amusement of the readers. It is my life, not theirs. Besides, if I were to ask someone out, I'd do so off camera. Wouldn't want a relationship that became a way to draw more readers in. Cause if it did, the author would continue for even longer.

M.S.: Relationship? With who?

Reaper: (Turns away nervously) Oh, I don't know. Somebody.

M.S.: (Catches the hint.) Someone like me?

Reaper: (Blushes nervously.) Yeah. I guess.

M.S.: Listen, Reaper, (holds Reaper's hand.) I've always wanted this, but you were always so busy with the plot. Since it's over, let's see where this takes us.

Reaper: (Smiles) Sure. I'd love to.

M.S.: (Smiles back)

Edgar: That was the start of a short lived, but beautiful relationship. Let's go forward to the 57th year of the Era of Peace.

(Scene change to Reaper and M.S. walking down the street. They both wear earnings now. Small, but noticeable.)

Reaper: Hey M.S.

M.S.: Yeah?

Reaper: You kinda gotta wonder, why were the readers present a while back?

M.S.: You mean the day you gave me this earring?

Reaper: Yeah, that's the one.

M.S.: I thought we agreed it was an epilogue, or a fangame.

Reaper: I thought so to, but... I sense them again.

M.S.: Wait, what?

Reaper: The readers are present.

M.S.: Reaper are you OK? Were you cursed?

Reaper: M.S. I'm serious. They're here, watching us, right now.

M.S.: Reaper, listien, the story is over.

Reaper: What if the Lich was telling the truth? What if the story isn't over?

M.S.: Reaper, he's a villian, we're heroes. He was probably trying to start the plot to get a redemption arc or something.

Reaper: Still, why would the readers be here, right now? We should be preparing. I haven't trained in years. (Reaper falls silent and stops walking...) This just feels... off. Maybe we should go and finish Hatred off, prepare an attack on The Emptiness.

M.S.: Reaper, please, stop.

Reaper: (Bitter expression returns). The readers are here for a reason M.S. What if this is an omen? We have to be ready. I'm going to practice my magic. I haven't in quite some time, and I can't risk being weak if Hatred does return. I'm sorry, but I've got to go. (Begins to leave.)

M.S.: Reaper wait! (Grabs Reaper's hand.)

Reaper: M.S., listen, Hatred is dangerous. If he's trying to write, we have to stop him.

M.S.: Hatred is gone. There's no escaping The Emptiness unless Prototype 42 lets him out, or he writes his way, but he's not strong enough to do that. The author can't hurt you anymore.

Edgar: (To audience) Yes I can.

M.S.: (Hugs Reaper.) Please, don't leave me.

Reaper: (Hugs M.S. back.) Remember, with the earings, we're never apart. I wear the one that represents you, and you wear the one that represents me. I'll always be by your side.

Edgar: Enough of that fluff. Anyways, as you can see, The Era of Peace were probably the best years of Reaper's infinite existence. So, what happened? Well, it ended. Hatred came back and banished everyone to The Emptiness. Here, let me show you the last moment they spent together.

M.S.: (Opens a box. Inside is a wedding ring, visible to the audience. Takes a deep breath. It's a cool Auttum day, the world feels relaxed, but somehow, a sense of dream looms far away, just out of reach.)

Reaper: Hey M.S.!

M.S.: (Seems nervous, only time in the play she seems uneasy.) Hey Reaper, there's something I wanna ask you.

Reaper: What is it?

M.S. (Starts to get on one knee.) Reaper, will you...

Reaper: (Phone rings.) Oh, I gotta take this.

M.S.: (Gets back up.) OK, no rush.

Reaper: (On phone.) Oh, sorry dude, I'll be right there. (Hangs up.) Listen, Reaper Classic and I were gonna hang out today, and I've already blown him off thrice, so, rain check?

M.S.: (Hides box.) Sure, we've got all the time in the world. (Smiles.) See ya later Reaper.

Reaper: See ya M.S. (leaves.)

M.S.: (Sighs. Holds ring.) Ah well, the story's over. I'll just ask him later. (End scene.)

Edgar: Yeah, that was the last day of the Era of Peace. Now a days, the only thing Reaper cares about is doing this.

Reaper: (Slashes apart a scarecrow resembling Edgar with his scythe.)

Edgar: The day the Era of Peace ended, was the day Reaper snapped. However, that's a story for another time... that time being now, in the next act!