A battle starts as I leap at the chains.

The Author does not respond. He seems to have gotten the first turn, as I am unable to select the chains or him as a target, but he doesn't act. Gen tries to take his turn, still on my side, aiming for the chains, but he too is unable to act.

I notice a distant, melancholy guitar rift begin...

Uh oh.

The Author has low HP.

He then starts the lyrics.

"I don't like this," Gen comments.

"Why are you even helping me?" I ask, "aren't you a mask too?"

"If he wants me to be," Gen explains, "but forcing him into this isn't right. My brother must be stopped."

I start the lyrics of Desprate Screams.

I,
Was but a lad.
When it all went wrong.
And I learned the truth.

Got nowhere else to go.

I have only my world.

A world that I made.

The Author was inflicted with despair!

"Gen what's that?" I ask.

"Despair," Gen explains, "status condition. Decreases all stats and inflicts mortal damage after three turns."

Afraid,
I'm watching my back,
And avoiding slumber,
Because I have no other choice.

I'm,
Becoming desperate.
I want the pain to end.
Is that to much to ask?

Apparently so.

The Author is in despair!

"Did my turn pass?" I ask.

"He must be using a stall skill like, Write All Night," Gen explains, "to basically make it as if a turn has passed without using his. However, he'll run out of mana if he keeps this up."

"What's mana?"

"Mana is the energy of all things, a writer's creativity. All is mana, and mana is all. Without mana, the world would stabilize and cease expansion. Stagnating as it is."

The instruments suddenly pick up and become intense.

I'm screaming for help!
Can't let anyone hear me!
If they know the truth,
They'll take them away!

If I say the wrong thing,
Put on the wrong facade,
I'll lose them,
And then I'll die!

The Author is despairing!

"Gen do something!" I exclaim.

"I'm on it," Gen replies.

I'm,
Living in fear.
He threatens to hurt me!
Well why don't you do it!?!

Because then they would care.

Maybe then they would.

"Got it!" Gen exclaims.

Gen overrides The Author's turn!

Gen Dies for Them!

Gen took 9999 mortal damage!

The battle ends.

Gen!

I dash to Gen's side.

*Bring him back.

The Author is pulled back by his chains, and into the dungeon, the bottom floor.

"Fando," Gen wheezes, "you have to keep going."

"What about you?" I ask.

"The souls," Gen smiles, "take them. You'll need them to beat The Wardens."

"All of them?" I sigh.

"Yes," Gen replies, "even Breaker."

"Alright," I reply.

"Don't forget," Gen smiles as the life fades from his eyes, "I'm here for you, but not as me a mask and you a manifestation, but as a character. As your friend."

"Thanks," I smile.

Gen wheezes and goes limp. I take his soul and go through the hole in the crystal wall, finding and taking the souls of Armored and Breaker as well.

"Breaker you got some explaing to do!" Armored exclaims, her voice within my head with the others.

"Look," Breaker sighs, "I can spare Gen, but the man himself... he's a threat. He literally intends to destory this world. I have to stop him. Author Slayer or no, I won't allow that, OK?"

"He won't do that if we can beat Edgar," Gen replies, "you don't have to do this."

"Are you sure?" Breaker asks.

We all go silent.

"If you believe in him so much," Breaker growls, "prove it. Fight for him."

Breaker forces his soul free, now standing before me. He rewrites the situation, causing battle to start. Should I go all out or be careful? After all, I still have a damaged soul...

Choice: No mercy!

Choice: Fight defensively.