I decide to face The Wolf.

(Be careful.)

Breaker kisses my cheek.

I will.

I enter the room, which is made of black crystal.

"I can't come with you," Gen explains.

"What do you-" I turn around and notice a barrier has ejected Gen's soul, leaving him outside the room.

(I don't like this. Come back.)

I can do this. Don't worry.

"This seems shady," Armored advises, "turn back."

"I can handle this," I reassure them.

(I'll be here for you.)

Thanks.

I proceed down a secret staircase under a lone red rug and proceed downward, even deeper than when I met The Technician.

(What's it like?)

It's dark, and cold. I smell something. It smells like ink and blood.

"Howdy," a voice chuckles as lights come on, revealing countless corpes, nailed to walls, cleaved in half, some fresh, some rotten, some in between. The sight is nauseating.

"I am The Wolf," a humanoid being who shows no affinity to either gender approaches, "my purpose is to kill you Fando."

Their hair is grey, and they wear a black outfit of a t-shirt, jeans, and an unzipped jacket. An aura of power emanates from them...

...

A battle starts.

(That aura... Fando! Run!)

A text box appears, "can't flee this fight."

A song begins, it sounds intriguing and urgent. It appears to have a strong emphasis on drums and techno, but it sounds more like a JRPG song than anything.

The lyrics start. The Wolf begins to sing...

"I call this one, The Wolf's Fangs.

It's everyone for themselves.
I can't hide from them.
I must play by their rules.
Or they're going to hurt me.

My friends are their foes,
The masks they wear,
Have forced masks apon me.
Because the cops don't care.

Just keep lying.
Inside dying.
When will the cycle break?
Nobody deserves this pain.

So go on,
Challenge our fate!
No escape every day,
Dancing with our devils!

Nothing can change my fate!
If I don't defeat you,
Then pain awaits."

The Wolf put on The Mask of The Beaten!

The Wolf casts Repressed Hatred!

The Wolf strikes with repressed pain!

The Wolf strikes me repeatedly, beating me down with their fists.

Fando took 1000 damage!

Fando took 750 damage!

Fando avoided the attack!

The Wolf tripped!

(Now's your chance!)

The Wolf is prone!

(Go all out!)

Strike with all you have?

I take that opportunity.

I pick up The Wolf by their head and slam them into the wall.

The Wolf took 9999 mortal damage!

The mask shattered!

The Wolf put on The Mask of Neglect!

The Wolf ignored their pain!

The Wolf's defense increased!

(No point attacking! Wait for them to screw up again!)

Fando guards!

Fando's defense and evasion increased!

The Wolf uses Ignored Strike!

Fando wasn't paying attention!

(Fando look out!)

Breaker warned Fando!

The Wolf lunges at me with intensely powerful dark magic.

So that's what they have.

Fando avoided the attack!

The Wolf tripped!

The Wolf is prone!

I take the opportunity once more, this time drop kicking The Wolf square in the mask.

The mask shattered!

The Wolf put on The Mask of Broken Sticks!

The Wolf casts Sticks and Stones!

Fando hears a barrage of insults!

Stop please!

(Fando it's OK! It's just a curse! I read it in the notes, but man, this is the most potent I've ever seen a curse like this. This guy is on par with us manifestaions. Be careful!)

Fando collapsed!

Fando is prone!

The Wolf attacks with all they have!

The Wolf blasts me with a beam of darkness, then, it's all black.

Fando took 9999 mortal damage!

Fando's soul shattered!

(Fando!)

...

This is truly an unjust world.

Your tale has come to an end.

You've met with a terrible fate haven't you?

I awaken, my form fading fast as my vision darkens, I see The Author at a desk. He seems unsurprised yet disappointed.

You shall never reach the truth unless you learn why.

Why what?

Why I brought you here.

Why did you?

It matters not. Your tale is over. You shall die here, and the truth shall go untold. Want some rice before you go? It's good rice.

No...

I start crying.

It can't be...

Why not?

Because...

I see the girl in the purple jacket and the other girl in glasses.

Because...

I find myself glowing with a red power as I wonder who lies on The Author's mask.

Because I won't let this be your ending!

Then awaken!

"Yes!" The voice exclaims, "awaken to a taste of your power!"

Fando's soul was repaired!

Fando strikes with Compassion!

The Wolf took 9998 damage!

The blow was non fatal!

The battle ends.

The Wolf is crying.

(Fando!)

I'm OK! I'm... actually glowing a lot. Red color. I feel really...

And it's gone.

Man I'm beat.

(You OK?)

I'm fine.

"Why?" The Wolf begins to flicker.

"You struck first!" I exclaim.

"Even here," The Wolf weeps, "can't I just win once? Is it wrong to defend myself?"

"What are you-"

I put my hand on The Wolf's shoulder, triggering the red glow. Then...

I see many things. First I see an angry father, awoken early, he approaches three young children with a belt. He lifts the belt...

Then I see two parents screaming at a child with has a B. The child is crying. Appears to be in middle school, maybe high school.

Next I see a child neglected as their parents drink or do drugs.

I see many instances like this. That's when I realize Wolf...

Is a manifestation.

"Wolf..." I plead.

"My soul's breaking," Wolf continues, "my dad, The Beast, already damaged it, said if I don't kill you, they kill me. Just finish me. I just the pain to stop."

"No!" I exclaim, "You can be more! Your stories, those you repersent, we can help them! Come with me! We're on the same side! Let me help you, and those you repersent!"

"Then you better find a way to preserve my soul," Wolf sighs, "cause only The Author can fix it for good, but Sour or you taking it could work, or I could wait here for one of the others to take it. Maybe Armored? She needs the power boost. Besides, the barrier has fallen."

"Don't worry," I reassure them, "You're gonna be OK..."

Choice: Call Sour

Choice: Take their soul

Choice: Call Armored