"I do have one question," Ash replies, "why don't you talk to Phenoix?"

Yes! The ship!

"Nathan don't you dare," I hear Gene warn, but I do it anyways.

I start a soft rock instrumental.

Well Phoenix, now's your chance. Best sing how you feel now.

Phenoix takes a deep, nervous breath, and begins to sing in a voice, "sweet and fluffy like cotton candy."

...

Gene's thought, not mine.

Pheonix sings the following as Ash rolls to manipulate the room, getting a seventeen, and summoning a microphone for Pheonix.

"The truth is I love you," Pheonix really goes all in here, "when I see you, I know my love is true. I don't know why I love you, but I think it may have something to do, with the fact I have Sour's shard."

Gene smiles and blushes, embarssed a little. He sings the second verse.

"Amalgam," he begins, "you seem very sweet. I didn't think, that I would, end up with feelings for you. You flatter me, and amuse me."

Phenoix seems hurt by the use of the word "amuse", but doesn't say anything.

"But I am a king," Gene continues, "and I have a job. My brother's gone, so I must replace God. This is my role, in this twisted game."

The two sing the third verse in synch, "but the truth is I love you. When I see you, I know this love is true. I want you by my side-"

Gene sings the last line alone, "but I've chosen not to love since the day my queen died."

With that Gene looks down at his feet, sits down on his throne, rolls to end the instruments, getting a fourteen and causing silence, and stops responding.

"Is he still breathing?" Ash asks.

Yeah, he's fine. Don't worry about it. Anyways, I've arranged for Marcie to meet you two outside. So, go on ahead.

Ash and Pheonix begin to leave, but Pheonix looks back at Gene, who offers no reaction. Ash and Pheonix leave as Gene sits silently, thinking...

Anyways Ash, so you're going with using game magic to manipulate the environment and enemy attacks?

"Yeah," Ash replies, "I guess."

OK. Anyways, Marcie greets the duo with a wave. She seems to have moved on from Manny's death, knowing he'll revive soon anyways. That's the void for ya. What's the void? Oh, well, the rest of the universe has decayed. The void is all that's left. Gene's used his power to make it more hospitable, but now, it too decays. Moving on...

"So," Marcie asks, "what's the plan here? How do we find Reaper?"

Ash thinks. They have a choice to make...