Everything is dark, I can't see anything. Am I dreaming or did the world perished?

...I don't know anymore, everything is confusing and I can't seem to open my eyes for some reason. I shouted, screamed, begged for someone to save me yet nobody could listen to my pleading.

Somebody please save me...

...

.....

???: Hey sleepyhead, how are you doing?

I couldn't speak, no words could escape my mouth and I was stuck with them in my throat, unable to pronounce my thoughts to the one speaking to me. I tried to grab his hand but my hand phased through his, leaving me empty-handed.

???: Sorry, I was dozing off.

A voice that I recognized responded and I glanced at the one beside me. She had the same appearance as me, making me question about my own existence, why am I here?

???: It's fine, plus you're cute when you're sleepy.

I wanted to protest, I am the real one so why is he talking to her? I tried to scream to make myself known but I could feel the invisible hands strangling me, stopping me from doing anything.

???: R-Really?

She blushed and I felt myself blushing too. After all, we were still the same person so the compliment was also directed at me...

...But I wanted to be the one to receive it.

???: We should hurry before we get into trouble.

???: You mean, before you get into troubles with Kali right?

Kali... that name seems familiar but I can't understand who it could be. I tried to touch the one with the same appearance as me but it was futile, I simply phased through her body like nothingness.

???: Partially since I wanted to learn some tricks from her but also because I don't want you to have some problems because you decided to not show up.

They grabbed each other's hands and I felt like my world was falling apart. Why her? Why not me? We're the same person but I can't understand, I don't want to understand.

I saw them leaving the room and I was stuck in place, unable to follow them. I tried to call his name but no noises reached them, only the silence.

...Then the lights turned off and I was back in the void. I looked around and then saw a light, a light leading me out of the darkness.

...I started walking in it's direction and with each passing steps, I could feel my body getting colder and colder, my heartbeat getting slower too.

I don't have an identity anymore, I'm simply a ghost roaming this place. He can't see me... or maybe I'm not real, what am I?

???: Alter Ego, don't leave!

I turned around and saw him standing in the darkness. I remained still and saw him, the same as before and a pair of begging eyes looking at me. I used my strength and smiled at him before stepping in his direction.

...I don't want to leave, I don't want to die, not yet. I want to be with him, I want to live alongside him....

It's not even a choice, my body simply CANNOT consider the possibility to leave him behind, all alone in this world.

Simply seeing him brought me happiness, almost like seeing someone after a long time.

Alter Ego: ...

As I continued to walk, shadows started to form in front of me. The first one stepped foward and I recognized the leader of the Control team.

Malkuth: You don't know when to give up? Your stay here is over, leave!

I was pushed back into the light but I resisted, not wishing to vanish. I walked back in my steps and tried to push foward, now isn't the time to give up.

Malkuth: You should have died a long time ago, nobody will miss you.

It's not true, I know it, I know that at least one person cares about me and his trust in me will allow me to march foward, walk in the direction of the future.

Alter Ego: It's not true, he's waiting for me!

I forced my way and saw the shadow disappearing. I continued walking in his direction and saw the one supervising the Training team blocking my path.

Hod: He will never love you, he will never acknowledge you as anything more than a simple human being.

I felt my legs trembling, feeling my grasp onto the invisble path under my feet vanishing. I tried to remain still but I could feel myself slipping away, slipping away from my only link between me and freedom.

...It's wrong, I know it, he's someone important for me and I'm important for him too, I know it and I won't let anyone tell me otherwise. I started walking, feeling an intense wind trying to push me backward.

Alter Ego: He's waiting for my arrival, I can't abandon him! I refuse to stay here!

I raised my hand in the direction of the Sephirah and saw the sword covered in bandages appearing into my hand, my outfit changing back into the suit that I was wearing. I walked closer and slashed the apparition in half, allowing me to progress.

Alter Ego: I will keep fighting to the very end!

I could see his figure getting closer, I was almost at the end. I smiled at him and tried to reach him, feeling the weigth of the hat that I recently obtained on my head. Then, I felt a new sensation in my lips, the lipstick was back... I was whole again.

...But it wasn't over.

Angela: You will never be with him, stop deluding yourself into thinking that.

I tried to ignore it but my body was getting heavier until my weak legs couldn't carry me. I fell on the ground and saw the AI standing next to him, glaring at me with a disgusted expression.

Angela: You will never be able to be beside him, your worthless dream should vanish along with your existence.

Alter Ego: I...

I fought against the doubts pushing me back and I gritted my teeth before getting up. I tried to continue but I couldn't advance, I was trapped.

Angela: Giving up is the best solution, it will hurt less than facing the truth-

Alter Ego: No, I won't give up! Because...

Memories flashed into my mind, memories that I recognized and even ones that I could barely remember... All of them fused together and I felt like a lock was removed in my mind.

Alter Ego: Because it's not true! I know that we were together before and I won't let it change.

I ran to her and saw her taking a step back, a surprised look in her face.

Angela: You won't-

Alter Ego: Shut up!

I yelled that while destroying that illusion holding me back. I took a moment to catch my breath and saw him looking at me with a smile and eyes filled with tears.

Alter Ego: I won't leave you, I promise!

I said that while jumping into his arms, turning the darkness around us into pure light.

...

........

Alter Ego: ...

I moved my body and saw the familiar room. I lowered my gaze and saw Y/N sleeping next to me, probably worried about me. I smiled at his sleeping face and gently touched his head, making him groan before opening his eyes.

Alter Ego: Hey sleepyhead, how are you doing?

I calmly asked that and saw his surprise. He got up and grabbed me before embracing me. I did the same and felt his warmth comforting me, appeasing me.

...However, that feeling was familiar, we did that a lot of times, more than I could ever count.

25 days ago wasn't our first meeting, we were together for almost an eternity in this place, always waiting for a good ending.

Alter Ego: I'm back Y/N... I will never leave you.

...And I wish that we could be like this for a long time, both of us facing the future while holding our hands.

I'm Alter Ego, the lucky person to be with the one I love for more than 10 000 years.