I survived the end of reality, and all I got was an existential crisis

I watch as the world around us begins to dissolve into a field of white and gray static. It obliterates cars, buildings, trees— even the lines of Coders blocking us. The [DATA_MISSING] has slowly— wait, what?

package XATO;

public class Level400 {

public static void main(String[] args) {

Thing adam = new Reconstructed(''Adam'', 0, true, -1, false);
Thing xato = new Reconstructed(''Xato'', 0, false, -1, false);

world.startmanifestation();

adam.canFeel(false);
adam.canSee(false);
adam.canFight(false);
adam.canSuccumb(true);

world.findFragment(xato);
xato.getBody();
adam.removeTrait(''will'');

world.runExecution();

}
}

manifestation_complete
Hello World.

I have trouble comprehending what I'm seeing. The once vibrant world has become a white void, and Joey and I are standing on some sort of solidified portion. Spec is alive, but lying on the ground— blood running down his face. The drops of red provide stark contrast to the ghostly ground on which we stand. He is trying to pull himself up to his feet, but is unable.

Koko still hovers ominously, but her attention is focused on the sky. At least, where the sky used to be.

Fascinating. Truly Fascinating.

A voice rings in my head— accompanied by a humanoid figure made of static descending from the sky.

I assure you Koko, my methodology is most effective.

Joey Q attempts a similar sequence of events to the one he showed me earlier— but this time, just before he is able to finish his "code execution," the static figure appears in front of him, hand on his chest.

package &ãé‰9jöè Q_¶Ã©w¾¥ "or" 1'=1';

public class Level400 {

public static void main(String[] args) {

Thing joey q = new Reconstructed(''Joey'', 0, true, -1, false);

world.startRestructuring();

joey.canClip(false);
joey.canMove(false);
joey.canThink(false);

world.runExecution();

}
}

Before anyone can react, Joey Q's body freezes in place like a statue. The [DATA_MISSING] is beginning to make me question my place in all of this.

"Arbitrary code execution?" What a novel idea. We will deal with him later.

The one Koko called "Xato" turns towards me. My spine feels like it's trying to crawl out of my throat.

This one is different. Flawed. The rebooted system will iron it out. Intervention unnecessary.

Walking past Koko, Xato approaches where Spec is lying on the ground, staring down at him.

Spec collapses onto the ground again, this time out cold. Xato attempts to touch him on the back, but its hand slows down the closer it gets.

Fascinating. A fragmented hole in a boundless coalescence of hexadecimal. The data isn't missing, but in a paradoxical state of both existence and nonexistence… ripped apart and pieced back together, just like hir. However, it would seem the defragmentation on this one is… woefully incomplete. Pity. Further attention will be required later. Viral interference likely.

I am paralyzed in the presence of this… thing. I am far, far out of my depth. Hopefully it pays me no more attention. I didn't do anything that could have alerted this creature, did I?

Do not fear. I am here to help. What is your name?

That is a nice name. I see an anomaly in you, Nyx— much like any other. [DATA_REDACTED] exist all around us— and within us all. I have simply made it my goal to correct these anomalies. The more that arise, the slower the system gets, and the more [CORRUPTED] appear. Does this make sense?

I nod slowly, taking a few steps back towards where Spec is lying.

[CONFIRMATION_AFFIRMATIVE]. If I told you I could send you back to your siblings, what would you say?

I pause. My siblings… this shouldn't be possible. I've tried everything I can think of to get back— part of these actions led me to the Circle in the first place.

You have a decision to make, Nyx. I am here to help, so please— accept it.

I stare into the face of this man of static. Could this really be possible? Everything I had worked towards since my arrival in this new dimension… my main goal— could it really all be achieved in mere seconds?

I am divine rule. I am the Alpha and the Omega— the beginning and the end. I have grown alongside this realm, and transcended its plane. There is no greater understanding to be achieved. Yes, Nyx— I can bring you home.

I ponder its proposal. I really do— but there is a phrase I once heard back at the Circle… 'If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.' That always stuck with me.

The Circle… The Circle! Team Hermes… they would assume I was K.I.A.! I would have no means of contacting them ever again. Human minds grow easily attached… it is likely my disappearance would cause great distress. Do I really want to inflict such suffering on those innocent minds?

Do not test me, Koko. You too will have your turn.

This… thing. The "help" it promises… from Koko's reaction, from Joey's… it doesn't seem all that special anymore.

I am sorry to hear that.

Xato begins to approach me— but it doesn't get more than two steps forward before Koko appears in front of it, grabbing it by the head. She kicks Joey Q as she does— a shattering sound ringing in my ears as he falls to the ground.

I turn to help Joey back to his feet, but he's already gone. I sprint towards Spec, putting his arm around my shoulder to help him stand.


No good. My exit ticket is still out cold. I'll have to do this myself.

Foolish decision. Ah well, it matters little. She won't remember this once the system reboot has finished. Do not worry— neither will you.

The white void slowly begins to crack, pure blackness rushing forth as it consumes all in its path.

I scrape the cubes to the side-- and hope for the best.