The Other Side: A Second Chance [Dark Isekai Drama]

Truth

Luna burrowed deep into herself and forced open the door to Truth's room. Before she even had a moment to ask what was going on, Truth was thrust into the forefront. Suddenly, she was in a room, a bare, lifeless husk of one at that. Two pitiful beds with sheets bearing no personality, and sad, white walls that had never once sported any color that wasn't the dust that clung to their surface.

Truth was on one of these beds. Luna's brother Varis sat beside her with a tightly clutched notepad and a fountain pen in the other hand. He was staring at her intently, his expression confused. Truth then noticed that she clutched Luna's caster in her hand, the mirror showing nothing but a blackened void.

Like when I last spoke to Venra. She recalled looking down at the archeo. Was Luna speaking to him?

"Well then…" Venra's slow, gravely voice purred. "This is fascinating to see."

Truth blinked. Dammit, Luna, couldn't you have given me a heads up? Or at least explain what is going on.

"What is fascinating?" Truth asked.

Venra chuckled and purred. "You are, Dreamer…"

Truth blinked and noticed Varis scribbling in the notepad. Is he transcribing? she wondered, and then an idea came to her.

"Thanks," she said to Venra, then focused on Varis. "Hey, can I see the notepad for a second?"

Varis frowned for a second. "Uh, sure, but… I can't write what you're saying without it." He handed it to Truth, then his frown deepened. "Luna, are you there?"

As Truth grabbed the notepad, she paused upon hearing that question. "Wh-what do you mean?" She asked, taking the pad and resting it on her lap, her eyes never leaving Varis.

Varis rested his palms on his knees and eyed her quizically. "You seem, different all of a sudden… Are you… Truth now?"

Truth's heart skipped a beat. So, you told him… You sneaky little… She took a deep breath. We need to sort out a way to talk.

Truth gave Varis a coy smile and a two-finger salute. "That'd be me! Caught red-handed, Luna is currently unavailable right now."

Varis pulled away a bit, his head cocked as if seeing her from another angle would change something. "Huh," he finally said, relaxing. "I expected something more… magical, but…" He trailed off when Venra's wheezing cackle butted in.

"Nothing about this is… Magical, young mortal…" Venra hummed, seemingly pleased about something.

"What're you so giggly about?" Truth asked as she flipped through the notepad to see when the conversation started.

At least Luna had the brains to document this conversation… Or was it her brother who came up with this?

Venra snorted. "I see… Dreamer, that you have… Compartmentalized your mind… Different… Aspects of yourself now control… Multiple different regions…"

Truth found the page where everything started and tapped it approvingly. She then looked at her Caster. "Well, look at you, Mr. Smarty Pants. You have concluded that I'm insane. Also, please stop calling me 'Dreamer' it honestly sounds lame, call me by another name, like, Truth or Luna, either or is fine."

Venra scoffed. "And here I thought this was the more professional side of you."

Truth shrugged as she began to skim the conversation. She was pleased to see how elegant Varis's handwriting was. His strokes were soft and straight; honestly, in some cases, it almost looked typed, making it easy to read.

"Well you thought wrong, Buddy, I like to think that compared to Weepy I'm a bit more blunt. Now shut up."

"Excuse me–"

"I said shut up I'm reading."

And he did. Truth quickly flipped through the pages. Okay, so the storm that's coming is fucking us either way. No avoiding that. Mother got exposed to something called the Pattern… Foundation of everything… Something about life is a simulation… Luna is an awakened dreamer and has lived past lives…

She was starting to see why Luna had shied away. You poor girl, you can't keep running away from it all. Truth sighed. "Okay, I got the gist of what's going on now." She passed the notebook over to Varis. "Cute handwriting by the way, reminds me of Mommas."

Varis blushed deeply and muttered a thanks as he took the notebook. A loud, drawn-out sigh came from the caster. "Are we done wasting time here?" Venra asked. "I have other matters I'd rather be attending."

"We're not done, not yet," Truth said. "You said your people traversed the Cerebellium, those who got affected by the awakenings, how did you treat them? Can we use whatever methods to treat our mother?"

Venra sighed, though this one seemed genuine and not annoyed. "I'll give you the benefit of the doubt, Truth, since Luna went away," He said, emphasizing her name. "As I told your other half true awakenings like I've described have never been encountered on this world. Enorans have only, just ever so briefly, begun to scrape the edges of what lies beyond…" He took a deep breath. "Your mother may very well be the first ever victim when it comes to seeing the truth beyond the veil… No pun intended. What treatments I'm aware of aren't accessible to you, not yet."

"What do you mean by that?" Truth asked. "Are you simply not wanting to share?"

Venra snorted. "No, that's not it. The technology and arcane know-how is simply beyond your, no offense, primitive capabilities. We would need one of my kind's facilities to be able to properly treat her, but even then, back in the day, my people could only do so much. Remember, much of what she's experiencing is psychological. There is only so much we can do to help with someone's mind."

"Long story short…" Truth deflated. "We're screwed…" She shared a sorry look with her brother as he lowered the pen and notepad.

Venra fell silent for a moment, then huffed. The sound of something creaking could be heard from the caster, as well as a small groan and a curse in a language she couldn't understand. "Not exactly," Venra finally said through a heavy breath.

Truth and Varis perked up. "What's that? Are you okay?" She asked, noting Venra's heavy breathing.

"I… Am okay… Just moving…" He coughed heavily, and there was more background noise of objects clattering together, followed by rustling papers. "I reminded myself of something…" He said with a grunt, and something heavy thudded on what sounded like a table. "It is true," Venra said, "That those on your back water world have not invented the means of treating your mother…"

"Thanks for the reminder, dick," Truth huffed.

"Bah, I only speak the truth!" Venra dismissed her. "But what I was saying, is that my people did, and we had once occupied this world."

"Are you an alien?" Varis asked out of nowhere.

Truth glanced at him. "Varis, you can't just ask someone that."

"He's talking weirdly, though," He said, "Calling this our world and such, like he isn't from here. And those sci-fi stories that Avdol told me about mention stuff about 'other worlders' who are like aliens from other planets!"

Venra chuckled. "So, science fiction is finally becoming a interest now? Fascinating… But, little mortal, you are not entirely wrong. I am in fact, not of this world. But, that is a conversation I never want to have later. Back to what I was saying, there may be someplace you can go to in order to help your mother."

Truth's heart swelled, and she sat up. "Okay, where?"

"I don't know," Venra said, "I did say may."

Truth's jaw dropped, and out of frustration, she shouted, "Then why bring it up at all?!"

Venra gasped. "Gah! Do not squeal like that! You children and your screeching voices, I swear." He sighed. "What I was going to get to is that mathematically speaking, there is a probable chance that the equipment you'll need could still be preserved somewhere on this planet. I won't know for certain until I go through all of my cyrominds and look over the mountains of data. Yet, if my memory serves me right, the Empire once had steady traffic coming through this sector, so it's likely, but again, I'll need to search."

Truth smiled widely. "So you'll do this for us? Really?"

Venra didn't say anything for a moment, but then, in a low voice, he said, "Eh, it'll give me something else to do in between projects." She could hear his shrug. "Once I've found something, I'll notify you. However, do not expect anything easy to come from this. If such a preserved facility exists, it'll be heavily guarded."

Truth frowned, but she couldn't recall any memories of what Isa or her mother had told her about ancient Far Reachers. Luna would probably have that knowledge.

"By what?" She asked. "A bunch of rusty robots?"

"Do you not know what preserved means?" Venra snarked.

Truth blushed. "Uh, well, slightly less rusty robots?"

Venra groaned. "No, you fool, fully functioning combat-shells. Automatons that'll rip you to shreds in micro-seconds if they could."

"Micro-what?" Varis blinked.

"He means very fast," Truth said, but smiled. "Doens't matter anyway."

"What?! Of course it–"

Truth dismissed him with a wave of her hand, not that he could see her. "I meant what I meant, if you can find a way for us to save our mother, then it doesn't matter how dangerous."

Unless it's outright suicide, she thought.

Venra sighed. "Alright then, I'll do what I can do. Anything else, or are we done here?"

Truth relaxed for a moment in thought, then shook her head. "No, I think we're good. Thank you, Venra, this means a lot. I'm sure Luna is pleased as well."

Venra huffed. "I'm only doing this because it'll help keep you together. Now, leave me be. I have important matters to attend to." Before anyone could say anything else, the darkness in the caster cleared, leaving only Truth's reflection staring back at her.

Truth took a deep breath and set the caster down. "Is he gone?" Varis asked softly.

Truth gave him a side glance, then closed her eyes and nodded. "Yeah, he's gone."

Varis sighed heavily. "Oooh wow," he said, practically shaking. "He's a scary sounding man, almost as a scary as Mr. Blaxen."

Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

Truth opened her eyes and turned toward him. "He's just an old geezer," She said, "Guys like him are just hardasses long past their prime, don't let him get to you."

Varis pursed his lips. "I dunno, Luna–or, Truth, if he is like that other Master guy, he could be scary."

Truth shrugged and smiled at him. "Maybe, but… Varis, you can call me Luna. We're the same person."

Varis blinked. "You are? Luna made it sound like you're two different people. Like when the Master controls her."

Truth waved a hand from side to side, palm facing the floor. "That's different. The Master is another person, an actual person, I think…" She trailed off as she recalled her and Luna's final moments in the Cerebellium when Shaed came to them. "...I'm not that."

Varis blinked. "I don't get it."

Truth smiled faintly. "I don't expect you to, it's complicated. Even I don't entirely get it either, but… Just know that I am Truth and Luna, in a way. I won't get offended if you call me by either name."

Varis nodded. "Okay, Truth… Do you think he'll help us, help Momma?"

Truth crossed her arms. "I don't know, but I also don't see why he wouldn't. Aside from getting our hopes up, what would he have to gain by lying to us?"

Varis shrugged. "I don't know… I'm scared, Truth." His ears flattened against his head, and he shuddered. "I'm scared Momma won't wake up."

Truth's ears also flattened, and she crawled over to him. Reaching out with an arm, she hesitantly draped it around him and pulled him into a side hug. "Hey, it's okay," she said, "We'll help her."

Varis sniffled. "Are you going to save her again?"

Truth hesitated, vague, hazy memories flashed before her. Visions from not so long ago showed fire, blood, and a sensation of fear. The time when she truly began to rouse from her slumber. They weren't her memories, but Luna's. Memories the girl was doing her hardest to bury.

That's not good, girl. Truth grimaced as she tried to push the visions away. You can't sit on those emotions.

Truth breathed and said, "We'll try to save her. Not just me this time, all of us."

Varis sniffled again but smiled faintly. "Yeah, we'll get her!"

Truth returned the smile, then glanced at the notebook. She reached out and tapped it gently. "Did you write everything down?"

Varis looked at the notepad and nodded. "Yeah, I think. Except, I didn't get the part where you started speaking that weird language."

Weird language? Truth frowned.

"Great…" She sighed but focused back on the notepad. "That was smart, though," she said. "Writing everything down. When Luna woke me up I had no idea what was going on."

Varis blinked and frowned. "You didn't? I thought you were both… Luna? Don't you have the same thoughts?"

Truth laughed. "You'd think so! Ever since I woke up earlier today Luna and I could chat freely. But when we left the Cerebellium, our connection began to fade. Probably something to do with our minds begin shoved back into our noggin." She tapped her forehead. "But even for a brief bit we could still talk, but now… it's like we're totally separated unless we call upon each other."

Varis's lips formed a fine line. "That stinks," Was all he said.

Truth snorted. "Yeah. It does… But, I think I know how I can talk to her. But I'll need your help again."

Varis perked up and pulled away from Truth's embrace. "Really? You want my help again?" He asked, looking like an excited puppy.

Truth giggled. "Yes. You'll write my message down. Then I'll give myself over to Luna. After which you'll tell her what I said, and have her send a message back."

Varis nodded. "Okay, sounds simple. I can do that."

Truth smiled. Honestly, she didn't need Varis for this, but making her brother feel included and seeing his bright smile was just so heartwarming for her. The two smiled at each other briefly before Truth breathed in, smoothed out her skirt, and turned to face her brother completely.

"Well then, let us begin."

Luna

Once again, I was at peace. Wrapped in the warm blanket of my mind, positioned in the optimal area of maximum comfort, cocooned in the thoughts that kept me safe, I felt safe and comforted. I had no fear of what was to come, no anxiety about exposing who I was, and no mind goblins to bother me.

I could let Truth handle it. I could let her handle all of it. She was smarter than I, more mature than I, and overall more capable. She was everything I wanted to be, what I wished I could be. Truth was never bothered by the little things. She always focused on the now and what needed to be done. Truth never got distracted by random thoughts or annoying mind goblins.

Truth didn't have to worry about my insecurities. Unlike me, she could take criticism, accept it, or reject it, and simply move on. Most of all, she didn't worry about the past. Truth didn't have to go through what I did. She didn't have to handle the rejection, the pressure, the abuse, and worst of all, the defeat.

She had a happy life. A joyful one, a life that I wish I had. A life that I could've had… If I hadn't chosen the path I did… That's what made her smart. She did everything that I didn't. She became the version of myself I should've been she–

"Hey, wake the fuck up. We need to talk."

Truth's voice echoed around me, and I jolted with a gasp. Everything around me began to swirl, and my vision filled with colors. I realized my eyes were closed. I opened them and cringed as light assaulted my eyes, blurring my vision.

Blinking away the blurriness, I realized we were still in the same room. The caster lay off to the side, Venra's blackened reflection gone, signaling he was no longer here. Varis sat across from me with a big smile as he clutched my notepad tightly.

"That is so cool!" Varis said with amazement. "Your whole… Uh, everything changed!"

I rubbed my eyes with my forearm and blinked a few more times before focusing on my brother. "What?" I asked, dazed. It felt like I had been pulled out of a deep, comforting sleep.

Varis pursed his lips. "I dunno how to say it but… The way you sit, your face, it's, uh… Like you put on a different mask or something." He smiled. "I'm talking to Luna, right? Sis?"

Honestly, I did feel drained… How long have I been awake?

Twelve, fourteen hours? One of my goblins suggested.

Too long; you should get some sleep. These beds are comfortable. A second added.

I shook my head and cleared my thoughts. Sleep could come later. I looked at Varis. "Huh…" I looked down at myself. "I don't feel different… and, uh, yeah, it's me, Luna." I nodded.

Varis smiled. "Awesome! Welcome back." He gripped the notepad tightly.

See his eyes flicking towards the paper? A goblin muttered.

He's eager about something. You should ask him what's up. Another suggested.

"Did something happen while I was out?" I asked, looking toward the notepad.

Varis's smile broadened. "I was given a mission!" He said excitedly. "I'm a messenger!"

Seeing him so excited caused me to smile in return, and I relaxed ever so slightly. "And what is it you bring to me, messenger boy?"

Varis curled his lip and squinted. "Don't call me boy, girl, " he said, and we laughed. He cleared his throat and said, "I bring a message from Truth."

I blinked. "Oh, alright." I sat up. "What did she want to say?"

Varis took a deep breath and read, "Hello again, Weepy. While it hasn't been that long since we last spoke, this day alone has felt like an age has passed already."

"Jerk." I huffed and crossed my arms. "I hate that they call me that."

It's because it's true. A goblin snickered.

Are you going to cry? Another mocked.

Varis simply chuckled and kept reading. "You shunting me back into the 'driver seat' after what I did to you earlier has shown me that we have a problem. A memory one."

Varis paused and looked at me. "I find it weird that you two don't share thoughts," he said, "Is that really how it works?"

I shrugged. "I dunno, I'm just as new to this as you are. What else did she say?"

Varis went back to reading, "I'm not certain, but I believe that our connection in the Cerebellium that allowed us to speak freely is fading. Pretty soon, you and I will be separate like before, forever swapping positions. Kind of like a, uuh…" Varis squinted and frowned as he read, "Wrestle Mania Tag Team Match."

My heart skipped a beat, and Varis glanced at me. "I dunno what she meant by that, but she said you'd get it."

"I-I do." I gulped. Truth, you jerk! Why are you referencing shit not from here?!

"What's Wrestle Mania–" Varis started to ask, but I waved him off.

"Keep reading, I know what she meant."

Varis sighed and kept going. "From now on, I purpose we leave notes for each other like this. Though, I assume you're smart enough to have already come up with this yourself. That is if you aren't crying over a bug you stepped on earlier. Truly, Weepy, you really should seek a therapist."

Varis paused yet again. "What's a therapist? She didn't tell me when I wrote this."

I gritted my teeth. "She's such an asshole!" I blurted out, but sighed. "I'll tell you later. Is there anything else?"

"Thank you for having our lovely brother, Varis–"

"Hey that's me!" Varis commented, and I waved him to keep going as he snickered.

"-For keeping notes so I wasn't totally lost when I had to confront Venra again, yes, we've spoken earlier. He's quite the character. From what I've garnered is this: the storm that's coming is something we'll have to prepare for (I hope you've come up with some ideas), the second is that Mother is trapped in the Cerebellium after suffering from some sort of psychological affliction known as 'Awakening.' After you so rudely shunted me into this position Venra explained to me that he might be able to help."

I perked up at hearing this, my ears twitching excitedly. "He will?" I asked.

Varis smiled and kept reading. "He said that he and his kind were aware of this affliction, in fact, he noted that there is a form of treatment. He did not, however, go into the specifics as to what that is. Venra said that it's possible that one of the ancient ruins on this world contains the…" Varis paused and squinted.

"What's up?" I asked.

He huffed and blushed. "I wrote this word and I can't read it…"

I snorted. That's oddly relatable.

That's because your handwriting is awful, A goblin jabbed.

"Let me see it," I said, holding my hand out to him.

Varis hesitated but passed it over to me. I glanced at the pad; there wasn't much left written anyway, so I decided to skim the rest. The word Varis was stuck on was "necessary." To give him the benefit of the doubt, it seemed he had erased it multiple times and written over the spot, creating a smudged mess.

"Venra said that it's possible that one of the ancient ruins on this world contains the necessary equipment we'd need to treat. However, dangerous constructs like the Veilanrites are defending those places, or would most likely be. He said he'd need to sort through his library to see if he can find the location of such a place. So, keep an eye on your caster in case he reaches back out. Aside from that, Luna, that's all you really missed. Next time you go to call me in, make sure you write a note like this."

I set the pad down, my smile never leaving my face. "Finally, some good news," I said, looking at Varis. "If this Venra guy can really find a Far Reacher hospital or something still working this'll be fantastic." More than fantastic if I were being honest with myself. Not only would we treat Mother and bring her back, but having a futuristic alien hospital at our disposal would be brilliant. Imagine how many people could be treated during this war.

Focus, girl. My goblins ordered, and I shook myself back into the present.

"We should find Papa as soon as possible and let him know," I said.

Varis nodded and glanced at the clock nearby. "Isa and the others should be back soon," he said. I followed his gaze and saw that sixty minutes had passed. There were another thirty minutes to go before the start of the next hour. "We should wait until then."

A part of me wanted to say screw that and rush out the door to spread the good news, but I knew it'd be stupid. I had no idea where they were; it'd probably take me more time to find them. I sighed and relaxed. "Yeah, you're right."

Varis smirked. "What was that?" He asked.

I glanced at him. "I said you were right." His smile broadened, and I sighed once again.

Varis giggled. "What? I never get to hear you say that!" He crossed his arms, and I rolled my eyes. After a moment, he let his arms drop to his side and pursed his lips. "Luna," He started slowly. "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure, go ahead," I said, resting my hands on my lap, fingers tugging at my skirt anxiously.

"That man on your caster… He said you were… Awakened or something like that…" Varis said, and my heart tingled in my chest, goosebumps formed along my arms, and my jaw set. "Is that true? You both said that you could see other lives and such, wh-what does that mean?"

Uh-oh, he's asking some serious questions. A goblin teased and snickered.

There's no point hiding it now. Another said in a calmer voice. You might as well just tell him.

No! A third said, terrified. Do not open that door! We have no reason to go back there!

I gritted my teeth and clenched my skirt. There was no point in lying. Varis could see my expression, the pain I had shown on full display, and his eyes widened with worry.

"Luna, a-are you okay?" He asked.

I had to restrain myself from snapping at him and saying I wasn't okay. Why do people ask such stupid questions when it's obvious? Clearly, I wasn't feeling alright. I was being asked to talk about a time I wish I could forget, that I wish I could just dump away, bury, and move on. Yet, I couldn't. Seven years. Seven, fucking years, and it's still here. Fresh in the back of my mind, waiting, like a looming shadow that refuses to fade away. Why isn't it leaving? Why won't it just go away?!

Because it wants you to acknowledge it, the calm goblin said.

I froze. The fingers tugging at my skirt ceased, and I sniffled. I hadn't noticed it until now, but tears had brimmed around the edges of my eyes, and a thing streamed down my cheek and dripped onto the fabric beside my hand. I reached up and wiped at my eyes, but it was useless. More came, and they wouldn't stop.

"Luna…" Varis said softly, and I looked at him, his eyes full of concern.

I choked up. "I-I don't… I don't know what I am…" I said.