In a yellow flash of light, Fate appeared in an empty space, almost identical to the one he had been in previously, save for the monster, floating islands, and...the Witch. However, above his head still floated the now grayish orb, which was somehow creating slight visual distortions around it, but Fate took no notice of this. Instead, he attended to...different matters…

-F***!!! ARE YOU F***ING WITH ME?!! Wait...she’s not here...and I didn’t really...no, I was afraid of her...somewhat...but since I’m alone….

He inhaled a sharp breath…

Fate: “SERIOUSLY, YOU HAD TO ‘MAKE IT LIKE A VIDEO GAME’ SO I WOULD LIKE IT?!?! WHO IN THEIR RIGHT F***ING MIND WOULD WANT THAT STUPID MATRIX RELOADED-LEVEL BULLSH*T!!! ALSO, F*** ME FOR NOT INTERRUPTING HER AND STANDING UP FOR MYSELF, MOTHERF***ER!!!!”

 He was truly seething with rage at the actions of the Witch, but he also blamed himself. Fate hadn’t mustered the courage to talk back to her, except when he felt safe. He hadn’t tried to fight back against the beast.

Seeds of doubt and self-loathing had already begun to fester in his heart, but this was the first instance of him acknowledging it. He had been easily dealt with, time and time again, but he had always held onto some instance of pride in that, he had never voiced surrender, that his opponent would never have that satisfaction…

However, now as if he had gambled the pride he felt in confronting Jacob, and he had lost. Now, the Witch was using him as entertainment, and her ‘unadulterated’ presence was a threat to his sanity. It was a losing game to be sure.

-...Seriously...just...what the hell did I do to deserve all of this? I didn’t even know all of this was possible...but now I’m here...and I barely know anything about the world that’s out to kill…!

Suddenly, Fate dropped from where he was floating, promptly smacking his crotch onto an unknown object before landing face first on the floor!

Fate: “m..e…”

Fate wriggled in pain on the floor, clenching his eyes tightly while gritting his teeth. Meanwhile, the walls, floor, and ceiling began to change color, quickly becoming maroon as the floor sprouted small fibers.

His surroundings gave him little time to question the sensations that prickeled his skin, he was met with a dull light that penetrated his eyelids. Obviously, having just been the victim of slapstick comedy in action, Fate was quite displeased at the increase in discomfort, slowly and frustratedly squinting his eyes open to spy what might be his target for venting…

-Ok, nightlight, time to say goodni…!!! What...in the actual hell...?

The sight Fate was met with was truly an unexpected one. Instead of the void he had previously been faced with, he now observed bright-red berber carpeting occupying the floors, maroon walls with dark blue star patterns that resembled octograms, a series of dim light fixtures attached to the walls, a few small booths suspended above the ground, a vast expanse of equally-spaced arm-chairs, and a large curtain in the middle of the room.

The way that the wide space was styled and filled was quite a modern...in fact, it almost was almost like…

Fate: “...A theater?!”

Yes, the empty void had somehow spawned a theater. Fate repeatedly rubbed his eyes to make sure he wasn't dreaming, but it all seemed real! He began rubbing his hands across the slightly plushy chairs, the smooth wall paper, and enthusiastically rubbed his feet against the stiff carpet. 

-It’s real...Holy crap! Could this be...am I back on Earth somehow?!

Fate was ecstatic about such a notion. After all, he would be back in a world with doctors, science, and most importantly, conveniences! However, he quickly rejected this idea since it had taken his death and a Goddess’ magic to cross to another world, his body was still the same, and the void from before definitely felt real, too.

Not to mention, if he were truly home, he might be forced to contend with his former friends, family, and bullies. Confronting his murderers, even if by accident, definitely didn’t seem like an enticing proposition…

-...A world where I get tortured and have a goddess torturing me, and a world where I’m already dead...Seriously, I felt good because I finally managed to stand up for myself a little, only to end up trapped here! Haaaahhh...this just isn’t my day…

Unexpectedly, a noise interrupted Fate’s forlorn thoughts, it sounded like a music box, gently plucking each chord in sequence. Fate turned his head, discovering that the curtain at the front of the room was being lifted.

Witch of Fate: “Attention, attention! All theater-goers, please take your seats! The first truth to be revealed is the glorious story of Ilthea’s origins, aren’t you lucky?~”

The Witch’s voice resounded throughout the room, but Fate didn’t see her anywhere. Her voice made Fate nervous, however, he decided to play along since his pride was broken, she could read his mind, and he had already seen what attempting to defy her meant. A blue light glowed over one of the chairs, apparently pointing him to his seat.

-...No booth, seriously...?

Fate flopped down in the cushiony chair that he had been assigned and stared at the stage with his head held in his hand. A golden mist began to leak from the stage as the curtain was fully removed...

Witch of Fate: "Now, my little familiar. This is the story of how this world came to be, and I believe you won't be so bored by the end of it.~"

Fate felt his entire body twitch in discomfort.

Witch of Fate: "...Once Upon a Time..."

…

Next Chapter will be a true introduction to the world of Ilthea, so pay attention, readers! Also, yes the title will be that cliché.

P.S. - Anyone remember Inspector Gadget?