As Fate suffered through his inner turmoil, the scene in the crumbling theater once again came into view, the rubble still raining down from the ceiling.

The psychotically smiling and cackling Fate was still nowhere to be seen in the cloud of dust and rock, but it didn’t stop the Witch from speaking…

Witch of Fate: “I figured that I would push you too far too quick, but even I didn’t think that I was this skilled at breaking people...or maybe you’re just pathetic enough that it only took that much?~”

The Witch’s voice came from a hole in the ceiling, as an indigo light began to fill the room and a glowing outline of the Witch slowly appeared on the stage. However, despite her sudden arrival and provocation, she received no response…

-I didn’t truly believe that he’d attack a decoration due to such a small amount of light, how strange...

Witch of Fate: “My little familiar, even if you kick up a bit of dust while hatching an ill-conceived plot to...ufufu…‘defeat’ me, nothing will come of it, and I believe you know that.~”

Again, no response. The Witch’s apparition, which seemed almost perfect, was now becoming distorted along the edges as her aura leaked into the fog. A sinister smile formed on her glowing form as her aura grew thicker and thicker…

Witch of Fate: “I’m quite irritable right now, so you’ll forgive me if I decide to discipline you...Now, if you do not show yourself, I believe I’ll be forced to…”

However, a lump began to form in the fog, pulled apart as Fate emerged from the rubble, covered in dust and rock. The Witch quickly scanned him, a repulsed look coming over her face as she took in his shabby state. His hair was disheveled, blood seemed to be leaking from the left side of his head, and he seemed to be coughing nonstop.

The Witch felt embarrassed to see her servant in such a state, internally cursing at herself for playing with him this long, despite her limited time. She stretched out her hand, beckoning him to the stage, which he seemed to readily accept, slowly making his way towards her.

He limped his way across the stadium as blood leaked from what the Witch could now see was his eye, as a strange noise drifted in the air.

-Is he making this noise? It’s very low...and it keeps repeating...but it’s probably just my little familiar attempting to hide the sound of his pained cries. I should have considered this before I came here...I was brash...and impulsive...and all of this because I was distracted by that...whore…!!!

Witch of Fate: “You don’t need to worry, I’ve been projecting us into an isolated space in your mind, so none of your injuries will be permanent. That said, I’ll most likely have to grant you a recovery…”
The strange noise suddenly stopped. Fate had nearly reached the stage, having halted but a few feet away from the Witch’s glowing form…

Fate: “Y’know...there is...something you could do...to help me recover…”

The Witch was confused by his broken and arrogant tone, the latter of which didn’t suit his current image. However, she had admitted to herself that she had gone too far and that she would allow him to speak, though she probably would not heed him.

Witch of Fate: “Speak your mind. Though do keep yourself in check, as I am not one to simply hand out rewards for menial displays such as this.”

Suddenly, the noise began to sound again, but this time the Witch was able to hear it...laughing...Fate’s low-ringing laughter came as he slowly began to raise his head…

Fate: “Hahaha...What I want...it’s quite simple really…it won’t take any time...so long as you’re willing…”

For the first time, she was able to see his face, blood dripping from under his left eyelid that was completely shut, and a psychotic grin that made her uneasy just by its appearance. Fate’s laughter grew louder and more maniacal, as his eye began to open…

-Is he...!?

The eyelid completely opened, revealing a midnight-blue iris and golden slit pupil, lain upon a pitch-black sclera, now grinning at the Witch…

Fate: “Surprise, you b*tch!!!~ Guess which decision you made came back to haunt you this time?!~”

The Witch’s glowing eyes widened as Fate suddenly jumped in the air, coating his hand in a dark blue aura before lunging downward! The Witch instantly teleported to the side, allowing Fate’s fist to impact the stage, causing enormous spider web lines to spread across the entire theater as it suddenly crumbled into dust around the two!

The Witch teleported again, landing on one of the stone islands she had previously collected, as she angrily glared at the vanishing construct below her…

However, the beast that currently occupied the island that Fate had previously held now began to whimper and howl in fright. And, as if to answer it, Fate shot up from the now erased theater, giving the Witch a sinister grin as he laughed maniacally!

Fate: “So, I guess I’ll just take this opportunity to ask some questions, you ready?!~”

In Fate’s hand, a sphere of black light appeared, which sparked and set ablaze within seconds as he hurled it at the Witch! She raised her hand, intending to raise her scepter for combat, but was enraged to find that she could not summon it! Suddenly, the black sphere imploded, as a distorted black beam instantly expanded, consuming everything in its path!

However, the Witch quickly emerged from the attack, completely unscathed as she had clad herself in mana, and she now seemed to be extremely enraged…

Fate: “Who do you think you are, and who do you think I am?!~ Those are two questions, now here’s the third!!!~”

Another black orb appeared in Fate’s hand!

Fate: “Whose head do you think you’re in right now?!~”
...