Nyxia:You're here again.
Matte:…Did I die?
Nyxia:No.Not yet.
Matte:It feels quieter this time.
Nyxia:That's because you stopped fighting.
Matte:I didn't stop.I couldn't move.
Nyxia:That's what stopping looks like when you've gone past yourself.
Matte:I tried.I swear I did.
Nyxia:I know.
Matte:I didn't hesitate. I didn't freeze. I didn't run.I stayed on my feet until there were no feet left to stand on.
Nyxia:I saw.
Matte:Then why did it feel like I failed?
Nyxia:Because you measure yourself by what you can still give.Not by what you've already endured.
Matte:It broke me.I felt it breaking me piece by piece, and I still couldn't stop it.
Nyxia:You weren't supposed to.
Matte:That thing wasn't just stronger.It was certain.Every step it took felt like the world agreeing with it.
Nyxia:That is how they're built.
Matte:I kept thinking—if I just pushed harder, if I just reached deeper—But I didn't.I stopped myself.
Nyxia:And that is why you're here.
Matte:That doesn't feel like a victory.
Nyxia:It isn't.It's survival.
Matte:I'm tired, Nyx.
Nyxia:I know.
Matte:Not just my body.Not just the pain.I'm tired of carrying the weight of almost.
Nyxia:Almost is still movement.
Matte:It doesn't feel like it.It feels like I'm running in place while everything else closes in.
Nyxia:You're not running.You're resisting.
Matte:I don't know how much longer I can do that.
Nyxia:You don't have to know.
Matte:You sound like you're saying goodbye.
Nyxia:I sound like I'm being honest.
Matte:You're fading.
Nyxia:You noticed.
Matte:It's harder to see you.Like the space around you is forgetting how to hold you.
Nyxia:That's not far from the truth.
Matte:Is it worse this time?
Nyxia:Yes.
Matte:Because of me?
Nyxia:Because of the world.
Matte:That's not an answer.
Nyxia:It's the only one that doesn't break you.
Matte:You're lying to protect me again.
Nyxia:I am protecting you.I am not lying.
Matte:How many times can you keep doing this?
Nyxia:Less than before.
Matte:Then why are you here?
Nyxia:Because you needed to hear this from me.Not from pain.Not from silence.
Matte:Hear what?
Nyxia:That I see how hard you are trying.
Matte:Trying isn't enough.
Nyxia:It is when the alternative is surrender.
Matte:I almost let go.
Nyxia:I know.
Matte:There was a moment—right before everything went dark—where it felt like it would be easier to just stop holding on.
Nyxia:And yet you didn't.
Matte:I wanted to.
Nyxia:Wanting rest is not the same as wanting to disappear.
Matte:What if next time it is?
Nyxia:Then I will still be proud of you.
Matte:Don't say that.
Nyxia:Why?
Matte:Because it sounds like permission.
Nyxia:It isn't permission.It's truth.
Matte:If I let go…If I finally can't hold on anymore…You'd still be proud?
Nyxia:Yes.
Matte:Even if I fail?
Nyxia:Especially then.
Matte:I don't want that.I don't want pride as consolation.
Nyxia:What do you want?
Matte:Time.Enough to matter.
Nyxia:You are already costing the universe that.
Matte:That's not what I meant.
Nyxia:I know.You want time without consequence.
Matte:Is that so wrong?
Nyxia:No.But it is not what you were born into.
Matte:I didn't choose this.
Nyxia:You chose me.
Matte:I'd do it again.
Nyxia:I know.
Matte:That's why they killed me, isn't it.
Nyxia:Not yet.
Matte:You're doing it again.Stopping yourself.
Nyxia:Because some truths arrive too early like weapons.
Matte:Then tell me something I can use.
Nyxia:You already did.
Matte:When?
Nyxia:When you refused to lose yourself.
Matte:I didn't do that for strategy.
Nyxia:You did it for identity.
Matte:I was scared.
Nyxia:Good.
Matte:That's not comforting.
Nyxia:Fear is the last thing that reminds you who you are before power tries to replace you.
Matte:It felt like something inside me was screaming to break free.
Nyxia:It was.
Matte:And I didn't.
Nyxia:And you must keep not doing it.
Matte:How?
Nyxia:By reaching inward.Not outward.
Matte:That sounds like another riddle.
Nyxia:It isn't.You keep pushing Essence like it's something you spend.
Matte:Isn't it?
Nyxia:No.It's something you inhabit.
Matte:Then why does it hurt?
Nyxia:Because you keep leaving yourself to wield it.
Matte:So what do I do?
Nyxia:When the pressure comes…When the seal strains…When everything in you wants to tear forward—
Matte:Yes?
Nyxia:Reach within.But do not lose yourself in the reach.
Matte:That's it?
Nyxia:That's everything.
Matte:You're asking me to walk a knife's edge.
Nyxia:You've been doing that since the day I met you.
Matte:You're getting weaker.
Nyxia:Yes.
Matte:Stay a little longer.
Nyxia:I can't.
Matte:Just a moment.
Nyxia:Every moment costs me.
Matte:Then let it cost.I can't do this without you.
Nyxia:You already are.
Matte:That doesn't mean I want to.
Nyxia:I know.
Matte:Promise me something.
Nyxia:I can't promise much.
Matte:Promise me that if I ever truly start to disappear—you'll let me go before I become something else.
Nyxia:…I promise.
Matte:And if I don't?
Nyxia:Then I will wait for you again.As long as I am able.
Matte:I won't let go.
Nyxia:I know.
Matte:I refuse.
Nyxia:That refusal is why you are still here.
Matte:Then tell me one last thing.
Nyxia:Quickly.
Matte:Am I enough?
Nyxia:You always were.
Matte:Then I'll get back up.
Nyxia:I know.
Matte:No matter how many times it buries me.
Nyxia:I know.
Matte:And when I reach within—
Nyxia:Do not lose yourself.
Matte:I won't.
Nyxia:Then wake up, Matte.