Chapter 59: Acceptance
Dune opened his eyes, blinking against the void of black water that stretched infinitely around him. The air, or whatever passed for it in this strange place, was heavy, suffocating.
In front of him stood... himself. Not exactly, though. This version of Dune was full of a confidence he didn't recognize. His trial self smiled faintly, as though it already knew the outcome of their meeting.
"Thanks for saving her, Dune," the figure said, its voice calm but pointed, cutting through the oppressive silence.
Dune staggered back, his knees buckling as he fell to the ground. "I... did it?" he whispered, his voice trembling.
The trial version nodded, its smile widening. "You did it. You saved Nely.
Even after everything, after all your speeches about being alone, about survival at all costs, you still risked everything for her. You threw away your own life for hers."
"I did..." Dune muttered, his throat tight. "I don't even know why. My body just... moved. I couldn't stop it. All I could think was..." His voice cracked, and he squeezed his fists tighter. "If she died, it would be.
His trial self crouched in front of him, tilting its head like a curious observer. "Exactly. Wrong. Unfair. Because deep down, you didn't want to lose her."
Dune clenched his teeth. "No. No, that's not it. I can't let myself feel like this. I've told myself over and over, I'm better alone. I need to be alone. Others are dangerous. They make you weak. They make you vulnerable. I can't—"