. . . . .

(Inside a small, dim apartment, Arlo sat hunched over his computer, typing nonstop. The glow of the screen lit his tired face as he pushed himself harder, convinced that if he just worked enough, he could win back his family’s acknowledgement, his girlfriend's love, and his dignity. Empty cans and scattered pills surrounded him, but he barely noticed. Time blurred. His hands kept moving, even as his thoughts grew hazy. Then the screen began to distort. Arlo blinked, trying to focus, but his vision darkened at the edges. His fingers trembled, missing keys. A sudden chill ran through his body, and his chest tightened. Something was wrong. He tried to stand up, but his legs gave out. He collapsed to the floor, the chair scraping loudly behind him. His body began to jerk uncontrollably from the pills. He coughed, a sharp, metallic taste filling his mouth. The computer screen still flickered above him, indifferent, as his breathing grew weaker and the darkness slowly closed in.)

(Memories of someone's life surged through him. A young man like him living a life similar to his very own He watched that person live a disgracing and Humiliating life to dying a slow and painful death as a sacrifice to save a girl. he tries to shout at the guy, telling him to stop)

(Arlo runs to the man but an invisible barrier holds him back. he pounds on it roughly. he pants heavily. the young man puts himself infront of the girl. unknowingly the girl pushes him towards the hoard of Monsters coming from the S++ Gate.)

(Arlo shuts his eyes tightly. the sound of bones breaking and a wailing shriek echoes through his ears. he opened his eyes to see a gruesome and bloody scene, the young man torn to shreds. the girl had already left. Arlo took a step back and he lost his footing, darkness swallowed him whole.)

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