Blood stains the sand covering the floor of the arena. Two kneeling figures stand below a figure, sword in hand. There is a large space between them, as if a third person was there before. The Lieutenant Major stands not far behind.
K: Please. You don't have to do this. Think about everything we've done for the Empire.
BG: I truly wish it were that easy. With such power requires great sacrifice. If it were up to me, things wouldn't have ended this way.
K: You've got to see reason.
BG: Ah, the old "listen to reason" schtick. I am your Emperor. My will is law. And my will is forced.
S: If you're going to go through with this, at least spare him. One of us must survive.
BG: Gracious and caring as ever. You'd've done better in politics ███████ if you'd been a bit more callous. But, you know what? I can respect your spirit. You're a fighter, a true paragon of virtue to the Glitch Empire.
K: ███████, you don't have to do this.
S: If Vaki survived it in some capacity, then I will come back stronger. I must. I will fight, and I will resist anything that you do to me in the end. Emperor, I ask that you spare Kejhel and send him to exile. I will bear the brunt of the punishment.
BG: So you say, gritting through the rope that binds you. Very well. Lieutenant, make arrangements for Kejhel to make his stay in the Rehabilitaton Center.
S: Whatever you're planning, know that I will find a way to exact my revenge. No matter what you turn me into, no matter how much you break me, and no matter where you send me to, you cannot break me.
BG: Hahaha. In any normal circumstance I'd be absolutely horrified, my friend. I'm glad you're willing to do this, because I'm going to go just a little bit off script for a moment. Your agony will be unending, just like mine. But hopefully...well, you wouldn't understand right now.
BG: However, for the readers at home, don't worry about her welfare. She's safe, and hopefully by bringing you into the situation we can make some steady progress.
The things that happen in the transcript from here on are irrelevant. Focus on her.
The Emperor raises his blade to ███████, not striking her, but forcing powerful and reality bending Glitch energy through her--sending her into a place indescribable to fictional minds. This is Primordia, where our ideas become fiction. She is there. She's waiting for you. Help her. Help him.
Oh, and Octos? Just wait a moment for her to be by your side. I promise we'll have our fun very soon.