decus could think of a million things that hell could be, having known his life after death far before he shouldâve even thought of dying. if you were to describe a city with massive buildings and technology far beyond even tetheâallaâs advancements, he wouldâve laughed. but heâd encountered stranger things, so he assumed this was it. though, he expected more of an âeternal punishmentâ vibe.
naturally it was disorienting in the beginning. he didnât expect to wake up at all, let alone in this odd city, greeted by whatever he had just seen. so when he stepped out, he had to pause for a few moments before he snapped out of his stupor. he soon found himself going about as normally as possible in an unknown city, mostly attempting to find his way to the apartment he was assigned.
of course, the moment he found himself conscious, there had only been one thing on his mind. he knew that she wouldnât have given up; that his death wouldâve only served as time. perhaps throw their foes off guard and give her a chance. so, for the first time since his parents died, he prayed. he prayed that somehow, she hadnât succumbed to the same fate he had, that she had been able to survive.Â
and so, when he thought he saw a familiar girl, he prayed once more that it was an illusion. someone with strikingly similar appearance. anyone or anything that wasnât her. he didnât know if this place was truly hell, but he didnât want her to be there or just in some strange city. and he needed to make sure. his surprise limiting his energy, he stepped closer, albeit a bit faster than a normal walk. he forced himself to stop before he got too close, lest he startle a complete stranger-- though, if it were her, itâd be a smart idea as well. his voice barely above a whisper, he didnât hesitate for longer than necessary.Â
            â ...alice? â
