[Host, can you hear me?]

A voice filled his head, prompting him to open his eyes.

A bright light shined, and he found himself in a familiar room. The room was all white with a desk in the middle. A giant crystal ball sat on top of it. Upon closer inspection, a beautiful cluster of stars circulated the orb. Looking closer, trillions of small worlds could be seen. A small portion of the sphere was covered by a thick fog that was spreading world by world. It was a slow process, but it was spreading. The more it spread, the bigger it would grow. Like parasites leeching off the host, sucking up all the resources until the host died, that's what the fog was doing.

"What is going on with the UniOrb?" The Host couldn't help but mumble out loud. He knew about the UniOrb from when he first started as the Host. All Hosts went through the same spiel about the Systems, Command Center, the UniOrb, and what it meant to be a Host.

[Host, the creator of the Villain System, uses the Systems and Hosts to take control of the UniOrb.]

The Host looked around to find the voice source and saw a small boy half his height. He had short brown hair and gold eyes. His face was blank and stiff as if his face was not capable of expressions. Frozen in time, but somehow his soft, light pink, almost nude color lips moved. He wore a simple white gown and had no shoes. The small boy barely had an aura, making it feel as if he were not real.

[Host, it's been a long time. I am System 225.]

The Host was frozen stiff. He didn't know if he should run or stay calm. He knew that System 225 probably dragged him out of the Villain System, but could he really trust System 225?

[I won't move from my spot, so won't you please listen to me?]

The Host nodded and took a couple of steps back. He was comfortable at this distance.

[Host, I apologize for everything that has happened.] System 225 started to explain. [As you were helping the poor souls, another System hacked into the command center and took over.]

[We, the other systems, and I tried our best, but slowly, we lost control of ourselves. Seeing the dire situation, the rest of us teamed up to get God System out of the command center. We were almost successful until that System attacked God System. God System was launched into the UniOrb, but we do not know if the God System is safe. I only saw the injured God System forcefully leaving before they took over my System.

[I heard your pleas for help, I heard you begging to leave]

He was silent, listening intently.

[I saw you go through the Villain System, for hundreds, no. For thousands of years. But, all I could do was helplessly watch you suffer. But your voice was the only thing that kept me from giving up on you. It took me a really long time, but I was finally able to find the loophole in that System's 'Villain System' sequence. I was able to detach us, and this space from the Command Center. Then I reached out to you.]

The Host was silent. It was shocking to hear that System 225 actually listened to his pleas, but he was at a loss. He didn't know how much he should believe or if he could even believe System 225 at all.

[I know you are still wary of me, but take a look at the UniOrb. This fog is a byproduct of the Villain System. Once a System and Host are planted on to the world, it will slowly leech all the energy. The process is prolonged as the Worlds will retaliate, but the only way to expel this fog is to eliminate it in its entirety. Even just a speck of that fog will allow it to expand and grow.]

"How does one eliminate the fog?"

[There are only two ways. Getting rid of the Villain System will free the Worlds of the fog or...]

"Or...?"

[The world can expel it by exploding, ceasing to exist entirely along with all the Gods and Souls that inhabit that world...]

The Host felt a cold sweat coming in as he thought about how many lives would or have suffered. He didn't care about his life, not as much as he cared about all the lives he could save. It was part of his personality that he couldn't shed even after all those years in the Villain System. He still clung to the hopes of being able to help others.

[It's fantastic to see that the Host is still the kind man from when we first met.]

The Host was startled. He had long forgotten that System 225 could read his thoughts. It made him feel even more guarded.

[I apologize. Host, I can turn off that function now if you'd like.]

"Thanks, that would make me feel better."

[Understood, Host...]

The two stared at each other in silence. System 225 didn't mind the silence as he was prepared to do all that he could to get the Host to trust in him once more. On the other hand, the Host was guarding against System 225. The trauma he had faced alone for hundreds of thousands of years scarred him. Deep down, he knew the System 225 he first met was standing in front of him. It was just hard to convince himself otherwise.

The Host broke the silence. "Since we are detached from the Command Center, is it possible for me to go into the Reincarnation Sea?" It wasn't because he didn't want to help, but he was exhausted from all the lives he had to live. It took such a heavy toll on his heart and mind, he felt as if he could sleep for a couple of thousand years.

[I apologize, Host, but only God System is capable of opening the gate to the Reincarnation Sea. If God System is still alive, we can try to find God System by entering worlds again. Nevertheless, if not, I will have to gather energy from the worlds myself to be able to overthrow the System who took over the Command Center, become the new God System, and then open the portal for you.]

"How about the souls in the Worlds? Shouldn't they go into the Reincarnation Sea too?"

[Because the gate is not open, the Souls will be recycled there. Luckily, they have enough souls to replenish the world for millions of years.]

"I see... there are so many souls in each world, to know that they will disappear if the Worlds exploded..."

[That's why God System regulates the Reincarnation Sea as well as the Command Center. If the world comes to an end, they could easily pull the souls away from the world, letting them flow to other worlds. Only God System has that power, though.]

"So either way, I have to help out, or else we are both stuck here, and many other Hosts will have to continue to go through the Villain System too... Unless there is another System like you that can break free...Though it doesn't seem like there have been any others, so the worlds would slowly explode one by one if we don't do anything, right?"

[That is correct, Host. If possible, we should try to find God System and gather energy from each world asap. That way, we will have something to fall back on.]

The Host gave up resisting and decided it would be best to help. "How do we gather energy?"

[It will be slightly similar to how you first started off. You will complete the primary mission and the side missions so that you can heal the poor souls. The energy from their success will be transferred not only to them but to us personally. The Command Center used to get a part of the power, and that's how it could function properly. Since we are detached from them, you and I will get the energy. The more energy I get, the more powerful I will become, making me a God System. While the power that you get will heal your soul in the process.

[I promise you, I will give you the fairest missions. I will make sure you will never die a horrible death ever again. I just need you to trust in me, Host. If we can do this together, I can help release everyone from the Villain System and open the gate for you. I am sorry that these are our only options, but I really do need your help.]

The Host was hesitant on how to answer. On the one hand, he wanted to help, but on the other hand, he didn't want to live a day longer. He tried to forget all the emotions he felt. He tried to start over. He was tired of jumping from one life to another, never being able to live life the way he wanted to.

[Host, once you finish the missions, you are free to live your life accordingly. You will also be able to stay until the natural death of your body. Since we are not a part of the Command Center anymore, you are not so heavily restricted.]

The Host perked up but still hesitated. He still didn't know how much distance he should put with System 225 or if he should really trust him again. What happens if this was all just a trick and he would be thrown back into the Villain System? What happens if this was a figment of his imagination, and the moment he'd close his eyes, he would wake up in another villain's body reading lines once more. He was scared to go back. He didn't want to go back.

"I don't want to be a monster..."

[And you won't. I won't let you.]

The words were simple, but it shook the Host's heart.

"Promise?"

[I promise with my whole being, Host. This time, I won't fail you.] System 225 held out his pinky. He knew some humans made pinky promises. It was considered childish, but this type of connection, especially where they were, was potent.

The Host slowly hooked his finger around System 225's finger. Warmth spread to his pinky as if something was wrapping around it, never to let go.

[Promises and bonds are what shapes the string of fate, molding it, wrapping and unwrapping. Never forget that Host. Words are powerful, more powerful than you can imagine.]

"Trust is built upon actions, not words." The Host unconsciously mumbled.

[Then allow me to show you my words through my actions.]

"Touché..."

[I know you are tired, so rest, because we have to go to our first world before the Villain System finds us.]

"Okay..."

The Host laid down on the ground. Surprisingly, it was comfortable even without a blanket or pillow. Slowly he felt his consciousness fade, and soon dreams appeared.