For some reason, Arkay was still alive.
He’d managed to free himself from the collapsing rubble, the remains of the golden islands and black floating platforms. It was all now just floating in an endless sea of space and stars. There was just enough air for Arkay to breathe. A thin, slightly sticky air, but air nonetheless. His oxygen lung was getting jealous at his nitrogen lungs though, what little oxygen there was here quickly vanished when Stasis did.
Still, there was enough for Arkay to be able to breathe, and think over his actions. Someone was doomed to die. Someone had to keep the portal open long enough to get everyone else through. The humans needed to as well. They were a family. Actual flesh and blood and partnership. Arkay was the only other telekinetic being there. He was the only person who could do it.
He kept on telling himself that.
“Do you believe it though?”
Arkay leapt to his feet, picking up the first weapon-like object he could find. A stone. He thought he was alone here, but clearly he wasn’t.
It was the dark, shadowy, tendril-wearing Thanatian-like creature that had caused all that chaos before. The avatar of Chaos and the Cycle. Death herself.
Arkay hesitated for a moment before giving the great being an answer. “Yes, yes I do believe that.”
Death smiled. “Of course. That’s why I’m here.” She spun around Arkay, faster than his tired eyes could track her. She stops dead in front of him, towering above Arkay’s short, stumpy form.
“Are you here to personally take me to Kinigi?” Arkay couldn’t help but ask. “There’s no food or water here, and what little air supply there is will surely run out. Assuming I’m not fried by a solar flare or something…” Arkay paused. “I’d rather not die slowly from space rays screwing my body.”
Death let out a loud, infectious laugh as she slapped Arkay across the shoulder. Arkay stumbled, not expecting Death to be so heavy-handed. She continued laughing for an annoyingly long time, until Arkay began to lose his patience and started tapping his foot.
“Oh, sorry, little one. It’s just that death by space rays is funny since they don’t really exist! Not in scientific terms at least!” Death snickered a couple more times before finally straightening herself out. “I’m not here to pick you up. Although I will when you do actually die… We’ll have some fun then. You and whoever happens to be around then…”
Arkay crossed his arms angrily. He was slowly asphyxiating from the decaying air supply. He didn’t want to waste this time talking to someone he’d be spending the rest of time with.
“Why are you here? If it’s to gloat, then I’d rather you didn’t. I have a beautiful view of the universe here and I’d like to spend my last moments staring into it rather than being mocked.”
Death laughed at Arkay’s tenacity. This little thing was insulting her, but she didn’t mind. It was cute.
“Hehe… Ah, I’m sorry, little Arkay. I just wanted you to acknowledge my existence. It’s not time for you to die yet. Some people are just about lucky enough to win the survival lottery.”
“What do you mean?”
“Hold your breath. Stick around for a few more minutes and you’ll see.” Death started to fade away. “If you don’t… well… I WILL see you in Kinigi…”
Arkay was alone once more. As commanded, he held his breath. The great being was right, there was barely any air left now, but her message made no sense. Did she really think that he could hold his breath forever?
Suddenly, the air, what was left of it, started to vibrate. Out of nowhere, a gigantic space ship appeared, exploding into view. Bright lights from the side of the ship shot forward, scanning the vast debris of Stasis’s former temporary home. The lights quickly faded, before another, stronger light appeared, encircling Arkay. The beam began to pull him into the air, towards the interior of the ship.
“By the Light…” Arkay thought as he passed out, a heavy metal door slamming shut behind him…