Endgame

[Tamsin]

It was nightfall outside the enormous Summers estate, the tragic events that occured within it's walls finally coming to their conclusion. Blue and red lights of various vehicles flickered in the night as dozens of policemen and women went about their business of questioning those involved while paramedics made sure they were of sound health. But none of them were prepared for the stories that the former participants of Kill Town shared with them. A giant simulation, a dragon, mountain climbing, the Titanic, a Tarrasque, a virus.....all of it preety much went over their heads. Fortunately, Julia Summers explained regarding the abductions and, as far as the law enforcement agents were concerned, the stories of the contestants only served to back up her claims.

Although the participants were relieved that it was over and wanted to get on with their lives as soon as possible, they could not help but stare in silence as the paramedics brought out several bodybags. Accompanying one was Lance Kelly, tears flowing down his dark-skinned face that was filled with sorrow over the schoolmate he unwittingly killed and regret for not realising the truth sooner. At least some of the contestants shared his sentiments as they sorrowly watched the other human remains pouches, which they assumed contained what remained of Cain, Mirabelle and Wolfgang....the victims claimed by Kill Town. What the last of the bags contained was obvious from the black-wrapped arm that accidentally protruded out of it....it was what was left of Magnus Caroline after his karmic death. The irony of the fact that he died in the hands of the very death simulation he had helped create was not lost on those who observed his remains being carried away.

However, the silence became even more eery when two agents brought out the mastermind behind it all, the ringmaster of the twisted circus known as Kill Town....Keith Summers. Pale and sweating bullets, the paranoia of the overweight teenager was completely obvious as he nervously looked at everyone looking back at him. Some grinned as they saw him shaking in his boots while others barely contained themselves from ripping him apart....and yet others remained bewildered that they suffered so much in the hands of someone that, to them, seemed like a pathethic excuse for a human being. Only Julia, who was standing in front of the main gate, was shedding tears as she observed her brother being taken away....but the expression on her face was firm and resolute, knowing that it had to be this way. Positioned right next to her was Kurtis Stone, now in his normal human form. Observing the reactions of the contenstants, he smirked as he immediately realised what they were thinking.....considering the extent of his crimes, Keith was getting off easy.

After being extensively questioned by the police, Tamsin sighed in relief. She was glad that they were finally out of the simulation. The adolescent never really cared for the competition that the self-proclaimed "Gamer" forced upon them. For her, Kill Town was merely one enormous nightmare that was now past her....or was it? Was all of it just bad? Recalling something she still needed to do, she scanned the surroundings with her navy blue eyes. Quickly, she spotted who she was looking for....a lonely female figure, wrapped in a coat once of the policemen lended her and lost in thought.

"Uzumaki-sama! Uzumaki-sama!" the silver-haired girl called out as she made her way through the crowd. Eventually, Kazuya, who was now in her normal form, snapped out of her trail of thought and turned to see who was calling her. As the maid finally made her way to her, the adult woman managed a weak smile:

"Suzaku-chan! I am glad to see you are alright!"

"Likewise. I was worried what happened to you when we were seperated," the girl replied. Abruptly, an akward silence fell between the two females. It seemed like both of them had a lot on their minds, but were unsure whether to speak up or not.

"Em....Uzumaki-sama. There is....there is something I wanted to tell you back when I found you in the hotel," Suzaku finally started. Taking a deep breath, she finally spoke her mind: "I am a Servus maid....em, in service with Maleficus Nova. I dedicated my life to serving another, to help them reach greatness. This is what my mother, Amaya Suzaku, taught me to be a virtue and I do not regret going down that path....." The ebony-haired woman listened in silence, ocassionally nodding in understanding.

"But....someone told me that in order to follow another, I must also follow my own path. I did not understand what he meant back then.....but I think I do now," the adolescent continued, barely able to believe she actually heeded the words of Damon Dukes of all people. "My mother died defending her master and his estate from assassins. People have tried to console me, saying that I did not know about it and that there was nothing I could have done....but I never found much comfort in those words. The fact is, I did not help her. Now you told me of the burden you have been carrying for longer then I can imagine. You entrusted me your darkest secret.....and I do not plan on betraying that trust. I cannot turn my back on my master....but I won't turn my back on you either..."

"Suzaku-chan....I....," Kazuya began to speak, but the words would not leave her. Her visage softened, the pain of the many years of suffering finally surfacing.

"Uzumaki-sama, I am not saying goodbye. I maybe just a maid and I do not know much of the occult, but...I will find you again and....I will help relieve you of this burden," the girl responded, raising her fist in determination. "I will help set you free!"

The Japanese woman stood there at a complete loss for words, tears falling from her diluted eyes. She did not know what to say.....that she appretiated the help, that there was nothing the girl could do, that she had been trying for much longer then she had lived, that it all seemed hopeless.....yet, none of those words seemed to matter in light of how the adolescent's words made her feel. But Suzaku did not need words....she understood. Stepping close, she embraced the older woman much like she would have embraced her mother if she were still alive. Uzumaki returned the hug and they remained quietly in each other's arms for a few moments.

"You can call me Tamsin. From now on, I consider you a dear friend. See you soon... Uzumaki-sama," the teenager whispered in her ear. After breaking up the hug, she gave the samurai woman a deep bow and then ran off, Uzumaki losing sight of her in the crowd.

Approaching a policeman, the girl asked: "Excuse me! Is there any way I could get back to East City?"

Observing her carefully, the man replied: "Yes, we set up a temporary teleporter at the back so that all, erm...."contestants" may leave. There is a list of codes right next to it. Just type the code of the location where you want to go and it will take you there."

Thanking the man, she sighed at the thought at how all of this was reminiscent to Dante's Abyss. As she walked towards the location of the teleporter, she noticed Juno some distance away. The half-Saiyan noticed her as well, grinning in a friendly fashion while waving goodbye. Recalling their brief adventure in "Ferelden", Tamsin managed to smile in return and waved back as she finally found the contraption that would send her to her desired destination.

As things were wrapping up at the Summers estate, many questions regarding the matter remained unanswered. Was Keith the one who killed his parents? And if he did, was Kill Town the reason? And what would happen to Julia and the vast fortune?

However, among those who were abducted, most were either unaware of the events that lead to this or did not care to find out. Tamsin was among the former. As far as she was concerned, Kill Town was behind her.