Meanwhile, Sid was at the tournament venue with Big D, the roar of the crowd drowning out everything else. They laughed, cheered, and shouted as the pros tore through waves of the undead on the big screens. For a brief moment, Sid felt alive again— unaware that back in his apartment, a nightmare had already begun to unfold.

The tournament ended with a thunderous cheer, the crowd echoing through the stadium like a wave. Sid and Big D had been shouting, laughing, and celebrating the pros’ flawless runs, but as the final scoreboard flashed, Sid felt a spark he hadn’t felt in months— a spark of courage.

"Big D... I think... I’m ready. I’m ready to step up my game. I want to livestream again."

Big D practically jumped in the air, clapping him on the shoulder so hard Sid winced.

"Finally! Dude! That’s what I’ve been waiting to hear. You’re gonna crush it!"

Sid’s eyes glinted, half excited, half nervous.

"I’m thinking of starting fresh... new Vtuber account, clean slate. No old baggage. Just me... and the game."

"Yes! That’s the spirit. You’ll own it, bro. People are gonna love you."

They walked back to the van, still buzzing from the energy of the crowd. Sid settled into the passenger seat while Big D drove, and instinctively, Sid reached for the tablet to watch the latest vlog Big D had edited. It was a compilation of their days at Sid’s apartment during his recovery— Morgana fussing over him, making sure he took his meds, organizing his game setup, and laughing at Big D’s endless teasing.

"She’s... taking care of me like I’m..."

Sid trailed off, shaking his head and chuckling.

"Like I’m her husband or something."

Big D laughed, waving his hands in mock innocence.

"Hey, you two totally look like a married couple. Admit it!"

"Big D!"

Morgana’s voice rang from the clip, accompanied by a smack sound. Sid laughed harder as he saw the edit where she’d tossed a pillow at him in retaliation.

Scrolling through the comments, Sid froze for a second, eyes widening at one particular edit. Someone had photoshopped him and Morgana in wedding attire, with Big D standing between them as a priest. He laughed uncontrollably.

"Oh my god... they made us a wedding... what the hell?"

"See? I told you. You two are a perfect disaster together. Internet gold!"

Sid leaned back in the seat, the laughter fading into a thoughtful silence. His eyes drifted to the bouquet of flowers lying behind him in the van. His chest tightened as he realized how much he owed Morgana— for her patience, her care, and the countless nights she had spent helping him recover.

"I... I never actually said thanks, Morgana... I never told her how much she... did for me. How much she means to me."

Big D glanced at him, quiet for the first time in the ride.

"Then... maybe it’s time you do."

Sid nodded, holding the bouquet tightly. He wasn’t sure what he would say yet, but one thing was clear— he needed to tell her. He needed her to know that everything she had done, every sacrifice, every tear, every sleepless night, had mattered.

The van drove through the streets, lights blurring past the windows, but for Sid, the world had narrowed down to one single thought: he had to make Morgana hear him. And this time, he would nott let his fear or pride get in the way.

The van rolled through the streets, city lights blurring past the windows. For Sid, the world had narrowed to a single thought: he had to make Morgana hear him. This time, he wouldn’t let fear or pride get in the way.

When the van stopped at Sid’s apartment, Big D called out.

"Hey, tell Morgana I congratulate her for passing her thesis. And, uh... tell her to treat us, haha."

"You really are stupid."

"I won’t walk down there with you. I might break your love confession if I’m around."

"Yes, you are. Haha. Come on, go now— be safe, bro."

Sid closed the van door as Big D drove off. Clutching the bouquet of flowers in his hand, he exhaled deeply.

"Time to confess... from jail booth to wedding, haha. That edit was spot on."

He checked his phone, glancing at the saved picture from his gallery— him as the groom, Morgana as the bride, and Big D as the priest. Slowly, he climbed the stairs to his apartment, his knee still aching but manageable. Each step was measured as he tried to compose himself, rehearsing in his head what he would say the moment he stepped through the door.

As he reached the last step and rounded the corner, he froze. An apartment door stood open.

"Ha... wait— is that my apartment?"

He hurried forward, his pulse racing. When he reached the doorway, Sid’s hands trembled, and he stood frozen in front of the swinging door. The faint whisper of wind through the opening made the room feel impossibly eerie.

His heart thumped in his chest, but each beat felt heavier than the last. The glow of his computer screen drew his attention first— the interface of Dead World Online. Red splatters glistened across the monitor. A single, cold message blinked back at him:

[GAME OVER: YOU HAVE BEEN CONSUMED.]

"Mor...gana?"

His voice cracked as he stepped inside, every step cautious and slow.

"I know... I know you’re mad at me. I—"

He swallowed hard.

"I wanted to apologize again. I regret what I said... that you were strict and worse than my mom. I know now... you were just caring for me. Because... because you love me. And I..."

His breath hitched.

"I-I don’t want to lose you. I can’t lose you."

He reached out, shaking, fumbling for the light switch. The apartment flickered into life, revealing the scene in horrifying clarity.

"What— what happened here?"

The bedroom door hung open, water pooling around a dark stain on the floor. Sid’s stomach dropped. The metallic scent of blood hit him before his eyes could fully process it.

"Is... is that blood?"