Polyta examines the bottled homecoming.

—Polyta—
It looks like...
It is!!

Sunny
* It's what??

—Jiro—
...
→A Bottled Homecoming!
→ Looks like the nightmare is finally over
→ We'll be home in no time
→ I don't want to go back

—Polyta—
It's a Bottled Homecoming!
We can use this to get home!

Sunny
* What!? Fucking-- how??

—Polyta—
It's simple! Once unsealed, it will summon a portal back to the home of the person who uncorked it.
Oh, this is wonderful, Nix! Thank you so much!

—Jiro—
...
→Agreed, thank you, Nix!
→ We should also make sure to thank Zabelle, since she's the one who brews these
→ I was really worried about trekking back through Hellfuck there
→ I don't want to go back

What?
You shouldn't thank me.
I wasn't doing it for you.

—Polyta—
Thank you anyway, Nix.
You have my word, our island will always be a safe place for you.
With the help of Jiro's love power, we'll do everything we can to build a home where you can belong.

—Jiro—
...
→ I'm always happy to help
→I don't want to go back
→ And everything will be okay. Everything will go back to how it was.
→ I don't want to go back

  Major Mercy
You sure that thing'll get all of you home?

—Polyta—
I haven't a doubt in my mind.
I'm sure this is Zabelle's handiwork here-- she's not failed us yet.
We'll be transported straight home, safe and sound.

—Jiro—
...
→ I don't want to go back
→it's fine. it's fine it's fine
→ I don't want to go back
→ I don't want to go back

Sunny
* Well, fuck! What're we waitin' on?
* We coulda gone and fucked off on down to Isekai Margaritaville a whole conversation ago!

—Polyta—
I... perhaps wouldn't say it like that, but I concur!
It's time we went home.

FINALLY.



—Polyta—
Well, Jiro?

Polyta stretches her arm out to offer Jiro the bottle. It's still dripping with spittle. The world turns to mud around him, words and faces melting and churning together.



—Polyta—
Would you like



to do the honors?







—Polyta—
Jiro?






—Jiro—
...
Yeah, I'm ready
I don't want to go back
I don't waNT TO GO BACK
→I DON'T WANT TO GO BACK



Everyone turns and stares at Jiro.




—Polyta—
Wh
What

  Major Mercy
Uh.

Is this a joke.

—Jiro—
...
I'm so sorry I didn't mean to say that
→ I can't do this. I can't. I can't go back to how it used to be. I just can't anymore.
Ha haa I was kidding let's go

—Polyta—
What!? Jiro, no, what are you talking about!?
How could you even-- this doesn't make sense, you have to come back!

Sunny
* Oi, fuck off with that!
* He doesn't "have to" do shit!

—Polyta—
Yes he does!!
Do you have any idea how important-- how much responsibility--!!

Sunny
* And whose fault is that, huh?
* Who decided that HE had to bear the whole fucking planet on HIS shoulders!?

—Polyta—
STAY! OUT OF THIS!!
Jiro, what has gotten into you!? I don't understand!

Jiro can feel the acid in his gut. It wants to fight up his throat and out his mouth and onto the steel of the catwalk. He grabs at his face and squeezes his jaw shut, but he can't stop shaking, everything's spinning, everything is so loud--

We're wasting time!

—Polyta—
Explain yourself!!

Sunny
* You don't gotta explain shit, Jiro!

—Polyta—
Please! You have to--!

A claw slashes across the catwalk between Jiro and the others.



Polyta, Nix and Mercy's side of the catwalk falls down, leaving Jiro standing alone. The vent opening Sunny is hanging out of suddenly doesn't have a floor beneath it.

Sunny
* FUCK!!!

—Polyta—
AH--!!

  Major Mercy
--!?

The catwalk drops a few meters down and is caught by an overhanging strut beneath it. Mercy swings her gun arm around, at attention, looking for a threat.

  Major Mercy
What the HELL!?

—Polyta—
I... I...

  Major Mercy
Eyes up! Something's here!!









I figured it out,
little nix.





A black snaking tail smashes into Mercy along her claw arm.

  Major Mercy 
KGH--!!




Even
if
you run.




Mercy goes careening into the void beneath the catwalk.



Even if you escape.



The Bastard reveals himself, coiled around a beam.



HELL COMES WITH.