I'll help Gretel escape (Pink Trigger)

The truth of the matter is, I know I'm going to lose here. There isn't any other way it can go down. However, for all of my tough talk... Gretel is here as a reader and co-author with me. I don't think she can be injured, but I don't know that for sure... It was never given as a rule or stated as a red truth. If I see that innocent girl's guts spill out as the result of some witch's attack that I led her into, I won't be able to forgive myself. For that reason, I knew I had to protect her.

I handed her the lantern, then imbued it with a magic charm. The light grew out from it, and from that light, a barrier began to form in a circle around her. This will keep you safe.

"Safe until what? Is there some end point on the witch's fury that I don't know about? Besides whisking the chosen off to the Golden Land, I've never heard of her stopping. If you think you're going to survive that long, you really are an optimist."

I didn't want to admit my plan to her, but I had to. I'll hold her off until I die. Then the story will reset.

"This story of yours... It really is mad. You think you can just die again and again for all eternity without losing yourself?"

I don't care about myself! I never did. The man known as H.I. Player died a long time ago and was mourned by very few, least of all himself.

"How about that love you claim to have for everyone? Do you think that will continue to survive?"

It... must. It's the only thing I have left that I can trust in. If I lose my own love, then I have nothing.

Gretel made an unreadable expression, casting her eyes off to one side, perhaps trying to think of a response while Beatrice finished climbing out through the wall. That witch was giggling and taking her time. Finally, Gretel spoke. "You're a pretty stupid writer."

Grk! Can't you just let me defend you in this cool scene?!

"You say if you lose your love, you have nothing. What about those you love? It hurts so much more to lose those... And if you think you can have love for people without cherishing them, then what is this 'love' even to begin with?!" she spoke, sounding as though she was talking from experience. "How can you talk about love like you're the expert on it? What you have in this story isn't love at all, it's just a self-serving fantasy. If you think that you can even have 'love' while throwing yourself onto spears over and over again, dying alone...!"

I'm not throwing myself onto spears... This is all for a purpose!

Ironically, as I argued that, a spear shot through my chest. The tip of it clanged against the barrier I'd erected for Gretel, as her face went white. This mortal wound was probably pretty gruesome and more realistic than what she'll see at the movie theaters. I can't blame her for being affected.

"Hell... This is really hell. You've trapped yourself inside hell for... for what?!"

It's not so bad... once you get used to it Gretel...

Let's try again... The next one will go better...

"It won't! It never will! What's the point in a story like this if you can never really change anything?!"

Ah, Gretel... I'm just glad you picked up my story.

And this ought to motivate you to try reading to a new page, right? If you just keep reading, maybe you'll find the answer.