“I curse my stars in bitter grief and woe, That made my love so high and me so low,” a low, soothing voice resonated from behind you, each footstep growing louder as it neared.

Thud. The sound of a book snapping shut broke the silence.

You quickly turned around, curiosity piqued by the voice, only to find yourself face to face with a tall, black-haired man clad in black clothing. Tattoos spiraled across his upper body and neck, and in his hand, he held a silver cane.

Ah, it was V again. He’d returned.

“Pardon me, did I intrude?” he asked, a faint, lopsided smile tugging at his lips as he stopped just in front of you, his dark green eyes assessing your surroundings and… whatever you were up to.

His gaze shifted, gesturing toward your previous activity.

“What’s that?” he inquired, voice cool but layered with subtle curiosity.

Then, with a serious tone and a hint of impatience, he added, “Something more important than dealing with Urizen?”

Of course, he had to remind you of the situation. His demonic half, Urizen, was still out there, plotting to destroy humanity. Time wasn’t exactly on V’s side either—his decaying body meant that every second counted.

Yet here you were, considering sparing just a few more minutes.