Zach was lowered back to the ground and was released from Mandanu's grip. It appears that while he was viewing the orb, the the stone being and Mr. Hackman had been chatting for a good while now. The devil appeared to look less furious than before.
"So," Zach asked, "what happens now?"
"Well originally," Mr. Hackman replied, "I was gonna have ya both killed. But Rocky here managed to convince me to do something better for the three of us insteads."
"What?"
"You see," Mandanu butted in, "I informed our host that according to the ratings data that our intrusion and removal of the imp had a positive reception. Thus I suggested that we would be willing to do it again."
The thought of going back to be almost dying again was not a pleasant one for Zach. It was difficult enough as it was to talk to a floating bunch of bricks and an off brand devil, but the added addition of his town and different versions of it being manipulated for some form of entertainment was becoming too much to bear.
"You're telling me we're gonna fight another imp," Zach asked, "Because last time I almost died."
"We ain't using imps no more," Mr Hackman retorted, "Too boring a character. No, you'll be pitted against more intelligent opponents. Think of this as a game show, or a contest. Win enough times, and we'll leave you alone. That's fair ain't it?"
"And I'm guessing I have no choice but to say yes right?"
"Unless you wanna die, cause if ya do then just say no."
Zach looked at the orbs above him, and remembered the confusion and fear he felt in his home. He could only imagine how the other Zach's were holding up, if they even existed at all. If there was one thing Zach wanted out of this other than going home, it was a growing need for justice to appear. Zach took a deep breath before responding. He knew his answer.
"Okay. I accept."
