❝ 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞'𝚟𝚎 𝚜𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚊 𝚐𝚑𝚘𝚜𝚝. ❞
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"Several strong presences approach. It is the divine visionaries." Innocent Zero mutters as his first son stays silent. "We have to prepare. Let us withdraw, Doom."

Doom nods his head. "If we have to, then my fun will have to wait." He hums.

Innocent Zero casts a spell where the magma infused with the power of darkness. He warns Mash that he will reclaim his heart via dark magic, but the process is rather painful.

As the father and son leave, Doom spares Mash a last glance. "When we meet again, be sure you can use your full potential." He says firmly and with that, Mash is all alone with magma surrounding him.

Mash watches as the magma melts the floor right beside him. With a blank face, he mutters. "I gotta move somehow." And he tries.

But damn, he has never been in pain like that before. "Nope." He lays his head back onto the floor.

"Well, I can't move. Guess it's dark magma time." Being himself, he just shrugs off the tension of his situation. "Sometimes we just have to lay down and accept our fate."

His eyes bore as he just stays on his spot, making no effort to save himself. What can he do anyway? He can't move a muscle.

But...

"Please don't die, Mash."

His golden eyes widen as the crimson cane appears in his mind.

"I can't lose you too."

"(Name)," he mutters firmly. "I can't die yet. I need to move." He tries to move his arm, only to feel the familiar but awful sting that makes him lay back.

However, he tries again. "I promised her..." his arms shakily lift his weight. He winces at the pain, but tries his best not to fall.

"(Name)..." he breathes out her name as the magma-coated stones fall in his way.

A sharp gasp escapes his lips when he feels himself being lifted by a pair of strong arms. The owner of those arms covers his figure with his back, shielding him from the burning objects.

Mash widens his eyes as he takes in the appearance of his savior. "Domina..." he mutters, a hint of concern in his voice.

Domina winces at his burning back as he shakily lifts Mash in his arms. "Father's abandoned me. He won't care what I do now." He exclaims.

"But..."

"Shut up, will you?" He cuts him off.

Domina knows his body is completely spent. A painful hiss escapes his lips as his feet sink into the boiling magma as he lifts Mash's figure higher.

He knows that he can't let Mash die here. He must save him. Even at the cost of his life.

He grits his teeth as he quickly grabs his wand. Using his water magic, he sends Mash to a higher part that will save him from the magma.

Mash lands with a soft 'oof' before he glances down with wide eyes. "Domina..." he mutters in disbelief.

Half of his body is already sinking in the boiling magma. He recalls the warmth of his younger brother's hands when he grabs his that he has never felt before.

He raises his head to look at his brother.

I'm so glad... you and I got to meet before the end.

With a smile on his face, he bids his farewell.

"Goodbye... Mash Burnedead."

Mash widens his eyes as he helplessly watches Domina sink into his death. "You can't...." he reaches his hand out, hoping that the so-called magic will happen and help him save his brother.

He blinks his eyes wide as he feels a pair of arms lift him up again. Looking up, his golden eyes lock with a pair of blue ones.

Ryoh offers the ravenette a smile. "You're safe now, Mash." He assures.

"Ryoh..." Mash murmurs. "Domina, he-"

"It's okay," The light cane cuts him off. "(Name) got him." He moves slightly, changing his angle to allow Mash to see the crimson cane clearly.

(Name) is sitting on her flying broom, her left arm wraps around Domina's waist to ensure that he won't fall down. "Ryoh! Let's go!" Domina stares at her, his consciousness barely holding onto him.

"Why... did you save me too?" The male asks, his voice barely above a whisper as he is all drained out. Despite that, he still manages to feel the crimson cane's hold on him tighten.

(Name) doesn't even spare a glance at him as she replies softly. "I won't let Mash lose his brother too." That is all he heard before he feels his consciousness slipping away from him.

Feeling his figure limping, (name) pulls him closer to her until his head rests on her shoulder. She side-glances him silently before looking forward, her eyes following Ryoh and Mash to see Mistress Meliadoul.

After treating Mash, he can finally move, which gets him to jump around with glee (and poker face). Meliadoul then explains to him about the size of the situation, and he can't play around anymore.

Innocent Zero will be coming back to attack in 30 days. That means, training for him.

She tells him the probability of him winning against Innocent Zero, and that is 0.1 percent. Mash is still so young, and there is no need to risk his life for this.

However, Mash thinks otherwise.

He still needs to fight for people he cares for. There is a lot that he needs to protect, regardless of the risk. Even if his chance to win is one in a thousand, he's sure that he can.

Suddenly, a couple knock on the door catches their attention as (name) enters the room. Meliadoul smiles at her, "How's Domina?" She asks as the younger female returns the smile. "He's still not awake, but he's fine." She replies reassuringly.

Mash stares at her, his hands are shaking slightly due to nervousness. He feels guilty, he almost breaks his promise.

When (name) turns to him, he can't help but flinch. Ryoh, who stares at him from the start, raises an eyebrow before he glances at the crimson cane.

She approaches the bed silently, and Mash doesn't feel any better. He's still scared and nervous. Will she scold him? Is she-

He is caught off guard when (name) brings him into her embrace, his chin is rested on her shoulder. The crimson cane runs a hand through Mash's raven hair as she lets out a shaky sigh.

"You make me worried," she whispers, barely audible to him. "Don't scare me like that again." Despite the tremors in her voice, her tone is firm.

Mash blinks his eyes, softening them before wrapping his arms around ber waist. Closing his eyes, he buries his face into her shoulder. "Mhm, I'm sorry." He apologises.

Of course, everyone would find this scene wholesome. However, it looks different in Ryoh's eyes.

He furrows his eyebrows, his blue eyes stare at the two widely as the scene is too familiar to him. The scene that will haunt him for life.

In the same position, (name) was crying. Wailing. The hands were not around her waist. They were on his side, limping, not moving, lifeless.

The day Flynn killed himself plays in his mind like a tape of memory. (Name)'s cries, begging, pleading to God not to take her little brother rings in his ears and God, it feels so fresh like it is happening right now.

Ryoh flinches when Mash suddenly looks up to him with his golden eyes. Not even a second later, those eyes flash a pair of dead, crimson eyes that once belonged to Flynn.

His breath hitches as he takes a step back, cold sweat trails down his cheek. Mash notices his strange antics and raises his head in concern.

"Ryoh?" He calls out, making the light cane stiffen. (Name) releases the hug to look at him, and when she does, concern flashes in her (eye colour) eyes. "Are you okay?" She asks, furrowing her eyebrows.

Ryoh gulps his saliva before regaining his composure. He offers them a smile, "Yes, I'm fine." He assures them.

"Are you sure?" (Name) hesitates. "You look like you've seen a ghost." She says jokingly, attempting to lighten up the mood. Ryoh laughs at her statement.

'I really did see the ghost of your brother.'