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"Are we there yet?" I asked like an impatient child

"No. not yet"

This walk felt like it was taking forever. That's the downside of this huge and prestigious engineering building. It's got different sectors like chemical or electrical engineering, but each one is so far apart, and the one Takahashi was leading me to just had to be the furthest.

"How about now?"

"..."

I was met with silence. He's so disrespectful. It's not like I want to be here either.

I hate following people's orders. I hate following people in general. Usually, I take the lead in everything. I make sure I never get stuck behind anybody except Kenj-I mean Takahashi.

I hate him. I hate him with the fiery passion of a thousand burning suns, but his presence makes me feel nostalgic. It takes me back to simpler times, reminding me of who I was before. Maybe that's part of the reason why I hate him so much. But as much as I hate to admit, it feels nice. Walking behind him like this. It's the same as when we were children; we would cross through the forest at the back of his grandma's house to get to our secret hangout spot.

He knew the forest like the back of his head and would lead us through the muddy terrain and stop the tree branches from hitting our faces. Enzo was there too. It was just the three of us then and we promised each other it would always stay that way, But I guess that was just the wishful thinking of children.

It's funny to think how much time has drastically changed. Sometimes I wonder how different things would be if we never entered that cave.

"We're here now" Takahashi spoke, opening the big white door in front of us, and gesturing that I went in before him as he held that door for me. Not being able to refuse, I walked in with my head up high to exercise my dominance over him so he wouldn't get the impression that he could just boss me around like he just did.

The room was dark and I couldn't make out a single thing yet since the automatic lights were weirdly not on yet, but I was still excited at the mere prospect that I was standing in front of him in his new form. I could barely contain myself. The anticipation was too much. Once he is resurrected, nothing can stop us. Me and him; him and me, together will own the world. Just like how everything is meant to "What's that smell?" My nostrils were suddenly met with a strong odor, which steered me from my previous thoughts as I tried to figure out what that unignorable smell was. I sniff around trying to get a better sense of whatever is in the air. "Smells like smoke" the thought finally hit me. I sniff my nose around some more to locate the source. It's behind me.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

I turned my head to look over my shoulder and there he was. Takahashi, just standing there in the doorway with the same blank expression he always looks at me with. I didn't even notice that he never came in. From his face, my eyes landed on his lower half, specifically on his hands that rested effortlessly on the seams of his suit pants. The right held a lighter, while the left held a Red canister that read gasoline on its side. But that's not what held my attention, no. Down near his feet, was a wall of fire that stretched across the doorway, acting like a barrier between the two of us.

"Takah-" I tried stepping forward towards him, but was quickly reminded of the fire wall separating us as I could feel the hairs on my bare ankle burn, causing me to stumble back and fall onto my knees from the pain.

I watched the flames blaze in the darkness, illuminating the room with its menacing orange and red light. It grew and grew until in a matter of seconds, the roaring flames were up to Takahashi's chest. But of course, even with the hot blaze in front of him, he didn't flinch nor show any signs of fear, instead, he just stood there, like he always did. Even in the face of danger, he was the same, except his eyes. Finally peeling my gaze from the flame, I looked deep into them. They were a shade of dark green which was unusual considering his ethnicity, nonetheless, they were mad. well, more like trying to be mad. His eyebrows were furrowed, eyes sharp, and glared as if ready to bite- yet there was so much sadness within them.

He stared at me, and I stared at him.

"I guess you've finally won" I uttered with faint smile

"...yah" he whispered smiling back at me for the first time in years, but the sadness in his eyes still lingered. As if he was about to cry for the death of an old friend.

still on my knees, I watch him turn around, getting ready to close the door; leaving me here.

"Wait!" I called out causing him to pause before closing the door all the way.

"Kenji. Take care of Mia for me" I once again stared deep into those dark green eyes "That's my last wish"

He nodded before trapping me in a room engulfed with smoke with the exit surrounded by growing flames.

I was frozen as I watched the fire approach me. Screaming would be no use as I'm too away from the rest to be heard. That is why he led me here; so I would die alone.

Even if someone were to hear me, would they save me?. All I can do is accept my fate.

With the room now being illuminated by the light of the blazing fire, I turned around to get a final glimpse of the masterpiece I worked worked so hard to build for him. "today was supposed to be our day" I whispered "but I guess he defeated you like he said he would. When you were so close too".

I checked the purple gem around my neck to see if it was glowing, but it didn't--- meaning he wasn't going to show up. I guess I really am going to die alone.

What a shame.

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