Chapter 10: Departures

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An endless darkness surrounded me as I was falling.

How long have I been here?...

I can't see...

Is anyone there?...

It's so cold...

My thoughts started to cloud as I fell further and further into the deep abyss.

Why is it so cold?...

Something gently brushed my hair.

A warm, familiar touch.

"You did well..." (Voice 1)

This voice...

A calm, soothing hum tenderly floated around the area.

My thoughts slowly cleared as the numbing coldness started to fade away, replaced by a caring warmth.

"Hmph!... Spoiling him like that!... Well...I guess he wasn't a complete disappointment in the end at least..." (Voice 2)

"H-Hey!...Don't be rude! Let her do whatever she wants!...I-I mean...I-It's our reunion and all..." (Voice 3)

"Shut up, Shorty!" (Voice 2)

"S-Shorty?!?!" (Voice 3)

My heart skipped a beat, my thoughts started to race.

It can't be...

The woman who had brushed my hair softly whispered into my ear,

"They're going to be like that for a bit, hehe...Don't mind them..." (Voice 1)

"Is it really you?..." (Black Death)

I can't see them...Where are they?

"I know that you have a lot of questions on your mind right now... But I'm afraid that we won't have enough time to answer them. I'm sorry..." (Voice 1)

Countless bright, human-shaped figures suddenly filled the endless darkness, lighting up the area like a starry night.

The two familiar voices, probably noticing the change in setting, immediately stopped arguing.

"Oy, Wimp... Take good care of your new friends. Better protect your sister this time as well. Don't be the whiny little brat that you usually are. We're not going to bail you out again, so don't screw this up." (Voice 2)

"W-What did I just say?!..." (Voice 3)

"Tch..." (Voice 2)

"Elder Brother, please take good care of yourself, you have to keep fighting! D-Don't give up! Keep reaching out to them! E-Even when the world seems stacked against you, we'll be right behind you! You're not alone!" (Voice 3)

"Haha...I have said this already, but don't mope around okay?...Take action, don't hesitate. You are not the same person who I was fortunate enough to spend time with, instead, you became someone even stronger. I'm very happy. We were never given a chance to live proper lives, but you're different. So please live on for us... Most importantly...Please..." (Voice 1)

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"""Live your life to the fullest.""" (Everyone)

"Wait! What about all of you?!" (Black Death)

A warm, gentle light started to gather around me.

"Please! Wait!" (Black Death)

"We will all meet again someday, please don't worry about us." (Voice 1)

I reached out, vainly grasping for anyone, for anything.

"Please!!!... I can't lose all of you too!!!" (Black Death)

"...As kind as always..." (Voice 1)

The light completely consumed me, separating me from the endless darkness that had haunted me.

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[Hmm...Strange, the process is taking longer than usual...] (Hades)

A beautiful woman who seemed to be in her mid-twenties was joined by a large hooded figure the size of a building as they closely observed a man lying unconscious in the middle of a lush forest. A crystal, clear lake was a little away from them while specks of light seemed to be floating around the area. There didn't seem to be any other signs of life. It was oddly peaceful and quiet aside from the strange situation...

"Is there a problem?" (Vella)

[I would not say that...There have been cases like thes-] (Hades)

Hades suddenly leaned closer to the unconscious man.

"What happened?" (Vella)

Only a heavy silence responded to her question.

"Answer me!" (Vella)

[His Soul Essence has been shattered.] (Hades)

"...His Soul Essence?!..." (Vella)

[One moment...] (Hades)

He gently rested his hand a little above the man's body, easily covering it with how large his hand was.

A white aura quickly surrounded his hand before drifting towards the man's body.

[Impossible...] (Hades)

Their shock was quickly replaced by uneasiness.

[He's reforming his own Soul Essence?...] (Hades)

The aura surrounding his hand suddenly exploded into light, hiding the man from view as strong shockwaves traveled throughout the forest.

[Hm?!] (Hades)

A silvery-white greatsword slowly formed right next to the man's body, quietly fluctuating with an otherworldly light.

"His Spirit Weapon's changed?..." (Vella)

[...His Karma has been balanced...] (Hades)

The explosion of light slowly faded away as the forest mellowed, the shockwaves quietly dissipating.

They were greeted by the sight of an unconscious young man with dark, short hair and a well-defined face. He seemed to be in his mid to late teen years, but his looks were pretty average. It wouldn't have been far-fetched to consider him as the older man's son with how closely he resembled him.

"T-This is..." (Vella)

[Rebirth as well?...All of this...Who is he?...] (Hades)

Retracting his hand, Hades tilted his head, deep in thought.

[Maybe...Hmm...] (Hades)

He suddenly turned to Vella,

[Woman, do something for me and I will ignore your status as a Sinner. I'll guarantee your passage back to Purgatory with him, a second chance that you have both been wanting. Not only that, I will help him reunite with his friends.] (Hades)

She immediately jumped at the opportunity,

"What is it?" (Vella)

[Upon reaching Purgatory, take him to Judgement Hall. You must do this within twelve cycles otherwise our agreement is void.] (Hades)

"Judgement Hall?! Then does that mean?..." (Vella)

[It's just a simple possibility, his friends have received the same merit for differing Halls, but I think he will be a special case...] (Hades)

A short pause was shared between them before she finally nodded,

"I'll gladly accept." (Vella)

[Good.] (Hades)

He snapped his fingers upon hearing her response.

The specks of light that drifted around the forest suddenly gathered onto the right hands of Vella and the young man.

Slowly, a small, golden crescent scythe formed on the back of their hands before fading away.

"Your Sigil?..." (Vella)

[A brief summary of our agreement has been included, it will automatically be processed to him once he awakens. Invoke it should anything else happen, and finally...] (Hades)

He raised his scythe towards them,

[Good luck on your journeys.] (Hades)

Knowing what would come next, she respectfully bowed, gratitude evident.

He forcefully slashed downwards, shockwaves emanated from the sheer force of the movement, creating strong gusts of wind that shook the trees and tore at the lake's surface.

A large, bright tear in space appeared, replacing the two figures who had just been in front of him.

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Finally alone, he rested his scythe back onto his shoulder, staring at the tear in space.

[That woman...What was that strange aura around her?... It feels...Familiar...] (Hades)

Shaking his head, he took his right hand and grabbed onto the tear in space.

[Interesting...Something grand is going to happen...Just what I needed huh?...Heh...Interesting!] (Hades)

He firmly clenched his hand, bringing a close to the strange anomaly.