Chapter 6: Reunion

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I lived a life filled with death, with betrayal. Countless lives were taken by my hands. I turned a blind eye to those who plead for their lives, young or old. It didn't matter. All who defied the organization would be eliminated. The organization was righteous, the ones who have sworn to protect and serve the people, to create a utopia for all. The saviors of mankind...Only a fool would turn against them. My role was the same as any ordinary weapon, emotionless, compassionless, indiscriminate. Although I was placed in such a miserable role, if no one else had to do this cruel work, if no children had to defile their hands with blood and families were able to laugh and cry together, safe from harm, how could anything else make me happier? My sole reason to live. That was what I had thought...So why have I changed?...

"Are you awake?..." (???)

A soft voice reached me as I slowly opened my eyes.

A hooded figure was calmly drinking tea directly across from me. The voice of the figure seems to be masked. We were seated around a fancy table in the middle of what appears to be a forest. A crystal, clear lake was a little away from us while specks of light seemed to be floating around the area. I couldn't sense any sign of life besides the two of us. It was oddly peaceful and quiet, I wasn't feeling any sense of discomfort, not even the need to raise my guard like I usually would in this situation. Strange...

"Where are we?" (Black Death)

The figure tilted its head in thought,

"I sometimes wonder so myself." (Figure)

A silence surrounded us as I started to analyze the situation, sorting through my memories.

I was in the town square of a well-known city with three other agents from opposing factions. Blood Rose, Iron Fang, Ghost Blade, the people who I've thought as my own family. We fought each other as representatives of our organizations for one last time, knowing full well that we would not be able to live among the survivors of the world since upon invoking [Exodus]. We successfully completed the ritual and then...

"Are we in the afterlife?" (Black Death)

A sudden realization came to me.

The figure nodded before taking another sip from the teacup.

"...Then does that mean you're God?..." (Black Death)

Tea flew out of the figure's mouth as laughter echoed throughout the area,

"Pffft, ahahahaha!" (Figure)

Struggling to catch their breath and trying to regain their composure, they continued,

"Th-Thank you for-haha, thinking that highly of me! But I'm not that special looking as you can see, I'm just an inhabitant of this world." (Figure)

Oy, who's this person then?!?!?!

"Who are you then? I thought people who died would usually meet God or something." (Black Death)

"Haha, sorry! I can't help myself, I was planning at first on just talking to you for a little while keeping my identity a secret, but you were always the curious one huh?" (Figure)

"What do you me-" (Black Death)

The area around us started to warp and shift as the figure carefully pulled down their hood. We were in a very familiar place, the table turned into a crystalline one with an ornate golden chandelier hanging right above us. I could see windows aligned on the walls with sofas, bookcases and a fireplace to compliment them on my far right and a bartending table on my far left. There was a familiar grand staircase further ahead of us that stopped at a large door before wrapping around the room. This is...

A middle-aged woman with wavy violet hair, flawless snow white skin, and familiar warm eyes smiled at me.

"Big Sister?..." (Black Death)

Vella happily nodded,

"Mhm! I'm happy that you still call me 'Big Sister'! You haven't changed at all!" (Vella)

A doting look could be seen on her face as her eyes seemed to probe me,

"Kyaaa! I knew you were going to be handsome! I knew it! I just couldn't help myself and wanted to see you up close and personal after all these years. If only Gaiden came with me, haa....." (Vella)

Embarrassedly scratching my cheek, I looked around, trying to regain my composure. Huh...It still looks just like how I remember it. Everything's still in perfect condition as well...

A sudden thought flew across my mind.

I remember....Everything?...

Vella worriedly look towards me, noticing my dark expression,

"Are you alright?...What's the matter?..." (Vella)

"I'm sorry..." (Black Death)

Vella confusedly tilted her head before realization dawned on her,

"It's in the past...I've already told you that it wasn't your fault. Remember?... I truly meant that."

I stared down at the table, unable to look at her eyes as I tightly clenched my fist,

"...I...I didn't mean to..." (Black Death)

"Haa...You're hopeless as usual." (Vella)

She stood up and walked over to me, gently lifting my face to meet hers,

"I love you, I said so before remember? You're my adorable little brother, not only that, you're also my prized student! I could never hate you!" (Vella)

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Just like last time...Her eyes were dazzlingly bright, pride and joy could clearly be seen in them as she lovingly smiled at me in assurance,

"Have more faith in others as well as yourself. That's what you've always been lacking, even as a child. Not everything in the world is your fault and not everything in the world is something that you can prevent. You're strong! Very strong, but you must know your own limits, and you must be able to keep moving forward! No one can complain if you've done your absolute best!" (Vella)

I widened my eyes in shock, taking a moment to register her expression and engraving her words into my heart before slowly nodding,

"Thank you..." (Black Death)

Nodding in satisfaction, she hugged me. I felt a heavy weight being lifted off of my shoulders. The warmth and gentleness that earnestly showed her affection for me, the calming scent that would float around the room...This love that would always ease my heart and mind...I've never thought that I'd experience this again. It all feels like a dream...

We both stayed like that for a while until she finally pulled away from me with an excited look in her eyes,

"Alright, now that that's out of the way, tell me about those three friends that you've made!" (Vella)

"Haha, them? What do you want to know?" (Black Death)

"Everything!" (Vella)

"Ah....Everything huh?..." (Black Death)

I tilted my head as I thought of what to say. They were my family, aside from Vella who I felt was like my own mother, they were the closest people that I've ever come to know and love. Although we came from the same occupation as sworn enemies and it was only by chance that we were able to become so close to each other, I'm entirely grateful for that chance. We shared the same dreams, the same hopes and we started to become ambitious and confident enough to consider one single possibility, a peaceful and prosperous world, one where no more blood would be shed and one where everyone can smile and laugh. An idealistic world, but...

"Haha, I miss them...I really wish I could see them again." (Black Death)

She brightly smiled and nodded, urging me to continue.

"They're like my own family. We act as siblings around each other and the warmth that we felt from each other was also very pleasant, I could tell that we cared a lot about each other...They all feel like you in a way Big Sister, but at the same time, they're all just like me as well. When I'm around them, I feel the need to protect them, and I strive to become stronger to protect the dreams and laughter that we would all have together. I would do anything for them, even if I had to sacrifice my life again.

Vella had a distant look on her face.

"I don't want to be scared anymore...I want to be able to make my own choices, and I want to be able to protect the people that I care about! I don't want to be useless anymore..." (Child)

Closing his eyes, he softly touched the area where Vella would usually brush his hair,

"I just want everyone to be happy...I want everyone to laugh and to be able to dream..." (Child)

Clenching his fists, he opened his eyes to earnestly look at Vella.

A renewed, fiery determination flowed throughout his body and his eyes seemed to burn with confidence,

"I will do anything to make them come true!" (Child)

Vella had a very satisfied and peaceful look on her face as she mumbled,

"...this much since I've been away huh?..." (Vella)

She spoke in a barely audible voice, I wasn't able to catch what she was saying,

"Is something the matter?..." (Black Death)

She shook her head and started brushing the usual spot on my hair,

"It's nothing! Haha, it just seems like you've made some good friends! Do you remember what I've said?" (Vella)

I nodded, there were countless lessons and teachings that she had given me, but the ones that were most important were;

"To follow my beliefs, to live freely, and to remember the determination that I have shown to you." (Black Death)

Vella proudly smiled and tightly hugged me again,

"Remember your reason to live and keep moving forward as well, that's also very important. Your friends seem to be your reason, I'm very happy for you!" (Vella)

I hugged her back and scolded her,

"Don't forget yourself. You're the reason that I've even become like this, and you're definitely the most important person in my life! I owe all of this to you! There's no way that I could live without you." (Black Death)

Her shoulders suddenly started to shake, I could feel something wet on my chest.

"Big Sister?..." (Black Death)

"Thank you...Haha, I-I'm so happy...Ah...This is going to be so much harder for me..." (Vella)

She reluctantly broke away from the hug as she quickly wiped away her face,

"I've said this many times before...But I love you. Always remember that. Okay?..." (Vella)

The biggest and brightest smile that she has ever given me was right before my eyes, something felt wrong...I should be happy but...What's this uneasy feeling?...

"I love you as well Big Sister but is everything alright?..." (Black Death)

Vella turned around and seemed to be speaking out into the distance,

"I've finished my end of the business, I'm satisfied." (Vella)

The surroundings started to warp and shift again, finally stopping after a considerable amount of time passed. We were back in the lush forest where I first reunited with Vella, but a dark mist slowly rose from the ground in front of us. The mist slowly started to spread and shape itself until a large hooded figure that was the size of a building stood in front of us. A scythe that seemed to be even larger than the figure itself was resting on its right shoulder as it stared down at us. The figure had a very powerful presence around it...

What is this?...

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Bonus:

[Hahaha, I wasn't left disappointed...] (Large Figure)

A large figure was sitting behind a plain work desk, suspended in an infinitely white space. A small laughter could be heard from the large figure as it looked down at the papers. There were facial portraits of a man and two women. Background information was placed on the right side of each of the portraits, giving the large figure a detailed analysis of their lives and personalities.

[It's been a while since I've been this excited...Why hasn't anyone informed me of these people before?] (Large Figure)

The figure sighed as it propped its head on the table,

[Haa...My subordinates are absolutely useless! I sometimes wonder why I haven't started the Purge yet...] (Large Figure)

A portrait of another man suddenly appeared on the large figure's work table.

[Oh?...Is he finally awake?] (Large Figure)

The figure's impatience was clearly evident in its voice.

[I wonder why such a normal looking man has acquaintances like them...I want to know why that absurd woman is so interested in him as well...Such a mysterious man.] (Large Figure)

A gray mist drifted towards the large figure, slowly collecting itself together until a hooded figure in gray robes stood before the large figure.

[A Grey Warden dares visit me?...] (Large Figure)

The Grey Warden politely bowed.

[Speak.] (Large Figure)

Recovering from the bow, the Grey Warden continued in a respectful tone,

[I am sorry to disturb you. We have received a prophecy from the Great Seers stating that there will be a Flood in the Lightsworn District. I have been sent to request assistance from you.] (Grey Warden)

A dark, suffocating aura surrounded the area as it emanated from the Large Figure,

[Tch...That is not a problem that requires the Executioners, we are not bound by the Oaths like you are. You understand this, and yet you dare ask us for help?] (Large Figure)

The Grey Warden continued unflinchingly,

[We beg of you...If it were to be a normal Flood, we wouldn't have the need to ask for help from the Executioners.] (Grey Warden)

The large figure seemed to be deep in thought as it rubbed its chin,

[Hmm...Do we know when the Flood will begin?] (Large Figure)

[We have not received any other information regarding the Flood, that is another reason as to why we are asking you for help.] (Grey Warden)

[No other information?...] (Large Figure)

A surprised voice leaked from the large figure.

A solemn silence was shared between the two beings, feeling the weight of the words that were just said.

Sighing, the figure nodded,

[Haa...I will send a portion of the Executioners to assist you.] (Large Figure)

[You have our gratitude.] (Grey Warden)

The Grey Warden deeply bowed in gratitude as a grey mist drifted from his body, his figure slowly dissipating until nothing was left.

[One thing after another...So troublesome...] (Large Figure)

The figure sighed again as it started to sort through the papers on the table.

"I've finished my end of the business, I'm satisfied." (Vella)

A familiar feminine voice reached the large figure.

[Hahaha, I'm finally able to meet him! I was wondering how long she'd take!] (Large Figure)

Regaining its spirit, the large figure happily stood up as dark mist drifted from its body, dissolving the figure little by little until nothing was left.