“Are you sure you want to do this?” Cyrus asked Trinity, both of them were sat in the library at computer stations while filling their applications online for college at the same time.

“I told you a million times that this was the school I’m going to go to, can’t you just get that through your skull?” She retorted him.

“You know that once you make the decision, there’s no going back. I know that this wasn’t your top pick when it came to colleges. Besides there are plenty of better choices for your major.” Cyrus pushed, completely lost at the reason for decision to go to the same college.

“This is my choice and that’s the last I want to hear about it! Besides, you should realize that it’s not your place to decide for others. Even if you don’t understand, someone has to have their own reasons for making a tough decision” Trinity lectures him. She is however, making a good point, who was he to make the choice for her?

There had to be a good reason if this was the college she was choosing. No matter what his feelings were on the topic, he should respect it. If you believe in something, you should do it, simple as that.

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It was already morning, much to both his excitement and disappointment. Cyrus took a look around the hut, seeing that Peluna had just gotten started on the morning water. The cup in place where Albus usually sat to drink in the morning was left untouched for the first time since they had started training. Deciding it was time to get up, he picked himself off the bed and put away the sheets for the last time, just like this was the last time they would be having the pitiful boiling water.

Peluna gave him a small, good morning nod upon seeing him rise and he returned it. They both chose not to say anything, knowing that both their thoughts were relatively the same. She took it harder than he had, Albus had really come to grow on both of them as a companion. Maybe she wasn’t used to leaving someone close behind yet, but Cyrus knew that feeling all too well.

That’s why he chose not to get too attached to either of them, there was a chance Peluna would leave him too and he didn’t want to suffer like that again. Even if she did, there was no chance that the pain could ever be as bad as when he left earth, left someone behind. Peluna clearly took notice of his facial expressions and offered a hand of sympathy from across the table, her eyes were delicate and understanding at the same time.

Nonetheless, he shook his head. He would get over these feelings in time and move on like he always did. Nothing was forever after all, so why waste time thinking about things that wouldn’t help his situation. She frowned again, whatever her thoughts were Cyrus was never going to decipher.

“Have you seen Albus at all this morning?” Cyrus broke the silence, causing her to perk up finally.

“No not yet, he never usually even gets up before me. He wasn’t even in bed by the time I went to sleep either, maybe he went farther in the cave?” Peluna asked herself curiously, it truly was a strange situation. Odd that it was happening on the day they were leaving too.

Ultimately, the duo decided that maybe they’d catch him on their way out and he had been waiting on them. They picked up their bags, each containing all their travel items as well as plenty of food and water to last them at least two weeks int the case of trouble and set for the edge of their cozy cavern.

Their inquiries were answered upon seeing Albus standing at the exit of the cave, standing with his magic sword in hand. His expression was solemn, clearly sad to see them go. Maybe he had stayed outside because he didn’t want to deal with the emotions from having their last meal together?

“Albus where have you been this morning? We were going to say goo-“ Peluna was promptly cut off when Albus moved from where he was standing with a frightening speed.

Cyrus hadn’t really been sure about his [Instinct] ability until this moment. Before Albus even made his move he felt that something was wrong and dangerously so. He tilted his body backwards as fast as he could, barely dodging the magic sword as it vertically slashed where his head had once been with no remorse.

“Albus what the hell? Why are you attacking me?” Cyrus yelled in shock, drawing the rapier from his scabbard on his belt and standing at the ready. That strike was not aimed to knock him out. After so many bouts with the dangerous robed warrior, he was sure that the strike may have killed him if he hadn’t moved away.

Albus’ gaze remained sharp on him, staring him down like they were supposed to be enemies. This felt more like a real fight than the sparring matches they had previously undergone. The killing intent was practically radiating off of Albus’ body, causing all of Cyrus’ joints to scream for him to run away. If the man wanted him dead, he’d already be on the ground in a bloody mess.

Rather than respond to his question, Albus charged at him again. His instincts once again took over and he managed to block each of the attacks. The swings from the magic blade were heavy and laced with the intent to cut his body in half. If he were to be a fraction of a second slower, his journey would be stopped at this juncture. Though he was blocking all the attacks, Cyrus was not able to find a single opening so that he could strike back. He was on the defensive as always and losing over a battle of pure stamina.

Eventually, Cyrus was going to miss one of the attacks, or he wasn’t going to have enough time to block one of the swings and he would meet his maker. The levels he gained alone were not able to bridge the gap to fight with pure swordsmanship. If Albus decided at any second to use even an ounce of magic against him, then Cyrus would die at that very moment. His analysis of the battle was proven correct faster than he would have desired, after so many heavy quick attacks his arms weren’t fast enough to block the next one. After so many weeks of arduous training, he was fated to die at the hands of his teacher. What a funny way to go out.

As if answering his prayers, a bright golden barrier burst into place between his waist and the tip of the magic sword. This was it, an opening. Cyrus used the opportune moment to jab his rapier forward as fast as he could, intending to stab Albus through the shoulder. Even with the opening, the man proved far too fast and simply spun out of the way and distanced himself.

“I told you I’d have your back Cyrus! Just focus on staying alive and I’ll help protect you.” Peluna called out from behind him. Suddenly, Cyrus felt a large boost of dexterity overcome him. At the same time, a negative effect came over Albus, decreasing his speed in turn.

Albus dropped his gaze looking at the pair. “If you want to leave, you’ll have to kill me. This is your final test.”

“We don’t want to kill you Albus! There’s no reason for you to do this!” Cyrus yelled at him, gripping the rapier tighter in his hand.

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“There is, if you can’t kill me here and now, then you’ll never survive when you get to the surface. If you don’t kill me, I’ll kill you first.” Before Cyrus or Peluna could get another word in, the robed warrior sprinted forward for his next attack. Several golden barriers appeared on the most direct path towards Cyrus, forcing him to dodge and weave around them as he danced on the battlefield.

Cyrus was terrified, this man was a monster while only using his magic sword and nothing else. How was a normal person like him supposed to kill such a powerful warrior? He couldn’t, despite all his misgivings and willingness to leave Albus down here, he had unconsciously begun to consider the man a friend. Killing a warrior was one thing, killing a friend was another one. His fear would have to take a backseat because this fight was taking the front. Albus showed no hesitation with each sword swing, even with the buffs and debuffs from Peluna’s magic there was simply too much of a level disparity between them and Albus.

Peluna was focusing on overdrive, several golden barriers appeared and blocked attacks so Cyrus wouldn’t have to. This allowed him to have openings and attack Albus instead of only blocking. Without her help, he’d already be dead 10 times over in this fight. They were in complete sync with an incomparable amount of trust, he trusted her to block the attacks that he chose to ignore. Placing his life in her hands over and over. This would not last forever though, she only had so much magic at her disposal before the well would be empty.

A strike blocked; a strike countered. “How do you hope to rise to the top with such a weak sword?” Albus snarled. He parried the counterattack and swung forward again.

“You have ambition with no conviction to follow it!” Sparks fly between their swords, golden barriers preventing the clash.

“Unrelenting anger but no focus!” Another strike inches away from Cyrus’ face blocked by a barrier.

“You have nothing, so you will die with nothing. Just like the weak man you are.”

Everything Albus had said up until that moment was right. He had felt the strength leaving his arms every time he blocked a strike and returned it. Cyrus felt sluggish and tired after all this fighting, what he needed was a break. There was no time for a break or he would die. What did it matter anyways, deep down he never wanted to admit it but there was probably no way he’d ever get back to earth. These months he spent in denial of the obvious was a time spent wasted. It could’ve been over already if he just let it happen.

A barrier appeared in front of Cyrus’ face and he slammed his head. “Stop giving up already and fight you dumbass!”

Cyrus whipped his head around to see Peluna drenched in sweat, her magic was running low and yet she was still fighting. Despite that, here he was giving up as if all the effort over the past few weeks amounted to nothing. In truth, he hadn’t even given this fight his all. There had been no conviction behind any of his swings. Albus had been trying to kill him for real all this time while Cyrus was barely pushing back and doing little more to defend himself.

He's been angry for so long, but that anger was just at everyone and everything. That was a lie too, he’d been so angry with himself that he vented wherever he could. He was angry that he was so weak and couldn’t change anything. He was furious about the things he lost and empty over what he gained. Worst of all, he was angry because he didn’t know what else to feel. Nothing else felt right to him.

There was one thing that Albus was wrong about, Cyrus didn’t have nothing. It just took him so long to realize what little he still had. The locket around his neck was everything he had and what still remained from before. A little of something was still more than nothing. There was someone behind him fighting with their all to defend his life. This made two things that Albus was going to be wrong about, Cyrus was not going to die here with nothing. Moreso, he was not going to die at all.

[Void Aura] His rapier was coated in an ominous aura.

[Prey] The man in front of him became his prey.

[Instinct] He became focused, breathing steadily with a target in mind.

The temperature of the cavern changed until it was cold and eerie with death right around the corner. Cyrus let out a loose breath as he focused on his prey. Never once had he felt like he was facing a prey since coming to this world. Maybe the feelings were false, but the sense of superiority was almost addictive to his heart even if it weren’t true.

After he had designated his prey, his eyes felt like they were attracted to an invisible target painted on Albus’ chest. Telling him where to strike with every bit of strength he could muster. For the first time in their bouts, Cyrus charged towards his opponent first. There was no hesitation this time and he slashed at his target with the intention to cut his enemy down. There was no reason for his journey to end so abruptly. With that conviction in mind, he would prevail.

Albus was clearly shocked by the changing of roles and took several steps back to block the flurry of attacks coming towards him. The message was clear from that point on, this was a battle to the death. Cyrus struck at Albus with all his might, his sword carrying far more weight than before. Now it felt more like there were dueling on equal grounds, though only because Albus was not using his full strength and array of magic.

Cyrus was like a whirlwind of daggers with his rapier, he had never been so swift and strong before. Every time Albus backed away to dodge he ran into another one of Peluna’s barriers. Several cuts sported Albus through his robes, not once had his clothes been anything but picture perfect. Now, they were torn up, where there was supposed to be curves was now ripped like ragged sheets. That was it, Albus was bleeding. This was the final key.

[Life Burn] The blood of your enemy makes you stronger.

Albus was smiling for the first time in the fight.

Peluna and Cyrus were not.

Cyrus felt the scent of the blood fill his nostrils and whisk him away into his own world. There was nothing in his sight except for his opponent. He ran forward, making Albus move to step back in preparation. Except he couldn’t there was already a barrier behind him blocking his escape. Cyrus pulled a feint with his sword and twisted his body, punching Albus in the face with his fist. From there he kept turning, and turning, and turning until his rapier finished its dance. The blade was no longer just tinted with red, rather it was soaked with blood.

The fight stopped in the same manner it started. Albus dropped to the ground, his stomach bleeding out while he lay there laughing despite his current problem. To him this was a release, Albus was finally going out the way he wanted rather than being hunted and killed. His laughs were cut off as he choked on the blood in his mouth.

Peluna cried out as she ran forward, dropping to the ground next to Albus and placing her hands on his arm. Her shouts fell on deaf ears, for Cyrus the world was ringing in his ears. He knew that Albus wasn’t long for this world anymore, all he could do was look down where his companion now lay. Is this what his destiny was going to be like? If it was, Cyrus would have to accept it or this fight would have been for nothing.

Albus’ voice came out like a hoarse whisper. “Thank… you. I’m so… proud… of you both.”

Those were all the feelings Albus needed to convey, his eyes were smiling as if reflecting on his final fight. Then they closed for the final time. Cyrus knew it was over as the number of notifications the System gave him was outrageous but now wasn’t the time to look at them. This was a time to remember his friend who died in an empty cave. Cyrus had killed him.

His lower lip trembled with emotion; his eyes stung while looking at the now lifeless body. The magic sword had disappeared with Albus’ last breath, as if signifying the end of the warriors life. Peluna had long since broken down as she grieved for their friend. The problem for Cyrus was that he didn’t cry, couldn’t cry. He didn’t know why but crying just felt so foreign and distant to him. He wanted to further mourn like Peluna was able to, he was just so weak he couldn’t bring his mind to wrap around what happened.

“You don’t need to blame yourself for this… Cyrus.” Peluna comforted him as she stood up, her face was streaked with fallen tears but her eyes were clear.

“But I… I killed him. I never wanted to do that.”

“That was his choice, not yours. I think this might’ve been the first time he really praised us too.”

Cyrus nodded his head solemnly; he knew that Peluna was right. Who would want to be stuck down in a dark cavern by yourself for the rest of your life? One of those people certainly wasn’t Albus; he went down the way that he wanted to, fighting. At least Cyrus was able to give him that last gift as a thank you for all the help is mentor gave him.

There was nowhere for him and Peluna to bury the body, so instead they opted to carry him inside the hut he built and laid him on his bed. It was the closest thing to a burial that they’d be able to give him, but it was far better than leaving him in a pool of his own blood.