I grunt angrily as I grab Dui by the wrist and forcefully drag him with all my strength down a quiet alley way.

Just in time when onlookers and police decided to show up and gather to the scene.

"You hit me and now you're lecturing me?" Dui looks unimpressed. "None of the other people ended up dying. It's fine. Let's go, the next punishment is..."

"No!" I take a step back when Dui tries to grab my hand. "Just stop. No more of this." I heave as I try to yell at him.

Then, at my last resort, I take the medallion out from my pocket and into my hand, as I try to distract Dui from noticing.

"Please, just wait." I tell him.

"The punishments on the list have to be taken care of today."

"But it's Dui's punishments, it's his list!"

"Dui, Dui, you're always going on about Dui!" He hisses angrily. "Oh! I've got it!"

When Shadow Dui is about to snap his fingers and lunge for me, I quickly grab his hand, stopping himself from snapping.

"Wait!" I plead.

"Let. Go." He says sternly.

"What are you trying to do here? Are you trying to hurt the other Dui?" I ask him.

Shadow Dui puts on a deranged expression. "Huh? What makes you say that? He is me? Why would I try to hurt myself?"

"Then why do things that will get Dui in trouble?"

"Get him in trouble?" He scoffs as he repeats me question. "What're you talking about? I'm doing what he can't do, to help him!"

"What?"

"Never mind!"

He can't seriously mean he's really punishing these people this way for the other Dui's sake?

If so...this is a problem...

Then I try asking Shadow Dui about something that's been on my mind. "You...you are trying to protect the other Dui...aren't you?"

"...Like I would ever do something like that. What're you askin' me that for?" He looks annoyed by my question.

The way he looks when asked something like that...the way his tone and words come out...

He doesn't know how to talk about himself, or at least bad at expressing himself.

He's just misunderstood...

Realizing the situation as I read into everything Shadow Dui has done, and how everyone who has talked about Shadow Dui has had nothing but a look of fear or disdain on their faces...

I take a deep breath. "I don't think you're some evil, heinous monster anymore. There must be different way..."

Shadow Dui looks shocked.

"I bet, with the gods' help, you and other Dui could find a way to coexist peacefully..." I tell him.

"Shut up." Shadow Dui yells. "Who do you think you are, talking like a know-it-all."

Then a look of realization crosses his face and Shadow Dui grabs my hand roughly, revealing the medallion.

"H-hey!" I shout.

"What's this?" He says, looking at the object in my hand. "You've been holding on to it like it's really important since earlier."

"It's nothing..." I say, trying to shake my hand free.

"It's not nice to keep secrets." His hold on me tightens.

I grimace. "Ugh...okay..." I struggle as I explain. "Before, when we were by the reflecting pool, you looked at the surface of the water just as you were about to attack me."

I give him a moment to let it sink in as I can tell by the look on his face that he remembers.

"And?"

"And... it's just like how the other Dui passes out and becomes you when he sees blood. You turn back into the other Dui when you see your reflection. This medallion is made of glass. There's a mirror on the back. So..."

I read Dui's expression, seeing the absolute fury in his eyes.

"Pfft...hahaHAHAHA!" A fit of maniacal laughter bursts out of him.

"W-what? Did I say something...funny?" I ask, looking at him puzzled.

"Of course not."

"Then what?"

"Dui and I coexist? You say it like it's a good thing, but, the truth is, you want to get rid of me, just like all the others!"

"What the—No!" I shake my head. "That's not what I'm saying!"

Dui, forcefully let's go of my hand. As he does the medallion I had been holding goes flying.

"Oh no!" I gasp, watching it fall to the ground.

"That was scary. You almost got me there. You're pretty crafty, aren't you ex-goddess?"

I shake my head slowly. "No...Dui, listen—" I make my way over to the medallion.

"The gods...The goddess... If only I were gone, everything would be so peaceful. I'm really messing things up for them." He laughs.

I kneel down to pick up the important object, but Dui shoots his foot out a second faster than I can pick up the medallion and crushes it.

"Oopsie... Looks like I broke it."

All I can do in that moment is close my eyes and try and calm my bubbling rage. "Why..."

That was important to Dui!

"You're not bad with pretty words, but I won't be fooled by you." He declares.

I pick up what broken pieces I can, carefully placing them inside messenger bag pockets.

"And now you've lost the ace you've been hiding up your sleeve..."

I stand up, and coldly look at him.

"Now then...I'm going to have to punish you for trying to deceive a god."

"Stay back." I say, my hands balling into fists again, ready to take a swing at him if need be.

But deep down, I know, if he comes for me, I know I won't be able to escape if he manages to get a hold of me.

With that in mind, my hands start to sweat.

"But, just making you disappear instantly wouldn't be any fun..." Shadow Dui thinks, as a twist grin stretches across his face. "Wanna make a bet? Will I disappear, or will I make you disappear?" Then he laughs. "I'm betting on myself winning of course."

He takes a step closer and I take a step back.

"We're starting now. Ready..." He pauses for dramatic effect. "Go!"

With his arms and hands spread wide, Dui steps closer to me, and I raise my fists to protect myself as I prepare myself for the worst.

"AHAHAHA!" Dui laughs hysterically. "Just messing with you!"

"What...what the hell?" I shakily breath, looking into his crazed eyes.

"Why would I make a bet? I already know exactly how this is gonna end. I'd never do something that boring, you know?"

I gulp, feeling my entire body beginning to shake. How much more of this is he going to pull...

"Rest in peace... bye bye, ex-goddess!" Shadow Dui looks down at me and, smirking raises a hand up above his head.

"Wait, Dui!" Ichthys comes up from behind Dui and rams into him, pushing him away from me.

"Stop, right there, you stupid brat!" Scorpio follows in pursuit.

"Scorpio...Ichthys..." I call the two gods name, feeling relieved.

"We got an emergency notification from the heavens." Ichthys tells me. "Saying that unplanned punishments were being carried out."

"You bastard." Scorpio hisses. "So, it really was you."

The look on Shadow Dui's face grows even more frightening at the two gods' arrival.

"Tch, you're nothin' but bad luck, huh goddess? All I can do at this point is laugh." He clicks his tongue at me then turns his attention to the two gods. "What're you guys getting your panties in a twist for? Punishing people is my job. So why are you guys ganging up on little ol' me? Hahaha..."

"What's so funny?" Scorpio demands.

"I was thinking about this ex-goddess..." He briefly looks at me than back to Scorpio. "She must be pretty valuable for even you to show up."

Scorpio steps closer to Dui, looking down at him with harsh eyes. "I couldn't care less about that stupid woman." He answers without blinking, showing the fury in his eyes.

"Nice..." I roll my eyes.

Because, you know, I'm only the ex-goddess who can absolve your sins...

"Letting an asshole like you make a mess of the rules on earth would only cause trouble for us." Scorpio states.

Dui sighs. "I just wanna know what the hell you're getting all serious for. You aren't...scared of me, are you?"

"Pfft, of a brat like you?" Scorpio smirks.

As they talk, the two gods assume fighting stances, each of them ready to stack his opponent at any moment.

"You really are a pain in the ass." Scorpio tells him. "I know exactly how to teach little thugs like you a lesson."

"Don't get so pissed off about every little thing! Haha!"

As Dui laughs, he let's his guard down, allowing Scorpio to move in at a rapid speed, punching Dui in the stomach.

"Oof..." Dui clutches the spot and leans against the wall.

"Don't waste any more of my time, you little shit..." Scorpio hisses.

"H-hey..." I wince at the all-powerful attack by Scorpio, even if it was just a punch, causing Dui to tremble in pain.

"Huh?" Ichthys, who has been standing beside me the entire time notices me reaction. "You're worried about HIM?"

Dui then collapses to the ground, and without even thinking I race to his unconscious side.

"Dui?" I softly call his name, placing a hand on his shoulder. Then I sigh, and still looking down at Dui's limp body I speak. "I'm sorry you had to take things so far..."

"I thought I already told you, don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong." Scorpio says angrily. "Stay the hell away from Dui, Got that, woman?"

"No! I can and will not do that!" I stand up and glare at Scorpio, guarding Dui with my own body, as if challenging Scorpio myself.

"Hey...Hey... come on, you two!" Ichthys steps between us, trying to sooth the situation from escalating any further. "They're going to separate anyway."

"What?" I look at Ichthys, confused.

"It's been decided that' you're going to erase my sin, Abbey." Ichthys says.

I shake my head, backing away. "No...a-and who the hell decided this without my say?"

Ichthys places a hand on my shoulder, speaking to me with a serious tone. "Forget about Dui. There's nothing to gain from being with a god you can't save."

"Shut up!" I scream, slapping Ichthys hand off me. "Don't you dare tell me what I can't do...Don't you dare tell me to forget about him." I growl.

"Abbey..." Ichthys looks shocked at me words.

I continue. "I don't care about 'gaining' anything!" I jab my finger into his chest. "And if it were that easy to turn my back on him, then I would have done so ages ago, but I can't because I lo—" I find myself to embarrassed to say the word. I give my head a shake. "...he is so important to me..."

The look on Ichthy's face had been stern up until this point, but now his lips curl into a Cheshire-cat like grin.

"No waaaaay. For reeeeeal? I had nooooo idea!" He says sarcastically, inconspicuously winking at me.

"You're kidding me..." I quietly murmur.

He knew all along... In my head I can imagine myself face palming.

"So, what now? It was decided without my consent that I would erase your sin..." I cross my arms looking irritated, preparing to put up a fight about the matter.

"Hm?" Ichthys continues to wear a cheeky grin. "I don't know about thaaat..." Then looks at Scorpio. "Scorpio, if we make Abbey leave Dui now, you'd look like the cruelest god ever."

"Tch, like I care." Scorpio snaps.

"Abbey..." Ichthys nudges me arm, encouraging me to say something.

With a deep breath, I speak directly to Scorpio calmly. "Scorpio...please, will you let me stay with, Dui?"

Scorpio averts his eyes away from mine and remains silent for a moment, with a stern expression on his face.

I could tell right away he's ready to refuse the idea.

I take a step closer. "Scorpio, I am begging you...please..." My voice comes out shaky.

After a moment, Scorpio turns to glare at me. "Which Dui is important to you? The normal Dui or that little thug?"

I'm taken aback by the question. "W-what? How can I choose one? They're the same person!"

Ichthys chuckles. "Heh... what are you planning on two-timing them?"

I groan irritated. "Ugh, that's not what I meant!"

I watch as Scorpio once again lifts the unconscious Dui up on his shoulder, before throwing a cold remark my way. "Regardless, you can't do anything for Dui. So, you have no right to decide what happens with you two. Got that?"

I didn't realize it until now, that this entire time, I haven't been able to save myself. It's been Scorpio who has been coming to my rescue whenever Shadow Dui appears.

That thought only angers me as I'm left with Scorpio's comment, unable to think of a comeback.

And without another word, Scorpio leaves with Dui.

"Abbey...here." Ichthys extends his hand to me.

I look and see a broken piece of the medallion in Ichthys' hand. Silently collecting it in my hands, I can't say anything but look down at what was once important.

"If you gather up the pieces, I'll fix it for you." Ichthys says with a big smile.

I sigh. "Yeah... thanks."

I drag my feet around the alley, searching the ground and picking up as many pieces as I can. When collecting more and more of the broken bits, my breathing starts to grow heavy, as my vision blurs from the tears that cling to the rim of my eyelids.

Don't cry...don't cry...

Get it together...

The hand that holds the broken pieces, encloses into a fist, having the sharp pieces puncture into the palm of my hand. However, I can't feel the pain.

"Abbey, I don't think Scorpio's angry because he hates anyone..." Ichthys begins to speak as he stands behind me. "Unlike us, he occupies a position of responsibility in the department. So, when Dui breaks the rules on earth, Scorpio has to take responsibility."

I don't turn around, I only feel my shoulders slump as I let out a sigh. "I know..."

My hand uncurls, revealing the shattered medallion pieces and little red dots of where my skin was punctured.

"Okay...this is the last piece." Ichthys comes around, revealing the last piece.

I place the pile in his open palms. "Are you sure you can fix this? It's completely shattered..."

"Who do you think I am?" Ichthys says. "I am a god you know."

"Hmm...I guess so." I say quietly.

"Okay, here I go." Ichthys gently touches my shoulder. "Concentrate on the medallion Abbey! Send it good vibes!"

"Oh...uh...okay?" I skeptically close my eyes and make a vow to myself.

I will help Dui... no matter what it takes,

The sound of a snap echoes the alley, and I hear Ichthys talk excitedly. "Here ya go!"

Opening my eyes, Ichthys holds his hand out. "Huh...but this..."

"Now you can wear it all the time." Ichthys places it in my palm.

The medallion that was once shattered, is fixed and transformed into a necklace.

I take the necklace, rubbing my thumb over the smooth glass. "Thank you...Ichthys." Looking up at him with a small smile.

"No thanks necessary. Besides, I'm pretty sure the really tough part is just starting. If you really love Dui, you can't give up."

My eyes widen with surprise at his words.

L-love?!...how did he...

Ichthys winks at me. "I'm rooting for you guys no matter what happens!"

"I-Ichthys..." I whisper.

Then looking down at the necklace, I put it on, feeling the cool metal chain rest against my neck, and clasp the medallion in my hand, as the feeling of hope swells inside me.

I smile. "I won't give up...it's not in my nature, as a human."

I've been through a lot tougher than this... I encourage myself, soon to be ready to rise to the challenge at hand.