A/N: I'm just going to put this AU out there before Halloween 2021 episode 4 drops: What if Silver and Jamil encounter possessed Lilia after possessed Jack? And because they all seem to be possessed by ghosts who act like their opposites, what if Lilia is possessed by an elderly ghost who… let's say, isn't as lively as him?

Wolf ears perked up vigilantly, catching the sound of a thud from a distance. Jack signaled for Silver and Jamil to stop running, alert eyes scanning the treacherous staircases.

"Be careful, they can attack from anywhere," Jack whispered.

Yet, in this silent dimension, they heard a familiar voice loud and clear, "Ow… oh dear, how clumsy of me to fall."

"Fa… Lilia-senpai!" Silver instantly recognized, it took everything in him not to exclaim.

On their left, separated by a gulf with nothing but pieces of wooden tiles scattered in the air, Lilia sat at the bottom of a flight of stairs, a hand on his ankle.

"Silver," Jamil grabbed his arm, "He might be possessed by…"

"The way he speaks and the words he uses are the same as usual," Silver observed, his hand lingering an inch away from his magic baton.

"Don't let down your guard."

"Let's not alarm the ghost then, it'd be bad if we're attacked when crossing the gulf, with Lilia-senpai's magic no less." Silver suggested firmly, "I'll go alone, and try to avoid a fight."

Jamil contemplated, "…Alright, I trust your judgement this time."

Jack added, "Shout for us if you need reinforcements."

Silver nodded, never taking his eyes off of Lilia. Then, with the aid of wind magic, he leapt onto the pieces of wood to cross the gulf. His steps were light so as not to make a noise, as if dancing on clouds, as if walking on water.

He landed before his father, extending a hand, "Are you alright?"

Lilia looked up with a smile, soft as the white of an edelweiss.

"Who might you be, young lad?"

Silver's mouth hung slightly open, words frozen in his throat. He discreetly clutched his magic baton, to remind himself that this… wasn't his father.

"I…" how he wished he was good at lying, "…was passing by when I heard you fell off the stairs. Here, let me help you."

"Why thank you, dear, how sweet of you to help an old man out," Lilia stood up with his help, "But I'm fine, it was only two stair steps, I'm not hurt, see?"

Lilia let go of Silver, "I ought to be off now… oop." He toppled over again the moment he took a step, but Silver caught his shoulders in time.

"Where are you going? Maybe I should escort you there."

Lilia smiled again.

"I'm looking for my children."

It took great effort for Silver to not grip Lilia's shoulders any tighter, "…Where are your children?"

"Well, I… I don't remember."

"Then what made you come here?"

"I can't really recall."

"What are your children like?"

"Well, they're much older than you, dear," this time, Lilia chirped swiftly, "My son is outstanding. I have no idea what he does tinkering with those machines and whatnot, but my chums told me to be proud of what he develops. My daughter is a dreamer. I love her singing, and now she sings for a living. Her son loves her singing too, he's about your age. Ay me, he's a rambunctious one, that grandson of mine! Not a kind lad like you, dear."

'I don't suppose they are… here.' But Silver held his tongue, there's hardly anything more tragic than being worlds apart. How could he say that to such a blissful face? "Let's continue down the stairs."

Lilia clung onto Silver's arm strenuously for each trembling step. His feet fumbled for the next footing, descending with an echoing thump each time.

He noticed Silver staring at his legs, and he chuckled, "Do excuse me, child. I haven't walked in a long time."

"Why is that? Should I carry you?"

"No need, but…" Lilia scratched his head, "I have trouble remembering why. I only feel like I had been lying… in bed for a very long time."

"You seem to have forgotten a lot of things."

"I remember the ones that are important."

He took another step down.

"I remember I've always been waiting."

His grip on Silver's arm began to feel heavy.

"Because children have their own lives to live."

And another step.

"But now that I can walk," it was as if the hope in his voice could colour this monochromic world, it was almost unfair, "I can find them."

But colours do not belong in this world.

Is it not better to tell the truth than deceive the blind?

"You can't." If words could cut then these were the sharpest blade Silver had ever spoken.

Puzzled red eyes stared back at him, and he thought it was time to end this.

"I'm… sorry," he whipped out his baton, "but I can't keep my father waiting."

White light flared from the tip of his baton. It was soundless, it was enveloping, as if to illuminate, as if to erase.

A translucent figure slipped out from Lilia's body. It glanced through its own hands, and remarked absentmindedly, "I see… so I am to wait, again."

Silver lowered his head toward the ghost in an apology. That wouldn't suffice to make up for the respect owed to it in life, but it was all Silver could offer.

Living humans don't have an eternity to waste.

Lilia fell feebly into Silver's arms, and Silver felt grounded by the weight. Instances in which he can feel this kind of burden are far too rare.

For ordinary families, one day the parents would cling onto the children's arms with their hardened hands, unable to walk without their support. Silver envied those families, the children who have two or three decades' worth of chances to repay those who raised them, those who offered a hand and taught them how to walk in the start.

What can he give to his father? He'd wither away before his father ever would.

Someday, would he forget when his father still remembers? Would he have to let go first, while his father still holds on?

"Nngh…" Lilia mumbled, coming to his senses, "Silver?"

"Yes...! Father," Silver answered, it was remarkable how relief could wash away the things that were eating away at his mind.

Still, he would rather grasp every chance he gets.

"Everything is fine now, father," he leant in, his forehead gently grazing against Lilia's, "I'll bring us back to the others, so please just take it easy."

— and, I'm sorry I failed to protect you in the first place.

Lilia grinned, asking no questions, "Alright, I've no idea what's going on, but thank you, my dear."

— My! I've raised such a dependable son, kufufu!

The End

A/N: This idea came from a chat with discord friends but I don't think I wrote it very well. I do have another fic that I'm working on which is also inspired by info the Halloween story provided 👀