Chapter 9 - O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Runaiko dropped to his knees.
"It's over..." He whispered.
Schneider removed his book from his back and began waving it up and down, trying to make an air current to blow out the fire.
"VERU!" He shouted in panic.
"No brother, stop. I have become a horrible person upon placing my feet on this earth. I forgot the purpose of this battle, and I even broke my promise to you..." Synaku said, slowly dissapearing.
"VERY VERU VERU!" Schneider roared, crying.
"Yes, I know...I promised I would stay by you until we both recieved a partner. But I deviated from the plan. The battle corrupted me, I turned evil...The shadows I controlled took over my heart, and now I lie here on my way back home, apologizing for what I have done..."
"VERU VERU MEI!"
"It's to late. But before I leave, I want you to promise me that if you survive long in this battle...that you will not become like me, you will not act as I did, manipulating a human to gain supremacy. Promise me you will forge a bond of friendship with your partner, and that you will work together with him to win...Promise me this, and I will leave with no regrets," Synaku explained, as his transfer process from here to the mamodo world was nearly complete.
"Veru..." Replied Schneider.
"Thank you, brother..."
Synaku faded away into the air, and his book melted to ashes. Schneider stood over the remains of his brother's spell book, and began to cry.
"Tia...we should go..." Megumi said, as they left.
"Kanchomé..." Folgore said, as they left as well.
Kiyo got up, "Zatch are you comming?"
Zatch was to busy staring at the pile of ashes. He put his hand on Schneider.
"Cheer up! When you win this thing you can go back to our world and look down on him as king!"
"Veru?"
"Don't be silly! I know you can win this thing! But just as you made a promise to your brother, promise me if you win your going to be a King King!" Zatch shouted.
Schneider turned around, and saw Kanchomé carrying Synaku's shadow. There was hope yet.
"VERU! VERU!" Schneider said happily.
"Hah hah! Alright! Now lets go kick some evil mamodo butt!" Zatch shouted, as he ran off with Schneider.
Runaiko was still on his knees. It was only him and Kiyo that remained in the area.
"Kiyo..." He whispered, "I'm so sorry for everything I've done to you...watching Synaku go...it shows me how much pain I would have put you through..."
Runaiko looked up to find Kiyo smiling and holding his arm out to help him up.
"It's ok Runaiko...I always knew you had some feelings. Ever since the moment I met you, you never really seemed to want to bully me...it seemed like you only did it because you couldnt express any happiness...any compassion. I hope this experience has taught you otherwise, that its ok to release emotion..." Kiyo explained.
Runaiko smiled, and the two walked out into the night, and the glorious moon light that shone above them.