The last chapter was shorter than the few previous ones, and for a good reason; I felt continuing it on after that made it drag on and I didn't like it. Plus, I was tired. This might be the last chapter? Or not? No clue, so here's some more! Thanks for the reviews!
The amounts of madness washing over the area seemed unreal as the group of seven ran through the forest and far away from the cave as possible. The trees were beginning to dissolve rapidly, and the snow became tar beneath their feet. A sinister wind had picked up, spreading the madness faster towards the village. It wasn't until Maka requested to be let down from Soul's back that they stopped. As soon as her knees hit the ground, the meister emptied to contents of her stomach, heaving violently into the gray snow. Black blood dripped from her mouth as she threw up, the black substance staining her pale lips.
"Holy shit, Maka..." Soul whispered in horror as he crouched beside her, holding her hair back while she heaved.
"I'm sorry," Maka wheezed as she tried to catch her breath, weakly wiping the blood from her mouth. "I used Chain Resonance on the souls Asura had absorbed. Hundreds, if not more were in there."
"Hundreds? You used Chain Resonance on hundreds of souls? Maka, that could have easily overwhelmed your soul and killed you!" Kid balked as he stared down at the meister with wide eyes.
"No other choice…it was that or be absorbed by the madness..." With a violent shiver, the once white dress began reverting to her winter apparel and she collapsed into Soul, exhausted.
"Her soul was pushed too far by resonating with that many souls. I'm surprised it hasn't killed her already." Stein studied her soul wavelength thoughtfully. It was flickering intermittently and quivering mildly. "Anymore strain on it could cause permanent damage to her body. She's going to need extensive care, but as long as she doesn't push herself she should be fine."
Kid and Black Star helped shift the meister to her weapons back once more before moving to the rear of the guard. The rest of the journey remained quiet apart from the waves of madness licking at their heels hungrily. Soul kept glancing at Maka; her face was contorted in pain and she was slightly sweating. He had just gotten her back and already felt helpless as she laid against his back weakened.
"I don't like this, Kid, it's not right." Black Star hissed to the Reaper, the two slowing down to talk in private. "We can't just leave him there to die. He still has his clan; he can go back to them and get on with his life."
"I don't feel it's that easy; you heard what he said – that he was tired and wanted to return to Vika. Think about it. His whole life has been upturned and torn apart in a matter of weeks, his trusted Elders have led him astray, and now an opening to save his village has been presented to him. His honor as a ninja was also on the line, something you take to heart as well." Kid pointed out, tapping against the ninja's chest.
"Black Star, I know you want to help, but he wanted to defend his village and his honor the best way he knew how; to fall in battle while protecting others." Tsubaki spoke softly, her face appearing in the blade of the katana. "I know it seems wrong to leave him, but we need to respect his final wish."
"Yeah, I know, just fuckin' sucks."
Free was standing guard outside of the shambled house in his werewolf form, ears swiveling restlessly for any suspicious noises. As soon as he spotted them, he relaxed and called for the girls to come outside.
"Ox, did you find them? Is everyone alright?" Kim yelled as she emerged from the house, holding Jacqueline in her lantern form.
"Apart from Maka, yeah, we're all good." Ox smiled at her, prompting receiving a whack upside the head for mentioning the meister so casually.
"Is she…?"
"Maka's alive, Kim, don't worry. She needs to get out of this cold and someplace warmer." Soul shifted his meister, feeling the heat of her skin against his face. "She's burning up and needs to rest, she pushed her soul too hard."
"That temple should do, right? Got that big fire pit in the middle of it and roof hasn't collapsed yet." Black Star jerked his thumb back towards the massive red shrine.
"You're lucky it didn't with you going nuts on top of it, Black Star." Kid casually remarked as he eyed the demolished area.
"Yeah, yeah, don't remind me." The ninja flushed and turned away, rubbing the back of his head.
"Kid, you should get a hold of Azusa and update her on the situation. Go get Maka settled and we'll join you shortly." Stein remarked as he released Marie, the weapon reverting back to human form. "Free, make sure to stand guard outside of the shrine for them."
The werewolf scoffed but the eager look of a new dissection quickly swayed him, that and the very shiny scalpel Stein pulled from his pocket, and he nodded quickly before scurrying after the meisters and weapons.
"Stein, something about all this doesn't feel right to me." Marie spoke quietly as she gripped the sleeve of his coat, looking at him with unease. He kept his gaze forward, looking into the dense trees.
"Viktor seems to know what he's doing, Marie. He isn't a Master ninja without a good reason. Though I get the feeling we won't be seeing him alive after all this."
The clink of his lighter echoed loudly as he lit another cigarette. With a deep exhale, he offered it to Marie without looking. She took it with a trembling hand and took a deep breath, relaxing as the nicotine hit her system. Very rarely did she smoke, but when she did, it meant she was really shaken up. After a few more calming puffs, she lowered the stick and tilted her head back to gaze at the star riddled sky. The moon had shifted and was continuing its nightly cycle, it's light seemingly a bit brighter.
"These kids shouldn't be in another war, Stein, it's not right." Marie whispered. "They're so young…they have their whole lives ahead of them. Maka died tonight. Why can't the world give them a break to just be children?"
"If we lived in a perfect world, then things wouldn't be the way they were now. All we can do is embrace it, flaws and all." Stein gently removed the nearly burnt up cigarette from Marie's hand before pulling her against him, holding her tight. "As the previous Lord Death wanted them to do, they'll have to pave their own path and fight their own battles while we stand back and support them. Besides, we have Hiroshi to take care of now; and of course, once he's older, I can begin the experimenting on him~"
"If you lay a hand on that child, Stein, I'm having Sid dig your grave and I'll be the one to put you in there."
"Mothers are very scary when they're protective of their kids…"
"It's the same way with our students, isn't it? We mold their futures and then release them to pave their own ways and change the world for the better. They're no different than our own child."
"Fair enough. Now can you please loosen your grip around me, I'm going to lose circulation soon …"
"Oh, sorry!"
~*B*~
Soul hovered over Maka as Kim used her magic once more, concentrating on the center of her chest. While she couldn't completely heal the strained soul, she could at least handle the fever and relieve some of the pain. The large fire roared to life and again filled the room with the crackling of firewood, smothering the frigid Russian air with warmth. Black Star was not too far from the trio, leaning against a large pillar, eyes watching the meister for any improvement. Tsubaki was sitting within the pit with Jacqueline, Liz, and Patty as they inventoried what supplies they had left. Kid had used the mirror Ox and Kilik had brought with them and was off in a corner updating Azusa on the situation.
"I've done what I can for her, Soul, she just needs to rest from now on." Kim wiped the sweat from her brow, magic drained. "We need to see about getting her back to Death City so Nygus can take better care of her and monitor her properly."
"Thank you, Kim, for everything." Soul spoke barely above a whisper, his eyes never leaving Maka's face. "Neither of us would be here without you. I owe you big time."
Kim studied the weapon, a small smile twitching at her lips. That idiot was head over heels for Maka and it definitely showed. Rolling back on her heels, the Tanuki witch stood and walked over to him, crouching beside him. Without a word, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, resting her head against his back. They didn't need to exchange any words and the weapon was thankful for that. He briefly glanced at her before giving a slight nod, the lump forming in his throat preventing him from speaking.
"She'll be alright as long as you're here, Soul. You two always seem to defy the impossible. Let me know if you need anything." Kim released her hold and patted him on the shoulder before moving to join Tsubaki and Jacqueline.
"How's she doing?"
Soul looked up to see Black Star had shifted over, dropping to the floor quietly. The two remained silent for a while, watching the meister breathe more easily as she slept.
"The fever dropped, and the pain should be managed for now." Soul could feel his best friend's eyes on him, and he let out a heavy sigh. "If I had known she pushed herself to the limit like that, I never would have agreed to fight. Her wavelength was all over the place when she linked everyone's souls together. I should've stopped her."
"I fucked up earlier." Black Star suddenly interjected, earning a quizzical look. "After Maka…after that incident, I went insane with grief and about destroyed the whole town in the process. Tsubaki tried to stop me and I…I attacked her. I wasn't in my right mind when I did it, but she was in pain and bleeding by the time I snapped out of it. The tile she was holding onto snapped and she started falling from the roof. It wasn't until I realized she wasn't trying to save herself that I came back out of it."
"Fuck, Black Star, you've never—"
"I know, I know. I swore to her that I would never hurt her. And I broke that promise…" The ninja glanced over at his weapon with forlorn. "Even if she says it's okay, it's not. I can't ever forgive myself for that, I won't forgive myself. Soul, I…I love her more than anything,"
"I know, but the fact that she's forgiving you means she feels the same way. You weren't in your right mind; I would've been the same way if I had stayed conscious after the resonance link snapped. I could have been absorbed by the madness and gone insane, but Maka, she found me in the darkness and pulled me out of it." Soul pressed his hand to the center of his chest, the dull throbbing in chest a constant reminder. "Everyone is still alive, Black Star, and that's what matters most right now. We may have lost the battle, but we're still standing to fight again."
"Shit, yer like Maka, all 'Here's a bunch of motivating words and shit.' Kinda creeps me out sometimes how alike you two are." Black Star snickered as his friend swatted at him, falling just short of reaching him.
"Hey, at least I won the bet on when you would tell Tsubaki you loved her." It was Soul's turn to snicker as the meister looked confused, tilting his head. "We all had a bet going on when you would say it. Ever since the battle on the moon, Liz started taking guesses. I said right before a big fight, so I win…I think it's around a couple hundred bucks now?" He counted on his fingers.
Black Star whipped his head around to look for Liz and give her an earful when a noise drew his attention back. Maka groaned as she lifted a hand to her head, wincing as she squinted her eyes open. It took her a minute to open her eyes fully, looking between the two with creased brows.
"You're both loud, you know that? Especially you, Black Star." Maka complained as she sat up with the help of Soul, using his arms for support.
"Welcome back, bookworm," The ninja smiled widely at her. "Don't ever fucking die on me again, you hear? I'll bring you back and kill you myself next time."
Maka gave him a weak smile before opening her arms to him.
"Idiot, get over here."
He didn't need told twice as he latched onto her, arms trembling as he hid his face in her shoulder. Soul scooted back a little as the others soon noticed what was happening and swarmed the meister, crying as they threw themselves at her. As much as he wanted to kick them all away and have her for himself, they all were traumatized by the recent events. Kid had finished his call and was making his way over to the group. Locking eyes with Soul, he motioned for him to talk. Taking one last glance at his meister buried beneath a pile of girls, the weapon followed his friend to a corner away from the group. Judging from the stiff posture he held, it wasn't light news.
"Soul, I've decided to pull the plug on this mission." Kid started, noticing the change in Soul's expression. He held up a hand. "At this point, it's reckless to stay and try to fight anymore without Maka's assistance. If she pushes herself any further, it could permanently damage her soul and she could never resonate again. Azusa said there are a few witches waiting and ready to teleport us all back to the DWMA once I give the word."
"So, we're just going to leave Viktor? Just like that? There's no way he could defeat a Kishin by himself. Hell, all we could do with Asura is seal him on the moon using BREW." Soul hissed back, not wanting to draw attention. "What's going to happen if it breaks free? It'll be the battle on the moon all over again!"
"I understand, and it's not something that was decided without weighing the risks, but we'll have to put our faith in Viktor and hope he is able to seal the madness properly."
"Seal it? How…?" Kid let out a strained sigh, running his hand through his hair.
"He spoke to me and Stein before we arrived at the cavern. The Hidden Shadow clan weren't just known for their stealth and skills, they were also known for creating a strong sealing jutsu among other things. They come from a long lineage of immensely powerful ninjas and throughout those decades, they have uncovered a strong variety of ancient techniques. Viktor mentioned the Elder he trusts, her name is Flyorova, would find us at some point within the next twenty-four hours. He may be our last hope right now, though, I was warned there is a downside to using the jutsu,"
"It's going to take his life, isn't it?" Soul grit his teeth angrily as he punched the pillar closest to him. It left a decent dent in the wood. Kid nodded gravely.
"I'm afraid there is a high possibility of it happening. I have asked both Azusa and Jinn to ensure the seal is fully complete and to guard the cave once they arrive. Sid will monitor the situation as well from the Death Room."
"We're running away like cowards,"
"As Lord Death, I have to ensure the safety of my students and citizens first. As your friend," Kid rested his hand on Soul's shoulder, amber eyes burning. "I have to ensure the safety of everyone here. I cannot in good conscious allow Maka to potentially lose her life again. I will meet with the witches once we return to see if there's a way to ensure the madness within the cave is sealed away forever."
"Viktor will be buried with a warrior's sendoff. I'll personally make sure of it." Black Star had snuck into the conversation, standing next to Soul with his arms crossed over his chest. "We're coming back within twelve hours to make sure. I trust Viktor completely, but I don't trust the situation one bit. For all we know, it could break free and there would be another Kishin running loose."
"I had no doubt you would want to return." Kid smiled briefly before it fell. "Now that Maka's awake, we should wait for Stein and Marie to come back before pulling back. I have everything in order for now, you should go shoo the girls from your meister before she suffocates beneath them."
"I've got a debt to collect while I'm at it. Let us know when you're ready to go," Soul tossed a hand up as he strolled away casually, trying to keep his posture from tensing up. It didn't go unnoticed.
"He wants to get revenge just as badly, but he can't without Maka. I feel helpless in these types of situations," Kid leaned against the damaged pillar, exhaustion weighing heavily on his body and mind.
"He'll get his chance, one way or another, but right now he needs to be there for her more than anything. I suggest you avoid telling Maka about this situation until after its done." Black Star watched as Liz begrudgingly dug around in her bag before handing a stack of bills to the Death Scythe, a look of defeat on her face. "I already couldn't handle it the first time she died, Kid, I can't do it again."
"I'm sorry you had to witness that, Black Star," Kid watched the commotion with a pained expression. "I can't imagine watching it happen. I would have probably done the same thing you did."
"Can we still trust the witches after this?" The ninja asked suddenly, greens eyes darting to Kid's surprised face. "How do we know there isn't another witch out there right now attempting the same damn thing?"
"I have complete faith in the witches, I have for years now; unfortunately, there will always be a few who divert from the path of what's right and become absorbed within the darkness in this world. That's why the DWMA still stands, to prevent future generations from living in a reality full of madness and disaster. Whatever they throw our way, we'll do whatever it takes to protect the world from it."
"Let's just hope we can keep the damned peace for a while after this."
Kid and Black Star had returned to Russia within twelve hours, as promised, with the aid of Mabaa-dono and the feline witch. Tsubaki had tagged along as well, more for the support of her meister than anything. Azusa and West Asia branch Death Scythe Jinn had scoped ahead of their arrival to verify the area around the cave was cleared. A barrier had been erected from the inside, sealing the madness within the cavern depths. With a quick flash of her eye, Kid, Black Star, Tsubaki and both witches were transported inside of the barrier, leaving the Death Scythes outside to guard. The cavern was dark aside from a bright glow emitting from a katana plunged deep into the earth, magic pulsing from the handle. The madness filled soul had been imbedded into the cavern wall, a sealing scripture chaining it in place. It showed no signs of life, the orb resting motionless in its prison. Just a few feet from it, slumped over the katana, was Viktor, his body nearly stiff as his hands were intertwined over the butt of the blade.
"Damnit…" Black Star spat as he crouched next to his comrade, hesitantly reaching to pull his body back. As he grasped his shoulder, a weak breath emitted from Viktor.
"I knew…you would come…back…" Viktor suddenly whispered, alarming the group. "I can…rest now…thank you, Black Star…I will be…with Vika…once more…"
The ninja turned his head and gave him a small smile before going limp. Black Star clenched his jaw as he held the corpse up, tears blurring his vision. Kid grabbed his other arm and the two lifted their fallen comrade from the ground, supporting his weight as the witches inspected the seal. Tsubaki knelt by the blade, quickly pulling something from her sling and gently placed two incense sticks into the dirt and lit them. With a bow of her head, and a quick prayer, the weapon bid farewell to her fellow ninja. The group waited patiently for her to finish, Black Star keeping his head down.
"Where did Ametrine's soul go? We didn't grab it after the battle." Tsubaki asked as she looked around the dark cavern.
"I think when Maka struck her with Witch Hunter, it may have fully destroyed the soul." Kid answered as he examined the chained soul warily. "I don't sense it anymore, so it must have been extinguished. Though rare, it can happen."
"Nyamuu."
"She says the soul is sealed with an extremely intricate jutsu, one that can't be broken so easily. Just in case, Mabaa has placed another seal on top of it as well. There will also be one placed on the outside of the cave." The feline witch explained, lighting up her pipe.
"Let's get him home." Black Star spoke quietly as they gathered around Mabaa.
With another flash, they were outside. Azusa and Jinn were on alert as movement was detected in the dense snow-clad woodlands surrounding them. Cloaked in white, ninjas began appearing one by one, led by an elderly woman in intricate white and gold robes. They moved silently, slowing to a stop a few feet from the group.
"I see, so he did perform the sealing technique." She said sadly, looking at the body with tears streaming down her pale cheeks. "I felt it and was hoping to be wrong. At least he can rest easy now, with Vika. I thank you both for honoring his last wish." Flyorova bowed deeply, the villagers behind her bowing in unison.
"I promised him, as his comrade, to do whatever it takes to get him home." Black Star told the Elder as she straightened. "Viktor was prepared to lose everything to save the village and the world from the spread of madness. It was an honor to know and fight alongside him."
Flyorova smiled tearfully at the blue haired ninja as she raised her hand to signal. Two ninjas slid from behind the trees and carefully took Viktor's body from the meisters, placing him on a stretcher that a third ninja had brought out. With care, they laid his body on the stretcher before covering it with a white cloth. The Elder watched as they slowly transported him back to the village, the villagers falling in line behind them, chanting and humming quietly.
"We will hold a releasing ceremony in a short while; it would be an honor to have you join us."
"Of course, thank you. Viktor had vowed his assistance to me just before the battle and for that I am forever grateful. I wish to honor his last moments on earth." Kid bowed to the Elder.
"We'll wait outside of the village until you're done, Lord Death," The feline witch said softly, completely out of character for the normally aggressive woman. "Call upon us when you are ready."
The two groups departed, leaving Kid, Black Star, and Tsubaki alone outside of the cave. It was beginning to snow lightly, as they remained silent, looking everywhere but at one another. Kid sighed at the tense atmosphere and glanced up to see Tsubaki giving him a pained look. They both needed a moment alone.
"I'm going to see if I can assist with anything. I'll meet you two in the village when you're ready." The Reaper gently rested his hand on Black Star's shoulder, giving it a squeeze before following behind the procession.
Tsubaki felt her meisters will crumble as his legs gave out and he landed in the snow, bracing himself as he hunched over. Crouching next to him, she laid her hand on his back and his cracking walls fell. A guttural cry slipped from Black Star's throat as he punched the ground in anger and grief. Over and over, he screamed his emotions out until his knuckles were raw and bleeding. His chest heaved as he sobbed, the snow now stained red. With feather light movements, Tsubaki wrapped her arms around his shoulders and rested her head against his back, tears sliding down his coat.
*~B~*
The ceremony was beautiful, yet heart wrenching, as the flames sparked to life and began to engulf Viktor's body. Flowers were placed carefully around his body while a rosary was clasped between his hands, the marking of his clan engraved in the rock pendant that hung from it. A bright pink lotus rested over his heart, the symbol of purity and rebirth. His normal ninja garb had been changed for a formal black kimono, his blonde locks cleansed and gently brushed out. A special necklace rested against his chest, ornate wooden beads with kanji written on each one with black ink. He looked peaceful, as the flames began to consume his body, and he began his journey to return to the Earth. The crackling of the wood was drowned out by the anguished cries of his mother who knelt just feet from the base of the fire, digging into the snow and screaming in Russian. Even Flyorova, normally calm and composed, broke down, falling to her knees as she stared at the fire with tears streaming down her face, mouthing silently as she sat there. Kid, who was standing behind and slightly to the left of the Elder, stood silently with his hands clasped behind his back as he kept his eyes trained on the fire.
Tsubaki and Black Star stood to the right of the Elder, standing further back than Kid. The ninja stared blankly at the fire while his partner was kneeling on the ground, hands clasped together while she prayed on a rosary given to her by a villager. She reached the end of the beads and carefully wrapped it around her right wrist before placing her hands in the snow and bowing deeply for a few seconds. As she rose, she spoke in her native tongue.
"Anata no tamashī ga yasuraka ni nemureru yō ni. Anata no gisei wa wasure rarenaideshou. Eien ni yasunde kudasai. Sayonara, Viktor." May your soul rest in peace. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. May you rest eternally. Goodbye, Viktor.
"I know he will, Tsubaki, he's with Vika now." Black Star said quietly as he held out a hand for her. "His soul was at peace when he decided. All we can do now is carry on his will for the future generations."
The weapon took his hand and allowed herself to be pulled against his chest, crying against his chest as he held her tightly. His eyes never left the fire, watching as Viktor's body began to break down. It wasn't until someone laid a hand on his arm that he blinked and turned his gaze from the now roaring flames. Flyorova gave him a small smile and motioned for him to follow, Kid waiting patiently just a few steps behind her. Nodding, the meister leaned down and whispered to Tsubaki that they were moving, and the three followed the Elder back towards the center of the village. Villagers were entering the shrine murmuring silently among themselves as they moved. Most were holding either rosary beads or small rings of flowers in their palms.
The fire pit was filled with the villagers, with the family of the deceased in the center, who offered their condolences and small offerings to them. Flyorova guided them to the side of the pit and into a small room just off the main hall. As they entered, she motioned for them to take a seat on the three cushions resting against the tatami mats. She shut the door behind them and took her spot on the lone cushion opposite of them, hands folded in her lap.
"I wanted to personally thank you all for your assistance during this war, considering we had a major part in causing it." The Elder bowed deeply, resting her forehead against the backs of her hands. "I also want to express my personal apologizes on behalf of my village for the destruction and pain we have caused you and your students, Lord Death. I cannot atone for what has happened."
"All is forgiven, Elder; the Witches were deceived as well and suffered mass casualties from Ametrine's destruction, as did your village. You were following your prophecies and could not have known her true intentions." Kid replied formally, bowing back in respect. "All we can do now is move forward in hopes of preventing another event such as this."
"You are very kind, Lord Death, as was your father." Flyorova straightened back up and smiled at the Reaper. "We were contacted by him years ago regarding the location of Asura when he had escaped Death City. Due to our history of dealing with the madness, of course we were a prime suspect as a hiding location. Once the village was secured and searched, we were left in peace. Your father was an exceedingly kind soul, and I can see him in you clearly."
"He raised me to be kind, and for that I am thankful. I know he would be proud." Kid smiled back.
Flyorova turned her attention to Black Star and Tsubaki, once more bowing deeply to them. They both returned the gesture.
"I can see the fire Viktor had in your eyes, Black Star. Your strength and determination to protect your friends is admirable. Viktor told me you were a worthy opponent, nearly surpassing his skill level. He had nothing but high praise for you. A very noble choice, choosing the path of the warrior; it suits you perfectly. And you, Tsubaki, no?" The Elder locked eyes with the weapon, giving her a warm smile.
"Anata ga vu~ika to onaji ishi o kyōyū shite shitagai, kaiko sa reta koto o kōei ni omoimasu. Watashitachi wa samazamana shizoku no shusshindearu kanōsei ga arimasuga, watashitachi no rūtsu wa isshō musubitsuite imasu. Nēsan, kono sensō no ma no yūki o arigatō. Anata wa namihazureta ninjadeari, watashi o anata o watashinokazoku to yobu koto o hokori ni omoimasu." I am honored to know you share and follow the same will and fire as Vika. We may be from different clans, but our roots are bound together for life. Thank you very much, sister, for your bravery during this war. You are an extraordinary ninja and I am proud to call you my family.
"Chōrō…" Elder…
Tsubaki teared up and Flyorova moved to embrace the young girl, whispering soothingly in her ear in Japanese as she cried. After a few minutes, the two broke apart, sharing a loving smile before the Elder returned to her seat. Black Star reached out and took his partners hand, squeezing it gently as he focused on the elderly woman before them.
"There is one last thing I wish to discuss with you, Lord Death. The Hidden Shadow Ninja clan will offer our full loyalty to both you and the Witches. Though we have partnered with the Mother, we will now offer them our full services, not just security. I wish for a truce to happen between the three of us to bring peace for the future."
"That sounds like an excellent idea, Elder, and I shall try to set up a meeting so that we can discuss the matters and form a truce." Kid nodded in agreement, his amber eyes boring into white. "I wish for the future generations to know there will be more allies standing behind them."
A ninja quietly slid the door open and muttered something in Russian to Flyorova. She nodded her head and responded, motioning for him to enter. Silently, he moved to her side, bowing at the three seated opposite, before handing the Elder a small handful of envelopes. With a nod, she accepted them, and the ninja exited.
"Here…Viktor handed me these envelopes at our last meeting. He wished for it to be delivered to you, Lord Death, and your companions, if anything were to happen to him. I ask that you open them once you return to your city, in private, per his wishes. Feel free to stay if you would like, for the celebration of life."
"I appreciate the offer, Elder Flyorova, but we must return to Death City. We are still suffering from the effects of Ametrine's destructive force and I would hate to be away for an extended period of time. I'm sure Maka would like an update as well." Kid gratefully accepted the envelopes, handing Black Star and Tsubaki theirs.
"Ah, that reminds me." The Elder reached within her robes and pulled out a small white box, Maka Albarn written neatly on a small red tag. "Would you please give this to her? A gift of sorts, from Viktor's family."
"Thank you, I will ensure she receives it as soon as we return." Kid bowed as he accepted the gift, carefully slipping it into his coat.
They filed back into the main hall and were greeted with chanting and singing, some of the villagers dancing around the fire with swift and light movements as they tossed the small flower rings into the flames. Flyorova led them to the massive doors of the shrine, motioning to the guards who swiftly pulled them open. A voice called out to them and they all stopped. Flyorova quickly let them know it was Viktor's mother, Serova Leonidovich, as the woman approached, eyes red and puffy. Without a second thought, she pulled all three of them into a tight hug, crying as she spoke Russian to them. Tsubaki wrapped her arms around the woman while Kid and Black Star shared a glance before resting a hand on her back.
"Thank you, thank you for bringing my child home safely." Serova blubbered in broken English, "I cannot repay you for your kindness."
"It was our honor to bring him home. He fought valiantly," Tsubaki spoke softly in her ear. "I am sorry for your loss, Serova, I have no words to comfort you."
The woman released her grip on the boys and kissed Tsubaki on the cheeks and forehead. She released the weapon and grabbed Black Star next, holding him tightly as she whispered to him, kissing him as well. Kid was next and she did the same as the others, holding him tightly and thanking him. With a final kiss on his forehead, Serova released her grip and said something to Flyorova, the Elder nodding.
"She wishes to relay that she is grateful for your assistance and that she considers you all a part of her family, as her children. You are always welcome here, Lord Death, Black Star, and Tsubaki."
The group said their goodbyes and exited the shrine, back into the frigid winter air. Azusa and Jinn were standing by, the latter looking around curiously at the village. With a quick glance, the two fell in step behind Kid as they headed towards the edge of town, back to the awaiting witches. Tsubaki was still sniffling as they walked, wiping the tears away with the backs of her hands. Black Star snaked his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close, shooting her a bright smile.
"No need to cry over me, I know how amazing I am! It warms my heart to see women crying tears of joy at my greatness!"
Tsubaki let out a choked laugh, smacking him on the chest with her free hand. The two bantered back and forth quietly, lightening the mood slightly. Kid shook his head as Azusa matched his pace, glancing over at the Reaper.
"Lord Death, shall we announce this incident to the rest of Death City?"
"For now, we should keep everything to those of us who witnessed it. I will make an official announcement regarding the incident once the truce has been formed. I don't want people panicking and thinking there will be more witch attacks."
"Very well, I will meet with the other Death Scythes once we return and inform them of the situation. How are you holding up, Kid?" Azusa asked quietly, taking in the new stress line forming on his forehead.
"I think…I'm okay, for the time being. I'm trying to process everything right now as Lord Death and my own personal feelings have been shoved aside. My mind can't wrap the thought that Maka died last night. I know Black Star is having a hard time coping with actually witnessing it." Kid answered honestly, shoving his hands beneath his cloak into his pockets. "It wouldn't be a bad idea to set up some therapy for everyone once we return. We lost a comrade and it's hitting all of us pretty hard. These villagers…they've been through so much the past few weeks and now their homes has been destroyed by madness and a deranged witch who deceived their trust. Families have been torn apart in the blink of an eye. I can't even begin to imagine their pain."
"Unfortunately, there will always be casualties in war, Kid, it's undeniable. Though it seems unfair, the chance to sacrifice one or two for the greater good will always be more appealing. It may not seem right, it may not seem fair, but war never changes, no matter how far humanity has come. Your father tried to create a better world for the future generations, a world without fear and the threat of witches. Look how far we've come, Kid, look at the world as it is; there's no more tension between the witches, the Kishin Asura has been sealed on the moon, Ametrine was stopped from unleashing madness upon the world. People are living without fear, they're not worrying about something happening every waking moment. Yes, we've had casualties, on all sides, but it was due to their sacrifices that the world can keep being safe." Azusa briefly rested her hand on his shoulder, giving him a rare smile.
The woods began to thin out and Mabaa stood in the clearing, using her magic to build a small army of snow-witches. The witch looked up at them and chirped to her assistant, shifting to move outward towards the wider part of the woods.
"If your business is done, Mabaa-dono needs to return to the Witches Realm and begin repairs." The feline witch spoke halfheartedly, her pipe nowhere to be seen.
"Everything is done, thank you for waiting." Kid responded as they stood in a circle around the Mother. "If you ever need assistance with rebuilding, I will gladly offer my services."
"Nyamuu."
With a flash, they were gone.
Ahhhh, I love this story so much! I'm going to be sad when it's over. Just a few more chapters to go!