How did it come to this: chapter.8 Together forever
Emil quivered in fear, as he swore he was to be killed. but instead...was spared of his life. Emil couldn't understand why after all that, did Richter suddenly seem to decide not to kill him?
Emil held his stomach, feeling the wound reopen, blood seeping through his clothing. He doesn't even know how to feel about anything anymore..."Aagh!" Emil let out a cry of pain and suddenly felt the touch of a warm hand place itself over his wound and could feel the pain slowly ease as his tear filled eyes looked up to see the older man. Richter had his usual expression. But this time...Emil could see regret, pain, and worry...as he tended his wound with First Aid.
"Richter-san..."
"..."
"Richter-san...why...are you doing this...?
"..."
"..." Emil didn't know what to say or even think...and despite what had happened, Emil couldn't help but continue to trust and believe in Richter.
"...Emil...I wanted to see us as enemies...But..I couldn't end your life..."
"Richter-san...?"
"I thought...I could do it, and save Aster...But I couldn't..."
"Richter-san..."
"..." Richter had finished closing the boy's wound, and the two continued sitting in silence. Emil didn't know what to say anymore...He wasn't even angry, he just wanted to know that Richter cared for him...Protect him and be kind to him like he use to.
"Emil...Do you know how long you've actually been asleep since the ice temple?"
"What? Richter-san...what do you mean?"
"You've been out a whole weak..."
"...What?!" Emil couldn't believe it. how could it have been that long?
"Your friends have continued to search for you...and are finally ready to fight Brute."
"R-Really?...I can't believe...I missed all of it"
"..."
"...What do I do? Where do I go...? I don't know what to do anymore...!" Emil felt so far off track from his original journey with Marta. He couldn't believe how out of control everything had gotten, much less having to take in everything now that he knew he was Ratatosk.
"Emil..Come with me"
"Huh...?" Emil looked up at the man who was now stood up before him.
"Come to the Ginnungagap with me..." Richter then offered Emil his hand.
"...But..." Emil wasn't sure if it was a good idea or what they would do there...But in the end...he took Richter's hand and was pulled up to his feet.
"Richter-san...I'll go with you..."
What would be the point of going with him? What would it do? What if it was a trap? He should ask where and how he could get back to Marta. But for some reason...he was feeling like going back to her wasn't an option anymore...And maybe going with Richter wouldn't be a bad thing. After all, he said he couldn't bring himself to kill him...So there was a good chance Richter wouldn't do anything to him.
Emil had the sense of home sweet home when they finally arrived. He looked around and instantly knew what everything was and that keeping the demon's from getting loose was and still is, his top priority as Ratatosk, lord of monster's, summon spirit of the giant tree.
"Richter-san...why did you bring me here?" Emil asked.
"I couldn't kill you...so I...I have no choice but to lay Aster to rest..."
"B-But Richter-san...he's your best friend..." Emil couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"I know...But if I can't kill you...then how can I bring him back?" It was true, without the death of Ratatosk, the demons wouldn't be able to return Aster to him.
"...Richter-san...Why couldn't you do it?" Emil asked, bringing his hands up to his stomach nervously, as he could only imagine what Richter was going through.
"...Because...I guess there's a part of me...that would rather protect you...then end your life..." He explained.
Tears began to well up in the boy's eyes, always wishing Richter would care for him...It was finally happening, all the little and yet so precious time that they spent together, really did matter to Richter.
"Emil..." Richter almost wanted to smile at the boy's childish happiness.
"Richter-san..." The boy's eyes suddenly turn red, and eyes the man.
"...Ratatosk..." Richter didn't glare, and he didn't want to kill him...He honestly didn't know what to do or how to feel.
"Richter...I forgive you...Because now I know..you didn't really mean to betray me like Mithos...you just wanted Aster back...and it's my fault he's gone..."
"..." Richter could have only wished that Ratatosk would have spared Aster his life...But then, he would have never met Emil...So...maybe, in a way...losing Aster was just a part of coming to know Emil and moving this world forward.
"Richter...I need all of my Centurion's, or the demons might escape" He said, with a glance towards the large gate behind them.
"...I guess now would be a good time to mention how killing you would bring Aster back" Richter suddenly said.
"Hm?"
"Killing you would have freed the demon who promised to bring Aster back and to help open the gate, I started the Vanguards to help the negative energy that the demon's needed to help weaken the seal on the gate."
"You idiot! God, why are you and the stupid human's so stupid!?" Ratatosk growled.
"...getting back on track. I'll tell the Vanguard members that are under my control to stop attacking" Richter sighed.
"Alright, then...I'll go see Marta about my cores and then Lloyd for the rest," Ratatosk said.
"Actually...I was thinking I would do that"
"What? Why?" Ratatosk questioned, wondering how much more naive Richter could get.
"Because...in case you forgot, your still not fully healed, and leaving you to yourself might get you hurt" Richter explained as he examined the blood stain on the boy's clothes, feeling guilty for having made the wound reopen, despite healing it previously.
"Shut up, I candle myself!" Ratatosk growled.
"Says the same person who almost got killed just for firewood" He sighed.
"S-Shut up!" Ratatosk's cheeks heated up as the embarrassing memory came to mind.
"Anyway, I'll handle everything while you stay here" And like that, Richter began to walk away.
"Wait!" Ratatosk then grabbed the man's arm. "You can't do it alone..."
"He's not alone, he has me!" Aqua suddenly appeared. Both turned their head to see the centurion.
"Yes, thank you Aqua" Richter smiled a bit.
"A-Anything for you Richter-sama!" She giggled, blushing as the man's handsome smile.
"But since you won't be using the powers of the demon's, you'll need my powers" Ratatosk explained. As much as Richter hated to admit it, he did tend to use the demon's power's a lot.
"So...make a pact with me"
"...Emil" Richter was almost surprised to hear those words. "But I'm not a summoner." He explained.
"S-So!? Lloyd isn't either. But he has my sister Manna with him, or who you people call Martel" He explained.
"I see...Alright then"
"Okay, good" The boy huffed.
"W-Wow, Richter-sama is going to make a pact with Ratatosk-sama!" Aqua could only call Richter a god at this point, that's just how cool he is.
The two stood, facing each other as they gazed into each other's eyes. "Now make your vow...a vow that you promise to never break," Ratatosk asked, making sure Richter understood as he didn't want to be betrayed again.
"Alright..." Richter took a moment as he stared at the boy and felt his heart pound against his chest. "My vow...Ratatosk, lend me your powers, so long as I promise to love you for the rest of my remaining life..." Aqua's eyes widen in surprise, blushing at what she found to be super romantic. Ratatosk, on the other hand, was so lost for word, feeling his heart pound against his chest so hard that it almost hurt, feeling his face burn up like a fire. It was the brightest Richter had ever seen it.
"W...What kind of vow is that!?" It was hard for him to stop the shaking in his hands.
"...It just felt right, Emil" Richter not once, stopped gazing at the boy, nor did he lose his composure.
"R-Richter...san..."Gazing back at the man, Ratatosk's right eye turned green for a moment while his left remained red.
"So...is my vow good enough? Or should I think up something else?" He asked.
"N-No! I mean...i-it's fine!" His right eye returns to red and tries to recompose himself. His body glowed as he shared his powers with Richter, connecting them through a spiritual link that bound them together.
"Good..." Richter could feel Emil with him...feeling the new power surge through him.
"G-Go to Marta and just call for me once you need me..." He crossed his arms, realizing just how hard it is to look the man in the eyes now.
"And how should I call for your powers?"
"J-Just look deep inside yourself and you should feel me within you" He blushed, gazing back at the man with cheeks still flushed red.
"Alright..."
"J-Just don't take too long!"
"Right..." And just before Richter could leave "Be careful Richter-san" Emil called from behind. Richter then suddenly turned around and approached the boy.
"Emil.."
"R-Richter-san...?"
"I love you.." And then, he gently pressed his lips against the boy's soft pair, feeling those soft smaller pairs of hands cling to the collar of his coat.
"I-I love you too...Richter" Emil replied. "W-We'll be waiting for you"
"Right" Both shared a smile with red cheeks, however, Richter's cheeks were a much softer red then Emil's bright red cheeks.
Richter rode across the ocean and through the forest with the help of Aqua's monster's, along with Emil's. Now that Richter had made a pact with him, he was able to summon the monsters at will. Aqua still couldn't believe that Richter and her old master were in love. But at the same time, even though it broke her heart..it also made her happy and wondered if Aster was watching Richter now, watching him smile, falling in love with someone.
"Richter-sama, I can sense them on the top floor!" Aqua said as the two made their way into the Lezerano company building.
"Alright then." Richter then quickly made his way through the building, and as he did so, he made sure to tell all of the Vanguard soldier's to stop attacking the people of Sylverant and to lay their weapon's down...and if they didn't, they would meet the sharp end of his blade, which seemed to convince them well.
"Papa!" Marta called out as she ran to her father, who was just stabbed by Decus. Raine also aided Brute, telling Marta to awaken the core. But just before she could, She was quickly attacked. But luckily Lloyd was there and blocked the attack to protect Marta.
"You..!" Lloyd snarled a bit as he eyed down the half-elf.
"Lloyd Irving..." Richter glared and quickly pulled away.
"R-Richter? Decus said Emil was with you!? What did you do to Emil!?" Marta cried, pulling her weapon's out.
"That doesn't matter anymore." He scoffed.
"What!? But-"
"-Give me the core!" Decus shouted. No longer sane, he began attacking everyone.
"Marta, the core, hurry!" Raine said, still trying to focus on healing Brute.
"R-Right!" Just as Marta was going to grab the core, Aqua had snatched it away and floated behind Richter.
"Oh no!" Marta cried out, turning her head towards the half-elf and centurion.
"Aqua, you-..." Tenebrae suddenly realizing something about Richter...he was feeling Ratatosk by him but how? "Ratatosk-sama...?"
"Tenebrae?" Marta looked to the dark Centurion with, worried what might be bothering him.
"Richter-sama, you should be able to hatch the core," Aqua said, hoping Tenebrae would further get the hint.
"Right"
"What!?" Lloyd only then could suddenly feel that Richter had made a pact with Ratatosk.
Without a moment sooner, Richter hatched the core, freeing Decus of his mad mind. The core had suddenly gone into him, passing through his mana and back into Ratatosk. Lloyd couldn't believe what was going on, and was almost wondering if Emil had gotten his memories back and if so, was he helping Richter try to destroy humanity?
"N-No, he took the core!" Marta said.
"But won't this guy lose his mind now?" Zelos asked.
"No...He has Ratatosk's protection." Lloyd said.
"What!?" Was all that everyone could think to say.
"That's right, Ratatosk has chosen to help Richter-sama," Aqua said proudly with a smile.
"B-But why would he...Why!?" Marta couldn't believe what was going on, especially after everything she had gone through to try and awaken him.
"Aqua" Richter called.
"Right!" She then summoned all her monster's. Richter called upon Ratatosk's power's and summoned Emil's monster's as well.
"Alright everyone, fight off all those that get in Richter-sama's way!" Aqua said. The room was crowded and overrun with monsters. Keeping Lloyd and friends busy, giving Richter a chance to attack Marta.
"AAAA!" Marta cried. Richter quickly and swiftly attacked the girl, taking every core on her, quickly making his way out of the building as he leaped out of the window, landing on the back of Aqua's Orca.
"Wait!" In the mess of things, Tenebrae quickly chased after Richter and Aqua.
"T-Tenebrae!" Marta called out.
After all the monster's had been dealt with. Lloyd finally decides to explain everything to everyone. He told everyone that even Emil was actually Ratatosk and why he had been so quiet all this time. Lloyd hated keeping quiet about everything to his friends but up and leaving Zelos without a word was the hardest part, so finally being able to tell everyone was a huge weight lifted off his chest.
But now with the chance of Ratatosk working with Richter to destroy humanity, things were getting serious.
Richter sat in the woods, not too far from Altamira but before he could hatch the core, Tenebrae had finally caught up with him and Aqua.
"Richter...What's the meaning of this...Why do I sense Ratatosk-sama with you? Is what Lloyd said true?"
"..That's right, I formed a pack with Emil" He said.
"I see...then allow me to give you my aid...after all, I only wish to serve Ratatosk-sama in any way I can"
"Very well then."
"What!? Not this Tene-bonehead!" Aqua argues as she pouted, turning away from the dark Centurion.
"I won't ask why...I'll just trust and believe in what Ratatosk-sama is doing.
"..." Richter nodded and watched as the two Centurion's both returned to their shapeless form, waiting for Richter's order's when suddenly Richter could hear the sound of Ratatosk's voice in his head.
"R-Richter...hurry up, the demon's are starting to break out on their own! I need all of my Centurion's before that happens..!"
"Right...I just got the rest back from Marta"
"You did? D-Did you hurt her...?"
"...No" That was a lie...mostly.
"Whatever...just get Lumen back from Lloyd"
"I know...I'll be back soon, I think Lloyd might be coming to us soon," Richter said just before returning the rest of the cores through his mana to Ratatosk and quickly made his way back to the Ginnungagap to meet up with Emil and wait for Lloyd and the rest of his friends.
Once Richter had returned, he was suddenly greeted with a smaller pair of arms wrapped around him. "Richter-san!" Emil smiled brightly, and although he was happy to see him, Richter could see the struggle Emil was dealing with from the looks of the gate, things weren't going so well.
"Emil...how are you holding up?" He asked, holding the boy close.
"I'm okay... I'm just glad Lloyd didn't hurt you...But I am worried about Marta and everyone else.." Suddenly his eyes became red.
"But we won't need to worry about them. They have the Dheris emblem with them...So only Marta and Lloyd will be an issue" He explained.
"And whys that?" Richter asked.
"Because Mithos betrayed me...I made sure that he wouldn't be able to return without turning to stone.."
"I see. But why not Mart and Lloyd?"
"Because Marta still technically has my protection and Lloyd, as I said, has my sister's protection."
"Alright then...they'll be here soon," Richter said, as he carefully listened for their footsteps.
"Alright..." Ratatosk looked down at his stomach, holding it gently as his cheeks flushed a bit.
"..?" Richter noticed the boy's odd expression. "What is it?" He asked as he arched a brow.
"W-Well...after we made a pact, I feel like I've been healing faster..." His cheeks burned a bit brighter.
"I see..." Richter then began to close the small gap between him and boy.
"W-What now you perv!?" Red eyes glare.
"Perv?" He questioned. "This is new," He said.
"Y-Yeah...making me agree to such a stupid vow...It's perverted" He explained, embarrassed just remembering it.
"It was your choice to accept my words of love..." He slowly pulled the boy into his arms, holding him close.
"Y-Yeah but...you didn't have to be so blunt..." He said, as his eyes slowly faded back to green. "Richter-san...Thank you..." Was all he whispered before feeling the man's lips connecting with his once again. He felt like his heart might burst at any moment. Richter could feel the boy slowly tremble from beneath his grasp. But at this very moment...he wasn't going to stop and let the boy rest his heart because this time...he deepened the kiss. Emil practically gasped when he felt the other man's tongue roam the inside of his mouth and drooled when he felt their tongue's come together in a romantic dance.
"R-...Richter-san..." Emil huffed, as a thin thread of saliva connected them.
"Emil..." Richter whispered, apparently having more lung capacity then Emil. The two gazed into each other's eyes. Emil almost shivered in a nervous delight as he felt Richter's warm hands take hold of his shoulder's, rubbing them gently with his thumbs as he leaned back in for another kiss, however...Richter turned his attention to the two that stood in front of the entryway, turning his head to look over his should to see a brokenhearted Marta and pissed off Lloyd.
"Release Zelos and the other's from the stone trap now!" Lloyd said. Marta couldn't help but Notice how Zelos was always first on Lloyd's mind...
"M-Marta, Lloyd!?" Emil felt so embarrassed that Marta and Lloyd had almost seen them kiss. And the only reason why Emil doesn't plan to kill Lloyd, is because, with Solem back in his control, Solem had explained to Emil that he had helped Decus murder his fake parent's and that it wasn't really Lloyd who did...Those people may not have actually been his parent's, but they were still people none the less.
"Emil...what's going on..? Why are you helping Richter when he's the bad guy!?" Marta said as tears began to well up in her eyes.
"Marta, Richter-san isn't a bad person..." Emil said, stepping in front of the older man.
"But..."
"No wait, He might be telling the truth Marta...Richter wanted Ratatosk dead to open the Demon's gate...But he made a pact with him instead" Lloyd said as he took a moment to realize that maybe, Richter really wasn't bad anymore.
"Oh yeah...so then...?" Marta trailed off, looking back at the two.
"Richter-san is helping me keep the gate closed...he already tried to kill me and failed, so...-"
"-I'm leaving Aster rest..." Richter said, clenching his fists tightly, but the pain subsided when he felt Emil reach for his hand, holding it tightly as their fingers locked together.
"Emil...Richter..." Marta not only couldn't believe what she was hearing, she couldn't believe what she was seeing either...Her heart was broken and yet, she was glad to hear that the world wasn't in danger.
"Emil...I knew I could count on you, you were able to not only change Richter...but you even found all of your memories without losing spirit" Lloyd said with a smile.
"Yeah...and...Sorry for blaming you, Lloyd...I may not really know you. But...I can tell your really amazing" Emil said, smiling.
"You think so? Well, thanks anyway" Lloyd smiled brightly at Emil, blushing a bit.
"Now...hand me Lumen's core, before- Ngh..!" Emil held his body tightly, falling to his knees.
"Emil!" Richter quickly knelt down to the boy. "The gate..."
"Right, quickly Emil, take Lumen back.." Lloyd then handed the core to Emil. Emil took the core from Lloyd and hatched it, finally regaining his powers. Giving him just enough power to place a new seal on the gate and keep it shut well enough to keep the world safe.
"So..does that mean, we're all safe now?" Marta asked.
"...The gate is closed But I'll still need my Centurion's to use their monster's if I plan to restore the flow of Manna in the world." Ratatosk explained.
"I see, thank you, Emil," Lloyd said.
"...Now to release your friends"
Ratatosk then released Lloyd's friends from their stone prison, however...everyone couldn't help but feel like Lloyd was more worried about Zelos then the other's. Once the group was informed of what was going on. Ratatosk explained that in order to keep his power's in better shape, he would need more monster's under his and the Centurion's control.
"So then..what will you do?" Marta asked.
"Well..now that I have Richter as my pact maker...and the gate is safely sealed off...I can go anywhere I please to form pacts with monster's." He explained.
"I see..." She lowered her head, knowing fully well that the chance of her and Emil was gone forever.
"Alright then, take care Ratatosk," Lloyd said before walking off, with the rest of his friend.
"Just...take care of yourself okay..?" Marta said before going off to catch up with the others.
"...I suppose I'll go back to traveling the world" Richter said.
"Then I'll just have to come with you" He grinned.
"I wouldn't have it any other way...Emil"
"Richter-san..." Red eyes returned to green and smiled at the man.
And so...Emil saved the world and even Richter. Who knew everything would have ended up so differently from just small action's...Aster could finally move on now that Richter was free. Lloyd could finally return to his travel's with Zelos...at least once he and Zelos told every one of their relationship. Marta could return to her father's side while Decus and Alice were free to do as they please...And Emil would spend the rest of his days with Richter, forever traveling together.