Stein bent over the edge of the concrete wall, overlooking the night that had fallen on Death City. The many buildings were all lit up like a thousand souls wavering in the cool breeze. A light wind whipped his face. He turned to see the doors of the party still open, but Spirit standing in the entrance, watching him warily. Stein chuckled and turned away. This had happened before, hadn't it? But the gates were closed. The fog memory tiptoed its way back into Stein's head. Once more, the fog materialized, Spirit's face began to morph… Stein steadied himself on the rail, noticing how he had begun to lean towards the edge. Spirit took a step forwards, noticing how close Stein was to the edge. Insane or not, they were still friends.
Stein regained his sanity for a brief moment and walked away from the wall, resting on a wooden park bench close to the entrance. Spirit had clearly lost all interest and was now staring at Maka longingly. He allowed himself to drift into his subconscious…
Marie was propped up on a velvet couch, almost fully recovered. Luckily, she had sustained no real damage. But he was so close to delivering the electrical blow he had once before, when they were battling in Medusa's lair. Though her injuries were mostly flesh wounds, she could not stop crying in the fear that he had truly wanted to do some real damage. Most of the students were crowded around her, their worried expressions clearly visible. Marie realized that she was the adult in the situation, and spoke through her tears, "You all don't need to worry about me. Professor Stein is just a bit rattled. Go have fun, Ms. Marie will be all right."
Skeptically, the students began to drift away, occasionally looking back to make sure she was truly okay. Azusa stood protectively close to Marie, her glasses flashing in anger. "That psychopathic idiot…" she murmured under her breath. Hearing her seething murmur, Marie wanted to make sure that she didn't cause anyone distress. Marie blew into her handkerchief and looked up at her. She smiled and said, "Now, I'm sure he didn't mean to do it, Azusa. He still has symptoms from the madness and you really shouldn't worry. He's perfectly-" she was cut off by a glare that radiated malice.
"Don't keep hiding your head in stupidity, Marie. He's not perfectly fine! He just tried to kill you. That insolent idiot can't stop wanting to dissect things for a second! I can't believe him!" Azusa yelled, drawing the attention of the students, and Lord Death, who bounced over, oblivious to the gravity of the situation.
"Now, now Azusa. There's no need to worry. Professor Stein will be just fine. Now, let's just kick back and enjoy the music!" Lord Death singsonged, his voice carefree. Azusa pointedly turned away, still boiling with fury.
Suddenly, an inhuman cry of fury resonated from outside.
Stein was lying on the ground, his eyes back in his head, a grimace of pain on his lips. He appeared to be at war with himself. Marie tore past the crowd, screaming his name the whole way. She pressed herself against him, and closed her eyes, allowing herself to travel in to the labyrinth of his mind.
And with a splash, a second body fell into the black river.