Last time: Alviss found Rolan in a graveyard. He opened up his heart and took him into his home. Alviss took Rolan to see his old friends at a cafe.
Note: I don't know what exactly happens at the end of the anime/manga, so I made up a few things: Snow is now Queen of Lestava. Ed is still her companion. Alan and Gaira are dead. Dorothy is still the same really. Ginta is in the other world and Jack married Pano.

Reassure

The silence at the table was broken by a waiter asking for their orders. Alviss happily ordered the tomato soup and apple pie. After careful consideration, he also ordered a hot chocolate and a chocolate cake for Rolan. The others quickly placed their own orders and then continued to stare at Rolan.

Rolan remained motionless by Alviss's side, blushing furiously. He still held Alviss's arm, clinging like a lover.

"You two are... together?" Jack asked. Alviss frowned and shook his head.

"No. I'm just looking after him," he replied in an offhanded way. "So, Jack, how's your farm going?" he queried, changing the subject. By directing his attention to Jack, the others stopped staring a Rolan.

"Um... good. My fruit and vegetable production has increased dramatically!" Jack replied earnestly. "And Pano and I have wonderful news!"

Everyone glanced at the two. Jack froze, and then blushed.

"I'm pregnant," Pano said happily. Everyone gasped and congratulated them. Snow said something about a baby shower. Rolan couldn't care less. It was just another kid in the world, and he didn't quite understand the concept of a baby shower. How was it supposed to rain babies?

"Well that's wonderful news! I hope he or she grows to be happy and healthy!" Alviss said.

"Hear hear!" Dorothy exclaimed. Rolan tugged at Alviss's arm. Alviss looked up and smiled.

"Sit, please Rolan," he said warmly, gesturing to a seat next to him. Rolan sat, but brought the chair closer to Alviss so he could place his head on his shoulder. Alviss ignored this and in doing so directed the other's attention away from him.

"So... What have you been up to, Al?" Jack asked him as the waiter delivered their first courses; soup or drinks.

"Well, I still own my business, like last time. Not much since then, really. Apart from this," Alviss calmly pulled a piece of creaseless paper from within his jacket. "A letter from Ginta."

Silence answered him. Everyone's eyes in the cafИ fell on him. It seemed everybody wanted to know what Ginta had to say.

Alviss cleared his throat, opened the letter and read aloud; "'Dear all the people of Team MAR, the Crossgaurd and MARHeaven. I hope this reaches you guys, I don't know how it would, but if I dream hard enough... Anyway, when I arrived here, no one but my Mom and Koyuki believed my story of MARHeaven. With help from my Mom, I wrote it all and now I'm almost as much as a famous author as my own Mom!'" Someone interrupted by laughing loudly. They went quiet when everyone else glared at them. Alviss cleared his throat again and continued, "'Anyhow, life here is damn boring after MARHeaven and all the fighting (not that I liked the whole war-thing, I just miss magic). Well that's about it. I hope all is good there and sometime we'll meet again. See ya all later, Ginta Toramizu.'"

Even though to Rolan these words were meaningless, everyone broke into cheers and talked avidly amongst themselves. Rolan didn't really care about that spiky blonde-haired boy who bet Phantom like he was a weak amateur. He hated how he denied Phantom's offer of becoming his ally - a friend - and used it against him.

Once again Rolan was treading through black water that was ankle deep. White hair-like tendrils swirled around him, tangling his feet and ankles. He couldn't walk, the tendrils were getting tighter. Red blood spilt into the water, changing black into crimson. He collapsed and felt the clammy strings engulf his whole small and frail body. Phantom's cruel, mesmerising laughter filled his ears. "You will never be free of me!"

Rolan let a small sob leave his mouth as his day horror left. He squeezed Alviss tighter and felt his warm body radiate heat throughout his mind.

"Excuse us for a moment," Alviss said, pushing his chair back and standing to his feet. He swept out of the room and into the bathroom, Rolan at his heels. Alviss turned his face serious. "Are you alright?"

"It's... just... him," Rolan replied weakly, looking down at his feet. Alviss put a finger under his chin and pushed his face upwards. His face was now showing concern as he stared into those pools of red.

"I promise you, as long as I'm around, I'll never let anything ever happen to you."

Rolan felt safer. He smiled and hugged Alviss's arm. Alviss sighed, sensing trouble arising from this statement. "Now let's just enjoy the people's company and food."

After a good warm meal and hearty reminiscing of the War Games, Alviss decided it was time to leave because of Rolan dropping off to sleep on his shoulder. He said good-bye and stood, Rolan matching every move. They walked out of the cafe together.

Rolan gazed in sleepy-eyed amazement at the changed street. No people stared at him, no shops or stalls were open and it was snowing.