In seconds, I was on my knees at Hanna's side. He was writhing in anguish, and his cries became raspy until finally his voice was choked. His eyes were dancing fiercely in every direction. I put my hand on his face in alarm, wondering why he hadn't seen me yet. He cringed at the contact, but when he discovered my presence, he made no delay in grabbing my sleeve, as if I would disappear if he didn't have me anchored down. I had to will myself to speak, I had to keep my voice level for his sake.

"Hanna - how...How bad is it?"

"I - It's bad...I can't - can't even see, R-Ringo..."

I gasped inaudibly, witnessing as Hanna curled his back and jerked my arm toward him. It was a sickening sight to behold, and I had to look away as my friend fell back onto the ground, his chest heaving. With his free hand, I noticed, he was clutching his stomach. Was that perhaps the source of the disease? With hope that maybe - just maybe - I could mend something, I used my unoccupied hand to pull back Hanna's shirt. I winced in horror at the sight of it, the bruise-like splotch on his abdomen, within close proximity to the zipper-like scar on the front of his chest. It was at that moment that Conrad sat up, shielding his nose with both hands. His eyes were actually watering, presumably from the stench of Hanna's magic. His eyes widened in suprise at the sight of Hanna's stomach.

"Holy shit...I think - he's bleeding internally..."

"What - wait, what can we do?"

Conrad shook his head slowly; after inspection later it was revealed that one of Conrad's teenage friends was in a car accident, and Conrad had been the one to get the kid to a hospital. The doctors told him everything, and that was how he was able to recognize Hanna's state. That's when everything began to really fall apart.

"Oh, god...I don't think we can do anything...Worth's too far away...Oh my god..."

Silence. I couldn't look at Hanna. I couldn't bear to think - No. There was a way, there was always a way. Hanna and I always made it out, albeit with a few bumps and bruises, but we always got out. When I'd first moved in with Hanna, he unquestioningly let me into his world. With him, I had finally found somewhere new...I wasn't about to let those memories go.

"No. No - Wait...Claus. Claus - You can fix this. You're the one that made him ill - You ... You can make him better."

"I - I can't...It's too late...He's dying..."

If it weren't for Hanna clinging onto me with all the strength he could muster, my feet would have been on the ground and my fist would have been in Claus's face. I turned the most hideous stare of contempt I could come up with.

"Then you'd better think fast. So help me - if Hanna doesn't make it -"

Claus looked up at me, as he had been staring down at his lap. There were actual tear streaks on his face. My expression softened, but did not let up. I knew I would kill him for what he'd done to Hanna. But the fact that he was remorseful...

"You - ah - saw that memory...Right? Ruairi was...A Reaper. He travelled the world for the souls of the dead...But he was one of the few that made Deals...The Deal I made was that if Hanna died, I would be restored to human life. The Deal Hanna made counteracted my Deal in that he sacrificed himself to keep me alive. But..."

I raised a brow at his story, my arms beginning to quiver with anticipation.

"And...?"

"I'm - I'm so sorry, Hanna..."

I looked from Claus to Hanna to Conrad, my expression grim. Hanna seemed to be unnaffected when he heard his brother's apology, as though the words held no value to him. As if he'd known the truth all along, and had accepted it.

"It's just...How Ruairi would have w-wanted it..."

Claus chuckled at this, though his sad attempt at a laugh was nothing more or less that some sort of hiccup. He rubbed his eyes and scooted closer to Hanna, running his hands through his hair. He waited a moment, as if thinking Hanna would speak. He looked from Conrad and I until finally he seemed to gather his courage again.

"I...I never wanted to be the bad guy, Hanna..."

At this, Hanna smiled, and let out his own hacking attempt at a laugh. Claus smiled too, in response, and watched with deep sorrow in his eyes as his brother began to seem less and less...Human. I couldn't be still, I was shaking nearly as much as Hanna at that point. The man seemed at peace with the world, and for a moment, I thought he was only sleeping, that he would wake up and another day would follow us, that this void would be left behind, and these memories would be forgotten. It was a sorry mistake to make.

Again Hanna's body convulsed, and he pulled his legs to his chest as he rolled his head over to one side, and he vomited again. But this time, even as Conrad reacted, I knew what it was. I didn't have to look to know that Hanna was know vomiting blood. I winced as Conrad let out a sort of hiss and fell backwards, obviously startled again by the blood. He had to look away, but just as it was the same for me, I knew he couldn't bear to not say good bye to Hanna. I, however, refused to believe that it was truly the end. And apparently, Claus shared my view.

"A Stór Mo Chroí..."

Those were the only audible words Claus spoke as he grabbed Hanna's arm, the one Ruairi had made some inscription upon, and proceeded to rewrite several symbols; or so it looked from my angle. I watched in a helpless daze as Hanna became tougher to hold on to, as though he were regressing from reality. Claus continued to lisp words as he aloowed Hanna's arm to fall back to his side. Once again, he rolled up his sleeves before sending his palms down through his brother's stomach, as though Hanna was nothing but paper.

A Stór Mo Chroí - If you have a good memory, you might recognize this as the lyrics used by Rocketshoes in her guest comic. I took the liberty of making it a reoccuring thing - though it is an actual song, and I recommend you listen to it. /Coincidence/ It's Irish; I totally didn't plan for Ruairi to be Irish, too. I love how that worked out.

Taking under consideration, once again, the advice of Kirsten-Korona, I have decided to let you guys down slowly. I'll try not to drop you, though.
I think you'll like the ending though, after I tweak it a little. Also; this chapter is subject to editing, since it was 12:27 or whatever when I published it, and who knows what sort of magical unicorn crap made its way in there that I didn't even notice.

Whew - let me just say ahead of time this has been a massive blast to write. I really appreciate everyone that stuck with me and reviewed - and especially the people that didn't because I didn't know how to turn on Anon comments at the time. Herp Derp. Hard to believe it's only been like a week (and three days) since this started.

Thanks again, guys.
Seriously.