Time of Woe Kanon58
Summary: Maura returns every year at Nekome-cho to mourn on Leon's death. Suddenly a mysterious box in Leon's room transported Maura to the past of 3 years ago. Regrets to fix, will Maura survive once more the threat Tree of Woe not to devour him?! A HiroxMauraxLucia fanfic!
Notes: I had been wanting this to happen after watching Shadowverse Flame. I just knew I need more Maura. Maura is a deep character with the darkest lore while the rest has a normal dramatic slice of life problems. As a Maura simp my job is to spread more and convert more fans to like Maura like I do...!
Before you get angry universe of Champions Battle, Shadowverse Flame and Shadowverse anime is merge in my fanfics. inshort expect all characters in one world as crossover. FANFIC IS FANFIC.
**ENGLISH SUCKS BUT BARE WITH IT, JUST ENJOY THE PLOT**
Episode 1 - Time of Woe's Awakening!
Maura' POV
It's all over.
"THIS IS YOUR END! LEOOOONN!"
The peak where Ryuugasaki Hiro swing down the sword of judgement and cut Leon Aurenche in half.
"Aaarrrghhh!"
My master...
My adoptive father...
My Leon-sama.
He fell into the darkness just like that...I was not even able to tell him that I was sorry and I was thankful.
He shall be declared dead even without his corpse, he is gone.
And yet something else pains me the most...
How I was not able to tell him face to face how I felt all those 10years of being together.
The only thing I was able to tell him is my desire to live and that caused me to betray him.
Just like that...
Everything is over.
And sometimes...I genuinely think...
If I knew much earlier my desire to live, will there be difference...?
Like, will I be able to convince Leon-sama to be a good person?
Well, I would never know...he is gone now.
I still do not understand why he thinks having the whole world get trapped in eternal dreams of Eldora would save humanity. Leon Aurenche loves lie the most just like how he had been lying to me that he had compassion towards me.
Ryuugasaki Hiro refuses to tell me what made him so angry to the point he is ready to murder Leon.
My guts' tells me that Leon-sama said something about me.
After all Ryuugasaki Hiro never shed tear about his parents condition of not being able to come back to the human realm anymore. How they would spend all eternity inside the world of Shadowverse forever wandering...
Then there is Yonazuki Lucia.
Out of nowhere he told me.
"I would like you to quit Shadowverse."
"Eh?"
When I heard him say that straight to my face with his condemning looks towards me, my ears went red in irritation.
"My~my, What nonsense are you saying Yonazuki Lucia~?"
I keep my smile though, but then as always Yonazuki Lucia never went easy on his words whenever he talks to me. He is always mean at me.
Even during the time of my breakdown episode he was not catching up how I needed his comfort that time because I thought he would understand my despair.
Yet he didn't.
And now he telling me this.
"You never really like Shadowverse much. You were using it to release your frustration by putting other players on despair."
I cannot believe even after saving the world together, he still didn't see the good in me.
"Excuse me~? But that was the old me. I'm reborn into a diligent person." I defended myself with a small pout. "Why are you always so cold at me? I want to say am not the slightest delighted about the way you are treating me-"
"It's for your own protection."
I raised an eyebrow almost smile fading. "And that would be...?"
There it is.
"Wolfram talk to me."
The reason behind his serious face. How annoying that relative of Leon-sama acting like a goody two shoes.
I had enough and laughs. "Ahaha~ I see! I SEE!" I was pretty pissed that my smile twist in anger. "Its that Wolfram guy AGAIN. What does he want?"
I was not really angry at Lucia but rather how Wolfram won't stop his brainwashing methods towards the people near me.
Lucia explains to me. "Wolfram is planning to get the access on Arc."
I crossed my arms not really threaten by that object. "Ahh~ the ARC box Leon-sama prepared incase I the vessel of Nexus gets out of control~" I intentionally put a threat. "Oh I get it~ hehe! You guys don't trust me." My speculations are getting ahead of me.
I was hurt and yet Yonazuki Lucia dense as ever.
"You guys are afraid that I may still follow Leon Aurenche's will because am his protégé." I was somehow ranting now. "You really don't know how to use me Yonazuki Lucia-"
"Maura, you are in danger." Lucia interjects. "Not only Wolfram but other scientist and business partners of Leon Aurenche is after you."
Yonazuki Lucia drops the bomb.
"You can get sacrificed again."
My worst fear is dying and he used it very well against me.
"I don't want you to die Maura."
Lucia's empathetic eyes made my eyes snap open.
"So I beg of you."
Oh no.
He took a step forward and I unconsciously stopped breathing, Yonazuki Lucia's face is too near for my comfort.
I seriously thought he is still handsome prince as always and it makes my heart flutter.
"I want you to leave yourself bare for me."
I almost gawk.
"Until I make sure that the 7 of us will be safe."
Lucia shares to me. "I already talk to Mimori, Kazuki, Kai and Alice." He made sure this was well planned. "I choose Hiro to take all the burden since he loves Shadowverse the most." Using Hiro's genuine kindness towards me. "To also honor his parents sacrifice for staying inside the Tree of Woe..."
Yonazuki Lucia actually pleading is making me crazy.
"Maura become a normal person please."
I was lost for words.
"Stay away from Shadowverse and live freely."
Because everything sounds stupid at this point, I chuckles. I can see for a short second Lucia was disturbed.
"Pfff..hehehe...hahaha!"
I sighs and smiles. "...Yonazuki Lucia you are lucky I admire you enough for me to forgive you once more~"
How he could have said that better, but who am to correct him? I myself is mentally ill.
I wink at him. "Fine~ I will turn off my cellphone and I won't play Shadowverse anymore."
I acted playful so he would drop his worried shoulders.
Everyone is always suspicious of me, I shouldn't be blaming them...I know for a fact I was a bit of a prankster.
To make sure Lucia would trust my words, I politely declares.
"I'm already Grandmaster rank anyway~ there is no more goal to reach in playing Shadowverse."
Waiting for Lucia to relax, he finally smiled back wiping his sweat drops. "Thank you. I will keep my promise nothing to worry."
But now am a bit worried on his plan to take an alliance with Wolfram Zerga. I ask in curiosity with a readied assumption. "Does this mean the position for Seven Shadows won't be us the heroes of this earth but you will recruit someone else...?"
Lucia told me the truth. "That is Wolfram's condition. Also considering Alice and Kazuki's responsibilities to their families...this is the obvious outcome."
I look at him up and down, I can tell Lucia already decided to take it from him.
"I see."
So I should do what they say.
How Ryuugasaki Hiro took my Legendary Card and How Yonazuki Lucia commanded me to not play Shadowverse anymore.
Really am surrounded by two over thinker.
I giggles and teases Lucia. "You are going to work at the Shadows, typical Prince of Shadows~"
Lucia surprisingly smiles at it. "It's been a while since the last I heard you call me by that name, kinda nostalgic."
Sometimes I want him to notice my feelings through my flirting's but he is too cool that he is super blind.
Or maybe Lucia is just ignoring me generally?
"Of course~ I was the one who named you Prince of Shadows after all! You better like it for reals~"
Is all I can say as I turned my back to wave.
"Well then, time for me to hide till the ruckus about whose going to get all Leon Aurenche's belongings and research. I pray good luck to Marguerite."
Lucia scolded me though. "It was awful for you to leave everything to her when you know she isn't the type to like CEO position."
I lazily wave my hands. "What can I do? Am not one with the Nexus. So it does not go according to Leon-sama's will for me to boss around Genesis Company."
Lucia chuckles this time and made my head turn back towards him.
"Sounds like Maura."
Ahh...no use...
I think my cheeks made small blushing tones. Yonazuki Lucia's voice and face still gets me.
"Yonazuki Lucia..."
But you know? It is too late to even think about it.
"Yeah?" Lucia is waiting for me to say what's the matter.
I was disheartened, I always wanted Yonazuki Lucia's attention but even now he still won't look at me.
I can tell pretty much he is being kind to me because Hiro says so.
In the end Yonazuki Lucia doesn't love me the way I do.
So I will hide this within me probably until I grow old and die.
Playing like a naughty cat to cover my embarrassment.
"Neverminded. Enjoy your rich life once more~"
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Outside POV
FLASH BACK
"Leon-sama is dead. The 7 of us killed him."
Says Maura as he returned to Leon's office at the Genesis Company. The 7 of them just returned from Eldora's realm of dreams back to the world of reality.
"His body is left inside the Tree of woe and can no longer be retrieve." Maura says with no emotion or whatsoever.
He was cold.
Inside Leon's office were Marguerite and the Shadow Knights.
"So the memory of Leon-sama betraying us is real?!" The Shadow Knights reacted violently.
"I-I cannot believe it...so we were all used...he lied all along?" Some of them were in-denial and horrified.
"He did not intend to save the world but to end it?" Some of them realized that they were doing bad things without knowing.
"Then everything weve' done so far was evil...?" It shattered the Shadow Knights hearts.
"W-wait, if Leon-sama is dead. What will happen to us now? What will happen to Genesis company!?" Some of them panic about their future.
"Is that what really matters right now?!" Some of them is of course became hateful.
"Of course it is! Were going to be all homeless!" To the point they started to argue.
"Shut up! Leon-sama may have betrayed us but he gave us an identity! We should at least respect-" Some were so ashamed of themselves.
"Unforgivable! Leon-sama...no, Leon tricked us!"
The whole room is getting stressful with the uneven emotions display bare by the Shadow Knights.
Only one of the people whose present was not affected by Leon Aurenche's death.
Rather...
"E-everyone." It was Marguerite who was more focused on something else. As she called out their attention, the Shadow Knights paused to take a look at her.
Marguerite points at the door where Maura Abelard had stood with a blank face.
"Hic...hic...uwuw..."
Not anymore.
"M-Maura...?"
The boy actually felt like crying and the tears won't stop.
This is the first time they witness the former creepy boy cried.
Freaking out.
"He is crying...he is crying for real?!"
Ein tells them the answer to subside their confusion. "Of course he would cry. After all, from all of us who got adopted by Leon-sama...Maura is the closest." Adding wounds. "And he is the one betrayed the most by Leon. For he is the sacrifice..."
Maura sobs as he wipes his face with his hands and sleeves.
"Leon-sama...Leon-sama...!"
It was no use.
'My tears won't stop...why...? Why...?'
Even himself is confused why would he feel sad and lonely when he chosen to live through the hard truth.
'Am free...am free...so...don't cry about Leon Aurenche's death...'
Mentally fighting, Maura falls down his knees and cries out.
"I'm so sorry! Leon-sama...!"
...
The next day.
At Genesis company's penthouse floor, that is where Leon and Maura used to live together.
But right now the room is dark even though its mourning...as if the room knew it's owner passed away so it looks gloomy.
Marguerite lied about Leon feeling sick during yesterday's meeting. Her and the Shadow Knights still thinking of a white lie before the whole world discovers that Leon is actually missing.
Knock, knock.
"Maura-san you haven't eaten anything. Please at least eat a lil bit." Concern by Marguerite.
Yesterday when Maura broke down to tears, he clearly mourns for Leon's death. Despite getting betrayed by the man he loved the most...
'To think there is still lingering affection towards Leon Aurenche is actually quite surprising.' Marguerite genuinely thought so that she have misunderstood Maura all along.
That Maura is not a creepy sadistic boy but just a lil bit of a spoiled brat and lacks attention so he grew up twisted like that.
'But in truth he is just a timid shy boy who sucks at making friends.' Somehow those thoughts have calm Marguerite's worry about Genesis company's danger of loosing everything.
"Maura-san, I'll be coming in...?" She turns the doorknob. "Maura-san..." What she saw is Maura at his bed still wearing the same clothes. Looks like he didn't even bother to take a bath nor eat. Maura is still wearing his boots as he laid sideways at his bed silently sobbing to the near pillow he uses to hide his probably already tired face.
"Huhuhuhu..." the small snuffles from people, Marguerite clearly sees Maura's despair.
The boy is like going back to his suicidal self.
"I know it's hard. But you have to eat. Think of it as am obligation when Hiro and others saved your life during your possession to the Tree of Woe..."
Maura didn't react, but the way his body shivers from nonstop crying. She knows Maura can hear her but particularly did not care to response.
"I will leave you some food you better eat." As she exits Maura's room to go at Leon's room.
The real reason she was here is to find anything Leon must have left.
...
Inside Leon's room...
For whatever reason, Marguerite found a USB with a piece of paper next to it. It has been untouched at Leon's small desk.
"This penmanship...Boss Leon's..." it says the following words. "Last will...?"
Suddenly Ein was behind her.
"Let me help you unlock the contents."
Surprise jump scare. "Aah!" Turning around. "E-Ein?! Since when you were..!? You scared me to death!"
Ein giggles shortly since Marguerite barely show such moe side.
"You forgot you told me to bring food for Maura."
Marguerite sighs in relief. "Ahh right. Sorry I was focused..." her eyes landed at the USB.
Ein who casually walks near to it and grab it.
"I will extract the contents. Please wait for a bit."
Marguerite and Ein went back to Leon's office.
This time properly sitting the sofa, Ein is done extracting the files. Now Marguerite reads the context from the laptop. "All of my inheritance if I suddenly die will be..." her heart jumps. "This is...!"
...
Later they gathered all the Shadow Knights, but instead of Leon's office they went to Leon's penthouse room.
At the living room.
"You say Leon-sama has plan B incase the project Nexus failed?" Ask by Zwei, Drei, Vier, Funf and Sechs.
Marguerite explains to the rest except Ein who already knows the truth. "According to his last will he doesn't trust anyone except giving it to Maura-san's name whose now a godly entity in the letter."
Everyone is in doubt. "So the new owner of Genesis company and other Leon-sama's asset will be manage by him?!"
Because according to the letter, once Maura who had successfully emerge with the Tree of Woe will rule the world. Then Marguerite's job is to follow his orders. Meaning Marguerite will manage the human estates while Maura will manage the wonders of the world, specially regarding Leon's most dangerous experiments like the ARC box.
"But...Maura is only 13...and he is not even trained to manage things like this." Because Maura is not actually Nexus right now, that would mean the letter is pointing for him to sit next at Leon's chair.
Ein fixed the issue to them. "Not really. In the scenario of Leon Aurenche's last will, Maura is already Nexus while you Marguerite-san will be helping the godly entity of Maura whose now known as Nexus."
"But Maura-san did not become Nexus, he came back as Maura Abelard."
"Exactly. It means the CEO will be Marguerite...while we Shadow Knights has orders to disbanded." They all gasps.
"According to Leon Aurenche's will, he gave us the freedom to either stay or live freely now the world is at peace. Well...in his scenario of peace everyone is inside Eldora while Maura replaces Ryuugasaki Asagi's possessed vessel as Nexus. In that letter, he is under assumptions that he may die in the process but his ambitions came true..."
Somehow it sounds pitiful, but hey they wouldn't want to be stuck in a fake world while Maura Abelard leads them.
The most terrible ending for them since they hate Maura the most than Leon's betrayal.
Marguerite steps in. "Which is why I would like to propose something to Maura-san, however...He is currently unstable to talk to."
She then asks the Shadow Knights. "Do you guys want to stay or freedom?"
The Shadow Knights were speechless, the freedom option is too sudden.
Marguerite gave them time. "For now think about it carefully while we find a way to cover the former late boss death."
Eyeing the door of Maura's room.
'I guess we have to let him mourn for now.'
Ein could tell by Marguerite frowning face, so she voices out. "What if he doesn't recover?"
Marguerite hope that was not the case.
"Then...I might have to ask again for their help."
...
It has been 3 days since everything went back to their own places of facing daily lives.
As expected sooner or later Leon Aurenche's death was announce to the news. For now they say under investigation what is the cause of death that for the meanwhile a funeral will be held.
Shadowverse fans were worried that Genesis Company would shut down.
But not the seven heroes who knows the truth.
As always Hiro, Kazuki, Mimori and Kai goes to the same school while Alice works as an idol and Lucia of course now with his sister had a lot of things to sort out.
Actually during the time they have returned to reality, none of them tried to play Shadowverse. For some reason they felt all tired and just want to relax and stay away from Shadowverse.
After all it felt like a long nap, they all wanted to make sure that this reality is no longer a fake world. So they all decided to spend time with the people they love.
They only use Shadowverse for the sake of group chatting.
During the third day of returning to reality, out of nowhere Ryuugasaki Hiro sent this to their Shadowverse group chat.
BLINK!
["Guys, I want to meet up. I want to talk about the incident regarding my mom...and dad...Leon, the Tree of Woe."]
BLINK!
["Then our Legendary Cards."]
As if unspoken taboo, everyone replied back that they sure willing to finally talk about the things they have done together while nobody else seems to remember the destruction of earth due to the Tree of Woe and Maura Abelard run rampant when he got eaten by the shadows.
Then Kurobane Alice sent the next message.
BLINK!
["Ummm..did you guys receive a message as well from Marguerite."]
...
Here they are met up at Nekome-cho Shadowverse stadium.
Mimori, Kazuki, Kai and Hiro just got out from school.
"Hello Oniichan!" Kurobane Alice at her casual outfit.
Hiro greets him happily. "Alice you made it!"
As always Alice is very talkative. "I was able to make it because I told my manager am friends with Leon Aurenche's adoptive son. My manager is delighted and agreed for me to have a close relationship for more of my connections to spread!" Alice can see Hiro's question mark. "By the way my manager is my mama!"
Next they saw Yonazuki Lucia approaching their group.
"There is Lucia!" Kazuki yells.
"Good morning Lucia-kun." Mimori greets him.
"Good morning as well Amamiya-san." The typical prince mode. Mimori blushes and corrects him. "Come on, Mimori is fine hehe."
Alice then hugs Mimori from behind while Kai and Kazuki seem to be arguing about where to act so unhinged to Lucia who they always thought was cold and hard to approach is now smiling.
Kai then realized. "Is everyone here?" Everyone look at each other.
Mimori says. "I don't see Maura-san."
Hiro worried. "Maura!"
Kazuki calms him down. "Hiro don't shout."
However Hiro knows how Maura is very unstable and dislikes people. He thought they got ditched. Speaking of which, Maura never went online since three days the last they all added each other in their Shadowverse GC group.
"Why Maura has not shown up?!" Frantically alarmed.
Lucia tells them the only possibility. "Maura could be waiting at the Genesis company. He lives there."
Quickly Hiro believes so. "Oh. Is that so?" In hurry to meet their new friend. "Then lets get going everyone!"
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Entering Genesis company, what greeted them is all the staff of Genesis bowing to them.
"We thank you for your sacrifice on saving the world."
Startled in disbelief the 6 of them.
"E-eeehh!?"
This is the time they notice the people in Genesis company remembers the incident.
"I-impossible! They knew about us saving the world...!" Kai feeling embarrass.
Lucia figures out. "It seems like people who directly got involve with Leon Aurenche has memory of the world's ending."
Because their families and friends don't remember. Meanwhile Shiori did admit she had a strange dream where she and Lucia played a dramatic Shadowverse battle but she cannot recall all the exact details.
Meaning people who literally near Leon and involve with him still remembers.
Hiro not caring about that fact, he steps forward.
"Um where is Maura?"
Marguerite who had been standing there addresses Hiro's concern.
"It would be better for you all to see than explain. Please come with me."
Hiro making a serious face. "Lead us to Maura please!"
...
Reaching the highest floor. This the first time they see how Maura lived with Leon.
The place is wide and cozy. Imagining Leon is alive while Maura is fawning over him, it must have been a nice memory.
However the moment they got closer to Maura's door room it feels heavy.
Marguerite warned them. "Please don't make a noise." As she slowly turns the doorknob.
Kai has to make a side comment. "You hear Shindou Kazuki? Don't open your mouth." As always Kazuki reacts to Kai's teasing's. "What! Am not noisy-"
Alice scolds them both. "Shh!"
The moment the door creaks open they hear a faint sob.
"Hic..hic...hic..."
Maura whimpers still haven't bath and eat in three days. As if he is coming back to his stray self.
They heard him cry the name they least expected to come out.
"Leon...sama...I'm...sorry...I'm sorry...I...I want to live..."
Their heart sank.
"Maura..." Everyone looks at each other.
Maura smells already. Surely he didn't bother to wash at all. He was just there at his bed still wearing his clothes on the final battle. While his hair though is down, looks like his ponytail fell off as he stay stagnated crying at his bedroom.
Lucia as always cannot comprehend Maura's actions. "He loves Leon? But didn't Leon betrayed him?"
Marguerite tells them why. "You can't blame him. He still gave him everything. I'm sure somehow he felt he had owe him."
Mimori the empathetic of all. "Poor Maura-san, what will happen to him now?"
Alice looks at Maura with pity-ness while Kai and Kazuki can't tell if they feel bad for him or if he does deserve this punishment.
Because Maura had been mean to them.
Hiro with a unreadable face kept quite though.
Marguerite talks to Mimori. "About that...The reason I called you all is to help us."
Lucia skeptical. "Why?"
Marguerite shares them what they found. "Leon left his inheritance, assets and signature. His everything under Maura-san."
All unable to hide their shock. "Eeeeh!?"
Kai exclaims. "Meaning he is the new CEO of Shadowverse?!" Kazuki grabs his own head. "T-then he is super rich now!"
Marguerite cuts' them off. "However Maura-san is too young to manage the company. Also he is not publicly announce as Boss Leon's son. Only few people heard about his existence.'"
Mimori curious about Maura. "Um is there a reason why Maura-san is using a different last name?"
Unfortunately Marguerite doesn't know either nor understood the peculiar relationship between Leon and Maura. "Only Maura-san knows the truth. We don't actually talk to each other. He didn't like me...and during those times he was...hard to approach even though he speak so polite. He was generally...creepy."
They all smiled with sweat drops. Nervous short laughs. "Ehehe...We know what you mean."
Hiro finally speaks up as he kept his stare at Maura's figure still curled up to the bed ignoring if they where talking about him.
None of those matters, he was depress.
"So what do you want us to do for Maura?"
Marguerite ask for a favor. "I want you guys...as his friends to comfort him so we can talk to him about his future."
Hiro repeats back. "Maura's...future."
Marguerite is hopeful. "You guys are friends right?"
Of course Hiro won't deny.
"Yes we are Maura's friend!"
Lucia joins Hiro's side and assured Marguerite. "Leave it to us." But to his surprise Hiro marches forward to Maura's bed.
"Oi, wait up Hiro it's too early-"
Ah oh.
"Maura?" Hiro peeks at Maura's pillow.
Maura had his nose so red and his eyes looks dread and drowning from tears. "Hic...hic..." he acted like he cannot see Hiro looking at his ugly face from crying too much.
"Hey Maura its me Hiro! Let's play Shadowverse!"
Everyone felt tense as Hiro casually being loud and pushy to play Shadowverse. They waited for the sad boy to react.
"...Maura?"
Lucia shakes his head. "Hiro, I don't think you should be using that approach."
Hiro rubs the back of his head. "Uhh I'm not good at comforting people!"
Then he touches Maura's shoulders. "Maura, were here."
To their surprised Maura spoke.
"...Go away."
It was distant order.
"But Maura-"
Maura snaps as he throws the pillow across the room.
"Shut up!" He glared at every single one of them. "Can't you guys see am over?!"
Nobody answered they all froze as they see Maura rants about his terrible feelings. "Leon-sama is dead! Am alive...yet...yet I feel so empty. I was happy am freed! But then...every time I realize how much he gave me, how much the 10years means so much to me...I cannot help but feel guilty!"
Lucia points put. "But you said you wanted to live..."
Maura starts to loose his angry energy into a resigned tiredness. "I want to live yes. I really want to...even now..." looking down at his both hands that looks empty. "However right now...the future is bleak. I cannot see anything. Now am alive, I don't know what my goal would be from now on. I'm so scared...I think am dying..."
Maura Abelard with his appearance of hair down while wearing his messy off shoulders and boots. He look like the old Maura who was found by Leon at the streets.
Specially he smells for not bathing for three days while he never actually bothered to turn on the AC at the room. He was covered with sweat and tears.
"I just...don't want to do anything..."
Everyone looks at him sorrowfully.
"Maura..."
Hiro beams up the mood. "Then go and see the world!"
Lucia ended up amazed. "Hiro..."
Hiro goes near to Maura whose glued at bed in sitting position this time. "Maura you said there is so much you wanna do? Then do it now!" His never ending fire. "I'll support you!"
Maura's eyes had been open for them to see his pupils shape morphs into getting a bit touched by Hiro's sincerity. "Ryuugasaki Hiro..."
Lucia joined the convince Maura session not to despair. "Hiro is right. Whatever you want to do from here now, you are free to do."
Maura knowingly eyed Lucia who was lile him before he moved forward out of the phase of hatred against the cruel world.
"Yonazuki Lucia..."
It was the same light he saw, Hiro and Lucia smiling at his terrible and pitiful state.
"Remember I promise you, you won't be alone anymore! I swear we will be here with you!"
FLASHBACK ENDS
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BACK TO THE PRESENT: Maura Abelard age 17.
Maura just returned to Nekome-cho after 3 years being away from home. He got himself sentimental and went ahead and buy Leon's favorite flowers at the nearest flower shop.
That flower though got a bit destroyed when he bumps to a Shadowverse University student. He wasn't upset or anything. He knew these flowers held no meaning.
After all he is the only person in this world who decided to mourn Leon Aurenche's death every year. It is to pay respect for the fact the man still the very reason he was able to meet his friends.
This is the reason why people couldn't trust his actions. Because everyone decided to forget about Leon. Nobody cared he was gone for good.
Maura knows he is still a living threat to everyone.
Even at the person he secretly likes he is still what he is. A scary individual who ended the world out of whim.
Leon never ordered him to destroy the world. He was told to save it. Yet...
'Funny how I got jealous of Lucia and Hiro's eyes for each other.' Maura thoughts while he placed the flowers at the spot where Leon found him.
The alley where he used to lay.
Maura is awfully aware how embarrassing that episode was.
"I recall I ask Yonazuki Lucia to battle me because he never took my offer."
When he was younger, he often asks out Lucia to play with him at the Shadowverse underground casino but Lucia refuses to do him due to the fact not only he is Grandmaster ranking while Lucia is still at rank AA+. Maura is being mean, he won't bet a single money to make Lucia play.
Yonazuki Lucia only plays for money to save Shiori. However Maura doesn't own any money, all he did is swipe Leon Aurenche's automated VIP access all over Nekome-cho to be able to enter buildings or buy stuffs and eats what he want.
"Hehehe..." Maura laughs at his own memories. "The Prince of Shadows~"
In the end he ended up wishing his first and last battle before he die is to be Lucia's.
However Hiro ruined the moment by butting into their battle.
He remember so well how his skin crawls out of jealousy and hate when Hiro and Lucia play tag team against him.
Stealing his last moments to be with Lucia before he gets devoured.
"In the end Yonazuki Lucia never understood my actions..."
Maura wish he could have done better on displaying his affections to the Prince of Shadows.
He used to flirt and say dirty things that not only suspicious but really catch lines to swoon over Lucia.
But Yonazuki Lucia is hella dense.
It is a mystery to Maura if Lucia is avoiding him because he knew he had feelings for him or is he just like everybody else creep out of him?
Maura admits he was too fruity when he was younger. The way he talks and do things were too uncomfortable to others.
"Seriously, he can't even see through my actions that I wanna do with him."
He actually has romantic feelings for the Bloodcraft user.
Maura talks to the air. "I guess I will be like this for the rest of my life."
Maura Abelard has a secret.
Actually its a not a secret.
He perfectly displayed his infatuation towards Yonazuki Lucia when they first met to the underworld.
He always wanted Lucia's attention. Because Lucia is the only one he can relate.
But 3 years ago Lucia destroyed his heart once more. He forgives him though, it is just what it is.
"In this time of my life, this world...Yonazuki Lucia would never love me back."
He knows he was cursed to be alone even until now.
He had friends because Hiro made them his friends. But he knew they can't be together forever so he decided to be just neutral and not too attached with them.
"Hope you are doing well inside the Tree of Woe Leon-sama."
Maura still prays.
"May Eldora send you sweet dreams."
...
Maura decided to pay a visit at Genesis company.
This is where he discovered that Marguerite sent bodyguards to spy at him. While Ein the only Shadow Knights remained still distrust him.
Hiding his hurt through a smile, not that it matters. Because even if they do not want him around, the Genesis company cannot block his pathway.
After all. 'Everything Leon Aurenche left is mine to take.'
That is the reason why he easily able to get inside Genesis building. Easily going to the CEO's room without anyone trying to stop him.
People there knew who he was and until this day they have no choice but to let him be bossy on entering even off limit rooms.
The fear Maura had planted to the employees of Genesis company for those 10 years before he changed to a less scary individual.
Maura simply left Marguerite and Ein at Leon's office and he went to visit their unit.
The penthouse floor.
...
"I'm home."
The unit is dark.
Dropping his smile, Maura goes inside.
The smell of the room have become nostalgic to him. Everything left the same except some documents were gone because Marguerite took them now that she is the acting CEO.
Also some were taken by Wolfram and other people who wanted Leon Aurenche's belongings.
"Ahh it's still here~" Maura walks inside his room. His book collections and weird shape toys are still there.
Looks like his stuffs were not thrown away. Marguerite is being considerate that someday he may stay again here at Genesis company.
Maura couldn't bare the loneliness in this apartment unit of their Penthouse. It reminds him of the reality during when he woke up realize in Eldora the kind Leon was fake.
Appreciating one his favorite toys, a wooden shaped cylinder figurine that obviously looks cursed. Maura giggles when the memory of Leon handing him this toy surfaces.
"It's still cute." Putting it back...
Maura then goes to Leon's room.
Its the same room nobody occupied, except its more empty. Because some of Leon's stuff were given out as an offering to business partners who stays loyal to the Genesis Collab. Like the Tensei Academy and then there is new deals like with Shadowverse University.
"Eh..? Isn't that..." Maura is surprise his photo with Leon, their very first selfie together is actually displayed at the table.
Perhaps Marguerite put it there. No wonder it was not at his room.
Lifting the photo frame, Maura touches he glass on it. It looks like a father happy with his son.
How he wished that is true.
Maybe if Leon loved him as a real son, maybe he wouldn't be annoying Yonazuki Lucia for attention and love that he seeks.
Maura wanted love but he was meant to be unloved.
Maura Abelard whispers. "If only I could turn back time, will I be able to convince Leon-sama or in the end he will be ambitious?" Thinking back then, he was mean to everyone. He was not mean to Lucia but he left a bad impression of a stalker freak against him.
"And if time turns back...would I have a better relationship with others?"
The Prince of Shadows who he feels closer the most.
"If so will Yonazuki Lucia hear my despair by then...?"
Shaking negative thoughts. "Ahh~ahh, I better stop." He put back the frame of lies. "Leon-sama is dead..." he turns around to scan the room.
"Therefore his stuffs will remain here like a museum. Past is past-"
He noticed a weird box at the top shelves.
"What is that...?" He never seen it before.
Maura is taller now, so he was able to grab it without supporting chair.
The moment he had it on his hands. The box was colored dirty brown with slight dust in it. It kinda looks like the missing ARC box but it didn't have a shape of a cube. Rather it is shaped a bit of rectangular ones.
Then the carvings on it, as Maura looks at it carefully.
"A box with the Tree of Woe symbol..?"
His finger tips had pressed onto something.
"Ouch!"
His index finger bleeds.
"I-It...wound me..?"
He was sure there were no sharp edges, so why?
CLICK!
Maura startled the box at his hands. "My blood opened the box...?"
Gulps.
He saw a scroll and even without unrolling it, it rolls up open...as if inviting Maura to read the contents.
"This is...a small piece of...the Shadowverse scripture?!"
Maura have read the first portion.
"Deus Ex Maxima...?"
It triggers.
SHINE...!)))
Covering his eyes.
"Augh! So bright...!"
A spirit of blue light went inside him unnoticed.
"Aaarghhh!"
The blue light illuminates Leon's whole room and Maura Abelard got transported somewhere else.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
THROB, THROB.
'It hurts! It hurts! It hurts!'
Maura is falling down a blue portal endlessly in pain.
He hug himself, something is inside him he could tell.
'W-what was that..?!'
This is similar when the Shadows went inside his body forcefully and violently.
He can feel his stomach something is moving and it felt like a cold gel moving in his insides.
It feels disgusting and painful.
It clicked at him.
'A-Am gonna die...?!'
Clearly that box have attacked him.
Since it has the Tree of Woe symbol, one possible thing.
'...Did the Tree of Woe ate me again...?!'
His teenager body starts to heat up.
"Ack!"
His body is shrinking.
Feeling squeeze, dying a horrible death freaks him out.
'N-no! I feel like...am being pressed on and on...!'
Maura desperate to live.
"Someone...someone help me..!"
He shouts.
"Eris...!"
He seeks out help.
"Ryuugasaki Hiro...!"
Even the person he knew would be the last one to care but he always love to cling at him whenever he is at his darkest time of breakdown just like always.
"Yonazuki...Lucia...!"
Everything went dark.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
"Ughh..!"
Maura's eyes snaps open. As if someone hammered him down, he could feel a sofa at his back.
He saw the ceiling with random disco lights. The place is dark but the red, green and blue lights were shaking his vision.
"O-ow...it hurts...what the..." Clutching his head, Maura shut his eyes tight before he slowly opens them to figure out where the hell he woke up to.
The vague noises, the smell of alcohol and smoke are all over the place.
This is obviously not Leon's room anymore.
Maura found himself at a sofa he had been lying onto. A table next to him and another sofa across him.
Maura rolls to face down at the sofa. He was trying to calm him self by focusing his vision at the sofa's texture that looks kinda familiar to him.
The sofa was not in the best condition, its kinda dirty.
His head feels fuzzy. 'W..wa..what happen to me, everything feels like am being squeezed...!' Grabbing his chest and his stomach. They feel like turning.
'It hurts...! I hate this..!' Mentally screaming.
A familiar cool voice calls out to him.
"Hey are you alright?"
Maura snaps his head up from the sofa's body view towards his front view.
"Huh?"
Confusion made him dumbfounded.
At his front is a younger Yonazuki Lucia whose wearing his Obsidian uniform. A Lucia of 3 years ago.
Lucia is kneeling at him, so he can see Maura's face at a better angle. Into Maura's eyes it was the famous Prince of Shadow's beauty like black roses.
"Eh?"
But that sounds wrong because thats not how Lucia looks like anymore. Lucia is already 17 years old like him.
So how on earth...
'A younger...Yonazuki...Lucia...how?'
What is this? Did he woke up in a dream world or he travelled back in time?
Maura Abelard is terrified, he braced himself.
"My body...!?"
TO BE CONTINUED
Notes: MY SHADOBA FANARTS FOR MY SHADOWVERSE FANFICS IS AVAILABLE AT MT PIXIV PLZ PAY A VISIT! ALSO...If you did not read the summary this is actually Hiro x Maura x Lucis fanfic. So you already know love triangle shall ariseeee! Drop a lovely review to make things tanoshi!
**CAN'T PROMISE TO FINISH BUT HOPE YOU STILL APPRECIATE THIS FANFIC EVER EXISTED TO HELP SHADOWVERSE FANDOM LIVE ON**