AN: Hope you enjoy reading~

Chapter 37:

Hidden behind Void's throne was a long staircase. With Arch-Overlord having disappeared through a portal, Samuel and Killia wasted no time using their wings to race along the narrow passageway. The stairway was dark, but a light at the end indicated that there was a room waiting for them.

When they reached the room, they broke out of the stairway, skidding across the floor in a battle stance, ready to face Arch-Overlord in battle.

Yet, he was not immediately visible. Which unnerved Samuel greatly.

"Arch-Overlord?" Samuel called out cautiously. Yet, he could not sense him, either, and he turned to Killia confused. "He's not here."

Killia eased himself out of his battle-ready stance as the two of them looked around at their new surroundings.

In the centre of the room was a young woman with long blonde hair lying upon an altar surrounded by four magical objects, likely the very things used to store and disperse the energy that had been gathered to ensure Alma Ice Sculpture's successful use.

"Lieze…" Killia murmured as he immediately headed toward the altar.

Samuel followed closely behind as he had some healing experience that may be able to help. With Killia kneeling by Lieze's left, Samuel moved to her right. He gently placed a hand against her forehead, only to immediately pull it back in surprise.

She was…alive?

She was already alive?

Alma Ice Sculpture had already been removed?

How?

Samuel reached across Lieze to grab Killia by the shoulder. "Killia, she's alive, but sleeping. Quickly, we need to awaken Lieze before Arch-Overlord is able to complete whatever he has planned."

Killia's eyes widen in shock. He, suddenly, grasped Samuel's wrist with his hand and looked at him, his expression torn. Almost pained. "Samuel…"

Samuel blinked. "What's wrong?"

"It's just…" he seemed to struggle with something internally. "What about you?"

"M-me?" Samuel had not the faintest idea why Killia was suddenly focusing on him. And he did not want him to. Not now. It was far, far too painful for him to even start thinking about himself now. "This isn't about me, Killia. Never has been and never will be. I'm happy for you, Killia. Leize is still alive. You have a second chance. And…I get to meet this special person of yours. As long as you're happy, then I'll…that's all that matters, right?"

That was all that matters.

Yet, Killia still looked…pained. Torn.

Why was he looking at him like that? Was that guilt in his gaze? Why?

"Hey." Samuel moved his hand from Killia's shoulder, curled his fingers into a fist and pressed his knuckles against his chest. Something he had done numerous times before. "You have the right to choose who your heart wants. And there is nothing wrong with that."

Samuel had said before that Killia was under no obligation to return someone else's feelings just because they had feelings for him. That went for Samuel, too. Even though he was likely unaware of his true feelings for him.

"This isn't the time for hesitation. Lieze needs you. More than ever. No matter what happens, I'm still your righthand man." Samuel pressed his knuckles a little bit firmer against Killia's chest. "Through better or worse. Remember that."

His last bit of reassurance. After this, Killia would not need him anymore. Lieze would be the one to give him all the reassurance and comfort he needed.

Killia squeezed his wrist as he nodded, a small smile on his lips. "Right. Thank you, Samuel. For everything."

Samuel managed to return the smile. "Of course." He pulled his hand back and stood up. "Now, wake up your precious person. It's time you reap your rewards for all your hard work."

He turned and walked off the altar, to give Killia the peace needed to gently awaken Lieze from her slumber. And to stop the others from charging in and making a racket. He hoped they did, though. They would prove to be an excellent distraction.

With a soft sigh, Samuel stepped off the altar and relaxed his Overload Form. Just as he did, their companions rushed into the room. He held up his hands to both calm them down and quieten them. He quickly explained to them what had occurred.

Although surprised by the recent turn of events, they were relieved, nonetheless. And turned to give Killia their encouragement, one by one.

Usalia tugged at Samuel arm and looked up at him, her eyes brimming with concern. "Are you ok?"

"Y-yeah, of course," Samuel automatically replied.

Usalia did not believe him. She did not say anything, though, simply wrapped her arms around his and rested her cheek against his bicep in an attempt to comfort him.

And he appreciated it. He also hoped she would not view Lieze as someone who…broke up her parents.

After a moment of gently prompting from Killia, Lieze finally stirred. She uttered a few sounds of confusion, her head lolling to the side as she looked quizzically at her surroundings. She soon settled her gaze upon the man kneeling patiently by her side.

"K-Killia? Where am I? What happened?" she asked as she slowly sat up.

Killia was unable to contain himself. When Lieze was sat up straight, he hugged her suddenly, startling her greatly, prompting the young woman to blush darkly and to utter out a noise of sheer embarrassment.

"K-Killia-?"

Samuel had to smile. Of course, Killia would hug Lieze so tightly. He had thought he lost her forever. His precious person. There was no reason to react so negatively.

Seraphina, on the other hand, reacted with a bristling jealous anger.

He was happy for Killia. Truly. But his heart still hurt, for some reason.

"Get away from my sister!"

That…that was Void's voice!

A dark, powerful force suddenly enveloped Lieze and flung Killia back, off the altar. He landed on the ground in a crouched position, several feet away. On the altar, a dark mist curled around Lieze, so violent that she withered and contorted in pain, her hands desperately attempting to tug at the coils of malice.

The mist grew in intensity, lifting her up off the altar and stealing her from view. The malicious mist became dense, a black hole of pain and suffering. Only to disperse in a burst of energy to reveal an entity so different to the young woman they once knew.

White hair, dark eyes, and red coils furling around her like weapons.

"No one will disturb us anymore! Let's destroy all the Netherworlds and create a world just for us!"

She had turned into an ultimate weapon.

"My malice won't be subdued!"

That was what Arch-Overlord meant when he said he would take Void's malice and give it to Lieze. He wanted to turn Lieze into a malicious, demonic entity to destroy the Netherverse.

Just like what he and the Wardens wanted to do to Samuel.

"K-Killia…" Lieze whispered, her voice pained. "Please…kill me…"

She was still conscious.

All that pain and suffering. She felt it all. Just like Arch-Overlord said.

Damn it, he should have known that Arch-Overlord was not done with them yet!

"Lieze!" Killia called out in alarm.

Samuel darted forward, pushed himself in front of Killia, and framed his face with his hands to force him to look him straight in the eyes. "Killia, listen. I have enough energy left to help Lieze. If I focus my intention on protecting Lieze's body and soul, then you and the others will be able to use your attacks to weaken the physical manifestation controlling her. Once that malice has been weakened, you can use your Ultimate Skill to remove the malice completely."

"Will that work?" Killia asked, desperately.

Samuel nodded his head. "Yes, but I only have enough energy to focus on Lieze." He pulled back his hands to look over Killia's shoulder toward everyone else apologetically. "You'll…just have to endure her attacks for now."

"I'll concentrate on healing," Christo immediately volunteered. "Everyone else will attack."

Ok, one more time. Samuel stepped back from Killia and summoned his Overload Form once more. He ignored the way his head and body ached in protest and took to the air once more.

However, this battle was different. He was not to extend his power to his companions. He had to concentrate on Lieze. It would be difficult to ignore his innate need to look after everyone and concentrate on just a single soul. But he had to.

For Killia's sake.

Samuel looked over at Killia. "Believe in me, Killia."

Killia immediately returned his gaze and nodded. "I do."

Samuel flared his wings and flew higher into their air, prepared to avoid the battlefield and any attacks. Everything else was left to his companions. He just needed to stay out of the way.

Focusing his intention on Lieze, Samuel was also able to sense all the malice that afflicted her. All of Void's negative feelings; His hatred, his arrogance, his jealousy, his…loneliness. There were other emotions from all the victims that Void had taken, but due to Lieze's connection to her twin brother, that was all she could focus on.

And her guilt that connected her to him.

Lieze blamed herself. Of course, she did. The gentle soul that she was. She never knew her brother's loneliness. She should have known, in her mind. Never mind the fact that he hid it behind arrogance and anger.

She had Void's attacks but more. The negative manifestations of all the energies he had stolen, all the lives he had taken to sustain her life.

And she was crying through each attack, and none those attacks she could control herself. Each attack was simply a manifestation of negativity. Of Void's negativity. Yet, she did not respond to any attack that she received.

Samuel felt a kinship with her. She was someone who was willing to give up her life as to not hurt someone she knew and cared for. He was the same.

Maybe…

Samuel drew in a deep breath and extended his energy to his comrades once more.

Killia immediately noticed. "Samuel!"

"I can do both!"

He had to.

Killia could not lose Lieze again.

Samuel was not going to let it happen. He was not going to let him lose anyone again.

Lieze was sobbing. Clutching her head and weeping. Mumbling her words. Begging for someone to kill her.

Lieze…

Samuel flew forward, toward Lieze, regardless of the danger. He stopped in front of her, and ignoring the startled cries of his comrades, reached out to take one of Lieze's hands in his.

"Lieze, listen to me," he said as gently as he could, hoping his voice would penetrate the static of negativity of Void's voice. "It's ok. My Overload Skill can turn any physical attack into one of healing. So, don't worry. You won't hurt anyone. Just concentrate on freeing your mind, ok? Pool all your power and concentration on your mind and heart. We'll take care of everything. Everything will be ok."

Lieze stared at him with wide, red eyes, large tears staining her cheeks.

She then slowly nodded her head.

She understood him.

Samuel released her hand and darted backwards, just as her eyes rolled into the back of her head and Void took over, unleashing a powerful attack. He managed to avoid the attack himself, thankfully, and braced himself to fulfil his role.

He needed to protect everyone, no matter the cost to himself.

Void's negativity was unleashing attack after attack. And they were powerful. It…was taking all of Samuel's energy. He was not sure how much longer he could last. Lieze's presence in her own body was still. She was still there, but she was silent.

She…

Ugh…Samuel could not last much longer.

A sudden spike in positivity in Lieze's body offered Samuel some hope. Lieze's presence was dominate once more. Void's negativity had stilled. She had done it.

"Killia; use your Ultimate Skill!"

"Got it!"

When Samuel felt Killia use Macrocosm, he released a deep breath and the tension of his Overload. He momentarily blacked out as he fell from the sky in a flurry of black and white feathers.

When his mind cleared, he was not sprawled out on the ground in pain like he had expected. Instead, he was held aloft by a pair of arms. But not the arms he had grown accustomed to. That was…disappointing, he would admit. But he chided himself quickly and pushed that thought aside.

"Gotcha, S-Man."

Samuel lolled his head to the side and managed a smile. "Thanks, Red Magnus…"

He was just grateful he did not hit the floor headfirst. That would have hurt.

Red Magnus bent forward and placed Samuel on his feet. But his knees immediately buckled beneath him and his collapsed to the floor in an unsophisticated heap.

Prompting none other than Christo to crouch next to him. "Let me look at you."

"I'm…all right," Samuel insisted, but was not all that convincing.

"Can you stand?"

Samuel tried to get his legs to push him back to his feet, but they would not listen, and he shook his head pitifully. "…Not right now. I just need to catch my breath. G-go, check on Lieze. I tried my best to keep her safe, but I was weakening at the end there."

Christo looked between him and Lieze, a small frown on his lips. "You won't cooperate until I do, will you?"

Samuel gave a tired laugh and nodded his head. In all honesty, though, he just wanted a few moments to himself to gather his thoughts.

Christo sighed and relented. "Fine, but I'll be right back. Red Magnus, keep surveillance of the area. Arch-Overlord could still be loitering around."

Right. They still had to deal with him, wherever he was. But at least Lieze was safe.

As Christo pushed to his feet and hurried over to where Killia knelt with Lieze cradled in his arms, Usalia toddled over to Samuel, and stood before him. And looked at him with those same sorrowful eyes she had when she first entered the room with the others, before the whole mess had started.

"Are you ok?" she asked him again, again with that same quiet tone.

Samuel looked up at her, unsure of how to reply. "…I don't know." He decided to be honest as it was blatantly clear that she knew of his feelings for Killia, and she knew that he was unwilling to let him know because he had made his own decision. "I just need a moment to myself."

"Ok," she nodded before she leaned forward and hugged him around the neck tightly. "We're still here, ok?"

Samuel sighed and reached up to place a hand against the back of her head, gently stroking the strands of her blonde hair. "I know. I appreciate it, I truly do. I just…need a moment."

"Ok," she said again.

After a moment, she pulled away. He gave her a half-hearted smile and she returned it with a small one of her own. She then turned and toddled her way over to the others that had gathered around Killia and Lieze, giving Killia the support that he needed and deserve.

Samuel gazed at his companions before he turned his gaze away and stared at the floor in front of him, his head hung low.

It was over. Their war was finally over. They could finally begin the restoration of their homeworlds and be at peace. What they all deserve.

Water droplets splashing onto the floor in front of him startled Samuel from his thoughts.

Tears…? Were they his? Was he crying?

Hah…it should not be a surprise.

It was over. Any connection between him and Killia had officially been severed. He had Lieze back in his life. Back in his heart. Killia did not need him anymore.

With the war over, with everyone back to their old lives, Samuel was truly on his own now.

…It was for the best. They did not need to risk their lives dealing with the Seedlings and Snap Draingons. That was his duty. His responsibility. The only thing he had left to live for.

A shadow fell over Samuel suddenly and a cold chill race down his spine. With wide eyes, he slowly raised his head and looked up. Up into the cold eyes and twisted smirk of the one demon left that terrified him.

"Arch-Overlord…"

Samuel released a startled, pained cry when he found himself suddenly gripped in Arch-Overlord's arms, his right arm twisted painfully behind his back as he was trapped against Arch-Overlord's chest. He planted his left hand firmly against Arch-Overlord's chest and tried to push himself away, but he could not move.

He…did not have the energy or strength to fight back.

He could not do anything.

"Ah, Samuel," Arch-Overlord crooned. "Finally. I've been waiting a long time for your return. All of this was for you, you do realise."

Samuel stilled as he stared at the other demon. "This war…is because of me?"

Arch-Overlord nodded. "That's right; you were my main goal all along, Samuel."

"You're taking me back to Nugatory?"

"That's right. It's where you, where we belong, Samuel."

Nugatory…

Alright. He wanted to go back, anyway.

"Samuel!"

At Killia's voice, Arch-Overlord frowned and threw out his right hand, throwing out some kind of an attack. Samuel pinched an eye closed and twisted in Arch-Overlord's arms enough to look behind him. He soon realised that the attack was actually some kind of a barrier as Killia's own attack was stopped dead it in its tracks, and so was he.

Killia staggered backwards a couple of steps, only to propel himself forward, fist raised to punch desperately at the barrier again. And again.

No…Stop.

He was exhausted. Everyone was. They needed rest. They could not handle another drawn out battle.

"K-Killia, stop," Samuel pleaded. Despite the pain, the discomfort, and the exhaustion, he managed to smile. "It's alright. You've done enough. I've caused you enough trouble. Your war is over. Thank you. For everything. But this is my war now."

Killia's eyes widened as he pressed his hands against the barrier and stared at him in disbelief. "What? No! Don't you dare!"

"Samuel, wait!" Christo slammed his hands against the barrier.

"No, don't go, Samuel!" Zeroken also began to kick at the barrier.

"Samuel, don't leave us!" Usalia pleaded.

"What are you talking about, S-Man?!" Red Magnus demanded.

"What are you doing, fight back!" Seraphina ordered, actually wishing for him to stay? How ironic.

Samuel could only smile as Arch-Overlord tightened his grip on his and activated the portal. "Thank you, everyone…"

He…he wished Killia's devastated expression was not the last thing he saw as Arch-Overlord dragged him through the portal. But at least he knew that Killia and the others were safe.

In the end, that was all that mattered.

… … … … …

Though they had returned to Gorgeous Reborn, and Lieze laid in the hospital bed safe and sound, Killia continued to stare down at his hand in disbelief.

Samuel…

He let him go. He let Arch-Overlord take him away. Without so much as a fight. He should have broken through that barrier. It should have been easy. After everything that Samuel had done for him, all the miracles he had performed, one after the other, a single damn barrier should have been child's play.

How could he be so weak? How could he let him down like that?

It…could not be over. Not after everything they had been through together.

How could Killia go through with his life without Samuel in it?

"I…I let him down," Killia muttered, breaking the tense silence that had befallen him and his comrades ever since Samuel was taken from them. "How could I let him go so easily?"

Gone. Likely back to Nugatory. A place he had absolutely no idea the location of.

"Sir Killia…" Seraphina said, pity in her voice.

A scowl suddenly marred her face as she marched right up to him and poked him harshly in the chest. "Enough of your moping. Do you or do not have someone precious to you that needs rescuing? Then find this Nugatory. It doesn't matter how difficult, how dangerous; if this person is special to you, then you'll do whatever it takes to find them."

F-find them? How?

"B-but, not even Samuel knew where Nugatory is," Killia stuttered.

"So?" Seraphina quickly retorted. "Gorgeous Reborn is equipped with the latest of the state-of-the-art technology. One puny little Netherworld is no match."

"And with my Clairvoyance, its days are numbered," Christo quickly added, determination filling every fibre of his being.

Killia fell silent as he looked at his allies. He looked at their faces and remembered once more that he was not alone. He had not been for a long time. They felt as devastated as he was when Samuel was taken from them. For Samuel was important to them, too. They were important to each other.

"You're right," Killia said, finally cracking a small smile. "I'm counting on you all. Let's find this Nugatory and bring Samuel home."

"Right!"

Killia turned to look out the large windows, out into the vast Netherverse outside. The very one that he and Samuel would gaze out upon during their many talks together. He was out there somewhere. And he would find him, no matter what.

"Samuel. Wait for me."