The Warmest Smile

"Are you scared?"Dio asked to the couple as he activated the automatic flight. 

"A little bit." Smith, the man who was would be sacrificed said nervously. His wife just clenched her hand on her husband with tears on her eyes.

Smith reached down for his wife's hand and put her hand on his chest, calming her down as it signified that he was still alive. If it were possible, he would like to live a life with a happy family and friend, but he knew that with his incurable illness, it was an impossible thing to ask.

If it weren't for Dio who found him and gave him a reason to spend his entire life to fulfil a father's responsibility, he would be wasting away the rest of his life in a hospital bed right now. Dio allowed him to feel that the little time he had right now had value. He didn't resent Dio for sacrificing his life as he could fix his children and wife's future for the better with his sacrifice. 

The only regret he had was that he wouldn't be there to see their future.

"You are a hero! Your child and parents will be proud of you!" Dio said sincerely. Maybe not many people would know Smith's sacrifice, but nevertheless, he would be a hero who saved half of the universe! His family would be proud of his accomplishment.

Smith's anxiety immediately faded as he smiled at his wife. "Thank you." Smith said to Dio solemnly.

"No need to thank me, I am far from what you call a good person! I couldn't even convince myself to sacrifice myself! I also couldn't sacrifice anyone around me, so I chose you among so many candidates. No matter what I say to you now, it will sound like an excuse, so don't thank me, but I hope that you don't hate me for this." Dio said solemnly.

"I understand what you are saying, Mr. Dio! You are a sincere and kind person. Anyway, I had no good days to live, but if you weren't around, I would be spending the rest of my life in the hospital, suffering an endless pain. I might as well sacrifice myself if I can be of use to the world and my own family!" Smith said with a smile on his face. "I have less than a month left to live, in exchange for half of the life in the universe, it would be a pretty huge win." Smith said jokingly. 

He still smiled cheerfully, but his wife still cried nonstop beside him. Dio nodded as he knew that his plan would be a success!

.........

A few hours later, Dio's spaceship finally arrived at Vormir. Since Smith's body was so weak, Dio helped him walk across the desolate planet to the top of the mountain, where his destination would be. The closer Dio walked towards the top of the mountain, the more silent the atmosphere became.

All three of them didn't say any word as they walked towards their destination, obviously they could feel death coming closer. When they reached the middle of the mountain, a ghostly figure floated in front of them.

"Dio Brando, son of Dario Brando!" 

"Wade Smith, Son of Dwight Smith!" 

"Emily Smith, Daughter of Aaron White" 

"I am the guide who leads everyone to the Soul Stone!" the figure said indifferently as he identified everyone. 

Dio already knew who this man is, so he stopped the man from saying another word. "There is no need for pleasantries, Red Skull! Take us to the Soul Stone now." Dio said indifferently.

"You know me?" The Red Skull asked as he raised his head and revealed his horrible face. The Smiths were obviously alerted by the hideous face behind the Red Skull's cloak.

"I know much more than you think, but now I am in a hurry, and I don't have time for a small talk here!" Dio said in a hurry.

"I see, then please, follow me!" The Red Skull said with a smile on his face. Dio nodded as it was the first time he came to this planet too! 

Soon, they arrived at the cliff that Dio was familiar with. 

"Now, the thing you wanted is close by. If you want to take it, you have to sacrifice something you love the most. It is the simplest transaction in the whole universe, a soul for a soul!" Red Skull said indifferently. 

Before coming here, Dio already explained everything to this couple, and thus Smith already knew what he would do. Although the instinctual fear was inevitable, his heart already settled, he was ready to sacrifice himself!

Red Skull himself was surprised by this development as he didn't know that a man who was ready to sacrifice himself was brought here like this.

"Take your time, there is no need to rush! Say your goodbye until you are satisfied." Dio said with a smile on his face. 

Wade Smith gave Dio a grateful look and he knew that he had to be alone with his wife for a while. As Dio walked away from them, Wade immediately embraced his wife with tears on his face. He immediately said everything he ought to say as it was his last chance to do so! 

Red Skull was even more surprised to see such a scene! He felt like his guest had already learned the rules of the Soul Stone in advance. Instead of facing a painful choice like others who came before them, these people came prepared!

After 5 minutes, Wade let go of his wife and smiled. "Come on, Emily. We can't take any more precious time. It would just weaken my resolve seeing you like this! I will die soon, but it would be in exchange of our son's life and half of the other lives in the universe!" Wade said as he walked towards the edge of the cliff. 

He stood there, waiting for his wife to push him off the edge. 

"No, I can't do this!" Emily said with tears streaming down her face. Wade just smiled and carefully wiped the tears from his wife's face. 

"You can do it! Think about our child! They are waiting for you to do this!" Wade said with a smile on his face.