Longer Story (Part 2)

Intro

Conan: "BLASTED!! THAT *HEATHED MAMONO FOUND ME AGAIN! WHY WON'T SHE JUST PARISH ALREADY! IT'S BAD ENOUGH SHE HAD ME BANISHED TO THIS CAVE AND HAD TO FIGHT DEMONS UNTIL THE SINS DIE OFF, BUT NOW I HAVE TO ENDURE HER FOUL PRESENCE ONCE MORE! ARGGGGGGHHHH!!! HMMMMMM, CONGRATULATIONS, LADY LUCK! YOU'VE FOUND YET ANOTHER WAY TO SEVERLY AGGRIVATE ME! WHEN YOU'RE DONE TORTURING ME, YOU MIND MAKING THIS DREADFULLY LONG CONVERSATION END SOON! WHETHER OR NOT AARON DECIDES TO KEEP THAT TAINTED SOUL IS NO CONCERN OF MINE, ALTHOUGH I PITY FOR ERIS. SHE WILL HAVE HER HANDS FULL DEELING WITH THOSE TWO. I DON'T PLAN ON STAYING, AND I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO BE RID OF THESE PESTS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. NOW THAT THE SINS ARE GONE, I'D LIKE TO GO HOME NOW."

Aaron: "He's, dead?!"

Neku: "It's all Neku's fault. Neku is the one who killed master."

Eris: "And there you have it. The killer admits its her guilt. Guess you couldn't trust her after all huh, Aaron?"

Aaron: "Eris, stop antagonizing. You've already made it clear you never trusted Neku to begin with."

Eris: "Yeah. And now that you know my hunch was right, you should discard her."

Aaron: "Eris, you were always great at finding the worst about people, but you were never able to actually read a person's true heart. Just like you haven't been able to read Neku's heart, you still haven't been able to read mine, even though we've been friends for ever."

Eris: "What does that mean?"

Conan: Looks like you've decided her fate, Lady Luck.

Aaron: "I've made my decision. Neku's staying."

Eris: "You can't be serious."

Aaron: "I am."

Eris: "Aaron, what is wrong with you? Why do you insist on protecting? She just admitted to killing her previous master, and you don't see how that's a major red flag?! If we keep her, there's no doubt she's put all of our lives in danger!"

Aaron: "Eris, you need to calm down and..."

Eris: "No! I'm not going to let you jeopardize our mission just because of your feelings for Neku. The fact is she's dangerous. She killed her master and left you for dead. You already put your faith in her once and were betrayed, I'm not letting you make that same mistake again. If you won't abandon Neku, I'll make you."

Aaron: "Are you going to fight me?"

Eris: "If I must."

Eris stands up, preparing to attack Aaron. Aaron, still in his weakened state, saw no point in fighting Eris nor wanted to, and looked towards Conan for assistance. Conan nodded in understanding and broke the fusion with Eris.

Eris: "Conan, what are you doing?"

Conan: "Give it a rest Eris. It's clear Aaron has no intentions in abandoning that creature or fighting you. Continuing this argument will only strain you two's relationship, which will only be problematic when it comes time for you to fight Baren."

Eris: "Eh, how did...?"

Conan: "God abandoning the world for thousands of years, a new demon lord appearing and planning siege on all creation, and two angels who fell from the sky who just so happen to be fighting demons. I think I know how to play connect the dots, don't you?"

Eris: "Tch, but still!"

Conan: "Enough. I'm tired enough as is. I don't feel like dealing with you guys right now. If it were just up to us, then abandoning that cat girl would be the best idea in history. But in all these years, she's never once came back for her master, until now. I don't know what Aaron did to change her, but whatever it was it was seems to have been for the better. True, she did run away and I wouldn't trust her farther than I could throw her, but she did come back, and to an army of demons no less. They both easily could've died and she new that. There may be hope for her, but I'm not gonna hold my breath."

Eris: "Sooo what? You think we should trust her?"

Conan: "I think you should, at the very least, give her a chance, against my better judgement."

Eris: "Really, you to?!"

Conan: "Well, you have to give her some credit. She did save your your partner. He wouldn't died if he fought those demons alone. Matter of fact, he almost did. Didn't you, Aaron?"

Aaron: "Not sure how you knew that, but yes. If Neku didn't hadn't came back when she did I would most certainly be dead."

Conan: "Then that means, on behalf of Aaron you owe her a second chance, Eris."

Eris: "Oh come on! Where'd that, "I hate that cursed spirit girl" vibe go? I thought you wanted her gone to."

Conan: "Oh, nothing would pleas me more than to see her wither away, but I have to hold up to my ideals. She risked her life for someone else for once, and that deserves some sort of consideration. Tell you what, we'll give Neku this chance to prove to us that she won't be a liability and that we can trust her. If she continues to keep her master safe at the cost of her life she can stay, but if she betrays his even once Aaron will kill her. Fair enough?"

Conan's proposal caught Eris and Aaron by surprise. Eris never thought that Conan would suggest that one of them kill Neku, especially not Aaron. Aaron was completely against the idea. But, before either one of them could voice their opinion they were interrupted.

Neku: "Accepted!"

Aaron: "NEKU!"

Neku: "You wish me to fail, that I can't hold me promise!"

Neku approaches Conan with a stoic look on her face.

Neku: "Neku will prove you wrong, prove that Neku is changed, and can protect Master. And that, N-Neku can be your friend again!"

The fell silent for a moment as Neku began to blush from embarrassment.

Conan: "Pfff, HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Are you serious, is that what you're after, my forgiveness? Haha, that's so funny, but to bad."

Conan leans over and whispers into Neku's ear.

Conan: "I don't care for you in the slightest, not one bit. You've made my life a complete oblivion, and for that I'd be completely overjoyed if you were suddenly devoured by a demon. I hope the pain is excruciating."

Neku's heart sank and her breath became heavy. She tried to respond but her mind drew a blank. Conan walked over to the flower. He kneeled down in front of it, staring at it like he was lost in thought.

Conan: "You came hear for this flower, correct? I'll give it to you, but on one condition."

Aaron: "Ok, what's the condition?"

Conan: "I want you to eat it."

Eris: "Hold on, why do you want Aaron to eat it?"

Conan: "Well, first of all I can't leave this place until all the Sins are gone. As for the reason why I want Aaron to eat the Sin, it's because he's weak. Not just physically, but mentally to. He doesn't have the will to kill someone if needed or choose whether they live or die, especially if he has a relationship with them. He's just too caring. This flower will help curb that trait a little. Of course I hope he never has to make this decision, but in this sorry world that situation will inevitably arise and we can't afford him to be too hesitant."

Conan picks up the flower and hands it to Aaron.

Conan: "This flower will give you numerous powers and abilities from all the death that it's consumed, but there's a price. This flower will corrupt the weak hearted and curse those who give into its evil temptation, transforming them into something far worse than you can imagine. Even if don't change immediately or feel the affects soon after consuming this Sin there's always a chance you can be turned later on down the road. The fact that you're still able to be this kind and defend that Mamono means that you have some resistance to the Sin's affects. I don't know if the Sin's influence will ever dissipate or if it can be transferred, but that's a chance you'll have to take if you so choose. So, what do you choose, Aaron?"

Aaron: "Before I make this decision, I have two questions and one request."

Conan: "I'll answer them to the best of my ability."

Aaron: "First question, why didn't you make this offer to Eris first? From what I've just witnessed, you seem to have more faith in her abilities than mine."

Conan: "True, I do have more faith in her judgement, but she already carries a darkness in here heart. She doubts others and puts little faith into those she doesn't believe in, like when she was ready to abandon that Mamono without hesitation. She's quick to distrust and hold preconceptions. Also, her great dislike towards Neku continues to fester. Not saying these are bad qualities to have since they help keep you from making foolish choices, but they do make for good catalysts to incubate the Sin's curse. She might grow to distrust everyone, maybe even go mad. If Eris were to eat the Sin, she would have a much greater chance of succumbing to its temptation."

Aaron: "Second question, why don't you eat it? Since you've been living in a place where Sins were abundant it would make sense that you would have a much higher resistance to the curse than me."

Conan: "How observant. True, the temptations of Sin have virtually no effect on me. But, as a rule of my outcast I'm forbidden from eating Sin. Well, I can't actually use that reason since I've already broken it once."

Aaron: "Broke it?"

Conan: "Yes, I ate one of the Sin's before. But, I didn't really have much of a choice. I was attacked by the demons and fatally wounded. If I was going to survive, it would have taken me too long to recover by the next attack wave. I couldn't risk being so weak that I couldn't fend off the demons from stealing the Sins. But, since my life isn't being threatened I have no reason to brake the rule once more. Also, even though I have a tolerance for curses I'm not immune. A great portion of hostility towards Neku and my initial action against Eris is a result of the Sin's influence on me. I've only been able to resist as much as I have because of my natural aura and self-awareness. If I eat another Sin, not only would I be braking the rules again, I would most likely be corrupted."

Aaron: "Alright. I have another question. If I choose to take eat this flower then what will you do afterwards?"

Conan: "Well, that depends on what happens. I might just decide to stay or search for the demon that destroyed my village."

Aaron: "I see. Now, as for my request."

Conan: "Yes?"

Aaron: "I would like you to stop calling Neku, Mamono. I don't know what it means, but I do know it's insulting and she doesn't like it."

Conan: "...hm. Maybe, let's see what happens first."

Aaron took the bleeding rose from Conan and tried to eat it. It's peddles were tough like leather and tasted rotten. The stalk was thorny and very stringy, and not only that, it was hard. When Aaron finally broke the skin bitter juices exploded into his mouth, making him gag and almost throw up. He choked the flower down while constantly fighting against his body's urge to desperately purge itself of the disgusting substance. "This must be what death taste like", he thought.

Aaron: "BRRGGU! Oh, god, that was, BRRRM! Guh-hu, disgusting."

Conan: "Braise yourself, cause it's about to get worse."

Aaron: "What? !!!. GAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!"

Eris: "Aaron!"

Neku: "MASTER!"

Eris and Neku rushed towards Aaron.

Conan: "NO, STAY BACK! DO NOT TOUCH, OR YOU'LL DIE!"

Neku and Eris froze in place confused and anxious of what was happening.

Conan: "Aaron will now begin going through either a phase or a metamorphosis. So, we need to be careful."

Eris: "What does that mean?!"

Conan: "It means you better pray he goes through the phase. If he does he'll successfully absorb the Sin's power, but if he goes through the metamorphosis then things will get ugly real quick."

Neku: "Meaning what?!"

Conan: "He'll become a demon."

Aaron groveled and rolled on the ground. His screams piercing all those who heard it. His grumbles and quick jerks frightened Neku. She worried that Aaron might not survive the process. His eyes turned red and foam oozed from his mouth. His body began to contort excessively, skin began to peel off and expose the muscle underneath, his screams alternated back and forth from low gargles, and a dark powdery fog began to encompass his body.

Eris: "What's happening to him? Why does he look like that?"

Conan: "Huh, looks like I was right. You are weak."

Eris: "What?!"

Conan dashes towards Aaron. He shrouds his hand in shadows till it's the size of a boulder. He swing down upon Aaron, but is stopped short before he is able to crush Aaron."

Neku: "You won't, hurt, Master."

Neku blocks Conan's attack before it crushes Aaron.

Conan: "Get out of the way, Mamono! We have to kill him now before he completes the metamorphosis. If we don't he'll turn into a demon and then we're all dead."

Neku: "Sorry, but what you say about abandoning Master?" (Smirk).

Conan: "Tch, don't be petty, or do you want to die?"

Neku: "You-you and the Witch are same. You too quick to make decisions, that why you all alone. You never take time to see, wait, discover a person's true nature."

Conan: "This isn't the time. We'll die if we don't act now. Now get out of my way!"

Conan presses down on Neku harder. She collapses down to a knee, but still manages to repress Conan.

Neku: "No, trust. No, faith. That's, you and, Witch's problem. Grrr! You run, from belief, and don't, concern for others. That's why, you have doubt. Because, you scared. Scared of losing, scared of loss. You lost your home back then, and Neku sorry. But, you not only one."

Neku starts to repel Conan, like she's acquired a newfound strength.

Neku: "Neku lost, eh-I lost, something precious. My, home, my, family, my friends, but more importantly, you. You, what I hold, most precious. But, there's, a difference, between us. You have given up, have someone else, to blame for your loss. For why you, fear loss, and fear trust. I, have no one, to blame, but, my, SELF!"

Neku explodes with a sudden burst of energy, knocking Conan to the ground. She becomes enveloped in a powerful aura as she transforms into a more polished self.

Neku: "It's my fault that this happened to you, Conan. Why, you're alone. You trusted me. That's why, you never, told, the others, that I, was meeting with a demon. You trusted me, and I broke that trust, and ruined everyone's lives, especially yours. And now, you can't bring yourself to trust others, because you fear you'll get hurt again. And for that, I am sorry. But, I will not abandon, the person that put so much faith in me and is risking his life for my sake. If Master is so willing to risk his life for mine, then, I'll do the same!"

Conan: "NOOOO!!!"

Neku grabs onto Aaron. The dark mist engulfs her body and she lets out a piercing scream. Her skin begins to peel away and her eyes begin to bleed. Her body starts to contort, but much more aggressively than Aaron's.

Conan: "You idiot! Let go of him now or you'll die! Your body can't handle the Sin's curse!"

Neku hurls up a pile of blood. Her body begins to violently shake and twist, as if it's trying to tear itself apart or off of Aaron.

Neku: "NOOOGGRRR! I maze, ah pomiszz! Hi zill, ot eave vim! Gasp! Vasper, ake uppp! I vron't zeave this ime! Zi no u in deer! Zo peas, comb back, maszzker! MMM-MASTER!!!"

Conan: "Curses! I have no choice, I'll-I'll have to kill them both."

Eris: "AARON!!! GET UP!"

Conan: "What?!"

Eris: "DON'T LOSE TO THAT STUPID FLOWER! WE STILL HAVE A MISSION TO DO, OR DID YOU FORGET?! FATHER IS COUNTING ON US TO BEAT THE DEMON LORD! I CAN'T DO IT ON MY OWN! IF YOU DIE TODAY THEN WE LOSE! FATHER, ANGIS, EVERYONE WE CARE ABOUT IN NIRVANA WILL DIE! I DO YOU WANT THAT TO BE ON YOUR CONSCIENCE WHEN YOU HAVE TO FACE THEM AGAIN?! I KNOW YOU'RE STRONGER THAN THIS, SO COME ON! YOU CAN'T DIE! YOU REMEMBER WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT ME, RIGHT?! THE ELDERS AND THE REST OF THE ANGLES? HOW THE COUNSEL THINKS I'M A MISFIT AND NEVER SHOULD'VE GOTTEN PASS THE GATES! THEY SAID I WOULD NEVER MAKE ANYTHING OF MYSELF AND I WOULD CAUSE NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. BUT, YOU OVERHEARD THEIR CONVERSATIONS AND DID WHAT NO ONE WOULD DARE TO! YOU SPOKE UP AGAINST THE COUNSEL AND RIDICULED THEM FOR THEIR WORDS! EVEN THOUGH IT WOULD PUT YOU ON A BAD STANDING WITH EVERYONE YOU DID IT ANYWAY! THAT MADE ME HAPPY, HAPPY TO KNOW SOMEONE DIDN'T HATE ME! THAT SOMEONE WANTED TO BE MY FRIEND! REMEMBER THE PROMISE WE MADE WHEN WE WERE KIDS! WE SAID THAT ONE DAY WE WOULD VISIT EARTH AND TRAVEL THE WORLD! WE WOULD EXPERIENCE EVERYTHING. FOOD, DRINKS, PARKS, ANIMALS, EVERYTHING! AND THAT WE WOULD SHOW THEM, ALL THE ANGELS THAT FATHER WAS RIGHT LETTING ME THROUGH THE GATES DESPITE MY PAST! WE CAN'T SHOW THEM ANYTHING IF YOU DIE NOW, AND WE WON'T BE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE ANYTHING THIS WORLD HAS! NONE OF IT WILL MATTER WITHOUT YOU! ARE YOU GOING TO BREAK THAT PROMISE AND LEAVE ME BY MYSELF OR ARE YOU GOING TO STAND UP AND FIGHT?!"

***

Aaron: It's so cold. My body feels like it's on fire. Where am I? What, am I doing here?

Whisper: "Aaron! Aaron!"

Aaron: Who's, that? They sound familiar, do I know them? Why are they calling me?

Whisper: "Aaron! Aaron! Wake up!"

Aaron's eyes bolt open. He looks around in astonishment and panic. He seemed to be stuck in so sort of alternate space, but he was unsure. The place was bleak with a grayish hue.

Aaron: "What, is this place?"

Voice: "Hey there, mister."

Aaron turns around and sees a little girl holding a toy rabbit standing before him.

Aaron: "Uh, hehe, hey there little girl. What are you doing in a place like this?"

Girl: "Playing, I live here. What are you doing here, mister?"

Aaron: "Well, I'm not sure. One minute I was in a cave and next minute I was here. You wouldn't happen to know how to get out of here, would you?"

Girl: "Yeah, I know the way out."

Aaron: "Would you take me there?"

Girl: "Mmmmmmmm, no."

Aaron: "Please, I really need to get back to my friends?"

Girl: "I can't. It's not a place I can show you. You have to find it. And why do you want to leave? You don't like it here?"

Aaron: "Well, I need to get back to my friends. We have something important to do."

Girl: "They don't think so."

The little girl points behind Aaron. Aaron turns around and sees Eris, Neko, and Conan sitting down together. They notice Aaron and wave him over.

Aaron: "Huh? How did you guys get here? And why are you..."

Girl: "That's what I thought."

!!HAAAA-ChUMP!!

Aaron feels an ominous presence and gets startled. He turns back around towards the little girl.

Girl: "What?"

Aaron: "Oh, it's nothing. Now, back to you three. Why are you... why are you...? Huh?"

Eris: "What's the matter, Aaron?"

Aaron: "I can't remember what I was about to say."

Neku: "Then it must not be important. Come, sit with Neku."

Aaron: "But..."

Conan: "Would you sit down already, the food's getting cold?"

Aaron: "Why are you..."

HAAAA-CHUMP!!

Aaron gets startled again and turns to the little girl.

Girl: "What?"

Aaron: "Did, you say something?"

Girl: "No. I'm just playing."

Aaron: "Hmm. Anyway, Conan, what are you... what..., I forgot again. What's going on, why can't I remember what I was about to say?"

Neku: "Master, you tired? Come sit, eat, then you feel better."

Aaron: "We don't have time. Eris, did you forget? We're on a..."

HAAAA-CHUMP!!

Aaron: "On a... on a... I forgot."

Eris: "Aaron, are you sure you're ok?"

Conan: "You forgot what you were trying to tell us three times within 10 seconds. You must be very tired."

Neku: "Come, Master. Rest, and feel better. Then tell us what you have to say."

Aaron: "I am feeling a little worn out, like I've been fighting a constant battle. Maybe I should take some time to rest and clear my head."

Neku guides Aaron to the floor and lays his head on her lap.

Neku: "Yes, Master. Sleep a sound slumber. When you awake, all will be bliss. Just go to sleep. Dream of what you like, dream of what you want. Then tell me, all of it."

Aaron's eyes began to shut, as he falls into a deep sleep.

Voice: "AARON, WAKE UP!!!"

Aaron: "What?!"

Aaron's eyes shot open. He looked around, puzzled at what just happened.

Aaron: "Wasn't I, just here a second ago? What is going on?"

Girl: "Hey there, Mister."

Aaron: "Ah! Oh, it's you again."

Girl: "Hmm, what do you mean? Have we met?"

Aaron: "I'm sure that we..."

Girl: "Never met."

HAAAA-CHUMP!!

Aaron: "Wait, have we met? You actually don't look..."

Voice: "AARON, WAKE NOW, BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE! "

WOOSH!

Aaron: "Ah?! What was that just now? Was somebody, talking to me."

Girl: "Hey there, Mister."

Aaron: "AHH! You again?!"

Girl: "...we've never met."

Aaron: "What do you want? Where am I, answer me?"

Girl: "Eh, don't shout you're scaring Buna."

Voice: "AARON!!!"

Aaron: "Gaaah, my head, why does it hurt so bad?"

Girl: "Mister, are you ok? I know a place we can get help."

The little girl starts to approach Aaron.

Aaron: "No, stay back! Don't come near me, whatever you are!"

Girl: "That's mean. Why are you being so mean to me? And after I've been so nice."

Aaron face turns puzzled, as if he's having a realization.

Aaron: "Wait, I'm not suppose to be here, am I? This-this is a dream."

Girl: "GGGGGRRRRAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!"

The little girl transforms into a large grotesque creature and lunges towards Aaron. Aaron dashes away, but is too slow and gets caught. It holds Aaron in the air and studies him. Aaron tries to break free, but the creatures grip is too strong.

Aaron: "UH! So, what now? Is this the part I beg for my life?"

Creature: "Hmm, your spirit is strong. You're not human, you're an angle."

Aaron: "Yeah, so what? You gonna devour me, take control of my body and run a muck?"

Creature: "What do you want?"

Aaron: "What?"

Creature: "You ate me, so what do you want me to give you? Power, strength, money, life, whatever you want I'll give you."

Aaron: "What if I want you to let me go?"

Creature: "Then I will." (The creature begins to put Aaron down). "And eat your flesh as payment."

The creature tosses Aaron into the air and lunges to swallow him whole. Before it reaches Aaron a bolt of light beams down and strikes the beast, sending it crashing to the ground.

Aaron: "What was that?"

Voice: "Master, would you please wake up already? This, really hurts."

Aaron: "N-Neku?! Look out!"

The deformed creature extends its neck and bites Neku's leg. Aaron rushes over and kicks the creature away. Neku collapses into a small seizure.

Aaron: "Neku, are you ok?!"

Creature: "Now, my brethren have been avenged."

Aaron: "What?!"

Creature: "You arid creatures, you will know despair. You feed on my brethren without remorse and give nothing in return."

Aaron: "What are you talking about?"

Creature: "Your pet is responsible for my species dwindling to less than a hundred. I'll make her regret feeding on my people by devouring her soul."

Aaron: "Wait, hold on. Neku's never eaten your kind before. She's done nothing wrong."

Creature: "Her kind has fed on my people. Once you leave she will pay, with her life."

Aaron: "Leave? You didn't eat me, so you still have to grant my wish."

Creature: "Hmmm. Then what do you wish for?"

Aaron: "I want her to live."

Creature: "Grrrr, vary well. But, for her life it will cost you yours. Is this trade acceptable?"

Aaron: "Fine with me."

Creature: "Then this is our pact. May your soul erode and decay as you learn the truth in seeking power."

The internal mind space the Sin dragged Aaron into began cracking then shattered. Aaron and Neku fall through the subconscious black space.

***

Voice: "Aaron! Aaron!"

Aaron: (GASP! COUGH! COUGH!)

Aaron wakes up in a fluster. His skin was severely corroded and his muscles were swollen.

Eris: "Aaron, are you ok? Are you hurt, how's your head, does it hurt to breath?"

Aaron: "Back up Eris, you're way to close. What happened to me?"

Eris: "Mmm. You, ate the flower and almost died."

Aaron: "What?!"

Eris: "As soon as you ate the Sin, you collapsed into a frenzy. You were screaming so loud that it made my ears bleed. Your skin started burning and peeling, you got covered in a black smoke. It got so bad that Conan tried to, well."

Aaron: "Oh, ok. So, did you stop him?"

Eris: "No. Neku did, and then helped you. But, she's in really bad shape."

Eris points towards Neku. She was laying on the ground covered in bandages. Conan was tending to her wounds as best he could. Her skin was constantly bleeding and she was going in and out of minor seizures.

Aaron: "Oh god. What happened to her?"

Conan: "She became an idiot, that's what!"

Aaron: "Huh?"

Conan: "This idiot touched you during your process. Because of that, some of your evil aura passed into her and ripped her flesh apart. I was ready to kill you both, but after seeing Neku's resolve to save you and hearing how much Eris's believed in you drowned some of my doubts. You should also know that if it wasn't for Neku you would've most likely became a demon. By splitting the aura between the two of you you were able to control the Sin's energy more easily. Can't say I approve of her methods though."

Aaron: "Aw, is that concern for a friend I hear?"

Conan: "Quiet! She's not my friend. She doesn't even count as a acquaintance."

Aaron: "Well, how's her condition? Will she be ok?"

Conan: "Tch, she'll be able to walk by the end of today as long as I keep feeding her mana."

Aaron: "Thank god. I'm glad. You're a life saver, Conan."

Conan: "Psh, god. I only helped because we'll need her for future battles."

Eris: "Wait, we?

Aaron: "You mean…?"

Conan: "Yeah, unfortunately for me I've decided to join you. If you ever hope to defeat Baren then you'll need all the help you can get. Besides, I also want him gone."

Neku: "G-glad, to have you, on the team, Conan."

Neku grabs Conan's arm and pulls herself upright.

Conan: "Hey, careful! You haven't recovered yet. If you move too much, your body will break. And leave the bandages on your eyes, or else you'll go blind."

Neku: "Oh Conan, you w-worry about me t-too much. I'll be fine."

Conan: "What are you talking about? I couldn't care less about you. You can go die in a hole for all I care."

Neku: "Oh s-stop it. You s-say that, but you put a l-lot of m-mana into healing me. P-plus, you h-aven't killed m-me yet. Thanks for b-believing in me, it means a lot."

Conan: "Hmm, I don't believe in you. Only in your power."

Neku: "So, n-now that we have the S-Sin, what's next? Should we go to the nearby village?"

Conan: "Why would we? There aren't any strong people in that area."

Eris: "Wait, what village?"

Conan: "There's a small human village just East of here. Last time I checked, there were about five-hundred people living there, but that was about twenty years ago so the number might be about half."

Aaron: "Perfect, that's plenty."

Conan: "Hmm?"

Aaron: "You see, we need humans in order to summon our brethren from Nirvana."

Eris: "And we need them to save father. If it has even one human it's worth it for father."

Conan: "Hmm, alright. Then once I get Neku healed up we'll head to Shenma Village."

Aaron: "Alright."

Eris: "Right."

Neku: "Ok."

*Heathed (Hee-thid): Regards towards someone who you shouldn't place your faith in.