Superior

Arms erupted out of every part of his body and those were covered in eyes to absorb and counter all attacks from all the enemies. He grabs Evangelist’s hand before she can snap the scissors and destroy her tool. Juice fires, and Ejo bites down the flare and spits it back, destroying the weapon and heavily injuring the shooter. Franchise lifts his arm, slicing Ejo in half, from the stomach up. Separated in half, Ejo’s multiple arms punch Killerkill away from her grab. Imperium and Franchise attack again but the rotation goes through the divided Ejo towards Franchise.

In that split second, the unlucky Searcher manages to slice the rotation before it could hit him. The deformed Ejo however, reattached himself and reformed backwards. Staring down at Franchise, he headbutts the Searcher down. Ragnarok could not swing her mace as Ejo had kicked it down and smashed the weapon with his foot and then kicked the woman away with his other leg.

All of it happened simultaneously, as Ejo bested all six members of The Ballada. In his head, Ejo was confronted by his daughter. The brown-haired little girl was ahead of him in a warm and gentle place. But he was surrounded in darkness. It felt like he could reach her, but that small gap, less than a meter, was too difficult to cross.

— It’s all for your sake, Emma.

— You told me you wouldn’t lie to me either!!

— I mean it! I can make this world a better place. For everyone and for you!

— How is this for me if I never told you to do it?!

He still did not know he shared his body with her. The image was too vivid and too potent for him to ignore. In reality, any semblance of Emma was enough to make him repent. But she was there, feeling her father slip away from her once again. But Joseph did not want to admit his failure, as soldier, as man, and as father.

— I CAN’T FAIL YOU AGAIN PUMPKIN!!!

— FAIL WHAT?! I JUST WANT MY DAD TO LOVE ME!!!

— BUT I DO LOVE YOU! THAT’S WHY I MUST —

— IF YOU REALLY LIKE ME THEN STOP TALKING ABOUT IT!!! AND JUST COME SPEND TIME WITH ME!!!

Seeing his little one tear up, surrounded by a divine light, made Ejo kneel.

— I WANNA BE WITH YOU DAD!!!

Ejo feels his heartbeat. Understanding his final mistake, his lips begin to quiver.

— That is all I ever wanted too…

His trembling hands reach out for her.

— Can I really be given another chance?

Emma jumps into his arms. And he felt warm, lighter. Even in another life, Ejo could not abandon his heart and everything that made him human. Killerkill lifts her face off the dirt. She witnesses Ejo on his knees, hugging the air. But through her eyes, she saw what he saw. And sobbed alongside him.

— Forgive your old man, Emma… He’s not good enough for you…

— Hmm-Hmm! You’re the best dad!

That was the purpose of his existence. To be there, at that moment, with that person.

— Now… I will never let go of you.

Nothing else came close.

— I love you, Emma. — Joseph nodded.

— Love you too Dad… — Emma hugged him tightly.

Brenda Summers did not say a thing, she only sobbed as quietly as she could. There was even a desire to call out for Ejo. Maybe they could work something out together. If they talked again, maybe he didn’t have to leave.

— Come on, dad! We have to go!!

— Go where?

— We’re going to see mommy!

The father gets up and walks away, holding his daughter’s hand. His deformities diminish into normality. The energy in him begins to fade and blue cracks begin to shatter him. His purpose was fulfilled.

— See your mother? Ah…

Ejo smiled and walked towards the light.

— That sounds like heaven…

Ejo collapses into bits and crumbles. He becomes dust… and disappears.

Only Brenda was there to witness it and cry for him. After the man had declared his immortality, Killerkill had noticed a substantial decrease in the VSS energy that composed his body. But by the time Ejo transformed himself into a monstrosity, Killerkill began to fear for the worse. About 20% of all his energy had been expended.

Truly, the Searchers had no chance. Fortunately, Emma was there to save her father.

— I’m sorry…

Evangelist is the first and only one to get up. Looking around the grey desolated battlefield, she could no longer see the enemy. Her allies were all down and out. Only her captain was awake, crying on her knees. The blonde sluggishly heads her way. She couldn’t tell what happened. But it seemed that the battle was over. The air seemed lighter. There was a feeling of disappointment, strangely enough.

— ‘Scuse me. — Evangelist sits down next to her.

— Why…

— Is Ejo dead?

— Why did that have to happen…

— Are you crying because I called you Kiki earlier? Sorry, force of habit.

Her captain continued to sob like a lost little girl. Not paying attention to Evangelist.

— I know you’re not crying for our buds. You had the idea to have me cut immortality threads on all of us… and we’ve been here for like what… thirty minutes? Yeah, they’re alive, the threads are still cut.

Still no answer, only remorse and regret. Evangelist sighs.

— I had something I wanted to say too. But after your speech I felt like I would ruin the mood, so I kinda kept it to myself. Which is something you should never do, by the way.

Evangelist looks up at the dark day’s sky.

— Say what you will about my scissors… but I’m pretty sure I’m a regular human being. I don’t feel like these alien chemicals in me make a big difference. If I pig out on some pizza, I don’t think “Uh! I could just snap my scissors on a Thread and not gain weight from this”. That’s because I’m lazy as hell! And by the time I find a thread I wouldn’t even be hungry anymore, you know? Still, I have this super rare job that pays millions. I got amazing friends who are super talented and super smart, like Franchise. And you! Sure, I risk my life every now and then, but I don’t think that makes me special. Anyone could do it. Like, look at Juice! You know what I mean?

A weeping Killerkill turns to Evangelist, as the girl laughed at her own joke.

— What are you trying to say? — She says with wavering voice.

— Nothing really. I just wanted to say that…

Going back to crying, Brenda hugs her friend.

— Irina…

— There, there… — Evangelist comforts her. — By the way, I know you’re my captain and all but I’m still your bestie. Don’t get mad at me if I call you Kiki. Also, we need to take everyone to the Lapse, I actually don’t know how much time has passed, these Threads might reform any moment…

The Ballada is rescued back into the Lapse and praised for their victory over Ejo. His Anti-Human signatures were monitored and seen fade off. They were given preferred treatment and an extended period of vacation as reward for their tremendous effort. They resolved a crisis before it was blown into global proportions.

Green of Selfishness was outsmarted by Franchise and Evangelist.

Kruger of Madness was outlasted by Ragnarok and Juice.

Vitrolica of Illness was overpowered by Imperium and Killerkill.

And Ejo of Sadness was reunited with his daughter. To suffer no longer.

The world didn’t have to know anything.