Chapter 2

The Shadow Baron's body slumped to the floor, and the glowing purple energy surrounding Xain's/Ercale's form gradually faded away. *It's done,* Ercale's voice echoed in Xain's mind before he relinquished control, returning full command to Xain.

Xain's gaze remained fixed on the fallen form. The room was now devoid of the eerie energy that had enveloped them moments ago. The sense of finality hung in the air, but Xain was uncertain about how to process it. The Shadow Baron's lifeless body lay before him, leaving him with a complex mixture of thoughts and emotions.

Azure, meanwhile, had his own thoughts racing. *What the fuck is going to happen to me now?* He glanced at Valien, his unease deepening as he caught sight of the sadistic grin that adorned Valien's face. Valien seemed almost ecstatic about the outcome, relishing in the aftermath of the Baron's demise.

Xain continued to gaze at the lifeless form before him, his usual energy replaced with a heavy sense of introspection. In his mind, he asked Ercale with a hint of desperation, *Was there no way we could have helped him?* Ercale's response was nonchalant, *No, given what he had endured, death was likely the most merciful option for him.* As always, Ercale's indifferent nature shone through in his words.

From behind Xain, Valien's voice cut through the tense atmosphere. "Hey, now that he's dead, we don't have any problems, right?" Valien's grin remained on his face, seemingly delighted by the turn of events. When Xain turned to face Valien, he noticed that Xain's eyes had reverted to their original blue hue. "And don't worry, I won't spill the beans about your magic," Valien added with a casual tone, showing his lack of concern for the matter.

Azure's voice trembled as he chimed in, his words slightly rushed, "Yeah, what he said. I also don't care, so can you please let me go?" His desperation to escape was evident in his tone. In Xain's mind, Ercale's voice resounded with urgency, *Whatever you do, do not let that green-haired freak go!* Xain heeded Ercale's warning and addressed Azure, "Azure, right? You can't leave just yet." Azure's expression shifted from hope to a mixture of fear and disappointment.

Xain turned his gaze towards Valien, his eyes questioning, as he mentally asked Ercale, *What about him?* Valien, however, appeared perplexed by Xain's gesture, not understanding why he was being pointed at. Ercale's response echoed in Xain's mind, *Let him go, he isn't important.* Acting on Ercale's directive, Xain addressed Valien, "Um, you can go." Valien's grin widened as he responded, "You're a strange one, thinking I needed your permission to leave." With a casual demeanor, he simply exited the room.

Xain's attention returned to the lifeless form before him, his gaze lingering on the boy's body. He couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness at the sight. Ercale's voice interrupted his thoughts, carrying a hint of annoyance as he said, *I get that this might be the first time you've seen a dead body, but you can't mope over it forever.* Xain's response came promptly, *It isn't, but it's just the thought that someone died by my hands.* Ercale's retort followed, *Technically 'our' hands, but I understand your sentiment, I guess.*

Behind him, a voice sliced through the heavy atmosphere, catching Xain's attention. He turned to find Ripper approaching, his gaze fixed on The Shadow Baron's lifeless form. "You actually killed him, huh?" Ripper's words carried a mix of surprise and resignation.

Moving closer to the body, Ripper muttered, "You finally lost, huh, Genji?" The connection between the two was a mystery to Xain, but he respected Ripper's space around the fallen figure. Ercale's reminder echoed in his mind, *Come on, let's leave. Red hair is waiting for us.* Xain understood Ercale's reference to Clare, and he motioned for Azure to follow him. Azure, visibly shaken and anxious, obeyed without question. As they exited the room, Ripper remained behind, still in the presence of The Shadow Baron's body.

Seated beside Genji's lifeless form, Ripper's voice held a mix of reminiscence and regret. "You said you didn't need help, mate," he muttered softly, his words directed at the still figure before him. Retrieving a cigarette and a lighter from his pocket, he hesitated just before igniting the flame.

A memory resurfaced, prompting him to set the cigarette and lighter aside. "You didn't like me smoking, did ya, mate?" he mused aloud, his gaze fixed on the objects in his hand. With a deep, heavy sigh, Ripper's eyes remained locked on Genji's body as he continued, "You remember me saying most of us losing our reason to live, mate?"

The faint sound of droplets hitting the floor joined Ripper's voice, his emotions evident in the unsteady tones. "But that didn't mean you had to go lose yours as well," he murmured, his voice wavering slightly. The weight of his words carried a sense of loss and longing. "I didn't know when, but you gave me back mine, you know that, mate?" His words held a mix of gratitude and sadness as his vision began to blur.

"I mean, look at this," Ripper continued, his voice a mixture of vulnerability and disbelief. "You made me start crying over a death." His hand reached out, fingers gently ruffling through Genji's hair, the gesture akin to that of a father comforting his son. "If there's something like an afterlife or a next life, let's meet again, yeah, mate?" His voice trailed off, filled with a sense of hope and finality, as he sat there beside his fallen comrade.

He reached into his pocket and retrieved a weathered photograph, its edges worn from time. The image depicted him, a woman, and a young girl – a family frozen in a moment captured on paper. "Yeah, maybe we'll all meet again one day," Ripper whispered, his voice laden with emotion. The weight of his grief and longing had become too much to contain, and he let his composure slip, allowing his feelings to wash over him for the first time in a long time.