An Old Promise Of Friendship(End)

The scene shifted again and it was morning time. Both the children were awake and ready to start their day.

It was at this moment that Lex's dad decided to break the news to them.

"Mahiru, it's time for you to go back. You can say your goodbyes to Lex."

"Wait, she is leaving?!" C-Lex exclaimed.

C-Mahiru stared at the floor and refused to meet C-Lex's gaze. She already knew that her residence at the house was short-lived.

"I need to return to my house. Don't worry, Lex, I will come meet you in the future." She reassured while patting Lex's child self on the shoulders.

"But…" he tried to protest but words didn't leave his mouth.

Over the week, the two children grew close. Now they were about to be separated from their newly found friend.

"I said that I will meet you in the future, didn't I? You don't need to look at me like that." C-Mahiru muttered. Even though she said that she still didn't meet C-Lex's gaze.

"Do you promise to become my friend in the future? Not like we aren't friends now but there is a chance that you might forget this."

"Hmph, I won't forget anything."

"Promise?"

"Yes, I promise. We will become friends in the future as well." C-Mahiru promised.

She lifted her face and the two children exchanged a smile.

"Hold on to that promise, children. Promises like that are very important." Lex's father turned towards C-Mahiru. "Mahiru, you know what a Styx Pact is?"

"It is a pact formed between individuals or parties by using their EE. If it is violated, the violator dies. I was almost forced into making one with that guy who kidnapped me from the headquarters."

"He sold you to the slave trader and he would have forced you to make a pact with the person who buys you." Lex's father added.

"What are you guys talking about?" C-Lex tilted his head.

"Nothing important. Mahiru, I want you to form a Styx Pact with me. I won't force you to make this but remember that this contract will save your life as well as the life of many others in the future."

"What contract do you want to form?"

Lex's father turned towards C-Lex with a serious look on his face.

"Lex, what I am about to discuss now is important. You must remember this forever because it will play an important role in your future."

Suddenly, the world began to distort. Things changed their shape and size, giving the room a wacky look.

The distortion continued for a minute before the room turned black.

***

Lex and Rio opened their eyes in the real world. They were settled on the bed in their original positions. 

"My memories after that point are blank. I don't remember the most important parts." Lex sighed.

"That's weird. I think someone tampered or tweaked with your memories. I have heard rumors of people with mental abilities who can do this."

"It is possible. Anyways, can you tell me more about the Styx pact?"

"You heard the basics. It is a magical contract that binds people to a contract. If you break it, all the EE inside your body will start burning up. You will die a very gruesome death."

"Oh… So Mahiru formed two such contracts, one with my dad and one with Allen?"

"From the looks of it, yes. I never saw Mahiru before but it was pretty clear that she is a powerhouse defending Allen. You got lucky because you were able to take her down by surprise."

"I agree."

Once Lex finished, an awkward silence engulfed the room. Neither of the duo knew what to say after witnessing Lex's memories.

[ Until Rio speaks, listen to my conspiracy theory. I believe that Mahiru is under a forced Styx pact which forces her to work for Allen. ]

'It didn't look like she was forced to do things. She didn't even remember who I was.'

[ Hmm, that is true but many explanations can exist for that. ] 

Lex continued discussing conspiracy theories with Elfie. On the other hand, Rio was trying to make a decision.

'Lex has told me so many things from his past and even showed me a glimpse of his memories. He deserves to know things about me too.'

Rio took a deep breath and made a decision.

"Lex…" she murmured.

"Yes, Rio?"

"Do you want to know about everything that happened between me and Allen?" she asked in a low voice.

Lex immediately got a serious expression on his face. 

"If you want to tell me, you can. However, if it's too traumatizing for you, you can take your time." Lex replied in a gentle tone.

"Well, I want you to know about things as well. It's a bit hard for me to say it though." Rio murmured.

Lex suddenly moved forward and wrapped his arms around Rio's body. He tightly hugged her to his chest, surprising her.

"Take as much time as you need. I will listen whenever you feel comfortable enough to talk about it."

A warm feeling spread throughout Rio's chest. She nodded positively and hugged Lex back gently. 

They stayed in this position for a few minutes before breaking apart.

"Wear your shirt. Let's relax a bit and watch some anime. We have been through so many things in the past two days. We deserve a break." Rio suggested.

Lex quickly wore his shirt and settled back on the bed. Unfortunately, his thoughts bothered him.

[ Just like Mahiru told you in the past, you don't need to worry, Lex. Things will turn out fine one way or the other. ]

'How are you so sure?'

[ Because I have faith in you. I know that you will grow stronger and use your powers to correct things. ]

'You have a lot of faith in me.'

[ I am connected to you. I feel everything that you feel. You are worried about Rio and now that you remember Mahiru, you are worried about her as well. ]

'So you must know how I am feeling right no.'

[ All I want you to know is that you can't keep worrying about things. Just relax a bit. ]

Lex knew that Elfie was saying the truth. He had been worrying too much about things that he couldn't control.

'Thank you, Elfie.'

[ Your welcome. ]

Now that Lex knew about the promise he made in the past, he saw Mahiru in a different light.

He was going to try his best to uphold their promise. But in the end, only the future will tell if their promise will be held or broken.