PHASE 102 - I’M SORRY

The Frozen Soul is no more.

The skies started to clear, revealing a crimson-dark sky with a gigantic red moon. The ground started to melt as the crystal floor became water that immediately sunk in this barren wasteland. Trees started to sprout in the surroundings and withered in just a mere second. This landscape is the Yami counterpart of the Kozukata Shrine.

Now that Yami has been restored, I am certain that the Earth Realm is now saved. Key-chan tried to open a Gate, and she succeeded, signaling that the cast by the Frozen Soul is no longer in effect.

“No… No…. No…”

The Outsider fell on his knees and slammed his left fist on the ground. Droplets of tears fell down to the soil.

“Yohan… It’s over.” Asumi-nee said. “Erylle is dead a long time ago. That Corrupted Frozen Soul… That is merely her fragment taking the form of her appearance. She’s not your lover.”

The Outsider became silent. He just closed his eyes and savored the pain spiking his heart.

Rikkun walked slowly to where The Outsider’s and Asumi-nee’s position with the active. I can sense a feeling of hostility from his aura. Revenge. That is what in his mind now.

“A-Alaric,” Asumi-nee muttered as he stared at the ferocious emerald eyes of my lover.

“I won’t kill you, Yohan,” Rikkun said as he dematerialized the . The platinum sword converted into flying specks of dust in an instant. “We have already won. There’s no point in staining my hands with your blood. And also...”

Rikkun stopped speaking momentarily when he noticed that The Outsider’s body is now being converted to particles of light. He’s being deleted. The universe has finally discovered his foreign presence, and now it's going to banish him for good. The only reason why he’s able to exist is because of the wishes of the Frozen Soul. Now that it’s gone, he won’t be able to maintain his existence.

“It’s over, Yohan.” Rikkun frowned. “You have suffered for eternity. It’s time for you to rest.”

The Outsider is silent.

Suddenly, Asumi-nee held The Outsider’s remaining hand with the warmth of both of her palms. This compelled the Outsider to open his eyes and look at his friend.

Then Asumi-nee hugged the man who fell in love with the Frozen Soul.

“Yohan… This is the end. I know that your love for Erylle is neverending, but this is the time where you have to give up and move on.”

The Outsider’s eyes widened, and tears flowed from his eyes. “A-Asumi…”

“Even though Erylle have left you, please remember that I’m still here. I have seen all through your sufferings and regrets. I have traveled through parallel universes just to watch you. I am always there for you…”

I was surprised when Asumi-nee’s body started to glow with golden light as if she’s also going to disappear with The Outsider.

“Let’s go home now, shall we?” Asumi-nee made an innocent smile at his long friend.

“A-Asumi… Thank you…” The Outsider muttered.

A golden Gate opened on their feet, and their bodies were converted into scattering glowing lights. Asumi-nee has opened a dimensional portal and transported both of them to a universe far away from here. There’s no telling when she can come back.

For now, she has to focus on caring for his heartbroken friend who has suffered forever.

<>

“Gah… Hah…”

Using all his energy left, Heushac crawled until he is able to reach his unconscious sister. He sat down and rested the head of Helena to his lap and stroke her blue hair repeatedly as if he is taking care of his napping little sister.

“Big sis Helena… You really look like a baby when asleep… And you still have the urge to call me baby brother…”

Rikkun approached his bleeding friend. He’s surprised that even sustaining several mortal wounds, Heushac is still here moving. But he’s no longer alive. There’s no more life force left in him. All he has left is his willpower.

“I think it’s time for me to go too,” Heushac said. “The willpower of my can only get me this far. My soul is already leaving my body.”

“Heushac…” Rikkun cried.

“Idiot. Don’t be a crybaby, brother.” Heushac laughed.

“B-Brother?”

“Even though we have different mothers, I know that we are related by soul. We both share big sis Helena as our sister, so might as well I call you my own brother.” Heushac smiled.

“I don’t get what you’re saying, moron.” Rikkun laughed.

“There, there! It’s nice to see you laughing after a boss fight.” Heushac made an innocent smile. “I don’t want you to cry like a sissy when it’s time for me to go. I have to go because you’re so selfish for not giving me the chance to talk to our friends in the afterlife.”

“Heushac…” Rikkun was fazed for a moment, and then returned to a smile. “Don’t worry. Now that Tiara’s casting the , she will be able to revive you.”

“I’m counting on it. I’ll just have a quick field trip in heaven. I’ll try to hang out with Chrisprel, Ranley, and Daughty for a short moment.”

Heushac gently rested Helena’s head on the ground, and then he struggled to stand up. He’s out of blood, and he has spent all his energy on his legs.

“Ric, please get my sword.”

Rikkun complied. He picked the rusty buster sword and gave it to Heushac’s weak hands. With Heushac’s last strength, he stabbed the sword to the ground and kneeled while still holding the handle.

“Sayonara, brotha,” Heushac said.

“Arigathanks for helping in the fight.” Rikkun made a thumbs up.

Then…

The brave putrid swordsman closed his eyes. As his soul departs from his war-torn body, he left an image of a kneeling warrior who fought even beyond the end. Mister Heushac is so majestic.

<>

“Tiara…” Rikkun finally approached me.

I’m still covered with the rainbow pillar of light because I can’t stop singing the yet. My lover sat beside me and we had an eye-to-eye contact with each other. Both of us blushed. We can’t help but fell in love with one another again.

“Rikkun…” I muttered.

“You’re alright?”

“Yes,” I answered.

“I know you’re tired, so let’s finish this. Use the ’s omnipotent powers to revive Heushac, Eliseo, Emily, and Diadem.”

There was a long silence.

I briefly looked at my feet, which are now partially covered with crystal ice shards.

The moment I saw those, I know it was inevitable.

No.

I already know that this is my fate the moment I sang the against the Frozen Soul.

So I gave an honest reply to my lover. I shook my head.

“I’m sorry… I can’t.”

“B-But why?” Rikkun’s eyes widened. “Didn’t you want to revive our friends and your twin brother?”

“I want to, but I can’t.” I cried. “Listen to me, Rikkun. I can no longer grant any wishes.”

I can hear a cracking sound. The skin on my feet started to be eaten by crystal ice. Rikkun finally noticed this anomaly, and now he can’t help but get worried.

“Tiara, you…”

“Yes.” I closed my eyes. “I can’t grant my own wishes because I am using it to maintain the multiverse. Now that the Frozen Soul is gone, I can no longer stop singing the . If I stop singing, then everything will blink out of existence.”

“S-Stop…” Rikkun’s voice is all shaky. His whole body is trembling. His heart is aching. His brain could no longer process what is happening, or what is bound to happen after this.

Even if I have to hurt him the most…

I still want to say the whole truth…

But…

I have to deliver these words to him with an innocent smile to ease the pain he’s going through.

“I am now the Frozen Soul, Rikkun. I’m sorry.”