Handing the blade over, the red assassin left without a word. Facing the moment of truth.
Zeke couldn't help but feel an emotion long forgotten, which became empathy. To be more accurate, it was a feeling that he had to rid himself of when climbing his way up in the previous world.
Something Zeke gathered would have to remain the same in this life. Due to necessity, he had to adapt to being cold-blooded. He learned over time that a bleeding heart would usually only earn someone a one-way trip to an early grave.
'I'm not a hero, nor have I ever tried to be.'
Zeke reflected on his morals, gazing into the tearful pink eyes of Elizabeth. Every time he gained the resolve to do what needed to be done. A rush of overbearing sentiment would freeze him right in his tracks.
' This isn't like me. Experiencing countless deaths and slaughters that I thought were deserved and undeserved. Even if she was like a mother to 00, what does that matter when I'm in control now!'
With that thought, he realized that some part of 00 still lingered within his soul. Unable to fully accept passing on from this life.
' No wonder. I had to comprehend so much in such a short amount of time. It nearly slipped my mind that this same instance of regret lingered in the martial world, Zeke as well. Taking several years before my will truly overtook his.'
It hadn't even been a whole day since he inhabited this alternate world, taking the role of 00. This explained why he appeared so hesitant despite his ample experience in the cruel and unusual.
Even with that said, this depravity orchestrated by his supposed master ranked high among the most despicable.
" What's the hold up? Don't tell me you're having second thoughts yet again?"
Master Lee said menacingly, noticing his hesitation. On Zeke's end, it took a great deal of restraint not to hurl a knife at his smug face.
However, he knew that was merely wishful thinking. Being no higher than a 4 and no lower than a 3. His cultivation level was too much for the Stage 1 Master Rank Zeke.
" If I may ask, what did my Den Mother possibly do to warrant this kind of treatment?"
" It all falls on your shoulders. Since she raised you, I decided that it would only be right if the mother bears the sins of her child. This is the great debt that must be paid for sparing your insubordinate life."
Lee grinned, answering his question. Zeke stood mute, gripping the blade's hilt in frustration. He stepped towards Elizabeth, removing her gag. Seeing this, Kado was ready to pounce but stood down because of his master, intrigued by where this might lead.
"I'm sorry... my sweet child"
Elizabeth repeated in a cracked voice. Hearing her triggered 00's persona to fester from the depths of his soul onto the surface. Struggling to remain the man behind the wheel instead of the backseat driver. Zeke soon felt the need to console her.
" No, it's my fault. If I weren't so weak, you would never have been pulled into this..."
He spoke as these words became a convoluted fusion of the transmigrated Zeke's emotions and 00's. This resulted in 00 mostly taking the lead on this front. Immediately, Elizabeth denied Zeke's claim, trying her best to comfort him.
"Nonsense. The blame falls solely on us, corrupted adults. So, there is no need to feel sorry or guilty when ridding a vile villain like me from this world."
" You're not a..."
Zeke/00 tried to defend Elizabeth's character against her self-loathing smear campaign.
Not soon to forget that she was the rare beacon of light in an otherwise dark shore. However, she interrupted him, having a feeling about what he was going to say.
" I'm not lying, sweetheart, even though I may have shown you a softer side of myself. That doesn't change the fact that my hands are stained with the blood of many innocent lives."
"..."
Leaving Zeke speechless. Elizabeth, with her shackled hands, reached out to gently touch his chin.
" I know this isn't easy, but heroes are known for overcoming their doubts and fears, remember?"
She reminded. Zeke then recalled 00 memories of her telling him many tales about the great heroes of old. This inspired the young boy to dream about one day becoming a hero himself.
" I'm no hero, though."
Zeke lamented. When deep down, Elizabeth knew that, realistically, it would be nearly impossible to accomplish in their line of work.
Dealing in espionage, kidnapping, and underhanded assassinations, this lifestyle wasn't meant for the just of mind. Yet, she still encouraged the boy who was like a son to her with a saddened smile.
" Well, just remember that you'll always be my little hero."
"But..."
Zeke/00 wavered. Spotting this, Elizabeth saw that she needed to drive home the point of their precarious circumstances. Grabbing both of his hands, she pleaded,
"Please don't let your mother's death be in vain! If you don't go through with this, then you can consider us both dead! You must live number...."
She paused before continuing,
"My baby boy, Zeke."
Melting away at his frigid heart. In both his past lives, he never had the privilege of knowing a parent's true love for their child.
Overcome with this unfamiliar warm feeling, Zeke knew this moment couldn't last forever.
Straighten out her disheveled red hair, 00 control became stagnant, in a state of disarray. Zeke took this opportunity to take it upon himself to do what was difficult.
"... I understand... Any last wishes?"
Zeke spoke in a somber tone. Letting out a sigh of relief, Elizabeth squeezed Zeke's hand with love before letting go.
" Yes, son. My wish is for you, Liz, and Kenshin to look after one another as best you can in this twisted world. Promise?"
Elizabeth shone a caring smile, even when she was faced with her impending death.
" Yah, I promise... mother"
Zeke uttered while cursing himself for being rendered helpless to rewrite what was already written on the wall.
" I love you."
"... I love you, too."
Saying their loving goodbyes, Zeke plunged the knife into her heart, resulting in a quick death. Holding her body up with care before it had a chance to crumple lifelessly onto the ground.