The lingering soul of 00 wept within Zeke while he still held onto his Den Mother corpse. Taking a moment to embrace her. The red assassin didn't care to read the room, reappearing from the shadows, coming to dispose of her body.
" Stay away from her!"
Zeke shouted, not forgetting how he ruthlessly dragged her out. However, the man, cloaked in red, with a scar over his right eye, wasn't about to listen. Seeing this, Zeke decided to take a slight gamble while putting his pride and rage to the side.
" Master Lee, I humbly request that I be allowed to give my Den Mother a proper burial."
He requested through gritted teeth, holding a newfound eternal grudge against Master Lee. Zeke knew that his current self would have to wait for revenge until he reached a higher stage.
" Tsk, why should I?"
" You owe me no favors, but I swear on my soul that once she is properly buried, any sentiment I once had will follow her to the grave."
Zeke proposed with a stern expression as Lee scratched at his purple goatee.
" Fine, I'll allow it since you provided me with so much-needed entertainment for this day. But don't expect me to be so lenient in the future."
He cackled, waving his subordinate, cloaked in red, off.
"Today concludes the class of '88, unit 1 initiation ceremony!"
He announced to everybody in attendance. Rising from his seat, he proceeded to leave, followed by his direct disciple Kado. Thereafter, the scarred red assassin scowled at Zeke before vanishing. With this, he avoided having Elizabeth thrown into the Pit of No Return. A dumping ground where piles of dead bodies rotted in the deep abyss.
Soon, the yellow fledglings began to exit, each with their own opinions. Among the mummering crowd, Kenshin took the unconscious Liz alongside him. Eventually, Zeke and Elizabeth were the only ones left in the training grounds. Gazing at a faint smile left upon her death. The Immortal System popped up, calculating his grade and rewards.
However, he wasn't in the mood, immediately minimizing the blue screen. Zeke carried her out through the North tunnel. Once out, he bumped into Kenshin, who was waiting for him on the other side. Placing Liz gently down, he approached them.
" Mother..."
Kenshin lamented as his sharp eyes slightly opened, revealing grey eyes filled with remorse. Brushing her pale cheek softly in the process, he addressed Zeke.
"It'll be best if you don't blame yourself for this, like our mother wanted."
" I hear you, but that's easier said than done."
Kenshin nodded his head, understanding the heavy burden behind Zeke's action. Knowing that it was a weight he would most likely carry for the rest of his life.
" Mom!"
Liz screamed, regaining her consciousness. Rushing towards them as she hugged her departed mother in tears.
"This can't be true! Please don't leave us, we need you! So, please wake up!"
Liz, in denial, bawled on her mother's shoulder like a baby. Kenshin and Zeke could only look on, mournful. Soon, Liz took all her sorrow and anger out on Zeke, thumping at his chest while he still held Elizabeth.
" How could you? She loved you! She loved all of us!"
Kenshin looked to step in, but Zeke shook his head, signaling to him that it was okay.
"You monster! I hate you!"
Liz repeated, clutching at his collar now. She nestled her head on his chest before pushing him away. Overwhelmed by the moment. Liz took one final look at her deceased mother, running off into the distance soon after.
" You know she didn't mean that, just give her some time..."
Kenshin consoled as Zeke answered with a hollow,
"Yah..."
Leaving together, they arrived at the Tomb of Whispers. This was a place reserved for the fallen Den Mothers. The Hidden Cave of Untold Shadows rarely had any remorse for their own. Those who were killed before reaching the rank of black would just be mercilessly discarded. While official assassins who obtain the color of black would usually live or die in the outside world.
However, they chose to honor the Den Mothers. Representing the true birth and death of their humanity. Being the ones who helped shape and mold most of the cave, fledglings. There was even a rumor that the heartless Lee would sometimes visit his Den Mother of old. Paying his respects. This grave site was the only sign of a thoughtful gesture in an otherwise demonic environment.
Soon, a familiar older woman in purple greeted both boys at the entrance.
" Den, Sister Elizabeth was a respectable and noteworthy woman. She will surely be missed by all who knew her."
Den Mother Vivien voiced. She stood tall, having piercing hazel eyes and long grey hair. A stoic person by nature, she was the overseer for the Tombs of Whispers. Saying no more on the matter, she took Elizabeth's body to be prepped. Returning after some time. Vivien then guided them across a wooden, roped bridge. Becoming surrounded by many sealed chambers, etched into the unique cave formation. The peak had a cutoff point of stalagmites, with the bottom seeming endless. Candles lit the path, traveling downward on a spiraling ledge.
Stopping by a chamber with Elizabeth's name already carved above it. Vivien unlocked the stone wheel door, venturing inside wherever the proper preparation was already made.
"Ignite."
Casting a small, controlled flame emitting from Vivien's fingertip. She conveniently used magic to light the unlit candles. Brightening up this room, she placed Elizabeth into a limestone casket. Arranging a bouquet of the only breed of flowers that bloomed in this underground labyrinth. Located in the Valley of Light, it was a delicate red rose that grew from moss.
Finishing her duties, she paid her respects before leaving the boys to grieve. Both had a moment of silence. Left to their varying thoughts and memories. The lingering soul of 00 started to take root once more. After a while, Kenshin was the first to speak.
" Liz isn't here with us, but she'll be here to visit in time when reality sinks in a little more. Honestly, I don't know what to say in this situation, Mother. You knew better than anyone that I was never the emotional type. Staying in the habit of keeping everything bottled up inside."
Taking a moment to reminisce, he spoke once again,
"I still remember when you told me that, it's okay to remove that lid of yours sometimes. The greatest pain usually comes with the most valuable of lessons learned, once faced and overcome.''
Clearing his throat, he continued,
"Anyways, I won't forget that advice of yours, nor you, no matter what. I will survive with my siblings and pave a better way!"
Kenshin's eyes expressed a rare sight of red, hot rage, eventually simmering down. He then kissed Elizabeth on her forehead. Going to pat Zeke on the back. 00 gained full control over his old body with no fight from Reid. Understanding 00 needed to speak his peace as he knelt by her casket.
" I'm sorry that my naive sense of justice put you in harm's way. If I only knew... I would have killed that random prisoner without any hesitation. So, Mom, does that make me a bad person or just weak?"
He paused for a bit, waiting for an answer that would never come. Facing a hard truth, he sadly went on,
" I know you would want me to cheer up and grow stronger from this, but I'm afraid it's too late for me."
00 referred to his counterpart, knowing his time on this world was coming to a close.
" It's okay, I have faith that my future self will make both of us proud. He may not consider himself a hero, but within time, I know he'll be known for being heroic."
00 said with reassurance, having the opportunity to comb through Reid's past life of transmigrating as Zeke. Feeling relieved, 00 felt his lingering regret begin to dissipate.
" I guess our time together has finally run its course. Hopefully, we can meet again in this life or the next. I love you and our family, Mom, always and forever after."
Giving one last warming embrace to Elizabeth. 00 soul soon passed on from this life, as Reid became the sole occupant of Zeke.
' I may not be able to live up to your lofty expectations. However, I swear to you that I will dish out my own brand of justice to those who threaten anything or anybody I value!'
Making this declaration, Zeke got up. Having one last moment of silence before Kenshin and he departed.