The air had grown colder.
Margaret stood frozen as Marco explained the truth about witches, those born with two opposing forces within them: light and dark Renshi.
The revelation struck her harder than any wound.
"Witches possess both light and dark Renshi," Marco explained. "But when the darkness awakens first, mastering both becomes extremely difficult."
Margaret remained on her knees, gripping the soil with trembling hands.
"Dark Renshi feeds on hatred, anger, and lust. These emotions are deeply connected to a witch's bloodline. If left uncontrolled, it can consume its wielder and eventually turn them against mankind."
Margaret struggled to catch her breath through her tears.
"Light Renshi is different. It's fueled by salvation and vengeance, guiding a dual Renshi user toward purity."
Marco paused.
"When a dual Renshi user fully masters the light, it can even convert the darkness within them."
Margaret slowly raised her head.
"That's when a dual Renshi user becomes whole... holy."
She blinked through her tears, barely able to process what she was hearing.
"Dual Renshi users like Falco can also sever their connection to their Renshi sources by cutting themselves off from their inner castles."
"The places where their Renshi is stored. Their emotions are reflected there, too."
Marco's expression darkened.
"Falco learned how to sever that connection. I don't know how he managed it, but he did."
Margaret's voice trembled.
" I don't care about any of that."
She shouts.
"So... my Falco is really dead?"
Marco lowered his gaze.
"Yes."
His answer was quiet but firm.
"He fought to protect lives. Yours, his children's, and many others."
He paused.
"He died a hero."
Margaret's face crumpled.
A scream tore through the quiet night as she collapsed against the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.
Inside the house, the boys heard her cries.
"Mama."
Elijah and Marcus rushed outside, fear written across their faces. Alfie followed close behind.
"Mama, what's wrong?"
He immediately dropped beside her.
"Did this man hurt you?"
Margaret pulled him tightly into her arms.
"Why are you crying, Mama?" Elijah pleaded. "Please tell me."
Even Marcus, who rarely showed his emotions, began to cry openly.
Marco turned away, a single tear slipping down his cheek.
"Hey."
Alfie glared at him.
"I'm talking to you."
Margaret quickly grabbed Alfie's arm.
"Alfie... he didn't hurt me."
"Then what's wrong?"
His voice trembled.
"Why are you crying?"
Margaret looked into her son's eyes, but for a moment, she couldn't speak.
Then she forced the words out.
"Alfie, promise me something."
"What?"
"Promise me you'll eliminate the Darkside Spirits."
Her grip tightened around his arm.
"All of them."
Alfie stared at her.
"I already promised myself that, Mama. Why do I have to say it again?"
Margaret's eyes filled with tears.
"Because your father is gone."
Alfie's expression changed.
"Falco..."
She struggled to continue.
"Your papa is dead."
He stood motionless as she explained.
"He was fighting a Special Darkside Spirit. It drained almost all his Renshi."
Her voice broke.
"He fought to protect others. He couldn't defeat it, but he saved many lives before he died."
For a moment, Alfie couldn't breathe.
His father's face flashed through his mind.
His smile. His laughter. The warmth of his embrace.
Then everything shattered.
Alfie dropped to the ground, a broken scream tearing from his throat as tears poured down his face.
"PAPA."
Elijah and Marcus joined him, their cries echoing through the house.
Behind them, Rebekah covered her mouth.
She had tried so hard to remain strong, but seeing Alfie lose his father brought her own memories rushing back.
She began to cry, too.
Marco stood silently, regret weighing heavily on his heart.
No matter how gently I told them, this pain was unavoidable.
Suddenly, Alfie shot to his feet and charged at Marco, his fists clenched.
"Why didn't you protect him?"
His fist slammed into Marco's chest.
"You're strong."
Another punch.
"You killed that Darkside spirit like it was nothing."
Another.
"Why didn't you kill the other one before it killed my papa?"
His punches grew weaker.
"Why did you let my papa die?"
Marco didn't defend himself.
"I wasn't there, Alfie. I was fighting another Special Darkside Spirit."
He lowered his eyes.
"I'm truly sorry."
Alfie's fists fell still.
The strength drained from his body, and he collapsed to his knees weeping.
"I'll kill them all..."
His voice was barely a whisper.
"I'll wipe every last Darkside Spirit from this world."
His body began to tremble.
"I'll kill them all."
BOOM.
Dark Renshi erupted from his body, spreading through the air like a violent storm before shooting into the clouds above.
The house shook violently.
Rebekah immediately stepped in front of Elijah and Marcus, shielding them from the outburst.
"Alfie."
Marco reacted instantly.
Before the Dark Renshi could consume him, Marco stepped forward and struck the side of Alfie's neck.
Thud.
Alfie's eyes rolled back, and his body went limp.
The Dark Renshi slowly faded.
Silence returned.
That night, the family cried themselves to sleep.
---
By dawn, the pain remained, but the initial shock had begun to fade.
Margaret sat beside Marco, her face exhausted and her eyes swollen from crying.
"Mr. Shinra."
Marco turned toward her.
"Thank you for bringing us the truth."
She took a slow breath.
"But I need to be honest with you, too."
Marco remained silent.
"Last night, I wasn't thinking clearly."
Margaret glanced toward the room where Alfie lay sleeping.
"I told him to eliminate the Darkside Spirits."
Her expression grew firm.
"But I've changed my mind."
She looked directly at Marco.
"I'm his mother. I won't let him leave this house."
She tightened her hands in her lap.
"Not now. Not ever."