It was the last day.The day had finally reached its end.
Elior had to fulfill his part of the favor he owed, and he knew it from the moment he opened his eyes that morning. Even so, early on he prepared to put on his school uniform for the last time. There were no visible nerves, no rush… everything was prepared.
He had Kael's permission and the school's authorization for the supposed organized humanitarian trip that would begin the next day.
The excuse was perfect.
And yet… something did not calm him.
During those two weeks, Elior had devoted himself only to training. He had almost completely set aside Hina and, especially, Seraphine. She had not spoken to him since that time she said she would go out with a friend.
I think she's avoiding me…Elior thought while staring at his phone screen.
When he arrived at school, he saw Hina at the entrance. Without thinking, he quickly approached and grabbed her by the shoulders, pushing her back roughly.
"Hey, idiot!" Hina protested, turning around annoyed. "What's wrong with you…?"
She stopped when she saw him.
"…It's you," she said, frowning. "Idiot."
"Ready for the last day?" Elior asked with a smile.
"Of course!" Hina shouted, raising her arms with exaggerated happiness.
Elior smiled.
"And Seraphine?" he asked.
"I think she must be in the classroom," Hina replied.
"Oh… I thought you had arrived together."
"No. This time she came alone."
Hina looked at him carefully.
"Have you been able to talk?"
"Honestly, no," Elior admitted, sighing. "She hasn't even replied to my messages. She must be upset about something… maybe."
"Hmm… I don't know," Hina said. "But you should ask her. That way you'll clear your doubts."
"Yeah…" Elior replied. "Maybe I should, but anyway let's go to class."
The day passed normally.Too normally to be the last one.
Everyone celebrated the end of classes. Some laughed, others cried, others simply seemed relieved. During the ceremony, several students were awarded for their academic performance.
The top two places were announced together.
Emily.And Elior.
Applause filled the hall. Both of them would also lead the humanitarian mission.
Elior slightly turned his face, surprised to notice that Emily would also participate. That complicated his plans a bit… because he would not actually go.
Hina and Seraphine watched from the audience. Hina, without thinking much, placed her hand over Seraphine's. The gesture only made Seraphine tense up even more knowing they would go together.
Elior tried to catch her gaze.
He couldn't.
Something was clearly not right.
When the meeting ended and everyone began to leave, Elior discreetly passed by Seraphine. Like a shadow, he slipped a small piece of paper into the pocket of her coat and left.
Hina and Seraphine walked together through the hallways.
"What will you do this vacation?" Hina asked.
"Honestly… I don't know yet," Seraphine replied. "Maybe I'll go for a while to my mother's house, outside the city."
"And you?"
"Hmm… since Elior won't be here, I'll go for a week to Velmira to see the kids," Hina replied. "Then I'll stay at my grandmother's house for the rest of the vacation."
And train…she thought to herself.
"That sounds interesting," Seraphine said.
"If you want, you can come with me," Hina added. "We'll have a good time there. There are hills, clean air…"
"Really?" Seraphine asked, brightening up. "I'd love to. If I manage to free myself a bit, I'll let you know."
"I'll be waiting for you," Hina smiled.
Then her tone changed.
"And one more thing, Seraphine… maybe this time will help you clarify what's going on with Elior. But I think today you should tell him what you feel. Relieving the heart is important too."
With that said, she moved ahead to pick up the backpacks.
Seraphine stood still.
Hina was right.
She sighed and put her hand into her pocket. She touched something folded. She took out the paper.
Hello, how are you? I hope you're well.I know we haven't talked much these weeks and I'd like to fix that.If you'd like, I'll be waiting for you at the end of classes at the school entrance so we can go for the coffee we promised.
— Elior
Even though she didn't want to… she smiled.
Hina returned just in time to see it.
"Aaaah…" she said, taking the paper and reading it. "Will you go?"
"I don't know…" Seraphine replied. "Maybe."
"It's the best thing you can do," Hina affirmed, handing her the backpack and the paper.
The end of classes came quickly.
The wind blew strongly.Snow began to fall without warning.
Seraphine walked toward the school entrance.
Elior was waiting for her outside. Standing. Watching the snow fall.
Something about that image tightened her chest.
"Hi," Elior said when he saw her.
"Hi," she replied with a smile.
"Do you feel like having a coffee and something to eat? With this cold…"
"I feel like anything that gives warmth," Seraphine replied.
The tension of the past weeks vanished in seconds.
They walked laughing, talking about trivial things. Seraphine was red from laughing so much. Elior couldn't look away.
The beanie covering her hair.Her hands covering her mouth as she laughed.Her cheeks red from the cold.
He stored that image in his mind automatically.
When they arrived at the café, Elior noticed a photo and some flowers. He recognized the waiter who had served him alongside Death.
"What would you like to drink?" he asked.
"A cappuccino," she replied.
"Two cappuccinos and some cinnamon rolls, please," Elior ordered.
Seraphine looked at them fascinated.
"I hope you enjoy them," he said.
The hour passed peacefully. Laughter, soft teasing, long gazes.
"Do you remember your story was left unfinished?" Elior asked. "I'd like to hear it, if you don't mind."
Seraphine nodded.
"I was born in Raincity, in the southern continent…"
"The south?" Elior interrupted. "They say they're very religious."
"Too much," she replied. "Religion there is law. But I'm not like that."
She told him about her mother and how her father is not part of her life. About her move. About how happy she is to have friends like Hina.
"…and you," she added, lowering her voice.
"Am I the last one mentioned?" Elior smiled.
"Don't be silly," she laughed.
"Elior, what time does your trip leave?" Seraphine asked.
"At nine."
"Then we still have time."
"A lot of time," he said with a smile while finishing his coffee.
When they finished, it was already late and Seraphine needed to seek shelter from the cold.
They walked to her building.
"I guess this is where the adventure ends," Elior said.
"It seems so…"
Elior kissed her on the cheek and gave her a hug.
"I hope you rest this vacation."
"And I hope things go well… and that you return safely."
They said goodbye.
But three steps were enough.
Both turned around.
"Sera…""Elior…"
They laughed nervously.
"Tell me," he said.
"Elior… I'll say it in the rawest way possible, because otherwise I'll regret it, but I don't know what the hell you did to me," she said bluntly.
"What…?" he asked, surprised. "What did I do?"
Seraphine took a deep breath.
"Nothing bad, it's just that I can't stop looking at you and I don't want to stop, and wanting to be close. Wanting to protect you. It bothered me seeing Emily with you… and that now you're leaving with her… it bothers me even more."
"Elior, I lo—"
"No, Seraphine," Elior interrupted. "Please… don't say it."
"Elior, I…"
"I can't say I feel the same," he said. "I'm dead inside. I can't, I can't. If I include you more in my life, I'll only hurt you."
She looked at him in silence.
"I had to say it," she replied. "To heal. Sorry for making you uncomfortable."
"You didn't make me uncomfortable, Sera, it's just that," Elior replied. "If my life were different… maybe everything would be different. But I already chose my path. Forgive me, but I could never feel what you feel."
He turned around.
Seraphine watched him walk away.
She waited.
Please, please, come back… she thought.
But he didn't return.
Even though she knew the answer beforehand, she couldn't stop a part of her from having hope, that Elior would accept what she felt and tell her he felt the same.
She entered her apartment and without thinking called Hina.
It didn't take long for her to arrive.
When she finally sat in front of Seraphine, there were no tears left to hold back. Seraphine spoke without stopping, as if every word leaving her mouth had been pressing against her chest for weeks. Hina listened to everything. She did not interrupt once. Every gesture, every silence, every break in her voice.
Both knew Elior's answer even before he said it.There wasn't much to do about that.
Even so, Hina was upset.No… she was furious.
There were things Elior should not have said.There were ways he should not have used.
"No…" Hina murmured, standing up. "This doesn't end like this."
Without wasting time, she grabbed the car keys and left.She would confront him.She had to do it before he left.
The airport was crowded. Laughter, farewells, backpacks against the walls, teachers organizing groups. Hina scanned the place again and again.
Everyone was there.
Everyone… except Elior.
Her heart sank.
She quickly approached Emily.
"Emily," she said, frowning, "where is Elior?"
Emily blinked, confused.
"Elior?" she repeated. "Hours ago he said he couldn't go… he had to return to his town. Is he okay?"
Hina pressed her lips together.
"Yes…" she replied without thinking. "Don't worry. Have a good trip, Emi."
"Thanks…" Emily answered, still confused.
Hina didn't wait any longer. She ran back to the car while dialing Elior's number over and over again.
Nothing.Silence.
"Come on, Elior…" she whispered, hitting the steering wheel. "What are you plotting this time…?"
Meanwhile, Elior walked alone toward the house, watching the quiet neighborhood.
He had sent a final message to Kael and the children, saying he would return soon. Everyone thought he would travel with the school. No one doubted it.
When he arrived home, he opened the door calmly.He prepared one last cup of coffee.The aroma filled the place.
He stood there, holding the cup, savoring the warmth of home, the comfort, the silence… the good coffee.
He still had doubts.
But he was ready.
He washed the cup, left it in its place and took a deep breath.He visualized the place.
The air vibrated.The portal opened.
He stepped toward it.
Then—
The house door burst open.
"ELIOR!"
The lights began to flicker.Hina ran inside, fearing the worst… and stood completely stunned.
In front of her, Elior was crossing a portal.
"Hina…?" he murmured as he turned.
"What are you doing!?" she shouted, approaching. "What is all this!?"
"Forgive me, Hina…"
Elior extended his hand.
The air tightened.
"What is this, Elior!? I can't move!" she screamed.
"I promise you," he said firmly. "I'll tell you everything when I return. Please… trust me."
"I have always trusted you!" she cried, tears falling. "But you never trust me!"
Her voice trembled.
"You always do everything behind my back. You act without thinking about the consequences. You boast about not wanting to hurt anyone… but you hurt all of us!"
Elior stood still.
"What…?" he whispered.
"You know what she feels for you, don't you?" Hina continued. "And you can't deny that you feel the same! And even so you push her away… me… everyone!"
"I don't have feelings, Hina," Elior replied coldly. "I have things to do."
He turned around.
"Wait!" she shouted, wiping her tears. "Where are you going?"
"I don't know exactly," he replied. "But I owe a small favor to Death."
"What are you saying…?" Hina whispered, horrified. "You can't go with her. And how can you open these kinds of portals!?"
"Hina…" he interrupted. "I make my own decisions. I must become stronger. For you, for everyone I love."
Elior knew she would never be calm after seeing this.
He extended his hand.
A flower appeared.The Flower of Life.
"I'll return for it," he said. "Keep it. As long as it shines and has petals… it means I'm still alive and you shouldn't worry."
He quickly approached and hugged her.
"You are my sister… my other half. If I do this… it's so those I love can live in a peaceful world."
"Elior… please… don't leave like this…"
"I'll be fine. Take care of the flower. Go to Velmira with Kael."
He hugged her tightly.
"Forgive me…"
With a precise strike to the back of her neck, Hina fell unconscious.
Elior carefully laid her on the couch and covered her from the cold.
Then, without looking back, he crossed the portal.
It closed.
And with it… his stage in Geheris ended.
Elior walked, wiping away a tear.
"You hurt everyone."
Hina's words repeated again and again. But there was no more time to pay attention to those words.
At his residence, Alice opened the door.
"Elior… everything is ready."
The elders checked weapons and the black clothing. Tailored. Resistant.
Daggers bound to his blood. So they would always answer his call no matter where they were.A king's coat covered with fur from wolves of purgatory. It would grant him the necessary protection from the cold there.
Alice approached and, without him noticing, placed an ancient amulet under his coat.
A coin with a worn symbol but with a phrase still visible: "Remember what you live for."
Elior tried on the clothing, seeing that everything fit perfectly.
"I look like a ninja," he thought while laughing.
When he was ready, he left his residence and encountered a scene that moved him.
The entire kingdom knelt before him.
"Please," Elior said. "Don't do that. Never kneel before me, we are equals and for that reason I will ask you some favors. Protect the weak. Protect this home. Our home."
The applause was deafening. Everyone promised to protect the place.
So, ready to depart, he headed to the mountain to observe the kingdom from afar, feeling the icy breeze of the moment.
Then—
"You took your time arriving, Azriel."
"For you I am still Death, brat."
Both ready, they crossed into the domain of death. Azriel was about to enter her house, shouting at Elior to hurry up.
Take this…
The list fell into his hands.
"Your mission is quite simple. Kill the leaders," she said. "…or you will die. Though both serve me. And take this too."
The key shone.
"When does it start?" Elior asked while putting away the list and the key.
"Now."
Elior was thrown to the entrance of purgatory.
The cold pierced him.The stench was unbearable.
"Remember, the key I gave you is to leave purgatory. Only you can leave. If you lose it, you must find your own way out. I know there is more in that place you are going, but I don't know exactly where.
Goodbye, brat."
Elior heard Azriel's voice disappear into nothingness, and he tightened his coat before approaching one of the doors.
He opened it.
The abyss was clear and waiting.
"All right…" he whispered."I chose this. You must not be afraid."
He took a deep breath.
"It's time to become stronger. Remember why you are here and for whom you are here."
And he took the first step, entering what would be the beginning of a catastrophe.