The Reaper's Speech

Rayne rushed over from outside and quickly placed a hand upon my shoulder as if sensing my growing agitation; her golden locks falling forward into my vision while she pulled at me lightly before she turned around facing me again.

She said calmly, "Please don't let his words get to you, we should move somewhere else for now and escape the perimeter, even if it means leaving behind the academy."

"Even though I understand that people might perish today, however this isn't the end. This academy is all that stands between Reaper and the rest of civilization. And if you wish to ensure everyone lives the academy needs you both alive as well," Reaper explained. "Especially since the rest of your class will be forced to fight in this war. If not they may end up losing everything they hold dear to themselves forever," said the man who had always spoken clearly and straightforward with little hesitation on my account, "No one can protect a single kingdom alone, but if everyone stands together and works towards defeating an evil tyrant we will triumph together. Which means you'll all have to fight to live! As well as survive alongside each other as well. Otherwise, no one can escape this fate."

"Sora would never stand for this, he would've put you 6 feet under by now!" I spat. "And now that Sora is dead and I'm left behind to pick up the pieces, I will not forgive you for this."

"I find that quite ironic Enzo. Because in order for mankind to truly advance forward, one must sacrifice everything including family members, friends, classmates or even rivals, until nothing is left except them, and nobody remembers the fallen. We only recall the final hero. However, if you are planning to make Sora your rival, then know that you are destined to fail."

Reaper turned towards me and laughed lowly before continuing to speak with a hint of humor present within his voice. "So go and try if you must, but when he rises again, remember the cost. Whether that be a few dead or many will not change anything except that now you must suffer his wrath. But alas, this was foretold a thousand years ago so perhaps you shouldn't even bother yourself with this fool's errand."

"Who said we would give you an easy time in this fight? You can count on me to join forces and defeat you again." I hissed.

"Haha, oh, if you think killing me will stop everything I'm doing then I'm sorry but you're not qualified to go against the darkness. Death isn't going to go after the lives of many if they decide to surrender peacefully."

"The majority of the people will rebel and go against you and that's just stupid. There are some that would rather die than let themselves fall beneath you, those who aren't willing to give up their freedom! And even if the people join together and form armies together against us, the war would take forever! Or if Reaper unleashes the ancient beasts once more into the land. That won't help anything either," replied Rayne confidently and quietly.

"Now is not the time for argument and fighting. I have something more important to do then deal with your nonsense!" With a sharp snap Reaper's figure faded into thin air like a mist fading away from his skin. The only remnant that he was ever present is a lone cloud of smoke drifting down across the school grounds.

He left me there with Rayne to wait patiently on our own. I stood tall and faced Rayne with a tired look before turning my attention back towards the academy. At least some of us were unharmed, "Don't worry; We'll gather a new team and recruit new members. I will personally ensure the safety of each person inside this academy grounds. We can't afford to lose a single soul today. I am putting my full trust in the both of you to lead everyone here safely!" I said seriously with conviction lacing each word. "That is your job! Protect everyone you can, Rayne." I instructed, walking away from the building.

Reaper's Perspective:

There are some things even the strongest warriors won't do. They may fight bravely in the battlefield, defending the lands until death but when faced with a difficult decision; whether its life or death and they still can't act, well that is unacceptable. In order for someone to protect their own existence, a spark of life and courage must exist within. Otherwise, their power will turn into poison. But fear isn't a good enough excuse either.

During one's death, we see them go limp and stare emptily at something while their bodies fall lifelessly to the ground, and what happened next is unforgettable to many. But now we all know it all too well because he just came for us. My blood is pumping in my body as I prepare myself mentally.

Fear... is a very interesting feeling and it isn't something one can overcome easily, especially in my case. I know what it is like to be scared yet it still doesn't change the fact that we shouldn't let fear take control over our mind or else all hope will truly be lost forever.

Suffering will start and continue forever as long as we cower in fear and remain silent while monsters devour humanity itself; monsters like myself. Even though being scared is part of our nature and is vital for self preservation it also needs balance in order for us to function normally in society. Because otherwise you'll either act reckless or cowardly.

"Welcome back, Reaper." Alicarra said as she greeted me at the gate to my palace.

I looked into the dark night sky and wondered how much longer the storm clouds will hold onto the skies. Her green eyes stared intensely into mine and although they lacked pupils, her eyes were shining bright beneath all the moonlight and stars above. "How did the talk with Enzo go?" Alicarra asked, looking at him curiously. "None of my words will ever get to him. His perspective of this world is more distorted than I thought." I said as I took off my mask.

Alicarra was shocked, it seemed she has heard of my true identity. "It can't be... I know who you are."

"What do you mean, Alicarra? It's clear that the time has come. Even though my story was unknown I didn't plan for this to happen, nor do I expect anyone to forgive me for the crimes committed in my name and thus I ask if we can forget everything." My voice began to shake uncontrollably with emotion while a tear fell free from her eyes and ran down her cheeks, creating trails in her tears where water drops slid across skin until stopping before reaching their final destination.

"You're the man that single-handily killed The Voidwalker... I've been looking for you for years, Sora Katayama." Alicarra's words hit home and suddenly I found it hard to breathe, she's still in disbelief of what's been happening for years. "That day...you made an oath to put your past aside and become something greater than what you were before, did you not?"

"No, you're mistaken, I'm not Sora." I argued while stepping towards her and placing a hand on her shoulder. "Fall." My spell brought her to her knees.

"What are you doing?" She said as she trembled in fear.

"Did you really think I'm not capable of doing bad things just like the next villain? Did you really think I was kind-hearted, I will admit that sometimes I want to save someone if it benefits me or gets me ahead." I sighed heavily and continued after a long moment of silence passed between us.

"However, the truth is simple. There isn't anyone left capable of matching up to my strength and power anymore. After the Voidwalker, everything has changed for me." Alicarra started coughing violently as dark black liquid flowed out from between her lips.

"This world is rotten to it's core and I am here to correct it, Leo died simply because of my existence. I must atone for it by correcting this rotten world by eliminating any evil that this world throws at me. Your brother tried to prevent the inevitable, however instead it created an unescapable fate of being slain. Don't believe otherwise." I said.

Alicarra's eyes were wide and full of regret and anguish; tears streamed down her face continuously while her whole body trembled with anger and fear.

"How do you know my brother is Williams...?" She gasped with surprise, wiping the blood away with her arm sleeve, staring intensely into my eyes as if looking directly at my soul; waiting for a reply, "I can sense a strong connection between Williams and yourself, it was just a guess and I seemed to be correct. I feel no remorse for your brother, he killed my brother, or at least the only thing I could call family. YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT'S LIKE TO HAVE THE ONLY THING YOU LOVE DIE! YOUR BROTHER WAS A ROTTEN MURDERER THAT DESERVED EVERYTHING THAT CAME TOWARDS HIM!"

The moment the words left my lips the girl crumpled to the floor with a painful yelp. She shook her head furiously and whimpered loudly in response, tears filling her eyes again while blood trickled down her jawline, staining her teeth a deep red. "Please... don't tell me anything else about William and The Voidwalker...just please." I demanded.

My hand rested comfortably upon her back, rubbing it soothingly as I slowly leaned her back upwards, wrapping arms tightly around her chest as I whispered in her ear:

"You know as well as I do, I'm not good for anything anymore, other than ending the lives of those around me, I'm a killer; pure and simple," I said without hesitation, the words came rolling from my tongue smoothly like honey or poison dripping from the mouth. "You're even more evil than my brother... what the hell are you?" Alicarra replied softly and weakly.