Chapter 66: A Broken Nature

Chapter:

The next day,

"Ricky."

"Ricky!"

"Hmmmmm?" Ricky hummed awake, his voice filled with confusion after being stirred from his slumber. 

Maria's urgent whispers pierced through the fog of his drowsiness, tugging his attention toward her. 

He blinked, his vision settling on her, a slow smile spreading across his face as he took in the serene beauty of her naked body, bathed in the soft morning light.

"Hey gorgeous." Ricky leaned in, pressing a soft kiss against her neck, a smile playing on his lips. 

But before he could savor the moment, she shoved him off, her sudden resistance catching him by surprise.

"You need to leave, they'll kill you." Maria whispered, fear flickering in her eyes as she glanced at Ricky. 

He opened his mouth to retort but stopped, his expression softening into a smile instead. 

Leaning down, he kissed her forehead gently, then began to gather his clothes scattered across the floor and as he dressed, he turned back to her, that same reassuring smile lingering on his face.

"You know I'm coming back for you, right?" Ricky asked, his voice steady with reassurance. 

Maria's worried expression softened as a warm smile spread across her face, her eyes holding onto his promise.

"I know."

Sneaking out of the house, Ricky moved carefully, every step measured to ensure no one spotted him. 

Once he reached a safe distance, he exhaled in relief, glancing around to confirm he was alone. 

With a smirk, he pulled out the systems to see a set of coupons, inspecting his Legendary and Epic Coupon.

'Open coupons.'

*DING*

Received:

(Epic Skill) Holy Aura: You will be blessed with a holy aura that will bless it so that once this skill is activated, it will poison all those impure around you.

(Legendary Item) Weapon Upgrade Ticket: Enhances any one of your items from Epic grade to the Legendary grade. Cannot be used on legendary and above items .

Ricky's eyes gleamed with a greedy smile as he glanced at the 425 gacha tickets in his inventory. 

The anticipation buzzed through him, but first, he reached for a single ticket and summoned his solar flame bow. 

The weapon appeared in his grip, radiant with heat, its ethereal flames flickering like it was alive as his smile widened, savoring the power in his hands.

"Upgrade."

A brilliant light flared as the ticket dissolved into the solar flame bow, fusing with it in a radiant burst. 

Ricky's heart raced as the familiar weapon, one he had wielded countless times, began to shift in his hands. 

Its form twisted, reshaping itself with a crackling energy, the once steady flames now spiraling with newfound intensity. 

The bow seemed to pulse, alive with power, as its very nature transformed before his eyes.

Luminary Sunfire Bow: Crafted from the sacred wood of the Celestial Ember Tree, the Luminary Sunfire Bow transcends its predecessor with enhanced radiance and mystical prowess. This legendary bow channels the power of the sun itself, imbuing its arrows with ethereal flames that burn brighter and hotter than ever before. 

Upgrades: 

Celestial Essence Infusion: The bowstring is now infused with the essence of celestial energy, allowing for more precise and devastating shots. Each arrow resonates with the power of the sun, gaining increased accuracy and speed. 

Aegis Solarium Coating: The bow's surface is coated with Aegis Solarium, a rare substance forged in the heart of a solar forge. This not only enhances the bow's durability but also adds a shimmering, protective aura that repels dark forces. 

Nova Cascade Quiver: Integrated seamlessly into the bow, this enchanted quiver channels a continuous flow of miniature solar flares. As the archer draws back the string, the bow absorbs the radiant energy and transfers it to the arrows. With each pull, the stored arrows become charged with this solar essence, ensuring that every shot ignites into a brilliant cascade of solar flames upon release.

Cleansing Sunlight Aura: The bow emits a soothing aura of cleansing sunlight, purifying the surroundings and providing a sense of rejuvenation to the wielder. This aura also weakens shadowy creatures and enhances the bow's potency against the forces of darkness. Solar

Convergence Mastery: Mastering the Solar Convergence technique, the archer gains the ability to focus solar energy into a single, ultra-powerful arrow. This charged shot possesses unparalleled destructive force, capable of piercing through even the toughest magical barriers.

The bow illuminated with a pure, radiant light, almost blinding in its brilliance, before it cooled into an ethereal glow. 

The legendary weapon pulsated in Ricky's hand as he gripped it tightly, his gaze fixed on a nearby abandoned building. 

Walking toward the target with a mix of excitement and curiosity, Ricky approached with a slight frown of confusion. 

He then drew back the glowing bowstring, his confusion fading as he felt the energy begin to gather. 

The bowstring moved smoothly under his fingers, and with each inch he pulled back, the arrow grew brighter and more defined. 

The radiant energy coalesced, forming a shimmering arrow that intensified with every centimeter, its shape becoming clearer and more powerful as he continued.

As Ricky released the string, the arrow flew with explosive force, slamming into the nearby wall. 

The impact was immediate and devastating, sending debris flying and causing the wall to shatter under the tremendous power. 

The arrow's solar flames greedily spread, consuming the wall and reducing it to nothingness in a blaze of fiery destruction.

'Holy sh*t.' Ricky looked at this devastating weapon in his hands, the mere power of this weapon pulsating in his mind.

"Alexander is going to sh*t his pants when he sees this." Ricky laughed, a satisfied grin spreading across his face as he imagined the look on that gerbil's face. 

He slipped the bow back into his inventory before rubbing his hands together, he summoned his inner gambler. 

A blue, luminous wheel materialized before him, spinning with a mesmerizing glow that drew his gaze. 

The wheel's captivating light danced, casting an enchanting aura as it turned, promising the excitement of chance and fortune.

'Alright, let's hope all that hoarding wasn't for nothing.'

*DING*

(Mythical Item) Aetherial Nexus Core: Forged in the heart of a cosmic convergence, the Aetherial Nexus Core is a legendary magic core that serves as a conduit to the very fabric of the arcane. When harnessed by a skilled practitioner, it grants the extraordinary ability to wield magic with unprecedented mastery. Legends tell of the convergence of multiple magical dimensions, birthing this core and infusing it with the essence of pure arcane potential.

Properties: 

Arcane Attunement: Upon touching the Aetherial Nexus Core, the user becomes attuned to the vast reservoirs of magical energy in the surrounding environment, gaining an innate understanding of different magical disciplines. 

Mana Confluence: The core acts as a focal point for mana and combines with your own heart, absorbing ambient magical energies and storing them within its crystalline structure. The user can tap into this reserve to amplify their magical abilities. 

Elemental Affinity: The core adapts to the user's magical preferences, enhancing their affinity with specific elements, whether it be fire, water, earth, air, or a combination thereof. 

Arcane Augmentation: Spells cast through the Aetherial Nexus Core are augmented, displaying increased potency, range, and precision. The core refines the user's magical gestures and incantations. 

Riftwalker's Veil: By channeling the core's power, the user gains the ability to briefly step between dimensions, allowing for strategic maneuvers and escaping dire situations. 

The Legend Behind The Aetherial Nexus Core: Whispers of the Aetherial Nexus Core have echoed through arcane chronicles, with mages and scholars seeking the legendary item to unlock the pinnacle of magical prowess. It is said that the core holds the key to the convergence of all magical realms, offering a glimpse into the vast tapestry of arcane knowledge. However, its location remains elusive, often appearing only in times of great magical significance, waiting for a worthy mage to embrace the responsibility of wielding its cosmic power.

(Legendary Item) Vorpal Mirror Shard - Dimensional Reflector: This small, iridescent shard, hailing from a mirror shattered in the realm between dimensions, possesses the power to create a one-time dimensional reflection. When activated, it creates a mirror image of the bearer, mirroring their every action and absorbing all damage directed at them. This mirror doppelganger lasts for a short duration, acting as a decoy and absorbing a predetermined amount of harm before dissipating. The shard then crumbles into fine, sparkling dust, returning to the fractured dimension from whence it came.

(Legendary Item) Vial of Eternal Essence: Derived from the legendary Wellspring of Eternity, the elixir contained in this vial offers a remarkable communion with the essence of existence. Upon consumption, it provides a temporary sense of invigoration, accelerated recuperation, and a heightened awareness of surroundings. This vial is pursued by those seeking a reprieve from the inexorable passage of time, desiring a taste of enduring vitality though it cannot revive the dead. 

Attributes: 

Fleeting Invigoration: Temporarily enhances resilience and speeds up recovery. 

Clarity of Being: Augments perception and sharpens awareness. 

Vitality Surge: Refreshes stamina and revives the body.

(Legendary Item) Eldritch Call: A forbidden and vastly dangerous whistle that serves as a one time use item. Its call causes one eldritch being to your aid and will follow your entire wish for exactly thirty seconds; however if the whistle is not destroyed after the thirty seconds, the being gains an eternal foothold into your realm.

(Legendary Item) Seeker's Orb: This orb will reveal the whereabouts of any being with a single piece of hair, drop of blood, or anything that might pertain to the being's anatomy.

(Legendary Armor) Gauntlets of the Damned: Forged in the accursed forges of forbidden realms, the Gauntlets of the Damned are a sinister creation with a dark and ominous history. Infused with the essence of malevolence and bound by eldritch curses, these legendary gauntlets are both feared and coveted by those who seek power at any cost. Wielding the Gauntlets of the Damned, the chosen bearer walks a treacherous path, harnessing the malevolent energies within to achieve their dark ambitions. Legends speak of those who, driven by insatiable desires, sought the power of the Gauntlets of the Damned, only to succumb to the alluring whispers of the abyss.

Powers and Abilities: 

Cursed Grasp: The gauntlets instill a chilling touch, capable of draining the life force from foes upon contact. This stolen vitality bolsters the wearer's own strength and resilience Temporarily. 

Netherfire Infusion: The gauntlets can channel otherworldly flames that burn with an unholy intensity. This eldritch fire not only damages enemies but also leaves lingering curses, sapping the willpower of those touched by its infernal blaze. Spectral Wield: The wearer gains the ability to summon and control spectral entities to aid in battle. These ghostly allies obey the commands of the gauntlet's master, haunting and tormenting enemies on the battlefield. 

Dreadful Resilience: The gauntlets confer a dark resilience, allowing the wearer to endure and resist attacks that would break the will of lesser beings. The more the wearer faces adversity, the stronger their connection to the cursed power of the gauntlets becomes. 

Eclipse's Embrace: In moments of dire need, the gauntlets can shroud the wearer in an impenetrable darkness, rendering them nearly invisible and allowing for swift and silent movements. This shadowy cloak enhances stealth and surprise in combat. 

(Legendary Skill) Emperor Eye: A masterstroke of sensory supremacy, formerly used by the basketball genius Akashi's, this ability transcends the ordinary, endowing him with an unparalleled level of perceptual finesse. This extraordinary ability grants the user the extraordinary power to scrutinize not only the movements but the very essence of his opponents' bodies with meticulous precision, leaving no detail hidden from his keen gaze.

(Epic Skill) Persuasion Aura: Emitting an aura that encourages positive attitudes and cooperation.

(Epic Skill) Psychic Healing: Using psychic energy to accelerate natural healing processes without harm.

(Epic Skill) Advanced First Aid: Knowledge of semi complex medical procedures can be invaluable in emergencies. This skill can save lives and reduce the severity of injuries.

(Epic Skill) Time-Loop Awareness: Sensing and understanding temporal loops without causing harm.

(Epic Item) Diary Of A Tortured Soul: The diary of a man who lived nothing but a life of pain as he endlessly set out for a better life.

(Epic Weapon) Dagger of Venom: A small, unassuming dagger that injects a deadly poison into its target with a single scratch.

(Epic Item) Spectral Lantern: This lantern reveals hidden spirits and ghosts, making them visible to the bearer.

(Epic Weapon) Arrow of Fate: Once fired, this arrow unerringly finds its target, guided by fate itself.

(Epic Item) Spider's Thread: A deadly poison used by the Phantom Troupe, causing excruciating pain and leading to death if not treated promptly. X 13

(Epic Item) Lunar Shard Talisman: Activating this talisman temporarily grants the user heightened senses and agility, mimicking the grace and speed of a moonlit dance. The talisman's glow fades after one use, leaving behind only a cold, dull rock.

(Epic Item) Mirage Stone: Throwing this small, shimmering stone creates a brief but convincing illusion of the user and their surroundings, perfect for misdirection.

(Epic Item) Ethereal Veil Scroll: Unfurling this scroll envelops the user in a cloak of invisibility, allowing them to move unseen for a limited time. The scroll disintegrates after use, leaving no trace.

(Rare Item) Steel Point Pens: Crafted by the finest blacksmith in the world of Forchheim. These pens were crafted in a world entirely populated by blacksmiths for blacksmiths and these one hundred pens were all crafted in a single day by an aspiring blacksmith who sought to prove himself. X 100

(Uncommon Item) Wooden Chess Board Case: A wooden case filled with a handcrafted chessboard and pieces. X 20

(Uncommon item) Antique Compass: A beautifully crafted compass from the 19th century, complete with intricate engravings. X 35

(Uncommon Item) Crystal-Crafted Music Box: A delicately designed music box made from fine crystals, playing a soothing melody when opened. X 20

(Uncommon Item) Edible Insects Sampler: A selection of edible insects in various flavors, suitable for adventurous food enthusiasts. X 15

(Common Item) Rolls of Charmin Ultra Strong Soft Toilet Rolls: A roll of four ply toilet paper that feels like you're wiping your ass with a cloud. X 67

(Common Item) Traveler's Satchel: A sturdy leather bag with numerous compartments and a comfortable strap, ideal for carrying essentials on the go. X 60

(Common Item) Sturdy Travel Flask: A durable flask made from polished steel, perfect for keeping beverages hot or cold during long journeys. X 44

(Common Item) Pair of fingerless Biker gloves: Made for bikers who just wanted to ride a Harley. X 33

An overwhelming tsunami of information flooded Ricky's enhanced vision as he scanned the array of skills. 

Though he skimmed through them, it felt as though he could perceive every detail with perfect clarity. 

His gaze lingered on the Vial of Eternal Essence, even in the presence of his first Mythical item, he was unable to pull away from its meaning.

A broad smile spread across his face, a sense of triumph washing over him as if he had finally caught a break. 

Energized by the discovery, he hurried away, eager to put this into use as the system notifications that began to appear before him.

['Psychic Healing' is compatible with your X-Gene, would you like to merge this into your X-Gene?]

[The skills 'Holy Aura' and 'Persuasion Aura' are compatible, would you like to merge these two skills?]

[Yes/No]

'Yeah, whatever.'

*DING*

(X-Gene) Pyro-Psionic Fusion:

Fusion Manifestation and Shape Manipulation: Ricky can materialize a harmonious blend of psychic energy and fire into solid, intricate constructs or powerful weapons. He can manipulate their shape, size, and complexity, showcasing a seamless integration of creativity and control. These constructs range from simple tools to complex machinery, reflecting his mastery of both psychic and pyrokinetic powers.

Durability and Offensive Capabilities: The constructs Ricky creates are exceptionally durable, capable of withstanding significant force and damage. Infused with both psychic and fiery energy, they serve as potent offensive tools. Ricky can generate and control projectiles that combine the dynamic nature of psychic force with the destructive power of controlled fire, providing him with versatile and powerful ranged attacks.

Defensive Capabilities and Dual Mobility: Ricky projects invisible force fields from his mind, forming protective barriers, shields, or entire domes. These force fields are highly durable, blocking telekinesis, preventing mental intrusion, and shielding against various physical and energy-based attacks. Additionally, Ricky can ride on streams of controlled fire or navigate on his psychic force fields, granting him both aerial mobility and maneuverability in battle.

Psionic Infusion and Healing: Ricky seamlessly infuses his constructs and force fields with emotions or thoughts, enhancing their effectiveness against specific adversaries or situations. He can also use his psychic energy to accelerate natural healing processes, both for himself and others, without causing harm. This fusion of psychic and fiery energy allows him to heal injuries and bolster his combat effectiveness, making him a versatile and strategic combatant.

Mental Control: Ricky's mental control over his creations allows for dynamic adaptation, making him a formidable opponent who can leverage the combined powers of psychic energy and fire to gain the upper hand in any confrontation.

(Legendary Skill) Radiant Harmony Aura: When activated, this skill envelops you in a radiant aura that simultaneously purifies the impure and inspires cooperation among allies.

Purification Blessing: The Holy Aura aspect of this skill purges the surroundings of impurities. Those with malevolent intentions or impure motives will be affected, experiencing a weakening effect akin to poison. This effect serves as a deterrent to those who harbor negativity.

Inspiring Cooperation: The Persuasion Aura aspect radiates a compelling energy that fosters positive attitudes and cooperation. Allies within the aura's range will feel a heightened sense of unity and teamwork. This can enhance strategic coordination in battles and promote harmony in any social or diplomatic situation.

Ricky didn't gaze at the screen but simply ran forward as he dashed throughout the streets with the vial in his hand.

Meanwhile at the Brooklyn Hospital,

The light poured through the open window, casting a gentle glow across the room. Eddy's once-chaotic space, filled with an assortment of flowers and get-well gifts, was now eerily immaculate. 

The bed, which had been a tangle of sheets, was meticulously made, the crisp linens from Ricky smoothing out like a polished surface. 

Eddy's fingers skimmed the sheets, smoothing out every crease as though their imperfections were a grave offense as he sat back in his chair, surveying the result of his careful efforts.

Eddy glanced around the spotless room and adjusted the two letters placed neatly by his side. Each movement was deliberate, a final act of order before the end. 

He painstakingly maneuvered himself and the chair towards the table, tucking it away to restore the room to its pristine state.

Once everything was as it was when he first entered, Eddy made his way to the window with each action an tireless effort in itself.

Struggling but determined, he finally reached the window ledge where he often gazed out at the bustling city below. 

The world continued its ceaseless motion, indifferent to him as he stared down at the myriad faces of people moving about their lives below. 

Each individual walked with purpose, absorbed in their own routines and pursuing their own dreams.

However, Eddy had lost that spark. 

The very thing that had once made him smile with purpose had slipped away, drowned by the arrival of his useless legs. 

His dreams had vanished, leaving him feeling like half a man as he was once seen as a source of strength.

Now he was only defined by his disability, a cripple rather than the muscle he had once aspired to be.

Even when he was surrounded by people, Eddy felt an overwhelming sense of isolation. 

No one around him seemed to grasp the depth of his hollow feeling, and it drove him to the very edge of his own despair, even as people reached out in genuine attempts to help.

Countless people continued to extend their help, setting aside their own desires to be close to his broken self. 

What wounded him the most was witnessing the immense sacrifices his brother, Frank, made to ensure his well-being. 

The sight of Frank's own deterioration, borne from his tireless efforts, only deepened Eddy's anguish, breaking him further as he watched the toll it took on his beloved brother.

So he had tried to push everyone away, including Frank, convincing himself that if he were gone, the world would be better off. 

In his tormented mind, this belief took root, growing stronger with each attempt to isolate himself from those who cared.

But despite his efforts to push them away, they persisted in their attempts to stay by his side. 

Their unwavering presence, though meant to offer support, only drove him deeper into his own despair, amplifying the sense of isolation he felt.

It was a vicious and painful cycle that Eddy resolved to end on his own. A

Acknowledging the wrongness of his decision, he felt he could no longer endure the relentless torment. 

Desperate for release, he chose to break free from the cycle, even as he grappled with the guilt of his choice.

Yet, even this wouldn't be his greatest sin as his deepest regret would be the inability to face those who truly cared for him and offer them the apology they deserved. 

Despite this, for once, Eddy longed to be free again, driven by a desperate need for release from his own suffering.

Grabbing the sheets he had arrived at the hospital with, Eddy wrapped them around his neck. 

These sheets, the very same ones he had arrived at the hospital with, would now be the ones with which he departed from this world.

Eddy took one last, lingering look at the vibrant city below as a serene smile spread across his face as he closed his eyes, embracing a profound sense of relief that suddenly washed over him. 

Gently, he tilted his body forward, the sheets trailing behind him like a shroud. 

As he fell from the window, the sheets fluttered in the breeze, and in that fleeting moment, Eddy experienced an almost euphoric liberation, soaring through the sky on his final flight.

*CRACK*

Eddy's neck snapped with a sickening crack as the sheets tightened brutally around it, the force of the fall wrenching his head at an unnatural angle. 

His final breath came in a gurgling, agonized rasp as his body convulsed violently, eyes bulging in a grotesque display of sudden death. 

The sheets that had once promised Eddy liberation now grotesquely displayed his lifeless body, dangling from the window in a sickening spectacle. 

His form swayed back and forth with a disturbing rhythm, the fabric fluttering in the breeze as if mocking the freedom he sought. 

Gradually, the motion slowed, and his body came to a haunting stillness.

Screams of horror echoed through the air, a tidal wave of shock and disbelief, but one individual stood frozen from the chilling sight, their face pale and eyes wide with a mix of terror and paralysis. 

"Eddy?" Ricky's voice trembled with incredulity as a haunting memory surfaced. 

As Ricky's gaze fell upon Eddy's lifeless body, a figure emerged from the deepest depths of his mind, silhouetted against the grim scene. 

The figure hung with a rope tied around his neck with a bright, unsettling smile and open arms, an image so eerily serene it made Ricky's knees buckle. 

"AHHHHHHHHHH!" A shriek pierced the air, sending a wave of panic through the crowd as people scattered in horror. 

Meanwhile, Ricky stood rooted to the spot, his body frozen in shock, unable to move or tear his eyes away from the nightmarish scene before him.

Instead of stepping forward, Ricky instinctively took a step back, unable to confront the harrowing sight before him. 

Surrendering to his old instincts, Ricky fled from the grim reality with a frantic urgency, desperate to escape the crushing weight of what he had just seen. 

At his lowest point, he turned to the one constant solace in his life: alcohol. 

The flask of bourbon he always carried, a symbol of his escape from life's harshness, found its way into his hand. 

This flask had been his refuge whenever life became unbearable, nurturing his fractured spirit in its darkest moments.

Raising the flask to his lips, Ricky hoped to drown his pain and find release from the suffocating reality. 

Yet, as he sipped the bourbon, expecting its familiar burn to scorch away his troubles, he was met with a taste that was unexpectedly rancid, rotten. 

The once-sweet relief now tasted putrid, and the liquid felt like a vile sludge as it forced its way down his throat, festering in his gut.

*BLERGH*

In a shocking twist of fate, Ricky's attempt to escape reality backfired and instead of sinking into a drunken stupor, he violently vomited, expelling the bourbon that had promised him solace. 

The once-sweet escape now lay in a puddle on the ground, and Ricky was still left shattered, starkly sober and entirely disoriented. 

The bitter realization of his failure to find refuge left him even more devastated, unable to numb the crushing reality he faced.

'What the f*ck?' Ricky wiped his mouth and discarded the flask as if it had turned rancid. 

In his wrecked state, he frantically sought out every type of alcohol he could find, but each one tasted spoiled and left his body in a grotesque state. 

Throughout the day, he couldn't even manage to become buzzed; instead, he spent the time vomiting more than he ingested. 

The relentless cycle of sickness forced him to confront his suffering head-on, stripped of the numbing escape he had sought.

In the dead of night, Abraham ventured into a dimly lit back alley and found Ricky with his head buried in his hands, his hollow gaze reflecting profound despair. 

Abraham looked down at him with a mix of disappointment and concern, while Ricky looked up in confused bewilderment. 

Having learned of the situation through the bar, Abraham had sought out Ricky, expecting to find him merely diminished. Instead, he was met with the sight of Ricky completely shattered.

"Is this how you react in the face of tragedy?" Abraham spoke, his words eliciting a loud, derisive scoff from Ricky.

"Yeah, well, at least I'm not some old man damned for purgatory." Ricky rubbed his forehead wearily as Abraham calmly pulled out a cigarette and lit it, the soft glow of the ember casting a brief, flickering light in the dark alley.

"Jesus." Abraham sighed deeply, taking a slow puff from his cigarette as he watched Ricky's display of self-pity unfold before him. 

"Listen Ricky death-"

"Shut up, just shut up." Ricky pounded his head against the wall, his gaze drifting upward toward the night sky.

"I f*cking had it." Ricky muttered, his voice cracking with raw emotion as his fist tightened. 

"I had a way to help him, but I was too late and there's nothing you can say that'll make me feel even a little bit better." Ricky almost laughed out, literally possessing the cure, the means to save Eddy, but he hadn't reached him in time. 

The realization that he had failed to act swiftly enough only drove him deeper into the abyss of his own despair.

"Listen Ricky death-" Abraham felt a compulsion to say something, to offer words of solace, but Ricky wasn't in the mood for any advice.

"Shut up, just shut up." Ricky pounded his head against the wall, his gaze drifting upward toward the night sky.

Ricky didn't want to hear any resolution nor did he want to face them, all he wanted to do was simply gaze up at the moon.

*Sigh*

"Whatever." Abraham flicked the cigarette to the side while walking out of the alley before walking back into the bar.

"You know where to find me."

The Next Day,

Ricky awoke in the same alley, disoriented and groggy and as he wobbled to his feet, then began to walk aimlessly.

Ricky walked and walked, his steps eventually leading him back to the house and as he pushed open the door, he was met with the sight of Lucky waiting for him, a stoic presence in the dimly lit entryway.

"I know-"

Ricky raised his hand in a weak gesture, but Lucky stepped forward and pulled him into a tight embrace. 

"It ain't your fault Ricky, it ain't your fault." Lucky patted Ricky's back, fully aware that Ricky would blame himself for everything. 

As Lucky offered silent support, Ricky repeatedly thumped his head against his father's shoulder, a futile gesture of frustration and anguish.

"I was right there-"

"I know." Lucky already understood as they pulled apart, and Ricky lifted his gaze while rubbing his eyes.

"When is the funeral?" Ricky asked his question, and Lucky's response was to bite his lip, struggling to find the right words.

"There will not be a funeral for Eddy-"

"W-Why not?" Ricky's expression turned incredulous, as if he thought this was some sort of cruel joke and Lucky sighed deeply, the weight of the situation clear in his resignation.

"Eddy killed himself and by catholic law, he can not have a catholic funeral-" Lucky revealed, trying to explain to the distraught Ricky who couldn't even believe what he was hearing form him.

"So we're not going to have one at all!" Ricky shouted in disbelief, a bitter laugh escaping him as he faced yet another set of seemingly absurd rules.

"Slick, I know it's a lot but right now we need to figure out what we're going to do-"

"But Eddy-"

"IS GONE!" Lucky cut through Ricky's frustration with a loud, commanding yell, abruptly silencing him and drawing his focus.

"YOU THINK YOUR THE ONLY ONE SADDENED BY THE LOSS OF A FRIEND?" Lucky shoved Ricky gently, a gesture that spoke volumes. In that moment, it became clear to Ricky that Lucky was grappling with a similar struggle yet one was looking forward.

"Do you think I don't want to drown myself in wine and forget about everything? Well, I can't cause right now the Luciano family is in trouble and I don't need a whining sissy, but my son to help me figure out what to do." Lucky took a deep breath to steady himself, and Ricky, recognizing the need for calm, nodded in agreement. 

Together, they headed toward the kitchen table, where they could talk things through in a more grounded setting.

"How's the situation?" Ricky asked, smoothing back his disheveled hair with a restless hand..

"The other families are preparing for a war and are eyeing us in every street, we have the numbers but we're completely surrounded." Lucky massaged his forehead in frustration, while Ricky leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling as his mind seemed far away, lost in the swirl of his own thoughts.

"Slick, there are two ways we can handle this," Lucky began, already mapping a course that spit into two decisions.

 "First, we go to war, and I make you my underboss. Or, second, you leave for Sicily and-"

"What if I can get Eddy a catholic funeral?" Ricky interrupted, a thought striking him as he spoke which only served to disappoint his adoptive father. 

Lucky sighed heavily and leaned back in his chair, the weight of the decision clearly taking its toll on him.

"What?" Ricky asked, puzzled by the expression on Lucky's face that was clearly a large frown.. 

"Did you not realize my earlier words, it's against catholic law." Lucky cycled back to his earlier words, attempting to explain himself while his eyebrow twitched with irritation. 

"I got that, but what if I could change the church's mind-" Ricky tried to explain, knowing that he was in the church's good graces which only made Lucky laugh.

"So you want to leave?"Lucky wiped his mouth with a disbelieving smile, almost unable to believe what he was hearing.

"Because I-"

"Is this really about Eddy, Slick?" Lucky pointed at Ricky with an accusatory gaze, his eyes sharp and filled with unspoken frustration.

"What are you talking about?" Ricky laughed out, thinking Lucky was spewing nonsense.

"Because to me, it just seems like you're trying to run away from your problems again like you always do." Lucky's temper flared, and he started picking a fight with Ricky, who frowned in response, his frustration evident.

"How am I-"

"Just go." Lucky waved Ricky away, his frustration palpable as he struggled to manage the crisis within the family. 

"Leave or stay, but right now, I just can't deal with this, with you." Lucky pointed at Ricky, treating him as a separate, pressing issue as his gesture underscored the severity of Ricky's situation in contrast to the other crises at hand.

"Either way, I'll get your back because I love ya kid, but it's time for you to grow up and out of this troupe of you running away from your problems." Lucky walked away, his frustration evident in his retreat. 

Ricky, laughing sarcastically, followed after him, the sound of his mockery echoing through the room as he trailed behind.

"So you want me to leave-" Ricky asked out, spreading his arms only for Lucky to turn around and face him head on.

"I want you to be the man I know you can be, not the f*cking coward in front of me right now." Lucky's words struck a deep chord, eliciting a bitter scoff from Ricky. 

"HOW AM I A COWARD, I'VE DONE EVERYTHING YOU'VE ASKED OF ME-"

"YET WHENEVER LIFE GETS TOUGH, YOU JUST RUN AWAY!" Lucky yelled back at Ricky, causing him to immediately close his mouth.

Lucky took a deep breath, regaining his bearings before looking at him with a mixture of sadness and disappointment.

"It ain't about doing what's asked of you, it's about standing your ground when life gets tough, that's what it means to be a man, to lead." Lucky looked at Ricky, seeing him falling apart and finally understanding that he couldn't pick up the pieces.

"I thought you'd grow out of whatever this is after Rocco and a little guidance, but I was wrong." Lucky gripped his cane tightly, his gaze fixed in disappointment.

"What happened to you, Ricky?" Lucky said, his voice heavy as he really spoke from the heart when looking at Ricky. 

"What happened before I adopted you?" Lucky asked, his voice tinged with anguish. 

"What went wrong somewhere along the line that led you off the rails and left you stuck where you are now?" Lucky grabbed his forehead, a distressed smile touching his lips as he reflected on how much he had tried to help Ricky and guide him, only to see him remain trapped in his struggles.

"You just won't grow, almost like you can't." Lucky said, his voice filled with frustration. 

"I've tried everything to be there for you, but that thing inside you is rotting you to your very core." Lucky walked up to Ricky, looking down at him with a clearly hurt expression.

"In all this time I've known you, everything around you has changed yet you haven't grown out of it, you're still the same and wherever you get close, you just revert back." Lucky saw all of it firsthand, he saw Ricky make efforts to really change but whenever he reached the tipping point, he fell backwards.

"I don't know what to do." Lucky admitted, his voice heavy with defeat. 

"I thought you were supposed to be the roots of this family, but right now, you're just a leaf blowing in the wind." Lucky turned away after that, his back a picture of weary resignation.

"When you're ready, come back to the Luciano family. There will always be a place for you, but until then it's best if you leave." Lucky, for the first time since he adopted Ricky, gave him the cold shoulder as he essentially threw him out.

Ricky was left speechless, the sting of Lucky's resignation cutting deeper than even Profaci's harshest words. 

It wasn't just that Lucky had given up on him; it was the way Lucky framed it as his own failure rather than blaming him.

Ricky shook his head, turned on his heel, and began to walk upstairs and as he reached the top, he found Alexander, Chester, and Henry waiting for him. 

Without a word, Ricky swiped Alexander from the table and gestured for Chester and Henry to follow him.

Lucky didn't stop Ricky; he simply watched as Ricky walked out of the house without even turning back to say goodbye, leaving the man to sigh once again in resignation.

"Young Ricky, we have heard about your falling comrade and-"

"It's fine, we'll get him the proper funeral he needs." Ricky turned to Alexander, who started to speak but fell silent when he saw Chester shaking his head. 

Henry hovered nearby, a tense presence in the air and Ricky, with a determined stride, made his way toward the tavern. 

He pushed open the door to find Abraham waiting at the end of the bar, his posture rigid and expectant.

"Can I get Eddy to have a catholic funeral?" Ricky called out to Abraham, but Abraham could only respond with a deadpan gaze as he struggled to find the right words, only to close his mouth in frustrated silence.

"Are you already going senile, or is it that bush of ear hair?" Ricky quipped as he walked over to Abraham. 

"No, the kid killed himself and has committed a so-called 'eternal' sin in the eyes of the church-" Abraham chuckled, knowing that lying to him wouldn't do the old man any good right now.

"Even if I become the black knight?" Ricky asked Abraham, who let out a small sigh as he set his drink down and turned his full attention to Ricky.

"I'm not going to sit here and promise things that I know won't come to pass," Abraham said, knowing they would never allow something like this to happen. 

"But if you're wondering who could make that decision, it would be the high council of the Vatican. Yes, you could speak to them after you attain the position of the Black Knight." Abraham explained, carefully avoiding any confirmation of whether it would actually happen.

"Then let's go-"

"I'll be at the docks tomorrow, if you're there you're there, and if not then I'll have to continue to be in this godforsaken rat hole of a city." Abraham downed his drink in one swift motion and then walked out of the tavern, leaving Ricky with his thoughts and the lingering echoes of his words.

"Say your goodbyes or don't, I don't really care." Abraham offered his parting words, and as he left, Alexander crossed his arms..

"What a poor elder he is, young Ricky it is good that you have actual role models to lean on." 

"What a poor elder he is, young Ricky it is good that you have actual role models to lean on." 

Alexander's brow twitched as he glared viciously at Henry, who, in a tense effort to diffuse the situation, repeated his words. 

Meanwhile, the gerbil, trying to steady himself, focused on the breathing exercises Chester had taught him, his small frame trembling with the effort to calm himself down.

"Allow us to give you your necessary time Ricky, we'll be at the docks when you arrive tomorrow." Chester scooped up Alexander, his actions firm but gentle. 

Alexander, still visibly agitated, glanced at Ricky before giving a nod of acknowledgment. 

He then followed Chester out the door, leaving Ricky behind with a mix of unresolved tension and contemplation.

Alone and with a few final goodbyes to deliver, Ricky made his way to a different house.

*Knock*

*Knock*

*Knock*

When the door opened, Ricky was met with the unexpected sight of the last person anyone would have guessed he'd come to say goodbye to.

"Ricky?" Ms. Collins looked at Ricky standing on her doorstep, her surprise evident. 

As she took in the sight of him, a flush of color spread across her face, hinting at a mix of emotions she wasn't quite ready to reveal.

"R-Ricky, I heard about Edward and I wanted to say-'' Ms. Collins hesitated, her gaze flickering between Ricky and the door. 

Before she could speak, Ricky abruptly silenced her with a passionate kiss. 

His kiss was forceful, as if he was trying to pour all his unspoken emotions into that single moment as he reached behind her, gripping her firmly, and squeezed.

She melted against him, overwhelmed as his touch more or less provoked such a spirling swirl of wetness.

"Wait~" Ms. Collins tried to speak, but a moan escaped her lips instead, her voice silenced by the intensity of Ricky's touch.

It was a selfish decision, but among all the women he could have chosen, Ricky picked Ms. Collins, the one who held no emotional sway over him. 

He understood that seeing Maria or Alina might lead him to act recklessly or stay when he needed to leave, so he sought out the one who would let him lose himself completely, free from any emotional ties.

With a forceful slam of the door behind him, Ricky began to press more fervent kisses onto Ms. Collins, who struggled to regain her composure amidst the intensity of his touch.

Ricky had meticulously guided her responses to each of his touches, a careful training that now bore fruit. 

As his fingers traced her skin, a flush of anticipation surged through her, a tangible heat that betrayed her excitement. 

Yet, beneath the surface of her growing desire, her mind grappled with a deep, unsettling awareness: they were on the brink of crossing a boundary that should remain sacred between teacher and student.

"Ricky, we can't-

'Wet to the touch.'

"A-Ah~" Ms. Collin's body trembled, her eyelids fluttering uncontrollably as a rush of warmth and desire spread through her. 

As her legs grew weak and wobbly, Ricky lifted her into a passionate kiss and in that moment, all the rationality and moral constraints of their forbidden relationship melted away, overshadowed by the overpowering force of their mutual desire.

"Where's your bedroom Ms. Collins." Ricky broke the kiss, his breath coming in ragged whispers. 

Ms. Collins looked up at him with eyes full of longing, her worries dissolving as she surrendered to the overwhelming need she had been holding back.

"Tonight, call me Jennifer."

Author's Note: I've been kinda busy and haven't really been checking comments as of late so I'll probably do it either tommorrow or like friday.