Enzo's Perspective:
After returning to the city, the Council offered me an official position in charge of teaching students at the academy. After Leo and Sora died, I decided to bear all of their responsibilities, I became stronger, wiser and I had to grow up faster.
One by one, the heroes disappeared, and they had fallen into legend. Their lives were wiped out by the Reaper of Death, even some people like Professor Smith, her student Isla and other skilled individuals. But even the school could not offer much protection at a time like this; none of the mages, including us, could hold their ground for long because Reaper's attacks are nothing that you would call normal. His magic is the stuff nightmares were made of.
My lips parted slightly, revealing teeth that gleamed in the darkness around them. Eyes glistened with moisture before closing abruptly. A familiar sense of loss surged through him followed quickly by another feeling. "The heroes can't win anymore."
"We would like to offer you a position of a teacher at this school." Reagan stated.
I nodded politely, smiling back at him in response before shaking hands politely and turning towards Rayne, who stood a few yards in front of us with her arms folded neatly over her chest and legs crossed under herself, perched atop of a large boulder near where I stood, watching him intently. I returned my gaze to him after noticing Rayne shifting position and quickly walking toward her friend without hesitation as she stopped suddenly and gazed outwards across campus grounds, towards where they fought one another a few days ago.
"Reagan, I would be honored to be a part of the staff at this school."
"Good." Reagan paused, glancing nervously toward Rayne again. "How long are you staying here?"
"As long as I have to."
"Well then, let's discuss the specifics, shall we?"
The next few hours passed quietly by without much conversation between them before Rayne's voice broke through their thoughts, drawing their focus away from where it rested comfortably elsewhere. "I'm going to prepare a meal."
"Alright I'll be looking forward to it, Rayne. Now for you Enzo, I believe there is something that you still haven't said to me." Reagan continued with an emotionless expression crossing over his features; it looks as though he knew what's going to happen.
"It's about Sora, I know how much he meant to you. How am I ever going to live up to the expectations that everyone had for him?" I asked, staring intensely back at him while waiting patiently for his response. "Don't worry about what I want, I already accepted this fate long ago."
"Reagan, you were everything to Sora, he was supposed to be the one that was going to save the world from it's inevitable demise. Now that the Reaper of Death is here, how is anyone supposed to defeat him, none of the Elite 10 can even come close to beating him!" I shouted, hoping my friend would say otherwise. "Not even my strongest attacks can affect him, his body just regenerates everything so quickly and efficiently it's scary."
"Enzo, please calm down." Reagan said before taking my hand into his, holding onto it gently with a firm grasp. "You're more important to this world than just a hero, you and Rayne will change the tides. People may not accept you at first, but over time you will become better. Sooner or later you will rise to the title."
"It's truly a shame that Remi gave up on being a mage after Sora's death, I know that she loved him with all her heart."
"We can't dwell on the past, Enzo. We've all changed, none of us are the same people anymore, some died horribly in battle. Others had their life ruined by the reaper of death's cruel fate. But, nonetheless we are stronger now, I won't give up until the Reaper of Death is dead." Reagan looked at his watch and realized that the time for dinner is close at hand.
I continued my way into the kitchen with a deep sense of guilt eating away at my heart. I was the one who put my best friend to eternal slumber, and even if it was out of pure intentions; it wasn't enough to alleviate my pain.
The Xuidian Empire was the last standing hope for humanity after the destruction of the Khyuka Empire by the Reaper of Death. No one knows what really happened there because of how remote this area of the map is, but according to Rayne there were hundreds or maybe even thousands of victims murdered brutally during those 3 months that they couldn't find out a clue of Reaper's actions or hideout.
"All we know is that Reaper and his crew are incredibly skilled. Some speculate they may have gained the ability to transform into different creatures such as dragons, undead soldiers, even giant wolves or goblins. While other legends tell tales of beings created purely out of magic, called a creature of smoke and ash, they were described as having multiple eyes on their chests. It was believed that they were used to control large groups of servants, each of their eyes representing one slave." Rayne sighed sadly as her eyes gazed through her bedroom window. "I should have died instead."
Before Rayne could continue speaking there was a loud explosion right outside the school, that is where he appeared; The Reaper of Death.
Several cracks had started spreading throughout the ground, creating fissures beneath his feet while a thunderous roar echoed through the air, breaking glass around her bedroom causing fragments to fly everywhere. "Oh no! Is everyone alright?! Who's out there, help!"
Rayne yelled frantically searching frantically for her friends as another crash sounded off followed quickly by an overwhelming rush of power which washed over her like waves upon the ocean shoreline. A soft glow emanated from the man as if he was shining bright, but nothing like an aura shone about him, but rather the opposite - nothing could escape his grasp or reach beyond his circle of influence.
I jumped out the window and landed right in front of the Reaper, I began to shake from the sight of his presence, it made my blood run cold.
"Give me one good reason why you're here, I won't accept any more bullshit excuses, or else I won't hesitate to blast you to smithereens." I said, my eyes glimmering with determination.
"I know who you are, Enzo. Tell me why I shouldn't blow this school up and everything in it?"
"Reaper."
I was taken back by his voice, it echoed loudly through the courtyard, rattling in my ears before stopping completely and disappearing all together. "What is the purpose of your arrival? State your business and leave immediately, because I won't let anything happen here. Not on my watch." I answered confidently. "You are not welcome."
He sneered at my words, his eyes narrowed slightly upon hearing them before focusing solely upon me, "No need to worry, for now. Since I'll be leaving this place soon. Before long, the rest of the Empire will join their brethren's demise and be wiped off the surface of earth." He grinned viciously. "If I'm correct in believing that the Xuidians are still intact then there will no longer be an Imperialist nation left, which would mean only one thing."
I swallowed thickly, realizing what he's suggesting by saying that last line. It would mean... extinction! I knew I have to stop this before it happens or else we would perish! I can't allow another war happen on our soil ever again. "Reaper! I swear on my life that if I find out you have any relation to the attack that happened on Sora and Leo years ago. You're finished!"
His laugh rang through the air around me causing goosebumps to break out across my arms and neck, sending shivers down my spine. "I'm well aware of your friends and the legacy they left behind, but no matter, even if I had killed them today it still won't be enough. When we return, our enemies will not be left unscathed either. Therefore, there is no point in fighting any further, even though your cause remains pointless, I can tell the difference between the fools and smart ones." Reaper whispered softly and continued on while ignoring the threats directed his way. "I'll tell you this now. Prepare yourself because I won't let you survive the next time that you see me."