As the woman neared her brother, she smiled wickedly, showing off the sharp fangs that protruded from her mouth.
"Who the hell are you?" Gemma questioned coldly.
The old man came from behind as he stood in front of the two of them, holding his own weapons firmly in hand and staring directly at the woman. She chuckled darkly as she glanced over at the man. A low snarl escaped from her lips.
"You'll find out soon enough," She smirked evilly.
"You think I'm afraid of a little thing like you?" Gemma scoffed.
The woman suddenly lunged toward Gemma as she charged towards her at full speed and landed a kick right into Gemma's gut, sending him flying towards River, who caught him and held him close.
"Fuck... Xavier and Ember…it's been a long time," He smirked.
He envied their bond they had with the elderly man unlike his with Lian who'd barely spoken to him. He recalled how much Ember had changed after meeting the gentle reaper. Even though he hadn't really interacted with the younger twin much, he was still happy to meet the old man. However, his mood turned sour as the elderly man spoke again.
"I can bring out the best out of Lian if you allow me, as it looks like you are failing him…look at him!" The older man shouted.
The look of shock on Lian's face as the elongated blades guarded the boy from Gemma only further fueled his rage. He knew the two of them didn't trust him. Not even when he was trying to help them out for a split second. He didn't want to be the reason to be stabbed, but, he was going to have to make do with whatever happened.
"I know how to trigger this curse that has been pushed on you," The elderly man snickered.
Gemma knew he was serious as he held the cards and everything. The old man's presence alone made everything feel more threatening and dangerous. All the color drained from her face as dread filled her heart.
"How?" he asked in a desperate tone.
He knew exactly how the curse would be triggered, but he feared the consequences of this man's wrath. For centuries, every single person in the realm of Life or Death within the reaper inc had died before he could do it so, he hoped there was some sort of loophole to the curse. Perhaps they were meant to live another day so he could break the curse…or maybe he was meant to die, so the curse could be broken upon his arrival in the afterlife.
"Well?!" The elderly man muttered angrily.
The reapers stood patiently, realizing how painful enacting the curse would be. At the same time, he was eager to try and stop the man's fate. The old man began to laugh, causing the atmosphere to turn icy.
"Oh, dear…you are going to be in real pain. This curse is designed to kill those with dark hearts. It's an extremely difficult task to break…and if it wasn't for me having this ability…you would've already lost your chance at life," the old man grinned maliciously.
Lian realized he had met this man many times in the past, but a trauma made him unable to recall his name even now, as it's said or maybe his memory was wiped clean whenever a victim fell under the effect of the curse. If anything…he might've been involved somehow, but he could've been a complete stranger. What he remembered was how this guy liked to brag about how powerful he was.
Has this been an endless loop between these two? A weekly battle of reapers displaying their power? How the hell did he end up with this burden placed on him? The thought terrified him. He felt as if his whole body was paralyzed as the memories flashed across his mind. No matter how hard he tried, the memories were too strong.
A spiral of hopelessness as he saw the expression on her face, realizing what she already knows he has learned again over and over becoming part of this spiderweb. The fear and worry he felt was palpable, and he could tell that she was beginning to regret accepting this deal from him.
"Please don't do it! I won't let you hurt anyone else! Soul Embrace!" She cried.
A protective translucent shield was created around Lian as everyone else looked up to see what was happening. The older reaper took off a glove, revealing several silver needles. He pointed the needles toward the shield as a bright blue light began to form inside of it. Suddenly, Lian noticed a large amount of ice began forming all around her as she watched helplessly.
[Soul Embrace MP 70/1130|1200]
"No!" She screamed.
"Fuck… River…" The older man growled angrily.
"M-" He heard from River's lips.
The name was not completed in his mind, leaving a blank as he watched the older man stab the needle straight through the shield and stab him. He fell back against Lian's chest as the shield collapsed. Before anyone could react, the elderly reaper disappeared into thin air. Confusedly.
The sound of the glass shattering was suddenly interrupted when Gemma fell to the ground in defeat. All of a sudden, a loud scream echoed throughout the hall, shocking everyone within earshot with the scream. Everyone's eyes immediately shot over to the source.
"Did he really think the eternal sphere would work forever on you?" He laughed.
"Eternal… Sphere?" Lian asked.
River was quiet as Lian watched in suspense of what the elderly reaper would say next.
After taking a few steps closer to them, he glared down at Gemma, who laid weakly on the ground, unable to move. The elderly reaper walked up to him, looking him dead in the eye.
"Lian… River, please know that Gemma is finished without real help… I ask you to come while you can because he enslaved you till he is nothing!" The sage man said with a smile.
He hesitated as he watched his teacher on the ground in a miserable pile, defeated by this man and his two students.
"Come along, my darling. We're leaving," Ember whispered.
"No!" Gemma shouted desperately.
The charcoal haired boy realized the evil done to him by Gemma, as well as to the others, caused the elder reaper to change. But, Ember still had no idea why this man was doing what he was doing.
"Leave me alone…you bastard!" River cried as tears began to fill her eyes.
Lian knew the whole world was heavy on shoulders as he had to be quick about what to do
to save his sister's life. After everything the young boy went through, she was the first person whom he cared about. How can he possibly let this happen to him and to the people he cares about, especially the ones he loves? His feelings were mixed as he couldn't understand where his anger came from.
He felt as though he was in a drug induced state, almost completely unaware of what was going on around him. The only thing he was aware of was his sister's desperate plea for someone to help her. She needed help…now.
'If it weren't for the fact that I care about her so damn much... I wouldn't waste any more time on this…this asshole will pay for what he has done!' He thought.
"Stop Lian!" Ember shouted.
The boy paused as he gazed down at his teacher with his eyes closed, knowing he could easily be ended if he dare try and take advantage of him. His eyes snapped open as realization set in
and he quickly dashed after the elder reaper. Ember quickly followed close behind.
"Take me with you, please!" Lian pleaded.
He didn't care what happens to him or Gemma, but, he couldn't stand the thought of his sister suffering. He just wanted his teacher to stop hurting her, especially because she was so worried about him.
"Let's go now while we can then," Ember grinned.
"W-Wait!" Gemma tried to shout.
Lian's mind reeled watching his educator who tormented him Lian's mind reeled watching his educator who tormented him and forced him to become like this, be taken out by his own teacher. Even if the matured gentlemen never intended this, Lain didn't seem like himself anymore and, if they were to leave before they could help himself, the man who kept him locked into the house.
Freedom only a step away from him as he acknowledged the door's presence only within reach.
"We're going home, child. You will meet again one day," The elder said as he turned to face Lian with a smile.
The boy froze at the sight of his teacher's expression before the man reached his hand out and grabbed Lian's. They stared into each other' eyes, neither saying anything for a short period of time.
"Thank you…" It was all Lian could think to say, causing the elder to laugh heartily before vanishing in the blink of an eye.