The scene was perfect—romantic yet serene, a hidden gem nestled on a secluded cliffside overlooking a pristine, turquoise sea. The setting sun cast a golden hue over the world, the sky painted with strokes of amber and crimson. Waves crashed rhythmically against the rocks below, their music a natural accompaniment to the moment.
A simple wooden arch adorned with white lilies and flowing silk stood against the horizon. Beneath it stood Yuria and Surreal, their hands entwined, with Forreal standing before them as the officiant.
"Alright," Forreal began, her voice steady despite the uncharacteristic softness in her demeanor. "We're gathered here today—or rather, just the three of us—for what might be the most secret wedding in human history."
Yuria chuckled, her face flushed with happiness, while Surreal maintained his calm, closed-eyed smile.
Forreal's gaze swept between them, and for a brief moment, she let herself smile too. "Yuria Brown, do you vow to be by this man's side—or whatever crazy plan he has in store—as his wife, his partner, and his anchor in life and evermore?"
Yuria nodded, her voice steady but brimming with emotion. "I do."
Forreal turned to Surreal, tilting her head slightly. "And Surreal, do you vow to cherish Yuria, to protect her even beyond death, and to remember her as more than just someone you love—but as the reason you keep going onward through the ordeal beyond space and time?"
Surreal's serene expression softened as he nodded. "I do."
With a flourish of his gloved hand, Surreal revealed a ring he had crafted—a sleek band forged from the remnants of the theospace vessel he had destroyed, its surface shimmering with iridescent colors that seemed to shift with the light.
Sliding it gently onto Yuria's finger, Surreal spoke, his voice warm and unwavering. "With this ring, I bind my heart to yours, Yuria. Across time, space, and even death."
Yuria gazed at him, tears shimmering in her eyes, "My ring is nothing compared to this…"
"Only the thoughts matter," Surreal assured her. "That ring you gave me managed to bag you a very powerful husband, so you really don't need to be ashamed of it."
Forreal clapped her hands together, her smile widening. "Well then, by the power vested in me by literally no one—since the world's laws don't matter anymore, as everything will soon be met with its impending doom—I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Surreal cupped Yuria's face gently, his gloved hand brushing against her cheek. Their lips met in a tender, heartfelt kiss, the setting sun framing them like a painting.
It has only been a day since the confession, Forreal told to herself. And here they are, having a secret wedding like no care in the world.
Forreal once asked about at least gathering an audience to the wedding, whether it was on Surreal's side, or Yuria's side.
However, the two of them appear to vehemently prefer to have a private wedding with just the three of them in it.
"I don't care about having guests." - Surreal, with no last name.
"My parents are no longer in this world, and I don't like meeting the rest of the family. Also, I don't want a single one of my acquaintances setting a sight on my adorable husband." - Yuria Brown.
Which led to the current situation.
"... What am I doing with my life?" Forreal uttered to herself.
The following seven days were a whirlwind of romance and adventure.
Surreal and Yuria traveled the world, indulging in everything life had to offer. Forreal tagged along, playing the reluctant chaperone but secretly enjoying the spectacle of their joy.
They dined in the finest restaurants, sampling exotic cuisines from every corner of the Earth. From freshly made sushi in a hidden Tokyo alleyway to decadent pastries in a Parisian café, every meal was a new memory.
They gambled in opulent casinos, with Yuria laughing as Surreal calmly swept the tables with an outright cheating that left the dealers speechless. Forreal shook her head in mock exasperation, muttering about how even in love, Surreal managed to maintain his image as a total menace.
They went on a cruise through the Mediterranean followed, where Yuria and Surreal danced under the starlit sky, their laughter mingling with the gentle lapping of waves against the hull. Forreal sipped on a cocktail from the sidelines, observing the two with a soft smile.
And thanks to Surreal's black magic, neither Yuria nor Forreal felt any kind of fatigue throughout this non-stop journey.
Every moment was precious, every experience etched into their hearts.
On the seventh day, the trio found themselves atop a hill surrounded by blooming wildflowers, overlooking a valley bathed in the golden light of the setting sun. The tranquility of the scene was almost surreal.
"I'm so glad I proposed when I did," Yuria said softly, her gaze fixed on the horizon. "If I'd waited… who knows if I'd have had the chance?"
Forreal smirked, leaning back on her hands. "You know, your proposal did delay his whole mass-murdering plan. I don't know if I should thank you or be annoyed."
Surreal chuckled, his closed eyes curving upward. "Still so eager to commit mass murder, Forreal. How endearing."
Yuria laughed at their banter, shaking her head with a shrug. "I still can't believe I'm married to someone who's about to end humanity as we know it~
"Imagine my position, being visited out of nowhere by someone who claimed to be my husband from the future. Any normal person would have a fright or just outright kick you two from the house for saying such an absurd thing."
"You make it as if proposing to that very person is not an absurd thing to do," Surreal teased, his smile softening.
"Yeah, I forgot what you even saw within this menace of a person," Forreal chuckled, pointing her thumb toward the said menace.
"I can make an entire paragraph, but the core reasons are simple." Yuria turned to him, her expression glowing with affection. "He is kind, beautiful, capable, and so… adorable."
Surreal raised an eyebrow, clearly affronted. "Adorable? I think you mean reliable and cool."
"Nope," Yuria said, her voice teasing. "Adorable. Like how you tried so hard to make everything perfect during our honeymoon. It was the cutest thing I've ever seen."
"It also doesn't help much that you're so short compared to your wife," Forreal chimed in.
Surreal snickered. "Well, as long as it bags me a wonderful partner, I don't mind being called adorable."
"I think in this timeline, it is the other way around," Forreal smirked. "She was the one who proposed first."
"Yup," Yuria said with excitement. "I managed to bag myself a cute and wonderful partner."
"Okay, now my wife is just teasing me to no end."
Forreal, watching their exchanges, thought to herself, These two are really made for each other.
But as their happiness unfolded before her, a pang of longing stirred within her. For the first time, Forreal found herself wondering what it might be like to have a partner of her own—a connection like theirs.
Then again, such a thing would be possible with humanity reduced to less than two digits in the near future.
The honeymoon had come to an end, and Yuria faced the inevitable with a quiet resolve. She stood firm and stoic, her expression calm yet tinged with melancholy as she looked at Surreal. Her wedding ring caught the light, glinting softly as if reflecting her inner peace.
"I'm ready," she said, her voice steady. "Only when I'm no longer here, can you continue your grand plan to protect humanity and break free from these cycles of abuse."
Surreal, turned to her with his usual serene smile—a smile that had weathered countless tragedies but never lost its bittersweet warmth.
"Forreal," Surreal said, his tone calm yet firm, "Wait for us here. This part… I need to handle it alone."
Forreal opened her mouth to protest but stopped when she met his closed gaze. There was no room for argument.
She nodded reluctantly, letting out a quiet sigh. "Fine. But don't make me wait too long."
Surreal turned back to Yuria and offered his hand. "Shall we?"
Yuria didn't even hesitate for a single moment before slipping her hand into his. His touch was warm despite the black magic coursing through him—a paradox that only he seemed capable of embodying.
With a ripple of black energy, they vanished.
They reappeared in the vast expanse of space, hovering just above the Earth. The planet's vibrant blues and greens glowed softly against the endless black canvas of the universe, illuminated by the faint light of distant stars. The curvature of the Earth was visible, a silent reminder of its fragile beauty.
Yuria gasped, her breath stolen by the sheer majesty of the sight. "I'm seriously in disbelief that you can still be romantic at this time," she whispered, her voice barely audible in the stillness of space. "Wait, if we are in space, how can I breathe and speak?"
"Black magic," Surreal casually answered.
"At this point, I don't think that there is anything black in your so-called magic," Yuria sighed with a smile.
Whenever Yuria saw or got affected by Surreal's black magic, she could only feel hope and warmth.
Was it truly black magic that Surreal used this whole time?
Forreal mentioned that there was always an equivalent exchange when it comes to using black magic.
What kind of exchange allowed Surreal to get hold of this so much power?
Surreal floated beside her, his hand never leaving hers. "This," he said softly, "Is where I wanted to bring you. To show you how small we are in the grand scheme of things, and yet… how beautiful it all is, regardless of how cruel and hopeless things can be."
The sun began to crest over the Earth's horizon, its rays stretching outward in golden tendrils that kissed the edges of the planet. The light scattered across the atmosphere, painting the scene with hues of fiery orange and soft pink.
Yuria's eyes shimmered, tears welling as she took in the sight. "I never imagined…" she began, but her words faltered, caught in the overwhelming awe of the moment.
There was something called the Overview effect.
When astronauts first see their planet from space, they go through intense emotions.
Seeing their home against the blackness of space is a profound experience that leads to a greater appreciation for Earth and its apparent fragility, and a deep connection to humanity as a whole.
And in this case, the Overview effect that Yuria experienced was more than less directed to Surreal's loneliness of being chosen to save this planet.
With his hand, Surreal gently turned her to face him, both of her hands clasped tightly in his.
His usual smile faded, replaced by an expression of raw, unguarded emotion.
"Yuria," he said, his voice trembling slightly, "There are countless timelines, countless versions of you… but none of them matter to me. You—this you—are the only one I love."
Her tears spilled over, sliding down her cheeks as she gazed at him, her lips trembling. "Surreal…"
"I want you to know," he continued, his voice steadier now, "That this isn't goodbye. I will bring you back. I'll ensure that the world you return to is one worthy of you—a world where you can live freely, without fear, without needing to mind those who utter false words…"
He positioned himself between her and the Earth, the rising sun framing him in golden light. The rays kissed his silver hair, casting him in an almost ethereal glow.
"And when that day comes," Surreal whispered, his voice breaking with emotion, "I will bring you happiness again. This shall be my promise, as the sole person that was tasked to preserve humanity from total extinction."
The sunlight intensified, its golden beams piercing through the darkness and bathing them both in a radiant embrace. The light reflected in Yuria's eyes as she gazed at him, her lips curving into a soft, bittersweet smile.
"I believe you," she said, her voice steady despite the tears. "And I'll be waiting… no matter how long it takes."
The black magic Surreal had imbued her with began to take effect, hastening her departure and ensuring that the process was painless.
Yuria's form started to disintegrate, shimmering like stardust in the sunlight.
She then reached out one last time, her fingers brushing against his cheek. "You've given me the most beautiful moment of my life. Thank you… for everything."
Surreal held her gaze, his own tears slipping down his face, catching the sunlight as they fell.
"Wait for me," he whispered, his voice soft but resolute.
Yuria's form dissolved completely, her light merging with the vast expanse of space. The golden rays of the sun lingered where she had been, an afterglow to the beauty of her final moment.
Surreal floated alone, the Earth spinning beneath him and the stars stretching endlessly above.
His gloved hand reached out to the spot where Yuria had been, his fingers curling into a fist as he closed his eyes.
"I'll see you again, Yuria," he murmured, his voice carrying a quiet strength. "This is my last chance, and I'll ensure that I will succeed this time."