15 Fall: ...And Inevitability That Which Begets; Despair

"Oh, I remember."

I opened my eyes to see the sky had darkened to the point where I could barely see in front of me. It looked as if it was late, although it got dark early around this time of year, so who really knows?

"Ugh, it's cold."

I started to shiver as my body came back to life, the cold having enveloped my entire being. I started to sit up before I was forced back down, the cold having been replaced with an overwhelming amount of pain and soreness that pervaded all throughout my body, except, oddly enough, my head.

I grit my teeth as I tried once more to sit up, groaning as I succeeded, taking long, hard gasps of air as I tried to get used to the pain. I shivered again, and I clutched my body as I looked around at the place we called our hideout.

The tree had grown larger over the years, and with it the treehouse. There were three slides down with two ladders reaching up, one for each floor. I winced as the scene I saw changed into the smaller treehouse, vibrant with green leaves and life, before it reverted to the dull leafless brown.

"My head is still a bit fuzzy, I guess…"

Still, if what I remembered is true, then that means that…

I wobbled to my feet, the pain flaring throughout my body once more, but I didn't fall this time, steadying myself as I reached for the phone in my pocket.

"It really is late huh…"

It was past 7 o'clock now, the school day long over. I also had a bunch of missed calls from almost everyone saved in my phone.

"Damn, that's not good."

I scratched my head, tensing up as pain shot through me again. I honestly don't even know why I hurt so much. Is it because I was freezing to death or something? But if that were the case, wouldn't I not be able to feel anything? Ugh, I can't be bothered right now.

I dialed the first number I saw, sighing as I held the phone from my ear, waiting for the onslaught.

"WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU!? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW WORRIED WE ARE!? DEPRA, ANSWER ME RIGHT FUCKING NOW!!"

Yep, there it was. "Sorry Lachesis. I'm fine, I think-"

"YOU THINK!? KNOW GODDAMNIT! WHAT WAS SO IMPORTANT THAT YOU HAD TO-!"

"I remember."

There was silence, and I glanced at my phone to make sure I didn't hang up before bringing it back to my ear.

"Um, are you there?"

"So-sorry, you caught me off guard. What do you remember?"

"Can we meet at your house?"

"Uh, yeah, of course, but-!"

"And um, bring the others too. The ones who've helped me a lot."

Silence again before I heard a sigh. "I understand. They'll be there, so just make sure you are too, okay? And I expect a full explanation, got that!?"

"Thank you Lachy."

"Hmph, it's been a while since you've called me that. Anyway, meet you there."

She hung up, and I put my phone back in my pocket, looking back at the hideout. I guess I'll get all my answers when I meet them. Although, the problem I have right now is…

I turned my attention to my feet, looking at the trail beneath me. I don't even know if I'm gonna be able to move myself to her house with this pain…

I took a step, and jab of pain shot through me, almost causing me to fall back to the ground. Okay Depra, one step at a time.

And I did just that, pushing through the pain as I made my way out the woods, having to use my phone light to see the way back. Once I made it out of the trail and onto the playground, I collapsed on a bench, sweat dripping out from every pore on my body as I gasped for air, the pain making it hard to even breathe at this point.

It was quiet in the park, not a sound to be heard, not even the wind rustling up fallen leaves, nor animals making their nightly chorus; just silence, as if the world was waiting with abated breath for some event to come to pass.

I took a deep breath, getting my breathing under control before continuing on my painful journey back to Lachy's house, the world around me completely quiet, not a single soul in sight, nor a single car passing, just silence with dark clouds overhead, blocking out any sort of natural light the stars or moon could offer me.

"Oh, I'm here."

I stopped at the house right before mine, stopping at the driveway, seeing two cars parked, Necessitas' and Hemera's. I clenched my fist, pain stabbing through my arm before I relaxed, my resolve renewed.

I walked to the front door and lightly knocked on the front door before taking a step back. After a couple seconds, I could hear the door's lock unlock, and it swung open to reveal the hair of summer and soft blue eyes filled with relief at my sight.

"Hey Lachy," I said, giving her a small smile.

She gave me a hug without warning, causing so much pain that it felt like I was about to black out, but I managed to hug her back as she buried her head in my shoulder.

She didn't say a word, but she didn't have to as I felt my chest grow wet and warm, and I hugged her tighter, relaxing my body for the first time since I started my long walk here.

"I'm home…" I murmured, and she squeezed even tighter, the pain almost unbearable now. But I can't show her that, not right now anyway.

We may have stood there for a second or an eternity, I honestly couldn't tell, but when it was over, I felt a feeling of warmth overtake my heart, wrapping it's warm branches around me as buds started to sprout.

She turned away, not letting me see her face as she sniffled. "You're late."

"Sorry, it took me longer than expected."

"I see…" She trailed before nodding. "They're in the living room. Don't wait for me; I need to go to the bathroom."

She walked back into the house, towards the bathroom, and I walked in, closing the door behind me. I took off my shoes and made my way to the living room, where I saw the six people I had left earlier that day.

They're faces went slack with relief when they saw me but tensed up once more when they saw my expression, and I stopped as I looked each of them in eye.

"Erebus, Eros, Aether, Hemera, Nyx, and Necessitas, there's something I have to tell you." Silence, and I knelt down to my knees, bowing my head so it touched the floor.

"I'm sorry for the trouble, but, I'm glad now." I looked up at their shocked faces and grinned.

"Glad that I remember who you guys are."

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"I see, so that's what happened," Lachy murmured, sipping at her cup of tea.

It was around 9 o'clock now, and I had just finished explaining everything that had gone on after lunch. We were all sitting in Lachy's living room, she and I sitting together in a chair, the guys taking up one couch and the girls taking up another, each of us haven been served tea by Lachy's mother, who had disappeared into another room to let us talk.

"Sorry for the trouble, but I really did have to know," I said, bowing my head once more. "It's hard to explain, but I just had to."

"Stop apologizing! Oh, really, it's fine, so long as you're okay!" Hemera let out, pouting in between Nyx and Necessitas.

"I have to agree my dear Deppy~. It is quite alright. So long as you weren't harmed, it as fine," Eros purred, sipping his tea with a pinkie out. "Still, can't say I was expecting this development."

"I must concur! I thought that King's memories would forever be lost in the annals of history, trapped-!" He got cut off by a glare from Necessitas as she adjusted her glasses, and he cleared his throat. "Although, how did you know where to find the hideout?"

"Memories told me, I guess. I don't really understand it myself…" I said, trailing off as I sipped the warm tea. Lachesis had wrapped a blanket around me when she caught me shivering earlier, which she decided to share with me. The pain from earlier had also subsided, now just a dull throb throughout my body.

"Well, I guess the secret is out now. You wanted to know why we wanted to help you so much? It was because you helped us out a great deal, all of us," Nyx said, a small smile curling onto her lips as her white eyes gazed into her tea, which she was swirling around with a spoon.

"I really don't see how," I said, putting the teacup down. "I mean, for Aether and Nyx I get, but what about the rest of you?"

Eros let out a wry smile, his sparkles losing some of their luster. "You've seen them, haven't you? The scars on my back."

I nodded, the memory flashing back in my head as little Eros gave me a grin.

"If you think so, I'll be proud of the Major~."

I shook the memory off, my head starting to feel fuzzy. "I remember. I never got to ask you how you got them though…"

I trailed off as I put two and two together, and his smile widened as my eyes did the same. "It seems you've put it together, haven't you~?"

I could only look down, cursing my ignorance. "I, I don't know what to say…"

"It's no problem at all now, since you were the one who helped fix it my little lamb~," Eros purred, taking another sip of his tea. "By the way, I still do it to this day, and will probably continue too until I go off on my own~."

I looked up, and his caramel eyes still held the same warmth it always did, but only now could I see the other side of that warmth and realize what sort of place it came from.

"Oh, me next Depra!" Hemera exclaimed, raising her hand excitedly. I turned to her cheery face as another memory flashed through my head, this one of her crying as we gave her all those old clothes. Now that I think about it…

"Your place when we stopped by over the summer seemed run down. Do you just not have money?"

"Ding-dong! I'm as poor as poor can be!" Hemera said, winking at me. "It's why I take Nyx's stuff instead!"

"Ugh, don't remind me," Nyx muttered, and Hemera took a sip of Nyx's tea as if proving a point.

"So, do you guys still give her clothes and stuff?" I asked, looking at everybody, and Lachesis nodded.

"Every year at the same time. Although we tend to buy her stuff now instead, since we have different sizes."

I was stunned, and I leaned back into the chair, sighing. "This really is a lot to take in you know."

"You're telling us King," Erebus said, rolling his eye. "I was shocked to find out you forgot, but even more so now that you remember. I honestly never thought…"

It went silent again, and another memory came to pass of young Erebus with a medical eyepatch over his right eye, and I raised my hand to my head, wincing as the dull throb panged through me, and Lachesis noticed, scowling at me.

"What's wrong Depra?"

I shook the memory off, relaxing again. "It's nothing."

She glared at me, grabbing my hand, and I couldn't help but let out an audible gasp as pain flashed through me.

"I knew it, you are hurt. Where and how?" She asked, looking me up and down.

"I'm fine Lachy, really," I said, but she wouldn't let go, and I exhaled sharply through my nose. "You were a lot nicer as a kid, what happened to that?"

She rolled her eyes. "I grew up, just like you did. Now tell me."

I stared into her soft blue eyes, and I relented. "I don't really get it myself, but before I remembered, it felt like I was rejecting something…"

"Rejecting what?" Aether asked, spilling some of his tea on himself.

"I dunno really," I said, frowning as I clutched my shirt with my free hand. "It was as if my very being was rejecting myself, or something like that. All I know was that it hurt, a lot, and when I woke up it hurt to just move. Still does, but it's bearable now."

Lachesis released my hand, looking at me with wide eyes, her mouth slightly open. "Then, when we, you were…"

I nodded, understanding what she was trying to say. "Sorry I didn't tell you earlier."

"By the way Erebus, how did Depra help you out?" Aether asked, and Erebus gave off a wicked smile.

"He taught me the art of being cool of course." His smile faded as he grazed his fingers over the hair covering his right eye. "Well, that among other things."

Another memory flashed before me, the wind sweeping away Erebus' hair, showing me what was underneath-!

"Ugh," I groaned, holding my head as the memory went hazy, and everyone looked concerned as I took a deep breath.

"I'm fine, my memories are still a little hazy is all," I said before continuing. "But, how did I forget in the first place? Does anyone know?"

"Eh? You mean you don't…" Lachesis trailed off, looking away from me as she did so. "No, I guess it's fine. Don't force yourself to remember, alright?"

"But it's so weird," I said, scowling. "I remember a lot, but I don't understand the context of some memories though. What is it that I'm-!"

Another hazy memory came forth, too hazy for me to see anything, but I was so close, and yet, what is this?

I shook my head, sighing. "Maybe you are right. I guess I'll leave it alone for now…"

Necessitas sighed, taking another sip of tea. "Well, I'm just glad you're alright Depra. It seems are efforts weren't wasted after all."

"Why do you make it seem as if it was a pain in the ass?" I grumbled, and everyone started to chuckle as I let loose a smile.

Maybe things won't be so bad anymore. Maybe, maybe I really will be able to…

In the end, I couldn't help but wonder what would've happened if I truly left it alone. But maybe even that thought is the reason I couldn't help myself.

"Well, I think I understand how I helped everyone out, but what about you Necessitas?" I asked, taking a sip of tea. "You really are the odd woman out."

She shrugged, taking another sip of tea. "Who knows, maybe I didn't want to deal with the idiot who gave me the name Dark Empress."

"But you named yourself, didn't you? I remember on that school trip when you introduced yourself. It threw me and Erebus for a-!"

(Remember DEPRA!!!)

Another memory surged forth of a messy brown-haired girl reaching out to touch me, and I felt all the haze and fog in my head clear up as I blacked out into my [Slothful] Remembrance one last time.

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[Some Time Fifth Grade]

"King! Wake up King!"

I opened one eye to see Erebus shaking me frantically. I groaned as I sat back up, stretching out my arms. "What's up Erebus? It's only the first day back, what's got you so worked up?"

"I have found her, the one I've been searching for!"

"Who?"

He grinned; his red eye gleaming at me. "The Dark Empress! She's within the confines of this group of scholars! But the true reason I am so excited is that I have had a revelation!"

My eyes grew wide as I grinned. "You mean she's in our class! Oh, heck yeah! Oh, what's this revelation you had Slayer?"

"She is no ordinary girl King, for she was my lover in my past life!" Erebus proclaimed.

"Whoa, that's so cool! Oh man, does she know about this?" I asked, looking around the classroom for her.

"Well, that is the problem King," Erebus said, frowning. "I tried telling her, but it seems she didn't want to listen for whatever reason."

"That's strange. Where is she?"

"If you shall follow me King," Erebus said, and he led me to the front of the school, where she was talking to Lachesis.

"There she is. What shall we do?" Erebus asked, and I brought my hand to my chin as I tried to think.

"Hmm, let's try asking her again. Maybe since I'm here she'll listen?" Erebus nodded, and we walked up to the two girls, both of them noticing us.

"Oh, it's Major! Hiya!" Lachesis said, waving at me, while the Dark Empress scowled at the sight of Erebus.

"We meet again Dark Empress!" Erebus started, and we all quieted down so he could speak. "It is fate once more that brings us together in this life, my past lover!"

"I'm not your lover!" She exclaimed, and one well thrown punch later shot Erebus into a nearby wall, spider web cracks creeping their way outwards from the point of impact.

"Whoa, you're as strong as Erebus," I murmured, watching Erebus get back to his feet, brushing the dust off himself.

She blinked as she realized what she did, and her face flushed red. "Oh! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean too!"

Erebus chuckled, grinning to himself. "Nonsense Necessitas! That brutish strength of yours is just more proof that you are indeed my past lover!"

"Yeah, it's cool that you guys were lovers in the past! Why are you so against it!?" I asked, looking into her different colored brown eyes.

"Eh, you too!? But, but isn't that…" She trailed off, her face growing redder by the second.

I felt someone tug at my arm, and I turned to Lachesis glaring at me. "You shouldn't do that Major!"

"Do what?"

She pouted, shaking her head. "You can't just say stuff like that to girls! You have to mean it when you say it!"

"Hey Erebus, do you mean what you say!?" I asked, and he gave me a thumbs up. "See, he means it. Plus, it's cool, so why wouldn't anyone like it?"

"Okay, imagine I said you were my lover in a past life then."

I felt my face grow warm at her words. "Wh-what are you saying- oh I get it now."

Satisfied, she gave me a pat on my back. "I knew you would get it Major! Now tell Erebus to stop, got it?"

"Fiiiine…" I grumbled, and I left a giggling Lachesis to reach Erebus, who was frowning. "Hey, we should still totally do this."

He gave off a wicked grin. "I knew you would agree! So, how should we go about this?"

"Maybe if you tell her enough times she won't feel embarrassed anymore?" I thought aloud, before a thought crossed my mind.

"Hey Dark Empress!" I yelled out, and she looked up, her face still flushed red from earlier.

"You're a part of our group now, right?"

"Eh? Oh, if you want me too," she said, readjusting her round glasses. "I never really asked, but you seem cool, so I guess it's fine or something…"

I grinned, a plan formulating in my head. "Great, then we'll lead you to the hideout then." I turned to Erebus and brought him close so he could hear my plan.

He glanced at me as I finished, his red eye gleaming with curiosity. "I like the sound of this plan King. Although it sounds like it'll take a while to complete."

I nodded, looking over at Necessitas. "Yep, it will. Probably around a year. It's ambitious, but it'll all work out in the end, I promise!"

Erebus held out his pinkie, and I wrapped my own around his as we said the phrase:

"Cross my heart, hope to die, swallow a thousand needles if I lie!"

We connected our thumbs at the top to finish it off, sealing our second promise together, one that I wouldn't be able to finish off…

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Fast forward to about three quarters through the school year, and I had already gotten suspended for a week since they caught our group fighting one another during recess and had once again gotten in trouble at home with my mom and her new boyfriend.

Anyway, I was hanging out in the treehouse alone one day, working on "Coolest Notebook: The Fifth," when I heard shouting from below. Peering down from one of the windows, I saw my friends waving me down.

"Hey Major, come on down already!" Lachesis yelled, waving at me with a grin accompanying her soft blue eyes.

I frowned, closing the notebook. Wonder what this is about.

I went down one of the slides, landing in front of the gang. "What's up? Is there something wrong? Demons attacking us? Adults out to get us?"

They all looked at one another before smiling at me. "Happy birthday Major!" They all yelled out, except for Erebus, who called me King.

It was also Erebus who brought out a present for me, and I was stunned into silence as I held the two presents, looking down at them. One was long and cylindrical in shape, with an odd shaped end, while the other was a rectangular box with a bow adorned atop it; the first horrible wrapped and the second sealed close by a ribbon.

I looked at my comrades, my mouth slightly agape. "I, I uh…"

"It is your birthday, right Major?" Hemera asked, her sunny smile lighting up the area.

"Yeah, March 6," I said, looking down at my presents. "When did you guys have time to do this?"

"Hmph, it is quite easy for one such as myself to hide things from people," Aether said, and Nyx glared at him.

"You were the one who constantly wanted to tell everybody dummy."

My lip started to quiver as my vision grew hazy, much to my surprise. "Huh?" I wiped at my eyes to find my hand wet, and my vision grew hazy again as my face grew wet, and the taste of salt started to pervade my mouth. "What's wrong with me, I didn't mean to cry…"

I trailed off as my switch went off, the tears watering the grass beneath my feet as I cried, and I felt someone hug me from behind.

"There, there, cry it all out Major~." I soon felt more people surrounding me as I continued to cry, all of them giving me warm words of encouragement as I fell to my knees, my emotions in turmoil.

Did I really deserve this?

"Th, thank you! I really really really mean it, thank you!" I wailed out, and their warmth comforted me, setting my tumultuous emotions at rest.

After crying for who knows how long, I wiped my face, sniffling as I stood back up again. "Um, sorry, that really wasn't cool at all. I don't even know why I started crying to begin with…"

"Well, even heroes need to cry sometimes too, right King?" Erebus said, and I let out a small smile.

"Yep, although they cry when no one's looking because that's the cool way."

"Hey, open your presents already Major Crybaby," Lachesis said.

"Hey, I take offense to that!" I yelled out, and they all started to laugh as I felt my ears grow red. "Oh, fine, let's open this one first."

I ripped open the wrapping around the cylindrical present, and I let out an audible gasp when I saw it. "No way, is this what I think it is?"

I ripped off the rest of the paper, revealing a metal staff with a black jewel at the top. "Whoa, this is amazing…"

I felt the cool metal touch my skin as I held it in my right hand, gripping it tightly. "I can feel my Mystic Arts reaching a new level of power guys!" I grinned, hoisting it up in the sky. "Ooh, what should I name it!?"

"Oh, we came up with a name for that actually," Necessitas said, and I turned to her as she proclaimed my new weapons name.

"Its name is Vanesco, The King's Scepter! I'm pretty proud of that one actually," she said, grinning to herself.

"Vanesco," I murmured, looking down at it. "I like it! Oh, but why the King's scepter part?"

"We shall see shortly, now come, open the second gift," Erebus said, nodding to himself.

I shrugged, leaving it alone for now. I took the ribbons off before opening the box, in which inside was…

"A crown?" I half-said, half-asked, and I took it out, examining it in my free hand. It was a six-pointed crown, golden in color, with a different colored jewel adorned near each of the pointed tips. The colors, in no particular order, were yellow, orange, purple, pink, blue, and red.

"It's cool, but why did you give me a crown?" I asked, frowning at as I spun it around in my hand.

"Isn't that simple?" Aether said. "It's because you're our leader, duh."

"Oh, of course- wait what!?" I yelled out, whirling my head to look at all of them. "I'm not a leader, so who decided something like that!?"

"It was a group consensus," Lachesis said.

"Without my vote!?"

"Eh, don't sweat the small stuff Major! Besides, why wouldn't you be the leader?" Lachesis asked, and everyone around me nodded.

"It's true! You were the one to bring us all together after all," Hemera said, smiling to herself. "I doubt us misfits would've met one another, and our problems still unresolved if it wasn't for you."

Nyx nodded, a small smile arising on her face. "Yes, I must agree. If anything, think of this as our thank you."

"Hey, I really didn't anything! Okay, what about you Necessitas, what did I do for you?"

"Oh me? Well, I got friends since I've been with you, so that's something," she said, smiling at me. "We're not taking no for an answer either Major."

"You have to be King, since you saved us," Erebus said, and I watched the breeze move his hair to the side, revealing his right eye to me for the first time

"Wha—Erebus, is that…"

He smiled, pushing his hair back to cover his right eye. "I told you, remember? I got it for arguing with my mentors, and they did that to my eye to try to help my training go faster. In the end though, it was you who taught me advanced techniques, such as named moves."

I was stunned by what I just saw, and it dawned onto me that his epithet made a lot more sense now after seeing his eye. I shook my head, scowling. "But, but!"

"We basically owe you a debt that will probably never get repaid," Aether said, "So I see no reason why you shouldn't take this position as compensation."

I looked back down at the crown.

Do I deserve this?

I shook off the thought. Well, why not? Not as if I have any real reason to refuse, especially if they're so insistent on it. Besides, leaders are the coolest ones, so that has to be me.

"If you guys insist," I said, and I plopped the crown atop my head, it leaning slightly down as I hoisted my scepter into the air.

"I will be the leader of this merry band of demon slayers!"

I expected cheers, but instead I saw everyone bowing themselves towards me. "Eh, aw c'mon on guys! Don't do that, we're friends!"

Eros chuckled. "For you King, anytime you need me, I'll help you to the best of my abilities."

He looked up, a smile on his aloof face. "And that's a promise I intend, no, we all intend to keep."

"Well, not me," Lachesis said, and she got jabbed in the side by Hemera. "Okay, maybe me too."

I sighed, my face growing warm. "You guys are ridiculous, you know that!?"

But, I didn't mind them all that much, these friends I had made over the years. I wonder if you would like them too…

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"Hey, is everything alright King?"

We were eating in the cafeteria, and I was sipping on some apple juice, staring down at my food when Erebus asked me that.

"Huh? Oh, yeah I'm fine," I said, yawning as I bit into a burger. "I'm just a bit tired today. Enough of that though, we need to come up another group combo!" I pulled out "Coolest Notebook: The Fifth" and planted it on the table, spreading it out so everybody could see.

"Okay, so I like to think we've all evolved using our abilities, especially Hemera here," I started, glancing at Hemera.

"Aw, it's no big deal! I'm just glad I can help," she said, stealing some of Nyx's food.

"Hey, you can't do that!" Nyx said, and they started to fight over the small amount of food Hemera had taken.

"Although before we get into that, Dark Empress, you have to tell me what you can do. We've fought together a lot, but I really can't tell," I said, turning to her page in the notebook.

As she was telling me what she could do, I felt someone tap on my back. "What is it, I'm busy."

"Major, are you okay?"

I stiffened at the sound of the voice, and I glanced behind me to see my twin, frowning at me. "What is it Minor?"

"I asked if you were okay. Especially after what we heard last night and how you reacted…"

"I'm fine Minor, now go away. Shoo," I said, waving him off, and I could see the hesitation in his eyes. Scowling, I put my pencil down and steered him away from my friends.

"Not now bro, not now," I hissed at him, and he shook his head.

"Whatever, talk to you later." He waved me off before going to sit with his friends, and I sighed before scratching my messy hair. I pray they don't ask about this.

I walked back to the table, sitting down before taking another bite out of my burger. "So, where we?"

"What was that about Major?" Lachesis asked. Yep, should've known.

"Minor's making a big deal outta nothing," I said, taking a sip of apple juice. "You know how he is."

Everyone frowned at me, except for Hemera and Nyx, who were still fighting, and I stopped myself from taking another bite from my burger. "What?"

"You never talk about your twin," Lachesis said. "And he never talks to you in school normally, let alone ask you if you're alright."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

"Well, if you have a problem Major~, of course we'll wanna help~!" Eros purred out, winking at me.

Stupid Minor. I sighed, closing my notebook. "Well, I can't do anything about it, so let's put it like that. Basically, I have a stepdad now."

Aether, who had somehow gotten all of his food on his shirt, scowled at me. "Your parents got divorced?"

"Around second or third grade; it doesn't really matter. They got married over spring break while I was with my dad. Um…" I trailed off as I got to the difficult part, and I felt myself warm up.

I turned to see Hemera touching my arm, nodding to herself. "I see, so you were sad that it happened, right?"

"…Yeah."

Silence again, and I waved my hands together, looking at all of them. "But please don't do anything, alright? Mommy seems happy, so I don't wanna ruin anything, okay? I'll get over it, so don't worry about it."

Erebus shrugged. "If you say so King, then we shall do nothing to get rid of the evilness in your abode!"

Necessitas grinned, giving me a thumbs up. "Of course, I must agree with Slayer here! Although, I do have a suggestion for you."

"A suggestion for me?" I asked, tilting my head. "Is it for our ultra-group combo?"

"No, for you." She said, pointing at the notebook. "I can help you get over your feelings faster, if you want me too."

"Eh!? You can do stuff like that?" Lachesis yelled out, causing everyone to look at us. "Oh, sorry," she said, scrunching down, the tips of her ears flaring red.

"Well, I can just make stuff happen before it's supposed to happen, or something like that," she continued, frowning to herself. "Well, I don't really know much about it myself, but I know I can help if you want me too!"

Can she really do that? I looked down at the notebook. Well, if what she told me is true, then I guess it's possible. "Alright, let's do it. Besides, it'll be good practice! Oh, imagine the battle applications of this guys!"

"As expected of my beloved Dark Empress!" Erebus exclaimed, wrapping his arm around her, bringing her in close.

"Eh! B-beloved!?" her face flushed red, but she didn't hit him this time. Yep, my plan is going along smoothly. At the rate this is going, he should be able to get what he wants by summer break.

"Let's do it during recess. I wanna see how it works firsthand so I can make strategies around it," I said, stuffing more of my burger in my mouth. We finished eating lunch in relative peace, laughing and goofing off with one another before heading off to recess.

"Hey you guys, behave!" The teacher yelled at us, before she grabbed me by the shoulder.

"What? I wanna go to recess already," I said, scowling.

"Don't cause trouble, like fighting one another. You guys are friends, right?"

I laughed, much to the teacher's surprise. "We're not fighting, we're training so we can slay demons with Erebus!"

"Hey Major, are you coming?" Aether asked, looking back at me.

"Coming!" I looked back at the teacher and grinned. "They're my closest friends, no way I would fight with them!"

The teacher finally released me, sighing. "Glad to hear it," she said, a small smile on her face. "Now go have fun, sorry for keeping you."

"Thank you! I'm coming, don't leave for me guys!" I yelled out, rushing outside to my friends, who were waiting for me by the edge of the woods, our usual spot to go.

"Alright, I'm ready Dark Empress!" I yelled out, plopping myself down on the ground. "Use it on me!"

She nodded, readjusting her glasses before reaching out to touch me. "Alright, here goes-!"

Her voice cut out as she touched me, and a surge of emotions came over me, sadness, nearly overwhelming sadness, and then it was gone, leaving a sense of peace within me that I thought wouldn't be possible.

I gasped, looking around at my surroundings. I was still in the same spot, same trees with the same green leaves, same sun bringing down its warmth, all of it was the same.

And the people?

"Hey King, did it work?" Necessitas asked, peering into my face, and I nodded, jumping up to me my feet.

"Whoa! I feel amazing! As if a heavy weight has been lifted off of me!" I roared out, pumping my arms in the air. "You're amazing Necessitas, you know that!?"

She took a step back, a grin on her face. "See, told you I could do it!"

I looked around to everyone and grinned. "Oh man, that really was weird though. It felt like everything I was feeling came together, fought, and then left!"

"Whoa, that's how it felt like?" Nyx murmured, looking me up and down. "That sounds cool."

"I wouldn't say that, but I wouldn't mind doing it again!" I said, looking back at Necessitas. "How many times can you do that!?"

"As many times as needed," she said, messing with her messy brown hair, frizzling out into an afro. Her smile faded as she looked back at me, biting her lip slightly. "Well, it was odd this time."

"This time? Whatever do you mean dear Nessy~?" Eros said, his sparkles darting around, one hitting Aether on the face.

"Well, it's as if you have more than one problem," she said, looking back at me. "Do you know anything?"

More than one problem? "Not that I can think of. Eh, well if you wanna fix them, you can! Oh man, I have to take notes after this for battle applications!" I plopped myself down on the grass, and looked up at the Dark Empress, giving her a thumbs up and grin.

"I'm ready!"

She nodded. "It's as if you have all this dark stuff in you."

Her hand made its way towards my forehead as she continued to speak. "I don't know if you're hiding it on purpose or something, but you don't have to hide it anymore. All the discourse and trauma, I'll let you release it all."

Her finger touched me once more, and I was faced with an endless pit yawning below me.

Eh? What is this place?

"Please, let me handle it son."

"SO, DON'T GO AND DISAPPEAR ON ME, YOU HEAR ME!?"

"He, hehehehe, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"If you'll let me, I'll tell you the whole truth. I'll rely on you, just as you asked of me. And that's a promise."

"Is it so wrong of me to change? IS IT WRONG OF ME TO HAVE HOPE GODDAMNIT!?"

(Because you already know whose fault it is.)

YOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

With the voices came emotions; not the puddle I had dealt with, but a tsunami that crashed into me over and over again, ripping me to pieces, pushing me back together, drowning in a dark sea, falling downwards towards nothing, and through it all, echoed a voice I didn't wanna hear, one that I thought I would possibly never hear from again.

"Your Fault."

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

I pushed myself back, away, far away, underneath the trees I no longer recognized, the different green leaves, an unfamiliar warmth, going away, trying hard to escape the voices that reverberated within me, clinging onto me, yelling, screaming, whispering, chuckling, but the worst one that stuck unto me wasn't any of these:

No, it was laughter.

I gasped, holding my head as I continued to hear voices, feel the agony, the sorrow rip into my very being, so much so that I started to claw at myself, trying hard to get rid it all, trying, clawing, warmth filling my hand, clawing, yelling out to try to drown out the noises, clawing, clawing, clawing, clawing.

"Major!"

Someone forcefully latched onto me, and in my vision, I could see the hair of summer and soft blue eyes, an older girl looking at me; no, it was a young girl now?

"L-Lachy?" I pushed her away, stumbling to my feet.

"D-don't do it Depra," the older girl said, a similar warmth that filled my hands flooding out her, her soft blue eyes glimmering at me.

"Who's Depra!?" I yelled out, clutching my head once more.

"Major, it's me!" I focused once more on the older girl; no wait, the younger girl surrounded by several others, and I clawed at my head, the voices beating at me, the emotions overtaking me.

"What's wrong-!" the younger girl cut out, YOURFAULTYOURFAULT!

I watched her plead at a girl with messy brown hair, who's glasses fell off her face as she watched me, eyes widening.

"Sorry, but this was all I was really able to do in the end," the older girl with neat brown hair said, collapsing to her feet; wait, wasn't it a young girl?

"AGH!" I clawed at my head, ripping at my hair, warmth flowing down my face, clawing at the emotions, the only relief I felt.

"It well and truly is all my fault huh?" Back to the girl with the hair of summer, her warmth ebbing out, gone forever.

I felt a warmth fill me, one I shouldn't be able to feel; wait, wasn't I just able to feel it?

I shook off the girl with golden-yellow hair, screaming out into the endless voices that were consuming me.

Forget.

"I wanna forget!"

My head started to throb, and I stumbled back once more as I saw the girl with the hair of summer plead at me.

"Major, what's wrong! Tell us so we-!"

"NO! I wanna forget!" The emotions, the voices, the people, I wanna forget it all.

"MAJOR!"

"It would be better for me to forget! I can't, I can't do it anymore! I don't deserve such happiness when, when!"

"Your Fault."

When it is truly my fault, especially where that person is involved.

How can I forget so this stops? I wanna forget, forget, forget, forget all the pain, misery, suffering, all of it, needs to just-!

(I watched myself scream out, the memory going black, the only thing left a young boy, [me] looking at myself, letting out a small giggle.)

"You should've left it alone, eternally in [Slothfulness]."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Depra, are you okay!?"

I opened my eyes to see a young girl with the hair of summer and soft blue eyes pleading at me; wait, it was an older girl now.

I sat up, and everyone in the room fell quiet; no, that wasn't it. I put my hand to head, sighing.

"Damn it all to hell."

I felt Lachesis tugging at me sleeves, her kid face pleading at me to not do it; an older girl, about to cry, her gaze filled with worry that felt like a knife plunging into my heart, causing it to ache considerably.

"Damn it all to hell."

I got up, ignoring everyone's cries and pleas as I walked to the door; no, again, that wasn't right.

I felt someone grab my arm, an older girl with neat brown hair and small glasses; a younger girl with messy brown hair that frizzled its way into an afro, reaching out to touch me.

"Your Fault."

I heard giggling, and I wrested my arm away from her, digging into my own thoughts; no, once again, that wasn't it.

I put on my shoes before grabbing the door handle, and I felt someone grab me from behind; the girl with the hair of summer again, yelling out to me once more.

"I'm fine. Just going out for a walk."

She shook her head, begging me for something, and I could only repeat those words:

"I'm fine. Just going out for a walk."

Her eyes widened as she let go, and she yelled at me, causing the giggling to grow louder; I let out a small smile and waved her goodbye, going my own way.

"I'm fine. Just going out for a walk."

No, that wasn't it as well; none of it was right.

I walked out the door, walking away from the unfamiliar warmth.

After all, I couldn't hear a thing they said.

"Your Fault."

The giggling grew to laughter, growing exponentially with each step I took away from that place. The once silent world I was in was now filled with laughter, voices, and the one thing I hated to hear the most:

"Your Fault."

I walked faster, the laughter YOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULT taking over YOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULT my YOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULT

I collapsed, clutching my YOURFAULT as I tried to YOURFAULT once YOURFAULT. Gritting my YOURFAULT, I YOURFAULTYOURFAULT my YOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULT

In the end, it was worth nothing, huh?

YOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULT

Huh? The voices, laughter, and YOURFAULT's grew quiet as I felt someone grab my shoulder.

"Who…?"

"Man, you had everyone worried, you know that?"

I looked up to see him, the one and only Hiro I had. I YOURFAULT my teeth, looking away from him.

"…Sorry."

He YOURFAULT, lifting me to my feet. "Don't be. C'mon, let's go home already. You're sleeping with YOURFAULT tonight."

I could only YOURFAULT, leaning on him for support as we walked the long way YOURFAULT.

"You gonna YOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULT were doing?" He asked, cutting out as the voices waxed and waned.

"I found something YOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULT." I can't even hear myself speak.

"It wasn't YOURFAULTYOURFAULT? Yeah, I can see that," he said, walking a slow pace with me, his YOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULT me. "Sometimes, we're better off not knowing the truth."

It sounded like YOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULT. "I guess being hopeful is a waste of time, huh."

"YOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULT. It'll hurt, YOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULT, right?"

"Your Fault."

The laughter grew to a crescendo, and I was once more unable to hear anything as I watched Hiro speak. How did he YOURFAULT me anyway?

He glanced at me and frowned. His lips moved, and all I heard was laughter. I turned away from him, my hair covering my face.

"YOURFAULT, YOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULT bad, huh?"

I looked through my hair to see we were almost at his house. Did I YOURFAULT all the YOURFAULT on accident?

He opened the door to his house and led me to the kitchen, where I sat down in a chair. I looked away from as he tried to peer into my face, before disappearing.

I felt something cold around my neck, and I watched a necklace with a key get placed on me, and the laughter, the voices, and the YOURFAULT's came to a sudden halt.

"Better?" I looked at Hiro, who grinned at me. Not once since I've met him has he taken his necklace off. Hell, he even showers and sleeps with it.

"Why?" It was the only question I could ask, and he shook his head, sighing to himself.

"You need it more than I do right now," he said, looking me up and down. "It kinda suits you yah know? Hey wait, don't go thinking you can wear it forever now, it is mine, even if it suits you better."

"I DON'T DESERVE IT!" I roared out, pounding my fist on the table, and he frowned at me.

"Well, I say you do, and it's mine, so there? Anyway, I'll be right back."

I don't deserve this. Not kindness, not happiness, nothing positive in my life, I don't deserve any of it.

"They're right, I deserve nothing. Nothing at all, as they take from me everything, my eternal punishment."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I scrolled through my contacts, needing to call not one, but two people. I called the first one, named "Hopeless Idiot," and called her.

"IS HE WITH YOU!?"

I nearly threw my phone from how loud she was. "Damn, he's with me Lachesis. He's staying here, so don't worry."

"DON'T WORRY!? HOW THE HELL CAN I NOT STAY WORRIED!? YOU SAW HOW HE WAS! HE COULDN'T, He couldn't…"

She trailed off, and I sighed. "I know. But he's with me, and he's fine for the time being. If I can say, what the fuck happened for him to be like this? You owe me some goddamn answers."

Silence, and I could feel my anger rising. "Damnit, I don't have time for your bullshit! He's my best friend goddamnit, and the only thing I can do is lend him my key for a while so he doesn't do what!? Go batshit insane!? Break under whatever hell he's going through right now, only able to say, 'I consoled him the best I can!? ANSWER ME LACHESIS!"

"He remembered something. I honestly didn't think he would remember, but it's just the same as last time, he-!"

"What did he remember!?" I yelled out, and I could see Luna peeking out from up the stairs.

"Big bro, is everything alright?"

I sighed, relaxing my body while doing so. "No, I'm alright. I'll call you down in a second, alright? I'm gonna need your godly cooking skills soon."

She frowned, tilting her head. "But we've already ate dinner."

Ah, I could never stay mad while looking at her. "You're right about that lil sis. When I get done talking, I'll explain, alright?"

She nodded, giving off her adorable smile. "You got it big bro!" And then she left, going back to her room.

I sighed again, before focusing back on the conversation. "You know what, tell me later. I've gotta help Depra right now. I'll call you, so don't think about calling me. It's your own damn fault he's like this to begin with."

Before she could say anything, I hung up. I walked to the stairs and collapsed on the first step, groaning. I really wish she would just realize already, before it's too late…

I glanced at my phone, calling the second person on my list, aptly named, "Panda Bear."

I brought my phone to my ear, waiting for her to pick up. I heard the phone click, and a soft voice called out.

"Is he with you?"

I glanced at the phone before speaking. "Yeah, he's with me. If I tell you my address, will you come over?"

"So, he's okay?"

"No. He's most definitely not. That's why I need you Pandy."

Silence, and then she spoke. "I'll be there within five minutes."

"I haven't even told you where I'm at yet, how do you expect to get here in five minutes?"

"I'll be there, so don't worry."

Oh, she's probably going to do that. "Alright, see you in five then." I hung up and sent her my address before getting back to my feet, stretching out my limbs.

"Alright, now for my adorable sister to take the spotlight," I murmured, and I walked up the stairs, going down the hallway to reach her room, where she was waiting outside her door.

"How long you been standing out there?" I asked, and she shook her head, her eyes gazing into mine.

"Is it about big bro Depra?" So she heard enough.

"Yeah, it is. He's in a lot of pain right now, so as his family, we gotta do our best to help him out." I placed my hand on her head and ruffled up her long auburn hair. "I'm pretty sure he hasn't eaten yet, so if you could make him some food, that would be great."

She nodded, and I smoothed out her hair before smiling at her. "I'm counting on yah!"

"Gotcha! I'll make a meal so good he'll forget all about his pain!"

I watched her skip downstairs humming to herself, and I ran my fingers through my growing afro, sighing.

"We're the only ones he can really count on. So, even if it isn't much, I'll help him get back to his feet."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I felt pain whenever I moved, saw grey wherever I looked, and heard their voices whenever I listened. So, in the end, my only real comfort was the smell of food, bringing in the only warmth I recognized.

"…Food?" I pushed my hair out of the way to see a girl humming to herself, cooking some food on the stove.

She turned to me, a small smile on her cute face. "Don't worry, this'll warm you right up big bro Depra!" She winked at me before continuing to cook, her auburn hair swaying back and forth.

She's, cooking? For me? I gritted my teeth, clenching my fists tight. Why? I didn't deserve it, I deserved nothing, nothing but the feeling taking root within me, clawing its way through everything I thought was "progress."

I felt pain near my shoulder, and I looked to see Hiro, who had placed my hand on it. "Hey, I brought someone here to see you."

He motioned for me to get up, walking back towards the front of the house. I reluctantly followed, shuffling my way across the kitchen to the front door, where I saw the last person I could possibly want to see.

"Why, are you here?"

She looked at me with her regal purple eyes, an understanding within them; no, that was wrong, no way anyone could understand the hell that is myself.

"Why, are you here?" I asked again, and she just shook her head, her hands grabbing each of mine, and I felt an unrecognizable warmth flow through me.

"I'm here, because you need me." She said, a smile arising on her face, and I felt the necklace around me get undone, falling into Hiro's hands.

"I don't deserve it," I murmured, looking away from her eyes.

"I say you do, so looks like you're stuck with me then huh?"

I growled, about to yell at Pandora before I saw her face, filled with the utmost seriousness. She brought my hands to her chest, her eyes mesmerizing me as they always did.

"I'll say it again; no, as many times as it takes."

"I'm here, because you need me."

No voices overtook my hearing, no greyness around her being, no pain as she touched me, it was all pure and heartfelt.

"Your Fault."

And that's why it hurt so much.

"Your Fault."

And that's why I was grateful.

"Your Fault."

And that's why, I truly hated myself.

I could only nod at her words, and I let her lead me back into the kitchen, where a steaming bowl of tomato soup with grilled cheese awaited me, just as it did at lunch time.

Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure I threw up earlier when I was walking away from Lachesis' house. I can't remember, since the voices overtook me then.

"Here, eat this," Pandora said, holding a slice of grilled cheese with some tomato soup soaked into it. She pressed it towards my mouth, and I opened it, biting down onto the delicious warmth I just had earlier today.

"What do you think?" I turned to Luna, who was glancing at the two of us, poking her two index fingers together.

"It's good." I mumbled out, and a smile of relief broke through on her face.

"Glad you like it! Eat it all, okay?" I nodded, and she smiled at Pandora, nodding at her before going into the living room, where Hiro was sitting on the couch.

"Hey, let's hurry up and have you eat, okay?" Pandora said, and she continued to feed me, a light smile on her face as she did so.

When I had finished eating, she squeezed the hand she didn't let go of, her regal purple eyes looking into my own.

"Let's go upstairs, alright?" I let her lead me upstairs into the bathroom, where clothes had already been laid out for me, probably by Hiro. She hesitated, looking down at our interlocked hands before looking back at me.

"I'll be fine," I murmured, and she nodded. As she released my hand, I could hear the laughter, the voices, and YOURFAULT's return, and by the time she closed the door to the bathroom, I couldn't even hear that.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"He's worse than I thought."

Pandora was waiting outside the bathroom door when I came up to see her, and I nodded, pursing my lips in angst.

"It's why I called you yah know. You were probably the only other thing that could help him you know."

I leaned against the wall next to her, looking up at the ceiling. "You know, you can talk to Luna if you want. I didn't tell her you were coming, so she's pretty shocked I know you. She thought I was stalking her or something."

She chuckled. "Yeah, I wouldn't put it past you."

"Hey, I'm not one to do that," I said, crossing my arms. "Besides, I decided when she started school that I would let her make her own decisions and friends. I would never interfere with something as precious as that."

Pandora's regal purple eyes glanced at me, looking me up and down. "You're not as overprotective as I thought."

I laughed at that statement. "Oh, it wasn't an easy decision to make. If you met me two years earlier, you would know why. But we're getting off topic. I didn't come here to talk about me."

She nodded. "Yeah, he really is bad."

"I also didn't come here to talk about him either, although it deals with him in a way," I said, sighing. "No, I came to talk about you."

"I thought you already did that when we met," she said, scowling.

"No, not about that either. It's honestly not too important, I was just wondering if you wanted to have a sleepover with Luna."

"Why would I do that when Depra's like this?" she said, and I could feel her anger welling up.

"Hey, I have to think about everyone here. What're you gonna do after tonight? Spend every waking moment with him?" Silence, and I exhaled sharply through my nose. "In the end, the best thing for him is to get used to the fact that this'll be his new normal for a while."

She whirled around to me, pressing me against the wall, her pupils shrinking in anger. "And what? Leave him to fend off for himself!?"

"I'm not saying we leave him like this. All I'm saying is, I have no way to help the guy out," I started, gritting my teeth and clenching my fists. "I have no way of helping him, and he's been like this for so long, and I can still do nothing!"

Her pupil's widened as she listened to my words. "I've been searching for a way to help, but I don't know where the hell to even begin! I know nothing about his condition, even with me knowing what his ability is; I've done countless hours of research, experiments, brain scans, blood tests, and none of that tells me a goddamn thing about how to help my friend, nothing at fucking all!"

She took a step back, her hair covering my face. "So, believe me when I say I don't wanna leave him worse off than I've known him, but what choice do I have, huh? I just, I just…" I trailed off, slumping my shoulders down as I looked back up at the ceiling.

I just wanna help him, in whatever way I can.

I heard the water turn off in the bathroom, and I collected myself, taking a deep breath.

"I'll be in my room, but think about what I asked, okay?" She nodded, and I walked back to my room, doing all that I could to prepare my friend for what was going to be the hell that his normal life.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I took a short shower, the hot water unable to warm me up as I tried to let it soak into me, before getting out, dressing myself in Hiro's pajamas.

As I brushed my teeth, I saw the bathroom door open, and I felt a warm, soft hand wrap around one of mine, and I heard the laughter, the voices, and the YOURFAULT's disappear.

"Better?" Pandora asked, and I nodded.

"Thank you."

"Your Fault."

I finished brushing my teeth, and let myself be led by Pandora once more, before she stopped, frowning as she looked at me.

"Where are we sleeping?"

We. That word stuck out to me the most. I grit my teeth, shaking my head at her words. I didn't deserve a we. Not in the past, not in the present, and certainly not in the goddamn future.

"No, we are," Pandora said firmly, and we both stared each other down until Hiro came out from his room.

"You two lovebirds fighting already?" No one laughed, and he sighed, scratching his hair. "I'll sleep with Depra, and you can sleep with Luna, Pandy, got it?"

"But-!"

He shook his head, glancing at me. "What do you wanna do?"

"I'll sleep alone."

He rolled his eyes. "Okay, sleeping with me it is. I already set everything up, so you can sleep on my bed or on the spare mattress, up to you." He motioned for Pandora, and she hesitated once more, glancing down at our hands.

"Please, I'll be alright," I said, and she nodded, giving me a smile before she followed Hiro downstairs, leaving me alone with the voices, the laughter, and the YOURFAULT's.

I walked into his room, collapsing onto the spare mattress, the pain in my body starting to ebb away as the voices grew louder.

"Of course you can do it! If you can't, then that makes you useless trash, right?"

"Everything, all of it was for you! SO WHY DON'T YOU GET IT!?"

"So, what will you do, Depra King?"

I curled up into a ball, the laughter growing as I tried to sleep it all away.

But the one thing that stuck with me, the one thing I could feel that was truly my own, was the cause of all this brought on all this pain.

Yes, my newly remembered, true second regret of my life, bringing the count to three.