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Description
I didn't remember why I was arguing with Akira, I remembered shouting at him, and then slammed the door before running away.

I remembered that he looked hurt.

"You know, you should apologize to your brother, he's just worried about you." Said Qm as he watched me down a glass of ale.

I was sitting on a stool in my secret place. It's a place I went whenever I felt down or kicked out of house. I never told anyone about this place... except for Qm.

I leaned on my arm as I pondered about it. Qm was loud sometimes, but most of his advise make sense. He's just quite straightforward about his opinions.

"I....I don't know." I said uncertainly. I kinda forgot what I was arguing about, and I remembered that Aki looked hurt when I left... I felt kinda embarrassed to go home to apologize.

My biometal sighed, I imagined that he was rolling his eyes, but I could never tell...
Then as if he knew exactly what I was on about, he said "It's nothing to be embarrassed about, siblings argue all the time."

"Speaking from experience Qm?" I asked with a smirk. I wondered how often he would say sorry to his siblings after an argument.

Qm just stared at me for a few moments before saying "Never you mind."

Probably never then.

"But you're right. I should get back." I said as I stood up from my stool,then kicking some of the empty bottles away before I walked towards my vehicle.

"Drunk driving again?" The biometal asked, as he hovered in mid air in a way that I think was a display of skepticism.

Oh yeah.... I drunk drove before and it ended up with a sexy cop chasing me half across the city and then landed in jail. Qm wasn't happy about the experience.

"Never YOU mind." I said to the biometal, imitating the tone he used on me earlier. I smirked when the biometal stared at me with satisfying effect before slamming into my bag furiously and mumbling what I presumed was a string of curses.

Oh well, I'm not really drunk anyway. It should be fine.

When I reached home, Akira wasn't there. Aven was at the shop though, he said Aki had gone out earlier this morning and haven't came back since. It seemed that he went out the next day after our argument.... He also informed me that Aki left dinner for me. I placed my palm on my face. Dear god, the embarrassment.

I laid my jacket on the couch as I was munching on a microwaved chicken. The house seems oddly quiet without my brother around. Metal was staring at me from the couch though...
Oh yeah, if Aki wasn't here then nobody would be feeding him.... that was what I thought before I saw a bucket full of rabbit food near his pen. Duh, Aki would have everything prepared before he left.

I scratched my head and decided that I should head off to bed for the night. He would probably be back the next morning anyway.

I noticed a note under my door as I was going into my room. There's nothing on the envelope, I grew a bit suspicious. Aki wouldn't leave a note on my doorstep, he would have paste it on the fridge.

"We should read it." Qm commented as he hovered after me, and oddly, I agreed. I read the note with growing alarm.

"Your brother is our hands, come to these coordinates, alone and we will release him, unharmed. Failure to do so, and we shall ensure that his parts are delivered to your doorstep safety."

I crunched the note after reading it. That explained why Aki had not come back! The coordinates will lead me to the Outlands. It's risky, but I had to go. Qm hovered up to my face just when I was about to sprint off.

"What the hell Qm!" I exclaimed.

"Regis, wait. Think about it, it might be a trap. Your brother isn't that weak to be captured to begin with." Qm said calmly, which irritated me.

"What if he was careless and is really in trouble now? Qm? I can't just sit here and wait!" I argued.

Qm went silent for a moment before giving in.

"Alright, we need to be careful just-." I grabbed him and stuff him into my pocket before he finished his sentence. I need to be quick! The biometal ended up swearing a few words as I reach for my bike.

I hope Aki is alright... I want to apologize...
==========================================================================================
I looked on as Regis slammed the door and took off. I lost the words that I was going to say.

I'm not a child! I can take care of myself just fine! I DON'T NEED YOU!

That.... that hurt more than it ought to. I was always aware about the need of independence Regis had since that day, but I chose to ignore it just because I felt that he was too young, and too inexperienced. He never went through what I experienced in the past, and lacked the will needed to go through a difficult decision.

He has the courage and wit, yes, but it will take him only that far....

There were still things that he wasn't aware of and that I had not told him, about himself and...

I rubbed my forehead in exhaustion. Perhaps I was a little desperate. Lately, I felt that there wasn't enough time. I felt a weakness in me that grows gradually. Perhaps like Shintai had warned me about, I'm gradually running out of time...

Time is what I don't have, but at least... before it happened...

I never regretted my decision I did back then. Although Shintai was against it but I held on to that irrational belief, that belief I made when I first saw that child waking up.

I believed that he will have a future I will never have.

Metal was looking at me with concern from the table, it seemed that even he felt that something was wrong. I petted the rabbit, and smiled. Metal twitched his ears and nuzzled me. I really enjoyed his company, I can tell all my worries to him and he won't say a thing.

Well.... he can't really.

Staring at my pet calmed me down somewhat. Perhaps I need a walk around the city, calm down and talked with Regis again. He might hole up in his 'secret place' again for a few days... Well, I ought to prepare some food for him in case he came back. The boy was never good at cooking.

After wrapping up the food and place them in the fridge, I wrote a note about the food and paste them on the fridge door. The boy would know where to find food at least...

Metal looked at me curiously from his bucket of rabbit food. "Not today Metal, maybe later." I said to the rabbit that seemed to have thought that I will take him out for a walk. The rabbit just blinked and turned his attention back to his carrot.

I went to open the door that led to my shop. Aven was still handling the counter ever since I took a break. Such a dedicated young man, I need to remind myself to raise his pay next time.

Aven looked at me with concern as I walked out. He probably heard the huge argument.

"Are you alright Aki?" He asked.

"Yes, I'll be alright." I said simply. I appreciated his concern, but I don't really want to talk about what the argument was about. Though.... I believe he would have known if he had listened.

"I'll be going out for a walk Aven, I'll probably won't be back until tomorrow evening. If Regis comes back, tell him dinner's in the fridge."

"Okay." Aven nodded, he's used to the odd walks his employer would take sometimes.

I smiled at Aven before leaving. Perhaps I will take a walk around the park, visit some strays in the streets and then visit Gene in his apartment. The puppeteer seems awfully lonely in his huge studio with his puppets.

When I stepped out from my shop, I felt that someone was watching me. I looked around and saw no one, but the feeling was still present....

There was nothing, just some passerby.

....perhaps it was just my imagination.

It wasn't until late at night that I returned home. Aven had closed the shop by the time I came back. I smiled with appreciation, I really ought to give him a pay rise.... if only he wouldn't keep throwing out my tea leaves. I wonder why everyone does that....

When I opened the door that led to my house, I realized that it was unlocked. I found this rather odd. Regis would have normally locked the door. Immediately, I knew something was off. I activated my blades and opened the door carefully. A quick scan with my scouter showed no one in the house other than Metal. With a sigh of relief, I closed the door behind me and did a quick check on the house.

It seemed that Regis was here, but he left in a hurry.... I wondered why....

I walked to my room to get dressed when I noticed a crumpled note on the ground. I picked it up, and I realize in horror why the boy had left in a hurry....

This was their doing. He was walking into a trap.

.... They wanted me, not him. They are doing all this just to lure me out. The remnant of Dr Falkor's corrupted reploids.... They have no use for a prototype like Regis, but....

They would do anything to get revenge.

The coordinates led to an abandoned bomb shelter in the Outlands, it's a perfect place for a hideout and to stage a trap… Regis would not stand a chance....

I immediately took off, linking communication to Aven's phone, I told him what was going on. If I am right, I believed he and the others won't be able to reach me in time, but.... at least....
==============================================================================
I had a dream when I was young.

I was reading a book in a snowy night. It was about a hero who could run very fast, he ran so fast that, he could travel through time.

It was an exciting book. I hoped then, that I could be strong and fast, just like him.
I sat on my brother's lap, while he teaches me some of the words I couldn't understand.

He was very patient, and I remember, he was very warm.

I remembered seeing his bandaged hand. I remembered that he got hurt trying to protect me.

I wished I could be just as strong as the hero in this book, so that I could protect him too.

I want to get taller, and bigger, and stronger, so that he won't have to get hurt because of me.

The page I read suddenly turned blank, and it suddenly got colder.

I looked up at my brother, he was smiling, but he seems sad.

Aki, why...why do you look like... you're going away?
==========================================================================================
"Regis, if you don't wake up now, you're going to regret it for the rest of your life, REGIS!" I am jolt awake by the voice in my head. Then all at once, I feel pain spreading all over my body, and I hear the deafening alarms all around me.

"Regis for asimov's sake! Wake up!" The voice keep yelling.

It hurts so much.

What happened? Why am I hurt?

I feel confused. I remember that I was going to save Aki.... then....

Then what?

I am moving through a flaming corridor, the flames were dancing all around me, it's so bright, and it hurts just to look....

"REGIS!" The voice in my head sound very horsed, as if he had been yelling for quite some time. That voice..... That's Model Qm, why is he yelling at me like that?

He sounded like... like something's going wrong.

I want to ask him why, but I couldn't speak, I can't move. Why? It hurts so much....

....yes, I remember now, I was trying to save Aki, but he wasn't there. Qm was right, it's a trap and I am meant to be the bait. I wasn't strong enough to win... The man with red hair beat me.....then.....then?

Then what happened? I can't remember....

"We're not going to make it...." said Qm, sounding desperate. I've never hear him sound like that in my entire life, and..... I feel scared. I struggle to look forward, and I see a door in front of us, but it looks like we can't make it. The door is already closing.

We can't make it.... Maybe this is the end.... I...I'm not strong enough.

I'm sorry Aki....

....eh? I'm...I'm still moving, how...? I can't feel my legs...

I am suddenly aware that I am leaning on someone, and that we are picking up speed.

Akira?

I look at the person who is dragging me all this time. I couldn't see clearly, but that silvery hair with a blue ribbon was his. He's grabbing my arm very tightly. That hand is very warm. The floor feels slippery and wet

Aki, why are you here? You're not supposed to be here.

Suddenly something exploded on his right. Aki stagger, straining not to fall. Aki... seems to be hurt but he never let go of me. He keep on walking towards the door, dragging me along with him.

Qm is shouting about something, but I couldn't understand. I need to move. I need to. But I can't feel my legs.

The door has closed halfway through. We're not going to make it.

Aki, let go of me.

We're both going to die if you don't let go.

Aki, please let go. You can reach it if you let go of me. You can run.

Akira, please....

I wanted to tell him to let go, but I can't find my voice. I can't move. I am paralyzed.

Then suddenly I'm holster up, I can hear Aki grunt in pain and then I feel that I am thrown into the air. I feel my body hit the metal floor with a loud thump. It hurts like hell. I cough in pain as I struggle to get up.

I realize that I can move again, and I look up.

Akira is there, standing among the flames. His hair is matted with blood, his left arm is gone. I saw several blades are impaled on his back, running through his body.

The floor... the floor is wet and slippery with his blood.

I instinctively reach out my hand towards him, some sort of dread quickly welled up in my core.

Aki?

He smiles at me as blood trickled down his face. It's the same smile I saw in the dream, that sad sort of smile.

Akira?

The door close shut in front of me.

No.

No.

No! No! No! No! No! NO!

Screaming, I stand up and swing my fist at the door.

It didn't budge.

No. I need to get through this door! I shoot at the door with all my might.

Open! Damn you! OPEN IT!

I can feel someone dragging me away.Who the f*** is that?! I fling the hand away and keep on shooting. I'm not going to give up, my brother is still in there. I can break this door open. I can still save him!

LET GO OF ME!

There's no explosion, it's probably just an echo. If I could just break this door down, He's probably just behind it.

The door isn't burning hot, I can break this door down, I can get him out of there. There's still time. It's not too late.

It's not too late, it's not too late.

LET GO OF ME! IT'S NOT TOO LATE!

I scream at the door. I hit it. I kick it. I shoot it.

The door isn't budging.

No.... I haven't apologized, I.... I want to get stronger so that you won't have to protect me, so that you won't get hurt, so that... This won't happen....

It's all my fault....if I was strong enough.....

If only I was strong enough.... This wouldn't happen....if only....

==========================================================================================

I leaned on the door as the flames dances all around me. I lost the strength to run, the fight before had taken a toll on me. I lost too much fluid, and the blades damage several vital parts in my body....

At least...at least I threw him towards the door with the last of my strength. That was the only way I could save him....

The warning messages kept on flashing at the corner of my eyes, but there was nothing I could do. There was no escape route, there was no way I could run....

I could hear Regis smashing at the door.

The boy... my dearest brother...

I wished I could tell him that it was never his fault....

I could hear multiple explosions coming from the end of the corridor.

I could hear the cracks forming at the ceiling.

The building won't hold on for long, and sure enough, debris as huge as a truck came crashing down.

I looked up, and I wonder.... if Regis will be fine all alone... No. I smiled. He won't be alone. He will have friends, and perhaps in the future, someone that he will risk his life protecting, just like now....

"Hello Akira." I heard a familiar slick voice, the man with the odd checkerboard suit appeared before me. Time seems to stand still, mere seconds away before the debris fell on me.

"As promised I have come to collect my payment...." The man smiled.

Description
I didn't remember why I was arguing with Akira, I remembered shouting at him, and then slammed the door before running away.

I remembered that he looked hurt.

"You know, you should apologize to your brother, he's just worried about you." Said Qm as he watched me down a glass of ale.

I was sitting on a stool in my secret place. It's a place I went whenever I felt down or kicked out of house. I never told anyone about this place... except for Qm.

I leaned on my arm as I pondered about it. Qm was loud sometimes, but most of his advise make sense. He's just quite straightforward about his opinions.

"I....I don't know." I said uncertainly. I kinda forgot what I was arguing about, and I remembered that Aki looked hurt when I left... I felt kinda embarrassed to go home to apologize.

My biometal sighed, I imagined that he was rolling his eyes, but I could never tell...
Then as if he knew exactly what I was on about, he said "It's nothing to be embarrassed about, siblings argue all the time."

"Speaking from experience Qm?" I asked with a smirk. I wondered how often he would say sorry to his siblings after an argument.

Qm just stared at me for a few moments before saying "Never you mind."

Probably never then.

"But you're right. I should get back." I said as I stood up from my stool,then kicking some of the empty bottles away before I walked towards my vehicle.

"Drunk driving again?" The biometal asked, as he hovered in mid air in a way that I think was a display of skepticism.

Oh yeah.... I drunk drove before and it ended up with a sexy cop chasing me half across the city and then landed in jail. Qm wasn't happy about the experience.

"Never YOU mind." I said to the biometal, imitating the tone he used on me earlier. I smirked when the biometal stared at me with satisfying effect before slamming into my bag furiously and mumbling what I presumed was a string of curses.

Oh well, I'm not really drunk anyway. It should be fine.

When I reached home, Akira wasn't there. Aven was at the shop though, he said Aki had gone out earlier this morning and haven't came back since. It seemed that he went out the next day after our argument.... He also informed me that Aki left dinner for me. I placed my palm on my face. Dear god, the embarrassment.

I laid my jacket on the couch as I was munching on a microwaved chicken. The house seems oddly quiet without my brother around. Metal was staring at me from the couch though...
Oh yeah, if Aki wasn't here then nobody would be feeding him.... that was what I thought before I saw a bucket full of rabbit food near his pen. Duh, Aki would have everything prepared before he left.

I scratched my head and decided that I should head off to bed for the night. He would probably be back the next morning anyway.

I noticed a note under my door as I was going into my room. There's nothing on the envelope, I grew a bit suspicious. Aki wouldn't leave a note on my doorstep, he would have paste it on the fridge.

"We should read it." Qm commented as he hovered after me, and oddly, I agreed. I read the note with growing alarm.

"Your brother is our hands, come to these coordinates, alone and we will release him, unharmed. Failure to do so, and we shall ensure that his parts are delivered to your doorstep safety."

I crunched the note after reading it. That explained why Aki had not come back! The coordinates will lead me to the Outlands. It's risky, but I had to go. Qm hovered up to my face just when I was about to sprint off.

"What the hell Qm!" I exclaimed.

"Regis, wait. Think about it, it might be a trap. Your brother isn't that weak to be captured to begin with." Qm said calmly, which irritated me.

"What if he was careless and is really in trouble now? Qm? I can't just sit here and wait!" I argued.

Qm went silent for a moment before giving in.

"Alright, we need to be careful just-." I grabbed him and stuff him into my pocket before he finished his sentence. I need to be quick! The biometal ended up swearing a few words as I reach for my bike.

I hope Aki is alright... I want to apologize...
==========================================================================================
I looked on as Regis slammed the door and took off. I lost the words that I was going to say.

I'm not a child! I can take care of myself just fine! I DON'T NEED YOU!

That.... that hurt more than it ought to. I was always aware about the need of independence Regis had since that day, but I chose to ignore it just because I felt that he was too young, and too inexperienced. He never went through what I experienced in the past, and lacked the will needed to go through a difficult decision.

He has the courage and wit, yes, but it will take him only that far....

There were still things that he wasn't aware of and that I had not told him, about himself and...

I rubbed my forehead in exhaustion. Perhaps I was a little desperate. Lately, I felt that there wasn't enough time. I felt a weakness in me that grows gradually. Perhaps like Shintai had warned me about, I'm gradually running out of time...

Time is what I don't have, but at least... before it happened...

I never regretted my decision I did back then. Although Shintai was against it but I held on to that irrational belief, that belief I made when I first saw that child waking up.

I believed that he will have a future I will never have.

Metal was looking at me with concern from the table, it seemed that even he felt that something was wrong. I petted the rabbit, and smiled. Metal twitched his ears and nuzzled me. I really enjoyed his company, I can tell all my worries to him and he won't say a thing.

Well.... he can't really.

Staring at my pet calmed me down somewhat. Perhaps I need a walk around the city, calm down and talked with Regis again. He might hole up in his 'secret place' again for a few days... Well, I ought to prepare some food for him in case he came back. The boy was never good at cooking.

After wrapping up the food and place them in the fridge, I wrote a note about the food and paste them on the fridge door. The boy would know where to find food at least...

Metal looked at me curiously from his bucket of rabbit food. "Not today Metal, maybe later." I said to the rabbit that seemed to have thought that I will take him out for a walk. The rabbit just blinked and turned his attention back to his carrot.

I went to open the door that led to my shop. Aven was still handling the counter ever since I took a break. Such a dedicated young man, I need to remind myself to raise his pay next time.

Aven looked at me with concern as I walked out. He probably heard the huge argument.

"Are you alright Aki?" He asked.

"Yes, I'll be alright." I said simply. I appreciated his concern, but I don't really want to talk about what the argument was about. Though.... I believe he would have known if he had listened.

"I'll be going out for a walk Aven, I'll probably won't be back until tomorrow evening. If Regis comes back, tell him dinner's in the fridge."

"Okay." Aven nodded, he's used to the odd walks his employer would take sometimes.

I smiled at Aven before leaving. Perhaps I will take a walk around the park, visit some strays in the streets and then visit Gene in his apartment. The puppeteer seems awfully lonely in his huge studio with his puppets.

When I stepped out from my shop, I felt that someone was watching me. I looked around and saw no one, but the feeling was still present....

There was nothing, just some passerby.

....perhaps it was just my imagination.

It wasn't until late at night that I returned home. Aven had closed the shop by the time I came back. I smiled with appreciation, I really ought to give him a pay rise.... if only he wouldn't keep throwing out my tea leaves. I wonder why everyone does that....

When I opened the door that led to my house, I realized that it was unlocked. I found this rather odd. Regis would have normally locked the door. Immediately, I knew something was off. I activated my blades and opened the door carefully. A quick scan with my scouter showed no one in the house other than Metal. With a sigh of relief, I closed the door behind me and did a quick check on the house.

It seemed that Regis was here, but he left in a hurry.... I wondered why....

I walked to my room to get dressed when I noticed a crumpled note on the ground. I picked it up, and I realize in horror why the boy had left in a hurry....

This was their doing. He was walking into a trap.

.... They wanted me, not him. They are doing all this just to lure me out. The remnant of Dr Falkor's corrupted reploids.... They have no use for a prototype like Regis, but....

They would do anything to get revenge.

The coordinates led to an abandoned bomb shelter in the Outlands, it's a perfect place for a hideout and to stage a trap… Regis would not stand a chance....

I immediately took off, linking communication to Aven's phone, I told him what was going on. If I am right, I believed he and the others won't be able to reach me in time, but.... at least....
==============================================================================
I had a dream when I was young.

I was reading a book in a snowy night. It was about a hero who could run very fast, he ran so fast that, he could travel through time.

It was an exciting book. I hoped then, that I could be strong and fast, just like him.
I sat on my brother's lap, while he teaches me some of the words I couldn't understand.

He was very patient, and I remember, he was very warm.

I remembered seeing his bandaged hand. I remembered that he got hurt trying to protect me.

I wished I could be just as strong as the hero in this book, so that I could protect him too.

I want to get taller, and bigger, and stronger, so that he won't have to get hurt because of me.

The page I read suddenly turned blank, and it suddenly got colder.

I looked up at my brother, he was smiling, but he seems sad.

Aki, why...why do you look like... you're going away?
==========================================================================================
"Regis, if you don't wake up now, you're going to regret it for the rest of your life, REGIS!" I am jolt awake by the voice in my head. Then all at once, I feel pain spreading all over my body, and I hear the deafening alarms all around me.

"Regis for asimov's sake! Wake up!" The voice keep yelling.

It hurts so much.

What happened? Why am I hurt?

I feel confused. I remember that I was going to save Aki.... then....

Then what?

I am moving through a flaming corridor, the flames were dancing all around me, it's so bright, and it hurts just to look....

"REGIS!" The voice in my head sound very horsed, as if he had been yelling for quite some time. That voice..... That's Model Qm, why is he yelling at me like that?

He sounded like... like something's going wrong.

I want to ask him why, but I couldn't speak, I can't move. Why? It hurts so much....

....yes, I remember now, I was trying to save Aki, but he wasn't there. Qm was right, it's a trap and I am meant to be the bait. I wasn't strong enough to win... The man with red hair beat me.....then.....then?

Then what happened? I can't remember....

"We're not going to make it...." said Qm, sounding desperate. I've never hear him sound like that in my entire life, and..... I feel scared. I struggle to look forward, and I see a door in front of us, but it looks like we can't make it. The door is already closing.

We can't make it.... Maybe this is the end.... I...I'm not strong enough.

I'm sorry Aki....

....eh? I'm...I'm still moving, how...? I can't feel my legs...

I am suddenly aware that I am leaning on someone, and that we are picking up speed.

Akira?

I look at the person who is dragging me all this time. I couldn't see clearly, but that silvery hair with a blue ribbon was his. He's grabbing my arm very tightly. That hand is very warm. The floor feels slippery and wet

Aki, why are you here? You're not supposed to be here.

Suddenly something exploded on his right. Aki stagger, straining not to fall. Aki... seems to be hurt but he never let go of me. He keep on walking towards the door, dragging me along with him.

Qm is shouting about something, but I couldn't understand. I need to move. I need to. But I can't feel my legs.

The door has closed halfway through. We're not going to make it.

Aki, let go of me.

We're both going to die if you don't let go.

Aki, please let go. You can reach it if you let go of me. You can run.

Akira, please....

I wanted to tell him to let go, but I can't find my voice. I can't move. I am paralyzed.

Then suddenly I'm holster up, I can hear Aki grunt in pain and then I feel that I am thrown into the air. I feel my body hit the metal floor with a loud thump. It hurts like hell. I cough in pain as I struggle to get up.

I realize that I can move again, and I look up.

Akira is there, standing among the flames. His hair is matted with blood, his left arm is gone. I saw several blades are impaled on his back, running through his body.

The floor... the floor is wet and slippery with his blood.

I instinctively reach out my hand towards him, some sort of dread quickly welled up in my core.

Aki?

He smiles at me as blood trickled down his face. It's the same smile I saw in the dream, that sad sort of smile.

Akira?

The door close shut in front of me.

No.

No.

No! No! No! No! No! NO!

Screaming, I stand up and swing my fist at the door.

It didn't budge.

No. I need to get through this door! I shoot at the door with all my might.

Open! Damn you! OPEN IT!

I can feel someone dragging me away.Who the f*** is that?! I fling the hand away and keep on shooting. I'm not going to give up, my brother is still in there. I can break this door open. I can still save him!

LET GO OF ME!

There's no explosion, it's probably just an echo. If I could just break this door down, He's probably just behind it.

The door isn't burning hot, I can break this door down, I can get him out of there. There's still time. It's not too late.

It's not too late, it's not too late.

LET GO OF ME! IT'S NOT TOO LATE!

I scream at the door. I hit it. I kick it. I shoot it.

The door isn't budging.

No.... I haven't apologized, I.... I want to get stronger so that you won't have to protect me, so that you won't get hurt, so that... This won't happen....

It's all my fault....if I was strong enough.....

If only I was strong enough.... This wouldn't happen....if only....

==========================================================================================

I leaned on the door as the flames dances all around me. I lost the strength to run, the fight before had taken a toll on me. I lost too much fluid, and the blades damage several vital parts in my body....

At least...at least I threw him towards the door with the last of my strength. That was the only way I could save him....

The warning messages kept on flashing at the corner of my eyes, but there was nothing I could do. There was no escape route, there was no way I could run....

I could hear Regis smashing at the door.

The boy... my dearest brother...

I wished I could tell him that it was never his fault....

I could hear multiple explosions coming from the end of the corridor.

I could hear the cracks forming at the ceiling.

The building won't hold on for long, and sure enough, debris as huge as a truck came crashing down.

I looked up, and I wonder.... if Regis will be fine all alone... No. I smiled. He won't be alone. He will have friends, and perhaps in the future, someone that he will risk his life protecting, just like now....

"Hello Akira." I heard a familiar slick voice, the man with the odd checkerboard suit appeared before me. Time seems to stand still, mere seconds away before the debris fell on me.

"As promised I have come to collect my payment...." The man smiled.