• Silence filled the chamber as the two stood face-to-face. Emil stood there, his blond hair fluttering in the wind as he continued to stare at his alter ego. There he was, Ratatosk, the Lord of Demons, and his love. Through their long journey, they had created an unbreakable bond that extended beyond friendship. The laughs they shared, the battles they fought, the tears they shed, the memories swirled in both of their minds. This was it. This was the end. Emil had finally completed his quest of restoration, but now an even larger hurdle stood in his way. He had to let him go. He had to leave his best friend, his love, and the one who had given him the most. This was supposed to be the victorious ending to all the hard work he had gone through, but why was he feeling so empty?

    "So, I guess…this is it," Emil whispered. His emerald green eyes blurred with tears. Even though Ratatosk had berated him numerous times for showing weakness, he couldn't help but let the tears flow down his cheeks.

    "Yeah…this is it." Ratatosk looked away, unable to bear the sight of Emil in such pain.

    "Do you really have to leave us? Do you really have to leave me?" He knew what he was asking of him was pointless. Ratatosk had to remain to seal the gate between the mortal world and the realm of monsters. If he didn't, all that they had worked for would be lost.

    "If I don't leave, who's going to save the world, you fool? I deserve the role as 'hero' every once in a while." Despite his words, he looked up and gave Emil a sad smile.

    Emil looked down and continued to cry, his salty tears streaming down and hitting the tiled floor. Ratatosk sighed and slowly made his way to him. Stopping before the source of his affections, he raised his hand and gently brushed the tears from Emil's eyes. He looked up and saw a pair of heart-broken scarlet eyes.

    "Don't worry, you coward. You've become much stronger than you were when I first met you. I trust in you that you'll be able to face the challenges without me," said Ratatosk. Thinking for a moment, he pulled Emil into a loving embrace.

    Burying his tear-stained face in Ratatosk's chest, Emil muttered, "But I'm scared. I'm scared that I'll never see you again."

    Ratatosk chuckled softly. "I'll always be looking after you. There's nothing to be afraid of. Raise your head up high and live your life to its fullest."

    Looking up at him, Emil reluctantly pulled himself out of his arms. "Thank you, and…g-good-bye, Ratatosk. I'll n-never forget you," he choked out with sobs.

    "And I'll never forget you. Now go on, you can't stay here forever." Giving him one last longing look, Ratatosk faced his back to him.

    As he headed for the exit, Emil managed to say one last sentence to his beloved before breaking out into a run with tears flowing from his eyes yet again.

    "I love you…"

    Ratatosk stood there for a few minutes before he was able to turn around again. His eyes reflected just how broken he was feeling. Letting one lone tear trickle down his cheek, he remorsefully voiced his feelings.

    "I love you too. It hurts so much to let you go."