Archive of Our Own ^beta

“Rui...!” Tsukasa ran towards the addressed man, his eyes scanning the obviously exhausted sorcerer.

There was pure chaos. All around words were being spoken from every direction, even shouted, but the two only focused on one another.

“Tsukasa-kun. You made it in time!” The purple-haired man looked at him with relief.

The knight halted in front of the sorcerer, and he let out a lighthearted sigh as he made it.

“Did you think I'd let you go without a goodbye?” Tsukasa offered a smile in return as he managed to get a soft laugh out of Rui.

While a quiet atmosphere settled between them and the bustle around them faded, Tsukasa's voice suddenly grew more serious.

“I've heard terrible things about this cave.” He drew a deep breath and looked deep into Rui's eyes. “Please take care of yourself. Make it back safe and sound."

He grabbed his hand and held it firmly. Rui gently squeezed it back. But his smile revealed nothing.

“I'm so sorry I can't be there for the reconnaissance.” Tsukasa went on, glancing down at the ground in shame.

There was nothing he wouldn't do to go with him and make sure Rui returned unharmed. But no matter how much he desired to do so, reality wouldn't allow it. And that thought ripped him apart.

“Don't worry, Tsukasa-kun.” Rui's voice was calm yet firm. "Nothing is going to happen to me. Mizuki will accompany me in your stead."

Tsukasa remained quiet, though, his expression revealed everything. The tension in his shoulders and the way he bit his lower lip, he couldn't hide his worries.

Rui sighed softly before reaching for his second hand and holding them both close. He let his thumbs gently stroke Tsukasa's fingers.

"Please don't ever feel guilty." He looked at him earnestly, he wanted Tsukasa to believe him. "You have your task, and I have mine. You have to guide your squad. I have to search this cave." His voice softened after that. “It's only a few days. As soon as I get back, everything will be as it always is."

The chevalier swallowed. His grip grew tighter he wished he could use it to keep Rui here and prevent him from leaving him.

“Promise me, Rui.” His voice was barely more than a whisper.

Rui hesitated for a moment, seeking Tsukasa's gaze for the correct answer.

“I promise.”

Their pleasant silence returned as they just enjoyed their time together, yet the moment to bid farewell came sooner than they wished.

“Rui! They're done loading the carriages!" Mizuki ran up to the two of them. “Oh, captain! You made it here after all!"

"It was a close call, but I can't just let you two go off like that!" Tsukasa's loud personality returned, but Rui saw right through it, of course.

“I guess this is goodbye, Tsukasa-kun...” Rui let the pain of separation settle, but it would be for the greater good. He would successfully find it, for sure.

"Take care of one another!" Tsukasa's words were stern, but there was more in his gaze.

It was an unspoken wish.

Then Tsukasa's eyes met Mizuki's. Without even a single uttered word, they understood each other. The pink-haired knight nodded and stepped back to give them a few seconds.

Tsukasa turned back to Rui, gently placing his hands around his waist and leaning forward to kiss him in parting. However, before their lips could touch, he felt Rui's fingers on his.

"No kiss, please..." Rui glanced down at the ground before turning his eyes directly back to the knight. "That would just make it harder."

For a moment, none of them said anything. Tsukasa couldn't take his eyes off of Rui's own. They were bright yellow, streaked with a blue sparkle that mesmerized him every time.

It wasn't just the color, but also the expression in them. Rui's look was always gentle when he smiled, and they always sparkled with a sense of curiosity and enthusiasm. On the other hand, when he turned serious, there was a depth in them that Tsukasa understood beyond words.

Perhaps he adored them so much because they were sincere.

But then Rui slowly lowered his fingers from his lips, and Tsukasa knew he had to let him leave.

After they exchanged one last look, Rui walked ahead in the direction of the carriage. Tsukasa turned to Mizuki again.

“Mizuki, please... take care of yourself. And keep Rui safe." Tsukasa's voice was gentle but insistent. "I have a very bad feeling..."

“Don't worry, Captain.” She gave him a promising smile.

She then turned and followed Rui. She looked back once more and waved him goodbye.

Rui also had to turn back one final time; he just couldn't hold himself back. Tsukasa silently formed one last “I love you.”

He elicited a slight smile from Rui again and could read the words “I love you too” on his lips.

He couldn't wait to finally see him again.

---

“Captain Tenma! Stop! You can't just see the queen without a consultation!"

Guards rushed over to try and block his way, however Tsukasa refused to be stopped. His breathing was heavy, and his hands were trembling uncontrollably. He shoved one after the other aside, his gaze fixed only on the large doors in sight.

“I don't have time for this!” His voice was dull. He needed to speak to the queen before it was too late!

The doors busted open, and the knight stomped into the throne room. All the guards in the hall alerted and pointed their weapons at Tsukasa, but the queen raised her hand to calm everyone as the blond respectfully bowed to her, as much as he disliked it.

“What brings you to me, Captain Tenma?”

The queen addressed him cautiously, she knew why he was present. "Please give us a moment alone." She ordered her guards.

As soon as they were out of hearing distance, Tsukasa leapt to his feet. His facade collapsed.

"Queen Miku, I knew this was a terrible idea!" He was beside himself. "Part of my unit is nowhere to be found! A good friend of mine disappeared without leaving a trace!" His voice became even angrier in the next sentence. "The l- one of the most powerful people in my unit never returned!"

He couldn't believe what must have happened, that neither Mizuki nor Rui had returned with the rest of his knights. Everyone who went on this mission had completely disappeared from the face of the earth. He was already picturing the worst possible scenarios. But he still had more to add.

"You wanted me to remain here! That I should not accompany Rui... that I should not accompany the royal sorcerer Kamishiro!" Tsukasa's voice quivered with distress. "And now he's missing! Both of them are gone!”

Tsukasa fell silent. He knew how dangerous it was, and yet he still let Rui and Mizuki slip away.

Could he have saved Rui if he had come with him? Could he have protected him? These thoughts kept him awake all night.

Queen Miku just listened quietly. After his speech, she stood up and walked towards him. Standing eye to eye with the knight.

"I'm truly terribly sorry, Tenma. I understand your anger.” She hesitantly grabbed his shoulder. “We're already trying everything in our power to find Sorcerer Kamishiro and Knight Akiyama.”

Tsukasa wanted to say something in reply, but before he could even utter a sound, the doors flung open with a muffled bang. A young knight hastily entered to report.

“Knight Akiyama has been found!” His voice echoed through the room. "She is in a bad condition... but alive! She wants to talk to Captain Tenma as soon as possible-"

Tsukasa stopped listening and immediately interrupted his subordinate.

“Where is she?!” His breath caught as the injured person suddenly limped into the chamber.

“Captain!”

Tsukasa rushed to her side, helping her stand.

“Please, tell me what happened!” Tsukasa's hands kept shaking as he gripped her shoulders, as worried as he was about her, he just had to know. He needed answers.

“Tell me, is Rui alright? Where is he?” His eyes darted around desperately, hoping that he would turn up too, but the silence that followed was enough to make him lose his mind.

Mizuki tried her best to tell her captain and friend what had happened, what they had been through, but all she could get out at the moment was a weak mumble.

“I am so sorry. I'm so very sorry!” She started sobbing, holding back too loud sounds.

Tsukasa's eyes widened, Mizuki held Rui's monocle tightly in her hand. As Tsukasa silently took it out of her grip and felt the familiar weight in his shaky hand, he sank to the ground.

All light had faded from Tsukasa's eyes as he turned his gaze back to Mizuki. "Please tell me he is alive." He prayed to whatever was out there that Rui was still alive.

“I don't know. I... I don't know where he is!” She joined him on the floor, still sobbing. “I couldn't keep my promise! I'm so sorry, Captain!”

Tsukasa had to let these words sink in. Rui, who allowed him to call him his own, the boy who made him the happiest person in the world. The man he wanted to put a ring on while promising him eternal love.

Missing.

Or even worse, dead.

“Mizuki, what happened...?” All the strength in his voice disappeared.

Queen Miku soon joined in the conversation, wanting to know what happened to the sorcerer as well.

“Please tell us everything you know.” She urged as she stood behind Tsukasa.

“It... it all happened so fast!” Mizuki swallowed and tried to find the right words. "We were already deep in the cave, our companion knights remained outside, it was just the both of us." She glanced briefly at the queen, anger being present in her eyes. "Why did you want Rui to bring such a dreadful thing to you?!"

“The brooch was to protect this kingdom.” She bit her lip.

“Did... Did you find it?”

Mizuki's anger boiled over. “Of course we did! Why do you think we're in this mess?”

Tsukasa stared at Mizuki, his breath hitching. The words slowly seeped into his consciousness.

“What is this thing, and what did it do to Rui?!”

Mizuki remained silent for the moment, then turned her gaze back to the queen. Tsukasa turned around as he stood up again, eyeing her with a look that urged her to explain too.

Queen Miku took a deep breath before she began. "The brooch, is called Akatsume, is a dangerous, enchanted piece of jewelry hidden in that unnamed deep cave you were in."

Tsukasa already feared the worst.

“Whoever wields it gains great power but loses something of himself in the process.“ She couldn't look at Tsukasa anymore. "Most never return."

Tsukasa felt his heart racing as Queen Miku's words repeated over and over in his head. She knew it. She knew what lurked there, and yet she sent Rui there.

His gaze burned into her face, so the queen turned away.

“Why? Why did you sacrifice him?!

Miku remained silent for a moment, then slowly raised her head.

“He promised! Not out of greed for power or out of hope. But because of guilt!"

For a moment, her words hovered between them, she hoped Tsukasa and Mizuki would just understand. Then she moved closer.

“Kamishiro knew what his ancestors had done. He knew there was blood on his name, so much that even centuries of regret couldn't wash it away." Her lips changed to a grin.

“He wanted to bring me Akatsume. He himself. No one forced him.” She tilted her head slightly. "But a man who acts only out of guilt never really has much of a choice."

Tsukasa couldn't contain his anger, but Mizuki held his shoulder. “Don't do it.” Queen Miku had more to say.

"If he hadn't, he would have been exiled, damned forever, or even executed! And why?! Because of a blood he didn't even know was his!" She looked like she was losing it. “And I... I didn't know it either! No one knew for quite some time! Sorcerers of his bloodline are prohibited in this kingdom! His fate was sealed long before anyone could even comprehend!"

She calmed down a bit, continuing to speak more calmly.

"And if he brings me Akatsume, the stone of his family, and I learn how to control its power, he would be free, so whether he stays here or decides to leave, I would not care."

Tsukasa wanted to run towards the queen, to let out his anger and pain, to do something to make her pay, but Mizuki halted him again.

“You need to know what happened, Captain.”

Tsukasa let out the breath he didn't even realize he was holding. He held out his hand for Mizuki to take and get up.

"I'm sorry, I never asked how you were doing." Mizuki accepted the help and let herself be pulled to her feet. “No, it's understandable. I know what Rui means to you and to all of us...”

She sent one last dirty look towards the queen before continuing her story.

---

The crackling of torches and the muffled sounds of their footsteps echoed as they slowly made their way through the seemingly endless cave. Rui went ahead, Mizuki decided to stay behind him, her hand resting on her weapon in case of an emergency.

“Was it really wise to have all the knights wait at the entrance, Rui?” Mizuki only saw the back of the sorcerer's head, but he looked like he was thinking for a second before answering.

"I know what we're looking for, too many people would hinder us, and to be truthful, I wish this task hadn't fallen into my hands." He sighed.

This made Mizuki feel uneasy. She knew from the beginning that whatever it was that they were looking for was nothing ordinary, the queen and Rui were both always vague about what it really was in the end.

“What do you mean?”

Abruptly, Rui stopped and turned to his fellow friend. His expression was unreadable.

“Mizuki, please listen to me. I know you're here to protect me, but if something happens, always put yourself first, okay?” Rui's voice was full of stress.

Rui grabbed her shoulder so quickly she had to take the torch out of the way so the purple-haired wouldn't get burned by accident.

“Promise!”

"We both have our part to play here, Rui. I'll protect you, and you find that gem." Mizuki could see the answer didn't satisfy him. “Alright, if anything happens, I'll get us both out of here, not just you, got it?”

Rui wasn't entirely pleased with this but knew he couldn't achieve anything better. He just started walking ahead again as Mizuki went back to her own questions. Maybe the best thing would be to voice them.

“What is this thing anyway?”

There was silence for far too long. Rui clearly didn't want to answer these questions, or he didn't have them himself.

“It's called Akatsume. Queen Miku needs it.” Is everything he settled for.

“Please, Rui, explain it to me. Even our captain was scared, he even asked me to look out for you all the more!" She was desperate for answers, he was able to dodge them all the way here, but now they're alone, he has to respond!

"...My family, the Kamishiro bloodline, created it? Or just guarded it? I'm not too sure, the queen was... out of it when she explained it.” Not seeing his expression made it hard for Mizuki to read him. “It was probably both, they created and guarded it. Her majesty is sure I would be able to control it and somehow make her be able to use it?" He was so uncertain about all of this, and it drove the pink-haired knight insane.

“But... but what is it, Rui?! How does she dare to send you here with so little information?” The queen was putting them into danger with so little knowledge.

“I-I know enough!” He grasped his torch tighter. "The stone is supposed to strengthen power or the like. I'm the only one who can touch it! Don't even go near it, Mizuki!” He spared her a glance.

Mizuki could see all the pain and guilt in his expression the one moment they saw him. But before she was able to comfort him, Rui started walking more quickly.

Mizuki reacted quickly and followed closely behind him. She soon understood why he suddenly accelerated:

Akatsume was lying in front of them, enveloped by countless vines. Rui stared at him in a daze, unable to believe what he was seeing.

The stone was a dark, blood-red color, and with every step Rui took, it seemed to pulsate. Mizuki grabbed him by the arm and held him back. “It only reacts to you. Be careful.” Once the sorcerer stopped, the stone was still too.

“Give me your sword.” Rui said, his voice urgent and determined.

“What are you up to?” Mizuki asked, concern clear in her tone.

Without another word, Rui took the sword and began to slice the vines around Akatsume. With each cut, the stone seemed to react more strongly, and Rui looked more and more distant.

All of a sudden, as if in a trance, Rui stretched out his hand, wanting to touch the stone. Mizuki grabbed his wrist once more.

“Stop! I have a bad feeling, don't touch it!”

“I said I can control it!” Rui replied, his voice sounding empty and strange, as if he wasn't quite himself anymore.

He tore himself from Mizuki's grip, his movements hasty and full of panic. With a final, desperate grasp, he reached out for Akatsume, but before he could even touch him, countless vines wrapped themselves around him and pulled him tight.

The thorns dug into his skin, and he let out a pained cry. At that moment, he awoke from his trance and stared wide-eyed at Mizuki, who looked after him desperately and tried to get to him, her sword was out of reach.

“Mizuki...” He whispered, the tendrils tightening around him with each passing moment. He reached out for the knight, his blood dripping to the ground.

“Rui!” Mizuki's voice was a desperate cry that echoed. They reached for him, but their hands only closed around emptiness.

Rui tried his best to free himself from their grip, but the more he struggled, the stronger they grew.

“I'm sorry...” A final, agonized cry burst from him before he was dragged into the depths of the cave with the stone. All that remained was his monocle, which hit the ground with a soft, almost suffering clink. A delicate sound that sounded like an echo of his last hope.

Everything was silent for a moment. Then the cave began to shake. Mizuki just stood there at first, unable to move, but as the first chunks fell to the ground, she grabbed Rui's last remnant and ran for her life.

Tears flowed down her cheeks. All that was going on in her mind was Rui. She should have reacted faster. She should have rescued her friend.

Mizuki ran as fast as she could, it felt like hours. 

Then finally they saw the exit.

For a moment, she thought they had made it. That maybe she could help Rui, with the help of their companions. If everyone stuck together, they would surely win!

But then they saw it.

The knights. All of them. On the ground. Stabbed by massive thorny vines, just like the ones that pulled Rui away. No movement. No hope.

They were all dead.

Mizuki stood still. Everything inside her tightened. The silence was suddenly deafening.

She fell to her knees and tried her best to breathe, the pain was unbearable.

“Rui... I'm so sorry...” She sobbed. “I'm s-sorry, Captain, I couldn't keep my promise...!”

That was all she could say.

That was all she could think.

Then there was nothing but darkness.

---

"After days of roaming, I was finally found. I think I only survived because this... this thing only focused on Rui.” She felt a sense of guilt.

Rui was obviously not himself, which is why he never thought about using his magic when he eventually regained consciousness, it was all too late.

The fear and anger were more than obvious in Tsukasa's posture. He had to do everything in his power not to run towards the queen.

“We have to save him.”

"I'm coming-" Mizuki was about to rush off, but she was interrupted.

“No. You're hurt. I'm taking Akito with me.”

Then he turned to the queen. Not a word was spoken, but she immediately understood what he was demanding.

“Take everything you need, Captain Tenma. I'll allow it all."

At least... she looked guilty.

“Mizuki, rest. And await our comeback with Rui. Alive. Thank you for everything you did. I'm so glad you're okay.“ He gave her a smile and quickly made his way to Akito.

He couldn't risk getting any more people involved. Two would have to do. Mizuki mentioned that Rui agreed, too many people at once wouldn't work. They had to manage on their own to avoid unnecessary casualties.

He knew the cave inside out by now, thanks to Mizuki's explanations. The traps, the narrow passages, the damned stone that only caused him trouble, it would be best if they just left it behind.

But Rui...

He didn't push the thought away. He allowed it, just like the pain in his chest.

Please be safe.

He could already see Akito from a distance. He calmly crossed his arms. He was waiting.

"You've been informed, correct?"

Akito just nodded, a hint of worry twitching across his face. “Yes. Let's save the troublemaker”.

It wasn't much, but there was something in Akito's voice, he always made it seem like he didn't care, but he obviously cared about Rui.

"Alright, let's do this."

---

Several hours had now passed, and they stood eye to eye with where tragedy had struck just a few days ago. They paused briefly as they saw all their comrades in front of the cave.

“I have never seen something like that...” Akito slowly averted his gaze. "Everyone was hit precisely, that was fully intended."

Tsukasa bit his lip and took a deep breath. He knelt before his fallen knights. "I'm so sorry..." His voice was shaky, but he forced himself to continue.

“Thank you. For your courage and loyalty. You have fallen as heroes."

Once this was all over, they would get the funeral they deserved. Tsukasa slowly straightened up and looked at Akito.

“Let's finish this.” Akito nodded in response, and slowly but surely, they entered this nameless cave.

Every step they took echoed through the silence. The further they went, the more crushing the thoughts became, both holding their weapons at all times, trained eyes scanned every centimeter of the visible route of their torches.

Akito didn't dare to put his thoughts into words, but when he saw all their camaraderie out there, the hope of seeing Rui alive again faded. The chevalier knew his captain was thinking the same thing.

Suddenly they found something on the ground. Tsukasa noticed it first, quickening his pace. “It's the spot where Rui got captured!” Tsukasa inspected the blood drops on the ground, there were more than anticipated.

“So, this is where the cave started to shake, and Kamishiro was pulled deeper by... vines full of thorns?” Akito was unsure how he was supposed to survive such a thing, why would this stone, or this cave, leave Rui alive and kill everyone else? Did Mizuki survive out of luck?

“That means we're close!” Tsukasa was blinded by the thought of saving his love and wasn't thinking logically.

“Wait, should we really just keep going?” Akito stopped Tsukasa. “What else are we supposed to do?” The blonde had a point. Sighing, he followed him deeper into the cave.

There was no indication yet that the walls would begin to shake or that some tendrils would tear them apart out of nowhere.

There was no choice but to keep going. But the further they got, the more Akito had the feeling that it was impossible to find Rui alive.

Suddenly the light from the torches flickered, and an opening appeared in front of them. It was dark, and they couldn't see what was inside waiting for them.

“This is it...” Tsukasa mumbled to herself and took a step forward. “I can feel it. He's right here!"

Without even waiting for Akito, he immediately ran into the space, blinded by the thought of finally seeing Rui again and saving him.

Akito quickly rushed after the blonde knight, but before he could even say a word, he saw what Tsukasa was staring at with an indecipherable expression.

He was right. In front of them were tendrils upon tendrils, all twining around the same thing, a single individual recognizable in this mess. The thorns of the vines bit so hard into the skin that even now, after all the days he had been gone, the blood was still dripping.

The purple hair fell over his face like a veil so that nothing of him could be seen. This thing had wrapped itself so tightly around his body that he almost looked like a rose caught in a net of thorns.

“Rui!” Tsukasa didn't know what to do. He immediately grabbed his weapon and was ready to cut every single vine.

Akito was speechless, of all the things he had expected to see, something like this never even crossed his mind.

“Stop! That's too risky!” Akito stopped the blonde, they needed a plan first.

Both he and Tsukasa started scanning the space when suddenly a voice spoke to them.

“T-Tsukasa-kun...?” He quickly snapped his head to the source of the voice, finally, after all this time, we saw his eyes again.

Rui's eyes for Tsukasa were completely different now, though. They were no longer bright yellow, they almost seemed to have lost all color. Before, his gaze had always been gentle and full of life. Now his eyes seemed cold and empty.

These were not the eyes he loved, this was not his Rui. Tsukasa drew his sword, and Akito quickly followed his footsteps.

Rui's body fell limp again as just a single red stone on a brooch on his chest began to shine. All the tendrils around him slowly loosened, and he was gently laid on the ground. His whole body had been pierced by the thorns that had been stuck in him until a few seconds ago.

Tsukasa sprinted towards him and picked him up in his arms, throwing the torch on the floor. Akito started guarding the two of them with his sword.

“Rui? Rui, can you hear me?!” His eyes crinkled open painfully, they were not as vivid as Tsukasa usually saw them, but they were obviously those of the man he loved.

“T-Tsukasa-kun? Shinonome-kun? I'm... alive?” The sorcerer was out of it, but suddenly he seemed to get the hang of things. “What are you doing here?! You have to leave! Now!" He tried to fight his way out of his arms, wincing in pain.

“Stop, you're bleeding, Rui! We're not leaving without you!”

Soon Rui gave up, but still insisted they should leave. "Things have happened, things we can no longer change." He couldn't look at Tsukasa. “But as I am now, I'm useless to use. As long as I stay here, the world is safe, Tsukasa-kun.” He closed his eyes in sorrow.

“So please leave.”

“What do you mean... the way you are now?” Tsukasa glanced briefly at Akito for advice but couldn't take his eyes off Rui for too long. His body was scarred by the vines. There was blood everywhere. But before Rui could answer, the stone on his chest pulsed again.

How could Tsukasa not realize that?

“That's... Akatsume, isn't it?!” Tsukasa wanted to snatch the stone from him no matter what, but when he even tried to touch it, he realized that it was only causing him more pain. Akito tightened his grip on his weapon, he had a bad feeling about this.

Rui threw his head back and cried out, it felt like the light of the stone was tearing him to pieces.

“What can I do to stop the pain! Tell me! Please!”

“Nothing!”

Akito had to restrain himself from joining them on the ground and help, but he promised Tsukasa to stand guard, as much as it ached.

For a moment, everything was silent. All that could be seen was the pulsing glow of the stone. How could he remove it and leave it behind without hurting Rui?

Why didn't Rui do anything? Otherwise, he was always one step ahead, even if this thing made him dazed, he always had an ace up his sleeve, so how could he...

 And then it hit Tsukasa like a bolt of lightning.

He stared at Rui, and there was a sudden feeling. Something wasn't right.

But as I am now, I am useless to use. 

Those words played in his head over and over again until everything finally fell into place.

“You... hid your magic.”

Rui said nothing, but the look of pain and loss in his eyes confirmed everything.

Suddenly, Akatsume's light went out, and Rui fell limp again. Tsukasa already started panicking, but then he was abruptly yanked back by Akito, and Rui fell motionless to the ground.

“Hey, what are you doing?!” Tsukasa shouted, but Akito didn't have to answer because suddenly Rui stood up as if nothing had ever happened, his eyes were strange again, now glimmering in a dangerous red, just like the stone.

"You brought it to me." He suddenly started laughing like he lost it. “I just had to wait patiently!”

That was the reason why Mizuki was left alive, now everything made sense.

Both knights drew their weapons and pointed them at the mad sorcerer. “What did you do to Kamishiro?” Demanded Akito madly.

“Oh, but I'm still me, Shinonome-kun~!” He smiled at his dear friend. “I finally know what my purpose is in this world, Miku was right!” He held his hand over his eyes to cover them. "My bloodline should have been exterminated. I shouldn't have survived~!”

There was something in Rui's voice, before they even realized it, there were the tears that flowed down his cheeks unnoticed.

"You aren't to blame for what your ancestors did!" Tsukasa screamed.

Neither Akito nor Tsukasa knew everything, only what Miku mentioned and what was spoken on the streets, but there were rumors of an ancient family that had once created Akatsume. It was a curse that had plunged the whole country into darkness until only ashes remained. And Rui... Rui was the last name on this cursed family tree?

“It's all my fault! I'm the last one remaining! And you...” A bitter laugh escaped him. “You were stupid enough to bring my magic back to me.”

“I really tried to stop it and die here, believe me, Tsukasa-kun...” By now his tears had stopped, but he looked sadder than ever.

“I had hidden my magic so well, Mizuki was able to escape with it, and I became useless!”

Faster than either of them could react, Rui snatched the monocle in which he sealed his magic from Tsukasa's possession. Smiling as soon as he put it back in place, there was nothing human in it this time.

"But it looks like history has changed."

“What's going on...” Akito started at the Sorcerer with a look of confusion as he acted nothing like the Rui he knew.

“You know what's really funny?” Rui took a deep breath as his magic flowed back into his body with a warm tingle.

“If you had come just a little bit later, I would have died for sure.” Rui started testing if his magic was working again, he held a crimson flame in Tsukasa's direction. "Maybe I could have fixed all this, and Akatsume would have stayed peaceful as long as you lived, it had something to feed off at, and without my magic, I was useless. I could only provide it with nourishment."

Was he talking about the vines and how the thorns bit into his skin?

“He... he clearly lost it, Captain!” Akito husked out.

“What's your goal, anyway, Rui?! What did that thing do to you?!” Yelled Tsukasa, he saw Akito getting ready to strike in the corner of his eye. He fired him a glare to not dare harm him.

Rui looked at Tsukasa. His gaze was blank and strange.

“I had no choice, Tsukasa-kun. Akatsume... changed me. It showed me what I was capable of!"

He took a step towards him, his hand still on him.

“I was the key from the start. Not because I was powerful, but because I was vulnerable."

“Rui...” Tsukasa swallowed. "You're still there, aren't you...?" Tsukasa could barely get the words out.

“Maybe I'm still here. Maybe I'm not.” A faint grin crept onto his face.

 “But maybe that's enough. In order to destroy me completely."

“Fight it, Kamishiro! Normally you won't give up so easily!" Akito tried to as well.

Rui immediately changed his behavior and shot his magic at Tsukasa without a moment's hesitation.

“No!” Akito rushed to his side as the blast forced Tsukasa to his knees. He could see that Rui obviously didn't want that. Shocked and full of guilt, he looked at the two of them.

Something inside Rui snapped for good.

He just stood there staring into space, his shoulders began to shake, and then the laughter came. At first it was quiet, mistaken for a sob. But then it became louder, uncontrolled, and full of pain. It was the laughter of someone who no longer knows what to do with themselves.

“What are you doing?!” Rui's eyes widened.

He raised his hands, and magic erupted uncontrollably.

“Look what I am! A monster! A nothing!”

The magic raced through the space, and Rui continued to laugh.

“I'm already lost! Why are you still fighting?”

Tsukasa struggled back to his feet. Akito reached out to help him up, but before he had the chance, Rui's magic hit him. He was thrown against the wall and lay there motionless.

“No, Akito...!” Tsukasa ran to him, kneeling down and shaking him awake, but he got no reaction. He was still breathing, but he was out cold. Maybe that was for the best. Perhaps he no longer needed to see what was about to happen.

“Rui, snap out of it!” Tsukasa turned back to Rui in anger.

The sorcerer really seemed to slow down at this. A soft giggle escaped him, and he looked deep into the knight's eyes with his strange gaze. The chevalier could only think of one thing.

Tsukasa misses his Rui.

The ever-smiling, sly magician. The one who never used his magic for himself, but only for good. The one who stayed up far too late to find ways to help his troupe and the people of the kingdom.

Tsukasa misses the boy he fell in love with for his kind heart and his radiant beauty.

He misses that small, cat-like smile. Those sparkling eyes when Rui had another one of his brilliant ideas.

Once again, he only acted out of the kindness of his heart, thinking about others first and putting himself last.

“Rui...” He didn't even know what to think. Was there any possibility of saving him?

The man aimed another blast at the blond. Now that he thought about it, should he just let Rui end it? All his hopes had been shattered too often in the last few days, if he had stopped Rui from leaving, none of this would have happened.

Had he realized that something was wrong, he could have grabbed him by the hand and run out of this kingdom while they still had time. If only he knew that their queen was this selfish manipulator. 

“What your ancestors did was not your fault! You're not like them!”

He could see his love fuming with anger.

“Of course it is! Why do you think this stone can change a whole person?” He was getting angrier by the second. “Because deep down I've always been like this!” With these words, he unleashed the blast at Tsukasa, who skillfully dodged it this time. But Rui was quick, he pounced on the knight and held him to the ground to hit him squarely.

Tsukasa merely closed his eyes and took a deep breath, accepting his fate. “I love you, Rui. At least I got to see you one final time." He opened his eyes again and followed his own words.

But suddenly all went still, as if Rui realized something. His magic faded from his hand, and he rose from Tsukasa, putting some distance between them.

“Tsukasa-kun.” His arms sank limply to his sides. Akatsume shimmered darker. Something inside him was changing.

He took a quick glance at the passed-out Akito, thought back to how Mizuki felt when the whole cave shook because of him, and lastly to Tsukasa.

He chuckled quietly, but it wasn't a real laugh, more an echo of something long lost.

He took another step back, afraid to hurt him again.

“Tsukasa-kun...”

“Rui...?” A glimmer of hope flashed through Tsukasa's gaze. He stood up quickly at the realization. What this his Rui?

“Please...”

Tsukasa walked towards Rui fast, he didn't care if he would soon lose control again, all he wanted now was to embrace him, no matter if it was the last thing he did.

Rui relaxed briefly in his embrace and burrowed his face into his shoulder. That was him. That was the man he loved. He could feel the purple-haired one hugging him back tightly.

Tsukasa put his hand on the back of Rui's head and pulled him even closer. He wanted to hold on to this moment forever.

A brief, pleasant silence then fell.

It was quickly broken by a single request.

“Kill me.” 

Tsukasa went rigid.

“Kill me while I'm still myself.”

Tsukasa slowly broke away from him a bit to look into his face.

“No.” Tsukasa would never grant him this wish. He still had hope. “I will never give up on you!”

“I'm already lost.”

Before Tsukasa could even answer, he realized how Rui was slowly but surely slipping out of his fingers again.

It's happening again.

“Please, Tsukasa-kun... just do it.” His voice broke, the stone on his chest throbbed like crazy. Akatsume represented his heartbeat by now. Tears ran unstoppably down Rui's cheeks. Tsukasa gently reached for his face.

"Rui I-" The sorcerer interrupted him, though.

“When the tendrils grabbed me... it was as if it knew me. Like Akatsume knew exactly where to squeeze so I would stop breathing." He laughed weakly. “And then the thorns came. They dug into me. It hurt... but that wasn't the worst of it. The worst part was that it felt so right. Like I deserved it.”

He lifted his eyes, pained and ashamed. He placed his own hands on Tsukasa's and continued talking.

“I'm not just in the cave anymore. I <i>am</i> it. Akatsume lives vicariously through me... devouring me from the inside. And what's left of me... it's getting less. Every second. I'm barely there anymore.”

He bit his lips and tried his best to continue. Tsukasa needed to understand why it was the right decision. He wanted him to finally understand.

“If you don't, Akatsume will do the rest. Then I'll just be... an empty vessel. A puppet. And maybe that's all I've ever been, Tsukasa-kun. Something to be exploited."

He lowered his eyes. Tears were still streaming down his cheeks. Tsukasa tried his best to wipe them all away. He hated to see Rui cry.

"The truth is, everything I was before, the person you loved, passed away that day."

“No! Rui, listen to me-!” As if in déjà vu, Tsukasa felt Rui's finger on his lips to shush him.

“But I can't do this anymore. I don't want to anymore. Please... before there's nothing left of me."

When Rui saw the look on Tsukasa's face, he could tell the knight finally understood. He removed his finger from his lips and took Tsukasa's hands from his face, but the latter did not allow it and kept them there. At first, he couldn't look Rui in the eye, and the sorcerer figured it would be easier, but suddenly he did look him deep in the eyes again. 

“Let's die together.” He missed Rui's almost golden eyes, but he came to realize that as long as his love was here, he could even love the red ones. Because they, after all, belong to him.

The sorcerer's eyes widened, and he abruptly tore himself out of Tsukasa's grip.

 “What are you saying?!” He shook his head in bewilderment and took a step back.

"You have to keep living!"

His emotional outburst was so visible through Akatsume that Rui sank to his knees in pain.

Tsukasa settled down next to him, and even before Rui could say anything, he pulled on his wrists and kissed him.

“I should have done this the day you left.” He whispered as he pulled away. "It was even more painful than I imagined."

Slowly he let go of Rui's wrists, he seemed shocked as he still had his eyes wide open, but soon enough the sorcerer leaned in himself for one short kiss.

“I love you.” Rui uttered as he pulled away. “I... I should have listened to you. I should have...” He shook his head as he chose another approach in this. “You have to act soon, my love. I'm... I was really glad I got to-”

"No! I'm not letting you die by yourself!" He held Rui by his shoulders. “I can't live without you. I wanted to marry you, grow old with you, and have the honor of calling you mine for the rest of my life! It doesn't make sense without you!" His eyes grew wet. "So, either I die with you or I'll let you kill me!"

Rui stared into Tsukasa's eyes, searching for answers, but there was only constant pain in his chest. The words Tsukasa had spoken stung him deeply, but the sorcerer knew they were true.

“...I would have said yes.” Rui turned his gaze to the ground. “I’m sorry that this has to be our end.” Tsukasa understood what Rui was hinting at. He had to act soon.

Drawing his sword, he watched Rui slip back into the darkness. A mad chuckle rose in his throat, but he tried to suppress it.

Tsukasa pulled Rui even closer to him. He wanted to give him all the love they could never share again. Gently, he pressed Rui's head to his chest.

“I'm so sorry...” Whispered Tsukasa. “I wanted to give you all the good you deserve. But I can't let you keep suffering."

Rui couldn't find the right words to respond.

Slowly, Tsukasa raised the blade. His hand shook and his heart beat so loudly that it almost crushed him. He carefully placed the blade against Rui's back. Secretly, he still hoped there was another way.

But he knew the truth.

“I love you.”

Then, with a single, swift thrust, he stabbed through Rui, through Akatsume, and through himself.

Everything was silent for a moment.

They both fell backward, the knight still holding the sorcerer in his arms. Tsukasa felt Rui slowly grow heavier in his grasp.

He simply held him tightly. And quietly murmured one last time, "I'm here. I'm here with you.”

“Thank you, thank you so much...” Rui whispered back. He was so glad it would soon be over. "It's so quiet, I can't hear its voice anymore." Another silence before he spoke up again. "I hope Akito and Mizuki will be all right..." Tsukasa nodded, hoping Akito will be able to leave this place without a problem and that Mizuki will be healthy.

Tsukasa was rewarded one last time when he could see Rui's familiar, beautiful eyes.

“T-thank you...” Rui said again, his voice barely more than a breath.

Tsukasa tugged him closer, wrapping his arms protectively around Rui's fragile body.

"I hope i-in our next life we can get married as planned..." Tsukasa muttered, his breath heavy but his heart feeling even heavier.

Rui clung to him weakly, his fingers taking hold of the back of Tsukasa's head.

"I-I will say yes every time... every single time..."

Then Rui fell silent. His body relaxed, weighing heavily in Tsukasa's arms, and he felt the life slipping out of him slowly, unavoidably.

“No... stay... please...” ' Tsukasa, his voice breaking under the desperation. He hugged Rui more tightly to him. But he knew it was too late. The sword stuck in them was proof enough.

He saw the second he had left him as the stone still hanging from Rui's chest, pierced by the sword, shattered into its individual pieces, they did it, since Rui was the last Kamishiro, Akatsume could no longer exist, he had to die, as much as it hurt.

He glanced at Akito once as his last thoughts flashed through his mind. He hoped Saki would be able to live a long and fulfilling life and that she wouldn't miss him too much. He also hoped that Akito and Mizuki would hold off an affliction for all their fallen knights.

Hopefully the matter with Queen Miku would be cleared up and she would be disciplined for her actions. Rui deserved so much better, it made his heart break.

It brought him comfort to think that they would find each other again in another life, he was certain of it.

His own strength was leaving him now too. The loss of blood was robbing him of his senses, the world around him was becoming blurry. With a last faint smile, he rested his forehead against Ruis.

"I love you... forever."

Then Tsukasa closed his eyes for good, still holding Rui close.

They remained lying together on the cold stone ground, which was turning more and more red. Two bodies, two souls who never let go of each other.