Might
(I knew it was useless... I can't do anything... It's useless...)

Might started setting up his sword with shaky hands.

Might
(Here I go... in front of me... where Adonis is...)

He scolded his legs that didn't want to move, and slowly began to walk. One step, and another step... The distance between him and Adonis became closer little by little.

Closing his eyes, the former Adonis waited for him to come impatiently...

As it was he should have stopped by then. It had been a long time as it was, if he didn't struggle to get there... If he did so, if Might couldn't finish Adonis with his own hands...

Might
U...u...u...!

But, finally the distance between them disappeared. He set up the tip of his sword, touching Adonis' chest.

-And stabbing through.

The hard edge of the sword slipped into the tender meat. A dull feeling transmitted down to Might's arm as he gripped the sword.

Adonis
Uguh!

At Adonis' voice, Might couldn't bear it and looked up.

Might
Ado... nis...

Might couldn't comprehend what he'd just done.

Might
(I... What am I doing...? Why do I have my sword... in Adonis...?)

His head was blank. He looked up at Adonis who seemed to be fading.

Adonis
Th... thank you... Mi, igh... t...

Adonis quietly smiled while he endured the pain. He showed his gratitude, he showed it to the boy he loved.

Might
A... Adonis? ...Ado... nis...

Might couldn't do anything but keep calling his name. He seemed to forget all other words-. That gentle smile, burned into his heart.

Warm blood spilled down the sword, and soaked Might's hands.

Adonis
Don't have such... a sad face. ...Do you want to... make me sad too...

Might
Ah... Adonis...

Adonis
Goodbye... Might.

He left a gentle word, and Adonis seemed to close his eyes to sleep. One teardrop slid down the side of his cheek. And fell on Might's face-.

Might
It can't... it can't... Nooooooooooooooooooooooo.

Might's bitter cry echoed in the huge room. At the same time, their surrounding began shaking eerily. With a thunderous roar, rubble began falling from the ceiling. Now that the devil was sealed, the castle began collapsing.

The strange object that covered on wall of the place dried up in a moment. And, the wall cracked, and together with Adonis' white nude body, was dragging him down to the other side. One the other side, there was a whirling world of darkness-.

Might
Ah... Adonis... Adonis...!

Might stood stock still dumbfounded as the devil's castle collapsed around him.

And his ears heard something-

-Might, Might-!! Where are you, Might!!

It's was Lorence's voice.

Lorence found Might's figure, and ran to where he was through the rubble.

Lorence
Might... You were safe!!

But Might didn't react to Lorence's calls. His eyes had no life in them as if his soul had died before.

Lorence
Might! What's wrong, what is it-?!

Lorence noticed the sword in Might's hand was dyed dark red.

Lorence
Might! Be firm, Might!!

He shook the upper part of his body largely, and finally Might noticed his existence.

Might
Lorence...san?

Lorence
Come, escape quickly!! It's finished collapsing around here-.

However, Might had a haggard expression on his face and didn't move. And he shook his head largely.

Might
No... I... already...

Lorence
Might?!

Might
I, killed Adonis... With my own hands I sealed off the devil by... Adonis...

Lorence
...Then, you must live! Live and escape from here!! You must survive as long at you can... Isn't that what Adonis wanted?!

Might
But, but...

Might bit his lip as he regret and self-condemnation rose from the bottom of his heart. The castle collapsed more and more quickly, it was just a matter of time before the place was buried in rubble.

Lorence
Forget it, Might! We promised we would return together-. If you wish to die here I won't be able repay you, so please survive for my sake, who is here now...!!

Might
Lorence-san...

Lorence
Everyone is waiting for you. Come, let's go-!!

Might nodded silently. The life came back to his eyes.

And, the devil's castle kept collapsing without trace. He faced the battle to its end.

...A while later. They returned alive from the castle to the Varoja temple. Kurt immediately collected everyone in the altar room to communicate with Ragsiel.

Soon a pillar of light rose from the altar, and Ragsiel's figure appeared. His usual appearance of being talkative changed, and he was full of the divineness of the gods.

Ragsiel
Might... You endured the test, well fought.

Might
Yes... Because you lent me your powers.

Even with the direct words of appreciation from the god, Might's expression didn't brighten.

Ragsiel
About Adonis... I'm sorry. It was already too late for me to be able to separate the devil and Adonis...

Might
No... I was prepared...

Ragsiel
But, I thought it was too pitiful to separate you and Adonis for all eternity. ..

Lorence
That... It can't be...

Ragsiel
Naturally it's prohibited, but... I'll make an exception for your friendship, and take custody of Adonis' soul in Heaven.

Might
Th, that...

Ragsiel
His body was ruined, but hereafter Adonis will be by your side in spirit...

As he said that Ragsiel held up both arms, and Adonis' form appeared wrapped in light.

Might
Adonis-!!

When Ragsiel held up his hands to Adonis' face, his firmly shut eyes slowly opened.

Adonis
-Might...?

Might
Ah, Adonis-!!

Might ran up to the altar to hug Adonis tightly. But, Might's arms went through Adonis' body, and cut through the empty air.

Ragsiel
As I said. Adonis is now a spiritual being that exists in Heaven. Regrettably he can't be touched by a human body.

On the other hand, Adonis who didn't understand the situation stared in blank surprise.

Adonis
Why, why is Might here... But, I'm certain Might's sword...

Might
...That isn't important, it's ok. I'm here. I'm with Adonis again...

Adonis stared at Ragsiel's face by his side.

Adonis
Ragsiel-sama...

On purpose Ragsiel removed his glance and coughed.

Might
Adonis, even if I can't touch you, you're here... That's enough for me...

Adonis
Yeah. It's the same for me. I'll always be with you... Hyah?!

Adonis screamed suddenly.

Might
Adonis...?

Adonis' face was red, and his body twisted.

Adonis
W, wait, you can't...

Might
W, what's wrong, Adonis?

Adonis' voice was unbearable.

Adonis
Ragsiel-sama, please stop touching me there...!

When he looked, as Ragsiel stood by Adonis his hand was rubbing Adonis' buttocks. Adonis frantically resisted, but Ragsiel paid him no mind and continued touching him.

Everyone below Might was dumbfounded by the god's childlike teasing.

Lorence
I see, if Ragsiel-dono is a spiritual being, and Adonis is too then he can touch him...

Leica
-Damn. Did he really take him into Heaven so that he could have him?

Everyone nodded strongly at Leica's words.

Ragsiel
Y, you guys... Have you forgotten that I'm a god?

Lorence amazingly shrugged his shoulders,

Lorence
Ragsiel-dono, are you truly a god...? If that's so, you should give the doctrines of the religious sect serious consideration...

and he sighed deeply.

Before long, the companions who had gathered around Might began parting from the temple, separating one at a time waling down their respective paths.

The former bounty hunter Leica went on alone, traveling aimlessly.

Kurt stayed at the temple, saying he would carry out his modest duties as a priest.

Pam wanted to find the roots of his birth, and he found help to start a journey to find his own race.

Everyone asked if Might was going to go with them, but Might politely declined, slowly deciding what to make of his future.

At mid-afternoon of that day, Might was in the temple courtyard lost in his thoughts. It wouldn't be bad to stay here where he could communicate with Adonis in the heavens. ...But, he was thinking of something different.

Might
(What I really want to do is...)

-Might

Suddenly Lorence's voice called out to him. For several days, he returned to the royal palace, taking care of remaining business, and after a long time he returned to the temple.

Might
Welcome back, Lorence-san.

Might smiled.

Lorence
I returned to hear the answer to the arrangement I made some time ago. If you want to be ushered in as a Knight of the Court... Will you come with me...?

In front of Lorence Might nodded greatly,

Might
To enter the Knights of the Court... It's was my dream since I was a child. Please, take me with you, please...!

And, his smile returned.

Lorence
Thank you, Might...

Lorence also answered, smiling like the boy.

-After that.

Might enlisted in the Knights of the Court, and he distinguished himself from Lorence's initiation very quickly, and he was even promoted to platoon commander shortly thereafter when he was exceptionally young.

Member of the Knights
-Knights of the Court, in front... Advaance!!

At the head of the Knights was Lorence on horseback, and near him was Might. Like they once yearned for as children, their bodies were dressed in the white uniforms of the knights, and Lorence and Might had gallant forms.

Lorence
Might, your horse-riding skills have improved considerably. You look good.

Might
Yes, this is the result of your guidance.

Lorence
No, it's because you have good muscles. Perhaps I'm already out of things to teach you.

Lorence's answer was a little shy from Might's words of gratitude.

Might
That's right... Lorence-san.

Lorence
Hnn?

That instant.

Might pulled his horse next to Lorence, and abruptly snatched his lips.

Lorence
-?!!

Lorence's eyes suddenly opened wide as his body stiffened. Finally Might separated their lips,

Might
That is my gratitude and... Someday the surprise attack will be returned...!!

As he left that message he ran off on his horse.

Lorence watched Might run away while he was flabbergasted, but as he recalled his actions, he blushed and looked down.

Lorence
(Mi, Might... Did you still remember that... You're still able to make me shy...)

While shaking his lowered head on the horse, the clear blue sky stretched above them as Might rode his fast horse to anywhere...

The End