Chapter Text
Akito knew he had no other choice, lest the empire fall because of his mistakes. This was truly the only way he could think of to reverse his mistakes in love and war.
He had to collude with the enemy, not for the first time, after all he had been courting the Knight of Snow for so long with no fruits to bear other than a revolt.
He certainly digresses as he shuffles towards the Alchemist’s residence, battle-worn and blood-stained.
“..alchemist Rui,” Akito watches the figure turn in interest, presumably at the sight of a half-dead White Knight, looking right about ready to throw gangrene-affliction at him.
“Oh my, if it isn’t the esteemed Grand Knight Shinonome himself..” He draws out his words looking sympathetically at his wounds, and just for a brief moment Akito wonders how Tsukasa had dealt with this man before remembering his goal.
“I request of you, something not related to Tsukasa, not related to the Kingdom I serve, but something in the benefit of your prince.” These words do get a rise out of Rui as he seemingly ponders his gains and losses.
“What do you wish from me, oh great knight, just do be aware, if the request ends up being quite nonsensical, killing you will take no more than a single hit.” He laughs rather fittingly for the role he has resigned himself to.
“I wish,” Akito pauses and takes a weak breath, ”for you to take my mana and lifeforce, and to use it to protect Prince Touya, no matter the world.” This selfish yet selfless request certainly piques Rui’s morbid curiosity but it also confuses him all the same.
“Why would you wipe your existence away just to protect your enemy?” Rui asks but he quickly notices Akito’s inability to speak and his valiant efforts to keep awake for this one request.
Rui huffs, “I suppose this is in my best interests, I hope you won’t regret this Akito-kun”
It really doesn’t take long with how notorious the spell is in the Kingdom of Shadows, and how easy it is to learn.
Rui drags a crisp green chalk and makes an imperfect circle, resembling more of a triangle, and places a piece of blank rouge parchment in the middle. Bringing a dagger, he nicks Akito’s arm and Akito simply doesn’t have the strength to even wince.
With the blood on the dagger, he drops it in the circle, not even a second later, the bright blue flames dry Akito to ash.
Absorbing his mana and lifeforce lead to leaving him nothing but a husk.
The intricacies of the spell do have a side effect, the one who sacrifices themselves will forever be bound to the other affected by the spell.
Touya feels his mana cry out, driving him to the alchemist’s residence in a daze.
Only when he lays his eyes upon Akito’s corpse does he feel himself be human again, he sharply looks at Rui, face full of fake regret.
Touya lunges at Rui with his sword drawn right before he keels over and—
Rui does indeed wish them the best when it comes to their next life.