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The stench of blood filled the air, making all survivors grimace. It was foul, but none of them had the heart or energy to complain. They were hiding backstage at the stadium in the middle of the theme park.
No one could remember why they decided to make their way to the one place with nothing they could benefit from but chose not to ask.
Everybody was silent, either planning how to escape or currently resting. Yugo inwardly winced as his left arm throbbed. He knew that time was ticking; they were wasting time just sitting around.
He desperately wanted to yell at Vox for making them go to the theme park, but he kept his mouth shut. None of them wanted to start an argument right now.
He could hear the low, guttural groans from the hoard of zombies right outside. Yugo felt someone nudge his arm, and he turned to his right to see Fulgur giving him a small smile.
The former DJ tried to smile back, but it wasn't the same as before. The cyborg could tell, seeing the glowing blue veins starting to become prominent on Yugo's neck.
"Fuck! We cannot escape this place without attracting that large hoard of zombies, especially severely outnumbered." Luca said, voice sharp as he glared at Vox. Yugo felt Alban squeeze his left hand, though he didn't look at the former phantom thief, focusing on the two men standing.
He doesn't know what came over him. "I can distract them," He offers quietly. Everybody turns to look at him.
Fulgur taps him, but Yugo ignores it as he stands up shakily, looking at Luca and Vox as if challenging them. "I'm not going to last long anyways. I'm sorry for hiding this." The former DJ apologises before shucking off his jacket.
Vox's eyes harden at the sight of a very evident and nasty looking bite mark on his bicep. He opens his mouth to tell Yugo off for being so careless and not letting them know before they decided to hide backstage.
Yugo scowls, explaining why he didn't tell them in the first place. "I knew you idiots would have no plan to escape this dumb, confined space. I'll distract the zombies, and all of you can escape. It's the least I can do for the others."
Alban protests, telling Yugo that they were not leaving him here. However, Yugo only smiled and put a finger to his lips.
He looked back at Luca, and the latter could see how the former DJ's eyes were dulling, and he gulped, feeling pathetic as he looked at the brightest smile Yugo had ever given him.
"Rethink this, Yugo. Sacrificing yourself will never be the best option, please." Luca begged, trying to buy time. They could find another way to escape and find a cure.
Wherever Aia was, she had the potion. She could save Yugo. There would be no need for a sacrifice.
Enna hugged Millie as she shook her head, trying to pretend that they wouldn't lose another person today.
"It's the least I could do. I can distract the zombies long enough for you to escape." With those words, Luca finally caved and nodded. He had a look of resignation on his face, all while Yugo flashed a bright eye-smile at him.
Alban and Uki were protesting, yelling that Yugo couldn't be left behind.
They were dragged away by Shu and Mysta, both kicking and screaming as they were picked up and brought towards the front. Yugo merely waved, a smile on his face.
Shu looks at him, a weak smile forming. "Thank you, Yugo. See you someday, alright?" The sorcerer said, and the former DJ chuckled. "Next time."
Yugo looks around, spotting a few speakers he could use if there weren't any on the stage. He nods, walking towards the door and opening it to peek outside. The zombies were everywhere, practically surrounding the place.
He waits for everybody to pack up and holds the door open for them. Fulgur hangs back, hands in his pockets. Once everybody was ready and standing by the side near the seats, Yugo caught Alban looking at him with tears.
"Is this the only way?" The former phantom thief asks, and Yugo smiles, ruffling his hair. "If it means you're all safe, I'll do it every time."
He heads up to the stage, smiling just a little when he sees the equipment prepared already. He turns and makes eye contact with Luca and Shu, giving them a weak smile.
He felt his control over his body starting to slip, and he let a small sob escape from his lips. Yugo fought against his instincts, knowing he had to save his only remaining family.
He clenched his fists, holding the tools in his hands before the intro of the song he made for his friends started to play.
The scent of mint wafted through the air, and he twitched. He started to hate the smell of mint.
He saw a group of five moving first as he made the music louder. He saw that he was getting the zombies' attention, and he smiled. His ears started hurting from the volume of the music playing, but he persevered.
Yugo turns to see Fulgur hanging behind the group. Another small group started to move, and Yugo's head began to hurt as the virus was fighting to take over his body. The veins on his neck were starting to spread upwards.
Once the last group started to move, the DJ could see Fulgur walking towards him. Yugo then asks why he is still here, confused because he thought Fulgur would be following after the rest.
"I'm staying. I told Enna about this, and I hope she will tell the others after this." Fulgur smiled, standing beside him as he chuckled. Both of them looked at the group making their way towards the exit.
"does Uki know...?"
"I didn't tell him. I told him that I would follow after them."
Yugo's face falls. With his already pale complexion due to the virus, Fulgur could still sense the panic and confusion on Yugo's deforming face, even though his eyes were starting to become neon blue.
"You...lied to him? That's even worse, Fu-chan." Yugo said softly, covering his mouth as he coughed. He pulled his hand away, only to see blood.
"As you said, if it's to keep them safe, I'll do it multiple times." Fulgur smiled, holding up a microphone. Yugo felt his eyes start to sting, not knowing whether it was due to the virus or he was crying, but he took the microphone nonetheless.
Loud groans filled the air as they shuffled towards the stage, and Yugo could hear the fainting ticking like a timebomb. His eyes widen as he turns to Fulgur.
"No..."
Fulgur doesn't look at him, and Yugo confirms it. Fulgur had activated self-destruction mode. He laughs wetly, shaking his head as he brings the mic to his lips. "Thank you for coming to tonight's show, everybody!" Yugo laughs as the zombies get closer, and closer.
Alban choked on a sob as he was led outside by Sonny, who looked just as wrecked. Leaving Yugo behind stung. Hearing Yugo's voice, sounding so cheery even during a time like this, hurt.
Luca looks back, seeing the zombies move closer to the stage, some trying to climb up and get to Yugo. He squints, seeing Fulgur standing right beside him.
He was about to yell when Enna elbowed him, her gaze cast forward as she shook her head; a silent warning.
I'm stuck in the abyss, Like a never-ending pit
Yugo watched the figures become smaller as they walked further, and he continued to sing, even if his throat was starting to close up due to the blood rising, threatening to spill from his mouth as his control slipped even further.
I'm stuck but I'm still, Glidin' through the air like a crow
He thinks about how the rest of Noctyx will be safe after this. They'll be able to live their lives. He turns to Fulgur, who is looking at the retreating group with a soft look on his face.
Yugo knew that Uki would be furious when he discovered what was about to happen.
With his remaining control and strength, Yugo shifted to hold Fulgur's hand as reassurance. Even though they were on their one-way trip to their deaths, at least they were together.
The cyborg looked at the former DJ, smiling at him with a few tears in his eyes, failing to drop down his face. Fulgur looked at the veins on Yugo's neck, now spreading to his face and arms. He bit back a sob as he looked at neon blue eyes.
"Damn, we're taking 'til death does us part' seriously, aren't we," Fulgur said, and Yugo stopped singing to chuckle at that before nodding.
Never thought I'll make it out of here, but here I go
Yugo sang, his throat closing even further as soon as he finished that line, showing how ironic it was, considering their current situation.
Fulgur closed his eyes, hearing the time ticking, hearing the groans and grunts from the flesh-eating monsters getting closer.
But nothing's scary here; it's just the way I like
The darkness in my soul, the darkness in my eyes
Fulgur could see Yugo fighting to stay in control of his body. He felt his body tense up in fear.
Both of them didn't want to die.
They wanted to be with the rest.
Yugo felt tears form in his eyes as he sang, his voice wavering. Fulgur closed his eyes again, tears threatening to spill; he couldn't bear to look at the others.
"Yugo, when all this is over, I'm going to find you, and we'll find the others. I don't care if we're ghosts. I want to see them safe, at least once more,"
At that, Yugo sobs into his mic as he nods vigorously.
I'm spittin' and releasing all my toxins, The centre of the scene
Make you bow down on your knees
Yugo choked on his blood, his hands twitching violently. He was starting to lose control over his body; he was beginning to feel cold all over.
He pulled his mic down. "I'm scared; I don't want to leave them. I wish this never happened, Fu-chan." Fulgur nodded, refusing to open his eyes, squeezing Yugo's hand throughout this whole thing.
In the cold, Don't feel it anymore
Fulgur felt Yugo's hand twitch, and his body temperature dropped drastically and rapidly. He hoped that Yugo could at least finish the song without fully turning. A little more, and we'll finally be at peace, Yugo.
Cuz I know, There's light waiting at the door
Yugo looked at the exit, seeing his friends and the people he cared for near the door. Soon, they would be free. They'll be safe from this entire ordeal.
Time was moving extremely slowly at this moment, he noted.
Countin down, hit zero, and then I go
Yugo almost laughed at the irony. He could hear the ticking from Fulgur's wrist but paid no mind to it as he registered that the zombies were starting to climb up the high stage and get to them.
Fulgur smiled, exhaling as he felt himself relax. He had chosen his fate, and there was no backing out of it now. He could only hope that Uki wouldn't be too mad or upset over his decision.
His grip on the microphone tightened as he tuned out the sound of the groans from the zombies below him.
Yugo was shaking a little as he continued to sing, trying to keep his voice stable, all while fighting off the urge to let loose and let this god-forsaken virus turn him into one of these brainless monsters.
They were at the last part of the song. Fulgur relaxed even further as he brought the microphone up to his lips.
I feel the light hidden behind me; I'm never gonna let it go
Fulgur sang, hoping his voice wouldn't be loud enough to alert the others that he wasn't with them.
Yugo squeezed his hand, smiling. Near the stadium exit, Enna swallowed to curse and sob that threatened to slip from her mouth. Her gaze hardened as she led Uki, Millie and Luca out of the stadium.
None of them dared to look back.
With keen hearing, Mysta, who was with Enna and Luca's group, heard Fulgur's voice. Enna noticed his revelation, flicking his arm as a sign for him to keep his mouth shut.
Mysta, albeit reluctantly, kept his mouth shut as he looked forward.
He knew that every decision Fulgur made was his best judgement.
Even if he wished that weren't the case right now.
I feel the colours now combining; I'm never gonna let it go
Yugo saw the colour of the world fading into black and white. His eyes were fixated on the stadium exit, making sure to continue singing so that his friends and family would make it out safely.
His vision turned black and white and, at the same time, became blurry as he started to cry again.
So in the end, we'll find our home
Fulgur sang. He knew where home was. His home was the people that were by the exit. The people he journeyed with throughout this whole apocalyptic hell were his home.
He was going to miss them. He'll miss the days when he would argue with his brother Vox over minor things, making up with him after ten minutes of sulking.
He'll miss whenever he hung out with the rest of Noctyx, doing stupid things like recording themselves doing something embarrassing in public.
He's going to miss looking at Uki's face every time they get the chance to meet up in person.
Fulgur's going to miss everything that has happened in his life. But he knew that although he would not be able to make new memories with the people he loved, he would make sure to treasure the memories he made with those same people.
And what we were destined for
Was this Yugo's destiny? Was his destiny to sacrifice himself to save everybody else? He didn't know. But whether this sacrifice of his is his destiny, he'll do it no matter what if it guarantees everybody else's safety.
He remembers excitedly telling everybody that he had written a new song about how everybody would be proud of him and sing praises.
Yugo didn't need the praise; he just wanted to make everybody smile.
He knew that none of his friends family would be smiling. None of them would be happy that he was doing this. But he's willing to sacrifice that so everybody else can experience the world after the apocalypse ends.
He'll give up everything for those damn people.
Yugo looked at Fulgur, who was looking at him, smiling at each other as they sang the last line together.
The zombies reach them, Yugo not feeling a thing as he lets go of the microphone.
"Goodbye, Fu-chan."
Fulgur, too dropped his microphone as a zombie bit into his torso.
"See you soon, Yugo."
The ticking stopped as both of them closed their eyes, hands not letting go as everything blew up.
Everybody sighed as they made it out. They were outside the stadium, and there were no zombies around, thankfully.
As soon as they stopped walking, Enna cracked. She lets go of Millie's hand, breaking down. She spewed out rushed apologies to Millie, Uki, Alban, and the rest of the survivors. Mysta and Luca already knew.
Everybody around her froze, fear coursing through their veins as they heard the heart-wrenching sobs being ripped out of her throat. No one has ever heard her cry.
Maria was about to ask why she was crying, crouching down where Enna was to rub her back when a large explosion rang out.
Enna sobbed louder, slapping her hand over her mouth as she muffled her sobs.
Vox's heart sank.
"Luca, lead them away. I'll go check what happened." He forced himself to sound stable, watching Luca nod stiffly before he made his way back to the stadium doors. Preparing himself, he opened the door.
His heart clenched when he saw that the stage was gone, fire surrounding the area.
He knew that Fulgur had a self-destruct mode. Vox cursed as he realised that it was Fulgur's plan all along.
Self sacrificing motherfuckers.
Vox shut the door, unable to look where he last saw Yugo and his brother. He swiftly made his way towards the group. How was he going to break to the younger ones what had happened?
"Vox, what was that noise? Why is Enna crying?" Uki demanded, Alban, looking at him expectantly. Mysta and Luca were looking away, Enna in-between both men as she nodded.
"They're gone."
It was like a bucket of ice water had been dumped on them.
"Who is 'they'?! I thought it was just Yugo!" Maria choked out.
Sonny's eyes widen.
Uki sobbed.
"NO! I CAN'T LOSE THEM BOTH!"
It clicked. Fulgur was nowhere to be seen. Millie dropped to the ground, looking at the high walls of the stadium like it had been cursed.
The remaining members of Noctyx felt as though their world had shattered into a thousand pieces. Everybody else gathered, crying as they mourned the two people they lost that day.
Goodbye my friends; the light has come...I'm never gonna let you go.