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"Our quest is almost complete! All that's left is to defeat the demon king!" Tsukasa put a hand on his chest, looking quite proud of himself. "Tomorrow, the chosen one is going to prove himself!"
Rui nodded, smiling at Tsukasa. "I'm quite happy to have been your guide, Tsukasa. Your power is unmatched."
Tsukasa laughed. "Ahaha! I'll become the most powerful in the entire lands!"
"Yes. You will indeed."
Rui's smile fell. There would be no way to guide Tsukasa anymore if he completed the quest. With the demon king defeated...
Would Tsukasa still want to be with Rui?
Rui shook his head, trying to clear his mind. "Tsukasa. As a celebration after you defeat the demon king, we should eat together. A meal fit for a king, not the little meals we ate along this journey."
"I'd love to, Rui!" Tsukasa's smile beamed brighter than ever. "We'll feast! Only the best for the greatest guide in the world!"
"The sun is starting to set," Rui said, "We should sleep now. Get our energy up for tomorrow."
Rui flicked his wrist, summoning a small tent on the ground. "Come, Tsukasa. Your fate will be sealed tomorrow."
The two laid down in the tent. Tsukasa fell asleep almost immediately.
Rui looked down at Tsukasa, brushing a strand of hair from the other boy's face. He sighed. His mind raced with possibilities.
What if Tsukasa didn't need him anymore? Or want him? What if Tsukasa died in the battle, Rui unable to save him?
What if...
Rui closed his eyes. "Don't think that way," Rui whispered to himself.
It was an almost restless night for him.
The next day, Rui and Tsukasa made the final steps to the demon king's castle.
"It's time, Rui! Let's do this!" Tsukasa slapped a hand onto Rui's shoulder. "The magic you've taught me will do wonders! I couldn't have done it without you!"
Rui gently ruffled Tsukasa's hair. "I'm very happy to have had the honor to be your guide."
Rui looked up at the castle looming above him, extending a hand to the blonde. "Are you ready?"
Tsukasa's hand clamped down on Rui's. "I was born ready!"
The battle was harder than anything either of them had faced.
The demon king swung his staff at Tsukasa, summoning a fireball. "Burn in eternal hell!"
Tsukasa barely managed to avoid the attack. "Gah!"
Rui snapped his fingers, sending a beam of healing magic to Tsukasa. The small burn in Tsukasa's side healed almost instantly.
The demon king's attacks only got quicker. Stronger. Rui could hear his voice, even as his mouth didn't move.
"Tsukasa doesn't care about you. He would have never payed attention to you if you didn't tell him he was special."
A pause. Then the voice continued. "He'll leave you after this. He hates you. He'll never love you the way you love him."
Rui's body froze completely, eyes widening. Tsukasa would never...
Right?
"You're pathetic." The demon king finally truly spoke. "Afraid of being left alone. That's a very dangerous weakness."
The demon king put one of his large hands onto Rui's head. And before Rui could react, he squeezed.
Tsukasa...I love you...
Rui's head popped.
Tsukasa was the one to freeze this time. Rui. Dead.
"You..." Tsukasa's head slowly moved to the demon's. "YOU BASTARD!"
He lunged at the demon king, sword swinging. "YOU KILLED HIM!" Tsukasa manages to make a large cut across the demon king's chest.
"You're quite strong, for the chosen one. But not-"
Tsukasa cut the demon's head clean off.
It was over.
The journey had been won.
The funeral was dark. For once, Tsukasa wasn't smiling. He stared down at Rui's grave.
"I couldn't have done it without you..."
His feast tasted cold that day.