Four years ago, Tohito takes a deep breath.
Tohito: [If I make a deal with you, what do I get?]
Smoke and shadows surrounded them, like bees swarming around two flowers.
Zamfio smiled kindly.
Zamfio: [Power]
Tohito responds with a skeptical tone.
Tohito: [And what do I lose?]
Zamfio replies in a drier tone.
Zamfio: [Part of your humanity]
Zamfio pauses briefly and adds.
Zamfio: [Just remember, if you accept this deal, you won't be able to go to heaven or hell. You'll be drowned in the void.]
- - - - -
Haru, confused and broken, opens his eyes and looks around, shocked by the familiar surroundings. The white sofa that matched the house's walls, the floor made of black ceramic.
Haru: [I'm… home?]
Aiko gently steps out of the kitchen, flashing a beautiful smile.
Aiko: [Oh? You're back? How was the mission? I hope you're hungry, beca-]
Haru interrupts Aiko.
Haru: [We… we… lost, and…]
Aiko's eyes widen in horror as she searches the house. Her hands go limp.
Aiko: [Hey, Haru… why isn't Tohito here? He's okay, right? Tell me he's okay…]
Haru quietly starts to cry.
Haru: [We… lost… him.]
With those final words, Aiko collapses to her knees.
Aiko: [N… no… no.]
Haru wraps his arms around Aiko and holds her close.
- - - - - - -
Tohito slowly opens his eyes. He feels light, as if he has no weight at all.
Around him is absolute darkness. In a tired tone, he mutters to himself.
Tohito: [So this is the void. It's weird.]
???: [I told you if you died, you'd end up here.]
Tohito: [Is that so?]
Tohito shouts.
Tohito: [Why do you always play these mysterious games, Zamfio?]
Zamfio lets out a soft laugh.
Zamfio: [You're such an idiot. I gave you all that power, and you still died? Why are you so useless?]
Tohito responds with slight anger.
Tohito: [Shut up, he had a magic disruptor!]
Zamfio: [I gave you Level 2 magic, and you lost to someone with Level 3 magic? You're such an idiot. If you'd tried a little harder, your magic would've activated. But what did you do? You didn't even try to use it.]
Tohito sighs.
Tohito: [Fine, fine. Let's make another deal.]
Zamfio flashes a terrifying smile.
Zamfio: [Are you ready to face the consequences?]
Tohito: [Shut up, just tell me the terms.]
Zamfio snaps his fingers, and the void begins to fall apart. Colors spread chaotically across the black canvas.
Zamfio: [Alright, let's start with how magical powers work. Magic is divided into two categories: natural and unnatural. Natural magic exists within the realm of logic, things that are possible in reality, like illusions, consciousness transfer, fire, and light. These have limited power. Unnatural magic defies logic, like time-stopping or erasing someone. These types of magic are barely known, and only five people besides you use them. They have fewer limitations. Also, magic is categorized from Level 5 to Level 1. Level 5 includes things like flight, Level 4 is stuff like substitution, Level 3 is disruption or light projection, Level 2 is teleportation, erasing, or creating inanimate objects, and Level 1 is creating living beings, like a god-]
Tohito interrupts impatiently.
Tohito: [Okay, okay, just let's do the deal.]
Zamfio responds in a scolding tone.
Zamfio: [You're such a moron. Fine, I'll give you more power, but in exchange, I'll take 10 years of your life.]
Tohito says in a surprised tone.
Tohito: [That's it?]
Zamfio: [What do you mean, 'that's it'? You're such an idiot.]
Zamfio extends his hand.
Zamfio: [Well? Do you accept the deal?]
- - - - - - - - - -
Due to the explosion, Mofa slams headfirst into a building, causing a deep dent in the wall and a collapse of bricks and debris. Metal rods pierce his body.
Mofa's eyes glow red with rage.
Mofa: [That bastard, even after his death, he's still meddling in my plans.]
Blood flows like a river from his body, staining his cloak red. Mofa takes a deep breath and, with his former sadistic glee, shouts.
Mofa: [Numbers 1 to 64, come out! It's time to have some fun!]