Jigsaw Falling Into Place - PT 02 (END?)

Edward awoke—finally back in reality. A wave of relief washed over him, grateful to be free from the nightmare of facing Sinatra within his own soul. But unfortunately for him, the nightmare was far from over.

He regained consciousness, realizing he was still in the same place, lying in the same position as before. Looking around the warehouse, he saw the rest of the group gathered around Arya.

The girl sat clutching her head, tears streaming down her face as she muttered to herself in a trembling whisper.

“Nothing… nothing… there was nothing…”

“Arya, are you okay?” Edward rushed to her side, panic in his voice. “What happened to her?”

Tsugumi, who was kneeling closest to Arya, gently responded.

“Looks like visiting the Soul Palace and… finding nothing there was too much of a shock for her.”

“Edward…”

“Arya!”

Edward held her hands—firm, but gentle.

“It’s okay. I’m here now.”

“Edward…”

She collapsed into his chest, sobbing uncontrollably.

He wrapped his arms around her, as if shielding her from the entire world.

Eventually, after being comforted, Arya managed to collect herself—though a hollow look still lingered in her eyes.

“Yasuyuki,” Tsugumi said softly, “please take her back to the Guild base. She needs to rest.”

“I’m fine…”

“Maybe I shouldn’t have gone through with the ritual so casually. Sometimes our minds play tricks we’re not prepared for. Get some rest. We’ll catch up soon.”

"She's right, Arya."

“... Alright.”

“Shall we?”

Yasuyuki led the way, and Arya followed with her gaze fixed low to the ground.

Edward instinctively stepped forward to follow her, but Tsugumi blocked his path.

“Edward, I know you want to go after her, but first—I need to check something.”

“Huh? Just say it!”

“You… you’re still Edward, right?”

“...Yeah. I’d never let that bastard take over.”

Peter stepped forward.

“So it’s true then? We both… really have…”

“Demons inside us. Yes.” Edward turned to Tsugumi with a hint of hope in his eyes. “Is there any way to get rid of them?”

“Hmm… I don’t know of any method to separate a soul. That kind of thing is especially tricky with soul hybrids,” Tsugumi said, sighing softly. “But as long as you’re aware of them, it should help avoid any… unwanted surprises. What I mean is—at least you’re still on humanity’s side.”

“Unwanted surprises? You mean losing control of our bodies?”

“Luckily for you two, this isn’t my first encounter with soul hybrids. Maybe it’s something specific to foreigners like you, even though your cases are different.”

Reaper, who had been silently listening until now, finally joined in.

“So hybridization between humans and demons is real? How does it even work?”

“The most common kind is body hybrids—people who grafted demon parts onto themselves. Soul hybrids are much rarer. Manipulating souls isn’t exactly everyday stuff. What I’m trying to say is: don’t come asking me difficult questions!”

“Are you sure they’re not dangerous?”

“Dangerous? Of course. But I believe the situation is under control. What I mean is: there’s no reason to panic.”

“Right… I just don’t want to be around when the ‘main character’ goes evil and wrecks everything.”

Edward let out a light chuckle.

“You talk like we’re not standing right here.”

Peter clapped a hand on Reaper’s shoulder, grinning.

“Don’t worry! I won’t let any demon take control of me!”

“It’s amazing how someone so dumb can still sound that confident.”

“Hey!”

“If you want to be so sure they can manage,” Tsugumi cut in, “maybe they can learn something from another member of the Guild. She’s also a soul hybrid. What I mean is—we should take them to Floating Moonlight City.”

“But wasn’t that our destination all along?” Edward said with dry sarcasm.

“Well then, it looks like our journey’s goal hasn’t changed after all,” Reaper added as he started leading the way.

“Wait, aren’t you forgetting something? What I mean is—weren’t you going to ask them something?”

“Oh, that can wait. We’ve got all the way to Floating Moonlight City to talk.”

“Talk about what?”

“About… what this world really means.”

Peter and Edward shared a confused glance, but Reaper just kept walking, unconcerned with the seeds of mystery he had sown.

(...)

The group eventually returned to the Mercenary Guild base. Edward was desperate to check on Arya’s condition.

She was still visibly shaken, but slowly began to show signs of improvement—especially after spending some time with Edward, distracting herself with a simple children's board game.

Tsugumi, Yasuyuki, and Peter went off to help the townspeople with rebuilding efforts. Reaper, as usual, wandered off aimlessly.

Later that evening, the group reunited for dinner. There were no luxuries the city could offer, but somehow, the sense that things might turn out alright gave the meal a comforting flavor.

Afterward, Edward and Arya stepped out to the balcony on the Guild’s first floor to share a quiet moment alone.

“It’s a beautiful view, isn’t it?”

The starry sky stretched above them in brilliant splendor.

“All those stars in the sky… they’re the souls of those who’ve passed on.”

“You still seem deep in thought. Are you sure you’re alright?”

“Yes… I’ll be fine. I’ve just been… rethinking some things.”

“Is there anything in particular I can do to help?”

“More than you’ve already done?” Arya gave a faint laugh.

“Hehe…” Edward paused, thinking. “You know, I really wish I could do even more.”

“Are you sure you're not being too hard on yourself?”

“I am... Ever since we started this journey, I’ve felt like I’ve just been falling further and further behind.” He sighed. “There’s always been this huge gap in power between us, and now... it feels like Peter is pulling away too.”

“That’s not true. Your power and mine are completely different—there’s no way to compare them. I can feel how hard you’ve been trying. In the moments that mattered, you gave it your all.”

“And still... I would’ve died if it weren’t for the two of you.”

“And what if the same goes for Peter and me? If we didn’t have you, we’d be dead already too.”

“Huh... I never thought about it like that.”

“I carry the curse of necromancy, but at least I always knew it was there. You and Peter have been carrying your own burdens without even realizing it.”

“And yet, I still think you’re far stronger—and braver—than the two of us put together.”

Arya’s expression darkened for a moment.

“Maybe... I’m not that strong either.”

Edward immediately noticed the shift in her tone.

“Did something happen?”

“...” Arya hesitated, then finally made her choice. “Edward… You said you’d become my accomplice, remember?”

“Of course. I meant it.”

“Would you still say that… if you knew I was responsible for people’s deaths?”

“Arya... I already told you, you don’t have to feel guilty for what happened in the village.”

Her expression grew even darker.

“No. I’m not talking about that. I mean it. I’ve killed people.”

“What do you mean?”

“I lied before. My Soul Palace wasn’t empty... I just didn’t want to accept what I saw there.”

Edward was speechless for a moment.

“What did you see?”

“I’m a killer. I was the one who destroyed my entire village—not just with necromancy, but with my own hands. I killed people using the same hands that touch you.”

“But... why?”

“I don’t know. Maybe the Arya from back then just wasn’t a good person.” She lifted her face to meet his, eyes cutting into his soul. “Edward... would you still love me, knowing that I’m the villain?”

He had no answer. How the hell was he supposed to have a response ready for something like that?

“I don’t know...”

“I see…”

“But what I do know is that the Arya I’ve come to know is kind, courageous, and would never do something like that.”

“My past…”

“Your past is just that—your past. What matters to me is the person standing in front of me right now. And that person would never kill anyone. Arya Belchior is not a murderer.”

“Arya Belchior...” she repeated softly.

A memory surfaced—Belchior’s voice, warm and gentle: “Arya, you’re like a daughter I gained after so long, and I’m so grateful for that…”

“You’re right… I’m still Arya Belchior.”

She broke down in tears.

Once more, Edward pulled her into his arms.

After she calmed down, Arya made a strange request.

“Edward... If I ever turn into that villain again, I want you to stop me. I don’t want... I don’t want to hurt anyone else.”

“I won’t let that happen.”

“If it had to be by your hands... I wouldn’t be sad.”

“Don’t say that. I told you—I won’t let that happen.”

Edward gave her a soft smile.

“I’ll always be by your side. I’ll be the light that keeps the darkness from ever reaching your heart.”

“... Edward, I love you.”

“I love you too, Arya.”

With their fears laid bare, their hearts open, their bond had never been stronger.

Not even death could tear them apart.

******

The small fortress loomed like a stone corpse by the edge of the sea. The wind howled through the rusted gates and crumbling towers like a blade through flesh . Almost-faded stains on the stone spoke of dark, twisted history.

Green moss had devoured the walls, blending with the choking forest that surrounded it like a set of jaws. Twisted trees lined paths that led nowhere, and shadows moved even beneath the noon sun.

Within its decaying walls, a figure moved—draped in tattered robes and a scientist’s coat, bandages covering his body. The silhouette could’ve passed for a mad doctor—if not for the two bolts nailed into their skull, forming a twisted set of horns.

“Edward... and Peter, huh?... Of course I remember them. Your friends were my finest creations—true masterpieces born from my experiments…”

“And where are those two idiots now?”

“Unfortunately, they escaped before you arrived…”

A figure stepped from the shadows—a blonde girl, glasses glinting in the gloom.

“...Lana Tenenbaum.”

“Hm… In that case, I suppose I’ll wait with you, Psyqui.”

“You’re sure about this?”

“I am. If Peter is still alive, there’s no way he’ll let some mad demon scientist run free. That’s why I know… sooner or later, they’ll come back.”

******

The Shinigami Theater announces a brief intermission between acts.

Take this moment to stretch your legs, grab a coffee, and prepare yourselves—

The story is far from over.