Code Vein: Lost In The Shadows

Dying With Regrets

The sky is dark, not a pitch black, it is a deep and dangerous blue. Dark enough to hide the stars, but not dark enough to hide the clouds that looming above two boys. Those two run side by side, they are tired, yet, they continue without stopping at least once to rest.

They can't stop, if they do, the monsters would kill them since they are just mere humans. The world is no the same as before, is at the verge of destruction as it has fallen to a mysterious calamity known as the Great Collapse. In order to fight the monsters that began emerging around the world, humanity created the Revenants: human corpses brought back to life by implanting a Biological Organ Regenerative (BOR) parasite within the heart, acting as vampiric fighters with unique abilities.

Still, not all humans are protected by the Revenants, that's why those two are running for their lives, trying to find a place where they can be safe.

They heavy boots thud against the sidewalk and it thud harder when they run against the howling wind. They feel it blowing through their coat, chilling every part of their skin.

In the fading moonlight, Rathion stops running and his friend Louis stops too. His friend took a good look at him, seeing the state he was in: his side was ripped open and his guts were spilling out. Rathion was on the verge of death, but his face was just a little pale, his calm gaze made Louis worry more. He knows that Rathion is suffering, but he still keeps that calm look on his face, so as not to worry his friend.

"Are you ready to leave me behind?" Rathion asked seriously, while coughing up some blood.

"I've told you before, I'm not leaving you behind."

They weren't out of the woods yet, the monsters were still behind them, maybe they had lost them for now. If they keep moving forward, there is a chance they could escape, but in Rathion's state, continuing is not an option for him. He will die soon, he can't be a burden to Louis anymore, if he stays by his side, Louis won't be able to escape.

That's why he must find a way to make Louis leave him behind, to save his precious friend's life, Rathion will do anything, no matter if it means being hated.

"Stop being a fool, there is no salvation for me. Haven't you noticed by now?"

Louis is aware of the state Rathion is in, but doesn't want to give up hope of escaping together. Rathion is still breathing, so Louis doesn't want to give up.

"It's still too early to say that, you're still breathing and you're still on your feet, there's still hope."

That little hope that Louis speaks of, had already been extinguished within Rathion's heart, he knows perfectly well that there is nothing that can save him. His destiny is to die in this desolate ruined city, but Louis can escape that cruel fate, he still has time to leave before the monsters find them.

"You want my sacrifice to be in vain, get away from here now!" Rathion raised his voice, still keeping his cool.

Louis remained silent, looking at his friend who, despite suffering, stands firm without showing any kind of weakness. He gritted his teeth, feeling frustrated that he couldn't do anything, that he had been a burden on Rathion's shoulders, causing him to get hurt. Yes, it's all Louis' fault, Rathion risked his life to save his.

Rathion does not regret saving the life of his precious friend, he thinks that it is better that someone intelligent and compassionate like Louis survive than a good-for-nothing, selfish like him.

Feeling guilt in his heart, Louis was going to turn around and leave Rathion behind, but he noted how Rathion's calm soon reached its limit. His knees bent and his body fell forward, Louis reflexively caught the upper half of his body. The smell of blood that he hadn't felt so far stung his nose: It was awful.