PEACEMAKER || MAI ZENIN.

a new year

Bleeding out to near death wasn't part of Mai's bucket list but here she was, lying on cold pavement holding onto her deep wound in her stomach. She tries to stop the bleeding but blood was seeping out so fast, she felt her hand moving away on its own.

She hears Naoya's laughter when she drops to the ground and a cry rips out of her throat when she feels her father dig his blade into her stomach. The pain was excruciating and all her senses turned numb after that.

She's going to die, she thinks and this scares her. She left Denshi all alone and now he will see her dead body in just a few moments. She couldn't let it end like this. And thank god it didn't. Her sister came soon after and that's when the two were dragged into a pit of curses. They were about to be devoured but she knew she had to pull through.

"T-Take care of Den for me, sis."

"No! You're going to get out of here." Her sister screamed as she tried to get up from her knees but she collapsed once more, drained and fatigued from the fight she had with father.

"I-I don't think I'm going to make it..I need to help you first, Maki."

"No! Oh gods, Mai. Please don't leave me. You're all I have!"

"Please..do this, for me. Okay?" She cupped her sister's face and took a deep breath before projecting her curse energy with a kiss. One simple kiss that gave Maki a surge of strength and power, unlocking her true inner abilities.

"I love you, Maki!" Her eyes closed and all she heard was Maki crying out her name before letting out a loud sob. Everything around her went black after that. She heard nothing and she saw nothing. Just her, flowing in pure darkness.

'so, is this what happens when you die?'

"Hello?" No answer. Mai floats deeper and deeper to the abyss without any sign of other life around her. It was terrifying to see this is what happens when one passes. There's no angels nor a god waiting to welcome you with open arms. Nothing.

"Hello? Someone, please answer me!" Mai was screaming this time and soon after, she couldn't help but release a frightening whimper. "Someone..anyone..please..

I'm so scared. I don't want to be alone."

She starts to cry to herself. She closes her eyes but lets the tears flow. She chokes on them when it's too much and she does her best to wipe them all away but there was no stopping the tears. They kept coming, staining her uniform and cheeks.

"Den..Den, I'm so sorry." She sobbed all to herself. She cradles herself in a fetal position while allowing herself to float away. "I-I'm so so sorry. I-I love you..I love you. I hope you can forgive me."

"Of course he will, sweetheart."

Her tearful eyes shot up and there, someone is swimming towards her. She squints for a bit and notices an old man approaching her. She doesn't recognize him but the features were so striking. He had similar ones to those of her lover. Purple eyes, so full of kindness and good intentions. His smile was strikingly the same as Denshi's.

She didn't want to run away at this moment. In fact, she was drawn to the man and allowed him to come close to her. Her shoulders softened and he stopped when he found himself close to the girl. He takes her hands in his and she feels this sudden wave of solace all over her mind and body. His touch elevated some positivity. She wasn't scared anymore.

"Why are you crying, my dear?" He asked. "What makes you so concerned?"

"I-It's Den." Why is she telling him this and why did she feel the need to let it all out, here and now? "I left him alone in the world. I-It's not like I wanted to but my father..he.."