Everyone was stunned. Beelzebub was even more stunned as even though he had hoped for a better outcome to fall on Dalton’s wish; being rational, it was impossible for them to find Ernest whose soul had been torn to pieces in the abyss.

It was a miracle at least to Dalton who rushed into the black water which Beelzebub immediately stopped him by holding to the back of his collar before he would step into the water.

“Once you step there, your soul would be gone for good,” Beelzebub warned him and Dalton gasped as his feet was close to sinking over the deep black water.

“T- thank you,” the horrified Dalton imagined how he would die if his feet had stepped into the water sincerely expressed his gratitude. “Brother?” He then called over the sea again, “Ernest? You heard his voice, didn’t you?” He asked to Esther who stood near there. 

She nodded her head. It was possible for a single person to misheard but not ever four of them. 

“Ernest!” Dalton called for his name again when a sudden voice finally appeared to his call. 

“Dalton…”

Dalton didn’t come to the water and repeat the mistake he had done earlier and stood at the bank, “Are you there?”

Ernest voice was weak when he replied, “Why are you here? This is not your place.”

From the voice it was indeed Ernest. Esther and Beelzebub could confirm this as they both had met the man as well.

“There are so many things that I had to talk with you about,” Dalton whispered, “Did you heard what I had said?”

Dalton held so many regrets in his heart and didn’t know where to begin with. So many apologies he could give but he wasn’t sure if it would be enough to rectify his mistake. He felt responsible for parent’s mistake as it was the root that started Ernest into falling into the dark side.

Ernest didn’t reply, “You do not have to regret it. I had it coming.”

Dalton shook his head, “You could have been a normal boy. If my parents had shown you kindness, treated you like a proper human you are, I am certain you wouldn’t be the person you have became.”

“It was not your fault you didn’t have to feel responsible,” said Ernest but the guilt that Dalton shouldered didn’t easily disappear in any second. “I had chose to do what I did with my head clear. He might had corrupted my thought but since the beginning, my thoughts had been twisted. I was not stupid that I didn’t know the weigh of my choice, however, I looked away from the truth and the possible killings that I had done.”

“Ernest.”

“You don’t have to blame yourself and move on with your life. You should look forward to the future. For the past years, you have been waiting and searching for me. I am grateful but I would also be saddened to know you had miss a peaceful life like all other humans because of me. Your parents… I am sorry about them.”

Dalton shook his head, “I was sad and disappointed but I can never blame you for their death.” His parents had got what coming to them. It sounded cold but Dalton could not forgive his parents who inflicted wounds on an innocent person that would eventually ruined their life.

Though Dalton could not see the face of Ernest from the black water, he could imagine his expression, hearing him say, “I couldn’t see them as my true parents. For a longest time, I hated them who had hurt me. I hated the world, life, heaven, hell, and everything that I saw. I wanted to destroy it and make them feel the pain and unfairness that I felt but you were the only person who I didn’t want to hurt. You might not be able to trust me on this, but I… this is the only thing that I would never lie about.”

Dalton’s tears fell from his eyes. Slowly by exchanging words to Ernest, the heavy shoulders he had been burdened with was lifted up.

Esther was glad to see the expression that changed on Dalton’s face. 

Dalton had came nearer to the water, “Thank you, thank you Ernest. I never regretted having you as my younger brother.”

Ernest was silent once again as if he was swallowing something hard on his throat as his voice filled with pain when he answered, “And I regretted my entire being but being your brother was my greatest joy. For what I did to you, forgive me.”

Dalton shook his head, “Nothing else matters now. Nothing. Rest peacefully, brother.”

Even though he didn’t want to leave and his feet felt heavy as though he was pulled by someone, Dalton pushed himself from the ground to stand up, “I will see you again.”

Ernest didn’t answer but it was clear that both brothers were looking forward to their future meeting. 

As Dalton turned his face to walk over where Esther and Beelzebub stood at, a sudden force pulled his ankle, dragging him across the ground. 

Esther gasped and Beelzebub was quicker to hold the man’s hand as his body almost touched the black water. 

“Pull him!” Beelzebub yelled to Elise’s shadow that had attached itself to them as though worried of their condition. “Once his feet touched the water, it would be impossible to safe Dalton!” 

Beelzebub lit fire over the water that dragged Dalton inside but the water didn’t disappear and repaired itself quickly than the fire could burn them.

All of a sudden, a larger body of water created a form of a human’s silhouette and pulled the hands that had dragged Dalton inside the water. 

The deep growl appears, “Don’t touch him.” The rest of the water that was moved by other souls who wishes to takeover Dalton’s body cower in fear when Ernest shouted his warning at them and disappeared at once.

“Thank you,” Dalton said and Ernest who finally had a face carved by the black water showed a smile. “Be careful every time.. I won’t be there beside you anymore.”