Johan carefully stepped forward, eyes roaming the street for any sign of movement.


    It was completely silent. Barely a gust of wind. ‘Past the tree’, the voice had said and Johan eyed it cautiously. It looked exactly the same as when he walked past it earlier with Envy and Frey.


    He glanced at the spear, still embedded deeply into the bark.


    “Just a little closer~” The voice sang, fading from one of his ears to the next.


    Greed was strangely absent in his head now.


    Then-


    “Got you.”


    With a startled gasp Johan jerked around. Light flashed and the loud clang of clashing metal rang through the air.


    He gritted his teeth as he clenched his hands around the hilt of the dagger, muscles trembling under the pressure of stopping the sword from cutting down into his head.


    Thomas grinned manically, eyes wide open, and leaned heavier on his weapon.


    With a yell Johan pushed, sending them both back a couple steps. Johan stumbling to regain his balance as Thomas made a intrigued noise.


    “Good reflexes,” Thomas commented pleasantly from his perch a couple steps high on the stairs leading up to the palace. Then his expression turned cold. “Pest.”


    “Nice to meet you too.” Johan said drily, eyeing the man with his heart hammering in his chest. He hadn’t expected an ambush.


    “Where is Greed?” Thomas demanded with barely concealed anger and took a threatening step closer.


    “Not here.” Johan shot back and Thomas’ eyes widened in rage.


    “You-”


    Johan threw his ribbon and pulled himself into the air, just barely escaping the sword as it slashed through where he was just standing. He landed easily on the stairs, going right over Thomas’s head, and turned to see the man stumble to not crash into the tree trunk.


    “You ruin everything!” Thomas screamed and twisted around, the veins in his neck and forehead bulging out as anger colored his face red.


    He ruined everything? He did?! Johan laughed, vision turning red.


    “You killed my dad!” Johan yelled and took a step forward as anger coursed through him.  Thomas ignored him in favor of attacking again, forcing him further up the steps, flowers crushing beneath his feet.


    Johan let him continue attacking until his foot hit the flat ground at the top of the stairs. Then he acted. Rage ran through his veins as he watched the simple man jolt after him, launching himself after Johan, time after time again, as if he would ever reach, yelling taunt after taunt, none of which reached Johan’s ears.


    “You killed my friends! You took everything from me!” To think this menace managed to take over his world! He had left Heaven and he had stayed away for years. What more did this guy want?!


    Their weapons met with a loud clang.


    “I was going to let it go.” Johan hissed, eyes twitching. “But then you let Greed burn down my village.”


    Thomas grinned down at him, his eyes glinting with bloodthirst. What a disgusting-


    The earth shook beneath them and Thomas’ grin was ripped right from his face. He jumped back, halfway down the stairs, and struggled to keep on his feet as the violent vibrations shook the world around them.


    Johan walked down slowly, unbothered by his own powers, and the ground shook harder and harder with every step. Ahead, the tree swayed violently, its branches whipping wildly through the air, deadly to anyone who came close enough, and the pedals all floated down in thick, colorful clouds. Behind him, the palace creaked, roof-slabs smashing against the ground.


    He watched Thomas become smaller and smaller, shoulders hunching in as he was unable to stand up without falling. One attempt sent his sword cluttered down the stairs as it almost sent him falling to his death over the railing.


    Thomas’ eyes followed the sword, then glanced fearfully back to Johan before falling to his knees, attempting to follow it down.


    Johan let him crawl. He slowly followed the man down until he was close enough, the long, thin fingers reaching out for the sword hilt. Then Johan kicked it away.


    He watched as terror-filled eyes turned to him.


    This was the guy that killed Johan’s closest and turned Heaven against him.


    Pathetic.


    Johan crouched down and watched Thomas jerk away in fear. Somehow he couldn’t find it in himself to feel any sort of satisfaction, only an overtaking need to finish this once and for all.


    He didn’t spare a second before he grabbed Thomas by the throat and pushed him down, raising his own dagger high in the air.


    “You should learn when to stop.” Johan growled. His dagger shone as he thrust it through the air, straight towards Thomas’ head.


    “Johan...”


    He froze, only halfway through the stab. That voice…


    “Stop this, Johan.”


    The world stilled. Johan turned.


    At the top of the stairs. Staring down at them.


    Johan faltered. “Dad?”


    For a second everything stopped. Johan’s eyes widened as he stared at the old man reaching a hand out to him. He looked exactly the same. Same gray hair, same kind smile, same...


    …red eyes.


    Wait.


    The world sped up again as the realization hit him. His dad’s eyes were bright red, just like his own. Two Fates couldn’t live at the same time!


    Just too late he noticed he had let go of Thomas. A grinning face flashed before his eyes for only a split second before the air was punched right out of him, sending him flying back, his head slamming into the sharp edge of a step and he gasped in pain. His vision swam, fading in and out of darkness as a hand fisted in his cloak and started dragging him.


    “You fool! You fell for that?! Hah hah haaa!” Thomas laughed shill and loud, then he threw Johan.


    Johan hit the ground hard and he doubled over to the side, coughing and gasping for air.


    Hallucination! How could he fall for it so soon?!


    With a groan of anger he snapped his eyes open and grabbed for his dagger-


    But stopped.


    For a second he struggled to catch up to what he was seeing. What he was hearing. Feet covered his line of sight in all directions. and Johan struggled to his feet, almost getting pushed over multiple times by the people crowding around him. What had happened?


    People were yelling, and they were everywhere! What was going on, just a second ago he was alone with Thomas?!


    “Death to tyranny!”


    “Peace! Peace!”


    “Get out!”


    “For heaven!”


    Loud roars surrounded him on all sides and finally the words caught up to him.


    No.


    Johan’s head snapped up. His breath quickened.


    “No.” He muttered. “No. No, no.” He started pushing through the crowd. “No, no no no-!” He screamed and a person spoke from the stage.


    “Today is a joyous day.” Thomas’ voice rang out through the air and Johan quickened his pace as two familiar figures were brought forth.


    “Stop!” Johan screamed as the crowd cheered. Signe’s fighting form was pushed to her knees, the guard behind her holding her hair tightly in his fist. She stilled as a blade was put to her throat, a fearful sneer on her face.


    “It has been a year since they invaded Heaven! Our own city! They killed our kings and surrendered us to Greed control! But no longer! Finally we will be free! Today we end their tyranny! Let them leave this world just as they came into it!”


    Johan’s body shook as he forced his way through the crowd as fast as he could but barely moved any closer. There were too many people, he couldn’t get past them in time!


    He summoned his dagger and started slashing. Deities fell to the ground around him and he sprinted over them, finally gaining speed.


    But he was too late.


    “Signe!” The blood-curdling scream stopped him in his tracks. The crowd roared and cheered as Signe fell to the ground, her hands trying to stop the blood gushing from her neck.


    He could only watch as Note got out from their hold, screaming, and stole his captor’s blade, all while roots shot up from the ground and wrapped around a limp Signe.


    The crowd screamed and ran as roots lashed out and a great big tree grew up from the ground.


    Johan’s vision was blurring. He couldn’t breathe.


    Note was fending them off, taking down a lot of them, but then one guard got a lucky swing, and he fell.


    Then everything went silent.


    Suddenly Johan was laying on his back. He coughed violently but his body wouldn’t move, held down from all sides. He struggled to find his surroundings, hands twitching against the rough…wood?... that was holding him down. He tried to open his eyes into the darkness but immediately shut them again as they filled with dust.


    Where was he?!


    The realization sent fear through him. He was pinned under something.


    He had been in a memento, he knew that much! But where was he now?!


    He took a calming breath, careful not to breathe in the dust. It didn’t work. He swallowed drily. Slowly he controlled his ribbon to explore around him, but nothing. There wasn’t a single gap.


    Was he going to die like this? Suffocating to death?!


    Shit, he had to calm down.


    Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    He took another deep, calming breath and tried to clear his mind. He was not going to die like this. That was stupid.


    Slowly he searched for his powers and felt a small rumble from below. He tried to raise himself up against whatever was holding him down, giving it a shake to try and loosen the hold it had on him.


    It was heavy. Much heavier than when he was just laying there. It was like his entire body was being crushed, his lungs compressing enough that he couldn’t breathe in anymore.


    Then the burden lightened! Just a little bit, but it was enough! He drew in a dust-filled breath and tried to speed up.


    His body was shaking now and Johan couldn’t tell why. The fear? The pain? The lack of air? He cursed, straining against the hold on him both with his powers and with his body, trying to move his hands even a little bit.


    Then his hand moved!


    It shot up through whatever was holding him down, feeling the wind against his skin. A tiny stream of light appeared and with all his might, Johan shoved.


    He dug himself out and his face was hit by cold, fresh air. He took a deep, dust-less breath and cautiously opened his eyes to a clear sky.


    Relief.


    He sat up, coughing and dragging in as much air as he could. Planks and rubble were covering him, his clothes and skin covered in a thick layer of dust.


    He didn’t notice the laughter until it stopped.


    “What, you’re still alive?!” Johan’s head snapped up to see Thomas staring at him in shock all the way over by the tree. The man let out a breathless laugh as Johan struggled to his feet.  “Wow, little king. Catching two buildings with your body and not dying! I’m impressed.”


    Johan’s eyes widened. Catching two buildings with his…


    He looked around.


    The street was barren, the mementos gone under the rubble. Only one building was still standing and that was just barely, the third floor completely open to the world.


    He let out a shaky breath. What happened?


    “There’s quite some power in those earthquakes of yours.” Thomas said and Johan froze. He looked around again, taking in all the destruction.


    He did this?


    He swallowed.


    Loud laughter filled the air and Johan turned back to Thomas, pushing down the ugly feeling threatening to come out.


    Thomas grinned at him. “Too bad you still need to die.”


    Thomas charged and Johan tok a surprised step back then yelped as his legs buckled and he fell back against the rubble. He watched with wide eyes as Thomas sailed over him.


    Johan quickly pushed himself up, his whole body aching as he stumbled over the rubble, trying his best to stay standing. He needed to get to solid ground or he was done for!


    Behind him Thomas yelled something unintelligible, cursing loudly.


    He managed to get over the worst of it with minimal struggle, only falling a few times before finally planting his feet back on the solid, flat ground by the tree.


    “I almost feel bad for you.” Thomas yelled after him. “So powerful yet so pathetic at the same time!”


    Johan gritted his teeth. If it wasn’t for that stupid hallucination then this fight would have already been over!


    “Get over here!” Johan yelled and Thomas’ grin twisted darkly.


    “As you wish, your majesty.”


    Johan met him halfway, their weapons clashing under the tree’s falling flower petals. He felt for his powers, but nothing happened. Not even a hint of his previous control.


    Their weapons continued to clash, trading blow after blow and Johan dug deeper. It was in there somewhere! That buzz of power!


    With a yell. Johan charged, pushing himself harder and harder as adrenaline coursed through his veins, canceling out any pain or ache in his body.


    His ribbon quickly wrapped around his forearm. Once. Twice. And when Thomas’ sword swung down at him, he was ready. He intercepted the blow with his arm and with his main hand now free, he took another step closer, dagger twisting in the air, and slashed.


    Thomas jumped back, eyes widening in surprise as the blade passed just in front of his face and Johan grimaced when the man got away with only a pained grunt.


    “Heh,” Thomas huffed out a laugh through heavy breaths, drops of sweat forming on his forehead. “Your eyes are flashing. Can’t keep up?”


    Johan’s eyes widened at the revelation. Then twitched.


    He found it.


    He grabbed a hold of it. Then let the ribbon covering his forearm fall to the ground. Thomas launched forward and once again their weapons met.


    Johan let out a small laugh.


    Time to finish this.


    It was like a switch flipped. The world shook harder than ever. Thomas’ eyes widened in fear.


    The rumble in the ground even touched Johan now, enchanting the buzzing in his skin unfathomably, and when he took a step forward, it followed him. A large crack appeared under his feet, spreading across the street like a flash of lightning, and when he stepped away- it opened up.


    The following rumble was eardeafening as the world separated before their eyes. Distantly Johan saw the tree tip to the side and fall into the nothingness below.


    All his attention was on Thomas. The man’s face was ugly with terror and the world slowed as Johan pulled the ribbon taut and Thomas’ eyes widened impossibly as his feet were pulled out from beneath him and he fell back. Johan tok a step to follow him, body buzzing with power. He raised his dagger high, this time it would actually-


    Blood spewed past his lips.


    Everything went black.


    -


    It couldn’t have been more than a few seconds before he opened his eyes again, and his face immediately twisted as pain scorched through his body. Beside him Thomas was getting back on his feet and Johan tried to do the same, limbs slow and heavy and he moved to push himself up.


    He barely got to his elbows before needing to stop, vision swimming.


    A hand grasped the collar of his cloak and Johan gasped as he was roughly pulled to his knees. Then he was let go and for a second he started tilting to the side, then his hair was grabbed.


    Johan panted through gritted teeth as his head was wrenched up and he felt the cold touch of metal against his throat.


    “Finally run out of steam?” Thomas taunted. “Don’t worry, your ‘family’ will be here soon.”


    Johan’s mind stirred to a halt.


    “What are you talking about?” He tried to turn but the hand in his hair held him still. Instead Thomas leaned around Johan with a sinister smile, slowly pushing the edge of the blade just a little deeper.


    “They are both very loyal to you.” Thomas said seriously, and petted Johan’s hair softly. “All I had to do was show them you, and they come running.”


    Johan’s heart fell. He couldn’t mean…?


    He heard loud yelling and Thomas made a pleased sound. “Ah, here they are.”


    Johan’s eyes widened in horror as Signe was dragged into view. One buff guard on either side of her as she kicked and screamed. A cut on her forehead painted the left side of her face and chest red.


    Then came Note. Johan would have hit the ground if it wasn’t for the hand holding him up.


    In contrast to Signe’s loud threats and curses, Note was completely silent, head hanging and with only one guard pulling him along. His robe was gone, showing big, ugly bruises down his chest, and his right arm hung limply at his side, dislocated, his sword nowhere to be seen.


    They were both pulled towards the large crack in the ground, where they were unable to get closer.


    Signe saw him first.


    “Johan!” She screamed and one of the guards behind her quickly covered her mouth.


    Note’s head snapped up to meet Johan’s eyes. He was clearly struggling to focus, but for just a second his eyes were crystal clear and glowing purple. Then the next second the guard hit him over the head, almost sending him to the ground.


    Johan fought. Or well. He tried to.


    Sweat ran down his face as he grabbed for the hand holding the sword against his throat, but Thomas easily shook him off.


    “Used up too much of your energy, huh?” Thomas whispered tauntingly in his ear. “Oh well, then you’ll just have to sit here and follow my command like a good boy.”


    “They’re not real.” Johan hissed. It was a hallucination. It had to be. Note and Signe couldn’t actually be there.


    Thomas chuckled lowly into his ear. “As real as those resurrected freaks can get.”


    Then he straightened up, turning to the newcomers.


    “Such loyal pets!” Thomas yelled. “Coming all this way to rescue their little king! Well, welcome to the show!”


    “Johan!” Note yelled. He struggled in the guard’s hold but was quickly pushed down to his knees.


    Johan gritted his teeth, breaths coming out in short rasps as his heart beat loudly in his ears. He watched Thomas in the corner of his eye. “Why are you doing this?! What’s the point?!”


    “The point?” Thomas laughed lowly and the grip in Johan’s hair tightened, making him stretch his neck further. “You Fates.” He hissed. “Destined kings or whatever they call you. You are trash. Disposable. Your only purpose in life is to serve until the next Fate appears! You don’t understand love! First your father stole him from me. Now you! I was right to hunt you down, my only mistake was to let you go in the first place!”


    The realization hit him like a rock.


    “Greed?!” He snapped incredulously. “My uncle, you did this for him?! You killed my dad, his brother! You-!” The hand in his hair yanked him higher and he let out a hiss of pain.


    “Now you’re getting it~” Thomas dragged out. “Love is a beautiful thing, little king. It brings light to a dull and boring life, making it into something worth living. You damn Fates almost destroyed that for me. Now it’s my turn. Now I will take one from you. Let us see where your love lies.”


    Johan froze.


    “Kill one.” Thomas said and Johan’s heart skipped.


    What did he just say?


    “Come on. We don’t have all day.” Dread and terror filled Johan’s veins. Thomas leaned over to look him in the eye. “Pick one to kill. I’ll let the other live. Well, for a little longer at least. None of you will leave Heaven alive this time.”


    Johan stared at Thomas. He couldn’t really mean-


    “Pick or I will kill them both.” Thomas hissed when Johan stayed quiet.


    Johan''s heart was beating so strongly it felt like he was moving with it.


    He had to pick one to die.


    He tested his powers, sweat running down the side of his face, but it was useless. Whatever power he had found, it was gone now. Thomas had outplayed him.


    “Tick tock, little king.” Thomas taunted impatiently with a manic grin on his face. “Or they both-”


    “Kill me.” Johan breathed.


    Thomas paused. Then let out a soft laugh. “That’s not one of the options. Either violent, little Signe dies, or big, strong Note does. You will stay alive.”


    Johan swallowed.


    Note and Signe had fallen silent now, too far away to hear their talk but clearly able to tell something was wrong.


    “You won’t get out of this alive.” Johan said desperately. “Whatever you think you have here, it will all be gone. The deities won’t stop fighting, I’ll make sure Greed never-”


    He didn’t finish his sentence. He didn’t need to, because Thomas already tensed up. For a second Johan thought it worked. The blade pushed hard against his throat, and slit-


    But then it stopped.


    Warm blood trickled down. The sword was moved away.


    “Trying to trick me, are you?” Thomas spoke darkly. “If I kill you then you don’t have to choose. Where would the fun in that be?”


    “I-”


    “Enough!” Thomas roared. “Choose now!”


    Johan gritted his teeth. Why did he go to Heaven? And why did they have to follow him there? It was one thing if Johan died, that was his loss. But them?!


    He couldn’t be alone. Not again.


    “Enough.” Thomas growled and sighed deeply. “Kill them both!”


    “Wait!” Johan jerked forward, but it was too late. They were pushed off.


    Without a second thought Johan slammed his hands on the ground. Please. Please, just this once! Listen to him!


    A jolt went through him.


    Everything was quiet.


    Slowly he opened his eyes- and almost fell over in relief.


    Note and Signe were on each their boulders. Floating over the void. Floating, not moving. Johan swallowed, arms straining. He could see Note pushing himself onto his elbows, and while Signe had managed to pull herself to a crouch, there was no way either of them were getting back up without outside help.


    What now?


    His powers were leaving him quickly, he had already been struggling, but now? It was like a thousand steel blades were cutting into each and every one of his muscles.


    He tasted blood.


    His breath hitched and he attempted to lift them back up to safety, but nothing happened. Sweat was stinging in his eyes but he refused to blink, his whole body quivering from the effort of simply holding on.


    What now?!


    “They’re here!”


    “Shit, Johan!”


    His head snapped up at the sound of voices. Reinforcements had arrived.


    The sins were there! Wading through the ruins of the streets with Envy in the lead, her, now smaller, army of soldiers followed right behind her.


    “Need some help there, Johan?” Frey shouted with a grin as he flashed through with ease, the first one to get to solid ground.


    Johan felt tears well up in his eyes.


    Note and Signe were going to live!


    “Not so soon.” Something cold pressed back against his neck and he froze. Frey’s grin fell and Envy’s hand shot up, soldiers stopping their advance.


    “Pick one or I’ll kill you and they will both fall to their death.” Thomas hissed in his ear, nicking Johan’s throat with the blade. Then he yelled out. “Hear that, sins?! One more step and your king dies!”


    Distantly he could hear someone yelling back, but his attention was somewhere else.


    Johan looked back and forth between Note and Signe. Note was staring at him with terrified eyes, still on the ground as he gestured desperately at Signe.


    Then Johan slowly turned his blurry eyes to her. She wasn’t struggling anymore, instead she was smiling, a small and sad thing. Johan neared his limit. She knew that.


    He sobbed, the tears finally falling free down his face. She was trying to comfort him even as her own eyes shone.


    His powers were at their end. He had to pick one.


    Note would hate him for this, but not more than he would hate himself.


    Signe glanced back.


    He let go.


    “Signe!” Vero’s scream mixed with Note’s and with his last remaining power, Johan stabbed Note’s boulder as hard as he could into the dirt wall of the abyss. Then he was out. The pressure on his throat disappeared and he fell forward, Thomas laughing maniacally.


    His body convulsed as he sobbed into the pavement.


    He just killed Signe.


    Suddenly gentle hands touched his back and his shoulder. “It’s fine, Johan. You can let go now. Note is safe. It’s finished.”


    He raised his head to see a struggling Note being put back on solid ground, his face twisting as he tried to get back to the edge before finally falling back against Lust’s hold in defeat. His eyes snapped up to meet Johan’s.


    “Nothing is fine.” Johan finally muttered as he watched Note walk away.


    Nothing would ever be fine again.