MakenZero had taken her back to where they had been hiding out. It was a very beautiful house they built together. There stood a dead cherry blossom tree outside. It’s like it had known what happened. Or maybe it was because winter was setting in, snowflakes came in lightly. MakenZero sat next to the bed where she laid. “I’ve lost you. Now I understand how much you suffered. You were living with a pain like this. It was so hard for you, you should have hated me. But you protected me.” He touched her cold cheek softly. “You allowed me to live, but now you are free from your pain. You will not suffer any more. I will continue to live with my broken heart. It will serve as my atonement for what I did to you.”

He touched his scars on his face and the “MZ.” “I must make reparations for the lives I have destroyed. It will be difficult, but I will do it. I have lived a hard life, but I can still remember the warmer parts of life. You taught me that.” He closed his eyes trying not to cry again he cried so much when she died. “Hopefully. Hopefully, I will be all right. I know I must say goodbye to you. But now. But now let me stay for awhile. We are together. For now.” He said her name once more.

 “Prepare to set sail!” The ocean was right there in front of Azusa, the smell of the slat and ocean made him want to get out of there now. He had to escape. “I better get going before anyone finds me.” Azusa kept walking through the alleyway and turned and stopped in his tracks. The assassin walked out into the direction he was heading. “What a way to start the new-year. I’ve always had rotten luck. I suppose they want to clean my dead body from the streets.” He drew his sword out. Well, life is a gamble, so I’m willing to make one final bet.” He ran towards the guy and the guy got in his own stance.

There was a man in a hooded cloak going towards where MakenZero was, he walked normal pace not really in a rush to go anywhere. He was at his door now, it was Mr. Caesura he pulled his hood off for him. “MakenZero, I heard what happen here. I’m sorry.” “Mr. Caesura?” “I found the real spy, and trained a new assassin. Azusa ran at him, he unsheathed his sword which turned into flames killing Azusa with one slash through the face. Caesura stood in the other alley watching his assassin kill the spy. “Damn, guess I used up all my good luck last year.” Azusa left the money out for them since he wouldn’t need it anymore. “This new boy will handle the assassinations from now on,” The boy puts away his sword and looks over his shoulder. He was somewhat familiar. He was an unburned NekamOrez, “Even so, we still require your skills. The syndicate and the Wolves of the Mountains hunt patriots with renewed determination. If we cannot fight them off with greater ferocity, our cause will be lost, and we will be executed.” “I understand.” MakenZero just listened mostly.

“MakenZero?” “Yes?” Mr. Caesura sat down and had his elbows on his thighs. “I worried that your life as an assassin would destroy your inherent humanity. I asked her to be a sheath for your ungovernable rage.” “A sheath?” “Yes, I believe that she can still serve that purpose for you. I want you to believe that.” There was a long silence and MakenZero finally broke it. “Mr. Caesura?” Caesura glanced at him and listened. “I will lend you my sword to your cause. She saved my life. I think she knew I would have to fight once more. I believe that.” “I see.” “However, once the battle has been won.” Caesura cut him off. “You will withdraw from us?” “No I’m not saying that. But I will try never killing again. Ever.”

Caesura left the house and walked off on his way. He thought to himself, “Thames, the world has turned out just as you said it would. I was wrong to doubt you. MakenZero’s Swordsmanship should only be used to protect the New World. It should never be used to destroy the old regime. I’m so sorry, MakenZero.” MakenZero touched every one of his new scars lightly and touched her cheek again. “I must leave you now.” He picked up his sword and when the sun set he set the house on fire. He walked away from the past and was now going to create a new era all by himself.