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“S-Sy…” Rena cried, trying to step forward but losing her balance and falling to the ground again.
Odysseus, furious, looked down at Rena and stepped up behind her, grabbing a fistful of her hair. He yanked her up to growl in her ear.
“Don’t get your hopes up, sunshine. You’ll all die here today. Guess I’ll just have to kill her another way.” He dropped her slightly but still held her hair.
Rena reached up, trying to pull his hand off her hair, cringing from the pain and crying from the emotional rollercoaster she was on.
Odysseus raised his arm, ready to release a blast when Asta zoomed in front of Sy.
“Move, boy. Your sword won’t be able to absorb this,” he sneered, pulling Rena’s head up again. “ARE YOU WATCHING? I DON’T WANT YOU TO MISS IT. I’LL JUST TAKE THEM ALL OUT WITH HER. SAY GOODBYE, TRAFALGAR, MAGIC BOY, SY.”
All the shadows swirling in the air began to combine in front of his hand. Just as he released the blast…
“Room. Shambles,” Law switched Odysseus with their position, making him take the brunt of his own attack.
Sy reached down, embracing Rena in a hug. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I didn’t know he was going to do that. I’m so sorry, Mom. I’m so sorry,” Sy cried as she rocked Rena back and forth.
“Sy…” Rena whispered.
“Yes?” she whispered back.
“Can… Can you not… call me mom? It’s too… soon,” Rena mumbled.
Sy began to chuckle. “Of course.”
Odysseus, who had been knocked down by his own blast, stood up and dusted himself off. “That power of yours is rather annoying, Trafalgar.”
Law smirked proudly. Suddenly, Versa’s astral form appeared and whispered something in Law’s ear. His eyes widened briefly, then narrowed in on Odysseus, and he nodded.
“Planning something, are we? Give it your best shot,” Odysseus grinned.
While Odysseus was knocked over from his own blast and Rena was having a moment with Sy, Versa had whispered to a few people.
First, she told Death to reel in his power so everyone could move freely again. Law had managed, but it took three times the effort, and they needed his abilities for the next part of the plan.
She then moved to Hawks, explaining that Law could switch people and objects with his abilities, so she suggested Hawks move some of his feathers around Odysseus.
She then jumped to Law and told him about Hawks’ feathers. She suggested that, at the right moment, he get close by switching with a feather and use THAT technique. His eyes widened slightly, but he understood. It was a decent plan, and even though he hated being bossed around, he knew this situation was no time to be prideful.
Odysseus was reeling with anger. His fury was only amplified by the extra power he had gained from consuming the essence of other guardians. He braced himself for what was coming, but he was not ready for what came his way.
He felt Death’s aura fade, causing him to be distracted for a moment. In that moment, Hawks’ feathers started darting around Odysseus, blocking his vision. All he could make out were the words of the Surgeon.
“SHAMBLES.”
Suddenly, he felt the presence of the surgeon and moved to attack, but as he did… “MES!”
Everything seemed to freeze at that moment. Odysseus had tried to throw an attack, but nothing happened. He suddenly saw his host from the outside. “What the–” he looked over at the smirking surgeon, who held a transparent cube containing his soul.
“What have you done?!” he screamed as he watched the body of his host fall forward, Law catching him with his free arm.
Before Odysseus could process what was happening, he was surrounded.
Hawks’ feathers were sharpened, scattered around, blocking him in. Filling the space between the feathers were Erza’s swords. Asta was behind him in his ‘Black Asta’ form, sword pointing to Odysseus’ back.
Zoro appeared in front of Odysseus, all three swords drawn, one resting just a slip away from his neck. Behind Zoro stood Luffy, Natsu, Grey, Deku, and Bakugo, fists ready.
Sanji, Loke, and Finral had jumped to Rena and Sy, standing in front of them in a protective stance. Carla flew Wendy over, and Lucy called on Virgo to move her to Rena’s side. Everyone else was in a battle stance, ready to attack the moment he moved.
Everything stood still. The tension in the air was suffocating. No one moved. No one spoke. The only sound was that of footsteps approaching Odysseus from behind.
Death was approaching.
A shiver ran down Odysseus’ astral form as the footsteps grew near. Then they stopped. Odysseus was just staring forward at Rena’s friends, who did not hesitate to jump into action the moment they could move. He felt a hand wrap around the back of his neck.
“Kneel,” Death commanded as he pushed him down.
Almost unwillingly, Odysseus’ knees gave out, and he collapsed on the ground.
“It’s over, Odysseus,” Death announced.
Odysseus’ face twisted into a cringe. “It’s never ov–”
“IT’S OVER,” Death’s voice boomed as he tightened his grip on Odysseus’ neck.
Death leaned in to whisper in his ear, “Unfortunately for you, because I’m back at my full power, I can freely send you to the under realm. No conditions need to be met. You don’t even have to be dead. So I must thank you for getting my emotions back. We’re going to have so much fun together.”
“Heh, I’m still not scared of you, ~Bob~,” Odysseus mumbled, a slight waver in his voice.
“Oh, you will be. See you soon, ~Fury~,” Death mocked, and with a poof, Odysseus disappeared.
The cube in Law’s hand disappeared at the same moment Odysseus did. The surgeon looked up and asked the question on everyone’s mind. “Where did you send him?”
“To Necrotheca. You could say it’s hell, the underworld, the afterlife, whatever you want to call it, but he can’t escape it. Not when I’m the one who sent him there,” Death explained. He put his barrier back up fully, and his overflowing power was contained.
Everyone relaxed out of their fighting stance, but no one moved. They were all too stunned to speak.
A soft voice broke the silence.
“Is… Is it over?” Rena said so softly it wouldn’t have been heard if it wasn’t so quiet.
Blaine looked towards Rena and smiled. “Yes, it’s over.”
“Th-thank you,” Rena stuttered, tears streaming down her face.
“No, Rena, it is us who should thank you. You sacrificed so much, asking for nothing in return,” Blaine stated.
“I didn’t really have that much to sacrifice…” Rena sniffled.
Versa’s astral form appeared in front of Rena. “But you did, Rena. Bonding with me was the ultimate sacrifice. You saved me, a complete stranger. You didn’t even hesitate, Rena. I told you my story, my bizarre out-of-the-world story, and you accepted me.”
“I just… You needed help, and I felt like I couldn’t say no,” Rena turned away, flushed in the face.
“You had a choice. You could have said no, but you didn’t. So thank you, Rena,” Versa smiled softly.
“Oh… um. You’re welcome,” Rena said, wiping the tears from her face.
“Rena?” Versa knelt down in front of her.
Rena cleared her throat, trying to compose herself. “…Yes?”
A sad smile formed on Versa’s face. “It’s time.”
“Time? Time for what?” Rena questioned.
“Time for us… to release our bond,” she said sadly. “I know I shouldn’t be sad, but I will miss you. Now that Odysseus isn’t a threat anymore, I can use my full power again. I can find the rest of the Guardians.”
“Oh right. How… do we go about that? The proper way, I mean,” Rena said, getting slightly serious and hinting at the time Versa had the surgeon separate them temporarily with his ability.
“Stand up and give me your hands.” Rena did as she asked. She faced Versa’s astral form and reached out, taking her hands in hers. Versa closed her eyes, and Rena did too.
“Serena Amara Reyes, as a Guardian, I must thank you for allowing me to bond with you. Our time together has come to an end. You must release me from our bond,” Versa intoned, her voice carrying a ritualistic weight.
“Um… I release you from our bond,” Rena said, her uncertainty evident in her tone.
As Versa’s astral form began to fade, Rena started to glow. Her hair turned a radiant golden blonde, and her eyes opened to reveal a shimmering golden hue. She began to float, hovering just above the ground. With her arms outstretched and her gaze lifted to the sky, Versa’s astral form slowly rose out of Rena. Once fully separated, Rena dropped to the ground, returning to her normal state.
Versa now stood before her, still somewhat ethereal but more solid. She looked down at Rena and extended her hand. Rena grasped it, and Versa helped her up, immediately pulling her into a heartfelt embrace. Tears streamed down Versa’s face.
“Rena, I’m so sorry!” she cried.
“Sorry for what?” Rena asked, confused.
“You got hurt so many times because of me. Not just physically, but emotionally too. I’m sorry this took so long. I feel like I took up so much of your life. I don’t know how I can ever repay you for everything you’ve done for us.”
“V, I’m okay. Really. I’m f..in..e–” Rena started to say, but her eyes fluttered shut as she collapsed, slipping from Versa’s grasp.
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