The lingering soul of No.00 wept within Zeke as he continued holding Elizabeth's lifeless body.
For a brief moment, he simply embraced her.
The arena remained silent.
Then the red-cloaked fledgling reappeared from the shadows.
Without a word, he approached to dispose of the corpse.
"Stay away from her!"
Zeke's voice echoed across the training grounds.
The image of the man dragging Elizabeth onto the arena floor was still fresh in his mind.
The scarred assassin frowned but continued forward.
Swallowing his pride and fury, Zeke turned toward the viewing platform.
"Master Lee."
His teeth clenched.
"I humbly request permission to give my Den Mother a proper burial."
A faint smile appeared beneath Lee's purple beard.
"Why should I?"
"Because once she's buried, any childish sentiment I still cling to will be buried alongside her."
Zeke's golden eyes never wavered.
"I swear it upon my soul."
Lee scratched his goatee.
"Hmm."
The silence stretched.
Finally, he laughed.
"Fine."
The arena collectively released a breath.
"You've entertained me enough today."
He waved a dismissive hand.
"But don't expect such generosity again."
The red-cloaked assassin reluctantly backed away.
With that settled, Lee rose from his throne.
"Today's initiation ceremony for Class of '88, Unit One has concluded."
Without another glance, he departed.
Kado followed close behind.
Soon, the arena began to empty.
Whispers filled the stands.
Some approved.
Others didn't.
None mattered.
Before long, only Zeke and Elizabeth remained.
The faint smile resting on her face seemed untouched by death.
The Immortal System appeared before him.
New notifications filled the screen.
Zeke dismissed them immediately.
For once, he didn't care.
Carefully lifting Elizabeth into his arms, he left through the northern tunnel.
Outside, Kenshin was waiting.
Liz lay unconscious beside him.
The moment Kenshin saw their mother, his expression faltered.
"...Mother."
He reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair from her face.
After a long silence, he turned toward Zeke.
"Don't blame yourself."
His voice was steady.
"She wouldn't have wanted that."
Zeke looked away.
"I know."
His answer felt hollow.
"That doesn't make it easier."
Kenshin nodded.
No further explanation was needed.
Suddenly—
"Mom!"
Liz's scream echoed through the tunnel.
She rushed forward.
Throwing herself against Elizabeth's body.
"No..."
Her shoulders trembled.
"No, no, no..."
Tears streamed down her face.
"Please wake up..."
Her voice cracked.
"We still need you."
The sight twisted something deep inside him.
Kenshin lowered his gaze.
Even he couldn't bear to watch.
Liz's grief soon became anger.
She pounded her fists against Zeke's chest.
"How could you?"
Each strike carried more pain than strength.
"She loved you!"
Another hit.
"She loved all of us!"
Kenshin stepped forward.
Zeke stopped him with a shake of his head.
Liz eventually grabbed his collar.
Tears soaked his shirt.
"You monster."
Her voice broke.
"I hate you."
The words lingered between them.
Then she pushed away.
Staring at Elizabeth one final time.
Before running into the darkness.
Silence followed.
Kenshin sighed.
"You know she didn't mean it."
"Maybe."
Zeke stared after her.
"Maybe not."
Together, they carried Elizabeth to the Tomb of Whispers.
Unlike most who died within the Hidden Cave, Den Mothers were granted burial.
It was one of the few remnants of humanity left within the organization.
The fallen were remembered there.
Respected.
Mourned.
At the entrance, an older woman dressed in purple awaited them.
Den Mother Vivien.
She bowed her head.
"Elizabeth was a remarkable woman."
Her voice remained calm.
"She will be missed."
No further words were necessary.
She took Elizabeth's body and prepared it herself.
Later, she guided the two boys through the burial grounds.
They crossed a suspended rope bridge surrounded by towering stone formations.
Countless sealed chambers lined the cavern walls.
Candles illuminated the winding path below.
Eventually, they stopped before a newly carved chamber.
Elizabeth's name was already etched above the entrance.
Vivien opened the stone door.
Inside waited an above-ground limestone casket.
With a flick of her finger, a small flame appeared.
The candles ignited one by one.
Warm light filled the room.
Elizabeth was carefully placed within the casket.
A bouquet of crimson roses from the Valley of Light rested beside her.
After paying her respects, Vivien quietly departed.
Leaving the brothers alone.
For a long time, neither spoke.
Then Kenshin stepped forward.
"Mother."
His voice was low.
"You always said I bottled everything up."
A faint smile appeared.
"You told me that pain isn't something to hide from."
His grey eyes glistened.
"The greatest lessons come from the wounds that hurt the most."
He swallowed.
"I won't forget that."
The smile disappeared.
"I won't forget you."
A rare flicker of rage appeared in his eyes.
"I'll survive."
His fists tightened.
"I'll protect my siblings."
"And I'll carve out a better path than this one."
He kissed Elizabeth's forehead.
Then stepped aside.
The lingering soul of No.00 stirred once more.
This time, Zeke offered no resistance.
The boy deserved his farewell.
No.00 knelt beside the casket.
"I'm sorry."
His voice trembled.
"If I wasn't so stubborn..."
His head lowered.
"Maybe none of this would've happened."
Silence answered him.
He laughed bitterly.
"I keep wondering whether that makes me weak."
His fingers brushed the edge of the casket.
"Or just foolish."
More silence.
Then his expression softened.
"I know what you'd say."
A small smile appeared.
"You'd tell me to keep moving forward."
His eyes shifted toward the man who now occupied his future.
Toward Stephen.
Toward Zeke.
"I think he'll do better than I could."
No.00's voice carried absolute faith.
"He says he's not a hero."
A quiet chuckle escaped him.
"But I think he'll become one."
The lingering sorrow that chained his soul slowly began to fade.
At last, peace found him.
"I guess this is goodbye."
His hand rested atop the casket.
"I love you, Mom."
His voice became barely a whisper.
"Always."
The chamber grew still.
And for the first time since his death, No.00 smiled.
Then he was gone.
The lingering presence vanished completely.
Leaving Stephen alone within Zeke's body.
Zeke stared at Elizabeth's peaceful face.
Then lowered his head.
'I may never become the hero you believed I could be.'
His fist clenched.
'But I swear I'll bring my own form of justice to anyone who threatens what I value.'
The vow settled deep within his heart.
After one final moment of silence, he and Kenshin turned away.
Leaving the Tomb of Whispers behind them.