Authors Notes: Starting a new job, having fun with my love and visiting some friends who just got their own apartment has really taken time from me. But now this is here and done – sorry for the wait. I'm a procrastinator in the strongest sense, but I'm not really feeling like leaving this chapter just as is so expect chapter seven to come up sooner than this one did. Sorry for the cliff hanger, ahaha.

But yes, I've started a new job – engraving and wedding gifts and super cute stuff like that. So I'm still sort of in that stage where you have to be absolutely perfect to not get yourself fired on the spot. That and I've been spending a lot of time with my love; you don't think promise rings after 7 months is too soon, do you? I want to go pick some up for us. I also gotta take us out for supper to celebrate my love's first job... Sorry, I'm going on about real life. Obviously you guys are here to read about your fandom, not about my life.

I can't wait to get this arc over and done with so that I can get into the really emotional stuff. Oh, and there were two people who were looking for two certain characters; both of their appearances will be soon. But I won't say who's showing up. Not next chapter, but both will probably be for eight.

Thanks for sticking with me; I love you guys!

"I'm home."

For the first time in a few days, I was greeted by my mother and father. A worried sick mother and father nonetheless. I was questioned about the mess in the bathroom and kitchen, including the 'couch fort' that they had taken down. I was asked about the phone call from school saying that I had skipped the last periods. I was pelted with inquiry, but somehow I couldn't draw an emotion. I felt blank, lost in thoughts that I couldn't sort out.

What had just happened...?

I was fed a warm supper and checked for fever and weakness by my parents, but nothing showed up. I seemed perfectly healthy, just rather disheartened. When my mother asked about my mood I could only open my mouth and cast my eyes to the ground as I was filled with confusion. Emotions were mixed with my logical thoughts and nothing made sense anymore. I just shook my head and told her it was personal. But the comfort they gave me... the warmth they expressed... it was the same kind of thing I had leeched from Silabus in the hospital. What I had tried to get from Kuhn... and what I was searching for.

I ate at the table like normal. It felt like my schedule had suddenly run back into the course it was supposed to be on, even for just that moment. My appetite wasn't much, though, and I ended up turning to my room early, excusing myself. I walked up the stairs, closed my door behind me, fell back-first onto my bed, and turned my head to the side, looking out the window.

The horizon had just begun to grow dark; that stage where the sun was set but it's rays were still barely touching the sky. I looked hollowly out, unmoving, with my arms spread out above my head against the soft sheets. The wind from the open pane rustled at my hair; my parents must have opened it.

I had known him... for not even a day. No, in a few hours, it would be exactly twenty-four hours. Already, he was gone, wasn't he? That conflicting side of my heart didn't want to believe it. It was the same half of me that made me feel that maybe he wasn't so bad, just confused; that he could change.

No... the truth was, I knew he wasn't gone. That was actually it, wasn't it?

I literally felt like I knew that he was still around. My heart felt attached to him somehow; I honestly couldn't believe anything other than the fact that he was still here, somewhere. It was a possibility that maybe he had sympathized with me and disappeared as my eyes closed just to try and calm me. That state I was in at that time... yes, I was in a state where I needed him gone.

But not... forever.

I had to fix things.

We both messed up. He murdered without care and I accused without thought. Both of us needed to adjust ourselves... but that meant me, too. Had I thrown everything onto him?

I had, hadn't I?

Skeith...

Instead of blaming you...

It wasn't long before I found myself out the door again. My parents gave worried comments, but I shrugged them off. For once my heart wasn't filled with the darkness of worry... the distress of murder. No, now I held determination; I needed to find him. Search everywhere, up and down, and fix things. I ran as fast as my feet could carry me and I turned down every road and alley way I came to. My head shot back and forth and I only took small pauses to catch my breath. My third pause ended up being by a phone booth. I leaned against the glass pane and then my eyes caught sight of the black phone. Thoughts tumbled in my mind.

... yes. I can't hold things to myself forever.

I ran into the booth, pulling the small bits of change that I had out of my pocket. I had three quarters; more than enough. I slammed the first one in, picked up the receiver, and dialed a number that was etched in my memory with unrivaled speed. It rung a few times before someone picked up.

"Morino residence," the voice responded on the other end of the line.

"Silabus, are you busy?"

"H-Haseo? Is that you?" He sounded surprised.

"Yeah. Look, I need some help. I'm looking for someth-- ... I'm looking for someone."

"Huh? Who?"

"Someone you don't know. But I really need help, so..."

"If I don't know them..."

"They look weird, so you'd recognize them if you saw them!" Desperation leaked into my voice.

"... weird, huh?"

"Please, Silabus!"

"..."

There was a pause, followed by a small laugh.

"Of course I'll help. What are friends for?"

I let out the breath I had held in my chest and quickly began describing Skeith to Silabus, though I never gave a name. He was distracted so I was sure he was writing down the details I gave him. By the end of the conversation he said he'd leave in a couple minutes and search the blocks around him with Gaspard's help. I thanked him and hung up.

Now...

I slammed another quarter in and dialed another number with even more speed and precision than the last. I held the phone to my ear and it rung and rung, but it seemed useless as no one picked up. I hung up and the quarter was spat back out at me, but I certainly didn't let that stop me. I quickly pushed it back in again and dialed a second number; the cell phone number to the house number I had first called. I felt a little worried and my stomach tied in knots – unnatural for me, I know – but there was an answer.

"Hello?"

"You're... there."

Suddenly I lost the strength in my voice at the sound of his own in my ears and I didn't know how to react. But I tried to cover up the events of the past; we had to make up somehow, right?

"Oh! Haseo! I'd recognize your voice anywhere, aha!"

"... I need your help."

"Why are you so quiet?"

"Well... the call earlier... that stupid game you played with me..."

"Huh? We never talked earlier..."

"We did so, Kuhn! Don't lie to me!"

There was silence on the other end of the line.

"Haseo, I don't really understand..."

"Look, forget it. I need your help."

"With what?"

"I've lost... someone. And I need to find them again."

"'Someone'?"

"The thing I wanted to talk to you about earlier..."

I paused this time. He was the first to talk, before I could continue.

"Listen, about earlier... I think... I might know what you're talking about. Will you meet with me?"

"After I find what I'm looking for."

"Mm, it's a deal."

I described Skeith, and Kuhn was oddly quiet through the whole thing.

"So... will you help?"

"Haha, of course! Look, Haseo..."

"What?"

".. it's nothing. Don't worry... you've got both of us looking."

Click.

"Wha--?"

What did he mean by 'both of us'?

... But it didn't matter.

I needed to set things straight. With Silabus, with Kuhn, with mom and dad. But first, and most importantly, with...

Now, the force that I had created searched throughout the entire town. The group of five people; myself, Silabus and Gaspard, and Kuhn and... someone, all explored their own areas, looking for the missing Skeith. After the screams and shouts about being a murderer that I had expressed to the silver-haired being, I was sure that it was safe to send my friends looking as well. The faster I found him the better, right? I was the only one alone, but I went onwards with all my strength. I ran down the alley we had met; the police were thinned out now so it was a lot easier. I ran to the main street in our small area of town; I ran to the park; to five different neighborhoods... everywhere. I asked people along the street if they saw the freak, but none had. They shook their heads and each time they did that I felt like his existence was slipping away... like I had been living in a dream the whole time.

But no... he was real, I was sure of it. Just lost... lost and treading down a wrong path. The path of murder...

But when I met him... could I take him off it? Could I honestly change his nature?

I kept on going, only stopping to talk to the people I came across.

Suddenly, I struck a clue.

I spoke with two teenage boys and asked if they'd seen anyone weird. They both laughed.

"Two people, in fact!"

"What did they look like?!" I almost shouted, grasping for something – anything.

"Well, one was a strange guy... looked like an adult. He had green hair and the strangest outfit... looked like some costume from some time in the past."

That wasn't him... but...

"And the second was a guy with silver hair..."

"Where did they go?!"

"Well, the silver haired one was first; he headed down that way," they pointed down the road, "and the green haired guy was following him."

"Alright!"

I was in such a rush that I didn't even say thank you or ask anything else. It had to be him; who else would have silver hair?! But picking up another strange person... I knew then and there that something was about to happen and I had to get there first. The direction was actually the direction of my school. Was it possible that Skeith had figured out that was where I attended?

This moment, as I ran, I felt the wind change. It was weak, but suddenly it picked up and struck me from the side, tangling my hair. That moment, I felt something inside of me warn me that I was to be tested. That soon after would be the determining factor of Skeith's future existence, if he had one at all.

At that moment, I didn't know why I felt that way.

I approached the school.

There was no sign of anyone around; I assumed that Kuhn and Silabus had yet to make it this far. That wind that had developed from before still toyed with my hair and my school tie. The sun was set; it was early night. A strange feeling mingled in my heart, but I ignored it. I had to ignore it. Skeith was here, and I knew it... I could sense him.

Within the darkness things had grown very quiet. I took a few steps forwards, stepping by the gate and entering the school grounds. It was eerie entering my schoolyard after hours; there were no teachers or students to brighten the place up. It was only now I realized how much I missed the real version of school, especially compared to this creepy one. The building was accented in darkness and the only lights that were around were a couple of street lights placed around the school's grounds. I made it to the doors and placed my hand on the cool metal of the handle-shaped doorknob. Peeking through the window I could only see black. A never ending darkness, a relentless darkness...

There was a loud crash that came from the other side of the school; outside.

I jumped away from the handle, startled. It felt like my hair stood on end and my hands were clenched tightly, raised in the air. Everything was breaking my nerves down. Taking in a deep breath I tried to ignore it and brought a hand back to the handle.

The voice of a ten-year-old came behind me.

"Is this your school?"

I whirled around quickly, my face contorting with shock. I had one hand balled in a fist and raised above my hand, ready to bring it down on my intruder, but I stopped as I saw his figure. He really was a ten-year-old! The little boy had dark brown, boyishly cut hair. His eyes were smaller than the average child's; they held a sort of twisted sense of nobility, power and intelligence. Actually, it really made him look downright evil. I glared down at him. He was dressed in simple shorts and t-shirt, making him at least look normal in that sense. But honestly, what was normal about a little ten-year-old boy wandering around at this time of night, coming up behind you and scaring you shitless?

There was more crashing, clanking, thumping... noises from behind the school.

"It is. What are you doing here, little boy?" I replied, stressing the last part. Little boys his age should have probably been home with their parents.

"I'm Tooru, who're you?" he demanded, stepping past me. The little boy came to be about half my height. I glared down. He wasn't getting the hint.

"You're a bit young to be out here at this time," I hissed, not wanting him to be involved in Skeith.

"I asked you for your name, isn't it only polite to answer?" He raised his hands in a shrugging manner. This kid sure acted a lot older than he actually was...

"... Haseo." I replied coldly.

"Hmm, I see." He thought for a moment and paused. "But you do look very similar to him, so you're definitely his original..."

"What are you talking about?" Anger was bubbling up.

"Skeith." He turned around to look at me, his eyes piercing down into my soul. "You're Skeith's other half, right? His original, right?"

I was struck. I just stared, dumbfounded, unable to produce a proper answer.

"H... how... how did you...!"

"It's okay, don't worry," he smiled childishly as if to calm me down, but it wasn't working very well. "You won't have to worry about Skeith anymore. I know what he's been doing, so be at rest; we'll remove his existence for you."

"W... what...?!"

That's not what I wanted!!

The boy turned around and opened the door, disappearing inside. It was obvious he wanted me to follow, so I did.

"Skeith murdered two people last night. On top of that, he was the reasoning behind the death of a police officer earlier today." The boy spoke with a heavy knowledge of everything. "When we realized it, I knew that this was right around our type of work."

I had followed him into the dark school. We wandered without any light, slowly going up the stairs; aiming for the roof, probably. There was absolute, pure, terrifying silence in the building as I listened to his explaination.

"Your type of work...?" I asked quietly, taking it one step at a time. Asking too many questions would get confusing.

"Other half's... Avatars, as I've learned that they have been called... they are a dangerous thing, existing in this world. They come and reign terror, claiming it was right for their other half to be alright. They have an obsession with their original. And unfortunately, when an Avatar steps out of line, there's no saving them."

You're wrong.

I'm sure Skeith... can change...

"So you go and off all these Avatars to make the world... peaceful?"

"I see you do have a mind of your own! That's right," he spoke as he continued to walk ahead of me, not turning around for a second.

"But what did you mean by 'we'?"

"I meant me and my Avatar."

I stopped walking. This boy had one too? Something like... Skeith?

I remembered Endrance's words, too. He had said that he had 'another half' as well. Plus, there was that Bordeaux woman, who seemed to be the same as Skeith... was she an Avatar – someone else's other half? Things began to piece together a little better.

There was a shuffle behind us, laced in the darkness. Something had appeared in the dark corners of the stairway beyond our reach of sight.

"You called, Tooru?"

Tooru stopped, turned around, looked at me and smiled. "This... is Sakaki."

A man stepped out of the shadows. He was two-and-a-half of the kid's height; taller than me. They shared the same face and he definitely had what would seem to be an adult body that reflected what Tooru would look like when he was older. Those were the similarities, but just like Skeith while being similar he was different, too. He was dressed in strange clothing that almost reflected a medival Japan. His hair was long and green, reaching down his back. But he stood with that same respectable air that Tooru had; it just matched Sakaki much more, as Sakaki was older.

"This would be the Phase's other half, I presume?" Sakaki spoke, his voice almost purring. Tooru flinched.

"... y-yes, this is Skeith's other half."

What was I missing...?

'Phase'?

Sakaki bent to bow towards me. "I'm terribly sorry, but tonight is the night that we remove your other half. But do not be afraid; it won't affect you in the slightest."

I jolted.

"That's not what I want!" It was an outburst, but I felt it was finally needed. I glared towards the Avatar, bringing my fist down tightly.

"There's not much choice. It's not like he's special compared to the other ones. We removed five other murderers today, all connected to Avatars. But you're fine; we won't need to remove you." His voice was so sure as if there wasn't a spec of doubt in his heart. I just glared.

But... did I want Skeith gone, too?

My heart was definitely in conflict.

"I..."

"Now, if you'll excuse me," Sakaki spoke, cutting me off, "I have a Phase to tend to." It was a sudden exit, but he bowed towards Tooru with a calm, confident smile. "I shall return. The best place to watch the battle I would presume would be the top of this building and the bottom, in front of the wall of windows." He then glanced towards me, frowning – but that frown was laced with fake emotions. "I am terribly sorry for all of this trouble. Truthfully, we should have removed Skeith the moment he was born."

That's... too cruel!

But my mouth wouldn't open. A part of me did want him gone, as he was a murderer.

Before I could react, Sakaki was gone. He disappeared in a mist of sparkling lights similar to the ones that Skeith and Bordeaux had danced through the air with during their fight. I was lost in my own mind, not really reacting to much. I was sure I heard Tooru say that he was going to the rooftop to 'oversee the events' – which, to me, seemed highly suspicious of a little boy to say – and then I was left alone before I knew it. Alone with my own thoughts and actions, alone without a proper decision made.

The darkness in the school settled into me. There was no one around now; I was left in front of a pair of windows within the stairwell that overlooked the back of the school yard. I hadn't moved from the original spot that I had been standing in before. No, I was left with my eyes diverted to the ground and my mouth slightly open, with both my fists balled up and with inner turmoil.

What... could I do?

Skeith...

... should you really... just disappear?

I made it to the bottom floor of the school. Along one wall were all windows, aligned with each other for a perfect view of the school's basketball court, running track, and soccer field. I stood, unemotionally watching out, trying to spot the specs that should have been there. And soon my eyes caught on them; two figures standing near the center. My breath stopped in my throat and in an impulse I ran out of the school through the doors that were right beside the extending windows and brought myself to the edge of the court, mouth open and moving while nothing came out.

There he was.

Silver hair, black clothing, tattoos of a bright red... a scythe, wielded skillfully, held behind him in one hand.

Skeith.

I couldn't respond. In front of him, Sakaki stood.

Before I could say anything, Skeith spoke.

"Chickening out, huh? I thought you were going to stick through this until the end. Where did you go?" He mocked and sneered, balancing himself against the scythe while the blade rested on the ground.

"I had to meet with your and my masters," Sakaki responded, smirking towards the silver haired monster. Skeith's eyes widened, but at the same time his eyebrows narrowed and he glared a death glare at the mention of Sakaki and I meeting. Sakaki laughed, bringing back his cool, righteous attitude. "What, what, do you not trust me? Of course, your other half is in perfect condition. We were just discussing matters of your death."

I could tell that underneath all the anger and sneers, Skeith seemed hurt. The way he stood seemed to change just the slightest as Sakaki said that, but afterwards he just shook his head and intensified his glare.

"If you don't believe me, look over there; he's come to be a spectator at your execution, murderer."

Skeith glanced over. Suddenly, I felt like turning around and running and hiding my face; was I a traitor to him by doing this? That sad expression he had shown to me before he had 'disappeared' the first time seemed to peek through, but he tried to not mind it and turned back to his opponent.

"... Haseo can do as he pleases. I'll protect him to the end, no matter what he thinks of me."

What was that–? A guilt trip–?

"Then that shall be your downfall."

Skeith forced another sly smirk on his face, now paying no attention to me. I had simply fallen to what Sakaki had labeled me – a 'spectator'. Nothing more than a watcher.

"And what about you? How many people have you killed just in the past day alone? Maybe you should commit suicide after this battle if you end up surviving." He grinned and Sakaki glared, realizing the truth of Skeith's words.

"I murder for a different reason. I protect this world-"

"And I protect Haseo."

"But my thoughts are for everyone, not just one little person. I am not selfish."

"Enough!" Skeith whipped the scythe back out, pointing it towards the enemy before him. "All this talk is wasting my time. Let's just get on with it, alright?"

"Your demise?" Sakaki called out back, withdrawing a thin sword from somewhere underneath his cloak. There was a glow from where he pulled it out; it was obvious that his weapon was the same as Skeith's in the sense that it could be summoned.

"Yours first," the 'Phase' cooed sarcastically. Both boys bickered like children, but their verbal game was over. Now both held weapons out to each other and both poised for an attack. I could imagine Tooru sitting up on the top of the building, watching with strained eyes since the two were so far from him right now.

I took a single step forwards, and then finally forced something out.

"Sk-Skeith!!"

Skeith acknowledged me. He smiled just slightly, keeping his piercing glare on Sakaki, and he responded only loud enough for me to hear.

"I promise, no matter what, I'll protect you, because we're one and the same, right? Despite what you believe in... this is my way of repaying you for my existence. This is the reason for my existence."

I was silenced.

"I thought you said that we were done talking?!" Sakaki called out to him, and he made the first move of the battle – the battle that determined Skeith's life from then on.

Sakaki pushed off with his feet and made a running start towards Skeith, sword pointed outwards. His speed was tremendous; I had nearly forgotten how Skeith and Bordeaux had fought hours ago until I saw these two launch themselves at each other in an in-human expression of power. Skeith darted forwards as well, raising his scythe high behind him. It was a risky move as Sakaki's weapon was in front of him and logic would say that it would strike first, but the length of the scythe also had it's positives. Skeith swung and struck the blade of his opponent's weapon, knocking it off balance and sending Sakaki's arms off to the side. But that didn't stop the green-haired nobleman; he continued on forwards, striking the shaft of the scythe with his body and driving the pole and his own body into Skeith's chest. Both of them flung to the left; backwards from Skeith's direction. Skeith sensed this and as they went the few meters that he was forced into he then dug his feet into the ground and flipped, folding backwards and sending Sakaki beyond him.

Of course, Sakaki was more skilled than that – he whirrled in the air and landed on his feet, back facing the silver terror before he whipped around, sword poised once more. He had practiced these skills many times before and it was quite obvious he knew what he was doing. He knew how to take down other Avatars.

"Best attempt I've had ever," he laughed with joy, and Skeith just turned and sneered in return. "So then it's true. You're a Phase, aren't you?"

"Believe what you will," Skeith responded cockily, throwing his head to the side.

"But then even if you're not a murderer of humans..." The sword was tapped playfully on the ground before returning to it's deadly, battle-ready state. "You'd have to be removed anyway. But I wonder what nu-"

"Shut up!!" Skeith screamed out, being the first to attack this time. He sped forwards matching Sakaki's original speed, but Sakaki darted to the side. Skeith skidded a bit after realizing this and had to adjust his course, but he didn't let that stop him. He changed directions and ran straight for his target and they both collided – metal with metal – in a loud, clashing sound. Soon Skeith was swinging and Sakaki was blocking almost in an endless loop, but Sakaki made no move to attack. He constantly defended against my other half's rage of swings, until Skeith pulled away and made for another running move. He dashed to the side and made a turn back, as if to gain some speed and strength with his attack. Sakaki predicted this and pushed off the ground, ascending into the sky. He seemed to put his sword to the side... but why? Without any method of attack...

"Without your other half's support even a Phase is useless!!" Sakaki screamed down to Skeith, who was now glancing up just slightly – he hadn't been reading Sakaki well enough. The enemy extended a hand forwards trailed with dancing white lights and sparkles like the ones that followed after Avatar's feet as they floated in the air. He made a fist and quickly thrust his hand to one side, preparing for something. Skeith realized this and started to make an escape out of his range. But too quickly Sakaki pulled his hand the other way, harshly cutting through the air, and immediately after white beams of light blasted from the arc that his arm created. They shot down and struck the ground all in front of Skeith's feet, with two hitting him in useless places; one in the shoulder and one in the foot. He cringed at the pain, but it wasn't enough to take him down.

"W-what?!" I called out without thinking. How come Sakaki had powers like that-?! Skeith had... nothing!

Skeith didn't wait a single moment. He launched himself into the air as well and swung the scythe in a perfect semi-circle, colliding with Sakaki's drawn blade that was held out of the way. The shock caused him to release the weapon – it was a tactic that Skeith had used against Bordeaux as well.

But with Bordeaux it had been more successful.

Sakaki let Skeith reap this victory, but he instantly brought back his other arm and landed a solid punch into Skeith's already wounded arm – the one that had not only been struck by the beam, but the one which had taken the hit in the previous hour's battle. Skeith lost the grip of one hand to his scythe, and that hand desperately began grabbing at empty air for it while trying to keep focus on the opponent at hand. But unfortunately he hadn't skillfully multi-tasked and Sakaki used that moment to push himself higher into the air that they now fought in. He brought his feet up to neck-level and drove them down hard into Skeith's other shoulder. Skeith acually let out a startled grunt and his second hand let go, letting the scythe uselessly fall down onto the ground. It was a battle without weapons; both had been disarmed, left only with their bodies.

Skeith could only take seconds to realize his situation. He didn't even think, I assumed; he just pushed forwards into the air, launching his entire self into Sakaki's stomach. Sakaki took this as next to nothing; he also plowed almost blindly forwards, kicking one foot sharply into the side of his target. Skeith heaved in the air and struggled. It was obvious he had entered a state of rage. His right hand reached upwards and claws drove and dragged down Sakaki's cheek. Blood finally appeared, forming droplets in the air and running down Skeith's arm from his fingers. Sakaki let out a maddened scream as his eyebrows furrowed as much as they could, giving him a psychotic look. He brought his own hands up and quickly met them with the grooves in Skeith's neck – or, at least, made grooves himself. Skeith gasped out but it was far too late.

Sakaki used his body and both fell down to the ground, and as they struck an explosion of sparkles and white light, mingled with the few drops of red, jolted out from underneath them like a miniature wave. Sakaki's elbows pinned Skeith's arms down and Skeith squirmed underneath the weight of the opposing Avatar, but he had no strength – no breath. Sakaki's hands were tightly gripping Skeith's neck, driving it further and further down into the ground, aiming to crush.

To crush... to destroy...

To kill-!!

I took only one step forwards, but I couldn't take anymore. That inner turmoil from before caught me.

Now... was it.

Skeith was going to die if I didn't do anything.

I had to decide...

He pathetically writhed underneath the pain and the weight and the lack of air, but he was still trying... trying so hard. Sakaki just grinned sadistically down, relentlessly pressing forwards.

"Without your other half's power... without your other half's support... even I, a mere Avatar, can destroy a Phase of Morganna...!"

"unless you've got a Fragment of Morgana to pull out of your ass..."

Morganna...

"You're nothing!! You're just a simple minded murderer, destined to be removed!!"

No...

Skeith tried to say something, but his mouth moved uselessly – nothing came out. He was gasping and his flailing was failing. His eyes were twisting and twitching, holding back what were probably tears before his taste of defeat.

No...!

But then no one else would die because of me...

But he would die, because of me...!

I want Skeith to-

To--!!