The lonely moon was visible upon the night skies of the afterlife, illuminating the field of purple flowers.

Anaxa's freezing hand held yours as he guided you back to the mortal realm. Your gaze met his frail back, the thinness evident beneath his robes.

The haughty professor was no more. Two years. It's been two years since the death of his beloved. Two years of sleepless nights, of missing your warmth. Two years since Aquila had closed their eyes upon his world, leaving him stranded. Alone. Just like...before.

...Until he found a way. A way to steal you back from Thanatos' claws. A concept that was embedded in humankind for as long as anyone could remember; An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Equivalent exchange. A life for a life.

In his efforts to revive you, he made a bargain with Thanatos, the death titan. His beating heart in exchange for your soul. A fair exchange.

"....How I've missed you." His raspy voice murmured into the wind

"In my efforts to retrieve your soul, I have bargained something that belongs to you: my heart." His fingers trembled faintly before pulling you into his embrace.

"...Forgive me."