It's Valentine's Day. This is it.

"Let's get this over with," Nameless sighs through my earpiece.

"You OK dude?" I ask, "you sound troubled."

"It's nothing," he sighs, "just a side plot."

"OK," I reply, "so, I've set up a ritual from a notebook. We only have one shot. Had just enough dark mana. You ready?"

"Yeah," Nameless replies, "Let's do this."

I stand in the middle of a ritual circle made of dark mana and begin to chant.

"Oh by the pen, those taken from from me, let me see what was unseen."

I repeat this over and over again until the portal opens.

Nameless begins to leave.

"Anything you want me to say to her?" He asks.

"Tell her," I reply, "that ever since the start, I've felt something was missing. Someone. I could never fully grasp it, but I was always somewhat aware something was off. I will always have a place in my heart for you, and not even being scraped can changed that."

"Got it," Nameless replies, "listien, a mortal named Marcie has achieved relevance. It was in a spin off book. Kinda a short one. She may come here looking for me. If she does, tell her that... tell her that she should move on with her own story and pick a faction. See you when the war starts."

"See you," I reply, "and be careful."

"Why would I not?" Nameless asks.

The portal collapses. My earpiece goes to static.

"Wait!" A voice exclaims. A young, insectoid girl barges into the room. This must be Marcie. An insectoid. Huh, didn't expect any of those bug people to become relevant. Ah well. Guess this scene should be wrapped up in her book...

I open my eyes. I see someone. Who is it? Whoever it is, they look like they haven't slept a wink. Like they were sitting there, waiting for me. By the pen! It's not Edgar, is it? He can't be here already!

"Stay back Edgar!" I try to yell, but my voice is weak and horse. I can already feel my heartbeat slowing.

"Reaper calm down," a warm, calming voice says, "Edgar isn't here. It's me."

I feel a comforting warmth in my palm. "Don't your recognize me?" She asks with genuine concern.

"It's," I cough between words, "hard to see."

He looks at me. His eyes half closed.

"I..." he wheezes, "didn't expect to see you... so... I thought... Edgar had... come to kill me... before the war starts..."

"It's OK," I grip his hand tightly, "there's no war, not yet. Just me."

He coughs up some blood.

Pen damn it all! I knew I couldn't let her get close. I should let go. It'll be easier if I end this now. She's just gonna get attached again. I need to focus on my training. To get everyone's happy ending back. To get her happy ending back.

I try to let go of her hand, but I can't do it. No matter how I try, I can't losen my grip. Why? What's stopping me? I don't have time for this. I need to focus on becoming stronger. No matter what.

"How are you feeling?" I ask as his hand slowly grows colder and more pale with each beat of his slowing heart.

Guess it couldn't hurt to tell the truth. At least, enough to get the point across.

"Like I failed you," he grips my hand tightly, "like I failed everyone. If I was only stronger... I promsie, someday, Edgar will fall. Until then, I'm sorry I failed you, but next time, I'll be ready."

He looks me in the eye. "I'll get everyone's happy ending back," a tears stream down his face as the life slowly fades from his eyes, "but until then, nothing else matters."

He glares at me with the same, angry look he had the day he broke up with me. "Not..." he gasps, "Not even you."

He suddenly goes limp. He lets go of my hand.

"Reaper?" I ask.

No, not again. Please no!

"Reaper," I plead, "please, wake up."

Just like before, there is no response.

"Please," I begin to cry, "don't do this to me. You can't leave me again. Not like this."

There is no response.

"Reaper," I plead, "please, I love you. Please, don't go."

There is no response.

"Reaper," I can't stop my tears, "please. Come back to us. I don't care how much you try to distance yourself, I'll always love you even if you aren't here with me."

Just like at Christmas. There is no response...

This is not the end. This take shall continue with the Father's Day special. Why not mother's day? You'll see...