"Quite unlike you to ask for a walk..."
The cool and excited voice of a lady rang out through the top of a bridge, where low green grasses mixed with an array of multicolored flowers could be seen.
Beneath the bridge, a flowing, clear blue stream shimmered. The sound of gently flapping wings took control of the area, mixed in with babbling brooks and chirping insects.
Walking on the bridge was a duo—a lady with long golden hair and a boy with snow-white hair and dual-colored eyes, one sparkling blue and the other a dull crimson.
They were none other than Morgaine and Ryuk.
"You seem to be enjoying it more than I am, though..." Ryuk replied as Morgaine grinned.
"I am. What do you think of the place? Perfect, no?" she asked.
Ryuk looked around him, and truly, the environment he was in was perfect.
Green grasses, very clean air—with strangely no Mana. It was pure, natural air, incredibly comforting and pressureless.
The place was also very quiet, enough to quiet down Ryuk's thoughts and make him feel lighthearted.
"It's perfect. I never thought there would be such a place within the Ascension Academy."
"Hehe. It's called the Love Abode. The most beautiful place in the entire academy. I've only heard about this place once myself. Finally got the chance for a visit..." Morgaine said, her eyes marveling at the area for a long while. It was her first time too, and she was also in awe of the beauty of this place. It was almost out of this world.
The two eventually skidded to a stop at the middle of the bridge, as Ryuk's deep eyes stared into the calm river, his gaze piercing through it and sighting the white stones, which were strangely radiating a blue light. He could guess they were most likely the ones that cleansed the river and gave it its blue color, making it so beautiful to the eye.
"You seem to have something on your mind, Ryuk?" Morgaine suddenly said as Ryuk turned his attention away to stare at her.
"Your aura is usuallyhighly spirited even though you pretty much keep a poker, uncaring expression all day long. Your aura is usually lively in the end."
"But the same can't be said now. You look too long at simple things, like just now, and you seem deep in thought every time."
"That's very unlike you. There's something wrong..." Morgaine said, her eyebrows furrowed in worry.
Ryuk turned his gaze back to the river, only to have his cheek caught in her arm and turned back to her golden irises.
"Tell me... please." She whispered, and Ryuk inhaled.
"I'll be leaving the academy..." he said, as Morgaine's eyes flashed in confusion.
"Just for some training. I got accepted as an Instructor's intern and have to leave for some personal training."
"Oh, that? I had an Instructor also ask me if I wanted to be a personal intern just a few hours ago..." Morgaine said with a grin, and Ryuk nodded.
"Did you accept?" he asked, and she shook her head.
"I didn't. She's not a Fallen. I don't want an Instructor who is not a Fallen, as only a Fallen can train another Fallen well."
"I will agree, but only if the Instructor is a Fallen too. You get?" she asked, and Ryuk nodded.
"So you've already accepted and are going on training soon. Lucky you." She said, shoving his ribs with her elbow, and Ryuk rolled his eyes.
"So that's why you asked me out for a walk."
"Waaah. Didn't know someone is so addicted to my presence..." Morgaine voiced out cheekily, and Ryuk snorted.
"I won't get addicted to your presence, even in a million years from now!" Ryuk swore, and surprise clouded Morgaine's face—the same for Ryuk.
'Did I just use her line?'
"Hehe. You are..." Morgaine said, laughing evilly, and he rolled his eyes.
"I'll be leaving. I just wanted to tell you to be safe. Hopefully, I don't come back and see you with only one eye left..." Ryuk said, as Morgaine harrumphed.
"I'm still stronger than you, you dickhead. No way I'm losing an eye before you do." Morgaine said with a snort as Ryuk chuckled.
Silence reigned in the place for a while, the only sound to be heard being that of their hair flailing around in the wind.
"You'll come back soon, won't you, Ryuk?" Morgaine whispered quietly. He felt her gaze on him and, looking back at her, responded.
"Good then. I'll be waiting, and also..." Morgaine suddenly said as she closed in on Ryuk and leaned to his ear.
"I have something to tell you once you get back."
She said, and Ryuk's curiosity was piqued.
"Hmm-hmm. You'll only know once you get back. If you want to find out what it is, then get back quicker. Got it?" she asked, and Ryuk shrugged.
"I'm serious, you dickhead!" she said, elbowing him in the ribs as he winced from pain.
"Still so heavy-handed," he mused under his breath, as Morgaine giggled before bouncing away with a mischievous smile.
"See ya soon, Ryuk. Don't keep me waiting for too long..." she said before disappearing completely from Ryuk's gaze.
He stared long at her disappearing figure before turning back to look at the river meandering below the bridge.
'With that settled, nothing holds me back anymore. It's time to meet MadWhite...' Ryuk mused as he turned on his Apex Watch and rapidly tapped on the notification.
{I'll be waiting for you, on top.}
The message came after a bit of typing, and Ryuk rose up and walked away from the bridge, his mind steeled.
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In and Out_SnowySmoos