Digitize: Rebirth of the Silver Death God

This room was a well-kept one, filled with a variety of roses that gave off a soothing scent, such that it could calm the mind of any who ventured into its domain. The windows were cracked, causing the curtains to sway as a chilly wind blew from the room interior's rainy weather.

'These roses, I've heard that they are quite good for the benefits of one's mind and spirit, it seems that the rumor holds true,' Nero thought as he felt that his Spiritual Awareness was a notch sharper than usual.

After thinking such thoughts, his eye shifted from the roses by passing a series of medical instruments onto what seemed like a mechanical glass chamber with blue liquid.

Within this chamber, he saw his unconscious mother with a respiratory mask over her mouth, her long silver hair floating above her head as her eyes were closed. At every second, he would hear her heartbeat on a Holter monitor, showing that for now, she was still alive and well.

"Mother, I've come to visit," Nero said as he walked over and sat down on a nearby chair, positioned at her side.

Nero remained silent for a moment before placing his palm onto the glass, feeling a tinge of coldness from its surface.

"Mother, it must have been hard trying to keep that curse within you at bay for such a long time, but for my sake, you rejected any idea of getting some kind of treatment knowing full well of the outcome. I can't imagine what kind of pain you've been going through for the entirety of my life."

Nero said while staring at her for a good while with slightly reddish eyes, but soon, they turned sharper as they carried a cruel gleam when he spoke again.

"Mother, fear not, I shall do my very best, no matter how long it takes, or even if in the end I still failed to save you, I will do whatever it takes to find that treasure and make things right again. Your enemies will also fall to my hands, so, for now, please rest easy, and hear my stories."

Nero then made a warm smile after saying those words as he started to speak about many things as he slowly passed the time.

***

Within a private sector of the Fortune Medical Center, was a large door closed off with two sturdy-looking men in black suits standing before it in silence. They both ensured that no one would even venture a meter close to the doorway, but soon, their eyes flickered as they noticed the arrival of a blond Asian youth.

Ryo walked up to the guards and held out a token with a symbol of the UEG, the guards seeing this then quickly made way as they bowed and spoke in unison.

"Welcome, Young Master Kojima."

After hearing their words, Ryo walked through the door, entering a clean looking hallway that led towards a far-off room. He moved steadily through the path across a simple carpet with many pictures hosted onto the walls.

He soon arrived before the door at the very end of the hallway, but as he reached his hand forward, he hesitated a bit before he gripped it and turned and doorknob.

After a creaking noise, the door opened as the scene within was revealed. It was a circular space with a simple looking desk in the shape of an arc and a leather chair.

Behind these objects was a large window by which a solitary figure stood in silence; he wore a simple coat with a hat over his black hair as he gazed out into the distance through his shades with a set of sharp-looking eyes.

At this moment, Ryo's eyes fixed towards a man whose back was turned, staring at him silently for a good while, neither of them spoke as if they didn't need any words.

After a long while of silence, Ryo finally turned around a walked away while speaking, 'I'm headed out."

Not long after, the door behind the man closed once more, but when this occurred, the man finally spoke, 'Cheeky boy, he's certain inherited everything from that mother of his, from her attitude, to even her name...'

Grail said as he shook his head and glanced at a small pendant in his hand, he saw the images of a blond-haired woman along with an even younger Ryo. He shook his head and placed it away while gazing into the gloomy sky, shrouded by thunderclouds.

'They did take more from us than we could from them, but soon, very soon we'll all be able to pay them back...'

Grail thought with a cruel look on his face, his eyes having a bloodthirsty ray which flashed before returning to normal, his figure once again carrying a solitary air as he peered through the window at the stormy scene.

***

After a long time, Nero finished recounting his experiences with his mother. Having realized that time was getting dark, he gave his mother a warm look before saying goodbye and leaving the room.

Nero wasn't feeling such a good mood, for even though he poured his heart out to his mother, he felt a bit empty on the inside, she was no longer there to eat his dinner, nor would she be there to cheer him on for school, or make witty comments.

At this time, Nero finally realized that other than his mother, he had no one to truly rely on, filling him with a heavy feeling of loneliness.

After leaving the hospital, Nero wandered about with his umbrella sheltering himself from the rain in an empty area; the time grew dark as the street lanterns were already lit, adding bits of color to his now gloomy world.

Ryo watched this from a distance and sighed, he was about to walk over, but as if he noticed something, he made a curious look before turning and walking away.

Elly had only just finished her visit to Kara; she had a happy smile on her face as she had never enjoyed herself in another's company in a long time; for the first time in her life, she truly felt what it was like to have people that she call friends.

Screwgelman smiled as he walked behind her while thinking, 'It was a good thing that the young lady visited this hospital. I'm proud that she could make such friends. I suppose that now, the Madame should be able to put her worries—'

Screwgelman was about to think something, but he soon noticed that Elly had halted, her attention now cast onto a distant and lonely figure of a youth. A handsome young boy with silver hair and deep red eyes staring off into the distance pondering the unknown.

'This isn't good, such makings, this child is certain to be a lady killer, I have to try and—' Screwgelman was about to take action, but suddenly, Elly looked at him and spoke.

"Uncle, I'll be checking on a classmate. Can you please wait for me in the car?"

"Eh? I, well," Screwgelman said, he hesitated a bit but as he saw her large round watery eyes that looked at him hopefully. He couldn't help but sigh as he replied with a nod, "I understand, hurry back soon, young lady."

"Yay, uncle is the best," Elly said as she hugged Screwgelman's waist before running over towards Nero's direction.

'The Madame is certain to grow angry at this news, looks like I'll be in for it again,' Screwgelman thought as he looked at this and shook his head, before turning around and walking to the car.

By this time, Elly had arrived right under Nero's nose, who seemed way too distracted to even notice her. Elly stared up at him with a curious look on her face, noticing the sad look in his eyes.

As if she felt his sadness, Elly showed a worried look as she thought to herself, 'What's wrong with him? He's never acted like this before; did he lose someone important?'

She pondered, assuming this to be the only logical fact due to him suddenly appearing at the hospital. Elly stared at his face once more and bit her lips as if making a hard choice; she then spoke inwardly, 'This cheap fellow, I'll allow you this advantage only once.'

After thinking such thoughts, Elly then did an unthinkable act, wrapping her arms around his waist as she placed her head against his chest; due to her small stature, it almost seemed like a hug from an adorable little sister to her elder brother.

A few passersby couldn't help but look at this with warm and gentle looks as they spoke.

"Awww so cute, what an adorable brother and sister pair."

"I know, right, I'm taking a picture for reference."

"If only my kids were like that, all they want to do is fight and play games."

After the various individuals expressed their thoughts, they went about their business, leaving behind the duo. Nero, the target of this exchange, felt a feeling he never had before, the soft and supple body of a young girl holding him tightly, stirring his senses and spirit, pulling him away from depression.

'This... wh-what the hell? Elly?' Nero thought in alarm, as he looked down at the little beauty that held onto him with a squeeze, his arms trembling as his mouth opened wide, unable to say a word.

As if sensing his state of mind, Elly blushed a bit when she heard his racing heartbeat, she lifted her head and looked at him with a cheeky smile as she spoke, "Hey, I've given you an advantage, so no more acting like some sad bloke, you hear me?"

When Nero heard those words, his heartfelt warm, he knew what might have happened just by hearing those words, and as such, the look he gave Elly had transformed entirely. A look that any normal man should have when faced with a beauty in arms. It caused Elly to gulp as felt that this transformation was destined to bring out strange changes...