Villain Retirement

Wrath.

Anger.

Rage.

All at the same time, creating an orchestra of… nothing– of absolutely nothing. One would think that Empress would feel disgust, but no. She just felt…

…absolutely nothing.

Perhaps it was shock? Perhaps she was flabbergasted to the point that her mind completely shut down?

After all, how could one… how could one even repay their savior like this?

For three hundred years; and probably even more than that undocumented, Megawoman has strived and fought for the lives of the innocent– she fought for Earth. She fought for the people without even asking for anything in return.

And when the time came that the people started to doubt her, she gave a weapon that could potentially stop her to the people, to the Hope Guild. Of course, as the current leader of the Hope Guild, Empress completely hid and disallowed the use of the Pillars against Megawoman no matter what.

Because even more than the Hope Guild… Megawoman was true hope.

And yet right now… her head was floating inside some large transparent capsule– her spine, connected to all sorts of tubes that led to other smaller capsules; capsules that contained her organs.

Empress could only stare.

Humanity's greatest sin.

The man that seemed to be handling this facility was right, this is humanity's greatest sin. How could they repay their savior like this?

How…

Just… how?

"How… do we pull her out?"-- were the only words that came out of Empress's mouth as she slowly approached the capsule that confined Megawoman, "Is… it safe?"

"I…" The man could only close his eyes as he looked to the side,

"I'll get her out," he then said as he approached the console that was on the side of the somewhat dimly lit room.

"Don't try anything funny," Empress then warned, "I'm not in the mood to deal with anything right now."

"N… no," the man took in a small gulp as he started pressing some things on the console; and immediately as he did so, the tubes that were injected into Megawoman's spinal cord started to detach themselves– and immediately, blood and flesh started to grow and form from it.

"You… should have just killed her," Empress then whispered as Riley stood beside her, "And now she's going to wake up knowing the humanity she protected… did this to her. And just like her, she is going to forgive us. You… should have just killed her."

"..." Riley did not answer Empress, and instead just placed his hand on the capsule; his eyes, somewhat somber as he stared at Megawoman's face.

"Can she hear us?" Riley then glanced at the man, who immediately answered that he didn't know.

"It… would be better if she didn't," Empress sighed.

"Megawoman– No, Aerith," Riley, on the other hand, once again stared at Megawoman's face, "Even like this, I want you to know that you are still the most beautiful creature on this planet– and perhaps in the entire universe."

"..." Empress could only step back as she heard Riley's words; the expression on her face, unable to decide on what it should be.

"I am sorry, Aerith," Riley continued; this time placing his forehead on the capsule, "If I knew that these people would treat you like this, I would have never given you back to them. I should have taken care of you instead– we could have just left."

"..." What is he saying? Empress sighed.

"Aerith…

…I love you."

"!!!"

Empress, who was feeling absolutely nothing just now, almost choked in her own breath as she heard Riley's words. Is… Is she hearing his words right? Did Riley just say what she thinks he said?

And the expression on Riley's face… although it was subtle, it almost looked as if… he was crying? There weren't any tears, of course. But if one as expressionless as Riley changes his face, one would easily be able to notice it.

Riley Ross… truly is insane.

"How long until this is done?" Empress then decided to ignore Riley as she approached the man.

"Just a few more seconds," the man said, before letting out a short but very deep sigh as he pressed the largest button on the console. And as soon as he did so, the water inside the capsule started to drain– slowly and very gently allowing Megawoman's head and spine to rest.

And as soon as the water was gone, the capsule started to slide open– the smell, almost causing Empress to gag.

As for Riley who was directly in front of the capsule… he just immediately went to soft brush Megawoman's cheek, before gently lifting her head up– making sure that her spine which was recovering their flesh and nerves did not twist as he cradled her on the floor ever so tenderly.

He did not even use his powers– his skin, and clothes, for the very first time, adorned with blood. His face which was always clear and white, now marked with slime and blood as he embraced Megawoman's regenerating body.

And with Megawoman's veins spawning from her spine, it almost looked as if she was wrapping around Riley's body– no, it almost looked as if she was embracing her back. This kind of sight, Empress would have never thought in a million years that she would witness something like this.

The world's most heinous and evilest creature, gently embracing the world's greatest savior.

Poetic– almost as if the painting of the end of the world was being sketched in front of her.

And soon, perhaps a minute– Megawoman's body completely recovered.

And then, another minute for her breaths to once again whisper from her lips.

Her eyes, however, remain closed.

"..." Riley's outfit then soon stretched towards Megawoman almost like slime; leaving Riley with only his pants and Megawoman slightly covered.

"Let's go, Empress."

"..." Empress only nodded her head as Riley started to float up– and as soon as he reached the ceiling, it just… made way for them. Empress then followed, leaving the man alone.

And soon, the room– No, the entire facility started to tremble.

The man, however, only closed his eyes; not even opening them as the walls and ceiling started to crush him whole.

As for Empress and Riley, they were now currently on the surface– surrounded by almost hundreds of people.

"I thought you've cut all communications to the outside, Whiteking," Empress whispered.

[I did. Whoever they are, they were probably in the area. I can't really see what's happening since the sky is covered in dark clouds.]

"Give it up!"

The sounds of helicopters then started to whisper and patter in the air as several voices asked Riley and Empress to stand down and surrender.

"...Fucking government," Empress was about to step forward, but before she could do so, Riley blocked her path.

"What–"

"Please take care of her," Riley breathed out as he suddenly but gently handed Megawoman to Empress.

"What… are you going to do?"

"Your plan is done now, Miss Empress," Riley then whispered as the ground beneath them started to tremble, "Now it's my turn."

"Are you… you're not wearing your helmet anymore," Empress whispered, "They will know who you are."

"I am wearing a mask, Miss Empress," Riley breathed out as his feet started to leave the ground, "And they don't know who I really am…"

And soon, the tone of Riley's voice changed.

Wrath.

Anger.

Rage.

Empress could feel all of these coming from Riley's trembling voice,

"They don't know who I really am…" Riley repeated,

"...But they will now."