Six days would pass after Alex's reunion with his mom.

In the time that passed, nothing really changed or felt different with her arrival.

It was almost like Akari had never left at all to begin with.

As New Year's drew closer and closer, the mother and child had spent a lot of time hanging out around the city catching up with one another on extra and unimportant details that they just found interesting.

Thankfully Rita and Kaitlyn got quickly adjusted to the two new occupants as now the mom and Rita would share chores amongst one another, though Alex was still adamant about paying rent himself despite Akari's insistence that she pay it instead.

Just like they did for his birthday and Christmas, the CPUs would hold another party this time for New Year's at the Lastation Basilicom once again.

Though Alex found three parties in one month a little excessive, he quickly accepted Uni's invitation since he knew what was gonna go down that Nighy.

The fated showdown with his father.

Naturally, his mom would question him if he stepped out extremely late had he stayed home so Alex decided to use the CPU's party as a way to sneak out to the slums as he'd head there after the party was over.

After he had accepted the invite, Alex quickly called his mom to inform her about the party.

Though upset, she was fine with it as long as he promised to be back before midnight to see the fireworks with her.

The boy agreed and promised even though he knew he more than likely wasn't gonna be able to see them this year.

Eventually, the fated day would come as today was the thirty-first of December.

Alex would spend a majority of the morning and afternoon with his mom and Rita as he helped the two run some errands as they planned to make a nice dinner for the occassion.

After returning to the apartment and putting the stuff away, sunset had arrived as Alex began to make his way over to the Basilicom.

He made his way up to the living room and from there he'd spent the rest of the night as truthfully nothing was much different for this party compared to the last two.

Everyone was there as well as Kunsil too.

Currently, Alex was sitting on the couch alongside Uni as he checked the time on his phone.

It read, "11:00 P.M."

He felt like now was the right time as he got up from the couch.

"Sorry Uni but I better get going." He said.

"Hm? Why?" She asked.

"I promised my mom I'd get back home before midnight. She really wants me to watch the fireworks with her."

"Okay but, there's still a whole hour left."

"U-Um, better to be safer than sorry r-right?" Asked Alex in a nervous tone as he hoped Uni wouldn't question him any further.

Thankfully the Candidate just sighed, seemingly believing his excuse.

"Oh alright." She said, getting up and kissing Alex on the cheek. "Happy New Year."

"Happy New Year to you too Uni."

The couple shared a quick hug before Alex entered the elevator, going down to the ground floor as he walked out of the Basilicom, entering a nearby alleyway as he rummaged through a duffel bag he had left there before the party started.

He'd pull out a black coat which he put on and lastly, pulled out his sword as he hooked it onto his back.

Alex would have one last sigh, contemplating and thinking in his head just what was about to happen.

'No turning back now. Time to finish what I started.' He thought to himself as he walked out of the alleyway, approaching and getting on his bike as he drove off.

During the drive, Alex received a phone call from his Uncle Roy as the Alchemist checked up on the boy one last time, making sure that he knew what he was getting himself into.

The boy would reassure Roy that he'd pull this off and once again insisted he not tell Akari with Roy promising that he wouldn't.

After the call was over, Alex eventually would arrive and park the motorcycle in front of gates to the slums.

As he was getting off of the vehicle, he heard something land in front of him as Alex turned and looked ahead to see a cloaked figure.

"I had a feeling you'd be here." Said the figure.

Alex saw the figure lower their hood as the boy saw someone familiar.

"Kunsil."

The two stared at each other for a moment, not speaking a word until Alex would break the ice.

"Why're you here? Why'd you follow me?" He asked.

"Come on kid be serious. You left an hour before midnight. Even if your mom had you promise to be back before then, I doubt that deadline was that early."

"Y-You were eavesdropping!?"

"More like I was on the other side of the living room but that's besides the point. You may have been able to convince Uni, but I knew right away something was up. After you entered the elevator, he went to the balcony and once you took off, I shapeshifted intro a crow and followed you." Explained Kunsil.

"Damn. Well, figures as much. Would've been too easy if I got here undetected." Said the boy as he had a small chuckle.

"I have a faint idea of why you're here but I'd like a confirmation from you so tell me kid, why're you here?" He asked.

Alex took a moment to consider this as he really wanted no one else aside from Roy and Riza to know about this.

"If I tell you, do you promise not to tell anyone?"

"I can sense that this is a really personal matter to you so I swear I won't tell anyone. You have my word."

"Good."

Alex then took a deep breathe before explaining.

"Remember how I had killed everyone here during the massacre, parents included? Well, turns out that I didn't finish the job after all. Both are still alive. I reunited with my mom on Christmas. She explained that she survived by having a close friend of her's cauterize her wound. As for my father, I wound up running into him here at the slums a week ago. While I don't know how he survived, that's the least of my concerns. He challenged me to a fight on New Year's. Wants me to finish what I started."

After Alex finished his explanation, Kunsil kept quiet for a moment to ponder this over.

"I see. That must be a rough situation. Listen kid. Though I never knew my father, I understand the pain of killing a family member. I know where you're coming from. I get how you feel but, you have so many people that are willing to help. Myself included. Think this through kid. Do you HAVE to do this on your own?"

Alex remained silent for a while before seemingly finding an answer.

"You know what Kunsil? You're right. I don't have to do this on my own. I NEED to. I understand and appreciate your concern, really I am. It means a lot to me. However, this is all happening because of what I did six years ago. It was a long time coming, but fate has finally decided to pay me back one by having my father show up. Regardless, I'm not fazed in the slightest."

Alex then stared right at Kunsil as he held a fist out at him.

"I will finish what I started. I'll finish the story." He said in a determined tone.

Kunsil simply stared at the gesture before he chuckled and held a fist out himself as they fistbumped.

"Honesty, you're way too headstrong for your age." He said before walking beside Alex as he patted him on the shoulder. "Good luck."

That was the last thing he'd say as Kunsil would shapeshift back into a crow, flying away as Alex stared for a bit before turning back around for a smile.

'Thank you Kunsil. You helped me find the last bit of confidence I needed.'

Alex then approached tall wooden doors, placing a hand on it as they slowly creaked open.

'Get ready old man.'

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Chapter 19: Complete