Seconds went by like hours.
Void's suffering continued much to the dismay of the crew.
Even Tino began to grow weary despite the constant growth he felt after absorbing his essence.
"I think that's enough, Tino," this time Theef stepped up.
Seeing another try to persuade him, Tino snapped back into his angry mood, "Enough? I was just getting started."
He intensified the absorption causing Void to scream out in pain.
"Augh!"
He writhed on the floor in agony as more of his essence was taken.
Theef frowned and stepped closer, "I understand you feel deeply about what Void has done. I myself wasn't able to witness it, but I know Null and have seen Void's growth myself."
"So what? My sister, my crew, and I were slain mercilessly by this monster!"
"Yeah, yeah, I heard you the first time. Who hasn't lost someone dear to them. At least you got to keep your memories. You even reunited with your sister. And once we're done here, you can bet your ass we're gunning for the rest of your crew!"
Tino was taken aback by the openness.
Seeing this, Theef continued, "On the path to greatness, your way of thinking has to conform to new experiences. The one thing that stands out the most is death. The death of your enemies, the death of your loved ones, and your own death."
"Sometimes we can't control death. Sometimes it strikes out of nowhere. But the one thing you can control is what you do about it."
He placed his hand on Tino's shoulder.
Tino shuddered at the touch but remained steeled in his action.
"I'm not going to admonish you for wanting to punish Void for something as complex as death, but do you really think this will make you feel better?"
The glowing veins underneath Tino's skin slowly dimmed.
"Earlier he said he gave me what I wanted. What did he mean by that?"
Theef could not answer the question, so he turned to Null and Ego.
"That's sounds like a question for the old man."
Null nodded as he allowed Ego to enter his mind once more.
Inside his mind, the Creator knew that he was in for another round of questioning.
Ego asked about the meaning behind Void's words and the Creator answered, "Souls are intrinsically bound by karma and both Void and I possessed a certain trait that resonates with it."
The answer did not satisfy Ego enough, so they asked him to elucidate.
"Just like when Null's friends died on my planet, their souls were tied to mine and sent to places aligned to their deepest desires alongside karma. It's something that even I could not control much less Void. As for the retained memories, that must be because of the unnatural method of removing the souls from their bodies."
Null and Ego took this information and shared it with the rest.
Tino had not expected the reveal to be as Void said.
'So, it turns out he wasn't just acting innocent. He really thought nothing of the complications regarding our deaths.'
Immediately, he canceled the effects of his blood, halting Void's suffering and cutting off the essence he absorbed.
'Whatever. Now that I know I can absorb the essence from even something like Void, I can grow more powerful than before.'
After realizing that the pain was over, Void quivered on the floor untrusting of each person in the room.
Null went to comfort the poor kid, but when he reached out to him, Void flinched.
"I-I'm so sorry I didn't help you, Void. Do you understand now why you can't go about doing whatever you like without taking into consideration the consequences to your actions?"
"I never wanted this," Void whimpered.
"I know, buddy. But just know that although you hurt people in the past, you can choose to help people in the future. A little pain is part of the process."
"Does he still hate me," Void asked, clearly indicating Tino.
Null smiled ruefully, "What do you say, Tino? Can you find it within yourself to forgive Void?"
Tino was surprised by how nonchalant Null was being after he did harm to one of his own, 'This guy... it seems like there's some method behind his recklessness. Guess that's why he's got such an amazing crew backing him.'
"We're good. If anything, I should apologize for my actions. I'm sorry, Void. I shouldn't have been so narrowminded considering you didn't know any better."
Void was still vigilant but seemed considerably more at ease.
The rest of the crew all collectively let out sighs of relief after seeing that things were settled.
Suddenly, Tino turned to Theef and asked, "Are you really able to find the rest of my crew? Can we really be together again?"
Theef grinned, "We hadn't prepared for it yet, but yeah. What do you guys think?"
"It's not like we've got anything better to do," Z'oelo said.
"You're just saying that because you've been lazing around. I on the other hand have been working diligently," Klein rebutted.
"If only you two were as talented as Edmond," Barter's Ruler sighed.
"Talent will only fade in time compared to the face of hard work. Even I still have a gap to bridge if I want to reach Enlightenment," Edmond said humbly.
"And here I am with powers taken from another. I wonder why is it that you never explained to me much about the path to Enlightenment," Evangeline said a bit irked.
"It's not like you don't have time, my love. I wanted you to familiarize yourself with your powers first. I only chanced upon Transcendence after talking it out with Barter's Ruler and Theef."
While the two lovers continued their conversation, Null spoke up, "It'll do us good to have you guys with us when we eventually meet with the old members of the crew. They probably feel just as peeved at me and Void for having committed such a blunder."
"Wouldn't blame them. I'll make sure to advocate for you guys though."
Angie agreed, "I just want us to move on and try to work on what we have in our new lives. Tino has his blood powers, and I will focus on witchcraft. It's like Void said, we've been given something extraordinary and it would be foolish to dwell on the past."
She lent a hand to Void, "I forgive you. But forgiveness does not mean I'll forget."
Void took these words to heart, "I almost forgot, but I'll remember the pain. I can't eat friends' souls no matter how tasty."
Angie smiled and so did Tino, 'He really is just a kid.'