(Writer's Note before we begin: This chapter will only have 5 parts rather than 10.)

(TRIGGER WARNING!!: This chapter contains very upsetting topics that may be triggering to some, such as self-harm, suicide, mentions of murder, etc. With this out of the way, let's get on with the story <3)

Part 1: August

When everyone met up in the morning, minus Azrael and Forrest, who chose to stay uninvolved, they discussed their plan.

"So, Hecate, you've got your sword, right?" August asked.

"Yep, sharpened and ready for the interrogation," Hecate unsheathed the shiny, detailed sword.

"Promise me you won't... actually hurt him?" Bel requested. 

"I won't unless he retaliates."

Bel seemed a little worried about this.

"Why are you so worried about it anyway?" August asked, "you're the one that told us he was hiding something."

"... Don't worry about it," Bel sighed.

He dropped it immediately. Instead, they continued going over their plan before heading to Sam's house...

...

Part 2: Sam

When Sam opened his door, he never would have expected the situation he was in now.

Ophelia had him held by his wrists like a puppet and she'd forced him onto his knees (not like that ya nasty). Hecate had her sword at his throat. Lucien was digging through his things. He could see Bel mouthing 'I'm sorry'.

When Lucien came to the ender chest, he was confused as to why there was nothing inside of it.

"Is this shit just for decoration, or-?" Lucien asked.

"It's an ender chest," Sam explained, "You can only access what you put inside... Only I can get what you want from me."

"Well then, why don't you get it for me?" Lucien signaled for Ophelia to release Sam.

"... Yes, sir."

Sam dug everything out of the ender chest without hesitation. His notebook, the bottles of the remedy, the recipe... those pictures... everything. Ophelia grabbed him again when he'd pulled everything out.

"... What's in the bottles, Sam?" Lucien asked.

"I-I..." Sam lowered his head.

"WHAT'S IN THE DAMN BOTTLES!?" 

"I-It's the remedy..."

"And you didn't tell me about it!?"

"Wait!" Joselyn interrupted, "Bel was drinking the blood from those same bottles!"

"Okay, look-!" Sam winced, "I gave Bel that blood so that he wouldn't starve when animal blood stopped filling him up!"

"Bel, you told us it was animal blood!" Joselyn yelled.

"I didn't want to scare you!" Bel insisted.

While they were arguing, Sam noticed Lucien reading through his notebook.

"Wait..." Lucien interrupted, "Sam, what do you mean you feel guilty when you're around Lilith?"

Sam couldn't even answer before Lilith yelled, "did you fucking kill me!?"

"Lils..." He tried to speak.

"Stop fucking calling me that!"

"Okay... Lilith... Look, it was an accident!" Sam winced.

"Bullshit!"

Sam knew it was no use and just stopped arguing. Lilith, however, wasn't done. She reached over, firmly grabbed Sam's right horn, and pulled on it... and it snapped easily. Sam somehow forced himself not to scream, just let tears flood his eyes as the thick purple liquid that was his blood run out of the wound. Bel immediately grabbed Lilith and forced her away from Sam.

Lucien, shocked, continued, "this paper... it's the recipe for the remedy, huh?" Sam nodded. "And... Sam, these pictures? Are they your victims!?"

"No-..!" Sam sobbed, that sizzling sound could be heard as usual, "they're me and my family... or at least what used to be my family."

"What does that mean? Did you kill them?"

"No... They were killed when I was taken."

"... Sam..." Joselyn stared, shocked. 

"... Just fucking kill me."

"NO-!" Bel cried out.

"What..?" Hecate stared, lowering her sword.

"Please... I'm the problem. Everyone wants me dead... especially Lilith..." Sam sniffled, looking at Lilith.

"Not everyone, Sam..." Bel smiled, his eyes filled with tears. 

Ophelia released Sam and Hecate sheathed her sword.

"We're leaving, come on," Ophelia instructed, leading everyone out. Lucien only took a few things, the recipe for the remedy and a few bottles of the remedy itself.

Before he left, Bel looked back and whispered, "I'll be back..."

Then, Sam was alone.

He didn't bother putting anything away, just set it all on top of his desk. He then sat there, scribbling out a note, folding it, addressing it, and setting it on his nightstand before crawling into bed...

... The Next Day...

Part 3: Joselyn

As Joselyn made her way to the library the next morning, she walked past Sam's house as usual. Something caught her eye, though...

Sam's door was wide open. It was never left open. Even if they'd left it open when they left last night, he would have gone back and closed it. 

She went inside and peered in Sam's room... She stared for a few seconds, then bolted out towards Bel's house...

...

Part 4: Belial

Bel was startled awake by Joselyn pounding on his door. He wasn't expecting her to look so panicked when he opened the door.

"Joselyn? What-" He started.

"It's Sam! You need to get over there NOW!" Joselyn explained. This immediately alarmed Bel. He ran past Joselyn, sprinting towards Sam's house.

When he arrived and saw what happened... He froze.

"Sam..?"

Sam laid on the floor... His wrists were slit and he was covered in his dark purple blood.

"S-Sam-!"

Bel rushed over to Sam. He scooped him up in his arms.

"No-! No, no, no-! SAM!"

Bel's eyes flooded with tears as he held Sam's lifeless body close to his chest. He could tell Sam had been crying in his final moments...

Bel noticed a folded piece of paper on Sam's nightstand. He picked it up and noticed it was addressed to him. He unfolded it and read it.

Dear Belial,

I want to start off by saying I'm sorry. I know you didn't want this for me, but I couldn't bear the thought of Westburn getting any worse in my hands, under my power. Lilith wanted me dead for killing her, and I hope that with me gone, she has the courage to move on. In all honesty, I'm giving most of Westburn what they want.

This note serves another purpose, however. There are people just outside of, and within, the woods for you to hunt for when you run out of blood... Unless Joselyn and Hecate are willing to let you have a bite every once in a while.I also would like you to take my belongings. You are the only one I truly trust with all of it, but if you don't want the bookshelf, I'm sure Joselyn wouldn't mind a donation. Please, though, take my rings and scarf especially.

I also want to let you know there is a basement in my house, which contains a majority of the things I would especially like you to have. The door is behind that bookshelf I mentioned.

I also want you to let Lucien know where to find the ingredients for the remedy; the Nether. Do warn him about the creatures that reside there. I'm sure August has a book on them. Also, please tell Lucien that I wish him, and everyone involved, luck on lifting the curse. I hope that someday, when the curse is lifted, Westburn will gain many new residents after the deaths of not only me, but Hecate's father as well.

Sincerely,

Your beloved Sam. 

Bel smiled, holding Sam close. He took Sam's rings, scarf, and compass off of him.

He then stood, Sam in his arms, carrying him to the burial site...

...

Part 5: Epilogue

Over the next few days, Bel had buried Sam and collected all of Sam's belongings. He donated that bookshelf to the library as Sam had suggested.

When Lilith had heard about Sam's death, she felt that she was able to move on, just as Sam had hoped... with the exception of visiting every once in a while. 

Within the next few months, Lucien had been able to lift the curse with the help of the others. Afterwards, Lucien moved onto studying the creatures residing in other realms. As well as this, just as Sam had wanted, new residents began moving into Westburn. 

As for Bel... His casino began a very popular spot in town, and rather than having to remove some of his tables, he was able to add onto the building, adding that bar he'd wanted, thanks to a new carpenter moving into town.

Additionally, Bel was elected to be the new Westburn mayor in his partner's place. This, of course, didn't stop him from visiting Sam's grave on occasion.

Finally, Westburn lived in peace for the first time in years... with Sam still watching over everyone.

~THE END~

... Or is it?

End Note:

Thank you to everyone who has been supporting Remembrance along it's journey of being written (shoutout to my online family and Aspen <3). Now, for the reason behind that final message. I have been thinking as I was writing this final chapter, and I've thought about writing a sequel. There are no promises, but it is a possibility. In addition to that, there is cosplays, art, and even potentially gacha content coming soon. Again, before I go, thank you, the reader, for supporting my writing. 

Goodbye my loves <3... for now.

In the wise words of William Afton,

I always come back.