The Supernatural Department of Exorcists is a massive 150-volume series with a trashy, tragic ending. Many thought it would have adventure, magic, mystery, and so much more, yet it seems the author decided to use his widely popular literature to dive into self-indulgence and messy writing. The only things that you could say were good about the story were the main character, some of the action scenes, and the world he'd put so much effort into. A lost cause in today's literature, where making a quick buck was the heart of the story.

The story took place in a world so different from Earth. It was split into three realms: the high heavens, the mortal realm, and the demon realm. It took place mostly in the mortal realm surrounding the protagonist, Damian, a newly awakened exorcist. It follows him as he learns about demons and ghosts, gods and mortals, and eventually the truth of his origin. He awakens to his heavenly demonic blood in the tenth volume, where he is forced to enter the void. And after that, the writing becomes shabby, with more sex scenes than you can count, and a revenge plot that sounded like a B-movie. Only for him to stand alone in the heavenly realm after taking his revenge, alone at the top of the world. A fate fitting no one.

Rei sighed, shaking his head, turning the final page of the last volume. A complete mess, as they say. His heavy eyes filled with sadness. He felt the pain and bitter emptiness the protagonist was sure to feel.

The story left the protagonist atop his world, in the gods' domain. Behind him were the many women and men he tied his soul to. All his enemies died in horrific ways, his ruthless eyes still yearning for another fight. What should feel like a perfectly well-thought-out ending felt more like a rush job. The protagonist did not finish his journey alone, but he sat there alone. None of his soulmates could make it here, neither tied to the gods nor powerful enough to pass the barrier. A truly lonely god who lost sight of himself long ago. Only a trail of pain, deceit, and destruction remains in his wake.

Did the author truly want a sad and tragic ending? Was this really the story they wanted to write? Where did the author end up? Do they feel guilt for disappointing their fans? Did they even have fans to disappoint? Yes, Rei himself was a fan, but how many fans actually existed still?

The door opened softly as a young nurse came into the room. Her warm eyes greeted him.

"Rei, I've brought your medicine," the kind nurse said with soft, warm eyes that glistened in the light. "Your family didn't come again." She looked sad, but Rei gave her a soft smile, at least as much of one as he could muster. He'd been getting more tired lately, and he knew his time wouldn't last much longer.

He leaned back against his pillow and watched her move about. His nurse was kind and gentle, with short blue-almost white hair. Her eyes glistened with stars, making her ethereal. He wondered if she was wearing special contacts. No one would have eyes like that with normal genetics. Though he didn't want to pry, her eyes always made him feel light and calm; it didn't matter if they were false skies or not.

"They haven't visited in a year, though they did indulge me on my curiosity again. Too bad there are no more volumes. This was the worst ending that could exist. Damian, the lonely Demon God, Emperor of the three realms, surrounded by many, yet so alone at the top of the world. He gave him a harem of so many, yet chose to let the protagonist face the end alone. There's too much cruelty," Rei said with a chuckle and shaking his head. "To give your main character such a sad ending makes you wonder if they even liked them to begin with."

She looked over at the book he'd just read. "Ah, it's that one. You've read a lot of different things; I can see why it was terrible for you. I heard that author got the award for creating the trashiest piece of fiction to exist, then disappeared. He must be feeling real proud of himself for this one?" she sighed, holding her hand to her cheek. Though there is some to blame with the way the world was now. To view someone solely on what they produced reduces the real problem to just one person.

Rei chuckled, "I think he went into hiding after getting that embarrassing award. Other authors feel embarrassed to be in the same field as him. Truly, it should have stopped at volume 10, maybe 11, but 150." Rei shook his head and sighed before looking up at the ceiling. "For so long, I really hoped that the protagonist would get a happy ending. This was not what I expected."

The caretaker stepped forward and placed a hand on the bed. "It was merely fluff and sex scenes for so many volumes now. What was he thinking? To put so much effort into writing so many volumes, so many adventures, and leave it as a lonely ending? You have a kind heart for merely a fictional character," the caretaker said.

Rei looked at her with a smile. "I like characters who try their hardest and get that happy ending they deserve. Damian began his life losing his mother; he made such great friends in the supernatural department, only to lose them to plot devices. He is captured and labeled a traitor for being part demon. Then pushed into the void, only to return and learn that the ones he considered family were gone. He used his new powers to exact revenge and take over the mortal realm, the demon realm, and eventually he planned to take over the gods' realm. Only, no gods remained, and he sat alone, stewing in his own revenge that would never come true. A bleakness I hate in my own life."

The caretaker gave a soft laugh. "Do you see yourself in the main character then?"

Rei shook his head. "No, I'm nothing like the protagonist. I've long since accepted my life the way it is, and I accept the death that is coming too quickly. This illness of mine at least allowed me to enjoy so many stories, including this one."

No, Rei could never imagine himself as a protagonist or main character. Once you stop believing your life holds meaning, that stops you from fighting or holding onto hope; you no longer have a right to be the main character. A true protagonist takes on all their trials and tribulations knowing that they won't be defeated here. Someone as strong as the heroes in his books; he could never become like them. He doesn't have the mindset or will to keep moving forward. And worse, he accepts this part of himself so easily.

She laughed, breaking him out of his thoughts. "Despite your complaints, you still loved reading it, huh? That final volume just couldn't escape that author's trashy taste, though. At least every other chapter before the final one had a raunchy scene in it."

"Yep, this volume, I couldn't get two chapters without a horny subplot and sex scene. You'd think that a supernatural story like this wouldn't be that derogatory, but here we are," Rei sighed.

The nurse chuckled too. "What would you have wanted?" she asked.

Rei thought for a moment, tapping his chin. "I don't mind romance as a subplot, but this is basically erotica. Focus on the other characters more; so many got a glimpse of who they are but never delved into. One of the minor early antagonists, Aalto Raine, later obtains the family title and clan. His path was set when his baby brother and mother were killed. Never elaborated on, mind you, what a true pity for such a promising world, what a tragic ending for one of the protagonist's best friends." Rei nodded, feeling a profound depth in the world and its side characters.

"You should be a writer," the nurse said, with no malice nor sadness in her voice.

Rei smiled with a shrug of his shoulders. "If only. I'd never get to see it through, though. Heh, maybe I'd end up in a world like this? I'd live out a long life with a world of magic and mystery, and I could be as far away from the main story as I could." He joked.

The nurse smiled softly as she finished putting the medicine in the IV. "Aren't there stories about that too? Going to another world, your soul carried forward to imagination and fantasy? To live a brand new life without sickness. Wouldn't you want to change the fate of the others? Become an important piece of the story? Wouldn't you want to live out a fantastical life you could manipulate?"

Rei chuckled. "Fantasy, imagination, free of illness. What would I give to make that come true? If I could end up in this world, I'd want to change all of their fates. I'd use anything at my disposal to make sure they had a truly happy ending."

'I'd go as far as to use my new found life so they would never experience unhappiness,' he thought as his eyes grew heavier.

The caretaker gave a soft sigh.

"Heh, you and I have been here quite a bit. It's been nice talking about these things with you. It's been less lonely because of that. Are you sure my family didn't hire you? I know they care a lot, but seeing me in this state must hurt them the most. No cure, just the realization that I won't be here one day. That's got to hurt. I'd rather they focus on my elder brother and younger sister. I don't want them to feel sad or regret not doing much. I got unlucky; that's just how life is. But others don't need to be dragged down by this illness either. I've been happy regardless," Rei said with a smile as he felt his eyes grow heavier and heavier.

"What kind of life would you want to live?" Her voice faded; the sounds of the machines grew quieter. Breathing became harder.

Quiet.

'Oh, did it finally happen? Have I finally come to the end?' he thought when he felt a strange warmth turn to cold.

He opened his eyes.

A fireplace was burning with golds and yellows. It felt hot, too hot.

Then he stared up at a lovely woman with snow colored hair and deep blue eyes filled with stars, as if he was looking at the night sky. A familiarity he could not place.

"Good morning, my dear little one." Her voice was soft and felt so warm.

...

The scent of frost and snow, with a light warmth underneath it. The world was blurry with the exception of the woman in front of him. She was clear, her long white hair sticking to the sides of her face from sweat. Her starry night sky eyes were happy and tired.

"Hello, my sweet child, you've finally made it," she said with exhaustion and pride.

He heard the door open, and soft footsteps came forward.

The young boy looked over the cradle and peered in to see his young brother. His emotions were clear in his eyes, but his face was as stiff as a board. Rei recognized this boy.

This boy had dark blue hair, deep blue eyes, and a galaxy of stars in his eyes too. He shared core traits of the one demon that was feared early on in the book. This was a much younger version, but he was Aalto Raine, the one who'd become an antagonist early on. The one who ended his own life to save the protagonist from killing his dearest friend. A character that Rei wanted more of, that Rei wanted to live for the sake of the protagonist. A friendship that would have helped keep Damian from being lonely.

Rei felt himself reach out, and a gasp left Aalto's lips. "Oh, look, he likes you," their Mother said, picking him up and handing him to his big brother. Rei snuggled into his chest, his scent that of a cold night in winter with a touch of mint.

Aalto held Rei close.

"I...will protect you," Aalto said softly, and Rei felt his weary eyes grow heavy.

'Big brother is a gentle soul,' he could tell even when he read the book. Aalto Raine was forced to become the heir and gained an overwhelming amount of power. He made friends with the supernatural department, and his kind heart was ripped to shreds because of the station he inherited. But since Rei was here, he thought, 'I will make sure big brother won't have to fight and harm his gentle heart.'

'I will protect you.' And he drifted off to sleep.