Return of the Fallen Volume 10 Chapter 29
A man above all. A man who could conjure his own riches and had the strength to crush everything around him. Friends and loved ones. Knowledge far beyond his years, yet in the end he found little comfort as something constantly itched in the back of his mind. Revenge! It was nearly all-consuming, and he realized it but even if one realizes the path they’re on, it doesn’t necessarily mean they can step off. Even though he knows this, even though killing a God is something he can not do, he must do it anyway.
*RAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!*
Once more, the frustration got the better of Kazuki as he roared out with everything inside. His ki and aura blocked nearly all of his shout before the barrier around him wavered and trembled before breaking. Kazuki cut his roar short, stabilized his surroundings, and only felt more frustrated.
(I can’t leave it unfinished…I just can’t. I have to kill Sephra or my mind will never ease, and those fallen will never rest. How though? How can I kill a god? I don’t even know how to become a Demigod and yet I wish to kill a God…Am I insane?)
As Kazuki’s mind spiraled down a dark path, a small rift opened beside him, and out stepped Alutra. She could clearly sense Kazuki and appeared next to him. She gently placed a hand on his shoulder and spoke directly into his mind.
(Kazuki, is this about Sephra? If I can help you…)
Alutra hesitated to finish her words. She did not know much about Kazuki, no she knew from his memories that her father had exposed, but she did not know Kazuki on a personal level. Still, even without knowing him personally, she could see something in him—something clear and solid. Something that made her lean toward him subconsciously. She changed the topic.
(Kazuki, you helped me. Because of you, father finally set me free. I think you did this because I tried to protect you from father but my reasoning was more selfish than you think.)
Kazuki said nothing but gave a curious glance.
(You see, when I first saw your face when Uncle Daisius summoned you and Fera to the Higher Realm, I was shocked. You look so much like your father, like big brother; it’s almost scary. The only difference I can really see is the eyes; you must have gotten those from your mother. The moment I walked in and looked at you, I for the first time in forever thought about big brother. Then, when I saw what you went through, it once again made me remember Big Brother and what he experienced. You and your father are so similar.)
As the two were floating along in space, Alutra grabbed Kazuki’s hand and held it softly with both of hers.
(Big Brother had to make a choice that changed everything. The day he chose to marry a mortal, to be with your mother and have you, it was then that your father was cut off from the family. It was this choice of his that led him to his sad end, but I know Big Brother, me and brother Lin both know and understood how Big Brother thought. He was kind and determined and his heart was as big as these stars. If he were still here today, I have no doubt that he would have chosen the same thing…made the same decision time and again to marry your mother and have you. He was not a man of regrets and when he decided something, he would head forward without looking back. That was the type of man your father was.)
(Why are you telling me all of this?)
(Big brother didn’t have any regrets but I know I did. At that time, when he chose to leave the family, I was too scared, too afraid to stand by his side. All my life, only Lin, and Big Brother loved me and they are the only people that I too ever loved. My brothers were the best but now one of them is long gone. I think about the past a lot. What would have happened if I had gone with him, would he and your mother have died so miserably? While I lived in regret, my life was misery, while your father who lived with no regrets, lived life to the fullest until his demise. You who have a difficult and terrible choice, I’m telling you that whatever you decide, leave no regrets behind. I’m saying that this time, this time I won’t live with regrets either, and as my nephew, as big brother’s only son, I will support you no matter what.)
(Alutra, this—how can you say something so easily?)
Alutra furrowed her brows.
(You think this is easy. Well, you’re right. Back then, it was easy too, or rather, it should have been. I was naive and felt like everything would work itself out. I believed everything would be fine if I just sat back and did nothing. How wrong I was. However, when I saw what you went through, if I went with Big Brother back then, would you have had to be so lonely all that time? Would you have had to suffer to such an extent? Not only that, but when you convinced Father, I don’t know how you did that but for you to stick out your neck for me a complete stranger, it showed me that good inside of you, that same good your father had. I knew right then and there that I would not make the same broken decision as last time. So yes, it is easy for me. This time though, things will not be the same. I did nothing then but now I will not sit idly by.)
Kazuki could see how sincere Alutra was and the frustration and rage inside began to calm within.
(So what do you think—a pretty good speech from your auntie, huh?)
Alutra smiled confidently, completely breaking the mood in a good way. Kazuki laughed before shaking Alutra’s hands away from his.
(Alutra, we don’t know each other very well but I’m glad to have…family like you. I’ll say this one time though: I will have my revenge against Sephra one day. That means challenging Gods, whether it be Sephra herself or those protecting her, which may mean facing Orberus himself. Tell me, can you turn a blade against your own father if you have to? Can you fight with the Gods themselves all just to help me get my revenge? If not, I understand and would completely respect that, but if you are in, I need to know that you will help me see this through until the very end, no matter what. Is that something you can do, especially after you have finally become free from your father? Can you give up on such things just to help me, who you just met a day ago?)
Alutra floated closely to Kazuki until their faces were only an inch apart. Kazuki didn’t know what she was trying to do until she spoke with a serious tone.
(Kazuki, nephew, look at my eyes and know that I am speaking only truth and nothing else. As I said before the only two men I’ve ever loved were my brothers. As for my father, there is no such thing as love between us, merely hatred and resentment. Orberus, father, if he were under the point of my blade and I had the chance, I would cut open his throat before he ever had a chance to speak and bleed out every drop of blood until he was a dried-out husk of a corpse. I would do that for free if I could. For you, I would do much more. I owe Big Brother more than you can imagine. Helping you will ease my own consciousness more than you know. Even if I have to give up my life to do it, I will see this through with you.)
After Alutra said this, she then proceeded to pinch both of Kazuki’s cheeks before laughing.
(Hehe, don’t be so tense. I said I will help you and that is exactly what I will do even if you don’t want it. Consider me chained to you, because even if you run away, I’ll follow you. Someone has to watch over you and make sure you don’t go and get yourself killed, hehe.)
Alutra then slowly floated backward while smiling.
(You know this was the most enjoyable day I’ve ever experienced in my entire life. Detra is so nice to me and the world is wrapped in an indescribable beauty. Seeing the cold mountains and the oceans filled with life, the feeling of freedom as the wind blew on my face. The food, the drinks, and even laughing and chatting with your friends down below. I’ve never felt so alive. All of this, it was you who gave it to me. My little nephew, my Kazuki. I will never forget this kindness, not in a million nor in a billion years, absolutely never.)
After saying this, a new rift appeared and Alutra stepped through it. Just as it was closing, her voice echoed in Kazuki’s mind once more.
(Now finish up with your pouting and come back down here, I’m sure everyone’s waiting.)
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