Return of the Fallen Volume 12 Chapter 83
“If only this thing was as wonderful as all of you are imagining.”
Kazuki pointed at a long crack running through Codex. A crack Codex had put in place itself to go with Kauzki’s plan but none of these outsiders would know that.
“This Artifact, its use comes at a hefty cost. It may be able to heal a soul but in order to do so, it must permanently consume part of the soul of another. I sacrificed a piece of my soul to repair Flecks. Now, I am no longer whole. To add another laughable side to this already miserable dish. This Artifact of mine is now damaged and as we all know, there is none in all the Realms that can repair a damaged Artifact.”
It was like all the air was suddenly sucked out from the barrier and a cold shudder hit these three Gods as if death himself whispered sweet nothings in their ear.
Carta was the first to ask.
“You sacrificed a part of your soul just to save this nobody archer…Why?”
Kazuki looked toward the ever-approaching Black gate with a flame of hope in his eye.
“The Black gate, the treasure within. Rumors say this treasure has the power to even change A higher Realm. With it, I believe I can fix mistakes from my past. To sacrifice a piece of my soul or even all of it so that I can set things right. The decision was an easy one. Actually following through and risking it all, well I’ve already come this far. I cannot turn back now.”
Kazuki kept things vague and allowed them to paint a narrative of his motivation. Whatever they came up with, at the very least it would be a sort of desperation any would put their all forth to fight against. A mysterious past, an admittance of mistakes, and a single path forward to set things straight. Without telling them anything, Kazuki told them everything, or rather whatever they thought everything was.
Carta’s emerald eyes shined with admiration and Dredinkar sighed in bitterness. They seemed to have their own pasts they were trying to overcome. Specxzu was the only one who kept quiet. No one knew what ran through his insect mind.
Kazuki finally stored Codex away.
“I’ve told you what I can and spilled my secret. Fleck is alive because I deemed it necessary. If you still cannot trust me, that is fine as well because in the end, what trust is really needed?”
Everyone became curious at this sentence as Kazuki continued.
“We all have our own reasons for entering the Black gate. In the end, the main goal is obtaining the Artifact for ourselves. We all know we will fight one another at the end to see who comes out on top. Just as you all so desperately wish to hold this Artifact in your own two hands, I too share that same sentiment. So I ask you, why would I self-sabotage? If there are dangers in there that can only be resisted and overcome by multiple individuals, it would be foolish to betray any one of you. The moment I did that, Karma would surely rear its ugly head and send something even more impossible to face me. Sticking together until one of us gets the Artifact is the best way to make it through the Black gate. We all know and understand this correct?”
Carta and Dredinkar nodded along.
“If we all realize this then again, my betraying you would only put me in a precarious situation and not the other way around. You all know one another to some degree. If anything goes around, the blame would fall upon my shoulders first and foremost. Wouldn’t you all agree?”
Dredinkar sipped his nectar before putting the cup down with a soft *clink*
“True, if things take a turn and it’s even a hair suspicious you would be looked at as the most likely suspect. At that point, knowing things could be even more dangerous for you, does that not deter you?”
Kazuki smiled.
“If danger and fear ever stopped me, I would not be here today. More than that, I find that my own greed has always trumped my fears. Death is always around the corner, those that hesitate and cower can only and ever be…last.”
Carta now had a wide grin.
“Right, cowards can only be last. Only those that take risks and move forward can ever reap the rewards and take on the opportunities that lie ahead. Medatte, I like your way of thinking. I think you’ll make a good ally. Dredinkar, Sepcxzu, I say he comes with us.”
Dredinkar chuckled lightly.
“The immature one is blind to your words Medatte. You clearly said you will fight us in the end but she thinks you’ll make a good ally. Carta, it’s a partnership for a limited time. The moment the danger is overcome and the prize is in sight, this will no longer be a tea party. You know that right?”
“Damn it you piece of tree bark! Of course, I know all of that. I was just saying I like his attitude. Whether it be you him or the ugly bug, the moment it’s time to act, I will not spare you. I’ll say it now so there won’t be any more misunderstandings. My clan and I will fight with our all to obtain the treasures inside the Black gate. So when that time comes, stay out of our way or be crushed by my fists.”
She said this with full confidence and then discreetly peeked to the side to see her small group cheering for her. A proud smile spread across her face.
Dredinkar said nothing else to her and directed his attention to Kazuki and Specxzu.
“So you agree to cooperate until the prize is in sight?”
Kazuki nodded.
“I agree.”
“Specxzu, it seems everyone is on board, what about you, yes or no?”
Secxzu remained quiet as its multiple eyes stared at everyone there. They focused in on everyone as if he were studying these Gods looking for any sign of weakness or lies. His mandibles clicked and chattered.
“Human, Dragonborn, and tree folk. With me, we represent a very odd group but our powers are nothing to be looked down upon. Trus can never fully be given to creatures outside of my race but our goals are aligned for the time being. I will fight alongside you all and just as the Dragonborn spoke of. When the time comes, do not stand in my way. Otherwise, you shall become food for my colony.”
Carta felt disgusted.
“I don’t eat people, that’s sickening.”
Specxzu shrugged.
“You can not say something is disgusting if you have yet to try it Dragonborn. The flesh of powerful beings…you’d be surprised at just how tasty it can be.”
The soldier bugs that came with Specxzu all stared at Carta at this moment and hints of drool began to leak from their mouths. Carta’s companions got angry and started to make threatening gestures.
“What’s disgusting is disgusting I don’t have to try it to know. You bugs are just creepy and weird. Don’t mention such nasty things around me ever again.”
Dredinkar began to tap his cup on the table and got everyone’s attention.
“Ok ok, forget about eating this or that. Let’s get to the core of this. We are all on board now so let’s share and discuss all the information we have on the Black gate and what the plan should be going forward. Before that, though I suppose we should decide on who’s in charge. Otherwise, we’ll be stepping all over each other’s toes in there and we’ll be setting ourselves up for failure. Remember we will be the first ones inside, making mistakes right in the beginning will allow our adversaries the opportunity they need to catch up and possibly even take the lead. We cannot allow such a thing to happen. Once we lose the lead, they will overwhelm us with their larger numbers.”
Carta then chimed in.
“Agreed, the main opponents will definitely be the Crescent Knights and the Blood faction. If we get overtaken by either of them we can kiss our prize goodbye.”
Kazuki began to contemplate whether or not to tell them about the shadow. He controlled the Crescent knights. Running into him could put everyone here at risk. At the same time, his telling them about the shadow would not bode well for him. It could give away too many things or the small amount of trust he had just built up could be tossed in the trash before they ever entered the Black gate.
In the end, he decided the risks were too many to mention it now. Instead, he asked about engagement with the enemy.
“What is the take on dealing with opponents inside the gate? Are you for killing or not?”
At this question, they all gave Kazuki a cold look.
Carta’s green eyes shined.
“An enemy is an enemy. Death is the only thing appropriate for those who try and get in my way.”
This was a warning to the others and they responded in kind. Speckxzu’s mandibles clicked and chattered viciously and Dredinkar folded multiple sets of arms and puffed up his chest before saying.
“The immature one is right. Anyone who enters the gate is already chosen violence and in turn, it shall be violence against them. SHatter their souls corrode their flesh and disperse their core to the infinite void. Leave no one alive.”
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