Return of the Fallen Volume 3 Chapter 59
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Author: Blue_Rat
ch59
A woman dressed in plain clothes saw the young boy and her body trembled. She bellowed out a cry only a mother could before racing with arms spread.
“MICHAEL!!”
The two raced into each other’s arms and collapsed to their knees. Tears of pure joy ran down their face as they held each other tightly, desperate to not let go in fear that the other would disappear were they to release one another.
As soon as the other villagers saw this, many men and women began to shout as loud as they could, calling out the names of their own children.
As their voices echoed out, soon the other children playing near the Dining hall recognized the sound of their parents and perked up. Like a small tide, around 30 or so children came racing from around the corner, Danny and Tsura following closely behind.
The two saw the other villagers and wondered who they were. They were about to stop the kids from running forward when the leader of the children, the little green-haired Hina saw her mother and uncle.
Hina who had been trying to stay strong for the other children’s sake immediately started to cry. Slowly walking forward she called out to her family.
“Mama, uncle.”
Her uncle Geil and her mother Mela shared a look with each other before they ran over. Mela scoped Hina up in her arms and held her close. Uncle Geil as well hugged them both. Mela and Hina cried in each other’s arms and Geil went silent for but a moment. Stroking Hina’s head, Geil whispered to her.
“We’re back.”
Hina looked up at her uncle and her eyes watered even more. Burying her head into her mother’s chest she replied.
“Welcome home.”
It was at this time that the flood of children and adults was unleashed and the two groups became one. It should have been a moment of absolute bliss but a realization struck a heavy blow to some. A few children looked around but could not find the faces of the ones they wished to see from the bottom of their hearts.
The few children who could not find their parents ran over to Hina for help.
“Big sis Hina, mama I can’t find mama!”
Hina separated from her mom and uncle and held the child’s hand.
“Don’t worry, I’m sure everything will be ok, just leave it to big sis.”
Geil and Mela were surprised by Hina’s actions. For some reason, Hina seemed a little more grown-up to the two. After a moment though, Geil noticed who the child was and knew the fate of the child’s parents.
Geil felt bitterness in his chest but he couldn’t let the child be filled with false hope. He recognized the other children as well who couldn’t find their parents.
(I have to tell them.)
Geil knelt down and placed a hand on the small child’s shoulder.
As Geil explained to the child that their parents were no longer of this world, the child’s faced paled and she stood there in silence. Soon, tears fell from her and she was broken. Geil also told the other children with a heavy heart. The children found them selfs wailing at the top of their lungs with no one to comfort them.
It’s not that the other villagers wouldn’t, rather they were too caught up with their own family reunions and didn’t even see the orphans.
Hina, on the other hand, could see, she could see them all and her soul quaked. Hina hugged the child and pulled the other children into her arms, to console them. Hina looked up at her mother and then back at the children.
“Big sis is here. No matter what happens, no matter what, I will always be big sis to all of you and from now on, you will all be my real little sisters and brothers, understand?”
The children couldn’t even see from all of their tears but still, they nodded and felt comfort from Hina’s arms as they cried out everything they could.
Mela heard her daughter’s words and she shook.
(Is this really my Hina? She’s suffered so much.)
Mela looked over the children and she was filled with warmth.
(These children, they as well have suffered greatly.)
Mela looked at Geil and Geil sighed understanding his little sister since long ago.
*Haaa*
“Right! If Hina’s your big sis then that makes me yall’s uncle.”
Geil pointed at the children and his voice grew.
“And if I’m the uncle then that means your all my nieces and nephews and that makes Mela the mom. From now on, we’re just gonna have to be one big family, got it!”
The children’s crying grew softer and a few of them separated from Hina and leaped onto both Geil and Mela. Once more they burst into tears.
—————————————————————————-
Even though it was still winter, with the sun beaming from up above, it felt more like early spring and the life-threatening cold became nothing to Asuna and the others whose bodies were already tougher than the average person.
Sam had recovered enough and with Kazuki, the two slowly gathered everyone up and carried them over to the village. Everyone as though it was predetermined met up at the entrance of the village. Retsu used his ability and awoke everyone who had been hit by Zetsu’s soul attack during battle. That along with Nunully’s help everyone was at least conscious now. Hearing that the fight was over, a wave of relief washed over Kimi and the others. Shin, on the other hand, felt a bit of shame from being taken out during the fight.
Sam walked over and pat him on the back. Shin tilted his head.
“What was that for?”
Sam gave a thumbs up and spoke only two words.
“Good job.”
Sam walked off and embraced a still confused Kimi. Shin didn’t know why but hearing Sam’s words felt good. Shin’s sour expression turned bright after that and he began to joke around with the villagers and brag a bit. The villagers as well enjoyed his odd jokes and were thankful to no end for his deeds.
Retsu stood at the entrance of the village at over 60 feet tall. Kazuki gave him a slight elbow in his side. Seeing that his posture frightened them, he understood Kazuki’s intention and lowered himself to the ground. At first, the villagers were still confused and terrified of seeing Retsu come over. After he lowered himself a bit of their fear was buried. The children though screamed seeing him and hid behind their parents. This is when Kazuki jumped in and explained the situation.
He told them that it was Retsu himself that took the children out of that environment and brought them to the village that was in real-time and space. This however confused them even more. Eventually, Kazuki threw that whole concept out of the window and simply said Retsu rescued the children and was the one that helped defeat Zetsu and reunite them all with their family.
Seeing Zetsu’s unmoving body in the distance, the villagers felt relief to some extent. Geil and Hina personally thanked Retsu but some of the other villagers were more than cautious. Sure they were grateful for Retsu’s actions but there was also resentment. Some wondered the same thing Kazuki did. Why didn’t he rescue everyone? Why didn’t he fight earlier? Why didn’t he simply tell them all what was happening earlier? Maybe they could have fought better or… Their thoughts continued along that line, which in turn brought many hate-filled stares. The feeling of anger was palpable, especially from those that lost family members.
Retsu could tell what they were thinking and was going to say a few unnecessary things but Kazuki spoke up before he could say anything.
“Everyone, Me and my friends still have matters to finish up. We still need to help Retsu take Zetsu away and other things so if you would excuse us, we will talk more later.”
Kazuki gave a look to Asuna and the others and they all followed Kazuki and Retsu back toward the cave. Retsu headed in first, dragging Zetsu’s limbless body behind him. Danny was curious as to what they really up to but Kazuki simply gestured for them to follow him. Danny grew cautious and began to question everything. Kazuki ignored all of his questions, like where were they and what the hell actually happened. Kazuki felt slightly annoyed already hearing all of these questions but at the same time, he felt a sense of comfort. For some reason, Danny’s insistent attitude brought a feeling of normalcy.
The group made their way deeper into the cave until they eventually reached the biggest chamber.
Danny finally couldn’t take any more.
“Ryuta what the hell is going on, why are we in this dank ass cave, and why are we following this, this huge bug?”
Retsu looked back with a sneer which frightened Danny, who in turn flinched. As soon as Retsu saw that he broke out in wild laughter.
“Bwahahahaha, I’m the bug yet who’s the one scurrying?”
Kazuki looked back at Danny and shook his head.
“He’s got a point ya know.”
Danny glared at Kazuki and straightened his back as though he was unaffected.
“Hmpf, whatever. If I am to get no answers then I’ll be taking my leave.”
Danny turned to leave before Retsu spoke up.
“Hmm, if that’s how you feel boy I will not stop you, however, you will be missing out on the reward I promised Ryuta.”
Danny’s steps froze in place and he turned on a dime. His curiosity peeked he rubbed his chin in doubt.
“Reward, what reward.”
Retsu stretched upwards, standing nearly 60 feet up. His antenna flicked about as though he were truly entertained and he laughed.
“Hahaha, prepare yourself for this one, cause it’s good.”
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