Return of the Fallen Volume 8 Chapter 2
Sam and Kimi made their way toward the far backside of the base until they reached a large building built up and into the side of a mountain. The building was a castle that was very degraded. It had been under the ownership of a fallen noble. When war progressed to this level, the noble had fallen even further during such times and was forced to abandon this decrepit home. This worn-out castle though still had its uses.
It along with the rugged and hard traveled terrain could be used as a natural defense. Built on the edge of a mountainside, it could only be reached from one way. The rest of the paths and one would be met with cliff faces that were nearly unattainable. An Azirian could easily fly up to reach it but embedded within the walls of the cliff face along with the castle were hundreds of magic cannons and barriers.
These cannons would mow down anything coming up in an instant and the barriers would block the enemy. These defensive and offensive operations thought could not last against the Miasma and actually would feed the Miasma. For that, they only had one more move.
Once Kimi and Sam came to the castle gate, several soldiers and Mages lining the wall aimed their weapons at them. With power gathering in their respective rings and staffs and other weapons, one of the guards called out to them.
“HALT!”
Kimi was frustrated going through this whole annoying thing every time they wanted to enter or leave the castle but Sam calmed her. He knew that although this was bothersome, this process was necessary.
The soldier at the top of the wall called out to Sam and Kimi.
“You know the rules, let us witness your blood. If you delay, we will be forced to believe you are no longer human and are an Azirian disguising yourself!”
Sam nodded and the green armor covering his hand-peeled back revealing his large rugged hands. With a swipe of his fingernail, he cut open the tip of his finger and a small line of red dripped down his finger. Holding his hand up high so it could be seen, the soldier at the top called out.
“Good, now the woman!”
Sam held out his hand and Kimi rolled her eyes. Though since it was Sam there was no way she would deny him. She placed her hand in his and he ever so gently pricked the end of one of her fingers and again red blood trickled out.
Confirming the two were human, the guard commanded down below.
“Open the gate!”
*Clank clank clank clank clank*
A rattle of chains echoed out and the sound of magic energy dissipating as traps and other inscriptions were disabled rang out clearly. The gate was solid enhanced metal made from both metal and magic. With this combination of both magic and material, the gate had reached a weight in excess of several hundred thousand pounds. It was not something a regular Azirian could lift and even the guards who kept it could only lift it with magic.
Sam and Kimi walked into the old castle afterward and soon found themselves entering a great hall. Inside many familiar faces were there along with a few others of prestige and fame.
A long wide table was dead center of this great hall. Hovering above it was a holographic map that floated just a few inches over it. It showed a video of many battlefields with a slight delay. As soon as Kimi and Sam entered this hall, a man at the head of the table waved his hand and the video faded into the table as everyone took notice of the couple’s presence.
Asuna eyed them from across the room but besides that, she didn’t seem to care that they had arrived. Next to her Sat an excited Etora who was eating a large roasted bird of some kind. With greasy fingers, he promptly waved them over to sit next to him.
Sam and Kimi sat down next to Etora but before Etora could say anything the man at the head of the table spoke first.
“I’m glad to see that the two of you have once again returned safely. Asuna has just briefed us but I’d like to hear from the two of you as well.”
Kimi rolled her eyes before pointing at the holographic map on the table.
“Didn’t you see it for yourself? Not only that but Asuna has already given her report. For what reason must we always give these stupid reports every time we go back and forth from battle. Especially when you can see everything from that shiny chair of yours.”
An old soldier standing next to the man who had asked gripped his sword but the man sitting at the head waved him away. This man sitting at the head of the table was young-looking. He wasn’t that much older than Sam or Kimi yet ere he was in charge. The man began tapping the table a few times before he responded.
“Kimi, you know exactly why we do this. Have you already forgotten what happened to King Tobern? When I and King Garn found out that Tobern had been killed long ago and an Azirian imposter took his place for so long, we almost fell into disaster. Thankfully his right-hand man Bozek found out and destroyed him before he could do us any real harm. These Azirian’s, we originally thought they were just mindless monsters seeking to eat and spread their scourge across these lands. After Reya and furthermore Fera from the dark continent revealed themselves, the Azirian’s on our continent seemingly changed overnight. Some still act like mindless monsters but some have other designs and are not simple. A drop of their blood could infest you and it could seemingly hide within you lying in wait until the perfect moment to take you over and turn you into one of them when you least expect it. We do these multiple debriefs because these Azirian’s aren’t perfect mimics. They can look exactly like you and sound like you but they don’t think as we do. Their flaws show when you take into account a person’s personality.”
Kimi rolled her eyes once more. She knew all of this and she was regretting saying anything but she just couldn’t stand how arrogant King Brian was. The man was only three years older than her yet he and Garn were the ones in charge. Garn she already hated to the bone and now she was following along with Brian who was always seemingly plotting and making moves that she didn’t understand at all. To risk her life all the time for unknown reasons. Following along with someone who was this arrogant, was frustrating to no end.
As soon as she rolled her eyes, King Brian smiled at her.
“You see that eye roll right there. An Azirian would have a face exactly like your own but it would have never thought to roll its eyes at me. Though most people would never think to roll their eyes at a king of all people but that’s just how you are Kimi. These interactions are necessary. I need to be 100% certain that I’m dealing with the real you, otherwise, everything can and will fall.”
After this Kimi finally gave in and gave her report.
“So am I done now?”
Brian observed Kimi closely but after a bit, he nodded.
“You and Sam are finished. You can leave.”
Kimi nearly jumped out of her chair before dragging Sam along with her but Sam resisted.
“Wait, Kimi.”
Sam turned to Asuna.
“Asuna, let’s talk.”
Asuna looked over toward Brian who nodded.
“I’ve already heard your report, you can go as well.”
Soon the three were in a large corridor.
Asuna still had a cold expression.
“What is it you wanted to talk to me about?”
Sam could feel no emotion whatsoever from this tone of hers.
“Asuna, you…I know you, you and I grew up together from childhood and I know when you are holding things back. Ever since Kaz…Ever since that time, you’ve shut down. You’ve slowly pushed others away and you don’t express yourself much anymore. You used to get up in arms and get fiery but even your anger is cold now. The Asuna I know doesn’t hold such things back, doesn’t hide her true feelings. The Asuna I know
Before Sam could go on Asuna interrupted him.
Her tone, just as cold as before.
“The Asuna you know is dead. She died, the day Kazuki did. You want me to express myself then let me do it my own way and don’t bother me anymore.”
Sam was stunned. This was the first time she actually acknowledged Kazuki’s death and it came out like this. Not only that, she wanted him to leave her be.
Asuna turned to walk away but Kimi grabbed her shoulder in a huff.
“Stop right there Asuna. Sam was just trying to be helpful. I know you must miss Kazuki but this cold shoulder thing isn’t working. You need to woman up and come back to reality. Otherwise, you’ll just keep pushing everyone away until your alone.”
Asuna glared at Kimi.
“Take your hand off of me, otherwise, the only thing that will be lonely is your fucking shoulder because instead of one missing arm it will become two.”
Kimi was terrified as the threat seemed absolutely real. She almost jumped backward as she pulled her arm away in a panic. Asuna then walked away. Sam was about to go after her but Kimi grabbed him. He was about to tell Kimi to let go but looking at Kimi, he could see she was trembling in fear.
(Asuna…)
Asuna walked down these long corridors and felt absolutely empty inside.
“What’s wrong with me. Why can’t I just get it together. I shouldn’t have said those things yet they just came out one word after another. Kazuki…why…why did you have to die? I just want to see you. I want to hold you, to touch you.”
Asuna felt unbearable pain in her chest and she was on the verge of tears but before a single drop fell, she raised her hand up and slapped herself hard in the face.
“I can’t crumble…Not here, not now. I have to suppress it. I have to carry on.”
“That’s a weird habit you have there little red.”
Etora appeared in front of her. A large hog leg in his hand, he ate it in only a few bites before throwing even the bone in his mouth and chomping down on it and swallowing even that.
Asuna didn’t know when he appeared and was shocked.
“Did you…did you hear me just now?”
Etora licked his lips tasting the last bit of juicy grease before belching in satisfaction.
*Burp*
“Only a little bit and I gotta say I think your wrong.”
Comment (0)