Return of the Fallen Volume 8 Chapter 85
Barely a moment after Kazuki and the others saw Etora off, they too took off and returned to the fallen palace. At the moment of their arrival, an exhausted Shin was waiting alongside Triska. Kazuki could sense that Shin was still recovering from mana sickness but going by his expression, you wouldn’t know it.
Shin was smiling from ear to ear as Kazuki landed in front of him. Shin was slightly surprised to see Kazuki’s size and had to look up at him just to meet his eyes but still, his smile didn’t waver even at the odd height difference.
“When Triska said you had returned…When she said it was you.”
Shin shook his head.
“I thought this lady was smoking something but you actually made it! To think it only took over a year, were you slacking or something, hehehe.”
Kazuki chuckled slightly before hugging Shin.
“Oh, we do hugs now? I don’t mind but if this goes on for too long Triska will get a bit jealous.”
Triska’s face wrinkled slightly.
“Who’s jealous of what? I always thought you were an odd one Shin but I didn’t think you leaned that way.”
Triska’s rare teasing hit both Kazuki and Shin and they both broke away from one another a bit too quickly. Triska shrugged and chuckled.
“Men.”
Shaila nodded away in agreement.
“Right, you make a single comment and they can no longer be affectionate or like a puppy or admit that babies are cute. That’s men alright.”
Tozu was a little confused.
“But dear I like puppies.”
Shaila wrapped herself around Tozu and kissed his cheek.
“And that’s why I love you so much.”
Sasai couldn’t agree though.
“Why would a man admit those things. It serves us no purpose and in the end, a woman will use it against you. That’s why I’ll never admit it.”
Shaila chuckled but Tozu simply shook his head.
“Little brother, I’m afraid you’ll have a few more lonely years ahead of you with that attitude.”
Nunuully and Asuna came racing out and the two practically tackled Kazuki. Kazuki caught them and they shared a long embrace. Nunully looked up at Kazuki and gave him a shy look for but a moment before determination filled her gaze.
“You gave Asuna another kkk…kiss. You…You owe me.”
She then grabbed Kazuki’s face and pulled herself into him and the two’s lips connected. Asuna was taken aback by Nunully’s assertiveness. A few seconds later the two separated. Nunully looked at Asuna and smiled mischievously as if she had won something over her. Asuna felt a heat in her chest and she looked up at Kazuki, she herself not knowing what she expected or wanted.
Kazuki though could see a few expectations and could only tease her. He moved in close as if he were going to kiss her and just when she closed her eyes to accept, he planted one on her forehead before promptly letting her go.
Asuna almost stumbled and looked at Kazuki with, she was baffled.
“Hmm, what’s wrong Asuna, did you want something else?”
Asuna could see everyone was watching and she put on a tough act.
“Hmph, who would want anything more. I was just happy that you made it back alive.”
After that, she turned around and stomped back inside the fallen palace. On her way in, she passed Sam and Kimi who were coming out. They had just heard a commotion a moment before and before they could ask what was going on, Nunully and Asuna had rushed out of the room and outside.
The two thought maybe another disaster or emergency had befallen them but the moment they came outside, both of them saw someone who resembled Kazuki. This Kazuki though was well over 7 feet tall and was as big as Glacious if not bigger. The two had to do a double-take.
“Sam, Kimi, finally woke up. After everyone came out and I didn’t see ya, I figured you both hit the snooze button.”
Sasai and Tozu both exchanged a look.
“Was that a human joke. Big brother, what does hit the snooze button mean?”
Tozu himself didn’t know and made no attempt to answer.
Shaila as well was curious.
“Kazuki was that a joke you just said. It’s rare for you to do that. I guess reuniting with your human friends has brought this out of you, no?”
It was true. While Kazuki was with Shaila and the others he was barely in any mood to joke around. Most of the time he was under threat of death or was enraged or thinking about how to survive. Now that he had a moment to relax and he saw Sam and the others, it just naturally came out of him.
“Hahaha, this girl really just asked if that was a joke. Kazuki, have you been cold to these…uh, allies, friends. Actually, before we solve the mystery of whether or not Kazuki can tell a joke, shall we introduce ourselves. Otherwise, this could be kind of awkward with these newcomers not knowing that I’m the funny one and not you.”
Shin started off with some light bragging or rather light bragging from him but Triska wasn’t having it.
“He, thinks he’s the funny one but do you all hear that?”
…
“Yes that silence, that should tell you everything you need to know about his prowess when it comes to joking.”
Shin looked back at Triska a little stunned. She had gotten him not once but twice.
“Hehehe, I like this short woman, her tongue is sharp and her build tells me she’s a warrior.”
Shaila approached Triska with interest. Triska on the other hand felt a little weird. She was taller than 6 feet and had never been told she was short by anyone. Compared to most, she was usually the one who stood over others but Shaila was different and instead towered over her. Still, she didn’t dislike the bold honesty.
Kazuki quickly gave introductions to those, not in the know Sam and the others though were left shocked when Kazuki pointed at the big metal golem behind him and claimed it was Danny. Danny opened his mouth and said a few words, again leaving them all shocked. A few tears fell and emotions were high and low. In the end, they accepted the reality that Danny and Kazuki had really come back.
With the introductions done between the Ancient beasts and Shin and the others, everyone basically made pleasantries and chatted but Sam and Kimi were still stunned to find out that this really was Kazuki. After giving a very brief explanation as to what happened after he fell into the abyssal trench and his eventual return, Sam didn’t hesitate to grab Kazuki and pull him in for a hug.
Only two words came from him.
“I’m glad.”
Sometimes Sam would say very little and sometimes he would say more than that but this particular time got the message across plain and simple and was everything that needed to be said between the two.
Kimi on the other hand was a little hesitant. She and Kazuki never had a great relationship but she really was glad to see him. She gave him a quick hug before opening her mouth and with a somewhat haughty tone, she said.
“Asuna was depressed while you were gone. I don’t know what you need to say or do but you better go fix that, got it?”
Kazuki nodded. He knew Kimi’s personality well and this response was expected.
“I think I know what to do.”
Kimi furrowed her brows. She didn’t mean to come off so harsh but found it hard to soften her words and found it harder than Kazuki wasn’t rude back to her. Not that she wished for him to be an ass but him not getting angry made it seem like she was the only one who couldn’t control herself. She felt bad but she didn’t know how to say sorry without losing some of her pride.
Kazuki didn’t mind and was still in a great mood. He was about to head inside the palace to talk with Asuna when he remembered something. He opened his storage ring and several objects came out. Weapons, armor, and magic tools.
“These, I had old Sid make them for you guys.”
Kazuki tossed everyone a certain object and they each received a dull white armor. Finally, his ring glowed once more and he handed a metal arm to Kimi.
Kimi held the arm in her hand with widened eyes.
“This is…”
“I know it can never replace your real arm. After what Abura did…Anyway, this arm won’t disappoint you. Try it on if you don’t believe me.”
After that Kazuki started heading back inside when Sam gave Kimi a slight nudge. Kimi squeezed the arm in her chest and called out almost frantically.
“Kazuki…I’m glad you came back, and…thank you!”
Kazuki gave her a smile.
“I missed you too. I missed all of you.”
After those few words, Kazuki disappeared into the palace. Kimi looked down at the arm once again and her tears began to flow freely.
(Thank you Kazuki.)
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