Return of the Fallen Volume 9 Chapter 71
Nunully had just spoken her true thoughts and feelings. She had decided to put her grief away and hold it deep within. She felt it would be selfish to burden others with such emotions right now. Right now there were more important things. Later, if they survived all of this, only then would she deal with the heartache inside. For now though, her main focus was coming up with a plan.
Knowing now that Kazuki had entered the 7th stage, her whole perspective changed. Humanity had a chance to overturn this fight with both Glacious and Etora on their side but now with both of them gone, Kazuki would have to bear the most. From what Danny had said, his deal with Detra was one that saved them this one time. If they were to come across trouble ever again, they would not have Detra to save them.
Not only was Detra less than warm but even Zetrazz did not care. He and Kazuki had no real relationship and were more like acquaintances who did not favor one another. Not exactly hostile toward each other but nowhere near friends. After learning what Detra told Danny, they understood that Zetrazz was fighting his brother and Fera only because they killed Glacious, his rival.
Zetrazz was eccentric and none of them knew when he would get bored and decide that his fight was no longer worth it. After all, it was practically impossible for most Titans to kill each other.
Knowing they had no one else on their side except Kazuki, they needed a plan. They needed some way to help but a few of them were unsure of Nunully’s idea.
“I don’t like this.”
It was Kimi who first spoke up. No one was shocked by this of course but what she said next made sense.
“Kazuki becoming a 7th stage um…What is the 7th stage called?”
Everyone looked to Danny but he had no clue. Not just he but none of them had ever asked about what the 7th stage was called. They didn’t even know that the 6th stage was actually called the Mind-Body-Soul stage until fairly recently, let alone the 7th stage. Danny shook his head.
Kimi was frustrated but continued.
“Whatever the 7th stage is called, you can basically say he has achieved the impossible for humans. What he did…is really unbelievable, but he did it. Reaching a place we will never reach, that type of power that can flip a continent or destroy the world, how can we even begin to counter that. I know my strength, I know how far I can go and I can’t possibly fight against someone with that level of strength. Even if there were 10,000, no 1,000,000 of me, an army of me would still be nothing compared to him. Thank the heavens Kazuki is our friend but he’s not the only one out there with that type of power. Torzz and Fera are both at that level and the two have been at that level for a long time now, right? If we can’t even come close to doing anything to one individual at that level, what chance do we have against two, possibly even three if Zetrazz is the snake you described him as Danny?”
Asuna could feel her rage boiling up.
“What are you saying, Kimi? Are you actually suggesting that we do nothing, that we don’t even try and help Kazuki? I refuse! I will never abandon Kazuki…not again.”
Asuna’s voice softened at the very end of her words.
The image of Kazuki being left behind in the middle of the Miasam stuck out in her head. She felt her heartbreak in half and blamed herself for not being strong enough. She felt like she could have tried harder, done something different. No matter what though, she was determined, she would never leave Kazuki again. If he died, then she decided deep down, that she to would die right next to his side.
Kimi knew Asuna loved Kazuki but she had no idea what Asuna was willing to do, willing to sacrifice. Even if she did know, that still would not deter her.
Kimi didn’t intend to anger Asuna but even if she was angry with her, Kimi had to finish what she was saying.
“I wouldn’t call it abandoning him but this is the one time no one can be blamed for not stepping in. At least when it comes to directly showing up on the battlefield.”
“YOU COWARDLY COLD BITCH!”
Asuna screamed at Kimi but Kimi actually maintained her composure and continued.
“Your angry and I completely get it but you’re not taking into account Kazuki’s thoughts and feelings. Just think about it for one second and you’ll see I’m right. If we go and step in between those giants, do you really think Kazuki will be able to fight at 100%?”
Asuna expression became blank.
“What…what does that even mean?”
“You know exactly what I’m talking about. Maybe he could still go full out if me and Shin, maybe even Sam and Danny were there but you and Nunully, the two he loves.”
Kimi shook her head as she made her point.
“If you two go, Kazuki’s mind will be with nothing but worry and thoughts of protecting the both of you. His mind will not be in it and because of that, he will be limiting himself. We’ve all seen Kazuki’s memories a few years ago. We saw what his adoptive mother and sister did to him. When he goes to face his sister Fera, he will already be going in with a million thoughts. If he has to then worry about the two of you as well…I’d say at that point you two would be sabotaging him and setting him up for a nasty death.”
Sam gently grabbed Kimi’s hand.
“Kimi, you’ve said enough.”
Kimi though roughly pulled away and pointed at Asuna and Nunully accusingly.
“You really think so. Because in my eye, if they really show up and fuck Kazuki’s head right before he fights the fight of not just his life but ours and humanities, at that point you can only put half the blame on his sister for all of our deaths. Not only that, look at yourselves and ask this, do you really love Kazuki? If it was me and Sam who was in the same situation as Kazuki, I would have more faith than what you two are displaying. Have you two forgotten just who Kazuki is? Have you forgotten how many times he’s escaped death and turned the situation around? Where the hell is your belief in the man you love?”
Kimi took a long breath and sighed before sitting down. She was done. If they couldn’t see reason after that, she knew that couldn’t be convinced.
As tensions were getting higher and higher, it was King Brian who stepped in.
“The people of this continent are scattered across it like leaves picked up by a storm. Every day things are getting worse and worse. Tens of millions of people have migrated and are left without basic necessities and much more. Everything is in turmoil and the final battle has yet to take place. Kazuki will soon face his sister along with Torzz. Whatever happens, whether it be Kazuki or those bastards that come out on top, it will determine humanity’s fate and all will be sealed. We all saw and experienced the power of two Titans clashing. At that time, what did we do? Even with our greatest powers, even with Magictech cannons that could topple any kingdom and Magitech Barriers that could block most 5th stage magic what could we do?”
Everyone became quiet as they listened on.
“I’ll tell you but you all already know the answer. Huddled together in the Grand Hall, scared of our incoming doom, we could do absolutely nothing. Even when a plan was formed and we began to execute it, what happened. Our magic was suppressed by Zetrazz’s so-called Aura breath.
After that, only by Danny’s brilliant idea was he able to just barely break through the Titan dome and make contact with the outside world. In the end, we were saved by a Titan. Only someone with such strength could affect our outcome. So where does that lead us? No matter what plan we come up with, can it do anything to a Titan? Not just that but whatever we come up with, it would be one that can’t consist of our most powerful tool, magic. Zetrazz’s Aura breath would make sure of that. Can’t use magic, can’t fight with our fist. Besides all of that, what Kimi said is correct. You all going would only pull his attention away. Kazuki in a time where even the slightest distraction could cost him his life, you going would more than likely seal his fate and ours as well.”
Asuna and Nunully were both devastated. Hearing both Kimi and King Brian back to back, what they said was fact and they knew it. At the same time, this meant no one would have Kazuki’s back. No one would be supporting him in a time when he needed it most.
“How…How can we just do nothing?”
Asuna fell to her knees and Nuunlly hugged her from the side trying to comfort her but her expression was completely empty.
(Please, we can’t give up, we have to try.)
This thought echoed in Asuna’s mind over and over again but she could no longer say the words out loud.
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