Capítulo 26: The Weight of Loss
"The happiest moments in life often pass in a blink. The most horrifying ones, however, seem to stretch on forever"
(POV: Ryogaku)
We were walking on the path to the cafeteria, which looked emptier than usual.
The students seemed to be tired and most of them were going to their rooms to rest.
We walked into the cafeteria, a smell of coffee assaulting our noses as soon as we took a step in.
I heard that Sukuna left just after the Tournament ended, and that today was his birthday.
I should probably wish him happy birthday when he comes back.
I should congratulate him for winning the Tournament too.
I thought about these things as I walked to the counter to place my order, my friends sat down on one of the free tables.
From behind the counter came a girl who seemed not much older than us. She might be close to the age of the people who graduate.
She was wearing quite casual and revealing clothes.
Usually, women, especially such young and good-looking ones would not prefer to wear such clothes in places of work.
But this academy, being the most prestigious education center in the whole Hunter Union, attracts people who are not interested in such activities.
The security systems are also the best in the world. It's as if it is an indestructible bunker which can protect us from anyth–
*CRASH*
A loud sound of shattering glass erupted from behind me.
It was as if time had slowed down, I could feel the presence of something malicious, something dangerous near us.
The expression of the girl in front of me slowly morphed into one of pure terror, as she ducked down to hide herself from the destruction.
I whipped my head around. I saw fallen and broken chairs and tables, blood spilled everywhere as students struggled to run away.
I saw my friends being attacked, they were fighting with all their might.
An unrecognizable black creature, covered in mist, tried to attack Anny.
My blood boiled as I saw that happen, I could see every little movement the creature did, but I couldn't stop it, I was too far.
Thankfully, Johan parried its strike, pushing Anny away as he, too, fell to the ground with her.
Before I could even think of anything, my hand had already unsheathed the blade on my waist.
Emotions flared up inside me.
Anger - Watching my friends being attacked.
Fear - That I, and my friends, would die fighting.
Determination - To prevent the above outcome at all costs.
I saw one of the attackers jump towards me, and I didn't hesitate, and I didn't blink before slashing my blade towards him.
The blade started emitting orange and red sparks, which expanded and covered the sword in a thin layer of red, while the red layer was covered by burning hot orange flames.
I slashed down on the attacker's body, splitting it straight into two.
I landed on my two feet, determination not leaving my eyes, I had not been able to cover the sword in red flames like that since the first time I did in the dungeon.
I saw Anny being swarmed by those attackers, there were more than five going for her at the same time.
I didn't waste time and jumped in to help.
"HAAAAAAAAAA"
A battle cry erupted from my throat as the flames on my sword raged along with me, slashing down on one of the attacker's heads.
.
.
.
.
.
.
(Meanwhile...)
(POV: Eva Helion)
"YOU DIE HERE!" My emotions took control of me as I attacked that man, sending a wave of ice towards himself.
In response, the man's expression didn't change. He swiped his hand, as if swatting a fly away, sending a wall of flames towards me.
His flames and my ice collided, resulting in my loss.
The wall of flames hit me, blasting away my arm.
An intense, uncontrollable pain assaulted me, my mind went blank as I fell to the ground, a groan escaping my lips.
Using my remaining strength to look up, I saw the man smirking.
"Too weak," he said, his voice indifferent. "Zekuth, remember that name."
Tears formed in my eyes as he walked away, not looking back at me.
His words were repeating in my mind non-stop.
The man she swore to destroy was standing in front of me, unprotected. But, I couldn't do anything.
He was right, I am too weak.
I was not giving up yet, I crawled towards him, but all I could see was his back going farther and farther away.
I clenched my fists...fist.
Why should I be alive? Why should I be the only one to hold this weight of this hate?
DON'T THINK
My breathing slowly stabilized, my cold demeanor returning.
Because I am the only one capable of doing this.
My determination was not extinguished...
I will become stronger
...instead, it flared up even more.
I got up, and started limping towards the city, to get to a hospital.
.
I finally reached the hospital.
While being chased by a few of the attackers on my way here, I had to sacrifice some students I met along the way.
In total, three students died because of me, but I don't feel an ounce of guilt.
It was like stepping on ants; you forget it after a few seconds.
The information that the man was one of the attackers would be valuable in finding him later.
The fact that he willingly revealed his name was great for me, although it would be a pity if it were just a fake name.
I closed my eyes lying on the hospital bed, and slowly drifted into a sleep.
.
While Eva slept peacefully, in another place, a man walked leisurely, thinking about his past encounter...
(POV: Zekuth)
My part in this attack is done.
I was walking through a forest, my face hidden by a robe.
I have struck determination into the heart of Eva Helion by showing myself again.
My expression turned from uncaring and apathetic to a malicious grin.
The plan is going exactly as predicted.
I am excited about what the future holds.
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.
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(POV: Ryomen Sukuna)
The rulers of England had been killed, which means that there will be a power struggle.
There are not many big families there, so the supporters of the few that exist will try to make them the rulers, which may even start a civil war.
If such a situation comes up, then the Hunter Association would have to step in.
There may also be other countries trying to take over.
All in all, it's a big bunch of chaos.
I walked into my mom's bedroom to casually talk with her, but I saw her sitting on the bed looking at the news on the television.
Her expression was stoic and serious.
Seeing me come in, she looked down and pointed towards the television.
The news channel was talking about some kind of attack, showing all the destruction it caused.
A few minutes ago, The Evan Academy, The Grace Academy and the ITAAS Academy were attacked by unknown individuals.
The casualties suffered are displayed on the screen.
Most of the students were evacuated safely, but many of them were injured while escaping.
Some of these kids are in life-threatening situations.
And a few of them, unfortunately, passed away at such a young age.
Following are the names of the deceased currently known:
Bob Uchiha
Daniel Miller
John Smith
Jose Navarro
. . .
. . .
. . .
and Anny Leonheart
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.
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(3rd Person, ITAAS Academy)
ITAAS Academy, even though it suffered the least damage out of the three that were attacked, still showed enormous destruction.
Whole buildings were flattened, there were burn and slash marks on the ground everywhere.
The cafeteria, where everything started, was now a crater.
Many students were lying on the ground, injured, blood pooling under their bodies, dying the grass red.
The once happy environment of the Academy had turned into a horrifying scene.
The injured students were walking to the medics that arrived on the scene a few minutes ago, getting themselves healed.
Among these students, almost everyone had tears in their eyes due to the unbearable pain they were experiencing caused by the amount of damage that had been done to them.
But, among these students, there were three, whose tears were not from pain, but from grief.
These three, Ryogaku, Johan, and Alexia, were crying looking at the body of their dead friend.
They felt no pain, it was as if an important part of them was just taken away.
This void in the hearts would stay with them their entire lives.
They stood there, not taking their eyes off of their friend until they passed out from blood loss.
.
When they woke up, they held a funeral for Anny.
None of her family visited, because they were dead...read the last chapter.
Only some students and teachers participated in this funeral.
As the funeral ended, Ryogaku noticed Sukuna standing a little far away, watching the proceedings.
All the people, except Alexia, Johan, Ryogaku and Sukuna left soon.
Ryogaku walked towards Sukuna, gritting his teeth.
"WHY WEREN'T YOU THERE"
Ryogaku shouted, letting out his frustration at Sukuna, who didn't even flinch.
"IF YOU WERE THERE..."
His pace quickened and he started running towards him.
"...SHE WOULD BE ALIVE RIGHT NOW!"
Hearing the shouts, Alexia tried to stop him, but it was too late.
He threw a punch towards Sukuna's face, which was easily blocked, a flicker of irritation passing his face.
'Misplaced anger, huh?' Sukuna thought, tightening his grip and pushing Ryogaku to the ground.
"It is not about whether I was there or not..."
Sukuna said with a calm voice that showed no sadness at a friend's death, nor guilt for not being there, nor anger at Ryogaku for punching him.
Sukuna released Ryogaku from his grip, taking a step back as he continued.
"...it is about the fact that you are weak"
These words hit Ryogaku in the heart, he got up to punch Sukuna again, but the punch was blocked and he was kicked in the abdomen.
Ryogaku fell on the ground, clutching his stomach.
He still didn't give up and got up, though a bit clumsily.
"You are too weak to do anything, you can't even save a friend from low level demons"
To emphasize his point, Sukuna seemingly teleported behind Ryogaku and restrained him using his hands.
"If you continue to stay like this..."
Ryogaku tried to get out of his grip, but it didn't even budge.
"...it won't be long before these two are dead as well."
Sukuna kicked him in the stomach again, causing him to fall down.
He then walked away from the funeral, Ryogaku still glaring at him with hatred, tears flowing out of his eyes.
He glanced at Alexia who had a worried expression, her brows furrowed as she ran to Ryogaku.
She did not blame Sukuna for not being there, it was something no one could have predicted, but it is much easier to blame someone than to accept that you are weak.
He looked at Johan for a second. He had his fists clenched, his eyes were closed and his head was lowered.
A teardrop fell on the floor from his eyes as he took a deep breath.
He motioned to Sukuna, trying to convey that he wanted to talk.
Sukuna nodded, and walked away.
Ryogaku calmed down and got up, looking at Sukuna's retreating back.
"I will become stronger..."
"...and one day, I will surpass you."
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Inkstone changed font style and it feels unfamiliar, yet better.
School started and I have exams in 4 days :<
Y'all will get 1 chapter a day now, sorry.
I'll try to do 2 chapters sometimes, but it'll be quite uncommon
Anyways, cya next chapter :3
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