Capítulo 48: CHAPTER 35 - MY DUTIES, MY RESPONSIBLES (3)
"Why are you spacing out, Eugen?", asked Z1. "Eugen? Eugen?" Are you alright?"
"Eugen?"
"..........."
Eugen suddenly felt dizzy and as she tried to close her eyes, she heard someone calling her name several times. A calm voice, gentle that makes her heart feels happy. When she opens her eyes, she at very unfamiliar place and she can't recognized this place in her entire life.
This place is very huge, beautiful scenery surrounds the place with flowers and garden. She felt this place is floating as she saw clouds, near her. Then, she heard a voice.
"I will not touching that sword if I was you, fifth carrier division...Zuikaku", said the man.
"That sword are completely different from the one who you possessed."
"Unlike Rakurai who will immediately make others than its master flying, this black sword will takes your life."
"No matter how close that person to its master, that sword doesn't care."
Zuikaku immediately withdraw her hands from touching the black sword. Zuikaku, Prinz Eugen, Nagato and Kawakaze focused at that man, continuously staring at him.
"I see you also arrived, Prinz Eugen from Ironblood", said the man. "Let see...fifth carrier division, Zuikaku and her friend, Takao. The queen of Sakura Empire, Nagato and her loyal servant, Kawakaze. I will said, it's indeed an honour to meet you?"
Kawakaze draws her sword, making an attacking stand at that man. She felt that man is too dangerous to let alive.
"Please refrain yourself from aiming your weapon at me", said the man. "Neither of us are enemies and of course, neither of us are allies."
"Who are you?", asked Nagato. "And, where are we right now?"
"My name is not worth to be remember", answered the man. "It's good enough for you to make me remember your names. However, since I don't want our conversation become awkward, you can called me 'Wiseman', a person full of wisdom."
"To answer your second question, let see...this place is neither dream nor reality. But, it's also neither middle of these two. This place is called The Throne and the place where you standing is called, the garden of miracle."
"The garden...of miracle?", asked Zuikaku for confirmation. "How we manage to get here in the first place?"
"Obviously someone is calling you...well that's not completely true", said Wiseman. "To be specific, someone is trying to save you from that creature, the cell."
There is only one person they can think that capable to do it and it's indeed non other than Kay.
"Kay just with me and still sleeping", said Prinz Eugen. "There is no way he able to do this in that state."
"It's up to you to accept it", said Wiseman. "Since, you're already here. Now, what kind of question you want to ask me?"
The girls become confused, wondering what the meaning of his words.
"You didn't come here just to see this beautiful scenery", said Wiseman, looking at garden of miracle. "You come here to find the answer that you really want."
"Especially the fate of Sakura Empire, almost collapse due to that serpent."
Kawakaze seems to be aware of Wiseman, she felt that man is too dangerous and playing mind games with them. Although, his words kinda showing his true colors.
"We don't need any outsider to help us", said Nagato proudly. "We can handle it by our self."
"Of course, it's up to you", responded Wiseman. "It's indeed your decision to choose either to ask me or to ignore."
"However, I kinda surprised to hear that from a faction that need the guardian of Sakura Empire to help them in the past. Am I right, Nagato?"
"How did you!", shouted Nagato at Wiseman, surprised and wondering how he knew their past.
"Now...now, time is very short here", said Wiseman. "You only have several minutes before The Throne forces you to leave. So, I ask again, what is your question?"
"............."
The girls remain silent, wondering they should trust Wiseman. After several thought, Nagato starts to ask Wiseman, a question that definitely needs an answer.
"Will Sakura Empire...", said Nagato, before Wiseman intervened her.
"Let me remind you first", said Wiseman. "Non of my answer will be either correct or wrong. In fact, there is no correct or wrong. It's up to you, either you want to think my answer is correct, then it will be. If wrong, nothing wrong with that either."
"There is an answer you don't want to hear. Therefore, ask your question carefully."
"..............."
"Then, can we defeat that creature?", asked Nagato.
"No", said Wiseman bluntly, making the girls angry.
"Are you questioning our abilities?", asked Takao angrily.
"Don't take me wrong", said Wiseman. "Let see, it's more liked Sakura Empire don't have the responsibility to kill that creature. I think you knew about this, Zuikaku."
Zuikaku remembers Kay's words, when she spent a night with Kay. That creature is Kay's responsibilities alone, only he is capable to defeat it.
"It's Kay", said Zuikaku. "He is the only one that can defeat that creature."
"But with his condition, it's useless", said Prinz Eugen, against the idea.
"Then, how can we help him?", asked Zuikaku. "What we supposed to do to help him?"
"In order to defeat that creature, you need a key", said Wiseman. "And that key is Kay, the lightning element. But, you also need a keyhole and that keyhole is the one who he possessed."
"When the sword returns to its own master, with all of them searching for a single hope, the sword will lead the path. Destroying all the impurities, protecting them from despair and guiding them."
"What the meaning of that?", asked Nagato, failed to understand the riddle. "We don't have time to play games!"
Nagato reacts furiously at Wiseman as she starts to think that Wiseman is playing with them.
"The guardian of Sakura Empire is always with you and Sakura Empire, Nagato", said Wiseman. "Swallow your pride and accept the reality."
"Of course, the decision are up to you."
".............."
"Then, can that human able to kill it and help us?", asked Nagato.
"Maybe", said Wiseman. "After all, you are the one who will choose your own future. However, I can guaranteed, helping him will open the path for Sakura Empire."
"And time's up, I afraid The Throne already starting to force you out."
The girls can feel as they starting to feel dizzy. Zuikaku uses her strength to ask Wiseman one more question.
"Is Kay will wakes up?", asked Zuikaku.
It took several seconds before Wiseman told her the answer.
"He will eventually wakes up", said Wiseman. "Although the chance may be little headache for you."
"Ah, before you go...there is something you need to do, Zuikaku."
"The sword who you possessed already accept you as its master. However, there is no need for you to fuse it with your own power. His power is more than enough to paralyze that creature.
Zuikaku looks at Rakurai, feeling confused and surprised after hearing that from Wiseman.
"The moment you awake, immediately use that sword against that creature. It will gives you at least some time to think", said Wiseman. "Now, choose you own fate, Sakura Empire."
.................
.................
The girls disappear from The Throne, leaving Wiseman alone. He already done his job and expecting those girls knew what they need to do.
"Now...now, don't look at me liked that", said Wiseman, talking to something that staring furiously at him.
"The loyal guardian of Kay and the protector of The Throne, Dragonoire"
"I will leave this place with peace, there is no reason for you to fight."
*************************
ROARS!!!
The loud roars from the serpent covered the area, the sea remains unstable and aggressive waves appear. The girls finally coming back from The Throne, only to face the harsh reality.
Takao, Zuikaku, Nagato and Kawakaze suddenly realized that they are in danger as they saw the serpent trying to unleash the beam at them. The dizziness from earlier are gone and they are trying to grasp the situation.
"We have returned from that place but I hate to say this, we are in trouble right now", said Takao. "That man said something about that sword, Zuikaku. Can you do something?"
"I'm trying but I don't know what to do", said Zuikaku while holding Rakurai. Zuikaku tries to think, but the time is short and she needs to act fast.
Suddenly, she felt someone touching her hand, a soft skin contact. When she looks, she saw Kay smiles at her following with several lightnings surround Rakurai.
"I understand, Kay", said Zuikaku. "I don't need to fuse my power, yours are more than enough."
ROARS!!!
The serpent saw Zuikaku, full with energy and starting to attack its. With the strength from Rakurai, its continuously flowing the energy as the tip of the sword become longer and larger.
"Liked a star fallen from the sky!!!", shouted Zuikaku while slashing the serpent.
SLASH...
ZAPP...ZAPP...ZAPP
ROARS!!!
The serpent fell, being paralyzed and the girls take this chance to return to Sakura Empire. If what Wiseman said is true, it should give Sakura Empire at least several hours.
"We take this chance to return to Sakura Empire", ordered Nagato. "You did a great job, Zuikaku."
"As you wish, Nagato-sama", said Takao and Zuikaku.
After a few minutes, they managed to meet with the others. Upon seeing Nagato, they are feeling relieved. They are starting to think Nagato didn't survive from that creature.
They immediately returned to Sakura Empire and not only them, Ironblood fleet also following suit and coming back to Sakura Empire.
Hiryuu and Souryuu are wondering why they return back, considering the plan is a complete failure as the creature is still alive.
"Why are you return back?", asked Souryuu. "You still have time, you can't stay here!"
"Don't mind about them, Souryuu", said Nagato. "Did you bring that human with you?"
"He with me", answered Prinz Eugen. "I having a bad feeling about this but...I want to believe that hope."
"Ordered all people to gather at sacred tree of Sakura Empire", ordered Nagato. "One fleet need to watch the perimeter, can you do it, Souryuu and Hiryuu?"
"As you wish, Nagato-sama", responded Souryuu and Hiryuu. "Ise, Hyuuga, Atago, Kirishima and Akatsuki will following us."
...............
...............
Sacred Tree of Sakura Empire, the others are gathering really quickly since they knew the deal they are currently facing.
Kay is still sleeping with no sign of him to wake up any moments. Zuikaku, Takao and Prinz Eugen are surrounding him while Nagato and Kawakaze are watching them. She is not interested although she tries to find the answer of the riddle.
"When the sword return to its master...is that man talking about this sword?", asked Zuikaku while showing Rakurai at Prinz Eugen and Takao.
"Zuikaku, quick! Try giving it back to Kay", said Prinz Eugen.
Zuikaku quickly hands the sword at Kay, but nothing happens.
"It doesn't do anything!!", shouted Zuikaku. "What we supposed to do?"
"I don't know, kiss him?", said Prinz Eugen.
"We have children here", said Takao. "Please control yourself."
"So, it's fine if there are no children here?", asked Prinz Eugen. "I don't know you are so naughty, Takao."
"What...no, I never think about that!", shouted Takao.
While these three girls shouting and arguing, Nagato relieved a deep sighed. She doesn't have a single clue about the sword that Wiseman talking about.
She tries and tried to think but the time comes short as they suddenly heard the loud roar from the serpent. The cell is already waken and the fleet is returning back, telling them the bad news.
ROARS!!!
"We're very sorry, Nagato-sama", said Souryuu. "That creature is slowly coming here. We already done what we could but...I'm sorry."
"You did a great job", said Nagato. "I'm proud of you."
All the girls in Sakura Empire are gathering at sacred tree. They can hear the loud noises outside, slowly approaching them. The noises become louder and louder, making them scared.
With time remaining, Zuikaku and the others tried to think other method but it's useless. Their effort are futile.
Tears fallen down from their eyes.
*************************
"Wake up......wake up!!".
"Please.....I beg you...please wake up!!".
"Open your eyes, Kay", said Zuikaku while crying.
She is holding Kay 's hand while her tears fell down. Kay is currently sleeping, and that is not a normal sleep. He is in coma, a dire state. Takao and Prinz Eugen can't do anything except watching him with the serpent slowly approaching Sakura Empire.
ROOOOOOARRRRRR...
ROOOOOAAARRRRRR.....
A huge creature is outside of Sakura Empire, just a few mile from here and heading straight to reach here. It is a huge black serpent, one of The Cell that Kay is still searching. The only reason for its to come here is to destroy, kill and eliminate all the living things at the Sakura Empire.
"Please.....wake up, Kay", said Zuikaku.
"............."
"Is there any hope for us", said Takao. "What we need to do, Nagato-sama?".
"............."
Nagato remains quiet as she can't answer her question. She knew that they can't defeat the monster.
Most of the Sakura Empire fleets already being hardly damaged. Some of them even cannot fight any longer. There is no hope for them.
With final call from Nagato, every girls in Sakura Empire decides to gather at the Sacred Tree of Sakura Empire for the last time.
The crying noises, the tears, the anger and many others surround them. They are scared because they knew that they are hopeless against The Cell. They are meeting together for the last time. At least if they died, they will not died alone.
Zuikaku is hugging Kay which still didn't wake up, she is not giving up on him. Yet, her effort is futile. He never wakes up.
"Please....wake up, Kay", said Zuikaku. "You promised to me, remember?".
"Zuikaku....", said Shoukaku while holding her little sister.
"There is no use.....Zuikaku", said Takao. "With his state, he unable to help us......".
However, Zuikaku is refused to believe it. She knew Kay will woke up.
"Please....I beg you.....please, wake up", said Zuikaku.
".........."
ROOOAAAAARRRRRSSSS...
ROOOAAARRRSSSS......
The Cell is close to them and reaching rapidly. Nothing will stopped it from killing them. It feels their fear, their weakness against it.
The girls already give up.....
They already lost their hope....
They cannot destroy it........
They cannot win this fight...
They effort is futile.........
Tears surrounding them.......
They are crying, wishing someone will help them.
For the last time, the Sacred Tree will witnessed their hope that close to nothing. They are hugging each other, the older tried to comfort the young one. The sisters tried to bring a false hope to their little sister.
Zuikaku 's tears fell down towards Kay 's face. She can't hold herself as her heart is too weak to accept the reality.
Yet, Kay never wakes up.
"...Zuikaku?", asked Shoukaku.
"..........I love you, Kay", said Zuikaku in tears. "............".
Zuikaku kisses Kay's lips. A small kiss, but yet memorable for her. She had feeling for him and never told him. She feels very guilty but she knew that she will not has any chances again.
Prinz Eugen and Takao reaction neither surprised or amazed, seeing Zuikaku bold action.
Zuikaku looks at Kay, and hugs for the last time. After all, The Cell is already approaching them. Only waiting its to destroy Sakura Empire.
Nagato watches Zuikaku, hugging Kay. At this time, she doesn't any strength to get mad.
She stars at flag, wavering Azur Lane emblem that standing in front of the sacred tree. If she recalls, Kay is the one who responsible for that action. Until now, she wonder what is the purpose of that flag other than flexing Azur Lane.
"Did I make a wrong choice?", asked Nagato. "Did I the become the downfall of Sakura Empire?"
"............."
..........
..........
..........
"I must said, this place is very beautiful"
Upon hearing that voice, all the girls immediately looking at the source and seeing him. They feel their eyes are lying to them. They saw Kay, slowly approaching the sacred tree.
"What is this? What is going on?", asked Takao.
What they saw are vision from the past, the event when Kay stabbed the flag at the sacred tree.
"I don't have any reason to this", said Kay, slowly walking. "But, none of them are bad girls. They just some different factions with different opinions. And, I don't care about that."
"No matter who are them, I will protecting them. Either they are allies or enemies."
The last sentences calming their heart as they suddenly got a new hope. A hope that can save them from disaster.
"I'm pretty sure they will be mad at me", said Kay. "But, I have no choice. With that cell is near to this place, I have to act fast."
Kay reaches out his hand, with a sword suddenly appears out of nowhere. He holds the sword and whispering at its.
"When the time comes, show your true colors", whispered Kay.
ZAPP...ZAPP...ZAPP
The sword suddenly appears as a spear with Azur Lane flag and Kay immediately stabs at the sacred tree. The vision slowly vanish, leaving the answer for the Sakura Empire.
All of them are looking at the flag, wavering Azur Lane emblem.
"Kay?", said Zuikaku as she feels Kay's hand suddenly moving.
ZAPP...ZAPP...ZAPP
ZAPP...ZAPP...ZAPP
Lightning flows from Kay and directly moving toward the flag, broken the fake appearance.
CRACK...CRACK...
Sound of a broken glass, the flag shows its true color. The sword standing proudly, flowing with lightning element.
The sound of whispering from Kay and everyone heard that very clearly. The sentences that some of them are very familiar.
"Let me tell you"
"Enormous power come with huge responsibility"
"Yet people misused their powers to destroy each other"
"And, my Element can destroy the world"
.................
.................
.................
A huge light coming out from the sword, reaching the sky, the guardian sword.
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