77 Chapter 40: Strength Part 2

Sona: \"I suspected it would be something like that. All the three energies, psychic, ghost and dragons, naturally oppose vampires. Think what would happen if this war does happen?\"

Barry: \"At this point, it's more like when it happens rather than if it happens, but anyway, I think the vampires will get wiped out.\"

I have to agree. No matter how I try to look at the situation, their chances are slim to none.

Sona: \"And the result would be seas of blood.\"

Yeah, that's very likely. Wait! I see. That's what she is getting at.

Sona: \"That result would probably be …\"

Kais: \"… what Ozyllus desires.\"

She nods.

Kais: \"And the more fight the vampires are able to give, the bloodier the sea would become.\"

Sona: \"Yeah, so the only way to change things is to stop the war.\"

She turns to look at me.

Sona: \"I think he is someone who has suffered because of Ozyllus too. I just have a feeling stopping his plans is his real motive.\"

I believe you, Sona. I totally believe you. And if that's the case then … then … I should probably agree to it. But,

Dragon: \"Are you wondering if you'll be able to stop the war or not?\"

Kais: \"Yeah, don't you think my power alone wouldn't be enough.\"

The dragon sighs. What? You can't possibly expect me to stop a war between these powerhouses by myself.

Barry says irritated,

Barry: \"You are actually right. You can't stop the war by yourself.\"

He says while sighing as well. Okay, I am glad we agree but what is with that tone?

Barry: \"The problem with you is that a couple of misconceptions in your mind have led you back to the right answer.\"

That's … awkward to hear.

Barry: \"Listen,\"

He steps forward and looks me in the eye.

Barry: \"You are strong, you know? You are very strong.\"

Yeah, I know. I know I am not really a weak psychic for sure.

Barry: \"No, you don't get it.\"

He says as if he read my thoughts.

Barry: \"You are stronger than me.\"

What!?

Barry: \"You are stronger than everyone on this island. You may even be stronger than everyone in the world.\"

That's absurd.

Barry: \"Yes, you would still not be able to stop the war by yourself. But that's not because you are not strong enough, but because it is that great of a task.\"

Kais: \"You can't be serious.\"

Barry: \"I am, very serious. Stop thinking you are not strong and stop thinking that is the reason you can't stop the war by yourself. You need help, but not because you are lacking in power but because the world isn't so flimsy that you can save it alone.\"

Barry says it all looking me in my eye. How am I supposed to deny him like this? How am I supposed to tell him that he is wrong when I can clearly see his sincerity so clearly?

Barry: \"I have had it with the masks. I am done trying to deceive you. So, at this moment, believe me when I say that I believe in you.\"

And I can't help but believe in him too.

Dragon: \"And if hearing this from him is not enough for you, then I will say it too.\"

The dragon turns to look me in the eye the same way Barry did.

Dragon: \"You were chosen by Ozyllus to become his weapon of destruction. It was because you had to power to do so. And because you had the power to do so, you also had the power to do the opposite.\"

He says it with the same sincerity that Barry did.

Dragon: \"I know you are using Aura Reading. I know you can sense my true feelings right now. So tell me, am I lying now?\"

Kais: \"You … are not.\"

Ro: \"The reason Vermillion wanted to bring you on their side was also probably that you were powerful enough to destroy their enemies. We Embers weren't told much but we were told that you are someone really special and will become the man who will change this world. So I too think you are powerful.\"

Ro says so as well.

But I just don't get it. How can I be powerful? How can I be someone who can change the world when I couldn't save anyone in my life?

Barry: \"What you are thinking right now – is exactly what Ozyllus wants you to think. Those thoughts were created by me following his orders and showing you that disaster 12 years ago. So stop those thoughts. They were forced into your head.\"

No matter how much I try to, I can't deny those words. I can't deny any of their words.

Ro, a man who served Vermillion without knowing about anything, a man who was forced to think the way Vermillion wanted him to, is now sharing his true feelings to someone.

Barry, a man who was forced to do as Ozyllus told him to, had to endure the pain of deceiving a child, is now speaking without any deception in his words.

Dragon, someone who was also forced to do just as Ozyllus told him to, someone who grieved over the fact that his power would kill all who try to kill him making him a murderer without even doing anything, is now rebelling against the cause of all that suffering.

I can't deny these people. I can't say they are lying or run away from reality, can't run away from my responsibility.

Sona: \"Hey, you okay?\"

Kais: \"Uh, what?\"

I can't see as well as I could a moment ago. Why is that?

Barry, looking at me, smiles.

Kais: \"What's happening?\"

I can't see well, my vision has become blurred. It looks like something is flowing from my eyes.

Dragon: \"I suppose that means you accept it.\"

I … I … do. I do accept it. I won't try to step on your words. I won't try to act like a brat and run away. I will accept what you have said and will believe in your words. I will believe that I am worthy of our trust.

Kais: \"I will save the world.\"

As I say that, I realize why tears are coming from my eyes. I am about to see these people go away.

Barry: \"It's true.\"

Even if I want to change this, I can't.

Barry: \"I will probably not live past the three days this island has left. My death is not certain but I doubt I will live past that.\"

Dragon: \"And I, as you all know, am I going to die in three days.\"

Ro: \"I don't plan on dying any time soon, but I don't know how long I will survive. Though I am already a ghost so dying doesn't technically make sense but my existence will be over.\"

It's true. These people have been able to show their true feeling once in their life, and now they will soon all die. It's as if these moments filled with humanity are a sin to have.

Having silently watched all this, Sona sighs. She comes forward and glances at me before saying,

Sona: \"My goal hasn't changed. I want to get revenge for all those people that died 12 years ago. But I now know who I should take that revenge from.\"

She turns to me.

Sona: \"I am not dying, so I am coming with you.\"

I feel relieved to hear that. It's as if, for the first time in an eternity, I really regained something I had lost.

Sona: \"We are going to stop him. And we will do it together.\"

Yes, I regained a friend.

*******************************

Ozyllus: \"…\"

The silence continues.

Abyss: \"…\"

Ozyllus: \"…\"

The silence continues as the stare at each other.

Abyss: \"…\"

Ozyllus: \"Well,\"

But like always, the silent stare-down comes to an end. And it happens by Ozyllus.

Ozyllus: \"Do you think they'll be able to do what they are trying to do?\"

Abyss: \"Yes.\"

Ozyllus: \"Hmm … well, I guess we'll see.\"

He says as he spreads his arms.

Ozyllus: \"Tell me, you do know what I have been up to for some time, don't you?\"

Abyss: \"You have been trying to create a distortion in time-axis so that the time starts running faster.\"

Ozyllus: \"But you didn't try to stop me.\"

Abyss: \"I wouldn't have been able to.\"

Abyss says calmly.

Abyss: \"Besides, now there is no need to.\"

Ozyllus: \"Why's that?\"

Abyss: \"Because everything that was needed to defeat you is already done. No matter what you do now, you can't win.\"

Ozyllus: \"Don't underestimate a god, devil.\"

Ozyllus says in a loud voice.

Abyss: \"Don't underestimate humans, god.\"

Abyss said in an equally loud voice.

Ozyllus: \"Tch! Human, what humans? These people are not humans. Mere humans could never be able to do the things they have done.\"

Abyss: \"Yeah, maybe. But mere humans can do what Ethan Kales has done. And he is the reason this all is happening.\"

Ozyllus: \"What?\"

Abyss: \"Do you know why the dragon betrayed you? Do you know why Barry has become so ready to spill everything? Do you know how they all gained the courage to go up against you after all these years?\"

Ozyllus doesn't answer. He can't answer.

Abyss: \"It is because Ethan has the courage to go up against them.\"

Ozyllus doesn't interrupt. He can't interrupt.

Abyss: \"They saw the 'mere human' going up against monstrously powerful people and still being able to smirk at their faces. They saw the courage that borders at the line of madness. And … seeing him, they just couldn't let themselves be cowards anymore.\"

Ozyllus remains speechless.

Abyss: \"It wasn't all that long ago you said that Ethan is your pawn. But you couldn't be more wrong. Ethan Kales is not your pawn.\"

Ozyllus knows what he is saying is the truth. He has realized it over the course of these events.

Abyss: \"Neither him, nor Kais or anyone else is your pawn. They are people, who at the end of their lives had what it takes to take their own path. And they will be the ones you will remember as the ones who brought you down.\"

At this point, the air of sadness is felt by all.

There are those who are about to die. There are those who will have to see them die. They are those who know they will die. They are those who believe they won't die. There are those who have to see their dreams being crushed in front of their eyes. And there are also those who will see their dreams being reached, but will lose everything in the process.

Ozyllus: \"How can anyone wish for an outcome like this? How can any of you be happy with such tragic existences?\"

Abyss: \"You still don't get it.\"

Abyss said as he clenched his fists.

Abyss: \"It's not about us. It's about the world.\"

The so-called devil, who had sensed all of this sadness for more than thousand years, now tells the so-called god his reason for enduring it.

Abyss: \"It's the tragedy of our lives that will shape the story of this world to a comedy. Because, at the end of the day, we will give this world the happiness we can't get. We just happen to be people who can find our salvation in that fact.\"

Ozyllus looks at Abyss as every word he hears pains him to his heart.

Ozyllus: \"I see. So be it. That's how it shall be.\"

He says as opens his tightened fists. And with those fists, he lets go of the trigger of time.

*******************************