Chapter 150 150: Heart

Atlas kept trying to figure out a way to call forth his Sword, yet he couldn't. Just as he was on the verge of giving up, a voice appeared in his head.

"In trouble?"

"Hmm?" The voice was the same that he had heard in his dreams, yet it was different as well. It appeared even more realistic this time as if someone actually was speaking to him directly.

"It seems you've run out of time already... I guess I expected a bit too much from you with the amount of time you had. Then again, I can't extend your time..."

Even though Atlas didn't know who was speaking to him, he did have a guess. The voice appeared in his dream and now in his head... And the voice seemed to know about him all too well. Moreover, the talk about him running out of time... That only made him think of one person.

'Lord Castiel?' he asked in his head, not speaking out loud.

"Are you ready to leave this world forever and disappear into nothingness?" The voice asked instead of answering Atlas' question.

The questioning confirmed all of Atlas' assumptions. It was indeed Castiel who seemed like he was about to take back the control of the body. Atlas knew that if that happened, he was going to be gone forever. All his plans and all his goals were going to be left behind if that happened.

"I..."

Atlas didn't know how to respond to the question. In the first place, he had already known that there was going to be a time when he would need to disappear. However, after he had realized his new goals, he wanted to stay in the body for longer, at least until he found all the key Fragments.

"I am not ready. I don't want to leave! I want more time... Just one more month... That's all I need! Give me one more month only!"

He didn't know how long it was actually going to take to recover all the key Fragments, but he decided to get whatever small bit of time he could get. One month was a small time range to achieve all this since the traveling alone consumed a lot of time, but he couldn't ask for a long time. He knew that Castiel would want to be back in his body as well! One month was better than nothing as well.

"That's not on me." Castiel's response came. "Your Soul... It's too weak. The protection you received is almost gone too. There is nothing I can do... I did all I could do for you already. Maybe it's time you really left... You are too weak."

"As soon as the protection charm runs out, your soul will be ripped to pieces by the overwhelming burden of this body. It's not strong enough to stay inside the body."

"Is there no way?" Atlas dropped to his knees, having a blank look on his face. He wasn't worried about the pain his soul was going to go through, but he wanted to stay here longer.

Castiel went momentarily silent.

****

Even though Castiel was talking to Atlas, in reality, his Spirit was still standing where Atlas had last seen him. He was still standing inside the graveyard, before a tombstone.

"A way... There is a way..."

After a brief pause, Castiel spoke.

"What way! Tell me what it is! I'll do anything!"

Castiel rubbed the back of his neck, seemingly amazed at himself. "I don't know why I'm going this far for the kid."

"Because you were always an idiot." Another mysterious voice came as a figure appeared beside Castiel. "So, are you really going to do it?"

"I know I shouldn't, but I can't say no to the kid for some reason... He reminds me so much of..." Castiel also seemed a bit down as a thought crossed his head. "I know Atlas isn't him... But..."

"But you still want to help him," the mysterious figure stated. "I would really advise against it. If you do it, you'll just make things worse..."

"I know, but... Sigh." Castiel didn't know how to respond. He was lost for words. Even he knew that the only option there was, was bad for them all.

"Don't do it. If you went there to help him, your aura will alert them... They would know you're back. And after you return, Atlas would have to take care of the mess you created for a month. It'll put both of you in trouble."

"It would've been a different matter if you went there permanently, but going there just to help him... It's a stupid decision. Even more stupid than what led to all this. Stop being so impulsive."

"I know I shouldn't, but my heart doesn't agree with me. What can I do of this heart? It loves to make me do stupid things. First that, and now this..."

"Have you really made up your mind?" The mysterious person asked again, taking a subtle glance at the tombstone ahead.

"Yeah. The kid doesn't have much time. If I don't go, his spirit will forever be gone... I want to fulfill his last wish at least."

"Sigh, you idiot. He is a different person! Just because he looks like him doesn't make him the same person. He... He isn't your family! He's a stranger!"

Castiel turned to that mysterious figure, flashing a weak smile. "Who wasn't a stranger in my life? I was but an orphan, born without anyone to care for me. Every person in the world was a stranger to me, even Lilith..."

"Also, why are you talking like it's certain that they'll find out? I mean, the chances are high, but even if they do, they can't come so fast, can they? It'll take them a couple of months to even arrive after sending me. By that time, I will be back in my body."

"So you're trying to justify your actions, by basing them on the assumption. Whatever, I know you won't listen to me. You've always been so stubborn. But remember, I warned you. You will regret it if you do it. And this time, it'll be worse than the last time. There's still time... Think about it..."

The mysterious figure disappeared, making the cemetery return to silence. Castiel gazed back at the Tombstone ahead.

"I'll regret it... But I'll regret it even if I don't do it. Right?" he asked, glancing at the tombstone, getting no response.

Finally, he started hearing the voices of Atlas again, who had still been asking what option he had.

"You don't need to do anything! Now everything that's to be done will be done by me!" Castiel answered as his eyes shone briefly. "