Chereads / Strength of Heart / Chapter 32 - Dante!

Chapter 32 - Dante!

Dante goes to the top of the tower of glass and just sits on the edge of it. He just starts to smile and laugh at himself.

Totsuki comes out of a warp gate and just stands in front of Dante.

Totsuki: "Is it done?"

Dante: "No, but yes. I've retrieved their crystal with ease. Ziku on the other hand is very much alive."

Totsuki: "You are our highest graded assassin! How could you fail?!"

Dante: "I'm an assassin yes, but that doesn't mean I'm not human."

Totsuki: "What is that supposed to mean?!"

Dante: "I make mistakes."

Totsuki: "It appears, so do I."

Dante: "You saying it was a mistake trusting me?"

Totsuki: "Ever since Kamau died, you haven't been the same."

Dante: "What can I say? Kamau meant everything to me."

Totsuki: "Tch! Humans, foolish emotions and attachments prevent you guys from reaching your full potential."

Dante: "Yeah? The greatest wonder of the world, what does it truly mean to be human? I'm still searching for that answer myself."

Totsuki: "Spare me your nonsense! You need to kill Ziku! Nothing else matters! You have the crystal, but that won't last long. They are sure to send someone after it."

Dante: "Yeah, it's all just tougher now. Having the crystal and Asuna on to us."

Totsuki: "What do you mean?!"

Dante: "Asuna has seen me, they know we're after Ziku."

Totsuki: "Asuna! How could a human be so formidable?!"

Dante: "Maybe he's found the answer the world seeks."

Totsuki: "Your jokes do not amuse me Dante."

Dante: "Our main problem is Asuna, Ziku can wait. What's the rush anyway, he's just a kid? Besides we have the crystal, just a few more and it will be complete."

Totsuki: "We are afraid of what Ziku can become. We must eliminate him before he becomes what we fear."

Dante: "What's that exactly?"

Totsuki: "His father was close, in the book of Eden it is said that a mortal can achieve God status with will power alone. As long as that mortal is pure of heart and seeks peace amongst the realms."

Dante: "You really think this kid has what it takes?"

Totsuki:"Don't underestimate him!"

Dante: "Never took you for someone who reads."

Totsuki: "Why don't you just figure out how to do your job!"

Dante: "Ziku is gonna be heavily guarded. Getting to him is not going to be easy."

Totsuki: "What you telling me for? Looks like you got quite the task."

Dante: "Would be better for me to take out those close to him first. Draw out Ziku and Asuna, then do what I do best."

Totsuki: "You seem rather confident."

Dante: "Another human trait. Is it foolish?"

Totsuki: "Not at all, this is why we keep you around."

Dante: "Hmph, I'm honored."

Totsuki: "We have a data book of everyone in the village. Telling us everything, abilities and all."

Dante: "How?"

Totsuki: "We have inside leverage, first we used the old emperors body. Now it's solely relying on a child."

Dante: "Who's the child?"

Totsuki: "Yumi."

Dante: "I see."

Totsuki: "There are more within their village, but as of now the child is of highest importance."

Dante: "You guys truly despise this village."

Totsuki: "This village is by far ahead of the rest, but isn't the only one that poses a threat to us."

Dante: "It would appear so."

Totsuki: "Just make sure you do your job."

Dante: "I've already come up with a plan."

Totsuki: "Care to share?"

Dante: "No, I think I'll just let my work do all the talking. You'll know when it succeeds."

Totsuki: "Oh, that faithful in your plan huh."

Dante: "I'm just filled with a bunch of foolish human traits aren't I?"

Totsuki: "Just get it done! However it is done, I don't care! Whatever it takes! Just do it!"

Isamu: "Training with Ziku should make me stronger, not only that, but build our chemistry together."

Kotai: "Why are you talking to yourself?"

Isamu: "Oh shoot! Was I talking out loud?!"

Kotai: "Yeah kinda."

Isamu: "Sighs* Well I need to get stronger! I feel like a burden whenever I'm around Ziku, to make things worse Ziku is too nice to speak his mind."

Kotai: "Speak his mind?"

Isamu: "Ziku has the most faith in me, frankly I'm just glad someone does. If it wasn't for him I would not be who I am today. Actually trying to become stronger. I want to be someone people can rely on, I want to be someone strong! Someone that can protect the village! The next time me and Ziku fight along side each other I want to be the one that's there for him not the other way around all the time!"

Kotai: "Ok answer this. You want to become strong right?"

Isamu: "More than anything!"

Kotai: "Then I'll help you."

Isamu: "You will?! But why?!"

Kotai: "Because you're hopeless."

Isamu: "I'm hopeless?"

Kotai: "I know what it takes to become stronger, I know what it's like to feel weak and feel like you're a burden to others."

Isamu: "You do?"

Kotai: "The strength you see is the strength I put in time and effort to obtain. It's not easy, true strength is never given. You have to want strength and work for it."

Isamu: "All this you're telling me, I already understand. I just want my life to have more meaning. I want strength, like I said I want to be able to protect my friends or those I call friends."

Kotai: "Hmph, then let's go!"

Kotai gets into a stance waiting for Isamu. Isamu just stands there trembling in fear.

Kotai: "Hmm, it seems your first test is confidence."

Isamu: "C-c-confidence?"

Kotai: "Tell me your strengths."

Isamu: "My strengths? Well my IQ is over 200. In my family I have the best reasoning skills, referring to critical thinking. My analytical skills are the highest amongst our class. Along with synthesis and evaluation."

Kotai: "Ok what?"

Isamu: "I am very smart."

Kotai: "If that's a strength, I want you to accept that. What's most important about confidence is the fact that you have to believe in your own abilities. Self love, you know what you're great at better than anyone. Own it. Only you know your limitations, before you can work on weaknesses, you have to accept your strengths."

Isamu: "I see, acknowledge my strengths in order to accept my limitations. A weakness of mine would be combat."

Kotai: "The reason you lack in combat, is solely because you're not confident in your abilities. You're afraid because you feel weak compared to anyone else."

Isamu: "Its true, I feel my skills are inferior compared to my peers."

Kotai: "Understand that your greatest strength can be used in combat."

Isamu: "I get it, before a fight analyze and look for the highest rate of success."

Kotai: "Yes skill is important, but the great fighters are those who can outsmart their opponent even when completely outclassed."

Isamu: "It all makes sense. Although it isn't always the case, being smart isn't always enough, but it's important. I get it! I know how I can become strong in my own way!"

Kotai: "is that so?"

Isamu: "Yes, I'm ready to spar!"

Kotai: "We'll say first to land a hit wins."

Isamu: "Sounds good to me."

Kotai gets into his stance while Isamu gets into his, just a bit nervous.

Isamu: "Ok, think. How did Ziku have success against him? Obviously speed, but I'm no where near as fast Ziku. I should be faster than Kotai nonetheless. If all I have to do is land one hit, I'll just buy my time because I also know my stamina is better than his."

Kotai rushes towards Isamu and just throws a barrage of attacks. Isamu dodges and then pushes of Kotai to gain distance again.

Isamu: "Like I thought, his guard while he's attacking makes it impossible for me to land anything. He wants me to attack thinking I can counter, so he could turn it around and counter me."

As he's thinking Kotai jumps up and tries to punch Isamu, Isamu barely dodges, and just stays on the defense.

Kotai: "Hmph, he's just gonna keep running. If that's the case I'll just end this now."

Kotai increases his muscle mass thinking it would scare Isamu and leave him unable to move. He rushes towards him again, this time even slower than before. Isamu gets confused, but stays confident in his plan and himself. Kotai rushes him again, but yet again his attacks get dodged by Isamu. Kotai punches the ground shattering it, bu his arm gets stuck. Isamu seeing starts to think of what he can do. Kotai gets his arm free and just keeps rushing Isamu. Isamu backs into a bunch of trees and when Kotai goes to punch him, Isamu dodges and Kotai's whole arm gets stuck. Isamu goes to kick Kotai, but Kotai decreases his muscle mass and gets his arm free while also dodging the kick. They both back away, but Kotai smiling.

Kotai: "Ahh, so that was your plan?"

Isamu: "I hesitated a little, too worried about my attacks being remotely affective."

Kotai: "We'll call it a day."

Isamu: "Already?"

Kotai: "Yeah, you did well. It's just I have things I need to take care of. If you want you can come by tomorrow around the same time. Better yet we'll make this an everyday thing."

Isamu: "Really?! You'd train with me?"

Kotai: "Sure, Bokutso's sick right now, so I don't have a partner. I'll train with you until he gets better. Maybe he'll help you out too."

Isamu: "Thanks! I appreciate it! Oh and uhh tell Bokutso I hope he gets well soon!"

Kotai: "Haha, sure thing."

Natsumi: "As of right now I want you to stay with me until we hear anything from Izumi or Asuna."

Ziku: "But why? I don't understand."

Natsumi: "It's for you own good! It just seems like the whole world is after you! You being out without an adult scares me now because you could be attacked at any time!"

Ziku: "Mom, please stop yelling."

Natsumi: "I'm so sorry Ziku, I-I just can't get over the fact that your father's enemies are back and they're coming after you. I want to do my best to keep you safe, but my strength can only get us so far Ziku. It's times like this being in your father's arms made me feel so safe and secure, knowing he was with me gave me so much comfort."

Ziku: "I know mom. Don't worry, I'll stay here with you."

Totsuki: "The wife of Kasai is an obstacle."

Mayonaka: "Why do you think that?"

Totsuki: "Though she may not look like it, but she is the strongest woman in the village."

Mayonaka: "Really?! Thought it was Izumi?"

Totsuki: "Natsumi is far stronger than Izumi, why do you think we hesitate so much?!"

Mayonaka: "Your hesitation is what causes us to fail!"

Totsuki: "Being as strong as I am, there are only a few names that strike fear into me. Toko, Asuna, and Lych!"

Mayonaka: "Who the hell are Toko and Lych?"

Totsuki: "Toko is who trained the Namikayos, he is the master of Asuna and his siblings. Lych is-well comparing him to Asuna is an understatement. He alone could kill me."

Mayonaka: "Amazing that there's men who got as strong as they did with their own power."

Totsuki: "It's because mortals have something that us demons or even gods do not. Potential, us demons have a ceiling. With mortals, there's not telling how strong they can get."

Mayonaka: "Tch! Doesn't make any sense, I'm a mortal with demon blood absorbed! You're saying there's men stronger than me?!"

Totsuki: "You may be a Chikara, but you were never the strongest."

Mayonaka: "I'm not a Chikara! They banished me! Because I wanted us to hold a crystal for ourselves! I wanted us to be the strongest, no one ever rivaling us! Told me I was a disgrace to the clan! Look now, the Chikara clan is no more and after that brat is dead, I will start a new bloodline!"

Totsuki: "You want to create your own bloodline? Yet Toko stands in your way."

Mayonaka: "No one knows where to find him. He only rears his head when things get too tough for the world to handle. He's a coward!"

Totsuki: "Hmph, well like I said, Natsumi is an obstacle. Not only her, but Toko and the entire Namikayo family as a whole. I have Dante taking care of most of them, but you, I need you to take out Toko."

Mayonaka: "Just show me where to find him, he's as good as dead."

Aizu knocks on the door or Ziku's home.

Ziku: "Oh, hey Sensei."

Aizu: "Hey, just stopped by to see how you and mother were doing."

Ziku: "We're fine, just doing what's best for us right now."

Aizu: "I see, well-"

Natsumi: "Aizu hey, how have you been?"

Aizu: "Oh, umm I've been fine thanks for asking."

Natsumi: "Last time I seen you, it was when you were hospitalized. I'm glad you're doing well."

Aizu: "Yes, thank you for your concern, but all is well. I actually feel a lot better than I did before being hospitalized."

Natsumi: "That's good to hear, so why did you come?"

Aizu: "Asuna told me about what's going on. Since I'm training the kids back at the academy, he felt it was a good idea if I came and checked on you guys from time to time."

Natsumi: "Oh, well, umm I mean you really don't have to. Especially since it would be going out of your way."

Aizu: "Yeah, I guess you're right. But these are emperors orders."

Natsumi: "You have a point, well thank you nonetheless for being here for us."

Aizu: "No problem, I'll see you guys later. Take care."

Natsumi: "You too."

Ziku: "What's wrong mom?"

Natsumi: "I appreciate their concern, it's just, I don't want everyone involved. It just gives me a bad feeling."

Ziku: "I know what you mean, but no matter what, they will be here for us. That's what being a village means, you are there for your comrades at their most important time of need."

Natsumi: "That's exactly what your father envisioned, I-I'm sorry Ziku. I'm gonna go lay down."

Ziku: "M-mom?"

All Ziku can do is watch as she walks to her room with a disparity of a look and guilt. Something he's not used to seeing from her. All while he just watches with a concerned expression.

Aizu is heading back towards the academy to finish some paperwork. While he's walking, he gets this uneasy feeling that someone is watching him. He turns his head, but sees no one. Still the feeling of someone watching him, doesn't sit right, so instead of going to the academy he walks into the forest and towards the crest of a mountain. When he gets there, he still has the feeling of someone watching him.

Aizu: "Come out already! I know you're there, it's no use hiding!"

A gust of wind blows by Aizu, along with smoke. Dante appears and is just smiling.

Aizu: "What do I owe the honor of an assassin?"

Dante: "Ahh, so you can tell what I'm here for?"

Aizu: "Well if your clothes weren't already a dead give away, your blade also screams assassin."

Dante: "Of all my years of being an assassin, no one has ever realized it. They always ask who am I and what do I want. It's always who are you and never how are you. Assassins have feelings too ya know."

Aizu: "For an assassin, you don't seem to be the quiet and straightforward type."

Dante: "Yeah, I get that a lot."

Aizu: "Hmph, honestly if you weren't an enemy I have this strange feeling that we would be friends."

Dante: "I know right, it's weird huh."

Aizu: "You know, you don't have to do this."

Dante: "You're right, I don't, but I'm not doing this for me. Everything I do is in the name of Kamau. Until I find who killed him, I won't stop."

Aizu: "Guess I'll just have to force you to stop."

Dante draws his sword and just points it towards Aizu.

Dante: "I'll make this spot for you a special one, to what could have been."

Aizu: "A cruel world indeed."

They clash and begin fighting. Truly a classic bout, sand versus smoke. As they're fighting Aizu is doing fairly well against Dante. Dodging his attacks and dodging his counters with sand barriers Aizu backs up to gain distance, holding up two fingers and a bunch of sand rises as he pushes it and all of it hits Dante. Dante uses his smoke to teleport behind Aizu and keeps teleporting around him leaving smoke around the area. Aizu blocked all the attacks, but Dante appears in front of him and the smoke around Aizu and starts to rise. He gets shocked to see bodies appear out of smoke taking form of Dante. Clones made up of smoke. They all attack at once, leaving Aizu having to defend himself from all over. He creates a sand wall to block off some of them and fights most of them. Realizing the real one could be amongst them, he retreats combining the sand and earth around him to make his sand more solid and pushes a wave towards the clones. He takes out a few of them, but the real Dante is above him and closes in on him with his sword. Aizu dodges, creates a sand blade and then blocks off Dante's sword. They begin fighting with their blades and just when Aizu Gaines the upper hand, he slices through Dante's body. But it just goes through with smoke emitting, Aizu slips and tries to regain his footing, but before he can Dante stabs him in the neck and pins him to the ground. Aizu on the ground just coughing up blood.

Aizu: "But how?"

Dante: "This technique allows me to turn my physical body into smoke evading certain attacks."

Aizu: "You're after Z-Ziku aren't you?"

Dante: "I am, he's top priority, but those around him are obstacles I must overcome."

Aizu: "Y-you can't! D-don't do this, p-please!"

Dante kneels down next to him and just watches Aizu as he's coughing up more blood. Aizu dies, Dante closes his eyes and pulls his sword out.

Dante: "I'm sorry, truly wish this could have ended differently. But like I said, all this is for Kamau."

Core Member: "Hey! What are you doing?!"

Dante looks over at him, teleports behind him and stabs him right through his heart.

Dante: "It just doesn't end. I'm sorry Kamau, I know you wanted us to change. I promise I will, but after I find who killed you."

Dante completely turns into smoke and disappears along with the wind again. With more members of the Core showing up.

Core Member: "Is that- it's Aizu!"

Asuna: "Shidai I want-"

Shidai: "Huh?"

Asuna: "Sorry, something just feels off. I'm appointing you as my right hand man."

Shidai: "What happened to Hiroyuki?"

Asuna: "I wanted him to take care of something else for me."

Shidai: "Did you put him on the Sapphire mission?"

Asuna: " Yes."

Shidai: "He's only 13, why did you end up choosing him?"

Asuna: "Hiroyuki is the most mature out of his generation. I saw what him being here was doing to him mentally. Sapphire is the perfect place for him, not too much happens. If anything does, I'm sure Hiroyuki can handle it. Besides, he's not alone."

Shidai: "I see, so why did you choose me as your right hand?"

Asuna: "I trust you."

Shidai: "Y-you trust m-me?"

Asuna: "I can't be everywhere, that's where you come in. You don't have to join the Core, but I wish that you assist me in matters regarding the village."

Shidai: "I accept, I am honored to be chosen!"

Asuna: "Great I'll tell y-"

Core Member: "Asuna! Aizu has been killed!"

Asuna drops his pen and then just stares at him. That feeling he had earlier, he shouldn't have dismissed it.

Asuna: "How did this happen?!"

Doctor: "Well from the looks of it, he was in a fight. He was stabbed with a sword through his neck and bled out. All of his chi completely depleted."

Asuna punches the wall and it breaks into pieces, flying through the hospital.

Asuna: "Sorry."

He just walks out of the hospital without saying another word. Shidai looks at Aizu and a single tear falls down his cheek.

Shidai to himself: "This wasn't supposed to happen like this, I'm sorry."

Asuna walks alone to the back of the tower of glass.

Asuna: "Toko! What am I doing wrong?!"

He just stands there covering his face with tears falling.

Totsuki: "What is it?"

Dante: "Aizu is dead."

Totsuki: "I'd congratulate you, but it's not Asuna."

Dante: "Hmph, tough crowd. Well you can't please em all."

Totsuki: "What's your next move?"

Dante: "I'll save Asuna for last, after all, killing him; well I just might have to prepare to die as well."

Totsuki: "Just like Kamau."

Dante: "Yes, just like Kamau. As for now though, I strike at the brain. Then the heart."

Totsuki: "See to it as you see fit."

Ziku: "Are you hungry?"

Natsumi: "No, it's fine Ziku."

Ziku: "You haven't eaten all day. Here look I made some rolls."

Natsumi: "Aww Ziku thanks, but-"

Before she can finish she sees Ziku's face and he has the saddest expression. She starts to feel bad, but then grabs some rolls and starts to eat them. Ziku smiles and then walks out of her room.

Natsumi: "Even got the same guilt trip as your father."

Jaken: "What are you feeling for dinner Kenshi?"

Kenshi: "Well I've been cravi-"

They get a knock at the door.

Kenshi: "I'm craving answering the door."

Jaken just laughs.

Kenshi: "Oh hey Shiro, what's up?"

Shiro: "Is Kame here, or is he out training like usual?"

Kenshi: "You didn't hear? Kame left?"

Shiro: "He left?! What do you mean he left?! Like he's out getting food or something?!"

Kenshi: "He left the village with Mest."

Shiro: "But why?!"

Kenshi: "The beginning of his journey, his journey to becoming stronger."

Shiro: "Wow, well I guess I'll just wait for him to get back. When is he coming back, like in a week?"

Kenshi: "Shiro, a journey to become stronger takes longer than a week. You might not see Kame for a few years or so."

Shiro just staring at Kenshi , trying to find the right words.

Shiro: "What am I supposed to do now?! I usually train with him! He was- he's my best friend."

Kenshi: "Shiro, I know how you feel. I'm sorry you found out this way. All you can do now is train harder than him and when he returns show him how much you improved."

Shiro: "You're right! I'll train harder than I ever did before! When Kame comes back I'll be ready to show him how much stronger I've become!"

Kenshi: "Spoken like a true warrior."

Shiro goes back home while Kenshi and Jaken debate what's for dinner.

Kenshi: "Ahh, so how about rice balls?!"

Jaken just looks down.

Kenshi: "So no rice balls?"

Jaken: "No it's fine, it's just that I'm worried about Kame and R-Mest."

Kenshi: "Don't be worried, Kame is in good hands with Mest. They'll train and before you know it Kame will be back."

Jaken: "Yeah, you're right."

She smiles and then walks to start making dinner. Kenshi goes to help her.

Kame: "Mest, what was your family like?"

Mest: "My family? Well, my family they uhh, well my family-"

Fumbling to find the right words, Kame notices how hard it is for Mest to talk about it.

Kame: "Are you ready to train?"

Mest: "Yeah, just give me a minute."

After what felt like hours of awkward silence, Mest finally gets up and him and Kame start training.

Mest: "You ready for the first lesson?"

Kame: "I am excited for it!"

Mest: "First lesson is meditation."

Kame: "M-meditation?"

Mest: "Yes."

Kame: "No offense, but that sounds very boring. I am a martial artist. The most important training for me would be to sharpen my skills. So let us just cut to the sparring yeah?"

Mest: "Haven't you ever been fighting and thinking to yourself that you have more? Like deep down there's more strength within you?"

Kame: "Well, yes, but that is why I must train hard. Soon I will be able to unleash my full power!"

Mest: "In order for you to reach your full potential, not only must you train your body, but your mind along with it. Meditation will help you increase your awareness, calm, and focus all traits you rely on heavily when fighting."

Kame: "My full potential huh. Show me meditation! I am ready to get stronger!"

Mest shows him sitting meditation telling him to do as he does. They both sit and close their eyes. Mest tries to get fully locked in, but gets distracted because Kame is breathing in and out fast through his nose disrupting his focus.

Mest: "You know, it's controlled breathing. Take one deep breath relaxing your body and mind."

Kame sits there, he takes a deep breath and begins to relax his body. They both sit there for about 10 seconds until Kame starts to twitch.

Kame: "Ahh this is boring!"

Mest sighs and then just looks over at Kame.

Mest: "Yeah I figured you'd say that. This is gonna be tougher than I thought."

Asuna: "I want to start by saying I'm sorry. Aizu was a very good friend of mine and I let him down. More importantly, I let his family down. Not only have we lost Nino, but Aizu as well. This funeral was supposed to be for those who have passed recently. It kept getting postponed due to busy schedules and recent attacks on our village. I promise all of you that you're getting the very best from me, it's just hard at times. Everything falls on me, everything! I'm sorry I can't be the emperor you need."

Izumi: "You're the emperor we want. Asuna it's ok, these things happen. At our most important time of need you were the one who stepped up. I am very sorry for everyone we have lost, but we have to move forward as a village. We have to move forward as a family."

Tatsuma: "Izumi is right Asuna. The village is still in one piece. We are stable, that's because of you. We know you're not perfect, but it matters the most to us that you're trying. Asuna you give us hope for a future, we need to continue being strong. If you fall, we all fall."

Asuna: "You have my word."

Tora: "Honestly it's hard for me to even fathom everything that has happened these past few months. It's one thing after another. A normal person wouldn't be able to handle it, but we- we are warriors."

Everyone just pauses for awhile. The moment of silence for their fallen comrades. Everyone dressed in black mourning those they've lost.

Natsumi tearing up just staring.

Ziku sees her crying, looks at her and just grabs her hand. He squeezes it and looks forward as a way of telling her it's ok. She wipes her tears and looks forward as well. Almost the whole village coming out to the funeral. Everyone able to pay their respects and express their emotions.

Sona: "Death is not the end."

Shidai: "Yes, but it is a bump in the road for all. Most unable to get over it."

Hozu: "I'd like to believe everything happens for a reason, but what could be the reason of what we've been through in the past year?"

Mai: "Just the world we live in, nothing never stops. It may seem like there's peace, but there's always fighting. We've been fighting a non stop war and we will continue fighting. At this point, there may be no solution."

Hozu: "Don't say that!"

Mai: "Why not? At this point death seems like the best option. Death is freedom from this world. We should be happy for those who get to move on."

Everyone just stares at her, no one saying anything because deep down they agree.

Asuna walks over to Natsumi.

Natsumi: "I'm sorry."

Asuna: "Dont be."

Natsumi: "I'm in this constant mood of guilt, just can't help but feel responsible for everything that's happened here."

Asuna: "It's not your fault. No one asked for the type of world we have. You will always have those willing to live and dedicate their life to peace, but then you will always have those who seek nothing but power. Fueled by selfishness, it's just what we've come to accept it."

Natsumi: "You just can't have light in this world without it being followed by darkness."

Asuna: "I know this isn't something you want to hear, but I believe Ziku is the light. Your son could be the key to finally obtain peace."

Natsumi: "I know."

Asuna: "You know?"

Natsumi: "Thats what scares me the most. It makes me sad. A fight we failed to win, falls on our kids. We were to weak to end it, now that burden falls to our children. I hate to leave everything up to them, but it's just what has to happen. We can only hope it ends with them, have the gods forbid it carries on to our children's children."

Asuna: "So you think about it too? Yeah, I try my best to stow onto them what was given to me. We won't be here forever, honestly I think our days are numbered. All we can do is hope they find the answer we could not."

Both of them look over to see all the children playing and just smiling.

Asuna: "This puts a smile on my face, our youth being able to live their lives as best as possible."

Natsumi: "Only to see those who are older slowly realize what this world is."

They look over to see the previous students talking and just sharing a moment. Natsumi tears up again and looks down. She slowly gets angry lifting her head looking at Asuna.

Natsumi: "Our fight isn't over just yet."

Asuna: "To the end."

Natsumi: "To the end."