Previous Chapter Recap:-
It was revealed Spandine was the one who killed the king in order to frame Lucius. He cut off all communications. Lucius decisively chose to start the civil war immediately thinking it was a chance to make a comeback. But he was wrong. They had always planned to erase the sorbet kingdom for his heresy. He was exhausted before being injured by a Cipher pol sniper while he was trying to protect his mother from being sniped.
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Lucius upon waking, Gasped for air. He then noticed the peculiar environment he had found himself in. Everywhere he looked it was white as if he was amongst the clouds. He sat down while cautiously looking around when he noticed a familiar figure in the distance prostrating. His stand.
That alarmed Lucius yet it also aroused his curiosity due to this bizarre situation he had found himself in. After contemplating he deducted this was likely similar to an inner world for him. 'Or I died..' Lucius thought bitterly. Taking his head to get rid of these thoughts, he stood up and walked towards his stand.
When Lucius reached 10 meters of his stand. He heard whispers in a language he could not understand yet also understood at the same time. It was as though it spoke directly to his soul yet if he tried to speak to them, his mind wouldn't register it at all.
The stand continued praying until he came as close as 7 meters. Then it paused and addressed him without turning back. [O Lucius, I have long waited for you to visit me since you were born. But alas, Our Lord had forbidden it and indeed. I am but a mere servant of His will.] Lucius thought he would be surprised but he wasn't. Rather the voice was calming and soothing which eased his worry.
Lucius after a moment of pause. Finally spoke "What are you? Who is this lord? What is the purpose behind my reincarnation?" Asking questions he had started pondering once more after entering this space. The angel glanced at him with a smile. [O Lucius, Everything will be revealed in due time. For now, come sit next to me, So we can thank our Lord for showing mercy.]
After a moment of hesitation. Lucius decided to comply. 'Not like I had a choice..' Lucius thought dryly. The angel let out a light chuckle. 'And, of course,my mind can be read…' Lucius grumbled while sitting down.
[O Lucius, Our Lord is not a Tyrant. He had created you and your kind with Free will. For indeed, He is most pleased when he is praised by his creations with utmost firmness in their heart.] The angel lightly admonished Lucius then patiently elaborated as if educating a child. [This is as you have deducted, Is indeed your mindscape. So you have the freedom to control what thoughts you want to share with me and what you don't wish to. You merely need to have a firm intention for it.]
Lucius paused,realizing he was merely feeling feisty because he mistakenly presumed he was being forced. "I am sorry" Lucius muttered sincerely. The angel smiled sweetly [O Lucius, How could I hold it against you? For indeed, I exist as your Guardian.] The angel then paused and turned towards a floating word.
[Now, Let's thank our Lord for showing us kindness. However be cautious, That is but merely a way to communicate with our Lord. Similar to a smartphone. Do not transgress and worship it. For indeed, Our Lord is most displeased by those who associate partners with him. For indeed he is the one True God.] The angel cautioned Lucius before they began thanking their Lord.
The angel turned to face Lucius and spoke. [O Lucius, You have not died yet, your time is not due. This is our first encounter and thus as a parting gift, I shall unlock your ability to see Fortune] then It extended its right hand towards Lucius's eyes. Lucius felt a bright light suddenly flash into his eyes yet he felt it was comforting.
The last thing Lucius heard before he left that space was [O Lucius, Remember, Never associate Any Partners with Our Lord. For indeed, There is no God except Him, The one true Creator.]
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Right as Lucius's eyes shot open, he noticed the familiar tent roof and along with the bandages that he felt wrapped around his upper right shoulder, he knew he was finally awake. He slowly sat upright on the bed right as moments later he heard his name being called "Lucius!" His mom quickly rushed inside the tent and cautiously hugged him.
Lucius smiled sweetly at her caring behavior, Gently returning the hug without saying anything. After a whole minute he finally spoke "Don't blame yourself, mum. Nobody could have predicted that this would happen.."
Amara replied after hugging him for moments longer "I know.. But, as a mother, I feel responsible for not being there for you.." With a guilty expression. Lucius let out a sigh before spending quite a few minutes of repeated reassurance to help his mother feel better.
"How many of them were rescued?" Lucius asked after making small talk with his mother for the last Ten or so minutes. Amara's face softened while saying "Close to 215,000 People… Most hadn't managed to survive because they intensified their attacks and Kuma wasn't able to move fast enough…" Amara's face showed sadness when she continued to say "It's not his fault but he is blaming himself right now.. Lucius, I am sorry but… could you talk to him? He would listen to you. He always has.."
After learning where Kuma was currently. Lucius with the help of his mother soon reached his destination. His heart tugged in pain when he saw Kuma's eyes, Immediately knowing he had been crying a lot.
Only Lucius walked to a sullen-faced Kuma who was sitting against a giant tree's trunk. Their eyes met yet neither spoke anything until Lucius sat next to Kuma. Even then a silence permeated in the area except the occasional sounds of wild animals.
"Do you feel responsible for their lives?" Lucius asked with a casual tone in his voice. Kuma paused for a moment before guiltily nodding his head. "How many of them died?" Lucius asked. Kuma contemplated before dryly muttering "At least two million people…" his eyes welling up in tears once more.
Lucius hummed softly before saying "Then… don't cry. It's disrespectful to them." Kuma's eyes widened as he quickly wiped away his tears. He guiltily muttered "I am sorry…" Lucius didn't say anything, instead he leaned against his shoulder like a little brother leaning against his elder brother for support. "If you are truly sorry.." Lucius paused before gently continuing.
"Instead of crying for them. Sincerely with all your strength and without using your devil fruit… punch at least two million times every month." Kuma gripped his hand into a fist. "Even if your hands start bleeding You have to accomplish it and that is how you can truly apologize for them. By becoming strong. Strong enough to never let this incident happen again. Do you understand?" Lucius asked at the end. Kuma nodded yet this time it was different. His eyes were more clear as if he had found a purpose.
'Thank.. you.. Lucius..' Amara internally thought. Unable to hold back the tears that she had kept hidden away. She knew she shouldn't spy on their conversation, but this time she was being selfish after seeing the same sadness in Kuma's eyes that she had felt when she visited her home island and realized what happened. Everyone was 'Erased'.
Amara's only purpose after that had been to see Lucius grow up and eventually meet her husband. She had thought it was futile to struggle against the world government. Yet now, Her only source of light in life had illuminated every corner of darkness that had existed in her heart previously. Now, She knew what she had to do.She had to become stronger. Stronger than she ever was. Both for her family's sake and for her selfish desire to enact revenge against those so called 'Gods' of this world.
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Omori's hands trembled anxiously. He took deep breaths to calm his Nerves down. He had never given a speech before a group of people, especially one which would be broadcasted to 200,000 people. Thinking about them though brought back memories he has been trying to suppress since past week or so.
If it hadn't been for His sister Mari and Lucius who had helped him calm down, He wouldn't even know he was feeling so emotional because he had unlocked a rare ability of observation haki to sense others emotions.
"Brother.." Omori heard his sister's assuring voice who held his hand to help him calm down. After glancing at her, He felt himself rapidly calm down. 'I must do this.. I can't disappoint Mari and Lucius-kun..' Omori thought after feeling a burst of confidence.
After Omori subtly glanced towards the Paradise-Cadets who nodded back and started all the transponder snails that would help spread the announcement.
When the broadcasting snails started lighting up and showing an individual, the murmuring crowds of people that had been waiting for this announcement quickly quietened down. Although most of them were saddened by the recent tragedy, they were also deeply grateful for being rescued and taken care of.
Many of them were pleasantly surprised when they saw a Young man that looked to be 17ish years old without the usual Revolutionary Mask that nearly every member of this organization wore. But they also secretly felt reassured to see that one of their own seems to have a high-ranking position.
"Citizens of sorbet.. No" Omori Begun then slightly frowned before he Re-addressed them "My dear brothers and sisters. Uncle and Aunties, Grandpa and Grandmas.." Omori almost immediately sensed the swift change in mood. If before they were nervous and uncertain then now they felt relief and also more eager to listen.
After pausing to contemplate what to say. Omori finally spoke "I know very well that everyone here understands what we have been through.." pausing for a moment to let his words reach their heart. Then Omori voiced one of the key points of this broadcast. " Yet despite all that, The Marines, who we initially trusted and hoped would rescue us from that torment never came.. Rather they were the forefront force when trying to cause more suffering to us.."
Almost as if it was planned. Some of the broadcast panels showed everyone clips of battleships carrying the Marine flag releasing torpedoes yet none of them managed to hit the city. Some keen eyed noticed that a mysterious individual was grabbing them and sending them back. Causing them to murmur that to others.
But Omori spoke once more to bring their attention to his speech. "Then let me ask you this.. Why do you think that is the case? Is it because of that failure of a king? No! Is it because we couldn't afford the needed 'Bribe' to join them? No! It was because… we are weak!" His words tugged at the heart of everyone present. Some who were emotional already gripped their hands into clenched fists. Despite all that, Omori continued his speech. 'So pathetically weak, In fact. That We lost our home! Our kingdom!"
Nearly everyone looked heart broken and.. Guilt. Guilt of being weak, of not being able to do anything to protect their kingdom. 'If only.. If only..' Those were the only thoughts that ran through each of them. However, Omori's next words made them pause and listen. "My people, Why do you look Guilty? I repeat! Why do you look Guilty? No! Do not for a moment feel Guilty!" His voice carried a sense of fervor and firmness that made them question inwardly 'Yes.. why do I feel this Guilt..? It doesn't make sense!'
Sensing their emotions only heightened Omori's own emotions, as he spat out the words everyone wanted to hear but they didn't even know. " Because.. That is an insult to all our brethren that have been unjustifiably massacred!!" Their eyes widened in realization, their heart Echoing that same thought. 'Exactly! This is an insult to my-' voicing who they had lost in the massacre.
Omori spoke with a softened tone. "The land we once called home might be gone… But. You are still alive. And that means you still carry the will of everyone who has died!" He paused before gently saying " So don't, For even a moment.. feel guilty! Because that would sadden them if they were here with us!" That was enough to cause many who had been holding back their tears of pain to finally burst forth.
"Instead.. Help me." Omori said with a bow. Causing many to feel slightly confused by his behavior. "I am selfish.. And because of that, I have a dream." Omori could sense it, their eagerness as they started to realize after hearing the word 'dream', some almost wanting to say it already.
"A dream to build a Nation." That mere sentence caused their eyes to light up with hope and purpose. Which only became firmer when they heard " Where,There will be no tyrant king! Rather.. Where the people get to choose who is their king!. A king who is dedicated to making sure every citizen is happy and content!"
"So.. are you willing to help me achieve this?!" Omori stood up, looking directly into the transponder snails. An Unmistaken Red Aura of a Supreme king burst forth. Reaching the heart of everyone who listened to this. Their hearts started beating fast as they loudly exclaimed 'Willing! I will help you-' Calling Omori names according to their age and stuff.
Lucius who was nearby merely smiled widely. His judgment wasn't wrong this time. He had chosen a Gem. A Gem who is worthy of being the crown jewel of his Organization.
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Word count: 2261.
Author's note:
That concludes the Sorbet Kingdom Arc. Tbh I expected this to extend for at least until Chapter 15. But this is still more satisfying than what I had initially planned. That involved Saturn himself arriving and also Lucius meeting his Father but after checking the timeline. I felt that was awkward and instead went with this.
Either way Thank you for reading. If you would like to join my discord server and Get notified when a chapter drops then here's the link.
Discord server link:- https://discord.gg/GqMKJsCUNN
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Tomorrow I will most likely Upload a Chapter for my marvel fanfic if things go well.