Asol Ansaldo's PoV
Today was the day. The day I've been dreading for the past week.
Fujiwara's solo live concert is finally here.
Normally anyone who knew who she is and was aware of the concert would be excited. But me? It was something I was worried for. Understandably so.
Today was the day the Saviours would wreak havoc and kidnap Fujiwara.
But for what?
No clue.
If they were trying to assassinate her the day I arrived here, something must've changed if they now wanted her.
And now we were in a massive dome that could fit tens of thousands of fans who unknowingly would be caught in the crossfire between the KAC and the Saviours.
I was waiting outside Fujiwara's dressing room, thinking if I should tell her about what's to come. Imagining her possible reactions was what went through my mind until the watch on my wrist rung.
6 p.m
As I knocked on the metal door to her dressing room, images of that Saviour from a few days ago flashed before my mind.
The destructive lightning and ice he produced. If he were to appear tonight...
Just thinking about it sends chills up my spine.
Knock Knock Knock!
"Hey? Fujiwara! It's time!"
As the doorknob clicked and turned, a beautiful girl answered.
She wore her Pandora's Dress. Though it was adorned with gold ribbons and not to mention the new headpiece she wore. You could call her a goddess if was you standing in front of her.
She was beautiful.
"I'm ready Asol."
"Let's go."
As we made our way to the stage, I made small talk with her.
"So this is your first solo live? You excited?"
I said with enthusiasm.
"Heh, yes. Though this was unexpected. The CEO insisted for whatever reason. But I've no problem."
"Is that so?"
So it turned out the CEO was planning this for his vision.
We were just behind the main stage where Fujiwara was performing. Just before she went, I called out to her, contemplating whether I should tell her what was going to happen to her.
"Fujiwara!"
"Yes, Asol?"
It was then I understood why the CEO couldn't tell her everything.
It's difficult telling someone you care about the things that will happen to them. Especially if it involves them getting hurt.
"Uh. Nothing. Do your best out there!"
I said smiling while placing my hand on the back of my head.
She smiled warmly and entered the main stage while the cheers of support rang throughout the dome.
I stayed in the side, watching her.
As she talked into the microphone, introducing herself, she spoke to her audience of over ten thousand about the many years she had spent with them over the internet.
And then the first song played, and then the next, and the next while the crowd cheered on.
She danced and sang. The allure that she brought and showed to her fans was astonishing and beautiful.
Then it was the last song for the night.
"Aimless"
That was the name of a song she had developed.
Compared to the energy that the other songs brought, this was one was calm. Soothing. Breathtaking.
The lyrics she sang told a story of a girl who wandered aimlessly in a world that had no significance, nor meaning to her. She knew not of her origin, but that she was just an empty doll with nothing to give nor take.
Was this song a reflection of her?
As she continued to sing with her soft calm voice, entrancing the audience in silence, I couldn't help but feel sense of peace.
Peace?
Peace...
Was this the first time I've felt such a thing since I arrived here?
It felt ages since she first sang this song, but now it was over. I, along with the audience, applauded with praise and admiration until she spoke through the microphone.
"THANK YOU! ALL OF YOU! YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH THIS MEANS TO ME! I HOPE I MADE YOUR DAY! AGAIN! THANK YOU! GOODNIGHT! ALL OF YOU!"
She thanked everyone with gratitude.
Now that the concert was over, everyone started to shuffling out of the dome.
As Fujiwara was exiting the stage...
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
Smoke and dust erupted where most of the audience were congregated as they screamed in pain and suffering.
Was it Them?
Was it the Saviours?
Because me and Fujiwara were on site, we were the first responders as we worriedly made our way, looking for those who were caught in the explosions.
The screaming and groans of pain that echoed throughout the dome, made me remember back to THAT day. The day I lost everything.
And if anything, it would've also reminded Fujiwara of the Shibuya Incident.
Which also brings up the fact that she doesn't know that the Saviours were the cause of her suffering.
"WELL WELL WELL! THAT WAS A WONDERFUL PERFORMANCE!"
A thundering voice echoed throughout the dome.
As we looked around trying to find the origin of the voice, He was there on the stage where Fujiwara performed.
A person in a blue robe that donned an intricate design that reflected the Kaiju threat.
It was the same man I saw on the TV.
The so-called "Leader."
I turned to Fujiwara who had confusion and anger written all over her face.
She was mad.
And so was I.
But then, echoes of the CEO's voice rang through my mind.
"Please do everything in your power to protect her. Make sure that she doesn't get taken by the Saviours."
That's right.
I turned back to the robed person as he continued.
"UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S WHAT'S NOT GOING TO BE REMEMBERED TODAY. TODAY, THE PEOPLE WHO REJECT OUR BELIEFS WILL REMEMBER THAT THIS WAS THE DAY THAT WE SAVIOURS TRULY SHOW OURSELVES! STARTING WITH YOU TWO! ALTHOUGH WE'LL NEED ONE OF YOU!"
Fujiwara then whispered to me and asked me with curiosity.
"What does he need one of us for?"
Shit. Do I tell her?
"I don't know."
As he finished his villainous dialogue, several rifts in spacetime opened around him with numerous Saviours coming out.
They all wore the same boring blue robe, except two individuals.
I recognized them.
They were the ones who could open rifts in spacetime and had the power to control the elements.
It was them.
"NOW THEN! MY FELLOW BROTHERS AND SISTERS! COMMENCE THE FIRST STAGE!"
First stage?
As me and Fujiwara stood a distance away, the Saviours unleashed their attacks in unison, forming into a beam towards us.
PSHYOOOOM!
I turned to Fujiwara, giving her a look that spelled:
"This is going to hurt."
She gave me a look that spelled:
"I got this."
She called forth her Durandal and shot a wave of energy, clashing with their attack and canceling it out.
BOOM!
As the dust settled, she launched her self towards the Saviours leaving me behind as I call out to her.
"Fujiwara!"
She was aiming for their Leader. I think she must've thought of she could take out the leader, then everything would be over. We wouldn't have to deal with them.
However...
It wasn't as simple as she thought.
It was then the Leader muttered a single word.
"Fall."
[PLANAR COLLAPSE]
Just as Fujiwara was about to swing her sword, a force of unknown origin overwhelmingly pressed her and everything behind her including me onto the earth beneath us.
The dome we were in was about the size of the training room. The Saviours had taken control of one fourth of the dome. Anything not in the space that the Saviours were in, was subject to the gravitational force that crushed everything.
Thankfully we had evacuated everyone just before they showed up.
As we both struggled to move due to the overwhelming force pressing us into the ground, the Leader spoke as he walked around us.
"I find it amusing that no matter what you two do, you will always fall."
He continued.
"You know, it was always you two that destroyed the things that were meant to save everyone. To bring everyone to salvation! But alas. It's meaningless for you."
I could see Fujiwara's facial expression. She was completely helpless. Just like me.
"You must be wondering why I worship the Kaijus. Why I serve them. It's all in the name of their knowledge! I want to know everything about them! And everything that they know! They know how to save us! How to save us from destruction!"
All this destruction...
Just for knowledge?
What was this belief that he had?
I mustered the energy to mutter a sentence. But even so, it was still a struggle.
"Urgh. Belief is powerful, but-"
The Leader seemed to have heard and bent over me to listen what I had to say and smiled.
"Go on? Belief is powerful, but?"
"But. It. Can. Be. Idiotic."
The leader's smile turned upside down and repeated what I said.
"Belief is powerful, but it can be idiotic? Hah! That's got to be the most stupid thing I've heard in my life!"
He laughed hysterically and continued.
"That's a powerful quote. Unfortunately, it won't help since we are taking your girlfriend there."
Girlfriend? Though, I'll accept the compliment.
How to get through this bone crushing force was all I could think of in order to protect Fujiwara.
He continued.
"Anyways, we are wasting time here conversing. We have a VERY heavy schedule to keep up with. We will be taking the girl."
The gravitational force pressing on us, intensified causing Fujiwara to go unconscious.
Though, I was just barely conscious.
The leader waved his hand which alerted the robes to carry Fujiwara through a portal.
I try to call out to her, however not a single grunt left my mouth.
The leader then kneeled next to me once more before leaving while I was being crushed.
With the use of all my strength, I slowly but surely stand up against the overwhelming force of gravity, only to fall again.
But I could see it. Disbelief revealed itself for a moment on his face.
He chuckled.
"Heh. It seems you aren't The One it seems. Though if the Kaijus say you are, then I won't doubt them. You must've gotten lucky."
The One? What does he mean by that?
The Leader than looked back and saw that the robes had fallen back with Fujiwara. Only the Two stayed with him.
Darn it!
I'm completely helpless...
"Well then, Asol Ansaldo. I enjoyed the performance. I hope we see each other again very soon."
And within an instant they were all gone, and the force pushing me into the ground dissipated, allowing me to move once again.
"Huff... Huff..."
I failed...
I failed the CEO...
I couldn't do anything...
I couldn't stop them from taking her...