Chapter 30 — Will you do it again?
*It's as if the weight of everything is collapsing on me.*
Imaez floated inside of a realm of blood.
*I don't need to breathe, blink, or move.. so what is this?*
*All he did was tap me on the chest.* Imaez viewed nothing but the dark red sea in front of his eyes.
Chains emerged from what seemed like the endless bottom.
CHHHHNKKK! They grabbed his arms and legs, making him feel even more restrained.
The souls of the sorrowful— had been presented in front of him.
A voice played—
*Is that— my voice?!*
"But to be honest— yes I am sorry that I had to take their lives, in order to save me one.*
*but, if I were to do it again— to save myself, I'd do it without thinking."
A direct quote from Imaez.
*When the military girl had me in that little cocoon.. I remember.*
A familiar voice whispered to Imaez—
"So will you do it again..?" Sword Master Hyades said.
Imaez's jaw clenched.
His pupils grew smaller.
He frantically attempted to
move. The chains wouldn't budge.
"Y-Yes.. I'd do it again…" Imaez said hesitantly.
*Will I?* Imaez thought to himself.
"Alright then… Imaez."
"Watch yourself. Watch as every single murder you've caused and committed is replayed to you. Right before your very eyes." Hyades said as he disintegrated.
Imaez's memories started playing to him.
A little child's hand, soaked in blood reached out to him in the vast sea of blood.
The child's hand asked a question—
"Why did you cut me off?"
Outside of this realm—
Adam and Vinast walked over to Hughman—
"Damn.. out cold too!" Adam chuckled. "Vinast, you carry him. I'll carry Cupiditas."
"Really..? Pick up your own weight next time Adam." She carried Hughman over her shoulders.
Julius had appeared in front of them— holding Vanessa's corpse.
*The hell?! He's soaked in blood…* Adam's eyes widened.
*Don't tell me…*
"Unfortunate. Seems like we've lost one." Vinast said with a bit of sadness in her tone.
Adam's expression went back to his normal laid back self.
"Yeah.. kind of the worst part of it all. Actually losing someone." Adam responded.
"Alright… now for Cupiditas."
Adam walked out of the alleyway and grabbed Cupiditas— carrying him.
"Okay, got everyone. Major General!"
Julius had turned around— "What is it?"
"Could you point me to where the super train is again…?"
Julius had pointed northwest of the entrance to North City.
Adam walked out of the entrance going to the super train underneath the ground—
*What the fuck was the blood? Is that why no citizen has showed up since he left..? And the pressure of the Reaper and his friend, they're spluttering like crazy!* Adam's eyes focused on the silver train he had seen.
"Alright… Cupiditas.." Adam had placed Cupiditas on a seat. "Don't do any funny business, we'll be reporting to the Emperor soon."
Adam transformed into a shadow and quickly made his way over to Vinast.
"Alright.. you ready to go?" He said to her.
"Yeah.. he's a bit heavy to carry so I had to concentrate some of my energy in my physical attributes…" She replied with some strain in her voice.
Julius' body alerted him— his arm hairs rose.
"The hell?" He whispered to himself.
"IMAAAAEEEEZ!" Cupiditas screamed out.
He ran on all fours, rushing inside.
Julius had ran and grabbed him by the neck.
"Can't you see Cupiditas?! YOU LOST!" He screamed in his ear.
"I don't even know why Aurelian had chosen you for the Royal Attack Squadron.. you're irrational, erratic, and illogical." He scoffed.
Julius tapped him on the neck to render him unconscious.
"Alright.. let's go." Julius dragged Cupiditas away.
*The hell is wrong with him..? He's completely unhinged! There's so much going on..* Adam thought to himself.
Naomi and Marie had carried the 3 boys all the way to the train station near North City.
"God… we need a train, and quick." Naomi said while sweating. "Anyway, while we're still here… let's introduce everyone."
Marie pointed—
"The blond one is Imaez, or 'The Reaper' as people say. He's bit of an enigma, or tries to be one. He's really troubled, but fun to be around."
"The brown hair is Lloyd, my brother. He's a knucklehead, but speaking to him once really shifts your view on him."
"What about the black hair guy?"
"This knucklehead, is Falcon. He's been my best friend since we were little. He wants to protect everyone.. Really quick at making decisions, for good or for worse." Naomi smiled.
Choo choo! The train arriving to their stop.
"Alright.. let's head to Greenwood."
The Deathslingers along with their new additions were on their way to discover what Artemis meant by—
The Truth.