Fourteenth Minute / Time Over

[possibly_here]

[A short time after the final, decisive battle against the Festum on the North Pole, a transport's being prepped for Kazuki to return to Tatsumiya Island.  He's not in very good condition, currently needing crutches to stand and shades over his eyes to reduce strain on them from bright light.  Said battles were not easy for him, with his body pushed even further to the brink, and with Soushi -the person he'd set out to save in the first place- gone at least for now.  But still...]

So my eyes are nearly gone and the rest of my body isn't well-off either, though I've heard that they can take care of all of that back home.  But I don't even know if the treatments will treat more than just the "symptoms", so piloting the Mark Sein more might still be out of the question even when I'm better.  And I know we didn't "save" Soushi... but he said he's still out there, that he would return.  It's easier to feel I won't be going home empty-handed than I was afraid of.

I guess that means that this might be "goodbye".

But everyone, I couldn't have done this without you.  You were the ones who helped with the L-Boat operation, got the Mobile Doll System from the Titans, helped Ryo and Shouko and everyone else on the island time and time again.  You helped in this final push, when I tried to rescue Soushi even.  Without you, I never would've gotten far at all.  Canon, you especially...  I'll never repay you for what you did out there.

And no matter what, Tatsumiya Island will always be welcome to any of you.

Comments

[nietzsche_waifu]

You have fought enough, Kazuki.

Without the threat of Festum, the world will be a much safer place. Let others shoulder its weight for now.

[possibly_here]

I appreciate that Devon...

... But at the same time, haven't you been fighting for even longer than I have? You're probably overdue for a rest too.

[nietzsche_waifu]

I'm a warrior. Fighting against the world, in one form or another, is what I have been doing for most of my life.

...

It is not a path others should follow. Not if they can avoid it.

[possibly_here]

Maybe. But hopefully you won't have to stay on it any longer than you have to.

[nietzsche_waifu]

I wonder how long will that take.

The Festum... so many things started because of them, and not of the good kind. And now, it's all over.

[possibly_here]

Most of them not good. Japan ruined. Countless millions dead... and it took thirty years to finally put an end to them.

Thirty years...

So many people must've spent their whole lives fighting against them.

[nietzsche_waifu]

It felt like fighting againt Shifting Entities is what I would do my whole life.

And compared to Festum, they were nothing.

[runners_low]

So you're going?

Umm...

I'm sorry. About what happened to you.

[possibly_here]

It could've been worse.

I'm still alive. The same can't be said for a number of other pilots from Tatsumiya Island.

Too many, in fact.

[runners_low]

Yeah, I know. You told me before...

So. We didn't talk a lot, but, I was glad we did. I'll miss you.

[possibly_here]

I'll miss you too.

And I hope that your machine will be greenlit for mass production too. So you'll be able to use it as more than just a weapon.

[runners_low]

Thanks! When that happens, I'll come visit Tatsumiya.

[possibly_here]

Sounds like a plan. And if the Island has any Gnosis-model Fafners lying around that I can use safely, we'll run across the island together.

[runners_low]

That sounds great. So... see you later, Kazuki!

[infinite_blue]

"You have a safe trip home, sir."

[possibly_here]

Thanks.

It's kinda ridiculous though... you come back and I'm already on my way out. Hopefully I won't be spending months alone on an island. The way I am now, I wouldn't last a week.

[infinite_blue]

"I would not put it past you to get to safety with sea turtles or something. I'm sure we'll meet again. I may even take you up on visiting."

[Tatsumiya does sound nice. And Safer now due to Kazuki]

"And it was an Atoll."

[She had a little giggle at her deserted is~Atoll adventure.]

[possibly_here]

Right. Atoll.

[He honestly can't remember the difference off the top of his head. He's spent too long away from a legitimate school.]

[saikyocivrobo]

Any idea when will Soushi return?

[possibly_here]

None. I don't even know how he'd actually go about it either.

All I can do is try to recover from what's happened to my body and live my life in the meantime.

[saikyocivrobo]

I hope it will be soon, then.

The fact that we didn't manage to save him in the end... I find it somewhat of a personal failure of mine. I'm sorry.

[themomentoftherose]

Goodbye, Kazuki. You're a good young man. I only wish we could have done more for you.

If you're thinking of having your eyes replaced with prosthetics, please call me.

[possibly_here]

I appreciate the offer, but I won't give up on the ones I already have just yet. If my vision doesn't get much better though, I'll take you up on it.

[action]

[zetahatsudo]

Kazuki. I'm sorry I wasn't able to help you directly out there. Still, you've done the world a great service. I'll always be grateful for what you've done this day. Thank you.

[possibly_here]

You would've been at more risk of assimilation than anyone else out there. Besides, you're probably still recovering from your fight with Scirroco.

[zetahatsudo]

[Much as Kamille wants to argue against that, he doesn't. No point on ending Kazuki's time with the Chalice on a sour note, after all.]

It doesn't make my inaction any more tolerable to myself, but I appreciate your sentiments.

[He looks around to make sure no one's around before leaning in and whispering into Kazuki's ear.] Listen, we don't have much time, so I'll make this brief: Axis is gearing up for something big, and I seem to be the only one who can see a divide. They cloned a newtype 11 times just so that they could have something to counter the Mobile Doll System, and their original target is gone, they're liable to move their sights somewhere else on the planet. If it ever comes to it, call me. I'll help however I can. [He zips away in an instant before Kazuki can question him, but Kamille slipped him contact info.] Enjoy your ride back, Kazuki, you've earned your respite.

['I hope to god I'm wrong.']

[possibly_here]

I understand your concern, but Tatsumiya's not just going to get complacent now that the Festum are dealt with.

We'll be fine.

[zetahatsudo]

[nods] Good luck to you, Kazuki Makabe. Get well soon.

[And off he goes without a word.]