Chapter 707 For Revenge part 2
The Juggernaut had already started limping from the damage Ryuu's Magic caused. However, Ryuu's arm that was still inside its mouth was no better than a mangled mess and she knew that there might be no way to repair her arm anymore, even if she makes it out of this place alive.
Even then, the light within her eyes only grew brighter. Gathering the last bit of her Magic Power, Ryuu prepared the last 10 light balls. Releasing two light balls with a size greater than anything before, Ryuu gritted her teeth as she yelled, "This is for Noin and Neze!"
The Juggernaut kept struggling, but Ryuu's hold on it only tightened. Without much choice, it smashed Ryuu to the ground, hoping to kill her. However, it was already so considerably weakened that it could only put its weight on her.
Still, Ryuu's body had already started breaking down and the passive defense she got was almost nonexistent as her Magic Power depleted. Although it wasn't enough to kill her, one of her rib bones had pierced her lungs, making her cough blood.
Persisting through the suffering, Ryuu released another two light balls with even more Magic Power in them, "This is for Asta and Ryana!"
The explosion caused further damage to the Juggernaut that it couldn't keep its tail. But since Ryuu was already at her limit, she didn't rest and gathered even more Magic Power and released three this time, "For Celty, Iska, and Maryuu!"
The three bombs finally caused the Juggernaut to limp and stop moving. Nevertheless, most of Ryuu's bones in her body were already broken and her skull cracked. Even though she was surprised that she was still somehow alive, 'Maybe because I don't want to die without giving him my answer...', she thought and further gritted her teeth.
The amount of Magic Power in her body should have forcefully put her into a 'Mind Zero' state, but thanks to her perseverance and the pain she's feeling, Ryuu was able to keep her consciousness. But that didn't stop her from gathering more Magic Power which she was unconsciously converting from her own Life Force.
Releasing another one of the light balls, Ryuu continued her shout of revenge, "For Kaguya..."
That one blasted the Juggernaut's back, but the monster was still alive so she kept on going with her orifices bleeding, "For Lyra..." This time, it blasted the Juggernaut's stomach open.
"And finally... For Alise." The last one finally blasted the Juggernaut's skull open.
Without any strength left, Ryuu let go of the monster but her right arm was left behind its mouth.
As the Juggernaut slowly turned into ashes, Ryuu fell flat on her back with memories of the past flashing before her. No, more accurately speaking, she started dreaming.
It was the scene that she dreamt hundreds of times, the moment before they entered the Dungeon, the moment before the tragedy struck.
But this time, unlike before, she could actually move. She could finally run in and join them. But before she could even approach them, the one in the middle, the former Captain of the Astraea Familia turned around to her and stopped her, "Where are you going?"
Ryuu stopped her steps and was frozen on her spot, not knowing how to answer her. Regardless, Alise continued her questions, "Aren't you going to give him an answer?"
"I..." Ryuu looked down, "I'm not even sure if I got the correct conclusion... How can I be sure when I already tossed it all away?"
Alise gently smiled and said, "Astraea-sama's words might have saved you, but they also trapped you."
Ryuu looked back up again with confusion.
But Alise didn't explain her words and said, "You might have thought that you discarded your justice, but that was never the case. You kept it all along and you just never realized it because you're the same stubborn Ryuu as before."
"...My justice?"
Alise nodded, "Yes. You never discarded it. You just forgot about it and thought otherwise. Remember it. Remember what you really wanted. And don't let his words confuse you."
Ryuu started contemplating, "What I really wanted...?"
Within an unknown amount of time, Ryuu recalled her justice that was born from her ideals, "I wanted to save all of you..."
Alise's smile grew larger, but Ryuu started tearing up, "...I'm sorry... For letting you all die... For leaving everyone alone... Please... Please punish me..."
At this moment, everyone else from the Astraea Familia turned around with gentle smiles on their faces and started cheering Ryuu up, making her realize that they never blamed her. With a pat on her shoulder, Alise continued, "You're not the only one who wanted the best for her comrades. As such, we're happy that we were able to save you that day and we'll never regret our decision."
Ryuu became silent and relief took over her. However, she felt that something was amiss and couldn't accept that.
Seeing that, Alise chuckled and continued, "I'm sorry, but that was a lie."
Shocked, Ryuu looked into her eyes.
"We're also people that strived to survive to see the next day. Of course, we would regret it."
"Then why!? Why are you not blaming me!?"
"Because we would have regretted it more. It's just like choosing the lesser evil."
Ryuu became silent once again, but she couldn't accept her words.
Alise ignored her reaction and added, "Don't let it get to you. In hindsight, we owe you an apology."
Ryuu got angry and asked, "Why!? There's nothing for you to apologize for!"
Alise shook her head, "Because of our sacrifice, you carried a burden. A burden so big that it almost destroyed you for who you are. A burden that we escaped from."
Along with her words, the rest of the girls also nodded. If they got the lesser evil, Ryuu carried the greater evil, hence, their apology.
"No!" Ryuu wanted to deny it, but she also understood their point when she heard about it. She realized that they are the reason why she descended to the hell she's at.
Ryuu then felt a familiar warmth wrap around her. A warmth that she missed and lost five years ago, "We're very sorry. You suffered because of us."
Nevertheless, Ryuu continued to deny her by repeatedly saying 'No.'
"You're too kind, so we know that you're going to have a hard time accepting it. So please live on. Continue the life that we protected. Live until you understand our shortcomings and forgive us. Live the life of the justice we believed in."
Hearing that, Ryuu recalled the state she's in and could only smile wryly, "I can't..."
At that moment, the world started cracking and the girls of the Astraea Familia started disappearing, "Then make sure not to live with any regrets... However, I have a feeling that this won't be the end."
Not knowing what she meant, Ryuu saw the world collapse along with her comrades' final smiles and once again, she descended into darkness.
.
.
.
Sitting in front of the unconscious and bleeding Ryuu, Kisuke empowered the remnant of souls that attached themselves to the Elf because it became active and he thought that they may need some help to extend their time.
A few minutes later, the remnants of the souls became weaker. But before they could disperse, they materialized in front of Kisuke. Although they materialized, only someone like Kisuke, Yoruichi, and Aika would be able to see their clear form.
"Thank you for giving us ample time. We were able to finally apologize to her." Alise in the middle immediately said.
Nevertheless, Kisuke just waved his hand in dismissal, "Don't mention it. It's just a small service."
He then took out his cane and added, "I'll help you reach Heaven or else, the Dungeon would just eat you up."
The girls were confused but before they could ask what he meant by that, each of them received a strike to the forehead from the tip of his cane in quick succession. All of a sudden, a pulling force from the top of their heads emerged, making them realize that it was their time to go.
Without much time, Alise and the rest of the girls pleaded to Kisuke, "Please! Please save Ryuu! We could only ask you!" They disappeared without Kisuke being able to give them an answer.
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