healingbonds (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
healingbonds) wrote2020-06-11 07:24 pm
healingbonds) wrote2020-06-11 07:24 pm
Prelude to the Festival and Justice | Chapter 12
Chapter 11 << | index | >> Chapter 13
Oz’s voice is tinged with uncharacteristic desperation; I can hardly believe it’s really him. As if in response, Arthur’s fingertips quaver slightly.
Arthur: ......hh, ......Sir Oz......
Akira: Arthur......!
Riquet: I’m so glad you’re safe......!
At the sight of Arthur slightly raising his eyelids, everyone breaks out into delighted smiles. Even Oz breathes a sigh of relief.
Arthur gives a tiny smile, still breathing with some difficulty.
Arthur: ......I had an old dream..... Of you, Sir Oz......
Oz lowers his eyebrows, his expression mingled with a wry smile.
Oz: A dream where you were reckless and twisted me around your finger? Even though you’re all grown up, you haven’t changed in the least.
Before Arthur can say anything, the sands of the ruins start pulsating again. With a roar, the sands churn into a whirling maelstrom and surround us.
Oz hands Arthur over to Rutile before taking his staff from Riquet and standing up.
He looks down at the dead city with a ruthless gaze.
People of Mesa: ......Oz......
Oz......
Oz: ......How vexing. I’ll decimate all of you without leaving a trace behind—starting with your souls.
Arthur: ......hh, you can’t, Sir Oz......
Arthur struggles to get up, his face distorted from pain, and holds Oz back.
Arthur: The festival...... As long as we perform the holy festival, the souls of the people of Mesa too, will........ We should be able to guide them......
Oz: ......The festival......
Cain: ......hh, He’s right......
Mitile: Mister Cain......!
Cain raises a hand, his shoulders shaking as he breathes heavily.
Cain: ......This injury is nothing. Let’s carry out our duty.....Oz......
Riquet nods. He conjures the lantern that is his magical object, and looks straight ahead.
Riquet: It is our duty as wizards who have been blessed with special powers to guide lost souls and take them into the light. Let’s do what must be done.
Looking over Arthur, Cain, and Riquet’s faces, some calmness returns to Oz's eyes, which had been like frozen flames.
Oz: ......Understood. Let’s perform the festival.
Arthur: ......Y, Yes!
Rutile: Please! While you’re all performing the holy festival, we’ll protect you.......!
Mitile: Yes! Leave it to us!
Mithra's amulet: NopeNopeNopeNopeNopeNope.
RunRunRunRunRunRun.
Rutile: Sheesh! Mister Mithra's amulet is so annoying!
Mitile: We’re trying to look cool here! Don’t ruin it!
Figaro: —Leave the support to me.
With a start, we raise our faces in the direction of the voice coming from above our heads.
Rutile: Dr. Figaro! Mister Leno!
Lennox: Sorry for being late. Is everyone all right?
Figaro: Oz, I’ll do you a favor. You can go and perform the festival in peace.
Figaro raises the corners of his mouth and mockingly looks down at the surging sands.
Figaro: You accursed, ignorant fools — useless worms who know nothing but maledict should stay in their place. Who do you think you're defying?
Lennox makes an exasperated face.
Lennox: This is why you always end up looking like the bad guy.....
Mitile: Dr. Figaro, did you say something—!?
Figaro: I said, "Come on guys~! You’ve got this~!"
Oz: How creepy......
Figaro: Shut up. Go do what needs to be done.
Raising a single displeased eyebrow, Oz holds his staff in one hand and steps forward.
Behind him, Arthur falls in step, covered in injuries, followed by Cain and Riquet.
Slowly, Oz raises his staff.
His lips move quietly.
Oz: << Vox Nox >>
Akira: ............!
Light disappears from the world, and my stomach feels suddenly heavy.
Just like when we awakened the Ancient Temple in the West, I’m overwhelmed by an incredible shock.
As if my body’s going to fall to pieces; as if it’s being stretched out; as if many tiny explosions are occurring within me.
I’m so scared that I feel like running away. But in the next moment, I feel emboldened; justice and conviction well up from the bottom of my heart.
I feel an indomitable presence approaching: it’s a feeling that makes you want to look straight ahead with an unwavering gaze, holding your head high.
Akira: .....!
When I open my eyes, I’m at the temple.
Chapter 11 << | index | >> Chapter 13
Oz’s voice is tinged with uncharacteristic desperation; I can hardly believe it’s really him. As if in response, Arthur’s fingertips quaver slightly.
Arthur: ......hh, ......Sir Oz......
Akira: Arthur......!
Riquet: I’m so glad you’re safe......!
At the sight of Arthur slightly raising his eyelids, everyone breaks out into delighted smiles. Even Oz breathes a sigh of relief.
Arthur gives a tiny smile, still breathing with some difficulty.
Arthur: ......I had an old dream..... Of you, Sir Oz......
Oz lowers his eyebrows, his expression mingled with a wry smile.
Oz: A dream where you were reckless and twisted me around your finger? Even though you’re all grown up, you haven’t changed in the least.
Before Arthur can say anything, the sands of the ruins start pulsating again. With a roar, the sands churn into a whirling maelstrom and surround us.
Oz hands Arthur over to Rutile before taking his staff from Riquet and standing up.
He looks down at the dead city with a ruthless gaze.
People of Mesa: ......Oz......
Oz......
Oz: ......How vexing. I’ll decimate all of you without leaving a trace behind—starting with your souls.
Arthur: ......hh, you can’t, Sir Oz......
Arthur struggles to get up, his face distorted from pain, and holds Oz back.
Arthur: The festival...... As long as we perform the holy festival, the souls of the people of Mesa too, will........ We should be able to guide them......
Oz: ......The festival......
Cain: ......hh, He’s right......
Mitile: Mister Cain......!
Cain raises a hand, his shoulders shaking as he breathes heavily.
Cain: ......This injury is nothing. Let’s carry out our duty.....Oz......
Riquet nods. He conjures the lantern that is his magical object, and looks straight ahead.
Riquet: It is our duty as wizards who have been blessed with special powers to guide lost souls and take them into the light. Let’s do what must be done.
Looking over Arthur, Cain, and Riquet’s faces, some calmness returns to Oz's eyes, which had been like frozen flames.
Oz: ......Understood. Let’s perform the festival.
Arthur: ......Y, Yes!
Rutile: Please! While you’re all performing the holy festival, we’ll protect you.......!
Mitile: Yes! Leave it to us!
Mithra's amulet: NopeNopeNopeNopeNopeNope.
RunRunRunRunRunRun.
Rutile: Sheesh! Mister Mithra's amulet is so annoying!
Mitile: We’re trying to look cool here! Don’t ruin it!
Figaro: —Leave the support to me.
With a start, we raise our faces in the direction of the voice coming from above our heads.
Rutile: Dr. Figaro! Mister Leno!
Lennox: Sorry for being late. Is everyone all right?
Figaro: Oz, I’ll do you a favor. You can go and perform the festival in peace.
Figaro raises the corners of his mouth and mockingly looks down at the surging sands.
Figaro: You accursed, ignorant fools — useless worms who know nothing but maledict should stay in their place. Who do you think you're defying?
Lennox makes an exasperated face.
Lennox: This is why you always end up looking like the bad guy.....
Mitile: Dr. Figaro, did you say something—!?
Figaro: I said, "Come on guys~! You’ve got this~!"
Oz: How creepy......
Figaro: Shut up. Go do what needs to be done.
Raising a single displeased eyebrow, Oz holds his staff in one hand and steps forward.
Behind him, Arthur falls in step, covered in injuries, followed by Cain and Riquet.
Slowly, Oz raises his staff.
His lips move quietly.
Oz: << Vox Nox >>
Akira: ............!
Light disappears from the world, and my stomach feels suddenly heavy.
Just like when we awakened the Ancient Temple in the West, I’m overwhelmed by an incredible shock.
As if my body’s going to fall to pieces; as if it’s being stretched out; as if many tiny explosions are occurring within me.
I’m so scared that I feel like running away. But in the next moment, I feel emboldened; justice and conviction well up from the bottom of my heart.
I feel an indomitable presence approaching: it’s a feeling that makes you want to look straight ahead with an unwavering gaze, holding your head high.
Akira: .....!
When I open my eyes, I’m at the temple.
Chapter 11 << | index | >> Chapter 13