Zataria's Last Light-Chapter 35: Retreat to Sampostis

Nitharian Soldier 3: What th—

Before the soldier can finish, Daru punches him in the face, incapacitating him as Kono collapses to the ground.

Nitharian Soldier 4: WHAT!!!! H-H-HE'S DEAD!

Daru: WHERE IS RITO!!!! WHERE IS ZENSHI!!!

Nitharian Soldier 2: H-h-he's a monster!

Daru seizes the remaining soldier by his shirt and throws him into the air. He runs at the other soldier, grips his head with both hands, and begins to squeeze, shattering his skull.

Nitharian Soldier 4: AHHH! AHHHH!! AH!!

Daru: WHERE... IS... RITO!!!!!

Daru crushes the soldier's head, reducing it to a pile of mush.

Kono: W-what is happening, Daru? What's wrong with you? You're never like this.

As Kono looks at Daru, he appears terrifying; his veins and hair flicker rapidly, glowing brighter while his eyes turn entirely purple. Daru glances up at the remaining soldier, who is plummeting from the sky. He leaps into the air and kicks the soldier in the back, sending him crashing to the ground, exploding on impact.

Daru: WHERE IS ZENSHI!!

Nitharian Soldier 1: W-w-h-how is this possible? It can't be.

Daru approaches the soldier, a strange aura beginning to surround him, radiating heat.

Kono: What is that? Is that coming from Daru? I—It feels so hot.

Gram appears suddenly.

Gram: KONO!!

Kono: Huh? Gram!!

Kono rises and runs to Gram.

Gram: W-what's happening with Daru? He doesn't look like himself.

Kono: I don't know. These guys came out of nowhere, captured me, and Daru came to rescue me.

Gram: That doesn't seem right. He wouldn't act like this.

Daru: WHERE... IS... RITO AND ZENSHI!?!?

Gram: Rito and Zenshi? No...

Kono: What do you mean, Gram? WHAT!

Gram: They can't be dead... I didn't even think about it... how stupid of me! Stupid Gram! You only care about yourself, YOU IDIOT! HOW COULD YOU NOT THINK ABOUT RITO!

Kono: G-Gram... It's okay.

Gram: No, Kono, it's not okay.

As Daru approaches the soldier, the soldier yells at him.

Nitharian Soldier: STAY BACK!! I'M WARNING YOU, STAY BACK!! (Crying) I DON'T WANT TO DIE, PLEASE...

Just as Daru is about to strike the soldier, he suddenly loses consciousness and collapses. Gram and Kono observe this.

Nitharian Soldier 1: Huh... what the... he fell?

Gram: (Panicking) Daru... DARU!!!

Kono: (Scared) What... no.

Gram and Kono rush over to Daru as the Nitharian notices them.

Nitharian Soldier 1: UGH! Dammit, I was going to bring him back, but these kids... I better tell Shimasu.

The Nitharian thrusts his sword into the ground and kneels as he is teleported away. Gram and Kono reach Daru and kneel beside him.

Gram: (Tearing up) No, no, no, no, Daru, wake up!

Kono: (Scared) What's wrong with him?

Gram: (Tearing up) I don't know...

Kono: (Nervous) Well, you're a healer, so perform your healing abilities.

Gram: (Panicking) Right, I'm a healer. Okay, come on, Gram.

In a panic, Gram removes his belt and drops it on the ground.

Kono: Gram, calm down and breathe.

Gram: (Crying) Kono, I can't lose Daru. If Rito and Zenshi are truly gone, that means Daru is the only person I have left. My only family.

Kono places her hand on Gram's shoulder.

Kono: (Smiling) Gram, you can do this.

Gram looks at Kono as she smiles.

Gram: (Slapping his face) You're right, I can do this. OKAY, LET'S GO, GRAM!!

Gram wipes his tears and pulls out the book he received from Sampostis, searching for a healing spell.

Gram: AHHH! Found it!

Gram begins to cast the spell.

Gram: Lu see ma luanda.

As Gram casts the spell, his hands emit a light green glow.

Gram: Okay, Kono, watch out; this might be dangerous.

Kono: Alright!

Kono rises and moves aside. Gram presses his hands against Daru's chest, causing his body to jolt.

Gram: Come on, Daru! Wake up.

He attempts again, and Daru's body jolts once more.

Gram: DARU, COME ON! FIGHT! DON'T LET DEATH DEFEAT YOU.

Gram clenches his fists and slams them down on Daru's chest, causing Daru's body to jerk even more. Suddenly, Daru awakens and punches Gram in the face, sending him flying.

Daru: WHERE ARE ZENSHI AND RITO? HUH?

Kono: DARU!!

Kono rushes to Daru and embraces him.

Daru: What the hell? Hey! Let go of me.

Kono: Sorry, no can do.

Daru: Ah! Wait, where's Gram?

Kono releases Daru from the embrace.

Kono: Oh, he's over there. (points).

Daru looks in the direction Kono pointed and sees Gram against a wall.

Gram: (Hurt) Ughh... I'm fine. (Gives a thumbs up).

Daru: Oh, sorry, my bad.

Kono looks at Daru.

Kono: You know, Daru, Gram was genuinely concerned about you.

Daru: Huh? What do you mean?

Kono: Well, he panicked and said, "I can't lose Daru too."

Daru: He said that?

Kono: Yep. (Smiling).

Daru smirks.

Daru: That fool. He really believes I would die.

Gram struggles out from behind the rock and approaches Daru and Kono.

Gram: What are you guys mumbling about?

Kono: HUH! OH, NOTHING!!

Daru: She was just telling me how worried you were, thinking I might die.

Gram: What!? No, I would never say that. Me, Gram? No, never.

Kono begins to laugh while Daru smirks.

Gram: But I will admit, you did give me a scare there for a moment.

Daru: Well, let's hope that doesn't happen again.

Gram starts to tear up.

Kono: Huh? Gram, what's wrong?

Gram: Rito and Zenshi, they're de—

Before Gram can finish, Daru taps the top of his head.

Gram: OWWWWW! WHAT THE HELL! I WAS CRYING!

Daru: Crying is for babies! Rito and Zenshi aren't dead.

Gram & Kono: WHAT! HOW?

Daru: Because I can feel it in my heart.

Gram and Kono exchange blank looks.

Kono: Is he serious?

Gram: I'm afraid he is.

Daru: I know he's not dead. Rito wouldn't go out like that—at least not like... well, whatever happened here. Rito saved Zenshi; I can just feel it.

Gram: I have something to show you, Daru.

Daru: Huh? What?

Gram: Just follow me.

Kono: All right, while you handle that, I will prepare the ship.

Gram: We shouldn't take too long.

As Kono prepared the ship, Gram began walking, with Daru following closely behind.

Daru: Where are we headed, Gram?

Gram paused and lowered his head.

Gram: (Points) Over there.

Daru looked in the direction Gram indicated and saw Greg's head on the ground.

Daru: W-what is that?

Gram: Yes, that's Greg.

Gram turned to Daru.

Gram: Daru, I need you to promise me something.

Daru: What is it?

Gram: Make sure you kill every last Nitharian you see for Greg.

Daru met Gram's serious gaze.

Daru: We both will.

Gram smiled.

Gram: All right, let's move out.

Daru: Not so fast.

Gram: Huh?

Daru: Tell me the truth about your parents.

Gram: What are you referring to?

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Daru: Gram, you can deceive Kono as much as you like, but you cannot deceive me. I overheard your conversation with Kono about your parents, and I know you didn't have a father when I met you.

Gram: You know, for someone with big muscles who can be foolish at times, you're a good listener.

Daru: Tell me.

Gram: Well, the part about my mother is true. The only memory I have is her saying, "I love you, Gram," and then she was gone. My father passed away when I was four, and I was placed in a foster home with eleven other children. I was there for a few years. One day, a woman came in and stated she wanted a child (laughs).

Daru: (laughs) And who the hell would say that?

Gram: It was a nasty old lady.

Daru: Eww. Gross.

Gram: Yes, I know, but she took me in. She had five other children and made me and another child perform all the household chores. She barely fed us and abused both of us daily, along with the other kids who insulted me. One night, I had enough. While everyone was asleep, I opened the window and escaped.

Daru: Really?

Gram: Yes, I ran away, and after hours of running, I spotted a small village ahead, which is where we are now. As I walked through, I saw many people living on the streets, begging for money and food. After two days of sleeping outdoors, a man approached me and woke me up. That man was Rito.

Daru: Rito? Of course, it was him (laughs).

Gram: (chuckles) I know, right? He said, "You look like you could use a drink. No child your age should be sleeping on the streets." He took me in and placed me in a house belonging to a friend of his. He told me, "This is a good friend's place, so don't mess it up. (chuckles) See you on the flip side, kid. Oh, and if that boulder falls out, just come find me." And that's the story. Oh, and I met Zenshi, who prepared this amazing lasagna!

Daru: Wow! That's quite a lot. I'm surprised. I didn't realize you went through so much at such a young age, and you didn't know your parents well either.

Gram: Yes, well, when you put it like that, it sounds worse, but that's my story.

Daru: It has shaped who you are today.

Gram: (wide-eyed, tearing up) That's the kindest thing you've ever said to me.

Daru: Yeah, yeah, crybaby.

Gram: Hey! That's not nice.

Daru begins to walk back to Kono as Gram calls after him. Eventually, they return to Kono.

Kono: There you two are! About time. What took you so long?

Gram: We were just catching up, and Daru started being a bully as always.

Daru: Yeah, whatever, let's get moving.

Kono: RIGHT!

Gram: DID YOU NOT HEAR ANYTHING I JUST SAID?!

Kono approaches the ship and dimension jumps into thin air. They return to Sampostis.

Gram: Ahh!! Finally, we're back!! (crying) AHHH!! I MISSED YOU, SAMPOSTIS! I MISSED YOU SO MUCH.

Daru: And to think I believed he had changed. Puff.

As time passed, Kono and the others exited the ship and headed back to Kono's house. They opened the door and walked inside to find Zodiac sitting with his arms crossed and Himitsu asleep on the couch.

Kono: We're back!

Himitsu jolts awake at the sound of Kono's voice.

Himitsu: You guys are finally back!

Zodiac: I was starting to lose my patience...

Gram: Hey, guys! Hope you didn't miss us too much.

Himitsu: (crying) I missed you so much!!

Zodiac: I didn't; it was peaceful for once.

Gram: (under his breath) Asshole. So, how did your conversation with your friend go last night?

Himitsu: It went well! We discussed a lot of important matters, but I must say, they're living the good life! (jealous expression)

Kono: Oh really? Where was it?

Himitsu: It was a hotel on Weath Street.

Kono: Oh, that hotel! I heard it has some very luxurious rooms.

As Kono speaks, Daru and Zodiac exchange glances, with Daru still irritated by Kono's departure the previous night.

Daru: Don't you ever listen to anyone, or are you just that stubborn?

Zodiac: The only person I listen to is myself.

Daru: Then you're the biggest idiot for that.

Gram: Awww, come on! Let's not start another argument...

Just as Zodiac and Daru are on the verge of a confrontation, Himitsu interjects.

Himitsu: Anyway, how was the trip you all took?

Kono: Uhhhh, w-well it—

Daru: It was a horrible trip; let's just leave it at that...

Himitsu: Horrible trip? What happened?

Daru glances at Kono, who returns the look.

Daru: I don't feel like explaining the whole thing, so you do it. (Looking at Kono)

Kono: (nervously) Ummm, okay... So as we were flying there, I input the dimension they originated from, and when we jumped, the entire village was covered in ash. All the houses had been burned and destroyed, and... so many... people were dead on the ground, including children and infants—everyone in the village was dead...

Kono continues to recount the events that followed, leaving Himitsu and Zodiac in shock.

Himitsu: The Nitharians attacked you!

Zodiac: Zodek wasn't lying about them trying to find us quickly.

Gram: Yeah, it wasn't a pleasant sight. There were so many dead bodies everywhere because of them.

Himitsu: And what about your friends, Daru? Did you really not find them?

Daru, frustrated, slams his hand on the living room table.

Daru: No! But they're not dead. All we found was Zenshi's father's head on the ground.

Himitsu's expression shifts to one of sadness.

Himitsu: Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear that.

Daru: I feel more sorry for Zenshi than for myself. After all, that was her father.

Kono: I just don't understand why those Nitharians want Daru and Zodiac so badly.

Daru clenches his fist.

Daru: I don't care what they want from me. They can try to capture me, kill me, or whatever. But I promise you one thing: I'm making an exception for all the Nitharians. Every single one of them will perish.

Gram: DAMN RIGHT! WE BOTH WILL!!

Zodiac stands up.

Zodiac: I couldn't care less about them. So, are we doing more missions today or what?

Daru, furious, approaches Zodiac.

Daru: Listen, those are the people who raised me, so show some respect. I'm sure if that was your stupid master Muzida, you'd be crying all over her.

Zodiac: Call her stupid again and see what happens.

Himitsu steps in between them.

Himitsu: OKAY!!! Let's calm down. Look, Daru, I'm sure Zodiac understands, and he does care—deep down, I hope.

Daru walks away and resumes his seat.

Himitsu: That was another narrow escape.

Zodiac: So, what's your decision, Kono?

Kono: O-oh, yes, of course! We are striving to be the best crew, after all!

Gram begins to complain.

Gram: Ahh! I was hoping we could relax today.

Himitsu: Relax? This is only our second day as part of the Order.

As Gram sits down, Daru picks him up and starts pulling him toward the exit.

Gram: AHHHH! DARU, WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?

Daru: I won't allow you to lounge around all day. Let's go.

Zodiac shakes his head.

Zodiac: Well, this is going to be just great...

Kono: Let's head to the Order Association!

Everyone proceeds to the Order Association. As they arrive, other crews begin to notice them, including Lith's crew.

Person 1: Look over there! It's the Maivelance Crew!

Person 2: That's the crew that placed 5th in the Newbie Awards!

Lith: Look at them; they think they're so impressive and flawless.

Reiji: Well, they do look quite impressive.

Sai smacks Reiji on the back of the head.

Reiji: Ouch! WHAT DID I DO!?

Himitsu: I swear, more people are staring at us by the minute.

Zodiac: It's because our name is becoming well-known.

Gram: (muttering to himself) Yes, yes, keep looking; soon, I'll be the one with all the money and the girls.

Kono: We are definitely gaining popularity!

Daru: (arms crossed) If they keep staring, I'm going to start punching them one by one.

As they enter the building and approach the front desk, Kono spots Fin taking over as the assistant.

Kono: FIN!? WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE!?

Fin: Hey, Kono! I see you've finally assembled your own crew.

Kono: I have! I'm truly grateful they chose to join me.

While they converse, Himitsu notices that the other assistant is absent.

Himitsu: Not to be impolite, but where is the other assistant who was here?

Fin: Oh, that guy? He unfortunately passed away last night.

The statement made by Fin has taken everyone by surprise.

Kono and the others: WHAT?!