Artemia: Journey To The Thirtieth Floor

54. An Attempt To Reconcile

While I was waiting for Yuki, I continued to sharpen my blade. We had planned to see Fuyumi on the mountain today, so we were going to go there. It seems she wants to express her regrets to a childhood friend for all she has done in the past. It seemed as if the mist within her head was starting to dissipate, and I now understand why she had such a dramatic shift in attitude. I just hope that the two of them can finally reconcile since it would be a shame if their relationship were to come to an abrupt ending right then and there! Aside from that, I need Yuki to be true to herself. She will be able to reclaim a portion of her actual self in this manner.

Anyway, Yuki was taking an inordinate amount of time inside the hut, and I became quite agitated. Enkai and Kasai were becoming impatient as well. As much as I recognize that she's worried as a result of her previous talk with Fuyumi not going well, we can't afford to waste any more time than we currently have left. Since we will be continuing our training later, we cannot afford to take too much time now.

I let out a sigh as I decided to go get Yuki. When I walked inside the cabin, she was practicing her script in front of a mirror, which I immediately recognized. She looked at me with her mouth hanging open. Because of embarrassment, her cheeks went scarlet as she looked at me. I swallowed hard to stifle a laugh. She was putting in so much effort to be tough that it appeared forced. This isn't going to cut it. If Fuyumi believes she can get away with using a script, she will never be forgiven.

"Yuki, Yuki, Yuki..." I called her name over and over again as I sat on her bed. I gazed straight into her eyes with an apathetic attitude just so I could be brutally honest with her. "What kind of apology should you give Fuyumi?"

"A sincere one..."

"What are you doing right now?"

She looked at me like she was about to cry. "Relying on a script..."

As I tapped the edge of the bed, I let out a sigh. Yuki swiftly sat next to me, even resting her head on my shoulder. But she was pouting like a duck. I guess it's not too horrible that I have to stay here for a while to assist Yuki. I'm worried that she would irritate Fuyumi if she does anything like this, so I'm going to have to give her a little push to make her change her mind. Yes, just a smidgeon of it.

"When you talk to Fuyumi, you have to be really honest about what you're thinking, don't you think? If all you do is reiterate the script you wrote ahead of time, she will not be willing to accept your apologies. It will not have the same sincerity as anything that was unleashed as a result of your overflowing emotions. Not to mention that you would not feel better as a result of it."

Yuki groaned as she fiddled with her index and middle fingers. "I'm scared I'll be unable to speak well if I don't prepare..."

"Even so, it will not be of any use to you. You must express yourself from the bottom of your heart. Fuyumi would be able to tell how honest you are if you did it this way. I can assure you of that."

Yuki appeared persuaded, although this was most likely because I looked like Fuyumi. Of course, I'm still concerned that they won't be able to mend their ways, but I'll have to step in to assist them. Despite Yuki's vehement determination to maintain her relationship with Fuyumi, I'm not so sure about the latter. But I'm rather certain that it is still a possibility! That is, at least, what I believe to be the case based on Fuyumi's actions.

"Whatever the case, we have to move quickly!" I replied as I helped Yuki to her feet. I cupped her cheeks, which caused her brows to furrow. "Wait a minute, get yourself together!"

While removing my hand, a giggle could be heard coming from Yuki's lips. "Alright, I will."

When I pulled back the curtains of the hut, I saw the twins standing near the walls. I looked at them with a sarcastic grin on my face, annoyed that they had been listening in. Yuki, who was giggling, grabbed my arm. She pushed me in the direction of the mountain just as I was going to scold the twins. When I turned back to the twins, I saw that they were sulking and turning away. When I squinted my eyes at them, they started whistling in response.

I rolled my eyes at the two of them and focused on the road I was walking in. I'm not sure whether I'm simply obsessed with the idea of having a connection with Fuyumi, but I swear I can hear her muttering from a distance. Given the fact that we have already established a link, she may have listened to the whole of our conversation. But it's possible that I'm merely deluding myself.

When we reached the foot of the mountain, I was overwhelmed with a strange sensation of animosity. I had a distinct impression that there was something horrible up there, but it was most definitely not Fuyumi. It seems that my companions were also aware of the presence and proceeded to put their guard up. Maybe I did hear Fuyumi telling me something! I'm not really sure because it was faint. I immediately feel awful for not paying attention to it! It's possible she was trying to communicate with me.

"Wait..." I mumbled under my breath.

I looked for Fuyumi, but I couldn't seem to track her down anywhere. She said that the whole mountain contained her and her residual life energy, so I'm very certain that she can hear me talking to her. But I have no idea why she isn't responding to me, even though I know that my calls were audible to her. What in the world is going on here?! I don't believe at least one of the kings could be there since Yuki would have responded immediately if he had seen them in this place.

The four of us exchanged looks before agreeing to step into the mountain with the greatest caution possible. It would be terrible if some type of horrible monster sprang out of nowhere and attacked us. Even though I am certain that Yuki would have been able to protect herself in such a situation, we should nonetheless be vigilant. Who knows, an ancient monster may have been summoned...

Yuki glanced at me with astonishment. "Stop..."

"Sorry..." I replied, guilty that I was thinking of such things.

As we made our way through the woods, I continued to try and communicate with Fuyumi. The peak, where her memorial is built, is still a long way away. Instead of spending time being cautious, I decided to try to locate the creature instead of wasting time. The barrier Yuki was erecting was intended to protect us in case we came across anything utterly unexpected, but I'm rather certain that we won't be encountering anything unexpected.

My brows furrowed when I noticed that the presence didn't emit any negative energy. Yuki also ceased constructing a barrier and began running in a certain direction. The three of us sprinted after her, wondering what in the world that creature could possibly be. Its presence was overwhelming to the point that we were on the verge of mistaking it for an enemy. Although it's possible that we were just too traumatized and now react defensively whenever we come into contact with powerful forces.

"Is that a moth...?" Yuki whispered to herself while looking at a moth that was the same size as a glider soaring over the woods.

As I looked at it, entranced by its beauty, my mouth lingered open. Its wings were a blend of crimson and black, and as it flapped them, they glistened with glitter. These glistening glitters that later vanished offered warmth for us as we struggled to stay warm in the harsh surroundings of this mountain. It was astonishing that I could no longer feel the sheer cold and was also relieved.

"Hmm? So you despise me, don't you? Just so you know, I'm the one who is exuding this cold..."

I shifted my gaze to the person who had just embraced me from behind. "Why weren't you responding?" I asked as I turned to face her.

She smirked as she took a few steps back from the table. "Assuming that you were with these folks, it was a foregone conclusion that I would not answer quickly."

"Fuyumi..." Yuki called out, a dejected look on her face.

In contrast, Fuyumi maintained an indifferent expression as she gazed at Yuki, waiting for whatever it was that she wanted to say. To my eyes, she's making an effort to seem uninterested, but I can see right through her. Despite the fact that the damage has already been done and they have suffered a great deal of loss, I believe they should still clarify their feelings. It's all on Fuyumi whether she accepts their apology or not. Of course, it would be devastating if she didn't. But what matters the most is that they are able to express themselves to her.

I was taken aback as Yuki and the twins knelt before Fuyumi. Even though they continued to express their regret, their foreheads were practically touching the ground. I glanced towards Fuyumi to see how she was reacting to the situation. It was impossible to keep my voice shut when I saw how hard she was fighting to keep the tears at bay. Her lips were trembling as she crossed her arms over her chest, trying so hard to seem stubborn.

"I'm well aware that what I'm going to say may seem ludicrous to you, yet I still want to share it with you. I should begin to make positive changes in my life...by being honest with myself," Yuki said as she fixed her gaze squarely in Fuyumi's, her expression solid and resolute. "You're absolutely correct. I was nothing more than a tyrannical beast in power. My desperation to preserve Artemia caused me to lose sight of the most important things to me. And, now that I'm starting to realize it, I've already lost most of the significant people in my life. I clung too tightly to that glimmer of hope, and it ultimately cost me everything. But it's something I don't regret..."

"That is something I am aware of. We all knew that, Yuki..."

Fuyumi clenched her teeth and stared down at her feet. Although she seemed to be enraged, I knew she wasn't feeling that way at all. She was clearly agitated as a result of the current situation that we are all experiencing. Yuki, Kai, and Sai were all crying as they watched Fuyumi, who was wiping her tears as she tried to contain her sobs. I smiled as I took a few steps back, relieved because I knew they would soon make up. Maybe I got a little ahead of myself, but that's exactly what I'm seeing now that Yuki has finally spoken her heart's desires.

Everything seemed to be in order. It wasn't until I recalled the massive moth that had been here earlier. Where did it go...? Even though Fuyumi was still chatting to the three of them, I left and tried to see if I could locate it. Why, that gigantic moth! We still don't have an idea what's going on! It bothers me for some reason, and I'm not sure why. Although it's possible that I was being overly dramatic, I doubt it. I wouldn't want to just let it go. Sure, it offers warmth, but what if it's really out to burn down the forest?

"When you have lost all of your friends, what are you going to do next?" Fuyumi asked Yuki with a harsh tone. Because of that, I quickly turned to them to see if they were fine. Fortunately, they don't seem to be arguing.

Yuki's lips were pursed together as she averted her gaze. "I want to continue following this path in the future."

"And whether or whether you lose more folks is irrelevant?"

"It is relevant! But I pledge to you that I will bring everyone back..."

My mouth hung open as I stared at her, unaware of what she had in mind at the time. Maybe I will find out in the future, so I decided not to press her more on the subject. Fuyumi, on the other hand, doesn't seem to be persuaded by anything Yuki has to say thus far. I understand why she is hesitant to put her trust in Yuki after she sacrificed Scylla and Charybdis, but I don't believe she has much of a choice.

As Fuyumi extended her hand to Yuki, she let out a sigh. "I accept your apology. You must, however, follow through on your pledge."

Yuki smiled as she drew Fuyumi into a tight embrace. I grinned as I watched them, happy that they had reconciled. Damn, I really expected Fuyumi to be adamant about it, given the circumstances surrounding her death and the fact that her friends are now being exploited as sacrifices. However, witnessing them embrace one another and exchange pleased smiles motivated me to do better.

But then I heard the faint ringing of a bell from a distance, and I turned around. I took a few steps back and tried to figure out where it originated from. It continued ringing in my ear, but I couldn't put my finger on where the noise was from. Just as I was going to express my concern to the four of them, I saw a gigantic cat racing in our way. Because of its familiar presence, I knew it was Hiraya straight away, but I don't think he had any positive news to share with everyone.

As I got closer to him, I swallowed the knot that had formed in my throat. "What led you here?"

However, he couldn't answer quickly because of the cold. I attempted to warm him up with Kasai first to keep him from turning ill. My companions were as astonished as I was by his sudden arrival, but we were more concerned than anything else. If he came all the way here to inform us about anything despite the freezing weather, then something must have happened. I pursed my lips together, hoping that he didn't come here to reveal yet another catastrophe.

"So...what exactly is going on?" Yuki asked, her voice brimming with impatience.

Hiraya attempted to explain what was going on while still panting. "The camp...is engulfed in flames..."