Shin
Heh. I really am still the greatest liar. Managed to continue being the greatest liar until the bitter end. Wish I spent more time with her.
Anari, Tyuyo, and Kozuna had departed. I turned and sat down atop the steps, my longing gaze wandering to my curse seal. I curled and uncurled my fingers over and over.
This… is the least I can do.
I could hear footsteps pounding down the hall, growing closer with every strong-footed stomp. The next round of soldiers was on their way.
At least I can confidently say, this is my choice.
My heart thumped as shadows moved beyond the doorway. I officially stood alone, and as I breathed deeply, my curse seal enlarged and expanded. Diamond-shaped marks boldly patterned my arm until they cut off near my elbow.
Used up a lot of senten already. Dunno how long I'll last. Guess we'll see!
I aimed my palms flat out and locked in as guards swarmed through the door. Tiny senten spheres bubbled up and hardened to the density of pebbles, rapid-fire blasting from the pads of my fingertips. People I once stood shoulder-to-shoulder with, regardless of how I felt inside, had been turned to enemies. And then to piles of bloodsoaked flesh on the floor. When it came to raw senten, Fragmentation as a curse was like having the power to fire hundreds of bullets instantly.
I wonder what became of my parents.
Bodies dropped by the bulk, riddled with holes and punctured organs. I didn't care to count my kills. I carried on like that for a short while longer as more guards poured in. However, it wasn't too long before my uncle finally showed his face. I knew he was bound to show before long.
He stepped inside by himself, keeping his hand raised and signaling his guard detail to stay back. I recognized his gear. Gauntlets capable of launching grenades, as well as a sickle-shaped axe. One of the prototypes I'd seen among Isakai's blueprint. A weapon created using Nikai's blood.
The black blade emanated raw senten. Raw darkness.
For once, Livian wasn't smiling at me. He approached, and I got the sense of disappointment. Borderline sadness in his eyes.
"Uncle-"
"You betrayed me…"
I fell silent, biting my own tongue.
"When I saw the footage, I thought it was false. Had to be. I couldn't believe it. I still can't believe it. Right under my nose, for years, you've wielded a curse this entire time. And when you finally decided to reveal it, you turned that power against me!? I raised you as my own son! Shin, I wanted you to be my son! You were the one I trusted the most- more than any of the other councilors! It was my greatest desire for you to succeed me one day!"
My eyelids quivered as I struggled not to look away. "I know."
"Then why? Why would you do this?" Livian took a few steps forward. "Look around you! Look at all of this death! You've become no better than those other cursed abominations!"
I maintained a stern, unreadable expression. "I did what I had to. For them."
"Them? Who is them?"
"Doesn't matter now. They're long gone."
"Who turned you away from me? Did Zara put you up to this?"
Off the mark. I appreciate all that Lady Zara did for me, but you're off the mark, Uncle.
"This isn't about anyone other than you and me, Uncle. I appreciate you looking after me, but over the years, I've watched you become obsessed with curses. The power that curses bring. And when I realized that you had planned to inject Tyuyo- a child- I couldn't stand idly by any longer. I just wish I'd taken action sooner. Maybe then, you and I could've both been saved."
My uncle almost looked like he was ready to tear up. His expression wavered in an almost human-like manner that I hadn't witnessed in years. I felt my seal deactivate and fade as my remnants of senten ran dry. I could keep up the fight no longer.
Judgment day is here.
"You've never even stopped to consider why I want the power of curses, have you?"
My eyes narrowed as I stared at my uncle. That was, until a darting blur of crimson painfully impaired my view. I gritted my teeth, dropping from the steps and falling on my burning hands. My right eye had been pierces, and I felt the bullet lodge itself in my skull. Livian's guard detail approached as he slowly turned away, shutting the light of his gaze away from mine.
More and more bullets fired off across the command center, planting themselves firmly in my chest, arms, and legs. Well-placed shots in non-lethal locations. Blood pooled beneath my body, but they weren't trying to kill me.
All I felt was cold agony.
This is it. This is my atonement. I'm okay with dying, but not the others being slaughtered on my account. My one, final wish, is that you keep her safe, Kozuna.