CHAPTER 50: ONE FINAL NIGHTTOGETHER
Two days had passed since the return of Ryu and Rokkan. Everyone was beginning to feel uneasy. They wondered whether they would survive the impending unsealing of Shekan. It was night and they all sat around a fire, finding it quite difficult to sleep. The final moon of Tristran was set to appear the following night.
"We don't have to worry. If we can stop Nemesis before he unseals Shekan, everything will be fine" Michael said optimistically.
"I'm just worried about fulfilling my promises to Atlanta and Nemesis" Ryu said.
"You made a promise to Nemesis?" Shroud and Anna asked in shock.
"Yeah, I promised to free him from his curse of immortality" Ryu said.
"Excuse me Ryu but Nemesis is suffering from a lot of things, the one thing he definitely is not suffering from is immortality. In my opinion, I think he is happy with being immortal" Anna said.
"Then you don't know him quite well. Perhaps, I know this because we clashed fists. Nemesis' fists are filled with sorrow and so are his jutsu" Ryu said as he walked away.
"What's bothering him?" Anna asked Atlanta.
"I'll speak to him" Atlanta said as she followed Ryu to the river.
She found him sitting in front of the river with his feet in the water. He seemed to be lost in deep thought.
"Tell me Ryu, what is really bothering you?" Atlanta asked.
"Atlanta, I've been wondering. What if...Shekan's not all evil? What if there's a part of him that is actually good. Would you want me to...destroy him...or save him from his darkness?" Ryu asked.
"What is making you think about all this? Did you have an encounter with Shekan or...did someone tell you something good about him?" Atlanta asked.
Part of Ryu wanted to lie to Atlanta to keep her safe, another part wanted to tell her the whole truth but he simply remained silent.
"There is something more to this isn't there?" Atlanta asked.
Ryu stood up and turned to face Atlanta. There was a look of anguish in his eyes and Atlanta noticed it. He shut his eyes tightly as if he were in agonizing pain. His teeth were clenched and his fist was trembling uncontrollably. Atlanta noticed all this. She smiled reassuringly and approached Ryu. She held his fist in her hands.
"You don't need to tell me anything" she said.
Ryu's fist slowly relaxed.
"It's not just that. How...How am I supposed to defeat a...a...how will I keep my promise? At this rate, the alignment of the moons of Tristran will be inevitable! And then Atlanta...even if we do survive, I'll...I'll never see you again. You'll just leave and return..." Ryu was saying.
Tears streamed down Atlanta's eyes.
"Ryu...don't you think it's difficult for me too? Do you actually believe...I'd prefer to leave...LEAVE THE MAN I LOVE?!" Atlanta cried.
"Atlanta" Ryu muttered as he opened his eyes in shock.
"There, I finally said it. I love you Ryu. I love you so much and you are the first person...and the only person I've ever felt this way about. When you're with me, I feel safe. I feel like nothing could ever separate us but...it was a promise to the Dragon Of Destiny" Atlanta said sorrowfully.
"I'm pathetic aren't I? I can't even assure you that everything is going to be alright. If I hadn't died in the first place..." Ryu said regretfully.
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Dragon Zone: The Code Of Heart and Hate
फ़ैंटसीIn the beginning, all was dark and formless. From this formlessness arose the Dragon Saints, keepers of the elements who in unity created the world. As ninja clans were formed under each saint, conflict arose but was ended by the legendary ninja Gai...
