Survivors of Alterna: Final Run

Chapter 36: Goodbyes

The journey back to the Manta Maria was short, but that didn't make it any less depressing.

Everyone was silent during the ride except for Nakji, who wailed like a banshee. She cried so much that Inka was afraid she'd dissolve herself with her own tears—even though that was physically impossible.

Eventually, the stage would land on the front of the ship.

Inka turned towards Atlantis, which was gradually sinking into the ocean. Because of its sheer size, it would likely take a few minutes before it completely disappeared from view.

Suddenly, a whole bunch of rustling went off behind her, accompanied by the surprised gasps of a few Splatoon members. Inka turned around to see that Nakji had finally been released and drew her blade on the others, all while still crying.

"Nakji! C-calm down!" Eight said with a raised hand.

"DON'T TELL ME TO CALM DOWN!" Nakji screamed through her tears, pointing her blade at Marina. "Give me that computer!" She demanded with seething anger.

Pearl slid in front of Marina with both arms stretched out. "Chill, yo!"

The second attempt to calm Nakji had the opposite effect, and in a blind rage, she lunged at Marina and Pearl. The two easily dodged her straightforward attack, but Nakji quickly went for another. Again, she missed, and again, she swung.

Nakji's movements were sloppy compared to when she fought the salmonids. Inka could only assume it had something to do with her emotions getting the better of her... Or maybe the tears in her eyes obscured her vision? Probably both.

Either way, Nakji continued wildly swinging at the others. Their pleading shouts for her to calm down fell on deaf ears.

Nakji's assault only ceased when Coral stopped one of her attacks mid-swing by grabbing her wrist. She tried to yank her arm back, but Coral's grip was too tight. The captain gave Nakji a stern look, but it did not deter her.

"Let me go!" Nakji demanded and yanked harder, but Coral would not budge. She raised her other hand, balling it into a fist and rearing back to punch Coral.

Before it came to that, Inka stepped in and grabbed her fist with both hands. "Nakji! Please!"

Nakji looked back at her. "They abandoned Aki! We abandoned Aki! We have to go back!!"

"And do what?" Metta questioned. "He beat Lord Sake while being mauled by a horde of salmonids. All of us couldn't beat Sake, even when he was alone! What do you think we'll do to Aki?"

"More accurately, what do you think he'll do to us?" Shiver commented, rubbing her ankle.

"W-we have to do something! If one of us were in his place, he wouldn't just leave!" Nakji argued.

"A tactical retreat isn't leaving him." Marie countered, crossing her arms. "Listen. I know you and Aki were close, but face it... we can't do anything for him right now. We need more time to figure things out and—"

"SHUT UP!" Nakji yelled, finally yanking her arm free from Coral and backing away.

"He went through high-tide water just to undo his mistake, which was saving you! If not for him, you'd be digesting in someone's stomach right now!" Callie looked down, knowing how true that was.

"Nakji, if you go back there, he'll kill you!" Marie yelled back.

"That's a chance I'm willing to take!"

Marina placed a hand on Marie's shoulder before inserting herself into the conversation. "Nakji, it isn't just you."

"What are you talking about?!"