Cross Worlds

Chapter 49: "Charge"

Before the night ends, Riku Reality finally receives a notification on his watch from Riku Fantasy. In no time at all, he "teleports" to the crack in space that will lead him to The Cross.

Once in The Cross, Riku Reality comes face to face with Riku Fantasy at last. Reality crosses his arms and glares at Fantasy. "I have a lot to say to you. Plenty of questions alongside a couple 'fuck yous', if you catch my drift."

"I'm aware. The phone has kept me updated on your situation. Now isn't the time to be discussing me right now though." Fantasy states calmly.

"When will it be the time then, Fantasy?" Reality narrows his eyes ever so slightly.

"When you're not about to go into a life or death battle." Fantasy crosses his arms.

"So you'll answer my questions after the fight is done?" Reality cocks an eyebrow.

"If you survive, yes. I'll be making sure to keep an eye on the whole thing from here. Riki will help me with that." Fantasy looks off in another direction, staring at nothing.

"I am going to survive. And then you're going to tell me everything I want to know, got it?!" Riku Reality glares at Fantasy, clenching his fists so tight they almost bleed.

Fantasy doesn't respond to that. "Don't die, Reality."

Reality's grip loosens just a bit and his glare softens a little. "I don't plan on it."

Fantasy closes his eyes. "And don't lose yourself either. Win and come back the same."

Reality just stares at Fantasy, confused. Before he can say anything else, Fantasy turns and starts walking away. "W-Wait a second! You can't leave already!"

Fantasy doesn't look back as he speaks. "As I said, all of your questions will be answered after your fight. So win this war. Prove to me that allowing you to meet the resistance wasn't a mistake..." With that, Fantasy disappears back into Reality's world through his crack in the space, the crack closing behind him.

Riku stares at the empty space for a few seconds, and then looks back toward where his own portal is. "I'm going to be just fine, don't you worry your pretty little head about me. And when I'm done with them, it's your butt I'm kicking next." Despite the venomous words, Reality doesn't have the tone in his voice, nor anger on his face to back it up. Without another word, Reality returns to Fantasy's world as well to rest before the big battle.

>>>>>>>>>>

The next morning comes faster than anyone had hoped. The second 5:00am hits, everyone is woken by a loud alarm. No one complains or groans, not even the laziest members of the resistance. Everyone knows what today is, what's at stake, and that they'll all be putting their lives on the line. Without missing a beat, everyone is out of bed, dressed, and fed in a matter of minutes.

Whilst everyone is eating, Artemis calls everyone to attention, with Sorey and Arima by both her sides. "Everyone! Today, we bring another noble house to its knees! We free another capital and make the many more corrupt nobles out there fear our name that much more!" Everyone cheers and roars, raising their fists despite what food or glasses are in their hands.

"However!" Artemis calls out once again. "...There is a strong chance that not everyone is going to make it out of this alive. We have lost members to this war before, and this is but one of the many remaining battles we still have to face to rid this world of those corrupt nobles. The battle may never truly be over. We never know when a previous kingdom we've healed may fall down and need saving once again..." To those words, silence falls among the resistance members.