𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙤𝙪𝙡 ♥︎

Chapter 80: A Plot Too Short For Tears

Creak...

"Here we are, Your Grace." Dorothy spoke softly as she held Y/n by his side, holding him up straight. "Eden's lobby. I will contact your squadmates to alert them of your awakening, in the meanwhile, you can stay here."

"Is there somewhere I can sit?" Y/n raised an eyebrow as he looked around.

"The floor shall suffice for that." Dorothy let go of Y/n, who wobbled on his feet, almost falling over, as she left. "Make yourself comfortable. Knowing your comrades, they'll come running in to check on you."

"At least set me down gently, geez..." Y/n rolled his eyes and quietly went over to lean against one of the walls.

It was still around the same time in the morning. Dorothy had led Y/n out of the infirmary and into the lobby, where he now awaited to be reunited with his squad.

After successfully taking down and capturing Nihilister, albeit with some sacrifices being made, Counters' mission had officially been complete. Abel, however... would not be here to celebrate.

Y/n released a steady sigh at the thought. "Still can't believe it. The guy just went out like a light..."

"Life is nothing but a lit candle flame, Y/n." Lilith observed, comforting him. "The flame either lives on until the wax on the candle had completely melted, or an external force puts it out early. The only difference is the human flame can rarely be reignited."

"Yeah, you're so used to being close to Nikkes, you forgot how fragile humans actually are." Hare commented in an upbeat tone, attempting to cheer her father up. "You're so used to everyone getting these life-threatening injuries, only to walk them off into maintenance. No wonder you're so shaken."

"..." Y/n rolled his eyes and looked up at the ceiling. A large glass dome with the ever so blue, cloudy sky above. "Maybe... It still hurts, though. I only knew him for about a month, so I can't bring myself to come down to tears."

"It feels like I've been hollowed out." The officer closes his eyes and releases yet another sigh to soothe his nerves. "Maybe I could've saved him or something..."

"Never speak like that." Lilith cuts in abruptly. "If you could have, you would have. Your opponent was deadly, and Abel received the short end of the stick as a result. No need to blame yourself."

"At least no one else got hurt." Hare continued. "You beat her to a bloody pulp. Think about it, if these assholes at Eden- err..."

"... It's okay, curse all you want." Lilith wanted to facepalm. "I'm done trying."

"... If these assholes at Eden couldn't have captured her for years, and you did it in a single day, then you should feel honored!" Hare trailed off with a giggle. "You didn't even need my help on this one! I'm proud of you, Dad!"

"Heh..." Y/n chuckled at her words. "Proud of me? Shouldn't I be the one saying that to you?"

"Save it for the next time I come in to rescue your hide. 'Cuz...! There's definitely stronger Heretics out there, and I'll be here to stomp 'em out for you if you can't match them!"

Swish...

Suddenly, a pair of doors on the other side of the lobby slid open, catching Y/n's attention.