Fate of Pandora - Book II

Life Goes On

Coalt and Ayame recovered quickly and were able to leave the hospital at sunset. They checked themselves out at the desk and headed for the exit, wondering what they should do now.

As they reached the large entrance door, a group of familiar faces entered the building. The two stopped in their tracks and stared at the group, who had also turned around to look at them. These weren't just any familiar faces; the four people in front of them were the lost kamikas!

The couple was speechless, believing that their exhausted minds were tricking them. Risa was the first one to launch herself at Ayame, glomping onto her with such force she nearly knocked her over.

"So lucky! We almost missed you!"

"Wha-What?!" Ayame and Coalt continued to be baffled. Even though she could feel Risa right in front of her, Aya could not believe that she was real.

"The doctor told us earlier that you would probably not leave tonight," Luna explained, also launching herself at Coalt and bear-hugging him so tight he couldn't even think of struggling to get away. "We had so many things to do that we could only visit you now."

Arika and Lukas, not wanting to miss out, joined in on the group hug so they were all one big tangle of arms.

"Wait a minute! How did you–? We tried to rescue you, but it was impossible! We tried to open the portal and a ghost escaped. Then Kira opened the portal, and Karina was there. What just happened?" Ayame wasn't able to form a coherent sentence.

"There is a lot to talk about but here is no place to do it!" Luna was glad to see both awake and well. "Ayame, let's go to your house. My home is off-limits for the moment; there has been a little confusion since I returned yesterday," she said matter-of-factly as she dragged both along by the hands. There was no time to waste!

Coalt and Ayame were still dumbfounded, really doubting themselves if the group was real or not. The couple certainly wasn't expecting this to happen; their plan so far was to change clothes and visit Midori to discuss what they should do now to rescue their friends. But their friends were already there, right in front of them!

A short time later, back at Ayame's apartment, the girl quickly prepared some tea for everyone and they all sat around the center table. She had prepared seven mugs and began serving them until one was left.

"Wait, someone is missing..." The girl had been in such a state of shock that she didn't notice not everyone was there. "Where is Jasmet?"

The eyes of the four were enough to answer her question, making her blood run cold.

"Hey, don't tell me..." Coalt began, feeling his throat go dry. He and Ayame looked at each face in turn, hoping that this was some cruel joke, but they just shook their heads.

"Jasmet... used the last of her strength to bring all of us back." Arika bit her lower lip, which was quivering. "She discovered how to do it after Karina was defeated."

"She brought us back, even though we didn't want her to," Lukas added, looking down. It was visible to everyone how much he resented that choice, but there was nothing he could do about it.

Ayame felt her heart shatter, not only at losing Jasmet, whom they all loved, but also at the sight of her beloved best friend. Lukas's grief and regret was palpable, yet, she could relate to his feelings. It was only due to sheer luck that she wasn't sitting there now, just as distraught as him.

"I know how you feel, Lukas. I lost Kairi, and we are lucky that there isn't only five of us sitting around this table today." She looked across at Coalt, turning everyone's attention to him. The boy felt uncomfortable with the stares, so Ayame proceeded, "Coalt also sacrificed himself in order to defeat Kira. He did it without a second of doubt."