UTOPIA ✔

Chapter 16 - A New Life

- 1 -

Desmond's words bewildered them. He told them that he received a letter saying "If you want to see your son then let yourself be captured by Adam and you'll see him, like it was yesterday" and a memory stick that had Adriel's video in it. He was in some unknown location. He finally got to see for himself that unknown location, 'I finally understood what "like it was yesterday" truly meant' Desmond said. Adriel looked the same as he was 15 years ago and no one had any answers for that. The one who might know was Adam.

'He who fights with monsters should see to it that he himself does not become a monster' Kenji said. Desmond and Izumi looked Kenji in the eyes. 'But we've been fighting a monster for a very long time and never realized that we already became one. Irony, isn't it' Kenji looked down and back at them with a sad smile. 'All we had ever done is kill, be it for someone else or for our own satisfaction. And we're still thinking of killing, taking revenge.'

'What is it Kenji?' Desmond asked. He was worried about his changing emotions and his past that tormented him.

'You say that you understand others but you don't want to accept your own feelings that that is not your son anymore. Yet, you still want to save him' Kenji clenched his fists in frustration. His legs felt numb. 'And how are you supposed to do that exactly?!'

'It's not like that' Desmond muttered and averted his gaze.

'Or rather you're here to die with him!' Kenji stood in front of him. He motioned his hand towards Desmond's shoulder but he stepped back from it. He didn't want to answer anything. He didn't want to accept Kenji's words.

'It's absurd. This world, that's fallen into darkness that even a new light is afraid to be born. Or rather that darkness has finally conquered itself over light. People like Adam are mere pawns of this thing called darkness that is waiting to be born into our world. My son is the result of it' Desmond clenched his teeth. 'You're still human Izumi. Don't lose the last light left in you.'

'Darkness. Light. There's no such thing as that. It's just power that humans, monsters and god's desire' Izumi said. 'I've killed countless people for my revenge, for the bloodlust inside me and I'll do so when the monster inside me tells me to.'

'People were created to be loved. Things were created to be used. The reason why the world is in chaos, is because things are being loved and people are being used. Isn't that the truth?' Kenji shook his head once and glanced at Izumi's hand. Desmond looked at it too.

'That hand of yours. Not once you've removed the bandage from it. Just what is it that you're hiding behind it?' Desmond asked and gazed at it.

'That's none of your concern old man. Only the ones I kill are supposed to see it' Izumi motioned his hand behind his back.

'Enough Izumi. We're not together to kill each other!' Kenji exclaimed. 'We all know who we are Desmond, so cut to the chase. What is your purpose of coming here?'

'I'm here to put my son in peace' Desmond answered.

'Just as I thought' Izumi turned back. 'It's a wise choice' he said and walked back towards their room.

'It's not like him to say something like that' Desmond said.

'I guess he still has the last of the old Izumi inside him. The light that you spoke of' Kenji smiled.

Desmond looked at Izumi's back and smiled back 'I guess so. Hope that light won't fade easily.' 

- 2 -

 - En Route Helios – North Pacific Ocean

Evan and the others left the Maiden behind and were aboard the yacht.

'We can't move forward like this' Arthur said and stood at the yacht's bow. 'We'll stay in this yacht until that storm passes.' He pointed towards the approaching clouds. The storm was far from where they stood but it will put a great risk if they flew there at the moment.

'But we don't know when it'll pass away' Ron motioned forward.

'It will, sooner or later. It doesn't seem to be moving towards us so we'll be fine' Arthur responded.

'But...'

'Zip it boy. It's not a good move to fly there right now and risk your life. The chopper won't even hold for a minute in that monstrous storm' Arthur said, irritated. 'Sit still and wait till it passes.'

'Looks like we don't have any other choice' Julie agreed. She reached out and held Evan's hand, she clenched it tightly now.

Evan looked at her face. She was scared. He looked back at the storm and nodded 'We don't want to end up dead before we reach there.' Julie loosened her grip. She was at ease now that Evan didn't rush things like Ron.

'He's not as dumb as you are' Arthur looked back at Ron. 'Listen boy, patience is what brings you what desire. Rushing will only lead you to the depth of no return.'

'Calm down Ron' Jack said. 'And hope that Amanda is there and that she's safe'

'Yeah...' Ron clenched his fists in frustration.

- 3 -

- Helios - Lighthouse

Before they realized Ishita suddenly called them back 'Charlotte's water is broken' Ishita said, worried and breathing heavily now.

Kenji rushed and kneeled beside her 'It seems that there is no infection. She's fine' he checked on her. 'You're lucky that nothing bad happened after all this' he said to Charlotte. Charlotte was having minor contractions but otherwise seemed fine.

'She was in pain earlier when we were in forest' Eric said.

'And she bore that pain till now? What a woman she is' Kenji thought and smiled. 'You're a tough one but it's time. A new light is about to enter this world' he said and looked back at Desmond. 'Listen Charlotte, you have to be stronger than ever now. We don't have medical equipment's for the procedure but we are here for you.' Charlotte nodded and smiled.

'What should we do?' Ishita asked.

'I don't want everyone here. Ishita, Desmond, Enna and Eric will help me with it' Kenji said. 'Izumi and Logan will be on a lookout' he looked at them and they nodded. 'Ishita, prepare hot water. There are some utensils in the kitchen below. Get two pots and fill them with the rainwater. Make sure to clean them as much as you can with the hot water. Also, after cleaning, cover the inside of the pots with leaves. Fill all the water bottles with hot water' he explained and Ishita went ahead with it.

Kenji asked Enna to gather all the leaves and wash them in hot water too. The cloths were all tattered and leaves were the replacement for it. He told Eric to slowly lift Charlotte's head and rest it on his legs to prop her up. Desmond was told to get small pieces of clothes to stop the bleeding.

After all those years under Mr. Nakamura's shadow, Kenji learned many things. Although he was good at many, he always had the curiosity to learn more, even a little may it be.

How does he know so much? Everyone thought about it. But they were glad that he did. The night was long, the wind was howling, the whoosh from the waves as they crash towards the shore, flash of lightning bolted down from the sky. The thunder rolled again for a really long time. Another lightning bolt came from the sky. A crackling sound of thunder echoed. It seemed like a long night, a long silent one.

It seemed like a really long night.

After several hours, the storm passed away and others came out of the room. They were exhausted. Eric was still inside with Charlotte. Everyone approached towards Kenji and with an assuring smile Kenji said 'It's a girl.' Everyone despite being gone through hell itself, cried with tears of joy and welcomed the new light.

They went inside to see Charlotte and the baby 'She's adorable' Chloe said.

'You've seem to calm down' Desmond smiled.

'Yeah' Chloe nodded.

'So what's the name? Have you thought about it Charlotte?' Ishita asked.

'Yeah' Charlotte smiled. 'Her name is Amy. Amy Ansel.'

'Amy...' Izumi looked at Charlotte. She gave him a warm smile. Izumi looked away quickly, 'Idiot.' He mumbled.