The Rift

Thankfully, the long and dreadful battle seemed to be finally over. As the sunlight penetrated the clearing clouds, returning the sky to its usual blue, the dust in the air started to settle. The now headless frog fell heavily on the ground, motionless. Kamei descended gracefully, her feet touching the earth with a quiet elegance.

She walked over to the frog's massive corpse, examining it briefly before turning her gaze to me. I was still sprawled on the ground, completely spent. What does she plan on doing? I swear if she’s going to eat it I'm so done.

Kamei’s eyes softened slightly as she approached, her figure framed by the now peaceful landscape. She reached out her hand towards me, a gesture that, despite everything, carried an unexpected gentleness.

“Are you okay, Yuuki?” she asked.

“Does it look like I’m okay!?” I snapped at her.

Kamei’s expression faltered, surprise flashing in her eyes as she stepped back, retracting her hand. “Why are you snapping at me!? Is that how you repay someone who just saved your life?”

“Well, I’m sorry I’m not as strong as you are! I’m not nearly as skilled or as good as you! If anything, I’m just holding you back. It hasn’t even been twenty-four hours, and I’ve already faced death three times!”

“I didn’t think you’d be that scared of the frog. That’s a low-level monster. But hey, at least we have something to eat,” she added, foaming from the mouth.

Oh hell no.

“Eat?”

“Yeah, these are a delicacy—”

“You know what? I’ve had it with this stupid world! I’m tired of running, I’m tired of edging death every five minutes, and I’m tired of being lost in the middle of nowhere! I just want to go home, dammit!”

Kamei’s face twisted with hurt. I feel bad for yelling but I’m just so pissed right now. Nothing makes sense and my head hurts like crazy. I feel like I’m gonna puke.

“I don’t know why you’re being such a jerk all of a sudden, but if you wanna act like that, then you can be on your own!” she snapped, storming off and leaving the frog behind. “We’re done!”

“Fine then!” I yelled back, stomping off in the opposite direction.

I never really got to know Kamei Chie like I wanted to, and now it seemed like I never would. But maybe it’s better this way. Side characters tend to be collateral damage, after all.

But something still gnawed at me. I turned around, shouting after her. “What… what are you even fighting for?”

Kamei paused, her back to me, fists clenched at her sides.

“Why do you want to defeat the King of Nightmares anyway?”

She hesitated before answering softly, “Because he took everything from me! But I doubt it’s anything you’d understand. After all, you mentioned having a sister to return to, did you not?”

Revenge? Damn, now I really want to know what happened.

“You know what? You were right,” she continued.

“About what?” I asked.

“Holding me back,” she replied coldly, before resuming her march. “I’m sure I’ll do much better without having to babysit your sorry ass.”

Ouch.

Turning around, Kamei and I went our separate ways. As the distance grew between us, guilt gnawed at me. I felt pretty bad about the whole situation but what’s done is done. I wasn’t sure how I’d manage without her, but—oh, what am I saying? I can't start thinking like that. Besides, what's the worst that could happen? Other than getting sniped by a giant frog with a shotgun for a tongue or… I don’t know, maybe running into a hornet with a chainsaw for a tail. Yeah, nothing I can’t handle… right?

Frustration bubbling up, I screamed at the top of my lungs, my voice echoing through the empty flatlands.