Final Words

I didn’t know if I was ready to watch the recorded diaries. That thought lingered for the next few days. After that visit with Kang, the others seemed to recover, coming to visit me. I could still see the hurt in their eyes, except Kti. 

He seemed more confused than anything. The way he looked at me gave me a strange feeling I couldn’t quite shake. They weren’t the only ones who came to visit me. Nurses constantly were checking on my status.

Over the course of the days I spent bedridden, I learned a few things. One was that the creature we’d fought was one of a kind. The only description I heard was an Evolved Lich. The other thing I learned was that my final blow had created a large melted ravine where we’d fought that monster. The molten lava still hadn’t solidified, even after all this time. 

I’d been questioned about my power already, but I had nothing to really say. I was just as clueless as they were.

I was on the verge of death. Several nurses described my recovery as a miracle, since I’d lost so much blood and had damage to several vital organs. Yet somehow, I’d lived. It still wasn’t clear how. I didn’t think it ever would be. 

One thing was certain. That power was out of my control. No matter how many times I tried calling the flames, they never seemed to appear. However, that was the least of my worries.

I could walk now, yet I was still kept in the room. I was to be released into active duty the next day. Kang and the others had already been on a few local missions while I recovered, which gave me plenty of time to myself. Plenty of time to stare at the laptop and wonder if I should really open it. Those were her final words. The final time I’d hear her voice, and once I heard it… that’d be it.

One night I looked towards the laptop, gently lifting it up off the white table to the side of my bed. I sat it on my lap, taking a deep breath. I knew it would hurt. But I also knew I could never move on from this bed, never fight the same way, if I didn’t see what she said. 

I have to do it, even if it’ll tear me apart. The others are out there on missions, still fighting. The sooner I move on, the sooner I can help them. I know this. I knew that’s what I had to do. Yet… my hands wouldn’t stop trembling.

I sucked in my breath, opening the laptop. There were several applications, but I ignored them. I clicked on the one labeled "Diary Logs”. The first one opened up with Chiaki wearing a blue skirt and white fluffy hoodie, with deep shadows under her eyes.

“I wanted to make one of these before now, but it’s been so busy. So many monsters, so many missions… It feels so overwhelming. I’m glad I have Kang and the others though, I’m learning so much from them!” Seeing her enthusiasm made me smile. I clicked on the next log, listening to her talk about various missions she’d been on with the others. Then I reached the day that I arrived.

“Today was… different. I already knew we were getting a new member on the team but I didn’t expect him to be so small. But despite that, he’s so brave! And cute. I can tell there’s some kind of painful past, and every time I see it in his eyes, I want to give him a big hug. I wish the others would be nicer to him, he’s basically just like me when I first arrived…” Hearing her words, I felt tears in my eyes again. I clicked on the last log.

“Our first mission with Yuka is today! I hate to say it, but I’ve become quite attached to the little guy. I want to protect him and the others, no matter what. If… if anything were to happen to any of them, I…” She clasped her hands, looking down. She quickly snapped out of it though, another bright smile on her face.

“What am I saying–we’ll be fine. Our team is unstoppable!” she cried triumphantly. I felt myself crying again, hunched over the screen as the last log, Chiaki’s last words, ended.

~~~~

I waited outside the door patiently. A meeting with The Director was a big deal. I didn’t feel nervous though. Me and her went way back. Back before my name was changed to Kang. When the door opened, I entered her lifeless office. A chair was at her desk, waiting for me. She sat across, her fingers clasped together.

“No tea? You’re a terrible host like always,” I grumbled as I sat down across from her. She didn’t say anything in response.

“Aren’t you going to say something?” I asked, folding my arms. I hated to admit it, but I was feeling frustrated. For many reasons.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” she said simply, without any emotion. I closed my eyes, letting out a small sigh.

“We’re Watchers. Losing people is guaranteed. Though… I do wonder about something.” She tilted her head. I took a small breath and continued on, voicing the lingering question that had been bothering me since completing the mission.

“The order to move the mission up. Was that the JCC… or was that you?” That question got a small reaction out of her. It wasn’t much, but I could see her left eye twitch a bit.

“There’d be no use in lying to you. So… yes, it came from me,” she replied. I felt myself tense up a bit.

“Did you know about the Evolved Lich?” I asked plainly. She didn’t reply. I felt my blood boil, but I kept my expression composed.

“Director. You never do things without a reason… and you also never keep me in the dark. So. If there’s something going on, some reason why Yuka was put on my team, why we were used as frickin’ disposable pawns, then I would like to know,” I said, my voice laced with daggers.

“Is that all you wanted to talk about?” she asked. I felt a strong urge to slap her. Instead, I stood up. I didn’t answer her question. I just left the room. Whatever you’re planning… I’ll find out.