/jp/ - Otaku Culture

>>47552772
“I’m not asking you to fight, it’s likely all we need to do is detain them. They can’t hold out forever, and there needs to be someone there for when they give up” I address the crowds, my words struggle to compete with the sounds of explosions, gunshots and screaming. They had enough munitions to start a war with heaven, how long have they been stockpiling weapons? But they had to be running out, otherwise at this rate the village would be-

“I’ll stay” came a small voice. Barely noticeable, but it relief it gave me was immense. Mystia stepped forward, looking exhausted and on the verge of collapsing, but still trying to stand tall. “If- If we run now, then who knows what will happen? They might be able to regroup, hunt us down while we hide, do even more harm to the village and everyone else. All the death today, it would all be for nothing. We have the opportunity to end it here and now”

Apprehensive mummers and quiet conversations now emerge from the gathered crowd. I give an appreciative nod towards Mystia, quietly letting out an exhale as to not let anyone see how tense I was. I actually knew what to say now.

“She’s right” I address the crowd. “They might appear strong now, but they’re weaker then they seem. They’ve taken many casualties already, spent so many of their weapons, and their morale is hanging on by a thread. If we were to stay here and find the right moment to make a blow, they’ll crumble. But if they were to declare victory here, and find the time to regain their strength and take back control-” I breathe in, thoughts going to my family laying blissfully aware of the inferno raging around them “They’ll hunt us down, and get rid of all of us.”

The threat of death washed over everyone-even me-like a bucket of icy water, silencing them. The energy that had been going through them just moments before was no more. I must have done something wrong, destroyed their motivation.

“Well, Guess we got no choice then. I’ve wanted to bash them around every since they started this mess. I wasn’t looking forward to running anyways” A young man says as he cocks his head, projecting an aura of confidence and strength.

With the first volunteer holding his head high, more voices sprung up. “I ain’t running!” says one “They shot my mom! I can’t let them get away with that!” cries another. “Fuck ‘em!” yells someone.

Somehow, the fire of the revolution, thought to be extinguished, had reignited. It was just enough to hang onto until the real leader came back. I adjust the cloak again, feeling comforted by the weight around my shoulders.

I open my eyes to an uptick in chattering and pointed fingers. Following them, I see another group of survivors, just barely visible through all the smoke and flames, running for the safety of the golden walls. I walk over so I can greet them when they arrive and catch them up on our plans. They’re just within reach of safety when there’s the screaming of a descending mortar-

-and just like that they’re gone. My feet come to a halt, eyes shut, doubled over and sucking in air as I force down the vomit rising in my throat. Feeling queasy, I wait for my knees to stop shaking before I look up again. Spouting from the spent shells on the ground were clouds of gas. Some sort of weapon? The clouds washed over the bodies strewn outside the walls and I got my answer. I snapped my head away. Some of those people were still alive. The walls of the pillar expanded, expelling flames and deadly gas. The expanded room didn’t do much to make me feel safe.

Then, another wave of explosions rocked the walls of the golden pillar. Screams of horror and cries of fear erupted from all around me, and I looked up. Cracks. The golden walls of magic we had all trusted to keep us safe were about to fall. Fuck! That’s our only source of safety, and if it were to fall then we’d have no chance in hell.

“Everyone, just remain calm! They can’t harm us, and panicking won’t do anything! The walls are still holding!” I bark out as panic sweeps through the survivors.

Managing to hold back from breaking out in a full panicked sprint; betraying my despair wouldn’t do any good, I hurry over to Miko.

From behind, the saint was as rigid and imposing as ever, but moving to her front betrayed her. Her expression was pained, her breath ragged. Blood ran down her face from an open wound on her forehead.
“It’s more then I expected” she whispered, eyes on the sky as death continued to rain down. “Holding up the barrier, expanding it, filtering out the gas and smoke”