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“Do you hear me Kaseki?” Joel asked. “Here, shining brightly is humanity’s first-ever man-made medusa,” Joel swished the medusa around in his wine glass. “A joint effort between myself and your people,” Joel took a sip of the wine.
Minami was able to breathe a bit easier now. Everything would be ok… But Minami was so fixated on the new technology she didn’t even see Brody, who was leaning on the wall, start walking towards Joel.
Cskkk!
Minami felt almost as if her reality had snapped in a second. It wasn’t in slow mo, or something that was built up. It was also as if in an instant everything changed.
Brody broke through Joel’s glass and grabbed the Medusa. Some of the glass from the cup cut Brody’s palm. Some of his blood dripped down but he seemed so unphased by it. Joel on the other hand was looking up at Brody in total fear.
“Baw Ha ha! You tried to keep in that glass to stop us from confiscating it, huh?” Brody grinned.
“What the hell do you think-,” Magma clenched his teeth.
Magma didn’t even get to finish. Brody turned to their phone. Without a second thought, it seemed, kicked it into pieces .
“What the hell are you playing at?!” Mozu shouted.
“We had a deal?!” Nikki added.
“Sorry, no can do,” Brody stuck his key into the safe and turned. “Deal or not, this is the one thing we can’t let you possess,” Brody opened the safe and put the Medusa in. “Can;’t have a nasty weapon like that unaccounted for,”
“Why you-,” Nikki took one step forward but she was greeted with guns pointed at her.
“You bastard,” Magma also took a step forward.
One of the Americans closed one eye and put their fingers to his gun’s trigger.
“Magma don’t” Kinro put his arm out to stop Magma while keeping his eyes on the Americans.
“What the hell are they going to do with those damn things?” Magma scoffed.
“They’re Guns. Same things that almost killed Senkuu,” Nikki explained.
Minami turned to Yuzuriha who just looked right back at her with the same worried look.
Beep! Beep! Boop!
Minami’s attention switched to the communications device on the wall.
“Gu.. guys??” Senkuu’s voice asked in Japanese.
“A message in Japanese?!” One of the Americans panicked.
“Don’t let those science brats hear it!” Brody instructed.
Beep! Beep! Boop!
Minami heard a sound but it was much quieter.
“Gu.. guys??” It was Senkuu’s voice again.
“Joel, your watch,” Minami nudged Joel.
Joel noticed as well. Joel raised his wrist up to listen. “Damn it, it’s in Japanese. Must be info about the crafting process,” Joel noted. “Can someone translate it? It may cut out any second,”
“I can,” Minami said in a single breath.
Minami bent down to listen to the watch’s signal. She almost didn’t believe the plan she heard. It was Senkuu alright but as if the gun shots in the background weren’t worrying enough, the words Senkuu was telling her helped her truly understand the situation they were in. It wasn’t anything about the crafting process. Far from it. The signal cut off and left Minami dumbfounded.
“Knocking at heaven’s door,” Minami repeated to herself.
“What did he say?” Joel asked.
“In order to win, we have to turn the whole world to stone again,” Minami didn’t believe what was coming out of her mouth. “And the only way to do that is to put our lives on the line,”
“Whattt?!” Yuzuriha screamed as quietly as she could.
“Some of the others are down in South America. It wouldn't just save us but them as well,” Minami explained what Senkuu told her.
“But the damn thing is in a safe,” Yo clicked his tongue. “Plus they’ll all armed to the teeth and uhh last I checked- Ryusui has my gun,”
“And?” Kirisame asked.
“And?! We’ll die!” Yo pointed out.
“Gonna happen either way,” Kirisame closed her eyes like she was accepting something.
“Heh, don’t get to make a big deal out of it,” Magma scoffed.
Minami clenched her fist, it felt like something was caught in her throat and just wouldn’t go down. Seeing the others talk about death like they had come to terms with it. Minami left a hand on her shoulder and knew who it was. She looked up at her girlfriend, who somehow had such a kind smile on.
“Nikki…,” Minami whispered, putting her hand over her girlfriend’s.
“It’s ok,” Nikki mouthed. “Alright then” Nikki turned her attention to the group. “If we all agree,” Nikki slipped her hand off Minami’s shoulder.
“Hmh fine by me,” Mozu grinned. “Cuz I was getting bored of playing nice,” Mozu turned.
“Mwah ha ha! A full-force suicidal attack? This should’ve been the plan from the start,” Magma turned to face the Americans as well.
“Danggggg, We’re totally fucking doomed huh?” Yo snickered.
“Say so no more,” Kirisame pulled over her dagger . “Let’s go,”
“Even if we fall here today,” Kinro cracked his neck. “Science lives on,”
“Enough talk,” Magma was the first the rush in. The rest of them were behind him. “Mwahhhh! 1000 meters one second!” Magma shouted.
“You are a dumbass Magma,” Yo rolled his eyes.
“Out of the way!” Mozu cried.
“Minami, Yuziriha!” Joel shouted. “The device!”
Minami looked on in horror but Yuzuriha pulled her along. “Come on!”
“They’re after the device! Don’t let them near the damn thing!” Brody ordered his men.
Not even a half-second later the room rang with the sounds of bullets. Minami covered her ears as she followed the others. It barely helped but just muffled the sound but still. Minami looked for only a second at the chaos and saw Nikki help Homura into the air before a bullet sent Nikki stumbling back a bit. Nikki held her wounded arm for only a second but it was long enough.
“ Nikki!! ” Minami ran to Nikki’s side.
“Minami no!!” Yuzuriha tried to stop her but Minami slipped out from her friend’s hold.
BANG!!
.
.
.
Nikki sat in her hut looking at the scars on her shoulder. She and everyone else were finally back home in Japan. Hell, during the day everything felt nearly normal. Senkuu would have them working until dusk. Francois would make something amazing for dinner. Nikki would spend some of her break training with Taiju.
It was all normal.
Nikki traced the scar with her finger. The petrification beam saved them physically.
Everyone is alive. Everything is fine.
But couldn’t help Nikki when it was quiet.
“No where to turn. No where to hide. Between a rock and a hard place. Someone to find. I know that times are tough, just down and out. putting my faith in tomorrow,” Nikki began to sing to herself. “I’m ready to go but I don’t know where to start,” Her voice started to crack. “Each and every road seems to be calling to me,” Her vision became blurry. “Pulled in every which way, so I made my- my,” Nikki felt the tears running down her face and just looked at the mirror. When was the last time she cried like this? She was supposed to be strong. Everyone told her so. Nikki sniffled.
I’m so tired.
“Nikki…?” Nikki didn’t even hear her girlfriend moving the cloth door to get inside.
“Heh, hey Mina, done with work already?” Nikki weakly laughed. “Sorry, I think I just got something in my eye and-,” Nikki stopped when she felt Minami’s arms around her.
“I’m right here,” Minami tightened around Nikki.
“Mina…,”
“Yeah?”
“Just-... hold me close o- ok?” Nikki hiccuped.
“Got it,” Minami softly replied.
Ever since they woke up from being turned to Stone felt a sense of confusion about her identity. She had always been strong but now… She didn’t know what to think of herself. She was scared. She could have lost her friends and the person dearest to her. She could almost hear someone’s telling her. “But you didn’t”. Nikki ran her fingers through Minami’s hair. Just making sure that was right.”
“What cha doing there?” Minami lightly laughed.
“Just wanted to make sure you’re real,” Nikki honestly answered.
Minami laughed a bit. “I promise, I am,”
“Good,” Nikki kissed the top of Minami’s head.
Minami pulled back from the hug for a second to look up at Nikki. She used her thumb to wipe away the tears running down Nikki’s face. Her hand was about to leave Nikki’s face when Nikki stopped her and held her hand there. Minami reached her fingers out and cupped Nikki’s cheek in her hand.
“Nikki, what’s wrong?” Minami asked.
Nikki took a second to breathe. “Am I-... Am I still strong?”
“What?” Minami looked at Nikki confused.
“I mean I just… I just feel so weak,” Nikki admitted. “Everyone is safe and you’re right here but… I can’t help but think what if we had failed,”
“Nikki… I’ve gotten to know many people in my life. Hell, I knew Tsukasa back in the old world, but out of everyone I've met, you’re the strongest,” Minami stated so kindly. “After everything that happened in America you were there helping the others get back on their feet. Ask anyone and they’ll tell you how strong you were… I just wish you told me before you felt like this,” Minami ran her thumb over her cheek. “I’m right here, Nikki,”
The small flame from the candle burning collared Minami in a light orange hue and Nikki could tell just how genuine Minami was being. She didn’t yet fully believe what Minami told her but it was a start.
“Thanks, Mina,” Nikki smiled. “I love you,”
“I love you too,”