Takigawa and John were dead on their feet. Lin's shiki were exhausted, Ayako couldn't contact her tree spirits. Mai couldn't control her dreams, much less her potential powers. The only remaining option was for me to use my PK. I could take down that self-proclaimed god. But if I don't take it down with one blow, then I'm wasted, leaving only Mai to defend us.
No, I will not put her- us in danger like that. I'll use my energy to find a way out. I turn away from the deceivingly small piece of driftwood. I start searching for a weak point in the shield that's keeping us trapped. I feel her eyes burning into me before she speaks.
"That's enough already! I've had it! Why are you so built up with this!? Everyone's been pushed to their limits helping you! Why do we have to go through all of this just for your pride? Are you insane? If it's so important to you, why don't you just do it yourself!? You're protected by others, so I don't know how much pride you can have!"
I catch one glimpse of the look in her eyes and I know, I would die for this stupid girl. She draws in deep breaths, as if saying all of that took a physical effort from her.
"I said it." She says, glaring up at me.
"Logical argument." I would die for all of them, I realize. I cast a glance to where Mai is helping Takigawa up.
"Let's go home. You've done enough." she says as she pulls on his arm.
"Yeah. Sorry Naru-chan, it's the end of the road." he says as he stands. They all start walking away from the shrine, supporting each others exhausted bodies. I clench my fist as I come to peace with what I'm about to do. Lin would never forgive me, and neither would Mai. I doubt Gene would even talk to me once I see him again.
I cast one more glance at Mai, allowing a small smile to grace my lips as I think of how I may have the 'angelic' looks, but Mai was my angel. I turn towards the deity, sealing my fate.
"Naru. Let's go." I don't move away, but my shoulders relax. "Naru?" I ignore her as I gather my energy for my last stand.
"Hey... Naru!? What are you doing!?" I hear the panic in her voice and accept the fact that Mai is the one thing I'm willing to fight for until the end. I'd start a war for her. I hear Lin call for me to stop, but the next second I hear Takigawa collapse and Lin's calls cease. I continue drawing in my energy as I hear her behind me.
"Wait. Naru!" I feel the air around me thickening as the energy increases.
"Naru…" a small voice says as her hand touches my arm. I quickly pull it away from her, knowing that the energy would travel to her, killing her. The shrine in front of me starts to go out of focus. I see the light gather around my hands as I draw in the last of my energy. I pull my hands together and pull all of my energy together in that one spot.
If Mai wants an angel from me, then that's what she'll get. Maybe she'll like that I'm an angel with a shotgun. My last thoughts before emptying myself of the energy is that if she didn't like it, I'd throw it all away for her sake.