Story is based on gaming strategy I used to pass the game.
Akagi is the name for the Hero
Why are they all bleeding for me? What did I do that's so inspiring to all of them? I'm paralyzed with dread that I've led my friends to their deaths.
"Look out!" The massive fire spell burnt the air and tried to do the same for our flesh. Then I see Yangus raise his hand and the special relic clenched there bathes us all in gentle light.
This is insane. We're riding on the back of a giant bird and the Lord of Darkness, Rapthorne, is hovering in front us, larger than anything in our wildest nightmares. The world is resting on us and hoping we don't screw up.
Or really that I don't screw up. There's too many attacks and not enough time for all of us to counter. So somehow, all three of them are backing me up and making sure I don't fall. When did I inspire this kind of devotion? Was it when they learned about my past? Or was it different for each person?
Jessica snarled defiance and raised her hands in the air. I can feel my attack power rising, the spell curling into the fibers of my muscles. When did you start believing I could do anything, Jessica? Was it when I didn't give up on you when Rhapthorne tried to possess you with the staff? Or was it when you wanted us all to tell stories about our lives? You look so tired and worn with all your spell casting. I wish I could take it all away.
Yangus threw a potion at Jessica a moment before he took a frontal assault from that giant ball on Rhapthorne's staff. Gritting his teeth and screaming a curse, the ex-bandit hefted himself to his feet. Did I have you at the very first, my friend, when I saved you from the bridge? Or was it when I helped you get the Venus Tear? You're trying to hide your fear with your gruff courage, but I know you're afraid.
The giant ball from the giant staff cracked across the party. Angelo, not even bothering to wield a weapon, whispered words of power and soon they were all back on their feet. His eyes looked beyond tired. And you, my friend, who joined us last. I have the most trouble figuring out when even your sarcastic comments about our journey lost their sting and became your way of affection amongst us all. Maybe just one day you decided to believe in me.
Angelo turned his gaze from Rhapthorne to look at me. A trail of blood ran from his mouth to his collar. "Akagi, don't worry about us. Don't look back."
A massive spell to lower defense fluttered from Jessica's fingers. "Don't need to look back. We've got your back, guv," she wheezed.
Yangus shook his fist up at Rhapthorne as the Lord of Darkness broke out into sneering laughter. "You just keep hitting that bloke until he doesn't laugh at us no more, guv!"
I looked up at the object of my hatred. You. You're laughing at us. Laughing at the suffering and the bleeding and the pain you've caused the world. Yangus' defiance, Angelo's bleeding, Jessica's exhaustion, make them all stop!
Shrieking, I leap from our winged transport and pour all of my rage into my sword.
"Stop making my friends bleed! DIE!"