Chapter 26

A Lost Cause

The Next Day

120 days until the Alpha Grimm arrives

The rain pattered softly on the black jacket as Tara's casket was being lowered into the ground. I stared silently as Natalie cried into my shoulder as I gave an emotionless stare towards the main group. I stood away from the rest because it was over. I didn't want to fight for a city that had taken so much from me. There was no point anymore.

"Gabriel, what do we do now?" Natalie asked me as I broke my stare from Tara to see a tear stricken Natalie.

"I don't know, there isn't anything else for us to do Natalie. Other than wait. Wait for that day. When Vale falls for good." I said in a depressed tone as Natalie pushed me away.

"That's it? You're just giving up? Just like that?" She demanded as I turned away.

"Yes." I responded before picking up the black case and walking away from her as she followed me.

"I see, I guess you are a coward. I feel sorry for Sara, to be related to a pathetic excuse of a brother. Who let his sister die. You should be ashamed Gabriel." Natalie said as I stopped dropping the case from the rain soaked glove before kicking it, knocking it open to have the Gunblade spill out as I grabbed it turning around seeing the defiant Natalie.

"Guess that got your attention now didn't it?" She scoffed as I walked towards her with the Gunblade in hand. "You tell me now. Is this what your sister would want? Her brother running away from the issue. Is that it? If that's so. I don't even know what to say anymore, coward." She said as I raised the blade to her chest as I stood looking down on her. The cold teal eyes looked into mine as I relented, dropping the blade before embracing her into a passionate kiss. Natalie was shocked at the reaction. It wasn't what she was expecting, at all in fact. But she closed her eyes as the kiss went for what seemed like an eternity before the kiss was released as I looked into his dark eyes.

"You may be right, that I am just a coward. I swore that I would always protect Sara. Because that day, when I thought I killed Caine. I thought my troubles were over. She was the reason I fought. She was what was left of the innocence of the Kerrigan Family. And now, she is gone. I have no purpose anymore. This city took her, this city can burn. It is as simple as that." I said releasing her from the embrace as a set of footsteps approached from behind me. Even through the pouring rain, I could hear them.

"What are you doing here Murasaki?" I asked as the man chuckled before I heard a sword being drawn.

"You think a little guilt trip is going to fool anyone Gabriel? You left Tara to die. I think some justice is in order." He said.

"Fool anyone? Justice? The only one acting like a fool is you. And what happened wasn't my fault. Natalie can vouch for what Tara. She saved her life. At the cost of her own. Thats it Murasaki." I responded.

"Of course your bitch would say that. I have lost 4 people now, 4. I lost my other team to these damn creatures. And this exactly what I expected. That is was no one's fault, everyone is responsible for their actions. Even you." He said taking up a combat position as I lowered myself to pick up the Gunblade. My off hand pushing Natalie back.

"Get out of here now, please no arguing with me either. I'll handle him." I said softly as she gripped my hand tightly.

"Don't forget my promise Gabriel." She said letting go of my hand as I smiled.

"I won't sweetheart." I said as Murasaki charged me before the blade came up at an angle as I twisted to block the blade. The clash of metal interrupted the service as among the crowd I eyed was a beautiful blonde who happened to be the cause of all this. She ran over to me and Murasaki as our blades clashed in the midday thunderstorm. Flashes of sparks overwhelmed us both. The only thing keeping us both alive was just our pure instinct to survive.

"STOP IT MURASAKI!" Yang screamed as her hair flared brightly against the dim day. She threw her right fist forward as a giant fireball ejected itself before me and Murasaki broke off to avoid the explosion. Regaining my balance. I felt a warm liquid on my cheek. He managed to make a cut, that clever bastard.

"At a funeral service? Why Murasaki? You're a better person than this. You attack not only your teammate but your friend. And what the hell does make you? HUH? I'll tell you, no better than any man. Yes, Tara is dead. And there is nothing we can to bring her back. It was no ones fault of what happened. The Grimm took her life, not Gabriel, not Natalie. SO SUCK IT UP! And stop blaming others." She screamed at Murasaki as he let all soak in. Of what his actions were. And what they meant.

"Very Poetic Ms. Xiao Long. Have you ever thought of taking up poetry? I hear its the hottest thing today." A third voice joined the conversation as we all turned to face it. There stood an older woman, and the small Illusionist that we all had come to know.

"Neo." I said.

"Mother." Murasaki noted.

"What the hell are you doing here?" We both said at the same time as Sumire smiled seductively.

"Oh son, glad to see you do have feelings. And dear old Gabriel, how is Sara nowdays?" She laughed as I gripped my weapon tightly at her taunt.

"Fuck off you bitch." I responded.

"OH WOW! You do have a dirty mouth. But I didn't come here to wash it. No, I didn't come to play with you either son. I'm sorry sweetie. And Natalie, you are just far too flat for my tastes." Sumire said as Natalie just snapped.

"THE FUCK DID YOU SAY?" Natalie yelled as Sumire chuckled.

"No, I came for that Blonde Beauty over there who goes by the name of Yang Xiao Long. I need you to come with me." Sumire said waving her finger at Yang who reloaded her Ember Cecilia.

"And what makes you think that I'll just come quietly." Yang snapped back as an unknown force gripped her neck before she was lifted off the ground and was brought over to Sumire.

"Because you don't have a choice sweetie." Sumire said as Murasaki drew his other sword.

"YANG!" Murasaki screamed as Neo intervened inbetween them and blocked Murasaki's swords and snapped one in half with her cane as he threw it at the ground before Murasaki's aura grew darker as Neo still fought him. And from what I was looking at, she was toying with him. Not even attempting to kill him. She lifted her leg up and swung around kicking him in the stomach knocking him cold to the ground. Neo pulled the hidden sword she had in the umbrella as she was ready to impale Murasaki before a bullet shot the sword as I approached Neo holding her at Gunpoint.

"Back away Neo, now!" I yelled as Sumire laughed before Neo backed off albiet a bit disappointed. Yang now knocked out and slung over Sumire's shoulder.

"You should of listened to us Gabriel. Both you and your excuse of a brother. And maybe it wouldn't have come to this. You know, Cinder wanted to pass off a message to you. She said for me to tell you: Enjoy the guilt. Its only getting started." Sumire stated as I raised the Gunblade firing another round into Sumire before the two shattered right before me.

"GOD DAMN IT!" I screamed throwing the Gunblade away from me. I was angry. They taunted me as they got away with Yang. I had to find her, I had to save her. But not in this condition. I collapsed to my knees as the rain washed over me spreading the guilt even further. Of what I had done, of how I failed. And it was all rubbed into my memory. That no matter how hard I had tried, that all I did was fucking worthless. But was there a point to fighting anymore? Was there?

1 month later

90 days until the Alpha Grimm arrives

I looked into the musty mirror as I had cut my hair to a decent comfortable length. My facial hair was now beginning to take over leaving more than a shadow. I looked back into the mirror pondering that same question over and over in my head. Asking the same question. Demanding an answer. And then, I did, I finally realized my answer, who was half naked in the bedroom asleep. Someone who I came across in my journey. And then it became clear.

"Yes, there was someone worth it."

Something to fight for, no matter what.