HEY GUYS. GUESS WHAT. MORE KUMATORAXDUSTER STUFF
--
All was silent overnight. No one had said a word to each other, not even Boney let out a single bark. Everyone just hung around, hoping that Duster would wake up soon, hoping he would be okay. All he had done was slept soundly, never waking up.
Kumatora never left his side, she didn't even sleep. All she wanted was for Duster to wake up. From time to time she would put her ear on Duster's chest, making sure he was still alive, hearing his heartbeat. But finally, after 8 straight hours, the princess became fatigued and rested her head on the edge of the bed, falling asleep right away.
Shortly after, Duster's eyes flickered open, just as Kumatora went to sleep. He sat up in his bed, holding his head. There was so much that he remembered, he had no idea where to start. He remembered being possessed, being is so much pain, being lost in the darkness …
Kumatora …
Duster looked to his side and saw Kumatora resting on the edge of the bed. He had no idea how to react, weather he should wake her up or to let her sleep on. He was briefly reminded on how he woke up with her on his shoulder when they were on that train.
Duster smiled and put his hand on Kumatora's hair. Kumatora's eyes flickered open, bloodshot and filled with emotion. She stared blankly at Duster, who only smiled at her.
"Hey." Duster said.
Kumatora stared at Duster for a moment, then out of nowhere, jumped at him and hugged him tightly around his chest, crying her eyes out.
"Duster … I …" Her words were separated by deep breaths, "I was so worried … I thought you … you could've died or … I didn't know what I would've done if …"
She continued crying into Duster's chest, leaving Duster quite stunned and feeling awkward. Duster embraced Kumatora, stroking her head. "It's alright, you don't have to worry any longer." Duster said softly, "Don't cry now, everything will be alright …"
Kumatora pushes herself away from Duster and wiped her eyes, sniffling. After a few minutes, she stared at Duster again, putting on the best happy face she could, despite her tears still falling. "Duster, P-promise me you'll never worry me like that again."
Duster smiled and chuckled a bit, then put his hand tenderly on Kumatora's face. "I try not to … not on purpose, at least."
Kumatora brought Duster closer to her and hugged him again, remaining silent. This time, Duster immediately returned her hug with one of his own, the two remaining in that position for several silent moments.
Unbeknownst to them, Flint watched from behind the door, quietly smiling to himself. Such a tender moment reminded him once again of his younger days, falling in love with Hinawa. He was glad, at least, he would be able to see love blossom again in front of his eyes.
"Those two care about each other more than they realize." Kana's voice said from behind Flint. He turned around and saw her approaching, smiling to herself.
"I knew those two would end up with each other sooner or later …" Flint said.
Kana nodded. "Flint, I'm sure this is making you think of Hinawa …"
Flint looked down, "Yes, it is … I guess you could say that in some sort of sick, twisted and crazy way … I still love her."
"Some one you care for cannot be replaced easily … even though they've been erased from this earth, this is what I have been told …" Kana said, looking out a window.
A silence fell among the two. Only the slight wind could be heard. Kana glanced at Flint quickly and saw he had a grim expression on his face.
"What's troubling you, Flint?" Kana asked
"What?" Flint asked, blinking
"You look as if you've received bad news. Tell me, what troubles you?"
Flint sighed. "It's what … Duster said during the exorcism."
Kana looked away, knowing what he means.
"Giygas … why does that name … why does it …" Flint said, trying to find the last word.
"Why does the name scare you?" Kana asked, finishing his sentence.
"Well … yeah …" Flint said, troubled he couldn't admit he was afraid of something.
Kana sighed. "Giygas is actually a word my people used for evil. But it was derived from an event that supposedly happened in the beginning of time."
Flint looked at her. "It still doesn't explain much."
Kana walked towards a window, staring at the sunshine outside, "A being … no, a formless void of darkness … no emotion, no thought, all it can think about is consuming the world in darkness. It is powered from Despair, hopelessness, fear … death."
Kana touched the window, staring at her reflection, "But a legend of four heroes … four children, in fact … they used what powers they had and vanquished it, setting peace for future generations to enjoy …"
Kana saw in the reflection Flint coming up behind her. "But why did Duster say Giygas will return again?"
Kana shook her head. "I am not sure …"
Flint looked down. "The boys …"
"I know Flint … I know." Kana said, a tear falling out of her eye.
--
New Pork City. A Child's Play-pen. The thought of a deranged and childish 1000 year old man, colorful and filled with surprises at every turn. Lucas had once traveled here with Duster, his dog Boney, Kumatora and Duster in hopes of reaching the seventh needle. Now that the world was re-created, it laid in ruins: Buildings crumbled, Trees decaying, a miasma of smog still filling the air. Lucas did not know which was better, New Pork City then or New Pork City now …
Either way, he couldn't have cared less, or in all for that matter. All he cared about was trying to explain things to Claus. They had stayed on the very edge just the night before, but as usual, Lucas would lay awake, thinking of what to say …
"Claus, something happened to you long ago and … no wait … you see, the basic gist of it is … aw darn it … Claus, you died four years ago and..."
Lucas slapped his forehead. "Nooo, Claus would never believe me … How can I tell him he's supposed to be dead? How can I tell him anything?"
"Maybe you could relay the message onto me …" Polly Voice rang up as Lucas sat up. Lucas looked at Polly, who, as usual, looked concerned. "You can tell me, at least. If you want me to tell Claus or not, I'll leave that up to you …"
Lucas bit his lip, then sighed. "Okay, how about this … I'll pretend you're Claus, react in any way you like, but whatever I tell you, DON'T tell Claus, okay?"
Polly smiled, "Of course."
Lucas sighed, "Okay, here it goes …"
Lucas took a deep breath. "Okay, four years ago you, as Claus, disappeared, and apparently died. The Pig-mask army, an army ran by the Dictator King Pokey, took your body and rebuilt it until you weren't human anymore. You and I had a bout around the Seventh Needle and you killed yourself by using PK Thunder, which bounced off of me and killed you. I pulled the needle and recreated the world. While I was being all 'soulless', you mysteriously reappeared and we decided to leave it at the fact that you were alive."
Lucas looked at Polly, her face hard to define.
Lucas waited for a reaction. "Well …?"
Polly blinked, "I really don't know what to say …"
Lucas sighed. "Still. Don't tell Claus a WORD of this. Deal?"
Polly smiled. "I promise! No word of this to Claus!"
Lucas nodded. "Good. Go back to sleep."
"Alright!" Polly said out loud as she lied back down and almost immediately went back to sleep.
Lucas also lied down, but didn't go back to sleep. He laid awake again, pondering the day to come.
Unknown to Lucas, Claus faced away from him, also lying awake, and in shock. He had heard every word of what Lucas said. Claus did his best of keeping back tears, not being able to accept what he had just heard. Was he really supposed to be dead just like Kana said? And how did he come back alive?
Claus shut his eyes tightly, biting his lip. He knew this also pained Lucas as much as it pains him. What could he do …?
Claus let out a silent but heavy sigh, releasing all of the stress. Lucas will tell him when he's ready. What he needs to do now is try to figure out how he came back to life.
Claus closed his eyes, tears falling out as he did.