Just before Kiana's fist was about to connect with Shu's head, Shu, who had been motionless, suddenly pushed himself up from the ground.
His body was weak, his steps faltering—everything indicated that Shu was at the end of his rope.
But miraculously, he climbed up from the ground and collided head-on with Kiana.
The unstoppable fist grazed past Shu's cheek, catching only a few soft strands of hair, yet the sheer force was enough to rip them out.
The only thing Shu managed to do well was with his hands. He once again grabbed Kiana's wrists.
This time, it was Kiana who held back all her strength. She was knocked off balance by Shu's desperate, all-or-nothing lunge and fell backward onto the ground.
Her back hit the cold surface of the bridge. Shu's face was always in her line of sight. Kiana could feel the hand gripping her wrist trembling for some reason, but the force was real, absolutely genuine.
Shu pressed down on Kiana, pinning her hands firmly to the ground. He was still hunched over, his breathing heavy and ragged. All Kiana could see was the stream of blood on Shu's face and his gasping mouth.
Why...
This was probably the longest she had ever regained control of her body. The tears that had been welling up in her eyes broke free again, streaming down from the corners.
Why are you trying so hard...
She wanted to pull her hands free from Shu's grasp, to break free from his suppression. It would have been easy for her.
But the trembling of Shu's body was clearly transmitting to her. She could feel his rapid breathing, his heart beating so fast it felt like it would explode, she could even feel the warmth of his blood...
When a drop of blood from Shu's forehead fell onto Kiana's face, she finally couldn't hold back anymore...
"Let go, you idiot!!"
Kiana shouted at Shu, her voice choked with tears. She clearly saw his body tremble.
"Why are you staying here?! Weren't you about to turn and leave?! If you're going to leave, then don't hesitate! Give up on me!!"
She only managed to say one sentence, but in that moment, Kiana thought of so many things.
Why are you trying so hard to stay here... Why did you keep taking my attacks like that...
Go, you idiot... Wouldn't it be better if you just left?!
How important am I... Kallen-oneechan can use the Key of Genesis too!
Didn't you say it a long time ago? This isn't the original story, and I'm not the protagonist! The world can be saved without me! You're the one who can save the world!
Why... why are you still unwilling to leave after I've done all this to you... Why are you ruining yourself like this for me...
Kiana finally began to struggle. She wanted to pull her hands free, to push Shu off, but she didn't want to hurt the extremely fragile Shu.
It was a restraint she could have broken with the slightest bit of force, yet Kiana put up the most feeble struggle.
"You—idiot—!!"
In the end, only Kiana's cry, laced with a hint of despair, echoed through the sky.
...
Why...
Shu, his mind already in a fog, was also thinking about this question.
Why am I trying so hard, why am I staying here... I was already preparing to leave, so why am I staying, disregarding everything?
Shu was seriously pondering the question Kiana had asked.
What was the reason... Was it because she is "Kiana"? The protagonist of this story, the indispensable character to save the world, the Earth God who defeats the Final Herrscher...
No...
That's not her... not the Kiana in front of me...
Then why... am I here saving her? Why am I...
Saving the world?
...
The gentlest struggle came from beneath his hands, yet a faint smile appeared on Shu's lips.
Why... is that even a question?
It was the first time we met... she was willing to give me the little cake she treasured most...
Not long after we met... she was willing to push me away in the face of danger...
It was when important people were right in front of her, yet she was willing to entrust them to me, letting me become the bait in danger...
It was her rushing to my side first after a desperate battle, helplessly crying to me that she didn't know first aid...
It was her coming back to me after the whole world had forgotten me, telling me...
She would definitely take me home...
She wasn't that "Kiana"... not that Earth God who could do anything... not the Herrscher of Flamescion, not the Herrscher of the Void, not Schicksal's Valkyrie...
She was just Kiana... an idiot... who would call him an "idiot"...
The dawn he had once wished for, hoped for.
"Shu, you—"
"Shut up!" Shu, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly spoke, his voice a sharp, unceremonious rebuke to Kiana.
The soft rebuke was so abrupt. It didn't even have the force of Kiana's struggle, yet it brought her to a sudden halt.
She looked in disbelief at the Shu who was "scolding" her, but a flicker of...
...anticipation... suddenly appeared in her heart.
The hair that had been obscuring Shu's eyes finally moved aside. Kiana once again saw his eyes.
But this time, it wasn't that dreamy color that drew one in, nor that gentle glow full of emotion.
It was the same pair of dark eyes Kiana had seen countless times on ordinary days. Not particularly deep, not particularly beautiful, but they were unmoving, holding the most focused gaze in the world...
"Now, give me your body," Shu said, his tone leaving no room for doubt, yet his face wore a conflictingly gentle smile.
"But you..." Kiana asked blankly.
Shu wouldn't use any of his powers on me... she had already realized this... and he definitely wouldn't leave now, she knew that too...
If she gave up control of her body, Shu... wouldn't he...
"I promise you," Shu lowered his head slightly. Kiana could even feel the strands of his hair brushing against her forehead.
"When you wake up, you will definitely see me."
The world might become different... but it will always become better.
This is the only reason humanity moves toward tomorrow.
And so, Kiana closed her eyes, entrusting her absolute trust to Shu.
"No matter the cost... I will definitely take you all..." Shu murmured softly to the Kiana with her eyes closed.
"—home."