Chapter 150: The Same Choices
Everyone just stood there, staring into the sky long after the Mad Dog had disappeared from sight.
Slowly, pressure equalized and everyone could move again. The battlefield that had, just moments ago, been filled with overwhelming force, now just felt...empty.
Aren put a hand on his chest, feeling a faint thread just barely there. Proof that it wasn’t over, that he hadn’t completely failed.
And yet—
His hands trembled before his knees gave out.
Aren dropped, body hitting the ground without any attempt to catch himself before his fist slammed down into the snow
If only I wasn’t so weak and pathetic.
"Damn it..."
His voice came out hoarse, barely audible through the cold and lonely winds that now enveloped him.
If only I had more strength, I could protect everything. I wouldn’t have had to choose...
"Damn it...!"
His fist came down again, unconsciously laced with ether. Snow exploded where his fist collided, turning into a fountain of white that rained down on him.
His hand was blistered and bloodied, skin peeling of at the parts that came in contact with the ground.
Why does this keep happening? In the past and now. I’ve let things be taken from me, over and over again...
WHY AM I SO GODDAMN WEAK!
"DAMN IT!"
Aren raised his hand again. But this time, something caught it. He stopped to stare through gritted teeth, only to see his professor’s face, a small tear dropping down her cheek.
Neither of them moved. His arm was still raised, trembling in her grasp, the tension in his body refusing to settle as it punished itself.
"...You made a hard choice. One that no one should have to make."
His jaw tightened, something in his chest—whether it be his hopelessness or guilt, twisted her words.
A hard choice. Was that what this was?
"...Now go," she continued, her grip tightening just slightly before releasing his wrist.
"Check on the one you decided to protect."
Aren’s breath hitched. Before he could respond, her gaze shifted toward the cabin.
He followed it. And through the broken window, he saw her. Luna lay motionless where she had fallen, her figure barely visible through the shattered frame.
But it was enough. Everything else had disappeared: the fight, the Mad Dog, the situation—all of it.
"...Luna."
Even as the name left his lips, he was already moving. The snow crunched underneath his feet, causing him to stumble before catching himself.
It was a pathetic limp, one deserved for someone like him. But he didn’t care.
Aren dropped to his knees beside her immediately, hands hovering just for a second before he grabbed her arm. His gaze scanned before arriving at her neck.
The wound that was supposed to be there had suddenly crystallized, like her body’s own reflexive instincts had taken over.
But still, she was safe, and her breathing was stable. Aren let go a long, quiet breath as the tension in his shoulders loosened just a bit.
I can’t tell if she’s getting better or worse. On one hand, she seems stable, but on the other...
Fuck...I swear...I promise I’ll find a cure for you Luna, even if it kills me.
His gaze lingered on the crystals on her neck. But then a small cough from behind him made Aren turn.
His eyes widened as all of his club members were now up, waking from the commotion.
Marcus, who was leaning on Iris’ shoulder, gave him a small nod. Iris did the same, giving him a small thumbs up.
Emily was just sitting on a cot next to Daniel, helping him change some bandages.
"Yeah..." she said softly.
Even the talkative Daniel decided to hold back, as he was one of the only few who witnessed what happened. They made eye contact...before Daniel looked away.
"Aren..." the Senior started.
"I’m fine," he lied.
But before he could say anything more, heavy footsteps approached from outside. Everyone’s gaze lifted as the presence entered the cabin.
High Commander Justus stepped through the broken door frame, brushing off snow from his coat as his eyes swept across the room.
"...You’re all fortunate," he said calmly. "Evacuation is underway. Aerial transport is ready. We’re returning to Frontier City."
Nobody really argued, as all of his club members got up one by one and started heading outside.
Aren glanced down at Luna once more before he carefully slid his arms underneath her small frame and lifted her up.
His grip didn’t shake, not even a little. If it did, what use was he at all?
Outside, the helicopter waited amidst the snowstorm that seemed to be getting a bit calmer.
The rest of his teammates and his professor had already stepped forward. Aren did the same, stepping onto the vehicle before laying Luna down onto one of the nearby chairs.
No one really spoke, as there was nothing much to be said. The helicopter lifted into the sky, taking them away from the Mountains.
As they hovered over what was left of the cabin, Aren glanced to the side of it, looking for traces of Kko but found out that she had disappeared.
His eyes widened as he turned to stare at Professor Sterling. She got the message instantly, shaking her head softly before answering.
"She’s fine, she always is."
"Mmm."
They flew in silence for a while, with just the sound of the rotors filling in what they wanted to say.
High Commander Justus sat opposite to Aren, eyes narrowing as the man scanned him from head to toe.
"Seems like we meet again."
Aren met the Commander’s eyes. Something about it seemed reliable, like it had decades of experience underneath it.
Something he strived to become, even if he was stronger than the Commander at his peak.
"...You remember."
Justus’s gaze lingered on him for a moment longer before he exhaled lightly, leaning back into his seat.
"You seem to have a habit of getting into trouble. First it was that idol, and now here."
Aren let out a quiet breath. "...I didn’t really have a choice."
The Commander shook his head before replying, "No. Everyone always has a choice. You just keep making the same one."
"Look, Aren. It seems like you’re caught in a massive network of plans from all types of powerhouses. If I were you, I would just lay low and just keep studying."
"I can’t..."
"What?"
"I made a promise to someone," he said, feeling the connection.
Then he glanced over to Luna, who was still unconscious by his side.
"I’ve made two promises."
"And I intend to keep them both."