Chapter 14: Frozen
Such was fate.
Sometimes, the very person you were hesitating to risk your life for ended up saving you instead, throwing themselves forward without pause, without fear, and taking the death blow meant for you.
At that moment, you knew you were out classed in terms of character strength, decisiveness and willingness to save others at all costs.
And as the recipient of such grace, it was only fitting that he felt shame at his own hesitation and a burning desire to make it up to them.
Akira clenched his fists tightly, feeling the shame course around his veins like fire.
"I will. I will definitely save you. And even if I fail... I will avenge you! Damn it! Damn it all! I need strength!"
"No, Sora!" Princess Yuki screamed, her voice raw and frantic within the suffocatingly small space pocket which was barely the size of a wardrobe.
But only silence greeted her.
They were completely separated from the main world now, and no attack, much less voices, could be transmitted in or out.
Akira and Princess Yuki were well and truly... alone.
In the cramped space, her body was pressed tightly against his.