65. The Crossroads

--- Nice to meet you.

Augustus was standing in front of them, but it was just a shell. There is this creature inside him. Straza, this is the first time they hear about this.

--- Who are you ?! - Pearl was still standing guard and was ready to attack at any moment.

--- Boo, weren't you listening to me ? I'm a Straza. You're so inconsiderate.

--- I don't care who you are ! Get out of his body ! - now, Pearl has already taken out her trident.

--- Let me think..... will the answer " no " suit you ?

--- If you don't want it, I'll do it. - Pearl ran to the Straza and stuck the trident into his shoulder. He didn't even resist, he started bleeding.

--- Ouch, it hurts.

--- Why do you...

--- Didn't you dodge ? It's simple ! Because...this is your friend's body.

--- In what sense?

--- It's just that, honey. - he took the trident from his shoulder and threw it on the floor.

--- I can easily get out of this weak, short-lived body and move into another one. Don't forget, I'm still a gem.

--- If you can move into another body, then let August go ! - Amethyst was already starting to boil from it.

--- What for? I like this body. I love August.

--- Let him go ! You're just a parasite who took his body.

--- A parasite ? No, no, no, no ! You are deeply mistaken ! - he hugged himself and began to run his hands over his body.

--- This is a merger. Our merger since August. Since childhood, we have been together all his life. We are inseparable, we will always be together. before his death, of course.

--- What do you mean ?

--- When the White Diamond threw me into space, I was weak. Without a body, I was dying, slowly and painfully. But after that, I got to Earth and found August. I tried to move into him, but it didn't work out. That's why I merged with him. He is mine. and I'm his.

--- Then why did you just show up now ?

--- I was asleep, I spent all my strength. But I also saw and heard everything from the sight of August. All his pain, all his suffering, I shared with him. I was able to awaken, only because August was able to awaken the power that I gave him.

--- But if you're here, then where is August ?

--- The same place where I was. Far inside his mind. At the moment, he is sleeping. So I took control of the body.

--- So your name is a Straza ? - Blue stepped forward.

--- Oh, I remember you. You were the one who raised me.

--- Straza ....

--- And the one who turned away from me in the hour of need. You gave me to the White Diamond and turned away from me.

--- I...

--- No need for words. You will bear your punishment now. - a bright light enveloped her and she headed for the Diamonds. But the gems got in her way..

--- Step back, I don't want to harm you, it will upset August.

--- What do you want to do with them ?

--- Betrayal is the most serious sin. They must bear their punishment

--- And what is their punishment ? - Amethyst summoned the whip and began to spin it.

--- Oh, of course it will be DEATH ! - the light became even brighter, it began to dazzle them.

--- We won't let you do this !

--- I'm sorry, August, I tried. But these bugs need to show their place. - Straza ran towards the gems, The light became so bright that it covered the entire planet. Hurry up August, otherwise she will destroy your friends.

.....

I woke up. I don't understand where I am. I can't feel my body, I can't move. It's dark, I can't see or hear anything.

Where am I ? The last thing I remember is the White Diamond.... did I destroy it ?

--- Yes! You destroyed her ! I broke it into small particles, and they were divided into even smaller ones ! What a sight it was !

Suddenly, a voice appeared out of the darkness. After that, the dark figure began to approach August.

--- Dark, stop exaggerating. You didn't destroy it, but just hid it so far away that even we can't see where it is.

The darkness divided. Now one half was darkness, and the other half was light. Another, lighter figure appeared in front of me.

--- Let me introduce myself. - the light figure made a bow

--- I am the Light, and he is the Darkness.

--- Now, you are standing at the intersection. You must decide your own fate.

What do you mean, " decide your fate " ?

--- You have to decide whether to leave or stay.

--- Go back or leave.

--- You have to make your own choice.

Should I ? I don't owe anyone anything.

--- Make a choice.

--- This is the place and time, the choice that will determine your fate, your future. We can't tell you what to do.

--- This is a fateful choice. Everyone in life stands in front of him. Now, it's your turn. What will you choose ?

A choice ? Fate ? The future ? I don't believe in all this nonsense ! Only I myself determine what my future is, my fate. I make MY own choice, I don't need any hints.

--- What will you choose then ?

--- Will you go your own way ?

I know where I'm going, I know what I'm going to do. My life depends only on me, and not on some fate! My choice, my consequences ! I'm going back ! It's too early to leave, there is still a lot to do.

--- The choice is made

--- You've trampled your path

--- Next, you will follow it. Goodbye ! [ all ]

....

Страза замахнулась мечом чтобы добить Пёрл, но её рука задрожала.

--- What's happening ? - her hand lowered the sword and it fell to the floor. She began to shake.

--- It's not what you think ! Please, stop ! I can explain everything ! - she began to shake more and more, after which a bright light enveloped her

--- NOOOOOOO ! - her scream was the last thing she managed to say before the light swallowed her up.

--- ha...ha...well, did you miss me ? I'm back ! - it seems that Augustus returned to his body, but his strength was only enough for these words, after which he collapsed from exhaustion.

The battle is over. It's time to go home.