"KISMET’S EMBRACE(3)"

"Don't you hear their cries, buddy? What the hell's wrong with you?"

Kai opened his eyes forcibly as he was welcomed into a dark abyss.

"Akira?" He called out, singling out the familiar voice. "Was that you, man?"

He earnestly gazed around the deep shadow in the search of his friend, but to no avail.

"Something's off about you. Wanna tell us what's wrong?" Yua's voice echoed in the shadows.

"I don't know what's wrong with me, guys. I just… I'm just…"

"Scared?" Ash cut in, completing his words.

"Yes, yes I am scared," Kai resented.

He sank into himself, cradling his head in his hands as if he was trying to physically contain his overwhelming thoughts. His elbows rested on his knees, and his body was hunched forward, as if the weight of the world was bearing down on him.

"But it's not wrong of me, is it? I wasn't built for this, you know? The fate of the populace lying in my hands, never would I have imagined." Kai yelled out, accepting his cowardice.