Chapter 1653 Being Left Behind is Worse
D.E.M.O.N.S: Getting Summoned Weekly isn't so Bad
--- Kamiko ---
"I donât want you to go,"
The words were barely a whisper from Pip but Kamiko still heard them. At rank 3 her senses were more than good enough to pick up the words but Kamiko couldnât help but wish she hadnât heard anything. It was the first thing Pip had said in over and hour and Kamiko found she really didnât have a good response.
*Iâm not even sure if I was meant to hear that. But I did hear it. I donât know if I can pretend not to. So do I say nothing? I mean⦠what if I was meant to hear it? Pip is smart and she knows that my senses are better then normal⦠and that everyone elseâs senses are even better then mine. So what do I do here? What am I supposed to say? This isnât the first time someoneâs been sad to see me go but it feels so different⦠I donât understand why⦠I mean⦠what am I even meant to do?*
"Iâm sorry,"
"I donât want you to apologise, I want you to stay longer," responded Pip.
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It took Kamiko a moment for her brain to realise whatâs sheâd done. Kamiko barely even registered that she was the one who said those two words earlier. So caught up was she in her internal dialogue, worrying about what the correct answer was while already knowing that there wasnât one. Her heart had already given out an apology before her mind could work out what the best course of action was. Though, calling it the best might be overly generous.
Kamiko let out a long sigh. "Itâs not my choice Pip. Weâve delayed things quite a bit to ensure that everyone who wanted to leave could, and that everyone who did leave would be ably equipped to face the future. The⦠the fate of the world is at stake so I canât stayâ¦"
"But the day is already half way over," insisted Pip, her voice cracking somewhat and no longer quite as quiet. Kamiko could see a few of the people nearby intentionally looking away but Kamiko wasnât sure sheâd ever felt more watched. "Canât you just stay for a bit longer? You can leave tomorrow morning right?"
Kamiko didnât glance back at Meg or Hunter. It⦠it wasnât really their fault. Sure she could blame Meg. Say that she was the one forcing this decision on them⦠but Meg had quite happily taken any delay she could back before the drake piece started moving. She wanted time with Hunter. Completing the mission was necessary but finishing it quickly definitely wasnât the point. So⦠if even Meg wanted to ensure that they got moving? Especially when a break meant some quality time with Hunter. It wouldâve even been away from everyone else!
So no, Kamiko couldnât blame Meg. The worry about where the piece was going, the uncertainty of just how long it would take to catch up⦠it meant that once the dragonkin were all safe it was time to leave and that time was now. Even if the world wasnât quite as in danger as sheâd tried to imply with her words⦠completing the mission was important. Even for someone that didnât grow up in a clan. Kamiko was a demon, and she had a contract to complete. Granted she wasnât being forced or bound by terms as would be the norm⦠but knowing she was being watched? Judged? By her mother and others? That acted as chains aplenty.
"Iâm sorry,"
It wasnât much of an answer and Pip didnât take it as one. She just pouted harder, gripping Kamikoâs outfit tighter in a clenched fist, shaking under the pressure she was exerting with her fingers. "I said I didnât want an apology," begged Pip.
Kamiko let out a long slow breath. Frost seeping into her lungs and ice crystals forming mist in the air as she exhaled. Kamiko could feel her heart clench as she glanced down at Pip. *
This wasnât meant to be so hard. What can I even do here? We NEED to leave and weâre going to be travelling at a speed Pip canât help to match. Thereâs no way she can comeâ¦*
"Pip⦠youâve got the workout crew, Brella, Corela, even Chasen Neoms and Sephy. There are plenty of people around to keep you company. I mean, even just the workout crew would protect you with their lives. You donât need me here," Kamiko hated the words that came out of her mouth. They were all true but they werenât what she wanted to say. They didnât convey the message she wanted them to⦠but Kamiko didnât know what that message was. She didnât know what words she needed and her thoughts only held questions with no real answers.
"They donât understand," answered Pip instinctively before wincing at the sharp tone sheâd used. Taking a deep, shaky breath Pip recentered herself after a few deep breaths. "They donât understand. I love them, and they love me and theyâre my family. I believe you when you say theyâd protect me with their lives and I⦠I appreciate that but⦠but they donât UNDERSTAND. The chats Iâve had with you⦠I feel like you understand me and Iâve never had that before and I donât want to give it up.
"I get that you have to leave. I get that you have to save the world and I understand that even if you didnât you donât really live HERE. To you⦠to you I guess this whole world is a lot like the compound⦠just a small slice of the REAL world so⦠so I get it you have to leave but Iâm not ready for you to leave right nowâ¦
"And I donât think Iâm going to be ready tomorrow either. I get that. Iâm not stupid. This sucks and I donât like it at all⦠but you understand me. I donât understand why. We⦠we just⦠I donât even know what the words for it are⦠but you understand me and they donât and I donât know WHY and I donât want you to leave even if I know you have toâ¦"
Pip wiped away the tears that had just started to leak from her eyes. Kamiko so desperately wanted to do it for her⦠or wipe at her own face just in case. Instead Kamiko just started to slowly run her fingers through Pipâs hair. She didnât have anything else to say right now. Other than another âIâm sorryâ and sheâd already said that enough.
"Iâ¦" Kamiko licked her lips as she tried to think of what to say. Why it might be that Pip felt like she understood. "I didnât have the best childhood. My parents tried and they love me⦠but Iâve got quite a few siblings and most of them had their own lives so I didnât see them all the time. The only one I did⦠her name is Aslena and even if weâve made upâ¦
"She made my life⦠not horrible. Never horrible because my parents loved me and so did my siblings⦠probably even Aslena but⦠she⦠she just DID things without considering how Iâd feel for a long time⦠and then once she understood that it was causing me problems sheâd still do it anyway.
"Because I never stood up for myself. I was never clear. I was shy, and I kept my problems to myself. It ATE at me because I never spoke up. Even though I never spoke up. I created those problem just as surely as Aslena⦠but SHE was the one I blamed. So⦠so I donât know WHY it feels like we understand each other. Because I agree we do⦠but our⦠our childhoods arenât all that similar, or maybe they are and only my heart understands why instead of my mind,"
As Kamiko started to finish speaking a spark of resolve manifested in her chest. She pulled her hand away from Pip and started to gather a massive amount of demonic energy into her cupped palms. After a few moments something started to take shape. It looked like a cross, but one made up of smaller crosses that matched her eyes. Inside each of them was a glowing ember of pink flame.
"So I guess Iâm doing this. This here is a beacon or an emergency beacon. You can use it to summon me with just a bit of effort. I wonât always be able to come⦠and⦠and you need to realise that this isnât a toy. Itâs meant to be for emergencies or regular contracts. So make sure that you have something to serve as payment and something to request when you summon me. Plenty of people do use them just to keep in contact⦠but you canât go overboard. Teleporting between dimensions can be expensive and if Iâm not actually making anything when I use them I might start having to pay, or maybe youâll be forced toâ¦
"But⦠I guess what this means?" Pipâs tears were flowing freely as she gazed in awe at the glass-like construct. "I guess this means that it doesnât have to be a goodbye. It can be a âsee you laterâ. Even if I canât stay any longer I can come back. So⦠I hope thatâs ok," The younger girl nodded and buried her face in Kamikoâs side. Not trusting herself to talk. This⦠this was ok. This was more than ok.