Zataria's Last Light-Chapter 34: Home Not So Sweet Home

Assistant: WHAT!? WHY IS IT—DISABLED!?

The robots heard the assistant yelling upstairs and rushed up the stairs to his room. When they reached his door, one of the robots pierced through it, cutting it in half. As the door fell, the assistant collapsed on the ground in fear, staring at the four intimidating robots in front of him while the other two blocked his escape. The two robots began to approach him.

Assistant: S-STAY AWAY FROM ME!

The assistant scrambled to his feet and charged at one of the robots, attempting to deliver a swing. The robot swiftly severed his arm, while another grasped him by the throat, lifting him off the ground and choking him. The robot that had cut off his arm then drove its blade into his abdomen, slicing it open and causing his intestines to spill out as he coughed up blood, his eyes rolling back in agony. The robot choking him released him and decapitated him, while the others began to dismember his body. Soon, his severed parts lay scattered on the floor.

Meanwhile, Zorren and Duviri sat in a taxi, receiving a notification on their watches that read, "The assistant has been eliminated." Zorren grinned.

Zorren: That's what he gets for disobeying me. I will do whatever it takes to ensure Kono and her crew fail.

The scene shifts to Zodiac and Himitsu walking down a nearly deserted street.

Himitsu: I have to say, the lack of people around is pretty creepy.

Zodiac: What made you want to come out? Didn't you say you were tired?

Himitsu: Well, yes, but—

Zodiac: Let me guess, it was Daru who let you go, wasn't it?

Himitsu: Wait, how did you know?

Zodiac: It was obvious.

Himitsu: I just don't understand. You guys are brothers, but you don't get along. Aren't you happy to have finally found your brother?

Zodiac: I couldn't care less about him. He's an idiot who only cares about fighting. Furthermore, he tries to boss me around as if he owns me. I don't follow anyone but myself...

Himitsu: B-but he's your bro—

Zodiac: I don't care if he's my brother, so why don't you shut up before you make me mad?

Himitsu was becoming frustrated thinking about what Daru had said. Zodiac looked at Himitsu, his expression sour.

Zodiac: What, do you have something to say?

Himitsu shook his head.

Himitsu: It's nothing...

Zodiac: Hmpf.

They continued walking, unaware of Zodek's whereabouts.

Himitsu: Ummm, do you know where you're going, Zodiac?

Zodiac: No.

Himitsu: What!? Then why are we out here?

Zodiac: To find him, obviously.

Zodiac took out the card Zodek had given him and handed it to Himitsu.

Himitsu: HUH? Isn't this what Zodek gave us?

Zodiac: Why don't you make yourself useful and figure it out?

Himitsu flipped the card, which displayed the address "Weath Street 97."

Himitsu: Hmmm, that's the address, but we've only been here for a day. This city is huge! It could take us all night to find him since we know so little about the area.

As Himitsu contemplated this, an idea struck him.

Himitsu: Wait! Perhaps we can utilize our watch for assistance!

Zodiac: How would that help?

Himitsu retrieved his watch and opened the scanning app, activating the camera. He scanned the back of the card with the address, and the scan completed, revealing a map with directions.

Himitsu: Look, Zodiac! We know which way to go!

Zodiac: Alright then, let's go.

Himitsu: WOOOWW, NOT EVEN A THANK YOU!?!?

Zodiac: I said to make yourself useful.

Himitsu grimaced as they followed the directions, which took approximately 10-15 minutes to walk. Upon arrival, they found themselves in front of a tall, elegant hotel.

Jump Watch AI: You have reached your destination.

Himitsu: So this is where Zodek and Cindy live. It looks so nice!

Zodiac: Let's not waste any more time.

They opened the door and entered, where everything appeared neat and sophisticated. An assistant intercepted them as they approached the desk.

Hotel Assistant: Good day, do you have a permit indicating that you reside here?

Zodiac and Himitsu exchanged puzzled glances.

Himitsu: Uhhhh, no. We're simply here to meet a friend.

Hotel Assistant: I apologize, but visitors are not permitted at this time.

Zodiac stepped closer to the desk, narrowing his eyes at the assistant.

Hotel Assistant: S-sorry! I can arrange that. Who are you meeting?

Himitsu: His name is Zodek.

The hotel assistant entered the name into the computer.

Hotel Assistant: Perfect. He's on the 5th floor in room 12. You may take the elevators on your right or the stairs. If he doesn't respond, you will need to leave the premises.

Himitsu: Alright, thank you!

They proceeded to the elevator and pressed the button for the 5th floor. The doors closed, and they ascended. Moments later, they arrived and walked to Zodek's room.

Himitsu: This place is huge! And the best part is there's no bad smell!

Zodiac: Yeah, for once...

They reached the door marked 12, and Himitsu knocked.

Himitsu: HEY ZODEK, OPEN UP!

Zodiac slapped him lightly on the back of the head.

Himitsu: Oww!

Zodiac: Quiet down, you're being too loud.

The door opens to reveal Cindy in her pajamas, rubbing her eyes. She brightens upon seeing Himitsu and Zodiac.

Cindy: Zodiac!? Himitsu!? You guys finally came!

Himitsu: Hey, Cindy! Yeah, we made it! How's everything?

Cindy: Everything is good! Zodek is sleeping, but I will wake him up. Please come inside!

Cindy leads them into a cozy room.

Cindy: Oh, and please remove your shoes. Apparently, that's what is customary now.

Himitsu: Oh, um, alright then.

Himitsu and Zodiac remove their shoes and set them aside as Cindy goes to wake Zodek.

Cindy: Zodek, wake up! Zodiac and Himitsu are here!

Zodiac and Himitsu begin to look around.

Himitsu: This place is beautiful, don't you think?

Zodiac: Hmmm, sure.

As they converse, Zodek emerges from his room, hears them, and smiles.

Zodek: You boys finally made it.

Himitsu: Zodek!

Zodiac: Finally.

Cindy: Why don't you take a seat on the couch? I'll prepare some tea.

Zodek: Thank you.

Himitsu, Zodiac, and Zodek sit down, preparing for conversation.

Zodek: So, how was your day?

Himitsu: It was awesome! Zodiac and I are now part of the Order of Triumph!

Zodek: Oh really? That's wonderful to hear. I'm glad you both are making such big moves. What about your friends?

Himitsu: We're getting along well. Kono, Gram, and Daru are great people, even if things can get chaotic at times. (Laughs.)

Zodiac: They are merely acquaintances, that's all.

Zodek: Really? And what about your brother?

Zodiac: I couldn't care less about him. He just gets in my way.

Zodek starts laughing as Cindy brings four cups of tea, distributing them before sitting down with them.

Cindy: I hope you enjoy the green tea.

Himitsu: Thank you, Cindy!

Himitsu takes a large sip; it is extremely hot and delicious.

Himitsu: AHHH HOT, HOT, HOT!! Wow, this is so good!

Zodiac: Idiot.

Cindy: I had the same reaction when I tried it for the first time. (Smiling.)

Zodiac also takes a sip.

Zodiac: I suppose it's not so bad.

Himitsu: Oh, by the way, did you manage to apply for your citizenship for Sampostis?

Zodek: Yes, we did. It took us nearly four hours to complete everything due to the line. Now we just have to wait a few months.

Cindy looks at them in their outfits.

Cindy: Wow! So you both joined the Order?

Himitsu: Yes, the trials were quite challenging, but we successfully navigated through them.

Zodek: At least you passed. What is the name of your crew?

Himitsu: We are the Maivelance Crew!

Cindy and Zodek express surprise at the name.

Cindy: Maivelance Crew! You're the team nominated for the Newbie Awards!

Himitsu: Yep! Our team is really good.

Zodiac: Even though it was me and Daru carrying you guys the whole time.

They share a laugh.

Zodek: So, are you ready to talk, Zodiac?

Zodiac: Let's get down to business.

As the hours went by, Daru, Gram, and Kono awakened. Gram rushes into Daru's room to wake him.

Gram: Good morn—

Before Gram can finish, Daru grabs his throat.

Daru: Shut... up.

Gram: (Choking) Alright... I'm sorry.

Kono enters the room.

Kono: Are you two ready?

Daru: You're ready? Already?

Gram: Yes, I've been awake since 5 a.m., along with Kono.

Kono: Indeed, we've been preparing for the trip.

Daru: Trip? You do realize we're only going for about two hours, correct?

Kono: Well, yes, but I wanted to meet the people who raised you, and I wasn't sure what to wear, so I packed a suitcase full of items. (Displays the suitcase.)

Daru: (Shaking his head and holding it) Oh dear.

Gram: Alright, let's get going.

Daru: Okay, I need to get ready, so can you GET OUT OF THE ROOM!

Gram: Okay, sheesh, you don't have to be a buzzkill.

Kono: I'll be in the living room waiting.

Kono and Gram exit as Daru begins his 1,000 handstand push-ups.

Daru: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

Gram: Man! I can't wait to see Rito and Zenshi, and I can't forget Greg!

Kono: I'm excited too! Are you particularly close to them?

Gram: Yes, we have a strong bond. Rito was a close friend of my father, and they spent a lot of time together when I was a child, but then my father passed away.

Kono: I'm sorry to hear that.

Gram: It's alright; it happened a long time ago.

Kono: If you don't mind me asking, what about your mother? You only mentioned your father.

Gram: (Sighs and laughs) You noticed that, didn't you? The truth is, I never really knew my mother. The only memory I have is of her face smiling and saying, "I love you, Gram."

Kono: (Solemn) That's truly sad, Gram.

Gram: It's not a big deal. My father often mentioned that she loved me dearly and was a healer. He said she was researching a healing spell and had to go somewhere, but she never returned.

Kono: (in a somber tone) She never returned?

Gram: No, my father received word from one of her friends who assisted with the healing spell that she passed away in a dungeon.

As Daru completed his standing push-ups against the door, he overheard Kono and Gram conversing.

Daru: (whispers) I wasn't aware he had parents. I've never seen them.

Daru stepped out of the room.

Daru: Are you all ready?

Gram & Kono stood up.

Gram: Finally! Took you long enough.

Kono: He was freshening up, Gram. Leave him alone.

Gram: (mumbling) Leave him alone; he was freshening up, wah... wah... wah.

Daru: Do you have something to say, Gram?

Gram: (alarmed) Huh? NO! Why would you say that?

Daru: Good. Anyway, let's get going.

Gram: At last! Let's go!

Kono: Alright, to the ship!

As Daru and the others made their way to the ship, Kono suddenly recalled something.

Kono: Oh crap!

Gram: What?

Daru: What's wrong?

Kono: I forgot to do something. Give me five seconds.

Daru: Whatever, just be quick.

Kono: Okay!

Kono dashed back into the house, retrieved a piece of paper, and unfolded it. It read: "Hey Zodiac and Himitsu, if you're reading this, we're not home. We decided to visit Daru and Gram's friends, and I get to meet Rito and Zenshi, who raised Daru. So if you were wondering where we are, now you know. Don't miss us too much; we'll be back in a couple of hours, so make sure you eat! Okay, bye!! Love, Kono, Gram, and Daru."

Kono then placed the paper on the living room table.

Gram: (outside) Kono! Hurry up!

Daru: (outside) If you don't hurry, I'm going to kill you and Gram.

Gram: (anxious and irritated) What? Why me? If you weren't all Zatariany, I would kick your ass.

Daru: Sure, buddy.

Kono: Man, I love my crew.

As they prepared to depart, Zodiac and Himitsu were outside the hotel with Zodek and Cindy.

Himitsu: Thank you once again for accommodating us last night! I wish we could have stayed longer.

Zodek: It's perfectly fine, don't worry. You all have a crew to return to.

Cindy: You can always return when you have some free time.

Himitsu: That sounds like a plan!

Cindy embraced Himitsu and Zodiac.

Zodiac: What the hell?

Himitsu: (talking to self) Awwww yeahhhh!

Cindy: Alright then, we'll see you next time. Take care! (waving)

Himitsu: We will, don't worry! (waving back)

They turned and began to walk away. Zodek stopped Zodiac.

Zodek: Zodiac.

Zodiac turned back to him.

Zodiac: What?

Zodek: Remember what I told you.

Zodiac: Sure, whatever...

After they departed, they made their way back to Kono's house.

Himitsu: We finally made it back. I was beginning to miss them already.

Zodiac: I wasn't.

As they opened the door and entered, they discovered that no one was home.

Himitsu: Wait, where is everyone? Did something happen to them?

Zodiac: Relax, they're not dead; they probably went out.

While exploring the house, Zodiac noticed a piece of paper on the living room table. He picked it up and began to read.

Zodiac: Himitsu, take a look at this.

Himitsu approached to see what it said.

Himitsu: WHAT!? THEY LEFT WITHOUT US!? WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO!?

Zodiac sat down.

Zodiac: We wait.

Himitsu: Aww man!

As Zodiac sat down and Himitsu expressed his frustration about what to do, the scene shifted to Kono, Gram, and Daru, with Daru in a state of panic.

Daru: (panicking) RITO! ZENSHI! WHERE ARE YOU?!

Kono: (scared) W-what happened to this place?

As Kono surveyed the area, the scene revealed everything burned to ashes and destroyed, with people lying on the ground, deceased.

Kono: W-where's Gram?

The scene shifted to Gram, who was staring at his burned-down house.

Gram: (scared and tearing up) NO, NO, NO, NO! This can't be! No, no, no, no.

Daru: RITO! ZENSHI! WHERE ARE YOU?!

Daru collapsed to the ground in despair.

Daru: No... this can't be. Rito would never die... not like this!

As Daru panicked, he heard Kono's voice.

Kono: Ahhh! HELP! DARU! HELP! SOMEONE!

The scene showed Kono captured by four Nitharian soldiers.

Nitharian Soldier 1: (laughs) Guys, look at this creature!

Nitharian Soldier 2: What is it?

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Nitharian Soldier 3: I don't know, but it would be great to bring back to Akuma.

Daru: Put her down.

The soldiers turned to see Daru standing there, his face obscured.

Nitharian Soldier 4: What the hell? Another one? Where are they all coming from?

Daru's hair begins to flicker, and his veins turn a deep shade of purple as his watch displays a reading of 305 and continues to escalate.

Daru: I will not ask again... PUT HER DOWN!