Darkness.
Sheer, undeniable darkness.
Filled with such immense pain and suffering that would instantly kill anyone that experienced it.
That was the kind of horror Karlia was currently experiencing.
Unfortunately, due to her immortality, she would die. She was merely trapped in that hell, cursing and suffering.
'All this time... she's been suffering.'
My body trembled as my bulging eyes twitched. What I saw was too horrifying for someone to experience.
... Not to talk of someone I still cared so strongly about.
"Jared, we need to return. Legris should have started implementing his plan. We need to stop him quickly."
Hearing Kuzon's rational and completely reasonable words moved my heart.
I could sense impatience in his tone, and usually, I wouldn't hesitate to leave for home.
"B-but... what about Karlia..?!" I whispered, my body unable to move.
"Karlia? What are you talking about?"
"She's in immense pain right now. She needs my help."
"Jared, you don't even know where she is. Besides, we don't have the time. You can rescue her after this is all over."
"I... I know where she is now." My tone was somber, and my gaze quiet.
The slip that Crazy Neron gave me had the coordinates of her location.
"She's in the Root of the Nether Realm." I muttered.
That was the equivalent of the Root of Aether—a place where concepts were subjective to the will of the occupant.
"With the Nether now absent, the Root is in a fixed state, and the place where Karlia is trapped in is a torture realm."
That meant she would keep experiencing unimaginable pain forever!
"I... I have all the Arcanas, and Crazy Neron's message came with a huge supply of Aether. It's enough for me to create [The World] and open a way into the Nether Realm..."
I could go and save her. I could rescue Karlia from.her suffering!
"Jared..." I heard Kuzon's voice, but my thoughts were too occupied with the possibilities.
"I don't think I'll have enough energy to reach The Root of Nether, but if I get transported to a branch, I should be able to navigate my way to the Root."
"Jared..."
"If I can find her and save her, then she won't have to suffer anymore. She won't... she won't have to experience all of tha—"
"Jared!" Kuzon's.words finally snapped me out of my thoughts.
"Listen to me. I understand your sentiment, but... we don't have the time. Once we stop Legris, I promise we will go and save Karlia."
Even though he said all that, it wasn't enough to stop my line of thought.
"Kuzon... I... I can't abandon her again." The last time I did something like this, I regretted it for my whole life.
I couldn't be happy with Emilia afterwards, and I knew if I allowed the same thing to happen, there would be no future with Maria.
'I can deny it all I want, but I still love Karlia.'
And while it was extremely cruel for fate to put me in a situation where I had to choose once again, I couldn't bring myself to make the obviously rational choice.
"Jared. You heard Neron. An entire existence is at stake here. You want to risk all of that for one person?"
I... I didn't know how to respond.
Rationally speaking, Karlia had already been suffering there for a while, hadn't she? Of she could only wait for a while longer... at least until the world was safe, then I could save everyone and return for her.
"She's immortal, right? That means she won't die. For now, we should focus on what's more important."
Kuzon was making sense. It was the rational call to make.
"Don't try to be selfish, Jared. I know it's hard, but we need your help to stop Legris, and.you know it."
Everything he said was accurate. What good would.it be if I saved Karlia and everyone I cared about got destroyed?
What was the optimal decision to make? What would Neron do?
No... all of those things didn't matter at this point.
"Kuzon, what would you do if it was Ana who suffered unimaginable horrors for what seemed like an eternity."
"Jared, I—"
"Her body feels like it's constantly on fire, with her eyes constantly getting gouged out. Every part of her gets violated, and as she constantly screams your name, every sound she makes grates her throat. She is denied rest, and experiences every living moment feeling in such vivid agony."
"I..."
"Would you abandon her, despite knowing you could save her from even just another second of that suffering?"
I could see Kuzon's gaze fall. His expression darkened, and his fists clenched. He bit his lip, and I could see a tortured expression on his face.
He too must have realized it by now.
"I would... if it's for the greater good. I would abandon her." He finally spoke.
Silence radiated across us as I stared at him.
"You're lying."
"I'm not. I would abandon anyone to achieve my goals. And the current goal is to protect all of existence."
"You wouldn't abandon her, Kuzon. You know tha—"
"What do you want me to say, Jared? That I'll let an innumerable amount of people to perish just so I can save one person?"
"Yes. You would."
"I wouldn't."
"If it is Ana... you would."
"I... I... I can't be selfish, Jared. Neither can you."
Kuzon's words, and his dilemma hit me hard. I could understand everything he was saying, but I just couldn't let Karlia suffer, knowing I could stop it.
I also couldn't waste any more time, knowing it added to her pain.
But... how could I make the choice to risk all of existence just for her?
Could I really do that?
"Don't listen to him, Jared. Follow your heart! Save the one you love!" Ciara's words suddenly echoed in my ears.
'H-huh?!'
"You'll regret it forever if you don't. There's no need to overthink it. If she needs you, then go save her!"
"Ciara, you—!" Kuzon growled as he glared at her.
"I agree with Ciara. In the end, Jared... it's your call." Aloe's soothing voice flowed into me as well.
"Not you too!" Kuzon's voice sounded more frustrated with every passing second.
"You just have to do what you think is right. We'll hold the fort in the meantime."
"Edward!" Kuzon roared in annoyance.
I couldn't believe this.
Everyone was on my side.
"You guys..."
I knew it wasn't rational, and it was flawed, but... I agreed with them.
"... Thank you."
"Jared, you can't do this. You should know better than this."
Kuzon was right. Everyone else was right as well.
Even now, I had a dissonance that left me unable to make a true decision—at least, without some form of regret or the other.
But that was when I finally arrived at my conclusion.
"Don't try to stop me, Kuzon. I've made up my mind."
A soft smile formed on my face, and at that moment I knew exactly what I had to do.
It wasn't going to be easy, and it required a lot more than just willpower to pull off, but... I wasn't going to turn back now.
'This time... I won't abandon you, Karlia.'
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[A/N]
What do you all think? Should Jared abandon Karlia for the greater good? Or should he save her later?
