Zero No Tsukaima Fan Fiction ❯ Zero no Tsukaima The Holy Knights ❯ Chapter 26

How do you fight evil

 

Seth rolls over onto his side the pain in his arm has finally numbed enough that he can stand it. He stands up and looks over the group of his friends, Airo is still on the ground holding Hina in his lap while she tries to recover from the blow that man dealt her.

Zion walks over to her and bends down putting his hands gently on her gut. A soft glow appears around his hands and Hina closes her eyes as the pain doesn't go away completely but it does become duller.

Seth clenches his hands closed and grits his teeth, “This is bullshit!”

Zion turns back to Seth, “Seth?”

Seth slams his fist into the dirt, “She's gone! He took her and there was nothing I could do about it.” Zion reaches for Seth's shoulder but he shrugs him off, “Zion how do you defeat evil!?”

“Seth I don't-”

“Tell me, Airo how do you defeat evil?” Airo shakes his head and looks at Seth confused, “You know what my pastor said about how to defeat evil?” The group collectively stay quiet while he vents, “My pastor once ask the congregation, how do you defeat evil. He said with good, we defeat evil with good. BUT WHAT HAS GOOD GOTTEN ME?” Seth turns his back to the group, “I fight like a 'good guy' I don't take advantage of a downed opponent, I don't fight dirty, I fight with integrity, with honor. Where has it gotten me!”” Seth walks over to the building and sits down on the steps, “Maybe fighting good won't get this done.”

Airo helps Hina up to her feet, “Seth what are you saying? Are you saying that you are going to fight like those evil men?”

Seth puts his hands over his face, “I've fought like me, and I've nearly died, almost every time I fight against one of those head guys I nearly die. I was lucky this last time, the time before that, I think I did die, I was shot, twice.” Seth lifts his head up out of his hands and looks over at Zion, “How did you defeat Kuro?”

Zion crosses his arms, “Seth I don't know what you want me to say?”

“How did you defeat the green leader?”

Zion shakes his head, “I used nature magic to attack them with a plant.”

“NO!” Seth stands back up and points at Zion, “You used a dirty tactic, you pierced them through the back with a plant that you made razor sharp. You fought like they would fight. What did I do during that fight? I used all my power, all my strength, to fight Kuro with 'good guy' tactics. I almost got killed but him again. In the process of trying to be the good guy I used all of my energy to fire a blast to protect all of us and in the end I destroyed my left gauntlet, I passed out, and when I woke up my arm felt like someone set it on fire. Right now it still burns but it is getting better. Maybe tomorrow if I'm lucky I'll have no feeling in it at all. Maybe by the time I reach that thing that guy told me to go to I'll be able to use my left arm for fighting.”

Zion yells at Seth, “Do you know what you are talking about!?” Zion's yelling startles Seth, “You are talking about fighting like one of those men you have been trying to stop all this time. Why did you start this journey in the first place? Didn't you start this because the lower ranked me in this gang burned down Rain's village. If you do this you will be just like those men.”

Seth walks down the steps and stands before Zion, “This journey started off under the pretense of revenge, I told myself that, for Rain, I would do whatever it takes to defeat the men that destroyed her life. Tell me Zion, if you are so smart and self righteous, what would you do?”

“Seth I can begin to guess what you are feeling, I don't have someone that I care for as much as you do, this situation is different for me, she is a friend, not my love. You and me Seth, we are different people.”

“Different people.” Seth turns around and walks into the building. A few minutes later he comes back with a change of clothes in his hands, “Zion, thank you.”

“For what?”

“You helped me realize something, you and me are different people. Being me gets me hurt. If I become, someone else, maybe I won't be hurt anymore. I won't make Rain suffer by watching me in a bed on death's door.”

Seth starts walking into the forest and Zion stops him, “Seth, if you do this, this will be the last time I travel with you. This will be the last fight.”

Seth looks over his should at Airo, “And you Airo?”

He nods, “Yes, I won't travel with someone that has become like the people I've been fighting. If you truly do this then don't except me to continue to travel with you.”

Seth smiles and closes his eyes. He takes a deep breath and then looks up at the clear blue sky, “Me and Rain started this journey together, alone. Maybe it would be best if we end this journey that way.” He starts walking into the forest and Zion shouts at him.

“Where are you going?”

He turns back and smirks, “I'm going to find a river, get washed up.”