He had met his former comrade, whom he had not seen for a long time after the demonic war in the south. And now he was changed. But something had changed. The air surrounding her felt heavy, her eyes were filled with fire, and she didn't feel as cheery as before.
Jay:
Sara, you are the commander?
She nodded without her expression changing.
Sara:
It's been a long time. Where were you?
Jay tried to answer with untruth.
Jay:
You know, just wandering throughout the lands. To find the rest of them who have the keys. I've got a few leads. So how's Raizon?
Jay tried to small-talk his way out, but this question just made Sara sad.
Sara:
Raizon… Raizon… Raizon has been swallowed by the Wall of Abyss.
Jay knew about the Wall of Abyss, but he had failed to consider that the entire west coast had now been consumed by the wall. His eyes widened as he had a sudden realization.
Jay:
I'm… I am sorry. I had no idea all this time. So did everyone manage to escape? More importantly, are you alright, Sara?
Sara:
No, Jay, I am not. Even if I had time to think this through, I don't think I'll be alright. This is the second time I have seen my homeland being destroyed, and I could not do anything.
Sara:
First it was the Witch of Extinction. And now the wall, which came without any warning and took my homeland.
Jay quietly listened to Sara as she talked through. His ears perked with the realization. He had just recently been at the west coast — at the slave island. He knew about the wall.
Jay (guilt):
If I had just gone to Raizon as well to warn everyone, they would have been safe today.
He had this thought that he wanted to spew but didn't.
In the next moment, Sara gave Jay reassurance without him asking for it.
Sara:
But I managed to save them from the wall. We evacuated from the sea onto the lands. But now we are just refugees, running toward the east as the wall devours everyone who slows down.
Jay:
So how did you become the commander?
Sara:
I was appointed as commander by the gods themselves to lead the humans against the evils of the east. And my days haven't been too great since. But now you're here. I don't have anything to worry about. I would like to see the Foundation get the destruction they so rightfully deserve.
Jay had the feeling of wanting to interject about his position, but he was undercover after all. He subconsciously kept fiddling with his thumbs, deciding how to handle it next.
Jay:
Sara, whatever I am about to say, please hear me out very carefully without objecting first. And Lilia, leave the tent right now.
Lilia went out of the tent, but she forced out others as well, who were just plotting their victory.
Jay:
Well, how do I put it in words? The gods want the wall to consume the entire world — leaving nothing behind. It is the will of their master. And the very bitter truth is, we both were wrong about the Foundation.
Jay further continued.
Jay:
They just want to make sure that humanity survives.
Sara was keenly listening to Jay's opinion. She wanted to retort with a sound mind and tone. But when she spoke, her emotions spilled like a flood.
Sara:
They killed almost everyone in Raizon. They killed many in the lands throughout the generations. You know this — you have witnessed it yourself. You have fought just to stop them, and now you say you support them.
The conversation was going out of Jay's hands, for to an outsider, these views were extremely valid.
Sara:
How does someone save humanity by killing what they are supposed to save? This is just supreme elitism. They are only saving the lives of a handful, if this is true, because they massacred the rest.
Jay was losing the argument. Finally, Sara confirmed her suspicion.
Sara:
By how you are siding with them, it is clear now that you are with them. Hahaha… I can finally connect the dots. The fires, the explosion. Of course, it could be none other than you.
You know, Jay, you have a new name here. They now call you the Demon of Flames. Funny, right? You once fought against them, and now you yourself are a demon.
Jay sat listening on and on. He wanted to conduct his affairs peacefully. But now Sara put her hand in her pocket. Jay had already noticed her action, but still he sat still. She finally pulled a laser pistol from her pocket and aimed it at Jay's head. Jay's face was unchanging.
Sara:
Jay, where do you truly stand? And don't think of escaping — I will shoot before you try anything.
The pistol in her hand was fueled with mana, so Jay tampered internally and sneakily blocked the input of the pistol.
Jay:
Then I shall make it clearer than it is. I, Jay Garrick, am standing with the Foundation. And I shall fight beside them.
Sara, hearing this, immediately pulled the trigger, but nothing happened. She pulled the trigger multiple times, but still nothing happened. In frustration, she threw her gun at Jay, and he caught it with one finger. Using the same metal magic, he unblocked the jammed part and fired the gun toward the ground to test it. There was a powerful blast of concentrated high-energy laser, which put a hole in the ground before disappearing.
He then once again jammed the gun and threw it away.
Jay:
Sara, I don't want to do this. But please surrender. Neither of us wants this war.
Sara was now angry and confident.
Sara:
Whatever you do, Jay, tomorrow the war shall go on. Now leave and grovel before your pathetic general. Tell him that the war shall go on.
Jay tried once again to make her change her decision.
Jay:
Is this what you really want? For there to be more bloodshed? Please don't do this. Be the bigger person. Prove them wrong. Forgive them.
Sara:
No, Jay. Such karma can never be forgiven.
Jay:
Then I'm afraid I must do it myself.