Zataria's Last Light-Chapter 42: Zataria’s Light

As Daru and Zodiac are overpowered and thrown around, the scene transitions to Himitsu and Kora, who are still engaged in battle, each preparing for a slash attack that culminates in a clash.

Kora: GIVE UP, TWERP!!

Himitsu: Sorry, no can do. I have to complete my mission.

Himitsu pushes Kora away and dashes towards the location where he launched the flag. Kora, enraged, shouts after him.

Kora: DON'T YOU RUN AWAY FROM ME!!

Kora raises her wand to cast a spell.

Kora: Come, my wand, and grant me the power of the Fairy Queen. PRESERVATION!!

As she speaks, Kora begins to shrink until she is small enough to fit in a person's hand.

Kora: (in a squeaky voice) Aww, that's better. Now let's go get that idiot!

Kora starts flying swiftly in pursuit of Himitsu.

Himitsu: (running) Come on, it can't be that far. Where is it?

While running, Himitsu hears a tiny voice screaming.

Himitsu: (running) What the hell is that sound?

He stops and turns around to check if anyone is following him. As he halts, he spots a small pink figure rapidly approaching in the distance.

Himitsu: What the heck is that?

Before he can react, the pink figure shoots a blast toward Himitsu, knocking him back three feet as he struggles to regain his balance.

Himitsu: Ouch!! Damn, that hurt!

Looking up, he sees the pink figure right in front of him—it's Kora.

Himitsu: Wh- Kora?

Kora: (in a squeaky voice, smiling) In the flesh!

Himitsu: H-how'd you get so small?

Kora: Well, I'm next in line to be the Fairy Queen, which means I can take the form of a fairy.

Lith: SHE'S A FAIRY QUEEN?!

Reiji: THAT'S SO COOL!!

Sai hits Reiji on the head.

Reiji: Ouch!!

Sai: There's nothing cool about that!

Himitsu: What the heck!

Kora: Well, enough talking! I'm here to beat you up for running away from me.

Himitsu swings his spear, but Kora dodges just in time, continuing to taunt him.

Kora: OH... YOU!!

Himitsu begins to run away again, still searching for the flag, while Kora chases him, firing fairy blasts as he dodges them.

Himitsu: (dodging and speaking to himself) I need to find this flag fast!

As Himitsu runs from Kora, who is shooting at him, Zodek and Cindy observe Zodiac struggling to regain his footing.

Cindy: Can't they see that Zodiac can't fight anymore? The instructor needs to stop this!

Zodek: I agree, Cindy. It's terrible that they're still attacking him.

Cindy begins to cry.

Cindy: Zodiac, you must get up! I don't want you to die!

The scene shifts to Lance, who is striking Zodiac with punches and kicks, leaving his hands bloodied.

Lance: How does that feel? This is what you deserve for hurting my sister!

Zodiac slowly rises, trembling as he draws his dual blades.

Iris: Is he stupid? Why doesn't he just stay down?

Iris picks up a sharp metal rod and throws it at Zodiac, piercing his chest. Zodiac spits blood as he attempts to strike Lance. Lance easily dodges his blades and delivers a punch to his face, causing Zodiac's face to swell and giving him a black eye. With one final powerful punch, Lance knocks Zodiac to the ground, face down. After a few moments, Kono and Koda arrive at the crater where Zodiac, Lance, and Iris are.

Kono: THERE'S ZODI—

Koda quickly covers her mouth as Iris turns to look behind her.

Iris: What was that?

Koda: (Whispering) You need to be quiet!

Kono: (Whispering) But I thought we were going to help him!

Koda starts to sweat.

Koda: Do you not feel that immense surge of energy from them, especially Iris? There's no way we can defeat them!

Kono: But Zodiac needs our help! We can't just sit here and watch him get hurt!

Koda: Look, I'm not going down there to fight them. If you want to, go right ahead.

Kono becomes upset.

Kono: Well, I'm going with or without you!

Kono stands up and runs into the crater, drawing her gun and firing at Lance and Iris.

Kono: AHHHHH! GET AWAY FROM HIM!

Koda: (To herself) She's going to get herself killed.

Lance and Iris turn to see Kono firing her weapon as Iris lifts a car and drops it on Kono, trapping her underneath.

Iris: You should have never come here.

Lance: Do you really think you can beat us? (Laughs)

Iris applies more pressure on the car, causing Kono to scream. Zodiac watches Kono in distress and speaks up.

Zodiac: S-stop...

Lance turns back to Zodiac.

Lance: What was that? I need you to say it louder.

Zodiac: I-I said stop...

As Zodiac speaks, Lance places his leg on Zodiac's right arm, gripping it with a sinister smile.

Lance: I wonder how flexible you are. You wouldn't mind me testing that, would you?

Kono notices Lance's intention toward Zodiac's arm and cries out.

Kono: Please! Don't do it!

Iris approaches Kono and strikes her across the face. She then seizes Kono's hair and tilts her head toward Zodiac.

Iris: You're going to watch the whole thing. Do it, brother.

Lance: Heh, my pleasure.

Kono: NOOOOOO!

Lance begins to pull Zodiac's arm upward, bending it and eliciting a scream of pain from Zodiac.

Lance: YES, YESSSS! KEEP SCREAMING!

Lance continues to bend it further until it snaps, breaking Zodiac's arm.

Zodiac: AHHHHHHHHH!

Lance delivers a powerful kick, sending Zodiac tumbling several feet away in agony. Cindy begins to cry uncontrollably as Zodiac covers her head, holding her close.

Cindy: ZODIAC!!!

Kono and Koda stand in shock as Iris approaches Lance.

Iris: I believe it is time to finish him.

Lance: Yes. It's time to say goodnight. (Smiling).

As Lance prepares for the final attack, Zodiac, with blood streaming from his eyes, loses consciousness. The scene shifts to Zodiac's mind, where he sees nothing.

Zodiac: What the? Where am I? Did I lose?

As Zodiac begins to navigate through his mind, he spots a bright figure in the distance.

Zodiac: What is that? That light is so bright.

The scene shifts back to Daru being uppercutted by Becan, landing headfirst on the ground.

Becan: OHH YEAHHH!!!

Daru struggles to rise to his feet.

Daru: I-I'm not done yet.

Becan: Man, you really can't just stay down, can you?

Daru chuckles.

Daru: Yeah, I can't stay down.

Becan: There's something seriously wrong with you.

Daru: Trust me, I know.

Becan starts to walk toward Daru.

Becan: See, this is why I like you. (Laughs) You're kinda strong; I'll give you that, but you're weak overall. You've impressed me a lot; I didn't know you could take one of my strongest attacks and still survive.

Daru: (Talking to himself) One of his strongest attacks? I barely survived the first one.

Becan: But I still want to fight, and I have to thank you because I've grown stronger in this fight. That's all I can say.

Daru: I'm glad I could help. But can you stop all the talking and just fight already?

Becan: Do you really want to fight in your condition?

Daru: Does it look like I'm the type to back down?

Becan: Okay, listen, I'm giving you a chance to surrender.

Daru: Surrender? That is not an option.

Becan: Dude, look at yourself. You're not in any shape to fight.

Daru: If you think you're too weak to take me on, go ahead and run.

Becan: Are you calling me a coward?

Daru: (Spits out blood) Maybe I am.

Becan: I'm asking you one more time to give up, or I'll beat you so badly you won't be able to fight again.

Daru: I'd love to see you try.

Daru assumes a fighting stance.

Becan: (To himself) If he won't give up, I'll make sure he can't fight again.

Daru: Hey! Are you going to daydream or fight?

Becan: Shut up!

Becan charges at Daru, who responds in kind. Just before they collide, Daru swiftly alters his stance and tackles Becan to the ground.

Becan: What the—

Daru mounts Becan and begins delivering punches to his face, though Becan manages to block some. Utilizing his fire claws, Becan lifts Daru and kicks him in the face with both legs, sending him crashing into a tree. As Daru regains consciousness, he observes Becan charging at him, preparing to kick. Just as Daru is about to react, Becan's fire claws extend and ensnare his body, rendering him immobile. Becan delivers a kick to Daru's face, breaking the tree behind them. Becan's claws then wrap around Daru's foot, swinging him in a circle and slamming him into trees and rocks before forcefully driving him into the ground, creating a dent. While still airborne, Becan lands on Daru's abdomen with his fire-clawed feet. As his claws penetrate Daru's abdomen, Daru experiences excruciating pain and screams.

Daru: AHHHH!!! AH! AHHH!!

Becan: I told you. You should have quit, weakling!

Becan ignites the tips of his claws, intensifying the flames within Daru's body.

Daru: (shouting in agony) AHHHHHH!! AH!! AH!!!!

Becan: SOUNDS LIKE YOU WANT THE HEAT CRANKED UP MORE!!

Becan grins as he clasps his hands together, unleashing a massive fire blast aimed directly at Daru's head, who continues to scream. The blast explodes, sending Daru skidding across the ground, steaming and bleeding, with multiple puncture wounds and burn marks, appearing lifeless.

Becan: (laughs) Looks like I cranked up the heat a bit too much. My job here is done. What a weakling.

As Becan turns to walk away toward his base, he hears Daru mumbling and pauses to look back.

Daru: Y-y-y-you.

Becan: What was that, weakling? (laughs)

Daru struggles to rise, blood oozing from the ten wounds inflicted by Becan's claws. His lips are bleeding, dripping onto the ground, and his arm is burned.

Daru: (out of breath, barely able to stand) I-I- said you need to stop calling me a weakling.

Becan: Stop calling you a weakling? Why would I stop if you're a weakling?

Daru: (gasping for breath) If you keep calling me that, you're going to regret it.

Becan: (laughs) Listen, weakling, don't ever tell me what to do, okay?

Daru: I'm warning you, Becan. Stop calling me that.

Becan: Did I not just tell you to stop telling me what to do?

Daru: Looks like someone has a hard time taking orders.

Becan: DUDE! I'm warning you! IF YOU PUSH ME TOO FAR, I'LL MAKE SURE YOU NEVER WAKE UP!

Daru: If you kill me, you will be expelled from the Order.

Becan: I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE ORDER!

As Becan grows angrier, his flames begin to turn red.

Daru: (to himself) His flames are turning red?

Becan: Don't push me, weakling!

Daru: (smiling) If I'm so weak, why haven't you beaten me yet?

Furious, Becan charges at Daru. Unable to block, Daru is struck by Becan and slammed to the ground as Becan rapidly delivers punches in a fit of rage.

Becan: (yelling) You're weak!! YOU'RE NOTHING! YOU ARE A WEAKLING!!!! WEAK, WEAK, WEAK, WEAK, WEAK!!!!

As Daru endures the blows, he closes his eyes, resigned to his fate.

Daru: Sorry, Rito. Sorry, Zenshi.

The scene shifts to Gram.

Gram: Sweat! Another flag! The Virgos flag.

He surveys his surroundings.

Gram: I wonder why their base is in a trashed building. That sucks for them; I thought we had the worst spot.

Checking his watch, he notes there are only 30 minutes remaining in the event.

Gram: Crap, there are only 30 minutes left! I need to get the other flags...

He pauses to reflect.

Gram: Wait... no, I can't do that. If I go for the other flags, the other crews will probably be fighting there. I don't want to die. I'll just head back to base and get the 2 points I can earn now.

Gram begins to exit the building, making his way back to the Maivelance base. The scene shifts to Zodiac, who is lost in thought, encountering a bright light figure. As he approaches it, he begins to tremble and drops to his knees in fear.

Zodiac: What am I doing? Is there any point in trying anymore? I have failed to protect the flag and lost to Lance and Iris. This event is over...

As he speaks, he hears a familiar voice.

???: Are you really going to give up that easily?

Zodiac: Huh? That voice!?

???: Come now. This fight is far from over. Get back on your feet and show them who you really are.

Zodiac: It really is you, Mizuda!

Mizuda: I didn't train you all these years to accept defeat. You are no ordinary being. You are a Zatarian, a being that never gives up, even in the toughest situations. Let your light shine bright for the world to see. I'm counting on you, my sweet Zodiac.

Zodiac tears up at Mizuda's words and rises to his feet.

Zodiac: You're right! I can't give up now!

Zodiac approaches the bright light figure.

Zodiac: What is this?

The figure steps forward, standing face to face with Zodiac.

Light Figure: It is time to take it to the next level. (Echoing)

The light figure grasps Zodiac's face, placing its hand above his right eye. Zodiac screams in pain, causing a bright light to emanate from within him, making his hair flicker.

Light Figure: Become one with your light.

The scene shifts back to Becan, who punches Daru in the face, finally running out of breath.

Becan: W-w-w- WEAKLING!!!

Becan stands up, leaving Daru lying on the ground with his eyes closed, bleeding from multiple wounds, his nose twisted.

Becan: AH!!! THIS IS WHY YOU DON'T PUSH ME!! (sighs) I was right; you're a weakling. You belong in the trash.

As Daru lies on the ground, he faintly hears Becan taunting him, asserting that he belongs in the trash. Flashbacks flood his mind, recalling instances of bullying and physical assault. The bully commanded his friends to restrain Daru. With a bruised face, a swollen black eye, and blood dripping from his split lip, Daru found himself helpless. The bully's friends held him down as the bully approached, delivering punches to his face and stomach, leaving Daru no opportunity to catch his breath. Suddenly, Daru opened his eyes, finding himself in a pitch-black room.

Daru: What happened? Did I actually die?

Footsteps echoed as someone approached, and Daru turned to see Rito walking toward him.

Daru: R-R-RITO!!

Daru scrambled to his feet and ran toward Rito, but Rito kicked him in the face, sending him crashing to the ground.

Daru: Ouch! What the hell was that for!?

Rito: Let me ask you something, Daru.

Daru: Huh? What is it?

Rito: Why are you here?

Daru: Why am I here? I don't know. I died.

Rito: Exactly. That's why you're here.

Daru: What? What do you mean?

Rito: Daru, as a child, you were always afraid.

Daru: I'm not afraid! I fought him and lost.

Rito: Who said the fight is over?

Daru: Uh—what do you mean?

Rito: Your body is still alive, Daru.

Daru: I'm still alive?

Rito: Yes, you've given up because you're afraid, but your body hasn't.

Daru stood up.

Daru: You keep saying I'm afraid! AFRAID OF WHAT?

Rito: Your pain.

Daru: M-my pain?

Rito: Daru, you've never acknowledged it, but I've witnessed it every day during your training. All the pain it caused you—that's what kept you going. When you faced those bullies, they inflicted pain, and although you were hurt, you transformed that pain into power.

Daru: I turned my pain into power?

Rito: Exactly! Daru, your greatest strength is your pain, and it always has been. You transformed your pain into strength every time you were knocked down. Now, channel that pain and convert it into your own power! BECOME PAIN ITSELF!!

Daru begins to shake.

Becan: Wh—he's still alive? Whatever. I'll end this.

Zodek: Come on, I know you're not finished yet.

Cindy: What is happening to them?

Reiji: This is getting exciting!

Sai hits Reiji on the head.

Reiji: Ouch!!!

Sai: It doesn't matter; the fights will end soon. There are only 25 minutes remaining.

Becan raises his fist to the sky, channeling his energy. In the pitch-black room, Daru witnesses Rito vanish. In the distance, he observes a purple glowing orb emanating intense heat. Daru approaches the orb, feeling the heat intensify with each step.

Daru: Why is this orb so hot?

He reaches out to touch it, only to withdraw in pain as it burns his hand.

Daru: (Breathing heavily) Come on, Daru... Use your pain as power!

Daru touches the orb again, screaming in agony as his hair flickers and his veins turn purple.

Daru: AHHH!!

Rito's Voice: Now let the Zatarian's power shine bright!

The scene shifts to Daru and Zodiac, both shouting at the top of their lungs. Two bright beams of light burst forth from them—Daru's light is purple, and Zodiac's is white—stretching toward the sky and breaking the barrier, capturing everyone's attention.

Cindy: It broke the barrier!!

Lith: It's so bright!

Sai: What on earth are those two?!

Reiji: It's so beautiful!

Himitsu: (Running) Those lights!? That must be Zodiac and Daru.

Kora: What was that?

Gram: AHHHHH!! WHAT IS HAPPENING?!

Lance and Iris recoil from Zodiac, startled by his brilliant white light.

Lance: What is this!?

Iris: Where did all this power come from!?

Koda: Is that from Zodiac?

Kono: I knew you wouldn't give up!

As the white light beam fades, Zodiac's body begins to recover; his right arm mends as he pulls the metal rod from his chest. A slim white aura envelops him, his hair turns completely white, and his eyes also become white. A black tattoo appears over his right eye, and his dual blades begin to glow. He rises from the ground, causing Lance and Iris to panic.

Lance: W-what kind of power is this!? His energy level is off the charts!

Becan notices the light and stumbles back, temporarily blinded.

Becan: AHH!!! I can't see!

As his vision clears, he looks at Daru.

Becan: What was that light? How does he still possess so much power?

Becan observes that Daru's hair is now fully purple and his veins appear thicker than before.

Becan: I can feel immense power from him...

He watches as Daru's cuts, holes, and burn marks begin to heal while Daru's watch indicates 800.

Becan: What is happening?

Daru begins to rise, adjusting his nose back into position. As Daru and Zodiac stand, they both open their eyes simultaneously—Zodiac's irises are pure white, while Daru's are a deep purple, with visible blood vessels. Zodiac glances at his dual blades as they transform into a brilliantly glowing greatsword adorned with an intricate design.

Lance: Wait, his blades just transformed!

Zodiac: (thinking) What in the world? My dual blades have changed into a greatsword. Can I summon any weapon I want?

Iris: No matter! He is still no match for us!

Zodiac regards Lance and Iris with a serious expression.

Zodiac: It's time to end this pointless game.

Zodiac charges toward Lance at full speed, shattering the ground beneath him as he appears directly in front of Lance. As Lance raises both arms to defend himself, Zodiac strikes, sending him flying out of the crater and into a building.

Iris: Brother! You little!

Iris gathers concrete and debris, hurling them at Zodiac. He quickly changes his weapon, summoning a light bow and aiming it at the incoming projectiles. Zodiac releases a barrage of light arrows that shatter the rocks and pursue Iris. She attempts to fly in the direction her brother went, but the arrows catch up, striking her and exploding as she descends. Regaining her footing, she looks up to see Zodiac in the air, firing more light arrows, prompting her to raise an energy barrier.

Iris: Ahhhh! His power is overwhelming!

As Zodiac pressures Lance and Iris, Becan gazes at Daru in astonishment.

Becan: What is this? W-who are you?

Daru: I am the weakling you called out.

Becan, initially frightened, regains some confidence.

Becan: Y-y-yeah, you're a weakling. Your hair has changed; that's all—it doesn't make you strong!

Daru smiles as Becan, now enraged, charges at him.

Becan: You're still weak!!!

As Becan prepares to punch Daru, Daru remains motionless. Becan lands a punch squarely on Daru's face. When he looks at Daru, he finds his hand resting on Daru's face, who is smiling ominously.

Daru: I thought you said I was the weakling; your punches feel like feathers.

Becan: W-what? How! How did you get this power!?!

Daru removes Becan's hand from his face, and an aura begins to emanate from Daru's hands, causing Becan pain. Daru squeezes, and Becan cries out in agony.

Becan: Ahhh!! My HAND!!

Daru: Oh, sorry, does that hurt?

Daru delivers a headbutt to Becan, causing him to stagger backward before collapsing to the ground.

Becan: Uhhh.

Becan inspects his hand and notices significant bruising on his arm.

Becan: What!? That's impossible!

Daru: You are indeed strong, Becan; I will acknowledge that. But I have a mission to find some important people, and I made a promise to someone that I intend to keep.

Becan slowly rises to his feet, taking a step back.

Becan: What the hell are you?

Daru: (Approaching Becan) Me...? I'm pain itself. (Laughs menacingly.)