The Last Step Chapter 12: One Last Time

Celia's Perspective:

The air was heavy, thicker than I could ever rember. My hands trembled as I gripped the edge of my clothes, trying to steady myself, but it wasn't working.

In front of stood Kiel and Ronan—two powerful opponents who seed almost untouchable. The way they carried themselves, their calm confidence... it was terrifying.

I couldn't help but let my mind wander. How did we end up here?

Kiel's black eyes pierced through everything, cold and rciless, while Ronan's fiery aura radiated raw, unyielding power. They weren't just strong—they were relentless. Each move they made felt deliberate, like they were toying with Kaiser, testing his limits.

My gaze flickered to Kaiser. His bandages were already torn in a few places, his breaths shallow but asured. He looked exhausted, yet he refused to falter.

Why does he keep fighting? I wondered, my heart tightening.

We had only t recently, yet he had already risked so much for . I could still see him in my mind, standing against those... those monsters—the Noctis Grasper. Two of them, both terrifying and relentless, and he faced them alone.

An E-rank adventurer like him did that. No one would have blad him if he had run, but he didn't. He fought like his life depended on it—no, like my life depended on it.

Now, he was fighting for once again. I knew he was lying to —lying about how much pain he was in, about how tired he felt. He didn't want to worry, so he carried all of it alone.

I bit my lip, my gaze fixed on him. Kaiser wasn't like Kiel or Ronan. He didn't have their overwhelming magic or their crushing strength. He didn't even have magic at all. But he had sothing else—a stubbornness, a resolve that refused to shatter no matter how much pain he endured.

Why hasn't he left yet? Why is he still standing there, still fighting, when it's so clear he's hurting?

I rembered the words he told earlier, his voice steady despite the blood staining his clothes. "I'm fine. It doesn't hurt at all."

But I knew he was lying.

He wasn't fine. He was suffering, more than anyone I'd ever known. Yet he still forced a smile, still stood tall, just to ease my worries.

And ? What was I doing? Nothing. I couldn't fight beside him, couldn't ease his pain or shield him from any of this. I was useless. I clenched my hands into fists, nails biting into my palms. He was risking everything for , and all I could do was stand here, watching, powerless.

Tears pricked at my eyes, but I held them back. No, I couldn't cry. Not now. Not when he needed to believe in him.

He deserved better than soone like . But he still chose to fight for , and that was enough to keep hoping.

Kaiser... please, win. Please, co back to .

Still, my chest tightened as I watched him struggle. There was sothing about him—a feeling I couldn't shake. It was like he was holding back, like there was a part of him that he was afraid to show.

"Kaiser..." I whispered, barely audible. My voice trembled, but I forced it out louder, steadying my breath. "Kaiser! I know you can do this. I believe in you! Just... please be careful!"

For a mont, it was as if ti slowed. His movents didn't falter, but he turned his head ever so slightly. His sharp eyes t mine briefly, a faint warmth in their depths despite the storm raging around us.

"Don't worry," he said softly, his voice steady and calm. Then he turned back to face Kiel and Ronan, raising his sword as if nothing could shake him.

My heart clenched as I watched him walk towards them again, unwavering despite everything he'd endured. This wasn't his fight—it never should have been.

I didn't want him to suffer, to bear this pain because of . Maybe I should stop him. Tell him to run away, to save himself and leave . Maybe that was the right thing to do, I don't want him to suffer any more pain for .

But as the words lingered on the edge of my tongue, I hesitated.

Kaiser...

Kaiser's Perspective:

The weight of my breath felt heavy as the sounds of battle raged around . The air burned with tension, and I could feel the blood coursing through my body—pain that had almost beco a constant companion. But my mind was still sharp. I had to think logically. That's how I got this far.

Maybe... I should escape with Celia? No... that was impossible. Kiel and Ronan would catch up in an instant. They were faster than , even at my best. And with my wounds? I couldn't carry Celia for long, even if I wanted to. No, running wouldn't get us out of this.

So... should I take them both down? Was that even possible? The combined strength of Kiel and Ronan was sothing I could never overco. If I was being honest with myself, I was weak. Just an interdiate swordsman, with barely enough experience to make it this far. And without magic? I had nothing. I was fighting with nothing but my will.

I paused. Could I take even one of them down? I analyzed their movents—Kiel's precision, elental and cursed magic, Ronan's raw power and fire magic. In my current state, I couldn't do anything.

I thought of more ways I could change the tide, how I could actually win... But no matter how I looked at it, the answer didn't change. I couldn't beat them. Not like this. One would always interfere. They were a unit, and I was just a man standing between them.

That left only one option. I had no choice but to take it.

Escape. Alone.

I let the thought settle in my mind. Logically, leaving her behind was the best option. It was the safest, the most practical. I could walk away, avoid the danger, and keep moving forward. Why hadn't I done it sooner? The past would've left without a second thought, without hesitation.

But this ti... sothing was different. The idea of leaving her behind, of being alone again, made my chest tighten. Celia—this girl I barely knew—had already beco soone I couldn't simply abandon.

No.

If I had been thinking logically from the start, I would've abandoned her. I would've let her fend for herself. But I didn't. I couldn't. Sothing in —sothing I didn't know I still had—refused to let go.

I could see it in her eyes. The sa fear, the sa helplessness I had felt so many tis. The sa loneliness I had lived with. I knew what it was like to be abandoned, betrayed by the ones who should have cared.

I had soone once. Soone who believed in when I didn't believe in myself.

And Celia... she had risked her life for . When I was wounded, when I couldn't defend myself, she protected from Kiel. She didn't have to. She could've run away, could've left while I kept them distracted, but she didn't. She ca back. She stayed, just to make sure I was okay. She cares for —even though we only t hours ago. Even though the fight seems hopeless, she still believes in .

I couldn't just turn away from her now. Not after everything she had been through. Not after what she had endured. She deserved better. And I couldn't just leave her to face this alone.

It wasn't about logic anymore. It was about sothing deeper. Sothing I had forgotten how to feel.

And then the mory hit .

"Kaiser, you've always given it everything you have. No matter how hard things get, you never back down. You work harder than anyone I've ever known, and even in your hardest monts, you've never lost the kindness in your heart. That's what makes you so special. That's why I'm proud to call you my best friend."

Her voice softened, trembling slightly, but the words carried so much warmth it felt like they could nd any wound.

"That's why I'll always care for you... always love you. Because you're not just my best friend—you're my heart. The one who's always stayed by my side, no matter what. And for that, Kaiser, I'll never stop believing in you."

Elfie...

Her words echoed in my mind, clear as day, as though she were standing right next to , smiling, telling that everything would be okay. But it wasn't. It wasn't okay, and it never would be.

I don't deserve her words.

The weight of the thought crushed , a deep, suffocating feeling that I couldn't escape. I clenched my fists tighter, the raw pain of regret slamming into all at once.

I couldn't save her. I wasn't there for her when she needed most. I had failed her—failed to protect her, failed to live up to everything she believed in.

I shattered her trust, and no matter what I did now, I will never be able to see her.

She probably hated . She should hate .

I was weak. A coward who couldn't protect the one person who actually cared about . I was nothing but a failure. I let Elfie down—she was the only person who had ever truly seen for who I was. She was the only one who ever truly loved , soone who trusted a weakling like .

But I won't fail Celia. She trusted , just like Elfie did, and I refuse to let her down the way I let Elfi down. I'll do anything to save her. I can't lose her, not the way I lost Elfie. Even if it costs my life.

I shook my head, rejecting that thought of leaving her.

No. I couldn't think like that. I won't die here. I won't let it happen. I won't leave Celia behind on her own.

I'm not afraid to give it my all. I won't hesitate. No... I will decay and destroy them all if that's what it takes.

The words felt hollow in my mind, a reckless promise to myself. The burning sensation of my own will seed to push against my limits, but I didn't move. Not yet. Not until I was ready.

The tension between us was suffocating. The air crackled with anticipation, and I could feel my body protesting, aching with every movent. But I couldn't stop now—not after everything I had promised.

Ronan's grin stretched wider, mocking . "Why are you still fighting, Kaiser?" he sneered, his voice dripping with arrogance. "What's the point? You really think you can win this?"

I didn't hesitate. "I made a promise," I said, my voice steady and full of conviction, my gaze unflinching. "A promise to Celia. I promised her I'd make sure she never suffers again. Even if it costs my life."

Ronan's laugh was sharp, cutting through the air. "A promise? To her?" He shook his head, eyes gleaming with contempt. "You're willing to throw away your life for that? If that's how it's going to be, then I won't show you rcy."

He raised his hands, fireballs flickering to life. "You couldn't even protect yourself, let alone her," he spat.

I tightened my grip on my sword, my heart pounding as I glared at him. "You'll see. I'm not backing down. I won't break. I'll make sure you regret underestimating ."

Kiel, standing to the side, gave a cold, emotionless look. "You're a fool, Kaiser. You can't win this. There's no future for you here. This fight—this humiliation—isn't worth it." His voice was softer now, trying to reason with , but his words were no less cruel. "Just leave. Run away and save yourself. Leave her behind. It's your last chance to live."

I shook my head, my voice firm. "No. I'm not leaving her. I won't run anymore."

Kiel, his face hardening, continued, "With wounds like those, Kaiser, you'll be dead any minute now. Just give up. You're only prolonging the inevitable."

Before I could respond, Ronan cut him off with a harsh laugh. "Stop being so kind, Kiel. Just let's finish him already."

Kiel hesitated, but he nodded. "Fine... Let's get it over with."

But as they prepared to move, I saw Celia—her figure in the distance, running toward , her face full of panic. "Kaiser! No!" she scread, her voice breaking. "Please... please just get away from here! I know you're in pain. Please don't suffer for , I can't take this anymore."

I could hear the desperation in her voice, but I didn't falter. I couldn't. "Celia," I said, my voice shaking but steady, "I told you to stay back. I'll finish them, just wait for . I don't even feel anything right now. I'll be fine."

But before I could finish, Kiel spoke again. "Celia, if you don't stop him, he'll die here. There's no escaping it."

Celia grabbed my hand, her grip tight. Her eyes were wide with fear, her lips trembling. "Kaiser... please. Don't throw your life away. You don't have to do this."

I looked at her, the pain in her eyes cutting through . I smiled, trying to hide the despair gnawing at my insides. "Celia, crying doesn't suit you," I said, my voice full of confidence, though I knew it was fake. "I'm the master of fighting, rember? I'll take them down quickly, and I'll be back before you know it."

But Celia shook her head, her voice breaking with emotion. "Lies... Stop lying to . I know you're suffering, Kaiser. Why are you doing this? I'm just a useless girl that needs others, I can't do anything for you... Don't sacrifice yourself for soone like ."

Suddenly, Ronan launched a fireball toward her. Without thinking, I lunged forward, moving her behind , deflecting the fireball with my sword.

"Celia, don't worry about ," I said, my voice a little strained but firm. "I'll be fine."

"But Kaiser..." Before she could protest, I cut her off.

"I'm your friend, right? So, trust . I'll win this fight."

Ronan let out a bitter laugh. "You're so delusional."

I turned to him, my eyes sharp. "Oh yea? How about this, Ronan? I'll fight you two again. One more ti. If I die, or if I lose, you can take Celia."

"I have no magic, no talent, and I'm too wounded to even run or defend myself. Be a man and fight fair and square without using her as a hostage. Or are you scared of ?"

The words hit Ronan's pride, and I could feel his anger boiling beneath the surface. But before he could say anything, Kiel intervened.

"Fine," Kiel said, his voice cold and decisive. "This ti, it'll be just us two. Right, Ronan?"

Ronan's hesitation was brief. "Fine by ," he spat, his eyes flashing with fury.

I felt a rush of satisfaction. They were taking the bait. Celia was safe—for now.

I turned to her, gently placing my hand on her shoulder. "I will win. I'll co back to you in perfect condition. I promise."

Celia's voice trembled, but there was a warmth in it that made my chest tighten. "Kaiser... I... um..." She hesitated for a mont before continuing softly, "Thank you... for not leaving . For staying by my side... even when you didn't have to."

I smiled softly. "It's going to be okay. Don't worry."

I could feel her about to tear up, she believes in more than herself. I won't let her down.

"Aww, is the princess getting sad over her weak knight? You look cute when you're worried."

Celia rolled her eyes, but there was a small smile on her lips. "Oh, Kaiser, stop joking around and go beat them already."

I nodded, feeling the weight of the mont settle in. This would be the last stand. Nah, I'd win. "Just wait and watch. Move back a little. This is going to be the last fight. I promise I'll return safe."

Celia's expression softened, but I could see the worry in her eyes. She was holding on to sothing—perhaps it was fear, or maybe hope. But either way, I wouldn't let her down.

It was ti.

"Ti to decay them out of existence."