Every passing second, every step she took was critical in these moments. The sense of desperation faintly mingled with a sense of hope within her, small but burning more brightly than even the red-hot flames that surrounded her on all sides. It was these feet that would carry her around the field and towards him, stepping along the ground in an unsteady, yet steadfast manner. It was hard to stay upright due to the dizziness, but even if she tripped and fell to her knees, her only option was to get right back up again, determination unfaltering. Her senses, hazy as they were, detected no immediate sounds of calls for help, and there were no fleeing citizens in her sights.
There was no mistake that Takizawa had lingered around the area much longer than she had. However long he had remained, ultimately, he had played a large role in helping many of the citizens escape unharmed today. His resolve to help the citizens of Benu unabated, his willingness to help the people was the one singular, noble reason he had decided to stay. He could have easily chosen to flee to safety along with the rest, but he didn’t. He stayed, he assisted the less fortunate, he sacrificed himself endlessly— and it was all done out of the generosity of his heart.
There wasn’t much of a ways left to go when an indescribable feeling of doom abruptly overtook her, seeping it’s way into her heart and causing her stomach to drop.
Something was wrong. Something was gravely wrong. Although she had turned the corner of the field, Takizawa was nowhere to be seen. If he had run off somewhere, it wouldn’t have been without reason— The only place where there might’ve been any lingering citizens—
There was a broad, clear opening leading into the wooded area. Her feet picked up once again and she bolted in the direction of the smoldering trees, ignoring the smoke that thickly veiled the area. It was difficult to see, it was difficult to breathe, but the adrenaline had taken over and there was nothing that was going to stop her from finding him this time. She wasn’t about to lose him again.
And that was precisely what she did. He hadn’t gone far— there was a small opening on the forest floor surrounded by trees— Lying in the middle, none other than the man who had been responsible for saving the lives of hundreds of people today.
She ran beside him and fell to her knees— He was out cold, the smoke had debilitated him— After all, there was only so much a human could physically take in these conditions. His actions had been brave, but with bravery, there is always risk.
"Takizawa, p-please, wake up!"
As she weakly shook his limp body, a painful cough interrupted her plea, rendering her unable to speak. She had lost all sense of reason; the only focus she could muster was concentrated on the man lying before her.
She didn’t have the strength to safely drag him out of here, much less carry him. Did this mean they were both going to die here? Was this the end for them both?
From somewhere in the back of her mind, she briefly recalled the story of the king who had sacrificed himself to save his people. Maybe this wasn’t all that different.
Right as she was about to lay down and close her eyes, there was a noise behind her. Muffled shouts, multitudes of figures surrounding the both of them. These were villagers who had been rescued by Takizawa earlier. Why had they come back?
"Hey, can you hear me?! It’s going to be okay! We’ll get you both out of here safely! There’s no way we’re leaving you two behind after all you’ve done for us!"
They had come back to rescue their savior, Takizawa. Takizawa who had selflessly stayed behind. Takizawa who had tried his hardest to make sure there were absolutely no casualties. Takizawa who did it all out of the kindness of his heart, because he could see the value of a person in their life, and truly believed there was nothing more precious than that.
She slowly processed the man’s deep, resonating voice— She was suddenly lifted and slung over his shoulder, with Takizawa up ahead, being carried by another.
She supposed even heros had heros of their own.
Approaching the evacuation site, the two men lay them down on the cool grass together, side by side. The burning village was now clearly in her sights, the air above it containing a black mess of smoldering smoke. Here, at least, the air was breathable, her lungs finally receiving a break from the fumes.
Inquiring if she felt okay, the villagers surrounded them with concern. Saki sat upright, instead choosing to look to her side. Takizawa was still passed out; but he was safe— they were both safe now, and that was entirely what mattered.
Using what minimal energy she had left, she crawled her way towards him, hand reaching out to wipe the soot off his cheek.
