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[center][i][color=9966CC]"You failed."[/color]

[color=BA55D3]"You failure! You let us all down!"[/color][/i]

[color=378E75]“We needed you sooner. You failed us. You failed [i]him[/i].”[/color][/center]
This must have been what they called an 'out-of-body' experience. He was pretty sure the demon could turn around and lop an arm off and he wouldn't have noticed or felt it. For him everything had stopped as all he could focus on was the woman in front of him, her accusation bringing up a myriad of memories and emotions he had locked away. Funny how the mind worked that way; all it took was the right combination of words to pierce through the wall people set up and delve deep into the shambled remains of regrets and 'what could have been's. Just a few words to make the heart race, to stir up panic, to bring down the full force of the reality of the situation.

[color=378E75]“I’ll [i]never[/i] forgive you.”[/color]

Luci looked like she was ready to shove him into the path of the demon out of hatred, and he had to admit, if that was her intention then he wouldn't stop her. It was easier to blame the closest person than accept what had happened. Maybe he should have tried to comfort her or explain he had been doomed before they got there--in the back of his mind, he wondered why their group had decided to take on the demon without waiting for them. But even he recognized that that would cause more problems. 

Kazuki honestly had nothing he could say to remedy this because she was right. He failed. Kazuma had consistently insisted that he stop fooling around more times than he could count, reminding him that he had a job and that people were relying on him. But all Kazuki wanted to do was indulge himself a little, to use the dream-like land and time to get to do what he loved most without his father or teachers watching over and scrutinizing his every move. Except if he had actually applied himself and actually [i]tried[/i] in his role, maybe he could have saved Aaganim. 

Even while those thoughts ran through his head, however, all he could do was stare at the woman that had grabbed him. He could have at least tried to look sorry, but his expression was blank as always. Maybe it veered a little into shocked territory, but otherwise he was his usual self. He had failed and it had cost someone their lover. And of course there was the very bitter reality that even if he was around, he still would have failed. He wasn't as good a healer as Enos, he never would have been able to save anyone. They had gotten there by pure luck.

The noise of a battle ending seemed to resume time for Kazuki, but even then he never took his eyes off Luci. Even with all the rationale in the world, he couldn't blame her for her words. The barrier surrounding them slowly descended, fading away and putting them back on the field. The dismissal was unwilling--his concentration was lost and at this point whatever magic he had was probably dwindling. Of course, the barrier was the furthest thing from his mind. 

After what felt like an eternity, Kazuki opened his mouth to respond, but ended up only letting out a weary sigh. Nothing he could say would sound genuine and not like an excuse. If it made her feel better and kept her going, then it was all he could offer. [color=plum]"So be it,"[/color] He muttered. [color=plum]"I failed. Hate me all you'd like."[/color] It was hard to ignore the lump in his throat, but it was all he had.

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