Greyashe chapter 357 is entitled "Instants II."

Previous chapter 356: Instants.

Next chapter 358: Instants. III

Summary page

-Short summary-

Lazaro enters the fray against Baker, but is this one fight where he's over his head?

-Long summary-

Lazaro is perhaps the perfect representation of the effectiveness of an "instant". Where others might have taken a second to purvey the situation opening before them, to try and understand what they are seeing, his singleminded, onesided love toward Roysé alienates anyone other than her and neatly files them into the category of "enemy". To Lazaro the entire world other than Roysé is "Guilty until proven innocent". So rather than try to understand and empathize with others, his simple solution is to hostilely attack everyone who might stand between him and his beloved. This is obviously a problematic personality to have when dealing with others on a personal level, but it is perfect for a fight against an enemy who's true nature and power is unknown.

Lazaro flexes his arm now free from the sling it had been in due to his injury in his fight against Colin. He grins maniacally and grips his fists together in anticipatory glee. It had been far too long since he had been in a fight against someone that he hadn't been a disappointment or hadn't sapped his will to fight with misguided pity. Although he's seething over the audacity of this fool who would dare to attack his honey, he's paradoxically happy that he'll be able to serve divine punishment to a mortal. If he is going to be a God he has to smite a few infidels. It comes with the territory after all.

Baker slowly rises, the bulk of his injuries beginning to heal. So this must be that alchemy thing he's heard so much about? It relies not on agape like magic, but "knowledge" known as the "alchemic route". Which is to say that the user must continuously challenge themselves in an arena known best to them in order to use their abilities. Where love = "agape" requires no prerequisite knowledge, the alchemist must have a strong understanding of something in order for it to function correctly. Which is to say if Baker can cause this person to wavier in his "belief" of his knowledge in whatever he's using, then he can consider this fight his victory. The problem is, unlike agape which is easily identifiable, the "alchemic route" is just as personal as "agape" but not nearly as obvious. Baker doesn't believe that Lazaro can actually best him in a fight, but if he continues getting attacks off like the one he had been hit with then there's no guarantee he'll last. After all it takes him some time to heal his damage, and if he is attacked while healing there's the off chance he'll be finished.

Lazaro once again demonstrates his proficiency at taking advantage of an instant by speeding towards Baker and slamming his fist into his face. He then follows up with two air pressure vollies sending the sentient into the air and a slash that cuts his chest. Baker then tumbles helplessly onto the roof of a building, the only mercy he's allowed is that he lands in soft snow rather than hard concrete. Baker coughs up bodily fluids and quickly flips on his back to rise. As he thought he'll have to act quickly if he doesn't want to be defeated here before completing his mission. What could his "alchemic route' be? The key to winning this fight is figuring that out!

Lazaro turns back to the angel and female sentient and regards them quietly. He then points at Candle and orders her to explain who that guy was and what's going on here. Candle balks at Lazaro, amazed that he could attack so mercilessly without knowing who it is he's fighting. Truly whenever she thinks she figured out all there is to know about humans something else comes up and stumps her entirely. She shakes off her awe and gives a brief statement of events figuring correctly that Lazaro won't want to be bothered by hearing the long version. Simply put she tells him that she, Baker and Roysé have a previous connection and now Baker is here in regards to that and intends on destroying Greyashe and the two of them. Lazaro mulls this over for a moment and then surprises Candle with a shocked expression. He then rushes over to Roysé who's slowly getting to her feet and asks what kind of connection she has to that louse? He's barely able to get the word out, only mumbling "ex-ex-ex---" before Roysé gives him a quick smile and shakes her head. If anything --she explains, he's more like the friend of an enemy back from her "school" days. So Lazaro needn't worry about them having a deep relationship like that. This seems to calm him down a bit, but he incredulously asks who could possibly make an enemy out of someone as lovely as her? It's unfathomable. Roysé despite herself blushes and thanks him for the comment, but they need to be serious now. As Candle explained, that person really is here to destroy Greyashe and needs to be stopped. Lazaro sneers up at where Baker landed and comments that he'll easily make short work of him. It's not even a matter worth worrying her pretty head over. He'll just pop over there and finish him off then they can go back to the house and have some more of that passable food that the girl....Nancy was it? Makes.

Roysé surprises him by narrowing her eyes and explaining to him that this is a serious matter and Baker is a serious threat. It is true that he has the power to defeat him, but he's only got what could be considered a temporary lead in a race. It only takes Baker putting in some effort to out pace him and win. If he wants to maintain his lead then the one thing he absolutely cannot do is to stop. Never stop. Take advantage of every single instant in his arsenal. The moment he stops is the moment he dies and they're all doomed.

Lazaro doesn't hide his shock at Roysé's words. He's never known her to speak so bluntly before, and he's not entirely sure how to take this. As much as he'd like to laugh this off and proclaim himself perfectly capable of taking out that louse, he's suddenly overcome with another emotion that he's not sure how to explain, much less express. Roysé senses something is off and takes his arms asking him desperately if he understands what she's saying? Lazaro snaps out of his fog and answers with a grin that he does and that she's cute when she's worried about him. The angel gives him an unsure look which he responds to by patting her on the head and asking her to wait for him. He will definitely be back after he gives this guy a reason to fear God. Lazaro then levitates upward and heads to the roof of the building where Baker awaits, as Candle joins the angel and watches him go. The sentient comments that Lazaro is really strong and might be able to pull this off, but Roysé is less sure of this. She sadly admits that she might have --as Colin put it "Snapped the ball" too early. Candle glances at her questioningly as she reflexively places her hand on her chest and prays that her words reached him. She knows Van --her brother left Lazaro behind because he has what it takes to win, but she can't help but feel it will be her responsibility if he loses and dies here.

Lazaro reaches the roof and descends gently surveying his surroundings for a moment before finding Baker still slumped over in a snowbank to his left. With a surprising amount of caution, Lazaro walks over to Baker and remains still when he is several feet away from him. For a moment all is silent as a gentle snow falls around them. Lazaro gathers his "alchemic route" and prepares to blast Baker away, but he is surprised by Baker lifting his head and summoning an ominous aura that causes Lazaro to reflexively cover his face with his arms and step back. When the ominous feeling passes, Lazaro opens his eyes and stands frozen in fear.

Perhaps it's just an illusion, but now Baker looms before and over him like a building. The sentient breathes in and snow flutters everywhere rushing all around him like a blizzard. When he expels air the hapless Lazaro feels like he's being blown away by a force of nature, and his fear only increases when the sentient places his arms in his pockets and leans downward to glare at him like a human standing over a cornered insect. No...worse as Baker had even acknowledged him in his effort to lean down, given him even more of a reason to fear him. Had he just stepped on him before he had any time to feel fear, it might have been merciful on his part. Then at least he would have died in pure blissful ignorance. Now however? He would know true mortal fear and then be erased. A horror upon a tragedy.

Baker had time to think about what Lazaro's "alchemic route" could be and honestly had not been able to figure it out. So rather than spend valuable "instants" considering it, he had decided to gamble on a desperate gambit. Had Lazaro shown no fear towards his intimidation then he would have easily been able to finish him off. Now Baker knows....the "alchemic route" that Lazaro follows is based on knowledge of "himself". That he has core convictions that he will follow no matter what the situation, no matter who the opponent. By shaking this "conviction" Baker had now put his "alchemic route" in jeopardy, and rather than facing him down as the cornered animal he actually is, had instead portrayed him as a predator who is complete control. Baker reaches out to Lazaro who leaps back and stumbles off the side of the roof, falling on an awning and into a nearby window. The God to be lands on his side and remains there shaking both out of pain and mortal fear. Just as Roysé had feared, the moment he had failed to capitalize on an "instant" he had stopped being the "Lazaro who could win" and become an emotional wreck.