Chapter 231: Rise of a Hero Part 10 (2/2)

Zinnia dropped Alton panting as she, too, sat down, sighing. ”So, I guess that's it then? We're just going to accept defeat?”

”Yes.”

Stretching her arms, she laid back, letting the blizzard slowly consume her. ”The others are going to have to clean up our mess, now aren't they? Do you think they; I could survive your mistakes?”

Alton flinched, staring up, lost for words. ”I'd just make things worse if I intervened.”

”How do you know that?”

”I… I just do.”

”Really? But I thought you were a Child of the Garden, right? You defy all odds each and every day. You shouldn't exist, right? You're nothing but an anomaly, a mistake that should never have happened. That's who you are, right, Alton? The way I see that you are the only one who can overcome this. Truth and lies? What does that matter to the likes of you? You being here is the very truth you need. The Garden wants to kill you; V.I.R.A.L wants to kill you. It seems like these days, everyone wants a piece of that pie. Let them win and take you, and well those words will be engraved and true forever. Prove them wrong; you've defied this world over and over. What's stopping you now? Burn it all to the ground if you must allow everyone to be your enemy. You have the right to live more than anyone because you weren't born into this world. You fought and perceived all the odds time and time again. Giving up now will all be for nothing, take reasonability for your actions and fight if not for this world, fight for you. Fight for the sake of it.”

”Zinnia?”

”Yes?”

Alton turned his head, facing her with a conflicted look. ”What would you do if you were in my shoes? If you knew what I was, what would you do?”

Huddled up, Zinnia smiled. ”I would have given up a long time ago. I'm not strong-willed like you, Alton. I give up on things all the time. Rebecca called me a quitter so many times that the word lost all meaning to me. The one thing I thought I could do, the very one thing, be a hero. Even that fell apart. But you aren't like that; you've never been like that, really. You fight for a reason no matter what, right?”

Alton looked at his hand, giving a faint nod. ”I do… I'd always fight for one simple reason; I fight to prove others wrong.”

”And wow, you've sure done that, haven't you?” Zinnia chuckled. ”The Montagues, the Syndicate family, V.I.R.A.L and even the Garden have fallen victim to your mentality. Why stop there?”

”Every journey has an end. Perhaps mine is here?”

”I suppose you're right. I mean, just look at you.” Zinnia ranted, eyes closed, looking pissed off. ”You can really get on my nerve always playing the victim card instead of doing something about it. You push people away when they are there for you and refuse to allow others to carry your burden. You keep secrets that put others in danger and never trust people fully. You allow others to look down on you and don't care what happens to strangers whatsoever, and sometimes I really hate you, Alton. You get on my nerves because I know you can do better, but you always accept second best and are fine with that. You're a failure who can't even keep a stable job, let alone save the world I even question why the hell we all follow you for.”

”Zinnia…”

Turning to Alton, she took a deep breath, smiling. ”But none of that matters because even with all those flaws, you're still incredible, Alton. Everything about you is just that. Even when all hopes seem lost, you fight even if it's got nothing to do with you. You'll sacrifice everything to protect the people you care for and are always there to help those in need. But most importantly.” Tilting her head with tears in her eyes, Zinnia blushed, capturing Alton's full attention. ”You became my friend.”

Alton stood up, patting himself down, not making eye contact with Zinnia at all. ”You'll always see me like that no matter what, won't you, Zinnia?”

”Yes.” She exclaimed without a second thought.

Smirking to this, he wiped his face. ”Idiot. I really don't know what you see in me, Zin, but I guess there's no point dwelling on it. But you're absolutely right; I've come this far. Giving up will make all those memories we had to be all be for nothing. I'm not a hero; I'm done trying to be one for others. That doesn't suit me one bit. No, I'm a survivor who defies all the odds to survive. My very existence shouldn't have happened. I'm going to keep it that way, so you just sit there and watch as I put an end to this little dream.”

Alton kneeled down, igniting a puff of smoke flying through the sky towards his final battle. Zinnia stood up, watching as she smiled, holding her hands behind her back. ”Go get them, Alton… Show the world what the Phantom Survivor is truly about.”