You're gonna have a bad time.
I do not own BlazBlue.
The day had started just like any other for me.
I was confined to my bed, too ill to do anything else, as the sister occasionally checked on me and brought me snacks and the like. There was nothing much for me to do with my time back then, as you know. I usually felt too drained to even leave my bed. I would simply lay and wait and hope something would happen. Typically, I'd just pray someone would take the time to sit and visit with me. I tried to temper my feelings because I knew you and the sister were preoccupied by the many chores required of the way we lived.
And of course Jin was never an option.
I could do without him taking my pillows or tugging on my hair or whatever torment he had planned for me.
The high point of my day was always when you were there, but at the time you were out gathering water on behalf of the sister. I knew you were displeased about it, so I assumed you were off lazing about as opposed to working on the task that was assigned to you. Not that I could blame you as you were always given the majority of menial tasks due to the fact you were so much stronger than the sister or Jin and I.
It was only my wish that you would not be gone long.
Then, when it had begun, I would have given anything to assure you'd stay away.
I had felt something was wrong before I heard or saw anything go amiss. My body was weak, but my perception was always abnormally strong and I felt an oppressive air wash over me in a cold wave. I was going to call out for the sister to bring me another blanket, my assumption being it was only a draft, but I found my voice trapped in the throat. Panic set in and I had begun to believe my body was finally failing me for good.
That's when I heard them.
"What are you doing here?" I thought I heard the sister ask. It sounded as though she was trying her best to stay quiet, but I could still hear the fear in her voice. She never sounded like that before and it made me scared as well.
"Going senile already, are we? Well, I guess I can't be all that surprised. You never exactly had much in the brains department to start with anyway." An unfamiliar voice cackled. It was a man, loud and aggressive but with a sinister glee. He sounded like he was enjoying things. "But don't you go and bullshit me now. You can't pretend you didn't have a barrier up. It may have been weak as hell but it was still a barrier. You know good and well why I'm here. So, tell me, where is it?"
I heard what I knew had to be the man taking a hard step forward.
The sister had no recourse but to shuffle back in response.
"I-I don't know what you're talking about. There is nothing here so please leave!"
The man muttered his response so I could not hear it, but I did hear him lash out.
I did hear the sister scream.
The sound of the scuffle did not last long. From what I could surmise, he struck her, she toppled over what had to be a piece of furniture, and he followed after her.
"Thinking you could fuck with me? Me!? Do you even realize who is on the list of people who have tried toying with me and paid for it? Your own sister was nothing to me and she at least had an ounce of talent so what chance do you think you have you, stupid, little—"
I couldn't hear much after that because he started to strike her again. I believed that was what caused her to scream so horribly, anyway.
The terror that gripped me made it difficult to gather my thoughts.
I had no understanding of what was happening. I wished for something to stop this man, for something to save the sister, because I could do nothing myself. Too scared to do anything else, all I did was desperately clutch my blanket to my chest and cry. I prayed, as the sister taught me to, for any higher power listening to wake me up and end the nightmare.
He eventually stopped and said something I did not quite catch, but after he took a few steps he spoke up.
"Honestly, that's just rude. Living in the middle of nowhere doesn't give you clearance to be an incompetent host, you know? I mean, you didn't greet me at the door, you didn't offer to take my coat, there is no food or drink laid out, and what is with the draft in here? Ah, don't get up! What's done is done, after all. Besides, I think I can do something about that draft…" His chuckle was followed by a short pause. The next thing I knew, there was a quick flash I could see from under my door and a rushing sound. I wasn't sure what had happened until I smelled the smoke. "There we go! Nice and toasty! Too bad I can't get comfortable and enjoy the show. Work is work, after all. Now, why don't we go ahead and find out what is behind door…number…"
Then my door burst open. The man's form was lit up by the growing fire, making it hard to tell what he actually looked like, but I could see his inhumanly wide grin.
And his demonic eyes.
"Hey there, kiddo." His voice sang in mock kindness. "You have no idea how long I've been looking for you…"
I knew not who he was, nor what he wanted, but even as a simple child I knew what I was facing. The creature that was standing before me was a true to life monster. It was the kind of abhorrent thing that plagued the nightmares of all humans big or small. It had no reason to carry out what it was doing, and it needed none. It only meant me harm, and I could do nothing beyond weep and beg something would halt its advance as I trembled in helpless silence.
And for one brief, fleeting moment the creature was brought to a standstill. Something registered on his face and he stopped, turning his attention away from me. For that glorious instance, I had actually believed I was bestowed a genuine miracle. It would have been a joyous moment if not for what it was that was drawing his gaze.
For I could feel nothing but nausea as I looked down upon the bruised and bloodied form of the sister as she weakly clung to the monster's leg. I could hardly recognize her with the condition she was in. With an eye swollen shut, a broken nose and bloody hair matted to her face, she looked nothing like that kind woman who raised me like her own daughter. She tried to speak, but from where I was all I could hear was an unintelligible croak. I opened my mouth to call out and ask if she was okay, but I still didn't have the strength to even manage that. The fear and revulsion for the scene playing out before left me choking on my words.
Only when the monster began to strike her was I able to find my voice again.
A scream tore through my throat as he once again began to rain blows upon the defenseless sister with his foot.
"You nasty, fuckin' witch! Don't you dare put your hands on me! This is how you behave when someone shows you mercy!? You don't know when to quit, you disgusting pile of shit!" He was focusing his assault on her arms this time. Punishment for touching him, I am now left to assume. Not that it matters to us, of course. At any rate, the sister's shrieks of pain were joined by my own cries of horror. The man paid us no mind, though. Once he was satisfied brutalizing the sister, he knelt down and grabbed a handful of her hair to bring her up to eye level.
"Now, I want you to take a minute to thank your imaginary friend in the sky that I don't have the time to drag this out. Belieeeve me, I really would love to give you all the time you deserve to suffer and watch you die all slow like. Not because you have even the slightest bit of significance in this world, but because that overly chipper attitude of yours has always pissed me off. Seriously, one hundred years later and you still can't grow yourself a personality? You should try working on that. Or, you know, you should've considering you are gonna… Hey, are you even listening? I Guess hearing ain't the easiest thing to do with a fuckin' smashed head. Don't you worry, though. I held back just enough so you can still enjoy the show. The oldest of the brats should be home any second now and, oh, the things I have planned for him… Ah, but business before pleasure, as the old saying goes."
With his mocking monologue over, the man unceremoniously dropped the sister in a heap and turned his attention back to me. If I still had the strength to scream, I would have. Yet my previous outburst was too much on my frail body, and what's more the smoke had begun to fill the room. There was nothing stopping him now as he loomed over me. My last sight before his hand reached out and obscured my vision was his twisted, smiling face and the only world I knew to be true being reduced to ashes.
Then, just like that, everything was gone.
I could no longer see the flow of the roaring flames, no longer smell the rising smoke, no longer feel the unbearable heat surrounding me, no longer hear that monster's sadistic laughing.
It was as if I was simply left to exist, and yet even that was in question at times.
The infinite darkness that surrounded me was more oppressive than anything the mental capacity of a child was capable of comprehending. It numbed my body and subjugated my thoughts. If I was still able to move, I was completely unware, but even if it was still within my power it wasn't as though I had anywhere to go. I imagined that I curled my body into the fetal position in a meager attempt to comfort myself. Although, at the time I could not say for certain.
My thoughts did not, or rather could not, dwell on my situation for long. My confusion and fear would avail me nothing, and any attempt to understand the new world I found myself in would only bring a debilitating pain coursing through my skull. Cognitive thought was made simply useless to me now. Even so, I still foolishly tried for longer than I would care to admit. However, sheer hope can only carry one so far, and after an inconprehensible amount of time had passed, I surrendered myself to the abyss. Not that I would be able to actually put a number to it proper. A sense of time was one of the many things lost on me in that void.
With all of my physical senses stolen from me, and my mind reduced to an equally powerless state, I did the only thing I could do and retreated into my subconscious. There, I was able to cling to the illusion of peace within my memories. Back in the church where I could still experience warmth and comfort. Where I never had to want for food or sanctuary. Where I was still loved and could return such a feeling as easily as breathing. Where my existence still made sense and my life still held value.
Where I could still be with you.
But, as it was to be expected, even that did not last, for even my purest of memories had become tainted by that man.
The gentle warmth of my sunlit room was swallowed up by those hellish flames which engulfed my home, the sister's soothing voice was deafened by her own blood curdling screams, and my every waking thought was haunted.
His evil eyes.
His demented smile.
His laugh…his goddamn laugh.
The once crippling fear that was caused by that creature was now dwarfed by something far greater. The only feeling that gripped me was an all-consuming hatred. Rage as I had never known before grew within my chest whenever I thought about what that man did to me…to us. Thoughts of revenge were all that remained in my mind. I yearned to see that vile wretch broken and twisted beyond recognition at my feet. Forcing him to beg for my forgiveness just so I could spit in his face and throw him into a bottomless pit to wither away like the fate he condemned me to.
I would scream into the void, demanding that he show himself for I was sure he was there watching me. I wanted nothing more than to face him just one more time. I decided that even if I failed to destroy him or at least inflict upon him a fraction of the same pain he put me through, well, at least my own suffering would come to an end. Though it came as no surprise when I did not receive any sort of response. I couldn't so much as hear my own voice, so there was no telling if anyone else could. I was truly nothing more than a child throwing a temper tantrum. I could have, and may have, screamed my throat raw with no one paying me any mind.
That was what my existence was reduced to.
Everything I was perished and what was left behind was a mere shell of a girl sentenced to stew in her own malice for an what felt like an unimaginable period of time. Had it been days, weeks, years, decades… I simply did not know, nor did it matter. Whatever it was, it was long enough for my mind to rot. I only held on to a single, burning thought...
Kill him.
Kill him.
KILL HIM.
And then, one day, a voice.
"We are reaching the end of our rope." I did not recognize the voice. It was definitely too deep to be a woman's voice, and he sounded frustrated. "Even with us essentially brute forcing the process we are still only reaching a max synchronization rate of fifteen percent despite all data indicating the subject is the perfect candidate. It is as though the subject is resisting in some capacity."
I couldn't really make sense of what the man was saying, but it didn't matter to me in that moment.
My senses were returning.
I heard a voice, and not just that, but there was a humming noise as well as what I could only recognize as the sound of bubbles. I was still unable to see, but the sensation of my nude body submerged in water was quick to manifest. The water was lukewarm, though I had hardly found it to be comfortable. Even so, it was the most I had experienced in what felt like an eternity. Overexcited, I attempted to move and that's when I was made aware that I was being restrained. Something was encasing my forearms as well as everything from my waist down. It felt as though I was wrapped tightly in cloth, but the material itself was as strong as steel. My head was also held in place by something similar. From what I could discern, it was strapped around my forehead with another piece attached to my mouth. However, the mysticism I felt with the situation was quickly forgotten for just then a second voice rang out.
One I could never possibly forget.
"See? This right here is why I can't stand brats. I'll never understand what the fuck possessed you to get yourself two of 'em… Anyway, go ahead and restore full control to the little shit. I'll be the one to fix the problem as usual."
Him.
It seemed my single wish was finally granted. The monster that ruined my life had shown himself once again and I had my long awaited chance.
"Tell me something. Do you mean to be even the slightest bit productive, or are you merely bored and wish to play? It would be a significant waste of time if you were to—"
"Would you just shut the hell up and do it? Trust me, I have a plan."
Yes, yes! Do it! I continued to scream in my mind.
The next thing I knew it was as though I had blood flowing through my veins for the first time in ages. I could feel my body first twitch involuntarily, followed by a convulsion as I attempted to move of my own free will. At long last my eyes opened and through the orange colored liquid I found myself submerged in I saw him. The same evil eyes, the same unnerving smile and all mere inches away from me as he leaned against the tank I was imprisoned in.
I screamed so hard I could have blacked out. Though my voice could not travel through the device that muzzled me, the look in my eyes surely convey the message clear. My silent promise.
'I will slaughter you.'
"Hey, hey kiddo! Remember me?" I screamed again and thrashed against my restraints with all the force I could muster in response. Much to his apparent entertainment. "Oh ho! I'll take that as a resounding 'yes'!" The bastard laughed in my face as he tapped his finger against the glass. "Oh! Silly me, where are my manners? My name is Terumi. I'm in charge of a veeeery special project that you just so happen to be a key component of. Its fun to be needed, huh? Though I'm guessing you are just a tad curious about what exactly your part to play is, am I right?"
His condescending words only served to enrage me further, and I did my best to show it as well. My consent didn't actually matter, of course. It wasn't as though he was giving me a choice in the matter. No, it was all about his game.
"Ah! I just knew you would be excited! Now, I'll do my very best to rattle off a child friendly version, but I still expect you to put on your listening cap and pay attention real well, okay? Good! So, basically, we need you to be a vessel for…something—don't sweat the details, kiddo. As for what you have to do, its even easier. All you have to do is just laaay back and let it happen. Think of it like sleeping. Pretty unbelievable that you have been fucking it up for so long, huh? Let's not dwell on that though. See, up until now you seem to have been resisting. I bet you were a restless sleeper back home, weren't ya? Well, that is what we need you to knock the hell off. You do that, and this will all be over. You can get up and skip and play and all that dumb shit kids love to do. Think you can manage that for us, kiddo?"
As he talked he continued to tap his finger against the glass purely to irritate me. At the time, it baffled me to think that he seemingly wanted my help but went out of his way to stoke the flames of my wrath. However, I did not dwell on the thought. I was feeling my first bout of joy since my time at the church from the fact I had been impeding Terumi's plans. Were it not for the device preventing me from doing so, I would have laughed in his face.
He perceptive enough to understand my answer, at least, if his chuckle and shake of the head was any indicator. He casually tapped his finger against the glass several more times before returning his gaze to mine.
"Yeah, that's about right. I figured as much. Kids are cruel after all. Always gotta do things the hard way. I shouldn't be surprised you don't care when you hold up progress…or that this only means they suffered for nothing. That busted up bitch sure died hard, right? Hey, I know you weren't all there at the time, but what do you think got to her first? The massive physical trauma, the blood filling her lungs, or that toasty little campfire I whipped up? Not a good way to go regardless, I can promise you that."
The sick laugh that followed his words got me screaming again. The fact he would dare speak of what he did to the sister as some grand accomplishment made my blood boil. I struggled harder against my bindings, but it still resulted in nothing. Yet I continued to try all the same. I had thought my rage peaked when I was lost in the abyss, but the blasted cretin so easily pushed me even further beyond.
The man with the deep voice said something, but I was too preoccupied to listen. Terumi didn't seem to pay him much mind either.
"Oh boy, if that bothered you then you are really gonna lose it when you hear what I did to Rags—oh, pardon me, you know him as big brother, don't ya?" My struggling stopped instantly when he said those words. I had assumed the worst…but I can admit I was not ready to hear it. Terumi carried on all the same. "Well, fuck me, that sure grabbed your attention, huh? Oh, it was the most fun I had in a while, kiddo. Lil Rags came running back screaming about the fire. He kept calling out for you and your brother and the witch as he braved the flames like a big, strong boy. Too bad for him it was already too late. See, with a little power of mine, I got Jinny to attack Rags."
I strained against the device holding me in place, numb once more to the pain I was putting my body through.
"Of course, you can never send a kid to do a grown-up's job. Still, I'd have to say Jinny did a good job keeping Rags preoccupied, because he didn't even notice me at first. Made it real easy to lop off his arm."
I screamed. I howled. I commanded him to shut his damn mouth as my thrashing surely dislocated my arm.
Terumi continued to tap the glass.
Something was growing within me.
"And, oh, how he cried! Blood shot out like a fuckin' fire hose and he's all, 'My arm! My arm!' Our brave little soldier sure didn't last long, did he? Rolling around in a pool of his own blood as he whined as bad as you did. Runs in the family, I guess!"
The bastard laughed. He had the audacity to laugh at that!
I slammed my head into the glass, bringing me face to face with the scum.
He didn't care as he tapped away.
"My fun didn't end, though. No, no, not yet. This is where I stepped out to say hello. I got a good laugh at Rags and made sure he knew who was responsible. You should've seen his face, kiddo, when he realized that his home, his caretaker, his family were all gone!"
I did not want to hear it. I did not want to think about it. All I wanted was him dead. Dead by my hand. All for what he did to me. To you.
The sensation of burning flames filled my body.
I paid it no mind.
"He still tried his best, bless his heart. He cried out for you to run. All he wanted was his dear little sister to be safe. Too bad you weren't exactly present. I had already made you into an obedient puppet, so when he looked in your eyes he saw nothing. I swear, I could actually see the color drain from his face because of that! Well, it was that or the blood loss but, hey, if it makes you feel any better he didn't have to hurt for too long…"
I swore I would make him suffer.
"Nah, I made sure of that."
I would crush him with my own two hands.
"It was just as I saw the last shred of hope leave his eyes…"
He showed me the same smile he had when he took me away and for a moment I froze.
"I killed him."
Something within me snapped.
"I'LL KILL YOU!"
Power surged through my body as I tore the machine asunder and lunged at the disgusting worm with all my might. He managed to evade me and my body crashed into the ground, the sheer force of my impact causing the flooring to bend. I looked up through my now abnormally long hair and saw the object of my hatred a few paces away joined by a blonde man.
"That's the way, kiddo! I knew you had it in you!" Terumi laughed at me.
"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!"
I dug my hands and feet into the ground and launched myself forward intending to rip out that clown's throat with my teeth. The blonde main abruptly blocked my path, shouting something as a series of metallic arms appeared to stop me.
I did not care in the slightest.
He was in my way and I would move him.
I did not even need to cease my charge as a ripped through the array of arms with ease. I locked eyes with the blonde man and latched onto his outstretched arm. I used it to yank myself forward and drove my feet into his face, slamming him into the ground. A quick jerk of my hand severed his arm from his body and I was moving forward once more without a second thought. It was no surprise Terumi did not care about a supposed comrade falling before him. All he did was laugh and throw a chain in my direction. I avoided it while picking up speed. I never considered how I was moving in such a way, or the havoc it was wrecking on my body. It simply did not matter to me.
As I rushed toward him, Terumi retreated. His eyes never leaving mine, and that smile never leaving his face, as he jumped back through an open door and down a dark hallway.
"Don't run from me!"
I threw myself after him, but I immediately found myself slammed into the wall of the hallway by one of those chains. I shrugged it off and continued. Pain was of no consequence anymore. Unfortunately for me, Terumi was counting on that. In such a narrow space his attacks landed with ease. I would take the full brunt of his strikes, ricochet off the wall and force myself forward. We were at a standstill, but unbeknownst to me, my speed was increasing. As my body adjusted to the newfound power I was able to avoid his attacks and steadily advance.
In time, I reached him. I aimed for his throat, but in the blink of an eye he dunked under my hand and I felt his foot connect with my jaw. I bounced off the ceiling and as I fell, a second kick dug into my stomach and sent me careening down the hall from whence I came. Though I did manage to correct myself and slid to a stop on my hands and knees. The pain I had blocked out was now great enough to halt my rampage as I was forced to catch my breath. Coughs shook my body and fresh blood dripped from my mouth. It was only then I noticed the critical condition my body was in. I was covered in bruises and lacerations—my blood splattered around the hall. My eyes focused on him and his damn smile. Still not so much as a scratch on him.
"Come on, come on! Is that all your rage is worth? You all have the tools you need, so use them already! Your hate is the key for unlocking that power in you!"
"Shut up!" I snarled like an animal.
"Who's gonna make me, huh!? Think you can do what that weak ass witch and your precious big brother couldn't'!? Ah, hold on, silly me. You already have, considering you are still breathing!"
"Don't talk about them!" My fingers sank into the metal plating of the floor.
Hearing his voice made me want to claw my ears off. It was made worse by the fact that he was right. Even in my deranged stage I could tell my body would not be able to last, with my unexplained power or not. So, as much as it repulsed me to do it, I followed Terumi's words exactly. I reached deep inside myself and grabbed hold of that fire which was born within me, not caring for the possible repercussions. I fully believed the results would be well worth whatever price I was about to pay. Anything would have been worth it if it meant Terumi's death.
For a moment, I was left paralyzed. Repeated jolts rocked my body, not unlike an electrical current, numbing me to the stress I put myself through mere seconds ago. The physical change to my body would come next. Despite my blurred vision, I could still see the color draining from my hands and arms, leaving my complexion a sickly gray with veins bulging through my skin. Next, I watched as a far darker pigment leaked from my head and traveled through my hair like ink, staining it a shade of black. The sensations coursing through my body ceased after that and the difference was readily apparent.
The pain had faded away entirely, and my body was as light as a feather. I could feel it.
I was strong.
And I could feel a demented smile of my own stretch across my face.
"Atta girl! Now, lets get this show on the road! Get back on your feet and prove this little change of yours was more than an excuse to play dress up!" I was ready to make him regret every mocking word he ever spewed from his mouth.
"Enough!"
My vision went red and I braced my hands and feet against the ground—my fingers sinking into the cold metal of the floor as if it was nothing more than dirt. A scream exploded from me as I threw myself forward once more, reducing my surroundings to ruins in the process. Even my voice carried a force behind it now. My shriek had made Terumi visibly stagger and a hand had shot up to his ear.
"Goddamn!" He swung his free hand out and the chain reappeared with it. However, this time things were different.
Suddenly it was as if the color was drained from the world and everything came to a stop around me. I didn't bother to acknowledge the strange phenomenon. I didn't care enough to. I was carried forward by instinct as I easily avoided the chain. As I passed by the harmless, stationary object, time had begun to move. Watching a look of shock register on Terumi's face thrilled me because it meant he wasn't ready for such an ability. I had gained an edge in our battle. Still, he was fast enough to spot me again and launch another attack. However, I didn't even attempt to dodge and instead swatted the weapon aside like a common housefly. It had become clear Terumi had underestimated me.
He would attempt to put more distance between the two of us.
He would fail.
The world dimmed and his body became suspended in midair, defenseless. After all he did to me, my home, the sister, you… I surely don't need to tell you how good it felt to drive my fist into that sick bastard's face. As soon as my knuckles made contact with his cheek, color returned to the world and time resumed. I had mustered all the strength I could and it sent him crashing down the hallway. He would attempt to right himself, but it would be wasted effort. Rapidly moving in and out of stopped time, I sprinted after Terumi and drove my knee into his jaw before he had the chance to make sense of what was happening to him. I wasn't about to allow him such a luxury. It was my turn to make him suffer, and I was not about to hesitate. He was nothing more than a helpless ragdoll as I continued to unleash an onslaught of my fury upon him.
My strikes always found their mark and a twisted sense of joy filled my heart as I felt his body slowly breaking as a result. He had managed to find his bearings and got back to his feet. In truth, I had merely allowed him to do so. I was sick of his attempts to fight back and decided to put him on the ground for good so I could take my time killing him. I froze the world and jumped back, intent on bringing an end to the game with a single attack. Building as much power in my legs as I could, I ricocheted off of the ceiling like a bullet. Time resumed and it was in that instance he was ready for me. He lashed out with a knife and drove it into my stomach once I was within reach, but it was already too late.
His life was mine.
Stabbing my fingers into his head, I dragged him to the ground with little resistance. The sheer force of my momentum caused us to slide a good deal forward, and the sound of his skull scrapping across the metal was like music to my ears. We only came to a stop when I slammed my heel into the floor. I came to a dead stop, but was flung a few paces ahead, his body landing in a pathetic pile after exiting the hallway. My prey remained immobile as I stalked forward, reveling in my domination of the monster who I had once feared. I entered the spacious, pillar filled room and stood over him expecting to see him unconscious, but I would be lying if I said I was surprised to see his bloodied face smiling up at me.
"Heh, heh…hell of a job, kiddo. I…might even say that last one…hurt a little bit…"
He talked big, but I learned well enough what it sounded like when someone tried to speak with a mouth full of blood. There was no mistake that he was in pain.
And still due so much more.
I lowered myself onto him, driving my knee into his gut in the process which forced fresh blood to spew from his mouth. I didn't give him the time to so much as take another breath. My fingers grasped a fist full of his hair so I could force him to look at me. I wanted to see the life fade from his eyes.
"Big finale already? Heh…" His laugh was there, but weak. "Alright ya little shit, you best make this one count. Come on…hit me!"
I twisted his head as I pushed it back into the ground and raised my blood-soaked fist above my head.
"NOW YOU PAY!"
My fist drove into his face with enough force to crack the flooring beneath him. The sound reverberated throughout the room, but it was joined by another.
He was laughing.
He was still laughing.
"The hell was that, you brat!? You trying to kill me or wake me back up? I said hit me, so fuckin' hit me!"
I grit my teeth and drew my other fist back. Desperate to silence his laughs, I struck him again. His body convulsed and tremors were sent through the ground.
And yet he laughed again.
"So, that's supposed to be your best, huh? What a joke!" I couldn't stand another word from him. I drew my arm back again. "If this is your idea of making me pay then I guess they never amounted to much in the first place. They lived as nobodies and died as nobodies! Ha, ha, ha!"
My whole body trembled from how tightly I was clenching my fist.
"BE QUIET!"
I slammed my first into his skull, followed up by the other, and then the other. I could hardly see the features of his face anymore through the blood, but he continued to laugh so I didn't stop.
I hit him again and again...and again and again and again and again and again and again and again!
Only stopping once I felt my knuckles breaking against the cold, hard floor.
The mania that gripped me wore off and I had to pitch forward and support myself with my mangled hands as I caught my breath. What I reduced Terumi to was unrecognizable. The space above his neck was left a mess from my pummeling. The thought crossed my mind that he certainly wouldn't be laughing anymore.
I actually felt a genuine laugh escape me in that moment.
And for the first time in I could not remember when… I was happy. An admittedly empty, bitter happiness.
With that scum destroyed and my revenge complete, I forced myself to stand. That incredible power was beginning to wane, and in its place, a throbbing pain enveloped my body. A single step would have been agony, were it not for my fading consciousness. Truly, I had pushed myself far beyond what I was capable and I was now suffering the fallout. Even so, I was content. My own well being no longer mattered. I had no home to go back to and no one in the world to love me. If I had any hope it was that all the things the sister told us were true and I would be able to see the both of you there on the other side once my life fizzled out.
Until then, I decided I would simply walk.
And for a final moment of ignorance I was actually stupid enough to believe that was what would happen.
I received an abrupt reminder that reality is not so kind when a blinding pain shot up my leg and my body listed hard to the side. My exhaustion meant I was not quick enough to react, and I fell as a result. I hit the floor hard but was quick to roll on my side so I could look back, and the first thing that caught my eye was the pool of blood growing from my place on the ground. The pain in my leg made sense when I followed the source of the blood to a stump where my right leg was supposed to be.
When I looked up to see the cause, I was unable to comprehend exactly what I was seeing.
Despite the corpse still splattered against the floor, there he was approaching me once more. There wasn't the slightest hint of injury anywhere on his body and his smile was as present as always. The only difference was he was now wearing a yellow cloak, though I knew not how. He raised his hands and gave me a mocking applause.
"Well, I gotta hand it to ya, kid, you really exceeded expectations. I figured a little push in the right direction was all you needed, but man, you sure took to it like a horse to water. I might even say I'm proud of ya, and I'm never proud of anyone!"
"How…? HOW!?" I screamed at him.
"Hm?" Terumi glanced back at his corpse and chuckled as if I said something funny. "Oh, right, that. I guess to put it simply, you could've called that me a warm up. I'm not nearly as strong as I could be in that body, but that performance wasn't too shabby. Unfortunately for you, play time is now officially over. You've had enough excitement for the day, and it is high time you got that sleep we talked about before so we can finally finish what we started. What do ya say, kiddo? You ready to be a good girl?"
"Go to hell!" My voice carried across the room as I called upon the energy lying dormant in my body once more.
Though Terumi was thoroughly unimpressed with my display.
"See, this is why I don't give out compliments. Goes right to the ego…" He sighed, picking at his ear to punctuate just how little he thought of me. "Listen good, brat, I am so far out of your league it's not even funny. Last round was nothing but a ploy to get you using that power of your own accord, but this time? The kid gloves are off and you will do exactly as I say, or the only thing I can promise is a whole new world of hurt before I shove you back in that machine for abusing my good will. Now, I am going to ask you one last time. Are you ready to be a good girl, Saya?"
I felt my body shake with rage. I did not know how he was able to rise again but hearing him continue to talk down to me pushed any curiosity from my mind. Leg be damned, I would fight once more and I would crush him just as I did before.
Sinking my nails into the ground to serve as an anchor, I kicked off from the ground with my remaining leg and threw myself forward. As I neared him, I returned to that world of gray and drew my hand back so that I may scatter his brains across the floor for the second time.
I had convinced myself that his confidence was nothing more than a bluff and I would have the pleasure of slaughtering him again.
What a fool I was.
It was as though I blinked, and before I knew it, I was removed from my world of stopped time and Terumi was no where to be seen. My confusion did not last, for my body was suddenly jerked to a stop. I knew who it was before I even spun around to see Terumi's sadistic smile mere inches from my face.
"Bet you thought you had a leg up on me, eh? Yeah, no. Surprise!"
I contorted my body around to throw a kick before I had to hear that sickening laugh again.
That was when he cut off my other leg.
Before I even had the chance to scream, he spun me around by my hair and slammed me into the ground. My savaged body didn't have the time to so much as settle before he stomped his foot into my chest, effectively knocking the air out of my lungs and silencing my screams. I reflexively tried to struggle away, but with my lower half made useless, I could do nothing aside from squirm.
"Clearly that witch never took the time to raise you properly. Fuckin' figures. I guess its up to me to teach you a thing or two. For example, good girls don't rough house. If they do, they get a time out. This is what cost you your legs. Good girls also know not to use their outside voice when they are inside. So, when they throw constant tantrums like you, they get…" Terumi let his words trail off as he lightly lifted his leg only so he could crush his foot back down on my chest. My voice did not come out, but my blood did. "A collapsed lung. See how this works now? You don't behave and you lose something. Pretty simple if you ask me."
He leaned down as he spoke and I thought I saw my chance. Lashing out as quickly as my adrenaline-fueled desperation would allow me, I moved to force my fingers into his demonic eyes. Perhaps I was no longer able to fight him, but I thought I could at least go out with some form of pride intact.
And that was how I lost my right arm.
A jagged, dark blade had appeared in an instant and severed my appendage before it was even close to touching him.
"That was for not keeping your hands to yourself, missy… And this is just because I feel like it now."
The weapon that was used to claim three of my four limbs was embedded in the ground to my left, separating my only remaining arm from my shoulder.
As simple as that, I had lost all of my limbs within the span of mere minutes. Any notion of fighting back was forced from my mind and any hope of taking my revenge perished as the pain snuffed out what little flame was left inside me. Terumi said something to me, but the agony was far too great for me to comprehend his words. All I know is he removed his foot from my chest to step away.
And the howls that erupted from my body were nothing I thought a human was capable of producing, and words could not describe the agony I felt.
In truth, I believe I passed out for a moment. There is a lapse in my memory at about this time. Either the pain caused me to lose consciousness, or I passed out due to lack of oxygen. Regardless of what caused it or for how long it lasted, I am only brought back to reality when I feel the weight of Terumi's foot crashing into my chest again.
"Hey, hey, hey! Quit your bitching already! Arms and legs are only for good girls who don't waste my time with their bullshit. You'll get new ones when you learn how to behave." He admonished me while waving one of my severed arms around like some cheap toy. "By the way, I know it goes without saying that it ain't exactly hard hacking off a kid's limbs, but man yours just flew right off! Rags was the same, too! The fuck is going on with your family, kiddo? That witch got something against milk?"
It seemed as though his taunts were the only thing that could get through to me. Anger was the only thing that forced my mind to focus. At least my glare must have been sharp enough for it caused him to look at me.
And, of course, smile.
"Ah, Saya, you are just a peach."
"Terumi, cease this!"
Terumi stopped and straightened up to look back over his shoulder. I was not able to move enough to look myself, but I could recognize the voice well enough.
"Aye, Relius, about time you caught up. Check it out, I found you a new arm, buddy."
The blonde man, Relius, stepped into my view, looking down at me as he clearly making a point to ignore Terumi waving my arm in his face.
"Damn it all… What were you thinking, you maniac? Look what you've done to it. What are we supposed to do with the subject now?" He said as if I was a slab of meat.
"Hey, ass wipe, don't go getting snippy with me. First off, the plan worked perfectly. Second of all, you got put the fuck down at start. Thirdly, don't act like greater body modifications weren't in the cards here. Believe you me, with the amount of power she'll be pumping out she will need a hell of a lot more than what you already gave her. Besides all that she's fine. Ain't that right, kiddo?" He questioned as he jabbed his heel into my ribcage. I would've loved to scream every curse in the world at him, but all I could muster was a pathetic whimper and drool. "See that? Picture of health."
"…Have it your way. Just go and get it prepped for synchronization. I have repairs to make to my body as well as yours now." Relius only spared me one more glance as he left the room, leaving me alone with Terumi again.
"Well, you heard the man, nap time it is!"
He took his foot off me again, but I hardly had the strength left to wail anymore. Taking a fist full of my hair, Terumi headed back the way our battle took us, dragging my body behind him as if I were nothing more than luggage. I hated it so, but I could do nothing about it.
I was armless.
I was legless.
I was powerless.
And that was when I was forced to accept my situation. I tried with everything I had and more, yet I was still nothing to him. I was too weak to avenge anyone or anything. Worst of all, I was to be returned to my prison of infinite dark to suffer alone. The unfairness of it all weighed heavily on me, and I could not stop the tears from pouring out of my eyes. The last thing I wanted was for that monster to notice, so I bit my lip hard enough to draw blood. Not that I had any left at that point.
I was so lost in my own misery, I didn't even notice I was nearly finished being hooked back into some machine. I didn't get a good look at the last one that I destroyed, but this would resemble a coffin for me.
How appropriate, no?
Aside from the shape, there were more devices being attached to my body in comparison to the last time. Likely to compensate for the damage Terumi had done to me, I imagined. Not that I cared. They just hurt. Everything only hurt. The sound of rushing water stirred my thoughts and a quick look confirmed it was that same orange liquid I was in before. I trembled, willing my tears to stay down until I was at least submerged and he could not see them.
And, finally, Terumi approached with a mouthpiece for me before I was completely under.
"Alright, champ, I can guarantee the kid coming out won't be the same one that's going in this time. Got any snappy last words for me?"
I looked in his eyes. He was the man who destroyed my world, killed the only people I have ever known or loved, and tortured me beyond all reason. I did not know his reasoning, if he even had any to begin with, and could do nothing to stop him. No one would come to save me, and there was no god to answer my prayers. I was left with nothing except one thing.
My only words for him.
"I hate you…I hate you…I hate you…I hate you…I hate you…"
His smile only grew. Always the same one. Always when he hurt me.
"I hate you, I hate you, I hate you, I hate you!"
He threw his head back and laughed at me.
I couldn't stand to hear it again.
"I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!"
He reached out with his filthy hand and ruffled my hair.
"You go ahead and savor that feeling, kiddo! Because the next time you wake up, you won't be feeling anything ever again…"
"I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I hate you! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU! I HATE YOU!"
I screamed and screamed until the breathing device was put in place. Even then, though I could not speak properly, I continued to scream still. I continued until I felt my consciousness fall away and slipped back into that oppressive void.
But just then, something unexpected occured.
To my surprise it was not infinite abyss which surrounded me, but instead infinite light. In my confusion I attempted to look around. I discovered I still had my body. Not only that, I noticed my hair was back to what it was during my days at the church. For a moment, I stopped and truly considered that something went wrong with Terumi's plan and I had died.
However, that would be too easy, wouldn't it?
Suddenly, I was swarmed by an array of different scenes of different events throughout history playing out around me like strips of film. It started out slow, but I was quickly overwhelmed. My mind was trying to absorb all the different information at once but it simply wasn't capable. I tried to shut my eyes and cover my ears to spare myself even further torment, but it proved to be pointless. I didn't actually have to witness any of the images with my eyes or hear them with my ears, for my consciousness was assimilating everything without my consent.
It was maddening.
My mind would repeatedly crack under the pressure and my sense of self would shatter, only for some force beyond my control to piece me back together so the process may happen again. This was worse than the abyss I was subjected to before, and even worse than my desperate struggle against Terumi. My very being, my soul, was continuously torn to shreds and for the first time since my nightmare had begun, I openly begged for death so it would all be over.
Like before, I just couldn't comprehend how long this all went on. Whether it was in the span of an eternity or a single solitary second, there was no difference to me then. It was as if the universe had begun and end before me countless times. The world would grow and die, only to be born anew once more. The cycle of insanity seemed to be never ending to my brutalized mind.
Then, in time, the visions did focus and I was shown one truth above all others.
I saw you, and the life you led.
At first, I was actually happy again. Despite what I was told, you were alive and out in search of me the entire time. It warmed my heart to see you survive and find the strength to fight back. However, as I watched on, the sentiment did not last. What I had come to witness was nothing more than your suffering. It was you who were made an outcast even though it was the very order of the world which was corrupt. It was you who bore the heavy burden of a beast as it slowly killed you. It was you who was forced to fight against my image no matter how much it broke your heart. It was you who fought and bled and died all on your own time and again. Even the little solace you gleaned from your supposed loved ones seemed cruel to me as they did nothing more than watch as you would perish, offering worthless condolences.
The joy I felt for seeing you which had devolved into sadness then turned to pure anger. You were made to suffer just as I was. You and I were one in the same. Both of us innocent children paying the ultimate price despite being mere bystanders.
That was when it dawned on me.
We were nothing more than cosmic playthings. Just insignificant pawns in a sick game we never asked to be in. Made to fight and kill and die by each other's hands again and again without just cause or any semblance of reason. It made my hatred return, but far greater than before. Terumi would never be forgiven, and he would certainly pay, but that was the moment things changed.
I had made up my mind.
I would submit to the power aiming to take hold of my mind, body and soul. If that meant becoming a monster? So be it. If it meant working side by side with Terumi? So be it. If it meant no longer being Saya? So be it. I was ready to sacrifice anything and everything. I would pay the price gladly if it meant my just retribution.
The power had become mine and mine alone. I would stand upon the top of the world and watch as it decayed around me.
And nothing could stop me…
For I had become Death.
"Wakey, wakey sleepy head!"
My eyes opened once more and it was as if I was seeing clearly for the first time in my life. The liquid had been drained away from my bare form, leaving me vulnerable to the cold air of the sterile facility which housed my rebirth. The thought crossed my mind that I should feel a shiver, but I dismissed the notion just as quickly as it came.
I had grown beyond such weaknesses, after all.
I rose to my feet effortlessly without use of my extremities and regarded the two men before me. In my previous life, Terumi and Relius were alien beings to me. I could not fathom how creatures so cruel and powerful could exist. Yet I now understood that they too were beneath me. They had ignorantly bestowed upon me a mighty power for my very own which had completely eclipsed what I once thought to be strength.
"Sooo? How's it feelin', kiddo? Was I right, or was I right?"
The clown seemed eager to get a rise out of me, but I paid him no mind at first. My body and its new augmentations had caught my attention. The sleek, inorganic joints that connected limbs to my body moved with ease. Far, far easier than my previous body was ever able. I held my hands out before me and cracked my knuckles simply by flexing my hands. I continued the process with various parts of my body, the audible popping of my bones filling the room. Energy flowed freely through my body and I had nearly felt at ease.
"Hey, brat, what's up? Did we fuck up your ears or do we need another lesson in manners?"
Obstinate as always, wouldn't you agree?
I looked up and regarded Terumi. Through my education in the Boundary, I was able to recognize what I could not before and took note that he was inhabiting the 'Hazama' body once again. He had claimed to only be testing me when we originally fought, but I was well aware how weakened this vessel left him. Though there was no fear to be had for him no matter what form he took. Not anymore.
I stepped forward softly, my eyes still locked on Terumi's.
And, naturally, he was smiling.
When last he and I met, he was nigh unreachable. It took the totality of my being to lay so much as a finger on him, and even then, it was hardly worth it. Yet this time he was utterly unmoving. He didn't so much as blink when I approached him, nor when I reached out to run my hand down his face…
Nor when I tore his head from his body.
I simply continued to walk forward as I looked down at his vacant eyes in my world devoid of time. That grin had become permanently etched on the face of the severed head I cradled in my hands.
I heard the body crumple to the ground uselessly behind me as well as Relius try to not react once I deemed it acceptable for time to move forward. They had not prepared themselves for the degree to which I had mastered my abilities, it had appeared. I had perfected the skill which let me effortlessly waltz through time and toy with the world as I saw fit. There was no one more fit to be my test plaything than Terumi, I decided as I turned his head over in my hand.
"In answer to your query, it would appear that you were correct. Even with your head in the palm of my hand I still feel nothing." I spoke without a trace of emotion in my voice.
"Mmhm, oh yeah, I believe that alright." I looked back and regarded the ghostly image of Terumi's true form floating above the corpse of 'Hazama'.
"As well you should." I replied to his sarcasm, dropping his head to the ground to face him fully. "I was merely testing this new body of mine to see if it was up to par. Make no mistake, if I still wished for you to perish, I would have made it so. No, you may take solace in the fact that you have use to me."
"Ha, ha! So, that's how its gonna be then? Oh, Relius, they grow up so fast!"
"If you are both quite finished, I believe we have work to do." Said Relius, ever disinterested in small talk. A thought he and I could share.
"Well said, Relius. Be quick to fetch me a set of clothes and repair Terumi's vessel. Once preparations are complete, we will make our way for Kagutsuchi post haste." I ordered them nonchalantly as I flicked Terumi's blood from my hand, knowing full well they would now obey me as they had little choice in the matter. "I dare say I am actually eager. At long last the reign of Amaterasu shall come to an end. Through your machinations and my power, none shall stop us from breaking the cycle and bringing about my world… My world of death."
They watched me for a moment. Terumi was likely searching for some sign of hesitation in my actions, while knowing Relius he was simply intrigued by watching my movements. They both followed suit all the same.
"It will be done."
"Aye, aye, captain!"
Once alone, I let a nearly indistinguishable smile appear on my face. Truly, I had meant every word I said. I would certainly revel in bringing ruin to the Master Unit among other select things. After what I had witnessed in the Boundary, eliminating that wretched vampire was one such goal to be certain. However, before all that, I knew there was one thing I had to do prior to anything else. I wished to see my only remaining attachment in the world.
The one who still caused my heart to beat and make blood flow through my veins.
The one I kept in my thoughts through all of my hardships.
The only life which was precious.
Of course, I could only mean you…
Ragna.
"From that point on you know the rest. I had arrived in Kagutsuchi and once I tied up a few minor loose ends, I sent forth to the Cauldron. Regrettably I was not able to converse with you then, but I knew the moment would present itself for us to make up for the time we've lost." Saya mused as Ragna looked on in a stunned silence.
Even if he didn't already trust her words, her altered body provided all the proof she needed. With her kimono loosely draped across her lowered arms, the modifications that littered her body were on full display for Ragna to witness. Seeing his sister in such a state left him paralyzed with disgust and unfathomable anger. He honestly didn't believe he was capable of harboring anymore hatred for the stain on existence that called himself Terumi, but this pushed him to the edge. It took all of his will power to not release all of his limits and destroy everything he could possibly lay his hands on. The part of him that knew better thankfully kept the rest of him in check, but it was a struggle still.
And Saya could see it all plain as day. Such a sentiment brought a smile to her face.
"Oh, dear brother, do not dwell on it. The past is but the past." Saya approached Ragna as she lifted her clothing back into place. "What matters is the present, and now? I have the power to correct this world."
"And by that you mean destroy it." Ragna replied accusingly, though there was not much force behind his words. He was still trying his best just to reign in his own anger.
"They are one in the same, and you know this to be true. I can see it by looking in your eyes. Your soul is marred by the same malice as mine. Though you may not accept it, I know what it is that you truly desire in your heart." Saya spoke with a confidence that Ragna did not, her hand caressing his cheek once she was close enough. "You yearn for destruction."
Ragna pushed her hand away, and Saya allowed it as well.
It amused her.
"Think whatever you want. I have more scores to settle than I can count, I can't deny that, but that doesn't mean I just want everything to disappear. I can't let something like that happen when there are people I still care about who—"
"Of course... You would say that. She brainwashed you quite thoroughly." The smile vanished from Saya's face as she strolled away from Ragna.
"No one brainwashed me." Ragna was quick to defend himself this time around, turning to face Saya. "It is because of people like Rachel and the old man that I can still see right from wrong at all. And it's because the fact people like them are still able to see good in someone like me that I can do the same for you. Saya…I came here to take you back home."
This only made the girl laugh. A bitter, mocking laugh that took Ragna completely by surprise. All their prior meetings she barely blinked. Yet today she seemed positively ecstatic to toy with him.
"Oh, you silly boy! I have not laughed like that since I was still a child, thank you."
"It isn't a joke, Saya! Please, it isn't too late!" Ragna begged his sister.
Her laugh stopped just as abruptly as it started, and she turned to face her brother. Her face was cold and the look in her eyes was hollow. The power exuding from her became practically overwhelming and Ragna couldn't shake off the chill that gripped his body when she looked at him.
"That is where you are wrong, dear brother. The child you cared for all those years ago is dead and gone. Her innocence was destroyed by the world you would so ignorantly defend. To be frank, it matters not what you think any longer. It is too late for myself, too late for the world, too late for everything." Venom dripped from her words, and if Ragna didn't know any better, he was sure she would be going on the attack. Yet in the blink of an eye, the tension disappeared and a hollow smile returned to her face. "Oh, what am I saying? I suppose even I still have a soft spot of my own. Deny me all you wish, but I will always extend my hand to you, Ragna. You are the only one I desire to have by my side as I bring about the end."
Saya held an open palm out to Ragna, beckoning him to take it.
"You know I can't do that." He replied through gritted teeth. Ragna was sure he would never join Saya, but he hated how easily she could prove her point. It was all so damn unfair. Despite everything he had already suffered through, nothing would be as bad as this. Simply talking with his sister threatened to break him inside. However, he knew he had to be strong. He was the only one who could do this. "And if you won't back down either than one way or another I...I will stop you, Saya."
She lowered her hand with a chuckle.
"To think you would have developed such a sense of humor over the years. We both know such a task is beyond you. You cannot even bring yourself to hit me."
"It's the last thing I want to do, but if you really saw what I've done…then you should know the things I'll do when I'm pushed!" Ragna grabbed the sword at his hip, knowing he already had his answer.
That empty smile occupying her face broke out into a deranged grin.
"And I welcome the challenge!" Power coursed through Saya, blowing her cloak away and leaving her only in her kimono. "Make no mistake, your best is what I want, Ragna. I want you to attack me with everything you have. Commit yourself fully to my annihilation! That way when I break you with my bare hands, and you are left with no hope of victory, you will at long last open your eyes to the truth. My truth!"
Ragna charged forward, sword in his left hand and a blue light erupting from his right hand.
Saya awaited him with arms opened wide as if she was going to take him in her cold, dark embrace.
They did not want it to be this way. It was their hope to stand at each other's side just as when they were children. However, that was not the path life their lives had led them down. Ragna was ready to put everything on the line, even his own humanity, if it meant saving his sister from the hell she endured all on her own over the years.
As for Saya, she would gladly dance the dance of death with her dear brother. Happy to stomp out his resolve as many times as needed to make him embrace her ideals so they could be truly reunited and watch the world die together.
Such a beautiful thought it was to the girl.
And nothing would stop her from making her world of death a reality.
Thanks for reading. Leave a review if you like.