Tremors coursed through Rachel, not by the quaking room caused by the bestial roar coming from Ragna, but from the criminal himself progressing from the humanity he valiantly adherence to hold onto. The poison of agony from Hazama's words consumed him.
A gray light of gloom cast its shadow over her, sadness weighing on her as if she carried stone on her back. Was she going to watch the world end once more by the man who awakened an emotion long thought sealed away? Able to call his name as darkness absorbed him into its abyss?
Her throat closed in grief. Anguish stabbed her like a knife, face ashen with grief. The only one here powerful enough to combat the dreaded power Ragna displayed on a knee and covered in bruises, ready to lose consciousness any minute now.
"This isn't good. What's with this guy, he's ridiculously strong!" Blood gushed out his mouth, then gasped at the approaching Rachel. "What are you doing, get back, now!" Naoto winced when he tried to rise.
Rachel's legs felt like they were filled with lead, heart pounding in her ears drowning out the worries, fears, and the cries of her familiars begging her to get away from Ragna. The constant pleas turned Ragna's attention to Rachel who stood opposed him. Their eyes widen when his sword hovered his head, eyes blanketed by rage, the inner torment all too visible on his face.
But a fist to the nose staggered him.
An enraged Ragna faced her to retaliate, functions ceased when soft hands framed his face and met eyes of grief. "You idiot. Have you forgotten the promise you swore never to break, to fight as a human until you're battered, worn, and pathetic? Or… is it my fault?" Rachel could think of no one else to blame. Had she not been captured; this predicament would have never taken place.
A loud clang of his sword hitting the group disrupted the silence. He fell to his knees and Rachel followed, the seithr that exuded from him calmed and the restless grimoire fell quiet. Ragna averted his eyes, ashamed. "Rachel…"
Rachel pulled him into her chest and wrapped her around his head. "I know it hurts, to watch those you love in pain, abused. Atrocities they did not deserve committed against them. You weep for them, your heart tortured endlessly by regret. You damn yourself knowing all you could do was watch…"
"I'm sorry, Rachel. I almost got taken over by this thing again."
"Do not apologize, Ragna. It looks like you are fine now." She ran caring fingers through his hair. "That is enough for me. Be grateful I do not punish you."
"Yeah." Was all he could say. Gently he removed her hands and returned to eye level. "I could say the same to you. Are you okay? What the hell were you thinking, I could've killed you."
"Did you?"
He sighed. "If you can still spout crap like that, I guess you're fine."
I would've written the scene following but didn't find it compulsory.
I replayed CF the other day and had a small gripe with Naoto, he gained my respect saving Rachel, but I felt him snapping Ragna out his trance ruined a good moment for Mori to display the strong relationship Ragna and Rachel have. Don't misunderstand me either, I mean no way romantic, I speak of the master and student/best friends that they are because I might just be the only one who can't ship these two together outside thinking Rachel at points contemplates her own emotions or teeters on the edge of confessing or keeping it to herself. If you all feel the same or don't, whatever. You can review if you wish, but that's your desire and I'm not Ragna, heh.
This is far from good, just a version or road I would have preferred Mori to go down.
