Chapter 4: Weakness
Rating: (T-M) Not for Children.
Pairings: Starco, JanTom
A/N: Enjoy.
Edit: I now realize that this chapter was not NEARLY long enough for it to be somewhat realistic towards this AU, and now that I've finished adding a butt load of things, I'm much more satisfied that it can help the reader enjoy more. The past three chapters have been edited as well, and I will inform you in the upcoming chapter just how many chapters I've edited. It will not affect the main storyline, and nor will I add content I may/may not have 'missed' in order to change it to make sense. It will be the same plot, just different (and I'm hoping BETTER) word choices as well as grammar. (Chapter is 10,000 words now, contrasting it's 4,000 before.)
If you don't want to wait, you can just check and see if it starts with 'Narrator's P.O.V' in the center with two lines as it's severance to tell that the chapter has been edited. It needs to begin with this, in order to tell that it was edited:
Narrator's P.O.V
"Master Ludo, how do we know where Princess Star is located?" One of his minions asked him, it's voice wavering with fear. If they don't find Star soon, Toffee'll have their heads. Surely, earlier than everyone else expected to die.
Ludo grabbed a pair of dark-colored scissors, a grin stretching on his beak. "Easy," He said, jumping up and ripping the fabric of reality, "We find the bright colored cottage Toffee showed us in his magic ball!" He explained, stepping through the portal. A loud boom echoed the moment he stepped in, finding that they had found the right place. Toffee's ball creates a loud enough boom to remind the soldiers that this is the place.
His small set of army-men followed after, standing beside Ludo in three rows of ten.
Ludo raised his fist to signal them to halt, an evil look on his face. The only reason he agreed to this mission was to get ahold of the wand. He's always wanted it since Star's birth, upon witnessing it in action when Queen Moon attacked his former soldiers. It was bright, powerful, and that's all Ludo needed to begin his own little devious plan. So of course, with a higher chance to get the wand now, Ludo decided to heed Toffee's orders.
His eyes locked right on Star who came out running, noticing the fearful look on her face. Ah yes, so he presumed her mother had told her about him and Toffee... Not surprising. In fact, it was good that she did. He also noticed the young man next to her, a surprised look on his face.
Ludo found it pride-infilling to know that Toffee wasn't the only one who received that reaction.
With his fist still in the air, he opened his bird-like palm, "Attack!" He yelled, feeling the wind pick up around his beard when he heard the cries of his men, their huge bodies running past his tiny frame.
It was time, and as the small army trotted towards the yellow home, Ludo followed after, determine in his veins.
He would get it this time.
The instance the army ran towards them, Marco jumped, eyes widening. His widened eyes were then regarded to Star, noticing the sudden glow of her eyes, green, the panicked look on her face. It seemed that she knew who they were, and from what Marco could tell, she didn't want to fight them. What was all this, and why did it just happen to have begun when she arrived?
He faced the army, noticing they were much closer now.
Star froze and looked at her wand shakily, realizing something.
They were going to die.
"Marco," She breathed, standing in front of him now, "I need you to hide. Or run, it's not safe." She told him desperately, quickly turning around, her back to him, "You need to find somewhere safe." She muttered, her eyes regaining back their color, arms stretching forward, raising her wand right at the army.
Marco's expression hardened then, "What are you talking about?" He hissed, standing next to her, noticing the panic she had, "I—" He didn't even get to finish, for she had shaken her head and ran to them, leaving him.
Oh, the irony.
Marco's eyes had narrowed further and he grumbled something, looking down at his hands. He balled his fists, shaking his own head. He wasn't a coward. Sure, he had no idea what to do, what to feel in a situation like this, but he had experience. In fighting, that is. So to hell with hiding, he wasn't going to leave Star to this. It was surreal, and probably this was all some freak show prank, but he wanted to punch something. And since he hadn't got the chance yesterday, now was a perfect time.
Plus, something inside him told him that he shouldn't... leave her to do this alone.
Catching up to Star, he noticed that her wand had shifted to her right hand, and the expression on her face was more... angry. And although she looked so determinant, so willing to attack, he didn't know why he didn't sense that vibe from her. All he could see was the fear flashing in her eyes, and the wobble of the ground as the huge monsters rampaged towards them.
'What's going to happen?' They both asked in their head, their answers almost equally negative. How were they, two teenagers, one a magical princess and one a learning boxer, supposed to fight 30 monsters? It just... There was no possible way.
His doubts would have stopped him from doing anything if not for the sudden collision of his body against a large fist, feeling the slight metal of their armor almost through his hoodie.
The breath left his lungs and he stumbled back, suddenly aware of the fact that these... were monsters. They were actual monsters. And they were actually here, not mythical like he was led to believe, but here, and in the mood to kill them. This didn't even sound real anymore.
Groaning in pain, he locked eyes with the same Monster, who was now swinging at him with the very same fist.
Marco luckily managed to move out of the way, but uncharacteristically lost his footing and fell backward. Immediately, however, he rolled out of the way and stood up, only barely ducking out of the way when the monster swung at him with a spear.
But wait... The monster who punched him didn't have a weapon. So this was another—
He was knocked back hard enough to slide against the asphalt, releasing a quiet hiss when he did so. His skin under his clothing was scratched only slightly, although his head and bottom hurt mildly.
Another monster was actually in his way, and Marco almost yelped, dodging the monster's sword that hit the ground just in time. Shit, there were too many.
While moving, yet another monster was there, almost hitting him against his head if not for the fact that Star blasted him away.
He looked towards her with surprise, finding her currently preoccupied trying to blast a few away. There were too many.
Too many.
Star halted and her expression formed an impassiveness to it, hiding the overwhelming look she had earlier. It was almost if... She was debating something grand.
Without much thought, as it seemed that more monsters were well on their way towards them, Star ran towards Marco and blocked him, her mouth releasing a small puff of breath.
Slowly moving her arm in sync with the mild wind around her, she positioned herself at the most perfect stance she could.
Using all her willpower and the knowledge her mother taught her about her wand, she closed her eyes, her cheek marks brightening in color for a split second.
'Fire, Ginormesome!' Her mind screamed, her wand releasing a gigantic blast headed straight at the monsters.
A few bright flashes happened afterward, lasting at about 10 seconds at most. Marco covered his eyes because of how bright it was, only taking mind to uncover them when he felt the air around him relax.
Once it cleared, most of the army was either gone out of existence or injured. A good few of them were unharmed and more prepared than the rest, as it seemed that their armor had only minor burn marks.
Star opened her eyes to see the damage she caused, and blinked, frowning. It still wasn't enough.
The remaining monsters continued charging at them, Ludo right there with him. Like the coward he was, he hid behind them, knowing well what enormous power the wand had.
Marco stood up sloppily and looked over at Star, asking her silently what was next.
But Star was elsewhere now, leaving him to fend for his own. Of course, what was he thinking? He needed to... fight.
Noticing a monster up ahead, he ran towards it, moving out of the way only when he realized another was coming at him from another side, stopping his attack.
A third monster, wielding a shield and a dagger, came close to swing her weapon at his face the moment he moved, but Marco ducked and threw a punch over to the monster's head.
The metal of the helmet went flying, and Marco hissed in pain when he knocked it off. His knuckles were red, some drawing blood because of how the sharp, dull-looking metal cut against his skin.
Marco kept going besides his injuries however, somewhat focused, somewhat distracted. Attempting a kick against another monster's exposed stomach, Marco took a small glance at Star, hearing the monster groan and stumble back. He looked quite agitated rather than worried, his eyes narrowing a bit in her direction. He only had the sense to look away from her when the Monster stood up and thrust a bat with sharp prickles right at his face.
Marco had, of course, shift his body in an angle to successfully move out of the way.
After being thrust the bat, Marco went ahead and grabbed it, pulling it away from the monster before giving it a good swing.
The Monster fell and Marco stepped back, dropping the bat and looking at Star.
He kept looking at Star, over and over and over again. He wasn't sure if he was just... looking at her, or just making sure that she was alright.
Marco had a keen sense to realize that she was, in fact, not okay. Although her fighting style looked pretty focused and formulated, Marco couldn't help but notice a miss in her step and faintness of fear in her eyes. It looked like she was ready, but... nervous.
While looking at her, another monster ran at him unexpectedly, their groans the only thing that helped Marco move. But it wasn't fast enough, as the tip of the spear it wielded cut against his cheek, opening the skin with a deep slice.
He touched his cheek and hissed, seeing his own blood trickle down his hand. His eyes had widened and he winced, shaking off his hand, feeling his blood run down his cheek and drop onto his clothing. It looked all too familiar...
Shaking his head and turning to the monster, he glared, sneering. There was no point in assessing his injury despite its immense pain, for he knew that he would be finished in a mere second if he didn't think or move fast enough.
Using all his might, he swung a kick to the monster's stomach, effectively knocking it on the ground.
Marco then grabbed the fallen spear and sunk it into the monsters face, some of the monsters green blood spilling onto his black hoodie. It mixed around with his own, a small droplet of blood from his cheek rolling down to land onto the monster's unmoving face.
Star, near him, blasted two monsters away just to liberate herself for a moment in order to check on Marco. A sudden sense of alarm coursed through her when she saw him pull away the spear from a monster's face and toss it onto the ground, one of his hands coated with red. The side of his face had an indecent amount of the same color, and it took Star a moment to realize that what she was seeing was... blood. His blood.
Suddenly, a burning and piercing pain sprung from her shoulder, eliciting a deep cry from her.
Her knees became weak and she fell onto the ground, tears embedding in her eyes, prickling around the edges. She heard a deep cackle rumble from in front of her, causing her to look up and take to blame of who...
Ludo stood before her, wiping a tear away from his eye. "All it took was this? P-Pathetic!" He laughed, clutching his stomach.
Star glared, her hands gripping the rubble of the ground and her wand. The sudden change and rush of this emotion caused her teary eyes to instantly dry, and her sudden strength labor to miles. She understood this feeling and had felt it the very day she was taken from her home.
Without much hesitance, she ignored the unbearable pain from her shoulder and reached behind her to remove the object with all the strength she could, whimpering a bit before bringing it down and stabbing the bird onto its stomach.
The laugh immediately ceased and he stared, red blood coming out of his midsection. His clawed bird-like hands weakly held the knife's handling in place, eyes blown wide, shallow breaths replacing his wheezes. He looked up at Star with the same look, the light leaving his eyes.
The bird fell backward, his hands now clawing at his abdomen, trying to remove the knife in a desperate motion.
Trying not to die.
Upon hearing a loud scream, Marco turned away from the monster he had stabbed, eyes abroad in bewilderment. He looked around for what or who made that noise, eyes locking straight onto a small creature, and—
His legs had kicked into a running start without him even thinking, and all of a sudden, he felt a tiny pinch of a feeling he thought he would never have again—suddenly realizing he was scared about this whole situation. And suddenly realizing he began to feel—
His shoe heel slid and decayed in the slightest of ways against the ground when he stopped running in a sudden halt, his wide eyes becoming even wider upon witnessing Star take out the knife from her shoulder and plunge it into the small bird creature.
He could instantly recognize the anger in her eyes again, much more ferocious the first time he met her, much more vengeful. He could feel it in his very core, his broken and torn bones, feeling his body rattle in a shiver at the burned image.
All of a sudden, the few monsters that were out of it but came back were now going for her, becoming aware that she had now, at the same time, stood up, to begin blasting at them mercilessly.
Marco forced his legs to keep running to her, trying to keep the focus on the brightness of green from her wand, and trying to focus on her now emerald colored eyes. The deep gash on his cheek and his bloodied and worn knuckles stung as the air lapped at them, opening them even more to instruct more pain.
Unaware of Marco's sudden determinant approach on her, Star clutched her shoulder, using her wand to blast one monster after another, blowing them up in smithereens.
'You must keep your head in battle. Fight for your life. Fight for your family. They'll come for you eventually, and you must be prepared to protect the wand, and yourself. Never let the enemy laugh at your face, never demonstrate your weakness.'
The words of her mother rang inside her head as her icy glare was regarded from monster to monster, blasting and blasting until she couldn't find anymore, even going as far as to blasting complete carcasses, erupting them in juices of livid death. Her eyes were just as livid as the death around her, green in color like her eruptions. And even though she felt a small crack on the inside just waiting to be let out, she could not stop for a second until she made sure every one of them was gone.
I know that feeling.
Marco touched her shoulder and she turned to him sharply, pointing her wand directly at his face. He stepped back and held his hands up in defense, his eyes narrowing upon being threatened with the wand.
Her ragged breathing released from her plump lips were in forms of harsh puffs of air, her crystal colored eyes rigid with anger. The blood of her deep stab soaked at her dress, her beautiful pale skin now smudged with crimson.
"You must be a fool," She hissed at him, her green eyes flashing once more in a bright glimmer, her mouth forming a hating sneer.
Marco took a brief glance at her wand and noticed the way she was holding it shakily, his eyes bringing themselves back up to her own. He matched her glare, daring her to do something, warning her silently.
But then he realized something. He hadn't even considered the fact that she must have been shaken up, so much so that she wasn't acting... like herself. He knew about those sensations, in his past. And even, now.
So, he contemplated with himself, also taking notice her bloodied shoulder, her hand engulfed in blood. "Star," He started easily, her expression instantly softening, "It's over," He said, emphasizing to the pretty much fucked up monsters around them, "You're okay, you're safe. But you need medical—"
"Don't tell me what I need and don't need. I am a pledged individual who is fully aware of what she's doing," She hissed at him, pressing her wand right at his chest, "And I for one will not trust nor partake in your tomfoolery." She growled, her wand beginning to glow ominously.
Marco lowered his hands and his expression became stoic. This wasn't working. "Star, it doesn't matter that you 'know'—" He added quotation marks with his hands, trying not to feel the irritation bubbling in him, "—what you need. You need to be aware of the fact that you're bleeding," He pointed at her shoulder and she lowered her wand, "And that you need serious medical attention." He explained, narrowing his eyes. This was stupid, he was wasting time, and the longer they stood talking, the more blood they both lost.
Suddenly, Star's green eyes became lidded as she clutched her head, her bloodied hand staining her pretty blonde hair. Her once green eyes became a normal color once again, and she fell, her grip on her wand fading and falling as well.
Before she was able to hit the ground, however, Marco caught her, trying not to release a hiss of pain when the sharp sewing of her dress came in contact with his burning knuckles. Her face was pale when he took a good look at her after ignoring the pain in his knuckles, his expression softening in the slightest. "...Star?" He asked, surprised by how soft his voice sounded.
Star blinked slowly, responding only with silence.
Marco cursed in his head and took no time to waste in bringing her up, propping her onto his arms in a bridal position. Her blood-soaked dress stained his fingers when touching the material, and he made sure to be careful in not harming her wound. Her hand that she used to hold onto her shoulder was stained red, the tips of her fingers dripping blood, the very same blood that ran down her arm up to her forearm. Although he was becoming weak as well, he needed to take her to the hospital. He wouldn't have cared, but unfortunately, he was a man of morals.
Taking a last look around, he winced and looked at her, "You have to listen to me. You have to keep yourself awake, I'm taking you to the hospital. Try staying conscious, or else you're going to pass out." He told her, seeing how her eyes blinked slowly.
Die. All the people you know will die.
All she managed to do was release a small gust of breath before being carried away.
Marco began to run towards the direction of the hospital, not before picking up her wand and stuffing it into his pocket.
Let her die.
Without an inch of shame nor regret, Janna grabbed the 3rd slice of pizza from five and stuffed it into her mouth within a single motion. She then began chewing on it, humming as she reached for another slice.
Tom watched her, feeling less self-conscious now that he saw her eat. For someone so surprisingly tiny, she had a knack for a large appetite. He's seen it in anime before but in real life? It was kind of scary.
At Least he didn't have to use his manners around her like he was taught to do with any woman. He was comfortable with himself the tiniest bit, so that's a count.
"Your pizza's getting cold." She told him, swallowing her food and biting at the other slice she got, this time much tamer. She had been hungry before she came to accompany Tom today and was dying for a whole horse load of pizza. "It's gonna be a shame if someone that rhymes with Banana steals it for herself with no regrets," She joked, staring vacantly at the slices of pizza in front of her.
Tom snorted at her attempt of a joke, shaking his head in amusement. "Shut up, Baggy." He replied while grabbing onto a slice and biting it himself.
She grinned at him and wiped her face with her sleeve, setting her piece down. "So," She started, leaning her head on her hand, "You still haven't clearly explained what we're supposed to do."
Tom put his own slice of pizza on top of a napkin, swallowing his food. "You wear something my type of girlfriend would wear, and we try and make her jealous. Simple." He explained, mimicking her pose.
She rolled her eyes at his response. "That's the worst plan I've ever heard." She replied in turn.
Tom scoffed, "I don't hear a better plan coming from you." He said rather offended, pouting.
She scratched something off her teeth and blandly looked at him, indifferent. "Actually," She said, shrugging, "I do have one in mind."
At her response, his offense became a curiosity, and he felt sudden intrusiveness that allured him a little. "A plan? From you? What a shocker." He said, making her grin.
"Always full of them. Anyway, I suggest—How about we scratch the part where I wear dumb hoe stuff, and instead, I wear my own type of thing to show that you respect what your girlfriend, known as me, is wearing and doing? Then from there, you can sweet talk me if we ever encounter them, making her totally jealous." She told him with an inch of smug, picking up her pizza again.
He stared at her, his eyebrows raised. Huh... That wasn't so bad of a plan. It was a start, yes, and it was similar to his, yes, but it seemed effective. Although it was a bit too petty for his liking, he couldn't really argue against it because he actually believed this idea was pretty good. Baby steps, yes, and this seemed to be perfect enough. How surprisingly smart. "That's..actually not that bad of an idea.." He said, tapping his fingers against the table, contemplating.
"Duh," Janna said, ignoring the sudden spark his eyes gave. What exactly was he thinking?
In a sudden motion, Tom stood up in alarm, "Let's do that right now!" He told her, getting up and grabbing her wrist.
"Wait, what!?" She screeched as he dragged her along, "I still haven't finished my pizza!"
A sudden horror had befallen his expression the moment they arrived, his calm nature becoming sorrow.
While heading to Marco's home, they had spotted numerous amounts of small damage from a crack on the sidewalk, to dumps of potholes and debris. It wasn't long until they came up to a gruesome scene, many things clicking into their heads. Janna had been the first to react with a small look of disgust upon viewing the intestines sprawled around, very much feeling... uneasy.
Of course, there had been a few bodies still intact and some she presumed to be alive, but that didn't really help at all.
Tom, obviously, was second, and immediately set out to search for her. He had a feeling this would have occurred, and he didn't have time to be reacting to the bodies up close. It was as if it were to be something automatic that clicked on inside him, a worry he had felt for so very long. Although her ex, he still cared for her. It was a stupid thing to keep, but he knew even before that creatures of other realms were after her. And he couldn't help but worry.
"Shit..." Janna muttered, kicking at an arm and turning to Tom who was still searching. "What the hell happened here?"
Tom shook his head in reply as he looked around the bodies finding Star nowhere in sight. He fell onto his knees and looked onto the rocky ground, eyebrows creased together. "I... Fuck, I don't know." He mumbled, grabbing onto his head. Shit. Did they get her? Was she gone now? Did she die? Where was she?
He suddenly felt a firm grip on his shoulder, causing him to look up.
"Look," Janna started, obviously a little awed yet uncomfortable about the whole scenario, "I know how you're feeling right now. And first of all, don't panic," She eased upon him, making him frown, "Secondly, if she were to be dead, then her body would still be here. From what I've seen, those bodies look fresh. It couldn't have been so long ago." She explained to him, casting him a small calming smile. Ugh, being nice felt... weird.
Tom didn't seem to feel at all better from that response, however. It only further worried him, because if her body wasn't here, someone must've taken her. And who?
A sudden painful, sharp groan was suddenly gasped from behind them, their heads both turning towards the noise. Janna found that a bird-like creature was bleeding to death, the knife still embedded within its stomach. She winced at the scene, thinking better than to go over there to poke at it.
Tom was different. The moment he saw him, his eyes became a color of fiery red, and he zipped towards Ludo, grabbing him and holding him in the air. "Where The hell is Star?" Tom growled threateningly, holding onto Ludo's throat so tight that he began sputtering and coughing out his own blood.
"She... left. We—We don't have her..." Ludo struggled out, the strong grip of Tom's arm making it hard for him to reply.
Janna approached them and had a blankness to her, assessing the situation. If they don't have her, then maybe Marco does. Hopefully.
"What do you mean she left? Where could she have gone!?" Tom asked, shaking him slightly. He needed answers, and he needed them now.
Ludo lifted up his finger weakly, pointing towards the direction Marco and Star went to. "She," He coughed and gasped for air, eyes going wide for a moment before returning to normal, "Went with... this boy..."
Tom's eyes turned back to normal, feeling his soul get crushed. A boy...? Was it the same boy Janna knew?
"Do you know where they were headed?" Janna asked Ludo, her voice normal. Tom looked at her.
"They...said..some type," He gasped again, "of... hospice...or Hosp-tal.." He replied, struggling for the right word. The poor bird was too focused on not dying to even reply to their questions.
"A What? That isn't enough information! Tell me where she really is, or else—"
While Tom continued with his rambling at the bird, Janna went ahead and thought of the possible Hospitals around her. There was three close by, but only the Whind Hospital was in the direction the bird pointed at. It would be a wild guess, but it was worth a shot. She turned to Tom, "They went to the hospital, moron," Janna said, making his bewildered expression amend to a calmer one, "I know where it's at."
Janna turned back to Ludo, "You said they went that way right?" She asked him, pointing to her right.
Ludo stayed silent, and gasped again, his eyes closing. He managed a simple nod.
Tom tossed him on the floor and began floating, Janna feeling a little accomplished for figuring it out.
"You said you know where it is?" Tom asked her, urgent. They were wasting too much time, way too much.
Janna nodded, and he reached his arm out to her. "Here, I'll carry you."
She took it and yelped when he took off quickly. She hung on as if her life depended on it, and he stopped. "Sorry." He muttered afterward, setting himself on the ground.
"Here," He pointed at his back, "Piggyback is better."
She snorted, "Alright, alright. Quit your worrying, Star's fine." She said, getting on.
"I hope so." He said weakly, setting her comfortably before taking off to the air.
Marco's P.O.V
I never thought I'd be in a situation such as this.
It was unreal, so unreal that I can't imagine it anymore. It pisses me off, so much, because so many things occurred at once, and of course, I'm always the one in charge to take care of it.
A part of me was like this. Pissy, angry, so bothered about everything that I felt like I could burst.
But another part of me couldn't help but feel... uneasy about all of this. I wasn't so in control of myself anymore, and I sure as hell wasn't understanding anything. Especially when it came to the lovely foreign girl in my arms.
Well, not—not lovely. Because I still didn't like her around me. And I swear I never will. She's insufferable, and I know she hasn't... done anything so extreme to provoke that thought, I just hate this. Hate company. Hate her. For bringing in the company.
Sure, it was my fault for even offering my place in the first place, but it was the world's fault for bringing her to me, of all people. I didn't like people for a reason. I hated her. I hated everyone.
But... here I am, looking—feeling so tired that I can't even keep up my original pace anymore. Yet tired, I'm still using up my energy, my time, for someone who probably doesn't deserve it.
And it was so stupid. So fucking stupid. I could've just left her. Just, right there, and wait for someone else to find her to call the cops or some shit. It was so easy.
I... couldn't, though.
Something made me stop, some... emotion that was slowly increasing. It resembled something like Pity, maybe mostly understanding, but it was... some emotion. I don't know what it was. It made me feel like something was expectant of this—as if I expected something—someone to... I don't know. It was so recognizable, but I haven't felt it in a long time. I don't know what this feeling is.
It happened a lot when I met her, when I looked at her, when I... spoke to her. The past two days had been just continuous feelings, of... this. I just couldn't understand why. And that's why I was pissed off. Also why I felt uneasy. So... it was technically her fault for making me split up. Not that I could actually say that to her, she'd probably find it weird. Not that I would ever tell her anything, actually. I wasn't her friend or something.
I took a small moment to look at her, examining her a little. Although pale, and pretty much looking like she was dead, I still found it infuriating that she looked pretty.
I can't deny that. She was pretty. Very pretty.
She was actually so pretty, any other guy would have probably been much more willing to take her into their house or something. Funny, though, I can't bring myself to do that unless she asks for it.
It was sickening, actually.
Because she wasn't just pretty. She was... Ugh. She looked foreign, or something. Sure, she looked pretty much human, but she looked... foreign a little. Like. Not foreign foreign, but... something. She had a very pretty nose and flushed cheeks, and though she looked pretty pale, her lips were still a lovely peach. The hearts on her cheeks threw me off for a little when I met her, but those only complete her look. It was like... She was more like a model of sorts, just with everything slightly more perfect.
She was... something. A pretty something.
But I could honestly care less. I just didn't want her around me, that was it.
Which was a little funny on my part, because currently, this is the closest I've ever had her. And it was absolutely not because I liked her. I just felt like I had a job to help her. As I said, I had a feeling of sorts.
Maybe I had this feeling because she was pathetic. Because it certainly wasn't because I was good. Or being nice.
From what I had seen earlier today, she was very... conflicted with herself. When she set up the table, when I, saw her set up the table, I could see that she hesitated. I wouldn't have paid it much attention if it wasn't for the fact that she looked petrified, almost as if she were... holding some sort of trauma.
It was stupid. Holding onto something. Whatever it was, that she went through. The past was the past, and there was nothing anyone can do about it.
I shouldn't be talking like that, though. I had no right.
Sure, I agreed that holding onto the past was stupid, but I felt such things because the past is only full of hurtful memories that are improbable of changing. It was impossible to go back in time and change them. All those mistakes, words, feelings...
It made me sick. Sick and tired of everything and everyone's bullshit, because no matter what, things change, people change, and the world you once knew crumbles down into oblivion.
I had to force myself to know such things not too long ago, maybe when I was 13, 14 tops.
When I lost my parents.
My parents, well, to be perfectly honest, I don't have an exact memory of how they died. They went on a vacation together while I was left alone in the house, with their permission of course. It hadn't even been two days when the news got to me. I remember vividly who came to tell me, my Godfather, who I thought I wouldn't see only for lessons.
I could never forget that.
And it was the past.
And I couldn't change it.
I couldn't make it, to change.
Which was probably why I was doing this, for her.
I looked at her once again only to notice she had worsened, which wasn't a shocker. Luckily though, when I looked up, I could see the faint sign of the hospital in front of me. Wow, and to think I'd take a while from how slow I was going.
Although I felt like I could fall, I decided to force myself to keep going. It wasn't long now to arrive; just a little more. Plus, after I could leave her there, I could go home and fix this stupid cut on my cheek myself.
I don't think she would've liked it if I left her, but frankly, I don't care. She isn't awake to tell me to stay, so I can't stay. Simple.
"Hey, you!" Someone screamed from behind me, making me confused. Who the hell is trying to bother me while carrying a dying girl in my arms? People never mind their business, do they?
I turned around to check and see who or what was calling me, only to find some demon flying, with—was that... Janna? Are you serious?
The demon came charging at me directly, his eyes looking like red hot magma.
I had to dodge it of course, but it was difficult since, well, I was carrying Star. And I was fucking tired.
The demon had barely missed, and I could've sworn Janna was laughing at me for the lack of speed. Of course, always laughing at me. Not that I expected anything less.
"What the hell?" I bellowed, absolutely confused as to why they were on me. And what the fuck, since when were demons real?
"Let go of her!" The demon yelled, Janna idly casting me a frown before returning to her normal smugness.
I groaned internally, tired as shit.
Great, More Bullshit.
Narrator's P.O.V
Marco had to stop for a moment to recollect his bearings, his eyes narrowing into slits. With a sneer, he stared at the demon as if daring him to charge at him again.
"Let go of her," Tom repeated much more evenly, still floating up above, mindful of Janna who looked a little amused.
Marco scoffed, his hands gripping a little tighter onto Star. "Is that supposed to intimidate me? If you haven't already noticed, someone is bleeding to death." He replied, not at all perturbed from the demon before him.
Tom's eyes returned to normal, his face changing at the mention of her. "What?" He asked, surprised, "What happened to her? Is she alright?" He lowered himself onto the ground, Janna getting off of him.
He ran over to Marco, his heart beating a mile a minute. Jesus Christ, this is exactly what he feared. When he got a good look at her, he realized, she was in fact, bleeding. Shit.
Tom went to touch her face, but Marco stepped back. "Don't touch her." Marco hissed a little too protective, feeling a little internally confused from his tone. He masked it with a look of anger, though, "I don't even know who you are." He hissed, and Tom glared at him. Who was this guy?
"You can't tell me what to do, asshole. I'm her—" He paused, thinking, "Boyfriend." He finished, earning surprised looks from both Marco and Janna.
"I thought she broke—" Janna started, but Tom shushed her, putting his hand over her mouth. Janna glared at him in response, ripping his handoff.
'She had a boyfriend? She never mentioned any...' He shook his head in frustration, taking off in a full sprint towards the hospital. Just one problem after another. He didn't want anything to do with this girl and now look at him. A pissy demon boyfriend was on his ass now, probably thinking wrong just because Marco was holding onto her dying form. He never did anything, and whenever he tried to help, people would blame him. It's why he stopped giving a shit so long ago.
Janna watched Marco run away in confusion, making a face. He actually looked, bothered? "What—Shit!" She was suddenly thrown up in the air, landing right in an angry Tom's arms.
He took off as fast as the speed of light, catching up to Marco in no time.
Marco felt his head turn from how dizzy he felt, his energy draining faster. This wasn't good. At all. Especially after that whole stunt.
His face formed an expression of annoyance and anger, taking a look behind him with a warning look. All that time wasted just for a pissy demon boyfriend to enhance her death. Stupid. Absolutely stupid. Ugh, what was he thinking? The opportunity was right there.
Right there. He could've given her to him and been on his merry way.
But again, this... feeling overcame him. It was annoying and desisted from him getting rid of her.
And instead of feeling relieved, he felt rather suspicious. He didn't know who the hell that was, and he wasn't about to let him take her just because.
'You could've gotten rid of her.'
Marco closed his eyes for a brief moment, shaking his head. Stupid. So fucking stupid.
Opening his eyes with an angry flare, he looked behind him to check if that demon guy and Janna were still on him, sighing in annoyance when he saw them. Fuck. Why. Just, why? Can't he catch a break? He's been through enough already.
He returned to the road in front of him, a small twinge of relief running across him when he saw the large building, and its sign. Odd, he could've sworn it was miles away last time he checked.
'Whind Hospital'
With all his strength, he used the least amount of energy he had left in him and ran as fast as he could to reach it. Many people, paramedics, turned around in bewilderment upon witnessing a boy carry in a girl that looked pretty much dead. Marco paid them no mind, as he was too focused on getting Star safe.
He bolted through the doors, alarming some of the medical workers inside along with the patients. He wondered if this was the emergency room.
Tom went in right after him, a determined look in his eye.
"Someone—she needs help. She's bleeding to death," Marco stuttered with a high voice, noticing the sudden action that took place of the nurses calling in a couple of men. He allowed them to take her away from his arms, his arms immediately falling as dead weights beside him. They were sore to the bone.
"Someone take her to room 502!" A nurse yelled, scribbling a couple of things down onto a piece of paper, urgent. Good, they were doing their job.
Followed by a bunch of scurries of feet and clippings of paper, the nurse at the front shakily typed down the event, turning to Marco with a small inch of fear. "How old are you, babycakes?" The nurse cooed lightly, frowning.
Marco didn't appreciate the name and was about to reproach her about it when he was suddenly pushed onto the ground with full force.
Janna looked mildly surprised by how hard Tom dropped him onto the floor. Okay, that felt kind of good to see. A little. Funny, yes?
Marco kicked Tom off of him, gritting his teeth in anger. "What the fuck?" Marco seethed, his head pounding despite trying to ignore it. "The hell's your problem?"
Tom stepped back a few steps, the impact of his kick knocking some of the air of his lungs out. He recovered quickly, however, his hands going aflame.
Marco ducked the moment the fireball was shot at him, wobbling a little. He was in no state to be fighting, especially against a fucking demon. Unbelievable, things never leave him alone.
The fireball had hit the nurses' workplace, making her widen her eyes and scream in fear.
The patients around had stood up and some even moved away from the scene, their eyes so wide they could fall out. Demons are supposed to fictional, not real!
"You," Tom growled angrily, "You must've done this to her!" Tom yelled at him, throwing another fireball.
Marco moved away, "Do you honestly believe I was trying to kill her when I was the one trying to save her!?" Marco yelled back, absolutely flabbergasted. He knew it, he always knew. Yet he felt surprised, he always did. He was just trying to help.
Marco was thrown off guard when Tom had thrown a punch of him, his fist missing and connecting against the wall. He left a small fire and a very visible burn marked dent, following after Marco as he kept throwing angered punches. All this time Star was in trouble, and he had done nothing to stop it. It was all this dipshits fault. "You're a fucking Liar," Tom said, denying everything he said.
Marco sneered at him, moving around to dodge Tom's mediocre attacks. This guy was too angry to even fight well.
Dizzy and weak, Marco threw a punch at Tom's head at a sudden open opportunity, managing to topple him to the side.
Tom didn't feel it, but he sure as hell wasn't expecting it. He returned one of his own, Marco, fortunately dodging it. It was so infuriating that Tom couldn't even hit him hard enough.
Janna patted at another small fire and put it out, rolling her eyes. She turned to Tom who was still trying to kill Marco, bored and irritated. "Tommy, dude," She told him, going over to pat down a few more fires, "Chill out! You're going to set this whole damn place on fire!" She yelled at him, shaking her head. At this rate, he was going to burn everybody.
Tom stopped as Marco landed on his ass, his eyes set to a glare. He turned around, eyes narrowed even further. "You know what?" He asked, seething with anger, "This is all your fault. You were distracting me too much!" He yelled at her, too pissed to even think. Did he know it was her fault? No. Did he care at the moment? No. He was just so furious he felt like he could burst.
She glared at him, "What the hell are you talking about? I wasn't distracting you, moron! This makes no damn fucking sense!" She barked back at him, completely surprised to have taken the blame. Although she shouldn't be, Demons tend to be angry enough not to know what the fuck they were doing. But this still wasn't fair. She was innocent in all of this. Some part.
Tom walked to her slowly, leaving a trail of fire as he did so. "You're lying. That's all lies. You're just making up excuses." He countered, throwing a fireball, barely missing her.
Janna thought better than to feel worried. "What are you talking about? Tom, you're the one who kept calling me to go with you. Why are you suddenly blaming it all on me?" She asked, glaring. She hoped he wouldn't try anything. Or else, it was his ass.
Marco looked at the scene before him, indifferent. He still felt pissed, bothered, fucking angry that he could burst. The only reason he was holding back was that he was weak and tired.
Tom grabbed her wrist, the fire still burning. She hissed in pain and closed her eyes shut, the pain swelling onto her forearm.
Star sat up in alarm and felt her heart immediately slow, her hands shaking, tired. The doctors stepped back when she bolted upwards, "Miss settle down—"
Star could feel the small stitches pull at her shoulder and she winced, getting up from the bed anyway. The doctors held her down, her eyes flashing green. "No, no, don't—don't touch me!" She yelled pushing them away. She stood up and tried to run, but fell against a wheelchair. Her head felt dizzy, and her body shook. She could barely breathe right.
Someone grabbed onto her shoulder and pulled her back, and she turned, attempting to whack them in the face. "No, no, no, no." She repeated over and over again, reaching for the wheelchair and then running out of the room, holding onto the walls for support. She could hear the doctors yelling at her to come back, telling others to go after her, but Star didn't listen. She needed to do something.
Star saw the small welts of tears on the corner of the woman's eyes Tom was holding, her tears seeming because of the pain. She gasped and leaned onto the counter, "Tom, Stop!" She yelled at him, her voice almost leaving her. She could barely breathe.
All eyes turned to her with sudden alarm, and for a moment, she felt self-conscious. But she remembered to keep a level head in situations like these. She was so used to it anyway, after being punished for not doing so in past years.
Star maneuvered herself towards them, her eyes as cold as ice. No emotion. Just blankness. However, there was an etch to her that looked like she was about to pass out. Marco could instantly tell, she wasn't fooling him for a second.
His eyes losing its fire, Tom blinked, surprised. He then turned to Janna who he was still gripping tightly, noticing the pain in her eyes.
'I did it again.' He told himself harshly, and let go of her immediately, his eyes wide. 'I did it again...'
Janna clutched her wrist, careful not to touch her sizzling skin. It was burning, so much so, she couldn't even focus on Star at the moment. It just felt like swelling pinches of pain on her exposed skin, stinging just by sitting still. She needed water, something cold, anything.
"Shit. I'm sorry, I just—Ugh. I got pissed again, and if I do please don't take it personally, I have a very low temper."
She heard his words repeat in her head, and briefly, she glanced up, noticing that Tom was now all eyes on Star. He didn't care. He didn't care that he burned her.
"Star?" Tom started, moving towards her.
She put her hand up in a 'stop' motion, making him halt on his steps. "Don't start, Tom. You know just as well as I do what's going to happen next." She told him evenly, suppressing a gasp of air. It was hard talking when her blood pressure was so low.
Tom felt anger boil up from within him. Janna took notice of his anger again and stepped back a little to be cautious. He noticed the movement and felt his anger deteriorate away.
Star sighed. "Tom." She began, shaking her head, part from disappointment, the other for trying to remove away the dizziness she felt.
Marco looked at both of them, expectant.
"Yes... Star?" He asked, a small amount of... a feeling sparkling in his eyes.
Her level gaze hardened, and her soft tone replaced itself with scorn. "Please leave." She told him finally.
Tom closed his eyes and exhaled, trying to calm his nerves. As it seemed, Tom was yet again in this situation. If it weren't for his anger, he would have avoided so much hatred from anyone around him. He just couldn't control it, no matter how many classes he took. It was annoying. And it was careless in his part. "If..." His eyes opened and he looked right into her own, frowning, "...If that is what you wish..." He told her gloomily, "Then I shall."
Marco wouldn't admit that upon seeing the stupid demon so hurt, he felt a small twinge of twisted glee. Overall, he felt confused. Normal people would have felt pity, but he wasn't about to sympathize with an unworldly creature.
Turning his head, Marco could see some of the medical worker's approach Star and take her away because, as it seemed, from what he heard, she was in critical condition. He glared when they gripped her tightly and took her, but relaxed when he made a valid point that they were only trying to help her. Ugh. Why should he be feeling so... out of place? They were only helping her.
As Marco idly sat down with a huff, Tom snapped his fingers, a bright red portal opening from behind him.
Janna frowned.
He turned to her then, a look of absolute guilt making its way onto his face. It seemed he wanted to say something, but he decided against it.
She watched his face form its resentment, it's guilt, and for a moment, she realized it was just who he was. Tom was an angry individual. More so than anyone else. In the next, though, she turned away, ignoring him, setting herself down to sit somewhere else away from... everything. It wasn't right, to be burned. It wasn't her fault, not at all. And though Janna didn't exactly feel anything, she couldn't help for the first time in a long time, to feel unjustified.
Tom closed his eyes tightly again, his chest twisting a bit upon her reaction. This time, decided, he was going to leave Star alone. He didn't feel like he was up to it anymore. He hoped this was his last time bothering her because no matter what he said, he always ended up coming back.
Marco watched as the portal of the underworld closed, the brightness of the fire now leaving the room. At his departure, Marco suddenly felt the weight of his body, and he actually slumped, tired. His vision became blurry and his legs felt weak, a sign to remind him that he had overworked himself. Today was the day he had most moved since... ever, and for once, instead of focusing onto his depressing thoughts, he was focused on his own health and well being.
An older woman approached him after he sat around for ten minutes, offering to help him out with his condition. Marco would have refused, but honestly, he was too tired to even care.
So, with a sigh, he agreed.
Janna looked down at her wrist, frowning. To find herself in a situation as this is blinding, but to live it is unreal. It was weird, she felt weird. Not sad. Not mad. Bothered, maybe, but not anything else. It bothered her that Tom had accused her, and it also bothered her how, at that moment, she felt... something. Not scared. But some sort of resemblance to it. It was weird.
Maybe that's why she felt bothered, weird.
"Hello, ma'am?" A male voice asked her, timid yet concerned.
She stopped looking at her bright flesh to look upon a young male. He held a first aid kit in his hands and it took her a second to realize he worked here.
"C-can I assist you with something? Y-you need t-to be treated with that..." He told her, pointing at her arm.
Janna glanced down, coming back to reality. "Oh... huh... yeah. Can you? I mean, can you treat it?" She told him, and then she remembered something, "Please?"
He nodded and opened up the medkit, taking out some peroxide and bandages. "What's your name?" He asked her while taking out some of the things.
Janna knew he was probably nervous and was just making small talk. "Janna." She told him simply.
"Oh, what a nice name! My names Franek, but peeps just call me Frank." He told her, looking up at her with a gleaming smile.
Janna wouldn't bother with nice introductions. "Nice to meet you, Frank." She replied anyway, not bothering to smile.
"Likewise."
Tom, upon entering the portal, found himself in his room, a feeling of misery instantly hitting him. He knew that chasing after Star was a bad idea, but he did it anyway.
Huh... That sounds somewhat familiar...
He lay down on his bed and looked up at his ceiling, hands crossed on his stomach. A book with skulls looked back at him, and he instantly remembered. 'Check demon book.'
He sat up and floated up towards the book, taking a hold of it's worn off edges.
Opening up the book, he looked at the table of contents, ignoring its red eyes blinking at him.
'Horns... No.. Firepower... No... Treasures...? No. Ah, there it is!' His eyes brightened when recognizing the small title: "Pain if Shone", and he turned to the page it stated in.
On the page, bold red letters appeared. "Why are you suddenly feeling pain? Not mentally, but physically?" He read out loud, and below the question, there was only one answer:
You have found your significant other. It is best to be cautious around them; if something were to happen, a demon will burn to death. Things to do when or if you're around them: Cherish, love, and accept. No acceptation will lead to sudden death.
Tom's eyes widened.
If Star caused him pain, maybe she truly was his other half.
Maybe he was just denying her.
A/N: Oh, poor Tom. He has no idea what he's thinking. Welp, I'm sorry for the long wait Lovelies, but here you go! Have a great day, and hopefully, you enjoyed.
Toodles~
Ana
