12. (a single glance and) he was absolutely helpless.
[Science, element.]
Words: 290

Beautiful. It's ridiculous and strange and absolutely sick that it's the first thing that comes to mind when he sees her, but at this point, after so much suffering, he can't really think at all. She's lying on the ground, stains of red all over her torn fuku, her skin snow white beneath the copper hue, and he's just standing there, absolutely frozen, transfixed, intrigued, and so completely... ridiculous.

'What the hell are you doing, Endymion? You're nearly done. Attack her!'

He nods to himself, reaching for the sword in his hand, but as she closes her eyes, struggling to breathe, he finds himself staring again, immobile.

'What is wrong with me? Why can't I kill her?'

She stirs beside him, still gasping for breath, as he ponders what it is about her that prevents his body from reacting the way it should. He should be fulfilling Beryl's orders, he should be taking her life and the Ginzuishou—killing two birds with one stone—and yet, he... can't. One glance at her, and he's completely helpless, unable to do what it is he thinks he must, his duty, because something about the sight of this gorgeous warrior dying is messing with him, and he can't tear his eyes away.

"Aishiteru, Mamo-chan." She weakly smiles, fingers grasping his, and though he never does strike her one last time, she collapses, eyes closing in surrender.

Endymion staggers, suddenly in incredible pain. This should have been his moment, triumphant and accomplished and everything so many others, even Beryl herself, could not attain. Instead, he feels agony, intense, fiery, and unrelenting—the cry of his soul as it shatters, weeping without restraint for its other half.


Note: If you couldn't tell, this was based on a scene in the manga, and loosely based on its parallel in the anime. Updating today because I am INSANELY excited about the fact that Kingdom Hearts III is currently in development, and random bouts of fangirliness, mixed with the utter sadness that this will be the last Kingdom Hearts game ever lead to the posting of... kind of depressing pieces like this. Er... thanks for reading and please review! Happy June, everyone!