Sparks flew, illuminating the otherwise darkened night. Blades clashed at a furious speed as Sonatro and Taylor fought. A streak of electricity flew across the field.
Taylor scoffed. "You haven't even learned from last time, have you? Same as always." He swung his weapon into Sonatro's side, sending him sliding sideways. A quick roar was heard as a lion charged towards Taylor, unbalancing him. Changing back, Sonatro asked a simple question.
"Why are you fighting on the side of Cider? You wanted things to be better for everyone. For Fanus, for the Branded." Tears began to well in his eyes, still in disbelief of his friends sudden betrayal.
"The answer is simple." Standing back up, Taylor smiled in sadistic glee. "The rest of the world forgot about me. I'm making them to remember."
Sonatro stood in a different stance, one he had been training to do for the last few months. His sword was sheathed, held outwards and tilted upwards. Taylor tried to rush forward, but his attack was easily avoided by the Hunter. A quick draw surrounded Taylor in chunks of rock as a dark blue signified that his aura was depleted..
"I am peerless. You cannot hope to defeat me." Taylor laughed and broke his stone bindings apart with ease. He jumped into the air to slam down on Sonatro. It was his last mistake.
Time slowed to a crawl, at least Sonatro's perception of it. Taylor left himself open to a beheading cut. One draw and it would be over. His desire for destruction and his bloodthirsty rage. It would also end a friendship that lasted for years. Countless memories of a person who was closer than family. A friend who he had helped through tough times and had helped him through times equally as hard. Sonatro exhaled, and drew his sword. And it was over.
Taylor's head fell separately from his body, both hitting the ground with a thud. Sonatro sheathed Wyrmslayer, and picked up the claymore. "Do you remember what this weapon is called, Taylor? It's called Change Bringer, and you've misused it. This was made for you to bring good changes to this world. To make everyone treated equally." Tears filled his eyes, and he began to choke on his words. "You've done the opposite of what it was meant to do, which is why you can no longer have this." Shouldering the weapon, the Hunter watched as the body of his former friend dissipated in a dark blue light. Rain began to fall, masking the tears streaming down Sonatro's face. "Goodbye Taylor. May you finally find peace."
A scream of fury sounded from the other side of the battle field, carrying Prisma's voice. Sonatro sprinted towards his sister's aide.
Prisma was not in danger. She was holding her own against Adam. Switching from a whip to a long sword, the two dueled at blinding speed, slicing individual raindrops, creating a dry dome in the field. The rain fell onto them the moment Adam lost concentration for a split second, allowing Prisma to fling his sword away. As he reached to grab in, Prisma swept him off of his feet and stomped on him. "You're not getting away. Not yet."
She formed a whip and began to strike Adam relentlessly, laughing maniacally. "This is what you did to me! Every day! This is how you treated me! And now You will suffer!" Adam curled into a ball, unable to defend himself.
The two came into Sonatro's view, and he was shocked at the sight. Prisma was mercilessly attacking her foe as he cowered in pain. The Hunter ran up behind his sister and grabbed her arms in order to restrain her. She roared out, trying to break free.
"What are you doing? Get away! I can't hold her forever." Adam Staggered to his feet, grabbing his weapon and running, scared for his life.
"Sonatro! Let me go! He has yet to pay for his transgressions!" Prisma squirmed in her brother's arms, trying to break away and chase after her former tormenter. Sonatro was unable to hold her any longer, and she immediately turned her rage towards him. She whipped him as Sonatro simply took the blows.
"If you kill him, you become no better than him." She continued her attack, forcing Sonatro to the ground.
"I'm already below him! I'm Branded! We have nowhere to go in our lives!" Prisma let out a short gasp of surprise, and the attacks stopped. Sonatro stood up to be greeted by Velvet, his step-sister. She offered him a helping hand. "Thank you, sister… It's okay for me to say that, right?" He took her hand as she giggled.
"Yes, that's okay. Want me to get our stubborn-ass sister back to camp?" Sonatro nodded. "Please do… I'm not in great shape, you can tell." Laughing slightly, Sonatro limped back towards camp. Neo ran up to him, taking a majority of his weight. They returned to camp, and were met by applause. Sonatro went to rest in his tent.
The tent rustled as Neo entered, hoping to speak with Sonatro. He was crying, likely from the death of his friend. She tapped his shoulder.
"Neo, please leave. I want to be alone." She tapped again, causing him to turn around. A hoarse cough emerged from Neo, as she opened her mouth.
"I-" She coughed harder still. "I lo-" Something got caught in her throat, stopping her from talking further. Sonatro rubbed her back as she coughed. Suddenly, a Grimm bug came out of Neo's mouth, causing her to jump backwards and scream. Sonatro killed it, and put his hand on her shoulder. "Are you okay, Neo? What was that thing?"
Neo signed, "I have no idea… wait, did I scream earlier?" Sonatro nodded, and the girl attempted to speak once more, but her words were barely comprehensible. Sonatro could only make out the words, "I love you."
They were the only words that mattered. He embraced her, a smile on his face. "I love you too."