Why is this happening?
My vision ran red, blurred together in vague images of things I knew.
Stop. Stop this.
My foot creeped closer, regardless of my will telling it not to.
Every inch of me burned, every muscle, every ligament and joint being torn apart in two directions.
I'm not… I'm not strong enough.
I gritted my teeth. I saw her before me. A slender frame, her hair tied in two tails at her sides, bound to her blood red crucifix.
My sword inched closer to her neck.
"Snap out of it Asta!" Noelle's words were distant, a small whisper amidst the rushing in my ears.
I won't let you. I won't let you do this! I won't let you kill my friends!
Sharp pains erupted across my whole body as I felt my muscles tear themselves apart, the result of opposing wills.
Over the pulse in my ears, I barely heard Vanessa's voice. Her words cracking, desperation leaking out of every syllable, willing herself to become stronger.
Nothing.
"Imperfect." The witch queen's voice was as clear as day, reverberating about in my skull. "Perhaps, I should provide a little motivation."
With a jolt, I felt my arms being pulled back.
Fight it! Fight it!
My soul cried out amidst the red haze that clouded me. Be stronger!
Sweat trickled down my brow as I fought the entity that sought to control me.
My head pounded, the rushing noise growing louder and louder the harder I fought.
No. I won't let you!
The cry resounded throughout me, body and soul.
But it wasn't enough.
With a snap, I lost what little control I had over my muscles.
Even the rushing noise couldn't hide the sound that echoed as my blade cut through her neck.
No!
"NOOOOOOO!"
I was grateful in that moment that Vanessa was willing to mourn where I could not. My body unable to rebel as I sought it to.
I felt my feet grow warm and sticky as a liquid soaked through. Red. Just like everything else.
My jaw clenched so hard I heard a snap. But I felt nothing.
With another jolt, I felt my feet drag me closer to the next cross.
No. I won't let you!
I focused every bit of my rage, anger, and sorrow into breaking this curse.
Her voice echoed in my head once more.
"You really think you can stop me? You fool. My perfect puppet's blood spell cannot be broken by shear will alone."
I felt the ground underneath me crack slightly before my feet started to shuffle forward again.
"Now, Vanessa. Shall we try it again?"
With what little I could make out, it seemed to me her body was shaking as she said silent prayers to herself.
My body continued to move forward regardless of my orders. Regardless of how much I tried to intervene. I was losing strength… and fast.
"Asta you have to fight this! You're stronger than this!" Finral's voice was muffled and distant.
Don't you think I'm trying?
I felt my sword raise to greet him.
"Asta…" His words were no longer strong or sure.
I mustered what little strength I had left willing my whole body to stop. If I can't fight properly maybe I could at least stop myself from doing anything at all. I can stall.
My whole body shook. A gear grinding against the rock caught in its gears.
Except the rock was a pebble. And the gear was made of steel.
I'm sorry…
As the last of my strength gave out I felt my sword dive straight into Finral's chest. A deep cough and guttural sputtering followed before his head slumped slightly against his stained chest.
"Nothing yet? And you claim these vermin to be your friends? How utterly imperfect."
"No… Why.." Her voice was stifled as a single tear traversed the side of her face. "WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?!" The sound was shattering. Just as fragile and broken as her heart. As both of our hearts.
Beneath the numbness that had encompassed me since the Witch Queen's curse, I felt a bit of warmth spread across my cheek, small and wet.
Well, that's good. At least…I'm still human on the inside.