Chapter Four: To Kill an Angel
Jade crashed against the building, rocks raining down on her as she gasped for breath. Hearing mocking laughter she got to her feet, wiping away the blood that dripped into her eyes, obscuring her vision.
She was wounded, and bleeding heavily, but so were They. Not as bad as her, but sheer determination had given her an edge in the desperate battle. She leapt at the nearest, tossing her broken sword into Its face. Taking advantage of Its momentary distraction, she began kicking and punching, desperately trying to hit a vital spot. Again, she was thrown aside, almost as if she were no more than a fly to be swatted at.
She growled and crouched at the base of the building, watching her adversaries, taking stock of their wounds as well as her own.
She was already bruised from head to toe, and bleeding from more wounds than she cared to count. Any one of her Angels had no more than a dozen wounds to hinder them, but she wasn't daunted. She had already accepted her death, and fought without restraint or thought of survival.
She flew out towards one of Them, the one with the braid, and began a series of kicks. Her legs became a blur, striking with the power and grace of a trained dancer. She had always known that those dance lessons would pay off…
Again she was struck down, landing amidst the ruble of a previous crash. Without hesitation she leapt out again, striking a powerful blow to one's head. To her amazement, it stood for a moment, then crumpled down to lie motionless.
Time seemed to stand still. She stared in awe, had she really done it? She glanced at the enraged faces of the remaining two, and knew that she had. They glared at her, golden eyes flashing.
Simultaneously They attacked, and she was no match for the hell driven fury of both her Angels at once. Her body was tossed around like a rag doll, unable to defend herself.
Suddenly there was a flash, and another glowing, golden figure stood between her and her attackers.
She watched as It battled against her Angels through eyes misted over with blood. She watched as It killed Them, almost without a thought.
Then the glowing ceased, and she stared, not daring to believe her eyes. This truly was her Angel, come back from beyond the gates of the Other World.
It was her Trunks.
Tears slipped down her cheeks, mingling with her blood to cascade down her face in crimson rivulets.
He leaned over her, gently gathering her battered and bloody body to his chest, tears slipping down his face, too. It hurt so much, but she had to say it. Had to apologize for her stupidity.
"Oh Trunks, I," she coughed, blood dribbling from the corners of her mouth as she tried to speak through the pain.
"Sssh, don't try to talk," his voice was so heavy with sorrow that it wrenched her heart.
"But…" She had to say it now! She had to free her heart from its burden so that her soul would be free of this pain.
"Not yet, later." He tried desperately to soothe her. If she kept talking, he might loose her. No, he couldn't bear that so soon after seeing her again.
She fell silent, obeying his command, but the tears came harder, and she coughed, more blood rising from her shattered lungs.
~Oh Trunks, I'm so sorry. It's all my fault. I'm sorry Trunks, please forgive me! …It was for you Trunks; I killed one of my Angels for you… I'm so sorry my love…~
A blood soaked hand reached falteringly up to touch his cheek, before her arm fell, leaving a smear of her blood down his face.
She was weary, from her shattered body, to her guilt-ridden soul. She looked for the last time into his eyes, her own holding her last goodbye.
~…I'm sorry…~