I backed away, holding my arm and grunting as Tanith circled again. I had managed to land two hits on her, one on her thigh and across the right side of her stomach. I however was in worse shape, with blood running from my stomach and now down my arm- I haven't seen where I'm hit. Darquesse growls at her and probably at me. That last one was your fault, if you had ju- Tanith launches again and I manage to jump to the side without a scratch. Not needing this right now.
I ran at Tanith and grappled for her sword when she brought it down, luckily I dipped and parried hers- I would have lost that hand. Darquesse stirs in my head, begging me to kill Tanith. She is my best friend. She is your mission, think about Skulduggery. I frowned, what had she meant by that? I couldn't end Tanith even if I had wanted to, she was better than me. It hit me then. I'm going to die here. I felt Darquesse nod. Then I take over and kill her, simple. I see you haven't lost the serial killer in you, really it's a people winner. Darquesse smirked at my sarcasm. Tanith came with double the last blow, pushing me back and pushing my limits.
Then Tanith's body lurches with the gunshot.
It has gone through her shoulder, her more powerful arm to disable her. I knew Skulduggery wouldn't have killed her, especially not with Ghastly there. Darquesse writhes and feels gleeful. No more psycho follower. I couldn't help but smile at that one. Skulduggery comes over to me as Tanith sinks to the floor, Ghastly is already at my side checking my wounds and seeing if I'm alive- I just pull him into a tight hug. I turn to Skulduggery, Tanith has risen again and before I can shout...
Tanith switches arms and stabs Skulduggery through his ribcage and drags the sword across and out, slicing through his suit as he screams. I see Tanith go for the kill but I blast Skulduggery back and out of her way, she turns to Ghastly and I. She smiles sweetly, too sickly to be kind- too much sugar and not enough of anything else. The black lines retract from her face and when the smile tones down she almost looks like the real Tanith again. I know Ghastly feels this too because he stiffens beside me, but I know better. Tanith comes to us and I raise my sword. "Val, it's me... I took my body back! I'm so happy to see you..." Tanith trails off and frowns "Val?" I hold the sword steady. Ghastly shifts every so slightly towards her; I know how he feels because I also want this to be true and to just run to her- but that shift is all she needs. She is already too close. She slashes Ghastly's chest just as I pull him back and push him away. His blood is on Tanith's shirt.
Skulduggery moans from the wall and I know Ghastly isn't moving. I'm so sick of people dying, I think as I watch out the corner of my eye- Ghastly's blood mixes with that already on the floor. Fresh red over darker and only slightly older red. I can do it. I can get the remnant out of her. Are you sure? How do I know I can trust you? Darquesse squirms as Tanith readies herself for another fight.
Look Valkyrie, we are the same person. As much as we used to hate to admit it, we are inhabiting the same body. I don't want the hate associated with me anymore. I've been followed by a remnant that stole your bestfriend. I want to call her my bestfriend now, I miss her and want the remnant gone. I don't want to exist by waiting on you to die. You're right, I've had enough death. You should have seen inside Daughter's head. I don't care anymore. I want a body, even if it means sharing.
Tanith starts her run and I set my stance. So what now? We just shake hands and it's done? I know what you want. But... You will kill everyone. You will kill OUR own flesh and blood... You'll take over and get us both killed. Darquesse didn't reply as she waited for Valkyrie. Valkyrie sighed, too much too fast. Tanith closed in and suddenly everythi-
Dun Dun Duuun...
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Em