One minute Patty is standing before them and the next she's across the room, holding out the knife. She's fast. Much faster than she should be. Kid is able to side step her, Maka moving at the same time. Patty doesn't stop and crashes herself into the wall. She didn't try to cushion it. The demon doesn't care for her. Patty laughs, turning her head so one eye is peaking at them. Her nose is broken, blood dripping down from her nostrils.
"Damn it! Demon release her!" Kid is having a hard time seeing his friend like this. "Maka ask my mother how to get rid of the demon!"
"She isn't responding to me. Mai restrained her!"
"Y-Yes!" Mai's blue tentacles come out. They shoot out and wrap around Patty, trapping her arms between them. Patty keeps laughing.
"Do you really think you can keep me like this?" Patty licks her lips. "I'll humor you. Just for a bit. I like seeing you struggle."
"My Lady…Soul hasn't come out of the infirmary." Mai's voice can't hide her concern.
"Oh? Probably because he's bleeding out as we speak." Patty smacks her lips. "Still have his blood in my teeth. He doesn't taste very good-"
"Soul!-" Kid starts to rush off. Maka grabs his hand, stopping him.
"Crona go with Kid to check on Soul and Liz." Maka locks eyes with Kid. "It's good to take someone else just in case it's a trap. The demon is too relaxed."
"..Okay." Kid rushes off, Crona following after him.
"There's healing potions in the cabinet!" Mai calls after them. She doesn't take her eyes off of Patty but she's sweating.
"Mai, is there anything we can do to get this demon out of Patty?"
"There are spells but it would have to be advanced to get rid of a demon this strong. Patty…isn't looking good, my lady. There is exorcisms but witches can not do them."
"There's no potion that can help?"
"There is one but we don't have all the ingredients. We need to find Master Damein. He may have holy water or maybe he could do an exorcism-"
"He'll be dead soon too." Patty snickers. "He can't get rid of me. I'll stay in this body. I'll drain her of everything she is. She'll be nothing but a corpse when I leave her body."
"Why go for her? I'm right here you fucker!" Maka grips her fists.
"If you want to save this girl you could offer your soul to me. It would save me all this trouble of breaking you."
"You really think that would work? I'm not giving you shit." Maka frowns. She hasn't heard anything since Crona and Kid left to check on Soul. They aren't back yet either.
Just when she's thinking that the front door swings open. She was expecting Damien-
"Excuse me." A priest walks into the house. He's holding a Bible, his hands stained red with blood. Blue soulless eyes look around before locking onto her.
"Who the hell are you?" She's got goosebumps. Is it the Bible? Is it his face? She doesn't know but she's uneasy. "Who's blood is that?" Maybe it's the fact she still doesn't know where Damien is.
"Miss Cassidy!" Mai cries out. Where she's standing she's able to see past the priest, She's able to see the corpse laid behind him.
"What?!"
That distraction was all the demon needed. Patty breaks out of Mai's hold and rushes Maka. She can't act fast enough. She holds out her hand to try to block the knife-
"Arghhh!" It goes through her palm. She's knocked back by the force of the demon, Patty now on top of her. She pulls out the knife and stabs it into Maka's shoulder. It feels like Patty weighs a ton now. Maka can't get her off.
"My lady-" Mai screams and jumps back when she feels heat on her arm. Like hot oil just splashed on her. She locks eyes with the priest. He's holding a vial of water.
"It's time for your death witch. Sinners won't be permitted to live. That is my repentance." He speaks like he's not talking to anyone but himself. Mai doesn't have to look at her arm to know her flesh is burnt. Mai doesn't want to touch him. She's reluctant to do anything. She wants to run but she keeps her feet planted.
"Damn it! I'll kill you!" Maka is losing her patience. She can't accept that the fucker just killed Cassidy. The pain in her hand and shoulder is making matters worse. When Maka grabs the knife to stop Patty from stabbing her again, Patty leans down and sinks her teeth into her chest. "Shock-"
"My lady, no!" Mai cuts her off.
The words get caught in her mouth, her eyes widening in surprise.
"Yes! Kill me! Kill me Maka!" Patty laughs. "Come on! You can do it!"
…This is Patty's body. Maka almost killed her.
Tentacles wrap around Patty and pull her off. Mai throws her, Patty landing next to the priest. "My lady we should run-"
"Run where?" Patty rushes Mai next. Mai pulls out a potion from her bag and throws it. It explodes and releases a fog. Maka is grabbed by the arm and pulled. Mai is leading them towards the back door.
"We can't leave Kid-"
"I have to get you away from them! The longer we're around them the more I fear. I've never felt like this before-" Mai touches the back door. She screams, retracting her arm like she touched fire…
The flesh of her hand is melting off.
"Mai!" Maka grabs her hand, using her magic to heal her. "What-"
"I've blessed all your entrances Such a nice home…shouldn't be tainted by the likes of you." The priest comes out of the fog, those strange eyes locked onto them. "There is no escape. It's time for you to burn."
"Why the hell are you worried about us when there's literal demon possession right behind you! Deal with that first priest."
The man's face twitches.
"Justin could never." Patty comes out of the fog next. The demon looks too pleased.
"Now I've seen everything. A fucking priest and demon working together." Maka snarls. She's trying to think of what to do. She has magic of course but she doesn't want to hurt Patty. She could kill the priest. Even if she kills him that doesn't stop them being trapped in here with the demon. "You're a hypocrite-"
"Shut up shut up shut up!" Those eyes are starting to change. "Your very existence is sin! I'll be forgiven if I kill you. I can repent through blood!-"
"You're insane." Maka eyes widen when the priest named Justin starts to mumble something in Latin. Patty's bones begin to crack, her body getting taller, her arms longer. Her screech is inhuman before she laughs at them. "Gust!" Maka uses magic to push Patty and the priest back.
Mai takes this chance to run past them.
"Damn it Melody, where are you?! Mayor!" Maka calls for help but no one answers. Worry is eating at her. "Kid!-"
"It's no use." Patty's voice is garbled now. "You are on your own. Give up. Give up or kill this girl. Those are your options." Patty rushes her again.
"Barrier!" She protects herself from those unnatural arms. She knows a hit from the demon now will break some bones. Her magic shakes from the force of Patty's attacks.
"Go ahead! Go ahead and kill me Maka! What kind of witch are you?! You're weak!" The demon taunts her. "This girl is as good as dead anyway! Why don't you kill me? Maka!"
She can't think. She doesn't know what to do. Justin is walking towards her.
Stronger magic is on the tip of her tongue. She needs to suppress that urge. She doesn't want to kill Patty but if this keeps up-
Justin throws some water at her barrier. It weakens her barrier that it can't hold against Patty's attack. The demon gets through and pronounces on her, pinning her body to the floor once again.
"Everyone is struggling around you. Everyone that's given you support is fighting for their lives and you can do nothing for them." Patty's breath is hot on her face. "Everything that happens. All the lives lost today are your fault. You got them involved in this battle between me and you. You should have just laid down and died. Your mother's death was in vain-"
"Shut the fuck up! Don't speak about my mother-"
"Your mother was a whore! A dumb bitch that didn't know her place!" The demon covers Maka's mouth, cutting her off. "She was tasty! Oh so tasty! Her screams of agony were the best!"
She knows it's a trap. She knows and yet she can't help it. She wants to kill him. She wants to kill him. Let her kill him.
"That's it! That's it Maka I love it! That hate! Feed me more!" Patty crackles. She lets go of her mouth. "Give in to it!"
"My Lady!" Tentacles shoot out again. Patty is lifted off of her and Justin grunts in pain. He was thrown back by her tentacles. She holds out her hand. "I'm here!"
Maka grabs her hand, Maka's blood wetting Mai's hand. It's hard to breathe. Patty must have broken some of her ribs when she tackled her. Mai pulls her again. They're running towards the infirmary. Maka's mind is hazy. She wants to run back there. She wants to kill them both. She's being blinded by her rage. She knows and yet she can't control it.
"My Lady! Don't give in!" Mai yells at her. "You can't let the demon win! If you do everything is for nothing!"
"...Mai…" Maka isn't completely calm but her words have brought her back.
Madness is starting to take hold. She wonders if she should just kill Patty. She's Kid's friend. She knows she shouldn't and yet she doesn't see another way right now.
Mai pulls her into the infirmary before closing and locking the door.
As Maka takes in what's going on around her…She can't help to think they've jumped out of the frying pan just to land in the flames.
Crona tries to keep up with Kid but he's too fast. He tried to tell him to wait but he ignored him. If possible he wanted to be through the door first just in case.
"Why do we have to go with prissy boy?" Ragnarok growls. He's floating next to Crona.
"Maka wants me to protect h-him." Crona mumbles. She didn't have to say it. That's why she sent him with Kid.
"Fuck that. I say we let the demon have him."
"I c-can't. Make is counting o-on me. Ragnarok you have to h-help him too."
"Huh?! I'm not helping shit-"
"K-Kid!" Crona speeds up when Kid rushes into the infirmary. He runs in after him, gagging immediately. The smell of blood hits his nose. It's everywhere. Soul is lying against the wall. His complexion is paler than normal.
"Soul!" Kid kneels next to him. He puts pressure on Soul's stomach. There's blood pouring out of him. He must have been cut there but Crona isn't able to see the wound. Kid doesn't seem to mind blood.
"The demon got…the jump on me…" Soul grunts. He winces from the pain.
"Crona gets the healing potions!"
"Yes!" Crona rushes over towards the cabinets. He's glad that he remembered where Mai kept them. She always keeps a stock just in case. He grabs a couple before running back to them. "S-Soul drink this." He holds up one of the bottles to his mouth. Soul drinks it down. Kid grabs the other potion to pour it on his stomach. Now that Crona has gotten closer he can see the wound is worse than he thought.
Soul's intestine is spilling out through the gap. Kid pushes it back in while pouring the potion. It looks like someone stuck their hands inside of him and spread the flesh to make it this gaping hole. The fact Soul isn't in shock or already dead is amazing to Crona.
"Get more Crona." Kid nudges him.
Crona obeys, running to get more. He grabs as many as he can carry, which is about four, before running back. Kid takes them all and keeps pouring them on the wound.
"This would be better if I had my sewing kit." Kid looks at Crona. "Stay here with Soul and keep pressure. I'll be back-"
"You sh-shouldn't!" Crona grabs his arm. "We should stay together-"
"Soul needs someone with him! He needs stitches, the potions are taking too long in closing the wound- '' Kid is glaring at him. He's about to shove him off.
"Crona, that other bitch is getting up!"
"What?" Crona looks behind him. It's Liz. She's sitting up, those blue eyes unfocused.
"Liz!" Kid calls for her.
"Kid…" She blinks before she looks around. "Where's Patty?"
Kid makes a face like he's in pain. "She's…been possessed by the demon. Maka and Mai have her tied up at the moment. Soul has been badly hurt by Patty."
"The potions…are helping…" Soul gives a thumbs up. He's still pouring some into his own wound.
"This can't be happening…" Liz stands up, her body stumbles.
"Careful! You've been out for a couple of days Liz." Kid walks up to her. Crona bites his lip. He's nervous. He walks with him feeling like he shouldn't let Kid get far from him.
At that moment they hear a scream. That was Maka.
Kid turns his back to Liz. He's about to run to Maka. At that moment Crona sees it. The blade in Liz's hand.
"Kid!" Crona shoves Kid, pushing him away from Liz's knife. Ragnarok goes through her at the same time, knocking her back.
"Crona what are you-"
"Liz tried t-to stab you!" Crona cries.
"What are you talking about?" Liz has hidden the blade. She's giving him a strange look.
"You h-have to believe me! Soul didn't y-you see that-'' Crona turns to Soul but he's passed finally succumbed to the pain.
"Maka needs me and all you've been doing is slowing me down." Those golden orbs are changing.
"What if the demon can possess two people at the same time?" Liz suddenly tackles Crona, he wasn't expecting her to ambush him like that. "Kid he's possessed!" Liz pulls out the blade again.
"I-I'm not! She is!" Crona grabs her wrist but she's stronger than she should be.
"Liz stop!" To his relief, Kid grabs Liz and tries to pull her off. She turns on him, shoving the blade into his arm. Kid grabs her wrist, pulling out the knife and shoving her away from him at the same time. "Liz!" Kid watches as her face starts to warp into an unnatural smile.
"K-Kid what do we do?" Crona gets up quickly. He stands between Kid and Liz. He failed in protecting him. He can't let him get more hurt.
"I don't know." It's the first time that Crona has seen Kid look unsure. "How can the demon possess them both at the same time?"
"Ragnorak can you push the demon out?" Crona locks eyes with those sharp blue.
"...I don't know. If I try to push him out and fail I won't be able to help you. I'm not risking it."
"But if we d-don't do anything we'll e-end up hurting her!"
"I don't give a fuck about her." He grunts. "My priority is you."
"What is he saying Crona? Can he do something about this?"
"I d-don't think so." Crona's eyes darted around. He's never been one to think for himself. He's always following someone else. He's not used to having someone look at him like that. Kid is asking him for help. He doesn't want to fail him. This is his chance. "Um…If we g-get something holy it will hurt him. Y-You have a cross necklace right?" Crona hasn't been given his necklace yet. Of course he will have to wear the necklace the witches wear. The cross necklace would hurt Ragnarok.
"I do." Kid pulls out his chain. Liz sees the cross and hisses. "Will this be enough?" Kid seems to think. He has use holy items before on witches. If it's the same then… "Father has holy water in his room. I doubt this cross will be enough. In that case we have to make it to father's room."
"You'll never make it." Liz taunts.
"Demon I command you! Release Liz!" Kid gets closer to her, holding out his cross necklace. Liz hisses but it doesn't stop her from coming at Kid again with the knife. This time Kid dodges it. He keeps trying to use the cross to exorcize the demon but he's not strong enough. The cross isn't enough. He keeps dodging attacks. Crona can only watch with wide eyes, his mind on overdrive of what he should do. If this keeps up Liz might hurt or even kill Kid. Should he…kill Liz? If they can't get the demon out then he might have to take her out to save Kid-
"Crona! Go to father's room and get the holy water-" Kid grunts in pain when Liz is able to cut him with the knife.
"I w-won't leave you!" Crona makes up his mind. He rushes Liz and grabs her arm. He tries to wrestle the knife from her but she's stronger than him. If only he had his sword. If only he was stronger.
"How dare you pathetic witch spawn?!" Liz growls. She grabs him by the neck and slams him down. It knocks the air right out of him. Crona grabs her hand that's pushing the knife towards his face. She slowly pushes the blade towards his eye, he can see the point coming closer and closer. She's laughing at him. "Weak! So weak! You've always been weak and you always will be. You were better when your blood was black. You used my madness and became strong. You are a man of insanity pretending you're not. A tool who thinks he's more than a tool. You feel it taking hold of you don't you? Why not give it to me? Like you always have. I'll make the pain go away. I'll make you strong." Liz's voice is sweet. She stopped pushing on the knife.
Crona has been feeling it creeping up on him the whole time. Madness. It whispers to him. Caresses his mind. He's been in the darkness of insanity for so long…It calls for him. Everything is easier to deal with when he's crazy. He doesn't have to think about anything. If something is right or wrong, it no longer matters. He can do whatever he desires and not hold back.
Maka's smile flashes in his mind. She's a light that gets rids of the darkness.
"I'm better now." Crona locks eyes with Liz, that smile turning into a snarl. "I don't need you anymore. I'm h-happy…for the first time in my life I am!"
"Then I'm going to kill you. I have no use for a broken toy. Hey Kid…I have a deal for you. If you let me kill Crona without interfering…I'll release Liz. I'll even release Patty. You hate him don't you? Let me get rid of him…He'll never have Maka's attention again."
Liz is starting to push the knife towards him again. Crona is using his full strength to keep it from piercing him. He's getting tired. Kid hasn't said anything. He hasn't made a move to help him.
"Kid!" Crona calls for him. "Don't listen to him!" Crona screams in pain when Liz shoves the blade down. It's starting to cut into his cheek. "He won't release Liz and y-you'll lose your ability to fight the madness if you g-give in to him."
Crona is too busy fighting Liz off. Still. He tilts his head back so he can see what Kid is doing. Kid is holding his head in his hands. His face scrunched up in pain. Those golden eyes…are just watching him.
"..."
"Oh?" Liz tilts her head. She seems interested in Kid again. "...My…Being attacked on all sides aren't you? Works for me."
"Aghhh!" The knife goes through Crona's cheek. Crona bites down on the blade to try to stop it from advancing. Blood is dripping down his throat. The tip of the knife is cutting into his tongue.
"Shut up would you?" Kid's voice is motortoned, and those eyes look strange. He's getting mad at Crona for screaming in pain. He won't help him. Is this madness? Or is it something different?
Crona is losing his strength. The knife is pushed further into his tongue, She's going to cut his tongue in half. He's starting to choke on his own blood. He's scared. He can't speak. No one is going to help him. He's going to die here while Kid just stares at him with those strange eyes-
"Shit! Shit! Fuck!" Suddenly he hears Ragnarok. In the next moment a glass bottle is thrown at Liz. It shatters, soaking her.
She roars, her body steaming as if acid was thrown on her. She jumps off of Crona, covering her face as she screams.
Crona has reached his limit. His vision starts to darken. The last thing he sees is Ragnarok looking him over with an expression of worry…His hands look faded. It must have hurt but Ragnarok got the holy water for him…He wants to say something to him but his tongue is hanging on by a thread.
He's still weak.
"Damn it! Crona!" Ragnarok calls for him. Those black eyes glaze over, blood dripping out of the corner of his mouth. He took too long. He should have stayed with Crona. He thought he could force himself to carry the holy water and be right back but it was more painful than expected. He knows Crona's body. Crona passed out from shock.
Liz is spazzing out on the floor. She goes limp, her face regaining color. Ragnarok sees the darkness leave her body and run from the room. At least he got rid of the demon. That should have been the end of the danger but one look at Kid, makes him tense.
Kid walks over to Crona slowly. He looks down at him with a flat expression. "...So close but not close enough." He crouches down, putting his fingers against Crona's neck, checking his pulse. "I don't think you'll die from this." He glances around. Soul and Liz are out. Kid wanders over to Liz and takes the knife from her limp hand. "..." He walks back to Crona. Ragnarok moves closer to Crona as if he could shield him with his body. Kid walks right through him. That look in his eye…he's really going to fucking do it.
"I really tried to help you but the demon got the upper hand." Kid mumbles as he lifts up the knife.
"I won't fucking let you!" In that moment he takes control of Crona's body. Maybe it was desperation that gave him the push he needed to possess Crona. He makes Crona's body roll out of the way. A second later and that knife would have been through Crona's neck. "You crazy bastard!" Blood is spilling out of his mouth. Crona's feelings are muted but the tongue flopping around in his mouth is disgusting. Ragnarok runs over to the healing potions. He downs one, keeping his eyes on Kid. He stares back, knife still in hand.
"...Ragnarok?" Kid questions, gripping the blade.
"Yeah it's me." Crona's tongue is back together. He can speak properly now. "I saw what you tried to do. I'm going to let Maka know you're fucking crazy. You've tried to kill Crona not just today but back when you two were hunting that witch."
"You won't be able to tell her anything If I kill Crona here." Kid doesn't back down. Those golden orbs have a red ring to them.
"Try me bitch!" Ragnarok snarls, hitting his chest. "I'm going to beat the shit out of you and after that i'm going to fuck Maka." When Kid's eyes flash, Ragnarok grins. "Oh yeah. That's what this is all about right? You're so fucking scared that Maka is going to want to fuck Crona. You got your old man and Shark tooth watching his every move. I get it. Maka was all over Crona back then. She wanted to fuck him so bad. She was shoving her tongue down his throat. Rabid for his dick!"
"Shut up!" Kid comes at him. Ragnarok grabs Kid's arm that has the knife but can't stop Kid's left hook from landing. Ragnarok eats it. He throws his head back before head butting Kid with all he has.
"You need a knife to fight me? Pussy!" Ragnarok stumbles back when Kid kicks him in the chest.
"I don't need it." Kid slowly puts the knife in his pocket.
"Heh." Ragnarok licks his lips. "This is much better. Not all that fake shit. You're a real piece of shit you know that? If Maka didn't find out about Crona's hand in her mother's death…She'd still be obsessing over him. I bet she only started fucking around with you after she stopped coming to the asylum. You were nothing but a replacement!"
"I said SHUT UP!" Kid shouts at him, his composure breaking down. Kid comes at him again. Ragnarok dodges a punch, getting a hit against Kid's chin. Ragnarok gets hit with a nasty uppercut and has to take a step back. He feels stuff rattling in his mouth. Crona just lost some teeth from that hit.
Ragnarok feels like he's rusty. Kid has a broken nose and he's bleeding from his busted lip but his hits are causing a lot more damage to Crona's body.
"What the hell is Maka going to think when she sees you going all nuts? She's dealing with the demon right now and all you can worry about is killing Crona for no reason!" Ragnarok snarls.
"No reason?" Kid expression sharpens. "He is a threat to everything that I have." That red ring around his eyes is getting bigger. It's not madness. He looks sane yet his actions are incomprehensible in this situation.
"Why did you even agree to having Crona here if you can't handle it? Too much of a pussy to tell her no? You made your grave so lie in it! Crona…He's been doing all this dumb shit too. Cleaning your house. Making your food. Training his ass off. Even trying to make stupid cookies. You just shit on everything he does because you're insecure. You're just a petty rich bitch!"
"I didn't ask him to try to act fake with me. He's doing his duty to Maka for all he's done to her. It's more than he deserves. She gives him too much. She should be crueler to him. She shouldn't look at him. She shouldn't…" Kid's face scrunches up. "...I should have told her no. I shouldn't have read her journal back then. I didn't think it mattered. Maka said she was done with Crona. She said she hated him. She said…" Kid bites his lip. "She doesn't hate Crona. She's too kind. At this rate…she could want him again. He acts so helpless all the time. Maka can't help to fawn over him. He's so pathetic. What does she see in him? Is it motherly instincts? Is it because he's submissive? I can't change who I am…Even though I've been with her for so long she chose Crona. If she finds me lacking again…then will she want to run off with Crona? I can't let it happen. I won't let it happen." Kid has been mumbling to himself. Ragnarok heard it all but it's like he's not asking him the questions. He's leaving it up in the air, his face pale.
"You're the pathetic one-" Ragnarok snarls. In that moment Kid is on him again. He's stumbling though like he's not really in it. Ragnarok takes his chance to kick him down. He gets on top of Kid, wrapping his hands around his neck. "Oh yeah! Doesn't feel so good huh?" He tightens his grip. Kid grabs his arms trying to pull them off. "Die. Don't worry. Maka will be fine with Crona around. She'll move on right away-" Kid's face is red, those golden orbs shaking in his hate.
At that moment he feels it too late. Ragnarok is pushed out of Crona's body.
"R-Ragnarok what have you done?!" Crona lets go of Kid. He had regained consciousness. Kid doesn't waste time. He tackles Crona, rolling them around so he's on top. Crona's eyes shake, he holds up his arms. "K-Kid I'm sorry! I don't know what R-Ragnarok did but I'm s-sorry! Your nose…I failed y-you."
"Crona he's been trying to kill you!" Ragnarok is trying to take over his body again. Crona fights back. "Crona! Don't be stupid!" Ragnarok goes through Kid to knock him off of Crona. The pink haired man backs up quickly, keeping his hands up.
"I-I made you mad again but you're h-hurt! You should use a potion…" Crona keeps his hands up. "I d-don't know what Ragnarok did or said but i'm s-sorry." He keeps apologizing. Kid looks pale, those golden orbs have that strange tint to them.
"If you're sorry then just die." Kid pulls out the blade again. He runs towards Crona. He's still disoriented from everything. He knew Kid hated him but he didn't think he would try to kill him like this. Is it the demon?
Crona tries to move but he trips. Kid lifts up the knife. It's aimed for his skull.
At that moment the door to the infirmary is busted open. Crona doesn't have time to look. Kid is still on him. Crona closes his eyes, he doesn't want to see the moment of his death.
Pain never comes.
"Why?" Kid breathes out.
There's a barrier around Crona. It stopped Kid's knife. He looks over at Maka.
"What are you doing Kid?" Maka huffs, her eyes wide. Mai has already locked the infirmary door and is moving more things to block the door.
"M-Maka…" Crona can't hide how happy he is to see her.
"Why are you protecting him?" Kid pulls out the knife from the barrier. Maka hasn't put down the barrier yet. She's got a bad feeling.
"Why are you trying to kill him? Did he do something?" Maka glances over at Mai who has rushed by Soul's side. She's starting to tend to him, whispering his name.
"Kid tried to kill Crona for no reason!" Ragnarok is the one who speaks to her. "He's nuts! If I didn't possess Crona he would have already killed him."
"Is it the demon's madness?" Maka asks. Both to Kid and to Ragnarok.
"I'm sane." Kid locks eyes with her. His hair is disheveled, the grip on his knife is tightening.
"Demon is s-strong Maka It took o-over Liz too." Crona cuts in. Kid is looking at him again. He swallows. "We were a-able to get rid of it with holy water b-but…I think s-something is wrong with Kid."
"No shit!" Ragnarok snaps.
"Kid you have to fight it! Patty is still possessed and there's this crazy priest coming after us too. They'll be here any minute! Where did you get the holy water Crona?"
"I got it from the mayor's room." Ragnarok sounds like he's frowning. "There was only one container of water. It seems special so I grabbed it but that's all there was."
"Damn it where the hell is the mayor?" Maka doesn't want to think. She hopes he's far from here. She hopes he's safe. All of this…This demon…everything…it's because she's here. It's because she's a parasite that attached herself to Kid and his family. Cassidy is dead. She was there for Kid's whole life and now she's gone. Because of her curse. Because of who she is.
Now Kid is losing it in front of her.
"Maka put down the barrier."
"...Put down the knife first Kid."
Kid slowly places down the knife, putting his hands up. Maka still feels reluctant. His eyes are strange. "You must care so much for him…To protect him from me."
"Kid stop it. The demon is feeding into your emotions. This isn't the time for this. The demon-"
Kid holds his head in his hands, throwing his head back. His expression shows his agony.
"Kid!" Maka rushes towards him.
The door to the infirmary busts down. Patty stands there, looking more like a skinwalker than a human. The demon has warped her body so much. The priest stands behind her, mumbling something.
"Damn it!" Maka takes off the barrier from Crona so she can place it against the entrance, keeping those two out.
"D-Do something Ragnarok!" Crona pleads.
"The fuck you want me to do about that? That shit is fucked." Ragnarok snaps but he disappears.
During all this commotion, Maka feels Kid place his hand on her shoulder. "Maka."
"Uh Kid, I'm kinda busy right now." Maka grinds her teeth. Patty is pounding on her barrier. She won't be able to hold it at this rate. Her eyes widen when he tightens his grip on her to the point it becomes painful. "Kid-"
"Choose. Me or Crona."
"Of course I choose you-"
"Then let me kill him."
"Kid you aren't yourself right now. If you were, you wouldn't even be worrying about this! There is a literal demon about to break into here! If this keeps up it's our lives against Patty's! Snap out of it!"
"Then you choose him?"
"We'll talk about this later!-"
"No we'll talk about this now!" He is gripping down on her with all his strength.
"Ow! Fuck Kid that hurts-" Her barrier cracks.
"Stop it!" Crona pulls Kid off of her. He trembles when Kid slowly turns to look at him. "W-Why are you doing this? Kid…K-Kid you can fight it. M-Maka is trying to s-save us!"
"Say I can kill him. Say that you choose me."
"You aren't in your right mind!"
"I am sane!" He raises his voice. It hurts her. It hurts her seeing him like this. She knows it's her fault. Patty is laughing her ass off.
"Is it me or him?!"
The barrier breaks. They're all thrown back from the force of it.
"It's over for you." Justin comes forward. He's opening up his bible. The demon is rushing towards her. Patty's jaw is dislocated. She's going right for Kid. He's not moving. He's still looking at her. Like her answer is all he cares about. Above even his life.
Maka has made up her mind.
"...I'm sorry." She mutters under her breath before she summons her magic. "Air spike!" Her magic shoots like an arrow. It tears through Patty's flesh and bone like it's nothing. Going through her stomach and out the other side. Blood splatters on Maka and Kid. Patty is grinning at her.
"Oh?" Is all she says. Patty flops on the ground, her blood pooling around her. Her limbs start to shorten, her bones going back to the way they were. The demon left her dying body.
"It's been fun, Maka but I'm at my limit. I've done what I've come to do." The demon speaks through Justin. He gives her a wicked smile and then they're gone.
"Patty!" Maka chose this and yet she falls to her knees, trying to put pressure on the wound. Her magic won't work on her. She can't heal her. "Mai help!"
"Yes my lady!" Mai grabs more potions. They're running out. She gets to work on Patty. Maka knows the chances are slim but she has to try. She didn't want to kill Patty. She didn't want-
She's pulled away from Patty from Kid. When she sees those eyes she freezes. There's no anger. There's no shock.
"Answer me."
"Why are you still acting like this, the demon is gone-'' It's not the demon. She thought he was acting strange. He hasn't been taken over by madness. This is something else entirely. "Patty is-"
"You always try to change the subject. Nothing else matters. Answer me-"
"I won't! There's-"
"Then you choose him. You want him. Even after everything I'm still…last. I was just a replacement and now you'll cast me aside for Crona-"
"None of that is true! Where are you getting this from?"
"Without you there's no point." With that Kid's eyes get dull. Like a robot shutting down. Without warning Kid runs out of the room. He keeps running full speed out of the house. Maka doesn't' hesitate. She runs after him.
"Kid, wait!" Dread is weighing on her heart. She feels like if she loses sight of him now she'll lose him forever.
"Crona! Take my bag that's in that drawer. It has healing potions and potions that will recharge Lady Maka's energy!" Mai calls out to Crona when it looked like he was going to just run after Maka.
"O-Okay!" He grabs the bag before rushing after Maka. Mai stays behind to care for the fallen. She thinks Liz and Soul will be fine. The real struggle will be Patty. Mai will give it her all. She knows if she fails Lady Maka will be sad.
She prays that this nightmare will end soon.
"Wonder what's taking them so long?" Free smirks as he dodges a swing of the ax.
Damien holds in his pain when the werewolf's claws dig into his shoulder. He tries not to let his worry show. Something is wrong. No one has come out. Something must be happening at the house. He wants to run to help his son but Free is keeping him busy. He's fast. Too fast. He parries his ax and dodges before slicing at him. Damien has been able to avoid fatal injuries but he's getting tired.
"What's wrong old man? Losing steam?" Free taunts.
"No. Are you?" Damien parries his claws, dodging another swipe from his other hand before he counters. He's able to slice into his arm with the silver.
"Damn it!" Free growls. Damien jumps back when he attempted to bite into his neck. The wound doesn't heal. It will continue to bleed. He's gotten a couple of hits like this but it's not enough. "That's it. I'm done playing." Free gets on all fours. His body contorting to show the beast he truly is. The lunges towards him. Damien barely dodges, earning him another cut to his side. He swings his ax, getting Free in the back. Still not fatal. Damien gets kicked in the chest by a hind leg. He should have been able to dodge that. He's getting distracted with what's going on in his home. He's heard screams. None of them belonging to Kid but he knows they need help. The damn dog won't go down.
"Now that's more I like it." The wolf tongue darts out. Damien is breathing heavily. The kick knocked the wind out of him.``Where should I start? At your intestines and work my way up? I feel like you're going to be pretty tough, not tender at all."
"Already planning your meal when i'm not done yet?" Damien hums. He tries to hide what that kick did to him but it's no use. He can't stop his heavy breathing. The wolf is about to jump at him again. He's been fighting for a long time. Damien knows his body. Damien knows at this moment he's not fast enough to dodge this attack. He lifts up his ax to defend, gritting his teeth. His one arm won't be enough to protect him-
A cold force passes him and goes through the wolf. "Ew!" Free stops his attack, rubbing at his chest. "I fucking hate that! Ragnoark you ass hole you know I hate that." Free blinks, looking around at thin air. " Whoa…seriously? I thought you were gone for good. You're not seriously defending this guy right? You know Medusa is going to make you wish that you were…not dead?" He sounds confused. He's pushed back again. Free shivers. "Fucking quit it!"
Damien grips his ax. The ghost that's always with Crona. It seems he is the only one who's able to come to his aid.
"Enough of the games! I'm going to kill him! If I kill him Medusa said she'd let us go. Out of my way!" Free charges Damien. He's caught his breath but it seems like Free is getting faster and stronger as time goes on.
Before the werewolf can reach him, a magic circle appears below him. It freezes the monster mid air. "Wha-"
Damien wastes no time. He swings his ax, cutting off the wolf's head. Free's head rolls to the side, his face frozen in confusion before his body along with his head melts like it was made of ice. The magic circle is gone. That magic…Damien doesn't want to think about it. It's not possible. Why would she…help him now?
He feels that cold pressure. Ragnarok is trying to push him towards the house. That's right. Kid. Damien rushes towards the entrance. His eyes widen when he sees Kid run out of the house with Maka right on his tail. She's yelling at him to stop but he keeps running. "Kid!" Damien calls for him, running quicker-
Then he sees her corpse. It gets him to pause. "C-Cassidy." Damien swallows down his emotions. The poor woman never even made it in the house. Someone cut her down.
"Master D-Damien!" Crona comes out of the mansion, with Mai's bag around his shoulder. He's panicked and injured. "Something is wrong with Kid! Ragnarok stay on Maka and K-Kid." Crona calls to the ghost. Damien feels the coldness leave.
Damien snaps himself out of his grief. "Crona gets your weapon along with Maka's and Kid's. We can't be defenseless." Crona runs off. He comes back shortly with his sword on his hip. The scythe and ax in each hand. Damien takes a potion out of Crona's bag and drinks it. "Now tell me what's going on as we run." He takes off in the direction he saw the two run in. Crona is slower than him but he keeps pace well enough.
As Crona tells him what happened…Dread starts to keep up on him. The back of his neck is sweating as they keep running. A witch. A powerful witch at that. He can sense the magic in the air. He has to get to his son. He has to protect him.
It doesn't matter if all the others are bleeding out. He has to leave that to Mai. He needs to save his son. That's all that matters to him. He can't lose him. In his heart he once again can't help to blame Maka. The werewolf distracted him and now his son is in danger.
Whatever is happening, he'll save Kid. No matter what.
"Kid stop!" As she chases Kid into a field, she senses the witch's magic. She's strong. Really strong. She remembers what Melody warned her about….Her family. It has to be. She's doing this to Kid. Suddenly Kid stops running. He keeps his back to her, his posture so straight. "Kid-"
"Well look at this! I got two for the price of one!" A voice giggles. There's a swoosh. A woman on a broom floats by, grinning from ear to ear. Her dark hair and her expressions remind Maka of Kid's mom.
"Let him go." Maka glares, gripping her fists. She doesn't have her weapon. She'll have to rely on her magic. She's already used a lot and she can feel she's almost at her limit. She didn't think. She just ran after Kid. She couldn't lose sight of him. If she had tried to heal herself this witch could have snatched him up and flew off.
"Oh I can't do that. I've finally gotten to meet him! He's my little nephew! I couldn't believe it but thanks to my friend I was able to clarify it! He's strong though. I've been calling to him for the past couple of days but he's been fighting so hard. He finally gave in. Thanks to you." She smirks. "I thought it was funny. His emotions…all he thought about was you. Worrying about you sleeping with another man…I thought he was insane. A witch spawn has no right to tell a witch who she will and won't sleep with. Yet when I pushed his emotions to the limit…You didn't punish him. You reassured him. It made my job a lot harder."
"You're the reason why he's been so jealous-"
"That's all in his heart. I just pushed him is all." She shrugs her shoulders. "When he thought that you chose the other boy…He shut down. Poor thing." She sneers.
"You made him go to those extremes. Kid gets jealous but he's not the type to try to kill someone over it."
"There you go. Defending him. You make me sick." She gags. "In your heart…I can see it plain as day. You actually care for this witch spawn! It's disgusting-"
"Don't talk about him like that! He's your family! Why are you doing this to him?-"
"Witch spawn is witch spawn. Melody was a disappointment. She didn't have to hide that she had a boy though. There's uses for them. Their parts. Their minds. Their service…Our power specializes in using witch spawn. They can't fight against us. I'm just here to collect what is rightfully ours."
"Rightfully yours?" Maka trembles, she's so mad. "Kid belongs to no one. I won't ask again. Let him go. Now."
"You sense it don't you? How much stronger I am than you? You act tough but I told you. I can see your emotions. You're scared-"
"Air spike!" The witch dodges it, flying around on her broom. She's laughing. "Come down here and fight me."
"I'm not going to fight you. That's so stupid. You're so…disgusting you know that? I really get sick looking at you. Not only do you care for a witch spawn…but a witch hunter. You've become one of them. I've been watching you through his eyes. A weak witch. A disgraceful witch. Of course you're Kami's daughter-"
"Keep my mother out of your mouth!" Maka attempts to send another blast of air at the witch. She flies out of the way, crackling. Maka can feel her hands starting to tingle.
"How did Kami have a daughter but Melody had a boy? Melody…You're disgusting too. Dragging our name down…" This witch shakes her head. She smirks. "Oh? We have more company."
"M-Maka!" Crona runs towards her with the Mayor. He's holding her weapon. "Here!" he throws the scythe her way. She catches it, grinning up at the witch.
"Kid!" Damien calls for his son. Kid turns around to face them. Those golden orbs are dull. Damien swallows, turning his glare on the witch. "You're going to die witch."
"I'm so scared." She yawns. "That witch spawn…Medusa's child…You're an abomination. With that ghost linked to your soul I can't control you. Seeing you up close…" She gags again. "Seriously? Medusa has a boy but Kami has a daughter…that's hilarious." She beams. "Thanks for bringing that Ax!" She holds out her hand. The ax is ripped from Crona's hand…and given to Kid. He grips it, holding it towards Maka. "You know what's going to be even funnier?" She hums. She snaps her fingers. A barrier is made cutting off Maka from Crona and Damien. A barrier trapping her in with Kid. "Watching you two kill each other!"
"Not fucking happening." Maka snarls. She grips her scythe, looking up at the witch. Of course she's out of the barrier-
"Boy. You don't know this Witch. She is evil. She killed your father. Let out all your hate. Kill the witch! Burn her at the stake!" Melody's sister cheers. Kid's blank expression changes.
"I'm going to kill you witch! You won't survive my judgment." Kid declares but his eyes…are so dull. So dead. It's like he's looking through her. Then he's rushing towards her.
"Kid!" She calls for him, blocking his ax, jumping back. "It's me! You have to fight her!-"
"You killed my father! You've taken everything from me." He swings at her again, she parries his attack, backing up some more. When it comes to witch hunting skills, Kid out ranks her. She's starting to sweat.
"Kid i'm right here!" Damien tries to call for him. "Don't let that witch toy with you son!"
Kid doesn't even flinch. He doesn't respond to his father's voice.
"Ohhh little witch! You're going to have to use some magic if you want to survive~" The black haired witch coos. "If you don't strike him down he'll strike you down first!"
"Fuck off!" Maka has to keep parrying Kid's attacks. He's getting closer to her. If he gets too close… "Kid please! It's me!" This time when she knocks his ax with her scythe, Kid leans in. He punches her in the gut with his other arm. She wheezes. Kid strikes again. The ax hits it's mark. Her left wrist."Ahhh!" Maka screams, the ax taking her hand clean off. She follows her instinct to drop the scythe and grab her severed hand. She jumps back just in time. Kid almost cut her throat.
"Maka!" Crona tries to break the barrier.
"Son!" Damien shouts. She can't look at him now. If she turns her gaze from Kid and she's dead. Maka has broken out in a cold sweat. She puts her hand back on and starts to heal herself. At this rate she won't have enough to completely heal it. All she can manage is reattaching it. The hand isn't usable like this. Without her scythe all she can rely on is her magic. She's running out of that.
"Die witch." Kid is on her. He brings down his ax, attempting to cut her head off. She rolls, dodging the attack. She keeps rolling till she's back where her scythe is. She picks it up, breathing heavily. Her heart won't stop pounding. Magic is on the tip of her tongue. She has enough. She could kill him. She could protect herself-
"Never." Maka grits out. She'll never attack Kid with her magic.
"Why do you care so much? Even now…you're fighting who you are. He's attacking you with everything he has. He is your enemy. It's kill or be killed. Dog eat dog. Are you really going to let a witch spawn kill you? Why is your heart like that? Are you even a witch? Why do you refuse to use your magic?"
"I'd rather die." Maka dodges another swing of the ax. She uses her scythe as a pole, swinging her body up so she can kick Kid in the chest. It's a direct hit. Kid is knocked back but he doesn't wince in pain. She had to kick him or he would have sliced into her other hand. She can't lose another limb.
Kid is relentless. She's never been on this side of his attacks. He's always gone easy on her in sparring. He's always worried he'll hurt her. There is none of that care here.
When she parries his ax, he's so forceful it knocks her scythe out of the way. He kicks her in the chest, giving her a taste of her own medicine.
The force knocks her down to the floor on her back. She has to roll again, the ax barely missing her face. She can barely think. "Kid!" She calls for him. She pleads. She can't harm him. If she dies here what is going to happen to Kid? Will the witch steal him away? Will she tortured him? Will he lose himself?-
Kid swings his ax. It cuts her across the chest. She falls back down in agony. "B-Barrier!" She uses what's left of her magic to protect herself from another swing of the ax.
"Son you're going to kill her!" She's never heard Damien sound like that before. Desperate. Scared. Unsure.
"Stop Kid!" Crona cries.
"This is your last chance! Kill him with a shatter!" The witch crackles. Loving every second of this.
She feels it on the tip of her tongue. Maka just laughs it off. She's bleeding badly but she ignores the pain. "Man i'm no match for you Kid. You really were going easy on me huh?" She mumbles when the barrier breaks. "Gust." She sends wind towards the ax, knocking it out of his hand. She grabs his suit, pulling him down. One more spell and she's out. This is all she has.
Kid wraps his hands around her neck. She gasps, reaching out to touch his face with her only good hand. She strokes his face, calling his name. Death is closing in on her. All she can see is Kid. Not the worse way to go. She wishes she could do something for him. She wishes she was strong enough to stop this witch. Even as she's dying by his hand…all she can think about is him.
Those golden orbs start to change as they stare into each other's eyes. They get watery…Silent tears falling down his cheeks, dripping onto her. "Makaaaaa." He groans out but his hands haven't stopped choking her. He's forcing his vocal cords to work for him again. Those golden orbs are full of sorrow. Full of guilt. She finds herself smiling.
"It's…alright…If it's you…I don't…blame you…i'm sorry…"
"Kill meeee." Kid grits out. He's pleading for death.
"Never." Maka whispers. Then the next words come out. Probably her last words. It fills up her being and it comes out of her lips. Words that she thought she would have never said. Never been able to feel. "I…love you."
Kid gasps. He loosens his grip enough that she can breathe. She takes greedy breaths of air. "Maka…Maka…"He keeps calling her name, those golden orbs filled with too much emotion to process.
"Ewww! What the fuck is going on?" The witch has gotten pale. "How is he going against me? What did she just say? Yuck. I'm going to get sick for real. I don't want to feel those emotions from witch spawn! You should be despairing!" She screams when something explodes by her side, knocking her off of her broom.
The barrier goes down and her hold on Kid is released. His eyes roll back and he falls to his side. It took all he had to fight against her.
"Maka!" Crona runs to her side. He starts pouring a healing potion on her chest and her hand. She drinks a energy potion, sighing in relief. She's able to get her hand moving again.
"Crona takes Kid and runs back to the house. we have to get him away from her. Get Mai. Maybe she can do something."
"W-What about you?" Crona frowns.
"I'm going to stay and fight with Kid's dad." It was Damien who threw that potion. He's already squaring up with the witch. This witch is no joke.
"B-But-"
"Please get him out of here Crona. I'm counting on you." Maka locks eyes with him. Crona swallows. He trembles but his eyes hold resolve.
"O-Okay Maka. Please be careful." Crona puts Kid on his back, giving him a piggyback ride. He starts to run with him.
"Hey!" The witch snarls seeing this. She jumps back when Damien tries to slice her.
"Your fight is with me. Eyes on me witch!"
"Ugh." She wrinkles her nose. "...so you were the guy huh? The guy she was so secretive about…Your emotions…Why are you attacking me when you want Maka dead?" She smirks.
Maka makes a barrier around Damien right when she sends a blast of magic at him. She's fast. That would have ripped through the man.
"She likes to play mind games. Careful. She's strong."
"I'm aware." Damien grips his ax as Maka stands beside him. "How is your hand? Are you able to keep fighting?"
"Who do you think you're talking to?" Maka gives him a smirk. "I should be asking you that question. You look like you've already been through the ringer."
"Long story. Had to put down a dog. We'll discuss that later. Focus." Damien noticed a shift in the magic. They both jump out of the way of another blast of magic.
" You're a witch hunter aren't you? Yet you're working with a witch. You're letting a witch mess with your son's heart!" The witch makes a barrier when Maka gets on her. She blocks her scythe before using shatter. Maka growls, getting pelted with fragments, they dig into her flesh. She's done that magic spell as well. This witch does it so fast and seamless. Damien runs past her and swings his ax. The witch jumps back and sends another blast of Magic. Maka sets another barrier around Damien and blocks it.
She's too fast.
"You two are a pain in the ass. I didn't sign up for this. I just wanted the witch spawn-"
"Air spike!" Maka attempts to pierce her but she just dodges it. Damien rushes the witch when she moves, his ax finally hitting its mark.
"You fucker!" She screams, her left arm being severed. She goes to grab it-
"Blaze!" Maka burns up her arm before she can even think about reattaching it.
The witch stares at where her arm was…nothing but ash now. Her hair whips up in the air as if there's wind. Maka can't help the cold sweat forming on the back of her neck. She's serious now.
There's no warning. Maka is pelted with a blast of dark magic. She put up a barrier but it broke immediately. The force sends her rolling against the ground. Her body is burning. She feels like she's burning from the inside. "Fuck!" It hurts too much to do anything. She tries to heal herself. If she doesn't do something she'll lose her consciousness.
Damien swings his ax, stopping the witch from sending another blast of magic to finish her off. "Maka get up. Is that all it takes to take you out?"
"Fuck no!" Maka forces herself up. She's' covered in sweat but she's not done. No where close.
"Let's finish this Maka." Damien doesn't look back at her. He keeps his eyes on the witch but it sounds like he's grinning.
Maka runs towards the witch. She dodges her magic, yelling to attract her attention. "Watch this dumb bitch! gust!" She uses wind to knock the witch off of her feet. It doesn't do much but it's just enough to use her new spell. "Slice and dice!" Maka feels the tingle in her hands but it works. A blade of wind shoots out towards the witch. The witch is much faster than she thought. She isn't able to dodge the blade completely but it only cuts her side.
Damien tries to finish what she started. He isn't giving the witch any time to breathe. He swings his ax, the witch making a barrier to block him. Damien jumps back before she shatters it…
"Ugh!" The fragments got him in his right leg. He breathes heavily, moving back. The witch is sweating, her eyes getting wider out of fear. She must be running out of juice. Or maybe she senses death is near.
"Enough! You nasty man! Say hi to Melody in hell for me." Her attitude suddenly changed. Maka feels the magic gather and she knows it's going to be a big one. Maka feels like her heart is about to stop.
"NO! Gust!" Maka uses her magic to blow herself forward. She gets in front of Damien right at the last moment just so she can take the full blunt of the blast of magic. She holds her ground, making sure it doesn't get past her.
"YOU DISGUSTING BITCH!" The witch screams, staring at her with wide shaking eyes. Maka's flesh is melting. She had used her arms to try to protect herself…her bones are visible as her flesh keeps peeling off. Maybe she's in shock. She doesn't feel any pain at the moment. All she feels is relief when she hears Damien behind her.
"MAKA!" What is that in his voice? Shock? Horror?
"YOU…!" This witch is trembling, staring at her. "What…What are you? You… You are no witch. You don't deserve that title! Stay away from me!" She calls for her broom before zooming off.
"Wait-" Maka tries to take a step forward but she ends up falling. She feels her flesh stick to the dirt. It's gross. She feels like a monster. Maybe she is. She tries to focus on healing herself but she doesn't think she has enough magic for it.
"Maka." Damien grabs her, moving her on her back. When he looks at her, he swallows. "What are you doing? That…That was my fault. I didn't move fast enough. That blast was mind to take-"
"You'd be dead." Maka shakes her head. "My body I can heal…I can't heal yours. No matter what, you can't die."
"..." Damien is looking at her like he doesn't know what to do. He notices the bag Crona left behind. He limps over to it, grabbing the last two healing potions.
"Save one for your leg-"
"My leg be damned." Damien pours both of them on her arms and chest. It soothes the burns. She focuses on her damages, closing her eyes trying to heal. Her arms are the worst of it. She doesn't think she can replace the flesh she's lost. She's not that good. But she can heal the flesh that she has and make her arms usable again. "Is that all you can do?" Damien frowns when he sees she's stopped healing.
"Yeah for now." Maka tries to get up. Damien grabs her arm and helps her up. His leg is bleeding badly. "Sorry about your leg."
"It's nothing." Damien limps over to the bag, handing her another potion. Energy. She drinks it up, sighing when she feels that recharge. "...Maka…" He is thinking hard. " You said you loved my son."
"..I did." Maka averts her gaze. It just came out. That's how she felt at that moment. "I know. I've been told that witches can't love. Maybe I'm mistaken but at that moment…I thought it was fine if Kid was the one who killed me. I thought it was fine as long as he still lived. Maybe that's not love but it's the closest I'll ever get to it."
"I'm sorry Maka."
She blinks, looking over at Damien. He's staring at her, those golden eyes firm.
"I shouldn't have brought up your mother. I get a little crazy when it comes to…her. It seems she wasn't lying about her family. I don't know why she decided to help us now…" He looks like he's in pain. "I just shouldn't have taken it out on you. You've proven me wrong time and time again. Everything I knew you tore that apart. I'll stop putting blame on you. I'll believe in you a bit more. You aren't just a witch. You are my future daughter in law."
"Mayor…" Maka's chest tightens.
"Please Maka. Call me Damien." He pleads with her. He's asked her before to call him Damien. She finds…that she can now.
"Damien." He smiles at her. It's the kindest smile he's given her.
A cold pressure breaks into this touching moment.
"Bitch what are you doing?! That witch is attacking Crona-" Ragnarok.
"Damn it! Damien the witch has caught up with Crona." She grabs her scythe. She takes off running, following the cold pressure. Damien runs with her…he's a lot slower.
"Go ahead of me! I'll catch up!" Damien pushes her.
"Right!" Maka speeds up, running as fast as she can. She's going to end this bitch once and for all. She won't hurt Kid anymore. She can't slow down. Crona can't fight a witch like that. She's going to steal Kid away from her. She bites her lip, feeling the blood trickle down.
She won't let her.
"K-Kid you're a lot heavier than It-thought." Crona mumbles, carrying Kid on his back. He's limp. His full weight on him is making him winded. He's already tired from running to catch up with Maka. He needs to push himself. Maka gave him this job. He's got to get Kid to Mai.
"Crona, hurry your ass up. That witch is no joke." Ragnarok seems to have faded. "I'd take you over if I could but…This fucking sucks. I didn't use to be this weak."
"It's because of Medusa. You saved us back there and you saved me." Ragnarok can't help him. This is something he has to do.
Just as they get to the halfway mark Crona hears a swooshing sound.
"Damn it, no!" Ragnarok growls.
It's the witch. She's missing an arm but she's right in front of him. Crona can only stare up at her with wide eyes.
"Now this is more of my crowd." She giggles, landing on the ground. She holds out her arm. "Medusa's child. Give me him. I can tell from your heart…You know you can't fight me. You're scared of dying. You don't have to be scared. Just give me him."
Crona's teeth are chattering. His legs feel wobbly.
"Crona give him up." Ragnarok says quickly.
He should. He knows that he won't survive and yet…
"I won't give him up." Crona steals himself, locking eyes with this witch…the best he can. "R-Ragnarok go to Maka. Help her if you c-can. If she can help..Tell her to come here."
"You can't be serious-"
"I-I am." Crona puts down Kid so he can draw his sword. "Please Ragnarok."
"..." Ragnarok huffs. "You better not die on me! You hear me Crona?!" And then he's gone.
"You don't have to act brave. They won't get here in time." She chuckles, seeing how he grips his sword. "You can't stop shaking."
"C-Crona." He tenses at that voice. He looks back at Kid. He's conscious, those golden eyes are having trouble focusing on him. When he tries to get up,Crona shakes his head.
"Kid stay down! This witch…She'll hurt you again. I'm going t-to get us out of here!" Crona shouts. He feels if he says it, maybe it's possible.
"It's so simple. You can't hide your heart from me. You love that girl Maka don't you?"
Crona averts his gaze. He feels Kid staring into his back.
"You love her yet she's with another man. You have to watch as she touches and is touched by Kid. All you have to do is move out of the way. I'll take the Kid off your hands. Then you can have Maka to yourself. You can comfort her and she'll move on. That's how witches are!"
Crona trembles. He doesn't say anything. The witch is getting closer. Crona…moves out of her way.
"Crona!" Kid yells at him. His voice filled with rage.
"That's it. You hate him. Now is your chance to take back what you believe is yours. Kid has treated you so poorly. You followed your heart. Good for you." The witch chuckles. She looks down at Kid, he's still not able to get up. His brain must be foggy. "Now..Let me try one more time. This time there won't be anything left of your will-" She feels it too late. She tries to jump away. She protected her head but she couldn't stop the sword from piercing into her chest. "YOU!"
"I'm good at stabbing people in the back." Crona tries to cut her in half but she rips her own body away from his sword. She moves back, the wound already healing. "You're wrong about how I feel."
"Wrong?! I'm NEVER wrong when it comes to emotions-"
"I w-won't hide it. I love Maka. I-I know you already know that Kid. That's why w-we can't get along. But I don't hate Kid. Of course I'm j-jealous. Of course it hurts seeing her with Kid. But everything I have now…Is because of him. He's made Maka so happy…If you can see my emotions then you can see…I'm grateful. I w-won't let you hurt Maka anymore..or Kid."
"You are a mistake. Your mother didn't want you. Your birth was a disappointment. You brought shame to your mother and you continue to bring shame to her. I'll cut you to pieces and send your head to Medusa. I wonder if she'll give me a reward?" Her attitude has changed. Crona can tell that Maka and Damien weakened her. Crona isn't fast enough to kill her. So he just stands in front of Kid. No matter what. He can't back down.
She sends a blast of magic towards him. If he dodges Kid will get hit. He uses his sword to defend against it the best he can.
It breaks his sword. his clothes have been burnt but that's all. If a blast hits him head on…Crona's teeth start to chatter.
"You won't move? Then die."
"Crona…move." Kid says weakly.
"I won't. Everything I said… was the truth."
"Then die." A blast comes towards him. He spreads himself so he'll take the full force of it. He won't let Kid get hurt. Even if he dies…He said he would give his life for Maka. She's the only one who showed him such kindness. He betrayed her. He deserves this fate.
"Barrier!" A force field stops the blast from ever making its mark. It's her. Maka. Again coming to save him.
"Not you again bitch-" The witch seems frazzled. She turns her attention to Maka. Crona can't believe it. Maka charges for this witch, holding her scythe. Crona can see her exposed bones moving in her arm.
"Gust!" Maka throws herself quicker at the witch, swinging her scythe down. She cuts into the witch's other arm.
"No!" The witch is panicking. She opens her mouth, a blast of magic launching into the sky. She finishes this just before Maka slices her scythe again, cutting into her chest.
"I win." Maka puts her foot on the witch's head when she had fallen on her back.
"No…" The witch chuckles. "I win Maka. My mother…she'll be here soon. You have no hopes against her. I can smile on my way to hell…knowing you're right behind me."
Maka stomps down her foot. She keeps stomping on the witch's head till her skull cracks. She keeps doing it till there's nothing but brain matter and gore left.
"Blaze." Maka sets the remains on fire before turning her attention to Crona and Kid. Crona is staring at her with wide eyes. Kid…he's passed out again.
"Damn." Ragnarok is by Crona's side again.
"Oh? You already killed the witch without me, Maka?" Damien catches up. He's breathing heavily.
"There's another witch coming. She called for backup." Maka grips her scythe. Those green eyes dull for a moment before she shakes her head. "Crona carry Kid back to the house. You go with them Damien. You all need to be looked at by Mai."
"What are you going to do Maka?" Crona frowns while he picks Kid back up again.
"I'm going to kill this witch."
"You're at your limit." Damien says seriously. "We all need to run-"
"I can feel her. She's coming fast. I'm going to be right behind you. I just need to get you guys away." Maka runs up to Damien. "Get on my back. You're too slow."
Damien blinks…She's surprised he listens to her. He's heavy. Really heavy but she has to move. They all start running back to the house. She can't help to sigh in relief when the mansion is in their sights. The witch…she'll be on them soon.
She puts Damien down. "Go!"
"...Don't die Maka." Damien limps towards the house.
"Maka i'll put Kid down and i'll-"
"You'll stay in the house." Maka cuts him off. "I don't have much magic…I can't be worried about you Crona. Protect Kid like you've been doing. Help with the injured. I have this."
Crona frowns but he leaves with Kid on his back.
"Pretty Badass but don't fuck it up by dying here." Ragnarok grumbles before he leaves with Crona. Now it's just Maka outside. She's close enough to the house that they could watch her from the window. She wanted to get further away from the house but the witch is already here.
Maka wishes she could stop the shiver that goes down her spine. A woman is in front of her now. Like she just appeared out of thin air. One blink and she appeared. Maka swallows down her fears.
This woman has long silky black hair, dressed in all black, her tall presence demands attention. This must be Kid's grandmother.
"Hey lady. I just killed your daughter for trying to mess with my family. If your here for Kid then i'll have to kill you too." Maka points her scythe out towards this woman.
"...Killed by the likes of you? What a disappointment." The witch signs. "Of course she calls on me to finish her mess. I am not my daughter. I hope you've made your peace. Your death will not be quick."
"Why are you after Kid like this? He's your grandson! What's the point in taking his will? Why make him into a puppet?" Maka grinds her teeth.
"Are you calling that witch spawn my grandson?" The witch looks disgusted. "Melody was always a failure. We were told she died before she could give birth but it seems that was a lie. She gave birth to a boy before she died. It would have been better if she didn't disgrace us before her death. All witch spawn become puppets. They are nothing but tools. Then the man is killed and then we try again. That has always been our way. A witch spawn with our blood can't roam free. They will disgrace us even more!"
"You're insane! Why does it even matter? Kid has been working his ass off all his life-"
"As a witch hunter. I have found this out recently. The biggest disgrace of my life. To have my own blood hunting my kind! It's already starting to spread that a witch hunter is Melody's son! Our blood line will be knocked down because of him! But…It's okay. Once I have him, I'll make him suffer. I'll let the head witches see it. They'll know how i'm trying to repent for my mistake of a daughter-"
"You aren't going to do anything. You won't' touch him! You don't deserve him!" Maka grips her scythe, trying to psych herself up. This witch…She's too strong. Everything in her head is telling her she needs to run. She needs to save herself. She won't listen.
"You're worse." The woman turns up her nose. "A witch that has become a witch hunter…killing your own kind in the name of human values. You shame your mother far worse than anything that witch spawn could do. Not that it matters. Kami shamed herself running from the council. I see she lied about your death just to hide you away…for what? Was she so ashamed of the weak witch she conceived? Or was it her own failures that caused her to hide away-"
"Don't talk about my mother." Maka feels the heat in her chest.
"I blame Kami on how Melody turned out. She wasn't stellar but after meeting Kami she just went down hill. I didn't think when finding her spawn that I would run into you as well. If I recall…your name. She named you Maka. Let me introduce myself. I am Fala, A crow witch. It is time that you paid for your sins. A child that was suppose to be dead. I will correct it."
The woman didn't move a single muscle. Yet in that short moment after she stopped talking, a blast of magic is coming at her with incredible speed. No time to prepare. This magic…she can tell. If it hits her she's dead. Everything seems slow. Maybe this is what they mean by your life flashes before your eyes. This is a critical moment.
Deep within her, she has her answer. It came from her heart. A way to survive.
"Quick step!" Maka shouts, the spell rolling off her tongue. She moves out of the way of the blast with speed she's never known. She looks down with wide eyes. The magic shunted to her legs, its' like she's wearing ice skates made of green energy. It's what's making her so fast.
"I see. So your mother passed that on to you before she died." Fala hums. "The only thing good from being a rabbit witch."
"Rabbit?" Maka repeats, her heart is hammering. Not from fear. This feeling…It's like her mother is here with her. She knows she isn't but this spell…it's full of her. This is her mother's spell. Was it something she always knew? Her mother never got to teach her anything. She hid that Maka was a witch but somehow, deep down she knew this spell.
"Of course she would name it something like 'quick step'. She never had class." Fala rolls her eyes.
Maybe it's not named quick step. That's just what Maka called it from her heart. Her mother probably never had to say her spells out loud. Either way…Maka knows she can fight now.
Fala sends another blast of magic without warning. Maka dodges it, gliding to her. Every blast she's able to dodge it. In a blink of an eye she's in front of Fala.
"Don't get cocky." Fala sends out a black wall. It's too large and she's too close. Maka makes a barrier, the wall pushing her all the way back before shattering. Her barrier breaks, the shards digging into her stomach. She hits the ground hard, rolling till she's on her back. Her magic has faded from her legs. "All that spell does is make you faster. You can't win against me."
Maka pulls out the shards from her stomach, trying to heal herself. It's hard to get up. She was feeling so motivated yet this witch hasn't broken a sweat. At this rate…she'll die. Then this woman will get to Kid. She'll tear everything apart.
She could use the power sleeping in her. If she reaches out to that girl in the glass-
Then what's the point? She gains the power of life and death but she'll lose it. She'll end up killing Kid herself. No…If she can't beat her as she is..with the strength her mother passed on to her then-
Is this it? It doesn't seem fair. Like at the end of a video game. The last boss ends up having three phases. You barely make it past the first two and then the last phase shows up. Much stronger then the other two. It's not fair. You didn't prepare. You used everything you had just to survive the first two. That's how it feels.
It really isn't fair.
"It seems like your comrades are getting ready to come out to help you. Let me just squash that hope right here." And then she sends a blast past her. It's heading for the mansion.
"NO!" Maka screams, snapping out of her self pity.
The blast is stopped by a purple force field. Both Maka and Fala gasp in surprise.
"Melody…" Fala growls when she shows herself. Her form is completely visible, faded but almost soild. "You dare show your face to me? If this barrier is your doing…You really think you can face off against me? You're rotted in the ground my dear!"
Melody is trembling. Those blue eyes can't hide her fear. "Maka…Please…" She begs. Maka can only watch her with wide eyes. "I've saved up all my magic just in case this would happen. I'm not stronger than my mother…I never was and never will be. If she kills you…if she makes it pass me…She will make them wish they were dead." Gone is the woman who would smirk as she talked about killing her family. Maka wonders if this is the same lady. "Please. Don't give up. You're the only one now.. that can save them." She's locks eyes with Maka. The emotion she sees there freezes her up. She wonders if she had a body if she would be crying. Her eyes are shinning. "I'll use all that's left of me so please! Kill my mother! Please save my husband and son!"
In that moment she feels power surge through her. It's Melody. Her wounds are healed and she feels renewed. The despair is gone. She can't believe she was thinking about giving in. All she has to do…Is kill the witch in front of her.
"You don't have to beg! I wasn't going to turn you down! quick step!" Maka grins, activating her mother's spell.
"A ghost and a weak witch will-"
Maka doesn't let Fala talk. She rushes her, in a second she's in front of her and she swings her scythe. Fala backs up, using her barrier when Maka swung again. Just as Fala is about to shatter her barrier, a purple one wraps around her. The shattering barrier back fires, cutting Fala up.
She sends a blast towards Maka. She dodges it and has to move back.
"You revolting child! I should have ripped your throat out a long time ago. I'm sadden you didn't die by my hand! I'll have to make due with destroying your very essence." She sends a blast towards Melody. She fades away and reappears to dodge it.
"I won't let you do as you please." Melody can barely keep eye contact. "I've been scared of you my whole life…Even in death I couldn't escape this fear. It's over now. Everything i've given up was for this moment. You won't take everything from me!"
"Slice and dice!" Maka sends blades of wind towards Fala while she's distracted. She easily knocks them away like she's swatting a fly. Magic won't work. She needs to use her witch hunting skiills. Maka glides up to her, swinging to cut her any way she can- Fala knocks her back. Her gaze is fixed on Melody.
"What was the point of this charade Melody? Do you really think you have any power against me?"
"I'm stronger then I was when I was alive." Melody takes a deep breath. "Maka. Please be ready to do a finishing blow."
"Huh?"
"You think you can finish me?! You always had these stupid fantasies in your head. Let me show you reality!" Fala starts to gather magic in her hands. The air around them becomes windy like a storm just appeared.
"This is my reality." Melody takes a deep breath before she mumbles under her breath. A magic circle forms under Fala. The woman freezes in her tracks. Her magic goes away and she's left there gaping like a fish. "Now!"
Fala breaks out of the magic circle but it was just enough time. Maka glides to her and just as the magic circle breaks,
Her scythe cuts into Fala's neck, her head flying from her shoulders. Maka doesn't stop. SHe keeps going back and forth, cutting her up into she's nothing but slices of meat. She didn't want any chance this woman could come back. "Blaze." Maka sets her remains on fire. Her heart won't calm down. She looks at Melody. The ghost is much more faded.
"She's dead. Maka she's dead." She mumbles before locking eyes with her. It looks like she's going to cry. "Kami…" She says her mother's name like she's mourning.
The weight of exhaustion falls on Maka and she can no longer stand. She falls to her knees, taking deep breathes. She feels like crying looking at Melody and she doesn't know why.
"MELODY!"
They both freeze at that voice. A shout of desperation. Rapid foot steps approaching them.
"No." Melody whispers, turning her back to Damien, her eyes wide.
"Melody why? Why did you help us…Why did you…You called Kid your son. I heard it. I saw it all. Why did you save me back then? That magic circle…I knew it looked familiar Why?" Damien is spewing words. Confusion and agony mixed in his expression.
Melody swallows before she forces some words out. Maka can see her face. Her words don't match. "I couldn't let any other witch kill you. I'll be the one to end you-"
"Stop that." Maka snaps at her before Damien could say anything. "You really going to try to go back to being an 'evil' witch? No ones falling for it. You can't even look him in the eye."
"...Let me just fade away-"
"Melody!" Damien calls for her. He reaches for her but he just goes through her.
"You can't just fade away. You owe me! You said you'd show me memories of My mother."
Melody freezes. "...Let me gather myself. I've used a lot of my magic. Then i'll uphold my promise-"
"I want the truth about the night you tried to kill them. Kid shouldn't have to live thinking his mother was a witch that hated him when it isn't true."
"..." Melody doesn't say anything as she fades away.
"I won't settle for less." Maka can't get up.
"..." Damien tries to compose himself but she can tell he's shaken. "...Maka are you alright?"
"More or less. I think i'm going to pass out."
"I'll take care of it from here. Mai will look at you. Before you take a nap…Again I have to thank you. That witch…we were cornered. I won't forget you fought for me and my son with everything you had. I'll fight for you too. We'll get rid of this curse. That is the priority."
"Heh…Thanks." Maka finds that she can finally lay on the ground and rest. It's over. She can leave the rest to Damien. The nightmare is over. The demons. The witches. It's all over. So she'll get some sleep.
She hopes Kid will be there when she wakes up with his smile. If she wakes up to him…She feels like everything is going to be alright.