Post by Xan on Jan 30, 2011 23:27:11 GMT -5
"For the last f***ing time, GO!" Maka's voice echoed through the minds of those sharing the link.
She splashed to her knees as she reached Reyna's body where it was floating face-down in the brackish waters of Jonsa City Plaza. In the distance, many undead were closing in again, led by two Executioners. Their towering, dark silhouettes strode forth, fresh blood dripping from the massive claws of one.
Maka swiftly scooped Reyna's tattered remains from the water, cradling her friend tightly against herself as she looked for a break in the approaching line of undead. She refused to look upon Reyna.
"I'll get you out of here, I promise," Maka whispered, tears streaming down her face.
A gap in the undead led down an alleyway. With a growl of determination, she made a dash for the alley, staggering through the water as she bore the weight of her precious cargo. Inside the alley, she swept around the nearest corner, hiding from view of the undead. Still, they pursued her. Constantly she fled through the city as the scent of her slain and dearest friend drew them after her, and it was not until she had made a full circuit of the city and left by the gates of the plaza that she finally shook off the horde.
I need to get you home to rest... you just need rest, Maka whispered in her mind to Reyna. Just need to take you home....
She wouldn't be able to make it at this pace; even in the familiar woods, she was having difficulty evading the undead drawn to the scent of Reyna's corpse. With a few swift motions, she shifted Reyna to one arm and released the strap that held her shield to her back, allowing it to fall to the ground, then continued on, returning Reyna to her cradled hold. With the loss of weight, she continued on at a quickened pace. The dark of night followed on her heels.
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Maka more or less slumped to her knees after carefully lying Reyna down on the rug before their fireplace. She looked upon her. Robes and flesh torn asunder... the Executioner had more or less ripped her ribcage open in a single blow. The white of bone glistened in the firelight.
Breathlessly, Maka whispered, "I... My friend, I am sorry. I should have been there.... Mother forgive me and accept me into your bosom, I should have been there."
Maka's eyes drifted up Reyna's still form, to her blood-spattered neck, to her face, which was frozen in pain and...? Victory? Why...? Perhaps she knew.
Reyna, she thought, I can only hope you've returned to the Mother and now sing with the heavenly Choir. I hope you've finally been reunited with Sierra.
She smiled softly as she gently closed her friend's eyes and wiped the blood from Reyna's face with her own shirt. Then she leaned forward and lightly kissed her cold lips. Ironic, she thought to herself, that a former assassin should only receive the kiss of death.
Still... they were not far from completing an artifact within the camp... there was still hope that Reyna could be brought back with the others. But even so, she had others, Camp Gadget and the survivors there, to look after. After kneeling over her Lady a while longer as she made a prayer to the Mother and the Choir, Maka stood and left the house. Arrangements for Reyna's funeral would be made, and it was time Maka returned to the living.
She splashed to her knees as she reached Reyna's body where it was floating face-down in the brackish waters of Jonsa City Plaza. In the distance, many undead were closing in again, led by two Executioners. Their towering, dark silhouettes strode forth, fresh blood dripping from the massive claws of one.
Maka swiftly scooped Reyna's tattered remains from the water, cradling her friend tightly against herself as she looked for a break in the approaching line of undead. She refused to look upon Reyna.
"I'll get you out of here, I promise," Maka whispered, tears streaming down her face.
A gap in the undead led down an alleyway. With a growl of determination, she made a dash for the alley, staggering through the water as she bore the weight of her precious cargo. Inside the alley, she swept around the nearest corner, hiding from view of the undead. Still, they pursued her. Constantly she fled through the city as the scent of her slain and dearest friend drew them after her, and it was not until she had made a full circuit of the city and left by the gates of the plaza that she finally shook off the horde.
I need to get you home to rest... you just need rest, Maka whispered in her mind to Reyna. Just need to take you home....
She wouldn't be able to make it at this pace; even in the familiar woods, she was having difficulty evading the undead drawn to the scent of Reyna's corpse. With a few swift motions, she shifted Reyna to one arm and released the strap that held her shield to her back, allowing it to fall to the ground, then continued on, returning Reyna to her cradled hold. With the loss of weight, she continued on at a quickened pace. The dark of night followed on her heels.
----------------------
Maka more or less slumped to her knees after carefully lying Reyna down on the rug before their fireplace. She looked upon her. Robes and flesh torn asunder... the Executioner had more or less ripped her ribcage open in a single blow. The white of bone glistened in the firelight.
Breathlessly, Maka whispered, "I... My friend, I am sorry. I should have been there.... Mother forgive me and accept me into your bosom, I should have been there."
Maka's eyes drifted up Reyna's still form, to her blood-spattered neck, to her face, which was frozen in pain and...? Victory? Why...? Perhaps she knew.
Reyna, she thought, I can only hope you've returned to the Mother and now sing with the heavenly Choir. I hope you've finally been reunited with Sierra.
She smiled softly as she gently closed her friend's eyes and wiped the blood from Reyna's face with her own shirt. Then she leaned forward and lightly kissed her cold lips. Ironic, she thought to herself, that a former assassin should only receive the kiss of death.
Still... they were not far from completing an artifact within the camp... there was still hope that Reyna could be brought back with the others. But even so, she had others, Camp Gadget and the survivors there, to look after. After kneeling over her Lady a while longer as she made a prayer to the Mother and the Choir, Maka stood and left the house. Arrangements for Reyna's funeral would be made, and it was time Maka returned to the living.