Begin Anew - 3

Would this tragedy play differently than the others? Of the countless deaths and damages inflicted upon those unfortunate enough to be within range. Families forced apart for the simple fact that they may be in the way.

Would this tragedy be any different?

No, a question answered. An obvious answer given. For tragedies, no matter the circumstance. Led to only the death and destruction of happiness.

A light at the end of the road may shine. A rainbow of hope. But no, in the moment. The second that my sword collided with that coarse skin of his. Striking well and deep within that tainted body of his.

The moment that he turned around and with eyes carrying all the malice in the world. I took a breath. Holding my hands to my side. Death within my eyes. Within my glare.

A breath. A cut. A fold of his hands.

And as with any powerful being. More than I could ever hope to be, I was pushed to the side. A hand instinctively raised to protect my body.

Rubble covered my whole vision. Yet even as my I turned the bloody stump over. Placing it within my embrace. A grimace echoed through the world at my pain.

Blood drained from my body. Only hastened by my slight movements. Taking the last vestiges of my addled mind. Turning about my injuries as I stood to one knee.

Then to another.

Only to be raised further. A defiant look upon my face. For I knew death. Knew the horror it inflicted upon those touched by its taint. Knew the horror and emptiness it caused with merely a touch of its terrible scythe.

For I knew the horrors. I knew that I could stand proud amongst the rubble. Only a sliver of strength holding my body into what could be loosely called a stand.

Where it stood tall, I stood shaking. Holding to the wall beside me. The rubbled that had collapsed with that single claw of its own. Thrown through stone after stone. Shattered under the weight of its force.

It placed foot after foot. Faster and faster until its sprint reached me. A great and terrible claw turning over my throat. A maw ready to well and truly devour the last of my life.

But as it stood over my form. Drool leaking through its mouth and over my golden hair. I smirked. Despite the pain.

Despite every single touch of agony.

I held still. Hands to my side. Showing no sign of the fierce and agonizing pain held true to my body.

For I had seen death. I would not run. I would not hide. I would not cower.

I faced him. Eyes set in a horrifying glare, spit idly spouting about my mouth. My will set ablaze as I looked it straight in the eye.

There was no hint of fear. I would not give it the satisfaction.

Knowing that it would not… not today… feed off of my fear. Of that eternal rest within the goddess' embrace. For I knew death.

I knew the horror that left within its wake. The ferocious death that ended in nothing but pain, or the soft whisper upon the child's lip as she gave away that last vestige of her breath. Knowing that with it she would die.

Peaceful to the last moment.

I would die neither. Even if I was in extreme pain. A limb ripped from the socket that held it to my body. Drool parting through my face and into my skull. Burning with such toxic sludge. Knowing that it would kill me itself.

For it would not feel the satisfaction of an easy death. I would shout… I would rage… I would spit and laugh upon that godly might of it. And when I lay, dead, impaled upon its claws. I would know that I died a dignified death.

…

[Gabriel pov]

I felt her hug… that fleeting warmth of hers as she took me within her embrace. Trailing kiss after kiss over my skin. And…

And I was barely able to reciprocate. I wanted to… oh how I wanted to… but there was some… some block within my mind that would not allow me to.

I trailed another kiss over her neck, letting her curl me deeper within her embrace. Deeper within her arms. But as I went to go further. Feeling her eyes boring down on my own. I tried… tried and tried…

But my mind would not allow me such a pleasure. I merely placed myself deeper within her bosom as she sat on the bed. The almost silent creak as it was displaced echoing through my ears.

"I'm sorry…" I cried… "I'm so sorry…"

Salty tears wept down my face, further through my chin, ultimately dripping down and onto Abigail. Finding purchase on that cloth of hers. And as she placed her hand over my eyes. Wiping those tears.

"Abby… you can call me that…" She spoke. The suddenness of the permission shocking me. 

"Abby…" I tasted the name over my mouth.

"Yes." She purred. Trailing her finger over my face. Down and down until it reached my chin. Pulling me closer and taking my lips in a forceful embrace.

"A name I have not been…" She trailed off for a second. Taking a breath after the long and trailing kiss. Even now I could still feel the saliva that connected both of us.

"I have not been called that in ages. A name mother gave me. Shortened and for familiarity. However I have not allowed anyone to call me such. Not for years."

She placed her finger over my lip. Parting it and pulling it down. Staring straight into my eyes with such emotion.

"But for you… I will allow such a humiliation."

"But- But-" 

I stuttered. But she stopped my speech. Taking my lips once again. Pushing us back into the bed and forcing her full weight over me. I tried to squirm a bit. Attempting to free myself from that oppressive weight.

But once a second… two had passed, I stopped. Closing my eyes and breathing lightly over her skin.

"Abby… I like it…"