Broken - 9

[Gabriel pov]

There was a shift within the air, within the pure feel of the area. Of the dozens of terrible spirits that seemed to walk upon this alley of death… of ours. The fire of their souls as they seemed to taint the very ground their feet touched.

No, within this small sphere of mine. My head raised, poised to touch the sky. A hand that touched perfectly against the slight crack of the wall to my side.

"Is there something wrong?" 

I could feel the tilt within her head, as she tore her attention from the surroundings, placed a hand against my cheek and forced my gaze within that soul of hers.

A smile lit my face, seeming to tear through those defenses of hers. A blazing red rushed within her soul. Of embarrassment as I placed a hand on her hold. Pushing deeper within her touch.

"Nothing…" I whispered within her ear. Within Sapphire and Aia, who felt so concerned for my well being. Both mentally and physically, "Truly nothing."

There was no tinge of fear, no tinge of anxiety as I pulled her close and gazed deeper and deeper within that soul of hers.

What had caused her to be so… so… 

There was a certain… certain something within her that seemed to be… to be almost corrupted. No, it was on the verge. Like a sort of mental corruption. Different from what I had healed before. 

A taint of the mind rather than the soul or the body. A mentality of harm rather than love.

"You though…" My voice was so soft, so pure as I pulled her closer. Our foreheads touched. A mere scrape against the other that brought the warmth of the other within.

"Do not fret." I spoke, "I will heal you."

Time passed. Both infinitesimally short and infinitely long. A moment in which she choked out a sob, her shoulders buckled under the weight of her worries.

I knew not why she had such… nor did I care. Only that my shoulder cared for her, my arms wrapped around her shoulders. Who's owner felt it so prudent… so necessary… to discard her worries within mine.

And as such. I did not move. I did not move even when the world was engulfed in a cold knives edge. Where glaciers of pure frost echoed from Aia's soul. Her determination known to the world.

To those tainted existences, that seemed to appear from nowhere in particular. Not even with my sight, that tainted sight of mine who's very job it was… to catch souls within its vision.

Hidden.

Until the very last moment. In which they started. A stroke that brought blood to my back. A shield of ice that blocked more and more attacks.

Only I held onto that bloodied claw. A smile upon my face as I protected her. That beautiful sapphire within my arms.

And some may ask… no, may wonder how…? How had I perceived such attacks on my person. Those glaciers of ice that broke the momentum of the demons.

To them… to… I would say that it was intuition. A mere visage of the world. Seen through the eyes of this sapphire I held. Her eyes wide as she watched blood, crimson liquid spill from my back. Tears still dripping from her eyes.

As she brought forth that sword of hers. 

"No…" I shook my head. My own hand parting from hers. My cheek nuzzled against hers one last time. For I departed. My smile empty. No, it was not empty… more hollow. Divested of any emotion that may convey pain.

For that sword of theirs. It was slung further and further within my stomach. Even as both Aia and Sapphire struggled to gain entrance to the demon who had done such an act.

But I did not let them. My hand grazed the rough skin under my fingers. My smile - so hollow to those looking - gained a warmth. As did my eyes.

As I experienced the pain. The mental anguish as a woman was forced from her home. Her children killed and experimented upon in front of her. The substance that was forced within her mouth.

And the keys to her existence. In the hand of some… person… who gave it to another. The pain within her heart as she repeated the same action she loathed so much.

Killing… always killing.

"Free. You are free."

I finally spoke. My gaze entranced upon her soul. Divested of the taint within. The body followed soon after. As she faded to dust. A parting word.

"Please. Do not go further. I am… I am sorry… just please…"

Maybe it was sentiment. A concern for her savior. But both she and I knew that I would never let such atrocities occur. Even as injured as I was.

I clutched the wound. The sword still imparted upon my flesh. From both experience and healing I knew that it would not be fatal. As long as my wound was closed soon.

But I was the only one that was able to do such a thing. To heal the soul. So maybe… No, it was not my final parting.

It was merely a bump upon the road. As slowly I clung to the handle - my fingers lacerated in the process, for I had to find the handle first - pulled slowly. Careful to make sure that I cut not a single piece more of my flesh.

And when it was done. When the sword was flung to the floor. I ripped my clothes. Not caring for the indecency. Using it as a bandage to stymy the bleeding.

"Gabriel!" Aia spoke, her voice concerned, mainly of my wounds. Yet I merely smiled. Shrugging her concern to the wayside. And looking towards the hoard of souls, who congregated amongst the middle of the square. Amongst them… a soul tainted like no other. As if the devil herself had come and tore pieces after pieces of her soul. Making some shoddy puppet before placing the ripped parts back. All with the taint… that the devil had touched her.