So Long Old Friend

Aqua gazed up at the vast expanse of the blue sky, her eyes carefully studying the intricate patterns formed by the drifting clouds. In the midst of her contemplation, a youthful French voice unexpectedly broke the tranquility. "Hey, Aqua. What are you doing?"

Startled by the sudden interruption, Aqua turned around to find Sabi standing before her. A warm smile graced her lips as she greeted him.

"Oh, hey Sabi." She shifted her attention back to the clouds, their ethereal dance captivating her senses. Sabi joined her, settling down beside her on the sand.

Curiosity sparkled in Sabi's eyes as he tilted his head, genuinely interested in Aqua's progress.

"How's your training going with Renan?" he inquired, his voice filled with a hint of playful anticipation. Aqua pondered for a moment, contemplating how to convey her thoughts.

"It's going okay, I guess," Aqua responded, her voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty. Sabi chuckled, draping an arm around her shoulders, his infectious smile illuminating his face.

"You know me, I have the keenest bullshit detector around. What aspects are giving you trouble during your training?" Sabi asked, his genuine concern evident in his voice.

Aqua's gaze returned to the ever-shifting clouds, her mind briefly consumed by the challenges she faced. "It's my speed. I need to be faster," she admitted, her voice tinged with determination.

As she locked eyes with Sabi, a flicker of vulnerability shone through. "That way, I won't lose people like I lost my parents... or Ren..." Her voice trailed off, the weight of her unfinished sentence lingering in the air.

Sabi sighed, recognizing the weight of Aqua's thoughts. "You're thinking about Ren, aren't you?" he gently probed, his words laced with empathy. Aqua nodded silently, her heart heavy with unspoken emotions.

Drawing upon his own wisdom, Sabi rose to his feet, his actions puzzling Aqua for a moment. "She's probably watching over you, thinking that you're doing exceptionally well," he reassured her, his voice filled with a comforting warmth.

Sabi embraced Aqua, a tender gesture meant to convey his unwavering support. "Anyway, I have to go. Renan needs me for something." Aqua nodded, a mixture of gratitude and curiosity swirling within her.

"Till the next time we meet," Sabi uttered, his parting words hanging in the air. Aqua acknowledged his sentiment with a nod of understanding. "Till next time," she echoed softly, watching as Sabi departed, leaving her alone with her thoughts under the expansive sky.

A bullet darted and shattered a light beyond impact as Sabi took cover, Lando, his gun trained on him. "It's time we finish this, Aqua." She looked at Lando, and nodded.

Memories were flashing through her head, she was fighting for the darker side, but what she didn't get is. Why are they killing Nephalem users if they are just brainwashed teens or adults. She wondered if they ever considered trying to save them instead of killing them.

A bullet whizzed through the air, shattering a light fixture upon impact, as Sabi swiftly sought cover. Lando, his weapon locked on Sabi, spoke with a resolute tone. "It's time we finish this, Aqua." Aqua met Lando's gaze and nodded, her determination unyielding.

As the intensity of the moment escalated, memories flooded Aqua's mind. She had once fought alongside the forces of darkness, but now a question plagued her thoughts. Why were they ruthlessly targeting Nephalem users, individuals who were nothing more than brainwashed teenagers and adults? Had they ever considered an alternative, an attempt to save them instead of resorting to lethal force?

Sabi cautiously peered from his hiding spot and returned fire, prompting Lando to react swiftly, grabbing Aqua and pulling her into cover.

Hana, having fully recovered, rose from her position and swiftly joined them. Lando sought confirmation, his gaze fixed on Hana. "Recovered fully?" he inquired, and she nodded in response. "Yeah."

Lando acknowledged her response and patiently waited for his pistol to cool down, his mind focused on the impending strategy.

"Aqua, when I give the signal, I'll provide cover fire. You will charge forward with your sword and bring this to an end," he explained, his voice firm and decisive.

Aqua nodded, her heart pounding with a mixture of adrenaline and determination. Peering out from cover, she synchronized her movements with Sabi, both adversaries engaging in a lethal dance of evasion and aim. As Lando's weapon finally cooled down, he seized the opportunity, dashing out into the hallway with his sights locked on Sabi.

Lando pulled the trigger, his shot striking Sabi's firearm, causing it to be forcefully dislodged from his grip. A sly grin formed on Lando's face. "Perfect!" he snickered, relishing the moment. Hana swiftly joined him, their camaraderie evident.

Aqua closed her eyes momentarily, harnessing her focus. Moments later, she sprang into action, sprinting toward Sabi while unsheathing her sword. Sabi's eyes widened as he attempted to retaliate with a series of swinging fists, but Aqua deftly evaded his desperate blows, her agility unmatched. With a swift and decisive strike, Aqua's sword sliced through the air, painting a macabre arc.

Blood sprayed across the left side of Sabi's hiding spot, and the unmistakable thud of his body hitting the ground reverberated through the space.

Pain-induced screams filled the air as Aqua's gaze remained fixed on Sabi. Without hesitation, she slashed him across the left eye, severing it entirely. The once-familiar cries transformed into haunting, bloodcurdling wails, tears mingling with the streams of blood pouring down Sabi's right eye.

She stared at him, her expression a mixture of emotions. "So long, old friend," she uttered, tossing bandages in his direction as an afterthought. Casting a glance at Lando and Hana, Aqua's determination burned brightly. "Now, let's make our way to Renan." Lando approached and observed Sabi, who continued to writhe in agony, his pleas falling on deaf ears.

Blood dribbled down Sabi's vacant eye socket, tracing the contours of the gory wound. Aqua began to walk away, Lando and Hana following closely behind, when suddenly Sabi's voice erupted in a desperate yell. "Why don't you finish this?" he screamed, his voice laced with anguish.

Aqua paused, her eyes briefly locking with Sabi's tortured gaze, but she quickly turned away, resolute in her decision.