“...Void?” Eros questioned a man in armor, he kneeled to examine the corpse of some of his brethren.

  “Mhmm, we Dark Knights make use of that power through our crystals. They’re specially crafted for the purpose you know.” The man explained as he draped a blanket over the corpse.

  He then paused to look at Eros, “You are still new to the creed, but I regret to inform you that this is a common sight. Dark Knights are well-liked but a good portion of the world. Our use of the Void is considered taboo.”

  Eros arched a brow at that, “Why’s that? You use it to save people don’t you?”

  “That we do.” The man nodded, standing up and folding his arms, “But the Void itself is unstable, tapping into its energies tends to bring about dark designs… and monsters. As such, some people will always view us as monsters.” he then put a hand on Eros’s shoulder smiling softly at her, “that’s why we look out for each other.”

  Eros paused at that looking at the man’s hand, and said nothing as she turned her gaze to the corpse, “...If he was stronger he could have lived.”

  The man blinked at Eros’s response and then he looked at the corpse removing his hand from Eros’s shoulder, “He was surrounded by a mob, even if he was stronger it wouldn’t have changed anything… it’s against our creed to kill innocents.”

  “Why?” Eros responded flatly, narrowing her gaze, “You're doing so much good in the world, the value of your work far outweighs a few lives.”

  The man frowned at that, closing his eyes, “Maybe so, but even so. Killing another is always hard… anyone who can do it without so much as grimacing is a monster in their own right.”

  Eros said nothing to that sighing before standing up, “This has been enlightening… Thanks for your time.”

  The man nodded, turning to face Eros, “You’ve got the talent girl, you just need a teacher to help you bring it forth… should you wish to join the order seek us out.”

  Eros shrugged offering a half-hearted smile before turning away and walking towards the exit not offering this man another word.

  When she arrived Origin was waiting with folded arms, “Well?”

  “...All I saw were useless men who failed to heed the call to action. One of their own was slain, yet they did not act in anger. Nor do they rally. They just accept it.” She folds her arms with a scowl, “...That’s our nature though, isn’t it? We can say we care, we can try to be attached. But at the end of the day, we were hollow inside.”

  Origin hummed at that, “That’s why humanity needs to have something to reach for. And you most certainly have that, don’t you? A goal to reach for.”

  Eros paused glaring at Origin, “But joining you would make me an enemy of humanity. I’ve no interest in that, unlike you people still like me.”

  Origin smirked beneath his mask, “Is that so?” he turned around and a black portal opened ahead of him, “Very well then, but should you change your mind, call out my name, I’ll be listening.”

  And it was with that he left the area, Eros folded her arms.

  Looking down to the dirt remembering the blood, the fire, and the sounds of her brother screaming her name.

  “...” She still wasn’t quite sure why she did that, it was like… a switch flicked in her brain.

  And she couldn’t stop it.

  She shook her head and started to walk forward.

  All she needed to do was leave this island, then she’d be free.

  ***

  Skylar’s eyes slowly opened and she found herself standing in the white void once more, but this time… she was on a crystal platform.

  “...This is new…” she muttered looking around the area for a second before turning around and scowling.

  There straight ahead of her was Infirium.

  “Oh come now, are you really that annoyed to see me?” She spoke with a cheeky smile.

  “Of course, she is, out of all the fragments yours is the face that we dread seeing the most.” Amatsu pointed out as he walked past Skylar.

  Skylar clutched her head feeling a slight pain, “This is giving me a headache.”

  “Giving us all one.” Amatsu shrugged, “This is a rare opportunity though, we hardly ever get to speak like this. It would be a shame to waste it.”

  Skylar lifted her head and noticed a large crystal behind Amatsu, Infirium sighed and walked to the right another crystal was behind her.

  Skylar paused and turned to look over her shoulder.

  Sure enough yet another crystal, but then in the final cardinal direction.

  Was a crystal that was gray and lifeless like it had lost its way.

  She took note of the way that cracks ran through all of the crystals, “What… is this place?”

  “Your heart.” Amatsu responded with a shrug, “Or at least the part of it that’s still intact.”

  “You're breaking apart at the seams, even more so after you threw open the door to your memories earlier.” Infirium explained with a cheeky smile, “And now you’ve gone and killed about three people in a day, frankly it’s a wonder that you haven’t made another shard yet.”

  “Another what…?” Skylar arched a brow confusion on her face.

  Amatsu folded his hands behind his back, “Shards. Whenever something hits you particularly hard Skylar you seem to fall back on your thoughts. But your mind can only handle so much, and soon enough… you fracture. Creating us.” Amatus put a hand over his heart, “I take over when you need to get the dirty work done when you're out and need to keep fighting.”

  Infirium scoffed, “I on the other hand guard the memories that’d tear you apart. As I seem to have been doing rightfully.”

  Skylar paused, turning to the gray crystal, “What about that one?”

  “...Missing.” Amatsu responded, “He vanished a bit ago now, he’s supposed to be your voice of reason. Guiding you on a good path when your heart is trying to get you killed. Though he started to get a bit rebellious as of late.”

  “Oh great, another rebellious side of myself, just what I needed,” Skylar responded, her voice laced with sarcasm.

  “...Skylar.” Infirnum suddenly spoke up, “You understand why we are here in the first place don’t you?”

  Skylar paused at the question before glancing to the floor, “...Yeah.” she ran a hand through her hair, “I’ve been avoiding it for a bit but… I really don’t know who I am.” she took in a breath, “Am I someone who hides secrets? Am I someone who acts only in violence? Am I the type to run away from problems bigger than me?” Skylar then looked at the gray crystal, “Even now I don’t know the answer… but… I won’t stand still. I’ll keep moving, with that said.”

  Skylar turned her gaze to the duo, “It’s about time I start setting things right.”

  Chapter 17: Two Become One.

  Slowly Skylar’s eyes open and she groans sitting up, “I feel like I got hit on the back of the head…” she grumbles running a hand through her hair.

  Striga was already up and looking out the window, “That tends to happen when you fall back first onto the pathway.” she replied with a light smirk and tired eyes.

  Skylar blinked and glanced to the side, “Ah… that would do it.” The room was filled with a tense awkward silence and the duo remained in their own places for a moment.

  Skylar pulled her legs up to her chin and spoke up, “...Earlier I asked you if I was a bad person…” Skylar began causing Striga to tear her gaze away from the window, “There was a reason for that, I… Got some of my memories back on my travels, some stuff that I forgot… or rather, something that I was trying to hide from myself.”

  Striga said nothing, simply allowing Skylar to speak, so Skylar closed her eyes, “I-It was me, I was the one who sunk my island… I killed so many people, my own family…” Skylar lifted her hands looking down at her trembling fingers, “Even now I’m still going on, still killing… and what scares me is that it’s getting easier to do., And the line between right and wrong is getting blurrier.” she lowered her hands then and looked over to Striga, “it’s bad enough that sometimes I look into the mirror and I… Don’t know who it is that’s looking back.”

  Striga frowned, folding her arms and looking out the window, “...I’m not in a position to judge you for the lives you’ve taken, nor am I able to tell you ‘who’ it is that you are.”

  Skylar nodded slowly at that and let out a slight huff, a bitter smile danced on her lips, “Figures.”

  “However.” Striga added with her small smile, “The Skylar I know is a hero to everyone, Yin’s thankful for what you did to Suzaku, after all, he was under her spell. So was Yang. The village is singing the praises of the assassin who slew Qin. And… I’m certainly grateful for what you’ve done for me.”

  Striga then turned around, walking over to Skylar and patting her shoulder, “Get some more rest, we’ll move out when you're ready.”

  And with that she moved to the door, opening it and leaving Skylar alone with her thoughts.

  Skylar sat there, her eyes somewhat wide as she opened her mouth before closing it, promptly scoffing and letting her head fall onto her knees.

  She peaked through the cracks biting down on her lip, she sighed sitting up in her bed before leaping out of it.

  Moving over to the window she threw it open, “I just need some fresh air.” she muttered to herself before leaping through the window and landing on the pathway below with grace.

  She shoved her hands into the pockets of her jacket, walking along the path she noticed that more people were walking around them than normal.

  Most were doing their daily stuff, shopping, working, and hanging around.

  Some of them even greeted Skylar, she offered them a small wave back of course.

  But her mind was elsewhere at the moment, hardly focused on the path before her, she just needed to find someplace to be by herself if only for a second.

  She paused, reaching up and grabbing her head wincing in pain, she heard a noise that sounded like static as she took in a shaky breath before lowering her hand and continuing to walk forward, “Vita…” She muttered the name, “I’ve got to talk with them.”

  Meanwhile inside the Striga let out a sigh as she reached the bottom of the stairs, there Yin sat at the table in his small kitchen drinking a cup of coffee.

  He blinked while holding up his cup, “Want some?”

  Striga smiled softly, shaking her head, “I’ll pass, the offer is appreciated though.”

  Yin took note of Striga’s gaze and nodded slowly before turning his gaze towards the stairs, “How’s she holding up?” he asked, clearly referring to Skylar and Striga paused to glance at the stairs.

  “Fine, all things considered, I hadn’t told her about Vita… didn’t have the heart.” Striga explained with a soft smile, “Nor did I tell her the truth about Yang.”

  Yin nodded slowly at that, “The rest of us fell under Suzaku’s control… but Yang, he truly fell in love with her, we need to find him, and soon, before he finds Skylar.” He then paused, “Oh right, that thing you wanted is on the table here.” He pointed forward to the table where a piece of paper was sitting folded up.

  Striga nodded at that pulling up a chair grabbing the paper and pocketing it in a swift motion, “Well she’s awake now, and because of that, we’ll likely only be able to keep her in this building for a day or so. She’s a hard girl to keep chained down, you know.” Striga said that with a wry smile.

  Yin looked at the dark contents of his cup before speaking up, “...If I might ask you a rather bold question Striga, why is it that you remain? You're surely aware of the dangers of your mission.”

  Striga blinked her eyes shining with a sense of remorse as she tore her gaze away from the table, “I’ve been aware since the start, and now I put a person I swore to protect in danger, so I suppose I continue now… more as a matter of personal pride, to prove to myself that I’m still worth something in this hell of ours.”

  Yin was about to respond to that when he heard something.

  A knock.

  Instantly he shut his trap and slowly stood up, Striga turned her gaze to the front door.

  Before nodding to Yin, he nodded back and started to approach the door as Striga moved to the stairs walking up them as silent as she could be.

  She stopped at the top, pressing against the wall, just out of sight but not far enough to enter the upstairs room.

  Yin took in a breath before reaching out and twisting the handle on the door, pulling it open.

  There Yang stood, his eyes had bags beneath them and he wore an exhausted smile on his face.

  Yin took note of the spear in Yang’s hand, there was blood on the tip of it, “Brother.” Yang spoke with a small bit of light in his eyes, “She’s here isn’t she? The Shadewalker.”

  In response to the question Yin frowned, “Yang what happened to yo-”

  “ANSWER ME YIN!” Yang suddenly shouted anger in his gaze catching Yin to flinch, Yang paused at the sight of his brother being so distraught that he sighed running his free hand through his hair, “Forgive me, I didn’t mean to snap… It’s just, Suzaku… gods. You know how much she meant to me.”

  Yang leaned against the doorframe looking down to his freehand, “She was beautiful, she was my everything… I wanted to spend every waking moment with her, she was my dream and she made my visions reality. And now she’s gone, ripped away from me before I could tell her.”

  Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

  Yin said nothing to that, while up the stairs Striga gritted her teeth glancing to the door where Skylar was supposed to be resting.

  If that door opened now, it was all over.

  Yin then folded his arms, “I understand how you feel, but… She’s not here brother, she left some time ago.” Yin lied effortlessly, “Please, think about what you're doing. You look like you haven’t slept in days, and when was the last time you had a fresh meal.”

  Yang paused at his brother’s frantic worrying and slowly nodded, “...I suppose a small break wouldn’t hurt.” he conceded after a long moment.

  Yin let out a sigh before putting on a bright smile and stepping to the side, “Come on in, I’ll brew you a fresh cup of coffee.”

  Yang did just that walking inside and instantly he took note of some things, “You already had the kettle out? Brewed far more than you needed…”

  Yin blinked at that, “Ah must have been out of habit, you're always here in the morning with me after all..” Yin tried to brush it off with ease.

  “And yet you brewed less than that when I was around,” Yang replied, turning to look over his shoulder.

  Yin paused feeling sweat form on the back of his neck, “O-Oh did I? How strange, maybe it’s an off day for me…”

  Striga could hear the conversation going south from upstairs so she slowly started to inch her way to the door, maybe she could escape through the window?

  Slowly she reached out, grabbing the handle.

  Yang stared at his brother before speaking up, “Is there someone else here?” his question was just loud enough to reach the top of the stairs causing Striga to pause.

  It’d be a nightmare if Yang caught her now, let alone Skylar.

  Yin of course smiled trying his best to keep the facade going, “That’s ridiculous, it was you who told me to close up the house and I did.” He then put a finger to his chin, “Ah, perhaps that’s why I made extras? I’m so used to having more than one guest as of late…”

  Yang slowly nodded, taking in the information, before sighing, and setting his spear against the wall, “Maybe I am getting too tired, here I am doubting my own brother…”

  Yin paused at that, showing a sense of pity in his gaze before nodding.

  Striga let out a slight sigh, letting go of the doorknob and returning to the side of the stairs.

  Yin moved over to the coffee pot and started to pour a fresh cup, “...You're aware of what Suzaku’s abilities were aren’t you?”

  Yang nodded as he took a seat, “I am, there are few better informed on the topic. She was very open about it with me.” He explained as he glanced over to the window, “Are you going to suggest I was under her spell?”

  “I’m not fool enough to think that.” Yin responded flatly and brought over a cup, “But even so, she did try to kill Skylar. Skylar was in her right to defend herself.”

  “Defend herself, yes.” Yang glared up at Yin, “But not to kill.”

  “Yang…” Yin stared down with pity in his eyes.

  And Yang sighed looking away, “Just give me the damn cup already.” he spat before reaching up trying to take the cup from Yin’s hand.

  Only for it to slip and fall onto the ground, shattering upon the wood, “Ah damn it all!” Yang hissed as he stood up running his hands through his face.

  “I’ll… I’ll go and get the mop. It's still upstairs isn’t it?” Yang questioned as he started to move, causing Yin to panic and dart forward, “W-What no! I’ll go and get it, you just got back, take a seat and relax.”

  Yang stared down at Yin for a moment, “No, you're already working yourself this hard. Allow me.”

  “It’s no trouble brother,” Yin responded with a forced smile.

  And Yang put a hand on Yin’s shoulder, “I dropped the mug, allow me to clean up my mess.”

  “Well, I-”

  “It’s fine Yin.” Yang put on a smile that made Yin’s heart sink.

  He watched helplessly as Yang started to climb those stairs, Striga grit her teeth from her small hiding spot and clenched her hands into fists.

  At this rate, it was going to come down to a fight, and Yin knew that.

  That’s why he was stepping in at all.

  Slowly Yang started to climb those stairs, and Striga knew what had to come next she took in a breath closing her eyes.

  When she opened them, Yang was standing before her staring forward in shock, “You… The one that she was looking for.” his eyes fell upon Striga, “But if you're here, then…” his gaze moved to the door nearby.

  “Hell no, she’s under my protection, asshole. You want her. You’ll have to get through me.” Striga spat instantly, her protective instinct taking over.

  Yang paused at that before looking right down at Striga, Yang threw the first punch forward and Striga ducked to the side letting Yang’s fist hit the drywall, she then threw her fist forward slamming into his gut, and Yang stumbled backward in shock.

  Before he could move to react Striga strafed to the side and kicked Yang in the back sending him tumbling down the stairs.

  Striga then let out a huff moving to the door beside her and flinging it open, “Skylar we need to move no-” her eyes widened when she saw the room. She rushed inside checking the bed and noted the open window itself, thus bringing her fears to bear.

  Empty.

  Yang groaned from the bottom of the stairs, “That fucking witch!” he hissed darting to his spear and picking it up.

  “Yang please sto-” Yin tried to shout only for Yang to run up the stairs shouting.

  “STAY OUT OF THIS!”

  Striga heard the shout and spun around just as Yang rounded the corner.

  He thrust his spear forward right at Striga’s chest, Striga in response leaped up onto the bed just out of range of the spear, Yang hissed at that going for another stab.

  Striga reached down grabbed a pillow and leaped into the air over the second stab throwing that pillow forward making it hit Yang’s face obscuring his vision, but that wasn’t all she did.

  Striga flew through the air, her boot hitting the pillow and sending Yang flying across the room forcing him to drop his spear.

  Striga landed on the ground with a roll with a grunt, as Yang hit the wall outside of the room, the pillow fell onto his lap.

  He growled, clutching his chin, and slowly he stood up, “Why? Why are you defending her!?”

  Striga narrowed her gaze and slowly raised her fists, “...Isn’t it obvious? She’s my best friend, now back off.”

  Yang grits his teeth at that as Striga’s boot hits the edge of Yang’s spear she made sure to kick it aside out of both of their reach.

  -I’ve always hated fighting. Outside of strategy, it’s the only real thing I’m good at. But every time I do it, blood always flashes in my gaze.

  Striga let out a cry blasting forward, Yang did the same and they slammed their palms against each other, staring at one another with fury in their gaze as they pushed against each other.

  -Maybe that’s why people always found themselves drawn to me. ‘The master fighter who hates fighting.’ or maybe that’s ego taking hold.

  Striga and Yang pulled their heads back slamming them together in a headbutt that forced Striga to stumble backward in pain, Yang didn’t let up however, he shot forward slamming a fist into Striga’s gut, and then as she lurched over he threw another punch into her face sending her back onto the ground.

  Her back pressed up against the bed, Striga groaned as Yang walked over to his spear grabbing it from the ground.

  “It’s about time we brought this to an end.” He hissed, raising his spear above Striga’s head.

  Striga’s free hand grabbed the sheet of the bed as she breathed heavily,

  -My first fight in that place, that town that I call home.

  That’s where I first got the name, that wretched name that everyone associates with my very presence.

  The Witch Of Jubilee.

  Yang stabbed down towards Striga, in the same motion Striga pulled the sheets from the bed and her eyes flashed crimson as she ducked her head throwing the sheets forward and dodging the spear in the same motion.

  The sheets were set ablaze as they hit Yang’s hand causing him to yelp in pain and stumble backward.

  His eyes widened further when he looked up and saw Striga’s fist before his eyes.

  It slammed into his face like a hammer making him stumble backward, only for Striga to close the distance once more, her knee making contact with his gut making him lurch forward.

  He felt fingers in his hair pulling him up and into another right hook from Striga as she threw him onto the ground, her eyes flashed emerald and Yang’s spear flew into Striga’s free hand as she slammed her boot into Yang’s stomach she pointed the tip of the spear at Yang’s neck.

  “Stay the hell away from me and my friend.” She hissed her eyes, shining with fury.

  “D-Damn witch… Who the hell do you think you are?” Yang asked with anger in his gaze, Striga looked down at the man with pity in her gaze, but gave her response, “I’m Striga, and Skylar is under my protection.” With that, she lifted the spear and hit the side of Yang’s head with the blunt side knocking him out entirely, before tossing the weapon to the side.

  She removed her boot from his stomach with a scowl as she moved over to the window Yin came into the room, “Yang! Oh god are yo-”

  “He’s fine, nothing a good night’s sleep won’t fix.” Striga responded flatly as she climbed onto the window seal, she paused looking over her shoulder, “I think we’ve overstayed our welcome… be seeing you.”

  Yin looked at his brother and picked him up, moving him over to the bed, “...Striga, don’t you dare die.”

  Striga smirked at that, giving a two-fingered wave before leaping off the window.

  ***

  Skylar’s feet moved of their own accord through the dark alleyways that was until she came across a familiar sight, the place where she first fought Seriyu, she looked around the place with a sense of nostalgia somehow this place felt… right.

  Soon her gaze fell upon the sight of someone clad in familiar armor, but the helmet was missing so that was why Skylar stared forward locking eyes with Vita, “What… the hell…?”

  Vita smirked leaning against the wall and examining her blade, “Ah yes, this would be the first time you’ve seen me without my helmet on, but even you must have known…”

  “Known what…?” Skylar muttered confusion on her face.

  Vita pushed away from the wall with a wry smirk, “That Vita is dead, or at least, the person who first had this body is dead. You knew this from the first but you didn’t care.” Vita then stopped staring right at Skylar pointing a finger forward, “You wanted someone to help you, to train you in the ways of the arts. And so you called upon the one soul you could always rely on, yourself.”

  Skylar blinked her memories flashing, “You're the missing shard.” she muttered in realization.

  Vita smirked at that, “Figured that out, have you? Good then we can skip to the important bits.” she declared, tossing her blade to the side, “...Every move you’ve made, every action you’ve ever taken has succeeded in doing nothing more than enraging me, the fact that I was ever a part of you sickens me to my core.” Vita declared, raising her fists, “And it is here that I shall prove that I do not need you.”

  Skylar said nothing to that at the moment staring forward, before letting out a sigh, “Fine I get it.” She then raised her fists, her eyes flashing crimson, “After all, there’s no one in this world that hates me more than myself.”

  There was silence between them after that, they both stood there before lunging forward.

  Throwing their fists through the air they clashed in the center of this place, before immediately stepping back.

  Skylar immediately lowered herself closer to the ground spinning as she did so, aiming a kick high into the air.

  Vita however ducked to the left avoiding the bow and grabbing Skylar’s leg pulling her up into the air and spinning her around.

  “Oh dear go-” Skylar clasped her hands over her mouth in an attempt to hold in vomit before she was sent flying backward through the wooden covers over the well.

  She tumbled onto the ground with several bruises now forming on her skin. Skylar groaned standing up in a daze, her head spinning from both the pain and the … spinning.

  Vita stared forward keeping her fists raised, “Really now? What did you think was going to happen, that I was just going to stand there and take a blow like that.”

  Skylar grabbed her head hissing as she shook off her daze, “Go to hell.”

  “Already been there, your head isn’t a lovely place you know.” Vita spat back instantly rushing forward and throwing forward her right fist.

  Skylar ducked to the left, only for the wind to blow behind her, her eyes widened and she ducked forward as a shadow’s fist flew over her head.

  Just before she considered herself safe to attack Vita slammed her knee into Skylar’s nose causing her to lurch upwards in pain clutching her nose.

  “You think so little! Your movements hold no rhyme or reason, thinking about the immediate future instead of what lies ahead!” Vita shouted grabbing Skylar by the hair and throwing her up, the shadow leaped up as well bringing its hands together and slamming them down onto Skylar’s gut, Vita spun around kicking Skylar in the side sending her flying through the shadow and through the wall of a nearby building.

  Smoke and dust flew into the air as Vita lowered her leg.

  “...Everything up to today has been your story, but everything after today will be mine.” Vita declared proudly as she scoffed, turning around she began to walk away.

  Her eyes shone with pride.

  “Hey.”

  Vita stopped in place, her eyes wide, she turned around and saw Skylar slowly getting up. It was all Vita could do to hold back her screams of anger as she saw Skylar raise her fists once more. But there was something wrong, a glint in her eyes.

  “Come on… we're not done.” Skylar lifted her head, “You said you're angry at me right? So come on! THROW A FUCKING PUNCH!” Skylar snapped suddenly, her eyes wide with a sense of lunacy.

  Vita said nothing while narrowing her gaze, “What are you playing at?”

  Skylar wore a manic grin, “You're my logical side? What a load of shit, you're barely holding yourself together, I see you for what you are.” Skylar pointed to herself, “Logic and reason never held a place in our heart… You're the side of me that’s afraid.”

  Vita stared forward narrowing her gaze, “What did you say…?”

  “You're afraid of the world, afraid of what they’ll do when they find out what we are. Afraid of rejection, of dying…” Skylar spoke, holding her hands out to the side, “...So take it all out, I’m right here. You can kick me, throw me against a wall. Scream profanities until your throat burns. But I’m not going anywhere.” Skylar smiled widely even as a stream of blood ran from her head, “Because I’m Skylar, and I’m afraid of everything in this world.”

  Vita stared forward gritting her teeth, “You think you know me? You know nothing! Not once have you listened to my cries! You think this show will be enough to win me over!?!”

  “Oh, it’s working.” Skylar responded with a wry smirk, “Because you turned around didn’t you? You want to prove you're the stronger one, then beat me down until I can’t get up anymore.”

  Vita growled, stepping forward and throwing a right hook forward, slamming into Skylar’s jaw causing Skylar to stumble backward.

  “Stop this.” Vita growled slamming her boot into Skylar’s gut causing the girl to double over in pain, “Just give it up. You're worth nothing, you are nothing. I want nothing more to do with you.”

  Skylar slowly started to stand back up, taking in a breath.

  “You're nothing without me.” Skylar responded flatly, “And you know it.”

  Vita blinked at that scoffing, “Really now? That’s hilarious, I could say that about you. If anything I’d say you're jealous of my track record.” Vita folded her arms with a smirk, “Your weak knees brand you soft and helpless.”

  Skylar stood at her full height standing tall letting out a hum, “You claim to be the one with brains, but to me, it just looks like you're a speck of lint that fell out the last time I picked my brain…” Skylar then tilted her head.

  While Vita chuckled, “So this is what we are reduced to? Shameless insults, truly you are beneath me…-” she cut herself off as she stared forward at Skylar.

  “...What’s the matter, Vita?” Skylar questioned, as the shadows began to crawl forward from the wall behind Skylar, “Don’t tell me? Afraid of the dark?”

  The shadows lashed out grabbing onto Vita’s hands and legs pulling her forward, “Wha- What is this?! You think you can contain me?”

  “...That’s up in the air honestly, and it’s not my goal here.” Skylar responds honestly, looking to the ground for a moment, “But that body doesn't belong to you does it? It’s borrowed and it should be buried with the rest of its kin.”

  Vita stared forward in shock growling, “You… You think this means you’ve won?!”

  “Still angry are we?” Skylar chuckled a bit, extending her hand, “Then here’s your olive branch, you can either drop that body now and return to me, tormenting me for all of our lives. Or you can die with that body.” Skylar extended her offer with a sense of ruthlessness in her eyes.

  Vita growled at that, “You're full of it! You want me back… You won’t kill this body.”

  Skylar kept her frown on her face for a moment before smiling, her eyes flashing red, “That would make sense from a logical point wouldn’t it?” She then brandished a fanged smile lifting her head higher, "A shame that I’m not the type to listen to logic.”

  The shadows began to pull at the seams of Vita’s body, causing her to stare forward in fear.

  “...Y-Your joking…” but when she stared into Skylar’s eyes, she saw ruthlessness.

  The truth of the matter was this.

  Vita wasn’t just fear. Vita was a chain, the only thing that kept Skylar Shadewalker from becoming a monster.

  And now Vita was forced to stare that monster dead in the eyes knowing that hesitating would allow it to roam free in this world.

  Skylar kept her empty gaze on Vita, slowly she put her hands into the pockets of her jacket, “...I wonder.” she hummed looking up to the clouds in the sky.

  Vita stared forward growling in anger, “Damn you… damn you truly.” wisps of black energy started to flow into the air, and Skylar, “Why?” Vita suddenly asked, “Why did it have to be me? Why did it have to be us?” she asked this question looking right into Skylar’s eyes

  Skylar stared forward at the sight, releasing the shadows with a frown, staring right at Vita, “...I couldn’t tell you, but maybe we’ll find the answer someday.”

  Vita let out a bitter chuckle at that, “I doubt it, and even then. I don’t think there is an answer that would ever satisfy us.”

  Skylar paused at that before nodding in agreement, slowly Vita stood up a sad smile on her face, “Fine, you’ll have your chains. But should you ever tire of this charade, I’ll always be here to break them… you need only ask.”

  Skylar nodded, reaching out as the wisps of dark energy flowed into her hands, “Listen to my voice.”

  “Listen to my heartbeat,” Vita responded and both of their eyes flashed crimson.

  “Listen.”