He was tired. A deep weariness that seemed to spread through his bones until every step felt like it had to be his last. Sweat trickled down his face, making small clear paths as it wiped away the grime that seemed to cover every part of him. Thick smoke covered the street, hiding away the desolate buildings he knew that surrounded him. In the distance, there were screams. Truly, the world was mad.
Step by step, his teeth gritted in determination. The sword was a heavy burden, his knuckles turning white in the effort to keep his grip on the handle. He could not stop, would not stop. The world was suffering and he needed to help. Go to the center. It started in the center. It will end in the center.
He listened to the whisper, staggering down the street until he reached what had used to be a beautiful park. Now the grass was blackened by ash as fire licked at the last standing tree. The heat was almost unbearable but he kept going, crossing the ground until he reached what used to be a fountain. Now the water was gone and what had used to be an angelic cherub in the centre was now broken pottery lying on the ground. He sunk onto a nearby rock, resting his forehead against the sword as he tried to get his breath back. So tired… Don’t stop now. You’re almost there.
He inhaled deeply, rose to his feet and kept walking. Over the hill lay the center, a large area of concrete that used to have thousands of flowers surrounding picnic tables. Now it was bare save for a small group of people huddled in the middle. Almost there…
They looked up as he came closer, a young, thin girl pushing her way to the front. He’d loved her, once. He could feel it, buried beneath the weariness. He’d loved her with everything he was and now that he was nothing it was gone. He raised the sword. Almost there…
“Kias, please.” The girl whispered.
He had to stop this. The world was almost gone but it wasn’t too late. If he could just keep fighting a little longer…
“That’s not Kias anymore.” Another one, a man, said. He knew that man, too. Blood. Brothers in blood. But now there was too much blood and that too was gone. He tightened his grip on the sword. You have to kill them. Have to die…
“Please, Kias. Put down the sword. Just let it go.” She was crying and a part of him wanted to reach out and wipe the tears away. And he did raise his arm but she leapt away as metal swished through the air. He paused. That wasn’t right, though. Surely she wasn’t meant to die.
Yes, yes, kill. She carries the gene. If you don’t kill her, more people will die.
He frowned, taking a step forward. Funny. He didn’t remember that. He remembered her face as she watched the bombs explode. The bombs… something else, too. He remembered something else but it was buried beneath the smoke and the rubble, like so many people he had killed.
NO! No, she killed. They killed. You must destroy them before they kill again. The world will be gone unless they die.
“He’s still in there. We have to help him!”
“He’s too tired to struggle…”
Yes. Tired. He was tired. Why was he so tired? Because the sword in his hand had kept swinging until there had been no people left while all around him, buildings collapsed.
Kill them!
He stumbled forward and swung the sword. It connected with a man, his cry breaking the silence as he fell. But it too was heard as if through fog and it didn't stop him as he moved towards the next person. This time, his clumsy swing was blocked, metal striking metal. The man held a broken pipe, a dent showing the place the sword had hit. That cannot stop me! Destroy! Destroy the ones you love!
He cocked his head to one side. Love? Yes. Love. His arm dropped and he looked down at the metal in confusion. So much blood. Why was he hurting the people he loved?
No! Kill them! They must die or everyone does!
He took a step backwards.
“Fight it, Kias! Let go of the sword!
His hand tightened. No. He couldn’t let go. He had to finish this, he had to save them all… Yes. Save them. Save the world by killing a few.
Again, his hand rose. Yes. Save them. That’s what he had to do. Save the world by killing a few. Again, he moved forward, this time heading for her. He had to do it now, before the fog settled over his thoughts again and he remembered… something. Something that had been important, about her and him. Something… about a ring, a ring he had never given her… why hadn’t he given it to her? Again he faltered but his arm was already swinging. Her eyes met his and for the briefest moment he remembered it all. He tried to stop his arm, tried to stop the sword but he’d lost control.
Behind you! Stop him! He turned, his arm moving up to block but the pipe was already connecting, slamming into his face and knocking him back. He fell to the ground, sword clattering against concrete. NO! They want to stop you! Kill!
He blinked. So tired. Too tired. Hands were grabbing him, keeping his arm still as his fingers were pried away from the metal. It hurt. His arm burned and he wanted to scream but all he could do was close his eyes. Too tired…
“Kias, it’s gone. It’s gone, baby, so just breath, ok? It’s not too late… Kias? Come back. Don’t leave. We can fix this…”
He had to fight to open his eyes. “Asia?”
“I’m here, Kias. You’re free, its gone.”
“Did it work?” He whispered. He desperately wanted to reach up and touch her face. He tried to summon the energy. “Did the sword save us?”
She was crying and he finally raised his arm, touching her face gently. She closed her eyes, her smile so sad. Why was she so sad? Hadn’t it worked?
“No, baby, the sword didn’t save us.” Her hand brushed his hair away from her face. “But we’ll save ourselves, ok? Just stay with me and we’ll save ourselves.”
“Okay…” He muttered, his eyes fluttering close. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep you safe…”
So tired.
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