Wage War *Obi x OC* (COMPLETE)

So Many Final Times

I lunge at her as I hear footsteps drawing closer and our combined weight sends us crashing through a door. As we tumble down a set of stone stairs, I realize what room we're falling into. This won't end well... We're in the cellar. I'm a little sore from the fall but it's almost like I have an immunity to getting hurt on those damn stairs after all these years. I just- I can't do the darkness. The door being broken helps but not enough. I can't move.

"Do you remember this room, Brat? The darkness missed you." She calls out from the shadows.

"S-Shut up."

"Oh look, you're so scared already. How precious."

"I said shut up!"

"You know, over the years, I'd always hoped that the next push would be the one to finally snap that twiggy little neck of yours so I could be free of you. I'd simply have killed you outright, but your father stood in the way of that. Right before you took off, I had hired a man to abduct you. He had free will to do as he wished with you once you were out of my sight."

"Why did you hate me so much?" I ask despite my attempt to hold back the question that's been burning in my mind for as long as I can remember.

"Do you really want to know? I suppose it's a reasonable last request." She chuckles. "Your father and I were lovers, long before Roselle came into the picture. Next thing I know, he's sneaking around with that little trollop and along comes a bratty little child. He tossed me aside and married Roselle so they could have a perfect little family with you. I lost everything because of you! So I did what was right, I killed her and made it look like she'd done it herself, then took my rightful place beside your father. I struggled to get rid of you but you finally did it for me, now that he's dying and you're out of the will, I'll get everything like I deserve!"

"Y-You... You killed my mother?" I blink a few times to process the unbearable rage washing over me. "You killed her then spent years mocking her for killing herself and drilling it into my brain that I was the reason why!? I'll kill you, you miserable self-righteous bitch!"

I can't see a damn thing and the fear of the darkness is still eating away at me but I will kill her. I'll kill her in the same place she tortured me for most of my life. She will know the fear I felt in this room! I swing blindly at her, chuckling every time I feel it connect with her. The scent of blood hits my nose and I can't help the large grin that stretches across my face.

"How does it feel, being afraid for your life?" I call out with a harsh laugh. "You won't get any of my father's money, you'll get a hastily dug hole in the ground!"

She shoves me and as I catch myself, my hand lands on something heavy. I grab it and swing, delighting in the sickening crunch that fills the room. I hear her body hit the floor but continue to swing it over and over again as I laugh.

The enjoyment and confidence I felt with fighting and taking down Opalia has worn off but now I'm back to being terrified. I want to leave, to get away from the blood sticking to my boots, to get back into the light, but I can't move again. All I can do is sink to my knees in the midst of Opalia's blood pool. I didn't kill my mother though... She did die because of me though... If I hadn't come along, Opalia wouldn't have murdered her... It's my fault she was killed... Why couldn't I have protected her...?

I wake up with a nice, comfortable light surrounding me. I don't know how I got out of the cellar, but I pray that I never end up there again. I need to get up and find Obi... Once I figure out where exactly I am. Perhaps I'm dead. I open my eyes and find that I'm very much alive, lying on the couch in Father's study. I'm caked in dried blood but I'm alive. Why didn't anyone from the castle capture me while I was unconscious? As I sit up, I notice a piece of paper on the table in front of me with my name... well, my alias... on it. It's from Obi.

'Arowen,

I'm sorry that I wasn't there when you woke up, but I am okay, I promise. While you were with Opalia, the prince and I made a wager. If I won the fight against him and his knights, we would both go free, at least for the time being. If I lost the fight, you would go free in exchange for my willing surrender. I wanted to protect you and this was the one way I knew I could guarantee your safety. I lied and told the prince that I'd abducted you and forced you into the criminal lifestyle. He agreed to leave you alone and not charge you for anything in exchange for my life. Spend time with your father while you can, then do whatever makes you happy. I love you dearly and I'm sorry that I may never get the chance to see you again. Take care of yourself.

Love,

Obi'

I hold the letter to my chest and bite back the tears threatening to escape. I'm torn. I want to be here with my father until he passes, but I also want to go after Obi. He could die while I am away, same as my father. I love them both so much, I don't know what to do. Back when we were fighting, I always taunted Obi with how peaceful it would be if he weren't around anymore, but I always knew it would be one of the hardest things I'd ever have to deal with, and now it's here... I wipe my hands under my eyes before moving to Father's bed. He stirs slightly and says my name in between labored breaths.

"It's me Father. I'm sorry I was gone for so long... I-I just couldn't stay anymore, not with her still here."

"Where... is she?"

"I- uh, there was an accident... She fell down the stairs." I lie.

To my surprise a smile crosses his face. "I'm glad. Thank... you... Molliene."

He shifts again and one shaky hand pats the empty space beside him. Tears burn my eyes again as I curl up beside my father for what's likely going to be the last time...