3rd life, but make it Corika!

{Pattern/Flowers} A New Threat

"Three people have died. Think one of us is next?"

Army's question was one on Aloha's mind, as well. Aloha had always been an optimist, but this situation was a bit hard to keep a positive attitude in. I mean, two out of three of the people who have died so far, Army knew and cared for. It'd be hard to help him see the positives here.

Aloha sighed. "I... hope not. I mean, our base is pretty safe. I doubt anyone would try and harm you, yet..." He kissed his lover's forehead, rubbing his cheek with his thumb. "Even then, I'll protect you from them."

"..T-thanks, love..."

"Anytime, Arm." Aloha held him tightly, almost protectively. "Need anything?"

"...Can we go for a walk?" Army asked.

Aloha nodded. "Sure. C'mon, Foxy."

Army blushed at the nickname, slipping out of the embrace to place his hands over his face, which was now a shade of red. Aloha chuckled at the sight.

"Cute.."

--

The cool, dusk air felt nice on Army's skin. It felt comforting to him, as if embracing him. He smiled, leaning against Aloha as they walked. The taller male put his arm around Army. As much as he liked the cool night air, the warmth of Aloha's embrace was nice, too.

"It's been a while since we had something like this for ourselves, huh?" Aloha asked.

Army nodded. "It does feel nice, however. Just... the two of us. No annoying teammates to bug us."

"And I get my fox all to myself~" Aloha kissed the top of Army's head, picking him up the way a groom might hold a bride.

Army giggled, kissing Aloha's cheek in response. "And I get my firefly..."

The two kept on for a bit, gently walking through the forest. However, someone... was watching them. They pulled out a knife, quickly throwing it at Aloha in an attempt to strike his head. The blade harmlessly stuck to the tree in front of the couple.

"...Who's there?" Aloha asked, voice quiet and... almost scary.

Army gulped, shaking in his lover's arms in the tense silence.

Aloha set Army down. "Army, go back to the grove. I'll be there shortly."

"A-Aloha, I'm not leaving w-without y-"

"GO!" Aloha yelled.

Army gave a shaky nod. He'd never seen Aloha this.... scary, before. He ran back in the direction of their home but instead hid behind a tree, to watch the encounter.

Aloha drew his sword, and another knife was thrown, this one at his foot. "Shit-" he cursed, leaning down to get the knife out.

A figure dropped to the ground. He wore all black, and green rings decorated his fingers. And that red hair...

....Regent.

"R-Regent?" Aloha asked, his tone very sharp. "What are- You're here too?"

Regent nodded, white teeth glinting in the moonlight. "Of course I am. I woke up before all of you, ran from the tree... And I've been, busy, you could say." He drew a sword, tip between his fingers. "I found out how to win this game of death."

"...How?" Aloha asked, sliding into a defensive position. "Humor me, how do you win?"

"Oh, you don't win by outliving." A wicked grin graced Regent's face, an almost unhinged look. He dashed forward and before Aloha could react, Regent plunged the blade into Aloha's stomach, causing blood, not the pink ink he would normally bleed, actual red blood, to spew out of Aloha's mouth. Army covered his mouth, feeling sick, but he leaned in closer, listening to Regent's words.

"You win by killing." He let out a low cackle, taking out the blade which was now covered in blood, as Aloha fell to the ground, his body disappearing with a 'poof', due to the logic of this world.

>Aloha was slain by Regent

Army swallowed something coming out of his throat- he was used to having to keep himself from vomiting. He took a deep breath.

This man has just killed my lover.

He drew his blade, almost growling with anger.

He won't get away with this with all three lives.

For once, he did not flee the threat. Army rushed at Regent from behind the tree, catching the taller male off-guard and knocking him down, his blade getting knocked to the side. "Wha-HEY! GET OFF OF ME!"

Army surprised himself by snarling. This was not like him, it... it was like the spirit of an actual warrior possessed him and not the normal anxious nerd he was.

"This, is for my lover!" Army yelled, his body near moving on its own as he plunged the blade into Regent's heart, pulling it out and stabbing him again.

He didn't- This wasn't Army! The normal Army would run home and most likely have a full-on panic attack. But he isn't the normal Army. At least, not at the moment.

As Regent lay below Army, the ginger drove his blade into his neck. His body poofed, leaving Army alone in the night air, covered in blood and sweat, shaking from adrenaline.

>Regent was slain by Army

Emperor: WHAT? REGENT'S HERE?

Mask: Oof, overprotective much?

Ignoring the comments, Army simply took a few deep breaths, trying to comprehend what the fuck just happened. He stood up, legs still shaking and clothes still bloodstained, and slowly walked back to the little hollow.

The moon was high in the sky, illuminating the pink locks of Aloha's as he frantically looked around the hollow. He turned to Army, and sighed in relief, before rushing over to him, catching him as he pretty much fell into Aloha's arms.

"Oh, gosh! Army, what happened to you?" Aloha asked, voice laced with concern.

"I... h-he, R-Regent hurt my firefly..." Was all Army could get out, pretty much passing out in Aloha's arms from exhaustion.