Tales of Raiverin: One

Chapter 8

Ashton's body would gasp and wheeze softly, his eyes running back and forth across the room.

"W-... Where am I..?" He said weakly. His body was shaking, voice trembling. "Wh- what is this..?" He spoke, his paw slowly reaching up to his throat. "N-No... no, please..."

Paris stared at him in shock, he couldn't believe that the real Ashton could still be alive. Paris quickly wrapped his arms around Ashton, taking him in an embrace and covering the wound. "Please, save your energy... you'll be okay, we can help you." He said quickly, lifting his head and looking to Leon. "Leon, help! He's gonna die if we don't do something!"

Leon slowly walked over, looking down at the two. "So? This is what he deserves."

"Leon, please! Not now! Just help me!"

Ashton looked up at them both, shaking as tears filled his eyes. "Please... I don't want to die again, I-I'm scared..."

"Y-You won't! I promise!"

Leon spat, turning his head away and taking a few steps back to the corner.

Paris started to cry, he knew that deep down he couldn't trust Ashton, but he also felt that this cat was innocent. Someone who was controlled by something beyond his comprehension, and it hurt him knowing that he couldn't save his brother.

Ashton's eyes met Paris', causing more tears to flow out from the taller cat.
"W-What did... I do to you..?"
"Nothing, you haven't done anything... please just rest..."
Ashton started to smile a bit, reaching up to Paris' face. "You... look like my father..."
"R-Really? Haha... what a surprise..."
"Why are you crying..? You don't know me..."
"I've known you long enough, Ashton..."
"That's... the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me..."
Paris smiled, opening his eyes a bit more. "Yeah..? It won't be the last, okay..?" He said, noticing Ashton's paw slide back down to his side.
"N-No, no, please... you're gonna be okay, I promise!" Paris spoke frantically, holding Ashton's body closer to him, sobbing as he felt blood pool onto his chest. Leon only watched in silence, he was disgusted by Paris, but he'd grant him this moment.

Paris couldn't bring himself to let go of Ashton, his half-brother was finally relieved of his disease, but he had to die as a result. He wanted to carry him, give him a proper burial, but he knew Leon would never allow that. He slowly put Ashton's body down, stepping away as he wiped his eyes. Leon walked past him, purposefully stepping on Ashton's chest. He bumped Paris' shoulder to further reiterate that he didn't approve of what he was doing. Paris pressed his muzzle against Ashton's head, closing his eyes for another moment.

"I miss you already. I hope you rest well, you deserve that after all of this."

"Paris, let's go!" Leon shouted from the door.

Paris slowly stood up, nodding and beginning to carefully walk to the door, leaving Ashton where he was.

For someone who's died twice, leaving the world was never easy.