Dimencreas (One-Shots)

Icy Reunion - Jingliu

"So, you've come to stop me?" Jingliu muttered, her voice low yet laced with mockery. The woman lowered her sword from the now frozen cloud knight, turning to face you.

Even with her blindfold on, it was easy to tell there was not a hint of emotion in those cold red eyes. She watched you carefully, observing every movement you made.

You, her old comrade. She hadn't seen you in decades, but you still looked just the same.

"...."

"Do speak up." She tilted her head slightly, an unspoken command to speak. Even if you were silent, Jingliu seemed like she could read through your thoughts with ease.

She studied you for a moment, before speaking once again.

"...I can't believe it's really you." There wasn't the faintest tone of joy in her voice, rather a hint of disappointment.

"Jingliu..."

"Don't call me that." She hissed, eyes flashing angrily.

It was clear that some sort of emotion rose within her at your words. However, it was quickly stifled, and once again, that cold mask of indifference returned.

Her sword was still pointed right at you.

"You can't imagine how many years I've waited for this moment."

"You... Have you really succumbed to the mara..?" You asked almost in a saddened tone

Jingliu stared at you for a few moments, her expression slowly shifting.

"And you're still as naïve as ever." She muttered, before turning and lowering herself to sit on a nearby boulder. She glanced down at you, eyes sharp as knifes.

"...Yes," she finally answered, voice hard as stone. "I have succumb to the mara. It was only a matter of time."

"Yet you were able to keep hold of your sanity..." You whispered.

"You call this 'keeping hold of my sanity'?" Jingliu laughed, the sound coming out as a harsh wheeze. "I'm a shadow of my former self, a living shell."

She shook her head. "Don't make me sound like a saint, I'm a monster."

There was no mistaking the coldness in her tone.

"Still I-"

"You what?" Jingliu glared, standing back up.

"You think you can 'save' me?"

She laughed coldly, her grip on the sword tightening.

"Don't misunderstand, this is my fate. I can't be saved."

"But why...?" You clenched your fist as you tried to stopped the tears from falling in your eyes.

"Why must you... get involved in Imbibitor Lunae's sin..."

"Why?" Jingliu replied, laughing humorlessly.

"You really think I had a choice? You think I wanted this to happen?" She shook her head.

"It was unavoidable."

"But you could've... If only... If only I wasn't too late to save you all back then..."

After you said that, Jingliu's glare intensified.

"It's too late now, there are no 'ifs' or 'buts' or 'should haves'." She said, voice cold.