Beneath The Surface

Act 30 - It's supposed to be a happily ever after for us three.

Normal text
Thinking
Onomatopoeia

Akali's POV
"ASTA!" I shouted while scrambling towards her.

"Shhh."

Senior Ahri then proceeded to open her palm. The surrounding blue flames suddenly warped and flew towards her. It was a sight to behold—a giant swirling vortex right in the palm of her hand as hellfire was rapidly pulled in. The moment she clenched her fist, the billowing fire whirl instantly vanished. Everything was settled just like this. Not a single spark of ember remained in the arena. I'd have thought everything was an elaborate illusion if it weren't for the charred walls and heavy stench of burnt flesh. Senior had actually reined in the out-of-control inferno with a mere hand.

"Asta's sleeping," she reminded me.

I nodded vehemently, mimicking a zipping motion on my lips. Senior's crystal tails have splotches of red from swaddling the princess. The kid was bleeding profusely with third-degree burns everywhere. The fool! Why did she cook herself alongside that trash?!

"Senior, Asta won't die, right???"

She pursed her lips, unable to answer me. Her hand was tenderly stroking the fool's silky black hair.

"She won't die," Kaisa affirmed, kneeling down to hold Asta's hand.

While inspecting her wounds, she continued, "The Void is tenacious. As long as her heart is still beating, she won't die. Her symbiote will make sure she lives."

I gently pinched her other wrist. It's only when I felt a faint heartbeat that I let out a sigh of relief.

"HOW DARE YOU HURT THE GRAYS' HEIR!" a shrill cry sounded.

The bastard's lackeys were cradling a burnt heap of shit while glaring menacingly at us. The thing was charred beyond recognition. He was still breathing, but his face was probably permanently disfigured. Good riddance! I have been annoyed at that fuckface for too damn long! Glad that it's gone now! The nerve to touch my princess!

"I could say the same thing about you," Senior Evelynn hissed, her lashers poised to skewer meatbags anytime, "you dare touch my precious buffet? Itching to die?!"

"SHUT THE FUCK UP! I KNEW THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS BITCH—"

My mind snapped and before I knew it, a kunai left my hand and impaled his shoulder. He instantly screeched like a damsel, clutching his shoulder pitifully. He was whimpering like a dog that he was.

"Call her that again and I will show you who's the real bitch!"

It's unlike my usual style to not go for the killing blow. If I was as hot-tempered as before, the knife would have been embedded in his head instead. But the little fool taught me a useful tip—patience is a goddamn virtue! It would sometimes net in more profits than what killing these fuckers could ever offer. Like right now. I still needed to know what exactly happened to Sister Luna. I needed to know what these fuckwits did to her.

I peered at the glowing marble in Asta's hand and gave her a comforting squeeze before facing the unsightly group again, "Mind telling me what you did to the wolf vastaya?"

I stood up and drew out my kama, testing its sharp edge while glancing at the ragtag band of trash, "Mind repeating the story again? I'm VERY interested to hear."

Unrest rippled in the group. They were looking at each other nervously. Because they're well aware of my reputation. I'd wager it's somewhat famous amongst their ranks. Or should I say infamous? The rogue assassin. One that doesn't listen to the Order's command on the battlefield. I always did what I deemed fit. Even if it meant defying Mom's instructions. Since I got things done quicker and more efficiently, Mom always looked past my insubordination. As long as I was useful in the war, she wouldn't touch me. And that has often led to slightly... gruesome results. Now they were alone in foreign territories, with no backup from their rat friends. They're trapped in a cage with a rabid dog. Of course they'd be terrified. Without Darius, they were just headless chickens awaiting slaughter.