Beneath The Surface

Final Act 55 - The beginning of the end

Normal text
Thinking
Onomatopoeia

Astaroth's POV
Splat!

Astaroth watched in horror as the giant stinger ran through Ahri's belly. She immediately picked up the faint sound of something cracking. Crimson-red blood poured out. Panic gripped her heart. The gruesome sight stunned her stupid. Her mind instinctively went to the fateful night where everything ended for her. How her sister also died in the same way. And the soul-crushing regret that followed. Her cowardice had led to Sister Luna's demise. And now, it was her flawed plan that resulted in the same nightmare. Ahri was going to pay for her mistakes. Ornn's wistful words echoed indefinitely in her head.

"Sometimes, it's not a matter that's under your control."

She should have listened to Ornn. She should have cherished the people around her more. How foolish of her to think everything would go her way. How stupid to dream of a life in Valoran City when she's already committed to being the short-lived villain. If even a demigod couldn't protect his people, then what does it say about her chances as a cursed mortal? What her parents said were true. She could never do anything right. She's just a jinx that ruins people's happiness.

Seeing another stinger about to spear the poor baby fox, Astaroth finally snapped out of her stupor. Tentacles surged forward and slapped the living daylights out of this bloody vermin. So hard that Bel'Veth went flying like a rag doll. Astaroth completely ignored her designated role and caught the vixen's limp body.

"Ahri!"

But she was scarcely in the headspace to answer her desperate cries. Merely breathed heavily. Confusion etched on the woman's face. Or maybe she's just deliberately ignoring her. After all, that's what Astaroth had been doing to her. So she's now retaliating in kind. But being the brat that she was, Astaroth couldn't stomach the same cold-shoulder treatment. Aggrievedness welled up inside her. How could Ahri do this to her??? How could she waste her gift??? Then have the gall to cut her out??? Why won't she answer her?!

"Your back is wide open again, Sovereign!" Bel'Veth spat.

Before the club could dent her skull, plasma seared the end clean off. Bel'Veth screeched as more Void energy detonated on its face.

Astaroth stared at the Void huntress with reddish eyes, "Kaisa, Ahri—she... Please... Help me..."

She didn't even know what she wanted from Kaisa. What can she do? She can't possibly defy death, can she? Besides, even if she could, why would she? For her? Astaroth had already betrayed the little rabbit. Would she even listen to her pleas?

The reminder of her current forlorn state made Astaroth shut up. What's the point of even begging for help? She should be glad if Kaisa doesn't blast a hole straight through her. No one would help her. Not when she can't even get a single coherent word out. Like some incompetent muppet.

Kaisa glanced at them worriedly

"Wait for me," she lied before bolting after the attention-seeking fish.

People were piling atop the bloody stingray. Especially Kali who had copied Kha'Zix's idiotic stunt and pounced on Bel'Veth's back while slicing wildly. Everything was in shambles. Destruction and death lingered in the battlefield. There were corpses everywhere, with the heavy stench of blood hanging in the air. What had she done...

Pursing her lips doubtfully, she laid Ahri on the ground. Her body temperature was plummeting. Her once toasty hugs were now startingly cold. She's dying.

Without hesitation, Astaroth slashed across her wrist, opening a hideous gash, "Drink! You will get better after drinking!"

Blood wet her lips. However, no matter how hard she tried to coax the difficult fox, Ahri still wouldn't open her mouth. Even if she's desperately gasping for air. The cute little fox no longer found her life essence flavourful after it was corrupted beyond saving. In fact, she'd rather die than have a taste of that revolting fluid.