[A/N] - First Finale out of the three planned for this story. Part 2 will be released tomorrow, most likely along with part 3. I promise to do my best and have it done.
After that, the Second Finale will follow (most likely also in three parts, but that remains to be seen). This finale will also have a full smut chapter as a thank you for your comments, kudos (in Ao3), and love for this fanfic.
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Rio never intended to harm you that way. Even attacking Agatha was more of a bluff. Use the dagger to make her drop her guard, perhaps try to scare her or draw just the tiniest bit of blood.
And then you interfered... and she didn't have the time to pull back.
She tried to redirect the attack, and in the end, she did not harm you—not lethally, at least.
The blade pierced your clothes and your skin, leaving a nasty wound above your chest; blood quickly escaped the new wound.
Your eyes were wide at the sharp pain that came from the wound, one hand instinctively going to where you were injured, feeling the warm blood that was staining your fingers.
Rio was as shocked as you, but before she or Agatha could do anything, Billy did.
He had been recovering in the greenhouse, fighting his new superficial bruises and wounds while watching the battle go on. He wanted to interfere, to try and help some more, but he hesitated, seeing you and Agatha already struggling, and you were far above his level.
And then.. when Agatha was about to get reaped, you jumped in front of the sharp blade before he could use his powers in any way.
Seeing you wounded, faintly seeing the red blood on the blade and on your white clothing... he lost it.
In a moment of sudden anger, he unleashed his powers on Rio. The attack caught her off guard and threw her back away from you.
He rushed towards you as you bent a single knee; adrenaline and years of hardships were the only things keeping you standing and focused.
Agatha was already by your side, looking at you with worry and fear. An expression that reminded you a lot of the night Billy almost died back then during the second trial of the road.
However, this time, it was you who was wounded but not as deep as Billy was. Of course, that was not much of a comfort, considering your foolish heroic move to try and put yourself in front of Rio's blade.
"I'm okay," you reassured her as your white magic slowly started work, fighting to heal your wound.
It was tricky, even for you, because Rio's blade was unique, capable of reaping souls out of bodies and even cutting through the road as if it were nothing.
Rio managed to get up, and whatever shock you had from the initial attack had passed. A new opportunity had been presented, and she was not going to let it get away.
"This will never end. You all know it," she said, pocketing her knife. "So, will let you choose which one of you is coming with me."
You exchanged a look with the others, unsure about this dilemma.
How could you point a finger at someone else and sacrifice them just like that? Especially after the battle you have just been through.
You were about to volunteer when, to your surprise, Agatha did.
"Take me," she said, but before you could argue, Billy did.
"No, it has to be me," he argued, mastering all the courage he could find within him. "Take me," he bravely took two steps forward.
One would expect Agatha to argue with him at that moment, but she didn't. Much to Billy's surprise and slightly to yours.
"Yes, take me him, like we agreed."
She did feel some guilt for letting Billy die, her heart heavy because that damn boy often reminded her of Nickolas.
But, at that moment, no victory was in sight. You were injured, and she was not going to let you waste your life or die for her and Billy.
She finally got you back, and it looked like you would stay this time. Agatha would not lose you so easily, not when she finally might have a chance with you.
She offered her hand, wishing to help you get up, but you sapped her hand away.
You were clearly feeling betrayed by her words and her final decision, though you should have been used to it by now. Yet, a part of you deep down was truly rooting for her—for the light she still had in her heart.
Agatha looked at you defeated and stepped back, realizing you would not forgive her so easily.
She refused to leave you back, though.
"Come along, sugar," she said, expecting you would obediently listen to her. "You heard him. He volunteered himself to save both of us."
You managed to get up, the bleeding having stopped, but the wound remained open. Your hand was sticky with your blood, but it was the last of your concerns at the moment.
You looked at Billy, and you could see the fear behind his dark eyes. He did not want to die, but he also didn't want you or Agatha to die. However, with the latter's revelation, he started to rethink who he was volunteering for.
Yes, he did volunteer himself, but he had already faced death once, and he was a mere boy back then in the Hex. He wasn't sure if he was going to be able to pass through it again, especially after spending so long fighting for answers and actually managing to give Tommy a body.
You couldn't bear to look at him.
No, he had a full life ahead of him, and he had already started tough in the beginning. You were not there to somehow help Nicky when he passed, but you were present now, and you were going to make your stand.
"Take me," you repeated as you locked your gaze with Rio's and no one else's. "I don't care about your rules. You want to take a soul with you. Then take mine and let Agatha and Billy go."
You could clearly see that Rio was hesitating, for there were rules in place that she could not even break. Rules that she could not bend like she did for Nicky.
Rules she had explained to you not so long ago when pieces of your past and hers started to go into place.
But if you volunteer yourself so openly, she could try to make an exception under the right circumstances.
Plus, Rio had started to enjoy having you around, and she did want you around—like she wanted Agatha—which was why she had not argued with the deal.
After all, Billy was the one she was after from the beginning.
Agatha was looking to be tormented for the words she told Rio at the Road, showing how ungrateful she was despite the rules Rio bent for her and their son.
You didn't like her hesitation, and in a moment of spontaneous thought, you grabbed a window shard lying close by and brought it closer to your neck, sharp edge threatening to rip your skin with one clean cut. "If you hesitate to take me, I will make it easy for you, but I'm not letting you take Billy or Agatha."
Your words and the sharp item by your neck surprised your three companions. Some might even consider you a madwoman, but you were tired of losing people and standing on the sidelines while everyone else did the work.
You were tired of being scared of your powers and regretting all your life choices due to fear.
This time, you were making a choice, and you were certain about it.
This time, you would protect your loved ones.
YOU ARE READING
Moon Phases (Agatha Harkness X Fem!Reader)
FanfictionYou have a past with Agatha, one as old as your age. Your roads often met, but she left you behind more than once. Now, once again, your paths cross, but this time, it is intentional. It started as a one-shot on my Tumblr account (mr-ys-phantasma)...
