Life and Death

Chapter 5: Lost

            The four travel in silence for a while.

Master?

Yes Poixuhr?

Not to intrude, but did the Great One really deserve that?

The Great One?

Yes, Kalex as you call him. We demons call him the Great One because legends say he will allows us to be angels again.

Again?

You really don't know much about what you are do you, Master?

No.

Well most demons are fallen angels.

Oh.

Anyway, did the Great One deserve that?

Yes!

You don't know how he feels right now.

I don't care! How would you know?

I can sense the feelings of all of you. Myanne is irritated with you two. Kalex is broken because no matter how bad your words hurt, he knows they're true. And you-

I know how I feel Poixuhr.

Do you?

Leave me alone.

As you wish.

A cloud continues to swirl over Marah's head. Occasionally black thunder will crack from it. Kalex looks at Marah, using his eyes to plead forgiveness. Finally, Marah looks him in the eyes.

"Kalex stop staring at me and say something." She demands.

"You know what I have to say Marah." A single tear escapes from his eye.

"Ok why don't you two forgive each other so we can finish our mission."

"Well I have no problem with Marah."

"You sound like a three year old Kalex!" Marah exclaims.

"Calm down Marah! You're the one acting like a three year old! You can't fix all your problems with the silent treatment!" Myanne yells.

"You can't tell me what to do! I'm stronger than you!"

"You wish"

"Let's battle then! See who's better!"

"I'd rather not hurt you Marah. I quite like you."

"I challenge you Myanne!"

"No thanks."

"Are you scared?"

Something snaps in Myanne. A snarl appears on her face as she hurls a fireball at Marah. Marah catches easily and throws it into the ground before encasing herself in a shadow cocoon. Myanne continues to throw elements at Marah. Each attack is absorbed by the shadow. Marah releases a scream as she explodes the cocoon out, and everything Myanne threw flies back at her. Myanne digs her feet into the ground and puts up a shield. Marah continues her barrage as she yells. When she stops for a split-second, Myanne charges and grabs Marah by the shoulders. The impact causes them both to slide back almost to the edge of the pyramid. Myanne grabs Marah by the throat and holds her over the edge. Marah starts laughing hysterically. Suddenly Marah is engulfed in white flame. The flame slowly travels up Myanne's arm. Myanne squeezes tighter, unwilling to yield. Pain is displayed side by side with pride on her face. Ice rapidly spreads from Myanne's shoulder to where the fire is. The ice has its own battle with the fire, before the ice turns into water and puts out all the flames. With the flames Marah sputters and knees Myanne in the elbow. A sickening crunch is heard and Myanne's elbow bends the wrong way. Marah jumps up, grabs Myanne's ankle and pulls her down. Myanne's head slams against one of the bricks. Dark red blood spills down the bricks.

"I GUESS WE KNOW WHO'S STRONGER!" Marah yells out.

Myanne, unwilling to admit defeat, swiftly kicks Marah in the chest, grabs her by her neck punches her, over and over in the face. Black blood starts oozing down Marah's face. Myanne's broken arm shakes. Marah notices and attempts to kick Myanne again. Before she can, Myanne throws Marah in the air and kicks her in the back. The force of the kick sends Marah skidding across the rough bricks, leaving a trail of her blood. Myanne pulls herself up and stands over Marah's unmoving body.

"I'm stronger."

With inhumanly dexterity, Marah jumps up and plunges her hand into Kalex's chest, and rips out his heart. Kalex stands still, as he looks from his empty chest to his beating heart in Marah's hand.

"H-How am I alive?"

"So long as Marah doesn't crush it you won't die, and she knows this."

A wicked grin stretches across Marah's face. She gently gives the heart a squeeze. Kalex falls to his knees screaming in pain.

"This heart belongs to me anyway. Remember when you told me you had given me your heart Kalex?"

"It's a metaphor Marah."

"Not anymore"

Marah looks at the heart hungrily before squeezing it tightly. Kalex screams again, holding the hole his heart had been ripped from. Marah doesn't release her grip, instead she laughs gleefully.

"I guess you were right Kalex." Marah says as she bends to put her hand on his cheek. "I have changed, and this is too fun to ever want to go back!"

Marah conjures a small shoulder bag and puts the heart in it, before refocusing on Myanne. Marah lunges and sinks her hand into Myanne's chest. She quickly pulls her hand out, confused.

"Surprised?"

"I don't like surprises."

"Good. I hid my heart a while ago. Unlike you!" Myanne replies before punching Marah in the chest, where her heart is. The force causes Myanne's fist to go through Marah chest and punch the heart out. Myanne pulls her blood-drenched hand out.

"It's been too long since I did that." Myanne whispers in Marah's ear, before brutally pushing her off the pyramid. Myanne bends down and scoops up Marah's heart. She squeezes it tightly.

"Myanne! Stop!"

"Why should I?"

"She's gonna die anyway plus I want to keep her heart, just like she has mine."