The scene has not changed. I was back after I…after I…
My knees connected to the hard stone ground as I felt my body slump. "I…died."
Those strange words emptied from my mouth, as I stared at the earth. While my mind was raging and bombarding my skull.
She killed me. That monster of a women, she impaled me with her knife, and I died on the floor. I bled out on the stone floor.
The little girl! Did she make it?
Though did it matter anymore? if everything just reset then all I did was for nothing. All the fighting, and all the people that I have talked to…
They shone through my head in bright sparks of light. Satella, the thugs, the old man, and Felt. All that struggling, did my attempts to fight back and get the happy ending that I desired…. did it all just amount to nothing.
The thing was, I could still feel it. The way the knife breached through my back, the way it felt through my stomach and organs. How was that still possible?
Luckily, it began to fade away, but it still hurt…even knowing that the pain was all just in my head it was still there. Phantom Pain, back in the war that was what the medics called it. Soldiers that would come back from the trenches after an artillery bombardment, they would still feel their limbs, even after they were gone.
I felt my teeth grind together as I got myself up from where I was sitting. Pushing past the people in my way. "I'll kill her…"
The anger in my voice startling me. The fear mixing in with my bloodlust as I ventured forth. Pushing ahead…always pushing ahead, ever since Lisa and the war those acts of violence have defined me.
That was who I was. "I'll fucking rip her to shreds if I have to…"
I began to walk down an alleyway as I took off my backpack and began scrounging through all my stuff trying to get all my supplies in order. I took out the glass of alcohol and with my knife I ripped up a piece of my pants as I stuck it inside of the glass of alcohol.
Fire worked well last time. I will kill her…with my own two hands. I will not let someone else do the job for me, this score is my own, and this has just gotten personal.
A part of me wanted to run away, the fear of death and testing fate was a horrible thing. But I hated her, everything about her.
My left hand went to my chest as I felt my heart speed up. Fearing a panic attack, I decided to take a seat and rest for a second. I needed to calm down, if this plan were going to work then I would have to use my charisma to get her guard down.
There was a piece of brick, chipped off that was near the end of the step. My gaze focused on the crude red brick.
My fingers went to my knife as I picked up the broken brick. I scraped my knife along it as I began to sharpen the blade.
I picked up the blade when I was done and leveled it to the sun seeing it sharpened. "Maybe after this is all done, then I can pick up another sharpening stone."
My gaze went back to my backpack as I tried to figure out another way to prepare. Knife was sharpened, there was a Molotov…
I picked up the shotgun as I aimed it down the alleyway. Back in the war I picked up on making ammunition, a very hard thing to do but when you were over enemy lines you did not have much of a choice.
Fire shotgun rounds, very dangerous and hard to make. That was how I got a burn on my left palm, a little burn but a burn mark, nonetheless. I would need magnesium and tools to create such a thing. But there was nobody around and I was dead broke.
Would this world even contain the resources to create such things?
Such a thing would take too long to create, and the women had been shown to be able to easily dodge gunshots. But…
My lips curled into a smile as I felt the darkness and bloodlust seethe from within. "If she isn't expecting it, then they always hit."
I placed the shotgun back in my backpack as I placed it on my back once again. That was when I saw those three again.
The small bowl haired one, the tall lanky one, and the fat one.
"Oh, you got to be fucking kidding me!"
There three silhouettes approaching me as I already had the revolver in my left hand. I could see them as I lined up my sights, and I already pulled a trigger. The sound echoing throughout the alleyway and through the streets as they began to run away.
I did not shoot them, but over there heads the bullet whizzed by. "Yeah, run you cowards!" I shouted, another gunshot ringing from me
I relocked the gun back into my holster as I felt a pair of footsteps coming from right behind me. I turned around, my hand once again hanging steadily by my revolver.
He was around my height. Maybe a year or two older than me. His strange crimson hair matched his white suit as he practically exerted a knightly aura.
"Hello, sir." He spoke, a faint smile with a soft wave
He must of have heard the gunshot. "Hi…" I said, my words strained as I eyed the exit
My gaze travelled down to his waist as I saw a purse of what I supposed of coin was attached to his belt, and a sword…
A very beautiful design. I could only see the yellow hilt which faintly resembled gold. My grin only widened as I released my hand and made my best smile.
Maybe I could…take the purse, and the sword. "What seems to be the problem, sir?" I began walking towards him, my eyes linked to his own as I continued my pace
"That noise, everyone here and down a couple blocks could have heard the sound. I was just wondering what it was."
He had a kind face. His eyes devoid of any malice, he seemed to only want to help, but there was something off about him. Something that made me feel…
"Oh that, it was just a simple noisemaker. See these three thugs were trying to rob me, and I needed some help. I'm honestly sorry for the trouble, sir."
I bowed my head as my gaze went back to the pouch of coin. Damn, with a nice jacket and sword like that then he must have a good chunk of money.
"Oh really, well I guess that is okay. Using it to call for the guards is pretty useful."
"Guard…oh you must be a knight."
"Yes…Reinhard Van Astrea." He spoke
I did not know what to say so I decided to hold out my hand. "Nice to meet you, Nicholas Wolfsheim…at your service."
He grabbed my hand, and I knew that this was the moment. I pulled him into a hug and with a startled yelp he began to pat my back. "Sorry, but I'm a hugger!"
"I can see that?" He yapped from the sudden sense of affection
My fingers went to the coin purse as I looped it around my index finger. I released him as I closed my palm and held my hands behind my back.
"Well thanks for that. Not a lot of people would be so open with the sword saint, so it makes me happy that there are some people that comfortable with me." He told. His hand outstretched once again for another handshake
"Sword Saint." I repeated by accident
"Yes, you aren't from around here…" he guessed
My head twirled around. "Yes, I am from quite far away…born in the North but moved to the East later in life. I guess you can say that I am a tourist from around here." I joked, my hands running through my hair as I displayed a jokingly smile, it was good…to hide my intentions.
I waved bye towards him as I quickly began to walk down the rest of the alleyway. "Well I must be on my way…"
I began to walk away towards the end of the alley. But my feet stopped, my gaze leading towards the end of the alleyway as the light beckoned me. This guy was a knight, maybe I can…
"No…"
The words spat out from me as I pushed through the crowd. My pride will not allow this man that I hardly know to take the glory and satisfaction from killing her. This was my fight, my pride…will not allow someone else to take this away from me.
The way to the slums were shorter than I expected, maybe because it was my third time doing it. During that time, I tried to wrap my head around the situation that I was forced into.
People of different races, magic users like the ones from fairytales, and this…ability. The ability to be able to return by death and survive, but how could such a thing exist?
How many tries do I have until I use it all up, or even worse what happens if I get stuck in a situation without no escape? The thoughts began to bombard me as I focused everything I had to concentrate on the task at hand.
The plan was to wait for the women to come. Strike up a conversation and when nobody is around, end her.
I already had my revolver holster unlocked for me to easily pull it out. I waited near that strange house in the slums hiding around a very quant ruined house. Maybe it was an hour or two, but I didn't stray to sleep, only focusing ahead as I gazed down the road.
Hatred, fear, anger…they were all inside of me, thrashing around for dominance as I fought the urge to run away. But I would not… not from her, or anybody else ever again…
That was when I saw her when the sun began to set. Her body breaking through the light, or rather drowning it in fresh darkness and misery. The fear unsettling me as I fought the urge to throw up.
"Relax…" I slowly whispered. My shaking hands went to the cigarette carton in my backpack as I took one out and struck a flame.
I placed it inside of my mouth as I took in the smoke. The feeling of it causing my body to feel vibrant and hot, the feeling allowing my body to quit shaking and finally easing my hands.
She passed through the house as I emerged my hand trailing into a steady wave as I tossed the cigarette out, now beaming a joyous smile, disguising my true intention.
"Ay, miss wait up!"
She turned towards me, her cold and purple glare shaking my core as I fought the urge to reach for the knife, but I had to stop.
"What do you want…"
Calm down, you have done this dozens of times. "Nothing much, but hey where are you going?" I beamed as I walked to her side
"Somewhere, it's none of your concern." She chided as she continued down the path
I cannot let her reach that slum house yet, the best thing to do would be to distract her and make her feel like she has security around me. With that security the rest of the pieces of this plan will fall into place.
"Want to walk together. I know I'm no noble, but I am pretty capable."
She eyed me, an eyebrow raising as she looked me up and down. "I don't have any money, for you, boy."
"I don't want anything, just to help is all." I spoke while putting my right hand on my chest, like I was being sincere.
Talking to her made me sick, making me want to throw up and run away at the same time. I had to restrain my hands to make sure on reflex I would not pull out the weapons. Through strangely the conversation I had with the girl, reminded me of my conversation with Satella.
Her eyes darkened as her shadow extended towards me, like tentacles they wrapped around my body willing to drag me in. "I can smell your fear…why are you so afraid?"
"Well beautiful woman always did have a habit of making me afraid. I could rob coaches or banks, even get into a gunfight, but around women I always did freeze up…" I nonchalantly rambled
My body was about to lurch forward. A good answer to say to any women, but she was not like any women. Such an answer could get me points or worse set her off on a killing spree.
"I bet you say that to all the girls…"
She groaned. As she continued walking, this was bad. Her guard was still up and there was no clear way of doing this, and everything I was doing was practically stepping on glass.
Unlike my targets in the war there were intel…knowing there personality, there schedules, what they liked and disliked, stuff that if you said the right thing they would put their faith and trust in you.
Lisa's father, he liked peaches. He loved his daughter and his wife, so much that before he would head off to work, he would give them kisses on the cheek while they slept. Even make breakfast for them.
He was old but me and him got along as Lisa's bodyguard. He would listen to American baseball after work at around 6:30 – 7:30 Pm. Sometimes after a stressful day he would drive his car around the block three times, never four or five only three.
"Your lagging behind…"
She spoke, breaking through my daydream and causing me to come back to my senses.
"Oh, sorry just was deep in thought." I spoke, then my eyes were glued to the back of her head as a quant smile was displayed over my face. "Hey, actually want me to come now?" I flirted shamelessly as she turned towards me.
"Well your pitiful attempts and joking amuse me."
"Well that sucks, cut me some slack." My hand went to my hair as I playfully rubbed it. Like I was sincerely embarrassed, but when her back was turned, I looped my revolver in my hands, hidden behind my back.
"Wow the sun looks really nice doesn't it?" I spoke loudly trying to gain her attention
I needed just a little more time, just a little bit more then I could take the shot and end this endless cycle once and for all.
"Why do you care."
My mouth opened on its own, as the worst sentence of my life erupted from me. "I'm not into watching sunsets, but I'd love to see you go down"
Nothing was said for a second. What the fuck was wrong with me, this wasn't the right thing to say. I felt the sweat bear down on me as I fought the urge to sweat and shake out of control.
Damn, holy shit she is going to kill me, like I am actually going to die. My hand went to the gun as I tried to think of my options. I could run away, fight back and die, or maybe…"
A stifled laughter came from her as I peered a glance. She was actually…snickering?
That dark tone and malicious intent did not disappear, but her laughing had to be a good sign. "I think I would be too much for you to handle, kid."
"I'm eighteen." I tossed my hands up. "Didn't think you would run away from a challenge."
"Run away?" You're the one who couldn't handle me – I'd kill you."
The last couple of words sent a shiver down my back. The hairs all over my body shot up like an alerted porcupine as I continued walking. The house where the deal would of have went down now in view.
"This is the place." She spoke
The sun was now being consumed by the horizon and I knew that this was do or die. "Well if you want you can give me a goodbye kiss." I pointed at my cheek.
She looked unimpressed. She was gorgeous and if things were different I may of have been trying to steal a kiss or two, but under that face was an evil monster, that liked seeing people bleed.
She leaned forward and unexpectedly her lips touched my cheek. Unlike a kiss from a girl though, this one stung like acid, and filled me with fear and torment.
She was only a couple of inches away as I heard a faint whisper, she was on her tip toes to reach me as she held onto my right shoulder. "I wonder…what your bowels look like. They must look so very nice…" she cooed
Her right hand began to reach behind her dress, I knew that look. The way she would do this, my left hand shot out and gripped her, my nails digging into her pale skin like talons.
The knife softly glittering from the setting sun. Her purple eyes opened in shock as she stared at my own, unaware before that the red scarf was now over my face.
She was not quick enough this time…my fingers graced the revolver and an instant later a shot rang out. The birds flown away as the shock disrupted them, even a couple of onlookers from the destroyed houses peered through the broken doorways or windows.
"Disgusting…" I spat out, as her body fell to the floor
Her body made a sickening thud as she bounced along the rough stone floor. Her head was facing the floor as a pile of blood began to ooze onto the dirt road of the slums. The pain that she inflicted onto me, Rom, and Felt were highlighted in my brain.
"You got off way to easy." I muttered to myself. My fingers wrapping around her coin purse as I began to walk towards the slum house.
I took a deep breath as I opened the massive door. To only be greeted by Rom and Felt gazing at me, their eyes searching me suspiciously. Did Felt make it out alive, after the last loop?
The knife and money, hopefully she made it out fine. Damn, what am I even thinking I wasn't leaving behind a life, this was just time travel or some strange magic.
"Hey, you got what I am looking for?"
Rom laid his palms on the table as he looked at his granddaughter. "Felt, show the man…"
She went into her own satchel as she brought out the rock. I picked it up between my fingers and rubbed it slightly. Once again it began to glow within my hands.
I dropped the coin purse onto the table as I was about to walk away but something stopped me. What would happen if the assassin's benefactors came after the pair?
My interference may of have just changed their whole lives…and most likely not for the better. "Old man, with that money can you and the girl leave this place."
"Maybe the girl, but not me…why?" He asked, the concern already noted in his voice
I began to string a lie. "My benefactors…will most likely send someone. Someone that may want things to be kept quiet, so I would advise you to leave."
"We can't leave…" Felt spoke, her voice now rougher and more stern
The coin pouch from before was thrown onto the table, the one I stole from that knight. "Now you can…so get out of here."
They looked at the two-coin purses and back towards me. "Why…I don't" Rom began to say
"Honestly, I don't understand either. Now please leave, before something happens."
There gazes followed me as they looked back at the other. The old man frantically gathering the change. "Hey kid you want a drink or anything?" I shook my head, causing the old man to smile in glee. "Felt, pack up your bags, we're leaving this shithole."
"The bar is yours kid, take what you want." He burst into laughter
My gaze traveled towards the bar as the old man began to pack up the belongings. My eye resting on the top shelf. "Well maybe, one drink won't kill me…" I whispered to myself
I sat down on the stool as I saw something break from the twilight. Like a soft glint, my instincts flashed as I braced from my seat.
"Rom…Felt! Run!"
They each instinctively leaped away as the assassin leaped down from the hole in the ceiling. "God damn it!"
She peered at me. The hate obvious from her face as her sinister smile was not there anymore. Now in a permanent scowl.
A piece of her strange dress was ripped off and was now covering over her right eye. The blood slowly leaking, she looked at me and the pair.
"I killed you…shot you through the head!"
A faint chuckle came from her, dry and forced. "Really, this." She reached into her pocket, pulling out a shard of bullet.
I nearly fell out of the chair. "What the fuck…" The shotgun was in my hands as I aimed it at her. She pulled the bullet out with her bare hands, and even bandaged herself up enough.
My whole body was shaking. Rom already had his club, and Felt was already brandishing her knife, I did not want to die again.
All I have left is this hate. The shotgun clattered out of my hands and fell to the floor, my body shaking out of control. "How can all this death, all this death for a simple rock…ever be justified."
What was the point…she was unbeatable? "I am not…the man I thought I was." I tried to bring my body back up, only to trip and fall.
Brom leapt through the air, his club connecting with the assassin. But strangely she didn't show any strange knife play, or acrobatics.
She was now angry and ready to kill…
The club broke in the process as she cut through the old man, his body cleaved in half as he split into two. Falling clumsily and splattering the bare wood.
"No!" I reached out the revolver and shot the gun. His death awakening me from the hopeless situation as I fought the urge to give up. My will is weak…
The rounds bounced but none met their mark. She only smirked as her gaze traveled to the girl. No, please do not…do not go after her, she is just a child.
My feet began to move on their own. Until the girl zoomed, zoomed is the only thing I could call it. She was jumping and leaping at speeds that were way quicker than what any normal human could do.
But the assassin…was quicker. Felt, leaped through the air ready to attack her small body being able to dodge her attacks.
"Wow…a blessing of wind, but it won't be enough."
Her knife cut through Felt, but Felt's knife was imbedded into the assassins' shoulder. It was just a flesh wound, but Felt stopped moving, the wind around her ceasing as she began to fall from the air…her right hand falling with her.
"Felt!" I lunged my body towards the girl as she fell into my hands. Her small frail body clumsily and in shock, her eyes scanned me and her stump.
The sight of it…there was not even a scream as her body stopped, and her breathing ceased to exist. "Come on…Felt, you can't be dead…come on." I began to shake her away as I ripped a piece of clothing off myself.
I began to tie it around her stump and tried to bandage it as much as I could. "Weren't you and that old man going to leave this shitty place, I'm really greedy so giving up all that money was so hard. So please you got to wake up."
I hardly knew her, but she was just a kid…a kid that was forced to steal. Now she had a way out of that life, so why is it getting taken away from her right now.
Her crimson eyes began to lose color as I tried my best. "Come on Felt, please…wake up. Not here, not in this shitty place…your road does not end here, not by her."
"Why…"
My grip tightened along her body as I clung to her corpse. "Why can't I save anyone!"
My body was slumped as her singular purple eye approached me. "Send me to the light, I deserve penance." I saw the glint of metal as she approached, dancing along the moonlight. "My life, wasted. Defined by sparks and blood." I whispered to myself
She lifted the blade above her head, a faint sadistic smile displayed over her face. But something happened.
A brisk and violent wind erupted between us sending the assassin flying back, the blades of wind forming a tornado as they cut into her stomach, though they were weak.
"Impressive…two people with the divine protection of wind. How rare.
"What…" I muttered out
Those were the last words as my head was separated from my body, and I felt the oblivion as the world began to change, and defect once again.