The eye on the outside wept matching Alessandra's emotional state. Large tears of blood hit the ground splashing Marcelo's black dress shoes and pants.
Marcelo reformed into his humanoid shape dropping his sword. His eyes a dark brown. He walked over to the rose bush. Marcelo formed a fist and slammed it into bush. Parts of the bark fell off, and a thorn embedded it self into his hand. Tears fell from his eyes. "Alessandra fight, survive and run. I can not fight what compels me. I have been in the darkness too long."
"No, you and I know I must die." The eye on the outside closed retreating. Alessandra drew her blade in front of herself. She dropped her hand down. Tears no longer visible.
"Alessandra, Alessandra, No, no," Marcelo screamed. "Save yourself, listen to me!" He fell to his knees. His bloody palm slid down leaving a trail.
Marcelo gasped as his eyes flickered, returning to a glowing red. He clenched at his head. He left out a shriek. His shrill scream pierced the bushes.
Alessandra dropped her blade. She struggled to cover her ears.
The high-pitched sound busted the rose bushes apart. Chunks fell on all sides littering the floor.
Marcelo dodged as a thick piece of the bush nearly fell on him. "Your protection is gone fall to me." Marcelo bent down to pick up his sword.
Once the scream ended Alessandra retrieved her blade. She once again placed the sword in front of herself. "I can not fall yet."
"Suit yourself," Marcelo spoke as he lunged at her.
Alessandra parried Marcelo's blow.
In lighting like strikes, they clashed touching their blades together. In mid-air, on the ground, and on the ceiling. The sounds of metal slapping together filled both of their ears. Sparks flew as the battle became heated.
Both Alessandra and Marcelo bore wounds. Blood coated the area, splattering on everything.
They touched the ground facing each other. Alessandra's and Marcelo's clothes both wrecked. Her flowing white dress laid in tatters. His black shirt lay in ruins barely clinging to him.
Alessandra breathed in and out.
Marcelo mimicked her state for a few seconds. He spoke while chuckling, "You are a better fighter than your brothers were."
"They wanted you to recognize their efforts to protect your favorite. They wanted your affection if even for a moment. You may not see it now, but they loved you more than you loved them." Alessandra's eyebrows went upward. Her forehead had three creases.
"A noble sentiment I am sure." Marcelo advanced toward Alessandra. "Perhaps it is a sentiment you share as well. If it is, you should die and give your brother up."
Alessandra took a step back every time Marcelo stepped toward her. Her weak hands clenched the sword tighter. She shook her head. "My sentiments remain with my younger brother. He would not survive you. I am his protector."
Marcelo suddenly dropped his sword, and he lunged at her. His fangs bared.
Alessandra dropped her weapon and turned running away.
Marcelo grabbed her arm. His grip was inescapable.
Alessandra squeezed her eyes shut as her lips twitched. She then glanced at his hand.
Marcelo increased his strength.
Alessandra's bone broke shattering. Her eyes widen. "AHHHH! My arm, my arm," she screamed.
Marcelo took that moment and bit her neck ripping the skin as he pulled away.
Alessandra fell to the floor blood squirting out. She raised her unbroken arm and rested it against her wounded neck. "I have a gift to give you." Alessandra's voice was rasped. She shook knowing her end isnear.
Marcelo chuckled, "Fine I will accept this gift."
"I have one request pick me up and spin me around like you did when I was a child." Alessandra's vision slowly fade as she started to fall forward. Her hand slipped from its position on her neck.
Marcelo grabbed Alessandra by her unbroken arm. He then roughly swung her up into the air. Marcelo held out both of his arms catching her. Once Alessandra rested against his arms he spun.
A memory floated through his mind. Alessandra at the age of seven. Her long blonde wavy hair trailing behind her. Her eyes big, broad and blue as she ran up to him. Alessandra with her arms held wide open. Marcelo remembered bending down and swooping her into his arms. "Papa you will never believe it." He remembered her speaking then the memory suddenly cut off becoming fuzzy.
The memory suddenly shifted into a white background. A grey figure sitting in a chair holding a sword appeared.
"Kill her," the figure commanded.
Marcelo felt himsel dragged into the white area. His hazy mind felt a deep fog settle in. Marcelo's physical form fell to his knees still holding Alessandra. A mental form of him developed. He appeared in his mind constricted in chains. The air hard to breathe. The chains tightened their hold on him.
The grey figure shook his head. "Kill her and have no meaningful attachments in this world." The grey figure's voice sounded diluted and full of static.
Marcelo mentally fell over as the chains tightened. "She is already dying," He rasped.
"End this now and then slay him." The grey figure walked toward Marcelo with his sword in hand. "Obey me."