"Make that six on one!"
That voice sounds so familiar…
"Huh? Were you the one giving orders then?"
"Yes, I was, but I have no need to hide from you any longer!"
I looked up to see the glorious hair of summer, golden-blonde, and a pair of determined blue eyes glaring at the man in front of me, Iapetus.
(Your Fault, Coward.)
"L-Lachesis?" I asked, looking at her in shock. She's not dead, she's not dead, she's not she's not dead, she's not dead.
"Depra, you're awake!"
If she's not dead, then why the hell is she here? I looked around at all the people who had gathered in front of Iapetus.
Why the hell are they here!?
"No, stop, why the hell are you here!?" I roared out, glaring at all them, taking unsteady breaths, my heart hammering within my chest.
"We're here to save you Depra, no, King!" Lachesis yelled out, and just as Iapetus giggled at their foolishness, the laughter mocked them, scorning their foolish behavior.
"Sorry, I couldn't help but laugh at your ridiculousness. Honestly, you should know that you've been only led to your deaths. Therefore, I will allow you to leave with all your lives intact, so hurry on home to your families; after all, they must be worried about you guys!"
Yes, please take the offer, I'm not worth it, I don't care that I'm needed, leave me be here, please-!
I could only watch in horror as Lachesis pointed towards me before declaring her next words:
"We're not leaving without him. After all, he's a part of our family!"
(Do you see now, why you're a Coward, Depra?)
"No, please, leave now, leave before it's too-!"
Before I lose you too.
Iapetus grabbed my hair forcefully, lifting it up so everyone could get a clear look at me as the tears that could never fall filled my eyes.
"Take a good, long look at these people; this will be the last time you get to see them alive. In order to bring back 'our' family, it seems your family must die."
I started to shake my head, trying to be free of his grip, struggling to get out the chair that bound me to this place.
"Do you know why we brought you here, the one they call King?" Iapetus asked, and I continued to try to break free, pleading at him.
"It's so you can be closer to your roots; the dirt beneath your feet so you can feel Mother, the mountain in the distance so you can feel 'yourself,' this facility you're in, all of it-!"
(All of it-!)
"Is for the sake of 'our' glorious family reunion!"
(Is entirely Your Fault.)
Like I ever gave a damn about that.
"Please-!"
"Pierce."
December 24th, 2021, 10:00 pm: The [Redacted] begins their fight against Iapetus.
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I heard it.
I heard the sound of fighting for the longest.
I heard the sound of them being pushed back.
I heard the sound of them pushing forward.
I heard the sound of yells and screams.
I heard the sound of one fall to their knees.
I heard the sound of epithets being declared.
I heard the sound, of the group name I had longed to hear, proclaimed to the heavens above.
I heard the sound of it all.
I saw the flashes of darkness arcing their way through the air.
I saw the flashes of lightness barreling through all the obstacles.
I saw the boy rush towards attack after attack, taking it all with grace.
I saw the girl bring forth night amidst the light of day.
I saw everyone unharmed thanks to the lone girl in the back.
I saw, the lone man standing tall, immovable as he held his ground against the six, cackling with laughter.
I saw it all.
I don't know how long I heard, nor how long I saw, but I know when it ended.
It ended, as two girls reached the edge of the battlefield.
It ended, as one girl held up her hand towards the fighting.
It ended, as one girl walked through the booms that shook the very room.
It ended, as one girl walked past the immovable man.
It ended, as one girl lowered her hand, taking off her orange helmet.
It ended, as she proclaimed that she too, was a part of their group.
It ended, as the other girl reached me, a girl who had saved me with naught but a single touch before.
However, that's not how what I saw and heard ended.
The girl reached me, her soft hand touching my face before she gave me a small smile.
"I'm sorry."
That's how it ended, once more getting dragged into what was my hell.
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I reached Depra, his eyes widening at my sudden appearance, and the one guarding him glowered at me with his piercing brown eyes.
"YOU, WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT WITH OUR KEY!?"
"He was mine first," I said simply, and the man let out a guttural growl as he turned back to Necessitas, who had passed out in Erebus' arms.
"WHAT THE HELL DID THAT BITCH DO!? WHY CAN'T I DO ANYTHING TO THE GIRL WHO'S REACHED MY KEY!?"
"As if I have to tell you anything," Erebus said, pointing his wooden sword at the man.
"After all, I just have to fight you till she's done."
"I'M GONNA KILL THAT PASSED OUT BITCH!" the man roared out as the building started to fall apart from his absolute rage.
I turned back to Depra, taking a deep breath before touching him on the cheek, focusing hard before a realization came to me:
I couldn't do it.
Despite saving him many times, this time, this time I couldn't save him with what I usually did; no, this time needs something more.
I searched deep within, trying hard to find something, anything to give him the chance that he needs, going deeper and deeper into his hell before I finally found it, the only chance he had, despite the hell he's about to go through.
All I could do was send him off with a small as I gave my apologies:
"I'm sorry."
And I sent him hurtling down into his hell, the abyss that would end up being his saviour…
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"Your Fault."
The laughter echoed around me, along with the many voices that accompanied them:
"If you have a chance to see them again, then I would take it, since I can't see mine anymore, no matter how much I want too…"
"You managed to make it here on your own. Well, thirds time the charm."
"I'll treasure this always, Pandora."
"They're dead, been dead, and I don't care about ifs."
"In the end, I really am just a Coward, aren't I?"
"Just remember, I'll always be with you, Depra."
"Who the hell said you could still speak?"
"Disappear."
(After all, it's all Your Fault, Depra.)
More laughter echoing around me, constantly changing between laughter, voices, the voice, and…!
YOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURcFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAaULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULnTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURyFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURoFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAuULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURhFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOUeRFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOaURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTrYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTMYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOeURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULTYOURFAULT!!!!!!
For the third and final time, I heard something that didn't belong with my hell; a voice so faint, I almost mistook for my own imagination.
But I didn't.
It wasn't my imagination, it wasn't them making my hell more painful, it was a voice that didn't belong, barely audible, but making itself known through the rancor of their hate and spite against me.
And once I heard it, I descended even lower, starting to lose who I was, who I might've been, leaving it all to the voice that had been here all along, following me along my journey.
And I hated the fact that it was the voice that was always right.