Bea was kneeling on the ground holding onto Sera's unconscious body. What she had to do to her, was more painful than any injury, Bea had suffered in her life.
Even though Bea knew what she did to Sera was in her best interest, it still felt like her heart was being torn to pieces.
And kneeling while holding her was like torture. Seeing what Bea had done to her. She couldn't even think, her tears still haven't stopped falling.
The whole battle was more than an hour ago. Witchdoctor was already up and awake, she was very angry at Sera, but seeing Bea crying over her unconscious body she held her tongue.
The others were talking about something, but Bea couldn't hear them. After about ten more minutes Lucy approached Bea. She squatted next to her and said in a very kind voice.
"Hey... We should probably head back to base... Sera will be fine... Will is going to carry her, like last time..."
Bea knew Lucy was trying to make her go, because it's not safe here. But didn't care and instead got angry.
"If you want to leave us so much then go! She sacrificed so much for us to win today! Do you even care about that? Or you just happy that you got some Life Essence and don't care about other people!"
Lucy's expression was pure pain, but Bea didn't care at all.
"Fuck you, Bea! It's not my fault that your stupid girlfriend lost her mind and attacked everyone. Maybe if she wouldn't be a little..."
She couldn't finish the sentence because suddenly a sword was at her throat.
"I dare you to try and finish that sentence!"
Bea's voice was as cold as ice and her eyes were the definition of hostility. She would actually do it without hesitation.
On the other hand Lucy's face was deathly pale and her eyes were wide with fear. Before the situation could escalate any further Will called out.
"That is enough! Both of you! Bea put the sword down and bring Seraphine! We are going back to base right now!"
Some awareness returned to Bea's eyes, she basically dropped the sword and backed away looking frightened. Then she looked at Lucy, who was still frozen to her spot.
"Lucy... I'm so sorry... I don't know what came over me..."
Lucy turned her head and looked at Bea, then turned into an eagle and flew into the sky. Bea looked after her, but she was immediately brought out of her reverie.
"Bea! We are running out of time! Let's go!"
She went to Sera's body and lifted her. She wasn't too heavy and the base was quite close.
While walking, the others began to talk.
"How much Essence did you absorbed?" Asked Killshot.
Clockwork was the first to answer. And said with a smile.
"I got 573/1000. And I think I finally figured out my transformation. You see, I can change parts of it, so I could put weapons on it or armor, maybe some gadgets. The sky is the limit."
Witchdoctor was next.
"That's great! I only have 487 though, you are a way better shot than me. How much do you have Will?"
"I have 749."
"Damn, you got so much more than us. I only have 623." Said Killshot.
After another minute of walking Lucy came back and changed into a human. No one said anything for a while, until suddenly Lucy asked.
"Bea, what did you... What did you see down there... That made Seraphine act like that?"
There was actual concern in her voice, so Bea reined in her anger and answered.
"I didn't see it because it was behind me, but it made me feel... It made me feel like, I was drowning in the depths of the ocean."
After taking a deep breath she continued.
"Also Sera didn't lost her mind... It's her weapon... It constantly increases her bloodlust. Sera just tries to hold on, but she had to focus all her Essence into her wings during our escape..."
Bea's eyes started to become watery again.
"And still she only succumbed to the bloodlust when we were all safe."
Everyone was silent as Bea finished speaking. At least until Lucy spoke, while touching Bea on the shoulder.
"I'm sorry about the things I said... I was just angry and wanted to leave for safety."
"Huhh... I'm sorry as well... Lets just forget about it, what do you say?"
"That would be great... Also how many Essence did you acquire? I have 786."
"You too? Fuck I should have put more effort in!" Whined Killshot.
As the others were talking she checked both hers and Sera's counter. And eventually said.
"I have 879 Essence and Sera has 901."
As she said it the others looked at her with weird expressions.
'Why are they staring at me? Yeah mine and Sera's are a lot higher than theirs but we were down there for longer. Did I say something wrong?'
But she realized her mistake when Killshot asked with a stupid grin on his face.
"So, Lady Bea... How do you know Saint Seraphine's Essence count?"
'Well, shit! Now they know. I mean... Its not like we tried to keep it hidden. In fact we tried to have sex a bunch of times, but something always came up.'
"What do you think, isn't it obvious? Because she is her girlfriend !" Said Lucy with a grin of her own.
'Great just what I needed.'
But she did like the sound of girlfriend. Just thinking about it brought a smile to her face, which turned into a blush really quickly, because everyone was still staring at her.
"We haven't really talked about what we are yet. But we kissed so, do with that what you want."
At that point they had already arrived to the station. Bea didn't bring Sera to the infirmary, instead they went to her own room where she tucked her in. Then sat on a chair and held her hand.
Bea learned a knew kind of pain today, the pain of hurting someone you love for their own good.
'I hope neither of us has to feel like that ever again.'