(Mira Oka)
I sat in the waiting room. Alone. I was sitting on a chair by a table. That’s all there was. Not even a window. There was only a single lightbulb on the ceiling which was lit up. Although it didn’t provide much light. Chains were still clamped around my hands. It was not fair that they’d execute me but not Ace. What did that even mean?
I pressed my foot against the chains to try to break them off. Come on! Just then, I heard a loud explosion. The door to the room flew off, and a gust of wind blew in my face. What the hell!? I hurried out of the room and broke into the boiler room which was nearby. Once I burned the handcuffs off, I left the room. 86Please respect copyright.PENANAzJR7pVG0DP
Several people were rushing out of the building, I followed and wondered why nobody stopped me. In fact, they didn’t even acknowledge me. I took that as a rather strange thing and hurried outside. I gaped as I scanned the scenery. Destroyed buildings, streets. People running through the streets. Portions of the council building were falling and I dodged them, panting.
I ran away from it, pushing people out of my way. What’s happening? What’s going on? That’s when I froze. A monster-like creature took its presence before me. Skin black like charcoal, wings just the same. But it seemed familiar. It had Black eyes too with piercing red irises and an extended jaw with razor-sharp teeth. The hair is what got to me. Ace! I took a step back. I had never seen him like that before!
I tried to recall memories. When he showed his first form and how I told him to control it. But what is this?He cried to me after that, saying it’s going to happen again. Or ‘Everyone’s going to know’. Did he mean this?Well, he hasn't seen me yet. I don’t expect my methods to stop him, But…I have to try to get him back, at least. He saved me several times after all.
I hid behind a brick. But first, I need to head back inside and see if I could get a grasp on some of those special handcuffs. Surely, that would help. I dashed inside, although most of the rooms were broken, or blocked off. There were very few rooms that were available.
I rummaged through the accessible rooms until I finally found handcuffs that glowed in red. I hurried back out to my original hiding spot- behind a huge brick piece and hid the handcuffs in my bag. Sneaking up on him isn’t going to work. I need to take him head on. 86Please respect copyright.PENANAVWc02vdzxd
“Ace!” I yelled, after coming out of my hiding spot. He turned to me in surprise, but quickly reverted back into a glare. I got his attention. “This isn’t it! It isn’t like you to go out like this-”
He smashed his foot into the ground. Pieces of concrete scattered. They cut my wrists as dust surrounded me. I coughed. Concrete isn't going to kill me. Once the dust cleared, I sighed. He’s gone. I fastened my pace and ran to search for him.86Please respect copyright.PENANAINQ6oxECAp
The streets were clearing up as people took shelter, so it was easier to travel. That’s when I finally found Ace injuring two citizens. I gasped. Instantly, I shot out ice as cold as glaciers that pierced through Ace’s arms to keep him in place. He screamed, as blood poured out from his arms. I looked at the citizens which looked like a couple. “Run!”
They didn’t even hesitate or question me. They immediately got up and ran.
Ace broke off the ice but the parts of the icicles were still through his arms. He yanked them out one at a time before throwing them at me. “Why can’t you leave me alone!?”
I dodged them. “Because I have to stop you!”
“Stop me from what? I’m doing what I have to do.” He flapped his wings which made me fly back. My back smashed against a brick. The pain coursed through my entire back instantly, and I pursed my lips. I can't give up.
His face was then close to mine.. “If you’re just going to keep coming back, I’ll just end up eating you. I’m going to give you this chance to run away.”
“Your purpose…is to eat me?”
He gritted his teeth.
How do I get out of this? I sighed. An ice shard shot through his stomach and he flew back. “Aghhh!” He was trembling.
“Stay there,” I ordered, holding my arms out to defend myself. “Just listen to me. Just because you’re a demon, doesn’t mean your purpose has to be destroying things. People just see you as that because they never saw it before, but you can put your abilities to your advantage. Like saving people maybe. If you destroy things, you’re just proving the people’s point. And don’t you hate them?”
Ace was quiet. “I h-hate them…?”
I was approaching him. “Come on, don’t you want to prove them wrong. Don’t you want them to leave you alone?”
The grit in his teeth softened.
I slowly pulled out the handcuffs. His eyes ran down to it. He then charged at it and chewed it, breaking its power. “HAHAHA. Tasty.”
“Hey!” I almost got it. I backed away.
“Now where were we?” He asked, gritting his teeth again. “That’s right. “Your death!”
He shot lazers at the tower above me. I used tornado air to fly away from it just in time.
He glared. “You intend to battle when the only thing you can do is dodge? Why don’t you go back to the girl who always beat me up? Come on. Pick up a fight.” He then flew away.”
I groaned in annoyance, and followed.
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He ended up being on top of a skyscraper. For crying out loud. I forced my legs to emit air once again until I made it to the top of the skyscraper. My leg was practically killing me, but I couldn’t give up. He already started attacking, but I kept dodging. “To answer your question,” I began in between breaths. “If I knew the way you were attacked had anything to do with your childhood, I would never do that.”
He backed away, fear in his eyes. “Shut up, Shut up, Shut up!” He smashed the floor as it tumbled down. I hurried out of the building relying on my tornado air again. I found him outside, glaring at me. “I will kill you. And everyone here!”
He smashed the ground again, but this time a long crack stretched across the place.
He stayed still, while the crack wider, but it was at a slow speed. The ground was shaking, and I was starting to lose my balance.
I need to do something. “Ace, you need to stop.”
His glare only intensified. The crack was wider as I tried to keep my stance.
You think because of your past you can’t change?”
“Stop it. I don’t want to hear about that!”
I spread my arms out. “This is what you call your purpose? Destroying the city and hurting everyone? If that’s true, then you’re just like what your parents thought you were. You’re nothing but a monster who feels nothing but hate!”
He stopped for a moment. He clutched his head, before tears started to form. “It’s not like that!”
Huh? Even in this form, he seems vulnerable, I thought. Could it be? Is he taking control?
I noticed the crack was closing. I came closer.
“Did you want to eat that woman in the forest?”
“S-Stop asking me these questions,” He cried. “It makes me…”
“Please Ace, stop this.”
“Go away.” He was about to fly off but then I jumped on his leg.
“Get off me!” He then proceeded to kick me.
“I won’t!” I replied. He still tried kicking me. I could imagine the bruises on my face.
“I don’t care where you fly to,” I said between breaths. “I’m not letting go.”
He smashed his foot down onto my face.
I tried again. “We don’t have to solve things by destroying things. We can make amends. We can change and find our purpose despite who we are claimed to be. I guess what I’m trying to say is, be your truest self!”86Please respect copyright.PENANAQnx7GfoLGe
He slowed down. I looked up to steal a glance at his expression. His eyes were wide in shock. His lips were parted. His black skin began to peel away, revealing his natural tan colour. His jaw closed to his natural size, as well as his eyes turned white with brown irises. I did it! He’s back “Ace!” I exclaimed.86Please respect copyright.PENANAfsb9dAUcp3
Still stunned, his eyes fluttered before they fully closed and he fell back. “Ace!” I yelled. Not long after, I heard loud explosions. From the ground. As a result, there was dust everywhere. We weren’t that high, so I could smell it. It was still dark, but the stars were really bright, so it helped me see better. Plus, some of the streetlights were on. I looked down. The eruptions were coming in an order. Which meant we were nearby it. I climbed to his bare chest and wrapped my arms around his cold skin. This way, he would take less damage. I pressed closer. Bracing for impact. Preparing for the world to shift.
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