Did you like horror movies?
I did. Starting from the killer's reveal, the thrill and suspense always kept me on edge, over and over, until that shocking climax. Nevertheless, I found the aftermath just as fascinating. It intrigued me.
What was the conclusion? Were there any survivors? If there were, then what would they do? Revenge? Running far away in fear? Their reasoning for their action was interesting to hear, too.
Now, be honest, what would you do if you were that survivor? Would you act any differently?
-Huff... huff...
Or worse, would you give up on life?
-Huff... huff...
Why was I asking all of this? It was quite straightforward, really.
I hope someone could sympathise with me.
-Gasp...
Exhausted. I collapsed onto the floor. Blood stains all over my clothes.
Let's go back a little while ago.
***
"You look much better than before. Are you that excited?"
"Huh? Am I that obvious?"
Angela suddenly asked that. Since when had my face become so readable? I swear I had been working on my poker face for a long time. How sad.
"When I first saw you, you looked no less than a hollow. Even after that, your face still looks like a dead man. Now, you look much more optimistic. Great to see you recover so soon."
While saying that, Angela gave me a gentle smile. She didn't show much emotion normally, so her smile always caught me off guard.
Ah, I see. Well, her stories were very interesting. I couldn't help but forget the present and daydream about what to do next. It was in my blood, really.
I could already see the staircase leading to the first floor. I had never felt refreshed like this before.
It was finally time to begin my journey!
"?"
I thought I heard something-
-Stomp
I froze, and so did Angela.
Someone else is here.
-SKRRRRT
A sound like something sharp being dragged against the floor. A blade? An enemy?
-Stomp, stomp
And then, we saw it.
Descending from the staircase was a figure in tattered clothing, wearing a rusty helmet and armour. Their sword was in no better shape, creepily gradually scraping their sword forward.
-Stomp
Yet their grip on it was firm. Their gaze locked onto us. As if to devour us alive.
"...Cain. I need you to prepare."
"For what?"
Puzzled, I responded.
"...To run."
Her voice sounded heavy. Her face was intense. Her sword had already been drawn.
"O radiant Polaris, light our path and guide us toward tomorrow. Blessing of Protection!"
Staggering back, I watched as both of them glared at each other.
Upon close inspection, the figure looked like a hollow, yet behaved nothing like one. It gave off an oppressive aura, like a seasoned warrior. An undead warrior?
-Whoosh!
The monster rushed forward. It swiftly drew an upward slash at Angela.
Angela sidestepped it quickly to the right and stabbed at their neck.
-CLANG!
The monster parried it forcefully. Angela was wide open immediately. A vertical slash was brought down like a guillotine at her.
Angela hastily blocked it, but she was pushed back due to its overwhelming force. The monster appeared ever so big, overshadowing her.
-THUD!
"Hff-"
Angela was forced to breathe out. Her upper abdomen was kicked, and the force sent her slamming into the wall.
"Kuh!"
I had to do something.
...
Who was I joking? I didn't even have a weapon, let alone any power to rely on. There was nothing I could do. I must run. I must live.
But I was chained down.
By my belief that I could not leave Angela behind.
By my fear that I would be killed helplessly.
By my foolishness that I did not know where to run.
Thus, I surrendered myself to these bindings. Being a mere witness to what was unfolding.
But Angela was free.
"Hah... hah... Cain? Why are you still standing there? Just make a run for it past him. I will make an opening for you."
'But you might die because of me.'
Before my thoughts could become words, I bit my lips. Swallowing up my own thoughts, I gave in.
"A-Angela, just leave me here. You can't win, but you can at least escape alone. Please prioritise yourself first-"
My words were cut off by the sound of a blade slicing through the air, barely missing Angela. Angela seemed to pay no heed to my words. She prayed for another miracle.
Baffled. Why? You were free. You could run away if you can. I wouldn't even blame you. Why did you try so hard for a stranger like me? How could you be so brave?
But what I really wanted to say is 'I want to be like you'.
Angela swung resolutely at its left shoulder. It got blocked. The monster counterattacked and left a deep cut on her clothes, revealing the chainmail under it.
I was probably more scared than Angela is. I wanted to shut my eyes. But I could not, I was enthralled by the battle. By her resolve.
Unfazed. Angela moved quickly and looked for an opening again. The monster tracked her movements in a rigid, inflexible way. Reacting to her high guard stance, it raised its sword to block the upcoming attack.
However, Angela twisted into a thrusting motion instead, striking cleanly at its left shoulder. It staggered a few steps backwards.
Vision of her victory flashed before my eyes.
-WHOOSH!
Its wide swing shattered my illusion. Angela tried to block it, but the strike was too heavy.
Angela desperately tried to avoid its attacks as much as possible. Her robe was in tatters. Her chainmail fractured.
Yet Angela was still standing. Even though she was losing, she stood taller than anyone else.
Angela made a bold dive in, disregarding the blow to her side.
-KLANG!
Her sword was deflected away. Her sword was lost as easily as that, so is our hope.
The monster edged closer, its presence eerily deathlike.
My mind completely stopped. In the face of death, how foolish must I look now?
Angela looked back at me. I must have disappointed her so much, and yet her face was still like that. Still that expressionless yet understanding face.
"...A-Angela-"
"Live."
Her last word was as simple as that.
-Whish!
A clean cut.
Angela was beheaded.
Golden hair fluttered in the hair, accompanied by a torrent of blood.
I closed my eyes. I could not stand any more of this.
Only one word lingered in my mind.
'Live.'
Somehow, by some miracle, I managed to turn around, and then I ran.
I ran as fast as possible.
The only thing I knew was to live. Live no matter what.
My mind was a total mess. I could not make out my emotions right now.
Something was flowing down my face. It might have been her blood. It might have been my tears.
I ran until my legs utterly gave out.
***
'I'm lost.'
It was the familiar dark hallway. Slumped against the wall, I began to catch my breath.
I tried recalling what happened. If I hadn't blocked my mouth in time, I'd have puked.
I didn't know the way out. Without Angela's help, there was no way I was escaping this place.
Especially with that monster still wandering somewhere in here, too. I could die anytime.
I had to hide somewhere, but I didn't even know where to go. Wow, I felt so goddamn useless. Maybe I should have just dropped dead.
I wanted to forget all of this and disappear.
I wanted to sleep.