As they made their way deeper and deeper into the grey jungle the atmosphere between the two companions became more and more tense.

The little tiger, although a puppet bound to serve its master, seemed to be questioning the recent actions, a story told by the small hints of reticence behind every step.

Arun on the other hand grew more and more bloodthirsty the closer he got to his target. He was now holding Black Rose out at all time, inspecting it with great interest. Although the weapon drew a small river of blood during the engagement, as evidenced by the bloody mess that was Arun's current clothing, no trace of blood could be found on it. It's as if the rose absorbed it, like a real flower would absorb water. As Arun continued to stare into the gruesome a mad glint shined in his eyes. What would happen if I use this weapon again? If I feed it more, I wonder...

Paradox, who was watching his master intently, hastened it's pace. No more hesitation, now he could only hope that what was at the end of the road could pull his concentration away from its grisly sister.

----------------------------------------

The end of the road. Paradox felt something here. They must be close. As the little tiger tried to sniff out the enemies Arun got his blade ready in case of an ambush. There is nothing here after all. Just an usual back-alley, granted smaller and darker than usual. An ambush would make perfect sense. Or maybe a hidden trapdoor? Whatever the case may be Arun strengthened the grip on Black Rose. He was ready.

Paradox jumped on top a garbage bin than looked at Arun. The smell lead him there.

* Huh? a dead end? you gotta be kidding me! Still, won't hurt to check I guess, maybe there really is a hidden entrance of sorts, although the stench is killing me... * so, Arun, still maintaining his guard up, got close to the bin and opened it.

Arun jerked back. He almost dropped his weapon as he started puking. Now... now he knew where the stench was coming from. It was the tall thug, the boss he was looking for, together with his henchman. A piece of them... at least. None should see what he just saw Arun thought to himself.

Yet, even so, a feeling of anger soon overtook them. How dare they die, and by someone else's blade to boot? They were his pray, his to take revenge on! The more he thought about it the more it angered him. He gripped Black Rose pacing back and forth. This wasn't the revenge he had wanted. It wasn't enough. Than he snapped.

"Whoever did this... I'll make them pay," he growled, his voice dripping with venom.

But as he spoke, a bolt of lightning appeared before him, halting his descent into madness.

"Paradox." he said, turning to his steel companion. But as soon as he looked into Paradox's cold, unyielding gaze, his anger boiled over.

" Why are you looking at me like that? STOP LOOKING AT ME LIKE THAT! "

But it's eyes didn't flinch. They bore into Arun's soul, unblinking.

" Stop. STOP. You think I wanted everything to turn like this? NO! I've been too soft all this time, LOOK AT WHAT THAT DID! If I would have killed them that night none of this would've happened. All this because of a petty squabble by some petty humans! Why? Why should I let them live? Why did I let them live? Why would I let those like them live? WHY?? " tears ran across Arun's cheek as he exploded.

Paradox didn't voice a response to Arun's desperate questions. He couldn't even if he wanted to. But he could do something else. Turning nk

his head away and started walking. Arun's grief deepened as he thought his companion was simply going to abandon him, but just for a moment, for after a few steps Paradox stopped and looked back.

Follow me, its gaze seemed to say.

***

Through the mazes of darkened alleys once more, but this time, they were backtracking. Only eerie silence hung between the twowith only the sound of the little tiger's paws echoing through the deserted streets. Arun trailed behind, his eyes downcast and his hands shaking as he gripped his weapon.

Soon an indistinguishable sound appeared breaking off the silence. As they got closer the goal was confirmed. They were travelling towards the sound. Arun tensed. Cautiously, he peeked around the corner. At first he recognized the place by its cuts and charred walls. Then he recognized the thugs he beat before. What he didn't recognize was the sniffling little girl.

His eyes have already seen everything but his mind, it didn't want to believe. It was the same thug he's wounded with Black Rose. The girl as well was trying to prop him up, but failing as he was far too heavy. However, she was not alone. Although wounded themselves the thugs that had regained consciousness helped their comrade up. The talkative thug muttered something under labored breaths, but when he saw the child he smiled and he rested his hand on her head.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

" Father..."

" I'll be fine... " The talkative thug managed.

" Ye dont be such a worrywart now. Ye father is one though nut to crack. Plus, we've been through way worse." One of his companions laughed it off.

" Aint getting any easier tho... "

The crowd was beginning to get rowdy again, but Arun was quiet. Just what have I done Arun murmured, his widened eyes still glued to the scene. The consequences of his actions finally dawned on him. Shook awake from the bloodthirsty madness as he finally realized... He nearly killed a man. Just a few minutes ago he was hell bent on killing. Just what was he thinking? He did exactly what was done to him. That little girl... she didn't deserve this either.

Arun finally peeled his eyes away from the scene. With his back turned to a wall he slid against the wall. His hand had finally dropped Black Rose, the bloodthirsty weapon fell to the ground with a silent yet uncontent clang.

He covered his face in his hands as streams of tears ran down his face.

" How can this world be so cruel? I thought I was doing good, beating the villains up. I just ended up becoming one of them... or maybe even worse... if you hadn't stopped me now... what, oh, what would I have become? Why is the world like this? There's no way, no purpose in such a world... " a new kind of madness befell Arun, this time, one induced by his own actions.

Yet, even so, even a boy whose pure heart had left him, replaced with the cold beat of the grim reality, his guarding angel wouldn't leave him.

Paradox jumped in his belly, clawing at his face trying to get his attention. Arun's defense was strong yet his companion's persistence was stronger. Finally his eyes finally mustered the power to meet with Paradoxes. The cold, inanimate eyes was now replaced by a warm look while his maw was holding something... familiar to Arun.

Arun ran his shaky hands down his Tigers maw, liberating the object. It was... an old wristwatch... his grandfather's...