POV STALKER
I create a shield around Sickle and he slices it in a frenzy.
“The world is suffering. Gotta learn to enjoy it!” He slices his own body as he tries to break free. His head wiggles in ecstasy and drool leaks from his body.
These poor creatures. All they know is suffering. How can I reach them? How can I save them?
Bottles burst and create a circle of fire around the assassin.
I turn around, expecting to see CatBoy soldiers. My eyes water.
He’s alive.
“Yuuuuuuuu-kiiiiii!” I fly into his arms and sob.
“To think a lovely little lady remembered me after all these years.” He pats my head.
I hear my shield shatter and burning sickles flail around us.
Yu-ki shields me and takes a dive, avoiding most of the attacks. He smashes a bottle in his hands and blasts an incoming sickle with ice. “As far as I’m concerned, I’m still your hero.” He smashes one of the tendrils and grabs onto a scythe. With the weapon in one hand and me in the other he repels the incoming assault.
“I’ve contained this misery for years. Waiting for the angel to return!” yells Sickle, gliding across the ground and coming straight for us.
Yuki smiles at me. “Oh, you gotta check this out, Stalker. Huh, why did I call you that. Eh, no worries. Got a brand new power to dazzle you with! Beautiful Barrier!”
A rainbow of energy comes from Yu-ki and forms in front of us like a shield.
“Wow! How did you get a new power!? That’s super duper amazing!” I exclaim, snuggling his arm.
“I’ll tell you in just a bit. Barrier Blast!” Yu-ki tosses one of his empty bottles at the barrier. It explodes and sends a blast of ice out.
Sickle’s blades swerve around the barrier and close in on us before freezing along with the rest of his body.
“You did it, Yu-ki!” I snuggle him fervently.
“Haha! Yeah, anything for a sexy maiden like you,” he says with a deep blush.
“Oooh.” I grab his cheeks and peck his lips. “You’re gonna tell me everything that happened or my lips will keep assaulting yours.”
He pats me. “Hey, hey, relax. I’ll explain everything while I take you to your sister.”
I look up at him with a blank stare.
Luna…is here?
“I’m sorry it took so long, but you’re finally going to be reunited with her.”
I hug Yu-ki and cry. “You really are my hero.”
Sis, I’m coming to you. I’m finally going to see you again!
POV GLASSES KID
Sorry, Stalker, but I need the point of view. I’m about to burn to death and I at least want it to be seen by Main so he can be guilt tripped into making me a worthy memorial.
“Come on. The heat is strong enough to sear his skin for sure. Why isn’t he suffering yet?” asks the other glasses kid.
“Does the little birdy have a final answer?” asks Kuu, touching me with her vines.
I’d rather die than answer incorrectly. Only when absolutely certain can I answer.
The kid with the glasses pulls a glowing bead out from his pocket. “We got to speed it up. The other members of Shadow Truth are waiting.” He looks up at Kuu.
What a moron!
I can’t help but laugh but the laughter turns to screams when my legs are set aflame. “Shadow Truth! Your true allegiance lies with shadow truth!”
Kuu stares blankly. Her eyes blink. Her vines drop. “The cosmos has blessed the unfortunate with a mere glimpse of truth’s blinding light.”
“No! That little idiot just told me the answer!” I exclaim, struggling to break free.
Kuu shrugs. “A partial truth does not make the ground quake.”
“What are you saying? You’re not really with us?” asks the kid with the glasses.
A figure suddenly drops down.
Brawny Babe has come to rescue me!
She takes off his glasses, crushes them and then smashes the glass shards into his face. “Nobody hurt friends.” She fires an arrow at the burning tree branch suspending me. My muscular savior then catches me in her arms and brushes off the flames.
“The rainbow of destiny shall dance across the cosmos when the mushrooms sing a chorus of unity.” Kuu’s body releases smoke and she flees with the arrogant kid in tow.
“You got my distress call?” I ask, straddling her big arm with tears dripping from my eyes.
“Happen to walk by is all,” she says, scratching her head.
Main, if you can hear this then remember that you still have comrades. I’m letting go of the POV now. Chances are a lovely lady will take hold of it.
POV DANDY
I stare at Yandy, my ex-friend who turned out to be just a mean bully, who know holds my heart in her hands.
“I regret this decision.” Yandy scowls. “As little as you mean to me…I still like gory drawn out kills. But if I move, then you die. I’ve been thinking it over for the past fifteen minutes and I’ve decided that I can just mutilate your corpse after your dead.” She pulls back and yanks out my heart.
“Ow!” I yell, pushing her off me.
“You’re…still alive?” The lovely shocked features on her face quickly mold into a scary sadistic grin. “Then I get to kill you again and again.”
“Those are the words of a villain!” exclaims the most incredibly heroic and handsome voice in all the realms.
My knight is here!
White Knight picks up a chair in the room and throws it at me. He teleports in front of it and grabs it. My dashingly handsome hero then tosses the chair up, kicks Yandy’s legs and then pushes her into the chair.
“Don’t pop my fun time!” Yandy slams her extra sharp cleaver at my beloved knight. It shakes in her grip and doesn’t cause a dent.
“A blade dulled by villainy and violence cannot slice the armor of justice that shelters me like an independent single mother between jobs.” He smacks Yandy and knocks the sword out of her hand.
“Knighty, you saved me!” I cheer, phasing through his armor to give him a kiss on the cheek.
He grabs my hips and dips me, deepening the kiss. When it parts my whole body is glowing.
“Knighty!? Why do you even like this creep? He’s the one who forced you to wear that slutty dom gimp suit!” yells Yandy, slicing her legs repeatedly to collect blood for her sword.
“NO! Knighty made this for me! I wear it because I live for exposure! This outfit is like a big hug from Knighty himself at all times! It makes me feel warm. H-H-His love is more exciting than even your meanest punishments.” I stick out my tongue to show her just how mad I am.
“Then maybe I just need to step up my game!” Yandy lunges her sword at me.
White Knight pushes me out the way and the blade cleaves his arm in two.
No! Knighty!
He grabs Yandy by her head and lifts her up. “I am a gentleman and as such I don’t hit women. However, I should warn you that sometime I get a spasm in my arm.” His fist slams into Yandy’s face. “And a lovely lady accidently gets her skull caved in.”
“Stop!” I grab onto Knighty. “I don’t like seeing my pure warrior taint his virtue.”
Knighty tosses her aside and embraces me.
Mmmmm. Warm.
“I’ve told countless women that they are my destined soul mate, the pinnacle of beauty and other touching phrases from my justice driven heart. But you, my Equal, are the only one who truly completes me! If you have a request, then I must fulfill it.” He bows.
“The lovely couple can die in each other’s arms!” yells Yandy, rushing at us with her blade.
Dere Dere suddenly appears on her arm, poking her cheek. “Zappy zappy.” She giggles as Yandy is electrocuted.
My Knighty shields my eyes from the violence.
I look at his severed arm. “There’s no blood. Is that metal?”
He lowers his head and nods. “A warrior of justice’s body is riddled with scars. Since our last encounter, I lost both my angel and my arm.”
“And who gave you the mecha arm?” asks Rival, entering the burning building.
“One of the strong and capable women I know from a distant land,” says White Knight.
“Dere Dere evacuated the rest of the villagers. I’ve got something to drop off. Tsundy told us to rescue you but she’s in danger herself. Why don’t you three give her some assistance?” I ask.
“Herherher! Such a splendid and heroic idea!” cheers White Knight.
I grab his good hand and wiggle my hips. “No.”
“Huh? Why not?” asks Rival.
I grind hard against my Knighty’s leg. “Horny now! Pin me!”
He lowers his head. “I’m sorry, but as a hero I must attend to this fair maiden’s needs.”
“Putting desires before your allies. You’re both pathetic excuses for heroes.” Rival picks up Dere Dere. “Tsundy could die. You have to return and help her.”
“Do not command the Deity! But yeah, I won’t abandon big sis!” Dere Dere rushes off.
Rival glares at us. “Is she dies the blame lies on your shoulders.”
That glare! Mmmm. I want more glares but right now I just want to disappear as me and Knighty become one! Yay!
POV TSUNDY
Keep running. A warrior like me, reduced to a cowering damsel. But what choice do I have?
I turn around and slam my mace into the fiery rubble, melting it into ash.
“Oh yeah! We make quite the team, hot stuff,” says Piney.
I smash through the wall of a building with a headbutt and use the smoke to conceal my path.
The village elder is the only one strong enough to fight off Flam.
I find the wooden hut and quickly enter it.
Piney looks at me with disapproval. “Hey, spitfire, what happened to you? You’ve let this whole spy thing make your spirit dull. The old you would have smashed that fairy king till the ground caved in. You’ve grown soft. Why don’t you unleash your full power?”
If I did that, I could win, but what if the hero gets killed in the process? Or worse, what if I end up hurting my fellow traps?
“I couldn’t help it. My whole body told me to run. My legs, they moved on their own. Just what sort of monster is he?” I ask, searching the room for the elder.
An old man wheels into the room. “It’s over, isn’t it? The village of smiles is all but ashes.”
“You’re the village chief, why aren’t you doing anything to help your people.” I step up to him. His body looks so weak, like a tree that’s already dead.
“Flam was supposed to honor the deal. I send out a few tributes and the village is left in peace. It must have been that accursed angel. Misfortune follows her around like a dog in heat.”
The door behind us is sliced open. The entire wall is then shredded to pieces.
Flamboyant villain, with his scarf over his eyes, and his body held together by white threads emerges from the thin slices of the building. An ominous purple aura coats his body.
“We had a deal! Why did you betray me?” The Old Man’s tears create scars on his fragile cheeks.
Flam doesn’t speak. His hair juts out like snakes and tears the Wood Primordial to pieces.
“I killed you! But now you’re alive and possessed. What is going on?” I ask, taking steps back as soon as his toxic aura comes close to me.
The scarf glows with energy and embraces Flam, snuggling him with passion.
Flam fabulously moves the scarf out from his eyes and the threads on his body come back together. “That was just the feast I needed.” His piercing eyes turn their gaze on me. “You truly did kill me. Bravo!” He claps his hands together.
“Then how are you alive?” I ask, slamming my mace against his aura.
The toxic aura deflects my attack and he approaches, backing me against the wall.
I’m too terrified to bust through. I’ve become so pathetic.
“A true seamstress can sew themselves back into the plot. You aren’t the first to kill me, but if you misbehave, I’ll be the first to kill you.” His aura becomes like hands and tears at my clothes, leaving me naked.
Damn it! Even my frilly boxers are shredded. They were custom made.
“As expected, you’re a TRAP. What was the acronym again? Hmm. Tactical Recon Assault Patrol?” He slams me across the room with his aura, smashing me into pottery, chairs and the bed.
“Why is Yandy working for you?” I ask, struggling to take a step forward.
“Oooh, that look of despair and anger! Such a lovely blend. Yandy wanted to be a hero, so I repurposed her for that cause. We have the same enemy. Oh, not just her, but you and I as well. You should be at my command. I have the cutest dress for you!”
His hair comes out and weaves itself into a pink and frilly dress. The aura lifts me up as he forcibly dresses me.
Ugh. He won’t just kill me. He has to humiliate me too.
“Oh, you just look darling. I simply must see you dance.” Fibers come out from his fingertips and fasten themselves to my body. At his command I glide and twirl around the room as his aura enters my body and poisons me. “A vibrant dance that slows until it finally stops. Vibrations that tell the story of life. You must thank me for giving you such an emotionally gripping sendoff.”
My hands drop the mace and it deactivates.
I feel so weak.
My bones break as I land and he claps along with the sound of the snap.
Rapid clapping suddenly fills the room.
“Where is that sound coming from?” asks Flam, using a living monocle to scan the room.
“Bravo! Bravo!” cheers Dere Dere, spinning around me as she enjoys the show.
No. I can’t even signal her that I’m injured. Every part of my body is his to command.
Footsteps approach and Flam is suddenly punched in the face.
“You freaking asshole! You can’t force TomBoys to dance! It’s humiliating!” yells Rival.
My body falls to the ground like a ragdoll.
Dere Dere’s eyes go wide. She noms on my belly and starts eating the toxic purple aura.
“How dare you punch my beautiful face! You said you were in love with me!” he exclaims with teary eyes.
“Sorry, I see someone being a prick and I just gotta punch ‘em.” He grins.
He saved me. I thought being saved would feel sickening, but it’s really wonderful.
A CatBoy general suddenly lands in front of me, smashing face first into the polished wooden floors. Scars cover his body and his eyes are missing.
Poppy drops down and digs her talons into the general. “Leave my village now or I’ll prove my talons can do more than foot jobs!”
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Flam’s eyes go pink with passion. “Aren’t you just darling!” His hair strands pick up the bird angel.
“Don’t you care if he dies?” asks Poppy, glaring at Flame.
“Of course I do. I look forward to the hole it will pierce through my heart!” Flam’s eyes go wide with anticipation.
“Stop.” Rival steps up to Poppy. He pats his head.
“What are you doing at a time like this?” asks Poppy with flushed cheeks.
“No way am I dying without petting a cutie like you. The rest of you should get out of here. I’m going to go all out to buy you some time.” He grins and snaps his fingers.
“My people are being slaughtered, I’m not just gonna fly off! A goddess protects her worshipers.” Poppy growls at Rival.
Dere Dere looks up for a moment and gives Poppy a firm nod. She then continues sucking out the poison.
I think I can speak again.
“Wait. Isn’t that going to hurt you?” I ask.
“Mwahaha! A Deity cannot be poisoned.” Dere Dere coughs but puts her hands over my ears. “You heard nothing,” she whispers.
I’m supposed to protect her. Some big sis I turned out to be.
Flam gets up. “Hmmm, I think I’ll save destroying you for another day. You have so much to live for.” He snaps his fingers and brings Rival right behind him. He then pushes out his butt. “Pound me real good. Satisfy my lust and I’ll let the Trap and her friends go.”
“Don’t you ever call me a trap!” Poppy sends her feathers at Flam who simply throws a living handkerchief that eats them. Their sound waves distort as they are consumed.
“He’s talking about me,” I say, crossing my arms.
“So, will you take me?” asks Flam, grinding his butt against Rival.
Rival scratches his head. “Look, if I’m late with my delivery because of some awesome battle, that’s fine. I can explain that to TomCat. Hell, even brag about it. But if she finds out I didn’t give her the goods because I was too busy doing the dirty with you. Eeeesh, she’d be pissed. I don’t want a vengeance wielding hothead like her directing those rage waves my way. I mean what if that glorious hatred somehow morphs into friend…” He gags.
Dere Dere swallows the last of the poison. “The Deity shall momentarily act as a lowly messenger god as you show that mortal your wrath! Be sure to grab him by the hair!” She runs up and grabs the journal from Rival’s hand.
Hmm. Didn’t know TomCat liked reading. Must be something important in there. Not sure I trust her, but right now I just gotta focus on surviving.
Poppy glares at Flam. “I want you out of my village now!”
Flam pokes the wall and the whole building collapses, bursting into dust upon colliding with the ground. “Not much of a village left, sweetums. But I won’t have those pretty brown feathers get ruffled anymore.”
“They aren’t brown,” whines Poppy.
Flam hops into Rival’s arms. “Pound me all the way to the exit of the village. Once I’ve milked you dry with my thirsty ass, you can do as you like. That or I tear the wings off the birdy. Neither of us want that.”
“Fine! Whatever! I’ll do it! Don’t you tell a soul, got it! That goes for all of you. Hey, what’s with the nosebleed?” He points at me.
Guy on guy is hot! And seeing Flam squirm in pain is oh so satisfying.
“I was poisoned. I’m lucky to be alive,” I say, feigning weakness.
Rival pulls down his pants. “Ugh. This is not how I pictured today. Hey Flam, you better brace yourself for the most disappointing ass-pounding you’ve ever gotten. Cuz no way am I giving you the rough sex you crave.”
Flam’s eyes sparkle. “Oh my. I will savor every miserable second of it!”
“Geez, there’s no upsetting you, is there?” Rival groans.
“If one finds joy in misery than happiness is always present. Sadness is a choice. You choose to carry it with you. Now.” He drops his pants. “Release every drop of that sadness into me.”
Rival glares at me. “Get stronger, alright? My dick is making a real sacrifice for you.”
And it’s a sacrifice I’ll never forget. Damn it. Why am I so horny all the time?
Rival lazily misses the insertion point as he carries Flam toward the forest.
My legs are broken when yaoi is in my reach. This day totally sucks.
POV TOMCAT
“Stop ignoring me!” I lunge my claws at the one who murdered my brothers and finally my new power activates.
Assailant slices my face before I can slam my fist into him. “Don’t interfere. Betrayer mustn’t escape.”
The other RiftRipper forms multiple portals. Bladed tentacles swarm out of them, encircling Assailant and me.
Assailant’s body contorts, creating a puddle of knives to deflect the onslaught. “Either we work together or we both die.”
“I’m fine with dying as long as I take you with me!” I grapple the RiftRipper and punch him repeatedly. The impact from my attack disrupts the trajectory of Betrayer’s blade storm.
“We make a good team.” Assailant pets me as I continue to punch him.
Why won’t he just die!?
“Hold on.” Assailant covers me with his cloak and then soars through the blade storm.
Screams and images of violence ravage my mind.
Is this what those murderers feel all the time?
I see slices appear from the inside of his body and I tear myself out.
I fall to the scorched ground. There’s a love pillow next to me.
Okay, one what is a love pillow doing inside a RiftRipper and two why are her tits so freaking huge!?
Assailant and Betrayer are at a standstill, with thirty blades pressed to one another. Each time one makes another blade, the other mimics it.
I shake my head and shake away the terror that was clinging to me.
Now’s my chance to kill him. Or…I could save Fruity first? Urgh! Why am I having doubts.
I get a light zap and see Dere Dere looking up at me.
“The deity made sure the injured had proper medical supplies, so she’s a bit late with the delivery. This package is from Rival.” She hands me the journal.
Perfect. This is my ticket to getting Fruity back.
Dere Dere backs away when I reach for the book. “Huh? Who dares touch the deity?”
Shade emerges from some burnt rubble. She snaps her fingers, pulling Dere Dere up to her. “Good work getting me the journal. Darling, he doesn’t have the journal. You can kill the RiftRipper.”
“You should be at my side. Know that your death will be a miserable flame that ignites my ambition.” Betrayer’s knives suddenly spin around the tendrils, moving like drills. The drill blades pierce Assailant’s defenses.
“Stop!” I yell. “I need to kill him.”
And by killing him, his secrets die with him. Whatever Rival was after will be lost forever. That’s a good thing, right?
Distorted screams tickle my eardrums as Assailant is sliced to pieces.
Dere Dere suddenly bursts with energy and pulls him out of the blade barrage.
The tattered body oozes black liquid.
I approach her and give the darling a head pat. “You saved him for me.”
Dere Dere puts her arms out. “No. This assassin knows where the portal is.”
Shade’s shadowy ears perk up. “The portal back to Earth? The one he pulled my sister through?”
Dere Dere stands atop him. “I must discover the truth for myself. Punch Kitty, hold them off while I escape okay? The Deity is very tired.”
I rush up and kick Dere Dere. I place my fist to the glowing black core exposed beneath Assailant’s tattered cloak. “Betrayer, release Fruity. When she’s away from here, I’ll hand him over to you. Otherwise, I’ll kill him.”
Betrayer looks to Shade for advice.
“Do as she says. My new kitty wants what we want anyway. No need for hostages anymore.” Shade shrugs.
Betrayer’s body spits out Fruity.
I pick up my friend and hold her close to me. Her eyes are swirling with madness.
She’s even more lost than before. Should I end her misery?
I put my fist to her chest.
No. I hate to admit it, but that Glasses Kid can probably fix her. His knowledge rivals that of the ancients.
Kuu approaches. “The fortune teller escapes the void.”
“Bring her to her allies.” Shade waves Kuu away.
“I do as the shadow commands.” Kuu pulls up my friend.
“Wait.” I step up. “Please try and save her. Do that and I’ll help you with whatever you want.”
“To cure madness, I’ll need the wisdom of the trees and the potions of the forest.” Kuu looks to the stars.
“We had to go to the Akashic Swamp eventually. I guess we have our next destination. Yuki is likely already waiting at my mother’s home.” Shade turns to me. “Pick up the assassin. We’ll interrogate him there.”
Betrayer cradles Shade with his tendrils. “That place brings you sadness. All the ShadowPups were put to rest.”
Shade wipes a tear from her eyes. “Sadness is what fuels us. I need to recharge. Our journey is nearly at its end.”
Dere Dere pulls Assailant out of my arms. “The Deity demands to attend the interrogation too!”
Betrayer’s body distorts into a web and traps Dere Dere. “Shall I kill this one?”
“No. Bring her along too. We can interrogate them both.” Shade smiles.
Every step I take closer to her makes my instincts scream at me with a warning of danger. There’s no going back now though. I’m going to see this through to end no matter what the cost is.
Luna grabs my hand and smiles at me. “Lighten up, kitty. You’re one of us now. Lower your guard and relax.”
“Wasn’t NeedleStack one of your own too?” I ask.
“He served his purpose. You’ve still got plenty of use out of you.” Luna makes my legs move, having us walk perfectly in synch. “Just continue to be useful and you’ll be fine.”
With fear sirens assaulting my body, I follow Shadow Truth to a dark cave.
POV SHIFT MAIN
My eyes open slowly. Orange mist surrounds me. The entire village is missing. Bodies and fire are all that remain.
Worst Enemy holds his hand over his face with angst. “You retconned your own death. How could I have forgotten that?”
I look up at him from the ground.
Even after all this. He’s still so hot.
“I don’t want to fight you anymore. Let’s go back home and watch the new anime seasons. You never got to do Blood Palace in Devil Will Cry 5. I wanna watch you destroy it.” I look up and smile at him weakly.
He sprays my body with blood from his wrist. The blood solidifies into chains that hold me in place. “Memories are merely an ice breaker. That was the bonding stage. I wanted to cultivate our friendship. Then use that friendship to will you into becoming a powerful hero.” He crouches down and puts his blood dagger to my forehead. “There’s no point in going back. In fact, now that you’re here. You’re stuck here. But its pointless to explain. Your story ends here. Your death is just another pathetic chapter in my life’s story.” He carves into my forehead.
I grab his arm. “Why serve Flam? Why is he worthy but not me?”
The blade pierces deeper into my forehead. “I failed you as I’ve failed so many before you.” Best Friend’s eyes are as uncaring as Kilyamas.
Friendship points at Worst Enemy. “So you’re just going to throw him away like trash! I was thrown away! I was abandoned for being defective! But I’m still fighting! I despise assholes like you! Holy shit! I did it. I beat the censor! It’s a fuckin’ miracle!”
“Well I was going to die anyway, so I retconned that for you. You protected me.” My hair pats Friendship. “I just wanted to make it up to you. Not sure how long it will last.”
“Even broken, you both come back.” Best Friend coats his fingers in blood so they become like blades and slices Friendship to pieces.
I break one arm free of the blood chain and try to shield Friendship with it.
This pain…it’s nothing. I barely feel anything anymore.
My arm becomes a bloody mess and Friendship loses power.
“Why do you hate me?” I ask in tears.
“Don’t be like that. I’m giving you a dramatic finale. You’d let Stalker die if it would triple the ratings. You don’t want people complaining that the whole second half of the season was just a harem comedy.” He bites his lip and creates a single needle.
“I’m not like that. You know I wouldn’t let her die. I helped save her, remember?” I ask, reaching out and grabbing his hand.
His hand grips mine and blood thorns pierce them together. “It doesn’t matter anymore.” He presses the blood needle into my chest. “Nothing does.” Blood drips from out of our hands onto the needle, feeding it and making it grow.
If I die again, then it’s over. My hair won’t move. It’s already surrendered.
“At least…take off your shirt,” I say, smiling through my tears.
“Such an odd final request. Very well.” Worst Enemy removes his shirt with the other hand.
It’s that ripped chest…the chest that I lie against when I can’t sleep…the chest that keeps me warm on the coldest of nights…if that’s the last thing I see, then I can die without regrets.
“What are you doing to him!?” Stalker looks up at us, her eyes heavy with horror.
Each second another drop falls, making the blade bigger and sharper.
“I didn’t want you to see this.” Worst Enemy closes his eyes in shame.
Stalker throws an object with black muck nearby us.
It’s Boobs. She’s here. She still cares about me!
“Main…I have a sister. I’ve been searching for her for eight years. She’s close by and she hurt my daddy. I…” Stalker sobs.
“You’re going to abandon me…just like my parents. Wait. They didn’t abandon me! He killed them! And he’s going to kill me too!” I yell in tears. “You’re my Stalker! You can’t just abandon me! Aren’t yanderes supposed to protect the guy they’re obsessed with? Or at the very least do a double suicide with them!?”
What am I saying? I don’t want her to die. I’m just so scared.
Stalker approaches with tears in her eyes. She crouches down and holds my tattered arm to her tear-stricken cheeks. She turns to Best Friend. “Is there anything I can say to stop you from killing him?”
The blood spike has now grown so much that it reached our hands.
Best Friend pats her with his free hand. “In the end he’s just another hero to you.”
“He’s my last hero…” She looks at my eyes and cries harder. “I’ll never forget you.”
“A hell of a lot of good that does me! I want to inspire people in life! Not in death!” I yell.
Best Friend smiles at me as he lightly pushes the blade into my heart. “I’ll be sure to tell embellished stories of your heroic feats. You’ll be an inspiration to so many heroes.”
“Why are you lying to him?” Stalker sobs. “He’s the last one. Our last hope. And you’re killing him.”
“You’re right. He was my final gamble. Leave now. You won’t want to see him at his most pitiful just before he dies. Remember only his greatest moments.” Best Friend eats a memshroom. “I’ll do the same.”
Stalker swallows and nods. “I’ll always love you, Main. I’ll tell my sister all about you…the good and the bad. I love both parts of you. If I only loved the good bits I’d only love half of you, or well, like thirty…no…fifteen percent! Yeah! So I love every bit of you and I always will!” She bows, wipes her eyes and then runs off.
Abandoned. It’s only fair. I had abandoned her, after all. I’m going to die…alone.
“Hahahahahahaha! Fusion motha fucka!” Friendship’s voice booms out of…my arm?
“Your abandonment and despair has made you strong,” says Best Friend with a smile.
Stalker’s tears weren’t wasted. They fulfilled their trope of healing without unexplainably reviving the dead. Pieces of Friendship had combined with my arm to heal it. My shrapnel arm was messy looking, but it was fully healed and ready to kick some ass.
Friendship and I both focus our rage. “You’re not killing us! Friendly Firestorm!” We fire at Worst Enemy at point blank range.
The fire not only sets Worst Enemy on fire, but also hardens the blood dagger just before it pierces my heart.
Those sexy abs and snow-white cheeks melt away but his crimson eyes continue to give me that enchanting glare.
“We were supposed to become heroes together.” My eyes overflow with tears.
“I failed you, Main. But I fully accept your final gamble!” Best Friend plunges the blood dagger all the way through. “You fought to the last breath. In death…you became worthy.”
My story…is over. I hope…you enjoyed it. Nobody’s immortal. Hard work and courage don’t give you plot armor in real life. The real world has no narrative loopholes. It’s cold, uncaring but beautiful. Just like my Best Friend.
I cough out blood as I hold onto my consciousness just to look into his eyes for even a second longer. Then everything goes black one final time. His hair was black. I remember running my fingers through his hair and imagining us being lovers. I suppose all my heroic and romantic fantasies will die with me. The hero’s epic journey has come to an end.
To be continued in Broad-Spectrum Assassin 1st chapter releases November 10th 2019!
BROAD-SPECTRUM ASSASSIN TRAILER
Greetings, I am Assailant, but I wasn’t always a dimension cleaving merchant of death. I was once just a boy who wanted more than anything to make his parents proud. I hope this small excerpt from my childhood sharpens your curiosity into a fine blade.
This day was just like the others. Wake up, sneak into the kitchen, discern which meal wasn’t poisoned and eat it, limber up with Hasha yoga, close-quarters training, weapon training, durability training- my personal least favorite, team training- where she once again wasn’t teamed up with me, and then dinner followed by parental bonding.
The next day was when things took a bit of an odd turn. The top student BladEagle- we each got codenames based off of animals, apparently passed his final exam. The exact details of the exam were always kept a secret from the students, most likely to keep us from cheating. Just before he was taken to the second floor- the place where the graduates go to receive further training, I caught a peek at his eyes.
They were hollow, like my little angel doll from my first home.
What happened to him?
The teachers were called off by the class supervisor, allowing me to approach BladeEagle.
“What do you want, Weech?” He turned his gaze from me.
I was named Weech, because I was the cuddliest of the students. The name never bothered me though, because Weechs are the only parasite so cute that nothing can eat them. And they leave little hickeys where they nibble. Super cute.
“I’m not going to help you cheat to pass the exam. A weakling like you couldn’t pass anyway.”
He always looked down on me for being at the bottom of the scoreboard, but I could tell he needed a friend right now.
I approached him and embrace him with my long-sleeves.
“Let go of me.” His voice was dead.
Rather than release him, I decided to engage my wrist dagger and stab him in the back.
He grabbed his own knife but lost his grip when I twisted the blade in his back.
Oh wow! I must have hit the nerves near his spine. I’ve really come a long way! Go me!
He steels himself. “If you’re going to kill me…go ahead.”
“I’m not going to kill you as long as you explain things, okay?” I made my voice extra calming to dull the pain of his bleeding back. “You wanted to be the number one assassin. Where did all that charisma go?”
“You can’t threaten me.” He takes out a dagger and grips it hard.
I stab another dagger on the other side of his back, keeping things symmetrical of course.
His grip tightens around the blade, cutting his hand, but he doesn’t drop it. The sharp slab of metal pressed against his own throat. “Did they send you to test me? Haven’t I done enough?” His hand was shaky as his ambition wavered.
“I’m just curios. And you know the rules…”
“You can only ask questions when you threaten someone. But you stabbed me, twice!” he yelled.
“Just wanted to make sure you weren’t dead.” I smiled.
“You’re such a freak.” He laughed.
I joined in, accidently cutting in deeper.
“I want to die so killing me isn’t exactly a threat.” His voice darkens like the powder LunarMoth in the sunlight.
“But you’re too brave to kill yourself.”
“Fine! I’ll tell you what you want but then you…have to kill me!”
“Wow. Why are you being so nice to me now? I’ve wanted to kill you for so long. It’s so funny. Now that you want me to kill you, I don’t want to.” I begin to pull the blades out.
He backs into them but stops once the pain is too much. “You had better not wuss out!”
“Okay, I’ll kill you but I’m going to drag it out okay? I want to get past all this bad karma between us by making you suffer till I feel guilty.”
“You really are an odd one.” He drops his blade. “Mother and I…we were lovers.”
“Why not father too?” I ask with a grin.
“I’m serious. She never loved father. She was assigned to him. Everything in this damn place is a set up. We’re all actors playing with deadly props.”
I clap by chattering my teeth since my hands are full. “You should be a poet.”
“Shut it! Ugh! You’re so annoying. Ow!”
“Sorry. My hands get shaky when I’m bored.” I chuckle a bit.
“Mother and I made love, almost every night father was off on a mission. But last night…they must have found out. I think they tortured her. Her wrists were cut and her eyes were full of fear. She told me that she only pretended to love me. She said so many terrible things. That I’m unlovable.”
Hmm. Maybe she was just telling him the truth. He is a rather prickly pear, only he’s sour on the inside too.
“You…killed her…didn’t you?” I ask softly.
He nods. “I just wanted her to stop saying awful things. And afterwards…father he told me…I passed the exam. Nothing makes sense anymore.”
Is the final exam the same for everyone? I have to learn more.
“That’s all you know?” I ask.
He nods and cries.
I suppose it will remain a mystery for now. I best be extra vigilant.
I pull the blades out and hug him.
“Hey, you’re supposed to kill me now! What are you doing?”
“Empty threats are just as effective as real ones.” I pat his head.
“You lied to me! You tricked me!” he yelled, trying to escape the warm fuzzies of my hug.
“Assassins are masters of deception. Maybe I am cut out for this after all.” I chuckle.
“I hate you!” he yells, slamming his leg into me.
“Nope. You hate yourself. If you can just project that hate on your targets, you’ll certainly make a passable assassin.” I pinch his cheeks.
“Let go of me! Why are you so strong?” he asks in tears.
“You’ve just become weak, that’s all.”
He suddenly grabs my hand and plunges the dagger its holding into his chest. “Ha! Revenge is sweet. Now that you killed me, the first graduate of our class, everyone is going to have high expectations of you. You’re going to cave into the pressure and run like the coward you are.”
Hmm. Now I kinda want to kill him again. Oh, but that’s what he’s trying to make me do.
I see a shadow coming down the dark hallway.
I stab the blade deep in his heart to kill him quick and put his hands on the weapon. I then push him off and let out a terrified scream. “He’s dead!” I hold myself in tears.
The class supervisor looks at me. “You found him like this?”
I peek out, nod and then hide my face again.
Crisis averted. I’m no good when put under pressure. I just go berserk and start stabbing things.
The class supervisor’s body bends around me. The room is distorted. “You’re lying.” An eye peeks out from beneath his hood and gazes into me.
To be continued in Broad-Spectrum Assassin
Yo, it's Rival. My cursed arm here wants to inform you that you can learn all about RiftRippers with Assailant's tragic backstory. If assassins and despair tickle your pickle, then this is just the story for you. Season 2 of The Main Character! is coming but only after Assailant has finished his swan song. Read Broad-Spectrum Assassin and uncover the secrets of the Assassin Guild!
Ebook and Print version coming December 2019
Enjoy the story? You sure as hell better have enjoyed my parts and who doesn't love a harem of lovely warriors? Check out the sexy and action packed OVA that explores the Village of Doomed's brothel! Available only in the ebook and print versions of The Main Character!: The Hero's Epic Journey Continues!
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About the Author
Alexander McCarty is an animal born on Earth who actively seeks freedom for his fellow animals. He enjoys watching anime, playing video games, reading books by other independent authors, being an activist, writing anime-style stories, and living a vegan life. Having graduated from college with a focus on Asian and Religious Studies, he now spends his time as a writer and as an abolitionist vegan advocate. He listens to any and all comments, suggestions, reflections and criticism.
Please contact me with a link to where you placed a review for any of my books (Of The Exps/ The Main Character) and I will answer any single question as one of my characters for FREE. If you do a review (and point out where) in addition to submitting fan art, I will write a FREE short 2–4 page story (with my characters) in a scenario of your choosing. =(:3)*
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Tsundy’s Special Message
Hey there. Some of us make good decisions out of guilt, a desire to be healthy, concern for the environment or to get with a cute boy! It doesn't matter what starts us on a path of righteousness, only that we stick to it by following our moral obligations. I can't dwell on the mistakes I've made in the past...the lives I've taken. But I use those mistakes to push me forward and be the best person I can be. Chances are you don't need to consume animal products and a part of you already knows that using them causes harm to animals. If there's no need, then why do it? Muster up your virtue and live your morals. I'm just starting my Vegan journey too. So I hope you'll join me. Come on, idiot. A cute tomboy is asking you to live a happier, healthier life. Get your ass in gear and do the right thing!
If you need resources, the ones below are the absolute best.
http://www.adaptt.org/
http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/
veganeducationgroup.com