19 - [Accidental Video Post (BECAUSE YOU GUYS WANTED IT)]

[church_man]

[The communicator hits the ground, video switching on with lines of interference as well as static in the audio, although the picture is clear enough to see the gist of what is going on. The communicator seems to be sideways, and Wolfwood's legs can be seen farther down the hall, as well as Walter's beyond him. The general grotesque look of the

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[prodigal_axe]

Fucking hell..

[We're too late]

-Shinji crouches down next to the still-living remains of Wolfwood. Despite the gore and smell, he seems unaffected, and is anything but. God damn it. Just as he thought. They couldn't save one. But he won't change his mind--it was still worth the try.-

.. We tried. So.. -He uses the sleeve of his own coat to wipe some blood from his mouth.-

[purgatory_maren]

-Minato rushes to his friend's side, only to be taken aback by the sight and smell. He dropped his arm and katana to his side and stared down in horror. Minato had seen death before, as well as and gore, but the guilt set in; That he could not help Kadaj and Shinji with their mission-

Is he...

god is he still alive?

[adventlead]

-Coming to a stop a few feet a way, Kadaj can only stare at the gore blankly. He had failed, and...-

What a mess.

-The remnant crouches down, one hand going down to the floor soon to be stained in blood. His eyes flicker to the mutilated body as he speaks calmly.- Do not cry. Trying's just never enough...

[church_man]

[Wolfwood looks up at the others, unable to do much else. The unbearable pain of just moments ago was already becoming distant, not his own. He tried to move his legs, but nothing moved. He knew why, and he felt surrealistically calm about it.

He tries to speak, but a weak gurgle comes out instead, more blood leaking from his mouth. The pain was distant, but he felt cold. His thoughts were sluggish, but even those were distant, and growing more so as the seconds passed. The most coherent one he could muster was I should have seen it coming.]

[prodigal_axe]

-Shinji rests one hand on Wolfwood's forehead. He would offer to end it for him, like he did with Shadow, but the man's face didn't show much pain. Maybe he wanted to live those last few seconds.-

It isn't enough.

-Then in a gentler tone to the dying man- Hey, don't worry. We're here, and you'll be back. I didn't regret coming over here at all.

[No one should have to die alone.]

[purgatory_maren]

-Minato looks to his two companions and swallows hard at the lump in his throat. He brought his left hand to his katana and tightened both around the hilt until his knuckles whitened. The thought of him still alive, whether he knew him or not was..

No words. Minato casts his shimmering eyes down to the mutilated man, one thing on his mind. -

.. sh-should I... he's.. suffering..
...
No.
-Minato lowers his blade, allowing Shinji to continue.-

[adventlead]

-After what feels like a long moment of staring, only to be seconds, Kadaj shoots a pointed look at Minato. He understands.-

Do it.

It would be merciful. -Even if he comes back later anyway.-

[church_man]

[He glances at Shinji at the touch. His words ring in his ears for a moment, barely understood, before his vision fades rather abruptly. He coughs once, weakly, and his eyes go blank as what little life was left leaves them.]

[purgatory_maren]

-With those final, painful sounds Minato lets his katana clatter to the floor. What would he have done? He would have finished him without a moment's hesitation once Kadaj suggested he do so.-

...
H-he's gone now..

[prodigal_axe]

..!

-Shinji reaches behind him and grasps his axe-handle the moment Kadaj speaks. He knows Minato will do it.-

[No! I won't let him stain his hands like that. Not while I'm here. I'll protect him from that.

I'm the killer.]

-As he wraps his hand around the axe, Wolfwood's eyes begin to go blank and the life bleeds out of his mutilated corpse.-

... He was already far gone.

Didn't seem to die in pain.

-He releases his axe--knowing full well they both saw that gesture.-

[adventlead]

-He was dead. There was nothing more to be done here. Without a second glance, Kadaj stands back up and begins to walk off, looking through his messages to see if any of the others missing had made their presence known. The blood on his hand is still warm, and a little sticky. It annoys him, and he wipes it on his forhead.-

Whatever. Done here.

[purgatory_maren]

.... Maybe you should have been thinking about him when you went for your axe, Shinji, not protecting me.

-Minato narrows his eyes and snatches his blade from the floor, catching up to Kadaj's, not so near to Shinji. -

why is he always doing this?! always protecting me!

-He was aware that he meant well, but he was also aware that he always felt he had to play the villain, or be the one to do the dirty work-

... Who was he? I don't even know who this poor guy was.

[prodigal_axe]

Get in the moment. It's over now.

-Shinji jams both hands in his pockets and trudges after Kadaj. He figures Minato is pissed and would take it any day over the other scenario.-

So, where are the others? Heard from Miku, or Sakura?

I didn't know Wolfwood. Not for more than a day or two.

I'll fix that when he's back.

[adventlead]

No, haven't.

-Kadaj looks to Minato as if to ask him if he has, before looking away.-

He...

My job. But didn't even... -Whatever. It was over with now.-

[purgatory_maren]

Miku is in her room until I'm ready to pull her out. I let her stay in there, but I keep on coming down to check on her until it's time to come out.
She's a little pissed at me, I think. I could tell..

-Minato casts a knowing glance to Kadaj. He knew that reaction. It was all too familiar. Failure.-

Kadaj.. We did what we could.. But we can still help the others.

[prodigal_axe]

Wait.

You actually managed to piss her off?

She's nice to everyone. She'd smile at a demon from hell.

What'd you do to make her mad?

-Shinji glances over at Kadaj-

Hey, lets get going. Like he said, we've got people to pick up.

[Better if he doesn't think about this so much for now. I'll try and comfort him later.]